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Review: Samba flavours do not come more authentic than this. The sixth in Mr Bongo's Brazil 45 series, here they unearth two foundation pieces from Rio collective Os Origianais Do Samba. Forming in 60s Rio, they're still highly active today and have a discography peppered with Brazilian gold. This 45 does well to showcase their breadth... "La Vem Salgueiro" is quintessential samba. Heavy rhythm, punctuated vocals and a dynamic that leaps from bold and delicate in a flash, it charms you instantly. "Tenha Fe" has a softer soul as it strums and sways and more of a folky sensation, tight harmonies and alluring naked instrumentation.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight split on top of outer sleeve, slight creasing to outer sleeve, record unopened and in perfect working order***


Hype and awe abound over this Orb side project, with Oss having been resurrected last year several decades on from its initial stint as a hybrid live / DJ project from Alex Paterson and his longtime collaborator Fil Le Gonidec. This new album is a mere 8 track weirdo's favourite, straight from the brains of this techno-toned, post-dub power duo, from the psytech clicks and claps of 'Wow Picasso' to the worse-for-wear machinations of 'No Speed Limit'. Grab this special coloured vinyl edition while you can.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Tel Aviv's Elado has put out a fine run of eight releases in just two years on the likes of GAMM, Barefoot Beats and Bonfido Disques, but for his next move, he branches out with his own reissue label. its aim is to "focus on uncovering lost gems" with the original paired with his own remixes. The first one is a 1983 private press from the Canadian pair OUI. 'Circle Of Love' is a big disco banger with flashy synth work and rugged arps, with a pair of Elado's mixes making it even more dancefloor ready. 'You Make Me High' is a more sentimental 80s pop sound.The release has recieved support from a lot of artist, such as Gerd Jansen and Hunee. A fine start to life for this new label.

Review: We've got some of that naughty and irresistible white label madness here from new and mysterious label and production outfit Outtaface. It comes with a label that references the energetic cartoon stylings of the late Keith Haring and a bassline that will melt your face. The 'Vocal' track mixes up disco, skank, rave, The Prodigy references and outer space designs into a truly unusual blend that will bring colour and craziness to the floor. The flip side dub slows it down, fleshes out the low and and allows the cosmic synth work more room to shine. A handy 12" for sure.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Sleeve damaged but otherwise in excellent condition***


Robert Owens is absolutely one of the voices of his generation. He has lent his tender tones to more classic tracks than you could possibly mention and he continues to do so nowadays with a wholeness generation of producer who want a touch go his authenticity. He has recently achieved another career milestone with a superbly poignant new single that comes with sublime remixes. DJ Spinna's re-flip adds his usual sense of soul and Adeen Records label head Camille then brings some South African Amapiano vibes. Nico Lahs takes it on with a heavy house groove and Scott Hess brings some classic acid jack to his version.

Review: Fela Kuti and Tony Allen are your key starting points when it comes to the wild frenetic Afrobeat fusion Nigeria gave us in the late 60s but dig a teeny bit deeper and you'll find multi instrumentalist Tunji is right behind them. Armed with his band The Benders, Tunji ran a tight ship and perhaps should've done with a little more recognition. Now living and gigging in London, he's curated this essential collection of tracks from Afrobeat's most prolific era.

Review: Few things are certain in life; death, taxes, politicians lying and Paradox guaranteeing to slap your very soul with every single release he ever carves. Paradox Music 040 is no exception as 'Soviet' buries you under a savage iron curtain while '7Arc' is just Dev showing off his digging chops as he makes a whole range of breaks and cuts chat and bubble away in conversation. Pure breakbeat magic as always. Big up Paradox.

Review: In terms of being an afrobeat legend, Pasteur Lappe is Cameroon's Fela Kuti, an unsung hero who was ahead of the game back in the 1970s and 1980s, and one whose been famous for burning the pockets of many diggers nowadays. Luckily, Africa Seven have compiled some of his best work onto a ten-track LP, ranging from the funky oddities of "More Sekele Movement" or "Na Real Seke Fo'ya", to the future-zouk sound of "Sanaga Calypso", and plenty of jazzy, popped-out, disgruntled soulfulness to satisfy anyone from Gilles Peterson to Cherrystones. Heavy and warmly recommended.

