Sum Of R - Orga [Cyclic Law]

Still catching up on a huge pile of promos sitting on our desk we're taking a closer look at "Orga" today, the latest album created by Reto Mäder's band outfit Sum Of R which has been on the release circuit for about a decade now. Put on the circuit in mid-September, 2k17 the album starts with "Intro: Please Ring The Bells", a well atmospheric and spine-tingling piece of score'esque music leading towards the minimalist Dark PostRock affair that is "Overgrown" and its ritualistic, Drone and Ambient related successor "We Have To Mark This Entrance" weighing in beautiful string arrangements and the atmospheric grandiosity of ancient sagas touching each- and everyone from a place deep within. Seeing both "Light & Dust" induces a feel of danger lurking in dark corners whilst bordering on (Neo)Classical and Ambient influences, "Cobalt Powder" is a more dynamic, in parts even noisier affair combining bass drones and sonic waves pushing one's braincells into Dark Ambient realms whilst scarce, yet thundering drum works are slowly building up tension, alongside a bluesy piano line that is, to a point of horror'esque uber intensity that will surely break the weak-heartened, levelling them up into a "Hypnotic State" in which even church organs come into play, slowly morphing into calmer, more collected sonic spheres whilst "The Passing Of Risk" provides a feel of vast subsurface depths and cavities, of mysterious, yet uncovered worlds and the magic felt within, drawing pictures of ancient times and enigmatical dwellers roaming unknown lands. Furthermore "Desmonema Annasethe" is a quite calm and static Ambient affair of undeniable beauty which is paired with decent layers of electrical buzzing and sounds of small but rattling metal pieces, "To Deny Responsibility Is To Perpetuate A Lie" provides a slow, yet overwhelming flood of subaquatic Ambient and ratcheting rhythms once again combined with sparse metallic sounds whereas the greatly named "Let Us Begin With What We Do Not Want To Be" weighs in a peaceful sonic panorama piece as epic as overlooking a mountain massif before the concluding "One After The Other" presents a more agitated and lively approach to cinematic soundscapes accompanied with a distinct, yet unusual rhythmic foundation. An excellent score for cold winter nights, this is.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Islaja - Tarantulla [Svart Records Promo]

Released earlier this month via Svart Records is "Tarantulla", the newest album created by the Finnish artist Merja Kokkonen using her artistic guise Islaja. Catering a menu of nine tracks covering a runtime of approx. 38 minutes we see the Berlin-based creator explore a fascinating realm of distinct, unique Leftfield Pop starting with the vocally warped and string heavy tale named "Ghost From The Future" which fuses both modernistic as well as ancient musical tendencies whilst "Emosein" brings dramatic, captivating multiple harmony layers of - well... - slightly björk'ish qualities to the table and its follow up "Sadetta" and its hypnotic beat backing is more of an intense and ceremonial, maybe even celebratory character. With "Tactile Material" we're entering a dancefloor crowded by SynthPop, PostPunk and Wave-loving creatures of the night which also have a thing for experimental Jazz-excursions, the "Peace Pilot" flies a plane fueled by hammering, uncompromising Techno and experimental, ethereal vocal works whereas the artists "Earty Side" is a hypnotic excursion into 4/4 driven Synth- and MinimalWave with an edgy, ambiguous twist. Looking at her "Robot Arm" Merja Kokkonen must have thought of heavy, grinding SynthPop and slowly moving gargantuan machines of future industrial eras alongside big time romanticism and intense Spoken Word lectures, "Sävel Mun Suussa" is more of a traditional ballad in a MetaPop sense and twice as sexy due to the use of the Finnish language and the closing "Sun Luona Taas" pleases all those loving large scale vintage synth arrangements as well as heartfelt and touching Retrofuturist SpacePop for a reason. Well-varied and therefore recommended for a reason.

Jana Irmert - Obstacles (Official Video)

A quite static, yet beautiful visualization of deep, melancholia-infused Dark Ambient music. We love this.

Lewi B - Who's Leveling? (Shannon Parkes & Max Must Stop It WARDUB)

It's war time again. 

Nils Økland Band - Lysning [Hubro Music]

Incoming via Hubro Music only recently and already announced on these pages via the posting of its opening tune "Drøm" earlier this month is "Lysning", the second ever full length album created by the Nils Økland-led Nils Økland Band who is setting out to focus mainly, but not exclusively, on the beautiful sound of the Norwegian instrument that is widely known as hardanger fiddle, played in combination with various other string instruments, double bass, harmonium, electric guitar and many more, creating a beautiful, multilayered and often Ambient referencing atmosphere of purely non-electronic origin that, due to its floating and seamless nature, seems like it'd been crafted and created digitally, weighing in its calming and naturalistic, folk'ish strengths as well as a slightly dancy, medieval touch in the remarkable "Flukt" which is one of the most captivating standout tunes on this album whereas "Skygger" caters rural melancholia and a proper amount of ancient weltschmerz which also is to be found in the beautiful slow dance that is "Skumring" whilst the nearly eight minutes spanning "Speiling" unveils the musical abilities and dynamic range of the five piece band piece to the fullest before the intense "Bølge" seems like a tense prequel to and call for a nordic sword battle to be fought in the nearby future. A stunning musical experience that's also highly recommended for collectors of scores and soundtracks for a reason.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Frog Bitch - The Frog Bitch Fucks Your Brain EP [Psychocandies 062]

