baze.djunkiii Charts 09/2k22

01. Mark Hand & Neil Iceton - Holiday In Beta Centauri [Innate 005]
The Innate camp comes forward with another quality outing and their first full on artist 12" release ever after a set of yearly compilation singles put on the circuit ever since the labels inception in 2018. Now Mr. Mark Hand and Neil Iceton are in charge of keeping quality levels on par with their four tracker, providing a musical ark ranging from 'troity, complex and dancefloor functional UK Intelligent Techno garnished with driving stab melodies and playful, ever intertwined synth lines to bouncing, string-laden late night Electro, partially garnished with whirling modulations and x or deep dreamy, friendly and explorative motifs for dedicated genre connaisseurs and IDM lovers. Proper good.

02. Missing & Skeleton Army - Raised In The 80s [Sub System Recordings 007]
What a bang0r. Released on limited yellow neon vinyl - yes, imagine magic markers here - Missing & Skeleton army perfectly almagamate contempory (Neo)Jungle / Drum'n'Bass vibes with a well obvious Pop attitude and hints of JumpUp to create one of the catchiest D'n'B tunes we've heard in a while whilst Tim Reapers re-fix on the flip goes a little deeper into classic UK Hardcore / Breakbeat- / Jungle-infused territories, slows down the tempo a little and adds spine-tingling vocal samples as well as earth shaking subs to the mix for the all them oldskool ravers out there.

03. Dusky - Life Signs Remixed [Running Back 104]
Quite a varied and versatile remix pack for Dusky's "Life Signs" 12" double pack, this. Whilst Cinthie's rework of "Static" fuses uplifting TechHouse, sweet vocal sample action and a killer synth motif reminiscent of classic Sheffield Bleep action we see KiNK exploring fast-paced, uplifting and ravey, highly functional Techno territories well compatible with the distinct minimalism brought forward by the likes of Robert Hood and others with his remix of "Fridge". Yet, the most interesting cut on this remix single is "Lea Valley *Rumu Remix" which takes things to a surprisingly groovy, seductive and most of all UK Garage-flavored level which one wouldn't necessarily expect on a label like Running Back even though it is one of the most diversified imprints out there. Defo one to check out for all UKG heads.

04. Faerber / Umwelt [LAP001]
Launching labels as a manifestation of their very own club and corporate identity seems to be a thing to do for venues these days and the Hamburg-based PAL follows this trend with the first stamped, limited to 300 copies release of their very own LAP imprint. Whilst Faerber goes down a route of fast paced, driving and rave-infused, highly functional contemporary Business Techno on the A-side whilst Umwelt once again brings forth his very trademark definition of brooding, hard hitting Electro of doom for those who can take it.

05. Nicolas Duque - DSDWHITE002 [Dansu Discs Whitelabel 002]
100% bootleg business. Nicolas Duque takes on Tweet's early 2000s R'n'B classic "Oops (Oh My)" on this stamped whitelabel 12" and revamps it in an atmospheric, slightly junglistic mid-90s Drum'n'Bass vibe on the A-side - think Omni Trio's "Haunted Science" album here - whilst providing a heavyweight classic UK Garage / SpeedGarage re-lick on the flip which is our favorite cut on this one.

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Maya Bennardo / Erik Blennow Calälv / Kristofer Svensson - Two Skies [Thanatosis Produktion 017]

Scheduled for release on September 2nd, 2k22 is "Two Skies", the first ever full length album recorded by the trio of Maya Bennardo, Erik Blennow Calälv and Kristofer Svensson on violin, bass clarinet and the Sundanese instrument that is the kacapi respectively. Put out on the circuit via the Swedish label Thanatosis Produktion the album is split in two extended pieces - "Av Hav" and "In Yo" - which clock in at a combined playtime of 56 minutes in total. Opening with "Av Hav" the trio presents an atmospheric, carefully layered amalgamation of most beautiful Post-Postrock, organic Ambient and Deep Listening Music, forming a timeless self-contained sonic entity which floats beyond and above the constraints of regular space and time whilst weighing in an intimate, very close up recorded feel whereas the subsequent "In Yo" follows up on a similar path, yet takes things to an even deeper, more nocturnal and inward looking level and might turn out to become a longtime companion for extended, yet silent late night listening sessions shared with a beloved soul. Highly recommended, this.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Somnoroase Pasarele - ZEET [Mahorka 312]

Released via the long-standing Mahorka label on June 30th, 2k22 is "ZEET", the latest four track cassette tape album produced by Gili Mocanu a.k.a. Somnoroase Pasarele which was sent to us straight from Moldova only recently. Providing us with four variations of its title - "ZEET" / "TEZE" / "ZETE" / "TEEZ" in this specific order - Somnoroase Pasarele explores a sonic realm of repetetive polyrhythmic quality with an almost Stockhausen'esque approach to minimalism and subtle, slowly shifting patterns which might over time evolve into a massive hypnotic maelstrom of Ambient Noize ("TEZE") or, in total opposite, bring forward a tender nocturnal amalgamation of Post-PostRock, Indietronica and comforting Deep Listening Music in "ZETE" whereas "TEEZ" even introduces dark, heavy Desert Rock-infused guitar riffing as well as an overall apocalyptic feel which immediately evokes memories of long time defunct outfits like the former Village Of Savoonga just to pick out the pieces that seem to be the most exciting to us. Defo a worthwhile addition to your cassette collection, this. Go check.

