On January 2nd, we’re excited to introduce a brand new website! It’s improved, user-friendly, and a better looking platform.
After years of loyal service, we’re bidding farewell to our old, trusty website in favor of a new, faster, and modern design. We’ve carefully considered what would enhance user experience and built something entirely new from scratch. Before we go live, we wanted to give you a heads up. Here are a few pointers to keep you in the loop.
The existing website will continue to be operational until December 21st
Please note that no orders can be placed from December 21st until the new website goes live on January 2nd.
All existing orders will be seamlessly transferred from the old system to the new one. You will be able to view these orders in your new account.
Coming week, you will receive information about the functionality of the new website, including it features and what to expect during your initial login.
Laurent Garnier, Paul St. Hilaire, Jeff Mills, Curses, Robert Hood, Marcal, ECHT!, Azmari, Tin Fingers, Ignez, Altinbas, Orbe, Adiel, Blazej Malinowski, Svitlana Nianio, GiGi FM, and more.
Between 1961 and 1964, Kelana Ria recorded 48 songs that were spread over four records, Kafilah, Yam El Shamah, Ya Mahmud and Ya Hamidah, which became the primary sources for this compilation.
In the early 1960s, two of the best talents in the Indonesian music scene, songwriter and band leader Adi Karso, known for his hits Papaya Cha-Cha-Cha and Balonku and Gambus musician Munif Bahasuan teamed up to form Orkes Melayu (Malay Orchestra) Kelana Ria. These four recordings changed the trajectory of Indonesian popular music. Remastered audio, 14 page booklet with extensive liner notes from Pittsburgh University Professor of Music Andrew N. Weintraub will be released on Elevation this month.
Play Renungkanlah (Think About It), included in this compilation, a love song with heavenly melodies and lilting harmonies, to an audience in the Western part of Malaysia or people of Malay ethnicity in Singapore and they would immediately hum along to the tune. Renungkanlah has been covered by many countless other musicians in Indonesia and Malaysia and it has become a hit many times over. The song has become a go-to song in karaoke bars in the region, with fans oblivious to who actually wrote this song or who performed it the first time. Or take the song Ratapan Anak Tiri (Lament of a Stepchild), a song that has traversed national boundaries and has become a universal sad song in the Malay world, turning into a shorthand for melancholia that permeates this archipelago of nations. Another stunner is the melancholia-laden Kesunyian Jiwa (Silence of the Soul), an operatic tune so majestic that it could open any black and white Kurosawa film from the late 1940s.
The songs and the soulful vocal performance belong to Muhamad Mashabi, who despite the popularity of the songs he created is now largely forgotten, whose history was kept alive only in the neighborhood where he grew up in Central Jakarta. With only a short musical career and only nine recorded songs from almost 40 compositions, Mashabi fell by the wayside in the early 1970s, especially with the rise of pop and rock from bands like Koes Plus, Panbers and God Bless. Yet his songs, inspired by Malay traditional songs but performed in the modern studio setting, lay the foundations for what would become the biggest musical genre in the country, dangdut, especially the kind that was popularized by the self-styled king of the genre, Rhoma Irama.
TRACKLIST
A1. Kesunyian Jiwa (Emptiness of Soul) A2. Untuk Bungamu (For Your Flower) A3. Harapan Hampa (Empty Hope) A4. Ratapan Anak Tiri (Wailing of Adopted Child) A5. Djangan Menggoda (Don’t Tease) A6. Hilang Tak Berkesan (Gone Without A Trace) A7. Pantun Nasehat (Words of Wisdom) B1. Renungkanlah (Think About It) B2. Penggoda Djiwa (Seducer of Soul) B3. Peristiwa Lama (Past Incidence) B4. Tudjuan Bersama (Common Goal) B5. Djangan Mengharap (Don’t Hold Out Hope) B6. Pesta Tjahaja (Party of Light) B7. Seloka Gembira (Poetry of Joy)
Elevation will release Kafilah Nights: Malay-Arabic Variations From 1960s Indonesia on November 24, 2023
Robert Hood‘s techno and Femi Kuti‘s Afrobeat intertwine in a new form where jazz-grooves reign supreme. For the fourth season of La Compagnie des Indes & Sourdoreille Variations live series of creations for France TV, the duo were united around the singer and producer James Brown, performing a tribute to the legendary Godfather of Soul who passed away in 2006. This Variations album is the live recording of this unique collaboration and performance, capturing a very special moment in time.
The evening witnessed a meeting of two icons in their own genres: one with synths and drum machines, the other on saxophone: Robert Hood and Femi Kuti embody excellence in their respective fields and the pair combined to make something truly unique, soulful, funky and spontaneous. Recorded in one 30+ minute take, Variations is embellished by Femi’s exquisitely free-flowing yet restrained saxophone, whilst Hood anchors the groove with layers of pads and kicks with the long-time mastery of a true DJ.
