RotterHague is a new label dedicated to electro music in all it’s forms, this issue showcasing brothers from other mothers DJ Technician and DJ Overdose. Lot’s of E-mu SP1200 programming as this is for both of them the weapon of choice. Funky robotics to make the people shake is about as close as you can get to a description for the four tracks delivered on this E.P.
Following the release of the fantastic first Corporation Mindfuck 12″ last May, there’s been much online chatter about the identity of the producer or producers behind it. Regardless of the shadowy figure(s) behind the project, there’s much to recommend on Winds of Corruption, the second Corporation Mindfuck missive. Musically, it’s not only pleasingly spacey and out there, but also gritty, dusty and lo-fi, offering a thrilling mix of bustling dancefloor electro, melodious retro-futurist IDM, and stranger-than-fiction ambient interludes. In other words, it’s another must-have EP.
An essential 2 x 12″ overview of some of the legendary Frankie Knuckles TRAX classics. What else needs to be said One of the godfathers of our scene, a true classic himself, Frankie behind the wheels or behind the boards was simply top shelf all the way down the line. A real original whose influence and touch can still be felt today. His releases on TRAX at the time were the hottest things ever and they still resonate on the dancefloor today with equal measure. Featured here are some of the best tracks fusing Frankie’s love of Disco, Euro-pop, Italo and more produced in his initial mid to late 80’s golden period. Cuts like ‘Baby wants to ride’, ‘Bad boy’ and more, featuring the unmistakable vocal talents of the equally legendary Jamie Principle. It’s all here. The perfect starting point for those who have recently discovered the man and his body of work, or equally as stimulating for those who wish to have some classics in their collection. Each track is a classic, each one stands up today and effortlessly rocks the club. Remastered in conjunction with TRAX, repressed from the finest audio sources available.
Sneaker delivering a quartet of insane analog rhythm/drum tracks that will make your wettest dj dreams come true. The Rhythm Composer EP is the culmination of two’s years of painstaking refining. The result? Four pieces on one amazing sounding vinyl cut filled with warm, round bass, harsh snares and crashing cymbals from the Jacob Korn-custom-built RC-808 drum machine.
Brokntoys welcomes Marcel Caron for his debut on the label. Haunted Memory sees Caron shift through the gears from string ridden melancholy to aggressive broken acidic workouts all with an overhanging state of suspense.
Manni Dee’s Nuances project joins the label with a mini-album recognizing splendor in feelings of somberness and isolation.
Sushitech Records presents ‘Invisibility’, the debut album from SIT aka Sideways Invisibility Theory. The DJ & producer duo is based in Bucharest and was formed in 2009 by Cristi Cons and Vlad Caia. Drawing from an early education in classical music, their influences range from ethereal jazz to experimental trip-hop.
part 1 / part 2 / full album
One of Ghana’s most sought-after LPs emerges from obscurity as a high quality reissue on the new Vintage Voudou label from the Netherlands. First released in Nigeria in 1979, this LP (also known as Basa Basa Experience – Together We Win) is a unique collaboration with Themba ‘T-fire’ Matebese, who propelled Basa Basa’s sound, inspired by Ghanaian traditional music, soul and afrobeat, into another dimension, adding disco elements, synthesizers and the production aesthetics of the next decade. The new Amsterdam based label Vintage Voudou focuses on re-releasing a carefully picked selection of rare tropical music on vinyl, paying special attention to sound quality and print work.
Growing Bin burst into 2018 with a bang, crash and symbol splash, uniting a premier pair of per-cussion obsessives for a supernatural mission into the heart of the rhythm. Dressed in the pitch black of Dusseldorf stands Wolf Muller, master of the tropical drums and seven time Salon Des Amateur breakdance champion. Repping Cologne and Berlin is Niklas Wandt, Germany’s funkiest drummer and a mixed musical artist as adept in experimental jazz as demen- ted Euro dance. Standing toe to toe in a no holds barred, no drum unstruck groove contest, these two titans will make you swing your pants like a Crash Bandicoot victory dance…so stretch out and step in to ‘Instrumentalmusik von der Mitte der World’.
Returning with another debut release, Second Circle’s eighth record to date comes this time from young Viennese musician Giuseppe Leonardi. Performed on an array of synthesizers and experimenting with spoken word and vocals from various local singers, Giuseppe’s ‘TBC’ EP take us on a dance through the catacombs and out through the jungle floor with ritualistic rhythm and haunting song… Whilst at other moments Giuseppe’s horizontal ambient pieces leave us gazing out on the shores of a distant half-remembered planet.
Phantasm is a new vinyl label and collaboration between Amsterdam’s Sinchi Collective and the much-admired Night Noise outlet, based in Geneva. It kicks off with a strong EP from The Soviet Union aka Richard Baldwin, including classy remixes from Sinchi themselves and In Flagranti.
Dark Entries continues to license and reissue some of the greatest – not to mention hardest to find – Italo-disco ever made. This 1984 single from Italo-disco duo Fokewulf 190 is a great example. In many ways, it’s atypical of Italo-disco, eschewing the style’s usual arpeggio basslines in favour of a bubbly synth groove inspired by electrofunk, onto which is layered stylish, new wave influenced synthesizer melodies, atmospheric chords, snaking synth-saxophone and a highly accented vocal – originally un-credited – from future Italian synth-pop star Fred Ventura, who was then in the early stages of his career. Naturally, the headline vocal version comes accompanied by a fine instrumental, which is more like a delay-laden club dub in feel.
This boogie anthem release is manufactured from the master tapes and remastered at D&M in Berlin. The release is authorized from the artists. Includes a San Soda refix.
Private Persons continue their path to world domination, picking up Jensen Interceptor & Assembler Code with a stomping, fuzz fueld electro tour de force.
Kris Baha turns to Pinkman with a standout 5 tracker blending influences ranging from EBM, darkwave and experimental electronics. What makes them work together is a shared industrial edge, spine-chilling atmospheres and minimalistic vocals. By finding excellence in diversity this record is equally suited for boiling dance floors and home listening purposes.
Job Sifre is one of the guys bringing new blood into the Amsterdam scene. This is the follow-up to his recently released debut on the new Artifical Dance label, where he continues his path of solid EBM fueled electronix. The record ends with the gorgeous ‘At Least We Try’, showing of his more tripping, rhythmic side.
R-Zone series hits release number 20 with another genre defying four track EP by no one knows who. As always, the music looks backwards to go forwards and frantically blends breakbeat, rave, acid, house, electro and techno into wild new forms. The Geometry of Shadows kicks off with a flurry of pinging kick drums, rushing synths and smeared chords that manage to be physical yet serene at the same time. Chrysalis is deep Detroit style house with gurgling basslines and warm future soul synths extending off into the cosmos. Ship of Tears then races through the galaxies as asteroids, shooting sci-fi synths and glassy melodies all fly by in enchanting fashion, Acid is buried deep within and the drum programming is busy and direct. The Parliament of Dreams closes things down with more haunting celestial pads and cold acid lines that are all backed by boom-bap breakbeats. It’s dance floor euphoria of the highest order once more.
The Hipodrome Of Music 