Terminal 313

Architectural - Looking Ahead / Peacetime (SEMANTICA 40)

2012-02-09T10:04:00.001+02:00

Rating: 7/10

In March, Semantica's constant flow of new releases continues with Architectural's two-tracker. Unlike Developer's "Trade Beliefs", the single by Juan Rico refrains from dark drones and pounding loops while still addressing the floor.
A-side's crisp "Looking Ahead" is launched with growling bass and offers thriving arpeggios, but the scenery is disturbed by a too extended atmospheric break in the middle, making the track feel a bit unfinished. "Peacetime", in turn, is a solid chunk of techno, which reminds of earlier Axis and Joey Beltram output. Again bass-heavy banger in the start, it obtains dubbier features with bright chord-driven conclusion. A proper tool for a DJ case.

Sounds and artwork appear closer to the release date.

Hypnobooster (Hypnobooster CD)

2012-02-08T09:47:00.000+02:00

Rating: 7/10

Subconsciously, I have been waiting for Hypnobooster's debut since seeing his street art in central Tallinn. Nine lines of poetry invited to give to the streets girl names. Gradually the identity of the outdoor visual artists was revealed, with the knowledge that Hypnobooster is preparing his first album. Upfront tracks on some compilations, like "HÕFF", made anticipation rise.

The strophes about girls and street names are now materialized in "Pangem tänavatel' tüdrukute nimed", the standout track with metallic rock arrangement and pathetic power vocals by the man himself. It gets good company from the wall of guitars and mystic chorus in "Mmm" and by expression of purity and untouched nature in "Seeds", which concludes the CD with ten minutes of voices from the forests and meadows.

All these titles are at the end of the 13-tracker, after a number of rather commonplace compositions between big beat, trip hop and film scores. In the first half Hypnobooster is closely befriended with Tarantino’s spirit to spend jolly moments in shady bars, surrounded by desperados and chiquitas. Initial mood is branded by cinematic orchestrations like in "Darkmotion", which almost trespasses to easy listening with visiting trumpet, trombone and lounge piano. After the jingle "El Hypnorado", which sounds like sampling gothic wave group And Also The Trees, "Transparent City" feels the blues of a secret agent walking in the rain. Sensitive side of the artist is displayed in "If the World Should Stop Today" with fragile female voice.

Somehow Hypnobooster, known as Andre Pichen from the group Sinine, had created an image of arrogant crusader who searches uncompromising sides in the music, but domination of midtempo moods and movie scores is somehow unexpected. I have to admit missing some healthy industrial power and metal rage here. As a compensation extra credits go to the graphics of the release.

For more information about the artist and purchasing the album: www.hypnobooster.com.

Developer - Trade Beliefs (SEMANTICA 39)

2012-02-03T09:54:00.000+02:00

Rating: 9/10

Developer is not holding back his horses in his first release for Spanish label Semantica, expected in the first half of March. Seasoned scene insider Adrian Sandoval lets the engines roar and embarks on the trip with awesome title track "Trade Beliefs" which illustrates the yin and yang of techno. Starting with gigawatt-bass assault, it hosts a metallic dub sequence from the mid-track, before morphing morose hiss and boom into atmospheric layers and strings. The same track can be played twice during a night, either during peak hour or closer to chill out phase.
Slightly more relaxed mood in "Brujas", a properly rolling techno cut that might be easily from Tresor’s 1990's catalog. On the flip, "The Uncertain" kicks off like a darker stripped-down monster before displaying the jazzier side of techno with piano grooves. "Sin Luz", as the title suggests, tests the ability to cope in conditions without light: The track pushes you into a huge and dark storage hall, filled with industrial noises. All techno purists will be delighted about the showcase of retro influences and today’s dark drones in the four-tracker, placed at the harder end of Semantica's catalog.

01/2012: Svreca, Vedomir, Atom TM

2012-02-02T09:53:00.000+02:00

"Obscur. Final", a follow-up to the first "Obscur" edition by Semantica label head Svreca, heads the Terminal 313 best-of list with a strong techno package, including the remixes by Regis, Orphx, Silent Servant and Skirt. Vakula dropped two fine cuts under the Vedomir guise, releasing "Orthodox Ambient" on Dekmantel and Sähkö has blown off dust from Atom Heart's 1994 tapes, releasing with "Cold Memories" two ultra long tracks by the project Atom TM. Sandwell District says goodbye to the world with Rrose's "Artificial Light 1969-1909". Acid faction is represented by a mini comp "We Want You To Understand The Future" on Finnish ProForm Series, with Healium, Virta, Näköradiomies and CRC and Andreas Gehm's Elec Pt 1 delivers with "Mini LP" corrosive cuts on Panzerkreuz. A special mention goes to Regis for compiling his early bangers in "The Complete Recordings 1994-1996 Part 1".

Video: Humandrone - Paranoia (Snuff Trax STX006)

2012-01-31T15:50:00.001+02:00

In February Snuff Trax will release "My Racoon / Paranoia" by Humandrone, with mixes of Nick Anthony and The Minister. Bleepy acid action in old skool vein as seen and heard in a video by the29nov Films.

Jagdstaffel 66 - Starfighter EP (Creme Eclipse 11)

2012-01-30T16:27:00.002+02:00

A new toy for all top guns out there, to be released on Crème Organization's Eclipse series in February 2012. After spotting a teaser of bleepy acid house "Alle Piloten mit in den Tod" on Youtube, a full set of audio clips was now uploaded by the label.
In "Nur die F-104" German vocals narrate about the controversial existence of a troubled jet fighter, "Nachbrenner" transmits the feel of flying at 15,000 km above the Earth, while slo-mo acid eats in "Grössenwahn" and "Pilot Was Killed", the latter sounding like a genuine requiem.
I guess that Jagdstaffel 66 is not really a newcomer, but Rude 66. If you know his track "Die Stärke der vernichtenden Schläge" from the LP "Stalingrad Vol.1", the parallels are obvious.

ZERkleinerungsMAschine / Feindehnungsmeßgerät (Elektrokühlung – EK1)

2012-01-23T21:54:00.002+02:00

Rating: 8/10

The first challenge is linguistic: Zerkleinerungs-maschine is a shredder and Feindehnungsmeßgerät some sort of measuring device. So the titles promise serious German engineering that comes in a form of acid and distorted bass.The sleeve sports a writing "Robotron", known as a computer brand in the German Democratic Republic, and the sound is unpolished, like coming from rusty hardware. A-side convulses under direct electric current for a electrolytic Djungle Fever style cut, while the B-side is stomping acid aerobics.

Buy

DUST OFF: Holy Ghost Inc. - Wildlife On One (Holy Ghost Inc HG 010 - 1993)

2012-01-15T00:00:00.000+02:00

The year 2011 saw Holy Ghost! publishing an album for DFA, but the history books of techno know another group with the same name. When Tresor signed the duo in mid-1990's, Holy Ghost rose to awareness with the albums "The Mind Control of Candy Jones" and "Art Lukm Suite" plus several EPs recorded for the Berlin label.
Two Brits, Gary Griffith and Leon Thomson, had been in the business since acid house swept over the island and brought out several releases on their own Holy Ghost Inc label.
Largely unaware of the duo's pre-Tresor feats, I came across this EP in a crate-digging session and was not shun off by a techno-naive stance of the release.This is a techno release where the A-side runs largely on breakbeats, while on the flip "Wildlife On One" reduces the speed for a beatless track with pulsating synths and thereafter "Daybreak Siren" rewards all hardliners with a tight banger - only the sample of a crowing rooster is not needed.

Chris Watson - El Tren Fantasma - The Signal Man's Mix (Touch - TO:42V)

2012-01-14T16:30:00.000+02:00

Rating: 9/10

Railway, a symbol of motion, offers ultimate percussion experience as the rhythmic movement can be physically perceived on board. Chris Watson, a founding member of Cabaret Voltaire, decided to use trains as instruments and traveled with his recording gear across Mexico to capture sounds of rails for an album released on Touch.
Two tracks, labeled as Signal Man's mixes, were selected for the vinyl release where ambient fog and touches of percussion are added to looped fragments of field recordings. "El Divisadero - The Telegraph" is a lighter vehicle, like a passenger train, but fascinates with rail-made rhythm patterns. "Veracruz - The Tunnel" on the flip starts with alarm signals of heavy cargo train approaching a tunnel with brakes clattering.
Watson has done two most enjoyable real-life compositions where 19th century pioneer spirit meets backpacker romanticism. The record with neatly designed picture sleeve salutes Ferrocariles Nacionales de Mexico, the entity now in liquidacion after being privatized.

Buy

Nova Scotian Arms - Cult Spectrum (Digitalis Recordings Digiv035)

2012-01-08T05:30:00.000+02:00

Rating: 8/10

When at 60 degrees North there was no snow in January, "Cult Spectrum" seemed appropriate music for dark and bare landscapes of the moment. Having released a cassette on Digitalis two years ago, Nova Scotian Arms presents now somber compositions on their first LP for the label.
Painted black in its essence, the album does not ignore some brighter notes. If we just take the opener "Gathering / Composition", that carries sort of Arctic flair with chilly winds blowing over the vastness of frozen seas. Clear and oxygenated drones with classical notes, the track sounds in some parts like Innercity in a close-hibernation mode.

After static drag of "Overcast Strumming (1st Delay)" and spherical flows of "Citadel", a giant of 16 minutes lands with "Emulsion", where initial glimmering of synthesizers is faded out by agonizing drones and meditative guitar riffs, for crawling through the dark forests of consciousness. "Hearse Overdub (Decomposition)" is an exploding outerlude.
"Cult Spectrum" contains semi-liquid substance that is slowly covering everything in surroundings. After being enthused by two Digitalis releases in 2011, the ones by Ricardo Donoso and KPLR, the first arrival of this year heralds another strong season for the Seattle label - a proof is also the label preview for 2012.

Buy from the label

Transportation AAD - Last Train To Lexington (Darkestral 006)

2012-01-05T23:17:00.000+02:00

Rating: 9/10

Transportation AAD is in charge for heavy cargo. So far I had associated Darkestral with dubstep and drum'n'bass, but Alex Green's and Paul Laidlaw's seismic debut goes to the extremes in bass dosage. A-side's "Last Train To Lexington" booms and thunders like hell and tells it's definitely not a good idea to cross the rails with red lights blinking when this train is coming. On the flip "U.F. Unk" continues the trip with mammoth beats. Simple, but striking.

Buy

12/2011: Drexciya, Nuel, Ruskin & O'Connor

2012-01-02T22:46:00.001+02:00

Drexciya's much-anticipated compilation landed in the first position of the Juno chart in December - although it features only one unreleased track, the fact of having access to the back catalog of Detroit's most prominent electro act deserves full respect. Italy's Nuel abandoned droning techno for a while and released on Seattle's Further Records a mesmerizing album "Trance Mutation". O/V/R Live is a new label that started with a two-tracker by O/V/R aka Karl O'Connor and James Ruskin, the latter really hitting with rhythm hammer. Amsterdam's San Proper was a revelation with two solid and stripped-down deep house tracks on Studio Soulrock. Mike Parker remains true to his trademark drilling sound with a thundering EP "Pulse Trader" for Munich's Prologue and Fit Sound brought to us "Ascender", a valuable reissue by Detroit's Walt J. KPLR's LP on Digitalis, not listed in Juno, belongs also to the very top of December releases.

OLD TAPE: Spiral Tribe - Sirius 23 (1993)

2012-01-02T18:21:00.001+02:00

"Sirius 23" is a release by decadent techno vagabonds, united under the banner of Spiral Tribe in the mid-1990's. Seeing free techno parties as a constitutional right, the ST community travelled the lands to set up wild illegal parties and in the sidelines manged to release a number of records, most of them on own label Network 23.
Never seen any vinyls of the Spiral Tribe and also this "Sirius 23" is from a cassette made by a friend, as some of these hard-to-find records were in circulation in Tallinn. This EP offers four tracks of sheer rave madness, more breakbeat-focused on the A-side while on the flip big sound systems would love thunder bass and sloppy beats in "Going All The Way" and acid showers in "Preditor".
Would be great if some readers could share memories about Spiral Tribe, about the group's adventures in the different corners of UK and elsewhere.

