Tuesday, 1 September 2026
UK based Italian Cenzo Scoglio loves to turn minor sounds into major sounds for his label, Minor Sounds! Put on ya best tucker for Finest Wear's latest 4-track EP, 'For The People'.
Compost Records have had their eyes on Peter Gall for the past seven years since his debut album and now its the time to release the jazz drummers' unconventional album, 'Drum Seeds': watch them grow!
Peter Gall’s love for vintage analog synthesizers then derailed the original plan to let only the drums take center stage on the album. And suddenly, the mantric beats evolved into partly song-like tracks with immersive sound collages that evoke associations: with the ambient works of Aphex Twin, the dancefloor bangers of Caribou, the jazz of the ’60s and ’70s, with The Streets, Boards of Canada, the soundtracks of David Lynch or Blade Runner, but also, time and again, to Gall’s earlier jazz albums—with compelling melodies, profound harmonies, and an imaginative, spiritual atmosphere.
673794268026 > CD
673794268033 > Digital
Blurry The Explorer's cleans up the blue book with an album of 'Clear Blue Mind' experimentation that's oceans deep and Latin too!
So a bit of Brasilian trend going on at Brooklyn's Nublu Records we think, especially as this 10-track album expands the project's borderless sonic world with contributions from an international cast including Rodrigo Amarante (Brazil), Tenniscoats (Japan), Annakalmia Traver (Rubblebucket, Kalbells), and Lola Parda (Argentina). Following tours and intensive work with legendary Brazilian producer Kassin, Gustin assembled core collaborators Ricardo Dias Gomes (Caetano Veloso), guitarist Ryan Dugre (Rubblebucket, Joan As Police Woman), and producer/guitarist Leo Abrahams (Brian Eno, Paul Simon and fond memories of 'The Grape & The Grain' - see review HERE) for focused but spontaneous recording sessions embracing intuition, chance, and the joy of not knowing where the journey leads.
"More often than not, the songs are born out of improvising over simple ideas one of us brings" Gustin explains. "We always leave space for...something. This unknown element is always exciting and confusing. " The album's diverse vocal palette creates what Gustin describes as "a full world of colors, shapes and sounds. " From Rodrigo Amarante's intimate storytelling to Tenniscoats' ethereal harmonies, Annakalmia Traver's expressive range, and Lola Parda's haunting beauty, each voice brings distinct character to the sonic journey. Vocalists Katy Pinke, Lip Talk, Tall Juan, and Tigra Rose (recorded in a Bali hostel after a traditional Hindu puppet show) round out the international ensemble.
The recording sessions themselves seemed touched by serendipity. While browsing the record shop beneath Marini Studio—home to underground venue Audio Rebel—Gustin discovered a recording of his grandfather performing Mozart's Bassoon Concerto with the Boston Symphony Orchestra. "I don't know what this means besides a deep feeling of being in the right place at the right time, " he reflects.
The name Blurry the Explorer comes from an unexpected source: a fleeting reference in the complete, unedited Diary of Anne Frank, discovered by Gustin during lockdown in a silent Manhattan. Frank mentions writing an amusing story for a friend called “Blurry the Explorer” a phrase that struck Gustin instantly. It perfectly captured the spirit of the project—an entity constantly exploring, undefined, and intentionally unclear, revealing itself slowly through experience.
Release date: 4th September, 2026
Label : Nublu Records
Catalog Number: TBC
Format: Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp
Jeremy Gustin – Drums, keys, vocals
Ricardo Dias Gomes – Bass, keys
Ryan Dugre – Guitar
Leo Abrahams – Guitar [Hectic, Gerry (1 February 2009). "Reviews: The Grape and the Grain"Fly Global Music. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2011.]
ADDITIONAL MUSICIANS:
Jake Sherman – Vibraphone (track 8), Keys (tracks 5, 6, 8, 9)
Will Graefe – Acoustic Guitar (track 10)
Kassin – Lap Steel (track 9)
GUEST VOCALISTS:
Começo – Ricardo Dias Gomes
Wiggle Room – Annakalmia Traver
There On The Moon – Lip Talk
Sete Velas – Rodrigo Amarante
Clear Blue Mind – Aaron Roche
Fondo Del Azul – Lola Parda
Forever Dusk – Tall Juan
It's OK Paul – Tenniscoats
Laut – Tigra Rose
In My Garden – Katy Pinke
Friday, 28 August 2026
BIG BIG BIG news - Black Science Orchestra are BACK. Rob Mello, Darren Morris and Ashley Beedle!
The track is inspired by New York City's legendary 1977 blackout—a night when the lights went out, chaos took over, and looting and vandalism made the headlines. But as history often reminds us, darkness has a funny way of bringing people together. While some helped themselves to televisions, others found rather more... intimate ways to pass the time. As the city lost power, plenty of sparks were still flying.
BUY LINK /PRE-ORDER: Where Were You? Live Version/Opus Rising Mix | Black Science Orchestra
Monday, 24 August 2026
30 years is a long-time and in Freerange Records timezone they're celebrating with 30 tracks from 30 artists on 5 EPs - and VOLUME THREE is now here!
This series has to be the best of the year and in 5 volumes, Freerange has captured not only what is great about Freerange Records but what's good about music!
Release Date: 24th July, 2026
Label: Freerange Records
Catalog Number: FR318
Format: Vinyl / Digital / BANDCAMP
Colour & Pitch's new release is No. 99 in their impressive catalogue but for some subversive action, 'Flame Of Mine' is anything but a old flame as the remix action is proper international!
Friday, 21 August 2026
Stop everything for Fred Everthing & Teutu as they join forces to give us four aspects of 'Arrêt Infini' on the icreasingly essential Winding Road Records.
