Starting in 2021 the critically acclaimed Next Wave Acid Punx series has seen Luca Venezia, aka Curses, celebrate the music that has shaped both his life and career. Across the first two compilations Luca took us from the industrial and post-punk sounds of the late 70s, through the emergence of EBM, new beat and freestyle in the 1980s and onto the music he both makes and plays himself in clubs today.



Tracklist

CD1

1. Cybex Factor - No Rock
2. Space Trax - Atomic Playboy (Beyond His Mind Mix)
3. Metropolis - Time Of War (A.C. Mix)
4. Megabeat - Jet Harris Tecno Dub (¿Sabe Ya Quien Mato A Laura Palmer?)
5. Robotiko Rejekto - Injection (Robotiko Part 2)
6. P II Syndicate - Diesmal Bist Du Ganz Allein
7. Model 500 - Testing 1-2
8. New Scene - Out Of Control (The Belgium Mix)
9. Age Of Love - The Age Of Love (New Age Mix)
10. Interactive - No Control (Radio Version)
11. Die Krupps & Nitzer Ebb - The Machineries Of Joy (True Work Mix)
12. Konzept - Human Transmission (Cybotron Mix 2)
13. Skila - Hypno Art (The Power Mix)

CD2

1. Perdí La Luz - Megadance
2. ROTCIV - The Sign
3. C.ru.z - No Hay Comunicación
4. Facets feat. Kasbaraine - Cold Blooded
5. Josh Ludlow - Hammer Town
6. Leona Jacewska - I Need Another Excuse
7. Church of Ajijik - Eppenepp
8. Digitalism - Into The Club
9. Phunkadelica & Dina Summer - Stars Align
10. Acid Washed & Ubu Noir - Brutal #1
11. Orion Agassi - Pacifier Away (Calm Mix)
12. Brixx & Stockholm Syndrome AU - T.S.C. Systems
13. A.M.Q.N. - Futuro Soldado
14. Gunce Aci feat. Avni Ertepe - Timeless
15. In Trance 95 - Last One to Die
16. Italo Deviance - Point Breeze
17. GOTT - Mirage

CD3

1. ESTADO DE BIENESTAR & Dark Vektor -
2. Curses - Crown Of Ruin
3. Iggor Cavalera & P.I.M. - Wrong III
4. Innershades - Neon Dreams
5. Kendal & Andi - Still Human
6. Sesto Senso - Danza Macabra
7. Tronik Youth - Hellfire
8. VELVET VELOUR - Night Bird
9. Radondo & Neu-Romancer - Moving On
10. Zaatar & Mike Sacchetti - Distant Memories
11. RAKANS - Mon Amour
12. Younger Than Me feat. Lourene - I Can't Relax
13. Javi Redondo - HALT [Process]
14. Primal Baby - Hurricane
15. Mala Ika & Tutto Vetro - E-ternal
16. Harlem Electronics - Au Chateau


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(Chapter 1 of 3 - 2LP including insert with liner notes) Starting in 2021 the critically acclaimed Next Wave Acid Punx series has seen Luca Venezia, aka Curses, celebrate the music that has shaped both his life and career. Across the first two compilations Luca took us from the industrial and post-punk sounds of the late 70s, through the emergence of EBM, new beat and freestyle in the 1980s and onto the music he both makes and plays himself in clubs today.



Tracklist

A1. Cybex Factor - No Rock
A2. Space Trax - Atomic Playboy (Beyond His Mind Mix)
A3. Metropolis - Time Of War (A.C. Mix)
B1. Megabeat - Jet Harris Tecno Dub (¿Sabe Ya Quien Mato A Laura Palmer?)
B2. Robotiko Rejekto - Injection (Robotiko Part 2)
B3. P II Syndicate - Diesmal Bist Du Ganz Allein
C1. Model 500 - Testing 1-2
C2. New Scene - Out Of Control (The Belgium Mix)
C3. Age Of Love - The Age Of Love (New Age Mix)
C4. Interactive - No Control (Radio Version)
D1. Die Krupps & Nitzer Ebb - The Machineries Of Joy (True Work Mix)
D2. Konzept - Human Transmission (Cybotron Mix 2)
D3. Skila - Hypno Art (The Power Mix)

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(Chapter 2 of 3 - 2LP including insert with liner notes) Starting in 2021 the critically acclaimed Next Wave Acid Punx series has seen Luca Venezia, aka Curses, celebrate the music that has shaped both his life and career. Across the first two compilations Luca took us from the industrial and post-punk sounds of the late 70s, through the emergence of EBM, new beat and freestyle in the 1980s and onto the music he both makes and plays himself in clubs today.

Tracklist

A1. Perdí La Luz - Megadance
A2. ROTCIV - The Sign
A3. C.ru.z - No Hay Comunicación
A4. Facets feat. Kasbaraine - Cold Blooded
B1. Digitalism - Into The Club
B2. Phunkadelica & Dina Summer - Stars Align
B3. Leona Jacewska - I Need Another Excuse
B4. Church of Ajijik - Eppenepp
B5. Acid Washed & Ubu Noir - Brutal #1
C1. Josh Ludlow - Hammer Town
C2. A.M.Q.N. - Futuro Soldado
C3. Brixx & Stockholm Syndrome AU - T.S.C. Systems
C4. Orion Agassi - Pacifier Away (Calm Mix)
D1. Gunce Aci feat. Avni Ertepe - Timeless
D2. In Trance 95 - Last One to Die
D3. Italo Deviance - Point Breeze
D4. GOTT - Mirage

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(Chapter 3 of 3 - 2LP including insert with liner notes) Starting in 2021 the critically acclaimed Next Wave Acid Punx series has seen Luca Venezia, aka Curses, celebrate the music that has shaped both his life and career. Across the first two compilations Luca took us from the industrial and post-punk sounds of the late 70s, through the emergence of EBM, new beat and freestyle in the 1980s and onto the music he both makes and plays himself in clubs today.

