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DTW 077LP
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Hot off a string of records released on Coloring Lessons, Bliss Point, People Of Earth, and Off Track Recordings, Malik Hendricks returns to Darker Than Wax with Tessera -- a fresh twelve of dancefloor cuts tinged with broken rhythms and funk-infused melodies. No stranger to the label, Malik had contributed a track on 2020's Bodyclock Vol.1, and Darker Than Wax is pleased to share this solo offering, backed with a remix by the hotly-tipped James Bangura. Recorded in Brooklyn in 2020 and 2021, Tessera marks a shift in the American-born, Lisbon-based producer's sonic journey. Normally a sample-focused producer, Malik's ongoing collaborations with musicians John Barera and John Silas impacted the artist's sound with their funky, improvisational approach and pushed him to explore his own musicality in a deeper way. The result is Tessera, four cuts of organic, modern dance music traversing shades of Midwest funk and techno, and signifying a new chapter in Malik's craft. Diving into the record, first single "Switchback" goes in heavy with an electro-fused flavor, pairing smooth chords with raw drums. "Fiyahverkx" is an 808-heavy broken techno heater, while "The Money Dance" invokes daytime house vibes with a chunky analogue bassline and funky synth lines throughout. "Totem" channels a rolling, percussive atmosphere, flipped by James Bangura into a driving late-night floor filler. The future looks bright for Malik Hendricks as he jumps from strength to strength, and we are elated to provide a home to this record that marks an evolution in the artist's sound.
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DTW 075LP
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Dark, evocative beats engulfed by bold raw vocals: this is Totek, the genre-defying electronic project of Allysha Joy and Max Dowling. In their own right, Allysha and Max both lay claim to an extensive musical prowess: the former as a member of the internationally-acclaimed nu-soul outfit 30/70 and her equally revered solo project, the latter as a prolific producer, performer and collaborator (Client Liaison, NO ZU, Parvyn, and countless others). Born out of burn out and edging frustration for the pace and complication of life at times, this collaboration came together almost immediately. Totek found itself in the dark edges, wanting to punch a little harder and move through it all quickly, boldly, unafraid in relief. The chemistry held between Max and Allysha found songs written in mere moments that expressed something new that neither artist had been able to access alone. On face value, the six tracks on ttk.1 could feel musically divergent: representing different idioms, different tempos and different themes. Yet they are unified on a more holistic level through their energy, ethos and character. Totek prefers to view music in this way: what is the overall experience of a record? Pushing boundaries and eschewing conventions has been organically at the heart of Totek from the beginning. The process of crafting a record was no different: the artists intended to create a work that is characterful and unpredictable yet unified by a throughline of potency and intensity. Totek represents a masterful coming-together of influences: a blend of multiple electronic idioms with a unique soul sensibility; channeled through two creatively potent individuals. While their music conjures shades of Dorian Concept, Jana Rush, and Flying Lotus, ultimately their sound is eclectic, elusive and unique. For fans of Allysha Joy, 30/70, Flying Lotus, Saul, Joearmon-Jones.
