Jean-Philippe Gross - Reflex [Eich 002]

Put on the circuit on September 5th, 2k19 via his recently launched Eich imprint is Jean-Philippe Gross' "Reflex" album, a thirteen tracks and thirty minutes exploration of the classic Serge analog synthesizer system consisting of tunes recorded in the five years timespan between 2013 and 2018. Inspired by the idea to go back to the elemental basics of electronic music production and the approach of the very first electronic studios we experience Jean-Philippe Gross' use of the 1972-invented modular system in a raw and unprocessed format, bringing forth loads of dry, very scientific and sterile sound bleeps and clicks as well as gushing eruptions of Noize, ghostly signals whirring back and forth through the stereo field whilst cuts like "Volley Fire" even evoke memories of growling tectonic movements on an Industrial scale whereas pieces like "Weave" could be interpreted as faint, distant remnants of transmissions originating somewhere far out in the unexplored exoterrestrial space of the future. Cuts like "Close Fitting" dig deep into crackling, near static Noize territories, "Reflex #2" twists the shit out of the instruments high frequency range and "Holliday Maker" introduces a thrilling, more percussive take on what a Serge can do. Great stuff, this - not only for die-hard fans of modular synthesis. Get.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Pharmacom - The 8-Bit Sessions [Pharmacom Records Ltd.]

Fresh from the vaults of the German underground imprint Pharmacom Records are "The 8-Bit Sessions", a limited to 20 - sic! - hand-numbered copies double cassette album release which presents a total of 32 tracks plus an additional megamix created by underground hero Sascha Müller a.k.a. Pharmacom. As the title suggests, and so does the nod to the Commodore C64 system artworkwise, the album solely focuses on a musical style known as Chiptune, a genre mostly associated with classic vintage computer games, handheld consoles and, of course, arcade games of yore. Using and abusing these references to the absolute max we're following Pharmacom on a journey through the sonic variety of the genre, from imaginery game music and level themes to dark, brooding dancefloor bangers and killer 8bit Phonk and beyond, including minimalistic repetitions, highly experimental sonic excursions, intense sci-fi score pieces and computational soundscapes of a retrofuturist kind. If you're a Chiptune connaisseur this defo is one to put on the very top of your wantlist for a reason.

Cassette artwork on Instagram!

Various Artists - Global Jackerz EP [Groundzero Teknocamp 003]

Coming in from the underground vaults of the Groundzero Teknocamp posse is their extremely limited six track compilation named "Global Jackerz EP" which is making the rounds on the underground circuit as an edition of 50 hand-cut vinyl copies on super thick yellow vinyl these days. Opening the A-side with "3 03 Minutes Of Bad Ass Acid" Citric Acid delivers accordingly on a fast paced level whilst his collaboration with American Acid legend Freddy Fresh dubbed "Schraubendreher" caters to the needs of DJ's preferring to play hypnotic, yet a little more stripped down Techno before P.T.B.S. & Sascha Müller's conjunctional effort "Ambivalent" brings forth a hefty take on Broken Techno / Phonk meets Bass Music for already heaving, highly advanced dancefloors and very low end focused P.A. systems. On the flipside we see Null Object's "Turn The Bones On" providing super dry, hounding Techno brutalism ready to heavily mess with every single one of your drugged out brain cells, Analog Species ode to "Die Box" explores raw, unprocessed underground Acid territories and the concluding cut "Techno" by Unko finally takes on hammering, loop-focused and surely psyched out highspeed Acid valid for absolute peak time abuse only, and therefore is our main favorite out of these six tracks for a reason. A true collectors item for all the real headz out there.

Jonas Meyer - Konfusion [Serein 020]

Released via the Welsh label Serein on October 11th, 2k19 is "Konfusion", the six track debut album created by German composer / producer Jonas Meyer. Musically, Meyer is clearly exploring a realm in between Ambient and gentle Electronica, mostly driven by tender piano and guitar tones whereas multiple layers of blurred, oftentimes unrecognizable sounds provide a steadily moving backdrop of both rhythmic as well as Field Recording-resembling nature. In cuts like "Strömung" Meyer is gravitating towards ChillOut / Electronica whilst providing an array of softest pads and distinct electronic pulses for a rhythm framework, "Uppehall" somewhat evokes echoes of memories of "Systemisch" by Clicks'n'Cuts pioneer Oval and the albums main piece, "Verflechtung", digs into minimalistic Future Tribal territories for advanced dancefloors before the 10 minutes long "Sekundenschlaf" concludes the journey on a most caressing, fragile and beauteous atmospheric Ambient tip just to name a few. Check.

NO MORE - Do You Dream Of Angels In This Big City? *2019 version (Official Video)

Our Kiel-based friends of NO MORE are on it again with a new video for a song taken off their 40 years anniversary compilation "Love, Noise & Paranoia (1979 - 2019)" and with a little bit of luck you'll be able to spot baze.djunkiii popping up in this one as well.

4ZZZ1 - Brain Fuckers EP [Psychocandies 082]

Scheduled for release via the ever active imprint known as Psychocandies is the "Brain Fuckers EP", the latest digital single catered by the mysterious producer known as 4ZZZ1. Opening with "Untitled 5" the three track journey starts on a well vibing, groovy, yet screaming Acid tip that's about to set any underground rave on fire with its epic, never-ending build up that never reaches a full peak and therefore is one tune meant to drive punters insane over the full course of its 5 minutes playtime. Following up is "Untitled 6", another harsh, mental take on distorted Acid brutalism whilst "Untitled 7" unleashes more fast-paced, screaming MonoAcid onto vantablack underground dancefloors to great effect.

