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Review: Chromatophore makes a head turning debut in the world of vinyl with a various artists EP that reaches all points of the electro spectrum. Plant43 will be no stranger to those in the know and opens up in urgent fashion with the synth waves and driving grooves of 'European Tides'. Kev Cotter gets a little more introspective and deep in his complex 'The Bronx Executioner' with a mood bassline underpinning the whole thing. The most experimental of the lot is Allward's closing gem 'Slowburst,' a mix of shimming synths and disappearing pads that leave you floating adrift in the skies.

Review: Earl Sweatshirt's Feet of Clay album from late in 2019 was tantalisingly short in length, but not short in quality. The raw, woozy record found him exploring ambiguous wordplay that will keep you entertained trying to unpack it all for many hours. He himself described the 15 minute work as "a collection of observations and feelings recorded during the death throes of a crumbling empire" and it makes for a physical yet abstract record with emotion to spare. From gloomy and introverted r&b styles to more distorted jazz and loop beats, his silky tones always unify each track with great allure.

Notes: Possibly the best value DJ isolator on the market. Classic three-band design with full kill on each band, allowing you to perform dramatic filter effects. Joe Claussell vibes on a budget.

Supplier's Notes:
3-band frequency isolator with vintage rotary knobs for DJs

With the Omnitronic ISO-23 MK2 frequency isolator DJs get an effective tool for creative sound shaping in the club or studio. Using high-grade, long-life ALPS RK27 potentiometers, the rack-mounted isolator has excellent sound characteristics.

The large, smooth rotary knobs enable DJs to radically boost or cut low, mid or high frequencies, making it easy to create instrumental or a cappella versions. The isolator provides XLR and RCA connectors and features a bypass switch for bridging.

Control range: kill to +9 dB
Lows: 20 Hz - 300 Hz
Mids: 300 Hz - 4 kHz
Highs: 4 kHz - 20 kHz

Bypass switch
Balanced and unbalanced inputs/outputs (XLR/RCA)
Incl. mounting brackets for 483 mm rack installation (1 U)
(19") 48.3 cm rack installation 1 U

Power supply:
100-240 V AC, 50/60 Hz

Power consumption: 12 W

Isolators:
Master Gain:- 8 bis +9
Low/mid 300 Hz, 18db/oct , Butterworth
Mid/high 4000 Hz, 18db/oct , Butterworth

Connections:
Input: 2 x line via 3-pin XLR
Input: 2 x line via RCA (f) mounting version
Output: 2 x line via 3-pin XLR
Output: 2 x line via RCA (f) mounting version

Max. level:
Input: +22 dBu
Housing design:
(19") 48.3 cm rack installation 1 U

Width: 48.3 cm
Height: 4.45 cm
Depth: 14.5 cm
Weight: 2.15 kg

Review: Although renowned for the quality of their soul and jazz-funk reissues, Expansion continues to champion contemporary soulful music - something the label has tried to do from the very start of its existence. For proof, check their annual Soul Togetherness compilations, which astonishingly have appeared every year for the last two decades. There's natural plenty of killer modern soul and 21st century R&B gems to be found on 2020's edition of the popular series, with highlights including the slick '80s soul revivalism of DW3's 'Never Gonna Stop', the smooth soulful house warmth of Will Downing's 'Right Where You Are', the early '80s boogie flex of Cool Million's 'Keep On', the sparking '70s disco heat of Privat Projekt's 'Don't Walk This Way' and the head-nodding positivity of Carmichael Musiclover's 'Pure Sweetness'.

Review: For those who don't always pay as much attention as they should to the contemporary modern soul scene, Expansion's annual Soul Togetherness compilations are a godsend. There's naturally plenty to set the pulse racing on the 2020 edition, including a bunch of killer modern soul and 21st century ER&B gems that have never before appeared on wax. Highlights include the slick '80s soul revivalism of DW3's 'Never Gonna Stop', the smooth soulful house warmth of Will Downing's 'Right Where You Are', the early '80s boogie flex of Cool Million's 'Keep On', the sparking '70s disco heat of Privat Projekt's 'Don't Walk This Way' and the head-nodding positivity of Carmichael Musiclover's 'Pure Sweetness'.

Notes: Moog SR Series Cases are here to safeguard your Moog Grandmother synthesizer where you need it most and ensure your sound travels far and wide.

Developed with artists for artists

Musicians report the most important performance a case can offer are protection from impact and protection from wateriin that order. With that in mind, Moog SR Series Cases have been developed to be the first line of defense for your synthesizer.

Complete protection, comfort, and convenience

Moog SR Series Cases feature generous padding around a semi-rigid ABS shell, a rugged Ballistic Cordura outer that resists tears and abrasions, and laminated water-resistant zippers to offer on-the-go protection and safe storage for your instrument. Multiple strap and handle configurations keep your commute comfortable, and multifunction pockets ensure you're organized on arrival.

