Special remarks: 3x12” / 4 VINYL ONLY TRACKS // 180G VINYL // CELLOPHANE WRAPPED

Tracklist:

A1 They All Say
A2 Video
B1 Frankfurt
B2 Routine Check
C1 Batiscaf (vinyl only)
C2 Storm Rider (vinyl only)
D1 Far Gone (vinyl only)
D2 Where You Are (vinyl only)
E1 Puzzle Box
E2 Kinetic
F1 By My Side
F2 Skye



Mihai Popoviciu, one of the most esteemed names in the deep house and minimal scene, is set to unveil his anticipated new album, ‘Puzzle Box’, on Bondage Music. As one of the label’s core artists, Popoviciu returns for his second full-length album release on the imprint following his successful 2016 album, ‘Home’ - available on vinyl from 15th November 2024.

With a career spanning over a decade and with releases on numerous influential labels such as 8Bit to Berg Audio, Popoviciu has firmly established himself as a go-to within the minimal-leaning realms of house music. Known for intricate soundscapes and deep, hypnotic grooves, his work continues to captivate audiences globally. On ‘Puzzle Box’, he delves deeper into his signature stripped-back yet soulful aesthetic, offering a diverse collection of tracks that traverse through various sonic textures.

“With Puzzle Box, each track unlocks something deeper with every listen” - Mihai Popoviciu.

Consisting of thirteen tracks in total, ‘Puzzle Box’ showcases the Romanian’s sound to its fullest. On the vinyl edition, fans are treated to standout tracks like ‘Batiscaf’, ‘Storm Rider’, and ‘Far Gone’ — vinyl-only gems that capture Popoviciu’s talent for layering subtle, dubby tones with groovy rhythms. The opening track, ‘They All Say’, sets the mood with smooth, atmospheric beats with a skippy groove, followed by the dynamic “Video” and the driving, pulsating energy of “Frankfurt.”

Popoviciu’s skill in crafting versatile productions is showcased throughout the album, with each track offering something unique.
From the sleek, melodic strains of ‘Puzzle Box’ to the hypnotic, rolling basslines of ‘Kinetic’, this LP is a journey into his meticulously constructed sound. The digital version also features the bonus track ‘Body Count 2’, offering a final, rhythmic flourish to round off the release.
‘Puzzle Box’ further cements Mihai Popoviciu’s role as a mainstay on Bondage Music, a label which continues to champion forward-thinking, minimal-leaning house music. With this latest LP, Popoviciu once again proves why he remains a favourite, building on his storied career with another masterclass in refined, deep electronic music.

















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Territories: World excl. UK

FORMAT 12" vinyl, generic sleeve, dl card

TRACKLIST
1. / A Transport (Carl Craig Remix - 12” Edit) 05:09
2. / B Transport (Carl Craig Remix
- DJ Deep & Roman Poncet Rework) 04:30
3. Transport (Carl Craig Remix) (Digi Only) 20:24

Closely following the release of the Borderland single Riod, the focus returns on Transport, the collaborative album by Juan Atkins and Moritz von Oswald.
Long time friend and studio partner of Moritz von Oswald, Carl Craig provides a new take on “Transport”. Extending and stripping the original sequence to its bone, the illustrious Planet E president and illustrious Detroit proponent also summons a stepping drum sequence and a swaying array of moving delays. This 12“ edit is cut on the A-side. The full version of Carl Craig’s remix clocks just above 20 minutes and is available digitally.
Both are available to anyone who purchases the record, through the enclosed download card. On the flip, DJ Deep & Roman Poncet rework Carl Craig’s remix, adding their signature grooves and myriad of tough drums, to full effect. More

Track list:
A1. The Last Time
A2. Come Back
B1. The Last Time (K-LONE 2-Step Mix)
B2. Come Back (Chloe´ Robinson & DJ ADHD Remix)

