India Gailey - Butterfly Lightning Shakes The Earth [Redshift Records]

Another fresh one put out via the Canadian Redshift Records imprint on October 25th, 2k24 is India Gailey's "Butterfly Lightning Shakes The Earth", a roughly 22 minutes spanning mini-album split into two main parts and their three respective subsections. Subsumed under the title of "Mountainsweeps" India Gailey explores a triple set of roughly one minute spanning solo miniatures for cello which, considering their overall un-length, provide an astounding amount of enchantment, yearning melodic expression and - especially in "Leaking Fauna And Stones" - dynamic range. Furthermore the subsequent main and title piece "Butterfly Lightning Shakes The Earth" sees the composer and performer in a live recorded concert situation along the Symphony Nova Scotia in a church in Halifax, providing timeless and meandering solos of ever shifting, solemn and almost otherworldly qualities in the opening piece "Sky" followed by ominous darkness and brooding, spine-tingling almost score'esque episodes leading into large scale panoramas reminiscent of high-end cinematography from decades ago found in "Golden" before "Joining" provides an overwhelming full orchestra climax, including thundering drums of war, intermingling layers upon layers of epic string works, fanfares and the whole nine yards which - without ignoring the Contemporary Classical x Modern Composition angle this release is coming from - just waits to be picked up to serve as a backdrop for a blockbuster movie or an open world video game world set in a fantasy or medieval context. Intredasting.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Quatuor Bozzini x JunctQin Keyboard Collective - Rebbecca Braun + Jason Doell: A Root Or Mirror, Blossom, Madder, Cracks; Together [Qb]

Released by the Quatuor Bozzini owned and run Qb imprint on August 28th, 2k24 is the slightly cryptically titled "Rebbecca Braun + Jason Doell: A Root Or Mirror, Blossom, Madder, Cracks; Together", a collaboration work between the famed Quatuor Bozzini ensemble and Toronto's JunctQin Keyboard Collective for an album, presenting, playing and interpreting works by Canadian composers Rebecca Bruton and Jason Doell respectively. Opening with Rebecca Bruton's piece "The Faerie Ribbon", divided into four distinct parts x subsections, the combined ensembles explore a seemingly simple, yet quite beautiful variation on unscathed, almost rural Modern x Contemporary Classical music in parts even reminiscent of what would be best described as 'Hausmusik' in German - a.k.a. music played by small ensembles, often only comprised of musically versed family members, in someones house as a joyful passing of time in the days of yore - whereas other sequences present intricately layered piano melodies in complex correspondance with overlaying strings or even sparse nightly solo piano runs almost fading out into near silence. Subsequently Jason Doell's extended 20+ minutes spanning piece "To Carry Dust & Breaks Through" deals with, despite being rather stripped down and minimalistic, sustained string arrangements, chiming high frequency notes and rather dramatic piano expressions, touching on obviously nocturnal Dark Ambient, thrilling score works and even droning tonalities, albeit created in a organic and non-electronic matter and, as one might already reckon, overall turning out to be our favorite piece on this album. Go check.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Time Operator - Operator EP [Dancefloor Socialism 029 Promo]

Another recent digital single put out on the circuit via the ever active Dancefloor Socialism imprint on August 9th, 2k24 is the "Operator EP" which marks the very first release for the new project Time Operator. Opening with the title track "Operator" we're drawn right to the center of a strobe-lit dancefloor by a hypnotic single tone motif hovering above a backbone of uptempo DarkTrance, later accompanied by swirling, mystical melodic nebulae and a slightly psychedelic touch whereas the second cut, "Daydream", brings forth a well elastic amalgamation of Trance-inducing sequences and UK TechHouse- x HardHouse-leaning grooves with its springy drums, captivating bassline, distinctly muscular claps and trippy voices fading in and out of the sonic cosmos of this one. Lovely.

Emilie Cecilia LeBel - Landscapes Of Memory [Redshift Records]

