Trance 105 Items

Edition of 500. Includes insert.

It's been a true pleasure but also a rather chaotic experience to follow the progress of Blod from a close distance since the beginning. I have fond memories of receiving the odd cassettes from the early days, like the severely fucked up Unga Röster (later issued as an LP on Förlag För Fri Musik) and the awfully mesmerising Prat Om Depression recording. Returning to Leendet Från Helvetet for the first time for long a while, it's quite evident that the album marked a new phase in the troubled Blod universe. There's few traces left of the found tapes/audial voyeurism and brutish stop/rec editing that made up the first few releases, instead we are served with what is pretty much a proper album in a, sort of, traditional sense.

The record opens with a sole beat from a hand drum soon accompanied by a beautiful and very Blod-ish subtle melody from a glockenspiel but it only takes a few minutes before Gustaf's past as a free jazz aficionado is noticeable with the rather rough saxophone burst of 'Natten'. It's not until the title track that things kicks off for real though, most likely the first example of the sound and, maybe more so, very special feeling that I would say most people associate Blod with nowadays. To me, it's the sound of growing up in Sweden in the 80's; having two channels on the TV, eating brown food, rainy summers, taping commercial stuff on the radio, playing D&D in a purple tent in the garden. Memories of that certain bright light that can occur during the Scandinavian summers, those warm days when the skies are foggy. Long windswept grass and a very peculiar feeling of utter boredom. Arguably, Blod has never sounded more Blod than on this track, this is the very essence of the man's work right here. The progamm continues on side B with the solemn piano piece 'Lust', another saxophone rager and then the flipside's centrepiece 'Tro, Hopp & Kärlek' which pretty much mirrors the title track in it's larger-than-life scope and pure beauty.

[Pals FM: Floor Materials Vol.2] is the second dance music compilation from Walls AND Pals. The aim is to share various ideas of dance floors instead of lingering on a certain genre or style, and while being DJ Friendly, it also serves as an exchange ground where production techniques of artists co-exist. All four tracks in [Vol.2] correspond with the common purpose of bringing out ‘Floor Materials’, keeping distinct identity from each musician. In ‘Cofrica’, rapper and producer Simo of Y2k92 injects his long-time affection of Detroit flavor into a minimalistic form. Conversely, Dott from the Thai label More Rice brings intricate and complex rhythms centered around the step sequencer in ‘Antibody Movement’, walking a fine line between House and Techno while the essence of Tech House is preserved . And in ‘Pump It Up’, Acidwork demonstrates what the outcome would be when Electro runs through digital instruments and samplers. Last but not least, Seo John, who put out his first EP [dive] last year from the label Goddezz, follows up with ‘miQro’, creating a different side of Trance that is more adequate for clubs or concrete spaces rather than outdoor raves or festivals. In the same manner with the preceding release [Pals FM: Floor Materials Vol.1], [Vol.2] is a compilation executed by fellow Asian musicians across the region. Beyond the reopened borders, and just like the excitement and stimulus at unusual events, this compilation serves to contribute to the dancefloor as an interesting ‘Material’ than simply as a ‘Tool’.

