Potter Natalizia Zen – Magari [ELP054]

September 12, 2020September 11, 2020 hipodromeabstract, album, alessio natalizia, ambient, colin potter, ecstatic recordings, experimental, guido zen, potter natalizia zen, synth waveLeave a comment

POTTER NATALIZIA ZEN - Magari

Master synthesists Colin Potter (NWW), Alessio Natalizia (Not Waving) and Guido Zen reprise their supergroup for Ecstatic with a seductively serpentine follow-up to their superb debut from a couple of years ago. PNZ’s pulsing, twanging, expansive ‘Magari’ was recorded between 2018-2020 in the slipstream of ’Shut Your Eyes On The Way Out’, which is surely one of the strongest new kosmiche-related albums of recent years. Where that album refreshed classic styles of European synth music for modern ears, ‘Magari’ – meaning “I Wish” in Italian – adapts their style to the unique Afro-Latin lilt of Brazilian music with central use of the Berimbau; a single-stringed percussion instrument commonly associated with the elegant martial art/dance of Capoeira, which the band’s Guido Zen brought home from his travels in South America. Combined with their juicy, almost fleshly arps and Guitar pedal-generated computer voice, the results are wonderfully wide-eyed, embracing bouts of motorik rhythm beside vertiginous noise wormholes and mystic tone poems that speak to a cumulative experience spanning decades spent hunting for life between the wires.
Like their first LP, much of the recording took place remotely or in pairs, and rarely with all three present, before the parts were mixed down at Colin’s studio in Leytonstone. In its journey between the intricate meters and perpendicular vectors of ‘Too Much Traffic’, and their mesh of curdled tones with their phone recordings of a manic preacher in Camberwell on ‘Saved’, they variously recall Craig Leon’s alien invocations of Dogon folk tales as much as the heady dissonance of Alessandro Cortini; producing outstanding pieces of tangibly haptic substance in ‘Sergio’ and infectiously tip-of-tongue Berimbau twang on ‘Gennaio’, and for good measure, something like Phil Collins gently losing the plot after healthy dose of Ayahuasca in ‘Fill’, while ‘Ancora’ sounds like Basic Channel scoring Herzog’s Aguirre.

Thessa Torsing / Tammo Hesselink- Zeekasteel / Ballet Mecanique [OEMOEMENOE4]

September 12, 2020April 21, 2023 hipodromealbum, ambient, experimental, nous'klaer audio, re:vive, tammo hesselink, thessa torsingLeave a comment

TORSING, Thessa/TAMMO HESSELINK - Zeekasteel

Nous’klaer & RE:VIVE present two scores by Thessa Torsing (upsammy) and Tammo Hesselink. Torsing’s is a 27-minute piece, composed for a collage of archival footage of the Dutch ship MS Oranje. The short film explores the lifecycle of the ship, from production to usage and to the fire that ultimately destroyed it. Hesselink’s is a 17-minute piece for the pioneering short film, Ballet Mecanique (1924), a rigid composition of sharp notes and twisted drum patterns that hypnotically evolve accompanying the film’s staccato rhythm.

CRAY76 – 1111 [CRWDSPCR020]

September 12, 2020September 11, 2020 hipodromeacid, ambient techno, cray76, crowdspacer, joakimLeave a comment

CRAY76 - The 1111 Tapes

When Joakim aka Cray76 moved back from NYC to Paris in 2019, he knew he wouldn’t have access to a studio for a little while. And although he welcomed that forced pause in making music, he felt the need to take at least one piece of gear with him in his suitcase. It was the legendary Roland TB303, one of the simplest and quirkest synth ever made and maybe the one that had the most important influence on electronic music since the mid 80s. Having recorded a few beats on his Roland TR808 before he packed his studio in Brooklyn to be shipped back to France, Joakim decided to make a record only using those 2 machines, an « exercice de style » that is a tribute to 30 years+ of acid house and techno and a way to make tools that he could use in his DJ sets. It goes deep, it goes hypnotic, it goes rough, many flavors of acid are packed in this 808+303=1111 12inch.

