Long term Seven Hills friend and collaborator Thee J Johanz returns to wax for the third instalment of our original release series. 

This release runs close to the heart for Johanz as it was produced in the wake of his mother’s passing and stands as a profoundly personal eulogy for loved ones passed. Where Goes Your Soul? has all the trademark spiralling synth lines and hypnotic rhythm making that we have come to love in Johanz’s music making. 

The title track of the EP: Where Goes Your Soul? stands alone on the A side but carries more than enough weight to hold its own. Stabbing synths build alongside a subtly haunting vocal, up to an awesome crescendo and intoxicating groove. Kicking off the B side is Two C Bee, an aptly psychedelic mix of soft pads and helical synth arpeggios. The EP closes with an impressive bubbling analogue landscape, Analex. This beat-less masterpiece with a sincerely cinematic feel, rounds things off in style.

A - Where Goes Your Soul?
B1 - Two Cee Bee
B2 - Analex

Mastered by Thee J Johanz
Distributed by Subwax
Artwork by Maria Vorobjova

SHR003 - Thee J Johanz - Where Goes Your Soul?

Artist: Aloka
Title: Inta
Label: Typeless Records
Cat No: TPLS004
Format: 12” Vinyl

Tracklist: 
A1. Inta
A2. B4-XL
B1. Chroma
B2. Movement

As Typeless steps into its fourth release, label head Aloka turns eyes and ears to the horizon with a shapeshifting drop of breakbeat, electro and ambient. Fusing together textural arrangements and genre hybrids, he sets his sights on experimentation with ‘Inta’.

The opening track ‘Inta’ moves with a dreamy, indirect gaze and wistful melodies as though sighing itself into existence. Amongst it all sits a subtle beat which carries it into the dancefloor realm, yet it’s when they apex together that its weight blooms from the core. ‘B4-XL’ begins almost as an ensuing chapter to its predecessor with its ambient washes, but soon ripens into an antagonistic electro number that tumbles between raging synths and breaks. 

On the B-side, ‘Chroma’ diffracts into a million colours, glassy eyed in its introduction but hiding tyrannica kicks and syncopations underneath a swooping bass. The closing track ‘Movement’ slinks straight into a workout-ready guise, merging panting exhalations, pearly synths and choppy breakbeats against the sensation of a spectral figure reaching a deep state of flow.

With this second self-release on the label, it’s as though Aloka is so deeply immersed in his complex vision that he’s stepped out of his body to watch it all unfold. There’s one word to describe this image of him in his effortless performance as both label curator and signee: fitting.

Aloka - Inta (TPLS004)

Pre-order vinyl: 
https://needsnfp.bandcamp.com/album/needs-x-gvr-present-the-future-of-vinyl

Needs moves into the future of vinyl production partnering with Green Vinyl Records in Holland to produce a 100% recyclable record which uses 60% less energy cost compared to traditional vinyl production methods. This revolutionary step in vinyl history features the production skills of Saoirse, Reptant, Sansibar, Pugilist, LUXE and Hassan Abou Alam.

For Needs 009 we welcome another all-star lineup of producers, established and emerging, from around the world. Featuring room 1 ready techno from one of the scenes leading lights Saoirse; a bass heavy, electro-tech weapon from Melbourne's Pugilist; the cosmic electro baselines of the irrepressible Reptant; an otherworldly space excursion courtesy of Norway’s finest Sansibar; dancehall inflected acid trance from London-based up and comer LUXE; and to round things off some twisted breaky tech-house from Egypt’s latest export Hassan Abou Alam.

THE PROBLEM
With 4.3m vinyl sales in the UK last year (the 12th consecutive year of growth), it’s clear that vinyl is back in a BIG way. But the basic technological principles of record pressing have not changed for a century. While the vinyl boom has been a bright spot for physical media lovers and the record industry alike, pressing vinyl poses a more urgent environmental concern than it did in the format’s heyday. At times, the process can seem almost antithetical to green living. Records are made of PVC, which comes from refined oil and can take up to 1,000 years to decompose in a landfill. Traditional pressing machines are powered by steam boilers that require fossil fuels to generate heat and pressure; the water used is treated with anti-corrosive chemicals in order to prevent rusting, thus creating more wastewater. And that’s just the pressing procedure.

Consider, then, vinyl’s packaging and distribution. The ink that’s used to print cover art and liner notes is traditionally solvent-based, meaning it contains volatile organic compounds that can contribute to the production of ozone. Once the record is encased in a beautiful jacket, it’s then shrink-wrapped in plastic wrap before boarding a gas-burning, carbon-emitting truck to ship. Suddenly the choice to buy physical music shifts from an action that helps sustain an artist’s career, to one that potentially threatens broader sustainability.

