Panda Flac

It’s not too rare that an artist would be able to timeline their own personal experiences and growth via the records they release, but very few electronic artists have done it as emotively as Gold Panda.

Panda was yet another great short-lived Dutch band that made some singles but no album. Even though they existed for a very short time, some notable names passed through the ranks. These included Emile den Tex (Tortilla, Turquoise, Electric Tear, solo), now a famous producer, Herman van Boeyen (Livin' Blues, Supersister, Vitesse), Rob Kruisman (Island v1, Modesty Blaise, Bintangs, Brainbox, Ekseption), Ben de Bruin (Cobra, Bintangs, Turquoise, Rob Hoeke) and Rob ten Bokum (Bintangs, Vitesse).

Although Panda Bear and Sonic Boom are no strangers to each other’s music, Reset marks their first collaborative release. When Sonic Boom pitched an idea to take their working relationship to the next level, he reckoned Panda Bear might reject the proposition outright—in the nine gloriously, feverishly hook-bound tracks of Reset, though, you can hear exactly how much he loved the prospect.

Although Panda Bear and Sonic Boom are no strangers to each other’s music, Reset marks their first collaborative release. When Sonic Boom pitched an idea to take their working relationship to the next level, he reckoned Panda Bear might reject the proposition outright—in the nine gloriously, feverishly hook-bound tracks of Reset, though, you can hear exactly how much he loved the prospect.

Opened up by the delirious alchemy of contemporary pop music, Sean O’Hagan leaps back into life with High Llamas, with a set of killer tunes reflecting on dimensional levels how definitions change over time. Arranged by Sean and produced with mix collaborator Fryars to engage the eardrums in non-stop new possibilities, Hey Panda radiates optimism inspired by the joys and sorrows felt in former lifetimes and the diverse conundrums of today alike.

Reset, the acclaimed 2022 collaborative album from Panda Bear and Sonic Boom, has been reimagined by the legendary British dub producer Adrian Sherwood as Reset in Dub. Sherwood created his version of Reset at his On-U Sound Studios with a crew that included such storied musicians as Doug Wimbish and Skip McDonald (Sugarhill Gang, Grandmaster Flash and The Furious Five).

World renowned contemporary cellist Nick Squires teams up with London Music Works. Known for ‘Bach in the Rain’ viral video that reached more than 50 million viewers, and for his contemporary cello arrangements, Nick Squires, together with London Music Works, creates a complex, multilayered sonic world. With this album, Nick brings a fresh perspective to some of the most moving and powerful soundtrack and concert hall music. Featuring music from The Cinematic Orchestra, Gustavo Santaolalla, Max Richter Jóhann Jóhannsson, Bear McCreary, this album is bound to find its place on many major DSP playlists.

Black Grape could only have been made in Manchester. The swagger, fun and cryptic humour seem hewn from a city historian AJP Taylor once described as offering an archetypally different way of English urban life to London. Both Shaun Ryder and Paul Leveridge, known as Kermit, came from edgy-but-cool parts of the city. In Shaun's case Salford, with Kermit originating from Moss Side. For those unfamiliar, 'the Moss' lay in the shadow of Manchester City's old stadium at Maine Road, and was one of the first multi-ethnic areas in Manchester. Black Grape are widely regarded as one of the most innovative and iconic bands of the last twenty five years. Black Grape have had 4 Top 10 singles and their debut album It's Great When You're Straight… Yeah shot straight to No.1 in the UK charts upon its release in 1995 and went Platinum. Follow up album Stupid Stupid Stupid went Gold in 1997. Ryder has grown from a wild young tearaway into a British National Treasure. Black Grape always were a grimily cosmic musical jigsaw, melding rock, hip-hop, acid house, psychedelic pop and reggae with Ryder's gutter poetry, delivered in his inimitable shyster's bark. Black Grape return with the brand new album Orange Head, which will be released on DGAFF Recordings on 3rd November 2023.