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DTW 074LP
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UNOS, a Belgian artist with roots in the Philippines, has long been a part of the Darker Than Wax family, repping the label in Europe and beyond for a number of years through her parties and DJ sets. As she begins to put her unique productions out into the world, we are pleased to give her first release a home on the label. Borrowing its title from the exuberant Filipino dining tradition, UNOS' debut EP Boodle Fight highlights her sincere love for communities forged through club culture. The release was conceptualized during her first Asia tour through Singapore, Bangkok, and Manila in 2019, where the artist became acutely aware of the crucial role that community plays in sustaining a culture. Shortly after these foundational travels, the pandemic threatened the lifeblood of this culture, prompting her to draw on her feelings from the tour to maintain hope. With the release of the EP, UNOS revels in the return of togetherness to club culture after the pandemic -- just like a musical boodle fight. Boodle Fight ties together this celebration of community with a number of other influences and experiences in the artist's life. The first single "Angermanagement" is a ballroom-inspired roller, focusing on contemporary voguing culture's ability to translate anger into queer empowerment. "Powerslide" is a piano-driven house cut that attempts to capture the energy of a legendary Darker Than Wax block party in Singapore in 2019, while the frenetic pace of "Headlock" evokes imagery of a crowded club scene that the artist sorely missed in 2020. True to the spirit of a boodle fight, the bright chords and bouncy rhythms on "Flavourtown" imagine the best aspects of an inclusive space where diversity is celebrated like a buffet. Closing out the record, "Loveletter to Summer" reflects on the tropical warmth of her roots in the Philippines. Boodle Fight manages to pack in quite a few themes and inspirations, while still maintaining a polished consistency from front to back, and announces UNOS as a producer to watch.
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DTW 072LP
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New York City's tape_hiss makes his debut on Darker Than Wax with A Linear Progression, a deep and meditative dance record born out of the pandemic's paradigm shift. tape_hiss is an accomplished producer by any measure, with early releases on Love Notes from Brooklyn making his hardware-driven sound known worldwide, and a string of follow up releases on Axe on Wax, Just Jack, Lost Palms, and Echocentric Records, solidifying his reputation as one of the deepest in the game. With A Linear Progression, the artist has approached his craft from new angles with stunning results. While tape_hiss's previous work had all found its genesis in a kitted-out studio, driven by melodies and chord progressions, the tracks making up A Linear Progression were all built around one tool: the MPC 1000. On weekend trips out of the city to visit family during 2020, the producer would bring only his MPC and put together these tunes, finding inspiration in its limitations and delving deep into '90s sampling techniques. After getting back to the studio, he would record what was created -- sometimes nearly fully formed tracks, and other times core ideas to expand upon. The cumulation of this process was an entirely new take on the tape_hiss sound -- dubby, euphoric, and exploring a wide range of tempos and beat patterns. First single "W 4th Street [ACE]" exemplifies this -- a spacey roller that's not a club track, but would work equally well in that environment. Other standouts include "Energy Transfer" with its heavily '90s-inspired electro-not-electro vibe, and the genre-less "Heartbreaking", constantly moving its momentum upward, yet remaining an introspective cut. More of a mixtape than a club 12", A Linear Progression marks a step forward in the producer's musical growth. For fans of: Space Ghost, Laza, Rudolf C, Chaos In The CDB.
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DTW 070LP
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Introducing Guohan to the Darker Than Wax family. Originally a native of Ningbo, China, Guohan began shaping his sound in the emerging beat scene in southern China. Now based in Nottingham UK, the producer's unique influences and effortless style have solidified with his DTW label debut -- The City Of The Sun And Moon. Already an up-and-comer, Guohan's well-received 2021 debut LP Lost Sound Book has been supported by the likes of Charlie Bones, Esa, Toshio Matsuura, and Ninja Tune. Aside from co-founding Nottingham-based label Running Circle Records, Guohan also co-runs Meridian Sounds, an imprint from southern China pushing subliminal sounds from his motherland. The City Of The Sun And Moon reflects the mountains and liminal spaces from Guohan's dreams and memories, channeling a healing warmth inspired by people, cities, villages, and tales of his grandparents. Influenced by the musical vibrations in Nottingham, especially DIY and the late Pete Woosh, the six-tracker brings the listener along on an up-tempo odyssey, while retaining Guohan's signature hypnotic style. Incorporating hazy synths, percussive rhythms, and collected sound pieces, Guohan paints a vivid picture of his personal journey throughout the record. "Let It Rain" features Owen Campbell. For fans of: Toshio Matsuura, Emanative, Space Ghost, Kaidi Tatham.
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DTW 071LP
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"A+ record -- My first reaction was 'since when is Tamil making dance music, what can't he bloody do', I'm so here for it. 'Robert Street' and 'Burning So Hot' are simply future classics IMO." --CC:DISCO!
