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GLENN ASTRO & MENTAL TRANCE - INTRO TRACK
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GLENN ASTRO & CRYSTALLINE REALITY - THE GROWL (CRYSTALLINE MIX)
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GLENN ASTRO & EYE SOUL8R - AUTUMN SUBS
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GLENN ASTRO & BRAIN LIQUOR - BLAME IT ON
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GLENN ASTRO & DJ 1999 - THE ABYSS
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GLENN ASTRO & BRAIN LIQUOR - JAQUE?
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GLENN ASTRO & CRYSTALLINE REALITY - THE GROWL (NIGHT MIX)
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GLENN ASTRO & MENTAL TRANCE - MENTAL TRANCE
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GLENN ASTRO & THE FOUNDATION - STEPPERS WORLDWIDE, UNITE!
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GLENN ASTRO & DJ 1999 - ALMOST PLEASANT
Taking his cue from seminal mix albums of days gone by, Glenn Astro is back with a compilation of original productions from a cast of fictional artists on Nothing Is Real. Across 13 tracks, the Tartelet mainstay celebrates the thrill of discovery which came as standard listening to new entries in series’ like X-Mix and DJ Kicks, moving between head-nodding downtempo, ambient techno, broken beat and all manner of chill-out room delights. You might be left wishing artists such as DJ 1999, Mental Trance and Eye Soul8r had actual discographies to go and explore, but as Astro himself is keen to point out, “nothing is real.”
Astro has never been shy to embrace classic tropes and tones in his past albums for Tartelet, Apollo and Ninja Tune, but he’s drawing on a different set of influences for this album and embracing the flexibility afforded by using imagined aliases for varied production styles.
“I had the idea to do a mixtape, preferably with unknown dance tracks that also reflect that whole 90s/early 00s vibe,” Astro explains. “Instead of digging for some records that haven’t been sourced yet or trying to find those ‘forgotten’ treasures, I made the tracks myself. That way I had full control over BPMs, feel and the whole arrangement of tracks. I thought of a few alter egos and started producing the tracks in the order that I intended to play them in a mix. In the end a whole compilation of tracks emerged.”
While the concept might suggest you’re going to hear a lot of over- familiar sounds, don’t be fooled. Astro is inspired and inquisitive, channeling the experimental spirit of the 90s and early 00s when electronic music was still continually being redefined in all kinds of micro-scenes. In many cases, Astro’s productions slip into the cracks between genres rather than specifically mimicking a style.
Even if the reference points are detectable, the end result is a curious blend as indebted to ambiguity as the overall concept of the compilation. Like the spine-tingling sensation of hitting play and awaiting the waves of unknown sonics on one of those seminal mixes, you never know exactly what you’re going to get as you take the trip through Nothing Is Real. More
Astro has never been shy to embrace classic tropes and tones in his past albums for Tartelet, Apollo and Ninja Tune, but he’s drawing on a different set of influences for this album and embracing the flexibility afforded by using imagined aliases for varied production styles.
“I had the idea to do a mixtape, preferably with unknown dance tracks that also reflect that whole 90s/early 00s vibe,” Astro explains. “Instead of digging for some records that haven’t been sourced yet or trying to find those ‘forgotten’ treasures, I made the tracks myself. That way I had full control over BPMs, feel and the whole arrangement of tracks. I thought of a few alter egos and started producing the tracks in the order that I intended to play them in a mix. In the end a whole compilation of tracks emerged.”
While the concept might suggest you’re going to hear a lot of over- familiar sounds, don’t be fooled. Astro is inspired and inquisitive, channeling the experimental spirit of the 90s and early 00s when electronic music was still continually being redefined in all kinds of micro-scenes. In many cases, Astro’s productions slip into the cracks between genres rather than specifically mimicking a style.
Even if the reference points are detectable, the end result is a curious blend as indebted to ambiguity as the overall concept of the compilation. Like the spine-tingling sensation of hitting play and awaiting the waves of unknown sonics on one of those seminal mixes, you never know exactly what you’re going to get as you take the trip through Nothing Is Real. More
More records from Glenn Astro
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Glenn Astro - Penduloop
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Glenn Astro - Purple
3
Glenn Astro - Out Of Office
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Glenn Astro - Flux
Glenn Astro returns to Tartelet Records with Purple, a four-tracker of minimal slow burners and futuristic dance music, marking the label’s 50th 12-inch release.
Since releasing his second album Homespun in late 2020, Glenn Astro has been quietly channeling his funky instincts towards new production approaches. Purple, a four-piece compilation of mutant future-boogie daubed in Rogers-Nelson hues, comes through with emotional heft. It also marks the 50th 12" release for Tartelet Records.
“Following up on Homespun, I wanted to try out some more dancefloor- oriented tracks again,” says Glenn Astro. “Keeping it simple and practical, while not being too predictable. I incorporated a lot of modular synth bits and experiments, with ‘Flux’ being an almost exclusively modular-based jam.”
Incorporating tricky sound design and fluid structures, Astro’s new lines of enquiry never come at the expense of the groove. From the opening thump of ‘Penduloop’ onwards it’s apparent that his rugged rhythmic kinks are present and correct to hook in the dancers, while the melodic drops later in the track edge in a little melancholic flavour to take the mind somewhere else entirely. On this opening track, the artist explores new territory with his version of early naughties minimal house – a welcome
slow burner.
The EP title track ‘Purple’ slaps with purpose, not least in the Linn-esque drums and melodic bassline, but it’s a positively dreamy piece which skips on crooked beat formations and floats upwards via a multi-timbral tapestry of yearning synth shapes and robotic vocals. On ‘Out Of Office’ Glenn Astro provides a generous dose of electro nostalgia when he amps up the heavy-hearted feeling with aching string pads and electro-informed machine logic. The track becomes alive with its deep un-synced rhythms and dark bass notes, pushing further into the abyss. ‘Flux’, with its tooly
feel, takes the electronic mantra further and sheds light on the source of much of Astro’s new sound palette.
Crucially, even in its techiest moments, an irrepressible humanity shines through across Purple. Glenn Astro’s soul is the binding agent which links his early, sample-heavy house to his more explorative new angles, and it comes through in abundance on this fully-formed release. More
Since releasing his second album Homespun in late 2020, Glenn Astro has been quietly channeling his funky instincts towards new production approaches. Purple, a four-piece compilation of mutant future-boogie daubed in Rogers-Nelson hues, comes through with emotional heft. It also marks the 50th 12" release for Tartelet Records.
“Following up on Homespun, I wanted to try out some more dancefloor- oriented tracks again,” says Glenn Astro. “Keeping it simple and practical, while not being too predictable. I incorporated a lot of modular synth bits and experiments, with ‘Flux’ being an almost exclusively modular-based jam.”
Incorporating tricky sound design and fluid structures, Astro’s new lines of enquiry never come at the expense of the groove. From the opening thump of ‘Penduloop’ onwards it’s apparent that his rugged rhythmic kinks are present and correct to hook in the dancers, while the melodic drops later in the track edge in a little melancholic flavour to take the mind somewhere else entirely. On this opening track, the artist explores new territory with his version of early naughties minimal house – a welcome
slow burner.
The EP title track ‘Purple’ slaps with purpose, not least in the Linn-esque drums and melodic bassline, but it’s a positively dreamy piece which skips on crooked beat formations and floats upwards via a multi-timbral tapestry of yearning synth shapes and robotic vocals. On ‘Out Of Office’ Glenn Astro provides a generous dose of electro nostalgia when he amps up the heavy-hearted feeling with aching string pads and electro-informed machine logic. The track becomes alive with its deep un-synced rhythms and dark bass notes, pushing further into the abyss. ‘Flux’, with its tooly
feel, takes the electronic mantra further and sheds light on the source of much of Astro’s new sound palette.
Crucially, even in its techiest moments, an irrepressible humanity shines through across Purple. Glenn Astro’s soul is the binding agent which links his early, sample-heavy house to his more explorative new angles, and it comes through in abundance on this fully-formed release. More
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
Five years after his critically acclaimed debut album Throwback, Glenn Astro returns with his deeply personal album Homespun.
Marking a change in course from his first release on Tartelet Records, Glenn Astro is set to showcase his sophomore album Homespun, a testament to a visionary artist who has come into his own. Made up of ten tracks spanning 45 minutes, the record twists and turns between electronic meditations, soulful vocals by Ajnascnet, and futuristic electro, carving out a world of spacey eclecticism that is as nostalgic as it is experimental.
“This album is in all facets different from the first one, which was a deliberate decision. No vintage sounds and references, no sampling, combined with futuristic sound design and song structures.I tried to keep it as current and intuitive as possible,” he says.
Known for his chunky beats and fuzzy textures, Glenn Astro has released on labels such as Ninja Tune and Apollo, leaving a distinctive signature on everything he touches.
But Glenn Astro has quietly been crafting a new sound for himself. Sometimes taking detours – morphing into his dark alter ego and experimenting with artist collaborations.
The sound of Homespun is a culmination of several years of reflection and artistic development – however, the album itself was produced in less than three months. “I set myself an ultimatum to finish the album within three months. If I didn’t make it, I’d
have to rethink my career path and keep music as a hobby, he says.
On the introspective first single and album title track “Homespun,” Ajnascent’s vocals lend a sincerity to the melancholic production. “It’s about the regret of not taking chances and giving in too much, but also about taking responsibility and being honest with yourself. Homespun is a nod to nostalgia and a desire for simplicity and prudence, being equally the culprit and the cure,” elaborates Ajnascent.
On “The Yancey,” an homage to J Dilla, Glenn Astro paints his vision of contemporary dance music with shimmering melodies, deep ambient soundscapes, and advanced drum programming. “Moreira” and “Look at You” feel like spaced-out electronic funk hybrids, while “Taking Care of Business” goes back to the future with Glenn Astro’s take on jungle. Other tracks such as “Mezzanine,” “Slow Poke Flange,” and “Viktor’s Meditation” provide the finest dubby electronics. More
Marking a change in course from his first release on Tartelet Records, Glenn Astro is set to showcase his sophomore album Homespun, a testament to a visionary artist who has come into his own. Made up of ten tracks spanning 45 minutes, the record twists and turns between electronic meditations, soulful vocals by Ajnascnet, and futuristic electro, carving out a world of spacey eclecticism that is as nostalgic as it is experimental.
“This album is in all facets different from the first one, which was a deliberate decision. No vintage sounds and references, no sampling, combined with futuristic sound design and song structures.I tried to keep it as current and intuitive as possible,” he says.
Known for his chunky beats and fuzzy textures, Glenn Astro has released on labels such as Ninja Tune and Apollo, leaving a distinctive signature on everything he touches.
But Glenn Astro has quietly been crafting a new sound for himself. Sometimes taking detours – morphing into his dark alter ego and experimenting with artist collaborations.
The sound of Homespun is a culmination of several years of reflection and artistic development – however, the album itself was produced in less than three months. “I set myself an ultimatum to finish the album within three months. If I didn’t make it, I’d
have to rethink my career path and keep music as a hobby, he says.
On the introspective first single and album title track “Homespun,” Ajnascent’s vocals lend a sincerity to the melancholic production. “It’s about the regret of not taking chances and giving in too much, but also about taking responsibility and being honest with yourself. Homespun is a nod to nostalgia and a desire for simplicity and prudence, being equally the culprit and the cure,” elaborates Ajnascent.
On “The Yancey,” an homage to J Dilla, Glenn Astro paints his vision of contemporary dance music with shimmering melodies, deep ambient soundscapes, and advanced drum programming. “Moreira” and “Look at You” feel like spaced-out electronic funk hybrids, while “Taking Care of Business” goes back to the future with Glenn Astro’s take on jungle. Other tracks such as “Mezzanine,” “Slow Poke Flange,” and “Viktor’s Meditation” provide the finest dubby electronics. More
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glenn astro - Colored Sands I
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glenn astro - Together
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glenn astro - Tearz
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glenn astro - Me & My Mouse (Glenn Astro remix)
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glenn astro - Colored Sands II
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glenn astro - Get Up
Glenn Astro is a living legend. On this dj essential we compiled six of his most outstanding early productions– incl. Colored Sands, three killer tracks from the Tearz EP and a groundbreaking but almost unknown remix of Scherbe's Me and My Mouse.
It's been 5 years since Glenn Astro had his debut release with Colored Sands on Bigbait. We knew from the first moment that this guy has the explosive potential to become an international star. Since almost all his older releases are sold out by now, we decided to give in to the many requests we got in the last month and repress these tunes on a 12” vinyl special edition.
To put this limited Edition (555pcs) in a proper shape, our pressing plant gave in to produce 555 individually colored vinyls. Every record is an individually colored unique piece. The colors range from black to white, from red, green, yellow and blue to all the mixed and mottled color variations in between.
More
It's been 5 years since Glenn Astro had his debut release with Colored Sands on Bigbait. We knew from the first moment that this guy has the explosive potential to become an international star. Since almost all his older releases are sold out by now, we decided to give in to the many requests we got in the last month and repress these tunes on a 12” vinyl special edition.
To put this limited Edition (555pcs) in a proper shape, our pressing plant gave in to produce 555 individually colored vinyls. Every record is an individually colored unique piece. The colors range from black to white, from red, green, yellow and blue to all the mixed and mottled color variations in between.
More
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glenn astro - "Disco Tempo Cliche" (intro)
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glenn astro - "Love Is Gone"
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glenn astro - "Love Is Gone" (Henry Wu remix)
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glenn astro - "User's Guide To"
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glenn astro - "Gemini" (feat IMYRMIND)
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glenn astro - "Goodbye Song" (Spirit Dance)
2014 was a great year for Glenn Astro, but appearances on DJ Kicks (Brandt Brauer Frick) and Brownswood among other labels, numerous remixes, and a string of beautifully-crafted EPs already look set to be eclipsed in 2015. The Essen-based producer's collaboration EP with Max Graef will launch their new label Money $ex Records in January, while his debut LP is to follow on Tartelet Records in the Spring. In between these comes the Hologram EP, two years after his first release on WotNot. As both artist and label have forayed further into dance styles, they have maintained the spirit of soulful eclecticism. The hip hop/beats roots this is based in are apparent on this release in the warm, jazzy Disco Tempo Cliche Intro and Good Bye Song (Spirit Dance). Love Is Gone pairs Astro's signature bumpy house swing with a distinctive synth hook and a subtle use of vocals. Henry Wu delivers a delightful, jazz-tinged synth-funk flip, offering a tantalising glimpse of what's to come from the 22a artist later this year. User's Guide To is the ultimate tutorial in dusty house, with rolling layers of percussion over smooth synth chords, while regular Astro collaborator IMYRMIND injects his signature swagger and playful edge into Gemini.
