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In Anderem Licht HHV Exclusive Pink Vinyl Edition

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An expanded edition on the master of Modernism, Le Corbusier, by award-winning architectural historian William J. R. Curtis.

Originally published in 1996 to critical fanfair, scholar William J.R. Curtis has re-issued his classic text with extensive new scholarship and contemporary research that continues the high standard of the original. Presented chronologically with a clear narrative, Curtis has worked tirelessly not only to document Le Corbusier's key projects in detail but to contextualize them within the architect's overarching philosophy of urbanism and art and the pervading culture of Le Corbusier's time. With full access to the renowned Le Corbusier archive, Curtis' text is lavishly illustrated with new photographs, plans and original sketches and a fresh new design.

Praise for the first edition:

"This is not only the best single work on Le Corbusier - a model of scholarship, erudite yet eminently readable - it is also an invaluable analysis of the creative architectural process. It should be read and re-read by every student of architecture." - Building Design

"William J. R. Curtis is the best architectural historian writing in the English language." - Chicago Tribune

About the author: William J R Curtis is an award-winning historian, critic, writer, curator, painter and photographer. Educated at the Courtauld Institute of Art, London, and at Harvard University, he has taught the history of art, theories of design and architecture at several universities worldwide: among others, Harvard University; the Architectural Association, London; Unam, Mexico City; Etsab, Barcelona; Helsinki Institute of Technology; the Accademia di architettura, Mendrisio, Switzerland; and the University of Cambridge where he was Slade Professor of Fine Art 2003-4. In addition to teaching history and theory, Curtis has been directly involved in architectural education in the studio and in juries. He has written historical, critical and theoretical texts on subjects as varied as modern architecture, landscape design, the history of everyday objects, the process of design, historiography, visual education and criticism. His best known books include: the best-selling Modern Architecture Since 1900 and Le Corbusier: Ideas and Forms (both published by Phaidon).

Reviews: "The most lucid and complete chronicle yet available of Le Corbusier’s achievement and (in the words of his title) the 'ideas and forms' which successively and cumulatively account for its significance. It is, then, as incise narrative... Illuminated by penetrating critical commentary that this book excels."—Times Literary Supplement

"This book is an admirable as well as well-timed introduction to Le Corbusier. In it much recent scholarship has been pulled together and presented in a lively account of Le Corbusier’s life and work... It is also a record of personal observation and synthesis by an informed and shrewdly sensitive author which will remain valid and fresh in the long term."—Architectural Review

"William J R Curtis is the best architectural historian writing in the English language, and that alone makes this book something of an event. Unsurprisingly, Curtis has turned out what is probably the most comprehensive, well balanced and interesting narrative yet produced about one of the giants of 20th century architecture."—Chicago Tribune

"As a study of the life and work of possibly the most erudite, probably the most gifted, and certainly the most disturbing architect of the present century, it is unlikely to be superseded."—The Architect, Royal Institute of British Architects' Journal

"...A much expanded version of an earlier monograph... Definitive, chronological, sumptuously illustrated... Curtis is [...] balanced and inclusive, offering excellent discussions of all the Indian work, of many unexecuted projects, and of the vast influence Corbusier has exercised... I think there is no better introduction to the man and his work."—Architects Journal

"Just as Le Corbusier is a 'classic' of modern architecture, Curtis's monograph is a 'classic' of the Corbusian bibliography. And with this new edition - substantially enlarged, both in text and illustrations - the book will become indeed the main reference for understanding Le Corbusier's contribution to universal architecture."—Arquitectura Viva

Specifications: Format: Hardback Size: 305 × 238 mm (12 × 9 3/8 in) Pages: 512 pp Illustrations: 500 illustrations

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Barbara Morgenstern

2LP | 2024 | EU | Original (Staatsakt)

29,99 €*

The Sunset All Stars With Nat King Cole, Buddy Rich And Charlie Shavers

Release: 2024 / EU – Original

Genre: Pop

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Limited edition, 100 copies. exclusively at HHV

More than five years after "Unschuld & Verwüstung", Barbara Morgenstern returns with a new album in January 2024. It's called "In anderem Licht" and was recorded by Guy Sternberg at the legendary Hansa Studios in Berlin.

The chamber music double album tells of the impending climate catastrophe, the necessity of social transformation processes and the hope of liberation from the state of general paralysis: "Everything can be different", says the album opener "Die Wand" (The Wall) or in the song that gives the album its title: "Everything will hopefully be as it always has been, only in a different light" and finally: "Except the old world!". What reads somewhat didactically on paper is translated into mostly small miniatures on "In anderem Licht", from which Barbara Morgenstern and her ensemble create dramatic arcs of tension and surprising twists and turns. Strings, saxophone, double bass and drums follow Morgenstern's grand piano playing with impressive swarm intelligence. "I look around for alliances", she sings and states - struggling to find the right metaphors: "Time heals more than a thousand words". So she takes all the time in the world in her music, although she is unmistakably aware of the urgency of the questions and paradoxes raised in her songs.

In times of fiercely contested attention economies and clickbait logics that seem to permeate all areas of life, passing and emerging every second, this hour of music spread over 11 tracks is like a balm. A tender manifesto of change.

"Because I don't tell the joke to myself, but to you and me and then we're here", she sings in "Der Witz" and in the loop the music circles, like a bee that wants to settle tenderly on a flower, around a more pleasant now-state of the world, a space of possibility. Before the whole thing flies around our ears in the end and her ensemble makes the melancholy melodic arcs seem bigger and bigger with each round until they appear to us in a completely different light! When Barbara Morgenstern sings "This place will stay when we go, this place will never be the same again" in "Dein Name", it sounds as if she wants to conjure up the world for us. Or free us from a curse. "I always thought connection mattered, love for the cause, for the rest of the world!" she finally sings in "Die Liebe zur Sache", and wonders whether that still counts at all in the world out there. A justified question! Barbara Morgenstern has been one of the most independent musicians in Germany for over 20 years. From the Berlin living room scene of the 90s to the latest award-winning theatre productions with Rimini Protokoll, she has always followed her inner voice in her unbroken belief in the magic of music. John Cale, Mark Hollis, Hans Unstern, Robert Wyatt or Björk come to mind as possible kindred spirits: a certain oddness, paired with great virtuosity and a penchant for a certain minimalism, which can always be big and epic. For the moment. With this wonderfully enraptured, somnambulistic album, we can only wish Barbara Morgenstern and her courageous ensemble that they will play the big stages with it. Because as the song "Zwischen den Stühlen" (Between the Chairs) says so beautifully: "Leave me in peace, it's no use to me. I want to get out of here, between the chairs!". A documentary film by Berlin filmmaker Sabine Herpich, who has accompanied Barbara Morgenstern over the last few years and which traces the story of the creation of this extraordinary album, will also be released in 2024. The video for the first single "In anderem Licht" already shows footage from it, so this is more of a film trailer than a video. Incidentally, the cover motif of the album dates back to 1829 and was painted by Barbara Morgenstern's great-great-great-grandfather Friedrich Preller the Elder.

"In anderem Licht" will be released on 26.01.2024 via Staatsakt on LP/CD/Digital.

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Anatomy Of A Jam Session

LP | 1981 | NL | Reissue (Black Lion)

4,99 €*

Release: 1981 / NL – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG, Cover: VG

Carlos Lyra E Dulce Nunes Com Moacir Santos / Catulo De Paula / Thelma Soares

Pobre Menina Rica

LP | 1964 | BR | Original (CBS)

79,99 €*

Utarid / Am I Dead Yet / The Mock Heroic / A Fine Boat, That Coffin!

Release: 1964 / BR – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG, Cover: VG

Vinyl with scuffs and hairlines. Cover with shelf wear

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4 Way Split

LP | 2006 | DE | Original (React With Protest)

6,99 €*

Release: 2006 / DE – Original

Genre: Rock & Indie

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Used Vinyl

Medium: Near Mint, Cover: Near Mint

Die Original Egerländer Musikanten Und Franz Bummerl Unter Der Leitung Von Ernst Mosch

Dort Tief Im Böhmerwald

LP | DE | Original (Telefunken)

Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet Featuring Art Blakey And Kenny Drew

Release: DE – Original

Genre: Rock & Indie

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG

Cover with tear on the front. Vinyl with a couple of light scuffs

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Sonny Rollins With The Modern Jazz Quartet

LP | 1960 | JP | Original (Top Rank International)

60,99 €*

Release: 1960 / JP – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG+

DJ Sotofett & Maimouna Haugen Feat. DJ Gilb'R, Haugen Inna Di Bu & Stiletti-Ana

C'Est L'Aventure

10" | 2018 | UK | Original (Honest Jon's)

11,04 €* 16,99 € -35%

Release: 2018 / UK – Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG+

Technics

SC-C70MK2

999,00 €*

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Premium Class All-in-One Music Music System

The new generation of C70 All-in-one music system with CD, radio, USB playback, Bluetooth and Chromecast built-in, all in an elegant & timeless design.

Newly Developed Speaker Units & Acoustic Lens
The 8-cm woofer unit offers significantly better basic characteristics as a result of various improvements made, such as the reduced weight of the voice coil, enhanced airflow and increased rigidity of the diaphragm. The woofer provides superb response and sound clarity to reproduce mid- and high-frequency sound comfortable to the ear. The high-res-ready 2-cm dome tweeter unit features a lighter silk diaphragm to provide beautiful lingering sound. What’s more, the acoustic lens is optimised for the new tweeter shape and enhances the expansiveness of reproduced sound.

3 JENO Engines
In order to faithfully reproduce the information of rich sounds with the 2.1ch configuration, three “JENO Engine” full digital amplifier units have been equipped. In addition to utilising the excellent processing capacity of the three units and faithfully driving the left and right channels and subwoofer, “Space Tune”, which optimises the sound quality depending on the installation status, has been realised.

Space Tune™
The SC-C70MK2 features Space Tune™ Auto to achieve optimally balanced sound easily with the press of a button. This function measures test tones played through a mic that is built into the SC-C70MK2 to analyse the distance to walls and the effect of reflections. It then automatically optimises the sound field. In addition, the Space Tune™ function includes 3 presets (Free, Near the Wall, and Near the Corner) for easy setting, and uses a Technics Audio Center app to precisely adjust the sound quality to the listening position.

iOS device calibration is available for more precise adjustment
Measure room acoustic conditions by using microphone integrated in iOS devices.
Tune DSP parameters to optimise acoustic performance.

Multi-room
With a number of Chromecast built-in speakers, the variety of music streaming services can be played in several rooms, or different music can be played from room to room*. In addition, if you use Technics Audio Center app and have another app compatible Technics devices, you can also enjoy other music source in multi-room such as Bluetooth, AUX, Optical input, USB, Internet radio and also OTTAVA™ f SC-C70MK2 compatible streaming music. * The Google Home App is required.

Complete Compatibility
In addition to CDs and radio, this model is newly compatible with Chromecast built-in, and supports a wide range of music streaming services. Furthermore, it is also compatible with Spotify Connect, Amazon Music, Deezer and Internet radio. It is also compatible AirPlay 2, Bluetooth Wi-Fi, network playback, USB memory playback and analogue/optical input to allow you to enjoy various sound sources with one unit. The UI of our iOS/Android smartphone app, “Technics Audio Center App” has also been redesigned, making it easier to use than ever before.

Favourite Function
Up to 9 presets can be set on the main unit, such as favourite internet radio stations, a DEEZER playlist, and USB songs. This makes it possible to listen to your favourite music without even starting up an app.

Specs:
• Newly Developed Speaker Units & Acoustic Lens
• JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noiseshaping Optimization)
• Load Adaptive Phase Calibration (w/o Calibration function)
• Space Tune™
• Twin Power Supply Circuit System
• CD High-Res Re-master

Technical Data:
• Accurate Digital Technology:
- JENO Engine (Jitter Elimination and Noise-shaping Optimization)
- Load Adaptive Phase Calibration (w/o Calibration function)
- Space Tune™
- Twin Power Supply Circuit System
- Re-master

• Noiseless Signal Technology:
- Twin Power Supply Circuit System
- Optimally Activated Circuit System
- CD High-Res Re-master

• Emotive Acoustic Technology:
- Acoustic Lens and Louver
- Dual bass reflex port

• Output Power:
- Front speaker: 30 W + 30 W (1 kHz, T.H.D. 1.0 %, 6Ω, 20 kHz LPF)
- Subwoofer : 40 W (70 Hz, T.H.D. 1.0 %, 4Ω, 20 kHz LPF)

• Speaker Unit: Woofer : 8 cm Cone Type x2 / Tweeter: 2 cm Dome Type x 2 / Subwoofer: 12 cm Cone Type
• Analogue Input Terminal: AUX IN x1 (φ3.5mm)
• Digital Input Terminal: Optical Digital x1, USB-A
• Headphone Output: Yes (Ø3.5 mm)
• Disc Compatibility: Audio CD, CD-R/CD-RW (CD-DA, Discs recorded and finalized on recording devices)

• USB-A:
iPod/iPhone/iPad: No
Support Codec:
- WAV
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24, 32 bit)
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24, 32 bit)
- FLAC
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24 bit)
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24 bit)
- DSD
Yes (2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2MHz)
Yes (2.8 MHz, 5.6 MHz, 11.2MHz)
- AIFF
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24, 32 bit)
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24, 32 bit)
- ALAC
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24 bit)
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24 bit)
- AAC
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz / 16-320 kbps)
Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96 kHz / 16-320 kbps)
- MP3
Yes (32, 44.1, 48 kHz / 16-320 kbps)
Yes (32, 44.1, 48 kHz / 16-320 kbps)

• DLNA: Yes (32, 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192, 352.8, 384 kHz / 16, 24, 32 bit)
• Ethernet Interface: LAN (100 Base-TX/10 Base-T)
• Wi-Fi:
- IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac
- 2.4 GHz / 5 GHz Band
• Chromecast built-in: Yes
• Works with Google Assistant: Yes
• AirPlay 2: Yes
• Bluetooth® (Support codec): Yes (AAC, SBC)
• TIDAL / Spotify: Yes* / Yes*
• Tuner: DAB/DAB+/FM
• Power Supply: AC220-240 V, 50 Hz / 60 Hz
• Power Consumption: 45 W
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 450 x 143 x 280 mm
• Weight: Approx. 8.0kg
• Accessories: Remote Control, AC Cord, DAB Indoor Antena 、Batteries for Remote Control

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Technics

SC-C70MK2

999,00 €*

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AT-LPW40WN

309,00 €*

2LP | 2023 | Original (Survival Tactics)

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The AT-LPW40WN is a fully manual, belt-drive turntable designed to give you optimal high-fidelity audio reproduction from vinyl. It features an aesthetically pleasing anti-resonance MDF (medium density fiberboard) plinth with simulated walnut wood veneer to limit low-frequency acoustical feedback and a sensor-monitored motor to ensure accurate platter rotation speeds at 33-1/3 and 45 RPM.

The turntable includes a straight carbon-fiber tonearm with adjustable tracking force and an AT-HS4 universal ½"-mount headshell with an AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge. Audio-Technica has been a leader in phono cartridge design for more than 50 years, and that expertise shows in the versatile, high-performance AT-VM95E cartridge, which comes with a 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical stylus, but is also compatible with any VM95 Series replacement stylus, offering a wide choice of options for every budget and application.

The AT-LPW40WN is equipped with a built-in selectable phono preamp and a detachable dual RCA output cable to enable direct connection to components with or without a dedicated phono input.

Smart Styling - Combining Audio and Aesthetics:
The LPW40WN was designed to give you optimal high-fidelity audio reproduction with smart styling.

Optimal High-fidelity Audio Reproduction - Stylish Wood Turntable:
A stunning addition to any system, the AT-LPW40WN features an anti-resonance plinth with simulated walnut wood veneer to limit low-frequency acoustic feedback.

Features:
• Plays 33-1/3 and 45 RPM Records with Speed Control
• Built-in Switchable Phono Pre-amplifier
• Straight Carbon-fiber Tonearm
• AT-VM95E Dual Magnet™ Phono Cartridge
• Fully manual, belt-drive operation with two speeds: 33-1/3 and 45 RPM
• Motor features a speed-sensor system to maintain accurate platter rotation speed
• Fully manual operation
• Adjustable dynamic anti-skate control
• Professional anti-resonance, die-cast aluminum platter with rubber mat
• AT-HS4 universal ½"-mount headshell and AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet phono cartridge with 0.3 x 0.7 mil elliptical stylus
• AT-VM95E cartridge is compatible with any VM95 Series replacement stylus, offering a wide choice of options for every budget and application
• Straight carbon-fiber tonearm with hydraulically damped lift control and lockable rest
• Anti-resonance MDF (medium density fiberboard) plinth with walnut simulated wood veneer
• Built-in switchable phono pre-amplifier for phono or line-level output
• AC adapter handles AC/DC conversion outside of the chassis, reducing noise in the signal chain

Specifications:
• Type: 2-speed, fully manual operation
• Motor: DC servo motor w/speed stability control
• Drive Method: Belt-drive
• Speeds: 33-1/3 RPM, 45 RPM
• Wow and Flutter: < 0.15 % WRMS (33 RPM) at 3 kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio: > 60 dB
• Output Level: Pre-amp: ""PHONO"": 4.0 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
• Output Level: Pre-amp ""LINE"": 200 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
• Phono Pre-Amp Gain: 35 dB nominal, RIAA equalized
• Power Supply Requirements: 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz
• Dimensions: 117 x 420 x 340 (H x W x D mm)
• Weight: 5.0 kg

Accessories Included:
• AT-HS4BK Headshell,
• AT-VM95E Dual Moving Magnet Cartridge with elliptical Stylus
• Detachable RCA output cable (dual RCA male to dual RCA male)
• AC adapter
• 45 RPM adapter
• Counterweight
• Rubber mat

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Tal Fussman

The Fine Line In Between

24,99 €*

The Sun Shines At Night - Giorgio Moroder In Finnish 1972-1989

Release: 2023 / Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Fresh off a few top-of-the-range hors d'oeuvres to whet our appetite, Tal Fussman resurfaces on his dedicated imprint Survival Tactics with his longed-for debut album, 'The Fine Line In Between'. Right on the brink of even bigger things, as attested by the inclusion of his track 'It Was Misunderstood' on Dixon's seminal Innervisions mixing series, 'Secret Weapons 14', a contribution to the label's compilation 'Secret Weapons Part 15' a few months ago, and making it into Frankey & Sandrino's BBC 1 Essential Mix back in 2022, it's safe to say the Tel-Aviv-born, Berlin-based producer has been on a roll as of late, and 'The Fine Line In Between' is the fruit of all these years spent honing his skills and vision through some of the finest labels and stages out there. Kit up for a fascinating ride across Fussman's hypnotic headspace, the ideal liaison between hi-NRG floor potential and proper funky mischief.
Collated from beats recorded about a year ago, the idea for 'The Fine Line In Between' was, in Fussman's own words, to unfold as a "rollercoaster of emotions, happy, sad, angry, hopeful". Soaked in the Prophet 6's extra-terrestrial envelopes, the opening track 'No Return' is a highly cinematic escape from our earthly here and now, and a most meditation-compatible asset at that. Injecting some breaksy rhythm into its mechanisms, the title-track serves up a masterly built and deployed piece of floor-ready abstraction, suited for either after-daydreaming in the backroom or soundtracking your next sunset whirl on the autobahn. Back to a more hip-swaying, Latin-infused techno vibe, 'A Subtle Change' blends in the suave funk of dubbed-out Chicagoan classics with that of a samba-like chugging tempo, easing us into its warm and sensuous world in the most languid fashion. Making dazzling use of the Moog Sub Phatty's analogue grit and all-around incisiveness, 'Move Your Hips' draws a flock of oh-so-buoyant Rhodes stabs and has them flinging in all directions as a hi-intensity jack ensures maximal traction from the dancers. Hard-boiled boogie, set to no-surrender mode.
Lacking no oomph nor swing, 'Get By' goes from deep the dub techno spectrum's lower end, up sample-heavy disco house's most exhilarating heights, perfect for when the DJ needs that energetic offload but also requires some fiery syncopations to ignite the dance floor. More in the Moroder-esque vein of EBM you'd see being played over images of Ryan Gosling going pedal to the metal in Drive, 'Talk To Me' fires off an avalanche of sizzling arpeggios and menacing vocals, cooking the crowd up until a midway drop that shall obliterate any remnants of inhibition amongst the ravers. Birdsongs and tribal drums are on the menu of 'Back Up', a proper smashing bit of Afro-funk assault, flush with the blazing conga lines, chopped-up vox and that unrelenting bassy earworm going wild. A cannibal rite turned electrokinetic Rave-God worshipping. Thunderous and built for big-room get down, 'Cycler' finds Fussman at his most corrosive and combative, whereas 'Funktown' explores the more squelchy, unabashedly acid-friendly facet of the Israeli producer's all-embracing approach. Note, that second half of the track is bespoke gym workout material. Stretch your body and feel the gain.
A compelling mix of faux-organic lushness and surgical whoosh-step, 'Unconditional' melds high-voltage UK bass and garage alongside near-abstract electronica escapology, beautifully mingling the potent nature of intricate drum programming and ethereal flights of its endless textured pads. Pure peak-time business, 'I Will' is atomic energy stacked in a marble-sized core, highly volatile and bound to devastate any outdoor rave or club basement it may come into contact with. 'The Chamber (Outro)' rounds off the journey as it started, moving upstream onto the path of serenity, like the calm after and before the storm. Glimmering harps and warped chords entangle in a moving symphony of sorts, melancholic yet evocative of a spaciousness and freedom Fussman holds onto as its magnetic North.

