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Savage Grounds Live @ Lux Rec, Kauz (Zurich) 11.12.2015
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electro
Zwischenwelt – Paranormale Aktivitat [CAL007LP]
Zwischenwelt is a project combining the talents of former Drexciya member Heinrich Mueller, New York DJ and producer Susana Correia, Spanish producer Penelope Martin and vocalist Beta Evers. This is the first vinyl edition of this special project. A well executed audio-visual experience playing with the tension between machine and human vox. Musically rooted in the early 90’s lab-electro style that has been presented as Gesamtkuntwerk, further conceptualized and developed into an even more abstract but not any less powerful or less intense experience. Cold voices sonically merging with emotional machine sounds (or is it cold machine sounds merging with emotive vocal sounds?).
Jeremiah R. – Callisto [TABR033]
Tabernacle Records is exploring the outer reaches of Detroit-influenced techno, electro and ambient. Their latest outing is coming from Jeremiah R. Beginning with the floatation tank-in-space ambience of “Chorus”, Calisto sees the producer laying down a whopping eight cuts that variously touch in Drexciyan electro, Artificial Intelligence-era IDM, and hard-to-define hybrids that confirm the intergalactic potential of electronic music. Interestingly, the music is roughly equally split between horizontally inclined, beat-less explorations, surging dancefloor workouts, and the kind of mid ’90s home listening fodder that sits somewhere in between.
VA – Karl EP [LUN005]
With this straight electro EP the longtime connection between Stilleben’s own Luke Eargoggle and Lunatic became manifest. The innovator and his friends Kan3da and Weltwirtschaft bring four various and origin tracks that are kept together through the typical Stilleben sound, packed in a carefully screenprinted, Lunatic jacket. The producers show again their talent for bringing musical devices in harmonics and arrangement together with innovative ideas in this classic genre. Each track has its own, different moment on the dancefloor – pushing forward with Icelandic Lady and the remix of Ocean Movers the record delays with the deep meandering Die Ganze Welt on the b-side. Finally the remix of Jennifer Touch’s Astra with it’s disco-attitude reminds of their wide spectrum like shown in Eargoggle’s Monkeyshop project or Kan3da’s former release on AC Records.
Corporate Park / Beau Wanzer – CP / BW [BW003]
CP/BW is a collaboration between Corporate Park and Beau Wanzer. The LP collects material recorded over the past 3 years from various fits and bursts in Denton, TX. It’s a slimy hodgepodge of varied influences processed by warped minds and melting hardware, displaying Wanzer and Co.’s unique brand of American electronic madness.
Skymax – Hooker Boogie [IML001]
With tickering hi-hats leading the first tracks on both side A & B Skymax enters a familier Finnish sounding disco (and part rock) sphere with kraut elemtents, synth-bass, a DJ Sotofett dub, a tango-fied slow machine ballad and a beatless 80s soundtrack conclusion to round it off. It has that utterly great and little-bit-hard-to-swallow Finnish quality stamp.
Golden Bug – Wild Boys EP [DLM007]
Antoine Harispuru, otherwise known as Golden Bug, has been delivering consistently excellent levels of disco-tinged house and electro over the last eight or so years, and it was only a matter of time before he’s pop up on Ivan Smagghe and Leon Oakey’s eclectic Les Disques De La Mort. The original mix of “Wild Boys” features Yan Wagner drooling over the beats in his familiarly lamenting, 80’s reminiscent style, and there’s a Lord Tusk mix on the back of it; the Londoner adds a subtle EBM flavour to the song, making harder and more penetrating on the dancefloor. “Ik Voel Je” is the weirdo in the crew, a magnificent piece of lo-fi psychedelia that stutters its guitar riffs amid heavy distortions and delays, while “L’Horloge” enters Kraftwerk territories thanks to its broken chops of mechanical voices and robotic beats.
VC-118A – B76 Over Land [RAM-X-07]
Fresh goods from VC-118A. Known as one of the deepest electronic producers out there, Samuel has released under different monikers as Mohlao, Multicast Dynamics and Inward Content (together with Delta Funktionen). Here he presents a 6 track conceptual EP about ancient aviation machinery operated throughout turbulent times. But don’t be mislead, this might be conceptualized in historical events, the music is far from a blast from the past. This is some pure futuristic Hi-Tech-Electro from the north of The Netherlands.
Hexagon – Hidden Territories EP [TRSD003]
A new four track EP by Hexagon aka Conforce on his own imprint. Making deep imaginary techno music with otherworldly authentic atmospheres without any concessions. The title track sucks you into desolate interstellar territories paying hommage to 606 rhythms with emotive strings on top that determine the total atmosphere of this killer advanced electro cut. Human meets machine in it’s purest form. Pitch Black leans on accurate programmed heavy broken percussive patterns and is the most functional track of the EP. Functional but it’s haunting atmosphere lifts this to a different dimension. Continuum dives deeper into sonic territory with a mysterious stealth missional vibe caused by it’s unpredictable sparkling crispy effects and mysterious pads. Systematic Repetition leans on pulsating modular bleeps and dubby basses and is the most techno orientated cut of the whole EP.
