M-Plant's 2026 schedule starts as it means to go on with a blistering, adrenaline-charged Techno EP from the minimal master, Robert Hood.
Robert Hood's minimalist approach helped define Techno's evolution in the early 1990s, as he's continued to push a stripped-down, hypnotic sound. His solo work, marked by precise drum programming and deep grooves, has become hugely influential across modern Techno. While he continues to innovate through projects like Floorplan (with daughter, Lyric) here he returns to his roots on the "Soul Sonic Force EP".
From A-side opener "Insurrection" that blends a tough peak-time Techno sound with sweeping strings, to the reverberating tonal "Black Ops". Then flip to the AA-side for the relentless pared down groove of "Soul Protector", before "Warfare" with its layered precision. This is classic Hood in action; unparalleled.



Tracklist:
A1. Robert Hood - Insurrection
A2. Robert Hood - Black Ops
B1. Robert Hood - Soul Protector
B2. Robert Hood - Warfare




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(180gr vinyl, printed innersleeve)

TRACKLISTING

A. Robert Hood & Femi Kuti - Variations (Side A - 18min 54sec)
B. Robert Hood & Femi Kuti - Variations (Side B - 15min 43sec)



INFO

Robert Hood's techno and Femi Kuti's Afrobeat intertwine in a new form where jazz-grooves reign supreme. For the fourth season of La Compagnie des Indes & Sourdoreille "Variations" live series of creations for France TV, the duo were united around the singer and producer James Brown, performing a tribute to the legendary Godfather of Soul who passed away in 2006. This "Variations" album is the live recording of this unique collaboration and performance, capturing a very special moment in time.

The evening witnessed a meeting of two icons in their own genres: one with synths and drum machines, the other on saxophone: Robert Hood and Femi Kuti embody excellence in their respective fields and the pair combined to make something truly unique, soulful, funky and spontaneous. Recorded in one 30+ minute take, "Variations" is embellished by Femi's exquisitely free-flowing yet restrained saxophone, whilst Hood anchors the groove with layers of pads and kicks with the long-time mastery of a true DJ.

Alongside Jeff Mills and Mad Mike, Hood is one of the original members of Detroit techno group Underground Resistance. His style is characterised by minimalist and experimental tones with an assertive groove. Throughout the '90s, he helped pave the way for techno to flourish - giving birth to minimal techno with his seminal album "Minimal Nation". Since then, he has been consistently forwarding electronic music culture with ground-breaking productions, sensational performances and his M-Plant label.

Alongside him, Femi Kuti takes on every musical style with his saxophone, which he plays with a virtuoso touch: pop, soul, electronic music and Afrobeat, of which he is one of the leading exponents. The son of Afrobeat singer and political activist Fela Kuti, he has inherited his father's zeal for both music and activism, where he continues to highlight the plight of most Nigerians living conditions in the oil rich state.

With "Variations" the duo capture an explosive combination on a special night in Paris 4 years ago, November 2019, filmed at the ADP Group headquarters (Paris Aéroport - Charles de Gaulle (CDG) - Roissy).

"It is so amazing when a vision comes to fruition. I enjoyed collaborating with the legendary Femi Kuti for this special project." [Robert Hood]

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Following a series of remastered gems from M-Plant's back catalogue for the "Perpetual Masters" series, Robert Hood now delivers his first new release since his 2021 Monobox album. The release features two peak-time heavy hitters, starting out with 'Hectic' and its siren-like stabs, building the tension throughout; a skill for which Hood has become well known for. Meanwhile 'Amazon Dust' takes things deeper and is somewhat reminiscent of the work on his Monobox 'Regenerate' album of last year

TRACKLISTING

A. Robert Hood - Hectic
B. Robert Hood - Amazon Dust

INFO

Following a series of remastered gems from M-Plant's back catalogue for the "Perpetual Masters" series, Robert Hood now delivers his first new release since his 2021 Monobox album.

The release features two peak-time heavy hitters, starting out with 'Hectic' and its siren-like stabs calling out for people to join the dancefloor, while building the tension throughout; a skill for which Hood has become well known for.

