Tom Trago – The Light Fantastic [RHM006LP]

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There are many ways to move forward as an artist. You can reinvent yourself, keep track of fashions, or try bold new things. Tom Trago has spent the best part of 10 years pushing his sound in impressive new directions. Yet on his new album, the well-regarded Amsterdam-based producer has done things slightly differently. This time round, his influences come from much closer to home, and he has admitted to being inspired by the dancefloor-focused style with which he made his name. The Light Fantastic is a dancefloor orientated club album with a range of influences like – deep house, vintage synthesizers, classic boogie, disco, Chicago jack, acid house, and even a dash of full-throttle rave revivalism.

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Tom Trago – The Light Fantastic [RHM006LP]

Kid Machine – First Contact [CYBERDANCE015]

 

Cyber Dance Records return with a full-length double-vinyl album from Manchester’s Kid Machine (aka Mark Wilkinson) following a string of instantly sold-out EPs for Viewlexx, Red Laser and Flight Recorder. A long-time collaborator of world-famous Italo Disco DJ Flemming Dalum, it’s no surprise that many of the tracks have that hallmark space sound reminiscent of the likes of Cyber People and Koto, but Mark stamps his own distinct identity on the genre by slowing down the BPM’s and incorporating many other influences throughout so that this is no retro affair but a distinctly fresh and modern take on the genre. No mere collection of dance tracks, this is a proper album in the truest sense of the word. From the dark and powerful strains of the opening ‘This Is My Universe’ to the rousing emotional closing track ‘Golden Triangle’ Mark takes us on an epic synthesised journey that is as comfortable on the home stereo or night-drives in the car as it is on the dancefloor. Effortlessly incorporating elements and themes ranging from the cosmic (‘Forever In The Stars’, ‘Leaving Space’, ‘Astromance’, ‘Starbreaker’, ‘Galaxia’) to the militant (‘We Are At War’) to subconscious fear (‘Nightmares’), everything flows with an ease far beyond the short time that he’s been releasing music so far and revealing why his rise has been such a lightning phenomenon.

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Kid Machine – First Contact [CYBERDANCE015]

Monuments – Age [MNQ040]

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Mannequin are pleased to present a crown jewel from the early 80s Italian Minimal Synth scene. The Monuments came into being in January 1981 in Turin when Mauro Tavella (keyboards, programming) and Andrea Costa (keyboards, voice) pooled their artistic experiences. From the outset they produced exclusively synthesised music, following the natural evolution in electronic music from the early days with monophonic synthesisers to the latest virtual sounds generated with the aid of computers.

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Monuments – Age [MNQ040]

Reeko / Architectural – The Blue Album [POLEGROUP018]

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The Blue Album is Spanish producer Juan Rico’s new album. He is the mind behind Reeko and Architectural, two projects that on this occasion melt into one offering a wide perspective of the nuances of his sounds. Here you can find all the aspects of techno sound, from ambient landscapes, to dubby and liquid textures or pulsating abstract techno exercises. “Blue” starts the trip with dubbed echoes, floating textures and fat spaced out chords: the best way to switch on the ignition and prepare for the upcoming sonic voyage.

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Reeko / Architectural – The Blue Album [POLEGROUP018]

Huerco S. – Colonial Patterns [SFT0371]

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On “Colonial Patterns”, Brian Leeds (Huerco S) treats his Kansas City region as a universe worthy of its own electronic music. To that end, Leeds deconstructs Midwestern techno and house tropes. The pieces are corrugated, rough, and decompositional. Working cheaply, Leeds conscientiously uses low-end software, synths and cassettes so as to subvert the gloss of so much urban dance music, giving tracks an impressionistic, emotive feel.

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Huerco S. – Colonial Patterns [SFT0371]

Gherkin Jerks – Alleviated presents The Gherkin Jerks [ML9016CD]

GHERKIN JERKS - The Gherkin Jerks Compilation

The original 12” vinyl releases of Stomp The Beat and 1990 were two “Holy Grail” releases of Chicago House as they were only available for a short time before Gherkin Records went into inactive status in around 1991. At the time Larry Heard chose to not disclose the fact that he was the producer behind the Gherkin Jerks EPs. The two releases were a concept of experiments where he dove deeper into the equipment and do some creatively different tracks from his Mr. Fingers sound. These two legendary EPs have been heavily influential on other artists to this day. Often sampled or referenced they are true house classics and still amaze 25 years after their creation. Also on this album three bonus tracks, which are from the same Gherkin Jerks sessions but never released as such. Psychotic Fantasy was on the Dance 2000 pt. 2 album and Ecstasy is the full original take which makes its first appearance here. Reznaytor is an exclusive track for this release, never available before.

