Murder Tbilisi, the Georgian record label, continues exploring electronic soundscapes and returns with third V/A compilation, featuring exclusive tracks from Soft Crash, Silent Servant, Volvox, Restive Plaggona, OTHR and Puritan.
Sound Synthesis is the solo project of Keith Farrugia based in Malta. The record imagines an ‘Electro Planet’, with a the title track engulfing the listener into an alien world run by Kraftwerk autonotons, commanding synthesisers and vocoders live in harmony within it’s rich sonic landscape. ‘Robot Collision’ takes the record off into alien worlds with ominous overtones of spiralling synth lines, pulsating bass before descending into an abyss of modulation. On the flip, ‘Electronic Machines’ hits firmly at the peak time dancefloor and we can’t wait to hear it back on the big systems where it belongs loaded with dense palpitating bass lines, protruding from the midst of slick 808s and soaring string embellishments, and a dash of vocoder fragmentation. The EP is nicely completed with ‘Energy Patterns’, the understated bomb of the record and a juggernaut of pure menace, hitting with a bass line that will decimate clubs like fabric, Fold and Panorama Bar on their return – think churning acid lines, shrieking synth FXs, and a huge electro groove – not for the faint hearted but that suits us just fine.
Cinema’ is a brilliant snapshot of both artists working together in unison, with Fabrice Lig providing his trademark ‘high tech funk & soul’ sound alongside Wolfgang Flür’s keen, tried and tested ability to fuse clever pop inspirations and catchy vocals through the use of robotic mechanics. Perfect music which balances the headphones and dancefloors on the horizon. Five versions are on hand with the EP, including the original version of ‘Cinema,’ a French version of the original, as well as a remixes from Detroit’s Ectomorph, UK Electro kingpin Carl Finlow, and Dutch synthesis maestro Versalife aka Conforce.
Djedjotronic blasts us off on an interstellar journey with The Great Red Spot EP, the ninth release on International Chrome. Named after the ancient and gigantic storm on Jupiter (bigger than the Earth), the EP is similarly massive with a swirling, constantly moving energy. Includes a Jensen Interceptor remix.
A little more than 2 years ago, labelhead honchos Paul & Dave released their “Nobody is Anywhere EP” on their own imprint Dynamic Reflection. It was a statement about the status quo in the techno scene back then, where many artists didn’t know which way to go. Ironically enough, the contrary is very true as we speak. The “Anybody is Nowhere EP” responds to their previous work and reflects the uncomfortable time we are currently living in, driven by uncertainty. Even though these are not the happiest thoughts, the track titles show that there is hope left. “Emergence” is a very seductive but psychedelic trip towards “Discharge”, which feels like Abstract Division discharges themselves completely. The last track, “Polarise” points out the current divided society, which sets some doubtful thoughts about the future. Scandinavian rebel and Northern Electronics patron Anthony Linell provides his interpretation of the track “Emergence” and delivers a distinctive remix as only he can.
Holden Federico’s first SK_X release has been one worth waiting for. The New Yorker blends a mix of hard brutal percussive drive and powerful kick drums with his beautifully written melodies which stem from his background in classical music. Throughout the EP Holden’s musical background is ever dominant–vibrant synth lines provide a sense of body and feeling in the music, while straight techno rhythms keep the dance floor happy and the feet moving.
DJ Savage is a techno producer from Thessaloniki, Greece and this is the second set of recordings which have been released, 20 years after being produced.
Marco Shuttle’s third album, Cobalt Desert Oasis, features a varied collection of music recorded across a two year period. Often traveling to remote destinations, Marco would come back to Berlin with field recordings, images, and other inspirations to process in his studio and turn into sound. The theme of the journey turns into a something more abstract than a travel diary, where environmental sounds blend in with modular synthesis, drum machines, effects and analog oscillators resulting in a cinematic listening experience where psychedelia, ritualism, and mysticism weave together in a sort of alien soundscape – that as the title of the album suggests, is reminiscent of a parallel utopian world. The album is rich in complex rhythmics, and more than in any of his previous work, has strong acoustic elements. Amongst other percussion instruments, Marco used the Tombak, a traditional Persian hand drum capable of reaching a very wide range of frequencies – from deep round subby toms, to high pitched sharp rimshots, throughout the record. Marco Shuttle is certainly not new to these sort of elements, but in Cobalt Desert Oasis he brings the environmental element of his sound into the forefront in a way that takes the listener into a hazy expanse where it is sometimes difficult to distinguish the machine elements from the natural – and where the music almost becomes a visual experience, which relates to Marco’s own photography used throughout the cover and insert images.
