On Oath’s latest release, the imprint is beyond proud to bring renowned West Coast producer Jesse Bru into the fold, who brings with him a truly barnstorming collection of music that dips deep into the in-between and brings forth a captivating audial experience like no other..

Jesse Bru remains one of modern dance music’s most intriguing technicians, both from a humanistic and machine-driven perspective. His sound is born deeply from 90s sample-based approaches, and this fascination has been stretched out and rewritten constantly throughout his releases to great effect. Bru primarily releases music under the guise of House, but to delve deep within his records is to see a much broader perspective, where many genres can be found within the grooves and rhythms. His melodic work, with a particular emphasis on vocal samples as part of melodic exchanges with pianos and synths, is inspiring, to say the least, and as a core facet of his work always aims to shift his sound onwards and upwards. There aren’t many styles that aren’t touched upon within his discography, and his journey to date feels very much like an exercise in understanding the liminal spaces that persist between a myriad of genres. Bru always finds new ways to mesmerize, entice and unfurl within his music, joyous yet calculated and unraveling – a distinctly infectious sound that keeps listeners engaged from start to finish. With stellar releases on labels such as Slothboogie, Aterral, Oath’s sub-label Last Year at Marienbad, Blaq Numbers, and Happiness Therapy, there’s plenty to delve into and get to know.

‘Sea to Sky’ is Bru’s first LP since 2020’s ‘The Coast’, and there aren’t many ground or in-between spaces which he doesn’t cover over the album’s 13 glorious tracks. Shifting from simmering ambient to pumped-up electro, sparkling House cuts through to unraveling downtempo numbers, Bru ensures the listener leaves the experience feeling the totality of his universe. Going through the album sides, A begins with ‘Cascadia Sun’, which features an esoteric vocal sample laid upon shifting chordal arrangements, which does much to set the tone for things to come. ‘Kalamalka’ is up next, which drives into an electro-themed sunset, one which features some inspired melodic sequences and deep-set rhythmic patterns. ‘Pacific Northwest (Off The Grid)’ comes into view next, and this is classic Bru, with a rock-solid kick providing the foundation for a myriad of delicate melodic tones to drift in and out of view – warming the heart and the soul, as always.

The B Side introduces ‘In The Sky (Night Moves)’, which swings the focus back to into the electro realms, with this number set at a meandering pace, ensuring maximum engagement with the soft hues and delicate textures. ‘Go Somewhere’ slams into the stage right afterwards, an uptempo garage number that sets the pulses racing with its gorgeous chordal work and vocal samples. Side C has ‘Deep Cove’ up first, which features one of Bru’s long-form House journeys, and this one does not disappoint, with spacious melodic blemishes overlaid with one another for maximum emotional impact. ‘Hyperlight’ rounds off C, acting as a quick glimpse across the horizon line with soaring arpeggios and deep chordal exercises, creating a pit stop on this already dynamic and interchangeable journey.

Side D kicks off with ‘Mnajdra’, which again features Bru’s classic motifs in the art of crafting top-quality house music. A hypnotic rhythmic palette sets the stage for the vocals to do their magic, along with pretty, engaging synths which provide a melodic base in which to loose yourself completely. ‘The Abyss’ takes things back into electro territories, and this one has a brooding tone to it – the hum and fizz of the bass synths, razor sharp percussion, and filtered vocals make quite an image in the mind.

Getting towards the business end of the record, Side E contains ‘Sea to Sky (Discoteqha)’, which shifts back into house territories. Another one of Bru’s 8-minute masterpieces, the unraveling nature of this track provides plenty of scope and scale in which to dwell, a mesmerizing experience that is balanced and poised to perfection. Side F, the final chapter of the record, features 3 rather contrasting experiences, but of which is reflective of the overall experience. ‘Movin On’ slows things way down, with a swinging hip-hop beat acting as the crux for soulful melodies and vocals to lay themselves loving up top. ‘Autumn Rain’ is a reflective number, with somber synth work giving way to a skipping breakbeat that echos murmurs in the soul. To round up the experience, we have ‘The Drip’, which takes the record into its final form – Jungle/D’n’B to be precise, with waterfall-like arpeggios frantically sprawling over hyper intense fills and breaks, and as the final track it remains fitting for such a wondering yet expertly conceived musical experience. Its very.well, its very Jesse Bru and it works so very well.

