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2LP
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SOHASO 028LP
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Switch on your receiver and tune in to Far Out Radio Systems for another essential transmission. A lengthy one this time, since On Boolean Plains is the debut album of this Belgium production unit. Station master of Far Out Radio Systems is the Genk based producer Thomas Neyens, who keeps a cinemascope view on electronic music and has previously released on the SoHaSo label as Kiani & His Legion. On Boolean Plains takes you back to the IDM hey days of labels like Warp and Skam, back when the Artificial Intelligence-series got praise from electronic music lovers around the globe. Neyens manages to reshape that magic and make it his own, thanks to more than a handful of intricate melodies and the occasional distorted beat. Edgy electronic dance music about a world in distress. It will bring you both comfort and concern. The title track is a melancholic Bola-esque affair, with beautiful gloomy strings, eerie breakbeats and enough space to hide yourself in. But you will also find beautiful ambient bliss ("Beta Ceti"), bleepy techno with a firm nod to Plastikman ("Queen Of The Streets") and soothing percussive house ("Do We Have a Cosmic Connection"), a track that will lure you to that sweet spot on the dancefloor. While Neyens knows his classics, On Boolean Plains is not a retro album. Far from. It's both a personal leap from what was to what will be and an imprint of current affairs. Hence titles like "Theme For The Lockdown" and "Tears in Code". Far Out Radio Systems truly lives up to its name. Strong vibes in every direction.
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12"
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SOHASO 027EP
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Besides being a school teacher, a dedicated DJ, a label boss and a party organizer, Utrecht's most famous fluo-raver Freek Fabricius also started producing a few years back. It's hard to believe that Lost My Controller actually is Fabricius's debut EP. So matured and full of character do the six tracks on this release sound. With a touch of vintage electro and the melancholic side of IDM, yet with a unique sound of its own. Lost My Controller has Fabricius' trademark tongue-in-cheek puns, like the videogame frustration in the title track, a sweet hybrid of Dopplereffekt-basslines and AFX-infused melodies. Or on the aptly titled "Pigs Are Here", where a stomping kick and gloomy synth set the pace. Halfway through you suddenly receive a "breaking news message" about an illegal rave somewhere on the shores of northern England, complete with an eye witness report. Images of running ravers immediately pop up. Fabricius does not hide his admiration for Richard D. James on Lost My Controller. On the contrary. He cultivates it and makes it his own. "Aphex Twin is one of the few artists that can make me cry," he once said in an interview. He meant it. Lost My Controller has some beautiful intimate moments, like the sampled rain on his attic window during "Zolderraam" or the rolling closing track "Mother". In which a vintage Underworld-esque beat gently rubs against Laurie Anderson's legs. Freek's EP is joint release between SoHaSo and Marguerita Recordings, the label run by fellow Utrecht dweller Cosmic Force.
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12"
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SOHASO 026EP
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Something Happening Somewhere returns with a new collection of stories unified under the brand new Nowhere compilation series. NOWHERE02 features Stijn Sadee, Rahsaan Nova, RDS, Mark Du Mosch, and Tripeo.
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12"
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SOHASO 025EP
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If you know Dervaig is actually a small village in Scotland you begin to understand why the opening track of Sigward's Balmung Beam EP sounds a bit eerie and dark. Long, long ago the Vikings came ashore at Dervaig (the word means 'small inlet' in Norwegian) but in the winter of 2019 Dutch producer Sigward uses it as a passage way to lead us into his new record. Balmung Beam is Sjoerd Sigward's second EP for SoHaSo, the follow up for the well-received Black Mambo (SOHASO 004EP, 2014). In the meantime Sjoerd moved from Holland to Germany; he now resides in Berlin. This step has provided him with a cinemascope view on dance music, as his new EP clearly illustrates. Italoesque flavors on the title track, meditative pulses on the beautiful "Woodland Wells Inc" and spacious Andy Stott-like tension on "Jettison." /DL/MS/ takes "Balmung Bean" to new wave territories on their slumbering arpeggio-driven remix.
