Ziggy Zeitgeist Erica Tucceri
Jin Mu

We live in divisive times. Multiculturalism rises hand-in-hand with racial tensions, and politicians seem powerless to even bring people within earshot of their convoluted message. It’s time for a different perspective.On his second studio album, More Arriving, Sarathy Korwar blasts out his own vibrant, pluralistic missive for the world to hear. This is not necessarily a record of unity; it’s an honest reflection of Korwar’s experience of being an Indian in a divided Britain. Recorded over two and a half years in India and the UK, More Arriving draws on the nascent rap scenes of Mumbai and New Delhi, incorporating spoken word and Korwar’s own Indian classical and jazz instrumentation. This is a record born of confrontation; one for our confrontational times.With this album, Korwar expands his politicised narrative to envelop the entire diaspora. “This is a modern brown record. The kind of record that a contemporary Indian living in the UK for the past 10 years would make,”Korwar says. “This is what Indian music sounds like to me right now.” It all begins with the title: “More Arriving comes from the scaremongering around Brexit,” Korwar says. “It’s a tongue-in-cheek play on the fact that there are more people coming and you’ll have to deal with it!” Through this defiance, Korwar takes clear pride in the knotty mix of his identity – harking back to the new India of the Mumbai hip-hop kids, as well as identifying with London’s cultural diversity. “I want the idea of brown pride to come through,” he says. “My voice is one amongst a thousand, but this record is a snapshot of something much greater than myself. It’s the chance to send a message.

Detroit's Ali Berger joins up with FatCat Records' sub-label FCR to release four acid-tinged cuts entitled 'Keys The Door EP1'.Michigan's Ali Berger has been making music for nearly ten years now and was first introduced to house and techno in 2012 through a party at New York's Dope Jams. Later that year he went on to release his debut EP on Militant Science and has since gone on release music via Clave House, Isaiah Tapes and Firm Tracks. Ali represents a new wave of producers coming through the US scene earning him regular slots at venues across the country. His 'Keys The Door EP1' sees him join Brighton's FatCat sub-label FCR which launched with two releases from Cottam, in addition to records from DJJ and Project 223.Ali uses mostly hardware from the 90s and early 2000s to make his music and the stripped back nature of production is a constant feature throughout the EP. 'Badlands' opens things up with a chugged out groove immersed with weaving 303s and eccentric modulations before rhythmic synth stabs, angelic leads and delicate chords take the focus in 'Love In This Box'.'Secrets' maintains the attractive atmosphere through a lusciously deep bassline, a haunting acid line and inviting oscillations until 'Sleeves' finishes things off with a raw drum sequence, illustrious melodies and alleviating pads in the second half.

Diskotopia is extremely proud to kick-start 2019 with Girar, a four-track EP of new kaleidoscopic productions from Lisbon-born, London-based producer Silvestre.