Azymuth – Dear Limmertz [JD037]

AZYMUTH - Dear Limmertz

With the dust of their new album Fenix still settling, Far Out and Azymuth flex back 37 years for one of their finest and most indelible records in their illustrious and consistent career: “Dear Limmertz” slaps and pops with the same ridiculous soaking wet slap bass it did when it first blew your mind. With dreamy chords, that yearning vocodered vocal and the pensive prelude thrown in, it’s still an incredible one-of-a-kind record. And that’s before we get to the way-ahead-of-its-time breakbeat and deep groove of “Maracana”.

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Azymuth – Dear Limmertz [JD037]

Claudio PRC – Volumi Dinamici [SEM087]

Volumi Dinamici is the second long player of Claudio PRC, a project that combines music and art inspired by the Futurist concepts of movement and dynamism and artistic currents such as Abstract Expressionism; the name itself is a tribute to a work of Italian artist and pioneer Luigi Russolo. Volumi Dinamici is a collection of 11 tracks accompanied by the same number of illustrations, different from each other but characterized by a common technical and compositional approach. The several shades of the atmospheres and the linear rhythm of the grooves come together to form a dense and mental musical dimension, a journey into the sounds and their intrinsic symbolic value. Depth, lights, shadows and noises are tangible elements of this work that mark the beginning of a new sound research based mainly on the instinctive use of machines and analogue instruments.

vinyl / CD

Claudio PRC – Volumi Dinamici [SEM087]

VA – Dreamy Harbor [TRESOR291]

When Tresor founder Dimitri Hegemann stumbled into a former bank vault in East Berlin on March 13th 1991, he had little idea that the space he had unlocked would fast become one of Berlin’s most influential and enduring techno clubs. As Tresor celebrates its 25th anniversary with this work of artists from the US, Germany, China, France, Austria, Italy and the UK, it is worth dwelling on how the cultural conditions that birthed Detroit techno – economic neglect and broken industry – were mirrored by the disused bunkers and impromptu parties of post-unification East Berlin, where techno found new, vigorous expression. This record marks the spirit of those 25 years of creativity, a paean to the psychedelic music of Dimitri’s youth. From the signature magnetic soundscapes of Vainqueur to the dark textures of upcoming Beijing producer Shao; from Jon Hassell’s slow epicurean volutes, to the ritual auras of Marcelus and Claudia Anderson’s contributions; from the dub-infused pioneering programming of Juan Atkins and Moritz von Oswald, to Mønic’s enthralling cadences, it represents some of the old and new names that continually epitomise Tresor’s perennial spirit of ingenuity.

CD / vinyl

VA – Dreamy Harbor [TRESOR291]

VA – Edition 3 [MLM007]

The talented Italian producers Pietro Caprioglio aka Autre and Federico Pedron aka Xinner kicking it off with “Nebula”. An emotional piece of late night techno music full of analog warmth and heart warming depth. Autre´s “Seiryu” is an athmospheric and loopy groove monster for the deeper dancefloors.
Dresden´s Kryptic Universe delivers with “01309 Stairways” one of those georgeous and simply perfect analogue sounding dub techno tracks. Incredibly textured piece of work wich could have been already a classic since the golden basic channel / chain reaction years. Owen Jay and Brian James closing it up with “Chordless”, a mind blowing take of chord driven club material.

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VA – Edition 3 [MLM007]

Heavenly Music Corporation – Lunar Phase [AI006]

The material collated on this third release from Heavenly Music Corporation was composed specifically for St. Giga in Japan, a satellite broadcast radio station transmitting ethereal audio harmony 24 hours a day. What made this station otherworldly was its programming; motivated by tidal movements, the aquatic ebbs and flows of each day synchronised to the activity and intensity of the music broadcast.

