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Review: Available in extremely limited quantities, this new 7" from Burning Soul arrives in both black, or as we have it here, white, and it's another gem from Kidding that keeps up this fine Swiss label's high-quality output. The A-side bursts to life with 'Seriously,' a blistering funk anthem infused with Hammond-organ melodies, underpinned by a deep bass groove and gritty guitar licks. Flipping over to the B-side, 'Komet Ride' kicks up the tempo with even more vigorous drumming and exhilarating organ solos. It's a whirlwind of funk brilliance, underscoring Kidding's knack for delivering electrifying musical adventures.

Notes: Want to create the perfect filter sweep, manually trigger a gate or step through a sequencer? No more need to turn knobs or to patch up a lot of modules, the Kommander makes it simple: just plug it into a CV input on your (modular) synthesizer, move your hand over the device and you are able to control it with your hands, feet or nose, yes: just like a theremin: Kommand and Konquer!

The Kommander is a handheld dual infrared X-Y motion controller that makes controlling your electronic instruments intuitive and fun. The device measures the distance to your hand or any other surface and sends out corresponding CV signals between 0 and 8V. The closer you have your hand to the Kommander, the higher the output voltage. This will allow you to create complex synth sounds, trigger a drum machine, control your Koma effect pedals or any other instrument that is capable of receiving CV signals.

Koma know that some equipment can only accept CV signals up to 3V or 5V, that's why they fitted the Kommander with attenuators, which are accessible in the back of the unit. The attenuators connected to the CV outputs allow you to attenuate the maximum voltage output, so you can e.g. set the range from 0V to 5V instead of 0V to 8V.

Because of the innovative circuit design there is no interference from sunlight or stage light, so the musician can use it wherever she or he wants. Just plug the Kommander into your Eurorack Modular System, Buchla, Moog, Roland or any other synthesizer and create.

Review: Molchat Doma are one of the global music phenomenons of our time. The Belarusian trio first started causing a small stir among the kind of circles that actively hunt out Belarusian synth bands. That grew into widespread rumblings throughout the underground, driven by online shares as much as play on independent radio stations. Skip forward again, and the outfit can claim true viral sensation status, having conquered tastemakers and social networks across the world. Monument is their third album, and was largely written during Covid-19 quarantine in their hometown, Minsk. Again, it's an evolutionary thing. Post-punk vies for your attention next to synth pop, cold wave, New Wave and romantic electronica. Calling to mind, at various points, The Cure, Depeche Mode and Joy Division, among others, nevertheless those comparisons don't feel fair - the work here is fresher feeling and, ultimately, removed from the North Atlantic hegemony, so it should be analysed in that context.

Review: The highly anticipated reissue of the rare groove gem Transfusion by West Coast funky drummer extraordinaire Les Demar is finally here thanks to P-Vibe and comes with an obi! Originally released in 1977 on the esteemed Dobre label, this album stands as one of Demar's most significant works from the 1970s. It boasts iconic tracks like 'Moondial,' featuring a legendary drum break sampled by artists such as Jurassic 5, De La Soul, DJ Shadow, and Greyboy. Additionally, the album showcases a plethora of groovy numbers like 'Canned Heat Suite' and 'Kaballa,' alongside the mesmerizing Afro-Latin funk of 'Bacchanal,' epitomizing Demar's fusion of funky rhythms and jazz sensibilities.

Review: The Madlib Invazion Music Library Series clocks up its eighth entry here and the honour is given to drummer Karriem Riggins who offers up To The Jungle. He is someone who can play the sticks with real conviction and shows that here across another superb album in this series. It really makes use of the chance given to him to stretch himself and create the sort of music he might not dare to otherwise. It has all been created with a view to be ing given one-stop clearance for use in mim and TV and plenty of this one surely will because it is so evocative.

