“A Door To Nowhere” is the second release on Jim Rider’s imprint “SIGNS”. We’re at a strange moment in history where COVID-19 has had a profound effect on people’s lives. The proceeds from this album will go to the WHO COVID-19 Solidarity Response Fund, helping those worst affected by the virus globally.

Tracks come from a collection of Jim’s friends and handpicked favourite artists from across the world.

We begin with Anjunadeep’s Limara, his track Angelica featured on their Explorations 11 collection and English producer has also featured on Lane 8’s label This Never Happened. Mechanism is a solid start to the album with tight, snappy drums are the basis for a smooth delayed groove and a simple yet effective bassline.

Next up is NYC based German musician Nhii. He has established himself as a leading talent with releases on Kindisch, Stil Vor Talent and Klassified to name but a few.

Nhii’s offering Orbital Angular Momentum is a cosmic journey created using his expansive collection of synths and hardware. It’s a real epic and wouldn’t sound out of place accompanying any space flight.

We travel to Argentina via Barcelona and Ibiza as duo Bodaishin (HMWL / Magician on Duty and founder of Circle of Life) and Invisiblem4n team up on Malohi. Tribal chants and plucked strings create a dark and organic atmosphere, a track befitting Burning Man.

We continue our journey around the world to Turkey and meet Gadi Mitrani. Gadi has blessed Lee Burridge and Hoj’s Tale & Tone as well as Seven Villas and his track What Makes Music is another melodic masterpiece. A simple synth lead layered with a natutral bass and shuffling hi-hats keeps this one firmly on the dancefloor.

Ukranian DJ/producer Nikolina provides us with a sultry, deeper affair on Stay Up. Having previously released with Lump Records, Anna’s interesting bassline is met with sweeping pads, an evolving arpeggiator and twinkling bells.

We return to London next with Jim Rider (Kindisch, Tale & Tone, XYZ) providing the title track A Door to Nowhere. A plucked electric guitar gives the track a disco underpinning while string solos and flutes give it a distinctly eastern sound. Synths and marimbas throughout take the track into Todd Terje territory.

From London to Berlin next and mysterious producer NenaHalena (Stil Vor Talent / Elements). Sani Tequile is a percussion masterclass. Behind the project is a seasoned creator, musically described as Afro-Brazilian-Berlinian and the track is the perfect mix of humanistic fundamentals, dynamics and progression.

The closer is a beautiful track from another Argentinian duo, Facundo Losardo & Leandro Caceres. The soaring strings and operatic vocal on Anaan lead the track and are backed up by sweeping pads, a progressive bassline and relaxed drums. A fitting end to the album.