1
Konformer - Konfektio Suite - 1. Participation Mystique
2
Konformer - Konfektio Suite - 2. Persona 3. Affekt 4. Schatten
3
Konformer - Marseille
4
Konformer - Berfusverkehr
5
Konformer - Mont Ventoux
6
Konformer - Todmorden
Here is the latest record from Konformer, Konformer II, the follow up to Konformer 1!
3 years in the making Konformer II is a further & deeper probe of the world of electronic influenced instrumental, psychedelic Krautrock from the Nuremberg based trio, recorded at Frank Mollena's Lonestar Studios.
Rainer Ruder (bass), Andreas Berg (drums) and & Kristian Krauss (keyboards) continue their exploration with a bass loop anchored odyssey, a trip into the future with a firm nod to the past.
Released on Before I Die 03/07/26 on limited Black Vinyl LP with a full colour art book featuring artworks from independent artists from the city.
The band will commence a short UK Tour of Southern & Northern Grassroots venues from the end of August 2026 culminating in a performance at Manchester Psych Fest on Saturday 5th September.
Fr 28.08 - Ramsgate - Ramsgate Music Hall with supports Microfilm & Lone Bison
Sa 29.08 - London - Endeavour with support from Matt Smyth
Su 31.08 - Bristol - Old England Pub with Support from Omega Institute (date tbc)
We 02.09 - Liverpool - Handyman Brewery
Th 03.09 - Todmorden - Golden Lion with support from Lines Of Silence
Fr 04.09 - Barrow In Furness - BUMS with support from DJ Jason Boardman
Sa 05.09 - Manchester - Yes Basement - Manchester Psych Fest
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
3 years in the making Konformer II is a further & deeper probe of the world of electronic influenced instrumental, psychedelic Krautrock from the Nuremberg based trio, recorded at Frank Mollena's Lonestar Studios.
Rainer Ruder (bass), Andreas Berg (drums) and & Kristian Krauss (keyboards) continue their exploration with a bass loop anchored odyssey, a trip into the future with a firm nod to the past.
Released on Before I Die 03/07/26 on limited Black Vinyl LP with a full colour art book featuring artworks from independent artists from the city.
The band will commence a short UK Tour of Southern & Northern Grassroots venues from the end of August 2026 culminating in a performance at Manchester Psych Fest on Saturday 5th September.
Fr 28.08 - Ramsgate - Ramsgate Music Hall with supports Microfilm & Lone Bison
Sa 29.08 - London - Endeavour with support from Matt Smyth
Su 31.08 - Bristol - Old England Pub with Support from Omega Institute (date tbc)
We 02.09 - Liverpool - Handyman Brewery
Th 03.09 - Todmorden - Golden Lion with support from Lines Of Silence
Fr 04.09 - Barrow In Furness - BUMS with support from DJ Jason Boardman
Sa 05.09 - Manchester - Yes Basement - Manchester Psych Fest
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
More records from Konformer
1
KONFORMER - Noris Noire
2
KONFORMER - Konformer
3
KONFORMER - Jazzy
4
KONFORMER - Reunion
5
KONFORMER - Noris Blance
Konformer are a band from Nuremberg in Germany.
Their members are;
Andreas Berg (Drums)
Kristian Krauß (Synthesizer)
Rainer Ruder (Bass)
Initially Konformer was not a project for the public, far away from expectations their sound was developed, with focus on only the essential, but that takes time.
The creation of their minimalist, rhythmic and repetitive groove patterns commence with bass loops and develop into modified strophic form.
Comparison with the likes of Early Kraftwerk and the output of cult German labels such as Brain and Sky are inevitable but Konformer sound a little bit like none of the above.
The record was produced and mastered by the 'Franconian Conny Plank' Frank Mollena at his Lonestar Studios in Nuremberg, Bavaria.
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
Their members are;
Andreas Berg (Drums)
Kristian Krauß (Synthesizer)
Rainer Ruder (Bass)
Initially Konformer was not a project for the public, far away from expectations their sound was developed, with focus on only the essential, but that takes time.
The creation of their minimalist, rhythmic and repetitive groove patterns commence with bass loops and develop into modified strophic form.
Comparison with the likes of Early Kraftwerk and the output of cult German labels such as Brain and Sky are inevitable but Konformer sound a little bit like none of the above.
The record was produced and mastered by the 'Franconian Conny Plank' Frank Mollena at his Lonestar Studios in Nuremberg, Bavaria.
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
More records from Before I Die
1
J-Walk - Never Go Home
2
J-Walk - Dub Never Go
J-Walk return to BiD with a one off single 'Never Go Home' ahead of an album of new works to be released next year...
Recorded in his Stockport studio & channeling the DIY ethos of his previous BiD release Broken Beauty, 'Never Go Home' is a paeon to the mind-altering oeuvre of late 80's indie psychedelia, influenced by artists such as Spacemen 3, Nick Nicely & The Field Mice.
On the flip 'Dub Never Go' expands the vision with a version that wades deeper into dub territory, spacing out the stems & positioning the song in an abstract format.
This limited-edition vinyl release comes in a homemade sleeve which is stamped, numbered & implanted with J-Walks DIY DNA.
