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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Rick Wade on Norm Talley's Upstairs Asylum are words that will excite any true school house heads. Wade is a production machine who turns out always no-frills, trusty and tracky grooves of the sort that are always essential for building a vibe in a set, and Talley's a fellow Detroit head who has long been helping to shape the house sound. 'So Juicy' begins with a flourish, lavish strings and chunky drums that slide along nicely. 'Midnight Hustler' sinks into a slightly more steamy and deep sound with hints of 60s US soul and funky licks, 'Turn Out' is a more traditional deep house roller with a comic vibe and 'Lonely Symphony' brings some cinematic string drama to a breezy blend of house beats.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

“Taking our time” has become a sort of ESP modus operandi, often proving that when variables are left to cook long enough—relationships, styles, politics, moments in culture—we may collectively yield a more considered result. Once in a 'Blue Moon', we set sights on a record that conducts some strange voodoo, some rare combination of elements that commands our entire being. Entering our atmosphere with a concise 6-track debut, dub technician Brendon Moeller has brought us exactly that. Although we’ve long been admirers Brendon’s work, separated by only a few degrees—he and ESP’s Lovefingers are the same age and shared a decade of salad days in New York City—it took another decade before enough courage was mustered to suggest we actually work together. Our reticence has seen Brendon’s aesthetic and palette evolve over the years, and the label has simultaneously sculpted a tone of its own, but now we’re more than proud to finally marry his highly refined output with our, let’s say, “deliberate” appetite. 'Blue Moon' touches everywhere Brendon has been as an artist—from the obtuse corners of ambient to IDM, dub techno to liquid drones and bass—yet the vocabulary is honed and succinct, relying on a very intentional handful of expressions. This is almost an exercise in restraint, all 6 tracks are delivered from a disciplined and committed point-of-view, but what we find most captivating is the exploration that this allows in terms of depth, texture, fluidity and pacing. There is a complexity hidden in plain sight that begs to be studied, a comfort that allows us to slip inside like a warm bath, an addictive tingling sensation that we must prolong indefinitely. Even as we write this testimonial, the album is going on a fourth repeat and we languish the intervening silence between tracks. This is being under the spell of Brendon’s 'Blue Moon'.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Danny Tenaglia’s new EP on Nervous Records features “Tonight” and “Out From Obscurity” and a remix of his prior Nervous Records release “Move That Body.”

With ”Tonight,” Danny kicks things off with the title track - treating us to both ‘No Beats Intro’ and ‘Beats Intro’ versions. And in doing so - manages to deliver, hands-down, one of the most tantalising and majestically rousing opening gambits we’ve heard in some time.

And when ‘Tonight’ finally bursts its aural banks, circa 1 minute 30 seconds - with the most seamless of transitions, we suddenly find ourselves surfing a decadent wave of hazy Rhodes, staccato bass and mesmeric vocal work - ebbing and flowing right up to it’s opulent and wonderfully soporific conclusion.

Next up we have DT’s re-rub of George Vidal’s ‘Out From Obscurity’; a veritable pressure-cooker of a track, that spins and weaves a sense of poise, tension and drama which escalates stealthily throughout. A stripped-back, rolling synth-driven’, made-to-measure for the 2024 club floor.

Finally - closing this souped-up invigorator of a release - we have ANTRANIG’s remix of Danny and Cevin Fisher’s ‘Move That Body’… a fully tribalized, menagerie-wrapped groove; which wears the sweat, the writhe and all that heat - very much on it’s visceral, live-and-direct sleeve.“