All-in-all a great record to kick off a year that will see new records from K15, Kab Driver, Alphabets Heaven, and some new faces on WotNot. More
All-in-all a great record to kick off a year that will see new records from K15, Kab Driver, Alphabets Heaven, and some new faces on WotNot. More
Those who know his style will quickly be familiar with Glenn Astro ´s heavily syncopated and fluffy takes on contemporary House Music. With a timeless concinnity his tracks float over the dancefloor like fleecy clouds on a balmy summer morning. Together – the very first track on this EP, sets things clear within the first few bars: Welcome to the wonderful world of Glenn Astro! A funky bassline, a well-hung synth and beats from another world are woven together to a deephouse-monster that grabs you after seconds and binds you to the dancefloor ‘till the end of time.
Back to how it was, with its massive Wobble-Bass, raises the tempo while shuffling its way along the deep paths of string-loaded UK-groove history – straight into a clear blue 2013-acid-heaven. The title track Tearz, same as all tracks on this EP – is barely scratching the 5-minute mark. Tearz takes the listener on a dirty sashay deep south, where the claps are still handmade, the drums crisp and an irresistible hook-line cries for endless repetition. Everlasting afterhour-happiness. Get Up, the final chapter of this stunning EP, gives you a ride back to good old Chicago with its reminiscence to „house as a feeling“. A pleasant time journey to the golden age when underground club culture brought people together in cosmic peace and harmony – casually reappointing the theory: Only heavy shuffle is the right quantization.
More
Back to how it was, with its massive Wobble-Bass, raises the tempo while shuffling its way along the deep paths of string-loaded UK-groove history – straight into a clear blue 2013-acid-heaven. The title track Tearz, same as all tracks on this EP – is barely scratching the 5-minute mark. Tearz takes the listener on a dirty sashay deep south, where the claps are still handmade, the drums crisp and an irresistible hook-line cries for endless repetition. Everlasting afterhour-happiness. Get Up, the final chapter of this stunning EP, gives you a ride back to good old Chicago with its reminiscence to „house as a feeling“. A pleasant time journey to the golden age when underground club culture brought people together in cosmic peace and harmony – casually reappointing the theory: Only heavy shuffle is the right quantization.
More
More records from Tartelet
Max Graef, the trailblazing German producer is back, this time applying his sparkling flair and infectious appeal to the widescreen spectrum of psychedelic, starry-eyed jams of his third album, comfortably nestled into a bean bag in the backroom. Natural Element coincides with the 10th anniversary of his revered debut LP Rivers of the Red Planet, which remains a cherished high watermark for label and artist alike.
Listening link: https://soundcloud.com/tartelet-records/sets/max-graef-natural-element-lp-promo-use-only/s-mCjL1fRN23l
More
Listening link: https://soundcloud.com/tartelet-records/sets/max-graef-natural-element-lp-promo-use-only/s-mCjL1fRN23l
More
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Zopelar - Ritmo Freak Feat. Gabto
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Zopelar - Beat Me
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Zopelar - Gabriellinha's Boogie
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Zopelar - Distraction
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Zopelar - Safe In The Dark
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Zopelar - Moonlight Feat. Manuel Darquart
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Zopelar - Free Your Spirit (Ritmo II)
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Zopelar - Hotel Room
In a flurry of madcap sampling pitched towards the heat of the night, Pedro Zopelar builds on the premise of his 2022 electro- funk love letter Charme, shifting his approach towards a particular
90s flair and a method with a specific end result. Ritmo Freak took root in studio experiments for a momentous — and rare — live set at São Paulo festival Não Existe in 2023, where Zopelar was caught up in one of those right-place, right- time moments we carry with us through life. As he explains himself: “This album is dedicated to freaky club culture. While I was playing at the festival there was a crazy tropical storm outside and the room was packed with the freakiest crowd. I’ve tried hard to immortalize that feeling on this record.” With the intended energy in mind, Zopelar focused on a particular mode of production centred around 12-bit sampling from his ample record collection. Considering his background as a trained pianist, here his musical instincts are forced to work within the limitations of short, snappy cuts from dusty 12”s. The lo-fi sound sources and the resourceful ways Zopelar works them gives the record an unmistakable old-skool flavour which he applies to forthright house, techno and electro funk rhythms, always taking care to draw out the soul of the music.
The stylistic touchstones flow past thick and fast on Ritmo Freak. From the amped up fierceness of the title track with its gaudy, cut n’ paste, vintage techno flavour to the effervescent electro funk of ‘Gabriellinha’s Boogie’ on to the surreal Balearic inversion of ‘Distraction’, this is a high-velocity, endlessly charming record bursting with the musicality Zopelar has made his name on. As the driving force behind many warehouse parties in São Paulo,
Zopelar has been immersed in club culture for a long time, and his distinctive catalogue of jazz, funk, acid and techno has graced highly respected labels like Apron, Selva Discos and Mother Tongue. Throughout, he’s displayed an affinity for the tangled roots of the groove with an open-eared, big-hearted sound. That’s what comes through on Ritmo Freak More
90s flair and a method with a specific end result. Ritmo Freak took root in studio experiments for a momentous — and rare — live set at São Paulo festival Não Existe in 2023, where Zopelar was caught up in one of those right-place, right- time moments we carry with us through life. As he explains himself: “This album is dedicated to freaky club culture. While I was playing at the festival there was a crazy tropical storm outside and the room was packed with the freakiest crowd. I’ve tried hard to immortalize that feeling on this record.” With the intended energy in mind, Zopelar focused on a particular mode of production centred around 12-bit sampling from his ample record collection. Considering his background as a trained pianist, here his musical instincts are forced to work within the limitations of short, snappy cuts from dusty 12”s. The lo-fi sound sources and the resourceful ways Zopelar works them gives the record an unmistakable old-skool flavour which he applies to forthright house, techno and electro funk rhythms, always taking care to draw out the soul of the music.
The stylistic touchstones flow past thick and fast on Ritmo Freak. From the amped up fierceness of the title track with its gaudy, cut n’ paste, vintage techno flavour to the effervescent electro funk of ‘Gabriellinha’s Boogie’ on to the surreal Balearic inversion of ‘Distraction’, this is a high-velocity, endlessly charming record bursting with the musicality Zopelar has made his name on. As the driving force behind many warehouse parties in São Paulo,
Zopelar has been immersed in club culture for a long time, and his distinctive catalogue of jazz, funk, acid and techno has graced highly respected labels like Apron, Selva Discos and Mother Tongue. Throughout, he’s displayed an affinity for the tangled roots of the groove with an open-eared, big-hearted sound. That’s what comes through on Ritmo Freak More
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Space Ghost - A1. Sea Snake Island
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Space Ghost - A2. Temple Dancer
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Space Ghost - A3. Sim City
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Space Ghost - A4. Twilight Swim
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Space Ghost - A5. Lavender Oil
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Space Ghost - A6. Ocean Odyssey
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Space Ghost - A7. Night Dive
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Space Ghost - B1. Emerald Pools
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Space Ghost - B2. Mirage
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Space Ghost - B3. Lavender Flower
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Space Ghost - B4. Strange Sequence
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Space Ghost - B5. Aquarium Nightclub
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Space Ghost - B6. Peace Waves
Repress!
After Space Ghost’s first album Endless Light took to international airwaves and echoed out of cities from London to Los Angeles, his forthcoming release Aquarium Nightclub brings back his signature lo-fi aesthetics with a fresh hit of inspiration from the natural world.
Melding irresistible vintage synths with a meditative groove, Aquarium Nightclub is a journey of sorts. Taking listeners on a tropical tour through 80s house drums, lush synth landscapes, and deep bass melodies, the thirteen-track LP is as adventurous as it is restrained.
Growing up in a small town a few hours from California’s East Bay area, Space Ghost (Sudi Wachspress) moved to Oakland ten years ago to study at the California College of the Arts. In a city known for its vibrant cultural fabric and its experimental music scene, Space Ghost represents a new generation of young artists. His DJ collective Late Feelings, launched in 2013, has allowed him to find his own groove amongst monthly all-vinyl dance parties, where he plucks influences from various corners of the world.
More complex than last year’s release, Aquarium Nightclub shows off Space Ghost’s artistic hunger and unique sonic signature.
Kicking off with “Sea Snake Island,” a track that is best described as late 80s house melancholia is a beautiful dance of shimmering keys, drum machines, and sounds of the jungle. The single “Sim City” ft. Morgan is a classic Chicago house beast; dark but uplifting with heavy bass undertones, fuzzy drum pulse, and plenty of mysterious synth melodies. Other tracks like “Ocean Odyssey,” “Night Dive” and “Aquarium Nightclub” plunge into an ambient world of slow 80s funk, though always rooted in the Bay Area sound.
A product of record-collecting and dance party hosting, Aquarium Nightclub is a glittering postcard from Atlantis. Profound yet undeniably groovy, its mesmerizing tropical undertones promise a safe journey back to the endless days of summer. More
After Space Ghost’s first album Endless Light took to international airwaves and echoed out of cities from London to Los Angeles, his forthcoming release Aquarium Nightclub brings back his signature lo-fi aesthetics with a fresh hit of inspiration from the natural world.
Melding irresistible vintage synths with a meditative groove, Aquarium Nightclub is a journey of sorts. Taking listeners on a tropical tour through 80s house drums, lush synth landscapes, and deep bass melodies, the thirteen-track LP is as adventurous as it is restrained.
Growing up in a small town a few hours from California’s East Bay area, Space Ghost (Sudi Wachspress) moved to Oakland ten years ago to study at the California College of the Arts. In a city known for its vibrant cultural fabric and its experimental music scene, Space Ghost represents a new generation of young artists. His DJ collective Late Feelings, launched in 2013, has allowed him to find his own groove amongst monthly all-vinyl dance parties, where he plucks influences from various corners of the world.
More complex than last year’s release, Aquarium Nightclub shows off Space Ghost’s artistic hunger and unique sonic signature.
Kicking off with “Sea Snake Island,” a track that is best described as late 80s house melancholia is a beautiful dance of shimmering keys, drum machines, and sounds of the jungle. The single “Sim City” ft. Morgan is a classic Chicago house beast; dark but uplifting with heavy bass undertones, fuzzy drum pulse, and plenty of mysterious synth melodies. Other tracks like “Ocean Odyssey,” “Night Dive” and “Aquarium Nightclub” plunge into an ambient world of slow 80s funk, though always rooted in the Bay Area sound.
A product of record-collecting and dance party hosting, Aquarium Nightclub is a glittering postcard from Atlantis. Profound yet undeniably groovy, its mesmerizing tropical undertones promise a safe journey back to the endless days of summer. More
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Lord Of The Magi - Departure
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Lord Of The Magi - Él Es Deé
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Lord Of The Magi - Neptune Horizon
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Lord Of The Magi - Andaman Blue
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Lord Of The Magi - Morphology
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Lord Of The Magi - Fog Surfin'
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Lord Of The Magi - Soul Exchange
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Lord Of The Magi - Approaching The End
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Lord Of The Magi - The Stand Still
very limited supplies.
In striking daubs of bled-out colour and finely sculpted layers of instrumentation, Lord of the Magi arrives on Tartelet Archives with an album of ambient reflections.
Copenhagen-based Theo Nicola Anker has different sides to his musical output. But on Soul Exchange, he shakes off stylistic concerns to focus on a purer emotional expression. It’s an instinctive paean to the pastoral life he grew up with, sent with love from his city-centre apartment. His chosen tools – guitars, pedals, synths – are the medium of the message. “I appreciate music with personality, character, and charisma,” Anker says, “so I always strive to create tracks that tell a story and evoke a specific atmosphere. No single idea for a track is solely melodic, rhythmic, compositional, or focused on mix techniques. It's always about the bigger picture, the overall vibe.”
On Soul Exchange, the overarching mood is an inviting, becalming one, but there’s plenty of space for melancholy and even a little friction. That’s apparent in the natural synergy of the organic and electronic elements as much as the emotional content, rounding out as a wholesome, holistic listening experience. More
In striking daubs of bled-out colour and finely sculpted layers of instrumentation, Lord of the Magi arrives on Tartelet Archives with an album of ambient reflections.
Copenhagen-based Theo Nicola Anker has different sides to his musical output. But on Soul Exchange, he shakes off stylistic concerns to focus on a purer emotional expression. It’s an instinctive paean to the pastoral life he grew up with, sent with love from his city-centre apartment. His chosen tools – guitars, pedals, synths – are the medium of the message. “I appreciate music with personality, character, and charisma,” Anker says, “so I always strive to create tracks that tell a story and evoke a specific atmosphere. No single idea for a track is solely melodic, rhythmic, compositional, or focused on mix techniques. It's always about the bigger picture, the overall vibe.”
On Soul Exchange, the overarching mood is an inviting, becalming one, but there’s plenty of space for melancholy and even a little friction. That’s apparent in the natural synergy of the organic and electronic elements as much as the emotional content, rounding out as a wholesome, holistic listening experience. More
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Doc Sleep - Fall Into Flowers (Intro)
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Doc Sleep - Tomorrow Is Beautiful! (Ft. Glenn Astro)
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Doc Sleep - Flooding Meadow
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Doc Sleep - C&L At The Sea
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Doc Sleep - Orange Grove Nap
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Doc Sleep - Wiped Memory
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Doc Sleep - Fog Vs Moon (Ft. M Marie)
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Doc Sleep - Strange Sun
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Doc Sleep - Secret Spells
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Doc Sleep - Under High Branches
Tartelet Records is thrilled to present the debut album from Doc Sleep – 10 tracks of exquisitely rendered melodies and rhythms shaped with grit and beauty in equal measure. Birds (in my mind anyway) is a widescreen vision of electronica as a medium to express your personal situation and respond to your environment – a rave adjacent art form free from the perceived rules of the dancefloor. To date, Melissa Maristuen known as Doc Sleep has established herself in the context of the club – first engaging with the culture in San Francisco before moving to Berlin. She helps run the Room 4 Resistance party, DJs on Refuge Worldwide, co- owns the Jacktone label and has released on Detour, Dark Entries and her own label. But in making Birds (in my mind anyway) she set herself an ultimatum.
“At the time of recording this album, my life, all my routines and priorities had to change – music was no exception. I decided if I couldn't be happy making an album free of the dancefloor, I was finally going to be done with music. Instead, I found a musical voice free of tempo and textural restriction. Eventually, I had a sound, and once I had the sound, the album came pretty quickly. It was a very different process writing music for no one...except myself.”
If the impression given is one of a consistent style across the album, think again. Doc Sleep moves freely between tempos and themes, even if there are some recurring qualities binding the music together. She weaves fluttering arps with poise, lending them an almost choral quality which gives the album a very human touch. But they’re equally emotionally ambiguous or pockmarked with sonic interference – reflections of the collisions and conflicts
that typify the human experience.
