Teardrops

ZamZam 95 is a link with the enigmatic French producer Hiss Is Bliss. We’ve been fans since the very first drop on their 777Hz label and these two sides drive straight to the heart of the dub techno galaxy.

Little is known about Hiss Is Bliss beyond the fact that they hail from France, are steeped in esotericism, and create tunes as masterfully grounded in roots reggae as they are in techno and related strands of electronic music. Their releases are utterly free of hype, beautifully crafted 10” vinyl plates that let the singers and tracks speak for themselves. 

At the risk of being cheeky, “Nope” is absolute dub techno bliss. The 808 kick propels the track relentlessly forward, saturated washes of color streak the night sky, while syncopated hi hats and warm, soulful chords bring life- dare we say funk- to a style too often stiff and clinical, too in thrall to the past to truly step forward. Matching Hiss is Bliss in mystery, Ras Lys’ vocal brings a Dread perspective on music and the sometimes shady business of music, a grounded contrast to the deep inner space explored by the tune itself. The B-side version “Abbadia” splits musical atoms through the desk, focusing squarely on the stripped 4/4 elements and gloriously distorted pads that echo and cycle like tides in a darkly shimmering sea. 

Strictly limited to 800 copies for the world. No digital, no repress. Art, design & screen print by Polygon Press. Mastered by Sam at Precise, pressed at Cascade Record Pressing. Shipping late May, 2024.

Our Soundcloud clips are recorded straight from the vinyl with no additional mastering so you know exactly what you're getting. 

Email zamzamsounds@gmail.com for any info or inquiries.

Hiss Is Bliss "Nope" b/w "Abbadia" 7" ZamZam 95 vinyl blend

Elders Dub [PSI012 Challenger Deep]

Birthed from a deep appreciation of Te Taiao, Tūroa is the first collaborative project by Weka Tek and Te Manu. Taking it’s name from Te Ao Tūroa, this three-track EP speaks to the endurance of the long-standing natural world and its interwoven web of relations. With the imminent threat of climate and ecological breakdown, Tūroa is a call to recognise and to be in good-relation with our other-than-human kin. Musically, the project aims to weave taonga pūoro with organic dub techno to evoke a soundscape that echoes the diverse ngahere of Aotearoa. Taking inspiration from Paddy Free and Richard Nunns, Tūroa contributes to the furthering of a uniquely-Aotearoa sound.

I whakatipu ai te rārangi pūoro ko Tūroa nō Weka Tek rāua ko Te Manu nā te whakamiha mō Te Taiao. Ka kōrerotia ēnei waiata ki te tohe, ki ngā hononga hoki o Te Ao Tūroa. Ki te tino whanaungatanga o ngā uri katoa o te ao; ki ngā atua, ki te taiao, ki te tāngata, ki a koe anō. Ko tēnei te whāinga o Tūroa hei te pāha o te hurihanga āhuarangi ki te ao rauropi. He ara mō te pāhekoheko o ngā taonga pūoro ki ngā waiata ā hiko o nāianei ki te whakaata i te wao nui ā Tāne. Nō Paddy Free rāua ko Richard Nunns i whakamanawa ai te orokohanga o Tūroa kia pakeke ai he momo oro nō Aotearoa nui tonu.

The EP begins with Karanga Weka, dropping the listener into the realm of Tāne as bird calls resonate on the forest floor amongst lush synths, a driving dub techno rhythm, and a solitary refrain of the karanga weka. The second track, Hauāuru, is a sojourn to coastal forests where the westerly wind carries melancholic melodies of seabirds, expressed through the pūtōrino kakau rua and kōauau toroa, over a breaks and percussion-infused 4x4 rhythm. The final track, Tipu, concludes the EP by drawing attention to the potency of growth and new life with its ambient dub chords, pulsating rhythm and haunting lead of the nguru uku.

Tīhei, mauri ora!

Produced by Weka Tek and Te Manu
Taonga pūoro by Te Manu
Mastered by Keith at Slypork Studios
Album artwork by Ngāio Matariki and Caitlin Watters

Karanga Weka

Pugilist & Sub Basics - 20-25

Night Radiance

Моя Казкова

Earthstrong

Soundboy Punishments

Girder

MOULWD FACE A

Babe Roots - Extent

Label: Newdubhall (Japan)
Release date: 1st May 2020
Format: Vinyl 10", 45 RPM

Credits: written & produced by Babe Roots. trumpet by Stefano Cocon.

https://baberoots.bandcamp.com/album/state-of-mind-extent

Earthstrong

Sub Basics

Recent comments

rose moses

sMouk

Mark

Mourne

Related tracks