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Mita Gami returns to Crosstown Rebels alongside Garden City Movement on new EP, ‘Untouchable’. Set for release on 4th July 2025, the collaboration pairs the growing label favourite with an imprint debut for three captivating tracks. Mita Gami makes a striking return to Crosstown Rebels this summer with the bold and emotive ‘Untouchable’ EP, a three-track offering that also marks the label debut of acclaimed live-electronic duo Garden City Movement. Following the success of his recent collaboration ‘Where’s My Voice’ with EREZ, his standout remix of Parallelle & Nicolas Masseyeff ’s Renegade’ alongside Adam Ten and their 2022 EP ‘High On’, Mita’s fourth outing welcomes a first-time partnership with Garden City Movement - merging two distinct sonic worlds into a deeply textured and atmospheric EP. Each track on the EP showcases the three artists shared affinity for rich textures, vocals, and instrumentation. Title cut ‘Untouchable’ bursts with vibrant energy—funk-laced rhythms, live guitar riff s, and captivating vocals weaving together for an irresistible dancefloor moment. On the flip, ‘Happiness Is Too Finesse’ embraces earthy, organic percussion and playful grooves, unfolding into a hypnotic, slow-burning journey. Closing the EP, ‘Club Terracotta’ drifts into dreamier territory with resonant harmonies and lush melodic layers, offering a deeply emotive and immersive finale. This release marks a new chapter for Garden City Movement, as they appear on Crosstown Rebels for the fi rst time. Known for their genre-blending approach and emotionally rich productions via acclaimed albums ‘Entertainment’, ‘Apollonia’ and ‘Never On Time’, featuring on the FIFA 22 soundtrack and appearances spanning Glastonbury, Primavera Sound and Pukkelpop, the duo adds a new dimension to the label’s diverse catalogue.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

A multifaceted artist, who over his career has traversed between singer-songwriter, hit producer, DJ and curator, Ben Westbeech debuts on Glitterbox Recordings with a fully realised and fresh artistic vision, delivering ‘Times Are Changing’ featuring RAHH. A manifestation of Ben’s long-held career reputation as a magnet for talent, RAHH’s flawless vocal and the considered songwriting is ready to captivate listeners, creating an uplifting and anthemic quality with its jazzy bass with journey-like arrangement. The record has been committed to wax along with house legends Louie Vega and Josh Milan’s array of remixes and a Takin’ It Back Dub from Louie’s son Nico Vega. A 12” delivery already sought after by selectors of the highest order, this joyous soulful record is easily transformed into club-ready heat, without losing any of its heart across the mixes.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Apersonal Music, the Barcelona-based imprint known for its sun-drenched blend of house and disco since 2010, proudly presents the new EP by one of its longest-standing artists: Cisco Cisco. Portuguese duo Cisco Cisco are renowned for crafting emotional and uplifting house and disco, filled with hypnotic sampling and shimmering effects. Their sound has become a signature of Apersonal’s catalog, and The Heat EP is a glowing continuation of this. On the A side “Why Can’t I Be You?” brings classic disco energy to the table — lush, melodic, and full of that heartfelt groove Cisco Cisco do so well. Plus returning to remix duties alongside Cisco Cisco is Ron Basejam, whose unmatched ability to transform disco originals into dancefloor monsters shines once again. His remix of “Why Can’t I Be You?” stretches nearly eight minutes, slowly building and wrapping the listener in a deep, infectious groove. On the B side “The Heat” is a bold detour into early-2000s French electro house, evoking the raw drive of the 2000s. “Under the Bridge” channels the spirit of a Generation X Parisian house party, with filtered synths and punchy basslines reminiscent of Daft Punk’s earliest work. And rounding out the EP Rayko delivers on his finest style, bringing a darker, late-night vibe to the release. His remix of “The Heat” is a driving, immersive journey blending electro and techno influences tailored for the deeper hours on the floor.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

4 track EP of smokin' hot disco & funk re-edits from Chicago's CRAIGNTHEM. In the same vein as the popular GU "CLASSIQUES" series and just as good. The debut vinyl release soon to be followed by more ripped out of the digital vault. Don't sleep on these. If you know, you know.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

First Word Records are very proud to present a brand new album from Kaidi Tatham!

'An Insight To All Minds' is Kaidi's 3rd solo album under his own name, following several EPs and two albums for First Word; 2018's acclaimed 'It's A World Before You' and the re-press of his seminal 2008 sophomore album 'In Search Of Hope' last year.

