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A classic downtempo disco track amongst diggers world wide. "Stardance" is a dreamy cosmic delicacy to the ear, originally produced in '78-'79 by Alan Hawkshaw, it features a library style jingle melody one might imagine hearing at the end of a B-movie star trek knockoff series, but the simplicity of the arrangement is beautiful and effortless, clearly the work of someone highly trained and experienced in music theory, Alan Hawkshaw's work has transposed to numerous sample based projects from Sugarhill Gang to Wiz Khalifa, a maestro by all means, whose work will be immortalized in appreciation for as long as humans can hear. This debut EP from the MISSYOU sub-label comes with “Stardance” and “Do You Hear Me” along with an respectfully extended edit of “Stardance” by Castro. Remastered and now on 12” format at 45rpm. More

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A mysterious release, not only for its unique expressive style but also because it isn't even known when it was initially recorded let alone its release date. According to non profit Studio Piccolo owner Vincent Bruley, it could have been recorded during the 70s and eventually released in the early 90s, sometime throughout Nilton Castro's time in Paris making music for contemporary dance classes (often led by his wife). This album was originally intended for accompanying dancers in classes with an emphasis on rhythm and coordination. Given Nilton's background and expertise in percussion, the focal point of this album is to present an array of Afro Brasilian rhythms performed by himself with additional moments of choir, flute and keys/metallophone. Effortless due to Nilton's prowess and unburdened by typical financial pressures (often behind the release of a record), the result feels like charmingly unadulterated and pure expression throughout the entire album. But what really takes the listener to places of unheard-of bliss is “Ondes (Les Vagues)” a track that has plagued the curiosity of diggers and collectors for a while now. With its harmony crescendos elegantly coming and going as per the title, overlayed on Nilton's subtle percussive patterns, an aural landscape of illusory beauty - listening is believing. Remastered and officially re-issued with its original artwork. More

Originally released on one of Bruton's extensive library albums but later used as the theme song to a UK drama series dealing with the intrigues of a family motor business and the world of rally driving from the 80s, "The Winning Streak" is another production by the now late library music maestro Alan Hawkshaw. A downtempo track with remarkably trippy use of percussion elements via electronics and drum machines with entertaining accents and "exotic" vocals. Another wonderful example of library music tickling the fancy of diggers and collectors with a dancefloor inclinations thanks to its highly distinct sound -- everybody loves a winner. 1 to 1 official re-issue, remastered. More

Beautifully produced German Disco release with an environmental edge. Originally released in 1979 on a Contemporary Christian Music Label called Lord, this rarity is remastered and brought back to life with a respectful extended, previously unreleased, edit. More

Absolute collectors item, the culmination of wildly unexpected trajectories in music, originally released in 1980, this is Japan meets Jamaica at its finnest. Pecker (aka Hashida Masahito) takes the Japanese "Otaku" consumer behavioural phenomenon and directs it towards deep world percussion knowledge, teaming up with legendary Minako Yoshida for vocals and lyrics, Sly & Robbie and Vitamin Dread (aka Aki Ikuta) with other heavyweight names sprinkled on top like Augustus Pablo and Carly Barrett...and this is the result: three tracks of pioneering "Japanaican" sound. A truly international effort, recording and mixing between Jamaica's Studio One and Tuff Gong studios, and, Japanese Columbia and Sony studios. B2 features a beautifuly dreamy rendition of Ryuichi Sakamoto's "Kylyn", remastered and re-released in original 10" format. More

Highly wanted amongst collectors for its unique sound, this Italian psychedelic percussion heavy disco single was originally only released on 7" format sometime in the late 70s on the Idea label. Quite experimental for its time, it stands out not only for the reckless use of percussion but also the use of early synthesiser sounds in very rhythmic conscientious manners, some moments almost sounding as if a pioneering example of Acid House years before its time. While it seems like all possible percussion instrument sounds are chaotically employed into the drum salad that unfolds, the clavinet and vibraphone offer a contrasting dreamy nuance via a simple and slowly moving melody. Besides the original “Parte 02a” version this release comes with a new remix “Drum Implosion (Parte 10a)” further propelling the chaos commenced in the original release with the aid of flangers and delays, already striking the fancy of DJs like Marcell Dettmann. Severely remastered at Manmade mastering, now featured in 12” format with full cover artwork. More

