Aphrohead - Grown Man Cryy (CRM149)

As Aphrohead's first full-length in a decade sees a release, one of the standout tracks 'Grown Man Cry' sees a single release complete with a classic Carl Craig's 'Brainy Grimlin' rework.

The sounds of Detroit can be heard in the Aphrohead classic 'Grown Man Cry', fittingly reworked by the master of techno scene Carl Craig into a pulsating anthem suspended in time. The original cut (as put into words by DJ Mag) acts to "remind the world of the depths of talent and personality that made Aphrohead such a perennial force previously".

Aphrohead created a precedent in 90's techno on halcyon labels Bush, Global Cuts, Power Music, Thee Black Label & Radical Fear. His Felix Da Housecat alias went on to form the epicenter of the electro-clash scene and it was through this alias his friendship began with Crosstown Rebels pioneer Damian Lazarus, then at City Rockers. Stallings has remixed some of the biggest selling artists of the past few decades including Kylie Minogue, Pet Shop Boys, Madonna and Gwen Stefani.

Carl Craig is a key player in Detroit's techno sound, recently releasing 'The KMS Remixes' and consistently delivering on his own Planet E label. He began recording at the turn of the 90's, using a number of aliases to release innovative ambient, techno, breakbeat and future jazz sounds including BFC, Psyche, Paperclip People, 69, Designer Music and Innerzone Orchestra. He is also the co-creator and artistic director for the widely successful Detroit Electronic Music Festival.

Crosstown Rebels started their mission in 2003 powered by a modern electronic canon spearheaded by Damian Lazarus. the label ha sinspired countless unforgettable dancefloor moments and nurtured many universally adored music makers including Jamie Jones and Art Department. It remains the electronic pioneer of the past decade.

Tracklist:

1. Grown Man Cry

2.Grown Man Cry (Carl Craig's 'Brainy Grimlin' Remix)

Cat#: CRM149

Released: 30/10/15

Distribution: !K7 / Above Board

LINK TO THE TRACKS

Lee Van Dowski - Quasar 27.3 EP (RBL031)

Dark prince of electronic music, Lee Van Dowski, is the next to make is mark on Crosstown Rebels sub-label Rebellion with his high hitting 'Quasar 27.3 EP'

"Do you remember the song that was playing the night we met ?. No but I remember every song I have heard since you left". Lee Van Dowski.

First up "If Only Jack Was Here" is dark and powerful, building with intensity for an epic experience. Title track "Quasar 27.3" takes a deeper turn, with spacey synths that rise from the roots and penetrate the atmospherics amidst a captivating vocal hook. 'Bango Bango' is all about the percussion, a straight up raw kick and thundering bass is enhanced by random FX as a female vocal sweetly hums the melody. 'Odds And Sods' is yet another standout track that follows the same path with prominent percs and dominant synth melodies, constantly rising with sonic energy.

Renaud Lewandowski AKA Lee Van Dowski was originally born in France but now resides in Geneva. With a long musical background he first came to the forefront with a release on Cadenza with Philippe Quenum in 2004. He then went on to release on a wealth of labels such as Cocoon, BPitch Control, Suara, Rekids, Mobilee, Wagon Repair and Soma with a list of supporters ranging from Ricardo Villalobos and Sven Väth to Damian Lazarus and Adam Beyer.

His long and mesmerizing DJ sets see him regularly play at home of the world's most celebrated nightclubs including Panorama Bar, Watergate, Goa, Rex Club, D Edge, The Arches and many more. He also runs two successful record labels, Num, alongside Quenum, and 60sec, with Agnès. releasing dozens of records from the likes of Butane, Mike Shannon, Alex Attias, Exercise One, Pan-Pot and Dario Zenker amongst others

Traclist:

1. If Only Jack Was Here

2. Quasar 27.3

3. Bango Bango

4. Odds And Sods

Cat#: RBL031

Released: 23/10/2015

Distribution: Above Board

LINK TO THE TRACKS

Damian Lazarus (Slices Feature)

Drum Talk - Lose Again (Feat. Josa Peit) (CRM148)

Damian Lazarus signs another classic from the enigmatic DrumTalk, a revered producer who brings in the sublime singing talents of Josa Peit, signed to Brandt Brauer Frick's label for the invigorating and anthemic 'Lose Again'.

