[Smallfish-releases-text] Smallfish Mailout 24/08/05
justusfish
justusfish@smallfish.co.uk
Wed, 24 Aug 2005 17:36:26 +0100
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Smallfish Mailout 24/08/05
Welcome, welcome, welcome to another Smallfish release mailout. Sorry =
there wasn't one last week but due to a lack of staff it just wasn't =
possible. However, here are the goods for this week!
William Basinski - Disintegration Loops I - IV
Couple of weeks late on these which is a shame, but we now have all four =
volumes of Basinski's landmark series in stock at the price of =A316.99 =
each. Pricey? Not really when you consider just how utterly stunning =
these releases are. I'll quote the review from the website:=20
'How can you describe something that's so seemingly perfect and dripping =
with atmosphere as the wonderful Disintegration Loops series without =
resorting to endless superlatives? It's very, very difficult, that's the =
answer. This series of four CDs was conceived when Basinski was =
archiving a series of tape loops / works from 1982. He discovered that =
as he recorded them the tape itself degraded to a point where it became =
barely audible and the actual process of the disintegration became the =
focal point for the CDs. A happy accident indeed as these are some of =
the most atmospheric, deep and hypnotic pieces of work that have ever =
been released, in my opinion. They have a classical air to them (think =
Gas crossed with Arvo Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a =
majestic, beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and =
devastation (as documented in Basinski's liner notes regarding September =
11th 2001). Wonderful, stunning, awesome... simply something that =
everyone should check out and most people should own. DO NOT MISS!'
What it boils down to is this: They are incredible through and through =
and anyone with a remote interest in soundscape / textural Electronica =
should immediately seek these out and get stuck in... trust me, they're =
amazing!
Pub and Pliiant releases
Sadly we have run out of the first Talent release by Pliiant and due to =
the extremly limited quantities involved we won't be able to get any =
more now. Sorry for any disappointment there. However, we do have a very =
limited quantity of the second Talent release, also by Pliiant, called =
'Just Like It Should'. Again, we have a very, very samll quantity of =
these as well so it'll be fastest-finger-first I'm afraid. Don't miss =
out and get in there quick!
Pub's delightful 'Liltmor' will be back in stock by Friday (hopefully) =
so anyone seeking out a copy of this long awaited release should check =
back then.
Fenton - Back in stock + Filfla - In stock
Dan Abrams aka Shuttle358's wonderful Fenton CD has just come back into =
stock so I 'd recommend that if you haven't yet checked this sublime =
release out that you do so immediately.
Leading neatly on from that is the equally superb new Plop release, =
'Frame' by Filfla (aka Keiichi Sugimoto aka Minamo aka Fourcolor aka =
Fonica), is in stock and ready for your listening pleasure. Deep, =
organic electronics that are easily up there with his other output and =
should see you happily through the miserable, rainy nonsense that we =
have to call Summer in the UK. Truly delightful.
You can read a longer review of this and a few other bits and bobs on =
the new Blog 'Remote_ Thoughts' that's been started up by one of the =
Smallfish crew (guess which one!). Check it here: =
http://remote-silvergun.blogspot.com/
3 No Fillings - Ant Booty - Postscript - 7"
Another Smallfish related release this week. Related and somewhat =
belated! We've been waiting for this to drop for a couple of years or so =
and it's a pleasure to finally to have it in! 3 No Fillings is Galia =
Durant, of Psapp, and Tom Middleton, so you'd be forgiven for thinking =
that it's an odd mixture! Quite the contrary though... It's a fun =
fuelled slice of quirky and very energetic Electronica with an almost =
pre-Grime feel (in a good way, you understand!) Phat, shuffling and =
perky, it's complemented by a superb remix of Matt Elliot (aka Third Eye =
Foundation) on the B-side. A wicked littel release and abit of a bargain =
to boot! Get in there!
New Expanding releases
Expanding get busy with 2 new releases this week.=20
Sovacusa - Centrepoint: Sovacusa is Tim Diagram and Steve Broca working =
together and, by gum, they've come up with a beautiful album. Deep, =
melodic and icy Electronica with a Maps + Diagrams-ish feel, but, =
possibly, an even greater degree of structural excellence. A deeply =
satisfying release.
Vessel - Resist: The highly regarded Vessel delivers another lovely =
piece of work for Expanding in the shape of this atmospheric and =
beautiful Electronica album. Crucnhy rhythms, lush melodies and chord =
structures... everything you could possibly want or expect from the =
combination of artist and label.=20
Both highly recommended albums.
Autechre / Hafler Trio - Back in stock
Yes, we have a few copies of this superb collaboration back in stock, so =
if you missed out on it before, make sure you check it out now.
And Finally...
Steve's back. Yes, jolly old Mr Stas has wound his weary way back to =
Smallfish and I've got to say it's fantastic to have him back. Any Funk =
and Hip Hop related questions should be related to him from now on (as =
well as queries regarding cakes and old episodes of Doctor Who!). =
Seriously good to have the big fella around again I'm sure everyone will =
agree!
So that's that. Sorry it's a bit long! Hopefully you'll find something =
of interest in there.
Take good care and don't get wet!
Peace.
The Fish.
Smallfish Records | 329 Old Street | London | EC1V 9LE | +44 [0] 20 7739 =
2252 | www.smallfish.co.uk
New Releases (Vinyl): Electronica
3 NO FILLINGS - ANT BOOTY - POSTSCRIPT - 7" (PS001)
Two years plus in the pipeline but (I'm relieved to say) finally
set free! "Ant Booty" is a collaboration between the lovely Galia
Durant of Psapp and the ever-lovable Tom Middleton, but quite
frankly it doesn't sound like anything either of them have ever
done. Considering this track pre-dates the whole Grime movement,
it's amazing how well it fits into that scene, although it's a
lot more quirky, energetic, eclectic and interesting than that
might suggest - in short, it shuflles along like an army of ants
marching out to battle (kinda hence the title)! Flip over for
a rather different approach taken by Matt Elliott (the artist
formerly known as Third Eye Foundation). Nowhere near as dark
and intense as his usual output, this warm, melancholic remix
is more reminiscent of the likes of Isan (although there are hints
of Matt's trademark sound). A rather furtive release that's strictly
limited to 500 copies worldwide (hence the brown paper bag), this
is exclusive to Smallfish for a few weeks before any remaining
copies get flogged to all and sundry (hopefully), so you lucky
Fish customers get first dibs, as it were. It sounds phat as ph*ck
for a 7" too. A killer piece of work all round, highly recommended,
a sure fire collectable, won't be around forever blah blah blah.