Every inch of the album is a personal touch – the title was pulled from Doc Sleep’s mother’s response to hearing the album, while her friend Kiernan Laveaux offered a beautiful text which appears on the back. Those closest to her all fed into the artwork process, which captures the curious dichotomy between urban brutalism and botanical finery often found in the parks of Berlin – a vital place of respite when she was making the album. More
“At the time of recording this album, my life, all my routines and priorities had to change – music was no exception. I decided if I couldn't be happy making an album free of the dancefloor, I was finally going to be done with music. Instead, I found a musical voice free of tempo and textural restriction. Eventually, I had a sound, and once I had the sound, the album came pretty quickly. It was a very different process writing music for no one...except myself.”
If the impression given is one of a consistent style across the album, think again. Doc Sleep moves freely between tempos and themes, even if there are some recurring qualities binding the music together. She weaves fluttering arps with poise, lending them an almost choral quality which gives the album a very human touch. But they’re equally emotionally ambiguous or pockmarked with sonic interference – reflections of the collisions and conflicts
that typify the human experience.
Every inch of the album is a personal touch – the title was pulled from Doc Sleep’s mother’s response to hearing the album, while her friend Kiernan Laveaux offered a beautiful text which appears on the back. Those closest to her all fed into the artwork process, which captures the curious dichotomy between urban brutalism and botanical finery often found in the parks of Berlin – a vital place of respite when she was making the album. More
1
Space Ghost - Emotional Healer
2
Space Ghost - Be Yourself
3
Space Ghost - Deep (Vibes Mix)
4
Space Ghost - UFO
5
Space Ghost - Afterglow
6
Space Ghost - Back To The Source
7
Space Ghost - Emotional Healer (Back Room Mix)
8
Space Ghost - Soul Shower
9
Space Ghost - Dream Weaver
10
Space Ghost - Be Yourself (Motivational Mix)
Repress! Black Vinyl!
Sudi Wachspress returns to Tartelet Records with Dance Planet, a third LP of emotionally-charged house music to welcome us back to the dancefloor. The spirit of true house runs deep in the sound of Space Ghost. Oakland native Sudi Wachspress is intuitively plugged into the romantic, mystical energy of 4/4 club music as a unifying force of empowerment and liberation, carrying the torch from vital forebears like Larry Heard, Alton Miller, and Blaze.
His new album, Dance Planet, carries a greater responsibility to spread spiritual affirmations. As the global dancefloor community emerges from a mentally-taxing recess and confronts their social self like it’s the first day of school, Space Ghost’s message couldn’t be more supportive.
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself, don’t be afraid to let go,” he intones on “Be Yourself.” More than just a beat and a hook, his music is pointedly created to heal and energize. “I’m a big fan of old-school house vocals that have a positive message,” says Space Ghost, “tracks that can perhaps enhance your mood or strengthen your confidence in yourself.”
Wachspress has always represented a beacon of musical uplift, both on his previous Endless Light and Aquarium Nightclub LPs for Tartelet and on his swathes of self-released music and last year’s Free 2 B on Apron. Compared to most house-oriented artists, he places emphasis on the long-player format to create an encircling experience for the listener, smoothing out psychic wrinkles and massaging areas of tension for a fully holistic hit. More
Sudi Wachspress returns to Tartelet Records with Dance Planet, a third LP of emotionally-charged house music to welcome us back to the dancefloor. The spirit of true house runs deep in the sound of Space Ghost. Oakland native Sudi Wachspress is intuitively plugged into the romantic, mystical energy of 4/4 club music as a unifying force of empowerment and liberation, carrying the torch from vital forebears like Larry Heard, Alton Miller, and Blaze.
His new album, Dance Planet, carries a greater responsibility to spread spiritual affirmations. As the global dancefloor community emerges from a mentally-taxing recess and confronts their social self like it’s the first day of school, Space Ghost’s message couldn’t be more supportive.
“Don’t be afraid to be yourself, don’t be afraid to let go,” he intones on “Be Yourself.” More than just a beat and a hook, his music is pointedly created to heal and energize. “I’m a big fan of old-school house vocals that have a positive message,” says Space Ghost, “tracks that can perhaps enhance your mood or strengthen your confidence in yourself.”
Wachspress has always represented a beacon of musical uplift, both on his previous Endless Light and Aquarium Nightclub LPs for Tartelet and on his swathes of self-released music and last year’s Free 2 B on Apron. Compared to most house-oriented artists, he places emphasis on the long-player format to create an encircling experience for the listener, smoothing out psychic wrinkles and massaging areas of tension for a fully holistic hit. More
1
Modula - Main Titles
2
Modula - The Night Out
3
Modula - Reaching The Campsite
4
Modula - The Research Team
5
Modula - Diamond Beach
6
Modula - Transport On Icebreaker
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Modula - Paranormal Phenomena
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Modula - The Chemistry Lab
9
Modula - End Titles
Repress!
Tapping into the seductive unease of the unexplained, Modula lands on Tartelet Archives with Paranormal Phenomena – The Icelandic Expedition, a nine-track album that evokes alien synth- electro and New Age soundscapes.
During a trip to Iceland in February 2020, Naples native Filippo Colonna Romano (Modula) experienced the raw power of the island’s otherworldly natural forces. Inspired by his field recordings and a rekindled interest in sci-fi, Paranormal Phenomena – The Icelandic Expedition was born. Steeped in haunting LA synthesis and cinematic tension, the album is an imagined soundtrack to a supernatural thriller, cast in the icy tones of the Roland JD-800.
“When I went to Iceland I was so excited about the ambience and sounds,” says Modula. “I felt everything was stronger than normal; the wind was brutal, the waves fast and noisy. I came to the conclusion that what I had captured all sounded strangely eerie and otherworldly. I decided to compose music that had the same vibe as the field recordings – cold and strange, mysterious and alien.”
The album includes nine tracks each representing a scene in the “movie” ranging from alien synth-electro to New Age ambient moods and soundscapes, inviting the listener on a journey through cold landscapes and into dark caves where unknown creatures lurk in the shadows. Paranormal Phenomena leads logically on from Modula’s previous work for Bordello A Parigi and Firecracker, not to mention his Alba – Tempesta – Notturno EP on Tartelet Records which drew on field recordings from the jungles of South America. Merging extreme environments with a rich palette of classic outboard gear, Modula’s music transports listeners through space and time. Given the heavy motion-picture theme present in Paranormal Phenomena – The Icelandic Expedition, the album is a fitting release to inaugurate Tartelet Archives, a new sub-label to Tartelet Records focusing on electronic obscurities and sounds from the past. More
Tapping into the seductive unease of the unexplained, Modula lands on Tartelet Archives with Paranormal Phenomena – The Icelandic Expedition, a nine-track album that evokes alien synth- electro and New Age soundscapes.
During a trip to Iceland in February 2020, Naples native Filippo Colonna Romano (Modula) experienced the raw power of the island’s otherworldly natural forces. Inspired by his field recordings and a rekindled interest in sci-fi, Paranormal Phenomena – The Icelandic Expedition was born. Steeped in haunting LA synthesis and cinematic tension, the album is an imagined soundtrack to a supernatural thriller, cast in the icy tones of the Roland JD-800.
“When I went to Iceland I was so excited about the ambience and sounds,” says Modula. “I felt everything was stronger than normal; the wind was brutal, the waves fast and noisy. I came to the conclusion that what I had captured all sounded strangely eerie and otherworldly. I decided to compose music that had the same vibe as the field recordings – cold and strange, mysterious and alien.”
The album includes nine tracks each representing a scene in the “movie” ranging from alien synth-electro to New Age ambient moods and soundscapes, inviting the listener on a journey through cold landscapes and into dark caves where unknown creatures lurk in the shadows. Paranormal Phenomena leads logically on from Modula’s previous work for Bordello A Parigi and Firecracker, not to mention his Alba – Tempesta – Notturno EP on Tartelet Records which drew on field recordings from the jungles of South America. Merging extreme environments with a rich palette of classic outboard gear, Modula’s music transports listeners through space and time. Given the heavy motion-picture theme present in Paranormal Phenomena – The Icelandic Expedition, the album is a fitting release to inaugurate Tartelet Archives, a new sub-label to Tartelet Records focusing on electronic obscurities and sounds from the past. More
Tartelet releases Jitwam’s 2019 success album on gold vinyl. HONEYCOMB hits the sweet spot between Jitwam’s work in dance music and efforts as a bandleader, connecting people in-studio and on-stage.
Tracklist:
1.1Busstop
1.2Temptaions
1.3Diamonds
1.4Hearts Don't Lie
1.5I'm A Rock
1.6B I T C H
1.7Universes
1.8Trustt
1.9Opendoors
1.10Country & Western
1.11Aria's Song More
Tracklist:
1.1Busstop
1.2Temptaions
1.3Diamonds
1.4Hearts Don't Lie
1.5I'm A Rock
1.6B I T C H
1.7Universes
1.8Trustt
1.9Opendoors
1.10Country & Western
1.11Aria's Song More
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Zopelar - Clara
2
Zopelar - Shibuya
3
Zopelar - Festa
4
Zopelar - Chain Net (Feat. Osagie)
5
Zopelar - Virgo
6
Zopelar - Charme
7
Zopelar - Passado
8
Zopelar - Born Again
9
Zopelar - Do You Feel?
10
Zopelar - Despedida
Zopelar arrives on Tartelet with Charme - an album of effervescent machine funk harking back to a golden era of Brazilian party music, releasing October 21st.
The era of interest for Sao Paulo’s Pedro Zopelar begins in the 1980s in Rio de Janeiro, when a particular phenomenon caught on at suburban parties which became known as Charme. “Charme was like a mix of slow boogie, RnB and new jack swing,” explains Zopelar. “DJ Corello started calling ‘charme’ the moment
of the party when he played slow grooves and felt that the people started dancing differently, with sexier synchronized moves. Some years later, charme evolved from an awaited moment of a night to a whole movement of parties just playing that kind of music. On this record I tried to make something that brings this emotional feeling to my music in a modern way.”
Much like the original genre-not-genre he drew inspiration from, Zopelar’s approach across his latest LP spans different moods and tempos. There’s blissful, sultry mystery lingering around ‘Clara’ and ‘Do You Feel?’ while OSAGIE lends some chops to the exquisite, Rompler-powered synth funk of ‘Chain Net’. The lead singles ‘Shibuya’, ‘Charme’ and ‘Passado’ all tap into varying shades of deep house, from slinky City Pop-tinted loungers to peak-time dance pop and Larry Heard-influenced flavours, with the constant being Zopelar’s immaculate production and the unbridled warmth of his compositions.
Continuing the Latin-rooted theme of the album, the artworkconception of Charme was realized by multidisciplinary artist and curator Ode, showcasing a popular style of street paintings made by anonymous artists throughout Latin America. It’s not about graffiti-culture but a popular solution utilized by small restaurants, bars and other establishments to use their own walls for commercial purposes, hiring artists to paint food and drink menus or other information about their products.
With an emotional sincerity stemming from his move to reconnect with the Brazilian dimension of his creative background, Charme arrives as Zopelar’s heartfelt celebration of life and music, of sentimental moments shared and good times enjoyed. More
The era of interest for Sao Paulo’s Pedro Zopelar begins in the 1980s in Rio de Janeiro, when a particular phenomenon caught on at suburban parties which became known as Charme. “Charme was like a mix of slow boogie, RnB and new jack swing,” explains Zopelar. “DJ Corello started calling ‘charme’ the moment
of the party when he played slow grooves and felt that the people started dancing differently, with sexier synchronized moves. Some years later, charme evolved from an awaited moment of a night to a whole movement of parties just playing that kind of music. On this record I tried to make something that brings this emotional feeling to my music in a modern way.”
Much like the original genre-not-genre he drew inspiration from, Zopelar’s approach across his latest LP spans different moods and tempos. There’s blissful, sultry mystery lingering around ‘Clara’ and ‘Do You Feel?’ while OSAGIE lends some chops to the exquisite, Rompler-powered synth funk of ‘Chain Net’. The lead singles ‘Shibuya’, ‘Charme’ and ‘Passado’ all tap into varying shades of deep house, from slinky City Pop-tinted loungers to peak-time dance pop and Larry Heard-influenced flavours, with the constant being Zopelar’s immaculate production and the unbridled warmth of his compositions.
Continuing the Latin-rooted theme of the album, the artworkconception of Charme was realized by multidisciplinary artist and curator Ode, showcasing a popular style of street paintings made by anonymous artists throughout Latin America. It’s not about graffiti-culture but a popular solution utilized by small restaurants, bars and other establishments to use their own walls for commercial purposes, hiring artists to paint food and drink menus or other information about their products.
With an emotional sincerity stemming from his move to reconnect with the Brazilian dimension of his creative background, Charme arrives as Zopelar’s heartfelt celebration of life and music, of sentimental moments shared and good times enjoyed. More
1
Space Ghost - Deep (Drik 81 Remix)
2
Space Ghost - Be Yourself (Central Remix)
3
Space Ghost - Be Yourself (Jarren Remix)
4
Space Ghost - Emotional Healer (Space Ghost's Dance Mix)
5
Space Ghost - Emotional Healer (Nelson Of The East Forever Dub)
Black Vinyl!Return to Space Ghost’s celebrated Dance Planet LP with six summer-ready remixes by Central, Dirk 81,
Jarren, Nelson of the East and Space Ghost himself, releasing June 10.
The Oakland-native’s romantic and empowering house sound has enjoyed a growing audience made
up of fans and tastemakers alike. The remix package comes courtesy of friends and label affiliates, each
lending their touch to Space Ghost’s work.
Capitalizing on the inherent warmth in the Bay Area- artist’s sound, Tartelet label head Dirk 81 subtly threads a slow, rolling breakbeat into ‘Deep’, channeling 90s RnB and Balearic. Danish underground powerhouse and Help/Regelbau label affiliate Central injects some up-tempo garage house energy into ‘Be Yourself’ – without losing the swirling romanticism of the original. And LA-based producer Jarren, neighbor to Space Ghost on UK label Apron, leans in to the punchy Lately Bass and turns up the swing on his own version of the track.
Space Ghost comes back to ‘Emotional Healer’ and creates a pointedly club-tooled ‘Dance Mix’ version
with a panoply of 90s touchstones delivered in the classiest of ways. To finish, Nelson Of The East’s ‘Forever Dub’ of the track adds a sharp and snappy strain of modern steppas.
Releasing June 10, the vinyl comes in two versions; black standard and a limited edition marbled pink/black. More
Jarren, Nelson of the East and Space Ghost himself, releasing June 10.
The Oakland-native’s romantic and empowering house sound has enjoyed a growing audience made
up of fans and tastemakers alike. The remix package comes courtesy of friends and label affiliates, each
lending their touch to Space Ghost’s work.
Capitalizing on the inherent warmth in the Bay Area- artist’s sound, Tartelet label head Dirk 81 subtly threads a slow, rolling breakbeat into ‘Deep’, channeling 90s RnB and Balearic. Danish underground powerhouse and Help/Regelbau label affiliate Central injects some up-tempo garage house energy into ‘Be Yourself’ – without losing the swirling romanticism of the original. And LA-based producer Jarren, neighbor to Space Ghost on UK label Apron, leans in to the punchy Lately Bass and turns up the swing on his own version of the track.
