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Yesterday Is Dead
Yesterday Is Dead - (5:49)
Wild Combination - (5:46)
Mango - (4:46) Hot
Strange Fruit - (5:59)
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ESP 004
21 Feb 11
Deep House
Yaoyorozoo
YaoyorozooPREORDER
Iwafune (feat Cazu-23) - (7:14) 106 BPM
Swallow Groove (feat Dj Ryota & Noritaka Itoh) - (9:25) 108 BPM
Don Pami - (3:02) 60 BPM
Twinbee (feat SMS) - (5:52) 60 BPM
Otoooh (feat Taihei) - (6:53) 82 BPM
Yaoyorozoo - (7:03) 84 BPM
Akokuro (feat HARIKUYAMAKU, Mizuki & Yuko Nakai) - (6:30) 80 BPM
Fudoukutsu (feat Cazu-23) - (8:16) 55 BPM
Water City - (2:56) 72 BPM
Ginryusou - (5:26) 92 BPM
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ESP 107
24 May 24
Experimental/Electronic
Weh-In
Weh-In (extended version) - (12:21) 116 BPM Hot
Weh-In (Ian Blevins remix) - (7:39) 120 BPM
Pik (original mix) - (5:17) 145 BPM
Review: Given that Neil McDonald aka Lord of the Isles has released on notable labels like Firecracker - and its offshoots - as well as Phonica, Mule and Permanent Vacation, it was only a matter of time before ESP Institute tapped him for a release. That said, McDonald does not follow a typical deep house trajectory here. Indeed, the title track, in its extended version, is a distorted jacking affair, shot through with dark waves of acid. While Ian Blevins' version offers a pulsing, less visceral alternative take on "Weh-In", overall this release is jittery and hyperactive, as the abstract twists and growling bass of closing track "Pik" demonstrates.
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ESP 039A
04 Nov 16
Techno
Wakusei
Wakusei A - (7:38) 90 BPM Hot
Wakusei Y (feat Sinkishi & Kabamix) - (7:50) 50 BPM
Hayabusa - (8:50) 123 BPM
Review: Ground follows last year's Logos EP and his critically acclaimed Sunizm album on ESP Institute with this fine, frazzled release. "Wakusei a" is set to a mid-tempo rhythm and teems with abstract percussion, spooky vocal samples and bursts of droning feedback and noise. Adding to the sense of intrigue, a mysterious pianist plays away in the background. Meanwhile, "Wakusei y" features a droning bass that supports a cacophony of found-sound samples. It's only on "Hayabusa" that Ground turns his attention towards the dance floor, but as is his wont, the groove is scuffled and led by dense layers of percussion, a heady climax to another individualistic release.
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ESP 037
08 May 20
Techno
Video Days / Later Than U Think
Video Days - (6:13) 124 BPM Hot
Later Than U Think - (5:05) 124 BPM
Review: We've prattled on before about the immense talents of Amsterdam-based producer Marco Sterck, describing his previous missive for ESP Institute as being like "Larry Heard on a fistful of downers". "Video Days", on the other hand, is like an immense MDMA rush in the company of Lindstrom, Yellow Magic Orchestra and LB Bad - all twinkling, Japanese-inspired melodies, darting electronics and gently lapping chords. It goes without saying that it's superb. "Later Than You Think" is impressive, too, layering bold, "Coma Cat"-ish melodies atop a woozy base of frisky, jazz-flecked drums, bittersweet chords and vintage electronics. If anything, it provides even more of an intense rush than its predecessor. Bliss.
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ESP 013
08 Nov 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
TUSK B/w AKU
Tusk - (6:49) 122 BPM Hot
Aku - (6:05) 164 BPM
Review: Tusk is the second outing on ESP Institute by Cleveland, an alias for the Brussels-based producer Andrea Mancini. While it does not have the immediacy of some of the label's output, it does tingle and sparkle with understated brilliance. On "Aku", Mancini conjures up a vivid, complex rhythm track, peppered with reverberating tropical animal sounds, hollowed out drums and a dash of intelligent techno melancholia. The title track is even more impressive; similar in rhythmic construct to "Aku", it is imbued with glorious, jazzed out melodies and tinkling bells and is shot through with a wonderfully hypnotic bass that insinuates itself into the listener's consciousness.
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ESP 075
08 Jun 18
Techno
Trycksaker
Trycksaker - (8:50) 116 BPM
Roguish Days - (6:37) 113 BPM Hot
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ESP 067
20 Apr 18
Deep House
Tistish/Nee Shitteru
Man Power - "Tistish" - (6:54) 121 BPM Hot
Man Power & Last Waltz - "Nee Shitteru" - (7:20) 117 BPM
Review: Geoff Kirkwood aka Man Power has appeared on a range of underground labels over the past few years and with the exception of Optimo Trax, it's ESP Institute that is most suited to his left of centre electronics. Working together here with Last Waltz - who has released on World Unknown and Tusk Wax - he delivers two fine jams. "Tistish" resounds to a muddy bass, noisy interference and some of the spookiest synth work this side of Legowelt's Squadra Blanco project. On "Nee Shitteru", the pair strip things back, but don't lose their sense of humour in the process, as tribal drums underscore vocal chants and rough acid lines.
