Long awaited re-press of this Techno gem by Aril Brikha, originally released on Kompakt in 2007.
Aril Brikha – Winter EP [KOM151]
re-release
Mujahideen – Dead Language [CM-RE02 / NRR2]
As the world got even worse in the past ten years, Mujahideen’s songs from 2014 about greed, vengeance, culture slaves and the human factor are more relevant than ever in 2024, as it seems that the world is trapped in a vicious circle, which summons new dawn of Fascism. Therefore, Dead Language still sounds like a prophecy of wrath accompanied by a shivering crossover of post punk, dub and industrial, inspired by bands like Suicide, P.I.L, The Fall, Mark Stewart & The Maffia, Section 25, Psychic TV, The Young Gods and The Chameleons, which offers a captivating but desperate introspection into the abyss of humankind.
Zenana – Witches [RHRSS37]
Originally released on seven-inch by the tiny PRM label in 1986, ‘Witches’ was the product of a sister-brother songwriting team whose music was mostly recorded in the front room of a terraced house in Nanpean, a small industrial village in Cornwall, England’s most south-westerly county. While the single was infectious, impeccably produced and dancefloor-ready, it sold in limited quantities at the time. It comes backed by a brand-new extended ‘spell of love’ courtesy of Bristol duo Bedmo Disco, AKA music journalist Matt Anniss and DJ/production partner Gareth Morgan.
Patrick Cowley – Kickin’ In [DE-273]
Dark Entries again shines a spotlight on bathhouse disco don Patrick Cowley with a newly remastered release of Kickin’ In. Although Cowley tragically passed from AIDS-related illness in 1982, he left an extensive archive of unreleased tapes, many of which Dark Entries has had the honor of releasing. While working as a lighting technician at The City, SF’s disco cabaret, Cowley saw rising star Frank Loverde perform. Cowley asked Loverde to contribute vocals to some material in progress, and Frank, Linda Imperial, and Peggy Gibbons joined Cowley in the studio. The resulting songs included “Kickin’ In,” a 9-minute cybernetic disco stormer that taps into the essence of Cowley’s hi-NRG sound: equal parts spaced out and zoned in on the dancefloor. In May 1978 Cowley joined Loverde on stage at The City to perform “Kickin’ In” as they opened for disco diva Sylvester. “Kickin’ In” was initially released in 2015 via Honey Soundsystem who found the tapes in the basement of Megatone Records owner John Hedges. This newly remastered version was made possible due to the discovery of the original multi-track recordings of “Kickin’ In,” allowing for a fresh mixdown by Jim Hopkins as well as the creation of a new instrumental version. Also included are two impeccably sleazy Cowley jams recorded in 1980, “Thief of Love” and “Make It Come Loose.” Cowley narrates excerpts from his erotic journals on these raunchy slow-burners, capturing the vibe of SF’s leather bars and backrooms. “Thief of Love” features Cowley collaborator Paul Parker on background vocals.
Aquatronics – Sunset Streams EP [CLS001]
Aquatronics AKA Datawave, Is Gaétan Votion of Brussels. The “Sunset Streams” EP immediately became highly sought after and revered, after selling out 200 copies in just under 3 months in 2021, quickly making an imprint on the electro scene. 3 years later, 200 crystal clear records have re-incarnated for everyone who couldn’t get a copy the first time.
The Zombies – Zombi / In The Land Of The Zombi [BST-X102]
It’s difficult to ”label” the songs of this authoritative and necessary official reissue. ”Zombi” and ”In the Land of the Zombi” are two electro disco-funks from 1979, therefore from three years before was born the ”Italo-Disco” style, certainly more powerful, aggressive and more electronic than the ”Made in Italy” disco style of the 2nd half of the 70s. The creation of the original 7″ by Salvatore Ida, great musician and bandleader – to whom this excellent reissue is dedicated – was a sort of game for the authors of the two pieces: Federico Ida and Massimo Ida, were protagonists 4 years before of the Italian progressive rock scene with the sister Silvana Ida, Marcello Surace and Franco Vinci thanks to the immeasurable and acclaimed album ”Apoteosi”. So The Zombies were destined to pair with another easy ’79 joke by the Ida brothers: ”Let’s Go” and ”Mustang” by Sandwich. The two long versions of ”Zombi” and ”In the Land of the Zombi” were re-edited by Massimo Berardi, always diligent and active, as well as tidy and aware of where he was putting his hands, are fundamental in order to complete this 12″.