Space Ghost comes back to ‘Emotional Healer’ and creates a pointedly club-tooled ‘Dance Mix’ version
with a panoply of 90s touchstones delivered in the classiest of ways. To finish, Nelson Of The East’s ‘Forever Dub’ of the track adds a sharp and snappy strain of modern steppas.
Releasing June 10, the vinyl comes in two versions; black standard and a limited edition marbled pink/black. More
1
Space Ghost - Deep (Dirk 81 Remix)
2
Space Ghost - Be Yourself (Central Mix)
3
Space Ghost - Be Yourself (Jarren Remix)
4
Space Ghost - Emotional Healer (Space Ghost's Dance Mix)
5
Space Ghost - Emotional Healer (Nelson Of The East Forever Dub)
Pink Marbled Vinyl!
!Return to Space Ghost’s celebrated Dance Planet LP with six summer-ready remixes by Central, Dirk 81,
Jarren, Nelson of the East and Space Ghost himself, releasing June 10.
The Oakland-native’s romantic and empowering house sound has enjoyed a growing audience made
up of fans and tastemakers alike. The remix package comes courtesy of friends and label affiliates, each
lending their touch to Space Ghost’s work.
Capitalizing on the inherent warmth in the Bay Area- artist’s sound, Tartelet label head Dirk 81 subtly threads a slow, rolling breakbeat into ‘Deep’, channeling 90s RnB and Balearic. Danish underground powerhouse and Help/Regelbau label affiliate Central injects some up-tempo garage house energy into ‘Be Yourself’ – without losing the swirling romanticism of the original. And LA-based producer Jarren, neighbor to Space Ghost on UK label Apron, leans in to the punchy Lately Bass and turns up the swing on his own version of the track.
Space Ghost comes back to ‘Emotional Healer’ and creates a pointedly club-tooled ‘Dance Mix’ version
with a panoply of 90s touchstones delivered in the classiest of ways. To finish, Nelson Of The East’s ‘Forever Dub’ of the track adds a sharp and snappy strain of modern steppas.
Releasing June 10, the vinyl comes in two versions; black standard and a limited edition marbled pink/black. More
!Return to Space Ghost’s celebrated Dance Planet LP with six summer-ready remixes by Central, Dirk 81,
Jarren, Nelson of the East and Space Ghost himself, releasing June 10.
The Oakland-native’s romantic and empowering house sound has enjoyed a growing audience made
up of fans and tastemakers alike. The remix package comes courtesy of friends and label affiliates, each
lending their touch to Space Ghost’s work.
Capitalizing on the inherent warmth in the Bay Area- artist’s sound, Tartelet label head Dirk 81 subtly threads a slow, rolling breakbeat into ‘Deep’, channeling 90s RnB and Balearic. Danish underground powerhouse and Help/Regelbau label affiliate Central injects some up-tempo garage house energy into ‘Be Yourself’ – without losing the swirling romanticism of the original. And LA-based producer Jarren, neighbor to Space Ghost on UK label Apron, leans in to the punchy Lately Bass and turns up the swing on his own version of the track.
Space Ghost comes back to ‘Emotional Healer’ and creates a pointedly club-tooled ‘Dance Mix’ version
with a panoply of 90s touchstones delivered in the classiest of ways. To finish, Nelson Of The East’s ‘Forever Dub’ of the track adds a sharp and snappy strain of modern steppas.
Releasing June 10, the vinyl comes in two versions; black standard and a limited edition marbled pink/black. More
1
ABUNAI - Sixteen Hours
2
ABUNAI - Deep Sea Baby (Feat. Kissingpractice)
3
ABUNAI - Mph Outro
4
ABUNAI - Always Enough
5
ABUNAI - Pure Heart
6
ABUNAI - Pure Heart Coda
7
ABUNAI - Falling Forwards (Feat. Glenn Astro)
8
ABUNAI - Wingspan
9
ABUNAI - Photon
10
ABUNAI - After Me (Feat. Raquel Marie)
11
ABUNAI - Soft Focus
Tartelet are proud to introduce the blissful, psychedelic electronic soul sound of ABUNAI on his sophomore album Chrysalis out May
20th. Across 11 songs the Oakland, CA-based multi- instrumentalist lays down a dreamlike style which should chimewith fans of Tame Impala, Khruangbin and James Blake alike. As well as the sun-soaked surrounding of his Californian home, ABUNAI’s family connection to Hawaii casts its influence over an album which has all the makings of a crossover success. Look no further than early support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Don Letts, and Wayne Snow for further proof this album is set to blow up.
“My sound is definitely influenced by the live music I grew up with in the Bay Area,” says ABUNAI. “There's plenty of musical legacy here, including the '60s psychedelic and counterculture movements, the '90s rave scene, and the hyphy movement. "I'm always trying to connect the dots and blend all of my influences.
Chrysalis was, like so many recent albums, a project made largely in isolation during the pandemic, although ABUNAI did reach out to close collaborators Gravity and Raquel Marie to contribute some guest vocals, Kevin Farzad from Sure Sure for the acoustic drum parts and a few additional production touches from Tartelet regulars Glenn Astro and Max Graef. He bills the songs as an exercise in therapeutic self-care through lockdown as much as a balm for others. “It's music for healing,” ABUNAI explains, “for the listener to be able to marinate in the slow tempos, the dreamy textures, the swirling vocals, and the lush synthesizers. It’s very much about growth, re-emergence, and dreaming of a better future.”
As well as dealing in ear-catching pop melodies and sweet vocals, there’s an underlying theme of the ocean, which stems from his coastal surroundings and his family roots in the Pacific. “I think the album is aquatic,” he reflects, “and it feels like a voyage to me, or like a long shower, being reborn in the water. I played the album for my grandpa, who's a veteran sailor and pilot from Hawaii, and he said it was the perfect music to play when you're sailing on the open ocean at sunset.” Cast in nostalgic, soft-focus tones and endlessly soothing for the soul, Chrysalis is your new favourite record for tender moments, hazy days and starry-eyed reveries alike. More
20th. Across 11 songs the Oakland, CA-based multi- instrumentalist lays down a dreamlike style which should chimewith fans of Tame Impala, Khruangbin and James Blake alike. As well as the sun-soaked surrounding of his Californian home, ABUNAI’s family connection to Hawaii casts its influence over an album which has all the makings of a crossover success. Look no further than early support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Don Letts, and Wayne Snow for further proof this album is set to blow up.
“My sound is definitely influenced by the live music I grew up with in the Bay Area,” says ABUNAI. “There's plenty of musical legacy here, including the '60s psychedelic and counterculture movements, the '90s rave scene, and the hyphy movement. "I'm always trying to connect the dots and blend all of my influences.
Chrysalis was, like so many recent albums, a project made largely in isolation during the pandemic, although ABUNAI did reach out to close collaborators Gravity and Raquel Marie to contribute some guest vocals, Kevin Farzad from Sure Sure for the acoustic drum parts and a few additional production touches from Tartelet regulars Glenn Astro and Max Graef. He bills the songs as an exercise in therapeutic self-care through lockdown as much as a balm for others. “It's music for healing,” ABUNAI explains, “for the listener to be able to marinate in the slow tempos, the dreamy textures, the swirling vocals, and the lush synthesizers. It’s very much about growth, re-emergence, and dreaming of a better future.”
As well as dealing in ear-catching pop melodies and sweet vocals, there’s an underlying theme of the ocean, which stems from his coastal surroundings and his family roots in the Pacific. “I think the album is aquatic,” he reflects, “and it feels like a voyage to me, or like a long shower, being reborn in the water. I played the album for my grandpa, who's a veteran sailor and pilot from Hawaii, and he said it was the perfect music to play when you're sailing on the open ocean at sunset.” Cast in nostalgic, soft-focus tones and endlessly soothing for the soul, Chrysalis is your new favourite record for tender moments, hazy days and starry-eyed reveries alike. More
1
Glenn Astro - Penduloop
2
Glenn Astro - Purple
3
Glenn Astro - Out Of Office
4
Glenn Astro - Flux
Glenn Astro returns to Tartelet Records with Purple, a four-tracker of minimal slow burners and futuristic dance music, marking the label’s 50th 12-inch release.
Since releasing his second album Homespun in late 2020, Glenn Astro has been quietly channeling his funky instincts towards new production approaches. Purple, a four-piece compilation of mutant future-boogie daubed in Rogers-Nelson hues, comes through with emotional heft. It also marks the 50th 12" release for Tartelet Records.
“Following up on Homespun, I wanted to try out some more dancefloor- oriented tracks again,” says Glenn Astro. “Keeping it simple and practical, while not being too predictable. I incorporated a lot of modular synth bits and experiments, with ‘Flux’ being an almost exclusively modular-based jam.”
Incorporating tricky sound design and fluid structures, Astro’s new lines of enquiry never come at the expense of the groove. From the opening thump of ‘Penduloop’ onwards it’s apparent that his rugged rhythmic kinks are present and correct to hook in the dancers, while the melodic drops later in the track edge in a little melancholic flavour to take the mind somewhere else entirely. On this opening track, the artist explores new territory with his version of early naughties minimal house – a welcome
slow burner.
The EP title track ‘Purple’ slaps with purpose, not least in the Linn-esque drums and melodic bassline, but it’s a positively dreamy piece which skips on crooked beat formations and floats upwards via a multi-timbral tapestry of yearning synth shapes and robotic vocals. On ‘Out Of Office’ Glenn Astro provides a generous dose of electro nostalgia when he amps up the heavy-hearted feeling with aching string pads and electro-informed machine logic. The track becomes alive with its deep un-synced rhythms and dark bass notes, pushing further into the abyss. ‘Flux’, with its tooly
feel, takes the electronic mantra further and sheds light on the source of much of Astro’s new sound palette.
Crucially, even in its techiest moments, an irrepressible humanity shines through across Purple. Glenn Astro’s soul is the binding agent which links his early, sample-heavy house to his more explorative new angles, and it comes through in abundance on this fully-formed release. More
Since releasing his second album Homespun in late 2020, Glenn Astro has been quietly channeling his funky instincts towards new production approaches. Purple, a four-piece compilation of mutant future-boogie daubed in Rogers-Nelson hues, comes through with emotional heft. It also marks the 50th 12" release for Tartelet Records.
“Following up on Homespun, I wanted to try out some more dancefloor- oriented tracks again,” says Glenn Astro. “Keeping it simple and practical, while not being too predictable. I incorporated a lot of modular synth bits and experiments, with ‘Flux’ being an almost exclusively modular-based jam.”
Incorporating tricky sound design and fluid structures, Astro’s new lines of enquiry never come at the expense of the groove. From the opening thump of ‘Penduloop’ onwards it’s apparent that his rugged rhythmic kinks are present and correct to hook in the dancers, while the melodic drops later in the track edge in a little melancholic flavour to take the mind somewhere else entirely. On this opening track, the artist explores new territory with his version of early naughties minimal house – a welcome
slow burner.
The EP title track ‘Purple’ slaps with purpose, not least in the Linn-esque drums and melodic bassline, but it’s a positively dreamy piece which skips on crooked beat formations and floats upwards via a multi-timbral tapestry of yearning synth shapes and robotic vocals. On ‘Out Of Office’ Glenn Astro provides a generous dose of electro nostalgia when he amps up the heavy-hearted feeling with aching string pads and electro-informed machine logic. The track becomes alive with its deep un-synced rhythms and dark bass notes, pushing further into the abyss. ‘Flux’, with its tooly
feel, takes the electronic mantra further and sheds light on the source of much of Astro’s new sound palette.
Crucially, even in its techiest moments, an irrepressible humanity shines through across Purple. Glenn Astro’s soul is the binding agent which links his early, sample-heavy house to his more explorative new angles, and it comes through in abundance on this fully-formed release. More
1
Space Ghost - Time To Dance (Original)
2
Space Ghost - New World Energy (Original)
3
Space Ghost - Mood Research
4
Space Ghost - Time To Dance (Together Mix)
5
Space Ghost - New World Energy (Sunset Mix)
6
Space Ghost - Forest Dub
Repress!
Space Ghost returns with hedonistic house anthems for your living room dance floor on his latest EP, Time To Dance.
After a string of successful albums on Apron and Tartelet Records, the Oakland native Sudi Wachspress (Space Ghost) returns with a selection of golden-era house anthems conveying the message of unity through dance –a much-needed reminder of better days.
The 28 year-old producer and DJ has been gaining momentum over the last few years. His growing catalogue of ambient-leaning house with lush musical textures is a testament to carry on the legacy of famed US house producers, who have set the tone and pioneered electronic dance music since the 1980s.
On his new EP, Time To Dance, Space Ghost gets on the mic and takes us back to the early days of house music, effortlessly mixing the deep bass rhythms of Chicago with the Nu Groove-era of the East Coast.
“This release was mostly inspired by some early East Coast house. I started the idea before Covid-19 really took over the world. I wanted to make something explicitly for the dance floor, kind of like my own dance floor anthem.”
The EP’s main cuts “Time To Dance” and “New World Energy” both come in two versions – a main version and an alternative mix for maximum dance floor pleasure. As the artist’s vocals echo on the track: It’s time to come together and work for a better future for all.
“Now with everything going on with the coronavirus and all the protests in the US and across the world, I think my goals have shifted. Even though the world is on pause and people can’t spin these tracks at a club, I still think the message of Time To Dance is: We can work together and music can help us through it.” More
Space Ghost returns with hedonistic house anthems for your living room dance floor on his latest EP, Time To Dance.
After a string of successful albums on Apron and Tartelet Records, the Oakland native Sudi Wachspress (Space Ghost) returns with a selection of golden-era house anthems conveying the message of unity through dance –a much-needed reminder of better days.
The 28 year-old producer and DJ has been gaining momentum over the last few years. His growing catalogue of ambient-leaning house with lush musical textures is a testament to carry on the legacy of famed US house producers, who have set the tone and pioneered electronic dance music since the 1980s.
On his new EP, Time To Dance, Space Ghost gets on the mic and takes us back to the early days of house music, effortlessly mixing the deep bass rhythms of Chicago with the Nu Groove-era of the East Coast.
“This release was mostly inspired by some early East Coast house. I started the idea before Covid-19 really took over the world. I wanted to make something explicitly for the dance floor, kind of like my own dance floor anthem.”
The EP’s main cuts “Time To Dance” and “New World Energy” both come in two versions – a main version and an alternative mix for maximum dance floor pleasure. As the artist’s vocals echo on the track: It’s time to come together and work for a better future for all.
“Now with everything going on with the coronavirus and all the protests in the US and across the world, I think my goals have shifted. Even though the world is on pause and people can’t spin these tracks at a club, I still think the message of Time To Dance is: We can work together and music can help us through it.” More
1
Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
3
Glenn Astro - No Title
4
Glenn Astro - No Title
5
Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
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Glenn Astro - No Title
Five years after his critically acclaimed debut album Throwback, Glenn Astro returns with his deeply personal album Homespun.
