As Klasse Wrecks enters the second chapter of our century of releases, we're happy to welcome the sounds and skills of Nicola Cruz to the roster. The Ecuadorian producer masterfully turns in a perfectly tuned handful of tracks for his 'Data Passenger' EP, the overiding soundscape being one of Electro, Breaks and infiniteless cosmic exploration. Sonically the tracks are as much for the soles as they are the souls, a heady mix of intricate rhythms and vibrations await the listener and dancefloor. Plug in to the console let the soundwaves carry you across the spectrum. More

Born and raised in Ecuador Nicola Cruz has found his own unique way to tap into Latin America’s illustrious musical past to create something utterly contemporary. Cruz’s ‘fabric presents’ shows awareness of the power of ancestral cosmology over art and music whilst driving fiercely towards the strange, experimental, and unexpected of underground electronica. From here he curates the first of the fabric mixes with strong roots in South America. Opening on the powerfully stabbing ‘Everything Falls Into Place’ from MMM (Errorsmith & Fiedel) the mix sweeps through bass, breaks, techno, analogue-glitch, all the way to the folky portuguese lyrics of ‘Mensagem Enviada’ from Rico Jorge. Nick León, Verraco, Veruna, machìna and Marcela Días Sindaco – whose sultry vocals also weave through Cruz’s own ‘Contato’ – are a few of the artists who have provided exclusives that count towards the fourteen unheard tracks on an essential delivery to the fabric series.
Tracklisting:
A1 Nicola Cruz - Contato ft. Marcela Días
A2 Syz - Unearth
A3 Nick León - Multiplex
B1 Rico Jorge - Mensagem Enviada
B2 Baseck & Pilo - FEEL307
B3 Nicola Cruz - System Mass
C1 Fauna Extinta - IER
C2 Verraco - Interpasividad
C3 Anderson - Sea Glass
D1 machìna - Glued
D2 Marcela Días Sindaco - Ficção Inédita
D3 Varuna - Reer More

‘Self Oscillation’ is made up of 5 club-ready psychedelic workouts swaying with natural momentum, from
Ecuadorian superstar Nicola Cruz, who makes his 2nd appearance on London’s Rhythm Section INTL.

The internationally renowned producer, Nicola Cruz, has been instrumental in pioneering the sound of Andean music over the last decade. Born and raised in Ecuador, Nicola has found his own unique way to tap into Latin America’s illustrious musical past to create something utterly contemporary. His previous projects have had the 4 elements running through as major themes: Fire and lava erupted during his sophomore album, Siku, with an Ecuadorian volcano doubling up as a recording space. And now, with his second Rhythm Section release, we are met with sounds of flowing water that Nicola describes as “aqueous explorations”. On this EP, ‘Self Oscillation’, Nicola Cruz fuses experimental production techniques with underwater, bass-heavy constructions. Moods change like the tides; from euphoric highs with acid riffs and latin drum patterns, the music quickly dives to moody submarine basslines and dark, frenetic rhythms.

‘Self Oscillation’ sees Nicola’s production move to new heights as he expertly bridges the gap between natural and mechanical sounds. With the help of iconic 80s and 90s synths and the retro colours of a Roland Space Echo, his newest work is a hybrid of electronic dance music and a synaesthetic image of nature. In the spirit of his previous EP on Rhythm Section INTL, ‘Self Oscillation’ showcases the synergy - or rather ongoing battle between the organic and inorganic, the analog and digital, civilisation confronted and confounded by nature. It’s within this dichotomy that Cruz revels, and manages to say so much, without words. More

Repress! Green Vinyl!
Rhythm Section welcomes Nicola Cruz to the fold with his debut EP on the imprint - “Subtropique”. Inspired by an Ecuadorian upbringing, percussion is at the heart of how Nicola operates. His rhythmic style finds a natural home on the London label - which presents 5 expansive efforts equally indebted to traditional drumming as they are to contemporary club sounds. Remaining sonically cohesive without feeling the need to settle into a definable style - the tracks are tied together by a lucid psychedelic thread which, despite challenging the expectations and fundamentals of electronic dance music - demand movement at a time where we yearn for it. More

A1 - Naeku (John Talabot Remix)
A2 - Third Eye Dub (Azu Tiwaline Remix)
B1 - Aima (Auntie Flo Remix)
B2 - Naeku (Multi Culti Micro Dub)

The sonic melting pot of Nicola Cruz’s ‘Hybridism’ reinterpreted by John Talabot, Auntie Flo, Azu Tiwaline and the host label team of Multi Culti.