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V.A.

2LP | 2022 | EU | Original (Svart)

29,99 €*

2CD | 2024 | Original (Permanent Vacation)

Release: 2022 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Black vinyl, insert

Giorgio Moroder in Finland

The pioneer of electric pop music, Giorgio Moroder (born April 26, 1940 in Ortisei, Italy) is an internationally acclaimed songwriter and producer who left his trace also in Finnish popular music. Several Moroder’s compositions and productions were released in Finland with Finnish lyrics in the 1970s and 1980s, when Moroder had his most creative peak. This compilation includes twelve Finnish Moroder-covers from early bubblegum pop to electronic disco.

Giorgio Moroder began his musical career as a singer. He gained success performing bubblegum pop in the late 1960s. He wrote some of his hits himself, but he also sang songs written by others. During his singer years he succeeded with songs Looky Looky (1969) and Son of My Father (1971). The latter became well known also in Finland, where it was covered by one of the most famous Finnish singers in 1960s and early 1970s, Ilkka Lipsanen alias Danny. The song found its way to Finland via Britain, where British band Chicory Tip had covered it first and made it to the charts with the song.

Danny was not the only Finnish singer in the early 1970s who looked at Moroder’s repertoire when searching for good songs. Koivistolaiset was a singing and dancing duo of sisters Anja and Anneli Koivisto who were well-known celebrities in 1970s Finland. They released Moroder’s composition Good Grief Christina as On siitä aikaa in 1973. This song was also discovered from Chicory Tip’s repertoire.

Cheerful and danceable bubblegum pop was an early 1970s phenomenon and in Finland it was the most popular music played in discos during those years. In the mid-1970s the style called disco music was born and the popularity of bubblegum pop faded. Also Moroder quit writing bubblegum pop and got interested in disco and electronic music. Synthesizer and drum machine technology developed and created new possibilities for producing electronic disco that can now be seen as proto-techno.

Virve Rosti was one of Finland’s most popular disco and pop singers in the late 1970s with her strong soulful voice. Rosti’s fourth solo album in 1979, Oon voimissain, was packed with her versions of late 1970s disco hits like Ring My Bell, I Will Survive and Knock On Wood. The album included also two Moroder’s compositions originally released by American disco group The Three Degrees, Antaudun (Giving Up, Giving In) and Ohari (The Runner). Both are excellent cover versions compared to the originals, even though the long instrumental section in the middle of The Runner is cut to a shorter one in the Finnish version. Rosti’s singing performance is also high quality.

Among Rosti one of Finland’s most popular female disco singers was Mona Carita, whose second album in 1980 was called Soita mulle and named after her cover version of Moroder’s composition Call Me, originally released by Blondie in the same year. Mona Carita’s version with lyrics by Raul Reiman is still among the best known Finnish disco and pop covers of the era.

Moroder’s most creative era ended in the early 1990s, though he has returned to music business within the last ten years. Finnish record producers also began looking in other directions when searching for songs. During the 1980s it became less and less popular to make Finnish cover versions of international hits. There were several reasons for this, from the improving quality of Finnish compositions to improvement of Finnish people’s understanding of other languages. When the audience began to understand the English lyrics of international songs, there was no need to make Finnish versions of them anymore. However, Moroder’s work is still recognized and played frequently today, and the same goes with the best Finnish cover versions of his compositions.

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John Talabot

Fin - Special Edition

CD | 2024 | Original (Permanent Vacation)

Release: 2024 / Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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If there is one person, who has been causing a stir on the international club circuit recently, it is Barcelona's John Talabot. Already his debut “My Old School“ (which is meant literally by the way) on Permanent Vacation in 2009 and shortly after that the single “ Sunshine”, which he put out on his own Hivern Disc imprint, made him one of the most promising musicians of the Spanish electronic scene. And those two releases also already set the mark for John Talabot’s unparalleled music: raw, loopy, heavy on the kick drum, sample based, moderate on the tempo, distorted on the drums and light years away from the clean and ever revolving house sound of today. This unique style which also blends influences from afro beat, Detroit techno, Chicago house and cosmic disco, but also northern soul or the energy of Flamenco, immediately turned some heads around. James Murphy, Âme and Aeroplane started including Talabot music in their sets like it was the most natural thing. However - and this is quite rare - he not only gained legions of fans in the house and disco community, but also amongst the leftfield pop and indie rock followers. NME and Resident Advisor both had “Breakthrough“ features on John Talabot and he can be proud of a “Best New Music“ dubbing on
Pitchfork. (Being rather elusive on showing his face in magazines or the web it also came to some funny rumors that John Talabot was the alter ego of a well-known techno producer from Detroit).
At the same time he drew the attention of like-minded artists like James Holden and Luke Abott from Border Community, Blondes or Delorean, which lead to a bunch of fertile collaborations: Luke Abbott and Blondes remixed Talabot’s “Sunshine“ single , John Talabot remixed a track by Delorean and vice versa Delorean’s Ekhi contributed vocals to the track “Journeys “ on John’s album). Another example is the Young Turks Label (home of Jamie XX, Holy Fuck, El Guincho or SBTRKT ) on which he released the “Families“ EP in 2010. It was praised beyond limits. Pitchfork for
instance hailed: “… where pop and house influences sweetly buffer up against one another to provide an unyielding sense of elation“ and even brought Talabot a comparison with artists like Four Tet or Caribou.
While staying true to his sound, John Talabot has nevertheless shown a constant evolution as a producer since his first release. He has traced a solid musical path that has turned him into one of the big references of European House and has made him also a highly in demand Remixer (for the likes of The XX, Francesco Tristano’s “Aufgang” project, Shit Robot on DFA, Thaiti 80, Joakim or Teengirl Fantasy to name just a few ).
A progression that now crystallizes in “ƒin”, his first full-length album for Permanent Vacation. A record, in which the Barcelona mastermind sets aside the danceable immediacy to expand his stylistic palette more than ever. For that purpose, Talabot melts all the elements that have constructed his distinctive sound until now and makes them emerge from a new perspective, in which the construction of complex song structures, intricate rhythms and superpositions of ever-evolving melodies and atmospheres pick up the baton of the “a kick-drum and a sampler” philosophy of his initial productions. The result brings us 11 tracks (we should call them songs really!) dominated by dark ambiances, gaseous textures and bittersweet moods that, above all, reveal a kind of vivacity that’s really hard to find in contemporary electronics. “Fin” is far from being a track collection. From the majestic opener “Depak Ine“ to it’s solemn ending with
“So Will Be Now“ , one of the two tracks that features Talabot’s soul and label mate Pional, each song traces an overall dialogue with the rest, culminating a highly emotional journey through Talabot’s always compelling and unique musical vision.

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John Talabot

Fin

12,99 €*

Randy Masters Feat. Solar Plexus With The University Of California Santa Cruz Chamber Singers

Release: 2024 / Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Children Of Bahia / Torremolinos

12" | 2024 | US | Reissue (Jazz Peace)

18,99 €*

Eric Clapton Featured With John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers With Champion Jack Dupree & Otis Spann

Release: 2024 / US – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves

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This is a truly wonderful Jazz double offer you a look into an expression of Jazz. Both sides are heavenly spiritual and should be embraced

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Steppin' Out

LP | 1981 | DE | Original (Decca)

11,99 €*

Eric Clapton Featured With John Mayall & The Bluesbreakers With Champion Jack Dupree & Otis Spann

Release: 1981 / DE – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG, Cover: VG

Close to VG+

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Steppin' Out

LP | EU | Reissue (London)

16,14 €* 18,99 € -15%

Release: EU – Reissue

Genre: Organic Grooves, Rock & Indie

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AT-LP3XBT

289,00 €*

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The AT-LP3XBT is a fully automatic turntable designed to deliver outstanding analogue sound with enhanced Bluetooth® wireless technology.

Bringing the clarity and warmth of analogue audio to the digital generation, this Bluetooth® turntable offers all the benefits of vinyl with the convenience of enhanced connectivity. Enjoy the freedom to connect to the latest speakers or headphones with Bluetooth® wireless technology at just the touch of a button - your analogue listening journey starts here.

Audio-Technica’s LP3XBT turntable combines 60 years of high-fidelity design with the latest Bluetooth® technology, giving you cutting-edge features while drawing on decades of audio experience. Enjoy a turntable that’s built on heritage, but built with the modern listener in mind.

Featuring fully automatic operation, a built-in phono preamp, removeable universal headshell and replaceable stylus, this Audio-Technica turntable is easy to set up and use, making it an ideal choice for beginners or those looking to level up their listening experience. Play 33⅓ & 45 RPM records your way, experimenting with different styli as you begin to discover your personal audio preferences.

Integrated Bluetooth® technology gives you the flexibility to connect your turntable quickly and easily, no matter where you are or how you choose to enjoy your vinyl experience. Whether you pair your LP3XBT with speakers to provide the perfect soundtrack for a gathering with friends, or listen through a pair of Audio-Technica headphones for a deep listening session, you can expect impeccable high-fidelity audio.

Features:
• Fully automatic belt-drive turntable operation with two speeds: 33-1/3, 45 RPM
• High-fidelity audio with Bluetooth wireless technology
• Connects wirelessly to speakers and other devices equipped with Bluetooth wireless technology or to wired audio systems and powered speakers via included dual RCA output cable
• Compatible with the high-quality Qualcomm® aptX™ audio codec
• Balanced straight tonearm with hydraulically damped lift control and rest
• AT-VM95C cartridge is compatible with any VM95 Series replacement stylus, offering a wide choice of options for every budget and application
• Includes the AT-HS3 universal headshell
• Built-in switchable phono/line pre-amplifier with detachable dual RCA output cable with grounding wire
• Anti-resonance, die-cast aluminum platter with felt mat
• Damped base construction for reduced low-frequency feedback coloration
• Included Accessories: detachable RCA output cable (Dual RCA male to dual RCA male with ground), 45 RPM adapter, removable hinged dust cover, and detachable power cable

Specifications:
• Type Belt-drive, fully automatic operation
• Motor DC motor
• Drive Method Belt drive
• Speeds 33-1/3 RPM, 45 RPM
• Turntable Platter Die-cast aluminium
• Wow and Flutter < 0.2 % WRMS (33 RPM) at 3 kHz
• Signal-to-Noise Ratio > 60 dB
• Output Level PHONO: 4.0 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
• Output Level LINE: 252 mV nominal at 1 kHz, 5 cm/sec
• Phono Pre-Amp Gain 36 dB nominal, RIAA equalized
• Power Supply Requirements 100 to 240 V, 50/60 Hz, 0.6 A Max
• Power Consumption 2 W
• Dimensions 435.6mm (17") ×374 mm (15 ") ×128 mm (5.0") (W × D × H)
• Weight 5.0 kg (11 lbs)

Accessories Included:
• Dust cover
• Felt mat
• Platter (with drive belt)
• Dust cover hinges
• Counterweight
• Headshell (AT-HS3 BK) with VM stereo cartridge (AT-VM95C)
• 45-RPM adapter
• RCA audio cable (Approx. 1.0 m (3.3'))
• AC adapter (Approx. 1.5 m (4.9'))

Communication:
• Communication System Bluetooth version 5.2
• Frequency Band 2.402 GHz to 2.480 GHz
• Maximum RF Output 2,5 mW EIRP
• Maximum Communication Range Sichtlinie – ca. 10 m
• Modulation Method GFSK, Pi/4DQPSK, 8DPSK
• Compatible Bluetooth Profile A2DP
• Support Codec Qualcomm® aptX™ Adaptive Audio, Qualcomm® aptX™ Audio, SBC

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AT-LP3XBT

279,00 €*

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Lodown Magazine

Issue 122 - Guestlist

Lodown

9,00 €*

Seastones: Set 4 And Set 5 Blue Vinyl Edition

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Regardless if you’re doing it for the purpose of relaxation or for releasing a lot of stress, having a night out could have an almost purifying effect. Things then will certainly look even more peachy when your name is on the guest list. It’s just perfect in case you want to have a life but it shouldn’t be too real.
People who aren’t on the guest list are officially uninvited. At least that’s how you should feel when your name made it on one. You put so much energy, smalltalk, omnipresence and social media action into it, you deserve to be treated like royalty. If there’s one constant you can count on, then it certainly is that being on the guest list still is the ultimate status check.

For our GUEST LIST issue, Lodown was hanging out backstage, enjoyed private views, got drunk at uncountable vernissages, took a closer look at flyer culture, high-fived a few bouncers - and even let a few guest art directors take over a couple of pages.
All for the simple reason that you don’t have to queue. You’re welcome. Now let’s dance.

- WHY Ebay... Every once in a while you get introduced to the work of an emerging artist that immediately makes you reflect on why you fell in love with graffiti, graphic design, fashion and getting inked in the first place. It is as if you suddenly got invited to observe things from an edge, wondering when and why you suddenly stopped to rethink - or think ahead - the many possibilities these mediums offer while admiring the audacity, presumed playful easiness and variety of ideas on display. And one of these artists goes by the capricious name of Why Ebay.

- Richard Kern... There are quite a few protagonists that portrayed the seedy underground of NYC in the 80s, and East Village-based Richard Kern certainly is one of the most prominent ones. As a filmmaker he was one of the driving forces behind the Cinema of Transgression, for which he explored hysteria, sex, drugs and violence through the punk rock lens - topics he committed to for a large part of his professional career as a photographer as well.

- Cali Thornhill Dewitt... Creating subversions of the American flag. Being a roadie for grunge royalty. Running a publishing house. Doing radio. Preparing for solo-exhibitions worldwide. Running a record label. Actually, the creative endeavors of celebrated artist Cali Thornhill DeWitt are too numerous to list, but it’s safe to state that the collaboration with Abloh and Kanye a few years back might have been the moment that catapulted his name into the mainstream consciousness once and for all.

- plus more elaborate features and visual awesomeness from the likes of: Marta Blue, Mark Mulroney, Clamm, Jake & Dinos Chapman, Icy & Sot, Dry Cleaning, Matt Hansel, Mike Osborne, Djinn and many others.

Highlights of our GUEST LIST issue include…

DAVE SWINDELLS… In the UK, some people refer to the London of 1988 as “Year Zero“, because it seemed to have kickstarted a club scene in a way that hadn’t existed before. It was the year Acid House was hitting England’s capital (and beyond) big time. It was the time of clubs like Future, Shoom and Spectrum. And luckily East London-based photographer Dave Swindells was there to capture it all.

CIVILIST… Everybody’s favorite Skate Shop in Berlin opened its diary for us. In the end, it basically felt like chronicling the last years of skateboarding of Germany’s capital. It’s a Lodown exclusive, by the way.

NIKITA TERYOSHIN… Berlin-based photographer Nikita Teryoshin invites us to visit the back office of war with him, as his awarded, ongoing project “Nothing Personal“ takes a look at global defence business. Shot (so far) at fourteen different defence exhibitions worldwide between 2016 and 2020 the images capture a parallel world unknown to the vast majority of us ordinary mortals.

DAN WITZ… Embracing the possibility of a collective high through clubbing or a proper show can have an almost cleansing effect - because letting loose within the community of kindred spirits is something very comforting. And there hardly is any other artist capturing these moments of crowds going blissfully berserk than Brooklyn-based genius artist Dan Witz.

- plus more elaborate features and visual awesomeness from the likes of: EIKE KÖNIG, KUEDO, MARCELOA CANEVARI, PVA, LISA WASSMANN, LYZZA, DAVID HENRY BROWN JR. and many others.

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Ned Lagin

LP | 2020 | US | Original (Important)

27,99 €*

Rocket Juice & The Moon (Damon Albarn, Tony Allen and Flea of Red Hot Chili Peppers)

Release: 2020 / US – Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Ned Lagin's Seastones is a pioneering electronic composition interweaving metaphors from nature, science, art and music and the origins of music. Reflecting the technology, science, modern art, new ecological awareness and optimism of the times and culture, Seastones embodies the history of electronic music by taking full advantage of tape music, analog synthesizers, and computer technology to create pieces that are dynamic, rich, and deep.

Originally released by the Grateful Dead's Round Records in 1975, Seastones' reputation as a gem of electronic music was further enhanced by the celebrity of the musicians who contributed to the source material. Seastones musicians include Ned Lagin (processed piano, clavichord, organ, prepared piano, electric piano, synthesizers), Jerry Garcia (processed electric guitar, pedal steel guitar, voice), Phil Lesh (processed electric bass), David Crosby (processed electric guitar and vocals), Grace Slick and David Freiberg (processed vocals), and Mickey Hart and Spencer Dryden (percussion).