Review: Periplo marks the solo debut of Early Sounds Recordings co-founder Pellegrino S. Snichelotto, following occasional contributions to other material from the label's extended family of artists. Interestingly, the six-track set shares some stylistic similarities with friends' Nu Guinea's Tony Allen Experiments mini-album, chiefly the producer's delay and reverb-laden fusion of live instruments and vintage analogue hardware. Stylistically, most of the tracks sit somewhere between jazz-funk, cosmic funk, and the kind of melodious Afro-Cosmic fare that was once a staple of Northern Italy's eccentric club scene. There's plenty of hazy musical humidity to enoy, too, with the impeccable "Ad Libitum" standing out.

Review: Soon as you drop the needle on PH Project's opener 'Blue Yellow Twist' here we guarantee you will be twisting your face in mock disc guts. The bassline is a filthy and old-school gem with organ chord stabs and spoken word snippets adding the irresistible sense of naughty house funk. DMA then bangs the box with cosmic synths and hints of 90s post-rave, Pilot System cruise on a chunky bit of bass-driven house and Frozilla & TJ go deep on far-sighted chords and bubbly bass. This is unpretentious, functional but fun house music from a small but already well-formed label.

Review: Legendary Belgium club Fuse knows a thing or several about techno and so it makes sense they have not got the label going once more. Phara is in charge for this one and pulls no punches. 'The Wall' will have you pinned to just that with its unrelenting loops and howling synth winds. 'Blaes 208' is more bouncy and buoyant with bright neon synth lines glowing warm and rich through the middle of the mix. 'Hush Now 206' hits hard once more with a dark warehouse sound and unsettling synth riffs, while 'Motion Steps' closes out with thudding kicks and twitch synths that take you into the future.

Review: Almost two full decades into their curious career, slacker-psych experimentalists The Pheromoans have never been ones to shy away from the esoteric or mundane. Led by the droll, deadpan delivery and unique world view of primary songwriter Russell Walker, LP number 13 sees the collective lean ever further into topical malaise whilst honing their fuzzed out, post-college-rock jangles into their most digestible and direct form yet. With the title Wyrd Psearch, Walker takes direct aim "at the ubiquity of people claiming things are eerie or weird/wyrd in the present cultural milieu", while the word-search artwork is intended to highlight our cultures' obsessive search for meaning in an increasingly illogical world. Twinkling no wave riffs, glistening synth lines and muted requests to loved ones requesting their presence on a trip to town to reup on prescription meds.

Review: 'Blue Train' is created by Piero and is the second release from the newly formed label, My Cup Of Tea. Piero, who is also the label owner, gives us four tracks of deep house that blend jazzier notes along with seductive grooves. The title track is an upbeat, pumping late-night gem that blends some vocals along with a smooth saxophone sample, 'Nikes On My Feet' adds a cool broken-beat rhythm to the mixture while still being pretty darn techy and funky and we love the use of the acid line that balances out the jazz sounds. For the B-side you have original version of 'International Language' along with a remix of it by Carlo (Carlos Alvarez). You can't go wrong with either version as a DJ. My Cup Of Tea is off to a strong start for sure.

Notes: Constellator is an all-analog delay pedal capable of producing up to 600ms of lush echo with adjustable modulation and a comprehensive sound palette. From percussive slapback and doubler sounds to chorused-out, long delays with endless repeats, the Constellator's MN3005 bucket brigade chips provide superior overall headroom and tape-like saturation when pushed to the limit. The Feel toggle switch adjusts several parameters simultaneously for an additional coloring of LFO modulation. With the Feedback control maxed out, the Constellator is capable of self-oscillation which can be pitched up or down by turning the Time knob. Runs on standard 9VDC.

Knob-by-knob

Time: Sets your delay time. Clockwise for slower, counter-clockwise for faster.
Mix: Controls your dry/wet balance.
Mod: Controls the modulation depth. Adds color and warp.
Repeats: Sets the amount of feedback in the delay line.
Feel: Selects between two distinct modulation types. When the switch is pushed in, a chorus effect is selected. When the switch is not pushed in, a vibrato effect is selected.

King of bucket brigades

The pair of analog delay chips used in the Constellator are new production replicas of the mighty Panasonic MN3005 Bucket Brigade Devices (BBD) found in some of the most iconic vintage delay pedals of all time. With 4096 individual "buckets" and +15V power rails, the MN3005 provides the longest possible delay time and most available headroom in an analog delay. Luscious.

Make your ow myth

Develop shimmering delay lines with crystalline overtones and watch them scatter across the canvas in your mind. Constellate your own myth into being.

Specifications

Electronics

Voltage: 9VDC
Current draw: 100mA
Input impedance: 10M
Output impedance: 150ohms

Body

Length: 1.5"
1.5
Width: 3.75"
Height: 1.75"
Weight: 0.5lbs

Notes: Pigtronix Infinity 2 is a stereo looping pedal with two independent loops and a streamlined user interface that has been designed to provide an intuitive musical workflow, right out of the box.

