The official re-release of the most sought after and expansive German minimal synth, dark wave, electro album! Originally released in Germany, 1983 on Leo Music.
electro
VA – Dark Matters Too: Tales Of Enlightenment [LSD010]
The superb Light Sounds Dark return with perhaps our favourite release so far in the shape of Dark Matters Too: Tales Of Enlightenment. This 13 track collection was allegedly compiled with the august help and knowledge of Intergalactic Communication Network, a group said to include the following individuals; Rick Strassman (M.D) and Slawek Wojtowicz (M.D), Mutant Beat Dance and Beppe Loda. Whether we believe Light Sounds Dark or not, Dark Matters Too: Tales Of Enlightenment remains a superb compendium of rare and obscure dark wave, primitive electro and cosmic slop with not a artist the Juno review team recognises! The opening two tracks demonstrate the sheer variety here with ramshackle shamanic underworld funk of Dementia Precox followed by ultra-rare vocoder jam of Popsong’s Factory (think a Japanese Felix Kubin). Beyond that CHBB’s “Go Go Go” sounds like the pummeling prototype to the superb recent Streetwalker LP and “Giving Head To Kilian” could be mistaken for White Savage Dance era Karl O Connor.
The Superior Inferior – Echelon XIII EP [OE003]
The third release on One Electronica is produced by the Superior Inferior and includes two additional remixes from John Heckle. Inspired by early industrial, wave, synth, acid and not produced to adhere to any genre.
The Exaltics – Das Heise Experiment [AACIDLP002]
The Exaltics have been rippin’-up the acid vibes for some time now, gathering momentum from the efforts and hard work of imprints such as Solar One Music, Transient Force, Last Known Trajectory, Bunker and Panzerkreuz and of course more recently Crème Organization, Trust and our friends at Abstract Acid. As such, the time has come for a full-length acid project, entitled ‘Das Heise Experiment’ which originates from The Exaltics’ desire to take things a notch deeper, while pushing the acid a step into more menacing and quite devilish territory. For those that appreciate such dastardly dark styles, well, you will not be disappointed with this album. Coarse acid coupled with sublime soundscapes and ubiquitously haunting melodies make for the perfect combination.
Ceephax – Cro Magnox [WEME025]
Ceephax, the pope of acid music of the 2000s, has grown up between Giorgio Moroder’s sound and the library music of the BBC. These multiple influences are transcribed again in this triple album which could be an imaginary OST. He proves with this work of art that he has reached his whole maturity thanks to a great sense of narration and his mastery of analogue machines. Welcome in Cro Magnox Planet!
Julian Edwardes – The Grinder [SHPFR001]
Split release of the two Dutch labels Shipwrec and Fremdtunes, casting off for uncharted waters, setting sail to proudly introduce a fresh new name to their ever expanding roster. Julian Edwardes is a Dutch artist that bends the limitations of Hip Hop and Bass Music, his first outing on vinyl takes elements of these sounds and twists them into a new form. The title track judders and shakes into life with a controlled tempo adding gravity to the mix. Sombre notes drop to create a melancholic muscular beast. The flip sees E.R.P. aka Gerard Hanson aka Convextion flying in from Texas on remix duty. Hanson weaves his magic, a lush melody of IDM depth descends to elevate this remix into something sublime.
DMX Krew – Broken SD1 140 Part 2 [WEME023]
“Broken SD1 140”: not only a reference to an old drum machine, but also a blatant lie… There is nothing busted about this fresh EP from Breaking Records boss DMX. Here we find him straddling the eons with a timeless blend of rich analogue electronica, classically trained electro and forward-thinking vibage. Highlights include the super-squelch warmth on the bassline of “Apple Grid”, the hard-nosed ghetto techmongering of “Superficial Appearance” and the timely vintage house riffery of “Dramatic Exit”.
Kenny Hanlon – Loud Mouth Podcast #16
Roberto Auser – Eclipse [PNKMN002]
The second EP on the dutch imprint Pinkman comes from Roberto Auser, bringing a varied EP with his unique westcoast sound. First up is the outer space dance track ‘Never Say Never Again’, remixed by Dutch techno pioneer Mark du Mosch on the flip. The final track ‘Eclipse’ brings us back to his native country Ausland, a tribal battle track for all the weekend warriors out there.