Joseph Petric - Seen [Redshift Records]

Put out on the circuit via the Canadian imprint that is Redshift Records on August 12th, 2k22 is "Seen", the latest album by Canadian accordionist Joseph Petric who actually released his very first longplayer as far back as 1987 according to Discogs. Tackling a total of six contemporary compositions by the likes Torbjörn Lundquist, Robert May, his very own collaborative work with David Jaeger, the three movement strong title piece "Seen" by Norbert Palej and others over the course of 72+ minutes we see Joseph Petric delivering a well astounding and dramatic solo performance which might baffle many that have perceived the accordion only in a maritime tradition or in a context of music from the Balkan or Eastern European regions of the world. In stark contrast to that especially the opening piece "Spirit Cloud" reveals a score'esque, explorative and almost organ-like quality of the instrument which is here paired with retrofuturist electronic textures whereas bits like "Seen Mvt 1- Vision Of St. Margaret Mary Alcoque" dabble with the instruments inherent melancholia which also made it a favorite amongst Dark Ambient producers like Kallabris which are no strangers to hiding hints of accordion textures deeply with their brooding, emotional pieces, "Fadensonnen" gets as tender and all embracing as things can get, even though the tune brings on dramatic build ups and dynamic emotional changes whilst "Leviathian" turns out to be as gargantuan, eldritch and somewhat fear-inducing as its name implies just to deeper examine a few pieces on this album to lay out the overall course of Joseph Petric's newest release here. If you haven't considered the accordion to be an instrument speaking to you so far this album might well change your perspective.

Album artwork on Instagram!

03.09.2022 Pure Garage & Silk @ Schaubude / Kiel

file under: UK Garage / SpeedGarage / Future Garage

decks:
baze.djunkiii [Intrauterin Recordings / Combat Dubs]

doors: 11 P.M.
RSVP: Facebook event

'Wot Do U Call It?' fragte einer der bekanntesten Bassmusik-Pioniere des inselbritischen Königreichs im Jahre 2004. Der Hamburger DJ und Musikaktivist baze.djunkiii beantwortet diese Frage heute Abend in der Schaubude ganz klar mit 'UK Garage'!

Von Ende der 90er bis in die frühen 2000er hinein, noch bevor innerhalb dieser Szene die ersten zarten Triebe von Dubstep, Grime und Eski sprossen, war UK Garage der neue heisse Trend aus England - swingende Breakbeats auf House-Geschwindigkeit, abgrundtiefe Jungle-Bässe, toastende MC's und natürlich jede Menge Bootlegs sorgten für volle Tanzflächen. Und baze.djunkiii, der Gast des heutigen Abends, war im hohen Norden als einer der ganz frühen Supporter des UK Garage-Sounds vorne mit dabei – ob auf Raves wie der 'One Love' oder als Hamburger Host der von Firetrap veranstalteten 'Nu Steppin'-Tour und auf vielen weiteren Underground Events.

Auch in der Zeit nach dem Verebben der ersten grossen Hypewelle gehörte der Hamburger DJ lange zu den letzten aktiven deutschen Veteranen des klassischen UK Garage-Sound, der dieser Tage im Rahmen des wachsenden Interesses an inselbritischer Bassmusik wieder verstärkt in den Fokus des Publikums rückt, spielte unzählige dem UKG gewidmete Radioshows und Clubgigs in Städten wie München, Jena und sogar Viechtach im tiefsten Bayern, veröffentlichte u.a. dem UK Garage-gewidmete DJ-Mixtapes auf seinem eigenen Label Intrauterin Tapes und feierte nicht zuletzt mit der in 2020 erschienen 7“ Single „Crystals“ des von baze.djunkiii und Sascha Müller gemeinsam gegründeten Studioprojektes COMBAT DUBS auf Intrauterin Recordings einen internationalen Erfolg in der UK Garage und Bass Music-Szene.

Mittlerweile ist die Second Wave des UKG international in vollem Gang, die mittlerweile rar und teuer gewordenen Klassiker sind gefragt wie eh und je und das ist für uns Grund genug, zum Start der Spätsommersaison spontan die erste UK Garage-Party des Jahres in der Schaubude zu feiern und sich eine Nacht lang dem klassischen Sound des UKG hinzugeben. Natürlich zu 100% von Vinyl und z.T. extrem raren Whitelabels jener Zeit.

Schaubude
Legienstrasse 40
24103 Kiel
Germany

Silvia Tarozzi & Deborah Walker - Canti Di Guerra, Di Lavoro E D'Amore [Unseen Worlds 045]

Put out on the circuit via the ever evolving Unseen Worlds label as their cat.no. 045 on June 10th, 2k22 is "Canti Di Guerra, Di Lavoro E D'Amore", the latest collaborational effort and first full length album conceived by Silvia Tarozzi and Deborah Walker, with the help of Ola Obasi Nnanna and Andrea Rovacchi which both make guest appearances on a track named "Il Bersagliere Ha Cento Penne". Over the course of twelve pieces and a total runtime of 53 minutes the duo deals with a re-occuring theme of old traditional songs thematically related to the emancipation of working class women and the partisan resistance of World War II once sung by females working in the rice fields of the Po region. Working with, fragmenting and de-fragmenting this strongly historically linked branch of Italian Folk history and embedding it in their specific universe of sound Tarozzi and Walker achieve a well avantgarde-leaning variation of Contemporary Classical music, mostly instrumental, partially accompanied by multi-layered and reprocessed vocal sequences whereas especially the siren'esque "Parziale" brings forward an almost electro-acoustic approach whilst ""Il Bersagliere Ha Cento Penne" evokes a contemplative, elegic and festive feel, the subsequent "Meccanica Primitiva" dives deep into random, percussive layers of probably field recorded origin alongside whirling surface sounds and fragments of Post Improv hidden within the mix before "La Campena Ed San Simon - Ignoranti Senza Scuole" focuses on tender, crystal clear vocals atop a beautifully interwoven acoustic string backing and "Tita" presents intricately layered Spoken Word arrangements which makes these tunes our favorite cuts on this album just to name a few. Defo one longplayer that may overstrain and ask too much of untrained ears occasionally but surely will resonate with an, yet be it small or at least limited, experienced and highly specialized audience for reasons.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Gnawa Music Of Marrakesh - Night Spirit Masters [Zehra 009 Promo]

