You’re NEXUS 21, central to the dizzy zeitgeist of the 1991 adrenaline rammed UK House Music juggernaut, and you have just recorded a masterpiece of an album MIND MACHINES. DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT - somehow even though your record label love the album it does not get released. DO IT LIKE THIS - it finally gets issued now. When Mark Archer and Chris Peat flew back from a seminal recording session at Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Studio in Detroit there was a palpable feel of excitement. Instead of merely paying homage to their Techno forerunners, they were now creating their own just as innovative waveforms. In the can was a gem - DON’T DO IT LIKE THIS, DO IT LIKE THAT. Motor City songstress Donna Black had unconsciously seemed to add Ma to the start of her name and her recorded in the dark vocals helped conjure up an almost Madonna and a drum machine meets Techno hybrid. This it was agreed could be a huge breakthrough single which - preceded by strategically released set up tracks - would build up Nexus 21’s surely inevitable rise to glory. And the release of the MIND MACHINES album. But it never happened. Instead one day Mark and Chris burst into Network’s Birmingham office excitedly brandishing no less than 8 new recordings infused with a propulsive Rave energy flash compared to their more cerebral Nexus 21 work. The label agreed that the new tracks should be released under a new artist name and an initial suggestion. Alien 8 replaced by Altern 8. What was planned as temporary dalliance became a long term relationship. You all know the score - Altern 8 became surf riders supreme on the rave tsunami, not just music makers but myth creators. The plan has been to run Nexus 21 and Altern 8 parallel, a kind of schizophrenic experiment by two men, a drum machine and a mad for it record company. History shows that Altern 8 became too DOMIN 8 and the lovingly recorded Nexus 21 album was left on the proverbial shelf (actually a box in Birmingham) So now MIND MACHINES finally meets the World. First thing that screams out that it hasn’t half aged well. Obviously it is a wet dream for the anoraks of electronica, that goes without saying. But above and beyond the history lesson of how 2 young UK techno mad kids got the dots from Detroit and deconstructed them to create something very British the music they created, sometimes naive but frequently knowledgeable, sounds .. well just great. The four Detroit recordings - NEXODUS, TOGETHER, DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT, DO IT LIKE THIS and EVERYTHING (NO STATUES) - variously feature contributions from Motor City luminaries Marc Kinchen and Anthony Shakir. Only two of the twelve recordings were properly released in 1990/1991 with two more making it on a withdrawn white label 12 inch at the time. Three of the tracks, including a live recording at London’s Brain Club that has been retrieved from a DAT that was thought to have disappeared, are previously unreleased. And as well as two previously unreleased much altered versions of Nexus 21 gems there is the legendary much tougher mix of the duo’s signature techno treasure Self Hypnosis.

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we wanted something to listen to in the car...” Network’s 30th Anniversary celebration continue with a dig in the vaults finding three timeless treasures from UK Techno pioneers Nexus 21. The “Progression Logical” 12” highlights how skilfully the Stafford duo - Mark Archer and Chris Peat - combined their love of Detroit inspired Techno with North of London Bleep culture. This is the first time the much loved original mix of “Self Hypnosis“ (that track with the ice cream vans sound)has been released on a commercial 12”. Up till now it could only be found on a sampler 12” for one of Network’s iconic bio-rhythm albums, and on that LP Itself, with a remix being done for a subsequent 12”. That original still sounds amazing. The 1990 recording was made at Derby’s much lauded Square Dance Studio, Next year saw a move to nearby Nottingham and Network (nothing to do with the label) Studio where “Mind Machines” was conceived. This is its’ debut on any format ever! Listening to something so epic now, that decision not to issue it at the time seems bizarre,but as Mark recalls: “The mad thing is it’s just a live mix because we wanted to listen to something in the car. We never finished it. That was live with us muting things, and and me changing patterns on the drum machines and turning the sounds up and down. There are so many small mistakes in it, but it adds to the character of the tune.” A later “proper” mix was never done as Nexus 21 turned into Altern 8 and life got ravey. The third track is well and truly an historic piece of Techno history - Carl Craig’s first ever remix no less. Nexus 21’s “Still Life” was conceived as a homage to Inner City’s “Big Fun” and “Good Life”. Upon signing to Network, the label thought a deconstruction by Inner City’s Kevin Saunderson would complete the circle. A kind of Stafford does Detroit and Detroit does Stafford back with 808 and 909 knobs on odyssey. Kevin obliged big time, and arranged for other remixes by then young Motor City hippersnappers MK and Carl. As the intro to his version proclaims - Mental! TRACK LISTING:: A1. Self Hypnosis (Original Mix), B1. Mind Machines, B2. Still Life (Keeps Moving) (Carl Craig Instrumental Remix)

