Métron Mixtapes

Métron Musik is very proud to announce the first in our series of world music mixtapes, and we've started somewhere completely out of this world.

Eternell is one of the many monikers of Ludvig Cimbrelius, a Swedish producer who works across a range of musical genres. It is also the name of his own imprint, through which he has released many of his own works and collaborations since 2012. Ludvig has put together a beautiful, heartbreaking and yet often uplifting 80 minutes of music for us in support of his new full length album ‘Life Will Set You Free’ (click 'Buy' to purchase the album). The mix revolves around an ambient core, with all tracks coming from the Eternell back catalog. I’m immensely proud to help promote such an inspired musical mind. 

To read more about the project including an interview with Ludvig, check out our website here.

http://www.metroncreativestudios.com/musik/#/eternell/

Eternell:
https://soundcloud.com/eternell
https://www.facebook.com/eternellmusic

Tracklist:
1. Eternell - Contact  [ETNL14]
2. Eternell - Radiance  [ETNL14]
3. Purl - Sus  [ETNLR06]
4. Purl - Ombrosa I  [ETNLR01]
5. Eternell - Nothing Left But Everything  [ETNL14]
6. Surr - Juli  [ETNL04]
7. Eternell - Life Will Dissolve You  [ETNL14]
8. Eternell - Tears Of Reverence  [ETNL14]
9. Alveol - Blue Lips  [ETNL03]
10. Purl - Ombrosa II  [ETNLR01]
11. Purl - Red Islands  [ETNLR03]
12. Eternell - Fading Memories  [ETNL14]
13. Eternell - Frequency (Ascend)  [ETNL14]


Métron Mixtape - 001 - Eternell

Barda is the musical project of Cecilia Gebhard, a guitarist, composer & music teacher hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina. Fusing Latin American folkloric elements, sampling, synths, beat-making and acoustic instrumentation, Gebhard creates unique and rich sonic textures that bridge the gap between organic and digital noise.

It is with a huge amount of pleasure that we present her brilliantly curated Métron mixtape - 65 minutes of digital Cumbia, Folklore, Tribal & Indigenous electronic music, including a number of her own wonderful productions and remixes. Be sure to check out the excellent new collaborative EP with SidiRum ‘’Todos Nostoros’’ released by Frente Bolivarista, which you can (and should) purchase below:

https://frentebolivarista.bandcamp.com/album/sidirum-barda-todos-nosotros

To read more about the project, and to see a full interview with Barda, head over to the Métron Musik website here:

http://www.metroncreativestudios.com/musik/#/mmm002-barda/

@Barda

Tracklist:
Barda - Abrazo
DJ Foi Mal - Milky Frog Motorcycle
Gr◯un土 a.k.a DJ GROUND - Akagenorun
Spaniol - Hermandados del Crime (Barda vs. Racionais MC)
Hyode - Cumbia Metropolis
Dat GarcÌa - Dejar de Pensar
Barda - N˙cleo
Luzmila Carpio - Chuwayaku Kawsaypuni (Soktakuri Remix)
Barrio Lindo - Anitya
Caetano Veloso - Tropicalia (El Peche Remix)
SidiRum & Barda - Movimiento
Pigmali‰o - O Reset Da PopulaÁ„o
Justice - Ohio (Barda Collage)
Barda - Llamas del Sureste
Intiche - Kota
Nicola Cruz - Jocotoco Antpitta
Chancha Via Circuito - Lamanai
Barda - Primas en la MontaÒa (I, II y III)

Métron

Métron Mixtape - 002 - Barda

September 18 marks "Fiestas Patrias", a national celebration of Chilean independence, that often lasts the whole month. Traditional music like Cueca fill the cities and towns during this period, and Cumbia, a musical genre that originates from Central and South America, one that dates as far back as the early 1800s, takes centre stage. Despite the slightly pejorative social stigma that has become associated with the genre amongst many local people, in recent years a new group of artists have emerged incorporating elements of the genre and providing it with new life, and new audiences.

Enter El Buga, a Chilean producer and Regional label co-founder from Santiago, who put together an hour of energetic Cumbias for Métron Musik Mixtape 003. Infused with drops of House, Dub, Juke, Future Beats & Hip-Hop, and showcasing musicians and producers from all over the globe, it’s an apt tribute to South America’s musical heritage as well as its modern identity.

To read an interview with El Buga and hear more music check out the Métron Musik page:

http://www.metroncreativestudios.com/musik/#/mmm003-el-buga/

https://soundcloud.com/elbuga

Tracklist:
01 Mambotur - Cumbia Dub
02 Barda - El Baile De Los Deshechos
03 Pánico - Doble Visión (Atacama)
04 Up, Bustle & Out - Cumbion Mountain (Sistema Local Remix)
05 Quantic - Cumbia Clash
06 Vruno - Yolanda
07 Armando Hernandez vs Sonora Dinamita - Armando Dinamita (El Buga Mash-Up)
08 Makina - Rafaga De Dub
09 Basement Jaxx - Shake Up
10 DJ Orion ft DJ Dus - Mal Creada
11 Xikano - Ritmo De Colombia
12 Gux Swadharma - Atlantic Cuantic Cumbia (DJ Neber Edit)
13 Kill Emil - La Danza De La Violencia
14 Oro11 - Macumbiabass
15 Qapac - Tiempo
16 Frente Cumbiero - Bocachico (Tío Changó Remix)
17 Don Beto vs Cero 39 - Cali-Mompox (Remix)
18 Juaneco y Su Combo - Ya Se Ha Muerto Mi Abuelo (Nacho Libre Remix)
19 Beverly Road All Stars - Murder She Wrote (El Buga Dembow Edit)
20 DJ Quien - Morena Gata
21 Tribilin Sound - La Cumbia De Octavio (Señor Chancho Remix)
22 Chico Trujillo - Caleta Vargas (Umoja Dub)
23 Señor Coconut vs Kocani Orkestar - Usti, Usti Baba (Altiplano Mix)
24 Banda Conmoción - Presentación (El Buga Bootleg Dub)
25 Manu Chao - Politik Kills (Prince Fatty Remix Instrumental)