Dutch duo Dam Swindle appear on Aus Music's 200 series and two new house originals come with remixes from K-Lone and Chloe Robinson & DJ ADHD
Dam Swindle have been helping to define the underground house sound for a decade, not least with their Heist label. The pair deal in timeless, fad-free sounds that are rich with dance floor dynamics and hint at a love of everything from disco to tech and plenty in between. They are notorious crate diggers who have played the world's most cultured clubs, their recent track Allright (Just A Tribute) on Phonica’s 20 year celebration has received widespread love by DJ’s this summer on the festival circuit and now they offer up two more of their studio gems for their 3rd full release on Aus.
This EP is the second in a series of four releases from different artists to mark the 200th outing of Will Saul's influential Aus Music. It is an era-defining label that has platformed some of the scene's brightest stars way before they broke out. Since launching in 2006, the label has remained dedicated to releasing club-ready music with a cultured edge from deep and melodic house to the earliest bass- driven post-dubstep fusions.
This EP kicks off with 'The Last Time', a blissed-out deep house sound with impassioned vocal cries tugging at the heartstrings. Mellifluous synth daubs percolate through the mix to a captivating, feel- good effect. Next is 'Come Back,' an infectious house bubbler with gloopy synths and something of a garage shuffle in the kicks. It's fresh and packed with neon colour that brims with soul.
New school house and garage tastemaker and core Aus Music family member K-LONE steps up with a remix hot on the heels of his two-part EP series on the label. His version of 'The Last Time' is typically deft as soft focus chords swirl around prickly garage house beats. The distant vocal, the cavernous bass and the wistful feel all make it another classic.
Last but not least, Chloe´ Robinson & DJ ADHD are frequent collaborators on labels like Fabric Originals as well as Chloe´’s Pretty Weird imprint where they serve up potent, bass-heavy sounds. Their version of 'Come Back' is expertly stripped back. It teases and pleases with a blend of filthy low- end oscillations, slinky drums and tooting chord hooks that are effortlessly fun and effective.
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LP

GENRE/S: Deep, Dub Techno

TRACKLISTS:
A1 Boundary
A2 Surfacing
A3 Bubble ring
B1 Deep Sea Exploration
B2 Abyss Light
B3 Traitor

SHORT INFO:

The sea has long been central to Japanese culture, symbolizing both sustenance and spiritual
depth. Charles A.D.'s Deep Diver draws inspiration from this, channeling the ancient traditions
of diving and fishing into his music. Historically, the sea has influenced everything from Shinto
rituals to the livelihoods of coastal communities. In Deep Diver, this reverence flows through
aquatic soundscapes, where rhythmic waves of 90s house and Detroit techno meet Japanese
minimal production techniques, New Age and Pacific Jazz. Like the tides, the album ebbs and
flows, creating a serene yet dynamic homage to the timeless connection between Japan and
the sea.
The opening track 'Deep Diver' plunges into the depths, its abstract sound design capturing the
sensation of deep-sea propulsion. Rhythmic bubbles pulse gently alongside slow-moving
chords, creating an otherworldly atmosphere. The textures are lush yet restrained, setting a
tranquil stage that pulls the listener into a submerged world. 'Underwater Ruins' builds on this
aquatic theme, introducing rhythmic layers and bass-heavy notes reminiscent of mid-90s
Japanese ambient techno. The smooth, melodic flow nods to pioneers like Mr.YT and Susumu
Yokota, while subtly incorporating the Detroit techno influence through soulful, deep basslines.
The track feels like a fusion of ambient and techno, balancing serene tones with a rolling
groove, emblematic of Japanese techno soul. As the album progresses into 'Bubble Ring', it
becomes clear that Charles A.D. is a master of minimalism. The production is timeless, leaning
on analog techniques where echo-drenched chords and carefully layered soundscapes take on
an addictive, hypnotic quality. The simplicity of the composition is deceptive, as each element
carries weight, drawing the listener deeper into the rhythm and space between the notes.
'Merperson' is where organic rhythms truly come into play. Charles A.D. gently evolves the
patterns, allowing each percussive hit to flow naturally into the next. Soothing melodies emerge
from within the track’s structure, eventually reaching an emotional peak without ever feeling
forced. The organic nature of the arrangement creates an effortless progression that feels
deeply connected to the natural movement of water.Starting the second half with 'Deep Exploration', the theme of underwater excursions becomes
even more pronounced. Light, steady drumming anchors the track, allowing the melodic layers
to develop gradually. It unfolds with a calm, measured pace, before ending softly, almost as if
the sounds are drifting off into the oceanic depths. 'Diffuse Reflection' stands out as the most
dub house-influenced on the album, with rolling rhythms and hypnotic elements reminiscent of
Maurizio's deep, pulsing sound. Yet here, the production feels submerged, with aquatic effects
swirling around the rhythmic core, blending dub house with a fluid, oceanic touch. 'Traitors'
delves even deeper into dub-inspired territory. Deep, resonant bass hits combine with wooden
drums, while static-like sounds evoke the image of a radio tuning through static to find clarity.
Chords shimmer briefly before fading back into the liquid depths, evoking the ebb and flow of
the tide. The final track on Deep Diver 'Levitation', is a fitting conclusion, as the rhythms merge
and overlap like waves gently lapping the shore. The minimalistic arrangement allows each
element to blend effortlessly into the next, creating a sense of unity and closure. The sounds
move with the gentle grace of water, ending the album in a way that feels both complete and
open-ended, like the infinite motion of the sea. More