Omni – meaning all-encompassing – is an apt title for celebrating over a decade of music on Blue Hour Music. Marking the musical diversity and longevity of Blue Hour’s imprint, the Omni V/A series brings together a wide range of artists from the full electronic music spectrum, plunging into a pool of techno, trance, breaks and everything in between. More

2024 Repress.

Tracing Xircles (Luke Standing aka Blue Hour & Simon Pilkington aka A_JX) return to base after debuting ‘Gaia’s Requiem’ back in 2017. During that period the duo contributed to Air Texture VI curated by Steffi & Martyn and have been quietly readying their new record ‘Air Lock’. The 4 track EP develops their signature sound palette into new territory with references to timeless UK & Detroit flavours, sealing the record with a retro futuristic collage of ambient techno and timeless electronica.
More from this label
More

For the next Blue Hour Music chapter, a special friend of the label’s family is stepping in. Hailing from the city of Delft, Dutch composer Spekki Webu delivers ‘Tenzan’, a forceful 4-track EP which might be the producer’s most ambitious project to date. Spawned from a place of personal reflection, Tenzan is the result of the ongoing cycle of life that has been influencing Webu since his early years. This philosophy
was heightened after a fascination for mountains and a series of dreams about enlightenment on top of a sacred hill. These dreams later became reality after witnessing a ‘Tenzan’ (translated as ‘heavenly mountain’) during a trip in the Japanese wilderness. The cycle of life as represented by the heavenly mountain formed the spiritual direction to complete the narrative for this long-running Blue Hour project - as the leaves fell into place a new cycle began. Aligned in force and vigor, the A-side takes off with ‘Okada’, a grooving tension builder led by ominous melodies that drift off into the depths of the forests. Entering a state of empyrean elevation, ‘Horizon’ is a dub-induced peak-time roller of monumental grandeur. On the B side, the gears shift as ‘Solaris’ unveils a contemporary reinterpretation of 90s acid trance, fusing psyche-warping panned drones and minimalistic drum programming set to make blood pressures rise. Coming full circle, ‘Eion’ delivers euphoric salvation with a pulsating bassline guided by dreamy, repetitive soundscapes that reach for atmospheric heights. Vertigo-induced and wisdom-fueled, Spekki Webu opens the portal to the next cycle of sonic exploration marking the 25th release on Blue Hour Music. More

Repress!

Blue Hour Music welcomes French artist Mathys Lenne for his debut EP as ‘The Scan’ - his go to alias for classic techno. Titled ‘Callgroove’ the record features four functional and highly seductive DJ tools aimed at darkly-lit dance floors. Each track is stripped to its essential layers, holding its own unique tension with hints of pre-pandemic club moments, lead by bold rhythmic groove manipulation, classic drum programming and immersive atmospherics.

Written & produced by Mathys Lenne
Mastered @ Team by João Rodrigues More

Label head Blue Hour steps up for the next release with an impressive two tracker, offering a new exploration of sound from the Berlin based producer. First up on the A side ‘Dimensions’ reveals a dramatic and eery driving Techno track with an atmosphere akin to early British IDM releases but with a more dancefloor-focused approach. ‘Dimensions’ is punctuated by warped mechanical percussive fx, pummeling drums and relentless groove highlighted by a simple yet effective melodic line which boldly opens things up and cuts through the complex layering of sound as the track evolves.

On the B side ‘Sun Dogz’ adopts a similar soundscape, however picks up the tempo with a more Trance orientated production inspired by darker Goa/Psy styles and modern Fast-Trance productions. Hypnotic acidic lines, spatial fx and tribal percussion guide the listener to the main event. A heavily reverbed metallic hook and unique piece of sound design which takes multiple twists and turns along the course of the track. The EP wraps up a year of multiple successful releases from the label, with next year marking 10 years since the labels inception - keep an eye on things to come. More

Original music from Blue Hour gets the ‘Copenhagen Remix Treatment’ on this special collaborative release with three diverse Techno/Trance energisers by Fast Forward Productions artists; DJ Ibon, Sugar and Repro.