Stingray - Enters The Unknown (UTTU 005)

2011-12-31T14:00:00.000+02:00

Rating: 8/10

After strong releases on Viennese label Trust and his own imprint Micron Audio, Detroit's Stingray313 strikes again, now in collaboration with DJ Haus for the Unknown To The Unknown label.
A1 is for speed racers as it runs like on 45 and offers wild breakbeat staccato with deutsch vocoder. "The Sadist Pt 2", a fatter version of the original with vocoder interference and melancholic synth hooks in the background. The B-side is conquered by remixers who disintegrate the original into two fine versions - Dopplereffekt scientist Heinrich Mueller is lost in micro schemes and Cestrian's work is an interpretation in classic electro vein.
Stingray313's recent output confirm him going his own way and the media should stop crediting him as "only" a DJ of a legendary Detroit electro act, which name starts with D.

Buy

Rrose - Merchant Of Salt (Sandwell District SD19)

2011-12-23T11:44:00.005+02:00

Rating: 9/10

Sandwell District is rocking again, one year after gorgeous "Feed-Forward" album, and with Rrose's second single expands the catalog with another push of turbo-charged techno. A signing of 2011, Rrose delivers two taut cuts, starting with flashlights and subtle drones in "Shepherd's Brine". Dramatic breaks and evil synth serpentines are applied to irritate any residential area.
"Waterfall" on the B-side drops the speed, but this steak is served as raw. Patients carving for lobotomy are admitted from the four-minute mark onwards, being before hit by huge copper-plated sonic pendulum. Love the title, "Merchant Of Salt", too - it expresses both hope and despair.

Buy

Drexciya - Journey Of The Deep Sea Dweller I (Clone Classic Cuts - C#CC22CD)

2011-12-20T05:30:00.000+02:00

Rating: 10/10

"Journey Of The Deep Sea Dweller I" is for Terminal 313 and any other electro head the most anticipated reissue of 2011. In fact a compilation, it catapults us back to the 1990's when enigmatic Detroit act was still around. No need to repeat numerous superlatives that have been associated with James Stinson's and Gerald Donald's project over the years - just give us the music.
It's like meeting old friends again, with most tracks known from original releases and "The Quest", so far the only CD compilation of Drexciya's work. Included are "Wavejumper", an anthem of aquatic commandos, "Bubble Metropolis" with it's radio drama intro and smooth electro beats, B-boy boogie in "Take Your Mind", mathematical vocoder in "Rubick's Cube", lab-sterile Dopplereffekt soundbites in "Dehydration" and many others. Exclusive to the release is "Unknown Journey I", a fine daydreaming electro piece with background boom-boom and a real hidden gem.
Starting a series of four compilations, Rotterdam's Clone label has made a monumental step in sharing the legacy of Detroit's electro innovators. Vinyl is on order, but decided to go also for the CD in nice digibook case, especially when the track lists are identical.

Buy

Nuel - Trance Mutation (Further Records - Fur 038)

2011-12-19T20:26:00.000+02:00

Rating: 10/10

Close the door and enter the relaxation chamber with oil massage and fish therapy. Manuel Fogliata a.k.a. Nuel operates a spa of sounds to purify minds and bodies. After a couple of technoid releases, most recently for enigmatic Aquaplano Limited series, it's quite unexpected to hear the Italian on such a esoteric tip. Looking at the publisher, Further Records, the absence of booming drones is not a surprise, if we just think on fellow Italian's Donato Dozzy's album on the Seattle imprint last year.
At first sight the orange vinyl in silk-screen printed Ancient Egypt cover depicting ibis-headed god Thoth - one extra point for that - may possess a low techno quotient, but the album, as an uninterrupted hommage to repetition, gives another perspective how to perceive techno. Downtempo polyrhythmic excursions with guitars and analog percussion lend to "Trance Mutation" a new age feel without drifting away from the rhythm structures of floor-targeting ammunition.
Listened to the album three times in a row, which happens rarely, and not because of finding it difficult to access, but because with its hypnotic loops and well-dosed melodies it gradually became a part of ambiance. If asked about favorite tracks then I would mention "Correspondence", "Polarity", and especially "Rhythm", which is like a journey up to Machu Picchu, but essentially it's one entirety.
By making "Trance Mutation" feeling very live and acoustic, it might find wider audience even among those who see electronic artists as ambassadors of soulless noise. A soothing experience for this time of the year.

Alva Noto - Univrs (Raster-Noton - r-n 133-2)

2011-12-18T22:28:00.000+02:00

Rating: 9/10

Pff...dff...zhlkk...ghzz. A rational mind has spoken and composed fourteen interpretations on the theme "Uni". Despite built on metallic loops and particle noise, the album sounds very sterile, coming like from a whitewashed, even clinical environment.
Among the tracks you find experiments with Balinese bells and asymmetric sound channels, will be exposed to the low bass strewn with Morse signals and followed by the hydraulic steps of a rhythm giant.
My favorite is "Uni Acronym", a monotone cooperation with voice performer Anne-James Chaton, who recites three-letter-abbreviations like KGB, NGO, TGV, UPS, etc.
Occasionally reminding of Pan Sonic and Autechre, the album is a a fine example of machine rage. In this manifestation of pedantic conceptualism nothing seems to be accidental.

San Proper - Groundfloor Afterlife (Studio Soulrock STUDIOS006)

2011-12-14T00:22:00.001+02:00

Rating: 9/10

Good thing about record stores is that you end up buying artists that you consider "unknown" until the act of purchase. San Proper did not ring any bells until listening moments at Rush Hour Amsterdam, now it seems to be among best releases of this month. Home spinning confirmed the choice to be excellent with Amsterdamer's scarce beats and stripped-down house arrangements.
On the A-side San Proper has sneaked into financial district elevators with his field recording equipment to examine the charms of lower spheres of high-rises. Hypnotic humming-along and bony percussion mixed with noises from the world of motors and sultry voices make "Groundfloor (UpfromdaWall&on...)" a good choice for any demanding dance floor.
"Berlin Afterlife" combines aircraft noise, xylophonic bells and public transport-related voice samples for a tranced-out deep house cut. Two extra long tracks between Giegling, Kassem Mosse and Hauntologists. Einsteigen, bitte!

Buy

Falke - Undermyarms (Kann Records KANN 09)

2011-12-11T21:47:00.000+02:00

Rating: 8/10

Kann Records from Leipzig made a debut with impressive double pack in 2008 and current vinyl by Falke confirms the label on the top German deep house scene.
"Undermyarms" is a track with two faces: first minutes are dominated by heavy bass heralding a tribute to darker acid house, but then piano and panpipes are unveiled for a smoother trip. Grooves get so dreamy and even trancy that Cosmic Baby or DJ Dag would be obvious choices for remixes.
"Late Night" combines the deeper sides of house with simple, but consistent acid lines while "Flying" is built on a unpretentious bass moves reminding of italo patterns, so here I would invite Nancy Fortune to lend her sexy voice to a vocal version.
Innovation is not the strongest feature of this record, but Falke has managed to combine a puzzle from colorful elements of the house music history. A positive release that brightens up your day. This spot in the skies of house music is in fact a falcon carried by strong protein-filled wings.

Buy

KPLR - Untitled (Digitalis Recordings digiv037)

2011-12-05T21:46:00.000+02:00

Rating: 9/10

KPLR has enslaved technology to conduct high-end acid experiments with punishing repetition and whirling EQ-effects. It's pure unlimited programming that systematically avoids looking into the books of current techno idols. Occasionally the tracks remind of early Bunker output like Acid Planet, but those looking for bass-driven 303 slammers will be surprised. Also, the act has shown courage to resist the bass obsession by finding attraction in treble levels of the sound. It seems KPLR has noticed tiny elements in acid patterns, picked them up and built entire tracks around them.
No ambient intros, no gradual introduction to the theme, because the opener "cirkuit syntax" is a short but drilling exercise that is followed by a twin brother called "timespan". "tny mzk" has lost all the vowels and sounds like a small vicious bird, while "tny mzk (cw bll)" fuses mutilated voices and cymbals.
If you think the LP is uneasy home listening for weirdo tech-heads, then please meet a bundle of three tracks related to "cirkuit". All of them are for moments when the floor asks for a little extra after a straining techno night. Armada of synth effects and rusty analog loops rule in "cirkuit rn#1", mixed with cacophony of short-wave radio bands. "cirkuit rn#2" reminds slightly of early UK techno, e.g. "House Of God", while "cirkuit rn#3" is stamped with hardcore and punk textures. Finally, deep bass enters the stage in "Sub Hype", in unison with beeps and creaks.
KPLR's previous release "TEK NO MUZIK" made old raver's heart beating because of retro techno semantics and made to anticipate the duo's further explorations in the sound. The new album confirms KPLR (now Dexter Brightman only, earlier release were done together with Jair Espinoza) as an artist who does not pick up common templates.
Digitalis, a label that ventures on exciting paths of the contemporary electronic music, has been an essential outlet in 2011. The label policy is very unpredictable, if we only compare KPLR's fireworks with ambient and synth excursions by Jürgen Müller or Ricardo Donoso, whose "Progress Chance" belongs to my favorite releases this year.

11/2011: Darkestral, Sandwell District, Kann

2011-12-01T21:54:00.000+02:00

November was a month of several quality releases that required to extend the Terminal 313 top at Juno to twenty entries. Label of the month title goes to Darkestral that tops the ranking with "Last Train To Lexington", a raw electro two-tracker by Transportation AAD. In the third spot is "Darkestral EP", a various artists release featuring Grey Goo, Vaalhaala and Transportation AAD with tracks ranging from fine-painted electro to dark ambient sounding cuts. Another winner is Sandwell District, recently excelling with high-voltage techno by Rrose ("Merchant Of Salt") and by Silent Servant ("Hynosis In The Modern Age").
Since its launch I've kept an eye on the output of Germany's Kann Records that adds another beautiful deep house release "Undermyarms" by Falke. More train themes come from Ex-Cabaret Voltaire man Chris Watson, who (field-)recorded in Mexico a concept album for Touch, which issued two remixed tracks on a nice EP called "El Tren Fantasma".
Good stuff also by K Alexi Shelby, Karl O'Connor, KXP and many others. Although I usually do not add represses/reissues to the ranking, the 2011 release of Boo Williams's classic "Home Town Chicago" is worth a special mention.
Direct link to the chart.

DUST OFF: Drexciya – Aquatic Invasion (UR-030 - 1995)

2011-11-25T14:01:00.000+02:00

The countdown has begun to the reissue of the year. "Journey of the Deep Sea Dweller", the first in Drexciya's retrospective, is brought to us by Clone Classic Cuts in December 2011. Those in possession of hard-to-find original EPs might be irritated about this mission, but I think Clone is doing a great favor to the community in sharing the legacy of Detroit's ingenious electro act.
In anticipation it's good to recall "Aquatic Invasion" from 1995, Drexciya's most electrifying assault. Two excellent cuts of pit bull electro: in "The Countdown Has Begun" one can't escape hammering analog gear, spiced with gloomy proclamations. "Wavejumper" is an anthem to a legion of immortal frogmen combating the waves of the Atlantic. Somewhat calmer notes for the end, when we resurface to the sun in "Sighting The Abyss".
The EP is from the harder end of Drexciya's productions sharing some features with their L.A.M. (Life After Mutation) project on Detroit's Hardwax. A real treasure by deep sea dwellers.

Blender techno

2011-11-23T23:33:00.000+02:00

KPLR

This year we have witnessed the invasion of wired punks moving on the fringe of electronic music. Hailing often from small-town America and ignoring the trends of the techno jetset, this new breed of artists has stirred up the scene in 2011. KPLR, Container, Red Stars Over Tokyo, Pete Swanson, Vatican Shadow, to name a few of them, have gained much respect and sheer admiration.

There is a perfectly drafted piece on this phenomenon by Mnml Ssgs guys where the new direction in electronic music is dubbed "post-techno". Fits pretty well in my view, the only thing is that "post" is a quite common attribution, in music also used for ambient and IDM; I also remember that Leo Anibaldi's output was once described "post-acid", and there are more "post"-things".
It's an endless discussion how to call music styles, but I still share my associations with the new direction in electronic music.It's a blend of different styles like techno, IDM, acid, noise, synth-pop, dark ambient, psychedelic rock, folk, just name it. All that thrown into one pot and jammed together by razor-sharp blades of a blender machine.

For those needing introduction to blender techno, two suggestions from the 14 Tracks series by Boomkat: bundles of psychotic repetition and from the outside looking in are a good start to delve into the scene. And "psychotic techno" is a great definition too ...

