After three years hiatus, Exploration Records is back with 4 track EP from Johannes Volk. The title track is a long upbuilding peak time smasher with strong reminiscences of early Detroit Techno. A2 delivering raw and dirty machine madness with a subtle bleep funk around stomping drums. The flip side comes with 2 driving Dub Techno tracks, filled with heavy bass, emotional soundscapes and an complex sound architecture.
Falling Ethics are back providing fresh wax in the hands of two proper experts on studio duties: label owner P.E.A.R.L. sharing this extended EP with Pole Group’s and Warm Up records head, Oscar Mulero.
BNJMN returns to Bright Sounds with Sensei; following on from the foundations laid by his ”Final Network” EP released in the spring of 2018 he again showcases the melodic, yet hypnotic and pulsating side of his sound that he has become renowned for. Starting with the almost house-like ”Soared Above” synths fly over syncopated rhythms which build and then descend into something harsher and earthier.
Fantastic Man returns to Kitjen with a powerful EP of mind-bending, acid workouts. ‘Solar
Surfing’ is a concise example of the Australian artist’s panache for psychedelically inspired house music with two dance-floor heavy cuts preceding a contemplative, baseline driven slow jam. The hypnotic and fast paced title track locks in and moves ever forward, whilst ‘Native Power’ features the classic sound of Fantastic Man’s 303, coupled cleverly with the sound of an extraterrestrial bird-song. A drop in tempo rounds off the release with ‘Avocado Conception’, an expertly delivered exploration in slow, chugging nostalgia.’
Death & Leisure announces the sophomore album from Autumns. 6 tracks of raw sneering electronics. Autumns is the solo project of Christian Donaghey, from Derry, Ireland, an outlet for electronic post-punk with a lethal pulse. Preceding releases for Clan Destine Records, iDEAL Recordings and DKA Records have seen the project engaged in a rough trade of transgressive noise, dysfunctional metal dance and DIY punk angst, yet each of these milestones has represented a different proposition. 2019 see’s Autumns’ experimentation in the studio go much deeper, with the release of his sophomore album ‘Shortly After Nothing’ on Oliver Ho’s (aka Broken English Club) innovative ‘Death & Leisure’ label.
The 8th Vakum release is signed by a young producer, Clafrica. In addition to the three fresh cuts from Clafrica, Disrupted Project rounds the release with a remix.
The first release on Curtis Electronix is from the label founder CEM3340. Includes 3 original tracks and a remix from The Exaltics. The label is inspired by Doug Curtis, father of “CEM” chip, synthesizer pioneer and innovator.
Stump Valley now pop up on Dekmantel. The committed Berlin based studio outfit head into new areas after their previous work on Uzuri, Off Minor, Dopeness Galore and No ‘Label ( that already had them jumping around styles and influences). The label say ”Stylistic, enigmatic, and effortless. Stump Valley’s Dekmantel debut EP is a smooth melange of glossy soul, jazz, and serene house. Produced by the mysterious, and ultimately under-the-radar duo, the extended EP breezes through tropes of balearic analogue, warm Chicago sounds, yet remaining ultimately Italian. The duo, originally from Turin, prove their skills as true alchemists, as their forge hypnotic house and tropical flare through their array of drum machines, synths, and informed artistry derived from their deep stockpile of assorted records. Debuting they may be, but the Italian duo are no strangers to Dekmantel, having played at Dekmantel Festival, Selectors, and Lente Kabinet. Having released groove tracks across a whole spectrum of labels, Stump Valley’s reputation even precedes them. Throughout the EP, their sound echoes that of Prins Thomas, Larry Heard, and other select funk-driven Italian live producers that are making waves in the current scene. It’s a sound that’s permanently upbeat, radiant, and filled with joy. Berlin based vocalist and Max Graef collaborator Wayne Snow collaborates on vocal opener ‘Natural Race’, creating a slow groove, and funk-driven tempo. The music then veers into equatorial territory, as the duos’ uses of classic 707 and LinnDrum sounds evoke a sense of sunset grooves; the sound of Theo Parrish slowly winding through an Adriatic cocktail party. Further on and ‘Proletarians In Space’ reflects the producers’ more Detroit-like influences, with oscillating machine music. ‘Zoo Planet X’ takes the sound further, with dubby pads, and old-school kicks and hats, that transport the Turin-based artists across the Atlantic with their out-of-time sonic aesthetic.”
Sushitech’s sub label Pariter presents the Romanian group Lisiere Collectif. “Unknown Credentials” is a project of 5 tracks released on 2 single records. A sides on both parts are absolutely massive, acid lines and hypnotic chords peak time tracks that will shake any proper sound system with some serious bass extension! B sides are deeper and have more modern, fresh electroish vibe that we love!
Producer, drummer and sound engineer in all forms Stiletti-Ana aka Ilari Larjosto is known for his wide output in the world of cosmic, techno, leftfield, disco and ambient music. Stiletti-Ana keeps the main focus rather on timeless quality releases than searching for the hype. His new solo album “Ab Ovo” is the first full length Stiletti-Ana LP and represents his discoveries in the world of heavenly cinematic arpeggios, conga driven ambient and physical 3D drone compositions.
Afrodeutsche’s debut album ‘Break before Make’ comes on Skam label. Her polyrhythmic compositions integrate a wide array of musical genres, including Afrofuturistic electro and techno, classical solo piano and Detroit legacy house; all memorable journeys into deep, abstracted sound.
As Jochem Peteri returns his attention to the jewels buried in his back catalogue, including last year’s reissue of the 154 LP Strike, it’s a relief to know this understated rough diamond is getting the appropriate reissue treatment.
Newworldaquarium adds to his small but perfectly formed discography two unreleased extras from his Dead Bears album, and describes them as “early 2000s minimalism trying to survive in today’s maximized society.” ‘Mercury’ is a ten minute epic that journeys to the stars. Cosmic melodies shimmer in expansive skies as rubber kicks speed up and slow down back on earth. Synths twinkling and change shape, grand pads wash over you and the whole thing is utterly beautiful and hypnotic. ‘Levels Halo’ is a vastly spacious cut with arcing pads reaching up to the heavens as super deep kick drums gently thud way down below. Part dub, part ambient, part soundtrack, it is a truly cathartic listening experience. These are two more devastatingly deep and emotive cuts from Newworldaquarium.
His knowledge of electronic music is unrivaled, yet it’s his understanding of how we’ve barely scratched the surface of techno that separates him. The genre, in essence, has no boundaries, so why should we apply them, why can’t we foresee a future in which electronic music is tapping into technology and human psyche that we never thought possible? Why can’t it be a vessel that transports a viewer to a character in a film, or a link through time? A look back can often pave the way to the future, one in which we can see and hear beyond the final frontier.
Interview and text by Lee Shields
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The Hipodrome Of Music 