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Forest Drive West delivers the ‘Parallel Space’ EP via Copenhagen’s Echocord this December, backed with a remix from Conforce.

London’s Forest Drive West has gained widespread recognition as a purveyor of raw and emotive techno over the past few years, releasing material on the likes of Livity Sound, Hidden Hawaii, Neighbourhood and Whities. Here though see him returning to Echocord following his recent remix of Babe Roots on the imprint earlier this year. ‘Creation Dub’ leads, fusing echoing dub chords and off-kilter drums with cavernous atmospherics and pulsating low-end tones before ‘Drift’ edges into darker territories with murky synth textures, glitched out percussion and tension building drones creating a hypnotic and subtly nuanced six and a half minutes. Title-track ‘Parallel Space’ then opens the B-Side, bring the rhythmic aspects into the spotlight this time as bumpy broken drums, a rounded sub line and oscillating percussion ebb and flow amongst hazy pads, fluttering echoes and expansive reverbs. Conforce’s take on ‘Parallel Space’ rounds out the package next and the Delsin regular delivers a typically classy interpretation with choppy bass stabs dynamically driving the composition as snippets of the original’s ethereal textures and spiralling percussion are weaved within.
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Breaking Greedy Creepers Powerslam More

Forest Drive West returns to Livity Sound with the 'Dualism' EP, a tour de force of stripped dub
aesthetics and swirling psychedelic rhythms.
One of the finest breakthrough UK producers of recent years, in a short space of time Forest Drive
West has created an enviable catalogue across labels such as Livity Sound, Rupture, Echocord,
Whities and Mantis. This new EP marks some of his best work to date.
The final track on the EP, 'Scorpion', features Melbourne based percussionist Lucky Pereira whose
frenetic but tightly locked drums add a fizzing energy to Forest Drive West's deep atmospheric rhythm
track.
Livity Sound is a label set up by Peverelist in 2011 as a vehicle for a raw and exploratory strain of UK
techno, rooted in the heritage of UK dance music and sound system culture. It has since become one
of the UK's foremost protagonists for cutting edge underground electronic music.
Tracklist;
a1: Dualism a2: New Day b1: Ritual b2: Scorpion ft Lucky Pereira More

The fourth release on Neighbourhood is Forest Drive West's first straight techno release, going in with a four tracker. Driving, yet stripped back tracks which keep you on a cliff hanger in their own individual way. UN is a straight up groove, Wait, a heavy hitter, Reshape, a percussive delight, and Functional, a bleepy dream. More

Stone cold killers from London's elusive Forest Drive West More

Stunning debut from London based artist Forest Drive West for Livity Sound. 'System' revolves around an irresistible deep and tripping pneumatic broken drum groove, propelling the track through ten tense minutes of foggy atmospherics. Show Them is similarly immersive but this time with nods to the densely smoked out UK dancefloors of 2004, austere and hypnotic.
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Forest Drive West delivers the ‘Parallel Space’ EP via Copenhagen’s Echocord this December, backed with a remix from Conforce.

London’s Forest Drive West has gained widespread recognition as a purveyor of raw and emotive techno over the past few years, releasing material on the likes of Livity Sound, Hidden Hawaii, Neighbourhood and Whities. Here though see him returning to Echocord following his recent remix of Babe Roots on the imprint earlier this year. ‘Creation Dub’ leads, fusing echoing dub chords and off-kilter drums with cavernous atmospherics and pulsating low-end tones before ‘Drift’ edges into darker territories with murky synth textures, glitched out percussion and tension building drones creating a hypnotic and subtly nuanced six and a half minutes. Title-track ‘Parallel Space’ then opens the B-Side, bring the rhythmic aspects into the spotlight this time as bumpy broken drums, a rounded sub line and oscillating percussion ebb and flow amongst hazy pads, fluttering echoes and expansive reverbs. Conforce’s take on ‘Parallel Space’ rounds out the package next and the Delsin regular delivers a typically classy interpretation with choppy bass stabs dynamically driving the composition as snippets of the original’s ethereal textures and spiralling percussion are weaved within.
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Copenhagen’s Echocord returns this September with the ‘Invincible Nature’ EP by Altone, backed by a remix from Thomas Fehlmann and Another Channel. Atone is the guise of Tokyo’s Yuki Takasaki, one of the leading figures of the genre out of Japan with releases on the likes of Greyscale, Lempuyang, Vuo, Æ Recordings, Primary [colours] and many more. His distinctive twist on Dub Techno has earned him accolades worldwide within the underground and here he joins the roster of the esteemed Echocord, the Kenneth Christiansen helmed label that’s been at the forefront of Dub Techno for more than two decades now. The original mix of ‘Naturally Unnatural’ opens, showcasing Altone’s unique style via subtly nuanced chord flutters, expansive reverberations, pulsating low end tones and ever unfolding, subtly unfurling feel. The ‘Naturally Flowing Thomas Fehlmann Remix’ follows, the Swiss sonic wizard and former member of the legendary The Orb among many other projects delivers deep, throbbing subs and glitched out synth modulations intertwined with fragments of the original composition. ‘Unnaturally Balanced’ then opens the B-Side with Altone diving deeper into dub realms courtesy of ever alternating, billowing dub echoes and a raw, reduced rhythm section. The ‘Another Channel Version’ of ‘Unnaturally Balanced’ then rounds out the EP, embracing a more classic dub techno aesthetic as crunchy drums, swirling atmospherics and spaced out echoes ebb and flow amongst one another across the six and half minute duration. More

