News
Harvey McKay - Goodbye
Monday, 20th May 2013
New two track EP from Harvey McKay available on 27 May on Soma & Beatport stores. Pre-order now from the Soma shop.
SOMA368d
Soma welcome back Glasgow based producer Harvey McKay for his first solo EP of the year, ‘Goodbye’. Harvey has had a great start to the year hitting number 1 in the Beatport techno charts with a storming release on Cocoon plus various other releases adding to his already stellar discography. Harvey returns to his home label with two typically heavy tracks both fuelled with his fast paced yet grooving production style.
Title track ‘Goodbye’ opens the EP and in true Harvey style. This track was truly designed for the dance floor however a deep pad and pitched down vocal gives this track more depth than expected. Harvey’s percussion is typically skippy and gives the track great momentum. After an epic breakdown the track kicks back in with drums crashing and with Harvey’s perfect arrangement, you can’t help but flow with the track.
‘The End’ is Harvey unleashing the beast within. What seems to be something more reserved quickly becomes a monster as filtered hi hats slowly work their way in, purging any idea of this track being anything less than full on techno. With only a brief rest bite in the middle when the track opens up with a suitably deep stab, ‘The End’ powers through with ferocious intensity.
Harvey is on the up and up and with more planned for release on Soma in the coming months, there is definitely no stopping this on form producer.
Vector Lovers - Warm Launderette
Thursday, 16th May 2013
The next single from Vector Lovers - Warm Launderette - features a remix from Solvent and a remix from our competition winner Jace Syntax.
Photography by Richard Buettner
http://www.richardalois.com/
Out now in Soma & Beatport stores.
The second single taken form Martin Wheeler's last album as Vector Lovers feats the talents of Ghostly International recording artist 'Solvent' & Glasgow based producer 'Jace Syntax" who was the lucky winner chosen by the Soma team of a remix competition of the lead track from this single 'Warm Launderette'
Solvent's take stays relatively true to the original, with the 80s-esq synth pop lines and haunting pad lines punching through broken beat drums.
Jace, a popular figure during the 90s in Glasgow's club land takes a more Detroit-edged approach. Making excellent use of the samples, he turns the original into a funked out rendition, complete with crisp hi-hats and bouncing bass line.
Shoogle Studios & Soma team up to offer sound production course
Wednesday, 8th May 2013
Using Ableton Live 9, Soma artist Simon Stokes (Petrichor) provides an 8 week
course in electronic music production.
For more information and enrolment information,
visit www.somaskool.com or http://www.shooglestudios.com or click on the image above.
Heron - Reborn / Foolish Solina
Tuesday, 30th April 2013
Heron's debut single on Soma - a two track EP with Reborn & Foolish Solina - is available now on Soma & Beatport stores and 13 May elsewhere.
Sci Fi Lo Fi Series - all three CDs for £10
Friday, 26th April 2013
There are three releases in the Sci Fi Lo Fi series on Soma. These were compiled and mixed by Andrew Weatherall, Damian Lazarus and Rob da Bank. All three compilations take on a different theme from rockabilly to shoegazing. You can have all three CDs for just £10.
Petrichor - On Tides
Monday, 8th April 2013
Petrichor's debut single on Soma is available everywhere now.
Vector Lovers - iPhonica
Thursday, 14th March 2013
Vector Lovers - iPhonica - was recorded using only the iPhone. It is available now for pre-order and is released on 25 March. Martin Wheeler will be at the Apple Store, Buchanan Street, Glasgow on 30 March (time TBC) where he will demonstrating the process of using the iPhone and Nano Studio for making a track. He will be using one of his own tracks as an example.
Vector Lovers will be doing a warm up set at Electric frog on Sunday 31 March at 6pm.
PROJECT AKC - Dishwasher / Watermelon
Thursday, 14th March 2013
New addition to the Soma roster Project AKC has seen notable exposure throughout the last year with his tracks being played extensively in Space last summer and championed by Adam Beyer and Slam across Europe. It is easy to see why these tracks are such a hit when played out because their powerful style is immediately imposing.
