Releases

Support, features and reviews: Pitchfork, Resident Advisor Recommends, Bandcamp Album of the Day, Groove, DJ Mag Selections, Inverted Audio, First Floor, Four Things, Musik Express, Juno, Beatport, Clash, NTS, Rinse, Refuge Worldwide



Tartelet Records is thrilled to present the debut album from Doc Sleep – 10 tracks of exquisitely rendered melodies and rhythms shaped with grit and beauty in equal measure. Birds (in my mind anyway) is a widescreen vision of electronica as a medium to express your personal situation and respond to your environment – a rave adjacent art form free from the perceived rules of the dancefloor.

To date, Doc Sleep has established herself in the context of the club – first engaging with the culture in San Francisco before moving to Berlin. She helps run the Room 4 Resistance party, DJs on Refuge Worldwide, co-owns the Jacktone label and has released on Detour, Dark Entries and her own label. But in making Birds (in my mind anyway) she set herself an ultimatum.

“At the time of recording this album, my life, all my routines and priorities had to change – music was no exception. I decided if I couldn't be happy making an album free of the dancefloor, I was finally going to be done with music. Instead, I found a musical voice free of tempo and textural restriction. Eventually, I had a sound, and once I had the sound, the album came pretty quickly. It was a very different process writing music for no one…except myself.”

If the impression given is one of a consistent style across the album, think again. Doc Sleep moves freely between tempos and themes, even if there are some recurring qualities binding the music together. She weaves fluttering arps with poise, lending them an almost choral quality which gives the album a very human touch. But they’re equally emotionally ambiguous or pockmarked with sonic interference – reflections of the collisions and conflicts that typify the human experience.

Birds (in my mind anyway) will be preceded by three singles which help map out the range Doc Sleep covers on her first long player. ‘Tomorrow Is Beautiful!’ is a collaboration with Tartelet mainstay Glenn Astro, and it represents the album at its prettiest.

‘C&L At The Sea’ calls upon a dexterous drum break thrown in a box of dirt and given a good shake, capturing the dusty downtempo mood of the mid ‘90s.

‘Flooding Meadow’ revels in a more crooked, needlepoint kind of electronica made up of crunchy drums-not-drums and sharp figures of synthetic, melodic movement.

Every inch of the album is a personal touch – the title was pulled from Doc Sleep’s mother’s response to hearing the album, while her friend Kiernan Laveaux offered a beautiful text which appears on the back. Friends fed into the artwork process, which captures the curious dichotomy between urban brutalism and botanical finery often found in the parks of Berlin – a vital place of respite when she was making the album.


Birds (in my mind anyway) will be released as part of Tartelet’s Archives series focusing on electronica and leftfield sounds. Out March 17 on vinyl and digital. 

Released March 17, 2023

Birds (in my mind anyway) - Tartelet Records

buy!

DE298 - Doc Sleep - Cloud Sight Fade (Dark Entries)

Second drop of dubbed-out club experiments, soundscapes and up-tempo beats from the dark side by Doc Sleep and Delta Rain Dance

released January 10, 2025

all tracks produced by Doc Sleep & Delta Rain Dance
Mastered by Glenn Astro
Photo art by Al Palmer

Beats Unlimited II

Beats Unlimited II - 7" & Digital (2025)

HELLO 👋

It seems you've stumbled upon my 6️⃣-track compilation of sketches.
I’m not going to finish them, but I did take the time to group them together.

DYK? ☝️ 

6️⃣ represents balance, harmony, love, & nurturing energy ✨

AND DYK? 👀 

Each track was made on a date marked with 9️⃣—the final single-digit number, symbolizing the completion of a cycle AND the dawn of something new... 🌙✨

HOW SUBTLE 🔨

LASTLY...DYK? 🙄

We used to rely on SoundCloud much more than we do now.
I like it here, so I will try to use it more. 🫶

DL 4 FREE YALL

m marie - things i will not finish 📂 💞 [FREE DL]

Support and purchase with @diskotopia:
diskotopia.bandcamp.com/album/beats-unlimited

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

San Francisco native Melissa (Doc Sleep) met Ninja Tune affiliate Konstantin (@glenn-astro) after she moved to Berlin and teamed up with Konstantin for a Hypno Discs release on her label, Jacktone. Following this, the two collaborated for a set of three Motoko & Myers remixes on Future Times. The pair continued to work together, and Beats Unlimited is the result of a couple of years of connective alliance during the period of global isolation.

