[Smallfish-releases-text] Smallfish Mailout 11/08/05
justusfish
justusfish@smallfish.co.uk
Thu, 11 Aug 2005 11:59:56 +0100
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Smallfish Mailout 11/08/05
Greets to you all from Smallfish on this fine and sunny Thursday!
This weeks mailout is a relatively short and sweet affair as people seem =
to have finally slowed down their release schedules a bit - although =
having said that, I know there's a big mountain of stuff due in the next =
couple of weeks (and actually there is a lot of stuff on this mailout as =
well, I've just discovered).
So, onwards, with the first thing to mention this week being...
Remote_ - Celestion EP - Meanwhile - In Stock
Is it somehow wrong to big up a record that's produced by one of the =
Smallfish crew? Does it look like we're being biased? Probably, but I =
think I can say we all genuinely like this record and I hope that you do =
as well.
Meanwhile has been quietly putting out some quality Techno records by =
Murmur and Bovill for the last 18 months and for those in the know they =
have formed a formidable back catalogue of purist minimal vibes that are =
dancefloor without ever being obvious. Nods to Detroit and Berlin are =
firmly in place and so are the grooves.
The fourth release is by Remote_ who has previously recorded on =
Smallfish, Neurhythmics, Blase and Keyboard Monkey. It's the most =
overtly dubby of the releases on Meanwhile so far but has a surprisingly =
grooved out cut on the A-side (the title track 'Celestion'). Add to that =
the beatless, Chain Reaction-esque ambience of 'Permafrost' and a superb =
remix of 'Celestion' by newcomers Sound Hacker (which comes on like =
Monolake locking horns with Autechre in a Berlin studio) and you've got =
a handy, purist EP of Techno and Electronica sounds. Just check it and =
see what you think!
Raster Noton
As you may have noticed on the website (and in last week's mailout =
extra) we have a splendid array of Raster Noton back catalogue at =
Smallfsh at the moment. I'm mentioning it again today as the supply is =
dwindling somewhat and we're on the last copies of most of the releases =
so, if you fancy some wonderful and classic digital minimalism I'd =
advise you to get in there quickly. Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taylor =
Deupree, Blir (aka SND), Signal, Alva Noto + Opiate, Noto, Senking and =
more are just some of the gems you can expect to find on the website. =
Check them soon though...
Interesting rare bits
Over the next couple of days you're liable to spot some very sought =
after Electronica, Techno and Hip Hop releases lurking on the website. =
We like to spice up the site every now and again with a few one-off bits =
and bobs and believe me, these are some top quality records. You'll spot =
them, you'll probably be as excited as I was when I saw them and then =
you'll conceivably want to order them for yourself... my advice is, snap =
them up as soon as you can when you see them as they aren't going to =
hang around for very long!
Fenton - Pup - Back in stock
This wonderful album by Dan Abrams (aka Shuttle358) did briefly go out =
of stock but I'm pleased to report that we've now got some more back in. =
Delightful music that's timeless as well as just plain brilliant. Don't =
miss out.
William Basinski CDs - Back in stock
After a short absence from stock 'Variations: A Movement In Chrome =
Positive' and 'Silent Night' by the one and only William Basinski are =
back in stock. Truly in a league of his own when it comes to making =
hypnotic soundscapes you really have to settle back and enjoy these at =
home on good speakers or on headphones to experience just how powerful =
his work is.
Incidentally the acclaimed 'Disintegration Loops' series of CDs are =
shortly to be available for the first time in this country and, of =
course, we will be getting stock of all of them... mindblowing sounds =
with an incredible underlying concept (which I won't go into here =
otherwise it could take me some time). One to sek out when we get them =
in!
So, that about wraps it up for this week except to mention that the =
excellent Kompakt compilation 'Total 6' is due in on Friday as well as =
the two Dominik Eulberg remix 12"s on Traum. Lot's of goods to look =
forward to!
Peace.
The Fish.
Smallfish Records | 329 Old Street | London | EC1V 9LE | +44 [0] 20 7739 =
2252 | www.smallfish.co.uk
New Releases (Vinyl): Electronica
AS ONE / ZEE (NEUROPOLITIQUE) - OUR PATHS MEET / HARMONY PARK - B12 - =
12" (B1203)
EXTREMLEY RARE EARLY B12 RELEASE WHICH WAS THE DBUT FOR BOTH MATT
COGGER & KIRK DEGIORGIO, 2 STALWARTS OF THE UK TECHNO SCENE. RAW,
RUGGED BUT SOULFUL MLANCHOLIC SOUNDS FROM KIRK, AND AN ALTOGETHER
EDGIER, HARDER APPROACH FROM MATT. SO RARE IT HURTS.......
BROADCAST - TENDER BUTTONS / AMERICA'S BOY - WARP - 7" (7WAP193)
I just can't emphasise enough how awesome the new material from
Broadcast is. 'Ha Ha Sound' was fantastic enough, but their =
forthcoming
new album does not disappoint in any way. In the meantime, this
limited two-track 7" acts as a sampler for 'Tender Buttons', and
should be snapped up at once. You will not buy a better record
all week. Trust me.=20
CARSTEN NICOLAI (ALVA NOTO) - ANTI REFLEX - RASTER NOTON - BOOK =
(CAT005)
This is something very special indeed. We managed to get a few
copies of the accompanying catalogue of Carsten Nicolai's (Alva
Noto) recent exhibition in the renowned Schirnhalle Gallery in
Frankfurt, Germany. Our scan/picture doesn't do this =
uncompromisingly
beautiful, minimalistic, almost fetishistic manufactured book
any justice. You really will have to either take my word for it,
or you will have to see this in person to grasp the unique visual
concept of Carsten's ultra minimalistic take on modern art. 200
pages in German and English with stunning high gloss photos of
the groundbreaking video and audio installations that the man
behind the Raster Noton label creates. Truly amazing material,
and I can't recommend this highly enough. A lesson in pushing
the boundaries of peoples perception. Please note: THIS IS A BOOK,
AND AGAINST ALL RUMOURS THAT WERE CIRCULATING, THERE IS NO DVD
OR CD INCLUDED.
CHAP, THE - I AM OOZING EMOTION - LO - 7" (LOSEV04)
This limited edition 7" (500 only) features two seriously upfront
cuts. 'I Am Oozing Emotion''s synths and guitar chorus are sure
to set local dancefloors convulsing with delight, while double
A-side 'Now Woel' takes the listener on a journey into heavy =
riffage.
Having gigged extensively with Tom Vek, Erase Errata, Numbers,
Oneida and Laika (as well as caused ruptions in the press), The
Chap are all set to conquer the world (well, Shoreditch anyway
- which is the world as far as some are concerned!).=20
HOWARD J. DAVIDSON - DISCOVERIES UNDERWATER - BBC - LP (REB667)
Original copy of the 1988 BBC television series, exploring the
wonders of the oceanic waterworld. Decidedly dreamy overall feel,
making heavy use of the then available vast variety of big and
expensive synthesizers.=20
JEAN-CLAUDE FLEURY - GWENDOLINE - RCA - LP (BL70252)
Ahh, one of those 80's soundtracks, where they thought they could
get away without a real orchestra. All done in a slightly cheesy
synthy fashion, but definitely with sampling potential for those
amongst you still going through the effort of actually creating
own samples.
KID606 FEATURING WAYNE LONESOME - BUCKLE UP - SHOCKOUT - 12" (SHOCK01)
RESTOCK. FIRST RELEASE ON TIGERBEATS SISTER LABEL SHOCKOUT - IN
THE EVER GROWING TIGERBEAT FAMILY. BIG DRILL AND BASS MEETS =
RAGGAMUFFIN
ACTION ON THIS EXCELLENT TIGERBEAT RELEASE. MASSIVE - AND BOUND
TO ROCK MANY A DANCEFLOOR (I KNOW I'LL PLAY IT!). =
MASHUPDEDANCEHALL...
MAURICE JARRE - FATAL ATTRACTION - PRT - LP (PYL6035)
Wasn't this the movie, in which Michael Douglas gets framed and
blamed for srewing his female boss...? I think so, and surprisingly,
I donb't remember any of the really dark and soundscapy bits on
this. Really good and cold in places, with shimmering pad sounds,
and very, very dark strings.=20
STASIS - POINT OF NO RETURN - B12 - 12" (B1211)
SECOND RELEASE FROM THE STAS MAN ON THE WELL RENOWNED B12 =
IMPRINT..........
VERY DETROIT SOUNDING AND VERY FUNKY NOT TO BE MISSED. THIS IS
A VERY RARE & COLLECTABLE SILVER VINYL PRESSING THAT IS STILL
SEALED!! CLASSIC UK ELECTRONICA FROM STEVE PICKTON....
U-ZIQ - EASE UP - PLANET MU - 12" (ZIQ130)
First new material from Mike Paradinas' U-Ziq project since 'Bilious
Paths'. This three-track 12" contains live favourite 'Ease Up'
(a slow dubwise D&B/breakcore cut that's been ending his sets
nicely for the last two years), the 'Lunatic Harness'-like 'Wergle
The Proud' (which brings back those much admired Paradinas melody
lines), and the VIP mix of 'Ease Up', a 13-minute epic. Frankly
a bit of a must!=20
VARIOUS - THE DUDES EP LIMITED EDITION - SHADETEK - 12" (SHT007LTD)
Probably a stronger release than 'The Girls EP'. This has more
of an overt electronic feel as well as a Crunky feel to tsome
of the beats and some blatantly large hip hop vocal moments. =
Processed
to the max and pretty much as crunched up as you can get, I guess
a good comparison would be the more aggressive recent Spezial
Material gear. Whoop, whoop! This version is, of course, the very
limited handmade packaging version so don't expect them to last
too long!=20
VINCE TEMPERA - CENTURION ODYSSEY - LONDON - LP (8303581)
Space me up baby...80's sci-fi gallore...!!! Whatever, wherever
this dates back to...pressumably some very obscure film that very
few people will have seen, it is a cheese fest of big 80's synths
with many a bits waiting to be lifted.
Restocks (Vinyl): Electronica
AFX - ANALORD 10 - REPHLEX - 12" (ANALORD10)
OK, WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT MY SOURCES INFORMED ME THAT
ANALORD 12 WAS GONNA BE A PICTURE DISC VERSION OF ANALORD 10,
BUT HERE IS THE PICTURE DISC, CLEARLY STAMPED UP AS ANALORD 10.
SO WHAT'S ANALORD 12 GONNA BE? THE MYSTERY DEEPENS! MUSICALLY,
THIS IS ARGUABLY THE MOST STRAIGHT-UP, TRADITIONALLY APHEX-SOUNDING
RECORD IN THE SERIES SO FAR, BOTH TRACKS SOUNDING LIKE COULD STEM
FROM THE "COME TO DADDY" EP (OR AROUND THAT ERA, THINK "FUNNY
LITTLE MAN"). A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE OTHERS, BUT WHO
GIVES A MONKEYS, THIS IS ONE WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR, AND I
HAVE TO SAY IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS TREMENDOUS (AND IT IS, I'M MORE
RELIABLY INFORMED THIS TIME, EXACTLY THE SAME TRACKLISTING / =
VERSIONS
AS THE ORIGINAL ANALORD 10 WHICH CAME WITH THE BINDER). GET IN
THERE AT ONCE.
ANALOG~1 - B-LINE - MCMLXV PRODUCTIONS - 12" (M-0002)
THIS IS JUST A FANTASTIC RELEASE. MCMLXV HAVE ONE FOOT FIRMLY
IN THE PAST BUT WITH A CONTEMPORARY FEEL AS WELL. THIS IS HOW
ELECTRONICA SHOULD BE DONE IN MY OPINION... WARM, DEEP, GORGEOUS,
LOVINGLY CRAFTED AND DEEPLY ATMOSPHERIC. LOVELY ELECTRO BASED
RHYTHMS AND SUPER LUSH PADS PLUS A COUPLE OF WONDERFUL BEATLESS
BITS. IT SOUNDS LIKE MID '90'S BRITISH ELCTRONICA BUT COULD ALMOST
BE ON AI AS WELL. I CAN'T DO THIS JUSTICE REALLY SO JUST CHECK
IT OUT AND I'M SURE YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH IT JUST LIKE I DID.
RECOMMENDED MOST HIGHLY.
DMX KREW - THE TRANSACTIONAL INTERPRETATION - REPHLEX - LP (CAT176LP)
Two equally intriguing LP's in one week from DMX it is, then.
Again, this is really pure electronica, utilising stark loops
and simplistic melodies in an "Analord-stripped-bare" style. =
Seemingly
(again) very Kraftwerk inspired (one track was almost "It's More
Fun To Compute", another has curiously Eno-esque vocals!). =
Definitely
one the Rephlex heads will snap up. Released Monday 1st August
although we can send it mailorder to arrive on Monday. =20
DMX KREW - MANY WORLDS - REPHLEX - LP (CAT175LP)
A surprisingly non-electro based 9-track LP from DMX, subtitled
"The Collapse Of The Wave Function Volume 4". Straightforward,
often downtempo electronic loops and simple melodies combine in
this almost "Analord-stripped-bare" project, kinda reminiscent
at times of Kraftwerk (one track sounds like it could break into
"Showroom Dummies" at any minute!). Will no doubt fly out. Released
Monday 1st August although we can send it mailorder to arrive
on Monday.=20
IKEN - IMAGE OF A DRAWN SWORD - REAL SOON - 10" (RS002)
3 SLOW DUBBY TRACKS THAT COULD BE CALLED HOUSE, COULD BE CALLED
TECHNO, BUT WE'VE PLUMPED FOR ELECTRONICA. REMINDS ME OF A LETHARGIC
TITONTON. THATS NOT A DISS THATS A COMPLIMENT! VERY DEEP WITH
LOTS OF NICE BIG ANALOG BASS'S AND MELODIE LINES. RECOMMENDED!!!
STASIS - FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW - PEACEFROG - 2xLP (PF046LP)
CLASSIC ELECTRONICS / BREAKS FROM OUR BIG DADDY STEVE. THIS 1996
LP SHOWCASES THE STASIS SOUND IN FULL, WITH A GREAT RANGE OF =
PERCUSSION
SOUNDS, NOT TO MENTION THOSE TRADEMARK STRINGS. DELETED RARITY
- NOT TO BE MISSED, AND A GREAT COMPANION PIECE TO THE FORTHCOMING
RARITIES / UNRELEASED COMPILATION ON PEACEFROG....
New Releases (Vinyl): Techno / Electro
A GUY CALLED GERALD - FLO-RIDE (WHITE LABEL PROMO) - SUGOI - 12" =
(SUGOI01W)
Very limited white label advance copy of this first release on
Gerald Simpson's own label. 'Flo-Ride' bounces along at a stately
135 bpm, a slight return to 4-to-the-floor for a dark-house-breaks
ride. 'Under The Way' is a quirky bass charger made for freestyle
DJ sets, and 'Visitor' (hilariously described as 'moon-dub'!)
is an excursion into the lower frequencies to get those naughty
bits vibrating.=20
A GUY CALLED GERALD - VOODOO RAY - RHAM - 12" (RX8804)
This is a bit of a blast from the past - original version from
1989 - radio, original and a remix. You know this record - even
if you don't, if you know what I mean. Classic early techno.
=20
ALEXANDER ROBOTNICK / NIGHTMOVES - PROBLEMS D'AMOUR / TRANSDANCE - =
BENELUX - 12" (BENELUX210-003)
Two classic slabs of Electro from the '80's (I believe). Both
sounding fresh as you like and considerably more contemporary
than a lot of the retro Electro stuff that's around at the moment
(ironically). The re-edit of 'Problems D'Amour' is particularly
splendid and is well worthy of some serious investigation.
ARMANDO - 151 ARMANDO - DJAX-UP-BEATS - 12" (DJAX-UP-152)
Was this sent by Armando directly from heaven? I guess so, because
this set of ultra-tight remixes of his seminal 151 double-pack
on Djax just is just devine. Raw Acid power of the highest order,
and you know he would be playing everywhere these days, if he
was still alive. Sadly, he left too early...RIP to one of the
pioneers!=20
BILLY DALESSANDRO - THE WAY YOU MOVE - RESOPAL - 12" (RSP023)
From his Chicago-based headquarters, Billy Dalessandro strikes
back and delivers a nicely dosed package of lush, minimal house
tracks. Having released tracks on labels such as Force Inc, Resopal,
Kompute and Fabric compilations, it's about time you checked him
out if you haven't already done so.=20
CAPTAIN COMATOSE - UP IN FLAMES - PLAYHOUSE - 12" (PLAY108)
The title track from Captain Comatose's recent album gets a full
disco makeover from production duo Glove (aka Tobi Neumann and
Thies Mynther of Christiane F). On side two, the equally up-for-it
new track, "Say CC". Acappellas of both tracks are also included
from all you remix fiends out there.=20
COLDER - HEAT - OUTPUT - LP (OPR85LTD)
The new Colder album now finally arrives in the shop as a vinyl
version. And what a beauty it is. We managed to get a limited
amount of red vinyl copies, that were from the inital press, and
all further stocks will be on normal black vinyl. for the collectors
and design fetishists, this does justice to the brilliantly glossy
and slightly voyoristic cover photo.
DOWNLINK - THE HIDDEN BLUEPRINT - FOREVER GREY - 12" (GREY01)
Lovely varied slice of techno from 1995. Three tracks - one that
takes a dubby approach, another that takes a more tribal, perky
and acidic tack and a third that is pitched up and a great deal
darker and more banging. =20
EYERER & CHOPSTICK - GET ALIVE! - GREAT STUFF - 12" (GSR016)
More electro-house Hoxton fun here in that Gigilo/Crosstown mould.
This track has a stripped down Phonique mix and an even more =
stripped
Deutsche Und Albaner mix. The original mix embraces the electroclash
sound with four/four beats and a vocal delivered in that London
'geezer' accent we all know and, hmmmm, love........... If you
love the scene, you'll love the sound!
FRANKLIN DE COSTA - TRAPEZ LIMITED 35 - TRAPEZ - 12" (TRAPEZLTD35)
Trapez keep the pressure on with another Limited release. Franklin
De Costa once again delivers a strong EP of Euro inflected Techno
sounds. Quite heavy at times and certainly very much made for
the dancefloor... this one should get the people wiggling. Nicely
varied throughout and, overall, a pretty damn good release.
HOUSE HUSBANDS, THE - YOU'RE UGLY - UNKNOWN - 7" (HH072005)
THIS RELEASE FROM A LABEL YOU'LL KNOW VERY WELL BUT HAS TO REMAIN
SECRET COMES INCOGNITO FOR LEGAL REASONS (TOO COMPLICATED TO GO
INTO HERE!). MUSICALLY, IT'S ACTUALLY A BIT OF A DEPARTURE FOR
THEM, COMING ON VERY MUCH LIKE CURSOR MINER IN SILLY ELECTRO POP
MODE. ASK YOUR FRIENDLY SMALLFISH ASSISTANT FOR FURTHER DETAILS!
JONZON - CARDIOLOGICAL STOMP - EXACTA.UDIO - 12" (EXACTA008)
Classic pounding techno track released by Disko B back in the
day (1995 to be precise, so this is its tenth anniversary!), now
picked up by those nice people at Exacta.udio and coupled with
an equally energetic Richard Bartz remix. If this doesn't get
you moving, i don't know what will.=20
KINKY DISCO - DEJA VU - KINKY DISCO - 10" (KINKYDISCO007)
The much-anticipated return of Kinky Disco, who always seem to
shift a few units here regardless of how many single-sided records
they release (there's been a few now, and here's another). Upfront
electro pop that takes few prisoners, is very brash and doesn't
care if you think it's badly dressed. Catchy, too. Come on you
Sho/Ho muppets!=20
KONFEKT - QUENGE LIESE - AREAL - 12" (AREAL32)
Areal still have this absolutely unique sound which no-one else
has quite managed to emulate yet. Gnarly bass sounds and some
very twisted programming and production are the key elements here
and Konfekt construct a tight yet screwed-up groove. If you like
it dirty and slightly malevolent sounding you simply can't go
wrong this singular label. Recommended.
MARTINEZ - MINIMAL DEEPNESS - OUT OF ORBIT - 12" (ORB010)
Two tracks here, the first being a generic 'deep' house record
while the flip is more of a stripped down mixing tool. Solid enough
and good if you want 'that' sound...again! I'm sure Martinez loves
it and some of you will too but, let's face it, by next month
it'll be long forgotten. On the whole it's unmemorable, inoffensive,
run of the mill and shows very little, if any, innovation. A well
trodden path...................
MICHAEL HEALEY - ONGAKU - SENSEI LIMITED - 12" (SNSLTD005)
Apparently Michael Healey is quite a young lad. Well the young
lad has something to say. Great, thoughtful production, strong
ideas and very good execution. Slightly F-comm, slightly Sahko,
this is great house / deep techno and well worthy of your =
attention.............
PACHULKE UND SOHN - PLATZHIRSCH LIMITED #3 - PLATZHIRSCH - 12" =
(PLATZHIRSCHLTD03)
Putrid pink vinyl here on the third limited Platzhirsch release,
this time from someone called Pachulke und Sohn. Bouncy 4/4 Electro
/ Techno sounds with a cracking drop in the middle and funky,
mechanical beats. It really is limited so don't delay and make
sure you snap yourself up a copy.
PAN/TONE - THRILL HO - MULE ELECTRONIC - 12" (MULEELECTRONIC008)
Mule continue on their slew of great releases with this slightly
tougher outing from Pan/Tone. Rough basslines and jagged sounds
sit very happily over the heavily Electro influenced Tech beats
to provide a satisfying dancefloor appeal. Similar to their work
on Sender, this is one that you'll thoroughly enjoy, I'm sure.
REDCELL - RETREAT FROM UNPLEASNT REALITIES - B12 - 12" (B1207)
ONE OF OUR FAVOURITES FROM THE B12 CATALOG HERE AT THE FISH. 4
DEEP ATMOSPHERIC CUTS WITH "AT THE EDGE" BEING , FOR ME, ONE OF
THE BEST THINGS THEY EVER DID. HUGELY SOUGHT AFTER & HUGELY RARE.
BLUE VINYL NO LESS!!!
REMOTE_ - CELESTION EP - MEANWHILE - 12" (MEAN004)
The fourth release on the excellent Meanwhile label comes from
our very own Remote_ and is another example of why this London
based imprint is increasingly growing into a force to be reckoned
with. Remote_ drops four tracks that are are at once instantly
in line with the label's output so far, but subtly different and
considerably more dub based. The opening cut, 'Celestion [Edit]'
is a relentless, string driven groove with a heavy sub-bass line
and a subtle and subliminal melody line that creates a dreamy
feel, but with solid beats. Sound Hacker remix 'Celestion' into
a staggering slice of jittery Electronica with acres of depth
and atmosphere that definitely brings to mind Monolake and Autechre
without actually sounding like them. 'A-Tonal', the first track
on the flip, references Basic Channel and Deepchord with its =
stripped
down yet grooving style. Metallic stabs and piles of reverb combine
to create an echo-wise beast that slowly unfolds over time. The
final track, 'Permafrost' is, as the name would suggest, an icy
cold piece of music. Beatless, but incredibly dense, it has an
underwater feel and layer upon layer of alien-sounding strings
and drones. Varied and complete sounding, this one is definitely
for you if you like Meanwhile's other releases or Berlin and Detroit
Techno. Recommended (unsurprisingly!)
SASCHA FUNKE - BOY - B PITCH CONTROL - 12" (BPC112)
Sascha's been out of the limelight for a little while so it's
great to see him back and on solid form. Bleepy, mechanical Techno
sounds that are very Electro influenced and have nicely chunky
and quirky feel. The A-side in particular is a wicked romp with
a hypnogtic groove and some gnarly bass sounds. Good stuff indeed.
SATOSHI FUMI - MADNESS & THERENESS EP - ITALIC - 12" (ITALIC051)
Satoshi Fumi has conjured up a magical slice of depth here. It's
really quite a different sound than you'd expect from Italic.
Deep, old school House vibes all round with a New York / Detroit
flava. A couple of the tracks on here could easily be on a label
like Delsin without any problems at all although the last tracks
is a pure House cut just dripping with electronic soul. A stunning
EP in my opinion and one that you should definitely check out.
SCUBA - TIMBA / SLEEPA - SCUBA - 12" (SCUBA001)
First release from Hotflush offshoot Scuba is a deep and dark
Dubstep / Sublow record. Some monstrous basslines going on and
nicely jerky beats and breaks. At the end of this style that =
definitely
warrants your attention. Check.
SHAWN RUDIMAN - SECOND IS FIRST - DUST SCIENCE - 12" (DUSTV006)
Decent three tracker from Mr Rudiman. Solid, bass heavy dark house
with occasional whispers (what are they saying?) is the best way
to describe the excellent A-side. The flip starts with down tempo
fella before jumping on the chicago train with the Ralphi Rosario
sounding 'Time & Focus'. All in all, a goodie.
SPEKTRUM - MAY DAY - NON STOP RECORDS - 7" (SPEK005)
No need to hype this up too much... the outfit that brought you
'Kinda New' and the acclaimed 'Enter the Spektrum' album return
with this track first conceived after the May Day protests of
2002 (in Central London). On a slightly different tip for them,
this veers more towards post-punk territory (a la X-Ray Spex,
with its punky sax break and breaking glass synths or maybe Nina
Hagen). Comes with acapella and bonus beats on side two.=20
STRATEGY - WORLD HOUSE - COMMUNITY LIBRARY - 12" (CL1)
Brand new label from Portland, Oregon which sees the first release
coming from Strategy (not sure if that's the same Strategy that
appeared on Kranky and Orac). A wonderfully deep and Techy sound
with a luscious House groove and a beautifully melodic feel =
throughout.
The tracks both build and grow throughout and provide a very =
hypnotic
groove with acres of feeling. A wicked first release which, as
you can probably tell, I'd rather keen on! Recommended.