DJ soFa – Cosmic Rocket Groove Channel Nr.7 12.03.2013
In Trance 95 – Shapes In A New Geometry [MW043]
Minimal Wave announce the release of a cassette of new music by Greek legends In Trance 95. After last year’s successful Cities Of Steel And Neon album release, In Trance 95 came together once again and have been working diligently in the studio on all kinds of new material. Aside from their recent raved about shows in Europe, this cassette is a taste of what they have been up to at Airdawn Studio in Athens, Greece. Quite dark, industrial and sometimes experimental (with glimpses of smokey dance floor atmosphere), these tracks are stark, heavy and cold.
Q4U – Q1 (Deluxe Edition 1980-1983) [DE040]
Q4U was born the winter of 1980-1981 in Reykjavík, inspired by the British punk movement. It’s original members were Elínborg Halldórsdóttir (Ellý) (vocals), Berglind Garðarsdóttir (Linda) (vocals), Steinþór Stefánsson (guitar), Gunnþór Sigurðsson (bass), Helgi (drums) and Már (synthesizer). Helgi and Már soon left the band and Helgi was replaced by Kormákur Geirharðsson (Kommi) on the drums. By early 1982 they self-released a full length cassette, “Skaf Í Dag” and appeared in the documentary “Rokk í Reykjavík,” which showcased the Icelandic punk scene. This version of the band ended and only two members continued on. In the summer of 1982 Ellý and Gunnþór recruited Óðinn Guðbrandsson (guitar) and Árni Daníel (synthesizer) from the band Taugadeildin. Their drummer was replaced by a Roland TR-808 drum machine they named “Elísabet II”. signaling a change in the group’s sound toward synthesizer-driven post punk. In August 1983 Q4U reinstated Kormákur to record a final set of demos and then called it quits. This compilation collects 16 songs from 1980-1983. SIde A features the original six songs from the “Q1″ EP, plus 2 songs from the “Rokk í Reykjavík” soundtrack. Side B collects 4 demos from 1982 and 4 demos from 1983, all presented on vinyl for the first time ever. Q4U began with a stylish, aggressive punk image before experimenting with drum machines and synthesizers, which almost nobody did in Reykjavík at the time. The later sound had gothic leanings,often compared with Siouxsie and the Banshees and Xmal Deutschland. Their body of work is united by the powerful vocals of Ellý, who mostly sings in Icelandic about controversial, political experiences, much like Ari Up of The Slits.
Sandra Plays Electronics – Her Needs [MW042]
Minimal Wave label presents a 7” release of primitive D.I.Y. electronics by Sandra Plays Electronics, a project founded by Karl O’Connor (Regis) whilst he was a teenager living in Birmingham, England in the 1980s. O’Connor, mostly known for his pioneering work in the techno field (as Regis, Sandwell District, British Murder Boys, Ugandan Methods and various other entities) as well as his Downwards label, began playing and recording his own music when he was 16 years old. He collaborated with friends performing in short-lived bands such as Family Sex and also recorded on his own as Sandra Plays Electronics. He was heavily influenced by D.A.F., Liaisons Dangereuses, Cabaret Voltaire and Soft Cell, to name a few and would eventually collaborate with Robert Görl and also Chrislo Haas in the late 90s. The tracks we are presenting here are two versions of the same song, Her Needs, both recorded in Birmingham, England. The first was recorded in 1988 during soundcheck at the College of Food And Domestic Arts and the second was recorded in 1999 (from the Man Has Responsibilities session) at the Ice House. Pressed on heavy weight 70 gram ultra clear vinyl, the 7” is housed in a matte double sided printed foldover sleeve. Limited to 999 hand-numbered copies.
CN – Voyages [CPU00000010]
Norway’s CN aka Stian Gjevik delivers 4 cuts of spatial analogue electro. Overflowing with uber-melodic synthesizers along with CN’s complete mastery of the drum machine, Voyages is Detroit influenced braindance at its best.
