Human Figures
Footsteps

SAISEI founder Junki Inoue continues his vital archival work uncovering the riches of Japan’s distinctive electronic music scene and bringing them to new audiences around the world. The Sounds Of Transonic compiles six tracks recorded in Tokyo between 1991 and 1995 and released by the pioneering Transonic label, founded in 1994 by Kazunao Nagata and active until 2004.Transonic’s catalogue is a glittering roll call of the scene’s major players, whose inventive and genre-blending work established forward-thinking house and techno in Japan in a way that would shape the country’s electronic sound for years to come. Transonic was instrumental in giving exposure to the work of these artists with its emblematic series of CD compilations, released over a short couple of years in the mid 90s. Beginning with 970-1450km/h, Feedback and Range, the series also included The Roots Of Transonic, featuring music from parent label Trigger. Alongside these compilations came much sought-after solo albums each packaged with striking cover art that makes the discs a visual treat for collectors to this day.The Sounds Of Transonic brings together six tracks from the catalogue into one breath-taking package. The influence of hi-tech jazz and machine funk from Detroit is undeniable in ‘Dream Trance’ (Mind Design) and ‘Blasting Soul’ (Interferon), while ‘Under The Ground’ (Palomatic) and ‘Chelsea’ (Suzukiski) are permeated by the artificial intelligence and trip hop emanating from the UK at the time. The compilation is bookended by two tracks by Nagata himself (as Organization): ‘Space Ball’, a Model 500-worthy chase through the cosmos, and ‘Call’, an eerie echo of Kraftwerk’s telephone, transmitting expectantly out into the void and, finally, receiving its celestial answer.With The Sounds Of Transonic these formative pieces of music will now be available internationally and, for the first time, on vinyl.SAISEI is a Japanese word which translates to ‘reproduction’ and ‘to play’ (as in playing records). Japanese culture is widely known for its traditional nature just as much as it is for being forward into the future and this label’s concept does justice to exactly that. Having started digging for records as early as 16 years old, Inoue delved into productions from 1990s Japan to uncover these native gems. SAISEI’s core concept is to recapture and reintroduce unique pieces of Japanese electronic music onto vinyl, to an audience it never reached before as most of this music was only released in Japan.

Sofa Movements Records, a Slovak-Irish label, returns with its second 2 x LP Various Artists compilation named Dva (meaning "two"). Four countries, twelve producers. House, Techno, Minimal. Filters, vocals, synths, raw beats and everything danceable from 115 to 127 bpm. Keep your eyes and ears peeled for this one!

Life is Worth Living, officially a second LP from El Niño Andrés, comes 9 years after its debut LP "Más Dinero Más Problemas", but sound wise it's still walking on the borderline between house, jazz and soul. El Niño's usual combination of Rhodes and Moog improvisations on top of house and jazz-funk drum-lines is present on all album tracks, with live sax additions on "Come Closer" and "Mercy Mercy". Album is an uptempo affair, but as usual with Jackie Brown releases, not your straightforward 4x4 routine - poly-rhythms and percussion drive "Wasting Your Life" and "Soul", while "The Approach of Midnight" sounds like it could have been placed straight into a Tenet soundtrack LP.

Following the success of their first release, Leeds-based label On Rotation returns with a 4-track EP from Australian producer Solar Suite. Expanding on the contemporary style of his debut release on Echocentric Records, the Slingshot EP shows off his ability to inject groove and a sense of fun into a trippy, compelling framework.Joining him on the remix is fellow Aussie and Step Ball Chain label head Roza Terenzi, twisting the title track into a dark and brooding peak time stomper.“This EP was written throughout Melbourne's 2020 lockdown, what seems like an eternity ago... In hindsight, it provided me with the perfect opportunity to grow and learn as a producer.Finding the motivation and drive to write and finish these tracks was a definite challenge,but overall something I am very proud of and ecstatic to have the opportunity to be working with Adam, Marlon, Chris and Katie to bring this to life.”This marks the second release for On Rotation, the party turned label headed by Chris I’Anson, Lisene & Adam Pits. “We’re hyped to have Solar Suite on the label for our second release and excited to share what we have in store for the future of the label. Once again the artwork has been done by the amazing Bristol based Illustrator Patch D Keyes.” - Chris

New release by Boston-based songwriter and instrumentalist Judd Stone and vocalist Jayde Lee.