Legendary dub techno artist Paul St. Hilaire (AKA Tikiman) announces new collaborative album, marking 10 years of Kynant Records



Building on the success of Paul St. Hilaire’s landmark solo album for Richard Akingbehin’s label Kynant in 2023, w/ The Producers switches up the formula to pair St. Hilaire’s with a different producer on each track. Referencing fellow dub techno pioneers Mark Ernestus & Moritz von Oswald’s acclaimed album w/ The Artists as Rhythm & Sound, St. Hilaire flips the concept to feature as the lone vocalist.



Over the album’s nine tracks, St. Hilaire offers a range of conscious song-writing and headtop musings, such as the spoken-word dread of “What’s This” or the sparse call-to-action of “Send Them On”. The record weaves through all shades of contemporary dub evolutions, showing the vocal range and versatility of St. Hilaire. w/ The Producers is yet another essential record in St. Hilaire’s unmatched discography.



The producers were curated by label owner and DJ Richard Akingbehin to give the new album a future-facing feel and mark 10 years of Kynant Records. Akingbehin sourced beats from luminaries such as Digital Mystikz boss and dubstep trailblazer Mala or elusive Chain Reaction artist Shinichi Atobe. They sit alongside some of the most exciting names in recent electronic music - Batu, Gavsborg, Azu Tiwaline, Priori, Cousin, Russell E.L. Butler, Aurora Halal and DJ G - all of whom bring different elements of dub techno into their productions.



w/ The Producers finds Kynant Records bridging the original voice of dub techno with the genre’s new wave. It’s a statement of intent from the label, which began 10 years ago with deep, hypnotic techno and has veered gradually towards more dubwise sounds



Tracklist

A1 Paul St. Hilaire & Mala - Like It’s Always Been
A2 Paul St. Hilaire, Aurora Halal & DJ G - Mary Jane Greenfield
A3 Paul St. Hilaire & Cousin - Back Inna Business

B1 Paul St. Hilaire & Priori - Send Them On
B2 Paul St. Hilaire & Shinichi Atobe - Time to Wake Up

C1 Paul St. Hilaire & Batu - Free Your Mind
C2 Paul St. Hilaire & Azu Tiwaline - Let The Night Start

D1 Paul St. Hilaire & Gavsborg - Confidential
D2 Paul St. Hilaire & Russell E.L. Butler - What’s This


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.VRIL’s first EP for Kynant Records explores his trademark style of euphoric dub techno, whilst also diving deeper with spoken-word pieces in collaboration with two critical thinkers in the world of soundsystem culture and experimental music: Edward George and Isis Semaj-Hall AKA Riddim Writer. Acclaimed Dutch techno artist Steve Rachmad also dons his Parallel 9 alias for a remix.

Written & Produced by .VRIL
Additional Production on B2 by Steve Rachmad
Vocals on A3 by Edward George
Vocals on B3 by Isis Semaj-Hall
Artwork by Irakli Kedia, Layout by Grant Gibson

