Following the success of Mexican sensation Iñigo Vontier’s “Dune Dune” EP, which Optimo Music released in early 2021, exactly two years later we are delighted to release a follow up EP by him. "Setsi" has been thoroughly road tested these last few months and comes with an Optimo Music dancefloor guarantee. We asked Iñigo to tell us a little about this release -


"Setsi" is an EP that comes from experimentation with samples and the idea of keeping things simple but memorable. The track "Setsi" starts the EP and is groovy and loopy keeping a mood all through while weird synths and cowbells come in to add flavour to the journey. Next we have "Weirdo" which takes the synths to a next level while still keeping the groove smooth. "Mental Letal" keeps those weird synths going and makes for a mental progressive anthem for the dancefloor. To finish, the EP we have "Oh Yeah" with a funky deep bass, hypnotic synths and vocals that recall Yello in a way.

Out on Optimo Music Digital Danceforce on January 20th 2023.

Setsi

OMDD 47 - Iñigo Vontier - Setsi EP

Bandcamp pre-order - https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/vitus-ep

1 Vitus
2 Libera

We have been big fans of Al Wootton since his Deadboy days (when he featured on our “Dark Was The Night” mix cd). We were simply thrilled when he sent these two thunderous discoid dub tracks over and wanted to put them out instantly. Tried and tested danceflloor domination guaranteed.

We asked Al for a few words and he says -

With Vitus and Libera I wanted to make some big, psychedelic, dubbed out, percussive, chugging disco tracks. They were so fun to make, everything was laid down live in takes, all hands on live automation on the fly using hardware synths and mostly external hardware processing, making good use of an old 80s delay unit.


I love making techno, but for me creatively its important to explore all aspects of my tastes, and I have always loved disco, dub, early house, post punk, psychedelic stuff, anything with percussion. I make a lot of stuff like this and don’t do anything with it, but with these tracks I knew I had to get them out as I felt the energy of them while I was making them.

Out on Optimo Music Digital Danceforce on April 21st 2023.

Vitus

OMDD 49 - Al Wootton - Vitus EP

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/all-in-good-time-ep

Presenting Belfast’s Black Bones. 

Born out of a shared obsession for crate digging, collecting, and the playing of weird and wonderful music, their releases so far have manifested in a highly-sought series of psychedelic disco 12”s. 

OMDD presents their first ever digital release fusing the sounds of early 1980s Downtown New York with 21st Century beats and massive Dub DNA injections. 

They say: "No longer in our Belfast studio, wedged between the everyday mundane. We are in the ‘down town’ New York bar that lives inside our mind. Gathered with people of the night, getting drunk and getting high, anything feels possible, yet all in good time. 

Drums roll, the bartender cranks the volume up, as the sax begins to play. Time pointing towards morning, yet people want to stay. 

Faces change as wonder sets, as to where their night has gone. Yet we play anything we want because it’s almost dawn. Introducing familiar sounds that mutate into something new. As always, Sherwood never far from thought, some pressure, just for you!"

Out on Optimo Music Digital Danceforce on June 16th 2023.

All In Good Time

OMDD 50 - Black Bones - All In Good Time EP

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/dingers

Optimo Music loves a bit of serendipity. We had been really digging all of 2023’s releases by Will Hofbauer, which ticked all our boxes, when an email dropped into JD Twitch’s in-box asking if we’d be interested in releasing some of his tracks. Would we ever!

Thus we are delighted to present 3 tracks of outer space bass dub designed for advanced danceflloors. We asked Will to tell us a bit about the tracks -

These three tracks right here are just a couple of Dingers!! They’re a bit different from my usual fare, so I’m super super happy for them to have found un espacio en Optimo! 

The first one, Diiing, was just a fun experiment with some funny vocals and faster drums. As for the other two, if Leech is a big old slug crawling through a damp cave, then Can Dub is a fun little skip through the woods. The enormous reach of dub’s influence is clearly running through all three of these, in my opinion, but defo in the last two :)

Overall, I just feel like I’m a massive fan who is lucky enough to have a crack at making and putting out stuff really. I’m super chuffed to be writing this little quote about this release! If you’ve read this far, I hope you enjoy the music!!

Released digitally May 17th

Diiing

OMDD 57 - Will Hofbauer - Dingers EP

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/too-far-gone

Glasgow duo Saint Sappho mark their first release on Optimo Music’s new Optimo Music Rocks imprint with the single ‘Too Far Gone’, an expansive, symphonic track that sees them continue to put their own captivating spin on the heyday sounds of shoegaze, grunge and 90s Britpop.

With rich strings, skyward-soaring guitars and classic alt-rock textures, ‘Too Far Gone’ sees Saint Sappho - aka multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Zoe Young and drummer Tammy Dyson - powerfully unfurl the emotive, atmospheric heft that has characterised their impressive output to date.

