VA – Electro: A Personal Selection Of Electro Classics [ZEDD040]

NEGRO, Joey/VARIOUS - Joey Negro Presents Electro

Z Records are back in the funk hot-seat, but this time Joey Negro presents a snapshot of the edgier, robotic sounds of the emerging early 80s electro scene. From stone-cold classics such as Hashim’s Al Naafiysh (The Soul), Tyrone Brunson’s ‘The Smurf’ and Key-Matic’s ‘Breakin’ In Space’ to revered party anthem’s such as Aleem’s ‘Release Yourself (Dub)’, Two Sisters ‘High Noon (Part 2)’ and Dwayne Omarr’s ‘This Party’s Jam Packed’ to electro oddities like Paul Hardcastle’s ‘Rain Forest’ and The Packman’s ‘I’m The Packman’ we get a genuine labour of love and a timely reminder of the raw drum machine sounds that were soon to define the beginning of the house and techno scenes we have today.

vinyl / CD

VA – Electro: A Personal Selection Of Electro Classics [ZEDD040]

VA – Africa Airways Three: The Afro Psych Excursion 1972-1984 [ASVN030]

The Africa Seven label might not have been around for very long, but the London-Paris dynasty has certainly established itself as a no.1 outlet for rare, unhinged world music. This is Africa Airways Volume 3: The Afro-Psych Excursion, a gorgeous compilation spanning the years 1972 to 1984, and it clearly offers some of the most magnetic tunes that they label has put out thus far. There isn’t a mediocre song in here and, as the saying goes, it’s all-killer-no-filler; take African Black’s “Nzango”, for example, a twisted, FX-heavy tribal experiment, or the more soulful highs and lows of tunes like “Zinabu” by Bunzu Soundz. Rough, dusty, completely psyched-out, and inimitable the whole way through; if you’re looking for something that’ll get the heads turning, and the diggers jealous, then this is your LP.

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VA – Africa Airways Three: The Afro Psych Excursion 1972-1984 [ASVN030]

Le Cliché – Consumer Manoeuvres LP [CBR011]

“Consumer Manoeuvres” by Le Cliché is the latest release on Cold Beats Records. Le Cliché is the electronic music project of Gerard Ryan, professor of marketing at the Universitat Rovira i Virgili. The music takes a critical view of the malaise of marketing and its effect on our postmodern consumer society. It deals with serious issues as diverse as consumer privacy, identity, fad diets, fast fashion and the hyper-reality of contemporary advertising. Yet it does so always with an optimistic sarcasm and playfulness. This new collection of songs on Cold Beats Records, entitled Consumer Manoeuvres, started out as a remix project but very quickly turned into an all-together different record, a series of collaboration, covers and reimagining’s of the original music. Cold Beats Records presents some of the most influential electronic artists from the underground, minimal synth and coldwave scene from the last 35 years in an all-together darker record Le Cliché’s other records. Collaborators include Mark Lane, Mick Milk, Kline Coma Xero and Spatial Relation (USA), ADN’ Ckrystall (France), Red Fetish, John Costello, This is the Bridge and Jonteknik (UK), KuBO (Ireland) Moss Garten (Sweden) JJ Ibañex of Kremlyn, and Wladyslaw Triejo (Spain) Delayscape (Denmark), Gay Cat Park and Effetto Joule (Italy).These artists have appeared on many of the most influential darkwave, coldwave, italo and minimal synth music on a host of leading labels including Minimal Wave, Mannequin, Medical Records, Peripheral Minimal, Anna Logue, Domestica, Obscure Identities 1980, Vinyl on Demand, La Forme Lente and Kernkrach.

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Le Cliché – Consumer Manoeuvres LP [CBR011]

VA – To Andreas Gehm [MNSXANDREAS] [FREE DOWNLOAD]

mnxs

A tribute to Andreas Gehm (1972 – 2016), German producer, king of acid and inspiration to many including the artists in this compilation. All proceeds will go towards funding Andreas Gehm’s post-mortem affairs, managed by his best friend, Joe Kurta. Long live the king. Tracks by Basic Soul Unit, KiNK, L/F/D/M, Marco Bernardi, Mark Forshaw, Rivet, Tzusing and Umwelt.

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Includes a free download on bandcamp.