Various – Groove 133 / CD 42

2011-11-15T19:53:00.000+02:00

Rating: 7/10

Some good ones on this Groove compilation. Let's start with a Mexican who loves machines and combines them with traditional instruments: like a godchild of Liaisons Dangereuses, Rebolledo rocks big time in "Steady Gear Rebo Machine" with monotone percussion - a pretty angry track that makes curious about the man's recent album
Then Semantica - there is a short feature about the Spanish label in the magazine - is represented by E.R.P. with placid and deep electro track "Repose", which gets the beauty award of this comp.
"Human Like Us" from the new album of Planetary Assault Systems is an oxygen-filled techno cut and Detroit is represented by Reel By Real, "Switchback" pulled from Martin Bonds's first and recent album "Surkit Chamber - The Melding". Frau Ursula Bogner emits sinusoids from her vintage sound room while Kuedo's melancholic synth showers in "Ant City" give a taste of great album released by Planet Mu.
The Oliverwho Factory is another strong addition to the Rush Hour roster, letting smooth Copacabana house to flow in "Galactic Transit (Recall Mix)". Highgrade Disharmonic Orchestra's crawling "Moving In A Backchat Room" is a neat one too. Finnish act Renaissance Man introduces a cut from a new album on Turbo. "Ultra Thizz" offers glittering boogie-step by Rustie and Oneohtrix Point Never's "Sleep Dealer" is a sound and voice collage.
Full track list and sound samples are here.

DUST OFF: K-Alexi – All For Lee-Sah (Transmat MS-8)

2011-11-14T03:00:00.000+02:00

My hands start to caress you, down from the shoulders to your waist... Once did a tape for my girl and the title track had to be there, for sure. A piece of vinyl sexy as hell, being a good match to Lil Louis's "French Kiss" in this particular category, it offers many other qualities too.
Transmat and acid house is not an obvious combination. Although at the end of 1980's the label was hooked up with smiley hysteria and released a few acid house records, this one being the best of them.
Keith Alexi Shelby is from Chicago and he used not to belong to the first wave of Windy City producers, but still became a prolific sound writer with releases also on European labels like Djax, ACV.
As said, really no strings attached in ultra-sensual "All For Lee-Sah", that is not a straightforward floor burner, but a chaotic mix of lazy beats and stoned vocals, on a snare and hi-hat backdrop, getting really ecstatic towards the end. "My Medusa" is a monotone jacking and beeping cut, feels like seeing your twisted and stretched figure in a fun-house-mirror. For the end with "Vertigo" a proper Chicago acid workout.
This one is a repress and even Discogs can't tell when it came out. I guess in 1995 or 1996, drop some comments if you know more.

Stingray313 - Electronic Countermeasures (Micron Audio MCR00002)

2011-11-02T19:27:00.000+02:00

Rating: 9/10

Amidst the wires of copper and plastic, Stingray313 travels in a jungle of semiconductors to drop another futuristic session for electro heads. Billed earlier as "Drexciyan DJ", the masked man from Detroit is gradually navigating on his own ways and is clearly positioned in the frontline of contemporary electro.
"Electronic Countermeasures" contains four magnetizing, equally strong cuts that kick and vibrate under a veil of darkness. Gloomy vocal sample lends horror movie feeling to "Signal Analysis", the rest are precisely constructed instrumental transmissions with hints of experimental techno. "Spread Spectrum" is the culmination with a shower of obscure voices and killer beats.
Luckily last year's superb [Naked Lunch] single has seen good follow-up in 2011 with three Stingray313 releases so far, on labels like Trust and Unknown To The Unknown. Now with his own imprint Micron Audio, Ingram reinforces his pivotal role in the electro scene. I keep looking out after his new stuff.

Buy

10/2011: Red Stars Over Tokyo, Alva Noto, Stingray

2011-11-01T16:04:00.007+02:00

Long formats with experimental angle dominated my Juno charts in October. Was pleased to learn that Red Stars Over Tokyo did a great mini-LP "Hits Of Sunshine", containing both ambient warmth and pulsating bass. Grinding sounds in excess are found on Alva Noto's (Carsten Nicolai) "Univrs", released by German experimental imprint Raster-Noton. Sherard Ingram is becoming a resident in top three, this time under the moniker Stingray Enters The Unknown. The release has two versions of "The Sadist" plus reworks by electro luminaries like Heinrich Müller and Cestrian. The fourth spot goes to Zeal, a new artist with strong mix of techno, electro and breakbeats. Kuedo's synth odyssey on Planet Mu was among top albums last month and Sweden's enigmatic Abdulla Rashim is a front runner of the droning techno scene.

OLD TAPE: Digital orgasms and nightmares from 1991

2011-10-26T20:30:00.000+03:00

Recorded from Finnish public radio channel called Radiomafia, the mix contains many usual suspects of the rave scene from the beginning of 1990's. It's not really underground, because acts like Channel X, Digital Orgasm, MNO, Holy Noise were found on many major compilations that time. But after a break of several years, it's like meeting old friends again.

Red Stars Over Tokyo - Hits Of Sunshine (Hot Hair 04)

2011-10-23T16:41:00.002+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Never heard about the Red Stars Over Tokyo before. The act name promised an atmospheric affair, as did the album title "Hits Of Sunshine". Had a strong feeling of prejudice of being affronted with sounds that are good for watering the plants. Not true, it offers much more.
The title track is, as expected, a lush electronic composition, although minimalistic humming interference closer to the end hints that this might not be so mellow thing. Also in "Lost Trace" the beats are still buried, but odd voices reminding of sacral choir and secretive whispers indicate a small change.
Only when you think it's really sofa music, the gates are slammed open and a cavalry of freaky beats is unleashed in "I Can Hear Your Breathing Heart", reminding of diluted Zhark-like loop machine. The track is twinned with B-side's "March Comes In Like A Lion", both reminding of Container's LP on Spectrum Spools.
In turn "Endless Dreaming", "Imaginary Landscapes" and the concluding "The Long Day Closes" are of fragile nature again, seeking the ultimate beauty with synths while not abandoning pulsating bass beneath the surface. I'm obviously lacking words when describing this mini-LP, the music tells for itself. Deserved to be played on repeat.

Buy

Blawan - What You Do With What You Have (R & S Records RS 1108)

2011-10-23T00:48:00.002+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Blawan got the message: If the label's slogan says In order to dance, one has to come with a dance record. Having sprayed Si Begg's and Cristian Vogel's historical techno funk with large blobs of acid, out comes a distinctive release to be sent through big systems during Notting Hill carnival.
Timidity is not something for Blawan as he enters the saloon with doors banging. "What You Do With What You Have" uses a vocal sample by Moodymann for a non-deep-house, but acidified analog monster. On the flip, in "Vibe Decorium" abrasive beats get some extra weight, feeling well in a bubblebath.
With "What Do You ..." Blawan challenges current techno scene that has sunken too deep into stripped down and droning sounds. This very extrovert record might open a new, a bit retro-sounding direction in contemporary electronic music.
R&S's back catalogue is largely who is who and what is what of the 90's techno. Now with Blawan's newest single the legendary Belgian imprint confirms it has a serious comeback going on.

Buy

Innercity - N/A (NNA Tapes 033)

2011-10-20T23:17:00.001+03:00

Rating: 8/10

This music is difficult to fit into tight places as it needs high ceilings. Cathedrals would suit the best, especially for the A-side's "Dada Les Apocalypses". Solemn droning organ music, both festive and menacing, for the very last minutes before the final demise.
Witches would like distorted pumping lo-fi in "The Pyramids Of Northeast Belgium" that goes also easily over quota of sound decadence.
Innercity is not a project of Kevin Saunderson - the Detroiter founded Inner City - but conceived by Hans Dens, a Belgian artist who literally caused a flood of releases since 2010. Current seven-inch works as an appetizer for Dens's new LP called "Terrestreality".

Smoke Machine Podcast: Abdulla Rashim

2011-10-13T21:57:00.000+03:00

Taipei techno squad Smoke Machine offers pure quality with its guest mixes and now it's the turn of Abdulla Rashim from Sweden to be on the decks. Once his biography claimed he hails from a tribe in Botswana and after years of hardship has found redemption in 4/4 beats, yes indeed ... Still Rashim, whatever is his real name, did an impressive debut in 2011 and recently issued the second EP of droning techno called "Asayita".
Smoke Machine Podcast 028 Abdulla Rashim

The Amazing Births - Younger Moon (Cylindrical Habitat Modules 55)

2011-10-11T23:29:00.001+03:00

Rating: 8/10

It's the turn of Westlake, Ohio to put another US city on the map of a new electronics acts. Whereas The Amazing Births is not a rookie thing, as both members, Julian Gulyas and Mark McGuire, have made music in several groups. Still it's their first LP, after two cassette releases on Cylindrical Habitat Modules.
Electronics and synthesizers are the protagonists but seeing it as another synth and drone album would be a very untrue assumption. The textures are smudged and rather warm, except in the A2 track "P.K. Ripper" with a dramatic melange of voices and subtle pulsating bass sounding like sharp-edged interpretation of Wendy Carlos' work.
Bits and bytes are oscillating in beatless mode in the opener "Dial Out", which expresses the moods of early stages of information society, when future of computing was seen in Eniac. On the flip, guitar-backed electronic narrative "Whelm" is the closest to what could be described as new age sound.
For the end comes "Eclipsed By The Younger Moon", a bit melancholic piece for those standing at the window and looking how the sun plays on little fishes in aquarium, before the synths start showing a grim face. Forty minutes of lush sounds that require listener's attention for full enjoyment

DUST OFF: Carlos Perón - Impersonator II (Play It Again Sam 116 LP - 1988)

2011-10-09T13:21:00.000+03:00

This record is just screaming out loud: Welcome to Bela Lugosi disco. The horror screen hero himself makes a posthumous appearance in "Galadiner With Boris The Vampyr", in a track from the experimental end of the album, which is full of filthy EBM and industrial with mashed voices and vocals.
Lugosi is not the only celebrity here, as Dieter Meier of Yello recites in another macabre piece titled "Happy New Year", also written by him. Meier's input is not surprising because Carlos Perón, the mastermind behind the album, was part of Jurassic Yello and left the band in 1984 to pursue his nocturnal operations.
The first beats in "A Dirty Song" make clear that here we face twilight, underlined by theatrical vocals of Canadian Jaymz Bee who sounds like a younger brother of Alan Vega. Hysterical "The Hate Song", black leather boogie "10.000 Zippers" and "Commando IV" will appeal to any Gothic dance floor. If we add manic synth staccato in "Popt In Riga" (Hello Latvia!), ready is an occult ceremony led by Dr Faustus of the industrial scene.
Perón's following years were very productive, with a number of albums that seemingly follow the same dark paths of the 1988 release.

09/2011: Kassem Mosse, Blawan, Mark Ernestus

2011-10-04T14:10:00.001+03:00

The last month's chart generated in Juno sees Kassem Mosse leading the game with "Enoha EP", a percussive deep house experience in electro dressing. Blawan is another guy to watch out and although his EP on tradition-filled imprint R&S received controversial critics, it's a blatant mixture of techno and house. Mark Ernestus Meets BBC delivers two superb versions of dehydrated dub techno, while Consequence comes with surreal and depressing ambient and bass. Mu EP was a strong start for Japanese 10 Label, featuring also Ancient Methods, and "Lostbahnhof" by Lada goes along the same ways of industrialized techno. Ricardo Donoso would have made to the Top Three, only it's a pity that the LP is not stocked in Juno yet.

Ricardo Donoso – Progress Chance (Digitalis DIGIV006)

2011-09-28T23:04:00.004+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Senhor Ricardo has spent quality time in his studio (or bedroom?) with companions like Korg MS2000R, Yamaha DX7 and others to tell us how the emeralds sound. Yes, he's is originally from Brazil, now living and working in Boston, but I would not fiddle on his background to seek associations with rainforests or Amazon. Because this is universal music where some of inspiration might have come from historical synth wizards, but this is definitely not another new age-minded synth record.
Still entire LP would work as efficient music therapy for strained minds and bodies. Already the introductory "Chrome Decadence" caresses softly, thereafter in "Klatu" the rainbow emerges in the horizon and a distant astronaut's voice is transmitted to us. "Baiting Disappointment" is hovering ambient piece and then comes absolute highlight, "The Deck Of An Ancient Ship", a tranquilizing composition that floats like a majestic vessel. On the flip, "Morning Criminal" and two other tracks continue the journey in deep and floating mood
The record carries some idealism and search for a better and harmonic world, summed up in anti-gravitational tunes for your inner self.

