Justin Berkovi normally should not need an introduction, being involved in multiple techno-projects in the past, and still standing strong nowadays. His track ‘Old Timer’ reflects his musical personality and history and is being reinterpreted by another techno-historian, Aubrey. On the b-side newcomers Jack Dixon and Henning Baer make their introduction on Other Heights with two total different interpretations which are to become oldtimers themselves.
Dominick Fernow might be best known for his industrial incantations under the Prurient moniker, but in recent months his attention has shifted towards a different outlet. Fernow’s interest in electronic music (from the clamorous grind of Muslimgauze to the recently defunct Sandwell District imprint) has been well documented, and it comes to a frothy head with his Vatican Shadow project. Revolving around themes gleaned from Iraq war propaganda and yellowing stacks of newspaper clippings, the tracks on ‘Kneel Before Religious Icons’ are a perfect representation of Fernow’s modus operandi. Behind a wall of tape hiss, drum machine rhythms beat out memories of early Ministry and AFX while sickly FM synthesizer pads crawl and heave into the abyss. Like much of Fernow’s output prior to this, the emphasis is on society’s darker crevices, but Vatican Shadow is steeped in an alarming mystery and sulfuric smoke that is sure to surprise recent converts.
South London producer Darren Cunningham’s new album, R.I.P, underlines Actress’s reputation as one of the most eloquent voices to emerge from the sub-bass nexus of London dance music. His intuitive and original grasp of beats, textures and rhythm puts him on a parallel path to dance music innovators such as Drexciya, T++, Aphex Twin, Autechre, Burial and Basic Channel. Absolutely essential release by one of the most exciting producers of the 21st century.
Pattern Of Thought speaks a believers language. It was created and processed with care. We experience time and our conscious emotions in a most individual space of mind. Our thoughts are formed by what we feel. Our own personal diary, the mind and heart guides us through. All tracks and sounds where recorded in Belgium with the use of hardware instruments and several recording techniques, from field recordings to reel to reel tape. The sounds of the album are kept authentically as possible, away from what was happening in the music world around me, it is a deepest personal reflection.
Blackest Ever Black presents a much needed vinyl pressing of two tracks from Vatican Shadow’s debut cassette release, backed with Regis remix. For anyone familiar with the original 2010 tape or mp3 release, we should say this record sounds radically different, thanks in no small part to a pedigree mastering to vinyl by Matt Colton at London’s Air facilities. The haunting synth washes, grinding bass distortion and chopper blades of ‘Cairo Sword Unsheathed’, and the subharmonic bass of ‘Gunmen With Silencer’ are illuminated with a cold hard light, while their physical shape feels viscerally intimated. Regis transforms ‘Church Of All Images’ from Vatican Shadow’s ‘Kneel Before Religious Icons’ LP, adding another vividly compelling episode to his important cache.
The first album on DYFR records is a 15 track record by Baz Reznik with a pumping remix of his former release “Up” by Louis Guilliaume. A diverse album with jackin ghetto style acid, techno beach anthems, underground house, electro with disco influences and slow beat electronics. This is what you get when you live in a diverse coastal city.
Short version is FREE to download on DYFR bandcamp page.
Frustrated Funk’s Limited Vinyl Series drops another crazy slice of experimental electro wax. Gary Kempston aka Goliath is dropping an amazing collection of tracks. Goliath has his own fresh and unique sound palette and his music is miles away from anything else.
UK breakbeat legend Clatterbox returns to TRUST with two killer hard-hitting electro tracks. The remixes are a real treat as well, coming from the elusive Creepy Autograph with a 6min electro-step-tech monster and Pomelo Records main man, Dan Lodig, recording under his Lok44 guise.
The first Erik Travis release on F.A.C.T. Records since 2003. Four deep fat electro tracks inspired from the Detroit landscape.
Blackdisco Volume XI pushes forward into new territory (and with a new aesthetic) by welcoming a group of three deep diggers who shun musical trends and their inherent fakers. Dea, Albion & Spacelex combine their vinyl-mining efforts to unearth some real diamonds from the rough. Dea’s cut Malaka its a floater with a funky sailboat vibe, while his complimentary cut Taubat takes the tired jungle disco vibe to new level with its triumphant synth-led chorus, an absolute stunner that could be extended for 20 minutes. On the flip, Albion spoons water over the coals, steaming up the joint with an uptempo percussion bomb as if Santana had a disco secret, and Spacelex rides us out with a sexy rock groove complete with mysterious male voiceover, almost as if someone lowered the volume to whisper in your ear.
