All computer and synthesizer programming, drum programming and mixing done by Bees. Beautiful, stepping, warm Ambient atmospheres released on new label A Visiting Link.
Bees – Hi Keke [VIS1T]
Author: hipodrome
Heerd / Noah Skelton – Stomping Grounds 006 EP [SG006]
The Romanian label Stomping Grounds is putting together their first split EP. The release shareds graciously between Romanian duo Heerd and Irelands Noah Skelton. Starting off with the acid-edged peak timer “Hellrot”, going through the atmospheric depth and hypnoticism of “Kamaals Groove” and “Persistence”, the EP is neatly finished with a healthy “Balance” of rolling hats and percussion.
Kaidi Tatham – An Insight To All Minds [FW228]
First Word Records presents a brand new album from Kaidi Tatham. On ‘An Insight To All Minds’, Kaidi says it’s ”not about a destination, but a process. It’s about how you drive, not where you’re going. Nothing in this world can torment you as much as your own thoughts… We are all going through it. We can all feel what the next person is feeling, believe it or not. It’s learning how to tap into it”. The album is comprised of an assortment of Kaidi’s unique flavours – uptempo jazz-funk bruk, laced with rhodes, flutes, live bass and delicious percussion. Using that blueprint he moves effortlessly through latin and samba, half-step, deep afro house and a sprinkle of curveballs, all presented in Kaidi’s inimitable way.
Alex Figueira – Maracas / Music & Whisper [MWS014]
Two and a half frenetic minutes that sound like Aphex Twin and The Incredible Bongo Band dancing Capoeira in the early hours of an illegal rave, somewhere in the deep amazon forest. After the success of his first solo 45, Alex Figueira comes back to the aesthetics of the early Fumaça Preta, with an utterly bonkers 45 that can only be described as an “in-your-face acid macumba techno breakbeat funk freakout.
Sapria – Strain / Initiation [APDLT017]
After a long lockdown break, Delights label returns with a 7inch debut by Sapria – a spontaneous meeting of creative minds from Berlin and Jerusalem: Sun Ra Bullock (X.A. Cute/Edelfaul Records) and Markey Funk (Group Modular/Delights) – on keys, Itai Anker (Hynom/Andarta/Raash Records) – on bass, and Yadin Katz (The Turbans/YMKA) – on drums. Captured in their only studio session back in late 2018 – and finalized by Markey Funk two years later, the collective’s first release is an edgy drum-heavy horror-funk double-sider, largely inspired by classic late 70’s video nasties.
VA – Robotics EP [MTRON022]
Anthony Rother links up with Detroit heavyweights Keith Tucker and DJ Di’jital for a deep exploration of psionic robot engineering and extrasensory electro styles. Truly extending the work of Kraftwerk and others, Anthony, Keith and Lamont came to define electro in the late 90s and tirelessly continue to develop their sound to this day, culminating in the Psi Robotics EP – a cold scan of the minds of future machines and their hypnotic influence.
DMX Krew featuring Blak Tony – Night Creatures [BRK67]
Classic Detroit-influenced electro tune featuring special guest vocal by Blak Tony of Alien FM / Aux 88. Plus two bonus bass bangers on the flip.
Binary Operator – Machine Processed Rhythms EP [CEL004]
Binary Operator aka Matt Star is back with his 2nd EP for Central Electronics. Again he delivered a mixture of electro and broken beats for dancers and digital dreamers.
DC Salas – The Beautiful Feelings EP [PLAYRJC068]
DC Salas is thirtysomething year old Diego Cortez Salas, a skilled talent with peruvian origins hailing from Brussels. After his last year’s debut EP on Live At Robert Johnson called The Complicated Art of Dreaming, this fresh four tracker is a proof to his creative continuity.
Stiletti-Ana – Stiletti-Ana presents Stiletti City Rhythm Band [PP053]
Fragedis / Nemmett – Split #1 [PEVA05]
Split #1 marks the debut of a new vinyl series, to be hosted on the Various Artists catalogue of Pi Electronics. The split series will be bringing two artists on the same vinyl, with this very first release presenting music by Greek producers Fragedis and Nemmett. Coming from different backgrounds of electronic music, prolific figure of the Cretan islands’ dance scene, Fragedis and one of the Athenian founding members of the π crew, Nemmett, contribute their sharpest weapons to this release.
