R$N Premieres: September 2017

The city was glimmering beneath the hazy glow of the evening sun. Pink and orange illuminated the Dallas skyline as people began to take to the streets for the Friday night fiasco. They would soon dance beneath the disco lights and the sound of trumpets. This was decades ago, when men and women had sophisticated class and dressed in the finest attire. 

This was all but a dream, a distant memory of an age and time very much in the past. 

Shit and Shine feature as part of a new compilation forthcoming on Lost Soul Enterprises. They bring the heat alongside an array of talent in the form of J Tijn, Vapauteen, Jared Wilson and many more.

We Are What You Think We Are

PREMIERE: Shit and Shine - Dallas Skyline [Lost Soul Enterprises]

The breeze blew against his face and rattled against his goggles as he flew prominently down the mountain face. The jump had been no easy feat and had left him shaken for many sleepless nights. Now, finally, he was flying amongst the birds and the clouds as the blue sky virtually blinded his line of sight. All else was forgotten and he felt more alive than ever before. 

This was what it was like to soar. 

Charlie Smooth kickstarts a new record label in the form of Smooth Operators as he delivers some gorgeous edits on a new EP. The release is forthcoming later this month.

PREMIERE: Charlie Smooth - I'm Alive [Smooth Operators]

The group was a tight knit collective, a merry band of brothers. Togetherness was everything to the gang, nestled within the woods they marched prominently amongst the golden, crispy leaves. The autumn evening was surprisingly warm and the trees cast long shadows outwards over the lakeside. Sparking the fire they grouped together by the water and watched as the stars appeared one by one, speckled across the midnight twilight. It was beautiful. 

Violet has launched a new label in the form of Naive. It follows on from an array of releases on the likes of One Eyed Jacks, Snuff Trax and Cómeme.

Togetherness EP

PREMIERE: Violet - Togetherness (Bleid Remix)[Naive]

The latest release from @faroutrecs explores the connections between Brazilian rhythms and the broken beat movement, with three of that scene's key figures coming together to remix 'Clareia', a soulful samba cut from singer @sabrinamalheiros' latest album which features the bass and keys of legendary Brazilian jazz outfit Azymuth.

We're premiering 22a collective member and London-based producer @wuseli's remix, which rearranges swirling synths around shuffling drums and a very nimble bassline. Malheiros' hypnotic voice remains at the centre of proceedings, drawing the whole composition together.

BUY HERE

PREMIERE: Sabrina Malheiros - Clareia (Henry Wu Remix) [Far Out Recordings]

The city was a hotbed of creativity and hypnotic colour. People danced triumphantly at the turn of the century, all evil was cast aside and happiness would conquer one and all... but only for the weekend. In the streets bright outfits were out proudly upon display for all of the world to see. Blistering shades of yellow, red, green, blue and beyond were masquerading for as far as the naked eye could see. The roar of trumpets filled the air as the horns began to play.

Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Contonou are remixed on a new EP as Bosq reimagines a number of their tracks as part of a special edits package on SOL Power Sound.

Bosq Meets Poly Rythmo Uptown

PREMIERE: Orchestre Poly Rythmo de Contonou - Ne Te Fache Pas (Bosq's Special Disco Mix)[SOL]

The trigger was poised with delicate precision. She squeezed it tightly making sure that her arm dare not twitch. Looking down from her sniper's post she considered the possibility that what she might be doing was wrong but there was little time for such carelessness. This was all a matter of concentration beyond morality, action over consequence, rebellion over enforcement. She watched as the sun went down in the distance and as the city sprung to life. The time was now. 

O.utlier is the second artist to release on a new sub-label of Secretsundaze. SZE Records provides an outlet for slightly more abstract sounds than what might stereotypically appear on the label and is run by Luke Hopper.

PREMIERE: O.utlier - Rhodesamp (Whacked Out Revamp)[SZE Records]

Having previously released a pair of EPs under the name Chaams (why that extra 'a' was removed remains a mystery), the French producer has made the move over to brand spanking new French label Abîme for his latest release, which marks something of a reset. This is deconstructed club music at its finest, in the vein of Rabit, Mumdance, Visionist et al.