Put out on the album circuit on August 19th, 2k22, actually 32 years after its initial first release, is "Night Spirit Masters", the 1990 longplay release by Gnawa Music Of Marrakesh, an often praised essential exploration of music from the Middle East, especially today's Morocco. Panned out over a total playtime of roughly 49 minutes and eleven tracks the album, originally produced by Bill Laswell and Richard Horowitz, deeply immerses the listener in the complex, polyrhythmic and trance-inducing sonic landscapes, percussion layers and hypnotic chants native to the Medina of Marrakesh, an ancient music that speaks to levels of the listeners self beyond any cultural context, especially when presenting tribal'esque rhythm signatures in their most ecstatic form in pieces like "Tramin" whereas the subsequent "Chabako" works its way all up from slow grooves to a full on fast paced peak, "Toura Toura Tour Kelilah" introduces a powerful interplay of call-and-response chants and muscular drums which are to be found in many a music of African decent whereas pieces like "Jillala" even seem to represent a Gnawa take on original Desert Blues before the closing cut that is "Hamouda" dabbles with deeply nocturnal Tribal chants and drum minimalisms just to name a few. Defo a well interesting first glimpse on and gateway to the ancient world of Gnawa music, this.

baze.djunkiii Chart Haul 08/2k22

Alex Zethson - Residy [Thanatosis Produktion 016]

Out on the release circuit via the fast growing and ever expanding Thanatosis Produktion label on August 12th, 2k22 is Alex Zethson's "Residy", the second full length album by the Swedish pianist who's been involved in a plethora of projects besides his solo works throughout the past years and solely runs the Thanatosis Produktion label as a one man operation. Conceptually based on a de- / reconstruction of JS Bach's "Goldberg Variation No. 21" the two parts of "Residy" are rolled out over a little more than 36 minutes in total, providing a calm and contemplative journey into a realm of warm and comforting, yet highly reduced and minimalist Ambient music, an ever moving drone of sorts, flowing peaceful like a small river in an untouched, rural environment at night yet providing dark and ominous textures at times, hints of things unknown hidden in deeper, certainly unexplored subsurface vaults whilst hypersparse and singular additional drum hits, lonley, fading piano tones or somewhat manipulated string tweaks provide an additional layer of subreality to Zethson's otherwise near static, time-dissolving musical approach. If droning tones and living in a washed out, blurred and well fuzzy dreamworld beyond our regular perception of space and its dimensional properties is your jam or you're a seasoned collector of highly intriguing Ambient music this album is a must. Recommended.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Parisa Sabet - A Cup Of Sins [Redshift Records]

Scheduled for release via the Canadian imprint Redshift Records on August 26th, 2k22 is "A Cup Of Sins", the latest journey into the realms of Contemporary Composition for Iranian-Canadian composer Parisa Sabet and her first longplay outing ever. Performed by what might be called a small ensemble of artists drawn from the Contemporary Music circuit the eleven pieces, rolled out over the course of six larger movements and a total of 57 minutes playtime, explore a musical field widely to be described as (Neo)Classical x Contemporary Classical with loads of thrilling, yet not hypercliche Eastern influences, with the dramatic opening suite "Shurangiz" being a perfect example of how to merge what seems to be echoes of formal medieval dances with hounded, action-loaden oriental vibes whereas "Dance In Your Blood" with its late night piano lines as a base and foundation for a large scale vocal performances touches base with both Opera and classic Broadway theaters, "Geyrani" offers a most beautiful violin solo workout, oftentimes driving the instruments into its highest register whilst "The Seville Orange Tree" merges frolicking playfulness and intertwined communication between its instruments with echoes of Jazz and bits of what could've been early adventure movie scores in the infancy of cinema and the title track that is "A Cup Of Sins" even evokes memories of the works of former British icon Gilli Smyth just to name a few. Something different, something very out there, yet something thrilling and worthwhile to check out in its entirety. Recommended.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Utopiae - Ostblock Boheme [Phantomnoise Records / Edition Schubert]

Coming in from the long standing label that is Phantomnoise Records in collaboration with Edition Schubert is "Ostblock Boheme", the extended full length album debut by the Konrad Schubert-led project Utopiae. Put out on the circuit on June 22nd, 2k22 the album features a total of nine brand new original tracks plus two additional sets of bonus cuts which consist of four remixes including one by Xotox which looks back on a long relationship with the Phantomnoise imprint as well as the four tracks originally featured on Utopiae's very first EP release from 2020. Also included is a set of art cards and the 7" vinyl single "Praha / Frühling In Prag". This massive package provides a playtime of over 80 minutes in total, spanning an arc from folksy and twisted, obviously Americana-infused Blues vibes provided by the scenic opener that is "Frühling In Prag" to the immanent, somewhat maritime melancholia-inducing violin elegies of the subsequent "Tief" which find their even deeper, emotionally touching continuation in "Das Ewige Meer" whereas "For A While (Piano Version)" goes down a route of full on romanticism for cold November nights - which would be the perfect season and point in time to listen to this album in its entirety, the classic tunes of "EP1" included. Remixwise, with all four reworks dealing with "Praha", we see the rework by Wolvesinsound go down a well dramatic, dark'ish SynthPop route, the "Praha *Layman Alpha RMX" explores slow, yet large scale Future Pop realms whereas Phil J enters technoid and festival-functional Tech x HandsUp territories with his interpretation whereas Xotox chooses a subdued and unique approach that seems to seep through into our dimension through a portal providing a connection to the upside-down. If darkness, nightly meditativeness and poring over things such as life in general or deep philosophical questions are your thing you might've found a worthy companion within this album.

