1
Don Kashew - Pair Of Bellows
2
Don Kashew - Ethereal Mechanics
3
Don Kashew - Reibung II
4
Don Kashew - Windy Outside
5
Don Kashew - Las Alas Rojas
6
Don Kashew - Invocation
7
Don Kashew - Sadeness (Part III)
Don Kashew returns to Subject To Restrictions Discs with the album ‘Bellows’. A haunting, melodic, maudlin affair, as one would expect from the Zurich-based producer, with a variety of ‘breathing’ instruments as a fulcrum, that challenges any physicality.
The compositions draw from the pool of New Age music and neo-folk of the 80s and 90s. But ‘Bellows’ stretches and looks at the future, deliberately blurring lines that were supposedly anchored. So, Don Kashew has begun a new phase in his musical expression; quivering, but grounded and interwoven in a rich arras of synth work and overlapping woodwind sounds.
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The compositions draw from the pool of New Age music and neo-folk of the 80s and 90s. But ‘Bellows’ stretches and looks at the future, deliberately blurring lines that were supposedly anchored. So, Don Kashew has begun a new phase in his musical expression; quivering, but grounded and interwoven in a rich arras of synth work and overlapping woodwind sounds.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
More records from Don Kashew
1
Don Kashew - Friction
2
Don Kashew - Reiter
3
Don Kashew - Slap
4
Don Kashew - Reibung
5
Don Kashew - Valse
6
Don Kashew - Who R U
After his debut EP, Don Kashew delivers his first album on Subject To Restrictions Discs, a conceptual work in which he discovers “Reibung” as a core concept of musical expression.
A loudspeaker causes the molecules of the air to vibrate. Friction occurs and the sound spreads out in the room. Physically, friction is at the beginning of every sound. At the same time, the metaphor of friction describes the core of musical creation. As such, creation is always defined by its reference as well as its demarcation from existing artistic and social positions. In a sense, music is always rubbing against itself, its past and its environment, constantly being honed into new forms.
With “Reibung”, Don Kashew explores friction as a basic principle of musical expression. Inspired by the avant-rock and experimental music scene of the 80s around the Zurich record label “RecRec Music”, techniques are used whose core is the friction of sounds: dissonances, phasing or the preparation of instruments. These techniques are complemented by sampling and recombination of musical forms, existing music and cultural audio products. The idea of “Reibung” is thus at the heart of the production of musical expression.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
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Germany
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A loudspeaker causes the molecules of the air to vibrate. Friction occurs and the sound spreads out in the room. Physically, friction is at the beginning of every sound. At the same time, the metaphor of friction describes the core of musical creation. As such, creation is always defined by its reference as well as its demarcation from existing artistic and social positions. In a sense, music is always rubbing against itself, its past and its environment, constantly being honed into new forms.
With “Reibung”, Don Kashew explores friction as a basic principle of musical expression. Inspired by the avant-rock and experimental music scene of the 80s around the Zurich record label “RecRec Music”, techniques are used whose core is the friction of sounds: dissonances, phasing or the preparation of instruments. These techniques are complemented by sampling and recombination of musical forms, existing music and cultural audio products. The idea of “Reibung” is thus at the heart of the production of musical expression.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
1
Don Kashew - Oasis
2
Don Kashew - Lew
3
Don Kashew - Pelouse
4
Don Kashew - Chique
5
Don Kashew - Spinett
6
Don Kashew - Zeit AG
Between the Zuri brannt riots and the Needle Park catastrophe, two events that occurred in the eighties in Zurich and that have been underlined in the previous two Dee Dee’s Picks releases, have unfortunately backlashed in today’s world yet have also been sublimated by others in various cultural endeavours.
On a different note: “The edible seed of the cashew fruit is native to tropical climates that is rich in tryptophan, a neurochemical that our bodies turn into serotonin.”
These two subject matters, seemingly unrelated, have been channelled into one person — coinciding to make room for relief from a transformed dystopian-like era that has not without effort risen from its depth. Found from this dark period is a modern-day character that brings to the surface these once very present issues. The music and topical form that occur simultaneously within this release have been created by Don Kashew, a self-described troubadour who acts a natural supplier of your favourite natural antidepressant as well as an eternal fanboy to music from the past, present and future.
