Near Stoic
Metamorphosis

Through 35 hedonistic highlights stretched across three volumes, Music For The Radical Xenomaniac delivers the first ever deep dive into The Netherlands’ colourful house sound of the 90s and the under-celebrated producers and record labels whose music soundtracked a countrywide cultural movement.Plenty of books and documentaries have celebrated the riotous raves, legendary clubs, high profile DJs and promoters who shaped The Netherlands’ hedonistic house scene throughout the 90s. Music For The Radical Xenomaniac dares to challenge these narratives by shining a light, for the first time, on those who created the scene’s kaleidoscopic, game-changing and globally influential soundtrack.Leading the charge were a disparate group of key creators who not only forged links with their counterparts in Detroit, Chicago, New York, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom, but also became celebrated figures on the worldwide electronic underground (Eric Nouhan, Aad De Mooy, Orlando Voorn, Stefan Robbers and Steve Rachmad). Alongside key underground imprints (Stealth Records, Basic Energy, ESP, Prime and Outland Records included) and lesser-known producers, these pioneers gave flavour to a radical musical movement via open-mindedness, unheard-of creativity and a genuinely futuristic ethos. All of these artists and labels are represented throughout the series.So, what defined this hedonistic house sound from The Netherlands? Stylistically, it was varied – as the series so emphatically proves – but was defined by a set of distinctive sonic characteristics: emotive musical motifs, high-frequency synth sounds, mellow basslines, pulsating rhythms and more than a touch of hallucinatory intent.Volume 1 boasts a wealth of notable tracks and slept-on gems. There’s ‘No Strings Attached (Freedom of the Soul Work)’ by Marionette, a magical spell of percussion-rich fairy-tale house from 1991 courtesy of R.o.X.Y Amsterdam resident DJ Dimitri and mellow pioneer Eric Nouhan, and the sole single by Eindhoven techno producer MAX404 as Faceless Techno Bastards, the rushing excellence of ‘Go Mellow’.Other highlights include Rachmad Project’s ‘Summer Breeze’, a chirpy house masterpiece from foundational producer Steve Rachmad that first appeared on Outland Records offshoot Spiritual Records, a genuine oddball obscurity from John Krengiëlczak as Land of Fantasy, Tales And Myths (‘And They Lived Happily Ever After’), and a seriously sought-after cut from Rotterdam duo Space Trax, 1992’s ‘Aura’.Packed full of forward-thinking 90s gems remastered for today’s dance floors by Alden Tyrell, Music For The Radical Xenomaniac Volume 1 is a life-affirming celebration of a distinctly Dutch musical movement, whose rich textures and melodies are still inspiring new generations of DJs and dancers today.

Welcome to Is A Feeling, a brand new label presumably from Triform who is also known as Scott Featherstone, and Beyond A Void, and Lemongrass. He has a kick for digging deep into his archives to turn out old but still godlier tackle and we guess that Underground Grooves Vol 01 is another such project. This 2" packs plenty of irresistible heat with the lively and low slung drums of 'Take Control', silvery tech edges of 'Skipron' and best of all, the raw, jacked up house of 'Remember Me.' All three are timeless and very useful tunes.

Moto Music of Zürich presents the "Martina EP" from the mind of Mallorca's talented artist Barcé.4 classy selections spanning flavors of Bossa House to Deep House and colorful Techno to ethereal Electro, await in the bliss of this vinyl experience suited for dynamic occasions; includes an edit from Dan Piu and mastering by Marco Pellegrino at Analogcut. Pressed on 180 gram vinyl for premium listening quality. The Martina EP is dedicated the Barcé's niece and Goddaughter.

Dance Floor Rituals kick things off strong with the first release on the label by a producer that will be nostrang. DJ and producer, Jorge Gamarra, has been crafting his skills for the best part of a decade. You can quicklynotice his dedication to interesting sounds and strong baselines whilst listening to DFR’s first release. 4tracks tailored for dark dance floors and long after hours. Emotional tracks with spiritual feeling and builtintuition. The perfect music and artist to kick things off for this new label.er to people in the know.

Lacking no celerity in its approach to dancefloor traction, the second incursion on STRCTR from Paris-based rising talent Vitess is primed to slap a smile on the face of 90s breaks, electroid techno dashers and pumped-up trance lovers. Following up to releases on Happiness Therapy, Pulse Msc and Chat Noir Tools, Vitess is bound to break the sound barrier with “Splitter” - a no-frills four-tracker featuring two originals + two remixes designed to bulldoze its way onto upper spheres of consciousness with absolute panache and determination.