Mijk Van Dijk - Rotation

Mijk van Dijk · Mijk van Dijk - Rotation

Our man Mijk Van Dijk caters a proper heavy Techno banger with this one. Expect well seductive vocoder bits as well. Rave is back.

Angelina Yershova / Ynaktera - Time For Change [Twin Paradox 006]

Released via the Rome-based Twin Paradox-imprint on June 24th, 2k22 as the labels cat.no. 006 is "Time For Change", the latest collaboration album conceived by Kazakhstan's ever active Angelina Yershova in conjunction with Italian producer / composer Ynaktera. Rolled out over the course of nine tracks and a total runtime of roughly 51 minutes the duo creates a washed out, dreamlike sonic scenario from the very first seconds of the opening piece "Awakened Goddess" onwards which opens with frolicking, spatial, yet somewhat otherworldly piano cascades accompanied by earth shaking bass pulses and all sorts of crackles and sonic interference signals whereas the subsequent "Global Ocean Warming" touches base with somewhat kitschy - ...and presumably healing... - EsoAmbient structures, the "Shamanic Morse Code" provides deep, spatial and somewhat brooding fodder for Clicks'n'Cut-infused late night IDM dancefloors and therefore is - also due to its minimal structure and spine-tingling atmosphere - one of our main favorites on this album whilst "Everything Is Connected" explores a tender amalgamation of Electronica and more wafting piano dreams, "Perpetual Spin" serves a crackly, hyperminimal Clicks'n'Cuts x Bass Music fusion for those in the know and "Cluster Light" even adds some jazzy piano sparkles to the recipe to mix things up a bit just to name a few. A little bit too smooth and kitschy at times to stand out yet defo a proper gateway into the world of Ambient and Electronica for those who are well keen to enter this realm and broaden their musical spectrum for a reason.

Album artwork on Insatgram!

Niklas Wandt - I Wandt To Believe [Animals Dancing 010 Test Press]

First things first: We absolutely despise the title of this EP. Never ever in the history of electronic music has there been a need for a seemingly witty, pretentious and pseudo-clever play on words ever. And most importantly: Nobody ever succeeded at such an attempt at any point in time. Instead, history is nothing but a sequence of sad failures. This being said and this major faux pas aside Mr. Wandt presents a formidably deep, dreamy and melodic four track EP with this one, spanning an ark from krautsy, balearic and well trippy Romantic House with an obvious Tribal-infusion and heaps of obscure sounds for a dedicated after-after-after hours audience to proper 90s IDM x NuBeat crossover vibes with a well futuristic twist and a snare drum that could well make any tune by Cabaret Voltaire heavier by the pound before the flipside offers a proper take on very early 90s Ambient House x Ambient Rave meets ProtoTrance with the title track whereas the final cut "300CE" brings forth catchy vocoder bits alongside a fully over the top Electro x BigBeat x Italo kitsch hybrid for dancefloors shared by breakers, b-boys, fly girls and drunk British punters alike - and in equal parts. Yet, the biggest surprise arises when speeding the A2 cut "Im Verborgenen" up to 45rpm which is when all driving highspeed SynthWave x ElectroWave x Industrial hell starts to break loose for those who know. Adventurous 12" is adventurous. Not in a bad way, though.

Copenhagen Clarinet Choir - Organism [Ar & Dag 010 Promo]

Scheduled for release via the Danish label that is Ar & Dag on September 2nd, 2k22 is "Organism", the roughly 43 minutes spanning debut album by the multi-national collective named the Copenhagen Clarinet Choir which is led by Irish woodwind composer - and player! - Carolyn Goodwin. Rolled out over the course of six extended pieces we see the collective exploring the beauty and possibilities of sixfold multilayered instruments, with the individual player merging with the entire ensemble to create one unique body of sound, a living and breathing organic sonic body. The musical range covered by the Copenhagen Clarinet Choir builds an ark from hovering, timeless and enchanted Ambient dronings to be found in the opening title track "Organism" which later evolves into contrapuntal call and response multimadness to the busy, buzzing and highly interactive forum for collective improvisation with a distinct FreeJazz-infused touch as well as (Neo)Classical influences of sorts presented by "Flocking Pt.2" whereas "Three Movements - Movement 1" focuses on slightly oscillating, spine-tingling minimal dronings whilst the eerie, microtonal ambience of "An Old Son Re-Sung" seemingly pays otherworldly and somewhat deconstructivistic homage to a traditional Irish melody just to pick a bunch of of favorites here. Defo a well interesting album, this. Check.

Colin Fisher / Mike Gennaro - Tactile Stories [Cacophonous Revival Recordings 015]

Put out on the circuit via the Virginia-based imprint that is Cacophonous Revival Recordings as the labels cat.no. 015 is "Tactile Stories", the latest collaborational album effort created by Colin Fisher and Mike Gennaro on reeds and guitar as well as on drums respectively. Released on July 29th, 2k22 the roughly 56 minutes spanning album is comprised of four extended cuts with three of them exceeding the 13 minutes mark their most recent longplay outing starts of on a krautsy and meandering, yet highly energetic Improv tip with "Ex Nihilo" which is based on a ever so slighty morphing motif and complex, powerful and ever rolling drum movements, setting the path for things to come like the deeper, more Jazz Noir-leaning but still agitated piece that is "Ekstasis", the FreeJazz- / Jazz Improv-standard to be named "Esse" which is working its way towards a squealing, squeaking and thundering climax before abruptly turning towards an almost tender, stripped down vibe whereas the closing cut "Epinoia" presents a surprisingly introvert, somewhat twangy and peaceful attitude with Mr. Colin Fisher fully focusing on tender, yet lively guitar improvisations which might probably resonate most with fans of classic, non-improvised Jazz for a reason. If this sounds like your jam, go and check this out.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Javier Hernando & Angel Lalinde - Vacuola [Wet Dreams Records 013]

