Crystal Maze – Enter the Maze LP [ADEPTH010]

November 1, 2013December 14, 2021 hipodromeadepth audio, album, crystal maze, g string, gijs poortman, house, marco antonio spaventi, technoLeave a comment

CRYSTAL MAZE - Enter The Maze

Formed of Italian producer Ma Spaventi and Dutchman G-String aka Gijs Poortman, whose releases for the likes of M>O>S and Echovolt have provided some of Holland’s most interesting deep techno output, Crystal Maze arrive on aDepth Audio with their debut album, Enter The Maze. With only two 12? releases to their name, a full album of Crsytal Maze material is an ambitious statement from the pair, but one that sees Spaventi and Poortman continue to develop the Crystal Maze sound which has been characterised a decidedly dark edged manipulation of analogue techno. Across ten tracks the duo display a wide variety of sounds and influences; “Slow Swirl” sounds like Drexciya taken down to a lumbering, mid-tempo groove, “Indian Tape” combines rubbery, ghetto house textures with swelling deep house chords, “Mirrors Chamber” comes across like the sub aquatic dub techno of Porter Ricks, while “Dr Claw” creates a low slung, warped vision of Detroit techno’s first wave. An ambitious album, yes – but one that more than succeeds.

Charles Cohen – The Middle Distance [DOSER019LP]

October 31, 2013August 8, 2019 hipodromealbum, charles cohen, experimental, minimal synth, morphine records, synth waveLeave a comment

Morphosis’ Morphine records boldly step into the archives of one of Philadelphia’s best kept underground secrets: synth composer, Charles Cohen. This excellent release beholds seven key tracks (recorded between 1979 & 1988) that go into uncharted polyrhythmic / ambient / cosmic territory. The label say ” First chapter in the trilogy of Charles Cohen retrospective works, featuring some of his early works from the Philadelphia’s “No Man’s Land” Art Installment, the “University Of Texas in El Paso” and “The Painted Bride” Art Center performances. This release also features the track, Dance Of The Spiritcatchers, which previously appeared on the Music From No Man’s Land EP by Ghostwriters, a split record with Jeff Cain, originally issued in 1980 on Zero Records.”

Leæther Strip – Teenage Demos LP [DE050]

October 31, 2013February 28, 2022 hipodromealbum, claus larsen, dark entries records, leæther strip, synth pop, synth waveLeave a comment

Dark Entries is celebrating its 50th release with Leæther Strip “Teenage Demos”. Leæther Strip is the solo-project of Danish electronic industrial artist Claus Larsen. “Teenage Demos” is a collection of Claus Larsen’s earliest recordings. Nine demo songs recorded between 1982 and 1986 never before released on vinyl. Influenced by Fad Gadget, Depeche Mode and Jean Michel Jarre, Claus began creating synth-pop melodies at age 14. Though the melodies were catchy and upbeat they had a hidden melancholy because Claus knew that he was different than others. “Dreaming” was his first attempt to “come out” to himself as a queer kid. Lyrically the songs reflected what was going on in his head: youth, hope and dreams. Claus used a simple set up: Moog Prodigy, Yamaha drum machine, delay pedal and spring reverb. He would record the bass and drums on a double cassette recorder, without midi, sequencers or preset sounds. By 1985, Claus composed instrumental songs as the final three tracks on this album illustrate. listen

KWC 92 – Dream Of The Walled City O.S.T. [LIES027]

October 27, 2013August 11, 2017 hipodromealbum, ambient, deep techno, kwc 92, l.i.e.s., long island electrical systems, max stenerudh, samo dj, samo forsbergLeave a comment

L.I.E.S. present a conceptual O.S.T. LP about Kowloon City, Hong Kong produced by Samo DJ and Max Stenerudh.

Maarten van der Vleuten – Systematically Declassified 2 [SIGNDIG1202]

October 26, 2013November 25, 2013 hipodromealbum, detroit techno, maarten van der vleuten, signum recordingsLeave a comment

Second album in a series of previously unreleased material from the Signum Recordings archive. Maarten van der Vleuten recordings dates are from 1991 – 1998.

Tom Trago – The Light Fantastic [RHM006LP]

October 25, 2013June 18, 2024 hipodromealbum, house, rush hour, tom tragoLeave a comment

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.

Kid Machine – First Contact [CYBERDANCE015]

October 16, 2013October 3, 2022 hipodromealbum, cyber dance records, disco, electro, italo-disco, kid machine, mark wilkinsonLeave a comment

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.

Monuments – Age [MNQ040]

October 15, 2013July 17, 2019 hipodromealbum, andrea costa, mannequin records, mauro tavella, minimal synth, monuments, synth popLeave a comment

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.

Reeko / Architectural – The Blue Album [POLEGROUP018]

October 13, 2013October 10, 2024 hipodromealbum, architectural, dub techno, juan rico, pole group, reekoLeave a comment

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.

Huerco S. – Colonial Patterns [SFT0371]

October 13, 2013January 9, 2019 hipodromealbum, ambient techno, deep techno, huerco s, software recordingsLeave a comment

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.

Gherkin Jerks – Alleviated presents The Gherkin Jerks [ML9016CD]

October 9, 2013September 13, 2021 hipodromeacid house, album, alleviated records, chicago house, gherkin jerks, gherkin records, larry heard, reissueLeave a comment

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.

Tropic of Cancer – Restless Idylls [BLACKESTLP005]

October 8, 2013December 5, 2019 hipodromeabstract, album, blackest ever black, camella lobo, cold wave, dark wave, post punk, tropic of cancerLeave a comment

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.

Factory Floor – Factory Floor [DFA2392]

October 8, 2013September 16, 2024 hipodromealbum, cold wave, dfa records, dominic butler, electro, factory floor, gabe gurnsey, nikki colk, synth pop, synth waveLeave a comment

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.

Barbiturates – Shades 10″ [LRR007]

October 7, 2013October 7, 2013 hipodromealbum, ambient, barbiturates, experimental, lost race records, new wave, post punk, roland hellarvker, shoegaze, synth popLeave a comment

Lost Race Records presents Shades 10” the new album from Barbiturates, featuring 8 synth-pop & new wave tracks.

Mika Vainio – Kilo [PTYT076LP]

October 6, 2013April 14, 2017 hipodromealbum, blast first petite, drone, experimental, industrial, mika vainioLeave a comment

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

Raheem Hershel – Gotta Have The Pokey [CRCLASSICS001]

October 2, 2013July 15, 2026 hipodromeacid house, album, creme classics, creme organization, danny wolfers, legowelt, raheem hershel, reissueLeave a comment

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.

Daniel Stefanik – In Days Of Old [KANN050815]

September 26, 2013December 2, 2024 hipodromealbum, daniel stefanik, deep house, house, kann records, technoLeave a comment

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.

NRSB-11+ – Commodified+ [WEME313.10]

September 24, 2013October 13, 2023 hipodromealbum, detroit, dj stingray, electro, heinrich mueller, nrsb-11, penelope martin, weme records, weme313Leave a comment

Heinrich Mueller + DJ Stingray…CD version + bonus 3 tracks from the EP WeMe313.6

Nagamatzu – Shatter Days [DE047]

September 23, 2013July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, andrew lagowski, dark entries records, minimal synth, nagamatzu, reissue, stephen jarvisLeave a comment

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.

Beautiful Swimmers – Son [FT018]

September 18, 2013January 31, 2024 hipodromealbum, ari goldman, beautiful swimmers, disco, future times, house, maxmillion dunbarLeave a comment

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.