I'm off now for a week and want to see lots of copies of this
sold by the time I get back - ok?! Consider yourselves told! I
love you all.=20
JACKSON & HIS COMPUTER BAND - ROCK ON - WARP - 12" (WAP194)
I think this is a licensed, France-only 12", hence the higher
than usual price. It's a massive track, though - imagine Daft
Punk meets Vitalic meets the cutting-up skills and beat-driven
brutality of Aphex in a bad mood and you're getting there. In
theory, this should be a b*tch to dance to, but just you try keeping
still - it's an absolute beast. Highly infectious to boot (with
that disco vocal sample) this is one of the tracks of the summer
so far for me. Wicked.=20
RESEARCH, THE - I LOVE YOU, BUT... - AT LARGE - 7" (FUG008)
Produced by Tortoise's John McEntire, try getting the chorus to
this one out of your head! Cute-but-not-too-cute electronic pop
that's a bit Notwist / Morr Music without the syrup. Those close
harmony vocals suggest easy listening but the lyrics certainly
don't. I have to say i didn't know what to expect from this but
it's ended up being one of the best new records i've heard all
month - get in there.=20
SOVACUSA - CENTREPOINT - EXPANDING - LP (EVA14:05)
This is an absolutely superb album. Co-produced by Tim Diagram
and Steve Broca, it could conceivably be one of my absolute =
favourite
albums on Expanding both looks-wise and musically speaking. Whilst
it's not exactly a revolution in terms of sound there's definitely
an evolution here and the combination of both artists together
is potent. Sound design is icy, fragile and generally beautiful
with the rhythm structures coming across as crunchy and intricate
without being overly fussy. Delectable music from beginning to
end and a huge recommendation for fans of both the label and the
style of Electronica. Brilliant.
VESSEL - RESIST - EXPANDING - LP (EVA13:05)
Vessel delves deep on this lovely album for the excellent expanding
label. It's quite feasibly the best work he's produced so far
and the wonderfully melodic and delicate sounds he has created
are truly luscious. While it remains very much an Expanding album,
it has a slightly darker feel to the textures, possibly, than
some of the earlier releases and the loving production really
makes it shine. Oceanic in its scope and wonderfully crunchy in
the beats department this is yet another absolute recommendation.
Superb.
Restocks (Vinyl): Electronica
AFX - ANALORD 11 - REPHLEX - 12" (ANALORD11)
WITH ANALORD 10 EXCLUSIVE TO THE BINDER, IT'S STRAIGHT ON EPISODE
11 WE GO. ARE YOU READY TO GO ANOTHER TEN ROUNDS? MORE IMPORTANTLY,
ARE YOUR WALLETS?! SIDE ONE IS TAKEN UP BY AN EXTENDED, SLIGHTLY
EERIE, OFF-KILTER PIECE OF HIGH END, SUPER COMPRESSED RELECTRO
(AS I'M NOW CALLING IT) THAT COULD EASILY DATE FROM 1981, AND
FOR ALL I KNOW DOES. SIDE TWO IS A MOST SCHIZOPHRENIC AFFAIR -
DISTORTED, ENERGETIC DISCO, FOLLOWED BY DOOMY, BROKEN, HYPNOTIC
EXPERIMENTALISM. CLASSY STUFF, YOU HAVE TO ADMIT AND JUSTIFYING
THE HYPE ONCE AGAIN.
AFX - ANALORD 02 - REPHLEX - 12" (ANALORD02)
HERE'S THE SECOND PART OF THE NEW SERIES OF AFX RELEASES AND,
IF ANYTHING, IT'S ACTUALLY BETTER THAN ANALORD 01! THIS ONE COMES
AT YOU IN A SIMILARLY ACIDIC STYLE, BUT WITH A DEEPER, SURPRISINGLY
HOUSE ORIENTATED STYLE AND A DEFINITE NOD TO THE ONE AND ONLY
LARRY HEARD. A REAL RETURN TO FORM FROM ONE OF THE MOST DELIBERATELY
AWKWARD ARTISTS OF ALL TIME. PROPS TO THE TWIN. OH YES, YOU'LL
NEED TO GET IN QUICK AS THESE ARE VERY LIMITED.=20
AIR LIQUIDE - @ THE CLUB - THE REMIXES - BLUE - 12" (BLUE2-01)
3 wonderful tracks from the lords of Acid. This was the first
release on the reborn Blue label and it sees the Air Liquide guys
tweaking the 303s and providing some tough Techno grooves in a
live stylee. This are seriously limited as they're original copies
so don't hang around!
APHEX TWIN - REMIXES 1 - UNKNOWN - 2xLP (ATW01)
WELL, WELL. A SELECTION OF REMIXES BY A CERTAIN APHEX TWIN. SEEMS
A BIT LIKE THE 26 MIXES FOR CASH COMPILATION BUT, TO BE FAIR,
YOU CAN'T KNOCK A VINYL VERSION THAT INCLUDES HIS STAGGERINGLY
COOL VERSIONS OF ST ETIENNE, NAV KATZE, SEEFEEL, CURVE, BABY FORD,
MEAT BEAT MANIFESTO, THE GENTLE PEOPLE AND THE BEATNIKS. PLUS
YOU GET THE ACID EDIT OF WINDOWLICKER AS WELL. STORMING STUFF
THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE FOOLISH TO MISS!
JAMMIN' UNIT - REMOTE CAR BABE - TEMPLE - 10" (TEMPLE004)
I must admit that I don't remember this from when it first came
out so it's very pleasing to find that this slightly off colour
clear vinyl 10" is a classic slab of Air Liquide styled acidic
Electronica / Techno with all the hallmarks of that mid '90's
sound I love so much. Get in there with this as I have a sneaking
suspicion that it's not going to last that long!