J.P. Energy – I Have A Pessimistic Outlook Of Life EP [SMI-015]
The second release to come out of Sound Metaphors’ collaboration with the Italian electronic music Don, Gianpiero Pacetti aka J.P. Energy. “I Have A Pessimistic Outlook Of Life EP” showcases a considerably more mature and polished sound relative to the previous release as the artist moves into the end of the 90’s. Here things get more serious and even more “industrial” with a darker and perhaps more cynical tone, not unlike the title of the EP. A 3 track record, very much oriented towards the dance floor. The EP was fisrt released in 1999 by the Italian label Spectrum (Civiltà Del Suono).
Time Modem – Der Mantel Der Nacht [BOY8828-24]
The Vision – Spectral Nomad [M025R]
As The Vision, Robert Hood provided Detroit techno a pinnacle of the artform. It may be justifiably best known for the lip-bitingly strong minimalist transport of Detroit: One Circle with its sparing central refrain “Detroit” and spine-playing riffage, or for the killer Explain The Style variant, but for us the EP’s shortest and freakiest number Modern And Ancient is also one of its strongest, a mad, half-stepping slice of Afro-futurist electro encryption that still blows our mind today.
Eleven Pond – Bas Relief LP [DE-001R]
Dark Entries celebrates its 15th anniversary by returning to where it all started, the initial darkest entry: Eleven Pond’s masterpiece ‘Bas Relief’, an ultra-obscure album from 1986 that would become a definitive dark pop holy grail. Eleven Pond was James Tabbi (vocals, acoustic guitar), Jeff Gallea (drum machine, synthesizer, vocals), Jack Schaeffer (guitar) and Dan Brumley (synthesizer, samples, vocoder, melodica). They met in Rochester, NY, while attending art school, brought together by their shared love of 4AD and Factory Records. Taking cues from acts like Joy Division, Fad Gadget, and For Against, Eleven Pond’s infectious basslines, churning guitar riffs, and atmospheric synths will charm all fans of moody music. But what really makes Bas Relief shine is the timeless songwriting on classics like “Tear and Cinnamon”, “Portugal”, and the anthemic “Watching Trees.” With only 500 copies in it’s initial release, ‘Bas Relief’ resurfaces with a fresh remaster that corrects a pitch shift from previous reissues. ‘Bas Relief’ is a true lost relic of the cold 80’s and an essential piece Dark Entries history.
Cetu Javu – Southern Lands LP [MEC087]
Javier Revilla and Chris Demere, both from Hanover and inspired by electronic music of Kraftwerk and Jean-Michel Jarre, started to experiment with sounds since the late 70’s. The arrival of New Wave with bands like Heaven 17, The Human League, Soft Cell and Depeche Mode influenced these teenagers to began Cetu Javu in 1984 with Javier on vocals, Chris on synths, guitar, programming, Torsten Engelke on keyboards and Stefen Engelke on bass. Like their compatriots Camouflage, Cetu Javu were unapologetically Depeche Mode-like in their sound, but with a fairly original twist on their synth pop formula. The band signed a contract with Records and released their debut album “Southern Lands” in 1990. “Southern Lands” is re-released including all original songs plus some extended versions, remixes and bonus tracks from the accompanying singles “Situations”, “Have in Mind” and “So Strange”.
Caroline K – Now Wait For Last Year LP [MNQ159LP]
Mannequin Records present the official reissue of Caroline K’s outstanding 1987 album, “Now Wait For Last Year.” This haunting, wistful work of post-industrial synthesizer music sees the late Nocturnal Emissions co-founder only solo record. The music on “Now Wait For Last Year” seems to exist firmly outside of it. Tags like industrial, minimal synth or proto-techno can’t really do justice to the richly cinematic sound-world that Caroline K describes: from the sustained ambient tension of sidelong opener “The Happening World” to the future-primitive rhythms and stately piano flourishes “Animal Lattice”, and the melancholic, deep-frozen synth sequences of “Cheart”.”