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For the first time in more than a decade, Paul St. Hilaire (AKA Tikiman) presents a solo album – 100% Tiki.
Over his 30-plus year career, St. Hilaire has become one of dance music’s quietly legendary figures. Born and raised in Dominica, he moved to Berlin in 1994 and has lent both his voice and his musicianship to some of the most iconic electronic music from the German capital – and beyond. Renowned for his collaborations with Moritz von Oswald and Mark Ernestus (AKA Rhythm & Sound), he has also appeared on records with Deadbeat, Rhauder, Larry Heard aka Mr. Fingers and Stereotyp (G-Stone Recordings), amongst others.
However, few know the extent of St. Hilaire’s compositional and technical mastery. From his home studio in Kreuzberg, which includes an extensive collection of vintage hardware, self-built instruments and notebooks scribbled with endless lyrics, he has created a vast archive of material spanning ambient dub, avant-jazz, lush techno and lovers rock.
Tikiman Vol. 1 is a heady, downtempo tour de force of patois metaphors on education, displacement and personal vs. global histories, as is evident on slippy album opener “Bedroom in My Bag”: Mister, mister / Where are you going? / I’m heading for a faraway land / What are you having in the bag in your hand? / Help us to understand / He said, I’ve got my bedroom in my bag.
Overall, the album’s lyrics reflect on life between Berlin and Dominica, specifically St. Hilaire’s hometown of Grand Bay, where he has worked with various musicians famous for the island’s different genres of carnival music. St. Hilaire himself always favoured the island’s more “discrete” music, developing a sonic synergy between two different geographical strains of groove and minimalism, and combining them with foundational Caribbean mixing techniques, which provide the basis for his songwriting and distinct
baritone.
Tikiman Vol.1 offers a rare insight into St. Hilaire’s complex artistry, from the eyes-down grooves of “Little Way” and the guitar-heavy digi dancehall experiment “Keep Safe,” to the subtle hypnosis of “Ten to One” and the softly crashing synth waves of closer “Three And A Half”, evoking not only beaches but also coasts and borders. It’s a fitting expression of both the breadth of St. Hilaire’s work, as well as his history as one of the few black, Berlin-based artists who, despite remaining largely overlooked, has influenced the city’s electronic music culture since its beginnings.


TRACKLIST

A1 Bedroom In My Bag (4:37)
A2 Little Way (3:13)
A3 Keep Safe (3:36)
B1 Bright One (5:45)
B2 The Weather Man (5:02)
C1 In Fortis (5:24)
C2 Ten To One (4:34)
D1 In Door (7:03)
D2 Three And A Half (4:03)


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Unmistakably Cio D’Or, Polar Q’s eight tracks explore ambient and cinematic techno, before dissolving into broken-beat, aquatic compositions from the outer reaches.

TRACKLIST

A1 Amplitude Q XI 2:08
A2 Gezeiten Q X 5:20
A3 Zentrifugal Q 4:16
A4 Swirl 4:15
B1 Polar Q XVII 5:20
B2 Permanent Key 5:20
B3 Permanent Drop Q X 4:48
B4 Transparent Q III 1:36


INFO

Unmistakably Cio D’Or, Polar Q’s eight tracks explore ambient and cinematic techno, before dissolving into broken-beat, aquatic compositions from the outer reaches.
Available on 12” vinyl and digital from September 16, 2022.

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Detroit techno luminary Terrence Dixon joins Kynant with six tracks of signature minimalism.

TRACKLIST

A1 Relinked (04:15)
A2 Transcend (04:25)
A3 Change (3:56)
B1 Relentlessly (4:15)
B2 Unstoppable (4:37)
B3 No Smoking In The Green Room (2:52)

INFO

Detroit techno luminary Terrence Dixon joins Kynant with six tracks of signature minimalism.

Mastered by Giuseppe Tillieci (aka Neel) @ EnissLab Studios, Rome.
Artwork by Christopher Honeywell

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TRACKLIST

A1 Thunder (1:34)
A2 Track 3 (live edit) (3:29)
A3 Compass (3:44)
A4 Punch (4:20)
A5 Thunder (Kamau Remix) (3:48)
B1 Punch / Fast (Pinch Remix) (03:29)
B2 Kid (1:56)
B3 Fast (3:28)
B4 Solo (2:16)
B5 Finale (3:38)


INFO

Kynant EX is a series for non-dancefloor focused records on hand-stamped vinyl. The second release comes from Leeds-based, abstract turntablist, NikNak – the first Black turntablist to win an Oram Award. She created Bashi by manipulating and processing samples through her decks. First released digitally in November 2020, now the album is expanded with a live edit and remixes from Bristol 140-don Pinch and Kamau (FKA Darling Farah). Bashi X2 has also been remastered by Neel.

Available on 12” vinyl and digital from November 26th, 2021.

