LP, 180G

Tracklist vinyl :

A1 JD kst
A2 tor un
A3 ufx33
A4 wolod
B1 bemo1
B2 arpszym
B3 DIM machine

The sun, kissing the forehead through half-closed blinds; the night, coming uninvited through a
windowpane like a damp, sticky shroud. Light and darkness, solid foundations and elusive glimpses
of parallel realities. Armies of digital insects - taken aback by warmth of one brave heart, 90s chillout
rooms updated for todays vast and desolated space full of fragile souls desperate in their look for
any kind of communion; “artificial intelligence” after three decades of wandering, trying to finally
find a helping hand, solace and peace. Shimmer and shine. Welcome to “Pristine”, a new recording
from the mind of Jacek Sienkiewicz.
For the past years Jacek has been escaping his image of relentless producer and performer of
driving, multi-layered club music. His most recent works include deep ambient records, abstract
electro-acoustic experiments, and super smart, stripped-down yet incredibly complex
contemporary electronica. The last few records, mostly on his own label Recognition include albums
with Max Loderbauer and Atom™, reinterpretations of works by Bogdan Mazurek of the legendary
Polish Radio Experimental Studio, scores for radio plays and last year’s massively overlooked
“Krasz”, music for theatrical performance of Ballard’s/Cronenberg’s “Crash”.
“Pristine”, a labour of love, is at times abstract and atonal, at times breathtakingly beautiful and
tender.

8 tracks written and performed in Jacek’s unmistakable, singular style, and covering many grounds -
abstract, electronic forms, neo-classical wonders, super tight compositions and freeform, jazz-like
improvisations and stripped-down rhythms. Different moods, machine-translated and reverseengineered in a variety of recording locations, make up this exceptional record.
Shimmer and shine, immerse and enjoy.

Co-Financed By The Minister Of Culture And National Heritage of Poland.
The project has been implemented in co-production with Recognition Records and the National Centre for
Culture of Poland More

Tracklist 12":

A. LIGHTIN
B. TRAKER


Short Info:


Most recently Jacek Sienkiewicz had been mainly preoccupied with with experimental music - his explorations of outer limits of sound resulted in 3 albums released already in 2019, with two more to follow by the end of the year. So, It was good and perhaps refreshing to hear his surprising return to the dancefloor with "Lightin", an unexpected Summer afterparty anthem released digitally in June. By popular demand, it's now released on vinyl in its full, 11+ minutes glory. Lightweight, gentle and tuneful, propelled by a syncopated rhythm, it rolls like a steam engine taking you to your favourite holiday destination. Side B brings us another new track - "Tracker" is definitely built for clubs and designed for peak time moments, be it in a cramped, dark basement or a big room at a festival. This EP is Jacek's first new club-oriented record on his Recognition label since 2016's "Hideland" - and a teaser for an all-new album, due next year.
More

- Limited vinyl only release
- Including postcard with download code for another new album from Jacek Sienkiewicz.
!
IMOW, or “In My Own Wave” - Atmospheric, cinematic, stirring and utterly engaging, this is surely Sienkiewicz’s most personal work to date and very possibly his best!

Tracklist:
A1 short film
A2 prayers
A3 superior
A4 no8
B1 IMOW
B2 museum
B3 flock
B4 me

Info:
IMOW, or “In My Own Wave” is a moody record. Although overtly experimental in form, it’s quite different
to Sienkiewicz’s abstract, improvisational albums recorded with Max Loderbauer or AtomTM.
Clocking in only 35 minutes and comprising of eight tracks, “IMOW” is several years of work distilled
into a dense, concise whole.
Atmospheric, cinematic, stirring and utterly engaging, this is surely Sienkiewicz’s most personal work
to date and very possibly his best: his constant struggle to find a perfect balance of flesh and machine,
or to translate human emotions to sound by means of a modern studio is manifested here in its purest,
most consistent and, surprisingly, very accessible form. From subtle drones, through chants and
rhythms echoing in mountainous chambers, to innumerable insect-like sounds and tiny details, it’s an
encephalogram recorded to tape (or disk). With all its complexity, it’s not overwhelming: the meticulously
constructed compositions leave both space for the sounds to breathe, and for the listener to
fully experience it, without being bored, tired, wishing for less or being hungry for more. And there’s
beauty in this record, and hope - in the world of overpowering darkness and constant noise “IMOW”
feels like a peaceful trip into the untouched nature with all its wonders - offering in equal parts rest,
strength and inspiration. More

Tracklist:
A SU17
B1 Mustang
B2 Mustang (Tobias. Remix)
Info:
Time for a little Recognition… Pets welcome a true Polish techno founding father to the fold: Jacek Sienkiewicz.
DJ since the early 90s, producer since the late 90s and one of the earliest artists to stamp their country down on the techno map; Jacek was one of the first Polish producers to be signed by the likes of Trapez, Cocoon and Klang and laid down the foundations for the likes of Pets founders Catz N Dogz several years later when they emerged as 3 Channels. OG status confirmed, he’s remained just as consistent as he is influential. This single is proof: ‘SU17’ is a bubbling sine cauldron that starts with a simmer but builds to a boil with its ever-morphing, lava-like flow. Expert drum momentum and sudden layers of instrumental help to create a fluid three-track-in-one experience that spellbinds you crowd for the entire eight minutes without realising.
‘Mustang’ is a cascading synth odyssey that gently rises and falls like an Escher looped staircase. Gradually building in momentum with more of Jacek’s signature hypnosis flare, it’s not until the drums double up with an almost live-style visceral feel that you realise just how high Jacek’s taken you. It
comes complete with a star-lit switch from Berlin’s serial innovator Tobias, where the synths are deftly refocused and a whole layer of orchestral delight are layered within. The perfect way to follow up last summer’s reissue of his 2002 track ‘Case Filter’ on ‘Friends Of Pets Part 3’, Jacek and Pets feedback loop of roots, inspiration and future is beginning to warm up… More

Tracklist:
1.untitled pc 2.step! 3.2000X 4.rekognize u 5.overlooked 6.george 7.neja 8.ky lie 9. dziunia 10.mm 95 (sad) 11. down at heel 12. ost at ni
Info:
Recognition opens up its archives and invites to a futuristic sentimental journey with respective stages set by the “9702”. Album contains a set of varied tracks recorded within five years after Warsaw label's launch and its first release. Extended compositions and short improvised sound notes resemble eccentric propositions of such labels as (early) Warp or Rephlex, standing next to melancholy-saturated minimalistic techno and abstract collage structures which prove out to share many characteristics of clicks'n'cuts movement of the second half of the 1990’s. Usage of human voice samples is an outstanding feature of many of these archive materials. Entirety of mastered-anew content encompassing both records, contains all principal trademarks which distinguish Jacek Sienkiewicz's creations and his label Recognition - utmost care about depth of sound sphere, experimental inclinations and focus on complex motoric aspect of the rhythmical base. This collection of music from Recognition's first five years, surprising for its freshness and sheer impetus, is a must for all fans of Jacek Sienkiewicz and Polish electronic music of the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. In connection with publication of yet-unheard tracks, Jacek shares another slice of yet-unknown artistic vision, connecting sound with other media such as image, light and movement. RECOGNITION XX - audio-video performance - comes out in summer as a result of this retrospective look. More

