From 2008 comes 'Keys, Strings, Tambourines' - Kenny Larkin's fourth full length LP. Yet another advanced, singular and funked out techno milestone that bears all of Larkin's idiosyncratic stylings and melodic touches. Once more he shows us how it's done, sounding like nothing you've heard from him previously, 'Keys, Strings, Tambourines' is a truly adventurous record that defies categorisation today. Quietly influencing producers and DJs since its release, it points to where techno can go and what it can be and is a truly and criminally overlooked modern Detroit techno classic. This is an essential purchase for all electronic machine-funk aficionados worldwide. This special expanded edition boasts a slightly reshuffled track order and some additional cuts that were only available on singles at the time, now giving the world 3 solid slabs of futurist techno sonics for the believers! Essential music from the motor city. 'Keys, Strings, Tambourines' has been legitimately reissued for 2022 on Kenny’s own Art Of Dance imprint. Remastered from DAT tapes and original sources by Curve Pusher. Artwork redesigned by Atelier Superplus.

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From 1995 comes Kenny Larkin's staggering long player 'Metaphor'. Larkin's 2nd full length under his own name sees the Detroit firebrand continuing his singular approach to techno and electronic music with this set of futurist leaning jams that still stands head and shoulders above today in 2021. Packed to the brim with soul, emotion and depth 'Metaphor' is the natural successor to 'Azimuth' released only the year before, it's the manifestation of Larkins 'techno soul' agenda laid bare through the fusing motor-city minimalism, driving techno-funk and deep as the ocean ambience and melody to deliver a truly original and awakened collection of timeless tracks. As with his other LPs and projects, this record is a remarkable document and testament to how ahead of the curve Kenny Larkin was / is as a producer and creator. It's quite hard to believe these signals were beamed down to us in the midst of the 1990's. The quality and breadth on display across these discs deftly explains why these records are so coveted and cherished today and why this expanded reissue is such an exciting proposition. File under 'essential Detroit'. 'Metaphor' has been legitimately reissued for 2021 on Kenny’s own Art Of Dance imprint. Remastered from DAT tapes (with the exception of 2 tracks) and original sources by Curve Pusher. Designed by Atelier Superplus.

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Detroit producer Kenny Larkin takes a break from the stand-up comedy to put out a new album on Carl Craig’s Planet E label. Keys… is Larkin’s first album since Funkfaker (2004), but don’t expect belly laughs, Keys… is serious business: Larkin’s most dancefloor oriented album to date. Made with "proper synthesizers" and "mixing on a mixing desk with proper outboard gear”, the album so far features two singles, the song-based ‘You Are’, and Larkin's favourite track on the record, ‘Glob Glob’.

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The fifth 12 in the series and again contains some of his best material under the Dark Comedy monniker. All tracks were all released on his Art Of Dance label, which only pressed up a handful of copies. Clavias North and Plankton were released on the same 12, which came on clear vinyl, as a sampler for his 7:Nites album, which never materialized. Without Sound (also known as Without) was released in different versions, the Original mix that is featured here is probably the best mix and was only released on the limited to 300 copies Art Of Dance Sampler 12.

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From 2008 comes 'Keys, Strings, Tambourines' - Kenny Larkin's fourth full length LP. Yet another advanced, singular and funked out techno milestone that bears all of Larkin's idiosyncratic stylings and melodic touches. Once more he shows us how it's done, sounding like nothing you've heard from him previously, 'Keys, Strings, Tambourines' is a truly adventurous record that defies categorisation today. Quietly influencing producers and DJs since its release, it points to where techno can go and what it can be and is a truly and criminally overlooked modern Detroit techno classic. This is an essential purchase for all electronic machine-funk aficionados worldwide. This special expanded edition boasts a slightly reshuffled track order and some additional cuts that were only available on singles at the time, now giving the world 3 solid slabs of futurist techno sonics for the believers! Essential music from the motor city. 'Keys, Strings, Tambourines' has been legitimately reissued for 2022 on Kenny’s own Art Of Dance imprint. Remastered from DAT tapes and original sources by Curve Pusher. Artwork redesigned by Atelier Superplus.

