DJ Support: Garnier, Opolopo, Worldwide FM, Marcia Carr, Bill Brewster, Timeout Moscow, Craig Smith, Delfonic, Tony Nwachukwu, Marcel Dettmann, DJ Rocca, Shuya Okino, Borrowed Identity, Titonton Duvante, Alex Attias, Rainer Truby, Sol Power All-Stars, Kyri R2, Robert Luis, Severino Panzetta, Lars Behrenroth, Kassian, Alkalino, Getdown Edits, Moodymanc, Gerd, Lea Lisa, Young Pulse, Mark de Clive-Lowe, Mark Grusane, Alex Barck….

International dance music heavyweight, producer and DJ Alexander Lay-Far returns with a powerful new chapter - Lay-Far Dance Orchestra (LFDO) - a fully-fledged live band project that reconnects him with his jazz-funk and fusion DNA while pushing dance music forward with unmistakable groove, musicianship and emotional weight. Formed in early 2024, LFDO is no nostalgia exercise. With Lay-Far at the helm as bassist, bandleader, composer, arranger and sound engineer, the orchestra has already been turning heads with explosive live performances, reinventing classic Lay-Far cuts, and now unveil their first album “Skybreak” with all new and original material written and produced by Lay-Far together with his bandmates and star guests, including Lipelis, Antoha MC and Seven Davis Jr. This work shows the departure from the predominantly electronic sound of Lay-Far's previous solo albums in favour of live instrumentation recorded to analogue tape and effortlessly bridging the gap between Jazz, Library Music, Disco-Funk, House, Broken Beat and Drum’n’Bass. “Skybreak” is dynamic, passionate, spiritual, cinematic, playful, heartfelt, life-affirming, dreamy and deeply romantic. Ultimately, there’s something profoundly romantic in recording and releasing such music in this day and age!


“Take Flight (Part 1)” is opening the album with style. It takes us on a beautifully orchestrated journey, blending the sensuality of Library Music with high-octane Jazz-Funk and raw b-boy breaks, propelled by breathtaking flute and Rhodes solos of Timur Nekrasov and Maxim Glonti. This aural symbiosis of “beauty and the beats” will become more and more prominent as the album unfolds.



It’s time for “Aquarius Love” created with the inimitable artist and vocalist Seven Davis Jr. (Secret Angels, Ninja Tune). In this composition cinematic soul and heavy jazz meet the restless energy of live drum & bass with deep and heartfelt vocals - timeless sound combined with a timeless message about love and life!



Next is “Head In The Clouds” - a theme for an imaginary rom-com, an ode to all the dreamers - sweet, light, naive and heartwarming. Space-Disco-Funk at its best!

“Where You From” is a fiery Soulful House number with heavy Afro-Latin influences recorded in collaboration with Lipelis. It’s full of Sun, joy and passion. Its irresistible rhythm is emphasised by funky octave bass, wah-wah guitar, catchy piano riffs, guitar solo by Lipelis and seemingly light conscious message delivered by Lay-Far and Maryag. Summer is here!

Now the album takes an unexpected twist in the form of “The Harp of Boom” which at first glance appears to be a classic-sounding Boom-Bap banger. Yes, It’s loud, raw, and gritty, yet it gradually evolves into something delicately-touching and deeply-soulful thanks to a memorable flute melody and lush string arrangement. Definitely recorded with tongue in cheek.


Next is “Feel The Moment” a remarkable collaboration with one of the most recognisable and distinctive Russian artists, singer, trumpeter and cultural icon Antoha MC. It’s a feel-good song, hopeful, life-affirming and bittersweet. A stylish excursion into Brit-Funk and Soviet Jazz-Fusion sound, drawing inspiration from the likes of Atmosfear, Light Of The World or Soviet Jazz bands like Allegro and Arsenal, but reimagining the influences through the modern West London broken beat lens.


The spectacular music journey continuous with “Take Flight (Part 2)” - it’s all about the deep infectious jazz-funk groove, heavy beats, rolling percussion and the glory of the soloing instruments - saxophone and flute by Timur Nekrasov, demonstrating the wide range of emotions from thoughtful and lyrical to restless and borderline vicious. One for freestyle dancing!

As the album draws to an end a vibrant musical triptych “Soul Constant” awaits, mixing together the deep and sensual mood of spiritual jazz with heavy syncopated drum’n’bass rhythms by Michail Fotchenkov, lush orchestration, expressive saxophone solos and the ending which can simply be described as “aural bliss”. It’s breath-taking!

A pleasant bonus is the exclusive version of “Where You From” by Lipelis himself, who is taking it into dub territories, further enhancing the rhythm section and enriching the song with his trademark playful synth flourishes and dreamy guitar solos for maximum effect (and appeal).

The album “Skybreak” by Lay-Far Dance Orchestra is the work of real artistry and craftsmanship with timeless sound that’s not only deeply-rooted but also forward-thinking.

