Neel returns to Token with Transition. Conceptually based around four elements in the group known as the transition metals and recorded live in one take, each track is a mind-bending trip through the periodic table that retains the human touch of a live performance.
As Electronic Music knows no creative boundaries, Spiral Deluxe is clearly a profound and convincing example of what is possible in the times we live in today. Traditionally, they would be considered a musical quartet. Each of the 4 members contributing to make a special joint effort – the meeting of minds from different spectrums of the musical sphere, but if you move in closer to examine how each have modified the way they communicate in order to play with each other, its astonishing because it shows a entirely new platform on how collaborating can be from now on. A longtime vision of their drummer/percussionist and Jeff Mills – yes, that Jeff Mills! Before becoming the world renown and groundbreaking DJ, producer and artist he is recognized for, he was a drummer in his youth, which carried on up until he began DJing in the late 1970s. Since then, he had always carried idea to get back to his musical roots. This longtime dream began to surface a few years ago when Mills was bestowed a “white card” residency at the Museum du Le Louvre in Paris. It was there that he found the opportunity to form a band for one night and it opened the doors to a chance to materialize his dream. Since then, the formation has carefully evolved into one might describe as a “super band” – a group of highly skilled musicians, working together to reach a higher level of creativity. For example, although members are using electronic instruments, there is no MIDI syncing connection. Each plays their instrument un-attached as if any Jazz or Rock band would play together. Each having a vast amount of experience in live and studio projects, this release displays their wealth of skill and musical knowledge that comes from Jazz, Funk, Pop, Gospel, Detroit Techno and all forms of House Music. Yumiko Ohno – Keyboard, Gerald Mitchell – Keyboard, Kenji “Jino” Hino – Bass Guitar, Jeff Mills – Drums and Percussion.
Released on Leeds Jazz & Soul label ATA Records, the debut LP from The Lewis Express takes the rich legacy of the soul-jazz outfits of the 1960s as the initial blueprint of their sound. They present a collection of tracks that range from introspective spy film themes to burning Brazilian jazz. Primarily based in Leeds, The Lewis Express is comprised of many of the musicians that have graced previous ATA releases: George Cooper, Piano (Abstract Orchestra) Neil Innes, Bass (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill), Sam Hobbs, Drums (Dread Supreme, Tony Burkill, Matthew Bourne) and Pete Williams, Percussion (The Sorcerers, The Magnificent Tape Band, Tony Burkill). Recorded over an intense two-day session by the band of the same name, “The Lewis Express” is a nod to the classic soul jazz recordings of The Young Holt Trio / Young-Holt Unlimited and Ramsey Lewis, from who this group take their name. But, delivered with a distinctly European feel. As with many of the classic Ramsey Lewis cuts, this album was recorded live, capturing the rich inter-relationship between the players.
Last years (2017) edition of Convenanza festival featured Swedish band Fontan, who have released material on Hoga Nord Rekords, and that set the ground for a collaboration between the record label and one of the most interesting festivals around. The joint forces has resulted in the compilation album ‘Convenanza 2018’ containing this years (2018) acts. The contributors are: electro oozing duo The Woodleigh Research Facility, consisting of Andrew Weatherall and Nina Walsh, etno-minimalists Komodo Kolektif from Glasgow with, among others, Gordon Mackinnon who’s running the top quality label Invisible Inc. The more rock oriented side of ‘Convenanza 2018’ contains Berlin based Die Wilde Jagd, whose sound can be defined as some sort of post punk where strong chorus drenched basslines float upon a smooth electronic soundscape with both live drums and drum machines as the back bone to the beat. Wild Woman & The Savages could best be described as the result of an orgy between PIL and The Birthday Party! The Liminanas, with special guest Anton Newcombe, contribute to the collection a garage psych rock track suited for long hot drives through the dessert.