Meanwhile 'Amazon Dust' takes things deeper and is somewhat reminiscent of the work on his Monobox 'Regenerate' album of last year.


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Originally released on M-Plant subsidery label, Duet in 2002. 20 years later sees these hypnotic grooves remastered by Thomas Heckman for a highly demanded re-release !

TRACKLISTING

A. Floorplan aka Robert Hood - Shop
B. Floorplan aka Robert Hood - Learn

INFO

Originally released on M-Plant subsidery label, Duet in 2002.
20 years later sees these hypnotic grooves remastered by Thomas Heckman for a highly demanded re-release !


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TRACKLISTING

A1. Robert Hood - H-Formula
A2. Robert Hood - A-472.0
B1. Robert Hood - Virus-4-9K561
B2. Robert Hood - Dread

INFO

Originally released in 1992 on M-Plant subsidery label Hardwax as one of Robert Hood's Underground Resistance alias: The Vision. Now 25 years later is resurfaces remastered by Thomas Heckman on transparent smokey vinyl. The vinyl is cut the same way as the original release with the A side running inside out.


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You might think that Robert Hood is an artist who is content with the successes he's achieved, but this is not a man who easily rests on his laurels so after a long-time in the planning he is set to regenerate his much-loved Monobox alias with a new album this November. The idea for Robert is that this vessel has been lying dormant for 40 or 50 years and is now beginning to rise up again, or regenerate. Techno minimalism, but from an alien futuristic perspective.



TRACKLISTING

A1. Monobox - Rise
A2. Monobox - Blackwater Canal
B1. Monobox - Wargames
B2. Monobox - Angel City

C. Monobox - Exoplanet
D1. Monobox - Drydock
D2. Monobox - Regenerat

INFO

You might think that Robert Hood is an artist who is content with the successes he's achieved via his solo work and those alongside daughter, Lyric (as Floorplan) but this is not a man who easily rests on his laurels so after a long-time in the planning he is set to regenerate his much-loved Monobox alias with a new EP in October followed by an artist album in November.

Originally launched in 1996 his Monobox sound spanned a trio of EPs on his own M-Plant label, culminating in more releases including the 'Molecule' album (in 2003) for French label Logistic, which later spawned a series of remixes including those of Ricardo Villalobos and Matthew Dear. A brief return came in 2014 as part of M-Plant's 20th anniversary celebrations, which saw the release of a new Monobox 12", 'Film / Rectangle'. Speaking to RBMA that year for one of their Fireside Chat interviews, Robert said: "Monobox was an alien project. I read this book when I was probably around 13 or 14. It was this ominous black box that came from some other universe, and it was just sort of hovering over the planet, over a cornfield somewhere."

In Robert's mind the idea for the new EP and album is that this vessel has been lying dormant for 40 or 50 years and is now beginning to rise up again, or regenerate. Robert's approach to Monobox was to create techno minimalism, but from an alien futuristic perspective. Returning to the moniker, his forthcoming EP and album encapsulates this raw, bristling and sci-fi tinged techno sound.

The 'Forwardbase Kodai EP' is set for release on 29 October and features two new tracks (which won't appear on the album) alongside a remix by Ø [Phase] and a special Robert Hood Re-Plant edit. It's followed by the 'Regenerate' album on 26 November which is a fully immersive experience over seven exclusive tracks.


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(incl Ø [Phase] remix) Robert Hood is set to regenerate his much-loved Monobox alias with a new EP in October followed by an artist album in November. His 'Forwardbase Kodai EP' features 2 exclusive originals that will not appear on the forthcoming album. alongside an imposing remix by Ø [Phase] making his M-Plant debut and a blistering Robert Hood Re-Plant edit.