The mini-album is an organic dub-infused modern reinterpretation of circa-2000 electro-acoustic minimal techno and microhouse. Empty space plays just as much crucial importance in the mix as the intricate percussive pieces and crystalline melodic elements. The circuit-bent rhythmic manipulations and textural imperfections add additional warmth and a 3D sense of depth. There is a clear singular sound with this release, and the moments of warped introspective late-night narcosis sit comfortably alongside the raw glass-techno slammers packed to the brim of slow-release dancefloor energy.

Think along the lines of Aoki Takamasa, Akufen, To Rococo Rot, and Matmos & Matthew Herbert's work on Vespertine, etc., captured through the lens of Kassem Mosse and Shackleton, re-programmed on an MPC, and then run through guitar pedals. We really fucking like it and think you will too!

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"A deep and sumptuous trip" - Bandcloud

"Combining Astro's love of textures with Doc Sleep's punchy club manoeuvres, it features jerky drums cutting through layers of static while floaty synths rise and fall in the background." - RA review of 'Chrome Loops' ra.co/reviews/34130

"The joint effort on Beats Unlimited produces a collection of entirely provoking and innovative pieces of loopy techno and dubbed out propulsive IDM. The sonic aesthetics of the album fuse influences from microhouse and minimal techno motifs, synthesized into texturally rich and times out right weird interpretations of club music." The Playground 

Credits: Beats Unlimited is Glenn Astro and Doc Sleep
Mastered by Nick Barron
Artwork by Matt Lyne

Beats Unlimited

A1. Beats Unlimited - Human Music

Human Music [Rhythm Trax]

things to  not finish

June 9

Live guest mix aired from 11 pm - 1 am on @RefugeWorldwide June 17, 2022

Refuge Worldwide ~ June 17, 2022

1 - Fall Into Flowers (Intro)

3 - Flooding Meadow

5 - C&L At The Sea

2 - Tomorrow Is Beautiful! (w  Glenn Astro)

4 - Polymer Bloom

Joined Christa Belle's Bubble World takeover at Refuge Worldwide alongside:

Como La Flor, Trouble Pictures, Martyn Bootyspoon, Craig Schüftan, KMRU, Felisha Ledesma, Gordo and Data Plan

TRACKLIST
Excellent Birds - Laurie Anderson ft. Peter Gabriel	
California Bum Out - Doc Sleep (out Nov 22nd on Tartelet Records)
TB-SB - Jorg Kuning	
It's Not About Your Pleasure - Scape One
Dreaming of Packard- Thomas Fehlmann & Terrence Dixon	
Wedge - DJML
Open World - Jerod S. Rivera
Chain Net feat. OSAGIE - Zopelar
Afterglow (Original Mix) - Titonton Duvante	
Damn Skippy! - Ciel & Ali Berger 
Paranoia	 - Cahl Sel
Elysian Sky - Michael Claus	
The Queen - Santiago Salazar

Join Refuge Patreon

Bubble World ~ Refuge Worldwide ~ Oct 15, 2022

DE298 Side A

DE298 Side B

Two-hour B2B on @refugeworldwide with my Beats Unlimited mate, @glenn-astro

Sidetrack ~ Eps 03 ~ B2B Glenn Astro  ~ Jan 06, 2023

doc sleep

Song 4 Walking Dog

April 9

things to not finish

Nov 9

Sept 9

https://paralaxe-editions.bandcamp.com/album/for-palestine


Bright Light is part of a 64-artist compilation on Paralaxe Editions with all proceeds going to Médecins Sans Frontières. This charity has been chosen as the benefactor as Paralaxe is not only familiar with their mission statement and field work, but many of their medical colleagues have directly worked with the organisation in different locations around the globe. MSF currently has doctors and staff on the ground in Gaza, and they are actively working to treat patients and get desperately needed supplies across the border.