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12"
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SOHASO 024EP
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Google for Proxyan and you quickly get lost in the world of Bitcoins and proxy servers. Don't go there and simply accept the fact that this illusive Dutchman does not want his true identity to be known. Embrace the mystery and focus on his music, which is a tight fit between Detroit infused electro and the melodic wonders of Brits, like Silicon Scally and Mark Pritchard. The fascination for Motor City funk is most apparent in "Network 313" but shimmers throughout. Amsterdam-based, knob twidler Tracey delivers a spot-on remix of "Human Error Processor" which combines melancholica with crisp production.
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12"
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SOHASO 023EP
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Dutch producers Bas Dobbelaer and Vand label their delicate compositions with titles like "Transit" and "Gateway To Gaia" and traveled to Laren (a small town in beautiful nature) to isolate themselves from the hustle and bustle of hometown Amsterdam. They came back with four beautiful tracks which combine floating melodies with soft percussion pads and lukewarm basslines. Just listen to "Void (Pulse Mix)" and imagine the sun setting behind lined trees while being on a public bus next to your loved one. Laren leaves you with a sense of melancholia and longing, which in this case is a wonderful thing.
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12"
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SOHASO 022EP
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Never underestimate the power of a good bassline. Mark du Mosch certainly doesn't. This veteran from Rotterdam lets his vicious bass line creep up on you from behind on "202 AC Ra". A dark and jacking club belter with clear Chicago roots. The five track EP The Heavens is Mark's debut on Something Happening Somewhere. His versatile style draws on sounds that evoke strong mental imagery and a sense of eternity, which clearly shows on the introspective "Resonance Delay (She)" on the B-side. In which a melancholic melody is supported by muffled slow motion beats. Artwork by Joost Stokhof.
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12"
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SOHASO 021EP
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Something Happening Somewhere welcome Joannes to the label, with a fresh sound originating from the North of Holland. The Got Needs EP includes delightful remixes by Nadia Struiwigh and Melatonin Man. "Got Needs" is a powerful groove with heavily driven drum machines and 303 bassline for peak hour introspection. Melatonin Man strips down Joannes' effort into a down-tempo electro affair. "Vrijdag" takes a more emotional approach, having pads and a cross rhythmic synth riffs do the heavy lifting. Nadia Struiwigh takes these elements to the outer reaches of the universe.
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12"
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SOHASO 020EP
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Cosmic Force returns to Something Happening Somewhere for an all-out ghetto affair in collaboration with the mighty Dexter. Four relentless, unpretentious dancefloor cuts with a high-energy, high fun(k) factor. "Drum Techniek" is like taking an LCD drumbeat mixed in a blender with some vitalizing capacitor hallucinogens. The unstoppable energy of "Geheugen Meuk" is fueled by a hypnotizing stomping bassline that is intersected by warbled dystopian chords. "Sloppenwijkkont" takes the same approach as "Geheugen Meuk" but adds a more defined West Coast flavor. "Baslijn In Opstand" sounds like the electronic music interface decided to stop obeying and took over the controls.
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12"
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SOHASO 019EP
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Wit Bad is a project that started with illustrator Joost Stokhof. Eefje de Visser joined him for the day and also asked Nuno dos Santos to form the trinity of which Wit Blad is the evidence. On the A side is an 808 version, which is an extended version by Nuno of the 'Wit Blad' original. The drum and bass lines leave even more space for Eefjes haunting voice. On the other side we find our dear friend Mattheis remixing Wit Blad in a hypnotic vibe with trademark synth swirls, it's as soothing as it is driving. Silkscreen cover with Stokhof's art.
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12"
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SOHASO 017EP
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Roger van Lunteren debuts on SoHaSo with a four-track story that oozes retro vibes utilizing raw '80s analog synths and humanoid acid lines. "Vanish" features an emotional chord sequence, gnarly basslines and intertwining 303 sequences. Aroy Dee remixing "Vanish" is like taking a psychotropic liquid, adding more drive to the original while retaining the emotive synth patterns. Limited to 300 copies silkscreened and handstamped.
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12"
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SOHASO 018EP
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Cosmic Force is welcomed on Something Happening Somewhere for an all-out electro affair including a collaboration with Legowelt and Orgue Electronique. "Mighty Envy" is an unforgiving piece of ARP-centred electro, pushing the envelope without letting go of the gas pedal. "Haunted By My Past" accelerates to even further places -- a funky dancefloor workout in which a sexy AI tells you everything about you you've never wanted to know. In "Transmitting Illicit Logic" you encounter an older AI that's spitting out deranged synth arpeggios. Finally, Silicon Scally remixes "Transmitting Illicit Logic", warping you to an even tougher and weirder dimension.
