Formed in Canada, by two music producers (David Rancourt-vocals, Antoine Rochette-synths/bass), the band released their first EP titled “One Lands” in 2017. While it was a completely independent release, it was able to garner some local buzz for the band as well as a sold out release show at the PHI Centre in Montreal that August. This year they signed to UK based label Pond Life (created by the founder of Talk Talk) and with the current world situation found Rancourt directly addressing his grief as a temporary location from which one is held within and longing to break free from. “I was struggling to get out of the stages of grief and depression,” he states. “I envisioned Melancholia as this physical place that’s sucking you in. Melodically, we were writing it as a ‘60s pop song. I like the contrast between the poppiness of the melody and the mood I was in.”

 ‘A MAGIC WORLD’ 
IS AVAILABLE TO STREAM / PURCHASE HERE

KAS:ST – ‘A MAGIC WORLD’
AFTERLIFE RECORDINGS
OUT NOW

Parisian live act, production duo and DJ outfit KAS:ST today release their anticipated second album, ‘A MAGIC WORLD’ via Afterlife Recordings. Originally announced last month with the first single and accompanying music video for ‘VTOPIA’, ‘A MAGIC WORLD’ is now available to stream and purchase.

Like a vast proportion of like-minded artists from varying fields, close friends and intrinsically synced creatives Carol and Manuel, better known as KAS:ST, have taken advantage of global confinement to push the limits of their musical output. Behind closed doors and simmered over the course of 6 months, it was here that the journey for their new studio album began to take form. With a natural desire to explore, develop and broaden the musical silhouettes which KAS:ST have become championed for, the inaugural taster of ‘A MAGIC WORLD’ arrived last month in a highly visual. Swiftly amassing over 400K views, ‘VTOPIA’ is the self-directed, cinematic video and KAS:ST’s strikingly violent metaphorical commentary on the current age. Filmed between Paris and Barcelona, ‘VTOPIA’ is centred around a dark reality which intertwines with modern society. A continuation from the 2019 video ‘HELL ON EARTH’ (3.7M plays), ‘VTOPIA’ follows the narrative of two main protagonists who only have their dreams to escape and received early media support from Mixmag, DJ Mag, Faze and more:

WATCH KAS:ST – ‘VTOPIA’ HERE

An exploration of ambient electronic sounds, techno, rap, classical music and pop, KAS:ST welcome for the first time a host of multi-genre vocalists across the album’s 15 tracks including Hi Levelz, Brume, Hansom Eli and Be No Rain. A vision which moves towards a sound reminiscent of a darker musical tone of the likes of Four Tet, Bicep, James Blake and Floating Points, KAS:ST are no strangers to collaborating with seminal names from within the underground electronic scene including Tale Of Us, Kerri Chandler and many more. Challenging themselves to innovate and elevate from the realms of techno which they believe not to be evolving, ‘A MAGIC WORLD’ is in KAS:ST’s sense, a tribute to differences and diversity across both life and music.

“Our new album is a much broader, artistic exploration for us and one which we feel demonstrates our many different musical influences. ‘A MAGIC WORLD’ is our vehicle to showcase a blend of electronic, rap, pop and classical influences, all whilst remaining true to the sounds of techno” – KAS:ST

Whether it be productions via their own label Flyance Records or remarkably performed live and DJ sets, KAS:ST have consistently crafted an atypical and avant-garde blend of electronic music. With an impressive and famed discography which was first marked by 2016’s double EP ‘Dysphoria I Euphoria’, since then, each track released is a journey fusing together dark and melancholic emotions without ever losing touch of the clubbing aspect of techno. Following releases across renowned labels including Afterlife Recordings, Concrete Music and Materia, it was 2019 which saw the introduction of KAS:ST’s debut LP, ‘Road To Nowhere’. The album captured and synthesized the duo’s vast creative range, touching upon industrial techno, drum and bass, trap and symphonic tracks – A milestone in the ever-evolving story of one of electronic music’s most intriguing acts, ‘Road To Nowhere’ was extremely well received – streamed over 14 million times in the opening months.