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Gherkin Jerks – Alleviated presents The Gherkin Jerks [ML9016CD]

Tropic of Cancer – Restless Idylls [BLACKESTLP005]

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Restless Idylls is the first full length album from Tropic of Cancer, the solo project of Los Angeles-based Camella Lobo. Lobo debuted in 2009 with ‘The Dull Age’/’Victims’, a 10” single on Downwards and the first of three collaborations with Juan Mendez (Silent Servant). Two years later came a second Downwards release (‘Be Brave’, remixed by Cabaret Voltaire’s Richard H. Kirk), followed soon after by The Sorrow Of Two Blooms on Blackest Ever Black – the label’s third release and one if its most cherished. Since then there have been 12” releases on Mannequin, Sleeperhold Publications, Ghostly International (a Part Times Punks Sessions live split with HTRK) and a limited edition compilation, The End of All Things, compiling singles and unreleased recordings. Restless Idylls marks ToC’s return to BEB and consists of eight new recordings written in Los Angeles, with additional production from Karl O’Connor (Regis) in New York and London. Its themes? The usual: romance, devotion, pain and helplessness. Mixed up mortals struggling against the brute mechanics of fate, and proving unequal to the task. A forced retreat into private, precious idylls of longing, faith, mystery, even misery. The urgent motorik of lead single ‘More Alone’ is perhaps a misleading foretaste of the full-length, which is more lush, languid and extravagantly despondent than previous TOC material. Troubled hymns from an empty room, in a drowned world. A sensual and sepulchral psychedelia.

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Tropic of Cancer – Restless Idylls [BLACKESTLP005]

Factory Floor – Factory Floor [DFA2392]

The band drop their highly anticipated album debut on NYC post-punk stalwart DFA. Tracks from both of their singles appear alongside a slew previously unheard synth-wave / EBM gems. A vivid snapshot of a progressive band, still in the ascendant, smashing through yet another ceiling.

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Factory Floor – Factory Floor [DFA2392]

Mika Vainio – Kilo [PTYT076LP]

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Finnish experimentalist Mika Vainio always continues to surprise and amaze with each new release, managing to always re-invent hi sound and go beyond his peers. Kilo comes courtesy of Blast First Petite and goes through ten tracks of Vainio’s finest drone manipulations via way of complex beat-driven machinics. Everything from the opener “Cargo” to tracks like “Cranes” or “Sub-Atlantic” and even “Wreck” display a a more aggressive side of Vainio that harks back to his classic work with Pan Sonic, albeit with a more explicit industrial techno fury

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Mika Vainio – Kilo [PTYT076LP]

Raheem Hershel – Gotta Have The Pokey [CRCLASSICS001]

Bam, here’s some sounds from Danny original dirty rotten meek meek boys. In case you were late to the party and missed this one the first time around, here’s a second chance to nab this timeless piece of Ghetto House that’s being caned by some of your favorite DJ’s left and right of centre to this very day. A decade old and this shit’s still off the chain. Eight deep and rough jacktrax by Danny Wolfers aka Legowelt! Very minimal & obscure. Nice for Chicago house lovers.

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Raheem Hershel – Gotta Have The Pokey [CRCLASSICS001]

Daniel Stefanik – In Days Of Old [KANN050815]

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Next to the regular catalogue number, here comes a strictly limited 3LP handmade package including represses of all parts from Daniel’s “In Days Of Old” voyage. Kann locks the awesome project with a complete collection of all tracks from “#one – #nine” that teases out Daniel Stefanik’s many-faced shining talents in techno and house music.

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Daniel Stefanik – In Days Of Old [KANN050815]

Nagamatzu – Shatter Days [DE047]

Dark Entries re-issues the debut cassette by British duo Nagamatzu for the first time ever on vinyl. Expanded with five bonus tracks, “Shatter Days” is a collection of nine songs recorded between 1983 and 1988. Featuring Andrew Lagowski (SETI, Legion, Terror Against Terror) on synths, guitar, and programming and Stephen Jarvis (Pure Motorised Instinct, Terraform) on synths and bass with Andrew Fleck (synths, occasional vocals). Nagamatzu self-released their debut cassette “Shatter Days” in 1983 after messing around with old tape machines, drum boxes and effects. All the songs were recorded onto a TEAC reel to reel in the dining room at Andrew’s parents’ house. Some of the backing rhythms and sequencers were recorded first and then the band played along live during overdubs. These instrumentals combine stuttering bass, guitar bursts and funeral keyboards draped over a dragging drum machine beat, calling to mind Clock DVA, early New Order or Cocteau Twins. Their sound is full of complex rhythm patterns and dark electronics.

