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12"
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MSK 014EP
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$18.00
PREORDER
RELEASE DATE: 7/4/2025
Berlin's ZentaSkai continues his slew of limited-run 200-copy vinyl releases via his Mask Records, presenting the JIMMY EP, and following up 2024's Bob EP and two instalments from his Cuddling Monsters project with Laura Merino Allue. Across the four tracks on JIMMY, ZentaSkai delves deep, placing mysterious, foreboding synths over crunchy taped drums and exploring a variety of tempos. Dub influences are rife, its elements echoing across carefully laid-out techno grooves while minimal shifts subtly build the energy. With JIMMY, ZentaSkai once again offers a journey through sound already supported by Luke Slater, Blasha & Allatt, Truncate, Elisa Bee, and many more. ZentaSkai (aka No Mad Ronin, Matt Nowak, and MASK) is a German DJ and producer active since 1997. Based out of his studio in Berlin, ZentaSkai runs the Zaijenroots label and, since 2017, the Mask sub-label, which houses his stunning 2023 Architecture of the Mind LP as well as his Cuddling Monsters alias -- with other credits including a release on Jerome Sydenham's Ibadan Records and support from the likes of Richie Hawtin, Joseph Capriati, Marcel Dettmann, Luke Slater, Laurant Garnier, DVS1, Ben Sims, and Radio Slave.
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12"
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MSK 012EP
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Following a ten-part series of unannounced artist records and a spectacular high-concept album on Mask Records, label head ZentaSkai returns to the imprint for his next solo vinyl-only release, Bob. The A1 sees the Berlin-based ZentaSkai combine a dusty, taped white noise feel with subtle, swirling dub chords as its high-end propels the track forward. It's a stunning and evocative piece before the A2 continues with minimal drums and electric acid bleeps, a smooth organ lead completing its gorgeous soundscape. On the B-side of the Bob EP, ZentaSkai joins forces with long-time collaborator Sebastian Klenk. It follows their "Apeiron" track on ZentaSkai's 2023 Architecture Of The Mind LP, among other joint work, and sees them deliver a near-twelve-minute track that is a true masterpiece. The track takes listeners through found-sound texture samples, intricate drum patterns, crunchy breakbeats, and more beautiful dub melodics. Bob is another fantastic listening experience on Mask Records, already supported by Satoshi Tomiie, Raresh, and Laurent Garnier.
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3LP
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MSKLP 001LP
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ZentaSkai unveils stunning, high-concept house album on Mask Records. ZentaSkai undertook a period of research into the underlying structure and organization of the human brain before writing The Architecture Of The Mind. The Berlin-based artist then took what had been learned and kept it in mind when writing the music that marks Mask's first album release. It comes with extensive background notes on each track, and an operational manual of sorts -- notes from the artists as to the effects each piece will have on those who hear them. The gorgeous "Mind Mapping" opens up with deep and dubby drums and lush harmonies that soothe you to your core, "030" then has more raw, heavy drums with many layers of glowing synths, glassy melodies and organic found sounds. "Fügun" keeps the deep and introspective moods coming before the crisp tech of "Flow Dreaming" ups the ante with more drive and layers of vocal whispers, hi-hats and smeared dub chords. Elsewhere the likes of "Quiet Reflection" lean into the groove with swirling pads and one-word vocal sounds drifting through the air over propulsive drum loops, and "Boiling Range" suspends you in deft synth loops amongst the stars over a prickly house beat. The superb synth craft and well-designed grooves continue through the dusty deep house of "Karl-Marx-Allee" and minimal dub of "Dynamic System" before the elegant melodic techno of "Apeiron" and dreamy synthscapes of "Parallel 30" close the album in a reflective fashion. This is a deeply evocative album with a fully realized concept that is as thought-provoking as it is immersive. Also featuring Laura Merino, Jeremy Reinhard, Palawan, Sebastian Klenk, Apoena, and Yucuma.
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