Some artists spend their whole careers searching for the sweet spots within their musical universes, the spaces in the middle ground which when activated can act as the catalyst for new ideas and progressions. Jesse Bru feels as if he has found these moments within his work many moons ago, and has always found new ways to reinvent the wheel seemingly at will. This new record of his is a testament to that fact, a truly all-encompassing experience that takes both time for the listener to get involved, and knows exactly when to shift gears and take a right turn. Its curated to such a high degree, that every move into differing musical perspectives makes sense, with the tone set at the beginning but with plenty of space left to grow, and that is truly the sign of a great full-length experience. So why not drop the needle on this one, switch off for a bit, and drift through into the cosmos… More

In a world threatened by environmental decay, a passionate young man embarked on a daring quest to save the planet.

Will his vision of a sustainable future become a reality, proving that the passion of one young man could ignite a revolution and ultimately save the planet for generations to come?

Find out by following the Chronicles Of Bru, the new series of EP composed by Jesse Bru and produced by Happiness Therapy! More

Next up on Happiness Therapy is an energetic and raw club-oriented EP from the dynamic duo Big Miz and Bessa. Hailing from Glasgow, Scotland, these long-time friends have extended their camaraderie into the studio to produce a project that has already made some damages on worldwide dancefloors.

Adding to the allure of this release are two stellar remixes. The rising producer and Semi Delicious label owner Demi Riquísimo injects his unique flavor into the main title « Coolin », as Driss Bennis aka OCB, the mastermind behind Casa Voyager, offers his distinct touch, delivering a remix that complements the EP's energetic and raw vibe, with his distinctive ghetto tech & electro-funk touch. More

New signing of the French label Happiness Therapy, rising Parisian producer Strandtuch unveils his debut vinyl EP "Want 2 Feel"

Drawing from an eclectic array of influences, the Parisian producer has meticulously crafted his signature style, which he aptly describes as Power House. Seamlessly fusing elements of House, Acid, Ghetto House, and Trance, his music transcends conventional genres.

His world is wide and rich, just as his live : full of energy and surprises.

"Want 2 Feel" is set to be released on March 22nd. This groundbreaking collection of tracks showcases the producer's unparalleled talent for blending nostalgic 90s sounds with innovative modern treatments. With an emphasis on dynamic tonalities, infectious melodies, and sophisticated rhythms, his new release on Happiness Therapy promises to be a must-have addition to any electronic music aficionado's collection. More

In a world threatened by environmental decay, a passionate young man embarked on a daring quest to save the planet.

Will his vision of a sustainable future become a reality, proving that the passion of one young man could ignite a revolution and ultimately save the planet for generations to come?

Find out by following the Chronicles Of Bru, the new series of EP composed by Jesse Bru and produced by Happiness Therapy! More

Happiness Therapy is celebrating five years of releases this month ! The French label, founded by Crowd Control in 2018, has become one of the country’s most well-renowned outfits.

To commemorate such a milestone, the imprint is releasing a nine-track VA in the form of 5 Years of Happiness. Featured guests include Kolter and DJ Steaw, whilst several firm label favorites also appear on the VA, teaming up to produce a set of exclusive collaborations.

“This new release sets in stone half a decade of existence, life changing releases and unforgettable label nights” - Simon Blondeau aka Crowd Control.

Each track embodies the Happiness Therapy ethos through and through, as does each artist’s relationship with the label. The family feel runs deep: resulting in a compilation of feel-good, house-inspired musical goodness that encapsulates just what Happiness Therapy is about! More

The fast emerging house label Happiness Therapy starts the year with a very important release ! Because it marks the 20th EP to be released on the French label, at first, and because it’s produced by the one and only The Phantom’s Revenge.

With France producing such important electronic artists as Guy Manuel de Homem Christo, Thomas Bangalter, Alan Braxe and DJ Falcon, The Phantom's Revenge can only do more to maintain France's stronghold on the house music scene. His chopping and glitch cuts occur nearly seamlessly and showcase his undeniable talent behind the boards.