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
Recorded in his Stockport studio & channeling the DIY ethos of his previous BiD release Broken Beauty, 'Never Go Home' is a paeon to the mind-altering oeuvre of late 80's indie psychedelia, influenced by artists such as Spacemen 3, Nick Nicely & The Field Mice.
On the flip 'Dub Never Go' expands the vision with a version that wades deeper into dub territory, spacing out the stems & positioning the song in an abstract format.
This limited-edition vinyl release comes in a homemade sleeve which is stamped, numbered & implanted with J-Walks DIY DNA.
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
1
Hawksmoor - Amygdala Opening
2
Hawksmoor - Golden Dolphins
3
Hawksmoor - Flooding A Maze (In Slow Motion)
4
Hawksmoor - Urdhva Hastasna
5
Hawksmoor - Infinite Tapestry
6
Hawksmoor - Ti Kallisti
7
Hawksmoor - Adviata
8
Hawksmoor - Clear Light
9
Hawksmoor - Into The White Sun
10
Hawksmoor - Astomeria
You will be aware of the work of James McKeown and his Hawksmoor project. A catalogue of 13 significant and substantial records made in less than a decade.
James can be said to be operating in the realm of ambient music.
There are song structures and often beautiful melodies deployed - and more often than you might expect. He can be psycho-geographical, and woozily hauntological at times. There are shades of Eno, Tangerine Dream, Cluster and Michael Rother - but nothing is ever copied. It's detailed, textured deep and often emotionally affecting. He's made records inspired by Victorian religious architecture, geopolitical instability, JG Ballard, dreams and alternate states of consciousness; prescription drugs, new town neurosis and a secretly prehistoric Milton Keynes.
Musically, it always somehow reflects the subject matter. He's primarily about analog synthesis, old drum boxes, razor and tape, tangled wires and real instruments. Perhaps a post-digital Druid who emerged from the strange recesses of the natively insurrectionist Bristol scene. There are records backed up and ready to go. A modern British electronic genius of sorts.
Which brings us here to BID13 and another record about drugs. Am I Conscious Now? is perhaps a companion piece to 2021's oddly melancholy On Prescription.
The subject matter at hand is specifically the psychedelic variant 5-MeO-DMT. James dutifully did his research - experimenting with the drug - with a view to exploring the impact it might make on his music. Hold up, I hear you cry, musicians have been using psychedelics at least since the Maggot Brained Funkadelic freed our minds in the hope our asses would follow. Can't forget Spacemen Three's brilliantly definitive 'Taking Drugs To Make Music To Take Drugs To'. James McKeown has made a record which deserves to enter this stoned immaculate pantheon. But 5-MeO-DMT is very different.
"It overrides the body and forces surrender. As a person, it completely changed my life, outlook, perspective".
It was first documented in the 1930s, is very different to your 'standard' LSD variants. No colour wheel intensity, no flying about seeing little green men with massive heads calling you into infinity. It doesn't flood the mind but rather, it empties it. Scarily for some, 5-MeO-DMT is said to strip away all sensation as it acts on the brain in specific relation to Serotonin. It lasts sometimes only minutes, though the individual's internal perception of time is obviously exploded. As, 'the Mount Everest of Psychedelics', it's no groovy cartoon loon pant Purple Haze then, man. All of which persuaded our intrepid hero to give it a go. It specifically inspired the music you can hear by clicking on the links above.
"Psychedelics are for me tools for healing, spiritual connection and creativity. It's not about hedonism, flashing lights, patterns, the cliches. It's very unique.
Language doesn't really work to explain it. It's everything and nothing. Some experience a state of pure bliss. I experienced a terrifying feeling of dying, and then a sense of unity, like I was connected to everything. I hesitate to use the term, but I'd describe it as being a sense of being reborn".
If like Lennon and our man here you truly surrender to The Void, you'll know you are everything and nothing too. So tell me, which album by Gary Barlow is going to gift you all this?
Hawksmoor is building an important body of work notable for its deep integrity.
This is an extraordinary record. Its intensity is an instant hit and, once you are sucked into its orbit, it's routinely mesmerising.
Beyond that it is not, kids, an ad for the drug. As Frank Zappa advised re. the Yellow Snow, make your own informed decisions.
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
James can be said to be operating in the realm of ambient music.
There are song structures and often beautiful melodies deployed - and more often than you might expect. He can be psycho-geographical, and woozily hauntological at times. There are shades of Eno, Tangerine Dream, Cluster and Michael Rother - but nothing is ever copied. It's detailed, textured deep and often emotionally affecting. He's made records inspired by Victorian religious architecture, geopolitical instability, JG Ballard, dreams and alternate states of consciousness; prescription drugs, new town neurosis and a secretly prehistoric Milton Keynes.
Musically, it always somehow reflects the subject matter. He's primarily about analog synthesis, old drum boxes, razor and tape, tangled wires and real instruments. Perhaps a post-digital Druid who emerged from the strange recesses of the natively insurrectionist Bristol scene. There are records backed up and ready to go. A modern British electronic genius of sorts.
Which brings us here to BID13 and another record about drugs. Am I Conscious Now? is perhaps a companion piece to 2021's oddly melancholy On Prescription.
