Off The Record

Hooooly shit. Normally I try and keep this column Sydney-centric, butAdelaide Festivalhas announced the 2016 incarnation ofUnsound, and the lineup is way too incredible to pass up.

UK Hyperdub head Kode9 [pictured above] leads the bill of the Polish festival’s fourth appearance in South Australia, which also features Alessandro Cortini, Powell, Lorenzo Senni, Paula Temple, Kangding Ray and more. That is quite seriously one of the most impressive electronic lineups I’ve ever seen on Australian shores. It’ll take place over Friday February 26 and Saturday February 27 at Torrensville’s Thebarton Theatre.

Well, this might just be the best party of the year. Mad Racket is set to turn 17 (it’s almost legal!), and to headline this year’s birthday celebrations it’s calling one of the best DJs I’ve ever seen, Fred P [picured below]. A stalwart of the deep house scene in New York, he also produces under the aliases Black Jazz Consortium, The Incredible Adventures Of Captain P, Anomaly, Fred P Reshape, FP197 and FP-Oner. Regular readers of this column will no doubt be aware of my adoration for this man’s productions. He’ll be joined on the evening by Ken Cloud, Jimmi James, Zootie and Simon Caldwell. It’s all going down on Halloween, Saturday October 31, at the Marrickville Bowling Club.

Boo-yeah. After being announced for the 2015 Meredith Music Festival yonks ago, Sam Shepherd AKA Floating Points has finally added a Sydney date to his Australian itinerary. A classically trained producer, DJ and NTS radio presenter, his fans Down Under will be some of the first in the world to witness him perform following the release of his debut album, Elaeni, due out on Friday November 6. For those not in the know, Shepherd is a co-founder of Eglo Records, has released on the likes of Ninja Tune, XL, Domino and Fabric, and counts Jamie xx, Theo Parrish and Benji B as fans. Catch him on Saturday December 19 at Oxford Art Factory. Merry bloody Christmas.

Keeping it short and sweet: Chinese Laundry is turning 18 next month and will be hosting some heavy-hitting internationals, including Ben Pearce, Low Steppa and the techno titan Ben Klock. Recommended.

Tour rumours: you can expect to see the long-awaited return of Erin Duncan AKA Dr. Dunks this November. His How We Do In NYC mix is still one of my all-time favourites. We’ll also be getting a visit from Secret Circuit soon, announcement imminent.

Best releases this week: Shackleton once again proves why he’s one of the most respected producers in the game with Deliverance Series No. 3 (on Woe To The Septic Heart). Other highlights include FaltyDL’s Rich Prick Poor Dick (Ninja Tune), Gerry Read’s Limp Biscuit Anthem (Timetable Records), Simoncino’s Amazon Atlantis (Créme Organization) and Patrice Scott’s Euphonium (Sistrum). Oh, and if you’re after a killer mix, Konstantin has stepped up for the latest podcast for The Bunker. Super solid.