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Juno Recommends Breakbeat
Juno Recommends Breakbeat: Best of 2023
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Review: The Breakbeat Paradise label rolls out another one in its well regarded Toxic Funk series here and both tunes pack some serious dance floor heat. It is producer duo Suckaside along with LROY who bring the good times here with classic soul and funk mixed with just enough beats and breaks to make it sound current. LROY first offer the big soul groover 'Second Warning' with boom bap beats and lush vocals. On the flipside Suckaside aka Sucka Timmy and DJ B-side offer a take on Shannon's cult 'Let the Music Play' with some big hitting electronic funk.
out of stock $13.82
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Review: Little is known about Needlework, save for the fact that this new fifth installment to their eponymous breaks series reissues two lesser-known (but no less beloved) breakbeat classics for the present day. DJ Mink's b-boy minimalizer 'Hey Hey Can U Relate' (indeed we can) appears on the A-side in the utmost quality - showing off the precision sharpness of its core break and vocal shouts - while legendary b-boy crew Tuff Crew hear their flauting, noiry instrumental version of their track 'Soul Food' get added to the B.
out of stock $15.47
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Review: There's a reason that Future Sound of London's 1991 debut single, 'Papua New Guinea', is periodically reissued: it's a stone-cold classic that sounds unlike anything else. In its original mix form, the track combines traits borrowed from early breakbeat hardcore (booming bass, house-tempo breakbeats) with saucer-eyed vocal samples, twinkling pianos and sounds more often found in ambient house and chill-out tunes from the period. This remastered, hand-numbered vinyl reissue boasts all of the 1992 remixes (as well as the original mix), including a suitably psychedelic, tribal-tinged Andrew Weatherall revision, the duo's own spaced-out ambient style 'Dub' mix, and a sax-sporting Manchester re-wire courtesy of 808 State's Graham Massey.
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in stock $17.68
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Cat: XL 1313T. Rel: 31 Jul 23
Breakbeat
Review: Last year, and to mark the passing of a quarter of a century since the release of their rather colossal album The Fat of the Land, the Prodigy commissioned a swathe of new reworks of key cuts from the popular set. Now those remixes - or at least their favourites - have made it onto silver vinyl. The headline attraction is undoubtedly Andy C's revision of 'Firestarter', which retains many elements of the original (including the snarling guitars, twisted vocals and mind-mangling sounds), while adding a touch more d&b swing and a suitably sizable wobble bassline. Elsewhere, Mefjus joins forces with Camo & Crooked for a frankly nightmare-inducing rush through 'Breathe' - think thrash techno, and you're close - while Rene LaVice lays down a wobble-meets-jump-up revision of 'Mindfields' that's as gargantuan as it is brain-melting.
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out of stock $14.10
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Review: Wonky future breakbeat of a peculiar but energizing character by French artist Towlie DJ. Coming as the eleventh volume of the Toxic Funk series - emphasising funky, downtempo and hip-hop breaks with a sampledelic twist - this one is a veritable two-hobbed floor-heater. On the A-side, 'Groovy', comes a brass-tastic future soul cut in the vein of Mr Scruff, but more hi-fi and bustling. The B-side, meanwhile, boldly works Jay Z's verse on his collaborative track with Linkin Park, 'Numb/Encore', into a breaks-funk-complextro monster dedicated to the city of Brooklyn.
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out of stock $13.25
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Review: Hey boys, hey girls... Chemical Brothers are back with some superstar business and all is well with the world. Instantly slipping into their signature, 'No Reason' smacks with everything we love about Tom and Ed. Big funk bassline, cheeky party samples and a presence that could get everyone from your nan to your naughty next door neighbour dancing. 'All Of A Sudden' takes us up a few gears in a way that only the Chemmys can; unrelenting laser bass marching music that pushes and pushes and pushes to the very end. Here we go!
in stock $23.50
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Review: Overmono have become real techno darlings in the last two years. And rightly so - they have served up a fine run of EPs in that time which now brings us to their debut album Good Lies. They are also an award-winning live act who have brought new energy and invention to techno as well as a next level grasp of sound design. As such the pair are two of the most revered artists in the UK with a hardcore fan base who pack out their every gig. They will find plenty to love here on an adventurous record that features all the hallmarks you would expect of this duo as well as plenty of freshness.