Another new one on Psychocandies is the "Frog Bitch Fucks Your Brain EP" by, ofc, Frog Bitch which is due for release on December 28th, 2k17 and caters three new tracks from the mysterious artists' studios. Opening with "Untitled 2" we're drawn into a world of dry, experimental ElectroTech rhythm signatures and repetetive, lo-fi sawtooth synths surely made to fuck up one's braincells whereas the following "Untitled 3" brings on deep, hypnotic ClubTechno vibes seemingly coming straight from the ProtoTrance era that was about 1992/1993, catering some excellent 303-modulations for a floating AcidTrance feel before the concluding "Untitled 4" presents a way harsher, distorted and merciless take on raw MonoAcid that could've been derived from the idea of pitching down screaming AcidCore to the max. This tune is for the headstrong only.

El Perro Del Mar - Fight For Life (Official Video)

A blueprint of highly dramatic Pop music taken from El Perro Del Mar's forthcoming EP named "We Are History" which is about drop via Ging Ging Recordings on February 2nd, 2k18. We're in for the tension and suspense!

Sascha Müller - I Have A Sampler [Psychocandies 061]

Released on December 21st, 2k17 via Psychocandies is Sascha Müller's latest digital single named "I Have A Sampler" which features the title track in two versions. Whilst the 'Original Mix' caters a gooey, ever spiralling take on Acid incorporating a heavily filtered vocal sample slightly reminiscent of the French Touch era we see the 'Acid Machine Mix' bring on a darker, more pounding, yet hollow-sounding approach, emphasizing on raw hi-hats and claps whilst presenting a vibe that might remind some of us older geeks of DBX's classic "I'm Losing Control" for a reason.

DJ Taye feat. Chuck Inglish - Get It Jukin

Deep Juke to come from DJ Taye - scheduled for March, 2k18 via Hyperdub!

Ziúr - Fractals (Official Video)

Trigger warning: the combination of music and video art might cause seizures.

O3 - Trashumancia [Sofa Music]

Released via the Norwegian staple Sofa Music in late October, 2k17 is "Trashumancia", the second ever album by O3, a group comprised of Ingar Zach, Alessandra Rombola and Esteban Algora which are making a return to the longplay circuit after ten long years with this 48 minutes piece which has been as well recorded in the Spanish town of Uruena where the group recorded their acclaimed debut. Starting with "Amaneceres" the group enters a world of very stripped down Minimal Music which goes way beyond the borders of pure Ambient, only delivering an arrangement of assorted single sonic events seemingly following a strict compositional idea and line before "Tras Un Sol Violento" serves a deep, breathtaking take on Drone and Dark Ambient music accompanied by percussive crescendoes as well guttural grunts from hell and "Caminar, Caminar, Caminando" combines Field Recordings and an ebb and flow of altered accordion sounds with brittle electronics to a very intense, yet also melancholia-infusing, inward-looking effect. Furthermore "Arroyuelos" tells tales of buzzing alienation and perfect isolation in deserted ghost towns, "Naturaleza Inerta" takes ultraminimalistic Ambient to the next level and serves nothing but a haunting, slowly pulsating atmosphere whereas "Lobizniega" brings on a darker, more threatening vibe with heavy percussions, pounding background drums and the scraping sounds of cutlery on ceramics as well as off kilter vintage synths, all falling together in a very abstract, yet Industrial-resembling manner before the final cut "Al Caer La Noche" provides a more naturalistic feel with dreamlike flutes and an overall atmosphere taken from a fairytale. Outstandingly good, this.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Palmbomen II - Memories Of Cindy Pt. 2

A sequel transmission from a strange parallel space-time realm. We're not sure if we'd want to be there.

