TITLES COMING SOON FROM ABOVE BOARD

RELEASES FROM LOVEHRTZ, ESP INSTITUTE, CLASSIC & MORE!

View this list on the website with audio and pre-order information ➠

Download a CSV order sheet of all the releases in this email ➠

HOUSE

LoveHrtz

LoveHrtz Vol. 4

LoveHrtz

LVHRTZ004

12"

£7.99

Nic Fanciulli

Sure Do

Hot Creations

HOTC225

12"

£7.99

Floorplan

The Curse Breaker / What You Need

Classic

CMC381

12"

£7.99

YokoO

You

SATYA

SATYA013

12"

£8.99

Aroop Roy

Re Bulele EP (Incl. FNX Omar Remix)

Freerange Records

FR294

12"

£7.99


ESP INSTITUTE

Bartellow

Noosphere

ESP Institute

ESP104

2 x 12"

£17.49


CROSSTOWN REBELS

Various Artists

Crosstown Rebels present SPIRITS VI

Crosstown Rebels

CRMLP052

2 x 12"

£13.99


ELECTRO / TECHNO

Various Artists

Needs Vol. 1

Unlimited Happiness Records

UH003

12"

£7.99

Lost Souls Of Saturn

Reality

Holoverse Research Labs

HRLLP001

LP

£11.99

Paranoid London

Arseholes, Liars, and Electronic Pioneers

Paranoid London Records

PDONLP003

2 x 12"

£15.49


OPTIMO 25 (PART 1 & 2)

Optimo, Various Artists

Optimo 25 (Part 1)

Above Board Projects

OPTIMO2501

2 x 12"

£16.99

Optimo, Various Artists

Optimo 25 (Part 2)

Above Board Projects

OPTIMO2502

2 x 12"

£16.99


REPRESSES

CODE 6 (JOEY BELTRAM)

UNTITLED EP

Midnight Drive

DRIVE005

12"

£6.49

TAXI C.A.B.

SON OF A BEATNIK

House Jam

HJA9430

12"

£7.49

FRANÇOIS K.

FK-EP

Wave Music

50004-1

12"

£6.99

EARTH, WIND AND FIRE

BRAZILIAN RHYME / RUNNIN' (RE-EDITED BY DANNY KRIVIT)

CBS

ABEWAF001

12"

£7.99

Various Artists (Dennis Ferrer / Kings of Tomorrow / Fatboy Slim)

EP3

Defected

DFTD567

12"

£6.99

Roberto Surace

Joys (Inc. OFFAIAH / Purple Disco Machine / Todd Terry Remixes)

Defected

DFTD585R

12"

£7.99




Releases in detail:

HOUSE

Artist LoveHrtz
Title LoveHrtz Vol. 4
Label LoveHrtz
Cat No LVHRTZ004
Format 12"
Price £7.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 16/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [House]

Track Listing

A. Waiting For Your Love

B. Waiting For Your Love (Dub)

Description

After a hiatus of nearly two years, LoveHrtz return with another prime-time slice of disco drenched house grooves on their vinyl only label. ‘Waiting For Your Love’ comes laced with a soulful vocal, deep organ work and pacey garage drums, with an alternate Dub Mix to be found on the flip.

LoveHrtz Vol. 4 offers up another indispensable party starter that demands quick attention, with previous LoveHrtz vinyl runs selling out in days and racking up silly Discogs prices, so as the saying goes, “you snooze, you lose”!

LoveHrtz “LoveHrtz Vol. 4” is released on 12” vinyl only from 9th February 2024.

HOUSE

Artist Nic Fanciulli
Title Sure Do
Label Hot Creations
Cat No HOTC225
Format 12"
Price £7.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 01/03/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [House] [Tech House]

Track Listing

A. Sure Do

B. We R Bass

Description

House music veteran Nic Fanciulli returns to Hot Creations with ‘Sure Do’, marking the release of his first EP on the illustrious label.

With a myriad of projects on his plate, from commanding residencies at iconic venues such as Space Ibiza and Ushuaïa, to heading up his longstanding Saved Records imprint and championing talents like Dennis Cruz, Hot Since 82 and Francisco Allendes, it’s evident why Nic Fanciulli continues to stand as a beacon of undeniable influence and success within the electronic sphere. Having appeared as a remixer Hot Natured famed ‘Benediction’ in 2014, the Grammy-nominated DJ/producer and label boss joins the Hot Creations family with original material for the first time, with his wealth of experience shining through across ‘Sure Do’.

Honouring a classic, ‘Sure Do’ brings disco influences and pure house rhythms, diving into mammoth basslines and a thundering drum groove to present a masterclass in dancefloor euphoria. Keeping the vibes high and vibrant, ‘We R Bass’ concludes with thick kickdrums, warped vocal chops, and twisting synth patterns before unfolding into a mesmerizing trip.

HOUSE

Artist Floorplan
Title The Curse Breaker / What You Need
Label Classic
Cat No CMC381
Format 12"
Price £7.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 23/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [House] [Soulful House]

Track Listing

A. The Curse Breaker

B. What You Need

Description

Robert and Lyric Hood aka Floorplan return to Classic with two-track release ‘The Curse Breaker / What You Need’, further demonstrating their unique gospel house sound. With their growing catalogue of previous Classic releases gaining extensive club support from tastemakers such as Dan Shake, TSHA, Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler to name a small few, as well as widespread specialist radio support, the appetite for Floorplan’s Classic output is evident. Now the father and daughter duo return with another adventurous vocal sample for their latest release; ‘The Curse Breaker’ combines a religious sermon with expertly produced house, building from a small flame to its euphoric, blazing climax. Next up, ‘What You Need’ displays the duo’s disco influences with a heavy dose of classic 20th century soul.

HOUSE

Artist YokoO
Title You
Label SATYA
Cat No SATYA013
Format 12"
Price £8.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 09/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Deep House] [House]

Track Listing

A1. When I Wake Next To You

A2. Promise I'll Slap Ya

B1. I Want More Of You

B2. I Want More Of You (Superlounge Remix)

Description

Fresh off the press, YokoO's latest release "You" sets the perfect mood for winter nights and summer days.

With three solid deep groovers, "whether it's the afternoon, evening, early night, or early morning the day after, there should be something for everyone to dig into on this record," says YokoO, speaking about the diverse appeal of the EP.

Adding to the allure of the package is the liquid smooth remix by the talented Düsseldorf duo Superlounge. Their unique touch infuses the release with an extra layer of sophistication, making it an essential addition to any Satya music lover's collection.

HOUSE

Artist Aroop Roy
Title Re Bulele EP (Incl. FNX Omar Remix)
Label Freerange Records
Cat No FR294
Format 12"
Price £7.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 02/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Afro House] [Deep House] [House]

Track Listing

A1. Mama Mwana

A2. Re Bulele ft. Fox Meropa (FNX Omar Remix)

B. Re Bulele ft. Fox Meropa

Description

Aroop Roy’s star is deservedly in the ascendancy! As one of London’s most exciting selectors, he’s managed to position himself in the sweet spot of being the DJ’s DJ and causing wild scenes wherever he plays, with headline grabbing sets at Defected Croatia, We Out Here, Gilles Peterson’s Worldwide and many more.

As a producer, musician and label owner, he continues to excel, armed with a vast knowledge of outernational sounds, from rare African disco, jazz, funk, to house, UKG and seemingly everything in-between. His open-minded approach has led to brilliant releases and remixes for labels as diverse as Soundway, Heavenly Sweetness, Permanent Vacation, Club Bad, Delusions of Grandeur, Atjazz Recordings and his own Vive La Musique imprint.

Having played a few gigs together, it was only a matter of time before Jimpster convinced Aroop to get an EP together for Freerange and the resulting Re Bulele EP couldn’t be any more satisfying!

Leading the charge, 'Mama Mwana' captivates with entrancing thumb piano loops and a traditional African vocal all propped up by a subtle yet chunky house beat to lock the dancers in.

'Re Bulele' features the hypnotic vocals of Botswana native Fox Meropa. Aroop masterfully combines a deep, techy Afro House groove with glassy synth pads to form a stripped back instrumental with the vocals front and centre. Seemingly disparate elements shine on this wonderful alternative to the deluge of maximal Afro House tracks being released these days.

Moroccan producer FNX Omar delivers the goods with a sublime remix of Re Bulele. Creating tension with layers of looping vocals along with a rolling, percussive groove. Like the original, this remix transcends genres and will create special moments on the dancefloor, whether it be in a dark, sweaty basement or daytime festival in the sunshine.

ESP INSTITUTE

Artist Bartellow
Title Noosphere
Label ESP Institute
Cat No ESP104
Format 2 x 12"
Price £17.49
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 02/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Classical] [Modern Classical]

Track Listing

A1. Grana

A2. Vorsichtig - Mutiger - Verloren

A3. The Idea Of A Horizon

A4. View From My Parents House

B1. Folie

B2. X-Pulse

B3. Ungeheuer Ist Vieles

B4. Seance

B5. Nexus II On The Beach

B6. Langsame Bewegung

B7. Zwischen Luft

C1. Chez Charles

C2. P-Analyse

C3. La Caduta Degli Dei

C4. Aavikon (No Water)

C5. что такое человек

D1. Dark Matter Art Cabinet

D2. Hatch On A Hunch

D3. Theban Constitutional

D4. Kismet

D5. No Noosphere

Description

ESP Institute artist Bartellow, one third of the project Tambien and otherwise known in the Contemporary Classical sphere as Beni Brachtel, returns to the label with his second full-length release, Noosphere. While currently heading the SVS label and residency series out of Munich, Beni’s resume expands well beyond electronic music to include immersive sound installations such as The Adven- ture Of The Empty House (solo live performance across seven floors of Walter Henn’s Deckelbau building), a slew of compositions for the Bavarian State Opera (for which he doubled as conductor), and a prolific career of over twenty-five theater scores for institutions such as the Münchner Kammerspiele, Schauspiel Basel, Maxim Gorki Theater Berlin, Berliner Ensemble, Schauspiel Köln, Schaus- piel Graz and with directors Ersan Mondtag, Alexander Eisenach, Jessica Glause and Tobias Staab among others.