Darkroom Dubs Vol 3 Compiled By Silicone Soul
Monday, 25th February 2013
Put now is the latest compilation from Darkroom Dubs. Volume 3 is compiled by Silicone Soul.
Envoy - Dark Manoeuvres (Slam Remix)
Tuesday, 19th February 2013
Slam's rework for Envoy's classic Dark Dark Manoeuvres from 1996.
On pre-order now. Available in Soma & Beatport stores from 25 February
and 11 March everywhere else.
Vector Lovers - Patience (bvdub remix) / Replicator
Monday, 18th February 2013
bvdub's remix of Vector Lovers' Patience is out today alongside a second track, Replicator. Available in Soma & Beatport stores now and 4 March elsewhere.
ROD - Buikgrep EP
Tuesday, 22nd January 2013
Buikreg EP from ROD is out digitally on 28 January
followed by an extremely ltd edition 12" (300 only) in February.
Kyle Geiger & Bobby Dowell - Restore / Close Encounter (Soma 357d) OUT NOW
Monday, 21st January 2013
Kyle Geiger/Bobby Dowell
"Restore - Close Encounter" [Soma 357d]
release date 21.01.2013
Restore is an imposing track with booming bass and an expansive, epic onslaught, which ebbs and flows throughout to create a powerful sound. The dynamic shifts of the tracks and the layered production are all balanced perfectly to hit hard. The sumptuous echoing backdrop and crisp, direct percussion blend with vocal lines and instrumentation, which create a full and bold representation of Geiger’s style. The drops come in waves and everything pulses with energy and style.
The Sundown edit of Restore takes the strong foundations of the track and injects after-dark urgency with whirring electronic pressure and deep momentum. The sounds of sundown are brilliantly projected with a sense of distinctive sonic elements all bustling together to produce a heady track. There is just the right amount of tension in the production, which makes this track another unique release.
Close Encounter rounds off the EP with consummate style and extends the musical highs of the release. Geiger collaborates with fellow American Bobby Dowell, who has created some notable releases outside of Soma, to produce a similarly potent sound touched with an element of darkness. The beats and synths build a hard, immaculate output with cycles of big sound and smooth restraint. There is a spacious, ethereal sound subtly enveloping the track which enables this towering EP finale to rise and fall out of its own musical foundations at will.
This is an attention-grabbing, infectious release that will provide the soundtrack to many a boisterous night and concentrated mix.
Roberto Clementi - Viper - out now
Thursday, 17th January 2013
Roberto Clementi - Viper - out now in Soma & Beatport stores, 21 January elsewhere.
DeepChord - Tonality of Night
Wednesday, 5th December 2012
12" CLEAR vinyl release of the next instalment from DeepChord is Tonality of Night available now, featuring exclusive non-album tracks.
Vector Lovers Remixed
Tuesday, 4th December 2012
Vector Lovers is back with a new EP with remixes from Marc Houle, Joe Stawarz and EBE. Out now in Soma & Beatport stores, 17 Dec elsewhere.
Soma Coma 6 - out now
Monday, 26th November 2012
The sixth edition of Soma Coma is out now. Digital only.
Envoy - Seawall (Ricardo Villalobos Remix)
Wednesday, 14th November 2012
16 years after its original release comes a Ricardo Villalobos remix of Envoy's Seawall. Out 16 November in Soma & Beatport stores, elsewhere digitally and on 12" on 3 December.
Silicone Soul - Smokestak - out now
Monday, 29th October 2012
New five track EP from Silicone Soul - Smokestak - out now!
Gary Beck - Bring A Friend - Out Now!
Monday, 17th September 2012
Gary Beck's debut album on Soma, 'Bring A Friend', is out now
on CD & digital and is available
from the Soma shop.
Deepchord - Sommer - Out Now!
Monday, 27th August 2012
Deepchord's second album on Soma, 'Sommer' is available now on CD and digital. http://www.somarecords.com/shop/music/soma_cd99/
Following on from the dark intensity of Hash Bar Loops Deepchord has continued to innovate and diversify in his output. Traces of the previous album remain on this record but there is a lighter, more ethereal feel.
