selection

Octavia

Ivory

Out now on Crosstown Rebels: lnk.to/CRMLP046

Escapism is a theme that runs through the very heart of music. We listen to be transported, removing ourselves from our immediate surroundings as our senses relax and the sonic experience washes over us. During times of hardship, such a sensation is naturally magnified. Music gifts us a way out from our challenges, allowing us to choose how we feel in response to the sounds we hear. This theme has been explored meticulously by Audiojack over the past four years, resulting in the release of their second album, Surface Tension, on Crosstown Rebels this April. 

The pair described the meaning behind the album, encapsulating what inspired them to pursue the four-year project: “In the modern world our attention has become so fragmented with technological distractions. We wanted to create a piece of music that could be an escape from that, where someone can close their eyes and let their imaginations fill in the gaps that the other senses have left behind.” 

The journey sets off with Subterranea, a futuristic breaks-inspired cut that features shimmering female vocals throughout. It feels both euphoric and spacious, taking us to a world far removed from ours. The first collaborative effort comes next in the form of Under Your Skin. Released as the album’s lead single in February, Kevin Knapp’s weighty lyrical offering takes no prisoners, paving the way for the track’s punchy, percussion-heavy backbone. 

The American producer and vocalist is no stranger to the label, having collaborated with Audiojack previously on Implications as well as releasing Flipped on Crosstown’s sister imprint Rebellion. Binaural Dreaming soon arrives, plunging us into a sensory experience thanks to an array of worldwide field recordings, which simulate the experience of a dream. 925 Shift ups the pace, pairing resonant kick-hat combos against a myriad of robot-like synths whilst gentle keys chime softly in the background. 

Surreal yet familiar in one, it opens smoothly into Easy Rider, a groove-led, minimal laced dance number that transports us to brighter days with upbeat piano rolls and dream-like chords. Psychoactive pt. 1 continues the warming theme, delving further into tropical realms. Ethereal pads blend into pulses of acid to form an immersive auditory piece.

Audiojack

Psychoactive Pt. 1

Audiojack - Psychoactive pt. 1

Captured

Recorded October 2013.
www.djlafleur.com

La Fleur - Fortitude Flow Mix

Kicking off the new year with new label heroes. We warmly welcome Enigmatic and his friends Skarby, MuscoYoga, Lintu to the Melody Of the Soul family.
A Brand new Ep called Enigmatic & Friends consists of 5 fantastic tracks filled with amazing drive, lush melodies and delightful soundscapes.

Download or Stream

Enigmatic - Shadow Healer (Snippet)

Recorded February 2009.
  www.djlafleur.com

La Fleur - Power Plant Mix

Marimba

Marimba (Robag Wruhme Dimona Negeff NB Remix)

Klangstof Remixes: Dusk

Hostage (Radio Edit) (Sasha Remix)

Recorded March 2010.
  www.djlafleur.com

La Fleur - Greenhouse Mix

La Fleur - Perpetual Prosperity Mix

Love Star

La Fleur - Primrose Path Mix

Recorded November 2009.
www.djlafleur.com

La Fleur - Plant House Mix

In My Dreams

In My Dreams (Quivver’s Space Manoeuvres Mix)

Buy / Stream: https://orcd.co/ringobingo

The masterful Budakid is back on Exploited with two beautiful tracks.
A spellbinding, slow-burning slice of melodic-tinged house music, ‘Ringo Bingo’ has shades of Todd Terje in its spacious arrangement, rolling groove and gorgeous riffage. An electro arpeggio percolates over the throbbing bass tones; heavily reverbed percussive hits create atmosphere; and nagging piano chords build a tense melodic backbone. The cute lead melody is at once euphoric and melancholy, and a stunning synth solo in the mid-section adds some dazzling freestyle energy that really opens the track.

‘’Ringo Bingo’ is for me a travel between fusion, club and a glimpse of electronic jazz” says the man behind the track. “I n the break I asked an old friend of mine — Rolf van de Sande, with whom I used to play in a band — to come up with a jazzy and extraordinary solo. He totally nailed it. I wrote the arrangement in the end around the solo, and let the groove take over the focus at the climax to get more of a dance feel to it. This is one of the tracks that was a pain in the ass to finish and mix because it was full of harmonies and melodies. But I thought "If Snarky Puppy can do it, I can try to do it..."