The first full EP on Tale Of Us’ Afterlife Recordings followed in December 2019, which continued to showcase KAS:ST’s undeniable momentum in becoming a new musical discovery outlet for both industry heads and fans alike. ‘Hold Me To The Light’, one of the flagship tracks of the EP, once again emphasized the duo’s will to re-write techno formula by collaborating with the London based singer, Be No Rain. Tale Of Us themselves remixed the track and in turn, became one of the anthems of the Afterlife Recordings label during 2019.
As profile, industry respect and fanbase continued to build, it was perhaps an unexpected yet expectational collaboration with house music pioneer Kerri Chandler, which made the Parisian act one of the new decade’s unquestionably unignorable forces in electronic music.

Continuing their cross over from the underground, KAS:ST have a string of new releases scheduled for 2021, including recently releasing an official remix of Moby’s ‘Too Much Change’. No strangers to gracing the stages of the world’s most sought-after clubs and festivals including Berghain – Panaroma, KAS:ST are currently in the process of developing a new live show – Set to marry state of the art audio and video technology with the more traditionally focused implementation of live vocalists and instruments.

Tracklist:

1. The Gate
2. A Magic World
3. VTOPIA
4. Mirrors (ft Brume)
5. Our Last Dance (ft Hansom Eli)
6. Letters (ft Brume)
7. Who’s To Say What’s Real (ft Hansom Eli)
8. Siren (ft Be No Rain)
9. Earth On Hell
10. Blood In Your Eyes
11. 75ZOO
12. Hope I’m Alone (ft Hi Levelz)
13. Never Look Away (ft Brume)
14. You Thought It Was The End
15. Outomorrow

 
KAS:ST’S ‘A MAGIC WORLD’ is out now via Afterlife Recordings

Connect with KAS:ST

STREAM HERE

KURTIS MANTRONIX – ‘GOOD WOMAN’
(FEAT. PHEBE EDWARDS)
LABEL: KING OF THE BEATS
OUT NOW

Kurtis Mantronix the Jamaica-born, New York-raised Hip Hop and Electronic Music pioneer brings us the second release on his newly formed own label King Of The Beats. Dropping ‘Good Woman’ a 4 track E.P. delivering a fresh dose of authentic Trap and Disco House flavours.

Kurtis was responsible for some of the sickest beats in popular music during the late 80s as part of electro-funk duo Mantronix. Having dropped arguably his biggest hit, the genre-smashing ‘Got to Have Your Love’(1989), setting the standard and getting him a UK top 5.

He now releases ‘Good Woman’, an E.P that pays respect and gives homage to ‘all the women of this world’.  Kurtis keeps true to his house and Hip Hop roots and brings in contemporary influences from both genres to the mix. Featuring the raw soulful power of London based vocalist Phebe Edwards.

Containing an authentic Trap Mix, low slung, stripped-down, beautifully produced, and featuring Phoebe’s vocal which does the heavy lifting.  In addition to a Salsoul Mix, House music at its very best and ripe for the dancefloor. Created as a tribute to the influential Salsoul label, a label that pioneered Disco Soul and House through the decades.

Kurtis continues to be a key figure in music in addition to greatly influencing the early development of hip hop and electro-funk. Seen by many as an artist that laid the foundations for such explosive subgenres as Miami Bass and Trap. It was the development of the latter during the late 00’s EDM movement that took its cue from Kurtis, where he blurred the lines between Electronic Dance and Hip Hop. Unconsciously spurring a movement that captured the imaginations of the world’s youth and was set to become one of the USA’s most prevalent sounds.

Kurtis Mantronix Good Woman (feat. Phebe Edwards) Out Now

Connect with Kurtis Mantronix

Out Now: https://ffm.to/erikbuschmann-1v1

Following the critically acclaimed release of his stunning inaugural single ‘All Related’ back in August, Amsterdam based ambient-electronic artist and multi instrumentalist Erik Buschmann now looks to see off 2020 in emphatic fashion, as he announces the imminent release of his formidable EP debut, ‘1v1’.

Out now via esteemed Dutch imprint Reflektor Records, Erik’s musicianship and boundless creativity shines across the entirety of the long player, as he combines vivid orchestral arrangements with modern electronica and state-of-the-art production techniques to deliver a deeply reflective and emotive EP to close out the year.