The Infinity 2 enables musicians to seamlessly switch between parts, even during initial recording or while overdubbing. This Verse / Chorus type of workflow is further expanded by the ability to delete the loop that is not currently playing - freeing up an open slot for a new loop to be created, without interrupting playback.

Nearly all actions taken by the Infinity 2 occur at the loop boundary. This allows the musician to cue an overdub, switch between loops or stop precisely at the end of a loop, without having to worry about hitting the footswitch at precisely the correct time. Simply tell the machine what to do and it will occur at the end of the current loop. This is the general rule of thumb for all commands, with a few exceptions such as instant stop and fade out, which take place immediately when activated.

A small push-button switch, located above the left footswitch, allows the user to change the functionality of this footswitch to perform various Stop, Stutter and Octave Shift effects. A TRS remote jack allows these special features to be triggered by an external switch. Undo / Redo functionality can also be assigned to the left footswitch, allowing the musician to remove previous overdubs and add them back as desired.

In addition to a dedicated knob for loop Volume, the Infinity 2 also features a Decay knob that causes loop audio to fade out progressively during overdub. With the Decay knob set fully clockwise, the layers pile up at full volume. With the Decay knob set fully counter-clockwise, each overdub lasts for only one loop cycle. With the Decay knob set anywhere in-between those extremes, overdubbing on the Infinity 2 creates constantly evolving loop textures that can be instantly snapped back to a previous state using the Undo function.

The Infinity 2's full-range, high-headroom audio inputs will accept mono or stereo instruments as well as line-level signals. The dual outputs of the Infinity 2 can be routed for stereo output with pass-through and loop audio mixed together, or they can be configured for discrete Wet / Dry operationiwhere the loop audio is summed to one output, and pass-through audio is sent to the other.

Infinity 2 combines the high-fidelity audio and ultra-low-latency looping engine of the original award-winning Pigtronix Infinity Looper, with a much smaller form factor and a user interface specifically designed to make looping fun and musical for everyone.

Notes: Octava is an all-analog octave fuzz / frequency doubler featuring an on-board low pass Filter control that allows you to achieve singing octave up tones anywhere on the neck, without adjusting your guitar's tone control. A front-end Drive and gushing Fuzz circuit add signal power and easily convert Octava to shoegazey fuzz pedal capable of producing devastating, full-wave rectified distortion. Use the Blend knob to mix the octave up effect on top of your dialed-in drive.

Knob-by-knob

Volume: Sets the overall output volume.
Blend: Mixes in the octave-up effect.
Filter: A low-pass filter tone knob. Sets the cutoff frequency of the low pass filter on the input of the Octave circuit.
Drive: Mixes in warm front-end overdrive by increasing the gain of the J-FET preamp stage.
Fuzz: Activates the fuzz circuit.

All analogue, still versatile

Built with the theory of "do one thing and do it well" paired with the flexibility of more diverse effects units, the Octava transitions seamlessly between a singing octave-up to an overflowing fuzz, and every blended tone between.

The Octavia ribbons

Parallel ribbons made up of complex patternwork wave ever-so-slightly in the blackness of space. It is from this mysterious place Octava was harvested. Pretty much sounded like a badass octave fuzz.

Specifications

Electronics

Voltage: 9-18VDC
Current draw: 100mA
Input impedance: 2.2M
Output impedance: 150 ohms

Body

Length: 1.5"
Width: 3.75"
Height: 1.75"
Weight: 0.5 lbs

Notes: Enlightening

Elevating the groundbreaking optical compression of the original Philosopher's Tone to a new plane of tonal enlightenment, the Philosopher's Tone 2 is a world-class compressor/sustainer with footswitchable Grit, allowing for more versatility than ever before. Featuring a refined implementation of the overdrive circuit first heard in the limited-edition Gold version of this iconic compressor pedal, the unique germanium distortion found in the Philosopher's Tone 2 delivers smooth top end and rich midrange response, tailored to perfectly match the characteristics of the optical sustainer driving it. In addition to Volume and Sustain controls, the Philosopher's Tone 2 features a parallel clean Blend knob that allows musicians to mix their instrument's original tone with the compressor/sustainer effect when the Grit circuit is bypassed. This mixing technique restores natural pick-attack and allows clean settings with extreme sustain to remain dynamic and musical. When the Grit circuit is engaged, the Blend knob is automatically bypassed, circumventing the compromises of the original unit and imparting a colourful distortion to your sound in both Germanium and Silicon modes. This nonlinear diode-clipping can range from subtle overdrive to overflowing distortion, all without unwanted feedback. A Treble control located just before the master Volume provides 6db of cut or boost at 2kHz for fine-tuning the frequency response of the effect. The Philosopher's Tone 2 features true-bypass switching and internal 18V power rails for maximum clean headroom that is ideal for use with hot pickups, active bass, synthesisers and other line-level sources. Runs on 9VDC.