Noosphere is a compendium excerpting from theatrical scores WUT (Elfriede Jelinek, at Schauspielhaus Köln, directed by Ersan Mondtag, 2020), Ödipus and Antigone (Maxim Gorki Theatre Berlin, directed by Ersan Mondtag, 2017), Der Zauberberg (Thomas Mann, Schauspiel Graz, directed by Alexander Eisenach, 2017), Hass Tryptichon (Sybille Berg, Wiener Festwochen / Maxim Gorki Theatre, directed by Ersan Mondtag, 2019), Wonderland Ave. (Sibylle Berg, Schauspielhaus Köln, directed by Ersan Mondtag, 2018), Die Verdammten (after Visconti ́s film, Schauspielhaus Köln, directed by Ersan Mondtag, 2019) and Roi Ubu (Alfred Jarry, Theater Neumarkt, Zurich, directed by Alexander Eisenach, 2018).

The work traverses homages, infusing everything from Baroque to Impressionism, and while these types of references are certainly built into the canon of Theatre as a discipline, here we gather histor- ic layers in an even wider net. Under the self-referential thumb of Contemporary Classical music, this sort of "hindsight" approach has been largely avoided, however, in today’s all-access arena, the constant stream of historic causal-chained events has opened a delta where anything is possible. This defines Bartellow’s stance among his colleagues as well as his cultural position as a composer.

Beni considers beauty a fleeting objective in the arts, that expression is often expected to follow notions of Destructivism or the unfulfilled. Art will pore over wounds, collective angst, mourn- ing a loss of natural habitat or a fear of technological invasion, yet there is a bitter irreverence for the friction or salvation in beauty itself. Acknowledging this subjectivity — what one audience considers superficial pleasure may be deeply profound to another — he leans into musical instinct as if composing via divine conduit.

Noosphere conjures a array of suspense, ecstasy, melancholy, and dread, but in isolating the work from its theatrical component, Brachtel directs our focus toward formal qualities, clearing unim- peded space to conceive fresh narratives and examine dynamism and interconnectivity. In sympathy with often difficult theatre pieces, the passages can be dark and transgressive, but more importantly they remain relative to Brachtel’s circumstances at their time of creation. The title Noosphere speaks to the evolution of human thought and knowledge, opening a door to subjective points-of-view. For example, Nexus II On The Beach refers to both Roberto Musci’s Water Messages On Desert Sand as well as the film Bladerunner, invoking the image of an android enjoying the sunset, but whether or not this abstraction may be considered beautiful depends the listener’s cumulative life experience and perspective.

This is hybrid chamber music, augmented by electro-acoustic layers, juxtaposing various periods and successively processing their residual themes into a trans-generational rendering of “now.”

CROSSTOWN REBELS

Artist Various Artists
Title Crosstown Rebels present SPIRITS VI
Label Crosstown Rebels
Cat No CRMLP052
Format 2 x 12"
Price £13.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 02/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Deep House] [House] [Tech House]

Track Listing

A1. Cameron Jack - The Vision

A2. Chris Bowl - Silent Plain

B1. Lauren Lane - Fair Game

B2. Marc Lenz - People Are People

C1. Cristina Lazic & Leia Contois - So Deep

C2. Iñigo Vontier - That Trippy Sound

D1. AJ Christou - Back & Forth

D2. TMPLE - The Girl In The Room

Description

Damian Lazarus presents the sixth volume of his Crosstown Rebels SPIRITS compilation series, boasting an impressive lineup of Lauren Lane, Cristina Lazic, AJ Christou, TMPLE and more.

Since its debut in 2017, Damian Lazarus’ annual ‘SPIRITS’ series on Crosstown Rebels has been a beacon for breakthrough artists, setting the label’s agenda for the year ahead. The sixth instalment in February is another meticulously curated lineup with ‘SPIRITS VI’ featuring a blend of new and recognisable talents, including Lauren Lane, Cristina Lazic, Iñigo Vontier, AJ Christou and many more.

London-based talent Cameron Jack kicks off what looks set to be a breakout year with ‘The Vision’, a bubbly and tropical cut with cosmic synths and loose, jumbled rhythms. Chris Bowl then brings his emotional style to the deep, rolling beats and fresh melodies of ‘Silent Plain’, while NY-born, LA-based house tastemaker Lauren Lane layers in smoky pads and tender whispers to her sublime deep house cut, ‘Fair Game.’ Next, German talent and Degree Records head Marc Lenz brings darker vibes to his track ‘People Are People’, while Rebellion artist Cristina Lazic and previous Lazarus collaborator Leia Contois combine for the alluring vocal soul and gritty minimal drums of ‘So Deep’.