An enthusiastic participant to the Swiss underground scene, Don Kashew can be found either helping the Zurcher community or playing obscure and classic records at a regular pace in the Zurich nightlife. The added anecdotal form that this release takes shape is the fact that Don is a city council whose department is to aid in the organisation of the clean up from the consequences of the aforementioned sociological issues. Don Kashew refutes these questions with sounds that evoke feelings of longing for another world, warm and moist, of another place, captured in a modern time. By commenting on the track titles as presented within this edition, Don Kashew’s music also refers to the irony of capitalistic studies and of the monotonous dullness that life presents. With these two aspects, merged together in a swirl, the music within this release is at the time whimsical and ironic, mature yet underlined with childlike humour. This compilation of past and contemporary works is a reflection of Don’s sound development, affected through time and change, environment and empathy, diligence and insouciance, carefully packaged and influenced by his creative procedure.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
On a different note: “The edible seed of the cashew fruit is native to tropical climates that is rich in tryptophan, a neurochemical that our bodies turn into serotonin.”
These two subject matters, seemingly unrelated, have been channelled into one person — coinciding to make room for relief from a transformed dystopian-like era that has not without effort risen from its depth. Found from this dark period is a modern-day character that brings to the surface these once very present issues. The music and topical form that occur simultaneously within this release have been created by Don Kashew, a self-described troubadour who acts a natural supplier of your favourite natural antidepressant as well as an eternal fanboy to music from the past, present and future.
An enthusiastic participant to the Swiss underground scene, Don Kashew can be found either helping the Zurcher community or playing obscure and classic records at a regular pace in the Zurich nightlife. The added anecdotal form that this release takes shape is the fact that Don is a city council whose department is to aid in the organisation of the clean up from the consequences of the aforementioned sociological issues. Don Kashew refutes these questions with sounds that evoke feelings of longing for another world, warm and moist, of another place, captured in a modern time. By commenting on the track titles as presented within this edition, Don Kashew’s music also refers to the irony of capitalistic studies and of the monotonous dullness that life presents. With these two aspects, merged together in a swirl, the music within this release is at the time whimsical and ironic, mature yet underlined with childlike humour. This compilation of past and contemporary works is a reflection of Don’s sound development, affected through time and change, environment and empathy, diligence and insouciance, carefully packaged and influenced by his creative procedure.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
1
Don Kashew - Supermarche
2
Don Kashew - Koto Nord
3
Don Kashew - Bamboo
This is the first instalment of the newborn white label series on Subject To Restrictions Discs. Zurich based DJ and producer Don Kashew delivers a dark dystopian journey that begins with the search for the last open ‘Supermarche´’. It continues with the well-known lethargy of the past months translated in the track ‘Koto Nord’. At long last, we are successful and dance together to ‘Bamboo’ in united melancholy. This release is limited to 100 copies.
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Germany
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
More records from Subject To Restriction Discs
Cat-No:STRD-XXII
Release-Date:04.04.2025
Configuration:LP
Cat-No:STRD-XXII
Release-Date:04.04.2025
Configuration:LP
1
Gusu - Liúyì Wode Xuqiú
2
Gusu - Rural
3
Gusu - ???
4
Gusu - ????
5
Gusu - Standing Cross Water
6
Gusu - Did You Ever Tried To Write
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Gusu - Háizimen De Xiào Sheng I
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Gusu - ???????
9
Gusu - Háizimen De Xiào Sheng II
10
Gusu - Resist
Slow-moving finger-picked ambient folk straddling the synthetic and organic divide – that is “The Ending Was A Typical Part”, the first album by the Zurich-based duo Gusu. It combines the tradition of playing the guzheng with electronic instruments, allowing different yet harmonious worlds to collide.
The collaboration between Xueyan Chen and Nicolas Balmer alias Gusu was born out of their shared musical explorations in 2022 and has evolved into a dialogue of sound. Chen’s guzheng, an instrument deeply linked to Chinese history, resonates with improvised and self-composed melodies, freeing its pentatonic scale from its traditional bounds. Her playing is underscored with the cryptic hum of Balmer’s modular synthesizers, the deep bass and layered textures that combine the organic with the electronic. Together they create a sonorous exploration of identity, displacement and unity.