VA – To Andreas Gehm [MNSXANDREAS] [FREE DOWNLOAD]

VA – The Second Annual Fundraiser: War Child [CKNOW2]

VARIOUS - The Second Annual Fundraiser: War Child

Craigie Knowes returns with ‘The Second Annual Fundraiser: War Child’ this December. Similar to its predecessor ‘The Second Annual Fundraiser: War Child’ will donate all profits to War Child International and has recruited another all-star cast to treat us to a sublime collection of cuts. Featuring the likes of Legowelt, Shanti Celeste, Neville Watson and Andy Hart this compilation is set to be another sell-out success. Rather than drown you in copy we’ll let the tracks do the rest of the talking.

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VA – The Second Annual Fundraiser: War Child [CKNOW2]

VA – 3375.1969 [FLEXI019]

FlexiWave returns with the follow up to the acclaimed 2012 cassette 290.625”. This new 60C cassette boasts 14 freshly vetted tracks of finest obscure electronica. From the shimmering, pearlesque sounds of Lisa & Kroffes’ “Rönnbär” to the dark and pensive Colouroids banger “Shove” and a new moniker from Silent Em & Portable Morla, Alta Dosis, 3375.1969” gathers a new clutch of artists set to earn FlexiWave another round of praise for their stellar compilations. Also on offer are Scottish/Icelandic duo Revigorators’ Joy Division-inspired Post-Punk/New-Wave excursion “Black Out City”, Black People’s one-of-a-kind textures and caterwauling rhythms on “White Man Is The Devil”, and nine other handpicked, finely crafted sonic gems.

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VA – 3375.1969 [FLEXI019]

Alain Neffe – An Introduction Into The Insane World Of Alain Neffe [STRLP002]

Beautifully put together and deeply personal comp of pioneering Belgium New Wave / DIY enigma, Alain Neffe (Bene Gesserit, Psuedo Code, Subject etc). Highly reccomended – includes Folded Inner with Liner Notes (Biography).

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Alain Neffe – An Introduction Into The Insane World Of Alain Neffe [STRLP002]

Sterac – Scorp [TOKEN066LP]

Compilation of remastered tracks from the defunct Scorp label, operated from 2000 to 2004 by Steve Rachmad. Includes one unreleased track from the same period. Steve Rachmad’s extensive collection of projects over the years has provided a wealth of inspiration in its many forms. Although much of Rachmad’s music has been influential on the development of Token from the beginning, there is one body of work in particular that encapsulates the essence of the label, in a classic and inimitable form. Scorp was a self-contained label project operating between 2000 and 2004. Although not the best known of Rachmad’s many aliases, its importance was not overlooked by discerning tastemakers at the forefront of the techno movement at the time. Token 66 contains nine tracks in total selected from these releases, plus one track previously unreleased from the same period. All of the music has been remastered and will be available digitally for the first time as well as on a 3LP vinyl compilation. These ten tracks clearly demonstrate Token’s alignment with this classic sound, exhibiting Rachmad’s mathematical precision in employing bare-bones percussion to captivate, doing away with the formality of a lengthy introduction and urging a hypnotic state with immediate effect.

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Sterac – Scorp [TOKEN066LP]

VA – Lost Archives Special I/V [AERA016]

Amsterdam label Indigo Aera, the brainchild of Jasper Wolff & Maarten Mittendorff, celebrates five years with Lost Archives Special compilation. The five-vinyl box set features 18 tracks from the likes of Skudge, Makam, Don Williams, San Proper & Antal, Ø [Phase], Deniro, Louis Haiman, Antigone, Sterac, Stephen Brown, Joris Voorn and label heads Jasper Wolff and Maarten Mittendorff.

compilation

part I / part II / part III / part IV / part V

VA – Lost Archives Special I/V [AERA016]

VA – Boe XXX [BOEXXX]