Put out on the circuit via the Canadian imprint that is Redshift Records on October 18th, 2k24 is "Landscapes Of Memory", the second full length album outing for Alberta-based Emilia Cecilia LeBel which sees two of her extended compositions rolled out over the course of 63+ minutes on this one. With both pieces using electromagnetic exciters placed upon the pianos strings to create a subtly droning background the first piece, the 2022 written "Ghost Geography", sees Wesley Stuart on piano, performing a meandering sequence of dreamy minimalist piano tones, oftentimes singular, slowly fading away and of mostly diminished and minor nature, slowly building up in intensity and dramatic force, following along the real and sonically imagined landscapes of the North Saskatchewan River over time and space which functioned as one of the major inspirations for this piece which at times dies down into near silence before re-emerging with fresh, sparkling and highly dynamic motifs. Following up is 2023's "Pale Forms In Uncommon Light" with its five dedicated subsections which features Luciane Cardessi as executive force, bringing forth tender caressing piano repetitions of slightly irregular nature and varying intensity atop an almost electrical sounding background hum as well as a vibrant multi-layered and well dramatic climax around mid-composition which marks a shift towards deeper and more tender vibes taking over towards the end of this album which probably reveals more of its musical intricacies to dedicated fans and experienced listeners of Contemporary Classical music over the course of many more listening sessions to come.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Wako - Evig Live, Perfekt Orden [Øra Fonogram 227]

Released via the Norwegian imprint Øra Fonogram on November 8th, 2k24 and sent to us by the ensembles lead piano player Kjetil A. Mulelid is "Evig Love, Perfekt Orden", the latest album outing conceived by the quartet that is Wako. Making waves since its inception in 2k15 the four piece, which has also been nominated for the Norwegian Grammy equivalent since, once again follows the innate passion for intricate, oftentimes romantic Jazz journeys also expressed and explored in previous Wako album releases, providing a warm and comforting overall vibe and slightly vintage-leaning atmosphere which fills every room like radiating heat from an open fire whilst the intricate dance of complicated, yet lightweight piano melodies and complex drum rhythms as well as dramatic sax lines in tunes like "Drifting", the lively uptempo grooves and echoes of Improv found in "Amerika" or the meandering spiritual mysticisms of "Organismos" as well as the deep multilayered romantic explorations of "Solskinnet" with their subdued, yet thundering drumrolls are more than just a hint of "Evig Live, Perfekt Orden" being a very much contemporary and modern take on deep, late night suitable Jazz as a genre.

Album artwork on Instagram!

RU Dead 42 - Acid Zweifel EP [Psychocandies 122 Promo]

RU Dead 42 is back on Psychocandies with the new "Acid Zweifel" release. Put out on the circuit on August 6th, 2k24 this digital two track single opens with the title track "Acid Zweifel", a 10+ minute spanning minimalist and mind-numbing excercise on ever shifting frequency modulations hovering atop slow, yet hypermuscular, almost Hardcore-leaning bass drums before elastic and well hypnotic Acid lines finally take over for an extended, yet spiralling finale. Furthermore RU Dead 42 continues the musical journey with "Virtual Reality" which turns out to be a bubbly uptempo Acid affair backed by swirling mysterious synth movements and an airy, chiming, almost Trance-like main motif paired with twisted vocoder fragments for deep, sci-fi-oriented late night sets. Intredasting.

Sascha Müller - Ritual Acid [Ghostfloppy Recordings 018]

Another more recent release on the Floppy Disk-focused underground label that is Ghostfloppy Recordings is "Ritual Acid" which has been cooked up by Uelsen-based label head honcho Sascha Müller himself, serving a dry and defo uptempo variation of LoBit underground Acid sporting bubbly 303 modulations, raw, rapid firing electroid snare bursts and a stripped down, yet jacking approach for dedicated Acid heads rather to be found at illegal basement parties than in regular club environments for a reason. Oldskool af and that's why we love it.

DJ Housebunke & Sascha Müller - Split EP [La Bomba Recordings 022 Promo]

Released on July 12th, 2k24 as cat.no. 022 of the La Bomba Recordings label is the "Split EP" by DJ Housebunke and Uelsen's Sascha Müller, a digital two track single which features one track provided by each of the artists respectively. Opening with "Are You There" is DJ Housebunke, bringing forth a bouncy, uplifting approach sitting right in between pumping HardHouse and deeper, tool-oriented Progressive House with its elastic main motif, constantly evolving Acid modulations and short, driving stab explosions whereas the subsequent tune "Cobalt" by Mr. Müller provides an excellent take on deep and functional ClubTechno, evoking memories of Steve Mason sets ca. mid-90s, Dave Clarke's legendary 'Red'-series as well Motor City Detroit and the echoes of Basic Channel's finest high voltage DubTechno workouts for all real Techno connaisseurs out there. Recommended.

