Emotional Rescue and Utopia Originals join forces to release the pop, new wave, funk of Obscure Desire, a one-off project and EP from effervescent 80s Auckland, New Zealand that saw three friends come together to make a perfect piece of club pop history.

Revolving around the musical talent of Andrew Waldergrave, a trained pianist, music degree drop-out, who moved to the island’s cultural centre of Auckland and emersed himself in the arts and nightlife scene the city had to offer.

Working at Obscure Desire, a Fashion Boutique meets Salon, he became friends with Grant Mitchell and Giselle Trezevant, together forming not a band, but as they saw it, a project to make a record for their scene and beyond.

Coming from outside of the established band route of endless rehearsals, local gigs, growing a fan base and home recordings, they fell did not have the support network of indigenous New Zealand labels. As so often the case in unearthing these lost reissue gems, the artists took matters into their own hands, seeking to write, record and release themselves.

After meeting Trevor Reekie, head of the local Pagan Records label, he took on production duties. Collating the necessary musicians, the project grew from the one song to become a full EP, recording between a home 16 track studio and a full 24 track desk at Harlequin Studios.

Centred around the title song, it is a perfect pop moment. Waldergrave’s piano leads into an infectious groove of slap bass, gated drums, Reekie’s acoustic guitar and cut vocals, before Trezevant’s vocals propel the song to an 80s swing out vibrations. Coming in Extended, Harlequin and Instrumental (digital only) mixes, this was an overload of White Funk.

Here reduced to the best two versions, more room is given to let the other recordings breathe, first the gloriously anthemic instrumental Bullet. Intricate programming and production, lead into the pop sensibility of I Wonder, some kind of wonderful antipodean reimagining of Chris & Cosey finest pop moments, an optimistic paene that permeates the whole EP. Closing 4A, espouses the Jazz Funk, with Trezevant’s simple French lyrics telling of dreams of a lover’s image.

Released in 1986 with no local support from radio and TV, it became something of a “hit” record in New Zealand’s more discerning clubs, however the members soon moved to London and the project remained a one-off moment. Over time the EP has gained cult status to become globally desired that sees copies of the original 12” selling for $000s. Now at last available for a global reach, while remaining a personal, uplifting moment of time.

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Master of the ‘refined machine funk sound’ Cignol makes his return to UTTU with three tracks of uplifting, euphoric electro!

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Long over due reissue of this timeless Jovonn classic on the re-launched Next Moov Records. Featuring 'Back In The Dark' with DJ Deep, 'Moov Sphere'. 'Jessies Speech' & 'Keep On Dancin'. All killer no filler! Tip!

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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First-time reissue in 40 years of German jazz group Green Cosmos. Night time jazz music from 1983.

LP with printed 4 page insert, 500 copies

"Some melodies are like taking a deep, refreshing breath. They strike us with the compelling force of a heartbeat or the moon reappearing from behind dark clouds. The music of Green Cosmos makes us realize that our never- ending quest for love can find fulfillment. You take a long, slow breath and feel the magic of transcendent wisdom. It’s like looking up from your room to the brightly lit windows of the home of your neighbours. Might someone be standing there, watching us? Let’s listen to Abendmusiken and imagine what life would be like if we were one again with God’s original ideas. Green Cosmos enchant us with their blend of Jazz, the sound of heartbeats, emotional outburst, and Folk-music (From which country? In which language and tradtion? I really don’t know... it seems to be everyone’s language and the universal breath of all places.)

There is not one note too many, and everything gets to the heart of the matter. A saxophone that sails ahead on a world- map of sound, driven by the beat of Kalimba and drums, sometimes fraternizing with a bass that‘s now insistent and then shy, and closely listens to a reassuringly omniscient piano until the music merges into a unit that‘s greater than its parts and sees us through the night

We can feel that the musicians plunge headlong into their tales of grace and high spirits. It’s no exaggeration to say that this band has created something new and unique, and that the excellence of the moment got captured in this recording.

This, quite simply, is beautiful and exciting music thatsteers us through the night. And if you are standing by a window seeing someone looking at you from their window – give them a wave! Wave at them to the beat of the music and feel at home, feel free to pause and wonder, and come up for air."



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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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Germany
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Official reissue of this highly sought-after album by the late Sonya Spence on the original High Note label.

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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Terra Utopia returns to Emotional Response with a second long-from EP / mini-LP, 10 more tracks that span the ethereal sounds of ambient, atmospheric beats and liquid drum and bass.

Originally intended as a one-off project from French producer Benoit B, Terra Utopia 1 was recorded in 2 weeks while sojourned in an Athens’ Spring. A personal dedication to a specific sound he loved.

Since the original release, a debut LP under his own name followed, before Benoit embarked on his new club orientated project Blu:sh, releasing a series of acclaimed EPs for the likes of esteemed Kalahari Oyster Club and Roza Terenzi’s Step Ball Chain label.

However, the incredibly positive feedback of the first Terra Utopia recordings led to reappraisal and return to the name and here again, a second set of 10 tracks (8 vinyl and 2 digital bonus).

Once more recorded as short pieces – cut loud for DJ play – they interconnect to feelings of intangible expanses, that embracing summer, the warmth, a latent stillness of the azure sea and sky. This invitation, a narrative forever calling, of long days, calm nights, the infinite astral plain in minds eye.

The ambience has progressed, beats crackle and snap, tracks visualise an individuality, names are anointed, with the collaboration with singer dvdv on Shadows Of Memories, a floating, mesmeric highpoint, a dreaming siren.

No fears, the children of the heat embark.

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Yet again digging deep into the forgotten corners of dance music history, Sex Tapes From Mars is back with an essential reissue of 1997’s “Liquid Squid” by Victorious - a long-lost gem from the hazy heyday of mid-90s US house. Originally pressed in small quantities, the EP quickly became a cult favourite among vinyl purists and house music heads, with original copies going for hefty sums on Discogs, and as little as 50 members listing it in their collection. Now, after years of obscurity, “Liquid Squid” returns, bringing unfiltered, raw energy, and bolstered by a killer remix from Canadian duo Boomtang Boys, adding a respectful rework that breathes new life into the original track without overshadowing its original spirit.

Deep, driving, and dripping with analogue warmth, with chunky, rolling basslines that sit under warm, sweeping pads. The productions are stripped-back but loaded with texture, featuring subtly layered percussion that builds with precision, creating a spacious, immersive sound. Throughout the record, what’s consistent is low-swung, rolling rhythms, and rough-and-ready keys. It's dance floor-centric, but there’s a level of emotional depth in this singular to its era, and one you don’t find in contemporary sonic palettes.

Victorious provides a deep stroke into the realm of dubby, atmospheric house, revolving around hypnotic, evolving grooves, with spaced-out chords, lustrous vocals, and key tinkerings, perfect for more introspective sets. It’s a direct nod to the grit of Detroit along with clear remnants of early Chicago house glimmers - dreamy but yet still functional.

Sex Tapes From Mars has always been a label with a nose for the weird, slick, and the rare, and this reissue is no exception, crafting tantalising soundscapes that pull you into its orbit. “Liquid Squid” offers a snapshot of a time when the lines between genres were still fluid - it’s rich, warm, and dripping with sultry swagger - a piece of history that’s been given a second life, ready to work its magic on dance floors once again.

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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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