This new LP presents two crafted Seastones sets (Sets 4 and 5, 18 tracks) drawn from the entire Seastones composition and contains gorgeous extended processed vocals by Garcia, Crosby, Slick, and Freiberg, and beautiful abstract instrumental passages by Lagin and all.

Lagin is considered a pioneer in the development and use of minicomputers and personal computers in real-time stage and studio music composition and performance. He had classical music training in piano, counterpoint, harmony, orchestration, composition, and the history of music. Growing up in 1960s New York he was deeply influenced by modal and free jazz, and by modern art. Lagin studied jazz improvisation, arrangement, and piano and played in small jazz groups and a big band. Seastones was influenced not only by modern jazz and forms for improvisation, but also by Lagin's studies of early, Renaissance, and 20th century music. He was a touring, studio, and guest keyboard player with the Grateful Dead from 1970 to 1976.

Seastones composition began in 1970, while Lagin was attending the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (mit). In 1974, with a minicomputer and an E-mu modular analog synthesizer, Lagin was able to play a polyphonic keyboard and hybrid computer-controlled instrument, as well as create simple generative musical processes. The normal controls found on the analog synthesizer were customized to accept computer control and the system was large enough to input audio and control voltages from the other musicians' instruments. This means that the synthesizer controls which were processing the incoming audio from the musicians could be controlled by what the artists were playing. These control voltages and timing signals derived from the amplitude envelope shapes of what the musicians played, as Lagin puts it:

"... became the sources of modulation that are the imprints, the musical touch and articulation, personality and presence of each musician. Interweaving multiple musical identities within an interconnected group. Ensemble interaction and improvisation through instrument and compositional interconnection."

Each track on Seastones is what Lagin refers to as a "moment form". Each track is self-contained, like a sea stone on the beach, a moment in time full of feelings and meaning, an entire world unto itself. Again, Lagin:

"Each stone on a fragment from another place and time. Some are just one mineral, some made of many; some are crystalline; some magnetic; some meteorites from the birth of this solar system or the universe; some contain fossils of ancient lives and little life form's, their stories are imprinted. Ephemeral existence."

"Like real sea stones, the Seastones moment forms are each a placetime, a time island, a droplet of time. They are composed and synthesized and skeletal improvisational forms. Some moment forms are ideogrammatic; the communicate their own self-contained structure, each a sensuous object in and of itself. Some of the moment form compositions are individual, some are related."

"Some are metaphoric abstracted forms derived from geology, and natural history and paleontology, electronics and electricity, organic and biochemical synthesis, physical processes, mathematics, physics and quantum mechanics, language and linguistic structure, and different forms and perspectives from pictorial (and abstract) visual art (paintings - cubism, pointillism, impressionism, expressionism and color field). And some from the sea with tonalities that are complex ocean surface and deep wave forms and currents, with the superposition of many waveforms from many sources. Some moment forms are just one waveform cycle."

Seastones: Sets 4 and 5 is available in this audiophile edition of 2000 copies. This audiophile quality LP was cut by Golden Mastering and pressed at RTI to insure excellence in reproducing Seastone's rich analog sound.

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Leave-Taking

10" | 2012 | UK | Original (Honest Jon's)

11,99 €*

Lucky Thompson With Emmett Berry, Martial Solal, The Henri Renaud Trio, Gérard Pochonet, Guy Lafitte

Release: 2012 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Three of the deepest, freshest instrumentals from the imminent album — featuring the Hypnotic Brass Ensemble on the opener. Sound-wise, this is doubly lethal, as alive and present as vinyl gets: mixed by Mark Ernestus, mastered and cut at D&M, manufactured at Pallas. In a silvered, silk-screened sleeve; a limited one-off.

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Paris 1956 Volume 1

LP | 1985 | US | Original (Disques Swing)

7,19 €* 8,99 € -20%

Release: 1985 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG

The Universal-International Orchestra Conducted By Joseph Gershenson And Louis Armstrong And His All-Stars

Music From The Sound Track Of The Universal-International Motion Picture The Glenn Miller Story

LP | 1961 | DE | Original (Brunswick)

9,99 €*

Release: 1961 / DE – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG, Cover: G+

Rita Straps, Mieze Slipper, Reiner Maco, Arno Zwickel, Fritz Hüpfauf, Karl-Heinz Bums, Die Nacketolls

Heiße Höschen Party

3LP | 1979 | DE | Original (SR International)

Release: 1979 / DE – Original

Genre: Pop

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG

Count Basie / Billie Holiday / Henry "Red" Allen / The Jimmy Giuffre Trio / Jimmy Rushing / Mal Waldron

The Sound Of Jazz

LP | 1958 | US | Original (Columbia)

15,99 €*

LP | 2024 | UK | Original (Drowned By Locals)

Release: 1958 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Used Vinyl

Medium: G+, Cover: VG

Cover with long open seam split. Vinyl with many scuffs and hairlines

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Hulubalang

Bunyi Bunyi Tumbal

20,99 €*

Word...Life Vinyl Me, Please Edition

Release: 2024 / UK – Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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In Kasimyn's own words, the phrase "bunyi Bunyi Tumbal" signifies a "Synthetic Feeling for Anonymous Sacrifice," encompassing the emotions born out of a deep dive into the Indonesian war archives. These archives include a trove of photographs documenting the era of Dutch rule, captured through the lens of the colonizers themselves. It is from this point of departure that the project Hulubalang was born.

Hulubalang's gaze is drawn to the peripheral figures populating these historical records. These secondary characters, devoid of individual significance, bear no names, receive no recognition, and serve as props in the broader narrative of history. Simultaneously, they become indispensable instruments in acquiring "lessons learned" from the perspectives of both the victors and the vanquished. Within this framework, the notion of Tumbal, the non-belligerent "sacrifice," assumes a weight surpassing its translation. Tumbal neither acts as a victim nor martyrs itself for its cause. It hauntingly reminds us of the systemic curse perpetually engendering disillusionment.

Bunyi Bunyi Tumbal is a personal act of catharsis stemming from a long lineage of anger. It stands as a tribute to a village whose ritualistic dance, one night, was disrupted by external forces, causing the tune to shatter and leaving the dance caught in a space between innocence and pain.

╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳╳

Artist Bio

Aditya Surya Taruna (aka Kasimyn) is one half of the Indonesian electronic duo Gabbar Modus Operandi known for their acclaimed records Puxxximaxxx and Hoxxxya (out via Yes No Wave and Svbkvlt, respectively) and overwhelming, hyper-active and unprecedented live experiences which have made them a popular act on several festivals of experimental music. In 2022, Kasimyn contributed with beats on Björk's latest album, Fossora, featured on three tracks: "Atopos", "Trölla-Gabba", and "Fossora", joined Björk on stage in Tokyo, Japan in March 2023 as part of her live tour Cornucopia, and appears on two of her album's music videos Atopos and Fossara. After joining Björk on her Cornucopia tour in Japan, Kasimyn is announcing his solo album on Drowned by Locals under his new project Hulubalang.

Text for Album by Riar Rizaldi (translated from Indonesian)

Kusnah walked slowly on the edge of a sand dune, across the coastline. It's safer here, she thought. On the horizon she saw a mirage, a fata morgana. In her mind, thinking of fata morgana as a destination is a better objective than the fact that she has to stay and live in the village: her body is needed for offerings, perhaps for the gods who are thirsty for the anatomy of human body or for the cults of development that is built by blood and the construction of fractured human bones. Perhaps as a political sacrifice too. For her, in a landscape where politics is intertwined with zoē, that's where the world really is at work.

While gazing at the piles of oysters on the beach, in her head she heard a peculiar party music with dank beats and messy strings. An umwelt. This was a victory song that she often plays loud in her mind when she feels defeated—however, not losing, but giving in. In her life, she spent more time giving in. She looked at the pile of oysters. Why do humans see oysters as lowly creatures compared to more advanced species like them? Oh more precisely, she remembered Plato's comparison of a hedonist man with an oyster. Live only in the moment of the here and now.

But Kusnah felt she was a hedonist. She lives for the here and now. She lives not for progress. To hell with the progress and development. She lives to experience time. She lives for jouissance. So for her, Plato had a point. As she looked at the oyster again very carefully, the weird music in her head transmitted louder and louder. She asked herself: as hedonist animals who just stay quiet and experience the waves, do these oysters also have music that revolves around their bodies and makes them feel victorious amidst an ocean of defeats?

Kusnah's gaze grew intense. From behind, came the sound of human footsteps running in a crowd. One, two, three, four the familiar sound of boots stomping. Five, six, seven, the clapping of ugly flip-flops. The fata morgana on the sand dune was instantly broken up by a bloodthirsty mob. As time went on, she heard faint screams. "That's her!" sounds vague but firm. The steps became louder. The music in Kusnah's head played louder. It didn't take long for her to start dancing. Like a possessed ghost, many people say. She wasn't in a trance, she was just enjoying the music playing in her head. Tens of people started to look in high-definition when Kusnah opened her eyelids.

"We will offer you to the gods of progress!" shouted the men with machetes and cleavers in their hands. Kusnah dances like she is out-of-body possessed. "Come on! Take her!" the men rushed to Kusnah, carrying ropes to tie her up. Kusnah smiled widely, while unable to control her dancing body.

"Take my body, but I will never share the hulubalang that roars in my mind!"

Kusnah's head separated from her body, right after she shouted those words.

Riar Rizaldi
Written while listening to Hulubalang's first album

Original Text:

Kusnah berjalan lamban di tepi gumuk pasir, di sebrang pesisir pantai. Di sini lebih aman pikirnya. Di garis horizon dia melihat hamparan fata morgana. Di pikirannya fata morgana jauh lebih baik sebagai tujuan ketimbang dia harus diam dan menetap di desa: tubuhnya diperlukan untuk persembahan, mungkin buat para dewa-dewa yang haus akan anatomi dan spirit dari human being atau buat pembangunan yang dibangun oleh darah dan konstruksi tulang-tulang. Mungkin juga sebagai tumbal politik. Pikirnya, di tempat dimana politik berkelindan dengan nyawa, disitu dunia betul-betul sedang bekerja.

Sambil menatap nanar tumpukan tiram di pesisir pantai, di kepalanya terdengar musik-musik pesta dengan dentuman nakal dan dawai berantakan. Sebuah umwelt. Lagu-lagu kemenangan yang sering ia putar keras-keras dipikirannya ketika ia merasa kalah. Bukan kalah, tapi mengalah. Dalam hidupnya, terlalu banyak waktu dia bagi untuk mengalah. Dia melihat tumpukan tiram dengan miris. Dia berpikir keras mengapa manusia melihat tiram sebagai makhluk rendahan dibandingkan species lebih advance seperti manusia, oh lebih tepatnya, dia mengingat perkataan Plato bahwa manusia hedonist sama saja dengan seekor tiram. Hidup hanya dalam momen hari ini dan saat ini.

Tapi Kusnah merasa ia adalah manusia hedonist. Dia hidup untuk hari ini dan saat ini. Dia hidup bukan untuk progress. Persetan dengan progress dan pembangunan pikirnya. Dia hidup untuk menikmati waktu. Dia hidup untuk bersenang-senang. Jadi baginya, Plato ada benarnya. Sambil melihat lagi si tiram dengan sangat teliti, lagu-lagu di kepalanya terdengar semakin nyaring. Dia bertanya pada dirinya sendiri: sebagai hewan hedonist yang hanya diam dan menikmati deburan ombak, apakah para tiram ini juga memiliki musik yang berputar dalam tubuhnya dan membuat merasa menang diantara lautan kekalahan?

Tatapan Kusnah semakin intense. Dari belakang terdengar bunyi suara langkah manusia-manusia berlari bergerombolan. Satu, dua, tiga, empat bunyi familiar sepatu lars. Lima, enam, tujuh bunyi derap sendal jepit. Fata morgana di gumuk pasir buyar seketika diterobos gerombolan haus darah. Semakin lama semakin ia dengar samar-samar suara teriakan. "Itu dia orangnya!" terdengar sayup-sayup tapi mengeras. Langkah-langkah itu semakin kencang. Musik di kepala Kusnah pun semakin kencang terdengar. Tak butuh waktu lama hingga ia mulai menari. Seperti orang kesurupan kalau kata banyak orang. Tapi dia tidak kesurupan, dia hanya menikmati musik yang berputar dikepalanya. Berpuluh-puluh orang mulai terlihat secara high-definition ketika Kusnah membuka kelopak matanya.

"Akan kami persembahkan kamu kepada para dewa pembangunan!" teriak para lelaki dengan parang dan golok ditangannya. Kusnah menari seperti kerasukan. "Ayo! Tangkap dia" para lelaki itu bergegas mendatangi Kusnah, membawa tali tambang untuk mengikat dirinya. Kusnah tersenyum lebar, sambil tidak bisa berhenti menari.

"Ambil tubuhku, tapi aku tidak akan pernah membagikan hulubalang yang mengaum di dipikiranku!"

Kepala Kusnah terpisah dari badannya, persis setelah dia meneriakkan kalimat tersebut.

Riar Rizaldi

Ditulis ketika mendengarkan album pertama dari Hulubalang.

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O.C.

2LP | 1994 | US | Reissue (Vinyl Me, Please)

43,99 €*

The Coming Vinyl Me, Please Edition

Release: 1994 / US – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Word...Life is the debut studio album by O.C., released on October 18, 1994, through Wild Pitch Records. O.C. (Omar Credle), a member of the Diggin' in the Crates Crew (D.I.T.C.), was highly regarded for his thoughtful and intricate lyricism. Word...Life is considered a classic East Coast hip-hop album, reflecting the 90s boom-bap sound with its jazzy, soul-infused beats and introspective lyrics.

The production on Word...Life was handled by prominent figures in the New York hip-hop scene, including Buckwild and Lord Finesse, both members of the D.I.T.C. collective. The beats feature a mix of jazz samples, soulful loops, and hard-hitting drums, typical of the 90s East Coast sound.
O.C.’s delivery on the album is laid-back yet razor-sharp, and his rhymes are filled with vivid imagery, social commentary, and personal reflections. The album is celebrated for its lyrical depth, with O.C. blending storytelling and wordplay seamlessly throughout.

"Time's Up" – This is O.C.’s most famous track and a standout from the album. The song addresses the fakeness in the rap industry, calling out rappers who portray false images of success and street life. The production, courtesy of Buckwild, is minimal yet powerful, with its heavy bassline and sparse drums giving space for O.C.’s sharp lyrics.
"Born 2 Live" – A reflective and nostalgic track where O.C. looks back on his youth, reminiscing about childhood experiences and the loss of friends. The beat, produced by Buckwild, is soulful and smooth, underscoring the bittersweet tone of the lyrics.
"Word...Life" – The title track is a declaration of O.C.’s philosophy and approach to hip-hop. His rhymes are thoughtful and reflective, addressing real-life struggles, growth, and staying true to one’s self. The beat features a jazzy piano loop, characteristic of the album’s overall production style.
"O-Zone" – A track that showcases O.C.’s lyrical prowess, where he delivers intricate wordplay and multisyllabic rhymes. The beat is more aggressive, with a harder bassline and sharp drum patterns, complementing the confident tone of O.C.’s verses.
"Ga Head" – This track has a more laid-back vibe, with O.C. discussing the realities of life in the streets, success, and staying grounded. The production is smooth, and the track has a reflective quality similar to “Born 2 Live.”

Authenticity in Hip-Hop: A major theme on the album, especially on tracks like "Time's Up", where O.C. critiques rappers who fabricate stories about their street credibility or success.
Reflection and Growth: O.C. often reflects on his life, past experiences, and the journey of growing up in a tough environment. "Born 2 Live" is one of the best examples of this theme, where he revisits childhood memories and the impact of losing friends.
Intellectual and Philosophical Insights: O.C.’s lyrics often touch on deeper, more philosophical ideas about life, the challenges of success, and the importance of staying true to oneself.

Buckwild, Lord Finesse, and O.C. himself contributed to the production on Word...Life. The beats are built around soulful and jazz-infused samples, and the production maintains a gritty, underground feel. The album’s production fits well within the aesthetic of 90s boom-bap hip-hop but is elevated by the thoughtfulness and precision of the samples and drum programming.

Word...Life was praised for its lyrical depth and intellectual approach to hip-hop, standing out in a year when many classic albums were released. Critics and fans alike admired O.C.’s smooth flow and ability to tackle both personal and broader social issues in his rhymes.
The album did not achieve massive commercial success upon release, but it has since been recognized as a cult classic and a staple of 90s underground hip-hop.
"Time’s Up" in particular became a defining moment in O.C.’s career and has been used in various hip-hop compilations and media over the years.

Word...Life has influenced many artists, particularly in the underground and conscious hip-hop scenes, where lyricism and authenticity are highly valued.
O.C. has continued to be an important figure in hip-hop, and his work on Word...Life is seen as a critical contribution to the legacy of East Coast rap, alongside artists like Nas, Big L, and other members of the D.I.T.C. collective.

Word...Life is a cornerstone of 90s underground hip-hop, showcasing O.C.’s lyrical prowess and commitment to authenticity. The album's introspective themes, sophisticated wordplay, and soulful production make it a classic that continues to resonate with fans of conscious and lyrical rap.

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Busta Rhymes

2LP | 1996 | US | Reissue (Vinyl Me, Please)

43,99 €*

The Age Of Consent - 40th Anniversary Edition

Release: 1996 / US – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Preorder shipping from 2024-11-08

Limited to 3000 copies, the VMP exclusive version of Busta Rhymes' The Coming is pressed on Cloudy Red vinyl at GZ Vinyl as part of our year-long celebration of Hip Hop with Warner Music Group and Hip Hop at 50. The 2LPs will arrive in a double gatefold, tip-on, foil-stamped and numbered jacket. It was mastered by Cicely Balston at Alchemy Mastering at AIR.

The Coming is the debut studio album by American rapper Busta Rhymes, released on March 26, 1996, by Elektra Records. The album marked the beginning of Busta Rhymes’ solo career after his time with the hip-hop group Leaders of the New School and introduced his distinct animated style, explosive energy, and versatile flow to a wider audience. The Coming also helped establish Busta Rhymes as one of the most charismatic figures in hip-hop.

The Coming is a fusion of East Coast hip-hop, featuring a mix of hardcore beats, funk samples, and jazz-influenced production. Busta Rhymes’ distinctive delivery and larger-than-life persona shine throughout the album, with tracks that range from introspective moments to wild, party anthems.
The production was handled by several notable producers, including DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, and Busta Rhymes himself, creating a diverse yet cohesive sound. The beats are aggressive, with deep basslines and heavy drums, reflecting the East Coast sound of the mid-90s.

"Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" – The album’s lead single, and one of Busta Rhymes’ most iconic songs, "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" became a massive hit due to its high-energy performance and infectious hook. The track features Busta’s eccentric personality and rapid-fire delivery over a bouncing, funky beat. It reached #8 on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped propel Busta Rhymes into the mainstream.
"Everything Remains Raw" – A more hardcore track with aggressive production and Busta Rhymes showcasing his lyrical dexterity. The track is a perfect example of Busta’s ability to balance complex wordplay with his trademark animated flow.
"It's a Party" (featuring Zhane) – A smoother, more laid-back track compared to the album’s more aggressive moments, this song features Zhane on the hook and is a party anthem, highlighting Busta Rhymes' versatility as both a lyricist and entertainer.
"Ill Vibe" (featuring Q-Tip) – This track features Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest, and the two rappers deliver jazzy, smooth verses over a laid-back, boom-bap beat. Their chemistry on this track is undeniable, with Q-Tip’s cool delivery perfectly balancing Busta’s more animated style.
"Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad" (featuring Jamal, Redman, Lord Have Mercy, and Rampage) – A standout posse cut featuring members of Busta Rhymes' Flipmode Squad and the Def Squad. The track is an aggressive, competitive showcase of lyricism, with each MC bringing their best.

Eccentricity and Braggadocio: Busta Rhymes brings his larger-than-life personality to the forefront, mixing humor, confidence, and intense energy. Tracks like “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” feature Busta flexing his skills, while maintaining an entertaining and wild demeanor.
Street Life and Survival: While much of the album is fun and animated, Busta Rhymes also addresses more serious themes, such as growing up in the streets and overcoming adversity.
Party and Celebration: The Coming is also packed with party anthems, which became a staple of Busta Rhymes’ career. Tracks like “It’s a Party” emphasize having a good time, with infectious beats and smooth hooks.

The production on The Coming is diverse but maintains a cohesive sound. DJ Scratch, Easy Mo Bee, The Ummah, and Busta Rhymes himself contributed to the album’s sound, combining elements of funk, jazz, and hardcore hip-hop. The beats are aggressive, with hard drums and funky basslines, complementing Busta Rhymes’ wild vocal delivery.

The Coming received positive reviews from critics, who praised Busta Rhymes for his unique style and infectious energy. It was seen as a strong debut, and Busta’s lyrical prowess and dynamic flow were highly praised.
The album debuted at #6 on the Billboard 200 and was certified platinum by the RIAA, establishing Busta Rhymes as a force in the rap industry.
The Coming helped pave the way for Busta Rhymes’ successful solo career and positioned him as one of the most creative and charismatic figures in hip-hop. His animated delivery and ability to seamlessly blend humor, intensity, and skill became his trademark.

The Coming is a powerful debut that showcases Busta Rhymes’ talent and unmatched energy. The album’s mix of party anthems, aggressive lyrics, and eclectic beats provided the blueprint for Busta’s long and successful career. With standout tracks like “Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check” and collaborations with Q-Tip and Redman, The Coming remains a classic in 90s hip-hop, highlighting Busta Rhymes’ ability to merge eccentricity with lyrical skill.

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Bronski Beat

CD+DVD | 2024 | Original (London)

40,99 €*

Release: 2024 / Original

Genre: Pop

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Synth pop trio Bronski Beat's 1984 debut The Age of Consent is a rarity in musical history - an album that both defined a generation and challenged the status quo. Its four singles, and particular lead single 'Smalltown Boy', have endured with astonishing resonance, offering home to all listeners dreaming of escape from their familiar surroundings and situations.

Every track on the album places the listener 'in the room': they are in it, living it, rolling inside each song's thematic meaning. Through the blue-eyed wonder of singer Jimmy Somerville's vocal pirouettes, they too take the punch of hate in 'Why?', question the bible with alongside a male voice choir on 'It Ain't Necessarily So', and watch the same crappy TV advertising on 'Junk'. They are part of the trade-off between lust and commerce in 'Love and Money' and the heated near climax of 'Need A Man Blues.'

40 years later and The Age of Consent remains as prescient and vital as ever as it did on its original release; truly transgressive - defiant, queer, and laden with hooks. To celebrate this important anniversary, London Records revisit the album across a series of expanded formats, uncovering sonic archival gems, new mixes, essays and more.

TRACKLISTING:

LIMITED 4CD+1DVD BOXSET

DISC ONE : THE AGE OF CONSENT - THE ALBUM PLUS
1. WHY?
2. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO
3. SCREAMING
4. NO MORE WAR
5. LOVE AND & MONEY
6. SMALLTOWN BOY
7. HEATWAVE
8. JUNK
9. NEED A MAN BLUES
10. I FEEL LOVE / JOHNNY REMEMBER ME
11. SMALLTOWN BOY (DJ 7" EDIT) - Bonus track
12. WHY? (REMIX) - Bonus track
13. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (7" VERSION) - Bonus track
14. I FEEL LOVE (7" VERSION) WITH MARC ALMOND - Bonus track
15. RUN FROM LOVE (RADIO VERSION) - Bonus track
16. HARD RAIN (NME 7" VERSION) - Bonus track

DISC TWO : HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS - THE REMIX PLUS
1. HEATWAVE (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
2. WHY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
3. RUN FROM LOVE (DOMINIC MAITA REMIX)
4. HARD RAIN (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
5. SMALLTOWN BOY (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
6. JUNK (HARVEY GOLDBERG REMIX)
7. LOVE AND MONEY (HUNDREDS & THOUSANDS REMIX) * - Bonus track
8. INFATUATION / MEMORIES - Bonus track
9. CLOSE TO THE EDGE - Bonus track
10. I FEEL LOVE (CAKE MIX) WITH MARC ALMOND - Bonus track
11. CADILLAC CAR (EXTENDED) - Bonus track

DISC THREE : CONSENT EXTENDED - THE 12 INCHES PLUS
1. SMALLTOWN BOY (12" VERSION)
2. WHY? (12" VERSION)
3. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (12" VERSION)
4. I FEEL LOVE (12" VERSION) WITH MARC ALMOND
5. RUN FROM LOVE (US CLUB REMIX '85) *
6. SMALLTOWN BOY (US CLUB REMIX '84) *
7. RED DANCE
8. THE POTATO FIELDS
9. PUIT D'AMOUR
10. SIGNS (AND WONDERS)
11. I FEEL LOVE (FRUIT MIX)

DISC FOUR : IGNORE AT YOUR PERIL - THE RARITIES PLUS
1. SMALLTOWN BOY (CAPITAL RADIO SESSION, MAY '84) *
2. HEATWAVE (CAPITAL RADIO SESSION, MAY '84) *
3. HARD RAIN (CAPITAL RADIO SESSION, MAY '84 )*
4. WHY? (EARLY VERSION, MARCH '84) *
5. CRAZY MARAQUITTA (STUDIO SESSION) *
6. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (EARLY VERSION) *
7. UPSIDE DOWN (STUDIO SESSION) *
8. SCREAMING (EARLY VERSION, MARCH '84) *
9. THE POWER OF THE GOLD (STUDIO SESSION) *
10. LOVE AND MONEY (EARLY VERSION) *
11. FIRST CHURCH (FEEL LOVE) (STUDIO SESSION) *
12. JUNK (EARLY VERSION 2) *
13. WALKING (STUDIO SESSION) *
14. NO MORE WAR (EARLY VERSION) *
15. GO (YOU & ME) (STUDIO SESSION) *
16. CLOSE TO THE EDGE (EARLY ALTERNATE EXTENDED MIX) *
17. HEATWAVE (EARLY VERSION) *
18. THE OTHER SIDE OF THE TRACKS (STUDIO SESSION) *
19. SMALLTOWN BOY (EARLY VERSION, MARCH '84) *

DISC FIVE / DVD : THE FIRST CHAPTER - THE VIDEOS PLUS
OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEOS
1. SMALLTOWN BOY (RESTORED PROMO)
2. WHY? (RESTORED PROMO)
3. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (RESTORED PROMO)
4. I FEEL LOVE (RESTORED PROMO) WITH MARC ALMOND
TOP OF THE POPS PERFORMANCES
5. SMALLTOWN BOY (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', JUNE '84)
6. WHY? (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', SEPTEMBER '84)
7. IT AIN'T NECESSARILY SO (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', DECEMBER '84)
8. I FEEL LOVE (BBC 'TOP OF THE POPS', APRIL '85) WITH MARC ALMOND
ORIGINAL TV ADVERTS
9. THE AGE OF CONSENT - TV ADVERT #1 (DECEMBER '84) *
10. THE AGE OF CONSENT - TV ADVERT #2 (JANUARY '85) *
* PREVIOUSLY UNRELEASED

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Pioneer DJ

DJM-250MK2

419,00 €*

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Mix instinctively with pro-grade features
The DJM-250MK2 has inherited some of the professional features of the popular DJM-900NXS2, such as the Magvel crossfader and Sound Color FX filter. Straightforward controls, a clear layout, and dedicated 3-band isolators let you scratch and mix instinctively.

The dithering technology on this mixer results in warm, high-quality audio from both analogue and digital sources. Plus its built-in sound card lets you connect the mixer to your PC/Mac and use rekordbox to perform with CDJs. Or hook up the DJM-250MK2 to turntables and use rekordbox in combination with our control vinyl to scratch and mix with digital files stored on your computer.

KEY FEATURES

Clear Layout & Magvel faders
The clear layout of the DJM-250MK2’s lower half gives you freedom to perform complicated scratch techniques. Our robust Magvel Faders ensure smooth control over long-term use. 2 metal shafts support the fader knobs, while the contact-free magnetic system is designed to endure millions of movements.

Smooth Mixing
Precise, fluid mixes are a breeze using the mixer’s channel faders, and the 3-band isolators give precision across the highs, mids and lows. You can use them to totally eliminate each frequency range when you turn the knob all the way to the left.

Flagship Filter FX
Each channel comes with its own dedicated Sound Colour FX filter, a feature inherited from the DJM-900NXS2 mixer. Simply turn the knob on each channel to apply the filter, Twist the parameter knob for texture, playing with resonance and tension.

Built in USB Sound Card
Connect the DJM-250MK2 to your PC/Mac using a single USB cable. The USB connection supports sound input and output, so you can record your mixes to your computer’s hard drive.

Performance features
Unlock rekordbox performance features by simply connecting the unit to your PC/Mac. And, if you subscribe to the Creative plan, use Cloud Library Sync for seamless library management across multiple devices, and easily make custom versions of tracks in Edit mode.

DVS control
Make full use of rekordbox's low-latency DVS control for intuitive, smooth scratching.

High-quality sound
Whether you’re playing from digital or analogue sound sources, a warm, high-quality sound is created by the 64-bit digital signal processor using dithering technology.

Two headphone outputs
The DJM-250MK2 lets you plug both an ¼-inch stereo jack and 3.5-mm mini jack. Pick your size or attach 2 headphones when playing back-to-back.

Independent MIC section
Use a microphone and the AUX input at the same time.

Flexible connectivity
The XLR terminal and RCAs deliver premium sound quality on all connections. And the signal GND terminal easily attaches ground wires from analogue turntables.

TRAKTOR DVS control
This mixer supports DVS control of Native Instruments’ TRAKTOR PRO 3 DJ software. Plug your PC/Mac into this unit and use the TRAKTOR SCRATCH control media (control vinyl or CDs) to intuitively control and scratch with digital audio files stored on your computer.
Find out more about the Pioneer DJ Certified program.

Firmware Update Manager
You’ll be automatically notified when firmware updates become available. You can download the Firmware Update Manager.

SPECIFICATIONS

Main Features:
DVS Control:
• rekordbox

Accessories:
• DJM-250MK2
• Power cord
• AC adaptor
• USB cable
• Operating Instructions (Quick Start Guide)
• Warranty

Specifications:
• Width: 230 mm
• Height: 108 mm
• Depth: 320 mm
• Sampling Rate: 48 kHz
• A/D Converter: 24 bit
• D/A Converter: 24 bit
• Power Supply: AC adaptor (DC 12 V)
• S/N Ratio Line: 94 dB
• Frequency Range: 20 - 20000 Hz
• Distortion: < 0.005 % (LINE)

Channels:
• EQ/ISO: 3 band
• EQ/ISO Range: -∞ ~ +6 dB

Performance Control
• Channels: 2
• Sound Colour FX: Filter

Terminals:
Inputs:
• 3 LINE (RCA)
• 2 PHONO (RCA)
• 1 MIC (1/4 inch TS Jack)
Outputs:
• 1 MASTER (XLR)
• 1 MASTER (RCA)
• 2 HEADPHONE MONITOR (1/4 inch Jack, mini-jack)
USB:
• 1 USB B port

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Teac

TN-4D-SE

499,00 €*

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New motor, developed exclusively for direct-drive turntables

The TN-4D-SE uses a sleek, brushless DC motor, offering crystal-locked speed accuracy, regulated by a computer-controlled feedback circuit and achieving low wow-and-flutter levels for a direct drive turntable, especially one with such a stylish, low-profile design.

Knife-edge, pivot-point tonearm bearings

In collaboration with SAEC Corporation, a world-famous, high-end tonearm manufacturer, the TN-4D's tonearm employs a knife-edge, pivot-point bearing. Unlike the case for tonearms with conventional bearings, any fine vertical movements encountered by this tonearm actually help in delivering a more dynamic sound with excellent resolution. The S-shaped tonearm also employs a universal headshell fitting, allowing users to quickly and easily swap cartridges/headshells, and supports a wide range of cartridge weights (from 14 - 23g).

Precision anti-skating and stylus-pressure adjustment

As you might expect, the tonearm is equipped with a counterweight, for precise stylus-pressure adjustment, and an anti-skating mechanism.

Pre-installed Oyster cartridge by SUMIKO

The TN-4D-SE comes with a well-regarded Oyster MM cartridge from SUMIKO – a legendary American cartridge manufacturer. Regardless of the type of music, the Oyster cartridge delivers a powerful but insightful performance.

Built-in PHONO EQ amplifier supporting MM cartridges

The TN-4D-SE comes with a built-in PHONO EQ amplifier that allows you to directly connect the turntable to the line-level inputs of your existing hi-fi system. The NJM8080 IC from New Japan Radio Corporation is employed for op-amp duties, bringing up the level of the tiny signals received via the cartridge up to LINE level strength without any loss of quality.

Die-cast aluminium platter

In conjunction with the newly-developed motor, the high inertia, die-cast aluminium platter helps to achieve better speed stability.

Insulating feet with excellent shock absorption

The insulating feet comprise a machined aluminium shell topped with a rubber cushion that is fixed to the high-density MDF plinth. Thanks to their excellent shock absorption characteristics the TN-4D-SE is very resistant to acoustic feedback.

2-speed turntable for 33-⅓ and 45 rpm

The TN-4D-SE supports 33-⅓ and 45 rpm for LP and EP records. Our insistence on quality engineering can even be seen in the construction of the rotary control for start-up/speed selection, formed of machined aluminium.

Features at a glance:
• Direct-drive analog turntable
• Crystal-locked speed stability, thanks to a new brushless DC motor with feedback control
• Die-cast aluminium platter
• Knife-edge, pivot-point tonearm base, designed by high-end tonearm manufacturer SAEC
• Multi-layer piano black or natural walnut veneer finish
• Built-in PHONO EQ amplifier for high-quality sound (PHONO/LINE switchable)
• Audiophile-grade NJM8080 op-amp used in PHONO EQ stage
• 2-speed drive offering 33-⅓ and 45 rpm
• Gold-plated oxidation-resistant output connectors
• Oyster MM cartridge by SUMIKO
• Shock-absorbing insulating feet
• GND terminal
• RoHS compliant
• Included Accessories
• Felt Mat
• EP Adapter
• Counter Weight
• Head-shell (SUMIKO Oyster installed)
• Platter
• Dust Cover
• Hinges × 2
• RCA Audio cable with GND terminal
• AC Adapter (GPE036W-24015)
• Owner's Manual (including Warranty Card)

TURNTABLE FEATURES
• Type: Manual
• Drive method: Direct-drive
• Speed: 33 rpm, 45 rpm
• Wow & flutter: ≤ 0.1%
• Built-in preamp: Yes
• S/N ratio: 67dB
• Cartridge: SUMIKO Oyster
• Cartridge type: MM
• Cartridge output: 4.0mV (1kHz)
• Tracking force: 2.3g
• Cartridge weight: 5.3g
• Including headshell: 15.3g
• Rec. cartridge weight: 4-13g
• Rec. cartridge weight (incl. headshell): 14-23g

AUDIO OUTPUTS
• Output level & impedance phono (MM): 4.0mV (1kHz)
• RCA: 1
• Output level & impedance RCA: 224mV (–13dBV)

ENERGY MANAGEMENT
• Power consumption (standby): 0.5W
• Power consumption: 2W
• AC adapter power
- Input: AC 100 V – AC 240 V, 50/60 Hz
- Output: DC 24 V, 1500 mA

DIMENSIONS AND WEIGHT
• Product height: 11.7cm
• Product width: 42cm
• Product length: 35.6cm
• Product weight: 6.1kg
• Packsize height: 24cm
• Packsize width: 52.5cm
• Packsize length: 43.8cm

Go to Item

Teac

TN-4D-SE

499,00 €*

Athena Black Vinyl Edition

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Go to Item

Sudan Archives

LP | 2019 | US | Original (Stones Throw)

36,99 €*

CD | 2024 | EU | Original (Kompakt)

Release: 2019 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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She first emerged as an avant-garde violinist who channeled her playing through loop pedals. Then songwriter, vocal performer, and beatmaker. She's captivated audiences at festivals around the world, touring her trail-blazing EPs Sudan Archives (2017) and Sink (2018). Sudan's many identity coalesces in her debut album, Athena: a psychedelic, magnetic take on modern R&B.

"When I was a little girl, I thought I could rule the world," Sudan Archives announces in the sparse, string-plucked opening bars of Athena, on the strident "Did You Know". Her musicality and sense of self-belief developed as a young child in the church. Born Brittney Parks, but called Sudan from a young age, she moved around Cincinnati, Ohio many times as a child; religion and music were the most stable forces in her life. It was in church that Sudan began learning to play the violin by ear, participating in ensemble performances. "I remember begging my mom to get me a violin," she says. "From there I just never let it go – it felt like I had a purpose."

Growing up with a twin sister, Sudan also learned young that she was the "bad twin". Her stepdad – a one-time music industry executive – tried to turn the two into a pop duo when they were teenagers, but Sudan would miss rehearsals and curfew so frequently that the project was abandoned. Still, the experience was valuable: "My stepdad basically planted this whole idea of artistry as a career," she remembers. Though she left the band behind, Sudan clung onto the idea of pursuing music when she moved to Los Angeles at age 19. While studying and holding down two jobs, she would spend her spare time "fucking around with some beats and making some weird shit", which she released tentatively under the name Sudan Moon – a combination of her childhood nickname and her love of Sailor Moon. The ethereal quality of those early lo-fi, G-funk-inspired beats would eventually make its way into Sudan's current sound.

It was once she discovered ethnomusicology, and learned to incorporate the violin into her beats, that she really unlocked a new level. Cameroonian electronic music pioneer Francis Bebey was an early inspiration: "His music is so simple, and the way he combines strings and electronic music is such a vibe.” From there, she educated herself about other artists and ethnomusicologists, learning about the history of one-string fiddling in Ghana, Sudan, and all over the world, which "blew my mind". Now a fervent crate-digger with ambitions of studying ethnomusicology, she changed her artist name to Sudan Archives.