VARIOUS - SUBSIDENCE - TOUCHIN' BASS - 2xLP (TB014LP)
Yes, at last - some vinyl on this highly attractive Touchin' Bass
sampler / showcase album. Andrea Parker's label has certainly
proved itself to be ahead of the game when it comes to dark, =
twisted,
eerie, slightly experimental electro/nica. With tracks on here
from Eggfooyoung, Doctor Evil, ADJ, Hydraulix, Alpha 606, Nomadic,
Cultek and Ms. Parker and Mr. Morley, this forward thinking attitude
looks set to continue.=20
VARIOUS - THE LANGUAGE OF ACID! - ACIIIEEED! - 12" (ATA002)
Series two in a five part compilation of classic underground acid
house. This time we have four tracks from Frankie Bones, DJ TJR,
Mateo Murphy & Mystic Bill, all of which reek of that classic
acid house sound. 808's, 909's cowbell riffs and the real 303
beast itself. A lot of this old material still kicks butt and
makes a lot of the new, PC borne acid material sound weak in =
comparison.
Check it Out !!!!!
VARIOUS - 4 IN A ROW EP - TIC TAC TOE - 12" (TTT006)
Four artists but all with a similar approach and related sound.
This normally means a 'movement' in action. The artists are =
Stavostrand
& Skugge, Ryan Crosson, Brightlight and Mr Kemi & Amox. Their
sound is very much like early Barth and Lekebusch, heavy =
compression,
Svek before disco sucked them dry....you know! Very Strong and
worth a listen!!!!!!!!!!!!!
X TRAK - I-NODE EP - PEACEFROG - 12" (PF037)
Four tracks of quality bleepy and acidid techno from 1995. This
is Todd Sines under his X-Trak guise (he's been ontoo many labels
to list including Planet E, Residual, 2122 Corp...). Superb -
and just the one.
Restocks (Vinyl): Techno / Electro
ANTHONY SHAKIR - LOST & FOUND 1 - DUST SCIENCE - 12" (DUSTV005)
It's always good to get some material from Shake. His techno sound
is still pushing forward and still pretty much in a league of
its own. 3 tracks that vary in style and range from hypnotic minimal
loop tracks to a more lush and chord driven, classic Detroit sound.
A lovely piece of vinyl for fans of true techno.
DJ SHIRAKURA / GOLDFISH & DER DULZ - TUNING#03 - BOXER SPORT - 12" =
(BOXER030)
The third release in the Tuning series comes from Shirakura and
Goldfish. Not their originals but remixes from Hemmann & Kaden
and Chardronnet respectively. Dirty, funky Tech sounds that sits
very happily with the other Boxer releases but has a slightly
edgier feel to it and a rawness that's really going to do it on
the dancefloor. Killer stuff that comes recommended.
JACEN SOLO - VIRGO - A.I. - 2xLP (AI011LP)
THIS IS BEING LISTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR A SECOND WEEK, SIMPLY
BECAUSE IT IS AWESOME AND WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO MISS OUT. IT'S
MY FAVOURITE RELEASE ON AI SINCE THE CLARO ALBUM, WHICH KINDA
FOLLOWS AS THIS IS DEEP, EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-PRODUCED DETROIT-STYLE
ELECTRO THAT'S MUSICAL, FULL OF WARMTH AND LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF
MOST OF THE COMPETITION. WITH NODS TO MID '90'S ARTIFICIAL =
INTELLIGENCE
(CURIOUSLY!) STYLE ELECTRONICS,THE DEEPEST DETROIT TECHNO AND
EVEN THE CHORD-Y, SOULFUL STYLE OF PEOPLE LIKE MIKE GRANT AND
RICK WADE, THIS HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER WITH A STRONG EAR FOR MELODY
AND GROOVE. ELECTRO-ESQUE RHYTHMS RIDE UNDER THE TRACKS AND =
GENERALLY
THIS IS QUITE UNMISSABLE IF YOU ASK ME. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
JUSSI-PEKKA - WORK IT - THE REMIXES - MORRIS AUDIO - 12" (MORRIS42)
This release sits strangely with the other Morris Audio records.
On the one hand their releases have got a little more housey =
recently,
but this sees Jori Hulkkonen and Freestyle Man delivering the
remixes and they're both very much in the electro / electronic
house vein. Wicked synth work and some cracking basslines make
up the main meat of the tracks and they're both different enough
to warrant playing out quite a bit. Strong stuff, then, but not
nearly as deep as some of the other Morris Audio gear.
LAWRENCE - THE NIGHT WILL LAST FOREVER REMIXES - LADOMAT 2000 - 12" =
(LADO2175)
I'm slightly concerned about the teaming up of Ladomat and Novamute
and their penchant for endlessly remixing things... particularly
Lawrence. So far, however, we're still in the realms of quality
and both the John Tejada and Lusine remixes are quite simply superb.
J.T. delivers a gnarly, bass driven mix with all of his funked-out,
skippy trademarks whilst Lusine opts for a flat, warm, yet =
atmospherically
moody version which is absolutely spot on. Add to that a new and
exclusive track and you've got an indispensible release from one
of my favourite artists. Killer.
SLG - QUARTER PAST ELEVEN EP - LEVEL RECORDS - 12" (LEVEL04)
Level Records has only put out 4 releases so far but they've been
of such exceptionally high quality that I always eagerly await
a new one. This doesn't disappoint at all and, in fact, could
easily be my favourite 12" so far. The deepest of Techno grooves
with subtle, shining chord sequences made up of gentle sinewave
sounds plus funky, House influenced beats that have just enough
shuffle to groove it whilst remaining true to their Techno roots.
A wonderful ep for playing and listening to that will easily stand
the test of time. Recommended.
SONAR BASE - EPISODE II: TRANSMISSIONS FROM BEYOND HOAG'S OBJEC - SCSI =
- 12" (SCSIID015)
MONSTER EP FROM THE SCSI CREW. SONAR BASE DELIVER SOMETHING OF
A DANCEFLOOR SMASHER IN THE SHAPE OF THIS EPIC SIX TRACK EP THAT
HAS IT ALL... HEAVY BASS, ELECTROID FUNK, MUTANT BEATS AND SO
MUCH MORE. EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND GENERALLY PRETTY MUCH UNMISSABLE.
RECOMMENDED.
ULF LOHMANN - ON FROZEN FIELDS - KOMPAKT - 12" (KOM117)
FIRST NEW RELEASE FROM ULF IN AN ETERNITY, AND ONE I'VE BEEN LOOKING
FORWARD TO A TREMENDOUS AMOUNT, I CAN TELL YOU. THIS TURNED HEADS
THE SECOND THE NEEDLE HIT THE GROOVE. THE FIRST TWO TRACKS ARE
KOMPAKT AT THEIR GRITTIEST AND NASTIEST YET - SERIOUSLY HEAVY
AND NOT WHAT ONE MIGHT ASSOCIATE WITH HERR LOHMANN AT ALL BUT
TOTALLY IMPRESSIVE NONETHELESS. HOWEVER, FEAR NOT, POP AMBIENT
FANS AS THE SIX (YES, SIX) BEATLESS TRACKS ON SIDE TWO ARE =
CONSIDERABLY
MORE RELAXED AND QUITE BEAUTIFUL IN COMPARISON (THE THIRD TRACK
IS BREATHTAKING!). ULF, YOU ARE GOD AND I CLAIM MY PRIZE. A =
MAGNIFICENT
PIECE OF WORK.
ULTRAMARINE - HOOTER - CARL CRAIG REMIXES - REAL SOON - 12" (RS003)
ORIGINALLY A PROMO ONLY REMIX FROM BACK IN 1993 AND HAS ALWAYS
BEEN DIFFICULT TO FIND. THANKFULLY THE GUYS AT REAL SOON HAD THE
FORESIGHT TO REISSUE IT AND WE HERE AT THE FISH ARE MIGHTY PLEASED
THEY DID! A TOUGH GROOVING CUT THAT SITS ON THE FENCE SOMEWHERE
BETWEEN HOUSE AND TECHNO, BUT JUST TEETTERING TO THE TECHNO SIDE
IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. ON THE FLIP ARE 2 MORE CUTS HE REMIXED
AT THE TIME BUT I THINK THAT THIS IS THE FIRST TIME THESE MIXES
HAVE BEEN RELEASED (BUT DONT QUOTE ME!). IF YOU ARE A FAN OF CARLS
WORK THEN YOU KNOW YOUR GONNA LOVE THIS. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.......
VARIOUS - TSUNAMI RELIEF - TSUNAMI RELIEF - 2x12" (82717006376)
A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF TRACKS IN AID OF TSUNAMI RELIEF. DOUBLE
12" OF EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL FROM WIGHNOMY BROS, SWAYZAK, MARTINI
BROS, LUCIANO, ELLEN ALLIEN, RICARDO VILLALOBOS, JAY HAZE, SASCHA
FUNKE, HENRIK SCHWARZ..& MORE. A WIDE SPECTRUM OF STYLES & ALL
VERY STRONG INDEED. ALL KILLER.... NO FILLER.....
WERK - GRIM DUBS VOL.2 - WERK - 12" (WERK4/GRIM2)
WERK GET IN ON SOME HEAVY ELECTRONIC DANCEFLOOR ACTION AGAIN WITH
THIS SECOND VOLUME OF GRIM DUBS. THE B-SIDE IS INSTANTLY STAND
OUT WITH ITS ULTRA-MASHED JUNGLIST STYLE AND FRENETIC BEATS. THE
FLIP IS A F**KED UP HALF SPEED AFFAIR WITH ROUGH BEATS, ROUGH
SAMPLES AND RUUUUFFFF BASSLINES. TWISTED GEAR FROM THIS EXCELLENT
LABEL.
WERK - GRIM DUBS VOL.1 - WERK - 12" (WERK3/GRIM1)
IT'S A BIG OLD GRIM(E) TRACK, INNIT? TWO FLAVOURSOME NUMBERS THAT
WILL BATTER YOUR DEFENCELESS EARS INTO OBLIVION WITH THEIR =
RUUUUUFFFFF
BEATS AND DEEP, DEVASTATING BASSLINES. SOUNDS LIKE ELECTRONICA
GONE WRONG IF YOU ASK ME. MASSIVE STUFF.
New Releases (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro
ANTFACTOR - LAZARUS - WAVETEC - 12" (WT50514)
I like this - it has a slightly old school feel to it - sounding
like it came out ten years ago. The stand out track is very bleepy
and stripped back techno that wants to be played out and have
people having a good old shuffle to. The other track is getting
into more hypnotic and almost trancey territory, oops... Buy it
for one side only!=20
IT'S THINKING - IT'S THINKING - MALEGO - 12" (MAL002)
Five tracks of rather good mid-90s sounding techno that obviously
is coming from the melodic and "intelligent" end of the techno
spectrum - and having just worked out that it is by a three piece
including Gert Van Bijl - A.K.A. Gerd of Global Communications
fame - that is no suprise. Produced in Holland and released in
the US - this is proper techno. Tune(s)...=20
MOSSA - SLAVERY WHEN WET / GASTRULA - ORAC - 12" (ORAC16)
A great deal of chunkiness is on offer here from Mossa with a
little help from Ben Neville on remix duties. Scatty, jerky Tech
funk throughout with that tight and twisted production we all
love from these guys. Ben strips it back a bit and makes sure
that all the minimal shuffling grooves are firmly in place. A
very solid EP indeed.
RANDOM NOISE GENERATION - ROCK MY SOUL / P.M.P. - 430 WEST - 12" =
(4W390)
Classic Detroit stylings as always from Octave One under his =
well-known
and well-respected alias. Ann Saunderson makes a vocal appearance
on the opening mix, which is followed by an instrumental. On side
two, the Exhibitionist mix of "Power, Money and Pain", which was
originally composed exclusively for the recent Jeff Mills DVD
- a nice touch including that one here. You know what to do.=20
Restocks (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro
MATHEW JONSON - MARIONETTE - WAGON REPAIR - 12" (WAG-002)
SECOND RELEASE ON MATHEW'S OWN WAGON REPAIR LABEL. VERY MUCH HAS
THE SOUND THAT HE'S BEEN CULTIVATING WITH A MINIMAL, DETROIT-ESQUE
FEEL THAT BUILDS AND BUILDS OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. LUSH SOUNDS
AND AN ELECTROID FLAVA MIXED WITH 4/4 BEATS ENSURE THIS IS GOING
TO SLAM IT ON THE DANCEFLOOR. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. ONE OF HIS
BEST. ROCKING.
PSYCHE - ELEMENTS / NEUROTIC BEHAVIOUR - PLANET E - 12" (PE65278)
FOR ME, ELEMENTS IS THE SINGLE GREATEST TECHNO TRACK OF ALL TIME.
IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TOUGH TO NARROW DOWN MY FAVOURITES, BUT THAT
ONE TRACK IS STILL THE MOST SHINING EXAMPLE OF WARM, BEAUTIFUL,
SOULFUL TECHNO AT IT'S MOST AWESOME. IF ANYONE EVER TELLS YOU
THAT TECHNO IS COLD MACHINE MUSIC, JUST PLAY THEM ELEMENTS AND
SEE THEM MELT. ABSOLUTELY, COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY AMAZING. OH
YEAH, NEUROTIC BEHAVIOUR IS ALSO A CLASSIC TRACK. BARGAIN, THEN.
DON'T MISS.
WALT & DAVE - DEPTH EP 1 - VIGILANTE - 12" (VR002)
OBSCURE DETROIT RELEASE FEATURING 4 CUTS....2 STRING LADEN MELODIC
TRACKS & 2 DARKER STRIPPED DOWN MINIMAL TRACKS... ORIGINAL BLUE
VINYL ISSUE, VERY RARE!!!
New Releases (Vinyl): House
INDIGENOUS SPACE PEOPLE (RON TRENT & AYBEE) - ACROSS THE UNIVERSE - =
FUTURE VISION - 12" (FV001)
Ron Trent and Aybee deliver a one-sided, sixteen minute voyage
through the deepest House vibes here. Infinitely better than some
of his recent releases, this showcases his talent for producing
tracks that are dripping with soul and mood yet still retain a
luxurious electronic edge. Simply a gorgeous track.
VARIOUS - IN THE DARK - THE SOUL OF DETROIT - STILL MUSIC - 2xLP =
(STILLMD12001)
Oh man, is this ever a good album! Some of the key players from
the Detroit House scene have delivered some of the deepest, most
soulful and wonderfully moody tracks that I've heard for a while.
The whole album is worth it for the opening track from Marcellu
Pittman... super-deep, super-lush and minimal sounds of the highest
order... one of my favourite House tracks in years. The rest of
the artists include Rick Wilhite, Delano Smith, Mike Huckaby,
Malik Alston & Keith Worthy. A superb album that comes highly
recommended.
Restocks (Vinyl): House
FURTHER DETAILS - IN THE AIR - REAL SOON - 12" (RS001)
EXCELLENT NEW LABEL WHICH I THINK IS GOING TO BE WORTH KEEPING
AN EYE ON. DEEP, ABSTRACT HOUSE GROOVES WITH SEEMINGLY MISMATCHED
SAMPLES THAT, SOMEHOW, CREATE A FUNKY, JERKY VIBE. TOTALLY LOW
KEY, BUT THAT'S THE WAY WE LIKE IT! CHECK.
JAMES DUNCAN - PEOPLES ARE PEOPLES - REAL SOON - 12" (RS-005)
I'LL TELL YOU THIS MUCH... REAL SOON KEEP ON PUTTING OUT SUPERB
QUALITY HOUSE RECORDS OF THE HIGEST CALIBRE AND THIS THREE TRACKER
FROM THE BRILLIANT JAMES DUNCAN IS ACHINGLY GOOD. DEEP, YET FUNKY,
DETROITY, YET DISCO STYLED, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR FANS
OF GOOD HOUSE. RECOMMENDED MOST HIGHLY.
MOODYMANN - SMALL BLACK CHURCH - KDJ - 12" (KDJ005)
ONE SIDE OF THIS FEATURES SOME MUSIC AND CHANTING FROM A SMALL
CONGREGATION FROM A CHURCH ON THE EASTSIDE OF DETROIT, WHILST
ON THE FLIP ARE 2 STUNNING TRACKS ONE OF WHICH IS PRODUCED BY
THEO PARRISH, VERY TWISTED, VERY DEEP , VERY FUNKY AND VERY =
GOOD.........
ANOTHER ESSENTIAL KDJ RELEASE!!!!!!!!
UNKNOWN - PORKS WATCH - Q-TAPE RECORDS - 12" (QT006)
THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE HUMDINGER OF A HOUSE RECORD. TWO LONG AND
DEEP TRACKS WITH THE KIND OF SEXY CHORD SOUNDS THAT MAKE MY MOUTH
HANG OPEN AND ALLOW DROOL TO SPILL DOWN MY CHIN. SIMPLY LUSCIOUS
STUFF WITH A GENTLE WIGGLE THAT'LL PROBABLY GET FANS OF FREESTYLE
MAN AND MOODYMAN INTO A FROTH. IT CERTAINLY DID IT FOR ME. TIP
TOP.
New Releases (Vinyl): Hip Hop
ALKAHOLIKS - MARY JANE - RCA - 12" (RCA62880-1)
original pressing of this rare 12" here. great west coast crew
with an east coast sound. a very early lootpack (madlib) production
on the a sid with e-swift suppling the beat on the flip. =
recommended....
BEDROOM PRODUKSIONS - S.E.L.F. / I KNOW WAYS - K - 12" (KLP91)
BEAUTIFUL DEEP JAZZY INDIE FROM 1998. CHOPS IN THAT PREMIER STYLE
AND SOME NICE RHYMES. HAVE A LISTEN....
BLACKFACE FEAT SHOWBIZ & FATJOE - SESSION / CORNBREAD - BACKSTAGE - =
12" (BSR3012)
little known indie from philli which features 2 of the d.i.t.c.
boys. showbiz produced the beat and fat joe rhyms on it. typical
of the era, hard but soulful beat with joe on form. hard to find
little nugget this, have a listen......
BOBB DEEP - QUEENSBRIDGE MEETS KINGSTON VOLUME 2 - AV8 - 12" (AV465)
No, not Mobb, but Bob! "Clap those thangs" is a kind of digital
and kind of jiggy number with radio and instrumental versions.
"Rare Speies" is the tune though, radio and instrumental versions
- a bit deeper and with a nice summery feel...
DEFARI - THE BIZNESS - ABB - 12" (ABB1063-1)
An odd hip hop record this as it has Clean, Instrumental and =
Accapella
of each track, but no Dirty version? "The Bizness" is kind of
epic, "Powder Coat" is good perky number with a hint of jig!
DIAMOND D - HATRED PASSION & INFIDELITY - INST - MERCURY - 2xLP =
(MELP172INST)
original pressing of this sought after lp in instrumental form.
you know how hard these instrumntal versions of hip hop lp's are
to find especially originals. such great tracks here with beats
from diammond, lord finesse and more. highly recommended....
FELT (SLUG & MURZ) - FELT 2: A TRIBUTE TO LISA BONET - RHYME SAYERS - =
2xLP (RSE0064LP)
This gets props from our Ian... Slug & Murz doing what they do
best on their second album as part of this collaboration. Going
down a storm in the US, this, i'm led to believe. Top notch Hip
Hop with an edge missing from all too many.=20
GANG GREEN FEAT ONYX - I'LL MURDER YOU - TAPE KINGS - 12" (TK003)
favourite from the mixtape dj's this from back in 1995 on the
beatminerz imprint tape kingz. hared and dark hip hop with that
unmistakable raw new york sound.=20
HI-TECH - 24 / 7 - MASS VINYL - 12" (MV101)
another superb indie from the bronx here by hi-tech. deep soulful
hip hop from 1996 that was on all the mixtapes from around that
time. anything on mass vinyl is worth sourcing, if you can! the
flip track "Book of life pt2" is the winner for me. a really deep
beat with fitting, soul searching rhymes. another great example
of the mid 90's indi movement that is hard to find these days......
HI-TECH - THE MUSIC / TECH'S TECHNIQUE - MASS VINYL - 12" (MV-104)
this is the hi-tech one that sampled hill street blues and was
a very popular cut on the mixtaps when it was realesed back in
1997. not my favourite on by him for me but a novelty nonetheless
due to the sample. check it out.....
I SELF DEVINE - ICE COLD - RHYME SAYERS - 12" (RS0065)
Who is I Self Devine? Obviously i know who Jake One, Vitamin D,
ANT, Mazta I, Red Cabbage, Budah Tye, Devon Gray and Bean One
are, how ignorant do you think i am? Rough, lo-fi Hip Hop, very
much the sound of the underground....=20
L THE HEAD TOUCHA - TOO COMPLEX - DIRECT - 12" (DR1218)
ONE OF THE BEST INDIE RELEASES FROM 97!! TUFF BUT SOULFUL BEAT
WITH L'S QUALITY RHYMES. THIS WAS FEATURED ON PRIMO'S LEGNDARY
MIXTAPE / LP FOR PAYDAY. HIGHLY RECOMENDED.
LACE DA BOOMS - MURDER SEASON - GUESSWHYLD - 12" (GW101)
WICKED BUCKWILD BEAT, QUALITY STREET LEVEL NYC RHYMES, WHAT MORE
DO TOU NEED FROM AN INDIE HIP HOP 12" ?
LITTLE BROTHER - LOVIN' IT - ABB - 12" (ABB1065)
Little Brother continues to produce high quality deep hip hop
that sounds really heartfelt and genuine in an era of hip hop
that sounds so staged and contrived... Two tracks - ""Lovin' It"
featuring Jo Scudda and "Hold On (Tellin Me)" - clean dirty and
instrumental of each. Nice...
LORD FINESSE - HIP 2 DA GAME - UNKNOWN - 12" (UBR113)
Nice funky, but lazy and unfussed, beats and vocals from the Lord
on the title track - plus instrumental and accapella. The flip
features KRS One and OC - a bit slower and with a darker and moodier
feel - plus instrumental and accapella. Nice.
MIKE ZOOT - GUESSWHYLD PRESENTS.... - GUESSWHYLD - 2x12" (GW300)
rare double pack originally only for the japanese market. some
wicked beats here from the likes of spinna, buckwild, showbiz,
baby paul (beatminerz), shawn j. period and more. from about 1997
i think, a real classic of the whole 90's indepndent hip hop =
movement.
highly recommnded......
MOS DEF & TALIB KWELI - ANOTHER WORLD - REMIX - BLINDSIDE - 12" =
(BSR009)
ALTHOUGH THE REMIX IS NICE THE ORIGINAL IS STILL THE ONE FOR ME.
WICKED BEAT FROM THE UK'S CREATORS. THE FLIP HAS A CUT FROM ROYAL
FLUSH PRODUCED BY SHAWN J. TOP RECORD, HAVE A LISTEN.......
SAUKRATES - HOPE / SAUKRATES SEASON - M3 - 12" (M3-010)
Slow (to the point of being quite disjointed) and tough beats
and rhymes from the philosopher! Clean, Dirty and Instrumental
of both tracks. Have a listen...
SHAMUS - SERVING LIFE - RAW TRACK - EP (RT1298)
mini lp / ep from shamus here with 2 nice beats from buckwild.
the cyut tight team was usd by gangstarr for one of the choruses
on a track from moment of truth of which the title escapes me
right know. 5 cuts in all her, in clean & dirty form.
TRUTH ENOLA - MAY DAY / ILL LOVE - BEAR MOUNTAIN - 12" (BMR 077-1)
SLEPT ON TRACKS FROM ONE OF THE NATIVE TONGUES...... ONE TRACK
WAS RECENTLY ON HIS BLINDSIDE RELEASE BUT THIS ORIGINAL IS LONG
DELETED AND HARD TO COME BY, TRUTH'S VOICE & RHYMES ARE WICKED,
ADD TO THAT PRODUCTION FROM 88 KEYS & DAVE FROM DE LA SOUL AND
YOUVE GOT A MUST HAVE 12" RECOMENDED!!!!!!!!
VARIOUS - TRU CRIMINAL EP - TRU CRIMINAL - 12" (CRIM005)
SLEPT ON EP WITH 6 TRACKS FEATURING SOME OF AMAZING PRODUCTIONS
FROM BUCKWILD, LORD FINESSE & THE OBSCURE BUT BLINDING EDDIE JAMES.
A SUPER LIMITED AND SUPER HARD TO FIND EP OF THE BEST THAT =
UNDERGROUND
NEW YORK HAD TO OFFER IN 1997. STAND OUT MOMENTS ARE THE REMIX
OF METAL THINGS, ONE THING OR ANOTHER BY AK SKILLS & THE AMAZING
LORD FINESSE PRODUCED SUB SIDEWALKERS. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED, AND
STILL SEALED!!
New Releases (Vinyl): Guitar Based
ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PARAISO U.F.O. - GOOD-BYE JOHN PEEL =
- DIRTER PROMOTIONS - 2xLP (DPROMDLP54)
Live album from London 2004 that has been released as a tribute
to the late, great Mr Peel. Double vinyl on appropriate psychedelic
coloured vinyl that is as close to 2005 psychedilia as you can
get (man)!=20
BILL MARTIN - THE WATER BABIES - ARIOLA - LP (ARBLP5030)
Now, this is excellent! A great soundtrack for everyone that likes
it a bit psychodelic 60's inspired, and if that wasn't enough,
you get some great lines of original dialog, which is what the
turntableists always look for to cram in their routines. W-w-word...
Scratch it up hip-hop-style, or let your hair grow and be a =
hippie...!
BURT BACHARACH - LOST HORIZON - BELL - LP (SYBEL 8000)
Not just beautifully packaged in a fold-out sleeve with photos
of the original cast and set pieces, this is also a very =
folky/swingy
sounding soundtrack full of emotional songs, taken from the musical
Lost Horizon, a classic slab of technicolour business and big
screen entertainment from 1973.=20
CHARLES GROSS - COUNTRY - WINDHAM HILL - LP (WH1039)
Piano-based, instrumental soundtrack with an almost spanish feel
in places, flamenco-style guitars, and accompanying rhythm sections.
