Italy’s Sofatalk come through with a brand new EP for French label Escapade Recordings. The collection is overflowing with the kind of lovely, jazz inflected, broken beats that get us a little hot under the collar here at TMID. In places reminiscent of the golden era of 70’s jazz funk, Herbie Hancock springs to mind. Though not to say retro, there is enough modern touches to sound heavy on the modern dancefloor. There’s four original tracks to lose yourself in here, each one a beauty. As well as that, keyboard king Kaidi Tatham contributes a remix of closing track ‘Like a Magpie’ that is predictably fantastic. The EP is released on February 1st and can be pre-ordered here
Basic Rhythm – New Style EP
Only two weeks into the new year and winner of the DJ Mag’s “Best Label Of 2018” award Sneaker Social Club have already announced details of their first release of 2019. London based producer Basic Rhythm kicks of the proceedings this year with four tracks of bustling electronics.
Much like the label itself this EP is eclectic, wild and hard to pin down. “New Style” opens the twelve fusing house stabs with a broken beat drum pattern reminiscent of classic Marc Mac (4hero) under his Nu Era guise. This is followed by “Too Nuff” which raises the BPM and turns up the bass for a raucous 140 BPM excursion.
The B Side launches with “London Warehouse”, an energetic fusion of sound system and techno club culture pulsating with the vibrancy of 90’s pirate radio. “Ready Again” concludes the EP with a peculiar sparse drum pattern and quirky bass tones. The EP is released on February 15th and is available to pre-order now on both vinyl and digital formats.
Buy: Bandcamp
Jesse Kuye – You’ve Been Listening To J.Tijn
The fourth release on Library Tool Kit (a sub label of the mighty West Norwood Cassette Library) is by London producer Jesse Kuye. More commonly known as J.Tijn, In An Instant and more recently Zeki this EP waves goodbye to his J.Tijn moniker marking a new chapter in Jesse’s journey into wonky techno and leftfield electronics. The tracks on this ten inch are a mixture of old and new, the A Side featuring music recorded specially for this modern day library record and the B Side containing unreleased songs from the J.Tijn archive. Each one produced or edited to two minutes or under these EP’s always deliver a combination of genuine WTF moments and loops that make you want to buy a second copy and pretend it was you in that DMC World Mixing Championship final.
A fitting way to kill off this alias “You’ve Been Listening To J.Tijn” refuses to go quietly instead opting for a no holes barred kicking and screaming departure. Like the previous three volumes this is vinyl only for now with a potential digital release some time in the future.
Bandcamp: WNCL
Exclusive Premiere : Vitor Araújo – Toque n.1 (Rando Fálcigo)
Edit: Both tracks are now available on Bandcamp, go cop that!
Nutriot Recordings teased out the excellent first single from Vitor Araújo’s new album at the tail end of last year and I have to say it blew me away. Mixing classical influences with electronics and the music of his home country Brazil, this album promises to be something special. So it’s with great excitement that we bring you an exclusive premiere of the second single ‘Toque n.1 (Rando Fálcigo)’ which you can hear at the link below.
You can pre-order the album at the bandcamp link below, where you’ll receive the first single instantly and the new track when it comes out on Friday.
Also check out the album’s mini-site which includes a video of the first single here
The Maghreban – Islands
Following on from The Maghreban’s super eclectic album which came out last year on R&S comes a new EP Islands. This one is described by the artist as slightly trackier, more boring efforts! Judging by the clips and advanced track, there’s nothing remotely boring on offer here. What we get instead is four dirty, dancefloor rollers that are right up our strasse. Pre-order at the bandcamp link, EP comes out in full on the 18th Jan.
Mark de Clive-Lowe – Heritage
I’ve always had a lot of time for Mark de Clive-Lowe. I managed to see him live in various guises a fair few times during his years in London. These days he resides and continues to make music from the sunnier climes of Los Angeles California. This new album is an ode to his Japanese Heritage through the lense of jazz and electronics. The first of two volumes apparently. The first track we have is a beautiful jazz number, ‘Memories of Nanzenji’, as featured on our First of the Year mixtape. The abum will be released in full on February the 8th and can be pre-ordered at the link
EPs / Singles of 2018
These are the EPs that did it for us in 2018, it was hard to get it down to ten, what do you think is missing?
10. Kyoto Jazz Sextet – Rising (Ron Trent remix)
Taken from a 2017 Blue Note album, picked up by Local Talk for a little remix action. Ron keeps most of the original elements in check, adding a little of his trademark house thump and keys. One for the end of the night.
9. Ultramarine – Breathing
A lovely little hypnotic taster of a forthcoming album from Ultramarine, who’ve been in the game since the early 90s. These are apparently early versions so a turn differently when the album arrives. The title track with it’s haunting sax is an absolute beauty.
8. Linkwood – Fresh Gildans
Kicking off with a super-charged electrofunk belter of a tune in ‘Fresh Gildans’, this is another great release from the Firecracker label. The varied b-side jams are not to be ignored either. Linkwood’s other release, ‘Night Theatre Volume One’ EP is also worthy of your attention.
7. 30/70 – Elevations
Rhythm Section put together a great remix package for Australian soul band 30/70. As well as the remixes there is a little stripped back live track. All the remixes on offer here are ace, but it’s the Setwun one that stands out for me.
6. Drummotive – Coral EP
Next Phase Records have been putting out marvelous atmospheric music for a good while now. Rooted in but not limited to drum & bass, this EP was a particular highlight for me. Coming off like classic Mo Wax at times, this is music to lose yourself to.