Moog SR Series Cases are a perfect fit for your Moog Grandmother synthesizer.

Specs

Internal material: Padded plush liner
External materials: Durable abrasion resistant 1680D Cordura, water-resistant. Laminated zippers, reinforced stitching and metal rivets
Handles/straps: (2) Smooth and durable webbed handles (top and side) with reinforced stitching - Removable anti-slip shoulder strap, - Removable air-mesh padded backpack straps

*** Please note: the synthesisers in the pictures are not included, they are shown for demonstration purposes only. ***

Notes: Moog SR Series Cases are here to safeguard your Moog Matriarch synthesizer where you need it most and ensure your sound travels far and wide.

Developed with artists for artists

Musicians report the most important performance a case can offer are protection from impact and protection from wateriin that order. With that in mind, Moog SR Series Cases have been developed to be the first line of defense for your synthesizer.

Complete protection, comfort, and convenience

Moog SR Series Cases feature generous padding around a semi-rigid ABS shell, a rugged Ballistic Cordura outer that resists tears and abrasions, and laminated water-resistant zippers to offer on-the-go protection and safe storage for your instrument. Multiple strap and handle configurations keep your commute comfortable, and multifunction pockets ensure you're organized on arrival.

Moog SR Series Cases are a perfect fit for your Moog Matriarch synthesizer.

Specifications

Internal material: Padded plush liner
External materials: Durable abrasion resistant 1680D Cordura, water-resistant. Laminated zippers, reinforced stitching and metal rivets
Padding: Semi-rigid ABS, generous foam padding
Handles/straps: (2) Smooth and durable webbed handles (top and side) with reinforced stitching - Removable anti-slip shoulder strap, - Removable air-mesh padded backpack straps

*** Please note: the synthesisers in the pictures are not included, they are shown for demonstration purposes only. ***

Notes: Diode Chaos is a 3hp analog chaotic low frequency voltage generator Eurorack Module available as Eurorack DIY Kit, PCB and Panel, or Built Module.

It is a unique module because it has never existed as an electronic music instrument until now. The module is based on a circuit from a paper called "A simple chaotic circuit with a light-emitting diode" written by Volos, Wang, Jafari, and Kapitaniak.

Diode Chaos produces 3 phases of interrelated morphing voltages including a chaotic trigger out. The range is 20-30 seconds a cycle up to audio rate, although only the X out and TRIG out go up to audio rate. The frequency is controlled by the RATE knob. Each output exhibits different behavior at different rate settings. X,Y, and Z outs like to stay in the 4vpp range although at different RATE settings the outs can reach 10vpp. The TRIG out chaotically releases 0-10v triggers although sometimes it will spit out smaller voltage peaks.

LED soldermask windows provide constant display of positive and negative voltage crossings.

Differences between chaos and random(some quoted and summarized material from Ian Fritz's site):

Chaos is "highly irregular, but still contained within a finite region (the "strange attractor")"

Chaos occurs in 3 dimensions.

Chaos needs a non-linear element (with Diode Chaos the nonlinear element is a red LED, and the chaos is directly visible and useable at the TRIG out).

Notes: The Triple Cap Chaos(C^3 Chaos) is a 2hp analog, chaos based, noise oscillator, pseudo ring modulator/harmonics generator, and audio mangler Eurorack module available as a DIY Eurorack kit, PCB and Panel, or built.

It is a unique module, like the Diode Chaos, because it has never existed as a musical instrument until now. There is also no other module to my knowledge that can do exactly what the Triple Cap can do. The circuit(with several modifications) is based on the paper "Simple Autonomous Chaotic Circuits" by J.C. Sprott and Jessica R. Piper. As opposed to the Diode Chaos that generates control voltage this module focuses on the audio rate.

The "Emanate" potentiometer controls the coarser overall spectrum of the chaos, from lots of activity counter clock wise up to less chaos and more of a steady oscillation. The "Width, CV ATT" potentiometer can be thought of as more of a fine control for the chaos/oscillator. When something is inserted into the "CV" in the voltage normalization from the width knob is broken and the potentiometer now acts as an attenuator for the incoming cv. The Triple Cap is not a traditional volt per octave exponential VCO, and has a sort of narrow frequency range to exploit the chaotic behavior.

It expects a +5v to -5v max signal in to modulate the chaos. The "IN" jack is an A.C. coupled input for audio in, although cv and audio can work for both the "CV" in jack and "IN." The "IN" will interfere and interact with the onboard chaotic oscillator depending on the frequency of the input, which may take some experimentation. It can create ring mod ish sounds, to added harmonics, to almost bit crushed sounds depending on the "X" or "Y" output. The "X" output is a more windy noisy sinusoidal based output and the "Y" output is more squared off and aggressive, harsher sounding output.