Various - 14 Tracks Of Psychotic Repetition (Boomkat bundle_178)

2011-09-22T13:30:00.001+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Boomkat continues the 14 Tracks series with a digital bundle that could easily be the compilation of the year, especially for those who value venturous electronic sounds. I hardly buy any digital releases but seeing a number of exciting artists here, I did not hesitate a moment.
The entire thing is like 21th Century Woodstock with electronic reincarnations of Jimi Hendrix and Grateful Dead. A colorful hippie camp emits intoxicating lo-fi sound layers and stir up the surroundings. A parallel with Woodstock is not far-fetched as the compilation might be easily titled "The Power of New American Sound", the lion's share of the artists coming from the US.
It's a mixture of a number of electrified prog rock sabbaths (Innercity, Diamond Catalog), explorations of galactic vastness (Cruise Family, Ricardo Donoso, Mark Fell, Astral Social Club), runaway bass experiments (Ekoplekz, Lukid), werewolf waltzers (Oneohtrix Point Never), obscure beeping and oscillating orgies (Antti Rannisto and Ben Vida, who really goes to the limits) and dark orchestration (Vatican Shadow). Plus Container's perilous nu techno and Hieroglyphic Being's familiar jacking rhythms.
Highly recommended for understanding how does the future of electronic music sound. Just switch it on and get a blazing party of almost two hours.
Listen and buy

Kassem Mosse - Enoha EP (NONPLUS016)

2011-09-09T16:42:00.002+03:00

Rating: 9/10

A test pressing of Non Plus Records presents a new EP by Kassem Mosse, mainly known for his much-praised Workshop and Mikrodisko releases. Often difficult to file under any particular subgenre, Gunnar Wendel is an electronic artist who continues to pursue cross-breeding of techno, house, electro and others.
The nine-minute-long "Enoha" is a linear trip with strong percussive elements and bumblebee bass, thus carrying clear floor potential and partly reminding of what Cheap And Deep Productions has done. "GS02" is a laid-back electro cut that floats in the wake of Doctor Blowfin's Water Cruiser, surrounded by electric stingrays and jellyfish of the warm seas.
B-side's "Inswanna" returns to rhythmic textures of the title track, pumping your veins full of fat and dry percussion, the greats of Chicago would have been proud of. For the end comes electro-flavored "Sleepworking", the most sentimental cut of this EP with modulating bass and melodic loops. A well-balanced EP that confirms Kassem Mosse being a rolling stone that gathers no moss.

OLD TAPE: Coldcut Radio Mix 1992

2011-09-09T16:33:00.000+03:00

Another mix from a dusty tape. In 1992 I was a lot into hardcore techno but this insane mix with breaks and ragga shouts was quickly promoted to my favorite mixes. Credited as Coldcut Mix. There is no life on this planet only beneath the surface where we are now...

Coldcut Radio Mix 1992 by terminal313

DUST OFF: PWOG - Kraak (KK Records 130 - 1995)

2011-09-07T15:19:00.000+03:00

In 2011 Dadavistic Orchestra has won many hearts and minds with two beatless LPs in a series called Dokument. For some members of the group, Reinier Brekelmans, Tim Freeman and Robbert Heynen, it was not the first experience to be in the frontline of intellectual electronic music. In the beginning of 1990's they were part of Psychick Warriors Ov Gaia (PWOG) that guided the evolution of tranced-out ambient, for example "Ov Biospheres And Sacred Grooves ..." is an album worth treasuring.
From PWOG's later phase comes "Kraak", which does not float on ambient waves, but treks in harder trails. "Kraak 1" spits distortions and EQ-effects from the deep throat of techno monster and the rumble goes on in "Kraak 3", a mechanically breathing 12-minute monster, which reminds of the output by Perc Trax and other current industrial techno pals. In between, "Kraak 2" is closest to ambient electronica, a beatless track on alien vox and spheric loops, but still with a generous portion of abstractness. Heavy duty transmissions.

DUST OFF: Belgian techno mini-mix from 1992

2011-09-06T22:30:00.000+03:00

Also a radio recording from 1992, it's labeled "Belgian techno mix" and unfortunately I'm not aware of any IDs. I bet it was taped from a John Peel show. Was quite a blast when heard it. Pure perfection from the beginning to the end, I'm here once again...

08/2011: DJ Stingray, Container, Regis

2011-09-04T23:52:00.001+03:00

Always keen to learn what DJ Stingray is up to and the new EP, released in August on his own Micron Audio imprint, hit the first slot in Terminal313 charts last month. Container is from the USA, more precisely from Nashville, and lines up with other wild side leftfield electronic producers from the States, like KPLR, Innercity. Regis has been the most talked techno artist in recent months and his contribution to Blackest Ever Black catalog was black-black as expected. Cologne label Magazine came with another strong release and late Conrad Schnitzler's sound library inspired Borngräber and Strüver to a great LP. Perc Trax keeps a busy schedule - Sawf's newest is another blast from harder techno camp.

Consequence – Symbol #4 (Auxiliary: Symbol AUXSYM004)

2011-08-26T09:21:00.001+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Almost missed this record because it was labeled drum'n'bass, the style I've never been much into. After pre-listening it was clear that the fourth release in the Symbol series is cold-blooded sonic freemasonry built on eerie vocal samples, noise and bass abstractions.
Even if the opener "Symbol #4.1" is a derivative of current mainstream dubstep, the rest of the game is ruled by mad experiments with oppressive voices and sounds.
My pick is tingling and humming "Symbol #4.3" that really deserves entire 10 minutes of its existence and is filled with abstract exhibition music, squeezed between impenetrable walls of micronoise.
Cameron McLaren is a courageous sound painter who has mastered dark colors to create surreal compositions. A tasty aperitif for thrilling rites of secret sisterhoods.

Buy

DUST OFF: Two taped hardcore cuts from 1992

2011-08-24T11:57:00.000+03:00

Went through my dusty tapes and found a radio recording containing two hardcore tracks from 1992.
The first one is "Power Of Darkness" by Tracid Posse (has nothing to do with Kai Tracid) and released in the heyday of Overdrive Records, a label for nightmare techno - if to recall C-Tank for example.
The second track is ugly as hell and unknown to me, ID please.

Regis – In A Syrian Tongue EP (Blackest Ever Black 004)

2011-08-24T00:16:00.002+03:00

Rating: 10/10

The summer of 2011 in the screens of BBC and CNN: combats, clashes and coups, plus collapses in the stock markets. By tonality the EP with pitch-black textures works as a backdrop for depressive times and Blackest Ever Black is a very expected platform for this type of output. I only wonder if global affairs had impact on the production process, when the release is called "In A Syrian Tongue".
Regis, a close friend of inexhaustible drum machines, enters curfew zone with tense and monotone percussion in "Blood Witness". A powerful and multi-layered cut that on the flip sees a live version by M.J. Harris and Karl O'Connor (aka Regis), complementing the original drumming with dubs and echoes. Rhythms rule also in "Blinding Horses", accompanied by dimmed voices and stoner riffs for a tale told by forces shunning the sunlight.
Especially in "Blood Witness", Regis's recent involvement in Sandwell District can't be overheard, but the sounds have been lacquered for a much blacker shine. Much anticipated by techno community, the solo comeback of Regis conveys a clear message: it's sanus regis, the king's sound.

Buy

DUST OFF: Andre Holland – City Of Fear (UR.032 - 1995)

2011-08-18T23:11:00.004+03:00

Inspired by recent Underground Resistance remasters/reissues, found again a classic that perfectly represents the mid-90's sound aesthetics of UR. In the label's catalog it might seem a bit underrated but in fact offers three tracks of pure excellence by Andre Holland aka The Infiltrator.
For the start meditative electro in "City Of Fear", like written when the crime is lurking in the streets, as machine guns and police alarms can't be overheard. But the track does not carry any brutality, is just asking in a subtle manner why?
"Inversions" steps away from grim feelings and turns the face to the sun, with merrier chords and hi-tech jazz we know from many UR releases. A perfectly sounding tech-house cut. The machines speak on the B-side called "The Outback" - hardline electro of reverberating pads and booming bass in a nine-minute piece of untamed power.
"City Of Fear" is a great example of Detroit styles and a strong recommendation to anyone for a proper UR feel.

Voices From The Lake Feat. Donato Dozzy & Neel – Silent Drops E.P. (Prologue 020)

2011-08-15T14:25:00.000+03:00

Rating: 9/10

The best moments for enjoying The Voices From The Lake come after the sunset, when dark shadows are cast over a deep-blue lake that is locked between heavy rocks, still carrying the warmth of the sun.
Natural ultramarine would sound like this, if transformed to the music. I really feel like diving into chilly waves of a North Italian lake when listening to the four drops, i.e. untitled cuts, that mainly move on the calmer side of the electronic music, except for the thundering drones in the A2. Nautical and spheric eco-techno that expresses deep beauty of the nature. Just magnifico.

KPLR – TEK NO MUZIK (Crazy Iris CIR-001)

2011-08-09T14:17:00.000+03:00

Rating: 9/10

The guys behind KPLR do not have any clue what's trending. Although Santa Cruz, California, is not supposed to be off-road terrain without any modern means of communication to catch up with the rest of the world.
Because it was Santa Cruz where two pals, Dexter Brightman and Jair Espinoza, did this piece of wax, after a couple of cassette-only releases. Only them and gorgeous analog(-sounding) gear, for unpolished electronics that does not copy hip things in the world of electronic music today.
Titled like a creation of the rave years, "TEK NO MUZIK" smells underground. Starting from the black-and-white sci-fi artwork till the numerical titles of the four tracks of experimental techno.
KPLR unleashes bubbling energy carried by wall-shaking bass, distorted synth riffs and killer frequencies. On the A-side "18.5.5" is the choice - a furious showdown of unlubricated acid machine emitting razor-sharp sequences. Imagine a bass drum to this beatless track and you will get early Acid Planet sound. B-side is more experimental and again the second track, "20.5.5.", gets more attention, for a more complex and rhythmic trip for leftfield floors.
If you know Strotter Inst., a master of manipulated and prepared turntables, then you find some common features with KPLR. Proper work from the USA.

Terminal 313 chart at Juno (July 2011)

2011-08-02T23:00:00.000+03:00

Italian dominance resumes in the newest chart that is led by Manuel Fogliata aka Nuel. He managed to put new life into stratospheric electro by doing a great four-tracker for the Aquaplano Ltd series. Dominating the global club floors is Levon Vincent who understands the balance between maximum output and minumum input. Tevo Howard's solid package of acid, Chicago house and even italo will get plenty of rotation this summer. Drone priest Giorgio Gigli does not cease to push dark journeys and Miles (Whitaker) made not-easy experiments for Modern Love. Cassegrain, another excellent member of Prologue Records, rounds up the top six.

Shitcluster / Unit Moebius Anonymous – Untitled (Chan's 1)

2011-07-29T04:33:00.002+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Sounds from the far side where mud people eat stones and are hunted by last remaining pterosaurs. On the A-side it's not even mud, it's the act oddly called Shitcluster that runs its own thing, sharing a bad dream filled with eerie sounds from the caves. City is dying proclaims dystopian voice, accompanying crawling bass for the last rites before the demise. Shitcluster's debut on Bunker some years ago was sheer madness and, fortunately, their state of mind has not showed any signs of improvement since that.
Unit Moebius has been around with re-releases, called the Golden Years series, but UM Anonymous is a spin-off run by Jan Duivenvoorden. Helium voices on hectic breakbeat and monotone agitated percussion carry the track to entire 18 minutes. Creepy machine abstractions from The Hague for well-trained electro heads.

