Author: hipodrome
Massiande – Stand [MOS022]
M>O>S Recordings welcomes a new talent to the label in the form of Chilean Massiande. ‘Stand’ will be his first release since a 2013 EP on Housewax and is a four track affair that explores cloudy, atmospheric house with plenty of panache and flair. First up, the title track is a raw house kicker with rubbery basslines, frazzled machine lines and muted voices all making for a spaced out and slightly acid vibe. The Future (Is Now) is another mid tempo cut, this time with loud dramatic chords and strings in the mix dominating a Chicago referencing bottom end. It’s strong reflection character then makes way for That Feeling, with its rolling bass, icy hi hats and subtle Larry Heard style melodies that really transport you to another galaxy. Lastly, Get House closes out an emotional EP with far gazing pads, airy percussion and the sort of drums that just make you want to shake your limbs. Classic from start to finish, this EP is sure to win Massiande many new fans.
Aroy Dee – Re-sketched [MOS021]
Tight remix set from the M>O>S camp. After delivering his standout debut full length Sketches on M>O>S Recordings earlier it the year, Aroy Dee now gets the remix treatment. The fine talents carefully chosen by Aroy Dee because their music inspired him, R-A-G, D’Marc Cantu, Paul du Lac and Cliff Lothar revisit three different cuts from his album and serve up compelling results.
Drvg Cvltvre – This Place Of Wrath And Tears [OMD002]
A prolific producer from an underground punk DIY background, Vincent Koreman aka Drvg Cvltvre was previously known for his experimental techno releases as RA- X in the ’90s, on labels such as Bunker and KK Records. Stepping up to the new Omnidisc imprint, he delivers an EP packed with uniquely gritty, yet melodic techno weapons.
Palms Trax – In Gold [DKMNTL024]
“I cant even afford bed linen, let alone a 909”. The unpretentious of Jay Donaldson is disarming in many different ways. Words of the label: ”We consider Donaldson aka Palms Trax to be one of the most promising new artists to date. His sound situates him firmly along the Chicago-Detroit axis, cooking up pad-driven jams, off kilter drums and hazy synths that shift like a gentle musical tide. In 2013 he inaugurated the Lobster Theremin label, the London-based imprint that quickly became one of the most talked about record labels around. When not travelling the world for prime-time gigs Donaldson holds a residency at the widely respected Berlin Community Radio. It’s with great pleasure that we welcome golden boy Palms Trax to Dekmantel Records.”
Silent Servant & Kerri LeBon – Digital Tsunami 067
Moral – And Life Is… LP [DE087]
Moral was the trio of Marco Andreis (Guitars, Bass), Hanne Winterberg (Vocals) and Ingolf Brown (Synthesizers, Rhythm Box, Sequencer) from Aarhus, Denmark formed in 1981. They released their debut mini-album ”Dance of the Dolls” on cassette in 1981 and the album ”Whispering Sons” on cassette in 1982. During the summer of 1983, Moral recorded and produced their debut LP, ‘And Life Is’ at Ingolf Browns home studio. It was the first release on Ingolfs label ARP Gramophone in August 1984. Influenced by early 4AD Records, Joy Division, Brian Eno and Wire, the band crafted their own brand of Nordic melancholic Post Punk. The album develops the bands signature sound of airy, glacial synthesizers with crepuscular guitar and serpentine melodies. The main synthesizers used are the primitive Roland TR-606 Drumatix, the percussion side-kick to the TB-303, plus the BOSS DR-55 Dr. Rhythm drum machine. Hannes hauntingly beautiful vocals walk the line between germanic chill of Nico and Alison Statton of Young Marble Giants. Lyrical themes of cold nights and blossoming relationships paint a detailed picture of youthful life in Scandinavia. This deluxe edition contains three bonus tracks that originally appeared on the ‘Somewhere Outside’ compilation.
51717 & Silent Servant – Jealous God 6 [JEL006]
A gripping split 12” from Jealous God. 51717 a.k.a Lili Schulder takes up the A-side with a stonking three tracks, whilst Silent Servant lets loose with a couple of slippery urchins on the flipside. Out on vinyl 12” with postcard and mix CD from Nihar Bahatt and Jason Polastri of Surface Tension on Jealous God.