After she met with Stones Throw A&R and Leaving Records founder Matthewdavid, Peanut Butter Wolf signed her to Stones Throw. Her self-titled debut EP introduced the world to Sudan's fusion of North African-style fiddling, layered R&B harmonies, and pared-back production. Her second EP Sink was a resounding six-track statement that, according to Jenn Pelly at Pitchfork, saw Sudan "level up as a songwriter" — especially true of the bold self-love song "Nont For Sale".

Those EPs, Sudan says, were "like a haiku of what the album is". Athena is "more in your face, more confrontational – and that's also how I've grown as an artist. I used to be a hermit who would make beats in her bedroom, but now I'm working with other writers, producers and instrumentalists, I've learned how to communicate. It feels like I'm almost back in church." At first, it was tough for Sudan to cede any control in her creative process, but as she got stuck into the sessions with producers Wilma Archer (Jessie Ware, Nilufer Yanya), Washed Out, Rodaidh McDonald (The xx, Sampha, King Krule), and Paul White (Danny Brown, Charli XCX), she opened up. The resulting album, whittled down to 12 taut tracks from around 60, is her most ambitious work yet.

On the album's cover, she poses as a Greek goddess sculpted in bronze. Simultaneously at her most powerful — channelling the energy of her princess warrior heroes Xena and Sailor Moon — and her most vulnerable, Sudan challenges the viewer to see what's under the surface. "I'm naked!" she says. "I don't have anything to hide at all, it's all out there."

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V.A.

Total 24

15,99 €*

Release: 2024 / EU – Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Hello 24! Nice to have you here. 23 is so yesterday, so over the top, really. Well, we’ve been dancing the following dances recently. What about you?

The opening honours go to Hamburg’s bundle of joy, Ada who remixed her dear friend Heiko Voss. We feel that the outcome is clearly one of the most emotive, heartwarming pieces of music you’ll hear this year.

When Rhenish cheerfulness meets holiday anticipation, the result is something like this Hawaiian shirt turned music called “Chee-Caruso” by JÜRGEN PAAPE. No animals were tortured for this piece, even if it sounds like it.

Next up is one of this year’s Kompakt debutantes, a truly glamorous bird of paradise called DEER JADE. “Jukurpa” is a highly original, frolicsome house tune that has been moving crowds all over the planet.

As an integral part of the family, JONATHAN KASPAR is of course not to be missed. “Are You” celebrates the kind of early morning rapture that is commonplace at his new DJ venue, the brand new Cologne superclub FI. Everything is so colourful here.

If you’re ever in London and you need a great tune, we recommend calling HARDT ANTOINE. He’s firing from all cylinders lately and he’s god damn good at it. “I Will” holds the record of being the most played Kompakt track of the season. We salute you, Antoine! SASCHA FUNKE takes a bow to one of the greats of German showbiz with the trippy electro smasher “The Heck”. Born – like DJ Koze and Barnt – in Flensburg, died in Berlin in 2018 and wore glasses. More will not be revealed.

What takes a long time usually turns out well. Having admired TEE MANGO from afar for many years, our A&R Michael Mayer took heart and invited him to this year’s TOTAL. “So In Love” is in the best tradition of the KOMPAKT minimal funk of the early years. We are delighted to have this lovely Englishman on board!

Brazilian come Austrian come Berliner JOYCE MUNIZ has certainly become a household name with her intoxicating brand of uplifting pop house. Fittingly, she has joined our ranks and we’re happy to give you this collaboration with Sara Blum, “Beats & Lines”.

More Brazilian feel good vibes come in the form of GUI BORATTO’s “The Shell” which he conceived together with the former Underworld producer and legend in his own right, DARREN EMERSON.

We turn our attention to the realm of fauna, to London’s award-winning pedigree dog REX THE DOG. “Laika” is a heart-warming ode to the mongrel dog of the same name, who was the first living creature to make it from the streets of Moscow into space. She would have loved that bleep.

A little-known fact about MICHAEL MAYER is that he is one of the fastest crossword puzzle foxes on the left bank of the Rhine, always in a relentless rivalry with Wolfgang Voigt, who thinks he is even faster. The big battle is yet to come. Uninvited guest with five letters? “Urian”.

RAXON – these five letters mean business. Taken from his recent Speicher release “Beskar” showcases the Egyptian lover’s fascination for all things Starwars and his undeniable ability to churn out monster tracks.

DAVID HASERT & NICONÉ’s “Wasting My Time With You” is surely one of the most beloved Kompakt releases of 2024, so it can’t be missed on this compilation.

REINHARD VOIGT has always placed great emphasis on loving animals. On this track with the unsurprising title “Der, der mit dem Gummiball sang (Orange)”, he lets whole hordes of different four-legged friends and poultry on the microphone. Hopefully the stench will dissipate from the studio.

More emotion, more love, more sing-along factor? Si, claro! ARGIA’s “Love Keeps You Running” masterfully combines groove and pop – a blend that sounds very familiar to us. She may be at home in Madrid, but there’s Cologne DNA in her somewhere. We’re sure of it.

Let’s meet the legends, the veterans! JÖRG BURGER is still in a psychedelic mood in 2024. That suits him, that’s where he needs to be, that’s where we want him to be. A parallel universe is conceivable in which such music is affectionately called Goa.

Before going to bed, the WASSERMANN reads us a fairy tale from the Arabian Nights. At the same time, we focus on a point between everything, but really everything, and absolute, stark naked nothingness. 3, 2, 1… Let go.

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Headliner

375,00 €*

LP | 2023 | EU | Original (Soulbeats)

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Preorder shipping from 2024-11-22

R2 2-CHANNEL ROTARY DJ MIXER

Introducing the Headliner R2, a 2-channel rotary DJ mixer that is perfect for DJ’s looking for precise control and a warm sound, without breaking the bank. The R2 is packed with features, like an analog filter and 3-band isolator EQs on each channel, and uses only high-quality components, including genuine ALPS potentiometers.
Featuring two stereo channels with selectable Line and Phono RCA inputs, each channel on the Headliner R2 comes equipped with gain control with a peak LED, a 3-band isolator EQ, a headphone cue selector, a large channel volume control knob, and a filter activation switch.
The Master channel boasts an analog filter, headphone monitoring, and output control section. The analog filter features selectable High Pass / Low Pass Filter modes with Frequency and Resonance controls, giving you precise control over your sound. Independent Master and Booth outputs with volume controls, both with balanced XLR and unbalanced RCA connectors, give you the flexibility to connect to any sound system.
The Headliner R2 features genuine ALPS potentiometers, and a sturdy metal enclosure with stained wood side panels for a classic look that will complement any DJ setup. The modular internal construction, coupled with the external power supply connected via locking Mini XLR ensure superior audio performance.
The Headliner R2 is a reliable, high-quality mixer that will give your DJ performances that classic vibe. Whether you’re spinning house, techno, or classic funk/soul/disco jams, this fun little mixer is the perfect addition to your setup.

Technical specifications:

• Two stereo channels with selectable Line and Phono RCA inputs
• Each channel features Gain control with Peak LED, 3-Band Isolator EQ, Headphones Cue selector with LED, channel
volume control and filter activation switch with LED
• Master channel features analog filter, headphone monitoring and output control section
• Analog filter features selectable High Pass / Low Pass Filter modes with Frequency and Resonance controls
• Genuine ALPS potentiometers
• Headphone Cue control section features volume control, mix control (Cue/Master), and split monitor switch
• High current headphone amplifier with dual 1/4” and 1/8” jacks
• Independent Master and Booth outputs with volume controls, balanced XLR outputs and unbalanced RCA outputs
• Additional Record output with unbalanced RCA jacks
• Dual LED level meters for the Master output
• Microphone input with level control on front panel
• Sturdy metal enclosure with stained wood side panels
• Modular internal construction for superior audio performance
• External split rail power supply connected via locking Mini XLR connector and push-button power switch
• Measurements: 320 x 219 x 106 mm
• Weight: 2.8 kg

Microphone Input:
Nominal Input Level: -50dBu
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz (+/- 0.1dB)
THD + N: < 0.1%
EIN: -120dBu (150Ω Load)
Input Impedance: 3 kOhm

Line Inputs:
Nominal Input Level: -10dBV (-7.8dBu)
Gain Range: -12dB to +12dB
Frequency Response: 20Hz – 20kHz (+/- 0.1dB)
THD + N: < 0.05%
Input Impedance: 47 kOhm

Phono Inputs:
Maximum Input Level: -40dBu
Gain Range: -12dB to +12dB
Frequency Response: RIAA

Main Outputs:
Nominal Output Levels, balanced: +4dBu
Maximum Output Level, balanced: +20dBu
Nominal Output Levels, unbalanced: -10dBV (-7.8dBu)
Maximum Output Level, unbalanced: +12dBu
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20kHz (+/-0.5dB)
Residual noise: <-80dBu Dynamic Range: > 100dB
Crosstalk: < -65dB
THD + N: < 0.05%

Headphone Output:
Maximum Output Level: 70mA/channel into 150Ω
Minimum Load Impedance: 32 Ohms/channel

Power Supply:
Type: External with locking mini-XLR connector
Input Voltage: 100-240v ~ 50/60Hz
Output Voltage: +/-15V; 500mA
Voltage Range: 32 Ohms/channe
THD + N: < 0.05%
Input Impedance: 47 kOhm

Go to Item

Franck & Damien

Juniper Road

25,99 €*

The Nighthawks Featuring Pinetop Perkins, Luther "Guitar Junior" Johnson, Calvin Jones, Bob Margolin With Dave Maxwell

Release: 2023 / EU – Original

Genre: Rock & Indie

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Family is important. Feeling good, relaxed, loved, listened to, within a community of close friends who share the same vibe, the same interests, the same sensations. Franck & Damien love and share the amber sound of the lapsteel, the intoxicating slide, the roundness of the six-string and the freshness of the banjo. Blues, country music and folk-rock born in the barns of Laurel Canyon... Harmonies, warm voices, fortunate encounters… Simplicity, humility, sharing... Surfing, deserted beaches, California, wild Australia.

You would know the members of this merry band: Xavier Rudd, Ben Harper, Jack Johnson, Donavon Frankenreiter, John Butler Trio, Tash Sultana, John Mayer, Mason Jennings... Yes: family is essential. Between cousins or adopted children, we understand each other so well! What's more, we speak the same language: in this case, English, carried by melodious, laid-back, never-pressed voices on songs that are often gentle, often punchy, always powerful, always hard-hitting. Franck and Damien don't see their tribe that often: they're in Bordeaux, in their beloved Médoc, a land of vineyards, sandy strips, pristine waves and good vibes; the others are in Hawaii, Los Angeles or the Australian bush. But that's all right. The signs, the codes, the vibes are the same. So we decide to get together when we have to, when we feel like it. Why not in Los Angeles, where the duo love to recharge their batteries, between strolls down Sunset Boulevard and ballads recorded at sunset?

Here, for their second album after the warm You Can Find Your Way, it's Donavon Frankenreiter, surf prodigy and international icon of American folk, who has come along to enchant the nervous and captivating California, of which he himself is the embodiment. Feel alright with the high tide! Earlier, it was on the subtle, nonchalant acoustic live version of Home that Donavon’s bassist Matt Grundy slipped in with his sweet harmonica. And with good reason: the Piñon Hills local from San Bernardino is also the producer of this album! Not forgetting, on Spread Love, a visit from Joaco Terán, their freesurfer brother and Argentinian musician. For Juniper Road, the album of maturity, is also one of plenitude and serenity. Franck's voice is full and vibrant, the harmonies chiseled, the atmosphere warm and inviting.

Family is fundamental. So is luck. When they hear the story of Damien picking-up Franck hitchhiking on the side of the road, a meeting so fortuitous it seemed fated, their buddies are still laughing.

The duo complement each other so well, the osmosis and connivance so blatant, Franck's voice and guitar, Damien's string picking and percussion, that this anecdote, so real, sounds fabricated. Okay, it didn't take place on the Pacific Coast Highway in a Cadillac, but more likely in a Renault Clio on the road to Lacanau (a beach town in the South-West of France).

Just like the video for Home, which, like some of their other clips, was not shot in the USA, but in the Spanish desert of the Bardenas Reales.

Franck & Damien have never needed to prove their identity and legitimacy, especially through clichés. From now on, with this second twelve-track album polished in Matt's Super Bloom studio, Franck & Damien know exactly where they're going: back to their Anglo-Saxon and South American cousins who have long since adopted them, to continue touring and performing, distilling their road songs with messages as simple as they are rich and direct, like a true philosophy of life: love, friendship, sharing, fulfillment, such as on the energetic, raging Fire And Soul (much juicier than the Cranberries'), but also hope and melancholy, as on Another Way: an emotional tale of a sailor in perdition, supported by a round bass sound, acoustic drums and an electronic organ.

Not forgetting, of course, their sense of humor. Because behind their music, practiced with the seriousness and meticulousness that characterize them, Franck and Damien like (love) to have a laugh and make those around them and their audience laugh with (and at) them. In the video for California, the third in their mini-series of music videos developed in reverse chronology around four singles and following on from Home and Another Way, they appear as two-bit metalheads. Then, in Blind, dressed-up as priests. Never afraid of the right joke, the right disguise, the witty comeback that sticks out like a sore thumb, on and off stage.

Love, balance, fulfillment, good humor and family, of course. Family is fundamental. Franck and Damien's family continues to grow: Matt and Donavon, other artists with whom were shared songs and experiences on tour… Their audience too, getting bigger by the minute, drawn in by their groove but also by their personalities. Raise Your Voice for Franck and Damien!

Alain Gardinier

Go to Item

Jacks & Kings

LP | 1978 | US | Original (Adelphi)

6,99 €*

Release: 1978 / US – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Rock & Indie

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG, Cover: VG

René Bernier, Gaston Brenta, Marcel Poot, Maurice Schoemaker, The Prague Symphony Orchestra, Jindřich Rohan, Vladimír Válek

Les Synthétistes À Prague: L'Ecole Du Maitre Paul Gilson

LP | BE | Original (Bizet Records Classic)

19,99 €*

Release: BE – Original

Genre: Classical Music

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: VG

Dmitri Shostakovich ; Maxim Shostakovich Conducting The Большой Симфонический Оркестр Всесоюзного Радио And Большой Хор Всесоюзного Радио

Music For Soviet Films, Album 2

LP | 2015 | US | Reissue (Doxy Cinematic)

9,99 €*

2LP | 1995 | US | Reissue (Geffen)

Release: 2015 / US – Reissue

Genre: Classical Music

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Used Vinyl

Medium: Near Mint, Cover: Near Mint

Still shrink wrapped but opened.

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Genius / GZA

Liquid Swords

43,99 €*

2LP | 2022 | EU | Original (Diridim)

Release: 1995 / US – Reissue

Genre: Hip Hop

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Liquid Swords is the second studio album by Genius / GZA, released on November 7, 1995, on Geffen Records. Widely regarded as a hip-hop masterpiece, the album is known for its lyrical complexity, dark production, and vivid storytelling. Produced entirely by RZA, Liquid Swords features guest appearances from Wu-Tang Clan members and incorporates themes of philosophy, street life, martial arts, and the internal conflicts faced by individuals in harsh environments.

Liquid Swords is often described as one of the most lyrically sophisticated albums in hip-hop, with GZA’s intricate wordplay and storytelling at the forefront. His lyrics are filled with metaphors, layered meanings, and intellectual references, drawing comparisons to chess, martial arts, and samurai culture.
RZA’s production on Liquid Swords is dark, gritty, and atmospheric, using minimalist beats combined with eerie samples, many of which come from the 1980s martial arts film "Shogun Assassin". The result is an album that feels cinematic and moody, with a dystopian, almost otherworldly atmosphere.

The album’s lyrics often reflect on mental discipline and strategic thinking, with tracks like "Liquid Swords" using metaphors related to chess and battle strategy. GZA frequently draws from his nickname as “The Genius,” delivering cerebral verses filled with metaphors about intellectual battles.
Street Life and Survival: While much of the album is rooted in intellectualism, GZA also explores themes of urban struggle, survival, and the harsh realities of inner-city life. Tracks like "Cold World" present a bleak picture of street violence, poverty, and crime.
Martial Arts and Samurai Imagery: Throughout the album, GZA incorporates imagery of samurai swords, warriors, and martial arts, using these motifs as metaphors for mental sharpness, discipline, and conflict. This is reflected in both the lyrics and the sound design, with many tracks featuring samples from martial arts films.

Key Tracks and Highlights:
"Liquid Swords" – The album’s opening track is both its title track and a standout moment. GZA’s sharp lyricism is paired with RZA’s haunting production, setting the tone for the album’s focus on philosophical reflection and street life. The intro features dialogue from "Shogun Assassin", solidifying the album’s martial arts theme.

"4th Chamber" – This track is a highlight for its raw energy and features strong verses from Ghostface Killah, Killah Priest, and RZA. The lyrics touch on social decay, political corruption, and personal resilience.

"Shadowboxin’" (featuring Method Man) – Known for its catchy hook and Method Man’s standout guest verse, this track is an excellent example of the synergy between GZA and his fellow Wu-Tang Clan members. The song explores themes of mental combat and shadowboxing as a metaphor for intellectual battles.

"Cold World" (featuring Inspectah Deck) – A dark, introspective track that paints a vivid picture of the struggles in urban life. The production is minimalist but powerful, allowing GZA’s detailed storytelling to take center stage.

"Duel of the Iron Mic" – Featuring verses from Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Masta Killa, and Inspectah Deck, this track is a lyrical sparring match, with each MC delivering sharp, battle-ready verses. The song is both a testament to GZA’s lyricism and a showcase for Wu-Tang’s collective talent.

RZA handles all production on the album, using a style that emphasizes minimalism, gritty samples, and cinematic soundscapes. Many of the tracks feature dialogue from martial arts films or atmospheric samples that enhance the album’s philosophical and introspective themes.
The beats are often slow and menacing, allowing GZA’s dense, introspective lyrics to take center stage. RZA’s use of disjointed loops, eerie melodies, and sparse instrumentation gives the album a unique, otherworldly feel.

Upon release, Liquid Swords received widespread critical acclaim for its lyrical complexity and innovative production. Critics praised GZA’s ability to blend philosophical themes with street narratives, and RZA’s production was hailed for its dark, cinematic quality.
The album has since been regarded as one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time and one of the best releases from the Wu-Tang Clan collective. It is often cited as one of the finest examples of 90s East Coast hip-hop and is revered for its storytelling, intellect, and atmospheric production.
Liquid Swords has influenced a generation of rappers, particularly in the lyrical, underground, and alternative hip-hop scenes, with its combination of intricate wordplay and thematic depth setting a standard for future artists.