Teuteu is a producer, composer, bandleader and DJ whose musical journey began at an early age, teaching himself piano before immersing himself in the world of production. His sound navigates between organic improvisation and electronic textures, creating immersive and forward-thinking productions.
Fred and Teuteu met at an event in Montreal, where Teuteu was layering keyboards over a DJ set. After running into each other at other parties across the city, they linked up in the studio, and the result is ‘Arrêt Infini’, their first release on Winding Road Records. It’s a lush and atmospheric deep house composition, blending dreamy pianos, optimistic strings and bubbling percussion. Classily arranged across four impeccable versions, this is a record that will delight dancers as well as denizens of hazy afterparty hours.
• ‘Arrêt Infini - Part 1’ kicks things off with an oozing bassline pinned down by fresh house beats. Before long, it blends in blissed-out strings and pads which evoke a lush, tropical atmosphere. A seductive vocal intones, “I want you to try me … ‘cause I know we can make it, OK?” The journey then continues into a crescendo of lush harmonies that make everything feel like summer.
• ‘Arrêt Infini - Part 2’ moves things along with a tracky deep house number. Clean beats and repetitive bassline bring the drive, and warm pads float above. An elegant and timeless slice of electronica, made for the dancefloor.
• ‘Arrêt Infini - Reprise’ is a beautifully serene take on the original. Congas and strings create a mellow sonic tapestry which ambles lazily through the rainforest in your mind. The beats are restrained, the Amazonian vibes take over. This is one for those hazy afterhours, enveloping you like a warm hug.
• ‘Arrêt Infini - Rhythm & Bass’ is inspired by late 90s spacey bonus beats, reminiscent of the Idjut Boys and DJ Harvey. This is a percussive workout for the club, bridging the gap between different phases of the night.
Monday, 17 August 2026
Dan The Drum is getting in the habit of teaming up with folks to produce something that excels the parts; in this case it's DJ Chris Bangs and Jasmine Rose that combine to make 'My Tune' hurt so bad as a modern Lovers Rock version of 1978 hit by The Cool Notes!
Regular readers will recall the Dan's collaboration with Carmy Love's version of 'Hurt So Bad' ft. Darren Morris with guests Joseph Nesbitt Larkin and Carl Davies (see review HERE) and the remixes (see review HERE) plus Dan's tribute to UK House with Sutart Patterson, 'UK House Sermon' (see Interview HERE). So no real surprise when Chris Bangs and Dan the Drum got together after Dan delivered several sophisticated house remixes on Chris x Dave Lyn’s latest track, ‘Children of the Sun’ they'd subsequently that they'd so a 1976 style Carnival track for the heatwave of 2026 - "What about a cover version of the 1978 Lovers Rock hit 'My Tune' by The Cool Notes?" says Chris. And Dan says, "Yes I" (or even more accurately, "Yes, I & I") - also check out David's album 'The World I Hear' from a cople of years ago (see review HERE).
So a bit of a surprise that when the original came out in a period, Chris was holding down a Saturday night jazz-funk night in Bournemouth at the Exeter Bowl (as per J-Jazz deep digger Mike Peden and confirmed by Chris himself - see review HERE) and before Dan Spalding was dubbing down Manor Park/Romford Road; or would that have been Elton's in Seven Sisters or the Mecca on Tottenham High Road?
But what is clear is that they're inspiration on both of their musical journeys makes this release both a celebration of the original and a heartfelt nod to the sound that embraces roots, romance and culture.
The duo’s fresh interpretation on the original pays tribute to the timeless sound of Lovers Rock, bringing a contemporary, respectful warmth and depth to the new co-production. This huge summertime anthem encapsulates everything that is fabulous, with Chris and Dan unleashing their prodigious production and arrangement skills on the beautifully ethereal vocals of Jasmine Rose, Joe Nesbitt Larkin’s insanely deft guitar work, Carl Davies’s masterful saxophone playing and Darren Morris’s brilliantly authentic keyboards.
The enigmatic Dr R.E.Y provides an Augustus Pablo inspired, melodica dub. ‘My Tune’ is a super sweet Lovers Rock outing on Ramrock Records, mixed and mastered by Darren Morris at North Street West studio in Hastings and also saluting CB’s youthful 70s DJ career at his Friday night residency at South Harrow’s legendary ‘Bobby McGee’s’ night club. The original Cool Notes vibe has been brought up to date and has all the hallmarks of a 21st century Lovers Rock classic, introducing it to a new generation of listeners.
P.S. Any fans of Dubheart will want to get down to Chaplin's Cellar Bar on Friday 21 August to celebrate ate the life of bongo master Steve Parsons!! RIP
Title: My Tune EP ft. Jasmine Rose (Original, Dr R.E.Y Meldica Dub, Instrumental Mixes)
Label: Ramrock Records
Cat. No: RR015
Format: Digital / Bandcamp
Thursday, 13 August 2026
Good Vibrations Music, the House label owned and run by Bristol-based producer Sean McCabe, is ten and what better reason to celebrate 'Decade One' than to have an album compiled by said Mr McCabe!
Release date: 14th August, 2026
Label : Good Vibrations Music
Catalog Number : GVMV008
Format: 2 x LP Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp
Trust NuNorthern Soul to get down to a Balearic summer with Danny Ward and numerous special guests including Flora Purim; yes that Flora Purim!
And this really is the good stuff that's matter in-fertile land into an oasis of Afro-Cuban, Balearic, dub, deep house to follow the acclaimed 'Resolution Revolutios' (he's pretty good at coming up with album titles, see our Interview HERE from last year).
Label : NuNorthern Soul
Catalog Number : TBC
Format: Limited Edition Vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp