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TRACKLIST
A1 Heat Inducer
A2 Bleepazoid (Part 1)
B1 Bleepazoid (Part 2)
B2 Kinetic Statues

INFO

The inimitable Mike Parker makes his full EP debut on Kynant with four cuts of his signature, modular techno hypnosis.

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The second Various Artists EP on Kynant is the spiralling techno of LADA (the duo of Dasha Rush & Lars Hemmerling), atmospheric acid from the anonymous MA, Andreas Tilliander and Svreca in a fierce collaboration and a fresh, hybrid sound from Agonis.
TRACKLIST

A1 LADA (Dasha Rush & Lars Hemmerling) - Kalter (07:39)
A2 MA - Mugon (6:25)
B1 Tilliander : Svreca - Sutures (6:58)
B2 Agonis - Giant Hadron Collider (6:43)


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'Telomic Ghost' is the natural peak of TM404 & Echologist's transatlantic collaboration. Since their first release together in 2017 (KYN007), Andreas Tilliander and Brendon Moeller have explored their subaquatic,techno sound on a further EP (KYN010), and now this album broadens the scope with ambient cuts, slo-mo acid and dubbed-out house.


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Tensal returns for a third release on Kynant Records, ‘Industrialsociety’. He explores brokenbeat and atmospheric techno over four diverse tracks: the off-kilter rhythm of ‘Intermixture’, two straighter, driving cuts and the melodic, IDM-leaning ‘Truebano’.


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TM404 & Echologist (aka Andreas Tilliander and Brendon Moeller) return with their second collaboration, this time including a remix from another standout dub techno artist in VRIL. The ‘Infiltrated’ EP has two boomy, 4x4 rollers on the A-side, VRIL’s broken-beat, ethereal version on the B1 and lastly the title-track, a twisted stream of grainy modulations.


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Japanese sound sculptors Steven Porter (aka Katsunori Sawa and Yuji Kondo) sign two striking productions to Kynant, with a pair of remixes completing the ‘Reservoir’ EP. ‘A Need For Distance’ on the A-side is abrasive and hard-hitting but not without moments of melody. Fellow Japanese purveyor of tripped-out techno Iori mines a lean, highly-effective groove on the remix. ‘Romance Tip’ takes a slower, endlessly-detailed approach with sharp percussion and mindbending atmospherics; Max Durante, who recently released his debut LP on Kynant, contributes a broken-beat workout to finish the record. Mastering by Giuseppe Tillieci aka Neel.

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Two of the leading artists in dub techno and ambient electronics produced four cuts between their extensive studios in New York and Stockholm, with the results sitting in between the powerful oscillations of Echologist’s previous EP for Kynant (KYN005) and the slo-mo, Roland jams TM404 specialises in.


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BufoBufo debuts on Analogical Force with five tracks that mesh elements of jungle, braindance, acid, downtempo and electro into new forms. Refining his sound and uncovering new directions, 'Ranidae EP' is BufoBufo at his best.



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"Feeding from countless hours of historically informed digging, being able to convey this knowledge to all sorts of audiences and understanding the very direct effects of sound, OKO DJ delivers an album that gives off this ecstatic feeling of travelling through very specific moods and soundscapes with the use of a wide range of production techniques. The listener is constantly stimulated by the spoken word narrative, the play on the tape hiss and dynamics, the out of field elements emerging erratically yet brilliantly included in the mix. Going from primitive DIY tape montage to modern day home-studio tricks and everything in between, As Above, So Bellow doesn’t show us anachronic references to different inspirations, but actually tells a timeless and hard to pin down story from a truly unique point of view."

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Second Circle is very excited to announce ‘In Dream’, the eight-track debut album from Tokyo-born, Berlin-based producer and DJ Courtney Bailey.

