Italian techno evangelist Francesca Lombardo sets up her forthcoming album on Crosstown Rebels with the ‘Perseidi’ EP, paired with a remix from highly revered producer Aril Brikha. “Perseidi is named after a meteor shower called perseids,’ explains Francesca, ‘Perseidi is the Italian name for it, which comes from the constellation Perseus. The astral shower happens mid July till 15 August so this record is coming out at the right time. Representative of her multi-disciplinary musical background, Francesca’s music transcends the dance floor; each track providing an emotional narrative, full of wistful dreamy soundscapes, stirring melodies, deep, hypnotic rhythms and her unforgettable vocals. Featuring live instrumentalists, merging the world of electronic music with Francesca’s classical upbringing, the Perseidi EP is a combination of grand and orchestral compositions, together with subtle, nuanced numbers – a healthy balance that epitomises Francesca’s sound ethic; mature, refined and powerful. Aril Brikha’s remix of the title track is equally as cinematic, fusing sweeping chords with subtle beats to create an epic classic. Francesca’s classical musical training started on piano at the age of six. Her first release on Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels label came in 2012, since which she has had several nominations for ‘Breakthrough Artist Of The Year’ and conceived a live set incorporating a group of instrumentalists, varying from a string quartet to a 40-piece symphony orchestra; collaborating to compose and conduct intricate new productions. 2015 welcomes a new phase of her career as she prepares to unveil her debut album, a body of work that will truly represent the essence of what she is all about; forward-thinking, experimenting, well-crafted, thoughtful and, most importantly, made from the heart. Born in Iran and raised in Sweden, Aril Brikha forged his career with one of the biggest techno records of all time, ‘Groove La Chord’, picked up by techno luminary Derrick May for Transmat Records. Since then he has delivered two critically-acclaimed albums and worked with acclaimed labels such as Peacefrog and Poker Flat. More

Fast-rising Rebel queen Francesca Lombardo is back on Crosstown with her seductive new single ‘What To Do’ featuring remixes from Infinity Ink, Matrixxman and a Luca Cazal Dub. Showcasing Francesca’s undeniable raw talent and pure, fluid vocal flair, ‘What To Do’ is another example of the producer’s sublime song composition in an electronic framework. The sultry mood evoked by Francesca’s voice wraps around the infectious melody as spooky ethereal tones rise and fall with the subtly driving groove. Infinity Ink strip down the elements with mechanical precision, injecting some darker bass and a more solid kick. Matrixxman revels in the twilight zone and delivers an alternative trippy tapestry of jagged synth stabs and melodic bleeps with only waves of the vocal. Luca Cazal’s Dub is a perfect late night builder with added sonic textures More

98 releases strong and showing no signs of slowing when it comes to unearthing fresh talent and delivering high quality house music, This time Crosstown Rebels might just have discovered the new lady of house in Francesca Lombardo, judging by her exquisite debut - ?Changes EP?. After a fateful meeting with Damian Lazarus at WMC 2011, London based DJ, Vocal Techniques graduate and classically trained pianist Francesca Lombardo began a 12 month process that has culminated in an incredibly diverse and accomplished debut EP. Having gained over 17,000 plays in the past few months on her ?Introducing? podcast for Crosstown Rebels and with an album in the pipeline for the label next year, there is much excitement surrounding this musical protégée. ?The Change? kicks off the EP energetically, in traditional Crosstown fashion - straight up underground house aimed directly at the floor and characterised by a beasty kick drum, neatly arranged vocal snippets and a wonky synth lead. Evolving with a more song-based quality, ?Is It True? moves the EP into ambient textures, sweeping the listener away into a lush, Burial-esque soundscape encapsulated with Francesca?s own haunting vocals and eerie synths, before dropping you straight back onto the dance-floor for an epic climax. Hitting the peak time, ?Old School Anna? is a heads-down, motor-city style, deep house affair, and for the fourth and final cut, the electronic sculptress displays an acute skill for toying with emotions, bringing the listener back down for the ethereal intro of ?Sofiel?, and very gradually introducing a warm, deep groove to see the EP out. As Crosstown edges closer towards its 100th release, Francesca Lombardo upholds the indelible standard of the label, showcasing intricate technique and personal style. Effortlessly switching between dance-floor workouts and more song-based material, Francesca is a major electronic artist on the verge of global stardom.

