Private Records releases a compilation of scarce and sought after tracks which previously have only been released on 7” somewhere in the late 70’s and early 80’s. A cosmic journey into early techno and modern club music prototypes.
Author: hipodrome
Trevor Jackson – Metal Dance: Industrial/Post Punk/EBM: Classics & Rarities 80-88 [STRUT091LP]
The latest Strut Records release shines more light on the clanking, far-sighted world of the 1980s’ most revolutionary genres – namely industrial, post-punk and EBM. This time Trevor Jackson is at the helm. His two-disc selection touches on many different strands, from bleak synthesizer jams and crunchy punk-funk to twisted industrial disco, mutant electrofunk and almighty percussive workouts.
Megadon Betamax – Falling EP [VR008]
Falling is the second full release on the excellent Voyeurhythm imprint from Megadon Betamax aka Mostyn. The mid tempo poise of “Falling” is perfectly embellished by intricate rib tickling synth work, perma floating vocals and is further charmed by a dash of surf guitar! Former Tresor resident and current Auckland dweller DJ Raw Sugar turns the track inside out for a nicely dubbed beatdown rendition on the flip whilst the previously released Betamax jam “He Can’t Love You” gets a reworking from the rising talent LeSale.
Rayko – Rayko’s Doo Doo [ASR550]
Rayko’s debut on American Standard label is a typically infectious reworking of a disco oddity, replete with the sort of chugging bassline and snapping percussion that teases people onto the dancefloor.
VA – RDY #7 (Ron Hardy Edits) [RDY007]
Amazing 3 tracks straight from the vaults of one of the original house music creators Ron Hardy, featuring the ultra rare “Love & Happiness” from First Choice, here the incendiary version from the master himself. On B1 we get the brillant & timeless Ron Hardy mix of J Geils Band “Flamethrower”. B2 another mega rare version of Streetlife’s “Tearin Down The Walls”.
Serge @ Clone Basement Session, Fabric (London) 29.11.2011
Three Legged Race – Wrong Element EP [AD003]
Hallucinating, mechanical, and dark; spatial techno from THREE LEGGED RACE. The WRONG ELEMENT EP solidifies Robert Beatty’s recent mind bending live performances into proper physical form: a 12″ extended play record. The high voltage lines of slum MOOG and brick 808 define the all saturating sound seeping from the black lead earth of Lexington, Kentucky. The mastery of tension and release found throughout Beatty’s work with Hair Police and Burning Star Core is here crystalized into a rich and daunting psycho-physical techno fit for the club and the basement.
Pigon – Kamm Interpretations [LILA001]
Lirum Larum is a brand new joint of Pigon aka Efdemin and RNDM. Always riding the thin line between house and techno with a twist for the obscure they decided to have their own imprint from now on. The 1st release features a composition of their own in two mindblowing interpreations. Function and Tobias provide their interpretations of pigon’s track “Kamm” (originally released on beatstreet in 2008).
Developer / Eduardo De La Calle – Variations EP [MODULARZ006]
Modularz label head Developer & Analog Solutions producer Eduardo De La Calle collaborate on this rare release featuring raw deep techno and hypnotic driving rhythms on the new Ep Variations.
Giorgio Gigli / Obtane – A Sad Wandering Dreamer Trapped In Contemporary Memory Architectures [ZLF001]
Zooloft Records is approaching to the era of future tech-noir and this release is the result of an internal process of thoughts and ideas behind them. It tells the story of a sad wanderer who is trying to find the path to personal truth. Outside, a desolate scenario of modern architectures of cold glass, standing to the edge of horizon. A wonderland of mirrors and empty landscapes: the triumph of solitude.
Nightjars – Nocturnal EP [VVR002]
Vae Victis second release with apparent newcomer(s) Nightjars taking the reins but still maintaining the philosophy of analogue processes and hybrid styles. The concept is further crystallised here with two distinct sides to the record; starting with the ‘raw’ side, “Thing Movin On” steps and shudders in a sparse fashion, using very little percussion besides a kick and rimshot playing against a looped synth refrain and a purposefully distorted vocal sample. “Heavy” however fares far better with some nasty processing, as a mean acidic bassline rubs up against razor sharp hats in belting fashion. The more melancholic material in Nightjars’ repertoire has been wisely saved for the ‘clean’ side, starting with the plush finish of “Left People”. After that ambiguous exercise, “Everynight” positively shines for its focus and dynamics. While there’s no greater complexity at work in the music, the pace and flow of the track feels far more engaging, not least when the vintage garage-house bassline comes in.
Joy Orbison & Boddika – Froth / Mercy [SUNKLOWUN001]
First release from a this new label Sunklown by Joy Orbison and Boddika. “Froth” is the more overtly melodic of the two, leading with a murmuring female vocal sample, and weaving marble-smooth pads between its staccato mid-range synth and hi-hat clatter, whilst “Mercy” is a mechanical techno behemoth that practically heaves under the weight of its own leaden mass, audibly letting off steam as it goes.
Actual Taped Voices pres. Phantom Whistle – The Sound Of The Phantom Whistle [ATV-R002]
Scandinavia’s ATV serving 4 slow paced, atmospheric electronic cuts that are perfect for headphone listening, yet also have the right energy for playing them out loud.
Shed – The Praetorian [50WEAPONS017]
Shed’s 50Weapons debut. He’s created something completely unique; rather than boom, the rhythm of “The Praetorian” pulsates, taking a metronomic, sand-dry snare and combining it with an undulating pad melody with a distinctly dreamy quality. “RQ-170” meanwhile ticks along with the head-nodding rhythm of dubstep, utilising bass frequencies almost below the range of hearing, while a snarling rasp burrows through the track’s centre.
Bonobo – Black Sands Remixed [ZEN12312]
Ninja Tune presents 3 remixes for Bonobo’s “Blakc Sands”, coming from Cosmin TRG, Machinedrum and Funkineven.
DJ Technician – It’s Nokoman [TR002]
Nokoman dropped out of the sky into the dunes off Lookhill. All he said was: ‘I want to use your SP1200 and your cell phone’.
NRSB-11 – NRSB-11 [WEME313.6]
Sonar Base – We Attack At Dawn EP [CE010]
Cultivated Electronics moves into its 10th release with an EP from long standing Dutch Electro pioneer Frank De Groodt under his Sonar Base alias. This is the 3rd landing from Sonar Base. ‘We Attack Before Dawn EP’ gives a nod to the mid 90’s Electro sound of Underground Resistance with 3 killer cuts from Sonar Base and a remix from CE label head Sync 24.
Model 500 – Control / The Messenger [RS1202]
Juan Atkins returns to R&S on a Model 500 solo mission. The last Model 500 single enlisted the help of the live line up that includes Detroit techno royalty Mike Banks and UR alumni Mark Taylor, but this latest release is just Juan in the studio and back at his best. ‘Control’ is vintage Model 500, the classic electro that Atkins pretty much invented, with his treated vocals riding over the crisp rhythm programming, dark basslines and Detroit synths. ‘The Messenger’ on the flip is a moodier affair, with the liquid synths almost running away with themselves over the rough beats.
