Smallfish Label Release - Biotron Shelf - Transmissions - FISH8CM-20

Smallfish Label Release - Biotron Shelf - Transmissions - FISH8CM-20

The duo of Cheju and Mint combine forces here for a set of purist electronica tracks... with a twist. Featuring a range of interesting and engaging sound sources, including live instrumentation and field recordings, the blend works a treat. Melodic, friendly and warm, this is the style you'd expect from the Boltfish guys and they deliver in a big way. From the off it's clear that this is something a little different to their solo work and the difference lies mainly in the two tracks 'Leave Me Never' and 'Inches Away From Me'. Both have a startlingly beautiful feel. The former uses a gentle, fresh sounding and airy guitar progression with some delightfully crispy rhythms working their way into the mix. The latter is a more subdued, but no less lush piece of work with a clever bassline and wonderfully atmospheric chords and tones working their way into the mix. In between, we're treated to the lively perkiness of 'Marzipan' and the opening track, 'Telamon' with its finely honed rhythm structure and almost classical sounding moments. Another great release and a big thanks to both Wil and Murray for doing Smallfish proud. Fabulous stuff.

Go check it out...

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Smallfish Label Release - Cyan341 - Hex EP - FISH8CM-19
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Cyan341 - Hex EP - FISH8CM-19

I'm very pleased to announce this release on my own Smallfish imprint. Cyan341 is a side project of Zainetica and features a considerably more techno-laced flavour. There are elements of Detroit in there in hefty doses, yet mixed with a contemporary minimal techno feel that gives it some serious groove. Kicking off with the minimal, slightly glitchy funk of 00ffff, the EP starts in the finest of styles. Grooving, chunky and with a subtle hint of melody to the chord moments, this is a track that, I feel, has quite a lot of crossover appeal. The next cut, ff000 is the more dancefloor-orientated track with its almost Reese-styled chords and plenty of bump. I've been tapping my toes to this for quite some time now and it still sounds as fresh as ever. The EP finishes up with the quite frankly luscious tones of ff00ff which uses a delightfully melodic chord structure and a lovely Motor City vibe to convey a hypnotic sound. Snatches of female vocal, melodic twinkles and a 4/4 beatthat rolls all come together to create a sparkling finale. Big thanks to Mark for allowing me to put this little beauty out (albeit a little belatedly!). Smallfish delivers again and, as usual, it's a limited edition of 100 copies. Superb.

Go check it out...

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Smallfish Label Release - Ontayso - Technic Of Removal - FISH8CM-15
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Ontayso - Technic Of Removal - FISH8CM-15

A big hearty welcome to the Smallfish label for one of my favourite electronic artists - Ontayso. As owners of the brilliant U-Cover label they've shown their ability time and time again and with a series of ambitious releases for their own limited imprint as well as numerous tracks on other labels their pedigree couldn't be higher. I'm proud to be able to bring you the wonderfully atmospheric 'Technic Of Removal'... a work of some substance.

Their penchant for capturing stealthy recordings from police scanners and the such like has manifested itself recently with titles such as Blackout on their own 3" label and this release certainly follows in those footsteps. Hearing the disembodied voices crackling away lends a certain cinematic quality to the opening track and as it evolves over time into an off-kilter, rhythmically powerful work with resonating chords and analogue style lines cutting into the mix, it really works to make a dense and deep experience. 'Removal' is no less hefty in its approach, although there's a tangibly lighter sense of progression to the track, albeit with an abstract, clicky and off-kilter flavour. Muted, deep and distant sounding, once again it uses rhythms that punctuate and wonderfully evocative chords that tend towards a Berlin feel at times.

2 tracks that are full of quintessential Ontayso goodness, then, and for that I must give them my gratitude for getting involved in our 3" series of releases. Superb sounds and, as ever, a limited run of 100 copies only. Quality.

Go check it out...

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Smallfish Label Release - Maps And Diagrams - Lhasa Apso - FISH8CM-16
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Maps And Diagrams - Lhasa Apso - FISH8CM-16

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Smallfish Label Release - Isnaj Dui - Amacrine - FISH8CM-10
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Isnaj Dui - Amacrine - FISH8CM-10

Isnaj Dui... freeform experimenter and prolific live performer. Producer of sweet ambient sound and atmospheric textural works that engage and enchant. We like Isnaj Dui.

For those who've experienced Isnaj live, you'll have a rough idea as to what you're going to be getting here, however, I feel that she may well have slightly tailored the tracks to suit the Smallfish vibe... props!

It's a minimalistic 3-tracker that's surprisingly rhythmic and uses processed tones and sounds to create a flowing, friendly work. Featuring heavily are the wonderful live flute sounds that she's become associated with as well as the electro-dulcimer which imbues the tracks with a soft, almost oriental feel... you can almost imagine the bamboo trees towering above you and the tropical heat eveloping you.

Beautifully produced and full of wonderful incidental sounds as well as a soothing tone, this is something a little different for us, but it sits very, very happily indeed with our other releases. Thanks are due to Isnaj for providing us with this gem!

Check it out here...

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Smallfish Label Release - Zainetica - Formulation EP - FISH8CM-09
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Zainetica - Formulation EP - FISH8CM-09

Welcome aboard to Zainetica, the man behind the excellent Rednetic imprint and producer of Detroit-laced Electronica for labels such as Boltfish, Bubblewrap Industries, Wyrd Skies and now Smallfish.

