Again you take us to strange lands, made of mysterious beauties! Thank you for making us dream @mike-simonetti

Best of 2023

2021: A new hope. From the lockdown ashes, something much stronger will rise. A newfound appreciation of everything we’ve been building for all these years. Unbounded energy and a sense of positivity. And Amount’s vibrant new EP ‘Istanbul’ is the soundtrack.

Returning to the label after almost a decade, Amount (AKA Nayan Soukie) was last seen on Darkroom Dubs back in 2012 as one half of Soukie & Windish. After years of releasing on killer labels like Voltaire, Feines Tier and his URSL imprint, he’s back with four electric cuts that run the full Darkroom Dubs spectrum and include some of the most emotion-heavy productions of his career.

‘Kreuzberg’ is an incredible slice of euphoria. Feel-good and hopeful without any unnecessary sense of cheese or pomp, Amount captures the essence of uplift that can only come after a long period of darkness and graft. Laced with elements of Italo and synthpop, it’s a poignant track for these unique times, and it sets the scene for the rest of the EP.

The title track, ‘Istanbul’ maintains that unhurried sense of elevation. Progressive in soul but funky in spirit, those crisp sweeping pads and affirmative chords whip you up into a positive state and set you up for ‘Uckermark’. Once again, tapping into some classic electronica motifs and techniques, there’s an unabashed sense of theatre and warmth as huge chords shine over a prime riffy bassline.

Last but by no means least, ‘Neukölln’ amplifies the light and positivity with a much deeper, darker, underground sound. Because once we’ve acclimatised to that newfound appreciation and unbounded energy, this is the sound of where we want to be. Sleeves rolled up, heads down and lost in great clouds of deep, bass-laden hypnotic house music, best played in the lost hours in intimate company, in rooms with low ceilings. It’s the spirit of Darkroom Dubs, it’s the spirit of house music playing all night, it’s where we can’t wait to be once again.

Amount - Istanbul

PREMIERE : Amount - Kreuzberg

https://ada.lnk.to/budakid

Berlin’s beloved @budakid returns to Disco Halal for his second offering with ‘If Chickens Could Talk’. As enigmatic and enthralling as the title would suggest, the artist creates his own psychedelic escape for the dance floor. Drawing on a love of acoustic, floating melodies, both ‘If Chickens Could Talk’ and ‘Over Not Over’ pull you in with addictive synths, whilst the pulsating riffs guide the listener into a dreamy head space. At points the EP appears ambient and at others completely euphoric, it’s the perfect display of Budakid’s unique take on dance music and one that knows no limit.

On the creative thought process behind ‘If Chickens Could Talk’, Budakid states: "Living in a world where we have the illusion of doing the right thing. But what if chickens could talk and tell us we're doing something completely wrong." That quote sums up the weird and wonderful nature of this EP - born out of an alternative outlook on our lifestyle, the artist questions the world we live in through the power of electronic music.

In recent years Budakid has made quite the name for himself thanks to a slew of releases on DIYnamic, Exploited and Last Night On Earth. His last venture with Disco Halal came last year, with the EP ‘Ochre Tuesday’ that took us on a journey through his universe, and we couldn’t get enough. It encapsulated the anything goes mentality that the label encompasses and both ‘If Chickens Could Talk’ and ‘Ochre Tuesday’ will feature on a 12” vinyl, featuring both original artworks made by the artist himself. With these impressive collections of tracks coming so early in his career, nothing stops Budakid from becoming one of the greats.

If Chickens Could Talk

*** 12 INCH VINYL OUT SUMMER 2022 INCL. ONE MORE REMIX FROM EAGLES & BUTTERFLIES. PRE ORDERS FOR THIS ARE AVAILABLE 2022-q3. ***

https://coloray.bandcamp.com/album/future-static-remixes
https://open.spotify.com/album/3kBb50Cc20LyaW7SzGnvxL?si=qwB8VtNLTxOgSlUpRUOgMQ

While listeners around the world continue to play the rich array of tracks on Coloray's debut album Future Static, Atomnation now serves up some tasteful remixes of it by Baril, Sam Goku and Nadia Struiwigh. The album served as a portal to a different world with stylish synths bringing plenty of colour and emotion to the club-ready grooves. Now they are all reworked for different moments on the dance floor but with equally high levels of design.