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in stock $24.88
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Review: The Chems, as they are affectionately known by fans, continue to serve up the most blistering big room breakbeats, techno and electro fusions each time they play one of their famously spellbinding sets. They are revealing all about their accomplished and decorated career in a new biography that arrives the same time as this new album, For The Beautiful Feeling. It's a double 12" of high-octane sound, maximal grooves and a mad guest spot from none other than Beck. Fans will love it, whether newcomers or diehards who have been with the pair since day one.
in stock $29.03
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Review: Leftfield really managed to make lightning strike twice back in their heyday. After the pair's seminal self-titled debut album set a new benchmark for what was possible with a dance music full length, they managed to do it again with Rhythm & Stealth. It will be forever best known for the tune that was picked and used in the Guinness advert ('Phat Planet') but that is just one of the many highlights. The album originally came in 1999 and was nominated for the 2000 Mercury Music Prize as well as making number one on the UK Albums Chart. It is a full-fat mix of epic basslines, driving percussion and dark moods that adds up to a head-melting soundtrack to a damn good night.
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in stock $29.03
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Review: Breakbeat Paradise's Toxic Funk series rolls out a ninth volume here with two more powerful cuts. These come from Paul Sitter and Crash Party who together cook up plenty of horn-lead action on 'Don't Touch Me.' It has old school bars and some retro synth work that all adds up to a full thrill funk banger. 'Wake Up' is another raw and raucous one with big rock guitars and slamming drums. A b-boy hip-hop vocal is paired with yelping female vocal samples and the crispy drums never let up. Two dynamite tracks for sure.
in stock $13.82
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Cat: RL 43. Rel: 30 Jan 23
Breakbeat
in stock $33.15
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Review: For those with their ear to the ground, 'Make Me' has been an underground monster hit for Borai and Denham Audio for time, but now it's getting a proper 12" release on Room Two with some heavyweight remixes. Taking a classic 90s vocal sample and giving it a thorough ruffing up, the original is hard to top, but Big Ang and Mani Festo turn in suitably rowdy versions which continue the theme of hardcore revivalism in fine style. Meanwhile bassline legend Paul Sirrell steps up for a flamboyant version which harks back to the original mid-90s cut that inspired 'Make Me' in the first place.
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out of stock $18.24
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Review: Johannes Kolter is Kolter and is also a producer who went under the name DJOKO. He's been busy this year with plenty of goodness dropping including an album and three EPs. Now comes hit sone, again on his home label Pilot. It is inventive stuff that functions well on the floor as it straddles the worlds of breaks, house and plenty more. 'Got High Again' is lively and dynamic with its squealing leads and dusty breaks, then 'Weirdo' layers up leftfield melodies and blurts of playful synth modulation. 'Prospekt' is a wild fusion of rock riffs and high-speed funky breaks and 'Duck Concert' closes with hardcore drum breaks and soulful synths next to mad scratchinG.
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in stock $8.29
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Review: Given that he cut his teeth as a DJ and producer in San Francisco during the early 90s, DJ Spun is in a perfect position to educate us on the city's breakbeat-driven 'rave' sound - a hybrid and hyper-local affair that blended the Bay Area's psychedelic sounds and loved-up ethos with elements of acid, hip-hop, hip-house, deep house and British breakbeat hardcore. The Beat By DJ Spun Volume 1 does a great job of highlighting largely lesser-known, breakbeat-powered cuts produced in the city between 1988 and '94. For proof, check out the dreamy, mid-tempo wonder of Single Cell Orchestra's 'Transmit Liberation', the funk-fuelled hedonism of Triple M's 'Prisoner of Passion (Funky Dub Mix)', the deep and dubby breaks of 'Based (Not So Free Mix)' by DJ Emma, and the sparse-and-squelchy post hip-house shuffle of Spins Inc's 'The New Frontier'.
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in stock $33.15
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in stock $9.94
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Review: Demon Singles Club's latest addition to their fantastic catalogue comes in the form of a re-issue of Freestylers' 'Ruffneck' EP. Formed in 1996, when DJs and producers Matt Canro and Aston Harvey made the wise decision to join forces, the duo went on to release their now iconic debut album We Rock Hard on legendary imprint, Freskanova. Met with quick critical acclaim, We Rock Hard became the duo's most commercially successful release to date. This latest release, 'Ruffneck', cherry picks four standout tracks from the hit-studded album. 'B-Boy Stance', 'Ruffneck', 'Here We Go', and 'Warning' are a journey through classic big beat and breakbeat electronica, which has remained the band's trademark sound to this day. Also including the original artwork, this is a thoughtful ode to the duo's boundary-pushing work.