The subject matter at hand is specifically the psychedelic variant 5-MeO-DMT. James dutifully did his research - experimenting with the drug - with a view to exploring the impact it might make on his music. Hold up, I hear you cry, musicians have been using psychedelics at least since the Maggot Brained Funkadelic freed our minds in the hope our asses would follow. Can't forget Spacemen Three's brilliantly definitive 'Taking Drugs To Make Music To Take Drugs To'. James McKeown has made a record which deserves to enter this stoned immaculate pantheon. But 5-MeO-DMT is very different.
"It overrides the body and forces surrender. As a person, it completely changed my life, outlook, perspective".
It was first documented in the 1930s, is very different to your 'standard' LSD variants. No colour wheel intensity, no flying about seeing little green men with massive heads calling you into infinity. It doesn't flood the mind but rather, it empties it. Scarily for some, 5-MeO-DMT is said to strip away all sensation as it acts on the brain in specific relation to Serotonin. It lasts sometimes only minutes, though the individual's internal perception of time is obviously exploded. As, 'the Mount Everest of Psychedelics', it's no groovy cartoon loon pant Purple Haze then, man. All of which persuaded our intrepid hero to give it a go. It specifically inspired the music you can hear by clicking on the links above.
"Psychedelics are for me tools for healing, spiritual connection and creativity. It's not about hedonism, flashing lights, patterns, the cliches. It's very unique.
Language doesn't really work to explain it. It's everything and nothing. Some experience a state of pure bliss. I experienced a terrifying feeling of dying, and then a sense of unity, like I was connected to everything. I hesitate to use the term, but I'd describe it as being a sense of being reborn".
If like Lennon and our man here you truly surrender to The Void, you'll know you are everything and nothing too. So tell me, which album by Gary Barlow is going to gift you all this?
Hawksmoor is building an important body of work notable for its deep integrity.
This is an extraordinary record. Its intensity is an instant hit and, once you are sucked into its orbit, it's routinely mesmerising.
Beyond that it is not, kids, an ad for the drug. As Frank Zappa advised re. the Yellow Snow, make your own informed decisions.
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
1
Arrival Ft. Kevin McCormick - One
2
Arrival Ft. Kevin McCormick - One (Solstice Mix)
3
Arrival Ft. Kevin McCormick - Common Place (Thought Leadership Remix)
4
Arrival Ft. Kevin McCormick - Common Place
It's counter intuitive perhaps to react to the increasing noise of the world, not by adding to it, but by seeking quiet. Or something close to it.
Arrival's debut EP does just that - assembling immersive aural environments and delicately detailed backdrops - setting the scene for the perfectly pitched deeply melancholic meditations of Britain's least known and most valuable guitarist, Kevin McCormick.
Gordon Milson and Mark Rayner as Arrival, and Kevin too, are all proud Stockport denizens.
They're central to something gently stirring in the town They're calling it (using the district postcode) SKambient.
It's a youthful music scene sprouting from the cracks between the cobbles of a neglected old town area, built around the meandering Underbanks.
Here outliers like the bespoke hifi gaff, Odioba and Bruk are venues open to DJs and listeners looking for something deeper and less simplistically confrontational than your regular shouty Manc racket, R. Kid.
It's organic electronic, and (mindful of the Derbyshire hills to be seen peeping through the gaps throughout the town) pastoral too. Now the mills and workshops have fallen silent, never to be rebooted, these neglected spaces have been subdivided at affordable (for now) rents, allowing young sonic creatives to explore new environmental responses to a post, post-industrial landscape.
It's not unexpected. This is the town where the first (and perhaps greatest) ambient pop song in 10cc's "I'm Not In Love" was recorded in 1975 - at the legendary Strawberry Studios.
Kevin McCormick - with a whole series of rightly revered, self-defining records to his name - copies no one. But there are definite echoes in his approach. Consider the unquestionable genius of Vini Reilly. His eternally stunning Return of The Durutti Column was mixed in that same studio.
Alongside Arrival and their distinctly calming compositions, the former mills and converted spaces are full of laptops and instruments shared by a like-minded extended community in Jack Lever/Open Tapes, Arcade, Joe Synkro, Bop, Elsewhere and Thought Leadership. It's crass indeed to suggest all these things sound alike, but there's a definite thread, a certain sensibility.
Arrival have already received significant support from characteristically curious backroom Balearic selectors and collectors. It's music made for the joy of it and released here by the uniquely open-minded DJ, and scene stalwart, Jason Boardman's Before I Die imprint.
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
Arrival's debut EP does just that - assembling immersive aural environments and delicately detailed backdrops - setting the scene for the perfectly pitched deeply melancholic meditations of Britain's least known and most valuable guitarist, Kevin McCormick.
Gordon Milson and Mark Rayner as Arrival, and Kevin too, are all proud Stockport denizens.
They're central to something gently stirring in the town They're calling it (using the district postcode) SKambient.
It's a youthful music scene sprouting from the cracks between the cobbles of a neglected old town area, built around the meandering Underbanks.
Here outliers like the bespoke hifi gaff, Odioba and Bruk are venues open to DJs and listeners looking for something deeper and less simplistically confrontational than your regular shouty Manc racket, R. Kid.