More

One to watch Ibellini makes an imprint with his brilliant debut ‘Wide Soul EP’ on Crosstown Rebels off-shoot RebelLion. Title track ‘Wide Soul’ is intensely mystifying with a deep bass, warbling synths and warmth flowing through the atmospherics. Following suit ‘I Dream Of Funk’ unfolds on a more uplifting tip with powerful melodies, solid groove and layered synths. On the B-side Desolat favourite Guti remixes ‘Wide Soul’ taking it deeper and more rolling for the early hours of the morning. Rounding off the EP ‘Milk & Honey’ is exactly the type of track you’d love to hear at BPM festival or Burning Man, luscious and hypnotic with plenty of grit and groove. More

Horse whisperer by day and rhythm maker by night, Burak Sar aka SIS is next up on Crosstown’s deeper offshoot Rebellion - delivering an essential EP packed full of groove, expertly winding textures, unexpected kicks and turns and cinematic allusions. ‘Slider’ is a groovy, eternally evolving masterpiece while the rolling ‘Paspartou’ builds with suspense and plays with haunting melodies and switching tempos and ‘Breakers Paradise’ flips the style with a more voice and FX heavy, minimal framework. One of electronic music’s most prolific producers, DJs, and live acts SIS, shot into the limelight in 2008 with releases on Cecille and Ricardo Villalobos’ label Sei es Drum, which up until that point had only showcased Ricardo´s own productions. This well deserved wave of hype earned him the title of Groove Magazine’s no.1 producer and Raveline’s best newcomer award in 2008. Second artist album ‘Confidance’ arrived last year on Cocolino and charted the artist’s journey training as a horse whisperer while fully unleashing the wild and unbridled sonic energy SIS has become know for. SIS is no stranger to the Crosstown Rebels catalogue having delivered the first ever Rebellion release and then later the ‘Round Pen EP’ on Crosstown Rebels in the summer of 2012. Other massive club records have appeared on esteemed labels such as Cocoon, 8Bit, Connaisseur and Get Physical.
More

A firm favourite in the Rebellion camp, prolific producer Aidan Lavelle makes his third appearance on the imprint this time with the immense 'Direction EP', comprising of three outstanding big room tracks that will blow your mind. Powerful build ups and epic breakdowns will dominate the dancefloor while trippy FX, rolling grooves and deep tribal undertones will circulate the atmosphere with Aidan's vocoder enhanced vocals adding a real stand out element. All three tracks are to be played loud for full effect and maximum destruction on the dancefloor. Accomplished composer and producer, Aidan Lavelle has worked with a number of world-class artists including U.N.K.L.E Gorillaz, Ian Brown, Queens Of The Stone Age and Massive Attack. Having built up an illustrious body of work in television and film music, last May saw him take a step back into the realms of underground dance music with his debut solo release on Rebellion, the 'Tinnitus EP'. While also remixing for the likes of Layo & Bushwacka and Betoko, the highly successful 'Get Yourself EP' followed in December on Rebellion receiving huge support from the likes of Pete Tong on his Radio 1 show. Aidan´s releases are being heavily by a wide range of artists including James Holden, Richie Hawtin, Solomun, Nic Fancuilli, Sasha, Tiefschwarz and Mandy Aside from building up a busy touring schedule and playing alongside Damian Lazarus at the Rebellion Rave in London and the Crosstown Rebel's Warehouse Project date in Manchester last year, Aidan is also working on a solo album under the name Modal, whilst continuing to create sound design and score for film and planning more underground dance music releases and remixes. More

Capturing the essence of Crosstown Rebels Robot Rebel Heart experience at Burning Man, DAVI’s selection of deep melodic odysseys for Rebellion are awash with the other-worldly magic of the Playa. A-side ‘Rebel Heart’ fuses ancient Eastern melodies with moody bass and mystical arrangements. Second track ‘Anunnaki’ (a name denoting a group of deities in ancient Mesopotamian cultures) continues the theme of spellbinding, earthy tones and on the remix, Hot Creations Mark Jenkyns toughens up ‘Rebel Heart’ with a squelchy acid-flecked bassline, solid kicks and overlays of his own wonky synth structures. Last but not least the masterstroke ‘Two Suns In The Sky’ hypnotises the soul with rolling drum beats and epic chords as waves of spooky energy and polyrhythms punctuate the cosmic sunrise soundscape. More

DJ W!LD is back, this time on Crosstown offshoot Rebellion with a stomping summer anthem featuring Cari Golden on vocals ‘Shape U’. The original fuses the solid punch of a club weapon with the laidback feel of poolside disco, while the Fur Coat Remake gives the track an entirely different sheen all chugging disco bass-line, dark synths and pitched down vocals. An aptly named WILDER remix and dub from the producer ties up an unmissable EP. The prolific DJ W!LD is one of France’s longest serving underground house heroes. As part of the Cocoon family and as a Circo Loco resident, DJ W!LD under various aliases has released on labels such as OFF Recordings, Robsoul, and his own imprints Catwash Records and W including debut album ‘Palace’ in 2011. Second album ‘D!RTY’ landed on Cabin Fever last year. Originally from Dijon, W!LD’s passion for graffiti, street culture, disco, funk and hip hop led him into DJing, taking his name from cult 1983 film Wild Style. Relocating to Paris in 1996, DJ W!LD was instrumental in the French house scene, pouring his energies into the city’s underground club community and later becoming a globally successful artist and fixture at the best international clubs and festivals. Fur Coat have been blazing a trail since their mighty debut album in 2012 on Crosstown Rebels ‘Mind Over Matter’ also featuring Cari Golden on vocals on the massive hit ‘You And I’. The fast-rising Venezuelan duo have been remixed by TEED and have a single forthcoming on Crosstown.
More

