More About Music return with two killer house cuts from London house master Phil Asher.
001.Features
Jeff Mills – Chronicles of Possible Worlds [AXSN001]
The theme of “Chronicles of Possible Worlds” is exoplanets, new planets discovered starting in 1995 which revolve around a star outside our solar system. Mixing music, dance and visuals, this creative work testifies to the advances of science and hints at the existence of possible other worlds. Following a period of investigation and a meeting with researchers from the Marseille Astrophysics Laboratory, Mills chose to focus on six planets (Wasp 12b, 13b, 14b, 15b, 16b and 17b). Their specific physical and structural properties were then translated through music, sound, images and dance. Together with Mills, the choreographer Alexandre Roccoli created a roaming choreography spread out across the Vasarely Foundation that explores the correspondence between the physical properties of these planets and choreography’s own body states. The show’s soundtrack, composed by Mills, is broadcast by the dancers costumes (designed by Berlin designer Anke Bruns) that are equipped with speakers. The music, the different sonic trajectories, the dancers and the public ambling freely through the halls can spatialize, orbit, or even fuse in the naves of the Foundation.
Iori – PHONICAWHITE007 [PHONICAWHITE007]
Phonica welcomes back Iori for its 7th Phonica White release. Vril and Raimo offering remixes of previous Iori tracks. Occupying the whole of the a-side, “Wave” is Iori at his best; just under nine minutes of no nonsense techno. Raw and dark material built around a strong syncopated beat, layered trippy flourishes and a hypnotic groove that sucks you in until the last bar. On the b-side are Vril and Raimo remakes.
Skudge – Surface / Inversion [SKUDGEFD01] FREE DOWNLOAD
Two free tracks from Skudge.
L.A.S.’s Crime – Mutatio (Modified) [JAMTRAXSPECIAL002]
This is not your ‘usual’ L.A.S.’s Crime album, as if something had gone wrong in cloning, and what came out is magically different and at the same time deeply consistent with the productions of the 80s … with the participation of bands, artists and DJs from all over the world, the result is a beautiful mutant vinyl…7 songs remade as extended versions, a ‘size’ of song so diffused in ’80s, half way pop and dance.
VA – Light Sounds Dark [LSD012]
Light Sounds Dark continue their impeccably curated endeavours this year, with a self titled compilation put together by their ‘International Communication Network’ adding a sense of accomplishment to previous 2013 transmissions such as that collection of archival Mutant Beat Dance material and the superb Dark Matters Too compilation. Those whose pants were charmed off by that latter release will find much to enjoy and investigate on this double vinyl selection. An undisclosed international cast of record diggers from San Francisco, Chicago, London and Manerbio (that’s in Italian province Brescia in case you were wondering) have selected 16 tracks that feature Dutch tape experiments in sound, murky industrial punk, proto techno, abstract synth pop and more. Not quite sure about the fluorescent pink cover art though…..
Xiu / Spatial Relation – Split! [PM002]
This release will be the second one from Peripheral Minimal, which is a split in between Oksana Rodinova (Xiu) and Spatial Relation (Lisette Schoenly and Jacob Schoenly). It demonstrates two vividly different, but equal tracks from the minimal synth uprising.
Theo Parrish – Black Jazz Signature [SDGBJ1303LP]
Arguably one of the world’s most important underground dance music producer/DJs lends his hands to selecting and mixing a set of jazz and funk records licensed from and originally released on the Black Jazz label 1971-1976. World renowned for his DJ sets, productions, and record label (Sound Signature), this Chicagoraised DJ is near impossible to pigeonhole. Revered by a wide spectrum of dedicated music fanatics, he is known for his edits of artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Roger Troutman, Nightlife Unlimited, as well as his otherworldly DJ sets, and his serious approach to DJ’ing as an art form. Theo gives special attention to fellow Chicago musicians The Awakening (3 consecutive tracks, 4 total on the mix), one of the best funk/fusion groups that the Black Jazz label released, and whose only output was on that label. The set itself is a masterful “2 turntables all vinyl” execution, a format that Theo is dedicated to – no mp3, no CDr, just the vinyl palette for the true aural experience. Sit back and be drawn into his world, hear things his way.
The Trash Company – Modern Love [THUG015]
There’s a really interesting story behind The Trash Company. A synaesthesia-affected solo artist who’s worked reclusively since the late 70s, his creations have only just begun to be discovered. Sitting right on the fringes of electro, funk and experimentalism; he is genuinely unique. Highlights across this collection of six previously unreleased tracks include the far away croons and whimsical trumpets on “Modern Love”, the sexual rhythmic moans and Dilla-style beats on “Hot Stripper” and, of course, the fuzzy lo-fi bar room blues of the title track.