Xueyan Chen has been playing the Guzheng since her early childhood. With her moving to Zurich, Switzerland she started reimagining its historical identity through improvisation and self-composed melodies. With this approach, Chen emancipates the instrument from its classical heritage, weaving a contemporary and deeply personal narrative. Nicolas Balmer meanwhile brings a contrasting yet complementary dimension with modular synthesizers, bass guitar, and electronic textures. His layered soundscapes amplify and distort the Guzheng’s pentatonic timbres, enveloping them in mysterious tones and expansive harmonics.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
The collaboration between Xueyan Chen and Nicolas Balmer alias Gusu was born out of their shared musical explorations in 2022 and has evolved into a dialogue of sound. Chen’s guzheng, an instrument deeply linked to Chinese history, resonates with improvised and self-composed melodies, freeing its pentatonic scale from its traditional bounds. Her playing is underscored with the cryptic hum of Balmer’s modular synthesizers, the deep bass and layered textures that combine the organic with the electronic. Together they create a sonorous exploration of identity, displacement and unity.
Xueyan Chen has been playing the Guzheng since her early childhood. With her moving to Zurich, Switzerland she started reimagining its historical identity through improvisation and self-composed melodies. With this approach, Chen emancipates the instrument from its classical heritage, weaving a contemporary and deeply personal narrative. Nicolas Balmer meanwhile brings a contrasting yet complementary dimension with modular synthesizers, bass guitar, and electronic textures. His layered soundscapes amplify and distort the Guzheng’s pentatonic timbres, enveloping them in mysterious tones and expansive harmonics.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
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Pellegrino & Zodyaco - Pecché
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Pellegrino & Zodyaco - Mario
3
Pellegrino & Zodyaco - L'aura
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Pellegrino & Zodyaco - Palepoli
5
Pellegrino & Zodyaco - Saditè
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Pellegrino & Zodyaco - La Malìa Del Sur
7
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8
Pellegrino & Zodyaco - Sirene
“There is no defined goal, rather a desire to explore new sonic languages that hold firmly to Neapolitan roots while opening up to a global and contemporary musical aesthetic.” - Pellegrino
With the name Koinè, a term that means “common language,” the work already guards a declaration of intent in its title, where languages (spoken and musical) and dialects mingle, creating a mosaic of sounds, sensations and visions that weaves the Neapolitan melodic tradition with disco, funk, jazz fusion and world music. Pellegrino abandons the patterns associated with revivalism, experimenting with new compositional dimensions and drawing from an imagery that blends vintage instruments, ethnic percussion and Mediterranean atmospheres.
Koinè is a musical journey that embraces the risk of change while exalting its liberating power: a sequence of images and emotions, traversing the past, experiencing the present with its baggage of disillusions and expectations and projecting itself into the future in search of a need for elsewhere that reconnects us with ourselves.
The album is a eulogy of contaminations: from popular music to synth pop, contemporary songs blending with a “dance” fusion. A delicate balance between roots and change, tradition and creative drive, in which the Pellegrino & Zodyaco project draws an authentic and contemporary portrait of the Neapolitan “new school” of which it was among the first promoters with the works “Zodyaco I” (2018) and “Morphé
Koinè is proof that escape, when it is conscious, can bring us back to the heart of things.
"In times like these, escape is the only way to stay alive and keep dreaming" H.L.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
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Germany
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With the name Koinè, a term that means “common language,” the work already guards a declaration of intent in its title, where languages (spoken and musical) and dialects mingle, creating a mosaic of sounds, sensations and visions that weaves the Neapolitan melodic tradition with disco, funk, jazz fusion and world music. Pellegrino abandons the patterns associated with revivalism, experimenting with new compositional dimensions and drawing from an imagery that blends vintage instruments, ethnic percussion and Mediterranean atmospheres.
Koinè is a musical journey that embraces the risk of change while exalting its liberating power: a sequence of images and emotions, traversing the past, experiencing the present with its baggage of disillusions and expectations and projecting itself into the future in search of a need for elsewhere that reconnects us with ourselves.
The album is a eulogy of contaminations: from popular music to synth pop, contemporary songs blending with a “dance” fusion. A delicate balance between roots and change, tradition and creative drive, in which the Pellegrino & Zodyaco project draws an authentic and contemporary portrait of the Neapolitan “new school” of which it was among the first promoters with the works “Zodyaco I” (2018) and “Morphé
Koinè is proof that escape, when it is conscious, can bring us back to the heart of things.
