Fontaines DC, Massive Attack and Young Fathers have announced the pre-order release of an exclusive, limited edition vinyl record in support of Médecins Sans Frontières / Doctors Without Borders (MSF) emergency operations in Gaza and the West Bank.

*The 12” vinyl only release, features material from Fontaines DC, and Massive Attack/Young Fathers, and a ceasefire sleeve design by 3D of Massive Attack. The initiative will also include a limited-edition/artist signed large-print sale of the sleeve artwork, available exclusively via: https://www.fire-sale.store/

The reverse sleeve of the 12” features words written on a hospital whiteboard in Gaza by Doctors Without Borders medic Dr Mahmoud Abu Nujaila – words which went viral on global social media - depicting the desperation of medical professionals and civilians in Gaza. Tragically, Dr Nujaila was killed in a strike a few weeks later.

"WHOEVER STAYS
UNTIL THE END
WILL TELL THE STORY,

WE DID WHAT WE COULD.
REMEMBER US"

Despite repeated deadly attacks on its staff, medics, surgeons, and aid conveys, Doctors Without Borders volunteers continue to offer critical support to the civilians of Gaza.

Fontaines DC, Massive Attack and Young Fathers have donated their music in full support of the incredible Doctors Without Borders staff working in Gaza today, as a statement for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the West Bank, and in solidarity with the Palestinian people living under a brutal military occupation.

Fontaines DC, Massive Attack & Young Fathers will donate 100% of the profits from this promotional venture to Médecins Sans Frontières (UK - charity number: 1026588) emergency operations in Gaza and the West Bank. The total donation is expected to be in excess of £150,000.

3D (Massive Attack) said: "The hourly scenes of horror in Gaza, with hospitals and schools bombed to dust and innocent civilians, journalists and doctors killed in unspeakable numbers has been made so much worse by more than ten weeks of abject political failure.
We're in awe of the Doctors Without Borders medics who place their lives on the line to help innocent civilians in Gaza. The ceasefire EP is a tribute to them, and their incredible ongoing work in truly indescribable circumstances. We stand in solidarity with the people of Palestine”

Fontaines DC said: “Fontaines DC join millions across the world in demanding an immediate ceasefire and a permanent end to Israel's brutal occupation of Palestine. Since October, Doctors Without Borders have been on the ground in Gaza, where every human is an IDF target, risking their lives to give vital care to the thousands injured by Israel's indiscriminate attacks on the starving and defenceless. We feel utterly helpless in what we can do at this point however we do hope our small contribution to this record can raise some desperately needed funds for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza. Ceasefire Now. Free Palestine”

Natalie Roberts, MSF Executive Director said: “After more than two months of war, Israel’s unrelenting and indiscriminate strikes on Gaza have caused unprecedented and catastrophic levels of civilian harm. Nowhere is safe. Hospitals that are overflowing with the sick and wounded are coming under fire or being raided by Israeli forces, killing doctors, health workers, colleagues. Our teams continue to do what they can without even the basic guarantees of safety. We desperately want to do more, but for that we need an immediate and unconditional ceasefire.
Huge thanks to Massive Attack, Fontaines DC and Young Fathers for all their support.”

*Copies have been packed using different combinations of coloured vinyl and sleeves. All orders are selected at random.

Italian electronic duo Mind Against pull out all the stops on a new interpretation of TSHA & NIMMO’s hit single “OnlyL” (Ninja Tune, 2021). Maintaining the integrity of NIMMO’s mesmerizing vocals, the long-awaited new version takes “OnlyL” from artful dance pop to a rich and layered cinematic piece that blends deep, resonating bass with a soaring, crunchy arpeggiated synths to take it to a new dimension. It’s the perfect balance of restraint and exuberance, allowing NIMMO's vocals to soar while wrapping them in a lush, vibrant soundscape that highlights the duo’s signature mastery of texture and depth. One more to highlight the strength of Mind Against and their new label HABITAT.

Flowers On Monday return to In Waves with a beautiful four track EP, ‘Horizons’, featuring Amega and Weam Ismail.

Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels invites Jonathan Kaspar back to the imprint for another round of
captivating and melodic techno across his latest EP, ‘We Come’.