Mexican Iñigo Vontier is a pioneer in his homeland after crafting a global reputation, and his twisted synths, shiny
textures and steely drums on ‘That Trippy Sound’ prove why as they work you into a trance. Next is influential Manchester-based DJ/producer AJ Christou, who has released on the likes of Hot Creations and Cuttin’ Headz. His track ‘Back & Forth’ brings an infectious groove with plenty of flair and catchy drum funk, before TMPLE shuts things down with the deft, airy grooves and floating bass of ‘The Girl In The Room’, complete with its tender male vocals.

At the forefront of electronic innovation, Crosstown Rebels stands as a pivotal platform and record label, reflecting the genre’s diversity and housing an impressive roster that includes renowned artists and household names like Art Department, Maceo Plex, and Jamie Jones. With sub-labels Rebellion and Secret Teachings in tow, the imprint consistently and continuously expands its musical canvas, creating an immersive landscape for leading and emerging talents to thrive.

The elegant ‘Mundo’ channels the machine soul of early Detroit techno, before ‘Mangabeira Manifesto’ featuring Dudu Bongo layers up wonky drums and bass with curling, soft acid sounds and a playful vocal line. ‘Triple Frontier’ picks up the pace and heads out on a high-speed cosmic house journey, all before ‘Overture’, another far-sighted astral trip with starry melodies and rich, rubbery bass, closes the package in fine style.

An expressive and adventurous yet coherent long player with a range of moods, feelings and grooves taking you to all corners of the house world, ‘Vista’ showcases Dabo’s most in-depth project to date and an album which provides the perfect platform for him to display his rich sonic universe.

ELECTRO / TECHNO

Artist Various Artists
Title Needs Vol. 1
Label Unlimited Happiness Records
Cat No UH003
Format 12"
Price £7.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 14/06/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Electro] [Techno]

Track Listing

A1. Lamont Stigler - Humanoid

A2. Anci - Koo

B1. Redray - Reprogram

B2. Mills Boogie - Donut

Description

Unlimted Happiness Records is presenting their first Various Artist series “Needs Vol.1”. Inspired by the eager to discover, the need for new electronics day after day. A Fast pasted A-side by Lamont Stigler and Anci, steady and smooth on the B-side with Redray and Mills Boogie. The diamond city delivers.

ELECTRO / TECHNO

Artist Lost Souls Of Saturn
Title Reality
Label Holoverse Research Labs
Cat No HRLLP001
Format LP
Price £11.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 23/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Electro] [Electronica] [Leftfield] [Techno]

Track Listing

A1. Zorg Arrival

A2. Scram City

A3. Realization

A4. This Foo

B1. Click ft. Lvv Gvn

B2. Metro Cafe

B3. Mirage ft. Adam Ohr

B4. Lilac Chaser ft. Protomartyr

Description

For their first album, Seth Troxler and Phil Moffa joined forces and became multidimensional creative dissidents Lost Souls Of Saturn. This time, even further into the vortex, they’ve metamorphosed into sci-fi AR comic characters John and Frank who’ve explored the galaxy and returned with this perception-melting new LP.

Although ‘Reality’ still possesses the wigged-out conceptual brilliance which garnered installations and performances at Saatchi Gallery (London), Fondation Beyeler (Basel), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (NYC), and Museum of Contemporary Art Detroit, plus live sets at Field Day, Glastonbury and Kappa Futur, as its title might suggest, there’s vividness amidst the mind-bending. Where its predecessor was a murky exploration of weird and dark cerebral passageways, this album – though still fathoms deep – has a dazzling clarity of sound, as if listeners are beginning to crack the arcane codes, and reach for enlightenment.

A prime example of these newfound beams of light guiding participants through the maze is their recent single; the chugging cosmic techno synth pop of ‘Mirage’, featuring the voice of Adam Ohr. Also guesting on the album is Lvv Gvn, whose honeyed Billie-Holiday-meets-Rickie-Lee-Jones tones adorn the tranquil pixelated broken beat of ‘Click’, Greg Paulus’s trumpet sessions on ‘Zorg Arrival’ and ‘Scram City’, and Protomartyr’s vocalist Joe Casey and guitarist Greg Ahee, who grace the liminal drifting celestial plane of ‘Lilac Chasers’. Sitarist Rishab Sharma, the last disciple of guru Ravi Shankar, also shreds on ‘Scram City’.

Elsewhere, across the LP’s immensely inventive instrumental passages techno, dub, house, jazz, psych and ambient are vapourised into an expansive yet pleasingly concise series of morphing dream states. Fans of Air Liquide, Ravi Shankar, Ray Manzarek, Carl Craig, Pole, The Orb and ‘Son Of A Lung’ era FSOL should find much to like.

ELECTRO / TECHNO

Artist Paranoid London
Title Arseholes, Liars, and Electronic Pioneers
Label Paranoid London Records
Cat No PDONLP003
Format 2 x 12"
Price £15.49
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 14/02/2025
Assets Download
All Genres [Acid House] [Electro] [Techno]

Track Listing

A1. People (Ah Yeah) (with Bobby Gillespie)

A2. Love One Self (with Joe Love)

A3. Up Is Down (with DJ Genesis)

B1. Steal & Adapt (OR)

B2. Start To Fade (with Josh Caffe)

B3. Help

C1. Fields of Fire

C2. GRNDR

D1. Touch The State of That (with Jennifer Touch)

D2. The Motion (with Mutado Pintado)

Description

Paranoid London, the electronic band of Gerardo Delgado and Quinn Whalley, has become synonymous with stripping acid house back down to its basics, rescuing the sound from smiley faces, rave, and sugary excess while paying respects to its gay, black, American roots. Performing mainly live with hardware only, often with vocal guests, as well as unique hybrid DJ sets, the duo has established a tongue in cheek, grumpy punk sound and attitude without taking it too seriously.