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12"
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SOHASO 016EP
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Something Happening Somewhere returns with a new collection of stories unified under the brand new Nowhere compilation series. Quince offers a saturated electronic work-out, combining gritty drum sounds with bass guitar and odd timed synth zaps. Kurt Baggaley's "Detect" was a digital exclusive from his Remembering Infinity EP (SOHASO 015EP, 2017). Fader From Borneo takes a more frontal approach providing a catchy bass riff with warm pads and synthesized strings. Kiani & His Legion offer another one of his emo burners with trademark nature-inspired synth sounds and cinematic storytelling. Sigward closes with a trippy and hypnotizing cut.
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12"
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SOHASO 015EP
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Kurt Baggaley is back on Something Happening Somewhere with his trademark drawn-out manifestations and trance-inducing melodies. "Remembering Infinity" is an eight-minute ode to the limitless, waves of arpeggiated notes and subtle pads wash you away. Mattheis takes this sonic meditation to the club environment, and channels the blissful experience, stretching, bending, and condensing the sonic tapestry. Kurt Baggaley shows a different side with electro slow burner "Under It's Watchful Eye". Packing a more sinister vibe, peaking inside our Orwellian society, it unveils a more mature reflection. Awanto 3 reworks the digital-only "Detect" into a house-injected vibe-y piece.
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12"
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SOHASO 014EP
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What's this unidentified vinyl object? After Nuno Dos Santos' striking Trigonometry Of Love EP (SOHASO 011EP), Something Happening Somewhere presents a killer four track remix pack that let's others retell the story in their own way. Far Out Radio Systems, Fader From Borneo, Mark Du Mosch, and Polynation are all presenting their version on an exclusive "white label". Containing a special silkscreen printed remix of the original artwork, every edition of this one is truly unique and a collector's item to behold.
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12"
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SOHASO 013A-EP
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Something Happening Somewhere return with a new chapter in the Somewhere series. Somewhere III is released over two vinyl samplers. Kiani & His Legion's "Motion Academy" feels like an exercise in drum pattern programming glued together by his trademark pads and retro synths. Nuno Dos Santos and Quince rework the Dutch delight Eefje De Visser. Quince's "Pelagic Zones" provides dark brooding vibes and muggy atmospheres. Kurt Baggaley's "This System" utilizes a heavy vocoder sound to welcome you into a chaotic dystopian world. KAAP's lush "Sunset Vertigo" is inspired by retro chorus synths, tape noises, and CR-78 percussion rhythms.
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12"
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SOHASO 013B-EP
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Something Happening Somewhere return with a new chapter in the Somewhere series. Somewhere III is released over two vinyl samplers. Love Over Entropy teaming up with Ripperton for "Saints De Glace". Downtempo organic grooves and a drifting melody that ebbs in-and-out of consciousness provide disparity with glimmering pads. Equus's "Ash" picks up the pace with a track that was released on Soma Quality Recordings in 1996. Arik Brikha's disco-fueled "Eat The Heart" feels like it's furiously driving along an electronic highway. A rolling bassline motif creates the fierce backbone for Tracey's "Phase 1", as echo feedback waves in-and-out.
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12"
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SOHASOMRG 001EP
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Something Happening Somewhere and Mary Go Wild combine their forces. Two cuts by Presk and remixes by Locked Groove and Nuno Dos Santos. "2BXPRZD" is an ode to night life. Presk provides funky drums, a dark and sinister bassline, and pitched vocals. Locked Groove takes this celebratory dance and turns it into an even darker and hypnotizing affair. The more uplifting "Starets", with unsettling melodies and dissonant atmospheres, propels forward before restraining the whole thing and letting broken chord stabs seep through the system. Nuno Dos Santos reworks the original into a more skeletal structure, adding a poignant arp melody.