A fixture on acclaimed labels such as Cocoon, Kompakt, and Innervisions, Cologne-based DJ and producer Jonathan Kaspar continues to demonstrate his versatile talent while also remixing for notable names like Acid Pauli, John Digweed, Joris Voorn, and Sven Väth. Six years after dropping his initial single on the label, he now makes a triumphant return to Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels for his fourth outing, mesmerising audiences once again with the three-track EP 'We Come,' revealing his deeper and hypnotic side.

Diving deep with surging synths and impactful chords, 'We Come' unfolds itself with wailing sirens and asoaring hook, crafting a hypnotic and thrilling ride. Next, 'Flash Point' propels the listener into a hypnotic haze, building tension through melodic synth loops and laser stabs before the uplifting ‘Transposed’ delivers emotive keys and wispy pads, with Paul Brenning’s vocals at the forefront.

City To City: Johannesburg is the first in a new series of V/A releases which will shine a light on exciting producers from a different city for each edition. What better place to start than The City Of Gold, somewhere synonymous with deep and soulful house and whose scene and artists have finally begun to get global recognition despite the relative geographical isolation. Labels such as Kid Fonque’s Stay True Sounds have been an important platform for South African artists and who can deny the incredible journey of Black Coffee. Deep house really is a way of life for many young people growing up in often challenging conditions and it’s been exciting to see many becoming known outside of their own country and starting to gig internationally.

Here on the debut City To City we showcase 6 tracks from 6 different artists hailing from Johannesburg, relative newcomers rubbing shoulders with more established names. Kicking off the release we have one such producer who has been slowly but surely stamping his mark over the last 10 years: KaySoul. With output having appeared on labels such as Shall Not Fade, Dirt Crew, Lazy Days and Tribe KaySoul is definitely making waves with his soulful take on the South African deep sound. Icey Baby featuring Mr Beale keeps things raw and minimal, letting the vocal stay front and centre, a naivety and playfulness giving an almost demo-feel to the production.

Sculpturedmusic steps up next with Midnight Talk. Another SA artist who has earned his stripes with some huge tracks including Sad To Think which deservedly became a substantial hit, Sculpturedmusic’s contribution to the release keeps things deep, percussive and rolling with an African vocal sample backed up by pensive piano chords.

With just a handful of releases on his own Herbal Soundz label as well as the much lauded vinyl label Adeen, SizLeCaude is one of the exciting up and coming artists worthy of attention. Taking a classic early 00’s deep house approach on Far Apart he reminds us of the output Ben Watt’s Buzzin’ Fly sounding both timeless and contemporary with buckets of warmth and soul.

Flipping over we have Love (Kinda Thing) from Radic The Myth whose harmonically rich take on house music brings a floating yet punchy feel to the release.

Persie Botta joins forces with Jade Nickels on the next track entitled They Never Loved Us. The duo deliver a sublime slice of true Joburg-style deep house with lush layers of pads, reverb-soaked pads, snaking sub bass and a powerful, low slung groove.

Last but not least we close out the release with Thabang Baloyi who joins fresh from releases on established SA labels Just Move and Basement Art. Lost In goes in DEEP with a syncopated snare groove and simple, repeating vocal line.

Seven Davis Jr. returns with a new album fresh after releasing the virtual reality infused clubby "Iss Good" EP on Classic Music Company. This album contains a fusion of R&B Hip Hop / Trip Hop / Deep & Soulful House songs. Inspired by the 90s sound and energy with appearances from John Cale, Luke Solomon, Ivan Dorn, Life On Planets, Jon Dixon and more.

AVNU returns to the Ellum collective, dropping a new single in advance of his second full-length album ‘Crisis In the Simulation’ due on the Ellum this Spring. ‘Next Caller’ comes backed with a remix from another Ellum stalwart, Raxon.

Based in Scotland, DJ & producer AVNU has been deeply immersed in music for over two decades, taking inspiration from the warm tones of blues to the hard cuts from the rave and all points in between. Latest collaborations with Maceo Plex on his new album ‘93’ (‘Clickbait’, ‘Serpent Jazz’ and ‘Go Back’ feat. Desire) and remixes of Tyler Hill and Madben have solidified his association with the Ellum and Lone Romantic labels.

