The summer is hot and the stages remain empty but the fans have spoken and we refuse to stop the beat here at Kompakt! London’s own Kiwi joins us with “Hello Echo” to fill your boombox park hangs with 3 epic blends of disco, house and everything in-between. To those unfamiliar with Kiwi here’s a quick intro. He’s the mind behind Crossbreed, the talked-about label and party series coming out of London. His early music endeavors saw him release on coveted labels like Disco Halal, Days Of Being Wild, Deep Shit, Optimo, Mood Black, Correspondent and we cannot forget the massively massive single “Orca” released on Futureboogie in 2017. He’s now ready to share the fruits of his lockdown with this debut for Kompakt. We ring in with the title track ”Hello Echo” featuring Bestley on vocals. Simply put, THIS is that disco-fied feel good single that is as essential as every hot day requires a cold drink in hand. Sexy and bold, “Down with the Rhythm” an immaculate bass line and a vocal that would make Dave Gahan proud. “Acqua Panna” is a favourite for us here. A crazed breakbeat mingles with a lost piano and synth that seems to jam on nowhere but somewhere that we find is very dear to the dance floor. More

Back with his third EP for Dave Harvey’s forward thinking Futureboogie label, Kiwi serves up three pulsating jams on ‘Charlie’s New Vision’, backed with a remix from Johnny Aux. Drawing upon his many influences across the house/disco/funk spectrum, South London based Kiwi has been illuminating the more discerning dancefloors of late with a strong of releases for Cin Cin, Needwant and his own new label venture, Crossbreed. A low-slung groove is explored on ‘Charlie’s New Vision’, incorporating tripped out film dialogue, bleeps and dubby tones, and a serpentine bass riff, all forging an off kilter yet infectious & hedonistic chugger. Johnny Aux follows up recent appearances on Man Power’s Me Me Me, Party Central, and Multi Culti with his own take on the lead track. Churning over a bleepy and epically transcendental remix of the highest order, this is the stuff of sunrises and enlightening moments! The sprightly ‘Ghiaccio’ draws together a kaleidoscopic array of opulent synth melodies with an compelling rhythm, whilst ‘Italian Heat’ doffs its cap heartily to the Italo disco choons of yore that always strikes a potent chord to this day. More

The infamous Kiwi returns to Needwant with his second EP on the London label (home to the likes of The Revenge, Ejeca, Maxxi Soundsystem and many more) On this cut Kiwi does what he does best by incorporating emotion and grit into dance music. The EP features 3 mixes of ‘Kiya’ as well as a remix from underground hero Brian Ring. The record has already seen support form the likes of Theo Kottis, AME, Tensnake, catz n dogz, Nick Warren & Fort Romeau to name a few. The record opens with the original version of ‘Kiya' which features warm bass tones, spaced out synth lines, shuffling percussion and a tribal-esq vocal. The Rave mix gives ‘Kiya’ dance floor authority, introducing driving acid synth lines and a weightier low end. On the B side Kiwi delivers a deconstructed ‘Dreamscape’ mix stripping ‘Kiya' back to it’s beautiful bare bones. ‘Kiya’ will be another addition to Kiwi’s already impressive physical discography which includes releases on imprints such as Disco Halal, Future Boogie & 17 Steps. His unique approach to remixing and producing over the years has meant that he has seen a wealth of support from names such as Andrew Weatherall, DJ Harvey, Gerd Janson, Daniel Avery, Erol Alkan, Optimo, Annie Mac and Skream. More