TRACKLISTING

A1. Monobox - Forwardbase Kodai
A2. Monobox - Forwardbase Kodai (Ø [Phase] Remix)
B1. Monobox - Forwardbase Kodai (Robert Hood Re-Plant)
B2. Monobox – Homestead


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Following the re-mastered re-release of Robert Hood's 'Underestimated EP' in March, we continue the Perpetual Masters series on M-Plant with a vintage Floorplan double-header. 'On The Case / The Deal' was originally released on M-Plant's subsidiary label, Duet back in 2001. At the time Floorplan was still in its infancy with just a handful of releases on Drama in the '90s, the seminal 'Paradise' album had yet to be conceived and Robert's daughter Lyric Hood hadn't joined the party.



TRACKLISTING

A. Floorplan - On The Case
B. Floorplan - The Deal


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To open M-Plant's 2021 schedule, Robert Hood announces the return of the Perpetual Masters series. The 'Underestimated EP' still sounds as fierce as it did when it was originally released in 1998, delivering Hood's personal style of minimal, strippedback Techno with crisp beats, powerful build-ups and flawless grooves; nothing is superfluous here.

TRACKLISTING

A1. Robert Hood - Black Man's Word
A2. Robert Hood - Sleep Is The Cousin Of Death
B1. Robert Hood - Hard To Kill


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Lyric (Lyric Hood) delivers her debut solo release for M-Plant this summer. Having joined her father, Robert Hood to become an integral part of Floorplan both on the road and in the studio a few years ago, the two have collaborated on the 'Victorious' album and all consequent Floorplan releases so it was only a matter of time before she was ready to step into the solitary spotlight

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Robert Hood is back in full minimal techno mode. 'Reflector / Rotate' administers the techno antidote to Hood's 'Floorplan' alias as hisno nonsense stripped down aesthetic gradually reveals layers and textures of tension and soul within his machine funk ethos.


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As part of M-Plant's 20th Anniversary, it's the perfect time for Robert Hood to re-visit one of his other decisive monikers, Monobox. As Robert Hood stated in his "Fireside Chat" for RBMA Radio: "Monobox was an alien project. I read this book when I was probably around 13 or 14. It was this ominous black box that came from some other universe, and it was just sort of hovering over the planet, over a cornfield somewhere. After maybe a few weeks it began to open up and objects and these creatures from another world began to emerge from this box. The whole thing about Monobox was that it was an alien life form. To approach minimalism from an alien futuristic perspective." (Click here to hear the rest of the interview http://www.rbmaradio.com/shows/robert-hood-fireside-chat)
With the 'Realm', 'Downtown' and 'Population' 12"s released on M-Plant between 1996 and 2001, followed by 'Molecule' for the French label, Logistic in 2003 it's been some time since Hood has delivered any new Monobox cuts but with M-Plant's 20 year celebrations well under way he re-introduces us with the tracks 'Film' and 'Rectangle'. The deep and melodious tones of 'Film' are beautifully offset by the tougher machine groove of 'Rectangle', with both tracks conveying the hypnotic minimalist approach of Hood's otherworldly Monobox sound.






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Legendary trax from the DUB MASTER himself, freshly compiled for MOOD GROOVE MUSIC! The bass is heavy, the drums are crispy and the vocals tell a story we all hear differently. Fans of JEREMY SYLVESTER, TODD EDWARDS and SMACK take notice. Full color sleeve, limited pressing.

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2x12" 180g black vinyl//re-mastered by Robert Henke//original artwork by Theo Ellsworth.

For AI-41 Astral Industries presents a vinyl reissue of Robert Henke's multifaceted concept album 'Layering Buddha'. An erudite masterclass on sampling and composition, 'Layering Buddha' encapsulates the material process of metamorphosis and a well of nascent, ever-present potentialities. This new edition comes remastered by Henke himself.

Originally released in 2006, 'Layering Buddha' began with a curious encounter with the 'Buddha Machine' - a pocket-sized, battery powered playback device that, over the past two decades, has quietly achieved a cult status around the world. Conceived by the Beijing-based group FM3 (Christiaan Virant, Zhang Jian), the machine takes inspiration from Tibetan Buddhist prayer boxes and consists of nine sound loop compositions of varying length, which can be toggled with a single switch. Due to low production cost and manufacturing imperfections, each Buddha Machine is unique, giving slight variations in sound, pitch and duration.