Tracklist

A1. ESTADO DE BIENESTAR & Dark Vektor -
A2. Curses - Crown Of Ruin
A3. Iggor Cavalera & P.I.M. - Wrong III
A4. Innershades - Neon Dreams
B1. Kendal & Andi - Still Human
B2. Javi Redondo - HALT [Process]
B3. Tronik Youth - Hellfire
B4. VELVET VELOUR - Night Bird
C1. Radondo & Neu-Romancer - Moving On
C2. Zaatar & Mike Sacchetti - Distant Memories
C3. RAKANS - Mon Amour
C4. Younger Than Me feat. Lourene - I Can't Relax
D1. Sesto Senso - Danza Macabra
D2. Mala Ika & Tutto Vetro - E-ternal
D3. Primal Baby - Hurricane
D4. Harlem Electronics - Au Chateau

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Limited 12" sampler for the forthcoming Curses compilation: As much musical memoir as compilation of often impossible-to-find tracks, 'Next Wave Acid Punx TROIS' has joined the dots between industrial, post punk and EBM from the 70s and 80s with the emerging rave scene of the 90s and proven that this spirit is still alive by unearthing some of the best unreleased dark disco, techno and electro produced today. Extended versions only!

Tracklist

A1. Curses - Crown Of Ruin (Extended Mix)
A2. Mala Ika & Tutto Vetro - E-ternal (Extended Mix)
B1. Metropolis - Time Of War (A.C. Mix)
B2. Interactive - No Control (Razor Mix)

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2LP including insert with liner notes. Chapter 2 out of 3. Including 13 unreleased tracks! With music from Boytronic, Years of Denial, Patriarchy, The KVB...'Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX' is a return to the dark romantic of the past, present and future. An undying passion for all things post-punk/wave/body music and beyond.


TRACKLISTING

A1. Boytronic - Voloczny *
A2. The KVB - Still Warm (2023 version)
A3. Cardinal & Nun - Freak And Weak *
A4. Jennifer Touch - Altars *
A5. Matrixxman - Assembly Line *

B1. Silver Tears - Always Shine (Wait For The Rain) *
B2. Essaie Pas - Retox
B3. Aili x Transistorcake - Dansu
B4. Years Of Denial - It Sucks



C1. Dina Summer - Darkness *
C2. Patriarchy - Suffer
C3. Maelstrom & Louisahhh - Hate Machine *
C4. Dame Area - Buon Cittadino *
C5. Kris Baha - Into The Dark

D1. Desire - Love Races On *
D2. Blind Delon feat. I Hate Models - Flashback *
D3. Poison Point - Altered Beats *
D4. Roe Deers - Muscles *



*previously unreleased


INFO

Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX is the second compilation for Eskimo Recordings compiled and curated by Berlin-based Musician and DJ Luca Venezia, aka Curses, to explore the darker side of club music. Spread across 3CDs and three 2LPs Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX features a mammoth 49 tracks that join the dots between early industrial pioneers Throbbing Gristle, EBM legends like Nitzer Ebb and the post-punk experiments of people like Malcolm McLaren and Big Audio Dynamite with some of the most exciting artists around today, such as Boy Harsher, Nuovo Testamento and Years of Denial.

Where the first Next Wave Acid Punx compilation was a personal journey for Luca, a lockdown inspired exploration of his record collection to find the thread that ran through the music that had soundtracked much of his life, DEUX is a celebration of that music let loose on the world, the thrill of music performed live, the smoke and strobe filled clubs you'll hear it in and the artists you'll find on those stages.

"After our enforced break, getting back out there and playing live again really brought home to me so much of what I love about the scene I'm in but also just how important live music has been and is to club culture over the years," Luca explains. "Too often we think of club nights and live gigs as these separate things, but throughout the years it's where the two meet, the friction that can cause, that you'll find the most vibrant scenes."

"There's an energy, an atmosphere that you get with live music, an unpredictability where at any moment something can go wrong or even better right in a way you never expect. I think about a live set we played at a Lebanese festival where our MPC drum machine froze up because of all the dust and sand trapped in the pads. We had to improvise half our set, jamming bass and guitar and pedal FX and vocals, embracing this surreal environment and experience, something that could only happen in the moment."

"With Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX I wanted to celebrate those bands and artists, past and present who, to me, represent that spirit. Both full live bands and makeshift electronic duos alike, the kind of acts that you might have found wedged between DJs back in the day at The Hacienda in the 80s, Trash in the 00s or today at nights like Berlin's MILK ME, EXBTN in Paris, Night Terrors + SC&P in London, New York City's Synthicide or Ukraine's Worn Pop.