"In times like these, escape is the only way to stay alive and keep dreaming" H.L.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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1
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - A1 - Life on MTV
2
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - A2 - Frank Sinatra
3
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - A3 - Walk On By
4
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - A4 - 1982
5
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - B1 - Stock Exchange
6
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - B2 - You and Us
7
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - B3 - Flexibility
8
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - C1 - L'Homme dans l'Ombre
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Miss Kittin & The Hacker - C2 - Slow Track
10
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - C3 - Nurse
11
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - C4 - Stripper
12
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - D1 - DJ Song
13
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - D2 - Walking in the Sunshine
14
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - D3 - Frank Sinatra 2001
15
Miss Kittin & The Hacker - D4 - The Beach - Bonus track
- 2025 repress -
Tracklisting:
A1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Life on MTV
A2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Frank Sinatra
A3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Walk On By
A4 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - 1982
B1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Stock Exchange
B2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - You and Us
B3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Flexibility
C1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - L'Homme dans l'Ombre
C2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Slow Track
C3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Nurse
C4 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Stripper
D1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - DJ Song
D2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Walking in the Sunshine
D3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Frank Sinatra 2001
D4 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - The Beach - Bonus track
Sales Note
The first ever full length repress of an all time classic.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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Tracklisting:
A1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Life on MTV
A2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Frank Sinatra
A3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Walk On By
A4 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - 1982
B1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Stock Exchange
B2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - You and Us
B3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Flexibility
C1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - L'Homme dans l'Ombre
C2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Slow Track
C3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Nurse
C4 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Stripper
D1 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - DJ Song
D2 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Walking in the Sunshine
D3 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Frank Sinatra 2001
D4 Miss Kittin & The Hacker - The Beach - Bonus track
Sales Note
The first ever full length repress of an all time classic.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
1
Luigi Ceccarelli - Vientiane
2
Gin no nami - Whispers Of Chikurin
3
Akira Mitake - Yasha
4
Akira Mitake - Modernism
5
Individual Sensitivity - Greece Ambientale
6
Steve Shehan - Evening In The Sahara
7
Private Joke - Peaceful Traffic
8
Adriano Maria Vitali - Velvet Blue Circles
9
Masami Tsuchiya - Nevermind
10
Akira Mitake - Spectrum
11
Gil Mellé - Mindscape
12
Gruppo Sound - African Interlude II
13
Ferris Wheel - Shipping Out
Collector, seeker and storyteller Charles Bals brings his curatorial finesse to Hamburg"s Bureau B with "Ambientale", a journey into otherworldly sounds from the years 1983 - 2000. Drifting effortlessly between digital exoticism, mellow fusion, new age groove and library electronics, the pieces range from largely obscure to utterly un-google-able, and coalesce into a stunning soundtrack to tranquil seas, desert sand and starlit skies. Cinematic & enigmatic, "Ambientale" is a stranger you"ve only just met but can"t stop thinking about.
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Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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1
Rimini Metafisica - Spleen Selecter
2
TenGrams - A Lesson To Learn
3
Sandiego - Suburban Winter
4
Mono Han - Stardust Blooms
5
Deep Field - VHS Glowing Gaze
6
Castelli - Londra Nel Deserto
7
Fogli & Ventura - No
8
Through Twelve - Another Day
9
Body System - Insane
10
Italoconnection - Sleeping (TenGrams Remix)
ITALIA SYNTHETICA 2025 features a FRED VENTURA curated selection of unreleased tracks from a collective of Italian artists and producers who have long been influential in the electronic underground scene. These musicians continue to push boundaries and explore new frontiers within electro, synth-pop, and new wave.