MODESTY - MINDFLY - XXC3 - 12" (XXC3/301)
Once again I'm delighted to present one of my favourite records
of all time. I hammered this so much that my copy barely plays
any more. The A-side is a deeply emotive ambient track with a
gorgeous, divinely atmospheric analogue line which builds and
builds throughout and then is joined by the sweetest flute / pan
pipe line. Sounds odd but it's genuinely beautiful. The flip is
host to a more minimalistic Techno sound with some absolutely
deep as hell sounds and claatering 909 percussion. the other track
is more of a Black Dog inspired slice of Electronica. Simply =
brilliant
and still sounding amazing after 10 years. Highly, highly =
recommended
indeed.
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
New Releases (Vinyl): Techno / Electro
2 DOLLAR EGG - NAXOS REMIXES - NUMMER SCHALLPLATTEN - 12" (NUMMER#12)
Everyone seemed to go potty for the original track a couple of
months ago so it's good to see some high class remixes doing the
rounds as well. Duties are performed by none other than Audion
(aka Matthew Dear) and Someone Else. Phat, fresh Techno / House
licks that have a suitably groovy and skippy / cut-up flava that
should appeal to fans of Found Sound / Telegraph / Circus Company
etc. Massive? You betcha. Get in!
A. VIVANCO - LAS VELAS EP - KAHLWILD - 12" (KAHLWILD02)
Second release fro Platzhirsch offshoot Kahlwild has a lot to
live up to as the Ali Kahn record was a cracking slice of minimal
funkiness. Luckily, whoever A. Vivanco is has delivered a top-rate
follow up in the form of another deep, very, very clubby slab
of Tech fun. Not as glitchy / crunchy as the first release but
more purist in some respects. Fans of Donnacha's material and,
of course, most of the Kompakt related business should definitely
chek this out. Top.
ABSTRACT THOUGHT - HYPOTHETICAL SITUATIONS - KOMBINATION RESEARCH - =
2xLP (KRE02LP / ELP33026LP)
Restock on this forgotten classic! One of the 'Seven Storms' =
rumoured
to be coming out of the Drexciya camp before James's sad death.
This is totally vintage Drexciya with harsh anaolgues that mix
with sweet, melodic moments plus the customary tough Electro and
Techno beats. You really only need to know who it is to work out
that it's completely essential. Buy with confidence.
BAXENDALE - I BUILT THIS CITY - KOMPAKT POP - 12" (KOMPOP8)
Whooah there! London band Baxendale deliver the most upfront release
thus far on Kompakt's Pop offshoot.l Very much going to be a matter
of personal taste as to whether you enjoy the slightly cheesey
Electro / House / Pop feel of it. The flip sees remixes from Justus
Kohncke and Michael Mayer (who's having a jolly busy time of it
the week). These are the versions you'll mostly go for I reckon,
so you'd best check them out.
DASO - DAYBREAK - MY BEST FRIEND - 12" (MBF12014)
Trapez and Traum offshoot My Best Friend delivers possibly its
most accessible track to date. Sounding dangerously close to being
an Ibiza anthem at times, it just about stays on the right side
of the tracks and grooving along quite nicely. Solid and workable
dancefloor tracks that are, as ever, reliable indeed.
EGOEXPRESS - HOT WIRE MY HEART - LADOMAT 2000 - 2xLP (LADO2172)
Egoexpress's album is a varied selection of Techno tracks that
showcases their talent for melody as well as tight rhythms and
tunes that border on just the right side of Trancey. Minimal cuts
make an appearance as well along with a couple of more House =
orientated
numbers. If you've enjoyed their recent run of singles the chances
are you'll get right into this.
GOLDFRAPP - OOH LA LA (EXTENDED MIXES) - MUTE - 12" (12MUTE342)
Plenty of 'Frapp action this week with two 12"s accompanying the
new album. Two extended mixes of the smash single that's been
all over radio and TV here (from Goldfrapp themselves and Phones
aka Paul Epworth - nice to see a former Smallfish employee get
a credit on that one!). That saucy minx Alison Goldfrapp needs
a bit of Ooh La La and who are we to get in her way?=20
GOLDFRAPP - SUPERNATURE - MUTE - CD (CDSTUMM250)
The ultra-pop-chart show people who are Goldfrapp - and they are
back with a full length album of electro glam rock with a 2005
twist. Comes complete with all sorts of CD ROM extras and =
information
as to how to download the ringtones!!! Catchy, and familiar (even
if you don't listen to the radio).
GOLDFRAPP - SUPERNATURE - MUTE - 2xLP (STUMM250)
The ultra-pop-chart show people who are Goldfrapp - and they are
back with a full length album of electro glam rock with a 2005
twist! Catchy, and familiar (even if you don't listen to the radio).
Limited edition deluxe gatefold and all that. =20
GOLDFRAPP - OOH LA LA (TIEFSCHWARZ DUB) - MUTE - 12" (L12MUTE342)
Plenty of 'Frapp action this week with two 12"s accompanying the
new album. The Benny Benassi mixes might not be to everyone's
taste, being a rather unsubtle blend of roughed-up electro house
(that might be what you're looking for, of course!). The main
selling point, however is the Tiefschwarz dub that everyone's
banging on about - one of his beefier affairs and certainly as
good as anything he's ever done. Ooh La La indeed!=20
MIKKEL METAL - RMX EP PART 4 - ECHOCORD - 12" (ECHOCORD014)
This is a really interesting release from Echocord as it's one
that doesn't instantly sit with the rest of the catalogue. Probably
the most accessible of the series so far with Kompakt supremo
Michael Mayer and the Modernist turning in two excellent versions
that give the original tracks a bit more funk. They're good, oh
yes, but really, the key version on here is Rene Lowe doing a
Vainquer version. Ultra-deep, ultra-Chain Reaction-esque, =
ultra-amazing.
If you don't like this track and you consider yourself a Dub-Techno
fan, what's wrong with you? Quite simply sublime. Essential.
ONUR OZER - FREAKDISKO EP - FREUDE AM TANZEN - 12" (FAT023)
Everyone's been talking about this record for a couple of weeks
and it's not hard to see why. Fresh, funky and uniquely produced
House / Techno from this excellent label. Quite a dark and driving
feel with some moody sounds and wicked processing. Think Wighnomy
Brothers in a bad mood with a heavier bottom end... wicked stuff.
