Wonderwheel Electronic & Dance 13 Items

Arriving 6 years after the release of his breakout EP, El Búho returns to Wonderwheel with a very special Deluxe Version of said Cenotes EP including 3 previously unreleased tracks: "Manana Tepotzlan (feat. Gotopo) [Vocal Version]," "Tecolotin (Chancha Via Circuito Remix)," and "Tecolotin (Dub Version)." The EP is also set to be pressed to vinyl for the first time with a special splatter 12" invoking the cover art.
"Cenotes" was originally released in 2015 to widespread fan acclaim, firmly planting El Búho in the upper echelons of the Latin Electronic pantheon. Recorded in Mexico City after relocating from Amsterdam, "Cenotes" marries his influence of Dub, IDM and Electronic vibes with the rhythms, traditions and melodies of Latin American & Andean folk and the organic sound of waterfalls, birdsongs and crackling leaves, resulting in a dreamy, deep, melodic journey that entrances as much through headphones as it does on the dancefloor. Having studied Latin American Studies in Glasgow, El Búho (aka Robin Perkins) spent time living, studying and working in Argentina and travelling throughout the continent. Alongside his music, El Búho is also an environmental activist, having worked for over eight years at Greenpeace, being a member of DJs For Climate Action and coordinating the non-profit project "A Guide to the Birdsong" a series of albums that raise funds and awareness for endangered bird species through electronic music.
"Cenotes (Deluxe Version)" hits all digital streaming services December 3rd, with the vinyl 12" to follow shortly after.

The Spy from Cairo (aka Moreno "Zeb" Visini) returns with his 5th studio album on Wonderwheel Recordings: "Animamundi" features some special collaborations from his travels & live shows from over the past few years. The album reflects the move from his home in NYC to his mother's home in a quiet village in Italy to take care of her in her older age. It's been a difficult transition with Italy's challenging experience with the pandemic, including some of the strictest measures enforced on the public. He recalls by stating "This album was conceived between 2020 and 2021 in Italy, between lockdowns, restrictions, and various pandemic mandates. Its message is of hope and positivity - a reminder that we are all spiritual beings… Free spiritual beings… and that freedom can't be broken."

"Animamundi" is a reconfirmation that The Spy from Cairo overcomes all obstacles & delivers a diverse progression of his iconic "Arabadub" sound, with the help of collaborators like Andalucian vocalist Carmen Estevez, Mexican vocalist Mambe Rodriguez on the heavy hitting "Criminal," Egyptian vocalist Adii Small on "Beautiful Baraka," and former touring band member, the multi-instrumentalist and vocalist Fatima Gozlan from Hungary. The music can vary from heavy deep electronic synths and live eastern instrumentation with Zeb playing oud, saz, chiftelli, bass, percussion, and other instruments, all along giving it his signature dub mixing style.

The songs take inspiration from a wide range of musical traditions and cultures, including Turkish (on "Cosmic Pasha," "Qanun in Dub" – using the qanun, an instrument popular across the Middle East, with a sound between the European harp and a dulcimer – and "Black Sea," which utilises a typical Dabke melody), Egyptian ("Mizmirized," sampling riffs from a mizmar), Indian ("Seeds of Culture), and Sufi ("Divination," a devotional composition), fusing these reference points with healthy doses of cumbia, funk, reggae, psychedelic, and dub. Thematically, "Animamundi" deals with some of the struggles Zeb – and all of us – have faced the last two years, through the lens of his personal experiences. Yet, the tone of the record manages to remain positive, like an uplifting dance through the world's sounds; after all, "Animamundi" means "soul of the world" in Greek. With album art by Sam Angeli and layout design by Marcial Arts, this beautiful album is a truly well-rounded worldwide collaboration.

Útera is the exceptional and hypnotic sophomore studio album from Buenos Aires native Kaleema (aka Heidi Lewandowski). The album flirts between disparate styles, weaving together elements such as dub with andean flutes, or classic string melodies with ambient overtures that allow the listener to float freely in a sea of emotions. A departure from the gritty urban compositions and tribal vibes of her first album Nómada, this record reveals Kaleema's emotional evolution. Útera is a product of her creative space, a high tech sanctuary wherein she has refined not only her sophisticated electronic production but also her characteristic and beguiling voice. Moving from forceful techno-like rhythms (such as on Rama Negra or Utera) that take us through deep dark jungles, into demure yet rapturous passages on tracks like Portales and Invoco, Útera is ultimately an album that taps into Heidi's deep sense of connection to the natural world, and how her growth as an individual reflects the growth around her. Kaleema is Heidi Lewandowski - a multi-instrumentalist, composer, producer, and singer from Buenos Aires who's planted herself deeply in the potent Latin American electronic scene. She released her debut album Nomada in 2017, receiving an array of critical acclaim for how she seamlessly and hypnotically weaves together contemporary electronic elements and tradition Latin American instrumentals. Since the release of the album, she's been catapulted onto renowned stages such as Mutek Montreal, Lollapalooza Chile among others and has collaborated with artists such as Chancha Via Circuito, Mateo Kingman, Lido Pimienta, and many more. Útera is Kaleema's second studio album and will be released via Wonderwheel Recordings in the Spring of 2021.