It's organic electronic, and (mindful of the Derbyshire hills to be seen peeping through the gaps throughout the town) pastoral too. Now the mills and workshops have fallen silent, never to be rebooted, these neglected spaces have been subdivided at affordable (for now) rents, allowing young sonic creatives to explore new environmental responses to a post, post-industrial landscape.
It's not unexpected. This is the town where the first (and perhaps greatest) ambient pop song in 10cc's "I'm Not In Love" was recorded in 1975 - at the legendary Strawberry Studios.
Kevin McCormick - with a whole series of rightly revered, self-defining records to his name - copies no one. But there are definite echoes in his approach. Consider the unquestionable genius of Vini Reilly. His eternally stunning Return of The Durutti Column was mixed in that same studio.
Alongside Arrival and their distinctly calming compositions, the former mills and converted spaces are full of laptops and instruments shared by a like-minded extended community in Jack Lever/Open Tapes, Arcade, Joe Synkro, Bop, Elsewhere and Thought Leadership. It's crass indeed to suggest all these things sound alike, but there's a definite thread, a certain sensibility.
Arrival have already received significant support from characteristically curious backroom Balearic selectors and collectors. It's music made for the joy of it and released here by the uniquely open-minded DJ, and scene stalwart, Jason Boardman's Before I Die imprint.
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
1
Sonnenspot - Figurescene
2
Sonnenspot - Liquorice Paper
3
Sonnenspot - Soft In The Middle
4
Sonnenspot - Slow Blinker
5
Sonnenspot - Madrugada
6
Sonnenspot - Motorway
7
Sonnenspot - Ghosts In The Maze
8
Sonnenspot - Planets
9
Sonnenspot - Time Zones
Manchester based trio, Sonnenspot have unashamedly taken their favourite records from the Kosmische Musik landscape and fused these to inform their own spontaneous sonic constructions. Motorik drums, pulsating flutes, wah guitar and almost excessive use of space echo make this a dense and dreamy listen, with a hint of the rainy pensiveness of their home town.
Notable inspiration from Neu!, Manuel Gottsching, Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo is all clearly audible in the various recordings on this album and minimal effort was made to shy away from this. The longest track 'Motorway' is an epic homage to the space rock art form and 'Madrugada' takes both John Martyn's 'Small Hours' and Gottsching's 'Inventions' as a starting point. Others include the tobacco lovers art-rock-ear-worm ('Liquorice Paper'), a dub laden celestial synth jam ('Slow Blinker') and the album opens with the first thing the band ever recorded, as a meaningless improvisation to tune their synths up to ('Figurescene'). Turned out it had a killer bass line and drum part.
Initial sessions were mostly just an excuse for the three long standing friends to get together musically for the first time, and after knowing each other for many full moons, it was long overdue.
They all bring some peripheral musical heritage to the table. Ian Smith was the guitarist in Alfie and the The Beep Seals and played on Badly Drawn Boy's 'The Hour of Bewilderbeast'. Pete Philipson played in Jane Weaver's band for ten years and has made his own ambient guitar albums. Dan Hope plays in the jazz folk band Mother Sky and promotes events around the city under the Rainy Heart banner.
They were joined by another long term musical friend Sam Kynaston who added heavenly flute to much of the album.
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
Notable inspiration from Neu!, Manuel Gottsching, Sonic Youth and Yo La Tengo is all clearly audible in the various recordings on this album and minimal effort was made to shy away from this. The longest track 'Motorway' is an epic homage to the space rock art form and 'Madrugada' takes both John Martyn's 'Small Hours' and Gottsching's 'Inventions' as a starting point. Others include the tobacco lovers art-rock-ear-worm ('Liquorice Paper'), a dub laden celestial synth jam ('Slow Blinker') and the album opens with the first thing the band ever recorded, as a meaningless improvisation to tune their synths up to ('Figurescene'). Turned out it had a killer bass line and drum part.
Initial sessions were mostly just an excuse for the three long standing friends to get together musically for the first time, and after knowing each other for many full moons, it was long overdue.
They all bring some peripheral musical heritage to the table. Ian Smith was the guitarist in Alfie and the The Beep Seals and played on Badly Drawn Boy's 'The Hour of Bewilderbeast'. Pete Philipson played in Jane Weaver's band for ten years and has made his own ambient guitar albums. Dan Hope plays in the jazz folk band Mother Sky and promotes events around the city under the Rainy Heart banner.
They were joined by another long term musical friend Sam Kynaston who added heavenly flute to much of the album.
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
1
Klangkollektor - Ferry From Torkwrith
2
Klangkollektor - Morning Hour
3
Klangkollektor - Starlings
4
Klangkollektor - Isle Of Stonsey
"...When I make music, I'm always trying to create a temporary refuge for myself, a refuge from the increasingly frightening world out there. A kind of remote island where I can hide, switch off for a while, feel at peace. In any case, I feel inner peace when making this music, and I hope, in some way, it does the same for you..."
