Viscardi & Il Duo Magnetico is the collaborative project between italo-swiss DJ, producer and singer Pascal Viscardi, Yavor Lilov and Alain Sandri, respectively drummer and percussionist of the swiss cult band L’Éclair. The three musicians joined forces in Geneva and worked in the studio for the past two years with Viscardi as the main vocalist, Lilov producing the tracks and playing drums, bass and keys, and Sandri on guitar, percussions, and backing vocals. The result is a unique and contemporary version of italian pop, peppered with new-wave, boogie, disco and world music references.

After the release of the first two singles, Sale Sole & Jamba Club in June 2023, Cosmic Romance is proud to present their first full-length effort: Elka Mare.

Like a mystical portal that opens on a digital journey through sunny Boogie and Mellow Reggae, Art Pop and Ambient New Age, the eight songs that make up the album draw on a vocabulary composed of fragmentary images, unusual verses and original assonances, where maritime themes mix with the gray of the city and the Neapolitan dialect sparsely appears; witness to a paternal emigration. The journey sounds like dreaming of Campania beaches in the midst of Geneva traffic, or fantasizing about speeding motorboats and Balearic bonfires while listening to Enzo Carella on the sixth floor of a council building. And then dance until the sun rises on the last slow song of the night.

A1 - Dopo Il Temporale
A2 - Sale Sole
A3 - Giardini Scuri
A4 - Elka Mare
B1 - Macchina Furiosa
B2 - Guagliò!
B3 - Amore Mio
B4 - Capire L'indomani More

Détends-Toi is the debut EP of the Parisian-born, berlin-based singer & DJ Stella Zekri.

Produced and co-written by Ed Longo, Détends-Toi is a sunny collection of four original songs, one dub version and one special cover, heavily influenced by zouk, boogie and the sound of the mid-80s French underground.

Coming to you in advance of summer ‘22 the record marks also the first release of Berlin label Cosmic Romance.

A1 - Plus Vite
A2 - Réalité
A3 - Pourquoi (Why)
B1 - Détends-toi
B2 - Sentimentale
B3 - Détends-toi (Dub) More

Big Crown Records is proud to present Brainstory’s sophomore full-length album Sounds Good.

Based in L.A. but hailing from the Inland Empire's own Rialto, California, two-thirds of Brainstory, Kevin and Tony Martin are brothers by blood, while Eric Hagstrom is a brother through their music and long term friendship. Since they started the band they have constantly faced situations that forced them to rise to the occasion. They got signed to Big Crown Records, they stepped up their game. COVID happened, they learned to record themselves. They started touring a ton sharing the stage with the likes of Lady Wray and they got their live show super tight. All of this time spent grinding and growing has certainly paid off. The path to take their art to the next level is clearer than ever, and once again, they are here for it. If there is one thing that is abundantly clear on Sounds Good, it’s that Brainstory has leveled up.

Part of this evolution is undoubtedly attributed to having access to and working constantly in their own studio in Long Beach. Another major factor is that their brotherhood has expanded. "I've been playing music with my brother all my life and now with Eric for a long time," Tony tells us. "Leon, though, is like another brother I've just met."
Leon Michels, Big Crown's co-owner, produced this record and applied his unmistakable golden touch in crucial ways. The other member of the extended Brainstory brotherhood whose contributions were essential to the album, is studio engineer legend Jens Jungkurth who controls the tones and textures of the music. "That's what you're hearing, our connection, the fun moments, the little details," Kevin describes. "This record isn't half what it is without them—and it made us want to match that effort," and match that effort they did.

Album opener "Nobody But You" is an uplifting, dance floor burner, that shows off a new side of Brainstory's range. Drummer Eric Hagstrom’s crushing back beat lays the foundation for an inspirational feel good banger that manages to take the uncomfortable truth that “nobody will save you but you” and turn it into pure blissful motivation. "Peach Optimo" is a laid back half time tune that blends the bounce of Down South Hip-Hop with California G funk and Jazz. They once again show off their B said ballad talents with "Gift Of Life" but this time taking the genre to a new place with lyrics about existentialism and a track that is drop dead gorgeous, haunting, and profound all at once. "NyNy" is an homage to Kev and Tony's recently deceased grandfather while "Too Yung" is a show stopping, deeply personal, stripped down number about being introduced to alcohol at a young age. They put another hit on the boards with "Hanging On," a Latin / Psychedelic Soul inspired banger featuring Claire Cottrill on background vocals while "XFaded” addresses the all too common vicious cycle of smoking and drinking too much over a trippy shuffle.

