As part of the label’s mission to champion Dutch talent, Voyage Direct has always promoted new, up and coming, and little-known producers. Here the debut 12” from a mysterious young producer known only as Darling.
001.Features
Robert Hood – Paradygm Shift Vol. 2 [DKMNTL038]
Earlier this year, Dekmantel announced the signing of Robert Hood for a new project titled Paradygm Shift. Over the course of three different EPs, which will eventually evolve into an album, the Detroit but now Alabama based legend presents Paradygm Shift. Hood: “The idea behind Paradygm Shift is similar to a shift in our focus. We can become so complacent, we are so comfortable with our surroundings, I think this is the time for electronic music to find a new mindset”. Volume II serves up two more killer techno floor bombs by the never disappointing originator. ‘Master Jack’ is a classy and deadly effective cut that gets its strength from a simple, yet biting stack of funky chords, while pulsating bass lines and rattling hats are holding it together. More fast-paced action can be found on ‘Magnet’, a no-nonsense, minimalist stomper you can store in your peak-time section. Refined techno action times two, but what did you expect.
VA – Different Season Vol. 2 [OUT021]
Out Electronic Recordings introduces the second installment of Different Seasons various artists series. As the first volume, the record embraces melodic techno tracks and introduces new and old faces to the roster. On A side Attic Music boss Fabrizio Lapiana appears on Out-ER again offering ‘Square’, then the experienced DJ Luciano Esse offers ‘The Call’ following to his very first ‘The Green EP’ released on the Italian label back in 2012. Flipping the record over on B side and LaChriz’ comeback on Out-ER sees the debut of his moniker ‘Farron’ with the ethereal cut ‘Travelling Through Your Mind’ – while the newest artist on board Hydergine provides a dub techno journey opting for a swinging, fresh piece typical of his production imprint.
Conforce – Narrative Collapse EP [TRSD-W003]
Known for his more elegant and subtle atmospheric techno music though, Conforce is never afraid of deviating from his safe zone. Sometimes a change of environment can bring new musical influences and shine new light on existing musical projects. There is a small narrative about this release. What happens when you place an island boy in an multicultural harbour metropolitan city? Stuff might get a little bit more rough edged from time to time. A transition from the serene tranquility of the islandic coasts to the impatient impulsiveness rush of the metropolitan city. Narrative Collapse EP contains music created though more impulsive machine jamming. Be ready to get a fix of Rotterdams real danger.
Skudge – Waveless / Motion [SKUDGE009]
Solid mainstay Skudge has been pushing their unique mixture of house and techno for over half a decade now. In a new direction of becoming a sole producer for now, Skudge 009 is the first mark of this new direction.
The intertwined beat structures of ’Waveless’ on the A-side takes us to charted Skudge territory. The small modulations and the pushing groove has become a trademark. Flipping over to ’Motion’, a colder and haunting atmosphere binds this two tracker together, with a lot of focus and ambition for the future.
VA – Go Electronic Vol. 2 [GMFC002]
Second volume from the mysterious Go Music collective. Wicked evocative melodies and weird electronics.
Soulful Dynamics – Jungle People [MR1004]
Justin Van Der Volgen’s My Rules label is back with its second release of 2016: the Lee Douglas edit of Soulful Dynamics – Jungle People. Given the nod and approved by the band, this is the version you’ve heard and been looking for over the last few years. Now finally seeing a proper release after many requests. Douglas takes the original, teases out the arrangement and turns the psychedelic knob to 100.
Zombies In Miami – Turquoise [BAP073]
Hailing from Mexico, Zombies In Miami are debuting on Bordello A Parigi with a pair of late night burners. ‘Turquoise’ is a sliding snaking piece of synthesizer sorcery. Crisp beats are draped in hazy harmonies, reverb soaked bars rising amongst soaring keys and echoed vocals for a work of true elation. ‘Hipodromo’ follows, and starts as it means to go out. Drums crash before a floor melting synthline is dropped. The swirl of the mirrorball takes over as this duo whisk you into the warm and melting sounds of strings, rich bass and climbing claps.
