Modularz label head Developer launches a special project currently limited to only vinyl on limited pressings. The ”Developer Archive” sheds more light on re-invention of American Techno in its purest form.
001.Features
Madteo – Bugler Gold Pt. 1 [HINF8672]
Coming from Workshop associate Madteo, the first release from Joy Orbison and Will Bankhead’s Hinge Finger doesn’t disappoint. Aesthetically, the grainy, Bankhead designed sleeve is typically beautiful, whilst sonically has all the appeal of the aforementioned German imprint, oozing the foggy atmosphere of Amber-era Autechre, filtered through the lens of Detroit beatdown.. On “Bugler Gold” for instance, a languorous bassline drips between a barely-there kickdrum; it couldn’t be more different than “(Biz R Us (Whore Powers Resolution)” which follows it, a clunking rhythmic machine that maintains a thunderous forward momentum despite its sharper edges being coated in a soporific blanket of Chloroformed cotton wool. The B-Side delivers a further surprise in the library music inspired oddity of “Scream Seq”. “Xtra Loose Change (2010 refix)” meanwhile, is the sort of relentlessly deep house that is held together with little more than rhythm and pure atmosphere, each percussive micro-element perfectly balanced with a bass which is almost beyond the limit of human hearing.
785 – Mada Theory [APT018]
Kansas native 785 debuts with his first 12″ ever on Jerome Sydenham’s Apotek records. It is clear this evasive sound engineer has a special gift to craft Techno from sources.
Gene Hunt – May The Funk Be With You [RH039]
The ‘May The Funk Be With You’ white label gets a full release. Gene Hunt takes a classic warehouse theme and turns it into an almost anthemic, synth laden Chicago jack release. Theo Parrish turns it into a hypnotic eight minute long gospel-techno-jazz work out that just sticks.
Lord Of The Isles – Unthank003 [UNTHANK003]
Lord Of The Isles throws a curveball and gives us the third installment in the Unthank series. Synth sketches, floating ambience and warehouse tracks, taken from a hard drive that time forgot. A journey of whiskey, analogue electronics, Scottish landscapes, nostalgia and underground parties. As usual, there will be only one press with silk-screened artwork from House Of Traps.
Bintus – Corrosion Control [POWVAC001]
Bintus with ‘Corrosion Control’ wades into an especially grizzled realm of Acid House and Electro and is the first artist to be released on Power Vacuum- a new label from Milo Smee. Side A Corrosion Control is jacking into sight from deep within the aqua-zone. Side B Advanced Fuel is Bintus on the run for crimes against bass beckons us aboard his armoured dune buggy for a night ride thru Babylon.
A Sagittariun – Carina EP [EDREAMS002]
Bristol-based A Sagittariun’s Elastic Dreams follows up its debut release with a 4 track EP entitled ‘Carina’. The label’s latest, ‘Carina’, combines afrobeat, dub, jazz, Detroit soundscapes and British electronica to create the sort of varied EP that is rarely heard these days. While the tempos, rhythms and feelings shift from track to track there’s a deeper theme that joins them and it’s the unmistakable references to a time when house/techno meant more than heads down, 4/4 club fodder. October delivers a remix of A Sagittariun’s “Carina” and shows yet again why his output is head and shoulders above the rest. Raw, analog and emotive it’s a classic piece of house music that oozes real passion for machines and beats.
Jagdstaffel 66 – Starfighter EP [CREC011]
Creme thought they’d start the new year on an upbeat note with this brand new moody acidic minimal wave (with distant Detroit techno echo’s) EP by Jagdstaffel 66 (Rude 66) based around the controversial Lockheed F-104 Starfighter Jet. This shit will have you use the jump seat in no time.
Svengalisghost – Mind Control EP [LIES009]
Another new artist making their vinyl debut on L.I.E.S. After being brought to the attention of the L.I.E.S. camp almost five years ago by New York legend PorkChop (SSPS/Nation/Excepter) the goal was to release something by the mythical figure known back then as, Below Underground. As time passed from 2007 to the present PorkChop had continued to pass along the music of his friend from Chicago every time we dj’ed together. As L.I.E.S. took shape I had made contact with the artist and discussed the prospect of getting a hold of his archive of songs and releasing some of them, only to find out most of his early recordings had been lost (thankfully, due to PorkChop we recovered them). Now transformed and known as Svengalisghost, we present three undeniably original compositions from these sessions which sit in the grey area where early house music and primitive industrial electronics met and existed on the same plain.
Credit 00 – The Living Room Life EP [UV008]
Uncanny Valley introduce the solo EP by Credit 00. The Dresden resident delivers four ice cold Chicago inspired cuts, with hints of acid and electro, straight out of his machines which will make every synth aficionado’s mouth water. “Another Me” is, by Credits standards, an almost intimate jam, which shows that House can be a decent funky affair. In “The Cave Problem” you’ll get an extensive bassline before synths that seem to come directly out of a hurdy-gurdy from hell add the right dose of gloom. The B-Side is started off with “The Living Room”, a hard rocking track that comes like an acoustic exploration of sophisticated sound and drum ideas. The final “Brio’s Theme” is a weird and slightly menacing sci-fi work that only needs a proper movie.
