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Review: Soma sub-label Avoidant Records recently put out a fantastic collection fo electro cuts but it was a digital only release. Now some of the standouts from it get pulled together on this fresh new 12"that joins the dots between Europe and Detroit. DJ Godfather kicks off with some rapid fire 313 electro, squirrelling bass and slick claps then 'One Direct Line' from The Exaltics is more cosmic and blissed out with lush ambient synths. On the flip, Flug goes hard with mad digital patterns and Blaktony layers up jacking drums, corrugated bass and dark hits. Great stuff.

Review: Long before electro returned to prominence, Transparent Sound was serving up must-check slabs of body-popping brilliance. In fact, the Bangor-raised duo have now been releasing music for 27 years. 'Beneath The Beauty', the pair's latest single, first featured on 2019 album Gently Evil. It's a fine slab of punchy, intergalactic electro rich in undulating TB-303 acid lines, alien-sounding electronics, shimmering pads and potent TR-808 beats. It comes accompanied by a brand-new flipside rework courtesy of US electro veteran Freddy Fresh, who gives the track a darker, more claustrophobic feel while adding a sparkling new lead line that's impressively futurist in tone.

Notes: Part of the analogue MG-X series, the MG16X CV features 16 channels with D-PRE class A preamps, three-band semi-parametric EQ and high-quality SPX digital effects. Solid value.

Supplier's Notes:
MG-X are an addition to the MG Mixer line up. Available in 10, 12 and 16 channel versions, this variant of MG Mixer features our acclaimed SPX effects, without the USB option featured on the XU model - perfect for all scenarios where USB streaming is not needed. The quality and features of the MG mixers series is of course retained, whilst the new models are presented in a fresh black/grey finish.

Road Tough. Studio Ready.

For more than a century, Yamaha has been building a legacy of superior craftsmanship and innovation exemplified in all of their products, from an unrivalled catalog of world-class musical instruments to touring-grade professional audio. Now in its third incarnation, the MG Series embodies this pursuit of design excellence, and incorporates some of the same technologies developed for use in high-end professional consoles, including studio-quality preamps, powerful digital processing, and a rugged, reliable construction.

With an intuitive, easy-to-use interface, the MG Series boasts an extensive lineup of compact mixing consoles with models ranging from six to twenty channels, suitable for a diverse range of users and applications. For installed, recording, or live music settings, the solid construction and flexible design of these consoles lets you shape your sound with confidence, continually delivering peak performance and a level of sound quality and reliability unrivalled in its class.

As same as XU models, X models have SPX effects. Not to mention live session, but also installation cases like conference rooms, banquet halls and weddings, users can have wide range of use. Stylish grey colour models enhance your performance.

Specifications

Mixing capability

On-board processors - SPX algorithm: 24 programs, PARAMETER control:1, FOOT SW:1 (FX RTN CH on/off)
I/O
Phantom power: +48 V
Digital I/O: N/A

Input Channels

Mono[MIC/LINE]: 8
Mono/Stereo[MIC/LINE]: 2
Stereo[LINE]: 2
Output Channels
STEREO OUT: 2
MONITOR OUT: 1
PHONES: 1
AUX SEND: 4
GROUP OUT: 4
Bus - Stereo: 1, GROUP: 4, AUX: 4 (incl. FX)

Input Channel Function

PAD: 26 dB (Mono)
HPF: 80 Hz, 12 dB/oct (Mono/Stereo: MIC only)
COMP: 1-knob compressor (Gain/Threshold/Ratio) Threshold: +22 dBu to -8 dBu, Ratio: 1:1 to 4:1, Output level: 0 dB to 7 dB Attack time: approx. 25 msec, Release time: approx. 300 msec
EQ HIGH: Gain: +15 dB/-15 dB, Frequency: 10 kHz shelving
EQ MID: Gain: Gain: +15 dB/-15 dB, Frequency: Mono 250 Hz - 5 kHz peaking, Stereo 2.5 kHz peaking
EQ LOW: Gain: +15 dB/-15 dB, Frequency: 100 Hz shelving
PEAK LED: LED turns on when post EQ signal reaches 3 dB below clipping
Level Meter: 2x12 -segment LED meter [PEAK, +10, +6, +3, 0, -3, -6, -10, -15, -20, -25, -30 dB]

General

Total harmonic distortion: 03 % @ +14dBu (20 Hz to 20kHz), GAIN knob: Min, 0.005 % @ +24dBu (1kHz), GAIN knob: Min
Frequency response: +0.5 dB/-1.5 dB (20 Hz to 48 kHz) , refer to the nominal output level @ 1 kHz, GAIN knob: Min
Hum & noise level
Equivalent input noise: -128 dBu (Mono Input Channel, Rs: 150?, GAIN knob: Max)
Residual output noise: -102 dBu (STEREO OUT, STEREO master fader: Min)
Crosstalk: -78 dB
Power requirements: AC 100 - 240 V, 50 / 60 Hz
Power consumption: 22 W

