Francesco Farfa's first contribution to the early 90's italian electronic music scene, ranging from proto house sample based sounds to early progressive and techno nuances this EP is not easy to label in terms of genre, characteristic of most of the material on the legendary Interactive Test label. Undoubtedly a pioneering sound for its time, void of any major label artistic limitations, purely focused on underground dancefloor stimulation. Essential piece in any electronic music record collection.

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Francesco Farfa's timeless club EP "Learn To Fly" freshly remixed 3 decades after its original release in 1991 by 4 of Berlin's finest DJs and producers. A generous arsenal to choose from in terms of dance floor tools, from DJs, for DJs, equipping the record bag with something for a wide range of occasions, can't go wrong. A-side descends into big room darkness with Trent's re-interpretation, effectively complimented with Juan Ramos' bulging trancey approach playfully collaging elements from multiple tracks in the original EP. B-side goes in more ravey/progressive directions with an elevating elucidation by E-talking while Hamsa produces a more stripped down enhancement to the original theme.

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The archeological excavations into the cult Interactive Test label continues with a 4 track EP originally released by the label's Don, Franco Falsini, in 1991. Generously brought back to the bins, 3 decades later and still highly applicable to any tasteful dancefloor, a timeless expression of early italo-house.

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Little is known about the origins of this project, grasping the curiosity of many 90's trance diggers, this mysterious EP was originally released in 1994 on the now defunct London based label ITP Recordings. Presenting 3 tracks that dive deep into the trancy electronics of the time, going well into the 8 minutes marker on each track the producer takes the time to allow a pallet of atmospheric qualities to gently grow and layer themselves throughout. A very unique aural signature, almost as if fractals had a sound, organised in a highly effective manner for the psychedelic electronic music inclined dancefloor.

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Two track EP from the Italian early 90's cult label, Interactive Test, helmed by legendary Falsini brothers. Both sides going generously past the 8 minute marker and well into the upper 120 BPM class of affairs, "Farf-Ability" is another show case of the experimentally excursive approach to the early Italian progressive sound, this time on behalf of Francesco Farfa. Two flavours served confidently: uplifting daytime ravey on the A side, and darker trancier night time on the B side, heavy on the percussive samples. Remastered and re-issued with new full cover artwork, featuring photographic evidence of a special moment in time for Italian rave culture.

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Another EP from the vaults of West Coast rave scene specialists, Michael Kandel and Tom Chasteen. A side has two versions of a fast passed dancefloor oriented production tactfully presenting woven layers of rhythmic elements underneath dubbed out effects, “Crazy Jane” possibly channeling moments of Debbie Harris' “Heart of Glass” on LSD. B side gets more aggressive on many levels with a bit of a downtempo Gabber feel to it, raging synths and generous cymbal action all around, 3 versions, one of them featuring samples from Jimmy Stewart's 1946 monologue in “It's A Wonderful Life”, another one with very non-western elements mixed in, and finally Juan Ramos bringing a very dancefloor friendly version with a slight Euro-Dance late Hi-NRG edge to it.
"Recorded in Heaven".

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Another EP from the vaults of West Coast rave scene specialists, Michael Kandel and Tom Chasteen. A side has two versions of a fast passed dancefloor oriented production tactfully presenting woven layers of rhythmic elements underneath dubbed out effects, “Crazy Jane” possibly channeling moments of Debbie Harris' “Heart of Glass” on LSD. B side gets more aggressive on many levels with a bit of a downtempo Gabber feel to it, raging synths and generous cymbal action all around, 3 versions, one of them featuring samples from Jimmy Stewart's 1946 monologue in “It's A Wonderful Life”, another one with very non-western elements mixed in, and finally Juan Ramos bringing a very dancefloor friendly version with a slight Euro-Dance late Hi-NRG edge to it.
"Recorded in Heaven".

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Originally released in 1992 on Muzak, an Italian label founded by Leo Mas, Fabrizio Lazzari and Andrea Gemolottoand, which was fundamental in establishing a new Italian dance floor electronic sound in the early 90s strongly intertwined with US influences from what was happening in Detroit and New York at the time. Officially re-issued with new remix of "Fearless" by Berlin based Trent, stripping down the feisty banger from its breakbeat elements and implementing a new Acid feel to it.