Released over six years ago, NYC producer Thornato's debut album "Bennu" was a milestone here at Wonderwheel as the producer who previously had a viral danceflloor hit with his "Gaita Gaita" rework stepped out from behind the curtain with an album full of groundbreaking originals, turning what was known at the time as as the "Global Bass" genre on it's head with a mix of African Rhythms, Dancehall, Dub, House, and Latin Vibes. The album initially started out as a bit of a slow burn, but soon developed a fanbase around it with "Chapinero" and Poirier's heavy remix of "Rhinoceros" turning up festival dancefloors that summer. Since then, 'Bennu' has continues to push forward to this day, racking up 25 million streams, and two global syncs this year for Smirnoff and Netflix's "Elite". In commemoration of this now classic album, we've pressed up a very limited run (just 200) translucent blue 'Bennu' LPs that are available now.

Arriving two years after his last full-length effort ("Jallalla"), Lagartijeando (aka Mati Zundel) once again returns to Wonderwheel with an expansive new album, "La Tercera Vision." A maturation of the Lagartijeando sound, "La Tercera Vision" ("the third vision") sees the Argentinian wade into uncharted, if sonically familiar waters, bridging his Andean inspired electronic-folk with psychedelic ambience, West African instrumentation, and even a few moments of pop melodies. The beauty of Lagartijeando's work is its ability to marry seemingly unrelated styles and sounds to something seamless and wholly original.

"Isla de Sol," the opening track, introduces the album with a taste of Mati's classic sound: Andean pan flute, the familiar chugging rhythm of a cumbia beat, luscious string arrangements, and a sampled vocal. Moving on, "Mano de Fatima" (the project's second single) sees a fusion of traditional Moroccan Gnawa instrumentation with digital cumbia rhythms, featuring the work of Khalil Mounji on vocals and guembri (aka sintir, the three-stringed, skin-covered lute used in Gnawa music). Eva de Marce - a singer-songwriter-producer based in Madrid - takes centre-stage on "Tierra Natal," with her vocals coming through in a rich whisper, singing a melody reminiscent of a lullaby.

At the album's halfway mark, Lagartijeando introduces a new direction for his sound with "Onda," a collaboration with the Brazilian artist Tagua Tagua. An earworm of a melody is sung over a joyous beat that nods to pop sensibilities while being satisfyingly infused with Zundel's sonic DNA. It's a gem of a tune that suggests an exciting new sound for the Argentinian. A few more collaborations close out the album, two with Mexican singer-songwriter Madeleine Bachan Kaur ("Crepúsculo" & "La Montaña Sagrada"), "Magaleña" with Javier Arce, and the album closer "Ware" featuring Sajra. Also included in the album is "Sideral Cumbia," the first single released earlier this Summer, which has seen extensive press and radio support from the likes of Vice / Noisey, Electronic Groove, Sounds And Colours, Kcrw ("Today's Top Tune" & "Morning Becomes Eclectic"), and Kexp, as well as landing a spot on Spotify's "Fresh Dance" playlist.

Lagartijeando is the name of producer, musician and DJ Mati Zundel. Strongly influenced by his travels throughout Latin America, Mati's signature psychedelic dance tracks latch onto everything from traditional folk sounds from the Bolivian altiplano to the jungle beats of Brazil. Mati hypnotically fuses his traditional influences (with an emphasis on shaman chant and charango loops) with contemporary electronic beats, creating a sound that once left NPR speechless.

Ceremonia ("Ceremony") is the first collaborative release between singer songwriter Luvi Torres, and producer Chancha Vía Circuito. Combining exceptional voicework with powerful creative rhythms typical of Chancha, the lyrics include mantras Luvi uses in their therapeutic exercises, thereby immersing us in a healing musical world.

Taken as a whole, the album's four tracks, Abro ("I Open"), Creo ("I Believe" or "I Create"), Sano ("I Heal"), Amo ("I Love") encourage sensitive receptivity. Luvi's vocals are enveloped by lush ambient dub. Chancha's rhythms and vibrations create a comforting and calming soundscape that invites a sense of timelessness and expansion.

At times Ceremonia spirals hypnotically, blurring the distinction between inner and outer worlds. This music calls for attentive listening and encourages active individual and collective reinvention.

Wonderwheel is proud to present a brand new project called Afrosideral from Cuban producer, vocalist and multi instrumentalist Kumar Sublevao-Beat. The result of what he's called the Afrocuban Electronic Ensemble - Afrosideral mixes modern electronic production with dub sensibilities with rhythms and melodies inspired and in tribute to the legacy of the Yoruban people.

The "El Olimpo de los Orishas" album is a chant to the universe from the ancestor's voice. The rhythms of the drum, trance & meditation converge into a record that samples & modulates the musical DNA of Kumar's heritage.

DJ/Produzent Nickodemus mischt mit Stil und Finesse Einflüsse aus der lateinamerikanischen, afrikanischen, nahöstlichen und karibischen Diaspora New Yorks mit einheimischen Sounds wie House, Disco und Hip-Hop. Auch sein fünftes Album 'Soul & Science' und dessen Gästeliste glänzen mit einer Genre- und Einflussvielfalt: von den New Yorker Queer-Ikonen The Illustrious Blacks über Produzentenkollege Quantic, dem Sudanesen Alsarah, Flamenco-Sänger Antonio Lizana, Haydee Soul aus Kuba, dem kamerunischen Sänger Pat Kalla bis zum legendären Puerto Ricaner Hector 'Tempo' Alomar mit einem seiner letzten Songs.