There could be no proper introduction as “Fehlfunktionen” by Robotron to design the future of termination by Skynet Cybersonix. T.1 (termination one) is the debut concept album by the man behind several underground labels and projects like Interfunk and HIEROGLYPHICA – representing pure Detroit electro/techno machinery resistance on this limited 12″ 6-track LP.
The 2nd output on Robotron’s lo-fi label Bootsektor represents the very first recordings by Adalbert C. Kupietz as Interfunk. Created in 1997 on a MS-DOS 8/16 bit tracker under heavy influence by the west coast sound of Holland. Doomy, dark and moody – the soundtrack of “The Mand Behind The Screen”.
Swedish label Stilleben hits the not-so-insignificant milestone of 60 releases with this new EP from Obergman. He is a veteran of the global electro underground and shows off his skills here with some bumping 808-based electro-techno fusion cuts. They are brilliantly muscular and well-defined tunes with irresistibly bumping baselines, slapping hits and mystic synth work that brings the cosmic vibes. ‘Akrobahn’ is an eerie opener and things remain deep and mysterious with ‘Hermispherical Transmission’. The flip side offers more powerful and propulsive jams in the form of ‘Photometry’ and ‘Vaterloos.’
This debut EP from Manchester producer Kalcagni brings us 4 slices of deep, vibey electro. Kicking off with EP title track ‘Manners’ which provides 303 acid lines laced with infectious chord stabs and beefy 808 drums. Next up ‘Retox’ takes proceedings even deeper with a soulful, slightly melancholic touch. On the flip side ‘Wrong Fix’ jacks up the BPMs for a wonky electro affair, before EP closer ‘It Knows Me Bad’ rounds things off with oscillator sync bass stylings interspersed with minor chords, modular percussion and punchy drums.
”Through consumption and entertainment’ is the latest full-length compilation from the Sons of Traders label in collaboration with Mutant Radio. It features a gritty cast of affiliates of label owners Mike Tansella jr. and TANS who curate this release.
Mures are Joshua Cordova and Santiago Leyba. They fit perfectly as MRT010, transporting the label from the cold, grey, drowned in concrete atmospheres of Acid Ernst to the working class heat of the American south. Electronic body music, factory music, machines intensify their rhythm as degrees rise. Hot iron is forged, sweat and black stains cover bodies, hard labor, the struggle and the hammers, tools for modern times restraint. Rare Metal and Workers have just paved the way to that bullet that is Trains of Thought.
With a long overdue, we finally managed to find the time to compile this list, so with no further comments here is the best electronic music created by Romanian artists in 2021, according to our opinion.
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Point Central is the first edition of a new compilation by Science Cult showcasing the intersection of Electro and IDM. Much like the classic French comic series that inspired the name, we aim to blur time and space into something new. The first compilation includes 12 tracks from Alleged Witches, Bless The Marcc, drøn, Fleck E.S.C, Kim Cosmik, L/F/D/M, Lloyd Stellar, Lord Jalapeños, Poladroïd, Serge Geyzel, Syrte and Visions Of Glosters.
Detroit’s deep techno master, Deepchord, makes a more than welcome return to Soma after 5 years. With a brand new album dropping, Rod Modell delves deep into his ethereal sonic world to bring ‘Functional Extraits’. Built in a way that only Deepchord can, he transports you to different realms with lush soundscapes and perfectly processed electro-acoustics giving you an insight to the mind of the unique artist.
With Narration, Toki Fuko returns to Affin after a long break. The EP contains 4 stylistically diverse tracks (some of them overlong), which are captivating in their perfection and document the musical versatility of the musician, who skilfully moves between dubby, hypnotic, in-depth techno here.
Michael Diekmann from Morphology, here under his CRC alias with a high quality acidic breakbeat EP.
No Moon returns to Mechatronica with an intricate blend of tripped-out machinefunk, colorful breaks, obscure bass music slo-chuggers and outsider electro.
QphoriQ joins Fides Records with a 4 tracker Electro-Tinged EP named Emerald Journeys. Analogue synths, complex structures and pulsating drums are remarkable in QphoriQ style while a dj-friendly remix by label boss Z.I.P.P.O shows the eclectic nature of the label.
Rene Wise gets round to another of techno finest, Blueprint. A 4 track EP of his unique atmospheric soundscapes that always have a raw but modern touch, captivating the listener from beginning to end.
UK techno pioneer Steve Pickton has dug deep into his DAT tapes collection to unearth 2 previously unreleased recordings from the golden era ’92-’93. Both rarities offer a trademark lush and retro-futurist Detroit inspired sound that is totally unique. Fellow Likemind legend Nuron provides a stunning remix.
Originally released in 2000 this ep showcases the unique sound that is synonymous with Hood: simple but effective minimalism for the dance floor. This 4 tracker is essential for anyone considering themselves a Techno fan.
With “Universe Speaks”, Reggie Dokes is at the helm of the third release for Still Techno. It is rare for Reggie to drop 4 deep techno tracks on one serving but here we are. All tracks featured on “Universe Speaks” are an ode to the dancefoor and Detroit, where melodies, jazz, percussions and real electronic music collide to create a new and subtile soundscape.
Detroit produced and DJ Kyle Julian Hall presents the sixth release on his Forget The Clock label. “Good Hado” EP includes 4 warm Detroit House tracks.
Rawax welcomes Dana Ruh to the artist family, with her hommage to Detroit/ Deep House EP “Red Lights In Blue Skies” released on Housewax.
Schneebezen was formed in 1986/87 by Bart Plaskoff (vocals, lyrics, backing keyboard) and Glen Moller (keyboards, programming, backing vocals). They managed to build a small recording studio in West Los Angeles and started to compose their first songs. In 1989, with the assistance of producer Bryan Carlstrom (Billy Idol, PIL), they recorded the EP “Take Those Shades Off”. This release included two top-ten hits. “Magical Meeting Of The Minds” and “Can’t Remain A Friend” were beating out bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure on various dance charts thanks to heavy rotation on KROQ, LIVE-105 and other radio stations around the USA and abroad. In light of this success an EMI executive approached the band. Bart and Glen began doing some demos in 1990 but it was during this time they realized that from their perspective synth music was dead so creative differences began to occur. They knew they would go the way of most bands on the edge of getting a record deal with a major label. Schneebezen split. “Amnesia Lane” is a compendium of the short but fruitful career of Schneebezen including the complete “Take Those Shades Off” EP and lot of unreleased stuff with studio recordings, live outtakes and demos recorded between 1989 and 1990. Everything has been carefully restored and remastered from the original DAT and cassette tapes.
