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Eskimo Recordings – The White Collection
As it enters its 20th year of existence Belgian label Eskimo Recordings shows no sign of slowing down or scaling back its ambition. To kickstart this auspicious year the label returns with The White Collection’, 8th release in its acclaimed ‘Colour Series’ and a globe-trotting compilation featuring 14 tracks of leftfield electronic music drawn from 9 different countries.
Opening the compilation we head to the Russian Republic of Tatarstan where producer Anton Firtich, aka Antenna, has been steadily making a name for himself with a series of stunning cosmic disco releases. ‘Song for Udmurtia’, named for the region where both Anton’s wife and his cat came from, builds on that reputation. A breezy piece of laid back electronica perfectly positioned somewhere between the sophisticated lounge music of Herb Alpert and the Scandi-sounds of producers, and Eskimo alumni, like Lindstrøm & Prins Thomas.
Heading west we find ourselves in the Greek capital of Athens where Eskimo veteran NTEIBINT joins forces with vocalist Matina Sous Peau for ‘Back to the Roots of Love’. Well known for his sumptuous reinterpretation of classic disco sounds, ‘Back to the Roots of Love’ sees NTEIBINT widen his sonic palette, the result a stunning number that combines pop and disco sounds with the jazzier end of 90s Broken Beat.
Returning home, Gent 4-piece Omar Dahl provides the first entry in the compilation from a Belgian band with ‘Oscar’s Walk’. Inspired by Arabic and Balkan sounds and even a little of the widescreen cinematic feel of Ennio Morricone’s Spaghetti Western soundtracks, ‘Oscar’s Walk’ combines mournful brass and string instruments and shuffling beats to create a wonderfully hypnotic 5 minutes of genre-defying music.
Having previously provided 2 remixes for Eskimo much tipped Australian producer The Oddness makes his full debut on the label with ‘Get It Together’. Another dose of psychedelic, dub flavoured electronica that keeps the tempo low and the strangeness dialled up, ‘Get It Together’s chugging beat provides the perfect backdrop for myriad sounds to rattle and reverb their way into the cosmic ether.
Tel Aviv’s Middle Sky Boom makes a welcome return to Eskimo with the aptly titled ‘Dreamy Route’. A hazy, atmospheric jam featuring gauzy vocals, insistent looping chimes and textures that drift over the stuttering beat, the perfect accompaniment to a cocktail, or two, on a golden Mediterranean beach as the sun slowly sinks below the horizon.
Back to Belgium and this time an up & coming producer, Julian Hival, who recently made his debut on Traum Schallplatten. Drawing inspiration everywhere from Berlin underground techno to alienating downtempo compositions Julian’s contribution to ‘The White Collection’, ‘Lavender’, is a sprawling epic filled with eerie menace that recalls the likes of composer John Carpenter’s synth heavy 80s soundtracks.
With just a handful of releases to his name Sweden’s Paresse has already been tipped for big things by the likes of DJ Mag in the UK and ‘Angelus Redux’, a club ready number fuelled by a percussive heavy beat, bubbling bass line and topped with sparkling synth arpeggios and the kind of breathy French vocal that ecstatic moments in dark spaces were made for, shows just why so many have him on their radar.
One of the many highlights from Eskimo’s recent releases was the debut EP from Belgian producer Transistorcake. Ending a 5-year hiatus since his debut was picked up by Soulwax for their GTA station, ‘The Future Plans EP’ featured a set of evocative and ultimately euphoric electronica. This ‘Alternate Take’ of ‘Future Plan I’ from Transistorcake himself showcases his full live band and features a more improvised feel to the lead synth melody and driving motorik drums.
Heading west to San Francisco’s Bay Area Eskimo welcomes back Michoacan after a 7-year absence. Making up for lost time the producer, whose back catalogue also includes releases on labels such as DFA and Bear Entertainment, delivers a fine return in the shape of ‘I Can See’, a rousing disco-punk-pop number sure to find a home in both sticky-floored indie clubs and tropical disco beach parties alike.
If records were judged on name alone then Tonarunur’s ‘Relatively Safe Horseback Riding’ would be a shoo-in for all 2020’s end of year lists already. As it is the Icelandic producer’s Eskimo debut more than stands on its musical merits too and if ever a song has better captured the fun and excitement of a ride on a magical flying horse via the medium of sparkling synth-heavy space disco then we’ve yet to hear it (and of course would love to).