On top of the music, Paralaxe also teamed up with Oficina de Disseny to create a special print. Printed at L'automatica in Barcelona as part of a collective printing effort, 600 posters were produced in total, though a majority have been (and will continue to be) distributed freely at protests in Barcelona. A small quantity, however, are on sale on BC. Unfortunately, they are available to EU customers only. (Some additional copies will also be available at Paralaxe Editions' showcase at Cafe Oto in London on November 7.)

We ask you to please donate generously to the compilation.

There is no freedom until we're all free. 
credits
released November 3, 2023

Curated by Dania.
All tracks mastered by Rupert Clervaux except:
Track 16 mastered by Daphne X.
Track 37 mastered by Emre.
Tracks 1, 5, 7, 12, 20, 25, 29, 30, 32, 33, 39, 40, 44, 46, 51, 53, 54, 57 mastered by Gynn Maier.

Artwork by Oficina de Disseny
Done in collaboration with IF Publications, L'automatica
Printed at L'automatica, Barcelona.

donate

Bright Light [Paralaxe Editions - For Palestine]

https://tarteletrecords.bandcamp.com/album/medusozoa-vol-iii

In a now annual tradition, Tartelet leans into the introspective mood of the winter months with its third compilation of downtempo and ambient titles. The artists involved on this 24-track collection include recent frontliners as well as long-standing extended family and breakthrough talents.

Medusozoa Vol III offers a perfect opportunity to dig into the dimensions of the label not defined by a dancefloor beat. Here, low-slung hip-hop and RnB can sit alongside beatless reveries, head-nodding dub meditations, and nimble, meandering jazz funk alike. If there was ever a question whether the label promotes a broad church of music, here it is in abundance.

The trip begins with long-time Tartelet alumni Max Graef, who makes two appearances on Medusozoa Vol III in his now signature woozy style interspersed with artful sampling. Doc Sleep follows up on her debut solo with a gorgeous foray into submerged, dubby shimmers, and Oakland-based psych-soul star ABUNAI links back up with kissingpractice for another dose of heart-on-sleeve song craft.

Copenhagen-based artist Lord of the Magi takes us on a mesmerising ride of ‘60s psychedelia, perfectly extending his sound nurtured on the Soul Exchange record. And Later Version, a collaboration from Oakland duo DJML and Jerod S. Rivera, sink into an analogue bubble bath of electronic and acoustic sonics. Athlete Whippet’s accomplished, soul-informed sound slips in perfectly, adding a warm, laid back funk to the mix.

While label mainstay Nelson of the East drops a surprise hit sure to get a mass of bodies moving, Space Ghost returns for another blissfully beatless excursion that’s all killer, no filler. Tartelet wizard Glenn Astro also continues to shape out his distinctive path through modern beat constructions and edgy synth snaps.

Fresh label debuts include Mr. Beatnick, who lays down a sumptuous slice of cosmic downtempo boogie, while London-based producer DrumTalk brings his signature deft drum programming mood. Ciel also makes a first appearance on the label with her signature backroom dreamscapes and shimmering, tripped-out style.

With its rich tapestry of mellow sounds to melt into, Medusozoa Vol III offers both a soothing backdrop and something mentally nourishing to fix your mind’s ear on. 
credits
releases December 8, 2023

2023, Tartelet Records

Erased [Medusozoa Vol III - Tartelet Records]

Beau Wanzer - Baloons [BW]
Chemotex - Schrade Knives [The Trilogy Tapes]
Helena Hauff - Rupture [Solar One Music]
Amir Alexander - Six Sixty Six (The Beast) [Anunnaki Cartel]
Ekman - Untitled [Panzerkreuz]
SHXCXCHCXSH - Elocution [Avian]
Ancient Methods - Knights & Bishops [Ancient Methods]
Ekman - Reform [Berceuse Heroique]
Erol Alkan - Bang (Beau Wanzer Adjustment) [Phantasy Sound]
Violetpoison - Lisergico [Opal Tapes]
Manuel Gonzales - Mono Port [Wicked Bass]
L’Estasi Dell’Oro - Iscariotic Lips [Macro]
Cut Hands - Madwoman [D/N]
L’Estasi Dell’Oro - Kingdom For A Kiss [Berceuse Heroique]
Phobian - Batting Clean Up [Haunted Air]
Appetizer - Zky [L.I.E.S.]
Sosak - Sketch [Overlee Assembly]
Asss - Male Nurse [Haunted Air]
Vinalog - Sediments [Relative]
Prostitutes - So Goddamn Gaunt [Night School]
I.B.M. - Karma Sutra [+ + +]