Sextile - Ripped (Official Video)

Define: hypersexed Punkrock / Synthwave brutalism.

baze.djunkiii Chart Haul 12/2017

Sascha Müller [Supersix Records Extra 059]

Coming up with a new untitled album on his own Supersix Records label is the man known as Sascha Müller who is catering another menu of twelve previously unreleased tunes with this longplay effort. The opener "Der Schieber (Olala Mix)" weighs in hard, uncompromising and tool'ish Techno that would've been labelled as Schranz in Germany a good ten years ago, "Gain" presents Techno purism on a more hypnotizing and futuristic level, sending huge spaces to heavens with its distinct drive, "Global Control" combines raw, BigBeat-reminiscing Breakbeats with a straight 4/4, spaced out DubTechno chords, a playful, uplifting synth motif and a deep as fuck take on Phonk basslinewise whilst "Implant II" is a blueprint for banging Techno brutalism bordering Hardcore in late 2k17 for sure. Being "Impressed" comes down to dancing to super dry, yet playful House music infused with jazzy drums and sweet, seductive melodic aspects, "In The Japanese Gameroom" brings on traditional Japanese instruments, fast Breakbeats and, of course, loads of 8bit game music influences whereas "Jazzistic Part II" seems to follow a more comical, overdrive and hyperspeed approach and can be seen as a glitched, tongue-in-cheek take on Novelty Music before the "Latinoman" makes us dance to masterly crafted, percussive Techno rhythms and "Lichteffekt" weighs in a deep, complex Intelligent Techno feel for late night underground sessions in full on ecstasy. Finally, a lonely "Little Green Man" is having a ChillOut party to Acid-infused slo-mo Electro, lost somewhere in an alien swamp, the "Loved Rocking Beats" present razor sharp, B12-influenced UltraPhonk for all the dancers and breakers out there before a visit to the "Mekong Delta" unveils a new angle on metallic, ultracompressed Techno for those in need of a deadly weapon to cold floor ravers on the dancefloor. Quite a diverse arrangement of quality tracks, this.

Panoptique Electrical - Quiet Ecology [Sound In Silence 044]

Coming in from the Greek Sound In Silence-label is their late November released album "Quiet Ecology" created by the now Adelaide, Australia-based sound artist that is Jason Sweeney under his musical moniker Panoptique Electrical. Making his third appearance on the imprint we see Sweeney open his latest effort with "The World Is So Loud", a beautiful and organic 11+ minutes take on pure Piano Ambient romanticisms accompanied by decent cello strings, the follow up "In A Vow Of Silence" weighs in more of a droning, solemn and intense approach towards autumnal Ambient music and "Footfalls" caters the needs of those bathing in loneliness and melancholia throughout cold winter nights, shedding tears and suffer from broken hearts. With "Upon A Map" multilayered channels bring on a quite alarming, yet also natural and medieval feel of sorts, "A Place With Trees" takes us back into a more romantic mood and the final cut finds its place "In Between Buildings", following a similar path but unfortunately doesn't play through its entire runtime because our copy of this release is somehow scratched and faulty towards the very end. If you love Piano Ambient and moody feels, this one's for you anyway.

Lui Hill - 5000 Miles (Official Video)

Deep and touching 4K Future Soul for those going through emotional trouble these days. Lovely.

Die Tödliche Doris - Acht-Jahres-Pause / Eight-Year Pause

The most beautiful, dubbed out Noize we've come across in a while. Absolute perfection.

Sugai Ken - UkabazUmorezU [Rvng Intl. 040]

Released in late October, 2k17 via Rvng Intl. is "UkabazUmorezU", the latest album effort created by Japanese sound artist Sugai Ken who caters a menu of 11 tracks on this longplay piece which are, for the most part, based upon a foundation of Field Recordings of local performing arts captured in Kanagawa, Japan which are altered and transformed through techniques of electronic synthesis. This said, the sonic world created by Sugai Ken incorporates both elements of traditional, partly ritualistic music, Ambient / IDM and a bizarre sense for humoristic twists and turns, leading tunes like "Wochikaerie To Uzume" into unexpected, comical directions whilst "Shinobine" brings us pure calmness comprised of some background noise and a looped birds tweet. With "Okera" Sugai Ken introduces the world to an amalgamation of ritual metal percussion tones, repetetive pads and swampy sounds of a seemingly modular origin, the short interlude that is "Mei" brings on some threatening, dark and obscured transmissions from the outerworld seamlessly transitioning into "Ganoubyoshi" whereas "Doujiri" fuses fairylike harp chords with bits of Abstract Jazz and quite a tongue-in-cheek attitude on which "Katsura" picks up to provide more of an uplifting, all embracing vibe related to blog hype genres like Glo-Fi and ChillWave in terms of its overall feel. "Kugutsa Biwa" once again gets into what might recognized as strange communication signals of extraterrestrial lifeforms according to underground 70s sci-fi flics which as well goes for the follow-up that is "Sawariyanagi", a tune based on a series of highly warped vocal cut ups, before the concluding "Suzunarikibushi" takes on a dancy, playful and frolicking sonic array for a farewell which makes us smile for a reason. Highly recommended, this!

Album artwork on Instagram!

Palmbomen II - Memories of Cindy Pt. 1

What have we seen? Are you disturbed, too? Is this great? And does the universe even exist?