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From 1995 comes Kenny Larkin's staggering long player 'Metaphor'. Larkin's 2nd full length under his own name sees the Detroit firebrand continuing his singular approach to techno and electronic music with this set of futurist leaning jams that still stands head and shoulders above today in 2021. Packed to the brim with soul, emotion and depth 'Metaphor' is the natural successor to 'Azimuth' released only the year before, it's the manifestation of Larkins 'techno soul' agenda laid bare through the fusing motor-city minimalism, driving techno-funk and deep as the ocean ambience and melody to deliver a truly original and awakened collection of timeless tracks. As with his other LPs and projects, this record is a remarkable document and testament to how ahead of the curve Kenny Larkin was / is as a producer and creator. It's quite hard to believe these signals were beamed down to us in the midst of the 1990's. The quality and breadth on display across these discs deftly explains why these records are so coveted and cherished today and why this expanded reissue is such an exciting proposition. File under 'essential Detroit'. 'Metaphor' has been legitimately reissued for 2021 on Kenny’s own Art Of Dance imprint. Remastered from DAT tapes (with the exception of 2 tracks) and original sources by Curve Pusher. Designed by Atelier Superplus.

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Founded in 1990, Art of Dance has always been described by it’s founder, Kenny Larkin, as a “phantom label.” “When I first started Art of Dance, I wanted to obviously release my own stuff, but I quickly learned I didn’t have the time or brain cells to run a label. So I instead licensed my music from my label to other labels. It existed, but it didn’t, in that sense, which is the reason I call it a “phantom label.” Given my low output of music projects, over the years, and my new found desire to put out quality tracks, I decided to relaunch the label, and use it as an outlet for my brother and I to build the Art of Dance brand, and most importantly, release great music!” For his debut release, Kelvin presents what would be described not as “tech house”, but instead a blend between house and techno. Never straying far from his roots from Detroit, the title track of the single, Tell Me, samples “house diva” Loletta Holloway’s “Sweet Sensation.” With the interplay between the techno inspired percussion style bassline, and Loletta’s perfectly placed soulful wails, Kelvin creates a beautifully powerful dance floor burner. “The Force” is all Detroit. Kelvin gives a gentle nod to the past with this slow burner featuring classic 90’s style rolling snares, funky baseline, and horn stabs. This playful track is perfect for buildup for techno or house sets.

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2024 gets underway, Oath are thrilled to share the imprint’s latest long play, which comes courtesy of rising star Moonee – and you better believe its a solid gold stunner…

Francois Lefevre, the producer behind the Moonee name – alongside his group projects Twice Movement and Simple Request (with French House royalty Tour-Maubourg) – really optimizes all that is bold and beautiful about the House genre. The release of ‘Wabi Sabi’ on Groovence in 2022, then ‘Primal Groove’ on Slothboogie last year, has already helped Lefevre craft a significant space for himself under the Moonee name. His sound is one of tremendous melodic feel, with a plethora of rhythmic patterns and atmospheres being utilised to help create a bountiful sonic universe. His attention to how the groove unravels and how progression can be used softly but subtly really comes over strong, immersing the listener in a very warm place indeed. As beginnings to discographies go, this start is immensely strong, and one which provides a rock solid basis for all sorts of excellence to come forth.

‘Sandquest’ provides the next step in the journey for Moonee, and as LPs go it contains the same kind of depth as his first two EPs, but on display is a kind of magic that producers really harness on long plays. The record is encapsulated in the fundamentals of house, but to say that it sticks to a singular formula would be to do it a massive disservice – Moonee leaves nothing unturned when it comes to serving up the goods. Broken Beat and skippin’ rhythms play a big part in breaking up the uptempo numbers, as as a balancing act its handled very well indeed. The melodic usage is expertly handled on all tracks, and when breaking down the record you can feel that the journey from track to track has been considered superbly – be it in the club or at home.

‘Ouzo’ kicks the album off, and this number helps the listener land with two feet in the experience. The broken drums are spacious, allowing for all manner of wondrous melodic lines to drift in and out of view – delicately poised, numerous and effective, everything you could wish for from an opener. ‘Balagne’ then lands, and this one moves into familiar territories as we sweep through into a beautiful house cut, with the drums ringing true alongside some inspired key work. ‘Light on Earth’ keeps the vibes going on strong, with an expressive opening salvo opening up into a similar atmosphere that grows and grows, sweeping across the horizon line with delight. ‘Black Roses’ is next, and this one presents a warped yet beguiling shift through an intriguing atmosphere – drifting along, not a care in the world, glorious.

