Tartelet Germany Vinyl & CDs

Review: Max Graef emerged with a dusty, lo-fi and lived-in house sound that soon made him a favourite amongst the underground heads of the early 2010s. In the years since he has dropped plenty of fine tunes and a great full-length and has seemingly been working on his skills and musicality because this new full-length is a real step up in quality. It comes as always on his home label Tartelet and mixes up some lush downtempo sounds with deep house bits, Balearic moments and plenty of soulful charm.

Review: The bond between Frankfurt and Leipzig emerges from their shared blend of tradition and modernity, each fostering exuberant cultural ecosystems. Frankfurt, Germany's financial heart, echoes with eclectic currents, contrasting its skyscrapers with local art scenes. It's here that not even noticed, a rising duo blending tranquil acid and breakbeat, began crafting their sound. This EP is a celebration of this, from the airy pads of 'Aerial' to the tough groove of 'Fidelity,' offering a mix of upbeat party tides and mellow vibes. It's music that feels right at home in Frankfurt's experimental spaces, with its easy-going acid and breakbeat tones striking a balance between warmth and innovation. Leipzig, with its rich classical roots and quieter charm, provides the perfect setting for a duo whose music embraces both reflective and energetic moods. Tracks like 'Voidness' and 'Affected' fit perfectly within the city's intimate spaces, where the music's restorative quality and weight come alive. Whether in Leipzig's clubs or Frankfurt's iconic venues, Not Even Noticed captures the pulse of modern German techno that offers both grounded and boundary-pushing sounds.

Review: Freaky, playful synthwork from Sao Paolo's Zopelar on the ever-reliable Tartelet imprint. Over eight immensely juiced, irreverent meditations on synth funk, boogie, deep house, Italo disco and acid, Zope showcases a mastery of foregrounding unconventional musical forces, cheeky and envelope-pushing analogue synth programming and genre-mangling at its very best. Highlights include the heart-in-mouth sway of 'Distraction', which at times sounds like a lovechild of Marcellus Pittman and Genesis-era Larry Heard, the eerie, questing squelch of seductive B-side opener 'Safe In The Dark' and the queasy, euphoric alarmism of lost freestyle hit 'Free Your Spirit (Ritmo II). Very addictive.