Jacktone Radio on IFM #17 - Davide Gualandi (NYC)

BUY VINYL: https://doc-sleep.bandcamp.com/album/cloud-sight-fade
Doc Sleep returns to Dark Entries with Cloud Sight Fade, an album of ethereal house and techno. Doc Sleep is the alias of DJ and producer Melissa Maristuen. Following 2023’s Birds, her ambient and IDM-leaning debut album, Cloud Sight Fade shows Doc drawing on her years of queer clubbing to bring us seven diverse tracks sitting between muscular New York house, Berlin twilight techno, and funky West-coast breakbeats. Production began in the Bay Area and was completed in Berlin; Maristuen says that this work became a love letter to the West Coast’s magnificent natural landscape, the light of the Pacific sunrise. While draped in dreamlike textures and melodies, this is also a record about embodiment and the memories that live within our corporeal forms. The powerful grooves on the breakbeat-inflected “Lemon Zest” and the propulsive “Cloud Sight Fade” remind us that dance music is for bodies dancing. Meanwhile, tracks like the sparkling album-closer “Enchanted Static” or the brooding groover “Water Sign” plunge us deeper into hypnotic depths. On Cloud Sight Fade, Doc Sleep guides us through slumber and wakefulness, in and out of our bodies, with the mastery of a seasoned DJ and clubgoer.

Cloud Sight Fade

Doc Sleep - Cloud Sight Fade SNIPS

DJ Mitsu the Beats, Takumi Kaneko - flatness problem
Masakatsu Takagi - Marginalia #59
Josiah Steinbrick - Full Bloom
Makaya McCraven - So Ubuji
Erika de Casier - Puppy Love
Yoshinori Sunahara - Balance
Lynn Avery, Cole Pulice - Stained Glass Sauna
Anadol - Görünmez Hava
George Duke, Frank Zappa - Love (Demo)
Ben LaMar Gay - Mestre Candeia’s Denim Hat
Mister Water Wet - Born to Lose
Leland Whitty - Silver Rain
Roberta Flack - Hey, That’s No Way to Say Goodbye
Daniel ögren, Anna Ahnlund - Idag
Julie Byrne - The Greatest Wings
Duke Ellington - The Single Petal of a Rose (The Queen’s Suite)

Refuge WW

Sidetrack on Refuge Worldwide - March 11, 2024

DETOUR, Pittsburgh mainstays behind the Hot Mass night of the same name, celebrate 10 years as a label with a double LP of the locally sourced, grassroots techno that’s been their raison d’etre since 2014. DTR-007 is a coming together of DETOUR members, long-time associates, rising local artists and members of the ever-expanding global Pittsburgh diaspora.

The result is a true reflection of the DETOUR ethos; a selection of ten expertly-curated tracks that is more than the sum of its parts; an homage to the city, its producers, DJs, dancers and the outsized influence they’ve had on the global techno underground.

DTR-007 ‘s ode to Pittsburgh electronics spans generations and genres. Booming maximalism from local originator Shawn Rudiman sits beside ace outings from already-accomplished next-gen producers Gladstone Deluxe, Davis Galvin, and Torvvo. After a spree of recent releases on Dark Entries and her own Jacktone imprint, Doc Sleep returns to the label for the first time since her 2016 debut EP with a slice of resonant deep house. Hot Mass co-founder Paul Fleetwood and perennial multidisciplinary favs, slowdanger appear on wax for the first time with levitating cuts of late-night hypnosis. Longtime modular enthusiast Nick Breinich commits a slab of true-school Midwest acid techno while DETOUR co-founders Naeem and Gusto each contribute tracks in signature styles. Naeem’s soaring electro melodics bring the compilation to an emotional peak before Gusto sends it off with an underwater broken beat chiller. The end product is an exhibition of steaming, sometimes-storming, always-deep heat calibrated precisely for your dance floor’s moodier moments. 