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ESP 069
27 Oct 17
Minimal/Tech House
Thinking Allowed (Remixed)
Bit 1 (Nina Amnesia remix) - (6:01) 115 BPM Hot
Thinking Allowed (Pharoah remix) - (6:41) 111 BPM
Review: The Thinking Allowed EP that saw Tornado Wallace debut on ESP Institute earlier this year not only signaled the end of a production hiatus from the affable Melbournite, it hinted at a fuller, more vivid sound that went much further than the pitched down deep house upon which he first made his name. Having subsequently demonstrated this further on releases for Kinfolk and Beats In Space, Wallace returns to Lovefingers label - well sort of - as tracks from the aforementioned Thinking Allowed are reworked by Pharoahs and Nina Amnesia. It's the latter, somewhat mysterious compatriot of Wallace who leads the way with a wonderfully uptempo take on "Bit One", whilst LA trio Pharaohs discard with the Will Powers style vocals of the title track and add plenty of their own instrumentation and production gloss.
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ESP 015B
05 Aug 13
Deep House
Thinking Allowed
Bit 1 - (7:10) 116 BPM
Cloud Country - (5:21) 97 BPM
Thinking Allowed - (8:41) 111 BPM Hot
Review: In a 2010 interview, Tornado Wallace explained the inspiration behind his distinctive title as "something between a deep south blues artist or a logger from Nebraska". In subsequent years the Australian has seemingly swapped the south blues artist for something southern Italo, keeping the Nebraskan edge with his logger's beard. This is demonstrated in wondrous fashion on the water-coloured artwork to Thinking Aloud, his debut EP for Lovefingers' ESP Institute. Heavy bass plods switch to a walking bassline in "Bit One", as motorised and starry arpeggios weave between breathy vocals that are as much human as they are synthesised. This is complemented by "Cloud Country" which lowers in BPM with more Italo inspired arpeggios, pulsating toms and sprinklings of Latin sounding synths. The title track slowly reveals itself to be a Balearic burner of the highest calibre, opening with an analogous kick-snare combo and a "higher-self" spoken word spiel that's reminiscent of Will Powers legendary "Adventures In Success". Peaks come; troughs go as the track builds sublimely before dovetailing back to its original form. Welcome back sir!
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ESP 015
18 Feb 13
Disco/Nu-Disco
Themes
Theme I - (8:14) 75 BPM
Theme II - (3:15) 75 BPM
Theme III - (3:39) 78 BPM
Theme IV - (5:47) 110 BPM Hot
Theme V - (3:44) 55 BPM
Theme VI - (5:03) 63 BPM
Theme VII - (3:56) 62 BPM
Theme VIII - (3:53) 75 BPM
Theme IX - (3:41) 75 BPM
Theme X - (2:47) 75 BPM
Theme XI - (1:40) 74 BPM
Theme XII - (5:29) 80 BPM
Theme XIII - (4:39) 80 BPM
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ESP 076
26 Oct 18
Experimental/Electronic
The Tourist/Oye
The Tourist - (8:55) 122 BPM
Oye - (8:23) 124 BPM Hot
Played by: Ponty Mython
Review: According to Lovefingers' typically eccentric sales notes, these two tracks from Man Power (AKA similarly quirky producer Geoff Kirkwood) will "put a wrench in your holiday". Kirkwood has been globetrotting a lot lately, and both cuts here sound like they were inspired by visits to hot, steamy countries. He kicks things off with the subtle positivity of "The Tourist", where swirling chords and tumbling synthesizer melodies ride a busy, bouncy, and pleasingly off-kilter, tribal drum groove. While excellent, it lacks the surging positivity, glistening Balearic touches and wonky analogue bottom-end of flipside "Oye", which sounds like an Adriatic anthem in waiting.