The cyclical space and intricate progression synonymous with the Deepchord identity is still noticeable and is an integral part of Sommer’s soundscape with delicately poised sonic elements interacting throughout. Slight differences in tempo, sound property, and rhythmic pattern in some of the samples and recordings impose an engaging flow on the complete work, extending the scope of the album.
Careful positioning and layering do justice to the original material of the rich field recordings which have an impactful living, organic presence. The atmospheric warmth and engrossing layers are built on an understanding and manipulation of these recordings, made on a beach near the artist’s home. Wind chimes, circulating air and a marine ebb and flow give this album a distinct sense of place, with driving percussion and bass emerging from this sonic backdrop at choice intervals.
Balancing an active combination such as this, with restraint, sculpts an elemental and seasonal offering evocative of summer, lovingly representing and extending the original beachside material.
The latter stages of the album hint at some of the darker more reflexive characteristics of earlier releases with minor note augmentations briefly held and intermittent percussive flourishes interjecting briefly in the fluid sounds.
An August release date coincides perfectly with the albums themes and will be a powerful addition when played out over the summer and on into the autumn as part of Deepchord’s thoughtful, expansive sets, which should be plentiful in the coming months.
Soma20 Vinyl Sale
Wednesday, 15th August 2012
Soma20 vinyl at £3 each or 2 for £5.00.
http://www.somarecords.com/shop/music/soma_sp999/
Percy X / Alex Smoke 12" & Scott Grooves now sold out,
so we are now offering 2 x 12" for £5.00!
Soma20 Postcards Sets
Tuesday, 17th July 2012
Soma20 postcard sets displaying the original photographs used in the Soma20 series artworks.
Each postcards has the information of which single it belongs to on the back.
First 20 sets signed by SLAM.
Slam - Collecting Data
Monday, 25th June 2012
Slam are marking the summation of a highly prolific period in their career with the release of 'Collecting Data', a double CD of original Slam productions and their remixes of artists such as Radio Slave, Josh Wink and Christian Smith. The last couple of years have seen Slam consistently rated in the Beatport top 10s with their original material, which has also garnered huge support from all manner of DJs and producers around the world.
The impact of Slam is still massive in the world of electronica made clear by their rating as one of the most influential Soundcloud members in the world and reaching 3rd highest charted act on Resident Advisor.
Such lofty position is afforded the Glasgow legends not only through their prolific releasing schedule but also through their hugely successful live sets most notably headlining the ever popular Slam Tent at T In The Park and an electrifying performance at Glade. Further a field storming performances at Timewarp and Mayday, in Mannheim and Dortmund respectively helped to cement their dedicated loyal following across Europe.
Soma Ltd. 12
Sunday, 8th January 2012
Regis is of Techno legend status. Working his acclaimed Downwards label and also now running the much hyped Sandwell District, Regis has stayed true to his deep, yet often tough sound. In his remodel of X-Trak 1, Regis keeps a massive kick drum rolling behind those famous stabs. Soft and subtle synths sweep through the track adding a wondrously spacey feel that brings atmosphere and class.
In Ryan Crosson's remix, Detroit’s own experimental innovator goes surgical; injecting Smoke’s track with a rippling bass line that provides the main theme for the music as it sits comfortably underneath gentle synths and Alex’s mega-morphed, ghostly vocals. A percussion transfusion sees the original, intricate and glitch percussion being carved out and replaced with a more mechanical beat that compliments the bass and supports the other musical elements. Crosson stretches the track out to nine and a half minutes and maintains the song’s ambient soul while also including a driving end section, featuring percussive aspects that suggests homage to Smoke’s original rhythms.
Slam Remixed Pt 2
Wednesday, 4th January 2012
For over 2 decades Slam, together with Soma have been pushing the envelopes of house and techno. Their constant innovation along with their independent ethos has allowed them to prosper in a constantly changing business. To celebrate their 20 years in music, Soma are releasing a selection of classic tracks from their extensive back catalogue, newly remixed by some of the best producers on the label and in the world today. September also sees the release of a special 20th anniversary 3CD compilation featuring classic tracks and 2 mixes by Silicone Soul and Slam.