‘Too Far Gone’ is a deeply personal song, with lyrics depicting the reality of human deterioration - the fading of someone close to you and changes in personality beyond recognition - in a form of both celebration and lament. It is backed with the equally emotive, slightly more delicate ‘Fade Away’.

Looking towards the personal and idiosyncratic moments of life is a practice that underscores Saint Sappho’s songwriting, which across their previous work has yielded moving reflections on topics including secret lesbian clubs of London, meditation sessions and the pain of loss.

Combined with their innate ability to construct sepia-tinted songs that thread together both nostalgia and youthful reverie, and the kind of euphoric choruses that conjure wide-screen cinematics, Saint Sappho’s alt-rock revival is at once familiar and future-facing.

Released digitally 10/05/2024

Too Far Gone

Optimo Music Rocks 002 - Saint Sappho - Too Far Gone / Fade Away

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/anarcho-disco-volume-1

Optimo Music excitedly unleashes Japan’s GǼG and their Anarcho Disco volumes 1 & 2 into the world. We thought we were done with 12” single release, at least for now, but then these tracks showed up and it was instantly obviously ESSENTIAL that they get pressed up on big fat twelve inch singles. Every single track here has been tried and tested and caused delirious delight on the dancefloor over the last year. Now it is time to share them with YOU! Truly Anarchic, Psychedelic dance music for the open-minded and genre-free crews.

GǼG say -


DISKO KLUBB boss MONKEY TIMERS, who leads Tokyo's underground disco scene, and KEITA SANO, who has been gaining attention for his releases on labels around the world, have started the project "GǼG”.

Using a variety of sampling and unique FX, our music has created a unique GǼG sound that is psychedelic and anarchic. 

This subversive sound is sure to be the key to shaking the dance floor.

Volume 1, 12" and digital released 23/08/24. Volume 2, 20/09/24.

Distribution via Kompakt.

Merpa

OM 59 - GǼG - Anarcho Disco Volume 1 EP (sampler) 12" vinyl and digital released 23/08

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/sientelo

Iñigo Vontier delivers the third installment of his trilogy of Optimo Music Digital Danceforce EPs, arguably saving the best for last. This release showcases his signature Mexican psychedelic electronics, featuring deep, driving basslines, intricate percussion, and mesmerising synth patterns that create an immersive, almost otherworldly experience.

A DJ and producer from Guadalajara, Vontier is known for his eclectic blend of techno, disco, and psychedelic sounds. He has gained international recognition for his distinctive style, fusing tribal rhythms and cosmic elements to craft a truly unique sonic journey.

Released digitally 30/08/2024

Sientelo

OMDD 58 - Iñigo Vontier - Sientelo EP

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/house-of-god

Tony Morris is a 72-year-old artist from Glasgow who began exploring various creative pursuits in his late 60s, including music-making, video creation, poetry, and live performance. Often referred to as the "Minimal Synth Ivor Cutler," he has built a large and dedicated following on social media, and his live performances have been met with rapturous acclaim. A recent performance at an Optimo night in Glasgow was met with riotous enthusiasm, with teenage girls screaming his name - this is 100% true.  

Tony has been in communication with JD Twitch for years, making his debut release on Optimo Music a natural fit. His first single is a cover of Dimensional Holofonic Sound's seminal track "House Of God," a song that holds special significance for JD Twitch, who has been playing it since 1990 and has sampled it in multiple remixes (shhhh!). JD Twitch couldn’t resist the opportunity to remix Tony’s version, completing a compelling release package. Tony’s unparalleled rendition of “House Of God”  may well be one of the most unique dancefloor tracks of the year.

Released digitally, Friday September 13th

House of God (JD Twitch Remix)

OM D 61 - Tony Morris - House Of God / House Of God (JD Twitch Remix)

As Saint Sappho, multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Zoe Young and drummer Tammy Dyson make expansive music that reaches out to hazy new realms, while simultaneously channeling the emotive pull of shoegaze, grunge and 90s electronica. Their latest track 'Fall Into The Lie', released on 29 November, is a stirring injection of bass synthesiser, industrial drums, spacious vocals, and hazy delay-driven guitars. 

'Fall Into The Lie' is both dreamy and defiant - ethereal electronics yield to a robust percussive groove and deeply penetrating lyrics. As the state of the world around us appears to grow more fractured by the day, here Saint Sappho muse on the slippery topics of religion, politics and contemporary culture. The song is both a warning and a rallying cry; when it feels as though your voice goes unheard and your individual efforts come to nothing, it's all too easy to "fall into the lie". 

Fall Into The Lie is an unassuming, powerful rock song that sits alongside the likes of Fontaines DC, Massive Attack and Radiohead. It follows on from their recent track End Of The World, the pair's heady take on 90s alt-rock, and the double single Too Far Gone/ Fade Away, all released on Optimo Music’s new Optimo Music Rocks imprint.

