Cold Beat – A Simple Reflection [DE223]

August 21, 2018July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, cold beat, dark entries records, re-release, reissue, synth popLeave a comment

Cold Beat is a San Francisco-based quartet fronted by Hannah Lew (synths, vocals) with Kyle King (synths, guitar), Luciano Talpini Aita (synths) and Sean Monaghan (guitar). Formed in 2013 the band has released three albums and two EPs. ‘A Simple Reflection’ is a 7-song collection of Eurythmics covers, yet feels just as personal as any of their original material. While digging through a collection of 12?s for her record shop Contact Records, Lew stumbled across the earliest Eurythmics B-sides and was floored. This lead to the discovery of their debut album ‘In The Garden’. Annie Lennox’s abstract and poetic lyrics really struck a chord with Hannah. What had started out as a single cover quickly snowballed into a full blown obsession. The synth and drum programming resonated with her songwriting process, so reimagining them was very creatively fulfilling. The covers on this EP are simultaneously dynamic and atmospheric post-punk that plays to Lew’s ethereal vocals and King’s crystalline guitar.

Polaroid – Senza Respiro LP [DE219]

August 21, 2018July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, polaroid, re-release, reissue, synth popLeave a comment

Polaroid were an Italian post-punk/new wave band, formed in Turin in 1981. The original lineup of the band consisted of Marcello Zavatto (voice, guitar), Massimo Vagnarelli (bass, drum-machine), Evandro Fornasier (guitar), Claudio Vagnarelli (synthersizer) and Marco Farano (Drums). Polaroid made their debut with the cassette 6-track EP ‘Senza Respiro’, self-released in 1984. Influenced by Bauhaus, Joy Division, The Cure, Pere Ubu as well as Chic and Talking Heads. The music was dark and cold, but also melodic especially with regards to guitars and voices. At the end of 1984 the band added vocalist Michele Cantoblundo while drummer Marco left and was replaced by a Roland TR-909. With Michele began a period of very dark and poetic music, influenced also by bands like Red Lorry Yellow Lorry and The Sisters of Mercy. The band peacefully broke-up in 1987. This vinyl re-issue of ‘Senza Respiro’ contains all 6 original songs with 4 bonus tracks from the band’s later period.

Doris Norton – Artificial Intelligence [MNQ121]

August 20, 2018June 21, 2024 hipodromealbum, doris norton, electro, experimental, mannequin records, re-release, reissue, synth pop, synth waveLeave a comment

Mannequin Records present a trilogy of reissues from the avantgarde Italian-born producer Doris Norton, ”Norton Computer For Peace” (1983), ”Personal Computer” (1984), ”Artificial Intellingence” (1985). Apple’s first music ”endorsement” and Roland affiliate, Doris Norton is one of the most important women pioneer in the use of synths and in the early electro / computer music.

El Deux + Martin Kraft – Nur Fur Madchen LP [DE218]

August 20, 2018July 17, 2024 hipodromealbum, dark entries records, el deux, krautrock, martin kraft, re-release, reissue, synth pop, synth waveLeave a comment

El Deux is the Swiss electro-pop trio of Gutze Gautschi (guitar, vocals), Steno Onetz (bass), Martin Kraft (vocals, drum machine). Formed circa 1981 in Aarau by Gutze and Steno who played together in punk/New Wave band Fresh Color aka Frische Farbe featuring a pre-Yello Dieter Meier. Gutze’s minimal electronic compositions did not fit the concept of Fresh Color, so they formed a new project with their live mixer, Martin Kraft, on vocals. The group was quite successful with many concerts, mainly in southern Germany and various TV appearances in Germany and abroad. Between April/September 1982 they recorded and mixed their debut album ‘Nur Für Mädchen’ in 15 days at Powerplay Studios, Zurich. The LP was released later that year on Gold Records. Influences at that time were of course the NDW “Neue Deutsche Welle” movement and also from Gutze’s time as a musician & guitarist since 1965. Their step up for recording was a Moog Prodigy, Korg Rhythm 55 (KR-55), Simmons Drums, Casiotone 202, Guitar and Bass.