Sascha Müller - Traxxx Vol. 18 [SM Traxxx 41-2019]

Released via SM Traxxx on November 21st, 2k19 is Sascha Müller's latest digital two-track single featuring "Track 35" and "Track 36" respectively. Whilst the first mentioned brings forth a marching, slightly hounded attitude in terms of dry, midrange-leaning ToolTechno we see the latter explore a stripped down, yet harsh and highly repetetive variation of wonky, nerve-wrecking MonoTechno that's about to destroy dancefloors with a growling, devastating low end and screaming Acid modulations. Tune two wins here. Clearly.

Astatine - Global Exposure [Sound In Silence 069]

Released via the Greek Ambient-staple Sound In Silence on November 1st, 2k19 is "Global Exposure", the latest longplay piece created by French producer Stephane Recrosio under his artistic moniker that is Astatine. And whilst the album opener "Snow Loop #1", a blurry, crackly excursion into classic Ambient realms, still sticks true to the labels general aesthetic outlook carved out over the past years the follow up "Rotary Combine" takes a full turn and opens up the Sound In Silence sound towards powerful, yet inward looking PostRock and lo-fi Instrumental Shoegaze. This introduction of real life instruments and also raw, distorted and slighty Folk-infused Indie songs - yes, vocals! - like in "Decipher The Fall" seems to mark a massive cesura and new development for the imprint, a step further towards a broader audience which, in turn, might start to dig more Ambient'ish structures as well as quite a few of the twenty cuts on this approx. 46 minutes long body of work are at home in the experimental electronic music realm still. This combination and steady interplay makes "Global Exposure" one of the most beautiful and touching albums released via Sound In Silence and, for those in the know, evokes memories of the legendary Augsburg-based band Deep. in their early years. And yes, we're talking about 1996 - 2001 here. Highly recommended, this, although the limited run of 150 copies might be sold out pretty quick for a reason.

Creme De Hassan - Tricontinental Circus [Inversions Promo]

To be released via the Inversions-label on December 6th, 2k19 is "Tricontinental Circus", the new - and second - official album put together by the international duo that is Creme De Hassan. Consisting of the German-Palestinian Ghazi Barakat and American Paul LaBrecque the duo caters an eleven track tour de force through their sonic universe within 35 minutes of total playtime, mashing up experimental electronic rhythm signatures, a multiple of languages, influences of traditional Arab / Oriental music, Haitian bits and pieces, voodoo drumming and even echoes of Dub in a highly fascinating manner. Resulting in killer cuts like the opener "Haitian Head Charge", more Illbient-resembling cut up / collage tunes like "Voodootronix"  or the dry, abstract Electronica piece "Momo Von Bobo" Barakat and LaBrecque are creating a fascinating musical realm which also incorporates dreamy guitars mashed up with soft Ambient tones and Shoegaze Electronics in cuts like "Blaukraut Or No Kraut". Following up is "Coeur De Boeuf", more of a brooding, alarming atmospheric sci-fi cut from a cold, dystopian future whilst "WSB" deals with multilayered polyrhythms, twisted background voices and laid back, naturalistic vibes before the "Muezzin Death Dance" summons dark, ancient demons in a way somehow reminiscent of Ayshay's all-time classic "Warn-U" and therefore being our favorite piece on this album. With "3 Peals Of Laughter" the duo enters a realm of electrically buzzing madness, the "Song Of Dawn" gets deep into an experimental take on Desert Blues whilst the "Ululation Nation" dances to fever'ish tribalistic off rhythms and filtered, haunting,  reverberating synth spookiness before the concluding piece "Live At West Germany / Nietsche D'Arabie" brings forth a trance-inducing, spine-tingling feel of Creme De Hassan's live performances indeed. Highly recommended, this.

Kano feat. Popcaan - Can’t Hold We Down (Official Video)

Grime originator Kano on an interesting Caribbean crossover ting 'ere. Vibes.

Silent Fires - Forests [AMP Music & Records 058]

Incoming from France only recently and to be released via AMP Music & Records on December 6th, 2k19 is "Forests" the forthcoming album by Silent Fires, a quartet comprised of Karoline Wallace, Hilde Marie Holsen, Hakon Aase and Alessandro Sgobbio. This international array of young talent from the, oftentimes Jazz-related, Improv scene caters a menu of eleven tracks in total, covering roughly a playtime of 41 minutes in which they are, according to the accompanying press info, exploring the 'theme of spirituality in its multiple meanings'. Despite us being pretty much doubtful when it comes to esoteric concepts and nebulous meta-meanings the band of four defo touches our soul with the surprisingly structured emotional opener "En Aesthenala" which we had rather expected to come across in a classic vintage Broadway production or a French Film Noir than on an album created by four Improv experts. This tender, romantic intro makes way to an intense Spoken Word meets climaxing Noize turning into melancholia-infused piano piece with "From The Entrance Of Love" whilst the third cut, "Similar Lymphs", provides another great example of not only great craftsmanship and musical mastery but also proves that classic writing and dramatic songs performed and executed with class never will be out of style, no matter what the musical hype of now might be at any specific moment in time. With the rest of the eight songs following in great style without any fillers this one comes as a timeless surprise that shall be referenced as a golden, treasured classic in the future by many generations of musical connaisseurs for a reason. Check!