2020 - 18 [2020 Records 018 Promo]

Put out on the digital Ambient circuit via the artist run label 2020 Records on July 30th, 2k24 is "18", the eighteenth consecutive album release by label head 2020 in four years. Opening with the roughly 57 minutes spanning "Kohlmeise" we see 2020 on an almost stagnant and washed out, yet somewhat organic, comforting and all embracing No Motion Ambient tip which seems to evolve over the course of eons, totally numbing and dissolving the individual listeners perception of time whereas the second track on this longplayer, "Dompfaff", clocks in at around 34 minutes, providing another extended reality diffusing Ambient whiteout, this time backed by fluttering tectonic low frequency rumbles and carefully employed frequency shifts which slowly, yet steadily turn the whole tune into a more glacial, brittle and icey affair over time. One for the advanced connaisseur of Deep Listening Music, this.

baze.djunkiii Chart Haul 11/2k24

Marta Mist - Windows [Sound In Silence 116]

Released via the long-standing Greek Ambient and beyond staple that is Sound In Silence on September 27th, 2k24 as the labels cat.no. 116 is "Windows", the latest, six tracks and roughly 34 minutes spanning album outing by Marta Mist, a collective musical effort mainly based around a core duo comprised of Gavin Miller a.k.a. worriedaboutsatan and Sophie Miller. Opening with the atmospheric and almost score'esque nocturnal drones and textures of "Allons-y, Mon Ami!" Marta Mist reveal a certainly Dark Ambient-informed musical approach followed by the similarly mystical and hypnotic skeletal PostRock drums and caressing organic bass sequences of "Patches" whereas "Puzzle" leans towards a friendly, almost rural and innocent PostRock variation and probably might be the go-to tune for extended sunset sets for dedicated ChillOut DJs and the likes of due to its airy vibe and subtle underlying catchiness evoking memories of German Post-PostRock outfits like Halma and likeminded bands. Furthermore we see "Otra Vez" on a slightly dubbed out, slightly oriental tip providing a timeless and most perfect soundtrack for a hot summers day out in the desert, "Good Luck, Amigo" is as well meaning and relaxing as its title promises with its twangy guitar melodies, panoramic Ambient layers and playfully arranged FutureJazz drums before "C'Est Tout, Les Amis" waves goodbye with a combination of dreamy piano and romantic, albeit slightly kitschy string arrangements which might fit well into the context of classic ChillOut locations like the infamous Buddha Bar and such.

Album artwork on Instagram!

Listen Again: baze.djunkiii presents Afterhours: Superstrobe Volume 3 @ Radio Flouka / Paris (07.11.2024)

Radio Flouka راديو فلوكة · baze.djunkiii presents Afterhours: Superstrobe Volume 3 - 07/11/2024

Various Artists - Netlabel Day 2024 Techno Warriors [Dancefloor Socialism 028 Promo]

Put out on the digital circuit via the ever active Dancefloor Socialism imprint on July 14th, 2k24 is "Netlabel Day 2024 Techno Warriors", a ten track compilation album which sees a variety of artists and projects from the labels current roster making exclusive contributions to this release. Opening with Sascha Müller's "Ibiza" we see the Uelsen-based producer on a deep an playful early 90s early morning Trance tip followed by the ravey, heavily compressed Broken Techno of Stanley Hottek's "Stupid Love" and Ohrchitekt's "Vollpfosten", an absolutely peaktime-oriented high quality Broken Techno x Breakbeat x Wonky Techno affair which also seems to be influenced by certain Dubstep and Bass Music derivatives - think: Neill Landstrumm in his "Bambaataa Eats His Breakfast" era -, whereas The D3VI7 provides raw, functional and uncompromising Techno toolage with "Glue Bond". Furthermore Widerwille brings forth a dry, yet certainly hypnotic and hypereleastic variation of Broken Techno x Phonk with "Entasis", "Temp 9" by Computer 4000 serves dry unconventional Lo-Fi House sporting a playful and ever tripping synth motif as well as raw, basically unprocessed percussion lines and the studio triumvirate of P.T.B.S., Hanzzo & The D3VI7 enters "Space", a realm of hard stomping, purely functional and slightly overcompressed Business Techno sporting deep, hovering and in parts motor city reminiscent space melodies. Furthermore Tiefenrausch contributes "Anatomy", a surprisingly mainstream-oriented and floating TechHouse x (Neo)Trance affair for open air festival crowds whereas "Lost Transmission Planet Earth" by Nitrogene pairs muscular, expertly sculpted Deep Techno drums with washed out stabs and interestingly arranged synth layers building up to create a surprisingly seductive anti-groove for after hours or extended club nights and the final cut that is "Press Start (Edit02)" by Duality Micro & Sascha Müller rounds things off with funky, well cheeky high speed lo-fi Techno well suitable for intimate basement clubs attended by a selected crowd of underground connaisseurs. Quite a selection, this.