Coming in from Spain only recently is "Vacuola", the latest album effort created by long standing - we're talking a debut cassette tape album under his real name in 1990 here... - electronic music composer Javier Hernando in collaboration with Angel Lalinde. Released via Wet Dreams Records as their cat.no. 013 on June 21st, 2k22 the hand-numbered twelve tracks and roughly 42 minutes spanning album starts off on an immediately threatening and most of all hostile tip with earth shaking bass movements creeping up from gargantuan subsurface vaults before seamlessly moving forward into a realm of scraping, screaming and buzzing Rhythm Industrial x Industrial Electronics which presents an overwhelming wall of digital feedbacks in pieces like "Transito" whereas the title tracks brings forth a spatial, well minimalistic sci-fi attitude with its sparse, yet distinct backround movements and icy exoterrestrial soundscapes perfectly matched by the likeminded follow up "Comalada". "F.B.N.C.C.I." drifts off into somewhat sugar-coated Eso-Ambient for no obvious reasons whilst the triple feature of "Exaltata", "Enana Roja" and "Aparato Totalizador" explores Dark Ambient at the very fringes of the audible spectrum, providing more of a physical experience when it comes to overwhelming low frequency rumbles and other goodness before the concluding "Bandera" once again harks back to crackling minimalisms whilst adding a deep and almost accessible a.k.a. dancefloor suitable Ambient Electronica / Armchair Techno resembling rhythm signature to the mix just to name a few. Excellent stuff, this. Get.

Magnus Granberg - Night Will Fade And Fall Apart [Thanatosis Produktion 015]

Put out on the circuit via the ever growing Stockholm-based imprint Thanatosis Produktion on August 5th, 2k22 is "Night Will Fade Apart", the latest large scale album outing by Swedish composer Magnus Granberg which features a whole set of iterations of the title bearing main piece rolled out over a 2CD set and a total of roughly 95 minutes playtime. Opening with the main version on CD1, the 43 minutes spanning full ensemble take of "Night Will Fade And Fall Apart" performed by the sextett now known as Tya Ensemble, the listener is drawn into a timeless, eternal twilight of surely nocturnal quality, embedded in a sonic cocoon of calm and minimalist, yet surely DarkJazz-infused nature, garnished with what seem to be additional single field recorded sounds and an overall feel meandering in between organic Deep Listening Music and nightly Ambient references with this piece being nothing short of a magnum opus which could be well suitable to function as a fully flegded score for a contemporary, yet monochrome experimental film noir of sorts. On CD2 the Tya Ensemble splits up into fractions and presents duo / solo varieties of "Night Will Fade And Fall Apart" for percussion, violin, cello, guitar as well as for piano and vibraphone in this respective order, all stripped down and minimalist by default due to their focus on one particular instrument, of which the short piece that is "Night Will Fade And Fall Apart (For Percussion)" might be our favorite due to its brooding, somewhat low end-heavy and spine-tingling nature whereas especially the variants "Night Will Fade And Fall Apart (For Guitar)" and "Night Will Fade And Fall Apart (For Piano And Vibraphone)" present an extremely tender and introvert, defo contemplative take on the original piece which is well worth the time for a focused repeated listening session for a reason. Highly recommended. Get.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Erlend Apneseth - Nova [Hubro Music]

Set for release on August 26th, 2k22 via the ever active Norwegian imprint Hubro Music is Erlend Apneseth's new album named "Nova", his first full on solo album in nearly a full decade and a ten tracks and 28 minutes spanning exploration of his instrument of choice which is the so-called hardanger fiddle. A staple in Norwegian Folk and beyond for centuries Apneseth's take on this classic instrument is not only his second ever solo album in his long career but also a reflection on his personal life, with the most beautiful, floating and panoramic, slightly melancholia-inducing "Ly" setting a seemingly (neo)classically infused and truly Nordic tone as an opening piece with the folksy, multilayered and echoing "Fall" presenting more of a dreamlike attitude whilst the livelier and more spatial miniature that is "Framand" is following on a similarly wound path into dreamland whereas the slightly dubbed out "Spenglingar" is frolicking through Norwegian meadows, the "Gravsong" takes us on a journey from tender, mournful sadness to a highly emotional, dramatic climax and the final cut that is "Ettertid" even drifts off into spine-tingling nocturnal territories from a quite minimalist and most quiet start just to name a few.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Delay & Aarset - Singles [Room40 Promo]

Put out on the circuit via the Australian staple that is Room40 on July 8th, 2k22 is "Singles", the latest longplay duo collaboration album conceived by long standing Finnish producer Vladislav Delay in conjunction with Norwegian guitar player Eivind Aarset. Rolled out over the course of 39 minutes the two artists present a set of eight, not subsequently numbered, tracks all named "Single (+ an additional one or two digit numeral)", which draw inspiration from their highly acclaimed individual sonic visions which, combined and stacked on top of eachother, way exceed what each of them would be capable of on their respective own. With the opening tune that is "Single 8" Delay & Aarset serve a blueprint for cold, soul-sucking Industrial hyperbrutalism that's by an order of magnitude darker than anything many contemporary Industrial acts would ever be able to come up with whilst the subsequent "Single 4" combines heavy Rhythm Industrial x Industrial Electronica x Illbient eruptions and ethereal, widescreen panorama atmospheres, "Single 22" enters brooding, highly threatening experimental Noize territories to provide a psychosis-inducing soundtrack for your worst ever nightmares and "Single 13" brings forth hypnotic, buzzing electrical Space Techno / Rhythm Industrial pulses for intergalactic warfare just to name a few spine-tingling tunes from this highly intriguing album. Do not miss out this.