5. Selectors Assemble Volume 2
Broken Beat’s second coming is in full swing right now, not that it’s really ever been away for some of us. Curated by Co-Op originals IG Culture and Alex Phountzi, but with plenty of young blood along for the ride. All 6 tracks are fire, I can’t pick a favourite.
4. Sonar’s Ghost X GMHA – 3 X 2
OK we’re biased here, but this is so good. Big up Mr Stanton and GMHA, smashing it with a late entry to the list.
3. Kamaal Williams – New Heights / Snitches Brew
I think this is the best Kamaal Williams record yet. New Heights is great, but ‘Snitches Brew’ is like nothing you’ve ever heard before. Listen at least once a day and become as obsessed by it as I am.
2. Afrikan Sciences – Reciprocity
In my opinion Afrikan Sciences is one of the best out there (and he is out there in every way). He had quite a few releases this year, including a couple of excellent self-released albums. This EP came out on his original home Deep Blak Recordings, back in February. I have to say the whole thing just blew me away. Put ‘Hullman Z’ on, crank up the volume and see where it takes you!
1. Karmasound – Probabilidades
Karmasound’s 2018 EP for the Phuture Shock Musik label is absolutely rammed with broken infused gems. The tracks where he pushes the tempo up to the max work the best for me, but the whole thing is pure heat. For me, this has been the EP of the year. Looking forward to his new single, ‘Can See Thru You’ which is coming early Jan.
Albums of 2018
This is my top 10 albums of the year, any I’ve missed or got completely wrong?
10. Space Ghost – Endless Light
Lovely warm analog sounds from Space Ghost out of Oakland California on this LP for Tartelet Records. This album is a bit like your favourite blanket. A collection of mellow synth funk which occasionally shifts gear towards for the dancefloor. Not really heard this one played much, maybe a little under the radar?
9. Mansur Brown – Shiroi
Black Focus Records got a lot of attention in 2018, mostly for the also excellent Kamaal Williams album. But for me this album from guitarist Mansur Brown was the stronger of the two. There’s so much going on, I feel like I notice something new on each listen. Smokey late night vibes, very enjoyable
8. Pursuit Grooves – Felt Armour
I’ve always had a soft spot for the productions of Toronto’s Pursuit Grooves. This self-released album is hard to define. Crunchy, industrial, electronics like nothing you’ve heard before. Another album that’s probably a little slept on, but I recommend you seek it out.
7. MGUN – Axiom
Don’t Be Afraid had another cracking year, and this is I think their finest release of the year. The sophomore album from Detroit’s MGUN. This one’s full of raw party jams, but works equally as an album you can listen to start to finish on your cans.
6. Bantam Lions – Romantic Views
Bantam Lions follows up his amazing ‘Short Stories’ album with this more experimental but just as excellent collection. The album has a haunting lo-fi feel, with a lot of the tracks being little 2 minute vignettes rather than twelve inch bangers.
5. Mildlife – Phase
Taking in jazz, funk, disco and a little pych, this album was a highlight of my summer, even though it came out a lot earlier in the year. The debut album from Australian band Mildlife is hard to resist by even the coldest of souls.
4. Makaya McCraven – Universal Beings
Everybody’s been talking about the jazz revival this year. I’m not sure it’s ever been away, but it’s great to see the music getting a lot more attention in 2018. This for me was the jazz album of the year. I picked it up when I was looking for interesting music to play on a modern jazz show I put together for NTS earlier this year. The album is made up of a series of live performances in New York and Chicago alongside studio recordings in London and LA. The album features many of the great young players of modern jazz and makes for a stunning listen
3. X-Altera – X-Altera
Not content with putting out a new album under the Dabrye alias, the man of many names, Tadd Mulinix knocked me for six with this one. X-Altera is influenced by a love of jungle and drum & bass alongside a re-connection with melodic techno. All this retro love and the result is an album that feels amazingly fresh
2. Insolito Universo – La Candela Del Rio
I absolutely loved this album, so much it was one of the first blog posts. The album is a mix of traditional Venezuelan styles with a modern electronic edge. A blast from start to finish, great artwork too!
1. Max Graef – Lo Siento Mucho Pero No Hablo Tu Idioma
So here we have my favourite album of the year. Max Graef’s second album (under his own name at least) is an absolute belter. Very different to his earlier stuff, I really love the out-there, lo-fi vibes. Also worth checking out the Ratgrave album Max was involved in this year, also sick!!
Greater Manchester Housing Authority – This Might Be Earth
Our good friend Greater Manchester Housing Authority has just put out yet another dope collection on his ever expanding Bandcamp page. Plus this one comes with a bonus 45 min ‘Best Of GMHA’ mixed by yours truly. check it out at the link above
Sonar’s Ghost X GMHA – 3 X 2
Out today, Sonar’s Ghost goes head to head with GMHA for the Sector 12/12 label. As well as being absolute fire, it’s all for a good cause with all proceeds going to support a local homeless shelter.
It’s not a well kept secret that Sonar’s Ghost is one Dominic Stanton flexing his post retirement production skills. The EP opens up with ‘Loveboat’, a glitchy, channel-hopping number that was previously given away as a freebie with a limited run t-shirt. ‘Ol Blue Eyes’ is next with a little rolling drum & bass flavour. Dominic finishes his (virtual) side with ‘The Moltern Mole’, a crunchy dub number. Be warned, we recommend listening to this one with a decent set of speakers to fully enjoy that b-line.
GMHA takes over for round two kicking off with the absolutely gorgeous ‘Hypnotica’. The off kilter drums on this one are an absolute delight. Next up is ‘Rack and Ruin’ which starts off all moody electronics until the banging kick smashes us round the chops halfway through. Finally we have a lovely little downtempo vibe, ‘Marget’ to close the set. Purchase here.
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