Released Friday November 29th 2024

Fall Into The Lie

OMR 004 Saint Sappho - Fall Into The Lie / Silver Linings

A1. Tesco Bombers – Break The Ice At Parties
A2. Sara Goes Pop – Sexy Terrorist
A3. People In Control – When It’s War
A4. Nancy Sesay & The Melodaires – C’est Fab

B1. The Distributors – TV Me
B2. Dorothy – Softness
B3. Thomas Leer – Private Plane
B4. Visitors – Electric Heat

C1. The Murphy Federation – Fed Up Skank
C2. The Distributors – Never Never
C3. The Cro-tones – Tea Machine Dub
C4. Fatal Microbes – Violence Grows

D1. The Spunky Onions – How I Lost My Virginity
D2. The Fakes – Look Out
D3. The 012 – Meltdown Situation
D4. The Prats – Disco Pope

This is a compilation of 16 UK 7" singles recorded between 1978 and 1982, compiled by JD Twitch, that showcases the DIY spirit of those times. 

"If Punk was the nuclear detonation, the fallout that came after was where a lot of the most interesting music of that era was made. People who would never have thought to release a record before realised it was something they could do, and the end result was a DIY explosion. I've always loved music that doesn't try to fit in a particular genre, that is anti-canonical and doesn't care what else is going on in music at that time, that takes risks and is full of imagination and ideas that may or may not make any logical sense but that resulted in something unique, that ignores conventions about how a record SHOULD be produced and that was created simply because its creators felt the urge to express themselves and share the results with some other people. This compilation compiles 16 tracks that fulfil all those criteria. None of them had any success, most are (unjustly) obscure but every one of them has inspired me and would be in my ultimate 7" singles box." – JD Twitch.

This release has been a real labour of love involving tracing long-lost artists to far-flung corners of the globe, persuading them that the modern world needs to hear the music they made several decades ago, tracking down lost masters, lovingly restoring 7"s in the case of those where the masters were lost and then conceiving an elaborate package with detailed sleeve notes to house the double album package.

*NOTE - Due to legal problems with the original title a new version of the sleeve has had to be designed and manufactured. We still hope to make the original packaging available in a modified form but in the meantime this will be released in a gatefold sleeve with printed inner sleeves containing all the info and notes from the original.

The original 2 x LP vinyl edition was to come in a super deluxe package combining a double-sided black and white four x 12" panel sleeve, hand-folded into an LP sleeve with a colour insert containing colour photos of all the sleeves all inserted in a bespoke pvc wallet. The four x 12" panel sleeve contains sleeve notes and detailed overviews of each individual track by JD Twitch, and an introduction by New York's DIY expert Dan Selzer. Due to the huge amount of work involved putting the sleeve together, it would only ever exist in an edition of 500 copies. 

Release date October 30th 2015. Distribution by Kompakt.

Digital version contains 13 tracks.

Various - [Cease & Desist] DIY! (Cult classics from the Post-Punk era 1978 - 82)

Disconnection - Bali Ha'i 12" EP

A1) Bali Ha'i (Radio Mix) 3:17
A2) Bali Ha'i (US Discomix) 6:23
B1) Bali Ha'i (UK Discomix) 5:13
B2) Aaaah 4.00

Originally released on the mighty Y Records in 1982, this single by Disconnection was a mutant disco cover version of a song from Rodgers and Hammerstein’s 1949 musical, South Pacific which was made into a blockbuster film in 1958.

An odd choice of a song to cover? Well, something was in the air back in ’82 as at almost exactly the same time the Disconnection record was released Captain Sensible covered “Happy Talk” from South Pacific and had a UK number 1 with it. I’d like to think he got the idea after hearing “Bali Ha’i” but that would be pure speculation. What I do know is that even though the Disconnection record made barely a ripple at the time it is by far the superior record. Vocals are by Angela Jaeger

Long sought after and going for stupid money on Discogs, as a long time Y Records freak I am very honoured to have been given permission to make this curiously great record available again and to give it a home in the Optimo Music Disco Plates series. Dick O’Dell’s Y Records released so many great records - The Slits, The Pop Group, PIgbag, Sun Ra, Pulsallama, Shriekback, Maximum Joy, The Tesco Bombers and Mouth amongst others - and this one is up there with the best of them.

It is released in the original configuration; Radio Mix, US Discomix and UK Discomix versions alongside the faux exotica delight that is the Angela Jaeger penned “Aaaah”. It comes in a shrink-wrapped black disco bag with a 12” x 12” insert featuring the original front sleeve artwork.

Four track 12" EP (and digital release) released on June 3rd 2016. Distributed by Kompakt.