2023 Repress! More

While digging for music at Snickars records in Stockholm, local producer, DJ and promoter Maya Lourenco aka Parallax Deep came across two classic goa/psy tracks. These were ‘Gobi Desert’ by 100th Monkey & Tristan (released on Matsuri Productions in 1995) and ‘Bunker’ by Four Carry Nuts (released on Aurinko Records in 2000). She took the records home and began working on creating her own edits by expertly slicing and re-arranging different sections of the tracks and coming up with her own unique versions staying true to the original identity, giving new life to two classics from decades past. More

Melbourne’s DJ Ali is up next on Blue Hour Music with a powerful EP of fast percussive tribal groovers recorded live over multiple hardware sessions. ‘Interceptor’ kicks off the record with energising and rolling momentum laced in echoes of shamanic ritual. ‘Paradox Cell’ maintains the tension with a stripped back and pumping drum track enhanced by repeating tones and swirling winds that suddenly take over. On the flip ‘Nightwatch’ feels even more immersive, tunneling down into hypnotic chambers where a voice guides and pulls the listener through a lucid void. ’Regeneration’ rounds up the record with an uplifting journey that begins to unfold with a series of shifting layers and hints of colour beneath a haze of euphoria. More

After successful releases on Transatlantic and Monnom Black, German FM synthesis wizard Luca Daniel Schwarz (aka LDS) presents his latest record ‘algo5’. The EP captures a wide range of sonic ground with innovative and futuristic edge.

’nbdfoil’ the opening track starts the voyage with mesmerising awe before sliding into ‘kizzt_VF’ where reality distorts and mind-warping events unfold. Closing out the A side the interlude ‘<13’ stumbles along with playful weirdness and explorative sonic gestures. Back in more familiar territory the B-side’s ‘fl+’ and ‘Vone’ propel dynamic rhythms through the ether until arriving at the final track, ‘mfäg’ where fragmented arps and cinematic ambience give an emotional sense of closure.

LDS’s ability to compose to a high level of depth and intrigue is unmistakably a significant feat for any electronic dance music producer and testament to the possibilities of modern sound design. More

Delivering his first solo EP in over two years, Blue Hour releases Origins, the 21st release on Blue Hour Music. Following a succession of remixes, V/A contributions and an EP under his Tracing Xircles alias earlier this year, the Berlin-based producer and DJ shares four tracks diving deeper into his UK roots. Channelling breakbeat, techno and trance with the hallmarks of 90’s rave, Origins builds upon the foundations created from his EP ‘Devotion’ in 2020.
In this eclectic EP, Blue Hour explores several sonic palettes. The title track blends celestial chords with urgent drums and acid basslines, while uplifting vocals and subtle melodies wind through the track. ‘True’ dips more heavily into breakbeat territory with evolving and immersive pads, soaring strings and a twinkling synth-line. A dynamic fusion of fast-paced energy and soft touches.

On the flip, ‘Emergence’ dances a delicate line between melancholia and elation, as dystopian chords pool with a squelchy acid sequence and a classic house vocal. ‘Searching’ closes on an ambient tip with spell-binding pads and an angelic melody, conveying a bright side to Blue Hour’s aesthetic, akin to Origins as a whole. More

For their first release, London label Moonworks are reissuing two highly sought-after UK house bombs from Carlos Baker aka Serpico to mark the 30th anniversary of its original 1993 release.

'Just Can't Stop' is a record which fell through the cracks, deemed not commercially viable enough by the major label that Serpico was signed to at the time. Determined to get the music out there, Baker decided to self-release a limited run of blue labelled vinyl. Several big independent labels of the '90s were subsequently interested in putting out the tracks, however it never came to fruition.

Over 30 years this record has aged gracefully, inspiring generations of diggers with its quirky euphoric feel, weighty low-end and intoxicating synthwork becoming a prized possession for some of the biggest names on the scene, with original copies trading hands for £100+. Whether you draw for the ecstasy-inducing Incantation Mix or the acid-infused Orca Space Dub, there’s no denying this is a timeless masterpiece from the UK underground.

Moonworks have worked closely with Serpico to bring this gem back down to earth, restoring the tracks from the original DAT tapes at Gat Decor’s studio, remastering them to modern standards and finally giving this music the official release it deserves. More

Tracklisting
A1 Alien Rave - Tanzen
A2 Alien Rave - Folge Mir
B1 Alien Rave - Tunel
B2 Alien Rave - Dark Matter

Sales Note
Here's the first vinyl record release by Alien Rave. We still can't explain the strange circumstances surrounding this record, which came to our attention in a mysterious and unexpected way. A coded message through Ableton Live led us to a strange place where we found the recordings. The instructions were very clear - all we had to was follow them You'll find the results on this interstellar '94 electro-break track. Alien Rave sets out to get inside your head, introducing evocative and epic mental moments that give way to energetic tunnels built on a solid rhythmic foundation carefully designed to withstand elegant ultrasonic bass frequencies. For electro-break fans, this record could be seen as a journey which originated in the German-inspired Florida scene before eventually finding its way back to Spain. It's funny how Florida, home to some of the most robotic and extraterrestrial electro-break music, is also one of the hot spots of the global UFO phenomenon. Coincidence? Maybe, but we're looking forward to the next contact: we know it's coming. More