Sonically, 'In Dream' unfolds as a rich, lush soundscape, woven together with expansive digital synth pads, Fairlight-esque stabs, and vibrant acid bass lines. At times the EP leans back horizontally to evoke the balearic spirit of Yello ('Burnt Moon'), at other times it leans more upright towards to dancefloor ('In Heaven'), but what remains throughout is a sense of intimacy, gracefully guided by Bailey’s whisper soft spoken vocals and gentle melodic vocal lines.

Building on an initial spark of inspiration that arose when listening to the work of Japanese artist Dream Dolphin aka Noriko Kodera, ‘In Dream' is Bailey’s direct creative response to new feelings, energy and emotions. Time spent in the outdoors, specifically in the natural landscapes of Australia also had a profound influence on the making of the record; opener ‘Kodou’ was directly inspired by a moment in Melbourne watching rainbow-colored parrots in a pink-flowering tree. Similarly, 'Burnt Moon' captures the essence of watching moonlight shimmer on ocean waters. At its core, 'In Dream' embraces a child-like wonder for the beauty of nature, an act which infuses the music with a radiant, luminous sense of positivity.

Capturing the essence of stepping into the unknown and more importantly, doing it with curiosity and optimism, ‘In Dream’ paints a vibrant, multi-colour vision of life, with Bailey inviting us all to immerse ourselves in it’s wonders.

Sleeve art and design by Michael Willis.

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Repress on 10"

Building on their potent previous album for the imprint, J A returns to Rubber as a trio, this time supercharged by Donato Dozzy, the Italian maestro of minimal techno, for a limited-edition 7-inch. Threading liquid geometry into Andrea Noce (Eva Geist, As Longitude) and Jonida Prifti (Acchiappashpirt, Opa Opa)'s spellbinding vocal acrobatics, Dozzy's rhythmic latticework is as luminous as ever. Watch out for the titular track--a sound system homage--with its eruptions of cold bass and fractured whispers. A testament to the mystical power of the voice, Sorella di Confine is ritualistic and hypnotic--think: pagan-folk for the club.

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Legendary dub techno artist Paul St. Hilaire (AKA Tikiman) announces new collaborative album, marking 10 years of Kynant Records



Building on the success of Paul St. Hilaire’s landmark solo album for Richard Akingbehin’s label Kynant in 2023, w/ The Producers switches up the formula to pair St. Hilaire’s with a different producer on each track. Referencing fellow dub techno pioneers Mark Ernestus & Moritz von Oswald’s acclaimed album w/ The Artists as Rhythm & Sound, St. Hilaire flips the concept to feature as the lone vocalist.



Over the album’s nine tracks, St. Hilaire offers a range of conscious song-writing and headtop musings, such as the spoken-word dread of “What’s This” or the sparse call-to-action of “Send Them On”. The record weaves through all shades of contemporary dub evolutions, showing the vocal range and versatility of St. Hilaire. w/ The Producers is yet another essential record in St. Hilaire’s unmatched discography.



The producers were curated by label owner and DJ Richard Akingbehin to give the new album a future-facing feel and mark 10 years of Kynant Records. Akingbehin sourced beats from luminaries such as Digital Mystikz boss and dubstep trailblazer Mala or elusive Chain Reaction artist Shinichi Atobe. They sit alongside some of the most exciting names in recent electronic music - Batu, Gavsborg, Azu Tiwaline, Priori, Cousin, Russell E.L. Butler, Aurora Halal and DJ G - all of whom bring different elements of dub techno into their productions.



w/ The Producers finds Kynant Records bridging the original voice of dub techno with the genre’s new wave. It’s a statement of intent from the label, which began 10 years ago with deep, hypnotic techno and has veered gradually towards more dubwise sounds



Tracklist

A1 Paul St. Hilaire & Mala - Like It’s Always Been
A2 Paul St. Hilaire, Aurora Halal & DJ G - Mary Jane Greenfield
A3 Paul St. Hilaire & Cousin - Back Inna Business

B1 Paul St. Hilaire & Priori - Send Them On
B2 Paul St. Hilaire & Shinichi Atobe - Time to Wake Up

