VA – Selected: Compiled by Fred P [SPMBC001]

Selected pulls together material from mostly unfamiliar names like DeepJust AQuaBeaT, Bassik Grooove and Bobby O’Donnell, alongside a couple of established heads like Ryo Murakami, Aybee (as Orion 70) and Fred P himself, whose ”N.Y. (Selected Dub),” a reshape of an old jazz tune, rounds out the compilation. ”In the early days it was difficult to afford more than one or two records—I would buy compilations because the value was greater and I was exposed to artist that I might not have known about otherwise,” he says. ”When I think of compilations I think of Mix The Vibe, Soul Of Science, Trust The DJ and of course DJ-Kicks. I learned a great deal from these series over the years and developed my own ideas based on what I love to hear—thus Selected was born.” Released Soul People Music’s new sub-label, Boards.

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VA – Selected: Compiled by Fred P [SPMBC001]

Omar S – FXHE 10 Year Compilation Mix Part 1 [AOS2004]

It’s been ten years since outspoken Detroit house legend Omar-S launched his FXHE label, which is no mean feat for a DIY label. To celebrate the fact, he’s decided to put together the first in a series of mix CDs highlight the much-loved imprints vast discography. Entitled simply 1, the 74 minute vinyl only set takes an entertaining saunter through the label’s bulging back catalogue, showcasing a range of well-known cuts (“Here’s Your Trance, Now Dance” etc) and what the producer calls “some shit [fans] might have slept on”. Predictably, it makes for a sumptuous and suitably groovy blend, moving between bespoke soulful house (Omar-S’s much-loved “Sex”), deep Detroit futurism (Omar-S and O B Ignitt’s “Wayne County Hill Cops Part 2”), dreamy jack tracks (Jason Fine’s “Jack Yo Bodda”) and tactile tech-house (Fit and Gunnar Wendel’s “Enter the Fog”).

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Omar S – FXHE 10 Year Compilation Mix Part 1 [AOS2004]

VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 2 – Fuzz Dance [MR033]

Medical Records presents two exclusive releases. Compilation of very rare and sought after A + B sides of 3 Italo Disco iconic 12″ singles that were originally released on the legendary Fuzz Dance label (a sublabel of Materiali Sonori). The first single needs no introduction to lovers of disco. Trophy “Slow Flight” (vocal + instrumental versions) was released in 1982. A very hard-hitting percussive track with very interesting production that is quite gritty yet smooth with it’s vocoded vocals and synth melodies. The second single which is probably the most rare is Zed “Plastic Love” vocal + instrumental versions that were released in 1983. Sultry female vocals and pulsing electro sequences make these two versions absolutely essential. Clocking in at the third position on both sides are the vocal and instrumental versions of “Hesitation” by Mya & The Mirror which is a production by Alexander Robotnick (Maurizio Dami) with female vocals. Also included as bonus tracks at the end of side A and B are Mon Bijou’s “Just a Lover” and Naif Orchestra’s “Check Out Five”.

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VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 2 – Fuzz Dance [MR033]

VA – Ten Years Of Phonica LP [PHONICALP001]

VARIOUS - Ten Years Of Phonica

Phonica announce the arrival of  their celebratory compilation marking ten years of the shop. A triple LP pack, where some of their favourite artists produced a track for an eclectic yet cohesive compilation, which will hopefully go some way towards sonically unfolding the ‘Ten Years of Phonica’. The triple LP features tracks from: I:Cube, Trevor Jackson, Raudive, Discodromo, Joe Claussell, John Morales, Henrik Schwarz, Massimiliano Pagliara, Iori remixed by Steve Moore, Juju & Jordash, Legowelt & In Flagranti.

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VA – Ten Years Of Phonica LP [PHONICALP001]

Optimo – Dark Was The Night [EFCD011]

OPTIMO (ESPACIO)/VARIOUS - Dark Was The Night

While JD Twitch & JG Wilkes aka Optimo are undoubtedly men-for-all-seasons musically, as anyone who’s seen them in action behind the decks will attest, they’re often at their best when creating a mood, delving deep into their bulging record collections to showcase sludgy curiosities, dark electronics and intoxicating oddities. Pleasingly, it’s this side of their multiple personalities that’s explored on Dark Was The Night, their sixth commercially available mix CD. Predictably, it’s a doozy, effortlessly joining the dots between the moody deep acid house of QX-1’s “I Won’t Hurt You”, the pulsating industrial rhythms of Carter Tutti, the icy melodies and snowy rhythms of Recondite’s “Cleric”, and the paranoid dubstep of Kode 9 and Space Ape.