Kiwi's sound is one defined by positive, kinetic feeling - joining the dots between Detroit Techno, Soul and Balearic. With previous releases on Futureboogie, Life and Death and Moscoman's lauded Disco Halal imprint, he's garnered several accolades including reaching number #85 in Mixmag's Top 100 tunes of 2017 and sitting at #1 in the genre chart for a total of 9 weeks with his 'Orca' EP back in 2016. Now - continuing on his ascent, Kiwi lays out a pair of rapturous, gooey House jams that lands right on time for the festival season. On 'Oooh' - Vocal lines swirl over a largely beatless backing track. A rich, balmy feeling unfolds behind synth chimes and layered delays which work together to form an irresistible summer DJ tool. 'Andromeda' then follows up and blends 80's soundtrack-tinged stabs with crispy drums and thick sub bass before being accompanied by a pulsating synth line that carries the track to a delectable crescendo. Hammer then closes things up with a somewhat hallucinogenic take on 'Oooh' with LFOs, analogue sweeps and blobs of acid bleeding together to cap off an altogether warm and woozy trip. More

Kiwi AKA Alex Warren, returns to Futureboogie after 2016’s well received “Orca” EP (which picked up support from the likes of DJ Harvey, PBR Streetgang, Manpower, Kate Simko & many more) with the cinematically sprawling “Amityville” EP. With all the intensity and menace of the supernatural events immortalised in Rosenberg’s 1979 horror flick, “Amityville” leans on Lalo Schifrin’s classic score and serves up a chugging disco-fied monster. Arpeggiated synths and those memorable vocal refrains from the movie build a mood of anticipation that flourishes into sections of pure wigged out disco business. It’s a very clever and unique production, and one that we served up to DJ Tennis for re-interpretation. Following on from recent remixes for The Juan Maclean and Tricky, as well as a spectacular DJ Kicks mix for !K7, DJ Tennis remoulds “Amityville” into a deep and delicate house groove, introducing some guitar riffing and deft mallet instrumentation whilst manipulating the original components to mesmerizing effect. On “Warriors”, Kiwi continues his unabashed love of cult movies with a musical ode that captures the edgy and urban sounds of 70s cinematic synth soundtracks; phasing guitar riffs, rolling snares and dramatic synth sweeps dominate this infectious track. And closing the release, “Paco” is a melody fuelled and studious production; wandering keys drift over a steady beat and filtering bassline combo whilst the synths pitch bend and flex, resulting in a gloriously trippy ambience throughout. More

Following Dusky’s ubiquitous ‘Cold Heart’ EP 17 Steps presents Kiwi’s ‘Marmora’s Theme’ EP - the London producer’s debut on the label.
Having recently released on tastemaker labels such as Futureboogie, Correspondent and Optimo Music, Kiwi’s distinctive sound is a physical mix of Italo disco, techno and electro influences. Carried by a pulsating Italo bassline, lead track ‘Marmora’s Theme’ is a cosmic epic that rides crisp piano melodies and sci-fi synths - and is already garnering support from Gerd Janson, DJ Tennis and Annie Mac. Transporting the original’s piano euphoria into darker, rave referencing territory, the Tuff City Kids remix calls on growling reese bass and ’92 hardcore style pianos.
Offering some alternative vibes are the deeper, dirgy warehouse grind of ‘OTH’ and the beautiful, reflective electronica of ‘Reservoir’.

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London’s Alex Warren, AKA Kiwi presents “ThrowDown”, a cover version of Carmen’s cult and in demand 1986 Electro Funk hit. It comes in two versions, a 4/4 club mix and at the suggestion of JD Twitch, an updated take on a Latin Freestyle mix. Both versions feature full vocals from Ciara Haidar and have “summer hit” written all over them. More