Métron Mixtape - 003 - El Buga

I don’t remember how or why I stumbled upon the music of Japanese producer and record spinner, DJ Gr◯un土, but upon first listen I felt transported to some bizarre new reality I’d never previously lived out. I wasn’t really sure what I was listening to. After an epic journey through a plethora of styles, sounds and sensations, I felt as though I’d been on some surreal voyage. Needless to say I wanted to share this with you.

DJ Gr◯un土 started as a DJ in his late teens and has since played shows all across Japan, playing regularly in Osaka where he currently resides. It is here, on the outskirts of the City, in the local mountain range, that he presides over 'Chill Mountain,' a music festival that has been running for over a decade. His musical influences are vast, everything from traditional folkloric elements to disco. It is fitting that his festival should be held in the mountains as his productions and DJ sets often take on a primal feeling, expanding and evolving into the heavens & beyond. 

His Métron Musik Mixtape is no different, a musical adventure spanning 105 minutes and a ton of different styles. Give it a spin and then be sure to check out his most recent release ‘Vodunizm’ here:
https://chillmountain1.bandcamp.com/

Check his soundcloud page too:
https://soundcloud.com/dj-ground

Métron Mixtape - 004 -  DJ Gr◯un土

One of the catalysts for this whole project has been the work of El Búho. I was already familiar with his production and remix work (for the uninitiated check out his mesmerising remix of Chancha Via Circuito - Sueno en Paraguay) when I stumbled across his ‘’Roots & Rhythms’’ podcasts. I was blown away. He was compiling, on such a regular basis, a vast range of beautiful music and sharing it with the world. I hoped that I could too help share the music that I love and support these amazing artists.

Unsurprisingly El Búho was one of the first people I contacted about contributing to the series, so it is with great pleasure that I am now able to present to you his Métron Musik Mixtape. It’s as smooth and peaceful a journey as it is a beautiful and triumphant rural adventure across many sonic worlds, finding it’s final peak at the very last moments with an outstanding unreleased track of his own. Inspired by the mystical notion of musical nirvana, it’s a vivid depiction of a small part of the sonic universe, but one that feels very much at one with his impressive output to date.

Be sure to check out his soundcloud page for more productions and the awesome ‘Rhythm & Roots’ podcasts. Keep your eyes peeled for a new EP out in November via Wonderwheel.

https://soundcloud.com/el-buho

Check out the full project at the link below, or click the Métron button on the player.

http://www.metroncreativestudios.com/musik/#/mmm005-el-bho/

Tracklist:
1) Kike Pinto - Zorro Negro
2) Nicola Cruz - Invocacion
3) Naphta - Lys (Peter Power Edit)
4) Thomash - Remixing Raoui
5) Oceanvs Oreintalis - Bab - I Ali
6) Vruno - Remisión Espontánea (Rodrigo Gallardo Remix / El Búho slowedit) vs Kurup - A MARCHA NATIVA DOS ÍNDIOS QUIRIRIS (quinteto armorial)
7) DJ Djeff - Os Dois Velhos (Jose Marquez Remix)
8) Yapla! - Cegre (SidiRum Deep Mix)
9) Pigmalião - Monstera Deliciosa
10) Asam Shama - Kei Shi
11) Spaniol y ElPeche - Saudação a Ogum
12) Yosi Horikawa - Letter vs Lulacruza - Lagunita
13) El Búho - Unreleased
14) Carrot Green - Zulu
15) Lulacruza - Commandante (El Búho Remix)
16) Mr. Pauer - Pasión (Borchi Remix)
17) Barrio Lindo - Milong
18) Carlos e Mafalda - Chega
19) PrΛΛh - Chamada
20) El Búho - IJ

Metrón Mixtape - 005 - El Búho

Marcio Vermelho is a veteran in the Brazilian club scene, DJing and producing since the early 00’s and holding residencies at various venues in his home town São Paulo. Famed for his eclectic range I found early on that a Vermelho mix could take on any number of different styles, themes and sounds, everything from acid to disco, and always deliver something special. His Métron Musik Mixtape is no different.

Márcio has put together a collection of tracks that are incredibly special to him, the majority taken from some of his favourite records from the 70’s and 80’s. Played on headphones it's a cinematic, hallucinogenic trip through a city after dark, street lights, high spirits, corner boys, street dancers and enigmatic characters abound. Played in the club it's a euphoric funk adventure with enough heart, soul and tension to bring a room to climax. Either way you spin it, it's a joyous listening experience ending on one of my personal favourite pieces of music, the recently reissued Mariah - Shinzo No Tibira. 