Dimensions

W: 308 mm (12.1"), H: 118 mm (4.6"), D: 422 mm (16.6")
Net weight: 2 kg (9.3 lbs.)
Accessories: Included Accessory: Owner's Manual, Technical Specifications, AC power cord, Cubase AI Download Information, Optional Accessory: Rack-mount kit RK-MG12, Foot Switch FC5
Others: Operating Temperature: 0 to +40C

Review: Working Men's Club have already gone on a wild ride despite only forming in mid-2018. They were already on Melodic with their debut single one year later, soon snapped up by Heavenly who released their self-titled debut in 2020. As they've grown fast, their sound has raced towards a compelling kind of synth pop clearly indebted to the likes of Cabaret Voltaire and The Human League, but certainly not constrained by those monolithic influences. On their second album, lead single 'Widow' points to a powerful, subtly noirish sound. It's a little more bombastic compared to the angular funk of earlier single 'John Cooper Clarke', but not less refined and clear in its intentions.

Review: Son House is a true blues legend. For sixty years, this album has been sat on a shelf, but thanks to Dan Auerbach's Easy Eye Sound label it is now seeing the light of day. It is made up of recordings from a 1964 gig in Indiana, which was a few months before he cut his debut album The Legendary Son House: Father of Folk Blues. Forever on My Mind features new versions of seven songs he wrote while on Columbia records as well as a fresh take on 'Preaching Blues' and the title track, which was never officially recorded in a studio so is as raw and real as it gets.

Review: Turkey has always had a fascinating funk scene and Beybonlar has been at the heart of its contemoorary scene. HIs 2019 album Gelin Aysem on Arsivplak is a gold standard from the genre and one of its key singles gets serve dup on its own 7" with a special insert. The title track 'Gelin Aysem' opens up with psyched out guitars, plenty of lo-fi drums and wailing Turkish vocals that bring the exotic flavours. On the flip, 'Nenni' is a little harder and darker in its mood and groove.

Review: Over the last couple of years, former Chi Factory member Hanyo van Oosterom has donned the Son of Chi alias and begun collaborating with a new generation of ambient producers. The latest is Spanish artist Clara Brae, who handed over a swathe of field recordings made for the site-specific Wetland sound instillation before returning to add new layers to the Dutch veteran's lengthy ambient soundscapes. As usual with van Oosterom's creations, what's on offer is an intoxicating, sonically detailed sound soup in which his own sparse instrumentation (percussion, bass, oud, mouth harp, piano, guitar and more) bobs and weaves in a sea of atmospheric field recordings and heady new age intent. If you've enjoyed any of his previous work, you'll love it - we genuinely think it's another future classic.

Notes: King Tubby is to this day synonymous with dub. He was a man who had a passion for fiddling with sound equipment, and turned that passion into a new musical genre and a veritable art form. He may have started his career as a repairman, but before he was done, his name was one of the most respected around the world. He worked with virtually every artist in Jamaica, and his name on a remix was like gold, a seal of quality that was never questioned.

Review: Benny The Butcher is a surefire hip-hop mainstay. He started off deep in the underground and then rose through the ranks thanks to his undoubted skill and has gone on to achieve plenty of both commercial success and critical acclaim. He hails from Buffalo in New York and is a hugely prolific artist who has put out plenty of records and twice reached the Billboard Top 40 albums chart as an independent. Tana Talk 4 is his latest highly anticipated record and is sure to set him off to a super 2022. It features fine guest spots from Conway, Westside Gunn, 38 Spesh and more.

Notes: Amp Academy Pedal

The Amp Academy is a complete valve amp modelling rig in a compact stomp box format. 3 storable scenes with 2 channels, selectable from 6 separate classic amplifier models. Each patch has Gain, Master and Boost for overdriven tones and 3-band EQ + Presence control. As with a real professional tube amp, there is an effects loop and internal rever effect. The addition of a noise gate helps to keep everything silent when no notes are played. Balanced or unbalanced outputs give flexible options for live performances via FRFR speakers, mixing console, or even for direct recording. All settings are fully editable via USB using the proprietary Amp Academy software and even self-made or third party IRs can be loaded for custom amp modelling. Next time you are carrying your heavy valve amplifier around, consider this incredibly flexible and pocket-sized alternative.