Optimo Music Disco Plate Six - Disconnection - Bali Ha'i 12" EP (sampler)

A1. Several (Gysin Dub) - 8.07
A2. Esplendor - 8.04
AA1. General System (Main Dub) - 8.18
AA2. Modo Ritmico - 8.14

Written & Produced by B. Deodato


From Oporto, Portugal but now resident in London, Trikk presents a 4-track EP for Optimo Trax. Each of the tracks is a dubbed-out, percussive hypno gem with advanced production and while not dub per se, the use of dub effects is up there with the finest JA studio experimentation. All 4 tracks have been extensively club tested and may cause subtle pandemonium. DJ tip : watch out for the slow down in Modo Ritmico!

Mastered by James Savage.

Four track 12" EP (and digital release) released on July 1st 2016. Distributed by Kompakt and Rub A Dub.

Optimo Trax 023 - Trikk - Several 12" EP (sampler)

Optimo Music is delighted to present our 2nd Peter Zummo release, this time featuring all new music. This release is a mini album containing 30 minutes of music cut at 45rpm. It is a suite of songs based around this amazing track, "The Tape Is Chill".

Some words from Mr. Zummo - 

In this project for Optimo, the listener can hear that my musical food
pyramid has musicians at top, or maybe they are at the bottom. In any
case, they are important. That is why, from track to track, I selected
segments in which one player or another is featured in the take. Some
may think that we musicians do multiple takes to get the perfect
performance, but I like to find the special interactions lurking in
each excursion. Different players came forward in each of the takes,
which were recorded in the studios Seaside Lounge and Headroom, in
Brooklyn, and live in performances at Cube Cinema, in Bristol, U.K.,
as well as in Long Island City and on Staten Island, New York.

In order to escape the tyranny of the lyric, I am exploring in this
release the possibilities of nonsensical and non-emotional lyrics.
These kinds of lyrics bring the singing voices into the mix without an
overweening message. The tracks include open-form compositions in
which the duration was not specified.

Eight track mini album (and digital release) released on September 9th 2016. Distributed by Kompakt.


Peter Zummo - The Tape Is Chill (from the "Dress Code (Don't Look At My Car)" Mini Album)

OT 29 - Man Power - Sonic Pressure

A1) Sonic Pressure - 7.55
AA1) HDS - 8.47


Newcastle-born, Mexico-based Man Power debuts on Optimo Trax with two psychasonic missives cut extra loud for optimum sound system performance.

We asked Man Power for some words about this release and he told us -

"Both tracks sound different, but they're both from the same place in as much as they represent a conscious effort by me to strip back some of unnecessary niceties in my music and really sharpen my focus on what makes people dance without crossing the fine line of what makes me sound like me.”

Two track 12" (and digital) released on July 7th 2017. Distributed by Kompakt and Rub A Dub.

Optimo Trax 029 - Man Power - Sonic Pressure 12" (sampler)

Robotiko Rejekto - “Rejekto”

A1) Rejekto (Perfekto mix)

AA1) Rejekto (U.S. Dub)
AA2) Rejekto (Frenchbloke cover version)

Optimo Trax 30 celebrates a double 30 year anniversary; the original release date of “Rejekto” and 30 years since Twitch started dj’ing. In 1987, Twitch, who wasn’t known as Twitch yet, picked up a copy of “Rejekto” at Glasgow’s then numero uno import shop, 23rd Precinct. He was smitten.

Shortly after that he got his first ever dj gig and played “Rejekto” in his first ever dj set. Nobody danced to it. He kept playing it and still nobody danced to it. Eventually he gave up playing it, but never stopped loving it. 

A few years ago he felt the time was right to try playing it again and this time people danced to it. In fact, people loved it and would ask about it and shriek in delight when they heard it. There is often a lot of false nostalgia talked about in dance music and how it “was better back in the day?”. Well, in some ways it was but in many it wasn’t and 30 years later it feels as if perhaps ears are more open, or perhaps “Rejekto” was just ahead of its time?

From Germany, written and produced by Ra-Hen and Talla 2XLC, Robotiko Rejecto’s “Rejekto” was the inaugural release on the Techno Drome International label. With a powerful and seductive vocal sung in Romanian it has latterly been categorised as EBM / Techno but at the time didn’t really fit into any convenient genre. Twitch called it Electrobeat.

To celebrate this 30th release on Optimo Trax, the 12” comes in a  special sleeve designed by Katie Shambles and Andrew Beltran. As well as featuring the original classic “Perfekto” and “U.S. Dub” versions this reissue features a slo-mo cover version by long-time Twitch friend and ally, the mysterious Frenchbloke who was the only other person he knew back then who also loved this wonderful record. Robotiko!

Two track 12" (and digital) released on July 21st 2017. Distributed by Kompakt and Rub A Dub.

Optimo Trax 30 - Robotiko Rejekto - Rejekto! 12" (sampler)

Two of the best tracks off the sold out Brasileira LP get an updated dancefloor treatment by Selvagem, Carrot Green and Joakim. Repress of the album is imminent.