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Sound Metaphors Records continues to explore the Italian early 90's techno scene with another re-issue of D.A.T.A.'s precious catalogue. Already 3 decades ago, 4 Italians got together in northern Italy to elaborate this sound, and it's only fair to say it's still timelessly effective, possibly a mixture of pure naivety and/or premeditated distilled club essence, bold and minimal in its use of rhythmic patterns generated by drum machines and samplers of the time. To imagine this music was being made in a time where only petrol company CEO's had cell phones, emails weren't even a thing, let alone social media, a time capsule into a special epoch where "progressive" or "trance" weren't quite established keywords yet. Re-issued with a new remastered face and 2 new remixes from studio guru Anatolian Weapons beautifully adding to this powerful exploration of club oriented electronics.

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Powerfully epic breaky sound hailing from the UK during the early 90s. Beautiful tempo juxtaposition of fast passed driving beats pushed by low ph bass lines under slower piano riffs and patient vocal elements making it a hard one to forget. Low end elements clearly carved from primordial UK Bass aesthetics taking the amen break to new plateaus already very much overlapping with Drum & Bass territory. Ultra dreamy vocals on some kind of The Mamas and The Papas reincarnation, UK dreaming all the way. Heavy ending track vibes. In addition, Juan Ramos' masterful half tempo remix offers the listener a completely different experience with full respect for the original, what else to expect from someone with this caliber of dance floor education <3 meticulously remastered.

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A time capsule from the golden age of Balearic history opened for the first time in 3 decades. Ibiza legends Leo Mas and Sergio Portaluri generously give Sound Metaphors the honor of releasing historical material from a special time and place. Originally produced in 1993 these tracks have been sitting in DAT tapes waiting for an opportunity to tell us a dancefloor story from a golden era where there were no smart phones or social media. Furthermore, the cherry on top, comes with none other than Apiento (Paul from Testpressing) gracefully remixing "Vogue Mars" into a breakbeat DJ tool bound to inspire new energy levels on the dancefloor. Mastered at Manmade Mastering in Berlin for optimal club efficiency.

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Originally released in 1994, this re-issue bring new wind to "Lamento" with a compatriotic remix by Berlin based Italian producer Trent. Sitting somewhere between tribal and techno with early hints of progressive trancey elements, "Lamento" boasts an assertive underlaying beat coupled with playful percussive elements that get skillfully laced with a driving sawtooth wave synths. 4 mixes to choose from, peak time italian 90s early progressive sound brought back to your record bags with newly remastered care.

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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.

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The original Berlin dance floor trouble makers from the early 90s, Saba Komossa and Gabi Delgado's joint project Anti-Time was a powerful soundtrack to Berlin's nightlife after the wall came down. Merging their naive curiosity with access to latest studio equipment guided by an unmatchable instinct for what works on a dancefloor, Gabi and Saba created a sound so classic and unmistakably their own that still today it refreshes the ears. For many an established masterpiece, for others a time capsule love message from over 3 decades ago, but for everyone it's an essential piece of European club scene history. This album combines both of the known Anti-Time releases from 1990 and 1991 into one release.

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Although his released body of work is relatively small, Dirk De Saever's EPs come with a rather unique aesthetic in sound. Once New Beat was established and exploded as a dancefloor craze in Europe, there seems to have been a bit of a flood of attempts at making “a hit” within the style, filter through most of that and you'll eventually land on Dirk's mini catalogue of top grade Belgian New Beat. This 12” is a compilation of De Saever's 3 EPs combined in one, featuring original mixes on the A-side and instrumentals on the B-side. First track comes with a simple synthesized melody that would have been New Beat chart material, but maybe the sampled lyric was too vulgar for radio play, and maybe Dirk didn't care. The kind of track that makes you think you already know it, yet it's still fresh to the pallet. A2 is like the soundtrack to a stroll down a rough neighborhood in the outskirts of Brussels when all of a sudden the drug dealer, obviously too high on his own supply, jumps out from behind a Friet met Maiyonaise stand trying to sell you some kind of illicit candy in rough translation from Flemish to enthusiastic English – take two of whatever it is he's selling and hope for the best. Later that night, in some warehouse after hours party the DJ plays A3 as your bad trip derails into full on nightmarish Belgian waffle brain damage - New Beat at its best. Always cruising around the 110 bpm marker, waiting to see what happens, no rush, nowhere to go, easy does it.