Marking a change in course from his first release on Tartelet Records, Glenn Astro is set to showcase his sophomore album Homespun, a testament to a visionary artist who has come into his own. Made up of ten tracks spanning 45 minutes, the record twists and turns between electronic meditations, soulful vocals by Ajnascnet, and futuristic electro, carving out a world of spacey eclecticism that is as nostalgic as it is experimental.
“This album is in all facets different from the first one, which was a deliberate decision. No vintage sounds and references, no sampling, combined with futuristic sound design and song structures.I tried to keep it as current and intuitive as possible,” he says.
Known for his chunky beats and fuzzy textures, Glenn Astro has released on labels such as Ninja Tune and Apollo, leaving a distinctive signature on everything he touches.
But Glenn Astro has quietly been crafting a new sound for himself. Sometimes taking detours – morphing into his dark alter ego and experimenting with artist collaborations.
The sound of Homespun is a culmination of several years of reflection and artistic development – however, the album itself was produced in less than three months. “I set myself an ultimatum to finish the album within three months. If I didn’t make it, I’d
have to rethink my career path and keep music as a hobby, he says.
On the introspective first single and album title track “Homespun,” Ajnascent’s vocals lend a sincerity to the melancholic production. “It’s about the regret of not taking chances and giving in too much, but also about taking responsibility and being honest with yourself. Homespun is a nod to nostalgia and a desire for simplicity and prudence, being equally the culprit and the cure,” elaborates Ajnascent.
On “The Yancey,” an homage to J Dilla, Glenn Astro paints his vision of contemporary dance music with shimmering melodies, deep ambient soundscapes, and advanced drum programming. “Moreira” and “Look at You” feel like spaced-out electronic funk hybrids, while “Taking Care of Business” goes back to the future with Glenn Astro’s take on jungle. Other tracks such as “Mezzanine,” “Slow Poke Flange,” and “Viktor’s Meditation” provide the finest dubby electronics. More
Marking a change in course from his first release on Tartelet Records, Glenn Astro is set to showcase his sophomore album Homespun, a testament to a visionary artist who has come into his own. Made up of ten tracks spanning 45 minutes, the record twists and turns between electronic meditations, soulful vocals by Ajnascnet, and futuristic electro, carving out a world of spacey eclecticism that is as nostalgic as it is experimental.
“This album is in all facets different from the first one, which was a deliberate decision. No vintage sounds and references, no sampling, combined with futuristic sound design and song structures.I tried to keep it as current and intuitive as possible,” he says.
Known for his chunky beats and fuzzy textures, Glenn Astro has released on labels such as Ninja Tune and Apollo, leaving a distinctive signature on everything he touches.
But Glenn Astro has quietly been crafting a new sound for himself. Sometimes taking detours – morphing into his dark alter ego and experimenting with artist collaborations.
The sound of Homespun is a culmination of several years of reflection and artistic development – however, the album itself was produced in less than three months. “I set myself an ultimatum to finish the album within three months. If I didn’t make it, I’d
have to rethink my career path and keep music as a hobby, he says.
On the introspective first single and album title track “Homespun,” Ajnascent’s vocals lend a sincerity to the melancholic production. “It’s about the regret of not taking chances and giving in too much, but also about taking responsibility and being honest with yourself. Homespun is a nod to nostalgia and a desire for simplicity and prudence, being equally the culprit and the cure,” elaborates Ajnascent.
On “The Yancey,” an homage to J Dilla, Glenn Astro paints his vision of contemporary dance music with shimmering melodies, deep ambient soundscapes, and advanced drum programming. “Moreira” and “Look at You” feel like spaced-out electronic funk hybrids, while “Taking Care of Business” goes back to the future with Glenn Astro’s take on jungle. Other tracks such as “Mezzanine,” “Slow Poke Flange,” and “Viktor’s Meditation” provide the finest dubby electronics. More
1
Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
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Nelson of the East - No Title
Embarking on a journey from Italy to Anatolia and from Africa to the Americas, Nelson of the East soars over imagined landscapes in his debut, motion picture- inspired album, Kybele. Plug in your headphones, drown out the world, and set
out on a mystic voyage of Earth through the lens of Kybele, the Anatolian goddess of wild nature.
With the world in flux and isolation taking its toll, musical escapism has become a much needed pastime for today’s armchair adventurers. Treating recorded sound as a vehicle of time travel, Milanese artist Nelson of the East (N.O.T.E) takes listeners on a journey through kaleidoscopic soundscapes with his debut album Kybele released on Tartelet Records.
Skillfully weaving the sounds of East and West, the nine-track LP fuses Turkish and cosmic influences with a strong electronic backbone into an otherworldly soundtrack of our time.
“The feeling that passes through the record isn’t straight. It changes, it turns, it is never predictable. Never being able to predict which landscape you arrive at next or where the music is taking you is key to enjoying the sound journey,” says Nelson. “
Named Kybele after the Anatolian goddess of nature, fertility, mountains, and wild animals, the record is a continuous saga that takes from the Berlin-based artist’s own adventurous spirit. Following his previous EP releases Night Frames and Phase Alternating Lines, Nelson explores new territories on Kybele.
The album opener, “Explorer,” is an exhilarating build up to what could be a 80s sci-fi movie, showcasing Nelson’s knack for cinematic moods. “Draw Me,” speaks to the artist’s intention of making a “snare album,” with an irregular, dominating beat untethering it from time or boundaries. “What I realize while I was writing the rhythm part is that the more you keep a beat simple the more difficult it becomes to make it interesting. So I just put down some rules to follow. For example, using swing as smoothly as possible, or using lot of syncopated sequence over the straight 2-4 groove,” says Nicolas.
Another thing Nelson achieves in this album is ambience, or the “motion picture touch” as he calls it. Tracks like the wild and obscure Culto, with its Anatolian nuances and middle eastern-sounding scales are made by layering synths to achieve an orchestral effect.
Other tracks capture the musician’s penchant for African and Brazilian grooves, like the Saudade mix of Burning Palm. On the B side, the Italo-flavored Phase Lines comes through with shimmering synth and electronic drums complete with hazy vocals delivered by DJ Rayne and Nelson himself. Yahuda dives into dark, melancholic electro with a Detroit feel not far from the sounds of the great Drexciya.
The album closes with ZETA, a track that could easily double as an obscure cinematic composition. The nine-track LP is strictly limited to 300 copies, pressed on 180g vinyl with artwork by The Emperor of Antarctica. No repress.
More
out on a mystic voyage of Earth through the lens of Kybele, the Anatolian goddess of wild nature.
With the world in flux and isolation taking its toll, musical escapism has become a much needed pastime for today’s armchair adventurers. Treating recorded sound as a vehicle of time travel, Milanese artist Nelson of the East (N.O.T.E) takes listeners on a journey through kaleidoscopic soundscapes with his debut album Kybele released on Tartelet Records.
Skillfully weaving the sounds of East and West, the nine-track LP fuses Turkish and cosmic influences with a strong electronic backbone into an otherworldly soundtrack of our time.
“The feeling that passes through the record isn’t straight. It changes, it turns, it is never predictable. Never being able to predict which landscape you arrive at next or where the music is taking you is key to enjoying the sound journey,” says Nelson. “
Named Kybele after the Anatolian goddess of nature, fertility, mountains, and wild animals, the record is a continuous saga that takes from the Berlin-based artist’s own adventurous spirit. Following his previous EP releases Night Frames and Phase Alternating Lines, Nelson explores new territories on Kybele.
The album opener, “Explorer,” is an exhilarating build up to what could be a 80s sci-fi movie, showcasing Nelson’s knack for cinematic moods. “Draw Me,” speaks to the artist’s intention of making a “snare album,” with an irregular, dominating beat untethering it from time or boundaries. “What I realize while I was writing the rhythm part is that the more you keep a beat simple the more difficult it becomes to make it interesting. So I just put down some rules to follow. For example, using swing as smoothly as possible, or using lot of syncopated sequence over the straight 2-4 groove,” says Nicolas.
Another thing Nelson achieves in this album is ambience, or the “motion picture touch” as he calls it. Tracks like the wild and obscure Culto, with its Anatolian nuances and middle eastern-sounding scales are made by layering synths to achieve an orchestral effect.
Other tracks capture the musician’s penchant for African and Brazilian grooves, like the Saudade mix of Burning Palm. On the B side, the Italo-flavored Phase Lines comes through with shimmering synth and electronic drums complete with hazy vocals delivered by DJ Rayne and Nelson himself. Yahuda dives into dark, melancholic electro with a Detroit feel not far from the sounds of the great Drexciya.
The album closes with ZETA, a track that could easily double as an obscure cinematic composition. The nine-track LP is strictly limited to 300 copies, pressed on 180g vinyl with artwork by The Emperor of Antarctica. No repress.
More
1
Kenton Slash Demon - Zstring
2
Kenton Slash Demon - Zstring (Urulu's Liquid Earth Mix)
3
Kenton Slash Demon - Zstring (Kasper Marrots Repeat Mix)
Kenton Slash Demon return to Tartelet Records with Zstring + remixes by Urulu and Kasper Marott + 12’ comes in vintage Tartelet sleeves circa 2009-2010. Limited Edition 400 copies. It’s been ten years since Kenton Slash Demon landed on Tartelet with their debut EP Khattabi followed by the much-celebrated The Schwarzschild Trilogy singles - Sun, Matter and Daemon all released 2009–2011.Ten years have passed since our first release on Tartelet and with this record it feels like we’ve gone full circle. It’s a beautiful thing.”
Zstring marks their return to Tartelet – but it’s also a precursor for things to come within the next year. With talks of a full-length album, the KSD project is now being given the attention it deserves.
Kenton Slash Demon have always had an affinity for uplifting melancholic tunes – and Zstring cements their ability to create just that. The track oozes with dance-floor euphoria, offering up a distorted arpeggio bassline, lush pads and layered melodies, all built around a tight and ever- changing groove. There are clear references to Italo disco, early techno and trance, but it’s hard to pin down the exact style – if that even matters.
On remix duties, man of the moment and label collaborator, Urulu, delivers a fresh take in his signature early 90s style, while local hero and close friend Kasper Marott of Monkeytown fame comes through with an obscure melodic techno workout of the finest sorts.
To further advance the concept of “full circle,” the 12’ comes in vintage Tartelet sleeves circa 2009-2010, salvaged from three different releases – which have been in storage since being produced.
Zstring will be available April 12 th 2019 on vinyl and April 26th on all digital platforms. More
Zstring marks their return to Tartelet – but it’s also a precursor for things to come within the next year. With talks of a full-length album, the KSD project is now being given the attention it deserves.
Kenton Slash Demon have always had an affinity for uplifting melancholic tunes – and Zstring cements their ability to create just that. The track oozes with dance-floor euphoria, offering up a distorted arpeggio bassline, lush pads and layered melodies, all built around a tight and ever- changing groove. There are clear references to Italo disco, early techno and trance, but it’s hard to pin down the exact style – if that even matters.
On remix duties, man of the moment and label collaborator, Urulu, delivers a fresh take in his signature early 90s style, while local hero and close friend Kasper Marott of Monkeytown fame comes through with an obscure melodic techno workout of the finest sorts.
To further advance the concept of “full circle,” the 12’ comes in vintage Tartelet sleeves circa 2009-2010, salvaged from three different releases – which have been in storage since being produced.
Zstring will be available April 12 th 2019 on vinyl and April 26th on all digital platforms. More
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Oliver Koletzki - A1. Caravana de los Elefantitos
2
Oliver Koletzki - A2. La Veleta
3
Oliver Koletzki - A3. Copal
4
Oliver Koletzki - B1. Dear Mexican Jungle
5
Oliver Koletzki - B2. Serpiente del Ritmo feat. ELIH
6
Oliver Koletzki - B3. Cryptozoology feat. Walter Scalzone
7
Oliver Koletzki - C1. Made of Cashmere
8
Oliver Koletzki - C2. Agitation w/ Niko Schwind
9
Oliver Koletzki - C3. Synesthesia feat. Felix Raphael
10
Oliver Koletzki - D1. Picture w/ Niko Schwind feat. Judith Ahrends
11
Oliver Koletzki - D2. A Starseed’s Journey
12
Oliver Koletzki - 12. Turn feat. Wennink (Digital Download only)
2LP + 12 track MP3 download
Vinyl:
A1. Caravana de los Elefantitos / A2. La Veleta / A3. Copal / B1. Dear Mexican Jungle / B2. Serpiente del Ritmo feat. ELIH / B3. Cryptozoology feat. Walter Scalzone / C1. Made of Cashmere / C2. Agitation w/ Niko Schwind / C3. Synesthesia feat. Felix Raphael / D1. Picture w/ Niko Schwind feat. Judith Ahrends / D2. A Starseed’s Journey
Mp3 Download:
1. Caravana de los Elefantitos / 2. La Veleta / 3. Copal / 4. Picture w/ Niko Schwind feat. Judith Ahrends / 5. Made of Cashmere / 6. Synesthesia feat. Felix Raphael / 7. Dear Mexican Jungle / 8. Serpiente del Ritmo feat. ELIH / 9. Cryptozoology feat. Walter Scalzone / 10. Agitation w/ Niko Schwind / 11. A Starseed’s Journey / 12. Turn feat. Wennink
Short info:
EN
On 'Made of Wood', his ninth full-length album since 2007, Oliver Koletzki embodies the seasoned craftsman, carving out his deeply personal sonic sculptures with a confident, learned hand, while experimenting with a broad range of thrilling ideas and fresh textures. The result is an organically flowing, yet decisively shaped work of art, that naturally concludes a trilogy of albums Koletzki embarked on releasing with 'The Arc of Tension' and followed with 'Fire in the Jungle'.
Initially written in Tulum, Mexico, during the pre-pandemic winter of 2019, 'Made of Wood' is physically entwined with the primeval forests that continue to inspire its maker: In the subsequent year it took to complete the album in Berlin, Oliver, aided by numerous live musicians and vocalists, brought his sketches to life with a focus on wooden instruments like djembes, marimbas, santoors or duduks, sculpting a natural sound that's warm in timbre, rich in groove and literally made of wood.
Thanks to the imperfection of the human hand, the album sings with a bold vibrance that stretches from the LP's slow carnivalesque opener 'Caravana De Los Elefantitos' to the blue horns and Wennink's lamenting coos on the concluding ballad 'Turn'. Intermediately, Koletzki's rhythmic explorations take the shape of mythic odes ('Dear Mexican Jungle'), boisterous tribal dances ('La Veleta'), floor-focussed shakers ('Copal'), handpan-driven epics ('Cryptozoology' feat. Walter Scalzone) or subdued oriental belters ('Serpiente Del Ritmo' feat. ELIH) – emphasising his control over light and dark tonalities, over organic and synthetic sounds alike. Most strikingly, Oliver slowly breaks away from the album's natural feel in the mid-section, in which the disorienting, abstract stunner 'Picture' (with Niko Schwind & Judith Ahrends) rubs shoulders with the synth-crescendos of the bouncy 'Made of Cashmere', while the 14-minute long meditation 'A Starseed's Journey' makes for a powerful penultimate breather later on.
