When Spectacteur first arrived in Athens, he was greeted by the Melting Records crew and enlisted for a covert mission. The French beat-maker was already gaining steam with releases for The French Touch Connection and the beat-making collective Tour De Manege. But Melting Records asked him to go undercover as an agent of Beats & Culture, disguised in a fog of moody vibes reminiscent of past informers dealing in ‘90s trip-hop espionage. Spectacteur received coded instructions and audio samples from the Melting headquarters. Soon his new identity was born: Stereo Utopia.

La Terra Madre is Stereo Utopia’s detailed report of his first mission. The album surveys sonic travels around the globe accompanied by Stereo Utopia’s weapon of choice: phat beats. “Addis Ababa” opens with a sensuous vocal pean and heavy rhythms before punctuating horns drive the message home. The following “La Nuit” projects a musical timewarp, floating flutes and a beguiling chorus of vocals opening a door to the past. Later in the album is “Kormas,” a confident strut through Indian lands filled with jaunty percussion, rousing strings, and layers of exotica. And “Istanbul Rockers” delights with an off-kilter psychedelia as wild guitar riffs and tape-echo noises pursue its camel-led bounce.

These are only a few of the highlights — and secrets revealed — within La Terra Madre’s ten outstanding tracks. On this first mission, Stereo Utopia has opened a hidden world comprised of theatrical soundscapes and rhythmic intelligence. These shadowy beats and clandestine melodies are now yours to decipher as Stereo Utopia embarks on his next thrilling adventure.

Release date: September 17, 2021

A Beats and Culture series

Artwork and Design by Jola818

Mastered by Blanka at Kasablanka Studio, France

Executive Producers: Basiis Foteinos & Andreas Pallidis

Limited Pressing of 500

Athens 2021

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