Review: Seven years after his last album, UK techno mainstay Perc is back with another thrilling full length that brings together the past, present and future of his sound. Hard techno is very much in right now but Perc has always dealt in a tough take on the genre that is at odds with the usual tropes and he showcases that again here with plenty of high-energy tracks and a healthy dose of his signature industrial texture. In between percussive workouts, there are some flashy acid lines and all manner of deeply penetrating drones. A great return for this vital artist.

Notes: This specially designed stand for Elektron Digitakt / Digitone is attached from below to the equipment’s chassis, utilizing its universal VESA mounting points, enabling the use of the equipment in a much more ergonomic inclined position.

By swapping the position of the feet, it is possible to use the equipment in two different positions: lying down and upright.

It can be set up in a matter of seconds and weighs just a few grams.

Each stand features a groove to accommodate silicone feet to prevent the equipment from slipping or scratching.

Includes both side stands, screws for installation, and silicone feet.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Following his breakthrough with the classic 'What Is Love?' in 1983, Howard Jones became a cult figure in the synth-pop explosion. For those keyed into his legacy, there's a rich seam of inventive pop which is redolent of the era but also sports its own unique edge and now Cherry Red have gathered together the best of his work over the past 40 years on this double vinyl set. Featuring 22 tracks and slipping a few choice alternative mixes into the running order, this is a fitting celebration of an underrated champion of UK pop.

Notes: Simply sophisticated

With the 200 series, BOSS introduces a new generation of pedals that pack advanced sound and versatility into a streamlined size that saves space on your board. Grab-and-go controls and multi-function switches make operation easy and intuitive, while onboard memories allow you to store multiple setups for instant recall. All 200 series pedals feature premium audio quality with 32-bit internal processing and offer support for external control via footswitches, an expression pedal, or MIDI.

The OD-200 Hybrid Drive brings next-level sound, feel, and flexibility to overdrive and distortion, combining decades of BOSS tone expertise with innovative technologies. Powered by hybrid analogue/digital circuitry, this dream pedal delivers any drive tone you can imagine via 12 primary modes, 15 boost types, series/parallel gain paths, and more. There's even an advanced gate on board, ideal for both eliminating noise and adding tightness to high-gain drive tones.

Version 1.1 Update: User Memory Expansion

The free Version 1.1 software update brings increased flexibility to the BOSS 200 series, greatly expanding the onboard memory capacity for storing and recalling sounds. There are now 128 user setups available. Setups can also be recalled directly via MIDI program change.

For optimal performance, stay up to date with the current OD-200 system software

Premium Drive Tones with BOSS's Advanced Hybrid Design

The OD-200's next-generation hybrid design seamlessly brings analogue and digital clipping circuits together for the best of all worlds, putting a universe of expressive drive colours under your fingers. Twelve modes offer a variety of premium overdrive, fuzz, and distortion sounds, including a high-gain Brown mode derived from the acclaimed Katana amplifier series. And with the three high-performance "X" drive modes powered by BOSS's cutting-edge MDP tech, you'll experience enhanced definition, clarity, and dynamic response that's perfect for modern playing styles.

Powerful Gain Shaping with Series and Parallel Boosts

While each of the OD-200's 12 main drive modes sound fantastic on their own, you're able to craft tones even further with 15 switchable boost circuits. Placing the boost in series lets you create traditional stacked drive voices, complete with post-gain level to balance with the bypassed sound or kick up the volume for solos. The boost circuit can also be used in parallel with the main mode, enabling side-by-side blending for an unlimited range of unique drive textures.

Kill the Noise and Tighten Your Tone

With its integrated gate circuit, the OD-200 always keeps your signal clear and quiet when you're not playing. The default setting is a great starting point, providing gentle, transparent gating that works well for general playing styles. The decay and threshold controls can also be adjusted for super-fast gate performance when needed, perfect for bringing tightness to heavy modern styles that combine full-throttle gain with precision staccato riffing.