Setting the tone with the juxtaposed euphoric melancholy of the opening track ‘Absence’, Erik takes the listener on a hypnotic journey across his refined sonic palate, adding a uniquely modern twist to his classical upbringing each step of the way. Taking things down a level with ‘I Nv U’, the Dutch talent floats between arpeggiated synthesisers, stark piano stabs and deep sub-bass, offering a uniquely complex work, mitigated by ambient samples and a gentle underlying timbre.

Cultivating a theme of self-expression and deep introspection across the release, ‘Yoko’ sees Erik explore his most leftfield narrative for the penultimate track of the four-part player, before developing the counter-posed, polyphony of luscious strings and neo-classical instrumentation on ‘Silence’ to close out a truly remarkable debut EP on one of the most exciting young labels in electronic music.

Speaking about the upcoming EP, Erik commented:

“1v1 displays a texture-based musical experience with influences ranging from Jon Hopkins and Floating Points to the more organic sounds of Nils Frahm and Bonobo. The tracks were conceived around a year ago when I was experimenting with classical influences and instruments. Over time, this developed into an electronic-ambient sound made primarily with synthesizers and drum machines combined with violin and guitars. The title ‘1v1’ stands for the flow in the creative process, as well as the internal conflicts and inner struggles that can occur when creating new music”. 

Almost a year in the pipeline, 1v1 has found its shape in a time where there was a lot of inner struggle during the process of writing the EP – a time replete with self-awareness and, at times, a degree of negativity experienced by Erik. Translating these feelings into an environment for the listener, Erik Buschmann now makes this debut a sonic landscape that demonstrates a way to find inner peace during tough times.

Erik Buschmann – 1v1 is out now via Reflektor Records.

Tracklist:

1. Absence
2. I Nv U
3. Yoko
4. Silence

Artist: Erik Buschmann

Title: 1v1

Release Date: December 11, 2020

Format: Digital

Out Now: https://ffm.to/erikbuschmann-1v1

Reflektor Records:

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SOSURE MUSIC
RIOLEVAL – ‘THE BEGINNING’ EP
RELEASE DATE: 11TH DECEMBER

From residencies in Cambridge (UK) to Perth (Australia), DJ and producer Rioleval has been delicately honing his skills in a club setting for many years. Learning his craft and detailing the nuances whilst educating himself on how to control a crowd, across a multitude of genres and styles. Armed with that knowledge, he now takes his first steps into music production. Fusing together a range of influences from funk, soul and jazz with a classic house sensibility, he proudly presents his aptly named debut EP, ‘The Beginning’ which is available now through SoSure Music.

Over a number of years, Cambridge based Rioleval has worked his way through the underground electronic DJ scene; touting a diverse style that encompasses a wide range of genres and influences. From Disco edits and Deep House, through Garage and Minimal Edge to Liquid Funk & Hip-Hop, his sets are packed with electronic surprises with reference to the old and new. This unique and varied style has taken him across the world playing festivals such as Meadows In The Mountains (Bulgaria), the now defunct Secret Garden Party (UK), We Out Here Festival (UK) as well as promoting a series of parties in Perth (Australia)

Initially inspired by the 90’s club scene, Rioleval naturally explored the evolution and history of dance music, with the classic house sound clearly represented on his debut production for SoSure Music. Since those early days, Rioleval has been able to immerse himself in the growing genres and scenes that have since developed, taking influence and inspiration from a wide range of artists and musicians.

Influences and experiences are often what shapes an artist’s output and Rioleval is no different, ‘The Beginning’ as an EP is a product of his time spent spinning in the booths of clubs across the world and his melting pot of diverse musical influences. ‘Concept Phunk’ and title track ‘The Beginning’ are both steeped in influences but keep a key focus on the dancefloor; two great records packed with funk and soul elements, woven together around driving house basslines.

Rioleval’s ‘The Beginning’ EP Is Available Now via SoSure Music.

Connect with Rioleval

‘Monday Morning’, the 2nd single off upcoming 4th LP “Breakdown” from Toronto based rock n roll band Mad Ones, is a feel good song about feeling good… and other life altering events. Hear the band push and pull over the universally joyous I-IV-V chord progression and hail, hail rock n roll!

https://www.facebook.com/MadOnesBand/