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viewing 1 To 4 of 4 items
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LP
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KOMMERZ 012LP
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After his first two one-off singles "Black Pegasus" and "Day Without You" introduced DJ Swagger's massive songwriting abilities and love for recording instruments, his first album on Kommerz Records, Chemistry Forever, showcases his background in UK-leaning electronic music as well as new tendencies towards neo soul, indie pop and jazz. The 25-year-old from West Germany's Bielefeld is pretty much the archetype of a so-called Wunderkind. At his young age the producer, DJ, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter released more than 40 vinyl records including two solo albums and endless rave tracks since turning 16. As of most recently and even though coming from an electronic music background DJ Swagger's creative agenda ventured more and more into classic songwriting and taking over the role of lead vocalist of his one-man-band. His third solo album Chemistry Forever showcases this transformation from UK-influenced electronica towards neo soul and indie without losing its listeners at any point. His subtle melancholic vocal performance and the just as subtle, yet constant pop appeal make this equation solve itself magically. From electro, two-step, breakbeat over hip-hop, indie and R&B to a final bebop madness -- Chemistry Forever is a trip for music lovers while each and every song has heavy potential to be listened to on repeat. Besides his own vocal performances DJ Swagger also invited rappers TripSixVivo (London), Vitus04 (Bielefeld), Kaba (Paris) and poet Dainell Aiken (NYC) for mesmerizing guest performances. Additional production work came from Hamburg dance producer Speckman and jazz outfit Jonas Gersema Trio.
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LP
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KOMMERZ 007LP
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A Dream In A Dream is the debut LP by DJ Piper, also known as Felix Wagner of techno superstar duo FJAAK. One might be surprised about this all hip-hop instrumental album looking at Felix's all dance music focused musical resumé. Nevertheless, he has been crafting rap beats ever since he started producing as a teen, but had his childhood friends freestyle over the tracks solely. It took until 2020 when he teamed up with Lukas and Jonathan Nixdorff of Kommerz Records to release his first solo track "Iluminay", which was part of Kommerz Season 1: Anti-Virus compilation and shared by B-Real of Cypress Hill right away. Now, 2022, marks the right moment to share his debut album, a waltzing ode to hip-hop's golden era. The Berlin-Spandau original merges the legacies of both Pete Rock and Dr. Dre, while funky breakbeats meet laid back SoCal Chronic vibes. 12 instrumental tracks and two skits strong, his album tells the story of a young man, who lives up to his wildest teenage dreams. Most of the track ideas came up while being on tour with FJAAK. Between international transit areas, making inspirational new friends and bizarre encounters all over the world, beat-making became DJ Piper's safe space to process all the positive madness around him. As a result, A Dream In A Dream breathes that raw, untamable creative energy around Felix's extraordinary day-to-day life, while being heavily influenced by the sound of his childhood, '90s and 2000s rap. To visualize A Dream In A Dream DJ Piper and Kommerz Records joined forces with Raman Djafari, a childhood friend of the artist, who illustrated music videos for Dua Lipa and Elton John (no joke!) and worked for Adult Swim. Raman's supernaturalistic aesthetics bring life to DJ Piper's somewhat psychedelic, somewhat nostalgic fantasy, locating the album in an otherworldly version of Spandau, hometown to both of the artists. As one half of FJAAK, Felix became an icon of Berlin techno conquering major festival stages and mainstream audiences while heavily representing underground D.I.Y. mentality up to this very day. As an initiator of Spandau20 label and collective, Felix pushes his creative family and day one's regardless of commercial potentials. The same ethos and love for culture fuels the DJ Piper project. No matter if it's FJAAK or DJ Piper, techno or hip-hop -- integrity is key! Gatefold sleeve.
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CD
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KOMMERZ 005CD
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Xades (pronounced "shades") is the newest creation of the DJ and curator known mostly under MSJY. Whilst MSJY's DJ sets are known for their heavy bass drip and bouncy rhythmic darkness, Xades is an ode to the sweet Latina soul hidden underneath the tiny powerhouse bouncing behind the booth. Whilst it is certainly new to hear the voice behind the sound, MSJY has been spreading her music all over the world for more than eight years. By using it as a portal to connect to people and interact with her surroundings, she enjoys exploring its various soundscapes with a sharp mind, sensitive ear and a dedicated heart. The Dekmantel affiliated selector as well as former resident at Amsterdam's De School, Groningen's OOST, and Berlin's Griessmuehle is known for thoughtful and playful sets that dig into bass and breaks adding dashes of her passed influences of trip-hop and IDM. As Xades, Jenny explores her voice and songwriting, extending her tentacles into different genres, serving a vulnerable exploration that transitions smoothly from dub, downtempo electronica, and contemporary R&B. Her multiplicitous musical and cultural roots (Brazilian mother, Argentinian father, Swiss passport) seep through all the versatile layers of her sound. A perfectionist at heart, it needed a gentle push by her partner (in crime, music, and life) to find the confidence to share an album that proves that finesse for depth and layer her long-time listeners have always admired her for. Includes a 16-page booklet with all lyrics. Features remixes by Premis, LUZ1E & MSJY, Maroki, Atrice, and Coffintexts.
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LP
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KOMMERZ 003LP
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If music can take our mind to any imaginable place, on endless individual journeys, Noa Erni's The Mental Traveller is the infinite soundtrack. A soundtrack for mental wandering and soul searching, a blend of rap, jazz, and hip-hop beats. The Mental Traveller, an album assembled like a literary anthology, offers musical arrangements and unique narratives where epilogue and prologue of each track merge seamlessly. Far beyond the horizon of compiling single tracks, The Mental Traveller is a journey of sound and unity. Inspired by David Axelrod and William Blake, Ahmad Jamal and Flying Lotus -- just to name a few -- this work aims to be a tribute to these legends' legacies of past, present and future, detached from trends, norms and classical narrative structure. Swiss-born producer and computer conductor Noa Erni has been crafting obscure jazz and hip-hop behind closed curtains (aka his flat in Berlin, Germany) for years -- free from external pressure and as an adjunct to his day jobs as sommelier and co-owner of local fine wine store, Friedenauer Weinhandlung. The Mental Traveller features internationally renowned artists such as Count Bass D (alternative rap pioneer, who worked with Snoop Dogg, MF Doom (RIP) and Retrogott), Miles Bonny (New Mexico-based singer and trumpeter), S. Fidelity (hip-hop producer signed to German tastemaker label Jakarta Records), and more. Erni's guests meld seemingly with this unapologetic and experimental album showcasing stand out performances on vocals, instruments and production. While the album sounds like it was played by a jazz outfit with years of stage experience, the truth surprises and is even more exciting: Noa crafted the songs in countless hours of experimenting with a midi keyboard, various instrument plugins and perfected reverb settings. It was not one and the same band but one and the same person. Just a few tracks include actual live instruments: drums by Max von der Goltz on "The Mental Traveller Theme" and "Uncertainty", bass by Roman Klobe on "Longitude" and flugelhorn by Miles Bonny on "Train Ride". Also features Nardo Says, Shamir of WOLM, and Robot Orchestra.
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