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Optimo – Dark Was The Night [EFCD011]

VA – Freedom Power [SME001]

Amazing Funk Library LP featuring tones of Jazz-Funk and Psychedelic beats. The listener is constantly kept guessing as the music swings between Psych Funk, Esoteric Jazz and Cinematic/Love Themes then back again. Tracks like ”Love For Sale”, ”Privacy”, ”Metropolis Notte” and ”Dopping 2000” are simply timeless and go a long way to explaining why Cometa albums are so highly regarded. Sounds in here perfectly plunge in the universe of great 1970s music. Originally issued on Limited Edition serie for collectors, this gem has finally been repressed on HQ 180gr. vinyl with improved sound quality for the joy of audiophiles.

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VA – Freedom Power [SME001]

VA – I Am Enfant Terrible [ETX]

This new compilation is created to celebrate the 10 years of activity of Enfant Terrible. ”I Am Enfant Terrible” makes clear the traditions ET has been working in but at the same time is an album with the broad spectrum of sounds they are interested in. From indie pop to new wave to minimal synth and from noise to elektro and IDM and ambient, from poppy to experimental to dance music. This is what Enfant Terrible is…

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VA – I Am Enfant Terrible [ETX]

VA – Light Sounds Dark [LSD012]

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Light Sounds Dark continue their impeccably curated endeavours this year, with a self titled compilation put together by their ‘International Communication Network’ adding a sense of accomplishment to previous 2013 transmissions such as that collection of archival Mutant Beat Dance material and the superb Dark Matters Too compilation. Those whose pants were charmed off by that latter release will find much to enjoy and investigate on this double vinyl selection. An undisclosed international cast of record diggers from San Francisco, Chicago, London and Manerbio (that’s in Italian province Brescia in case you were wondering) have selected 16 tracks that feature Dutch tape experiments in sound, murky industrial punk, proto techno, abstract synth pop and more. Not quite sure about the fluorescent pink cover art though…..

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VA – Light Sounds Dark [LSD012]

Theo Parrish – Black Jazz Signature [SDGBJ1303LP]

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Arguably one of the world’s most important underground dance music producer/DJs lends his hands to selecting and mixing a set of jazz and funk records licensed from and originally released on the Black Jazz label 1971-1976. World renowned for his DJ sets, productions, and record label (Sound Signature), this Chicagoraised DJ is near impossible to pigeonhole. Revered by a wide spectrum of dedicated music fanatics, he is known for his edits of artists such as Minnie Ripperton, Roger Troutman, Nightlife Unlimited, as well as his otherworldly DJ sets, and his serious approach to DJ’ing as an art form. Theo gives special attention to fellow Chicago musicians The Awakening (3 consecutive tracks, 4 total on the mix), one of the best funk/fusion groups that the Black Jazz label released, and whose only output was on that label. The set itself is a masterful “2 turntables all vinyl” execution, a format that Theo is dedicated to – no mp3, no CDr, just the vinyl palette for the true aural experience. Sit back and be drawn into his world, hear things his way.

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Theo Parrish – Black Jazz Signature [SDGBJ1303LP]

VA – Omega Supreme presents Raw Silk Vol.1 [BT1008]

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A bona fide boogie buzz that whisks us right back to the synth-worshipping 80s, Raw Silk Volume 1 is a celebration of electronic music’s most formative flavours. Everything about this collection screams smoothness: from the bending synth lines and mooching squidgy bass of “Saturday Jam” to the smouldering falsettos of “Wanna Play Hooky” via the likes of “In Gear” and “Peak Of Summer”, two talkbox jams so sexy and funky they’d make Roger Troutman blush. A confident set that guarantees to warm your soul, the 80s is alive and well at Omega Supreme.