"It's been four years since our last full length record, and with everything that's happened since, it's like we've been catching up to ourselves." That's one way to describe change: catching up to oneself. Each member of Brainstory has gone through shifts, both personally and musically, and all of that threads through Sounds Good. It's easy to say that the music industry can be short on lasting, genuine relationships. However, for Brainstory, from day one it's been about standing by each other, for each other. Their friendship started the group, and now, this expanded brotherhood is supporting them to push it further. The stars have aligned for them to take a big and well deserved step with this new album and it couldn't have happened to a better group of guys. Ups and downs of course, but they are acutely aware of how good the big picture has been for them and you can hear it in their music—music that just Sounds Good. More

Repress!
After the success of 'Discollection' vinyl EP, reaching #1 in the Bestseller Disco Charts in 2019, San Diego producer Never Dull is back with the follow up 'Discollection II.' This collection of disco edits really shine through the 'West Coast Disco' sound that Never Dull has been building throughout his latest releases. 'Cool Love' is the lead track, with a disco bassline and expressive vocals. 'Get a Little' is a 'wonky' party track with a driving beat and soulful chords. 'Want My Love' has an excellent soulful disco intro that breaks into a driving baseline and vocal harmonies. While 'Whatever U Want' captures that perfect balance between the obscure and the party vibe, featuring a thumping beat and expressive shouting vocals. More

Tracklist:

Side A
1. Rendezvous
feat. Vanessa Baker
2. Obio feat. Gabriel Otu

Side B
1. Don’t Wanna Be Your Lover feat. Raymond Lédon
2. Get It In The Sun feat. Olugbade Okunade

As the name suggests, Sai Galaxy represents a star-studded cluster of artists from around the world – their varied styles colliding to form a refreshing fusion of classic Afrobeat, disco and West African funk.

Drawing from the influence of 70s and 80s Nigerian artists such as Nkono Teles, Jake Sollo and Mike Umoh, the Sai Galaxy collective is on a mission to reproduce the analogue warmth and groove from those decades. Consequently, they lean heavily on 70s production techniques - free from the predictable rigidity of digital sequencing. Combined with a wealth of live music experience between them, the result is a melting pot of musicians flying in such tight formation you’d be forgiven for assuming they’d passed through quantisation.

It comes as no surprise then that many of the musicians on the Get It As You Move EP have previously collaborated on other projects. The symbiotic relationship is undeniable - from the raw unadulterated drums, to the wobbly bass, squelchy synth, smoky vocals and spontaneous percussive jams.

Spearheaded by Australian multi-instrumentalist Simon Durrington (who also produces under the moniker Sai Galaxy), the members include Olugbade Okunade - former trumpet player from Seun Kuti’s Egypt 80 - as well as guests Gabriel Otu, Ray Lédon and Vanessa Baker.

Several of these artists appear with Digital Afrika, the live electronic outfit from Simon Durrington and Zhonu Moon, which signed in 2020 to Carl Cox’s imprint Awesome Soundwave. Others include Papua New Guinean musician Ray Lédon, who performs alongside Durrington in Sorong Samarai, a political band primarily made up of West Papuan indigenous tribes living in exile.

While the EP seeks to reflect 70s production, glimpses of contemporary elements can be found in the arrangements and harmonies, at times reminiscent of modern artists such as Lord Echo, Bosq and Voilaaa. On the lead single ‘Rendezvous’, featuring the sultry vocals of Vanessa Baker, the drums temporarily slip out of four-to-the-floor and into a shuffling breakbeat, while Ray Lédon’s voice gets a distorted, filtered treatment on ‘Don’t Wanna Be Your Lover’.

