Best New Releases from July 2019
Summer is in a full effect with a kaleidoscope of amazing albums, sunning releases and mesmerizing remixes projecting a sunny atmosphere on the electronic music world. We compiled a list of our favorite releases Llewellyn, Dorisburg, Margaux, Mattheis, Orion, Ultrastation, Kamran Sadeghi, Sateq, Katerina, Chaos In The CBD and Ada Kaleh released via R & S Records, Riotvan, Kontrolleri, SmallVille Records, Orion Records, Manjumasi Music, Tigershushi Records, CL Series.
Mattheis
V21
Borneo Records
Dutch Borneo Records showcases a diverse talent with an exciting five-track compilation that includes exclusive contributions by the label's family and friends such as the Ultrastation duo consisting of the Cosmic Force and Nuno Dos Santos, Fader, Fizzy Veins, Mattheis and Marck.
Rotterdam producer Mattheis makes his outstanding contribution to the "Mixed Feelings" compilation with a meditative and intricately structured gem "V21". He masterfully captures evocative moods which are drawn in by a hypnotic synth sequence that is infused with an analog injected rhythms and endless introspection.
Margaux
Water On Mars
Smallville Records
The ever-reliable Smallville Records presents an impressive compilation of four tracks that capture the very essence of the Hamburg-based imprint. Entitled "Fifty-Five Ways", it features Norwegian producer and Fuck Reality affiliate Frantzvaag, Nighseajourney, a studio operation duo of Garrett David and Colin Johnson, Berlin resident Margaux and Leipzig-based artist Marvin Uhde, a.k.a Qnete.
Here is what Smallville Records intends to say about this compilation:
"We are thrilled to present a bunch 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 favorite and currently working on his debut album for Smallville. Nightseajourney on the A2 is 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 record store 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 appearance 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 rolling sub-bass for the groove – just as we like it. Make sure to listen loud! We are very happy to have you all."
Katerina
Dog Days
Tigersushi Records
Bulgaria via Helsinki producer, passionate music lover and DJ Katerina brings a fresh take on electronica with a mini-album "Who Am I If I'm Not Me” released on Joakim’s Tigersushi Records. With a prolificacy or elegance, the six-track sonically impressive album “bridges the gap between techno and intricate electronica”. In Joakim’s own words,
"One of the hardest thing as a musician is to maintain this naive, almost utopian and emotional approach to our music. Especially when it comes to a highly codified genre like Electronic music which appeared in the late 80s/early 90s like a promise of a bright future for music, everything sounding so fresh and revolutionary. When Katerina sent me those demos I heard that freshness, that pure intention, something I remember from discovering melancholic Detroit tunes in the 90s or early Warp ‘artificial intelligence’ compilations, bridging the gap between techno and more intricate electronica. It’s been a while since I didn’t hear an EP so sincere - and not JUST nostalgic, that makes me want to dance alone in my living room and forget about everything else. It’s a subtle thing that makes the difference but that difference is everything, it’s Music."
Kamran Sadeghi
Spiral (Sateq Remix )
CL Series
New York-based highly acclaimed producer, musician, composer and active figure in New York’s contemporary music scene Kamran Sadeghi contributes an impressive “Under The Peace Flag” EP for Christopher Leger’s multidisciplinary experimental label CL Series.
Comprising of three original experimental tracks and two remixes by Sateq, a new project of the Giegling artists Sa Pa and Ateq, and Steve O’Sullivan, the 2x12” package captures an elegant experimental sound that flows perfectly with the original minimal vibes.
Sa Pa and Ateq breath a new life into the beautiful "Spiral" which is built around the voice of Hanne Lippard creating a delicate filigree of dark-tinged tones, and minimal percussive rhythms blended with a meditative touch of a mysteriously melancholic nature.
Ada Kaleh
Chemare Cosmicã
R & S Records
Following on from the success of his 2017s "Palatul de clestar" EP, Romanian producer Iulian Cuculea, better known as Ada Kaleh, returns to R & S Records with another well-crafted release of lustrous Romanian house music.
Inspired by a “literal and metaphorical trip to the Domogled-Valea Cernei National Park - a camping / hiking expedition with two friends lead to some mystic experiences”, “Chemare Cosmicã” EP draws from vibrant organic sounds, morphing them into a highly imaginative journey.
The title track “Chemare Cosmicã” beautifully melds intricate electronic elements, hypnotic rhythms and hazy synth to the pristine and atmospheric house.
Dorisburg
Stone Circle
Kontrolleri
Swedish hypnotic techno-wizard Alex Berg, better known as Dorisburg inaugurates his new label Kontrolleri.
With an exciting collection of releases on Aniara Recordings, Hivern Discs, Running Back, Tikita, among others, Dorisburg branches his own platform that will focus on “original productions and collaborations.”
The “Stone Circle” EP kicks off with two new originals from Dorisburg, combining both the sophistication of an artist that has been creating music for over a decade and mysticism of the Swedish boreal forests.
The title track takes the foggy haze of the trippy techno and injects it with dubby web of intricate textures and opaque atmospheres.
Llewellyn
These Days (Don’t Make Me Wait)
Riotvan
After unveiling the new label record label Remote Scope earlier this year, Leipzig-based versatile producer, live-performer and man of many monikers Martin Enke has gone a more synth induced route with the “These Days” EP released through his home base Riotvan imprint under his house-oriented alias Llewellyn.
Comprising of three tracks “These Days” EP perfectly captures the genuine retro ‘80s vibes and expertly weaves them into beautiful retro-futuristic creations, each one with its unique flavor.
With its vibrant retro synthesizer tones, funky piano-driven passages, and infectious synth-wave style, the feel-good title track truly gives the eighties a modern twist.
m.O.N.R.O.E + Adisyn
Acid Mating Call (Ultrastation Remix)
Manjumasi
LA-based Manjumasi imprint continues to traverse uncharted sonic landscapes with a mighty package of cosmic diversity by the Miami-based production duo of Postrel brothers, m.O.N.R.O.E + Adisyn. The two-track “Acid Mating Call” package features stunning remixes by the UK veteran producer Martin Iveson, a.k.a. Atjazz and Ultrastation, a powerful tandem of Nuno Dos Santos and Cosmic Force.
A techno collaboration duo Ultrastation expertly deconstructs "Acid Mating Call" into a dubby techno excursion that focuses on dark-tinged and atmospheric soundscapes while exploring a gorgeous sonic tapestry of dubby sound in a hazy glow.
Chaos In The CBD
Searching For Signal
Mule Musiq
Toshiya Kawasaki's respected Mule Musiq marks its 15th anniversary with the release of a special twelve 12” from their close friends. Each release includes a collectible cover by their friend Stefan Marx. The ninth installment welcomes Kiwi brothers Benjamin Julian and Louis Simon Helliker-Hales, better known as Chaos In The CBD, to the family with beautifully rolling breakbeat grooves blended with an ambient wash of sound.
On the B-side, “Searching For Signal” drifts in its territory between the likes of Boards of Canada and Global Communication combining a well-crafted fusion of broken beat rhythms, elegant musical ambiance, and widescreen atmospherics.
Orion
Cinnamon
Orion Records
Milan-based producer Orion has launched his own imprint Orion Records with a solo release. “Archive Part 1” EP is a beautiful collection of deep, melancholia-infused original tracks ranging from ambient house to atmospheric techno.
Rich in melancholic elements, the opening “Cinnamon” swoons with deeply moving and atmospheric tones of the subtly intricate and hypnotic groove.