Recommended.
PAUL MAC - WHAT ARE YOU - KANZLERAMT - 12" (KA122)
The Kanzleramt wheel keeps turning - I can't believe that they
are up to number 122! Paul Mac delivers four tracks of crisp
club techno - fast, furious and hypnotic. Darkened room middle
of the night stuff.
PRIME DOMINANCE - THEME OF SWIFT ROCK - DOMINANCE ELECTRICITY - 12" =
(DR-020.006)
Superb electro cuts in a very convincing B-boy style. To the =
untrained
ear this could well have been produced in 1982. Solid grooves
to break to and more!! Add to this the excellent Sbassship =
'Encryption'
mix, and the throwdown enducing bonus beats, and you have in your
hands a very fine record indeed.
PRINZ EZO - THE BODY OFFSET - TECH-NOLOGY - 2x12" (T001LP)
Companion double vinyl LP to his 'Inside Buddy' CD, this is Prinz
Ezo's (AKA Bjorn Svin) clubbier side. That said, there's still
a strong electronica feeling to record two in this exceptional
double pack. Record one contains three very well produced electronic
house grooves that are sure to set the floor alight on any given
night. Think Isolee meets early Telefon Tel Aviv and your halfway
there. Check !!!
REIKY - FUCKY - VOLTMUSIK - 12" (VOLT12)
Another big track from the Voltmuzik label. This time it's a =
slightly
pervy sounding selection of Electro / House and poppiness that's
sure to appeal to a wide range of listeners thanks to it's variety
of mixes, both deep and groovy and perky and lively. The star
mix comes from Roger 23 however, with a blistering, old school,
808 percussion section at the beginning that grows then drops
into a fresh, funky slab of Techno / House of the highest order.
Solid, playable... very nice indeed.
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!)
SBASSSHIP - BLOCK UNIVERSE - ELECTRONIC CORPORATION - 12" (ELCO11.0)
Fast, dedicated electro E.P that owes as much to Kraftwerk & Afrika
Bambaataa as it does to A.F.X. and the Kitbuilders. Four tracks
in total of solid electro monster grooves, enough to reduce Dexter
to tears. Very sweaty, very recommemded!!
SLAM - KILL THE PAIN - SOMA - 12" (SOMA180)
Featuring respected vocalist Dot Allison, this is a rather useful
set of (four) mixes, including vocal and instrumental takes of
a remix from Marc Houle, a dub mix by man-of-the-moment Alex Smoke
and an instrumental of the original. No need to say too much about
it, it's gonna make a swift exit from these premises regardless!
=20
TOMIE NEVADA - MEETING AT THE CORNFIELDS EP - UNLEASH - 12" =
(UNLEASH017)
I was a bit unsure about this track to begin with, but it's really
grown on me. As long as you ignore the dangerously trancey B-side
you'll probably enjoy the sense of space and minimalism. It's
Housey, but Techy and features a little much in the way of builds
and breaks, but gets it so right on the sound design. See what
you think...
TUBE JERK - FOLD - ILL - 2x12" (ILLLP014)
This is vintage material by Tim Wright, recorded under his Tube
Jerk moniker. Constructed at the tail end of the last millenium,
this collection of eight tracks finds Tim in a slightly (only
slightly) lighter mood. Now snapped up by Nova-Mute, listening
to this collection it's clear to see why. Solid dancefloor action
that barely gives you a chance to deny the power of the =
four/four........
VARIOUS - TOTAL 6 - KOMPAKT - 2xLP (KOM123)
Kompakt. Purveyors of quality throughout their back catalogue
and increasingly essential thanks to a diverse range of Techno,
Electro and House releases. This sixth Total compilation is =
absolutely
on the money and features all of the brand new tracks from DJ
Koze, Justus Kohncke, Jurgen Paape, Reinhard Voigt, =
Aguayo/Rossknecht,
Jonas Bering, Superpitcher and Thomas/Mayer. Completely =
indespensible
music from our favourite Cologne label. Props.
VITALIC - NO FUN (REWORK) - PIAS - 12" (DIFB1047EP)
There's definitely something about Vitalic's blend of twisted,
nasty electro house that appeals to me - kinda reminds me of Daft
Punk during happier times. The perfect companion to the Jackson
single in as much as this is the sort of stuff that sets dancefloors
alight! As heavy as house music gets, totally up-for-it. Mine's
a large one!=20
Restocks (Vinyl): Techno / Electro
ADAM BEYER - SNUFF & NOISE - MAD EYE - 12" (ME03)
THE MAD EYE RELEASES ARE SO EASILY THE BEST WORK THAT ADAM BEYER
HAS PRODUCED IN YEARS. HERE HE USES A PALETTE OF INCREDIBLY DEEP
AND PHAT MINIMAL TECHNO SOUNDS OVER SOME AWESOME BEATS. BASS HEAVY
STUFF THAT'LL GROOVE IT PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE... WELL, ANYWHERE
THEY LIKE MINIMAL TECHNO!
DAGOBERT - ON THE RUN - DOMINANCE ELECTRICITY - 12" (DR-016.003)
Early-ish Dominance EP that features some stormingly good electro
grooves. Pure and synthy on one side with a smashing mix by =
Sbassship
on the flip which ups the pace and heaviness to a large degree.
Proper good sounds which no Electro-head should be without.
DONNACHA COSTELLO - NO MATTER WHAT I DO - MINIMISE - 12" (MIN019)
Donnacha's colour series would appear to have come to an end for
the moment so he's concentrating on the later catalogue numbers.
This is finely honed, tiightly produced Techno in a minimalistic
style with those Plastikman / Minus references but put into a
slightly more bleepy context. The bassline's chug away providing
a reliable base for the rhythms to roll over and the sounds are
pure vintage. A wicked record all round. Top.
EZEKIEL HONIG - LOVE SESSION - MICROCOSM - 12" (MCOSM1003)
THREE RELEASES FOR EZEKIEL HONIG IN A MONTH OR SO! BONUS. HE'S
DOING IT FOR ME WITH ANOTHER SET OF LUSH, DEEP, DUBBY, GLITCHY
TECHNO TRACKS THAT ARE GENTLE AND WARM AND JUST GENERALLY BRILLIANT.
