NEWSLETTER
IA MIX 390 EARTHEN SEA // ELETUN SOLONA // KHOTIN // SNPLO // MIKE HUCKABY // OK EG & PRIORI // ANTHONY NAPLES // DAFFY
IA MIX 390 //
INTERVIEW BY JASON CABANISS
For the 390th edition of the IA MIX Series we are thrilled to share a deep dive into jazzy neo-noir ambience from American producer Jacob Long, aka Earthen Sea.
Currently based in New York City, Long is a DIY lifer, with over twenty years dedicated to Earthen Sea’s wide range of sounds from long-form noise and drone recordings, minimal dub techno, and ethereal ambient experimentation. Long spent his early musical years in the Washington, D.C. hardcore group Black Eyes, before heading to San Francisco with bandmate Daniel Martin-McCormick to work with Damon Palermo on Mi Ami.
While all three members branched off into their own solo electronic projects (Ital/Relaxer for Martin-McCormick and Magic Touch for Palermo), Long’s work as Earthen Sea originated in the early 2000s. It began with longer experiments in drone and ambient before morphing into the icy dub techno many came to know from releases on Kranky and Lover’s Rock.
Recent LPs, such as 2024’s Recollection, have veered to ambient, dub, and jazz-influenced tracks that consistently deliver the goods. For his mix, Earthen Sea offers an exhilarating combination of gamelan recordings, jazz, and dub techno. You will find it an ideal companion for your morning coffee or a night drive through empty, foggy cities. We also got to catch up with Jacob and learn about reuniting with Black Eyes, how recent live sets have incorporated saxophone driven drones, and his life-long love of skateboarding.
REVIEW //
WRITTEN BY WILL PATTERSON
There’s a certain apprehension when coming to objectively review a posthumous work of art. Is the review in good taste? Will I be able to deliver an impartial verdict without being caught up with the emotive nature of its context? Will I have to be more glowing than I would realistically be in normal circumstances? Music reviews are difficult enough in terms of capturing with words the sheer range of emotions conjured up by sound.
It’s a relief to me then, when I open up the files for Infinita Series, that these questions and concerns are utterly shattered. It would almost be enough to end the review here and suggest to you, the reader, not to bother with this article and simply let this piece of carefully restrained, meticulously refined techno carry you away. It is also unavoidable to mention that an album that is objectively magnificent is made doubly beautiful by the nature of how it has come into being.
Infinita Series is the final vinyl release on sewer sender, the Swedish label dreamt up by martinou and Eletun himself. This album is a labour of love not only from Eletun Selona, but it is also the result of the collaborative effort from his friends and loved ones to put together his final body of work, after the producer tragically passed away last year. It’s a culmination of dedication to music, and of determination to honour the memory, creativity and talent of a friend, which makes it worth listening to alone.
RECORD STORE DAY OPEN DECK PARTY //
INVERTED AUDIO RECORD STORE PECKHAM
On Saturday 12th April, we celebrated Record Store Day with an Open Deck Party at Holdrons Arcade in Peckham. Big love to everyone who came down and jumped on the decks and thanks to Brixton Brewery for providing the drinks! Both the video and audio recording are now uploaded to Soundcloud and YouTube.
STORE //
GHOST DUBS ‘EXTENDED DAMAGED VERSIONS’
Michael Fiedler, aka Ghost Dubs, returns with 'Extended Damaged Versions' - a heavyweight selection of six earth-shattering, dubbed-out techno reinterpretations from last year’s album. Mastered by the legendary POLE.
STORE //
CONNA HARAWAY ‘SPATIAL FIX’
Glasgow-based producer Conna Haraway returns to Theory Therapy with his first vinyl release, 'Spatial Fix'. Inspired in part by his 2024 tour of Japan and Korea, the album explores new dimensions of his evolving sound.
STORE //
VRIL ‘CRYSTAL CELL ENERGY’
German producer VRIL debuts on Kynant Records with a mesmerising EP that showcases his signature blend of euphoric dub techno. Expanding his sonic palette, he collaborates with renowned sound system culture and experimental music thinkers Edward George and Isis Semaj-Hall (Riddim Writer) on evocative spoken-word pieces. Adding to the release, acclaimed Dutch techno artist Steve Rachmad revives his Parallel 9 alias for a standout remix.
STORE //
LORADENIZ ‘SUN SHONE’
Amsterdam-based composer, pianist, vocalist and producer Loradeniz is a harbinger of the ethereal and hypnotic in her debut album release on Music From Memory, an ambient, neo-classical work titled “SUN SHONE“.
NEWS //
DAFFY MAKES A SPLASH WITH NEWTYPE RHYTHMS MIX
Now that Spring has sprung, our sister mix series Newtype Rhythms returns with steppin’ aplomb with a mix from Bristolian ace Daffy providing some immensely uplifting energies in tandem with his latest release on Hot Haus Recs being out and about, entitled “Cool It”.
JONNNAH LINES UP ‘ME, WITH YOU’ LP ON CO:CLEAR
Building a lush sonic world of dub techno, 2-step, and lugubrious drum and bass, ‘Me, With You‘ finds The Second End Records founder exploring and building on familiar sounds heard on the 2024 effort ‘The Next Kingdom‘. The majestic opener, “Still Here, Playing Gtr“, features Pavel Milyakov, aka Butttechno, and it sets the tone beautifully for what’s to follow.
SNPLO ANNOUNCE ‘THE COCAINES’ 2x10” ON PIN
Housed in a full cover sleeve with printed inners, this limited edition release swerves through driving deep house, hazy downtempo, and dub-drenched techno. Limited to just 375 copies.
KHOTIN ‘PEACE PORTAL’ EP ON KHOTIN INDUSTRIES
Canadian producer Khotin makes a welcome return with ‘Peace Portal‘ – a 6-track EP on his own Khotin Industries imprint in April, once again delivering his signature blend of shimmering, downtempo electronica—perfect for tuning in and zoning out.
ECHOSPACE DETROIT PAYS TRIBUTE TO MIKE HUCKABY WITH ‘OUR LIFE WITH THE WAVE’ EP FEAT. CV313, FEDERSEN, INTRUSION
Echospace Detroit unveils ‘Our Life With The Wave‘ — a heartfelt four-track EP honouring the late, great producer Mike Huckaby. A deep and meditative tribute, capturing a cherished moment in time, rooted in over 15 years of creative kinship and sonic exploration.
ANIMALIA AND NAFF RECORDINGS CO-RELEASE ‘SERPENTINE’ FROM OK EG AND PRIORI
“Serpentine” EP seamlessly merges downtempo electronics with experimental elements, weaving together propulsive basslines, bleep-infused breakbeats, deep and hypnotic rhythms—a musical style they describe as “feather-tech.”
ANTHONY NAPLES ‘SCANNERS’ LP ON ANS
Anthony Naples returns with ‘Scanners‘ – a double LP that further explores the dub-house continuum, delivering 10 tracks of hypnotic, skittering and woozy dancefloor electronics. Equally suited for classic house purists and adventurous leftfield dancers, this album promises to be another essential addition to his ever-expanding sonic universe.