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Following the success of last years Babe Roots EP, Echocord revisits the package with reworks from Forest Drive West, Mike Schommer, Felix K, DB1 and Babe Roots themself.
London’s DB1 leads the package with his take on ‘Work Hard’, a mostly beatless interpretation fuelled by oscillating white noise, winding dub chords and snippets of the original’s dub reggae vocals. Hidden Hawai’s Felix K then ups the energy levels with a high-octane take on ‘Sufferation Time’, driven by upfront, shuffled and distorted drums and unfaltering, tension building dub swells. The hotly tipped Forest Drive West steps up next to remix ‘Jah Nuh Dead’, a typically classy reimagining from the Livity Sound artist, stipping things back to ethereal pads, off-kilter percussion and sporadic echoes of the original composition. Former Deepchord member Mike Schommer’s take on ‘Bless Me’ follows, the pioneer of contemporary dub techno delivers a cinematic rework employing sweeping voices, glitched out electronics and resonant swells alongside the bouncy dub reggae groove of the original. Lastly Babe Roots revisit one of their own compositions, ‘Sufferation Time’, delivering a more refined feel this time round with more impetus on drums and dark, hypnotic synths to contrast the original’s more vocal focused feel. More

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Babe Roots & Another Channel join forces with Danish label Echocord with four dubbed out cuts titled, ‘Takeover’. Turin based artist, Babe Roots’ catalogue has seen a steady growth since he started out in 2016 with releases on French label Linear Movement, Portland dub label ZamZam Sounds and Rohs! Records. ‘Takeover’ sees him team up with Another Channel, an up and coming German producer with records on Transient Audio and Modern Hypnosis. After a successful summer for Echocord with albums from Silent Harbour aka Conforce and Idealist, the label continues 2018 with consistently intriguing output from artists across the electronic music spectrum. ‘Takeover (intro)’ kicks off the pack by delivering a minute of spaced-out, dub-tinged atmospheres to ease you in. ‘Can’t See’ then provides a pitched-down, meditative ambience peppered with deep, sedative reggae drums, calming synth flutters and an enchanting vocal. Next, ‘Money Run Things’ sustains the mellow moods, spirited chants and stirring flourishes of dubby vibrations. To finish, ‘Get You Down’ offers a meditative, dropped- tempo dub-techno track – with sound system culture, dispersed grooves and undulating minimalism becoming the main focus here. More

Over the past decade Rising Sun has firmly established himself as a purveyor of the finest deep, dubby and cinematic leaning house and techno, consistently delivering a sound that is distinctly his through labels such as Fauxpas, Freund Der Familie and his own numerous imprints Reality Used To Be A Friend Of Mine, Kristofferson Kristofferson and Beautiful Things Don't Ask For Attention under a variant of guises such as The Ambientist, Rising Sun Project, Rising Sun Psyche, Rising Sun Melancholia and simply Rising Sun under which he returns here for Echocord. As one has come to expect from a Rising Sun release ‘The Eternal’ has a firm foundation in emotive melodies and atmospherics across six alternate versions. ‘Eternal 1’ leads with muted drums, fluttering stabs and a preaching spoken word vocal. ‘Eternal 2’ edges into darked realms, merging expansive dub echoes with swelling subs and tension building strings before ‘Eternal 3’ dives head first into ethereal hypnotism via unfurling textures, soft stab sequences and a rounded kick. ‘Eternal 4’ opens the B-side with a subtly unfolding construction as vocals, chords and swinging drums run in unison. ‘Eternal 5’ then strips things back to a gritty statured feel with boomy percussion, enchanting strings and nuanced stabs before ‘Eternal 6’ rounds out the release laying down murky, multilayered pads, widely dispersing reverberations and bubbling delays throughout. More

Echocord welcomes the return of Mathimidori to the imprint with his ‘Anata’ EP, accompanied by a remix from New Yorker and Novel Sound boss Levon Vincent.