Born in the heartland of Melbourne suburb Fitzroy, Steady Weather (comprised of scene stalwarts Ben Grayson and Tamil Rogeon) bring to light organic dance music from Melbourne's rich neo-soul and jazz community. With a lineage that leads directly to the founding of groups like Australian funk royalty The Bamboos and orchestral beat music pioneers The Raah Project, Rogeon and Grayson not only bring that heritage to their music, they bring a philosophy of raw emotion and soulfulness to their productions. Tamil also plays strings for Harvey Sutherland's Bermuda, with the group's musical DNA echoing in Steady Weather's productions. The self-titled record features the gloriously meditative, raw soul vocals of Allysha Joy and Rita Satch. Allysha Joy's potent lyricism, unique musicianship and killer vocals have garnered legions of attentive fans the world over. She's an integral member of the Melbourne soul jazz scene, known as part of the acclaimed 30/70 collective and for her own equally revered solo work. A modern-day siren, Rita Satch is fast becoming an unforgettable presence in Australia's neo-soul movement. Steady Weather will be right at home on the most soulful of dancefloors. The record traverses through diverse musical territory and melds together a number of sounds, from the jazzy stomper "Burning So Hot" (to which CC:DISCO! provides her magic editing touch), to the boogie and disco-tinged funk of "CP3" and "Love Came Along", into the deeper shades of house music found on "Robert St". Though incorporating diverse influences, all the cuts are tied together with a consistently organic, hand-made, and earnest production style. Also features Kylie Auldist.
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DTW 069LP
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Known for crafting infectious rhythms infused with an otherworldly strangeness, UK-based producer Cain makes his debut on Darker Than Wax with Sarissa -- a seven-tracker driven by his signature percussive style. Written in his native highlands of Scotland and heavily influenced by the mountainous landscapes, Sarissa seeks to fuse together organic and synthetic sounds in unusual ways. True to his ethos of joining the dots between folk music from cultures around the world, the melodies and rhythms explored throughout are tied together by their timeless, ethereal quality. Interlocking rhythms lead the way as the skeleton in this music with cinematic harmonies woven in and out, leading the listener through dark valleys and emotional peaks. Each tune tells its own story and has a distinct feel from the next -- from the jilting rhythms and hazy rave feel of "Sarissa", the crawling basslines of "Gecko", and the ethereal lightness of "Marwa" to the harmonic weight of "Kuro". The seven cuts making up Sarissa are equally effective as dancefloor weapons, or as accompaniments on long foggy walks. For fans of: Anunaku, Auntie Flo, Clap! Clap!, DJ Plead.
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DTW 068LP
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Three years after his Darker Than Wax debut Futuro Tumbao, Kansado returns with a sequel that goes further to introduce fresh new takes on Latin soul. If Futuro Tumbao represented testing the waters of future Afro-Cuban music, Futuro Tumbao II is a full-on submersion and exploration into this fusion. Based in uptown New York City, Dominican-American producer Kansado is rooted in the hub of a flourishing Afro-Latin independent music scene. Kansado fuses the rhythms of the Caribbean and Latin soul with the left-field sensibilities of hip-hop, neo soul, and lo-fi to create a musical language all his own. "Futuro" is Spanish for future and "Tumbao" carries two meanings: one, the base rhythm found in Afro-Cuban music, and two, swagger. Standout tracks "Limber de Coco" and "Suave Como Va" quote the smooth progressions of Latin soul greats Poncho Sanchez and Tito Puente, all the while blurring the lines between the new and traditional -- Latin soul meets future funk. "El Neo Songo" and "Astral Yambú" offer a meditative space where the folkloric forms of songo and rumba blend seamlessly into neo soul and jazz. "Lala Guayaba" takes you to the heart of the Dominican Republic and lays wavy synths and guitars over a thumping side-chained tambora -- introducing a future beat sensibility to merengue. Futuro Tumbao II is both a love letter to the future of Afro-Latin music, as well as a strong statement about Kansado's growth as an artist. With a meticulous approach to songwriting and production, and a reverence for the artists and genres that have inspired him, Kansado has carved out a musical lane all his own.