Gnork presents DJ Shark – Space Beach [UTTU058]
Unknown To The Unknown’s early ’90s inspirations are well documented, with boss man DJ Haus frequently signing and releasing tracks that doff a cap to ghetto-house, acid, Belgian techno and early British hardcore. Despite this history, Gnork’s “Space Beach” feels surprisingly fresh. Described, somewhat matter-or-factly, as “jungle techno”, the title track does a brilliant job combining booming, skittish, energy-packed early jungle rhythms with the kind of spacey melodies and chords that you’d expect to find on vintage Detroit techno records. Flipside “Double Sunset” jettisons the Motor City inspirations in favour of a more straight up, bass-heavy early jungle flex, with rich dub bass enhancing the mood.
DJ Stingray 313 – Communications System [BAR005]
Sherard Ingram aka DJ Stingray 313 for this fifth Barba release hits us with elegant but typically fast pacing modern electro 3 tracker. Each one is a beauty in itself, deep, resonating space funk, elegant yet dark at times but melodic in the same time as one would expect from the man. Simply put – truly outstanding craftsmanship across all tracks. Title track also gets a remix treatment by Aubrey, UK seasoned techno dj, producer and label owner who’s recent remix seen a light on legendary Metroplex label earlier this year. Enough said. Here Aubrey bravely bites the bullet and maintains the original high tempo but seriously twists the original resulting in stomping into stratosphere monster track creating his own communication system.
Umwelt – Phormix Podcast #22
Delta Funktionen – A New Planet [SSPS2]
2015 looks to be Delta Funktionen’s year. Following the terrifically dark and deep Wasteland series comes “A New Planet”. Cruel acid chords and mean percussion piercing through the fog. “A New Planet” is of that same sinister ilk. A cold electro beat is the bedrock from which a corrupting and corrosive 303 coil grows. But even with this caustic foundation, moments of salvation are to be found. A second techno moon dawns midway, frostier percussion giving way to warmer rhythms. Full and flowing bars fall and rise behind the squawk, allowing a new and brighter element to bloom. A track that is at once atmospheric and club centric from an artist at the top of his game.
Clarence G – Hyperspace Sound Lab [CAL006]
Before his untimely death in 2002, Drexciya member James Stinson recorded a number of killer solo records. Hyperspace Soundlab, initially released in 1991 and credited to Clarence G, is undoubtedly one of his best. It’s long been something of an in-demand gem, with copies changing hands for several hundred pounds. Here, Clone have done us all a favour and given it a much-needed reissue via their Aqualung series dedicated to all things Drexciyan. As you’d perhaps expect, all four tracks explore the Detroit elecro sound Stinson did much to develop, with the producer adding his own rap vocals to the killer “Clarence G’s Club”, and the ghetto-influenced bounce of “Cause I Said It Right”. Elsewhere, “Turbine” is an exercise in industrial-tinged drum machine abuse, while “Data Transfer” sees Stinson doffing a cap to classic Chicago acid.
Microlith – Hello 307 [CPU00011001]
Spacey Detroit-inspired electro from new Maltese producer Microlith, aka Rhys Celeste. Certified braindance related Electro EP.
passEnger – Last Transmissions from Solaris [ELER008]
Last Trasmissions from Solaris was inspired by the Stanislav Lem’s novel Solaris, a journey into techno-soul emissions explored by the talent of passEnger. It combines a subdole sci-fi atmosphere with solid techno approach and scientific electro incarnation. Here you can find a direction if your soul needs an utopian vision of the future. The closest thing to Detroit we’ve been able to produce over the years.
Synth Alien – Memories [TRAJECTORY1015]
An-i – Digital Tsunami 089
Hesperius Draco – Northern Sages EP [FRV019]
Frigio Records are delighted to announce that Alessandro Parisi is once again donning the darkened robes of Hesperius Draco. Following the acclaimed Cathar Rhythms this supremely talented Italian artist delivers. The five track mini-album continues the Draco search to balance tainted techno, sinister synth and soulful sounds. The underhanded rumblings of “Tronitum Domini” introduces before filth encrusted bass blurs the menacing visage of “Mjolnir”, claps scarring the already grimacing sounds. To end the first side, the medieval blast of “ASI Kingdom (Mitt Hjerte)” is track that surely won’t pass unnoticed. Skies crack with thunder by analogue alchemist Drvg Cvltvre on this interesting remix of “Fenrir Eye” which original version ends the release with Blackened clouds build for the intense and tapering approach.
Shanti Celeste / Funkineven – SSS [APRON020]
In recent times, Bristol’s Shanti Celeste has proved more than adept at blending tough, body-popping electro beats with picturesque electronics and luscious, eyes-closed melodies. She’s at it again here, following up two excellent outings on Future Times with the brilliant “SSS”. Expect just the right blend of tactile, eyes-closed melodiousness, snappy drum machine work, and a fluid bassline that subtly doffs a cap to Syclops’ “Where’s Jason’s K”. Apron boss Funkineven offers his own interpretation on the flip, bringing it closer to early 808 State territory, while adding some neat, boogie-influenced synth touches and saucer-eyed piano flourishes.
The Hipodrome Of Music 