Artist: Tony Romera Title: LFO Label: Toolroom Cat. #: TOOL127101Z Format: Digital Release Date: 26.07.2024 Tracklist: LFO
Tony Romera seems unstoppable and his collaboration with Toolroom Records is succesful, track after track his sound is getting confirmed as one of the most fresh and dancefloor inspired. ‘LFO’ is his last track released: the sound canvas features an infectious main synth and an expressive instrumental; Tony Romera realized a great tune for summer parties.
Artist: Safar (FR) Title: Majaneen Label: Sol Selectas Cat. #: SOL115 Format: Digital Release Date: 02.08.2024 Tracklist: 01. Safar (FR) – Majaneen 02. Safar (FR), AMVN Feat. Abdellah Stitou – Laafou 03. Safar (FR) – Escalera
Sabo’s record label, Sol Selectas welcomes the return of French Afro house artist Safar (FR) who delivers a three-track EP.
Safar (FR) is back on Sol Selectas with his second solo EP for the imprint, he has also remixed a track by ARKADYAN, and released solo tracks via a number of the record label’s compilations.
Now a core member of the Sol Selectas family, Safar (FR) continues to dazzle with his organic tracks that combine the electronic sounds of his European upbringing with the tribal rhythms of his African heritage.
His vibrant and upbeat style fuses percussive flair with organic sounds and spellbinding synths to create compelling tracks that are perfect for the dance floor. His tracks and remixes can also be found on other influential record labels ranging from Stil Vor Talent to MoBlack Records.
“Majaneen” opens the release with a groove built around shuffling percussion and synths played in triplets. The track has a traditional African string instrument and organic flutes combined with off kilter synth chords, which combine to create a vibrant track with upbeat energy.
“Laafou” blends funky bass chords with live congas and powerful Gnawa vocals that fill the track with captivating emotion. It has a stomping groove that will get people stamping their feet to the rhythms of the heavy percussion.
“Escalera” closes the release with a chugging groove underpinned by a deep bassline and pitched tom drums. Dramatic bass chords and Arabic synths give the track an expansive sound that builds to the suspense of a sun-drenched breakdown, before the drums are reintroduced to release an exhilarating burst of energy.
INVT duo and K-Lone join their forces for the creation of the two tracker ‘Loca’, hosted on Cuttin’ Headz (label founded by The Martinez Brothers). As overall the sound is prominent and catchy, featuring infectious instrumentals that arouse strong sensations. Tribal inspired loops have been added in both the songs, a sign of the nowadays popularity of latin tech style, which is largerly played and appreciated by the audience.
Artist: Adam Beyer, The Good Men (Chocolate Puma) Title: Give It Up Label: Armada Cat. #: ARMAS2863 Format: Digital Release Date: 26.07.2024 Tracklist: Give It Up
The Good Men’s ‘Give It Up‘ is a track released in 1992, it was the first EP of Fresh Fruit Records, a Dutch house music label founded by the artists themselves (Gaston Steenkist and René ter Horst), mostly known for their Chocolate Puma moniker. The happiness and freedom spread by this classic theme is still enjoyable, features which caught the interest of the legendary Adam Beyer, who adapted the original motif into a contemporary and blasting techno instrumental.
“There’s no denying the major impact ‘Give It Up’ has had globally,” says Adam Beyer. “So giving this old house classic a fresh techno flavour for 2024 is an honour and it has been going down a storm every time I have played it so far”
Elisa Bee self-releases ‘Mythos’, in partnership with iconic Italian sportswear designer Diadora, to celebrate the Mythos running shoe dedicated to the Vicentini Gelindo Bordin, who won the marathon of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. The track samples archived sounds from the late ‘80s tournament, blended with Elisa Bee’s robust Techno, and releases this July, just in time for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“It’s not the first time that music has put me into contact with the fashion world. However, this time, the roles have reversed: it’s a story of innovative design that inspired the creation of this track. ‘Mythos’ represents a journey that starts in 1988 with Bordin’s victory in the marathon at the Seoul Olympics, then continues through the late 2000s with the birth of an avant-garde shoe model produced by Diadora, and culminates in the present with a launch that further enhances this technology, making it an integral part of everyday life.