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Another powerful release from the Exist Dance catalogue, pioneering and shaping the sound of the US early 90's rave scene. A 4 track EP by High Lonesome Sound System - yet another project by Tom Chasteen and Mike Kandel - with a collection of different mixes of “Waiting For the Lights”. Overall a mighty rollercoaster ride in breaky prowess, playful sample wealth and driving synth riffs. Putting the Amen break to unprecedented monumental grandiosities on the dancefloor. Especially with the meticulous mastering on behalf of Manmade mastering. Can't go wrong, buy on sight.

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Another preciosity from the amazing Exist Dance catalogue made readily available to your record collections in newly remastered format. On the A side, “We're Go” is a 3 stage piece of breaky prowess developing throughout a total of almost 13 minutes spiraling around a catchy cosmonautic vocal sample. B1 brings a quintessential Rave energy to the table with samples from live crowds echoing over high octane break rhythms, would be hard to stand still for the duration of this - highly effective on a dance floor. B2 takes a turn towards more introspective moods as it brings in psychedelic elements intertwined with “world music” samples. Very much characteristic of the distinguished Kandel/Chasteen Exist Dance sound. West coast early 90's rave at its best, can't go wrong. “Recorded in Heaven, in 1991, according to the label.”

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The only known EP released by Sick Hardcore, a project of Florence based Franco Falsini, the founder of Kaos Records, an important outlet for the Florentine 90s scene. “Digital Justice” is a collection of 4 proto rave dancefloor oriented tracks featuring sample based sounds over heavily percussive patterns of rhythm with an overall darker tone. Sometimes bordering EBM and New-Beat sentiments, yet also touching upon more progressive sounds and breakbeat elements. In addition to the original release's tracklist is a secret unreleased (more contemporary sounding) version of “Clinic Rhythm” which might have been put together by Franco himself more recently – hard to tell, but sure to impact any dancefloor for the better. Generously remastered for big room action.

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Red Rack’em returns with a surefire summer smash ‘Italo Disco Banger’ which immediately evokes the most euphoric festival vibes ever.

The feedback has been INSANE with Gerd Janson immediately responding ‘Sounds like a hit!’ and huge support from a wide range of artists including DJ Harvey, Crazy P, Roman Flugel, Luke Una, Leon Vynehall, Avalon Emerson, Jamie 3:26 and many more.

Italo Disco Banger does what it says on the tin and more. Tailor made for Tisno and Adriatic vibes, from the first few bars of the heart tugging, eyes closed intro, you’re locked into a beautiful, sun kissed joyous ride.

Hotline is another party starter anthem. No soft B sides here. A heads down filtered disco sub bass club wrecker.

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Repress!

In February 2021, Jan Jelinek's seminal album "Loop-Finding-Jazz-Records" turned 20. The anniversary repress, a double LP with two bonus tracks (B-sides from the Tendency EP, 2000), is a little late to the party.

What the press said about Loop-Finding-Jazz-Records:

“Don’t be misled by the title, though for there isn’t a finger-snapping rhythm c bebop lead anywhere on the album. Instead, Jelinek chooses to explore the visual effect moiré - two shifting patterns creating an implied third dimension - in the audio realm.” (Alternative Press)

“The title acts as explanation for the studio technique that provided the basis for this album, snippets of other people’s arrangements deconstructed through a sampler into loops and then splashed onto an audio canvas.” (ATM)

“Jelinek’s sound evolved out of his dislike for (and inability to play) keyboards.” (RPM)

“Jelinek has abstracted his sources beyond recognition, looping his millisecond samples into flickering patterns of sonic moiré laid atop a dub Techno framework. (...) Jelinek might as well have sampled a horn player’s hissing intake of breath – it would have been ‘jazz’ enough for his purposes.“ (The Wire)

“It’s a perfect inversion of conventional music, a sonic negative. Everything that would typically be foreground is moved back or pushed off the screen altogether, and the flecks of sonic debris that would normally be covered by other sounds are left to carry the melody and rhythm.” (Pitchfork)

“All you need to know is that these onomatopoeic non-specific songs (...) are warm, paradisical creations”. (NME)

“Listen carefully and you’ll hear textures slowly unfolding and mutating. Presuming you’ve not fallen asleep of course.” (iDJ)