So I've put this compilation together much like my favourite kind of night, going out to see some bands play, hitting up a club where live music and DJs blur together, before the serious business of the after party. On Chapter 1 you'll find bands like Vicious Pink, DAF and Cabaret Voltaire, some of these acts are more obscure than others, some flirted with pop and even the charts but they were all embracing new ways of working in the late 70s and 80s that both set them apart and set the scene for much of what we think of as club music.

Chapter 2 moves the night on, and this is the sound of the clubs I love to both play and just hang out in these days, clubs where the people involved put a lot more time into digging through the crates than working on their Instagram Reels. These are places where you're as likely to find a band on stage as you are a DJ, where 80's German electro pop by a band like Boytronic seamlessly flows into tracks like Silent Servant's Non Fiction. Timeless music that can be romantic, dreamlike and ethereal one moment, then veer into dark, industrial sounds the next.

Then finally we get to that part of the night where you probably should go home but if it's too late for good decisions there's still time for good music. Things are a bit wilder here, the drums a bit harder, the synths are more aggressive, tracks like The Hacker's Monopoly, Zanias' Tryptamine Palace or EVA's Industrial Hope that don't let up, don't let you go, just subjugate you to the beat and keep you there till you stumble out blinking into a new day."

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'Curses presents... Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX' is happening! Ahead of the full release in the fall we are excited to bring you this dj sampler as a taster. On this 12" you'll find two unreleased (!) Curses reworks of Nuovo Testamento and J.W.B. Hits TBeat originals that have been absolute highlights in his DJ sets lately, and two tracks by Mary Möör and Cabaret Voltaire that are taken from Curses' classics selection.


TRACKLISTING

A1. Nuovo Testamento - Heartbeat (Curses Remix)
A2. Mary Möör - Pretty Day
B1. J.W.B. Hits The Beat - Body On Body (Curses Revamp)
B2. Cabaret Voltaire - Blue Heat (12" Mix)


INFO

'Curses presents... Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX' is happening! Ahead of the full release in the fall we are excited to bring you this dj sampler as a taster. On this 12" you'll find two unreleased (!) Curses reworks of Nuovo Testamento and J.W.B. Hits The Beat originals that have been absolute highlights in his DJ sets lately, and two tracks by Mary Möör and Cabaret Voltaire that are taken from Curses' classics selection.

'Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX' is a return to the dark romantic of the past, present and future. An undying passion for all things post-punk/wave/body music and beyond.


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A new addition to our ever-growing discoid dance club is Curses. With recent releases on Snap Crackle & Pop, Bordello A Parigi and Dischi Autunno, the Italo American brings something a little darker to our party – four cuts of EBM influenced madness. Bone crunching snares and B-Movie samples sit atop shimmering synth licks that will be right at home on a wide variety of modern and retro dance-floors.

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London based club night and newly formed label Snap Crackle & Pop's third releases comes in the form of a dark take on new wave influenced techno from Berlin based New Yorker Curses. Side A kicks off with a hypnotic techno stomper Another View which playfully tips its hat to early electro albeit through a visor of coldwave inspired guitars. Together In The Dark delves into even darker territores with ice cold organs reaching for the light through the grinding ambient yet groovy undertones. On the B-side Inga Mauer ramps up the dancefloor tension with her machine like acid rework pulsating and crashing urgently Together In The Dark, whilst The Golden Filter turn out a low slung trip of brooding synths and haunting vocals before cascading down the rabbit hole in a swell of industrial motorik beats and percussive explosions in their take on Another View.


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If you've been even the most casual participant in or observer of the NYC dance music and club scene over the past decade, you've most definitely encountered Luca Venezia, a.k.a. Curses, who once was better known as Drop the Lime, a central figure in the Trouble & Bass crew. Where DTL was all stripped and chewed dubstep and grime, Curses is clearly of a house bent, albeit one that's been cut with plenty of heavy bass, breakbeat-leaning drums, and a frantic energy that one wouldn't find on classic Chicago 12”s. As a longtime friend and fellow New Yorker, it was only a matter of time until we came together for a record. The resultant EP—which is called Bark in the Dark and serves as a sort of unofficial companion to Curses' recent release on our sister label, Throne of Blood—is equal parts unabashed cheese, hands-in-the-air euphoria, and bone-chilling witchcraft. The title track is a tongue-in-cheek, sax-laden stomper that chugs along for nearly eight minutes, the first three of which tantalizingly build to what can only be described as a nasty drop. A remix by Glasgow's Naum Gabo (J.G. Wilkes of Optimo fame and James Savage, who released an EP on LPH in 2011) fills out the A-side. It's an explosive reimagination that seems to have been constructed from stems spiked with Rohypnol, acid, and a touch of ketamine. If Curses' O.G. rendering is Krusty the Clown, N.G.'s tweak is Sideshow Bob; an antagonistic, malicious, schizophrenic bundle bound by paranoid rage. The flip finds Curses shifting gears and exploring the dark corners of the smokey, strobe-sprinkled basement megaclub you might see him playing “Bark” in. “Eyes on You” is a creepy crawler, a house cut that's built around a slinky yet haunting keyboard line and drums that have so much swagger and punch to them that they seem drunk off their own confidence and assurance. “Need You” is a bit peppier and squarer, but not by much. In lieu of the Twilight Zone-lifted melodies in “Eyes,” there's a plethora of pads you'd be likely to find in choice Balearic tunes and beats that also feel straight out of the late 90s, but the whole thing is constructed and arranged with such cheer and given a bass-rooted modern spin that it's impossible to not shuffle along to it, start to finish.