Some quirks about the Triple Cap: The "X" output can offset negatively or positively a little bit depending on the pot settings, but both outputs tend to stay around 10vpp. With the "Emanate" and "Width" pots all the way up the typical frequency will be around 150hz although some will reach 200hz at this setting. With the "Emanate" pot full counter clock wise "Width" pot full clock wise the frequency will be around 250hz. It is possible to send signals into the triple cap that can bring it out of the desired range causing the oscillation to cut out.

The Triple Cap has a double sided panel. meaning one side has the classic graphics and the other is Soulless with less graphics.

Notes: The Entropy Expander is a 3hp Analog Random Voltage Generator that expands upon the features of the Entropy Euroack Module. Available as a Eurorack DIY Kit, PCB and Panel, or Built Module.

The Entropy+Expander packs together some of the most random voltage options in 6hp. It provides a controllable "Glide"(slew) out for the S/T\H, a comparator with a controllable rate("Thrsh") of random gates("Rand Gate") out with an input to compare other waveforms(Comp In, inserting a cable into here breaks the white noise normalization), and high pass filtered white noise resulting in approximate "Blue noise" (+3db/octave) and "Violet noise"(+6db/octave) outs.

The unique part of the circuit is a voltage controlled A/B switch thats normalled to the "Rand Gate" out that's switching between the S/T\H out(left Blue led window)and Infra out(right Red led window), the Glide control also effects the S/T\H coming out of the switch so you can get really random results from the "Entropy Out." Inserting a cable into "Switch CV In" breaks the random gate normalization and lets you toggle between A/B(left S/T\H out and right Infra out, indicated by the led windows) with your own gate or trigger.

There is a jumper on the pcb to select if you want glide on the s/t\h at, Entropy out, or un-slewed operation. There is also a trimmer for setting the amplitude of the incoming signal at "Comp In" which sets the frequency range of random gates. This may have to be adjusted depending on your Entropy version.

The random gate range can also be set up more as a noise oscillator by turning the pcb trim(clockwise) up or it can be set so random gates are extremely slow(trim counter clockwise) with minutes between random gates.

Notes: The SVF is a 4hp 2 pole 12dB State Variable Filter Eurorack Module available as a Eurorack DIY Kit, PCB and Panel, or Built Module.

It provides Low Pass, Band Pass, and High Pass outs inspired by WASP and Thomas Henry filter topologies. The filter has 2 audio inputs, but channel 2 is jumper selectable between standard audio in or Ping-able operation. The 2019 revision also adds improved cutoff and resonance response and attenuversion through the ACV IN using the above pot. CV IN provides another unattenuated voltage input to modulate the frequency.

At the CV in, +10v will open the filter completely if the cutoff pot is CCW(counter clockwise). With the cutoff knob at noon the filter can be opened with +5v or closed with -5v. CV input at the ACV in is dependent on the CV attenuverter knob.

There are also several jumper selectable modes for max resonance, self oscillation or no oscillation based on the setting of the resonance pot. According to the jumper configuration, the filter is capable of clinical and clean, to juicy and drippy, to low pass gate sounding plonks, to screaming chaotic resonance. When set to self oscillation mode, the filter can produce a sine like wave with no input and a trapezoid like wave in the max resonance jumper setting. In max resonance mode, the filter output can exceed 10Vpp. On the newest version, there is a trimmer on the top pcb to set the lowest cutoff frequency.

The new black and white pcb/panel is reversible meaning, one side is classic (first picture) and the other side is soulless (second picture).

Notes: The Dual VCA is a 2hp 2 channel Analog VCA and Mixer Eurorack Module available as a Eurorack DIY Kit, PCB and Panel, or Built Module.

It is a DC coupled OTA(LM13700) Dual Linear VCA based on the same fabled design of the VnIcursal VCA. The 2 VCAs are summed together so it can be used as a voltage controlled mixer at the "SUM OUT" or all 3 outs can be used separately and simultaneously. 5 volts into the CV in will provide unity gain, anything above 5 volts can clip the input.

Review: Get your hands in the air and wave them about like you just don't care, because this is exactly the sort of tune that will make you do that. It's built on huge old school referencing breakbeats, with just as retro piano chords layered over the top. Add in some twitchy acid sounds, slamming drums and a lung-busting diva vocal and you have an irresistible, festival sized house anthem that will unite all dancers in raptures. On the flip is a dub for those who like something slightly more subtle, but it still bangs like a heavyweight with her back against the ropes.

Review: Bullion is a virtuoso pop producer who brings a different perspective. His 80s tinged poptimism has won him a hardcore fan base. He draws on dusky yacht pop, synth pop, blue eyed soul and fantasy sounds for his inspiration and distils them all into his own unique outlook. Here he makes a classy debut for US indie label Jagjaguwar and sets sail on the lullaby like 'Heaven Is Over. 'Strike A Light' brims with more lush melodies and retro-future sounds with his own vocals drifting up top. A real standout is the closer, 'Loving Furlong,' which is intimate and sincere and shows his songwriting at its best.