Tracklist / EP:
A1. 140bpm
A2. part of 9
B1. galop
B2. dewild99
Info:
Recognition opens up its archives and invites to a futuristic sentimental journey with respective stages set by the records 9702 (CD version) and 9799 (four exclusive tracks on a vinyl EP). Four tracks from single come from the time of Jacek Sienkiewicz's first record (Recognition CD). These earliest recordings openly refer to a formula and rhythmical density of Detroit Techno, although end result of this confrontation turns out to be surprisingly "separate" and individualistic. In turn, 9702 album contains a set of varied tracks recorded withing five years after Warsaw label's launch and its first release. Extended compositions and short improvised sound notes resemble eccentric propositions of such labels as (early) Warp or Rephlex, standing next to melancholy-saturated minimalistic techno and abstract collage structures which prove out to share many characteristics of clicks'n'cuts movement of the second half of the 1990s. Usage of human voice samples is an outstanding feature of many of these archive materials. Entirety of mastered-anew content encompassing both records, contains all principal trademarks which distinguish Jacek Sienkiewicz's creations an his label Recognition - utmost care about depth of sound sphere, experimental inclinations and focus on complex motoric aspect of the rhythmical base. This collection of music from Recognition's first five years, surprising for its freshness and sheer impetus, is a must for all fans of Jacek Sienkiewicz and Polish electronic music of the turn of the 20th and 21st centuries. In connection with publication of yet-unheard tracks, Jacek shares another slice of yet-unknown artistic vision, connecting sound with other media such as image, light and movement. RECOGNITION XX - audio-video performance - comes out in summer as a result of this retrospective look.
More

Tracklist:
1/a1. hide away 2/a2. first run 3/b1. desert plan 4/b2. kingdom of lo 5/c1. hideland 6/c2. gone 7/d1. radionist 8/d2. last run

Info:
Sound and rhythm are effective means of individual’s self-defence in face of chaotic steamroller of everyday life. Hiding in a familiar yet simultaneously hardly recognisable parallel space does not have to result from the need of escaping the world or nurturing one’s ego. Too many times to mention, music appearing under Recognition imprint served as a peculiar type of a vehicle of survival and a tool for internal transformation.
“Hideland”, new record by Polish electronic music producer Jacek Sienkiewicz is released precisely year after “Drifting”, which largely explored tropes of classical club techno sound. Eight (nine in extended CD version) tracks comprising this album go beyond easy-to-pigeonhole genres, creating a microcosm of utopian sound constructs. Surprisingly unobvious and precisely composed release could be fascinating both for loyal fans and for new listeners looking for threads of experimentalism. It’s another intriguing proposal in Jacek Sienkiewicz’s growing discography, but above all - a laboratory where dreams and artistic visions metamorphose into concrete reality.
www.recognition.pl
More

Tracklist:
1/a1. hide away
2/a2. first run
3/b1. desert plan
4/b2. kingdom of lo
5/c1. hideland
6/c2. gone
7/d1. radionist
8/d2. last run
9. Summer 2016 (CD only)
Info:
Sound and rhythm are effective means of individual’s self-defence in face of chaotic steamroller of everyday life. Hiding in a familiar yet simultaneously hardly recognisable parallel space does not have to result from the need of escaping the world or nurturing one’s ego. Too many times to mention, music appearing under Recognition imprint served as a peculiar type of a vehicle of survival and a tool for internal transformation.
“Hideland”, new record by Polish electronic music producer Jacek Sienkiewicz is released precisely year after “Drifting”, which largely explored tropes of classical club techno sound. Eight (nine in extended CD version) tracks comprising this album go beyond easy-to-pigeonhole genres, creating a microcosm of utopian sound constructs. Surprisingly unobvious and precisely composed release could be fascinating both for loyal fans and for new listeners looking for threads of experimentalism. It’s another intriguing proposal in Jacek Sienkiewicz’s growing discography, but above all - a laboratory where dreams and artistic visions metamorphose into concrete reality. More

tracklist:
A1: INST1 A2: INST2 B1: INST3 B2: INST4
Info:
Instynkt - highly anticipated record released by highly unanticipated duo of two labels Bocian (whose repertoire stretches from freeform noise to
improvised jazz) and Recognition (known for state-of-the-art modern techno sound). Four new tracks by Jacek Sienkiewicz appear both as essence and
antithesis of artist's earlier work, instead confronting listener with hardly categorisable and puzzling form. You can still manage to hear echoes of
electronic music masters (from Autechre to Xenakis) in this material, but Instynkt functions as an autonomous entity, or a sound event provoking
questions rather than attempting to answer them. This proposal, very distinct and floating beyond today's tendencies, will undoubtedly worry pessimists
shedding their tears over end-of-all-aesthetics and music losing its magical aura. It is also quite likely to awaken a need for further exploration in all
listeners open enough - and daring enough.
all tracks by jacek sienkiewicz / recorded at recognition hq / warsaw / 2014 More

The new Jacek Scienkiewicz CD Album.

Tracklist CD: 1. Stand Up 2. 130mm 3. 230km 4. Drifting 5. Vagrant Blues 6. No Matter What 7. Mistrz 8. Free Float 9. Sunsetstorm 10. Suppress Your Pressure

Short Info:

Jacek Sienkiewicz is back. “Drifting” is the artist's 5th full-length release and the second one on his Warsaw-based label Recognition since 1999. His records were played and strongly supported by
renowned artists such as Sven Väth and Richie Hawtin; legendary producers like Ricardo Villalobos, Uwe Schmidt and recently, Max Loderbauer collaborated with Jacek. “Drifting” takes its listener on a complex but still accessible journey to a state-of-the-art Techno territory where Carl Craig melodies coexist with stark minimalism of Robert Hood, but they serve only as entry points for further exploration. There is no doubt - Sienkiewicz knows all of his roots yet he
creates signature sound that results from his highly original approach to modern electronic music production. His new album can be seen as a personal diary that Sienkiewicz uses to invite all listeners, no matter what their listening preferences might be, for a deep and unique ride. Constant drift and dislocation creates imaginary landscapes of future unknown. It is a surprise gift in the times of market flood with predictable releases and tasteless hype.
Above all, this album comes both from the soul and the brain and it shouldn't be missed. Every listen is a different adventure. Enjoy.

More

2022 Repress

Tracklist:

A1 Doobiest
A2 The Story About You
B1 Neither One
B2 You
C1 Raw Like 97
C2 I Wanna
D1 Untitled
D2 Valentine

Release Info:
Only once in a while you would enter the real magic of House Music. How rare are those club nights, festivals, releases or tracks you get totally mesmerised, you feel like something changed. You want to take home that one party, the sound or a special moment to keep it forever. With Moomin's "The Story About You" we discover exactly this kind of experience. It is an album of uniqueness and transcendence, like a meteorite touching the ground of your own private garden. Sebastian Genz aka Moomin never intended to reinvent House Music as his productions come from the heart and are related to the lovely people's dancefloor. That's what gorgeous parties and releases of the White Label around Oskar Offermann and the Smallville imprint taught him: Real House Music is only possible within a soulful surrounding. Motivated and heartful so-called promoters but more friends and labelmates meet a sweet and open crowd to create their own little universe. With that inspiration Moomin is able to built an enchanting sound and wonderful tracks, stories for lovely people, "The Story About You". What we love about instrumental House Music is that reduction of groove and loop to the essential. A hypnotic theme that could last forever, giving a night its colour and deepness. The secret is not only his skills on quite an enormeous selection of vintage analogue machines, wether it is the holy Roland instruments Tr 606, 808, 909, the Roland Alpha Juno, an SP 1200 or a Korg Poly 61. The addiction of the musician for producing itself keeps Sebastian Genz playing the machines every day and night. After Moomin's releases on Berlin based labels White and Aim, it was just a tiny step to have a first 12inch on Smallville (cat.no. 26), as the friendship and exchange between those imprints has quite a history. The Smallpeople aka Just von Ahlefeld and Julius Steinhoff and labelmate Lawrence immediately fell in love with those tracks. The idea of an debut album was born- touching, moving and deep like the ocean.
More

2022 Repress of a classic!

Tracklist:
A Silent State
B1 Six In A Row
B2 From A Distance


Release Info:
Stefan Laubner runs one of the most exciting and inspirational Labels touching the Deep Minimalistic Underground since quite a while: SOMETHING.
Why has the music of STL been played besides the tracks of Theo Parrish, Sascha Dive and the new Toolhouse movement, Jus-Ed or within the vibes of Cadenza- why do his tracks fit for such a wide range of DJs? The answer is simple- Stefan Laubner's music is completely unique, free of selfishness and trend-search, deep and touching- and it hits the floor.
After Releases on Perlon, Styrax and his own Something imprint, we are proud to announce another collection of brillant STL works on Smallville. The number 12 goes out to all the deepsters who still kick the dancefloor with the A-side. For those who like it fast forward and bumpy- two techy low tracks on the bside will catch you up!

