Continue reading “Timothy J Fairplay & Scott Fraser – The Bunker Podcast 125”
VA – Snare Tapes 001 [SNTPS001]
Module Werk kicks off proceedings with ‘On The Verge’, one of two tracks by the elusive Russian. Warm, yet brutal sound design underpins ascending chords, whilst percussion leaps in and out of the track to complement its narrative, before an acid-esque line, leads the way. A2 sees Drummond’s next outing on vinyl, with ‘Concentric Rinds’. Here the versatile producers track is centred around a bass line that has dynamic range from the playful to the wonderfully aggressive. Embedded underneath is a sonic remit that is as nostalgic sounding, as it is forward thinking. The second offering from Module Werk has more of a direct approach than his A1 track. A straight up acid line gets thrown around the track, while snares and kick drums dance directly with it. It’s tension never wavers. The B2 side is by Leeds and Mint Club resident Bobby O’Donnell. His track ‘Repartition’ is circled around a warm bass line while stabs, synths and hi pitched melodies happily jostle with each other throughout the track.
The Angel Race – Ghetto Sketches [MATH087]
Second EP on Mathematics from Jamal Moss aka Hieroglyphic Being and Deviere ”Ghetto Sketches EP” is an experimental fusion of Jazz/Deep House/Black Noise Art Rebellion that will invoke mental incantations of fever.
Circling Vultures – Circling Vultures [LIES030.5]
Chicago veterans Justin Long and Ken Zawacki debut their Circling Vultures project on L.I.E.S. with three tracks of jackin’ mid-Western techno.
Gerd – Planet F.M.D.X. pt. 1 [ROYAL034]
Dutch Veteran Gerd’s return to Royal Oak. For the occasion he dusted of the classic gear and especially the Yamaha DX100. Four tracks from Planet F.M.D.X.
In Æternam Vale – Pink Flamingos [DM3D013]
In Æternam Vale, long the best-kept secret of the french synth punk scene, has been revealed many times now. This is about writing a new chapter of that 33+ years story, that begun in Lyon in 1983 as a band, whose leader Laurent Prot – an electronics pioneer and maniac – took over as a solo act since 1985. This new album explores another side of ‘IAV’, that echoes how Laurent sounds now – a ferocious take on techno, post-punk rhythmic elements and drone soundscapes, planted with unrestrained improvisation, and getting closure with a song time after time. This record is not a compilation of tracks that would stick to a particular time period or subgenre. On the contrary ; there is a definite common thread, that had been found while losing oneself in the intensity of his spectacular live performances lately. Being carried away by his drone improvisations and smothering bass bins, and hearing him play his music, both old and new, there is a singular feeling of both freedom and transcendence that emanates from his music. Some of his lives have lead audiences to become completely silent, and taken away by hypnosis, some other have caused a riot, leading the audience to ultimate excitement. IAV stands for a whole-hearted involvement in the making of his music, and despite the cold and electronic textures, there is a sense of intimacy that we’ve tried to reflect through the choice of the closing song “La Pluie”.
SHXCXCHCXSH – SsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSs [AVNLP003]
The Swedish Techno experimentalists SHXCXCHCXSH return to AVIAN with ‘’SsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSsSs’’ album. This album is wedded to the Avian aesthetic : monochromatic & wrought with tension. It’s powerfully dynamic and thoroughly organic in execution. An unbound, rolling matrix of white noise & wrought iron percussion, replete with disembodied choirs that pan uncomfortably in and out of the sonic hinterland.
Convextion – Acido 22 [ACIDO022]
Haunting soundscapes w/ blend of vintage Electronics & retro-futuristic Techno Ambient from Convextion.
Vester Koza – OTR [HTH061]
Almost a year after his last outing, London-based Vester Koza is making a welcome return to the fray with a new EP entitled OTR. Featuring four atmospheric cuts, for the first time it finds him step away from his own Maslo label to join Houndstooth. Fusing elements of dub, ambient and IDM into moody sound worlds with you right at the centre, he has a subtle but seductive touch that has always marked him out. An on-going interest in security, technology and privacy characterizes his work, as does a passion for the vintage and modern gear he uses when producing. All of that is evident here in his most cerebral and conceptual release yet.
