John Shima For Music Minds Matter

The independent music industry has taken a heavy battering when it comes to the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic, and sadly there's little light at the end of the tunnel just yet. But despite the gloomy situation, there's been increasingly noticeable examples of artists, promoters and labels showing selflessness and putting others ahead of themselves.

A new imprint on the electronic music scene has been established to deal with that still sadly maligned and often ignored issue in music: mental health.

Started by Connor Male, Serenity Records' first release is a double header between Sheffield techno stalwart John Shima and Macedonia's Mihail Petrovski, AKA Mihail P. It kicks off with Shima's bouncing and archetypal intelligent techno sound on 'Seasons', before we dive into the deep and hypnotic groove of 'Hunter Mind'. They're both the kind of high-quality productions we've come to expect from Shima.

On the flip side Mihail brings an uplifting and lighter side to the quartet of tracks, with the euphoric, string-laden 'Momentum'. The EP closes with the measured, old-school breakbeats of 'Neon Hologarden', overlaid with a myriad of lush chords that would put a contented smile on any old raver's face.

Very often charity records can be made up of filler and unwanted tracks from the archives. There's no doubt that the two artists here didn't hold back their best stuff from this good cause, making it doubly worth your attention.