Returning for the eighteenth installment of its sought-after VA series, Purified Records delivers three new creations in Purified Fragments XVIII. Entering an epic sonic realm, LA-based producer Jono Stephenson blends progressive and powerful sounds in ‘Pathfinder’. Dutch producer Wouter Achterberg soars high in his melodic offering ‘Fool Me’ and Chicago’s FJ9 closes the compilation with his magnetic instrumental cut ‘Echos of the Soul’.

The Fragment XVIII artwork features a striking image of a squadron of Mobula rays, captured by Daniel Nicholson. Mobula rays are often referred to as “flying rays” due to their remarkable ability to breach out of the water, sometimes soaring several feet into the air before splashing back down. This behavior is thought to serve multiple purposes, such as communication, mating, or ridding themselves of parasites. They are known for their large aggregations, where hundreds of individuals come together. Mobula rays have a peculiar mouth structure, with the upper and lower parts of their jaws protruding like a pair of "horns." These mouth extensions may help funnel plankton-rich water into their mouths during feeding. They are listed as vulnerable according to the IUCN. Organizations like The Manta Trust are focused on research, education, and conservation efforts to protect manta rays and their close relatives worldwide.

Located on the Ningaloo Reef in Western Australia, Daniel Nicholson is one of the globe’s most prominent professional underwater photographers. He seeks to share the beauty and magic of the underwater world to inspire conservation and change.

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Manta Trust IG Handle: @mantatrust