The 11th single in this classics series features two remixes of Slam’s classic track Stepback. The track, which sent shockwaves through the underground in the mid-90s, encompasses the classic early Soma sound; raw and stripped techno.
Adam Beyer is no stranger to Slams work, releasing two of their EPs on his own Drumcode imprint. For this special release however, he has teamed up with his fellow countryman Jesper Dahlback to bring Stepback their Swedish shine. The pair add a new dimension to the track, making it even more brooding and atmospheric whilst retaining that driving rhythm that makes the original so prominent.
For the second remix, Soma artist Mark Henning takes Stepback in a different direction. The deep house groove blends the original track’s industrial sound with Henning’s typical off-kilter basslines
Alex Smoke - Alex Smoke Remixed
Wednesday, 10th August 2011
Alex Smoke remixed by Ryan Crosson, Sei A and Roof Light
Soma Records announce... Soma20 - Daft Punk – Drive Unreleased 1994
Tuesday, 2nd August 2011
Released:- 19/9/11
Album available for pre-order now:-
http://www.somarecords.com/shop/music/soma_cd95
At the tail end of 2010 we trailed boxes of DATs, pictures and god-only-knows what else to find artefacts of Soma’s early days. Imagine our surprise when we discovered a tape simply entitled ‘Daft Drive’. We hooked up the DAT machine and inserted the tape with the delicacy of a surgeon, pressing play and praying that for one, the tape contained what we hoped, and two, that it didn’t chew it like a dog chewing on a bone. In amongst the hiss and crackle, the most monstrous 909 kick drum thudded. Daft Punk’s Drive track had been rediscovered. Playing through was Live Daft Punk; freaky vocals, pounding Roland drums & synths and that archetypal DP compression. After standing in silence, witnessing this moment, the track faded off and we heard the sound of the French spoken word that the recording had been made over; the remnants of their parents audio collection. The tape had originally been sent with Rollin’ and Scratchin’ to be released as Soma25. But Soma asked these two bright-eyed and Techno-bound Frenchman, to finish and send Da Funk to accompany Rollin’ and Scratchin’ and DRIVE was shelved for a later date...
Daft Punk – Drive Unreleased 1994 is track 1 on the Soma 20 Years compilation triple CD release, and is joined by selected Soma Records classics, including tracks by Slam, Silicone Soul, The Black Dog, Funk D’Void, Samuel L Session, Percy X and Desert Storm. CD 2 is a Slam DJ mix of the back-catalogue remixes we received in our twentieth anniversary. Remixers include Adam Beyer & Jesper Dahlback, Nick Curly, Mark Broom, D’Julz, Paul Ritch, Pan-Pot, Oxia ++++ all woven together by label bosses SLAM.
CD3 is an DJ Mix from Silicone Soul, Their DJ mix is a representation of the tracks they saw from the dancefloor, be it the first record they bought; Otaku’s (Ralph Lawson, Fraser Brydson & Carl Finlow) Percussion Obsession, or DJ Q’s masterful mix of Counter Plan’s 90 Degrees. Peppered through their mix are snippets and acapellas like the beautiful keys of Daedalus or the vocals from Inspiration and Light, Tonight, and U Dig. You’ll also see Mark Henning’s Last Night, a personal favourite of the boys from the last few years of Soma stock.
Deepchord – Hash-Bar Loops LP
Wednesday, 8th June 2011
In our 20th anniversary year we count ourselves truly fortunate to be able to release music we love this much. Soma proudly welcome Deepchord to release Hash-Bar Loops on Soma Quality Recordings!
Rod Modell (a.k.a. Deepchord) is a sound-designer with 25 years involvement in electronic music and over 50 releases under various aliases and styles. Beginning with more "industrial" and "ambient" forms of sonic experimentation, he worked with Kim Cascone and his -then- record label Silent, and performed along-side notable industrial acts such as Chris & Cosey and SPK. While attending Art School for Photography, Rod lived in Detroit's Eastern-Market area, the location of the infamous "Techno Boulevard", and home to Derrick May, Juan Atkins and Kevin Saunderson during that time. Submersed in the blossoming Detroit Techno scene (early 1990's), a journey from a more experimental sound into Detroit's techno-world was inevitable. Modell then co-founded the Deepchord record label in Detroit during the mid-90's. Many consider Deepchord to be the second wave of the "Basic Channel sound", and came years before the onslaught of imitators.