Mathimidori is the dub techno leaning guise of Germany’s Mathias Kaden, known for his works under his own name on imprints such as REKIDS, Ovum and Freude Am Tanzen, while Mathimidori material has found a home on the likes of Mule Musiq, Raum, Ornaments and of course Echocord where he returns here following 2020’s ‘Akebono’ LP.

Opening the release is ‘Anata’, a texturally dense six-and-a-half-minute composition fusing pulsating subs, billowing synth atmospherics, spiralling dub echoes and sporadic dubbed out spoken word running atop a crisp 4/4 rhythm. ‘Zanziba’ follows and dives deeper via ethereal pads, snaking low-end pulsations, choppy stab sequences and heavily echoing reggae chants.

Levon Vincent steps up to remix ‘Zanziba’ next, delivering a typically raw and dynamic rework, upping the energy levels as dub stabs dynamically unfold and retract amongst a thunderous low-end drive, intricate synth flutters and low-slung drums across its ten minute duration. More

Repress! NOTE: RE-PRESS COMES IN BLACK VIYNL.

Echocord 20th anniversary special release

echocord records marks a momentous twenty years with an exclusive release, featuring 12 iconic artists on a limited edition triple clear vinyl, for dub-techno lovers and collectors.This vinyl series celebrates artists who continue to inspire the echocord journey, from 2001 to 2021 and beyond.

Over the past two decades, the Kenneth Christiansen helmed echocord imprint has been at the forefront of the dub-techno scene, discovering and developing sophisticated artists globally.

The twelve-track release is an exploration, from energetic dub techno, with cuts like Luke & Jeff Hess’ “M1 Dub”, grad_u’s “Pacific Lair”, and Idealist’s “Ride” to more esoteric passages with Forest Drive West’s “Signals”, Mikkel Metal’s “Lakam Dub” and Brendon Moeller’s “Slow Return”. Heavy dub vibrations resound in Babe Roots feat Another Channel’s “Gunman” and Deadbeat’s sub-driven “The Old Doom and Gloom” while Fluxion turns it to a jazzy, dub house wave with “Slide”.

“To me music is life, thank you for your support keeping the sound of echocord resonating” –Kenneth Christiansen More

Echocord returns this March with a new EP from El Choop, backed by a remix from Sven Weisemann. Harvey Bones, better known to most as El Choop is a London based producer and DJ delivering dub leaning house and techno via the likes of Etui Records, Greyscale and now Echocord, a perfect home for his subtly nuanced, intricately unfolding aesthetic. Leading is title-track ‘Insane Sends’, employing a sturdy kick, cavernous percussion and choppy stab sequences, as the name would suggest all dynamically modulating across the composition’s six-minute duration. ‘Some Fall Harder Than Others’ then follows, embracing a more stripped back feel atmospherically, bringing filtered dub chords, ethereal pad textures and rounded subs into focus while dusty drums carry the hypnotic groove. Label regular Sven Weisemann then rounds out the release with his ‘Angelis Sends Mix’ of ‘Insane Sends’, a twelve-minute interpretation embracing a cinematic feel via expansive synth atmospherics, spiralling dub echoes and metallic chimes, all ebbing and flowing amongst one another throughout while a bumpy drum groove keep things moving. More