He'll be playing in São Paulo on November 7th alongside Carrot Green, Juju & Jordash and others at an event called ODD. Get down.

@vermelho

Check out the full project at the link below, or click the Métron button on the player.

http://www.metroncreativestudios.com/mmm006-marcio-vermelho

Tracklist:
1. Captain Mustard - Quiet Move
2. Brian Bennett - The Prowler
3. Senai - Let The Night In (KMTR’s Dub)
4. Herbie Hancock - The Twilight Clone
5. Hiroshi Sato - Awakening
6. Oliver Mandic - Sve Su Seke Jebene (Hotaru Edit)
7. Auf Togo - Second Tongue
8. Frank Aleksandersen - Kong Vinter (Crinan Edit)
9. Orchester Ambros Seelos - Mondgesicht
10. Rajan - Time
11. Saâda Bonaire - Little Sister
12. Yoko Ono - You’re The One (Hotaru Edit)
13. Mariah - Shinzo No Tibira


Métron Mixtape - 006 - Márcio Vermelho

The latest Métron Musik Mixtape is something of an unusual treat. Not much is known or written of UK based artist Ishq, and fittingly his music is as hard to pin down as the artist himself. It’s therefore an honour that he was willing to provide us with this mixtape, a 90 minute exploration of unexplored aural pastures - showcasing old and new music from the mysterious producers wonderfully rich and beautiful discography. Within it Matt Hillier spans the depths of planetary oceans, searches the far reaching vacuums of the cosmos and prods at rarely accessed parts of our own reality.

‘Ishq’ roughly translates as ‘love’ but the word is used in Persian and Arabic literature with a broader definition, a relationship between man and its creator. There’s a sense of the divine and spiritual in the 90 minutes of music here. The Cornwall based producer taps into something seemingly larger and more cinematic than our every day existence. Somewhere out there that we kind of know but rarely visit. 

Turn it up, close your eyes, and explore his world. 

If you want to hear more from Ishq check out:
ishq.bandcamp.com
soundcloud.com/ishq

There will be an interview in the coming days.


Métron Mixtape - 008 - Ishq

The latest instalment in the Métron Musik Mixtape series sees a return to South America and to another duo pushing traditional latin sounds toward new boundaries. Lulacruza is Luis Maurette & Alejandra Ortiz, multi disciplined musicians hailing from Argentina and Colombia respectively. Maurette provides the diverse electronic backbone, percussion and charango (A small Andean lute), Ortiz brings beautiful vocals as well as a wide variety of her own instrumentation. Together for over a decade they form a powerful duo capable of sounding both ancient and modern within the same breathe. Their beautiful new LP 'Orca' can be purchased on their bandcamp page, along with many of their other releases - I also highly recommend their visual album from this year which you can watch in full here.

Upon first hearing their debut mixtape I was initially surprised by the selection of British IDM/electronica (no spoilers), but upon reflection the contrast perfectly details the genesis of the duo’s unique sound. In a modern age where music travels further and faster than ever before we’re being treated to unusual hybrids, artists influenced by their ancestral heritage, the cultures in which they reside but also from far reaching sources around the world. It’s within this modern paradigm that Lulacruza’s music, and their mixtape resides. And that’s what Métron Musik loves.  So here it is, Lulacruza’s very first mixtape. Amongst the 19 tracks on display here are half a dozen of their own works slotted beside an alchemy of sounds, past and present, from Latin America and beyond. 

@lulacruza

Full article and tracklist available on the Métron site, including a fascinating interview with the duo. 

www.metroncreativestudios.com/musik

Métron Mixtape - 009 - Lulacruza

I found Batu-Ozer via a fantastic podcast on Urban Cosmonaut Radio (be sure to check them out) - When I delved a little deeper I found an artist and DJ focusing on a sound indebted to his Turkish roots, but more over a producer exploring beneath the soil of lands far and wide.

In his fantastic new Métron Musik Mixtape the Istanbul native paints a vivid journey across a hazy desert, passing through small villages and strange characters along the way. Batu balances a tense energy with the contrasting stillness of open space. 

soundcloud.com/batu-ozer
batuozer.bandcamp.com

Tracklist available at www.metroncreativestudios.com


Métron Mixtape - 010 - Batu Ozer

I’ve not yet had the pleasure of visiting Tblisi, Georgia, but I’m reliably informed that it is a wonderful city in a beautiful part of Europe. It’s within this context that the musically rich world of our next artist, Tblisi resident Gacha Bakradze comes to life.

Producing under both his first and his second name, the Georgian born artist and I originally connected as I was interested in creating some artwork for his latest release. I quickly found Gacha to be a charming and intelligent personality and somebody capable of making beautiful music on a daily basis - often sending me demos of unreleased material he’s working on - each sounding as beautiful as the next. With releases for R&S records, Space Hardware and Apollo records, as well as through his own imprint, Transfigured Time, already under his belt Gacha is a name to watch out for.

I spoke with him about producing a mixtape for the project and I am thrilled that he accepted the invitation. His production is varied and, from our conversations, I knew his range of influences to be broad. As a DJ playing at events and producing downtempo mixtapes for home listening I was intrigued to see in what direction he would go.

I was delighted to hear what he has produced for us, just over an hour of sonic bliss. The best thing that I can say about the mixtape is that it feels like a beautiful, brooding dream that leaves you feeling refreshed and inspired.

