2022 repress

A: Fratzengulasch ISRC: DE-MM1-11-00044
B: Maikäferbenzin ISRC: DE-MM1-11-00045


Die Vögel are back.
Almost two years after their sensational debut release‚ Blaue Moschee, the arena rocking EP that's still a permanent fixture in Sven Väth's record bag, Die Vögel have laid another milestone in the history of club music - the Fratzengulasch EP.
Ground breaking, surreal and captivatingly timeless, this dance music doesn't give a damn about the laws of gravity and the monotony of everyday routines. For some reason or another, there seems to be a sort of restricting fence around the electronic dance music scene at the moment. In true Trojan style, Die Vögel batter and ram the wall until a hole appears; a hole big enough for all the gleely squealing party people to crawl through. Out and on to freedom! It's a brave new world and help is at hand for the weary of ear. Listen in to the dream-like canons, freely dissonant brass orchestrations and hypnotic-psychedelic beats. The arrangements are clever, without relying on samples and tried and tested techniques. Off they stroll, Mense Reents and Jakobus Siebels, breathing in the fresh air, enjoying a clear view of a history of nocturnal dance music that goes back beyond 1986 and Chicago and is today international electronic folklore. It was the machines that taught Die Vögel duo to play their instruments in a different way and from them the machines have learned what makes a musician tick. That's how songs like ‚Fratzengulasch' come about: A tribal meditation, and a beautiful canon sung by Jakobus and Ebba Durstewitz, otherwise known as the band Ja König Ja. Or the glorious ‚Maikäferbenzin': There are sub binaural sounds on this track that get your brain hemispheres swinging in perfect synchronicity, on a frequency generally only experienced when in a trance. And there they're left, swinging away until the last third of the song where an abrupt saxophone break briefly interrupts, only to deliver the listener safely back into an absolute state of bliss and felicity. Mense and Jakobus' brilliant Pantha du Prince remix got people wondering but even before that the question cropped up: what is this music?
DJ Koze calls it ‚Sect Funk'. We say: Pampa style in its purest form! Die Vögel' album will be released at the beginning of 2012. More

2023 Repress

Tracklist:
A Blaue Moschee
B1 Petardo
B2 Empire

Pampa is a new label from old pals DJ Koze and Marcus Fink, dedicated to releasing club music that's seriously danceable without recourse to the tried and tested ingredients. A home for house and techno tunes that will conquer hearts and take root there forever, music that's brave and not afraid to break with convention. The first release is by Die Vogel, a collaborative project between Jakobus Siebels and Mense Reents. Jakobus is an innovative multi-instrumentalist who has previously recorded distinctive albums for Tomlab, Chicks On Speed Records, Karaoke Kalk; the no less talented Reents is a member of the groups Egoexpress, Die Goldenen Zitronen and Stella, and operates the Art Blakey Studios in Hamburg where this EP was recorded. Listening to A-side 'Blaue Moschee' you immediately know this going to be a strange and wonderful trip: oompa-style brass looped and layered over a stripped-back kickdrum, this tunes messes with all received notions of what house/techno music is! With a musicality and wicked sense of humour that naturally appealed to Koze and Fink, Siebels and Reents have created a timeless dancefloor banger using the most unlikely of elements. The result definitely isn't "jazzy techno" - the brass, far from being an afterthought, it's the very substance of the thing; it provides the melody, the bass, and the rhythm. Brass is the driving force behind the whole EP. B1, 'Petardo', is likewise driven by growling trombones and tubas, this time offset by cooing woodwind and set to a rolling, almost tribal drum tattoo. The horn chords are reminiscent of moody 60s British jazz, while the woodwind lends a South American fire and flair to proceedings. The track is full of subtle edits, but Siebels and Reents don't overwhelm the mix with synthesized sounds, instead letting the acoustic instruments speak for themselves. Closer 'Empire' again finds exquisitely arranged brass parts interlocking into a tough, single-minded groove, underscored with a skippy, broken 4/4 pulse and handclaps. Often when a new label claims to be taking risks and trying something new, the truth is rather less remarkable. Not in this case: Siebels and Reent have created a terrifically original, inimitable trio of tracks that combine the pop and the avant-garde, the cerebral and the physical, to absolutely stunning effect. It might be unusual and it might be clever, but it's still dance music pure and simple. magic!




