Three releases in and X-Kalay is showing real promise. Pairing fresh faces with a forward thinking house manifesto reminds of the early days of Lobster Theremin, and that is a case that shows how much potential to flourish there is if they keep hitting the mark.
Format12"
Results2017
Premiere: Leonardo Martelli – Il Registro
Menacing like JAWS’ main theme at first – a sinister bass strumming in a desperately shark-less ocean, ‘Il Registro’ offers what certainly counts as one of Leonardo Martelli’s most compelling slabs to date, combining the immersive impact of wistful pads with the galvanic crunch of a stealth breakbeat lilt. Straight up killer.
Premiere: Roger 23 – L o w. Reshape
To say this release is enigmatic would be saying too little; it’s pretty much what The Zenker Brothers are describing it as: “exotic pungent basement rebellion.” We couldn’t agree more, fellas. Check out Roger 23 “L o w Reshape” – our pick from this release as a perfect preview as to what awaits you.
Premiere: Monogenic – Binz
Inaugurated with a debut EP from label mastermind Adryiano in the early days of 2016, Cologne-based imprint CESTRAW is about to make a splash with its second instalment ‘Quite Good Tracks Vol.1’, a four-track compilation featuring contributions from Monogenic, Kastil, D.J. Shmugs and Adryiano himself.
Sordid Sound System: Lux Exterior
Mixing dub with the kind of cosmic dance floor work outs you might hear at Sean Johnston and Andy Weatherall’s ‘A Love from Outer Space’, each track features a seemingly effortless piecing together of myriad ideas.
Premiere: Marcel Fengler – Shitau
Marcel Fengler have picked a better EP to make a statement with, with every track giving you the “yes mate” pursed lips and dimpled chin. While singling out a sole track for premiere was an unenviable task, the emotional weeping synths of ‘Shitau’ nudged it just ahead of the competition.
Sias: Milk Harbour
Back with his second instalment as Sias after a promising debut album for Budapest label Farbwechsel, Frank Sweeney is securing his place as one of the main lieutenants of the Irish capital’s return to top form. His new three-tracker, ‘Milk Harbour’, offers a particularly solid assortment of raw, screeching 4/4 beats and filthy offbeat electronics, nothing short of spectacular.
Premiere: Troy Gunner – Bottle Bang
As Troy Gunner’s new single is about to hit the shelves via Boom Ting Recordings, we’re glad to present the slugging flip-side ‘Bottle Bang‘. This one’s going to hover in your mind like a bird of prey and trust us, it’s not about to let loose on you.
Premiere: Earl Jeffers – Return To Forever Part 1
Skittish drumwork forms the backbone to a heavily-filtered swell of sub-bass bobbing up and down the hardstand whilst tapered strings nicely counterbalance an untiring eddy of raw, unpolished claps. Overwhelming.
Lumigraph on a Bulletproof Holiday
As his new instalment ‘Bulletproof Holiday’ just hit the streets, we sat back with Dublin-based producer Gareth Smyth aka Lumigraph to discuss the making of the EP and limited photobook, creative environment and his all-time hip-hop favourites.
Premiere: XXXV Gold Fingers – Galegos
Today we’re proud to stream XXXV Gold Fingers ‘Galegos’ in full, an effusive groover deploying a relentless drive of peppy bongos, interspersed with fuzzy organ stabs, African folk vocals and dopey synthlines rising from the deep basket like a charmed snake. Move and groove!
Premiere: Pellegrino – In Deriva
Combining a sixth sense for oddball jazz inflections a la Sun Ra and electrifying boogie in Chick Corea’s Elektric Band style, we’re glad to present ‘In Deriva’ – a spirited cut pulsating to tantalising Rhodes throbs and afrobeat-friendly congas.
DBRM: Faction
With Radioactive Man and dBridge picking up their DBRM alias again over on Craig Richards’ The Nothing Special, it is the sound clash of two very different styles that makes this game all the more intriguing.
Kann announce Avocado Dreams EP feat. Leafar Legov, Matt Karmil, Bender, Mary Yalex
On June 27th, Kann will be releasing “Avocado Dreams”, a vaporous four-tracker featuring tracks from Giegling staple Leafar Legov, multi-talented producer Matt Karmil, Kann co-founder Bender and local newcomer Mary Yalex.
Premiere: Skatebård – Kapitalsystemets Belastning
Bergen-based imprint Ploink summons Sex Tags affiliate and Digitalo Enterprises honcho Skatebård for a deep, unsparing treat of shadow-crawling 4/4 rhythms and soaring strings, all draped in a muggy night veil.
Premiere: Minimal Violence – Under The Sign Of Saturn
Today we’re pleased to stream the sensuous ‘Under The Sign Of Saturn’, a killer halftone churner dipped in a dynamic pool of druggy, tape-saturated layers. Check that roaring blaze of debonair toms and hi-hats bursting over a light-hearted fluttering groove, whilst muted vocals keep sinking the track into a washed-out daydream. Exquisite.