“At times, it’s all a bit dripping tap Japanese water torture; so sedentary it drowns in its own motionlessness” (DJ)

“Loop Finding Jazz Records' is a genuine modern classic whose re-release is anything but a cynical mortgage repayment exercise. Consider this a second chance, then pretend you had it all along.” (Boomkat)

PS:

“I’ve been fortunate enough to see Jan Jelinek live once, at Tonic NYC (...). Wearing a black and white striped shirt, he looked like a nihilistic Charlie Brown.” (beachsloth)

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King Street Sounds is on a mission to reintroduce timeless house classics to the dancefloor with another iconic release. Their aim, to educate a new generation about the sounds of the old school while also offering fresh remixes for everyone to enjoy.

Kerri Chandler's 'Bar A Thym' is back on 12-inch vinyl, featuring the full original 7:24 mix. This track builds, keeping listeners at the brink of euphoria and inviting them to dance. It’s THE perfect groove.

The original track is accompanied by a new version via South African producer Themba who adds his signature afro sound to the mix, infusing the song with swing, extra percussion, and heightened anticipation around the various drops.

Then the classic Foremost Poet's version, which was a great alternative to the timeless bomb. If you’re a house head, you need this in your life.

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Mike Dunn returns with his sought after disco, funk & soul re-edits in a new series all from his personal vault, tried and tested for dancefloors this summer. Hand stamped ltd 12" vinyl.

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(2024 repress) Isle Of Jura go back to 1976 to resurrect ‘Anambra’, the jewel in the crown of Dub, Soul & Funk outfit Ozo. ‘Anambra’ is something of a classic, a unique song that’s slow, ritualistic and spiritual, mixing African & Nyabinghi drumming with a Buddhist Sanskrit mantra ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’. An alternate version ‘Anambra River’ appears for the first time on the same 12”.

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Mint Condition - A record label focused on excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics, overlooked gems and never heard before material, mined from the last 30+ years of contemporary dance music are the order of the day. From Chicago, Detroit and New York to London, San Francisco and beyond. Mint Condition have got their digging hats on to bring you exclusive heat and those rarer than rare jams that have been in your wants list for years. Dig in!

A serendipitous encounter at an SF record store in the early 90s brought together local music aficionados DJ Dan and Jim Hopkins. Their collaboration birthed the legendary Electroliners project, channeling their shared passion for underground and funky sounds into the iconic left-coast rave anthem, 'Loose Caboose', now firmly nestled in your hands. Pooling their musical prowess, Dan and Jim embarked on a journey of sonic exploration, meticulously crafting their signature sound by dissecting samples and breakbeats, infusing the musical landscape with a revitalizing energy. As their reputation grew within the local scene, they found themselves tasked with supplying a track for a promotional CD-ROM by a burgeoning software company.

Through marathon sessions of digging, slicing, sequencing, and exchanging snippets over phone calls, Electroliners hit their creative stride. It was only natural to unveil their creation in the raw intensity of a live rave setting. Thanks to a connection with DJ DRC, they seized the opportunity, and the rest is history. Copies of the record flew off the shelves by the thousands locally, and its overseas acclaim, spearheaded by licensing through XL Recordings in the UK, cemented its status as a bona fide underground classic. But what exactly is an Electroliner you might ask? Jim sheds light on the inspiration: “I delved into books on trains at the public library,” he reveals. “Among them, 'Electroliner' caught my eye, a train line in the Midwest. Given the track's pulsating train horn, 'Electroliner' and 'Loose Caboose' simply clicked.”

'Loose Caboose' is an all-time classic, and still causes much damage on the dancefloor today. Yet another unmissable addition to the MC reissue catalogue, fully licensed from the artists, mastered and cut by Curve Pusher, and available once again available for purchase. Do not sleep.

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this project gathers the incredible early 2000's works from georgian pioneer George Dzodzuashvili as post industrial boys.

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Repress!

Double A sided release by Basic Bastard! 4 tracks of House infused Technosoul from the master Orlando Voorn!

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After 8 years Georgian pioneer George Dzodzuashvili is back as Post Industrial Boys with a new album. It's his most personal record to date and opens up its own world: a world full of memories of a bygone time and observations so precise you almost feel like you are living and capturing them yourself with a Super8 camera.

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