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out of stock $11.89
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Review: Howard Dodd (Tongue, Anoesis, Oxidation, Doc Bozique) takes control on the third Anoesis release on Cosmic Soup. Supercade is one that's been long anticipated by fans of their well designed breakbeat sounds and their first since 1995's Blood & Sweat on D*Fusion. As such there is a hint of 90s post rave magic to the 11 cuts here, all with cosmic intent and deep grooves - tunes that have you lost in a reverie on the heart of the dance floor but with your gaze turned skyward. Essential stuff.
in stock $33.15
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Review: Breakbeat Paradise invites back onto their island once more for a tenth volume of the on going Toxic Funk series. This is another vital 45rpm for DJs which will blow up any spot with b-boy sounds and edgy breaks. 'Hang On The City' offers up some tightly woven in, Kendrick-like bars while on the flip, 'The Funk Is Yours' is a more coruscated and disco tinged tune with a searing bassline and mid tempo drum loops as well as retro rap vocals and lively yelps.
out of stock $16.31
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Cat: 196587 09087. Rel: 22 May 23
Breakbeat
Review: KC
out of stock $20.18
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Review: Think Bicep but with a darker, deeper undercurrent and you have this latest release from DJ and producer, Franky Wah. 'This is Shen' is a tour-de-force in vocal sampling, featuring vocals from Luisant, Robinson, and Lunar June. The opening track, 'Pandora', strikes the perfect balance between euphoria and driving breakbeats - an ideal selection for those moments of dancefloor reflection. The tonally darker, 'Patroller', fuses a nu-disco style chorus with softly spoken verse vocals - an impressive merging of styles. Another standout track, 'EYWA' merges a spliced, distant voice over a dance-ready garage beat. 'Hausa' deploys a rousing reggaeton-esque rhythm melded with melancholic pads which, again, reach towards Wah's signature, deeper sound. This offering from Franky Wah is a wonderfully varied introduction into the soundworld of Shen.
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out of stock $29.84
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in stock $16.57
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Review: Bang on trend grooves from the Vivid camp, exploring the current fascination for all things that intersect both the garage and breaks genres. Lead track 'Wicked & Wild' is the one that leans furthest into UKG territory, its bumpy bassline and MC-style vocal giving it heaps of energy and attitude. Flip side instrumentals 'Push Past It' and 'Ronin' meanwhile, evoke the early 2000s spirit of breaksteppers such as Horsepower Productions, the latter especially maintaining the bassline pressure and adding it to the more hardcore vibe of rawer, sampled percussion. Maximum respect!
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in stock $7.47
23
Review: Continuing the Above Board label's flawless run of historical compilation projects, San Francisco legend DJ Spun has been invited back to paint another picture of a unique chapter in the Bay Area's rave history, from 1988 to 1994. Compared to the more storied East Coast and Midwest dance music movements, the unique brew of cultural backdrops and influences in SF and the surrounding area led to a particular strain of breakbeat rich in psychedelia, responding to the very different Californian climate. Across two slabs, this second volume takes us further into a lesser told story of rave's early days, featuring cult legends long overdue recognition for their distinctive approaches to electronic dance music.
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out of stock $33.15
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Cat: XIN 010. Rel: 06 Mar 23
Breakbeat
Review: Chestnut People finds NAFF champ Priori teaming up with Ludwig A.F. for some deep-diving trips somewhere between ambient, trance, deep house and techno. It's a sweetly melodic space where immersive beatdowns can sit comfortably alongside blissfully beatless meditations, leading in with the dreamy breakbeat roll of 'I' and the snappy drum blasts of 'II'. It's the B-side where the project's sound really deepens, finding new scope for aqueous sound design and fragmented electronica on 'III' before the pure, new age leaning melt-out of 'IV'. It's a sophisticated record with a sound that should draw in a huge spectrum of machine dreamers.
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in stock $16.86
25
Review: The Cosmic Soup label did some mighty fine work in bringing Howard Dodd's work as Doc Bozique and Anoesis back into ear shot. Dodd released a fair clutch of wiggy, trance-inflected house and techno back in the wild old days of the mid-90s, and so it's no surprise to hear his music finding new relevance at a time when that sound is so warmly received on dancefloors all over the place. This release for German label Spray pulls together a few different bits from 1994, ranging from 'Heavy Water' and 'Diact' from The Anoesis EP to 'Trouble Down Groove' from Eight Day Music. Bringing the relevance with the current zeitgeist in no uncertain times, we're also treated to a remix courtesy of a scene leader in this field, D. Tiffany.