Boundary pushing EP from Kiwi, regular side kick & friend of Duke Dumont, on Duke's re-launched label Blasé Boys Club... London based Dj, producer and wonderkid Kiwi steps forth as Duke Dumont's Blase Boys Club imprint announces their next club ready EP. Striking out with Animals, the latest BBC cut heralds a new dawn for the imprint that prides itself on unearthing fresh and unique talent. After spending time developing his gut busting live show, Duke Dumont adorns the A&R hat once again as he readies this new EP. Kiwi (AKA Alex Warren) is no stranger to creating sure fire dance-floor tremors; in fact, he's shaping up to be one of the most exciting young producers out there after tracks on Sneaky, Needwant, Kitsune and Deep Shit, with a string of remixes and tracks set for release in the coming months, plus a much anticipated back to back set with Mr Andrew Weatherall, the Animals EP stands as the perfect bridge into Kiwi's forthcoming summer season. With each track named after obscure species of wildlife, it's reflective of Kiwi's own penchant for touching the outer reaches of the floor, pushing the boundaries with unique and honed sonic interpretations. Starting life with wild intent, opening track 'ShortTail' takes on a pulsing, laser galvanised bassline, growling and pushing behind whirling atmospheric sweeps and layers of sub bass before dropping into a strong blend of techno drive and house swing, flanked by cowbell chimes and percussive nuances; make no mistake, this jacking track was aimed squarely at the soldiers on the floor. Next, Kiwi teams up with vocalist Takura for the light, dreamy and airy slow-mo house romp that is 'Fossa'. Takura's light, harmonic but strained vocals add an emotional quality to the ticking groove and slow-swing of the track, much like the cat like mammal that the track shares it's name with. On the flip, 'Atlanticus', going for a slow-mo, electro-boogie fusion, bringing together down tempo groove and slow and low bass, showcasing the London bred producers penchant for all shades of house music with an ethereal, musically charged composition. After this brief respite, it's back to business on 'Pelican', with a balearic feel accentuated by perky and fluctuating basslines, the tempo firing back up through a mesh of oscillating rhythms, compressed snare hits and an unstoppable groove. More

Jaymo & Andy George's Moda Black present Futurists, a double vinyl collection of forward thinking, underground artists including Sidney Charles, REbEL & Twon, Dudley Strangeways, Fauvrelle, Elias Tzikas, Roberto Palmero, Javi Bora & Le Vinyl and Lrusse & Bleecker. Fuelled by Jay and Andy's unquenchable thirst for new music, Futurists is, in their words, "a chance to shine the spotlight on some really creative new school producers who are making music for all the right reasons - they're doing things their own way and they're doing it with passion and soul". Sidney Charles sets the tone with the bass heavy groove of "Vibe", whilst this release also sees the newly formed duo REbEL & Twon shine with "Itchy Fingaz". Long term Moda affiliate Dudley Strangeways has previously impressed with releases on Klasse, Holic Trax and Albion Records and does so once more with the robust UK House stylings of "Call Girl". Be sure to check "Hats And Nuts" from Lrusse & Bleecker, the recently formed alias of Behling & Simpson which caps off this fine collection!
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Little Black Book is a new concept series from Moda Black; Part album, part mix compilation, part remix package, part crate digging expedition, the series will play host to some of the most interesting, exciting and innovative electronic music artists and will invite listeners into a more personal place than ever before, as the conducting artist creates a body of work that reflects on their past success whilst venturing into their future aspirations. Who better to launch the series than Moda Black's dynamic talent Hot Since 82, with this two track 12" sampler laying down an exciting primer for what to expect from a unique new series
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One is formerly the front man of a notorious Glaswegian punk band, the other a meticulously precise studio guru with creative flair way beyond the majority. As solo artists they're a formidable force, as a collective they're quite simply one of the most exciting new acts in the UK right now. Refusing to rush, they spend countless hours trying ideas, searching for samples, tuning percussion and tweaking sounds. For every Mia Dora track that sees the light of day, there are 100 that don't. This isn't throwaway club music for the internet generation, it's soulful, thoughtful and emotive music by two producers fuelled by an intrinsic need to give life to the sounds in their heads. 'Clear' is a shivering end-of-the-night song that achieves fullness through the sonic refinement of each and every sound within it. Simple but insanely effective, we believe this is a true modern day classic that will sound as good in 10 years time as it does today. On remix duties Get Physical top dog DJ T stays true to the original, plumping the sub frequencies for a more club-focused rework, whilst Jaymo & Andy George deliver a low-slung version filled with twisted vocal effects and orchestral strings.
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