YOU HAVE TO CHECK THIS OUT IF YOU'RE INTO ECHOCORD OR ANYTHING
LIKE THAT. JUST MAKE SURE YOU AVOID THE DRUM & BASS MIX. =
RECOMMENDED.
ISOLEE - WE ARE MONSTER - PLAYHOUSE - 3xLP (PLAY115)
THE TRIPLE VINYL LP, HERE AT LAST. WITH EVERYONE FROM TREVOR JACKSON
TO EWAN PEARSON TO DJ KOZE TO LUCIANO TO DJ HELL TO LAURENT GARNIER
TIPPING THIS, YOU KNOW YOU'RE IN FOR SOMETHING PROBABLY FAR TOO
TRENDY FOR ITS OWN GOOD... SORRY, I MEANT HIGHLY DANCEABLE MINIMAL
TECH-HOUSE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, OF COURSE! COME ON, IT'S THE
NEW ISOLEE ALBUM ON PLAYHOUSE, WHAT MORE DO I NEED TO SAY?
MR VELCRO FASTENER - LUCKY BASTARDS LIVING UP NORTH - I220 - 2xLP =
(220016LP)
Solid dancefloor Electro cuts all round from the man they call
Mr Velcro Fastener. Came out a few years ago but, my word, it
still sounds remarkably fresh. I guess that's because Electro
doesn't really date. Purist, funky... wicked stuff. Check!
NATHAN FAKE - DINAMO - TRAUM - 12" (TRAUMV56)
TRAUM'S FIRST REALLY BIG RELEASE OF 2005 COMES FROM NATHAN FAKE...
AND IT'S AN ABSOLUTE KILLER. THREE TRACKS, EACH COMPLETELY =
INDIVIDUAL
THAT ARE GUARANTEED TO BE MASSIVE. THE MAIN TRACK IS AN EPIC PIECE
OF WORK THAT STARTS OFF WITH SND STYLE CLICKY SOUNDS AND RHYTHMS
BUT SOON BURSTS INTO A FRESH, MELODIC 4/4 TECHNO TRACK WITH =
BEAUTIFUL
PRODUCTION, LOVELY ARPEGGIOS AND A WICKEDLY HYPNOTIC KICK DRUM.
IT PROGRESSES FURTHER INTO A SQUELCHED OUT ACID LINE BUT KEEPS
IT ROLLING AND MUSICAL THROUGHOUT. STUNNING. THE FLIP HAS A PURE,
OLD SCHOOL ACID TRACK WHICH, FRANKLY, ROCKS, FOLLOWED BY A LUSH,
POPPY, TYPICALLY MELODIC TRAUM SHUFFLER. A BRILLIANT EP THAT COMES
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
SLEEPARCHIVE - RESEARCH EP - SLEEPARCHIVE - 12" (ZZZ03)
NOW, WE'RE NOT SURE WHETHER THIS IS A BOOTLEG OF OLD TRACKS OR
IF SOMEONE HAS COME UP WITH SOME STUNNING MINIMAL TECHNO THAT
PAYS HOMAGE TO LABELS LIKE DUM AND SAHKO. THREE TRACKS OF =
WONDERFULLY
STRIPPED DOWN AND PURIST TECHNO ON A CLEAR VINYL SLAB. HARKS BACK
TO THE ULTRA-MINIMAL SOUND OF THE MID '90'S AND DOES SO WITH A
GREAT DEAL OF STYLE, PANACHE AND DANCEFLOOR POTENTIAL. RECOMMENDED.
VARIOUS - IMMER NULL - KOMPAKT - 12" (KOM122)
With this release we are witnessing the birth of something new
and very, very special indeed. This 4 track ep sees the resurgance
of the ultra-minimal Profan / Kompakt Techno sound that they really
became famous for in the early days. This certainly has something
to do with Michael Mayer's exceptional 'Immer' mix CD, concept-wise
and if the first four cuts are anything to go by it's going to
be a very special series indeed. Michael himself, M:I:5, Reinhard
Voigt and Jurgen Paape all feature and the tracks, although you
proably already know some of them, are so powerful when put together
that it makes it an irresistable record. From dubbed-out, =
stripped-down
tech to the kind of edited, choppy, reverse-sample sound that
Wolfgang Voigt does so uniquely well. Deep and essential sounds.
Highly, highly recommended.
VARIOUS - ELEKTRONISCHE MUSIK - INTERKONTINENTAL 4 - TRAUM - 2xLP =
(TRAUMV59)
HUGELY IMPRESSIVE FOURTH INSTALLMENT OF THIS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED
SERIES THAT SEES THE LIKES OF OLIVER HACKE, PETER SCHUMANN, =
SWAT-SQUAD,
DOMINK EULBERG, JESSE SOMFAY, STEVE BARNES & RILEY REINHOLD, OFF
POP AND POPNEBO ALL DELIVERING SUPERBLY WICKED TECHNO TRACKS.
TAKE MY WORD FOR IT... THIS IS BRILLIANT STUFF AND COMES HIGHLY
RECOMMENDED.
New Releases (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro
DJ GODFATHER - WHOS THAT DJ - DATABASS - 12" (DB061)
4 super simple booty cuts, some 4/4, some electro. pure club action
that does the job.......
DJ GODFATHER - WHAT DOWN EP - JUKE TRAX - 12" (JK6)
4 super simple booty cuts, some 4/4, some electro. pure club action
that does the job.......
VARIOUS - PEOPLE MOVER - PEOPLE MOVER PRODUCTIONS - 12" (PMP4.2)
Leftfield house tracks from the likes of P20, A.Toth, R.Barrett
and C.Zyskowski. I ain't heard of any of them before but that
does not detract from the quality there in. Great and varied house
tracks that would be at home on Kompact, Minus or even Classic
(R.I.P.). Check!!!!
Restocks (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro
GERALD MITCHELL - BELLYDANCER / ZERMREN - MOTECH - 12" (MT008)
Produced by Gerald Mitchell, this 12" mixes Bollywood string =
melodies
with tough, detroit style house on side A, and electro/two-step
on side B. Rather like Mad Mike in Delhi. A bit like sugar & salt
to these ears so you'd best decide for yourself....