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in stock $15.76
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Review: While the Vinyl Fanatiks label may deal in reissuing some of the less heralded pioneers of breakbeat, hardcore and acid, their Acid Boom sub label is also ready to embrace newer producers keeping the sound alive with a degree of authenticity. As such, they've done the right thing in tapping up Dawl, who delivers the kind of moody, grubby squat party gear that sounds like it's got the spirit of 88 pumping in its veins. The acid squelch on 'Close Your Eyes' and titular sample speaks directly to the kind of edgy sound cemented in UK rave lore at the RIP parties at Clink Street, where grittiness and sinister moods prevailed. You can always spot newer artists who quite simply get it, and Dawl is definitely one of them.
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out of stock $17.14
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Review: Whatever they put out from whatever genre, you know the Furthur Electronix crew does it right. Electro is their most common sound and that's what we get here from CRC. It takes the form of a reissue of his hard-to-find, expensive and damn-good EP from Zyntax Motorcity. This one comes with an extra bonus track, too. 'Disposal Robot 139' is wonky acid and electro with prickly breaks, while the much more trippy and psychedelic 'Blueshift' has softer, smoother lines. The bleeping tones of 'Influence Device' fire at your brain while while warped bass and metallic drums get your body moving and 'Traveller' is another dreamy and rueful breakbeat viber.
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in stock $18.24
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Review: Control Freak Recordings launch their new reissue sub-label with Soul Oddity's Tone Capsule - a seminal electro/IDM classic from mid-90s Miami. Originally released as a series of three EPs, the reissue compiles these into a single release, newly remastered by Keith Tenniswood (Radioactive Man) - available digitally and, for the first time, a x2LP album. Soul Oddity are often 'credited' for bringing IDM to the US, through the already-popular-in-the-US guises of West Coast breaks and electro. Their efforts culminated into Tone Capsule, which sounds essentially like a British version of Drexciya, or if one of the Belleville Three had done an acid trip while watching Threads.
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out of stock $37.59
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Review: Tongue-in-cheek breakbeat badman DJ Absolutely Shit is back with more tunes that show he really isn't. This new EP on Laser is another one primed and ready for maximum dancefloor impact right from the off. First up is 'Close Your Eyes,' a barrage of breaks and jittery percussion with added bleeps and chopped-up vocals. 'Breaktalo Dark' then layers up metallic drums and rugged bass with a retro-future synth edge. 'My Desire' has old school rap attitude over an electro-tinged rhythm and last of all 'Pee Pee Soaked Heck Hole' is another accomplished rhythmic workout.
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out of stock $17.96
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Review: DJ Seduction does what he does best on this new and banging 12" for Impact. Hardcore Heaven is correctly titled because that's where this two tracker will take you: the title track opens up with all the rave motifs, spin backs, reversed stabs and vocal jibes you would expect of a title with that name, all dropped over some big and dusty breaks. 'You & Me' on the backside keeps the high-energy vibes coming with increasingly wild synth lines, crashing drum hits and old school signifiers. Blistering beats for sweaty dancefloors.
out of stock $16.57
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Cat: 405053 8919004. Rel: 16 Oct 23
Breakbeat
in stock $29.84
32
Review: New York maestro and Loose Control Band member DJ Spun has served up a superb compilation for Above Board here. It is his third such collection and one that focusses on the specific subject of West Coast breaks, rave and electro funk from the late eighties to mid-cities. It was a fertile scene by this account and one that still sounds current today, right from the blistering open eats and trance-like synths of Tasti Box's 'San Francisco' to Deep2's old school house jacker 'Sphere' which closes out the double pack. In between are plenty of gems, not least the deep and dreamy sounds of Hawke's '3 Moods In A Purple Garden' (Robbie Hardkiss mix).
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in stock $35.10
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Review: Cult favourite Cignol never misses if you ask us. Here back on the Furtur Electonix label, he shows off his mastery of electro lushness and inventive rhythm once more. 'Glee Arch' pairs tin-pot percussion with early video game melodies and wub-wub basslines into something delightful. 'Keyss' is another mix of frazzled cosmic sonics and innocent melodic patterns before 'Electrob' take off on a smooth and gliding rhythm and 'Staying On Drugs' explores downbeat bliss. It's another high-class EP from Cignol which is defined by its retro-future melodies.