Triggs - Du Stehst In Der Ecke (Official Video)

Super raw and intense Industrial-leaning Minimal Synth Wave for broken youths. This is Punk-reframed for 2k24.

Dr. Noisem & The D3VI7 - Nuke Vol. 19 [Nuke The Planet 019 Promo]

The infamous Nuke The Planet imprint is back with a heavyweight collaboration release. "Nuke Vol. 19" - put out on the digital circuit on August 2nd, 2k24 - provides a studio joint venture cooked up by Dr. Noisem and The D3VI7 which are admittedly in for the kill - or better: the overkill. In less than 120 seconds the two artists flesh out their conjunctional take on harsh, electric and surely chaotic Noize feedbacks backed by expertly sculpted, in part Hardcore x Hardstyle leaning midrange drum sequences which are best consumed and x or experienced in the context of relentless strobe fire on heavy Industrial dancefloors. This is a war.

Pakistan Techno Force - Bugs In Space EP [Fresscode Records 017 Promo]

Released via Fresscode Records as the labels cat.no. 017 on July 9th, 2k24 is the "Bugs In Space EP", the latest digital three track single cooked up by the mysterious project named Pakistan Techno Force. Opening with the title track "Bugs In Space" we see the PTF provide a driving and highly functional take on BrokenTechno for peak time workouts, driven by intense and alarming background synths as well as a hypnotic, slightly percussive and ever filtered futuristic main motif which screams T-E-C-H-N-O in caps followed by "Bouncer" which could be described as a lovechild emerged from a liasion of stripped down TechTrance, Heckmann's infamous KnarzTechno variation of the early 2000s and screaming, mechanical synth tones speaking to those still fond of DBX's seminal "I'm Losing Control" or Laurent Garnier's "Astral Dreams" whereas the final cut that is "Randomise" brings forth a powerful, and tool'ish expertly sculpted BrokenTechno x ElectroTech fusion laid down as a raw muscular foundation for trancey, airy synth movements and undoubtedly ravey 90s stabs. Proper good.

Yellow6 - Sometimes It Seems Too Easy, Sometimes It's Just So Hard [Sound In Silence 115]

Released via the Sound In Silence camp operating out of Athens / Greece on September 27th, 2k24 is "Sometimes It Seems Too Easy, Sometimes It's Just So Hard", the latest full length album creation cooked up by long-standing producer x composer John Attwood under his well established Yellow6 moniker. Over the course of nine tracks and a staggering total of 77 minutes runtime Attwood reflects on shifts and changes of his personal life with track titles like "Aiming Low", "Finding Direction", "Restart", "The End Is Near" or "The Waters Rise But We're Still Afloat" providing hints that these changes might not've been for the best whilst the music in itself seems to be rather contemplative and inward looking, opening with the folksy guitar movements and beautiful, yet dramatic background string works of "Aiming Low" followed by sparse, tender and slightly dubbed out Downbeat vibes well suitable for Balearic sunset sessions, dreamy Post-PostRock and PopAmbient as well as more deep instrumental folksyness whereas cuts like "PVC2" enter droning, somewhat unsettling PostRock territories, the "Zygomorph" is comprised of foreboding, densely layered guitars resembling brooding and ever whirling clouds building up on the horizon before a massive storm hits whereas "To The Final" once again brings forth a peaceful and comforting vibe for a closing just to name a few. A truly autumnal album, this.

Stanley Hottek - Six Feed Over [Ghostfloppy Recordings 017]

Another fresh and limited release put out on the circuit via the Floppy Disk-focused Ghostfloppy Recordings imprint is "Six Feed Over", the first ever appearance on the label for Leipzig-based producer named Stanley Hottek. With the sole title track "Six Feed Over" featured on here Hottek presents a hard stomping, somewhat metallic and highly experimental (Wonky)Techno x HardHouse crossover affair built from several expertly layered, carefully sculpted, filtered and arranged bass drums and other percussive elements mixed in with raw and gnarly Industrial-leaning synths as well as noisy lowest-fi vocal samples and an untamed high energy approach somewhat reminiscent of early DJ Enrique-releases on Ladomat 2000, the legendary Tribal Acid meets House of the seminal "Interwaves EP" and other goodness from the 90s. This is a Lobit (live?) jam. Go check!