Baril - one of the main artists of Coloray's Intercept label - flips 'Broken Mirrors' into a scuffed-up groove built on crisp breaks with a faster tempo. Melancholic pads bring a sense of sombreness while the airy, half-pitched vocals add plenty of soul. A perfect piano-laced breakdown builds the energy so that when it drops again hands are sure to go in the air.

Sam Goku's own music was the subject of a fine remix EP late in 2020 and now the Munich-based artist shows off another side with his cosmic take on 'Line Break.' Slivers of synth shimmer and shine while suspensory chords bring more bright light to the tight, twisted drums and bass that take you ever higher.

Sydney-based Dutch artist Nadia Struiwigh offers the final remix of 'Center Of The C#' after establishing her unique sound on labels like on Central Processing Unit, Denovali Records and Nous'klaer Audio. She slowly builds a vibe over seven enthralling minutes, initially with majestic ambient synth work and then with subtle drum rotations that lock you into a state of hypnosis.

All three of these remixes bring a fresh perspective to the still essential originals. On top, a peak time bonus remix from collaborator and friend Eagles & Butterflies is in planning this summer for when the 12" vinyl will hit shelves. Stay in tune for more! 
credits

Coloray - Broken Mirrors (Baril Remix)

#JimiJules #Innervisions #Dixon #BetterTogetherForever
IVLP10 - Jimi Jules +
Release Date: 25|03|2022
Digital | Stream - https://lnk.to/JimiJulesPlus

Ring the alarm - multi-instrumentalist Jimi Jules scheduled for the album „+“ in 2022, executive produced by Innervisions label boss Dixon. The album features the most sought after and requested tracks of the last month including „My City's On Fire“, revolutionary „Der Aufstand“, dancefloor romance „Burning“ and „Clinomania“ featuring Joy Tyson, and fabulous Lily Allen / Elton John drummer Nathan Curran. The artwork concept is developed and designed by iconic graphic artist Trevor Jackson, whose multi-disciplinary works formed the graphical identities of design, music, fashion, and art by the likes of Soulwax, HFD / Comme des Garcons or Apple Music. Jimi Jules’ second album signifies his return to future-focussed album concepts. A welcomed novelty and venture. Exploring themes such as free thoughts and togetherness after a period of interpersonal absence. Better Together Forever.

A unique character in the electronic music scene, Jimi Jules is a multi-instrumentalist and school-trained musician with much more to offer than the standard four-to-floor sound. Jimi plays nearly everything from drums to trumpet and sings almost all the vocals himself. The talent probably lies in his roots, as many of his family members are known for their playing in jazz bands and classical ensembles. Most recently awarded a silver disk marking 200,000 copies of the 2020 track “Pushin On” in the UK, Jimi Jules also commenced a new collaborative partnership with Berlin-based booking agency, Temporary Secretary, earlier this year. 

As the new era is underway for Innervisions, Jimi Jules “+” takes center stage of the label’s fundamental core - artist first, label second. For Jimi Jules especially, this new project represents the beginning of a whole new platform and innovative space for collaborations and symbiosis of mixed media.

*Production, Lyrics & Vocals by Jimi Jules
*Executive produced by Dixon
*Artwork concept by Trevor Jackson
*Mixdown and mastering by Matthew Styles

Artist
Facebook: www.facebook.com/JimiJulesOfficial/
Instagram: www.instagram.com/jimi_jules/

Innervisions
Facebook: www.facebook.com/innercityvisions
Instagram: www.instagram.com/innervisions_official

Join our Discord: discord.gg/FZJDztQRsW

Clinomania

IVLP10 - Jimi Jules - Clinomania (ft. Joy Tyson, Nathan Curran)

Enzo Siffredi, BAQABO, Mariam Zawose - PAMOJA (Original Mix)

Free Yourself

Out Now: https://lnk.to/CRM283

Electronic group Pale Blue returns to Damian Lazarus' label Crosstown Rebels. Dive stems from the pair's upcoming album on the imprint, which will drop next year. Remixes from Fort Romeau and Rebolledo feature on the EP, adding another layer to the shoegaze-tinged tune. 

