Martina Lussi
Diffusion Is A Force

2021. A strong compilation of grooves by two of Belgium’s most iconic selectors, filled with new productions. San Kofa Rhythm Records kicks off 2021 with a killer compilation by AliA & DTM Funk. After three stellar releases, DTM Funk’s San Kofa Rhythm Records is proud to present its first compilation, filled with new productions of ten different talented outsiders.'Black Gravity' refers to the Herbie Hancock and A Guy Called Gerald collaboration from 2001. According to DTM Funk, this track is "the perfect example of two different grooves coming together in perfect harmony". The result shows that groovy soul and alternative electronica go hand in hand. This powerful fusion of influences gave rise to a monthly show on Brussels' online station Kiosk Radio. A few months later, Black Gravity Rhythms now becomes a compilation series around an ever-evolving sound that winks to the past while firmly looking towards the future.In each new volume of the series, DTM Funk will collaborate with another befriended DJ, assembling a varied collection of productions representing the sound of the guest selector. For the first edition, we look to ​AliA​, probably Belgium's most skilled sound digger of her generation. Still only 21-year-old, she is known for her eclectic style, impeccable skills and versatile selection that ranges from broken beats to bossa nova and from alternative techno to off-beat belters. She's a regular at Gilles Peterson's Worldwide Festival, Listen Festival and frequently plays together with Belgium's most renowned DJ, Lefto. Settling on ten definitive tunes together with DTM Funk proved to be as easy as a B2B DJ-set (of which they have done plenty of).The final selection on the compilation delivers for any music fan. From broken beat (Faraji Heritage Experiment, Kuna Maze and Pippin), dub-infused Afro house (SofaTalk and Àbáse), laidback grooves (Chery Moya and Duke Hugh) or soulful house (Forbidden Fruit and Windows & Daidu). Whether you need something to shuffle to in your living room or reminisce the long-gone days of clubbing, these are the kind of vibes that suit any occasion.As will be the standard from here on out, the compilation's producers originate from a wide array of places and backgrounds. Forbidden Fruit (who keen observers might know from his Title and Soft Focus aliases), Kuna Maza, Cherry Maze and Pippin represent Belgium's versatile and fruitful beatmaker scene, while Farija Heritage (Morocco), SofaTalk (Italy), Àbáse (Hungary), Windows & Vertigo (The Netherlands), Kodäma (UK) and Duke Hugh (The Netherlands) bring in a decent dose of worldly flavours. In fact, the latter is a favourite of NTS Radio resident Bradley Zero, who released Duke Hugh’s debut Canvas EP on his renowned Rhythm Section record label.The compilation perfectly fits the philosophy of the record label. "The meaning of San Kofa implies that all music comes from somewhere", explains DTM Funk. "If you acknowledge the music's origins and its essence, it becomes so much more valuable, and you become better prepared for the future". The first episode of this collaborative compilation series does just that. With plenty more releases on the agenda in 2021, Black Gravity Rhythms Vol. 1 is a strong start of a bountiful year filled with forward-facing music.

Dan Snaith's 27-track Fabriclive bounty just keeps on giving. Following the likes of "Face To Face" come two more outstanding dancefloor tracks. Rough around the edges, off-the-grid, visceral yet touching, "Hey Drum" hypnotises with an almost militant feel before suddenly switching into an outrageously uplifting breakdown while "The Truth" taps into the roots of Chicago with a footloose kickdrum and warm fluctuating synths. Both absolutely kill it - which you probably already knew anyway. Most of us have been counting down the day for this vinyl release since we first heard the Fabriclive mix.

Parce qu’il aime s’entourer d’amis pour travailler, le producteur Néerlandais Wantigga est accompagné sur cet EP de 4 chanteurs aussi originaires des Pays Bas : Sascha Vee, Mar, Louis Bordeaux, et Rico Greene. Chaque track et mélodie a été faite et pensée en collaboration avec ces artistes, avec la signature de Wantigga comme fondation. Résultat : quatre morceaux éclectiques qui forment un ensemble sensuel et séduisant.

Linda “Babe” Majika’s insanely brilliant Don’t Treat Me So Bad is a tight six tracks of blistering electro-flavoured bubblegum and synth-drizzled solar-powered machine-funk. It has become increasingly hard to find, with copies currently moving for over £200. But this is definitely a case of eye-watering price equalling heart-thumping quality.The enormous “Let’s Make A Deal” is probably the best known track here, and it’s definitely the best one if you ask us. Linda’s vocals drip with attitude over warm, breezy synths and an urgent, edgy electro beat to create a timeless club-ready bomb that sounds as fresh as ever. But the rest of the album is far from filler.Don’t Treat Me So Bad is the work of one badass woman who can hold her own, and then some.

Edition of 100. Professionally duplicated in Quebec, Canada.Programmer is an exploration of the obscure but iconic sound of the Solton Programmer 24. A synthesizer referred to by some as the “Ultimate Italo Disco Machine”.Vancouver’s CORBEN pairs this strange and beautiful machine with a Mellotron and a Roland SVC-350 vocoder to great effect. The result is a haunting and dream-like suite of music that lends itself well to solitude and other inward-facing experiences.