Review Banbantonton.com (JP/UK):
"Dub Tapes. Volume 2 picks up exactly where its predecessor left off, employing a very similar sonic palette, drawn from analog instruments and effects. All 4 tracks are driven by Lars' live B-line virtuosity. He's played bass for a host of jazz bands and it shows. The bottom-end throughout is a constant, reassuring, warm, womb-like presence, that packs a deceptively powerful pulse. The subtle splashes of studio trickery might have their root in Basic Channel-esque techno, but the results reside somewhere far less minimal, more relaxed, more melodic and musical.
The reverb and delay twisted into soothing, rather than room-shaking shapes. Resembling birdsong and mountain streams.
Lars' piano improvisations are also integral to everything...Stuffed with rich, diverting detail for stoners and siesta seekers, the EP is certainly a set that you're supposed to sit back, settle into and savour." Review baggingarea.blogspot.com (UK):
"All four tracks are superb, the opener 'Ferry From Torkwrith' setting the scene - languorous, beatific Balearic dub from Berlin, music to hide inside, to temporarily block the outside world with.
Second track 'Morning Hour' is slightly more sunlit, a guitar joining the mix. 'Starlings' sets off with birdsong and the thud of a kick drum, a wave of synth chord and some bass guitar, unhurried and mellow.
Fourth track 'Isle Of Stonsey' drifts in, a nine minute excursion into a chilled-out version of space, Hawaiian guitar and dub bass prodding us gently into the cosmos."
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
Review Banbantonton.com (JP/UK):
"Dub Tapes. Volume 2 picks up exactly where its predecessor left off, employing a very similar sonic palette, drawn from analog instruments and effects. All 4 tracks are driven by Lars' live B-line virtuosity. He's played bass for a host of jazz bands and it shows. The bottom-end throughout is a constant, reassuring, warm, womb-like presence, that packs a deceptively powerful pulse. The subtle splashes of studio trickery might have their root in Basic Channel-esque techno, but the results reside somewhere far less minimal, more relaxed, more melodic and musical.
The reverb and delay twisted into soothing, rather than room-shaking shapes. Resembling birdsong and mountain streams.
Lars' piano improvisations are also integral to everything...Stuffed with rich, diverting detail for stoners and siesta seekers, the EP is certainly a set that you're supposed to sit back, settle into and savour." Review baggingarea.blogspot.com (UK):
"All four tracks are superb, the opener 'Ferry From Torkwrith' setting the scene - languorous, beatific Balearic dub from Berlin, music to hide inside, to temporarily block the outside world with.
Second track 'Morning Hour' is slightly more sunlit, a guitar joining the mix. 'Starlings' sets off with birdsong and the thud of a kick drum, a wave of synth chord and some bass guitar, unhurried and mellow.
Fourth track 'Isle Of Stonsey' drifts in, a nine minute excursion into a chilled-out version of space, Hawaiian guitar and dub bass prodding us gently into the cosmos."
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
1
Khartomb - Swahili Lullaby
2
Khartomb - Teekon Warriors
3
Khartomb - Daisy High
4
Khartomb - Swahili Lullaby (Synkro's Balearic Dub Mix)
5
Khartomb - Swahili Lullaby (Talking Drums Redub)
Khartomb's Post-Punk/Reggae tinged masterpiece Swahili Lullaby/Teekon Warriors influenced by contemporaries of the time The Slits & The Raincoats was originally released on 45, 23rd June 1983.
Despite initial interest following their Peel Session & support from Melody Maker and Zig Zag the band were unable to capitalise & Swahili Lullaby/Teekon Warriors remains their only vinyl release, until now.
40 years later, the tracks have been exclusively licensed by BiD alongside the previously unreleased Pat Nevin favourite 'Daisy High'.
Complementary remixes of Swahili Lullaby are provided by fans of the original version Synkro & Talking Drums.
Swahili Lullaby - Under the radar post punk jam with killer drums, dubby bassline and spidery guitar, topped off by a haunting melancholic vocal.
Teekon Warriors - Deep ode to the fallen, dope drums, angular guitar, tribal drums and a sweet vocal.
Daisy High - Peel dubbed Daisy High "Subversive MOR" who are we to disagree, haunting flute peppered slow jam with a bossa feel & a sick guitar lick.
Synkro's Balearic Dub takes the original version and sends it to a transcendental spiritual realm, creating a future classic for Sunrises and Sunsets for the next millennium.
The Talking Drums Redub tweeks, extends & amps up the Dub Pressure to maximum psychedelic levels.
JD Twitch (Optimo) - "Khartomb package is most excellent"
Michael Kuyck (Essential Space) - "Goddamn this Khartomb release is supreme!"
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
Despite initial interest following their Peel Session & support from Melody Maker and Zig Zag the band were unable to capitalise & Swahili Lullaby/Teekon Warriors remains their only vinyl release, until now.
40 years later, the tracks have been exclusively licensed by BiD alongside the previously unreleased Pat Nevin favourite 'Daisy High'.
Complementary remixes of Swahili Lullaby are provided by fans of the original version Synkro & Talking Drums.
Swahili Lullaby - Under the radar post punk jam with killer drums, dubby bassline and spidery guitar, topped off by a haunting melancholic vocal.
Teekon Warriors - Deep ode to the fallen, dope drums, angular guitar, tribal drums and a sweet vocal.