Sure Thing welcomes two new additions to the label with a long-distance collaboration between Seattle’s Archivist and Berlin’s Claudio PRC. Two original productions from Archivist recall dense, billowing fog and the gentle shimmer of waves, each re-imagined through Claudio PRC’s exacting lens into novel forms that spiral with steady, monolithic intent. Brought together, an expansive double vision, an exploration of the compelling nature of movement and air each within the other.
Something Records lifts off ‘Lost in Musik’ by STL aka Stephan Laubner. On 17 tracks and an extended playing-time, this double vinyl comes in complete album feel, multifarious variations, and in STL’s full tonal trademark fit. STL attends the brains & ears in his magic discrete way with an unstoppable bucket-raining flow of fresh sounds, catching rhythms and aspirating music, like no one else usually does. An album to blow your minds, shake your bodies and touch your souls.
The Override Switch combines the talent of two Detroit natives: Jeff Mills and Rafael Leafar. The latter is a multi-instrumentalist with a strong affiliation to jazz music. Through Mike Banks, he was introduced to Jeff Mills, where the idea for “The Override Switch” began to manifest. “The Override Switch” gives control back to the musicians. Unrestrained and unshackled by the semiotics placed by conventional dance music, it looks to a frontier beyond what is conditioned by genre. By infusing the mercurial elements of jazz, it gives electronic instruments the avenue that it always had the potential to travel down; as an unrestrictive genre, exploring the boundless possibilities in which it is capable. It looks to innovation and transcends what has come before; it is a switch in a practical sense, overlooking its past before switching to the future. The album is a homage to artists like John Coltrane, J Dilla, Kraftwerk and those who inspire experimentation with what can be evoked through music.
The score for a film by Oscar winning director Dusan Vukotic ‘Visitors From The Galaxy’ from 1981 (FOX001LP) was remixed by 11 artists from 9 countries. All original tracks from Visitors From The Galaxy (alternative titles: Gosti Iz Galaksije; Monstrum Z Galaxie Arkana; Gaeste Aus Der Galaxis; I Visitatori Della Galassia Arcana; Goscie Z Galaktyki Arkana; Los Visitantes De La Galaxia) are arranged, composed, conducted and produced by Tomislav Simovic. This compilation includes additional screen sounds from the unpublished tapes of composer Tomislav Simovic also featured in Dusan Vukotic film. With courtesy of Tomislav Simovic estate artists were given complete creative freedom to remix, reinvent and re-imagine the futuristic soundscape of first science-fiction film in Yugoslavia that was scored in analog, abstract, electronic and synthesised music. Alen & Nenad Sinkauz, Ali Renault, Anatolian Weapons, Credit 00, Drvg Cvltvre, Goran Vejvoda, Heinrich Dressel, Repeated Viewing, Security DJ, Tapan and Timothy Fife got the sounds from Tomislav Simovic score and embarked on a musical journey that had no rule or predetermined direction or genre; it was only their creativity inspired by Visitors From The Galaxy sound that led them to a new pieces, more or less experimental, abstract or dance floor friendly. The diversity of music goes wide and deep, it is modern and made by the stars of today paying homage to a composer who always retreated in being a star.
Squirrels On Film shares “Electric-Earthy-Esoteric” a haunted song cycle of kosmiche dark-wave/cold-rave sonic incantation from, Mexican born, Texas raised musician & DJ who currently resides in Vienna, Alyssa Auvinen Barrera aka LDY OSC. She uses synthesis, rhythm & voice to conjure layered compositions that draw from post-punk, techno, dub & underground synth-wave.
Pavel Fedoseev is KIKOK. As one of the few remaining members of the Komi tribe, he used the Komi words Ki (= arm) and Kok (= leg) as his brandname. Born in Kudymkar (capital of the Komi-Permyak nation) , now lives in Perm, no less than a 22-hour train journey east of Moscow, placing Fedoseev in what, he says, feels like cultural and social isolation. This 10 track album acts as a means to escape the monotonous cycle of his hometown. KIKOK works on this album with Loua (Luciana Russo) an electronic music producer based in Amsterdam. She’s taking care of vocals and voice snippets. The end result is a record that sounds both propulsive and hypnotic, an album that sounds like moving forward and in circles at the same time. Rich lashings of synthesisers pulse over beats that switch between techno thump and restrained ambience, with tracks seamlessly moving from dance floor stomp to woozy comedown let-up. Russian Rave Pop at it’s best. Perm is a disgusting city,” says KIKOK of his hometown. “It’s dirty, boring and rough. I’m afraid of walking outside; that’s why I sit at home and watch movies and make music.”
