Various
Toy Tonics Italomania

The duo behind the double album “Duets”, consisting of musicians Bendik Baksaas & Kristoffer Eikrem, is a minimalistic and cinematic ambient experience with emotion, creatively conducted by simple melodies and sounds. Duets’ emotional nerve has some emphasis on the traditional ambient form of music, but at the same time has more of an imaginary and comprehensive take on structure, form and melodies with organic elements spontaneously scattered throughout the music. These organic elements can be heard through the trumpet’s lyrical sounds, field recordings from various parts of the world (recorded by Baksaas) and percussion loops. Baksaas & Eikrem are interested in maintaining the same playfulness and communication often found in jazz bands.Baksaas & Eikrem had already worked together several years prior in 2015, when Baksaas worked with the jazz band Mopti, which Eikrem was already a member of. Their musical collaboration however developed after one concert, where the band Mopti decided that the two of them should perform a duo piece. Both were positively surprised by the result (takes from the concert can be heard on the track “This is nothing personal”) and decided to continue their collaboration together aside from Mopti.Apart from some musical and field recordings, the the album was recorded in Baksaas’ studio, improvised over various ideas. Bendik Baksaas has mixed the album and it is mastered by Christian Obermayer at Strype Audio.

As part of long standing Dutch label EPMmusic's 20 year anniversary series of releases, we have some rarities from the vaults of the one and only Karl O'Connor aka Regis. The Downwards chief offers up three powerful expressions in pure form techno, all in his idiosyncratic style. From the driving and hypnotic tribal groove of 'No Love From Above' on the A side, to B side cuts like the steely and austere tool 'At The Side Of Silence' and the pounding drums of the title track, which takes on a majestic form when those rousing chords gradually ease into the mix.

Comet Records presents from Afrobeat pioneer Tony Allen, N.E.P.A Reissue LP Vinyl remastered and coming in an heavy Deluxe Tip-On Jacket.In 1979, Tony Allen decided to leave Fela Kuti & Africa 70 and moved to London in 1982. Originally Released in 1984 on Earthworks Records, this reissue holds an extra track previously unreleased on vinyl called “Olokun”. N.E.P.A (Never Expect Power Always) is a searing critique of the Nigerian Electric Power Authority, an organisation that governed the use of electricity in Nigeria.It starts out with the title track, with a definite Afro-beat punch. Electro-claps stand as part of the percussion line, adding to a more modern look at what Afro-beat was becoming.This is followed by an even further modernized piece of Afro-beat, as the title track is given a dub mix. “When One Road Close” has a similar pace, and is similarly followed by a dub remix, complete with the necessary space-effects reverb.And to make this reissue extra special the track “Olokun” was never released on vinyl before.Blending the nascent rise of electronica into Afrobeat production, it’s tighter than any Fela album and became a definitive project in shaping Allen’s future sound. Whether it’s the electro beats or the punchier, multilayered arrangement, it instantly stands out in Allen’s vast and expansive discography.

SLEAFORD MODSDivide & Exit (reissue)Extreme Eating

CHATTA B / NEIL REDSKIN / POTENTIAL BADBOY96 Chronicles EPRedskin

Like trudging through viscous air, I Lost All My Data is a blissed-out barrage of sub-bass that nods to a long-lasting passion for sound system culture.Uploading turbo-charged wubs with molten glass melodies, the debut EP of Giovanni Bonelli (aka Notte Infinita) is a welcomed update for UK style broken-techno conventions. Booting-up with its title track, the record quadrisects the fabric of digital music, each cut a sonic reprogramming of its predecessor. ‘Slippery Tuff’ references off-kilter club, while on the flip, ‘Ecstatic Dub (Roller Mix)’ climaxes in an ultra-sensory faux-organic whorl. Unplugging the whole thang, ‘Oxygen’ manipulates post-dubstep textures, into a data-roused jungle tunnel.Deciphering glitched-out signal processing and harmonic warps, I Lost All My Data is the software upgrade that every system needs – do not choose Later; Install Now.This record has been played out/supported by...Bambounou, Madam X, Special Guest DJ, Opium Hum/Michail Stangl (Boiler Room), Lurka, Bruce, orson (version)