Review: Denial of Service's new album comes after a series of impressive EPs such as 2015's Sensou and 2017's Contour & Shape. The expanded format allows for a more adventurous and expansive sound, however, so across 15 tracks we really hear the producer open up. It is still the machine driven electro-funk sound you would expect, but with a broader array of moods and grooves and influences from IDM, techno and even EBM. There are widescreen cuts that free your mind next to more intense and claustrophobic cuts. Either way, it's a real masterclass.

Notes: Represent Serato with these fresh new 12" discs in easy-to-accessorize monochromatic color scheme, reversible goodness.

Review: Last spotted on Strictly 140's Overseas VA LP, Spanish new-gen bass chef serves up his biggest dish to date on Subaltern. Linking up with longstanding baron XL One for the opener, 'Cronauer'. Unhurried, twinkling but laced with a bitter bass bite, it sets the dark dream tone. 'Piranha Plant' and 'Dorsia' see Kodama going solo. The former is a woozy arpeggiated charmer that sits on the hip-hop side of the beat spectrum. The latter hums with similar melancholy but much more of an edge to the drums and that ominous waspy bass tone. Graveyard grooves.

Review: If you have ever tried to track down an original copy of this cult Northern Soul classic you will know it will cost you anywhere between L200 and L400 for the b-side, and around L80 for the a-side. They come from 1973 and 1967 respectively and are real classics of the genre now carefully, and cost-effectively, reissued by Deptford Northern Soul Club Records. The opening side is the sound of Jackie in fantastic form. 'Because Of You' is a truly pained tale of love that captures the intensity of such experiences perfectly.

Review: Instra:mental's Nonplus imprint are set to unleash US based producer ASC's debut album, Nothing Is Certain next month but first deliver a three track taster of this highly anticipated LP. "Phobos" sets industrial noises and sparse, dramatic tones as its backdrop but entwines electronic grooves and micro samples over the top to create his unusual but wholly captivating sound. "Oort Cloud" drops out into some cosmic, downtempo atmospheres of weightless space before "Matter of Time" explores wind-like sounds and melodies, deep oceans of bass and his intriguing use of Oriental sounding percussion. Once listen to this will have you holding your breath for July's LP.

Review: DJ Hunee afro monster gets an official repress for Hot Casa in France. Calling it massive would bit an understatement.

Review: To deliver their third release since debuting in 2018, from the less-than-prolific DXL Records has recruited Pressure Point, a producer who received plenty of praise for his earlier singles on Sol Asylum, Telharmonic Texture and All On Tape. The Wrong System EP is a quietly impressive return to form, with the little-known producer smoothly moving between intergalactic tech-house funk (the leaping, sci-fi sounds, shuffling drums and bubbly melodies of 'Timepiece'), mind-altering tech-house box jams (see 'Wrong Systems', with its chiming lead lines and hypnotic vibe), and tech-tinged deep house goodness ('Tom Cat'). The accompanying 'Spacetravel Mix' of 'Tom Cat' is also rather good, in part because it features what sounds like a broken modem having a meltdown over bustling machine drums, foreboding bass and soft-touch chords.

Review: A choice selection of four deep. sultry floorfillers from four different artists across this new 12" from 124 Recordings. 'Come To Me' by Chris Fry heads up the selection with sturdy four-to-the-floor foundations hinting a original US garage vibes, all embellished with classy, oozing strings and a stickier-than-gum vocal refrain. Heat Alliance's '74 Streets' is a tad slower and dubbier and as its title suggests, revels in its rude funk and sparkly disco influences processed through some subtly modern filtering action. 'Amsterdam' from Kit Mason combines tripper FX with an irresistible, chunky groove, reminiscent of the soulful delirium of Felix da Housecat's finer moments, while 'Bit Mania' by Nicola Brusegan draws proceedings to a close with a celebratory, summer-slanted slice of uplift built around a nifty 70s-style funky guitar lick. Lots of variety, but everything here is going to get feet headed towards the dancefloor without doubt.

Review: Following the skittering, syncopated arrangements and left-handed excursions of 'Aslohop' and 'Detrant' back in September, Ricardo returns to Rawax with two more broken rhythms. 'Neunachi' is a classic Villalobos wonky shuffer with off-grid kicks and a rainbow of wet, cavernous noises. Take away the demonic reverse vocals and you're in microhouse territory. 'Detrant' is a much more driven affair, up-tempo and thicker, electro kicks off-set by a far-away chant. Each cut going the full nine yards; if ever we've had time to truly lock in to Ricardo's famously enduring grooves, it's right now. Neun out of ten.

Notes: ZVERBZ is a collection of new stereo reverb algorithms for the Z-DSP. They range from typical reverbs to more complex effects that combine delay and pitch shifting with reverb. The effects are grouped by decades based on either the era an algorithm was introduced or the time when the effect was most popular. This variety of reverbs covers small to epic size spaces with the addition of shimmering, feedback tunneled pitch shifting, tape delay drivers, gated reverbs and a lot more. Analog clocking of the DSP chip and CV over the parameters enables even more experimentation. This is a collection inspired by the best from the past right at your fingertips.