Deformer - A Moment Of Violence

Taken from the Japanese CD-only compilation "Sadistik Noize Addiction Vol. 2". Interesting how CD format releases are still a thing over there.

Ian Wellman - Bioaccumulation [Room40 Promo]

Released via the Australia-based Ambient staple Room40 on October 4th, 2k19 is Ian Wellman's  album "Bioaccumulation" on which the L.A. resident refers to the process of accumulation of toxic substances in the environment and applies this concept to his reprocessing of bio-acoustic Field Recordings and other artificial loops, mostly on a four track tape machine. The result is a pretty much ongoing - presumably, although our CDr promo copy has a moment of silence in between single tunes -, seamless journey through a total of eleven tracks stretched out over roughly 43 minutes, progressing from pure Field Recordings towards dramatic, brooding highlights like "Extraction" which defo could provide the score for a forthcoming apocalypse with its intense, score'esque string works and grinding, thundering background whereas compositions like the aptly named "Distant Hope" seem to bring an idea of peace and harmony back into the sonic realm created by Wellman which is, no matter if one supports the seeping in of environmental discussions into conceptual music creation or not, one that caters some interesting moments for die-hard fans and collectors of Ambient music even though it cannot be considered a revolutionary, groundbreaking or essential body of work within the genre.   

Out Today: The Crystal Apes - TCARMX001 [Intrauterin Recordings TCARMX001]

As announced on these pages earlier this month baze.djunkiii's very own imprint Intrauterin Recordings is about to unleash the first remix single and first ever vinyl release by Hamburg's long time standing underground band outfit The Crystal Apes today - November 22nd, 2k19.

The eights vinyl release by the label coincides with its 20th anniversary since its first inception back in 1999 and is another step forward in the set goal to transform Intrauterin Recordings from a single underground imprint to the mothership of what is to become the Intrauterin Recordings Label Group in the future, a transformation meant to happen slowly but steadily over the course of the next years.

Meanwhile the latest, limited to 200 copies vinyl is available through record stores & online mailorder services worldwide, via Otaku Records / Hamburg and or directly on the Intrauterin Recordings Bandcamp page.

Emmeluth's Amoeba - Chimaera [Øra Fonogram]

Put on the circuit via the Norwegian label Øra Fonogram on November 15th, 2k19 is "Chimaera", the sophomore album released by the quartet known as Emmeluth's Amoeba. Led by saxophone player and composer Signe Emmeluth, who actually sent this album out to us and opens, as well as concludes, the longplay piece with a distinct, authorative solo sax attitude, the group provides an eight track menu of compositions rolled out over the course of 37 minutes with the main piece "AB" occupying an 11+ minutes stretch of the total playtime. Focused on Jazz as a general theme we see Emmeluth's Amoeba employ both instrumentation and techniques well familiar to followers of Traditional, Free and Avantgarde Jazz at times, yet going well beyond confining genre borders to provide highly detailed, complex and thought out compositions often somewhat led by dramatic, hammering piano stakkatos and resulting sonic thunder whilst other cuts like "Velvet" come across in a more contemplative, relaxed and laid back manner without giving up any of their intricate details and complexity or, on an interesting side note, allowing any of the instruments involved to take on a truly leading role which leads to a thrilling, yet also nerve wrecking dynamic tension even for advanced followers of the genre although the off-kilter piano etude that is the title track "Chimaera" provides a bit of a slightly relaxing break before things start to escalate in short bursts of eruptive power which also are to be found in the second piano focused ballad "No. 1". Not your regular Easy Jazz, this is.

baze.djunkiii Chart Haul 11/2019

Jana Rush - Cat Burglar

So Juke Noir is the new hot shit? We totally agree on this.

Old Castle - Old Castle [Alrealon Musique Promo]

Released via the experimental music outfit Alrealon Musique on October 4th, 2k19 is the self-titled debut album by Old Castle, a trio formed of Robin Storey, Robert Pepper and Shaun Sandor which have been, mostly in duo formations, collaborating ever since but never as a full group of three. Together, they're bringing forth a distinct vision of experimental electronic music, clearly informed by Drone, Illbient, Uneasy Listening and Unambient, introduced by the intense and well creepy opener "The Thing In The Window" which provides swampy, gooey low end movements and alarming, cold midrange notes whereas the follow up "Sing -ing, Til My Life Ends" introduces the dark, beat driven aspect of their work which defo will be highly appreciated on Cold Industrial floors of the future and "10 Skulls" pairs up repetetive Electronica / Phonk beats with desolate PostPunk guitars to a great, well hypnotizing greyscale effect. With "Singing Is Not My Destiny" the trio explores what seems to be a looped banjo motif paired with a spooky, highly haunting sonic backdrop evoking memories of vintage sci fi horror flic scores, "Psych" takes ritual music for meditations into space before "Purple Monsters" caters the most captivating minimalistic, bleepy Phonk for highly advanced dancefloors this album has to offer and the "Trial In The Hoodoos" is as fever'ish as it is powerful with its hard banging, multi-layered electronic tribalisms and dark, spine-tingling atmospheres. Furthermore "Cowboy Hood Dreams" are made of bass signals creeping up from the darkest subsurface vaults, nervous beat structures and psychedelic morphed echoes of echoes of vocal fragments whereas the "Color Of The Sky" is defined by buzzing, hectic background movements, a slow 4/4 pulse and electric, ever progressing spiralling low end movements which are surely about to have the power to alter one's state of mind if experienced on repeat for a while. "Singing On The Moon" sees Old Castle getting into most desolate, yet beat driven isolationist music accompanied by re-processed guitar experimentation, "Colors Like The Rainbow" are as chromatic as the ethereal synth motif played atop of ever repeating banjo loops and spatial, haunting atmospheres whilst the "Wolkewaffe" transmits a quite unexpected take on warped instrumental Desert Blues and the concluding "Wise Old Owl" harks back to morphed Ambient and Deep Listening Music for a still pretty much unsettling closing. Good stuff. Check.