Nuel – Aquaplano Ltd 03

2011-07-27T19:55:00.003+03:00

Rating: 10/10

What I see on the label are the portholes of a flying saucer. What I hear is a stratospheric soundtrack, on the third release of the Aquaplano Ltd series. After droning and hollow techno journeys by Nuel and Mike Parker, it's again the Italian Manuel Fogliata who, instead of going with the flow of darker dubs, opens a new direction for the label and steps into electro fields.
Four untitled pulsating transmissions, more uptempo on the A-side where the play is opened with a functional track, reminding of DJ Stingray's recent "Sentiment" on [Naked Lunch]. Follows an energetic show-off of cascaded drums. The lighter side of electro comes on the flip where breakbeats are mixed with sultry melodies and floating chords, while B2 has some tranced-out notes and cosmic rock influences. When listening to the B-side the conclusion is that the summer is the perfect moment for issuing such tracks.
Like a true disciple of Marinetti and Drexciya, Nuel has managed to create a futuristic and thriving piece of electro where the joy of making music is well audible. And knowing that Nuel's full-length is in the pipeline at Further Records adds more excitement to the life.

Raime – The Three Chambers Of Our Entities / Living In The Gaps We Cannot Jump (BLACKESTSE001)

2011-07-26T00:51:00.004+03:00

Rating: 9/10

It happened on 6 July 2011 when the edition of 50 copies was sold in a couple of hours, after tweeted by Blackest Ever Black.
Carefully handcrafted good-smelling cardboard package was shipped to several countries of the world, hopefully not to be confiscated by customs.
The surround DVDr contains a 15-minute utterly claustrophobic composition where the main hero struggles to find a way out of the maze. After many minutes of dark ambient hiss, Raime leads out with its trademark distilled percussion. The video fits well to the music - the screen is in pitch-black mode.
The CDr is a mix made for Sonar and extended with two tracks. As anticipated we meet a number of 1980's dark wave and industrial bands - along Cabaret Voltaire, Front 242 and Yellow Magic Orchestra many groups that have enjoyed less limelight. Wild drum dance by Pink Military sounds like the band is Raime's godmother, The Klinik is fond of furious machine poetry, (Hypothetical) Prophet builds a tower of synths and Ike Yard is engaged in shamanism. Another tip is Hula before it starts to feel like at home when Front 242 and YMO close the play.

Various - Fouke Le Fitz Waryn EP (Crow Castle Cuts 1037)

2011-07-21T21:10:00.006+03:00

Rating: 7/10

A medieval story related to crows and castles is behind the 12-inch compilation but instead of gloomy feelings we get six tracks filled with bright sounds from North Wales.
Stamped, and stamped again, edition in grey vinyl might make suspicious but don't worry, the bird-themed compilation has some qualities. Stronger cuts on the A-side, which begins with fine guitar-touched house in "Exotic Guitar" by Maxim Lany & Lemakuhlar, followed by Studio Swiss's chord-driven "Falcons Pass".
After ornithological intermezzo called "Knaresborough Bird" by Glyn Ceriog, the flip contains nu disco flavored tracks by Luv Jam and Taylor Made while Plas Vegas goes back to the house sounds of 2000. Nothing too special but a neat compilation of warm grooves.
And there was a free black feather inside, usually going for £1.99 at Tesco.

Hype Williams – Kelly Price W8 Gain Vol. II (Hyperdub HDB052)

2011-07-20T23:11:00.002+03:00

Rating: 7/10

Catalog number 52 is my first Hyperdub and my first Hype Williams. The label that introduced Burial might be searching for new directions as I can't find any dubstep here. The question is, what genres does the record represent as in many aspects "Kelly Price ..." is more art and performance than music.
Four tracks in total and two of them clearly not for the floor. On snarling and clapping synth backdrop, "Rise Up"opens up slowly as a bloom under the rising sun. Spoken-word cut "Badmind" is like picked up from random US radio transmissions dedicated to cultural issues.
The best moments come when funky synths rattle in 80's-electro-flavored "Farthing Wood Dub" and also the most danceable track, smoothly rolling "Boss Man", aligns to that - only it's far too short. Feels like the sketchy EP has been put together in haste instead of taking more time in the studio.
Will not initiate a discussion if Hype Williams are hypnancholic or hypnagogic, they are just different and remain in the frontline among today's electronic bards.

Levon Vincent – Man Or Mistress (Novel Sound NS-05)

2011-07-19T06:00:00.007+03:00

Rating: 9/10

The heat is on in New York and radiating all over the world when Levon V. hits with the fifth release on his Novel Sound imprint.
Three tracks of sublime madness between house and techno start with equivocally named title cut "Man Or Mistress". After leading in with ample bass line, the track spins around like a dervish. Sleazy synth hooks make it a perfect match for watching Russ Meyer’s “Mondo Topless” on mute. In a later phase hysteric horns break in to carry the track towards padded end.
On the B-side, "Making Headway" slams big time with metallic percussion like from a construction site field recording. Feeling too heavy and bulky as standalone track, it becomes a predator DJ tool when mixing into house or techno sets that need some life. "No Regrets" walks on a softer path with broad dubby chords and sensitive vocal I took my chances anyway to express the warmer side of the producer.
The value of “Man Or Mistress” lies in varied sound textures used in each of the three tracks that enable feeling the producer's different emotions during the days that are not the same. Now I can join the chorus of those seeing excellence in Levon Vincent, after having hard time to access "Six Figures".

Video: Mescalinum United - We Have Arrived (1990)

2011-07-16T05:13:00.001+03:00

It was the day when Mescalinum United gave birth to hardcore. With its devastating nature the track literally manifested the arrival of techno's new brutal face. Like a whirlwind it swept over the skyscrapers of Frankfurt and introduced the world to the joys of massive kick drum.
The intro of "We Have Arrived" heralds a mayhem and all obsessed HC fans know what follows. It does not aim at becoming beats-per-minute champion but the track with strong industrial influence carries immense power. In the wake of 1990's it ruled the scene along with other output by PCP for the Hall Of Fame of HC. Was later remixed by Aphex Twin, among others. Ein Brett!

DUST OFF: Gagarin Kongress – Astralleib (Tresor 37 - 1995)

2011-07-10T13:46:00.001+03:00

In 1995 Gagarin Kongress was an one-off project by Edgar Domin and Udo Heitfeld, the latter known as TV Victor. It was Tresor's "Sirius" compilation where I found the original of "Astralleib", a polyrhythmic angular piece falling between the main floor and leftfield. But the revelation came when Joey Beltram turned the original upside down with a smoking remix - heavy fuel for all techno engines. The version by The Moon And The Sun kept a delicate stance and for the end breakbeats entered the stage in "Klapperstück".

Perc – Wicker & Steel (Perc Trax TPTCD003)

2011-07-08T00:25:00.003+03:00

Rating: 8/10

The fans of barbed sounds met with excitement the news about Perc's album, his first full-length after a production career of ten years.
Heavyweight single of "My Head Is Slowly Exploding", where Chris Carter's remix outplayed the one by Ancient Methods, heralded the march of angry machines for the album. Also by the design and semantics, "Wicker & Steel" does not stand for wellness and relaxation.
But the album is not exactly filled with torture room techno, although harsh sandpaper sounds dominate in "My Head ...", "Start Chopping", "London, We Have You Surrounded". Atmospheric "You Saw Me" carries something (from the sky), like we know from Jeff Mills' recent output and "Gonkle" derives from the mountain caves of the Lord of the Rings.
In my view, the real value of "Wicker & Steel" lies in tracks that might sound like moments of meditation, if compared to the rest. Already the voice-modulated "Choice" tells a great story on chilled-out backdrop, signaling that this is not an ordinary techno album. My peak moments come in "Pre-Steel" - an industrial ambient anthem to the infrastructure consisting of freight trains, cranes, tankers at the Port of Southampton or elsewhere. Before the end, "Snow Chain" might be inspired by big chill of recent UK winters - the track is as crisp and cold. Those three are found also in the sound clip below.
So, instead of gloomy beasts my heart beats for mystic beauties in this album, among the best of techno full-lengths in 2011.

Buy directly from Perc

Various – Variables II (Mordant Music 048)

2011-07-06T00:31:00.002+03:00

Rating: 8/10

Mordant Music is a renegade of today's electronic music and does not cease experimenting with rhythms and melodies for thrilling interpretations. One can imagine Mordant coming up with a new act like "Rollerskating Bankers With Pink Hats" to conquer the world. Don't get me wrong - they are no clowns - but Mordant gives a twisted angle to their productions, ranging from hauntological songs to dub and punk-influenced tracks.
A crazy company of various artists here. In "Soldier (reMMix)", Autre Ne Veut has mashed up pop-chart-feel for a weird and catchy tune to be sung along. Hectic synth piece called "ASDIC" by Baron Mordant himself is a gremlin disco hommage to Aram Khachaturian's "Sabre Dance".
Ekoplekz's psychedelic "Organite" carries the textures of progressive rock and in "Thermodub" the same suspect drives a large mutated dub soundsystem along the alleys of funkstep. Sii's bassy "Condor MoMent" has some drama of Italian 70's police flicks and electronic strings in "#6 (Magic & DreaMs Edit)" by Some Truths conclude the EP of leftfield sounds. As always, happy to have new Mordant.

Buy

Terminal 313 chart at Juno (June 2011)

2011-07-01T11:36:00.000+03:00

Another month of excellent releases, topped by another masterpiece by Prologue when Donato Dozzy and Neel embarked on an aquatic trip in "Silent Drops". The boys of Unit Moebius were sighted again at the sewers of La Haya, to team up with Shitcluster for weird electro tracks. Perc's "Wicker & Steel" is the album of the month, refraining from industrial techno stereotypes and delivering a varied choice of harder sounds. German act Robotron represents the electro faction and Zooloft shares again somber deepness on EP by Giorgio Gigli, Obtane and Milton Bradley. Music Institute 20th Anniversary Series comes with the Part 3, including KDJ's take of "Problèmes D'Amour" and Model 500's "Light Speed".

DUST OFF: Olga+Jozef #07 (OJ-07 - 2000)

2011-06-28T23:09:00.000+03:00

Olga and Jozef were not wedding musicians from the Carpathian Mountains, but a proper techno label from Bratislava. Slovak scene, with artists like Rumenige or Kre, teased the floors with banging tracks and made a contribution, when at the millennium switch the axis of European techno moved to the East - if we also recall Umek and other Slovenians.
This is a strong release, which on the A-side offers tribal-fueled dense loops and on the B1 a real feast of repetitive beats, before a chillier conclusion.

DUST OFF: Woody McBride – Come In... (Bush 1030 - 1996)

2011-06-27T10:41:00.000+03:00

April 1996, Paris. I enter the Techno Import store where the guys at the counter are busy testing the system with a track that hits me immediately. "C'est Woody McBride", I am told and years after this moment I still think "Come In..." is among the very best McBride has offered during his long and prolific career.
"Come In...", not a typical 303-release, is a terrific example how the man in the frontline of acid techno controlled the machines. A-side has two medium-paced cuts, starting with acid-housey burner "Let's Get Freaky". On the flip, roughness comes up in "Wall Of Confusion" that is totally insane attack of killer bees.

DBX – Losing Control Remixes (Peacefrog 025XX)

2011-06-24T23:33:00.001+03:00

Those who have been waiting for the represses of DBX's EPs feel the world being a better place now. Their purses might not necessarily agree, but undeniably the 20th anniversary of the UK label Peacefrog brought along a number of excellent limited editions.
All-time classic "Losing Control EP" may rest in the shelf for the next special listening, and let's focus on the remixes of the title track, reworked by Detroit triumvirate in their own distinctive styles shortly after the original record in 1994.

Rating: 8/10

Carl Craig could not resist to add claps and some tension-fueling breaks to the filtered version, while maintaining the original textures of the sound. Planet E man was squeezing out the best from his machines to create a floor-friendly cut. Robert Hood held the humanized vocal sample on repeat and sped-up the track in a vein of "Minimal Nation", initially out also in 1994. Richie Hawtin's drop-dead serious remix expressed his mid-90's metronomic machine sound, with any emotions stripped.
A good record, but after years of "Losing Control" being rotated in numerous DJ-mixes and compilations, the remixes do not sound so appealing anymore. Today I would rather listen what could be wrenched out from "Spock's Brain".

width="250"> Buy

Somfay – Bright Black Borealis (Detroit Underground 14)

2011-06-23T05:30:00.000+03:00

Rating: 8/10

Techno purists might have difficulties to accept this record. I was puzzled before and still am, to take a position whether it's a terrific or terrible record. Because, in spite of some features of a heavily pumping floor burner, it bears a distinct softer side when trance fairies descend on the grooves.
After a dark and energetic start, sweet melodic layers and guitars come up in "Virgo Widow" and remind of 1980's charmer Nik Kamen. Drum staccatos and acid lines dominate in thumping "All Above All" while Drumcell's rattling interpretation would satisfy the taste of techno heads bound for dark sweaty rooms. For the end, "Soak Scalene" moves in downtempo regions where a distant pied piper is heard walking down shadowy alleys. A gentle cut, reminding of the beautiful side of the electronic music.
Canadian Jesse Somay was among main protagonists of minimal flood in mid-2000's, doing several records on Archipel, but has been less in the limelight since that. Now he comes with an euphoric and daring release that might be quite a sensation at summer raves. Anticipating bluegrass versions, not joking.