Rampant crime and outta space violence! Hard kickin’ trailblazin’ arpaggio four tracker. Comes with full color Milano space invasion picture cover, press sheet and hand numbered labels. Highly collectable release again on the lovely Bordello A Parigi label.
Giallo Disco Records presents their first release Black Gloves EP. Between Berlin and Vienna, Giallo Disco Records is a new label dedicated to the sub-sub-genre of Horror Disco. Gianni Vercetti’s macabre soundtracks are presented with lashings of VHS grain. ‘L’Incubo Senza Fine’ is dripping with tension, a relentless kick drum thud like the march of the undead themselves. Legowelt’s remix only adds to this, calling on the sound of his most recent collection ‘The Teac Life’. Antoni Maiovvi’s Rituals Of Lust is a 98bpm dark EBM/New Beat-esque stomper. Retro-space age futurism, battleships preparing for war near the moons of Jupiter. Themroc(k)’s would perhaps be the perfect music for a malfunctioning T-800, demented vocals a-go-go. Dark brooding action soundtracks for a bleak tomorrow.
Sofrito presents the much-awaited release of a unique slice of Malian disco from Niama Makalou, backed with a stellar part 2 edit from Daphni (aka Caribou).
Mike Norris aka Fort Romeau is a UK artist based in South London. Mike began making music at 14, inspired by the slow jams of Air’s Premiers Symptômes and the warm analogue sounds of Autechre’s Amber LP he began creating, “just loops of noise and atmosphere, just playing with the sound directly.” Later, while at university in Brighton, he began DJing at clubs and the experience of being enveloped in the sound had a profound effect on his attitude to music-making. In Mike’s words, “I started really thinking about the visceral quality of the sound all my favorite music had – this deep, thick quality that just absorbed you.” Shortly after leaving university, Mike began working with the band La Roux, playing keyboards and programming the band’s live show – all the while developing his own musical practice between sound checks and airport stopovers. It wasn’t until the band stopped touring that he was able to concentrate on his music full time and, having become used to working within the limitations of a slow laptop and a pair of headphones, changed his ethos to music making “you have to learn to be very efficient, its is pretty frustrating but you live within the limitations of your equipment. That’s what really defines you as a musician I think. I only have one synthesizer, a Yamaha DX7, and this LP is really the product of me interfacing with that one synth and a 7 year old laptop.”
New Chicago label with some lovely tracks going somewhere between traditional Chicago house, Detroit techno and finer club tracks. 3 tracks of foggy, saturated house hinting only slightly to the past while remaining firmly in the present. Comes with a stripped to the bone remix by Hakim Murphy.
Nitetime is the new production duo from Boston, USA comprised of Kon and Whisky Baron. Nitetime’s debut EP Jive Talk sits on a bridge between OG boom bap hip hop – with its tough drums and grooved up interludes – and the 4/4 rhythms of classic house and disco.
Initials imprint delivers its second release this spring, Jay Blissʼ ʻThe Art of Doing Nothingʼ backed with a remix from Petre Inspirescu. In both original tracks Jay Bliss relies on little else than careful manipulation of structure and sound to create captivating fare. Lead track ʻDoing Nothingʼ revolves around a lumpy, satisfying groove and a three note hit while Jay Bliss teases out every detail to just before breaking point while ʻXʼ takes a deeper, more immersive route. Petre Inspirescu delivers a typically dense, rhythmic interpretation of ʻXʼ which clocks in at just over 14 minutes and rallies around padding kicks, sonic oddities and a ever-evolving percussion. Incredibly bass heavy, itʼs a version that gives an intense, sub-aquatic view of the original.
Another entry into the Lonesome Hero roster, Ed Shepherd. Having hoarded an arsenal of hardware goodies, Shepherd employs his passion for all things analog into a beast of a 3-track EP. ‘Remedy’ grabs 90s acid house by the shirt collar and shoves it into the modern vinyl scene with a heady LFO drone that just won’t quit. Changing direction, ‘Britta’ epitomizes the fleshed-out inner romanticism Shepherd continually uncovers throughout his ever-evolving studio process. And then ‘Beaker’, an homage to Techno’s sequenced-and-squelchy Dan Bell era.
The first full length on Chiwax is coming from Steve Murphy & die Roth from Venice, Italy. The album includes 8 lovely vintage Chicago house and ’80ies Chicago house tracks.
