Saturday, June 03, 2023
Ring The Alarm playlist 3 June 2023
Saturday, May 27, 2023
Ring The Alarm playlist 27 May 2023
Monday, May 22, 2023
What is Batov Records?
"Batov came to life in London, but the music has its roots in those odd corners of the globe where people make music just for the fun of it.
"Back in the heady summer days of 2013, Doron Erez aka DJ Kobayashi (of the band Gypsy Hill) & Bob Martyn started up Batov as simply a place to call home for Gypsy Hill’s catalog.
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DJ Kobayashi |
"What happened was that it basically created interest in the label from other people who liked what we were doing. It grew organically, and the offers started to come from everywhere. When you’re in London, it feels like a small village. Suddenly, you get people sending emails from New Zealand or the States, from people who really like the label and want to be a part of it. We thought, 'Oh man, it’s actually making an impact.'"
Sunday, May 21, 2023
Painspeople new single
Cool new biz from Painspeople, spaced out dubby vibes, like it! Take a listen.
Saturday, May 20, 2023
Ring The Alarm playlist 20 May 2023
Thursday, May 18, 2023
Eje Eje 45 on Batov Records
Also check out their brand new 2xLP compilation of their previous 45s out this Friday, called Middle Eastern Grooves, amazing modern psyche funk from the Middle East.
"Batov Records’ Middle Eastern Grooves 45s series welcomes the latest addition to its eclectic roster - a two-track single from Eje Eje, the psych and funk inspired project from Şatellites band leader and producer, Itamar Kluger.
Featuring the tracks 'That Rainy Dawn' and 'Coral Sex', the single showcases Eje Eje’s unique blend of Middle Eastern melodies, soulful grooves, and psychedelic sounds.
On the A-side 'That Rainy Dawn,' The electro baglama player takes the lead, building and building as if, “he is pushing himself to his limit”, says Itamar, “seeking catharsis as he walks to the edge of the cliff with confidence”, whilst the a baladi rhythm plays like an immense march of drummers.
Itamar Kluger is best known for his work with the Şatellites, a six-piece band whose blend of Turkish folk and psych with funk and disco won them champions and listeners across the globe, from KEXP in Seattle to BBC Radio 6 Music, and FIP in France.
Eje Eje’s first 45 promises to be at least as quirky and original, if not more so, since the project is even more unshackled from traditional concepts of a band."
Saturday, May 13, 2023
Ring The Alarm playlist 13 May 2023
Tuesday, May 09, 2023
1980s Akld photo book coming
"Following a couple of similarly conceived book releases of the slightly earlier punk period in Aotearoa, veteran gig photographer Jonathan Ganley is set to immortalise the post-punk era of Auckland in his new book CRUSH.
Saturday, May 06, 2023
Ring The Alarm playlist 6 May 2023
Mark de Clive Lowe, Shigeto & Melanie Charles - MFT
Thursday, May 04, 2023
New Dub Asylum EP out now - Aotearoa Hiphop goes to Skaville
Monday, May 01, 2023
New Scrimshire album out late May
Uk producer Scrimshire has a new album Paroxysm out May 26, here's the latest single off it, called 'Flames'. It starts out with a jazzy shuffle and some playful clarinet, then the skippy drums kick in and carry it off bouncing thru the streets. Well groovy.
About the album: "In the last few weeks of October 2022, Scrimshire wrote a new collection of songs with the descriptive working title "Scream". A direct response to the absurdity of the breakdown in the UK government, the horror of the treatment of refugees arriving on our shores and the callous disregard for the trauma being caused to low income people or anyone considered "other".
While self-preserving Conservative MPs fought for their jobs, record profits were announced by energy companies as crippling amounts of money were gouged from people's pockets. The anger, sadness, mourning, and frustration was poured into these recordings."
Saturday, April 29, 2023
Ring The Alarm playlist 29 April 2023
Team Shadatek - Yoga riddim
Friday, April 28, 2023
'Proud' compilation gets a vinyl reissue

After 23 years out of circulation, it's back...
"Flying Nun Records and Huh! are delighted to announce the reissue of Proud: An Urban-Pacific Streetsoul Compilation — the landmark 1994 album, conceived and produced by Alan Jansson — to be released on Friday 26th May on extended double vinyl for the very first time.
Originally released on CD and cassette in 1994, and briefly available again in 2000, Proud has been unavailable in its physical form for the past 23 years — although the album has never really left Aotearoa’s collective psyche — being named Independent Music New Zealand’s ‘Classic Record’ in May 2022, as well as being listed in Nick Bollinger’s 2009 book 100 Essential New Zealand Albums.
Remastered over 12 months by Alan Jansson, this Proud vinyl reissue includes iconic tracks from Sisters Underground (‘In The Neighbourhood'), Otara Millionaires Club (‘We R The OMC’) and Semi MCs (‘Trust Me’). and adds a side of rare 1994 12” remixes including the collectable ‘Sisters On The Boulevarde Dub’ found only on the original promo.
Lord Echo rarities comp out soon
I went to see Lord Echo and his mighty band when they played in Akld at the Hollywood Cinema a while back (I wanna say it was a few years ago but the pandemic screwed with everyone's timelines, right?), and they advertised they would have some of these rare Japan-only sevens on sale at the merch table. There was only a handful left and they'd all gone by the time I got there, even tho I thought I was early. So happy to see this release coming...
"Fans rejoice - Lord Echo‘s limited vinyl-only singles will be available digitally worldwide at last, as well as compiled on a vinyl album presented in an embossed Japanese printed sleeve and obi strip.
Not one to succumb to the pressures of our capitalist overlords, the enigmatic producer continues to tinker away on various projects, including the hefty task of renovating an abandoned Masonic lodge into a recording studio in rural New Zealand.
While we patiently await new music, we can revel in versions that escaped the typical overthinking that occurs during the album process, instead reflecting the spontaneity and freedom of a touring artist. All tracks bar one (‘Thinking of Dub’) were initially released on short-run 7” singles for Echo’s early Japan tours, made only available to dedicated fans who attended the live shows.
The country holds a special place in his heart thanks to the warm hospitality of its citizens, in particular tour organiser and label owner Kenji Sakajiri from Wonderful Noise (with whom Soundway is co-releasing the vinyl album).
Humbling moments aside, the Japanese obsession with detail and quality can also produce a high level of experience, one that left such an impression upon Echo that the track ‘Nightclub Daydream’ is inspired by the near-utopian clubs he visited and the sound systems that drive them.
Without further ado, Soundway presents Lord Echo’s ‘Rarities’, a collection of sought-after singles now made very much accessible to you the people." OUT 5 May 2023 on vinyl/digital, on Soundway
Saturday, April 15, 2023
Ring The Alarm playlist 15 April 2023
Yellowman - Nobody move nobody get hurt