Please note: The Z-DSP module is not included with this purchase- it is for demonstration purposes only.

Review: For many people, the wait for the latest Bond movie to finally be released after long Covid delays has been excruciating. But for a certain group of us, the soundtrack will always be more anticipated, especially when it is by a modern great like Hans Zimmer. On this one, the masterful composer captures all the glamour, danger, high drama, class and suspense you would expect, but all in his own unique way. Johnny Marr, who is also the featured guitarist on the album, helps with the score and of course Billie Eilish's electrifying title track 'No Time To Die' also makes the cut.

Review: Mulen main man IO has been surprisingly quiet this year following a stellar 2019 in which he released a quintet of must-check EPs. The good news is that the Meuse EP was worth waiting for. The A-side title track is a terrific example of the more robust, peak-time-friendly end of his style, with addictive riffs, spacey electronics and ricocheting percussion hits riding a storming, beefed-up tech-house groove. He begins the B-side with a deeper, loopier and hazier (but not less rhythmically driving) excursion - the disco-tech jack of 'Flirt', before reaching for swinging drums, alien-sounding motifs and warming chords on hypnotic closing cut 'Response Profonde'.

Review: Seminal Frankfurt imprint Mille Plateaux had a much anticipated reboot two years ago, with label owner Achim Szepanski overseeing a prolific and consistent quality of output - almost like that of his label's heyday in the early noughties. Its latest release is another great one which comes from Lena Saito, who debuted for the imprint earlier this year under her Galcid alias. Under her birth name on Downfall, she presents a collection of jagged and contorted IDM experiments co-produced by her husband, the veteran producer Hisashi Saito. Unscored and predominantly improvised, it is a sound best described by the label as 'something possibly making more sense to enlightened minds a thousand years in the future.'

Review: A Certain Ratio have returned with their most tight and funky album, possibly ever, recently, and it is steeped in 40 years of ACR DNA. Now you can grab two of the standout singles on this fine, limited edition white 7" thanks to Daniel Miller's essential Mute. Opener 'Berlin' is the second single from that album, ACR Loco, and has breezy vocals and Trillin riffs over tight drum work. 'Dirty Boy' is riddled with squelchy synth funk, with popping drums and a great vocal performance that will get any party vibing.

Review: Budapest based label Blunt Shelter Records serves up this gorgeous new 7" from the collaborative duo of BluntOne and Baen Mow. This pair really come correct with their next-level jazz and lofi hip hop sounds, with dreamy and heady and stoned ambient pads. First up is 'How I Feel (feat Georgia Anne Muldrow)', a late night and hazy joint for smoking to, 'Babylon Rots' is another wispy, emotive and barely-there joint that makes an indelible mark and instrumentals of each are also included. Hopefully we will hear lots more from this outfit in future.

Review: Let's take you back to the year 2000. A time when we'd all just realised the world wasn't ending (just yet, anyway), hopes for the future outweighed existential fears over what it might hold, and Granddaddy released The Sophtware Slump On A Wooden Piano to critical acclaim. As timely as they come, critics cited a meeting point where the death of the wild American frontier dream ran into the start of technologically-driven madness.

Both an outdated and perfectly fitting record for our times, or those times, like anything made well from wood the album hasn't really dated, but instead matured and taken on a life of its own. Coming at us with little else other than heart-wrenching ivories and Jason Lytle's lone, tender but not beaten voice, it's enough to inspire a serious emotional response in anyone. A lo-fi indie landmark worth revisiting.

Notes: Complete your content creation battlestation with this snazzy desktop boom arm. Simply clamp it to your desk, attach the mic, run your cable with the included straps and boom, you're good to go. Easy to adjust and Built-Like-a-Tank, this is a must have accessory for your EleMent mic.

It's the perfect companion for (almost) all EleMent microphones!

Compatible with: EM-91CU, EM-USB, Carbon

Please note: The microphone is not included in this purchase, it si shown for demonsatration purposes only.

Review: Six years is ages for a band to go without releasing an album or doing very much. But for AC/DC, whose work rate has always been ridiculously high, it's a very, very long time. Between then and now, the band lost their lead singer, Brian Johnson, to hearing difficulties in the middle of their last tour, and saw drummer Paul Rudd arrested in New Zealand for 'attempting to procure a murder'. Talk about impetus to finally call time.

But then these are the guys responsible for one of history's greatest heavy rock triumphs, 1980s's Back In Black, released just months after formative frontman Bon Scott tragically passed. So it's no surprise Power Up, another post-traumatic release albeit an act of reunification with now (relatively) healthy Johnson and innocent Rudd returning, is among their best in the 40 years since. A comeback record that sounds exactly like AC/DC should - ballsy, bluesy, boozy riffs.