Nils Økland Band - Drøm

The folk'ish, untouched and natural beauty of Hardanger fiddle music at its best, accompanied by soft electronic pads and beautiful atmospheres.

Twin Peetz - As We Do (Vinyl Version) / Sascha Müller - Terre De Dub 1 [Sascha Müller Music]

Put on the circuit as a limited to 10 copies - sic!!! - hand-numbered and hand-cut vinyl release via Sascha Müller Music is the latest split 12" effort crafted by Sascha Müller himself and the Berlin-based producer Twin Peetz. Whilst Twin Peetz' focuses on the deeper, ever spiralling and more melodic edge of DubTechno with his tune "As We Do (Vinyl Version)" which might be best described as a fusion of Echochord and Maurizio labelwise we see Sascha Müller's "Terre De Dub 1" explore a more haunting, ghostly and most importantly more technoid realm within the genre, providing a proper muscular tool for close to peak time DubTechno sets. Collectors item!

Xposed 4Heads - 8Bit Ride (Official Video)

Super cute and very playful holiday greetings from the remarkable band outfit widely recognized as the Xposed 4Heads. This is for the lo-fi lovers.

Kedr Livanskiy - Ariadna [2MR 029 Promo]

Released in early September via the 2MR imprint is Kedr Livanskiy's debut album "Ariadna", crafted by the Moscow-based artist Yana Kedrina using her artistic nom de guerre to cater an array of ten tracks both inspired by her own urban environment as well as mythological thoughts and 80s electronic pioneers from Russia. Starting with the album's title track "Ariadna" a new sonic world opens up comprised of dreamlike (Neo)Cosmic, Electro and ethereal, Pop-infused vocals whereas the follow up "Sunrise Stop" brings on all embracing organic bass waves and a decent 4/4 drum layer as foundation for Kedr Livanskiy's voice driven journey into deep retrofuturistic space. Drawing more influences from the Space Age - and ItaloDisco of sorts - is "Your Name", a highly seductive tune which might be referred to as the albums hit single, "Mermaid" provides a floating, beatless approach to (Neo)Cosmic and "ACDC" featuring Martin Newell on vocal duties presents more of a mystical, spiralling Spoken Word vibe before raving Electro beats and oldskool'ish Breakbeats send punters to new ecstatic heavens. With "Za Oknom Vesna" Kedr Livanskiy's vocal approach meets proper, slightly trancey Detroit Techno for the first time, "Love & Cigarettes" combines heartfelt, deep ass melancholia with driving Electro vibes again before the "Sad One" contributes a concluding beautiful, naturalistic tale of Synth Ambient to the albums story. Furthermore we see the digital bonus track "Fire & Water" weigh in a slightly tribalistic approach to vocal driven Intelligent Techno as well as massive dancefloor potential and the vinyl exclusive "Sunset" unveils the most touching, widescreen panorama SloMo Synth Techno we've come across in quite a while. Great stuff. Highly recommended.

Gregg Kowalsky - L'Ambience, L'Orange

Ambient or (Neo)Cosmic beauty?

Kim Myhr - You | Me [Hubro Music]

Put on the circuit via Hubro Music in late November, 2k17 is "You | Me", the latest album effort by Norway's Kim Myhr who, according to the album info, is delivering his first longplay piece in which everything is derived from one specific musical idea. The result is an album split in two, with an "A" and "B" side simply named like that, in which the 18 minutes spanning continuous "A" side provides a feel of slowly evolving, Ambient-infused PostPostRock accompanied by decent electronic backings, providing a steady and organic flow leading into a dismal greyscale mood matching the misty ocean and dark'ish clouds depicted on the albums cover before the "B" side mostly relies on a dreamy guitar motif that immediately induces autumnal melancholia into every listener, stretching its 20 minutes total runtime into an ongoing eternity and therefore turns this one into our favorite out of the two tunes to be found on this longplayer.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Moby - Like A Motherless Child (Official Video)

So Moby is officially bringing back the BigBeat / Alternative fusion we all loved so much in the late 90s. It's about time.

Goner - YS 2

Deep, sub heavy and multilayered rhythmic structures for Electronica headz and low end fanatics. Epic!

Sascha Müller - Controlling EP [SMSM 017]

Announced for December 20th, 2k17 is Sascha Müller's new digital single dubbed the "Controlling EP" on which the Meppen-based producer caters four subsequently numbered tracks all going by the same name. The opener "Controlling_1" provides a raw, lo-fi take on repetetive, overly simplistic Techno with an early 90s twist, "Controlling_2" follows a similar path whilst providing a cheeky sequence of quirky bleeps that puts a smile on our face for a reason and therefore is to be recognized as one of the best Tongue-In-Cheek Techno tunes ever whilst "Controlling_3" brings forth more demo vibes and a seemingly unmastered angle of dry MinimalTechno for hardcore headz. Finally "Controlling_4" comes up with the most floor friendly attitude for those preferring their oldskool Minimal Techno raw, pounding, uncut und with a slightly humoristic twist. Interesting, this.