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DTW 067LP
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Having played a key role within the fabric of the label since its inception, Singaporean label Darker Than Wax presents Distant Dancefloor, the debut album from original family member Kaye. Pondering the infamous Charles Mingus's quote "Anyone can make the simple complicated. Creativity is making the complicated simple." Kaye expertly crafts eight cuts of no-nonsense dancefloor heaters, pulling no punches as he channels his love of jazz chords and club shaking sounds into one cohesive and irresistible package. First single "Right For Me" dives head first into proceedings, with chopped vocals samples punctuating a driving rhythm section, punctuated by soaring synth strings. Second single "All I Need" sees icy synth stabs plunging into a deep sea of percussive sounds as captivating keys melody weaves itself through the track's roots. Sharing the stage are remixes by Jun Kamoda, Cain, and Ricky Razu, flipping the originals to almost unrecognizable beasts in their own right. The deeply swung drums, off-kilter chord progressions and astral textures of Distant Dancefloors meld together into a heady brew, intensifying the lament for lost moments of nocturnal transcendence, which have been notably missing since the pandemic. For fans of: Disclosure, Dam Swindle, Crackazat.
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DTW 066LP
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Following the release of their debut Bodyclock series in 2020, Singaporean label Darker Than Wax now unveils the second volume of the series, presenting the identity of the label's sprawling worldwide family. The first volume, a natural extension of the label's DNA, illustrated an attack of nocturnal club sounds, rooted in the culture curated by the pioneers of dancefloor music. Bodyclock Vol. 2 sees the new school of producers push the limits of musical self-discovery. Compiled by DTW label co-founder Dean Chew, Bodyclock Vol. 2 sees Darker Than Wax curating a cross-continental offering, highlighting the work of eight producers living around the world -- dipping into the respective scenes of Vancouver, Osaka and Tokyo, Cape Town, Vienna, Karachi, Amsterdam, and beyond. Bodyclock Vol. 2 takes listeners on a globally diverse and greatly vivid dance journey. Opening with Laza's "WTBWH" (the project's first single) -- the record's pace is quickly set, with intense, driving drum patterns and soulful reverberating keys. Throughout the project, acid laced tracks from label alumni Akio Nagase and newcomer Tollcrane meet left-field ethereal movements from B.Visible and Teo Mattress. Joined by RGL's '80s-esque sleazy sonics and UNOS's two-step drums and oscillating basslines. Bodyclock Vol. 2 is closed out by Tiro!'s "Charcuterie" -- which rolls gently through the ether, supplying ice-y keys and calming frequencies. Another essential slice of worldwide dancefloor action from the Darker Than Wax camp. A diverse compilation of deep dance sounds featuring a global array of artists from the likes of Japan, Pakistan, Belgium, Netherlands, and South Africa A celebration of dance culture and its resilience. From the boogie to the deep house to the broken beats, Bodyclock Vol. 2 continues to bring underrated artists to the fore. For fans of: Apron Records, X-Kalay, Lobstertheremin, Incensio, and Buttersessions.