G.A.M.S. - G.A.M.S. [Karlrecords 071 Promo]

G.A.M.S? G.A.M.S.! The freshly formed duo consisting of Andi Stecher and Guido Möbius saw their first ever self-titled album put on the circuit via Karlrecords on September 27th, 2k19, alongside a longplay unrelated additional 7" vinyl on which the two musicians teamed up with long time standing Hamburg icon Felix Kubin. Relying on a combination of live drums, feedbacks as well as partly looped electronics and samples for their overall production and performance process we see G.A.M.S. teaming up with vocalist Yuko Matsuyama for the albums opening cut "Tremslo", creating an ethereal, floating piece of ritualistic, inward looking Future Tribal subsequently followed by "Flatter", a true anthem for highly advanced dancefloors whereas "Economics" deals with driving, syncopated rhythm signatures of ever growing intensity whilst muscular guitar feedbacks turn into a nerve wrecking source of power and ultraforce for those who love their experimental music exploring more extreme territories. With "Ruma" G.A.M.S. are entering straightfoward, partly even technoid and ravey 4/4 realms which, if really created in a 100% electronic way, could be traced back to producers like Matthew Herbert or DJ Enrique in terms of provenance before both "Yanari" and "Fraktat" are featuring the legendary Mick Harris of Napalm Death-, Scorn- and Quiot-fame on production, with the first tune bringing forth highly seductive, death-infested Illbient grooves straight outta your most favorite slasher / gore score whilst the latter indulges in a cold, threatening, brooding sci-fi atmosphere, working its way towards a short, eruptive and chaotic drum-led climax before drifting into and disappearing in the hostile, unexplored endlessness of outer space, leaving the borders of our solar system way behind to hibernate in neverending darkness and rancorousness. Recommended.

Owain K - Teifi (Official Video)

Beautifully floating Intelligent Techno released via the UK-based Innate label.

Essen Jazz Orchestra - Road Works [Umland Records 027]

Fresh on the circuit via the Essen-based Umland Records label is "Road Works", the first full on artist album catered by the Essen Jazz Orchestra. With their debut stretched out over two CD's, the first covering the 42 minutes spanning title track / composition in three parts whilst the second is home to another seven additional cuts we see the orchestra project, led by Tobias Schütte, employ a classic BigBand setup to provide an epicly cinematic suite for a start, touching base with Jazz Noir, brooding potential score works - check the intro sequence of "Road Works Part Two" for this - and buzzing, busy large scale arrangements keeping the whole orchestra in check all at once as a captivating, enthralling introduction to their musical work. The second part of the album caters even more large scale drama in terms of arrangements and performance with tunes like "Toys Noise" not only telling a story in itself but also making waves on advanced Jazz dancefloors whereas "The Wheel-Dealer" brings forth a more ballad'esque, romantic and emotional aspect of the groups work and "The Essence Of Air" provides the most sophisticated late night Bar Jazz you could even think of just to name a few. If you're a Jazz lover, this defo is a worthwhile addition to your collection for sure. Check.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Jean-Philippe Gross - Curling [Eich 001]

Put on the circuit via the freshly launchend Eich imprint on September 5th, 2k19 is Jean-Philippe Gross' conceptual mini album / EP piece "Curling" - a one track release stretching out over the course of 22 minutes total playing time on which the French composer pairs the actual recording of a curling match with electro-acoustic textures. Focusing on mostly bass heavy, ambient'ish drone movements musically we see Jean-Philippe Gross layer commentators, trainers, actual sports players, audience and ambience noise on top in the very forefront of the recordings mix, with audible voices using both Dutch and English or other languages in terms of communication. These voices, totally isolated and decontextualized from what's visually happening in the match, provide quite an irritating level of disturbance both sonically and mentally as the listeners brain desperately tries to make sense of two totally unconnected and independent audio events happening at the same time which, over the course of the compositions runtime, causes an interesting and well twisted trance-inducing effect if one is willing to sit through the whole tune after overcoming the initial disorientation and topsyturvication.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Jon Rose & Alvin Curran - Cafe Grand Abyss [ReR Megacorp]

