New releases today: All genres

Review: A stunning fusion of rock, Latin rhythms and jazz, this 1977 album blended live performances with studio recordings to create a dynamic, immersive experience. Now reissued on vinyl, the double album - which features live and studio recordings - captures the raw energy of Santana's stage presence while showcasing Carlos and co's refined musicianship. The album's biggest hit, 'She's Not There', reinterprets The Zombies' classic with soaring guitar work and Latin percussion, turning it into a mesmerising jam. 'Flor d'Luna (Moonflower)' is a beautiful instrumental piece, filled with Carlos Santana's signature, expressive guitar melodies. 'Dawn / Go Within' opens the album with a mystical, jazz-tinged atmosphere that blends the spiritual with a musical exploration throughout the album. Live recordings such as 'Soul Sacrifice / Head, Hands & Feet (Drum Solo)' bring the band's electrifying energy to the forefront, while 'Black Magic Woman / Gypsy Queen' revisits their earlier hit with even more intensity. 'Europa (Earth's Cry, Heaven's Smile)' is another gem, a slow-burning instrumental that highlights Santana's unmatched ability to blend emotion and technical prowess. Moonflower was a commercial and critical success, reinforcing Santana's status as innovators in rock and Latin music, and even now, it's pretty obvious why.

Review: Serving as follow up to 2023's acclaimed breakout third full-length Take Me Back To Eden, London's elusive, masked progressive metal mystics Sleep Token return with Even In Arcadia. Renowned for their genre-fluid melding of djent, metalcore, post-rock with further leftfield elements of post-classical, hip-hop, trap and indie-pop, the project led by the enigmatic Vessel has seen a massive expansion in popularity since the release of their last album. Set to headline Download 2025 before embarking on their first US Arena Tour, their newest endeavour promises to maximise all of their sonic abandon and outdo their own blueprint in the process, with lead single 'Emergence' starting life as a piano ballad before morphing into an ambi-trap groove metal anthem until fading with a lush, jazzy saxophone and piano finish. No doubt, this will be one of the highest selling/streaming/controversial/debated/talked about metal-centric titles to be released this year.

Review: This soundtrack delves deep into the life and legacy of Sly & The Family Stone, offering an immersive experience of the American funk legends' groundbreaking music and the complexities that shaped their journey. The collection takes listeners through the band's rise to fame, highlighting their timeless funk and soul hits, while also reflecting on the unseen burdens faced by Black artists in America. Notable tracks like 'Sing A Simple Song (Alternate Mix)' and 'Underdog' offer fresh takes on familiar classics, giving fans new perspectives on songs that have long been anthems. There are also remixes, such as J.PERIOD's edits of 'Dance To The Music' and 'Everyday People,' which breathe new energy into the band's beloved sound. The collection also features rare versions of tracks like 'Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin)' and 'Family Affair,' adding to the richness of Sly's musical legacy. By incorporating interviews and insights from figures like Andre 3000, D'Angelo, and George Clinton, the soundtrack elevates the music, providing a context that goes beyond just the sound. It's a poignant reminder of the depth of Sly & The Family Stone's influence, revealing how their music continues to resonate with generations.

Review: The intriguing Road Fever delivers a hurricane of high-octane, body-shaking rhythms from St. Lucia, Dominica and Guadeloupe, all of which capture the zeitgeist of Caribbean music in 2025. This compilation showcases raw, instrumental Dennery Segment and Bouyon riddims that were originally crafted for vocalists and are now presented as standalone tracks. With turbo-charged 150+ bpm beats, minimal percussion, DJ and vocal samples all woven in with synth riffs, these tunes mash up carnival sounds with elements of trap, drill, Haitian konpa and Angolan kuduro for a truly global listen. They have all been compiled by Rozaly and highlight the electrifying energy of the Caribbean's current scene.