Copenhagen’s Echocord returns with a long player from Mathimidori this October, entitled the ‘Akebono’ LP and comprised on ten original compositions. Mathimidori, better know by most as Mathias Kaden has been using this alias as a way to showcase his take on dub-leaning, minimalistic and refined Techno via labels such as Dorian Paic’s Raum Musik, Tokyo’s Mule Musiq and Berlin’s Ornaments. Here though we see deliver his debut long player under the guise, and fittingly the LP will be released via esteemed Dub Techno imprint Echocord, home to releases from the likes of STL, Deepchord, Fluxion, XDB and Forest Drive West. Across the ‘Akebono’ album Mathimidori delivers hazy, spaced out instrumentals like ‘Maiia’, ‘Ork’ and ‘Soso’ while tracks like ‘Asaka’ and ‘Shao’ offer a darker approach. The project also welcomes an assortment of collaborations such as opening track ‘Java’ alongside Spain’s Pulshar, ‘Kioku’ featuring Japanese artist Tomomi Ukumori and ‘Kobe’ with Germany’s Rhauder which all lean towards downtempo dub territories. Also featured are Sakura who provides spoken word vocals for ‘Akebono’ and Shoco who joins Mathimidori for the ambient leaning album conclusion ‘Akari’. More

Echocord welcomes the return of STL this May with the ‘Take Off Music’ EP, comprised of three murky, dubbed out cuts from the acclaimed German producer. Stephan Laubner, better known as STL has long been one of the most respected producers in the underground electronic music scene. Racking up releases on the likes of Smallville, Perlon, Echospace [Detroit], his own Something and of course Echocord where he returns here. ‘Fluxxy’ leads on the package, embracing STL’s signature style via, dusty analogue drums, choppy dub stabs, penetrating low end flutters and airy atmospherics before ‘Dub Plus’ lays focus on a stripped-back, perfectly balanced drum groove, hazy field recordings and bubbling chord delays and bell chime synths. ‘Magic Thing’ then rounds out the release, fusing fm synth melodies and gritty bass stab sequences with thunderous subs and Laubner’s robust rhythmic style. Once again STL delivers a touch of class with a contemporary Dub Techno style for Echocord. More

The inimitable STL makes a welcome return to Echocord this May with a new three-track EP in the shape of ‘Take Your Seats’. Stephan Laubner, better known to most as simply as STL is highly regarded for his unique twist on dubbed out house and techno sounds and has been responsible for some underground anthems such as the lauded ‘Silent State’ on Smallville Records and other material on the likes of Perlon, Echospace [Detroit] and ofcourse his own Something imprint. Here though we see him returning to Echocord following 2015’s ‘Message Of Sound’ Part 1 & 2 EP’s with yet more mind- altering murky cuts. ‘Lost Harbour’ leads on the package with textural field recordings, crunchy distorted rhythms and an amalgamation of snaking bass, synth and piano lines, intertwining and unfolding throughout. ‘Mr Sinister’ switches the vibes over to menacing bass swells, fluttering subs, gritty percussion and an underlying tension before ‘Sensimilla’ edges into more ethereal territory with spiralling dub chords, shuffled hats and winding atmospherics. More

Idealist returns with his second long player this October, entitled ‘Mind Field’ and featuring eight dub-leaning cuts from the Swiss producer. Based out of Zurich, Switzerland, producer and DJ Idealist has become a respected figure in raw, dubby house and techno over the past five years via his releases on Echocord and his Idealistmusic and Details Series labels, picking up support along the way from the likes of Mike Huckaby, Dana Ruh, Tini and Mandar to name but a few. Here though we see him returning to Copenhagen’s Echocord with his second long player following 2016’s ‘Firewood Street’ on his own label. Leading on the package is ‘Explorer’, setting the tone with crunchy percussion, billowing stab sequences and airy dub swells before ‘Dimension’ employs pulsing subs, soft organ like chords and gritty analogue drums as its foundation whilst fluttering stabs and sweeping atmospherics wander within.‘Stage One’ is up next, consisting of a weight low end drive, thunderous kick and snappy clap running in unison with swirling dub echoes and tension building strings, a shining example of an effective dub-techno tool. ‘Golden Places’ offers something different, this time round embracing a walking bass groove, soft 303 style resonant flutters and cinematic strings. ‘M.I.T.H’ opens up the flips side of the release, upping the energy levels with a dynamic, robust rhythm, gritty stabs and murky modulating effects throughout before ‘Singularity’ edges things back into deeper territory with fluttering synth licks, vacillating pads and low-slung drums. ‘Smoke and Mirrors’ embraces a loop driven approach next with a focus on short, sharp synth cuts, bumpy drums and skippy hats before ‘Final Cut’, as the name would suggest, wraps up the album with oscillating percussion, choppy bass hits and raw drums all unfolding with the subtle nuances prevalent throughout yet another smooth and understated addition to Idealist’s catalogue. More