Juxtaposition - Juxtaposition [Nakama Records 012]

Released in late September via the Norwegian Nakama Records imprint is "Juxtaposition", the first album by the improviser supergroup of the same name comprised of Agnes Hvizdalek, Magnus Skavhaug Nergaard, Utku Tavil and Natali Abrahamsen Garner. Going into the recording process without any compromise and with different approaches towards the art of Noize as well as Free Improv the music provided by the Juxtapposition quartet is defo heavy and made for the headstrong, incorporating elements of HarshNoize and sheer sonic terror, distorted echoes of Electronica, Field Recordings, electronics, scraping sounds, electric guitars, shredded and warped vocal bits, manipulated and abused instruments as well as loads of seemingly unorganized chaos which is amalgamated through the mixing and mastering process committed by Magnus Skavhaug Nergaard and legendary Noize master Lasse Marhaug himself. Not exactly one for romantic candlelight dinners but great stuff anyway.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Marco Resmann feat. Deep Aztec & Black Soda - Babylon Side [Watergate Records 044]

Coming in via the man Marcoe Resmann himself is "Babylon Side", his latest release on Berlin's Watergate Records which he recorded straight in the Red Bull Studios of Cape Town / South Africa alongside the two local artists Deep Aztec and Black Soda. Whilst the 12"es title track featuring the both of them embarks on a damp, fever'ish late night TechHouse journey for already heaving crowds turned into a dreamlike, hypnotic state by the tunes unique vocal approach and decent Acid references we see "Abadala feat. Deep Aztec" providing a similar, yet sped up and more pounding vibe for technoid hours, once again weighing in mystic vocal bits accompanied by scarce tribal percussions and scattered, twisted modulation efforts as well as a spine-tingling atmosphere leading towards a short, yet distinct climax. On the flip Oliver Huntemann is taking care of the title remixwise whilst turning the tune into a powerful, well muscular and Acid-referencing tool for primetime sets before Marco Resmann's very own re-interpretation of "Babylon Side" is a thrilling, rolling and ever spiralling Tech affair catering nothing but pure energy for bubbling and buzzing ravers on a jam packed floor. Proper!

Orson Hentschel - Facade I

A deep, fascinating Space Ambient / (Neo)Cosmic / Spoken Word fusion taken from Orson Henschel's forthcoming "Facades" album, due for release via Denovali on January 26th, 2k18.

Erik Honore - Unrest [Hubro Music]

Another recent release on Norway's Hubro Music label is Erik Honore's second full-on solo album effort named "Unrest" after the social and personal unrest of the period in which it was produced. Based upon a live performance by Stian Westerhus at the Punkt Festival in Kristiansand in 2016 which was live remixed by Erik Honore the album brings on a menu of eight tracks starting with "Surge" which is a dark'ish take on piano-led Ambient musically, accompanied by haunting, ghostly electronic sounds and providing a thrilling, yet partly score'esque atmosphere whilst the "Abandoned Home" comes across as a deep, highly romantic vocal effort for oldschool, black and white Hollywood movies - think "Moon River" here, but on a more minimalistic scale musically. The title track "Unrest" tales a tale of essentially this, being comprised of various layers of high pitched, nervous violins partly bringin on a siren-resembling undertone and overall feel of being highly alert, nicely contrasted by lonely ethno flutes, the short interlude "Remain" caters full on, purified flute romanticisms which find a continuation in the beautiful, stripped down and dramatic vocal piece that is "Blinded Windows" before "Apparition" once again is about to please both lovers of haunting scores as well as carefully crafted Ambient bringing forth piano melancholia and guttural non-vocalisms. With "Procession" we're introduced to the first Electronica / Ambient crossover on this album, providing not exactly a beat but a rhythmic, structured bass pulse, multi-layered loops and elements of Dub to an hypnotic result appealing to both early Pole- as well as Senking-fans before "The Park" defines a new blueprint for heartfelt, stripped down and simply beautiful songwriting in 2k17. Check!

Album artwork on Instagram!