Mark Forshaw – 360 Vision EP [CH010]
Mark Forshaw makes his debut on Council House Recordings. Mark is a fellow hardware freak with an impressive collection of vintage analog synths and dusty drum machines. It is these old, gritty machines that give Mark’s productions their sound. The release includes two originals by Mark and remixes by Martin De Brig and Liliths’ Dusky.
Blondes – Blondes [RVNGNL012]
Blondes, the duo of Sam Haar and Zach Steinman, release their self-titled debut album for RVNG Intl. The release includes a 8 original tracks CD and a remix CD, featuring among others JD Twitch, John Roberts, Andy Stott and Traxx.
Native Underground – Close [UTS033]
Brooklyn duo Native Underground drop the first Under The Shade release of 2012. Remixes from Alphabet City, Ben Pearce and the production half of Native Underground, Son of Sound.
Black Devil Disco Club Presents Bernard Fevre / Yellow Peril Disco Group – Max Stroke / Bamboo Disco [FRESH007]
Black Devil Disco Club founder Bernard Fèvre blesses Fresh Up Records with the unreleased 1975 Moog gem Max Stroke. On a similar tip to his highly sought-after library LP The Strange World Of Bernard Fèvre this track combines a driving rhythm with pulsing Dr Who bass and soaring Moog melodies. Yellow Peril Disco Group bring us the yellow magic sounds of Bamboo Disco. Moroderish synth bass and disco drums from Japanese-born globetrotting artist Yuri Suzuki with synth and vocoder flourishes from Fresh Up founder Ed DMX.
Doris Norton – Raptus LP [BWR144]
Doris Norton, pioneer in the early electronic/computer music, began her musical career playing avant-garde and progressive music using synthesizers such as Roland System 700, Roland system 100M and Minimoog (Jacula, Antonius Rex). This is the 30th Anniversary edition, the Cd version contains a TV appearance of Doris Norton in 1981 playing Psychoraptus.
Central Unit – Loving Machinery [MNQ024]
Mannequin is really happy to present the 30th Anniversary Edition of the 12’’ EP ‘Loving Machinery” from Central Unit, the cult New Wave mitteleuropean band based in Bologna. Formed in 1981, they were among the first in Italy to manipulate synths, drum machines and other electronic devices to create atmospheric soundscapes. Central Unit published in March 1982, the 12’’ EP “Loving Machinery” with 4 tracks, including a cover of “What Use?” from Tuxedomoon.
Army Of God – Salvation [AOG001]
Brand new, mysterious label and production outfit The Army Of God are on the march. This debut release, “Salvation” is an yet unknown recording dating from somewhere in the 80’s. The recording comprises glorious, slow-mo and dark wave vibes with vocals chanting about apocalyptic religious visions like a sci-fi dark gospel theme. Salvation comes with a dub version as well as a sophisticated Spaventi D’Azzuro re-make on the flip.
The KVB – Into The Night [DN010]
Downwards continue to split the crowd with their riveting 10″ series, presenting this astonishing slab of motorik depression from The KVB. Klaus Von Barrel show here something darker, sexily narcotic and thrusting to their sound. ‘Into The Night’ is a case in point, with couldn’t-give-a-fu*k, glazed-eye vocals heard from behind a wall of Joy Division synths and a bruisingly muscular, meth-fuelled bassline. ‘Lost’ is perhaps more spacious, mixing everything tantalisingly out-of-reach, but with just enough abrasive guitar to gnash on. Again on ‘Hide & Wait’ the flanging, fire-and-ice-breathing guitar is upfront, while vocals are half-heard in the murk next to unrelenting drums Stephen Morris would be proud of. Includes 10″ x 10″ insert.
Karl O’Connor – White Savage Dance [DN006]
Karl O’Connor digs into his sizeable archives for White Savage Dance, collating several key moments of his early experiments with industrially charged post-punk which surfaced during the early years of Downwards existence but were actually recorded long before. Sandwell District fans will find much to appreciate in the corrosive, metallic sounds that permeate throughout, not least the Anglo- Germanic versions of “Here & Now” that open and close the A Side. The jerking, spasmodic cold wave nature of the latter is a personal favourite here at Juno HQ. The B Side provides further intrigue as both tracks here see O’Connor step behind the mic, delivering some Robert Smith style vocals in his typical Brummie brogue atop sinewy guitars and drums that sound as if they’ve been carved from the hollow battering of caustic tin pans.
Duplex – Below The Photic Zone [HCS993]
The second offering on HCS from the mighty Rotterdam based duo. Again Duplex drop bombs with their signature state of the art inner city techno. Clearly playing with their love for the motorcity but always pushing the boundaries of what we like to call harbour city soul. 3 tracks ranging from beautiful deep electro to floor killing techno tracks.