Power supply: 9Vdc, 100mA (min) pin-negative (not included)
Controls: Gain, Master, Boost, NR, Bass, Middle, Treble, Presence
Connections: Guitar in/out (6.3mm), Loop (6.3mm TRS), Aux (3.5mm), DI (XLR)
Dimensions: 115 x 105 x 58mm
Weight: 440g

Review: In 1991 the UK is in a very different place to the one it occupies today. One thing that hasn't changed in the 30 years between then and now, though, is how incredibly, unbelievably good Primal Scream's Screamadelica was. And still is.

It might have been the studio mastery brought to the mix by the late, great Andrew Weatherall. Perhaps it hit the nail on the head of a year when the country's rock and dance scenes finally met somewhere on the outskirts of Blackburn, or along the M25. Maybe, just maybe, it's because the tracks themselves are just great. Whatever your personal take, this album should be on everyone's shelves. From the hedonism of 'Loaded' to the pseudo-rave euphoria of 'Come Together', and the self love of 'Movin' On Up' always inspires, the record is of its time but resonates through the ages.

Review: Parallel Universe is a label into its second release here, following up a terrific debut with contributions from some of the scene's most ascendant names. On its second missive, they've tapped Antwerp's Nathan Boost who contributes the trippy, boompty, minimal house groove of 'Cloning Sequence', while Irishman Dylan Forbes serves up a throwback to early '90s rave on the breakbeat-infused euphoria of 'Ephemeral Ecstasy'. Elsewhere, Luke Mazzeri aka ModEx takes you to a higher state of consciousness on the early techno sound of 'Standardised Retro Augmentation' and finally E00's 'Birdwatching' is a mish-mash of tropes from classic house, IDM and trance.

Review: X Ray Productions welcome French dub duo Tetra Hydro K for a powerful new album of earth quaking sounds. There is no messing right from the off with 'Abou Simbel' layering up video game sound effects with off-grid drums and relentless bass. From there, a host of top guests stop by including rapper KT Gorique who shows all her power on L'impasse' and Glasgow MC Tom Spirals also impresses with two different turns - one in a hip hop style and the other bringing a trap bent. Elsewhere 'Skanking Trip' brings some dub stepper vibes vocalist Loic Paulin and a trio of instrumental tracks complete the trip.

Review: Ever consistent Canadian hardcore punk crew, Cancer Bats, are seemingly set to return with their follow up to 2018's 'The Spark That Moves', which marks their first offering following the departure of founding guitarist Scott Middleton.

With the frenetic thrashings of latest single, 'Lonely Bong', the group haven't sounded this vitriolic or pissed off in the better part of a decade.

From the thunderous title-track alone, it's evident 'Psychic Jailbreak' marks a smouldering return to form with low end grooves and Southern snarl imbued within its hardcore bindings. Cancer Bats have always sounded their best when resembling Every Time I Die getting into a beer-soaked bar brawl with Down, and this could be the fight that leads to a hospital visit.

Review: Ninja Tune's Odesza return with a brand new album as well as a massive world tour to match. 'The Last Goodbye' is another record to heighten the band's their long-held standing in the progressive and ambient house netscene they occupy. Every end of musical history is traversed in this emotive future downtempo release which sinks you into deep to its mellifluous world of sound. The title track is emblematic of this as it straddles, samples and licenses an incredible old recording of soul vocalist Bettye LaVelle against a funking, flourishing instrumental backdrop. It is one of the many gems that make this so essential.

Review: Andy Cooper is best known for being a part of the Californian hip hop group Ugly Duckling. But he recently stepped out on his own to put out his Hot Off The Chopping Block album. Now, his Oonops label picks out their favourite joints from it for this tasty little 7" pressed on recycled black wax. Out kicks off with the old school breaks and freewheeling Rhodes chords of 'Goin All Out' complete with retro verses. 'Blood, Sweat and Soul' is another classically inclined beat with snippets of James Brown's wordless noises and warm organs. 'Hot Pursuit' goes big on the basslines and 'Jerry's Goove' closes with some, well, country influences.

Review: Originally released in 1980 on the Alberika label, Orchestre Les Volcans du Benin Vol. 1 has long been a 'holy grail' LP for Afro-Cuban aficionados. It now sees it's first official reissue on Acid Jazz Records, with four infectious tracks across the two sides, including Oya Ka Jojo - latin dancefloor dynamite and a DJ must-have. Remastered by Nick Robbins at Sound Mastering and presented in a wonderful colour sleeve, it's an opportunity to finally own this special and highly sought after LP.

Review: Franz Waxman's contributions to the history of cinema, and its scores, cannot be understated. Having provided music for movies including Sunset Boulevard, Stalag 17, and Rear Window, he was working at the top of his game right through to around a year before his untimely death, aged 60, garnering 150 credits in total, with 12 Academy Award nominations and two Oscars to his name. The Bride of Frankenstein was one of the nominated titles, and it's certainly an evocative listen. Written in 1935, it's packed with the kind of tense string arrangements that once helped create brooding atmospheres from black and white early talkies. Grand at times, in other moments teetering on the brink of explosive cacophony, or poised on a knife edge.