Alongside Jeff Mills and Mad Mike, Hood is one of the original members of Detroit techno group Underground Resistance. His style is characterised by minimalist and experimental tones with an assertive groove. Throughout the ’90s, he helped pave the way for techno to flourish – giving birth to minimal techno with his seminal album Minimal Nation. Since then, he has been consistently forwarding electronic music culture with ground-breaking productions, sensational performances and his M-Plant label.
Alongside him, Femi Kuti takes on every musical style with his saxophone, which he plays with a virtuoso touch: pop, soul, electronic music and Afrobeat, of which he is one of the leading exponents. The son of Afrobeat singer and political activist Fela Kuti, he has inherited his father’s zeal for both music and activism, where he continues to highlight the plight of most Nigerians living conditions in the oil rich state.
With Variations the duo capture an explosive combination on a special night in Paris 4 years ago, 27th November 2019, filmed at the ADP Group headquarters (Paris Aéroport – Charles de Gaulle (CDG) – Roissy).
TRACK LISTING
A. Robert Hood & Femi Kuti – Variations (Side A – 18min 54sec) B. Robert Hood & Femi Kuti – Variations (Side B – 15min 43sec)
Closely following a busy 2023, GiGi FM announces her brand-new record label, offering Kiwi Synthesis Diary Vol. 2 to mark the debut. Sea~rène takes aim at dreamlike and ethereal electronic music to reconnect the subconscious and the cosmos through immersive storytelling. As the identity quote of the label says itself “We are Sea~rène swimming in-between supernatural tides, forever following the emotional waves of the universe”.
Already quite accomplished in her milieu through an acclaimed release on Bambounou’s Bambelabel, where she explored the relationship between bodily technologies and music, as well as through her residency on NTS Radio where she explores inter-dimensional sounds and shares her own musical palette, GiGi also continues to perform at strings of performances in the past years in settings like Berghain, Rural Japan, Draaimolen, Fabric, De School, Primavera, The Bunker New York, and Sustain Release.
The French/Italian artist takes her productions further with this first release of her imprint. A continuation of her first self-released project, Kiwi Synthesis Diary 21k, in 2021, GiGi FM celebrates the exchange between her, as the owner of the journal, and its reader through euphoric soundscapes and vibrant psychedelia. Taking a step back from lockdown introspections, blurred lines between dream and reality like ambient and drony atmospheres, GiGi gives us a bent club record full of colors and life.
GiGi FM guides us through dreams of sonic environments and the adventures to be had through them. Some are characterized by evolving fractals and shifting landscapes like in the healing mushroom journey of Amadamushies and the mythical Japanese Heron Tsuru. Combining steady rhythm and immersive ambiances, the result intends to soothe into a state of openness through kindly familiar territories. Sifting through the tracks, we find ourselves traveling fast through cosmic ecosystems like in the spiritual and cosmic teaching that Tevora‘ represents, as well as Househopping (Keroppi) and Sly Xupete Di Barcelona, conveying the urgency to feel and create, even within difficult circumstances, while Spazio Teletrasporto takes us on a hypnotic whirlwind trip into the depths of the cosmos and our inner consciousness. Through these chapters of a journey, a connection between the mind and the beyond is implied, and its importance is highlighted.
Deeply influenced by astrology, philosophy, and the cosmos; for GiGi, music is both a tool for expression and introspection. As a multi-hyphenate artist, she continues on her quest to push artistic boundaries and hold space for unique audience experiences. Whatever medium she may adopt, the result is a rich embodiment of the interconnectedness of sound, color, movement, and metaphysics.
TRACKLIST
A1. Amadamushies A2. Tevora A3. Sly Xupete Di Barcelona B1. Spazio Teletrasporto B2. Househopping (Keroppi) Digital Bonus. Tsuru
Created over the span of two years, Balance 32 marks a creative high point in the career of Madrid-based artist Henry Saiz, and this marks his third appearance for the hallowed compilation series. Spread over an expansive three discs, it has given him the space to curate a truly stunning odyssey of creative expression-one influenced by everything from AI to his recent ADHD diagnosis.
As ever, he has gone above and beyond to ensure that the mix is crammed full of exclusive, unreleased material—nearly 75% of the music included—both from himself and many of his favourite producers and collaborators, from unknowns through to household names like Röyksopp.
“Since I’ve done two Balance compilations already, I didn’t want to repeat myself” he says. “My first, Balance 19, was very important for my career and I knew people would be comparing it with this new one, so I put a lot of effort into it to make it more attractive and to be able to gain more control in the final product sound-wise.” – Henry Saiz
Created in Ableton, which he uses for his DJ sets due to its unlimited creative functionality and precision (“I get bored easily with CDJs”), the mix makes great use of many effects, layerings, and production techniques to enhance the beautiful sounds that lie within.
Part 1 takes a freestyle approach to find a sweet spot between home listening and club warm-up vibes, all woven together through a narrative about the connection between the past, the future, the reinterpretation of old concepts, and AI.