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For the first time on this planet Dial owner LAWRENCE shows up on an excursion to his beloved PAMPA imprint. The double feature "Kurama" presents two deepy enchanting anthems, a timeless vision of love. After touring around the globe with his new label mate DJ KOZE since ages, having the most successful release in Dial history with Kosi's Efdemin remix, sharing music with each other like crackbrained, it is not a big surprise for LAWRENCE to occur with two of his best pieces on PAMPA Records.

Well known for his releases on Mule Electronic, Ghostly International, Styrax and his own imprints Smallville, Dial and Laid, it was his first Mix CD on Cocoon Recordings "Timeless" which made Lawrence put some cats among the pigeons. With the new PAMPA again he has proved that the holy temple of deepness has to invite some flawy hypnotists once in a while to get clouded and shaken.

The number 09 is dedicated to two most famous experiences in Japan: The Kurama Mountain in Kyoto, one of the most amazing places on earth, and Oolong High, one of the most amazing drinks on earth- cold Oolong Tea on the rocks with a zip of japanese Shochu liquor. After KOZE and LAWRENCE had another few of these beverages again they started dreaming of this wonderful release.
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Tracklist: (1) Damiano von Erckert – Steam (Staub Mix) (DE-Q20-24-00015)
(2) Damiano von Erckert – Dad Was Not Around (DE-Q20-24-00016)
(3) Damiano von Erckert – Roh (DE-Q20-24-00017)
(4) Damiano von Erckert – Fantazia 93 (DE-Q20-24-00018)


Long overdue, we are happy to welcome Damiano von Erckert to Cocoon Recordings with his debut single, bringing late summer vibes that were well worth the wait. Damiano's lovely energy shines through in this EP, resulting in music that blends soulful character with his signature house sound.

“Steam (Staub Mix)” lifts your spirits from the very first beat, and the summery vibe of the housey Rhodes piano brings a smile to your face. Yet, the track retains a somewhat wistful and melancholy feel. Skillful intonation gives the break a jazzy feel, it's this friction that makes it special. Von Erckert showcases his skill with this playful arrangement, sure to have dancers' hands reaching skyward. The second track “Das Was Not Around” is a masterclass in purism, where simplicity meets profound emotion. Swirly synth pads unfold to create a dreamy, immersive atmosphere, pulling listeners into its depths. Despite its introspective title, a sense of hopefulness permeates the track, as if reaching for light through the shadows. Damiano’s approach allows every element to shine, making the deep grooves and ethereal sounds feel both intimate and expansive. It’s a journey of reflection yet imbued with a quiet optimism that lingers long after the final beat fades.

The essence of reduced Chicago drumming is brilliantly embodied in “Roh”, channeling a raw, stripped-back rhythm that strikes with precision and purpose. This forms the bedrock of a composition that feels timeless. The track carries an unmistakable grandeur, echoing the majestic hymns of certain legendary French artists. As the beats develop, they evoke a profound sense of reverence and nostalgia, seamlessly blending classic house influences with a modern edge. It's a track that honors the roots while confidently advancing the frontiers of contemporary house music. "Fantazia 93" is a nostalgic dive into a ‘90s House vibe, channeling the essence of that unforgettable era with authenticity. Damiano's signature sounds are front and center, infusing the track with a unique touch that’s fresh while reminiscent of classic house anthems. The track exudes an Ibiza after-hour feeling, transporting listeners to those sun-drenched days where time seems to stand still. It’s a sonic journey that feels like sunbeams warming the skin, bathing the senses in a radiant, feel-good energy that resonates long after.