VA – Casting Shadows: Intergalactic Gary [CSIG]

September 11, 2020September 20, 2020 hipodromeacid, andrea benedetti, brokntoys, casting shadows, cosmic disco, electro, gag, intergalactic gary, quad, sprawlLeave a comment

SPRAWL/GAG/QUAD - Casting Shadows: Intergalactic Gary

Brokntoys return with the second volume of Casting Shadows this time featuring three secret gems selected by Intergalactic Gary. A true music archaeologist and one of the leading lights of the Netherlands’ West Coast scene for over 30 years, his knowledge spans across genres and decades. Opening proceedings on the A side, we go back to one of Andrea Benedetti’s acid classics – this time revisited at 33RPM, morphing it into a slow-burning dancefloor grinder. On the B-side, Italo disco duo GAG get a re-airing of their lost classic Flyin’ Bolero. QUAD, the UK duo formed by Mark Carroll and Pete Diggens, closes the EP with a deep breakbeat excursion originally released on Kinetix.

VA – FTD4X4-01 [FTD4X401]

September 11, 2020September 9, 2020 hipodromeanatolian weapons, disco, electro, feel the drive records, franz scala, furor exotica, italo-disco, new beat, ondataLeave a comment

FRANZ SCALA/ANATOLIAN WEAPONS/FUROR EXOTICA/ONDATA - FTD 4X401

Szymek Lawik and Maritn Lefteri’s regular party and NTS show, Feel the Drive, turns record label with a debut release that takes you through the gears. Spending their lives digging up the very best Italo, New Beat and EBM delights, a record label was the next logical move for Szymek Lawik and Martin Lefteri. The perfect distillation of their combined tastes and determination to search the globe for new music, the four-track debut EP features big hitters from Franz Scala (Bahnsteig 23, Tusk Wax, Cocktail d’Amore), Anatolian Weapons (Beats in Space, Dark Entries), Furor Exotica (Bordello a Parigi, Sprechen) and the label bosses themselves under their Ondata guise (Red Laser, Night Noise Music).

Martin Matiske – Robotic Theatre [MST044]

September 11, 2020October 14, 2020 hipodromedisco, electro, martin matiske, moustache recordsLeave a comment

MATISKE, Martin - Robotic Theatre

Moustache Records welcomes to the family the oldskool electro legend Martin Matiske with his Electronic disco-ish 12 inch EP release “Robotic Theatre”. This is a future vision of a theatre run by robots and is the era in which machines entertain mankind. Operas are written and played in a mechanical way. The pieces of “Robotic Theatre” deal with different terms of stage work. Track A1 is called “Acting Faces” and Refers to the rehearsing of the role, as well as the interaction of the actors on stage. The well-being of the actor does not often match what is played. He has to play even If it’s painful. B2 is the track called “Machinery” Human beings are machines that build machines today. The advantage is perfection and time saving. Robots as actors are reliable and precise. B1 listen to the name “Transistor Dances”its Like The Hungarian Dances by Johannes Brahms you just need a dance to express happiness and remind your culture. Dances bring people together. A robotic dance should not be missing in a play. The last track of the EP is the tune “Practise” a story about a robot the has to practise to achieve perfection and it is fun.” Don’tplay this underwater order now gone is gone.

Jared Wilson – Seeing is Forgetting [030EP016]

September 10, 2020April 4, 2023 hipodrome030303 records, acid, house, jared wilson, technoLeave a comment

WILSON, Jared - Seeing Is Forgetting

An outsider in the Detroit scene, Jared Wilson’s meandering acid jams have always sounded more Cornish than American. His brand new EP for the Netherlands’ 030303 Records continues on that spacey tip. Sea Friends starts warm, bassy and laidback with upbeat and frenetic melodies taking over later on, lifting the tune to another level. Seeing is Forgetting is a melancholic, beatless acid trip, drenched in a strange field recordings setting with waves, vocal snippets and bird sounds all present. Potentially referring to Detroit’s legendary record label and distribution company is Submerge the Ship, the most layered and mesmerizing jam on this twelve, a track that truly sends you off to the depths of the deep sea. Closing track Yogacamp is the fastest one on the record and with various eerie melodies battling for dominance, a great once for the darker dance floors.

Solitary Dancer – Reveries Of A Solitary Dancer [PP02]

September 10, 2020September 8, 2020 hipodromeacid, breaks, private possessions, solitary dancerLeave a comment

The latest release on Private Possessions finds itself landing in the embrace-inducing, euphoric, yet tear-worthy Bermuda Triangle of the proverbial DJ vibeboard: the cathartic response to over two years of album-dedicated studio time. The release also begs of a more existential question bleeding into the social consciousness: “Where do we belong?”, to which the answer is simple: “Together”. ‘Reveries Of A Solitary Dancer’ was inspired by an article of the same name by Artforum’s David Velasco. The piece details the legacy of artist Adrian Piper and her extensive body of work, most notably in the field of dance. Velasco reveals Piper’s desire to “transform the mechanisms that divide people into groups” and highlights her belief in dance spaces as conduits for reunification during times of segregation.