A1 Cântico Brasileiro Nº3 (Kamaiurá) (Selvagem & Carrot Green Remix)

B1 Lamento Africano/Rictus (Joakim Remix)

Those who experienced listening to the original Maria Rita version of "Cântico Brasileiro Nº3 (Kamaiurá)" on the dancefloor know it's such a thrilling experience that could only be better if the song was a bit longer. At the same time, it didn't make much sense to mess with the original. Having these thoughts on their minds, the Selvagem boys' Augusto Olivani and Millos Kaiser (the minds behind Selva Discos) had an insight while discussing the reissue of the "Brasileira" material with singer Maria Rita Stumpf: why not hit the studio and remake the track? Also, why not ask someone like Joakim, known for his exquisite taste and brilliant production skills, to remix "Lamento Africano/Rictus"? It would be the perfect package. And that's what happened.

In order to properly remake "Kamaiurá", they recruited Paulo Sergio Santos from Uakti, one of the musicians that took part of the original "Brasileira" recording sessions, a supertalented multi-instrumentist who still possesses a version of the plastic tubes responsible for the particular bass sound of the track and also a couple of flutes reminiscent of the ones first used (not to mention a lot of crazy instruments he brought alongside him; on a side note for those not familiar with Uakti, it was an instrumental music group from Brazil famous for creating their own instruments whose godfather was Milton Nascimento and peaked in the 1990's playing with Philip Glass). Carlos Gualda aka Carrot Green, who's been collaborating with Selvagem for the past 3 years, was also summoned for the mission.

The project of remaking "Kamaiurá" also needed a proper recording studio, so Augusto and Millos pulled a couple of strings to rent the legendary Vice-Versa studio in São Paulo (now owned by the Brazilian label Trama), which was founded by Rogério Duprat (yes, the Tropicalia maestro), Luiz Arruda Botelho, Sá & Guarabyra in the early 1970's – a beautiful, spacious acoustically-treated wooden room fully equipped and controlled by a Neve console. There, Paulo Sergio Santos recorded 12 different instruments (none of them electric or electronic) and Maria Rita Stumpf sang in a studio after more than 20 years, on a different arrangement than the original, with a new intro and an outro, also extending the song (including a breakdow) for a better dancefloor experience. Later, Selvagem & Carrot Green worked on the post-production, adding a kick drum, a hi-hat and some Rolando SH-101 punctuation, all very minimal, so the feeling of a jungle excursion of the new session would be preserved. 

Concerning the "Lamento Africano/Rictus" remix, it's a great feeling when you present your first choice an idea and the person is just hooked by the power of the music. Joakim was just very interested about the singer, the instruments used, the lyrics and jumped aboard this project quickly. He didn't had the same opportunity as Selvagem & Carrot Green had, being offered to work with just the original song, but did an amazing job inverting the elements of this suite, using the kalimba-sounding instrument in the introduction and the African lyrics in the breakdown, turning this subtle, sensitive chant in a dancefloor monster.

www.selvadiscos.com.br
soundcloud.com/selvadiscos
www.facebook.com/selvadiscos

Released on vinyl (and digital) on October 27th 2017. Distributed by Kompakt.

Optimo Music / Selva Discos - OMSD 002 - Maria Rita Stumpf  -  Brasileira remixes 12" (sampler)

A1. Préambule 
A2. Cordée
A3. Jeu de glissades 
A4. Construire un igloo 

B1. Ivres de fatigue 
B2. Réveil bizarre 
B3. Bataille 
B4. Tableau final 

First 300 copies come in blue-white-marbled vinyl.

Pre-order link - https://www.kompakt.fm/releases/obakodomo

Optimo Music is delighted to release a first album by Fantastic Twins (formerly known as The Twins). We’ll let them tell you the story behind this inspired and beguiling record - 

Obakodomo (Au Balcon Du Monde) is a soundtrack I created for a piece of contemporary dance, performed by two dancers for a young audience from the age of 4. It is the story of an imaginary journey in Antartica where two explorers go on an adventure. They encounter a colony of penguins and will progressively learn to understand their habits and respect their environment. Essentially, Au Balcon Du Monde is a metaphor of how to exist next to each other, how to share a territory, how to learn to live together and share resources. 

The scenography and stage accessories were designed in a minimalistic and non-obvious form to leave all the space for imagination. The penguins were made of translucent material to provide light effects and were programmed to move in a swaying motion, allowing interaction with the dancers and the music. LED system could be wireless piloted. 

With the soundtrack, I wanted to create an atmosphere that would immediately transport the children into this terra nova - a poetical space, like a cold sphere, where the strange meets the frightening and the playful. Translating the immense vs the small, the far-off vs the near, the collective vs the individual, the strange vs the familiar or the cold vs the heat. My intention was to follow the thread of the story in a narrative, yet non-caricatural way. Music for children doesn’t have to be “childish”. Children love to be scared or even just challenged. They love to love and react instantly to what they hear through their emotions. Ultimately, the soundtrack aims to provide different levels of “reading” so that it becomes something more universal. So we, adults, just have to accept the invitation.