One of the new generation of Scandi-disco artists to have emerged in the past couple of years Bergen’s Cavego follows up a series of hugely acclaimed releases for Eskimo with the euphoric, bouncing, ‘Alfred (Og Vennene Hans)’. Harnessing the power of his enviable synth collection to dramatic effect Cavego delivers a more club focussed effort than previous releases without losing any of the cinematic feel that made his debut EP so entrancing.
Already a club hit Russian duo Radial Gaze’s ‘Totem Echoes’ makes a much-welcomed reappearance on ‘The White Collection’. An eclectic mix of disorientating synths, tribal chants and industrial percussion it’s a stunning release from this nascent partnership that recalls the like of Moscoman and fellow countrymen Simple Symmetry.
Having previously released on Eskimo with Middle Sky Boom, Eliezer teams up with fellow Tel Aviv producer Asaf Sanzer, aka Rina, for ‘San Sebastian’. Recalling the likes of Red Axes and Curses ‘San Sebastian’ filters Middle Eastern melodies through post-punk, house, disco and techno to dramatic effect, the end result in the kind of track that could equally soundtrack a beach party in Tel Aviv or a Goth basement club in Leeds.
Ending the compilation on a sweet, sweet blissful high Eskimo turn to another Nordic star in waiting, Boblebad. Built around a simple yet instantly addictive acoustic guitar refrain and sympathetic beat, ‘Kontemplasjon’ subtly builds as new elements, swirling synths, softly caressing strings and additional guitar parts, glide in and out of the mix gently melting away all your troubles.
Since launching in the year 2000, Gent based Eskimo Recordings has gone onto become one of the leading electronic music labels in the world releasing genre-defining artist albums and compilations from the likes of Satin Jackets, Aeroplane, Lindstrøm, Prins Thomas, The Glimmers, Optimo, Psychemagik and many more. Since its launch in 2013 the ‘Colour Series’, now in its 8th edition, has continued to build upon the label’s reputation, not only for discovering and curating great music but for great design and continuing that tradition the cover for ‘The White Collection’ features a stunning photo, ‘Gravitation’, by Amsterdam based German photographer Katrin Korfmann.
The White Collection out April 3 – fanlink.to/TheWhiteCollection
Tracklist
01. Antenna – Song For Udmurtia
02. NTEIBINT ft. Matina Sous Peau – Back To The Roots Of Love
03. Omar Dahl – Oscar‘s Walk
04. The Oddness – Get It Together
05. Middle Sky Boom – Dreamy Route
06. Julian Hival – Lavender
07. Paresse – Angelus Redux
08. Transistorcake – Future Plan I (Alternate Take)
09. Michoacan – I Can See
10. Tonarunur – Relatively Safe Horseback Riding
11. Cavego – Alfred (og vennene hans)
12. Radial Gaze – Totem Echoes
13. Eliezer & Rina – San Sebastian
14. Boblebad – Kontemplasjon
Digital Bonus: Franz Matthews, Local Suicide – Tutan Jamon (1001 Nights Instrumental Version)
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Franz Matthews & Local Suicide – Remixes
Making their debut on Eskimo Recordings this March, Berlin producers Franz Matthews& Local Suicide’s ‘Meditation / Tutan Jamon’ was a heady brew of psychedelic disco that joined the dots between the German capital and the sun soaked souks of North Africa.
Hailed as “propulsive and zen” by Resident Advisor and championed by DJs including Dj T, Red Axes, Perel & Acid Washed, the tracks have now been giving a fresh rub, with Eskimo going one better even than the genie from the Arabian Nights and fulfilling 4 wishes summoning up remixes from Manfredas, Chaim, NTEIBINT and The Oddness.
First out of the trap is Lithuanian producer Manfredas. Having made a name for himself with releases on labels like Les Disques de la Mort, Multi Culti and I’m A Cliché, Manfredas turns in a head spinning remix of Tutan Jamon, teasing out and extending the track in a masterclass of delayed gratification that eventually dissolves into acidic bleeps and drones.
Tel Aviv’s Chaim remix of Tutan Jamonmeanwhile sees the sometime Bpitch Control and Disco Halal producer up the tempo whilst losing none of the original’s exotic vibe. In his hands the track becomes a propulsive nu-disco number perfect for late summer parties under the stars.
Eskimo stalwart NTEIBINT is up next with his reinterpretation of Meditation. Once again the Greek producer goes to show just why the label has him on speed dial, delivering a stunning remix with Vamparela’s vocals and a hypnotic bass line combining to mesmerising effect.