Buy

Various – Uncanny Valley 004 (UV 004)

2011-06-22T05:30:00.002+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Uncanny Valley's fourth installment is a surprise to anyone accustomed to the label's jazzy deep house output. Keeping the format of EP compilations, the sounds deriving from Dresden represent rougher side of the house music.
"You Think You Think" by Sneaker runs in a synthetic bass-driven disco mode when suddenly jacking vocal sample pops up and assortment of fierce hi-hats and snares carries the track to proud length of over 12 minutes. Though, gradually the vocal sample starts to annoy.
A real shark is CVBox's acidic "Machinematch" that moves amidst underwater bubbles, hitting vigorously with the tail and chasing all small fishes in the sea. After this trip, Stefan Lohse's "Plätschern" feels incredibly slow. The bass rate is lower but bold and the track travels goes along winding paths of acid, to add deep house flair closer to the end.

Buy

Hard Wax, Paul Lincke and Berliner Luft

2011-06-19T14:38:00.001+03:00

In Berlin, Kurfürstendamm and Unter den Linden are the streets recommended by any travel guide, are must-go places for tourists visiting the city. Those seeking a different face of Berlin end up in Kreuzberg, a multicultural and bohemian district that is home of many record shops. When getting out at Kottbusser Tor underground station you are close to a world-famous location for cutting-edge electronic music and shining vinyls.
Paul-Lincke-Ufer 44A is the headquarters of Hard Wax - the address found at the store's mail order invoices signifies in real life an inner-yard apartment house. Not a posh place decorated with graffiti and surrounded by small institutions closely or remotely related to the Berlin music scene. Also noticed a door sign for iCrates, a small firm doings apps for crate diggers. And there was a car repair shop or similar.
It was end of September in 2005 when I visited Hard Wax first time. I was short of time and when arriving at Paul-Lincke-Ufer I had about one hour before the shop had to close. The street was pretty dark and initial search for this holy address was fruitless. On the second attempt, behind an arch, found the yard and the building, climbed the stairs and there it was. A special shop in a special location.
But who is Paul Lincke? He was a German composer and conductor in the first half of the 20th century. Author of "Berliner Luft", merry orchestral piece that is said to be unofficial anthem of German metropolis.

Lory D – Strange Days Vol. 1 (Numbers 13)

2011-06-18T03:15:00.001+03:00

Rating: 10/10

Acid house is in the air. Plenty of new releases follow historical trails of the warehouse/hangar parties to reproduce bubbling tracks. In the same the the new releases reinvent something reinvented a while ago. But here is a clear exception: Lory D's first record on Numbers.
Twenty years after his debut, the Italian is still coming on strong to drop two epic acid cuts. Both "Acidronix" and "Acid Prastix" give a broad grin of smileys, but the essence of the release lies in analog techno.
Although too short, "Acidronix" is a bold mover for those homesick of old school raves. Silver box conveys its message, saw bass is sharp and connections with EBM are not too far-fetched. On the flip, "Acid Prastix" is like a slinky serpent finding its way through adhesive analog sequences and striking acid lines. Drum patterns jump and collide in a hectic manner enough for virtual stagediving.
Numbers hosting Lory D means that the label works on a versatile roster and can't be defined as a bass/dubstep platform anymore. Compared with the first Numbers release, "The Golden Handshake EP", the current one is very different. Recommended for all dedicated citizens of rave nation and makes to wait for "Strange Days Vol. 2". The 13 is a lucky number.

Edward – A Piece Of Us (Giegling 07)

2011-06-17T17:02:00.000+03:00

Rating: 9/10

"More light" did Johann Wolfgang Goethe allegedly exclaim before passing into the eternity in Weimar, a city in Germany and the home base of Giegling Records. Now the light comes from this relatively new but impressive label, which brings fresh air from Germany.
Whereas the music is pitch black house-funk, with slow intermezzos ruled by sentimental sax and soft horns ("Human Leaks"). A blind test would place the record in the neighborhood of Moodymann and Levon Vincent (good example "Ours"), because of attitude and groove strongly rooted in the tracks. My favorite is "Society 0.5" with a robotic vocal sample on ample house bass. Not a new release, but sounds timeless. Only the question, who is Edward, remains unanswered.

Sandwell District – Sandwell District CD (FFCD01)

2011-06-16T15:10:00.001+03:00

Rating: 8/10

Without Sandwell District, the year of techno 2010 would have been unimaginable. Regis, Function and Juan Mendez, quality producers in the battlefields of electronic music, were teasing the crowds throughout the year and as a culmination did an awesome album. The vinyl was sold out virtually in a few minutes and therefore a CD is most welcome. It's not just the vinyl album in digital format because includes different versions and remixes.
Those familiar with SD know what to expect. Overall atmosphere is closer to ambient than floor techno but it's not a "quiet" album. For example, two versions of symbolic "Immolare" sound like not being from the same family. While Function version is a floating journey, Silent Servant hits with a rhythm stick in a strobe- and smoke-filled track. "Blood Tide" with its dizzying groove has not lost any appeal in time and still keeps a good hit potential. Thriving stuff in "Hunting Lodge" and "Svar", known from another single with live recordings in Berlin and Graz. Slightly different than others is "Speed And Sound" that inclines towards neo-trance and cosmic feelings.
SD's blood circulation is clearly connected with the machines they work with. The album sounds as a result of careful production with clear ideas behind.

Buy

DUST OFF: Huren – Istropolitana EP (Qube Records 001 - 1999)

2011-06-03T03:29:00.002+03:00

Go to google.de, type "Huren" and search for pictures. What you see might be exciting but not related to the real Huren or Dave Foster, a producer known for uncompromising attitude to the music. His greatest success came with the project Teste and the track "The Wipe" (Probe Records) that landed in many compilations and was reissued by Plus 8 some years ago.
In the beginning of 1990's, with fellow Canadian Himadri, Foster produced sci-fi acid and stripped-down minimalist trips (see Perceptrons). Later he moved closer to sinister techno, becoming associated with ultra-tech label Zhark and doing a highly pressurized techno album with Kareem, in addition to EPs.
"Istropolitana EP” came out in Canada in 1999 and is a real off-road experience for guys peeking through muddy windshield and having gasoline flowing in their veins. Indeed, “Post Modern Jeep Beats” as the label says.
"Zeugung" is built on one pumping loop and heavily breathing synths that prepare for the peak moment delivered by "Hemothorak”. The darkest dreams of techno heads come true when sighing and clinking machines are mixed with echoes and steel-coated vocal samples. The last minute tests the limits.
Less exhaust fumes on the B-side that starts with "Klubokhan", where tech-house textures and acid stabs remind of Fred Giannelli's output as The Kooky Scientist. "Scream Box" concludes the record with jacking techno workout and occasional dimmed vox.
Huren's EP would qualify to techno charts in 2011 as it belongs to same family of droning and dubbed-out releases gaining ground this year.

Terminal 313 chart at Juno (May 2011)

2011-06-01T22:50:00.003+03:00

The May charts herald another return of acid. Twenty years after his first release, Italian Lory D is in a great form when reinforces surprisingly the roster of Numbers, hitting with EBM-minded acid tracks. Japanese producer Iori combines droning techno journey with subtle acid confirming that Prologue Music is a techno label to watch in 2011. Albert van Abbe is a new striker of the Dutch electro squad and comes with the second release of own No Comment label. Thereafter acid again: Uncanny Valley label is a revelation with quality mini-compilations of which the latest is dedicated to oldschool bubbling sounds, also found in bulk in the album by JTC and two-track single by Tin Man.

DUST OFF: Bullet Proofed Split EP (Super Special Corp. 06 - 1993)

2011-05-31T13:29:00.000+03:00

Armed with distortion and brutal bass, cold-blooded commandos rush to annihilating mission. It's always midnight in their world as they strike and put everything into pieces.
These grim sounds are transmitted from the year 1993, on Super Special Corp. that was one of dozens of labels run by Marc Trauner, the mastermind of the Frankfurt school of hardcore. It's the only release featuring artists Distortion Bastardz and GunMen, which might have been also another alter egos of Trauner, who knows.
A1 fills two minutes with evil distorted drone that is like a stretched-out intro. Then A2 goes straight down to the business with brain-drilling bass drum slammer that some people might call extreme dumbness. On the flip GunMen delivers two tracks of pure old school power. Effect-filled B2 has some touches of hardtrance, so popular about the same time, but drums are the boss.
Interesting fact that Uwe Schmidt (Senor Coconut, Atom TM) was involved in the label that was officially shut down in 2001.

Virgo Four - Resurrection (Rush Hour Recordings 113 BOX)

2011-05-27T23:48:00.000+03:00

Rating: 10/10

The roster was largely the same across a number of Chicago house compilations that flooded the market 15-20 years ago. Lined up like a reliable team: Joe Smooth, Adonis, Farley Jackmaster Funk, Virgo and many more... Yes, Virgo too. Even can't remember if it was on a CD compilation found in one supermarket bargain bin in Marburg, but the first track I associated with Virgo was definitely "Do You Know Who You Are?".
Later it turned out that many people did not know who the Virgo really were, as a project consisting of Marshall Jefferson, Adonis and Vince Lawrence used the same name. The genuine ones were Virgo Four - Eric Lewis and Merwyn Sanders - who now wiped off the dust from their historical creations to deliver a retrospective of lost tracks titled "Resurrection".
I did not feel immediately the urge to get this weighty and costly package. The question was if there is anything left to explore in fully charted territories of Chicago house. But the old tracks turned out very new and fresh-sounding; little wonders have been made in remastering to take out the best from dusty reel-to-reel tapes.
A couple of hours of well-spent time without being annoyed. The collection covers all directions of the Chicago sound and works as a representative peek into different faces of the Windy City house development. Pure analog journeys dating back to 1984 with the newest pieces done in 1990.
Trade mark roughness of Chi-town productions is present across the album, but to treat the crowd in full, Virgo Four have managed to use the gear for very varied output. While "It's Hot" is a smooth house piece and "Silence" works as a warehouse classic, the tracks like "PH 25", "Let's Go" and especially "Knightro" are serious acid jackers. "Look Into Your Eyes" sounds like being under the influence of italo, "If You Want To Dance" might have inspired Moodymann and beautiful house tune "Lost Inside You" sounds just very Virgo Four.
Should I state the obvious truth this is an essential release?

DUST OFF: DBX - Losing Control (Peacefrog 022)

2011-05-25T20:40:00.001+03:00

The news that Peacefrog Records is celebrating the 20th anniversary big time - by reissuing many out-of-print classics like DBX's "Losing Control" - is a good reason to return to this seminal release. Considering that in 1994 also Robert Hood's "Minimal Nation" came out, it was a superb year for minimal techno - long time before the term minimal was exhausted by mid-2000's producers.
The title track of "Losing Control" with oscillating robo-voice and jacking dry rhythms is for me the genre-defining creation that belongs to the all-time top 10 of techno. Well, this is an underground hit, but more amazingly entire EP does not have any weak links. Stripped-down, monotonous and in a devilish way hypnotizing, up to the "Spock's Brain" just an insane trip.
DJ Jokke, a legendary club scene engine from Helsinki, advised to get this record when I was visiting the Street Beat shop back in 1994. Unfortunately I lost the record at a party and had to hunt down one from Discogs. And now, when Peacefrog announced the reissue, I did not hesitate a second.

Milton Bradley – A Sky Full Of Numbers (Do Not Resist The Beat! 06)

2011-05-23T23:53:00.001+03:00

Rating: 9/10

No way, I have never resisted the beat and neither will here. Ultra-low bass hum in "A Sky Full Of Numbers" on the A-side would be good to test how tolerant your neighbors are. Somewhat bulky metallurgic ambiance is surrounded by bleeps, echoes and well-preserved sounds extorted from a wrecked Roswell spaceship, making this medium-paced track an intense experience.
On the B-side, spooky stinging loops in "The Path To Mathematical Truth" mean that we are in the eye of the currently omnipresent droning techno storm. Fretting sequences seize the control and the track would work well in the spectacular running scene of Hitchcock's "The Birds".
Less rumble in "Numerical Analysis" that, though, falls not much out of the picture with underwater volcanoes extracting clouds of sulfur to the surface. Pokerface stuff.