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WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
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1
Ø & Mika Vainio - Sisn
2
Ø & Mika Vainio - Hornitus
3
Ø & Mika Vainio - Kuvio
4
Ø & Mika Vainio - JL-CSG-1
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6
Ø & Mika Vainio - Hion
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10
Ø & Mika Vainio - JL-CSG-2
11
Ø & Mika Vainio - Radio
12
Ø & Mika Vainio - Asuntola
13
Ø & Mika Vainio - Kentt
14
Ø & Mika Vainio - Halli
15
Ø & Mika Vainio - Dayak
1st time ever on vinyl, this minimal masterpiece from finlands masterminds
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DE - 22113 Hamburg
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1
DJ Quik - 1 A1 : Street Level Entrance (1:52)
2
DJ Quik - 2 A2 : Get At Me (4:08)
3
DJ Quik - 3 A3 : Diggin’ U Out (4:48)
4
DJ Quik - 4 A4 : Safe + Sound (4:49)
5
DJ Quik - 5 B1 : Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood (5:55)
6
DJ Quik - 6 B2 : Don’t You Eat It! (1:08)
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DJ Quik - 7 B3 : Can I Eat It? (4:59)
8
DJ Quik - 8 B4 : It’z Your Fantasy (4:23)
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DJ Quik - 9 C1 : Tha Ho In You (4:45)
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DJ Quik - 10 C2 : Dollaz + Sense (5:53)
11
DJ Quik - 11 C3 : Let You Havit (3:40)
12
DJ Quik - 12 C4 : Summer Breeze (4:34)
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DJ Quik - 13 D1 : Quik’s Groove III (2:37)
14
DJ Quik - 14 D2 : Sucka Free (2:11)
15
DJ Quik - 15 D3 : Keep Tha “P” In It (5:25)
16
DJ Quik - 16 D4 : Hooray 4 Tha Funk (2:11)
17
DJ Quik - 17 D5 : Tanqueray (4:19)
Territories: Worldwide no restrictions
Format Notes: 2025 repress, 140g double vinyl, includes the CD bonus track “Tanqueray”, reproduction of the original stickered sleeve
Track List:
1 A1 : Street Level Entrance (1:52)
2 A2 : Get At Me (4:08)
3 A3 : Diggin’ U Out (4:48)
4 A4 : Safe + Sound (4:49)
5 B1 : Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood (5:55)
6 B2 : Don’t You Eat It! (1:08)
7 B3 : Can I Eat It? (4:59)
8 B4 : It’z Your Fantasy (4:23)
9 C1 : Tha Ho In You (4:45)
10 C2 : Dollaz + Sense (5:53)
11 C3 : Let You Havit (3:40)
12 C4 : Summer Breeze (4:34)
13 D1 : Quik’s Groove III (2:37)
14 D2 : Sucka Free (2:11)
15 D3 : Keep Tha “P” In It (5:25)
16 D4 : Hooray 4 Tha Funk (2:11)
17 D5 : Tanqueray (4:19)
Release Notes:
DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With 1995’s Safe + Sound, he scaled new levels of musical magnificence with his signature new age P-Funk/laconic G-Funk. A quintessential, sun-scorched LA album, this is pretty much essential. Typical for mid-90s albums the original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue, complete with “Tanqueray”, the hidden track from the original CD release.
A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barbecues.
By the time of his third album DJ Quik was a household name on the West Coast - California’s premier rapper/producer not named Andre Young. Released on Profile in 1995, Safe + Sound was certified gold. Less reliant on samples and more focused on live instruments, it elevated him from producer to fully-fledged composer. This sound — the quick, winding basslines, tinny high hats, smooth instrumental solos, soulful pipes, and Roger Troutman’s talkbox — defined him. This is an album of full-blown masterpieces. Rich soundscapes and masterfully arranged orchestrations with dense layers of sounds, intricate rhythms, and well-balanced songwriting.
The first track proper, “Get At Me” samples Cameo whilst Quik takes aim at the Judases in his life, the horn-laced chorus providing a triumphant feel. On the horizontal “Diggin’ U Out”, the soulful electric piano of Warryn Campbell lays a relaxed groove for Quik to talk over about one of his favourite topics: sex. Title track “Safe + Sound” chronicles Quik’s formative years over a slick instrumental. The moody bass locks a laidback infectious groove, the hook is catchy and Quik’s delivery is in fine form. On the uber-chilled “Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood”, Quik cooks up a breezy, feel good track of sparkly keyboards, syncopated claps, shuffling hi-hats, woozy synths and a floating two-minute flute solo courtesy of Robert “Fonksta” Bacon. Analysing the highs and lows of an average day in the hood, it echoes Cube’s “It Was a Good Day”.
“It’z Your Fantasy” is a silky smooth soundtrack to Quik’s detailed retelling of a sexcapade with a young lady and whilst “Tha Ho In You” is musically perfect for that midsummer family BBQ, its lyrical content is unsurprisingly decidedly less family-friendly. A real highlight, the infamous “Dollaz + Sense” is one of the most ruthless diss tracks of all time. The brutal lyrics ride a laidback West Coast beat, flipping a sample from Young & Company’s “I Like (What You’re Doing To Me)” as Quik fires lyrical shots at his arch Compton nemesis, MC Eiht. On the loping, hazy “Let You Havit”, Quik is again in gangsta mode, with more bars of barbs aimed at Eiht, rhyming over sun-kissed synthy-rollerskate funk.
