Calm
Before - いままでのむこうがわ - = Up Until Now

Ripping its way through the space-time continuum, Tel-Aviv based producers Asphalt DJ and Gzardin surface on Oddysee for the release of their anticipated debut outing, ‘Now & Zen’. The 4-track opening salvo embarks on a transcendental trip of deep and propulsive club bouncers. With the cuts firmly landing on the intersection of the 90s spectrum and fresh-minded sound design, the package offers a clear view of where the two newcomers are headed, as well as the Oddysee label.

XK025 sees a fresh label debut in the form of Cloudsteppers - a collaboration between Toronto based artists Ciel and Dan Only. Born out of an impromptu jam session at Dan Only's NDG 208 Studio in late 2019, the pair quickly hit it off. Ciel brought her trusty Korg ESX-1 sampler, and alongside Dan Only's arsenal of vintage synths and samplers, they quickly wrote the first two cuts of what would eventually turn into the first Cloudsteppers EP. After getting great feedback from playing them on tour and sharing with friends, the pair wrote the last two cuts when lockdown restrictions loosened during the summer of 2020.Both artists are instinctively melodically-inclined producers, so for this release they tried to focus more of their attention on the drums and fx, while limiting the amount of melodic parts in each track. Working within those parameters resulted in what is now their debut EP.Title track, “The Limit”, is a huge undulating cut of 160bpm energy - it shimmies effortlessly between skittish jungle, breakbeat and techno rhythms, centred around a tripped out sample of Manchester’s finest physicist, Brian Cox. “Slinky Bork” brings a distinctly UK Tech House flavour reminiscent of Housey Doingz, Get Fucked and others of the Wiggle/Euka House era - underpinned by a solid 4x4, subtle rhythms and spacey atmospherics abound.On the flip, “Diva Loops”goes in hard with a pounding kick, warbling bass and some massive clattering drums before breaking out into a playful melodic refrain. Closing things out, “Trigger Happy” is another functional 4x4 club cut full of skippy tech styles and punchy rhythms. A dreamy melody floats along into a tension building crescendo, complete with massive reese-ish bassline. Big!

Presenting an exploration of transcendental electro and techno. Ascendi showcases Nali's typically textured sound with each track conjuring a different cosmic theme.“With special thanks to the Sydney Street Boys."creditsreleased March 27, 2018

Never focussed on one sound (or indeed one location) the imprint has put out a wide gamut of sounds, ranging from R&B by Australian producer Silentjay (Sampa the Great/ Hiatus Kaiyote) to the neo- soul incantations of 30/70 via the retro Street-Soul productions of Manchester's Ruf Dug.While the labels wide ranging catalogue has had occasional run-ins with established musical heavyweights: be it Jordan Rakei in his Dan Kye guise, King Krule on production and vocals for Pinty, or Harvey Sutherland masquerading as Bad Channel on the INTL BLACK sub label - the raison d’être of the imprint has always been to unearth and nurture new talent, not just via the label but through the now established network of radio shows, concerts and club nights Rhythm Section has become known for.The compilation and accompanying tour, ‘SHOUTS’ is a continuation of this mission. Across 36 tracks it takes in past, present and most importantly, future elements of the label to make a clear statement of intent for the next 5 years and beyond.SHOUTS is a nod to the online radio culture that birthed the movement. SHOUTS is the label using its voice to amplify its peers. SHOUTS is 5 years of Rhythm Section International.