Zainetica's sound concentrates on a great hybrid of styles using crunchy rhythmic elements, synthetic chord sounds and a healthy nod to the Motor City which fuels most of his tracks. Electro influences abound on this quirky, beautifully produced 3-tracker and there's as much groove and funk as there is melody. Interestingly this is one of his most 4/4-based releases and a couple of the tracks here should really appeal if you're into Detroit Techno... particularly the 2nd cut which is a real hypnotic number with super sounds and a deep bassline. You'll also find that if you're a fan of labels like Rednetic and Boltfish that this should definitely tickle your fancy and we're really chuffed to be able to bring you yet another quality edition in our limited 3" series.

Many thanks to Zainetica for getting involved and allowing us to put out yet another high class Electronica EP!

Check it out here...

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Smallfish Label Release - Pola - Perdu - FISH8CM-08
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Pola - Perdu - FISH8CM-08

We're stoked to be able to bring you this thoroughly brilliant 3" CD release from Japanese artist Pola. You may remember his quite frankly superb releases for both Plop and Commune Disc... if you do, you'll know just what a treat is in store for you.

I first heard a couple of these tracks just under a year ago and was blown away by them. After a little negotiation and a couple of conversations (big thank you to Nao Sugimoto for sorting it out for me!) I was thrilled to have secured both tracks I really wanted and a real bonus in the shape of 2 extra cuts.

You'll warm to these immediately I know as Pola has given them such a warm, clicky and deep sound that fans of minimalist Techno and Electronica are sure to be mighty impressed. What's really great though is the middle section of the EP which comes on in a surprisingly funky Detroit kind of way... looped chords, wicked 4/4 beats and a truly hypnotic feel. Superb! The final track is just sublime and allows itself to drift magnificently with luscious chords and intricate, yet almostbeatless percussive style.

As ever this is coming in an edition of 100 copies never to be pressed again so make sure you get your hands on a copy! Big thanks to Pola for providing us with this absolute gem.

Check it out here...

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Smallfish Label Release - Joseph Auer - Monochromatic Sunlight - [FISH8CM-07]
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Joseph Auer - Monochromatic Sunlight - [FISH8CM-07]

We're proud to unveil a release from Joseph Auer who has a previously recorded work for Boltfish, Rednetic and a whole host of netlabels. His sound is one of Detroit-styled warmth and groove and that's exactly what we've got for you with this super EP.

Monochromatic Sunlight comes with 4-tracks, all of which are imbued with a deliciously honest approach - Joe's never afraid to wear his heart on his musical sleeve - and a sense of melody which is timeless. 4/4 beats collide with lush pads and are then treated to analogue melodies which set the tracks off a treat. I've always compared his work to the likes of the Delsin and Headspace labels and artists like Vince Watson and Arne Weinberg, and that still holds true to a certain extent. But the more you listen to his work the more the personality shines through and you instinctively know when you're listening to an Auer production.

A gorgeous release, then and one which we're thrilled to be able to offer you.

Big thanks to Joe for sharing his sounds and allowing us to put this out!

Check it out here...

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Smallfish Label Release - Level - Aeus Part 1 - [FISH8CM-05]
Category: Music

Smallfish Label Release - Level - Aeus Part 1 - [FISH8CM-05]

Level will almost certainly be a name that's familiar to plenty of Smallfish regulars due to the overwhelming response to his superb 'Cycla' CD on Japanese label Spekk. B G Nichols' work over the past 10 or so years has consistently been met with high praise and as Si_Comm he's worked with several key players in the experimental music scene.

Level forms a natural guise for him to release his more relaxed, lush music and that's why I'm so thrilled to be able to bring you this first part of a two part work for Smallfish. Aeus is all about themes... themes of beauty, depth, feeling and a superbly implemented manipulation of organic elements. With original recordings of Linden Hale playing the piano as the source of most of the tracks here, Level has taken those sounds and produced a simply sublime interpretation.

Lovingly sculpted fragments are stretched and dreched in effects to conjure an absolutely magical spell over you and, honestly, the 20 minutes of music here just fly by. Melancholic chords engage you from the start, yet there's an uplifting undercurrent that will satisfy you and leave you feeling refreshed. Starkly beautiful and evocative ambient music like this is something to be savoured... I suggest you check this out immediately as it's really quite superb. As ever these are limited edition copies with a run of 100 only.

Check it out here...

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Smallfish Label Release - Cheju - Shifting Focus EP - [FISH8CM-04]
Category: Music

Cheju - Shifting Focus EP - [FISH8CM-04]

We here at Smallfish are lovers of Electronica. We make no bones about it and we don't particularly care whether it's trendy or not. We like it because it's good to listen to and it's just plain good for the soul.

Cheju is an artist that's been putting out great Electronica for some time now and as one half of the Boltfsih outfit he's responsible for releasing great electronic music by other artists on a regular basis. So it's *extremely* pleasing to be able to announce this fab 3" CD in our limited Smallfish series which sees Wil giving us 4 soothing, delightful and downright excellent purist Electronica tracks. Everything you'd want is here, be it melody, downbeat grooves, luscious strings and a lovely attention to detail.

From the very beginning you know you're in for a soothing ride with slightly classical sounding strings and a smashing beat. From there the tracks vary and flow beautifully with a vintage, warm and friendly sound that will appeal to fans of Cactus Island, Expanding and, of course, Boltfish. It's great to have Cheju on board and we're thrilled to be able to offer this great little EP to you.

Remember, though, that it's a strictly one-off edition of 100 copies and we'll never be re-pressing it! Buy with confidence!

Check it out here...

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