Mixes

IN THE MIDDLE @Bawrut
Out Now on Ransom Note Records - https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/IntheMiddle

Our love affair with Ransom Note stalwart BAWRUT  started five years ago with his first stone cold classic EP ‘Ciquita’. Now ‘In the Middle’ his debut LP presents a new sound. A striking eleven-track journey through sunset pop, electronic melancholia and delusive migrations taking place around the Mediterranean. 

5% of the album profits will be donated to Open Arms, a non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to protect those who try to reach Europe by sea, fleeing from armed conflict, persecution or poverty https://www.openarms.es/

Listen + Pre-Order

Bawrut - In the Middle [Ransom Note Records #29]

Outsiders: The Ransom Note Roll Through on Kiosk Radio

The Ransom Note Dispatch on Netil Radio

The street was alive with hustle and bustle as people shouted from apartment windows down to friends below and music played loud from boomboxes on the corners. It was a hot day in the city, the type that might make you sweat. The rumble of the trains could be heard all day long, people being taken from place to place, wherever that might be. He sat there taking all this in, perched upon his park bench, smoking a cigarette, watching as the world went wearily by. This was his city, his funk. 

Black Loops appear on a new compilation for Hudd Traxx, a celebration of the fifteen years that the label has been in existence. It's an impressive feat, especially considering the consistency and dependability of the imprint which has released music by the likes of Dj Sneak, Iron Curtis, Nightmares On Wax, Chez Damier, Rick Wade and many more. 

This track is an ode to house in the deepest, truest of senses.

PREMIERE: Black Loops - Forster Funk [Hudd Traxx]

JE ‘O TTENG E T’O DDÒNG’
New single Out Now - https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/JE-O-TTENG-E-TO-DDONG

JE ‘O TTENG E T’O DDÒNG'

Bawrut & LIBERATO - JE ‘O TTENG E T’O DDÒNG'

Dusk was falling as they'd entered the space, ready to embrace everything that came their way. The pulsing sounds had absorbed them from the moment they set foot inside; what came after felt like a whirlwind, their memories becoming lost in a haze of sweaty bodies and enchanting rhythms. Bright light greeted them when they left, feeling as though they'd been chewed up and spat back out - yet it was nothing they wouldn't relive over and over again.

Siamese Twins' co-founder Sunju Hargun has been making moves over the last couple of years, both solo, as part of Mogambo and with the releases on his Bangkok-based imprint. After gracing the label a few times with the more downtempo side of his creations, Sunju makes his way to Taiwan's 禁JIN for two tracks that are guaranteed to have you drifting up into the cosmos. Backed by two remixes from Barcelona's Marc Pinol and Taipei's own Initials B.B., Sunju's originals are an ode to the sounds of classic trance and acid, with both set to light up dancefloors across the world.

PREMIERE: Sunju Hargun - Chale [禁JIN]

A Potion Activated. Give in to the temptation of The Forbidden Plum. Take a bite and let the juice drip. Your journey begins with a hypnotic seduction, stoking the flames of desire as the voice in your head whispers, Want it so badly. Dark and sexy, the flames get higher. The walls sweat on your descent as you lose control. Flood lights sweep over the crowd of bodies, cutting through smoke.

For several years now ISLA has been serving up the best in ambient, experimental and trance-driven creations, welcoming artists like Ambien Baby, D.Tiffany, Pillow Queen, NAP and Le Fe to the label. Next up they've called on Maara for 'A Potion Activated', marking her second EP following a debut on Priori and Ex-Terrestrial's NAFF imprint. Backed up by a remix and a collaboration from two label affiliates D.Tiffany and NAP, the release teeters 'between heaven and hell', delivering five trance-inducing rides into purgatory.

PREMIERE: Maara - The Forbidden Plum [ISLA]

CROSSING FOR A GOLDEN BLANKET
Taken from the debut album 'In the Middle @Bawrut
Out Now on Ransom Note Records - https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/IntheMiddle

5% of the album profits will be donated to Open Arms, a non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to protect those who try to reach Europe by sea, fleeing from armed conflict, persecution or poverty https://www.openarms.es/

_______________

Ransom Note stalwart BAWRUT presents a new sound in his debut album ‘In the Middle’, a striking eleven-track journey through sunset pop, electronic melancholia and delusive migrations taking place around the Mediterranean.

'Crossing for a Golden Blanket' is the first track to be lifted from the album. Perhaps the strongest and hardest hitting track on the LP, its message is reflected in the loops that never quite close, giving a sense of instability, shaping a dark digital sea with a refugee's makeshift dinghy about to capsize at its centre. The morse code S.O.S. announces the end of the struggle before a risky rescue. “The song ends between hope and uncertainty”.

The LP ‘In the Middle’ is a reflection on recent years. A story about movement and migration around the Mediterranean but also the notion of a moving identity. It’s about the luck of the drawer, finding yourself born in the middle of the ‘West’, whilst others strive to get here with the hope of a better life. It’s about being in the middle of music and cultures and the beautiful accidents that this movement has produced over the years. Above all, it’s a celebration of the beauty of the movement to a better life, to create something new, with hope and optimism whatever the circumstances. It’s a celebration of diversity and inclusivity.

“I was born in Gorizia, a city with a centuries-old, multi-ethnic identity literally split in two by a border (Italy and Slovenia) after the Second World War. Perhaps for this reason I have always felt closer and more aligned with the encounters between cultures and people, instead of the rigid idea of nationalism and the notion of a unique identity.
Through my music I try to combine languages and sounds to make a record that celebrates the union, the meeting and crossing of experiences.” – Bawrut

Read + Buy

PREMIERE: Bawrut - Crossing for a Golden Blanket [Ransom Note Records]

FE SAMAA @Bawrut @Glitter00
Taken from Bawrut debut album 'In the Middle'
Out Now on Ransom Note Records - https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/IntheMiddle

Third single lifted from Bawrut’s upcoming LP ‘In the Middle’, ‘Fe Samaa’ features the Moroccan-born Paris-based DJ and singer گليثر٥٥ Glitter on vocals. The bittersweet track blends a balearic beat with lyrics in Arabic telling a story of movement, emigration, optimism and disappointment.