Debut double LP album from Blakk Harbor the Greek Berlin based artist and sound designer behind Native Instruments, Angelos Liaros. Soaring drones, dark ambiences and expertly crafted sound design. ‘Madares’ title derives from the actual dune mountains of Crete. This moonlike landscape a sacred land of ancient ceremonies and the main inspiration for the album concept, cover and artwork. Percussive samples and drones are created from traditional custom Cretan instruments (lute, skin drums, lyra, tsabouna) & world instruments (Tibetan bowls, gongs, dungchen horns) granulized to death drones through modular synths and hardware samplers. A black hole soundtrack that sucks you in tearing the fabric of space and time. Enter a ritualistic occult trip to the unknown.
The new Femur release features the Swiss duo Savage Grounds, agents of a dirty, raw and miserable sound. ‘Es un flash Electronico’ is a true exercise of proximity and freshness combining mid-tempo landscapeses with stimulating accelerated bursts. The release consists of 3 original tracks and a remix by Esplendor Geometrico, which elevates the original called Ultima linea to another dimension.
In the latest release from Public System Recordings, Kluentah (one half of Fallbeil) delivers a chalky electro smash with elongated snares and eerie chords passing from one end of the brain to the other, and to the floor. There is smooth vocal play as well as allowing for incoherent out of context speech samples that stab through minimal jumpy drum work. As diabolical and heavy as the hits and bass is, this enters the swath of dance floor records with a distinct flavor that sets itself above others’ execution. Full of sludgy breaks, there is a constant reduction even as sounds and samples are introduced, they enter the roving mulch in a stylish slide.
A compilation of 4 tracks from 4 different artists, all originally released by Borft 1997 – 1999.
Matt Edwards’ reissue label R-Time Records presents ‘After Dark’ with three tracks from Mark The 909 King. ‘After Dark’ set the tone of the package with a piercing drum groove, airy arpeggios and a funky bassline, before cosmic synths and crunchy snares work alongside scintillating chords in ‘Into Space.’ Concluding the package, ‘The Loft’ begins with a hooky bass sequence and filtered effects before soothing melodies come into play.
Distant Worlds present their fourth transmission from the multi-talented, Perseus Traxx. He delivers four deep, warm and fuzzy takes of analogue goodness that fit the Distant Worlds aesthetic perfectly.
The French producer Too Smooth Christ returns to Supergenius Records and widens his singular approach to introspective dance music to new musical horizons. ‘Infinite Fall DMZ’ is a slow house jam built around a hypnotic and endless FM pattern and a strong chorus bass, emphasized by a myriad of shiny bittersweet 101 sparks. ‘PHEQS125’, originally made for TSC current live act, triggered such keen reactions in clubs that we decided to cut it down. It’s an acidish banger, elaborated around a 303 pattern, a rave detuned bassline and a b-more breakbeat, tickled by synthetic voices. With its rainforest chords and melodies and its muffled breakbeat, the eponymous track ‘With You In mind’ is a love declaration between balearic house and old-school Jungle / IDM. ‘Etoile’ closes the EP with its UK bass vibe, a combination of tribal drum patterns and a grime beat and narrative bassline which will attract you in some mysterious caverns where the magic monsters hide.
Australian producers Jensen Interceptor and Assembler Code team up with The Hacker to deliver another powerful electro release on Mechatronica. Vapour Waves is blasted open by the effective, bumping sunray anthem Random Pain, followed by the darker soundscapes and wonky bassline of HRL6. On the flip, The Hacker’s stingy, metallic rework of Drive Shift plunges straight into the deep, following the cold groove and hypnotic design of the original version.
Modular synthesis wizard Eddie Symons, aka Nullptr [null pointer], lands on CPU with some fine laid back analogue electro. After his debut LP ‘Optical’ on Detroit Underground, Symons has firmly established himself as a class act to follow. Expect spacey wavetable pads, step sequencer conversations and killer modular bass.
George Thompson aka Black Merlin is joining the family of Mannequin Records with this insane EP for the Death of the Machines, the series dedicated to new artists ready to smash the dancefloor. 3-tracks strongly permeated by drones’n’noises, EBM basslines and a 4/4 straight tecnoish kick drum.
The Hipodrome Of Music 