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DTW 062EP
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Darker Than Wax's first release of 2021 brings you back to the world of UK dance music with Dampé -- the solo project of Joe Munday, a musician, producer and DJ from South London. Joe's foundation in dance music stems from becoming a regular on the floor at influential parties like FWD>> and You're A Melody. Dampé brings together these London sounds with worldwide influences and nuanced, ethereal production to create something entirely his own. With a string of releases on Berlin's Dirt Crew Records, and a monthly show on the venerable Rinse FM, Dampé has carved out a space for his sonic brand of introspective, deep UK dance music. Spurred by a chance meeting with the Darker Than Wax crew in London in 2018, an instant relationship between artist and label flourished through our shared sonic ethos. After numerous setbacks from the chaos of 2020, the label finally shares Dampé's label debut with the world: Oil. A polished, wide-ranging work in its own right, Oil runs the gamut from moments of lush, meditative sound design, to banging mutant-Bruk and flailing percussive dancefloor cuts. Kicking off with restless ambient excursion "Jawahar Park", into the deep, evolving dancefloor affair with title track "Oil", and rounding out with the shimmering slo-mo house of "Flora Waves", the first side of the record showcases Dampé's sonic range and his unique approach to forging new sounds. On the flip side, "Awning Slapper" is the EP's certified party starter led by distorted bass and accented with fleeting chords and percussion, while "Manzana" brings you on a rhythmic excursion built on saturated found sounds and some made-for-the-Adriatic. Includes Teo Mattress remix.
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DTW 065EP
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After establishing his name with a string of tightly produced '90s-style house bangers, Singaporean producer Halal Sol comes through with a deeper, diverse sound on his latest Darker Than Waxouting, Dijamin. Meaning "guaranteed" in Malay, Dijamin's title refers to the producer's promise that each track on the record is genuinely crafted out of love and passion, and signaling a step forward in musical depth and polish. This heavily considered approach is evident in the production style, with layers of simple and minimal sounds expertly woven together, creating a cohesive whole that far exceeds the sum of its parts. This ethos is also present in the cover artwork -- taking inspiration from motifs in medieval Islamic structures, simple shapes and layers are woven together to form a stunning kaleidoscope of faces. Dijamin was also built with variety in mind. Not wanting to be pigeon-holed as simply a classic house producer, the record showcases Halal Sol's diverse influences, spanning broken beat, acid, techno, jazz, and garage. The diversity of Dijamin is pushed further with offerings from fellow Singaporean remixers -- Bongomann delivers a euphoric breakbeat reimagining of "Rushin",and Darker Than Wax co-founder Kaye puts his signature soulful touch on "Hearing Deficit". Throughout the record, Halal Sol channels emotional highs and lows with his stylish production, marking the young producer as one to watch as he establishes his musical foundation.
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DTW 063EP
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Sicilian-born, UK-based DJ and producer Clafrica has been heavily influenced by the dub and reggae sounds from a very early age and the geographical proximity to Africa allowed him to soak in the various cultures that exists in Sicily -- molding him into the musician that he is today. Fast forward, he makes his Darker Than Wax debut with Never Not Balling -- a dazzling sonic exploration of nostalgia, vintage circuits, and basketball. Owing his first musical exposure to the Space Jam soundtrack and '90s basketball video games, as well as his first time seeing a DJ courtside at the And1 Mixtape European tour, Clafrica's love of both music and basketball have always gone hand in hand. After honing his craft as a DJ and studio engineer from as early as 12 years old, and moving from Sicily to Edinburgh in 2010 to further his studies of sound design, Clafrica has emerged as a certified production mad scientist and studio boffin in his own right. Fast forward to 2019, Clafrica emerged as one of the most exciting new producers on the scene with a string of releases on labels such as Axe On Wax, Vakum, Deep&Roll, and Perpetua. A collection of tracks created over the last two years, Never Not Balling is one of Clafrica's most well-rounded offerings to date, expressing a number of moods and emotions through his signature style, all the while showcasing the artist's mastery of studio techniques and hardware. In the theme of fusing his love of sport and music, "Skip Thru Dat Lane" is a mid-lockdown electro reflection on overcoming difficult times, with the artist envisioning himself dodging negativity like Allen Iverson skipping through the lane. On the heavier side, "U Can't Guard Me" is a pure release of stress and frustration, driven by unstoppable hi-hats and a punishing bassline. "Halftime" fuses the sound of old Amiga sound chips with raw drum machines as an ode to the basketball video games of Clafrica's youth. At every point in the record, Clafrica's sonic depth and stylish approach is on display, driven by raw and unrelenting dance music energy.
