Skinshape - Life & Love

On his third record "Life & Love" Will Dorey aka Skinshape has taken another step to perfecting his musical craft. The British beat-maker and multi-instrumentalist released a worthy successor to his 2014 s/t album and 2015's "Oracolo" creating unique soul vibes and deep grooves.

"Life & Love" features more vocal tracks than before, sung by Aaron (Paul) Taylor and Dorey himself. From the first tracks on this album is highly entertaining in its calm and soothing character as it grooves steadily between old school vibes and the approach of a beat-maker. The opener "Take My Time" is definitely one to look out for. "Life & Love" was released on May 3rd on DLaow &Co.

Get the full stream on Bandcamp.

Tiny Legs Tim - Melodium Rag

Although Tim De Graeve aka Tiny Legs Tim is still in his thirties he certainly prefers his sounds vintage. The Belgian guitarist and singer released his full-length solo album "Melodium Rag" earlier this year and combines classic songwriting motives with stripped down instrumentation and recording style.

The record starts off with "Religions Serve the Devil" which also appeared on a single release from last year. Slide guitars, classic lyric motives, gospel-like blues singing parts and guest harmonica player Steven Troch make Tiny Legs Tim's simplistic and humble approach a really joyful listening experience. And despite the limited personnel De Graeve really knows how to dynamically groove along his tunes like the old greats of the genre, while you can picture him sitting in front of a microphone from 1950 playing his 1943 guitar.

Stream his previous single release on Bandcamp or the album on his website.

Miramode Orchestra - Tumbler

You might find it easy to file Miramode Orchestra's warm grooves and mellow vocals under jazz - and yes, the tracks on "Tumbler" could easily make it on any Jazz Sampler, your personal Chill-Out playlist or those tracks your friends will ask you for at the next party - but there are also some musical spaces in between that take this record out of the ordinary.

The album marks the Berlin-based bands second album. It features various sonic experiments from Electronica to string arrangements that move well within easy accessible genre-elements. Its all centered around positive vibes and nice rythmic patterns.The group features seven instrumentalists and three additional vocalists in Inez Schäfer, Mara von Ferne and Dan Freeman. "Tumbler" certainly doesn't rest on the easy-listening level but develops its own warm and unique sounding structures around well known conventions as it builds up and breaks down tensions, varies rhythms and slightly but effectively experiments in style.

Get the full stream on Bandcamp.

Dog in The Snow - The Hunger Tower

Delving through fragile soundscapes and lyrical vocals UKs Dog In The Snow delivers an intriguing track in "The Hunger Tower" as a first taste for her full-length album.

There is an epic and floating character about the song that lives off spheric electronic sounds and oddly rhythmic guitar tracks. Helen, head of this one-woman-project, creates a dark and yet beautiful atmosphere. Her voice soars on top this slowly moving and thoughtful composition as she unfolds abstract and personal thoughts. The full album "Consume Me" will be available on Battle Records in late October.

Get the stream below or more info here.

Dday One - Gathered Between

It's a good thing beatmaker Dday One decided to reconstruct some old tracks by memory that had been lost in one of those familiar hard drive crashes. The result is his latest and fifth album "Gathered Between" which is a real beauty for any fan of honest and dusty beatmaking.

Compared to lots of other contemporary beatmakers the first thing that strikes about these tracks is the organic sound composition. It's almost like the playing of a rather unconventional band with the eventual use of vocal samples. In doing so Dday One accomplishes to create intense and original vibes that might remind you of early records of the beatmaking era.

Get the full stream on Bandcamp.

Spectateur - Yateveo

The French Touch Connection presents the first full-length album by Spectateur from Angers. "Yateveo" was released a few weeks ago and features eleven tracks of excellent beatmaking.

There is a very dark and cinematic vibe to each sound on this record. The production is very clear and comes to you in a flawless sonic outfit. The dynamics on tracks like "Bipolar Every Days" or "Sorry" make the bleak and intense atmospheres really come to life. Guest appearances feature rappers Jeremiah Bonds, Lowschool, Nouvel R and L. Atipik.

Get the full stream and/or free download on Bandcamp.

Family Atlantica - Cosmic Unity

Next month will see the release of Family Atlantica's new album. "Cosmic Unity" will be the second record by the acclaimed band from London and will appear almost naturally on Soundway Records.