Conforce returns under his Silent Harbour guise this August with the ‘Noctiluca’ mini LP, a six track collection set for release via Copenhagen’s Echocord. Dutch producer Boris Bunnik has been releasing material under various guises over the past two decades such as Conforce, Versalife, Hexagon, Vernon Felicity and of course Silent Harbour which he revisits here following 2015’s ‘Hinterland’ on Deep Sound Channel and the self-tilted inauguration of the project in 2012 on Echocord. The beatless drones of ‘Riparian’ open the package, perfectly setting the tone with murky bell like chimes, rumbling subs and splashes of white noise before title-track ‘Noctiluca’ picks up the pace, tipping the focus over to bubbling dub echoes, glitched out, minute percussion and a sturdy muted kick to keep things driving. ‘Dwelling’ is up next, featuring expansive, washed out synth textures, cavernous bass tones and modulating percussion throughout. Leading on the B-Side of the release is ‘Peridinum’, employing classic dub techno tropes with an amalgamation of choppy stab sequences dynamically evolving over off-beat hats and a thunderous kick. ‘Fusiformis’ strips things rhythmically whilst keeping the bubbling delays and expansive reverbs at it’s core before closing track ‘Pelagia’ brings bright, resonant synth lines, delayed percussive hits and tension building synth bass into the limelight. More

Mikkel Metal returns to Copenhagen’s Echocord this May with his new mini LP ‘Just Enough Light’, comprising six originals from the Danish artist. Copenhagen based producer and DJ Mikkel Metal has been a beacon of light in the Danish electronic music scene and further afield for nearly two decades now, with the Dub Techno imprint from his hometown, Echocord, being the predominant home for his output, whilst also releasing material on Cologne’s Kompakt, Tartelet, Semantica and Avant Roots, a telling sign of the quality embodied in his work. Here though we see Mikkel deliver a mini album concept in the shape of ‘Just Enough Light’ and opener ‘Awake’ perfectly sets the tone with emotive, dynamically unfolding atmospherics, tension building bass drones and spiraling dub chords subtly easing us into the project. ‘Bregnan’ then stirs in some classing Dub-Techno tropes with billowing stab sequences, lumpy subs and off beat high hats carrying the hypnotic groove for six and a half minutes. ‘Jech’ then strips things back to an almost beatless amalgamation of murky chords and modulating synth whirrs. Opening the flip side of the release is ‘Include’ which embraces a brighter feel via ethereal pad swells, jazztinged synth melodies and bumpy 909 rhythms before ‘Konkin’ edges back into the eerie, brooding aesthetic with bubbling echoes, broken drums and menacing bass swells at its core. ‘Restore’ then closes the package on a stripped-back vibe, laying focus on an ever- eveolving singular dub chord to ebb and flow around thunderous subs, kicks and bright hats. More

Greek producer Fluxion returns to Danish imprint Echocord in January with his ‘Upsides & Sideways EP’, comprising three original productions. The Athens-based artist has spent nearly two decades honing his craft both on stage through his live improvised performances and in the studio, producing records for the likes of Chain Reaction, Vibrant Music and Subwax Bcn. Copenhagen’s Echocord has consistently delivered high quality dub techno from the likes of Roberto Clementi, Brendon Moeller and Luke Hess since its inception in 2001 and now Fluxion returns with his twelfth outing on the label with his latest material. Fluxion opens with ‘En route’, employing sharp percussive foundations, white noise atmospheres and haunting chord progressions which evolve throughout the track before ‘The Place’ offers dubbed out synthesiser motifs and glitching arpeggios which are underpinned by echoing drums and a subtle bass melody. ‘Flick’ then closes out the release with spacey synth riffs developing over groove-led percussion and a warm, distorted low-end. More

Sven Weisemann is set to release his ‘Bilateral Relations’ EP via Copenhagen’s Echocord this September, comprising four originals from the German producer. Sven Weisemann has been immersed in the underground House and Techno scene for quite some time now having started DJing in 1997 during the rise of the scene on his home turf of Berlin and going on to release material via the likes of Amsterdam’s Delsin, Mojuba, Telrae and liebe.detail amongst many more. Here though we see Sven joining the roster of Echocord, a perfect fit for his more dubbed out compositions with artists like Fluxion, Rod Modell and STL on the roster. ‘Lunation’ opens the release and sees Weisemann fuse emotive string melodies and cavernous vocal echoes with off- kilter rhythms and rounded sub hits before title-track ‘Bilateral Relations’ embraces a more direct four-four approach via sparse percussion and tumbling toms alongside choppy bass stabs and ever-unfolding, echoing dub chords. Opening the flip is ‘Monistic’, an airy ethereal number employing billowing pads, bright synth chimes and a dropped tempo dubbed out feel to create something truly stunning and thought provoking before the ‘Decimation (Valvle tR9 Mix) closes things on a darker tip with looming stab swells, heavily swung drums and sporadic growling bass drones. More