I combined these historical moments into a track, using sound elements from the iconic Seoul victory. I sampled the sounds of the finish line recorded at that time, adapting them to my style and a rhythm perfect for running while maintaining the connection to my musical influences from the 2000s.” – Elisa Bee.
Artist: Nüur Title: Bica Label: Earthly Delights Cat. #: ED078 Format: Digital Release Date: 19.07.2024 Tracklist: 01. Nüur – Bica 02. Nüur, Øsskar – Anuk 03. Nüur – Mi Gente
Earthly Delights is a deep and organic record label that presents an Afro house release by Nüur.
Nüur is a Colombian artist currently living in the UK, and his style is a percussive blend of melodic synths and enchanting atmosphere. He has been a regular feature of the Earthly Delights roster, but has also released music via other respected record labels ranging from MoBlack Records to Shango Records.
He is also a skilled DJ whose productions translate his innate knowledge of how to captivate a dance floor, as his dynamic tracks find the perfect balance between energy and atmosphere.
“Bica” combines a marimba style melody with earthy percussion sequenced into shuffling rhythms. The deep bassline and breakdown’s cinematic vocals add to the compelling sound of this invigorating track.
“Anuk” is the second track on the EP, and its trippy synth melodies are underpinned by upbeat percussion. It’s a mesmerising cut with a hallucinatory sound and a feel-good vibe.
“Mi Gente” is a mid-tempo track with heavy percussion and a euphoric lead synth before introducing Hispanic vocals in the breakdown section. It’s a unique track that combines Afro percussion with a melodic techno groove.
Artist: Ilona Maras Title: Intention Energy Label: Riot Recordings Cat. #: RIOT192 Format: Digital Release Date: 19.07.2024 Tracklist: 01. Intention Energy 02. Am I Doing Right
Frankyeffe’s Riot Recordings present a two-track raw and industrial techno release by Ilona Maras.
Ilona Maras is a Montenegro born artist who is currently living in Switzerland, and she is a respected DJ who plays at many of Zürich’s biggest underground events. She is an eclectic artist, and this release showcases the techno side of her style, which combines explosive drums and gritty analogue synths.
This is the first time that Ilona Maras has featured on Riot Recordings, and she joins the imprint following releases on other prestigious techno labels such as Filth on Acid.
First up, “Intention Energy” has rising synth chords layered with a hammering kick drum and rumbling bassline. Punishing claps add to the intensity of the groove, and the track’s “on the street and I’m thirsty” vocal sample provides a captivating focal point to this high-velocity slice of pounding techno.
Second on the release, “Am I Doing it Right” is underpinned by a brutal kick drum while flickering hi-hats fill the top-end with unstoppable momentum. The acid synth line and jackin’ vocal stabs are joined by dramatic synth chords that take control in the suspense of the breakdown, then the track erupts with bursts of white noise and monstrous claps when the drums slam back in.
Artist: Cesar Almena Title: Techno Influences Label: CODE Records Cat. #: CODE040 Format: Digital Release Date: 08.07.2024 Tracklist: 01. Cesar Almena – ZaPaTiLLa 02. Cesar Almena – Porto 03. Cesar Almena – Advent 04. Cesar Almena – Alive 05. Cesar Almena – Ekho 06. Cesar Almena – Alone 07. Cesar Almena – I’m So the Sure 08. Cesar Almena – Eh Oh 09. Cesar Almena & Catalyst – Bombeo 10. Cesar Almena – Knights of the Groovy
CODE Records celebrates its landmark 40th release with a jackin’ hardgroove techno album by record label owner Cesar Almena.
Cesar Almena is co-founder of CODE Records and its associated event series at Fabrik in Madrid, Spain. CODE parties have played host to iconic DJs including the likes of Carl Cox, Blawan, Ben Sims, Amelie Lens, Jeff Mills, Carl Craig and many more.
The record label has also released music from many of the artists who have played at the event, along with tracks and remixes by Cesar Almena and Nuke who in addition to being co-founders are also resident DJs at CODE parties.