Put on the circuit via ReR Megacorp on September 27th, 2k19 is "Cafe Grand Abyss", the imaginary space created by two seasoned musicians Jon Rose & Alvin Curran on their respective instruments, violin and piano, at an age where other ppl have long settled into retirement plans. Together, the two musicians create a musical world far from being as cosy and vintage as the albums artwork suggests it to be with the opening composition "Adorno's Boiled Egg" bringing on a hard to swallow information overdose whilst incorporating influences from (Neo)Classical / Contemporary Classical, Free Improv, FreeJazz, bar piano, feedback-oozing Noize, experimental cut-up music, HipHop-sampling, Dada and way more - within a total playing time of a little more than 12 minutes only. Which is an awful quite a lot to take in in this short amount of time. Following up are five additional tracks of similar intensity, meandering in between extremes whilst bringing joy and thrill to the most advanced of the advanced listeners whereas other might give up due to the multilayered complexity and seemingly chaotic, yet structured but extremely demanding nature of this longplay piece. Give it a try if you dare.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Dans Les Arbres - Volatil [Sofa Music]

Released via the Norwegian staple Sofa Music is "Volatil", the latest and fourth album put on the circuit by the quartet known as Dans Les Arbres which consists of Xavier Charles, Ivar Grydeland, Christian Wallumrød and Ingar Zach, all of the them renowned and acclaimed musicians and composers in their own right. With their newest, 53 minutes spanning one track longplay outing the pack of four is catering a fascinating piece of highly recommended Deep Listening Music, drawing influences from Ambient, Post-PostRock and echoes of echoes of experimental Jazz and Improv alike, touching base with Score Noir but also harking back to Ritual Music, fever'ish meditation and the spooky, haunting sound of a deep jungle at night. Beautiful and beautifully intense.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Helga Myhr - Natten Veller Seg Ut [Motvind Records 005]

Released via the Norwegian label Motvind Records on October 5th, 2k19 is "Natten Veller Seg Ut", the latest album release by Helga Myhr who is exploring a deeper take on the combination of her instrument, the hardanger fiddle, and live sung original religious and Folk songs from her native valley Hallingdalen over the course of 41 minutes - songs live sung whilst playing the fiddle, actually. Employing both traditional techniques as well as treating the fiddle in a more contemporary way to create / resemble electro-acoustic, ambient'ish atmospheres and advanced, abstract sounds Helga Myhr's distinct, soft and ethereal, beautifully naturalistic vocals are the binding, defining and leading element on this longplayer, oozing of century old traditions, telling tales of rural innocence and a providing break from ancient hardship, providing hope, firmness and relief in a way that seemed to be long lost and forgotten in the rapt attention of today's 24/7 digital economy. An album to slow down to and focus on self communion.

Krumble - EZ (Son Lux Riddim VS Schoolboy Q)

Our man Krumble comes in heavy with this one. Hard hitting, yet melodic Drum'n'Bass for peak time dancefloors. Reload, selecta!

Handsome Couple feat. DJ Illvibe - Bochum Berlin [Umland Records 028]

What a combination. The Essen-based duo known as Handsome Couple, comprised of St. Kirchhoff and Simon Camatta, is teaming up with Berlin's HipHop-breathing DJ Illvibe for their sophomore album on Umland Records. Recorded live in both Bochum and Berlin, hence the albums name, the duo presents an evolution of its already Instrumental HipHop-leaning sound developed on their first album which is now defined by a captivating mix of banjo, drums and electronics as presented in the dancefloor smashing opener "We", accompanied by an array of masterfully executed cuts, scratches and sample wizzardry straight from the original turntable setup used and abused by DJ Illvibe. Following up is an approximately 40 minutes long journey into beats and turntablism that might be considered being more original HipHop than most of today's HipHop is, bringing on a new kind of block party vibe that is best to be experienced whilst watching groups of b-boys, breakers, fly girls and pop lockers doing their thang, strictly representing the oldskool in a new skool way. One for the beatheads, this is.

On Presale Now: The Crystal Apes - TCARMX001 [Intrauterin Recordings TCARMX001]

To be released late November / early December 2k19 on black 7" vinyl, housed in a black paper sleeve with neon sticker. Initial pressing will be limited to 200 copies.

Tracklist:

A1: I Can't Believe *baze.djunkiii meets The Crystal Apes 'Breakbeats Dream Of 92' Remix

B1: Broken End *baze.djunkiii meets The Crystal Apes 'When Time Decays There Is No Need For Architecture' Remix

Hamburg's long time standing Goth (Not Goth) / Rock (Not Rock) band outfit The Crystal Apes get a full on electronic remix treatment which has been dubplate tested and dancefloor proved by Intrauterin Recordings mastermind baze.djunkiii as a secret weapon on countless occasions over the past years, slowly and carefully building up towards a full vinyl release.

The A-side „I Can't Believe *baze.djunkiii meets The Crystal Apes 'Breakbeats Dream Of 92' Remix“ hits dancefloors with an original Oldskool Rave / Breakbeat Hardcore vibe, dramatic panorama strings and seductive vocals for the lighter and whistle crew.

Meanwhile the flipside „Broken End *baze.djunkiii meets The Crystal Apes 'When Time Decays There Is No Need For Architecture' Remix“ brings forth a different flavor, fusing a blurred out, spatial, minimalist and heavily Dub-infused take on Bass Music / Post Dubstep with more dramatic dramatic string works and a surprisingly powerful Rock attitude for very special moments on the dancefloor.

International distribution via Word And Sound / Hamburg - b2b preorder here!