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Of all the Network treasured relics set to be released this year to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the label there’s nothing as appropriate as the Nexus 21 “Made In Detroit” EP - it was recorded in the 1990 starter year and has been stuck In the vaults gathering dust ever since. Why the 4 tracks on the EP never got issued is partially shrouded in mystery as explained later on. A1. Don't Do It Like That , A2. Don't Do It Like That (Instrumental) , B1. Nexus , B2. No Statues


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Nexus 21's 1989 classic 'The Rhythm Of Life' LP is approaching it's 30th anniversary. For the uninitiated the LP is a perfect synthesis of UK rawness and motor-city funk, b-boy nous and sunrise soaked acid euphoria. Nexus 21's sole LP 'The Rhythm Of Life' is considered a classic for many reasons. Originally released in 1989 on the influential Blue Chip record label, and then purchased by Network when they signed Nexus 21 for (what became iconic) future recordings, the record span all of the above influences and styles into a unique rugged sonic tapestry that caused a sensation with DJ's and dancers on it's release, and for the subsequent 3 decades to follow. Messrs Mark Archer and Chris Peat created an album that bore a handful of club classics, on both sides of the Atlantic. Their association with Detroit, and particularly Derrick May and Transmat, saw them go to the techno mecca to record some later material that will also be reissued in the wake of this 3 decade celebration of all things Nexus 21. 'The Rhythm Of Life' is easily one of the UK's most influential techno records, it's style, sound and attitude has reverberated through dance music across the years and this timely reissue will undoubtedly excite the old-school heads and the new-school appreciators of the real deal techno sound in all it's glorious forms. Now, this incredible album has been repressed and remastered, and spread across 2 high quality slabs of vinyl by Above Board distribution. This essential reissue has been made with the full involvement of Mark Archer and the legendary Network Records with all tracks being sourced from the Nexus 21 DAT archive for maximum sonic playback quality. A true classic, in a new format, not to be missed.

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Piano virtuoso Gail Jhonson’s stunning reimagination of EXPANSIONS celebrates the 50th anniversary of LONNIE LISTON SMITH releasing his groundbreaking epic classic. His revolutionary fusion of Jazz Funk & Soul with a cosmic message is in the music was hailed as an instant classic when released in 1975. Since then after being adopted across diverse dance music genres it has become an anthem of anthems.
Gail grew up listening to Lonnie’s music on quiet storm radio in Philadephida. After attending his concerts she began jamming with the great man and they became friends. Now based in Los Angeles and leader of all female jazz outfit Jazz In Pink she came up with the idea of paying homage to and reinventing EXPANSIONS. “I decide to cover one of his many compositions and EXPANSIONS spoke to my spirit. As a smooth jazz artist I was able to slow the tempo down and reharmonise some of the chord voicings and play his vocal melodies as a piano lead. The bass line is infectious and carries the groove, accompanied by a four on the floor beat, a little wah guitar and the reimagining began…” Covering a song as sacred as EXPANSIONS could be regarded as herey but when it is recreated with such reverence as this it simply adds to the legend. Cosmic Echoes indeed.

