The latest Sound Signature release comes from one-time conscious hip-hop producer GE-OLOGY and one-time go-to jazz keys-man Mark De Clive-Lowe. The latter’s brilliant synthesizer and piano work is arguably the highlight of both tracks here. On the spacey, P-funk influenced space-house swing of “Moon Circuitry” he does his best impression of Herbie Hancock, while “Escape On The Lodge Freeway” boasts intricate jazz solos atop a slightly tougher, chunkier deep house groove.
Legendary electronic pioneer Gerald Donald of Dopplereffekt and Drexciya returns with an incredible four track EP under his Der Zyklus guise. It is fair to say Donald is an electro pioneer, godfather and leading figure in electronic music. The Detroit artist, who took inspiration from the likes of Kraftwerk and Yellow Magic Orchestra went on to form his own uniquely experimental sound and would inspire a generation of techno and electro producers with his boundary pushing attitude.
Dallas based artist Cygnus returns to Central Processing Unit with his fourth release for the Sheffield based future facing electro imprint with his Radical User Interfaces EP. Invoking scenes from possible intergalactic situations Cygnus runs the four track offering off bit crunched funk, machinic constructs and glistening synth work.
The return of Recondite. Limited release by Cygnus showcasing the expertly crafted sound design and Detroit inspired sounds of a young talent who will surely be one to watch for in the near future.
Burek’s sister label Barba on its fourth release introduces Heinrich Dressel, project related working name of Valerio, a force behind MinimalRome label from Italy. His productions have been gaining serious attention amongst deeper electro connoisseurs who appreciate almost cinematic feel but still with an eye on the floor which resulted in quite a few moody smashers released on various EPs in the past. Three tracks here evoking familiar feelings heard before but still somehow they all sound fresh and drag you in wanting for more. As if this wouldn’t do it, there is first but, not last appearance for Barba label by mighty JTC who needs no further introduction delivering a remix. This time he cleverly uses sparse but recognizable parts of title track which he then transforms into relentless floor shaker where Detroit meets Chicago, if any such comparison needs to be made.
Warsaw based imprint Get The Balance Right have demonstrated an interest in retro-inspired sounds of Chicago House and Detroit Techno on previous releases but now venture into electro territory with this various artists compilation. Ever Moving’s “Find A Way” may sound contradictory at start with its gentle, house style keys on top of a dark, booming Aaron Carl style bass groove, but it actually works. Mutual Attraction’s “New Horizon” is simply stunning, a soulful house journey reminiscent of classic Chez Damier or Larry Heard. There are then two electro tracks by Greek electro auteur Itpdwip in the shape of “It Doesnt Hurt Me” and The Waters Of Styx” which sound like early Model 500. It’s the Jeremiah R remix of the latter is a real highlight on here, channeling the best impression of Gerald Donald we’ve heard of late.
Marco Bernardi returns to brokntoys for yet another rollercoaster of emotions. Switching between jittery house, lo-fi nagging electro and blissed out techno with nods to Detroit.
A&S aka Dimi Angelis and Jeroen Search are back on their own imprint. High quality organic techno at its best.
For the second release, Expansion Unit returns with another three tracker of bass-heavy electro robotics, lush techno variations and beautifully tweaked Pro One madness.
While the drama continues and we keep fighting the demons of our daily struggle,.. a man from another place locked himself down in a black lodge, conceiving new material to share with the world. 214 isn’t just a number, it’s music from an extradimensional place, high up the North Bend mountains. Frequencies coming from a red room, filled with electronic circuitry parallel connected to our inner soul. Lyle At Dawn is Chris Roman’s third offering for the Frustrated Funk familia. Setting the pace for more to come, as we connect to the Shipwrec multiverse for a full album release to follow shortly after this mind bending EP. You have been warned..
Jeff Mills has always tried to do things differently, but few could have foreseen his collaboration with classical pianist Mikhail Rudy. Back in February, the two men joined forces to write, and subsequently perform, a soundtrack for Henri-Georges Clouzot’s unfinished 1964 film L’Enfer. When Time Splits is a recording of that performance, with Rudy providing evocative piano motifs and thoughtful solos, accompanied by typically spacey, sci-fi inspired electronics from the Detroit maestro. At times it’s willfully discordant, at others immensely beautiful. Throughout, it remains a fascinating study in combining the worlds of modern classical, jazz, ambient and experimental electronics.
4th and final volume in the Analog Grooves vinyl (and analog) only serie, a joint venture between spanish producer Eduardo De La Calle & swiss Mental Groove Records focusing on futuristic / cosmic compositions for both clubbing and listening enjoyment.
After EPs on M>O>S Recordings and his own well formed Scenery label, Liverpool producer Stu Robinson aka ASOK now steps up with a solo release on M>O>S Deep. With an analogue sound full of nostalgia, emotion and subtle shades Chicago, he perfect fits on this most considered underground label.
Next up on Greek label Lower Parts is a fierce EP from the one and only DJ Stingray. The word cognition comes from the Latin verb cognosco (con ‘with’ and gnōscō ‘know’) (itself a cognate of the Greek verb γι(γ)νώσκω gi(g)nόsko, meaning ‘I know, perceive’ (noun: γνώσις gnόsis ‘knowledge’)) meaning ‘to conceptualize’ or ‘to recognize.
Alternate mixes of two seminal Drexciya tracks. A longer version of Black Sea and a different mix for Wavejumper (without the infamous ‘skip’). And to finish it off an Unknown Journey.
Mutual fans Sherard Ingram and Mariska Neerman join forces to present four essential tracks spanning the breadth of contemporary electro on this second release from Bleep43 Recordings. The first side sees Ingram exploring the edges of his famously unique blend of intricate yet relentless electronics, simultaneously touching on Autechre’s metallic abstractions while sounding the depths of bubbling oceanic vents. Mariska answers with two tracks of melancholy machine music that embody her talent for melody and arrangement and promise to make their presence felt on dancefloors across the spectrum.
From the rugged streets of Detroit comes a dirty collaboration from the masters of Electro: Dj Psycho from Detroit Techno Militia, Dj Lenn Swann from the 12 Tech Mobb, Dj Maaco of Detroit In Effect and DJ Dijital. A pure electro dance floor killers guaranteed to move your body.
The Hipodrome Of Music 