Peter Cusack - Aral Sea Stories And The River Naryn [Corvo Records Promo]

Released via Corvo Records only recently are Peter Cusack's "Aral Sea Stories And The River Naryn" - a conceptual album piece dealing with the environmental catastrophe that is the close to full disappearance of the named Aral Sea, formally known as the fourth largest body of water on earth. Taking on this topic from a conceptual angle we see Cusack presenting an array of condensed, yet largely unprocessed Field Recordings captured throughout his various journeys to the area, including weather phenomena like storms, everyday life scenes, Folk songs or microsounds recorded at close range as well as other mechanical noises - all related to the topic of water or ice and explained in detail in the albums press release and liner notes. Defo a specialists release aiming at both environmental activists as well as, and more specificallly, sound librarians and collectors of Field Recordings.

Bantou Mentale - Bantou Mentale [Glitterbeat Promo]

Put on the circuit on October 25th, 2k19 via the ever buzzing Glitterbeat imprint is Bantou Mentale's self-titled debut album, a thundering twelve track exploration and journey drawing influences from a musical realm located between Paris and Kinshasa and vice versa. Over the course of 58 minutes the quartet is fusing several African genres and influences with Psychedelia and heavy Rock riffing, elements of Dub, PostPunk and Indie, native chants and vocal techniques, vintage electronic bleeps, deep monster grooves like those to be found in songs like "Boko Haram" whilst "Papa Jo" crosses over into emotional, heartfelt AfroBlues / Afrobeat territories and "Suabala" is bringing on heavily distorted UltraFunk for those who know, with this tune even finding a possible audience with fans of early 90s Crossover / RapMetal for a reason. Further down the timeline songs like "Boloko" even bring forth a yearning, romantic and ballad'esque, Pop-leaning variation of Bantou Mentale's work with basslines clearly harking back to classic Dub and contemporary minimalist Dubstep, "Syria" employs more of a blurred out Psychedelic Rock meets Afrobeat strategy, "Magnifique Maestro" evokes memories of smoky, vintage Soul as well as HipHop sample wizzardry for a reason and "Bakoka" weighs in a fever'ish, mysterious and somewhat ritualistic spaced out ecstasy just to name a few. Check!

Joanna John / Burkhard Stangl - Her Presence And Tides (Official Video)

HER PRESENCE AND TIDES from Joanna John on Vimeo.

Beautiful Ambient spheres meet folksy, experimental and slightly tongue-in-cheek guitar excursions to a great  effect. We love this tune.

Simon Grab - Posthuman Species [-Ous Promo]

Released via the -Ous label on October 25th, 2k19 is Simon Grab's "Posthuman Species", his latest longplay work created solely on an extended no-input-mixing set up which, for this specific occasion, went way beyond the known no-input-mixer method in terms of employing more analogue devices in its technically closed circuit. The result is a body of work consisting of thirteen tracks, opening with the strident, cold and isolationist Electronica of "The New Kind", progressing into the Noize- and feedback driven downward spiral of "Apocalyptic Paranoia" whereas "Biomechanoids" are dancing to swampy, stripped down Minimal Techno, "Neurotransmitters" gravitate towards a highly abstract, experimental take on Broken Dub Techno and the "Transformation" provides more of a droning, sweeping variation of feedbacks mixed with echoes of Clicks'n'Cuts and sci-fi leaning intensity for those who know. Observing "New Horizons" sees Simon Grab exploring the realms of hard hitting Industrial Electronica / Rhythm Industrial on vantablack dancefloors, the "Observatory" is built in total isolation, receiving subaquatic transmissions resembling a version of how Drexciyans might perceive Minimal Techno whereas "Neurochemical Behaviour" is triggered by ever morphing bass heavy Ambient pulses in combination with fast paced percussive computational sounds and syncopated Electronica beats before the "Phase Of Multiplication" sets in, an agitated, hypnotizing state of sonic transmission which can be referred to as trance-inducing for advanced, Future Tribal-informed dancefloors. Entering an "Altered State" introduces another tribalistic, fever'ish and well hypnotic take on carefully sculpted Electronica with a kind of organic, exoplasmatic feel despite its occasional shrill sound eruptions, "Exposure" brings forth another electrical maelstrom for lovers of Drone and demanding Deep Listening Music whilst "Metanoia" takes us to the deepest, most lightless sub-surface voids for a bass-modulation driven lesson in DeathRave before the concluding cut "Posthuman Wonderland" reveals 15 minutes of spaced out, spatial Post Intelligent Techno transmitted back to earth from the brink of time. Get.

df0:BAD - Absolete

Absolute Chiptune vs. lo-fi Breakcore madness put on the digital circuit via the legendary Cock Rock Disco imprint these days. Massive.

Fish & Steel - Fish & Steel [PNL Records 044]

Released via the ever busy PNL Records imprint on October 4th, 2k19 is the self titled debut album by Fish & Steel, a trio formed by Mats Äleklint, Per-Ake Holmlander and label owner Paal Nilssen-Love who formed this new project after joining forces again in the bigband project Large Unit. On their first album the Norwegian / Swedish trio presents two large scale compositions - the opening, nearly 30 minutes spanning "Blow Out" whilst "Sangbolaget" clocks in at around 26 minutes playtime. Relying on a musical arsenal consisting of trombone, tuba and drums the three artists are surely drawing inspiration and experience from their work in FreeJazz but even this open term wouldn't be enough to do justice to the free floating approach Fish & Steel present on here, meandering in between of taking their instruments to their very limits whilst, minutes later, falling back to raw melancholia and echoes of classic melodies, still accompanied by thundering, ultra complex drumming, weighing in Jazz Noir-referencing ultraminimalism at times whereas providing highly seductive grooves or even slightly tongue-in-cheek moments at others. Excellent stuff, although way too complex to review in further detail. Get.

