BREAKING: Ivan Smagghe leaves Black Strobe

Paris-based duo Ivan Smagghe and Arnaud Rebotini, aka Black Strobe, is now officially a one-man act as Smagghe leaves to focus on his DJ career.

Yesterday, Richard Brophy broke the news on his blog, quoting Rebotini from a recent interview.

"He [Smagghe] has moved away and is focused on his DJ career," Rebotini told Brophy. "Black Strobe’s changeover to a live sound was difficult for him because he’s a great DJ, but he’s not a musician and he didn’t feel comfortable being on stage. Black Strobe was always about finding an equilibrium and while he brought the dance floor sensibility, maybe my influence was too strong."

Black Strobe recently recorded their long-awaited debut album, Burn Your Own Church, which is due for release in early June.

The first single off the album, Shining Bright Star EP, is out now with remixes from Oliver Huntemman, Zongamin and Black Strobe themselves along with two brand new and exclusive B-sides.

Ahead of the album release, the duo already released a selection of their finest remixes to date. Titled A Remix Selection, the limited edition compilation features, amongst others, remixes of Depeche Mode, Tiefschwarz, Bloc Party, The Rapture and Rammstein.