"Josa is a friend. She's got soul. We'd never worked together before so when she suggested we try something, I said yes. No-brainer. Any time I enjoy myself that much when working on something, I know I'm on to do a good thing."

Championed by Gilles Peterson of late and attracting a large, loyal and diverse following from James Holden and Skream, 'Wildcard' shows DrumTalk's sinister sneer, a techno weapon shooting to kill. 'Gamma' makes playful experiments with sounds to great effect, a unique and eloquent record that sways with grace.

As said in his own words, 'DrumTalk is the sound of machines being controlled by a human. Or maybe the sound of a human controlled by machines ? Digital, analogue and acoustic. High-Fi and Low-Fi. Synths, drum machines and echo units, hand claps, finger snaps and banging on a drum'.

DrumTalk is an East London-based producer and DJ. Inspiration comes via the musical lineage of London, Chicago, New York and Detroit, Lagos and Accra. Elements of house, techno, bass culture and the rhythms of West Africa and the Caribbean are all to be found here. His productions and remixes for More Music, Sofrito, Soundway, Get Me! and Huntleys & Palmers have been making an impact far and wide, garnering the attention and support of DJs such as James Holden, Jackmaster, Gilles Peterson and Skream, amongst a host of others.

Tracklist:

1. Lose Again (Feat. Josa Peit)

2. Wildcard

3. Gamma

Cat#: CRM148

Released: 16/10/2015

Distribution: !K7 / Above Board

LINK TO THE TRACKS

LUM - Urpillay (RBL030)

Taking inspiration from his surrpundings deep in the Tulum jungle, medecine man LUM takes us on an otherworldly trip, delivering a truly stunning EP for Crosstown Rebels sub-label Rebellion, featuring a remix from American duo Bedouin.

"The ceremony starts in the jungle" explains LUM of the EP's journey, "Urpillay" calls the spirits and asks permission for the celebration. It's warm, deep strings and pianos lead us to connect with the inner self and mother earth.Bedouin brings the jungle to the dancefloor with a powerful remix". LUM goes on to say, "The trumpets, percussion and the angelic voice in Plegaria are to say thanks. Baaxal is a reinterpretation of Mayan music, the spirit of the jungle present. 90bpm, hypnotic, and 741 Hz to awaken intuition. The deep voices of the tribe in Canto De La Tierra reminds us to live in harmony with the Erath. The flutes are the sound of the earth, wind and bamboo."

Since creating his legendary Day Zero event in Mexico in 2012, Damian Lazarus has been searching for the perfect local artist to represent the sound of the ancient Mayan culture and the new traditions emanating from the area, LUM is just that. Born in Argentina and based in Riviera Maya in Tulum, Mexico, Sebastian Gandina AKA LUM has spent his life steeped in indigenous cultures. This is reflected in his music which is equal parts house and world music. He has spent years observing how music is integrated into native cultures, identifying its social functions, acquainting himself with its principles, learning instruments, recording sounds and reinterpreting his multiple findings in the paradigm of digital technologies. He is very deep into the jungle, conducting his botanical research the same way he has been researching into indigenous music. He can also regularly be found djing alongside the likes of Acid Pauli and Nu.

Bedouin is a Brooklyn-based ^roduvtion & DJ partnership between nomads Rami Abousabe and Tamer Malki who are creating their own idiosyncratic spell of melodies and rhythms. Together they share an eclectic sonic vision that pulls from diverse influences owing to their Middle Eastern heritage, Western upbringing, and world travels. Previous releases can be found on the likes of Get Physical, Supernature and Kindisch.