Toxydoll - Hawkward [AUT Records 037]

Put on the circuit on October 23rd, 2k17 via AUT Records is "Hawkward", the second studio album by Toxydoll, a genre bending quartet comprised of Vicent Domenech, Alberto Cavenati, Bob Meanza and Olgo Nosova. Introducing their new longplay piece with "Acanounia", a captivating, lively and score'esque take on Jazz Noir with a spy flic touch the pack of four immediately catches our attention, delivering a huge, atmospheric and glitched out mid-track breakdown and brutal drum eruptions whilst weighing in a more Funk-driven approach and Crossover-resembling, slightly distorted bass lines alongside a whole lotta noise in "Whole Lotta Dog". Following up is "18 Triggered Off", a tense piece of Late Night Jazz perfectly depicting the feel of strolling through the empty streets of a fog-covered big city, past midnight in late fall, whilst dabbling with a bit of a FreeJazz attitude. "Obatala" is a highly percussive, fever'ish interpretation of a traditional Cuban theme and the first vocal piece on "Hawkward" which interestingly is more reminiscent of what westerners might identify as African Traditional, kind of , "Castellana" delivers more of a solemn, introspective feel and an obvious hint of all-embracing melancholia and "Mr. Trotzkopf" is built out of deep, partly electronic and part Field Recording-resembling atmospheres, lonely desert guitars and what can be well described as Dark Jazz. Towards the end we see "Viruta" taking over seamlessly, immediately diving into highly agitated, buzzing Jazz realms bringing forth a massive crescendo as a grand mid-track climax and the final cut named "Chasm" is the most far out and experimental cut in this longplay effort, fusing more Jazz Noir / Future Jazz with an isolatinist urban vibe surprisingly turning into tender romanticism and musical crooning towards the tunes end as a sweet and unexpected closure.

B.Fleischmann - Here Comes The A Train

Things are getting a little funky with the first teaser single for B.Fleischmann's forthcoming album "Stop Making Fans" which is about to drop via Morr Music in 2k18.

Bruxista - Human Resources [Clang 058 Promo]

Released on October 27th, 2k17 via Clang is "Human Resources", the new album work put on the circuit by Jose Manuel Cerda using his latest moniker Bruxista for this longplay piece instead of relying on his longtime established alais ESDLCP here. Stepping into a new period or phase of his musical journey with the introduction of this artistic guise we see Mr. Cerda taking on new challenges, entering a fusion world of cut up, Jazz-infused drumming mixed up with heavy Dub-influences, a steady 4/4 drum foundation and hefty, all-embracing bass waves in "Rhythm Of Precarity" which will be a well-appreciated enrichment to both advanced Techno as well as open minded World Music floors due to its sample heavy exoticism and beauty, "Bruxism" picks up on jazzy vibes as well but is more of a Herbert-influenced House tune with a little Balearic Disco twist whereas "From Protest To Proposal" is going down a stumbling and skwee'ish Downtempo / Beatmaker / Beatdown alley whilst providing chopped pads and well thought out melodic complexions for Romantic House lovers. The perfectly entitled "Anti-Selfie" is based on and built around a vocal sample saying nothing more than "Hallo" meandering through the stereo field, accompanied by hammering, yet captivating piano play and Electronica structures for highly advanced dancefloors appreciating bits of romantic Indietronica as well, "On The Backyard Path" is the albums secret hit single, complex, but pushing forward and also a weapon of choice in more intricate bass music sets for sure, the 81 seconds long "Interlude" provides a sweet digression into bleepy, beatless electronic Lo-Fi Funk and "The Owner$" weighs in some off-kilter, SloMo Techno on a surely 'troity note, reminding us of the anfractuous musical works delivered by producers like Oni Ayhun for a reason before "Successful Underdevelopment" combines an intense, captivating  signal sequence with freestyle modular improv and samples played backwards as well as scattered drumrolls and highly complicated melodic layering to a braincell stimulating effect and the 88 seconds "Outro" provides a solemn conclusion which can be identified as influenced by meditation and (Neo)Classical music for sure. Good stuff.

Dr. NoiseM - Book Noise

Quite an interesting, and only in parts music related, release by the ever active Noize producer dubbed Dr. NoiseM. Using the PhonoPaper app created by Alexander Zolotov the Meppen-based artist transferred a whole album of Experimental Electronic and Noize tracks into a visual print format which can be re-transferred into sound and played back via scanning the single print pages of the book with an ios smart phone or tablet pc using the named app which also allows individual sound manipulation through variation of scanning speed or direction, shifting the consumers role from listener to active remixer and creator within the listening process. The results of the transfer are visually thrilling, obviously noisy, black and white images of a distinct beauty, showcasing symmetry and frequency shifts in fragile detail, partially even resembling ripples on a pond or evoking mind boggling 3D illusions for the advanced eye. Not only one for the followers of Noize as a genre but also a recommended piece of coffee table art for graphic designers, visual minimalists and computer design geeks. Check.

