Celebrate four years of VHS-inspired synth-driven greatness with Choice Cuts, a special-priced anniversary compilation culling highlights from Videogram’s vast discography between the years 2014 to 2018. Featuring songs from the official releases, as well as unreleased gems found in the vaults, the fourteen-track album gives you close to an hour’s worth of Videogram’s trademark genre sounds, with each track carefully selected, and lovingly remixed and remastered in HD for maximum audio punch.
Shane Cooper is a bassist, composer and producer from Cape Town, South Africa. He is part of the new wave of young voices in the South African jazz scene. A prolific sideman and award-winning acoustic jazz artist, he also involved in South Africa’s leftfield electronic dance scene under the alias Card On Spokes.
Having previously released some rare solo material from Ende Shneafliet member Hanjo Erkamp AKA Dr. C. Stein, Artificial Dance is now serving up something special from the cult Dutch minimal wave band’s lesser-known side project, King Ende Shneafliet. The result is the first ever vinyl release of tracks from the outfit’s cult Dimension Mix series.
Rough and ready machine tracks from Brazilian producer Innsyter (LA Club Resource). CYN002 picks up where Coletivo Vandalismo left off, channeling that same wild, DIY bedroom studio spirit across nine individual recordings. Opening with sprawling synth motifs fighting against a steady rhythm track, ‘Desintegrado’ sounds like an industrial dub punk trying to channel early Cluster or Moebius and strangely succeeding. The rest of the LP treats us to vaguely Drexciyan, subaquatic electro (‘Bries’) and twisted lo-fi minimalism with bonus eerie monologue samples (‘Superficial Love’). The one recurring theme on Magnetic Healing is Innsyter’s clear love for mournful, post-punk inspired melodies. It comes across loud and clear on almost every track yet never sounds tired. Things eventually draw to a close with the hopelessly romantic new wave instrumental ‘Forest Shaman’ – a short ballad for all those weary-eyed party-goers who stuck around til the sun came up.
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.
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.
Stephen Lopkin is back on M>O>S Deep with a great double pack of that gleaming sound. The Scottish artist has been making prickly house and techno for almost a decade. His style is serene and slick, and across the 10 tracks here he manages to conjure tracks that work in the club but that come with plenty of cerebral qualities. He never made a secret he takes a lot of influence from early Detroit Techno, even Several track titles pay direct homage to his musical heroes like Derrick May, Kevin Saunderson, Carl Craig and also the track New Euro Politique is made in memory of the late UK producer Matt Cogger aka Neuropolitique.
Dark Entries presents the first ever vinyl issue of Jon Krocker’s debut album ‘Monolog’ originally released on cassette in 1983. Jon is from Winnipeg, Canada and got his start as half of the synth noise duo Dialog. In 1981-82, while studying for a BA in Film Studies, he would go to the studio and practice. No writing or patch memories, composing on the fly. His set up consisted of a Minimoog, Oberheim Two Voice, Roland RS-202, Roland Space Echo, EML 400, Roland DR 55, Roland System 100 mixer. After playing some of the songs to Impulse Records store owner Roman Panchyshsyn, he agreed release the album on cassette on Contagious Records. Primarily influenced by the German school typified by artists such as Conrad Schnitzler and Kraftwerk, Jon’s music exhibits the cold machine ethic of the neumusik. The 12 instrumental tracks are stark and minimal, at times anxious but overall space orientated and flexible.
Emotional Rescue presents French 80s electronic band Takenoko and their unique and quirky euro synth-pop, here as collected works from 1982 to 1988. The compilation includes their 3 singles plus a number of unreleased songs heard for the first time. Formed in 1981 when Bruno Aujard, Jean Louis Simonet and Jean Michel Louisor met in Bordeaux, France, the trio took their admiration of post punk bands like Talking Heads and Gang Of Four and mixed it with the pioneering sound of Kraftwerk and the new wave of UK electronic bands and set about composing songs with the simple aim to make people dance. Encompassing their interest in Japanese culture, Takenoko, meaning young bamboo shoot – a metaphor for teenager in Japan – was born.
You can count on Art Yard to replenish our jazz charts with the very best material from the great Sun Ra, whether that’s them putting out previously unreleased material or simply reissuing some of their already excellent material. This time, we have a tidy repress of the mythical “Disco 3000”, cited by many as Ra’s nuttiest piece of work or, in fact, a segment of music which totally made – and arguably finished – the free jazz sound. It’s a ride – if you haven’t heard it already then pounce on it! On the B-side, the magnificent “Third Planet/Friendly Galaxy/Dance Of The Cosmos-Aliens” is pure heaven for all those with an itch for some innovative drum machine patterns, as Ra goes further than anyone else ever did with some drums, organ and…are those effects? Legendary stuff!
Kondi welcomes Reedale Rise to the imprint with his debut album. The Liverpool wonder AKA Simon Keat has impressed almost everyone with his unique take on classic house and techno compositions in a wide range. Beautiful synth pads, punchy, crunchy and groovy electro beats arranged around a good old fashioned analogue synth bass with a characteristic bending synth lead sound on top is really hard not to love and pretty much sums up what Reedale Rises electrofunk journeys are all about. Luminous Air is one big lush, joyful and emotional ride throughout the late summer breeze and is a sure hit whether you go for a party on the beach, a nighttime drive on HWY1 or just need an easy night with a drink on the balcony.