Two gypsies with pedigree backgrounds in Flamenco got together with a drum machine in a studio during the early 80's and the result was Chipen, a somewhat poppy chart oriented project featuring Peret Reyes the grandson of legendary Catalan Gitano musician Peret (aka "El Rey de la Rumba") and Johnny Tarradellas. "Volao" is a mid tempo effort to bridge Pop and Rumba, mixing catchy funk guitar riffs with elements of Flamenco in unprecedented ways. "Chiribiri" sounds like it could be the theme song to a Catalan morning show or even a Japanese 80's Toyota Camry ad, reeks of stereotype and cliche, except that Chipen is the real deal, as real as the darkness of the hair dye on the cover photo. Extended version of Volao on the B side. Remastered at Manmade Mastering in Berlin. More

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Arguably under-celebrated lovers rock gem from 1989. Copies of the original 12? have been changing hands for rather a lot online of late, hence this new edition. The original version which opens the EP is everything you’d want from a lovers rock cut: warm, dreamy, soulful and synth-heavy with plenty of bass, nice horns and a superbly emotional lead vocal from the obscure Louisa Miller. The “Dance Mix” is effectively a dub, with Miller’s sweet vocal rising above a stripped-back, toughened-up drum track with plenty of delays and trippy synthesizer motifs, while the “Sax Version” is a saxophone-sporting, mostly instrumental that veers a little closer to “Pages From Ceefax” territory (kids: ask your parents). In summary: superb! More

An Italian disco classic produced by one of Italy's top disco pop entrepreneurs – Constantino Paolini – featuring the voice of Vesuvian actress and TV personality Patrizia Pellegrino. “Musica Spaziale” is a fast paced synthy disco number adorned with signorina Pellegrino's silky smooth vocals, featuring lusty cosmic nuanced lyrics that arguably invite the listener to some form of astral bliss in the company of the blond starlet. A classic amongst collectors and specialists of the genre, made available to your record collections once again without having to sell any of your kidneys. In addition, also an extended edit, that patiently slows down the tempo but also extends this cosmic climax on the dancefloor in a manner respectful to the original masterpiece, allowing the dancers to savor every moment of this celestial voyage without all the rush of the 7" version . Flip it and things get propelled in direction to some other acidic orbits with DJ Asshole's tripped out downtempo 8' intervention. Restored, remastered and featuring original “coloring book” style artwork from its original release date. More

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Originally released in 1979, strangely only in Portugal, yet produced by a French duo, Anselmi/Silvestre. “Music Love Song” is a 7 minute long European disco excursion with an unmistakably unique aesthetic, confidently breaking every rule in favour of a sound unheard of at the time. Employing unorthodox studio techniques that would have been unacceptable for most major labels this single only made it on a relatively small sublabel in Portugal for some mysterious reason. The result is a deeply cosmic/melancholic escapade with dreamy androgynous vocals and raging guitars at 130+ BPM - hard to forget. Officially re-issued, remastered and released with original artwork that is no less bold than the music. More

Two Spanish slow disco tracks from 1977, originally released in 7" format, brought back in 12" format with an additional extended edit, very respectful to the original. "Zorongo" is a re-interpretation of a Andalucian popular folk song with Arabic influence, a gypsy love song from ancient times which was collected and presented by Spanish poet and playwright Federico Garcia Lorca before his death/disappearing during the Spanish Civil War. Jobam's new arrangement gives it a heavy downtempo disco facelift, taking the original gypsy warrior intensities of dealing with love and contrasting them with a beautiful orchestral string driven addition to the theme. Heavy Balearic, emotionally loaded gypsy business, something one could very easily imagine hearing at a 10 hour Harvey set in Pikes, Ibiza. More