Liquid Swords has been listed on numerous "greatest albums" lists and continues to be studied and admired for its lyrical depth and thematic consistency. GZA’s methodical, intellectual approach to hip-hop remains influential, and his ability to blend street narratives with philosophical musings has set him apart as one of the most respected lyricists in the genre.
In summary, Liquid Swords is a landmark album that showcases GZA’s lyrical genius and RZA’s unparalleled production. Its blend of martial arts imagery, philosophical themes, and dark, atmospheric beats has made it an enduring classic in the hip-hop world.

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David Morales

Life Is A Song

23,99 €*

Cocoon Compilation U 6x12" Purple Vinyl Edition

Release: 2022 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves, Electronic & Dance

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There is nothing quite like an evening under the rhythmic spell of the legendary David Morales. Stepping on the dancefloor while he's behind the decks requires full trust and surrender. You agree to hand the reins of your mind, body, and spirit to his intuition and ability to guide you to where you need to be at all times. It will occasionally be cathartic and intense. It will often make the hairs on your body stand on end, and make you sweat more than you ever have before. The endorphin release will be powerful. You will feel like you can touch joy and euphoria it in the air around you. As he gently brings you back down to reality, you will feel renewed and ready for anything life brings your way. This is more than a night of dancing. This is an experience at the hands of a magical maestro of music. How is this possible from a night on the dancefloor? Well, it begins with the brilliant mind of an artist at the peak of his creative power, imbued with the empathy necessary to connect with what has become a global legion of fans. "If there is any secret, it's really simple: I love what I do with all of my heart," Morales says. "I'm a DJ first. I thrive on human interaction. I am always adjusting my sets based on what the people in the room need. Each night, we form an emotional connection that inspires the music as it comes." For Morales, "working in the studio is important, but it exists as a way of supporting the DJing experience. It's all to inform how it will work on the dancefloor." To that end, you're reading these words as you dive into a new collection of Morales classics. Ever the collaborator, he has enlisted the input of a wide range of voices and talent. There is the diva power of fellow legend Ultra Nate, who brings her signature sass to "I Can Dream," while Michele Perera's explosive chemistry with David is all over the inspiring "Life is a Song" and "Never Give Up", as well as the impassioned "Addicted." Morales reminds the listener of his ever-evolving musical scope in collaborations with blondewearingblack ("What Can I Do"), Lea Lorien ("Never Looking Back"), and Blakkat ("Can't Get Enough"). There's the clubland supergroup of David with Mr. V, Scotty P. and DJ Rae on "The Feels." Rounding out the set is a reunion with longtime muses Elle Cato ("I Feel Love") and British soul icon Joe Roberts ("Easy"). Just be sure to listen closely, because there's bound to be a surprise tucked between these grooves to tickle your ears and move your body. The beauty of this sparkling new foray into electronic music is the heightened intimacy between Morales and the music. What you are hearing here is almost exclusively from the man's own fingertips. "The technology has evolved in the most extraordinary and liberating ways," he says, adding that he is now able to be far more directly hands-on during the building of each track. "Back in the '90s, I had to have more people involved, With the changes and growth in technology, I can now do it, myself. I don't even have to be in the studio anymore. It's smart, financially, but it's also way more fun and creative." David adds, "I don't have to wait to manifest an idea anymore. I can just build my ideas as they come to me." In fact, he reveals that many of these new tracks were born in unique places, like planes, cars, his bedroom, and a host of other settings. "Music is always spinning around my mind. I no longer worry about losing an idea." Surviving the highs and lows of an ever-changing world has also brought Morales back to the basic essentials of life and music. "The pandemic has brought things full circle for me," he says. "I love what I do and I still have the passion of a kid who is just getting started" Yet, we know that Morales has been in the game for longer than a minute. He's a Grammy award-winning producer, remixer, and songwriter. He has lent his skill to countless of records by icons that include Mariah Carey, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson, Aretha Franklin, Donna Summer, Seal, and Jamiroquai. As a turntable artist originally from New York City, he earned his bones of credibility back in the '80s and '90s in clubs like the Paradise Garage, Red Zone, Tunnel, and Club USA. He initiated the concept of DJs touring beyond their hometowns with countless, wildly successful treks that have taken him the farthest-reaching corners of the world. As electronic music thrives on pop radium, David tops the list of every young artist and DJ as a primary influence. Even with such a staggering legacy, Morales never looks over his shoulder. "That is how you stumble and fall," he says. "If you get all caught up in the past, you're going to lose sight of what is right in front of you. You lose the excitement of discovery. That is what gets me off; taking what I know and combining it with what I don't know as I learn it. There is nothing better than experiencing how it all comes together. It's different every time." And that is the ultimate secret to that extraordinary spell that David Morales casts over us all every single time.

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V.A.

6LP | 2023 | Original (Cocoon)

96,99 €*

Release: 2023 / Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Long-awaited, finally Cocoon Recordings is back with its renowned Cocoon Compilation. The iconic series continues with the 21st edition “Compilation U” and brings top-notch artists together as usual, providing zeitgeist and versatile sound. From deep and hypnotic techno beats to uplifting and euphoric melodies, there is something for everyone. Whether you're a seasoned clubber or a casual listener, this album is guaranteed to get your heart racing and your feet moving.

New Jackson conjures a beautiful beginning into existing with a spheric acidic micro house opener. Melancholic harmonies combine with spacy "Acid Jackson" vocoder parts while the bouncing sequence gives this track an exceptional unique mood. A musical journey that could go on forever. Next up is German house legend Ian Pooley. “DDG Talk” offers distinctive funk with a deep grooving rhythm. Synth parts ring out like tightly stretched rubber bands and you can literally hear Ian’s love for special analog curiosities. Complex modulations add to the charm of this piece and lead to a nifty production with a certain vintage charm. Sweet vibes that fit almost any moment. The impulsive deep tech track “Il Rotori”

then welcomes us to the circus ring and shows us the attraction of the virtuoso. Grinding hi-hats shake up and down alongside progressive sequences to form a cloud of happy frequencies. A sweet memory that lifts the energy of the moment and is reminiscent of a sunset on a beloved island.

DJ Tennis smoothly takes us to the next phase with a warm musical embrace. The bassline with Italian flavor grooves true to form, recalling the early 2000s. The perfect accompaniment for a sundowner. Shimmering zap sounds, hitting stabs, and energetic vocals that command us to “Take It, Take It” as we will for sure! Drumcomplex & Frank Sonic get things rolling with “Lacalute” serving hypnotic shaker patterns and a charismatic synthesizer sequence. Sven has already been playing this tune on heavy rotation since the beginning of the year. So, let’s head off on a thrilling trip with lightspeed. Get on the high-tension lift, next stop: peak time! The wild ride continues with a remarkable techno track from Michael Klein, primed to fill the main floor with a significant sound pressure level. “Time Warp” is a warehouse monster that offers a powerful bassline groove, a booming bass drum, and pulse-width synth madness, so time appears to move unpredictably.

Motoring on, a UK Rave 90s breakbeat rhythm – brought into the future with the perfect zeitgeist. Benjamin Damage is a hardware lover without a doubt, his machines seem to be an extension of his soul, which can be clearly heard in his sound. “Light” appears in wonderful harmony, and the blissful string sounds beam us out of the galaxy. Magical female vocal parts add the final touch, Benjamin did it again right down to the last detail. Balm for the soul from Levon Vincent, this tune is made for open air. The melancholic energy fluctuates between hope and summertime sadness but leaves us with a warm and fuzzy feeling. We reach a high energy level due to the radiant synth hook line and the pure 909 techno beat gains the underground feeling of the track in contrast to its comprehensiveness. Coming up next is “Cold Tuning” by Space Dimension Controller. It’s a timeless sci-fi saga, nostalgic and futuristic at the same time. Dreamy synth pads take us into another world and dimensions quickly rush by. A beautiful and touching atmosphere evolves, and the slightly off-key sensual string harmonies are predestined to generate emotions. A fast floating 808 kick expedites the spaceship beyond infinity. Mission accomplished!

Entering the final stage, no one less than Orlando Voorn spreads happiness all over. Orlando’s particular shuffle rhythm paired with alien reverbed synthesizer stabs form the basis of “Samurai”. But the outstanding feature is especially the noisy gritty bit-crushed synth hook line in connection with energetic and graceful vocal samples. As the penultimate, Marco Faraone & The Florentian Cabaret serve a playful and harmonious composition with 80s charm, which clearly stands out from their independent releases. Lovely organ sounds are layered with shimmering Roland-Jupiter-like synth pads, bringing everybody back together on the dance floor in the morning hours. To close things out, of course, we need an after-hour vibe provided by a stripped-down minimalistic groove from Fango. “Betta” invites you to close your eyes and let yourself go due to its hopeful carpet of sound and love designed to stimulate your soul. It’s a deep immersion in emotions and the perfect ending for this year's compilation.

Experience the magic for yourself, each track takes you on a journey through different emotions and moods, leaving you breathless and wanting more. From the moment you press play, you will be transported into a world filled with pulsating beats, hypnotic rhythms, and mind-bending soundscapes. But what makes this release truly special is its ability to surprise you at every turn. Just when you think you have heard it all, a new track comes along and blows your mind. Compilation U is a seamless blend of cutting-edge production and timeless musicality. “U” like ultimate music collection that will transport you into a world of pure sonic bliss.

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ATH-S220BT

69,99 €*

LP | 1975 | EU | Reissue (Dialogo/Cramps)

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Experience exceptional sound clarity with Audio-Technica's ATH-S220BT wireless headphones, featuring up to 60 hours’ battery life and multipoint connectivity.

ATH-S220BT are lightweight, relaxed-fit headphones built to provide extended comfort. Weighing in at just 180g (6.3 oz) - around the same weight as a 12" vinyl record - the ATH-S220BT headphones’ intelligent design helps prevent neck and shoulder strain so you can enjoy album after album or gaming sessions with friends.

From listening to your favourite tunes through your smartphone to browsing the latest viral videos on a laptop or tablet, you’ll experience powerful sound from every source.

Since 1962, Audio-Technica has been devoted to providing listeners with the very best in sound quality and there’s no compromise to that dedication when it comes to our truly immersive ATH-S220BT best budget wireless headphones

These affordable wireless headphones also have a quick charge feature - they can be charged in ten minutes for 3.5 hours of listening time. Plus, with a USB type A to USB Type C™ cable included, you’re able to charge with ease using a variety of different devices.

If you’re looking for the best headphones under £100, look no further. Incorporating an abundance of features, the ATH-S220BT headphones are also compatible with both Siri and Google Assistant, so you’re able to access your device’s speech recognition function at the touch of a button. Receive notifications, send messages and control your audio playback without lifting a finger.

Features:

60 Hr Battery
The Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT is an ideal choice for those looking for Bluetooth headphones with a long battery life – making them a reliable travel companion or top selection for settling down to listen to your favourite album or podcast.

Multipoint Pairing
Connect to your smartphone, PC or tablet simultaneously and take the stress away from having to switch between multiple devices.

Built-In Mic and Controls
You’ll experience exceptionally clear audio thanks to the ATH-S220BT’s high-quality built-in microphone.

Wired and Wireless Listening
For a wired audio experience, use the included 1.2m cable. With a built-in microphone and remote, the plug-in option provides the ultimate flexibility for those wishing to experience superior sound whilst conserving battery power.

Immediate Voice Sync on Videos
Whether you’re watching TikTok videos on your daily commute or enjoying the latest Netflix series, even the slightest audio lag can impact your experience. With low latency mode on the Audio-Technica ATH-S220BT, you can enjoy minimal sound delay and crystal-clear audio.

• Up to 60 hours of continuous use on a full charge and up to 3.5 hours of use on a 10-minute rapid charge (via USB-C connection)
• Slim housings with sleek, lightweight earpads exert less pressure on your ears for a comfortable fit with good sound isolation
• 40 mm drivers provide powerful audio reproduction from a Bluetooth wireless signal
• Low latency mode improves synchronicity between audio and video for smooth streaming and gaming
• Multipoint pairing function allows you to stay connected to two Bluetooth devices at once
• High-quality, built-in microphone ensures crystal-clear calls
• Easy-touch buttons in the earcup provide intuitive control of volume, music/video playback, and calls, and give you access to Siri and Google Assistant
• Google Fast Pair lets you quickly pair headphones with an Android smartphone or other device
• Voice guidance function provides helpful notifications, including power and pairing status, and remaining battery level
• Includes 1.2 m (3.9") cable with in-line mic and control for optional wired connection

Specifications:
• Type: Closed‐back dynamic
• Driver Diameter: 40 mm
• Frequency Response: 5 - 32,000 Hz
• Sensitivity: 105 dB/mW
• Impedance: 32 ohms
• Battery: DC 3.7 V lithium polymer battery
• Battery Life: Approx. 60 hours continuous use (music playback)
• Weight: Approx. 180 g (6.3 oz)
• Charging Time: Approx. 4 hours
• Cable: Detachable 1.2 m iS controller cable with mic
• Connector: 3.5 mm (1/8″) stereo mini
• Microphone Type: Electret condenser
• Microphone Sensitivity: ‐42 dB (1 V/Pa, at 1 kHz)
• Microphone Frequency Response: 50 - 4,000 Hz
• Microphone Polar Pattern: Omnidirectional
• Accessories Included: USB charging cable (30 cm (12”), USB Type‐A / USB Type‐C) cable with in‐line mic and control (1.2 m (3.9’) /3.5 mm (1/8”) gold‐plated stereo mini‐plug (4 pole/L‐shaped))
• Bluetooth® Version: Bluetooth version 5.0
• Operating Range: Line of sight ‐ approx. 10 m (33')

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Costin Miereanu

Luna Cinese

25,99 €*

LP | 2024 | EU | Original (Music With Soul)

Release: 1975 / EU – Reissue

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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At long last, after decades out of print, the Milan based imprint, Dialogo, dives into the legendary catalog of Cramps, bringing forth the first ever vinyl reissue of Costin Miereanu's "Luna Cinese", part of an ongoing initiative dedicated to bring the imprint’s seminal output back into the light. Easily one of the most singular and important experimental albums of the 1970s that remains as engrossing, creatively riveting, and as ahead of its time today as it was in 1975, this is as exciting as reissues come. Complete with new English translation of their original liner notes, it can’t be missed! Edition of 500 LP on black vinyl. Audiophile pressing. Gatefold cover, including printed inner. Perfect replica of the original packaging (with additional translated liner notes) and newly remastered for optimal sound.** Of all the historic labels associated with experimental music, few have garnered as much affection, or as devoted a following, as the Italian imprint Cramps. Its catalog reads like a who's who of the 1970s musical avant-garde, housing seminal albums by John Cage, Gruppo di Improvvisazione Nuova Consonanza, Giusto Pio, Demetrio Stratos, Juan Hidalgo, Robert Ashley, Walter Marchetti, Cornelius Cardew, Raul Lovisoni / Francesco Messina, Alvin Lucier, Derek Bailey, and so many more, the vast majority of which have remained largely out of print and nearly impossible to obtain for decades. Now, at long last, the Milan based imprint, Dialogo, has begun a stunning series of vinyl reissues from Cramps' Nova Musicha series - dedicated to contemporary avant-garde composers - beginning with Costin Miereanu’s Luna Cinese, originally released in 1975. Fully remastered and housed in a sleeve that beautifully reproduces the album’s signature design, complete with brand a new English translation of the original liner notes, this is a truly historic event. For its impact, Cramps was a relatively short-lived endeavor, running for roughly seven years between 1973 and 1980. Founded in Milan by the producer, publisher, and graphic designer, Gianni Sassi - publisher of counter-cultural magazines like Bit and Frankenstein, and the designer behind numerous covers for Bla Bla, including Franco Battiato's Fetus and Pollution - Cramps was the pitch perfect emblem of revolutionary Italian temperaments of its era; creatively radical, globally minded, without profit motive, and bridging numerous musical idioms, from progressive rock and jazz, to some of the most forward thinking and singular expression of sonic experimentalism the world has ever seen. Of all the seminal figures that recorded for Cramps, the Romanian / French composer, Costin Miereanu, remains among the most distinct and under-appreciated. The reemergence of his debut LP, Luna Cinese, issued by the label in 1975, will likely change that. Over the last decade or so, Miereanu has developed something of a cult following among experimental fans because of his stunning series of albums issued during the 1980s on his own Poly-Art imprint, skirting the border of ambient music and minimalism in highly individual ways. Luna Cinese, which dives into far more explicitly experimental territory, will undoubtedly be a revelation and expose the true underpinnings of the work that would begin to emerge of the next decade and a half. During his early years, Costin Miereanu was something of a wunderkind of avant-garde and experimental music. Born in Bucharest, between 1960 to 1966 he was a student of Alfred Mendelsohn, Dan Constantinescu, and Lazar Octavian Cosma, before moving to Paris where he earned a Doctor of Letters and a Doctor of Musical Semiotics, winning numerous prizes in writing, analysis, music history, esthetics, orchestration, and composition. Between 1967 and 1969 he was a student of Karlheinz Stockhausen, György Ligeti, and Ehrhard Karkoschka at the Internationale Ferienkurse für neue Musik in Darmstadt, laying the final groundwork for a stunning career as both a composer and noted academic over the years since, often combining techniques drawn from Satie with the abstraction of Romanian traditional music into a sonic fabric that is guided by systems associated with Musique concrète. Luna Cinese, issued as the composer's debut LP by Cramps in 1975, is a stunning combination of all these elements. The work - stretching across the album's two sides, consists of continuous low-density repetitions, build from what the composer describes as “the kind of 'woven' silence you find on mountains – occasionally disturbed by irregular and very dense insertions – the kind of intense noise you find in the city.” The result, combining a vast range of environmental sound, voices chattering in various languages, fragments of acoustic instrumentation, and the pulsing and ambiences of synths and electronics, is about as singular and beautiful as experimental works from the 1970s come, while never for a moment sacrificing rigour or tension. A truly stunning, interwoven sonic expanse that lays pregnant with multiple meaning and interpretations - conceived by the composer to illuminate the complex ways in which meaning and narrative are constructed across time - and imbued with surrealism and the 'schizoid', Luna Cinese stands as an entirely distinct and original gesture within the canon of experimental music, displaying a remarkable density, while open, airy, and encouraging the subjectivity of the listener to play an active part. Easily among the best and important works from the original Cramps catalog, but sinfully overlook over the years since its release, Luna Cinese is as good as they come and an absolutely riveting and immersive listen. Issued by Dialogo in this newly remastered vinyl edition - the first since 1975 - with its original liner notes by Miereanu in a brand-new English translation, this one is impossible to recommend enough and will leave the composer ringing in your mind for a long time to come.

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Conjunto Papa Upa

Fruta Madura

27,54 €* 28,99 € -5%

LP | 2023 | UK | Original (Shapes Of Rhythm)

Release: 2024 / EU – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Imagine a Latin remake of Back to the Future. The mad scientist is Arsenio Rodriguez (the godfather of salsa) and the young student who travels through time with him is Eblis Alvarez (Meridian Brothers). This album can only be described as the perfect soundtrack for that movie that never was.