Automatisme & Stefan Paulus - Gap/Void [Constellation Records 164]

Another fresh album released via Constellation Records on May 20th, 2k22 is "Gap/Void", the latest international collaboration effort conceived by Canadian artist William Jourdain a.k.a. Automatisme and Swiss Ambient producer - and more... - Stefan Paulus. Rolled out over the course of ten tracks and approx. 67 minutes total runtime the duo explores a sonic realm based upon Field Recordings of mostly inhospitable spots and hostile weather phenomena captured in various mountain ranges and even north of the arctic circle which are folded, layered, cut-up and reprocessed multiple times before being enriched by a variety of - also reprocessed and warped - samples, drums and other bits and pieces nicked from a set of, strangely enough, second hand Disco singles from the 1970s and 80s. The result of this meticulous process is a fascinating journey into glacial, hyperfuturistic IDM Rave informed by complex Broken Techno and UK Bass Music presented in the opening cut that is "Säntis" which later is drifting off into a brooding maelstrom of Doom Ambient and Field Recordings of deadly gusts of wind before "Marwees" takes on low end heavy DubTechno antigrooves for a change and "Üble Schlucht" is following up on a path of spine-tingling ethereal, dubbed out and well stripped down Electronica grooves for highly advanced after-after-afterparty dancefloors. Furthermore "Blau Schnee" is taking dancefloors by storm with its dark, minimalist, slightly washed out and highly functional Techno attitude, "Stoos" brings forth more of an atmospheric, yet hollow Minimal Techno / MicroHouse feel whereas "Wisswand" is taking Minimal Techno to a filtered, bass-heavy extreme and evokes blurred memories of late 90s underground 12" releases by Fred Bigot before he became Electronicat. "Schwarzhorn" on the other hand harks back to a mixture of Field Recordings and minimalist Deep Listening Music, the interestingly named "Tothore" provides even more minimalist, athmospheric Ambient textures, "Nob" presents an array of icy crackles alongside hostile winds before the final cut that is "Wisshorn" rounds things off on a calmer, yet somewhat brooding and ominous Dark Ambient / Death Ambient tip. This is a trip. A highly recommended one, though.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Ben Wood Inferno - Psychomania [Sumorex 021]

Scheduled for release on October 7th, 2k22 via the Sumorex-imprint is "Psychomania", the latest - and sixth! - full length album by the ever buzzing Rock'n'Roll machine that is the Ben Wood Inferno, a name probably well familiar to readers of these pages for reasons. Basically hindered from touring - and probably also recording - over the course of the past years their latest outing sees channeling all their accumulated energy over the course of nine brand new songs and a total of approximately 40 minutes playtime these days, starting with a thundering boom as an introduction to the raw opening Rock'n'Roll outing that is "If I'm Out Of My Mind (It's Alright With Me)" whereas the subsequent "State Of Flux" is a well dark, yet more funkdefied affair for psycho horror fuck fests whilst "Alligator Sex" amalgamates twisted, high octane Psychobilly with a certain PunkRock attitude, causing havoc and moshpits to form whereever it's blasted through a proper club P.A.. The follow up "Make You Hate Again" samples classic and well intriguing movie dialogue snippets of yore before entering highly catchy high octane hit single territories able to probably cross over into realms beyond the Rock'n'Roll scene due to its highly infectious vibe, "Who Cried Wolf" follows on an even catchier and more contagious peaktime path and "The Great Unpaid" brings back hard and heavy Funk grooves for fans of Crossover and Skate Metal without even slightly touching base with those genres at all. Furthermore "Modern Heartsore" shifts gears to enter the fast lane and tap in to the spooky, spine-tingling energy of the groups previous albums, "Fright Mode" hits dancefloors heavy as a freight train and the final cut that is "A Call To Turn Off!" brings back the uplifting instrumental Funk vibe for good and makes audience bounce and jump around excessively and introduces hefty organ riffs and freestyles for an extended closing session. This being said we'd say that "Psychomania" probably is the most focused and on point album Ben Wood Inferno so far. Check!

Afflicted - Afflicted LP [Afflicted In Techno Promo]

Released on the digital circuit only via their very own Afflicted In Techno label on May 20th, 2k22 is the "Afflicted LP", the first conjunctional longplay outing created by Sascha Müller and Ufuk Özbayar under their shared studio alias that is Afflicted. Rolled out over the course of ten tracks and more than an hour total playtime the pair provides some serious dancefloor punch with tunes like the raw, hypermassive peaktime Techno bang0r that is "Chicago Homesick" whilst "Deeproit" starts on a deep, washed out late night Detroit tip only to add tripping Acid Trance elements to the recipe later. Furthermore we see "Ding Ding" weigh in hefty, pumping House rhythms and more hypnotic, ever tripping Acid modulations, "Expect The Unexpected" amalgamates heavy drums, razor sharp hi-hats and an almost floating ClubTrance feel whereas "In The Ghetto" introduces spine-tingling subaquatic Techno vibes of almost Drexciyan nature to the albums musical ark and "Mega Man" taps into what's gotta be called whipping oldskool PsychoTrance for all the early 90s ravers. The subsequent "Natural Desaster" is on a hard and shrieking elastic 90s Acid HardTrance tip that's about to drive punters up to new ecstatic heights, "On The Run" dabbles with dark'ish slow motion Techno contrasted by lively synth basslines and ClubTechno stabs for a change whilst "The Fissel" takes on pumping, well uplifting MinimalHouse with a raw and quirky, yet fully primetime-functional attitude for all adventurous DJs out there before the concluding "Utek" rounds things off with a dark and sizzling, obviously Business Techno-infused TechTrance vibe for a closing. Defo an excellent collection of tracks on here. Go check.

