December 7, 2019A new LP drop from NCHX (aka NOCHEXXX aka CHXFX aka Dave Henson) this week brings further proof to my working theory that some of the year’s best workings always come in the final month. Delivering on the Nochexxx ethos of masterfully constructed experimental bashings, B·O·M gives us a full-length release of thoughtfully placed influences of techno, rave, acid-house and…
November 21, 2019Seun Kuti & Egypt 80 have minted a brilliant new label this month, bringing live production to wax through the Night Dreamer label. The band improvised and reinterpreted four tracks from last year’s Black Times LP, recording in one take straight to the acetate. No overdubs, no post-production; just how we like it. If Discogs hosted dating profiles mine would…
October 3, 2019It’s fifteen years since disrupt founded the Jahtari label, and over a decade since the influential Jahtarian Dubbers Vol. 1 LP announced them properly. From it’s home base in Germany, Jahtari has paved it’s own path in the world of reggae and dub, instantly recognisable through an oft-present 8-bit aesthetic that layers the catalogue. Back in 2013 I worked through…
June 7, 2019Portland based Amulets has created a stunningly unique catalogue across the last five years or so. In addition to guitar and effects Amulets carries a notable trademark of making music from tape loops, and making tape loops from cutting up and rebuilding cassettes. BETULA by AMULETS Amulets is the solo-project of one Randall Taylor out of Austin, Texas. Instead of…
May 31, 2019Beatsmith Thelonious Coltrane has been busy updating his bandcamp presence of late. Over 70 releases up there and as of this morning the entire catalogue is “Name Your Price” to purchase. It would be remiss of you not to check it out. Maccy D (of Hip-Hop Skate Decks and Ghetto Handball fame) put me on to Thelonious a couple of years…
May 25, 2019This feels like the most essential listening released this week. Death Is Not The End have put their name to a 60 minute cut up mix of Bristol pirate radio; from the golden years of the ’80s and ’90’s to the early 2000’s. Bristol Pirates was originally released last September as part of the ever-good Blowing Up The Workshop series.…
May 20, 2019Five years on from the last instalment of the series comes Down 2 Earth Vol. 3 from Ras G. Not that it feels that long, as the sonic explorer that is Ras has dropped ten or so full length albums during that time. There was the 5 Chuckles collaborations with Koreatown Oddity, a cassette for his favourite vegan restaurant in…
March 21, 2019You may have clocked Jimmy Monsta Funk’s mix for Nightflight Radio (https://awkmo.co/nightflight-radio-podcast-19-jimmy-monsta-funk-on-a-detroit-trip/) late last year. 39 tracks of proper house from JMF for the Belgian crew’s podcast. More good news coming from them this month as they launch their vinyl only label – Nightflight Records – which will no doubt be focused on hi-tech funk, touching on house, techno, electro…
March 13, 2019Kamaal Williams aka Henry Wu and Wu-Tang together is an ideal fit. Given the rhythmic style the jazz pianist brings to his instrument and compositions it’s no surprise really. But we’re still thankful that Snips has brought it together for us in to a classy tape release, Catch The Loop 2: Kamaal vs Wu-Tang. The digital of this dropped for…
December 18, 2018With no other catalog to speak of, no bandcamp presence, and his affiliated label Zigoku-Record having this cassette as their only release I’m restricted in what I can share about Masaki on the Mic. Masaki’s social media is littered with flyers, a few live shots and records, all of which I enjoy, but as I have no knowledge of the Japanese…