Footage from the original dance play “Au Balcon Du Monde” by Les Ballets Contemporains de Saint Etienne, performed in 2015 and for which Fantastic Twins created the soundtrack - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H2Mr38Upj18

Vinyl Album (and digital) released on October 20th 2017. Distributed by Kompakt.

OM 12 LP - Fantastic Twins - Obakodomo (sampler)

Goodbye Horses (Radio Edit)

The Golden Filter - Dub of Times 12" EP (sampler)

Phil Kieran – Polyrhythmics EP

Track list
A1 - Polyrhythmic – 6.21
B1 - Polyrhythmica – 6.05
B2 - Polyrhythmical – 5.35

After a year’s hiatus Optimo Music Disco Plates returns with the first of several planned releases.

First up is long time friend Phil Kieran with an EP made specifically with Optimo in mind. It has been tried and tested over recent months and more than ticks all our boxes. We feel confident it will tick yours too.

Phil says  “The Ep was recorded in my house and made up of mostly live percussion performed live by Thomas Tettey Annang. Originally from Ghana, he moved to Belfast some years ago. 

It just so happens his wife is a close friend of my sisters and that was the first introduction.  Thomas now runs "Releasing Rhythms” here in Belfast teaching drum classes. 

We used a wide selection of traditional African drums that all have their own name, each one has a style and a sound.  The rhythms used in this record would stem back to South American rhythms but using African drums.  This was a sound and rhythm that influenced early post punk records in New York and still has an influence on dance music today.”

Released on vinyl (and digital) on March 26th 2018. Distributed by Kompakt.

Optimo Music Disco Plate Ten - Phil Kieran - Polyrhythmic 12" EP (sampler)

Den Haan are the dynamic Glasgow duo of spacial electronical disco grooves. Matt (Crème de Menthe – Disko B) and Gardi seemed to have met in some Italian discotechque circa 1979 if their sound is anything to be believed. However, they are far from a retro pastiche. They ooze camp funk, glitter and glamour – you only need to see them perform live to see what we mean. One would expect to see Giorgio himself make a guest appearance on the stage.

Den Haan - Release The Beast

Marlui Miranda - Tchori Tchori (Brasingles vol.1) 12"

Selva Discos kick off a new series of singles with a rare native Brazilian chant adapted by Marlui Miranda backed with a dancefloor friendly Joutro Mundo mix

A1 Tchori Tchori (feat. Uakti)


The indigenous cause is an urgent one not only in terms of territory but also when it comes to the preservation of the vast native Brazilian culture and Brazilian singer-songwriter Marlui Miranda has been dedicating herself for almost four decades to keep their music alive (she's a doctorate on native Brazilian music,  so you know).

In 1995, Marlui released the album "Ihu: Todos os Sons", a collection of native Brazilian chants she gathered in her field researches and released only in CD through two small labels (one in the US, the other in Brazil). This research started in 1986, funded by the John Simmon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, and it investigated the sounds of different tribes in the Rondônia state, northern Brazil, namely the Suruí, the Makuarap, the Aruá, the Tupari and the Jaboti tribes - the latter being the one identified with the "Tchori Tchori" chant, which praises a bird called biguá.

The haunting, beautiful melody of "Tchori Tchori" couldn't get a better companion than the exquisite musical palette of Uakti, one of Brazil's greatest instrumental groups, known for creating their own instruments (you've heard them before in Selva Discos alongside Maria Rita). That's what the listener gets on the A side of this release - the deep sound frequencies of a 45RPM cut, fully remastered, of a song never put on a vinyl record before. 

Released on vinyl (and digital) on June 8th 2018. Distributed by Kompakt.

Optimo Music / Selva Discos - OMSD 003 - Marlui Miranda - Tchori Tchori 12" (sampler)

Barbatuques - Baianá (Brasingles vol.2) 12"

A1 Baianá
B1 Baianá (Wolf Müller's Drum Drop)

The fourth release of Selva Discos is one that has been bursting audiences into flames for a good while. Barbatuques, a well-known Brazilian group of body percussionists, adapted "Baianá" back in 2005 (first released on the "O Seguinte É Esse" album) and since then it became a staple of their concerts, getting crazy reactions from the children to the elder, being featured on soundtracks and sampled by trap duo Tropkillaz. The original is a modern folk song from Bahia composed by Maria do Carmo Barbosa, but it was the mouth harp sound and the stomping beat on the Barbatuques' arrangement that imprinted its trademark sound - like the first lightning strikes before the storm.