Moodymanc´s Dubble D project lands on the Rebellion imprint, paying tribute to the funk mecca of early Detroit and expressing a different kind of worship with ’Church’ featuring the legendary Ashley Beedle on remix duty. Danny Ward AKA Moodymanc is one of the most well respected names in house music. His first foray on Rebellion is a truly religious experience. A superb slice of Detroit/Chi-town infused house with spiritual appeal. Ashley Beedle provides the ReVersion of the flip like only he can.. a killer double header! More

Next up on Crosstown Rebels clandestine off-shoot label Rebellion is the dexterous and versatile producer behind latest alias, SIOPIS. Adorning the ‘Master Plan’ EP with a far murkier quality than previous works as Silversurfer, the SIOPIS sound is destined for the darker recesses of the club. Comprised of three superlative cuts, the tone of the ‘Master Plan’ EP is set with a blend of lingering vocals, punchy basslines and moody undertones. A-side ‘Master Plan’ leads the way with its haunting vocals, layered over a howling bassline as the synths build with intensity.
Flip over to the B-side and it’s all swagger with ‘Buy Underground’s’ tough bassline stabs, mingling with warped synths as the track breaks down into trippy spaced out FX before a killer drop. ‘House of Mouse’ feat. Mz Sunday & Bootslap delivers growling sub-bass and grimy beats under nimble keys and skittish bleeps while a sinister male vocal is contested by a sweeter female voice and trippier fx perpetuates the menacing mood. More

Back once again on Crosstown’s wayward younger brother Rebellion, Aidan Lavelle delivers another three superb cuts of timeless dance music featuring his own haunting live vocals and epic tribal grooves – a hybrid of techno styles with deep and moody undertones. Title track ‘Get Yourself’ builds with solid claps and humming bass tones leading upcto a break where Aidan’s pitched down vocal winds its dark path into the mix along with the murky bassline and off-key echoing bleeps and chimes. A master of sonic layers, Aidan sets the tone of the EP here with striking lyrics, chugging groove and sharp shooting synths. ‘Abyss’ is a more urgent floor burner with plenty of tension and mood, swirling, spooky overlapping melodies and the effect of spiraling into darkness. Hidden away as B2 you have another worthy lead track, ‘Unreal’. Major rave appeal exudes from the main riff of off-kilter chimes punching through the solid groove and building up throughout weaved into epic synths. Aidan’s gothic voice remains a beguiling force. Prolific composer and producer, Aidan Lavelle (brother to James) has worked with a number of world-class artists including U.N.K.K.L.E Gorillaz, Ian Brown, Queens Of The Stone Age and Massive Attack. Having since built up an illustrious body of work in television and film music, debut solo release on Rebellion ‘Tinnitus EP’ back in May firmly marked Aidan’s return to underground dance music. The ‘Get Yourself EP’ is further evidence of the solo producer’s magnanimous style. More

The clue is in the title of the release from new Rebellion signing Enki. A double odyssey of spiraling trippy grooves, 'Tim Burton Abduction' is all spooky FX, organs and dense rolling percussion a superb slice of heady tripped out infectious techno that is going down a storm with the Rebels crew this summer!! A self-professed master of magic and exorcism, French born Enki is certainly a young talent with a distinctively dreamlike quality to his music. Seemingly unperturbed or influenced by the current populist dancefloor, Rebellion has found a perfect contributor to its off-centre catalogue of cavernous late night sounds as Enki offers up his debut and what he calls "Alien House and Cosmic Techno", conceived to make people dance naked under the full moon. A-side 'Tim Burton Abduction' is a treat for the senses – a purely hypnotic groove that unravels and builds in a glitchy outer space framework of chimes, claps, bells and bleeps. As the gentle kick enters the mix, the grip of the groove is tighter still as the sci-fi FX and abstract organ melodies merge with the intricate percussive patterns. On the flip, 'From Another Planet' weaves strange melodies in another spellbinding setting. Big on atmosphere and rhythm, the sub bass creeps in and takes the tracker to a deeper place as soaring electronic harps and abstract keys work into the fluid ethereal groove and the drama builds. Off-kilter, dark and absorbing, Enki's debut is another reason to watch the French underground and a fine example of Rebellion's leftfield imagination.

