ALEX FALK RETURNS: BUY/STREAM
INTLBLK008

Rhythm Section’s darker livery, International Black, delivers its singular offering for 2020, an EP by suzerain of the unstoppable loop: Alex Falk.

His second EP for the label INTLBLK008 consists of 5 ruthless techno pieces of isometric quality scoured from a shortlist of over 100 drafts from Falk’s hard drive. The tracks were formed via experimentation with both the Korg Mono-Poly and in Alex’s words ‘manipulations of my own voice in my typically loopy style’.

The results are flashbacks to the formative forest parties that allow Falk to conjure a mind-expanding style of repetitive techno designed for long seamless transitions and loophole fanatics. Tried and tested at the TEKNOX party that he runs with Nikki Nair, Dialectic Sines and Saint Thomas Ledoux in Knoxville; Bronze, Needs and City Scan stand out as the heavier workouts while Blue Jellies and Fuchsia are trips into the cerebral cortex destined for the deepest after hours experience.

Alex Falk’s specialist voice in techno, sitting somewhere between your ice-cold Berlin and warm upfront Detroit sound, is worth its own weight in the DJ’s toolbox.

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releases December 3, 2020

Written and Produced by Alex Falk
Mastered by Helmut Erler, D&M

LOCK EYES BUY/STREAM

INTLBLK007

The latest instalment in the International Black series comes from Lock Eyes. INTL BLACK 007 represents an unusually versatile EP from the Italian producer, catering to both ecstatic peak time dance-floors with ‘Love$lust” as well as exploring new ground with his own twisted take on the slow motion 90’s Tribal Italia sound on La Guida; all while staying true to his signature sonic universe.

Lock eyes has releases on Clone, Blind jacks journey and Lobster theremin and counts the likes of Marcel Dettmann, Fred P, Antal and Truncate as supporters.

Something for everyone here by an artist on the ascendant.

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released July 19, 2019

Mastered by Helmut Erler @ Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin
Artwork by Yuli Serfaty

LONDON MODULAR ALLIANCE BUY/STREAM - INTLBLK006

International Black’s 6th release comes from critically acclaimed electro supergroup London Modular Alliance. Operating from a refreshingly simple credo of: 3 men, 0 computers, many patch cables - LMA create their music on the fly using soley modular synthesis.

Consisting of Koova (brokn toys), Pip Williams (Central Processing Unit) and Yes Effect, these three experienced producers have blown minds with their ecstatic live performances across the globe. Coming in hot after releases for Kirk Degiorgio’s A.R.T. Records and Hypercolour, their release for International Black takes no prisoners.

Opening the A side is 'Same Repeated Cycles', an ice-cold electro inspired groove featuring LMA's signature modular synthesis. Engineered to perfection and mastered by Matt Colton, this cut delivers a new level of toughness to the International Black catalogue.

On the B Side, 'Acid Lab' takes a more gentle approach: slo-mo electro drenched in acid. The lead 303 riff floats in an abyss of dubbed-out dystopian psychedelia.

Closing the record is 'Volatile State’, an otherworldly... more

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released November 16, 2018

Mastered by Matt Colton

BAD CHANNEL BUY/STREAM

INTLBLK005

A new project from two old hands. Melbourne’s smouldering underground turns up two untitled cuts from BAD CHANNEL, named for the faulty mixing console they were produced on, with a cheeky nod to Mark and Moritz. Organic late night tracks, soulful and dub wise. They passed BZ’s litmus test, so now they come to you cut deep on Rhythm Section’s twilight sister imprint INTERNATIONAL BLACK.

The A-side keeps it spacious, a relentless stepper for the early hours.
Side B is music for autobahns, starlight soul for the post-club cruisers.

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released August 24, 2018

Mastered by Helmut Erler @ Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin
Artwork by Yuli Serfaty

ALEX FALK BUY/STREAM

INTLBLK004

Next up for Rhythm Section’s club focused sub-label – 'International Black' 004 is here and it is bringing the heat - this time from Tennessee, USA. Mister Saturday Night and CGI affiliate Alex Falk delivers a 4 track EP made with one thing in mind – the dancefloor. Taking influence from the likes of Chevel, Levon, Redshape and Phase; Alex Falk achieves a singular vision merging American and European styles of Techno.