Review: Six years is ages for a band to go without releasing an album or doing very much. But for AC/DC, whose work rate has always been ridiculously high, it's a very, very long time. Between then and now, the band lost their lead singer, Brian Johnson, to hearing difficulties in the middle of their last tour, and saw drummer Paul Rudd arrested in New Zealand for 'attempting to procure a murder'. Talk about impetus to finally call time.

But then these are the guys responsible for one of history's greatest heavy rock triumphs, 1980s's Back In Black, released just months after formative frontman Bon Scott tragically passed. So it's no surprise Power Up, another post-traumatic release albeit an act of reunification with now (relatively) healthy Johnson and innocent Rudd returning, is among their best in the 40 years since. A comeback record that sounds exactly like AC/DC should - ballsy, bluesy, boozy riffs.

Review: Ruriko Ohgami is a Japanese singer. She released two albums in 1978, Typhoon Lady and Dreamer From West. A repress of the former title is available now, considered 'a masterpiece of Japanese lady soul' that is still highly sought after 40 years since the original release. Typhoon Lady is testament not only to the new found popularity of Japanese music, but also as a result of Cut Creator$ and Muro's sampling of 'Sexy Woman' back in 2008. The price of the original release never ceases to soar on the secondhand market, so don't sleep on this one!

Review: Jeff Tweedy recorded Love Is The King in his Chicago home in April of 2020. All around him was a mixture of treasured instruments and loved ones which gave him some sense of normality at a time when the world around him was anything but. The record - a "beautifully honest ode to love and hope" - comes two years after his last and is full of warming, comforting folk and country songs with frayed edges and a live-in atmosphere. It's a record that offers musical solace and is another fine entry into Tweedy's rich discography.

Review: This must-check dinked 45 brings together two killer and influential jazz recordings from the early 1960s. On the A-side you'll find Yusuf Lateef's inspired cover of Alen North's 'Spartacus Love Theme', a shuffling, Latin-tinged, piano-laden affair that inspired many subsequent interpretations from fellow musical titans (think Ramsey Lewis, Carlos Santana, Eddie Harris and Bill Evans, for starters). It's an effortlessly breezy and life-affirming version that stands apart from the hard-bop jazz jams that Lateef was recording at the time. On the flip you'll find the scarce 7" edit of the Cannonball Alderley Sextet's recording of 'Brother John', a cool jazz interpretation that famously features a rare oboe solo from the track's composer (and Sextet member), Yusuf Lateef.

Notes: The Fold Processor is a voltage-controlled wave multiplier and sub-octave generator. The circuit is based on a classic diode design that adds odd harmonics by folding the incoming signal, followed by subdivided square waves.

The wave folder creates new waveforms from standard sine, triangle, sawtooth, and square waves and includes a CV input with an attenuator, making it very easy to create beautifully animated folding sounds. Adjustable voltage-controlled Inject alters the bias point creating an even wider palette of sounds.

The subdivide generator squares the fold output generating 4 more sounds spaced one octave apart, each with its own gain knob and mixed to the Subdivide output jack. Mixing the four can create anything from discordant square wave swarms to sweet harmonic oscillator stacks, from a stable square version of the folded wave to freaky PLL-like glitched slides.

Overall results can sound evil at times and sweet at others, a true multi-faced devil.

Size: 12HP
Depth: 31mm
Power: +12V 60ma / -12V 55ma

Review: Ace Records are she-pop experts who have kept a constant stream of high quality offerings from the 1960s coming. Featuring mostly British and American artists the label now widens its net to serve up a pair of high impact tunes from their well-received Ciao Bella! Italian Girl Singers Of The 1960s compilation CD. Brunetta's 'Baluba Shake' has big and cavernous drums, plucked guitar riffs and rollicking great chords next to lung-busting vocals. It's a real dancer. Things get more impassioned on the high speed funk chase that is Rita Pavone's 'Il Geghege.'

Review: Boy Pablo continues his mission to make us all nostalgic for our younger years with a track taken from this year's bubblegum album, Wachito Rico. 'Leave Me Alone' is enough to tell newcomers what they can expect from the full length release. Uptempo, melodic and polished to a fault, it's a timeless, chart-friendly, indie pop sound that has won over a huge following with its unabashed positivity, albeit the sentiments are apparently tied to the feeling disappointment when his parents suddenly making him leave a birthday party early.

Flip it and you find the laidback, smooth, R&B vibes of 'Be With Me', a song that didn't make it onto the LP itself but certainly would not have sounded out of place if it had. Cascading guitar harmonies and a stepping, shuffling beat, it owes plenty to the lo-fi electronic sexiness that has been pervading downtempo beats for years, but is far from a cheap knock-off.

Review: Landing on a hand-stamped, blue marble and limited edition 12" are four more deep and dubbed out house tunes from the latest instalment of Mireia's We'll Sea series. Das Komplex kicks off with a serious aqueous rhythm drenched in waves of synth with a pained vocal sample that really makes it stick in your mind. Tecwaa knocks it back even further to a slow motion underwater dub current that gently moves you to a state of bliss. 'Nebula' from Achim Maerz is more upright and upbeat, with bright chords shining through the vast groove caverns as neat chords dance up top. 'Sky Waves' closes out in warm, rough edged lo-fi deep house fashion.

