Crucial Material – January 19, 2018

This week brought some killer releases and compilations all across the board.

From Broken Beat to Ambient, Funk to Experimental, Afro-Latin House to Electro, these are the releases that stood out for us. There’s a little something for everyone, so let’s get into it!

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XL Middleton “G-Funk Vibes Vol. 2”

MoFunk label boss brings the second instalment of his mixtape series which works to bridge the gap between the original G-Funk sound and today’s Modern Funk scene with some gems sourced from his own vinyl stash. From the start of Side A to the end of Side B you’ll find nothing but heat. XL truly captures the essence of the era by selling the mix on a limited run of cassettes which will be shipping out next week. Don’t sleep on this one!
-Selected by Mike Jones
Purchase Album

 

K15 “Sunbeams” (EP on Eglo Records)

K15 returns to Eglo Records with some lovely Jazz-Fusion inspired Broken Beat joints. Even though it’s mid-January these 3 tracks are just oozing the sunny vibes out of the speakers and the bass bins! Available on crisp 10” vinyl and digital too. In a word: Fusion of Fusions!
-Selected by Lexis
Purchase EP

 

Matthewdavid “Time Flying Beats” (Leaving Records)

Tune in and drop out with these bent-out-of-this-world tracks beamed in from Leaving Records’ label-boss Matthewdavid. As always, his signature lo-fi style sounds as if a treasure trove of dusty cassettes were launched from an escape pod into a black hole, only to be radio’d back to Earth by an unknown species from a completely different universe.
-Selected by Mike Jones
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Penya “Super Liminal” (On The Corner)

After a string of singles and EPs, London’s Penya share their fantastic debut LP via On The Corner Records. A nice combination of dusty electronic sonics mixed with natural instruments which create an earthy yet forward thinking experience. The songs remain melodic while maintaining danceable rhythms making it perfect for selectors and listeners alike!
-Selected by Mike Jones
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Gantz – Dying on Acid (EP on Deep Medi Musik)

It’s the return of the inimmitable Gantz with his 4th EP for Mala’s legendary Deep Medi Musik. The guy is criminally underrated. If you’ve never heard of him think Dabrye making a track with Kode 9. Play as loud as possible.
-Selected by Lexis
Purchase EP

 

Compilation for Dominica (Rhythm Section)

The Rhythm Section imprint presents a stellar compilation featuring a whopping 28 artists all uniting behind a common cause: the rebuilding of Dominica after the deadly Hurricane Maria. Several of our favourites on there from Duke Hugh, Ruf Dug to EVM 128 as well as some new talents too! In a word: Jam-Packed Package
-Selected by Lexis
Purchase Album

RGL “Machine Love” (EP on Breaker Breaker)

This three-track EP by Tokyo-based producer and Cosmopolyphonic collective member RGL corrals a diverse, attitudinal and engrossing release that connects the dots between electronic music and the Modern Funk movement. The project is self-described as hazy acid soaked melodies that melt over astral House breaks, when actually the exoskeleton is built from the early 1980’s Minneapolis sound.
-Selected by Channel Subtext
Purchase EP

 

Dayme Arocena – Yambu / Joe Claussel Remix (Brownswood)

Pure class! Legendary NYC DJ/Producer Joe Claussell takes the Cuban singer on a tribal and soulful trip to the dance floor. Reminiscent of the late ’90s, early 2000s NYC Afro-Latin House sound that you could find on labels like Spiritual Life, Shelter, MAW. Uplifting!
-Selected by Lexis
Purchase 12″

 

Pendant “Make Me Know You Sweet” (West Mineral Music)

Pendant aka Huerco S. launches his own imprint West Mineral Music with “Make Me Know You Sweet”, a seven-tracker which traverses minimal soundscapes that will tickle the ears of any minimal Ambient fan out there. Regarding the new imprint Huerco S. says it “aims to release everything except the commonly accepted, traditional forms of late 20th/early 21st-century dance music”. Keep it on the radar!
-Selected by Mike Jones
Purchase Album

Stay tuned for a new batch of selections and essentials coming next Friday!