The film this soundtrack is taken from looks quite obscure, and
I've ceratinly never heard of it. Dreamy in other places, it offers
a nice variety for those gentle moments...
DAVID NEWMAN - CRITTERS - RESTLESS - Unit (721541)
Remember those nasty little furry creatures? No, i'm not talking
about the 3.2 statistically proven rats surrounding you at any
given time when being in London, but about the 80's tale of =
Critters,
a slightly gorier version of the Gremlin story. Here's the orginal
score with all its philamonic epic feel.=20
DEVANDRA BANHART JANA HUNTER - JANA HUNTER DEVANDRA BANHART - =
TROUBLEMAN UNLIMITED - LP (TMU153LP)
If you aren't familiar with Devandra Banhart's style flip the
record over and look at the photo - he's the one looking like
he's been living in the woods for about a decade playing some
pretty darn weird but gentle and peaceful folk music - amnd that
is exactly what he does wonderfully. Can't tell you anything
about Jana Hunter - but she's on the back too and looks less like
a forest-dweller. Whatever, this is a lovely album (vinyl only)
of quirky yet accessible music the best comparison of which would
have to be pre-T-Rex Marc Bolan. Recommended.
DOMINIQUE - SPEAK TO ME - DIALREC - 12" (DIALREC25)
Fans of Dialrec are accustomed to hearing the finest and deepest
Cologne style Techno sounds from the likes of the awesome Lawrence,
Pantha Du Prince and Sten. It comes as a shock then (not an =
unpleasant
one, mind you) to find that this is a gentle, beautiful nine track
minim-album of guitar based songs with a distinctly French sound
to them. Dominique has a strong way with songwriting and the tracks
are genuinely beautiful and feature some wonderful breathy vocals.
A strange release, then, but infinitely worthy nonetheless. =
Recommended.
ERNEST GOLD - EXODUS - CBS - LP (CBS4502341)
Dramatic to say the least. Classic old-school film scoring with
full orchestra, and the main title probably will sound familiar
to quite a few people. A collection of powerful themes from this
movie, all very classical insipred.
GEORGE DUNING - DEVIL AT 4 O' CLOCK - VARESE SARABANDE - LP (STV81136)
Great Film, great soundtrack. Full of haunting moments with lots
of love for detail in the scoring, as it was supposed to be in
the old days. I do like these sometimes (over)dramatic arrangements
with big horn sections and hectic flute soli. Quality stuff from
George Duning.
JERRY GOLDSMITH - HOOSIERS - POLYDOR - LP (8314751)
Strange mixture of styles here, compromising some tracks of straight
up 80's synth cheese, and more real-life orchestra based tracks.
Being not quite convinced by the concept, I dug deeper to find
some great sampling material in the between the lines. Check,
and listen carefully for those hidden gems.
JOHN CALE - PROCESS (SUICIDE THEME) - SYNTAX - 10" (5024545335163)
This is the Suicide Theme from Process - a film by C.S. Leigh
- composed and performed by John Cale. Two other tracks on the
B-side "Candles" and "Reading Poem". All three are beautiful
piano tracks - plenty of atmospheric spaces between the melancholy.
The title track takes the pauses between the mounful piano playing
to an almost painfully emotional place - the appropriate title
should warn off anyone feeling too miserable. Tragically beautiful.
=20
JOHN CHARLES - UTU - SOUTHERN CROSS - LP (SCRS1008)
Very sad and tragic indeed. Full of subtle moments as well as
storming full orchestra reprises. Haunting little tinkle-bells
and chants to round up a diverse mixture for a quite gripping,
cinematic listening experience.
JOHN WILLIAMS - JOHN WAYNE & THE COWBOYS - N/A - LP (RC-31)
Yeeehhaaa...more western sounds for your ears. i mean, come on,
when a record is called John Wayne and the Cowboys...?! I quote
from the back of the cover: There was Homer Weems, Slim, Four
Eyes, Weedy, Jim Fats, Hardy, Steve and Charlie Schwartz. All
they wanted was their chance to be men...and he gave it to them."
=20
JOHNNY MANDEL - THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY - REPRISE - LP (P10879R)
Great harmonies as my fellow colleague just pointed out, when
he entered the office. He also mentioned something about other
girl groups of the 40's like the Andrews sisters. To be honest
its something I don't know much about, so I won't pretend that
I do. To me it sounds like the classic wartime / warmovie sountrack
with everything that it should have. Also worth mentioning, that
this is an Japanese issue.
MAGIC NUMBERS - LOVE ME LIKE YOU - HEAVENLY - 7" (HVN153)
Oh yeah baby it's the Magic Numbers - and if you like retro sounding
Indie that sounds like a band that have listened to alot of the
Beach Boys and alot of New Order (!!!). The kids love it - I,
however,am a grown-up! Picture disc that wil surely be collectable!
=20
NEAL HEFTI - DUEL AT DIABLO - MCA - LP (MCA1436)
Another classic western sountrack here. Expect the usual, with
big strings and full orchestra, and with track titles like "bullets
and beans" and "keep in the shadows", you get the idea of what's
going on musically on this 1966 release.=20
PHILIP AABERG - THE SHAPE OF THE LAND - WINDHAM HILL - LP (WH-1055)
And here is an interesting one. Beautifully textured, mainly piano
and guitar-driven instrumental soundtrack album to this Japanese
film. Subtle and warm, always leaving enough space between the
notes for your ow thoughts...
SERENDIPITY SINGERS - THE WAY WEST - UNITED ARTISTS - LP (UAS5149)
Beautiful original copy of this 1967 western movie, starring the
likes of Kirk Douglas and Robert Mitchum. Quite obvious what this
is about, so don't hesitate long, if soundtracks with a varied
country flavour is your thing.=20
SONS & DAUGHTERS - TASTE THE LAST GIRL - DOMINO - 7" (RUG206)
The third single from the recent Sons & Daughters album actually
really reminds me of The Smiths ('Handsome Devil', maybe?), both
musically and lyrically - and how can that be a bad thing? On
the B-side, a cover of The Stranglers' "Nice 'N' Sleazy', which
is perfectly OK although nowhere near as impressive as Therapy?'s
long-lost take on it about a decade ago (sorry guys). Apparently
their website address is www.sonsanddaughtersloveyou.com, which
is enough to make me feel a little guilty....=20
SUPERGRASS - ST. PETERSBURG - PARLOPHONE - 7" (R6670)
I've often had a soft spot for Supergrass over the years, but
i wouldn't have necessarily guessed this was them if i just heard
it on the radio - it's a bit of a change of direction and pace
for Gaz and the boys, being a mid-tempo piano-and-strings-led
track with a bit of Beatles-y / Teenage Fanclub feel to it. With
a funked-up live take of "Kiss Of Life" on the B-side, this is
a 99p bargain-and-a-half (on red vinyl, too!).=20
VARIOUS - XANADU - JET - LP (CB271)
Camp, Camp, Camp, Camp, Camp, Camp....I guess I'm lost for words
when thrown into full-on Eurovision songcontest terrItory. Worth
for the comedy/novelty value, or if you happen to DJ in one of
the ironic bars surrounding our shop premises. Includes limited
edition postcard sets with stills from the film, worth the money
alone!!!
New Releases (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / Soul
DAVID SPEAR - DINOSAURS - CERBERUS - LP (CST0213)
Very cool slice of 80's sountrack here! Full of great synth samples,
breaks and beats for all you disco and boogie lovers. I'm not
sure how much of this has already been touched sample-wise, but
I could only hear fresh bits so far. Better be quick, we only
have one copy, and if your sampler recently got a bit hungry,
then snap this up, and feed it again. Remember, a sampler is not
just for christmas, it's for life!
DIPLOMATS - SHE'S THE ONE / SURE AS THE STARS SHINE - SOUL LINE - 7" =
(SLN001)
Two shots of sure-fire soul/funk here. The A-side is the key track;
upbeat rough funk with a James Brown-esque vocal that the sample
thieves will enjoy as much as the more traditional fan. The B-side
is a rather soulful (and slightly over-egged) ballad but i'm hardly
an authority on this type of music so who cares what i think?
Check the A-side though, at least.=20
POPCORN TRAIN - POPCORN BROTHERS - KING A LING - 7" (05.02.2002)
This must be part two in the Popcorn Brothers series - are you
ready to board the Popcorn Train? Two versions of the title track
- Spacey, Psychy Jazz / Funk Boogaloo- an instrumental and an
echo-tastic vocal version. =20
VARIOUS - RUNNING SCARED - MCA - LP (MCA6169)
And it's that time again for one of those funny 80's soundtracks,
perfect for any Hoxton party. Classic tracks by Klymaxx, patti
Labelle, kim Wilde etc. Big synths and Paul Hardcastle style =
basslines
all the way.=20
New Releases (Vinyl): Reggae / Dub
STEREO TOTAL VS. MAD PROFESSOR - DAS ERSTE MAL (DUB TRIP MIXES) - =
DISKO B - 10" (DB135)
What an unlikely pairing this is. The one-and-only Mad Professor
gives the 'Je t'aime'-esque ballad 'Das Erste Mal' a touch of
dub on Stereo Total's second single from their 'Do The Bambi'
album. A dub excursion in four parts, on green vinyl.=20
New Releases (CD): Electronica
ASMUS TIETCHENS - LITIA - DIE STADT - CD (DS80CD)
Does this release really date from 1983? If so, Asmus was certainly
ahead of his time. Utitlising sparce electro / synth backing and
occasional guitar, this awe-striking instrumental album is =
comparable
to the likes of Durutti Column, Brian Eno, Cluster and some of
the output of solo members of Wire from around this period. Quite
possibly his most essential release.=20
ASMUS TIETCHENS - EINE GANZE MENGE - 1000FUSSLER - CD =
(1000FUSSLER004CD)
An extremely expensive 3" CD from Asmus Tietchens, which i can
only assume is limited to something like 9 copies for the world
or made of 24-carat gold for this price! Three tracks of =
experimental
tones and manipulated sounds creating a minimal yet dense ambient
soundscape. Not a million miles off from some of Mika Vainio's
work as Pan Sonic or 0.=20
ASMUS TIETCHENS - ADVENTURES IN SOUND / NACHTSTUCKE - DIE STADT - 2xCD =
(DS55CD)
Well, i for one had no idea Asmus Tietchens had been making music
for so long. Two albums here, the first of which (a collaborative
effort with Okko Bekker and Hans Dieter Wohlmann) compiles material
dating from 1965-69, the second from 1980. The first disc is =
seemingly
very influenced by Fluxus or Musique Concrete, the second almost
like an electronic Hafler Trio 25 years before! If you can read
German, the sleevenotes might be able to tell you more. Intriguing
stuff, though, nonetheless.=20
ASMUS TIETCHENS - SPAT-EUROPA - DIE STADT - CD (DS68CD)
These Asmus Tietchens reissues are costly but a useful history
lesson. Originally released on Sky Records back in 1981, this
is a difficult release to describe or draw comparisons towards.
There seems to be very little structure or theme linking the tracks,
which are of a random, experimental/cut-up soundscape nature but
you see how this has gone on to influence many around today. A
fairly challenging listen, but i'm sure an equally rewarding one
in due course.=20
CHEJU - BUBBLE WRAP - REDNETIC - CD (RN004)
Restock. This is yet another delicious release from London-based
Rednetic and it comes to you from Cheju... not a name I'm too
familiar with, but on this form, he could be one to watch. =
Super-chilly
electronica sounds with a DeFocus / Expanding / Toytronic vibe
throughout. Deep, super-melodic electronica sounds with a =
beautifully
crisp production style and plenty of electro orientated, crunchy
rhythms. 5 tracks here for your listening pleasure. Top quality
stuff. Recommended.=20
FENTON (SHUTTLE358) - PUP - PLOP - CD (PLIP-3014)
What can you say about a new album from such a heavily respected
and loved artist as Dan Abrams aka Shuttle358? To discover that
this exquisite gem of a release had landed on our doorstep today
after being unsure as to quite how we'd get hold of it was a moment
to treasure. And here for your listening pleasure is, conceivably,
the highest point so far achieved in the field of Electronica
and organic, guitar based music. Dan has put together a sparkling
collection of gentle, lilting and achingly beautiful tracks that
will do their absolute utmost to soothe and enchant you with =
beautifully
picked and played melodies. Couple that with the sort of deft
manipulations that have made him the figure he is within the sphere
of this sort of minimal music and you have a shining, shimmering
example of exactly how to do it. A very special album indeed and
one that we're incredibly proud to be able to offer you. You simply
have to check this out! Highly, highly recommended.
FROG POCKET - GONGLOT - PLANET MU - CD (ZIQ097CD)
Over eighteen months on from his mini-album on Benbecula, John
Charles Wilson returns with this collection of songs dating from
1999-2005, some originally released on his own Mouthmoth label.
Incorporating drum machine, backing beats played by hand into
his four-track, live fiddle, mandolin, processed guitar and vocals,
Frog Pocket is an intriguing Scottish musician and electronic
performer. The folk-inflected melodies owe more to the celtic
side of things than the current vogue for American folk-rock /
electronic crossover; it is a pastoral theme in electronic music
running back through Boards Of Canada to Aphex Twin to Ultramarine.
One to keep going back to.=20
JOSEPH AUER - KYOTO :: TOKYO :: 2001 - REDNETIC - CD (RN003)
Restock. Once again, Rednetic hit the spot with this splendid
release. Made up of 8 short tracks it delves a long way into the
deeper end of the Detroit techno spectrum whilst keeping a very
contemporary electronica feel at all times. Chords and pads are
simply lush, rhythms range from electro orientated to straight
4/4's, and the melodic, atmospheric nature of the music is truly
a joy to behold. It's lovely to see a small label putting this
much effort into the music and the overall presentation and I
for one will be very much looking forward to hearing more from
both Rednetic and Joseph Auer. This one comes highly recommended.
=20
KAREEM - NOCTOCROMAS - ZHARK - CD (ZHARKCD03)
Intense, darkwave / industrial ambient that falls somewhere between
Thomas Koner, Throbbing Gristle and Merzbow after a very heavy
dose of Valium. Not as outright aggressive as some of the Zhark
releases, but you'd still think twice about introducing it to
your mother-in-law.=20
SINNER DC - ARKLE PARKLE AVENUE - TRITONE - CD (TRITCD017)
A real pleasant surprise... well-produced, warm, melodic =
instrumental
electronica utilising guitars that reminds one of To Rococo Rot,
Christian Kleine and some of the Wobblyhead artists, perhaps.
Extremely approachable and accessible, with some occasionally
wonderful strings in the mix, this is very much worthy of =
investigation.
=20
THOMAS KONER - UNERFORSCHTES GEBIET - DIE STADT - CD (DS56CD)
Anyone remember the picture disc of this a few years back? If
not, don't worry cos here it is on CD at last with a bonus track
(that's "an extended soundtrack for a video presentation"). Deeply
atmospheric and minimalistic, drones and textures sweep through
the album starting from little more than a static sound then growing
into an all encompassing piece that engulfs the speakers. Gets
quite melodic at a couple of points which really adds to it. =
Wonderful
stuff from this influential producer.=20
THOMAS KONER + ASMUS TIETCHENS - KONTAKT DER JUNGLINGE - DIE STADT - =
CD (DS63CD)
Those masters of all things minimal, Messrs Koner and Tietchens,
captured live once again, this time in Amsterdam back in 2002.
A deep, static laden voyage that remains incredibly subtle despite
being overwhelming in its effect. Expensive, but essential for
fans.=20
VARIOUS - ONEPOINTONE - A REDNETIC RECORDINGS COMPILATION - REDNETIC - =
CD (RN002)
Restock. Rednetic is a London-based label that has only put out
a few releases so far but, in my opinion, is destined for much
bigger things. Head-honcho Zainetica has released an album of
material plus numerous other bits and bobs for n5md's MP3 label
and other such Netlabels and here he has selected a beautiful
range of electronica sounds from artists both known and unknown
for this wonderfully packaged compilation. As well as two tracks
from himself he gives us cuts from Toytronic's Ochre, Scorn, J.
Auer, F.E.A.R, Cheju and more. I don't want to get caught up in
trap of calling it IDM, but it really does lean that way and with
the highest possible quality. Fans of Expanding, Toytronic and
Clickclickdrone will want to check this out as soon as possible.
Recommended.=20
WILLIAM BASINSKI - VARIATIONS: A MOVEMENT IN CHROME POSITIVE - DURTRO =
/ DIE STADT - 2xCD (DURTRO071/DS71)
Restock. This is easily up there with the Disintegration Loops
for sheer brilliance. Basinski does it again with a gorgeous series
of loops that combine together to create a very listenable, very
atmospheric piece of work that stands pretty much alone without
any peers. Lush, detailed, beautiful, soothing and just generally
amazing... even though it's pricey it's worth absolutely every
single penny. Highly recommended.
WILLIAM BASINSKI - SILENT NIGHT - 2062 - CD (2062.0401)
Restock. William Basinski is clearly a master of this sort of
experimental and minimalist Electronica. If you don't know his
work you simply must check this wonderful CD out. Built around
a simple series of loops that are then manipulated and filtered
you get a dense, incredibly deep and superbly atmispheric work
that soothes as well as challenges. Imagine a more melodic Hafler
Trio and you're getting close. I would say that this is truly
essential and it comes very highly recommended indeed.
ZAINETICA - PEOPLE MORE FUEL - CLICKCLICKDRONE - CD (CLICK11)
Rednetic boss and contributor to the excellent 'Blue Chair Red
Chair' compilation on Clickclickdrone, Zainetica now delivers
a superb EP of, once again, surprisingly abstract Electronica
for Clickclick. Kicking off with the heavily soundscape based
and intense 'Where I Am Now' it soon moves into a really nicely
put together selection of clicked out, glitchily rhythmic of cuts
that, at their heart, are pure Electronica of the melodic, playful
variety, but use some lovely Detroit-ish chords and those twisted
rhythms. Fans of the both Clickclickdrone and Rednetic are going
to love this and I would suggest that anyone into Expanding, n5md
or Toytronic should definitely give it a listen as well. Quality.
=20
ZAINETICA - ESCAPING DUST - REDNETIC - CD (RN001)
Restock. A most excellent first release for this label. Kind of
a missing link between the mid '90's electronic sound and today's
popular Electronica. Using lush strings, cool analogue sequences
and Detroit-esque percussion and sounds it keeps an overall melodic
flava that sounds a bit old school but remarkably current at the
same time. Check this out as it's great!
Restocks (CD): Electronica
BITSTREAM - ONE THIRD STANDARD LUX - MODERN LOVE - CD (LOVE002CD)
NICE TO SEE SOME OF THE THESE TRACKS FINALLY SURFACING ON CD.
SOME OF THEM GO BACK AS FAR AS THE SIGNAL RELEASES WHICH WERE
HARD ENOUGH TO GET ON VINYL AND NEVER CAME OUT ON CD. A GOOD =
SELECTION
OF SOUNDS THAT COVER BITSTREAMS EXTENSIVE PALETTE OF ELECTRO BASED
ELECTRONICA FROM THE MORE UPBEAT GROOVING STUFF TO THE MORE =
THOUGHTFUL,
BLISSED OUT AND MELODIC GEAR. LOVELY SPOT VARNISHED SLEEVE AS
WELL TO MATCH THE 12" COVERS.
BOVAFLUX - WHERE THERE WAS NOTHING - HIGHPOINT LOWLIFE - CD (HPLL013)
Highpoint Lowlife hit the spot here with a super CD album from
Electronica artist Bovaflux. Having put out tracks on compilations
and several MP3 Net.labels, it's good to see a long player making
its way onto the shelves. The sounds are at once familiar, =
comfortable
and very beautiful indeed. Laced with melody, lush chords and
clever rhythm programming it's something of a hybrid sound that
would sit very happily on the shelves of fans of Expanding and
Toytronic. That's not to say it's derivative, more that it has
an identifiable flava that's extremely pleasing to the ears. As
soon as I put it on I knew it was going to be good and, of you're
a fan of electronics in general or the aforementioned labels,
this is seriously worth checking out. recommended.
COLLEEN - THE GOLDEN MORNING BREAKS - LEAF - CD (BAY48CD)
TICKING CLOCKS, MUSICAL BOXES, FLUTES AND CELLOS ARE WHAT CECILE
SCHOTT IS MADE OF, BUT NOT COMPUTERS, AS THIS ALBUM HAS BEEN =
RECORDED
WITHOUT ANY SOFTWARE OR LAPTOP TECHNOLOGY OF ANY KIND GIVING THE
MUSIC A BEAUTIFULLY ORGANIC, FULL, EMOTIVE QUALITY SIMILAR TO
THAT OF HER REMARKABLE LIVE SHOWS. IF YOU ASK ME, THIS IS THE
BEST RELEASE ON LEAF IN A VERY LONG TIME, AND HAS SOMETHING ALL
TOO FREQUENTLY MISSING FROM CONTEMPORARY ELECTRONICA - SOUL. =
EXTREMELY
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
FONICA - RIPPLE - PLOP - CD (PLIP-3005)
Plop has been a revelation for me. It's so good to hear genuinely
interesting, individual electronic sounds on such a wonderfully
low-key label. Beautiful artwork all round, gorgeously produced
music... basically the whole package is always great. This is
one of the deeper, more glitchy albums, but it retains a depth
and warmth that are, quite frankly, enviable. Beautiful sounds,
ace rhythmic parts and even remixes from the brilliant Sogar and
the equally brilliant Mitchell Akiyama. A tip top selection that
comes very highly recommended indeed.
KAZUMASA HASHIMOTO - YUPI - PLOP - CD (PLIP-3007)
Gorgeous 14 track CD that uses melody and beauty as its basis,
but utilises a more abstract approach to get its unique feeling
across. Organic sounds mixed with electronic manipulations and
a gentle, lush flava ensure that this one's going to engage any
fans of electronica and certainly fans of Fonica and Minamo. Superb
and highly recommended.
KHONNOR - HANDWRITING - TYPE - CD (TYPE003CD)
THIS RELEASE IS STRANGELY UNTYPICAL OF TYPE, YET, IT'S STILL A
WONDERFULLY PUT TOGETHER SLICE OF ELECTRONICALLY MANIPULATED GUITAR
MUSIC. KHONNOR IS SOMETHING OF A PRODIGY, I GATHER, AND THE EASE
WITH WHICH HE'S PUT TOGETHER A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORK LIKE THIS
ENSURES WE'LL BE HEARING BIG THINGS ABOUT HIM IN THE FUTURE. THE
TRACKS REFERENCE EVERYTHING FROM MY BLOODY VALENTINE AND SARAH
RECORDS, THROUGH TO CONTEMPORARY ELECTRONICA AND MINIMAL, GLITCH
BASED SOUNDS. VOCALLY, IT'S LOVELY AND HIS LYRICS ARE ASTUTE,
FULL OF ANGST AND YET VERY MATURE. I WOULD URGE YOU TO CHECK THIS
OUT AND JOIN IN THE FUN. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
LOSCIL - FIRST NARROWS - KRANKY - CD (KRANK069)
SCOTT MORGAN, AKA LOSCIL DELIVERS YET ANOTHER SUPERB ALBUM THAT'S
LACED WITH WARMTH AND EMOTION THROUGHOUT. DEEP, SCULPTURAL =
ELECTRONICS
WITH SUBTLE RHYTHMIC ELEMENTS GIVING THE TRACKS A GOOD DEAL OF
MOVEMENT WHILST THE EVEN MORE ORGANIC THAN USUAL SOUNDS ARE LAYERED
AND MANIPULATED ON TOP. LUSH SOUNDS BRIMMING WITH BEAUTY AND =
GORGEOUS
MELODIC CHORDS ARE THE ORDER OF THE DAY HERE AND THIS COMES HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED.
MARSEN JULES - HERBSTLAUB - CITY CENTRE OFFICES - CD (TOWERBLOCKCD023)
I WONDERED HOW LONG IT WOULD BE BEFORE SOMEONE PICKED UP MARTIN
JUHLS MOST WONDERFUL MUSIC UNDER THE MARSEN JULES PSEUDONYM. AFTER
A SERIES OF AMAZING RELEASES FOR SEVERAL INTERNET LABELS (AS BOTH
MARSEN JULES AND KRILL.MINIMA) CITY CENTRE OFFICES HAVE SEEN FIT
TO RELEASE THIS STAGGERINGLY BEAUTIFUL ALBUM. DIFFICULT TO CLASSIFY
MUSICALLY, IT IS A BLEND OF THE FINEST SCULPTURAL ELECTRONICA
MIXED WITH AN OVERTLY CLASSICAL, CHAMBER MUSIC SOUND. TO SIMPLY
DESCRIBE IT AS 'CLASSICAL GAS' IS TO DO IT A SEVERE INJUSTICE.
THIS IS ORIGINAL MUSIC, LOVINGLY CREATED AND BEAUTIFULLY PRODUCED
THAT'S EXPANSIVE, ENGAGING AND JUST PLAIN WONDERFUL. ALBUM OF
THE WEEK, MONTH AND PROBABLY YEAR. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
OPTO - 2ND - HOBBY INDUSTRIES - CD (HI016CD)
OPTO AKA CARSTEN NICOLAI AND THOMAS KNAK AKA OPIATE DELIVER THIS
SUBLIME ALBUM OF STARK, MINIMAL ELECTRONICA. FANS OF RASTER NOTON
AND, INDEED, SOME OF THE OPIATE AND HOBBY RELEASES ARE SERIOUSLY
GONNA GO FOR THIS IN A BIG WAY. IN SOME WAYS THIS REMINDED ME
OF ALVA NOTO, ONLY THERE IS A LOT MORE WARMTH AND EMOTION BEHIND
JUST THE USUAL HIGH FREQUENCIES, TONES AND CLICKS. VERY HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED.