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There are very special records that achieve mythical status amongst collectors and vinyl diggers. THE SHARPEES GO ON AND LAUGH is top of that tree. Welcome to the strange world of Nothern Soul… The story began some years ago when legendary UK record dealer John Anderson discovered an acetate in Chicago with the record title GO ON AND LAUGH scrawled on it but no artist name. He sold it to cutting edge Northern Soul DJ John Vincent who credited the track to THE JUST BROTHERS when playing out. The acetate, by now popular amongst the Rare Soul cognoscenti, was traded back to John Anderson who passed it on to Mark Dobson, aka Butch. His DJ sets around the World made it an in-demand dance floor filler and a subject for many years of much conjecture as to the ID of the mystery artist who had recorded this masterpiece which was not just a one-off uber rarity but also the epitome of Nu-Northern Soul cool. Fast forward to 2016 when USA record label Secret Stash gained access to 200 plus master tapes recorded in the 1960’s by the Windy City’s ONE-DER-FUL set up. They were forwarded to UK Soul entrepreneur Mark Bicknell who to his amazement found GO ON AND LAUGH in the haul. And finally the whodunit mystery was over with the artist identified as THE SHARPEES, who far from being obscure unknowns aee fondly well known in Soul circles for their much loved DO THE 45 and TIRED OF BEING LONELY singles. Secret Stash promptly issued GO ON AND LAUGH in America but demand far outstripped simply and it quickly sold out with copies now fetching northwards of £150. ANORAX - living up to its #eatsleepcollect mantra - have snapped up the rights and are delighted to issue it as a 500 run limited edition 7”. GO ON AND LAUGH is coupled with the timeless classic TIRED OF BEING LONELY. It follows the release by ANORAX of gems from DRIZABONE, JAY. J Feat. BIG BROOKLYN RED and DON CARLOS

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Recorded by the near mythical Don Carlos (Carlo Troja) in 1991 in the middle of Italian house fever it was instantly acclaimed as a classic. Its’ dreamscape appeal has proved timeless and the enduring demand makes it perfect for ANORAX (#eatsleepcollect) to release on limited edition 10” single. The original masters have been supplied by IRMA Records to ensure top notch sound quality as befits such an iconic gem. ALONE was obviously inspired by Detroit and Chicago emotions electro which Carlo assimilated into his own so elegant and very Italian masterpiece. Beguiling pads, beautiful chords, synth glides, a killer bass line, piano and THOSE strings - MAGNIFICO.

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The new ANORAX label keeps the faith with to its’ #eatsleepcollect mantra by releasing this much loved and in-demand iconic work of beauty for the first time ever on vinyl. It’s stating the bleeding obvious to say that DECIDE is a Soulful House recording. The real deal is that the combination of Jay-J’s template precise but haunting San Francisco production, Big Brooklyn Red’s life affirming vocals and the truly awesome remixes from the late Ethan White (R.I.P) together conjure up a masterpiece that defines the genre. The remixes from Ethan, the co-founder and keyboard player of Tortured Soul have up till now only been available on digital release. Jay-J (Joseph John Hernandez) dug into his Shifted Music vaults to come up with the original 2009/ masters for the latest ANORAX limited edition 7” release. DECIDE is an affirmation who believes that true house music is a spiritual thing. Is this one of the greatest so Soulful House records ever made? As the haunting backing vocals plead:”I’ll Let You Decide”…

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The brand new ANORAX RECORDS label’s mantra is #eatsleepcollect - which makes its’ debut release right on point.

Drizabone’s anthemic “Pressure” has become a huge collectors want with appeal to Modern Soul fans, Northern Soul followers and House addicts via the much loved Roger Sanchez remix.

Drizabone burst on to a dazzling British Soul scene in the early 1990’s, following the footsteps of Soul II Soul and Loose Ends, rubbing shoulders with the likes of The Brand New Heavies as UK acts laid down their own distinctive Soul DNA.

After debuting with “Real Love” which went from a mystery white label to a chart smash, Drizabone went on to record the iconic “Conspiracy” album.

“Pressure” has endured like fine wine and is now hailed as an all time classic.

ANORAX present the original and very in-demand original backed with Roger Sanchez’s Nu- Solution remix on limited edition 7 inch single.