Part 2 leans towards the sounds of Henry Saiz in club mode, beginning with the warm blanket of sumptuous Milio’s Dew, building gradually and flitting between the deep and the soaring. From lush progressive house to the heavenly breaks ofBrassica’s epic Celestial Suspension through some truly staggering new psychedelically tinged material from Saiz, it’s a mix packed with magical melody. The disc crescendos with the shimmering riffs of Henry Saiz & Imalgi’s Kickboxer, where synths are made to weep digital tears, and the stunning liquid breaks and heartfelt vocals of Moonlight Wolves All I Need (Third Son Remix). As ever, all is not what it seems in his sets, with heavy editing making these truly unique versions.
The final chapter of this sprawling compilation explores the increasing tempos of the current era, expanding Saiz’s DNA into new territory while maintaining all the classy elements of his sound.
A deep and spacey feel early on with plenty of dubby touches gives way to meatier sounds, psychedelic tones woven into the heavier rhythms as the tempos gradually creep upwards and elements of trance abound through a flurry of Saiz exclusives. A grandstand finish is guaranteed by way of his incredible chugging-based rework of Moonlight Wolves’ Mantra, the light dreamy beauty of Henry Saiz & Somfay’s To Steal a Star from The Night and the intense synth overload of H. Haze’s La Fuerza. A perfect end to a truly remarkable body of work.
TRACKLIST
CD1
Hal Incandenza – I Know What You Are
Henry Saiz – Black Earth
Efferent & Henry Saiz – All That Was Will Forever Be
Henry Saiz x RQS feat. Eloy – Tropical Mirage
True ZeroX – Full Moon Summer
Guillermo Medín & Henry Saiz – In Jeopardy
Hal Incandenza – El Loco Soy Yo
Robert Feltman – About Gravity
R.I.P Bestia – Ancient Subatomic Voyage (Henry Saiz GOA Remix)
Romina (ARG) – Les Chants des Baleines (Henry Saiz Remix)
Karmon – Continuum
Röyksopp – This Time, This Place (Henry Saiz Downtempo Egodeath Version)
Genius of Time – Sunswell (Henry Saiz’s Cuban Acid Trip Remix)
CD2
Milio – Dew
Bostro Pesopeo – Duschen
Wil Mancia & Henry Saiz – Hidden Valley
Henry Saiz – Entre Dos Mundos
Brassica – Celestial Suspension
Eden Burns – Free Your Mind
Rollin & Josh Wetherington – Acid Glance
Frømme – Stairway to Heaven (Henry Saiz Balance Version)
Hal Incandenza – Incivitas (Henry Saiz Balance Version)
Henry Saiz – DMT (Guy J Remix)
Marshall White & Henry Saiz – Stargazer
Miss Melera – Jade
Damabiah & Henry Saiz – Selene
Gonzalo Aranda – Prometheus (Balance Version)
Space Dimension Controller – End Times Optimist
Henry Saiz & Imalgi – Kickboxer
Moonlight Wolves – All I Need (Third Son Remix)
CD3
Big Zen – Buoyant Beat
Wa Wu We – What’s Left?
NVSBL – Purple Dawn
Kris Omen – Nebula (Henry Saiz Balance Version)
Voiski – Hazy Suns
Aurora Halal – Eternal Blue (Wata Igarashi Crossing Remix)
Adwer – Squelch.3
Henry Saiz – Mindtrap
Polygonia – Implosion of the Known (Henry Saiz Remix)
NorB & juSt b – At This Moment (Henry Saiz Remix)
NVSBL – The Drive
Planetary Assault Systems – Eden Tide (Barker Remix)
Moonlight Wolves – Mantra (Henry Saiz Remix)
Somfay & Henry Saiz – To Steal a Star from The Night
H. Haze – La Fuerza
VINYL 1
A1. Hal Incandenza – I Know What You Are A2. Guillermo Medín & Henry Saiz – In Jeopardy A3. Robert Feltman – About Gravity A4. Karmon – Continuum B1. Royksopp – This Time, This Place (Henry Saiz Downtempo Egodeath Version) B2. Genius of Time – Sungswell (Henry Saiz’s Cuban Acid Trip Remix)
VINYL 2
C1. Milio – Dew C2. Henry Saiz – Entre Dos Mundos C3. Brassica – Celestial Suspension D1. Marshall White & Henry Saiz – Stargazer D2. Henry Saiz & Imalgi – Kickboxer D3. Moonlight Wolves – All I Need (Third Son Remix)
VINYL 3
E1. NVSBL – Purple Dawn E2. Henry Saiz – Mindtrap E3. Polygonia – Implosion of the Known (Henry Saiz Remix) F1. Moonlight Wolves – Mantra (Henry Saiz Remix) F2. Somfay & Henry Saiz – To Steal a Star From the Night F3. H. Haze – La Fuerza