Boddhi Satva - Manifestation [Batakari / BBE Music]

Released via BBE Music offshoot x sister label Batakari on July 1st, 2k22 is "Manifestation", the third and final episode of Boddhi Satva's so-called conceptual "Ancestral Soul Cyle" of extended longplay albums. Presenting a total of 31 tunes over the course of a 122+ minutes spanning 2CD-set created alongside an even larger set of collaborating and contributing artists known and lesser known from literally all over the world with the likes of Indira, Atjazz, DJ Satellite, Zaki Ibrahim, Fredy Massamba and many more amongst them Boddhi Satva sets out on a journey into realms of deep, Tribal-infused AfroHouse from the very first bars of the opening title track "Manifestation (feat. Ekele & Jorge Bezerro)" onwards, drifts into syncopated organic and vocal-driven dancefloor territories with the subsequent "Killah Mbongo (feat. Jerome Kaluta)", spreads thick layers of the locally most popular Amapiano music all over the place, gets deep into BrokenBeat-leaning social media criticism with the driving peaktime vibe of "Tuko Pamoja (feat. Ndagije)" whereas "Storia Storia (feat. ELLAH)" even provides a powerful touching, soulful and ethereal vocal performance which might make it a strong candidate for daytime radio airplay and heavy playlist action for a reason. Furthermore, CD2 opens with "You Come Knocking (feat. Indira)", a well intriguing, stripped down and tender Indie Soul x Afrobeat crossover whilst "Slow Down (feat. J'Something)" introduces a tense street vibe and a dangerously brooding gangster attitude and therefore might be our personal favorite on this massive album pack, "Say Something (feat. Polarishaven)" balances things out with dramatic Soul Pop vocals, "You & I (feat. Bong Mvuyana)" brings forth Vocal DeepHouse in all its glory whereas "Ragga Ragga (feat. Preto Show, Stonebwoy & Tenny)" weighs in heavy Bass Music influences just to pick out a few of way too many proper tunes to be found "Manifestation". Defo one loungy, yet still upbeat album that might end up on heavy rotation in many a beach bar x club throughout this summer season and far beyond.

The D3VI7 - Darkness [Stazis 365 Promo]

Put out on the digital circuit via Stazis as their cat.no. 365 on April 30th, 2k22 is "Darkness", another fresh release by The D3VI7 himself. Opening with the original mix of the title track we're lead straight to the heart of the dancefloor by pounding bassdrums and ever morphing, HardTrance-leaning 303 modulation sequences accompanied by dreamy piano tones and floating vocal atmospheres whilst Flensburg's DJ Nightnoise takes us further into slightly darker territories in his "Darkness *DJ Nightnoise Born In Darkness Remix" which combines elements of contemporary, well reverberating Business Techno and stripped down, ethereal PsyTrance for illegal rave situations somewhere out in the woods. If those sound like your place to be check this one out for a reason.

Francois Robin & Mathias Delplanque - L'Ombre De La Bete [A La Zim! / Parentheses Records]

Released on July 1st, 2k22 as a collaboration effort of both labels A La Zim! and Parentheses Records is "L'Ombre De La Bete", the latest six tracks and approx. 40 minutes spanning album created and conceived by Francois Robin and Mathias Delplanque which is, once again in Robin's career, an attempt and exploration in electroacoustic treatments of his instrument of choice, the veuze, which is a local French variation of a bagpipe specific to the Nantes area. With this bagpipe variation playing the main part in this album alongside instruments like the Armenian doudouk and others we're facing a spine-tingling, almost oriental and DesertBlues-infused combination of brooding Dark Ambient drones and acoustic melodies in the opening tune "Sous De Cuir" whereas the subsequent "Perdu" pairs dry, sizzling layers of Industrial Electronica beats with multiple echoing layers of plucked and strummed strings to a well doomed high noon effect for dystopian dancefloors before "Dans L'Ombre" brings forth hypnotic, yet stripped down and extended Future Tribal x Dub variations that might be well suitable for polyrhythmic DJ sets as well as for, once again, dystopian movie scores. Furthermore "Le Puits" fuses Ambient and what could be described as yearning World Music for the lack of a better term in a beautifully comforting way that makes this one well suitable for both balearic sunset sessions as well as venues like the Parisian Buddha Bar, "L'Homme A Tete De Cheval" builds a trance-inducing vibe from warped synth movements and ever meandering, cascading harmonic layers drawing every punters brain into an alternate dreamscape of sorts whereas the final cut that is "Fin De Regne" drifts off into dreamlike Downtempo / World x TripHop crossover realms for a closing. A well varied, well fascinating album this is. Go check!

Album artwork on Instagram!

Reid / Kitamura / Bynum / Morris - Geometry Of Trees [Relative Pitch Records]

Put out on the circuit via Relative Pitch Records on May 20th, 2k22 is "Geometry Of Trees", the latest Free Improvisation-focused album on the label created and recorded at Connecticut's Firehouse 12 Studios on July 17th, 2k21 by Kyoko Kitamura, Joe Morris, Tomeka Reid and Taylor Ho Bynum in a live quartet setting on cornet, vocals, guitar and cello. This being said and considering the context of Free Improv as genre - or rather: umbrella term - the four artists manage to create a surprisingly calm, oftentimes even spatial sonic flow somewhat guided by  Kitamura's high register vocal performance accompanied by tender, expertly thought out minimalism in pieces like the mesmerizingly jazzy "Continuing Inexplicability" whilst the positive, playful and frolicking piece named "Imaginery Donuts" brings forth various layers of freestyle whistling and echoes of echoes of mediterranean engrained in its plucked string sequence before moving in to bustling Jazz chaos, the albums main piece "The Earth Laughs, The Brushes Her Teeth" sees the quartet exploring 14 minutes of free-floating Jazz goodness and probably primeval, tribal'esque jungle voodoo vibes whilst "Through The Shaft Of Nothing We Drive Onward" could evolve into somewhat of a deep, nocturnal FreeJazz standard of the future before turning into almost opera'esque heights in terms of its vocal performance just to name a few. If Jazz and Improv is your drawer, "Geometry Of Trees" might fit well and neatly into your realm of sonic pleasure.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Maxx - World In My Eyes [La Bomba Recordings 007 Promo]

