Black Key return from a four year hiatus in style, with 4 sublime tracks from Australian ultra deep house don, Planisphere, aka David Swatten. Following an incredibly well received LP on reissue label, For Those That Knoe, Swatten returns here with more expansive, smokey and utterly consuming deep house cuts, stamped with his unique sound but offering a different flavour from his Definitive Transmission LP – one which immediately stands out from the crowd. 

Being only his third release in 20 years, there's an understandable sense of anticipation around Swatten's output. This release undoubtedly puts Black Key firmly back on the map, picking up their deserved reputation for releasing only the very best deep house, aimed well and truly at the heads.

Buy on Juno - https://www.juno.co.uk/products/planisphere-heart-over-mind-ep/817801-01/

Buy on Juno

Planisphere "Mind Over Matter EP"

Black Key recruit the consistently excellent Dan Piu for their nineteenth vinyl release, laying out three tracks of sophisticated deep house. Opener, "Venus Agenda" (which Piu claims is one of his all-time favourites), builds with reverb-soaked claps and the faintest hint of acid in the bass line, before skipping hi hats and lush pads move us in a deeper direction, soon making way for a haunting, yet beautiful lead - this one really is a thing of wonder. 

"Mother's Love" immediately heads in a different direction, with sublime keys and a subtle, yet highly effective bass line, and a sparsely used vocal sample heightening the mood when it appears. Finally, "Altarf" again takes us to new territory, with the opening, pacey 45 seconds quickly making way for dreamy pads and a perfectly crafted bassline, underpinned by a broken beat kick and expertly programmed hi hats. This package firmly shows why Piu is in such high demand with some of the best labels in the business.

Dan Piu - "Mother Love EP"

After years of releasing quality house EPs, Brighton based Black Key Records scores something of a coop: its first full length is a sixth album from Tom Ellis, a core member and resident of the esteemed Freerotation Festival who is already well known to those in the know. His beautifully titled, eight track LP 'From the Cabin Above the Clouds' is due on April 4th and comes ahead of him launching his own new label.

Ellis has long been putting out funk and jazz inspired house and has built a fine reputation with connoisseurs around the world because of it. As a trained musician who has played drums, bass, keys and guitar since an early age, his productions come imbued with a real sense of artistry. He has worked with a wealth of labels in his time, and now comes his most coherent and complete statement yet.

Though clearly packed with plenty of treasures for the dance floor, the way this album plays out across a range of styles and tempos makes it just as absorbing in a more intimate environment. Things kick off with zoned out deep house and soft, spiritual synths of the sort that Fred P would be proud of. 'Stranger in this Town' exists just as far out in the cosmos but here jazzy riffs percolate above punchy, bubbling drums and the whole thing makes you move. The energy levels continue to ramp up through the airy house groove of 'Our Moments, Too Swift' with its subtle vocal refrain, and 'From The Valley' is a lovable jumble of Rhodes keys, clicking synthetic imperfections and dusty drums. 

The second half of the album showcases Ellis very real knack for writing proper melodies that linger long in the brain. Tracks like 'Wide Open Window' then dip into minimal territory with freaky tones and trippy grooves that burrow deep into your brain, 'Many Times' could be on a jazz album with its freeform drums and curious chords and darkly intergalactic closer 'Far Reach' is paranoid, bleepy featuring some more of the most exquisite drum playing.

There is a real sense of quality and class to the music explored on From the Cabin Above the Clouds that makes it stand well proud of the crowd.

Juno - http://www.juno.co.uk/products/tom-ellis-from-the-cabin-above-the/600027-01/

Tom Ellis - "From The Cabin Above The Clouds" [Black Key Records]

Vinyl only // Hand stamped // No re-press 

Tom Ellis delivers an excellent and intelligent EP, with all 4 tracks displaying the talent this man possesses for creating a unique and instantly likeable take on deep house music... the right kind.  There is no question that this limited release will appeal to the real heads among us – quality stuff.  This EP is yet another statement from the Black Key camp, proving their worth in true style.

Selected DJ feedback:

- Jimpster - Tom seems to be going from strength to strength these days. I really like the lo slung swampy deepness on Dream Like. good stuff.

- Maya Jane Coles – Wicked EP, nice dreamy tracks

- Mosca - Worlds and Dreamlike are cool thanks – perfect for the after parties and warmups. Thanks for sending!

- Mark Farina – Top shelf deepness!  Full support.

- Tim Green - Clean and thirsty is the one!! love it! great groove and held back kinda vibe. Will play it out for sure ;)

- Laurent Garnier - Ohhhh yesssss, what superb deepness. Full support on the whole EP. Thanks a lot

- Leif – Great work as ever from Tom Ellis

Additional DJ support:

Andy Ash // Ugly Drums // Ethyl // Danny Tenaglia // Kruse & Nuernberg // Andre Lodemann

Tom Ellis - "Limited Volume 3" [Black Key Limited]

Brad Peterson - "Frequency Resonance EP" [Black Key Records]

Black Key return from a four year hiatus in style, with 4 sublime tracks from Australian ultra deep house don, Planisphere, aka David Swatten. Following an incredibly well received LP on reissue label, For Those That Knoe, Swatten returns here with more expansive, smokey and utterly consuming deep house cuts, stamped with his unique sound but offering a different flavour from his Definitive Transmission LP – one which immediately stands out from the crowd. 