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

Artificial Owl Recordings is thrilled to announce the release of Free Waltz, the latest vinyl album from Yekaterinburg’s multifaceted electronic music visionary Andrey Kurokhtin, known as Shine Grooves. Set for release on Dec-1-2025, Free Waltz is a captivating journey through experimental and ambient soundscapes, pressed on limited-edition yellow vinyl for collectors and audiophiles alike. Free Waltz compiles tracks recorded between 2016 and 2024, drawing inspiration from the vivid images and memories stored in Kurokhtin’s mind.
The album captures the essence of the unusual—moments that linger from past experiences. The mood of each track is shaped by the state of Kurokhtin’s soul, influenced by diverse experiences: serene walks in the forest, the hum of an airplane in flight, heartfelt conversations, cycling through open landscapes, the pulse of love, and the energy of music itself.
Many of these compositions were born from extended jam sessions in his studio, where creativity flows freely. The album showcases Kurokhtin’s mastery of an extensive array of synthesizers, samplers, sequencers, and effectors, blended with intricate digital plugins and meticulous processing. This sonic palette creates a rich, immersive sound that bridges experimental, ambient, and electronic genres, offering listeners a deeply personal and evocative experience.
As a producer, engineer, and creator of the Magnitron cassette mixer, Kurokhtin brings a wealth of technical expertise to Free Waltz. Beyond Shine Grooves, he releases music under aliases such as Quadrat, Unlight, and Rokton Ensemble, and collaborates on live experimental projects like X343 and Ryabina. As the founder of Hanagasumi, a hand-stamped label dedicated to non-commercial music, and owner of a vinyl record store in Yekaterinburg, Kurokhtin is a central figure in the underground electronic music scene. Free Waltz is a testament to Kurokhtin’s boundless creativity and his ability to translate fleeting moments into enduring sound.

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

Trinidadian Deep is back with yet another deeply rooted house vibes EP entitled “Dub Nasty” EP!

This powerful collection of three independent tracks starts with the title track, Dub Nasty a seriously deep house excursion with captivating harmonies sonics complimented with a guitar solo which washes over you as you loose yourself to the music.
Track 2 “Sonics and Steel Drums” think sun sea and beach as this one brings up the tempo induced with a groovy bass line and heavily played steel pans that immediately uplifts the vibes which progress into a Caribbean crescendo!!
Head to side b, where Trini brings it back to Native African roots to loose yourself on the dance floor with it’s layered percussion, deep stabs & chords, captivating keys. Along with enchanting and soothing African vocals of serenity that will surely keep you mesmerised !

As always, Trini’s production is infectious, and this EP is no exception! Take a deep breath, listen and enjoy !!

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

In his 30th year of releasing music, Jimpster returns to Freerange with Bassic Rollers, a brand new four-track EP
that reaffirms his status as one of UK house music’s most enduring and inventive figures. This marks his first full
release since the highly regarded The Phoenix EP on the legendary Nu Groove imprint, and follows his recent
accolade of being named Traxsource Top Artist of the Year, placing at an impressive #11. With Bassic Rollers,
Jimpster once again distils decades of dancefloor knowledge into four deeply musical club weapons.
Opening the release, Out And About finds Jimpster firmly in his sweet spot. Deep, rolling and effortlessly musical, the
track showcases his trademark sample chops, locked-in with punchy drums and a warm, hypnotic bassline. Inspired
by his recent gigs in South Africa, it’s a mesmerising late-night roller built for heads-down dancefloors and long blends.
Heads Down nudges the BPMs upward for a slice of classic, hypnotic deep house with a distinctly UK slant. Drawing
inspiration from late ’90s club culture - the kind of grooves you might have heard on a Wednesday night at Kenny and
Luke’s influential Space nights at Bar Rhumba - the track channels the spirit and energy of pivotal outfits such as Fresh
& Low or Soul Capsule. Tight, bouncing drums, shuffling hi-hats and sweeping synths combine for a driving, strippedback burner.
Flipping to the B-side, Crispy Pancakes takes a sharp turn into mutant disco territory. A crunchy kick, tight 808 hats
and driving analogue percussion form the backbone, while a looped live bass sample adds the raw energy. When the
drop lands, the track dives deep with arpeggiated synth lines and unmistakable Underground Resistance-style pads,
delivering an uplifting and euphoric moment primed for peak-time floors.
Closing out the EP, Far Side lowers the tempo for a sublime slice of deep disco house. Rich in samples, layered
percussion and textured FX, it’s a track designed for warm-ups, wind-downs, or those moments when the dancefloor
drifts inward. Hypnotic and immersive, this is one to get lost in.
Once again, Jimpster delivers deeply musical club music, effortlessly weaving together different sounds and
influences. Bassic Rollers is four tracks of sublime goodness — timeless, deep, and unmistakably crafted by a true
master of the genre

A1 - Out And About
A2 - Heads Down
B1 - Crispy Pancakes
B2 - Far Side

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

Chicago legend K. Alexi returns to Dark Entries with K.A. Posse’s Strkes Again, an EP of preleased unreleased acid and house mayhem. K’Alexi Shelby’s illustrious career has included releases on legendary labels such as Trax, DJ International, and Transmat, as well as collaborations with high-profile artists like Marshall Jefferson and Pet Shop Boys. But his musical journey began at the young age of 12, when he befriended Ron Hardy and Frankie Knuckles while frequenting the Music Box and Warehouse. In high school, he began to write songs and hone his poetic craft. “I recognized I had a gift to say what I was thinking. I would study Prince and Marvin Gaye, figure out what they meant and put my spin on it. The power of the word. I was writing love notes for all my boys in high school and making a killing. I would know what to say and what they should do.”
Dark Entries previously reissued Shelby’s debut record, Essence of a Dream, which was recorded under the name Risque III in 1987. Strikes Again brings us six tracks recorded in Chicago between 1988 and 1990, which come courtesy of Mike Dunn’s personal archive. This record showcases the rawer, more immediate side of Shelby’s sound, with tracks full of overdriven 808’s, careening sirens, and dangerously funky breakbeats. “Imported Taste” brings Shelby’s signature deep pads to the front of wild congo-laced percussion. “Suckas Be Ready” is a slamming hip-house cut featuring vocals from MCD-TA, while disco-samples duel with crunchy 909s on the jacking “Muzic Box.” Strikes Back showcases the real underground sound of Chicago, where sonic abstraction meets full-body kinetics. The record comes housed in a retro-styled sleeve designed by Eloise Shir-Juen Leigh.

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

Glasgow-based Irish DJ and producer Polyrtunnel unveils a six-track project blending IDM and electro

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