More

The RebelLION imprint, younger sibling to the firmly established underground leader Crosstown Rebels, has reached its 10th release as the daddy label edges towards its tenth year and 100th release! Nurturing the more leftfield club music catching the radar of Damian Lazarus, RebelLION next delivers the creative juices from American heavyweight Tim Xavier with the driving, tribal masterstroke ‘Arco della Devozione’. Loved and respected by many, Tim Xavier’s passionate personality and lifestyle have kept him at the forefront of the techno scene since his first releases almost a decade ago. On the stage Tim is known for his undeniable talent as a once-hard techno mixer turned minimal trend-setter but behind the scenes, the expert sound engineer and key artist for the fast-rising imprint Clink Music, runs a highly successful mastering company based in Berlin. Also working with Tony Rohr as one half of The Afternoon Coffee Boys, Tim’s production style overflows with maturity and fluent simplicity and the results are always deep, dark and emotional. This RebelLION installment is no different. The ‘Main Prime Time’ mix of ‘Arco della Devozione’ is a deep and brooding tribal roller nestled in a dense and dubby sound bed of rich percussion, distorting bass and howling sonic winds. As the disembodied vocals descend and echo through the pulsing beats, the atmosphere drives into murkier waters. On the alternative mixes, the ‘Paint-The-Sky-Dub’ lends a heavy dose of sub-bass and wonky FX while the ‘Dub Version’ allows the track to throb unbounded by the shuddering voices - a magnificent weapon for any DJ wanting to inject some freakiness into the dancefloor. More

Zod is the new project from Rebels boss Damian Lazarus and James What. Debut warped production 'Rise Before Zod' is about to land on Rebellion with a diverse duo of remixes from Acid Pauli and Shadow Dancer. The original 'Rise Before Zod' is a psychedelic trip into dubby sounds that come from deep in the jungle, held together by a killer groove. Dark and groovy, it's the first brainchild from two producers with a proclivity for the left of centre. Paul and Al Farrier aka Shadow Dancer step up for the first remix. Signed to Boyz Noize, the pair injects a heavy dose of uplifting synth lasers, rave stabs and lick of acid, taking the track from the cave to neon club. With the Acid Pauli installment it's back to nature with tribal rhythms, electronic droplets and sparse arrangements that build into a richly padded sound bed of bass, strings and drums. One of Damian's all time favourite DJs, Acid Pauli was a resident at Bar25 in Berlin and is currently preparing his debut artist album for Clown & Sunset, out later this year. More

Next up on Crosstown Rebels offshoot label RebelLION is London-based producer Tim Green, showcasing his range with an EP crossing disco with deep house grooves. A-side ‘Cherry’ is Tim’s own twist on the disco sound paired with a deeper vibe and pitched-down tempo. The rhythmic cowbells, infectious R&B vocal stylings and swinging groove are pure summer funkiness. On the flip, ‘Swamp Girl’ is a quirky houser, with popping synths, old school vocal bits and a cheeky bounce. More

Latest release on RebelLION is a superb four-tracker of off-kilter subsonic house from the illustrious Pezzner! Each cut is unique in it’s own charm and quirkiness. The two killer cuts on the A side feature the infectious, driving, heady resonance of ‘One More’ and the beautiful, transcendental nature of ‘Try it Again’ featuring the illustrious Nneka Gryffyn from APT Entertainment. The flip features the piano driven, snake charming ‘Native Language’ and the staccato sub-ska rhythm and flute-infested genius of ‘Not A Good Idea’. What a cracking EP! More

The forth release on the RebelLION label comes courtesy of LA based DJ and producer Jimmy Maheras. Space Jam is a sonic homage to some of his heroes in this tripped and stripped out slice of groovy tech house with a monster of Matt Tolfrey remix… watch out for that bassline! Championed in the Rebels camp amongst Damian Lazarus, Clive Henry and Seth Troxler this cheeky release is destined for big things this summer in the med! More

Second release on the hot new RebelLION label. After SIS’s monstrous ‘Gallian’ release Solomun delivers another knock out blow in the Sonics with a heavy weight slab of electric moon groove. Pan-rattling percussion and a bass funkier than a trunk of funk underpins the stupendously catchy and incessant vocal licks, and then there’s the guitar.. oh my god, does it get any better than this? On the flip Parisian funkateer D’Julz hikes the tempo and kicks the groove headway into the bass bins as its heads down for some serious dancefloor action. A great second package on this rebellious new label! Please note this is a limited release, so get these hot puppies whilst you can.
More