5% of the album profits will be donated to Open Arms, a non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to protect those who try to reach Europe by sea, fleeing from armed conflict, persecution or poverty www.openarms.es/

In the Middle

Bawrut & گليثر٥٥ Glitter -  في السماء (Fe Samaa)

EUROCASBAH @Bawrut @Cosmo-official
Taken from Bawrut debut album 'In the Middle'
Out Now on Ransom Note Records - https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/IntheMiddle

Penultimate single from Bawrut’s upcoming LP, the Europop banger ‘Eurocasbah’ combines an Arabian beat with the bars of Italian hitmaker Cosmo. 

5% of the album profits will be donated to Open Arms, a non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to protect those who try to reach Europe by sea, fleeing from armed conflict, persecution or poverty www.openarms.es/

Bawrut & Cosmo - Eurocasbah

ALFREDO AND RICARDO BROUGHT ME HERE @Bawrut
Taken from Bawrut debut album 'In the Middle'
Out Now on Ransom Note Records - ransom-note-records.lnk.to/IntheMiddle


5% of the album profits will be donated to Open Arms, a non-profit non-governmental organisation dedicated to protect those who try to reach Europe by sea, fleeing from armed conflict, persecution or poverty www.openarms.es/

Bawrut - Alfredo And Ricardo Brought Me Here

Our latest drive time Netil Radio transmission is up now for your listening pleasure.

Website happenings, new musical finds and nonsense chat from RSN HQ.

The Ransom Note Dispatch on Netil Radio (December 2021)

A curfew had long ruled the lives of the people in the city; at night barely a whisper could be heard and not a soul could be seen. But not everyone played by the rules, some had free passes to do as they wished - those in charge knew it was not in their interest to stop them. It was more trouble than it was worth. Though they seemed to wield power and privilege, this was all a facade; the city really belonged to the misfits.

Everyone's favourite moustache'd producer, Pablo Bozzi, is back on Jennifer Cardini's Dischi Autunno imprint, following his debut last year with Last Moscow Mule. The last few years have seen Bozzi go from strength to strength as both a producer and DJ. Whether it's tearing up Berlin's most famous bathroom HÖR on the regular, performing as part of Soft Crash and Infravision - with Phase Fatale and Kendal respectively - or simply making moves solo, Bozzi is in a class of his own when it comes to capturing that 80s nostalgia. 

It's no different on Ghost Of Chance. A deeper exploration into synthwave, Italo Disco and EBM, the six tracks across the release cement his knack at crafting music with the sentiment and flair of times gone by but with a fresh and contemporary approach.

Ghost Of Chance

PREMIERE: Pablo Bozzi - GoldenEye [Dischi Autunno]

The sky had always fascinated her. During the day she'd dream about the possibilities of what lay beyond the clouds and far above the atmos; at night there was even more to ruminate on. Sometimes she felt she belonged up their amongst the stars; earth wasn't for her, she didn't feel as though she belonged anywhere. Could technology make it possible and were money no option, she'd have packed her bags long ago and headed far above the planet. For now she'd have to continue to dream. 

R.A.N.D. Muzik Recordings keep up their stellar output with a new release from Reflex Blue, a new name on the block in Australia. The label have long been one of our go-tos for a solid dose of house, electro, techno and breaks; and this new instalment doesn't disappoint. Chock full of progressive trance-tinged house and cosmic driving earworms, Reflex Blue proves why Australia has become such a great export of these proggy, sub-aquatic sounds in recent years.

PREMIERE: Reflex Blue - Back 2 Earth [R.A.N.D. Muzik Recordings]

Our first live transmission of the year is up for your listening pleasure. Back in our drive time slot on Netil Radio with plenty of new music, best bits from the site and chit chat!

The Ransom Note Dispatch on Netil Radio (Feb 2022)

Barnt is a producer and a DJ who is hard to place – one minute he’s making avant garde, experimental sounds on his co founded label Magazine, the next he’s making peak time trance on Kompakt. Perhaps this is what makes him so exciting, you never quite know what you are going to get.

Earlier this year Kompakt announced the release of a superb EP which had already been heard doing the rounds in the clubs, a big room trance inspired club track which had been destroying dancefloors all over. Of course it was Barnt.

The release was his first new material for several years, the pandemic has offered Barnt the time to reflect on his own direction and from the sounds of it left him longing for the nostalgia and big room sounds he grew up on in the 90’s.

The EP comes off the back of recent releases on the likes of Mule Musiq, Comeme, Hinge Finger and Holgen. However, it made perfect sense that his latest should feature on none other than the German powerhouse that is Kompakt.

We were delighted when Barnt agreed to record this mix for us, as one of our own personal favourites we can’t help but think that he’s done a wicked job.

Barnt: The Ransom Note Mix

THE RAIN IN THE TREES @graintable
Taken from Graintable's album 'The Rain In The Trees'
Out Now on Ransom Note Records - https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/TheRainInTheTrees

The moss-covered trees stretched high up into the sky; standing tall amidst the lingering fog that adorned the space with an air of magic and enchantment. Throughout the forest hidden pathways and charming wooden bridges meandered in different directions, bordered by plants and foliage in shades of vibrant green. Where they led was a mystery, you'd have to follow them in order to find out.

The Rain In The Trees marks Graintable's third meditative album for Ransom Note Records, following Herons and Universal Ash in 2018 and 2019 respectively. Impregnated with the sonic essence of the Pacific Northwest rainforests, the soothing ambient and drone sounds on his newest outing are entirely produced live via Graintable’s signature analog synth improvisations.

The title track is a blissful contemplation of the surrounding nature, recreating the introspection achieved when walking alone in the forest. Late-night sessions in the studio brought about unique ambient compositions, impregnated with the sonic essence of the Pacific Northwest - tracks of mind-boggling ambient, drone and synth that caress the listener’s ears like waves at the end of the Columbia River. These soothing sounds conjure up lonely places amid a vertiginous tempest, where the sampling of noise crescendos and softness of sounds come together to accompany the dream synths wrapped up in a cloud-like fleece.

Whilst his previous R$N release Universal Ash was a reflection on decay and loss, The Rain In The Trees is indeed like a phoenix rising from those same ashes. It touches on themes of rebirth and finding your way. Like new trees sprouting in the aftermath of a forest fire - which was often occurring in the Pacific Northwest during the recording of these soundscapes.