C1 Paul St. Hilaire & Batu - Free Your Mind
C2 Paul St. Hilaire & Azu Tiwaline - Let The Night Start

D1 Paul St. Hilaire & Gavsborg - Confidential
D2 Paul St. Hilaire & Russell E.L. Butler - What’s This


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I met Aaron Parr back in 1992 aka the golden era of electronic dance music. Everything was kicking off in the L.A Underground and he was working slap dap in the epi-center at Beatnonstop Records on Melrose Avenue in the heart of Los Angeles. At the time I was living in Santa Barbara still doing my college radio show "The Joy of X" and coming down to L.A on the weekends almost every week since 1989. Aaron had been a mainstay down the street at Streetsounds Records where my then Young friend 19 year old Steve Loria worked alongside warehouse dj & underground legend Barry Weaver.

These were heady times. Clubs, after-hours and renegade break in warehouse jams were the order of the day…every day! The shops fueled the dj's with the dope records and the ravers with the party flyers, the Record Stores were the hub of the whole scene and the key was befriending these upwardly mobile soon to be underground superstars if you wanted fat slabs of wax AND to know where the real deal undergrounds were shaking…literally.

In 1992 I got selected for the U.S Olympic Basketball team and headed back to Europe in an effort to make it to Barcelona and get smashed for the GOLD by the dream team in front of the whole World…no thanks! We got knocked out by Petrovic and the Czechs right b4 Barcelona!
Anywho after 3 months I returned to Cali and there had been a shift, Steve Loria moved up the street from Streetsounds & opened Beatnonstop and it was HUGE! It had quickly become the largest independent record store in the U.S. The scene was massive, everything had exploded. I got in where I fit in and started a weekly Techno club "Happy Planet" on Tuesdays and a House club "NYC" with Doc Martin on a Friday. Both were rammed.

Aaron the industrious Brit from Nottingham & his bredren Dave Fong went to work early too, putting out the Rudiments EP on Worldship Records and then following up with Psycho Ray in 1998.. In 1998 II closed my Culture shop "Soma" down in Santa Barbara, packed up my studio & sound system and moved to L.A official. I had gotten the offer to manage Beatnonstop on Melrose after Steve Loria left and jumped at the chance.

I quickly put together the Beatnonstop Record Label, releasing a double pack "Pacific Coast House EP" feat myself and local producers Aztech Sol, CPen and Kenneth Graham/Steve Loria. I then kicked off PCH Records with "Rhodes Through Space" and after a drunken rendezvous at the Hall of Records Studio one night I signed Aaron & Daves Teflon Dons "My Vice" to the labels.

Vice was right down my alley a dark, grimy acid track with menacing Pacino samples.
After a buying trip for Beatnonstop to NYC. Harry the Bastard from Watts took me down to meet fellow Brit Stefan at Dance Tracks in Manhattan where I found the sample "Our Music" on an accapella in the bins. Super inspired after two weeks trolling round every record distributors warehouse (Watts, Nemesis, Syntax, Downtown etc) and hitting every record store in Manhattan (Vinyl Mania, Discorama, Frankie Bones shop, Satellite and on and on) I came home to L.A and me and Nate loaded up the Emu 64 Ultra sampler and penned "Our Music."

The track is obviously very New York inspired and was received well by Big Apple Dj's David Morales, Junior Vasquez, Roger Sanches & Baby Hec Romero. I would definitely say this track was a slow burner elsewhere and took off later getting the nod from DJ Deep in Paris, + Terry Francis, Eddie Richards and Mr. C in the UK.

It got no love in L.A surprisingly but everywhere else across the country with Miguel Migs and DJ Garth in the Bay, King Britt in Philly and DJ Pope in Baltimore. Now it's back on wax after 25 years remastered by the mighty Martin Iveson and I think the World is finally ready!


Track list:
A – Teflon Dons – Vice
B – The Coastal Commission – Our Music

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