Dial in Sounds Fast

The OD-200 offers a ton of advanced capabilities, but remains as simple to use as any regular distortion stomp. With dedicated controls, you can quickly dial in the gain and overall level for any selected mode, then sculpt the tone with wide-ranging low, mid, and high EQ. There's also a multi-function parameter knob, which changes operation based on the group selected with the panel's parameter switch and LED status indicators.

Save and Recall Your Favourite Setups

The OD-200 features 127 user memories plus a real-time panel setting, giving you 128 total setups to choose from. Any range of consecutive memories and the panel setting can be assigned for scrolling access from a footswitch. It's also possible to limit the scrolling range or assign memories directly for even faster recall.

Specifications

Sampling Frequency: 96 kHz
AD/DA Conversion: 32 bits
Processing: 32-bit floating point
Drive Circuit: Analogue + Digital

Modes:
12 modes
OVERDRIVE, BLUES, SCREAM, CNTR OD, X-DRIVE, DIST, X-DIST, STACK DRIVE, FAT DIST, BROWN, X-METAL, FUZZ

Memory: 127 + Manual
Nominal Input Level: INPUT: -10 dBu
Maximum Input Level: INPUT: +7 dBu
Input Impedance: INPUT: 1 M ohm
Nominal Output Level: OUTPUT: -10 dBu
Maximum Output Level: OUTPUT: +7 dBu (Load Impedance: 220 k ohms or greater)
Output Impedance: OUTPUT: 1 k ohms
Recommended Load Impedance: OUTPUT: 10 k ohms or greater
Bypass: Buffered bypass

Controls: ON/OFF switch, MEMORY/BOOST switch
MODE knob, DRIVE knob, LEVEL knob, PARAM knob, LOW knob, MIDDLE knob, HIGH knob
PARAM button, MEMORY button
Display: 7 segments, 3 characters (LED)
Indicator: PARAM indicator, MEMORY (MAN, 1--4) indicators

Connectors:
INPUT jack, OUTPUT jack: 1/4-inch phone type
CTL 1, 2/EXP jack: 1/4-inch TRS phone type
MIDI (IN, OUT) jacks: Stereo miniature phone type
DC IN jack
USB port: USB micro B-type (program update only)

Power Supply: Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 3, AC adaptor (sold separately)
Current Draw: 220 mA

Expected Battery Life Under Continuous Use:
Alkaline: Approx. 6 Hours
* These figures will vary depending on the actual conditions of use.

Accessories:

Leaflet "USING THE UNIT SAFELY"
Leaflet "To obtain the Owner's Manual"
Alkaline battery (AA, LR6) x 3
Rubber foot x 4

Options (sold separately):
AC adaptor: PSA-S series
Footswitch: FS-5U
Dual footswitch: FS-6, FS-7
Expression pedal: FV-500H, FV-500L, EV-30, Roland EV-5
MIDI/TRS connecting cable: BMIDI-5-35, BMIDI-1-35, BMIDI-2-35, BCC-1-3535, BCC-2-3535

Size & weight:

Width: 101 mm / 4 inches
Depth: 138 mm / 5-7/16 inches
Height: 63 mm / 2-1/2 inches
Height: (including rubber foot)65 mm / 2-9/16 inches
Weight: 600 g / 1 lb 6 oz
Weight (including battery): 670 g / 1 lb 8 oz

Review: Metronomy mark their signing to Ninja Tune with a new single that comes not long after their Posse EP Volume 1, a collection of tunes all made in collaboration with up-and-coming artists like Biig Piig, Spill Tab, Sorry, Brian Nasty and Folly Group. This one is another collaboration, this time with Pam Amsterdam. 'Nice Town' deals with the lead singer's own battles such as "internal versus the external or, intangible versus the tangible." It is a delightfully snappy dance-pop ditty with great and tight synth sequences, old-school rap vocals and nice broken early electro beats. Metronomy and Alain Ogue add their own remixes to a great label debut.