Some of the finest tracks on Safe + Sound are those designed to de-stress. The evocative “Summer Breeze” is a classic warm-weather jam, anchored by a twangy funk guitar, breezy string arrangement, and a soulful hook delivered by Dionne Knighton. Quik’s nostalgic lyrics are not far from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”, reminiscing over barbecues at the park, young love, and the brevity of halcyon youth. The relaxed and jazzy “Quik’s Groove III” is another highlight, as bass, guitar, piano and flute combine to create a smooth, soulful instrumental.
The swaggering “Shack Up”-sampling “Sucka Free” features a cameo from Playa Hamm, all funky braggadocio and over much too quikly (pun thoroughly intended). The jazz-flavoured “Keep Tha ‘P’ In It”, again featuring Playa Hamm but this time extending the cameo invitations to Hi-C, 2nd II None and Kam, is pure laidback P-Funk. The deep bass and industrial drums make sure the groove hits hard.
“Tanqueray” was originally a hidden track on the CD version of the album, but it’s too good to hide. This wild party samples Brass Construction’s gigantic “Get Up To Get Down” and soars in its drunk-ebullience. An apt way to close this party-driven set.
This 2022 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry. Unusual for the time, Safe + Sound was originally pressed as a double, so all that was missing was the CD’s hidden bonus track “Tanqueray”, so we’ve fixed that. The original vinyl release never got a picture sleeve, so we’ve recreated the original’s promo-style silver-sticker and plain black jacket. A subtle cover for a wonderfully unsubtle record.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
Format Notes: 2025 repress, 140g double vinyl, includes the CD bonus track “Tanqueray”, reproduction of the original stickered sleeve
Track List:
1 A1 : Street Level Entrance (1:52)
2 A2 : Get At Me (4:08)
3 A3 : Diggin’ U Out (4:48)
4 A4 : Safe + Sound (4:49)
5 B1 : Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood (5:55)
6 B2 : Don’t You Eat It! (1:08)
7 B3 : Can I Eat It? (4:59)
8 B4 : It’z Your Fantasy (4:23)
9 C1 : Tha Ho In You (4:45)
10 C2 : Dollaz + Sense (5:53)
11 C3 : Let You Havit (3:40)
12 C4 : Summer Breeze (4:34)
13 D1 : Quik’s Groove III (2:37)
14 D2 : Sucka Free (2:11)
15 D3 : Keep Tha “P” In It (5:25)
16 D4 : Hooray 4 Tha Funk (2:11)
17 D5 : Tanqueray (4:19)
Release Notes:
DJ Quik is a giant of West Coast hip-hop. With 1995’s Safe + Sound, he scaled new levels of musical magnificence with his signature new age P-Funk/laconic G-Funk. A quintessential, sun-scorched LA album, this is pretty much essential. Typical for mid-90s albums the original vinyl copies are now rare so here’s the Be With re-issue, complete with “Tanqueray”, the hidden track from the original CD release.
A preternaturally gifted producer/rapper, DJ Quik has produced scores of LA gangsta rap classics. He’s released platinum and gold records of his own, as well as helped craft them for the likes of Tupac, Snoop Dogg, and Dr Dre. Quik has always been quirkier and more interesting than his gangsta rap peers, both musically and lyrically. An old-school funk producer at heart, he’s also incredibly nice on the mic. His raps often deal in boasts, jokes and good times but also cover his beefs, his trials and his trauma. Partying and pain, all mixed up. DJing and producing hype beat tapes from age 14, Quik’s tracks blended the languid funk and rubbery synths of Zapp and George Clinton with a gangsta aesthetic, creating a more danceable foil to Compton’s more typical nihilistic hedonism. Ultimately, his records sound custom engineered to drift out over sun-soaked barbecues.
By the time of his third album DJ Quik was a household name on the West Coast - California’s premier rapper/producer not named Andre Young. Released on Profile in 1995, Safe + Sound was certified gold. Less reliant on samples and more focused on live instruments, it elevated him from producer to fully-fledged composer. This sound — the quick, winding basslines, tinny high hats, smooth instrumental solos, soulful pipes, and Roger Troutman’s talkbox — defined him. This is an album of full-blown masterpieces. Rich soundscapes and masterfully arranged orchestrations with dense layers of sounds, intricate rhythms, and well-balanced songwriting.