Also put out on the digital circuit via La Bomba Recordings on April 8th, 2k22 is "World In My Eyes", the first ever single by the new project named Maxx which is not related to any Eurodance craze of yore. Opening with "World In My Eyes" we see the project go down a rather happy, uplifting and bouncy route when it comes to gooey, hypnotizing Acid modulations accompanied by highly seductive synth motifs and uplifting chord progressions whilst the second cut, "Vendetta", explores more of a cascading Trance vibe infused with layers of Latin-infused percussion heat and an oldskool-leaning EuroHouse / EuroRave melody that still brings heaps of joy to the global late night dancefloor posse for a reason. Nice one.

Madeleine Cocolas - Spectral [Room40 Promo]

Another fresh one put out on the circuit via the Ambient staple that is Room40 on July 15th, 2k22 is "Spectral", the first ever album recorded for the label by Australian producer Madeleine Cocolas. Rolled out over a total of eight pieces and roughly 41 minutes playtime Cocolas explores a world of timeless, calm and beautifully washed out Ambient goodness from the very first moments of the opener "A Memory, Blown Out" onwards, adds tender, deeply melancholic piano swells to the mix with pieces like the caressing, well emotional "Presence" whilst bits like "Northern Storm" perfectly represents the tension of a looming natural disaster, yet presents a feel of revelation and relief throughout its sonic evolution as a tune, "And Then I Watch It Fall Apart" touches base with an intimate, hyperdreamy (Neo)Classical x score'esque feel for rainy October afternoons whereas the closing piece "Rip" even dabbles with a folksy, inward-looking guitar motif that might well function as a gateway to the sweetest of dreams just to name a few. One to check out for all Ambient x ChillOut collectors out there.

Maxx - Maxx 2 [La Bomba Recordings 008 Promo]

Another fresh single on the digital circuit is "Maxx 2", the latest outing by Maxx which is not the former Eurodance mainstay of the early 90s btw. Released on May 20th, 2k22 via La Bomba Recordings as their cat.no. 008 the single opens with "The Last Line", a well pumping, yet quite oldskool'ish and somewhat Acid- / EuroHouse-leaning affair sporting uplifting pianos and a massive throwback attitude whereas the subsequent follow up that is "The Fox" provides even more of a classic summer of love vibe with its unprocessed melodic madness and full-on AcidHouse feel which even matches the era in terms of production standards and unfiltered joyful ecstasy. Good stuff.

baze.djunkiii Charts 08/2k22

01. baze.djunkiii - In Macrospace [The Absence Of Light 001]
See announcement post for details...

02. Nihiti - Sustained [Lo Bit Landscapes 019]
See review for details....

03. Dawn Penn - No No No [Soul Jazz Records 477]
One of the most essential Studio One Rocksteady classics backed by Dub Specialists "Creator Version" and therefore a must have for all collectors of everything Roots, Foundation and Bass Music of any kind. But oh boy... we really wonder what actually justifies a distribution wholesale price north of 15€ for a two track 12" re-issue housed in a standard label sleeve? Who's about to pay twenty quid+ for a record like this in a brick and mortar store? This is getting ridiculous - and ridiculously out of hand!

04. Liminanas / Garnier - De Pelicula [Because Music]
What an album. What a combo of artists. Spread over the course of a 2LP album set we see the long-standing Liminanas and dedicated electronic music pioneer, DJ and producer Laurent Garnier dive deep into a thrilling amalgamation of PostPunk-elements, KrautDisco grooves and driving DesertRock elements alongsides bits of Psychedelia, echoes of (Neo)Cosmic and, of course, proper songwriting for extended night drive journeys. Defo one that's up to par with releases on the late DC Recordings label and one that will become a staple on the dancefloors of our forthcoming BETA-ZERFALL parties for a reason.

05. Various Artists - Running Back Mastermix: Front Classics By Boris Dlugosch [Running Back]
After dedicating two entire 2LP compilations to the sound once played in Hamburg's seminal Front club, a major hub for House music at the time, the label brings even more classic tunes to the table with this five track compilation EP. And yes, the main vibe is House, the majority of the tunes bordering DeepHouse even, with two major cuts to focus on. For one, there's "Come 2Gether" by the oftentimes despised U96 project of "Das Boot" fame in its 'Subtle Dub Mix' crafted by Boris Dlugosch and later HardTrance legend and Tunnel-resident Gary D. under their conjunctional moniker Subtle Houzze which caters an uplifting, well hypnotic groove for all oldskool House connaisseurs whereas VDT's "Strangest Music *Boris Dlugosch Edit" revives the sound of the Vorsprung Durch Techno - yes, that's hat VDT stood for in those naive and probably better times - in a well sexy and seductive manner.

06. Tommy 2000 - 2K Musik [G-Town 003]
The most recent cat.no. 003 of the elusive G-Town label covers quite a lot of musical grounds within a total of five tracks. Starting from washed out, atmospheric Juke x Broken Techno fusion vibes, progressing into to proper bass-heavy TechHouse x Techno derivatives and raw hounded Breakbeat excursions as well as providing more highly seductive and bass-heavy, super functional Broken Techno in "Tuna" and more of a Gangsta Jungle / Breakbeat Hardcore attitude in "T-2000" this 12" caters to many a taste, yet doesn't commit fully to one specific style which might make it difficult for Tommy 2000 to entice a specific audience with this release.

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