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ESP 055
01 Jul 16
Techno
The Revenge Of Soft Rocks
We Hunt Buffalo Now (Andrew Weatherall remix) - (5:49) 60 BPM
Obo (Tiago's ESP Disk mix) - (7:22) 75 BPM
Thunder Thunder (Spectral Empire remix) - (6:30) 90 BPM
Talking Jungle (Justin Vandervolgen remix) - (9:52) 120 BPM Hot
Air (Secret Circuit remix) - (5:56) 108 BPM
Magic Milk (Beautiful Swimmers Coconut dub) - (5:33) 58 BPM
Little Lights (Cos & Mes remix) - (7:39) 106 BPM
200 Satsumas (Young Marco's Dust remix) - (6:24) 59 BPM
Slowdown (Cage & Aviary Bonus Beats) - (6:52) 108 BPM
Mirador De Las Estrellas (Ray Mang remix) - (7:30) 110 BPM
Wicker Man (Cosmodelica remix) - (7:56) 65 BPM
Mirador De Las Estrellas (Mudd's Murgi Morisa mix) - (6:09) 89 BPM
Wicker Man (Lexx remix) - (5:08) 65 BPM
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ESP 008
23 Jul 12
Balearic/Downtempo
The Lost Art Of Wandering
Denton, Texas - (5:38) 76 BPM Hot
Fossil, Oregon - (4:27) 90 BPM
Tucson, Arizona - (3:21) 80 BPM
Livermore, California - (5:40) 71 BPM
Astoria, Oregon - (4:08) 79 BPM
Roslyn, Washington - (4:28) 102 BPM
Idaho Falls, Idaho - (3:29) 75 BPM
Paradise, California - (5:41) 80 BPM
Review: Described as a clean-cut all-American pedal steel guitarist, and member of the country-tinged Mojave 3 outfit on 4AD, Raymon Richards has an epic discography to be discovered. Introduced to the leftfield, house and disco loving community through ESP Institute, the label champions Richards' new age twang and ambience of through The Lost Art Of Wandering. Largely an ambient affair of finger picked guitars, harmonicas and percussion, all lathered in gorgeous reverb and delay, there's still some drum machines and rhythm tracks to be found in "Roslyn, Washington", "Fossil, Oregon" and deep into "Tucson, Arizona". The Lost Art Of Wandering is an all-American affair and ode to the lonely roads and rolling tumbleweeds of dreamland's wild west.
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ESP 070
22 May 20
Balearic/Downtempo
The Lobbyist
The Lobbyist - (6:32) 118 BPM
Cupid's Delight (feat TCB) - (4:46) 107 BPM
Gravel - (6:11) 122 BPM Hot
Review: ESP Institute has always sought out unusual interpretations of electronic music. This latest offering from Benedikt Frey is no exception, as it sees him push the boundaries in a way that releases for Creme and Mule had only hinted at. "The Lobbyist" is a gnarly, rugged groove, gradually unraveling and full of the kind of intrigue that its title hints at. "Cupid's Delight" is even slower and more deliberate, with breathy soundscapes and twitchy percussive ticks adding to the sense of mystery. The release closes with "Gravel". Again the sense of otherworldliness prevails, with the rhythm at a dead pace and its fractured, disconnected groove sounding like tiny stones rattling around inside a tunnel.
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ESP 028
04 Mar 16
Techno
The Heights B/w Safe House
The Heights - (7:57) 118 BPM Hot
Safe House - (5:32) 120 BPM
Review: According to ESP Institute, Damien Lynch is "a gentleman you've met in a past life". That's certainly true for those who checked his previous productions under the obscure Sarsparilla [sic] and Diamond Dagger aliases. Unlike those, which were inspired by classic electro and Italo-disco, the two tracks that make up this ESP Institute debut are deep, woozy, atmospheric and sensory. First up is "The Heights", where fluttering riffs, horizontal chords and luscious melodic flourishes ride a gradually building - and eventually pulsating - groove. "Safe House" is a more melancholic affair, despite the presence of some particularly bold and heavy percussion, with lilting marimba melodies, undulating arpeggio lines and tear-jerking pads catching the ear.
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ESP 041
29 Jan 16
Deep House
The Curse Of Soft Rocks
We Hunt Buffallo Now - (6:18) 69 BPM
Obo - (7:10) 100 BPM
Thunder Thunder - (5:56) 88 BPM
Slowdown - (8:45) 101 BPM Hot
Magic Milk - (5:44) 58 BPM
Air - (5:39) 54 BPM
Talking Jungle - (7:00) 100 BPM
200 Satsumas - (5:38) 105 BPM
Mirador De Las Estrellas - (7:22) 89 BPM
Little Lights - (8:50) 74 BPM
Wicker Man (feat Kathy Diamond) - (5:05) 129 BPM
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ESP 007
01 Nov 11
Balearic/Downtempo
The Atmospheric
The Atmospherian - (9:38) 101 BPM
The Atmospherian (Carpentaria remix) - (5:36) 101 BPM
The Atmospherian (Tornado Wallace remix) - (4:32) 113 BPM Hot
Review: Warp Factor 9 are the sibling duo John and Russell Kilbey from Australia, brothers of Steve: the lead singer of acclaimed rock band The Church. They only ever released one album entitled Five Days In A Photon Belt back in 1993. "The Atomospherian" likes its name may suggest is a spacey and tripped out cosmic journey: a real dive into the esoteric. They get remixed by fellow Australian duo Paul Harmon and Tamas Jones aka Carpentaria, who inject more epic synth action into the track while label staple Tornado Wallace lends his trademark retroactive Balearic style to the track making it more dancefloor friendly. Aussie Aussie Aussie! Oi Oi Oi!