Following 2019’s latest album PL and a bunch of 12” singles and edits, their new long-player Arseholes, Liars, and Electronic Pioneers refers to the cavalcade of c***s we find ourselves surrounded by. Our only respite being the joy that musical geniuses bring. The cover artwork and gatefold of the vinyl reflect this with a collage-like poster including personalities of all kinds, from politicians and royalty to music legends. When we asked them to highlight key music pioneers from their picks, they mentioned American electro don Aldo Marin, British producer Andrea Parker and Post Punk band WIRE.

Inspired by early ‘90s British prog house on the likes of Sabres Of Paradise Records and Guerilla Records, the album presents a step up on their production while the anarchic attitude remains unaltered, unadulterated and undiluted.

In Quinn’s words: the album has a slightly more Hi-Fi sound than previous efforts, but retains the urgency and punk rock attitude that we're known for. It was tested over the summer, where it lit up festival stages at Glastonbury, Houghton, Love International, and many, many others.

As expected, PL has recruited a bunch of special guests on vocals including Primal Scream’s Bobby Gillespie, US house veteran Monica “DJ Genesis” Lockett, the novo-New Romantic/gothic, Jennifer Touch, and Joe Love, from Fat Dog, Brixton’s current ones-to-watch. As well, previous collaborators Josh Caffe and Mutado Pintado return for new recordings. All bring something unique to the party, while integrating perfectly with PL’s Fuck you! circuitry.

OPTIMO 25 (PART 1 & 2)

Artist Optimo, Various Artists
Title Optimo 25 (Part 1)
Label Above Board Projects
Cat No OPTIMO2501
Format 2 x 12"
Price £16.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 16/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Ambient] [Bleep] [Dub] [Electronica] [Gwo Ka] [Hi-NRG] [House] [Optimo] [Post-Punk] [Psychedelic Rock] [Reggae] [UK Garage]

Track Listing

A1. Brainticket - Places Of Light

A2. T.J. Lawrence - Fireplay

A3. Robert Rental - Double Heart

B1. African Head Charge - No, Don't Follow Fashion

B2. Keith Hudson - Nuh Skin Up Dub

C1. Smokin' Cheeba - When I Was A Youth

C2. The Wad - 15 inches

D1. Idjut Boys & Laj - Foolin' (Beatin on Dave)

D2. JBB Et Soprann - Tibi Lap

Description

Optimo (Espacio) started life as a weekly club night. It was born at The Sub Club in Glasgow on a wet, windy, wintry November Sunday night in 1997. Run by JD Twitch and partner in crime Jonnie Wilkes. Optimo was a reaction against what felt like an increasingly conservative musical soundtrack in clubs here at that time. Clubland felt as if it had become very bland and a bit too serious; it was the era of the dawn of the Superstar DJ. Clubs often felt like bastions of male energy. It seemed dance music and culture was going somewhere far, far away from where it was meant to be. The notion of fun had got lost.

It was no longer the world they had devoted ten years of their lives to already, and lots of their friends felt the same. When the opportunity came up to do a Sunday night at The Sub Club it felt like the perfect opportunity to rip it all up and start again. So they did. There was nothing in the city (or possibly anywhere) like it. As the club believed wholeheartedly in what they were doing, there was no pressure from The Sub Club to fill the club. So, they embraced the freedom. Groups of people who had never been in the same room at the same time before came together. A community of kindred spirits started to emerge.

Word spread, slowly. Lots of people checked it out. Many loved it, some hated it. The core of the Optimo idea was to embrace music they loved that might work on the dancefloor from whatever era or genre they thought felt right. It might not seem very radical now but at that time it was revolutionary.

After about a year and a half, the club went from having 100 people attending most nights to suddenly one week having 500 people turn up. It was very weird. It was as if a collective light bulb went off in people’s heads in Glasgow. From that week on, until the very last weekly Sunday night at the Sub Club, in 2010, over a decade later, it was packed.

There were 550 Sunday Optimo nights. A LOT of music was played. So, what was the music? People often find it hard to pin down exactly what Optimo is. This has been a positive but also a negative as we live in a world where people want easily defined “brand identities”. The simplest definition of the music played is “music for dancing”, which of course is a very broad definition. Even better than trying to define it in words, we have these 2 volumes of music that give a hint of what that might be.