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VA – Omega Supreme presents Raw Silk Vol.1 [BT1008]

VA – EPM Selected Vol.2 [EPM032]

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Now a fully-fledged music label with over 30 releases to its name, EPM counts albums from Paul Mac, Carl Taylor, Kristian Heikkila, Lee J. Malcolm, Luis Martinez and The Third Man to its ever-expanding roster. ‘EPM Selected Vol 2’ is the second label snapshot, focussing on the techno side of the label’s output so far (with a couple of rare exclusives* thrown in for good measure).

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VA – EPM Selected Vol.2 [EPM032]

VA – L.I.E.S. Presents Music For Shut-Ins [LIES041]

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A collection of hits, misses, new loves, and future head scratchers running the gamut from floor ready beat tracks (Legowelt) to post chill out room bleep-hop (Daywalker & CF) to industro-wave anti beat experimentation (Svengalisghost) with no restrictions or limitations. As with last year’s American Noise compilation, disc one revists prime cuts from the nearly 30 releases the label will have released by the end of 2013, while disc two compiles unreleased tracks exclusive to this cd. A document of the immediate energy surrounding these musicians here and now, maybe one can call it club music for people who hate going to the club? or simply “Music for Shut Ins.”

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VA – L.I.E.S. Presents Music For Shut-Ins [LIES041]

Ben Sims – Fabric 73 [FABRIC145]

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Prolific, eclectic, and always evolving, Ben Sims’ name has been synonymous with quality techno for nearly two decades. His enviable career path mirrors the history of twenty years of popular music in the UK, drifting from hip-hop and reggae into the early days of pirate radio, the peak of acid house, and pummeling hardcore. Sims has always been a precocious listener – in his early teens he would DJ his school’s disco parties prior to gaining a reputation as an advanced talent on the rave and club circuit – and his experience is reflected in the timelessness of the selections on fabric 73. Beholden to no specific era or genre beyond the power of their pure transportive grooves, on fabric 73 Sims showcases the restlessly creative selections that continue to make him an essential and inspiring DJ for advanced techno listeners worldwide.

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Ben Sims – Fabric 73 [FABRIC145]

VA – 100DSR Compilation [100DSR]

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17 years after first releasing a cassette EP from label boss Marsel van der Wielen under his Peel Seamus guise, Delsin has now hit the landmark category number of 100. Truth is, taking into account choice re-issues and specials such as the recent house series, there have already been scores more than 100 releases. Nevertheless, in that time the Dutch label has become synonymous with a wide range of timeless sounds from house to techno to dub to electronica, nurturing and championing some of the most respected names in the scene, all of which can now be enjoyed on 5 separate, various artist vinyl EPs or one impressive two disc compilation. Far from just a collection of tracks, the 100DSR compilation has been carefully curated to tell the tale of Delsin. Each record conveys a slightly different part of the story – be it house, techno, beats or electro – yet every one is tied together by the label’s own underlying sense of desolate melancholy. Across the five EPs and complete CD collection there are tracks from newbies and old favourites alike, including Sawlin and Delta Funktionen, John Beltran and Bleak, Redshape and Convextion, Gerry Read and Claro Intelecto.

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VA – 100DSR Compilation [100DSR]

VA – Behold I Send You Out [Creme 10K – FREE DOWNLOAD]

Creme Organization celebrates their 10k barrier of soundcloud followers with a free pack of tunes by Marquis Hawkes, Jorge Velez, Trackman Lafonte & Bonquiqui, Innershades, Yør, Orgue Electronique and Delta Funktionen. Free free free, so go grab this early Christmas present!

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VA – Behold I Send You Out [Creme 10K – FREE DOWNLOAD]

VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 1 [MR028]

