PSK
Spell Bound (Beware Of Magic Charms) / Revolution (Work Hard In Your Life)

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.

We won't make the obvious joke about buses - you know, the one about waiting ages for an Autechre album and then two turn up pretty much at the same time. But we will say this. If Plus, the second of Sean Booth and Rob Brown's two albums to drop within a fortnight of each other after a lengthy absence, were a bus, it wouldn't be headed out on any recognisable route that we know about. You might find the odd bit of scenery that feels vaguely familiar - the tension-laden strings of 'ii pre esc' or the scrambled drum & bass machinations of 'X4', but in the pair's hands they are splintered and re-assembled very much in their own image, one foot in the frenetic exhortations of electro and the other deeply planted in the land of industrial experimentation. Closing track 'TM1 might bear a slight resemblance to the squelchy acid of Drexciya, for instance, but its occasionally four-to-the-floor beats stop and start with a wonderfully disorientating playfulness. Brave and original, as ever, this is not for the faint hearted but at the same time takes you places you never thought you'd encounter.