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10th Anniversary Repress of the Paranoid London LP from 2014. From the moment you hear the first warm pads you know this is going to be an epic journey. Not really. Here is some more repetitive, machine bass music for DJs to play loud & dancers to freak to. Featuring vocals from Mutado Pintado (NYC), Paris Brightledge (Chicago) & DJ Genesis (Detroit). Includes New Printed Insert

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Khen has landed on All Day I Dream with his new My Pure Soul EP, a sentimental three-track collection that marks his first release on the beloved electronic label. Written in dedication to his father, My Pure Soul explores themes of introspection and transcendence, blending organic percussion with lush synth work to create an emotive sonic journey. Offering a robust medley of dynamic rhythms and mesmerizing melodies, Khen’s hypnotic house grooves envelop listeners as the EP progresses from the titular track through its accompaniments ‘Lyup’ and ‘Uchi Mata’. A wondrous debut from Khen, My Pure Soul embodies the entrancing soundscapes synonymous with the label’s curation for more than a decade.

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A true outsider on the American dance underground, Mike Simonetti steps up to Slacker with a long-awaited return to his most acidic mode in collaboration with Paris duo CLAAP! The founder of rip-it-up institutions like Italians Do It Better and 2MR, Simonetti is reunited with Sylvain & Santana for a driving trip to the very belly of the club. Having crafted a now highly sought-after rave artifact in 2016’s ‘Release Your Body To The Best / Slave’, the trio return to wax and digital with precision expertise, freshly pressed to stir up further house trouble. ‘Priest’ pushes Simonetti and Sylvain’s analogue synths to guttural extremes, finding sensual rhythm in tough dissonance and encouraging submission to CLAAP! vocalist S.A.N.T.A.N.A.’s proclamations and predictions, her seductive French accent operating in the grand electroclash tradition.“I’m your priest, I make your dreams come true, I’m the future you…” After the filters have burst into ecstasy, ‘Groove (Acid Crashed)’ focuses it’s energies entirely on the benefit of the dancefloor, turning the screw toward pandemonium with worming, climbing synth lines, dramatic crashes and S.A.N.T.A.N.A.’s timeless invitation; “Let the groove take over you.” Now and forever, with pleasure.

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Electronic pioneer Sasha links up with Artche for dramatic new single 'Hold On', Artche also provides his own version of the track. Last Night on Earth founder Sasha sits in his own world after more than 30 years of innovation as a DJ and producer. His meticulously crafted sounds have constantly redefined the underground, and with this label, he has spearheaded the melodic movement with his own music and careful A&R of exceptional contemporary talents. This latest release finds him working again with Newcastle-based producer and vocalist Artche, who has already collaborated to great effect with the likes of Franky Wah and Cristoph on Eric Prydz's Pryda Presents and also released solo on SHÈN Recordings. His mix of deep house and techno has won fans like Pete Tong and Lane B, and he asserts his skills once more here. Says Artche of his return to LNOE. The fantastic 'Hold On' is a dramatic ride lit up with sweeping, spine-tingling synths. It has a grand architecture and widescreen atmosphere with profound melodies and moody bass rolling down below. Angelic vocal sounds shimmer amongst the epic chords and the whole sophisticated track makes an inescapably emotional impact. The Artche Mix works the drums into airy, dusty broken beats that bring a different vibe while the original vocals and lush synths remain in place and tugging at the heartstrings.

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Tiger Stripes returns to Rekids with the ‘All Night Long’ EP. It follows up his 2024 hit ‘I Heard It Through The Bassline’ EP on the label. Tiger Stripes appears on Radio Slave’s Rekids for the second time, following up his ‘I Heard It Through The Bassline’ EP with the ‘All Night Long’ EP this February. For title track ‘All Night Long’, an anthemic vocal calls to action as infectious sub-bass drives a snappy groove. It’s the kind of House Tiger Stripes does best, with follow-up ‘Goddess’ chugging along with deeper low-end while e?ective sampling breaks up the arrangement throughout.Strange Idols’ Tiger Stripes is a proli?c producer, remixer, and DJ active since the early 2000s. He’s collaborated with artists like Kerri Chandler and Jerome Sydenham and released music via heavyweight underground imprints, including Hot Creations, Get Physical, and Rekids, where his ‘I Heard It Through The Bassline’ EP won support from artists like Solomun, Laurent Garnier, Seth Troxler, Honey Dijon, HAAi, and more

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Quiet Village announces new label, The Quiet Village, and new single, ‘Reunion'. Matt 'Radio Slave' Edwards and Joel Martin's critically acclaimed project's first official single under the Quiet Village name in seventeen years!