Notes: Whether you're starting your first podcast, telling your YouTube subscribers about the latest trends, or running a program for your local volunteer radio station from your living room, you need a microphone that will bring your voice to your listener with clarity and warmth. The PD-70 is built to capture the spoken word cleanly and clearly while eliminating mechanical noise and breathiness that can get between you and your audience. Thanks to superior off-axis rejection, you can set up your broadcast studio in just about any space- and unwanted reverberance, electrical hum, and the random car driving by will be left behind, leaving only the pristine, natural sound of your voice.

Presonus are delighted to announce that the already fantastic value PD-70 Broadcast Microphone will, from now on, include over $1000 worth of free software upon registration.

When registered to your my.presonus account (serial number is on the base of the microphone above the XLR input), you will automatically receive a license for Studio One Prime and the Studio Magic Plugin Suite.

Technical specifications:

Acoustic Performance:

Capsule Type: Dynamic
Sensitivity: 1.6mV/Pa
Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Output Impendance: 350O

Review: Arturo Stalteri might be best known to many as a Philip Glass collaborator (Circles) and avid (and talented) adapter of Brian Eno's works. In truth, the former member of Italian avant-prog-rockers Pierrot Lunaire has amassed a pretty extensive body of music that's well worth spending some time pouring over, not least because he seems to throw himself into some pretty conceptual ideas.

This 1979 album was put together when he returned to Rome after two months in India, and while this might raise 21st Century eyebrows in a cultural appropriation way, when you press play nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, it seems to overflow with exoticism, but the largely-organ and piano driven ambient work here doesn't belong in any specific place. Instead, it just has the same sense of fantastical adventure that comes with finding somewhere new.

Review: D. Tiffany presents the third installment in Planet Euphorique's Tiny Planet series, with four choice cuts. First up are Canadian life collaborators Mutually Feeling (Ariana Molly & Pulsum) with the slo-mo hardcore of 'Gutted Honeydew' accompanied by an evocative vocal. Next up, fellow Montrealer Pascale Project brings the totally loved-up vibe of 'Fly Zone' which also features a talented singer. Things take a much darker turn on the flip, with some of the label boss's cohorts from Vancouver taking charge. First is Jodie Overland with the mental overdrive of 'Are You Done Yet?' followed by local minimal wave/industrial duo Sigsaly going out all guns blazing on the hard dance mayhem of 'Carve'.

Notes: Clever FM module that does digital-style through-zero FM using analogue circuits. Use any signals from other modules as your carrier and modulator, then phase modulate or wavefold in the FM Aid.

Supplier's Notes:
FM AID is a module designed to perform through-zero linear Frequency Modulation (FM) in the analog modular world. Any arbitrary signals can be used as a Carrier and Modulator. The module copies FM in how it is done in digital implementation, but in a completely analog circuit free of digital aliasing artifacts. Digital or software FM oscillators are mainly based on a ramp waveform which is then shaped to other waveforms. This is also represented in the FM AID module: sawtooth signal is expected on the Carrier input to give the indicated sine, triangle, sawtooth and square waveforms on the respective outputs. However the user is not limited to only use sawtooth for the Carrier and any other signal can be plugged giving many complex waveforms at the outputs.

All known FM tricks from digital implementation are also applied - you can endlessly experiment with the Carrier/Modulator frequency ratios, Modulation index (FM knob), Modulator's amplitude shaping (CV knob), feedback FM (output is fed back to the Modulator's input) and many other.
Carrier input has normalled connection to the Modulator's input. This internal routing is disconnected each time a plug is inserted in the Modulator's input. That is a handy option which allows the module to be used with only one signal source - this single signal will act as Carrier and Modulator at the same time. There won't be any frequency differences between Carrier and Modulator in this case, but many interesting wave folding sounds will be available anyway.

Technically speaking FM AID uses Phase Modulation, not Frequency Modulation. The sonic difference is that the produces sound is brighter.

SPECIFICATIONS

Carrier input level: -5V ... + 5V (can also accept inputs ranging from -1V ... +1V] to [-12V ...+12V] / [-15V ...+15V] using onboard trimmer)

Modulator input level: preferably -5V ... + 5V

CV input level: preferably -5V ... + 5V

outputs level: -5V ... + 5V

outputs impedance: 1 kOhm

module depth: 3 cm or 1,5 inches

power consumption: +45 /-45 mA at +/-12 Vdc, +50 /-50 mA at +/-15 Vdc

Review: If you like your tech-house off-kilter, spacey and rich in quirky, glitchy percussion programming, we'd suggest checking out this collaborative EP from Italian tech-house star Yaya and fellow countryman Nacho Bolognani. Opener 'Flan' is high-grade early morning tech-house, with deep space pads and gaseous electronic textures floating across gltch-laden late-night drums and a fine analogue bassline, while 'Tastic' is a funkier slab of intergalactic tech-house warmth. Over on the flip we're treated to two rock-solid re-rubs. First Mahony gives 'Tastic' a slicker, smoother feel (it reminded us of late 90s, Wiggle style tech-house) before Steve O'Sullivan provides a tougher, darker and more analogue rich revision of the same track.