The title, 'The Rain In The Trees', is borrowed from a book of poems by W.S. Merwin. It’s saying ‘yes’ to creating art that’s deeply influenced by nature. Merwin was writing poetry inspired by the rainforest in Hawaii and similarly, here Graintable is making music that’s influenced by a different climatic region, the one of the rainforests in the Pacific Northwest.

Buy/Stream: https://ransom-note-records.lnk.to/TheRainInTheTrees

The Rain In The Trees

PREMIERE: Graintable - The Rain In The Trees [Ransom Note Records]

Every month on The Ransom Note Roll Through, the team behind the London-based website will
present music featured on the site, their favourite new musical finds, as well as regular nonsense
features and guest mixes with members of the extended Ransom Note family.

For the first instalment they’re joined by DJ, producer and Ransom Note Records label mate
C.A.R. for a guest mix and NTS resident and Ruf Kutz boss Ruf Dug for some very important
questions.

🌐 "Outsiders" is our daily show hosted by global independent record labels
📡 Connect with the Outsiders, every day, at 9 am or 9 pm CET
🔗 kioskradio.com

Outsiders: Ransom Note w/ C.A.R. & Ruf Dug  @ Kiosk Radio 18.02.2022

Listen back to March's instalment of The Ransom Note Dispatch on Netil Radio. Drive time tunes, premieres from the site, standard mic difficulties. Matt and Rosie at the controls.

The Ransom Note Dispatch on Netil Radio (March 22)

‘Outsider’ Ransom Note invites Cafe Artum boss Jayson Wynters for a guest mix and Macca , the voice of NTS Saturday mornings, for an interview. 

🌐 "Outsiders" is our daily show hosted by global independent record labels
📡 Connect with the Outsiders, every day, at 9 am or 9 pm CET
🔗 kioskradio.com

Outsiders: Ransom Note w/ Jayson Wynters & Macca @ Kiosk Radio 18.03.2022

The station was crowded as travellers and lost souls boarded trains for far away places they'd never heard of before. This was strange news, never had they imagined that they might be forced to leave their home. 

The rain had been pouring for several weeks now and as the water began to rise, the signs of life which had gown plentiful in the fields were drowned beneath the flood water. This was all such strange news indeed...

Then there was the sunlight, it beamed down upon them through the storm, illuminating the tiny rain drops as if to make them pearly and iridescent. There was beauty in all of this. However, this was strange news for all. 

D.Tiffany remixes Inner Zone in a splendid fashion for longstanding party starters and friendly faces, Feelings Worldwide. This track is called 'Strange News' - the new version leans heavily into the euphoric, drawing upon poignant elements of Trance and the classic days of progressive House. 

It's a trip.

PREMIERE: Inner Zone - Strange News (D Tiffany Remix) [Feelings Worldwide]

Why did the topic of conversation always seem to come back to the weather? It was a subject that got more airtime than she'd like, but generally that was the centre of all small talk these days. If it wasn't the rain, it was the wind, if not the wind, the few days of sunshine that gave us a glimmer of hope for a moment. Was it the only talking point we all had in our arsenal? Could we not find more common ground than the forecast for the coming weeks? That remained to be seen. 

Ombra International's VA series consistently brings together artists who may be miles away geographically, but sonically there's barely any distance at all. For the next instalment, which also marks the label's 21st release, they call on producers from the UK, France and Germany, namely Rees, Tony Y Not, JH.L.M, Kimshies and Endrik Schroeder. Our pick comes from the latter who joins the Ombra family off the back of releases on Zone and Ritmo Fatale with a dark, 80s-driven Italo number.

PREMIERE: Endrik Schroeder - Rainy Days [Ombra International]

Matt Wickings, Rosie Ama and TSUNIMAN take you through the drive time slot on Netil Radio. Failing mics, plenty of recent premieres from the website and new and old favourites.

The Ransom Note Dispatch on Netil Radio (April 2022)

There was a strange sickly sweet taste upon his tongue, he'd felt it before. It was the bitter taste of regret, a karmadonut if you will.

He hadn't imagined it might end like this, in tatters and ruins. However, it was everything that he deserved and he couldn't help but let out a wry smile thinking about each and every little bit of wrong he'd done across his long and desperate life. If only all those people could see him now, see what he'd become and where he'd end up. Perhaps they too would then let out the same discerning smile as if to say...

"I told you so..."

Drumpoet Community are celebrating a triumphant fifteen years of music with the release of a new compilation of tracks in instalments. What better way than to kick things off than with two powerhouses of the German electronic music scene and legends in their own right?

Roman Flügel & Frank Wiedemann have collaborated to produce a track of supreme quality which is destined to soar and rise eagerly through clubs this summer. You know it.

PREMIERE: Roman Flügel & Frank Wiedemann - Karmadonut [Drumpoet Community]

It's been two years since Elkka's femme culture collective and record label released a chapter in their flagship HeForShe compilation series into the world. After three volumes that have featured music from the likes of DJ Python, Mr. Mitch and Badsista, all in aid of UN Women, the imprint makes a return for instalment number four. 

She enlists the help of artists from across the world, both established and rising, including Bambounou, mortar, SUCHI and Breaka for a 19-track strong release that touches on leftfield techno, UK bass and breakbeat.

HeForShe x femme culture Vol. 4 

PREMIERE: Bambounou - Solal [femme culture]

The house had been barren for years, its moss covered front and cob-webbed windows an instant giveaway. That was until people came in to regenerate the town and suddenly life was breathed into the home once again. Its inside had been refurbished and its windows replaced, but beyond the beautiful facade and the freshly painted walls, there was a sense that something had happened here before; something terrible that would continue to inhabit the house regardless of its revived state.

Amsterdam's Sinchi Collective have spotlighted a ton of new producers from across the globe through their Altered States compilation series, all while raising money for the Sinchi Foundation, which supports Indigenous peoples worldwide. For the sixth volume they bring on board a roster of fresh artists who are bubbling under the surface in their respective cities. The likes of Terra de Ovnis, Sinchi Collective co-founder Ilmo, DeepMe and A-Tweed feature, amongst others, all bringing their own dark and psychedelic flavours that span icy electro, techno-disco and cosmic synth jams.