Umo Vogue – Just My Love EP [DE217]

August 20, 2018July 17, 2024 hipodromedark entries records, italo-disco, re-release, reissue, synth pop, umo vogueLeave a comment

Umo Vogue formed in Bristol by Stig Manley, Russ Crook and Neil Deamer who were in Bath based ska rock outfit ‘The AT’s’, along with Bristol based singer Debbie Marlow. Neil’s Brother Clive joined the band bringing a fantastic new dynamic to the band on drums, percussion and heavy artillery. The band name is a deliberate misspelling of the ultra-chic Italian fashion magazine ‘L’Uomo Vogue’. After winning the Bristol ‘Battle of the Bands’ in 1982 they were signed to Phonogram and dropped a few months later. They then signed to EMI in ’83 and released their first single ‘Just My Love’ released in early 1984. The second single was ‘Make It Real’ and was never released as the band were culled from the EMI roster in late ’84. For this reissue of their debut single we’ve added 3 bonus tracks, a demo of “Just My Love”, the unreleased follow single “Make It Real” and a bedroom demo “Erotica.” Each song displays ridiculously catchy melodies and innovative electronic rhythms. The drum tracks, a combination of rhythm machines and hand percussion, were mixed down from the 4-track tape used as backing on stage, with the rich slap bass and Roland SH09 synths weaves fluid lead lines in between the harmony vocals.

E.R.P. – Evoked Potentials 2/3 [SEM015]

July 31, 2018March 17, 2020 hipodromeconvextion, detroit, e.r.p, electro, gerard hanson, re-release, reissue, semantica recordsLeave a comment

Second part of the Evoked Potentials Series by Gerard Hanson’s E.R.P. project.

Alex Cortex – ñ [HOV007]

July 27, 2018July 26, 2018 hipodromealex cortex, boullabass, house, housewax, kenem emanation, rawax, re-release, reissue, technoLeave a comment

Housewax reissues Alex Cortex’s groundbreaking release from 2008 called “ñ”.

Knight Action – Single Girl / D-rail [LDR071]

July 25, 2018July 25, 2018 hipodromechicago, duane thamm jr., house, italo-disco, knight action, let's dance records, mike macharello, re-release, reissue, still musicLeave a comment

Ultra-rare proto-house vibes from Chicago courtesy of Still Music. This one’s long been coveted by followers of the jacking beat, the apostles of WBMX. Produced by Mike Macharello & Duane Thamm Jr this is a truly unique record and one that is very hard to obtain. If you dig the earliest grooves from the Windy City, or you have a passing interest in Italo or Freestyle then this is for you. A fully legit 12″ reissue, taken from Still Music’s recent, comprehensive overview of the ‘Let’s Dance’ label this is unmissable.

Dan Curtin – The Silicon Dawn [PF018]

July 21, 2018July 18, 2018 hipodromealbum, dan curtin, detroit techno, minimal techno, peacefrog records, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Reissue of the legendary debut album “The Silicon Dawn” by the US producer Dan Curtin, which appeared in 1994 on Peacefrog. In the best Detroit-style, Curtin managed to set melodies and harmonic levels over complex percussion, which at that time in an innovative way broke the usual techno standard.

Amnésie with the Nicolosi Family – Turas [ESP005]

July 17, 2018July 16, 2018 hipodromeamnesie, best record, espacial discos, italo-disco, nicolosi family, re-release, reissue, tony carrascoLeave a comment

Another italo-disco and proto-house classic that inspired the early house movement. Heavily played in Chicago now reissued in the right form including the unreleased dub version mixed by the legendary dj Tony Carrasco.