The first track proper, “Get At Me” samples Cameo whilst Quik takes aim at the Judases in his life, the horn-laced chorus providing a triumphant feel. On the horizontal “Diggin’ U Out”, the soulful electric piano of Warryn Campbell lays a relaxed groove for Quik to talk over about one of his favourite topics: sex. Title track “Safe + Sound” chronicles Quik’s formative years over a slick instrumental. The moody bass locks a laidback infectious groove, the hook is catchy and Quik’s delivery is in fine form. On the uber-chilled “Somethin’ 4 Tha Mood”, Quik cooks up a breezy, feel good track of sparkly keyboards, syncopated claps, shuffling hi-hats, woozy synths and a floating two-minute flute solo courtesy of Robert “Fonksta” Bacon. Analysing the highs and lows of an average day in the hood, it echoes Cube’s “It Was a Good Day”.
“It’z Your Fantasy” is a silky smooth soundtrack to Quik’s detailed retelling of a sexcapade with a young lady and whilst “Tha Ho In You” is musically perfect for that midsummer family BBQ, its lyrical content is unsurprisingly decidedly less family-friendly. A real highlight, the infamous “Dollaz + Sense” is one of the most ruthless diss tracks of all time. The brutal lyrics ride a laidback West Coast beat, flipping a sample from Young & Company’s “I Like (What You’re Doing To Me)” as Quik fires lyrical shots at his arch Compton nemesis, MC Eiht. On the loping, hazy “Let You Havit”, Quik is again in gangsta mode, with more bars of barbs aimed at Eiht, rhyming over sun-kissed synthy-rollerskate funk.
Some of the finest tracks on Safe + Sound are those designed to de-stress. The evocative “Summer Breeze” is a classic warm-weather jam, anchored by a twangy funk guitar, breezy string arrangement, and a soulful hook delivered by Dionne Knighton. Quik’s nostalgic lyrics are not far from DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince’s “Summertime”, reminiscing over barbecues at the park, young love, and the brevity of halcyon youth. The relaxed and jazzy “Quik’s Groove III” is another highlight, as bass, guitar, piano and flute combine to create a smooth, soulful instrumental.
The swaggering “Shack Up”-sampling “Sucka Free” features a cameo from Playa Hamm, all funky braggadocio and over much too quikly (pun thoroughly intended). The jazz-flavoured “Keep Tha ‘P’ In It”, again featuring Playa Hamm but this time extending the cameo invitations to Hi-C, 2nd II None and Kam, is pure laidback P-Funk. The deep bass and industrial drums make sure the groove hits hard.
“Tanqueray” was originally a hidden track on the CD version of the album, but it’s too good to hide. This wild party samples Brass Construction’s gigantic “Get Up To Get Down” and soars in its drunk-ebullience. An apt way to close this party-driven set.
This 2022 Be With double LP re-issue has been mastered for vinyl by Simon Francis, cut by Pete Norman and pressed at Record Industry. Unusual for the time, Safe + Sound was originally pressed as a double, so all that was missing was the CD’s hidden bonus track “Tanqueray”, so we’ve fixed that. The original vinyl release never got a picture sleeve, so we’ve recreated the original’s promo-style silver-sticker and plain black jacket. A subtle cover for a wonderfully unsubtle record.
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
1
Darkside - SLAU
2
Darkside - S.N.C
3
Darkside - Are You Tired? (Keep On Singing)
4
Darkside - Graucha Max
5
Darkside - American References
6
Darkside - Heavy Is Good For This
7
Darkside - Hell Suite, Pt. I
8
Darkside - Hell Suite, Pt. II
9
Darkside - Sin El Sol No Hay Na
Nothing is the third album from DARKSIDE: nine transmissions of negative space, telepathic seance, and spectral improvisation. On their first two reinventions, Nicolás Jaar and Dave Harrington entered the studio with a clutch of scattered ideas to mold into what became the revered Psychic(2013) and Spiral (2021). But Nothing reflects a search for form borne out of spontaneous elliptical jams, acoustic riffing, and digital levitations. And in a fundamental shift from their first dozen years as a band, the duo recruited their longtime friend and collaborator, the drummer and instrument designer Tlacael Esparza, to become a full-time member. The outcome is magnetic and hieroglyphic. This album slips through the cracks of convention with serpentine guitars, extraterrestrial static, and cavernous drums. No band but DARKSIDE could have made Nothing, and in no moment but now.
Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKiS9DPARDg
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore
Official Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKiS9DPARDg
Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: gpsr@wordandsound.netMore