Daisy High - Peel dubbed Daisy High "Subversive MOR" who are we to disagree, haunting flute peppered slow jam with a bossa feel & a sick guitar lick.
Synkro's Balearic Dub takes the original version and sends it to a transcendental spiritual realm, creating a future classic for Sunrises and Sunsets for the next millennium.
The Talking Drums Redub tweeks, extends & amps up the Dub Pressure to maximum psychedelic levels.
JD Twitch (Optimo) - "Khartomb package is most excellent"
Michael Kuyck (Essential Space) - "Goddamn this Khartomb release is supreme!"
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
1
Klangkollektor - Garden Pond
2
Klangkollektor - Lake Lounge
3
Klangkollektor - Midnight Express
4
Klangkollektor - Tabarca
5
Klangkollektor - Evening Post
6
Klangkollektor - Globulus
7
Klangkollektor - Baund
BiD are back with a new selection in a relaxed & spectacular fashion.
Introducing KlangKollektor aka Lars Fischer a solo project by the drummer with the Psychedelic Cumbia band Trak Trak from Nurnberg.
This debut release from KlangKollektor has been developing for some time, liberated from Lars' hard drive and mastered by the Franconian Conny Plank - Frank Mollena (Bambi Davidson) the release channels the pioneering spirit of Dub and places it in a present context.
A stellar collection of seven dubwise tracks over 4 sides with a Techno and Balearic influence that's been on heavy rotation here for the past year and now available for all to feel.
All synths, programming, pianos, bass, percussion, dub mixing, editing & mixing by Lars Fischer.
Cover image courtesy of renowned German photographer - Thomas Bergner @thomas.bergner
Sleeve Design by Yasmin - Small Press @smallpressstudio
Final Mix and Mastering by Frank Mollena
Across the board five star reviews from those that received the very limited promo.
"Deep evocative and meditative modern dubtronica. Beautiful"
"A deep and truly mesmerising album, Love this"
"A fine late night mix of jazz / electronica / Detroit all rolled into one"
"Immersive soundscapes for the head, a very nice collection"
"Ooofffftttttt, this is lush, beautiful stuff!"
"Very nice indeed . Atmospheric dub magic"
"Nice Krautrock-balearic-psych all rolled into one with dubby elements"
"Super deep balearic dub leanings"
"Wow! Incredible work!"
"s u b l i m e !!!!!!"
"This is so good, really refreshing and sweet for the ears."
"Lovely dubbly"
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
Introducing KlangKollektor aka Lars Fischer a solo project by the drummer with the Psychedelic Cumbia band Trak Trak from Nurnberg.
This debut release from KlangKollektor has been developing for some time, liberated from Lars' hard drive and mastered by the Franconian Conny Plank - Frank Mollena (Bambi Davidson) the release channels the pioneering spirit of Dub and places it in a present context.
A stellar collection of seven dubwise tracks over 4 sides with a Techno and Balearic influence that's been on heavy rotation here for the past year and now available for all to feel.
All synths, programming, pianos, bass, percussion, dub mixing, editing & mixing by Lars Fischer.
Cover image courtesy of renowned German photographer - Thomas Bergner @thomas.bergner
Sleeve Design by Yasmin - Small Press @smallpressstudio
Final Mix and Mastering by Frank Mollena
Across the board five star reviews from those that received the very limited promo.
"Deep evocative and meditative modern dubtronica. Beautiful"
"A deep and truly mesmerising album, Love this"
"A fine late night mix of jazz / electronica / Detroit all rolled into one"
"Immersive soundscapes for the head, a very nice collection"
"Ooofffftttttt, this is lush, beautiful stuff!"
"Very nice indeed . Atmospheric dub magic"
"Nice Krautrock-balearic-psych all rolled into one with dubby elements"
"Super deep balearic dub leanings"
"Wow! Incredible work!"
"s u b l i m e !!!!!!"
"This is so good, really refreshing and sweet for the ears."
"Lovely dubbly"
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
1
Sewell & The Gong - Tonight We Fly
2
Sewell & The Gong - Passing Oort Clouds
3
Sewell & The Gong - The Stars In The Sky And The Stones In The Earth
4
Sewell & The Gong - Better Words
For BiD006 we're very pleased to announce that renowned Artist Matt Sewell has agreed to release his fledgling audio project, Sewell & The Gong on the label.
4 guitar led mystical meanderings and deep meditations of cosmic transcendental psychedelic folk.
Matt's acoustic guitar has been a fixture of his studio for many years, although nobody would ever of known as he kept it pretty much to himself.
Over the years he developed a self taught, repetitive, finger picked style in hushed tones to not bother anybody. Just a quiet little part of his studio practise, calming looping melodies.
Like his art, his music is very much inspired by nature, earth magic and cosmic wanderings. His 'A Crushing Glow' compilations are pretty much a defining list of inspirations.
Never heard by anybody outside of the family home that all changed after Matt started working with Newcastle based multi-instrumentalist, fellow pathfinder and astral traveler Chris Tate.
Combining forces Chris helped build a beautiful world for Matt's melodies to wander in, deep and lush and always, always positive.