‘Aku Aku’ goes deeper still, with lush strings decking out a light arrangement where shuffling percussion and dreamy, crystalline chime melodies flit across the surface. The chimes are seamlessly bolstered by live bass guitar, doubling the melody up a treat, with splashes of percussive texture here and there bringing a little extra spice. A few piano chords later on are all that are needed to complete this sublime track.

"Aku Aku" is more of a dubby groove based track where I tried to use only a few elements. A hallucinogenic melody that's very repetitive, but easy on the ear due to its polyrhythm and harmony. Once a friend listened to it and said "Kevin, this sounds like an old 00's game". I totally agreed, so one of my favourite game characters was an inspiration for the name.”

Early Feedback:
DJ Mag France: Ringo Bingo is a nice mixture of sounds.
5Mag: He will appear in the next issue of 5Mag.
Dave Aju: Love the texture and 6/8 line in Aku Aku, would be dope to hear it over some alt rhythms too, nice one!
Claptone: Thx!
Riva Starr: Thanks for the music.
Matthias Meyer: Aku Aku is cool. 
Christian Martin: Love Aku Aku.
John Digweed: Downloading.
Biesmans: Ringo Bingo is a nice groover. 
Horse Meat Disco/Severino: Lovely.
Eelke Kleijn: I know this is good!
DJ T: Thank you for the music.
Annie Mac/BBC Radio 1: Downloaded for Annie.
Karotte: Aku Aku is cool. Like it.
RSS Disco: On the point - as always. Smooth & warm. Takes me places! Quality material. 

Artist: Budakid 
Release: Ringo Bingo
Label: Exploited
Cat: EXPDIGITAL211
LC: 15799 
Publisher: Exploited Ghetto Music Publishing
Releasedate Beatport/Spotify: 19.02.21
Releasedate I-Tunes (all other stores): 05.03.21

Ringo Bingo

Budakid - Ringo Bingo I Exploited

The Debut Album ‘𝐕𝐀̈𝐒𝐄𝐍’ out now 💚
lafleur.ffm.to/vasen

Bookings

Worldwide:
martje@primarytalent.com

North America:
john@analog-a.com

South America:
diego@analog-a.com

La Fleur is nothing short of a visionary, with her every move an impossibility to ignore.

At almost 20 years since her first footsteps into the music space, the producer, DJ and labelhead meticulously fuses house and techno with infectious melodies to trigger even the deepest emotions. Her sonic palette carefully curates a story – and when lauded by names including Kerri Chandler, Sasha, Pete Tong and Kenny Larkin, its narrative is one of genius.

With her label Power Plant and consequent debut ‘Flowerhead’ becoming immediately lauded in underground communities, La Fleur’s discography has blossomed from strength to strength; including - but not limited to - releases via revered labels including Kompakt and Cocoon, a residency and valued relationship with Watergate Berlin, her remixing Kerri Chandler and Sasha (including a hit 2018 collaboration with the latter on ‘Förbindelse’), a remix by Carl Craig and an abundance of high-profile party and festival appearances. Think Awakenings Festival, Tomorrowland, Life Festival, Creamfields and Warung, an array of Ibiza’s superclubs, Printworks London and Motion Bristol to name merely a few — the Swedish artist shows no sign of slowing down.

Looking to the future with new album ‘Väsen’, she brings listeners on a journey with her intrinsic self — the archaic Swedish word models not only an entity, but also an essence, added to its associated meanings embodying the natural world, strength and noise. It is a truly introspective collection of tracks, embodying La Fleur’s journey-like sound.

La Fleur’s trailblazing ascent shows no signs of deceleration. Her beautiful sonic concoction of house and techno creates the perfect storm for dancefloors young and old — and her curation comes directly from within.

La Fleur - Primrose Path Mix

lafleur

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