Sascha Müller [Supersix Records Extra 058]

Put on the circuit as its cat.no. 058 via Supersix Records is Sascha Müller's latest untitled album piece which contains a dozen new and previously unreleased tracks crafted by one of Germany's busiest, yet most underrated producers. With the opening track "After Party" we're taking off into a realm of properly stripped down - not: minimal - Techno accompanied by dubbed out, slightly Trance-inducing pads for all Intelligent Techno headz, "Amazonas Becken" is more of a pounding, muscular affair weighing in damp, tropical heat and hints of tribal percussion, "Bass T-Error" caters a wall of brutal Rock drums played in a straight 4/4 manner accompanied by a hefty portion of - hence the name - twisted sawtooth basslines for the  ElectroClash and BigBeat crowd before the "Bunker" provides stumbling, ecstatic borderline HardTek / Hardcore for violent late night sessions in underground - well... - bunkers. The epic and beautifully crafted crystalline Ambient / (Neo)Cosmic sound of "Centaury Prime" immediately evokes memories of deep unexplored space, "Control My Body" is more on a twisted, Acid-infused RaveTechno tip, bringing warped synth sequences, astronautics-related vocal samples and razor sharp hi-hats to the table whilst the "Crackle Box II" is providing 152 seconds of rhythmic crackles indeed and "Deep & Dirty" goes down the brutal lane again with a barrage of highly compressed Hardcore drums and eerie background sweeps. Being into "Deeper" things means grooving along to heavily pounding Techno with a slightly Progressive, partly even Psychedelic attitude and a well catchy, bass focused main motif surprisingly leading into a floating Trance cascade throughout the tracks course, "Droids 02" is a cold, futuristic Slo-Mo Techno affair for spaceship robot raves, "Drum & Bass" is a gooey, playful and frolicking piece of Future Tribal Techno for heaving crowds on a full on Rave tip and the final cut "Eserver" is a blueprint for fast paced, tool'ish, distortion heavy Tribal Techno in 2k17 for sure. Quality.

baze.djunkiii Charts 12/2017

01. Fatima Al Qadiri - Shaneera [Hyperdub 110]
Loads of Hyperdub releases in this months charts and Fatima Al Qadiri tops this list for a reason. Annonunced on these pages earlier this year her "Shaneera" EP does not only focus on the topic of queerness in the Arab world but caters five higly unique and fascinating amalgamations of contemporary bass music, epic synths and deep, mysterious and for a reason untranslated vocal bits for an advanced club crowd. Great stuff!

02. DJ Tre - The Underdogg [Hyperdub 114]
Yes, it's finally here. DJ Tre's new EP does not only feature the long awaited super dry Jungle / GhettoHouse-slammer "It's House Hybrid" but also three more stripped down, yet bass heavy pieces of Juke / GhettoHouse madness. Ace.

03. Sully - Escape [Keysound Recordings]
What a massive, yet diverse sophomore album effort brought to us by Sully. From deep, spine-tingling and beautiful Ambient spheres to heavy Grime bangers, 2k17 Jungle and even new takes on Sublow and UK Garage this highly recommended double vinyl is a must have for every fan of contemporary bass music of any sorts. Check.

04. Sofa Surfers - 20 [Monoscope Productions 001]
See review for details...

05. Black Seed - Dirty Box [Sign Bit Zero 004]
Quite an interesting one, this. Originally intended to be played on 33rpm speeding things up to 45rpm turns all four tracks on this 12" into raw, untamed and wildly improvised blueprints of early 90s Belgium Techno and Rave for strobe-lit underground dancefloors in subsurface shelters. Great stuff.

06. Umeko Ando - Iuta Upopo [Pingipung 058]
Vintage? Ethno? World Music? No matter what, this charming little 7" on the Pingipung label contains two variations of deep, traditional and partly tribalistic music of possibly Japanese origin that will be become opening staples of future sets at the Mojo Jazz Cafe in Hamburg for me. A little off the beaten path, especially when it comes to its repetetive chants but therefore great.

07. Yak - Darunia / Mido [Version 009]
The best release on Orson's Version-imprint so far. "Darunia" brings in deep and highly complex MythStep for all those who've been in love with Shackleton's Skull Disco label from day dot whereas "Mido" is, after an epic and well stretched out intro, more on a thrilling Tribal Techno tip, willing to set all pounding dancefloors on fire within seconds.

08. Proc Fiscal - The Highland Mob [Hyperdub 109]
Put on the circuit via the bass music staple Hyperdub quite a while ago Proc Fiscal caters four tracks on this one, providing a fusion of raw oldskool Grime instrumentals with more detailed, Electronica-focused bits of so-called SinoGrime to an epic and partly even anthemic - see: "Skulka" - effect for those being deep into the genre ever since although these tracks are pretty tricky when it comes down to incorporating them in a regular DJ set. Specialists tunes for sure.