Blossom Kollektiv is proud to unveil their first full length release since relaunching in 2022, with Porto?s Pixle82 and his first album ?Infinity?. Following the single release of the title track of the album, the full nine track voyage makes it appearance this April. Pixel82 talks about this work, which was produced during a time of forced introspection and uncertainty, as a rediscovery of the past to find the future. He wanted to create an uplifting vibe for the songs on the album but while still having a subtle dystopian feel in some of the tracks. To achieve this sound, he experimented with polarities and used sounds that are personal to himself including organic sounds from nature and even from his personal life with the use of a recording of the heartbeat from his own daughter. During the nine-track expedition the artist creates an honest tour de force, without the constraints of making dance floor shakers and the end result is a highly effective trip that electronic music lovers around the world will adore, not only for listening but also with various moments that will work wonders on the dance floor. Each track is carefully crafted to play off the other with lively alluring synths, eclectic beats, and cleaver use of vocals throughout the album that seals each track together cohesively. Beginning with ?Breaking Free? its creative use of vox paired with uplifting synths sets the mood of the album that leads to the title track ?Infinity?, an underground pop venture with the same feel-good vibe but with catchy vocals that are sure to be stuck in the listeners head long after hearing it. Then the broken beat tracks ?Beyond? and ?Alien World? whisk you off to strange new worlds with interesting broken beat drum patterns and synths that keep the same harmonious vibe as the rest of the album. Moving on to the second half of the album ?The Grid? takes you straight to the dance floor with bouncy synth lines and tight grooves that is sure to keep the energy high. ?Beyond? and ?Sunset? present the liveliest tracks on the album that are perfect for those early morning sunrise moments if used in a set but also very pleasant to the ear for home listening. Arriving at our next destination to more slower jams with ?Music Box? the minimalistic approach to the drums along with the pleasant melodies keeps everything woven tightly together until finally arriving to our final chapter. ?Theta? brings everything effectively to and end with an ambient beatless experience that brilliantly wraps up the release and will keep the listener coming back for more. The final message of the album leaves an impression of hope through the title ?Infinity? that comes from what the artist calls a simple idea of a loop, the continuum of life, togetherness, and union, which he has seamlessly expressed through his own experience during a time of the unknown. As the listener takes an intimate tour of the album?s soundscapes, they will surely find the light at the end of the tunnel, either at the intimacy of their own home or on a sweaty dance floor.

With sincere pride, Warning presents the debut EP of emerging artist JCow.

Magma, a manic rollercoaster, opens the A side and is accompanied by Purity of Spirit, an uplifting basement Rave anthem. On the flip things get a bit more twisted with Groove Ryder, a melange of funky Breakz and Trance with a fat hit of Organic Groove. The Acid Fiend Mix of Rave Patrol completes this record with an over the top composition of drums and JCow’s wild Guitar play.

Avidya is back with a third EP to build on the head-turning success of the first two and it is another trip to the outer edges of the dancefloor. Odopt from Born Free and 777 Recordings kicks off with a snappy cut that is deceptively simple but devastatingly effective with its gurgling and acidic bass. Remotif is a fast-rising talent who impresses with the heavy techno sludge of 'hajksd15' and Full Circle aka Alexis Le Tan and Joakim link with Kris Baha to offer a remix that is all twitchy electrons, busted drum loops and fizzing pads before 53X's 'Simulaatio' is another brilliantly loose jumbled of wiry electronics, sci-fi effects and techno chug for a fantastic closing beatdown.

Axces Recordings is releasing their second various artist release “Trip Wire EP”. Compiling 4 different tracks from 4 different artists focussing on minimal experimental techno club music. The record premieres Søren Kinch aka CX alongside the usual gang: Alfredo92, Kasper Marott and Popmix.

Trip Wire’s 4 tracks all have common denominators of being moody, trippy and darker than the usual Axces europhoria. All composed from an idea of linearity whether it being the straight forward grooviness of the track IZA, the 8 minute suspenseful robotic tantra workout in Kasper Marotts “Welcome” or the more laid back in the sofa, über minimal parade in popmix’s Ultima. With the opener track “Sjunne” Sørens Kinch or CX makes a promising debut. The track is ultimately the most romantic piece of music on this next edition of Axces music frisbees, with swirling pads and a kick drum that goes deep as the ocean.

The EP will be available on black vinyl. The release is presented with beautiful artwork done by Axces visual artist A.V. Nielsen.

Contemporary dancefloor oriented production's by Milan's Joseph Tagliabue featuring top class trance influenced electronic landscapes. Tagliabue’s impeccable groove and sound design combines avant-garde techno and trance aural textures. He arrives on Sound Metaphors’ Bless You label with four new pieces which mark once again his out-of-the-box music approach. A mix of ancestral weaves of Profonda Pulsione, unsettling atmospherics of Plasma and dense hypnotism of Medusa, Onda Sotto’s dominated by enveloping rhythms and transcendental atmosphere. Layered tracks that flowing over alternating cycles, theEP forms a collection of heavy sounds programmed for releasing deep unconscious pulsions and responding to the violence of the world, though not necessarily rationally.