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Review: Olindo are thrilled and honored to celebrate one of Venezuela's most significant record labels, and to share a slice of their enduring influence in advancing Venezuelan-made Salsa music, with this fresh new 4xLP compilation in the style. Established in 1948 by Cesar Roldan, Discomoda is one of the nation's earliest record labels, as well as the oldest family operated label in the country. Home to one of the most complete folkloric and popular music catalogues of Venezuela, the label also invested heavily in Afro-Caribbean and tropical rhythms that became popular in the 60s and 70s. Discomoda's efforts saw to the increasing popularity of new local bands, such as Nelson y sus Estrellas, Los Kenya, Principe y su Sexteto and Los Satelites. As a result, this would kick off what could be considered a golden era of Salsa in Venezuela and which lasted until at least the mid-70s.

Review: French label Wagram is a go-to when it comes to quality compilations that take a broad look at certain sounds and scenes, and this one is an on-going series that focuses on house sounds with an Afro undertone. The grooves are lively and often come with plenty of percussion. The drums hit hard but with funk, the vocals are Afro-centric and plenty of irresistible hits come thick and fast from the jazzy tribal swagger of 'Imbalaye' to the big steel drum party sounds of 'Viet Dao' (Klement Bonelli & Yann DL remix). Another great collection of colourful Afro house sounds.

Review: For their 12 year anniversary, Munich's Compost Disco serves up 15 previously unreleased tracks. The variety ranges across the floor from classic soul (Ed Lee's 'You Are The Star' feat Allison David - extended dub) to boogie (Dimitri From Paris & DJ Rocca's 'The Compass Point') to some Italo (Ron Deacon on 'Killersong' or Imperial Porcelain's 'Tulip Moon'), and even a bit of deep disco (as heard on Mark E's playful 'I'm Your Eversion'). 12 Compost Disco Years is what the label best described themselves as tasty, hypnotizing and emotional.

Review: Paying tribute to the iconic SEX shop run by Vivienne Westwood and Malcolm McLaren in the punk heyday, Stranger Than Paradise once again delve into the mythical selections from the store's jukebox for a second compilation. As with the first round, it's Marco Pirroni from Adam & The Ants and Siouxsie & The Banshees making these selections, capturing the sounds heard between 1974 and 1976 by the impressionable young ears who would go on to shape the punk explosion. From The Animals to Max Bigraves, Nico to Burundi Black, this is a unique portal into the build-up to a world-shaking cultural movement.

Review: After 12 years in the making one can only imagine how excited (and impatient) we are to finally announce the release of "Saturno 2000", the 34th compilation in our Analog Africa's regular serie. For this particular project we've delved deep into the scene of the Mexican's sonideros (sound-system operators) to present the "Rebajada" movement they've created using locally made pitch controls, speakers and sound effects.

Notes: The Vermona MEX3 is a midi extension for the meloDICER sequencer and allows the sequencing of synthesizers outside the modular system.

Features:

MIDI output of sequences
Sequences can now be polyphonic with up to three voices
meloDICER can receive MIDI Control Change messages to remotely control all parameters.
All meloDICER controls can send MIDI Control Change messages
Direct synchronisation to a MIDI clock including shuffle conversion (e.g. from a Multiclock)
MeloDICER converts the MIDI real-time messages START, STOP and CONTINUE.
Module width: 4 TE
Power supply via meloDICER

Included in delivery:

MEX3
Connection cable to meloDICER
2 x MIDI cable DIN-3.5mm; 150 cm (Type A)
To use the meloDICER with the MEX3, the latest firmware must be installed. This can be downloaded from the manufacturer's website.

Review: The mysterious Vibez '93 are as prolific as they come; the 'Bad Kingdom' EP is certainly not the first of this productive drum & bass project/imprint's outputs to make it through our floodgates this year. Four slices of various productive forces - ranging from paddy jungle ('Jelly Swim'), to an unusual foray for '93: drilled-out techstep ('Labrea'). Otherwise, expect no nonsense, as this record spans both casual and not-so-casual floorfillers.

Review: The skittering drums, sweet nihilistic croons and chiming melodies of Dublin three-piece Villagers make it six albums in eight years. It clearly remains, then, that they are sweethearts of the label, and they squeeze everyone's most trusted vital organ once more by romancing our chest plates with numbers like "Again" and "Fool". There are more experimental dream sequences to be heard in tracks like "Love Came With All That It Brings" though, but back on track you'll find the more feel good in "Real Go-Getter" and "Ada". But really it's about the gnarly synth jam that is this album's title track.