Review: Just a year after the last reissue of this one should out, it is back again via a different label. This time American imprint Communique serve up this rare old skool reissue of Woody McBride's 'Basketball Heores' EP. It is a punchy gem from back in 1996 is a fine fusion of acid, trance, and big room techno, with every track from 'The Birdman' to 'Darrin Houston' sounding like something between a Mr. Oizo track and a Drumcode overwhelmer. In short, it's a devastating weapon to have in your arsenal - use it wisely.

Notes: Multi-format turntable case

One size fits all! The new MULTI-FORMAT TURNTABLE CASE is a heavy-duty road case that was especially designed to fit the popular Technics SL-1200/1210 Turntable. It includes several foam pads to accommodate various new models such as a Pioneer PLX-1000, Mixars LTA and other models from Stanton, Vestax, Reloop, American Audio or Numark.

Fits

Audio Technica LP120-USB
Audio Technica LP1240-USB
American Audio Power Drive 2.2
DJ-Tech SL-1300MK6
Mixars STA
Numark TTX
Numark CDX
Pioneer DJ PLX-1000
Pioneer DJ PLX-500
Reloop RP-8000
Reloop RP-7000
Reloop RP-6000
Reloop RP-2000
Roland TT-99
Stanton ST-150
Technics 1200/1210 G
Technics 1200/1210 GR
Technics 1200/1210 MK2
Technicsc 1210 MK5
Technicsc 1210 MK7
Vestax PDX 3000

Basics

Heavy duty construction of 9 mm vinyl laminated plywood
Solid aluminum profiles and spring loaded latches
Secure stacking due to stackable ball corners
Full padded interior keeps equipment well-protected
Incl. adjustment foams to accommodate different turntable models

Specs

Outer measures: 52 x 43 x 22 cm
Inner measures: 45,5 x 36,5 x 9 cm
Weight: 8 kg

Notes: Taking your creativity on the go is easy with our PULSE Case for the Akai MPC Studio 2! With a rigid exterior made from molded EVA material and a plush velvet interior, you can feel confident knowing your MPC Studio 2's LCD screen and touch-sensitive pads are totally protected. This ultra-compact and totally flat case will pack easily into your backpack, so you can use the entire world as your studio!

Description

These PULSE cases are made from a durable EVA material that is custom molded to your Akai MPC Studio 2. This secure fit will prevent your MPC from shifting and moving if you throw your case into your backpack or luggage when you're on the move.

The nylon strap makes carrying this case a breeze and the secure fit will prevent your MPC from shifting and moving as you throw your case into your backpack or luggage.

The interior of the PULSE case features a mesh pocket for storing extra cables or notes. The case is also lined with high-quality, soft velvet. This ensures that the sleek exterior, LCD screen, and pads are protected as you move.

Specifications

Custom molded to the Akai MPC Studio 2
Made from a lightweight and durable EVA material
Internal storage pocket for extra cables
Lightweight and easy to carry
Exterior: 14.76 x 8.46 x 2.56

Notes: If you own a portable recorder, a lightweight and compact case to transport it is a must! The molded EVA exterior and soft, velvet interior of our GLIDE case will keep your DR-40X clear of debris and the LCD screen clear from any scratches. Whether you're recording a concert, doing some field recordings, or recording directly in from an external source, keep your TASCAM DR-40X in pristine condition in our GLIDE case!

Description

The GLIDE case is made of a durable, molded EVA material that will help to protect your DR-40X from any knocks and falls. The GLIDE Case has been custom fitted to the exact dimensions of the TASCAM DR-40X, keeping your recorder totally secure during transport.

The GLIDE Cases interior is lined with black velvet material to prevent any scratches on the screen of your DR-40X. The GLIDE Case also includes a mesh pocket for storing any additional cables or recording notes you might have. From recording front of house at the show to the ambiance of the trail, the GLIDE Case is the ideal solution for protecting your TASCAM DR-40X.

Specifications

Custom designed for the TASCAM DR-40X
Durable molded EVA exterior
Super-soft velvet lining
Interior dimensions 8.07 x 3.74 x 2.36 inches

Review: The last time we heard from Sophie Regina Allison was two years ago, when Color Theory arrived as a follow up to the well-received debut, Clean. Born into a very different world to the one we're living in today, pre-pandemic (the WHO had yet to describe Covid-19 in those terms), before the outbreak of all-out war on the border of NATO's defensive territory, when things were affordable, and while the idea of a national strike in Britain was unthinkable.