Leading things off, the Hivern records boss is a dream pairing for Nicola, delivering a deeply atmospheric but powerfully rhythmic club version of Naeku.

Rising Tunisian producer Azu Tiwaline dives into the cavernous soundscapes of Third Eye Dub, her North African influence a natural fit for the mesmerising Oud solo played by Nasiri.

Highlife founder Auntie Flo stretches the eminently catchy and cheerful Aima across a light and ethereal groove. Perfectly anti-depressant vibe from the creator and curator behind the brand new Ambient Flo online station.

Finally, Multi Culti label mates contribute a broken beat micro-dosed micro dub of Naeku, a closed-eye wiggler to tickle the pineal glands of the cult heads that consistently look to this globally garnered record label for psychedelic guidance. More

Siku is Nicola Cruz's eagerly anticipated new full-length album and first since 2015's game-changing Prender El Alma.
Building from where he left off, Nicola continues to develop his exploration of global sounds and cultures, and his fascination for electronics, translating this knowledge into expressive sound pieces that marry earthy textures with electronic sounds. With his new album, the in-demand Ecuadorian producer broadens his horizons beyond South America exploring a rich palette of sounds the world over.
On 'Siete' and 'Obsidiana', Hindu harmonies are present amongst raw percussion, which is a common factor throughout the album. 'Okami's colourful jazz-inflected vibraphone creates a woozy, alluring atmosphere that captures the rainy night it was recorded on (which can be heard in the takes) and the album closer 'Esu Enia' is rooted in the raw power of the African balafon, a piece made in collaboration with Portugal's Marcio Pinto. Yet Nicola doesn't neglect the sounds of his home continent, something instantly apparent on album opener 'Arka', the Colombian cumbia rhythms of 'Hacia Delante' and the poetic 'Criançada', sung in Portuguese and owing much to the melodies and rhythms of Brazilian samba.
All of Nicola's work is approached with a high level of experimentation and sound design and what is apparent through-out is his ability to move you - whether your mind and soul, with mystical, ethereal songs, or your body, with tracks that wouldn't be out of place spilling out of club speakers in the early hours of the morning. All of which are here on 'Siku'.
More

Siku is Nicola Cruz's eagerly anticipated new full-length album and first since 2015's game-changing Prender El Alma.
Building from where he left off, Nicola continues to develop his exploration of global sounds and cultures, and his fascination for electronics, translating this knowledge into expressive sound pieces that marry earthy textures with electronic sounds. With his new album, the in-demand Ecuadorian producer broadens his horizons beyond South America exploring a rich palette of sounds the world over.
On 'Siete' and 'Obsidiana', Hindu harmonies are present amongst raw percussion, which is a common factor throughout the album. 'Okami's colourful jazz-inflected vibraphone creates a woozy, alluring atmosphere that captures the rainy night it was recorded on (which can be heard in the takes) and the album closer 'Esu Enia' is rooted in the raw power of the African balafon, a piece made in collaboration with Portugal's Marcio Pinto. Yet Nicola doesn't neglect the sounds of his home continent, something instantly apparent on album opener 'Arka', the Colombian cumbia rhythms of 'Hacia Delante' and the poetic 'Criançada', sung in Portuguese and owing much to the melodies and rhythms of Brazilian samba.
All of Nicola's work is approached with a high level of experimentation and sound design and what is apparent through-out is his ability to move you - whether your mind and soul, with mystical, ethereal songs, or your body, with tracks that wouldn't be out of place spilling out of club speakers in the early hours of the morning. All of which are here on 'Siku'.
More