Being only his third release in 20 years, there's an understandable sense of anticipation around Swatten's output. This release undoubtedly puts Black Key firmly back on the map, picking up their deserved reputation for releasing only the very best deep house, aimed well and truly at the heads.

Mind Over Matter EP

A1 - "Beat Down The Bad"

A2 - "Everything Is Fine Up Here"

B1 - "Mind Over Matter"

B2 - "Sound Of The Lonely City"

Forthcoming on DailySession (vinyl only), September 2021

Rich H - "Taking Direction" [DailySession] - vinyl only

Part of "Black Key EP (vol.2)"

Juno:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/blm-ethyl-black-key-ep-vol-2/507716-01/

Decks.de:  http://www.decks.de/t/various_artists-black_key_ep_vol_2/c23-vc

Clone.nl:  https://clone.nl/item28847.html

Beatport:  http://www.beatport.com/release/black-key-ep-volume-2/1198567

Pawas - "Nokickfunk" [Black Key Records]

B2 - "Altarf"

B1 - "Mother's Love"

A1 - "Venus Agenda"

Part of "Hello Ada! EP" - Out now on 12" vinyl

Juno:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/iron-curtis-hello-ada-ep-youandewan-remix/509435-01/

Clone:  https://clone.nl/item29564.html

Beatport:  http://www.beatport.com/label/black-key-records/23596

Iron Curtis & Leaves pres. SMPL - "Hello Ada!" (Youandewan version) [Black Key Records]

Our sixth podcast is selected and mixed by Freerotation resident, and all round top-notch producer, Tom Ellis, ahead of his 4 track EP on our vinyl off-shoot - Black Key Limited.

The EP is release at the end of September - here's the Juno link:

http://www.juno.co.uk/products/tom-ellis-limited-volume-3/529008-01/

Buy Tom's EP

Black Key Podcast 006 - Tom Ellis

Part of "Limited Volume 3"

Vinyl only // hand stamped // no re-press

Released 22nd September 2014

Buy the vinyl

Tom Ellis - "Worlds" [Black Key Limited]

Tom Ellis - "Cheers Mate" [Black Key Limited]

Tom Ellis - "Clean & Thirsty" [Black Key Limited]

Tom Ellis - "Dream Like" [Black Key Limited]

Part 2 of Brad Peterson's Black Key Podcast.

Some words from Brad:

"Thanks to all the djs and supporters who spread this music around the world today and every day. And a very special thanks to all the producers who make it. I'm not sure everyone really understands the sacrifices you make in life, just so you can do what you know you do best. Without you this mix simply wouldn't be possible. 2 Hrs. isn't enough to include all the amazing talent i've been hearing over the years and especially in the past few."

Track list (including part 1):

1. Brad Peterson - "Monsoon" [Black Key Records]
2. José Lau - "I Can Yet Love" [Inner Shift Music]
3. Ewan Jansen - "New Stride" [Moods and Grooves]
4. Brad Peterson - "Rearranged Circuits" [7th Sign]
3. Life recorder - "Hope in the Soul" [Soul Print]
4. Owen Jay / Melchoir Sultana - 'Contrasts" [Batti Batti]
5. DaRand Land	- "Luv Rekindling"	[Urban Imagery]
6. Dubbyman / Bjak - "Do it Properly" [Deep Explorer]
7. Genio - "Anthony Nicholson" [Deep Art Recordings]
8. Cool Peepl - "Free" (Andrés remix)[Moods and Grooves]
9. Secret weapon - "unkown" [unknown] 
10. Dj Funk - "Disco" [Afterhours]
11. Playin 4 tha City -	"Basement Funk:" [Straight Up]
12. Brian Harden - "Days of Days" [D3 Elements]
13. Kemdi - "Still a Dancer" [Coco Soul]
14. Soldiers of Twighlight - "Would You Share" [Seven]
15. Sai - "Bedroom Eyes" [Ornate]
16. DaRand Land - "The Long Night" [Pulp]
17. Brad Peterson - "Mindwaves" [Grounded in Humanity]
18. Marco Nega - "Night Hiker" [Inner Shift Music]
19. Brad Peterson - "Cloud Remedy" [Black Key Records]

Buy Brad's EP

Black Key Podcast 008 - Brad Peterson (Part 2)

Taken from the "Frequency Resonance EP"

Buy the vinyl:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/brad-peterson-frequency-resonance-ep/547866-01/

Brad Peterson - "Cloud Remedy" [Black Key Records]