PREMIERE: Tierra de Ovnis - Spirit Machine [Sinchi]

British magazine Ransom Note continues its ‘Roll Through’ series tonight with residents Rosie, Matt and Matt who are joined by Worldwide FM resident Manami on the guest mix, and DJ and NTS resident Sofie K for the Very Important Questions. Expect general chit chat, premieres from the website and new discoveries also inside.

🌐 "Outsiders" is our daily show hosted by global independent record labels
📡 Connect with the Outsiders, every day, at 9 am or 9 pm CET
🔗 kioskradio.com


Outsiders: Ransom Note w/ Manami & Sofie K @ Kiosk Radio 15.04.2022

Wandering between the city streets I cast my mind back to days gone by - lost friends, late nights and distant memories of faces and places I can't recall.

Despite all of this it was the same brickwork, the same broken cobbles and pavestones upon which I tread wildly atop into the morning. 

A cup of coffee and a paper will do, let's see what the world's done now. The sound of birds chirping in the trees as I enter the park, the remnants of a big weekend scattered over by the bin. 

Some might not think much of this place, to them it means little. However, to a geezer like me, it was paradise and the sense of opportunity hung thick and lingered in the air. 

Amy Dabbs and Coco Bryce have collaborated to release a killer four track EP on the newly launched record label LT-Coda, an offshoot of Lobster Theremin. We don't say this lightly when we hint that this may be one of our favourite releases of the year so far - sun kissed samples and euphoria aplenty this one rocks.

Slightly Involved Volume 1

PREMIERE: Amy Dabbs & Coco Bryce - Geezer Like Me [LT-Coda]

The clouds parted and a shiny, beautiful vision emerged against the sunny backdrop. It were as if the gates of heaven themselves had been opened and a red carpet unfolded as they wandered upwards towards the sky.

There were strange colours which flickered and flashed as the weather systems collided and became unlike anything that he'd seen before back down on planet earth.

Soon he would be in the heavens amidst the choirs of angels and the dancing creatures of the ethereal pink and blue skies.

Maelstrom & ELO collaborate on a track for a new Nuits Sonores compilation called 'Atlantic Stereo' which celebrates the festivals legacy and longstanding relationship with Colombian musicians.

This one bangs hard - you've been warned.

PREMIERE: Maelstrom & ELO - Despega [Nuits Sonores]

Pre-rave jitters had set in; her stomach was doing somersaults and her legs felt like jelly. These feelings were fuelled by excitement and anticipation, but she still had no idea what to expect of the evening, it was all completely new to her. Friends had told her about the wonders of these underground parties but she really had to see it for herself, at the moment it felt like an imaginary utopia, a place too perfect to actually exist...

Swedish producers Viktor and Henrik are the minds behind Elfenberg. Having released music on the likes of Bordello A Parigi, Wrong Era, Trampoliner and Rotten City Records, to name a few, the pair now take their creations to Barcelona's Playground Records for A Cow Called Belle. Harking back to the rave and acid house sounds of the early 90s, the three original cuts marry rolling grooves and squelchy, driving synth lines, which are pushed further into trance-inducing territory by Iñigo Vontier and Juan MacLean who take care of the remixes.

PREMIERE: Elfenberg - Ravers Association (Juan MacLean Remix) [Playground Records]

"Matthew 12:32: Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come. 

Psalm 66:12: Thou hast caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but thou broughtest us out into a wealthy place."

Croatian producer Sasha Rajkovich is a man of many faces. As well as making up a part of several projects including Sumerian Fleet, NeuGrau, FFFC and Kali jugend, he makes music solo under the moniker Zarkoff. Frequenting the realms of EBM, electro and acid, his creations - both instrumental and laced with his powerful and commanding vocals - are now finding a home on Tripalium Corp. Icy analog synth and electro make up the EP, which is inspired by Old Testament and Gnostic teachings about the nature of the Demiurge, with vocoded, synthesised lyrics directly quoted from King James translation of the Holy Bible.

Completed With Errors

PREMIERE: Zarkoff - Evidence Of Purgatory [Tripalium Corp]

Spun Out Agency have rallied up their talented roster for a compilation dedicated to the sorely missed Andrew Weatherall, who was part of the agency for almost two decades. The title is also a tip of the hat to the Guv’nor. More of that Frightful Oompty Boompty Music showcases the acid, techno and house sounds at the core of the roster, which Andrew would have described as "oopmty-boompty" music.

Made up of 18 tracks, with eight of the tracks also released as a two-part vinyl package, the compilation features music from Paranoid London, Fantastic Twins, Mehmet Aslan, Autarkic, Ruf Dug, Sean Johnston, and Manfredas, among many others.

Spun Out is a London-based artist booking agency, run by Caroline Hayes for over 20 years. She looks after a roster of DJs that like to colour outside the lines, including Optimo (Espacio), Ivan Smagghe, Josh Caffe, Man Power, Body Hammer and Ellie Stokes.

PREMIERE: Fantastic Twins - Kali's Tongue Was a Weapon [Spun Out Agency]

He never felt more free than being on a dance floor. Arms flailing, feet tapping, hips swaying; it was something that took him out of his body and into another realm. The dance floor could be wherever he wanted it to be, there didn't need to be low lights, a darkened room, or swathes of bodies for him to move, the only necessity was the music - those sweet sonic vibrations were the fuel for his movement. 

Lutruwita-born, Naarm-based producer and DJ Sam Alfred is part of Melbourne's thriving electronic scene. A lover of deep house, jazz-tinged electronics and UK G, Sam feeds these influences into his own music: a nostalgia inducing cocktail of house and techno, which so far has seen him release music for Love Above Records, Spinning Around, Happy Wax and Phenomena Records - the home of his new EP. Speed Racing was written during the pandemic and is the result of Sam experimenting with different sounds and styles which he puts down to the 'pure boredom' that came with being holed up in his bedroom during lockdown.

PREMIERE: Sam Alfred - Boogie on Mars [Phenomena Records]

Space Ghost has been hard at it for over a decade. The Oakland-based producer and DJ, real name Sudi Wachspress, also shows no signs of stopping anytime soon.