Contrary to the songs name, this interpretation of a traditional Afro-Brasilian candomble song, appears to be forged from mythical lost amazonian gold. Recorded in Sao Paulo with an allstar cast of Arteria FM (on vocal duties), Salvador Araguaya (caressing the Viola Caipira) & Spaniol (stroking the Baixo), steered by Nicola's production prowess, this quartet delivers a melodic enhancement to the summer sun. As if the sun wasn't shining bright enough already, the single comes backed by a remarkable remixer ensemble procured from their duties as fellow sun-worshippers:
Xique-Xique's Dragonfruit Mix is a wondrous journey full of surprising leaps and bounds, alternating between hypnotic electronics and organic song structure. Saving the best 'til last he raises the energy whilst keep the beats low and the vibes ecstatic. HIT ! Crussen's creamy cocodub raises the energy whilst concentrating on a dubbed out groove, (that) classic Crussen bassline and carefully sliced & re-appropriated vocals.
Finally in-house poster-boy Carrot Green's Granola mix combines disco, deep grainy bassines, juicy bells and signature flourishes into a bowl of magical mind-whirling hip-spinning edible sex. More

Ecuador's rising son, Nicola Cruz, returns to Multi Culti with Cantos de Vision, a truly visionary EP backed by remixes from Jaja, Argentinian Uji, and Multi Culti's own Thomas Von Party.

More

Auntie Flo returns to Highlife! Paying homage to a time well spent in Korea. Delicate and atmospheric sound design from the DMZ. With thanks to our pal Akimbo for granting permission to feature the chuggy remix of High Flight. More

We're delighted to kick off our 10th anniversary celebrations with a release from an artist we've long admired, Dusseldorf's Harmonious Thelonious. His explorations into minimalism and polyrhythms have been staples in our sets since we were first connected via the Salon des Amateurs, and we couldn't be happier to welcome him into the Highlife fold with one of his brightest sounding records yet - documenting his musical adventures in Uganda.A1. Versteckte Muziek, A2. George Villa ft. Leo Palayeng, B1. Company, B2. It Never Rains In Jinja ft. Ocen James More

"Music is changing, the world is getting smaller.. Highlife brings you fresh new music from corners of the world you’d least expect." An early slogan we adopted in 2010.. On the eve of our 10th anniversary and as we question our relevancy, we close out the year with fresh new music by a brand new project.. and what a BEAUTIFUL case in point! Brought to you in collaboration between Skinnydeep from Masiphumelele - one of the largest townships in Cape Town - and Jesse Reiner of Brooklyn, NYC. The two producers bonded over a shared sensibility in electronic minimalism, Zulu rhythms, house and techno and began a year’s long international collaboration resulting in Unyuko - meaning 'going up' in isiXhosa, one of the Bantu languages of South Africa. It references ‘upllifting’ or ‘a rising’ after struggle and couldn't be a more appropriate title. More

Having spent the last few years impressing audiences around the world with his magical sound, we're very excited to announce that The Turk, Mehmet Aslan makes a welcome return to Highlife! More

This years' summer hits on Highlife comes courtesy of a new artist from Hamburg called Green Ink who's served up four uniquely brilliant global party smashers. Game on! More

CAIN is back with a BANG this summer! The smile inducing Eshu probably one of the biggest tracks he's made to date and one we've sat on for too long now.. As always, the other two tracks are equally as varied and great - Phoenix makes for a great opener and Hoji is a current Lena Willikens hit. More

Having been rinsed by the likes of Dixon over the summer, we're very happy to finally release Auntie Flo's remix of Oumou Sangare! It's complimented by a brand new original by the man himself on the flip, Desert Island. More

In the final chapter of the 'Theory of Flo' story, we've enlisted the services of the mighty DJ Sotofett to remix the closing track 'For Mihaly', and what a job he's done! Dark, weird and percussive - just how we like it. We also include brand new versions featuring occasional live drummer, Laurie Pitt and a reprise with Poppy Ackroyd.
More