The French House legendary producer delivers 6 bangers, all meticulously produced with his unique sound design and unique way of micro sampling everything from long-forgotten funk and disco gems to vintage commercials and iconic retro video games. What a great day for the fans! More

Baka G is a Happiness Therapy stalwart. Her relationship with the label dates back to May 2020, where she first appeared on Happy House Vol. 1, the trailblazing first edition of the imprint’s friends and family compilation release. Next up was 3 Years Of Happiness Therapy, where she made a lauded appearance via The Heat Beat, and now comes something particularly special: her first full-length debut with the six-track EP Weekend.

Honing her craft at Parisian and Brusselian house parties, Baka G’s musical output embodies an inherently infectious positive energy. She’s part of the new wave of French house producers, turning heads through a consistent schedule of quality releases. Such momentum hasn’t gone unnoticed by European club bookers, with recent plays across Spain, France, Switzerland and Germany bolstering her emergence, forming the perfect foundation for a highlight year ahead. More

B From E is a Happiness Therapy mainstay. Just last month the Dane remixed Mogan’s Monstera Tears, on the label’s lauded HT17 release. Now he follows this up with his first full Happiness Therapy EP in Just At Night. Featuring a remix by fellow Danish regular Niles Cooper, it marks a highlight occasion for the thriving Copenhagen talent.

Balancing a well-established career in Denmark with an international tour schedule is no mean feat, but in B From E’s case, that’s exactly what the Danish mainstay has been up to over the years. From Traxx Underground to Happiness Therapy, to being head of his own label Buddahood, his productions are downright infectious. Resident Advisor described it best: “Lean and smart, they're the kind of garage-tinged groovers loved by almost every house DJ on the planet, based on the time-tested combination of cheery melodies and sprightly groove.” More

Happiness Therapy continues its 2023 release schedule this April with a welcome re-appearance from French talent Mogan. The five track Flowers Remember marks his debut full-length feature on the imprint and includes a remix by label mainstay B From E.

Fast-emerging, with a clear ear for what makes the perfect dancefloor melody, French talent Mogan is one of the country’s leading musical exponents. His discography speaks for itself, with a string of releases on Gents & Dandy’s and Sampling As An Art Records. He’s no stranger to Happiness Therapy either, having appeared on the two most recent Happy House compilations, which led to him receiving massive support from french legend Laurent Garnier. Yeah that’s right! Now, Flowers Remember marks his first full-length outing on the imprint, proving that Mogan is just getting started. More

Denyl Brook is a Happiness Therapy mainstay. From contributing to the imprint’s Happy House compilation to releasing his first full-length EP last summer, the Lyon-based talent has become an imprint favourite over the years. Now he makes a welcome return, serving up some of his best work to date on the six-track My Lovin’. The lead track will see the light of day for the very first time, having been played to widespread acclaim on worldwide dancefloors over the last few months.

Denyl Brook is swiftly becoming one of France’s most talked-about rising talents. Head of his own Silver Step Records, last month’s New Home EP marked the label’s second-ever release, whilst My Lovin’ sees him return to another firm favourite imprint in Happiness Therapy. He’s no stranger to Shall Not Fade also, having made several appearances in recent years, proving himself as a leading tastemaker in upbeat, club-geared dance music. More

Fresh from the recent success of “Makes Me Happy” & “Amberjack”, that saw Dan Be and Marc Brauner make their names on the imprint once again, Happiness Therapy continues a standout run of releases this December, with a new and long awaited four-track offering from label-founder Crowd Control.

“I collaborated with the south korean singer & artist ÜJEAN on this EP, with Marc Brauner remixing one of the tracks. I wanted to explore diverse influences, most of which had never been included in my music in the past. It's a versatile piece - and one that I'm very happy with!” - Crowd Control.

Crowd Control has been heading up Happiness Therapy since 2018, flying the flag for France’s underground music scene ever since. An established DJ, producer and event curator, his label has gone from strength to strength, boasting an already solid back-catalogue of productions, with many more to come! More

It’s more of the same for Happiness Therapy, as the growing French label makes a welcome return to releasing music. This time, Berlin mainstay Marc Brauner lands on the imprint once again, delivering his first full-length HT EP in Amberjack.