credits
releases July 26, 2024

Jacket Artwork by Stephanie Armbruster
Jacket Layout by Gusto
Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann at Complete Mastering
@docsleep

DETOUR 007

A3 Doc Sleep - I Like You All So Much

A1. Virta Chords  - Beats Unlimited

A2. Speed Dub - Beats Unlimited

3. Norwegian Woods (Digital Only) - Beats Unlimited

5. Norwegian Drums (Digital Only) - Beats Unlimited

B. Transition Env - Beats Unlimited

@msmkulturegalerie
Bandcamp: https://kulturegalerie.bandcamp.com/album/volume-three
Info: Kulture Galerie returns with its third various artists record featuring Doc Sleep, Rambal Cochet, The Jaffa Kid, Mesmerist, Jack Bags and Undsidedly.

The multi format label run by Filippo MSM (of Metropolitan Soul Museum) is back with its 7th release overall, this time on wax. This new collection continues to show Filippo’s predilection for music with non straight forward drum patterns and moody melodies.

Volume Three is a well thought mix of styles, spanning to and from two Trance oriented tracks from Rambal Cochet and The Mesmerist through the broken techno of Doc Sleep, Jack Bags’s all analogue Acid House track, The Jaffa Kid’s uncompromising Drexcian’s Electro and Undsidedly dreamy’s own take on the genre.

Bandcamp

*PREMIERE* Doc Sleep - Deep Breath

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
FRIDAY FEB 7 2025 (Bandcamp Friday / Wildfire Relief)

LA is the ESP Institute’s hometown. The label’s captain, Lovefingers, is a native Angeleno who has lived in 15 of its neighborhoods spanning decades. While the ESP Institute was born in 00’s New York City with an international cast of artists, the DNA of the label has always been infused with the wild sense of freedom and space that is LA. It breaks our hearts to see the city and its residents in such a difficult position today. Our home and label’s office were damaged, the grounds incinerated and fire/smoke damage right up and onto it’s walls, and although it is still uninhabitable, we consider ourselves unbelievably fortunate that the structure was spared, surviving among our many neighbors whose homes are reduced to ash. Both the Palisades and Eaton fires have left so many of our friends and family with nothing – we collectively mourn not only for their physical space, much of which is generational, but for mementos of family history, their sense of security and ability to function from a safe sense of “home.” The grief and tasks of recovery are uncharted and ongoing, the rebuilding is daunting, arduous and overwhelming, and everyday brings new challenges in the fires wake. This will take time. If there is any light that we see in this, it is the prevalent sense of community we are witnessing in real time.

This is the 15th year of ESP Institute and we had an idea for a compilation planned, but, given the circumstances and the immense needs of our city and fellow Angelenos, we have decided to expand this release to 3x its initial scope and commit all of its efforts and income to wildfire relief organizations. We have initially selected the following vetted non-profit charities: CalFund, MusiCares, GiveDirectly, Global Empowerment Mission, Canine Rescue Club and plan to manually top up funds from circulating GoFundMe spreadsheets for under-represented families, commencing with those in Altadena. We anticipate a bi-weekly dispersal of funds, given the urgent and evolving nature of community needs, but will re-assess this consistently as time passes.

ESP’s artists have generously allowed us to present their music for this compilation and our gratitude starts with them. It is our hope the following 90 tracks will bring you something you need, whether it be joy, catharsis, wonder or meditation.

Thank you for your support from the bottom our hearts,
Andrew / Lovefingers & ESP Institute
.
.
[ESP150A]
ESP Institute XV - I - Active
Dosage: 30 tracks spanning fifteen years of the label’s work with a focus on physical movement and mental release.
Energy level: High.
Recommended: Late night / witching hours.

[ESP150B]
ESP Institute XV - II - Passive
Dosage: 30 tracks spanning fifteen years of the label’s work with a focus on ambience, mood control and meditation.
Energy level: Low.
Recommended: Daytime / sunset / sunrise.