Keep your eyes peeled for Bakradze’s debut LP dropping in 2016.

https://soundcloud.com/gacha
https://www.facebook.com/gachamusic/

For full tracklist please visit www.metroncreativestudios.com/musik

Métron Mixtape - 011 - Gacha Bakradze

Derrok is the alias of 25 year old Chilean producer Joaquin Roca and the latest contributor to the Métron Musik Mixtape series. 13 is unlucky for some, but not us, as MMM:013 is a thin slice of Andean electronic goodness. I spoke with Joaquin about producing a mixtape, and we’re delighted that he’s chosen us to promote his latest works before he departs on an epic cycling trip across Chile.

Derroks sound is rich in detail and scope, balancing traditional latin themes and ancient ritualistic sounds with modern house and electronica, there’s also some unexpected and unusual diversions along the way. At it’s core though the music on offer here is tribal and rural sounding. It feels like taking a trip back in time to a more primitive and dynamic time in the human experience

If you want to hear more of Derrok’s music and support his work, you should definitely check out his soundcloud and bandcamp pages.

@derrok
derrok.bandcamp.com

You can see the tracklist for the mix, as well as an interview with Derrok by clicking the Métron button below the player.

Métron Mixtape - 013 - Derrok

In 2010 Todd Burns wrote a review for RA about a record called ‘Rio Arriba’ - even now I distinctly remember seeing the beautiful & striking cover art of Paula Duro and being drawn in by the foreign titles and imagery. I needed to hear this record. However it was only available in Argentina at the time and Burns' challenge to readers to figure out a way to listen only piqued my intrigue. 

I worked out a way and within the very first 30 second of that record, the jarring percussion of ‘Cumbion de las Aves', I knew I had found something special. And it is a special record, but more than that, for me this record marked a shift in the way I approached sourcing new listening material from then on, opening up a new musical culture and a desire to cast the net further afield. It truly changed the way I listen to music.

I am therefore honoured and humbled to present our latest contributor, the incredible talent of Pedro Canale, aka Chancha Via Circuito. On his glorious Métron Musik Mixtape he has compiled a collection of tracks that are extremely special to him, showing his influences to extend far beyond the mountains of his native Buenos Airies. There are some surprising selections along the way but it never strays too far from an emotional and sonic core that feels very much aligned to the Argentine producers aesthetics. 

‘Amansara’, his latest LP and third full length for the fantastic Argentine label ZZK Records, was one of my favourite records of 2015. The much anticipated follow up to 'Rio Arriba’ develops Chancha’s now signature sound and takes it to new heights. His collaboration with the amazing Lido Pimiento on ‘Jardines’ is one of my all time favourite tracks and an absolute triumph of creativity. I highly recommend exploring the Chancha Via Circuito discography from top to bottom.

It's also a real pleasure to introduce the artwork of Léto Mythia who designed the artwork for our 15th mixtape.

Facebook: /chanchaviacircuito
Soundcloud: @Chanchaviacircuito
Bandcamp: zzkrecords.bandcamp.com
Artwork: instagram.com/letomythia

You can see the tracklist for the mix, as well as an interview with Chancha Via Circuito by clicking the Métron button below the player.

Métron Mixtape - 015 - Chancha Via Circuito

Despite the ever increasing globalisation of the music industry, Captain Planet is still something of a rare entity. A musician and DJ who crafts his own ‘Gumbo Funk’ sound from such a vast array of influences from all over the world, switching cultures and genre with relative ease whilst still tying them together in his own enigmatic way. The LA based producer has a knowledge and feel for an enormously eclectic range of styles and the unique results are evident in both his live sets and releases.

I asked the Captain, the performing alias of Charlie B. Wilder, to put together a mixtape for us and I am absolutely delighted to present his fantastic Métron Musik Mixtape : 016. A meticulously crafted sixty minute session, featuring exotic sounds spanning at least five continents and a whole spectrum of genres including slices of tropical, house, afro & latin. The mix focuses on slightly slower and more organic textures than Charlie’s famously bombastic live sets, and yet the dynamic thrust of those performances remains. Look out for an exclusive remix of the exceptional Nicola Cruz.

The excellently compiled Mix Tape Riot blog which Charlie adds to most weeks showcases just some of the diverse blend of influences that lead to the creation of his many releases to date, including the vibrant 2014 LP ‘Esperanto Slang’. It’s a confident and unusual record featuring upwards of five different languages and guest performances from African and South American vocalists. It’s well worth checking out over at the bandcamp page for the brilliant Brooklyn based imprint Bastard Jazz.

Facebook: /DJCaptainPlanet
Soundcloud: @dj-captain-planet
Bandcamp: bastardjazz.bandcamp.com
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

You can see the tracklist for the mix, as well as an interview with Captain Planet by clicking the Métron button below the player.


Métron Mixtape - 016 - Captain Planet

Using small wooden flutes, indigenous percussion and other small folk instruments, Brazilian producer Kurup creates deep folkloric sounds inspired by the natural environment around him, something he describes as 'Selva eletrica' (Electric Forest). The land to which he refers is Cerrado, an area of Brazil that is home to over 160’000 species of plants, fungi and animals. It is within this setting that Kurup’s music comes to life.