Every tenth release for Boe Recordings represents a significant achievement for the vinyl-focused record label and the numerical milestone is celebrated with a special release. The thirtieth installment, BOE XXX is a true family affair with four recognizable Boe artists and two new members added in. Leif’s “That Ice Cream Tune” features shuffling and stuttering arpeggiated leads and metallic syncopated hats and snares. Spoken word hums and an ambient lead add that beautiful sheen to the production. Ben Boe slots in a classy deep electro cut, “Spectral Gate” comprised of weighty analog percussion and shifting synthscapes. Nick Lawson returns to Boe with yet another classy example of high-end deep house. “Wharf Aquatics” bubbles and grooves along with its effervescent dub delayed leads and it’s liquid bass movements. Late night head music. A closely linked artist to the label, Life Recorder finally gets his debut on Boe with a low slung grooving tech houser, “Butterflies”. Aimed squarely at the dance floor this no-nonsense driving cut pumps and grooves for 7 minutes with its persistent Detroit style hook line. Reedale Rise provides “Quadrex”; a Detroit-esque electro track with DBX style hypnotism thrown in for good measure. Space age themes and Drexiycan like pads play off against shuffling percussion mechanics. Finally, after many recent contributions to boe 12″s, the steel city techno-forging don John Shima lays down a stunning piece of ambient work in the vein of B12 and those classic industrial sounds calledLiberation.

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VA – Boe XXX [BOEXXX]

VA – 15 Years With Echocord [ECHOCORD071]

VARIOUS - 15 Years With Echocord

After 15 years in the game, Kenneth Christensen’s Echocord mark that achievement with an exclusive ten track compilation spanning their broadest parameters, from a beatless panorama by STL thru mesmerising dub techno from Deadbeat.  Along the way they present a clinical, squashed dub-stepper from Arovane, Struktur 1; the Detroit ghetto acid of Hoodmode by Luke Hess; purified dub suspension from Fluxion; and strangely enough, a vocal turn from Mike Dehnert in Track Providing Home.

vinyl / CD

VA – 15 Years With Echocord [ECHOCORD071]

Marcel Dettmann – DJ Kicks [K7340LP]

Marcel Dettmann has mixed the latest edition of the highly respected DJ-Kicks compilation series. Whilst Dettmann is well-known for his incendiary sets at his residency at Berghain, his DJ-Kicks mix is crafted for listening, and displays a more reflective side of the DJ and producer. The mix explores a wide array of selections from various subgenres; ranging from the a new vocal-led Strictly Rhythm release, to rapping on Clarence G’s 1991 release ‘Cause I Said It Right’, recently reissued by Clone Records. Over the course of its 1hr 14 duration, Dettmann reveals multiple new original productions; most notably a collaboration with Levon Vincent, ‘Can You See It’. The pair have collaborated once in the past, releasing ‘Vengeance’ on Levon’s own Novel Sound label towards the end of 2015 to critical acclaim. ‘Can You See It’ sees the duo venture into darker territory; a stripped back, sub-bass laden affair, the quality of this production immediately stands out in the early stages of the mix. Dettmann also collaborates with MDR affiliate Wincent Kunth on ’Possible Step’. In addition to five brand new original Dettmann remixes and edits, there’s an unreleased remix of Marcel’s ‘Let’s Do It’ from Ostgut Ton labelmate Rolando. Designed to be enjoyed by both the critics and more casual listeners, this mix is the latest in a long series of lifetime achievements over the course of Dettmann’s career – and with so many new unreleased original Marcel Dettmann productions included, this is a landmark release for the producer.

mixed CD / vinyl

Marcel Dettmann – DJ Kicks [K7340LP]

VA – Surinam Funk Force [RHMC002]

A compilation of highly collectable and rare Surinamese 45’s and LP cuts. Compiled by Antal Heitlager & Thomas Gesthuizen this is the follow up to the Kindred Spirits released Surinam! compilation. This volume goes even deeper into the field of 70ties and 80ties funk music from the Surinamese dance floors.

vinyl / CD

VA – Surinam Funk Force [RHMC002]

VA – Sleep Not Found [TRP008]

Nina Kraviz’ TRIP label knows how to put out conceptual releases featuring some high calibre music canvassing a wide spectrum of artists. “This Sleep Not Found” edition sees the label tap into some minimal sounds thanks to cuts from Roma Zuckerman, a TRIP upstart, Perlon’s Maayan Nidam (“Justice For Some” is damn funky!) and label faithful Exos. His “Dub Jazz” track helps bridge the gap between minimal and techno, with heavier cuts coming from Bbbbbb, A_000 and Deniro’s Skudge-like “G”.