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This year has been a time for Throne of Blood to stretch out a bit. Following a string of well-received singles exploring the quirkier corners of the dancefloor (DJ Chloe, Brioksi, Pleasure Planet, Bohemian Groove, PBR Streetgang) as well as Moon Rock a long-percolating exploration of modern ambient music, we're dropping a springtime megabomb aimed squarely at the big room. Luca Venezia aka Curses may be new to the Throne of Blood fam, but he's a familiar fixture in clubs around the globe and an ambassador for heavy bass thanks to the countless bangers he's released over the past decade or so on labels like Institubes, Marble, and his own Trouble & Bass imprint. Having shelved his long-running Drop the Lime project, Venezia certainly hasn't abandoned the dark menace that has become his sonic signature. Kicking things off, "Call the Doctor" focuses down to simple efficiency: digital sirens, pitched-down vocals, and tooth-rattling subs demonstrate that Curses hasn't forsaken his love for bass or the brutality his fans have come to expect. "String Static" combines big reverb and ominous atmospheres with a bounce sure to move the crowd. In keeping with the "not for the chillout room" theme, Curses asked his friend Riton (Ed Banger) to lend his inimitable touch to a remix of "Call the Doctor." Never one to err on the side of moderation or modesty, Riton takes Curses' banger to another level, upping the tempo and chopping vocals on top of frenzied crescendos. This one was definitely designed for the world's most massive dancefloors. "Pompopo" winds things down, complimenting Riton's rampage with a lengthy groover that's sure to become a secret weapon for savvy DJs.

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Remixes come from two heavyweights of their respective scenes. In a once-in-a-lifetime meeting of the super-exclamatory dance heros, DFA stars HOLY GHOST! fully actualize the disco potential of the song, turning it into an eight-minute workout, with Nancy Whang (LCD Soundsystem / Juan MacLean) providing additional vocals. Bart B More needs no introduction, the man is electro-house incarnate. All the requisite dancefloor-shattering moves And for a funkier take on turning the world upside down, check out his dub mix.

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"The electroclash genre sure has been having a bit of a renaissance moment. During its first coming an odd 25 years ago the French act Sweetlight was a favorite over here. Originally active between 2002 and 2010, they quickly positioned themselves within a refined strand of the global underground scene: inspired by 90s acid house club culture, they rose to prominence by releasing a sparse selection of original tracks and a multitude of remixes that were both dancefloor-effective and immediately recognizable. After the EPs stopped coming, the project seemed to have faded. But their tracks never left our bag: they combined minimalism with ambiguous elegance and retained a distinct, timeless quality, easily transcending the turn-of-the-century style they were most closely associated with. We are delighted, in what we consider nothing less than a full-circle moment, to release "Selected Recordings: 2004 - 2006" and shed light on an underrated yet, in our eyes, absolutely essential project. ALT022 is an anthology release featuring four extensive, remastered cuts. Abusator, arguably the act's hallmark track and a crossover hit, kicks off the EP. It is joined by Mecaniques Remontees, which opened the milestone Suck My Deck mix by Ivan Smagghe, and Too Shy, both initially part of the same EP back in 2004. Noir Comme Le Beat, an unreleased curiosity from the same era, closes the record. You will find dark, endless, ever-modulating arpeggiator basses, Detroit-via-Paris chord progressions, and spartan drums. The work is, in the artists' own words, low-profile, detail-oriented, and built for late hours. It's an ideal compilation or - depending on the case - introduction, especially now that new work is rumored to be finally on its way."

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On the 2024 Altered Circuits release Tropicana Tracks Rotterdam-based artist Betonkust paid tribute to the former subtropical pool (now a circular entrepreneurship hub) Tropicana of his hometown. ALT025 is the follow-up: the fallen-from-grace swimming paradise again fuels a club-oriented selection, inspired by, in the artist's words, "the electronic music from 1988 up until now", more specifically "the Benelux-sound". Tropicana Tracks Two kicks off in full gear with the zero swing drums and lately bass rhythms of Don't Think I'll Be Here Too Long setting the stage for intense synth stabs. Its counterpart comes by way of Realxing, which nonetheless uses similar patches. If the A1 is the thrill of the slides, this one feels like blissfully floating in the geothermally heated waters afterwards. Will Support on the reverse side takes on Detroit techno. Minimal in its composition, it is carried by tough, loopy minor fifth synth sections and prominently mixed rides. TV For Lonely People features more big bass catchiness and melancholic, silky melodies, glued together by vintage flanger treatment and chlorine-damp reverb. The production revels in what feels like the quintessential Betonkust sound. Innershades then joins for the encore, and, characteristically, the mood turns a bit darker. Letting Go Of The Dream is an emotional New Beat update, fully equipped with thudding drum works, haunting lo-fi vocals and pivotal 303 programming - a fitting reaffirmation of the long-standing ties between two of Low Countries Electronics's finest ambassadors.