I spoke to Renato Rocha (aka Kurup) about producing a mixtape for us and I’m thrilled to present his brilliantly curated organic sounds on Métron Musik Mixtape 018 - a sonic blend of slow house, techno, dup, trip-pop all filtered through the cultural origins of Renato and his ancestors. It’s easy to imagine the rich and diverse Cerrado savannah as Kurup takes the reigns on a bustling journey through the wild open expanses of his sonic space. With a number of unreleased tracks of his own and appearances from a variety of esteemed peers (Nicola Cruz, El Búho, Barda to name a few), it’s a deep, sensual and immersive experience from start to finish.

His excellent debut EP 'Macaúba' was released through the awesome São Paulo based record label, Tropical Twista Records. Renato is currently a resident DJ in Delírio Tropiquente and is the founder of an Art collective called Gira Lume in his hometown Brasília, Brazil. Be sure to check out his work on his Soundcloud & Bandcamp pages.

Facebook: /kurup.sounds
Soundcloud: @ku_rup
Band camp: kurup.bandcamp.com
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

You can see the tracklist for the mix, as well as an interview with Kurup by clicking the Métron button below the player.

Métron Mixtape - 018 - Kurup

As somebody who spends large chunks of the day searching for music, one of the amazing things about working on a project like Métron Musik is that new avenues present themselves with great regularity, and sometimes, the music seems to find its way to you. That was certainly the case with our latest contributors, SpatzHabibi. Having snuck up on me whilst using Soundcloud I soon checked what I was listening to and found a duo that were putting together extraordinary, eclectic sets with great regularity. Inevitably, I approached them about putting something together for this series and am delighted that they have curated a brilliant collection of tracks for us. 

The Anglo-German duo, comprising Sophie Funke and Pete Littlewood, met in Berlin back in 2006, working together at a bar in Neukölln they spent many hours spinning records at the venue. In this period they formed a musical partnership that is still bearing fruit today. The pair are known for their increasingly diverse and left-field collection of records and what impressed me most about their recorded sets was the innate feel for telling a coherent and compelling story with these selections. 

Their exotic sonic adventures have the power to take listeners out of their world and transport them to another realm, and that is exactly where I found myself upon listening to Métron Musik Mixtape 019. It’s an incredibly powerful skill to be able to use music to entice people away from the context of their everyday lives but one that SpatzHabibi seem to have mastered. As with many of their mixes, the organic sounds that pervade this new hour-long mix leave you wondering at times whether you are tuned in to the radio, or to nature itself. Bird song, exotic animal calls, the sound of wind amidst the trees and water running down stream give the sense that you’ve plugged your headphones into a rock in the middle of the desert, or a tree in the midst of a jungle, rather than a laptop or stereo. It’s a visceral experience, intense, beautiful and hypnotic. 

The duo started their own label back in 2014, the aptly named Polychrome Sounds. They’ve already put out a fair few records by producers from all over the world. Next in line is a new release by Irish producer Peter Power, who now lives in the Brazilian jungle. Be sure to check out the labels future endeavours and try to catch SpatzHabibi live this Summer.

Facebook: /spatzhabibi
Soundcloud: @spatzhabibi
polychromesounds.com
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

You can see the tracklist for the mix, as well as an interview with SpatzHabibi by clicking the Métron button below the player.

Métron Mixtape - 019 - SpatzHabibi

Last week, Métron Musik Mixtape 022 reached it’s finale with a beautiful collaboration between Kaleema and Lido Pimienta, two of my favourite South American artists. That was a passing of the torch for this weeks mix, as Columbian born Toronto resident Lido Pimienta is at the reigns of Métron Musik Mixtape 023, a fascinating exploration of vocal styles from around the globe. The singer, producer, visual artist and curator made a massive impact on me with her own vocal performances featuring on tracks alongside the incomparable Chancha Via Circuito (her performance on ‘Jardines’ is particularly magnificent). I was later to discover her solo record ‘Color’ which was released back in 2010 and showcases her unique talents as a solo artist. I was delighted when I was able to speak with her and thrilled that Lido wanted to contribute a mixtape to the series.

Pimienta is clearly an artist fascinated with the human voice, and this is certainly evident as she treats us to a raucous array of vocal performances in her Métron Musik Mixtape. Tribal chants from a range of cultural backgrounds are interspersed with modern electronica, bass, folklore, vocal spots from Lido herself and eventually culminating in a powerful A Capella rendition of her new track Agua from the forthcoming ‘La Papessa’ LP.  I can’t say that I’ve heard a mix quite like it.

Further to her musical work Lido is a fervent supporter of women in technology and arts, a passionate voice promoting her Latin heritage, and somebody who takes a keen interest in the local music and art scene in Toronto. She’s also a talented visual artist and was keen to produce the artwork to pair with her mixtape - a beautiful illustration from her ‘Flower Girl’ series (you can read more about this in her fascinating Q&A with us). 

If you enjoy what you hear you can check out more of Lido’s work on her social pages listed below, and keep your ear to the ground for the planned release of her new LP later this year.
 
Facebook: /lido.pimienta.musica
Soundcloud: @lido-pimienta
Artwork: Lido Pimienta

You can see the tracklist for the mix, as well as an interview with Lido by clicking the Métron button below the player.