Buy

Vernon Felicity – Bliss (Clone S.O.S.2)

2011-05-19T22:42:00.000+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Please meet Mr Vernon Felicity, by name a fellow who could easily be a hidden artist from the beginnings of warehouse parties. No doubt this piece of dark-green vinyl expresses Clone's love for overseas sound aesthetics, when the halos of Chicago and Detroit hover about this warmly rolling record.
"Scarlet Light" on the A-side starts with acid house feel that gradually receives warm chords and advances as a blissful journey of colored sounds. It's a full-bodied and majestically grooving mover keeping the spirits up.
Jazzy keys and rougher rhythms are mingled with deeper house grooves and subtle acid on the B-side track "Autumn Leaves". Despite of melancholic title it carries positive power. Also, amazingly the artist has managed to abstain from cliches that easily come up in this type of productions.
In fact, Vernon Felicity is not another (black) talent from America, but Dutchman Boris Bunnik, also known as Conforce and Versalife, who has done several records for Clone family so far.
This release can is also an award for those supporting real record shops: Because "Clone Store Only Series" is not available for mail order unless you grab one at Discogs.

Bill Youngman – HH3 (Killekill 003)

2011-05-16T20:03:00.000+03:00

Rating: 7/10

When browsing new arrivals at Hard Wax, a black sleeve sporting yellow writing KILLEKILL did not remain unnoticed. And created some irritation, leading in first place to a question: What's in this criminal kind of name? WWW helped out that it's an organization throwing parties in Berlin and also running a label that has reached number three of the catalogue.

At first instance I thought Sandwell District has come with a new moniker, because of familiar loops and smudged atmosphere in "HH3". But it's Bill Youngman and nice to hear the American around, more than a decade after his debut on Serotonin. He comes with a decent release for floors, "HH3" following the canons of contemporary techno productions, constructed on inexhaustible loops.
Though, my first impression was not far-fetched: Sandwell District is present, doing a solid but quite ordinary version of "HH3". Concluding the B-side, "Trilogy" catches more attention with waving electro feel, for a good change after more energetic tracks.
A record that will find a place in many DJ cases without breaking any barriers. On this occasion, the29novfilms, an outstanding director for techno videos, has provided motion picture versions of Killekill003, here the Sandwell District remix.

Iori - Lapis EP (Prologue 019)

2011-05-14T11:57:00.001+03:00

Rating: 9/10

It alerts your mind without getting emotional. Japanese producer Iori drops two bass-heavy and linear tracks for travels between earth and space, as manifested on the label picture. Already first moments of the A-side tell that weighty black vinyl is well exploited to capture thundering feel of this production.
Destructive bass and hi-hats introduce "Lapis 1" that is gradually blended with morphed acid lines and working its way through the tunnels filled with noises from a steel processing factory. However the second half of the track is quite uneventful, pumping along in a monotone way.
Without abandoning deep bass, "Lapis 2" offers a more varied landscape of sounds the are centered around boiling and smoking acid sequences, lending a dark trance flair to the B-side and reminding of recent output by Mike Parker, Giorgio Gigli, Nuel, and, from mid-90's, Sähkö's Philus.
Prologue Music, a new techno powerhouse from Munich, has won with Iori another excellent producer who recently showed his dubbier side on the "Full Circle EP" on Silent Season. Only it's a pity that "Lapis 3", the winner track of Tom Bonaty's Smoke Machine Podcast, is not included on the vinyl release and will be out digitally only.

Terminal 313 chart at Juno (April 2011)

2011-05-11T23:41:00.000+03:00

Nacho Patrol – The Africa Jet Band Experience (M Division MDIV07)

2011-04-30T23:40:00.000+03:00

Rating: 8/10

Synth freak Danny Wolfers continues his explorations in soulful disco and funk under the Nacho Patrol moniker, delivering a genuine-sounding fiesta of vintage grooves. Except of the knowledge that this record has roots in black music, the references to Africa remain limited and one should not expect any tribal shakers here.
Both "Stars Over Africa" and "Salambo Funk" are thriving party fare with vigorously working synth lines, known from Legowelt's many productions. "Fuzz Party" and "Ghetto Compressor" move closer to jazz, but real bliss comes in "No Angry People" - such a happy track with fizzy synths and captivating rhythms that bite like snakes and make it an ultimate feel-good tune for the spring 2011. Just cannot get it out of my head. For the end, some Mesopotamian feeling comes up in "Solomonic Dynasty".
For those with serious appetite for patrolling nachos, a limited package with 12-inch, CD album and a mix-CDR would help, to make you stuffed for a while.

Univac - Radiation (Bunker Records 3092)

2011-04-25T21:37:00.000+03:00

Rating: 10/10

Calling it party electro would mean we have a misunderstanding right for the start. While maintaining dark shades of Bunker releases, "Radiation" just keeps going with energetic treatment for hips and thighs. Plenty of banging and roaring tracks of good vintage electro style, in almost LP length for full enjoyment.
A1 bears some resemblance with "Numbers" by a famous Düsseldorf collective and A2 is like a armada of jet fighters taking off for a mission. A3 is my pick of this record: a very functional track with memorable stinging sequence and really works on the body, got hooked on that. B2 is another intensive cut with subtle acid lines while B3 smells and sweats like EBM. It makes to think of Univac's Spanish heritage, of El Aviador Dro, Esplendor Geometrico and others. B4 is a menacing builder for the end of this impressive release.
Bunker Records, the label that gave us Unit Moebius, Inter-Ference and other heroes coming from the sewers of The Hague, has found in Univac an artist that made my day.

Various - HÕFF (Trash Can Dance TCD102011)

2011-04-20T20:21:00.001+03:00

Rating: 9/10

Difficult to imagine that Haapsalu, a town at the Estonian west coast, is a thrilling place. But a medieval castle, where White Lady is appearing at full moon in August, makes the spot suitable setting for HÕFF, annual festival of horror and fantasy films that is held at the end of April.
On this occasion, Trash Can Dance has issued a compilation of darker rhythms and voices from the Estonian underground scene. As a small jubilee - 10th release in the TCD catalogue - the sampler provides a good insight into the scene.
Spice Mouse opens and closes the compilation with sad songs about vampires and blood, but otherwise the rhythms are well present. Wave and industrial zone starts with Several Symptoms and energetic pop by Mimicry. "Ratatouille" by Opium Flirt, found on the band's album from 2010, is remixed by 3Pead and carries strong EBM flair while this year's revelation Cosmos Laguna is engaged in technoid "Underwaterwar".
Then I really like Robosapien that keeps a good balance between melodic layers and EBM-like beats and a good find is also Tagasi Tulevikku that combines machine music with Estonian folk rhythms. Imandra Lake, that made big waves in the alternative scene last year, is on an instrumental shoegaze tip and eclectic Aamen plays with motoric beats and sound effects. Two ladies of Shirubi Ikazuchi conduct experiments with beeps and rhythms and Hypnobooster, to issue much-anticipated debut this year, has a lady doing Estonian vocals on somber but functional backdrop. Great job also by blue chip industrialists from Forgotten Sunrise who go back to native roots and perform a shamanic rock ritual.
Coming from manic-depressive department, Morgue's Last Choice and Edasi have doomed all the beauty in life, whereas Milla's echoes and subtle but massive bass is just devastating, partly reminding of Ultraviolence in a dampened mode. Kirst is both majestic and macabre with a meditative contribution of compressor synths.
I would rather spend my time on listening to this CD than sharing not so original observations about it. Full tracklist is here: http://http://www.hoff.ee/programm/hoffi-cd.

Opium Flirt + 3Pead sounds like this:
Opium Flirt - Ratatouille (3Pead Remix)

Extended example of Hypnobooster's style:
Hypnobooster

AU - Zero (Bunker Records / Panzerkreuz 1001-2)

2011-04-17T22:54:00.000+03:00

Rating 7/10

The music for trees that die standing tall. From the darkest corners of ambient comes utterly minimalistic drone that does not have much motion or emotion.
Cold embrace of "Angel Of Death" makes clear that the playwright has decided to let gloomy frequencies play with abstract noises. In "For Jupiter" distorted voice is overrun by rumbling semi-percussion carrying the power we do not know.
The anxiety eases in the first part of "Zero" that covers more than 16 minutes of the B-side. In the beginning it is breathing cold air in the vastness of Mongolian steppes, before strange exotic voices and more dramatic sounds emerge. "God Bless Us All" is a brief conclusion of the release.
Having keen interest in extremely stripped and threatening soundscapes, the AU release felt very promising during pre-listening. But for fully getting into it, the record has to be played loud or listened with top headphones. In my view AU's "Zero" is written for open-minded home listening, because "dance" is hardly associated with this kind of creation.
As expected, following the evaporation of voluminous Panzerkreuz Mantra Box from the stocks of Godspill, fans of Bunker get a second chance with pricey single releases. AU and Toner High are the first available and probably others are in the pipeline.

Raime - If Anywhere Was Here He Would Know Where We Are (BLACKEST002)

2011-04-12T22:47:00.000+03:00

Rating: 8/10

Blackest Ever Black sees a busy publishing schedule this spring and it is time to return to a release that helped to put the label on the map. Yes, Raime was one of gardeners to seed and water the new dark-blossomed flowers of the newer electronic movement.
"If Anywhere Was Here He Would Know Where We Are" is poker face electronics that should not be filed under dubstep, even when it has some features of this style. The track is a duel of electronic noises and varied percussion while the moods move between dismay and anticipation. "This Foundry", known from Raime's first release, is represented with Regis version that is stripped as hell.
I was not immediately glued to the work of Raime, but the conceptual setup of the label has deserved closer attention.

MD0 - Sepone Wisdom (SD Records 19)

2011-04-11T20:15:00.000+03:00

Rating: 8/10

First it made me think of UND, the duo that produced theatrical tech-house with tongue-in-cheek attitude. MD0 turns an eye to Asia having captured voices from the life on young Japanese ladies who are fond of designer clothes and chic jewellery. Sound wise it is quite eclectic mix of techno, house and electro.
The A-side reveals its qualities in time as the second half grows into hectic acid house. Ladyships have fun and keep the party going while the sounds are pretty schizo. The B-side is, despite of girlie giggling, is heavier and delivers compressed electro funk that we know from former SD releases. Because of swaying percussion it reminds of Louis Guilliaume and of The Drum Club. Oh-la-la, quite a naughty thing and not for techno purists.
SD Records had several stellar moments some years ago, with releases by Syncom Data, Guilliaume, Roswell Return and others. The label is still in business and this anonymous artist, carrying the quality seal by SD, has succeeded in doing a playful release of a different kind.

Tropic Of Cancer - Be Brave (Downwards 8)

2011-04-10T23:20:00.000+03:00

Rating: 9/10

This is like a garage band performing in front of black-clad indifferent youth. Although ignorance reflects in distorted vocals and droning sounds of the Tropic Of Cancer, this is a release with passion and attitude.
This is not a well-polished production as even the voice of Juan Mendez is in unshaven mode when pushing post-punk thing with Camella Lobo. First ten seconds of "Be Brave" made me think about the return of The Cure, but despite of some rock feel the monotone track is an electronics monster with bass support.
Gloomy vocals of the original are gone on the B-side. It is reduced to one ever-present bass riff and a real legend is behind this vertiginous interpretation - Richard H. Kirk.
If a Downwards fan would wake up from a ten-year cryogenic sleep, he or she would immediately see that the world has changed. Instead of classic techno bangers the label is seeking new ways and with Tropic Of Cancer it has another example of forward-thinking electronics. The band will continue the travels with another EP due out mid-April and published by Blackest Ever Black.

