Olivia @ auro (New Delhi) 31.10.2019
electro
Djedjotronic – The Forgotten CXCVI
Chris Mitchell – SOF 006 [SOF006]
Vanguard Sound’s Chris Mitchell follows his contribution to Squirrels On Acid with an EP of four absolute Rippers at the intersection of classic booty bass & new-school goth electro.
Itako – All Human – No Conditions [RAS003]
‘All Human – No Conditions” is the first solo EP by the French producer Itako. The opener “The Country That Does Not Exist” is a slow burning and bass-driven tune in which hypnotic synth and acid lines merge with North African vocal pieces. Thereafter, Itako shows with “Freehands Desire” his darker side. A mid-tempo composition with massive drum patterns and forward-moving melodies. On the flip side, “Groove That Dust” is screwing the tempo back down. Six minutes based on a 90s Hip-Hop sample with an irresistible groove where we assume no one can stand still. The release is rounded off with a remix by MR TC. The Glasgow based musician stretched “The Country That Does Not Exist” into a tribal workout with breaks in which he lets the machines speak for themselves.
Gnork – Lost In X [EPZ002]
Introducing Earth Plates’ second pressing, Gnork’s latest EP, Lost in X. The Budapest based producer takes his signature sound further, deeper, and more refined. Wonder how that would sound like? Imagine underwater infused with outer space, chunky electro beats with dusty organs, dark wharehouse vibes with soul wrenching satellite bleeps, 707 drums with cheesy synth solos.
Reka X Imperial black Unit – Todo Avaricia [F//016]
‘Todo Avaricia’ by Reka and the duo Imperial Black Unit is the result of an immediate and natural connection forged between the three artists, through a jam session that swiftly and intuitively yielded three tracks of stylistically diverse yet demonstrably cohesive sounds. Featuring the sampled voices of Che Cuevara, Pablo Neruda and original vocals by Reka herself, the EP plays the role of an urgent call to action against political and environmental injustice, conveyed via the musical substrate of new beat, industrial and EBM, fused into a landscape of techno and undeniably constructed for the dancefloor. The EP is rounded off with a heavy-hitting remix of the title track by the prolific Umwelt, in his signature dramatic style.
Men With Secrets – Psycho Romance and Other Spooky Ballads [BK041]
Donato Dozzy collaborates with Retina.it on a new dark and sleazy electro project, Men With Secrets. After Dozzy’s first project with Retina.it (aka Lino Monaco and Nicola Buono), under the moniker Le Officine Di Efesto on Spazio Disponibile, fresh ideas would fast unfold. “They quickly discovered a shared love of classic post-punk, wave, and synthpop, and not long after, Men With Secrets was born.” Drawing influence from the likes of Richard Bone, Cabaret Voltaire, The Human League, New Order, and even Dopplereffekt, the trio stamp out their own sound with ‘neither imitation nor rehash.’ Their debut thirteen track album, titled Psycho Romance and Other Spooky Ballads, will land on none other than The Bunker NY.
Tassilo Vanhofen – War Manual Of Gear EP [BAU013]
Tassilo Vanhöfen with his first ever solo EP on Neubau. Three subtle but dancefloor-aimed tracks that many have been waiting for will be included on the much-anticipated ”War Manual Of Gear EP”
Borusiade – Fortunate Isolation [DE266]
Dark Entries Records presents ‘Fortunate Isolation’ the sophomore album from Borusiade. Born and raised in Bucharest, Romania, Borusiade aka Miruna Boruzescu started dj-ing in 2002 as one of the very few female DJs in the city’s emerging alternative clubbing scene. Influenced by a classical musical education, a bachelor in film direction and fascinated by raw electronic sounds, Borusiade first combined these universes in the construction of her DJ sets and starting 2005 also in her music production. A sound of her own has slowly crystallized, often dark with poignant bass lines, obsessive themes and by all means melodic. ‘Fortunate Isolation’ is perhaps Borusiade’s most personal release to date. Eight songs that capture a bystander witnessing the world as it undergoes drastic changes. We have disconnected ourselves from ecology, humanity, preservation, care for what surrounds us, for what is still alive. Borusiade adds, “| know that this place, our home has went through so many other extinctions, but | believe things will find their own way on this planet only once we are gone. Entropy creates a time-line but also a transformation – a new beginning.” The album’s sound is gloomy and powerful mixing sonic film sequences, rhythmic excursions and soothing yet obsessive vocals that touch one’s deepest senses. Lyrically the songs tackle themes of forgotten memories, spirituality, mortality, and destruction.