[ESP150C]
ESP Institute XV - III - Unobtanium
Dosage: 30 tracks spanning fifteen years of the label’s work with a focus on unreleased rarities, demos and remixes.
Energy level: All over the place.
Recommended: For those who know. 

released February 7, 2025

I Active, II Passive, III Unobtanium

Madame Tussaud

LA Wildfire Relief

Madame Tussaud - ESP Institute L.A. WILDFIRE FUNDRAISER

Jacktone Radio #55 features an impressive live set of unreleased jams from Nackt (@nacktmusic) & CM-4 (@cm-4). Both are residents of Outpost (@outpost-sf) in SF, and Nackt is fresh off his well-received 100% Silk cassette, Virex, with much knob twiddling from CM-4 throughout. 

In this 30ish-min live set, they move from a more upbeat house jam feel to a darker, more complex acid vibe. It all fits together perfectly and flows really well - in short, it's a great listen. Surprisingly, this is the duo's first few months performing live sets out in the world, can't wait to hear what's next.

Check out Nackt's Virex release:
https://soundcloud.com/100percentsilk/nackt-virex-silk088
https://midheaven.com/item/virex-by-nackt

Jacktone Radio #55 - Nackt And CM-4 Live PA (100% Silk)

In April, we took a trip to the Rinse France studios in Paris before a Room 4 Resistance gig at La Machine. The Vibe was Chill. 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Vril - CTO
Dreems - Sine o the Tymes
Boof - Intro to It's Sunny S Outside
Space Dimension Controller - Cosmo30 Travel Duration
Mystic Bill - U Won't See Me
Santiago Salazar - Chicanismo
James T. Cotton - Lojak Pt. 5
Roma Zuckerman - I Have a Question
Photek - 101
Special Request - Redrum
Fizzy Veins - Kool Down
Steve Poindexter - Computer Madness
Russell E.L. Butler - Shock in a Cave (Jacktone)
Nackt - Balboa Park

Rinse France - 15 April 2017

Something Has to Give - Shackleton (Perlon)
Intrication - Burnt Friedman (Nonplace)
Glochild Tuft - Motoko & Myers (Open Hand Real Flames)(@wonj and @the-globule)
Vibes - u-Ziq (Rephlex)
Cartoon - Cassius Select (Hypercolour)
not tough - gayphextwin (https://gayphextwin.bandcamp.com/)
lycan disco - CMD (@jacktonerecords)(@cyan-dj)
Black Magic Carpet Ride - c.l.a.w.s (@squirrels-on-film)(@claws)
A Steady Stream - Dan Snazelle (Jacktone)(@loss1234)
Snake Charmer - Ectomorph (Bunker NY)
Naga - Nihar (Jacktone) (@niharb)
Operaia - Auton (Jacktone) (@auton1213)
Scotch Yoke Pt I & II - Hiro Kone (Dais) (@hirokone)
Simple Goddess Rite - Coarses (Jacktone) (@coarses)
Frustrating Acid - Vidiian (Run the Length) (@vidiian)
Run Away with My Heart - Russell E.L. Butler (Ghostly)(@russellelbutler)

Room 4 Resistance @ Red Light Radio

Th Sonic Resistance compilation was put together by @kashev-tapes and @oramics to support the feminist movement in the autonomous area of Northern Syria. All proceeds from the digital sales will be sent directly to the ‘Foundation of the Free Woman in Rojava‘ (Weqfa Jina Azad A Rojava) which is one of the last women’s organization in the area.

Support:
https://kashevtapes.bandcamp.com/album/ksh03-sonic-resistance-a-compilation-for-rojava

Release date: Feb 10, 2020

Motif was made in 2014 and mastered By Johnny Igaz in 2015. RIP.

SUPPORT

Motif [from Sonic Resistance, a compilation for Rojava]

All proceeds from the compilation go to the artists and Black Trans Youth Fund: bit.ly/blacktransyouth
All songs mastered by George Horn, June 2020
Cover art designed by Eloise Leigh
released July 3, 2020

Lost & Found Vol. 1

traces

Donate

Traces (from Dark Entries 'Lost & Found Vol 1')

Jan 9

**Music released on ESP Institute, Tartelet, Dark Entries, Future Times, 100% Silk, Kulture Galerie, Detour, Silva Electronics, Diskotopia, Jacktone, Hypno Discs, Bottom Forty

**1/2 of Beats Unlimited 

**1/2 of Collectibles

**1/2 of Jacktone Records

**Resident of Room 4 Resistance

Doc Sleep

Pinned to spotlight

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