Favouring the long player format, he's already got over 10 albums under his belt compared to a handful of EPs, and has struck up a fruitful relationship with Tartelet Records, the home of several of his musings, as well as reputed imprints like PPU and Apron.

His latest album, Private Paradise, is a tribute to Sea Ranch on the Northern California coast, a place he and his partner spent some time secluded from the outside world. A collection of deep, restorative ambient, downtempo and house, it marks his debut on DJ D.Dee's Pacific Rhythm imprint, a perfect home for Space Ghost's breezy productions.

Just like his own output, his mixes are full of tranquil atmospheres, lush pads and gentle drums, which are the sounds that form the basis of his mix for us today. Perfect for long drives, sun-soaked early morning or, as Space Ghost recommends, in a hot tub or somewhere with a nice view, this hour and a half of music is guaranteed to whisk you away to another plain...

Space Ghost: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

Rosie Ama, TSUNIMAN and Matt Cowell take you through the drive time slot on Netil Radio with some post-bank holiday chuggers.

The Ransom Note Dispatch on Netil Radio (May 2022)

Impatience had got the better of them, it felt as though they'd been waiting around for an eternity for something to happen. The longer they waited, the slower time seemed to pass; a minute felt like an hour and an hour like a day. A change had to come soon, chronic boredom would inevitably set in and before too long they'd become sick of each other's presence. They were tired of playing the waiting game.

Vancouver-based label Club Designs have announced their third VA release, and the second shining a light on fresh electro sounds. Having previously paid homage to the sounds of ghetto house, the imprint now turn their attention back to the Detroit genre with eight artists showcasing their take on it through a modern lens. Label bosses Garneau and Sharkki deliver tracks, alongside their label mate Dj Failure, and several new artists including Ghostwhip, Partick Cure, Stuster, Max Ulis and Destrata.

CDMUSIC005

PREMIERE: Max Ulis - Shower Scene [Club Designs]

The rainforest was alive with all manner of sounds and smells; everywhere you turned there was something new to take in. Birds chirped high above; insects buzzed loudly in harmony; all carried by the gentle breeze that drifted through the branches. They joined together to create a sweet cacophony of sounds, like nature's own personal choir. This place belonged to them; it belonged to the trees and the plants, to the insects and the mammals, to the rivers and the springs; this was their home and, at least for now, it was untarnished by mankind.

DJ and producer REES has been making quite the storm recently with his slick take on Italo Disco and the synth-driven sounds of the 80s, whilst also flying the flag for his home of Middlesborough. Releases for Bordello A Parigi, Permanent Vacation, Internasjonal and his own Paradiso imprint have housed these sounds so far, and now he heads to Palms Trax's CWPT imprint for another batch of driving cuts. Rhythm is at the core of the four tracks on Devils Club which, once again, tip the hat to his favourite musical era through propulsive bass lines, crisp percussion and soaring synth melodies.

Devils Club [CWPT]

PREMIERE: REES - The Spirit (Dub Mix) [CWPT]

Tune in to the fourth installment of The Ransom Note's ‘Roll Through’ series, recorded live at Corsica Studios in London with Ellie Stokes providing the guest mix, while Chez De Milo answers their Very Important Questions.

🌐 "Outsiders" is our daily show hosted by global independent record labels
📡 Connect with the Outsiders, every day, at 10 am or 10 pm CET
🔗 kioskradio.com



Outsiders: Ransom Note w/ Ellie Stokes & Chez De Milo @ Kiosk Radio 20.05.2022

The outside world was a mystery to him; there was an innate sense of fear that came with the idea of human interaction. Every day he sat slumped behind his computer from dusk till dawn, sucked into the digital world. This was his reality now - this was where he'd met his friends, formed his romantic relationships, shared his secrets and found his voice. The normality of everyday life just wasn't for him, he preferred this way of living and he wouldn't change it for anybody.

We all love a bit of trance don't we? Well Rigson's next outing, a return to Grenoble-based label Shoganai following 2020's Private Hell EP, will do much to satisfy your euphoria cravings. The Amsterdam-based producer and label boss of Ganzfeld Records follows more recent contributions to both his own imprint and LYO's last Driving Blind compilation with 'Digital Tears'. The EP features a remix from Nthr1 and two original versions - one electro and one trance - the latter of which is giving us proper early Ibiza energy with its lush, Balearic pads and emotive acid lines.

Artwork: Andréia Camps-Campins

PREMIERE: Rigson - Digital Tears (Trance Mix) [Shoganai Records]

He had never imagined it might down like this, with such reckless abandon and chaos. It was the stuff of magical dreams, a revolution in which the senses were overpowered and a new world was being born before their very eyes. He’d always wondered what it might be like to live this way – so wild and free without the constraints and pressures of the political class.

Some might say that this was anarchy but it was in fact quite the opposite for there was a method to their madness, a rationale and rulebook behind the unprecedented chaos as the workers and the underdogs began to rise up with vigour and strength.

Where would the night end? He did not know, all he did know is that it would be wild.
 
Tresor is celebrating thirty years, the iconic Berlin record label and club is releasing new music and breathing life back into Techno in the present as it once did back at the very start.

The latest release on the label comes from Fireground – it’s a fun filled Techno affair reminiscent of Robert Hood and the euphoric fast paced jams of the 90’s. This one has been on heavy rotation.

Dreams

PREMIERE: Fireground - Be Wild [Tresor]

Bugs Groove is a committed explorer of all shades of deep and dark electronics. First cutting his teeth as a DJ in his native Manchester, he then moved to Leeds for a few years to continue his musical activities, before recently making the move back home.

He's already firmly rooted himself in the city. Before his time in Leeds, you could find him playing regular stints in the SOUP bar and occasionally working behind the counter at Eastern Bloc, the tastefully curated record shop and music space in the Northern Quarter.

He's continued to put the graft in, and in the process has founded several of his own platforms as a way to celebrate the music and artists that inspire him. A few years back he launched Techno.logy, an underground mix series and community space that champions techno in its many forms, and more recently he's jumped into the world of promoting with his new club night Ost, bringing over the likes of Nick Höppner and Tama Sumo to play alongside himself.