Krokakai – Strange Behaviour [SDC002]

September 10, 2020September 10, 2020 hipodromeacid, electro, krokakai, silver dollar clubLeave a comment

KROKOKAI - Strange Behaviour

Glasgow label Silver Dollar Club return with their second release, this time by local talent and friend Krokakai, titled ”Strange Behaviour”. Four tracks of tripped-out dub beats and squelchy acid treats to take you on an odyssey to the outer reaches.

Dj W.E.B. – Traditions 16 [TRAD16]

September 9, 2020September 6, 2021 hipodromeacid, album, dj w.e.b., electro, libertine records, libertine traditions, techno, walid el barbirLeave a comment

DJ WEB - Traditions 16

The necromantic antibeats is the first longplayer by DJ WEB (Walid El Barbir). Repetitive and funky drum-compositions contradict vocal samples resembling horror, suffering, pain and malady, combining both into very playful compositions which contain seductive joy and the ill depths of mankind (hell) at the same time. Dead poems for the eager & the lost evoking forgotten potentials through ritualistic repetitions.

Halv Drøm – Slum Vatic [F//019]

September 9, 2020September 9, 2020 hipodromealbum, fleisch records, halv drom, industrial, synth wave, technoLeave a comment

HALV DROM - Slum Vatic

In his debut LP on the imprint, Fleisch collective co-founder and resident Halv Drøm crafts esoteric body music inspired by loss, nostalgia and ego-dissolution. With groove, finesse and nothing to prove, he processes his past and future through an arcane haze of post-punk guitars and industrial field recordings.

Portray Heads – Portray Heads [MW074/BL-015]

September 7, 2020September 7, 2020 hipodromealbum, bitter lake recordings, minimal synth, minimal wave records, portray headsLeave a comment

PORTRAY HEADS - Portray Heads

Minimal Wave Records and Bitter Lake Recordings are happy to present their first collaborative release, a double LP by mythical Japanese underground electronic trio Portray Heads. Their self-titled double LP spans all their recordings to date including the songs from their rare “Elaborate Dummy” flexi (1985) and follow-up “Oratorio” (1986) Influenced by early 1980s European New Wave and Japanese synth-pop, their songs range from circular poppy synth gems to moody dark new wave anthems – all led by strong female vocals.

Jyl – Jyl [MW075]

September 7, 2020September 7, 2020 hipodromealbum, ingo werner, inteam, jyl, jyl porch, minimal wave records, re-release, reissue, synth pop, synth waveLeave a comment

Minimal Wave presents a reissue of Jyl‘s self-titled full-length album from 1984, originally released on Klaus Schulze’s Inteam label. Born and raised in California, Jyl travelled to Europe in her twenties to dance and met several talented and like-minded collaborators along the way. She ended up in Germany, and worked with Ingo Werner, Angela Werner, and Klaus Schulze, on what would become one of the most important and forward thinking electronic albums of the time. Shortly after its release, the song “Computer Love” became a mini-hit along with the album’s opening track “Mechanic Ballerina”. The lyrics of “Silicon Valley” and “Computer Generation” are reflective of the times and have become even more relevant now, 36 years later. The production and song arrangement on the album is immaculate. The synthesizers, drum programming and vocal contributions complement Jyl’s voice perfectly. The album contains an incredible depth beyond a regular dance album likely due to the spirit of the people behind it – the list of contributors add to its significance and near-mythological mystery.