Next to the meticulous attention to instrumentation and his instinctive touch, these twists and turns underline that Koletzki feels entirely at ease on 'Made of Wood' – like the true artisan he is.
More
Vinyl:
A1. Caravana de los Elefantitos / A2. La Veleta / A3. Copal / B1. Dear Mexican Jungle / B2. Serpiente del Ritmo feat. ELIH / B3. Cryptozoology feat. Walter Scalzone / C1. Made of Cashmere / C2. Agitation w/ Niko Schwind / C3. Synesthesia feat. Felix Raphael / D1. Picture w/ Niko Schwind feat. Judith Ahrends / D2. A Starseed’s Journey
Mp3 Download:
1. Caravana de los Elefantitos / 2. La Veleta / 3. Copal / 4. Picture w/ Niko Schwind feat. Judith Ahrends / 5. Made of Cashmere / 6. Synesthesia feat. Felix Raphael / 7. Dear Mexican Jungle / 8. Serpiente del Ritmo feat. ELIH / 9. Cryptozoology feat. Walter Scalzone / 10. Agitation w/ Niko Schwind / 11. A Starseed’s Journey / 12. Turn feat. Wennink
Short info:
EN
On 'Made of Wood', his ninth full-length album since 2007, Oliver Koletzki embodies the seasoned craftsman, carving out his deeply personal sonic sculptures with a confident, learned hand, while experimenting with a broad range of thrilling ideas and fresh textures. The result is an organically flowing, yet decisively shaped work of art, that naturally concludes a trilogy of albums Koletzki embarked on releasing with 'The Arc of Tension' and followed with 'Fire in the Jungle'.
Initially written in Tulum, Mexico, during the pre-pandemic winter of 2019, 'Made of Wood' is physically entwined with the primeval forests that continue to inspire its maker: In the subsequent year it took to complete the album in Berlin, Oliver, aided by numerous live musicians and vocalists, brought his sketches to life with a focus on wooden instruments like djembes, marimbas, santoors or duduks, sculpting a natural sound that's warm in timbre, rich in groove and literally made of wood.
Thanks to the imperfection of the human hand, the album sings with a bold vibrance that stretches from the LP's slow carnivalesque opener 'Caravana De Los Elefantitos' to the blue horns and Wennink's lamenting coos on the concluding ballad 'Turn'. Intermediately, Koletzki's rhythmic explorations take the shape of mythic odes ('Dear Mexican Jungle'), boisterous tribal dances ('La Veleta'), floor-focussed shakers ('Copal'), handpan-driven epics ('Cryptozoology' feat. Walter Scalzone) or subdued oriental belters ('Serpiente Del Ritmo' feat. ELIH) – emphasising his control over light and dark tonalities, over organic and synthetic sounds alike. Most strikingly, Oliver slowly breaks away from the album's natural feel in the mid-section, in which the disorienting, abstract stunner 'Picture' (with Niko Schwind & Judith Ahrends) rubs shoulders with the synth-crescendos of the bouncy 'Made of Cashmere', while the 14-minute long meditation 'A Starseed's Journey' makes for a powerful penultimate breather later on.
Next to the meticulous attention to instrumentation and his instinctive touch, these twists and turns underline that Koletzki feels entirely at ease on 'Made of Wood' – like the true artisan he is.
More
1
Caramel Chameleon - To Create Is To Live Twice
2
Perseus Traxx - Something More Than This
3
RAG - Zavondje 303
4
Raving Kid - Edgware Acid
5
Mutex - Road To Atlantis
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Kreggo - Hearthpulse
7
Steifl - Omega Point
8
Korre - Black Over Blue
9
Pitto - Acid Rolo
10
Endfest - Shari Vari
11
Dwaalgast De Beer Uit Allekmaar - A Wave Goodbye
030303 Records taught us a lot about the many faces of acid throughout the 18 years of its existence. The label has specialised in all substyles of the genre, whether that's tracks inspired by early 80s proto acid, Chicago house, braindance or the eerie melancholy of Polygon Window. Good thing is, they haven't stopped getting better at it. Most 030 releases are now out of print and severely sought after and, with so many instant classics featured on it, this fifth compilation will be no exception. Caramel Chameleon kicks off with an epic cut, one that will appeal to fans of Roy of the Ravers. Perseus Traxx, Raving Kid and RAG aka Steven Brunsmann follow suit with acid on a deeper tip, with the latter adding a heavenly soulful touch to it. And how great it is to see American producer Korr? return to the label with a wonderfully spaced out introspective cut. Also standing out is Endfest's heavy electro/acid take on one of the most obscure mysteries ever to come out of Detroit: Shari Vari. Dwaalgast and De Beer Uit Allekmaar aka Cosmic Force deliver the last track before the lights go on - the aptly named A Wave Goodbye has a distinctive, bouncy westcoast-sound-of-Holland feel to it. An excellent compilation and a huge tip!
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"Hello My Dear,
Thank you so much for your visit and this unforgettable night at my favourite club. Dancing with you and losing not only all sense of time but also all disturbing thoughts was very refreshing and precious for my soul and mind! I still carry the beautiful memories in my head and so many tracks I cannot forget - they are playing on repeat!
The peak of the night was fun, but once the end of the rave loomed and the morning slowly dawned, the music and atmosphere became even more wonderful. Everything seemed so liberated and true to me and I had the impression that the people around us felt the same way. We were all immersed in this mad rush of music with our longing to finally sink into it unconditionally. Rarely have I had such intense moments of happiness on a dance floor. Pure magic!
Good thing a club night also has an end, otherwise my heart would have been lost forever that morning. That's the soundtrack of my life and I'm dying to listen to it again!
See you soon and don't forget: after the rave comes sun!
Much love from Cologne"
- MY DEAR is a party series at the infamous Gewölbe club in Cologne, brought to life in 2012 by Kompakt´s very own Denis Stockhausen. To celebrate the 11th anniversary of the party series, a compilation with exclusive dance hits by your favourite artists will be released on the new record label MY DEAR. - More
Thank you so much for your visit and this unforgettable night at my favourite club. Dancing with you and losing not only all sense of time but also all disturbing thoughts was very refreshing and precious for my soul and mind! I still carry the beautiful memories in my head and so many tracks I cannot forget - they are playing on repeat!
The peak of the night was fun, but once the end of the rave loomed and the morning slowly dawned, the music and atmosphere became even more wonderful. Everything seemed so liberated and true to me and I had the impression that the people around us felt the same way. We were all immersed in this mad rush of music with our longing to finally sink into it unconditionally. Rarely have I had such intense moments of happiness on a dance floor. Pure magic!
Good thing a club night also has an end, otherwise my heart would have been lost forever that morning. That's the soundtrack of my life and I'm dying to listen to it again!
See you soon and don't forget: after the rave comes sun!
Much love from Cologne"
- MY DEAR is a party series at the infamous Gewölbe club in Cologne, brought to life in 2012 by Kompakt´s very own Denis Stockhausen. To celebrate the 11th anniversary of the party series, a compilation with exclusive dance hits by your favourite artists will be released on the new record label MY DEAR. - More
Label:Stil vor Talent
Cat-No:SVT334LP
Release-Date:03.11.2023
Genre:House / Techno
Configuration:3LP Excl
Label:Stil vor Talent
Cat-No:SVT334LP
Release-Date:03.11.2023
Genre:House / Techno
Configuration:3LP Excl
1
Oliver Koletzki - My Last Attempt
2
Oliver Koletzki - Oliver's Silly Jam (feat. Oliver Klostermann)
3
Oliver Koletzki - Get on the Bus
4
Oliver Koletzki - Stay Until the Light (with Niko Schwind feat. Talmirage)
5
Oliver Koletzki - Heart on Hold (feat. Fritz Kalkbrenner)
6
Oliver Koletzki - Mind Games (with Natascha Polkè)
7
Oliver Koletzki - Space Papi
8
Oliver Koletzki - Candyflip
9
Oliver Koletzki - Pleasure of the Very First Time
10
Oliver Koletzki - Elevation (with Hidden Empire)
11
Oliver Koletzki - Mantra for Bora
12
Oliver Koletzki - Chasing Holes
13
Oliver Koletzki - Branka (with Andhim)
14
Oliver Koletzki - Hasenheide
15
Oliver Koletzki - Is it Real (feat. Malou)
16
Oliver Koletzki - Sonne geht auf (feat. LOLY)
17
Oliver Koletzki - Midnight Reggae
18
Oliver Koletzki - Don't Ever Wake Me Up (feat. Marlena Dae)
[Trifold 3x12” LP] incl. 18 Tracks for download
GENRE/S: House / Techno
TRACKLIST:
Vinyl:
A1 My Last Attempt
A2 Oliver's Silly Jam (feat. Oliver Klostermann)
A3 Get on the Bus
B1 Stay Until the Light (with Niko Schwind feat. Talmirage)
B2 Heart on Hold (feat. Fritz Kalkbrenner)
B3 Mind Games (with Natascha Polkè)
C1 Space Papi
C2 Candyflip
C3 Pleasure of the Very First Time
D1 Elevation (with Hidden Empire)
D2 Mantra for Bora
D3 Chasing Holes
E1 Branka (with Andhim)
E2 Hasenheide
E3 Is it Real (feat. Malou)
F1 Sonne geht auf (feat. LOLY)
F2 Midnight Reggae
F3 Don't Ever Wake Me Up (feat. Marlena Dae)
Download:
1. Oliver Koletzki, Oliver Klostermann - Oliver's Silly Jam
2. Oliver Koletzki - Get on the Bus
3. Oliver Koletzki, Niko Schwind feat. Talmirage - Stay Until the Light
4. Oliver Koletzki, Andhim - Branka
5. Oliver Koletzki, Fritz Kalkbrenner - Heart on hold
6. Oliver Koletzki feat. Natascha Polké - Mind Games
7. Oliver Koletzki - My Last Attempt
8. Oliver Koletzki feat. LOLY - Sonne geht auf
9. Oliver Koletzki - Midnight Reggae
10. Oliver Koletzki feat. Malou - Is It Real
11. Oliver Koletzki - Pleasure of the Very First Time
12. Oliver Koletzki - Candyflip
13. Oliver Koletzki - Space Papi
14. Oliver Koletzki, Hidden Empire - Elevation
15. Oliver Koletzki - Mantra for Bora
16. Oliver Koletzki - Chasing Holes
17. Oliver Koletzki - Hasenheide
18. Oliver Koletzki feat. Marlena Dae - Don't Ever Wake Me Up
Release Info:
With 'Trip to Sanity,' Berlin-based producer, DJ, live performer, and Stil vor Talent label head Oliver Koletzki presents a milestone in his 36-year long musical career and his 18-year tenure at the top of global electronic nightlife – his 10th studio album.
The album’s title, "Trip to Sanity’" – a reference to the classic German children’s story of the little dragon 'Tabaluga' – reflects Oliver's own path as a DJ within the world of club culture. But it also represents the appeal to an unbroken childlike curiosity as a producer, driven by the utopias of this parallel society. Naturally, Koletzki found his creative spark while performing on the stages of renowned festivals like Burning Man, Coachella, Garbicz, and Fusion, as well as in moments of peace and relaxation on meditative hikes and long beach walks in his second home of Cape Town.
In South Africa, Oliver wrote most of "Trip to Sanity" in the winter, then flashed out and finalised the tracks in his studio at Kreuzberg's Holzmarkt. Within the last 18 months a collection of complex and varied songs formed, which, typical for Oliver's collaborative approach, were often created in cooperation with musicians like techno-pop legend Fritz Kalkbrenner, Burning Man chance encounter Talmirage, scene friends Andhim, Hidden Empire, Oliver Klostermann and Niko Schwind, or the exceptional voices Natascha Polké, Malou, LOLY and Marlena Dae. The result is a rollercoaster ride through a diverse spectrum of dance music, effortlessly held together by Koletzki's unmistakable sound signature and his intrinsic sense for the exact tension between hedonistic dancefloor focus and poppy earworm impact. At the centre of it all shines a joie de vivre that runs like a thread through "Trip to Sanity": Playful, cheeky, imaginative, euphoric, a rainbow of genres and influences flow into each other, balanced by moments of reflection, melancholy or harshness.
The journey of discovery begins with the funky piano licks of "Oliver's Silly Jam," seamlessly followed by the disco groover "Get on the Bus." The radio single "Stay Until the Light" (feat. Niko Schwind & Talmirage) then combines pop vocals with deep emotions before Koletzki, alongside his superfriends Andhim, kicks it up a notch on the Afro-house masterclass "Branka." Next up, Fritz Kalkbrenner lends his unmistakable voice to the atmospheric anthem "Heart on Hold," paving the way for "Mind Games." Here, Natascha Polké's ethereal vocals glide over an almost haunting instrumental, heading towards the night.
At the album’s midpoint Koletzki breaks away from the expectations of the typical "techno blueprint" in a formal sense. Starting with the prophetically titled "My Last Attempt," a deep and muscular downtempo workout, Oliver creates a (further) homage to incredibly long nights with "Sonne Geht Auf" (feat. LOLY) and shows a completely different side of himself on the neon-infused dub track "Midnight Reggae." This segment of strong contrasts and a desire for reinvention is rounded off by the dreamy indie-dance atmosphere of "Is It Real" (feat. Malou), slowly leading us back to the club.
Because "The Pleasure of the Very First Time," "Candyflip," "Space Papi," "Elevation" (feat. Hidden Empire), and "Mantra for Bora" are clearly designed for the peak time, which is where Oliver predominantly finds himself during his sets. This part of the album is powerful, driving, and ecstatic – it captures the sweat of the dancefloor and the pulsation of the strobe light, making it tangible while listening.
Then, another shift is presented with "Chasing Holes" and "Hasenheide," two particularly rhythmic tracks characterised by hand drums and Balearic accents. Ultimately, Oliver concludes with the bittersweet closer "Don't Ever Wake Me Up" (feat. Marlena Dae). The title of this finale couldn't be more fitting, as it encapsulates what makes Oliver Koletzki's music so special at its core – it speaks to the subconscious, the senses, hits the heart, and leads it into the here and now.
For those who want to experience said state of mind even more intensely, there’s the opportunity this winter as part of the "Trip to Sanity" live concert tour in Germany. A long term dream of Oliver’s, who will present tracks from the new album paired with highlights from his extensive catalogue – naturally performed on an array of instruments in a proper live setup and as an audio-visual gesamtkunstwerk. For Oliver Koletzki, one milestone follows the other this year.