Mike Simonetti talks about the theme of the track. "'Dive' is a breakup song. It's about when the person you are living with becomes a stranger," he says. "Musically, 'Dive' is an experiment in polyrhythms and textures; the music has a lot of movement, yet Elizabeth's vocals are stoic throughout. The music represents the chaos of the relationship, and her voice is the calm realization of self." The title track opens with Elizabeth's soft vocals and a dreamy synthline, evoking a hazy but potent soundscape. On Fort Romeau's remix, the Oxfordshire native offers a Tranceadelic Mix of the track, combining tribal-flecked percussion with an understated bassline, allowing Elizabeth's lyrics to dominate the atmosphere. Rebolledo pens an acid melody and transposes Elizabeth's vocals to an alien-like pitch—perfect for a tripped-out listen. 

Jersey-born Mike Simonetti is one half of the musical group Pale Blue and the founder of labels Troubleman, Italians Do It Better and 2MR. With over two decades of experience working as a producer and DJ, Mike has released disparate sounds on Crosstown Rebels, Correspondent and several more, building the reputation of a versatile artist who avoids the limelight and instead focuses on making dance music with depth. In 2020, Pale Blue’s track I Walk Alone With Acid landed in Pitchfork’s The 30 Best Electronic Music Releases of 2020 and The 100 Best Songs of 2020. US-born Elizabeth Wight is a vocalist and the other half of Pale Blue. No matter the project she's working on, her vocals add different layers to electronic music, creating a signature mood that only she knows how. I Walk Alone With Acid remains one of the most striking records in her evolving discography. UK-born Fort Romeau merges the tones of house, kraut, ambient, disco, and techno across his work, releasing on Permanent Vacation, Mesh and more. His album Beings of Light dropped on Ghostly International earlier this year, affirming his status as an innovative artist. Mexican DJ and producer Rebolledo is one-half of the electronic duo Pachanga Boys, but as a solo artist, his sound bounces between sun-kissed house and strutting disco. Tracks on Correspondent and Hippie Dance highlight his boundless approach as a producer.

A1. Dive 
B1. Dive (Fort Romeau’s ‘Tranceadelic' Mix) 
B2. Dive (Rebolledo’s 'Distanced Disconnected Limited Edition' Mix)

Pale Blue

Dive

Pale Blue - Dive (Rebolledo´s 'Distanced Disconnected Limited Edition' Mix)

Pale Blue - Dive

Watergate 20 Years

You Need Attitude

Revisiting a Rhye classic from their chart-topping album ‘Blood,’ label family member and leading creative Haider Uppal takes a floaty house approach by retouching Poolside’s warm Nu Disco remix.

Haider artfully plays with the rhythm, chords and nostalgic vocals making this a particularly special moment for the dance floor and beyond.

Free download

SFD001 - Haider Uppal

Here's our take on Hanni's "Two Brothers." We recorded it at our studio in Brooklyn and centered it around a chugging clav,  stomping live drums, and a syncopated horn line played by our friend Jonathan Powell. Hope you enjoy it as much we enjoyed making it :-)

Work For Hire is OUT NOW!
bit.ly/HGWORKFORHIRE

Follow Holy Ghost!
https://www.facebook.com/HolyGhostNYC
https://www.twitter.com/HolyGhostNYC
https://www.instagram.com/HolyGhostNYC

Hanni El Khatib - Two Brothers (Holy Ghost! Remix)

Midnight Magic - Drop Me a Line (Mano Le Tough Remix)

Keinemusik’s ‘You Are Safe’ LP was one of our favourites of last year – Gerd Janson’s new remix of ‘Lover feat. Jennifer Touch’ brings club-ready heft to the original's new-wave flair...

More info: https://dj-m.ag/2FVn9fX
Pre-order: https://bit.ly/2I2ImGQ

You Are Safe Remixes (KM042)

Premiere: Keinemusik (Rampa, Adam Port, &ME) ‘Lover feat. Jennifer Touch (Gerd Janson Remix)’

Bootleg: Radiohead - Everything In It's Right Place

Everything In It's Right Place (Tennis Radiospread remix)

Frankey & Sandrino - Ways Of The Sun Feat. Ia Öberg (Jimi Jules Remix)

Crosstown Rebels deliver a unique underground music experience. Firmly dedicated to the support and development of the best cutting edge electronic dance music, Crosstown Rebels, run by artist and dj Damian Lazarus, loves quality alternative sounds, adores a great party and thrives on creative, young people armed with something new to say.

Pale Blue - Dive

Crosstown Rebels

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