This is not a “Best of Optimo” or a “Greatest Hits of Optimo” compilation. For people who come to, or used to come to the nights there are of course “Greatest Hits”. But, over such a long timespan they are “hits” belonging to a certain moment in time and space. Someone who came to Optimo in 1997 would have a completely different notion of the big tracks at the club to someone coming in 2003, or 2010, or today. This compilation is just a snap shot missing several genres that might make up the DNA of Optimo. There is though a broad sweep through lots of music Optimo loves, that they believe is amazing. Music that they know will rock a dancefloor, that they have played between 1997 and 2023. Of course Optimo nights were not all about rocking the dancefloor. The first hour was always a time for them to play music they loved that often was far removed from the dance. Side 1, Volume 1 of this compilation is the kind of music one might hear at the very start of an Optimo night.

Optimo have always loved a good slogan. The most long lived, and fitting Optimo slogan is "We Love Your Ears", which is in essence what it is all about to them.

OPTIMO 25 (PART 1 & 2)

Artist Optimo, Various Artists
Title Optimo 25 (Part 2)
Label Above Board Projects
Cat No OPTIMO2502
Format 2 x 12"
Price £16.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 16/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Ambient] [Bleep] [Dub] [Electronica] [Gwo Ka] [Hi-NRG] [House] [Optimo] [Post-Punk] [Psychedelic Rock] [Reggae] [UK Garage]

Track Listing

A1. Chris & Cosey - Take Control

A2. Isolators - Concentrate On Us

B1. Mike Dunn - Life Goes On

B2. KC Flight - Voices (Original Dub Mix)

C1. Faze Action - Good Lovin' (Special Disco Mix)

C2. Hannah Holland - Ekotypic

D1. Divine - Shake It Up

D2. XS-5 - I Need More (Extended Dance Version)

D3. Liquid Liquid - Optimo

Description

Optimo (Espacio) started life as a weekly club night. It was born at The Sub Club in Glasgow on a wet, windy, wintry November Sunday night in 1997. Run by JD Twitch and partner in crime Jonnie Wilkes. Optimo was a reaction against what felt like an increasingly conservative musical soundtrack in clubs here at that time. Clubland felt as if it had become very bland and a bit too serious; it was the era of the dawn of the Superstar DJ. Clubs often felt like bastions of male energy. It seemed dance music and culture was going somewhere far, far away from where it was meant to be. The notion of fun had got lost.

It was no longer the world they had devoted ten years of their lives to already, and lots of their friends felt the same. When the opportunity came up to do a Sunday night at The Sub Club it felt like the perfect opportunity to rip it all up and start again. So they did. There was nothing in the city (or possibly anywhere) like it. As the club believed wholeheartedly in what they were doing, there was no pressure from The Sub Club to fill the club. So, they embraced the freedom. Groups of people who had never been in the same room at the same time before came together. A community of kindred spirits started to emerge.

Word spread, slowly. Lots of people checked it out. Many loved it, some hated it. The core of the Optimo idea was to embrace music they loved that might work on the dancefloor from whatever era or genre they thought felt right. It might not seem very radical now but at that time it was revolutionary.

After about a year and a half, the club went from having 100 people attending most nights to suddenly one week having 500 people turn up. It was very weird. It was as if a collective light bulb went off in people’s heads in Glasgow. From that week on, until the very last weekly Sunday night at the Sub Club, in 2010, over a decade later, it was packed.

There were 550 Sunday Optimo nights. A LOT of music was played. So, what was the music? People often find it hard to pin down exactly what Optimo is. This has been a positive but also a negative as we live in a world where people want easily defined “brand identities”. The simplest definition of the music played is “music for dancing”, which of course is a very broad definition. Even better than trying to define it in words, we have these 2 volumes of music that give a hint of what that might be.

This is not a “Best of Optimo” or a “Greatest Hits of Optimo” compilation. For people who come to, or used to come to the nights there are of course “Greatest Hits”. But, over such a long timespan they are “hits” belonging to a certain moment in time and space. Someone who came to Optimo in 1997 would have a completely different notion of the big tracks at the club to someone coming in 2003, or 2010, or today. This compilation is just a snap shot missing several genres that might make up the DNA of Optimo. There is though a broad sweep through lots of music Optimo loves, that they believe is amazing. Music that they know will rock a dancefloor, that they have played between 1997 and 2023. Of course Optimo nights were not all about rocking the dancefloor. The first hour was always a time for them to play music they loved that often was far removed from the dance. Side 1, Volume 1 of this compilation is the kind of music one might hear at the very start of an Optimo night.

Optimo have always loved a good slogan. The most long lived, and fitting Optimo slogan is "We Love Your Ears", which is in essence what it is all about to them.

REPRESSES

Artist CODE 6 (JOEY BELTRAM)
Title UNTITLED EP
Label Midnight Drive
Cat No DRIVE005
Format 12"
Price £6.49
Territory WORLDWIDE
Release Date 02/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Detroit] [Techno]

Track Listing

A1 - Third Aura

A2 - Last Voyage

B1 - After Life

B2 - Tempest

Description

Techno, Disco, Italo, Electronics, House, Library, Cosmic and Ambient frequencies - These are the bedrocks of the Midnight Drive ethos and sound. A label shining a light on overlooked or unheralded creations and respectfully reissuing them for the contemporary audience. A label that respects and understands the connection between these disparate and sometimes forgotten forms of musical expression and celebrates them. Midnight Drive are extremely proud to present a long out of print and highly sought after NYC ambient techno classic - Code 6's 'Untitled' EP from 1993.