Tracklist:

1. Urpillay

2. Urpillay (Bedouin Remix)

3. Plegaria

4. Baaxal

5. Canto De La Terria

Released: 02/10/2015

Cat#: RBL030

Distribution: Above Board

Róisín Murphy - Jealousy Remixes (CRM147)

The prolific production partnerships of Greg Wilson & Derek Kaye, Timo Maas & James Teej and the solo force of Citizenn take Roisin Murphy's 'Jealousy' to new levels with fresh remixes of the smash single released earlier this year.

"Jealousy is a thunderous house vamp over the course of which Roisin gradually transforms from carefree lover to possessive bunny-boiler, her growing mania matched by the music's unstoppable momentum. Pop-house pups take note: this is how it's done." The Guardian newspaper review. March 2015.

Roisin Murphy's compelling vocals are set innew bright landscapes by disco dons of Greg Wilson & Derek Kaye, London retro-futurist Citizenn hot of the heels of his debut album on Crosstown Rebels and Timo Maas & James Teej. Co-written and produced by the great Sheffield bastion of house, The Crooked Man AKA DJ Parrot, formally of Sweet Exorcist (Warp) and All Seeing I (FFRR).

Roisin Murphy has become one of the most competent, enduring and influential figures in the pop, disco and electronic music worlds. The Irish singer-songwriter originally broke into the charts as the frontwoman for Moloko, delivering music that was leftfield electronic and pop-orientated. Her consequent output, three stunning solo albums, and Mi Senti  a beautiful Italian language EP with The Vinyl Factory alongside guest vocal presence on labels such as Hot Creations and Permanent Vacation have ensured Roisin's enduring legacy and constant evolution as an artist.

'Jealousy' was also mixed by the legendary Eric Kupper, who was a production partner with Frankie Knuckles (R.I.P) and David Morales and whose K-Scope releases were a staple of 90's American NY House.

Tracklist:

1. Jealousy (Greg Wilson & Derek Kaye Remix)

2. Jealousy (Timo Maas & James Teej 'Machina' Mix)

3. Jealousy (Citizenn Remix Dub)

Released: 25/09/2015

Cat #: CRM147

Distribution: !K7 / Above Board

LINK TO THE TRACKS

SIS - Sombra India (CRM146)

Back onboard Crosstown Rebels, prolific DJ and producer SIS gets set to release the latin infused "Sombra India" featuring vocals from Eduardo Castillo who also provides a stunning remix.

"Last November I went to Pampa in Argentina to learn and become a master of Doma India, the way to tame horses ina gentle, peaceful way. I went to a taverna in Tucuman where Mercedes Sosa used to play back in the day. When I first listened to the original I got back flashes and every time when I listen to it I get goose bumps. The original is the inspiration for my track. The reaction in my sets is so lovely when I play it. Sometimes it's my opener and closer, as I love to do that sometimes in my sets, ending as it's begun." SIS.

The exotic "Sombra India" gets to work with slick guitar licks and a driving beat, enhanced with powerful and captivating vocals from Eduardo Castillo. Filled with energy, the Afro-House 'Sanura' is highly exotic as it transports you on a journey from the dancefloor. Eduardo Castillo's remix of 'Sombra India' takes a deeper otherworldly tone, one you can imagine hearing as the sun rises at the likes of Burning Man.

German native SIS shot into the limelight in 2008 with releases on Cecille and Ricardo Villalobos' label Sei Es Drum, which up until that point had only showcased Ricardo's own productions. No stranger to the Crosstown Rebels catalogue, he delivered the first ever Rebellion release and then later the 'Round Pen EP' on Crosstown Rebels in the summer of 2012 and the more recent 'Slider' on Rebellion. Other productions have appeared on esteemed labels such as Cocoon, 8Bit, Connaisseur, Get Physical, with a more recent album on Cocolino.

Eduardo Castillo is also a welcomed return to the Crosstown Rebels label and is the founder of the infamous VOODOO and HABITAS events from Los Angeles.

Tracklist:

1. Sombra India Feat. Eduardo Castillo
2. Sanura
3. Sombra India Feat. Eduardo Castillo (Eduardo Castillo Remix)


Cat#: CRM146
Released: 31/08/2015
Distribution: !K7 / Above Board Distribution