More
GENRE/S: House / Techno
TRACKLIST:
Vinyl:
A1 My Last Attempt
A2 Oliver's Silly Jam (feat. Oliver Klostermann)
A3 Get on the Bus
B1 Stay Until the Light (with Niko Schwind feat. Talmirage)
B2 Heart on Hold (feat. Fritz Kalkbrenner)
B3 Mind Games (with Natascha Polkè)
C1 Space Papi
C2 Candyflip
C3 Pleasure of the Very First Time
D1 Elevation (with Hidden Empire)
D2 Mantra for Bora
D3 Chasing Holes
E1 Branka (with Andhim)
E2 Hasenheide
E3 Is it Real (feat. Malou)
F1 Sonne geht auf (feat. LOLY)
F2 Midnight Reggae
F3 Don't Ever Wake Me Up (feat. Marlena Dae)
Download:
1. Oliver Koletzki, Oliver Klostermann - Oliver's Silly Jam
2. Oliver Koletzki - Get on the Bus
3. Oliver Koletzki, Niko Schwind feat. Talmirage - Stay Until the Light
4. Oliver Koletzki, Andhim - Branka
5. Oliver Koletzki, Fritz Kalkbrenner - Heart on hold
6. Oliver Koletzki feat. Natascha Polké - Mind Games
7. Oliver Koletzki - My Last Attempt
8. Oliver Koletzki feat. LOLY - Sonne geht auf
9. Oliver Koletzki - Midnight Reggae
10. Oliver Koletzki feat. Malou - Is It Real
11. Oliver Koletzki - Pleasure of the Very First Time
12. Oliver Koletzki - Candyflip
13. Oliver Koletzki - Space Papi
14. Oliver Koletzki, Hidden Empire - Elevation
15. Oliver Koletzki - Mantra for Bora
16. Oliver Koletzki - Chasing Holes
17. Oliver Koletzki - Hasenheide
18. Oliver Koletzki feat. Marlena Dae - Don't Ever Wake Me Up
Release Info:
With 'Trip to Sanity,' Berlin-based producer, DJ, live performer, and Stil vor Talent label head Oliver Koletzki presents a milestone in his 36-year long musical career and his 18-year tenure at the top of global electronic nightlife – his 10th studio album.
The album’s title, "Trip to Sanity’" – a reference to the classic German children’s story of the little dragon 'Tabaluga' – reflects Oliver's own path as a DJ within the world of club culture. But it also represents the appeal to an unbroken childlike curiosity as a producer, driven by the utopias of this parallel society. Naturally, Koletzki found his creative spark while performing on the stages of renowned festivals like Burning Man, Coachella, Garbicz, and Fusion, as well as in moments of peace and relaxation on meditative hikes and long beach walks in his second home of Cape Town.
In South Africa, Oliver wrote most of "Trip to Sanity" in the winter, then flashed out and finalised the tracks in his studio at Kreuzberg's Holzmarkt. Within the last 18 months a collection of complex and varied songs formed, which, typical for Oliver's collaborative approach, were often created in cooperation with musicians like techno-pop legend Fritz Kalkbrenner, Burning Man chance encounter Talmirage, scene friends Andhim, Hidden Empire, Oliver Klostermann and Niko Schwind, or the exceptional voices Natascha Polké, Malou, LOLY and Marlena Dae. The result is a rollercoaster ride through a diverse spectrum of dance music, effortlessly held together by Koletzki's unmistakable sound signature and his intrinsic sense for the exact tension between hedonistic dancefloor focus and poppy earworm impact. At the centre of it all shines a joie de vivre that runs like a thread through "Trip to Sanity": Playful, cheeky, imaginative, euphoric, a rainbow of genres and influences flow into each other, balanced by moments of reflection, melancholy or harshness.
The journey of discovery begins with the funky piano licks of "Oliver's Silly Jam," seamlessly followed by the disco groover "Get on the Bus." The radio single "Stay Until the Light" (feat. Niko Schwind & Talmirage) then combines pop vocals with deep emotions before Koletzki, alongside his superfriends Andhim, kicks it up a notch on the Afro-house masterclass "Branka." Next up, Fritz Kalkbrenner lends his unmistakable voice to the atmospheric anthem "Heart on Hold," paving the way for "Mind Games." Here, Natascha Polké's ethereal vocals glide over an almost haunting instrumental, heading towards the night.
At the album’s midpoint Koletzki breaks away from the expectations of the typical "techno blueprint" in a formal sense. Starting with the prophetically titled "My Last Attempt," a deep and muscular downtempo workout, Oliver creates a (further) homage to incredibly long nights with "Sonne Geht Auf" (feat. LOLY) and shows a completely different side of himself on the neon-infused dub track "Midnight Reggae." This segment of strong contrasts and a desire for reinvention is rounded off by the dreamy indie-dance atmosphere of "Is It Real" (feat. Malou), slowly leading us back to the club.
Because "The Pleasure of the Very First Time," "Candyflip," "Space Papi," "Elevation" (feat. Hidden Empire), and "Mantra for Bora" are clearly designed for the peak time, which is where Oliver predominantly finds himself during his sets. This part of the album is powerful, driving, and ecstatic – it captures the sweat of the dancefloor and the pulsation of the strobe light, making it tangible while listening.
Then, another shift is presented with "Chasing Holes" and "Hasenheide," two particularly rhythmic tracks characterised by hand drums and Balearic accents. Ultimately, Oliver concludes with the bittersweet closer "Don't Ever Wake Me Up" (feat. Marlena Dae). The title of this finale couldn't be more fitting, as it encapsulates what makes Oliver Koletzki's music so special at its core – it speaks to the subconscious, the senses, hits the heart, and leads it into the here and now.
For those who want to experience said state of mind even more intensely, there’s the opportunity this winter as part of the "Trip to Sanity" live concert tour in Germany. A long term dream of Oliver’s, who will present tracks from the new album paired with highlights from his extensive catalogue – naturally performed on an array of instruments in a proper live setup and as an audio-visual gesamtkunstwerk. For Oliver Koletzki, one milestone follows the other this year.
More
Label:Sound Metaphors Records
Cat-No:SMR017
Release-Date:14.08.2023
Genre:House / Techno
Configuration:LP
Label:Sound Metaphors Records
Cat-No:SMR017
Release-Date:14.08.2023
Genre:House / Techno
Configuration:LP
1
ANTIM. CALDERONI - 7 Heavens
2
ANTIM. CALDERONI - Exploring The Unknown
3
ANTIM. CALDERONI - How 2 Use The Sky
4
ANTIM. CALDERONI - Freedom Works
5
ANTIM. CALDERONI - Sea Of Quiet
6
ANTIM. CALDERONI - Tapping The Collective Memory
From the catlogue of Italy's charismatic Interactive Test label, helmed by the Falsini brothers, Sound Metaphors Records compiles a selection from the two volume "How To Use The World" series. A collection of raw, experimental proto sounding house numbers composed and played by Marco Calderoni with help on production and writing by Giacomo Brunetti. Originally released in 1991, these releases have since then become deeply craved items amongst collectors and specialists of Italo House. With a sound so unmistakably unique, these productions will be hard to forget, from a time when house music wasn't even concretely established as a genre, these experimental proto nuances in club oriented sound played a defining role in Italy's emerging club sound. Thoroughly remastered at manmade mastering in Berlin, same sound new body.
More
1
Sorenious Bonk - Career Gone
2
Sorenious Bonk - Sea Spray
3
Sorenious Bonk - Ruffled Feathers Ft. Ashibah
4
Sorenious Bonk - Square Waves Ft. Adriana Ask
5
Sorenious Bonk - Terror Of Late Ft. Adriana Ask
6
Sorenious Bonk - Maddening Exile
7
Sorenious Bonk - My Relations
8
Sorenious Bonk - Flashes To Flashes
9
Sorenious Bonk - Near The Ocean
10
Sorenious Bonk - Appelbaum
Tracklist:
A1. A Tribe Called Kotori / A2. Tankwa Town / B1. By My Side / B2. Spiritual but Not Religious / B3. A Star Called Akasha / C1. Planetarium / C2. They Can't Hold Me Back / D1. Chaturanga / D2. Through the Darkness / D3. The Day We Leave Earth
Info:
On his sixth album, The Arc of Tension, the Berlin based DJ, label owner and producer OLIVER KOLETZKI yet again presents his remarkable vision of contemporary electronic music, while he assumes the role of a storyteller. The Arc of Tension speaks to its listener as a singular, self contained work, which communicates by way of its natural flow and arc of suspense. The latter is mirrored not only in the multifarious narrative of the actual album, but can also be understood as evidence for its creator's long musical history.
While Koletzki focussed on a diverse range of vocal collaborations on his previous long players, he now moves on to a different form of storytelling, rooted in the quiet confidence of a veteran musician, as well as the hectic lifestyle of a globally in demand DJ. The Arc of Tension is the psychonautic journey through the various continents of Oliver's consciousness. The quiet chirps and warbles, which initially unfold on the opener 'A Tribe Called Kotori', thus act as a loose associative bridge to 'Der Mu?ckenschwarm', Oliver's big breakthrough hit of 2005. The first minutes of the album leave no room for doubt - we are immediately locked into an autobiographical world of sound that knows how to captivate from the get go. The dreamy, exotic timbres of the downbeat tracks 'By My Side', Tankwa Town' and 'Byron Bay' penetrate our minds in a subtle yet purposeful manner. But soon the tension tightens and organic sounds one by one evolve towards a sterner, electronic cadence. The bittersweet neon synths of 'Spiritual Not Religious' pave the way for the complex rhythm of 'A Star Called Akasha', an early highlight carried by melancholic cellos and contemplative piano chords. The ultimate turning point follows with 'Through the Darkness'. Here, at the album's centre, Koletzki starts continuously upping the tempo and leads the way with his very own, melodic interpretation of today's techno Zeitgeist, which he has been shaping since 2015's 'Iyéwaye'.
'Planetarium', 'They Can't Hold Me Back' and 'Chaturanga' exemplify, moreover, that a fusion of delicate musicality and sheer force leads to impressively ecstatic results. With its rough guitar chords and the acidic chitter of the TD303, 'Power to the People' rings in The Arc of Tension's ending, until we fully take off into space, weightlessly propelled by the ambient drones of 'The Day We Leave Earth'. Ultimately, what lingers is the feeling that we are being granted a deep glance into the innermost being of an outstanding artist.
More
A1. A Tribe Called Kotori / A2. Tankwa Town / B1. By My Side / B2. Spiritual but Not Religious / B3. A Star Called Akasha / C1. Planetarium / C2. They Can't Hold Me Back / D1. Chaturanga / D2. Through the Darkness / D3. The Day We Leave Earth
Info:
On his sixth album, The Arc of Tension, the Berlin based DJ, label owner and producer OLIVER KOLETZKI yet again presents his remarkable vision of contemporary electronic music, while he assumes the role of a storyteller. The Arc of Tension speaks to its listener as a singular, self contained work, which communicates by way of its natural flow and arc of suspense. The latter is mirrored not only in the multifarious narrative of the actual album, but can also be understood as evidence for its creator's long musical history.
While Koletzki focussed on a diverse range of vocal collaborations on his previous long players, he now moves on to a different form of storytelling, rooted in the quiet confidence of a veteran musician, as well as the hectic lifestyle of a globally in demand DJ. The Arc of Tension is the psychonautic journey through the various continents of Oliver's consciousness. The quiet chirps and warbles, which initially unfold on the opener 'A Tribe Called Kotori', thus act as a loose associative bridge to 'Der Mu?ckenschwarm', Oliver's big breakthrough hit of 2005. The first minutes of the album leave no room for doubt - we are immediately locked into an autobiographical world of sound that knows how to captivate from the get go. The dreamy, exotic timbres of the downbeat tracks 'By My Side', Tankwa Town' and 'Byron Bay' penetrate our minds in a subtle yet purposeful manner. But soon the tension tightens and organic sounds one by one evolve towards a sterner, electronic cadence. The bittersweet neon synths of 'Spiritual Not Religious' pave the way for the complex rhythm of 'A Star Called Akasha', an early highlight carried by melancholic cellos and contemplative piano chords. The ultimate turning point follows with 'Through the Darkness'. Here, at the album's centre, Koletzki starts continuously upping the tempo and leads the way with his very own, melodic interpretation of today's techno Zeitgeist, which he has been shaping since 2015's 'Iyéwaye'.
'Planetarium', 'They Can't Hold Me Back' and 'Chaturanga' exemplify, moreover, that a fusion of delicate musicality and sheer force leads to impressively ecstatic results. With its rough guitar chords and the acidic chitter of the TD303, 'Power to the People' rings in The Arc of Tension's ending, until we fully take off into space, weightlessly propelled by the ambient drones of 'The Day We Leave Earth'. Ultimately, what lingers is the feeling that we are being granted a deep glance into the innermost being of an outstanding artist.
More
1
VARIOUS - Mindfield : Saturnalia 4
2
VARIOUS - Apostolis : Clock Croc (House Quickly Mix)
3
VARIOUS - F.U.S.E. : F.U.2 (Re-edit)
4
VARIOUS - Peyote : Alcatraz
5
VARIOUS - Psyche : The Saint Became A Lush
6
VARIOUS - Man With No Name : From Within
7
VARIOUS - Zen : Solar Data (Extended Tribal Mix)
8
VARIOUS - Francesco Farfa & Joy Kitikonti : Beat Con
9
VARIOUS - Public Relation : Eighty Eight (Instrumenta
10
VARIOUS - Ghostdance : Ghostbeat (New Beat Mix)
11
VARIOUS - Chris & Cosey : Exotika (12” Mix)
Sound Metaphors and Transmigration explore the early underground Goa party scene with a 2x12” compilation.
A collection of Techno, Italian-House, New Beat and Post Punk all heard on the same dancefloors amongst Goa's tropical beaches during the late 80's and early 90's. What is now understood as Goa Trance was once preceded by an amalgamation of many different genres smuggled to Goa in tape format by true music devotees that filtered through all that was being produced in the West shaping a unique dancefloor sound that could only pertain to the “Special Goa Music” genre. Sound Metaphors teams up with Transmigration and journalist, DJ and first hand witness of the scene at hand - Ray Castle – to present a meticulous body of research into the sound signature of that unique scene. 11 highly sought after tracks presented in a double LP gatefold format with an A1 poster insert and insightful liner notes by Ray Castle. A tracklist so lush, your discogs wantlists will forever be grateful – buy on sight.