Album artwork on Instagram!

David Norland - Agate Or Barium

David Norland is coming at us with a beauteous, scenic and hyper romantic take on Neoclassical piano elegies which are taken form his forthcoming album "Glam Tear Stain" on Denovali.

MME Duo - Awholerunboom [Makiphon 006]

Scheduled for release via the Makiphon label on November 22nd, 2k19 is "Awholerunboom", the latest album collaboration created by Patricia Koellges and Tamara Lorenz who've been ditching their former conjunctional nom de guerra Sculptress Of Sound to create under the new name of MME Duo. Employing a wide ranged instrumental approach based on small synths, loop machines, diy electroacoustic devices and more the pair offers a 2x12" vinyl album as final release, featuring a whole of 21 tracks total with each side dedicated to one of the years seasons and pressed as a limited edition of 300 copies only. Clearly inspired by Dada and sonic collage we see the MME Duo building their oftentimes abstract, multilayered compositions in not necessarily track and structure focused ways, an approach resulting in sometimes hypnotic, Electronica-resembling cuts like the "Sweet Cold Night" whereas tunes like the follow up "YouYou", based on borderline madness vocal repetitions, off kilter filter works and swampy electroacoustics present a more intense, retrofuturist sci-fi approach whilst "Dump" brings forth a Broken Blues element in conjunction with scraping Field Recordings, heaps of echo craze as well as a hefty take on abstract vocal- and non-vocalisms for the headstrong. Furthermore the 10+ minutes of "RZCK" amalgamate ritualistic percussions and highly abstract PostRock with distinct, feedback-driven guitars, "Isn't It Isn't" turns out to be a true underground Art School hit of sorts, "Sweet Cold Night 2" explores ultradark Dub territories and twisted nightmares whilst "Agent A" resembles highly experimental takes on the Ingenious Dilletantes movement, tunes like "Wave Drum" are summoning hollow earth demons with their ritualistic approach, tripping non-vocalisms and humming, klaxon'esque sounds sending signals back into ancient times and "Winter One" even harks back to the most melancholic PostPunk experiments ever. But these are only a few picks off of this highly diverse, widely varied conceptual album that lovers of leftfield experimental sounds, as well as quirky production music, defo should check out as a possible addition to their collection.

Joe McPhee & Paal Nilssen-Love - Song For The Big Chief [PNL Records 046]

Put on the circuit via his very own PNL Records imprint on October 4th, 2k19 is "Song For The Big Chief" which sees Paal Nilssen-Love collaborating with long time co-adventurer Joe McPhee live at Cafe Oto in London on December 9th, 2k17. With the duo dedicating their concert to drummer Sunny Murray who had passed away shortly before the concert and opening with a 23 minutes spanning variation of "Old Man River" as title track "Song For The Chief (Old Man River)" the two artists are paying an intense tribute to one of their major influences in music, pushing the original cut further and further into an intense, thundering maelstrom of improvisation whilst harking back to its original feel and melancholy around mid-track, breaking things down before building up towards a metallic, percussive climax once again. Furthermore the performance of "Knox" presents highly technical sax playing atop advanced drum grooves for those in the know whilst never losing a certain intrinsic melancholia whereas the final cut "A Fantasy For Lester" explores fully experimental territories, touching on scraping electro-acoustic minimalisms and distant echoes of Ambient rather than actual  Jazz for the majority of its playtime of nearly eight  minutes although slowly coming back to free-floating Jazz aesthetics in its second half. One of the more accessible album releases on PNL Records, this.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Stazma - October Mantis *Early Mix Free Dl Version

Is Happy Glitchcore a thing yet? Or is Drill'n'Beauty?

Miguel Flores - Lorca: Lost Tapes (1989 - 1991) [Buh Records Promo]

Released via Buh Records as a part of their 'Essential Sounds Collection'-series on October 4th, 2k19 is "Lorca: Lost Tapes (1989 - 1991)", a collection of previously unreleased works by Peruvian composer Miguel Flores mostly created for stage and theatre purposes and inspired by the Spanish playwright Federico Garcia Lorca. Presenting a total of ten compositions just subsequently titled in Roman numerals we see Flores cover a musical range from intense Ambient drones paired with Flamenco'esque guitars, beauteous score'esque balearisms paired with what seem to be theremin triggered, melancholy-infused melodies as well as soft, pad driven Folk meets Ambient fusions, spaced out, yet naturalistic Tribal excursions and even mixing folkloristic elements with fever'ish echoes of PostPunk whilst other tracks present dark, mulitlayered and nightmare'ish whispers or ecstatic music for ancient rituals which, despite being composed for different purposes, perfectly fall together as a homogenous album and beautiful historic documentation of previously unheard music.