09. -

10. -

Ross Manning - Reflex In Waves [Room 40 Promo]

Put on the circuit in October, 2k17 via the Australian Room 40 imprint is Ross Manning's latest album entitled "Reflex In Waves" which accompanied his first major survey exhibition named "Dissonant Rhythms" earlier this year. Following his approach of recording and pitch shifting sounds created on mainly self-built instruments we see the Brisbane-base artist open this longplay effort with "Three Tuned Sets In Crystal", a short trip into percussive, slightly ritualistic repetetion of metallic tones kinda resembling Asian drums and instruments used in meditation and ceremony whereas "Where Points Meet" picks up on a similar level but covers the overall feel in loads of echoes and reverbs to a point in which one gets a whole well-blurred crescendo of sorts accentuated by warm, single bass bits before the second part of the tune unveals a clearer, yet multilayered sonic picture of a well solemn nature, once again disintegrating into a Noize (Not Noize) state later on. The title track "Reflex In Waves" starts off with seemingly random metal percussion improv and various kettle clangs falling together in a more structured manner throughout the tracks course before "Small Increments" bring in a kind of crystalline buzz of sorts and the approx. 11 minutes spanning album main piece "Braking Formations" seemingly fuses bits of Field Recordings with intense midrange drones, eerie noises and varied layers of agitated, partly harsh pops, crackles and screeches to a nerve-wrecking effect and the final cut "Cross A Strings" goes back to the more ritualistic, multilayered, percussive  approach of the albums starter, although focusing more on wooden or ceramic drums rather than on metallic sound effects. Not an easy one to embrace, but an interesting one for sure.

Elektronengehirn - Fjord

A beautiful Ambient teaser for the forthcoming new Elektronengehirn album which has been announced for release somewhen in 2k18. Watch out.

Leroy & Angela Aux - Grain In Vain [Jahmoni Music]

Coming in straight from Munich's finest Jahmoni Music is "Grain In Vain", the first collaborational album effort created by Leroy and Angela Aux. First planned as cassette only the longplay piece has now made its way onto vinyl, sporting the same artwork and tracklisting as the original format, starting with the acoustic Blues-infused "Waste Some Time" which weighs in a massive heap of campfire melancholia whereas the follow up "The Point" caters some bleepy, 8bit Indietronics and high pitched vocals for dark winter days and "Something's Going Down" pleases fans of lo-fi home recordings and obscure, dubbed DIY FreakBlues with a quite humoristic edge to the fullest. The "Jungle Tune" is more on a Psychedelia-infused edge sporting weird dynamics whilst bordering on tripping Folk before the A-side concluding "Outside Amore" is touching Italian romanticism soundwise and is one of those tunes older followers of Leftfield music could well imagine to be released on of of Dhyana Records' legendary tape compilations back in the late 90s. Flipping the wax "Arbeitstitel" gives us a psychedelic, tongue-in-cheek yet kinda saddening view on today's working environment atop a Folk'ish home-recorded instrumental foundation slowly transforming into an array of experimental Dub FX, "Drop Me A Line" is possibly one of the most beautiful 'a man and his guitar' outings we've heard in quite a long time and the final "Pferdeparadies" defines an amalgamation of Spoken Word and Dark / Death Ambient for a new era and therefore is not only the most outstanding and epic but also our favorite bit on this album for a reason.  

N-qia - Fantasica [Noble Promo]

To be released on December 15th, 2k17 via the Noble Label is "Fantasica", the third album installment brought to us by N-qia, a project set up by Ambient producer Serph and female vocalist Nozomi. Catering a whole bunch of eleven new tunes within a playtime of approx. 46 minutes they're once again following their path to create a sound influenced by Alternative, electronic and Pop which is introduced by the album opener "Seven Nights Circus" focusing on the positive aspect of their collaborational work and bringing on quite a playful overall attitude gravitating towards Easy Listening and Lounge Pop / Club Pop. "Time Leaper", as well as basically all songs on "Fantasica", is down with this vibe as well, weighing in more complex and partly Drill'n'Bass-influenced drum programming, "Glitter" comes up with Japanese flutes and bits and bops of DreamPop, "Dream Ocean" fuses childlike innocence, bits of Country'esque banjo's and a happy-go-lucky vibe for the dancefloor, except - which goes for the whole album as well - a total lack of bass frequencies and proper bassdrums before "Fouk" drifts off into romantic dreamlands using the fast lane. The "Love Transmitter" spreads a whole lotta love indeed, especially for those loving their piano driven late night listening sessions whilst beats are on overdrive, "Lost Kids" fuses Pop Exotica with a blustering beat foundation seemingly influenced by Drum'n'Bass, catering a surprisingly ravey break mid-tune and "Like A Little Bird" is quite a blueprint for Leftfield Pop for a reason. Looking into the "Light" we're taken into an exotic paradise vibewise, the "Lover's Rock" surprisingly introduces melancholia and a twangy Blues-twist to the sound of N-qia before the final cut "Neondrive" once again amalgamates Club Pop and advanced Drum'n'Bass foundationwise whilst messing around with Dub FX to a sweet effect. Even we don't embrace the mid-range focused sound aesthetics to the fullest this is an interesting longplay piece for collectors of Exotica and related genres for sure.