Back in stock: Library/Archive

Review: After an impressive first volume last year, ATA Records are back with more of their Library Archive sounds. Inspired by greats such as KPM and DeWolfe but with a raw Leeds twist, this collection was produced on an array of old analogue gear across a series of sessions. Opener 'The Glass Eye' sets a psyched-out 60s funk feeling from the off then there are more upbeat and prickly pieces with lush flute leads likes like 'Windie Man' and raw, break-driven joints like the deep cut 'Fight Or Fuzz.' Word is that more volumes of this are planned in future, which we're glad to hear.

Review: Music From Memory has a reputation for doing the unexpected. It would be fair to say that few would have predicted the Dutch label's decision to release a collection "electronic and contemporary music from Brazil". As usual, the Red Light Records affiliated crate-digging crew has done a superb job with Outro Tempo, which was compiled by label affiliate John Gomez. Musically, it's predictably varied but always beautiful. It mostly focuses on tracks that fuse traditional Brazilian instrumentation, percussion and musical ideas, with elements of electronica, ambient, jazz-fusion and Reich style minimalism. The accompanying liner notes do a great job in putting the collection in context, explaining how the music was often inspired by political changes within Brazil during the 1980s.