Medical Records is proud to release it’s first compilation LP. Medical has carefully curated a collection of extremely rare and sought after singles and rare tracks. This compilation includes 5 complete A + B sides as well as 2 other tracks that only appeared on obscure compilations in the early 80s. The first 2 tracks are by UK’s The Electronic Circus. Featuring Chris Payne (who also performed synth work on the iconic “Pleasure Principle” by none other than Gary Numan), the track “Direct Lines” is pure synthpop perfection. The second featured artist is Boston’s Psychic Youth who released one lone 7″ in 1982. One of the members, Perry Geyer, was also a founding member of the industrial outfit Manufacture. “Step in Time” and “The Future Is Now” are both dense minimal synth hits. Another excruciatingly rare 7″ is the self-titled single by UK’s Aaah…! “Slip Away” and “Duty Calls” further fit the bill for moody minimal synthpop greatness. Possibly even more rare is the Shazam single released in 1983 in the UK. The 2 “wild card” tracks if you will on the record are “Panic In Your Mind” by N.A. Pop 2000 (UK) and “Maske” by Berliner Strasse (Yugoslavia). Both tracks were plucked from rare wave compilations from the early 80s. The final single featured is the solo outing by Claude Arto from Mathematiques Modernes. Released in 1981 on Celluloid (France), the 2 tracks drip synthetic bloops and blips while being propelled by rhythmic electro sequences.

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VA – Electroconvulsive Therapy Volume 1 [MR028]

VA – In The Dark: Detroit Is Back [STILLM3LP011]

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The ever-loving team at Still Music present yet another unmissable selection of East side beats, this time shifting focus from Chicago to Detroit to shine the light on some of the less celebrated talents operating in the city. There is boundless quality at every turn here, from the jazzed out tones of Craig Huckaby to the raw chemistry of Marcellus Pittman. Terrence Dixon does an excellent demonstration of wormhole techno with “The Fall Guy (Part 1)”, and DJ 3000 brings a demonic brand of slow-chugging house to the table. Alex Israel also reminds everyone that he truly is one of the most slept-on gems the Motor City has to offer, so get busy and connect with this utterly essential selection.

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VA – In The Dark: Detroit Is Back [STILLM3LP011]

VA – Telex Magick [MAR0099]

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Out of the dark depths of the underground emerges, once again, the purveyors of proper electro with a fresh new record to settle the score. Marguerita-Recordings delivers with a 10 track various artist compilation record, Telex Magick, which features artists from Europe to USA to Asia and back…the true essence of the underground is back. Gosub, Rude 66, Boris Divider, Manasyt, Cosmic Force …

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VA – Telex Magick [MAR0099]

VA – Chicago Service [LIH010]

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Here’s the pitch: ask six of Chicago’s finest exponents of bumping house and pitched down disco cuts to contribute some of their finest works, blend them all together and present in the appropriate space either side of two 12″ slabs. What’s the end product? The rather hot looking Chicago Service from the Amsterdam label Lumberjacks in Hell which features a merry cast of the city’s finest in Gene Hunt, Rahaan, Jamie 3:26, Cratebug, Hugo H and Boogie Nite across two hot plates.

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VA – Chicago Service [LIH010]

VA – Trevor Jackson presents Metal Dance 2 [STRUT107LP]

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Strut present ‘Metal Dance’, a new compilation from one of the UK’s most respected DJ / producers, the man behind Playgroup and original founder of the legendary label Output Recordings, Trevor Jackson. Echoing elements of his renowned DJ Kicks mix from 2003, Jackson draws here on specials that have peppered his DJ sets for almost two decades. ‘Metal Dance’ mines deep and hones in on the more underground and danceable side of industrial, post-punk and EBM (Electronic Body Music), a phrase coined by Ralf Hütter of Kraftwerk but honed by later bands like DAF and Front 242 as socialist realist aesthetics were dragged onto the dancefloor during the mid-’80s. Jackson cherry-picks classics and rarities from this era, including a new edit of Nitzer Ebb favourite ‘Control I’m Here’ (sampled on Quartz’ rave classic ‘Meltdown’), the cold dance of Analysis’ ‘Surface Tension’, Neon’s dark ‘Voices’, re-interpreting a Master C&J riff from the early days of Chicago house, and hard-hitting dubs from Pete Shelley, Alien Sex Fiend and more. Herein lie sounds that have heavily influenced today’s crop of artists – from LCD Soundsystem and The Knife to Factory Floor and Hot Chip. Elsewhere on the album, Jackson brings in unexpected gems – a track from cult John Carpenter film ‘Escape From New York’ re-edited by Klein & MBO’s Mario Boncaldo, a lost album track by avant garde Spanish artist Diseno Corbusier and a UK promo-only mix of Yello’s ‘You Gotta Say Yes To Another Excess’.

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VA – Trevor Jackson presents Metal Dance 2 [STRUT107LP]