P.B.R. - Acid Data EP [Psychocandies 121 Promo]

Put out on the digital circuit via the ever active Psychocandies imprint on July 16th, 2k24 is the "Acid Data E.P." which marks the second ever release for the relatively fresh project. Opening with the title track "Acid Data" P.B.R. is on a hard bubbly uptempo Acid tip which provides lively, fast moving and brain melting modulation business for trueskool punters whereas the subsequent "Hard Stacatto" presents a take on what could be filed under the flag of a super raw early 90s Underground Techno foundation which provides a hounded back drop for gooey, ever spiralling and slightly HypnoTrance-inducing 303 lines to begin with and therefore brings much joy to all high energy Acid ravers out there.

2020 - 17 [2020 Records 017 Promo]

Put out on the circuit via the artist run imprint 2020 Records on June 25th, 2k24 is "17", the - guess what... - seventeeth consecutive album release by 2020 since the labels inception in 2k20. Opening with the staggering 40 (!!!) minutes spanning tune "Die Eisprinzessin" we're entering a timeless stream of washed out meandering Ambient beauty defined by a subtle ebb and flow of droning synths and ever so slight harmonic changes whereas "Der Eisprinz" presents an offering of what could be described as nothing short of a bleak and mind-numbing Desolation Ambient whiteout before the final cut "Der Eiskönig" pairs this overall bleakness with comforting, slightly more harmonic warmth and subdued low-end rumblings despite feeling even more minimalist and stripped down than its predecessor. Defo a worthwhile addition to the collection of all fans and followers of the digital Ambient scene, this.

DJ Krime & Andre Gardeja - Dub 01 / Dub 02 [Ghostfloppy Recordings 016]

Released on May 24th, 2k24 as a limited to 50 copies 2x floppy disk edition is "Dub 01 / Dub 02" by DJ Krime & Andrea Gardeja - a release which also marks a new addition to the roster of the underground LoBit label operations of Ghostfloppy Recordings. With "Dub 01" the duo brings on a deep, driving and well atmospheric take on groove-focused peaktime DubTechno which, especially due to its dense layers of percussive elements, provides a subtle, yet distinct, energy boost for advanced Techno floors whereas "Dub 02" presents a straighter, more floating late night variation on the main motif which will speak to all fans and followers of classic Basic Channel vibes, especially due to its reversed hi-hat sequences and subdued, yet unsettling synth drones hidden deep within the mix which, in combination, add a slightly otherworldy tone to the entire production. Go check.

baze.djunkiii Charts 11/2k24

01. DJ Trace & HLZ - Raptor EP [Metalheadz 112]
Both the Metalheadz label as well as DJ Trace have been purveyors of quality Drum'n'Bass for decades and the three tracks on this crystal clear 12" vinyl release defo follow along the lines of this consistency. Timeless, dark, threatening and futuristic all tunes on this turn out to be excellent tools for intense speed rides through the long dark tunnel the genre used to be described as with especially the title track "Raptor" driving crowds forward with its whiplash beats and overwhelmingly vantablack sub-bass movements. This could've also ended up being a mid-noughties No U-Turn release in terms of attitude so those who know will know.

02. Silent Cubes - Sound And Motion EP [LoDubs]
The return of deep Bass Music. The long standing, Portland, OR-based LoDubs imprint presents a fine four track selection of atmospheric, IDM-driven PostGarage, deep Dubstep, stripped down UK Garage derivatives and other goodness, including a surprisingly heavy and Breakstep-leaning, yet somewhat junglistic remix work crafted by UK producer Moy on this one

03. Vian And Merzbow - Inside Richard Serra Sculptures [Modern Obscure Music 048]
A beautiful and deep take on experimental music this is. Two slowly meandering variations of droning Cold Ambient and glacial Noize, both exceeding the 20 minutes mark and providing a surprisingly - given that Merbow is invlvd, though - atmospheric backdrop for focused late night listening sessions in which one can fully zoom out to primordial tectonic movements hidden deep within the mix or feel tingles running down one's spine triggered by ever intensifying midrange crescendoes evoking imaginations of the inside of humongous mountain grinders built out of black, worn down steel or other sci-fi materials of similar properties whilst raspy digital Noize eruptions and sometimes surprisingly intricate and even rhythmic sequences provide an extra thrill for the advanced and avantgarde schooled fan and follower of the genre.

04. CJ Bolland - Camargue / Tokyo [Stroom 084]
"Camargue" is a phenomenon ever since 1992. Neither fitting into the drawer of House or Trance but being both in its very own way, uplifting and catchy as fuck and probably one of the happiest and most playful electronic music productions ever without tapping into cheesyness for one single second. An absolute classic backed by the previously unreleased "Tokyo" which fuses similarly playful uptempo UK Intelligent Techno with elements of both deep Trance, echoes of Detroit Techno and driving hi-hat rides for a peaktime audience.

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