All Tracks w&p by Stephan Laubner
Mastering: Dubplates & Mastering
Cover Artwork: Stefan Marx


More

Tracklist:
A1 Inside The Freero Dome
B1 The System Is...
B2 Swarm Robot Love

Release Info:
The first ever solo-Move D 12” on Smallville – can you believe? After various appearances together with friends - as Move D & Benjamin Brunn of course, but also as part of french-german-taiwanese supercrew L'Amour Fou, this record is all solo-Move D material! David takes you right on the dancefloor of the infamous Dome of Freerotation Festival in Baskerville Hall, UK. You might have heard of the friendliest music gathering in Europe that is Freerotation- close your eyes and listen- the A-side will sweeten y'alls wait for the next edition of the festival in 2022.

On the B-side you will find hypnotic lockdown-grooves in irresistible Move D style to dance along to plus some searious B2-sweetness to meander home in the early monrning hours..

Full Cover Artwork Edition by Stefan Marx.

All tracks w&p by David Moufang
Mastering by Helmut Erler
Vinyl cut by Dubplates & Mastering
Artwork by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound More

Tracklist:
Christopher Rau is back in the house of Smallville. Four irresistible cuts, the keys
to outer-worlds. Driving, yet playful. Sweet, yet haunting. There is only one who
can do it like this. Make sure to lock the door and get lost.
Comes with a full cover artwork by Stefan Marx.

Tracklist:
A1 Who Am I
A2 The Keys
B1 Slu Terms
B2 Beamer

All tracks written & produced by Christopher Rau
Mastering & Vinyl Cut by Helmut Erler, Dubplates & Mastering
Artwork by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound More

Tracklist:
A1 Frantzvaag - Fredens
A2 Nightseajourney – Lonnie's Condition
B1 Margaux – Water On Mars
B2 Qnete – A New Beginning Ending

Release Info:
We are thrilled to present a bunch of of exciting newbies at the Smallville camp, 4 tracks that heat up the Smallpeople sets for quite a while now.
On the A1 it's Frantzvaag from Oslo, known for his trippy grooves on our sublabel Fuck Reality. He is a Move D's favourite and currently working on his debut album for Smallville. Nightseajourney on the A2 is a studio cooperation between Garrett David and Colin Johnson, two friends hailing from Chicago. Garrett is kind of our american vice-versa, working for the sweetest recordstore in town (Grammaphone), Resident at the best club (Smart bar) and smoking the best pot.
Margaux is a friend from Vietnam/ France, currently living in Berlin and known for her irresistible DJ-Sets at Woody's Heideglühen, Fusion Festival, Equation in Vietnam or Waking Life 2018 in Portugal. Even if this surprises you when listening to the majestic groove of Water On Mars- this is her first appearence on Vinyl and we are super happy this is happening on Smallville.
Qnete rounds up the compilation on the infamous B2-spot – and this track is like made for it- deep and twisted, yet steady forward beats and a rolling sub-bass for the groove – just as we like it. Make sure to listen loud!
We are very happy to have you all. The artwork comes with a full Cover by Stefan Marx.


A1 w&p by Mats Frantzvaag, A2 w&p by Garrett David & Colin Johnson, B1 w&p by Margaux Gazur, B2 w&p by Marvin Uhde
Mastering by Lopazz at Mixmastering
Vinyl cut by Helmut Erler, Dubplates & Mastering
Artwork by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound More

Tracklist
A1 Magic Interference, A2 Hearts At Whole , B1 All States Of Dawn, B2 Camera Obscura , C1 Beyond, C2 Sonic Winds, D1 Benevolent Receiver, D2 Afterglow

It’s been seven years since Smallpeople’s debut album, ‘Salty Days’. In the time since, much has changed in our world of dance music, and, so we hear, even beyond. Yet our men in Hamburg have remained dedicated to their unapologetically reassuring vision of house music as-a-whole. As well as expanding their Smallville Records shop in Hamburg’s St. Pauli, they’ve continued to act on their direct-line to the beating heart of house music at some of the world’s finest clubs, including their monthly residency at Hamburg’s legendary Golden Pudel, inviting guests such as Lakuti, Session Victim and Pantha Du Prince into the warmest dance in the grimiest club. Of course, all these manoeuvres sit alongside their work running Smallville Records, home to the likes of Moomin, STL and Christopher Rau, and it’s sub-label, Fuck Reality.
Given Julius Steinhoff and Dionne’s stewardship in filtering the creme-de-la-creme of house music from the underground and into clubs across Europe and further afield, it would be particularly cliched on this occasion to stress that their second record is “eagerly awaited.” In their own way, they have already given us enough great records. But with ‘Afterglow’, we get another, and more importantly, one carved directly from the hearts and record collections of two individuals whose understanding of dance music appears to be some sort of blissful second-nature.
This sort of earned assuredness is immediately established on opening track ‘Magic Interference’, a rolling, deep and somewhat jazzy house number with tumbling keys and sky-walkin’ chords. This steady, blissful vibe sets the tone for the first half of the record, as the pair patiently unfold their touchstones; equal parts Chicago (‘Hearts at Whole’), Detroit (‘All States of Dawn’) and Hamburg, famed for it's transatlantic routes via groundbreaking clubs such as Front, it's a crystalline distillation of a sound that’s earnest, but never nostalgic.
Intuitive selectors as they are, Smallpeople pick the ideal moment to up the pace for the home-run, defined here by the spiky, disco bassline of ‘Beyond’, an unexpected ingredient that Steinhoff and Dionne nevertheless manage to diffuse into spacedust. It’s a brilliant wrong footing before the wide-eyed, warm-hearted anthem-in-waiting, ‘Sonic Winds’, a wonderfully cheeky glimpse of Smallpeople as peak time heroes, before the acid-flecked shuffle of Benevolent Reciever reveals their spiritual soundboy side.
In conclusion, title track ‘Afterglow’ surmises the generous spirit at the heart of Smallpeople’s operation; a sensitive and irresistible ode to record stores, parties, community and discovery. So, worth that seven year wait? Who cares about time, when your music’s this timeless?

