Jo Johnson Hilary Robinson
Session One

This December, 2020 offers us a gift in the form of ‘The Inner Space’ LP from Moscow based artist, designer, DJ, music producer and live performer, Finetune known for his affiliation with the Slowdance label and event organisation.The LP will be spread across vinyl, and digital (free download on the Finetune Bandcamp) in two parts. An immerseful experience that not only strains the boundaries of sound, but also visually as real name Michael Dop fuses his eclectic talents with sound and art accompanying the album by creating the full visual concept.The Finetune project was initiated in 2018, creating poetry via his modular and fm synthesizers, upright piano, sampers, gong, drum machines, groove boxes, and different percussion instruments, all being utilised here across “The Inner Space” release.

2019 was the year of breakthrough for Amsterdam-based talent and De Lichting staple Eversines. Continuing on his ascension, we’re chuffed to welcome him to the fold with ‘Plooi’ – a stupendous mini sonic odyssey of sorts, taking us from vaporous skylines to brightly hued seascapes. Both captivatingly melodic and kinetic to the full, the four tracks composing the backbone to Eversines’ new jaunt into elegiac dance territories work their magic in the gap betwixt zen-like atmospherics, velveteen acid, sun-bleached electro and chiseled breaks that step up to the plate.Whilst the OG version of ‘Plooi’ eases us into a shape-shifting environment, swinging the pendulum between nu-age infused / Sino-flavoured harmonics, lysergic bass phrasing and muscular breaks straight out the UK rave scene’s heyday, the remix from Oceanic alters the original into a subaquatic dub weapon, navigating its way across frothing and bubbling synth lines to emerge in geysers of thermal bleeping and rhythmic outbursts. A more jacking affair, ‘Efbol’ carves out a lane of its own in between angular techno and playful, retro-laced electronica a la KLF meets James Holden in his ’Idiots Are Winning’ days. Completing the set on a more understated note, ‘Missing’ in collaboration with RDS promises to fill your headspace with thoughts of beauty and quiet. Merging FX-dipped piano chords, laid-back junglism and heavily verbed-out envelopes to form a well unique piece of ambient lushness, Eversines ushers us into a world of vibrant musical rapture, nestling away from standardized tropes and patterned behaviours.

Side A begins the release with a breezy opening track by highly regarded and Berlin based artist, Soela. ’Fledgling’, is a perfect blend of tech and melodic chord highlights that every DJ appreciates in their hands to open a set. Next, we have Dawn Razor, who hails from Russia. ’Calm Storm’ is the perfect name for this uptempo foray into peak-time techno where unusual and exciting sounds balance a minimalistic banger that somehow rides a gentle wave of restfulness.Side B features Greek producer Stelios Vassiloudis on the first track titled ’Live in Fear’. The un-nerving mechanical feel of this track is sure to turn some heads. Its pronounced beat and constant dub-chord interference aggressiveness is turned up to level 10 in this epic piece creating a dancefloor monster. Lastly, ’Elusive’ is the contribution from Russian duo Semitone Cycles. Anton Lanski and Simon P offer the strongest builder on the EP. Well-placed sounds accentuate the catchiness of the track that just gets better and better with each play. Veteran Icelandic but Copenhagen-based techno figurehead Bjarnar Jonsson, is the brains behind the Ohm Series.

Telephasycx! bring their chaotic, noise-fuelled sound to BT.Fusing industrial influences with Doppler electro, Spherical Coordinates sees the Spanish duo coming forward with 4 tracks of undistilled tension.With previous releases on their own Rator Mute label. Telephasycx! have made a name for themselves with their dissonant, chaotic live shows.

M.A.P. pays homage to the late great DJ P-Dog, one half of D.I.E, with a True Detroit Story. Two versions of a 313 tale as told by P-Dog, with an additional Maaco instrumental. Also comes with a bonus banger in the form of You Gone Get Down. Essential!

Idris Bena with the repress of his full length album on Forest Ill.x