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Over the past three decades, Philipp Lauer has produced an extensive body of work, deploying a myriad of aliases, both as a solo artist and as a part of collaborative projects. From his hardware-steeped Frankfurt studio Pyramide 2, he's built this catalogue through original material and remix commissions, taking on the full spectrum of electronic music while retaining an unmistakable signature. He combines a hands-on approach to rhythm and composition with a DIY MO and a love of big hooks. His level of expertise seems to facilitate a playfulness that subtly permeates all layers of his work. He's a pop melody natural who just so happens to love fiddling with synthesizers, drum machines, and effects an equal amount. All of these qualities are exemplified on "Embalmed In Martino": Lauer's four-track ode to the Belgian Martino sauce, a spicy tomato-based condiment, and arguably the essential ingredient to top off the namesake raw meat sandwich. On "Embalmed", which makes use of instrumentation that would fit right in on an early eighties Manchester cut, and "Martino", where a sturdy, electroclash flavored arp bass provides the stamina, a slew of big and small riffs easily work their way in, thirsting for our ears. On the other side, "Transactional" combines Miami basslines and similarly electro-fundamental twinkling synth work with a flanger-laced 4/4 beat, while "Don't You Know" features soaring synthwave patterns and the only vocal samples on the EP. Both sport rich arrangements as well, right down to the cowbell overdubs. Lauer's often lauded for his "summery sound". In this light ALT026 lands right on time - yet we might disagree here, as it's suited for all seasons, and all terrains, both the shiny festival grounds and the dim-lit club floors.

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"Late '80s and early '90s electronic music has had a steering influence on the Altered Circuits catalog curation, so we are delighted to present an EP by one of the pioneers of that era: Olivier Abbeloos. His 40 years of experience as a producer and DJ translate into a Discogs profile so extensive it reveals his real name alone can be (mis)spelled in 20 different ways. "1993-1994: Rare & Unreleased 1" features five tracks produced under three different aliases, all sourced from the artist's DAT tapes vault, dating back to the prolific two-year period referenced in its title. ALT024 opens with two "Conga Squad" tracks. "Combo" is a high-energy cut driven by a savory staccato chord progression, and "Substitute" works a similar, yet more restrained dynamic, that is, until a boisterous vocal sample enters. The quirky bass lines and moody synth work of "Under The Ground", the first "Holographic Hallucination" inclusion, concludes the A-side. Its twilight atmospherics fit right in amid the B-movie horror electro trending on contemporary dancefloors. The flip opens with "Psychosky", which caters slightly more to a slow-burner vibe and sets the stage for extensive piano work. "Dj Flavour", composed under the "Warp Factor One" alias, closes the EP. Here, the Latin-tinged percussion that runs as a subtle thread throughout the release takes the spotlight, while funky basslines and manipulated vocals add layers of detail. It is the only track on the EP that was already released in 1994, appearing as part of a - by the standards of that era - obscure and very limited 300-copy pressing. Those times sure have changed, but the music still sounds as fresh as ever."

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Three years after the release of Volume 1, Innershades returns to home turf with a second entry in his Heritage series. The New Beat territory that its predecessor tackled serves as the starting point for the A-side of Volume 2 as well. The glistening arpeggios and choir patches on "Mind State", alongside the unyielding kicks, alarm-like synth lines and plodding tempo of "System Breakdown," reaffirm how the genre's hallmarks smoothly align with the artist's own inclinations. The B-side draws from the broad spectrum of styles that emerged a bit later, in the beginning of the nineties, when it seemed the dance floor would move unimpeded between and bridge genres, its boundaries often not as firmly established. "Fuse Memory" nudges the pace forward, driven by the 909 and a staple hypnotic lead. When the drums come to a halt, a 303 emerges to flesh out the break. "Rhythm Composer" continues in a similar early techno vein, but pulls the track into outer space via its formant-heavy leads and Detroit-tinged sci-fi sweeps. On ALT023 Innershades appears in fine fettle, providing another batch of up-front club tracks that approach history as motion rather than memory, translating the past into forward momentum.

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"On its Various 2 compilation, Altered Circuits returns with a gripping four-track selection by an equal number of distinct-voiced artists. Perrax En La Calle sees tINI merge sturdy drums, arpeggiated basslines, and ominous synth work. She knows what makes the floor tick blindfolded, and keeps the energy high here, channelling electronic body music and Italo into a contemporary club knockout. Up next is Ionic, a fusion of quirky, pointillist hooks that play call and response, driven by 909 kicks and a sub pattern underneath. Mogwaa spellbinds, and often pulls the rug only to reveal more intricate melodic needlework -- it's done so nimbly and enticingly, there's no way not to get drawn in. On the flip side, rising talent Desiree Falessi joins with the peak time Scandal. Statically-charged basslines mesh with reverb-drenched percussion salvos, and as slinky pads and subtle theme variations emerge, the intensity builds toward a tipping point. Closer Flex features a sharp arpeggiated bassline that funnels through misty, LFO-steered synths, scattered alarm-like melodies, muffled vocals, and gated-reverb snares. When classic high-pass modulation intermezzos are introduced, Monile demonstrates how sparse means, when deployed precisely, can sustain considerable tension."

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"The twentieth Altered Circuits entry comes courtesy of Attack & Disperse, the moniker Cooper runs in parallel with his Reflex Blue project. It focuses on darker, deeper moods, with a hardware-based, imperfection-embracing approach--and sits on the axis of electro, Detroit techno, and progressive. DiscoNnect revolves around a murky, slightly unstable bass with strong sub presence and a thickly accented vocal sample. Distorted synth brass interludes enable the bare-bones sections to punch as hard as they do. Higher Places works with the same energy, but channels it in a bolder way thanks to its snappy palette. The tune is indebted to the after hours, yet carries enough crossover appeal to set off any club setting. On Power Of Overthink the current shifts somewhat toward the effervescent. Its flanged square lead is surrounded by fidgetty arps and acid squelches, and feels sturdy enough to carry a dozen tracks' weight. Closer Beat from E is a composition of IDM-inspired drum patterns laced with a brash mixture of samples - pitched-down vocals, vocoders, and scratch salvos all make their way in - and propelled by a fat MS20-type bass. Cooper has been on a steady tear with his sleekly balanced, club-oriented releases, and we are delighted he's now joined our catalog with The Second Contact EP."