“Everything about the Goa counterculture was illicit. The music from vinyl was bought with black market money and bootlegged onto cassettes and backpacked to India. Collectors and DJs would swap, dub and edit it, for free parties. The music was disseminated tape-to-tape by a clandestine traveller clique of ragtag party makers. This highly coveted ‘Special Goa Music’ contained a vibe—a brain-infesting vibe—capable of triggering apotheosis-like states for dosed up dancefloors, only possible for sunrise Goa parties in nature, in India.” - Ray Castle More
A collection of Techno, Italian-House, New Beat and Post Punk all heard on the same dancefloors amongst Goa's tropical beaches during the late 80's and early 90's. What is now understood as Goa Trance was once preceded by an amalgamation of many different genres smuggled to Goa in tape format by true music devotees that filtered through all that was being produced in the West shaping a unique dancefloor sound that could only pertain to the “Special Goa Music” genre. Sound Metaphors teams up with Transmigration and journalist, DJ and first hand witness of the scene at hand - Ray Castle – to present a meticulous body of research into the sound signature of that unique scene. 11 highly sought after tracks presented in a double LP gatefold format with an A1 poster insert and insightful liner notes by Ray Castle. A tracklist so lush, your discogs wantlists will forever be grateful – buy on sight.
“Everything about the Goa counterculture was illicit. The music from vinyl was bought with black market money and bootlegged onto cassettes and backpacked to India. Collectors and DJs would swap, dub and edit it, for free parties. The music was disseminated tape-to-tape by a clandestine traveller clique of ragtag party makers. This highly coveted ‘Special Goa Music’ contained a vibe—a brain-infesting vibe—capable of triggering apotheosis-like states for dosed up dancefloors, only possible for sunrise Goa parties in nature, in India.” - Ray Castle More
From New Jersey via The Netherlands: longstanding US craftsman Joey Anderson makes his debut on Deeptrax with his inspiring new album... 'Exotic Sequence' His fourth LP to date, 'Exotic Sequence' is a fully instrumental deep dive into both Joey's machines and mindset, as he explains himself... "The title 'Exotic Sequence' stood out to me because throughout the LP I tended to use a sequencer for the main melody of most of the tracks. Almost every time I approach a track with techno intentions it eventually ends up being deep / housey," states the artist who broke through 15 years ago on Qu's Strength Music and has worked closely with the likes of Dekmantel and, more recently, Avenue 66. Now at home on the relatively new and positively thriving label arm of Dutch record store institution Deeptrax, Joey tells us where he's at with a body of work that poignantly reminds us that it's not the destination that counts; it's the journey we endure to get there. In this sense, 'Exotic Sequence' is the sound of Joey letting his instruments guide, inform and inspire him. Cuts like the constantly rising and hopeful 'Sky Children', the deep 808 bubbles and dreamy reflections of 'Behind The Valley' and the emotionally rich 'Stop' are just a handful of examples of Joey being lost in deep flow, channeling the creative energy in his studio. It lands exactly three years after his last album 'Rainbow Doll', neatly bookending the strangest and most surreal start to any decade we've lived through since house and techno culture took root in the 80s. A timeless document that looks forward and back and remains unhurried, thoughtful and crafted with longevity, 'Exotic Sequence' is arguably the most honest and frank side to Joey Anderson we've heard in his extensive career so far.
More
1
Bicep, - Stash
2
Bicep, - Courtside Drama
3
Bicep, - Rise
4
Bicep, - The Game
2022 Repress
UPC: 827170486263
Tracklist EP: A1: Stash A2: Courtside Drama B1:Rise B2: The Game
Release Info:
Aus Music non-stop. Not quite content with already chalking up two of the biggest EPs of 2013 so far from Midland and Dusky, Aus return once again with yet another release you’ve been waiting for - the return of Belfast’s biggest sons, Bicep. The London-based duo of Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar had a breakthrough year in 2012, four years after the pair's Feel My Bicep blog first began. The past year has seen them play in more than a dozen countries, including major gigs across the US, China and, more recently, Australia, with particular highlights including a peak time set at Berlin’s haloed Panorama Bar and capacity crowds at both Sub Club and Trouw. In addition to the release of “You/ Don’t” on Aus, the boys also inaugurated their own imprint With the Visions Of Love EP, whilst "$tripper", which was released through Love Fever, came in at number 35 on RA's top 50 tracks of 2012 poll. Further to that they scooped the award for DJ Mag’s Best Breakthrough DJ, supplied Tim Sweeney’s Beats In Space show with an exclusive mix of unreleased material, remixed Ripperton’s “Let’s Hope,” and all the while maintaining the DJ treasure trove that is their blog. Across the EP they take things a little deeper, delving into a different area of their own personal taste. What's presented is an overall more lo-fi style and broader approach, drawing from a wide range of influences including King Street Sounds, HBO's The Wire and Aphex Twin. More
UPC: 827170486263
Tracklist EP: A1: Stash A2: Courtside Drama B1:Rise B2: The Game
Release Info:
Aus Music non-stop. Not quite content with already chalking up two of the biggest EPs of 2013 so far from Midland and Dusky, Aus return once again with yet another release you’ve been waiting for - the return of Belfast’s biggest sons, Bicep. The London-based duo of Andrew Ferguson and Matthew McBriar had a breakthrough year in 2012, four years after the pair's Feel My Bicep blog first began. The past year has seen them play in more than a dozen countries, including major gigs across the US, China and, more recently, Australia, with particular highlights including a peak time set at Berlin’s haloed Panorama Bar and capacity crowds at both Sub Club and Trouw. In addition to the release of “You/ Don’t” on Aus, the boys also inaugurated their own imprint With the Visions Of Love EP, whilst "$tripper", which was released through Love Fever, came in at number 35 on RA's top 50 tracks of 2012 poll. Further to that they scooped the award for DJ Mag’s Best Breakthrough DJ, supplied Tim Sweeney’s Beats In Space show with an exclusive mix of unreleased material, remixed Ripperton’s “Let’s Hope,” and all the while maintaining the DJ treasure trove that is their blog. Across the EP they take things a little deeper, delving into a different area of their own personal taste. What's presented is an overall more lo-fi style and broader approach, drawing from a wide range of influences including King Street Sounds, HBO's The Wire and Aphex Twin. More
1
Guy Pedersen - Indian Pop Bass (2:35)
2
Guy Pedersen - Prélude À Une Angoisse (2:20)
3
Guy Pedersen - Patio Bass (2:30)
4
Guy Pedersen - Tension Nerveuse (2:10)
5
Guy Pedersen - Amour, Délices Et Contrebasse (2:30)
6
Guy Pedersen - Percussion Bass (2:50)
7
Guy Pedersen - Obsession Diabolique (2:02)
8
Guy Pedersen - Les Copains De La Basse (2:32)
9
Guy Pedersen - Doucement La Basse (2:22)
10
Guy Pedersen - Bass Session (2:25)
11
Guy Pedersen - Bass After Love (2:06)
12
Guy Pedersen - Ballade Pour Une Basse (2:02)
13
Guy Pedersen - Cosmic Bass (2:55)
Territories: Worldwide no restrictions
Format Notes: Part of Tele Music Reissue Campaign, 2023 first time reissue, 140g vinyl
Track List:
A1 Indian Pop Bass 2:35
A2 Prélude À Une Angoisse 2:20
A3 Patio Bass 2:30
A4 Tension Nerveuse 2:10
A5 Amour, Délices Et Contrebasse 2:30
A6 Percussion Bass 2:50
A7 Obsession Diabolique 2:02
B1 Les Copains De La Basse 2:32
B2 Doucement La Basse 2:22
B3 Bass Session 2:25
B4 Bass After Love 2:06
B5 Ballade Pour Une Basse 2:02
B6 Cosmic Bass 2:55
Release Notes:
Guy Pedersen, French jazz-soul-funk double-bass player extraordinaire, recorded Contrebasses in 1970 for Tele Music. It's one of the most outstanding - yet puzzlingly slept-on - releases in the library's catalogue. Forget library, this is basically a sublime, straight-up moody jazz record with monster breaks. It's brimming with sensational psychedelic/jazzy bass-heavy moments throughout; it's absolute gold.
"Indian Pop Bass" contains a deep, abstract breakbeat that intersects with a bassline that loops as if it sinks into the swaying, heavy, slow drums. The mysterious, deliberate "Prélude À Une Angoisse" is an eerie, magical number with ace effects whilst "Patio Bass" is a breezy deep jazz knockout with fantastic drums and a sashaying melody. "Tension Nerveuse" creates an atmosphere that's exactly as the title suggests, full of genuine suspense, rumbling percussion and deep drama jazz. "Amour, Délices Et Contrebasse" is a touch lightweight so you're advised to head to the much darker, peculiar funk of "Percussion Bass", bursting with imaginative sounds and effects. "Obsession Diabolique" closes out the A Side, with a funky walking bassline and sparkling percussion battling against droning strings to create a uniquely unsettling, beatless track.
Enlivening the B-Side immediately is the fantastic, propulsive funky-jazz of "Les Copains De La Basse". "Doucement La Basse" is largely forgettable but "Bass Session" is a blazing psych-jazz-rock burner. Absolutely thrilling. Equally, "Bass After Love" is devastatingly psychy, funky and unique. "Ballade Pour Une Basse" is a classic funky French jazz piece with an infectious bass melody that seems to anticipate "Before The Night Is Over", the Joe Simon track that Outkast sampled for "So Fresh, So Clean".
The audio for Contrebasses has been remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, ensuring this release sounds better than ever. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the original, iconic Tele Music house sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue. More
Format Notes: Part of Tele Music Reissue Campaign, 2023 first time reissue, 140g vinyl
Track List:
A1 Indian Pop Bass 2:35
A2 Prélude À Une Angoisse 2:20
A3 Patio Bass 2:30
A4 Tension Nerveuse 2:10
A5 Amour, Délices Et Contrebasse 2:30
A6 Percussion Bass 2:50
A7 Obsession Diabolique 2:02
B1 Les Copains De La Basse 2:32
B2 Doucement La Basse 2:22
B3 Bass Session 2:25
B4 Bass After Love 2:06
B5 Ballade Pour Une Basse 2:02
B6 Cosmic Bass 2:55
Release Notes:
Guy Pedersen, French jazz-soul-funk double-bass player extraordinaire, recorded Contrebasses in 1970 for Tele Music. It's one of the most outstanding - yet puzzlingly slept-on - releases in the library's catalogue. Forget library, this is basically a sublime, straight-up moody jazz record with monster breaks. It's brimming with sensational psychedelic/jazzy bass-heavy moments throughout; it's absolute gold.
"Indian Pop Bass" contains a deep, abstract breakbeat that intersects with a bassline that loops as if it sinks into the swaying, heavy, slow drums. The mysterious, deliberate "Prélude À Une Angoisse" is an eerie, magical number with ace effects whilst "Patio Bass" is a breezy deep jazz knockout with fantastic drums and a sashaying melody. "Tension Nerveuse" creates an atmosphere that's exactly as the title suggests, full of genuine suspense, rumbling percussion and deep drama jazz. "Amour, Délices Et Contrebasse" is a touch lightweight so you're advised to head to the much darker, peculiar funk of "Percussion Bass", bursting with imaginative sounds and effects. "Obsession Diabolique" closes out the A Side, with a funky walking bassline and sparkling percussion battling against droning strings to create a uniquely unsettling, beatless track.
Enlivening the B-Side immediately is the fantastic, propulsive funky-jazz of "Les Copains De La Basse". "Doucement La Basse" is largely forgettable but "Bass Session" is a blazing psych-jazz-rock burner. Absolutely thrilling. Equally, "Bass After Love" is devastatingly psychy, funky and unique. "Ballade Pour Une Basse" is a classic funky French jazz piece with an infectious bass melody that seems to anticipate "Before The Night Is Over", the Joe Simon track that Outkast sampled for "So Fresh, So Clean".
The audio for Contrebasses has been remastered by Be With regular Simon Francis, ensuring this release sounds better than ever. Cicely Balston's expert skills have made sure nothing is lost in the cut whilst the original, iconic Tele Music house sleeve has been restored here at Be With HQ as the finishing touch to this long overdue re-issue. More
1
Brainwaltzera - A1. FMsquared [royal wavetable mellodies A]
2
Brainwaltzera - A2. copperfeel
3
Brainwaltzera - A3. WSsquared [royal wavetable mellodies B]
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Brainwaltzera - B1. good endgar
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Brainwaltzera - B2. FMsquared [epiloggy] [beauvine bonus perc version]
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Brainwaltzera - B3. LANsqape4 [short_oneTake]
LP
tracklist:
A1. FMsquared [royal wavetable mellodies A] B1. good endgar
A2. copperfeel B2. FMsquared [epiloggy] [beauvine bonus perc version]
A3. WSsquared [royal wavetable mellodies B] B3. LANsqape4 [short_oneTake]
short info:
Brainwaltzera returns to FILM with a brace of archive recordings in the artist's characteristically idiosyncratic style.
The collection opens with FMsquared [royal wavetable mellodies A], a mesmerizing beatless composition split across two contrasting movements. Synth-focused, the first explores a more introspective tone whilst the second is decidedly more elevated and playful. Follow up good endgar showcases the artist's enviable talent for crafting rolling, wide-open IDM, marrying crisp drum machine hits with washed out pads and a resonant bassline. WSsquared [royal wavetable mellodies B] follows the same pattern as mellodies A, split once again into two movements. This time each movement is markedly more distinct: the first, an atmospheric, half-time dirge and the second a more uplifting and esoteric workout, with crystalline FX breaking up the composition. On LANsqape4 [short_oneTake] Brainwaltzera lets the drums roll out, underpinning more lush synth work with a hint of a break closing in as the piece subsides near its close. Copperfeel, the penultimate offering, is the most reduced work in the collection with a single main melody doing the bulk of the legwork, and buoyed by vocal-sounding synths. FMsquared [epiloggy] [beauvine bonus perc version] closes the collection, a pleasing bookend that sees the riff from the opening track's latter movement return - now underpinned with rolling drums.
More
tracklist:
A1. FMsquared [royal wavetable mellodies A] B1. good endgar
A2. copperfeel B2. FMsquared [epiloggy] [beauvine bonus perc version]
A3. WSsquared [royal wavetable mellodies B] B3. LANsqape4 [short_oneTake]
short info:
Brainwaltzera returns to FILM with a brace of archive recordings in the artist's characteristically idiosyncratic style.
The collection opens with FMsquared [royal wavetable mellodies A], a mesmerizing beatless composition split across two contrasting movements. Synth-focused, the first explores a more introspective tone whilst the second is decidedly more elevated and playful. Follow up good endgar showcases the artist's enviable talent for crafting rolling, wide-open IDM, marrying crisp drum machine hits with washed out pads and a resonant bassline. WSsquared [royal wavetable mellodies B] follows the same pattern as mellodies A, split once again into two movements. This time each movement is markedly more distinct: the first, an atmospheric, half-time dirge and the second a more uplifting and esoteric workout, with crystalline FX breaking up the composition. On LANsqape4 [short_oneTake] Brainwaltzera lets the drums roll out, underpinning more lush synth work with a hint of a break closing in as the piece subsides near its close. Copperfeel, the penultimate offering, is the most reduced work in the collection with a single main melody doing the bulk of the legwork, and buoyed by vocal-sounding synths. FMsquared [epiloggy] [beauvine bonus perc version] closes the collection, a pleasing bookend that sees the riff from the opening track's latter movement return - now underpinned with rolling drums.
More