A couple of years ago, Jan Schulte, the german producer known for his taste for tropical drums (and also for using a few different aliases), heard the song and decided to add an extra punch to it for his DJ sets: more drums, taken from a library record of "drumdrops" (hence the title). In his appearance at 2017's Dekmantel Boiler Room stage as Bufiman, he dropped it to the crowd's awe, and it's been like that wherever its played - believe it, it's been tested all around.

So now for the first time "Baianá" is issued on vinyl. It marks the second volume of the BRASINGLES series, a new series on Selva Discos dedicated to releasing loud 12" singles with the original song on the A side and a rework on the B side, to please both the DJ and the listener.

Released on vinyl (and digital) on June 29th 2018. Distributed by Kompakt.

Optimo Music / Selva Discos - OMSD 004 - Barbatuques - Baianá 12" (sampler)

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/works-1-ep

Tamburi Neri. Sweet stories cloudy landscapes. A project based on stories created by the lucid madness of Andrea Barbieri and the dark and dreamy musical composition of Claudio Brioschi. Their music conveys a long vortex of exciting poetry.

1) Pechino
2) Oom
3).Pelle Rossa
4)Animali
5) Black Drums

Total freshness from one half of Boot & Tax plus friend. 

Tamburi Neri. Sweet stories cloudy landscapes. A project based on stories created by the lucid madness of Andrea Barbieri and the dark and dreamy musical composition of Claudio Brioschi. Their music conveys a long vortex of exciting poetry.


Available from all good digital outlets from February 8th 2019.

Optimo Music Digital Danceforce 005 - Tamburi Neri - Works #1 EP

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/siri-will-rise-ep

Theus Mago -  Siri Will Rise EP

We are delighted to present our first release from Mexico with Duro records boss Theus Mago and three tracks of butt-quaking electro. Dancefloor and Danceforce certified!

1 Bum Bum Bum
2 Monte Domani
3 Siri Will Rise

Available from all good digital outlets from May 4th 2019.

Optimo Music Digital Danceforce 009 - Theus Mago -  Siri Will Rise EP

MR TC - Zeug 12" EP

A1) Batucada
A2)Mind ii

AA1) Salz
AA2) Bad Habits feat. Credit 00

*There is also a digital only 5th track 'Zeuglodon'

Thomas Lea Clarke returns to the wider Optimo Music family with his third offering for us and his first on Against Fascism Trax. This collection of five tracks (4 on the vinyl release + 1 digital exclusive) were recorded over the past couple of years in Clarke's home studio and see him diving deeper into the psychedelic dance explorations that you heard on 'Soundtrack For Strangers' and 'Surf & Destroy'.

All label profits will be donated to Hope Not Hate (www.hopenothate.org.uk) which campaigns to counter racism and fascism.

Released on vinyl (and digital) on May 24th 2019. Distributed by Kompakt.

AF Trax 005 - MR TC - Zeug 12" EP (sampler)

https://optimomusic.bandcamp.com/album/organza-honey-comb-ep

Matisa - Organza

1) Organza
2) Honey Comb

Debut release from Italy’s Matisa. Matisa is a sophisticated & stylish dj and producer from Italy. Rome-born, Florence-based, she is able to create musical pathways which incorporate multiple sub-genres; House, Disco, Electro with some incursion to Modern disco and Experimental vibrations, always with vinyl (due to her large collection).

She collaborates with various crews on the international scene such as Red Light Radio Amsterdam and “Dance With Pride” parties. She runs “The Naked Dance”, which is the gay night created by her and inspired by the old LGBT club culture.

Available from all good digital outlets from May 24th 2019.

Optimo Music Digital Danceforce 010 - Matisa - Organza / Honey Comb

Golden Teacher started life as a studio collaboration between Glasgow's noise punk trio, Ultimate Thrush and Glasgow's all analogue house duo, Silk Cut. The results of their collaboration turned the ears of all who heard them, not least Twitch who after one listen asked if he could release the project on Optimo Music label.

Recorded live, direct to tape at Glasgow's legendary Green Door studios with minimal overdubbing and editing, the tracks feature various associates of the band contributing vocals and additional percussion. It's a little hard to describe Golden Teacher's sound (always a good thing in our book) but imagine Arthur Russell's Dinosaur L jamming with Bobby O, K Alexi Shelby, Liaisions Dangereuses, Imagination, some voodoo drummers and Sly & Robbie. It is in our opinion one of the most original and wildest records to come out of anywhere in 2012. We like to call it hypno-psych voodoo groove.

The resulting 5 track 12" EP comes in a beautiful hand screen printed sleeve constructed by the band and will be released in this format as a limited edition of 250 copies. Any further pressings will be in a generic Optimo Music sleeve.

Golden Teacher made their live debut at an Optimo night in Glasgow in early October. In future they will be playing select live shows at times and places of their choosing. If you are looking for slick, smooth, generic computer made music, this release probably isn't for you, Sugar.