‘Arcadie’ then lands, and this one speaks softly but beautifully. The drums cast a long shadow, swinging along with plenty of room for the glorious keys to come into view, and its a track you will want to dip your head into time and time again. The title track then arrives, which immediately places the listener in a fast paced, emotive soundscape, one which bubbles along the top ends and gives such feels, no matter what context. ‘Evening World’ perfectly captures the feeling of that late evening early morning sway, with deep set drums being served under a gorgeous repeating chordal arrangement. To wrap the experience up, we have ‘Abundance’, and this track is 7 minutes of acid-y, grooving excellence – a perfect ender to a truly wicked album.

Two EPs down, and now this fantastic long play. Moonee really flexed his style and craft on this record, one which constantly delighted at every turn, providing an enriching spectrum of sounds that stick true to his production technique and to his craft. Not for one second do you stand still, but merely carried along on a wave of melodic euphoria, simply pleased to be along for the ride. The dips from heavy hitting though to softly spoken at handled so well, and as a result we are left with a pretty damn good way to enter in 2024. Winter has arrived, but warm your heart with this stunner.

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Boss Priester makes his LOCUS debut with his bustling four-track ‘Hotel Dijon’ EP. Working hard in the studio to develop his own take on minimal-leaning house and techno, The Hague-based DJ/ producer Boss Priester is starting to reap the rewards and emerge as another hotshot from the country’s hotbed of electronic talent. Racking up support from the likes of Dungeon Meat, East End Dubs, Michel de Hey, Dr. Banana and Alec Falconer, his releases on What NxT and Dark Side Of The Sun have accompanied appearances at the likes of Thuishaven, Colorado Charlie and Lovelee. Another fan of the young Dutchman is FUSE and LOCUS boss Enzo Siragusa, and late September brings a first appearance on the latter imprint as he makes his label debut with his four-track ‘Hotel Dijon’ EP. Title track ‘Hotel Dijon’ comes loaded with raw drum licks, cosmic synths and menacing, swirling low-ends for a heavy-hitting opener set to cause serious dance floor damage, while the slinking ‘ROF66’ mixes eerie stabs with shuffling drums and bouncy baselines for another heavyweight anthem. Next, ‘SUP01’ keeps things ticking nicely on a similar tip with yet more punchy percussion arrangements linking with playful sound design peppered with zippy FX, before closing the show with the hopped-up, bass-driven sonics of final effort ‘Wek’.

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A heavyweight classic! 'Don't Laugh' is one of those records, you know you've heard it, you may not who, what or where, but you know it! The original Winx mix is a classic, often imitated, never bettered, but the real gem here is Richie Hawtin's manic, almost borderline sinister 15+ minute reworking. Monster doesn't do it justice, tweaked out, narcotic, minimalist jacking gear. A dope combination of severe LOW end and some bracing sine waves that cut straight through. This one will surely test any club sound-system, if the venue is built for it you will know! This is one for the real heads, pure late night business oft overlooked for the more famous A-side, but trust us - Hawtin's mix will smash any dance! Oh, and there's an insane laughing acappella for those who want to mix and blend! Reissued, remastered and re-sorted for 2017 by Above Board Records with the full involvement of Nervous Records NYC.

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It’s almost hard to believe that a record with anthem status like Pete Heller’s ‘Big Love’ was created out of a happy accident, but that is exactly how it happened. Left to his own devices as his studio partner Terry Farley went to watch a Chelsea game, Pete Heller was playing around with his Akai sampler when he produced what is arguably one of the most recognisable pieces of dance music of the 1990’s. Earlier this summer Urbana Records boss and Spanish powerhouse David Penn took to remixing this enduring classic. Winning over dancefloors in Ibiza and beyond with his signature rolling bassline and infectious groove, the record soaring to both Beatport and Traxsource #1. Now Defected present a special 12” package that features David’s remix, joined on the A-Side by The Dronez Remix, where house masters Erick Morillo, Harry Romero and Jose Nunez lend their classic house capabilities to the track. On the B-Side is Pete Heller’s original, sounding as incredible as ever over twenty years after its original release, once again proving the timelessness of ‘Big Love’.

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