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"The nineteenth entry in the Altered Circuits catalog comes courtesy of Alex Neri with a selection of 4 tracks that distill an equal amount of decades in the studio. They are undeniably straightforward yet difficult to pigeonhole. It is clear Neri is aware of current trends and, at times, might even throw them a little nod - but overall, his music escapes easy temporal classification. On the "Club Voyage EP", he aims at the brash and brazen yet keeps the pace lighthearted. When the results come buttressed with the type of technical prowess at hand, it is hard not to get sucked into the adventure. "Teller Mood", charged with a fierce bassline, boisterous drums and jittery arps, is a slab of electroshock production. The track comes complete with extra motivational vocals to drive the point home, and when it arrives at its most stripped parts, instead of toning down, an alarm-like lead emerges. "Schelter's Sounds" features an FM bass and gently modulated, slow-attack synth embellishments. It is a set-up that allows for catching a breath until a grandiosely introduced portamento-heavy patch cranks things up a notch again. On the other side, the delayed and flanged percussion of "Tenax Roots" forms the ideal conditions for ominous synth work and robotized vocals; a theme that could have been lifted from a giallo flick completes its suspenseful, hypnotic ambience. "Move Tokyo Inputs" starts with another salvo of invigorating percussion. Amidst subtly evolving formant basslines and several risers, the tune directs a tweaked deadpan vocal sample to take center stage, showcasing how, in the right hands, the sparsest source material can be turned into a showstopper."

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"Bordeaux-based emerging talent Salomee deals in menacing and moody atmospheres, drawing on a range of techno, electro, house, and the ill-lit corners in between. Hypnotizing and neon-tinged melodies drive her tracks: these are bare bones, high on repetition, and very compelling. They come backed by elaborate and agile drum rhythms, composed with a rawness that references the most seasoned inspirations. The Before Time Began EP sees the artist further develop her sangfroid aesthetics with four tracks that assuredly reach beyond bunkers and basements. On Sacred Gatherings, several entrancing, alternating arpeggios work up a spark against a backdrop of tightly choreographed kicks and SH101 patterns. When the cut rises to a peak, a salvo of vocal chops drops - a rare event in Salomee's discography, even though the samples are rearranged beyond recognition. Before Time Began utilizes a similar palette, but this time, an undercurrent of melancholy seems to propel the track. A leisurely modulated, dubby sub segment amplifies the theme. By The Sea combines dark bass sequences and strings as gloomy as a fog horn with vivid 909 drums. The highs of the lavishly programmed hats and claps and the intense lead provide a slug of energy. It is a rendition of trance, manipulating both the genre's and the artist's signifiers. On Love Prevails, a slowly filtered, heavily delayed lead is spread atop a Bristol techno style beat. An array of cinematographic chords and subtly mixed gasps inject this closing track with a precarious balance, one that explores the tension between yearning and relief."

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On his second EP for Altered Circuits, "Signal Drift", Jacopo Latini further distills his sound. Taking a more minimalist approach, he unreservedly treats the groove as the focal point. Still relying on his staple talent for weaving melodies and hooks, he delivers four trippy club tracks that show more can be done with less. Opener "Sharp" delivers immediate proof. After starting with a sequence of eerie sci-fi atmospherics and recondite vocoded vocals, the adding and subtracting happens so ingeniously, the track switches to club velocity 303 squelches and enhanced drum programming seamlessly. Similar techniques in building and layering are deployed on "Impulse", but this time, the shifts seem a tad more dramatic. The track revolves around an FM bass melody that's equally effective as it is simple, and its return to this stripped theme, surrounded by characteristic jittery hats, squashed claps, and a little more frills, keeps the listener on his toes. A bass patch, its sustain knob turned wide open, somewhat buried in the mix, drives "Bright Sound" together with a heavily modulated formant mid lead. Deadpan vocals add icing, and slightly euphoric, phased chords bring in a touch of subtle contrast. Closer "Rave Harvey" is a rare diversion as it starts in medias res with chords that reconfigure nineties trance and a distinct bassline immediately going for the limelight. It also shows Latini switching up his palette, trading restraint for vigor, with a slab of direct, unfiltered hi-energy as a result.