All Tracks are written, produced and mixed by Julius Steinhoff & Just von Ahlefeld
Mastering & vinyl cut by Helmut Erler, Dubplates & Mastering
Artwork by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound
More

Tracklist
01 Magic Interference, 02 Hearts At Whole, 03 All States Of Dawn, 04 Camera Obscura, 05 Beyond, 06 Sonic Winds, 07 Benevolent Receiver, 08 Afterglow

It’s been seven years since Smallpeople’s debut album, ‘Salty Days’. In the time since, much has changed in our world of dance music, and, so we hear, even beyond. Yet our men in Hamburg have remained dedicated to their unapologetically reassuring vision of house music as-a-whole. As well as expanding their Smallville Records shop in Hamburg’s St. Pauli, they’ve continued to act on their direct-line to the beating heart of house music at some of the world’s finest clubs, including their monthly residency at Hamburg’s legendary Golden Pudel, inviting guests such as Lakuti, Session Victim and Pantha Du Prince into the warmest dance in the grimiest club. Of course, all these manoeuvres sit alongside their work running Smallville Records, home to the likes of Moomin, STL and Christopher Rau, and it’s sub-label, Fuck Reality.
Given Julius Steinhoff and Dionne’s stewardship in filtering the creme-de-la-creme of house music from the underground and into clubs across Europe and further afield, it would be particularly cliched on this occasion to stress that their second record is “eagerly awaited.” In their own way, they have already given us enough great records. But with ‘Afterglow’, we get another, and more importantly, one carved directly from the hearts and record collections of two individuals whose understanding of dance music appears to be some sort of blissful second-nature.
This sort of earned assuredness is immediately established on opening track ‘Magic Interference’, a rolling, deep and somewhat jazzy house number with tumbling keys and sky-walkin’ chords. This steady, blissful vibe sets the tone for the first half of the record, as the pair patiently unfold their touchstones; equal parts Chicago (‘Hearts at Whole’), Detroit (‘All States of Dawn’) and Hamburg, famed for it's transatlantic routes via groundbreaking clubs such as Front, it's a crystalline distillation of a sound that’s earnest, but never nostalgic.
Intuitive selectors as they are, Smallpeople pick the ideal moment to up the pace for the home-run, defined here by the spiky, disco bassline of ‘Beyond’, an unexpected ingredient that Steinhoff and Dionne nevertheless manage to diffuse into spacedust. It’s a brilliant wrong footing before the wide-eyed, warm-hearted anthem-in-waiting, ‘Sonic Winds’, a wonderfully cheeky glimpse of Smallpeople as peak time heroes, before the acid-flecked shuffle of Benevolent Reciever reveals their spiritual soundboy side.
In conclusion, title track ‘Afterglow’ surmises the generous spirit at the heart of Smallpeople’s operation; a sensitive and irresistible ode to record stores, parties, community and discovery. So, worth that seven year wait? Who cares about time, when your music’s this timeless?


All Tracks are written, produced and mixed by Julius Steinhoff & Just von Ahlefeld
Mastering & vinyl cut by Helmut Erler, Dubplates & Mastering
Artwork by Stefan Marx
Distributed by Wordandsound
More

2018 Repress in Black Double Holed Sleeve

A1 Juniper - Quiet Moon
A2 Juniper - Selenic
B1 Arnaldo - A Song Name Of One Word
B2 Arnaldo - Rain

Info:
It is not a secret anymore that Manchester has been a Deephouse capital city since quite a while. The Meandyou. party series is the main spot here with resident DJs Juniper & Arnaldo amongst others spinning alongside their favourite Acts like Lowtec (whose track on Smallville 14 was already a homage called meandyou.dub), Jus-Ed, Dj Qu, Kassem Mosse, Move D and the Smallville Posse. For our catalogue number 30, Juniper & Arnaldo are delivering four house tracks from outta space, that fit perfectly into the smallville vein. The global village of sweet house music is rising..
More

Info:
STL on Smallville always means something special- fully-functional for the dancefloors
worldwide but always poly-rhythmic, full of cryptic surprises and with the iconic STLtwist.
You'll be caught within just a beat. Full Cover Artwork as always by Stefan Marx.
Tracklisting:
A1 Thing In The Mirraw
A2 Fade The Sun
B1 PsiFy Robot More

Tracklisting:
A1 Yamato A2 Odd Regrets B1 Just For You B2 Early Korn
Info:
Christopher Rau is one of Smallville's steady mainstays, with "Yamato" he is delivering four tracks, that perfectly describe the seductive cosmos of Smallville's sound. There is nods to the past as well as a paved way to a timeless future. Carefully evolving melody, voices and something caressing from somewhere far away- but within your heart in just a moment. It's bubbling and telling stories from the inside but it's still targeted straight to a dancefloor- dedicated to the sweetest ones of the world.


More

Vinyl Tracklisting:
A1 123 A2 Alone
B1 A Minor Thought B2 Time To Reflect
C1 Woman To Woman C2 Morning Groove
D1 Chemistry D2 Unshaped
Info:
The ocean- the infinity, the beauty, the colour, the sound: a truly seductive place.
With the sound of ocean waves Smallville's beloved artist Moomin invites us to enter his second full length album "A Minor Thought". A selection of wonderful tracks initiate some exciting house music moments at our favorite clubs, improved at Panorama Bar, Robert Johnson and of course the Golden Pudel among many others..
Engaged with a fantastic collection of analogue synths and drum machines, Moomin is always on a hunt of the most delicate samples. After his big first album "The Story About You" and a number of beautiful works on his own imprint "Closer", he was already back on Smallville's new little baby "Fuck Reality" to deliver a 12" for the 2015 summertime. Of course Moomin was also part of the Smallville 10 years Compilation "Smallville Ways" and delivered again for Smallville 46. Now he appears with another string of beauty- A Minor Thought. There will be a lovely fullcover artwork package with printed Inlays for the vinyl version by Smallville's one and only Stefan Marx.
More

CD Tracklisting:
01 STL - Leaving Peaceful 02 Christopher Rau - RG En El Casa 03 Moomin - I Whisper A Prayer 04 Kornél Kovacs - Space Jam 05 Smallpeople - Cricket Orchestra 06 L'Amour Fou - Da'an 07 Jacques Bon - Tribute To You 08 Lawrence - Dawn 808 09 Juniper - Variations In Grey 10 Rvds & Rau - Umbé Data 11 Tilman Tausendfreund - A Man Under The Influence
Info:
When the Smallville record store was founded in 2005, people were surprised and regarded it as an experiment. Everybody discussed the downfall of vinyl sales and the upcoming market of downloads these days. Just a bunch of people regarded record shops, vinyl labels and wonderful warm sounding clubs as the places of true magic. Smallville's finest Stefan Marx- who is responsible for all artwork-related things and therefore the visual impact that Smallville always had- got a call once at night from another one of those dreamers and activists, Ata Macias. He came up with the fabulous idea to create a standard 12inch cover saying: "Vinyl Kills MP3". This hilarious statement marked the end of the most boring debate. And here we are in 2015, we were all right to just do what we love. Smallville Records celebrate their 10th anniversary with the 3rd and 4th part of the „Ways“ Series. It started in 2011 with Twentyfour Ways (Smallville 24)- a Various Artists 4 track-12“ with timeless music only. It continued in 2013 with Smallville 35 (Thirtyfive Ways) – same concept, different artists- and now it's time for Smallville 44 and 45 (Fortyfour and Fortyfive Ways). These 2 are also released as a Smallville CD 10, 3 tracks of the older parts were added- eleven wonderful tracks of Smallville's favourite producers and family members. After Ten Years, a label like Smallville still proves that only living your dream with the sweet support of so many artists and DJs is what counts in a microcosm that fills the hearts with warmth and love. With a tracklisting featuring STL, Christopher Rau, Moomin, L'Amour Fou (a new project by Move D and his two friends Marco and Benoit), Kornél Kovacs, Smallpeople, Juniper and many more, Smallville Records is happy to thank all supporters, fans and dancers worldwide! More