Will Lister – Phantom EP [PHONICA016]
Phonica is a budding young talent by the name of Will Lister. ‘The Phantom EP’ is his production debut. The title track opens up the EP with heavily reverbed pads, echoed claps, crunchy percussion and repetitive synth stabs that all work together to create spaced-out atmosphere that’s full of twist and turns. Flipping over to the B-side, ‘After The Light’ picks up the pace with a driving high-hat rhythm and full-bodied kicks that underpin warm piano keys and smooth synth lines. ‘Agency’ closes proceedings by turning up the intensity to full with a masterclass in building tension.
Carlos Nilmmns – Midnight Chronicles EP [ORN039]
Carlos Nilmmns with a collection of atmospheric tracks between classical compositions, Detroit techno and oldschool deep House, on the Ornaments label.
Benjamin Milz – Basic Motion [PLAYRJC042]
Ramona announces Benjamin Milz first full-grown EP. Being made by a Frankfurt kid with a mature sound signature, Basic Motions nods towards what once was and what could be one day.
Arno E. Mathieu – The Earth Project [SOL003]
Frenchman Arno Emilien Mathieu is the boss of Clima Records. On The Earth project, he shows us some really immersive and complex deep house arrangements such as on “Tears Of The Whales” which is just beaming with soul. On the flip “Terra” has that spiritual house vibe; with its mesmerising harpsichord melody and tribal rhythms, this one was absolutely sublime.
Marcelus – Vibrations [TRESOR287]
Following an already fluent relationship with music and a string of single releases on Tresor Records, Marcelus – given name Cedric Bros – thought it would be the opportune moment to dive into his most intimate inspirations and produce Vibrations, his debut album. This full length project naturally comes at a pivotal moment for Marcelus, his experiences and knowledge coming together to create a homogenous body of work reflective of his expertise as a musician so far. Vibrations is purposefully techno oriented. It is a personal journey through his proficiency in the genre, travelling from techno to house inspired dub techno to futuristic and experimental by the end of the three vinyls.To calculate the dark, nonetheless melancholic energy of the record, mathematical datas of Pi and Phi were deliberately measured into some parts of the composition of each track. The result is an ever-evolving web of rhythms that redefines pre-established structures
OWL – Cloned EP [ANK003]
Anekoic Records has its debut on vinyl, with Cloned EP, featuring 4 dark and hypnotic tracks. Original mixes are written and produced by OWL. Remixers are Shaded Explorer and Antonio Ruscito.
Peter Van Hoesen – Quadra [DKMNTL-UFO1]
Dekmantel is adding a new series to their label called UFO. Following the same-titled stage on the annual summer festival in Amsterdam, the UFO releases focus on the same sound spectrum, aphotic, experimental and futuristic techno, electro and electronica. Kicking off the DKMNTL UFO series is esoteric techno stalwart Peter van Hoesen. The Berlin-based Belgian DJ and producer has attracted a dedicated following for his signature sound of psychedelic and perscussion driven productions, and will continue to do so thanks to his distinctive take on how to inaugurate our new platform. From dystopian kinetic techno (‘Cartesian Taiko’) to an anarchic and dub heavy break beat jam (‘Duet Dub’), and from the rolling and hypnotic peak-time intensifier (‘P2ME’) to synth-heavy seductive high tech soul (‘Qaudra’): Van Hoesen casually wallops you round the back of the head with gargantuan bass vibes.
Planetary Assault System – Planetary Funk 22 Light Years Series: Part I [MOTE046]
More than any other UK techno producer, Luke Slater has remained at the cutting edge. This is partly due to his ability to make forward-thinking music, but as this new series demonstrates, he also possesses an uncanny knack for pairing off with other inspired artists. “Gated” is vintage PAS material from the 90s, its distorted rhythm lent a housey bias here thanks to Ben Sims’ superb remix. It’s hard to believe that “Dungeon”, available here in its original format, dates back to 1997, as its bleepy, tunneling groove and its ‘swarm of bee’ hums make for exactly the kind of hypnotic sounds that many modern producers try – and fail – to emulate. Completing this excellent release is a dry, tribal version of “Dunegon” by O [Phase] from Token.
Vinilette – Beyond The Meridian
Elitechnique – Automaticamore / Get Closer [DQPQ001]
Elitechnique with their new Disques Panoramiques project. Five 45’s scheduled with italo styled cover versions of 80’s rarities. Featuring female vocals on top of their slow and sexy disco grooves. Original versions by Patrizia Pellegrino and Valerie Dore coming in fine crafted Elitechnique versions. No samples used, all music performed with the elite technique from Phako and Florintintin.
The Hipodrome Of Music 