MUSIC

Bringing together two distinct yet complementary forces in electronic music, Zohar and Nymfo join for their first collaborative release on Dekmantel.

Zohar’s sound is defined by razor-sharp precision and pulsating percussive energy storm-like sonics that disorient and excite in equal measure. With a background shaped by years of commanding dancefloors, she has carved a diverse and eclectic path, where rattling low-end and rhythmic tension form the foundation. Known for her technical refinement and mixing wizardry, Zohar intuitively seeks unexpected connections, always pushing her listeners into new territory. Following several contributions to Dekmantel compilations, this marks her first full-length release on the label.

Nymfo has been an essential figure in drum & bass since the late ’90s. Starting out in Eindhoven’s rave and jungle scene, he quickly became known for his fierce DJ sets and later, his productions. His catalogue spans acclaimed labels such as Metalheadz, 1985 Music, Commercial Suicide, Hospital Records, Critical, Dispatch, Shogun Audio, and many more. With two albums and a steady output of singles and EPs, Nymfo has consistently balanced raw dancefloor energy with a deep, refined production ethos.

Their paths crossed countless times in the scene, yet it wasn’t until Dekmantel invited them for a special Dekmantel Connects performance an ambitious setup with eight CDJs and four mixers that they shared the decks for the first time. The synergy of that moment carried into the studio, where their collaboration took shape. This release now returns them to the Dekmantel family, presenting their joint vision: a dialogue between low-end weight, rhythmic intricacy, and forward-thinking club sonics.

The 9th Riddim Dub School psychonautic explorations in the 5th dubmension. The first side brings us DARE! VAMPIE, a tune made by Prince Istari and Nozomi in courtesy of the Dubstressors. This was done while Prince Istari holds a Dub Science seminar. Here you go with four versions in a strip down dub style. Flipside brings synth line driven stepper SONIC ATTACK OF THE CIRCADAS. that one and the following two versions of DUBMENSIONAL SACNTUARY are both supported by the old Hohner Rythm 80 percussion machine. Is Prince Istari dropping out from mid highschool with this release? Or will he be back for the 10th grade? we may see.

30 years!!!

Produced in 1995 by the gold-grilled hardcore/jungle/D&B pioneer, engineered by Rob Playford, Dillinja, and 4Hero’s Dego and Mark Mac, with vocals by the legendary Diane Charlemagne (R.I.P.), ’Timeless’ was and still is an ambitious and enduring example of British Afrofuturism. The album’s sense of discipline and crucial style was symptomatic of the scenius developed by a tight circle of mostly Black and mixed race British artists who drew on their African and Afro-Caribbean roots to develop a unique artform that expressed their identity, which would in course become adopted by a wider generation as their own.

A pinnacle of its artform, arguably never bettered, the album was practically ubiquitous during the mid-‘90s, with its introductory anthem ‘Inner City Life’ - part of the album’s opening three-part suite - a staple on MTV2 and mainstream radio, which helped transcend its urban roots and infect a whole generation beyond big cities and their clubs. It’s almost hard to imagine such a futuristic album quite like this appearing and exerting so much effect on the popular consciousness in 2021, but the ‘90s was a very different place and time, and we can only live in hope that the next decade will foster the next Goldie.

Oh, one last thing - Gerald's 'Black Secret Technology' came out almost exactly 5 months before 'Timeless', it didn't have the same promo budget behind it, but it's legacy seeps even further and deeper than 'Timeless' - and is perhaps, on the quiet, one of the most influential and enduring electronic albums of the late 20th century. Just sayin.

Polygon Island’ is crisper and cleaner than its predecessor...It’s also generally a warmer, more relaxed affair, full of sun-bleached synth lines and gently bubbling bleeps, a result of its specific inspiration, the Ape Escape level Crabby Beach. - DJ Mag (Ben Hindle)

I knew this was going to be so much fun the moment it booted up. Pizza Hotline delivers another hot & fresh delivery with Polygon Island; 8 tracks that are unique by being energetic and action packed, yet super lightweight at the same time. With today's abundance of “2000’s/Y2K/Gaming” DnB mixes you’ll find throughout the internet, the liquidy textures of Pizza Hotline’s clean production stands out wonderfully. - Pad Chennington

Polygon Island continues in the same spirit, perhaps even sleeker and shinier than before. The arrangements are minimal and every individual sound is sculpted, trimmed and placed in a pocket of space. These are small sounds that sound massive on a club PA. - Thom Hosken//FutureSounds (My Pet Flamingo)