Métron Mixtape - 023 - Lido Pimienta

Born and raised in a small town in Sweden, Niklas Mellilä aka Disco Tech moved to Stockholm aged 12 and has been collecting records for nearly two decades since. As a DJ he has been lighting up dance-floors in Scandinavia and beyond all the way back to his days as a Scratch Battle DJ at the 2008 DMC World Championships. His focus has turned to laying down original funk and disco, chopping and editing classic and rare tunes, as well as building his increasingly diverse and wonderful record collection. He's gained a reputation as a fine selector and talented DJ. When I spoke with Niklas he was keen to produce a mixtape for us with a strong focus on tracks with a strong funk and disco influence, sourcing the selections from all corners of the world - and he’s done exactly that.

From start to finish Métron Musik Mixtape - 027 turns the groove level up to eleven, with infusions of Afro-beat, European pop, Caribbean dub, Psychedelic rock, and Latin rythmns it’s a delightfully exotic feast of classic and rare funk & disco from around the globe. 

Having started his own well respected label, DiscoDat Records, back in 2012 Niklas will be releasing his 4th Edits LP in the coming months. Be sure to follow his work on facebook and check out his edits and mixes on Soundcloud. 


Facebook: /disco-tech-edits
Soundcloud: @disco-tech-edits
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

You can read an interview with Niklas and see the full article by clicking the Métron button below the player.



Métron Mixtape - 027 - Disco Tech

After last week's bombastic world disco mix we’re turning inwards this week for Métron Musik Mixtape 028, to a colder, more cerebral space. Benoît Pioulard is the performing alias of Thomas Meluch, a Michigan born musician who has long held a deep fascination with aural textures, decay and field recordings. It’s his feel for texture that first drew me to his work nearly a decade ago when I heard the brilliant 2006 LP ‘Précis’, released on the legendary label Kranky, his first of five full length releases with the much vaunted Chicago based imprint. In truth it was the Kranky seal of approval that encouraged me to check out his work and I have been a fan ever since. 

His Métron Musik Mixtape opens and closes with his own productions and between those fabulous bookends Benoît crafts a beautiful blend of acoustic textures that longs to be played loud on headphones whilst lying somewhere particularly cosy. Flicking between meditative warm ambient drones, gritty static noise and a number of gorgeous vocal performances slipped in along the way, the American casts you from one realm to another seamlessly tying together different styles within his sonic palette. The vocal performances compiled here are truly excellent and provide a perfect counterpoint to the layers of sound that at times are so richly dense and emotive that it may leave you a little breathless. 

Benoît has just self-released a delightful new 7’’ single which you can pick up, along with his many other fantastic releases, via his bandcamp page (links below). Be sure to visit Kranky & look into his releases with them. 

Facebook: /pioulard
Soundcloud: @pioulard
Bandcamp: pioulard.bandcamp.com
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

You can see the tracklist for the mix, as well as an interview with Benoît by clicking the Métron button below the player.

Métron Mixtape - 028 - Benoît Pioulard

Every now and then you hear a record and fall in love straight away. That’s certainly what happened to me when I first heard the debut LP from this week’s mixtape curator, Bullion. 'Loop the Loop’, which came out to critical acclaim in February this year via Bullion's own DEEK recordings imprint, is teeming with playful melodies across a dozen eclectic and quirky ‘pop’ songs. It’s a record that is as much a pastiche to the sounds of the 70s and 80s, brimming with nostalgia, as it is a fresh modern record full of inventive arrangements and infectious vocal work. Against the backdrop of this week’s brilliant Métron Musik Mixtape, the origins of Loop the Loop come into view. 

The London based producer, real name Nathan Jenkins, guides us through 44 minutes of deliciously eclectic grooves, featuring Italo-disco, 80s Synth pop, British New Wave, Japanese Funk, Hindu mantras and even some beautiful Syrian Yarghoul. Patch-worked together with the meticulous craft evident across his own productions, it’s a truly delightful listening experience. Frisky and mischievous enough to get you up dancing but equally absorbing as an exotic sonic adventure blasted out in your headphones. Nathan is clearly a producer influenced by a wide range of musical cultures, but somebody who has a definite understanding and affinity towards many of the sounds and production styles of a bygone era.

I can’t recommend ‘Loop the Loop’ enough, go check it out as soon as you’ve finished listening to this mix. Also worth checking out the fine covers compilation DEEK put out last month featuring tracks from Jesse Hackett and Laura Groves, both of whom feature on Bullion's LP, by heading over to their Bandcamp page. As always you can always check out more of what Nathan’s up to on Facebook and Soundcloud - all links below. Enjoy.

Facebook: /bullionness
 Soundcloud: @bullionness
Bandcamp: deekrecordings.bandcamp.com
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke




Métron Mixtape - 031 - Bullion

Norway has a relatively young club culture in comparison with other more historic musical locations, and yet, perhaps as a consequence of it’s relative infancy, it appears to have spawned a very distinct sound of its own. Many people will recognise the signature ‘Nordic Disco’ style of lauded producers such as Todd Terje, Lindstrom & Prins Thomas - and yet one of the pioneers behind the birth of this sound is perhaps a little overlooked. With four excellent LP releases under his belt and DJ-ing regularly for the past 30 years has led to Bjørn Torske becoming something of a cult hero in the Norwegian scene. A producer and DJ with an idiosyncratic style, a nuanced ear and a most unusual ability to be ultra eclectic without losing his own voice. 

What is most appealing about Torske, both as a DJ and producer, is the breadth of musical influence from which he is able to draw. I was only introduced to his work earlier this year when Métron’s very own Harry Leath sent me a few tracks, along with a message ‘You’ll love this.’’ Nothing could have been truer, the joyful disco cuts he sent were irresistible. Digging further, his full lengths offer up a veritable bag of dub, jazz, funk, disco and house, showcasing a voice distinctive in it’s varied and experimental quirk. 