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12"
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SOHASO 012EP
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Kiani & His Legion returns with the next chapter in his sonic explorations. The opener introduces the listener to sturdy drum patterns and eerie string pads, main ingredients in Kiani's sound world. "Eindeloos" takes an irresistible groove, with a walking bass winding up between endless flanging spirals. "Oval Flight" starts out with the cheeky sound of an electric harp, but it sprouts to enormous proportions. "If You Remember Me" uses haunting atmospheres reminiscent of '80s sci-fi or the eerie vibes of Twin Peaks. "L.O.V.E." reflects with a melancholic chord progression, soul healing choirs, and repeating phonetic symbols.
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12"
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SOHASO 011EP
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Something Happening Somewhere head honcho Nuno Dos Santos presents Trigonometry Of Love. "Storm Inside" doesn't beat around the bush with its eerie vibe, thundering claps, and stomping bassline. The groove on "Wonka" came straight from the chocolate factory. Wonky sounding bells tickle the ear and lush pads assimilate an injection of purifying mountain air before a hypnotizing motif enters the stage. "Prosa" evolves around a delightful melancholic chord progression with voice stabs that ascend into clouds of desire. The introspective "Dust In Your Eyes" has a bass cadence that conceals your true self, quirky percussion and truth-revealing pads.
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12"
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SOHASO 009EP
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Quince is back with a four-tracker oozing character out of every sweaty pore. "Rif" provides perfect sturdy dancefloor material with Quince's compelling groove trusting alongside splintered melodies and Detroit influenced synth sounds. "Propheet" hits you in the gut - it's a raw driving electro cut, sounding like it could be coming from a long forgotten industrial era. "Coïtus" shares a similar punch, combining raspy synth stabs with a detuned bell pad giving the feeling that you've been sucked into a wormhole. "Stop" sounds like the musical equivalent of an artificial intelligent life form's onboard computer slowly malfunctioning.
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12"
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SOHASO 010EP
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Love Over Entropy present Sea EP. The narrative takes off with "Sea", encompassed by an ever evolving yearning melody that slowly engulfs and stirs the depths of heart strings: An eight minute long contemplation for the wandering soul. "Worth While" is a reminder that strange things can be encountered in the infinite abyss of the obscure, Love Over Entropy exploiting shimmering cymbals and bends a 303 synth line in peculiar ways. "Finisterre" is a ceremonial celebration that has an arpeggiated bell melody line that flourishes and tickles the ears with a cheerful liveliness.
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12"
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SOHASO 008EP
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Kiani & His Legion is back with The Paper Unicorn EP to expand his vision. "Air Chrysalis" is based around a stomping 808 beat. The metamorphosis slowly commences when dystopian chords and pads uncover monolithic, floating structures. The melody of "Voigt Kampff" slowly grows, rattles and opens up into an ear blistering eruption. "Electric" takes a dirty and stretchy jungle break and combines it with some organic layers of marimba and a heartwarming voice. On the B side Fatima Yamaha remixes "Electric", twisting the original into a ten-minute long hymn that seems to keep building on forever.
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12"
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SOHASO 007EP
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Something Happening Somewhere collects singular recordings from separate artists, bound together through Nuno dos Santos's spellbinding powers of creation and combination, to form Somewhere I and II, two 2015 digital compilations previewed here. Quince, slowly crawling back from obscurity, delivers with "Europa," a never-ending trip through space. On acid. Stefan Vincent goes from space up to heaven with celestial, arped strings blended through beeps and blips into a gift from the gods. Kiani & His Legion dish out the basslines; pitch-bended into oblivion, "At the Violet Hour" is made for peak-time moments. Polynation's closes with the victory lap of "Anther."
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12"
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SOHASO 006EP
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After his impressive 2013 debut, the Off the Grid EP (SOHASO 001EP), Love Over Entropy, still shrouded in a veil of secrecy, takes up the role of a modern-day bard. He tells the tale of Tonii with a hauntingly beautiful melody and an emotional, ever-climbing rollercoaster of longing and joy; words become superfluous. Dixon condenses and intensifies "Tonii," making it useful for all kinds of dancefloor situations. With its strung-out, vocoded voices and heavenly synth-sweeps, "Tucaroya Pt. 1," according to Love Over Entropy, is ''dedicated to the little things that make up a human life.''
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