Bézier – Cosmologist [HNY012]
Honey Soundsystem releases ‘Cosmologist’, the latest offering from Robert Yang aka Bézier. ‘Cosmologist’ explores Robert’s personal universe with three tracks that connect his varied musical lineages. ‘Cosmos’, a celebration of the late 80s/early 90s KIIS FM universe, is built around an infectious freestyle hook that morphs into a seven minute tour of intersecting styles. ‘Ether’ begins as gothic night-driving electro, but breaks into fantasy-scapes inspired by Italo and 1980s Japanese anime theme songs. The final track, ‘d. Quelle’, clocks in at over 11 minutes, incorporating bebop jazz solos drawn from his early exposure to improvisation techniques by Charlie Parker, and Cannonball Adderley.
Synths Versus Me – Tormento Part 1 [OR11SE2016]
Oraculo Records announce a new release, “Tormento Part 1” from Synths Versus Me. After the sold out Synths Versus Me first album “Auferstehung”, they release the first part of their second album “Tormento” that have been divided in 2 parts on the vinyl edition in order to maintain the EP/Maxi sound in all the tracks.
Performance – Pilotes [NMP003]
The sun sinks, the sea is turning scarlet. On deck stand two, entwined, a final embrace. The plane is ready for its single passenger. Heartache ascending into the heavens. “Pilotes” is the third release of the 7inch dedicated label No More Pop. By an obscure french synth pop band, Performance, this double pack brings together both rare and unreleased material from the early 80s. The double 7inch features the original version, a dub version, a remake of the song Sécurité, as well as the unreleased track Parfum du Temps. The package is rounded off by a pretty special remix of Orgue Electronique.
ΠΡΟΣΟΠΟ – Prosopo [LXRC027]
Lux Rec shifts again its attention to Greece. ΠΡΟΣΩΠΟ (PROSOPO) is June’s newest alias,and means Face -disturbed microcosm where to experiment with different machines, unconventional textures and rhythms. The result is as uncomfortable as it gets, arid desires, despair concealed with cold resonating motives. A fast descent into a deserted heart. A feverish feeling, much like when it is warm and one still shivers. Annoyed greek Gods playing tricks on humans.
VA – Mechatronica 1 [MTRON001]
With a fleshy mix of acid and electro cuts from Sync 24, Privacy, Luke Eargoggle, Etcher and -=UHU=-, Berlin’s longstanding machine-driven music collective, Mechatronica, forcefully unites the classic and new sound on their first record release. A first-ever collaboration between established electro commanders Luke Eargoggle and Sync 24 opens the record in toxic floor buming fashion, followed by a cold and tightly programmed electro journey by -=UHU=-, blending the mechanic and the monotone in a comment on today’s relationship between machine and man.
VA – Blurred Angles [BT013]
Electro maestro Luke Eargoggle collaborates with some of his favorite producers creating an EP that delves into the many sides of Eargoggle. Eargoggle & The Hacker open the EP with a sleazy take on New Beat with Body. Eargoggle & Marco Bernardi are up next with trademark nagging basslines complete with fragmented weirdo speech and demented melodies for Rat Wire Chomp. On the flip Eargoggle joins forces with long term collaborator Rutherford for the driving emo Stalkers Behave. Closing the EP Das Muster goes in the for the kill with the metallic Starke.