Referred to as "one of Reggae's quietest superstars" Jackie Mitto aka "The Keyboard King" had a remarkable path in Reggae music, a protege of Sly Stone, he started his career as part of Studio One's in house recording band and later went on to work with artists such as Bob Marley, UB40, Barry White, Peter Tosh and Oscar Peterson. This album was the result of a rare occasion of being on tour in Africa and establishing musical connections with musicians from Ghana, recorded in Accra and mixed in London. Predominantly instrumental, this album is essential to any dub conscientious record collection, as it culminates the career of a Reggae legend whilst under new influences in West Africa resulting in an unmistakably characteristic modern dub sound. Re-issued on vinyl with remixes previously only availably on CD format.
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Two singles originally released on 7" by Risco Connection's Otis Gayle brought back to record collections in remastered 12" format. On the A side, Dr. Hook's worldwide charting "Sexy Eyes" kindly recreated in Reggae cover version. On the B-side Domenic Troiano's "We All Need Love" in a disco/reggae beat featuring an additional new extended edit, respectfully. Essential dacefloor oriented Reggae with new full cover artwork.
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Lovers Rock at its finest with a beautiful cover version of Merlyn Brooks' "You'll Never Need Somebody". Originally released in 1981 this release is the work of Reggae heavyweight Geoffrey Chung (who also worked on Dhaima with Phillip Michael Thomas, previously released on MISSYOU). This release features the original 7" version along with a small collection of other new mixes. On the A side, the Dub Organiser skillfully extends the original 3 minute track into a 7 and a half minute long trip along with a new "Dub" version, respectfully re-mixed from the original multitracks 40 years later. On the B-side, the mixing console is handed over to a dedicated student of Dub, the Swiss Androo who's clearly no stranger to studio work when it comes to dubby landscapes. Elegantly walking the tightrope between traditional approaches and raw experimentation with 3 new mixes, each with very unique feelings.
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Much coveted in certain collector circles, this release offers 4 tracks originally recorded in 1985 by, at the time, high school starlet Paola Belloni. All tracks are sung in Italian and consistently easy to appreciate but "Vattene" and "Un Uomo Semplice" steal the show with remarkable downtempo smoothness gliding in the lower BPM ranges. Although many studios at the time would have already standardized more synthetic sounds brought by widespread access to electronics in the mid 80's, these recordings offer a more organic and warm sounding instrumentation - one solid round aural aperitivos. Officially re-issued with original artwork and re-mastered at Manmade mastering in Berlin.
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Although originally released in the mid 80's, Carmen's work needs little introduction amongst contemporary dancefloors. Ever since “Throw Down” first surfaced on the maps of music lovers with Chromeo's DJ Kicks selection back in 2009, it's been a choice cut by top selectors world wide such as Hunee and Palms Trax to name a few. By popular demand, after the first re-isssue on Sound Metaphors, we decided to quench the thirst with this double dose of Carmen featuring both the “Throw Down” and “Time to Move” singles in one EP. Both falling well in the 130BPM range with a fast paced assertiveness to the rhythm, characteristic of the productive influences of Kevin McCord (from Al Hudson & The Partners). 2 for 1, digitally restored and remastered to perfection, now with full cover artwork featuring Carmen and some of her current passions. More

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Another re-issue from the catalogue of the Italian Disco maestro Constantino Paolini. Taking the iconic voice of Italian movie celebrity Patrizia Pellegrino yet again to vocalize another Roman disco-pop anthem amongst diggers worldwide. Simple yet perfectly put together into an ear catching melody only paralleling Constantino's decades of expertise in music business. Early synth playfulness with Cosmic nuances arpeggiated under a mysterious and dreamy Italian female vocal that reverizes about seeing the world from the perspective of a cloud with a romanticized fondness for its diversity.
Originally released as a 7” and brought back to your record collections at an affordable price in 12” format, remastered and while respectful to the original release this re-issue also branches away from the short radio play format as it features an additional extended edit for the more indulgent dancefloor. More

unique Techno/House EP in BC sound signature
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eternal, unmatched, still futuristic sounding Techno textures