Notes: A Digital DJ looking for a professional, durable case solution for your Novation Launchpad X controllers? Then look no further, UDG have developed a super light EVA Hardcase designed for life on the road. Constructed from durable lightweight compression moulded EVA material with a laminated nylon exterior these cases provides protection against drops, scratches & liquids. Skilfully designed & moulded to fit the Novation Launchpad X controllers, these cases are perfect for the travelling DJ that needs to protect their equipment.

Specifications:

Colour: Black
Weight: 0,99 kg / 2.178 lbs
Outer Dimensions (W x H x D) - cm: 30.2 x 30.2 x 4 | inch: 11.9 x 11.9 x 1.6
Material: Durashock molded EVA foam
Protection: Protective egg-crate foam prevent damage from vibrations & shocks

Soft fleece interior: Extra's
Easy grip zipper puller
Convenient carry handle
Fits Novation Launchpad X Controller

Please note: The Novation Launchpad X is not included in this purchase, it is shown for demonstration purposes only.

Notes: A Digital DJ/ Producer looking for a professional, durable case solution for your Universal Audio Apollo X4? Then look no further, UDG have developed a super light EVA Hardcase designed for life on the road. Constructed from durable lightweight compression moulded EVA material with a laminated nylon exterior these cases provides protection against drops, scratches & liquids. Skillfully designed & moulded to fit the Universal Audio Apollo X4, these cases are perfect for the travelling DJ/ Producer that needs to protect their equipment.

Color: Black
Weight: 0,77 kg / 1.694 lbs
Outer Dimensions (W x H x D): 27.8 x 20.2 x 7.6 cm | 10.9 x 7.9 x 2.9 inch
Inner Dimensions (W x H x D): 23.8 x 16.2 x 6.6 cm | 9.4 x 6.4 x 2.6 inch
Material: Durashock molded EVA foam
Protection: Soft fleece interior
Extra's:
Heavy-duty handle
Convenient carry handle
Easy grip zipper puller

Fits Universal Audio Apollo X4

Please note: The Audio Apollo X4 is not included in this purchase, it is shown for demonstration purposes only.

Review: Hanagasumi is the word that is used in Japan for when all the cherry blossom appears in bloom and looks from afar like a white mist. It is a fitting title for this EP of delicate deep house, gorgeous melody and spiritual vibes. After the crystal clean and cleansing 'Above Fuji' there is the perfectly titled 'Naive Piano' and dreamy ambient house of 'Nocturne'. 'Eco Line; heads off on a slender electro groove into a place of astral melody and 'Tune For Relaxation' baths you in lush chords and meditative moods before 'Sydgo' wraps up the whole perfect experience with more delightfully elegant and majestic melodic house.

Review: The acclaimed Kito Jempere joins Cherrystones and DJN4 on the label for 2020, with an album full of international minds. Working with array of collaborators across a cast of friends including Jimi Tenor, Wolfram, Hard Ton, Lipelis, Rich Thair (Red Snapper), Ruf Dug, Cedric Gasaida (Azari & III) and many more, presenting this, his third long play.

A hail of freedom of thoughts and voices before these changed times, recorded and shared across continents. Kito - following releases with DFA, Lo Recordings, Bordello A Parigi, Hell Yeah and Duca Bianco - acts as curator rather than conductor, the idea not to transform the contributions but allow them absolute.

Sending music and receiving back, nothing was touched to keep the truth and honour. From Tokyo to London, Berlin to his base in St Petersburg, trusting the chosen artists led to a broad palette, as his 4/4 driven funk expands with Jazz horns to Motorik percussion, Avant-Reich vocals to White Isle melodies, J Pop Balearics to Chanson stories wrapped around Club memories.

A true world meeting, crossing borders and genres. An eye on the dance floor and week long chill outs. With remixes from the likes of Samo DJ, Lipelis, Cable Toy and more to follow, this is more than Yet Another Kito Jempere Album.

Review: Summer is but a distant memory in real terms, but in musical terms we can bring back the sunshine whenever we fancy. And that's what Marc Roberts does and then some here with four poolside classics. They follow on from Austin Ato's smasher for the label's first release in fine style with opener 'Jogging Back 2 U' full of bendy bass and heart-wrenching vocals. 'Foolio Paradiso' then layers up glossy chords and retro twins stabs with a sentimental r&b vocal that brings the love. The late night cool of 'Foolio Paradiso' has an exotic feel that will have you reaching for the cocktails and last of all '1&O' brings the funk.