Eversines
Achterna

After a short break, renowned underground label Bass Culture is back. The outlet has been a source of high quality electronic music since 2009, building a solid reputation over the past 13 years. Label boss D’Julz leads the charge with the first Bass Culture EP since mid-2021.The Est. 1992 EP sees the seasoned Parisian delving into his own history to produce four cuts that epitomise the sounds present in the early nineties, all wrapped up in contemporary packaging, so they sound fresh, polished and vibrant.The EP kicks off with ‘Highway’, which merges a 4×4 beat with rolling breaks. A funky bassline drops in along with a vintage melody. As the track develops, D’Julz adds more layers to create a symphony of retro sounds, all bouncing off each other to produce a delightful, uplifting cut.Next up, ‘Your Mom’s Fav DJ’ also utilises breakbeats to drive the track forward, with a solid groove undulating in the low end. Sultry pads add depth, while Rhodes keys usher in the jazzy second half after a short breakdown. A smooth, mesmerising cut full of flavour. The title track begins with a mysterious riff, gradually introducing that iconic nineties organ to form the bassline. The atmosphere is enchanting, D’julz building the tension and energy with a considered approach. A cut that has a relatively simple arrangement, which creates maximum impact as it hypnotises the listener with its mystical allure.Lastly, ‘SFUMATO’ closes the EP with a touch of high class funk. This is deep house with funkadelic rhythms straight out of the seventies era. The track emanates warmth, wrapping you up in its smooth, comforting composition. A great finale for an EP that epitomises the depth and range of Bass Culture… And we’re back.

Nostalgia is a hell of a drug. No one in particular is renowned for that cliched statement, but when something is so universal, who cares who said it? And is there anything more nostalgia inciting than a blurry film, bursting with colours but aged just perfectly so that you know, it's from a past which will never return. Het Jaarronde, a 1977 short film by Dutch amateur filmmaker Jan van Keulen is a picture perfect study of Dutch rural life. Filmed at an observer's distance it, as the title states, follows the Netherland's throughout the year. It's not bombastic and grand like 1967's John Fernhout film, Sky Over Holland. Instead it's modest, even shy, as if afraid to document too much because to document means to acknowledge change and loss. For the second time, Nous'klaer and The Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision's RE:VIVE initiative have teamed up for a split 12" featuring two new film scores of Nous'klaer staple, Mattheis and newcomer Ranie Ribeiro. Each artist was given half the film to compose for, resulting in two sonically disparate pieces that are emotionally twinned. Mattheis offers a lush, heart melting wave of pianos and synths and field recordings to appease his own inner-nostalgia, as the images struck an immediate chord with his childhood and youth in Goeree Overflakkee, South-Holland. Ranie Ribeiro, known under his solo moniker for his slamming chopped beats and earlier club oriented releases as D-Ribeiro unveils his talents as a harpist for the first time. His work, is an encapsulation of a calm autumn day. A work in the present rather than a reflection on the past. But as the day fades into night, one can't wish for it to stay, just a little bit longer, because who knows what tomorrow is going to bring?

Over several landmark EP's LONDON MODULAR ALLIANCE have established themselves as the premiere Electro act in modern electronica. Their distinctive blend of classic Electro and state-of-the-art modular synth techniques combine to create an innovative hybrid style all of their own. ART Records are immensely proud to present the long-awaited debut album from this unique talent. Presenting for the first time their vision of modern electronica over a double slice of vinyl, LMA stretch out to encompass not only their trademark bone-rattling dark electro rhythms but also haunting ambient interludes and sublime IDM.

Making their return with further innovative output this Spring is Bucharest based outfit, VARME, a label curated and cared for by, Paul Popa. Crafting the seventh release on the label is the incredibly talented beat maker, Maximo. The Uruguayan’s “XKP” EP meanders through low end leaning electro, and intelligently arranged spaced out techno, rough and ready for the club.Title track “XKP” moves in mechanical motions, chugging by as trippy beeps and bleeps make themselves known. Futuristic elements breathing life into the chunky drums. The A2 “Trip To the Moon” teeters on the fine line of techno, and trance, sitting comfortably between the two, blasting you with dusty nostalgia from records of the past but maintaining the modern twist Maximo consistently captures.On the flipside delving deeper into the mind of Maximo is “1945” is a sleek and crisp trip, a punchy kick and ice cold hi-hats drive the groove. The vocal sample used fits perfectly, transcending the listener as it continues to flash in and out. Closing 007 is “Sinrazón” a curious journey through shimmering pads and synths, teasing you down a path of mystery with the dark bassline that simmers throughout.Solid impressions from a label that continue to propel their distinguished energy, showing no signs of slowing down, continuing to become somewhat of a diggers paradise with their catalogue. VARME are not afraid to push music they believe in, never taking the restraints of genre on their shoulders. Whilst not making music Maximo is helping steer the ship at Deeper, a collective who share their musical vision in their native country of Uruguay.

Best Effort dives deeper into the archives of Anthony Maher (Sheriff Lindo) and Andrew Armstrong aka Nutcase & Papachubba. Reissued as a 7 inch, these two tracks see the duo blending their diverse range of shared influences, stepping outside of the Drum & Bass and Jungle blueprint that they carved out for themselves for their singular full-length release, ‘Flex’.

Utter presents the second full-length album by enigmatic duo Vādin - a collaboration between sound artists and performers Christian Duka and Lucie Štepánková (aka Avsluta). “Black Tortoise” is a voyage accompanied by the uncanny, the shadow-dwelling specters and arcane symbolism derived from ancient Chinese astronomy.“Astrologia” opens the album with an eerie torrent of droning voices and glassy, percussive interventions, leading into the patiently unfolding opening of the “The Presence” with it’s ominous narrative riding the swelling, thunderous rhythms culminating in swarms of hallucinatory chaos. The doom of “Calliope” follows, infused with cavernous, beastly vocalisations which lure the listener into “The Furnace”, a drowsy kaleidoscope of rhythms weaved together with Štepánková’s mother-tongue narration. And further on still, into the make-believe world conjured up by the buzzing and swarming objects overheard on “Plateau”.Available on limited vinyl and digital formats. A special fold-out pamphlet is included with physical copies.Spoken word by Lucie Štepánková. Mixed at SAE Institute by Christian Duka and mastered by Rashad Becker at Clunk. Transferred and cut by Helmut Erler at D&M.Artwork designed by Marco Maldarella.