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out of stock $16.86
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Review: The sixth UFOs outing is another intergalactic adventure in sonic form and this time at the buttons it's New Balaance, a Mexican artist at the heart of a new wave. Space Jungle though is an apt title for this EP, which kicks off with some stylish breaks and nimble basslines overlaid with lush cosmic arps. 'Space Jungle' (feat Parallax Modulators brings a more pensive mood thanks to the sustained chords and deeper grooves, but subtle acid and chattery perc bring it to life. 'Grantourismo' is a lively and dynamic cut with more swirling synth work while 'Redemption' closes down this quartet of excellent explorations with a mix of 90s prog, techno and breakbeats all imbued with plenty of colour.
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in stock $8.29
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Cat: TONOMAT 001. Rel: 15 May 23
Breakbeat
Review: Romanians Drago Ilici and Prichindel's Tonomat Records welcome boss man Ilici in his Dilly Bombastik guise for a new EP packed with power across three fresh cuts and one remix from DJ Normal 4. 'Reflo' kicks off with the sort of crunchy drums and breaks that you don't hear all too often out of the more minimal minded Romanians. It's awash with some cosmic melody that brings the vibes then 'Workout' is a party pumper with slinky drum loops and molten synth patterns raining down from above. 'Stelu Gamanu' gets all dark and paranoid with a more edgy breakbeat foundation and DJ Normal 4's Melange mixX is all 90s video game synths and melted neon synths. Great stuff.
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out of stock $17.14
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Review: San Francisco-based Indian duo Baalti really do bring plenty of freshness to this, their third EP outing. They have said this is their most personal and authentic rase to date and it is about as kinetic and impact as house music gets, all infused with myriad samples from their own heritage. Those nostalgic South Asian flavours derived from classic Indian, Pakistani, and Bangaldeshi sounds are carefully sprinkled into percussive workouts, leftfield dancefloor rhythms and club-ready grooves. A perfect fusion of modern electronic music as traditional Asia sounds.
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in stock $15.47
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Review: Numbering Drifted's fifth release, we have an eye-opening collaborative project from Anna Wall and Corbi. A heady fusion of house and breaks, 'Satellite' is the ultimate energetic pumper that feels impressively true to the late 90s rave sound despite its recent production and pressing date. On the B-side 'Mind Sweeper' takes a darker turn, embellished with glistening high hats and resonant, obscured vocals, this track develops beautifully over the course of its length. A testament to the power of collaboration and creativity in electronic music, this is definitely not one to miss.
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in stock $16.03
38
Review: E.T.I might not be the best-known act to emerge from the breaks and acid-loving San Francisco scene of the 1990s, but their slim catalogue is nevertheless full of gems. The people behind AGT Records are clearly fans, because they've decided to reissue one of the trio's most potent singles, 1999's 'Lookout'. What we get is the same two mixes featured on the hard-to-find original release: the chunky, funky bass-propelled, breakbeat house masterclass that is the 'Tha Luv Bomb' mix (listen out for the wonderfully drowsy, loved-up synth riffs), and the pacey, P-funk-influenced 'On Tha Fly' mix, where short vocoder vocal snippets, crispy funk guitar licks and boisterous bass catch the ear.
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out of stock $13.82
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out of stock $17.14
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Review: Featuring choice selections of twisted-up samples unearthed from dancehall and ragga archives, Seekersinternational make another massive appearance on Sneaker Social Club, building on the manifesto set out on their original RaggaPreservationSociety EP back in 2016. Showing serious dedication to their source material whilst also injecting it with their cosmic-come-experimental approach to production, Seekersinternational embrace the energetic volatility of junglist breaks and the rawness of ragga to deliver an EP that slips effortlessly between the contemporary and the classic. This release is a time-travel device, a portal into ragga-jungle's past and the future.
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out of stock $16.31
41
out of stock $35.37
42
Cat: SMR 014. Rel: 24 Apr 23
Breakbeat
Review: Sound Metaphors continue to dedicate themselves to unearthing the trippiest, sneakiest gems from the early days of breakbeat and give them a proper reissue treatment for our listening and raving pleasure. High Lonesome Sound System were a collaborative crew made up of Michael Kandel and Tom Chasten who kicked into gear in 1991 with a run of releases on their own Exist Dance label, spearheading the West Coast breaks scene in the process. 'We're Go: Stage 1, 2, 3' is a freaky wiggler of a track with plenty of crafty samples and synth wriggles which speak to the particular vibe the Bay Area rave scene embraced over time, while 'Testimonial' ups the pressure without losing that free-flowing flavour. 'Psychic Dreaming' tips a little towards house without losing the gritty Akai sampler finish, making for the most endearing track on an EP full of mystical charm.
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out of stock $20.46