Echocord returns late June with a new release, Joel Alter under his Jor-El alias, entitled ‘Tilted Reality’ and comprising three originals from the Swedish artist.
Currently based in Copenhagen, Sweden born producer and DJ Joel Alter is a name synonymous with the contemporary Techno scene on both his home turf and across the globe, his back catalogue to date features a long player for the Uncanny Valley imprint, solo EP’s for D’Julz’ Bass Culture, Sweatshop and collaborative works for Kontra Musik alongside Henrik Johnsson amongst much more. This time round though we see Alter return under his Jor-El guise under which he first started releasing material on DJ Hell’s Internation Deejay Gigolo imprint. Up first is title-track ‘Tilted Reality’ laid out over seven minutes with a slowly unfolding dynamic feel, encompassing spiraling atmospherics, distorted rhythms and blooming stab- sequences. ‘Elevation’ follows and takes a more direct groove-driven approach via straight four-four percussion and hooky bass chops, whilst tension building pads and fluttering dub echoes gradually build around the foundation. ‘Solitude’ closes out the package deliving into deeper realms with soft ethereal dub chords, acid tinged leads and emotive strings. More

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at mule musiq, we’ve focused on shining light on the many aspects of what electronic music can be, putting out house, techno and ambient releases on our main label, while releasing alternative-leaning dance music through our endless flight imprint. but with the launch of our new label, studio mule, we are stepping away from electronic club music for a bit. the label will not be tied to a specific genre, as we will instead focus on releasing any kind of music that we feel is a little bit different and interesting, but somehow make sense in this day and age. for our first batch of releases, we will be focusing on japanese music.

to be honest, i have been watching the recent rise of global interest in japanese music with a skeptical eye, not sure of how to feel about all these labels overseas licensing great albums that were birthed in our country. but then, i was told by somebody i greatly respect that i should do something similar with mule, and put our own spin on it, which sounded like a good idea to me. after a period of procrastination, i finally got around to doing it. we are starting things off with a compilation of japanese disco, boogie and soul music that we selected from a modern dance music perspective — the kind of songs that we feel would intrigue music fans across the world.

at first, i started seeking authentic-sounding disco that sound like it could have been recorded in the states, but after struggling to get licensing rights for many of those tracks, i started to wonder if that was really the direction we should be going in. when we start new labels or projects, we often come up with the title or artwork first, before deciding on the actual music. we came up with the title midnight in tokyo first, which dictated that we needed to find music that would be a perfect soundtrack to listen to at night in tokyo. we ended up compiling a selection of tracks that you could both listen to at home, and play in clubs at certain time slots. the compilation also ended up sounding a lot more pop than we initially imagined…

during the selection process, we did not care whether the tracks have been reissued already or not, and how rare the original copies of the records were. our sole purpose was to gather a handful of songs from across labels, major or otherwise, that we felt could be listened to for many years to come — even after this whole japanese music trend dies down. although we put together this release mainly for listeners outside of japan, the compilation can also be a chance for japanese music lovers to rediscover the greatness of domestic music, as we did during the process.

the compilation starts off with the afro disco classic “mi mi africa” by harmonica player nobuo yagi, which was also included in the compilation mastercuts.

“silver top” is a jazzy fusion disco taken from composer, arranger and multi-instrumentalist nobuyuki shimizu’s first album, which he released when he was 19. the track features singer epo, whom he worked with many times over the years as an arranger.

“samba night” is by vocalist keisuke yamamoto and his band piper, from their masterpiece second album summer breeze. a delightful city pop number that should appeal to tatsuro yamashita fans.

“akogareno sundown” is a japanese soul classic, sang by singer haruko kuwana (the sister of well-known musi-cian masahiro kuwana). recorded in hawaii and produced by mackey feary band, known for the soulful classic “a million stars.”