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ESP 056
08 Sep 17
Deep House
Teen Bee
Grace - (7:05) 119 BPM Hot
Illustrations & The Large - (5:54) 117 BPM
Teen Bee - (5:49) 117 BPM
Review: By anyone's standards, ESP Institute enjoyed a hugely successful 2016, delivering a string of fine singles and killer albums from Moscoman and Lord of the Isles. This first digital missive of 2017 is equally as impressive, and comes from the previously unheard Nancy Azzuro. Opener "Grace" is undoubtedly impressive; a rolling trip into 21st century dub disco territory blessed with killer percussion work and an addictive electronic bassline. "Illustrations & The Large" is a deliciously woozy and melodious chunk of softly spoken Balearic deep house, while the loopier "Teen Bee" fixes ghostly melodies onto a loose and warm disco-house groove.
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ESP 047
16 Jan 17
Deep House
Tangier
Tangier - (13:02) 123 BPM Hot
Everything Is Nice - (6:26) 117 BPM
Review: To date, long serving but low key Detroiter Sharif Laffrey has specialised in delivering epic cuts that prioritize hypnotic grooves, raw drums and subtle musical shifts. For his debut on Lovefingers' ESP Institute label he ratchets up the intensity by a few dozen notches, basing fearsome "Tangier" around a druggy, full-throttle groove, wild and psychedelic acid lines, snaking Middle Eastern horn solos and the kind of rumbling bassline that will sound awesome blasting out of a meaty soundsystem. "Everything Is Nice" is deeper and groovier in tone, with Laffrey wrapping bleeping melody lines and echoing vocal samples around a crunchy drum machine rhythm. It's very good, even if it does lack the restless energy of the exotic "Tangier".
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ESP 079
22 Jun 18
Techno
Sunset Dawn
The Third Wall - (6:36) 100 BPM Hot
Hypnotic Mango - (5:10) 111 BPM
Breathing Made Easy - (6:25) 110 BPM
Suites & Spices - (5:32) 120 BPM
Downtown Salad - (4:55) 111 BPM
Chocolate Noon/Chocolate Moon - (8:21) 100 BPM
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ESP 017
19 May 14
Disco/Nu-Disco
Sunizm
Osaka Native - (7:21) 105 BPM
Logos - (6:16) 105 BPM Hot
Follow Me - (4:18) 52 BPM
Lady Plants - (7:41) 55 BPM
Hanasai - (9:01) 90 BPM
Feel It - (4:58) 104 BPM
Koot Works (feat OR) - (8:17) 90 BPM
Oenothera - (8:08) 57 BPM
Sunizm - (9:00) 109 BPM
Played by: OOFT!
Review: Osaka's GROUND is no newcomer to the world of experimental electronics, with the artist's last official EP having come out all the way back in 1995 as a self-releases 7" on the forever-defunct 595-76-8239 Music. Sunizsm is his debut LP, with a few of these tunes already out in the last few months on separate EPs, each one of them backed by a series of killer remixes, of course. The LP as a whole, however, is a startling beauty, dipping and diving from dance music to the abstract, rich in Ground's Japanese aesthetics. "Logos", one of the tracks released already, is a tripping bundle of percussion and Eastern vocal chops and, among our other favourites on here, there's also the off-kilter chimes of "Hanasai", the moody bass tones of "Feel It", and the hypnotic journey that is "Sunizsm" itself. House-not-house for the DJ-not-DJs.
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ESP 063
13 Jul 18
Experimental/Electronic
Sublimate b/w Precipitate
Sublimate - (6:30) 83 BPM
Precipitate - (4:23) 74 BPM
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ESP 113
13 Oct 23
Experimental/Electronic
Strangefruit
Strangefruit (Soft Rocks remix) - (6:27) 100 BPM Hot
Wild Combination (Secret Circuit remix) - (5:51) 92 BPM
Yesterday Is Dead (Jonny Nash version) - (5:35) 100 BPM
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ESP 004B
30 Apr 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
Stalactite
Starnet - (1:55) 105 BPM
Gamete - (3:24) 55 BPM
Massonia - (3:51) 58 BPM Hot
Zooid - (3:51) 60 BPM
Ssekkai - (4:34) 62 BPM
Pyrosome - (1:55) 63 BPM
Kaseijin - (3:39) 86 BPM
AAVT/AAVTSL - (2:25) 65 BPM
Hydrozoa - (3:59) 77 BPM
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ESP 110
18 Mar 22
Experimental/Electronic
Skylark
Skylark (12" re-master) - (7:40) 125 BPM
OmniMulti - (4:09) 123 BPM
Skylark (Linkwood remix) - (9:36) 83 BPM Hot
Skylark (Tourist Kid remix) - (4:51) 105 BPM
Review: 'Skylark' was undoubtedly one of the shimmering highlights on Lord of the Isles' rather good 2016 album, In Waves, so it's great to see it return to stores in re-mastered and remixed form. This time round, the superb original - a spacey and emotive affair that sees the Scottish artist wrap a kick-heavy drum machine beat in star-fall synthesizer motifs and elongated early morning chords - comes accompanied by some fresh remixes. His old pal Linkwood steals the show with an epic, ultra-deep version that sounds like ambient techno fused with broken beat, while Tourist Kid provides a similarly impressive experimental ambient take. Bonus cut 'OmniMulti', a house tempo exercise in melancholic Motor City futurism, is also rather good.
