RAY KAJIOKA, EDDIE HALE — Berlin Sessions II LP

Ray Kajioka & Eddie Hale – Berlin Sessions II LP opens the Denude DND009 12-inch vinyl with a clear focus on the intersection of electro, Detroit-rooted techno and experimental textures. Issued on 26 October 2026, the record continues a collaborative dialogue that began with the label’s earlier Berlin Sessions I (DND006, 2025). Across four cuts the duo balances driving momentum with off-kilter detours, offering material that feels both set-ready and intriguingly idiosyncratic. Within Denude’s recent output, Berlin Sessions II follows the atmospheric “Secrets LP” by Cecilia Tosh & Bjarki (DND008, 2026) and the forward-looking “Modern Explorer II LP” by Mike Buhl & Vril (DND007, 2025). Earlier releases such as “Berlin Sessions I” (DND006, 2025) and Eddie Hale’s own “Far Beyond LP” (DND003, 2024) have established a lineage of deep, synth-driven explorations on the imprint, and this latest entry pushes that conversation further into experimental territory. Side A opens with “Explorer”, a joint effort that the label describes as launching with a rolling low end and clipped hats, engineered for peak-time impact. The groove establishes a forward thrust that sets the tone for the record’s kinetic edge. A2, “Seven”, strips the palette back to a stark Detroit pulse, laying drum-machine logic bare and highlighting Ray Kajioka’s solo sensibility within the shared aesthetic. Side B returns to the partnership on “Home”, where warmer pads settle over a steady kick, creating a more room-oriented ambience that feels suited to a club’s interior rather than its main floor. The final cut, “Eleven”, showcases Eddie Hale alone, bringing in electro-inflected accents and a looser, experimental swing that rounds out the four-track journey with a distinctively off-beat finish. In the context of the artists’ recent discographies, the record sits between Ray Kajioka’s “La Groove EP” (Phunkit, PHK036, 2025), “Resuscitate” (Kanzleramt Records, KA189, 2025) and “Nord Hammer” (Frameworks, FW05, 2025), all of which explore similar techno-electro terrains. For Eddie Hale, it follows the first “Berlin Sessions” (Denude, DND006, 2025) and the double-LP “Far Beyond” (Denude, DND003, 2024), reinforcing a sustained interest in melding driving rhythms with experimental flourishes. From a DJ’s perspective, the record offers two clear entry points for peak-time energy (“Explorer”, “Seven”) and two more nuanced moods for deeper set moments (“Home”, “Eleven”). The sequencing moves from high-octane propulsion to reflective, room-focused textures, allowing seamless transition between intensity and atmosphere. Collectors will appreciate the concise four-track format that captures a focused exchange between two producers who have repeatedly shaped Denude’s signature sound. The release arrives as a 12-inch vinyl, matching the format of the label’s recent output and preserving the tactile experience that complements its analog-centric production. Ray Kajioka & Eddie Hale – Berlin Sessions II LP, Denude DND009, 12-inch vinyl, four tracks. Tracklist: A1. Ray Kajioka, Eddie Hale – Explorer A2. Ray Kajioka – Seven B1. Ray Kajioka, Eddie Hale – Home B2. Eddie Hale – Elevenxperimental swing. Across four tracks the record moves between drive and detour, functional enough for a set, strange enough to stand apart from it