Wewantsounds is glad to continue its Akiko Yano reissue series with the release of the singer"s third studio album "To Ki Me Ki", recorded in New York and released in 1978 in Japan. It follows her cult "Iroha Ni Konpeitou" LP and keeps the similar blend of Japanese pop and New York funk found in the latter. "To Ki Me Ki" features such musicians as Rick Marotta, Will Lee and David Spinozza and also programmer Hideki Matsutake who would soon join the YMO with Akiko for their international 1979/1980 tour before she recorded her next studio album "Tadaima" that year, featuring the YMO musicians. "To Ki Me Ki" is reissued outside of Japan for the first time, remastered in Tokyo by revered engineer Mitsuo Koike and featuring original artwork by Tsutomu Murakami with 4 page colour insert and new liner notes by Paul Bowler. More

We are glad to welcome talented producer Funktor with his debut EP "Emitter" for our 2nd release on Abstract Rhythm. His release contains 4 massive Electro tracks transforming electricity into machine funk heavy sound waves. More

Size XL

Underground Resistance 'Workers' T-Shirt
Tan with Orange print on Gildan Ultra Cotton Shirt

Available in X-Small, Small, Medium, Large and X-Large
More

Repress!

Blue Hour Music welcomes French artist Mathys Lenne for his debut EP as ‘The Scan’ - his go to alias for classic techno. Titled ‘Callgroove’ the record features four functional and highly seductive DJ tools aimed at darkly-lit dance floors. Each track is stripped to its essential layers, holding its own unique tension with hints of pre-pandemic club moments, lead by bold rhythmic groove manipulation, classic drum programming and immersive atmospherics.

Written & produced by Mathys Lenne
Mastered @ Team by João Rodrigues More

Tracklisting
A1 ANNE - Heal My Soul
A2 ANNE - Turn Back Time
A3 ANNE - Zephyrus
B1 Sera J - Blue Dancers
B2 Sera J - Common People
B3 Sera J - Delusion

Sales Note
SHDW's label Mutual Rytm rounds out another year with 'Symbiosis' - an excellent split EP from Greek artists ANNE & Sera J, featuring six fresh cuts and four digital bonuses.

The release title comes from the Greek word 'Symbiosis', which means living closely together for a significant period and can be used to speak of a mutually beneficial interaction between individuals. And that is precisely what can be said of ANNE and Sera J, who have grown through life as partners and, more recently, as musical peers. This split EP is their first release alongside one another, and one that presents the story of their innermost feelings, with their full label debut following fine contributions to the label's 'Federation Of Rytm II' compilation back in March.

ANNE has had a busy few years making her mark with potent techno on labels such as Soma, Hardgroove, and Life In Patterns, while Sera J is just as revered for his tunes on the likes of Out Of Place, DifferentSound and more.

ANNE takes the A-side, firstly with the fiery diva vocals and thumping techno drums of 'Heal My Soul' and then the more physical and banging drum programming of 'Turn Back Time'. It's a big, metallic cut with rumbling bass and sleek synths peeling off the groove, while her final track 'Zephyrus' has plenty of infectious bounce and eerie pads to keep dancers on their toes.

On the flip, Sera J kicks off with the electrifying synth stabs and cantering techno power of 'Blue Dancers' and then offers up 'Common People' as twisted leads and slamming drums all run through with alien sound effects and bright stabs. To close, 'Delusion' is a psychedelic cut with roaming leads that bring plenty of cosmic energy to the unrelenting kicks.

In addition, each artist serves up a pair of digital bonuses: ANNE with the hurried funk of 'Serene' and loopy intensity of 'Victor', and Sera J with the liquid, dubby dynamics of the hard-hitting 'Intensity' and monstrous energy of 'Bodies Don't Lie.'

ANNE & Sera J 'Smybiosis' drops via Mutual Rytm on 1st December 2023.