Lettre d'Amort was inspired by a solo journey through the Alps, taken as a means of rebalancing his psychic state after a period of upheaval. Having grown up in its shadow, the mountain range was already a special location to Chams, one "where the beauty and fear of nature merge to shape a unique atmosphere".

We're premiering 'Finale', which oxygen deprivation and light-headed transcendence. Glossy, cinematic synths swirl around in the ether while Chams' vicious, crunching percussion is brought to the foreground. It's all a bit of a mess - in the best way possible - until suddenly and unexpectedly everything coheres halfway through, and the beauty of those synth melodies is allowed its space.

Pre-order digital

PREMIERE: Chams - Finale [Abîme]

The carton was empty, sat discarded at the corner of the concrete schoolyard. The juice box was a thing of beauty in a place of colourless grey and dark shades. He sketched it lying against the wall, outlining it's cardboard frame and observing the curve of the straw which dripped tiny, solitary droplets down into a sticky, coloured puddle below. 

The Last Welfare Record is an associative name for two producers from Japan working as a collaborative entity. The pair deliver an assortment of interesting edits and cuts purpose built for the dance floor.

The Last Welfare Record pt.2

PREMIERE: The Last Welfare Record  - Juice Box [Planet Sundae]

Straight outta Melbourne it's @lewis-cancut! Since debuting in 2010, the RBMA alumnus has released a heap of crazy cool tropical club music on labels including Enchufada, Activia Benz, Mad Decent and NLV Records.

Part of a split 7" with fellow Melbourne producer Paz on the duo's brand new Dream Service Records, we're premiering Lewis' track 'Pasmo'. Influenced by kwaito and latin freestyle as much as the synthetic sounds of PC Music et al, it's got these glorious '80s block party vibes, with irresistible synth melodies and tightly snapping drums. As an opening salvo for the label, it's a pretty effective mission statement.

Pasmo / Funky Flesh

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PREMIERE: Lewis CanCut - Pasmo [Dream Service Records]

Later this month, @ausmusic stalwart @marquis-hawkes marks his fifth release for the label with an amazing 2 track 12". 'The Phoenix (Part 1 and Part 2)' is the follow up to his big summer hit 'The Basement Is Burning'. We're premiering Part 2, which is a bit of a departure for the producer. While Part 1 is a finely tooled disco/house banger in Hawkes' usual vein, Part 2 takes the same materials but uses them as the basis for a soaring, anthemic techno construction, splitting the line between old school Detroit originators and modern day dynamics/production values. Needless to say, it's absolutely huge, and should become a permanent fixture in record bags across the globe.

The Phoenix

PREMIERE: Marquis Hawkes - The Phoenix (Part Two) [Aus Music]

LA duo @psychic-health have a new LP out on @time-no-place this month. While their self-titled debut took inspiration from the clubs of Berlin and Melbourne, 'Exclusion' is more inward-looking, "a document of the duo tunneling down the studio wormhole." Devon Steffens and Gabriel Mounsey's modular experiments have resulted in a swirling, hypnotic night time album that connects the dots between different eras of techno. We're very happy to be premiering 'Frame', an ambient cut from the album's dark centre. Gliding in over ominous chords, it sounds like a dense smog slowly engulfing the freeways at 4am.

Exclusion

Pre-order here

PREMIERE: Psychic Health - Frame [Time No Place]

The night was dark and cold as he continued to march between the trees. The evergreen cage was not somewhere one should seek to become lost within, it was merely a passing place for travellers and people of the night. Still walking onwards he listened to the sound of the forest all around him, the cries of wild animals moving and scuttling amidst the leaves under the glow of the dense white moon. The air was still and refreshing as it filled his nostrils. Onwards and upwards...

Sumerian Fleet is a trio made up of Alden Tyrell, Mr Pauli and Zarkoff. A supergroup of electronics of sorts if you will. The group have a new album due for release on the beloved Dark Entries this month in the form of "Pendulum"

Pendulum

PREMIERE: Sumerian Fleet - Still Walking [Dark Entries]

The great building sprawled before the line of sight in the distance. At the end of the plaza it held an ancient presence, a disorientating and somewhat beautiful disarray of all that was wrong with this world. Inside were the decision makers, the captains of industry who helped to manipulate the fringes of society for their own ego focussed gain. A disgusting vision, a bizarre identity should not sit within a building so proud and tall. It was time to bring it down. 