There's plenty on the agenda gig-wise this year, both on home turf and overseas, so to kick off his summer schedule we asked him to take control of today's 'Shine A Light On' Mix. It's a real journey through the sounds that make up Bugs Groove's sound world. Starting at 96bpm and working his way all the way up to 175, he navigates everything from dub techno, minimal, electro and ghetto through to DnB, jungle, grime and much more.

Carve out a six hour period for this one and get stuck in, you won't regret it...

Bugs Groove: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

The clouds parted slowly to reveal the hazy blue expanse of sky in the distance beyond - it was what they had all been waiting for as they gathered on the shore. Looking out into the distance as the waves rolled in against the pier it was hard to wonder what might be any better than this. The breeze blew softly and the smell of a grill burnt hot in the distance. Was this paradise? It certainly seemed that way.

He'd never imagined that he might find euphoria here, out here in the middle of nowhere surrounded by strangers whom might one day become friends. It was hard to imagine a life without them now for they too had lived through the cloudy fog to see the sun rise at the beginning of a new morning. They were all in this together.

Wolf Music are back with a new split EP featuring friends and family, this track by Manuel Darquart captures the 'euphoria' of the late ineties Italian house era. These were simpler times, with happy go lucky music and a cocktail on ice to go alongside. This one has us feeling all kinds of summer.

PREMIERE: Manuel Daquart - Euphoria [Wolf Music]

Crossing the canal for a new Outsiders episode by London digital music, arts and culture publication Ransom Note. Rosie Ama steers this month’s show while the boys are out with Covid. 

Expect premieres from the website, lots of new finds and a very special guest mix in the second hour from Paradiso Records boss and Bordello A Parigi alumnus Rees.

🌐 "Outsiders" is our daily show hosted by global record labels, record stores & more
📡 Connect with the Outsiders, every day, at 9am and 9pm CET
🔗 kioskradio.com

Outsiders: Ransom Note w/ Rosie Ama & Rees @ Kiosk Radio 17.06.2022

The amount of hard work, commitment and energy which goes into running a festival is unfathomable. It might seem easy to dump a few dj's in a field for a weekend however to actually build the entirety of the experience into something which has meaning, has purpose, has an identity and a soul is a whole different thing entirely.

Sarcus Festival is an emerging French festival who are this year keen to target a wider European audience. The growing event has become a staple of the French festival calendar, showcasing local producers and dj's in a way which is unrivalled and eclectic.

This year the festival will take place in the 9th of September and play host to a cast of dj's and friends who each share the collective vision of this unique festival which places great emphasis on environmental stability and disconnection.

Phones are locked away, guests and artists are asked to travel by rail rather than fly and the goal is to create a renewable experience which excels and represents the very best of underground music culture.

Oh and then there's the music. This year they've booked the likes of Bambounou, Luca Lozano, Jane Fitz, Jamie Tiller, Voiski and many more.

We invited the crew to record a mixtape and show us all about the sound of the festival, whilst they reflect on what makes Sarcus so special.

Sarcus Soundsystem: The Festival Mix

The clouds began to part, for a brief period there was a radiant blue sky which beamed down upon them all as they gathered upon the hill. This momentary spread was all it would take to set the spirits alight for it reminded them that they were not alone. It reminded them that there was life beyond the fog and that millions of miles away up there was new hopes and dreams.

He watched as thousands of others all gazed upwards towards the glowing light, they were the same as him. Hoping and longing that one day there might not be any clouds and that this would be it…

This would be it…

map.ache is one of our favourite producers over here at Ransom Note. An artist with a masterful talent for creating dreamy visions and beautiful soundscapes. Here he is invited to remix Inner Sciences for French record label Cosmocities in what is an expansive release.

PREMIERE: Inner Science - Momentary Spread (map.ache Remix) [Cosmocities]

Spontaneity unsettled her, she liked to know what her day had in store for her; her entire life come to think of it. She'd tried her hand at new experiences; leaving everything at the drop of a hat and taking off somewhere distant; donning a fresh haircut; trialling a different vocation or hobby - it didn't suit her though. Her preference was to have things mapped out for, that way there'd be no surprises. 

For over two decades Robi Insinna has been releasing music and helming Relish Recordings, his label indebted to off kilter post-punk, new wave and disco. Under his name, and his moniker Headman, he's crafted his own take on these sounds, largely underpinned by trademark bass lines and an analog rawness. These traits are all there on his new single, 'No Surprises', which is the first to be taken off his new LP. There's a nod to the sounds of 80's NYC through its machine funk aesthetic and raw synthesis, while on the flip there's a remix from Making Time and Optimo affiliates Zillas On Acid who steer the track down a dark chugging path.

No Surprises

PREMIERE: Headman - No Surprises (Zillas On Acid Remix) [Relish Recordings]

When did the exciting things in life become a chore? When did it all become mundane; a task that you didn't want to complete? It was a regular occurrence that you'd have to force yourself out the door; force a smile when meeting friends; force small talk with that work colleague you used to spend every day with. The fuel had began to run out, the energy almost gone, and you started to question whether it would ever return at all...

Roe Deers offers us another deep dive into the sounds of Lithuania with a new VA, Sekta, on his Good Skills label. The Vilnius-based imprint shines a light on the talents coming out of the country at the moment, calling on the talents of Shurmin Nikit, Deserted Island, Zakmina & EGOMAŠINA, Skhema and Bojarchük to contribute. It's full of raw funky grooves, slo-mo rhythms and oddball downtempo cuts that blend influences stretching from breaks, leftfield electronics and indie dance to new wave and post-punk.

PREMIERE: Bojarchük - Force [Good Skills Records]

Atop the hill was a tree stood all alone, it was not known how long it had been there for it had outlived each and every one who had been born in this town. Some say it might never die, a perpetual reminder of the flagrant beauty nature held in this part of the world as the rest burnt to the ground elsewhere.

It was a sycamore – a reminder that all things would grow. As the sunlight blazed down upon the hillside it blew softly in the breeze, its branches shuffling and shaking beneath the weight of an even greater power than it. See that was the funny thing about nature, you never knew when it might create a storm which would bring it all crumbling down, even itself.
 
Kincaid is set to release a new EP on Control Freak Recordings, it’s a weaving and wandering affair which meanders between leftfield bass and electronica. Highly recommended.

