electro
Red Ferish – A Derangement Of Synapses [MR054]
Medical Records presents a hand-picked selection of home recorded demos from Stoke, UK’s Red Fetish. Armed with a Korg 770, Yamaha CS10, Korg Rhythm 55, a guitar here and there and a Teac 244 four track recorder, the band consisted of Neale James Potts and Mike Richardson. These tracks were recorded in 1982-83 and all culled from various cassettes that the band recorded. The songs are built from very minimal and sparse synth lines yet the overall feel is interestingly dense and warm. Standout tracks include the playful and futuristic “Modern Age” and “The Last Man”. A few of these tracks were previously released (different version) on a 7″ on Anna Logue (Germany) but most have been largely unheard until now. Sprinkled in amongst the catchy vocal pop songs are quite a few very warm and synth heavy instrumentals as well such as “The Immortals” and “Blaze”. This collection will absolutely be another piece of the highly intriguing and ever-deep well of minimal synth acts such as other contemporaries Oppenheimer Analysis, Twilight Ritual, Iron Curtain, and the like. Certainly fans of early Human League (especially The Future), early cassette culture wave and similar will enjoy this collection immensely.
Powell – Insomniac / Should’ve Been A Drummer [XLT730]
New Powell (Diagonal) single continues to blur the lines between contemporary club music, punk and forward-thinking computer acid. Describing the music is a challenging prospect, but dancing to it isnt.
Devianza – Tabvla Rasa [KPT002]
Tabvla Rasa is the second vinyl release for the new London based label Kapvt Mvndi Records, a Blackwater Label project about Techno. An experimental and post techno EP based on the historical events of the Second World War. The first track CXIX is about the days of Bombs in London during the War. The second track CMXI is about the connection between the indian Swastica and the esoteric symbolism used by the Nazists in the same period.
Cute Heels – Nepotism [SBOX002]
Cute Heels screamed onto the scene with his debut album on Dark Entries. The Colombian’s blend of EBM and minimal synth with driving rhythms electrified interest with Juan Atkins describing him as “the new blood and spirit for the next step in techno music.” Tough words to live up to, but this talented artist has done Atkins proud with his excellent five tracker, Nepotism EP. Measured and thoughtful the EP is packed with eclipsed wave and bold beats. Future classics shine from the drop. “Nepotism Structure”, with its blackened chords and stark chords, is brimming with a primal energy. “Madame Counsellor” ups the tempo, adding some extra squalor with wretched 303 writhe. Cute Heels refuses to sit in one genre, electro coming to a head in the shimmering mechanics of “Cabaret Literal.” “The Pulse (Sex Drive)” closes in a seedy blur of neon lights and showing synthlines.
DMX Krew – Abstract Forms Synth Funk Vol 3: Tha Bump! [SYFUNK003]
Abstract Forms new Synth Funk offshoot presents the third release of DMX Krew. Ladies and Gentleman the man with the magic fingers gives you Tha Bump!
Der Zyklus – Axonometric EP [VF173]
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.
Cygnus – Radical User Interfaces [CPU00011000]
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.
Cygnus – Untitled [RCNLTDCYG]
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.
Black Merlin – Cabinet Whore Mix
Versalife – Input Selector 250
Heinrich Dressel – Lurking Underwater [BAR004]
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.
VA – Letting Go [GTBR002]
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.
Vactrol Park – I [ESP026A]
Vactrol Park is an honest outpouring of thematic obsession, a celebration of championed studio components and the mastery of their nuance, an avant garde collaboration between Kyle Martin (Land of Light, Spectral Empire) and Guido Zen (Gamers in Exile, Brain Machine). Simply entitled “I” (the first of a 2 part series), this debut EP opens the door to a world of ebb and flow, layers of oscillation falling in and out of sync, keeping us on the brink of vertigo and, as cliché as it may sound, we find solace in its chaos. This homogeneous release plays with the notions of systems as beautifully symbolized Mario Hugo’s capsule of cardiology—yet another visually arresting module in the ESP Institute catalogue.
Umwelt – When Future And Past Collapse [NF016]
New Flesh Records presents the return of infamous Umwelt delivering another collectible output on his own electro label. Much anticipated “When Future And Past Collapse” combines firing snares with rolling 808 kicks, acid lines, sub-bass and driving futuristic melodies, all packed in this sophisticated EP. Umwelt’s aesthetics and dystopian vision has never been so dazzling. Expect nothing but depths, terrific tales, and authentic secrets about the origins of mankind in this must have five-tracker.
Wall $treet – Trading For Love [MSDN1203]
New EP by Wall $treet from Neud/Neud Photo fame on Mysidian Records. Five tracks including a remix by Vercetti Technicolor. Players, Don Jones (Nico) and Bill Benjamins (Pierre) take time out of their busy schedule trading stocks, authoring a book (Rich Dad, Richer Dad), and contributing to political campaigns to fiddle with expensive electronics in their penthouses atop some of New York’s most expensive real estate.
June – Digital Tsunami 082
Dez Williams – Sleight Of Hand [SHIP028]
Killler techno/electro hybrids by longtime electronic UK warrior Dez Williams, bringing five deep yet merciless pieces of mutant electrofunk and under-the-radar hypno techno. Exceptional dj tool and again a very strong ep on the mighty Shipwrec label.
Delta Funktionen – Wasteland – Chapter IV: Lifewater Oasis [RAM-X-06]
Cardopusher – Manipulator [BNR146]
Cardopusher delivers his first album for the Boysnoize label entitled ‘Manipulator’. The album is a 10 track hardware composed record inspired by early rave, 90s EBM/industrial and lo-fi acid house/techno blended together with modern production touches. Perfect for peak times or late hours this record pays homage to underground music.
The Hipodrome Of Music 