Of course, that halcyon moment was short-lived. Within weeks of the record landing we were tapped in the personal prisons of our own homes. The rest is history. So, emerging out the other end it's only fitting that the artist in question - AKA Soccer Mommy - returns to bookend things. Sometimes Forever is certainly a fitting reward for all that's happened. A distorted hybrid of garage rock and pop sensibilities, it's the ideal soundtrack to an era when subcultures have all-but-vanished, and the mainstream can be underground.

Review: Niccolo Turini and Gunther Mian's Italian Weapons label is always looking for producers from its homegrown scene, especially those who take influence from golden age sounds. ITWVA001 includes five tracks entirely produced by young and talented Italian artists, such as James Brucke on the deep and sensual 'The Solo Player', Samuele De Santis going for that Stateside vibe from the early '90s on 'Green Paradise', while Gugo & Funksonik provide ample mood music on the moody dub house excursion 'Houze On Gu' over on the flip. This one's followed by Sandro Pandullo's evocative 'Indeleble Memories' taking clear influence from the classic Cabinet Records sound.

Review: The usual palette of new wavey deep dance gets stripped back to its bare bones on Cosmin Adrian aka. Dot 13's new EP 'The Way You Move', which gives us four gothic-vampiric, mystical cuts. 'Dansul' is a French new wave skeleton of a tune, with funky g-funk whistles and Transylvanian trills (all analog of course) dominating the mix. 'Set Me Loose' straightens things out into deeper electro territory, while 'Conga' dubs things out, and 'The Way You Move' closes on an ambient, boogie breaks bonanza.

Review: It will shock no one that this week along, Edinburgh based label Athens of the North has a wealth of great new music out. This 7" is another one from William Stuckey. The last one came last year but sadly, only after the man himself had passed away. But they follow it up with another gem that comes with the blessing of the man's family. 'Everything That's Good In Life' has never been released before but is as good as his material gets and is sure to become another classic. ON the reverse is an alternate 7" mix of 'Hold Me Close' that cuts deep.

Review: Lou Reed, Sterling Morrison, John Cale, Doug Yule, Maureen Tucker and - a little later - Nico broke the mould with their efforts as The Velvet Underground. The Andy Warhol-managed and produced cult rock icons helped lay the foundations for New Wave and punk about a decade before either sound really started to make inroads in any circles, let alone commercial ones. And, listening back to any of their records now, the music itself isn't just a significant bookmark theoretically: it all still sounds incredible today.

Todd Haynes' highly recommendable documentary charts at least some of that story in a commendable way, more so when you consider it arrived around 50 years after the original lineup disbanded. Using interviews with surviving members Cale and Tucker, alongside archive footage, music and other material, it paints a vivid portrait of an equally vivid band. With tracks by them in question, Bo Diddley, The Primitives and The Diablos, this OST helps colour that picture, and era, properly.

Review: The Prisoners' 1985 third album 'The Last Fourfathers' gets a proper first-time reissue on transparent blue vinyl, carefully cementing the four horsemen of UK soul's reputation as one of the country's best and greatest. It wasn't long after the release of this album that the band, ahem, disbanded... but their reforming in 1994 proved the album to be an influential hit among heads, with 'Nobody Wants Your Love' and 'Whenever I'm Gone' standing out as fan highlights.

Notes: Multi-format battles case

One size fits all! The new Multi-Format Battle-Case is a protective and flexible solution for the touring DJ that needs to transport a 10'' battle-mixer along with two turntables or the new Rane Twelve players. The practical multi-format design includes several foam strips to accommodate various 10'' battle-mixer and turntable models from Pioneer, Rane, Technics etc. Thanks to its internal cable access ports all equipment can be pre plugged and is ready to play on stage or anywhere.

Fits

Turntables:

Audio Technica LP120-USB
Audio Technica LP1240-USB
American Audio Power Drive 2
DJ-Tech SL-1300MK6
Denon VL12
Epsilon DJT-1300
Mixars STA
Numark TTX
Numark CDX
Pioneer PLX-1000
Pioneer PLX-500
Rane Twelve
Reloop RP-8000
Reloop RP-7000
Reloop RP-6000
Reloop RP-4000
Reloop RP-2000
Roland TT-99
Stanton ST-150
2 Technics 1200/1210 G
Technics 1200/1210 GR
Technics 1200/1210 MK2
Vestax PDX 3000

Mixers:

NI Kontrol Z2
Mixars Duo
Pioneer DJM-S11
Pioneer DJM-S7
Pioneer DJM-S9
Pioneer DJM-909
Pioneer DJM-707
Rane Seventy-Two
Rane Sixty-Two
Rane Sixty-One
Rane TTM57 MK2
Rane TTM57 SL
Rane TTM-56
Rane MP-2014
Reloop Kut
Reloop Elite
Thud Rumple TRX
Vestax PMC-07
Vestax PMC-05

Specs

Outer dimensions: 112 x 56,5 x 22 cm
Inner dimensions: 37 x 52 x 8,3 cm (Turntable-compartment), 29 x 52 x 8,3 cm (Mixer compartment)
Weight: 18,8 kg

Notes: Customized to transport and protect the Pioneer DDJ-REV7 DJ-Controller. Crafted from 9 mm vinyl laminated plywood, sturdy aluminium profiles and heavy duty butterfly latches, it provides you with secure transport and workstation in one. Thanks to the integrated gliding laptop platform and the convenient cable access port, the setup is ready for action in no time at all.