Knob-by-knob

Volume: Sets the overall output volume.
Treble: Boosts or cuts treble at 2kHz.
Sustain: Sets the amount of sustain.
Blend: Mixes your compressed effect with your clean signal. Note: This control is only active when the Grit footswitch is turned OFF.
Grit: Controls the gain of the overdrive stage. Note: This control is only active when the Grit footswitch is turned ON.

Rare design

Generations of guitar players have sought noiseless clean sustain from a compressor, and this was the guiding goal of the research and design behind Philosopher's Tone, yielding a compressor with an internal 18 volts of headroom and naturally musical tone control.

The evolution of Philosopher's Tone

First released in 2009 and igniting a new following for Pigtronix, the Philosopher's Tone 2 is a "best of" design, incorporating the best elements of previous iterations plus a completely redefined Grit knob for significantly more versatility.

Modern-day alchemy

Practitioners of the mystical and ancient art of alchemy long sought an element called the Philosopher's Stone. They believed, if found, it could turn lead into gold and bestow immortality upon the person who wielded it. Philosopher's Tone 2 allows players to conjure gleaming sustain, soaring lead tones, and articulation across all six strings.

Model name: Philosopher's Tone
Function: Optical Compressor Sustainer
Category 1: Compression
Bypass: True Bypass

Electronics

Voltage: 9VDC
Current draw: 100mA
Input impedance: High
Output impedance: 150ohms

Body
Length (inches): 1.5
Width (inches): 3.75
Height (inches): 1.75
Weight (lbs): 0.5

Review: Pink Floyd: From Oblivion Vol 1: Live In San Diego October 17th 1971 captures this still iconic British prog band at the peak of their creative powers. Recorded during a seminal moment in their career, this live performance showcases their transcendental soundscapes and avant-garde experimentation in all their glory. From the eerie melodies of 'The Embryo' to the hypnotic rhythms of 'Set The Controls For The Heart Of The Sun,' the album immerses you in a vast sonic soundscape like no other. With flawless musicianship and mind-bending improvisations that you would expect, this album shows why Pink Floyd remain legends of progressive rock.

Review: The title of this three track time capsule from psychedelic prog-rock legends Pink Floyd is apt. As a band, the British heavyweights have always been known for their breathtaking live shows, and this is as much to do with the soaring guitar chords as the cacophonous climaxes, with many tracks given the kind of on-stage upgrade that creates a wild, juggernaut atmosphere. Concerts to lose yourself in. Recorded as the 1960s faded into a new age of rock, one that would see compositions become grander, more conceptual, and, ultimately, heavier, From Oblivion Vol.2: Live In San Diego October 17th 1971 seems to capture the spirit of that moment. A time when technological advancements, and frustration at the commercialisation of other sub genres, were feeding explorations in sound that seemed to look beyond our world and out into the great unknown.

Review: Seven long years on from the Lydia Lunch/Arthur Rizk produced, genre-mangling opus that was 2017's Why Love Now, Pennsylvania hardcore noise-rock auteurs Pissed Jeans make their filthy return on the fuzzy, feral and vehemently pissed off Half Divorced. Aged, seasoned, and peppered with hate, this 30 minute concoction of bruising riffs, anthemic hooks and positive nihilism hits like an old friend who still greets with a gut-punch, while frontman Matt Korvette succinctly presents the project's mission statement as "Half Divorced has an aggression within it, in terms of saying, 'I don't want this reality'. There's a power in being able to say, 'I realize you want me to pay attention to these things, but I'm telling you that they don't matter.' I'm already looking elsewhere." Well, in that case, the elusive elsewhere appears to be wherever we find our means of peace in an ever-unpeaceful world, and this grinding soundtrack to scoffing at the end times couldn't land a minute sooner.

Review: Placebo are a legendary Belgian jazz funk band led by Marc Moulin, 1971 to 1976.AP-VINE have released some of their titles as reissue CD's & LPs before but this time we present their finest tracks from their 3 stadio albums as limited pressing 7 inch singles with new remastering!