Cold Beat is a San Francisco-based quartet fronted by Hannah Lew (synths, vocals) with Kyle King (synths, guitar), Luciano Talpini Aita (synths) and Sean Monaghan (guitar). Formed in 2013 the band has released three albums and two EPs. ‘A Simple Reflection’ is a 7-song collection of Eurythmics covers, yet feels just as personal as any of their original material. While digging through a collection of 12?s for her record shop Contact Records, Lew stumbled across the earliest Eurythmics B-sides and was floored. This lead to the discovery of their debut album ‘In The Garden’. Annie Lennox’s abstract and poetic lyrics really struck a chord with Hannah. What had started out as a single cover quickly snowballed into a full blown obsession. The synth and drum programming resonated with her songwriting process, so reimagining them was very creatively fulfilling. The covers on this EP are simultaneously dynamic and atmospheric post-punk that plays to Lew’s ethereal vocals and King’s crystalline guitar.
Polaroid were an Italian post-punk/new wave band, formed in Turin in 1981. The original lineup of the band consisted of Marcello Zavatto (voice, guitar), Massimo Vagnarelli (bass, drum-machine), Evandro Fornasier (guitar), Claudio Vagnarelli (synthersizer) and Marco Farano (Drums). Polaroid made their debut with the cassette 6-track EP ‘Senza Respiro’, self-released in 1984. Influenced by Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, Pere Ubu as well as Chic and Talking Heads. The music was dark and cold, but also melodic especially with regards to guitars and voices. At the end of 1984 the band added vocalist Michele Cantoblundo while drummer Marco left and was replaced by a Roland TR-909. With Michele began a period of very dark and poetic music, influenced also by bands like Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and The Sisters of Mercy. The band peacefully broke-up in 1987. This vinyl re-issue of ‘Senza Respiro’ contains all 6 original songs with 4 bonus tracks from the band’s later period.
Mannequin Records present a trilogy of reissues from the avantgarde Italian-born producer Doris Norton, ”Norton Computer For Peace” (1983), ”Personal Computer” (1984), ”Artificial Intellingence” (1985). Apple’s first music ”endorsement” and Roland affiliate, Doris Norton is one of the most important women pioneer in the use of synths and in the early electro / computer music.
El Deux is the Swiss electro-pop trio of Gutze Gautschi (guitar, vocals), Steno Onetz (bass), Martin Kraft (vocals, drum machine). Formed circa 1981 in Aarau by Gutze and Steno who played together in punk/New Wave band Fresh Color aka Frische Farbe featuring a pre-Yello Dieter Meier. Gutze’s minimal electronic compositions did not fit the concept of Fresh Color, so they formed a new project with their live mixer, Martin Kraft, on vocals. The group was quite successful with many concerts, mainly in southern Germany and various TV appearances in Germany and abroad. Between April/September 1982 they recorded and mixed their debut album ‘Nur Für Mädchen’ in 15 days at Powerplay Studios, Zurich. The LP was released later that year on Gold Records. Influences at that time were of course the NDW “Neue Deutsche Welle” movement and also from Gutze’s time as a musician & guitarist since 1965. Their step up for recording was a Moog Prodigy, Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55), Simmons Drums, Casiotone 202, Guitar and Bass.
It’s been almost six years since the release of the band’s critically-acclaimed debut album “The World Is Getting Colder”. Since then the half Brit-half German duo have established themselves as one of the most powerful and successful genre-defining acts throughout Europe, scoring 5 heart-throbbing albums and numerous performances all around the world, making them one of the most successful bands of the cold wave / minimal wave scene. Lebanon Hanover’s the 5th album “Let Them Be Alien” is available via Fabrika Records. Exploring the sonic and emotional range that the audience have learned to expect from Lebanon Hanover, “Let Them Be Alien” is built up in emotional vocals, liquid chords, dramatic keys, and distorted digital waves where the duo recalls the eerie clouds of industrial and goth 1980’s. The album depicts the dark honesty and profound feelings of two alienated personas with true romantic hearts yet feeling socially unrest. In each track, William and Larissa tell a different story which will sweep the audience through a deep, conscious, continual and wistful trip, and ultimately keep them anchored in feelings.
Qualm has a duality that Helena Hauff enjoys – The German word translates as fumes or smoke, whilst the English meaning refers to an uneasy feeling of doubt, worry, or fear, especially about one’s own conduct. True to form, the record is unapologetically raw and finds Helena returning to her original modus operandi – jamming on her machines, trying to create something powerful without using too many instruments and layers. By design, the 12 tracks are raw, distorted and lo-fi, with Hauff peppering heavyweight, redlined drum machine beats – think wayward Chicago jack, laidback electro and nails techno – with a mixture of razor-sharp acid lines, moody industrial textures and drowsy chords. The clattering intensity of the album’s dancefloor moments is in sharp contrast to the creepy and evocative, soundtrack style electronic soundscapes showcased elsewhere on the album. These – ambient in ethos, but more experimental in tone – are frequently amongst the set’s most inspired moments.
L.I.E.S. presents the first part of Broken English Club new album trilogy, White Rats. Following on from last years The English Beach, White Rats is described as, “a collection of caustic and absurd portraits of the human animal”. Oliver Ho continues to push his industrial influenced sound with metallic acid tracks, guitar noise/drone experiments and heavy synth wave once again with this nine track release. White Rats part 2 and 3 will surface in 2019.
Olds friends I-F and Intergalactic Gary revisit old material from their longtime alias The Conservatives. Appearing first time on vinyl. The film tells the story of six mental cases, trying to get rid of society’s norms and values by kidnapping, a well-known TV host. Delivering the soundtrack, The Conservatives (I-F & Intergalatic Gary) are setting down the perfect mood for this cult classic.
The Hipodrome Of Music 