Finally fresh from remixing Satin Jackets Australian rising star The Oddness returns to Eskimo with his own spaced out take on Meditation. Keeping the tempo slow and low the Melbourne producer unravels the track, pulling apart its constituent parts and allowing them all to float free.
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Simon Says – Feel Me EP
Released September 21 on Eskimo Recordings.
Keeping things nice and sleazy Parisian producer Simon Says makes his debut on Eskimo Recordings covering English synth-pop band Blancmange’s 1982 album track ‘Feel Me’.
Transforming the song into the kind of outrageously funky slice new wave disco that could have sat proudly on an old Ze Records compilation its low slung groove is now sure to soundtrack as many illicit ‘Cinq a Sept’ assignations as it is sweaty dancefloor moments.
Upping the tempo French remixer extraordinaire Yuksek turns the track into a streamlined, sci-fi disco number complete with vocodered FX, bubbling cosmic arpeggios and synth stabs that spin off into space and builds to a suitably uplifting climax.
Meanwhile Greek producer and Eskimo veteran NTEIBINT strips the track down to its bare skin and puts the focus on its percussive elements and rubbery bass line, the result a chugging floor filler that shows exactly why Eskimo keep his number on speed dial.
Finally disco historian Bill Brewster returns to Eskimo a year on from his acclaimed ‘Tribal Rites’ compilation with an extended re-edit that once again proves that he’s as handy with razor and tape as he is behind the decks.
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Horixon feat. Else Born – Hello EP
Having previously collaborated back in 2015 Eskimo artists Horixon (Monarchy’s Andrew Armstrong and Joe Ashworth) and Else Born have again teamed up to deliver the beautiful, heartfelt pop lament, ‘Hello’. With the British duo providing the perfect setting, a quiet storm of numinous pads, sparse piano chords and an almost 2-step beat, Else Born (aka Philco Fiction’s Turid Alida Solberg) has never sounded better, her vocals bursting with a subtle, fragile intensity that brings the song to vivid life.
“It’s late at night. It’s too late and the stars are out,” Turid explains. “You’re stuck in a never-ending fight with your lover. You really don’t feel like fighting, you try to get out of it and you try to stop his crying. You look for a spaceship to lift you up up up and away. And… suddenly you’re under the stars – no more. For a couple of seconds. Till you fall back into the familiar.”
On remix duties we have reworkings from Eskimo veteran NTEIBINT and Aleph Music’s Aera. Tapping into the long, proud history of heartbreaking disco ballads, Greek producer NTEIBINT’s remix will ensure there’s tears on the dance floor as its insistent, and remarkably, funky bass-line and stirring strings create a gorgeous counterpoint to Turid’s delicate vocals.
Finally fresh from releasing critically acclaimed records on labels like Innervisions and Hivern Discs Berlin based Aera provides a ‘Dub’ mix that wrings every ounce of emotion out of its entrancing bleeps and beeps. Inspired by a recent gig in New York the track subtly builds to a disorientating climax before deconstructing itself once more, till just the ghost of the track remains like an echo of a lost love. It must have been quite a gig.
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Σtella – Works For You LP
Just when you got used to new albums arriving on a Friday, Greek indie pop singer, songwriter Σtella has bucked the trend, gone rogue and decided to release her stunning 2nd album ‘Works For You’ today (Monday). Which is great because it’s an amazing record and the sooner people can listen to it the sooner they can get some temporary relief from this crazy world.
Written and arranged by Σtella (with the exception of two tracks -“Nest” and “Walk Like I Taught You” – co-written with Velissarios Prassas), the album was recorded in Athens in 2016 and produced by artist and producer Nteibint and Σtella.
“Works For You” tells stories – its eleven pop songs talk about love and friendship, and celebrate introspection. With this album, Σtella has taken her music two steps forward, further refining her sound and continuing with her ambitious blends of pop and singer-songwriter influences to create her tightest and most mature work yet.
To mark release day Σtella has also uploaded a live video of her performing ‘I’ll Never Be’ live at Sonic Playground in Athens. You can also now stream the album in full on Spotify and Bandcamp (where you can also pick up the coloured vinyl) and purchase from iTunes and the like.
Order now: http://smarturl.it/83n8q3
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Gioumourtzina – Blakk Metall Remixes EP
Three months after the release of their debut album “Blakk Metall” Gioumourtzina share 5 tracks of the album, remixed by Greek electronic artists. The digital EP includes remixes from ION, Larry Gus, NTEIBINT, Pan Pan and Vercetti Technicolor.
