In release news, Dublin’s Will de Burca recently dropped his second LP, Embedded. Recorded over the past 18 months at the producer’s Dublin studio, expect to hear a fast-paced electronic intro, followed by a mix of ambient dance, trip-hop and high intensity psych-rock. Featuring vocalist Aoife Underwater among the guests, de Burca notably had one of the album’s tracks, ‘Thunder Gatti’, featured on a HBO documentary on the life of boxer Arturo Gatti. Over the past year, Will also signed with Tremolo Music, who have placed several tracks into ad campaigns for Mac Cosmetics in South Korea.

Elsewhere, Paul Hosey also recently released a new EP, Strictly Rythme, on Lisztomania Records. Support on the release comes from DJ Caspa and Stefano Esposito, and the record and was also featured on the homepage of Traxsource. Paul has been working on music over the past four years, creating tracks on Ableton Live, a Roland TR8 and a TB3. Notably, he and Andrew Hosey released their first vinyl record on Berlin label Kase Kool.

On the label front, I’d like to point the spotlight at Dublin-based Absys Records, who’ve been championing a progressive drum and bass sound since 2008. Initially founded to showcase the sounds of lesser-known producers, the past three years have seen Absys put out releases by pioneering figures such as Anile, Kontext, Nuage, Hatti Vatti, Naibu, ASC and Es.tereo, amongst others.

Absys also provide a platform for emerging graphic designers, providing limited edition prints with every release. They’ve got some great digital releases to check out, with the most recent coming from Italian duo Invadhertz. They have a four-track compilation out titled Night Tales, focusing on the softer, more liquid side of drum and bass. For more info, check out absysrec.com

In clubbing news, Out to Lunch host Vladimir Ivkovic on May 26 at Bar Tengu, Dublin, while on May 28, DJ Rahaan will perform at Pygmalion. Expect a selection of prime-time Chicago house and obscure soul and disco.

Moving on to June 2, Techno & Cans bring Stanislav Tolkachev (Mord) to Dublin’s Hangar, while Bronx house legend John Morales plays with Get Down Edits in Pygmalion. A remix and re-edit pioneer, and a fixture at seminal clubs such as Pippins, Bentleys, Limelight and the infamous Studio 54, Morales – like many DJs of the ‘70s – ventured into the studio more through need than necessity. With records in those days being too short, Morales ended up making medleys and remixes.

His now iconic ‘Deadly Medleys’ and ‘Sunshine Acetate Medleys’ brought him to attention of New York disco producers Greg Carmichael and Patrick Adams. A meeting at New York’s influential WBLS radio station would signal the next chapter in Morales’ career, resulting in the most prolific remix partnership of the ’80s and ’90s. John has recently completed a CD compilation for BBE, with new expanded editions of James Brown and the Four Tops, Marvin Ashford & Simpson, and many more.

Finally, best of luck to the organisers of Life Festival, who return to the beautiful grounds of Belvedere House on May 26, and Forbidden Fruit who take over the amazing Royal Hospital Kilmainham grounds on June 3. They are two highlights of the festival calendar and always hugely exciting events. Enjoy!