Beginning life as a 'heady 6/8-time urban jazz odyssey, 'Reunion is a stunning piece of modern, Hi-Tech Jazz that draws influences from Pat Metheny, Timeline, Innerzone Orchestra, and Clyde Stubbelfield's drumming.

While previous Quiet Village material was hewn from a myriad of samples extracted from Edwards' and Martin's notorious digging, 'Reunion' and its follow-ups are drawn from a tight-knit crew of session musicians, including the likes of Jon Hester and Thomas Gandey, adding further depth and feel to the QV sound. Already a firm favourite with Gilles Peterson and Luke Una, the latter of which leaked a clip of the release via his inimitable Instagram presence and called it 'something so fucking beautiful. Tony Allen, Sun Ra meets Carl Craig, Underground Resistance, house, tech, funk, everything rolled into one'.

'Reunion’ is the first single on The Quiet Village, Quiet Village's new imprint. Despite continually producing new music and a slew of remixes, most recently for Running Back and Isle of Jura, the long-term friends and collaborators have been unable to release under their Quiet Village moniker since their LP 'Silent Movie' in 2008. While a few releases under QV and their sometime DJ aliases of Maxxi (Edwards) and Zeus (Martin) have emerged, 'Reunion' is the beginning of a new and re-energised Quiet Village that will see more original material and remixes, DJ and live touring that began in Japan in May and curated compilations of treasures, old and new, in the coming months and years.

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2 cuts of timeless deep cosmic house from the MIQUIFAYE MUSIC "WITH YOU I'M BORN AGAIN (SPACE N TONE REWERK)" is ANTHONY's remix of the BILLY PRESTON/SYREETA classic. Re-imagined and reworked for the dancers and DJs. Vocal mix on the A-side and "InstruDUB" mix on the flip. Jazzy, cosmic house. Lush and melodic. vault. As always, ANTHONY demonstrates his unique ability to craft expressive musical environments that are as cerebral as they are physical, and guaranteed to take listeners on a journey.

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TO COMMEMORATE THE 10th ANNIVERSARY OF HIS PASSING

DEFECTED HONOURS FRANKIE KNUCKLES WITH SPECIAL EDITION ‘HOUSE MASTERS’ VINYL

Defected celebrates the life and legacy of house music pioneer Frankie Knuckles with a limited-edition vinyl offering of his notable ‘House Masters’ release.

Marking ten years since his passing, join Defected in honouring the enduring legacy of house music pioneer. All proceeds of ‘House Masters: Frankie Knuckles’ will be donated to Frankie Knuckles Foundation as it was when the compilation was originally released back in April 2015.

“Frankie Knuckles, whom many consider to be one of the architects of house music is still highly influential to a new generation. Since his untimely passing ten years ago it has been incredible to see the continued outpouring of love and respect that he has received. His legacy is why the Frankie Knuckles Foundation exists. Through our work we honour him by supporting initiatives that he was passionate about: music education, AIDS and diabetes research, prevention and LGBTQIA+ youth homelessness. This commemorative vinyl release of ‘House Masters’ in association with Defected will allow us to do just that!”

Frederick Dunson, Founder, President & Executive Director, Frankie Knuckles Foundation

The forthcoming vinyl releases will feature a selection of his finest productions and remixes including the seminal ‘Your Love’, ‘The Whistle Song’ and remixes for Chaka Khan and Sounds Of Blackness.

Find out more about Frankie Knuckles Foundation and its commitment to educating and supporting initiatives across LGBTQIA+ communities and AIDs prevention here: https://thefkfoundation.org/

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