Next up in the series of remixes for Auntie Flo's acclaimed 'Theory of Flo' LP, we've employed the services of our buddies from Stockholm, London and Russia in the form of Kornél Kovács, Throwing Shade and Lipelis respectively. Each of them have done an amazing job turning each track into something very special, as we're sure you'll agree.. More

Introducing the next release on Highlife - our secret weapons by the mysterious Tanzania Sound System. If you've caught us playing anywhere this year, you'll have heard at least one of these. Now it's time to share the goodness... More

Having been shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year? award, we follow up 'Theory of Flo' with some stellar remixes from friends and associates.. Next up in the series, we've employed the services of our Berlin buddies, Africaine 808 and a long time favourite producer of ours, Mark E; who have each delivered a blinder. Auntie Flo himself tops things off with a brand new version of the album opener primed for the dancefloor. More

Having been recently shortlisted for the Scottish Album of the Year award, we follow up 'Theory of Flo' with some stellar remixes from friends and associates. First up HIGHLIFE label mates, Mehmet Aslan and CAIN deliver the goods on Cape Malay Prayer and Hewal3 - as to be expected. What wasn't planned was this sublime rework by The Revenge. We felt so precious about Waiting For A (Woman) - convinced that the original was too good to be tampered with - until an unexpected turn of events brought our fellow Glaswegian (and SAY nominee) to the controls, resulting in a sophisticated rework for the dancefloor - who better really when you think about it?!
Released on vinyl courtesy of Highlife x H+P this summer. More remixes on the way.. More

Following his NAGAN belter and fresh from his recent appearance on the Boiler Room, CAIN returns to India with two superb rhythmic releases on HIGHLIFE. Early support from Ben UFO, Optimo, Midland, Pearson Sound, Studio Barnhus, Honey Soundsystem, Cowboy Rhythmbox, etc. More

Following his NAGAN belter, CAIN returns to India with two superb rhythmic releases on HIGHLIFE. Early support from Ben UFO, Optimo, Midland, Pearson Sound, Studio Barnhus, Honey Soundsystem, Cowboy Rhythmbox, etc. More

Next up in the Highlife World Series, we take a trip to Kenya where our man Esa plays the role of producer for the first time; with super talented local musicians - Sarabi and Makadem (aka the Fela of Kenya). Instantly timeless on both sides, see for yourself.. More

The Highlife World Series is a collaborative series of releases by UK-based Brian d’Souza aka Auntie Flo and Esa Williams. The first three parts are to be released in quick succession in early 2015, beginning with Cuba, followed by Kenya and finishing with Uganda. Each release features original songs produced in collaboration with local musicians. All proceeds from each release will be sent back to the respective countries in order to fund further musical production costs in years to come. We will also be seeking various ways to distribute the music in each country so the music is freely available for the musicians to use at home. More

Introducing previous HIGHLIFE guest, CAIN for his first vinyl release... We've been asked about NAGAN joyously infectious vocals all summer since its debut on our Rinse show and are excited to finally share it along with HIGHLIFE exclusive, VATULA.. Think Daphni via Delhi and you'll be in a similar ballpark. Nagan comes from CAIN's 'Savann EP' due to be released digitally via Fine Grains in the forthcoming months. More

We hope you will permit us the indulgence of deviating slightly from our globe trotting explorations on this release as we pay homage to the sun. 'HIGHLIFE on holiday', if you will. Stepping away from the edits, Auntie Flo delivers a new original track. Sun Ritual II takes things up a notch from its earlier counterpart (released on Kompakt), banging dare-we-say-it 'Berghain techno' gives way to warm synth-laden euphoria. On the flip, Miajica, one third of Alma Negra who you may recall from HIGHLIFE2. Here he serves up a delightfully familiar summer treat, the original being an end of the night, HIGHLIFE highlight, particularly at our annual 'Tribute to the Sun' event. We're sure you'll agree that both sides are rock solid and primed for the summer! More