UPC A Barcode CD: 827170142923 Rel date 30.6.2014
The CD Version will come with a 12-page offset-paper booklet by Stefan Marx
Tracklisting CD:
01 Where Days Begin 02 Treehouse 03 Under A Waterfall 04 Hey you 05 Sun And Stars 06 Flocking Behaviour 07 Cheetah Nights 08 All The Things You Are In the ever-expanding universe of deep house, Julius Steinhoff is far from being a stranger. Half of the dynamic duo Smallpeople, founder and one of the steersmen behind Hamburg's Smallville empire (record store/ label/ party curator around the globe) as well as a producer and DJ in his own right, Steinhoff is closely associated with a group of like-minded people that unite fresh ideas and individualism with a certain consciousness of tradition. That "Flocking Behaviour" is well embodied in Steinhoff's debut album by the same name. After a string of 12-inches for the likes of Live at Robert Johnson, Geography or his own-brand Smallville and the very well-received Smallpeople long-player "Salty Days", Julius Steinhoff makes a submission that is all his. Rooted in the elegiac variety of the big three (New York, Chicago & Detroit) and a romantic concept of house music that is at times utopian, the album gathers eight tracks that evoke late nights, hazy mornings and walks on thin air.
But "Flocking Behaviour" is by no means anachronistic: Tracks like "Under A Waterfall" could be made in just the same manner by a puerile Baby Ford in 1989 as they represent a swaying dance floor in 2014. "Treehouse" or the title track "Flocking Behaviour" are experiences that make you feel like meeting new people who instantly greet you like old friends. With someone that works and lives in the here and now, Steinhoff seemingly has no interest in revisionism, complains or antagonism, his approach is welcoming and caring, embracing and mesmerizing. Along the way, his musical apparatus never makes use of cheap tricks or antique clichés. Instead, he strips back a sometimes fat body to its emotional bones, resulting in a self-confident oeuvre that is as timeless as it is beautiful.
"Flocking Behaviour" is one man's love letter to his musical passion.

Gerd Janson, May 2014

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UPC 827170537163 Rel date 30.6.2014
DOUBLE LP WITH GATEFOLD COVER
Tracklisting 2x12": A1 Cheetah Nights A2 Under A Waterfall B1 Treehouse B2 All The Things You Are C1 Flocking Behaviour C2 Sun And Stars D1 Hey You D2 Where Days Begin
In the ever-expanding universe of deep house, Julius Steinhoff is far from being a stranger. Half of the dynamic duo Smallpeople, founder and one of the steersmen behind Hamburg's Smallville empire (record store/ label/ party curator around the globe) as well as a producer and DJ in his own right, Steinhoff is closely associated with a group of like-minded people that unite fresh ideas and individualism with a certain consciousness of tradition. That "Flocking Behaviour" is well embodied in Steinhoff's debut album by the same name. After a string of 12-inches for the likes of Live at Robert Johnson, Geography or his own-brand Smallville and the very well-received Smallpeople long-player "Salty Days", Julius Steinhoff makes a submission that is all his. Rooted in the elegiac variety of the big three (New York, Chicago & Detroit) and a romantic concept of house music that is at times utopian, the album gathers eight tracks that evoke late nights, hazy mornings and walks on thin air.
But "Flocking Behaviour" is by no means anachronistic: Tracks like "Under A Waterfall" could be made in just the same manner by a puerile Baby Ford in 1989 as they represent a swaying dance floor in 2014. "Treehouse" or the title track "Flocking Behaviour" are experiences that make you feel like meeting new people who instantly greet you like old friends. With someone that works and lives in the here and now, Steinhoff seemingly has no interest in revisionism, complains or antagonism, his approach is welcoming and caring, embracing and mesmerizing. Along the way, his musical apparatus never makes use of cheap tricks or antique clichés. Instead, he strips back a sometimes fat body to its emotional bones, resulting in a self-confident oeuvre that is as timeless as it is beautiful.

"Flocking Behaviour" is one man's love letter to his musical passion.

Gerd Janson, May 2014
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Barcode: 827170537262 Rel date 19.5.
Tracklisting: A Leaving The Physical World B1 Mystic Ritual B2 Reality We Make
Releaseinfo
After the glorious release of his first studio album "Disconnect to Connect" in 2013, Steven Tang is back with another lovely package of Hitec-Soul. Inspired by his new residency in Berlin the Chicago-native builds up three highly grooving sound seducers which will be part of his live set at Panorama Bar on May 31st .
Join Steven Tang at leaving the physical world!




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UPC A Barcode LP: 827170526266 Rel date 27.1.2014
Tracklisting Vinyl: A1 Scuba's Motion Dub
A2 Loop A B1 One Day B2 Space Cats B3 Loop B C1 Amelie's Dub C2 Loop C D1 Good Wine D2 Ghostly Ambit D3 Over And Out D4 Loop D
Stephan Laubner aka STL is a myth. A legend.
Releasing music on Perlon, Smallville and his own label Something, he became a secret star to the worlwide scene of contemporary Techno and House Music. But still he seems to be an unknown person. On his new album release on Smallville Records, STL is back with a deep excursion into dubbed out science of sound. It all started in 2000, when he occured on the very early Perlon # 13. Dandy Jack and Ricardo Villalobos aka Ric'y'Martin on the A-side, that b-sided Stephan Laubner track was the early night out soundtrack, that would stay forever in all the Dj cases collecting the minimal sound in an interesting way. While founding his own label Something, everybody knew about Laubners very own musically language. Some northern interpretations of Theo Parrish influenced grooves and textures and his very unique dub works. "Silent State" on Smallville 12 became a hit, appearing on several compilations and podcasts. Cassy, Tama Sumo, Lawrence and many more featured the track, which still hypnotizes dancers every weekend. What makes the sound of STL so special? What is behind those deep 4/4 tracks that make you feel like not staying on this planet anymore? There is a secret behind all those tracks. The depth of certain sounds, some almost hidden samples, the structure- Stephan Laubner is a scientist who creates a mystic microcosm around every tune. On the eighth Smallville longplayer, STL dives deep into echospaces. Whether you call the facade Dub or House Music, purist's will find this realness - the authentic bandechoes, the perfect mixing. But Laubner breaks through the wall with a deeply touching rhodes melody or some alienated sounds reaching your mind like messages from the beyond. This music is talking to you, it seduceds you. And once you're into it, once you're feeling it, you want to stay forever.
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UPC A Barcode LP: 827170505261 Releasedate: 15.07.2013
Tracklisting: 01 Interstice 02 Disconnect To Connect 03 Some Solace 04 Eternal 05 Heat Burst 06 It's Perceived As Sound 07 Sunspot 08 Potential Light 09 Brink Of Dawn
The CD Version will come with a 12-page offset-paper booklet by Stefan Marx.
The Vinyl Version comes as a gatefold cover.
Every producer's dream is to one day complete and release a full length album. After a string of well received 12" singles on my own label, Emphasis Recordings, and most recently, on labels like Aesthetic Audio, Machining Dreams, Syncrophone, and Dolly, I thought now is the time to start realizing that dream of the full length album. The idea for the album really started around year 1999 and/or 2000, when I completed the tracks, "Interstice," "It's Perceived As Sound," and "Brink Of Dawn." When the tracks were done, I felt they were better suited for an album release because I experimented outside of the typical 4/4 dance track. I wanted to experiment with ambient music; like something without a kick drum, or different time signatures, which led me to creating a jazz tune using electronic instruments. "It's Perceived As Sound" was conceived in that way. But putting an album out during that time would not have garnished the impact that I wanted, since I was still a relatively unknown artist. So I put the tracks aside. Over the last decade, I worked on many more 12" singles to get my name out there, while still working on tracks that I thought would suit the album. Tracks like "Eternal" and "Heat Burst," produced back in 2011, help add to this album some of that Chicago/ Detroit vibe that I've been known for. As I was getting close to finishing the album, I was thinking which label should release it? The first thing that came to my mind was Smallville. Last year I read two interviews on blogs featuring Smallpeople, a.k.a. Julius Steinhoff and Just Von Ahlefeld, who also run the label and store out of Hamburg. In each of the interviews, they mentioned me by name. I thought to myself, "these guys really like my music!" Since having visited Hamburg 3 times now, I got to know the label, the people behind it, and thought my project and I would be a good fit. So I decide to send an email to Julius and Just to see if they were interested in releasing the album. They said yes,
so here I am, proud to present to you, as well as Smallville, my debut album entitled "Disconnect To Connect."
Steven Tang, Chicago, May 2013
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LP Vinyl