REMOTE VIEWER, THE - LET YOUR HEART DRAW A LINE - CITY CENTRE OFFICES =
- CD (TOWERBLOCKCD024)
THIS ONE SURPRISED ME BY COMING OUT WITH NAIRY A WHISPER OF =
PUBLICITY.
THAT ACTUALLY SUITS THE STYLE OF THE ALBUM AS IT'S A BEAUTIFULLY
LOW-KEY AFFAIR WITH GENTLY RIPPLING SONGS MADE UP OF ORGANIC =
INSTRUMENTS
AND CLEVER SONGWRITING SKILLS WITH THE OCCASIONAL TOUCH OF =
ELECTRONIC
MANIPULATION. SOULFUL, LUSH, DEEP... EVERYTHING YOU'D EXPECT FROM
A REMOTE VIEWER ALBUM AND SO MUCH MORE. ABSOLUTE CLASS.
New Releases (CD): Techno / Electro
DEATH IN VEGAS - FABRICLIVE 23 - FABRIC - CD (FABRIC46)
An interesting mix CD in as much as every track on it that isn't
by Death In Vegas is 100% Smallfish friendly and approved! The
likes of Solvent, Alex Smoke, Mossa, Alex Cortex, Dinky, Mathew
Jonson, Wighnomy Bros, Analog Fingerprints, John Dahlback etc
(from labels such as Ghostly, Minus, Soma, Tresor, Wagon Repair,
Freude am Tanzen, Pigna, Morris Audio et al) prove this is right
up our alley. Makes you wonder if they're not secret customers
- make yourselves knows, boys!=20
KATE WAX - REFLECTIONS OF THE DARK HEAT - MENTAL GROOVE - CD (MGCD009)
Like a cross between Miss Kittin and Peaches, Kate Wax's debut
album is influenced by early New Wave legends and 21st century
Neo-Pop divas alike. A rich blend of styles including up and =
downtempo
minimal techno, electro-punk grime, ambient-industrial blues and
more, all driven by her unique, warm and seductive vocal delivery
(from old-skool rapping to whispered lament). One to watch.=20
Restocks (CD): Techno / Electro
JACEN SOLO - VIRGO - A.I. - CD (AI011CD)
THIS IS BEING LISTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR A SECOND WEEK, SIMPLY
BECAUSE IT IS AWESOME AND WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO MISS OUT. IT'S
MY FAVOURITE RELEASE ON AI SINCE THE CLARO ALBUM, WHICH KINDA
FOLLOWS AS THIS IS DEEP, EXCEPTIONALLY WELL-PRODUCED DETROIT-STYLE
ELECTRO THAT'S MUSICAL, FULL OF WARMTH AND LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF
MOST OF THE COMPETITION. WITH NODS TO MID '90'S ARTIFICIAL =
INTELLIGENCE
(CURIOUSLY!) STYLE ELECTRONICS,THE DEEPEST DETROIT TECHNO AND
EVEN THE CHORD-Y, SOULFUL STYLE OF PEOPLE LIKE MIKE GRANT AND
RICK WADE, THIS HAS BEEN PUT TOGETHER WITH A STRONG EAR FOR MELODY
AND GROOVE. ELECTRO-ESQUE RHYTHMS RIDE UNDER THE TRACKS AND =
GENERALLY
THIS IS QUITE UNMISSABLE IF YOU ASK ME. HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
LAWRENCE - THE ABSENCE OF BLIGHT - DIALREC - CD (DIALCD04)
ABSOLUTELY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE RELEASES OF THE YEAR. KILLER, =
WONDERFUL,
'SLEEPY HOUSE' GROOVES WITH INTRICATE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, YET
A RELAXED, EASY GOING ATTITUDE. FRESH SOUNDS, LAWRENCES USUAL
ROLLING BEATS AND A CREEPING LUSHNESS WHICH CATCHES YOU UNAWARES.
DEEPLY BEAUTIFUL AT TIMES AND DEEPLY FUNKY AT OTHERS. THIS IS
HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. FABULOUS.
VARIOUS - LIQUID SKY COLOGNE - VOLUME TWO - ELECTRO BUNKER COLOGNE - =
CD (EBCCD002)
Second volume of the Liquid Sky compilation series comes from
a similar group of Air Liquide related artists. Live recordings
of Frank Heiss, Dr. Walker, Strobocop, Mike Stone, 2 Live And
Die In Cologne (good name!) and various others. Acid tinged tracks
that, quite simply, rock! Techno fo the highest order from a golden
age.=20
VARIOUS - LIQUID SKY COLOGNE - VOLUME ONE - ELECTRO BUNKER COLOGNE - =
CD (EBCCD001)
Electro Bunker Cologne's first Liquid Sky compilation features
some absolute mid to late '90's gems from the Air Liquide crew
and friends. There are some amazing tracks on here courtesy of
Dr. Walker, Pierrot Premier, J. Burger, Strobocop and Frnak Heiss.
They take the form of mini selections of tracks that were recorded
live. Stunning Cologne Techno that really is from a truly classic
era.
VARIOUS - TEMPLE RECORDS - VOLUME ONE - TEMPLE - CD (TEMPLECD001)
Whooah there! A storming compilation of tracks from the Temple
catalogue. Run by Air Liquide's Khan, Temple put out some fantastic
Cologne Techno and Electronica records with an American twist
(as Khan ran it from New York). There are some real gems on here
and the uncompromising music comes from Madonna 303, Black One,
Jammin' Unit, Bizz O.D., Khan himself, Cube 40 and Gizz T.V. A
stunning mixture of Techno and breaks and acid and loads of other
nice things. I'm not wearing rose-tinted specs when I say that
this is brilliant stuff!
New Releases (CD): Hip Hop
FBC FABRIC REINDEER - IT'S NOT WHO YOU KNOW, IT'S WHOM YOU KNOW - =
BUTTER CUTS - CD (BUTT009CD)
This is great. From the wittily pedantic title to the exceptional
packaging: this comes in a cloth bag with all the track titles
(and assorted sewn onto the label as you'd sew a label with washing
instructions. Musically it gets my vote, too. It's an interesting
selection of (British, I figure) electronic hip hop which would
loosely be classified in the "backpack / collegiate" section,
but personally I think it is less whiney and alot deeper than
that - plus there are some really good electronic / ambient tracks.
All in all this is a really good album that ticks all the right
boxes. Recommended.
New Releases (CD): Eclectic Beats
CIRKUS - LAYLOW - TENT MUSIC - CD (????)
=20
New Releases (CD): Guitar Based
APSE - APSE - ACUARELA - CD (NOIS047CD)
Wow, how good is this? Elements of everything from Hood to Arcade
Fire to GY!BE to The Cure to Silver Ray to Eluvium to Bardo Pond
to Sunn O))) going on here. Heavy, but hypnotic guitar-based =
soundscapes
that totally hit the mark - most excellent.=20
DARREN HAYMAN - CORTINALAND - ACUARELA - CD (NOIS050CD)
A mere two weeks after his debut solo 7" on Static Caravan, the
(i presume) former frontman of Hefner sticks out another five
brand new tracks on Acuarela. Less solo acoustic and more full-band
based than the 7", this is a lot more Hefner-ish, but equally
reminds one of all sorts of things from Belle & Sebastian to Momus.
Recommended.=20
KEVIN TIHISTA - HOME DEMONS VOL. 1 - BROKEN HORSE - CD (BKHCD008)
Kevin Tihista's first new album since last year's highly acclaimed
'Wake Up Captain'... definitely worth a listen if you're a fan
of Paul Westerberg, Ryan Adams (on a good day), Elliott Smith
or Simon & Garfunkel. Very nice indeed.=20
SMOKE FAIRIES - STRANGE THE THINGS - CONCENTRATED PEOPLE - CD =
(CP002CD)
Followers of the Concentrated People label will no doubt be =
welcoming
what's probably their most anticipated release - the Smoke Fairies
debut. Apparently their name stems from a fire at their London
home which almost took the album with it (shades of Shack about
that story) but luckily that didn't happen, cos here it is. Smoky
would be an apt description of the music on offer anyway - this
is gutsy folky blues courtesy of a female duo that fall somewhere
between KT Tunstall and Cocorosie. A release with serious potential
- this won't be the last you hear of neither the label nor the
band.=20
SONDRE LERCHE - TWO WAY MONOLOGUE EP - SOURCE - CD (SOURCDX108)
Brilliant on-the-up Norwegian singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche
returns with this bargain 7-track interim EP (between albums).
'Two Way Monologue' (a hit if ever i heard one) comes backed with
four new B-sides (of equally quality), plus two QuickTime videos.
At this price, i'm having one, as is George (so there you are,
Sondre gets the Smallfish thumbs-up). Cheapo Scandinavian top
notch summer pop release of the week!=20
SUPERTHRILLER - SUPERTHRILLER 1 - MINT - CD (MINTCD001)
Not sure who this lot are, really. It's kind of an indie-funk
type of thing, with slight electronic twinges. A bit like Hot
Chip and/or Jamie Lidell only not as interesting. Pretty rubbish
artwork, too. I'm sure the NME will love it, so who cares? =20
WINDSOR FOR THE DERBY - CONFIANZA / VISIONS - ACUARELA - CD =
(NOIS048CD)
Two Windsor For The Derby releases in one week, then. This 5-track
mini-album complements the full-length new album on Secretly =
Canadian
perfectly, despite being a return (at times) to their more lo-fi
post-rock sound of old. Occasional electronic touches and vocals
give (once again) rise to comparisons to Hood and American Analog
Set, but WFTD are at least as pioneering as either of those bands,
i'd say. This is superb, check it out at once.=20
XIU XIU - LA FORET - ACUARELA - CD (NOIS1058)
Second release for Xiu Xiu (pronounced as you'd say jus jus as
in the french for gravy). This is an intense experience, with
it's mixture of abrasive electronics, cutesy, kitsch melodies,
heavy bass and vocals that sound a little bit like a tortured
Robert Smith! OK, so that sounds dreadful, but it really works,
and if you imagine these strange mixtures getting more and more
twisted often to the point quite intense noise and often to the
point of haunting fragility. Have a listen.
Restocks (CD): Guitar Based
STARS OF THE LID - AVEC LAUDENUM - KRANKY - CD (KRANK059)
KRANKY REISSUE QUITE POSSIBLY STARS OF THE LID'S FINEST MOMENT.
ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN EUROPE ON SUB ROSA, I CAN'T EMPHASISE
JUST HOW BRILLIANT STARS OF THE LID ARE. THEIR UNIQUE BRAND OF
DRONE BASED ELECTRONICALLY MANIPULATED GUITARS AND OTHER INSTRUMENTS
IS A WONDER TO BEHOLD. FIVE STUNNING, LOVINGLY CRAFTED SLICES
OF PURE ATMOSPHERE. UTTERLY GORGEOUS.
VARIOUS - KOMPILATION - KRANKY - 2xCD (KRANK077)
A SELECTION OF FORTHCOMING AND EXCLUSIVE TRACKS, ALTERNATE VERSIONS
AND PIECES FROM CURRENT RELEASES. STARS OF THE LID, PAN AMERICAN,
GREG DAVIS, LOSCIL, THE DEAD TEXAN, JESSICA BAILIFF, KEITH FULLERTON
WHITMAN AND THE REST OF THE KRANKY ROSTER CONTRIBUTE A TOTAL OF
21 TRACKS OVER 148 MINUTES AND 2 CDS (AND AT A VERY REASONABLE
PRICE INDEED).
New Releases (CD): Experimental
HAFLER TRIO, THE - AN UTTERANCE OF THE SUPREME VENTRILOQUIST - =
SOLEILMOON - CD (SOL134CD)
Three new Hafler Trio albums this week on three different labels.
Two tracks (just over 40 mins) worth of THT doing what they do
best - dense, eerie soundscapes utilising all-encompassing tones
and textures to dramatic effect. They leave most of the competition
standing, in my opinion - get in there.=20
HAFLER TRIO, THE - HOW TO REFORM MANKIND - KORM PLASTICS - CD =
(KPHRMCD)
An exceptional piece of work once again. The artwork and packaging
are in a class of their own (as always), and the music is one
of their more minimal excursions, being 7 tracks (78 mins) of
doomy tones akin to Mika Vainio aka 0 - ie. the purest kind of
soundscape. Such attention to detail - fabulous.=20
HAFLER TRIO, THE - NO MAN PUT ASUNDER - DIE STADT - CD (DS58CD)
How much Hafler Trio can you take? They've always been prolific,
but six releases in two months?!? Anyhow, this strikes me as one
of their more intense pieces. One single track, coming in at 68
mins that seems to centre around a single drone but does so much
with it - there's some incredibly subtle and delicate work going
on in the background that keeps you hooked. Awesome packaging
as always, too.=20
JOHN DUNCAN / EDVARD GRAHAM LEWIS - PRESENCE - ALL QUESTIONS - CD =
(AQ07CD)
John Duncan i remember from his releases on Touch and Die Stadt,
and this certainly is in the mould of the former as well as the
latter (it reminds me a little of Philip Jeck or Chris Watson).
When one of the artists is credited for "Processing, shortwave
and field recording", and you discover one track was sourced from
a bathtub at the Holiday Inn, Chicago, you know what to expect
to some extent, but these are entrancing, inticing, intricate,
hypnotic soundscapes nonetheless.=20
NURSE WITH WOUND - SHIPWRECKED RADIO VOLUME ONE - ICR - 2xCD =
(ICR041CD)
Subtitled "Seven sonic structures from Utvaer".... Between June
and July 2004, as guests of Kunst I Nordland, NWW broadcast twenty
four unexpected radio transmissions from the Arctic Lofoten Islands,
seven of which included here. Every single sound you hear is sourced
from environments and objects in the surrounding area; buildings,
ships, harbourside tackle, local characters etc. A fascinating
journey which becomes more hallucinatory as it goes on. Expensive,
but still cheaper than a flight there!=20
ORGANUM Z'EV - TOCSIN -6 THRU +2 - DIE STADT - CD (DS77CD)
Two respected experimental artists collaborate on this unusual
project, manipulating the sound of materials sourced from a =
scrapyard
and those of a grand piano! The end result is one not dissimilar
to any number of 12k / Line-esque releases, albeit this is a little
more intense and drone-based.=20
Restocks (CD): Experimental
HAFLER TRIO, THE - A EG AD HALDA AFRAM? - IMPORTANT - CD (IMPREC050)
This is simply magnificent. Hafler Trio are always worth checking
out and this single track piece is amazingly put together. Starting
out with a barely there spoken piece that's incredibly dislocating
and bit scary, it soon launches into one of the most full sounding
and surprisingly melodic drones I've heard in a while. This is
followed up by more intense minimalism and then, incredibly, it
moves into a rhythmic passage. Hafler Trio using beats? And guess
what? It works a treat. Deep, slowed down breaks that are full
of menace and darkness. A sublime CD. Definitely recommended.
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<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Smallfish Mailout=20
11/08/05</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Greets to you all from Smallfish on =
this fine and=20
sunny Thursday!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>This weeks mailout is a relatively =
short and sweet=20
affair as people seem to have finally slowed down their release =
schedules a bit=20
- although having said that, I know there's a big mountain of stuff due =
in the=20
next couple of weeks (and actually there is a lot of stuff on this =
mailout as=20
well, I've just discovered).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>So, onwards, with the first thing to =
mention this=20
week being...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Remote_ - Celestion EP - =
Meanwhile - In=20
Stock</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Is it somehow wrong to big up a record =
that's=20
produced by one of the Smallfish crew? Does it look like we're being =
biased?=20
Probably, but I think I can say we all genuinely like this record and I =
hope=20
that you do as well.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Meanwhile has been quietly putting out =
some=20
quality Techno records by Murmur and Bovill for the last 18 months =
and for=20
those in the know they have formed a formidable back catalogue of purist =
minimal=20
vibes that are dancefloor without ever being obvious. Nods to Detroit =
and Berlin=20
are firmly in place and so are the grooves.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>The fourth release is by Remote_ who =
has=20
previously recorded on Smallfish, Neurhythmics, Blase and Keyboard =
Monkey. It's=20
the most overtly dubby of the releases on Meanwhile so far but has a=20
surprisingly grooved out cut on the A-side (the title track=20
'Celestion'). Add to that the beatless, Chain Reaction-esque =
ambience of=20
'Permafrost' and a superb remix of 'Celestion' by newcomers Sound Hacker =
(which=20
comes on like Monolake locking horns with Autechre in a Berlin =
studio) and=20
you've got a handy, purist EP of Techno and Electronica =
sounds. Just=20
check it and see what you think!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial size=3D3></FONT> </DIV></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Raster =
Noton</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>As you may have noticed on the website =
(and in=20
last week's mailout extra) we have a splendid array of Raster Noton back =
catalogue at Smallfsh at the moment. I'm mentioning it again today as =
the supply=20
is dwindling somewhat and we're on the last copies of most of the =
releases so,=20
if you fancy some wonderful and classic digital minimalism I'd advise =
you to get=20
in there quickly. Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto, Taylor Deupree, Blir =
(aka SND),=20
Signal, Alva Noto + Opiate, Noto, Senking and more are just some of the =
gems you=20
can expect to find on the website. Check them soon =
though...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Interesting rare=20
bits</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Over the next couple of days you're =
liable to spot=20
some very sought after Electronica, Techno and Hip Hop releases lurking =
on the=20
website. We like to spice up the site every now and again with a few =
one-off=20
bits and bobs and believe me, these are some top quality records. You'll =
spot=20
them, you'll probably be as excited as I was when I saw them and then =
you'll=20
conceivably want to order them for yourself... my advice is, snap them =
up as=20
soon as you can when you see them as they aren't going to hang around =
for very=20
long!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2><STRONG><U>Fenton - Pup - Back in=20
stock</U></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>This wonderful album by Dan Abrams =
(aka=20
Shuttle358) did briefly go out of stock but I'm pleased to report that =
we've now=20
got some more back in. Delightful music that's timeless as well as just =
plain=20
brilliant. Don't miss out.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>William Basinski CDs - Back =
in=20
stock</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>After a short absence from stock =
'Variations: A=20
Movement In Chrome Positive' and 'Silent Night' by the one and only =
William=20
Basinski are back in stock. Truly in a league of his own when it comes =
to making=20
hypnotic soundscapes you really have to settle back and enjoy these at =
home on=20
good speakers or on headphones to experience just how powerful his work=20
is.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Incidentally the =
acclaimed 'Disintegration=20
Loops' series of CDs are shortly to be available for the first time in =
this=20
country and, of course, we will be getting stock of all of them... =
mindblowing=20
sounds with an incredible underlying concept (which I won't go into here =
otherwise it could take me some time). One to sek out when we get them=20
in!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>So, that about wraps it up for this =
week except to=20
mention that the excellent Kompakt compilation 'Total 6' is due in on =
Friday as=20
well as the two Dominik Eulberg remix 12"s on Traum. Lot's of goods to =
look=20
forward to!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Peace.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>The Fish.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D1>Smallfish Records | 329 Old Street | =
London | EC1V=20
9LE | +44 [0] 20 7739 2252 | <A=20
href=3D"http://www.smallfish.co.uk">www.smallfish.co.uk</A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> AS ONE / ZEE (NEUROPOLITIQUE) - OUR PATHS MEET / HARMONY =
PARK - B12=20
- 12" (B1203)<BR> EXTREMLEY RARE EARLY B12 RELEASE =
WHICH WAS=20
THE DBUT FOR BOTH MATT<BR> COGGER & KIRK =
DEGIORGIO, 2=20
STALWARTS OF THE UK TECHNO SCENE. RAW,<BR> RUGGED BUT =
SOULFUL=20
MLANCHOLIC SOUNDS FROM KIRK, AND AN ALTOGETHER<BR> =
EDGIER,=20
HARDER APPROACH FROM MATT. SO RARE IT HURTS.......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BROADCAST - TENDER BUTTONS / AMERICA'S BOY - WARP - 7"=20
(7WAP193)<BR> I just can't emphasise enough how =
awesome the=20
new material from<BR> Broadcast is. 'Ha Ha Sound' was=20
fantastic enough, but their forthcoming<BR> new album =
does not=20
disappoint in any way. In the meantime, this<BR> =
limited=20
two-track 7" acts as a sampler for 'Tender Buttons', =
and<BR> =20
should be snapped up at once. You will not buy a better=20
record<BR> all week. Trust me. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CARSTEN NICOLAI (ALVA NOTO) - ANTI REFLEX - RASTER NOTON - =
BOOK=20
(CAT005)<BR> This is something very special indeed. We =
managed=20
to get a few<BR> copies of the accompanying catalogue =
of=20
Carsten Nicolai's (Alva<BR> Noto) recent exhibition in =
the=20
renowned Schirnhalle Gallery in<BR> Frankfurt, =
Germany. Our=20
scan/picture doesn't do this uncompromisingly<BR> =
beautiful,=20
minimalistic, almost fetishistic manufactured book<BR> =
any=20
justice. You really will have to either take my word for=20
it,<BR> or you will have to see this in person to =
grasp the=20
unique visual<BR> concept of Carsten's ultra =
minimalistic take=20
on modern art. 200<BR> pages in German and English =
with=20
stunning high gloss photos of<BR> the groundbreaking =
video and=20
audio installations that the man<BR> behind the Raster =
Noton=20
label creates. Truly amazing material,<BR> and I can't =
recommend this highly enough. A lesson in pushing<BR> =
the=20
boundaries of peoples perception. Please note: THIS IS A=20
BOOK,<BR> AND AGAINST ALL RUMOURS THAT WERE =
CIRCULATING, THERE=20
IS NO DVD<BR> OR CD INCLUDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CHAP, THE - I AM OOZING EMOTION - LO - 7"=20
(LOSEV04)<BR> This limited edition 7" (500 only) =
features two=20
seriously upfront<BR> cuts. 'I Am Oozing Emotion''s =
synths and=20
guitar chorus are sure<BR> to set local dancefloors =
convulsing=20
with delight, while double<BR> A-side 'Now Woel' takes =
the=20
listener on a journey into heavy riffage.<BR> Having =
gigged=20
extensively with Tom Vek, Erase Errata, Numbers,<BR> =
Oneida=20
and Laika (as well as caused ruptions in the press), =
The<BR> =20
Chap are all set to conquer the world (well, Shoreditch=20
anyway<BR> - which is the world as far as some are=20
concerned!). </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HOWARD J. DAVIDSON - DISCOVERIES UNDERWATER - BBC - LP=20
(REB667)<BR> Original copy of the 1988 BBC television =
series,=20
exploring the<BR> wonders of the oceanic waterworld. =
Decidedly=20
dreamy overall feel,<BR> making heavy use of the then=20
available vast variety of big and<BR> expensive =
synthesizers.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JEAN-CLAUDE FLEURY - GWENDOLINE - RCA - LP=20
(BL70252)<BR> Ahh, one of those 80's soundtracks, =
where they=20
thought they could<BR> get away without a real =
orchestra. All=20
done in a slightly cheesy<BR> synthy fashion, but =
definitely=20
with sampling potential for those<BR> amongst you =
still going=20
through the effort of actually creating<BR> own =
samples.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KID606 FEATURING WAYNE LONESOME - BUCKLE UP - SHOCKOUT - 12" =
(SHOCK01)<BR> RESTOCK. FIRST RELEASE ON TIGERBEATS =
SISTER=20
LABEL SHOCKOUT - IN<BR> THE EVER GROWING TIGERBEAT =
FAMILY. BIG=20
DRILL AND BASS MEETS RAGGAMUFFIN<BR> ACTION ON THIS =
EXCELLENT=20
TIGERBEAT RELEASE. MASSIVE - AND BOUND<BR> TO =
ROCK MANY=20
A DANCEFLOOR (I KNOW I'LL PLAY IT!). MASHUPDEDANCEHALL...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MAURICE JARRE - FATAL ATTRACTION - PRT - LP=20
(PYL6035)<BR> Wasn't this the movie, in which Michael =
Douglas=20
gets framed and<BR> blamed for srewing his female =
boss...? I=20
think so, and surprisingly,<BR> I donb't remember any =
of the=20
really dark and soundscapy bits on<BR> this. Really =
good and=20
cold in places, with shimmering pad sounds,<BR> and =
very, very=20
dark strings. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STASIS - POINT OF NO RETURN - B12 - 12"=20
(B1211)<BR> SECOND RELEASE FROM THE STAS MAN ON THE =
WELL=20
RENOWNED B12 IMPRINT..........<BR> VERY DETROIT =
SOUNDING AND=20
VERY FUNKY NOT TO BE MISSED. THIS IS<BR> A =
VERY=20
RARE & COLLECTABLE SILVER VINYL PRESSING THAT IS =
STILL<BR> =20
SEALED!! CLASSIC UK ELECTRONICA FROM STEVE PICKTON....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> U-ZIQ - EASE UP - PLANET MU - 12" =
(ZIQ130)<BR> =20
First new material from Mike Paradinas' U-Ziq project since=20
'Bilious<BR> Paths'. This three-track 12" contains =
live=20
favourite 'Ease Up'<BR> (a slow dubwise =
D&B/breakcore cut=20
that's been ending his sets<BR> nicely for the last =
two=20
years), the 'Lunatic Harness'-like 'Wergle<BR> The =
Proud'=20
(which brings back those much admired Paradinas =
melody<BR> =20
lines), and the VIP mix of 'Ease Up', a 13-minute epic.=20
Frankly<BR> a bit of a must! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - THE DUDES EP LIMITED EDITION - SHADETEK - 12"=20
(SHT007LTD)<BR> Probably a stronger release than 'The =
Girls=20
EP'. This has more<BR> of an overt electronic feel as =
well as=20
a Crunky feel to tsome<BR> of the beats and some =
blatantly=20
large hip hop vocal moments. Processed<BR> to the max =
and=20
pretty much as crunched up as you can get, I guess<BR> =
a good=20
comparison would be the more aggressive recent =
Spezial<BR> =20
Material gear. Whoop, whoop! This version is, of course, the=20
very<BR> limited handmade packaging version so don't =
expect=20
them to last<BR> too long! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VINCE TEMPERA - CENTURION ODYSSEY - LONDON - LP=20
(8303581)<BR> Space me up baby...80's sci-fi =
gallore...!!!=20
Whatever, wherever<BR> this dates back =
to...pressumably some=20
very obscure film that very<BR> few people will have =
seen, it=20
is a cheese fest of big 80's synths<BR> with many a =
bits=20
waiting to be lifted.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> AFX - ANALORD 10 - REPHLEX - 12" =
(ANALORD10)<BR> =20
OK, WELL, I DON'T KNOW ABOUT YOU BUT MY SOURCES INFORMED ME=20
THAT<BR> ANALORD 12 WAS GONNA BE A PICTURE DISC =
VERSION OF=20
ANALORD 10,<BR> BUT HERE IS THE PICTURE DISC, CLEARLY =
STAMPED=20
UP AS ANALORD 10.<BR> SO WHAT'S ANALORD 12 GONNA BE? =
THE=20
MYSTERY DEEPENS! MUSICALLY,<BR> THIS IS ARGUABLY THE =
MOST=20
STRAIGHT-UP, TRADITIONALLY APHEX-SOUNDING<BR> RECORD =
IN THE=20
SERIES SO FAR, BOTH TRACKS SOUNDING LIKE COULD =
STEM<BR> FROM=20
THE "COME TO DADDY" EP (OR AROUND THAT ERA, THINK =
"FUNNY<BR> =20
LITTLE MAN"). A LITTLE MORE EXPENSIVE THAN THE OTHERS, BUT=20
WHO<BR> GIVES A MONKEYS, THIS IS ONE WE'VE ALL BEEN =
WAITING=20
FOR, AND I<BR> HAVE TO SAY IT LOOKS AND SOUNDS =
TREMENDOUS (AND=20
IT IS, I'M MORE<BR> RELIABLY INFORMED THIS TIME, =
EXACTLY THE=20
SAME TRACKLISTING / VERSIONS<BR> AS THE ORIGINAL =
ANALORD 10=20
WHICH CAME WITH THE BINDER). GET IN<BR> THERE AT =
ONCE.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ANALOG~1 - B-LINE - MCMLXV PRODUCTIONS - 12"=20
(M-0002)<BR> THIS IS JUST A FANTASTIC RELEASE. MCMLXV =
HAVE ONE=20
FOOT FIRMLY<BR> IN THE PAST BUT WITH A CONTEMPORARY =
FEEL AS=20
WELL. THIS IS HOW<BR> ELECTRONICA SHOULD BE DONE IN MY =
OPINION... WARM, DEEP, GORGEOUS,<BR> LOVINGLY CRAFTED =
AND=20
DEEPLY ATMOSPHERIC. LOVELY ELECTRO BASED<BR> RHYTHMS =
AND SUPER=20
LUSH PADS PLUS A COUPLE OF WONDERFUL BEATLESS<BR> =
BITS. IT=20
SOUNDS LIKE MID '90'S BRITISH ELCTRONICA BUT COULD =
ALMOST<BR> =20
BE ON AI AS WELL. I CAN'T DO THIS JUSTICE REALLY SO JUST=20
CHECK<BR> IT OUT AND I'M SURE YOU'LL FALL IN LOVE WITH =
IT JUST=20
LIKE I DID.<BR> RECOMMENDED MOST HIGHLY.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DMX KREW - THE TRANSACTIONAL INTERPRETATION - REPHLEX - LP=20
(CAT176LP)<BR> Two equally intriguing LP's in one week =
from=20
DMX it is, then.<BR> Again, this is really pure =
electronica,=20
utilising stark loops<BR> and simplistic melodies in =
an=20
"Analord-stripped-bare" style. Seemingly<BR> (again) =
very=20
Kraftwerk inspired (one track was almost "It's =
More<BR> Fun To=20
Compute", another has curiously Eno-esque vocals!).=20
Definitely<BR> one the Rephlex heads will snap up. =
Released=20
Monday 1st August<BR> although we can send it =
mailorder to=20
arrive on Monday. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DMX KREW - MANY WORLDS - REPHLEX - LP=20
(CAT175LP)<BR> A surprisingly non-electro based =
9-track LP=20
from DMX, subtitled<BR> "The Collapse Of The Wave =
Function=20
Volume 4". Straightforward,<BR> often downtempo =
electronic=20
loops and simple melodies combine in<BR> this almost=20
"Analord-stripped-bare" project, kinda reminiscent<BR> =
at=20
times of Kraftwerk (one track sounds like it could break=20
into<BR> "Showroom Dummies" at any minute!). Will no =
doubt fly=20
out. Released<BR> Monday 1st August although we can =
send it=20
mailorder to arrive<BR> on Monday. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> IKEN - IMAGE OF A DRAWN SWORD - REAL SOON - 10"=20
(RS002)<BR> 3 SLOW DUBBY TRACKS THAT COULD BE CALLED =
HOUSE,=20
COULD BE CALLED<BR> TECHNO, BUT WE'VE PLUMPED FOR =
ELECTRONICA.=20
REMINDS ME OF A LETHARGIC<BR> TITONTON. THATS NOT A =
DISS THATS=20
A COMPLIMENT! VERY DEEP WITH<BR> LOTS OF NICE BIG =
ANALOG=20
BASS'S AND MELODIE LINES. RECOMMENDED!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STASIS - FROM THE OLD TO THE NEW - PEACEFROG - 2xLP=20
(PF046LP)<BR> CLASSIC ELECTRONICS / BREAKS FROM OUR =
BIG DADDY=20
STEVE. THIS 1996<BR> LP SHOWCASES THE STASIS SOUND IN =
FULL,=20
WITH A GREAT RANGE OF PERCUSSION<BR> SOUNDS, NOT TO =
MENTION=20
THOSE TRADEMARK STRINGS. DELETED RARITY<BR> - NOT TO =
BE=20
MISSED, AND A GREAT COMPANION PIECE TO THE =
FORTHCOMING<BR> =20
RARITIES / UNRELEASED COMPILATION ON PEACEFROG....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> A GUY CALLED GERALD - FLO-RIDE (WHITE LABEL PROMO) - SUGOI - =
12"=20
(SUGOI01W)<BR> Very limited white label advance copy =
of this=20
first release on<BR> Gerald Simpson's own label. =
'Flo-Ride'=20
bounces along at a stately<BR> 135 bpm, a slight =
return to=20
4-to-the-floor for a dark-house-breaks<BR> ride. =
'Under The=20
Way' is a quirky bass charger made for freestyle<BR> =
DJ sets,=20
and 'Visitor' (hilariously described as =
'moon-dub'!)<BR> is an=20
excursion into the lower frequencies to get those =
naughty<BR> =20
bits vibrating. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> A GUY CALLED GERALD - VOODOO RAY - RHAM - 12"=20
(RX8804)<BR> This is a bit of a blast from the past - =
original=20
version from<BR> 1989 - radio, original and a =
remix. You=20
know this record - even<BR> if you don't, if you know =
what I=20
mean. Classic early techno.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ALEXANDER ROBOTNICK / NIGHTMOVES - PROBLEMS D'AMOUR / =
TRANSDANCE -=20
BENELUX - 12" (BENELUX210-003)<BR> Two classic slabs =
of=20
Electro from the '80's (I believe). Both<BR> sounding =
fresh as=20
you like and considerably more contemporary<BR> than a =
lot of=20
the retro Electro stuff that's around at the =
moment<BR> =20
(ironically). The re-edit of 'Problems D'Amour' is=20
particularly<BR> splendid and is well worthy of some =
serious=20
investigation.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ARMANDO - 151 ARMANDO - DJAX-UP-BEATS - 12"=20
(DJAX-UP-152)<BR> Was this sent by Armando directly =
from=20
heaven? I guess so, because<BR> this set of =
ultra-tight=20
remixes of his seminal 151 double-pack<BR> on Djax =
just is=20
just devine. Raw Acid power of the highest order,<BR> =
and you=20
know he would be playing everywhere these days, if =
he<BR> was=20
still alive. Sadly, he left too early...RIP to one of =
the<BR> =20
pioneers! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BILLY DALESSANDRO - THE WAY YOU MOVE - RESOPAL - 12"=20
(RSP023)<BR> From his Chicago-based headquarters, =
Billy=20
Dalessandro strikes<BR> back and delivers a nicely =
dosed=20
package of lush, minimal house<BR> tracks. Having =
released=20
tracks on labels such as Force Inc, Resopal,<BR> =
Kompute and=20
Fabric compilations, it's about time you checked =
him<BR> out=20
if you haven't already done so. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CAPTAIN COMATOSE - UP IN FLAMES - PLAYHOUSE - 12"=20
(PLAY108)<BR> The title track from Captain Comatose's =
recent=20
album gets a full<BR> disco makeover from production =
duo Glove=20
(aka Tobi Neumann and<BR> Thies Mynther of Christiane =
F). On=20
side two, the equally up-for-it<BR> new track, "Say =
CC".=20
Acappellas of both tracks are also included<BR> from =
all you=20
remix fiends out there. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> COLDER - HEAT - OUTPUT - LP (OPR85LTD)<BR> =
The new=20
Colder album now finally arrives in the shop as a =
vinyl<BR> =20
version. And what a beauty it is. We managed to get a=20
limited<BR> amount of red vinyl copies, that were from =
the=20
inital press, and<BR> all further stocks will be on =
normal=20
black vinyl. for the collectors<BR> and design =
fetishists,=20
this does justice to the brilliantly glossy<BR> and =
slightly=20
voyoristic cover photo.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DOWNLINK - THE HIDDEN BLUEPRINT - FOREVER GREY - 12"=20
(GREY01)<BR> Lovely varied slice of techno from 1995. =
Three=20
tracks - one that<BR> takes a dubby approach, another =
that=20
takes a more tribal, perky<BR> and acidic tack and a =
third=20
that is pitched up and a great deal<BR> darker and =
more=20
banging. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> EYERER & CHOPSTICK - GET ALIVE! - GREAT STUFF - 12"=20
(GSR016)<BR> More electro-house Hoxton fun here in =
that=20
Gigilo/Crosstown mould.<BR> This track has a stripped =
down=20
Phonique mix and an even more stripped<BR> Deutsche =
Und=20
Albaner mix. The original mix embraces the =
electroclash<BR> =20
sound with four/four beats and a vocal delivered in that=20
London<BR> 'geezer' accent we all know and, hmmmm,=20
love........... If you<BR> love the scene, =
you'll love=20
the sound!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FRANKLIN DE COSTA - TRAPEZ LIMITED 35 - TRAPEZ - 12"=20
(TRAPEZLTD35)<BR> Trapez keep the pressure on with =
another=20
Limited release. Franklin<BR> De Costa once again =
delivers a=20
strong EP of Euro inflected Techno<BR> sounds. Quite =
heavy at=20
times and certainly very much made for<BR> the =
dancefloor...=20
this one should get the people wiggling. Nicely<BR> =
varied=20
throughout and, overall, a pretty damn good release.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HOUSE HUSBANDS, THE - YOU'RE UGLY - UNKNOWN - 7"=20
(HH072005)<BR> THIS RELEASE FROM A LABEL YOU'LL KNOW =
VERY WELL=20
BUT HAS TO REMAIN<BR> SECRET COMES INCOGNITO FOR LEGAL =
REASONS=20
(TOO COMPLICATED TO GO<BR> INTO HERE!). MUSICALLY, =
IT'S=20
ACTUALLY A BIT OF A DEPARTURE FOR<BR> THEM, COMING ON =
VERY=20
MUCH LIKE CURSOR MINER IN SILLY ELECTRO POP<BR> MODE. =
ASK YOUR=20
FRIENDLY SMALLFISH ASSISTANT FOR FURTHER DETAILS!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JONZON - CARDIOLOGICAL STOMP - EXACTA.UDIO - 12"=20
(EXACTA008)<BR> Classic pounding techno track released =
by=20
Disko B back in the<BR> day (1995 to be precise, so =
this is=20
its tenth anniversary!), now<BR> picked up by those =
nice=20
people at Exacta.udio and coupled with<BR> an equally=20
energetic Richard Bartz remix. If this doesn't get<BR> =
you=20
moving, i don't know what will. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KINKY DISCO - DEJA VU - KINKY DISCO - 10"=20
(KINKYDISCO007)<BR> The much-anticipated return of =
Kinky=20
Disco, who always seem to<BR> shift a few units here=20
regardless of how many single-sided records<BR> they =
release=20
(there's been a few now, and here's another). =
Upfront<BR> =20
electro pop that takes few prisoners, is very brash and=20
doesn't<BR> care if you think it's badly dressed. =
Catchy, too.=20
Come on you<BR> Sho/Ho muppets! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KONFEKT - QUENGE LIESE - AREAL - 12" =
(AREAL32)<BR> =20
Areal still have this absolutely unique sound which no-one=20
else<BR> has quite managed to emulate yet. Gnarly bass =
sounds=20
and some<BR> very twisted programming and production =
are the=20
key elements here<BR> and Konfekt construct a tight =
yet=20
screwed-up groove. If you like<BR> it dirty and =
slightly=20
malevolent sounding you simply can't go<BR> wrong this =
singular label. Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MARTINEZ - MINIMAL DEEPNESS - OUT OF ORBIT - 12"=20
(ORB010)<BR> Two tracks here, the first being a =
generic 'deep'=20
house record<BR> while the flip is more of a stripped =
down=20
mixing tool. Solid enough<BR> and good if you want =
'that'=20
sound...again! I'm sure Martinez loves<BR> it and some =
of you=20
will too but, let's face it, by next month<BR> it'll =
be long=20
forgotten. On the whole it's unmemorable, =
inoffensive,<BR> run=20
of the mill and shows very little, if any, innovation. A=20
well<BR> trodden path...................</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MICHAEL HEALEY - ONGAKU - SENSEI LIMITED - 12"=20
(SNSLTD005)<BR> Apparently Michael Healey is quite a =
young=20
lad. Well the young<BR> lad has something to say. =
Great,=20
thoughtful production, strong<BR> ideas and very good=20
execution. Slightly F-comm, slightly Sahko,<BR> this =
is great=20
house / deep techno and well worthy of your attention.............</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PACHULKE UND SOHN - PLATZHIRSCH LIMITED #3 - PLATZHIRSCH - =
12"=20
(PLATZHIRSCHLTD03)<BR> Putrid pink vinyl here on the =
third=20
limited Platzhirsch release,<BR> this time from =
someone called=20
Pachulke und Sohn. Bouncy 4/4 Electro<BR> / Techno =
sounds with=20
a cracking drop in the middle and funky,<BR> =
mechanical beats.=20
It really is limited so don't delay and make<BR> sure =
you snap=20
yourself up a copy.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PAN/TONE - THRILL HO - MULE ELECTRONIC - 12"=20
(MULEELECTRONIC008)<BR> Mule continue on their slew of =
great=20
releases with this slightly<BR> tougher outing from =
Pan/Tone.=20
Rough basslines and jagged sounds<BR> sit very happily =
over=20
the heavily Electro influenced Tech beats<BR> to =
provide a=20
satisfying dancefloor appeal. Similar to their =
work<BR> on=20
Sender, this is one that you'll thoroughly enjoy, I'm sure.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> REDCELL - RETREAT FROM UNPLEASNT REALITIES - B12 - 12"=20
(B1207)<BR> ONE OF OUR FAVOURITES FROM THE B12 CATALOG =
HERE AT=20
THE FISH. 4<BR> DEEP ATMOSPHERIC CUTS WITH "AT THE =
EDGE" BEING=20
, FOR ME, ONE OF<BR> THE BEST THINGS THEY EVER DID. =
HUGELY=20
SOUGHT AFTER & HUGELY RARE.<BR> BLUE VINYL NO=20
LESS!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> REMOTE_ - CELESTION EP - MEANWHILE - 12"=20
(MEAN004)<BR> The fourth release on the excellent =
Meanwhile=20
label comes from<BR> our very own Remote_ and is =
another=20
example of why this London<BR> based imprint is =
increasingly=20
growing into a force to be reckoned<BR> with. Remote_ =
drops=20
four tracks that are are at once instantly<BR> in line =
with=20
the label's output so far, but subtly different =
and<BR> =20
considerably more dub based. The opening cut, 'Celestion=20
[Edit]'<BR> is a relentless, string driven groove with =
a heavy=20
sub-bass line<BR> and a subtle and subliminal melody =
line that=20
creates a dreamy<BR> feel, but with solid beats. Sound =
Hacker=20
remix 'Celestion' into<BR> a staggering slice of =
jittery=20
Electronica with acres of depth<BR> and atmosphere =
that=20
definitely brings to mind Monolake and Autechre<BR> =
without=20
actually sounding like them. 'A-Tonal', the first =
track<BR> on=20
the flip, references Basic Channel and Deepchord with its=20
stripped<BR> down yet grooving style. Metallic stabs =
and piles=20
of reverb combine<BR> to create an echo-wise beast =
that slowly=20
unfolds over time. The<BR> final track, 'Permafrost' =
is, as=20
the name would suggest, an icy<BR> cold piece of =
music.=20
Beatless, but incredibly dense, it has an<BR> =
underwater feel=20
and layer upon layer of alien-sounding strings<BR> and =
drones.=20
Varied and complete sounding, this one is =
definitely<BR> for=20
you if you like Meanwhile's other releases or Berlin and=20
Detroit<BR> Techno. Recommended =
(unsurprisingly!)</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SASCHA FUNKE - BOY - B PITCH CONTROL - 12"=20
(BPC112)<BR> Sascha's been out of the limelight for a =
little=20
while so it's<BR> great to see him back and on solid =
form.=20
Bleepy, mechanical Techno<BR> sounds that are very =
Electro=20
influenced and have nicely chunky<BR> and quirky feel. =
The=20
A-side in particular is a wicked romp with<BR> a =
hypnogtic=20
groove and some gnarly bass sounds. Good stuff indeed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SATOSHI FUMI - MADNESS & THERENESS EP - ITALIC - 12"=20
(ITALIC051)<BR> Satoshi Fumi has conjured up a magical =
slice=20
of depth here. It's<BR> really quite a different sound =
than=20
you'd expect from Italic.<BR> Deep, old school House =
vibes all=20
round with a New York / Detroit<BR> flava. A couple of =
the=20
tracks on here could easily be on a label<BR> like =
Delsin=20
without any problems at all although the last =
tracks<BR> is a=20
pure House cut just dripping with electronic soul. A=20
stunning<BR> EP in my opinion and one that you should=20
definitely check out.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SCUBA - TIMBA / SLEEPA - SCUBA - 12"=20
(SCUBA001)<BR> First release from Hotflush offshoot =
Scuba is a=20
deep and dark<BR> Dubstep / Sublow record. Some =
monstrous=20
basslines going on and<BR> nicely jerky beats and =
breaks. At=20
the end of this style that definitely<BR> warrants =
your=20
attention. Check.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SHAWN RUDIMAN - SECOND IS FIRST - DUST SCIENCE - 12"=20
(DUSTV006)<BR> Decent three tracker from Mr Rudiman. =
Solid,=20
bass heavy dark house<BR> with occasional whispers =
(what are=20
they saying?) is the best way<BR> to describe the =
excellent=20
A-side. The flip starts with down tempo<BR> fella =
before=20
jumping on the chicago train with the Ralphi =
Rosario<BR> =20
sounding 'Time & Focus'. All in all, a goodie.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SPEKTRUM - MAY DAY - NON STOP RECORDS - 7"=20
(SPEK005)<BR> No need to hype this up too much... the =
outfit=20
that brought you<BR> 'Kinda New' and the acclaimed =
'Enter the=20
Spektrum' album return<BR> with this track first =
conceived=20
after the May Day protests of<BR> 2002 (in Central =
London). On=20
a slightly different tip for them,<BR> this veers more =
towards=20
post-punk territory (a la X-Ray Spex,<BR> with its =
punky sax=20
break and breaking glass synths or maybe Nina<BR> =
Hagen).=20
Comes with acapella and bonus beats on side two. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STRATEGY - WORLD HOUSE - COMMUNITY LIBRARY - 12"=20
(CL1)<BR> Brand new label from Portland, Oregon which =
sees the=20
first release<BR> coming from Strategy (not sure if =
that's the=20
same Strategy that<BR> appeared on Kranky and Orac). A =
wonderfully deep and Techy sound<BR> with a luscious =
House=20
groove and a beautifully melodic feel throughout.<BR> =
The=20
tracks both build and grow throughout and provide a very=20
hypnotic<BR> groove with acres of feeling. A wicked =
first=20
release which, as<BR> you can probably tell, I'd =
rather keen=20
on! Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - SUBSIDENCE - TOUCHIN' BASS - 2xLP=20
(TB014LP)<BR> Yes, at last - some vinyl on this highly =
attractive Touchin' Bass<BR> sampler / showcase album. =
Andrea=20
Parker's label has certainly<BR> proved itself to be =
ahead of=20
the game when it comes to dark, twisted,<BR> eerie, =
slightly=20
experimental electro/nica. With tracks on here<BR> =
from=20
Eggfooyoung, Doctor Evil, ADJ, Hydraulix, Alpha 606,=20
Nomadic,<BR> Cultek and Ms. Parker and Mr. Morley, =
this=20
forward thinking attitude<BR> looks set to continue. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - THE LANGUAGE OF ACID! - ACIIIEEED! - 12"=20
(ATA002)<BR> Series two in a five part compilation of =
classic=20
underground acid<BR> house. This time we have four =
tracks from=20
Frankie Bones, DJ TJR,<BR> Mateo Murphy & Mystic =
Bill, all=20
of which reek of that classic<BR> acid house sound. =
808's,=20
909's cowbell riffs and the real 303<BR> beast itself. =
A lot=20
of this old material still kicks butt and<BR> makes a =
lot of=20
the new, PC borne acid material sound weak in =
comparison.<BR> =20
Check it Out !!!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - 4 IN A ROW EP - TIC TAC TOE - 12"=20
(TTT006)<BR> Four artists but all with a similar =
approach and=20
related sound.<BR> This normally means a 'movement' in =
action.=20
The artists are Stavostrand<BR> & Skugge, Ryan =
Crosson,=20
Brightlight and Mr Kemi & Amox. Their<BR> sound is =
very=20
much like early Barth and Lekebusch, heavy =
compression,<BR> =20
Svek before disco sucked them dry....you know! Very Strong=20
and<BR> worth a listen!!!!!!!!!!!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> X TRAK - I-NODE EP - PEACEFROG - 12" =
(PF037)<BR> =20
Four tracks of quality bleepy and acidid techno from 1995. =20
This<BR> is Todd Sines under his X-Trak guise (he's =
been ontoo=20
many labels<BR> to list including Planet E, Residual, =
2122=20
Corp...). Superb -<BR> and just the one.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ANTHONY SHAKIR - LOST & FOUND 1 - DUST SCIENCE - 12"=20
(DUSTV005)<BR> It's always good to get some material =
from=20
Shake. His techno sound<BR> is still pushing forward =
and still=20
pretty much in a league of<BR> its own. 3 tracks that =
vary in=20
style and range from hypnotic minimal<BR> loop tracks =
to a=20
more lush and chord driven, classic Detroit sound.<BR> =
A=20
lovely piece of vinyl for fans of true techno.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DJ SHIRAKURA / GOLDFISH & DER DULZ - TUNING#03 - BOXER =
SPORT -=20
12" (BOXER030)<BR> The third release in the Tuning =
series=20
comes from Shirakura and<BR> Goldfish. Not their =
originals but=20
remixes from Hemmann & Kaden<BR> and Chardronnet=20
respectively. Dirty, funky Tech sounds that sits<BR> =