Marc Brauner embodies exactly what it means to be a DJ and producer. From Houseum Records to Shall Not Fade, he has crafted a signature, club-driven sound during his near decade long career in dance music. A familiar face on Happiness Therapy off the back of two appearances on Happy House Vol. 3 and Happy House Vol. 4 respectively, Amberjack now marks the next step for the ever talented Berliner. More

French outfit Happiness Therapy continues its release schedule this September with a brand new EP from Glasgow-based Spanish artist Dan Be. The four-tracker, aptly named Makes Me Happy, also features a collaboration with Portuguese talent Bernardo Mota.

Y4 Collective head Dan Be is no stranger to the Happiness Therapy family. An accomplished producer, he first debuted on the label in 2021 via Happy House, Volume. 3, before appearing on the VA’s fourth edition later that year. Now, Makes Me Happy marks his first full-length feature on the imprint, continuing a highlight 2022 for the fast-emerging Spaniard. More

Up next on Happiness Therapy is Lyon-based mainstay Denyl Brook with his first full-length EP on the emerging label. Already a firm favourite through his contributions to the lauded Happy House series, his forthcoming I Wanna EP follows on from two recent appearances on revered UK outfit Shall Not Fade, as he returns to the French imprint in June to gift us four tracks of mood-lifting musical goodness.

Denyl Brook is swiftly becoming one of France’s most talked-about rising talents. Head of his own Silver Step Records, he’s a familiar face at Happiness Therapy, having racked up several productions on the label’s Happy House compilation series over the years. He’s also one of their resident DJs, regularly playing at their parties across his native country and beyond, and has recently landed a solid release on UK-imprint Shall Not Fade. Now, I Wanna acts as his debut solo EP on Happiness Therapy, proving that Denyl Brook is only just getting started. More

Well-established French label Happiness Therapy is celebrating three years of releases this month ! To commemorate such a milestone, the imprint is releasing a nine-track VA in the form of 3 Years of Happiness. Featured guests include DJOKO and B From E, whilst several firm label favorites also appear on the VA, teaming up to produce a set of exclusive collaborations.

“After these wonderful first three years of existence, and the recent success of Jesse Bru’s album on the label, I wanted to give it back to our fans by releasing our biggest project to date!” - Simon Blondeau aka Crowd Control.

Each track embodies the Happiness Therapy ethos through and through, as does each artist’s relationship with the label. From Crowd Control's maiden release in 2018, to DJOKO’s soon-to-be debut, the family feel runs deep: resulting in a compilation of feel-good, house-inspired musical goodness that encapsulates just what Happiness Therapy is about! More

In a world threatened by environmental decay, a passionate young man embarked on a daring quest to save the planet.

Will his vision of a sustainable future become a reality, proving that the passion of one young man could ignite a revolution and ultimately save the planet for generations to come?

Find out by following the Chronicles Of Bru, the new series of EP composed by Jesse Bru and produced by Happiness Therapy! More

New Edits from Magic Wand label More

Repress coming soon!

The much anticipated album by Another Taste released on Space Grapes — an eclectic ooze of boogie, funk, and obscure disco. Comes in a Tip-on sleeve.

Another Taste's debut brings together a blend of boogie, 70’s funk and obscure disco - birthed from unearthing forgotten sounds and reinventing them for the modern era. A recipe they’ve been cooking up successfully over the last years in the studio, through their label Space Grapes and on tour through some of Europe’s finest stages.

Another Taste is a Rotterdam-born concept band formed by a group of longtime friends, consisting of Bobby van Putten (keys), Bob Roche (bass), Barend Lippens (keys) and Teun van Zoggel (drums).

Inspired by the obscurity and the do-it-yourself approach of private press culture of the late 1970s and 80s, their first releases were mostly a product of late night sessions between the four of them at the studio of their co-producer Danilo Plessow (MCDE), leading to the founding of Space Grapes Records.

The band’s first songs were released under various pseudonyms such as Mad Honey, GALXTC or Jambonne and quickly gathered them a loyal following and support from the likes of Gilles Peterson, Kenny Dope and many more.

Another Taste ripples their sound beyond the studio and onto the stage. In their live performances they introduce additional band members in Sarina Voorn (Vox), Diogo Carvalho (percussion) and Florian Verhagen (guitar). A core group with whom they’ve played at prestigious festivals such as Worldwide or Kappa Futur and legendary venues such as Jazz Cafe London, New Morning Paris, and Tresor Berlin.