On his new single ‘Next Caller’, the talented producer whips up a progressive and chunky club track laced with dark energy. Raxon’s accompanying remix provides a nuanced slant on the original, kitted out with chunky drums and catchy loops to compliment the thick bassline rhythms of the original.

MATE, HAVE YOU HEARD THE SUMGII REMIX? JHEEEZ! LAD, YOU HEARD WHAT TRACES DID WITH IT? BBZ, HAVE YOU LISTENED TO PETE'S AMIGA VERSION!?! GEEEEZ, YOU HEARD HOW PATRICE FLIPPED IT?

The final volume of this mammoth collection of music from Bristolian electronic music pioneer Krust is finally upon us, and like the previous parts of this collection it boasts an assemblage of music of different energies, vibes and feelings. The music contained within spans decades yet somehow refuses to be locked to one 'era' or 'style'. This is what makes this release unmissable for the hardcore fan, newcomer or completist.

'Irrational Numbers' is a meticulously curated collection of five parts, available on both vinyl and digital formats. The compilation is a treasure trove of hand-picked records and archival gems from Krust's extensive discography, thoughtfully remastered and presented anew for both devoted fans and newcomers.

'Irrational Numbers' features a dizzying array of self-released 12" cuts, exclusive unreleased VIPs and dub-plates, alongside epic major label widescreen classics. It's an unmissable journey through the sonic output of one of the UK's most distinctive and forward-looking producers.

Featured on part 5 are some groundbreaking entries into Krust's massive back catalogue. The live bass driven jazz inflected 'Second Movement' from his acclaimed 'Coded Language' LP jostles alongside the speaker smashing machine funk of 'Break Ya Neck' as well as a couple of more recent productions including the sleek and sinister 'The Portal', which is undeniably the man at his best, in full electronic stealth mode.

For longtime Krust enthusiasts, this project serves as a fond reminder of the boundless creativity and originality that flourished during the early 1990s and beyond. For those new to his work, it presents an enthralling introduction to innovative electronic music that has comfortably set the tone for generations to come. Get ready to experience the evolution of sound and immerse yourself in the visionary artistry of Krust.

Leftlow’s ‘Distractions’ is a thought-provoking Mini LP which is the London-based duo's largest body of work to date and sees them welcomed to dBridge's iconic label, Exit Records.

Designed to be experienced in a club setting with a focus on low end and intricate percussion, the fluidity of these tracks and underlying theme throughout make for an equally enjoyable and intimate "headphones on" experience.

From the industrial, dystopian hard-hitter "Piston's" to the dreamy, euphoric "Thoughtful," these tracks shine a light on a slightly different production style that Leftlow has not yet explored in previous releases. While staying true to their recognisable style, the drum-fueled "Green Eyes" and mind and body twisting "Queasy" push boundaries in the unexplored territories of their sound. This is a must-listen collection of tracks that will provoke the senses.

Dedicated to the late Bailey Churchil

Speak to most musicians about their motivations, inspirations and processes and you will, generally, get variations on a similar, broadly consensual, theme. Natasha Pirard is genuinely different. Her interest in sound goes way beyond the superficial and the ephemeral. She is fascinated by how and why sound makes us feel, the political implications of sound, noise pollution and the everyday sounds embedded in our immediate environment.

Contextually, this makes a lot of sense when confronted with her debut release for DEEWEE, Dream Cycles. A 120-minute exploration of sounds, loops, frequencies and waves, it’s an eight- part musical cycle split into 15-minute sections across four cassettes, she believes, reflects on this notion of cyclical, rather than linear, time. The eight song cycles are repetitive. They start off basic and functional and build over time. They begin with one sound but soon you hear other sounds. From there you get taken to another point, where you hear something else and so on and so forth. The circle is never-ending.

Natasha Pirard is a musicologist and composer from Ghent. She will be releasing her album Dream Cycles on February 21st, as a limited edition four cassette box set (with download code), marking her debut on the Ghent-based label DEEWEE.