Aura (Aspiritual Emanation) – Spiritual Conection [DWAPS2003]

July 15, 2018August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrodisia, album, aura, funk, outernational, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

The unseen forces emitting out around ever being natures forces of destiny. Belief itself is God. AURA’s journey could be best described as a spiritual call to connect man and music. Each new day brought in new and more difficult problems. In the hardest of times Aura lost their original lead guitarist. Green-Bird real name Dannie Stewart – a Jamaican, humble, handsome, and talented to the bones. He was too nice to die. He was drowned in a river within the historical city of Benin. All friendly hearts cried and cried, a memory too sad to recollect. Aura’s journey sorrowly went along. Full of accedents, and frustration. We nearly crash-landed. Thanks to Sheila, for her love and courage. Uzo, a true frendship that inspired every-body in Aura. He solved so many problems. Gratitude is the only word of our choice. The Lawsons and the Shotade family also have their very noble thanks; they were nice and helpful. Many more thanks to the numerous friends and heart-felt appriciations to Mr. J. H. Booth – Decca’s new Director for his kindness and the entire staff that made this great 8 track maiden stereo album possible. A solid belief in ourselves has pushed this group to this point; Aura making an ”Astral Trip”. This is an album which is a sincere sweet fruit of determination, soulful enough to turn you loose into true life experiences of good music. All I owe you is love and appreciation.

Super Elcados – Togetherness Is Always A Good Venture: Tambourine Party Vol. 2 [MRBLP163]

July 15, 2018August 30, 2023 hipodromeafrican, afrobeat, album, disco, funk, jazz, mr bongo, outernational, re-release, reissue, super elcadosLeave a comment

Mr Bongo’s latest full-length reissue is something of a gem: the near impossible-to-find 1976 debut album from the Super Elcados. It first appeared on EMI Nigeria, though in recent years original copies have become more rare than the hen’s teeth and a coherent government policy on Brexit. Listening to this fine re-mastered reissue, it’s easy to see why the album is so beloved by African soul, funk and disco collectors. While it does boast a clutch of tracks that wear their Afrobeat influence with pride, the majority of the album is far more funk and soul-fired in tone. Throughout, the playing and production is spot on, with plenty of killer percussion breaks dotted throughout for good measure. Nigerian fire!

Magic In Threes – Return Of [KU050]

July 7, 2018July 5, 2018 hipodromealbum, funk, g.e.d. soul records, jazz, king underground, magic in threes, psychedelic, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Originally released in 2015 on cassette by G.E.D. Soul Records. Now for the first time on 12″ LP vinyl on King Underground. The album is a collection of delightfully smoked out, library inspired instrumentals. Following in the footsteps of their highly enjoyable 2011 debut. ”Return Of” combines many shades of many moods into a tight record that finds a nice balance between strange hype arrangements and super chill ”couch-lock” inducing slow jams. It embarks on a cinematic soul journey from the opening note, through the interlude, straight to the closing credits.

Annette – Dream 17 [MC019]

July 5, 2018July 5, 2018 hipodromea guy called gerald, acid house, annette, deconstruction, derrick may, mint condition, re-release, reissue, t-coyLeave a comment

Mint Condition is a reissue label focused on excavating the outer fringes of classic House and Techno. Unreleased mixes, classics and overlooked gems mined from the last 20+ of contemporary dance music are the order of the day. 1988, the second ‘summer of love’, the UK is in the grip of acid house fever, warehouses, sports halls, basements and nightclubs are reverberating to the new dance sounds emanating from Chicago and Detroit. Annette was built around vocalist Annette Dos Reis and it this was a veritable all-star group featuring Mike Pickering, A guy called Gerald, Simon Topping and Ritchie Close. ‘Dream 17’ was the group’s first outing on the newly minted DeConstruction label in 1988. Obviously it made perfect sense to draft in Detroit’s Derrick May to craft a stellar remix.

Colin Potter – The Where House [DE214]

June 26, 2018June 25, 2018 hipodromealbum, colin potter, dark entries records, electro, integrated circuit recordings, minimal synth, re-release, reissue, synth waveLeave a comment

Colin Potter is a sound engineer and musician currently based in London. He has worked within the fields of electronic and experimental music for over 35 years. He started the esteemed ICR (Integrated Circuit Recordings) label in 1981 releasing a clutch of wonderful home recordings of his own, over half a dozen small run cassette only releases. ‘The Where House?’ was recorded in 1981 at IC Studio, a converted wash house in Sutton on the Forest in North Yorkshire. The album was self-released on cassette that same year via ICR. This expanded double LP edition features all 13 tracks from the original tape on vinyl for the first time plus 4 bonus tracks. ‘The Where House?’ is a prime example of early UK post-punk/industrial electronic music.