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DTW 061EP
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No stranger to the label, Munir (AKA Midnight Runners) is one of Southeast Asia's most unique talents. A deep record collector, he has put his hometown of Bandung, Indonesia on the map with a relentless output of self-released edits drawing on Indonesian funk, Chinese pop, and Middle Eastern psych as source material over the last several years. Equally skilled as a producer, Munir's signature boogie-funk sounds have graced labels such as Neon Finger, Shaken Palms, and No Bad Days. Darker Than Wax unleash Munir's sounds on the label once again, with a strong sonic step forward from the artist and perhaps his most polished work yet: Circuit Line EP. Blending his signature boogie sound with Italo-disco influences, the record brings forth four stylishly crafted modern dancefloor cuts. "Circuit Line" is built on a foundation of reverence to the arpeggiator, driven by neon synth tones racing each other to the finish line. This racing theme defines the record throughout, painting images of classic '80s racing games on standout tracks "Finish Line" and "Race Car". "Interlinked" takes on a more subdued approach, building in intensity and weirdness with each synth line layered on. Showcasing Munir's prowess with percussion, "Pit Stop" is a feverish club workout rounding out the record as a complete package for the discerning DJ's arsenal. Crafted in his Bandung studio with love for classic hardware and respect for its musical influences, Circuit Line EP represents a turning point for Munir's sonic evolution.
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DTW 059LP
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Various Channels is a new series within the Darker Than Wax catalog -- a selector-led compilation series that pushes diversity in sound while also encapsulating a common connection of what brings people together. For the first volume, it's all about location. Deeply inspired by the new wave of creative energy in New York City, the label is proud to present Various Channels Vol. 1: NYC -- a compilation highlighting key artists at the forefront of NYC's blooming music ecosystem, curated by selector Marco Weibel. While Darker Than Wax was born in Singapore, the label's satellite (or second) home is NYC. A key figure behind Darker Than Wax since its early days, Marco moved to NYC in 2014, and has continued to establish a humble presence for the label through his tireless work as a DJ, curator, promoter, and radio host. Within six years, Marco has seen New York's underground grow through artists' continual efforts to push the envelope and blur the lines between sounds. Thanks in part to uncompromising venues and community spaces such as The Lot Radio in Brooklyn (where Marco is running our weekly radio show alongside label peer Mawkus), a fresh crop of producers and DJs are elevating the music of NYC. This compilation serves as a snapshot of this moment in time, spotlighting select artists making waves -- including Jitwam, James Tillman, Toribio, Ensemble Entendu, David Marston, Aquiles Navarro, and Tristan Arp. This project is also personal to Marco's experience of digging deep into the city and connecting with kindred spirits, the selections reflecting the creative energy of his close musical family, who traverse eclectic sound spectrums from R&B/soul, Balearic grooves, house, broken beat, and beyond. Edition of 300.
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DTW 058EP
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Returning to the label's dancefloor roots, Bodyclock is a natural extension of Darker Than Wax's DNA -- a foray into the late-night club sounds that defined their sound. The freshly minted series represents the Singaporean label's primary outlet for dance floor burners and machine soul, shedding light on a new school of producers from around the globe and at the same time paying homage to the pioneers who laid the foundations for us. A celebration of Afro-futurism that is ever-present in the consciousness of dance, Bodyclock is built for the nocturnal beings and discerning selectors that push this timeless tradition forward. This first volume brings together five producers across four continents -- Teymori from Australia, NYC's Malik Hendricks, label mainstay Ricky Razu from Belgium, as well as Darker Than Wax co-founder Kaye and up-and-comer Halal Sol from Singapore. Establishing both facets of the Bodyclock sound, Side A features two vocal-led soulful excursions, while the flip brings three unabashedly jacking cuts to light the floor on fire. This is only the beginning -- Bodyclock is coming with an onslaught of twelve-inches and EPs, distilling our sonic outlook and looking to the future. Also features Jace XL and Most Golden.