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Heavenly Music Corporation – Lunar Phase [AI006]

VA – Nightfall & Other Stories [RS025]

London/Lisbon label Release/Sustain start the year as they mean to go on. Presenting a 4 track various artists 12” titled “Nightfall & Other Stories”.  Opening proceedings on A1 is Vakula, a regular at the Release/Sustain ‘Conclave’ parties and part of the RS family. His offering, “809”, is a percussive drum tool trip of a track, with sporadic raw percussion shooting shining across a positively minimalist backing. For A2, we see Italian stalwart of underground dance music Simoncino. Obscure sample work, and a repeating line ‘I can use a friend’, twist and turn over rugged, thumping, functional drums and bass. Furthering the quality of this standout 12” is Chicago house music pioneer Vincent Floyd. Rich in melody and familiar classic house sounds, Reggie’s soft jacking house sound bring a silky smooth, North American touch to a previously rugged, European 12 slab of wax.

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VA – Nightfall & Other Stories [RS025]

John Heckle – Aggro EP [CHIWAX025]

DJ/Producer from Merseyside UK, John Heckle has produced records for Mathematics Recordings, Tabernacle Records, Crème Organization, Lunar Disko and more. His releases include two full length studio albums, The Second Son and Desolate Figures (as well as The Last Magic Maker mini-album), plus multiple singles, remixes and EPs. Now he makes his debut on Chiwax with some more machine jacking house tracks.

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John Heckle – Aggro EP [CHIWAX025]

Villa Åbo – Duophonic Mind EP [MOW002]

The second Memories On Wax release comes from Jan Svenson AKA VILLA ÅBO, one of the members of Frak, and the man behind Börft records and other projects such as Zwarre. Duophonic Mind is a 4 track release with 3 slow and heavy analog techno and a powerful remix by the emerging talent, Estrato Aurora.

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Villa Åbo – Duophonic Mind EP [MOW002]

Beranek – Sound Of Danger [DE147]

Espen Beranek Holm is a Norwegian musician and comedian, born 1960 and began his music career as a clarinetist. Inspired by early synthesizer bands Kraftwerk and The Residents, he began making experimental pop music. His debut single Dra te’ hælvete’ was released in 1981 and was immediately banned by national TV/radio channel NRK due to explicit lyrics. This gave the young artist tons of publicity, helping the single spend almost 6 months on the national charts. Beranek returned to the Starholm Studios in Oslo from June – September 1981 to record nine new compositions. His debut album, Sound of Danger’, was released on Mind Expanding Records in November 1981. Nowhere near as accessible as the previous single, the album fared poorly commercially. Withdrawing from the single’s fun, kitsch pop, the album is cool and static, driven by thin rhythm boxes, cold synths, and glacial guitars. Taking heavy cues from David Bowie, all of the songs are sung in a nasally English accent, a rare occurrence in Norway at the time. The lyrics are melancholic, but tinged with paranoia. There are also upbeat tracks that evoke a prog or glam sensibility a la King Crimson, Alan Parsons, or Roxy Music.

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Beranek – Sound Of Danger [DE147]

VA – Electro: A Personal Selection Of Electro Classics [ZEDD040]

NEGRO, Joey/VARIOUS - Joey Negro Presents Electro

Z Records are back in the funk hot-seat, but this time Joey Negro presents a snapshot of the edgier, robotic sounds of the emerging early 80s electro scene. From stone-cold classics such as Hashim’s Al Naafiysh (The Soul), Tyrone Brunson’s ‘The Smurf’ and Key-Matic’s ‘Breakin’ In Space’ to revered party anthem’s such as Aleem’s ‘Release Yourself (Dub)’, Two Sisters ‘High Noon (Part 2)’ and Dwayne Omarr’s ‘This Party’s Jam Packed’ to electro oddities like Paul Hardcastle’s ‘Rain Forest’ and The Packman’s ‘I’m The Packman’ we get a genuine labour of love and a timely reminder of the raw drum machine sounds that were soon to define the beginning of the house and techno scenes we have today.

vinyl / CD

VA – Electro: A Personal Selection Of Electro Classics [ZEDD040]

Metamatics – Bodypop EP [SHIP048]

It seemed like Neo Ouija, a Norfolk based IDM imprint, had closed up shop. Four years of silence suggested that founder Lee Norris, aka Metamatics, had decided to call it a day. But looks can be deceiving. 2016 saw the boss release a CD album of fluid acid, squelching electro and heartfelt electronics. Shipwrec are now bringing four choice cuts from Bodypop to the vinyl faithful. Proudly sitting on the “difficult to define” shelf, Norris seamlessly shifts from frigid winter moods to warming autumnal sunshine. Old-school sounds are rewired, softened by delicate keys and steady beats. Machine music morphs into organic matter. Acid coils, echoed bleeps and clicks grow and blossom into vivid audio vistas with Metamatics, once again, proving his musical mastery.