very=20
happily with the other Boxer releases but has a =
slightly<BR> =20
edgier feel to it and a rawness that's really going to do it=20
on<BR> the dancefloor. Killer stuff that comes=20
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JACEN SOLO - VIRGO - A.I. - 2xLP =
(AI011LP)<BR> =20
THIS IS BEING LISTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR A SECOND WEEK,=20
SIMPLY<BR> BECAUSE IT IS AWESOME AND WE DON'T WANT =
ANYONE TO=20
MISS OUT. IT'S<BR> MY FAVOURITE RELEASE ON AI SINCE =
THE CLARO=20
ALBUM, WHICH KINDA<BR> FOLLOWS AS THIS IS DEEP, =
EXCEPTIONALLY=20
WELL-PRODUCED DETROIT-STYLE<BR> ELECTRO THAT'S =
MUSICAL, FULL=20
OF WARMTH AND LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF<BR> MOST OF THE=20
COMPETITION. WITH NODS TO MID '90'S ARTIFICIAL=20
INTELLIGENCE<BR> (CURIOUSLY!) STYLE ELECTRONICS,THE =
DEEPEST=20
DETROIT TECHNO AND<BR> EVEN THE CHORD-Y, SOULFUL STYLE =
OF=20
PEOPLE LIKE MIKE GRANT AND<BR> RICK WADE, THIS HAS =
BEEN PUT=20
TOGETHER WITH A STRONG EAR FOR MELODY<BR> AND GROOVE.=20
ELECTRO-ESQUE RHYTHMS RIDE UNDER THE TRACKS AND =
GENERALLY<BR> =20
THIS IS QUITE UNMISSABLE IF YOU ASK ME. HIGHLY, HIGHLY =
RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JUSSI-PEKKA - WORK IT - THE REMIXES - MORRIS AUDIO - 12"=20
(MORRIS42)<BR> This release sits strangely with the =
other=20
Morris Audio records.<BR> On the one hand their =
releases have=20
got a little more housey recently,<BR> but this sees =
Jori=20
Hulkkonen and Freestyle Man delivering the<BR> remixes =
and=20
they're both very much in the electro / electronic<BR> =
house=20
vein. Wicked synth work and some cracking basslines =
make<BR> =20
up the main meat of the tracks and they're both different=20
enough<BR> to warrant playing out quite a bit. Strong =
stuff,=20
then, but not<BR> nearly as deep as some of the other =
Morris=20
Audio gear.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LAWRENCE - THE NIGHT WILL LAST FOREVER REMIXES - LADOMAT =
2000 - 12"=20
(LADO2175)<BR> I'm slightly concerned about the =
teaming up of=20
Ladomat and Novamute<BR> and their penchant for =
endlessly=20
remixing things... particularly<BR> Lawrence. So far, =
however,=20
we're still in the realms of quality<BR> and both the =
John=20
Tejada and Lusine remixes are quite simply superb.<BR> =
J.T.=20
delivers a gnarly, bass driven mix with all of his=20
funked-out,<BR> skippy trademarks whilst Lusine opts =
for a=20
flat, warm, yet atmospherically<BR> moody version =
which is=20
absolutely spot on. Add to that a new and<BR> =
exclusive track=20
and you've got an indispensible release from one<BR> =
of my=20
favourite artists. Killer.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SLG - QUARTER PAST ELEVEN EP - LEVEL RECORDS - 12"=20
(LEVEL04)<BR> Level Records has only put out 4 =
releases so far=20
but they've been<BR> of such exceptionally high =
quality that I=20
always eagerly await<BR> a new one. This doesn't =
disappoint at=20
all and, in fact, could<BR> easily be my favourite 12" =
so far.=20
The deepest of Techno grooves<BR> with subtle, shining =
chord=20
sequences made up of gentle sinewave<BR> sounds plus =
funky,=20
House influenced beats that have just enough<BR> =
shuffle to=20
groove it whilst remaining true to their Techno =
roots.<BR> A=20
wonderful ep for playing and listening to that will easily=20
stand<BR> the test of time. Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SONAR BASE - EPISODE II: TRANSMISSIONS FROM BEYOND HOAG'S =
OBJEC -=20
SCSI - 12" (SCSIID015)<BR> MONSTER EP FROM THE SCSI =
CREW.=20
SONAR BASE DELIVER SOMETHING OF<BR> A DANCEFLOOR =
SMASHER IN=20
THE SHAPE OF THIS EPIC SIX TRACK EP THAT<BR> HAS IT =
ALL...=20
HEAVY BASS, ELECTROID FUNK, MUTANT BEATS AND SO<BR> =
MUCH MORE.=20
EXCEPTIONAL QUALITY AND GENERALLY PRETTY MUCH =
UNMISSABLE.<BR> =20
RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ULF LOHMANN - ON FROZEN FIELDS - KOMPAKT - 12"=20
(KOM117)<BR> FIRST NEW RELEASE FROM ULF IN AN =
ETERNITY, AND=20
ONE I'VE BEEN LOOKING<BR> FORWARD TO A TREMENDOUS =
AMOUNT, I=20
CAN TELL YOU. THIS TURNED HEADS<BR> THE SECOND THE =
NEEDLE HIT=20
THE GROOVE. THE FIRST TWO TRACKS ARE<BR> KOMPAKT AT =
THEIR=20
GRITTIEST AND NASTIEST YET - SERIOUSLY HEAVY<BR> AND =
NOT WHAT=20
ONE MIGHT ASSOCIATE WITH HERR LOHMANN AT ALL BUT<BR> =
TOTALLY=20
IMPRESSIVE NONETHELESS. HOWEVER, FEAR NOT, POP =
AMBIENT<BR> =20
FANS AS THE SIX (YES, SIX) BEATLESS TRACKS ON SIDE TWO ARE=20
CONSIDERABLY<BR> MORE RELAXED AND QUITE BEAUTIFUL IN=20
COMPARISON (THE THIRD TRACK<BR> IS BREATHTAKING!). =
ULF, YOU=20
ARE GOD AND I CLAIM MY PRIZE. A MAGNIFICENT<BR> PIECE =
OF=20
WORK.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ULTRAMARINE - HOOTER - CARL CRAIG REMIXES - REAL SOON - 12"=20
(RS003)<BR> ORIGINALLY A PROMO ONLY REMIX FROM BACK IN =
1993 AND HAS ALWAYS<BR> BEEN DIFFICULT TO FIND.=20
THANKFULLY THE GUYS AT REAL SOON HAD THE<BR> FORESIGHT =
TO=20
REISSUE IT AND WE HERE AT THE FISH ARE MIGHTY =
PLEASED<BR> THEY=20
DID! A TOUGH GROOVING CUT THAT SITS ON THE FENCE =
SOMEWHERE<BR> =20
BETWEEN HOUSE AND TECHNO, BUT JUST TEETTERING TO THE TECHNO=20
SIDE<BR> IF YOU KNOW WHAT I MEAN. ON THE FLIP ARE 2 =
MORE CUTS=20
HE REMIXED<BR> AT THE TIME BUT I THINK THAT THIS IS =
THE FIRST=20
TIME THESE MIXES<BR> HAVE BEEN RELEASED (BUT DONT =
QUOTE ME!).=20
IF YOU ARE A FAN OF CARLS<BR> WORK THEN YOU KNOW YOUR =
GONNA=20
LOVE THIS. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - TSUNAMI RELIEF - TSUNAMI RELIEF - 2x12"=20
(82717006376)<BR> A WONDERFUL SELECTION OF TRACKS IN =
AID OF=20
TSUNAMI RELIEF. DOUBLE<BR> 12" OF EXCLUSIVE MATERIAL =
FROM=20
WIGHNOMY BROS, SWAYZAK, MARTINI<BR> BROS, LUCIANO, =
ELLEN=20
ALLIEN, RICARDO VILLALOBOS, JAY HAZE, SASCHA<BR> =
FUNKE, HENRIK=20
SCHWARZ..& MORE. A WIDE SPECTRUM OF STYLES & =
ALL<BR> =20
VERY STRONG=20
INDEED. =
ALL=20
KILLER.... NO FILLER.....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WERK - GRIM DUBS VOL.2 - WERK - 12"=20
(WERK4/GRIM2)<BR> WERK GET IN ON SOME HEAVY ELECTRONIC =
DANCEFLOOR ACTION AGAIN WITH<BR> THIS SECOND VOLUME OF =
GRIM=20
DUBS. THE B-SIDE IS INSTANTLY STAND<BR> OUT WITH ITS=20
ULTRA-MASHED JUNGLIST STYLE AND FRENETIC BEATS. =
THE<BR> FLIP=20
IS A F**KED UP HALF SPEED AFFAIR WITH ROUGH BEATS, =
ROUGH<BR> =20
SAMPLES AND RUUUUFFFF BASSLINES. TWISTED GEAR FROM THIS=20
EXCELLENT<BR> LABEL.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WERK - GRIM DUBS VOL.1 - WERK - 12"=20
(WERK3/GRIM1)<BR> IT'S A BIG OLD GRIM(E) TRACK, INNIT? =
TWO=20
FLAVOURSOME NUMBERS THAT<BR> WILL BATTER YOUR =
DEFENCELESS EARS=20
INTO OBLIVION WITH THEIR RUUUUUFFFFF<BR> BEATS AND =
DEEP,=20
DEVASTATING BASSLINES. SOUNDS LIKE ELECTRONICA<BR> =
GONE WRONG=20
IF YOU ASK ME. MASSIVE STUFF.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ANTFACTOR - LAZARUS - WAVETEC - 12" =
(WT50514)<BR> =20
I like this - it has a slightly old school feel to it -=20
sounding<BR> like it came out ten years ago. The stand =
out=20
track is very bleepy<BR> and stripped back techno that =
wants=20
to be played out and have<BR> people having a good old =
shuffle=20
to. The other track is getting<BR> into more =
hypnotic=20
and almost trancey territory, oops... Buy it<BR> for =
one side=20
only! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> IT'S THINKING - IT'S THINKING - MALEGO - 12"=20
(MAL002)<BR> Five tracks of rather good mid-90s =
sounding=20
techno that obviously<BR> is coming from the melodic =
and=20
"intelligent" end of the techno<BR> spectrum - and =
having just=20
worked out that it is by a three piece<BR> including =
Gert Van=20
Bijl - A.K.A. Gerd of Global Communications<BR> fame - =
that is=20
no suprise. Produced in Holland and released =
in<BR> the=20
US - this is proper techno. Tune(s)... </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MOSSA - SLAVERY WHEN WET / GASTRULA - ORAC - 12"=20
(ORAC16)<BR> A great deal of chunkiness is on offer =
here from=20
Mossa with a<BR> little help from Ben Neville on remix =
duties.=20
Scatty, jerky Tech<BR> funk throughout with that tight =
and=20
twisted production we all<BR> love from these guys. =
Ben strips=20
it back a bit and makes sure<BR> that all the minimal=20
shuffling grooves are firmly in place. A<BR> very =
solid EP=20
indeed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> RANDOM NOISE GENERATION - ROCK MY SOUL / P.M.P. - 430 WEST - =
12"=20
(4W390)<BR> Classic Detroit stylings as always from =
Octave One=20
under his well-known<BR> and well-respected alias. Ann =
Saunderson makes a vocal appearance<BR> on the opening =
mix,=20
which is followed by an instrumental. On side<BR> two, =
the=20
Exhibitionist mix of "Power, Money and Pain", which =
was<BR> =20
originally composed exclusively for the recent Jeff Mills=20
DVD<BR> - a nice touch including that one here. You =
know what=20
to do. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MATHEW JONSON - MARIONETTE - WAGON REPAIR - 12"=20
(WAG-002)<BR> SECOND RELEASE ON MATHEW'S OWN WAGON =
REPAIR=20
LABEL. VERY MUCH HAS<BR> THE SOUND THAT HE'S BEEN =
CULTIVATING=20
WITH A MINIMAL, DETROIT-ESQUE<BR> FEEL THAT BUILDS AND =
BUILDS=20
OVER A LONG PERIOD OF TIME. LUSH SOUNDS<BR> AND AN =
ELECTROID=20
FLAVA MIXED WITH 4/4 BEATS ENSURE THIS IS GOING<BR> TO =
SLAM IT=20
ON THE DANCEFLOOR. IN MY HUMBLE OPINION. ONE OF =
HIS<BR> BEST.=20
ROCKING.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PSYCHE - ELEMENTS / NEUROTIC BEHAVIOUR - PLANET E - 12"=20
(PE65278)<BR> FOR ME, ELEMENTS IS THE SINGLE GREATEST =
TECHNO=20
TRACK OF ALL TIME.<BR> IT'S ALWAYS BEEN TOUGH TO =
NARROW DOWN=20
MY FAVOURITES, BUT THAT<BR> ONE TRACK IS STILL THE =
MOST=20
SHINING EXAMPLE OF WARM, BEAUTIFUL,<BR> SOULFUL TECHNO =
AT IT'S=20
MOST AWESOME. IF ANYONE EVER TELLS YOU<BR> THAT TECHNO =
IS COLD=20
MACHINE MUSIC, JUST PLAY THEM ELEMENTS AND<BR> SEE =
THEM MELT.=20
ABSOLUTELY, COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY AMAZING. OH<BR> =
YEAH,=20
NEUROTIC BEHAVIOUR IS ALSO A CLASSIC TRACK. BARGAIN, =
THEN.<BR> =20
DON'T MISS.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WALT & DAVE - DEPTH EP 1 - VIGILANTE - 12"=20
(VR002)<BR> OBSCURE DETROIT RELEASE FEATURING 4 =
CUTS....2=20
STRING LADEN MELODIC<BR> TRACKS & 2 DARKER =
STRIPPED DOWN=20
MINIMAL TRACKS... ORIGINAL BLUE<BR> VINYL ISSUE, VERY=20
RARE!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): House</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> INDIGENOUS SPACE PEOPLE (RON TRENT & AYBEE) - ACROSS THE =
UNIVERSE - FUTURE VISION - 12" (FV001)<BR> Ron Trent =
and Aybee=20
deliver a one-sided, sixteen minute voyage<BR> through =
the=20
deepest House vibes here. Infinitely better than =
some<BR> of=20
his recent releases, this showcases his talent for=20
producing<BR> tracks that are dripping with soul and =
mood yet=20
still retain a<BR> luxurious electronic edge. Simply a =
gorgeous track.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - IN THE DARK - THE SOUL OF DETROIT - STILL MUSIC - =
2xLP=20
(STILLMD12001)<BR> Oh man, is this ever a good album! =
Some of=20
the key players from<BR> the Detroit House scene have=20
delivered some of the deepest, most<BR> soulful and=20
wonderfully moody tracks that I've heard for a =
while.<BR> The=20
whole album is worth it for the opening track from=20
Marcellu<BR> Pittman... super-deep, super-lush and =
minimal=20
sounds of the highest<BR> order... one of my favourite =
House=20
tracks in years. The rest of<BR> the artists include =
Rick=20
Wilhite, Delano Smith, Mike Huckaby,<BR> Malik Alston =
&=20
Keith Worthy. A superb album that comes highly<BR> =20
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): House</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FURTHER DETAILS - IN THE AIR - REAL SOON - 12"=20
(RS001)<BR> EXCELLENT NEW LABEL WHICH I THINK IS GOING =
TO BE=20
WORTH KEEPING<BR> AN EYE ON. DEEP, ABSTRACT HOUSE =
GROOVES WITH=20
SEEMINGLY MISMATCHED<BR> SAMPLES THAT, SOMEHOW, CREATE =
A=20
FUNKY, JERKY VIBE. TOTALLY LOW<BR> KEY, BUT THAT'S THE =
WAY WE=20
LIKE IT! CHECK.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JAMES DUNCAN - PEOPLES ARE PEOPLES - REAL SOON - 12"=20
(RS-005)<BR> I'LL TELL YOU THIS MUCH... REAL SOON KEEP =
ON=20
PUTTING OUT SUPERB<BR> QUALITY HOUSE RECORDS OF THE =
HIGEST=20
CALIBRE AND THIS THREE TRACKER<BR> FROM THE BRILLIANT =
JAMES=20
DUNCAN IS ACHINGLY GOOD. DEEP, YET FUNKY,<BR> =
DETROITY, YET=20
DISCO STYLED, THIS IS ABSOLUTELY ESSENTIAL FOR =
FANS<BR> OF=20
GOOD HOUSE. RECOMMENDED MOST HIGHLY.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MOODYMANN - SMALL BLACK CHURCH - KDJ - 12"=20
(KDJ005)<BR> ONE SIDE OF THIS FEATURES SOME MUSIC AND =
CHANTING=20
FROM A SMALL<BR> CONGREGATION FROM A CHURCH ON THE =
EASTSIDE OF=20
DETROIT, WHILST<BR> ON THE FLIP ARE 2 STUNNING TRACKS =
ONE OF=20
WHICH IS PRODUCED BY<BR> THEO PARRISH, VERY TWISTED, =
VERY DEEP=20
, VERY FUNKY AND VERY GOOD.........<BR> ANOTHER =
ESSENTIAL KDJ=20
RELEASE!!!!!!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> UNKNOWN - PORKS WATCH - Q-TAPE RECORDS - 12"=20
(QT006)<BR> THIS IS AN ABSOLUTE HUMDINGER OF A HOUSE =
RECORD.=20
TWO LONG AND<BR> DEEP TRACKS WITH THE KIND OF SEXY =
CHORD=20
SOUNDS THAT MAKE MY MOUTH<BR> HANG OPEN AND ALLOW =
DROOL TO=20
SPILL DOWN MY CHIN. SIMPLY LUSCIOUS<BR> STUFF WITH A =
GENTLE=20
WIGGLE THAT'LL PROBABLY GET FANS OF FREESTYLE<BR> MAN =
AND=20
MOODYMAN INTO A FROTH. IT CERTAINLY DID IT FOR ME. =
TIP<BR> =20
TOP.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Hip Hop</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ALKAHOLIKS - MARY JANE - RCA - 12"=20
(RCA62880-1)<BR> original pressing of this rare 12" =
here.=20
great west coast crew<BR> with an east coast sound. a =
very=20
early lootpack (madlib) production<BR> on the a sid =
with=20
e-swift suppling the beat on the flip. recommended....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BEDROOM PRODUKSIONS - S.E.L.F. / I KNOW WAYS - K - 12"=20
(KLP91)<BR> BEAUTIFUL DEEP JAZZY INDIE FROM 1998. =
CHOPS IN=20
THAT PREMIER STYLE<BR> AND SOME NICE RHYMES. HAVE A=20
LISTEN....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BLACKFACE FEAT SHOWBIZ & FATJOE - SESSION / CORNBREAD -=20
BACKSTAGE - 12" (BSR3012)<BR> little known indie from =
philli=20
which features 2 of the d.i.t.c.<BR> boys. showbiz =
produced=20
the beat and fat joe rhyms on it. typical<BR> of the =
era, hard=20
but soulful beat with joe on form. hard to find<BR> =
little=20
nugget this, have a listen......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BOBB DEEP - QUEENSBRIDGE MEETS KINGSTON VOLUME 2 - AV8 - 12" =
(AV465)<BR> No, not Mobb, but Bob! "Clap those =
thangs"=20
is a kind of digital<BR> and kind of jiggy number with =
radio=20
and instrumental versions.<BR> "Rare Speies" is =
the tune=20
though, radio and instrumental versions<BR> - a bit =
deeper and=20
with a nice summery feel...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DEFARI - THE BIZNESS - ABB - 12" =
(ABB1063-1)<BR> =20
An odd hip hop record this as it has Clean, Instrumental and=20
Accapella<BR> of each track, but no Dirty =
version? "The=20
Bizness" is kind of<BR> epic, "Powder Coat" is good =
perky=20
number with a hint of jig!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DIAMOND D - HATRED PASSION & INFIDELITY - INST - MERCURY =
- 2xLP=20
(MELP172INST)<BR> original pressing of this sought =
after lp in=20
instrumental form.<BR> you know how hard these =
instrumntal=20
versions of hip hop lp's are<BR> to find especially =
originals.=20
such great tracks here with beats<BR> from diammond, =
lord=20
finesse and more. highly recommended....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FELT (SLUG & MURZ) - FELT 2: A TRIBUTE TO LISA BONET - =
RHYME=20
SAYERS - 2xLP (RSE0064LP)<BR> This gets props from our =
Ian...=20
Slug & Murz doing what they do<BR> best on their =
second=20
album as part of this collaboration. Going<BR> =
down a=20
storm in the US, this, i'm led to believe. Top notch=20
Hip<BR> Hop with an edge missing from all too many. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> GANG GREEN FEAT ONYX - I'LL MURDER YOU - TAPE KINGS - 12"=20
(TK003)<BR> favourite from the mixtape dj's this from =
back in=20
1995 on the<BR> beatminerz imprint tape kingz. hared =
and dark=20
hip hop with that<BR> unmistakable raw new york sound. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HI-TECH - 24 / 7 - MASS VINYL - 12" =
(MV101)<BR> =20
another superb indie from the bronx here by hi-tech. deep=20
soulful<BR> hip hop from 1996 that was on all the =
mixtapes=20
from around that<BR> time. anything on mass vinyl is =
worth=20
sourcing, if you can! the<BR> flip track "Book of life =
pt2" is=20
the winner for me. a really deep<BR> beat with =
fitting, soul=20
searching rhymes. another great example<BR> of the mid =
90's=20
indi movement that is hard to find these days......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HI-TECH - THE MUSIC / TECH'S TECHNIQUE - MASS VINYL - 12"=20
(MV-104)<BR> this is the hi-tech one that sampled hill =
street=20
blues and was<BR> a very popular cut on the mixtaps =
when it=20
was realesed back in<BR> 1997. not my favourite on by =
him for=20
me but a novelty nonetheless<BR> due to the sample. =
check it=20
out.....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> I SELF DEVINE - ICE COLD - RHYME SAYERS - 12"=20
(RS0065)<BR> Who is I Self Devine? Obviously i know =
who Jake=20
One, Vitamin D,<BR> ANT, Mazta I, Red Cabbage, Budah =
Tye,=20
Devon Gray and Bean One<BR> are, how ignorant do you =
think i=20
am? Rough, lo-fi Hip Hop, very<BR> much the sound of =
the=20
underground.... </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> L THE HEAD TOUCHA - TOO COMPLEX - DIRECT - 12"=20
(DR1218)<BR> ONE OF THE BEST INDIE RELEASES FROM 97!! =
TUFF BUT=20
SOULFUL BEAT<BR> WITH L'S QUALITY RHYMES. THIS WAS =
FEATURED ON=20
PRIMO'S LEGNDARY<BR> MIXTAPE / LP FOR PAYDAY. HIGHLY=20
RECOMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LACE DA BOOMS - MURDER SEASON - GUESSWHYLD - 12"=20
(GW101)<BR> WICKED BUCKWILD BEAT, QUALITY STREET LEVEL =
NYC=20
RHYMES, WHAT MORE<BR> DO TOU NEED FROM AN INDIE HIP =
HOP 12"=20
?</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LITTLE BROTHER - LOVIN' IT - ABB - 12"=20
(ABB1065)<BR> Little Brother continues to produce high =
quality=20
deep hip hop<BR> that sounds really heartfelt and =
genuine in=20
an era of hip hop<BR> that sounds so staged and =
contrived...=20
Two tracks - ""Lovin' It"<BR> featuring Jo Scudda and =
"Hold On=20
(Tellin Me)" - clean dirty and<BR> instrumental of =
each. =20
Nice...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LORD FINESSE - HIP 2 DA GAME - UNKNOWN - 12"=20
(UBR113)<BR> Nice funky, but lazy and unfussed, beats =
and=20
vocals from the Lord<BR> on the title track - plus=20
instrumental and accapella. The flip<BR> features KRS =
One and=20
OC - a bit slower and with a darker and moodier<BR> =
feel -=20
plus instrumental and accapella. Nice.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MIKE ZOOT - GUESSWHYLD PRESENTS.... - GUESSWHYLD - 2x12"=20
(GW300)<BR> rare double pack originally only for the =
japanese=20
market. some<BR> wicked beats here from the likes of =
spinna,=20
buckwild, showbiz,<BR> baby paul (beatminerz), shawn =
j. period=20
and more. from about 1997<BR> i think, a real classic =
of the=20
whole 90's indepndent hip hop movement.<BR> highly=20
recommnded......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MOS DEF & TALIB KWELI - ANOTHER WORLD - REMIX - =
BLINDSIDE - 12"=20
(BSR009)<BR> ALTHOUGH THE REMIX IS NICE THE ORIGINAL =
IS STILL=20
THE ONE FOR ME.<BR> WICKED BEAT FROM THE UK'S =
CREATORS. THE=20
FLIP HAS A CUT FROM ROYAL<BR> FLUSH PRODUCED BY SHAWN =
J. TOP=20
RECORD, HAVE A LISTEN.......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SAUKRATES - HOPE / SAUKRATES SEASON - M3 - 12"=20
(M3-010)<BR> Slow (to the point of being quite =
disjointed) and=20
tough beats<BR> and rhymes from the philosopher! =
Clean,=20
Dirty and Instrumental<BR> of both tracks. Have a=20
listen...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SHAMUS - SERVING LIFE - RAW TRACK - EP=20
(RT1298)<BR> mini lp / ep from shamus here with 2 nice =
beats=20
from buckwild.<BR> the cyut tight team was usd by =
gangstarr=20
for one of the choruses<BR> on a track from moment of =
truth of=20
which the title escapes me<BR> right know. 5 cuts in =
all her,=20
in clean & dirty form.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> TRUTH ENOLA - MAY DAY / ILL LOVE - BEAR MOUNTAIN - 12" (BMR=20
077-1)<BR> SLEPT ON TRACKS FROM ONE OF THE NATIVE=20
TONGUES...... ONE TRACK<BR> WAS RECENTLY ON HIS =
BLINDSIDE=20
RELEASE BUT THIS ORIGINAL IS LONG<BR> DELETED AND HARD =
TO COME=20
BY, TRUTH'S VOICE & RHYMES ARE WICKED,<BR> ADD TO =
THAT=20
PRODUCTION FROM 88 KEYS & DAVE FROM DE LA SOUL =
AND<BR> =20
YOUVE GOT A MUST HAVE 12" RECOMENDED!!!!!!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - TRU CRIMINAL EP - TRU CRIMINAL - 12"=20
(CRIM005)<BR> SLEPT ON EP WITH 6 TRACKS FEATURING SOME =
OF=20
AMAZING PRODUCTIONS<BR> FROM BUCKWILD, LORD FINESSE =
& THE=20
OBSCURE BUT BLINDING EDDIE JAMES.<BR> A SUPER LIMITED =
AND=20
SUPER HARD TO FIND EP OF THE BEST THAT UNDERGROUND<BR> =
NEW=20
YORK HAD TO OFFER IN 1997. STAND OUT MOMENTS ARE THE =
REMIX<BR> =20
OF METAL THINGS, ONE THING OR ANOTHER BY AK SKILLS & THE=20
AMAZING<BR> LORD FINESSE PRODUCED SUB SIDEWALKERS. =
HIGHLY=20
RECOMMENDED, AND<BR> STILL SEALED!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Guitar Based</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ACID MOTHERS TEMPLE & THE MELTING PARAISO U.F.O. - =
GOOD-BYE JOHN=20
PEEL - DIRTER PROMOTIONS - 2xLP (DPROMDLP54)<BR> Live =
album=20
from London 2004 that has been released as a =
tribute<BR> to=20
the late, great Mr Peel. Double vinyl on appropriate=20
psychedelic<BR> coloured vinyl that is as close to =
2005=20
psychedilia as you can<BR> get (man)! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BILL MARTIN - THE WATER BABIES - ARIOLA - LP=20
(ARBLP5030)<BR> Now, this is excellent! A great =
soundtrack for=20
everyone that likes<BR> it a bit psychodelic 60's =
inspired,=20
and if that wasn't enough,<BR> you get some great =
lines of=20
original dialog, which is what the<BR> turntableists =
always=20
look for to cram in their routines. W-w-word...<BR> =
Scratch it=20
up hip-hop-style, or let your hair grow and be a hippie...!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BURT BACHARACH - LOST HORIZON - BELL - LP (SYBEL=20
8000)<BR> Not just beautifully packaged in a fold-out =
sleeve=20
with photos<BR> of the original cast and set pieces, =
this is=20
also a very folky/swingy<BR> sounding soundtrack full =
of=20
emotional songs, taken from the musical<BR> Lost =
Horizon, a=20
classic slab of technicolour business and big<BR> =
screen=20