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ESP 039B
05 Feb 21
Techno
Sight Seeing
The Dove - (3:33) 129 BPM
Puente De Los Enamorados - (5:16) 60 BPM Hot
Uroboros - (2:40) 147 BPM
Vesperal - (5:55) 157 BPM
Iginition - (2:08) 119 BPM
Eloigne - (6:23) 146 BPM
Halilios - (10:07) 157 BPM
Strategie Silencieuse - (3:43) 154 BPM
Spring - (4:13) 116 BPM
Monade - (3:16) 148 BPM
Atomatic - (5:49) 132 BPM
Infinite - (3:23) 102 BPM
Gradation 65 - (3:12) 116 BPM
Miroir Daeau - (7:08) 60 BPM
Meteorythme - (13:12) 60 BPM
Review: Swiss DJ and producer Ripperton has undergone a significant shift of gears since his early productions for the like of Dessous and Tamed Musiq, among others. While he was very uch on the tech-sided end of the spectrum, he has been scouted by the UK?s excellent ESP Institute, to which he has provided his fourth studio LP, Sight Seeing. Much in line with the existing syle of the imprint, the album is a wondrous voyage of deep-minded electronics, often veering towards the beatless space - the sonic ether, if you will. These fifteen euphoric progressions are nothing but good vibes, and their differentiation resides in an almost total negligence of beats and more traditional experimental tactics. In fact, this is more experiential than anything else, diving you head-first into a mesmerizing whirlpool of hollow drones, propelled by rich landscapes of colourful sounds, with a nod to the new age perspective. Hats off, Mr Ripperton!
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ESP 072
16 Feb 18
Ambient/Drone
Second Stimulus / Synchro Surfer
Second Stimulus - (8:55) 123 BPM Hot
Synchro Surfer - (6:11) 127 BPM
Review: Second Stimulus is Toby Tobias' second outing on Lovefingers' label, and goes a long way to explain why the UK producer is so revered. The title track is a cosmic affair, with mysterious melodies, tripped out synth sweeps and extra helpings of reverb all unfolding over tight drum breaks. Tobias opts for a different approach on "Synchro Surfer": focusing on the dance floor from the get-go, he delivers a linear rhythm that will be well received by DJs. However, he then proceeds to daub it in bleeps, sirens and the kind of warm and woozy chords that have become his signature.
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ESP 062
06 Apr 18
Techno
Sagano/Haru Wa Akebono
Sagano - (6:35) 120 BPM Hot
Haru Wa Akebono - (6:13) 115 BPM
Review: ESP Institute has become synonymous with championing left of centre dance music and this debut by Hoshina Anniversary is testament to the label's knack of supporting unusual releases. "Sagano" revolves around a low-slung groove and robust drums that support droning textures and colourful synths. On "Haru Wa Akebon'", the Tokyo producer moves towards some semblance of convention; designed for more discerning dance floors, staccato percussion and an understated, pulsating rhythm play host to warm house keys and the sound of machines malfunctioning in the background. It rounds off the latest eccentric EP to be issued by the ESP roster.
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ESP 097
13 Dec 19
Techno
S/t
Mild Bunch - (4:40) 100 BPM
Ghost Army Redemption - (5:22) 63 BPM Hot
Fade II Black - (3:04) 68 BPM
Star & Garterlude 1 - (1:00) 76 BPM
Safe Distance - (4:32) 60 BPM
Underwater Ghosts - (5:04) 68 BPM
Star & Garterlude 2 - (1:24) 62 BPM
Archaeoacoustics - (5:30) 59 BPM
High St - (5:35) 64 BPM
Ashley Road Steppa - (4:49) 60 BPM
The Drake Equation - (4:37) 64 BPM
Celestial Bird - (2:40) 83 BPM
Lullaby For The Apocalypse - (5:38) 60 BPM
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ESP 105
18 Jun 21
Experimental/Electronic
Resume / Poor Old Head
Resume - (7:40) 120 BPM Hot
Poor Old Head - (5:56) 122 BPM
Review: Having delivered a couple of quietly impressive solo EPs for Keep It Zen and Saft, as well as a highlight of Disco Bloodbath's label as one half of Al Gobi, Ian Blevins pops up on Lovefingers' ESP Institute with a pair of tracks that the LA label claim will "boost your Serotonin levels". Certainly, A-side "Hannibal" is a definite mood enhancer, with bubbling, high-pitched electronic melodies and spacey chords riding a fizzing, Detroit-influenced analogue house groove. Flipside "Welcome Aunt Poly" is an altogether deeper and drowsier affair, with rich, stretched-out pads reclining over a shuffling, cowbell-laden rhythm. It feels like the sort of track that could induce a "moment" when heard at the right time, despite its' relatively simple - if not less delicious - construction.