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NTEIBINT feat. Stella – Hide In (incl. Ewan Pearson & Zombies In Miami Remix)
Following on from ‘The Owner’ released last year, NTEIBINT and Stella join forces once again to bring their elegant sound to Eskimo Recordings with ‘Hide In’. Industry veteran Ewan Pearson is in to remix inducing an acid flare and Mexican duo Zombies In Miami also provide a stellar remix.
NTEIBINT reveals that “originally ‘Hide In’ was a slow and melancholic ballad, with pompous synths supporting Stella’s beautiful vocals. I revisited the original recordings and started deconstructing and rebuilding the song using a live bass as the foundation of the track. ‘Hide In’ is essentially a love song you can dance to!”
NTEIBINT is the musical alter ego of Greek producer George Bakalakos. The gifted producer is known for lush, sonic soundscapes that are masterfully constructed taking the listener to new dimensions. George Bakalakos is also the host of a daily radio show on the Athenian radio station En Lefko 87.7.
Stella (née Stella Chronopoulou) is a pop singer-songwriter and musician also based in Greece. Her debut album was released in February 2015 on Inner Ear. Acclaimed by listeners and critics alike, it became one of the most successful Greek indie albums of 2015.
Ewan Pearson is a man whose talents cover all corners of the industry, from being a DJ and engineer to a published academic and magazine columnist. Over the years he’s worked with huge names including The Rapture, Tracey Thorn, M83, Delphic and currently with Jagwar Ma. Also featuring with an original track on ‘The Yellow Collection’, Zombies In Miami have been building a wealth of support with releases on labels such as Correspondant, Cómeme, Love on The Rocks and Kompakt. Their original live show infuses techno with rock influences for a wholly unique experience.
Tracklist:
NTEIBINT feat. Stella – Hide In
NTEIBINT feat. Stella – Hide In (Ewan Pearson Remix)
NTEIBINT feat. Stella – Hide In (Ewan Pearson Instrumental Mix)
NTEIBINT feat. Stella – Hide In (Zombies In Miami Remix)
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Satin Jackets – Panorama Pacifico LP
Undoubtedly the darlings of electro-pop, Satin Jackets finally unveil their debut artist album, ‘Panorama Pacifico’ featuring a string of cameos from vocalists familiar and exotic, jetting in from LA, Berlin, London, Belgium and Australia.
Scaling the heights of the Hype machine from their first release to the latest, and clocking up almost ten million plays on spotify, Satin Jacket’s original brand of diva funk and smooth disco has whetted the tastebuds of the likes of Majestic Casual and i-D mag who said the duo’s “super sexy, infectious house music is filled with the vibe of summertime.” Their smash single, ‘You Make Me Feel Good’ has accumulated close to three million plays on soundcloud and youtube concurrently.
“The idea came from our character, Mr. Satin Jackets, who’s been travelling the world quite a bit the past two years,’ explained Tim Bernhardt, the founder of the duo. ‘Four continents, about twenty countries [in], he’s on the West Coast and takes a break. He watches the ocean to put his mind at ease and [out pours] Panorama Pacifico.”
This idyllic perspective is launched by the vocals of Scavenger Hunt, the Los Angeles-based electro-pop 4-piece, charted by Billboard and featured by the likes of Nylon mag. They explain about their contribution, “Feel Good’ feels like jumping into a cool pool on a hot summer day- refreshing, exhilarating and sexy.” Nigerian born and Birmingham based UoB’s Got Talent winner, IsaacO contributes to ‘Keep Moving On’. He explains it’s, “a song about having a nonchalant attitude towards life regardless of what it throws at you. Best listened to on a nighttime drive on the highway.”
The album also takes a peek into the past successes of Satin Jackets, with last year’s smash single, ‘Shine On You’ featuring UK born and Berlin based talent Esser, dubbed by Clash magazine as “an exploratory glimpse into the mind-expanding side of Satin Jackets’ electronics,” and recent single ‘We Can Talk’ featuring vocals from Emma Brammer.
Further new collaborations include Ghent-based collective I will, I swear, Melbourne’s Kids At Midnight and diamond in the rough of Belgian pop Marble Sounds. Fellow Eskimo artist and Greek producer NTEIBINT and KLP from Australia also feature. Each plots a similar narrative about the struggles of love. “’Say You’ is about being afraid of being happy,’ explains Jane Elizabeth Hanley AKA Kids At Midnight; ‘Coast To Coast’ is “a sweet love song that could also work on the dancefloor,” says George Bakalakos AKA NTEIBINT; and Emma Brammer explores the concept of, “the exciting and painful first love – maybe it’s not so good for you but it feels historical.”
