When the world slipped into madness last month, the ESP Institute put most releases on the back-burner to await brighter days, but then we thought again; why not approach these odd circumstances the way we do most realities, positively and head-on? We’re committed to a community that builds new worlds — this is fundamental to our creative and spiritual relationship with Osaka-born, cosmos-straggling artist, @dj-ground — and while temporarily we can’t physically congregate to uplift each other, its our responsibility as an institution to maintain a platform for prolific creative pioneers, our cherished cartographers of cognitive escape. 'Wakusei' is wonderfully confusing and disorienting music, a follow-up EP to 2018’s critically acclaimed album 'Sunizm', not created specifically for life under lockdown, but nonetheless aptly suited to help release angst, guide meditation, and assist in making this moment in history more interesting if not transcendental. Whereas 'Sunizm' relied on field recordings gathered from rainforests, percussions learned from imaginary ancient civilizations, and the somehow organic freneticism of a mission control meltdown, the aesthetic of 'Wakusei' reduces this abstract instrumentation one step further to a more base-level array of gurgling synth scraps, accelerating engine friction and static-bound phonetic mistakes, all scrubbed into dust by a Brillo pad of white noise. The cliché of “great art is born out of hard times” is not lost upon us — of course the world will look back to this turmoil and its residual contributions to culture — but we see today's art as an immediate coping mechanism, and artists like Ground helping to unlock and navigate internal utopias. We’re already indoors, let’s delve inside.

Pre-order from ESP

[ESP037] GROUND - Wakusei - Vinyl/Digital EP

One of the most requested files from the Figaro vault is being declassified. Prins’ set at Echo Beach this year sure was a doozy, it had the paddock bopping as day turned into night ~ undeniably fun, undeniably classy. Get your laughing gear around Prins Thomas’ Echo recording.

Echo Tones #4 - Prins Thomas

Running Hot is producer and DJ Mark Newman. He discovered rave when he was 13 via a tape from his mate at school which has led to a lifelong love affair. He is is orignally from South Wales and now resides in Berlin running with the Love On The Rocks crew... This mix is based on his love of Italo-house. It's a nice one... Enjoy.

"I recorded this one in the middle of another frosty and grey morning in Berlin so I wanted to try and conjure up some of the spirit of summer. I’d had the idea for a while to try and do a mix with a lot of very pitched down Italo-house stuff so that it almost starts to sound a bit like kwaito and has a nice laid back feel… So here it is! Hope you enjoy!"

TP537 Running Hot

Telephones is celebrated for his eclectic DJ sets that span Balearic beats, proto-house, cosmic techno and more. With over 20 years behind the decks, his unique style combines unexpected twists and cosmic explorations. Known for his quality-focused approach and sparse yet sought-after releases, Telephones delivers sets that blend genres seamlessly, offering a captivating journey through sound at Wonderfruit.

Telephones – Solar Village – Wonderfruit 2024

Nick The Record — Forbidden Fruit — Wonderfruit 2024

Episode 79 of Silicon Radio with special guest Gee Dee @gregdroggitis on Samewave Radio 📡 Wednesday, June, 18, 2025 @ 7:00 PM PDT. #electronic #techno #house

x Gee Dee - E79: June 18, 2025

"all good things come to an end but the memories live on."

this is the live recording of my set at the final edition of @velvetfestival in june 2025. I loved this intimate festival on the beautiful island of krk, croatia. playing freely, house, disco, gospel with a heart warming message.

suze ijó @ velvet fest 2025

The first half of RA.996 is Ron Trent's take on luxurious house.

As part of our countdown to RA.1000, a milestone in the 24-year history of RA's weekly mix series, we're switching up the usual format. The next few editions will pair two acts who complement each other's strengths, offering a fresh take on a particular community, scene or style. 

This week, we're zeroing in on Ron Trent and Ash Lauryn, two names who fly the flag high for old-school US house—a foundational pillar of the electronic underground. 

Trent takes the A-side. Hailing from Chicago, the birthplace of house, the pioneer is a master of finding the sweet spot where machine music meets organic instrumentation.  Listen to any DJ set or record in his extensive back catalogue and you'll find a wealth of exquisitely expressive melodies and deep, spiritual frequencies, making him the ideal narrator for any survey on house. (If you've only got a moment, sink into "Morning Factory," nine minutes of perfection.) 

Trent's return to the RA Podcast, 19 years after his debut in 2006, represents his many decades of expertise in fusing funk with gorgeous musicianship under the umbrella of heart-stirring house. Some may call it a masterclass but to us, it's just Trent doing what he does best.

Listened to as a whole, RA.996 is a powerful snapshot of house's elegance, class and most importantly, understated yet innately euphoric joy.

Find the interview and tracklist at ra.co/podcast/997

RA.996 Ron Trent

my official summer mixtape contribution
recorded at the wonderful fidelity for subject dublin on july 4th 2025 - what a night - thank you!! <3<3<3

move d @ fidelity, subject dublin 25-07-04

Trushmix 242 is back again! This time another round with London´s finest. Brian not Brian, teaming up with good mate and partner in crime Piers Harrison. 
Brian not Brian and Piers Harrison live at Giant Steps in London, on Easter Sunday. 
A 6 hour musical extravaganza! Balearic in the extended field, musical style bending for listening and dancing.

Enjoy music from the top!


Trushmix 242 - Brian Not Brian and  Piers Harrison

Recording of Sound Metaphors DJs's set at RDC Stage on Saturday afternoon.

RDC 093 - Sound Metaphors DJs at Rainbow Disco Club 2025

When the world slipped into madness last month, the ESP Institute put most releases on the back-burner to await brighter days, but then we thought again; why not approach these odd circumstances the way we do most realities, positively and head-on? We’re committed to a community that builds new worlds — this is fundamental to our creative and spiritual relationship with Osaka-born, cosmos-straggling artist, Ground — and while temporarily we can’t physically congregate to uplift each other, its our responsibility as an institution to maintain a platform for prolific creative pioneers, our cherished cartographers of cognitive escape. 'Wakusei' is wonderfully confusing and disorienting music, a follow-up EP to 2018’s critically acclaimed album 'Sunizm', not created specifically for life under lockdown, but nonetheless aptly suited to help release angst, guide meditation, and assist in making this moment in history more interesting if not transcendental. Whereas 'Sunizm' relied on field recordings gathered from rainforests, percussions learned from imaginary ancient civilizations, and the somehow organic freneticism of a mission control meltdown, the aesthetic of 'Wakusei' reduces this abstract instrumentation one step further to a more base-level array of gurgling synth scraps, accelerating engine friction and static-bound phonetic mistakes, all scrubbed into dust by a Brillo pad of white noise. The cliché of “great art is born out of hard times” is not lost upon us — of course the world will look back to this turmoil and its residual contributions to culture — but we see today's art as an immediate coping mechanism, and artists like Ground helping to unlock and navigate internal utopias. We’re already indoors, let’s delve inside.

[ESP037] GROUND - A2 - Wakusei γ (ft Sinkichi & Kabamix)- SNIPPET

ESP Institute

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