Lost Trax – Lost² [DSR/X13]

June 13, 2018June 12, 2018 hipodromedelsin records, detroit techno, electro, lost trax, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Delsin’s reissue arm once again looks to the revered back catalogue of Lost Trax for a second 12″ that picks out the best of the anonymous collective’s work. The EP features five cuts taken from two highly sought after EPs released on Tabernacle Records in 2011 and 2012. ‘The Eye’ opens things up with punchy drum programming and the sort of sci-fi effects and synths that immediately take you to a future intergalactic world. It’s a weighty but emotional opener, while ‘Pulp’ is more twisted and urgent, with warped synth sounds and busy, bristling drums and perc all building pressure throughout. ‘The Forest’ resets the mood with mystic synths and mysterious atmospheres that mix ambient beauty with suggestive skeletal beats. ‘B01’ then canes through the cosmos on a Detroit electro tip with slithers of synth, swollen pads and crisp hits and ‘Dominion’ rounds things out in hurried fashion. The restless electro drums pound away as prickly snares and cymbals, blurts of machine noise and sweeping pads all wrestle for attention and keep you on your toes. This is high octane electro and techno designed with metallic precision but oozing plenty of human feelings.

Yagya – Rigning (2018) [DSR/X14]

June 10, 2018June 7, 2018 hipodromealbum, delsin records, dub techno, re-release, reissue, yagyaLeave a comment

Yagya’s Rigning album from 2009 is the Icelandic producer’s most acclaimed dub, techno and minimal masterpiece. Due to popular demand, Delsin are now re-issuing it across three slabs of vinyl. Previously only available as a double pack with eight tracks, the new re-mastered version features all 10 of the tracks from the original CD.

Posatronix – Danz EP [DBC4W-030]

May 19, 2018June 30, 2020 hipodromedetroit, direct beat, direct beat classics, electro, posatronix, re-release, reissueLeave a comment

Released in 1997, the sound of electro / techno came to a point where it had to evolve into a new and more grounded entity, keyed into funk / space & rooted origins that reflected an ever-changing landscape throughout Detroit and the ‘Aux-Quadrant’. The bouncy bass line soul of ‘Posatronix’ project emerges in silence among several platforms without hint of a proper biography or introduction. Now in 2018, we re-introduce these dance floor/ dj crate mainstays that have continued to be cherished classics from the very men that not only too rhythmically-funky electro by storm, but raised the bar and took matters into their own hands. 100% Mechanical Electronic Funk.

Meo – Fine Corsa [KH014]

May 16, 2018May 15, 2018 hipodromedaniele mei, disco, knekelhuis, meo, minimal synth, re-release, reissue, synth waveLeave a comment

MEO - Fine Corsa

Meo, pseudonym of Daniele Mei, is a cosmic dj from Rimini, Italy. Fine Corsa was his first record, released in 1985. In those days Meo was active in what was later considered to be the most famous Afro Dance Club in Italy: Melody Mecca. This release is an intensely creative hybrid of many styles and many colors. Even up until the present day this record continues to be very important in some preeminent European clubs.

V-Sor X – Authors 2 [PM22]

May 10, 2018May 9, 2018 hipodromeminimal synth, morgan bryan, peripheral minimal, re-release, reissue, synth pop, v-sor xLeave a comment

Coming to Peripheral Minimal is a classic of the synth-pop scene. V-Sor X (pronounced VEE-SORE-EX), originate from the midlands town of Lichfield (known as, rather disturbingly, ‘field of the dead’, in Latin), an important (historically speaking) but unremarkable place. V-Sor X was founded in 1979 as a vehicle for Morgan Bryan, who influenced by the post-punk protagonists and the new-wave of electronic musicians, formed a band. This is a reissue of the first single by, ‘V-Sor,X’ entitled, ‘Authors 2’, originally released in 1982 on DOX Music, in a very limited edition of 300.