Review: Ben Webster and Associates marked the final collaboration between tenor saxophone legends Ben Webster and Coleman Hawkins, with veteran Budd Johnson joining them. The album was originally released in 1959 and featured a lineup including trumpeter Roy Eldridge, guitarist Les Spann, pianist Jimmy Jones, bassist Ray Brown and drummer Jo Jones. It has many timeless standards like 'Time After Time' and Ellington's 'In a Mellow Tone' along with three original Webster compositions, all of which have been transferred from the original analogue tapes and remastered. The album served somewhat as a tribute to Lester Young, a tenor master from the same era who had died under a month before the session.

Notes: 128 pages, 170 x 240 mm in size and printed on 140g Edixion paper with laminated 300g Invercote covers.

All articles presented in English. Includes a collection of Sun Ra pieces by Francis Gooding, Mats Gustafsson, Rui Miguel Abreu, Stewart Smith and Joshua Lane, rare Sun Ra Arkestra photos by Guy Stevens, Larry Stabbins by Dave Waller, Angelique Kidjo by Rob Garratt, Heli Hartikainen by Wif Stenger, Alan Wilkinson by Daniel Spicer, Black Artists Group by David Mittleman, Mike Stern by Rob Garratt, album reviews, book reviews, live reviews, photo essay & more.

Notes: Two channel mixer ideal for mobile DJ setups and home use.

Technical specifications

Power supply: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption: Max. 8 W
Protection class: Protection class II
Power connection: Mains input via C8 (M) "figure 8" mounting version power supply cord with Euro plug (provided)
Frequency range: 20 - 20000 Hz
S/N ratio: >80 dB
THD: <0,1 % at 1 kHz
DJ filter: Per channal: LPF/HPF bipolar,
Control: Bluetooth
Bluetooth device name: PM-202F
Range: Bluetooth: range up to 15m
Crosstalk: >60 dB
Control elements: Crossfader, Crossfade curve control, crossfade reverse switch, FX Parameter control, power switch
Status LED: Power, master level meter
Connections: Input: line/phono via 2 x stereo RCA
Input: line via 2 x stereo RCA
Input: microphone via 1 x 3-pin XLR (F) mounting version
Input: antenna via 1 x SMA (F) mounting version
Input: Earthing connection via 2 x screw terminal
Output: master via 2 x 3-pin XLR (M) mounting version
Output: master via 1 x stereo RCA
Output: rec. via 1 x stereo RCA
Output: headphones via 1 x 6.3 mm jack socket (stereo) mounting version
Output: headphones via 1 x 3.5 mm jack (stereo) mounting version
Channels: Input channel: 2 x stereo with Line-Line/Phono-Bluetooth switch via RCA, channel control via 60mm fader, 2-band tone control EQ, gain control, CUE switch
Microphone channel: 1 x mono via XLR, channel control via rotary dial, 2-band tone control EQ
Master output: 1 x stereo via XLR or RCA, channel control via rotary dial, balancecontrol
Headphones output: stereo via jack, channel control via rotary dial, cue mix function
Rec. output: stereo via RCA
Material: Metal
Colour: Black
Housing design: Desktop console housing

Dimensions:

Length: 30,5 cm
Width: 19,0 cm
Height: 11,0 cm
Weight: 2,18 kg

Power cord
Cable length: 2,10 m detachable

Notes: Two channel mixer ideal for mobile DJ setups and home use.

Power supply: 100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz
Power consumption: Max. 8 W
Protection class: Protection class II
Power connection: Mains input via C8 (M) "figure 8" mounting version power supply cord with Euro plug (provided)
Frequency range: 20 - 20000 Hz
S/N ratio: >80 dB
THD: <0,1 % at 1 kHz
DJ filter: Per channel: LPF/HPF bipolar,
DJ-FX: Master: CHORUS, REVERB, DELAY, FLANGER
Master: WHA, PHASE,
Control: Bluetooth
Bluetooth device name: PM-202FX
Range: Bluetooth: range up to 15m
Crosstalk: >60 dB
Control elements: Crossfader, Crossfade curve control, crossfade reverse switch, FX Parameter control, power switch
Status LED: Power, master level meter
Connections: Input: line/phono via 2 x stereo RCA
Input: line via 2 x stereo RCA, microphone via 1 x 3-pin XLR (F) mounting version, antenna via 1 x SMA (F) mounting version, Earthing connection via 2 x screw terminal
Output: master via 2 x 3-pin XLR (M) mounting version, master via 1 x stereo RCA, rec. via 1 x stereo RCA, headphones via 1 x 6.3 mm jack socket (stereo) mounting version, headphones via 1 x 3.5 mm jack (stereo) mounting version
Channels: Input channel: 2 x stereo with Line-Line/Phono-Bluetooth switch via RCA, channel control via 60mm fader, 2-band tone control EQ, gain control, CUE switch
Microphone channel: 1 x mono via XLR, channel control via rotary dial, 2-band tone control EQ
Master output: 1 x stereo via XLR or RCA, channel control via rotary dial, balance control
Headphones output: stereo via jack, channel control via rotary dial, cue mix function
Rec. output: stereo via RCA
Material: Metal