I was excited to hear what he had prepared for his Métron Musik Mixtape, and was predictably delighted with the outcome. Recorded at his home, Bjørn takes us on a moving musical odyssey, spanning everything from Electro synth pop, Ambient, Italian funk, Reggae, Kraut psych-rock, Afro-Cuban Jazz, and of course, a sprinkle of house & disco for good measure. He’s a DJ, that after 30 years in the game, is still interested in trying new combinations and taking risks. The results are powerful and clear for all to hear on this wonderfully cinematic excursion into just a small section of Torske’s bag of tricks. He’s a selector of the highest level and seems to breathe new life into his sets with each new track. It’s an honour to have him as a part of this series of mixes, this is certainly one on my favourites to date. 

Be sure to check out more of Bjorn’s work online, a great place to start is with his excellent full lengths Nedi Myra, Trøbbel (both reissued last year on Smalltown Supersound) Feil Knapp, and Kokning. Keep your eyes peeled for an extremely exciting collaboration coming soon.

Click on the Métron button to see the tracklist and an interview with Bjørn.

Facebook: /bjorntorske
Soundcloud: @bjorn-torske
Discos: discogs.com/artist/679-Bj%C3%B8rn-Torske
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

Métron Mixtape - 035 - Bjørn Torske

An excellent new mixtape from the pioneering Buenos Aires based DJ, producer and ZZK label founder Villa Diamante. A mix that journeys away from his familiar mashup style to a more traditional and organic approach. Nonetheless those mashup skills are evident throughout this gorgeous set of folkloric Latin sounds.

Click on the Métron button to see the full feature including tracklist and an interview with Villa Diamante. Or just head to metronmusik.com for more of our mixes and features.

Soundcloud: @villadiamante
Facebook: @villadiamantezzk
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

www.metronmusik.com/mmm041-villa-diamante/

Mixtape

Métron Mixtape - 041 - Villa Diamante

Today we feature one third of the Japanese electronic group Unknown Me - rapper, DJ and producer Taro Nohara aka Yakenohara. His beautiful Métron Mixtape, recorded live in Japan, is a celebration of ambient and new age music spanning many decades, stretching across continents and showcasing his rich understanding of music past and present. 

Click on the Métron button to see the full feature including tracklist and an interview with Yakenohara. Or just head to metronrecords.com for more of our mixes and features.

Soundcloud: @yakenohara
Artwork: Jack Hardwicke

www.metronrecords.com/mm052-yakenohara-unknown-me

Métron Mixtape - 052 - Yakenohara [Unknown Me]

Métron Records are delighted to present the title track from 'Moment (Selected Works 2015-2017)' our debut label release from Osaka based producer 7FO (@mado-4). Having previously released a cassette on RVNG International, and a 7’’ single on Bokeh Versions in 2017, this is the Japanese producer‘s debut full length vinyl release. The tracks, recorded between 2012 and 2017, have been tweaked, remastered and recorded to vinyl for the first time. 

Listen to the title track here and pre-order the record below:
https://metronrecords.bandcamp.com/
http://www.rushhour.nl/store_detailed.php?item=102778

You can also check out the beautiful music video directed by George Kountouras here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvxG_F1w3Hg

Moment (Selected Works 2012-2017)

7FO - Moment [MTR001]

Métron Records are delighted to present a preview from 'Moment (Selected Works 2015-2017)' our debut label release from Osaka based producer 7FO (@mado-4). Having previously released a cassette on RVNG International, and a 7’’ single on Bokeh Versions in 2017, this is the Japanese producer‘s debut full length vinyl release. The tracks, recorded between 2012 and 2017, have been tweaked, remastered and recorded to vinyl for the first time.

Listen to the title track here and pre-order the record below:
metronrecords.bandcamp.com/
www.rushhour.nl/store_detailed.php?item=102778

You can also check out the beautiful music video directed by George Kountouras here:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvxG_F1w3Hg

7FO - Moment (Selected Works 2012-2017)[MTR001] - PREVIEW

Kawanabe Kyosai is the first track from Komachi, the first full length vinyl release from the inimitable Hiroshima based artist @Meiteijapan. As with his previous work, Meitei once again explores what he calls ‘the lost Japanese mood’, an era and culture that he hopes to keep in our collective consciousness as society moves away from some of Japans more traditional aesthetics. 

The album drops on March 15th but you can pre-order the limited edition 12’’ from our Bandcamp page or via our wonderful partner and distributors Séance Centre.

metronrecords.bandcamp.com/album/komachi
www.seance-centre.com/shop/meitei-komachi-pre-order

Meitei - Kawanabe Kyosai [Pt.II]

“I want to revive the soul of Japan that still sleeps in the darkness”
- Meitei / 冥丁 @meiteijapan

On Maboroshi, the second track release from Komachi, the forthcoming album from Meitei, we're taken on a mysterious journey into the rural darkness of Japanese forests. Inspired by the spooky Japanese manga series from author Shigeru Mizuki, Maboroshi also draws from lo-fi hip hop, sounding like Dilla reimagined through the wet sounds of the Hiroshima countryside.