Ka Baird - Symanimagenic (Official Video)

Captivating Future Tribal with a performative PostPunk attitude - brought to us as an immersive 360° video art piece. Check!

baze.djunkiii Charts 11/2019

01. Blotter Trax - Programmed Memories / Rhythm Device [Frustrated Funk 048]
The Frustrated Funk-label caters what might be their best and most distinct release ever with this clear vinyl two track 12" masterfully crafted by Blotter Trax. Sci-fi Electro as crisp as a cold winter night, timeless and stripped down to the absolute core with bleepy synth tones leading the way and additional, masterly cut and processed vocal samples providing an extra scientific thrill and Laboratory Funk-appproved sex drive. Get this.

02. Special Request - Special Request & Fwends [Houndstooth 119]
Special Request has two cuts from his massive "Vortex" album remixed by Sully and everyone's hype darling Mall Grab. Whilst Sully goes for a metallic PostRave meets (Dark)Jungle meets glitch-informed Drill'n'Bass approach on this pink, translucent 12" vinyl we see Mall Grab provide a massive Broken Techno meets Post UK Hardcore inferno causing serious damage on prepared and unprepared dancefloors.

03. Octave One - Locus Of Control Vol. 2 [430 West Records]
The Burden Brothers have been a staple in Detroit Techno for who knows how long exactly and they hardly ever fail me when they've got a new 12" release out these days. "Afrotech" is one of their typical, driving, yet slightly monotonously rolling tools with intricate melodic works and stripped down percussions whilst "Detune" on the flip side turns out to be a massive, straight stomping Techno banger sporting overwhelming bass rolls alongside a multilayered, complex metallic synth motif reminding everyone of how much of a futuristic space music Techno is and can be. An unquestioned winner, this second tune is.

04. Bluetrain - Babylon Paralysis [Future Primitive 005]
DubTechno perfection catered by Steve O'Sullivan a.k.a. Bluetrain a.k.a. The Wise Caucasian. Closer to the roots of Dub than to actual Techno these three tracks are as stripped down as it can ever get, floating in a timeless universe made out of pure rhythm, bass and loads of space in between. There's not one single element one could take away without totally disassembling or crippling any given tune on this 12" release and therefore this is a masterpiece in ultimate reduction and minimalism as well as a blueprint for highly advanced sound design and dancefloor functionalism.

05. Len Faki [LF RMX 017]
Len Faki is an edit master and with his re-edits of Illuminatae's "Tremora Del Terra" and Brotherhood Of Structure's "We Are Structure" he gave two of baze.djunkiii's favorite 90s rave anthems a special, and highly respectful, treatment. With both edits Len Faki is staying pretty close to the original tunes, adding a few little tweaks and effects here and there, updating them for contemporary club abuse and re-introducing the original pre-commercial rave vibe to a new audience for a reason. Plus: the also featured re-edit of Planet Love Ink's "Living In Pain" comes in as a nice uplifting AcidTrance addition as well.

06. Tribulation Dub [DREADZ 002 Whitelabel]
No information on this one and the "Tribulation Dub" title is taken from Discogs. But whoever crafted this must, most likely, have inhaled a good portion of what made early Dubstep so appealing a.k.a. sparse arrangements, a shitload of sinewave bass pressure and the obvious Dub / Reggae influences. Deep essential bass meditation. Period.

07. Headie One Feat. Dave - 18 Hunna *Four Tet Remix [Relentless Records / Sony Music]
So there's no such thing as modern Grime? This cut defo proved me wrong with its tender, yet still functional Grime meets Trap fusion and seductive, deep and slightly romantic melodies as well as great lyricism a.k.a. storytelling abilities showcased by Dave and Headie One alike. A perfect closing tune, this is.

08. Logic 1000 [Whitelabel]
Two tracks seemingly unofficially ripped and pressed to vinyl from DJ Logic 1000s latest digital outing - at least the apology engraved in the dead wax points in this direction. But no matter what the story behind this stamped whitelabel is, the two tracks featured on here are basically an essential fusion of classic SpeedGarage and early 90s ClubHouse infused by contemporary Future Garage vibes for eternal dancefloor abuse on the A-side whilst the B-side brings on stripped down, hypnotic, dark and repetetive Sublow / Dark Garage vibes for those who know. File under: soon to be sought after future classic.

09. Fabio Monesi - Strings Of Love E.P. [Craigie Knowes 018]
Fabio Monesi caters big time on the still mysterious imprint known and loved as Craigie Knowes. Catchy Breakbeats served in a House tempo range, garnished by seductive string works and raw, uplifting synth melodies, echoes of BigBeat and all other kinds of goodness, served in four tracks of which especially the A2 outing "Pancho Returns" is an especially lovely lo-fi banger whereas "Flanger City" on B1 brings on memories of what once known as TechnoJazz for a reason and "The Raw Theory" deals with stomping electroid House rhythms for peak time abuse. Recommended.

10. Basic Rhythm - 2 Da Core [Planet Mu 414]
Basic Rhythm presents a super complex, yet blurred out take on multi-layered bass-driven music, incorporates references of classic UK Hardcore in the EP's title whilst working on carving out a sub-sub-subgenre of its own right that is about to thrill lovers of Grime, PostRave and UK Hardcore alike before killing Juke / Footwork crowds with a hefty remix provided by noone less than RP Boo himself on the flip. Dang.