Legowelt – Elementz of Houz music (Actress Mixes) [CJFD016R]
Clone Jack For Daze presents two remixes from Actress for “Elementz Of Houz Music”a track taken from Legowelt’s Paranormal Soul album.
Electric Street Orchestra – The Natives [DTR02B]
This is a journey led by Jeedo’s Electric Street Orchestra to his native land, Detroit City. The Natives: It was created in direct defense to the assault on Detroit City. The uprooting of it’s original citizens is fastly becoming the norm, as the population has plunged by 25 percent over the last decade. The Natives is meant to celebrate all the pioneers, revolutionaries, Moms and Pops that somehow get last in the media’s coverage of newly imported ”do gooders”. Serpents: According the Bible’s Book of Genesis, the serpent is a symbol of evil who appears in the Garden of Eden to tempt Eve. The serpent is portrayed as a deceptive creature or trickster with ill intent. We’ve all encountered numerous snakes in life, however this metaphor can also be applied to the cities ongoing issue of land-grabbing by numerous corporations with empty promises to build farms. Reconstruct: This is the quiet after the storm, cleansing the palette for rebirth. A new beginning, one with hope and great promise. It was used as a sonic bed for the theatrical trailer of the award winning documentary ”Detropia”. Once again Waajeed AKA Jeedo has assembled a cast of sonic masters under one of his many monikers, Electric Street Orchestra. Including UR’s Mad Mike, DJ Skurge, Ray 7 and newcomers Tiny Hearts.
Florian Kupfer – Florian Kupfer [LIES014.5]
Debut release by new artist Florian Kupfer. On this four song 12 inch we’re taken through a wild journey of a man and the story of his machines. Very emotional and human feeling, these lovingly saturated tracks move through the worlds of techno and house in subtle, unassuming fashion though totally distinct in their own right as each song possesses its own personality regardless of the man/machine relation.
Belaboris – Once Upon A Time LP [DE041]
Belaboris was born in 1982 as the brainchild of Finnish producer Kimmo Miettinen. He would put together an all-girl band that looked great in photographs but were backed by professional musicians. The first line-up was Vilma Vainikainen on main vocals, Sisko Vainikainen and Rita on back-up plus Jake and Mari who did not sing at all. The backing band behind Belaboris was a local New Wave group called Tyhjät Patterit ( which translates to Empty Batteries). The main songwriter was Esa Ijäs (guitar, synthesizer) along with his bandmates Ari Ijäs (bass) and Martti Jalonen (drums). Belaboris’ debut 12″ single “Kuolleet Peilit” was released in November 1982. “Once Upon A Time” collects songs from all three EP releases and the “Olipa Kerran” mini-LP as well as two unreleased demos never before on vinyl. In Finland the synthetic Futurist/New Romantic pop was simply called “Futu”. Belaboris were in their own peculiar, undefinable no-woman’s-land, in between the Finnish Futu and Gothic scenes. Between 1982 and 1984 Belaboris crafted catchy, melodic synthpop with the occasional guitar. Their lyrics were stylistically “kitchen sink melodramas” with occasional Gothic elements inspired by movies. The name Belaboris, is a combination of the horror actors Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff.
Medio Mutante – Eadem Mutata Resurgo [MR019]
Medical Records present it’s first “modern” release showcasing a full LP compilation of material by American minimal synth band Medio Mutante. The band’s sound is also a mutation of their 1980’s influences, using vintage analog synthesizers and drum machines in creative and unexpected ways. Drawing influence from such acts as El Aviador Dro, Absolute Body Control, Front 242, Duotronic Synterror, Oviformia SCI, Yukihiro Takahashi, Medio Mutante integrated it’s childhood love of late 80s/early 90s Hip Hop, Latin Freestyle, and New Wave into a hybrid concoction that is truly unique. This full LP is composed of the band’s long out of print 6 song limited EP from 2007, their limited 7″ from 2009, and 4 previously unreleased tracks.
The Hipodrome Of Music 