“koiwa saiko (i’m in love)” is a mellow and groovy track by singer aru takamura, the great-grandchild of sculptor kouun takamura, whose son kotaro takamura is a famed poet and sculptor. can be thought of as japan’s answer to cheryl lynn’s “got to be real.”

“what the magic is to try” is a cult electropop track by honma express, a project helmed by producer kanji honma. hailed as japan’s trevor horn, he is also known as the producer of legendary techno pop band tpo.

“colored music” is a song by colored music, a duo of pianist ichiko hashimoto and her partner atsuo fujimoto, who have gone on tour with ymo. taken from colored music’s sole album, the japanese rare groove treasure is a mesh of new wave, synth pop and jazz influences.

the dubby electronic new wave disco “electric city” is a b side of pop idol group shohjo-tai’s debut 12” single, but the girls aren’t actually singing on it, making the instrumental one of japan’s greatest ’80s dance tracks.

“love is the competition” is a breezy disco jam by okinawa-born bilingual artist hitomi tohyama. featured on her album next door, the song’s melody seems like an interpolation of the whispers’ “it’s a love thing.”

taken from mariah project’s diva yumi murata’s first album, “krishna” is a funky and soulful rockin’ disco cut.reminiscent of chaka khan’s “i know you, i live you,” “live hard, live free” is a song by jazz vocalist eri ohno who is known for her work with dj krush and singing on the soundtrack to anime rupin the third.

“rocket 88” is a melancholic disco number by singer minnie. though the track was released through sapporo’s independent label paradise records, the superb production quality suggests otherwise.

closing out the 13-track compilation is japanese disco staple “tokyo melody,” sang by half african and half swedish american singer shoody and backed by tetsuji hayashi’s disco band the eastern gang. More

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Forest Drive West delivers the ‘Parallel Space’ EP via Copenhagen’s Echocord this December, backed with a remix from Conforce.

London’s Forest Drive West has gained widespread recognition as a purveyor of raw and emotive techno over the past few years, releasing material on the likes of Livity Sound, Hidden Hawaii, Neighbourhood and Whities. Here though see him returning to Echocord following his recent remix of Babe Roots on the imprint earlier this year. ‘Creation Dub’ leads, fusing echoing dub chords and off-kilter drums with cavernous atmospherics and pulsating low-end tones before ‘Drift’ edges into darker territories with murky synth textures, glitched out percussion and tension building drones creating a hypnotic and subtly nuanced six and a half minutes. Title-track ‘Parallel Space’ then opens the B-Side, bring the rhythmic aspects into the spotlight this time as bumpy broken drums, a rounded sub line and oscillating percussion ebb and flow amongst hazy pads, fluttering echoes and expansive reverbs. Conforce’s take on ‘Parallel Space’ rounds out the package next and the Delsin regular delivers a typically classy interpretation with choppy bass stabs dynamically driving the composition as snippets of the original’s ethereal textures and spiralling percussion are weaved within.
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Midnight In Tokyo 2, the second installment to the compilation series that rounds up hidden gems by Japanese artists that's perfect for listening at night in Tokyo, is here. This time the collection brings together some tasty electric jazz fusion from the '80s , compiled by Dubby, the man behind the online record store Ondas.

The compilation begins with "Hikobae," a dark and slow cosmic jazz by saxophonist Genji Sawai, followed by "Danza Lucumi," an odd Caribbean-style jam by Today's Latin Project, a band fronted by Tadaaki Misago of Tokyo Cuban Boys, with arrangements by Yasuaki Shimizu. "On The Coast" is a soulful and mellow vocal track arranged by Ryuichi Sakamoto, from guitarist Shigeru Suzuki's album White Heat, and fusion boogie cut "In The Hot City" is by Mr. Theodore, which was a one-off project by a mysterious artist.

The melancholic soul jazz number "So Long America" is the title track from the album Yasunori Soryo released in '82, following a stint in America with the band Brown Rice. "Twisty" is a tropical reggae tune from the album Samba Kathy, an underrated classic by Jugando which was released on Trash, a sublabel of one of Japan's finest jazz labels, Trio. "Samarkand" is an electric Latin jazz jam that sounds like something Miles Davis and Santana could have played on, performed by a Latin funk band from Fussa. "Imagery" is a primal African fusion track by Katsutoshi Morizono, a member of the prog rock band Yoninbayashi.