Massimiliano Pagliara – Connection Lost Pt. 3 [UV056]
Three is the magic number and continues the Connection Lost series by Massimiliano Pagliara on Uncanny Valley. The series is a highly emotional project for the masterful Italian DJ and producer with music that is deeply inspired by thoughts on how to cope, once the connection with loved ones is cut. As wide as the feelings and emotions in those situations are, as varied is the sound palette with tracks between Acid, House, Disco and Downbeat.
Alexander Robotnick – Computer Sourire [TD005]
The fifth release on Tempo Dischi comes from one of the true pioneers of Italian disco: Maurizio Dami aka Alexander Robotnick.
Diego – Walk In The Night [MAXI1054-12]
ZYX Music presents a re-issue of this italo classic from 1983. On Side-A there are the rare original versions and as a highlight on Side-B two new and exclusive remixes by Flemming Dalum and Victor Ark.
Escort – Cocaine Blues [GLITS074]
Originally released in 2010 on their own label, Brooklyn nu-disco group Escort’s ‘Cocaine Blues’ is now lovingly revisited by Glitterbox Recordings, re-introducing the dancefloor essential to a new generation of disco fans. A loose remake of disco-reggae classic ‘Cocaine in My Brain’ by Jamaican DJ Dillinger, Escort’s ‘Cocaine Blues’ with its relaxed, disco approach and catchy vocal soon became a hit, with this special 12” package featuring Escort’s original and their instrumental, as well as Greg Wilson’s remix, where he takes the stripped-back approach with minimal vocals and enhanced drums. It may have been over a decade since it was first released, but this package still sounds just as good as it did when it first graced dancefloors.
U – Ecstacy [PH102]
An infrequent but invigorating contributor to Phantasy, U returns with a beguiling new single entitled ‘Ecstasy’. The first side of the artefact portrays ‘Ecstasy’, a wide-eyed and spectral incantation rich in intimacy, whispering voices and earthy psychedelia. Somewhere between machine funk and folk canticle, a sonic gift perhaps for a field in England bathed in moonlight, else a dire basement dripping in energy, ‘Ecstasy’ leaves the system almost spiritually. On the contrary, ‘Morpheus’ presents a tougher meditation, a creeping jam with an analogue consciousness, ghostly rave echoes and a conundrum at its heart. The dream seems so real, but what if you can’t wake from it after all?
Artefakt – Days Bygone [DSR/INT1]
Nick Lapien and Robin Koek’s latest collaborative album, Days Bygone, helps launch Delsin’s Interstellar series as they continue to explore beyond the dancefloor trappings of conventional techno to create a body of work steeped in mystery. Although not totally devoid of percussion, Artefakt shift their focus away from dominant drums and lean on the keys and pads to map out the landscape each track traverses. Sometimes furtive and suggestive, elsewhere pearlescent and diffused across great expanses, it’s these striking, sublime formations which define the atmosphere Lapien and Koek have created – a textured, dynamic exercise in techno as internalized listening music.
Franck Kartell – Electric Sheep EP [LDI002]
Newly launched Dutch electro label LDI Records follows up their first release from T/Error with a deep and dark four track EP by French producer Franck Kartell. In a homage to masterful science fiction writer Philip K Dick – Side A of Electric Sheep EP evokes scenes from future mechanized worlds. Electric Sheep kicks the 12″ off with a melancholic and contemplative moment followed by a steel cold and brooding venture in Voigt-Kampff. On the B side of this release, there is a live mix of Kartell’s track Electro Music, a futuristic electro work out with kicks for the dancefloor. The EP completes with Victoria – an ode to the electronic musician Victoria Lukas who passed away in 2020 – with a beautifully poised and contemplative track steeped in synths. Franck Kartell is a French producer who has releases on Between Places, Transient Force, Ukonx Recordings, New Flesh, Bass Agenda and others. Since 2005 he has been producing well thought-out Electro music filled with dark atmospheres and driving rhythms. Specializing in moody, atmospheric electro, LDI Records (Lloyd’s Dark Imperium) are an essential label to watch.
Perel @ The Lot Radio 17.04.2021
Chemise – She Can’t Love You [SPEC-1817]
Chemise’s 1982 boogie classic ‘She Can’t Love You’ is back on repress as part of Unidisc’s 40th anniversary series of releases. Backed with an exclusive new Purple Disco Machine re-edit as well as the original dub and the killer 1986 Marc Hartman remix. An essential release for all disco / boogie heads, officially reissued and remixed by the Unidisc / Emergency records family, fresh for 2021.
The Hipodrome Of Music 