Pieter Van Dessel of Marble Sounds digs further on ‘Find Out’. “The lyrics ‘Shut your eyes, and you’ll find out’ started as a reference to childhood memories: as kids we often had to close eyes when somebody wanted to surprise us with a gift. But it can also mean that you could learn more about reality when you disconnect and close your eyes, instead of gathering (too) much information.”
Three quarters of the tracks are fresh and introduce exciting guest vocalists and producers. These are complemented by the much-loved staples from the duo, ‘Girl, Forever’ and ‘You Make Me Feel Good’. Tim of Satin Jackets explains, “We’re ending the journey of this album with ‘You Make Me Feel Good’, [a] great story of a song. It still gives people all kinds of happy feelings. The more people it can reach, the better.”
German music producer, Tim Bernhardt and lead performer Den Ishu are Satin Jackets. Their eponymous live show has relentlessly toured the US, Canada, Mexico and Europe, opening their fluid pop appeal and accessible four-to-the-floor groove up to the world at large. Their debut album, ‘Panorama Pacifico’ is set for release on 8th April on their home label, Eskimo Recordings. The Belgian imprint has been a purveyor of disco, house and everything in between for over fifteen years.
Album mini-mix:
Tracklist:
Satin Jackets feat. Scavenger Hunt - Feel Good
Satin Jackets feat. Emma Brammer - We Can Talk
Satin Jackets feat. Esser - Shine On You
Satin Jackets feat. IsaacO - Keep Moving On
Satin Jackets feat. I will, I swear - So I Heard
Satin Jackets - Cala Banana
Satin Jackets feat. Kids At Midnight - Say You
Satin Jackets feat. Marble Sounds - Find Out
Satin Jackets feat. NTEIBINT - Coast To Coast
Satin Jackets feat. KLP - For Days
Satin Jackets - Girl, Forever
Satin Jackets - You Make Me Feel Good
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Σtella – Works For You
Just a year after her successful self-titled debut album, Greek pop singer Stella Chronopoulou, aka Σtella returns with new single “Works For You” – the first single from her forthcoming sophomore LP. Produced by NTEIBINT & ΣTELLA.
Stella Chronopoulou, better known by her stage name Σtella, is a pop singer-songwriter and painter. Born and raised in Athens, Greece she completed her studies in the Athens School of Fine Arts, whereas at the same time she started writing music.
In 2010, Σtella participated on the album “Happend Before” of the avant-pop group My Wet Calvin. At the beginning of the same year she joined the art-rock band Expert Medicine, where she paired with the guitar player and producer Alex Zabaras. In 2011, Σtella and Alex formed the band Fever Kids. Their first single “Holding Grass” was released in January 2014 via Inner Ear, which garnered them critical acclaim. In 2012, Σtella self-released the Ep, entitled “Keep Μe Naked”, through her soundcloud account. Besides her solo work, she has collaborated with several Greek bands such as Sillyboy, Coti K, NTEiBINT, Sad Disco and formed the band Chest with Babis Theocharis. Her first solo full album was released in early 2015 via Inner Ear Records and became one of the best selling Greek albums of the year.
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NTEIBINT feat. Rush Midnight – By Your Side
Up next on Eskimo Recordings is NTEIBINT feat. Rush Midnight with ‘By Your Side’. Following on from his huge Summer hit ‘The Owner‘, Greek born NTEIBINT returns with an equally smooth piece of electro pop.
“Some things are meant to happen, that’s how I feel about this collaboration with Rush. The initial demo was done a couple of months ago and I felt that Rush would be perfect. ‘By Your Side’ is a groovy love song, with sad moments. The hidden gem of the release is ‘A Baby For My Bass’, layers and layers of ideas contributing to a simple yet effective groove, build upon a spiral of synths lines with a simple vocal hook”. NTEIBINT
First up is the deliciously mellow and disco tinged track ‘By Your Side’, which features the former Twin Shadow bassist Rush Midnight (aka Russ Manning). Brooklyn-born Rush Midnight has been writing and producing for a number of years, and has been supported by the likes of Stereogum, Vogue, Consequence of Sound and Pitchfork. He has performed alongside artists including Cashmere Cat, Miami Horror and Blood Orange.
NTEIBINT closes the release with ‘A Baby For My Bass’ reinforcing his reputation for creating timeless and indelible music. George Bakalakos aka NTEIBINT has been at the forefront of the Greek electronic music scene for a number of years, and currently has a daily radio show on Greek station En Lefko.
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