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"After a first appearance on the "Various 1" EP, Oshana now makes her full release debut on Altered Circuits. The "Origins EP" is, in the artist's words, a collection of old-meets-new four-to-the-floor club flavours. Originating from her live set practice, it's a proper representation of where she's currently at: making a push for the bigger and bolder. Her obvious talent for meticulously stacking textures doesn't stop her from shifting to the stripped-back and straightforward when needed. The constant throughout is a sensibility for the dancefloor, which never lets anything get in the way of groove and rhythm. "Above We Soar" drops right into the action with a menacing bassline and equally gloomy synthesizer layering. The cut's gothic-black palette works a charm merging palpable tension with restraint. It builds for 4 minutes towards a drop - and then a slamming acid line succeeds in cranking the energy even up another notch. "Space And Time Dimensions" is a loopy roller which, by the sound of its reverb levels and ambient noises, might have been recorded at a missile silo. The stretched vocal samples and ever-evolving drums propel it forward in a vintage, Chicago house type way. There's a moment of calm when those briefly fall away; one of its quirky basslines subsequently makes room for a slick little polyrhythm sine, and everything clicks even more. On the other side, "Girls In The Front" doesn't loosen the reins either, as hefty kicks and another sturdy bassline immediately set the tone. The air appears charged with static electricity, and Oshana's way of niftily adding and subtracting seamlessly draws the listener into a groovy trip. 5 minutes fly by, and then the lead still has to emerge. The one that eventually comes in is huge and hypnotic. Topped off with a selection of vocals that burst with impatience, the track hints at the anthemic. Closer "Origins" taps into a more progressive and trance side with its modulated formant bassline, jittery arpeggiator lead and heavily flanged flourishes. A gust of electronic flutes and sleek chords take a turn for the - almost - idyllic. Not for long: not uncharacteristically, it switches back to the main beat and back into more ambiguous yet familiar territory."

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"For ALT015, we welcome the fabled DMX Krew for a second time. The Space Is Inside EP accurately reflects the artist's multiple decennia in the studio, shaping his aesthetics on the axis of electro, techno and synthpop. On Vicious Windows, a distinct lead pierces through the ominous, unison-drenched synths stabs and square waves. As the track progresses, we are kept on our toes by drum fills that sound like hydraulic valves releasing pressure and subtle detune slider fiddling. The hot and sweaty Bass box combines zap-like bass patterns with even more jittery synth work, while the titular woofer addresses us in a vocoder voice. Warm Places echoes Dutch West Coast, and although concise, sufficient melody and modulated drums are snuck in to immediately reveal the artist's hand. On Space Is Inside dark chords interplay with a wistful FM bass melody. Subtle bursts of synth sparkle keep everything rooted in silky melancholy. While the strings on Mental Disturbance are also gloomy, the lead is more frantic. The 303's modulation is constant, and slowly flanged snare drums try their best keeping it in line. Closer Tunnel Beneath Precinct 11 sure doesn't tone down either. The spooky, reverb-laden synth work collides with a dark, catchy bass, its cutoff and resonance knobs never left untouched. It closes down an EP of machine funk that covers a lot yet manages to shape into a satisfyingly cohesive arc."

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For ALT014, Altered Circuits presents its first Various Artists release. In addition to the label's co-founder, three friends of the label appear on this heterogeneous, club-oriented 12". "Portal", with its breakbeat layered drum section and spartan bass hook, sounds like classic Innershades from the start. When the angular leads and slowly phased, ominous chords hit, we are reminded of the artist's fondness for the new beat genre and his ability to translate its tropes and conventions to the present. On "Show You Love", Mr. Ho combines skippy two-step drums with an MS20 type of flat bass. After introducing a one-bar mid-bass arpeggiator, gently swelling pads, leisurely spread side riffs and reverb-drenched musings join, calibrating the vibe to lush and groovy. On the other side, Oshana treats groove as the focal point with her "Hey Kiss Kiss" contribution. Over its 6-minute course, the snappy 909 kick rarely relents while a bunch of often short, many a time looped sequences emerge and disappear, unfolding a hypnotic tapestry of textures. Rising talent Salom?e closes the VA with "Late Night Summer", a track capable of setting the floor in motion at any moment. It revolves around a portamento-heavy, neon-tinged lead that lingers long after the track ends and a sturdy, efficient one-note bass pulse.

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Repress!
New label by Innershades, presenting banging house tracks with a raw edge!

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After recent explorations into ambient and pop under his full name, Sacha Renkas switches back to his Antenna moniker for ALT013. The Kiev-born, longtime Rotterdam-based artist uses a rough-around-the-edges, hiss-laden palette to construct his intricate, pensive club tracks. Often recording on the fly, he embraces the limitations and quirks of the hardware he works with, curating the happy accidents that come with them and that help make his music feel as alive as it does. It is emotional and imaginative in spirit, yet raw, almost instinctive in its rendering. Renkas cites the new wave and synth-pop from his youth and the sounds coming from Chicago and Detroit, as well as the Dutch West Coast he encountered later on, as inspirations. The sensitivity and hands-on approach associated with these are also tenets throughout his work. The "Another Wave EP," a selection of tracks created over nearly a decade, further substantiates this approach. Made on multiple MPCs, Juno synthesizers, and an Akai S900, and mixed on a Mackie 16-channel mixer, it blends, among others, elements of first-wave techno and European proto-trance. Opener "Alisa" stacks angular sine melodies and formant basslines one upon another yet flows like silk, its balance immaculately kept in check. On "Everyone M1," the bass organ patch from which the track derives its title finds itself amidst a lo-fi flux of capricious arpeggiators, ethereal pads, and decocted drums. "Another Wave" is a carefully sculpted slow burner, collected in its unfolding. Wisps of melody, gated pads, and whisper seem to wind between its drum patterns; the tension looming beneath this patchwork never entirely reveals itself. "Quasar" blends signature dramatic chords and off-rhythm bells with a creeping acid bassline and more kaleidoscopic drum patterns. It closes an EP distilled in its form, confident in its intent, and nowhere too bothered by genre boundaries or other formal constraints.