After 16 releases on Deepchord, Rod went onto co-found Echospace. Echospace released two full length albums and five 12" singles on Modern Love (Boomkat), and a slew of releases on their Echospace imprint. 2007's "The Coldest Season" and 2010's "Liumin" are critically acclaimed electronic music classics, and were on top-lists of prestigious resources such as The Wire, xlr8r, and Resident Advisor (who wrote of The Coldest Season: "in terms of sheer quality, it rivals Basic Channel’s vaunted catalog. Put down that ultra-rare Basic Reshape 12” and check out what’s going on now. This album is bound to be one of the most fully realized listening experiences to grace your stereo this year, and is proof positive that DeepChord and Echospace are the rightful heirs to the dub techno legacy"). Rod also operated an audio-mastering facility in the Detroit area from 1995-2005, employing his services to many electronic record labels, including Richie Hawtin's M-NUS imprint.
Rod’s idea of an album revolves around a concept that isn’t always followed in modern day electronic long players. A chain of feelings and emotions emanate from his work and flow in a manner that has been very carefully considered. Buzzing in atmospheric warmth and layered with mesmerising rhythms, Hash-Bar Loops tells the tale of a hazy extended stay in Amsterdam, where the album was in the most part formed.
Starting from deep and dreamy soundscapes the album warms from the outset with the opener, Spirits. The underlying atmosphere is somewhat disconcerting, but balances perfectly with soft, distant chords and ever-evolving percussion. The album progresses through turbulent synths and outlying melodies in Sofitel & Merlot. On Tangier, stabs and textures melt into one another adding tension and dynamics in true Deepchord style. The swirling air of Electromagnetic then conveys a dizzying and hypnotic feel in which budding chords emerge from a white-washed DC soundscape. Balm steps into another world, with beautiful hovering chords that pulse throughout the track, forming a delicate and emotive shape. The climactic Oude Kerk sits at the peak of this album and deserves its crown. Arguably the most exposed of all tracks in the album, Oude Kerk fizzles end to end, letting the deep low frequencies and advancing percussion take over. City Centre then reels the synths back in, with contemplative pads that are underpinned with arguably the heaviest sub-bass on the album. Field recordings can once again be heard, hidden deep in the layers of sound in Crimson and Black Cavendish, where their dense sonics slowly swell behind metallic clangs. Closing the circle, Neon and Rain steps back into the deep and wistful soundscapes heard at the opening of the album where the familiar sense of unease and contemplation toy with one another.
Scott Grooves – Mothership Reconnection Remixes – Soma20 Phase 3
Wednesday, 8th June 2011
The third EP from Soma’s 20th Birthday series is a monster release. The Scott Grooves classic is reworked by a very-much on-form Claude VonStroke. Joining Claude’s remix is the legendary Daft Punk Remix that was featured on the original release back in 1998 along with Scott’s original.
Soma 20 Party @ Rockness!
Wednesday, 8th June 2011
Our stage will be the first stage to run until 3am on Friday and Saturday nights.
Ticket info:
put in the code SOMA when you buy your tickets here
http://aegliverockness.ticketsolve....5499468/events
SOMA Quality Recordings
20 YEARS [1991 * 2011]
http://www.facebook.com/SomaRecords
http://www.soma20.tv
http://www.somarecords.com/
2011 sees Soma Recordings celebrate their 20th year of releasing
stunning and eclectic, electronic dance music from across spectrum. The label will release a series of singles throughout the year, containing remixes of the extensive catalogue , including some of their biggest hits, like Funk D'Void's Diabla, Silicone Soul's Right On, Slam's "Lifetimes" and Scott Grooves with Mothership Reconnection (featuring Parliament/ Funkadelic and famously remixed by Daft Punk).
These releases culminate in a CD box-set released in Autumn. There will be a series of birthday parties across Europe throughout the Summer.The first Scottish party will last for 3 days (of course) and is taking place on the outrageous, outdoor Afterburner stage at Rockness, featuring a host of talent including Soma artists, collaborators and supporters across the entire weekend.