Opening with UPP, an effortless techno groove with a tight rolling bass line, classic lead stabs that pulsate, twist and turn as the heavy kick punishes the subs. BETA comes in next with a serious low end bounce – a distorted bass bump pushes the system to the max before being followed up by lower sub all swinging around a fat house kick and tight percussion – another club stomper for the serious rigs only.

The B side is a proper dub techno workout. Beginning with DAB a focused club tool whereupon sharp stabs progress and modulate throughout the track as tight kicks and hats hold down the groove. Its a serious wristbreaker that will cut through any mix. Closing the EP is GATES13, a more downtempo affair. Atmospheric chord stabs dub upon an 808 kick, a must for the warm up or warm down.

International Black is heads down, arms up.
International Black is for your mind, your body and your soul. International Black is late nights and early mornings.
International Black is the sound when the lights go off.

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released June 22, 2018

Written & Produced by Alex Falk
Mastered by Helmut Erler @ Dubplates & Mastering, Berlin

MALLARD / J DEEP BUY/STREAM

INTLBLK003

From the twilight zone of Rhythm Section International comes a new label for 2017: INTERNATIONAL BLACK. This is the offshoot’s 3rd release this year and the machine shows no signs of slowing down.

Bradley Zero’s ear for new talent continues to pay off as we are introduced to yet another young pair of producers, Mallard & LT, going by the name of ‘J DEEP’.

Mallard, a 19 yo Jazz student who made a big splash with his debut RS INTL EP, ‘Verte’, returns with a track aimed more squarely at the dancefloor. Although hypnotic and ethereal, it packs a punch, with the arrangement and musicality belying Mallard’s musical training at Trinity College.

On the flip side, Mallard joins forces with another promising producer who goes by the name ‘LT’ in their collaborational partnership known as J.Deep. Complex jazz chords swim around 909’s to create an elevating techno roller that climbs and climbs only to give way to sparse rave stabs and ecstatic snare patterns.

Tried and tested for the best part of a year, these are 2 serious jams, proven to cause dancefloor... more

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released November 3, 2017

LOSIAN / NEINZER BUY/STREAM

INTLBLK002

nternational Black make it two in a row with this latest EP from Neinzer and Losian.
With this 12" , International Black wastes no time in cementing their mission statement to provide a platform for dark, functional and highly effective club music.
Neinzer, whose release ’The Beacon’ turned a lot of heads in 2016 presents ‘Weiblich’, a surgical slice of sound art masquerading as techno; a brutally effective piece of programming that seamlessly switches from beat-less interlude to a thundering 909 work out.

On the other side, we witness Losian in full power, peak time mode. 'He’s My Brother' is an unrelenting, hypnotic cut that is a master class in build and release dynamics. Gentle washes of muted keys give way to a pummeling kick, reminiscent of Shed or Basic Channel, just with that unmistakable UK toughness. Preview soon come

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released May 12, 2017

PHRASED / RON OBVIOUS BUY/STREAM

INTLBLK001

From the twilight zone of Rhythm Section International comes a new label for 2017: INTERNATIONAL BLACK.
International Black is heads down, arms up.
International Black is for your mind, your body and your soul.
International Black is late nights and early mornings.
International Black is the sound when the lights go off.

For our first release we welcome two of South London’s finest exponents of real house music: Phrased and Ron Obvious.
Recorded entirely on analogue hardware via reel to reel tape, this inaugural release features two hypnotic and timeless tracks from the up-and-coming duo, whose back to basics approach yields otherworldly results.

On the A Side we are treated to a deep, swung shuffle, which hints at Uk Garage with its staccato hi-hats, before descending into a Detroit house ambience as lush pads meander back and forth. Out of this rhythm (which could go on forever), emerges a 303 bassline to beat all 303 basslines; virtuosic in scope, this element works to further cement the groove and make it fully worthy of it’s name: “ Pushing ( 303 Jazz Mix)”
Flip over to the B side and we find a production from the enigmatic Ron Obvious. This is deep house at it’s most brutally effective. Using just a few key elements, ‘ Man Ray' channels a distinctly eerie yet sleazy energy, soundtracking that moment in the club where things get a bit weird and a lot more interesting.

The record is made with the dancefloor in mind; two tracks, two sides, 45 RPM, cut and mastered by the one and only aural alchemist, Matt Colton.
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released March 3, 2017