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Echocord returns this March with a new EP from El Choop, backed by a remix from Sven Weisemann. Harvey Bones, better known to most as El Choop is a London based producer and DJ delivering dub leaning house and techno via the likes of Etui Records, Greyscale and now Echocord, a perfect home for his subtly nuanced, intricately unfolding aesthetic. Leading is title-track ‘Insane Sends’, employing a sturdy kick, cavernous percussion and choppy stab sequences, as the name would suggest all dynamically modulating across the composition’s six-minute duration. ‘Some Fall Harder Than Others’ then follows, embracing a more stripped back feel atmospherically, bringing filtered dub chords, ethereal pad textures and rounded subs into focus while dusty drums carry the hypnotic groove. Label regular Sven Weisemann then rounds out the release with his ‘Angelis Sends Mix’ of ‘Insane Sends’, a twelve-minute interpretation embracing a cinematic feel via expansive synth atmospherics, spiralling dub echoes and metallic chimes, all ebbing and flowing amongst one another throughout while a bumpy drum groove keep things moving. More

“Balearic Breakfast doesn't give into clichés, and it's not a purely sunlit affair. Instead, it's sonic escapism that seems unwilling to be beholden to any one locale. The entry requirements are simple: the more transportative the sounds, the more likely they are to slot into Colleen's vision of Balearic.” Resident Advisor

“The biggest heroes of the underground typically wouldn’t describe themselves as such. Frankie Knuckles, Kelli Hand, Andrew Weatherall… all possessed a humility that made them even more honourable and endearing, and they went about their business with little regard for fame and a distaste for industry bullshit. Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy falls firmly into this category.” The Vinyl Factory

Ask anyone to define Balearic music nowadays and you’re guaranteed to get a different answer each time. Since the concept flew from its original Ibizan home and become a global concern, it has become almost impossible to pigeonhole. Now it’s more of a vibe than a musical style; more a reflection of wide open skies and sunshine on the brain than any particular rhythm track or sonic inflection.

That said, if you were after a definitive answer there’s probably no one better placed to give it right now than DJ and broadcaster Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy who has just put together the third volume of her peerless Balearic Breakfast compilation series. This latest collection flies the flag high for that most hazy and hard-to-pin-down genre, gathering up the very best genre-fitting music from around the world, whether from Copenhagen or California, or from the high plains of the desert to deep down in the land of Oz.

Each track may sound completely different from the one it follows, but the same sun kissed spirit runs deep through them all, whether in Cosmo’s own take on Jacob Gurevitsch’s gentle Spanish guitar picking or in the throbbing dub disco of a long lost Andrew Weatherall remix for Primal Scream from 2008. The ten tracks on Balearic Breakfast Volume 3 all add up to create the perfect mixtape for the summer, whatever weather we end up with, whatever time you chose to listen to it. After all, why wait ’til breakfast?

As with each of the other volumes in this essential compilation series, many of the tracks on Balearic Breakfast Volume 3 are previously unavailable on vinyl and others are long since out of print and rarely seen outside of the dustier corners of Discogs. And as with each of the previous albums, numbers are strictly limited (the first two volumes sold out quickly and are now selling for high prices on Discogs).

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A true music obsessive, Colleen ‘Cosmo’ Murphy’s standing in the global dance music community has arguably never been higher. Whether she’s presenting, remixing, hosting or DJing, her belief in music’s redemptive properties shines through. And rather than downplay her eclecticism she wears her versatility as a badge of honour, ensuring she is constantly fulfilled creatively.

“I’m a music lover, a music curator and a music educator,” she concludes. “It’s about trying to transcend everyday life through music. When people say Balearic Breakfast got them through the pandemic, I think that’s because music has a healing quality. When people are on the dancefloor, I want them to forget about their everyday life. And similarly with Classic Album Sundays, when people are fully immersed listening to an album, it brings them out somewhere else. Those experiences have been very important to me.

