XLR8R+025 is here and is our biggest edition to date, focusing on the Romanian minimal scene and featuring tracks and content from Amorf (Cristi Cons, Vlad Caia, and Mischa Blanos), Priku, Sublee, Cosmjn, Dan Andrei, and Orli.
We've written extensively about the deep and trippy minimal music that's been seeping out of Bucharest, Romania. Back in 2015, we presented a long-form dig into the scene, and since then, have featured a number of the community's key artists, including Priku, Dan Andrei, Cristi Cons, SIT, and Lizz on our pages. For the latest edition of XLR8R+, we decided to revisit the scene, releasing six new tracks, plus an exclusive look at an investigative feature that gives an unprecedented insight into what's a notoriously elusive collective of DJs and producers.
On the music front, we have previously unreleased and exclusive tracks from some of Bucharest's heavy-hitters, as well as its rising stars, including a new introspective cut from Amorf, the collaboration of Cristi Cons, Vlad Caia, and pianist Mischa Blanos, recorded specifically for this edition; a deep and dubby track from Priku that perfectly encapsulates his work; haunting low-slung grooves from Sublee; a rolling acid cut by Cosmjn; broken-beat synth mastery from Dan Andrei; and a sub-bass speaker-rattler by Orli.
Alongside the tracks, we're also publishing an excerpt of William Ralston's long-form story "Sunrise in Bucharest," in which the UK writer traces Romania's minimal music scene from clandestine parties and pirated tapes under the communist dictatorship of Nicolae Ceaușescu to international prestige. It was originally published by Berlin Quarterly in print in 2017 but sold out. Digital copiesare currently available here.
This segment, which comes towards the end of the original article, reveals how the community of artists, including Rhadoo, Raresh, and Petre Inspirescu, formed around Sunrise Booking, the agency at the center of the music scene.
There's also a Studio Essentials feature with Vlad Caia, one-third of Amorf and one half of SIT. Caia gives a detailed insight into his favorite machines and how he uses them.
And we've included a mix from Orli, specifically recorded for this edition and dropping as an XLR8R podcast in the next few months.
The artwork is by Amphia's designer, Claudiu Stefan, and mastering duties, as always, are handled by Kamran Sadeghi.
credits
released October 14, 2020
Track 1 written and produced by Cristi Cons, Vlad Caia, and Mischa Blanos.
Track 2 written and produced by Adrian Niculae.
Track 3 written and produced by Cosmjn.
Track 4 written and produced by Sublee.
Track 5 written and produced by Dan Andrei.
Track 6 written and produced by Orlando Tossi.
Tracks 2, 3, 4, and 5 mastered by Kamran Sadeghi.
Track 1 mastered by Cristi Cons.
Track 6 mastered by Orlando Tossi.
supported by 27 fans who also own “XLR8R+025 (Amorf, Priku, Sublee, Cosmjn, Dan Andrei, Orli)”
All the tracks are great but Stepper is the standout for me! pounding syncopated kicks, rolling handdrums and playful sample work, dancefloor destroyer. Jack G.
supported by 26 fans who also own “XLR8R+025 (Amorf, Priku, Sublee, Cosmjn, Dan Andrei, Orli)”
Moodymann creates innovative soul funky music with deep 70s inspiration. The vocals are simply outstanding. A step back in time, 50 years ago! Superb. jef37
This compilation celebrating six years of the Brazilian label Sweetuf centers pulse-pounding beats and bright, joyous keys. Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 25, 2021