Review: Coldwave excursionist Shari Vari aka Void Vision finally comes through with her highly awaited Sub Rosa LP on the gorgeously on-point Mannequin imprint. The taster EP "Sour" out earlier this year was a taster of what's to come from Vari in terms of diversity and quality. Sub Rosa contains a little of everything when it comes to the electronic dance edge, where "Everythin Is Fine", for example, takes a techno beat and slaps down some vocals all over its makeup, while "Hidden Hand" is a true Drexciyan electro number. Then there's more abstract moments such as "Slow Down", "Vulgar Displays" with its rolling stabs of percussion and "Queen Of Hearts" with that humungous swell of low-end and quirky, heady melodies. Yum.

Notes: In the high woodlands of the north, undiscovered by most inhabitants, there ruled a clan of old, mystic Treefolk. On the first new moon of spring, these Treefolk could be heard grafting limbs to grow their young - splicing bits of branches from each generation to produce the next line of Treefolk. These new beings keep the lifeblood of all who came before in their new skin. These sounds are in part very old, but in part very new. They are referred to as... Fable.

Let your storybook adventure grows with the Fable Granular Soundscape Generator. The Fable gives you five all-new programs centered around sample and chop delay algorithms to create bizarrely beautiful networks of sampled and resampled sounds. The Fable uses a powerful dual DSP architecture to combine delay programs in series with granular sampling algorithms, each with its own analogue feedback path. Find unique soundscapes ranging from smooth, flowing ambience; to bizarre, organic reverberance; to chaotic, glitchy swarms.

So, what exactly is this granular effect and why is it a magical experience when combined with delay? Granular is a digital processing technique of micro-sampling, wherein short samples called grains are read from a delay buffer. In the Fable, players can adjust these grains by manipulating their sampling length, position, and buffer size from which they're read. They can be played at double or half speed for pitch shift and time stretching effects, play them in reverse, read from multiple positions, and more, in order to achieve different effects.

It's a powerful but complex technique and Walrus Audio created five streamlined programs in the Fable that explore different aspects of its sonic range.

Programs

I. Reverse Delay into Reverse Granular

Program 1 runs a reverse delay into a reverse granular algorithm, in which sampled grains are played backwards. Reversal and re-reversal build up in the feedback paths, creating a complex and organically shifting soundscape. Turn grain size down for long, smooth reversed transients, and grain size up for stuttering reverse glitch madness.

II. Forward Delay into Octave Up Granular

Program 2 runs a forward delay into an octave-up granular program, in which sampled grains are played at double speed. Swarms of double-speed grains build up in the feedback path for bright and airy cascades of sound.

III. Analog Delay into Octave Down Granular

Program 3 runs a warm, dark analogue-style delay into an octave-down granular program, in which sampled grains are played back at half speed. Slowed down repeats combine with analogue-style processing to create deep, thunderous footfalls and thick, murky ambience.

IV. Multi-Tap Granular into Multi-Tap Granular (Grain-Verb)

Program 4 runs two multi-tap granular algorithms in series, in which multiple samples are played back from each granular buffer simultaneously. Multiple points of sampled sound build upon each other in the feedback paths to create glitchy clouds and unique organic reverberance. Time in this program controls time-stretching of both granular algorithms, changing both the length and tonal character of the granular effect.

V. Forward Delay into Randomized Pitch Granular

Program 5 runs a forward delay into a randomized pitch granular program, in which each grain is played back at a randomly selected speed and direction, varying between pitched up double speed, pitched down half speed, normal speed, plus forward and reversed playback from grain to grain. Pitch changes with each new grain, so play with the X knob in this program to control the rate of randomized pitch modulation.

Granular soundscape generator
Unique soundscapes ranging from smooth ambience to bizarre reverberance to chaotic glitchy swarms
Powerful dual DSP architecture with individual feedback paths
Combine delay programs in series with granular sampling algorithms
5 programs centered around sample and chop delay algorithms
Program 1: Reverse Delay into Reverse Granular
Program 2: Forward Delay into Octave Up Granular
Program 3: Analog Delay into Octave Down Granular
Program 4: Multi-Tap Granular into Multi-Tap Granular (Grain-Verb)
Program 5: Forward Delay into Randomized Pitch Granular
Manipulate sampling length, position and buffer size of grains (short samples)
Play grains at double- or half-speed, reverse or from multiple positions to achieve different effects
Tap Tempo switch
Top-mounted Input and Output
Coated in a slate grey enclosure with white, black, cream, red, and orange ink
9-volt DC, Centre Negative, 300mA minimum
Buffered bypass
Power supply not included.
Designed and assembled in USA

Notes: Analogue Ring Modulation Pedal With LFO, MOD, Frequency & RATE Controls.