Cardopusher – Dame-Music Mix Series 002
TV.OUT – If I Die Tonight [PRLX09]
Parallax Records return with a nice 5 tracker from label heads TV.OUT, including a remix from Florian Kupfer.
L.F.T. / Raymond D. Barre – Acid Avengers 014 [AAR014]
Both noted for their powerful and inventive electro tunes, L.F.T. and Raymond D. Barre are two of the most interesting producers of the moment. On that new split EP, the punk sensitivity from Hamburg meets the braindance influence of the parisian : here are five fucked-up acid bombs for all the 303 trainspotters.
Absolem @ Pressure Nights (Cluj-Napoca) 28.06.2019
Rapha – PAG038
Mondowski – Sholay [SC&P007]
Mondowski makes his full label debut on Snap Crackle & Pop with an electro inspired turn. Dancefloor orientated lead track Sholay finds a mesmerizing path somewhere between extroverted 80’s electro and celebratory spiritual transcendence and gets the remix treatment from Kris Baha who subverts the original by turning the electro backbone up to 11. The EP’s B-side, Negative Space, voyages into darker electro territories with Kraftwerkesque synths, rolling pads and a motorik bassline, all of which provides the launchpad for Multiple Man to turn out a pitch black EBM banger.
Bufiman – Albumsi [DKMNTL074]
The long-awaited debut album from Jan Schulte’s more dancefloor-focused Bufiman project. He’s absolutely nailed it, offering up a vibrant 12-track selection that giddily joins the dots between freestyle, electro, dub disco, vintage deep house, skewed Balearic synth-pop, breakbeat, hip-house, kosmiche and the heavily percussive drum workouts that have long been Schulte’s stock-in-trade. The fact that each track offers multiple musical reference points whilst delivering something undeniably fresh – despite the undeniably retro-futurist feel present throughout – is undoubtedly the album’s strongest suit. To put it simply, “Albumsi” is a gloriously kaleidoscopic, thrill-a-minute concoction that counts as Schulte’s single greatest body of work to date.
VA – Diamonds In The Night [BAP134]
Bordello is back with a new compilation series: Diamonds In The Night. An homage to the hours of darkness (and the great composer who went by the name of Felli – R.I.P.). From ecstatic peak time dance floor action to erotic euphoria and its more edgy after hours just before dawn. For the first volume we’ve selected four fine diamonds by The Hacker and Voiron from France, Armonics from Italy and Discobeton from Bulgaria.
Aux88 – Counterparts [DBC001]
The return of the extraterrestrial time travelers Aux88 have returned with an all new double LP, Counterparts. Unforgettable bass lines and vocals that make everyone run to the dance floor and ascend to the DJ booth for confirmation of, “who is this?” Side A – starts with the track “Intel.” The string work and Kraftwerkian tone is evident with this gem. Aux88 takes it even further with a message to the electro haters, “You Don’t Want None of This!” Side B – “Moon Walker” simply put…that Bass Line…wow! As only Aux88 and a few others can do it … Detroit styled Parliament Funkadelic funky. Side C – gives homage to the Detroit jitters with the track “Pothole Paradise.” It’s fast funky and not for messing around. As Mike Banks said in the Aux88 documentary interview, “when DJ’s drop Aux88 shit, it’s time to dance and shake that ass!” Pothole Paradise is exactly that type of track….Detroit Proud. The culmination of all original 4 members returning for a new flight from the Aux quadrant to invade the world. The Double LP gives you electro/techno funk from Detroit Legends Blak Tony, K-1, Posatronix & Tom Tom.
Random XS / Zero One & Allert – Reverse Deception [DAT006]
When Utrecht based acid/techno outfit Random XS resumed activity after many years of hibernation, their archive turned out to be full of unreleased recordings. Now is Discos Atonicos who unearthed some more hidden gems.
Cignol – Radiant Process EP [LDR_22]
Cignol returns to Lunar Disko after his two outstanding EPs on the LDRX series. Four more electro-acid gems gravitating onto LDR from the futuristic world of Cignol.