Using a state of the art A/D converter Henke made high quality recordings from a single machine, providing the source material for the album. Through various processing and arrangement methods, new pieces emerged, most of them all deriving from a single source loop. The pieces were then set up on the computer as generative arrangements, living as continuously permutating structures that could theoretically go on forever - just as the loops do within the Buddha Machines…

The final pieces featured on the album are rendered excerpts of these infinite permutations, and therefore exist as momentary views on a perpetual machinery, as opposed to closed works. Upon initial exploration, it also became a natural development to format the work into an immersive multi-speaker performance - which premiered on January 31, 2007.?
Within the music, subtle artefacts and idiosyncrasies are transmuted into new realms of texture and timbre. Through the extractive hand of subtle augmentations, an array of ethereal dimensions emerge from the vast unseen ocean. Suspended in a sense of timelessness, their undulating rhythms point to a pool of endless mysteries.


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On Now Claims My Timid Heart, Harris and Hedrick continue the experiment started on Swann and Odette, crafting closed systems that promote a hushed correspondence between their sonic (Basic Channel, drone metal) and literary influences (Kafka, Sebald, Pynchon).

On this album (their first record since 2017 as well as their first release on NYC’s Quiet Time Tapes), Harris and Hedrick eliminated much of music’s normal dependence on physical space, instead creating hermetically sealed sonic ‘rooms’ where the songs can live by sending samples and loops through convolution reverb. Each of the eight tracks on Timid Heart is fundamentally, thus, a field recording from an inaccessible world.

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London-based deep house duo Saison debut on NYC’s Nu Groove, with their four-track ‘Return 2 Jak EP’ now on wax. From uplifting, vibrant house releases like ‘Spark It Up’ to their groove-laden remix of Mike Dunn’s ‘It’s A Groove Thang’, Saison continue to show their versatility with this collection of tougher tracks built for the underground. Opening the EP is ‘This Is The House’, loaded with deep synths and an undeniably club-ready bounce, featuring alluring spoken-word vocals from Chicago native Black Widow. Next up, ‘Sugar’ and hard-hitting title track ‘Return 2 Jak’ further demonstrate Saison’s cool, deep house sound. ‘Respect The Lie’ follows with its piano-led groove paving the way for atmospheric synth, closing out this special four-track vinyl; a must have for crate diggers and collectors of fresh, deep house.

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Acclaimed electronic artists Paranoid London land on cult NYC label Nu Groove with ‘Talk Dirty / Revolution’, on wax for the first time. Known for their dynamic, hybrid sets combining experimental DJing with live electronics, Paranoid London are a firm favourite of heads in the know thanks to their impeccable, eclectic taste that honours house’s underground roots. The duo are sonically at home on Nu Groove, originally created in 1988 as an outlet for The Burrell Brothers’ avant-garde house sound. Title track ‘Talk Dirty’ demonstrates the unique power that Paranoid London cultivate on the dancefloor, inspired by the original sound of Chicago house; featured on the record is their frequent collaborator Josh Caffe, a prolific house and techno vocalist who has also worked with icon of the scene Honey Dijon. What follows is ‘Revolution’, an essential DJ tool for the more underground dancefloors that shows off the group’s raw, acidic sound, before instrumental and accapella versions of ‘Talk Dirty’ complete the four-track vinyl.

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collector 12'' re issue : new exclusive visual & packaging : Sleeve made in silver mirror cardboard printed in navy blue + gold stamping. A side : Originla version, recut from Original Vinyl Master. B Side : Exclsuive Etched Design.

TRACKLIST

A. Music Sounds Better With you (Long Version - Re Cut from the Oriignal Master )
B. Exclusive Etched Design

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Joey Beltram mega-ultra-classic, ‘Energy Flash’ re-mastered by Matt Colton. Pressed nice and loud on a one sided 12”. E.S.S.E.N.T.I.A.L.!!! (...still after all these years...)



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