After the massive buzz generated by his first solo album, Mentallogenic, Alex Figueira got back in the studio to work in a more collective fashion this time, carefully assembling the second album of his largest project to date, Conjunto Papa Upa; a team of 6 musicians, spanning 3 generations of some of the best talent in the Latin and avant-garde scenes.

In an era where tropical music is dominated by purely electronic and rhythmically uniform sounds, the ten songs encompassed in “Fruta Madura” (“Ripe Fruit”) wander through the most diverse tempos, rhythms, and motifs effortlessly. A real breath of fresh air that gracefully incorporates soul, funk, jazz, psychedelia, and electronics into a solid tropical, irresistibly polyrhythmic foundation, without ever succumbing to the many genre clichés.

The distinctive production and catchy songwriting of Figueira shine in a very distinctive light on this second full-length. Living up to his reputation (Miles Cleret, founder of Soundway Records, called him “one of the scene's truly authentic and eccentric producers”), he takes the opportunity to show he’s not afraid to keep walking his own path.

Taking the band for a wild ride through the traditions of Africa, America, and the Caribbean; contrasting them with a ridiculously wide plethora of vintage, contemporary, and futuristic sounds, and pivoting on the exuberant musicality displayed by his musicians; the result leaves no doubt: this album is destined to be considered a future classic of the exciting tropical psychedelic music of the 21st century.

Addressing the most diverse themes in this new collection of songs, things take on a much more mature tone, as the title clearly suggests.

The opening track “El segundo es más sabroso” (“The second one is tastier”) sets the tone in the most assertive way imaginable, with the band boldly declaring, through multiple metaphorical references (laid upon a crazy mix of Dominican merengue, Detroit techno, classic and free jazz, dub, and electro), that the bar will be set higher with this second album.

The remaining compositions touch upon the most diverse subjects, with a fair dose of humor, sarcasm, and postmodern “magic realism”. “El Algoritmo” (The Algorithm) is a parranda-cumbia hybrid (for lack of a specific term) about the omnipresence of technology in our lives. The sophisticated Latin soul of the titling track “Fruta Madura” makes a case for the beauty of the maturity process. Some key philosophical teachings of Marcus Aurelius (the role of causality, the impositions of “the logos” and the importance of self-control) get a twisted cumbia treatment on “Reos del Deseo” (Prisoners of Desire). “No le pongas Coca-Cola” (“Don’t put Coca Cola in it”) shows us the most satirical side of the band, accusing those who mix Coca Cola with Rum of committing "sacrilege", on a powerful base of Dem Bow (the grandfather of Reggaeton), intertwined with touches of soul, salsa, and Cuban comparsa.

"Háblame Claro" (“Talk to me clearly”) is a story of heartbreak that evokes in its first part the spirit of the erotic salsa of the 80s (a subgenre deeply despised by purists), and after an unexpected samba interlude, leads to the hardest salsa of the 70s (a subgenre adored by purists), to end up in the surprising form of pure Afro-Cuban ceremonial music.

“Tu mamá tenía razón” ("Your Mom Was Right") is an attempt to exalt the spirit of the Latin American soap opera in the key of “acid bachata”, to recount a real-life case, witnessed by the band on countless occasions: the partying woman who arrives at the show accompanied by her bitter husband, who obviously does not like to dance. A very cheeky song to talk about the very serious and pertinent topic of female empowerment.

“La misma vaina” (“The same thing”) with its indescribable blend of bantú, candomblé, and Mozambique rhythms with abstract synthesizers, is an ode to adventure in favor of the aversion to taking risks and seeking predictability.

“Amigas picadas” (“Salty friends”) is another humorous song recounting another real-life case witnessed by the band on countless occasions: a love encounter sabotaged by the girlfriend's friends, who all happen to fancy the same guy. A jazzy take on the ancient Dominican rhythm of pambiche (grandfather of merengue), with generous psychedelic touches, resembling the classy late 60s releases of Guadeloupe's legendary producer / label owner Henri Debs.

“Vinimos a hablar” (“We came to talk”) takes sarcasm to the highest level, to ridicule the absurdity (also experienced by the band firsthand) seen in live music venues where people pay a ticket to go and have conversations that could be carried out much better on any bar, where no band is playing. The music alternates between a delicate melody with loose, sparse percussion and a full-on, pumping Angolan semba, with a techno kick drum included; bringing things to an apotheotic grooving finale, where the peculiar swing of Venezuelan calypso from the Callao region is thrown on top of all the precedent elements; closing the album in the most uplifting, “end of the carnival parade” feel.

The artwork is a delicate and impactful oil painting by Colombian artist Kevin Simón Mancera, who has collaborated many times with the label before (“Maracas, tambourines and other hellish things” tape and the Lola’s Dice LP).

What the experts are saying:

“Alex (Figueira) dove into this work with a brutal cohesion between lyrics and synths. Timbre poetry, sound poetry (you name it). And that, superimposed on his always impeccable percussive base, confirms the title of “avant-garde visionary of our beautiful Latin music”". Eblis Alvarez (meridian Brothers) “Papa Upa's infectious quirkiness is a balm against boredom. A mature album, but without an expiration date”. Gladys Palmera

“Here there is a lot of strength, drum, cadence and psychedelia, lost dance rhythms, united in an intercontinental Latin/African/and Caribbean journey, a unique winning combination that we could consider the new “Ritmo Figueira”. Discodelic

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Sneaky Jesus

For Chaching Taphed

21,99 €*

Benjamin Britten, Robert Shaw, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Chorus, Lorna Haywood, Anthony Rolfe Johnson, Benjamin Luxon, The Atlanta Boy Choir

Release: 2023 / UK – Original

Genre: Organic Grooves

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Polish jazz rebels sneaky jesus are back with their second studio album For Chaching Taphed.The highly imaginative quartet out of Wroclaw comprising Maciej Forreiter (Guitar), Matylda Gerber (Saxophones), Ben Łasiewick i(Bass) and Filip Baczyński (Drums) have won fans around the world for their restless, quirky brand of jazz which takes in breakbeats, twisting chord progressions and improvisation as well as a wealth of musical influences.
The band have been touring their asses off ever since they surprised the world with their debut album For Joseph Riddle in 2021. From out of nowhere their debut LP of 500 copies sold out in a month and they quickly went on to sell close to 1,000 CDs of the album. Fast-forward to 2023 and the band are sharing stages with artists such as Ill Considered and Theon Cross.
For Chaching Taphed was created in complete isolation. The group locked itself in a barn at the Museum of Agricultural Technology in Piotrowice Świdnickie. It worked on its sophomore output surrounded by machinery, trucks and carriages. These new compositions mirror the abstract conversations which the group frequently has just for fun. Contrary to For Joseph Riddle, this album is simple and does not rely on ongoing grooves. This enabled the group to be much more experimental. The band was joined by friends Flautist Mariya Mavko on Piękno Niemożliwe (Impossible Beauty) and her playing is sampled in Hipotetyczny Taras (Hypothetical Terrace). Pięciu Pszczelarzy (Five Beekeepers) closes the album featuring Eabs' Jakub Kurek on trumpet. His fiery solo is one of the most intense moments of the album.
Spacer Po Nadodrzu (A walk around Nadodrze) opens the album and is inspired by one of the districts of Wrocław. It is a sonic story depicting a walk through Nadodrze late at night. A steady bass rhythm imitates a careful pace and the responding sax line is a spooky theme that might pop to oneʼs head in a moment of uncertainty.
The album's first single Krztusiec (Whooping Cough) finds the group diving head first into their most recent influences. The trackstarts with drum improvisation, rolling into a solid hip-hop backbeat provided by Ben Łasiewicki on Bass and Drummer Filip Baczyński. Sax and Guitar weave steady but dissonant lines, written by Maciej Forreiter after many hours spent listening to the Ethiopian jazz greats. The track takes off right after that. Matylda Gerber delivers a fiery Sax solo, while the group picks up the tempo and quickens the groove. The essence is the middle section, a dubby collective improvisation. Forreiter, Gerber and Baczyński take turns playing both classic dub phrases and fierce avant grade lines. Łasiewicki keeps everybody in check with a steady bassline. The energy slows down until Baczyński's drum solo, which explores phrasing detached from the rest of the tune.
Second single Chiński Sprzedawca Smażonych Kasztanów (Chinese roasted chestnut seller) is a fusion of breakbeats, energized songo rhythms and motifs inspired by South African melodies. Presenting the group with spacious and rhythmic horn lines, guitarist Maciej Forreiter wrote a chord progression while Beniamin Łasiewicki and Filip Baczyński took care of the rhythm section. This first part of the track suddenly drops out and explodes into the dramatic main motif which includes double sax and fierce guitar playing in harmony, plus the rhythm section playing more and more jungle-esque. Powerful guitar and sax solos feature before we return to the main theme with a completely different rhythmic backdrop.
W Klatce z Bykiem (In a cage with a Bull), starts like a race. The music plays with an incredible nerve and when the theme is right on edge it suddenly stops. It is followed by an animalistic growl on the saxophone and a doom metal-esque bash of downtuned, distorted guitars and heavy drums. In this heavy fashion it slowly approaches the finishing line hitting one final metallic clang.
Piękno Niemożliwe (Impossible Beauty) features wonderful flute playing of Mariya Mavko (Kadabra Dyskety Kusaje). Her work in the opening motif evokes sounds of Polish and Ukrainian folklore. This brief mellow moment serves as a contrast to the usual frantic sounds of sneaky jesus. It is an appreciation of thepolish jazz music of the past, intrinsically-linked to folklore. The band took this idea and reworked it into their own unique style.
Hipotetyczny Taras (Hypothetical Terrace) is built on top of a lengthy vamp in an unusual 7/8 time-signature. The bass anchors the quartet in a simple line, while the rest of the quartet share an emotional conversation. This track is the most open of the whole project and it ends accordingly. The final burst is a call back to the basics ofspiritual jazzand the whole band shows every emotion simultaneously and gracefully fades out.
Pięciu Pszczelarzy (Five Beekeepers) is For Chaching Taphed's conclusion and is a non stop assault of heavy horn lines, punk rhythms and noise. The band is joined by the extraordinary trumpeter Jakub Kurek from Eabs, who blends in perfectly with sax and guitar. His exchange of solos with Maciej Forreiter is a combination of classic jazz phrasing and discordant clatter. In the same fierce manner the whole group works within the motif, switching up accents and breaks.
In the short space of two years, sneaky jesus has gone from ambitious upstart looking to break out from its home city playing spit and sawdust venues, to touring Europe as well as prestigious Jazz clubs such as Jassmine in Warsaw. In the process, it has delivered two full-length albums that don't stay in lane or pander to established jazz sub-genres as so many groups do. Some artists make the same record twice or even more than that, but not sneaky jesus. For Chaching Taphed shows the band as restless, experimental, fun, irreverent but purposeful as never before.

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War Requiem, Op. 66

2CD | 1989 | US | Original (Telarc)

Guillaume de Machaut / Friedreich Melzer, Ernst Haefliger , Tenor • Prof. Jakob Stämpfli, Kurt Widmer , Bass / Ein Instrumentalensemble Der Schola Cantorum Basiliensis / August Wenzinger

Release: 1989 / US – Original

Genre: Classical Music

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Used Vinyl

Medium: VG+, Cover: Generic

CD comes in a soft case, instead of the original crystal case. All booklets included.

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La Messe De Nostre Dame. 9 Weltliche Werke = 9 Secular Works

LP | EU | Original (Archiv Produktion)

11,99 €*

Release: EU – Original

Genre: Classical Music

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Used Vinyl

Medium: Near Mint, Cover: VG+

Reloop

Flux

346,75 €* 365,00 € -5%

When Humans Ruled The Earth

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RELOOP FLUX - 6X6 IN/OUT USB-C DVS INTERFACE FOR SERATO DJ PRO

We are excited to introduce the Reloop Flux: A next-generation 6x6 In/out USB-C DVS Interface for Serato DJ Pro. It can transform any conventional mixer into a professional digital vinyl system.

BACK TO THE MUSIC
The Reloop Flux is a next-generation USB-C interface for using Serato DJ Pro with turntables, CDJs or other media players. The interface boasts superior audio qualities, a well-designed operating concept and a club-ready design. It can transform any conventional mixer into a professional digital vinyl system.

MAXIMUM FLEXIBILITY
Three stereo inputs provide DJs with maximum flexibility. Turntables, CDJs and similar can be used in any combination. The settings are adjusted using discreet DIP switches, which virtually eliminates any chance of accidental switching in the club. The interface includes three stereo outputs, including an AUX out that can be routed to Serato DJ Pro´s internal sampler. Gold-plated, corrosion-resistant RCA jacks ensure high-quality audio transmission.

FULL CONTROL
The Flux provides the best possible routing overview thanks to clearly visible signal flow LEDs for all inputs and outputs and a Thru status indicator. Connection status (hub, PD, DC) LED indicators on the top of the interface provide additional control options. The Direct Thru buttons on the top of the interface enable you to quickly and easily activate and disable Thru mode, which allows connected turntables and CDJs to be used conventionally. Navigation through the Serato software is no longer necessary.

HUB INSIDE
The Flux includes a built-in 2-port USB-A hub for connecting MIDI controllers and other USB accessories. Aside from the expanded connection options, the hub reduces potential connection faults in a busy club environment by keeping the setup connected even without the laptop.

STUDIO QUALITY – ANYTIME, ANYWHERE
The Flux offers studio quality in the club and wherever it's needed with 24-bit/96 kHz, high-quality digital/analogue converters and ultra-low latency. For this reason, it’s a superior DVS interface which could also be used as an audio interface in the studio.

ALWAYS POWERED
The Flux is bus-powered by a computer, so there's minimal wiring required for audio and power cables. The DVS interface can also be powered by external power sources through the USB-C DC input, allowing turntables and CDJs to be used in Thru mode even without a computer connected. The Flux's second USB-C port provides Power Delivery support for other USB-C devices (max. 60 W), such as a MacBook.

ROBUST AND ROADWORTHY
The interface has a durable metal housing with a scratch-resistant, black surface, ensuring a long service life even with heavy use. The extended edge design keeps the connections well-protected.

PLUG & PLAY FOR SERATO DJ Pro
The Reloop Flux unlocks the full version of Serato DJ Pro and Serato DVS. This means DJs can get up and running with the market-leading digital vinyl system in no time. Additional licences are not necessary.

FEATURES:
• 3-channel (6x6 in/out) USB-C DVS interface for Serato DJ Pro
• Turn any mixer into a professional digital vinyl system
• Unlocks full version of Serato DJ Pro and Serato DVS
• Studio-grade 24-bit sound card with crystal-clear audio and ultra-low latency response
• Supports up to 96kHz with high-quality D/A converters for superior audio processing
• Also functions as a stand-alone studio interface for recording and playback audio
• 3x inputs for turntables, CD players or AUX-In for live feed signal, switchable in any combination via dedicated dip switches
• Dedicated GND terminal for grounding turntables
• Gold-plated, corrosion-resistant audio connections
• 3x line outputs, including AUX-Out, assignable to the Sampler
• Easy, accessible direct thru buttons for analogue deck playback
• All terminals are visible from the top of the unit for easy installation in dark surroundings
• Bus-powered cable connection for power and audio
• Optional USB-C DC in port for external power supply
• Power delivery support for USB-C devices (max 60W)
• Signal-flow LEDs for all inputs and outputs (L/R) and thru indication for clear visibility
• Power LEDs on the top panel for connection status (Hub, PD, DC)
• 2-port USB-A hub for connecting further accessories
• Rugged, heavy-duty metal housing with a scratch-resistant black finish for durability on the road and reliability in the club
• Highly robust, extended edge design to protect connection terminals
• Supports the use of Serato NoiseMap™ control vinyl (not included) or custom control signal WAV file for use via CDs or USB drive (download available) with no additional license purchase needed
• Including: 2x RCA audio cables, 1x USB-A to USB-C, 1x USB-C to USB-C, user manual

TECHNICAL DATA:
Power:
• USB bus powered: Yes
• Recommended power: 2 A or higher / minimum power: 400 mA
• Maximum USB-PD throughput: 60 W
• Maximum USB Hub power output: 2 x 0.8 A = 8 W
• Supported external USB (type A or C) power supply: 5 V/1 A - 20 V/3 A
• Power supply priority: FLUX self-power -> USB Hub -> PD (to PC)

Audio:
• S/N Ratio (output reference level 1 kHz, +4 dB):
• Deck In (LINE signal input: 0 dBV): More than 83 dB
• Deck In (PHONO signal input: -32 dBV): More than 73 dB
• THD + N:
• LINE signal input: -4 dBV @1K / Less than 0.03% (1 kHz,+0 dB)
• PHONO signal input: -36 dBV @1K / Less than 0.05% (1 kHz,+0 dB, Inverse RIAA)

Maximum Gain:
• Deck In (LINE): +4 dB ± 2 dB
• Deck In (PHONO): +36 dB ± 2 dB
• Maximum Input (1 kHz, THD=1%):
• Deck In (LINE): More than +7 dBV
• Deck In (PHONO): More than -25 dBV
• Maximum Output (1 kHz, THD=1%):
• Deck Output: More than +11 dBV

USB:
• USB audio interface with 24 bit/44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz
• USB 2.0 high-speed (480 Mbit/s)
• Class-compliant on macOS
• USB Power Delivery Protocol 3.0

General:
• Dimensions (WxDxH): 160 x 120 x 34 mm
• Weight: 0.85 kg

Accessories:
• User Manual
• 1x USB type C/C cable
• 1x USB type C/A cable
• 2x RCA cables

Manual: https://www.reloop.com/media/catalog/product/pdf/2/4/5/245389_Reloop_IM.pdf

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W1B0

2LP | 2022 | UK | Original (U-Trax)

22,99 €*

In Any Case By Any Chance

Release: 2022 / UK – Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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Debut album by Dutch producer w1b0, who passed away in August, to be released in November on U-trax.

Wibo Lammerts' sudden death on August 15thshocked the worldwide electro community, and also left the record label, that had been working on the debut album with the artist known as w1b0 for the past two years, dumbfounded and in grief.
Wibo had jokingly always called his upcoming debut album 'his legacy', which now sadly has become a painful truth. With the support of Wibo's family, U-trax is now doing the only thing that doesn't feel totally wrong: proceed as planned, and release 'When Humans Ruled The Earth' on November 11.

W1b0 made quite a name for himself with heavy electro tracks that he released on labels like Bass Agenda, Hilltown Disco and Discos Antónicos. Standing at 202 meters, and combined with a cheerful character, most people remember him as the gentle giant of electro. For this album, Wibo wanted to steer away from the dark and heavy electro he mostly made until then. The idea of having a platform to create delicate electronic music in different styles, and make it a showcase of his versatility, was very appealing to him. And that is where he and U-trax found each other.