More

Now repressed by popular demand! "The Trance Of Seven Colors" by master Gnawa musician MALEEM MAHMOUD GHANIA and free jazz legend PHAROAH SANDERS. Produced by BILL LASWELL and according to The Attic "one of the most important albums of Gnawa trance music released in the '90s". Originally released in 1994 on BILL LASWELL's AXIOM imprint, "The Trance Of Seven Colors" is the meeting of two true musical masters: MALEEM MAHMOUD GHANIA (1951 – 2015), son of the master of Gnawa music MALEEM BOUBKER GHANIAand the famous clairvoyant and "moqaddema" A'ISHA QABRAL, and a master of the traditional Gnawa style in his own right.MAHMOUD learned this craft as a youth along with his brothers, walking from village to village, performing ceremonies with his father BOUBKER and was one of the few masters (Maleem) who continued to practice the Gnawa tradition strictly for healing (the central ritual of the Gnawa is the trance music ceremony – with the purpose of healing or purification of the participants). With 30 cassette releases of music from the Gnawa repertoire with his own ensemble and performances at every major festival in Morocco, including performing for the King in various contexts, MAHMOUD GHANIA was also one of Morocco's most prominent professional musicians. In 1994, BILL LASWELL and PHAROAH SANDERS went to Mocrocco, equipped with just some mobile recording devices, to record GHANIA and a large ensemble of musicians (to a good part family members) in a very intimate set up at a private house with the legendary free jazz musician contributing his distinctive tenor saxophone sounds that gained him highest praise as a truely spiritual soul right from the days of playing with JOHN COLTRANE and his wife ALICE and on seminal solo albums like "Karma". The aptly titled "The Trance of Seven Colors" ranks among the best Gnawa recordings ever released, made it onto the list of "10 incredible percussive albums from around the world" by Thevinylfactory.com and is 25 years after its original CD release on finally available on vinyl! More

The Full Circle Released imprint is here. Finally - some might say - as these Parisian Masterminds stoke their engines with a faster grade of fuel. Always in keeping with trend, these well-versed contemporary historians have delivered something fit for the peak of the moment, a progressive A side that surely crosses over; with a break in the beat, surges of euphoria and darker moments that harken back to the hard trance we knew, this number fills the Full Circle brief and more! The B side is a true dub, nestled in at just the right tempo, it sails on through with plenty of heavenly space about it, balanced with subtle percussion and just a pinch of sonic wonk. Those starting to panic about the speed of it all can of course just hit the 33 dial for some 1/2 speed love, it’s Full Circle after all. More

»In Words« is the first solo album by the Danish musician, composer, and visual artist Alexander Tillegreen. The album represents a series of varied electronic music pieces while also carrying examples of ongoing work with psychoacoustic phenomena. Composed partly of material taken from his artistic practice as an installation artist and his ongoing interdisciplinary artistic research into psychoacoustic phenomena, Tillegreen investigates subjective sonic perception and the negotiation of language. Particularly, these investigations are done through the use of the phantom word illusion, originally discovered by music psychologist Diana Deutsch. Parts of the album were conceived when Tillegreen was the first artist ever in resident at the Max Planck Institute for Empirical Aesthetics. Triggering the brain’s tendency to interpret language-based auditory illusions as meaningful information and as words within the mind of the listener, Tillegreen’s unique sound works unfold like a kaleidoscope of phonetic mirrors which render possibilities to reflect upon the listener’s own psychological and culturally situated linguistic embeddedness. Gender-distorted voice perception, speech and language borders are all challenged and thematized throughout Tillegreen’s work. The listener’s head and bodily movement drastically affect the listening and the word interpretation. Their psychological subconsciousness, recent events, memories, and expectations as well as the listener’s motion in space all become co-creative and co- composing factors in a reactive and choreographic process of listening. The polyrhythmic seriality of spatialized syllabic structures is accompanied by elements of heavy bass drops, high-frequency tensions, undulating synth lines, and hypnotic effects. Some of the many compositional potentials of the phantom word illusions are exercised and unfolded in selected tracks throughout the album. The notion of language borders is approached from an entirely different and even more “anti-logocentric” perspective on the “eponymous” closing track »Assimilate (in Words)«, where the listener experiences the struggle and collapse of interpersonal communication through conversation. Other parts of the album represent more diverse approaches to abstract electronic music. »In Words« morphs soundscapes into glacial, spherical passages of ambient backdrops, while at other times emphasizes raw tectonic blocks of hyper-panning drones that erupt into high-velocity outlets of energetic, granular fields. Tillegreen is alternating between cyclical, minimalist, hypnotic approaches and complex, glitchy polyrhythmic melodic structures that shift and melt into evocative ambiences. The phantom words and the nature of Tillegreen’s musical visions progressively demand more of the listener’s attention and represent the artist’s ongoing artistic work and scientific research into psychoacoustics and language. While »In Words« is a highly conceptual album, the musical bandwidth is extensive. More