It only feels right that this music now gets to stretch its legs in the outside world...>
mattsewell.co.uk
instagram.com/mattsewell
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
4 guitar led mystical meanderings and deep meditations of cosmic transcendental psychedelic folk.
Matt's acoustic guitar has been a fixture of his studio for many years, although nobody would ever of known as he kept it pretty much to himself.
Over the years he developed a self taught, repetitive, finger picked style in hushed tones to not bother anybody. Just a quiet little part of his studio practise, calming looping melodies.
Like his art, his music is very much inspired by nature, earth magic and cosmic wanderings. His 'A Crushing Glow' compilations are pretty much a defining list of inspirations.
Never heard by anybody outside of the family home that all changed after Matt started working with Newcastle based multi-instrumentalist, fellow pathfinder and astral traveler Chris Tate.
Combining forces Chris helped build a beautiful world for Matt's melodies to wander in, deep and lush and always, always positive.
It only feels right that this music now gets to stretch its legs in the outside world...>
mattsewell.co.uk
instagram.com/mattsewell
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
1
KONFORMER - Noris Noire
2
KONFORMER - Konformer
3
KONFORMER - Jazzy
4
KONFORMER - Reunion
5
KONFORMER - Noris Blance
Konformer are a band from Nuremberg in Germany.
Their members are;
Andreas Berg (Drums)
Kristian Krauß (Synthesizer)
Rainer Ruder (Bass)
Initially Konformer was not a project for the public, far away from expectations their sound was developed, with focus on only the essential, but that takes time.
The creation of their minimalist, rhythmic and repetitive groove patterns commence with bass loops and develop into modified strophic form.
Comparison with the likes of Early Kraftwerk and the output of cult German labels such as Brain and Sky are inevitable but Konformer sound a little bit like none of the above.
The record was produced and mastered by the 'Franconian Conny Plank' Frank Mollena at his Lonestar Studios in Nuremberg, Bavaria.
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
Their members are;
Andreas Berg (Drums)
Kristian Krauß (Synthesizer)
Rainer Ruder (Bass)
Initially Konformer was not a project for the public, far away from expectations their sound was developed, with focus on only the essential, but that takes time.
The creation of their minimalist, rhythmic and repetitive groove patterns commence with bass loops and develop into modified strophic form.
Comparison with the likes of Early Kraftwerk and the output of cult German labels such as Brain and Sky are inevitable but Konformer sound a little bit like none of the above.
The record was produced and mastered by the 'Franconian Conny Plank' Frank Mollena at his Lonestar Studios in Nuremberg, Bavaria.
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
1
Falk & Klou - U.F.O (Andi Hanley Rework)
2
Falk & Klou - U.F.O (Original Version)
U.F.O was one of the many highlights of the Swedish Library Grooves Vol 2 LP which was released in 2022.
These explorations of the mid-70's sounds of rare grooves and library music, were all reimagined, recorded and produced by a Swedish duo consisting of multi-instrumentalists Carl Johan Fogelklou and Fredrik Segerfalk aka Falk & Klou.
U.F.O was Jason Boardman's (Before I Die) go to psychedelic jazz-funk party starter so he approached the FK Library about a release on vinyl, with an expanded version.
BiD knew there was only one person for the role and were delighted when Andi Hanley (Misadventures/Nu Northern Soul/Ruf Kutz) accepted and consequently turned out a superb 7-and-a-half-minute psychedelic funk workout, expanding on the original arrangement and taking it to another cosmos.
Falk & Klou: Bass, Fender Rhodes, synthesizers, guitar, flute, percussion, vocals
Daniel Hanson Cederskr: Saxophones.
Jakob Gudmundsson: Trumpet and flugelhorn
Andreas Psson, Drums
Rework Andi Hanley
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
These explorations of the mid-70's sounds of rare grooves and library music, were all reimagined, recorded and produced by a Swedish duo consisting of multi-instrumentalists Carl Johan Fogelklou and Fredrik Segerfalk aka Falk & Klou.
U.F.O was Jason Boardman's (Before I Die) go to psychedelic jazz-funk party starter so he approached the FK Library about a release on vinyl, with an expanded version.
BiD knew there was only one person for the role and were delighted when Andi Hanley (Misadventures/Nu Northern Soul/Ruf Kutz) accepted and consequently turned out a superb 7-and-a-half-minute psychedelic funk workout, expanding on the original arrangement and taking it to another cosmos.
Falk & Klou: Bass, Fender Rhodes, synthesizers, guitar, flute, percussion, vocals
Daniel Hanson Cederskr: Saxophones.
Jakob Gudmundsson: Trumpet and flugelhorn
Andreas Psson, Drums
Rework Andi Hanley
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
1
Tungusku - Shorts Weather
2
Tungusku - Embers
3
Tungusku - Catch A Fly
4
Tungusku - Skywriting
5
Tungusku - Reverie
This is the first release from new micro label 'Before I Die' curated by Jason Boardman (Aficionado Recordings).
Tungusku are a guitar based instrumental project inspired by hypnotic grooves from around the world. The duo behind the band are Phil Ratcliffe (Guitar) and James Defty (Bass) who are longtime collaborators of Manchester live hip-hop collective The Mouse Outfit.