Colour: Black
Housing design: Desktop console housing
Dimensions: Length: 30,5 cm
Width: 19,0 cm
Height: 11,0 cm
Weight: 2,18 kg

Power cord

Cable length: 2,10 m detachable

Notes: This module is designed to generate a multitude of aggressive, punchy, violent and absolutely bonkers variations of the original unprocessed sound.

Transform any clean sound into a distorted monster, using 2x drive stages per channel with a wide range of distortion flavors ranging from subtle saturation to extreme fuzz.

Process two channels at the same time and create balanced and smooth or raw and rough transitions between them.

Allow the kick drum and bass line to coexist effectively in the mix, avoiding conflicts in the low-frequency range with env. follower and sidechain.

Shape any sound with 3 band adaptable EQ.

Function as a signal generator as well, this module can be pushed into self-oscillation at any frequency even with no input.

Add sub-octave tones to melodies and bass lines.

Preserve the dynamic range and clarity of the sound through parallel processing, ensuring that the original characteristics are not lost even when applying heavy distortion.

Add character, flexibility and madness to any source that sparks your imagination.

Notes: Which live performer doesn't know this situation: You build the tension to immeasurable heights, add another filter here, three more effects there, hands go up in the air, everyone's waiting for the big drop and then you realize: You can't find your way out of the chaos you've created!

The sweat on your forehead drips onto your equipment, and in a firework of spraying sparks, your devices and your fans say goodbye forever.

This doesn't have to happen!

With Drop, you can now map your MIDI equipment across devices and easily store different controller positions as snapshots. During performance, you can jump back to these snapshots at any time (JUMP mode) and trigger them. All of this can be quantized and with variable fade time, allowing you to use a snapshot for slowly building tension and automatically have multiple controllers move simultaneously.

A particularly useful feature, is firing snapshots in DROP mode at exactly the right moment, precisely at the end of a pattern of, for example, 8 bars. For this purpose, Drop features an integrated master clock that counts any number between 1 and 32 bars (= cycle). In DROP mode, you can schedule a snapshot to trigger at the end of a cycle, build tension and go crazy on effects until then, and lean back as the snapshot automatically turns the controllers at exactly the right moment, bringing your live set back to solid ground.

Saving and recalling snapshots is quick and simple even during live situations, allowing you to work spontaneously with new snapshots on-the-fly during your performance. The LED buttons always provide clear visual feedback about what's happening. If you want to plan further ahead, you can prepare sequences of DROP snapshots according to your song arrangement in the studio. Then use CHAIN mode to automatically trigger them sequentially on stage. Multiple chains and banks of snapshots are available, allowing you to configure your live set according to a song-by-song structure.

As with our Warp Synthesizer, Drop has two main operating levels: The PLAY level with direct hands-on access to the most important parameters, and the MENU level for studio configuration. The PLAY level is reduced to the essentials, such as the clear progress display (how many bars until the DROP at the end of the cycle), similar to a countdown clock. The buttons can be used for beat jumps, allowing you to spontaneously extend or shorten a break. Also, the number of bars per cycle and the quantization behavior can be changed on-the-fly. Everything is easily and directly accessible without submenus or hidden button combinations.