Fits

Pioneer DDJ-REV7

Specs

Outer measures: 82,5 x 51,5 x 23 cm
Inner measures: 73,3 x 36,3 x 6 cm (Controller-compartment)
Weight: 15,6 kg

Review: Last year, Belgian imprint De:Tuned decided to commission a wealth of remixes of 'St8818r', Future Sound of London's 2019 re-make of their 1988 UK acid/techno fusion classic as Humanoid, 'Stakker Humanoid'. Kicking off with the peerless, breakbeat-driven, TB-303-riddled '88 original, this CD contains all nine commissioned reworks, plus a wealth of bonus material. There's plenty to excite those who love the intersection of acid, electro, techno, IDM and Rephlex-style 'braindance', with highlights including a murky and mind-bending Autechre rub, a storming, Phuture-inspired acid-jack interpretation from Mikey Dred, an impressively uncompromising breakbeat take from Plaid and a gorgeous, piano-sporting twist from Roel Funcken. Bonus cut 'Blue Beans', a psychedelic ambient acid excursion, is also superb.

Notes: DJ Controller Case XDJ-RX3/RX2

Customized to hold the new Pioneer XDJ-RX3 or XDJ-RX2 DJ-Controller. Crafted from 9 mm vinyl laminated plywood, sturdy aluminum profiles and heavy duty butterfly latches, this case provides ultimate protection for mobile use on the road.

Fits

Pioneer XDJ-RX3
Pioneer XDJ-RX2

Specs

Outer measures: 80,5 x 53 x 20,5 cm
Inner measures: 72,5 x 37,4 x 7,5 cm (Controller-compartment)
Weight: 12,9 kg

Review: Welsh warrior Quartz continues his great run of form as he follows his recent Rupture EP with this megalithic four-pack on Mako's Utopia. 'Krokodil' snaps us into reality with a fittingly dystopic setting with urgent vocal stabs and glacial breaks, 'Gateway' takes us on a breezier mission while 'Rituals' is all about those chubby rounded bass/kick fluctuations and sinewy stabs; minimal in make-up, maximum in force. Finally the title track closes off this bleak, chaotic serenade with some outrageous drumfunk choppage. Serious jungle business for 2022; life ain't always rosy... it can be very thorny too.

Review: Old school Wisconsin based thrash-inflected death metal mammoths, Jungle Rot, make their Unique Leader debut with, A Call To Arms; the follow up to their crushing 2018 self-titled effort. With seasoned, visceral chops honed throughout the seminal nineties era, the band are an ironic outlier residing on a roster of slamming deathcore acts who all owe retrospective credence. Invoking their moniker and artwork with images of voodoo occultism, the decrepit, Lovecraftian design shrouds the jagged riffage, guttural vocals and claustrophobic percussion in a cosmic, otherworldly atmosphere.

Review: Japanese rapper MC RYT hails from the Serpat Crew and this expansive new record finds him step out with producer Djar One and Kesta AKA Kool Kest. It is a limited album that packs in plenty of different and effective styles from classic boom bap sweeter R&B-tinged joints via jazz swing sounds. Favourites include the laidback and louche sounds of 'On & On', the deep rolling 'Space Talk' with its hard bars and 'Izakaya Style', a nice jazz and loungey cut with a guest sport from Le Jules. This is a superb addition to the shelves of any beat lover and hip hop head.

Review: Dave Welding's Soul Junction has another great package here from The Hill District. This was a group of working musicians that was initially assembled by bassist Walter "Sonny" Hughes who was impressed with them after seeing them rehearse one afternoon. They only ever managed to record one 45, however, and it is this one, and it has overmuch remained hard to find over the years. Hill District's 'You're Scared Of Falling In Love' is glorious sunny and carefree soul with gentle rhythms and great vocal work. Richie Merrett then steps up on the flip with 'You'll Always Have Yesterday Standing By' which is much more verily sentimental and pained.