Tracklist:

A1) Zavkhan 03:28 min
A2) Diary of June 9th 02:30 min
A3) Gandii Mod 03:45 min
A4) I'm Glad There Is You 03:46 min
A5) Khorom 05:03 min
B1) Sevkhet Bor 04:40 min
B2) Ursgal 05:56 min
B3) Aya 03:13 min
B4) An Untitled Hil 04:54 min

Info:

On her second album Ursgal Mongolian singer Enji creates a unique blend of Jazz and Folk with the thousand-year-old traditions of Mongolian music. Currently based in Munich, her lyrics tell personal stories about unbearable distances, the oddness of being on earth and the simple truths in life.
She's accompanied by Paul Brändle on guitar and Munguntovch Tsolmonbayar on double bass.
Born in Ulaanbaatar, Enji grew up in a yurt to a working-class family. Having always been drawn to music, dance and literature, she initially wanted to become a music teacher with little ambitions to compose or be on stage. A program by the local Goethe Institute sparked her passion for Jazz and eventually led her to become a performing artist. Inspired by the music of Carmen McRae, Ella Fitzgerald and Nancy Wilson, Enji started writing songs of her own, cherishing this newfound means of expression. Ursgal is the first record featuring her original compositions.
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Special remarks: 180g

Tracklist:

A1) Zuud 04:33 min
A2) Taivshral 03:07 min
A3) Duulnaa 03:02 min
A4) Temeen Deerees Naran Oirhon 03:42 min
A5) Vogl 04:20 min
B1) Ulaan 03:30 min
B2) Libelle 02:38 min
B3) Picture / Three Shadows 05:21 min
B4) Encanto 01:33 min
B5) Uzegdel 04:25 min


Info:

After the success of 2021’s Ursgal, Mongolian jazz singer Enji returns with her third album Ulaan. The line-up has grown in size with drummer Mariá Portugal and clarinettist Joana Queiroz from Brazil joining the band to create an invigorating blend of grounded Folk and brooding Jazz.
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Vinyl only. Worldwide except Japan.

LP: 350gsm Sleeve with selected UV High Gloss Varnish, Liner Notes, Sticker

Tracklisting

A1. Shüffer
A2. Pokala
A3. Glass Chime
A4. Pon
A5. Wässer
B1. Mizue
B2. Collecting Net
B3. Apple Star
B4. Meine Reflexion
B5. 8.31


Info

WRWTFWW Records is too happy to announce the much anticipated official reissue of Japanese duo Inoyamaland’s quintessential ambient/environmental/electronic album Danzindan-Pojidon, produced by Haruomi Hosono and originally released in 1983 on his Yen Records label. Available outside of Japan for the first time, the new age classic comes as a limited LP with liner notes by band member Makoto Inoue.

With Danzindan-Pojidon, Yasushi Yamashita and Makoto Inoue created what they describe as "a special place where the kingdom of summer vacation never ended". Playful and magical, it’s a sonic landscape defined by tinkling synths, floating minimalist melodies, pastoral excursions, and mythical overtones. The 10-track adventure takes the listener on a joyful audio exploration of unknown but friendly territories, like childhood memories of an imaginary island where everything is vibrantly alive and peaceful.

The original recording sessions for the album took place in an apartment filled with Inoyamaland’s "favorite things and friends" and the wonders that came out of them were handed to master Harry Hosono who added his undeniable genius touch. And thus Danzindan-Pojidon was born, an absolute must-have, sitting in the pantheon of all-time 80s Japanese ambient greats alongside Midori Takada’s Through The Looking Glass, Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Green, and Satoshi Ashikawa’s Still Way - and holding that mysterious power of "music that makes life a little easier and happier".


Points of interests

- For fans of ambient, experimental, environmental, minimalism, avant-garde, synth, JRPG music, Haruomi Hosono, Midori Takada, Hiroshi Yoshimura, Satoshi Ashikawa, Yutaka Hirose, Vanity Records, Holy grails, intricate sounds, turtles, and peacocks.

- Official reissue of Inoyamaland’s highly sought after masterpiece of ambient/electronic Danzindan-Pojidon, produced by YMO’s Haruomi Hosono and originally released on his label Yen Records in 1983. Absolute must-have of Japanese 80s new age alongside Midori Takada’s Through The Looking Glass and Hiroshi Yoshimura’s Green.

- New release from WRWTFWW Records (Midori Takada’s Through The Looking Glass, Kenji Kawai’s Ghost in the Shell Original Soundtrack, Yasuaki Shimizu’s Kakashi, John Carpenter’s Dark Star Soundtrack, Grauzone’s Eisbär…), label founded by Olivier Ducret of Mental Groove (Miss Kittin, Orbe, Donato Dozzy...) and Stephan Armleder of Villa Magica Records (Genesis Breyer P-Orridge, Christian Marclay, Stephan Eicher, John Armleder, Sylvie Fleury…)


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Tracklist:
A1 In My Face
A2 Love Me Tonite
B1 Deepside (Nu Cleo Mix)
B2 Solaris

Release Info:
Second coup by Bari-based Rhythm Of Paradise on Smallville.
Michele Lamacchia is a Master of strictly timeless Italo-Vibes and he has learnt from the Best. All the glory of no-nonsense Italo-House is dripping, warm and fuzzy, deep and rich House-cuts for your listening and dancing pleasure. Like a butterfly!
Cover by Stefan Marx.


All tracks written, produced and mixed by Michele Lamacchia at Acustic Sound Studio Bari/ Italy
Mastering by Helmut Erler
Vinyl Cut by Lathesville
Artwork and Typography by Stefan Marx


Smallville, 2023 More

LP

Special remarks:
180g

Tracklist:

A1) Ronpchi 02:14 min
A2) Honsu 05:48 min
A3) Lian 02:05 min
A4) Benbut 08:18 min
A5) Onyx 04:11 min
B1) Skid 02:27 min
B2) Imber 04:50 min
B3) Nakuku 05:29 min
B4) Ysop 05:40 min
B5) Eyb 01:59 min

Info:

Roots run deep on "Candid', the first LP by Munich-based producer Polygonia and drummer Simon Popp. The record is a perfect blend of their distinct voices, with Popp's drumset and his signature percussion sounds buzzing around Polygonia's bold and blooming productions.
Comprised of live material recorded at Munich's ZIRKA in late 2022 and over several studio sessions in-between touring duties, 'Candid' is a meadow of herbal Electronic, mystic at times, but joyful nonetheless.
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Tracklist 2LP:
A1 On The Magic Bus
A2 Grains
B1 A
B2 Let's Call It A Day
C1 O
C2 C-Sick
D1 Magnetically Levitated Train

Release Info:
Can music be classic and contemporary at the same time? Can it contain a secret genetic code in which the summary of the past, the present pulse, and the future view are hidden? Be ahead of its time and not lose relevance along the way? "Let’s Call it A Day" the first album collaboration of German authors Move D (David Moufang) and Benjamin Brunn, which first appeared on a CD on Bine Music in 2006, now remastered by Calyx and on Vinyl for the first time ever, proves it is not only possible hypothetically, but can also live amongst us.

This is a complete piece built from seven sections, each one is a microcosm of unique textures, depth, ambience, emotions, programming, looping and melodic rules; Together they are a homogenous creation, a symphony that culminate in dance music experiencing elevation.

"Let’s Call it A Day", which in a way is the big brother of "Songs from the Beehive" - their exhilarating installment for Smallville from 2008, is an album above the Zeitgeist. The way Moufang and Brunn fuse different genres together without committing to any musical doctrine, makes them appear prophetic. However, it is in no sense a retrospect feeling; even at the time it was clear that the perceptions, experience, vision, and delicacy of this album were outstanding.

