VA – Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016 [BP20167]

VARIOUS - Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016

Founded 20 years ago, Blueprint Records has remained one of the true driving forces behind British techno. To celebrate this special anniversary label founder James Ruskin and Blueprint friends have created a compilation of brand new music to celebrate this landmark. These exclusive tracks are released here as the ‘20 Years Of Blueprint Compilation’ limited edition box-set, with a collection of four clear vinyl records as well as poster and sticker inserts.

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VA – Structures & Solutions: 1996-2016 [BP20167]

VA – Infrastructure Facticity [INF022]

Function & Inland’s Infrastructure introduces its next milestone – Facticity. A 4×12” vinyl box set, CD and digital compilation featuring 15 tracks by key artists, label colleagues and new faces. Function, Inland, Campbell Irvine, Post Scriptum, Cassegrain & Tin Man, Rrose, Efdemin, Vatican Shadow, Silent Servant, Blue Hour, Steve Bicknell and Cleric all feature, spinning a narrative ranging from lush, ambient electronics and post-club diversions, to contemporary club techno and back again. Carefully curated as an album, Facticity represents the foundations of what Infrastructure stands for – a manifesto for 2016 and beyond.

vinyl / CD

VA – Infrastructure Facticity [INF022]

VA – Snare Tapes 001 [SNTPS001]

Module Werk kicks off proceedings with ‘On The Verge’, one of two tracks by the elusive Russian. Warm, yet brutal sound design underpins ascending chords, whilst percussion leaps in and out of the track to complement its narrative, before an acid-esque line, leads the way. A2 sees Drummond’s next outing on vinyl, with ‘Concentric Rinds’. Here the versatile producers track is centred around a bass line that has dynamic range from the playful to the wonderfully aggressive. Embedded underneath is a sonic remit that is as nostalgic sounding, as it is forward thinking. The second offering from Module Werk has more of a direct approach than his A1 track. A straight up acid line gets thrown around the track, while snares and kick drums dance directly with it. It’s tension never wavers. The B2 side is by Leeds and Mint Club resident Bobby O’Donnell. His track ‘Repartition’ is circled around a warm bass line while stabs, synths and hi pitched melodies happily jostle with each other throughout the track.

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VA – Snare Tapes 001 [SNTPS001]

The Angel Race – Ghetto Sketches [MATH087]

Second EP on Mathematics from Jamal Moss aka Hieroglyphic Being and Deviere ”Ghetto Sketches EP” is an experimental fusion of Jazz/Deep House/Black Noise Art Rebellion that will invoke mental incantations of fever.

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The Angel Race – Ghetto Sketches [MATH087]

Circling Vultures – Circling Vultures [LIES030.5]

Chicago veterans Justin Long and Ken Zawacki debut their Circling Vultures project on L.I.E.S. with three tracks of jackin’ mid-Western techno.

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Circling Vultures – Circling Vultures [LIES030.5]

In Æternam Vale – Pink Flamingos [DM3D013]

In Æternam Vale, long the best-kept secret of the french synth punk scene, has been revealed many times now. This is about writing a new chapter of that 33+ years story, that begun in Lyon in 1983 as a band, whose leader Laurent Prot – an electronics pioneer and maniac – took over as a solo act since 1985. This new album explores another side of ‘IAV’, that echoes how Laurent sounds now – a ferocious take on techno, post-punk rhythmic elements and drone soundscapes, planted with unrestrained improvisation, and getting closure with a song time after time. This record is not a compilation of tracks that would stick to a particular time period or subgenre. On the contrary ; there is a definite common thread, that had been found while losing oneself in the intensity of his spectacular live performances lately. Being carried away by his drone improvisations and smothering bass bins, and hearing him play his music, both old and new, there is a singular feeling of both freedom and transcendence that emanates from his music. Some of his lives have lead audiences to become completely silent, and taken away by hypnosis, some other have caused a riot, leading the audience to ultimate excitement. IAV stands for a whole-hearted involvement in the making of his music, and despite the cold and electronic textures, there is a sense of intimacy that we’ve tried to reflect through the choice of the closing song “La Pluie”.