Golden Teacher - Dante And Pilgrim

https://nivast.bandcamp.com/album/beau-chien-ep

1 Niv Ast & Adrien Albou - Beau Chien
2 Niv Ast & Adrien Albou - Beau Chien (Zillas On Acid remix)

The story begins with Adrien's cat 'Ninja' which is a dog in disguise; this ‘Beau Chien’ is our main character.

When Niv & Adrien went to the studio together, August 19 in Tel Aviv, they were inspired by their idol and wanted to share his story.

With "Beau Chien" EP they give their inputs for psychedelic rockNroll and electronic driving with a 80’s synth and hypnotic voice.

Out on Optimo Music Digital Danceforce April 24th 2020

Optimo Music Digital Danceforce 026 - Niv Ast & Adrien Albou - Beau Chien EP

It all started with a fan letter…

“Hey Peter, just noticed you on a Rhys Chatham link. Just want to say I adore your work, I had a release on DFA recently, and they sent me some of your releases you did with Jonathan - so brilliant! I’ve had “Condo” track for a while, this completely catches my personality and when I feel disillusioned or need comfort, I always put this on, and it makes me feel good and strong.....i will stop gushing now! Thank you!

Nik Colk Void x”

This was Peter’s reaction…

“I was quite flattered and was glad that ‘Condo’, one of my lesser-know tracks, was being appreciated. (I was also curious, because the most-viewed clip of ‘Condo’ on Youtube is actually a slowed down version: someone played the 12” 45rpm EP at 33 rpm. The result, however, is quite beautiful.)

I responded, said I hoped we could meet the next time I am in London, and Nik then suggested that she had a track that she was working on, and would I like to listen to it and possibly collaborate. I am always game for a new challenge, so I said sure and Nik sent an mp3.

I was immediately struck by the haunting and evocative nature of the track, the analog synths feeling fresh and familiar at the same time, the vocals having a primal quality of breath and phrasing. I loaded the track into Ableton and instinctively began recording some overdubs. I used analog (Prophet 5) and digital (Moog iPad) synths and a soprano saxophone. I then sent a mix to Nik.

Nik responded quite positively, and over the next few weeks we exchanged files back and forth, experimenting with different mixes and submixes. After a couple of dozen rough mixes, accompanied by email discussions among the three of us (Gabe had entered the process after the first few exchanges,) we settled on a final mix. Shortly after we had a final mix, I synchronized the track with a video that my partner Kit Fitzgerald was working on. This long extended shot fit the music perfectly, and we had a video for ‘Beachcombing’. (A still from this video serves as the artwork for the 12”.)

Initially, there was going to be a one-sided 12”, with ‘Beachcombing’ the only track. Nik then wrote to me that Dominic was also interested in working on a track, and would I be interested in working on a B-side with Dom. Of course, I readily agreed, and I received an mp3 of synth tracks. As previously, I began building up tracks, using the alto sax (rather than the sopranino used on Beachcombing) and the addition of a vintage Korg vocoder.

Once again, a series of file exchanges of mixes, submixes and discreet tracks ensued, and we finally settled on mix #26a. There is kind of a sweet quality which surprised the both of us.”

The result is before you now and forthcoming on Optimo Music. Modern collaborations with magical results!

www.optimomusic.com

Peter Gordon and Factory Floor - Beachcombing

When most people think of Optimo Music, they think of the long-running club night in Glasgow "Optimo (Espacio)", which ran for 12 years every Sunday, headed by JD Twitch and JG Wilkes. Label honcho JD Twitch is extremely proud to be releasing Naum Gabo, as this is the studio project of his Optimo partner, Jonnie Wilkes, along with James Savage.

Jonnie and James (formally releasing three 12 inches simply as "Naum" on Kompakt's mighty Speicher series) have been active on the scene for a while now. As well as releasing the original music on Kompakt, Mule, Eskimo, Dissident, and TINAE they have provided some wonderful Naum Gabo reworks for Hot Chip, Simian Mobile Disco, Franz Ferdinand, Snow Patrol, Psychonauts and so many more.

Twitch has long been a fan of Naum Gabo so it is a bit of a coup to be getting this fantastic release: Two covers of two mighty Scottish acts from the late 70s/early 80s – Simple Minds and Fingerprintz.

"Theme for Great Cities" was originally released in 1981, an electro-trance-funk classic, pre-dating the rave scene by about 10 years. Naum Gabo takes it, electrifies it, and turns it into a hi-fi dancefloor filler.

"Wet Job" is Fingerprintz' dirty groover from '79 - again, it's reworked into a dark disco futuristic grooveride into doom. It even makes my teeth hurt, which means the frequencies are causing effect. And I know that’s definitely what I want happening in a nightclub.

So not 1, not 2, but 3 Scottish music greats on one slinky slice of vinyl. There's a lot of local pride in this one, folks!

Optimo Music

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