We're happy to announce that due to the amazing response to this record we have upped the initial pressing numbers from 300 to 500, that includes a small number of additional copies of the Special Edition with printed booklet.  You can still cop the pre-order here:

https://metronrecords.bandcamp.com/album/komachi
https://www.seance-centre.com/shop/meitei-komachi?category=Other%20Releases

Komachi

Meitei - Maboroshi

Thrilled to present the new single 'I Believe In You' taken from the fantastic new album from OCA. Their first for Métron Records, ‘Aging’ will be available on limited edition ’sandwich’ cassette and digital from November 20th. 

Following the success of their debut ‘Preset Music’ (as featured in Kelela’s recent aquaphoria mix) the Berlin based duo return with Aging, a 10 track album focusing on the emotions of specific life events, both the mundane and the profound. 

You can watch the Sam Lublicz directed music video for the new track ‘I Believe In You’ below
https://youtu.be/aLAml4pUjeg

AGing

Aging

OCA - I Believe In You

We are thrilled to announce our latest release, a reissue of the 1987 hidden gem Resonance, by Japanese pianist Yumiko Morioka. Originally released on Akira Ito’s ‘Green & Water’ label Resonance remains her only solo record - a truly stunning, timeless collection of compositions that deserves to find a new audience in 2020. 

Just a little over two years ago, Yumiko was fortunate to escape with her life when a neighbour woke her in the middle of the night to tell her that wildfires were closing in. Thirty minutes later her California home, along with all her musical recordings and equipment, was destroyed.

Now back living in Tokyo, where Resonance was created, she is doing well and is excited that her music is being given a new lease of life. It’s our great fortune that Yumiko, and the music she recorded back in 1987, survived and we’re honoured to be able to share the remastered recordings with the world.

Resonance draws influence from the popular environmental music culture prevalent in Japan during the late 80s, but it’s also heavily inspired by Western musicians like Erik Satie and Brian Eno. Listening today, it still feels fresh and pertinent; like the great pioneers of classical and ambient music, there's a timelessness to Resonance - a comforting, familiar feeling, as if these melodies have always existed.

Resonance will be released on limited edition vinyl & digital on April 15th. You can pre-order the album here: https://metronrecords.bandcamp.com/album/resonance

Yumiko Morioka - Komorebi

Back in 2018 I approached Russian artist @KatyaYonder to create a Métron Mixtape - I was so blown away with the 45 minutes of original compositions she created that I asked her to expand upon these ideas for a full length album. Two years later, those brilliant sketches have been fleshed out into something very special.

Proud to be working with such a kind, patient and talented human.
Multiply Intentions will be released August 19th on digital and limited white translucent vinyl via Métron Records.

Multiply Intentions

Katya Yonder - Solution

Nailah Hunter is a harpist, producer and composer from Los Angeles making gorgeously immersive and meditative music. Built upon glistening synths and the delicate strings of her magnificent harp playing, her brilliant 2020 EP Spells has been one of the years musical highlights, The 6-track release, for local label Leaving Records, is a short, but incredibly sweet affair with each track created as it’s own spell, a singular magical world. 

For her Métron mixtape Nailah has created a playlist of healing songs each representing one of the four original elements, earth, air, fire and water. These are tracks she listens to regularly whilst practicing yoga and meditation and, as such, the mix is instilled with a deep sense of calm and clarity. Better still, the mix opens with a brand new piece from Nailah herself - one that she describes as ‘a sonic plea to the universe’. 

It’s wonderful to hear this new work and leaves me ever more excited to hear what Nailah offers up next, as she works on her debut full length. In the meantime I can’t recommend Spells highly enough. Head over to Bandcamp to purchase and support a talented artist and an excellent label.

Read more here: https://metronrecords.com/066-Nailah-Hunter

Métron Mixtape - 066 - Nailah Hunter

On a rare trip back to his rural Bavarian hometown, producer and sound-artist Florian T M Zeisig was intrigued by a new addition to his parent's house, a vibroacoustic mattress purchased in the hopes of aiding their chronic sleep issues. Driven by a desire to reconnect in adulthood and help them finally find some rest, Zeisig spent the next two years researching vibroacoustic sound therapy, resulting in his third full-length LP 'Music for Parents'.

Building conceptual frameworks around intimate and personal encounters has always been the bedrock of Zeisig's work. His 2020 LP 'Coatcheck' explored emotional, physical and functional experiences of working in nightlife from the perspective of a garderobe attendant, a position he's held at various venues in Berlin over several years. With 'Music for Parents' he turns his attention to themes of sleep and healing, using elements of low-frequency sound therapy to create soothing soundscapes imbued with childhood memories and aspirations for creating better more accepting familial relationships today. While rooted in the personal, the album was made with all those struggling with anxiety, stress and insomnia in mind.

Practically speaking, 'Music for Parents' can be paired with a vibroacoustic mattress or wearable bass device to enhance a listener's experience of the low frequencies. Zeisig will be teaming up with SubPac for a live rendition when gatherings can safely return, and frequently made use of their 'Wearable sub' while composing the record.

'Music for Parents' features cover artwork by his father and will come out on February 2nd, in celebration of the artist's mother's birthday.

Happy 60th Birthday Mom. 

https://metronrecords.bandcamp.com/album/music-for-parents

Music For Parents

Florian T M Zeisig - Dip Pool

Métron Records is a record label & podcast series showcasing music from around the globe.

For enquiries please contact jack@metronrecords.com

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