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In Æternam Vale – Pink Flamingos [DM3D013]

Marcelus – Vibrations [TRESOR287]

Following an already fluent relationship with music and a string of single releases on Tresor Records, Marcelus – given name Cedric Bros – thought it would be the opportune moment to dive into his most intimate inspirations and produce Vibrations, his debut album. This full length project naturally comes at a pivotal moment for Marcelus, his experiences and knowledge coming together to create a homogenous body of work reflective of his expertise as a musician so far. Vibrations is purposefully techno oriented. It is a personal journey through his proficiency in the genre, travelling from techno to house inspired dub techno to futuristic and experimental by the end of the three vinyls.To calculate the dark, nonetheless melancholic energy of the record, mathematical datas of Pi and Phi were deliberately measured into some parts of the composition of each track. The result is an ever-evolving web of rhythms that redefines pre-established structures

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Marcelus – Vibrations [TRESOR287]

Peter Van Hoesen – Quadra [DKMNTL-UFO1]

Dekmantel is adding a new series to their label called UFO. Following the same-titled stage on the annual summer festival in Amsterdam, the UFO releases focus on the same sound spectrum, aphotic, experimental and futuristic techno, electro and electronica. Kicking off the DKMNTL UFO series is esoteric techno stalwart Peter van Hoesen. The Berlin-based Belgian DJ and producer has attracted a dedicated following for his signature sound of psychedelic and perscussion driven productions, and will continue to do so thanks to his distinctive take on how to inaugurate our new platform. From dystopian kinetic techno (‘Cartesian Taiko’) to an anarchic and dub heavy break beat jam (‘Duet Dub’), and from the rolling and hypnotic peak-time intensifier (‘P2ME’) to synth-heavy seductive high tech soul (‘Qaudra’): Van Hoesen casually wallops you round the back of the head with gargantuan bass vibes.

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Peter Van Hoesen – Quadra [DKMNTL-UFO1]

Planetary Assault System – Planetary Funk 22 Light Years Series: Part I [MOTE046]

More than any other UK techno producer, Luke Slater has remained at the cutting edge. This is partly due to his ability to make forward-thinking music, but as this new series demonstrates, he also possesses an uncanny knack for pairing off with other inspired artists. “Gated” is vintage PAS material from the 90s, its distorted rhythm lent a housey bias here thanks to Ben Sims’ superb remix. It’s hard to believe that “Dungeon”, available here in its original format, dates back to 1997, as its bleepy, tunneling groove and its ‘swarm of bee’ hums make for exactly the kind of hypnotic sounds that many modern producers try – and fail – to emulate. Completing this excellent release is a dry, tribal version of “Dunegon” by O [Phase] from Token.

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Planetary Assault System – Planetary Funk 22 Light Years Series: Part I [MOTE046]

Ma Spaventi – Isola Sommersa [MOSLP4]

SPAVENTI, Ma - Isola Sommersa

A year after his debut album “Viaggi”, Amsterdam based italian Marco Antonio Spaventi is back with another fine full length statement. Entitled “Isola Sommersa” and landing on M>O>S Recordings, it follows up after many great EPs on the label over the last five years. Spaventi has a passion for old school house but always brings it up to date. Using hardware tools like a natural extension of his body, he cooks up rugged grooves, nostalgic moods and smoky atmospheres that cocoon you in sound of its own. Long the way here, Spaventi dips his toes into various waters with equal success. There are spaced out and invitingly warm grooves such as the rubbery ‘Tape Noodles’, blissful ambient interludes like ‘Undisclosed’ and serene synth passages filled with retro future beauty such as the closer ‘Titanic Moments.’ Cuts like ‘Simple Mind’ prove this artist can conjure up genuine feelings of internal reflection as well as raw physical drum lines, and ‘Best Regards’ is a tantalisingly go slow bit of cosmic house that erupts into a fluid acid track. Though Chicago and Detroit are obvious reference points, Spaventi always develops his own ideas with a refreshing vibe. It makes for an album that is house at its heart, but also one that is ambitious, absorbing and widescreen in the way it is executed.

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Ma Spaventi – Isola Sommersa [MOSLP4]

Steve Poindexter – Classic Collection Vol.1 [MUZIQUE012]

Limited edition reissue compiles 3 much sought-after classic tracks from one of the true Chicago House pioneers, Steve Poindexter. Original uncut versions of ”Jam The Body” and ”Short Circut”, as well as ”State Of Shock”.

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Steve Poindexter – Classic Collection Vol.1 [MUZIQUE012]

Metropolis – Angstpolitiek [PBD001]

Introducing Broken Dreams, a new series of white label releases on Rotterdam based Pinkman label. First up is Metropolis, who returns with four Wave, Electro and Body Music hybrids. A quartet of tracks that draw on Lapien’s diverse catalogue, this is undoubtedly some of his darkest music to date. Acid, New Beat and Post-Punk influences bubble and churn throughout. Crisp beats crash, strings lament, vocals sigh and synth stabs squirm for an EP that refuses to conform to norms. A hoarse and harsh cry to open a new Pinkman chapter.

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Metropolis – Angstpolitiek [PBD001]