As a first taste for whats about to come the track "Enjera" has already aired. It sounds like a very heavy grooving twist on mulatuesque sounds and dynamic sax solos. The composition showcases a mature blend of very accurate arrangements and huge rhythms. On The full album you will also find vocal contributions in many different languages that contribute to the international character of this music.

Stream "Enjera" on Soundcloud.

Anchorsong - Ceremonial

Not often do you hear an electronic musician making waves with his dynamic live shows. Although Masaaki Yoshida, aka Anchorsong is almost standing still on his MPC 2500 there is something seriously captivating about the way he creates his music.

The name and coverart of his new album "Ceremonial" on Tru Thoughts is a tribute to his inspirations from African music which you can hear on this record. Without stressing how "fresh" and "lively" those African influences might sound it is important to note that the life and dynamic character in this music comes from the way how Anchorsong applies those samples and how he develops his tracks. Yoshida, who is currently residing in London, is really creating an individual style that sounds far more organic than most approaches in the genre. 

Stream "Ceremonial" on Bandcamp.

Bambino dell'Oro - Los Belvos

Putting an interesting spin on traditional jazz approaches Bambino dell'Oro from Oxford are set release their new album "Los Belvos".

The duo consists of Evan McGregor on drums and Niko Brian on piano. Both also appear on various other instruments like Melodica or percussions throughout the album that also features guest musicians on bass and saxophone. The two tracks you can already listen to display mature compositions that make use of complex rhythms as in the cinematic flow of "Spit Splish Splash" or the grooving "Monolithik Asterisk".

Release will be next Week on Art As Catharsis. Get the stream on Bandcamp.

Leaf Peeper & Vesper Chimes - God's Country

Blending experimental ambient sounds and traditional folk motives Leaf Peeper & Vesper Chimes' new album "God's Country" is a perfect meeting of songwriter Matt Brown and Chicago duo Ethan Parcell and Hannah Bureau.

Mostly the aforementioned sounds represent a part of nature as they are unique field recordings that are certainly not always as peaceful and quiet as the coverart suggests. What is true though is the floating character of the tracks - more than everything else they are vibes and atmospheres; the grooves, guitars and vocals arise out of them and find themselves perfectly embedded. So "God's Country" is a journey through wide landscapes filled with melodies and calm moods.

Get the full stream on Bandcamp.

Julian Julien - Terre II

Blending photography and experimental music French saxophonist Julian Julien created a very cinematic jazz sound on his new album "Terre II". As the name suggests it is the successor to a similar project he did in 2000.

Julien worked with numerous international photographers and captured their motifs in very atmospheric tunes using innovative sound elements and developing progressive song structures. His collaborations from the musical perspective are Frédéric Collignon on trumpet, Siegfried Canto on flute, Rémi Dumoulin on clarinet and fellow sax player Michaël Havard. Although I didn't see all the pictures I can tell that they surely transmit a variety of moods and feelings that are expressed in dreamy tracks like "Iris V", dynamic ones like the title tune "Terre II" or dark grooves as in "Mr John Barry".

Stream/watch a few extracts on Youtube.

Serious Beak - Ankaa

Another gem from the contemporary Australian heavy scene: Serious Beak's brand new instrumental masterpiece "Ankaa".

The three members of this band can also be found in regional groups like Squat Club, Hashshashin, Nyce Destroyer, Död, Jxckxlz, AM Frequencies, Kurushimi and the incredible Adrift for Days. "Ankaa" is a great mix of heavy riffs, polyrythmic elements and progressive song structures. In just a second this band will go from chaotic riffs to psychedelic moods and back again - all worked out nicely and transmitted through huge dynamics.

Get the full stream on Bandcamp.

Anatoly Ice - Rhymes Are Muted

When I tell you that Anatoly Ice is a Beatmaker from Russia whose latest release is called "Rhymes Are Muted" you probably know exactly what you can expect. Maybe you still remember his remarkable soul collaboration with singer Dariya - now you can hear his works in an all instrumental outfit.

Though vocals or raps would be a good fit for most of the tracks they also make a pretty good and grooving impression on their own. This is a collection of carefully and well placed samples and a an impressive demonstration in beatmaking.

Get the full stream on Soundcloud.