Along with his many releases on CODE Records, Cesar Almena has also featured his raw and percussive style of upbeat techno on other prestigious record labels such as A.Paul’s Naked Lunch. This 10-track release is the third album that Cesar Almena has released via CODE Records, and it also features a collaboration with Catalyst whose an up-and-coming talent from Madrid.
“ZaPaTiLLa” opens the release with acid pulses, ravey stabs and fast-paced rhythms. Track two, “Porto” is dark and industrial with trippy vocals, and “Advent” reintroduces the rave element with its upbeat synth stabs. “Alive” continues to build an uplifting vibe with fluttering melodies and sweeping pads layered over driving percussion.
“Ekho” plunges the release back into darkness with its menacing acid line, and track six, “Alone” brings the focus back to the percussion with a full-throttle groove. “I’m So the Sure” maintains the percussive focus with a jackin’ groove cut by feel-good vocal stabs. Track eight, “Eh Oh” cranks up the tension with old-school synth chords layered with rattling percussion and invigorating vocal bursts.
“Bombeo” is the penultimate track on the album, and it releases an explosive flow of energy, before “Knights of the Groovy” closes the release with breakbeat rhythms and poignant pads.
This is a well-crafted album, where each track is dance floor focused, while also taking the listener on a captivating journey when played in full.
Baikal Nomads is an influential organic house record label, and the imprint’s new release is the eighth edition of their annual compilation, ‘Badarchin’.
‘Badarchin, Vol. 8’ features 18 tracks including three collaborations, and artists from 9 different countries. This globally sourced release embraces cultural diversity, and features music with deep atmosphere, organic percussion and spellbinding melodies.
The artists who feature on this release include Alacrán del Amor, JAVALI (MX), Andrew Shartner, Böle, Borowsky, Catatonique, Cereus, Dj Shaman, Dragon House, Jocan Deka, Samuel Wexler, K2W0, Kerem Genc, Lello Fusco, m.age.project, Makossa (IT), Niño Amarillo, Savanna, Sainz (VE), Tlazohtla and Yodh.
Many of the artists on this release have previously been featured on Baikal Nomads, but there are also record label debuts by Dragon House, Makossa (IT), Borowsky, Böle, Savanna & Sainz, Jocan Deca & Samuel Wexler, Yodh, Alacran del Amor & Javali.
Each track on this stunning compilation is a new and exciting piece of music, and many of the artists behind the tracks have individually featured on other respected record labels such as • kosa •, Cosmic Awakenings, MONADA, Cafe De Anatolia, Magician On Duty, trndmsk and Harabe.
There are so many amazing tracks on the release that there is something for everyone, as although organic house is at the core of this compilation, ‘Badarchin, Vol. 8’ also features other associated genres ranging from melodic house/techno to Afro house and downtempo.
Artist: Georgia Lee Title: Distorted Love Label:Gain Records Cat. #:GR358 Format: Digital Release Date: 05.07.2024 Tracklist: 01. Distorted Love 02. Distorted Love (Sisko Electrofanatik Remix) 03. Distorted Love (Ida Mandato Remix)
Sisko Electrofanatik’s record label Gain Records presents a peak time techno release by Georgia Lee that also features remixes by Ida Mandato and Sisko Electrofanatik.
Georgia Lee is an Italian artist based in Rome who shows off the harder side of her eclectic style with a hard-hitting track which combines heavyweight percussion and acid synths. This is her first-time featuring on Gain Records, following music on other labels such as Fakktory Records and iM Electronica. She was a resident DJ at the Circolo Degli Artisti, Amigdala, and a regular guest DJ at Roboterie nightclub, one of the most important electronic parties in Rome and she’s played alongside techno icons ranging from Ellen Allien to Regis.
Ida Mandato is another artist from Rome who is also making her debut on Gain Records. She is an accomplished DJ within the Italian scene whose EBM influenced style of techno is dark and industrial. She has previously featured her music on other record labels including Pyteca, Diffuse Reality and LETS TECHNO records.
On remix duty, Sisko Electrofanatik is an Italian artist who’s also based in Rome, and along with his numerous releases on Gain Records, he has also released on other respected record labels ranging from Alan Fitzpatrick’s We Are The Brave to Monika Kruse’s Terminal M. The likes of Carl Cox, Richie Hawtin and Adam Beyer have all played his tracks.