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Two years after the release of the Polarius EP Inner Voices Of A Clown, Danny Wolfers returns to Altered Circuits, this time under his best-known alias Legowelt, for Ruins Of Cracktopolis: a collection of "hymns to survive the dystopian circus of today's techno scene" in the artist's own words. On Do You Know Who You Never Be, a short staccato lead and dark chords revolve around a monolithic kick drum pattern that takes care of the cadence and bass. A mysterious vocoder and a laser sequence that gets torn and twisted to the max join, but the track never loses its steady pace - it gets help from shakers so much mixed to the front they could be lifted from a B'more track. Amidst the effervescing 303 lines and bold drum sequences of In A Trance Dance All Night" Wolfers finds a canvas for a stretched synthesizer jam with eighties breaking allure. This melody, together with the pads and vocal, are drenched in reverb - they float like mist ascending from the The Hague dunes. Throughout Ruins Of Cracktopolis, more vintage Dutch West Coast, the hiss-laden broken beat that guides the bass sequences and ominous blippy synth patterns switches to a 4/4 structure and back. These make for captivating shifts in pace while the minor progressions continue unfolding. Like Twin Peaks targets prime energy once the arpeggiator sequence present from the start lowers an octave. The track runs smooth like a pomade slick-back; it's only tempered slightly when the crunchy kick and tom change place for a moody chord sequence break. Even if these four tracks target the club, they are equally suited for - quoting Wolfers again - "leisurely home listening". Their greatest strengths are, as so often, their melodic aspects. The artist is known to be a synthesizer aficionado, but his unique personal touch immediately shines through no matter which gear he works with. The machines never seem to dominate the composing process; quite the opposite: it's as if he isn't programming or registering as much as trying to teach them his take on electronic music.

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B.AI has been quickly rising to prominence within contemporary electronic music, and, arguably, one of her most enticing feats is her ability to make the minimal, electro and tech house genres she navigates her own by injecting them with a unique sense of melody. On "The Best EP", the Chengdu based artist shows she can not only write memorable hooks but can do so while covering a broad array of registers. "Nightdreaming" is a moody builder: although new, sturdily patched layers keep being introduced and the pace never slows down, a sense of restraint remains. This atmosphere quickly changes on "Satisfy", which, with its tapestry of indeterminate arpeggios and EBM-evoking vocals, takes a nervous turn. "The Best" on the B-side is a slab of vigor tailored for the peak time. Set to an effective bass groove, modulated chords, white noise sweeps, delicately mixed moans and bright pads nearly trip one over another. On "Crash Landing On Nimas" B.AI , together with Diego Santana, unleashes a batch of detuned and portamento heavy square wave patterns. The EP, diverse yet balanced, ends on a note so ominous... the contrast with how bright we imagine the future for this maverick talent could not be starker.

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Repress from Innershades & Betonkust's 2018 NEW BEAT superhit Forever In Boccaccio! Comes fully remastered and in a new sleeve. Limited to 300 copies.

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Welcome to Volume 8 of the Mr Bongo Record Club series, our in-house curated compilations that give us a chance to share some of our favourite tracks, hard-fought finds, and unsung gems. These are tracks that have been inspiring us at home, in the office, while DJing, and on the dancefloor.

In the cross-genre spirit of the series, for Volume 8 we have selected music from the worlds of soul, boogie, disco-reggae, jazz-funk, and Latin, with a hefty chunk of beloved Brazilian music. Pulling these compilations together is always a highlight of our year, and eight volumes in, we feel this is one of our strongest to date.

The album’s journey begins with a heartfelt epic by As Ganhadeiras de Itapuã, from the Bahian town of Itapuã. It’s an area of Brazil that holds a special place in David ‘Mr Bongo’ Buttle’s heart, and where he first met our dear friend, Luciano Rodrigues Dos Santos, to whose memory this compilation is dedicated to.

Staying in Northern Brazil, next up is a contemporary dancefloor gem by Ubunto, a DJ and producer from Salvador, which also features As Ganhadeiras de Itapuã. The raw, dusty, punchy sounds of zabumba drummer Castanheiro and the furious guitar-heavy dancer by Tyaraju & Dutra are just two more examples of the Brazilian beauties included on the compilation.

There is also a heavy dose of soul music on this volume. The Canadian-gospel sounds of Trevor Dandy, a modern-soul rarity by Wil Collins & Willpower (which has been on our list for years), and a soul-stepper masterpiece by Tommy McGee, are just a handful of the highlights. Not stopping there, we are incredibly proud to present an exclusive rework of The Sylvers' ‘Wish That I Could Talk To You’ by the legendary Kenny Dope. Kenny has excelled himself with this one, fattening up the drums while bringing more drama to the horns and strings. The song now feels more contemporary yet still stays true to its roots. Complete genius!

Elsewhere on the compilation, you’ll find a cosmic reggae-not-reggae disco oddity by Tapper Zukie, a South African jazz-funk-disco groover by Mac Mathunjwa, a sought-after Brazilian compacto by Eduardo Araújo, and a Brit-funk / boogie treasure by Powerline.

Traversing time, genre, and location, all the tracks on Volume 8 are favourites for their own unique reasons. Music will forever be a constant source of comfort, able to affect you deeply in the most meaningful ways. It’s the gift that keeps giving, and there is so much more to learn, discover, and share, both old and new.

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