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Metamatics – Bodypop EP [SHIP048]

VA – Limited Series 04 [BPLS004]

The 4th edition to the Limited Series drops on Banoffee Pies Records. More mixed taste loving for your record bag. Italo feelings on Safari from FYI Chris’ own Watson leading the charge on 80’s mode along with a chugged out creeper from Hysteric. Plenty of acquarium breaks from DJ Ok and Rasputin and more bongos in between from Ny*Ak and Ian Blevins on K Dance.

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VA – Limited Series 04 [BPLS004]

V – Faux Pas EP [NR003]

Epic building tracks full of tension by V. V the anti-SEO one-character pseudonym of someone previously known. Powered by percussion and basslines for the club, yet with their strings, cinematic instrumentation and scale, there’s a sombre dance to be done to these 3 French-titled electronic tracks.

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V – Faux Pas EP [NR003]

VA – Internal Affairs: The Remixes [777-10]

Ron Wilson’s 777 serves up more raw and rusty house jams on a new various artists sampler entitled Internal Affairs: this is serious! On the A side is newcomer Brighton with “Tesla” (Leaves Remix), while Frankfurt’s Orson Wells gives us “Ratio” where Saarbruckens finest: Roger 23 gets on the remix and delivers a lush deep acid rendition this side of Tin Man. On the flip, Leaves returns with the impressive “Third Floor” getting an awesome remix by Pablo Mateo; working those drum computers to impressive effect as always. Finally, Orson Wells stays on too; working the nightshift on his remix for Glyn’s “Kevin Lomax” and giving it a lo-fi, neon lit makeover that will appeal to retroverts dancing well into the morning at Robert Johnson next Sunday morning.

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VA – Internal Affairs: The Remixes [777-10]

Deviere – Baptism By Water Fire & Spirit EP [NLRN005]

American artist Deviere is back on Parisian label Unlearn. Lobster Theremin artist and Unlearn affiliate Royer is on remix duty. Water Drums (A1), a deep and spacey cut for a moody and introspective club experience. Strong yet subtle in the low end, this one is for the big sound systems. Royer’s Demi-Monde remix comes up as a more housy interpretation, mixing dubby inspirations with lo-fi aesthetics. Rising (B1) is an upfront dancefloor track suited for peak time euphoria. Speak Into Existence (B2) is probably the most accessible track of the EP, oscillating between acid-yet-warm feelings and solemn preacher-preachin’ vibes.

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Deviere – Baptism By Water Fire & Spirit EP [NLRN005]

Dona – The V.G.P. Sessions [CR1293]

After an EP on Creme Organization off-shoot Jericho One as DJ Plant Texture, Dona Basile now assumes his Dona alias for a new EP on the main label. Entitled The V.G.P Sessions, it features four new cuts from the Italian. Up first is a live cut version of ‘Energia’, a bristling electro track with globular bass and coarse hits. Turbulent but full of synth based serenity, it is a fine start. ‘Cigarettes’ is rugged and broken, with glossy IDM synths and corrugated drums all loosely arranged into something prickly and unsettling. ‘The Deads At Twelve’ then gets even more fucked up, with rusty synths and blown out drums making for a dystopian house groove that will likely soundtrack the apocalypse. Last but not least, ‘Nr. 13’ mixes up Detroit synths, wild acid, heavenly chords and chopped up, buried deep vocal samples into something that will fire every synapse in your body. This is outlier stuff from Dona that sounds like little else.

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Dona – The V.G.P. Sessions [CR1293]