Review: Purely democratic bands are hard to come by, but Tortoise might just be a known exception to that rule. 'Rhythms, Resolutions and Clusters' is probably ther best LP in their lot to encompass this outlook; a well-rounded album of trudging quasi-electronic codi, released in 1995 as part of the industrial and post-rock scenescape. It hears 7 tracks nod to wonky, pained, muddy dub in the vein of 23 Skidoo, This Heat, Pole or Muslimgauze, and this new cream reissue of course contains all the remixes; Steve Albini, Jim O'Rourke, and Bundy K. Brown et al.

Review: Tortoise's 1995 album Rhythms, Resolutions & Clusters gets a first new vinyl pressing in almost three whole decades. It is a fine collection of remixes that is from ended associates and family including Casey Rice, Mike Watt (Minute Men), John McEntire, Bundy K.Brown and many more. They all help make it a much better than average remix album with a couple of all time gems from these a-listers who are all in fine form. Jim O'Rourke's 'Initial Gesture Protraction' and Steve Albini 's take on 'The Match Incident' are two particular standouts.

Notes: The Zomo VS-Box 100 is a practical way to store your vinyl in a stylish and efficient way.

The Zomo VS-Box 100 is made of solid wood and laminated with tough water-repellent dekor. This model is easy to install, multi-stackable and can be combined with other VS-Boxes. The Box is also compatible to vinyls in protection covers. The capacity can be various by the thickness of your vinyl.

Review: This double 12" compilation between Brazilian duo Stekke and producer and DJ Max Underson is a perfect marriage between the emotional aesthetic background of Underson's previous works and the precise floor-filling formula that Stekke has devised. The minimal composition is at the crossroads between deep, acid and tech house, with the wet basslines of 'The Messenger' being paired with ritualistic sub-bass lines culminating in house heaven. A real highlight on this release is side 4's 'Guidance', a smooth, grooving track that goes to show that house tracks don't always have to be cramped to the brim. The negative space used in these tracks, and the way it's used, is an art. Not to turn a blind eye to the two unique remixes on the compilation either, which take tracks to new heights thanks to the abstract re-imaginings by XDB and Melchior Productions Ltd. Universal Law is a schooling in the ways of minimal house, take notes.

Notes: The Zomo VS-Box 200 is a practical way to store your vinyl in a stylisch and efficient way.

The VS-Box 200 is made of solid wood and laminated with tough water-repellent dekor. This model is easy to install, multiple stockable and can be combinated with other VS-Boxes. The Box is also compatible to vinyls in protection covers.

The capacity can variate by the thickness of your vinyl.

Review: The basslines might be big, but Berlin collective Cheap Fast Worldwide are keeping budgets tight with their brand new vinyl concern. Already an established podcast mix series, now a fully-fledged label, this launch release lays down everything we need to know as we flip and fly between the flavours. Cats like Lou Raw lay down golden woozy UKG skippery, B is all about the lo-fi flavours and warm and warping house and Olli Oski and EE bring the EP to a wonderful psycho dub finale. What an entry EP.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Slight surface mark on the record, but otherwise in excellent working condition***


Adia Victoria makes a thoroughly welcome return with her third album, A Southern Gothic. From her unmistakable vocal twang to the scratchy tone of her guitar and the bottleneck lurches behind her, she embodies the south of the USA with undeniable flair. Doubling down on that idea for her third record, she conjures up another stellar run of blues with acerbic wit and confessional intimacy woven together in potent fashion. Featuring the likes of Kyahona and Margo Price on 'You Was Born To Die' and Stone Jack Jones on 'My Oh My', this might just be her best album yet.

Notes: The Collective is a brand new fuzz pedal designed by Hungry Robot. The Collective is an over-designed, complex fuzz pedal, a true desert island fuzz designed to please the most ardent fuzz connoisseur. The Collective covers a lot of ground with plenty of external controls as well as over a DOZEN internal parameters to narrow down that perfect fuzz tone. The Collective is a pedal that requires and encourages exploration. The Collective has three fuzz circuits in one box. On top of that there is a 2-band State Variable Filter and a chatotic feedback loop.

Starting at the top of the pedal, the "Conventional" knob is a traditional sounding fuzz. This is meant to balance out the more chaotic fuzz tones and provides a bread-and-butter sound when you need it. The "Low Spectrum" and "High Spectrum" knobs are part of an active State-Variable Filter, similar to the one found on The Lumen. The "Synthetic" knob is a logic based CMOS fuzz that can be described using the words, velcro-ey, synth-ey, gate-ey, and glitch-ey. The "Pristine" knob allows you to blend in your clean signal when you need a bit of pureness to balance out the crazier sounds. On the left is the "Overload" knob. This controls the amount of signal let back through an internal feedback loop. The output of the fuzz is fed back into the input causing self-oscillation and some gnarly textures. Underneath the knob is a dedicated momentary footswitch to activate the feedback loop or you can latch the feedback loop ON by flipping the toggle switch up. On the right is the "Submerge" knob. This is a monophonic sub-octave fuzz. Similar to the "Synthetic" fuzz, this is also CMOS-based, so similar gated, unstable tones. The "Submerge" also has a dedicated momentary footswitch to add in the sub-octave with its own toggle switch that can latch the sub-octave.