No More – Suicide Commando [MNQ065]
Mannequin Records present the 12” reissue of No More – Suicide Commando, one of the most influential singles that ever reach the underground surface in the past 35 years. Originally released in 1981 as a 7” single, and subsequently reprinted in 1984 as a 12” Single with a different tracklist on the B-Side, the single was in the following years spreading internationally regardless of genres and scenes.
Gerd Janson @ Registratur Bar (München) 27.02.2015
VA – Lifesaver Compilation 2: Live At Robert Johnson [PLAYRJC035]
Live At Robert Johnson presents a second Lifesaver compilation. The label is calling the eight-track collection, which arrives two years on from the first instalment, “another episode of togetherness.” It presents music from the LARJ roster, with Roman Flügel, Portable, Orson Wells, Massimiliano Pagliara, Lauer, TCB and Benedikt Frey all chipping in with a track each.
Big Strick – Simple Pleasures [7DAYS1012]
Big Strick can usually be relied upon to deliver solid, soul-flecked deep house with that distinctive Detroit touch. That’s certainly what he delivers on Simple Pleasures, the latest 12″ for his 7 Days Entertainment imprint. There’s a lovely warmth and sun-kissed fluidity to bongo-laden opener “Ghetto Man”, whose enduring appeal is partly based on the delicious melodiousness of Strick’s hazy electronic pianos. “Don’t Wait Up” successfully riffs on a similar theme, before “48 Hours” displays the veteran Detroiter’s skills with dense percussion and ocean-deep chords. Best of all, though, is the dreamy beatdown of “Illuminated”, whose thicket drum machine beats and glassy-eyed pads are particularly memorable.
Lawrence – Manhattan [SMALLVILLE041]
Two years after his In A Rush EP, Lawrence is back on Smallville with another release dedicated to the island of lunacy and love: Manhattan. Approved by visionary dancers from all around the globe, Smallville41 presents three enthusiastic tracks- the pulsating tech-jazz ballad ‘Nowhere Is A Place’, the title track featuring Ghostly Internationals most wanted Heathered Pearls and a particular forward stepping bouncer sending greetings from Sten.
Andrew Red Hand – Dark Science Electro Guest Mix
Broken Arrows – So Few Truths [GD010]
Broken Arrows are the powerhouse duo of London’s Bill Ambrose and Spruxx. United over an envy inducing collection of vintage and modern synths and drum machines. Broken Arrows are the sound of a slime coated pansexual Club D’Amore as populated by malfunctioning ED-209s getting real freaky. Taking cues from classic EBM, Minimal Synth, these three dark-fucking-wave destroyers are complimented by a remix from the one-man-brutalist-factory known as Drvg Cvltvre, taking the title track and twisting it into a reimagined 8-bit NES grinder / grindr.
Joe Drive – Anamorphic Age [KOOAAD001]
Very limited installment of Joe Drive’s brand new label Kooaad Muzik; a journey into sci-fi movie sound. Four brand new tracks starting from the electro jazz anthem of the title track followed by late night cinematic motors of Behind The Screen. On the flip side the post-Drexciyan electro-techno funk of Mesmerization closing with the true Manifesto of this release, Cinemascope. John Carpenter and Drexciya Inspired First excursion into electro.
MNLTH – Flektro EP [CPU00010001]
Playful melodic ”IDM’ and electro by MNLTH aka Dave Monolith, Photodemetia, etc – Hot off the heels of his Time EP on WeM Records. Dave is giving his fans a real treat in 2015.
R-A-G live @ Vera Club (Groningen) 01.03.2014
Ngly live @ Saponificio Abbandonato (Milano) 27.02.2015
Matrixxman – Stuxnet [SPC129]
Rich with analog ideas, Matrixxman shows his interests in deep Chicago moods with techno futurism. StuxNet follows the futuristic path Matrixxman has carved out with two new acid-leaning cuts: StuxNet I and StuxNet II paired with two Amulet EP stand-outs, Venetian Mask and The Caravan, remixed by Hieroglyphic Being and Silent Servant.