entertainment from 1973. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CHARLES GROSS - COUNTRY - WINDHAM HILL - LP=20
(WH1039)<BR> Piano-based, instrumental soundtrack with =
an=20
almost spanish feel<BR> in places, flamenco-style =
guitars, and=20
accompanying rhythm sections.<BR> The film this =
soundtrack is=20
taken from looks quite obscure, and<BR> I've ceratinly =
never=20
heard of it. Dreamy in other places, it offers<BR> a =
nice=20
variety for those gentle moments...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DAVID NEWMAN - CRITTERS - RESTLESS - Unit=20
(721541)<BR> Remember those nasty little furry =
creatures? No,=20
i'm not talking<BR> about the 3.2 statistically proven =
rats=20
surrounding you at any<BR> given time when being in =
London,=20
but about the 80's tale of Critters,<BR> a slightly =
gorier=20
version of the Gremlin story. Here's the orginal<BR> =
score=20
with all its philamonic epic feel. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DEVANDRA BANHART JANA HUNTER - JANA HUNTER DEVANDRA BANHART =
-=20
TROUBLEMAN UNLIMITED - LP (TMU153LP)<BR> If you aren't =
familiar with Devandra Banhart's style flip the<BR> =
record=20
over and look at the photo - he's the one looking =
like<BR> =20
he's been living in the woods for about a decade playing=20
some<BR> pretty darn weird but gentle and peaceful =
folk music=20
- amnd that<BR> is exactly what he does =
wonderfully. =20
Can't tell you anything<BR> about Jana Hunter - but =
she's on=20
the back too and looks less like<BR> a =
forest-dweller. =20
Whatever, this is a lovely album (vinyl only)<BR> of =
quirky=20
yet accessible music the best comparison of which =
would<BR> =20
have to be pre-T-Rex Marc Bolan. Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DOMINIQUE - SPEAK TO ME - DIALREC - 12"=20
(DIALREC25)<BR> Fans of Dialrec are accustomed to =
hearing the=20
finest and deepest<BR> Cologne style Techno sounds =
from the=20
likes of the awesome Lawrence,<BR> Pantha Du Prince =
and Sten.=20
It comes as a shock then (not an unpleasant<BR> one, =
mind you)=20
to find that this is a gentle, beautiful nine =
track<BR> =20
minim-album of guitar based songs with a distinctly French=20
sound<BR> to them. Dominique has a strong way with =
songwriting=20
and the tracks<BR> are genuinely beautiful and feature =
some=20
wonderful breathy vocals.<BR> A strange release, then, =
but=20
infinitely worthy nonetheless. Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ERNEST GOLD - EXODUS - CBS - LP =
(CBS4502341)<BR> =20
Dramatic to say the least. Classic old-school film scoring=20
with<BR> full orchestra, and the main title probably =
will=20
sound familiar<BR> to quite a few people. A collection =
of=20
powerful themes from this<BR> movie, all very =
classical=20
insipred.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> GEORGE DUNING - DEVIL AT 4 O' CLOCK - VARESE SARABANDE - LP=20
(STV81136)<BR> Great Film, great soundtrack. Full of =
haunting=20
moments with lots<BR> of love for detail in the =
scoring, as it=20
was supposed to be in<BR> the old days. I do like =
these=20
sometimes (over)dramatic arrangements<BR> with big =
horn=20
sections and hectic flute soli. Quality stuff from<BR> =
George=20
Duning.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JERRY GOLDSMITH - HOOSIERS - POLYDOR - LP=20
(8314751)<BR> Strange mixture of styles here, =
compromising=20
some tracks of straight<BR> up 80's synth cheese, and =
more=20
real-life orchestra based tracks.<BR> Being not quite=20
convinced by the concept, I dug deeper to find<BR> =
some great=20
sampling material in the between the lines. Check,<BR> =
and=20
listen carefully for those hidden gems.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOHN CALE - PROCESS (SUICIDE THEME) - SYNTAX - 10"=20
(5024545335163)<BR> This is the Suicide Theme from =
Process - a=20
film by C.S. Leigh<BR> - composed and performed by =
John=20
Cale. Two other tracks on the<BR> B-side =
"Candles" and=20
"Reading Poem". All three are beautiful<BR> =
piano tracks=20
- plenty of atmospheric spaces between the=20
melancholy.<BR> The title track takes the pauses =
between=20
the mounful piano playing<BR> to an almost painfully =
emotional=20
place - the appropriate title<BR> should warn off =
anyone=20
feeling too miserable. Tragically=20
beautiful.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOHN CHARLES - UTU - SOUTHERN CROSS - LP=20
(SCRS1008)<BR> Very sad and tragic indeed. Full of =
subtle=20
moments as well as<BR> storming full orchestra =
reprises.=20
Haunting little tinkle-bells<BR> and chants to round =
up a=20
diverse mixture for a quite gripping,<BR> =
cinematic=20
listening experience.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOHN WILLIAMS - JOHN WAYNE & THE COWBOYS - N/A - LP=20
(RC-31)<BR> Yeeehhaaa...more western sounds for your =
ears. i=20
mean, come on,<BR> when a record is called John Wayne =
and the=20
Cowboys...?! I quote<BR> from the back of the cover: =
There was=20
Homer Weems, Slim, Four<BR> Eyes, Weedy, Jim Fats, =
Hardy,=20
Steve and Charlie Schwartz. All<BR> they wanted was =
their=20
chance to be men...and he gave it to them."<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOHNNY MANDEL - THE AMERICANIZATION OF EMILY - REPRISE - LP=20
(P10879R)<BR> Great harmonies as my fellow colleague =
just=20
pointed out, when<BR> he entered the office. He also =
mentioned=20
something about other<BR> girl groups of the 40's like =
the=20
Andrews sisters. To be honest<BR> its something I =
don't know=20
much about, so I won't pretend that<BR> I do. To me it =
sounds=20
like the classic wartime / warmovie sountrack<BR> with =
everything that it should have. Also worth mentioning,=20
that<BR> this is an Japanese issue.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MAGIC NUMBERS - LOVE ME LIKE YOU - HEAVENLY - 7"=20
(HVN153)<BR> Oh yeah baby it's the Magic Numbers - and =
if you=20
like retro sounding<BR> Indie that sounds like a band =
that=20
have listened to alot of the<BR> Beach Boys and alot =
of New=20
Order (!!!). The kids love it - I,<BR> =
however,am a=20
grown-up! Picture disc that wil surely be =
collectable!<BR> =20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> NEAL HEFTI - DUEL AT DIABLO - MCA - LP=20
(MCA1436)<BR> Another classic western sountrack here. =
Expect=20
the usual, with<BR> big strings and full orchestra, =
and with=20
track titles like "bullets<BR> and beans" and "keep in =
the=20
shadows", you get the idea of what's<BR> going on =
musically on=20
this 1966 release. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PHILIP AABERG - THE SHAPE OF THE LAND - WINDHAM HILL - LP=20
(WH-1055)<BR> And here is an interesting one. =
Beautifully=20
textured, mainly piano<BR> and guitar-driven =
instrumental=20
soundtrack album to this Japanese<BR> film. Subtle and =
warm,=20
always leaving enough space between the<BR> notes for =
your ow=20
thoughts...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SERENDIPITY SINGERS - THE WAY WEST - UNITED ARTISTS - LP=20
(UAS5149)<BR> Beautiful original copy of this 1967 =
western=20
movie, starring the<BR> likes of Kirk Douglas and =
Robert=20
Mitchum. Quite obvious what this<BR> is about, so =
don't=20
hesitate long, if soundtracks with a varied<BR> =
country=20
flavour is your thing. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SONS & DAUGHTERS - TASTE THE LAST GIRL - DOMINO - 7"=20
(RUG206)<BR> The third single from the recent Sons =
&=20
Daughters album actually<BR> really reminds me of The =
Smiths=20
('Handsome Devil', maybe?), both<BR> musically and =
lyrically -=20
and how can that be a bad thing? On<BR> the B-side, a =
cover of=20
The Stranglers' "Nice 'N' Sleazy', which<BR> is =
perfectly OK=20
although nowhere near as impressive as Therapy?'s<BR> =20
long-lost take on it about a decade ago (sorry guys).=20
Apparently<BR> their website address is <A=20
href=3D"http://www.sonsanddaughtersloveyou.com">www.sonsanddaughterslovey=
ou.com</A>,=20
which<BR> is enough to make me feel a little =
guilty.... </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SUPERGRASS - ST. PETERSBURG - PARLOPHONE - 7"=20
(R6670)<BR> I've often had a soft spot for Supergrass =
over the=20
years, but<BR> i wouldn't have necessarily guessed =
this was=20
them if i just heard<BR> it on the radio - it's a bit =
of a=20
change of direction and pace<BR> for Gaz and the boys, =
being a=20
mid-tempo piano-and-strings-led<BR> track with a bit =
of=20
Beatles-y / Teenage Fanclub feel to it. With<BR> a =
funked-up=20
live take of "Kiss Of Life" on the B-side, this is<BR> =
a 99p=20
bargain-and-a-half (on red vinyl, too!). </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - XANADU - JET - LP (CB271)<BR> =
Camp,=20
Camp, Camp, Camp, Camp, Camp....I guess I'm lost for =
words<BR> =20
when thrown into full-on Eurovision songcontest terrItory.=20
Worth<BR> for the comedy/novelty value, or if you =
happen to DJ=20
in one of<BR> the ironic bars surrounding our shop =
premises.=20
Includes limited<BR> edition postcard sets with stills =
from=20
the film, worth the money<BR> alone!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / Soul</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DAVID SPEAR - DINOSAURS - CERBERUS - LP=20
(CST0213)<BR> Very cool slice of 80's sountrack here! =
Full of=20
great synth samples,<BR> breaks and beats for all you =
disco=20
and boogie lovers. I'm not<BR> sure how much of this =
has=20
already been touched sample-wise, but<BR> I could only =
hear=20
fresh bits so far. Better be quick, we only<BR> have =
one copy,=20
and if your sampler recently got a bit hungry,<BR> =
then snap=20
this up, and feed it again. Remember, a sampler is =
not<BR> =20
just for christmas, it's for life!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DIPLOMATS - SHE'S THE ONE / SURE AS THE STARS SHINE - SOUL =
LINE - 7"=20
(SLN001)<BR> Two shots of sure-fire soul/funk here. =
The A-side=20
is the key track;<BR> upbeat rough funk with a James=20
Brown-esque vocal that the sample<BR> thieves will =
enjoy as=20
much as the more traditional fan. The B-side<BR> is a =
rather=20
soulful (and slightly over-egged) ballad but i'm =
hardly<BR> an=20
authority on this type of music so who cares what i =
think?<BR> =20
Check the A-side though, at least. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> POPCORN TRAIN - POPCORN BROTHERS - KING A LING - 7"=20
(05.02.2002)<BR> This must be part two in the Popcorn =
Brothers=20
series - are you<BR> ready to board the Popcorn =
Train? =20
Two versions of the title track<BR> - Spacey, Psychy =
Jazz /=20
Funk Boogaloo- an instrumental and an<BR> echo-tastic =
vocal=20
version. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - RUNNING SCARED - MCA - LP =
(MCA6169)<BR> =20
And it's that time again for one of those funny 80's=20
soundtracks,<BR> perfect for any Hoxton party. Classic =
tracks=20
by Klymaxx, patti<BR> Labelle, kim Wilde etc. Big =
synths and=20
Paul Hardcastle style basslines<BR> all the way. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Reggae / Dub</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STEREO TOTAL VS. MAD PROFESSOR - DAS ERSTE MAL (DUB TRIP =
MIXES) -=20
DISKO B - 10" (DB135)<BR> What an unlikely pairing =
this is.=20
The one-and-only Mad Professor<BR> gives the 'Je =
t'aime'-esque=20
ballad 'Das Erste Mal' a touch of<BR> dub on Stereo =
Total's=20
second single from their 'Do The Bambi'<BR> album. A =
dub=20
excursion in four parts, on green vinyl. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ASMUS TIETCHENS - LITIA - DIE STADT - CD=20
(DS80CD)<BR> Does this release really date from 1983? =
If so,=20
Asmus was certainly<BR> ahead of his time. Utitlising =
sparce=20
electro / synth backing and<BR> occasional guitar, =
this=20
awe-striking instrumental album is comparable<BR> to =
the likes=20
of Durutti Column, Brian Eno, Cluster and some of<BR> =
the=20
output of solo members of Wire from around this period.=20
Quite<BR> possibly his most essential release. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ASMUS TIETCHENS - EINE GANZE MENGE - 1000FUSSLER - CD=20
(1000FUSSLER004CD)<BR> An extremely expensive 3" CD =
from Asmus=20
Tietchens, which i can<BR> only assume is limited to =
something=20
like 9 copies for the world<BR> or made of 24-carat =
gold for=20
this price! Three tracks of experimental<BR> tones and =
manipulated sounds creating a minimal yet dense =
ambient<BR> =20
soundscape. Not a million miles off from some of Mika=20
Vainio's<BR> work as Pan Sonic or 0. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ASMUS TIETCHENS - ADVENTURES IN SOUND / NACHTSTUCKE - DIE =
STADT -=20
2xCD (DS55CD)<BR> Well, i for one had no idea Asmus =
Tietchens=20
had been making music<BR> for so long. Two albums =
here, the=20
first of which (a collaborative<BR> effort with Okko =
Bekker=20
and Hans Dieter Wohlmann) compiles material<BR> dating =
from=20
1965-69, the second from 1980. The first disc is =
seemingly<BR> =20
very influenced by Fluxus or Musique Concrete, the second=20
almost<BR> like an electronic Hafler Trio 25 years =
before! If=20
you can read<BR> German, the sleevenotes might be able =
to tell=20
you more. Intriguing<BR> stuff, though, nonetheless. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ASMUS TIETCHENS - SPAT-EUROPA - DIE STADT - CD=20
(DS68CD)<BR> These Asmus Tietchens reissues are costly =
but a=20
useful history<BR> lesson. Originally released on Sky =
Records=20
back in 1981, this<BR> is a difficult release to =
describe or=20
draw comparisons towards.<BR> There seems to be very =
little=20
structure or theme linking the tracks,<BR> which are =
of a=20
random, experimental/cut-up soundscape nature but<BR> =
you see=20
how this has gone on to influence many around today. =
A<BR> =20
fairly challenging listen, but i'm sure an equally rewarding=20
one<BR> in due course. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CHEJU - BUBBLE WRAP - REDNETIC - CD =
(RN004)<BR> =20
Restock. This is yet another delicious release from=20
London-based<BR> Rednetic and it comes to you =
from=20
Cheju... not a name I'm too<BR> familiar with, but on =
this=20
form, he could be one to watch. Super-chilly<BR> =
electronica=20
sounds with a DeFocus / Expanding / Toytronic vibe<BR> =
throughout. Deep, super-melodic electronica sounds with a=20
beautifully<BR> crisp production style and plenty of =
electro=20
orientated, crunchy<BR> rhythms. 5 tracks here for =
your=20
listening pleasure. Top quality<BR> stuff. =
Recommended. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FENTON (SHUTTLE358) - PUP - PLOP - CD=20
(PLIP-3014)<BR> What can you say about a new album =
from such a=20
heavily respected<BR> and loved artist as Dan Abrams =
aka=20
Shuttle358? To discover that<BR> this exquisite gem of =
a=20
release had landed on our doorstep today<BR> after =
being=20
unsure as to quite how we'd get hold of it was a =
moment<BR> to=20
treasure. And here for your listening pleasure is,=20
conceivably,<BR> the highest point so far achieved in =
the=20
field of Electronica<BR> and organic, guitar based =
music. Dan=20
has put together a sparkling<BR> collection of gentle, =
lilting=20
and achingly beautiful tracks that<BR> will do their =
absolute=20
utmost to soothe and enchant you with beautifully<BR> =
picked=20
and played melodies. Couple that with the sort of =
deft<BR> =20
manipulations that have made him the figure he is within the=20
sphere<BR> of this sort of minimal music and you have =
a=20
shining, shimmering<BR> example of exactly how to do =
it. A=20
very special album indeed and<BR> one that we're =
incredibly=20
proud to be able to offer you. You simply<BR> have to =
check=20
this out! Highly, highly recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FROG POCKET - GONGLOT - PLANET MU - CD=20
(ZIQ097CD)<BR> Over eighteen months on from his =
mini-album on=20
Benbecula, John<BR> Charles Wilson returns with this=20
collection of songs dating from<BR> 1999-2005, some =
originally=20
released on his own Mouthmoth label.<BR> Incorporating =
drum=20
machine, backing beats played by hand into<BR> his =
four-track,=20
live fiddle, mandolin, processed guitar and =
vocals,<BR> Frog=20
Pocket is an intriguing Scottish musician and =
electronic<BR> =20
performer. The folk-inflected melodies owe more to the=20
celtic<BR> side of things than the current vogue for =
American=20
folk-rock /<BR> electronic crossover; it is a pastoral =
theme=20
in electronic music<BR> running back through Boards Of =
Canada=20
to Aphex Twin to Ultramarine.<BR> One to keep going =
back to.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOSEPH AUER - KYOTO :: TOKYO :: 2001 - REDNETIC - CD=20
(RN003)<BR> Restock. Once again, Rednetic hit the spot =
with=20
this splendid<BR> release. Made up of 8 short tracks =
it delves=20
a long way into the<BR> deeper end of the Detroit =
techno=20
spectrum whilst keeping a very<BR> contemporary =
electronica=20
feel at all times. Chords and pads are<BR> simply =
lush,=20
rhythms range from electro orientated to straight<BR> =
4/4's,=20
and the melodic, atmospheric nature of the music is =
truly<BR> =20
a joy to behold. It's lovely to see a small label putting=20
this<BR> much effort into the music and the overall=20
presentation and I<BR> for one will be very much =
looking=20
forward to hearing more from<BR> both Rednetic and =
Joseph=20
Auer. This one comes highly recommended.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KAREEM - NOCTOCROMAS - ZHARK - CD =
(ZHARKCD03)<BR> =20
Intense, darkwave / industrial ambient that falls somewhere=20
between<BR> Thomas Koner, Throbbing Gristle and =
Merzbow after=20
a very heavy<BR> dose of Valium. Not as outright =
aggressive as=20
some of the Zhark<BR> releases, but you'd still think =
twice=20
about introducing it to<BR> your mother-in-law. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SINNER DC - ARKLE PARKLE AVENUE - TRITONE - CD=20
(TRITCD017)<BR> A real pleasant surprise... =
well-produced,=20
warm, melodic instrumental<BR> electronica utilising =
guitars=20
that reminds one of To Rococo Rot,<BR> Christian =
Kleine and=20
some of the Wobblyhead artists, perhaps.<BR> Extremely =
approachable and accessible, with some =
occasionally<BR> =20
wonderful strings in the mix, this is very much worthy of=20
investigation.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> THOMAS KONER - UNERFORSCHTES GEBIET - DIE STADT - CD=20
(DS56CD)<BR> Anyone remember the picture disc of this =
a few=20
years back? If<BR> not, don't worry cos here it is on =
CD at=20
last with a bonus track<BR> (that's "an extended =
soundtrack=20
for a video presentation"). Deeply<BR> atmospheric and =
minimalistic, drones and textures sweep through<BR> =
the album=20
starting from little more than a static sound then =
growing<BR> =20
into an all encompassing piece that engulfs the speakers.=20
Gets<BR> quite melodic at a couple of points which =
really adds=20
to it. Wonderful<BR> stuff from this influential =
producer.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> THOMAS KONER + ASMUS TIETCHENS - KONTAKT DER JUNGLINGE - DIE =
STADT -=20
CD (DS63CD)<BR> Those masters of all things minimal, =
Messrs=20
Koner and Tietchens,<BR> captured live once again, =
this time=20
in Amsterdam back in 2002.<BR> A deep, static laden =
voyage=20
that remains incredibly subtle despite<BR> being =
overwhelming=20
in its effect. Expensive, but essential for<BR> fans. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - ONEPOINTONE - A REDNETIC RECORDINGS COMPILATION - =
REDNETIC=20
- CD (RN002)<BR> Restock. Rednetic is a London-based =
label=20
that has only put out<BR> a few releases so far but, =
in my=20
opinion, is destined for much<BR> bigger things. =
Head-honcho=20
Zainetica has released an album of<BR> material plus =
numerous=20
other bits and bobs for n5md's MP3 label<BR> and other =
such=20
Netlabels and here he has selected a beautiful<BR> =
range of=20
electronica sounds from artists both known and =
unknown<BR> for=20
this wonderfully packaged compilation. As well as two=20
tracks<BR> from himself he gives us cuts from =
Toytronic's=20
Ochre, Scorn, J.<BR> Auer, F.E.A.R, Cheju and more. I =
don't=20
want to get caught up in<BR> trap of calling it IDM, =
but it=20
really does lean that way and with<BR> the highest =
possible=20
quality. Fans of Expanding, Toytronic and<BR> =
Clickclickdrone=20
will want to check this out as soon as possible.<BR> =20
Recommended. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WILLIAM BASINSKI - VARIATIONS: A MOVEMENT IN CHROME POSITIVE =
-=20
DURTRO / DIE STADT - 2xCD (DURTRO071/DS71)<BR> =
Restock. This=20
is easily up there with the Disintegration Loops<BR> =
for sheer=20
brilliance. Basinski does it again with a gorgeous =
series<BR> =20
of loops that combine together to create a very listenable,=20
very<BR> atmospheric piece of work that stands pretty =
much=20
alone without<BR> any peers. Lush, detailed, =
beautiful,=20
soothing and just generally<BR> amazing... even though =
it's=20
pricey it's worth absolutely every<BR> single penny. =
Highly=20
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WILLIAM BASINSKI - SILENT NIGHT - 2062 - CD=20
(2062.0401)<BR> Restock. William Basinski is clearly a =
master=20
of this sort of<BR> experimental and minimalist =
Electronica.=20
If you don't know his<BR> work you simply must check =
this=20
wonderful CD out. Built around<BR> a simple series of =
loops=20
that are then manipulated and filtered<BR> you get a =
dense,=20
incredibly deep and superbly atmispheric work<BR> that =
soothes=20
as well as challenges. Imagine a more melodic =
Hafler<BR> Trio=20
and you're getting close. I would say that this is =
truly<BR> =20
essential and it comes very highly recommended indeed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ZAINETICA - PEOPLE MORE FUEL - CLICKCLICKDRONE - CD=20
(CLICK11)<BR> Rednetic boss and contributor to the =
excellent=20
'Blue Chair Red<BR> Chair' compilation on =
Clickclickdrone,=20
Zainetica now delivers<BR> a superb EP of, once again, =
surprisingly abstract Electronica<BR> for Clickclick. =
Kicking=20
off with the heavily soundscape based<BR> and intense =
'Where I=20
Am Now' it soon moves into a really nicely<BR> put =
together=20
selection of clicked out, glitchily rhythmic of =
cuts<BR> that,=20
at their heart, are pure Electronica of the melodic,=20
playful<BR> variety, but use some lovely Detroit-ish =
chords=20
and those twisted<BR> rhythms. Fans of the both=20
Clickclickdrone and Rednetic are going<BR> to love =
this and I=20
would suggest that anyone into Expanding, n5md<BR> or=20
Toytronic should definitely give it a listen as well.=20
Quality.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ZAINETICA - ESCAPING DUST - REDNETIC - CD=20
(RN001)<BR> Restock. A most excellent first release =
