Pamela Vinyl & CDs

Review: A fascinating new long-player from Justin Robertson under his new Five Green Moons alias, marking another new stylistic turn for the Mancunian DJ and producer, whose main remit is house music to most. Moon 1, by contrast, is not "Justin at the house controls", but rather him delving into "his roots, digging around through the likes of P.I.L, Gang Of Four, On-U-Sound, Current 93, Coil, Sabres Of Paradise and all manner of post punk echoes", a "haunted ballroom of memories", in the artist's own words. Our glossing of Moon 1 is that this is probably the best post-punk come dubstep crossover record you'll hear in 2024, though it does also cross over into wonky beats and monologuing ambi-trance on occasion too. The record moves increasingly mauve-psychedelic as it progresses, with 'Everything's A Song In A Sound World' paring back its off-the-top vocal slogans for a purer exercise in rattling psyche-dub and 'I See All And I See Nothing' admitting to the contradiction of humility and quixotism in the same fret-slid breath.

Review: Justin Robertson is a musical maverick who can really do it all and Moon 1, released under his Five Green Moons alias, marks another new artistic direction for the Mancunian legend. Unlike his usual house-focused work, Moon 1 explores his roots while drawing inspiration from P.I.L., Gang Of Four, On-U-Sound, Coil and more to create a 'haunted ballroom of memories." This album blends post-punk with dubstep, wonky beats, and monologuing ambi-trance and as it unfolds, the record becomes increasingly mauve-psychedelic with tracks like 'Everything's A Song In A Sound World' and 'I See All And I See Nothing' pushing boundaries with rattling psyche-dub and introspective lyrics.

Review: UK DJ and producer Justin Robertson is back with his latest 12" record 'Deadstock 33s', the fourth release on the up-and-coming Pamela Records label. This record is filled with groovy little tracks that blend various genres into one. 'In Minus Shadows' has a nice psychedelic campfire funk to it, with the dub-like 'Cup Of Silence' and the electro sounds of 'Of Ghosts' completing the package. Eclectic and unique dance music - very cool tunes here.

Review: Last year, Pamela Records launched with a fantastic EP of cosmic club music from the late, great Andrew Weatherall and his long-time production partner Nina Walsh. For release number two, they've turned to another long-serving London producer, former Aloof collaborator Jo Sims. Lead cut 'Bass - The Final Frontier' (track two on the A-side) is definitely one that Weatherall would have played: a psychedelic, mid-tempo chugger with trance-inducing electronics, twinkling synthesiser lead lines and a throbbing groove. David Holmes remixes, slowing it down further while adding undulating TB-303 'acid' lines and plenty of cinematic textures. Elsewhere, 'Demons of Dance' is a moody dark disco throb-job (Richard Sen would approve), while 'Mumbo Jumbo' is a deep Balearic breaks number tailor made for sunsets and sunrises.

Review: The fledgling Pamela label hits release number three with Anthony Teasdale the man charged with taking us on a sonic trip. He kicks off with a gorgeous cut that pairs breezy grooves with flamboyant keys that sound like they come from a theatrical moment in a play. It is a super symphony that sweeps you off your feet while 'A Pavement In Palma' is a humid and sundown gem, 'Deep In The Forest Something Stared' is layered ups with retro-future synths from a band like ELO and 'It's 5am Somewhere' then has more slick kick to it, but no less a majestic sense of melody which seems to be Teaseale's calling card.