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Nagamatzu – Shatter Days [DE047]

Beautiful Swimmers – Son [FT018]

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Future Times is very happy to present Son, the debut full-length release from Beautiful Swimmers.Nine brand-new tracks and two out-of-print classics from the duo of Ari Goldman and Andrew Field-Pickering (aka Maxmillion Dunbar) that ride together across 2 LPs. Son is a true trip, an hour in the zone that sounds like everything in the duo’s record bags happening at once.

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Beautiful Swimmers – Son [FT018]

Prince Of Denmark – The Body [FORUM001]

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The Prince Of Denmark is back. Giegling presents Prince of Demarks debut album on their new techno imprint “FORUM”. Most of the material recorded in 2010 shows the path of the warrior, his needs and desires that left traces along his way.

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Prince Of Denmark – The Body [FORUM001]

D.Z. Lectric + Anthon Shield – Lickin’ [MW047]

Minimal Wave presents the 47th release, a release of early 1980s ritualistic minimal electronics by French duo DZ Lectric + Anthon Shield. The songs are selections from their 1985 cassette release, Confessions D’Un Masque. Having been active in their respective projects, the duo came together naturally in 1981 and over the years began recording music together. They shared a similar philosophical outlook and love of music, from classic rock like The Velvet Underground and The Stooges, to the edgier, industrial and no wave stuff that was coming out at the time, bands like Throbbing Gristle, Suicide, and Tuxedo Moon. They performed a number of times at special venues and festivals in Europe, creating intense and engaging live performances with minimum equipment and an abundance of spirit. They also released many tapes throughout the 1980s. Their music is challenging and hypnotic. Brutal and aggressive at times, overall the message speaks more about human ritual than anything truly sinister.

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D.Z. Lectric + Anthon Shield – Lickin’ [MW047]

Murphy Jax – Teleport: Echo City [CHIWAX002LP]

Murphy Jax delivers a fresh full length EP entitled “Teleport : Echo City”, via the Frankfurt based Chiwax imprint. The album embraces a variety of styles, ranging from Chicago House, Classic Deep House, Movie Theme style cuts and raw Acid workouts. The mood of the records goes from child like melodies to dark, hypnotic and brooding synth heavy tracks.
Jax tells us the story of the album “Imagine a pre-apocalyptic generation of robots on a planet of machines. This is the last generation before the big war against the darkness, slowly coming from space. Some groups are fighting each other in chaos, others party before everything seems to end and lots of them don’t know – yet, but they all dream of Echo City. The one and only safe point, founded by Dr. Nigel Echo in the deep, cold and blue core of the planet. Dreams, desires, rebellion and chaos. They´re all going to fight the coming darkness, united by the prince of nanomagica. Taking place at several different locations, we are looking into the last hours before it all begins and ends at the same time.”

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Murphy Jax – Teleport: Echo City [CHIWAX002LP]

Marcel Dettmann – Dettmann II [OSTGUTTONCD028]

DETTMANN, Marcel - Dettmann II

Marcel Dettmann releases his second full length album on Ostgut Ton. Following the 2010 self-titled debut, Dettmann II combines techno with ambient, experimental and even house influences on an expertly paced album with a carefully rising narrative and wide scope. Also features a collaboration with Emika amongst contributions from other kindred artists and hints at new directions in the Dettmann sound.

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Marcel Dettmann – Dettmann II [OSTGUTTONCD028]

Petar Dundov – Sailing Off The Grid [MMLP039]

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Petar Dundov runs his own ‘Neumatik’ studio in Zagreb where he works as a sound engineer as well as producing his own take on techno, ambient and electronica. Petar’s third LP, Sailing Off The Grid, expands on the lush, intricate synth explorations of his previous two releases, but sees him delve further still into those realms, invoking the spirit of classic ambient and synth-based music of decades gone by. While the album spans just eight tracks, each track clocks in over seven minutes, and some almost double that length. Each is slow-burning, expansive, gradually unfolding to reveal more of itself and to develop its motifs and sentiments without the often hurried constraints of the dancefloor (or even more so, the radio).

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Petar Dundov – Sailing Off The Grid [MMLP039]