PLASTIKMAN - NOSTALGIK.2 - MINUS - 12" (MINUS-2)
Originally produced in 92/93, these lost gems are finally issued
on the marvellous Minus. Three tracks of genius, vintage Plastikman.
Love it, love it, love it.... and so will you!!!
New Releases (Vinyl): House
GHETTO LOVE - GHETTO LOVE VOL. 1 - UNKNOWN - 12" (ESSOARR)
Not one to be taken seriously, but a floor-filler in the right
environment. Straightforward-ish funky house with speeded-up =
female/soulful
vocals that falls just about on the right side of the line dividing
cheese from cred!=20
VARIOUS - THE KINGS OF HOUSE (PART B) - BBE/RAPSTER - 2xLP (RR0046LP)
The vinyl of MAW's tribute to house music royalty comes as a =
kid-fleecing,
two-part 8-track double-pack, Part B featuring KC Flightt, Rhythim
is Rhythim "It Is What It Is", Romanthony, Blunted Dummies, The
Endless Poker, Sterling Void "It's Alright" (a hit for the Pet
Shop Boys, of course), Masters Of Work (of course!) and Blaze.
=20
VARIOUS - THE KINGS OF HOUSE (PART A) - BBE/RAPSTER - 2xLP (RR0045LP)
The vinyl of MAW's tribute to house music royalty comes as a =
two-part,
kid-fleecing, 8-track double-pack, Part A featuring Mr Fingers
landmark instrumental version of "Can You Feel It", Jungle Wonz,
Anane & Mr V, Virgo 4, ESP, Teule, Louie Vega feat. Mr V (again)
and Joe Smooth. Worth it for the opener alone if you ain't already
got it on vinyl.=20
Restocks (Vinyl): House
HOWARD THOMAS - EXPERIMENT#1 - SOUND SIGNATURE - 12" (SS22)
An unusual collection of 4 tracks here. a mix of the modern detroit
house sound, early chicago and wobbly european techno =
eccenrtricities.
an odd release for sound signature which is a good thing. keps
us on our toes........
THEO PARRISH - CAPRITARIOUS #7 - SOUND SIGNATURE - 12" (SS23)
2 long spacey cuts with the cut on the flip's titl summing things
up, "out there". the a side is the one for me with its deep, =
melancholic
feel and infectious groove, so typical of the man. the flip is
along the same lines but not quite as deep. quality though, as
you would expect....
New Releases (Vinyl): Hip Hop
AZ & NAS - SERIOUS - FAST LIFE - 12" (FSLS138)
az & nas get all funky ober salaam remi using another incredible
bongo band classic (he produced the classic "made you look") using
the superb break on "last bongo in belgium". on he flip is hard
hitting street cut produced b y buckwild. rough and ready......
BIG SHUG / DJ PREMIER - DO YA / ON THE RECORD - SURE SHOT - 12" =
(SSR1026)
primo gives 2 standard but nice beats to the veteran shug to ride
here, taken from his forthcoming lp "whos hard?". just that =
traditional
old boom bap, i still love it!!!
DJ JS-1 - ROCK BREAKS VOL 2 - GROUND ORIGINAL - LP (JS004LP)
even more rock inspired beats for the dj to get creative with.
some great moments here, well worth a spin for the comedy value
alone!
PLANET ASIA - THE MEDICINE - BATTLE AXE - 12" (BAX2038)
planet rocks over an uninspiring evidence beat (what has happened
to dilateds off late?) the high point here though is the inclusion
of mobb deeps havoc. hard hitting rhymes, no doubt.....
VARIOUS - SBX EP - SOUNDTABLE - EP (BBP12001)
limited ep from the forthcoming dvd celebrating and reinacting
a battle between percee-p and lord finesse from back in 1992.
also features cuts from a.g., d-flow, party arty and more. super
raw, super limited & super good.=20
Restocks (Vinyl): Hip Hop
MURS & SLUG - FELT: A TRIBUTE TO CHRISTINA RICCI - RHYME SAYERS - LP =
(ACC001LP)
NOT ONLY DOES THE LOVELY CHRISTINA GET A MENTION, BUT SO DOES
RICK JAMES & (BY MEANS OF AN AFFECTIONATE PASTICHE OF TOM'S DINER)
SUZANNE VEGA! THESE GUYS HAVE AN UNUSUAL STYLE - WELL WORTH =
INVESTIGATING!
TOMMY EVANS - ME/YOU - YNR - 12" (YNR10)
GREAT PRODUCTION FROM HARRY LOVE HERE, HIS BEATS ARE SOUNDING
FAT AS..... ONE OF THE BEST UK 12" RECENTLY. HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!!!
New Releases (Vinyl): Guitar Based
BLACK WIDOW - S/T - AKARMA - LP (AK326LP)
hard bluesy rock with a progressive tinge here on this rare lp
reissued by akrama. if you like it with a bit of dirt, have a
listen to this.....
CHARLOTTEFIELD - HOW LONG ARE YOU STAYING - UNLABEL - LP (UN029LP)
Charlottefield follow-up their release on Fatcat with this album
/ mini-album that was released recently on CD on Jonson Family,
but comes atcha on Vinyl on the Unlabel. Angular, funky Indie
sounds with quality drumming (nice one Ash) and some great punky
moments as well as a bit of a thrashy influence at times. It's
great to hear some varied sounds and this one comes recommended.
Is that really the price, though (Cargo)?
COACHWHIPS - PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY LIVE AT THE GINGER MINGE - NARNACK =
- LP (NCK7024LP)
At last some vinyl on this veritable beast of an album. That title
certainly takes a lot of beating, as does the music - a riot of
white noise and pure, distorted garage rock that's akin to Lightning
Bolt beating up the White Stripes and even giving Billy Childish
a bit of a biff on the nose while they're at it, too. On the same
label that's currently supplying The Fall to America!=20
EGG - THE POLITE FORCE - DERAM - LP (SML1074)
Prog with a capitol P. and an R. and O. oh, and a G. super complex
music from the canterbury scene that you either love or hate.
although very tricky and complex, still humourous and warm. i
love it, maybe you will too??=20
LOCUST, THE - SAFETY SECOND, BODY LAST - RADIO SURGERY - 12" (RSR001)
Raucous, shouty, thrashy (and, yes, Mike, Thrungy) sounds abounds.