The March-scheduled album release is the latest iteration of the band’s evolution. From the A-side opener "Turn Up" to the B-side closer "Perfect Night," the album is a testament to Another Taste’s ceaseless creative exploration. Each of the 6 songs on the album presents a new invitation to experience their genre-defying sound and bring people together in delight! More

Ladies and Gentlemen here are the Night Situations created by the young and promising producer Franco aka ffrvnco. Hailing from the beautiful country called Argentina he already managed to make enough noise for a lot of us music lovers to notice and keeping attention on this man’s sound output. The 3 original tracks by him and a remix by an also admirable artist are all kicking on this piece of wax. It is setting off the roof making the paint of the walls melt off and the ceilings drip whether you are at a club or at home or at friendly kitchens or at family gatherings which went rogue.

Starting with a real energetic action blast called “Systematic Action” ready for anytime to go off waiting and wanting to get airtime. The remix gracing on side B is by the French maestro Aymeric who is like a family to this label and had done some serious body of work on it before. When Franco named this monsieur as the person who he would like to remix “Systematic Action” it was evident it is going to turn out great and strong just like it did. With A2 your ears and soul will receive some lighter twisted discotheque style number while B2 with its dark tool like qualities will really put things into perspective Exarde style. If you read that far, I would like to say thank you to the artist and to the listener because you living organisms are an absolute excitement! More

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) More

Heels & Souls Recordings roll into reissue number eight with a double dose of early '90s UK street soul magic, splitting the sides between two sought-after cuts from Elaine Vassell and 3rd Zone.

Step back to 1993, house music has hit, UK Soul is in full flow and its rawer, DIY street soul sibling is making its mark across the UK’s underground. Fuelled by accessible, affordable production gear and ignited through enthusiasm and an influx of ideas and sounds, two acts drew inspiration from a melting pot of genres they were exposed to, providing their take on soul as they saw it.

Up first, Elaine Vassell - ‘Never Give Up’. A rough breakbeat-driven, mid-tempo groover from a North West London production triple threat, made up of Longsy D, Pinky and Murray. Utilising Pinky’s home studio with its DX7, Juno 106, LinnDrum and 808, they masterminded a track that sits at the intersection between soulful house, hip hop and R&B. Its crunching drum loop, chest-rattling low-end and serene synth lines, lay the foundation for Elaine’s powerful yet emotive voice to take centre stage. ‘Never Give Up’ should have been a future classic, but never quite found its feet.

On the flip side another 1993 gem, as Sansel Ali and twin brothers Mark and Stephen Anglin joined forces to form 3rd Zone. Conceived in Mark’s makeshift bedroom studio, the trio laid down their first foray into recorded music, ‘You Stole My Heart’. Originally promoed as a limited whitelabel in 1991, it officially landed on the group's one and only EP ‘No Real Reason' in '93.

Armed with a handful of synth modules, a drum machine and a Korg M1, Mark, Stephen and Sansel hit with a tough but tender, underground triumph. Part dance, part romance, layering synth strings, chunky breaks and M1 stabs underneath Sansel’s heartstrung vocals and Stephen’s hip house rap interlude, it provides another perfect example of house seen through the street soul prism.

Two timeless tracks that fly the flag for the fact that big studios and big budgets aren't necessary to create songs that really resonate. Each side also contains an alternate version, with the A housing a beatless reprise of ‘Never Give Up’ and the B a tougher, bassier remix of ‘You Stole My Heart’.

Licensed from Pinky Music and 3rd Zone respectively and remastered from the original DATs by Justin Drake. More

Tracklisting:
A1 Knitring A2 Breakaway B1 Rett Fra Levra B2 Shortie
Info:
Mats Frantzvaag is a highly-talented young producer from the far northhailing
from Oslo, Norway. This is his first release ever on vinyl and we are
happy to have him on board.
Fuck Reality!

All tracks w&p by Mats Frantzvaag in Akersgata
Mastered by Lopazz at mixmastering.de
Vinyl Cut by Helmut Erler, Dubplates & Mastering
Drawing & Typography by Stefan Marx
Full Cover, printed Discosleeve More