Reviving An Avant-Garde Pedal For Music's Trailblazers

From light Lo-Fi modulation all the way to the piercing sound of infinity ring-modulation, the Warm Audio RingerBringer accurately recreates the ultimate all-analogue ring modulation effect used for experimental tones. Like the original, loved by artists like Jeff Beck, Radiohead, Omar Rodriguez-Lopez, Trent Reznor, and many more, RingerBringer delivers the original distinct set of controls, extensive in/out options, and rich sonic textures to inspire boundless sonic experimentation.

Don't Just Play, Create

The ideal platform for the sonic tinkerer, RingerBringer inspires you to generate layered frequencies and harmonics, explore a wide range of sonic possibilities for guitar & beyond, and design your own sounds from the ground up. Extensive controls including LFO, MOD, Frequency & RATE open up sonic possibilities that range from subtle overdriven textures all the way to wobbling, warped leads soaked in texture and tone. RingerBringer is 100% analogue and sports premium components including hand-selected op-amps and transistors. RingerBringer is no emulation or "patch", instead it delivers true-to-spec performance of the boutique, analogue original.

For Original Artists Building Memorable Sounds

Delivering tones ranging from nuanced drive to out-of-this world modulation, RingerBringer helps develop a unique sonic signature for any instrument, on any track.

A Sandbox For Synths & Keys:

Send any keyboard or synth through the WA-RB for added harmonic content and endless modulation. Try sending digital synths, keys, and pads from your interface through the WA-RB for added analogue vibe and "fattened up" tone on otherwise dry digital signals.

Technical Specifications

100% Analogue Ring Modulation Pedal With LFO, MOD, Frequency & RATE Controls
Accurate Recreation Of The Ultimate Ring Modulator For Experimental Tones
Premium Components Including LM13700M & TL072ACDR Op-Amps + Hand-Selected Transistors (DMMT3906W & MMBT3904) For True-To-Spec Performance
LFO Controls: Amount, Rate, & Sine/Square Wave Switch
Modulation Controls: Mix, Frequency, & Lo/Hi Switch
Universal Drive Control + LED Indicators For Level, LFO, & Bypass
CV Inputs: Rate | Amount | Mix | Frequency
1/4" Input Jacks: Audio In | Audio Out | LFO Out | Carrier IN/Out
Output Impedance: 600 Ohms | Buffered Bypass
9-Volt Battery Or /External 9V Regulated (Centre-Negative) DC Adapter
Nominal Current Draw: 100 mA (9V)
Custom Black Panel Enclosure With Retro Faux-Wood Sides
Dimensions: 6.5" x 5.25" x 3" | Product Weight: 1.90 lbs

Review: The music that makes up Harmony of Difference, Kamasi Washington's first EP of note since the release of acclaimed 2015 album The Epic, was premiered live as a "six-track movement" earlier this year. The "suite" - here stretched across both sides of an essential 12" - sees Washington continue to explore the idea of what it means to be black in America in the 21st century. Musically, the EP contains some of his smoothest and most laidback compositions yet, with all his musical collaborators being on fine form. The headline attraction is undoubtedly 14-minute flipside "The Truth", an almost operatic jazz epic full of swelling choral contributions, fizzing drum solos, rising horns and, of course, plenty of Washington's distinctive saxophone.

Review: Dave Seaman and Steve Parry's Selador Recordings imprint releases most of its music digitally, serving up the most in-demand tracks on vinyl via the ongoing Magic Black Plastic Series. Volume five in the series boasts four more tried-and-tested treats, beginning with Clavis' gorgeous remix of Charles Webster and Ursula Rucker's 'Begin Anew' - all bubbly, hypnotic electronic bass, trippy tech-house noises, immersive chords, bouncy beats and poetic spoken word vocals. Timanto blurs the boundaries between warming deep house and melody-rich progressive house on 'Other Side', before Dave Seaman joins forces with Thomas Gandey on the low-slung dark room moodiness of 'Heavyweight Residue'. To round off the EP, Harcourt delivers a hypnotic, soft-touch tech-house take on 'Red James' by Robert Babicz.