The CD of this was released recently on Ipecac, which should give
you some idea where it's coming from! The Locust are hard to listen
to at times but that gives them an edge in a weird sort of way.
On grey/multi-coloured vinyl, natch. Fierce! =20
MOTHER & THE ADDICTS - TAKE THE LOVERS HOME TONIGHT - CHEMIKAL =
UNDERGROUND - LP (CHEM078)
Curiouser and curiouser... this good-time post-punky outfit =
definitely
have a touch of the Franz Ferdinand Band about them, but have
added something altogether more off-the-wall to stamp their =
individual
mark on this borderline-tired sound. They actually really remind
me of the Super Furry Animals at times. Better than the artwork
might lead you to believe it is!=20
RICHARD HAWLEY - THE OCEAN - MUTE - 7" (MUTE347)
If you're not familiar with Richard Hawley, his first three albums
were released on Setanta, but now he's moved to Mute and it sounds
like there's a budget! Quite right, too - if there's any =
singer/songwriter
out there deserving of more commercial success it's him. His blend
of classic Roy Orbison-style crooning, sweeping romanticism and
beautiful songs is a joy to behold. The B-side is a downtempo
surf instrumental reminiscent of "Sleepwalk", however (although
that's lovely too).=20
UGLY CUSTARD - S/T - WAH WAH - LP (LPS026)
prized lp among beat diggers everywhere this. Driven, guitar and
organ dominated tracks that were also on the kpm library series.
the famous session guitarist alan parker being the driving force
behind the project. some great and very danceable moments here.
highly recommended.....
WHITE STRIPES, THE - MY DOORBELL - XL - 7" (XLS218)
Most sensible choice of second single from "Get Behind Me Satan
You Naughty Necromancer". An extremely catchy l'il ditty indeed
that's as infectious as "Blue Orchid" was rockin'! Coming atcha
on white marble-effect vinyl, and backed of "Same Boy You've Always
Known" live in Brazil, this is hard to resist at less than a quid.
=20
New Releases (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / Soul
BIGROUP, THE - S/T - WAH WAH - LP (WLP006)
Reissue of a horendously rare library lp that is popular with
the diggers and the rock freaks alike. originally on the peer
library label comes this super funky lp with the outstanding "heavy
lift" as well as some other great cuts and stonking breaks. =
recommended..
BRIAN AUGER & JULIE DRISCOLL - STREET NOISE - EARMARK - 2xLP (42051LP)
a stone cold classic here from the furious organ stylings of auger
and the amazing vocals of julie driscoll. blue eyed soul if there
ever was some here. the lp just oozes emotions from soft to hard.
features there legendary rendition of light my fire, which to
me is THE best version ever recorded, doors included!!! stunning
lp that comes highly recommended......
HARVEY MANDEL - CRISTO REDENTOR - N/A - LP (6336009)
Superb debut lp from the one time canned heat guitarist. a very
soulful affair this, and one thats popular with the hip hop =
producers,
most notably diamond D. the title track is a cover of a donald
byrd track, and there is also a great version of ramsey lewis's
wade in the water as well. highly recommended.....
KATZENJAMMERS, THE - CARS - RED HOOK - 7" (RH6)
this just proves what a crazy world we live in, and its all the
better for it. a jamaican steel band version of gary numans cars!
not much more to tell you really, you just have to have a listen!!
LEON MITCHISON - LOVE IS - SOUL CAL - 12" (SCR-105)
raw funky soul in the vein of the mighty ryders here. uplifting
and definetly one to play at the party. comes in vocal & inst
form. lovely track, have a listen...
MARTA ACUNA - DANCE DANCE DANCE - P & P - 12" (12666)
another fine repress from the extensive P&P catalog gets a welcome
reissue. uplifting inspiring disco with just the right amount
of brie to keep it from being to cheesey.comes in the shape of
2 versions, a disco & a dj. the kind of headnodding disco sound
that has helped shape the sound of some of the b etter house =
producers
of today. you know who i mean dont you......
MOHAWKS, THE - PEPSI - JJ - 7" (JJ02)
the best non lp cut that the mohawks did here. super tight drums
and percussion with that superb thumpin bass. great track, check
it out...
NEIL ARDLEY - KALEIDOSCOPE OF RAINBOWS - PURE PLEASURE - LP =
(GULLLP1018)
wonderful lp from the late lamented mr ardley. a concept peice
with some geat musicians involved here. Ian Carr, Geof Castle,
Tony Coe, Trevor Tomkins and many more. progy jazz with a healthy
sprinkling of funksoulrock added to the mix in that great british
tradition. Very limted pressing on double 180gm vinyl (the original
being a single vinyl pressing) not to be missed!!
NIAGARA - S.U.B. - UNITED ARTISTS - LP (US29343)
super rare lp by this german fusion band. a ton of super funky
breaks lace these great tracks. just 4 long cuts to get your teeth
into. a great lp, have a listen.....
RICKEY CALLOWAY - GET IT RIGHT - KAY-DEE - 7" (KD008)
kenny dope comes with this soulful slice of vocal funk from rickey.
all the ingredients are here. nice subtle horns, rolling drums
and scratchy guitars, have a listen.....
TUBBY HAYES - ON THE AIR - HARKIT - LP (HRKLP8156)
13 unreleased cuts from mr hayes here seeing him playing sax,
flute & vibes. no recorded dates in the liner notes but it sounds
like a late 60's session. features gordon beck on piano, jeff
clyne on bass and johnny butts on drums (oh matron!). highly =
recommended.......
TYRONE WASHINGTON - ROOTS - PERCEPTION - LP (PLP40)
Highly regarded, if somewhat erratic lp which has the well sampled
track "submission" used to great effect by show & ag as well as
K.R.S. One. great track that melodically & harmonicly abstract
but rhythmiclly funky as you like. recommended....