In the early 1990's, Code 6 was a side project by Joey Beltram. A name that is extremely well known and respected in the world of dance music, a true techno stalwart with a hugely impressive catalogue of music, including more than a few classics and with a DJ and production career that spans almost 3 decades.Recorded in 1993, this 4 track EP is a departure from the style Joey was most associated with during this time period, favouring a more ambient, breakbeat driven and esoteric aesthetic. Contained within is 4 wide-screen snapshots of sci-fi drenched emotion, a raw, melodic tour de force that leaves the listener wanting more. It's easy to make lazy comparisons with other sonic emanations of the time from Sheffield, Belgium, London and Cornwall in terms of feel, but the 'Untitled EP' is very much it's own planet, a truly original set of short but effective techno-vignettes that still captivate today in 2018. All of the tracks on this reissue have been remastered from Joey's DAT archive, with the exception of 'Tempest' which was transferred from his mint personal copy of the record. All efforts were made to respectively maintain the sonic integrity of this fantastic, lost record.

REPRESSES

Artist TAXI C.A.B.
Title SON OF A BEATNIK
Label House Jam
Cat No HJA9430
Format 12"
Price £7.49
Territory WORLDWIDE
Release Date 23/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Chicago] [Deep House] [Reissue]

Track Listing

Description

'Son of a beatnik' - an absolutely monster record getting some well deserved reissue love!
Produced in Chicago by the well loved and late DJ Chunk-A-Bud aka Adam Malian (RIP) all the way back in the mists of 1994 on Rick Lenoir's coveted House Jam label this 12" undoubtedly takes it's cue from the cities vast, rich and deep heritage of DJ's and predecessors. This record proudly contains the spirit of the Music box, The Warehouse and all the other like-minded spaces that fuel it's Disco thrusting beats, anyone with a passing interest will know the elements that make up 'Son of a beatnik', they are classics in Chicago and beyond! This is one of those records that just doesn't stop, it's still getting caned today by those lucky enough to own a copy. A true blue cult classic, real deal house music from the windy city. A truly rare 12" that doesn't show up very often 'Son of a beatnik' is an essential release from a particularly fertile period in house music, chopped up, sampled, looped and programmed with LOVE! A surefire winner, this record will cause infinite damage on any dance-floor. Truly essential stuff here, this reissue has been realised with the full involvement of Rick Lenoir and is 100% legit! Don't snooze, this one deserves a spot in any self respecting House heads record bag or DJ set, classic material made available again for 2017!

REPRESSES

Artist FRANÇOIS K.
Title FK-EP
Label Wave Music
Cat No 50004-1
Format 12"
Price £6.99
Territory WORLDWIDE
Release Date 04/04/2025
Assets Download
All Genres [Deep House] [Techno]

Track Listing

A1. Hypnodelic

A2. Mindspeak

B1. Edge Of Time

B2. Moov

Description

Francois Kevorkian is a name that should need no introduction. With over 40 years in the game FK has occupied numerous roles in his long and storied career - drummer, DJ, A&R man, remixer and producer - his skills know no boundaries. Having DJ-ed during the nascent days of club culture in NYC alongside Walter Gibbons, Larry Levan and more, Kevorkian has been there from day one. Years spent in the seminal clubs of the day sharpened his ears and his prowess behind the mixing desk saw him become the A&R man at the legendary Prelude records in the early 80's, this in turn led to him working with everyone from The Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, Erasure, D-Train, Yazoo, The Smiths, Kraftwerk and many many more. A true NYC original and legend, Kevorkian is still active today and the respect he commands amongst his peers has never waned, his adventurous extended DJ sets, seminal mixes and remixes and his open ears and open mind have ensured that he will go down in history as a musical pioneer.

Rewind to 1995. Kevorkian's 'Wave Music' imprint has come into existence with a handful of releases. No-one could imagine that his self-produced 'FK EP' - the next release on the label - would be a stone cold classic. Easily one of the most consistent, exciting and solid EP's to come out of NYC during this golden era of dance music. Across 4 tracks we are taken on a sound journey through a world that is undoubtedly informed by FK's time as an engineer, DJ and most importantly, a music lover.

EP opener 'Hypnodelic' brings us into this world, a deep, driving cut that fuses the dubbed out vocals of Freddie Turner against FK's keyboards and immaculate drum programming, oozing cosmic electronic soul, this track was destined to be a future classic. 'Mindspeak' also boasts some tough drums and with a respectful nod to Chicago is an incredibly mixed and arranged peak-time cut that will drive your dancefloor into deep space again and again. 'Edge Of Time' welcomes us to the flipside of the EP, wild Latin percussions, tablas and old school horn stabs drive this monstrous cut, not to mention cavernous dub FX and that huge bassline that just doesn't let up. Essential. 'Moov' rounds things out on a more subdued, stripped back vibe. Reversed percussions and spaced-out synth chords lace this beautifully understated and warm track, one that builds into a crescendo of melodies and hypnotic rhythms and the perfect way to close what has been a truly special musical journey.