49th Floor – Night Passage [UCP001]
Vibraphone Records re-issues 49th Floor ”Night Passage” from 1992. First time re-press on original label with original and re-mastered tracks. Warm deep house with jazzy influences all over. Classic record for every house collecter.
Marc Romboy & Blake Baxter – Freakin’ [SYST0006-6SPECI]
Perfectly timed for Systematic’s 20th birthday, the label presents a transparent vinyl version of one of the biggest club hits on the label, “Freakin” by Blake Baxter and Marc Romboy, 19 years after its release. In addition to the two versions from 2005, there is an exclusive and brand-new SID, which teleports the track into the pixelated worlds of SID and Commodore C64 sounds.
Gene Hughes aka Bluemoon Productions – Track Show (Volume Two) [HM032]
HOTMIX RECORDS re-issues Bluemoon Productions aka Gene Hughes “Track Show (Volume Two)”. Formerly released on Code Blue Records in 1990.
Dopplereffekt – Gesamtkunstwerk LP [C#CC005LP]
Originally released as three stunning 12inches on Dataphysix records in the mid ‘90s, the LP edition of ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ on Clone Classic Cuts is available again after being out of print for years – with new artwork for 2024. Including iconic tracks like ‘Scientist’, ‘Pornoactress’, ‘Sterilization’, ‘Rocket Scientist’, ‘Cellular Phone’ and ‘Speak & Spell’. ‘Gesamtkunstwerk’ is almost as important for the techno generation as Kraftwerk’s ‘Computerworld’ and ‘Autobahn’ were for many in the ‘70s.
Paul Paul – Burn On The Flames [IDL067]
In 1985 Styloo members Alberto Signorini and Tullio Colombo delivered the less known, but equally powerful dancefloor monster ‘Burn on the Flames’. Increasingly hard to find, the team at Iventi Records delivers this remastered release, complete with original cover art.
Gene Hughes aka Bluemoon Productions – Track Show (Volume One) [HM031]
HOTMIX Records re-issues Bluemoon Productions aka Gene Hughes “Track Show (Volume One)”. Formerly released on Code Blue Records in 1990.
Cento – Photochrome [MISSYOU034]
With a mysteriously unknown release date, “Photochrome” could have been originally put out somewhere between the late 70’s to early 80’s on the Italian Idea label, which although only boasting a minuscule catalogue of mainly 7”s has gotten the attention of many collectors of European disco obscurities for releases such as “Flavio – Drum Explosion” and “Aleo’s Band – EOE”. “Photochrome” features a very organic sound with hints of early electronics that might have been making their way into studios at the time. A fast passed driving bass line layered with what almost sounds like an early 303 bass line and spacey/cosmic vocals. Dry drum recordings give it a naive DIY feel which coupled with the experimental tricks on the vocals results in a very unique sound that has put this release on the radars of diggers world-wide. Now available once again at an affordable price with a new two part bonus beats remix that starts off as a more DJ friendly tool but soon embarks into a questionable full-fledged acid house excursion.
Neuro State – I Remember Gino / Pleasures In Africa [SMR024]
Another well kept secret from the Italian cult electronic music imprint – Interactive Test. A 4 track EP with a wide range of flavours in “house” music, very much dependent on the different samples employed. A side starts off with a deep house track echoing similar atmospheric qualities as to some of the dancefloor oriented productions making their way into US underground scene around that time, specifically Chicago and Detroit. The Percapella Mix makes the dedication to the Canadian Disco legend Gino Soccio very clear with a lengthy sample of “There’s a Woman”, a track which uses early electronics in a pioneering way, with what could possibly be one of the first examples of an Acid Bass line. On the B-side, things slow down a notch with more clear cut explorations in Acid house featuring layers of synths and percussive samples and occasional placement of vocal samples from countries far away from Italy, all made possible thanks to the new exciting technologies that had recently been made available to producers at the time.
The Hipodrome Of Music 