Mapping is done in the MENU level, directly on the device. No additional software is required, ensuring Drop isn't dependent on outdated operating systems in the future. Copy/paste/move functions and MIDI-Learn help with quick setup. Furthermore, an integrated MIDI monitor allows recording and analyzing incoming and outgoing messages. All possible MIDI commands are supported, including 14-bit CCs (NRPN), Program Change, Bank Select, Aftertouch, Pitchbend, and of course CCs and Notes.

Each controller enables macro mapping by sending up to eight different MIDI messages simultaneously to any MIDI output port. Individual curves can be assigned to each destination. This allows you to control multiple devices simultaneously with one knob, giving you a manageable number of highly expressive controls for your live set.
MIDI messages can also be assigned to snapshots, so that, for example, device programs and banks can be changed automatically in sync with a snapshot DROP.

On the output side, four MIDI In/Out ports via TRS jacks (types A and B) and two USB-C ports are available. Device and host modes are automatically detected, allowing connection not only to synths and grooveboxes but also to external keyboards, two laptops, or other MIDI controllers via USB.

Thanks to the multiple outputs, each connected device gets its own dedicated MIDI port with full data rate and all 16 MIDI channels, plus its own independent MIDI clock. This can even be adjusted individually for each output down to the millisecond, ensuring all devices run in perfect sync. Additionally, there are two CV outputs that can also be used for clock signals or as freely assignable 0-5V CV voltages. If one of the receiving devices accidentally falls out of sync, e.g., by accidentally pressing the stop/play button, Drop offers a quickly accessible resync button that resynchronizes all devices at the beginning of the next bar. As a master clock generator, there's also a nudge function for manual beat matching (DJ-style), or you can simply synchronize Drop to an incoming MIDI clock or a 0-5V clock from your modular system.

Another function is the reception and forwarding of incoming MIDI signals. Via the MIDI merge function, incoming messages can be filtered by channel and distributed to the connected devices. This allows a master sequencer that outputs sequences for all devices on multiple channels to be connected and appropriately routed through Drop. Drop adds the MIDI messages from its own controllers (MIDI merge), so the receiver gets the sum of both signals. You can go even further and integrate an external MIDI keyboard, allowing you to play some of your own notes in addition to the sequencer. Such routing was previously mainly reserved for software solutions, but now you can save having a laptop on stage, as Drop takes over this hub function.
The silicone buttons for snapshots can also be used as a 4x4 clip launcher for Ableton Live integration, parallel to snapshot control. Simply load the corresponding script from below into the appropriate folder on your computer. Drop now offers navigation through Ableton clips with RGB LED feedback, play/stop functionality for clips and tracks, scene triggering, and even the ability to start a scene in sync with a snapshot DROP.

Even without Ableton, the button matrix doubles as a convenient mini keyboard, allowing you to trigger notes on your favorite synth without lugging around extra gear. It includes practical features like customizable scales and transpose functions to enhance your playing flexibility.

Drop can be powered via USB-C, allowing it to be elegantly connected to a laptop with just one USB-C cable. However, an external power supply is also included to effectively prevent the notorious ground loops in branched USB setups. The power supply also contains globally compatible power adapters (EU, UK, US, AU), making it ready for global tours. The package also includes a USB-C cable, a USB-C to USB-A adapter, and two MIDI-TRS cables with 3.5mm stereo jacks.

The solid metal housing, metal faders and encoders, and high-quality soft-touch buttons guarantee long-lasting enjoyment and professional touring reliability.

Notes: Protect the faders on your favorite modules while making them more comfortable to use at the same time!

Perfect size for modules like the WMD Performance Mixer, Malekko Voltage Block, STG Graphic Sequencer, TTSH, Roland JU-06, and more. Custom sized to fit faders snug and clear in color so you can still see the LED indicator. The WMD clear fader cap is a must have for any module with plastic faders.

Notes: Protect the faders on your favorite modules while making them more comfortable to use at the same time!

Perfect size for modules like the WMD Performance Mixer, Malekko Voltage Block, STG Graphic Sequencer, TTSH, Roland JU-06, and more. Custom sized to fit faders snug and clear in color so you can still see the LED indicator. The WMD clear fader cap is a must have for any module with plastic faders.