Series-A – Evolution Technology [DE126]
Series-A was the duo of Sam Anderson aka DJ Maestro and Dave Webb aka Kid Fresh. Sam and Dave both grew up listening to the sounds of the Electrifying Mojo on WJLB in Detroit. They met in 1983 at a DJ gig that they were both hired to play. In 1986, they collaborated on the Nu-Sound II Crew project. After developing a friendship with Juan Atkins, they became hip to the emerging new club sounds that were to become electro and techno. Their subsequent project, Series-A, was named after different car model numbers, but also hints at the evolution of humankind into a new species. In 1987, Series-A recorded the single “Evolution ? Technology” at Spectrum Sounds Studio in St. Clair Shores, Michigan. Their set up was a vocoder, E-mu Emulator III, Roland 909 drum machine, and an Otari 24-Track recorder. They landed a record deal with Satellite Records in Burbank, California, which had been founded by Pete Moore of The Miracles. After pressing 50 promotional copies, the label ran into financial problems, and the record never reached a full release. Taking cues Kraftwerk, Grand Master DST, Grandmaster Flash & Jam Master Jay, Series-A created dark electro beats in an era when sampling appeared to be the future of music. Lyrically the song addresses our species’ entry into the technological age. For this EP reissue, the 7” Mix and Dub Mix are included on the A-side. On the flip is a new remix by prolific Ann Arbor producer JTC, an alias of Tadd Mullinix (aka Dabrye, SK-1, & Charles Manier). JTC speeds up and expands the song to seven minutes. Drawing on influences from Ron Hardy to Jeff Mills, he drives around suburban techno landscapes while simultaneously launching the listener into deep space.
JTC – S/T [BOP006]
Following hot on the heels of Tadd Mullinix’s ‘Skein’ – Bopside’s second album release for 2016 comes from label owner Tadd Mullinix’s dancefloor destroying nom de plume who needs little introduction: JTC An 8 track concise body of work perfectly calibrated for DJ use and home listening alike, where the beats hit hard and the melodies linger in your brain. The self-titled LP starts with ‘Caskadia’ – a call to arms for dancers with call and response synth lines and broken beats. ‘Atmospheres Pt.2’ takes things out into deep space, and ‘Nexus Ship Core’ is an acid drenched burner with glacial synths. ‘Infoline’ then makes it’s first appearance in a remixed guise by Rephlex alumni Ed DMX, then closing out the album with its recognisable lead line in its original form. Things take a deeper turn with ‘Dusselmorph’ before the full on breakbeat assault of ‘Blitz Puff (High Position Mix) takes things up a gear, then dropping you off safe and sound, though a little shaken with ‘Atmospheres pt.5 (Hemi Mix).
Negative Halluciantion – EP [CHANNEL072]
Noleian Reusse (half of Africans with Mainframes) and Thomas Cox (one third of Pittsburgh Track Authority) got together in the studio in Pittsburgh during a week of extreme social unrest in the USA in late 2015, resulting in these recordings. The tracks are crafted with a stripped back electronic funk and a stark, relentless feel that reflects the energy in the air at the time.
Marvis Dee – Dreams Of A Future Metropolis [DREAMS003]
Marvis Dee returns to In My Dreams for the second part of his EP series with the sparking, 80’s boogie-house 5-tracker, Dreams Of A Future Metropolis. Huge shimmering synths, funk-heavy basslines and serious grooves all sailing out with the setting sun.
M.K. VII – E-Versions #7 [MERC023]
MERC welcomes Mark Seven as guest editor on E-Versions 7. It took a long time, a lot of telephone conversations, a lot of pleading, digging, sweat and tears to simply find out what Tony’s Slice was after hearing it on Mark’s Parkway Mastermix. Turns out its MKVIIs attempt at recreating a live mix by Tony Humphries he heard on Kiss cutting 2 copies of the phone conversation back and forward forever. With EV#7 looming we knew this would be a perfect opportunity to have a guest on the series, so we persisted and broke him down and he finally gave in to the pressure.
In addition to Tony’s Slice, MKVII has turned in a superb acid work out in the form of Case Study #9.
Kneebody & Daedelus – Kneedelus [BF058]
Two members of Los Angeles’s alternative music scene, beat freak Daedelus and instrumental quintet Kneebody, team up for a collaborative album on Brainfeeder. Titled (amazingly) Kneedelus, the album articulates the notion of technological singularity – the idea that humans and computer technology will increasingly blend together – in its straddling of jazz, rock, and electronic production.
The Hipodrome Of Music 