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Rights : World excluding Fr

180 Grs Black Vinyl EP – Limited Edition -

Packaging: 1 x 12’’ Heavyweight Black vinyl, printed 3mm spine sleeve, 45 rpm.

PRODUCT INFORMATION/ SHORT BIOG
• “Collector run – 180 grs Black 12’’ vinyl / 2 tracks – 45rpm.
• “Chiroptera” is the soundtrack of « Acte 2 : Retour à la Caverne », a creation by JR with Thomas Bangalter and choregraph Damien Jalet , performed in Paris in front of the Opéra de Paris (Opéra Garnier) on November 12th, 2023 by more than 150 dancers.


TRACKLISTING

Face A :
1 - CHIROPTERA
Face B :
1 - CHIROPTERA (Solo Intro)



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Territories: WORLD EXCL DE, AT, Scandinavia

LP transparent crystal clear vinyl, leaflet, sticker, download code

GENRE/S:
Alternative, Independent, Shoegaze, Dreampop

TRACKLIST:
A1. A Different Light
A2. Nightfall
A3. Dreamweavers
A4. I Give My Tears
A5. Hollow
B1. Behind My Eyes
B2. Empty Beaches
B3. In A Storm
B4. Winter's Ghost
B5. Closure


SHORT INFO:
In May, fans were treated to the first new music from Trentemøller since 2022. A new single, "A Different Light," showcased a stunning blend of prismatic space rock and folk. For anyone wondering if it foreshadowed the release of a full-length, Dreamweaver will drop in September, on Friday the 13th.
Featuring 10 tracks that traverse Trentemøller's many musical strengths, Dreamweaver also represents an obvious artistic leap, treading new ground while retaining the overall plot. Tracks featuring vocals come courtesy of of Iceland's Disa, who has been in Trentemøller's fold since the Memoria tour.
Dreamweaver's nylon string-led opening track, and first single from the album, "A Different Light," contains many of Trentemøller's trademarks: exploring dichotomies, musical shadowplay, Nordic frigidity, and warm waves. It opens the door for the steady, hypnotic "Nightfall," with its tetherless vocal, wistful guitars, and early morning desert chill. The third track in the opening trifecta, "Dreamweavers" finds its footing with a percussive soft trot, which starts after what feels like a shortwave radio scan in search of the right chords, eventually dialing in a weightless voice. Ostensibly keeping a ruminative pace with the previous two tracks, the song and, by extension, album soon opens up as the rest of the elements drop into place with a grand, luxurious burst.
Dreamweaver is about to enter its next phase. With the hatch blown off of the portal, the noisy "I Give My Tears," driven by its glissed and fuzzy bass line, pours into the void. It's followed by its sibling, the most chaotic track on Dreamweaver, "Behind My Eyes." Arriving as a piece of noise rock pandemonium, "Behind My Eyes," can't be contained in its plush vault. A whip-crack snare and convulsing guitars smash against each other in the song's verse chamber. The tension builds, as the particles collide, pushing past the point of critical mass, kicking off the chain reaction which is the chorus. At times it harkens back to the proto-gaze tracks that gave birth to dream pop, at others it newly defines what that is. There's no time to contemplate it, though, as the song disintegrates in a microphonic feedback instant.
A respite follows with the somnambulistic pair of "Hollow" and "Empty Beaches." Then, a moment of intensity returns as the soaring textures and tribal drum bursts of "In A Storm" take control, before being taken out with the ambient slo-core of "Winter's Ghost" and "Closure." This diptych wraps up an album which certainly feels on-script for Trentemøller, but is also much more psychedelic than previous offerings.
Dreamweaver will be released on Trentemøller's own In My Room label. It is an exceedingly immersive experience, bound to release any dormant hallucinations you may be harboring.
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