Locust – The Plaintive [SUCTION053LP]

September 6, 2020September 3, 2020 hipodromealbum, ambient, experimental, locust, mark van hoen, suction recordsLeave a comment

Suction Records presents the first new album since 2014 by the legendary, and somewhat underrated electronic project of Mark Van Hoen, Locust. The album is called “The Plaintive”. Earlier this year, Locust released “The Plaintive” as a 15-track CD/digital album, part of Touched Music’s “Touched By Silence” boxset, and the CD was sold out in a matter of hours. Having heard Locust’s contribution to the set, the Suction crew was immediately smitten with the material, which sounded very much unlike the Locust of old, yet absolutely complimentary to Van Hoen’s murky, analog-synth past. Produced intermittently over a 5-year period, the tracks were created with a largely-digital eurorack modular system, alongside a selection of analog synthesizers, notably a newly-acquired Prophet 12 polysynth. While tracks like “If You Knew” and “Out Here” are reminiscent of classic Locust, much of “The Plaintive” shows us a new side to Locust – melodic, playful, and melancholic, with clear nods to the melodic electronic sounds of early pioneers like Cluster, early-Kraftwerk, or even OMD’s late-70s output.

Westcoast Goddess – The Soul’s Return EP [DOG81]

September 5, 2020September 7, 2020 hipodromedelusions of grandeur, house, westcoast goddessLeave a comment

With a fresh and distinctive sound, Westcoast Goddess successfully fused soulful touches and late 80’s-era digital synths with raw, punchy grooves and a euphoric, ravey atmosphere. The Berlin-based producer lands on Delusions Of Grandeur with a 3 tracks EP.

Vienna – Tell Me [OW02]

September 5, 2020September 3, 2020 hipodromehouse, matteo zarcone, mennie, obscure world records, viennaLeave a comment

Obscure World come back digging in the past , after the first release with Cosmic Galaxy now is time for italian house maestro Alex Neri with one of his very first aka “Vienna” alongside Marco Baroni inseparable music partner.A fresh touch with the italian newcomer crew Matteo Zarcone , Mennie and DJ GLC versions make this record again fresh to hit the dancefloor

Bottin – Artifact 13 [ART13]

September 5, 2020April 5, 2021 hipodromeartifact records, bottin, disco, edits, houseLeave a comment

Artifact is again hot off the vinyl presses with a private edition, curated by stalwart editor Bottin. First off, “Manifesto Balearico” does exactly what it says: providing a blueprint of the Balearic Beat genre: thick layers of dreamy keyboards over a lavish mid-tempo groove, topped by a sparse macho voiceover and chanting sirens. With “Palmy Days” we leave the Mediterranean Sea for the ocean and the French West Indies: it’s not so much Latin music, but rather sophisticated tropical new wave. On the B side we cross the U.S. of A. for some naughty Californian Hi-NRG treat, better served straight into your ear channel: “Got Headphones?”. Finally we head back to Bottin’s homeland and explore an Italian city well after dark. “Ok Goodnight!” Buonanotte, amiche care.

Paul Villard – C.A.R.R.I.O.N EP [LR019]

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020 hipodromeelectro, lone romantic, paul villard, technoLeave a comment

Mysterious and masked techno talent Paul Villard unveils more of his musical weaponry on the Lone Romantic label. Futuristic opener ‘Side Effects’ is a bumping electro cut with a stuttering drum pattern and squelchy synth funk from another planet. ‘Submarine Limousine’ keeps up the cyborg styles with a crisp electro groove that is run through by sci-fi vocals and effects, while ’Fluid Dynamics’ is all watery synth droplets and fractured vocals panning about the mix. Taught bass stabs keep you on your toes and make for an otherwordly robot disco vibe. The second half of this well-crafted EP starts with the glowing pads and creepy atmospheres of ‘Bioluminescence’, a classic Drexcyian electro jam that charges hard and deep into the cosmos. ‘Neon Death’ is an explosion of coruscated synth lines and bumping bass, tripped out machine sounds and warped electro-techno before closer ‘C.A.R.R.I.O.N.’ zones you out with intense ambient pads and modulated synths that are restless and paranoid.

CYRK – 656.281 [SCAS2]

September 4, 2020January 17, 2022 hipodromeacid, cyrk, electro, pascal hetzel, sammy goossens, science cult, sierra sam, syrte, technoLeave a comment

Part 3 of the ”Astra Spectra” series features the Berlin Electro duo CYRK with 3 intense and dark electro tracks. Rounding off the release is a remix of ”Human Mind” by Syrte.

Alien FM – Monochromatic Images [PBX30]

September 4, 2020September 4, 2020 hipodromealien fm, anthony horton, blaktony, detroit, electro, keith tucker, puzzlebox recordsLeave a comment

Underground electro-cult figures, ALIEN FM (Anthony ‘Blaktony’ Horton & Keith ‘K-1’ Tucker) return to the reactivated Puzzlebox label for 2020…and beyond.