One of Canadas first synth-pop groups, Rational Youth was formed in the summer of 1981 by Tracy Howe (The Normals, Men Without Hats, Heaven Seventeen) and Bill Vorn (U, Sacred Noise). Within the 10+ years that Howe put Rational Youth on indefinite hiatus, their early vinyl recordings (1981-1982) became much sought after collector items, and had been re-branded as minimal-synth. This 5LP set with booklet provides an almost complete overview of their works from 1981-1984.
Field Records is to release a 2CD compilation of music from the labels artists old and new entitled simply, Collection. The imprint keeps up the Dutch tradition of releasing deep, Detroit-inspired electronic music with high-class contributions from various artists. Built on minimalism and modesty, the boutique label has expanded into a consortium for quality since first emerging in 2008. Artists such as Conforce, Delta Funktionen, DJ Sprinkles, Steffi, Mark Du Mosch and many other assured talents have all appeared on the label before now with sounds that range from deep, classically include house to more rough edged and raw techno. It’s much the same case on this expansive new two CD release, which will also be offered up as 3 x vinyl sampler. Across both CDs, established artists rub shoulders with more recently emerging talents and plenty of coherent and creative ground is covered in the exclusive new tracks. Things start off with the grainy ambiance of Sons Of Melancholia’s ‘Theme From The Lake’ before the likes of Delsin’s Unbroken Dub serves up a crawling bit od dubbed out techno, Acronym explores finely planed techno minimalism and Polar Inertia gets all heady and industrial on their ‘Sonic Outlaws’ contribution. Disc 2 starts off with lumpy ambiance before evolving through broken beat pieces, streamlined and stripped back techno and frazzled acid workouts. As a listening experience from start to finish this compilation works perfectly, too, because it never repeats the same trick. Featuring an exquisite selection of tracks by talented artists as well as contemporary favourites, Collection functions as a blueprint of the sound of the Field records label, delving into new geographical and musical territory in style.
The original Adventures in Techno Soul compilation was released back in 1996 with remixes of Ferox tracks from the likes of Derrick Carter, Carl Craig and Kenny Dixon Jr. A full 16 year’s after its follow up “Further Adventures in Techno Soul” comes this 8 track album of new and unreleased material on double vinyl from 8 different and exciting artists. Ferox is proud to welcome established and respected producers such as Fred P and Germany’s Move D to the roster, as well as a welcome return from Affie Yusuf, Nebraska and Bush Funk (Steve O’Sullivan and Winlord X) who were last seen on Soma Records back in 1996. The label is also proud to introduce two new artists, Darren Harris and Spain’s Hoax Believers who alongside label boss Russ Gabriel round off this package of soulful electronica.
youAND:THEMACHINES is the solo moniker of Martin Müller, one half of the Berlin based luminaries youANDme. A year after the release of his ‘Behind’ LP youAND:THEMACHINES presents ‘Behind’ LP Reshaped – an opulent collection of selected edits, interpretations and remixes courtesy of a prestigious roster of distinguished producers including Matthew Herbert, Steve Bug, XDB, Boo Williams, Sascha Dive, Legowelt, Marko Fürstenberg & Luke Hess and Basic Soul Unit amongst many more. ‘Behind Reshaped’ mines deep beneath the original’s surface and is a varied compound of textures, tones and atmospheres. From Steve Bug’s glacial ‘Raw and Reduced’ edit of ‘Drift’ to The Analog Roland Orchestra’s allaying take on ‘Desire’ and from XDB’s armoured and clap-heavy remix of Perception to Freund der Familie’s lucidly textural version of ‘Entrance Room’ the listener is ferried through a broad spectrum of feeling whilst a spectral and rueful current remains consistent.
Deep Space Orchestra’s Use of Weapons label has always been a reliable source of analogue-heavy left of centre deep house, with each split EP, featuring tracks from a variety of like-minded producers, featuring a range of must-have nuggets. This expansive sixth release, with eight tracks spread across two slabs of wax, is no different. DSO’s beautiful and surprisingly fragile “Mendoza” leads the way, with 7 Citizens calming, alien house groover “Fatum” close behind. Arguably best of all, though, is Other Worlds’ “Coldname ELD”, a sparse and bassy concoction blessed with some brilliant, Head High style pianos. It is, though, all good, with further impressive contributions from the Detroit-included Haku.
‘Fields Of Light’ is an ambitious compilation release containing 6 tracks by BNJMN, Aroy Dee, Lerosa, Metropolis, Perseus Traxx and Tr One, that focuses on other qualities than the usual style-similarities. Here, the focus has been put on some other aspect; their soulful and melancholic nature. On each side 15 minutes of dreamily emotive and sometimes alienating works from these 6 producers have been pressed. Some of them appeared earlier on Photic Fields, others are new here. Among these works you’ll find a deep and multilayered sonic excursion (by BNJMN), a dark, futuristic and movie-inspired piece (by Metropolis) and an emotion-drenched late 80’s inspired house music-cut (by Perseus Traxx). Each of these tracks may have their moment to be played, some might work on dancefloors while other are ‘just’ for the home-listener. But a true sentimentalist should find these moments.
Flight Recorderl – home to modern interpretations of other European genres of dance music – Italo, New Beat, and EBM, in conjunction with Radio Oscillations, brings together a collection of music by those producers inspired by these ‘krautrock’ pioneers of the early to mid 1970s on Obliged to Space – a heartfelt and beautifully written love letter to those cosmic sounds of the 1970s. Tracks from Rude 66, Phantom Love, Antoni Maiovvi, Alessandro Parisi, Ian Martin and others.
The ‘Movements’ saga started to discover, study, and properly represent great black American music that is at risk of being lost or forgotten. Today, his illustrious label: Tramp Records, proudly releases the 6th volume of this essential series. Though the track listing still contains amazing music you may never hear elsewhere, the series has matured since its first volume. The track selection has become more open minded, compiling ballads and soul-jazz tunes, even proto-disco in addition to the rare funk Tramp fans expect. Tracks are selected in chronological order so that the listener may get an impression of the development of of the art form from jazz to rhythm and blues to rock & roll to soul and of course – funk. As the website states: ”we ain’t going for bootlegs,” so, whenever possible, Tramp sought out and was granted permission to release each track from the original musicians who are very often in their late seventies now. He took that opportunity to interview them about their careers, their groups, and the recording sessions from which these gems arose. The artists’ stories are meticulously published in extensive liner notes which are printed in the included full-color booklet. Their own words illuminate the colorful backstory behind each track.
It’s time to celebrate! At catalogue number 20 Uncanny Valley extends its compilation-concept to 12 tracks spread over three records (or as a bundle if you prefer digital). The tracks will also be released as a CD compilation. With new music by label-regulars like Jacob Korn, Cuthead and Credit 00, friends like RVDS & K’Alexi or Filburt and fresh talents like Goetterkreis & Steve Kasper it is an exciting ride along the winding roads through the Uncanny Valley. The three records are visually linked with distinctive artwork by the ever-reliable Paul Waak.
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.
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”).
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”.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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…..
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.
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.
The Hipodrome Of Music 