Abeokuta Afrobeat - Agô EP

For quite some time now Brazil has seem to be a hot bed for the worldwide expansion of the afrobeat tradition. The Abeokuta collective from Recife is another example for the excellent contributions coming from this part of the globe.

The group's brand new four-track EP is called "Agô" and features an explosive and dynamic approach. The title track and opener is an high speed afro groove with melodic brass sections and nice vocals while a tune like "Lessimí" is an exercise in slow and intense rhythms. The positive vibes on this EP are addicting and are coming to you for free.

Get the stream and free download on Soundcloud.

Radare - Im Argen

Four years after releasing their last album "Hyrule" Radare from Wiesbaden are all set to drop their new and deeply moving new record "Im Argen" later this month.

Created by four guys playing drums, guitar, bass, keys, clarinet and trombone the five tracks on this album illustrate a minimalistic and yet very intense musical journey. Quiet soundscapes that seem to express an endless sadness characterize this highly cinematic approach. The floating nature of the music finds its beauty in the effective repetition of simple and haunting melodies. And there really is beauty on this album - it keeps lurking here and there between the depressive vibes and keeps building to a truly joyful and monumental climax in the final track "Distress".

Get the album on Golden Antenna records' website (out on September 25) and/or watch the great video for "Burroughs" below.

Brazzmatazz - HUA! EP

The Brazzmatazz ensemble from Belgium is a high energy brass band that blends several genres in an exciting fashion on their brand new EP "HUA!".

You will find three tracks that boast with hard hitting ska-rhythms and vibes that change from fiercely driving sections in "Zopje" to feel good moods in "Township Two-Step" - and sometimes they can change from one second to another. Incorporating New Orleans sounds, Balkan rhythms and traditional brass sounds this group plays well arranged music with an highly entertaining character. This EP delivers the whole package and is a truly uplifting experience.

Get the full stream and free download on Bandcamp.

Switchstance Label Compilation

If you haven't heard of Cologne's very own Switchstance Records yet then here's your chance to dig into the label's great catalogue. The brand new and absolutely free compilation shows a nice variety of beats, rap and deep vibes.

The names on this one include beatmakers Subrok Mision, Deela, Protassov, Ancient Astronauts, Fat Albert Einstein. Astroboter and Kabanjak who is supported by rapper Azeem on his track "Rhythm".

Get the full stream and free download on Bandcamp.

The Polyversal Souls - Invisible Joy

This is a big one on the recently introduced label Philophon Records from Berlin: The Polyversal Soul's debut record "Invisible Joy".

The album features guests from all over the world in Africa Baby Bam from New York, Hailu Mergia from Ethiopia and Ghana's Guy One, Roy X and Y-Bayani. It's an incredibly energetic journey through funk, soul, jazz and even some rap sounds. And it comes to you packed in an international sound outfit. The label's preference for african rhythms and vibes certainly shines through this record and The Polyversal Sounds use those vibes to create their own unique brand of music on "Invisible Joy". It is like an all-star meeting of musicians you might have never heard before - so you better keep them in mind from now on.

Stream some track's on the label's Soundcloud.

Quarter Street

Bringing back the gritty and street flavour of the old Salsa sound is the mission of Melbourne's "Quarter Street" who are about to give you a first impression on their upcoming selftitled album.

So practically you won't encounter many surprises on this album - It's that old school Salsa approach with vibrant percussions, dynamic horns and lively vocals. Practically, because this straight forward and analog way of doing things has become absent in many contemporary releases with shiny pop sounds and branded appearences. Quarter Street is more oriented towards older and more authentic bands of this great latin tradition. Thus its no wonder that you can find a tribute to one of those groups in the cover version of The Brooklyn Sounds' incredible "Libre Soy". The opener "Fantasia" is already available for streaming and this one will surely stimulate your appetite for this record.

Get the stream on Bandcamp.

Mister T. - Big Day

While various contemporary beatmakers strive for all the new ways to create their style Dimitris Tentinis aka Mister T. has found his unique sound in a rather old school approach on his new album "Big Day".

From the first notes on in the opener "A True Story" you will know where this trip is going: funky beats, swinging rhythms, hip hop breaks and nice sampling. On top of that you will also find guest appearances by various vocalists like Lucy Lune Gillespie or Katie Rose Summerfield. The positive vibes in the tracks are simply infectous and just a thing of beauty for every lover of the beatmaking genre.

Get the full stream on Bandcamp.