Controls

Conventional: Adjusts the volume of the Conventional Fuzz
Synthetic: Adjusts the volume of the Synthetic Fuzz
Pristine: Adjusts the volume of the clean signal.
Overload: Controls how much feedback is looped back into front end when Overload is active.
Latching Toggle Next to Overload: Latches the Overload effect ON when up. When down, the effect is bypassed.
Footswitch Below Overload: Momentary control of Overload effect. Does the opposite of what the Toggle Mode is set to.
Submerge: Amount of Submerge, monophonic sub-octave is sent to the output.
Latching Toggle to Submerge: Latches the Submerge effect ON when up. When down, the effect is bypassed.
Footswitch Below Submerge: Momentary control of Submerge effect. Does the opposite of what the Toggle Mode is set to.
Middle Footswitch: Master Bypass

Technical specifications:

Current Draw: 97 mA
Dimensions: 5.7" x 4.7"
Powering: 9V DC - Negative Center - 2.1mm Barrel

Review: Here's something we didn't expect: an all-star collaboration between two of the 1980s most potent synth-pop duos, Soft Cell and Pet Shop Boys. Long-term fans of both artists will love the original version of 'Purple Zone', a throbbing, arpeggio-driven synth-pop number boasting lead vocals from Mark Almond and chorus back-up from Neil Tennant. The latter and PSB partner Chris Lowe provide the various remixes scattered across the 12": a classic, Fairlight stab-sporting 'Extended Mix' that recalls Shep Pettibone's mid-80s mixes for PSB, a piano-sporting 'Club Mix' that gives the track a heavier Italo-disco-goes-house spin, and a pleasingly muscular 'Club Dub' that subtly pays tribute to David Morales' early '90s Red Zone dubs.

Review: Six years after debuting, Global Underground's Select series has reached its seventh instalment. Like its' predecessors, the two-disc set offers a pair of non-stop mixes (created by an uncredited DJ or studio engineer), both of which are packed to the rafters with up-front, soon-to-be-everywhere cuts plucked from the worlds of tech-house, progressive house and techno. Expect tracks and remixes from the likes of Stephan Bodzin & Marc Romboy, Ame, Patrice Baumel, Gorge, Steve Bug, Fur Coat, Captain Mustache [sic] and Alan Fitzpatrick, plus a breathless, life-affirming flow and entertainment aplenty. As the old Ronseal advert used to proclaim, this does "exactly what it says on the tin".

Review: Into The Deep Records is a Paris-based, vinyl-only label run by Arthur Lastmann and Step Daw. It presents a reissue of Nu Ambient Grooves by Chris Zippel aka Genuine, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release. The productions were originally released on Bavarian imprint Ninetysix Sounds back in 1997 and is full of quality downtempo, IDM and acid sounds. Opening up with the psychedelic sunrise breaks of 'Clearing The Past', it soon leads into the sunset on the chilled beats of 'Wandering Around, Lost'. Over on the flip it's all about the emotive electro futurism of 'Playground'.

Review: The Okbron label is at the heart of the modern drum & bass landscape and puts out a steady stream of high quality music to keep itself there. This latest drop from Axis is sweet one that will sound all the better in summer. Opener 'Ill Mansion Jazz' is as silky as they come, with plunging bass, shimmering synths and melancholic chords over dusty high speed breaks. On the flipside is the jazzy late night vibe of 'Barumba Nights' with its double bass and mysterious sax leads. Super classy stuff.

Review: Time-honoured guitarist Johnny Marr releases yet another new solo album this winter, 'Fever Dreams Pt. 1-4'. Charting his long and isolated experience of the first COVID lockdowns, this album documents the guitarist's "interior life" away from the spotlight of Modest Mouse, The Smiths or The Cribs. A unique turquoise vinyl houses this promising dark new wave pop bit - its sound preempted by the first part, released last year. In his own words, Marr calls it his "most ambitious solo record".

Review: Masayuki Takanayaga was a pioneering Japanese free jazz player who started his career in the early 50s. More than just a skilled guitarist, he boldly pushed into noise and free improvisation realms, perhaps best captured with the New Direction Unit group on this landmark album from 1975. Eclipse is a formidable experience in which Takanayaga and his group wrangle an incredible spectrum of tones from their instruments with a seemingly unbound attitude. It sets the tone for groups like No-Neck Blues Band and beyond - a masterful statement from a fearless innovator.