Sugar

PREMIERE: Kincaid - Sycamore [Control Freak Recordings]

Driving through the night the rain began to pour heavily down upon the windscreen. It had been coming for some time, the clouds had gathered and grown thicker by the hour throughout the day as they swerved between lanes and through fields they'd never see again. Heaven only knew where they were travelling to and where they might end up. 

That wasn't important. 

As the sky darkened all around them there was only one thing in their mind, freedom. For they'd been stuck in that bleak small town for far too long and now they were looking for something far beyond it. The rain was mother nature's way of reminding them of the damp and dreary world from which they would soon be free.

Stelios Vassiloudis is delicately remixed by pioneering dance music producer Funk D'Void who somehow manages to channel as much beauty as he does club ready promise into what is a simply magical track.

All Else Fails Remixes

PREMIERE: Stelios Vassiloudis - Mother (Funk D'Void Remix)[Balance]

The garden provided a place to stop and think; to slow down and calm the mind. It was so quiet, the buzz of the city and rush hour traffic was nowhere to be heard, the only sound came from the birds and insects that called this place home. The floor was covered in flowers, the walls shrouded by ivy that covered every inch of brick - nature had taken over and made it their own. In here it was easy to forget that the outside world existed.

Wax'o Paradiso, the party-turned-label helmed by Edd Fisher and Simon TK, are continuing their mission to shine a light on the Antipodean sounds of their home down under with their second vinyl offering. Starting life in 2021 with an EP from Australian duo OK EG, a record that explored the organic textures and rhythms prompted by their native landscapes and spaces, the label now turn their attentions to another duo, Donald's House. 37° South is made up of four Balearic cuts that showcase the pair's versatility - there's nods to Italo, new beat, ambient and acid, but all possess a distinctly meditative and spacious feel.

PREMIERE: Donald's House - Under the Lilypad [Wax'o Paradiso]

Atika Altar has spent the last decade honing her DJ skills across South East Asia. Her potent mix of techno, acid, IDM, house and experimental characterises her sets as well as the parties she's thrown across the region with the likes of Nicola Kazimir, Son Kite-Minilogue and Marco Shuttle.

Now based in Poland, Atika's focus has shifted to production and her newest venture, Interstellaria: a label that mirrors her powerful and fearless approach to electronic music. 

Primarily launched as a platform to house her own output, the imprint will also serve as a space to share music from friends and favourites who are operating on the fringes of dance music. 

The first release is a compilation featuring music from herself, iconic UK electronic act Bandulu and mysterious producer HBSM, which gives a window into some of the sounds that make up Atika's musical world - in the case of this release, it's the diverse shades of techno.

To celebrate the freshly minted label we invited Atika to put together a mix of high octane techno, acid, breaks and more... This'll help shake off the cobwebs.

Atika Altar: The 'Shine A Light On' Mix

The sky was a radiant shade of pink. There was little else but for the occasional shadow of a bird or a plane which passed against the hazy backdrop. A dozen sunbeams poured down upon the hill, the last of the daylight would soon vanish only to be replaced by a glowing expanse of stars and planets millions of miles away.

Perhaps this was all a mirage? A wild dream or a fantasy? Perhaps none of this was real and here they were down on earth being watched by something greater than they could comprehend? Ah well, even if it was as such, at least it was a pretty picture.

Purelink feature first on a newly launched record label in the form of UwU dust bath. The debut outing is a dreamy affair which touches upon elements of downtempo and idm. The record is rounded off by crucial remixes from local artists including Nice Girl - a producer who has built a keen following with releases on the likes of Public Possession.

PREMIERE: Purelink - Dozen Sunbeams (Nice Girl Version)[UwU dust bath]

The battered old car moved slowly on the hot dusty roads. Cacti and wild tropical plants lined the beaten path offering some kind of reassurance that they were in fact heading toward the right direction. The radio occasionally flickered and sparked into life only to abruptly crash back into the realm of static minutes later. Perhaps this was to be their soundtrack - travelling music for a travelling people.

In the distance they could see the waves ripple against the shoreline, it seemed awfully far away yet soon they hoped to swim amidst those cool waters and forget all about the bumps and bangs of the road.

Then there was a stutter, the car stopped as the fog engulfed them all...

The La Torre compilation series is one of the best. We don't say this lightly - it represents the true sentiment of the balearic spirit which was born in the outback of Ibiza and Mark Barrott knows this better than most.

His track is the only original to feature on the compilation, a magical piece of music for sunsets and quiet moments.

PREMIERE: Mark Barrott - Travelling Music (La Torre Reprise) [Hostal La Torre Recordings]

Book yourself a hotel room, get your beaver suit on and get that hot coffee brewing ready for some Lokier listening:

http://www.theransomnote.co.uk/music/mixes/lokier-shine-a-light-on-ransom-note-mix/

With a current release on Days Of Being Wild featuring fellow DJ and friend Morgan Hammer, the Mexican DJ/Producer is riding high, making the move to Barcelona to explore all that Europe has to offer. Keeping busy with upcoming EP's with labels Have A Killer Time and Nein plus a selection of remixes, mixes and compilations in the making, we'd say you'll be hearing a lot more of Lokier. 

INTERVIEW

Lokier - Shine A Light On... Ransom Note Mix

Chapping on the door to wake me, YOU CUNT. 
I have been waiting here all night. 
You could've picked me up. 
Oh, she had more "strings" to her did she? She can fuck off, am telling you.
I don't wanna hear about her ways. 
You know you love it this way, get a grip and hold my neck. 
Make it dirty baby. Make me throb. 
Like when we first met. 

Read more at: http://www.theransomnote.co.uk/music/premieres-exclusive-streams/premiere-cabaret-nocturne-blind-trust/

MORE INFO

PREMIERE: Cabaret Nocturne - Blind Trust

Sling & Samo are the exiting duo behind the Born Free record label which resides in Stockholm. Over the last few years the pair have been releasing a vast array of weird, wonderful, oddball music: some built for the dancefloor and some certainly not. The pair are colourful characters who don't take themselves or what they do too seriously. Samo is also well known in his own right as a producer and dj having released music for the likes of LIES, The Trilogy Tapes and Public Possession but together with Sling the pair enter a new realm of musical exploration. We asked them to record a mix for us. 

