Back Catalogue - shipping beginning by June 20


On their latest excursion, Last Year At Maienbad proudly invites you into the gloriously breezy, beautifully put-together world of Retromigration, who’s melodic abilities have put him firmly within everyone’s passenger seat as they shoot down a sun-kissed highway…

There are a number of artists within the present day whose names remain constantly on the tongues of music lovers, and Retromigration’s name has been there so consistently of late for a number of reasons. His music represents the nucleus of what dance music means to so many, a form of music that channels the soul, chimes deep within the mind, and makes the listener escape into the depths of their emotional palette. His songs have an ever present Jazz presence to them, but his sound has numerous components to it, with rhythmic feel being right at the heart of proceedings. Retromigration always finds a way to feel himself out within his records, covering an enormity of ground and allowing each track to interact with the next. This makes his tracks at ease with the listener, forging a vital connection that works with mood and the concept of listening intently – and feeling very content about it. The instrumental approach he makes is certainly something, and channels into the notion that his music can come alive in any context, swaying to the rhythm of life rather than the confines of space. With excellent releases on labels such as WOLF, Handy and previously on Last Year at Marienbad to name but a few, Retromigration has traversed the plains of human expressionism and conjured up some pure magic within his music, not least with this latest effort of his…..

2022 was a busy year for the producer, overseeing four releases including ‘Kush Calls’, which featured some truly exquisite and memorable cuts that lingered long in the memory. ‘Dead Tech’ sees Retromigration shift over into more clubby territory, but many of the motifs we all know and love him for make some notable appearances as we shift from track to track. Playful, emotively porous and ever-searching are perhaps some key features of the first two tracks, ‘BO’ and ‘Lapras’, which represent Retromigration doing a house in such a refined and considered manner. Powerful swaying rhythm sections interweave themselves with melodic excellence, including an inspired flute line that rides high within the EP’s opener. The intro then flows into a groove like no other, with the flute featuring prominently once again, with particular emphasis placed upon the breakdown, which dips the listener in such a glorious mood. The vocals that move in and around the groove are inspired, providing an additional level of narrative in which to dive deep within.

The title track anchors the album in the mid-section, and it takes the mood down to a softly speaking space. Effortless in its approach, the tune takes all the time it needs to saunter along, with a groove to ride upon and a collection of melodic layers that are so easy on the ear and the heart too. ‘Half Pure’ arrives next, and this one kicks the tempo up a few notches to the energies that persisted in the opening cuts. The vocals make more of a visible presence here, with the repeating vocal working very well indeed with the solid chordal arrangement. The melodies are once again handled with care and attention, their floating feel merging superbly with the rhythm as the listener is allowed to rise higher and higher. To wrap up proceedings, we have Da Poet on remix duties of ‘Half Pure’, and this one complements what has come before wonderfully. The additional glassy chords do wonders to the soul, with the bass line adding power and purpose to the groove. It’s a fitting end to a record that carries the listener along, showcasing all it has to offer from up high but also on the ground, with feelings reverberating from top to bottom – always shifting, searching and moving, no matter what.

Artists who remain on people’s lips are worth talking about for a reason, and with this latest effort, Retromigration continues his presence at the forefront of dance music in general. A record that is sophisticated technically, with the production second to none, but it’s the centre of the tunes that make it magical. The soul is laid bare in its various guises, from the up-tempo right through to the slow and steady, there is so much here to feel with and grow alongside, and for that we can all be pleased for this to pass through our mind. So go on, take a gander, breathe, and immerse yourself……

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

With his Voyage Direct label, Tom Trago has always championed Dutch talent DJs and producers from the tight-knit local scene whose music moves and inspires him in equal measure. He's at it again on this 19th release, handing a debut 12¿ to fast-rising, Amsterdam-based DJ/producer Elias Mazian.

The 25 year-old is a much-loved figure on the Amsterdam scene, and has gained a reputation as one of the city's true underground heroes. His DJ sets are rooted in contemporary deep house and techno, but also take
inspiration from `80s electro, Stevie Wonder, P-funk, disco, and the surging, snare-heavy pulse of early Chicago ghetto-house.

Given this dedication to mixing things up, it's unsurprising that Trago has long been a supporter of Mazian's talents. 'Tom has been like a brother to me', Mazian says. 'I've been focusing on my DJ career, but Tom always pushed me to make more tracks. After I'd made 'Future Times' I played it to him at his house. He loved it from the start.¿


'Future Times' was made in a single productive afternoon, with Mazian quickly jamming out a track that pits attractive, far-sighted synthesizer melodies and spacey chords against cut-up hip-hop vocal samples and a righteous, snare-heavy groove. Like Mazian¿s DJ sets, it draws on a myriad of influences, from beatbox electro and Kraftwerk, to 21st century European deep house and Detroit techno. It's thrillingly hard to pigeonhole, and offers a perfect introduction to Mazian's musical world.

There¿s more far-sighted retro-futurism to be found on flipside 'They Don't Know'. Featuring heavy machine drum rhythms inspired by Mazian's love for old Dance Mania releases, and peppered with classic hip-house breaks, it sounds like a delicious fusion of B-more, DJ Rush and early British 'intelligent techno'. It inspired a wild response from dancefloors during Tom Trago's sets at ADE, much to Mazian's delight. 'When Tom dropped it at a jam-packed Trouw that was a 'goose-bump
moment', he says. 'To hear this track you've made on a loud sound system, with people going wild it's simply awesome!'

Something tells us Mazian might have to get used to this kind of reaction in the weeks, months and years ahead. As debut 12" singles go, this one is pretty darn special.

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

William Kouam Djoko returns to Voyage Direct with 'Deflourished'. After a year with a lot of high highs, William found himself on the dance floor listening to a set by Chicago Footwork specialists DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn. William experienced what religious people might call a divine moment. All the experiences, emotions and soul searching from the previous year came together in one emotional, energetic moment.

William tried to capture all of this in his studio the next day, and within hours ‘Deflourished’ was created. B-side 'Behind Closed Doors' completes the package, more subtle and refined than it's A-side brother. A synth-heavy, down-pitched and outstretched song that builds heavily on space, both physically and mentally.

On his Sophomore Voyage Direct release William Kouam Djoko truly sets out on a voyage to discover his inner-self. The result, whether it's the expressive energy of 'Deflourished', or the mesmerizing gloominess of 'Behind Closed Doors', is beautiful to say the least.

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