First full release by BSS (Luigi Vittorio Jansen) on Hivern following contributions to both 'Fragments' and 'Hivernation' projects. 'Bredius' showcases four tracks whose common thread is a detailed sound design of electrified percussion and a delicate and emotional approach to melodies. The EP will be available in two different versions: a standard one and a limited edition with the covers printed at l'Anacronica in Barcelona. Both artworks designed by Luigi himself. More

First full release by BSS (Luigi Vittorio Jansen) on Hivern following contributions to both 'Fragments' and 'Hivernation' projects. 'Bredius' showcases four tracks whose common thread is a detailed sound design of electrified percussion and a delicate and emotional approach to melodies. The EP will be available in two different versions: a standard one and a limited edition with the covers printed at l'Anacronica in Barcelona. Both artworks designed by Luigi himself. More

??From ecstatic highs and sinister textures to sprawling breaks, tight drum programming and bass-heavy undercurrents, Suikerplein EP is the BSS project touching home base. Though by no means a new face to Dekmantel, it marks the debut of BSS on the Dekmantel Records imprint, following a sonically varied string of releases on labels like Hivern Discs, Kitjen, Church and Honey Soundsystem Records. Mastermind behind BSS is Luigi Vittorio Jansen, initially one half of the long-standing musical project formerly known as Beesmunt Soundsystem. The formation slimmed down from two to one, but Luigi’s drive and creative impulse is brimming with energy — this debut EP from BSS as a one-man venture can only serve as a testament of that. In a sound that has been typically evolving throughout an almost decade-spanning catalog, BSS is more than ever crystallising the distinctive palette that forms the BSS microcosm as we step in today.

This hypnotic, mind-melting realm can feel wonderfully strange and extraterrestrial, yet Suikerplein spirals back close to home: the city of Amsterdam, where Luigi grew up and where the whole Beesmunt journey began. The track titles refer to various pinpoints from Luigi’s youth, from the Spaarndammer neighbourhood and the Westerpark to an oddly intriguing statue of a Dutch social anarchist that’s also found somewhere in Amsterdam’s westside. BSS’s journey may have crossed many physical borders and brought them to DJ booths and record players across the world, Suikerplein reaches back at the cradle of both the project and Luigi himself.

The blissful suspense of ‘Westerpark’ is where things are kicked in motion: spacious, slowly menacing breaks push forward while a deeply resonating bass contrasts the gleaming synths that are draped on top. The suspense is quickly redeemed by the tight, electrifying drum workout of ‘Domela’ — a high-voltage, electrifying crawler with sparks spattering throughout. It leads to a foray into the mesmerising melancholia the ‘Spaarndammerplantsoen’, an emotive joint that hovers between fatalistic and hopeful. On the flip, we return with ‘Box’: a not-to-be-messed-with, metallic-sounding sizzler with roughed-out laser-beam textures and jarring breaks. The curtain call comes from ‘Scannen’, a near spiritual closing with a synthetic chant. It recapitulates the heavily textured, break-filled character of the Suikerplein EP as a whole, and concludes it with a thoroughly cathartic comedown. More

The first track is a mesmerizing progressive house tune with a future retro hi nrg bass line and a hypnotic dreamy arpeggio worth of the early 90’s italo techno & house heritage, in the style of artists like Mystic Force, still with a contemporary attitude both in the house groove and in the sound choice, truly uplifting! “Trail Of Bones” is a badass ravey jam with a crazy and prominent fat bass line going all along the track, inspired by some old school acid trance aesthetics with a funkier feeling
On the flip side “Nove Code di Cristallo Grigio” sounds like an intergalactic trip to some other techno galaxies lead by uncoordinated synthetic structures. “Gattonero” closes the ep with its quirky mood, essential and with a bouncy groove that makes it a super efficient tool for the floor.
Dispel any evil spell !!
More

For the next reissue in Mr Bongo’s Cuban Classics series, we look to Raúl Gómez’s entrancing 1977 Instrumental album. Presenting a unique blend of orchestral disco and jazz-funk, with Afro-Cuban flavours and soundtrack influences, it’s rich with drum breaks, energy and evolving compositions. A record that forever keeps you guessing, powered by an exemplary orchestra at the top of their game.

Cuban composer and singer Raúl Gómez is most known for featuring in the groups Mirtha Y Raul and Los Bucaneros alongside producing the Cuban classic Los Reyes 73 album, amongst a whole host of other incredible productions over the years. Released on Cuba’s state-owned label Areito, Instrumental sees Gómez not only as an instrumentalist and author, but also as a producer and arranger.

It's an album that deftly evades pigeonholing. Floating between instrumental mood music and library/soundtrack mastery, followed by explosions of cosmic-Latin funk, psych guitar workouts and compositions that reflect the orchestrated disco coming out of the US at the time, from greats such as Love Unlimited or MFSB. Lace that together with a healthy serving of Afro-Cuban magic to underpin the tracks and it’s a recipe for a record that captivates from start to finish.

Predominantly an instrumental album as the title suggests, the record showcases the Orquesta EGREM in full flow, soaring strings and vibrant horns at every turn. Highlights include 'Mi Samba Carnaval' with its breathtaking drum break, bubbling synths and sublime arrangements and the romantic film music impressions of ‘Tema De La Sierra', that have been a sampling source for many a producer. Elsewhere, ‘6 Son’ is a mind-melding psych guitar powerhouse, with 'Dacapo', written by Gilberto Peralta, offering up a slice of atmospheric and energetic Latin shuffle. One of only a handful of tracks where scat vocals compliment the orchestral tones, a Brazilian percussion theme marries with dancefloor sensibilities for a dose of feel-good, brilliance.

A wide-ranging, multi-dimensional release, Instrumental exhibits musicianship, composition and creativity at its finest and demonstrates another key example of the rich output of music that flowed from the island of Cuba post revolution.

Featuring replica artwork, the vinyl release is presented with a Cuban Classic Series OBI Strip. More