As we always do at the end of a year, we take the chance to thank you, our readers, for your continuous support and we also have a look at what you enjoyed the most on hipodrome. This is a summary of the top 3 albums, compilations and recordings that you liked the most this year.
The majority of our visitors came from U.S., Romania, U.K., Germany and Ukraine.
Top 3 Albums
Toki Fuko – Spirit Medicine [Astral Industries]
The most appreciated album was Toki Fuko’s album ”Spirit Medicine”. Known previously for his contributions of deep and hypnotic techno, Toki Fuko’s album released on Astral Industries is a two-part sojourn into vibrant organic soundscapes and liminal sonic archaeologies. ”Spirit Medicine” is an ethereal yet human-centric venture into the realms of consciousness. Soft chimes mark the opening, making way for expansive pads and the emergence of a bristling jungle panorama. Solitary flute melodies call out to the valley, riding over a bed of drones and earthy rhythms. Later juxtaposed with broadcasted voice samples, the natural fabric ruptures with exposed layers spilling through, only to fade back into the ether. Perhaps a memory, or the momentary glimpse of a parallel reality. Part Two adopts an equally atmospheric flavour, substituting fauna and flora for deconstructed, psycho-somatic mysteria. Overall darker in tone, broken beats combine with avant garde adornments, underpinned by a subtle existential narrative. Wading through a wilderness of eerie remembrances, their starkness is counterbalanced with a peaceful return – a form of clarity and reconciliation that the listener is offered in the final act.
Wedding Acid Group – Metro-303 [Undersound Recordings]
The second album is the first ever album released on vinyl by the acid trio from Hungary, Wedding Acid Group (Galactic Jackson, J. Mono & Saint Leidal The 2nd). ”Metro-303″ was released by Undersound Recordings and represents a musical odyssey of 8 meticulously crafted tracks, created between 2010 and 2021, representing over a decade of evolution and growth. Each song showcases a unique facet of the trio’s musical prowess, with tempos ranging from 100 to 150 bpm.
Terrence Dixon – Edge Of The Visible Universe [Minimal Detroit Audio]
Closing top 3 is “Edge Of The Visible Universe”, the new album of Minimal Detroit legend Terrence Dixon. The album includes 24 tracks recorded in Detroit and Amsterdam and is only be available exclusively on band camp in digital format only.
Top 3 Compilations
MRG014 [Marguerite Records]
MRG014 is a New Wave, EBM and Electronic cassette / digital compilation composed of six tracks released by Marguerite Records. Includes productions by Diana Berti aka Francesco Baudazzi, Black Dot the new collaborative project of Le Chocolat Noir & Christian Kroupa, the label heads duo Bianco Negativo, synth pioneer Timothy J Fairplay, Harlem Electronics and Celldöd.
Curses presents Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX [Eskimo]
Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX is the second compilation for Eskimo Recordings compiled and curated by Berlin-based Musician and DJ Luca Venezia, aka Curses, to explore the darker side of club music. Spread across three 2xLPs Next Wave Acid Punx DEUX features a mammoth 49 tracks that join the dots between early industrial pioneers Throbbing Gristle, EBM legends like Nitzer Ebb and the post-punk experiments of people like Malcolm McLaren and Big Audio Dynamite with some of the most exciting artists around today, such as Boy Harsher, Nuovo Testamento and Years of Denial.
chapter 1 / chapter 2 / chapter 3 / CD
Ethniques Psychedelics [Platform 23]
The third compilation, “Ethniques Psychedeliques” is a snapshot of contributions from far and wide, based on the warm expanse of ethnic world music with an idiosyncratic psychedelic nature throughout the selections, from the early 80s DIY post-punk scene. Platform 23 was digging deep in Vox Man Records compelling and unique archive to bring to light this compilation from their cult cassette releases.
Top 3 EPs
Maxime Duvall – Creatures Of The Night [Disco Total Tophit Records]
The most appreciated EP was Maxime’s Duvall “Creatures of the Night”. This is the first release on her bran-new label “Disco Total Tophit Records”. The EP is produced by Machinegewehr and comes with an intense Italoconnection remix.
Ninechecker – Generating Coastline EP [Orson Records]
Ninechecker is an electro producer from Ontario, Canada. On “Generating Coastline” he delivered four stone cold electro-techno-breakbeat tracks for Orson. With its name maybe nodding to the generative creation of fantasy landscapes in 3D CGI software, highlights like ‘Magagun’ convey a weird kind of horrific calculator-nightmare (bloop freakouts aplenty) between the beats, all going to make this a stellarly exciting EP.
Larionov – I Want To Believe [Schrodinger’s Box]
Larionov lands on Schrodinger’s Box with six tracks that encompass a spectrum of electronics. A glistening dawn of bright melodies and murky basslines introduces “Morning Light”, crisp percussion adding balance and ballast. Aquatic lines and soulful arcs are at the core of “Across the Sky” before the bold synth stabs and rasping rhythms of “External Twilight.” Illuminating the flip is the sci-fi inspired “Strange Lights” with the eclipsing shades and tones of “Shadows” darkening speakers while igniting floors. The close is the future gazing “Space and Time.” Fluid strings, reverberating arpeggiators and vocoder lyrics are kept in check by incising snares in this superb finale.
Top 3 Recorded Performances
Dank Matter @ Intergalactic FM Festival 2023
The recording with the most views from our readers is the performance of Dank Matter @ Intergalactic FM Festival from Panama Racing Club in Den Haag. We were fortunate enough to be there and enjoy his energetic mix during the second day of the festival.
Traxx presents – The Definitive Articles of House Music Chapter 1
This 3 hours and 45 minute selection showcases musical blueprints of all rare Chicago and New York like the days of old mostly from the radio shows with disc jocks playing music mixes. The 1st chapter is from the definitive days of house music from Traxx playing from the early 80s, 90s and today from vintage and out of print record labels Trax, Jes Say and Dancemania to multiple Boyd Jarvis and Timmy Regisford productions but also material from Delroy Edwards, Steve Summers, Modern Analysis and new material.
Metal Heart – Italo Moderni 105 Mix
Metal Heart is a duo from Mexico City and their Italo Moderni mix was one of the favorites of our readers. Expects a different selection 80’s rarities and good electronic music.
Thank you again for your support and looking forward to see what 2024 will bring.
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