This essential reissue of the 'FK EP' has been fully licensed, sanctioned and remastered in conjunction with FK from the original master sources by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK, repressed onto high quality vinyl and packaged as the 1995 release was. A truly classic record indeed, available again for 2018. Welcome back Wave Music!

REPRESSES

Artist EARTH, WIND AND FIRE
Title BRAZILIAN RHYME / RUNNIN' (RE-EDITED BY DANNY KRIVIT)
Label CBS
Cat No ABEWAF001
Format 12"
Price £7.99
Territory WORLDWIDE
Release Date 14/03/2025
Assets Download
All Genres [Disco] [Funk]

Track Listing

A Brazilian Rhyme (Danny Krivit Edit)

B Runnin' (Danny Krivit Edit)

Description

The word 'classic' gets thrown around a lot these days, often abused and attached to things that don't deserve the tag.
 
I think we can all agree that an outfit like Earth, Wind & Fire are truly deserving of such an accolade, since their first tentative steps in the early 1970's as an outfit the Chicago, IL pioneers have made themselves a force to be reckoned with and have sold over 90,000,000 units worldwide! Fusing together Jazz, Funk, Soul, African and Brazilian sounds EWF have been at the top of their game for decades, seeing them inducted into the legendary 'rock n roll hall of fame' at the turn of the millennium. Respect due. On this special, legit 12" reissue we are treated to 2 stellar reworkings by one of Disco and modern dance music's most respected names - Danny Krivit. Danny's tenure in dance music has almost been as long as EWF's themselves so it makes sense that he's on deck to breathe some dancefloor magic into their cult classics 'Brazilian Rhyme' and 'Runnin'. Both tracks are massive club anthems with them being generously sampled over the years and featuring in the playlists of too numerous to mention DJ's and selectors. Both of these amazing edits are extremely sought after and have been legally reissued by Above Board Distribution in conjunction with Danny Krivit and the legal rights holders - Sony Music Entertainment. This high quality repress features original Columbia white label Disco promo artwork and has been remastered from Sony's original sources by Optimum Mastering, Bristol UK.

REPRESSES

Artist Various Artists (Dennis Ferrer / Kings of Tomorrow / Fatboy Slim)
Title EP3
Label Defected
Cat No DFTD567
Format 12"
Price £6.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 23/02/2024
Assets Download
All Genres [Deep House] [Nu Disco] [Tech House]

Track Listing

A1. Dennis Ferrer - Hey Hey (Mousse T's House Masters Re-Rub)

A2. Kings of Tomorrow - Finally (Dario D'Attis Remix)

B1. Fatboy Slim - Praise You (Purple Disco Machine Extended Remix)

B2. Mattei & Omich feat. Keyo - I'll House U (Extended Mix)

Description

Coming as the third edition, ‘EP3’ stays true to the series, committing Defected’s biggest digital releases to wax, and delivering upfront packages of house heat previously unavailable on vinyl. The A-Side is comprised of classic tracks that have been given fresh life for with new remixes, kicking off with Mousse T.’s re-work of Dennis Ferrer’s ‘Hey Hey’, followed by Dario D’Attis’ remix of Kings Of Tomorrow’s ‘Finally’. The B-Side opens with one of the label’s current biggest releases, Purple Disco Machine’s remix of the unmistakable ‘Praise You’ by Fatboy Slim, an effortlessly sophisticated re-work and guaranteed dancefloor knockout. Closing the release is Mattei & Omich’s ‘I’ll House U’, maintaining the theme this series has established, celebrating Defected’s classic house roots in time for label’s 20th anniversary year.

REPRESSES

Artist Roberto Surace
Title Joys (Inc. OFFAIAH / Purple Disco Machine / Todd Terry Remixes)
Label Defected
Cat No DFTD585R
Format 12"
Price £7.99
Territory Worldwide
Release Date 31/01/2025
Assets Download
All Genres [Deep House] [Tech House]

Track Listing

A1. Joys (Original Sample Version)

A2. Joys (OFFAIAH Club Mix)

B1. Joys (Purple Disco Machine Extended Remix)

B2. Joys (Todd Terry Extended Remix)

Description

It may have won the DJ Awards Track Of The Season in Ibiza this summer, but the lasting impression left by Roberto Surace’s ‘Joys’ has stretched far beyond the island. As it topped the Shazam Ibiza Dance Chart for eleven consecutive weeks, it was also championed by heavyweight DJs like Marco Carola, Andrea Oliva, wAFF and Joseph Capriati, and made it to the Radio 1 A-List. Now this sought-after track will be available on wax, after the limited edition white label sold out before its official release. Defected label-mate and consistent hit-maker OFFAIAH’s storming Club Mix joins Roberto’s stellar original on the A-Side, while on the flip master remixer Purple Disco Machine introduces his disco-tinged grooves to the record, before house legend Todd Terry employs deep, swelling synths and an adrenaline fuelled bassline on his remix to round off this essential 12” delivery.