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ESP 035
19 Feb 16
Techno
Reconstructions
Reconstruction 1 - (15:10) 76 BPM
Reconstruction 2 - (12:22) 73 BPM
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ESP 030
29 Jan 21
Ambient/Drone
Recife
Recife (Bailemix) - (7:42) 127 BPM Hot
Cuatro Meses De Verano - (8:46) 116 BPM
Review: It looks like 2019 is going to be Tobar's year. Having dropped his vivid, expansive Continuidad album for ESP Institute, he now returns to the label with more heat. "Recife", which featured on the long player, is presented in 'Bailemix' format, making it a searing, sensuous groove that resounds to steely drums and a searing, low-slung bass. It's a mesmerising, hypnotic track, one that is sure to get played at festivals this summer. On the flip, the Chilean artist drops a new arrangement. "Cuatro Meses De Verano" is a slower, more complex groove, featuring epic, Italo-style synths and the murkiest bass tones this side of Nation's catalogue.
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ESP 060A
12 Apr 19
Techno
Rambutan
Banana Paradiso - (7:11) 120 BPM
Rambutan - (6:03) 117 BPM
The Color Of Maracuja - (6:31) 120 BPM Hot
Review: Juan Ramos and Luca 'Trent' Trentini come together for only their second EP as Greenvision. Rambutan will come as a surprise to fans of ESP Institute's free flowing disco sound, and could conceivably have been released on an experimental techno label. This approach is audible on "Banana Paradiso", where a doubled up, gnarly rhythm houses spacey passages and a sinewy, bleepy bass. The title track strays further into an offbeat direction thanks to Greenvision's smart fusion of abstract beats, tonal sounds and a stop-start groove. They leave the best to last however, with "The Color Of Maracuja" unfolding to the sound of melodic Asian elements and frazzled acid lines.
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ESP 068
11 May 18
Techno
Punch
Punch - (7:07) 130 BPM
Myth - (5:03) 123 BPM Hot
Cnt - (5:02) 123 BPM
Agenda - (7:01) 127 BPM
Review: Emerging last year to rework Benedikt Frey's "Private Crimes" on ESP Institute, Dalo aka Nadia D'Al? now delivers her debut EP for the label. The title track is a tight, jacking affair, led by a pulsating acid line and featuring a doomy vocal accompaniment. On "Myth", she veers towards a more industrial sound, with bleak synths unravelling over a primal pulse. That sound is further teased out on "Cnt", where Dalo delivers shrieking vocals over a dark, dense rhythm, chiming bells and a visceral, building bass. Rounding off the release is "Agenda", where a heads-down, pulsating ebm-style groove prevails.
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ESP 095
01 Nov 19
Techno
Primal Astrology
Spooks - (4:53) 120 BPM
Greenwashing - (4:57) 130 BPM
Past One-Twenty - (3:52) 120 BPM
Wet FX - (6:18) 125 BPM
Help For People - (3:21) 92 BPM
Primal Astrology - (4:31) 62 BPM Hot
Review: Under the now familiar TCB alias, Christian Beisswenger has spent the best part of a decade offering up distinctive mutations of deeo house, techno and tech-house for labels including Live At Robert Johnson, Tasteful Nudes, Die Orakel and House Is OK. "Prima Astrology" sees him tackle the mini-album format for the first time via an outing on ESP Institute that's arguably aimed more towards home listening than any of his previous work. Of course, there are a number of club-ready cuts on show, but like the album's more downtempo offerings they're deep, spacey, cleverly composed and often shot through with references to dub-house and dub techno (see "Wet FX" and "Once Past Twenty" for starters). It's a good blend that makes for suitably drowsy and enjoyable listening, with highlights including the eccentric, off-kilter opener "Spooks", the deep digi-dub of "Help For People" and the blue-tinged early morning warmth of "Prima Astrology".