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VA – Sleep Not Found [TRP008]

VA – Computered Love [369.036]

VARIOUS - Computered Love

A bag filled with ‘computerized love’. This 2xLP compilation including scarce, valuable and sought after European computer inspired underground dance music productions from about 1979 to 1982. Timeless sound from a decade when nobody expected that in the future men and woman would be online all day and night, texting, dating and playing computer games nonstop Eurovison song contest participant „Carol Rich“ throwing in the name for this record set with her song „Computered Love“ . Including the first time official re-release of the song „Transvolta – Disco Computer (long 12“ version)“ by Dan Lacksman aka Telex (Eurovision song contest, 1980) and 12 more songs. Very 80’s minimalistic lineprinter / computer inspired design.

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VA – Computered Love [369.036]

VA – #3 White LP [US012]

3 Year Compilation LP. There’s something undeniably old-fashioned about this latest missive from hyped imprint Nous Disques. By gathering together seven unheard tracks on one slab of wax, they recall thoughts of classic compilations from early techno labels. Musically, it’s undeniably forward thinking, gathering together a range of dancefloor-friendly cuts from label artists old and new. Highlights are plentiful, from the flexible disco bass and new age chords of Mutual Attraction’s “Track 2”, to the stripped-back, drum machine thump of Moodcut’s “Sleep In 808”, via the cybernetic techno fizz of “Azoui” by Fetnat. Elsewhere, you’ll also find some fine Larry Heard style deep house revivalism from Breakin Moves, and a mid-tempo blast of colourful synthesizer love by Cofaxx.

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VA – #3 White LP [US012]

VA – We Are New York Haunted [NYH050]

Compilation featuring 11 exclusive tracks from the New York Haunted family. Banging and distorted techno and electro tracks from young producers like Foil, Kluentah, MEZE, Leonardo Martelli and many more. Blending EBM style industrial with modern experimentalism, compiled by Drvg Cvltvre.

CD / vinyl

VA – We Are New York Haunted [NYH050]

VA – Plangent Compilation Vol.1 [PLANCOMP001]

Plangent Records is back with the first various artists compilation and gathers long time friends, likeminded musicians and new talent on this 10 track release. 3 years after the last Recondite release on his own Plangent label this included works of Tin man, RNDM, Scuba, Dj Tennis, Monoloc and others. Plangent is establishing itself as platform for deep, low-key, melancholic electronic techno music with this big album release.

vinyl / CD

VA – Plangent Compilation Vol.1 [PLANCOMP001]

VA – Tanbou Toujou Lou: Meringue Kompa Kreyol Vodou Jazz & Electric Folklore From Haiti 1960-1981 [OSTP001]

Between the 1960s and 1980s, experimentation and electric reinterpretation of traditional rhythms was rife, along with the sophisticated balancing of a host of influences. There’s the jazz-era instrumentation, brought during the early 20th century American occupation, which introduced horn sections to Haitian ensembles. Cuba, cultural imperator of the Afro-Atlantic and perennial ally of Haiti, imbued Meringue, Mambo, Son, Guajira, Charanga, and a slew of Afro-Cuban styles into the Haitian repertoire. Accordion-driven Colombian Cumbia and Dominican Merengue left their mark. A melting pot of sound was all held together by the countless rhythms, drum patterns, and percussion brought across the Atlantic from Africa, surviving slavery’s violent cultural repression. New York City label Ostinato Records make their impressive debut with this compilation of Haitian Jazz and Electric Folklore spanning two decades from the sixties onwards. Allegedly compiled from an array of private collections and radio archives in Brooklyn and several digging trips throughout Haiti, this 20-track selection offers an intriguing overview of the country’s musical diversity in this period.

vinyl / CD

VA – Tanbou Toujou Lou: Meringue Kompa Kreyol Vodou Jazz & Electric Folklore From Haiti 1960-1981 [OSTP001]

VA – Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016 [BP20167]

VARIOUS - Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016

Founded 20 years ago, Blueprint Records has remained one of the true driving forces behind British techno. To celebrate this special anniversary label founder James Ruskin and Blueprint friends have created a compilation of brand new music to celebrate this landmark. These exclusive tracks are released here as the ‘20 Years Of Blueprint Compilation’ limited edition box-set, with a collection of four clear vinyl records as well as poster and sticker inserts.

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VA – Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016 [BP20167]