for this=20
label. Kind of<BR> a missing link between the mid =
'90's=20
electronic sound and today's<BR> popular Electronica. =
Using=20
lush strings, cool analogue sequences<BR> and =
Detroit-esque=20
percussion and sounds it keeps an overall melodic<BR> =
flava=20
that sounds a bit old school but remarkably current at =
the<BR> =20
same time. Check this out as it's great!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (CD): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BITSTREAM - ONE THIRD STANDARD LUX - MODERN LOVE - CD=20
(LOVE002CD)<BR> NICE TO SEE SOME OF THE THESE TRACKS =
FINALLY=20
SURFACING ON CD.<BR> SOME OF THEM GO BACK AS FAR AS =
THE SIGNAL=20
RELEASES WHICH WERE<BR> HARD ENOUGH TO GET ON VINYL =
AND NEVER=20
CAME OUT ON CD. A GOOD SELECTION<BR> OF SOUNDS THAT =
COVER=20
BITSTREAMS EXTENSIVE PALETTE OF ELECTRO BASED<BR> =
ELECTRONICA=20
FROM THE MORE UPBEAT GROOVING STUFF TO THE MORE=20
THOUGHTFUL,<BR> BLISSED OUT AND MELODIC GEAR. LOVELY =
SPOT=20
VARNISHED SLEEVE AS<BR> WELL TO MATCH THE 12" =
COVERS.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BOVAFLUX - WHERE THERE WAS NOTHING - HIGHPOINT LOWLIFE - CD=20
(HPLL013)<BR> Highpoint Lowlife hit the spot here with =
a super=20
CD album from<BR> Electronica artist Bovaflux. Having =
put out=20
tracks on compilations<BR> and several MP3 Net.labels, =
it's=20
good to see a long player making<BR> its way onto the =
shelves.=20
The sounds are at once familiar, comfortable<BR> and =
very=20
beautiful indeed. Laced with melody, lush chords =
and<BR> =20
clever rhythm programming it's something of a hybrid sound=20
that<BR> would sit very happily on the shelves of fans =
of=20
Expanding and<BR> Toytronic. That's not to say it's=20
derivative, more that it has<BR> an identifiable flava =
that's=20
extremely pleasing to the ears. As<BR> soon as I put =
it on I=20
knew it was going to be good and, of you're<BR> a fan =
of=20
electronics in general or the aforementioned =
labels,<BR> this=20
is seriously worth checking out. recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> COLLEEN - THE GOLDEN MORNING BREAKS - LEAF - CD=20
(BAY48CD)<BR> TICKING CLOCKS, MUSICAL BOXES, FLUTES =
AND CELLOS=20
ARE WHAT CECILE<BR> SCHOTT IS MADE OF, BUT NOT =
COMPUTERS, AS=20
THIS ALBUM HAS BEEN RECORDED<BR> WITHOUT ANY SOFTWARE =
OR=20
LAPTOP TECHNOLOGY OF ANY KIND GIVING THE<BR> MUSIC A=20
BEAUTIFULLY ORGANIC, FULL, EMOTIVE QUALITY SIMILAR =
TO<BR> THAT=20
OF HER REMARKABLE LIVE SHOWS. IF YOU ASK ME, THIS IS =
THE<BR> =20
BEST RELEASE ON LEAF IN A VERY LONG TIME, AND HAS SOMETHING=20
ALL<BR> TOO FREQUENTLY MISSING FROM CONTEMPORARY =
ELECTRONICA -=20
SOUL. EXTREMELY<BR> HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FONICA - RIPPLE - PLOP - CD =
(PLIP-3005)<BR> Plop=20
has been a revelation for me. It's so good to hear=20
genuinely<BR> interesting, individual electronic =
sounds on=20
such a wonderfully<BR> low-key label. Beautiful =
artwork all=20
round, gorgeously produced<BR> music... basically the =
whole=20
package is always great. This is<BR> one of the =
deeper, more=20
glitchy albums, but it retains a depth<BR> and warmth =
that=20
are, quite frankly, enviable. Beautiful sounds,<BR> =
ace=20
rhythmic parts and even remixes from the brilliant Sogar=20
and<BR> the equally brilliant Mitchell Akiyama. A tip =
top=20
selection that<BR> comes very highly recommended =
indeed.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KAZUMASA HASHIMOTO - YUPI - PLOP - CD=20
(PLIP-3007)<BR> Gorgeous 14 track CD that uses melody =
and=20
beauty as its basis,<BR> but utilises a more abstract =
approach=20
to get its unique feeling<BR> across. Organic sounds =
mixed=20
with electronic manipulations and<BR> a gentle, lush =
flava=20
ensure that this one's going to engage any<BR> fans of =
electronica and certainly fans of Fonica and Minamo.=20
Superb<BR> and highly recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KHONNOR - HANDWRITING - TYPE - CD =
(TYPE003CD)<BR> =20
THIS RELEASE IS STRANGELY UNTYPICAL OF TYPE, YET, IT'S STILL=20
A<BR> WONDERFULLY PUT TOGETHER SLICE OF ELECTRONICALLY =
MANIPULATED GUITAR<BR> MUSIC. KHONNOR IS SOMETHING OF =
A=20
PRODIGY, I GATHER, AND THE EASE<BR> WITH WHICH HE'S =
PUT=20
TOGETHER A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF WORK LIKE THIS<BR> =
ENSURES WE'LL=20
BE HEARING BIG THINGS ABOUT HIM IN THE FUTURE. THE<BR> =
TRACKS=20
REFERENCE EVERYTHING FROM MY BLOODY VALENTINE AND =
SARAH<BR> =20
RECORDS, THROUGH TO CONTEMPORARY ELECTRONICA AND MINIMAL,=20
GLITCH<BR> BASED SOUNDS. VOCALLY, IT'S LOVELY AND HIS =
LYRICS=20
ARE ASTUTE,<BR> FULL OF ANGST AND YET VERY MATURE. I =
WOULD=20
URGE YOU TO CHECK THIS<BR> OUT AND JOIN IN THE FUN. =
HIGHLY=20
RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LOSCIL - FIRST NARROWS - KRANKY - CD=20
(KRANK069)<BR> SCOTT MORGAN, AKA LOSCIL DELIVERS YET =
ANOTHER=20
SUPERB ALBUM THAT'S<BR> LACED WITH WARMTH AND EMOTION=20
THROUGHOUT. DEEP, SCULPTURAL ELECTRONICS<BR> WITH =
SUBTLE=20
RHYTHMIC ELEMENTS GIVING THE TRACKS A GOOD DEAL OF<BR> =
MOVEMENT WHILST THE EVEN MORE ORGANIC THAN USUAL SOUNDS ARE=20
LAYERED<BR> AND MANIPULATED ON TOP. LUSH SOUNDS =
BRIMMING WITH=20
BEAUTY AND GORGEOUS<BR> MELODIC CHORDS ARE THE ORDER =
OF THE=20
DAY HERE AND THIS COMES HIGHLY<BR> RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MARSEN JULES - HERBSTLAUB - CITY CENTRE OFFICES - CD=20
(TOWERBLOCKCD023)<BR> I WONDERED HOW LONG IT WOULD BE =
BEFORE=20
SOMEONE PICKED UP MARTIN<BR> JUHLS MOST WONDERFUL =
MUSIC UNDER=20
THE MARSEN JULES PSEUDONYM. AFTER<BR> A SERIES OF =
AMAZING=20
RELEASES FOR SEVERAL INTERNET LABELS (AS BOTH<BR> =
MARSEN JULES=20
AND KRILL.MINIMA) CITY CENTRE OFFICES HAVE SEEN =
FIT<BR> TO=20
RELEASE THIS STAGGERINGLY BEAUTIFUL ALBUM. DIFFICULT TO=20
CLASSIFY<BR> MUSICALLY, IT IS A BLEND OF THE FINEST =
SCULPTURAL=20
ELECTRONICA<BR> MIXED WITH AN OVERTLY CLASSICAL, =
CHAMBER MUSIC=20
SOUND. TO SIMPLY<BR> DESCRIBE IT AS 'CLASSICAL GAS' IS =
TO DO=20
IT A SEVERE INJUSTICE.<BR> THIS IS ORIGINAL MUSIC, =
LOVINGLY=20
CREATED AND BEAUTIFULLY PRODUCED<BR> THAT'S EXPANSIVE, =
ENGAGING AND JUST PLAIN WONDERFUL. ALBUM OF<BR> THE =
WEEK,=20
MONTH AND PROBABLY YEAR. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> OPTO - 2ND - HOBBY INDUSTRIES - CD =
(HI016CD)<BR> =20
OPTO AKA CARSTEN NICOLAI AND THOMAS KNAK AKA OPIATE DELIVER=20
THIS<BR> SUBLIME ALBUM OF STARK, MINIMAL ELECTRONICA. =
FANS OF=20
RASTER NOTON<BR> AND, INDEED, SOME OF THE OPIATE AND =
HOBBY=20
RELEASES ARE SERIOUSLY<BR> GONNA GO FOR THIS IN A BIG =
WAY. IN=20
SOME WAYS THIS REMINDED ME<BR> OF ALVA NOTO, ONLY =
THERE IS A=20
LOT MORE WARMTH AND EMOTION BEHIND<BR> JUST THE USUAL =
HIGH=20
FREQUENCIES, TONES AND CLICKS. VERY HIGHLY<BR> =20
RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> REMOTE VIEWER, THE - LET YOUR HEART DRAW A LINE - CITY =
CENTRE=20
OFFICES - CD (TOWERBLOCKCD024)<BR> THIS ONE SURPRISED =
ME BY=20
COMING OUT WITH NAIRY A WHISPER OF PUBLICITY.<BR> THAT =
ACTUALLY SUITS THE STYLE OF THE ALBUM AS IT'S A=20
BEAUTIFULLY<BR> LOW-KEY AFFAIR WITH GENTLY RIPPLING =
SONGS MADE=20
UP OF ORGANIC INSTRUMENTS<BR> AND CLEVER SONGWRITING =
SKILLS=20
WITH THE OCCASIONAL TOUCH OF ELECTRONIC<BR> =
MANIPULATION.=20
SOULFUL, LUSH, DEEP... EVERYTHING YOU'D EXPECT =
FROM<BR> A=20
REMOTE VIEWER ALBUM AND SO MUCH MORE. ABSOLUTE CLASS.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DEATH IN VEGAS - FABRICLIVE 23 - FABRIC - CD=20
(FABRIC46)<BR> An interesting mix CD in as much as =
every track=20
on it that isn't<BR> by Death In Vegas is 100% =
Smallfish=20
friendly and approved! The<BR> likes of Solvent, Alex =
Smoke,=20
Mossa, Alex Cortex, Dinky, Mathew<BR> Jonson, Wighnomy =
Bros,=20
Analog Fingerprints, John Dahlback etc<BR> (from =
labels such=20
as Ghostly, Minus, Soma, Tresor, Wagon Repair,<BR> =
Freude am=20
Tanzen, Pigna, Morris Audio et al) prove this is =
right<BR> up=20
our alley. Makes you wonder if they're not secret=20
customers<BR> - make yourselves knows, boys! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KATE WAX - REFLECTIONS OF THE DARK HEAT - MENTAL GROOVE - CD =
(MGCD009)<BR> Like a cross between Miss Kittin and =
Peaches,=20
Kate Wax's debut<BR> album is influenced by early New =
Wave=20
legends and 21st century<BR> Neo-Pop divas alike. A =
rich blend=20
of styles including up and downtempo<BR> minimal =
techno,=20
electro-punk grime, ambient-industrial blues and<BR> =
more, all=20
driven by her unique, warm and seductive vocal =
delivery<BR> =20
(from old-skool rapping to whispered lament). One to watch. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (CD): Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JACEN SOLO - VIRGO - A.I. - CD =
(AI011CD)<BR> THIS=20
IS BEING LISTED ON THE WEBSITE FOR A SECOND WEEK, =
SIMPLY<BR> =20
BECAUSE IT IS AWESOME AND WE DON'T WANT ANYONE TO MISS OUT.=20
IT'S<BR> MY FAVOURITE RELEASE ON AI SINCE THE CLARO =
ALBUM,=20
WHICH KINDA<BR> FOLLOWS AS THIS IS DEEP, EXCEPTIONALLY =
WELL-PRODUCED DETROIT-STYLE<BR> ELECTRO THAT'S =
MUSICAL, FULL=20
OF WARMTH AND LIGHT YEARS AHEAD OF<BR> MOST OF THE=20
COMPETITION. WITH NODS TO MID '90'S ARTIFICIAL=20
INTELLIGENCE<BR> (CURIOUSLY!) STYLE ELECTRONICS,THE =
DEEPEST=20
DETROIT TECHNO AND<BR> EVEN THE CHORD-Y, SOULFUL STYLE =
OF=20
PEOPLE LIKE MIKE GRANT AND<BR> RICK WADE, THIS HAS =
BEEN PUT=20
TOGETHER WITH A STRONG EAR FOR MELODY<BR> AND GROOVE.=20
ELECTRO-ESQUE RHYTHMS RIDE UNDER THE TRACKS AND =
GENERALLY<BR> =20
THIS IS QUITE UNMISSABLE IF YOU ASK ME. HIGHLY, HIGHLY =
RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LAWRENCE - THE ABSENCE OF BLIGHT - DIALREC - CD=20
(DIALCD04)<BR> ABSOLUTELY ONE OF MY FAVOURITE RELEASES =
OF THE=20
YEAR. KILLER, WONDERFUL,<BR> 'SLEEPY HOUSE' GROOVES =
WITH=20
INTRICATE ATTENTION TO DETAIL, YET<BR> A RELAXED, EASY =
GOING=20
ATTITUDE. FRESH SOUNDS, LAWRENCES USUAL<BR> ROLLING =
BEATS AND=20
A CREEPING LUSHNESS WHICH CATCHES YOU UNAWARES.<BR> =
DEEPLY=20
BEAUTIFUL AT TIMES AND DEEPLY FUNKY AT OTHERS. THIS =
IS<BR> =20
HIGHLY, HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. FABULOUS.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - LIQUID SKY COLOGNE - VOLUME TWO - ELECTRO BUNKER =
COLOGNE -=20
CD (EBCCD002)<BR> Second volume of the Liquid Sky =
compilation=20
series comes from<BR> a similar group of Air Liquide =
related=20
artists. Live recordings<BR> of Frank Heiss, Dr. =
Walker,=20
Strobocop, Mike Stone, 2 Live And<BR> Die In Cologne =
(good=20
name!) and various others. Acid tinged tracks<BR> =
that, quite=20
simply, rock! Techno fo the highest order from a =
golden<BR> =20
age. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - LIQUID SKY COLOGNE - VOLUME ONE - ELECTRO BUNKER =
COLOGNE -=20
CD (EBCCD001)<BR> Electro Bunker Cologne's first =
Liquid Sky=20
compilation features<BR> some absolute mid to late =
'90's gems=20
from the Air Liquide crew<BR> and friends. There are =
some=20
amazing tracks on here courtesy of<BR> Dr. Walker, =
Pierrot=20
Premier, J. Burger, Strobocop and Frnak Heiss.<BR> =
They take=20
the form of mini selections of tracks that were =
recorded<BR> =20
live. Stunning Cologne Techno that really is from a truly=20
classic<BR> era.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - TEMPLE RECORDS - VOLUME ONE - TEMPLE - CD=20
(TEMPLECD001)<BR> Whooah there! A storming compilation =
of=20
tracks from the Temple<BR> catalogue. Run by Air =
Liquide's=20
Khan, Temple put out some fantastic<BR> Cologne Techno =
and=20
Electronica records with an American twist<BR> (as =
Khan ran it=20
from New York). There are some real gems on here<BR> =
and the=20
uncompromising music comes from Madonna 303, Black =
One,<BR> =20
Jammin' Unit, Bizz O.D., Khan himself, Cube 40 and Gizz T.V.=20
A<BR> stunning mixture of Techno and breaks and acid =
and loads=20
of other<BR> nice things. I'm not wearing rose-tinted =
specs=20
when I say that<BR> this is brilliant stuff!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Hip Hop</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FBC FABRIC REINDEER - IT'S NOT WHO YOU KNOW, IT'S WHOM YOU =
KNOW -=20
BUTTER CUTS - CD (BUTT009CD)<BR> This is great. =
>From the=20
wittily pedantic title to the exceptional<BR> =
packaging: this=20
comes in a cloth bag with all the track titles<BR> =
(and=20
assorted sewn onto the label as you'd sew a label with=20
washing<BR> instructions. Musically it gets my =
vote,=20
too. It's an interesting<BR> selection of =
(British, I=20
figure) electronic hip hop which would<BR> loosely be=20
classified in the "backpack / collegiate" section,<BR> =
but=20
personally I think it is less whiney and alot deeper =
than<BR> =20
that - plus there are some really good electronic / ambient=20
tracks.<BR> All in all this is a really good =
album that=20
ticks all the right<BR> boxes. =
Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Eclectic Beats</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CIRKUS - LAYLOW - TENT MUSIC - CD =
(????)<BR> =20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Guitar Based</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> APSE - APSE - ACUARELA - CD =
(NOIS047CD)<BR> Wow,=20
how good is this? Elements of everything from Hood to=20
Arcade<BR> Fire to GY!BE to The Cure to Silver Ray to =
Eluvium=20
to Bardo Pond<BR> to Sunn O))) going on here. Heavy, =
but=20
hypnotic guitar-based soundscapes<BR> that totally hit =
the=20
mark - most excellent. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DARREN HAYMAN - CORTINALAND - ACUARELA - CD=20
(NOIS050CD)<BR> A mere two weeks after his debut solo =
7" on=20
Static Caravan, the<BR> (i presume) former frontman of =
Hefner=20
sticks out another five<BR> brand new tracks on =
Acuarela. Less=20
solo acoustic and more full-band<BR> based than the =
7", this=20
is a lot more Hefner-ish, but equally<BR> reminds one =
of all=20
sorts of things from Belle & Sebastian to =
Momus.<BR> =20
Recommended. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> KEVIN TIHISTA - HOME DEMONS VOL. 1 - BROKEN HORSE - CD=20
(BKHCD008)<BR> Kevin Tihista's first new album since =
last=20
year's highly acclaimed<BR> 'Wake Up Captain'... =
definitely=20
worth a listen if you're a fan<BR> of Paul Westerberg, =
Ryan=20
Adams (on a good day), Elliott Smith<BR> or Simon =
&=20
Garfunkel. Very nice indeed. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SMOKE FAIRIES - STRANGE THE THINGS - CONCENTRATED PEOPLE - =
CD=20
(CP002CD)<BR> Followers of the Concentrated People =
label will=20
no doubt be welcoming<BR> what's probably their most=20
anticipated release - the Smoke Fairies<BR> debut. =
Apparently=20
their name stems from a fire at their London<BR> home =
which=20
almost took the album with it (shades of Shack =
about<BR> that=20
story) but luckily that didn't happen, cos here it is.=20
Smoky<BR> would be an apt description of the music on =
offer=20
anyway - this<BR> is gutsy folky blues courtesy of a =
female=20
duo that fall somewhere<BR> between KT Tunstall and =
Cocorosie.=20
A release with serious potential<BR> - this won't be =
the last=20
you hear of neither the label nor the<BR> band. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SONDRE LERCHE - TWO WAY MONOLOGUE EP - SOURCE - CD=20
(SOURCDX108)<BR> Brilliant on-the-up Norwegian=20
singer/songwriter Sondre Lerche<BR> returns with this =
bargain=20
7-track interim EP (between albums).<BR> 'Two Way =
Monologue'=20
(a hit if ever i heard one) comes backed with<BR> four =
new=20
B-sides (of equally quality), plus two QuickTime =
videos.<BR> =20
At this price, i'm having one, as is George (so there you=20
are,<BR> Sondre gets the Smallfish thumbs-up). Cheapo=20
Scandinavian top<BR> notch summer pop release of the =
week!=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SUPERTHRILLER - SUPERTHRILLER 1 - MINT - CD=20
(MINTCD001)<BR> Not sure who this lot are, really. =
It's kind=20
of an indie-funk<BR> type of thing, with slight =
electronic=20
twinges. A bit like Hot<BR> Chip and/or Jamie Lidell =
only not=20
as interesting. Pretty rubbish<BR> artwork, too. I'm =
sure the=20
NME will love it, so who cares? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WINDSOR FOR THE DERBY - CONFIANZA / VISIONS - ACUARELA - CD=20
(NOIS048CD)<BR> Two Windsor For The Derby releases in =
one=20
week, then. This 5-track<BR> mini-album complements =
the=20
full-length new album on Secretly Canadian<BR> =
perfectly,=20
despite being a return (at times) to their more =
lo-fi<BR> =20
post-rock sound of old. Occasional electronic touches and=20
vocals<BR> give (once again) rise to comparisons to =
Hood and=20
American Analog<BR> Set, but WFTD are at least as =
pioneering=20
as either of those bands,<BR> i'd say. This is superb, =
check=20
it out at once. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> XIU XIU - LA FORET - ACUARELA - CD =
(NOIS1058)<BR> =20
Second release for Xiu Xiu (pronounced as you'd say jus jus=20
as<BR> in the french for gravy). This is an =
intense=20
experience, with<BR> it's mixture of abrasive =
electronics,=20
cutesy, kitsch melodies,<BR> heavy bass and vocals =
that sound=20
a little bit like a tortured<BR> Robert Smith! =
OK, so=20
that sounds dreadful, but it really works,<BR> and if =
you=20
imagine these strange mixtures getting more and =
more<BR> =20
twisted often to the point quite intense noise and often to=20
the<BR> point of haunting fragility. Have a=20
listen.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (CD): Guitar Based</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STARS OF THE LID - AVEC LAUDENUM - KRANKY - CD=20
(KRANK059)<BR> KRANKY REISSUE QUITE POSSIBLY STARS OF =
THE=20
LID'S FINEST MOMENT.<BR> ORIGINALLY RELEASED IN EUROPE =
ON SUB=20
ROSA, I CAN'T EMPHASISE<BR> JUST HOW BRILLIANT =
STARS OF=20
THE LID ARE. THEIR UNIQUE BRAND OF<BR> DRONE BASED=20
ELECTRONICALLY MANIPULATED GUITARS AND OTHER =
INSTRUMENTS<BR> =20
IS A WONDER TO BEHOLD. FIVE STUNNING, LOVINGLY CRAFTED=20
SLICES<BR> OF PURE ATMOSPHERE. UTTERLY GORGEOUS.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - KOMPILATION - KRANKY - 2xCD=20
(KRANK077)<BR> A SELECTION OF FORTHCOMING AND =
EXCLUSIVE=20
TRACKS, ALTERNATE VERSIONS<BR> AND PIECES FROM CURRENT =
RELEASES. STARS OF THE LID, PAN AMERICAN,<BR> GREG =
DAVIS,=20
LOSCIL, THE DEAD TEXAN, JESSICA BAILIFF, KEITH =
FULLERTON<BR> =20
WHITMAN AND THE REST OF THE KRANKY ROSTER CONTRIBUTE A TOTAL=20
OF<BR> 21 TRACKS OVER 148 MINUTES AND 2 CDS (AND AT A =
VERY=20
REASONABLE<BR> PRICE INDEED).</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Experimental</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HAFLER TRIO, THE - AN UTTERANCE OF THE SUPREME VENTRILOQUIST =
-=20
SOLEILMOON - CD (SOL134CD)<BR> Three new Hafler Trio =
albums=20
this week on three different labels.<BR> Two tracks =
(just over=20
40 mins) worth of THT doing what they do<BR> best - =
dense,=20
eerie soundscapes utilising all-encompassing tones<BR> =
and=20
textures to dramatic effect. They leave most of the=20
competition<BR> standing, in my opinion - get in =
there. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HAFLER TRIO, THE - HOW TO REFORM MANKIND - KORM PLASTICS - =
CD=20
(KPHRMCD)<BR> An exceptional piece of work once again. =
The=20
artwork and packaging<BR> are in a class of their own =
(as=20
always), and the music is one<BR> of their more =
minimal=20
excursions, being 7 tracks (78 mins) of<BR> doomy =
tones akin=20
to Mika Vainio aka 0 - ie. the purest kind of<BR> =
soundscape.=20
Such attention to detail - fabulous. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HAFLER TRIO, THE - NO MAN PUT ASUNDER - DIE STADT - CD=20
(DS58CD)<BR> How much Hafler Trio can you take? =
They've always=20
been prolific,<BR> but six releases in two months?!? =
Anyhow,=20
this strikes me as one<BR> of their more intense =
pieces. One=20
single track, coming in at 68<BR> mins that seems to =
centre=20
around a single drone but does so much<BR> with it - =
there's=20
some incredibly subtle and delicate work going<BR> on =
in the=20
background that keeps you hooked. Awesome =
packaging<BR> as=20
always, too. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOHN DUNCAN / EDVARD GRAHAM LEWIS - PRESENCE - ALL QUESTIONS =
- CD=20
(AQ07CD)<BR> John Duncan i remember from his releases =
on Touch=20
and Die Stadt,<BR> and this certainly is in the mould =
of the=20
former as well as the<BR> latter (it reminds me a =
little of=20
Philip Jeck or Chris Watson).<BR> When one of the =
artists is=20
credited for "Processing, shortwave<BR> and field =
recording",=20
and you discover one track was sourced from<BR> a =
bathtub at=20
the Holiday Inn, Chicago, you know what to expect<BR> =
to some=20
extent, but these are entrancing, inticing, =
intricate,<BR> =20
hypnotic soundscapes nonetheless. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> NURSE WITH WOUND - SHIPWRECKED RADIO VOLUME ONE - ICR - 2xCD =
(ICR041CD)<BR> Subtitled "Seven sonic structures from=20
Utvaer".... Between June<BR> and July 2004, as guests =
of Kunst=20
I Nordland, NWW broadcast twenty<BR> four unexpected =
radio=20
transmissions from the Arctic Lofoten Islands,<BR> =
seven of=20
which included here. Every single sound you hear is=20
sourced<BR> from environments and objects in the =
surrounding=20
area; buildings,<BR> ships, harbourside tackle, local=20
characters etc. A fascinating<BR> journey which =
becomes more=20
hallucinatory as it goes on. Expensive,<BR> but still =
cheaper=20
than a flight there! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ORGANUM Z'EV - TOCSIN -6 THRU +2 - DIE STADT - CD=20
(DS77CD)<BR> Two respected experimental artists =
collaborate on=20
this unusual<BR> project, manipulating the sound of =
materials=20
sourced from a scrapyard<BR> and those of a grand =
piano! The=20
end result is one not dissimilar<BR> to any number of =
12k /=20
Line-esque releases, albeit this is a little<BR> more =
intense=20
and drone-based. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (CD): Experimental</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HAFLER TRIO, THE - A EG AD HALDA AFRAM? - IMPORTANT - CD=20
(IMPREC050)<BR> This is simply magnificent. Hafler =
Trio are=20
always worth checking<BR> out and this single track =
piece is=20
amazingly put together. Starting<BR> out with a barely =
there=20
spoken piece that's incredibly dislocating<BR> and bit =
scary,=20
it soon launches into one of the most full =
sounding<BR> and=20
surprisingly melodic drones I've heard in a while. This =
is<BR> =20
followed up by more intense minimalism and then, incredibly,=20
it<BR> moves into a rhythmic passage. Hafler Trio =
using beats?=20
And guess<BR> what? It works a treat. Deep, slowed =
down breaks=20
that are full<BR> of menace and darkness. A sublime =
CD.=20
Definitely recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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