Channelling West African funk with a touch of psychedelia is the single ‘Obio’, featuring lyrics in the language of Ga, as sung by Ghanaian artist Gabriel Otu. On each track, the ensemble explores the theme of the dancefloor experience - finally epitomised by ‘Get It In The Sun’, a joyful rallying call to join the festivities. As Durrington believes: “dance is vital to health and community”. And with an EP that urges you to dance from start to finish, consider Sai Galaxy a cosmic tonic for the modern lifestyle.

Mastered by Daniel San
Lacquers cut by Lewis Hopkin at Star Delta
Original artwork by Lewis Heriz More

Always innovative - the reliably inspiring Payfone are back once more pushing the envelope with a sonic statement addressed to the late-night populous.

After a series of acclaimed releases on Golf Channel , Leng and Defected records, Payfone now deliver on their own Otis Records imprint.
A dirty punk-funk bass guitar and kick drum combo kick off this 120 BPM party piece before a vintage drum machine steps in to take the track into warehouse territory, like Murk covering Liquid Liquid.

Smoke and sweat dripping from walls cling to your clothes as you melt into the sexually fluid vocals from an international array of vocal talent featuring Kyd Nereida (Dominican Republic) Philissa Williams (Washington D.C.) and Jo Harris (N. Carolina)

Raking in at 9 minutes, the B side is an extended dub version for those moments when time loses all context... More

Jorge Ben is surely one of the world’s greatest all-round musical artists. He is internationally renowned and vastly influential as a vocalist, musician, performer and phenomenal songwriter. Famed for penning ‘Taj Mahal’, which was the source for Rod Stewart’s ‘Do You Think I’m Sexy?’, and also ‘Mas Que Nada’, one of Brazil’s most iconic anthems, Jorge Ben is a powerful musical force. A simple glance at his impressive back catalogue reveals a master of his craft, with a depth and quality that is seldom paralleled.

For 'Tudo Ben' we take a side-step, focusing on Jorge Ben’s songs that have been performed by other artists. Complied by Mr Bongo, Greg Caz and Sean Marquand, this collection features the Brazilian legends Elza Soares, Claudette Soares, and Wilson Simonal, alongside prodigious artists such as Marijô, Os Brazoes, and Doris Monteiro to name but a few. The selection covers a wide range of genres including samba, bossa nova, MPB and batacuda workouts. Many of the songs featured have become staples in Mr Bongo DJ sets over the years and are some of our most loved classics. As with many of history’s great songwriters, Jorge Ben’s songs transcend genres and styles, they can be covered and reinterpreted, yet the quality of the writing holds up to the standard of the original.

In the dark days of the mid to late 2000s when the end of vinyl seemed inevitable, Mr Bongo released 'Tudo Ben' on CD only. Years later, we finally get to put this right and present it for the first time on vinyl with alternative artwork by Mr Krum.

Tracklist:

1. Salinas - Tenha Fé, Pois Amanhã Um Lindo Dia Vai Nascer
2. Elza Soares - Pulo, Pulo
3. Sonia Santos – Speed
4. Osmar Milito - Rita Jeep
5. Wilson Simonal – Zazueira
6. Osmar Milito - Quem Mandou
7. Doris Monteiro - Se Você Quiser Mas Sem Bronquear
8. Wilson Simonal - Que Pena
9. Osmar Milito - Morre O Burro, Fica O Homem
10. Os Originais do Samba - Lá Vem Salgueiro
11. Os Brazões - Carolina, Carol Bela
12. Wilson Simonal - Crioula
13. Claudette Soares - Êles Querem É Amar
14. Os Incríveis - Vendedor De Bananas
15. Wilson Simonal - Brasil, Eu Fico
16. Cyro Aguiar - Rei Do Maracatu
17. Wilson Simonal - Resposta
18. Elza Soares - Mas Que Nada
19. Wilson Simonal - País Tropical
20. Os Originais do Samba - Cadê Tereza
21. Marijô - Fio Maravilha
22. Os Originais do Samba - Tenha Fé, Pois Amanhã Um Lindo Dia Vai Nascer
23. Os Brazões - Que Maravilha
24. Os Mutreteiros Grilados - Cosa Nostra
25. Os Originais do Samba - Falador Passa Mal More