Moritz Von Oswald Trio - Horizontal Structures (Honest Jon's HJRLP54)

2011-04-07T21:05:00.000+03:00

Rating: 9/10

This is a little provocation. Firstly, for well-scented audiences that share the passion for opera and Wiener Symphoniker and despise anything that sounds even a little bit electronic. Secondly, a provocation for club kids who may accept dub techno, but believe that classical music is crap.Two different worlds could get closer when listening to this all-star-team of electronically minded musicians.
Moritz von Oswald, Max Loderbauer and Vladislav Delay, plus Marc Muellbauer and Paul St. Hilaire on guitars, provide musical excursions not only for the fans but also for the open-minded in both groups described above. The band has created a colorful carpet of sounds, derived not only from dub techno but also jazz and blues. The music flows like in a broad river with muddy waters. The release makes an introvert impression but it is something to be enjoyed at a fireplace and in a DJ set alike.

Out soon: Iori - Lapis EP (Prologue 019)

2011-04-06T23:01:00.001+03:00

The countdown has begun - in 30 days a real techno rocket takes off. Fire and thunder are united in the new EP by Japanese producer Iori. The sound samples tell that this will be a much anticipated release and another killer by Prologue Music. Iori's "Lapis 3" was already my favourite track in the Smoke Machine DJ mix by Prologue boss Tom Bonaty.
My review is here.

Emptyset Feat. Cornelius Harris - Altogether Lost (CLR 042)

2011-04-06T20:57:00.000+03:00

Rating: 9/10

In my view a surprise collaboration on Chris Liebing's label CLR. Emptyset did the album debut a few years ago, searching for experimental hardness and since that not much have been heard about the duo.
Would not have tipped CLR the label that welcomes new material by Emptyset but the job Ginzburg and Purgas have done here is excellent. Having on board Cornelius Harris, a member of the UR camp and known as The Unknown Writer, adds special meaning to the release and, with the voice and rhyme part by Harris, the result can be filed under Techno Meets Poetry.
Harris's suggestive performance rules the A-side where intense textual part is complemented by Emptyset's bassful and distorted music that partly sounds like a giant insect crawling on a sheet of thin paper. B-side is remixed by the label boss himself who reformatted the track for big-room purpose. Indeed, this is a release that has power within.

Out soon: Tropic Of Cancer - The Sorrow Of Two Blooms EP (BLACKEST003)

2011-04-05T09:33:00.000+03:00

The other face of John Mendez. Known as Silent Servant (Sandwell District) in the world of techno, Mendez and singer Camella Lobo are digging deep with the experimental project called Tropic Of Cancer. The band will release the third twelve-inch mid-April 2011.
Instead of Downwards, a techno-label-turning-experimental, "The Sorrow Of Two Blooms" is published by London outlet Blackest Ever Black that has rapidly gained recognition as a platform for gothic electronics.

Thomas Fehlmann - Live With Strings And Percussions (Kompakt 224 LTD)

2011-04-03T20:43:00.000+03:00

Rating: 8/10

Fehlmann's every new release is significant. After world-changing days in The Orb, and before that in Palais Schaumburg, one can expect the gentleman would spend quiet days in the Caribbean, after a man's work in the world or music. But Fehlmann is still around and returns to Kompakt with a live recording.
Yes, it's live and you can hear crowd noise in the background. Two-track single is dedicated to beautiful electronic music with strong acoustic elements. Strings, horns and subtle percussion follow to the beatless ambient intro in "Titan One". Violins and repetitive patterns add some intensity to the second half of the composition that reminds of modern classical works. It is not a far-fetched statement because "Titan One" is inspired by the 1st Symphony of Gustav Mahler, the sleeve notes say.
Strings and percussion are also well present in more mechanical but bright "DFM" that runs with a bundle of chords. It contains well concealed trippy elements of The Orb, or is it just my imagination. Well-constructed mature music that could address the audiences who prefer concerts starting well before midnight. I hope Mr Fehlmann does not think about retirement yet.

Octave One Revisited Series 2 (430 West 4WCL002)

2011-04-03T20:00:00.002+03:00

Rating: 8/10

Unlike rebellious UR, house-oriented 430 West that was set up and run by Burden brothers of Octave One, showed the intellectual side of Detroit electronic music and was soundwise closer to Planet E. The label's extensive catalog contains many evergreens, but for me it has been difficult to find real faves among Octave One's output.
With one clear exception - "I Believe", co-written by Anthony "Shake" Shakir, has been a memorable track, for bright days and early hours at parties when it felt like a light breeze after harder techno beats.
To hear Sandwell District remixing "I Believe" might seem pretty unexpected. Techno masters of the moment have added boom and bass making it harder sounding tech-house but still handle the tune with care, maintaining the ambiance and lightness of the original. The track gets quite rough before the fadeout.
On the flip "Daystar" is another Octave One classic and redone by Aril Brikha, now back in the spotlight with a reissue of "Deeparture In Time". Brikha complements the grooves of the original with deeper bass but remains mostly true to his warm and chord-driven style. Somehow a record that is difficult to miss for any Detroit lover.

Video: Lucy And Xhin - LX3 (CLR 044)

2011-04-03T10:23:00.000+03:00

Have to return to "LX3" that keeps spinning in my head. Lucy and Xhin have made a real masterpiece for the techno floor and the video captures mechanical spirit of the track.

Terminal 313 charts at Juno (March 2011)

2011-03-31T14:33:00.001+03:00

Flashback: Auxmen in Tallinn (2003) and coming again...

2011-03-30T21:59:00.003+03:00

Picture source: www.aux88.com

Detroit electro is coming to Tallinn: On 8 April Aux 88 presents Black Tokyo Live in the club Korter, supported by local act Fuck Yuo I Am A Robot as well by DJs MRDS and Punch.
It is the second time they are in Tallinn; a party in October 2003 attracted masses to enjoy Auxmen's vibrant live performance. Some notes from this event in Von Krahl:
Auxmen was the highlight of the night [in the lineup were also Rajaleidja (Joel Tammik), Scion and DJ Rob Rowland]. Without hesitation, two guys from Detroit, Keith Tucker and Blak Tony, got to work and started firing up the crowd with slogans like "no more standing at the wall, everybody dance". And it was body-dance they instigated. With a mixture of 313-area classics, Auxmen organized a time travel through the highlights of Detroit's electronic music.
In a stark contrast to the two preceding Germans [Scion], Americans placed much emphasis on the show. The tracks were full of force and those who expected some floating and dreamier sounds, which can be found on some of Tucker's productions, were left empty-handed. Instead the bass boomed through the room, Blak Tony constantly harassed his microphone with battle cries and Tucker's voice appeared only through the vocoder. The room rocked like in the Black Sabbath Riot.
The following sample is from Auxmen 2, released in 2003 by Puzzlebox Records:

More about upcoming gig (in Estonian): http://www.krtr.ee/est/kava/propa-aux-88-presents-black-tokyo-live-detroit-usa/

Cosmos Laguna - Karma Cleaner (Trash Can Dance TCD082011)

2011-03-22T22:53:00.000+02:00

Rating: 9/10

After visiting Kiek in de Kök, a 15th-century cannon tower in Tallinn Old Town, and witnessing exhibition about the city's days of glory but also suffering through plague and wars, I found that it was appropriate time to check the album of Cosmos Laguna. Macabre artwork looked very medieval, is it another strike of black metal?
First two tracks, "Cancer" and "Underwaterwar", made clear that the release is about electronics, although the first two sounded like noisy big beat and I did not have much fun yet. Then the game really started: DAF-like bass line in "Chaos City" worked in harmony with bone-dry shuffling loops and effects, the second half of the track getting pretty mad.
Then I lost my mind. "Bel-Air Trash Disco" kicks off in almost ambient mode, like ice-cold water dripping from the roof of an undercover cave. But then the machines start to bite with inflating hip-hop-reminiscent beats and larger than life industrial horns start to drill your body and mind. New and new layers of hard electronics shake the walls, it is evil and it is terrific. It is really an outstanding track - last time it was Ancient Methods that made me such goosebumps. Knowing that the cut is dedicated to Tallinn's legendary mid-90's club Bel-Air adds extra value.
And the ride went on. "Mover" has a more delicate start, I could almost imagine De La Soul coming to do some rhymes, but then sentimental synths in the background give room to heavier stuff. Like many other tracks, "Please Don't Kill Me" has a majestic intro and builds into a more experimental and heavy cut.
In "Karma Cleaner" vocoded warriors from Saturn speak, in a reverse mode, assisted by ambient layers and guitar, before we face the truth of flesh-eating synthetic sequences again. "Midnight Silence" and "Memory Begins" are fat and ugly, the latter searching for the melody. Distortion is a companion in many tracks.
With Cosmos Laguna the samizdat label Trash Can Dance has found an artist that could join respected line-ups of experimental techno floor.
Bel-air trash disco by Cosmos Laguna

Shackleton - Fireworks (Honest Jon's Records HJP53)

2011-03-21T21:05:00.000+02:00

Rating: 8/10

Shackleton's every move is watched very carefully, like Warren Buffett's in the world of finance, and this record has not remained unnoticed by punters and clubbers. Shack' offers two tracks, "Fireworks" and "Undeadman", that swim in the sea of deep bass and hollow clonks, surrounded by so-beloved congas, and still maintain delicate touch. "Undeadman" might be close to the heart of zombies, if they have one.
One remix is by T++, keeping the floating and complex atmosphere of "Fireworks" and sounding like stripped-down The Orb. Torsten Pröfrock does his job like in the days of DIN, however would have expected him sticking to the equatorial breakbeats of "Wireless", published last year on Honest Jon's too.
Then the change happens on the D-side, where ReMMix by Mordant Music shows the irrational side of the electronics. Imprisoned by stealth dub and chaotic noise samples, it is my favorite here. Mordant is not beautiful, but it is not a Miss World contest either.

Various - Full Circle (Silent Season SSV01)

2011-03-19T17:39:00.001+02:00

Rating: 8/10

First came the shock: The sleeve emerging from the mailer was quite worn and a merry couple, who did not look like electronic artists, smiled at me. Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams, what the ... Then flipped it over and, to my relief, saw the print "Silent Season" on the front. Then realized the meaning of "recycled sleeve" in the description of the first vinyl release by Canadian label Silent Season.
When hearing the first chords of Iori's "Plume", thought oh no, is it just another drop in the vast sea of dub techno, but the opener of the four-track compilation is better than usual output of this kind, carrying solid power and booming across the room. My favourite track is the next, "In The Maze" by Rie Lambdoll / Relapxych.0. As mysterious as the act name is the track with modest tempo and folk rhythms complemented by haunting female voices. This is a track to express wild nature of British Columbia, the home of Vancouver-based label.
On the flip, Mohlao ("Anektode") builds into a melodic electro with spiraling synths. For the end, Deer gives a few drops of bass in "Twisted Neck Companion", but the rest of the track is mature electronica with hints of pop sounds.
Full Circle is a limited run of 200 hand-stamped records, in recycled and screen-printed sleeves - you see, many magic words to inflate consumer and collector interest. More important is that the music on this EP matches the efforts of the artwork.

Aamen - Diskoveri (Trash Can Dance TCD072011)

2011-03-19T16:26:00.001+02:00

Rating: 7/10

"Diskoveri" ("Disco Blood") is an album one can not easily ignore. Either you like it or not, but it is an intense melting pot of 20-odd styles. You arrive to a hectic party with Count Dracula, Pokemon, Donkey Kong, Hänschen and Gretchen and many other luminaries of the unreal world.
Rephlex artist Ovuca came to my mind when listening to Aamen and some tracks could be filed under braindance, but it is quite a mess of influences. Guitar in a lonely American diner ("Pisibehmed aknad"), electric wave pop ("Kal'n'bass"), industrial meeting black metal ("Black Metal and Pink Plastick"), piano keys ("Promised Never Promise Again"), plus noise, breakbeats... Did not find any techno, by the way.
There are a few highlights. "VVEEBEEMM" and "Altmetsa teelt" (or "We'll Done" what the track is titled in Soundcloud) sound like remixed Nitzer Ebb; "SeeUnustatudRahuMaailm" is floating and poppy synth piece that could get wider recognition. My favorite is boombastic "Misantscopic", like modern choral music that, despite of occasional machine-gun drums, sounds almost sacred.
The shortest piece of this 30-track-CDR is the opener "Kits skit" (0:32) and the longest is the concluding "Unenäostnäkku" (4:46) - so the tracks are in ascending order by length.
Aamen has got the touch and imagination but should consult a career expert, which style and direction to pursue. There are several good finds on the album as are dull and annoying cuts and I missed the bass in many parts.
Aamen - Koleidaskoop - 22 - We'll done by Aamen