Every element here, every frequency, rhythm, turnaround or keyboard tapping, is the material from which masterpieces are made of. From the opening meditative ever evolving loops of On the Magic Bus to the abstract drones of Grains with its almost nonexistent bass drum - like it was aimed to hit the Ambient-House craze of these past few years; through the mesmerising dubbiness of A, which sounds like a rave ending in an echo chamber and the constant micro-movement of the arpeggios in the title track; O, which sounds like a soundtrack for a sinking submarine footage and the ambient downbeat of C-Sick, which melts your heart from within; and finally the closer- the fragile and elegant beauty of Magnetically Leviated Train. More than 76 minutes of diving constantly deeper and deeper.

This new remastered version will feature a brand new and extra glossy Stefan Marx gatefold cover, that will give the perfect visual expression of the album’s timeless music. And If there was ever a downside to "Let’s Call it A Day", it would be its lack of a vinyl edition. Well, this is exactly what we’re sorting now, aren’t we?

NivHadas

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Format Notes: 2024 repress, 140g vinyl, can be played at 33rpm or 45rpm


Track List:

A1 : Swans (01:56)
A2 : New Danger (01:57)
A3 : Old Habits (02:02)
A4 : Chase Theme No. 1 (01:49)
A5 : Infinite Bliss (01:34)
A6 : Evening (01:41)

B1 : Rain Dance (02:54)
B2 : Sure Thing (02:12)
B3 : Garçon Manqué (02:00)
B4 : Turning In (02:49)
B5 : Chase Theme No. 2 (01:05)
B6 : Hues (02:00)

Release Notes:

Frank Maston’s Tulips is a sample-ready film score to the best 70s movie never made. Originally a super-limited self-release on his Phonoscope label in late 2017, Tulips has already become incredibly sought-after. Be With were introduced to Maston by mutual friends Aquarium Drunkard and it didn’t take long before we decided this modern classic deserved a reissue.

Inspired by the deep-grooving soundtracks of Italian cinema - think Morricone, Umiliani and Alessandroni - Maston conceived the entire Tulips project as a continuation of these revered works. Frank designed the artwork and made two 16mm films to accompany the music: “It wasn’t just the LP… it was kind of a whole vibe I was trying to create. Not really trying to emulate the things that influenced me but more trying to make something that could sit alongside those records on a shelf. I’m still very proud of the project.”

There’s a distinct library music feel too, with wiry organ, spacey keyboards and loping 60s guitar hinting at KPM and DeWolfe. Like the best library music, Tulips creates a cinematic universe through sound alone, evoking moving images in the listener’s technicolour imagination. It turns out that was accidentally on purpose: “I was discovering a lot of library music for the first time… listening to a composer’s entire catalog or finding all this obscure stuff. I wasn’t entirely conscious of the influence until I started making this music and realized I was channeling the vibe. That’s when I began focusing more on weaving melodic themes throughout the record to make it function more like a soundtrack”.

Tulips was recorded between 2015 and 2017 in a small studio in a village called Zwaag in Holland, during downtime from Frank’s touring duties with Jacco Gardner’s band. “Tulips” comes from the title of the very first demo he made in Holland, it was the first thing that came to mind. Makes sense.

Recording in Europe with some very European influences in mind, Frank wanted to eschew any American influences. But we can still feel the studio wizardry of the likes of Brian Wilson and Harry Nilsson in there somewhere. A psychedelic bedroom-pop song-cycle, full of hypnotic hooks and dusty drums, Tulips manages to sound charmingly homemade yet wholly widescreen.

Dreamy opener “Swans” is an exquisite soul instrumental and recalls the soft-psych of Koushik, which Be With loves of course. Tropicalia influences abound in the cool and breezy “New Danger” and the KPM-references are loud and proud on the lush organ pop of “Old Habits”. Fast-paced “Chase Theme No. 1” manages to be both tense and laid back, decorated by acid-drenched spaghetti Western guitars. The glorious Gainsbourg-esque melancholia of “Infinite Bliss” is all gauzy flutes and happy-sad vocalizing and the title is almost perfect: it’s bliss, no question; *if only* it went on forever. Side A closes with “Evening”, a subtle bossa nova beat thing. Gorgeous.

Side B opens with the heat-shimmer guitars of “Rain Dance”, evoking an unreleased Byrds or Buffalo Springfield backing track. Yes, it’s that good. “Sure Thing” is music to accompany an elevator ride you never want to end, but in a good way! The ornate “Garçon Manqué” is as beautiful as the instrumentals on Pet Sounds (think “Let’s Go Away For A While”) and the wistful “Turning In” starts like a stroll in the park before Maston introduces a scorched-Earth guitar solo that would startle if it wasn’t so pitch-perfect. “Chase Theme No. 2” is a briefer, more keening counterpart to what we hear on side A. The head-nod bass-drums-keys funk of “Hues” rounds out this staggeringly assured set; still opening each phrase with a plaintive strum, but using vibrato and heavy reverb to accent the electric organ melody. Sublime.

All these top drawer musical references might sound like just more of the usual release notes hyperbole, but there’s a reason that this still-young LP already changes hands for big money. It really is that good. Of course that first pressing didn’t hang around for long and Frank’s regularly been asked about a re-press pretty much ever since.

Re-issuing Tulips on Be With made sense to Frank “because the record would fit in so well with the catalogue”. Having already delved into the archives of KPM and Themes, and beginning to do the same with Coloursound and Selected Sounds, the collaboration “just makes sense and seems inevitable”. We agree.

Frank wasn’t sure a record of instrumentals with obscure soundtrack references would be an easy sell when it was originally released, and was surprised when Tulips turned out to be exactly what some people wanted to hear. We reckon its timeless beauty ensures that it’ll *always* have an audience.

The record was originally cut to be played at 45rpm, a technical quirk that grants the home listener the opportunity to go deeper, for longer. Played at 33rpm, the more languid unfurling of the tracks proves just as wonderful a trip. As a psilocybin-soaked case study from Aquarium Drunkard back in January of 2019 describes, some of the songs sound as if they were intended to be heard that way. The slower speed allowing the listener to step inside and perhaps even “crack the code” of the music’s meaning.

Mastered for this vinyl reissue by Simon Francis and featuring alternative burnt orange artwork from Maston himself, this Be With pressing is limited to just 500 copies. Hypnagogic it may be, but please don’t sleep.

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LP: 45rpm Cut, Inside Out Printed Sleeve, Sticker
WORLDWIDE

Genre: Soundtrack, Classical, Smooth Jazz, Modern Western


Tracklisting LP
A1. Azuma's Theme (Gnossienne No. 1 - Erik Satie)
A2. Sono Otoko Kyobo Ni Tsuki (Violent Cop) (End Title)
A3. Kiyohiro's Theme
A4. Kiyohiro's Theme II
B1. Sono Otoko Kyobo Ni Tsuki (Violent Cop) (Main Title)
B2. Fear (Gnossienne No. 1 - Erik Satie)
B3. Intorno all'idol mio (Antonio Cesti)
B4. Sono Otoko Kyobo Ni Tsuki (Violent Cop) (Main Title - Saxophone Version)


Info

WRWTFWW Records is thrilled to announce the official reissue of Daisaku Kume's original soundtrack for the highly acclaimed 1989 Japanese crime/drama movie Violent Cop. Available for the first time outside of Japan, the album comes in a limited edition of 500 copies worldwide with a 45 rpm cut providing full audio pleasure and an iconic record sleeve featuring the movie director and star: the one and only "Beat" Takeshi Kitano!