“The quest is never-ending and that is what motivates me. I never set out to intentionally do any of this – it just happened because of my passion. One thing led to another which fed into another which fed into another. I will never stop discovering music. You always have to be looking ahead, expanding your horizons.” More

The inimitable STL makes a welcome return to Echocord this May with a new three-track EP in the shape of ‘Take Your Seats’. Stephan Laubner, better known to most as simply as STL is highly regarded for his unique twist on dubbed out house and techno sounds and has been responsible for some underground anthems such as the lauded ‘Silent State’ on Smallville Records and other material on the likes of Perlon, Echospace [Detroit] and ofcourse his own Something imprint. Here though we see him returning to Echocord following 2015’s ‘Message Of Sound’ Part 1 & 2 EP’s with yet more mind- altering murky cuts. ‘Lost Harbour’ leads on the package with textural field recordings, crunchy distorted rhythms and an amalgamation of snaking bass, synth and piano lines, intertwining and unfolding throughout. ‘Mr Sinister’ switches the vibes over to menacing bass swells, fluttering subs, gritty percussion and an underlying tension before ‘Sensimilla’ edges into more ethereal territory with spiralling dub chords, shuffled hats and winding atmospherics. More

Sven Weisemann is set to release his ‘Bilateral Relations’ EP via Copenhagen’s Echocord this September, comprising four originals from the German producer. Sven Weisemann has been immersed in the underground House and Techno scene for quite some time now having started DJing in 1997 during the rise of the scene on his home turf of Berlin and going on to release material via the likes of Amsterdam’s Delsin, Mojuba, Telrae and liebe.detail amongst many more. Here though we see Sven joining the roster of Echocord, a perfect fit for his more dubbed out compositions with artists like Fluxion, Rod Modell and STL on the roster. ‘Lunation’ opens the release and sees Weisemann fuse emotive string melodies and cavernous vocal echoes with off- kilter rhythms and rounded sub hits before title-track ‘Bilateral Relations’ embraces a more direct four-four approach via sparse percussion and tumbling toms alongside choppy bass stabs and ever-unfolding, echoing dub chords. Opening the flip is ‘Monistic’, an airy ethereal number employing billowing pads, bright synth chimes and a dropped tempo dubbed out feel to create something truly stunning and thought provoking before the ‘Decimation (Valvle tR9 Mix) closes things on a darker tip with looming stab swells, heavily swung drums and sporadic growling bass drones. More

We are proud to announce a new member to the Echocord family, we have signed the super talented Idealist. From Zurich Switzerland, Idealist is producing already for more than a decade, but only the last five years he took it a step further and signed releases or tracks on labels like Pro-Tez, Lackrec, Berg Audio and focused on building up his own label Idealistmusic with the non written Details Series sublabel. Both of which gained him international attention and sold like hot cakes at the distribution. In September 2016 he released his anticipated debut album „Firewood Street“, which followed his previous work.The last two years the success of his releases lead him to play in various European countries, Canada and Georgia, where he played in clubs like Tresor, Batofar and Culture Box. His first ep on Echocord contains 3 heavy powerfull dubby tracks, all for the dancefloor. More

The new bomb on Echocord Colour comes from Mike Dehnert. Mike already released several eps on Echocord Colour, and we are happy and proud to have him back. This ep contains 3 powerfull Techno-Tracks with dubby elements, typical stripped down Mike Dehnert sound, perfect for the peak time dancefloor. Mike Dehnert is mostly known from his own Imprint, the raw techno label Fachwerk which he has been running since 2007. He is also releasing on other respected labels like Delsin, Clone Basement Series and Deeply Rooted House. More

“Dubs Etched Into Relief” contains a powerfull Dubby House track, dirty and beautyfull at the same time, a floating upbuilding dubby Ambient track and a Grad-u remix that is made for peaktimes. More

Two powerfull dubby tracks by the Metrolux label owner XDB with a fantastic remix by Sven Weisemann. More

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Essential, blueprint House groove More