THE SOLUTION
In 2019 Needs started conversations with Green Vinyl, a brand new pressing plant based in Holland, who have devised a revolutionary production method which uses injection moulding rather than steam energy, equalling 60% less energy cost than the traditional vinyl production. It also uses no PVC and is a 100% recyclable product, meaning you can dispose of it in your home recycling bin.

The other benefits are that the record sounds better (it has a wider frequency spectrum), it cannot warp, and it also has a longer play life.

The key features of a Green Vinyl produced record are:
- Injection Moulding instead of steam pressing
- 60% less energy cost 
- No PVC
 - 100% recyclable product
- Wider frequency spectrum - sound is equal or better than traditional vinyl pressing 
- Longer stamper life time - can be played more than 400 times (traditional vinyl starts to deteriorate after 100 plays)
- Rapid vinyl turnaround of 8 weeks (wait times are generally 12-16 weeks)
- No warping of records 
- No paper labels

Green Vinyl is currently the only pressing plant in the world with this technology and we are proud and honoured to be the first label to work with them and share this amazing new technology with you all.

Join us as we change the future of vinyl <3

A3. Reptant - The Last Laugh (Needs 009)

Artist: Spin Fidelity
Title: Gravitational Lensing
Label: Magnonic Signals
Cat No: MS006
Format: 12” Vinyl

Tracklist: 
A1. Harbour Lights
A2. Change is Gonna Come
B1. Fall
B2. Midnight Creep

Spin Fidelity returns home to Magnonic Signals with an outstanding solo EP, Gravitational Lensing…

‘Harbour Lights’ (+) opens the EP and instantly grabs you with its elastic bass and soaring synths. Jam packed with the Spin Fidelity signature sound, driving electro and Martian melodies.

Next up is ‘Change Is Gonna Come’ (++) A laid back 4/4 groove that builds and develops into a full on acidic symphony which is sure to please the 303 lovers.

On the flip ‘Fall’ (-) is a descent into emotional robotic funk. Hypnotic and beautiful in equal measures, definitely a track to get lost in!

Last but not least we have the epic ‘Midnight Creep’ (- -) The stuff of dreams or nightmares? Dark and light? The Midnight Creep is lurking. Haunting electro.

Signals are getting stronger…

Spin Fidelity - Gravitational Lensing (MS006)

You ain't real!

Cruising at night😎🦼

Centered around Shimpei Watanabe’s signature house grooves, this EP is constructed through the lens of Hekdb’s distinctive style.
Featuring playful and unique vocal samples alongside a Balearic sense of floatiness, the tracks deliver a strong sense of momentum for the dancefloor.
Remixes by Yuto Takei, Pharakami Sanders, and Pine each reinterpret the originals from their own perspectives.

https://shimpeiwatanabe.bandcamp.com/album/bald-vs-tall

Hekdb (Label)
https://soundcloud.com/hekdb-wav
https://www.instagram.com/hekdb.wav/

Shimpei Watanabe
https://www.instagram.com/the_ponx/
https://soundcloud.com/the_ponx

PREMIERE: Shimpei Watanabe - Mellon Collie And What Eh [Hekdb]

Three previously unreleased tech house tracks recorded in the early 2000s by industry legend Andy Panayi. Best known for his hand in An Alien Recordings label and productions under A² and Stopouts. 

It was an honour to work with Andy on this release, we were moved by his raw passion and love for music. The record is a celebration of Andy’s life and musical legacy.

Profits will be donated to Watford hospice.

---

Available to purchase exclusively on label Bandcamp - realdealrecords-uk.bandcamp.com/


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A1 - Pleasure (clip)

Artist: Baby Rollén
Title: Near Future EP
Label: Magic Carpet
Cat No: RIDE02
Format: 12” Vinyl

Tracklist:
A1. Near Future
A2. Untitled (Return Trip)
B1. Dirty Blonde (Filthy Mix)
B2. wys

Catapulting out of killer releases with Gallegos on Holding Hands & Feelings Worldwide, London man about town Baby Rollén takes the reins for up-and-coming label Magic Carpet’s second offering.

Mind altering trips are promised and delivered with warping breakdowns and lucid percussion throughout, Baby Rollén’s signature acid-laced groove transporting us far from the monotony of lockdown life. Watch out for the 100% Certified Naughty™ pumper on the B1... a tease for sunnier times ahead.

Baby Rollén - Near Future EP (RIDE02)

A1 Liquid Earth - Rainmaker

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Aloka - Inta (TPLS004)

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