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ESP 096
22 Nov 19
Balearic/Downtempo
Pregunta B/w Tremors
Tremors - (5:34) 155 BPM
Pregunta - (6:41) 138 BPM
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ESP 116
28 Jul 23
Bass
Point Vacancies
Dislocation Climb - (8:02) 116 BPM
Alloyed Forces - (7:11) 120 BPM Hot
Point Vacancies - (7:23) 50 BPM
Review: Not much is known about Metal, the latest artist to release on Lovefingers' label. Despite this sense of mystery, if you are looking for left of centre electronic music, you've come to the right place. "Dislocation Climb" is a gloomy synth-laden workout, underpinned by steely drums. On "Alloyed Forces", Metal picks up the pace to deliver a linear rhythm littered with razor-sharp percussion that underpin cosmic sound scapes and a rumbling bass. This flirtation with the dance floor is only a temporary measure, and on the title track, Metal delivers a moody, downtempo track that oozes synth-led gloom.
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ESP 088
06 Nov 20
Techno
Panokorama (Remixed)
Sala Sensi (Florian Kupfer remix) - (8:45) 123 BPM
Clypp (Skudge remix) - (5:50) 128 BPM Hot
Sala Sensi (Gilb'r remix) - (7:16) 120 BPM
Clypp (Ground remix) - (6:10) 114 BPM
Review: Bartellow aka Benedikt Brachtel returns to ESP Institute with remixes of tracks from his 2017 album, Panokorama. First up is Florian Kupfer from L.I.E.S, who turns "Sala Sensei" into a teased out lo-fi jam, with cavernous filters cascading into epic drops. Gilb'r from Versatile also opts for a dubbed out take on the same track, but it has a softer, more shimmering approach as a dub groove chugs away in the background. Given their reputation for making lean, linear club techno, it comes as no surprise that Skudge's take on "Clypp" is an expertly streamlined, tracky affair, but this is a largely out-there remix package, as evidenced by Ground's warbling, sub-aquatic take on "Clypp".
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ESP 046A
19 Apr 19
Techno
Panokorama
Sala Sensi - (5:07) 120 BPM Hot
Clypp - (5:28) 120 BPM
W.C.R. - (2:00) 100 BPM
Shufflington - (5:51) 122 BPM
Ex% - (6:57) 120 BPM
Amnesia - (2:22) 85 BPM
Operator In Excelsis - (6:44) 119 BPM
Saba - (5:30) 122 BPM
Notion - (5:14) 122 BPM
Panokorama - (4:43) 110 BPM
Played by: DIONIGI
Review: Bartellow is German producer Beni Brachtel, an artist that has been in involved with Lovefingers' ESP Institute for some time and as a member of label favourites Tambien, alongside Marvin Schuhmann & Valentino Betz of Public Possession. It's a pretty diverse affair on his debut Pankorama LP, starting off with the rather rather Pal Joey sounding "Sala Sensi" before he dives into some cosmo-balearic tinged ambient on the lovely "Clypp". Dusty swing-fuelled underground house is covered covered on the appropriately titled "Shufflington" or especially the stopmin' "Operator In Excelsis". "Notion" bridges the gap between label head Andrew Hogge's fascination with the exotic and analogue electronics wonderfully.
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ESP 046
07 Apr 17
Deep House
Oxford House
Fahrt Im Himmel (Let It Go) - (5:46) 119 BPM Hot
Oxford House - (5:01) 118 BPM
Oxford House (New York Metroplotan Area mix) - (3:34) 103 BPM
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ESP 040
20 Dec 19
Disco/Nu-Disco
Osmin Uratoma
Lemmi Ash Theme - (7:03) 122 BPM
Apsu - (4:03) 124 BPM
To Dare Is To Do - (4:23) 122 BPM Hot
Horror Vacui - (5:23) 122 BPM
Review: Lemmi Ash is a new project comprising producer Martin "Martinou" Str?mstedt and long-term ESP Institute affiliate DJ Samo. The act's debut release, Osmin Uratoma leans towards the label's more techno-facing sound; "Lemmi Ash Theme" is built on a dense, low-slung groove and wave upon wave of filters, while "Apsu" is a loose, percussive affair, featuring powerful sub-bass and organ riffs. The duo go off the abstract deep end with "To Dare is To Do", which features shimmering synths and dreamy vocals layered over a stop-start rhythm, while "Horror Vacui" closes the release in melancholy, dubbed out mode.