VA – Omega Supreme presents Raw Silk Vol.1 [BT1008]
A bona fide boogie buzz that whisks us right back to the synth-worshipping 80s, Raw Silk Volume 1 is a celebration of electronic music’s most formative flavours. Everything about this collection screams smoothness: from the bending synth lines and mooching squidgy bass of “Saturday Jam” to the smouldering falsettos of “Wanna Play Hooky” via the likes of “In Gear” and “Peak Of Summer”, two talkbox jams so sexy and funky they’d make Roger Troutman blush. A confident set that guarantees to warm your soul, the 80s is alive and well at Omega Supreme.
Benedek – Unititled LP [PPU053]
Benedek unititled debut release on the Peoples Potential Unlimited promo series. Some stellar modern electro funk and forwardthinking dance grooves.
Rory Phillips – Mixed Fortunes #5 [MIXEDFORTUNES005]
Rory Phillips’ ‘Mixed Fortunes’ singles series returns for it’s fifth outing, the penultimate instalment in the series. Opening track ‘Circuit‘ is a playful piece of analogue machine music, starkly contrasted by it’s flip, the sprawling ‘Rise Up’ which begins as a basement dub jam before evolving into.. well, you’ll see.
Stephen Encinas – Disco Illusion [ICE004]
Invisible City Edition descend to even further depths and give us a fully re-mastered issue of this mythical treasure. For many this is the ultimate Disco Illusion; a record that should have been epoch making in its day, something that would have been a staple for David Mancuso, Larry Levan & Ron Hardy had it ever gotten distribution when it was originally released 34 years ago. Somehow time passed it by and it was only re-discovered in a warehouse in Trinidad last year. Since then it has been gaining momentum fast, with DJ support from Moodymann, MCDE, Floating Points & Kon, as well as original copies selling for four-digit sums. Part of the illusion is in the structure of the record. The A-side begins with beautiful, but relatively normal disco song, but suddenly an Egyptian sounding bridge turns the things inside out and the song opens up into a proto-house jam complete with bubbling Sun Ra synths and Black Ark tape delay action. The there’s the b-side, which sounds like Bob James after he had a taste of callaloo, with deep electronics and a mind-melting steel pan solo. Finally, thanks to Invisible City this record is getting the life it has always deserved. ”
DMX Krew – Hot Punch [FRESH012]
The latest strictly limited edition 7” and digital release from Fresh Up Records, a label specialising in brand-new, old-sounding synth funk, Moog disco and library sounds. This time, Fresh Up founder Ed DMX brings us two synthy jams using his original DMX Krew name and 80s feel. ”Hot Punch” is just what you need to get your party started: an intoxicatingly spicy blend of vintage synths and catch melodies. ”My Metro” is a slightly slower laser-boogie instrumental featuring heavy drums and bass backing up some sweet synth and Rhodes grooving.
VA – EPM Selected Vol.2 [EPM032]
Now a fully-fledged music label with over 30 releases to its name, EPM counts albums from Paul Mac, Carl Taylor, Kristian Heikkila, Lee J. Malcolm, Luis Martinez and The Third Man to its ever-expanding roster. ‘EPM Selected Vol 2’ is the second label snapshot, focussing on the techno side of the label’s output so far (with a couple of rare exclusives* thrown in for good measure).
Roberto ft. Envoy – Rings Of Smoke [FW031]
Proper Fachwerk style techno from Roberto with vocals by Envoy. Comes with remixes by Mike Dehnert and Roman Lindau.
Ø [Phase] – Dirtro II [TOKEN037]
Token brings the 2nd single, from the debut album ‘Frames Of Reference’ by Ø [Phase]. ‘Dirtro II’ is definitely one of the standout cuts of the album and shows Ø [Phase] in his darkest and deepest mood. On the b-side he is joined by one of his biggest inspirations & one of techno’s most legendary innovators: Robert Hood. The result is a carefully executed yet explosive peak time cut.
Alien Rain – Acid Reign [DSC002]
Alien Rain is a tainted Techno project of Milton Bradley. Under this alias the Berlin based artist has served up disgruntled Electronics and downright deranged Acid. Panel beaten 90s tracks that pervert and pummel. Floor a-bombs that leave behind nothing but a 303 wasteland. Mr Bradley has caught the attention of Deep Sound Channel and been called upon to deliver his style of hypnotic fallout Techno. Two sealed vials of audio venom are the result. ”Acid Reign 1” is a looming beast, a corrosive creature dripping famine and pestilence from every pore. The flip is a steady builder. Slowly Alien Rain constructs an analogue scape. Bulging bass and tempered Acid annihilation threatens throughout but is kept in check. Beelzebub brutality from the warehouse warped mind of Milton Bradley.
Alton Miller Feat. Bantu Soul – Ngizo Ku Linda [MG053]
Recorded in South Africa and featuring on vocals South Africa’s legendary artist/ producer Bantu Soul. Ngizo Ku Linda sees Alton fusing elements of afro house, jazz, funk and his signature Detroit sound with a serious groove and lush but yet wanting vocals of Bantu Soul. The release also includes a remix from Chicago’s Abicah Soul.