Influenced by artists such as Khruangbin, Skinshape and Tommy Guerrero, Tungusku explore a sonic landscape that takes in stoner soul, jazzy psychedelia and low-end beats.
The five tracks on the EP were released on digital format and subsequently came to Jasons attention who remastered and collated them for vinyl release on this edition.
Before I Die commissioned MMU graduate @deedoubleyoo to provide fine art direction for the first release to complete the package.
Call it Balearic, Jazz, Funk, Soul or whatever you like, this is an accomplished debut from emerging Mancunian artists highly aware of their direction of travel.
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
Tungusku are a guitar based instrumental project inspired by hypnotic grooves from around the world. The duo behind the band are Phil Ratcliffe (Guitar) and James Defty (Bass) who are longtime collaborators of Manchester live hip-hop collective The Mouse Outfit.
Influenced by artists such as Khruangbin, Skinshape and Tommy Guerrero, Tungusku explore a sonic landscape that takes in stoner soul, jazzy psychedelia and low-end beats.
The five tracks on the EP were released on digital format and subsequently came to Jasons attention who remastered and collated them for vinyl release on this edition.
Before I Die commissioned MMU graduate @deedoubleyoo to provide fine art direction for the first release to complete the package.
Call it Balearic, Jazz, Funk, Soul or whatever you like, this is an accomplished debut from emerging Mancunian artists highly aware of their direction of travel.
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
1
J-Walk - City Slicker
2
J-Walk - Hypercruiser
3
J-Walk - Underwarter Galaxy
4
J-Walk - A World Someplace
5
J-Walk - Winter Moon Rendezvous
6
J-Walk - Hologram Jam
7
J-Walk - Chill Bien
8
J-Walk - Equinox Desire
9
J-Walk - Fait Accompli
10
J-Walk - The Night Machine
Lovingly recorded at home in lockdown during 2020/21 by Martin 'Brew' Fisher and receiving a very limited cassette release in September 2021.
Mellotronique was on heavy rotation on Jason's Bluetooth speaker, Jason gave his Stockport based compatriot and friend a call to see if they could collaborate to do a vinyl release of the LP via Before I Die and a plan was agreed over tasty Noodle dishes at The Mekong Cat on Hillgate.
The LP is a collection of inspired pieces which wears its influences on its sleeve but is uniquely J-Walk, elements of Art Of Noise's bohemian electronica, 1980's Japanese video game cues, electro funk, street soul, slow motion disco and melodic synth jams all with the crisp percussion, meaty basslines and the spacious production Martin is renowned for.
As Martin states on the original release notes:
Someplace in the scheme of things, this world must touch another...a world where a mutant fantasy strange brew of street soul, electronic funk, slow motion disco and ambient rave can be found and heard, a place of perpetual twilight where the sun and the stars both shine bright...
For further information, please listen.
All songs written, arranged, produced and mixed by Martin Fisher
Martin Fisher: synthesizers, electric guitar and drum programming
Mastered by Joseph Reiser
Mastering coordination by Rik Walker
Artwork and design by Dylan Woodall.
"Great musicianship...it's all really excellent...sounds like a lost pen-friend from Lille who moved to the Pacific Ocean and sent back paintings..." (Mark Rae)
"Not many producers have been dropping lush laidback beats for as long or as reliably as J-Walk.
In his latest LP, cosmic soulfulness meets low gravity grooviness in this NASA approved synth soaked space station soundtrack.
One for all you space rangers" (The Slow Music Movement)
IF YOU LIKE THIS MAKE SURE TO ALSO CHECK BiD001!
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
Mellotronique was on heavy rotation on Jason's Bluetooth speaker, Jason gave his Stockport based compatriot and friend a call to see if they could collaborate to do a vinyl release of the LP via Before I Die and a plan was agreed over tasty Noodle dishes at The Mekong Cat on Hillgate.
The LP is a collection of inspired pieces which wears its influences on its sleeve but is uniquely J-Walk, elements of Art Of Noise's bohemian electronica, 1980's Japanese video game cues, electro funk, street soul, slow motion disco and melodic synth jams all with the crisp percussion, meaty basslines and the spacious production Martin is renowned for.
As Martin states on the original release notes:
Someplace in the scheme of things, this world must touch another...a world where a mutant fantasy strange brew of street soul, electronic funk, slow motion disco and ambient rave can be found and heard, a place of perpetual twilight where the sun and the stars both shine bright...
For further information, please listen.
All songs written, arranged, produced and mixed by Martin Fisher
Martin Fisher: synthesizers, electric guitar and drum programming
Mastered by Joseph Reiser
Mastering coordination by Rik Walker
Artwork and design by Dylan Woodall.
"Great musicianship...it's all really excellent...sounds like a lost pen-friend from Lille who moved to the Pacific Ocean and sent back paintings..." (Mark Rae)
"Not many producers have been dropping lush laidback beats for as long or as reliably as J-Walk.
In his latest LP, cosmic soulfulness meets low gravity grooviness in this NASA approved synth soaked space station soundtrack.
One for all you space rangers" (The Slow Music Movement)
IF YOU LIKE THIS MAKE SURE TO ALSO CHECK BiD001!
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