This will be the biggest birthday party in Rockness history!
Friday June 10 OPEN UNTIL 3am
Erol Alkan
Paul Ritch(live)
Heidi
Ewan Pearson
Saturday June 11 OPEN UNTIL 3am
Pan-Pot
Funk D'Void
Alex Under
Gary Beck
Master H
Harvey McKay
Sunday June 12
Derrick Carter
Andrew Weatherall
Jamie Jones
Sunday Circus
Vector Lovers – Electrospective EP
Wednesday, 8th June 2011
Martin Wheeler returns to Soma Quality Recording with Electrospective, the 4th album under his Vector Lovers guise. Martin’s past long players, the self-titled Vector Lovers, Capsule For One and Afterglow, won fans the world over with his unsettlingly emotive strain of electronic funk. In Electrospective, the highlights from these three albums and corresponding singles are remastered, with 2 previously unreleased tracks joining them. Beyond going back to his original productions Electrospective album, Martin has also been working on his iPhone app, which is due for release in early 2011. Such is the quality of Vector Lovers sound that his productions have been picked up by several world-leading automotive brands, most notably BMW who jumped at Tokyo Glitterati for the soundtrack to their 3 Series ads. His futuristic take on Electronica immediately pricks the ears and burns a lasting mark in your head.
Vector Lovers’ sound emanates from the 80’s, and is influenced by Kraftwerk, Depeche Mode and early synth pop. This can be most clearly seen on the fragile beauty of the opening track, Melodies & Memory, our first indication of Martin’s sublime talent for singing and songwriting. He describes where the motivation for this piece came from. “It was such a dismal night, the evening I put this together. I was up til dawn, drinking, smoking, crying. At least this track came out at the end of it. The melody came to me in a flash, just as I was opening the fridge for a beer.”
Shinjuku Girl steps into the darker, sonically mesmerizing soundscape of the Vector Lovers mind. Melancholic melody is apparent through the Electrospective album, but pierces through the dulled drones in this poignant track. City Lights From A Train is introduced with familiar percussive rhythms that could be the soundtrack to a locomotive running over railroad tracks until a distant but twinkling synth slides in. The powerful chords of Tokyo Glitterati grab a hold from the start, while a tough, broken beat drives a grit and determination home. Aggressive bass fizzles and rasps underneath the song making it one of the more assertive tracks on the album. Stranger Smiled At Me, one of the two exclusive tracks on the album, plays on a dreamier sound. Space and atmosphere bring a detached and celestial ambience to this albeit brief foray into the deep. Vector Lovers’ classic computer-funk style propels through Nightwalking Your Memory, telling a magical, broken story of Martin’s dystopian visions.
Warding back to a more optimistic way, Floating Point, the second of the exclusive tracks, is a delicate but provocative piece of music that builds harsh industrial tones and textures until a soft, gentle but still unnerving melody arrives coaxing us out. Neon Sky Rain, recently hosted of the Soma Coma 4 compilation, builds again in intensity through the course, and does so with grace and tact. Girl + Robot’s warped funk pushes to a heroic climax that falls perfectly into breakdown; bass a plenty fills the track thereafter to mighty effect. Kissed You By The Fountain stands out as the most self content piece on the album, but still retains just a note of unease through a ghostly choir that exits the track, epitomising Martin’s bittersweet form in music. Speaking of this bittersweet affair, it also applies to Vector Lovers choice in track names too. Rusting Cars And Wild Flowers tickles with elastic percussion that stretches behind soft and playful chords, and pushes memories of children playing in wasteland running sticks along fences. Metrolux Forever delves into the deep with an optimistic and inquisitive melody meandering through a hazy land of radio distortion and post-apocalyptic winds. The dreamy, electronic lullaby Lake Nocturne, taken from Vector Lovers’ debut album, brings Electrospective to a gentle close.
The increase in production values is striking when the originals and the 2011 re-masters are heard side-by-side. When you put this together with the two exclusive tracks on the album, it is apparent that this is a perfect review of the Vector Lovers sound. -Essential music.