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DTW 056LP
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Within the genetic makeup of Darker Than Wax, jazz is the key. After nearly eight years of existence as a label, Darker Than Wax present a record that truly contributes to the pantheon of jazz music. Welcome to Nomad's Land -- a sprawling, dreamy, brutally honest album from British pianist and producer Dominic J Marshall. A veteran of the live the circuit (notably touring with Cinematic Orchestra) and already an accomplished recording artist, Dominic is both virtuosic and classically-trained, yet completely free of any musical or sonic constraints. His sound is infused with electronica and cosmic soul at every turn -- deep, dubby, and drawing on diverse inspirations. Nomad's Land is essentially an honest reflection of the artist's life experiences -- inspired by people, relationships, psychedelic experiences, and human existence. The album also represents Dominic's first outing as a vocalist, bouncing between soulful singing, spoken word, and freestyle rap. This vocal element is crucial to the album's impact, adding a layer of heart and truth to these deeply personal compositions. Deep diversity can be found throughout the record, from the sino-grime inflected "Time Unremembered", to the lush piano-trio vibes on "Feeling", to the glitchy breakbeat jazz hybridity of "DMT". Yet, despite these seemingly disparate shades, Nomad's Land is a singular statement and front-to-back listening experience, unified by beautiful production and grounded in raw musicality.
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DTW 055LP
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While jazz and funk are at the core of Michele Manzo's musical foundation, the Italian artist deftly draws upon his inspirations in hip-hop, dub, and Brazilian music as both an instrumentalist and producer. But above genres, inimitable grooves are the key driver of his work, and in his grooves one can hear the vibe of a moment being captured and perpetuated for eternity. With this combination of musical depth and raw feeling, it is no surprise Michele has crossed paths with Darker Than Wax, and the label present his new LP All Rise. All Rise is a genuine reflection of Manzo's art form, which sees so many different styles and influences coming together in the most natural, organic way. Everything was recorded live using bass, synth bass, guitar, old analog keyboards, blended together with modern synths, dub delays and ambient FX -- giving off the familiar warmth of boom bap and progressive stimulation of neo-soul. The pervasive harmonies and clever use of chords give the album a real musical depth, but grounded with an effortless, natural approach to creation. More than just showcasing Michele's musical prowess and mastery of the instrumental, All Rise is also a deeply collaborative effort. The chemistry with heavyweight collaborators like Georgia Anne Muldrow, Dudley Perkins, Nicholas Ryan Gant, and RayClev is incredible -- they complement his instrumental tapestry with poetic ammo, elevating All Rise to a level of virtuous artistry. The five vocal cuts also offer a sober reflection on the turbulent social climate of 2019 America, and the world at large. Police violence, racism, and growing divisions that dominate the current zeitgeist are examined front and center, most prominently by Dudley Perkins on the title track. Yet. despite such a worrying state of affairs, there is an underlying message of positivity triumphing, and a rallying call to destroy evil at its root rather than be consumed by it. All Rise is about people standing up and uniting, being brought together by a common spirit and emotional music. RIYL: Shafiq Husayn, Fatima, Dam-Funk.
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DTW 054EP
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Darker Than Wax welcome Leeds-based artist Captain Over to their sonic universe with his Deep Blue EP. A solo project from one of the minds behind the band Paper Tiger, Captain Over represents a firm focus on dancefloor experimentation, blending the sounds of grime, broken beat, house, and LA beat music to create an entirely new beast. Much like the chess-playing supercomputer of the same name, Deep Blue EP occupies a space between electronic weight and the human touch, fusing together icy digital synths borrowed from grime with off-kilter grooves and jazzy motifs.
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