It’s a little unclear of the intentions behind London-based Japanese duo Afrobuddha’s name, but on their first release they were certainly working in collaboration with African musicians. Afrobuddha’s two previous 12”s came out in the first half of the last decade, and have since become highly sought after. Mysticisms now gathers the tracks together on this 12”, leading in with ‘Obame’, which was originally recorded with the Kakatsitsi Drummers in Accra, Ghana. Both the original and the dub mix channel a powerful Afrobeat flavour, with the source material from the Ghanaian singers and players front and centre of the mix. ‘Zone’ takes things back into a more club-oriented sphere, with plenty of synth layers and some nimble hand drumming from Davide Salvietti, which of course comes to the fore on the purely percussive ‘Drum Mix’.
American label Peoples Potential Unlimited has cared out its own superb niche in the world of heart aching, lo-fi funk. But here a new catalogue number seems to suggest a new series. It kicks off with French collective Spaced Out Krew and their timeless, boogie driven disco funk. The music was written during 2020 by Spleen3000 and Marius Cyrilou of Cee-O-Funk. There are starry-eyed melodies, rasping basslines and curious vocals that all add up to a nice cosmic disco sound.
5 tracks of pure heat of various styles from members of The Black Lodge global family. A1 is entitled “Atmospheres” from the ever-talented Michigan producer JTC aka Tadd Mullinix [Bopside/Nation/Ghostly]. A2, entitled “Arreskni” comes from newer Chilean artists MU-GA, a track we released in digital format last year from their debut EP. Finishing off the A-side is Italian super-duo Sons Of Traders [SOT/Frigio/Black Lodge] aka Tans X Mike Tansella Jr. with the acidic cut “Indianapolis” also released last year by BL on tape and digitally from their first full length album entitled “Crollo Nervoso”. Side B blasts off with the early Chicago house inspired track “Passion” by prolific Dresden producer Sneaker [Uncanny Valley/Rat Life/Frigio]. Closing off the comp is a dirty warehouse banger/burner by e-spirit, a new alias from LA producer Delivery [LA Club Resource/Valcrond Video.
Maelstrom links up with newcomer CT Kidobó for a deep exploration of raw, violent analogue electro on the fifth instalment of the Dalmata Daniel Split series. The opening track sets the tone for what to expect in the next twenty minutes: 16T50 is like the soundtrack of a spaceship escaping from a cosmic imperial incident, trying to dodge the unknown anti-pleasures lurking in every corner of the dark nebula. RSZALCAXN then creates a strong gravitational field of confidence with its heavyweight instrumentation, sending the message that the desertion mission was successful but staying vigilant is still inevitable. CT Kidobó picks up where the Frenchman named after the wild vortex left off: the ever-tense Dark City wraps itself around a single powerful and metallic leitmotif, holding our attention while William Gibson nods appreciatively in the background, on the autumn streets drenched in tired neon lights. Finally, the Primer, which starts airy and gradually thickens, brings the calm and release we have been longing for all along, but which may not last long in this universe constantly shaped by gargantuan forces.
The 303’s Third Pattern contains even more acid and acidic techno masterpieces from Unknown Artists. Although minimalistic when quickly checked, these tracks contain immense depth when given a proper listen and you know a proper soundsystem will reveal all these so important details for sure.
As part of the legendary Canadian label Unidisc’s ongoing 40th anniversary celebrations, Lime’s 1983 HI-NRG masterpiece is back with a super-fresh 2021 re-rub from the one and only Tiga.’Angel Eyes’ was a hit notched up by husband and wife duo Lime (aka Denis & Denyse LePage), a driving vocoder heavy synth fest with whiplash electronic drums and serious attitude to boot that can turn any discotheque into throbbing sweaty hysteria. Rounding up the release is Tiga, whose darker edged and chopped up poppy remix takes ‘Angel Eyes’ into altogether different territory.