Part of the "Frequency Resonance EP"

Buy the vinyl:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/brad-peterson-frequency-resonance-ep/547866-01/

Brad Peterson - "Sit Back" [Black Key Records]

Brad Peterson - "Monsoon" [Black Key Records]

Part of the "Black Key EP (vol.3)" - released on 12" vinyl 21st Sept 2015

Dudley Strangeways - "Talk Back" [Black Key Records]

Iron Curtis & Leaves pres. SMPL - "Girl Next Door" [Black Key Records]

Jonny Cade - "Platipussy" [Black Key Records]

Track C1, taken from the album "From The Cabin Above The Clouds"

Released 8th August 2016, on 2 x 12" vinyl

Juno:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/tom-ellis-from-the-cabin-above-the/600027-01/

From The Cabin Above The Clouds

Tom Ellis - "Mechanical Failures" [Black Key Records]

Track B2, taken from the album "From The Cabin Above The Clouds"

Released 8th August 2016, on 2 x 12" vinyl

Juno:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/tom-ellis-from-the-cabin-above-the/600027-01/

Tom Ellis - "From Across The Valley" [Black Key Records]

Track B1, taken from the album "From The Cabin Above The Clouds"

Released 8th August 2016, on 2 x 12" vinyl

Juno:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/tom-ellis-from-the-cabin-above-the/600027-01/

Tom Ellis - "Our Moments, Too Swift" [Black Key Records]

Track A2, taken from the album "From The Cabin Above The Clouds"

Released 8th August 2016, on 2 x 12" vinyl

Juno:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/tom-ellis-from-the-cabin-above-the/600027-01/

Tom Ellis - "Stranger In This Town" [Black Key Records]

Track A1, taken from the album "From The Cabin Above The Clouds"

Released 8th August 2016, on 2 x 12" vinyl

Juno:  http://www.juno.co.uk/products/tom-ellis-from-the-cabin-above-the/600027-01/

Tom Ellis - "The Bored And The Lonely" [Black Key Records]

Part of "House Rhythms EP" - released 12/06/17

Juno - http://www.juno.co.uk/products/cinthie-house-rhythms-ep/633960-01/

House Rhythms EP

Cinthie - "Liberty" [Black Key Records)

Part of 'House Rhythms EP" - released 12/06/17

Juno - http://www.juno.co.uk/products/cinthie-house-rhythms-ep/633960-01/

Cinthie - "House Rhythms" [Black Key Records]

Part of "Black Key EP"

Vinyl released 10th September 2012

Buy the vinyl here: http://www.juno.co.uk/ppps/products/464246-01.htm

BLM - "My Sound Tool" [Black Key Records]

Part of BKR005 - Milton Jackson "Lessons Learned EP"

Vinyl released 3rd December 2012

Download here:  http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=195997

Milton Jackson - "5 Cities" (Andy Ash remix) [Black Key Records]

Milton Jackson - "5 Cities" [Black Key Records]

Milton Jackson - "See The Light" [Black Key Records]

Part of the "Cry Wall EP"

Vinyl released 11th March 2013

Giovanni Damico - "Love Me" [Black Key Records]

Giovanni Damico - "Cry Wall" [Black Key Records]

Part of "Limited Volume 1"

Vinyl only // hand stamped // 300 only

Buy link:  http://www.juno.co.uk/ppps/products/485588-01.htm

Ugly Drums - "2After11" [Black Key Limited]

Part of "Limited Volume 1"

vinyl only // hand stamped // 300 copies

Buy link:  http://www.juno.co.uk/ppps/products/485588-01.htm

Ugly Drums - "Saturn Memories" [Black Key Limited]

Part of the "Talk Back EP"

Digital only release

Download here:  http://www.traxsource.com/title/235328/talkback

Dudley Strangeways - "Talk Back" [Black Key Records Digital]

A mix recorded for the guys at the Always Sometimes show, hosted on Orbital Radio (Sydney) - we've been a big fan of what these lads have been doing over the last 6 months, so it was a pleasure to compile some music for them.  Mixed with love by Rich H.

Track list:

1. Huerta - “Reverse Thread” [Amadeus]
2. Tom Ellis - “Our Moments,Too Swift [Black Key Records]
3. Brad P - “Star Traveller” [Inner Shift]
4. Arnaldo- “Moving On” [Smallville]
5. Unknown - “Track001A” [Botanic Minds]
6. Life Recorder - “Atmo Drums” [Time Moods]
7. Nanel - “Modern Language” [Nanel]
8. Andy Mac & Jay L - “Planet Spanner” [Deep Street]
9. Nanel - “Carpe Diem” [Nanel]
10. Janeret - “Bright” (Varhat remix) [Joule Imprint]
11. Dudley Strangeways - “Talkback” [Black Key Records]

Always Sometimes mix

House imprint (Brighton, UK)

Digital downloads exclusively available on our Bandcamp page.  Vinyl at all the usual outlets.

Black Key Records

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