Violent Cop marks Kitano's directorial debut - a gritty neo-noir in which he stars as a rogue detective fighting a sadistic crime syndicate, only to discover widespread internal corruption in the police force. Poetic, minimalistic, with a superb balance between small soothing moments of beauty and vertiginous sudden violence, the film spearheaded a superb international career for the multi-talented filmmaker, actor, and comedian, which includes works such as Sonatine, Hana-Bi, and Battle Royale. The release of the soundtrack on vinyl presents an excellent opportunity for fans to explore the musical underpinnings of one of Kitano's earliest creations.
Daisaku Kume, known for his work as the keyboardist for late 70s fusion bands T-Square and Prism, showcases versatile musical prowess on the soundtrack, taking listeners on a sonic journey through a blend of genres including magnificent Erik Satie re-interpretations, melancholic smooth jazz sometimes reminiscent of Taxi Driver, ambient-classical, and modern Western atmospherics. It's the perfect setting for Kitano's stoic but tormented lonesome urban cowboy character. Raw power mixed with timeless elegance.

Violent Cop (Original Soundtrack) by Daisaku Kume follows the recent release of the soundtrack from another groundbreaking Japanese movie, Shin'ya Tsukamoto's Tokyo Fist (1995), with music by industrial visionaries Chu Ishikawa & Der Eisenrost, also currently available on WRWTFWW Records.


Points of interests

- For fans of good movies, good soundtracks, Takeshi Kitano and Erik Satie, furniture music in a modern Western setting, ambient, minimalism, classical, Japanese crime movies of the 90s, Daisaku Kume, Taxi Driver, nice looking record sleeves.

- First official reissue of the soundtrack for classic Japanese crime/drama movie Violent Cop (1989) directed by and starring the legend (Beat) Takeshi Kitano.






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Format Notes: 2024 repress, 140g inyl release of the digital collection of left-over material from the Tulips sessions

Track List:

A1 : Darkland (00:39)
A2 : Tulips (02:55)
A3 : Immaculate Conception (00:46)
A4 : Love Theme No 3 (01:23)
A5 : The Owl In Daylight (00:51)
A6 : Innovative Patterns (02:24)
A7 : Osiris (00:58)
A8 : Groove Experiment No 3 (01:49)

B1 : Raincloud (03:57)
B2 : Phonic (00:48)
B3 : Love Theme No 2 (01:58)
B4 : Italian Summer (00:52)
B5 : Endless (02:11)
B6 : Wonder Theme (01:09)
B7 : Willow (01:06)

Release Notes:

Maston’s Darkland is a breezy collection of the material from the Tulips sessions that didn’t make it on to the original LP. Originally a digital-only release for those in the know in the autumn of 2018, after re-issuing Tulips in 2020 it made too much sense for Be With to give Darkland a vinyl release.

Like Tulips, Darkland was recorded mostly in Hoorn, in the Netherlands, between 2015-2017 during downtime from Frank’s touring duties with Jacco Gardner’s band. Bits were also done in Los Angeles on some extended trips back home.

The collection plays like an alternate view of Maston’s instant modern classic Tulips; a companion piece to the LP proper with similar mixture of shorter themes and more full length tracks. As Frank Maston explains: “I think Darkland is the shadow of Tulips in a way… what it might’ve been in a different universe. But the heart of Tulips beats in these songs as well and they evoke the same memories and feelings for me. I see my process playing out across these songs - lots of experimentation and trying out new techniques and sounds and just sort of going for it.”

Frank goes on: “It was all from the same pool of material, like 30+ ideas. I was making a lot of little demos… some would be more fleshed out and become songs and others would just be a cool riff and not go anywhere. When I started trying to form it all into an LP I went through all the sessions and ideas and collected the ones I thought were the most fleshed out and cohesive together as a whole. There were a fair amount of songs that were finished and in hindsight really should have been on Tulips (like what would’ve been the title track). And the rest of these songs are either very early versions of tunes that ended up on Tulips or some cool ideas that just ended up being dead ends. It definitely shows how wide my net was in the beginning before I narrowed the record down stylistically.”

Darkland opens with its ornate 39 second title-track before striding into “Tulips”, that full-length title-track that never was. It’s a real head-nod, percussive-rich electric piano stunner that would’ve been a comfortable standout on the album proper. But now this “downlifting” gem is given ample room to shine on this record.

The funky organ-led bass and drums workout “Immaculate Conception” will keep your neck gently snapping while MPC fiends go reaching for their sampler. And that’s gospel. “Love Theme No 3” cuts a breathtakingly stylish vibra-slapped swathe through the middle of the opening side before we’re startled by the pronounced bass and twinkling percussion of “The Owl In Daylight”. Charming digi-drums underpin the wonky synth (quiet-)banger “Innovative Patterns” which has a lovely melodic switch-up in the final third before the tempo (and hairs on your neck) rise on the faintly creepy yet imminently groovy “Osiris”. The gorgeously soft-focus “Groove Experiment No 3” closes out the first half in slow-mo wonderment.

The lushly melancholic “Raincloud” ushers in side B before the emotionally-stirring “Phonic” taps at the door, coming on like the long lost sister to Pet Sounds’ “Let’s Go Away For A While”. Next up, the swooning beauty “Love Theme No 2” keenly sways in front of you, growing ever more insistent and hypnotic. The too-short “Italian Summer” conjures the same flirtatious imagery as the title hints at whilst “Endless” is a fascinating “piano-pella” alternative version to “Rain Dance” from Tulips. “Wonder Theme” has a nostalgic, exotic 60s swing and album closer “Willow” is a hushed, campfire folk gem. The gently circular strumming is just magical.

Speaking to Aquarium Drunkard back in 2019 about the sessions that became Tulips, Frank noted: “I was really surprised by the lack of sunlight during my first winter in Holland, so I would call it Darkland which then became the name of the first demo I wrote during that time. It was also the working title of the record when I first started writing. Some are full songs that didn’t make the cut (including what would have been the title track), some are just ideas that I never finished.”

Whilst we were working on Darkland’s vinyl release Frank explained more specifically about the music that didn’t make it on to Tulips: “When I was putting together the tracklisting for Tulips I was already thinking that whatever didn’t make it onto the LP would be cool to release eventually somehow. The response to Tulips has been so passionate over the years that it’s nice to be able to offer another piece of that world. And for me personally it’s amazing to have more of my work out there in the world. Most common bit of feedback was that many of these songs should have been on Tulips. The odd friend says it’s much better than Tulips.”

Just like Tulips before it, Simon Francis’s vinyl mastering for Darkland has been cut at 45rpm so you can trip out to this as well at a woozy 33 1/3. The artwork too has been designed by Frank himself as a literal visual continuation of the Tulips cover.

We couldn’t possibly say whether Darkland is better than Tulips, and luckily we don’t have to decide.





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Pejzaz (aka Bartosz Kruczyski) returns with two captivating new collage albums. Divided into two records LIST I (which was released end of September this year) & LIST II - which premieres end of movember - delves into the realm of 90s/Y2K Eastern European CD releases. Employing hundreds of samples, Pejzaz sculpts a mesmerizing and distinctive body of work.

LIST II guides the listener into the night, combining trip hop and dub influences, dusty samples, wailing blues guitars, and cold-wave synthesizers. Its haunting soundscapes provide an apt soundtrack for winter in Eastern Europe.

Notably, this marks Pejzaz first foray into a fully instrumental album. Although devoid of lyrics, the bittersweet blend of samples infuses the music with a profoundly Polish essence, further enhancing its distinctive allure.

Tracklist:

A1 List II
A2 Duchy Lasu
A3 Imperium Znaków
A4 Blues Trzeci
A5 Bez Grawitacji
A6 Ogród

B1 Serce
B2 Po Godzinach
B3 Wizje
B4 Dziennik Pisany Noc?
B5 Linia Pi?kna
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