"Windmill" is the most acoustic sounding tune on this compilation, a breezy Brazilian affair with a Hermeto Pascoal feel. "Mystery Of Asian Port" is by the band Parachute, which consisted of Japa-nese fusion giants like Akira Inoue, Tatsuo Hayashi and Masaki Matsubara. The cosmic jazz record sounds like something Daniele Baldelli would play in his sets. "Bay Sky Provincetown 1977" is a classic Japanese fusion tune by guitarist Yuji Toriyama.

The set also features the mellow but danceable "Heatwave" by keyboardist Keiichi Oku, featuring a female vocalist (which some have identified as Rie Ida), and last but not least, closing out the 13 track compilation is "Day Dream At The Bob's Beach," a wonderful urban fusion with a beautiful vibraphone melody, from the Japanese fusion classic album that was a one-off project by studio musicians More

unique Techno/House EP in BC sound signature
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eternal, unmatched, still futuristic sounding Techno textures

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Echocord welcomes the return of STL this May with the ‘Take Off Music’ EP, comprised of three murky, dubbed out cuts from the acclaimed German producer. Stephan Laubner, better known as STL has long been one of the most respected producers in the underground electronic music scene. Racking up releases on the likes of Smallville, Perlon, Echospace [Detroit], his own Something and of course Echocord where he returns here. ‘Fluxxy’ leads on the package, embracing STL’s signature style via, dusty analogue drums, choppy dub stabs, penetrating low end flutters and airy atmospherics before ‘Dub Plus’ lays focus on a stripped-back, perfectly balanced drum groove, hazy field recordings and bubbling chord delays and bell chime synths. ‘Magic Thing’ then rounds out the release, fusing fm synth melodies and gritty bass stab sequences with thunderous subs and Laubner’s robust rhythmic style. Once again STL delivers a touch of class with a contemporary Dub Techno style for Echocord. More

Mikkel Metal returns to Copenhagen’s Echocord this May with his new mini LP ‘Just Enough Light’, comprising six originals from the Danish artist. Copenhagen based producer and DJ Mikkel Metal has been a beacon of light in the Danish electronic music scene and further afield for nearly two decades now, with the Dub Techno imprint from his hometown, Echocord, being the predominant home for his output, whilst also releasing material on Cologne’s Kompakt, Tartelet, Semantica and Avant Roots, a telling sign of the quality embodied in his work. Here though we see Mikkel deliver a mini album concept in the shape of ‘Just Enough Light’ and opener ‘Awake’ perfectly sets the tone with emotive, dynamically unfolding atmospherics, tension building bass drones and spiraling dub chords subtly easing us into the project. ‘Bregnan’ then stirs in some classing Dub-Techno tropes with billowing stab sequences, lumpy subs and off beat high hats carrying the hypnotic groove for six and a half minutes. ‘Jech’ then strips things back to an almost beatless amalgamation of murky chords and modulating synth whirrs. Opening the flip side of the release is ‘Include’ which embraces a brighter feel via ethereal pad swells, jazztinged synth melodies and bumpy 909 rhythms before ‘Konkin’ edges back into the eerie, brooding aesthetic with bubbling echoes, broken drums and menacing bass swells at its core. ‘Restore’ then closes the package on a stripped-back vibe, laying focus on an ever- eveolving singular dub chord to ebb and flow around thunderous subs, kicks and bright hats. More

Echocord returns late June with a new release, Joel Alter under his Jor-El alias, entitled ‘Tilted Reality’ and comprising three originals from the Swedish artist.
Currently based in Copenhagen, Sweden born producer and DJ Joel Alter is a name synonymous with the contemporary Techno scene on both his home turf and across the globe, his back catalogue to date features a long player for the Uncanny Valley imprint, solo EP’s for D’Julz’ Bass Culture, Sweatshop and collaborative works for Kontra Musik alongside Henrik Johnsson amongst much more. This time round though we see Alter return under his Jor-El guise under which he first started releasing material on DJ Hell’s Internation Deejay Gigolo imprint. Up first is title-track ‘Tilted Reality’ laid out over seven minutes with a slowly unfolding dynamic feel, encompassing spiraling atmospherics, distorted rhythms and blooming stab- sequences. ‘Elevation’ follows and takes a more direct groove-driven approach via straight four-four percussion and hooky bass chops, whilst tension building pads and fluttering dub echoes gradually build around the foundation. ‘Solitude’ closes out the package deliving into deeper realms with soft ethereal dub chords, acid tinged leads and emotive strings. More