Perel appears on a new four track EP set for release by the Ombra International camp, a record label run by Curses.

PREMIERE: Perel - Hildegard [Ombra International]

The birds spoke their own majestic language amongst the tall, tall trees. They were hidden away out of sight between the green shrubbery and the dusty leaves. Within the greenhouse they could not be disturbed by forces beyond the glass, no predator or villain was here to catch them up there amongst the blossoming swamp. The noise echoed in the chamber of light, the noise from outside was gone, wiped away by the silent tomb of the isolated space. 

Tambo's House have found a home on Vulcan Venti as the label prepares to release a four track EP packed with rhythmic influences from the East.

PREMIERE: Tambo's House - Jhe Gu Jye [Vulcan Venti]

Deep beneath the sea there was a mystical array of beautiful colours and shades of light. The beams from the sun bounced against the crystal waters and on the ocean floor the fish swam back and forth. The grotto was a place of bewildering wonder which very few had dived to find. As they swam further and further downwards into the blue they became overwhelmed by the sense of vast, sprawling space which existed untouched by humankind. 

Furious Frank is the next to release on up and coming Australian record label Ken Oath. Having established themselves with a succession of interesting EP's they now return for their fifth edition.

PREMIERE: Furious Frank - The Grotto [Ken Oath]

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]

She was the most intelligent woman in the room. Sat at the head of the table she observed the room with a steely gaze, she knew that they all feared her yet she cared so little. Janine had been a woman of industry for many years but many had underestimated that she might find herself in such a prominent position. As the boss she was now free to do as she please, dirty tactics and all. She would soon be bigger than the brand beneath her and that in itself was something. 

Smagghe & Cross are on a mission. A dynamic duo who have had a seriously busy year with releases on an array of labels. Next up they will release an album on Idle Press.

PREMIERE: Smagghe & Cross - Janine [Idle Press]

In the distance the sound of sirens roared through the night. The city was tossing and turning under the weight of he heat and the sky glowed a strange fruity shade of deep pink. Palm trees blew back and forth by the beach, they were taking in the last of the summer sun for soon it would be cold and dark. On the sand people gathered to watch the waves roll slowly in against the bay. Boats bobbed upon their great depth as the shouting began. 

Zen In Space is set to release a new EP on Moonshoe Records, his debut appearance on the up and coming record label. An imaginative and sun kissed deep groove.

PREMIERE: Zen In Space - Fourth&bak [Moonshoe]

The water flowed back and forth as the tide began to rise. It had rained significantly that day and the water was a dirty, dark muddy shade of brown. A barge moved slowly down the stream, it's proud bright colours were illuminous against the colourless grey backdrop. Operating at an alternative current the boat seemed almost as if it were in a world alone. It ceased to exist within the dull, uninteresting expanse which swamped all things in this town. 

Healing Force Project will release a new EP on the recently launched record label On Board Music. The Italian producer has previously released music on the likes of Firecracker, he will now be the first artist to appear on the newly launched label.

Virtual Alterity

PREMIERE: Healing Force Project - Alternative Currents [On Board Music]

The performer moved quickly across the sand as a crowd of onlookers had gathered with watchful intent. She was juggling with delicate skill as the sticks flipped and spun ablaze in the sky before her. She stared upwards towards the heavens, never once looking down for risk of dropping her tools. The sand sunk beneath her feet as she danced in the glow of the moonlight, it was after midnight yet still the heat beamed down amidst the tropical climate. She was at one with her instruments, the dance was well and truly within. 

Tolga Fidan returns to Vakant with a new EP packed with driven energy and a distinctive identity. The release also features a suitably abstract remix from Convextion, a masterpiece in its own right.

PREMIERE: Tolga Fidan - Hord (Convextion Remix)[Vakant]

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.

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With love until the grave.