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ESP 050
13 Sep 19
Techno
Ode To A Happening Earth
Tye Die Techno - (8:07) 120 BPM Hot
Ode To A Happening On Earth - (5:58) 120 BPM
Played by: RED AXES
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ESP 078
14 Dec 18
Electro
Nonono
Nonono - (4:41) 123 BPM
Darwin In Bahia - (7:08) 117 BPM Hot
Played by: Discomendments
Review: The underground music scene is full of unheralded talent - people and labels whose significant contribution to a sound or style often goes overlooked. Amsterdam-based Marco Sterk could well be one of those people. A graphic designer by trade, he is responsible for the distinctive look and feel of Rush Hour's many releases. But that's not all. He's also the man behind the stop-start Hand Of God label, an imprint whose sporadic releases gainfully attempt to join the dots between classic and contemporary house, leftfield disco and, on occasions, Italo. Here, he joins forces with the similarly overlooked ESP Institute label. Like Sterk's own Hand of God imprint, ESP Institute operates at the margins, delivering music that doesn't quite fit into neat categories. The two tracks showcased here are typical of both Sterk and ESP Institute's approach. Lead cut "Nonono" seems to exist somewhere in the margins; some elements sound like Stereolab, others Larry Heard after a fistful of downers. "Darwin", on the other hand, could definitely be described as "Balearic". Featuring relentless, hypnotic melodies and marimba-ish riffs alongside nagging, stripped-back percussion, it sounds like a skewed take on the classic works of Steve Reich. With darting, soft focus synths and an undulating groove, it's both mesmeric and enchanting. To these ears, it almost sounds like a contemporary answer to Chris Carter's beguiling "Moonlight", itself re-released last year by Optimo Music. Given the quality of these two tracks, it's likely we'll hear more from Young Marco over the next few years.
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ESP 012
13 Feb 12
Disco/Nu-Disco
Night School Of Universal Wisdom
The Ridge To Catequil - (6:53) 126 BPM
Oceanic - (7:05) 127 BPM Hot
Night School Of Universal Wisdom - (6:22) 73 BPM
Ljuset - (2:09) 121 BPM
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ESP 071
08 Dec 17
Deep House
Night Of The Endless Beyond
Endless Beyond - (7:51) 150 BPM
Isolarian - (5:05) 120 BPM
Strato - (7:56) 128 BPM
Together - (8:34) 121 BPM
Light Nights - (2:43) 157 BPM
Quadralogue - (4:55) 120 BPM Hot
Otherness - (5:38) 130 BPM
Truth - (6:10) 100 BPM
Wonder - (5:47) 130 BPM
Postdrome - (6:13) 140 BPM
Review: ESP Institute was the platform for Lord Of The Isles' debut long player, In Waves in 2016. Now he returns to the label for this expansive work. "Endless Beyond" and "Isolarian" are majestic, widescreen pieces, while "Light Nights" is a beautifully reflective piece. When he turns his attention to the dance floor, Lord Of The Isles retains this melodic sensibility. There's a gentle, Lone-style sense of psychedelia audible on "Together", while "Quadralogue" is a brittle dub techno track. But despite these dalliances with club structures, Night is mainly concerned with introspection, as the gentle tones of "Otherness" and freeform electronics and spoken words of "Truth" both effortlessly demonstrate.
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ESP 108
18 Nov 22
Techno
Never Rhythm Game/Team Player
Never Rhythm Game - (6:39) 125 BPM Hot
Team Player - (6:30) 128 BPM
Played by: Rave Energy
Review: Canadian producer Nathan Micay follows up releases on Whities, 17 Steps and several editions of his own Schvitz Edits series with this energetic pair of tracks for Los Angeles based ESP institute. The Berlin by way of Toronto artist (formerly known as Bwana) further explores aesthetics of '90s trance music on the hypnotic and elevating acid express that is "Never Rhythm Game" followed by a deep, moody and introspective electro number in the form of "Team Player".
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ESP 083
07 Dec 18
Minimal/Tech House
Natural Lifespan
Natural Lifespan (Acid Orchestra mix) - (11:16) 103 BPM Hot
I_Bizan (Build The Progressive Band) - (8:42) 125 BPM
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ESP 003D
27 Oct 10
Disco/Nu-Disco
Mexican Cola Bottle Baby b/w Peaking Lights Remixes
Mexican Cola Bottle Baby - (6:27) 120 BPM Hot
Mexican Cola Bottle Baby (Peaking Lights remix) - (6:17) 120 BPM
Mexican Cola Bottle Baby (Peaking Lights remix instrumental) - (6:13) 120 BPM
Played by: Roe Deers
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ESP 033A
02 Sep 16
Disco/Nu-Disco
Melencolia V/Invidiosa
Melencolia V - (7:19) 120 BPM Hot
Invidiosa - (7:10) 135 BPM
Review: Following Eps on well-known underground labels such as Whities, Berceuse Heroique and Diagonal, Daniel Koehler makes his debut on ESP Institute. It's a release of contrasting styles: "Melencolia V" is a cosmic affair led by sensuous strings and shimmering synths that unfolds over an unhurried back beat and is sure to work best at sun-up. "Invidiosa" is a radically different affair: set to a high-paced tempo, its hollowed out drums take the listener down the rabbit hole and back over the course of seven minutes. As always, ESP Institute can be relied on to dig deep and deliver left of centre electronic music.
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ESP 065
05 Apr 19
Techno
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