The full-length album (over 75 minutes on cd and digital) comes after 'The Pilex Program EP', released in October, that featured a remix by Detroit's Ectomorph of 'Pilex Driver' and saw 'Program Yourself To Feel' remixed by a well-known Dutch producer that recently created the new 'techno alias' Human Form. As usual with U-trax, the album comes in three different editions, with the 11-track double vinyl version containing the Ectomorph and Human Form remixes. The CD and digital version boast original versions only, plus four additional tracks: 'Alternate Reality Interface', 'Mixed Matter Fluctator', 'Synthetic', and 'In There'. The cassette version more or less has the same track list as the CD/digi version, but has both aforementioned remixes and a bonus track in the incredibly hypnotizing 'I Wanted You', a track that unfortunately couldn't be on the CD and vinyl versions.

Buyers of the physical releases get treated on superior quality products, another trademark of U-trax. The vinyl edition boasts over one hour of music, on two 180 grams, green vinyl discs, in a black & white & neon green gatefold sleeve. The eye-catching artwork is created by Utrecht artist Leffe Goldstein, known amongst others for his psychedelic beer can designs for Utrecht brewery Maximus. Wibo, being the beer lover he was, had zero doubts about having Leffe Goldstein do the cover for his album. The CD has a total playing time of 75 minutes and comes in a beautiful 6-panel digipack, while the cassette will have full-color on-body print and comes in a plastic-free Maltese cross fold-up sleeve.

Buyers of the physical releases get treated on superior quality products, another trademark of U-trax. The vinyl edition boasts over one hour of music, on two 180 grams, green vinyl discs, in a black & white & neon green gatefold sleeve. The eye-catching artwork is created by Utrecht artist Leffe Goldstein, known amongst others for his psychedelic beer can designs for Utrecht brewery Maximus. Wibo, being the beer lover he was, had zero doubts about having Leffe Goldstein do the cover for his album. The CD has a total playing time of 75 minutes and comes in a beautiful 6-panel digipack, while the cassette will have full-color on-body print and comes in a plastic-free Maltese cross fold-up sleeve.

Opener 'Acid Whip' is one of the oldest compositions on this album, in which a dark 303 bassline hums over layers of spacey strings. Wibo named it after the legendary Whip It party in Amsterdam's De Melkweg. 'Alternate Reality Interface' then presents bouncy rhythms toying around with all sorts of analog (bass) synthesizers, before we go really deep with the epic ambient techno track 'Wandering Souls'. Then things get a little lighter spirited: 'Mixed Matter Fluctator' is an electro track that builds on sounds created by Matt Buggins. It has very strong Detroit influences, the city Wibo loved so much and that he made a pilgrimage to with a group of friends that called themselves 'The Techno Tourists'. The tempo goes up a notch in 'Program Yourself To Feel', that halfway opens up in wide science fiction strings that evoke memories of Star Wars, the movie series that Wibo was a great fan of, and that was the source of many of his tracks' names. The Human Form remix opens the vinyl edition of this album and is a downright belter of a track.

Next is a somewhat experimental intermezzo named 'Synthetic'. Erratic beats and pounding bassdrums get accompanied by very subtle eerie-sounding strings, before melancholic synthesizers and piano chords take over. This is an excellent prelude to the epic 'Hologram Computing', a track that is one of our favorites. It slowly and softly builds and builds, before a pounding bassdrum breaks loose and a hypnotic arpeggio takes you to higher planes. Not ready to letting the listener relax, w1bo then serves 'Beilstein Reference', which again presents his trademark cocktail of down-to-earth electro rhythms and catchy melodies, covered in all sort of little sounds and noises, giving the song a lot of energy. What follows is 'Hit me', a track loosely based on a song by Dutch indie rock band Mr. Joe Abe. Wibo met the band's singer on a camping site while being on holidays and the two decided Wibo should do a remix of one of their songs. Nothing was left of the original except the vocals, and the result is a remarkable cheerful, poppy electro song.

'Anticipated Input' is one of the more recent tracks Wibo made for this album, combining electro, acid and, yes: epic strings. But not all is peace and quiet on this album, as 'Pilex Driver' shows. This is w1b0 going experimental in a danceable fashion: Industrial sounds make the track sound like we're passing a construction site that is playing loud electro music. On the vinyl version of this album, Ectomorph totally decomposed the original and made it into a mysterious, almost subdued, and totally brilliant electro track that sees a main role for the retro Roland CR drum machines sounds.

TFHats, Wibo's fellow member of the Transhumanism collective, added lyrics to 'Cartesian Coordinates'. His vocals add a pleasant New Wave flavor to this song, that has breaks that remarkably reminds one of Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit'. What follows is the most personal track on this album. 'Fornan' is a song that Wibo made for his wife Nanette, and was added as the last piece of the puzzle that creating an album is. The warm Detroit techno atmosphere in this electro song couldn't be a more beautiful tribute to his love, and mother of their two young boys. The album then takes a surprising detour through a 1980s landscape with 'In There', that features the Joy Division-esque vocals of another one of Wibo's friends, indicated only as Vincent. The super slow and gloomy track is a treat for anyone that loved the darker side of New Wave. The album has a worthy closer in the sensitive, yet playful 'Schlegel Diagram'.

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Zanshin

LP | 2022 | UK | Original (Affine)

25,99 €*

4LP | 2023 | UK | Original (Rocket Girl)

Release: 2022 / UK – Original

Genre: Electronic & Dance

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"What took you so long?" might be a valid question concerning the ten year gap between Zanshin's new album "In Any Case By Any Chance" and his first album "Rain Are In Clouds".
Of course it is a question that the Viennese musician has asked himself quite startled in his usual self-critical manner, just to realize at a closer look that it has not been a lack of creativity or laziness at least. He used the Zanshin moniker on four EP releases and several remixes, plus a game soundtrack. Not to forget all his output as one half of producer duo Ogris Debris (the album "Constant Spring" from 2016 and roughly two dozen singles and remixes) and the many, partly award-winning audiovisual installations and performances with Leonhard Lass as Depart (depart.at). Furthermore he has also built two sound installations in 2021, "I Gong" at Elevate Festival and "Cymatic Sands" at Ars Electronica. In addition, Zanshin performs with the Max-Brand-Synthesizer from time to time as part of the compositions by Elisabeth Schimana, and together with label mate Dorian Concept he has also composed and performed the piece "Half Chance/Music for Moogtonium" for this unique instrument, built by Bob Moog himself.
Not spared by certain global developments of recent years, but rather invigorated by exploring his own resilience, Zanshin had a talk with Affine Records Operator Jamal in the beginning of 2021, speaking of future ideas and releases. And what was initially a single release spawned into a whole album in seemingly no time. An old skit ("Polar Polychrome") on the Roland Mc-505 groove-box that had never really been forgotten, but was rather waiting patiently somewhere in the back of his mind, suddenly proved to be the initial spark for the album.
The term "Zanshin", roughly translated as un-focussed attention, is in fact more than just a pseudonym but rather a directive in the artists life. Zanshin really likes to go in several directions at once, kind of according to Wittgenstein's claim that "The world is everything that is the case.", to find out where his love for music might lead him this time. He also somehow went back to his roots with this album. Not necessarily in the sense of certain musical influences or genres, because then the album would be even more eclectic than it already is. More like a focus on the core values in the fabrication process of the music itself, the freedom to rather follow the structures and sounds than to shape them in a completely predetermined way. Somebody once called it, "to weave what the music demands."
In this regard, Zanshin often feels more like a sculptor and tries not toadhereto strongly to the rules of specific sub-genres of electronic music. Searching for sounds and designing them is one of the energies that fuels his interest the most, thus at the beginning of a lot of tracks there are small skits and ideas that have the freedom to grow in whatever direction.
Hence this album has no elaborate story to tell, there is no extensive "narrative" or big time "storytelling" at work. "In Any Case By Any Chance" is not a novel but rather a collection of short stories (which are certainly dense and have complex plots nonetheless). The result is a long-player where playful electronica, skillful songwriting, extrovert dance music and symphonic film music enter into a symbiotic relationship. Returning to another Wittgenstein quote, "Whereof one cannot speak, thereof one must be silent", the emotional impact of music is the main focus and the results can be quite solemn at times, but around the corner always lurks the next bone-breaking rhythm pattern and gnarly sound design.
The infamous saying, "writing about music is like dancing about architecture", is another brick in the wall of sound in Zanshin's approach to music. He rarely roots himself in traditions or uses them too overtly, he really likes to agglomerate sounds, to challenge the listeners. It seems like he tries to avoid classification on purpose, because he knows that everyone has their own perception anyway. The only thing that this music demands implicitly is a willingness to listen attentively.
Very dense, at times really heavy and massive, then again airy and playful. "Music for clubs that don't exist.", might be another fitting caption to describe this album, which lasts for a little more than an hour.
The opener "Heatseeker" rushes to a sudden head start with its steel pan extravaganza, tropical vibes meet a bass line drenched in electro funk, and electrified synth stabs support the declaration of love in the lyrics. Kind of Jamie XX meets Electro meets Diva House. The monster that is "Bronteroc Brawl" is up next, a serious test for the speakers and a wild ride with metallic, growling sounds. The aggressive sound design reminds of suspense ridden shark chases, vicious dogs and cunning dinosaurs, in any case a track for people who love a proper bass stomper.
A new approach for the "indie discotheque" brings the emotional roller-coaster "In Gloom" with snappy drums and hypnotic synth motives á la Alessandro Cortini, creating an epic atmosphere together with the multi-layered vocals. A psycho-acoustic treat is position 4, the crisp instrumental "Polar Polychrome", you could even go as far as calling this a Zanshin signature track. Like mentioned before, the roots of this track go back to 2002 and you can hear the unmistakable influence of beat wizards like Photek, a piercing bass line is supported by poly-rhythmic drums, while dense pads try to escape the claustrophobic lockdown mood of winter 2020/21.
Another round of intense pathos waits for the listeners in the ensuing track "In Search Of". Moderat say "Hello", a melancholy piano melody is rushed to a climax by a wild bass arpeggio and forceful drums, the desire for a perfect sunrise at the next after-hour to the max. Initially just an appendix to the preceding track, "Time After Thought" swiftly developed from a mere improvisation to an ambient epic with a croaking alien piano, as if Keith Jarrett were on his way to Alpha Centauri.
Up next is the first single "Because Why", a breakbeat driven, synth-heavy track with winged vocals and a popular film quote. The title refers to the movie "Alphaville" by Jean-Luc Godard, a dystopian science fiction film noir, in which an omniscient computer system named Alpha 60 is ruling society and humans can only say "because" but never "why". As if the gears of a galactic mechanism were spinning into motion sounds "Identity Slices". A raspy chord structure finds its counterbalance in a kind of stumbling, wonky beat, and Zanshin would never deny the huge influence that Autechre's sounds and structures always have had on his music. Micro- and macrocosm meet on the same level and this friction is also a metaphor for questions of identity and self-awareness, without using voices or lyrics.
Off we go into the IDM bubble bath of "Enzyme Enigma", the bass drum is stomping and a fizzy acid-line is twisting in all directions behind rolling dub-techno chords. "Corrosion Creak" is a kind of acoustic degradation process, the rave dogs are finally let loose and everything happens at once, funky synths shred, string sounds wail and then there is this bass that sounds like smashing a rusty metal plate in the junk yard with a vengeance.
Towards the end everything slows down a bit, the beat in "Whatever Words" is Warp school cerebral hop at its best and therefore loads of glittery, creaky sounds swarm out until the synapses are overloaded, cumulating in a mighty bass ending. Last but never least, "Rebus Redux" guides us into the limitless night sky, with long indulgent pads dotted by an aimlessly wandering piano, while a compact net of tamed resonances and meandering sub frequencies unfolds in the background, enticing navel-gazing imagination.

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A.R. Kane

A.R. Kive

147,99 €*

Flux + UDG Creator Hardcase (HHV Bundle)

Release: 2023 / UK – Original

Genre: Pop

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A.R. Kive collates the three most astonishing works from that most miraculous of

duos - A.R. Kane - comprising the ‘Up Home' EP from 1988 that signified the

band's dawning realisation of their own powers and possibilities, their legendary

debut LP ‘sixty nine' (1988) and its kaleidoscopic, prophetic double-LP follow up ‘i'

(1989).

In founder-member Rudy Tambala's new remastering, the music on these pivotal

transmissions from the birth of dream pop, have been reinvigorated and re-infused

with a new power, a new depth and intimacy, a new height and immensity. Vivid,

timeless and yet always timely whenever they're recalled, these records still force

any listener to realise that despite the habits of retrospective myth-making and the

safe neutering effects of ‘genre', thirty years have in no way dimmed how resistant

and dissident to critical habits of categorisation A.R. Kane always were. Never quite

‘avant-pop' or ‘shoegaze' or ‘post-rock' or any of those sobriquets designed to file

and categorise, A.R. Kive is a reminder that those genres had to be coined, had to

be invented precisely to contain the astonishing sound of A.R. Kane, because

previous formulations couldn't come close to their sui generis sound and

suggestiveness. This is music that pointed towards futures which a whole generation

of artists and sonic explorers would map out. Now beautifully repackaged,

remastered and fleshed out with extensive sleeve notes and accompanying

materials, ‘A.R. Kive' reveals that 35 years on it's still a struggle to defuse the

revolutionary and inspirational possibility of A.R. Kane's music.

A.R. Kane were formed in 1986 by Rudy Tambala and Alex Ayuli, two second-

generation immigrants who grew up together in Stratford, East London. From the off

the pair were outsiders in the culturally mixed (cockney/Irish/West Indian/Asian)

milieu of the East End, with Alex and Rudy's folks first generation immigrants from

Nigeria and Malawi, respectively. The two of them quickly developed and fostered an

innate and near-telepathic mutual understanding forged in musical, literary and

artistic exploration. Like a lot of second-generation immigrants, they were ferocious

autodidacts in all kinds of areas, especially around music and literature. Diving deep

into the music of afro-futurist luminaries such as Sun Ra, Miles Davis, Lee Perry and

Hendrix, as well as devouring the explorations of lysergic noise and feedback from

contemporaries like Sonic Youth and Butthole Surfers, they also thoroughly

immersed themselves in the alternate literary realities of sci-fi and ancient history

(the fascination with the arcane that gave the band their name), all to feed their

voracious cultural thirsts and intellectual curiosity.

It was seeing the Cocteau Twins performing on Channel 4 show the Tube that

spurred A.R. Kane into being - “They had no drummer. They used tapes and

technology and Liz Fraser looked completely otherworldly with those big eyes. And

the noise coming out of Robin's guitar! That was the ‘Fuck! We could do that! We

could express ourselves like that!' moment”, recalls Tambala - and through a mix of

confidence, chutzpah, ad hoc almost-mythical live shows and sheer innocent will the

duo debuted with the astonishing ‘When You're Sad' single for One Little Indian in

1986. Immediately dubbed a ‘black Jesus & Mary Chain' by a press unsure of

Where to put a black band clearly immersed in feedback and noise, what was

immediately apparent for listeners was just how much more was going on here - a

tapping of dub's stealth and guile, a resonant umbilicus back to fusion and jazz, the

music less a conjuration of past highs than a re-summoning of lost spirits.

The run of singles and EPs that followed picked up increasingly rapt reviews in the

press, but it was the ‘Up Home EP' released in 1988 on their new home, Rough

Trade that really suggested something immense was about to break. Simon

Reynolds noted the EP was: Their most concentrated slab of iridescent

awesomeness and a true pinnacle of an era that abounded with astounding

landmarks of guitar-reinvention, A.R. Kane at their most elixir-like.

If anything, the remastered ‘Up Home' that forms the first part of ‘A.R. Kive' is even

more dazzling, even more startling than it was when it first emerged, and listening

now you again wonder not just about how many bands christened ‘shoegaze' tried to

emulate it, but how all of them fell so far short of its lambent, pellucid wonder. This

remains intrinsically experimental music but with none of the frowning orthodoxy

those words imply. A.R. Kane, thanks to that second generation auto-didacticism

were always supremely aware about the interstices of music and magic, but at the

same time gloriously free in the way they explored that connection within their own

sound, fascinated always with the creation of ‘perfect mistakes' and the possibilities

inherent in informed play.

‘sixty nine' the group's debut LP that emerged in 1988 had

critics and listeners struggling to fit language around A.R. Kane's sound. As a title it

was telling - the year of ‘Bitches Brew', the year of ‘In A Silent Way', the erotic

möbius between two lovers - and as originally coined by the band themselves,

‘dream pop' (before it became a free-floating signifier of vague import) was entirely

apposite for the music A.R. Kane were making. Crafted in a dark small basement

studio in which Tambala recalls the duo had “complete freedom - We wanted to go

as far out as we could, and in doing so we discovered the point where it stops being

music”. There was an irresistibly dreamy, somnambulant, sensual and almost surreal

flow to ‘sixty nine's sound, but also real darkness/dankness, the ruptures of the

primordial and the reverberations of the subconscious, within the grooves of

remarkable songs like ‘Dizzy' and ‘Crazy Blue'. Alex's plangent vocals floated and

surged amidst exquisite peals of refracted feedback but crucially there was Bass

here, lugubrious and funky and full of dread, sonic pleasure and sonic disturbance

crushed together to make music with a center so deep it felt subcutaneous, music

constructed from both the accidental and the deliberate, generous enough to dance

with both serendipity and chaos. ‘sixty nine' remains - especially in this remastered

iteration - ravishing, revolutionary.

The final part of this ‘A.R. Kive' contains 1989's astonishing double-LP ‘i' which

followed up on ‘sixty nine's promise and saw the duo fully unleash their experimental

pop sensibilities over 26 tracks, plunging the A.R. Kane sound into a dazzlingly

kaleidoscopic vision of pop experiment and play. Suffused with new digital

technologies and combining searingly sweet and danceable pop with perhaps the

duo's strangest and boundary-pushing compositions, the album did exactly what a

great double-set should do - indulge the artists sprawling pursuit of their own

imaginations but always with a concision and an ear for those moments where pop

both transcends and toys with the listeners expectations. Jason Ankeny has noted

that “In retrospect, ‘i' now seems like a crystal ball prophesying virtually every major

musical development of the 1990s; from the shimmering techno of ‘A Love from

Outer Space' to the liquid dub of ‘What's All This Then?', from the alien drone-pop of

‘Conundrum' to the sinister shoegazer miasma of ‘Supervixens' — it's all here, an

underground road map for countless bands to follow.” Perhaps the most

overwhelmingly all-encompassing transmission from A.R. Kane, ‘i' bookended a

three year period in which the duo had made some of the most prophetic and

revelatory music of the entire decade.

After ‘i' the duo's output became more sporadic with Tambala and Ayuli moving in

different directions both geographically and musically, with only 1994's ‘New Clear

Child' a crystalline re-fraction of future and past echoes of jazz, folk and soul, before

the duo went their separate ways. Since then, A.R. Kane's music has endured, not

thanks to the usual sepia'd false memories that seem to maintain interest in so much

of the musical past, but because those who hear A.R. Kane music and are changed

irrevocably, have to share that universe which A.R. Kane opened up, with anyone

else who will listen. Far more than other lauded documents of the late 80s it still

sounds astonishingly fresh, astonishingly livid and vivid and necessary and NOW.

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Reloop

419,00 €*