Sling & Samo DJ: The Ransom Note Mix

The days had grown long and tiresome, there was little light in the place in which he sat. Four walls surrounded his very being, he had not known he would miss her as much as this once she had gone. Now there was little left to do but brush the tears from his eyes, dive, dance and enter the abyss of a new and wonderful world. Only, without her. 

Folamour steps up to deliver a five track EP for the newly formed imprint Noire & Blanche. He blends emotive melodic twists with percussion and club sensibilities.

PREMIERE: Folamour - You Never Told Me I'll Miss U That Much [Noire & Blanche]

The corridor seemed endless as the bell buzzed in his ear. Leaving school was his favourite time of the day, such attention to detail in concentrated spells left him feeling numb and dry. As he walked through the wooden doors out into the daylight he could hear the sound of screams and chants from the nearby playground. He remembered the innocence of youth, back before exams, house parties and ate nights. He had never imagined himself to be a teacher, yet here he was lecturing the youth of tomorrow with the knowledge of today. Walking home he sighed. 

Scissorwork is set to release his first EP on the recently founded record label The Other Planet. He delivers four cuts of dreamy house and dusty grooves.

PREMIERE: Scissorwork - Walking Home [The Other Planet]

The dim glow cast a hazy flourish of light across the early morning sky. Soon it would fall beneath the surface of sight and the soft moon would vanish into the warm blue of daylight. In the greenhouse the flowers began to blossom and awaken beneath the first hint of the morning glow. The glass flickered beneath the glimmering beams and the murky green shadows within were illuminated and set alight. The rest of the park was quiet and still as the day broke. The night was gone. 

Coastdream is set to release a debut EP on X-Kalay who have consistently released music of supreme quality. This one is a sun kissed, summer ready house track with sublime form.

PREMIERE: CoastDream - Soft Moon [X-Kalay]

The sonics inside the metal chamber were at times overwhelming. The factory continued to pump out goods at a rate of flying proportions. They were now the industry leader and the Mu Tai empire was ready to capitalise on the industrial revolution. Soon enough their world of magic would be unleashed upon the unsuspecting, revolutionising the life and times of people far and wide. In his tall tower he observed the work from a glass prism, little did he know that he was being watched. 

X-Coast steps up with a sensational heavy hitting EP on UNDERTHESEA Records. Rave cuts which sit somewhere between beautiful soundscapes and purpose built club destruction.

Transformations EP

PREMIERE: X-Coast -  Mu Tai feat DJ RaDa [UNDERTHESEA]

Nathan Micay aka Bwana is gearing up for what promises to be a very busy summer. Earlier this year he launched a vinyl-only label called Schvitz Edits, and the first 12" featured his own unexpected dancefloor edits of Dr. John and Canadian folk singer Gordon Lightfoot.

Out 26th May, the second release finds some of Nathan's friends joining the fun. We're premiering the flip - Glasgow favourite Perko's take on Brazilian bossa nova legend Sergio Mendes' 'Magalenha'. With percussion like scarlet macaws chattering in the rainforest canopies, play this one to inject some heat into the dancefloor.

Schvitz Edits 002

PREMIERE: S. Mendes - Magalenha (Perko's Firecracker Mix) [Schvitz Edits]

Expect the unexpected. That's the philosophy Rotterdam-based DJ mad miran promotes in her DJ sets. A regular on the Dutch capital's mainstay Red Light Radio and a face behind the counter at the infamous Clone record shop, Miran has fast become one of the country's most promising DJs. 

Although she only played her first DJ set in a club a couple of years ago, she's already landed a residency at Trouw successor De School and become part of the Strange Sounds From Beyond family, seeing her name spread like wildfire and lead to a string of gigs across Europe.

We invited her to dive into her record bag for us and the result is 80 minutes of leftfield electro, raw breaks and introspective electronica. Enter into the crazy world of mad miran...

mad miran: The 'Wednesday Alternative' Mix

Amsterdam has been graced with a fearsome array of fabulous selectors and disc jockeys in recent times, the city is abuzz with experimental music and talent. 

Orpheu The Wizard has been a pivotal figure in the development of the scene, crucially helping to nurture new faces through his key role as a co founder of Redlight radio - a distinctive platform which has acted as a gateway and an open door to a new wave of music, producers and dj's. 

His own background is well versed, he's earnt his stripes and played the long game building a respectable array of musical knowledge and selective talent which he uses to entice and delight crowds across Europe and beyond. Eclectic, far reaching and multi purpose - his sets often run wild across a sprawling spectrum of sound. 

This year he will play at Love International festival, an appearance which should not be missed.

Read & Download

Orpheu The Wizard: The Ransom Note Mix

Step back, this is a big one. 

Across the past couple of decades there have been very few who can attest as much influence as that of Joakim, a singular producer who has been charted as an influential figure by many of the leading producers and disc jockeys in the present.

The French outsider has amassed a notorious reputation for his eclectic style as a disc jockey and producer having released music on the likes of Versatile, Kitsuné Music, Life And Death, Crosstown Rebels and beyond. As the founder behind Tigersushi Records and Crowdspacer he has been responsible for leading a new generation of talent into the dance and has played a key role in the future development of dance and electronic music. 

As an individual his own take on music is wide and vast, not one to shy away from the alternative or experimental he has done well to channel a sprawling array of style, genre and sound across his own lengthy career and in all honesty Joakim continues to surprise and intrigue with delight. 

A Dj's dj, he is a firm favourite and we welcome him as part of the series.

Joakim: The Ransom Note Mix

Ransom Note is an online music, arts and culture magazine. We provide a home for readers and writers with boundless enthusiasm, esoteric knowledge, fierce opinions and impeccable taste.

With our core team immersed in all aspects of dance music, we publish news, articles, and interviews covering the greatest in innovative, underground culture from across the globe. We offer regular, exclusive music and mixtapes from our favourite artists, and publish features shining a light on everything from the freshest new artists to the untold tales from rave history.

Alongside this we offer musings on film, books, life, and art, generating some context and controversy as an antidote to the reheated PR that clogs up the internet. Our office is fuelled by Tunnock’s Bars, cat memes, hangovers and a ridiculous, never ending love for our culture.

We're always interested in getting new writers on board – feel free to get in touch if you’ve got a story to tell.

With love until the grave.

Ransom Note

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