For those that don't know, Kaidi Tatham is a legendary multi-instrumentalist. Once dubbed "the UK's Herbie Hancock" by Benji B, he's a virtuoso on the keys and a true innovator in sound production as one of the original creators of the Broken Beat sound. Over the years his musical prowess has blessed numerous projects, initially with the likes of Bugz In The Attic and The Herbaliser, and more recently with DJ Jazzy Jeff (through the PLAYlist projects), Andrew Ashong (on the acclaimed 'Sankofa Season' EP last year) and with longtime accomplice, Dego. This in addition to session work for artists such as Mulatu Astatke, Slum Village, Amy Winehouse, Soul II Soul and Leroy Burgess, along with First Word label mates such as Eric Lau, Children of Zeus and Darkhouse Family. Kaidi is also a revered DJ known for rocking parties globally, whilst his solo catalogue spans tons of EPs and releases for labels such as 2000 Black, Eglo and Theo Parrish's Sound Signature.

On 'An Insight To All Minds', Kaidi says it's "not about a destination, but a process. It's about how you drive, not where you're going. Nothing in this world can torment you as much as your own thoughts… We are all going through it. We can all feel what the next person is feeling, believe it or not. It's learning how to tap into it".

The album is comprised of an assortment of Kaidi's unique flavours - uptempo jazz-funk bruk, laced with rhodes, flutes, live bass and delicious percussion. Using that blueprint he moves effortlessly through latin and samba, half-step, deep afro house and a sprinkle of curveballs, all presented in Kaidi's inimitable way.

'Intergalactic Relations' brings with it some 110bpm synthed-out spacey electro-breaks, 'Could It Be' sets off sounding like a Morricone film score, whilst 'Rodney' is some serious heads-down business; stark and punchy off-kilter broken beat and vocal stabs. There are a few guests too - 'Chungo' sees the return of Uhmeer (who previously appeared on 'Cupid' on the album 'It's A World Before You'); here the young Philly MC deftly rides a 9/4 time signature beat. Meanwhile 'Stro Kyat' invites in another supreme talent, Stro Elliot (The Roots), who provides a suitably crisp & crunchy riddim to accompany Kaidi's key play over a mind-bending 5/4 time signature.

With this new album, Kaidi Tatham adds further to his already impressive catalogue, a body of work that falls within the cracks of jazz and dance music, exemplifying modern British black brilliance once again; uncompromising, innovative, groundbreaking, intricately sophisticated and deeply funky. His fanbase expands on every release and it's no surprise that that fanbase includes peers such as Madlib ("ahead of his time"), Gilles Peterson ("a key part of an entire movement"), K15 ("a limitless source of inspiration"), Alexander Nut ("a true virtuoso") and Kyle Hall.

'An Insight To All Minds' is released on double vinyl & digital via First Word Records, April 2nd 2021.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

"Love Can't Be Borrowed" by The Sextones produced by Kelly Finnigan - one of the soul albums of 2023 - gets a reissue on limited edition clear vinyl. 500 copies only, instant collector's item. By popular demand, Record Kicks presents a reissue of the highly acclaimed soul album "Love Can't Be Borrowed" by US combo The Sextones on limited edition clear vinyl that drops May 24th. Produced by Kelly Finnigan of Monophonics, the album was originally released in September 2023. Unanimously praised by critics and soul fans the vinyl rapidly went sold out. The crystal clear edition is limited to 500 copies worldwide that makes it an instant collector's item. Sophisticated, suave, and masterfully composed, the album is a sonic love letter to late 60s and early 70s soul, nodding to the giants of the genre and bowing to its unsung heroes. Drawing from their upbringings steeped in the sound, front man and guitarist Mark Sexton and bassist Alexander Korostinsky knew they wanted an album to highlight their old-school bona fides while leaving room for innovation. They found that balance in marathon recording sessions at Finnigan's Transistor Sound studio in San Rafael, California. With inspiration from artists like The Moments, Baby Huey, The Delfonics, and especially the late Curtis Mayfield, the album is drenched in the era-defining tone that can only come from its origins on analog tape. From the first notes of the opening track "Daydreaming", the songs shimmer and glow from one moment to the next like a summer's drive with the windows down, with steady cruise anthems like "Beck & Call" floating by like a cool breeze. "Love Can't Be Borrowed" is captained by Sexton's smooth falsetto and bolstered by lush guitar work, crunchy drum breaks, and molten bass lines that seep into every crack. Beyond the rhythm section, we find a delicate universe of orchestral strings, punchy horns, vibraphones, and reverb-drenched background vocals—reveling in the hallmarks of the genre as only true acolytes can.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More