VARIOUS - BLOC PARTY EDITS - ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK - 2xLP =
(0094631174810)
Classic Disco from the likes of Patti Jo, George McCrae, Johnny
Harris, Wood Brass and Steel, Minnie Ripperton, Family Tree, Ray
Barretto and a few others... ...given the re-work / re-edit /
re-mix treatment from some of the current crop of Disco afficianados
including Zongamin, Tim "Love" Lee, Ashley Beedle / Phil Asher,
DJ Harvey, Black Science and a few others. Disco-tastic for 2005.
VARIOUS - SCHOOLHOUSE FUNK - CALITEX - LP (CT104LP)
second volume of fine, raw school band funk & jazz cuts from the
70's. chock full of raw horns, bad drums and plenty of groovability.
recommended!!
Restocks (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / Soul
101 STRINGS - ASTRO SOUNDS - LICORICE SOUL - LP (LSD006LP)
SPACED OUT EASY LISTENING THAT AT TIMES IS ANYTHING BUT. A =
GLORIOUSLY
KITSCH LP THAT USED ALL THE STUDIO TRICKS OF THE TIME THE LATE
60'STHAT IS) TO PRODUCE A CLASSIC LP. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED....
DONNA MCGHEE - MAKE IT LAST FOREVER - RED GREG - LP (RG1002)
SUPER SOULFUL DISCO SOUNDS HERE FROM 1978. UNBEATABLE FOR ME ON
THE CUTS "MAKE IT LAST FOREVER" & "IT AINT NO BIG THING". THE
STRINGS ON MAKE IT LAST FOREVER ARE SUPERB. MOODY AND YET UPLIFTING.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.....
MULATU OF ETHIOPIA - S/T - WORTHY - LP (W1020LP)
STUNNING ETHIOPIAN FUNKY JAZZ LP THAT IN ITS ORIGINAL FORM IS
A REAL RARITY. THINK OF A STRAT EAST RELEASE WITH A HINT OF AFRO
AND PLENTY OF FUNK ( LOTS OF SAMPLE POTENTIAL HERE!) HIGHLY =
RECOMMENDED....
SUNFOREST - S/T - HUGO-MONTES - CD (HMPCD015)
DUTCH ONLY REISSUE OF THIS VERY RARE AND SOUGHT AFTER TRIPPY FOLK
LP FROM THE UK. NOT ONLY SOUGHT BY FOLK COLLECTORS, BUT BY THE
BEAT HEADS AS WELL FOR THE AMAZING CUT MAGICIAN IN THE MOUNTAIN.
A SMOKEY, TRIPPY PSYCH-FOLK CUT WITH BIG BIG DRUMS!!! HIGHLY =
RECOMMENDED
!!!!
VARIOUS - SOUL 7 BOX SET - NOW-AGAIN - 7x7" BOX SET (TEG7000)
SUPERB BOX SET HERE OF 7 SUPER SOUGHT AFTER & EXPENSIVE FUNK 7"
P4RESSED WITH THIER ORIGINAL LABELS AND A SUPERB BOOKLET WITH
RARE AND UNSEEN PHOTOS AND INDEPTH ARTICLES ON THE BANDS, THE
LABELS, AND THE MUSIC. AS FOR THE TRACKS THERE ARE THE FOLLOWING
BANDS FEATURED: BILLY BALL & THE UPSETTERS, SOUL SEVEN, BOOKER
T. AVERHART, BAD MEDICINE, ERNIE & THE TOP NOTES, SOUL COMMANDERS,
SOUL VIBRATIONS. SOLID STUFF EH! HAVE A LISTEN.......
New Releases (Vinyl): Reggae / Dub
ALTON ELLIS - ANTHOLOGY 1965 - 1770 - EARMARK - 2xLP (EM304LP)
as the cover states "the godfather of lovers rock" gets a nice
little anthology on earmark of cuts from 1965 to 70. 38 cuts spread
across to slabs of vinyl. poor a wine, turn down the lights, put
on you bath robe, and get plastered. whilst listening to this
lp. anymore leisure tips please send a stamped addressed envolope
to the usual address......
MOHAWKS, THE - CHAMP - JJ - 7" (JJ01)
wickedly funky reggae version of the mohawks champ. with vocal
shouts laid with a really cheekyness to them this is a superb
alternate version of the hip hop classic. a must have.....
New Releases (CD): Electronica
AOKI TAKAMASA + TUJIKO NORIKO - 28 - FATCAT - CD (FATSP10)
After a plethora of superb releases on Progressive Form comes
this debut collaboration on Fatcat. Gently playful glitch melodies
rub shoulders with delicate Japanese vocals to beautiful effect
in this charming album of warm, electronic songs. Anyone that
enjoyed Aoki's previous albums, any of the recent Ryoondo-Tea
releases or anything on the Karaoke Kalk label will thoroughly
enjoy this without a shadow of a doubt.=20
FENTON (SHUTTLE358) - PUP - PLOP - CD (PLIP-3014)
Restock. 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.
FILFLA - FRAME - PLOP - CD (PLIP-3015)
45 minutes of sheer beauty from Keiichi Sugimoto (if my Japanese
reading abilities serve me correctly) of Minamo and Fourcolor
fame. Truly a delectable slice of intimate, introverted, =
guitar-based
electronic sounds with his trademark gentle manipulations shining
through. At once familiar - thanks to his sterling work for labels
such as 12k, Apestaartje and, of course, Plop - but defiantly
individualistic, Sugimoto imbues every track with warmth, depth
and the most subtle of melodic elements. Predominantly beatless
music which will sit very happily next to the equally wonderful
Fenton CD - the previous release on Plop - and forms yet another
reason for why this is easily one of my favourite labels, in Japan
or anywhere else. Absolutely sublime. Released in September 2005.
JASPER LEYLAND - BLACKDALE - STRAY DOG ARMY - CD (MZL002)
Mole Harness's Stray Dog Army label is only two releases in, but
judging by the output so far we could well be witnessing the =
beginning
of something special. Jasper Leyland provides an intriguing =
counterpoint
to Mole Harness's guitar work by concentrating more on a drone
style with looping, low-key sounds that convey a sense of melody
as well as an abstract feel. Similar to some of the work on 12k
and Raster Noton, but with a slightly less clinical quality to
it, it really gets going on the fourth track 'Copper' which rolls
in at an impressive 15 minutes long. Simply put this is to be
investigated by fans of minimalistic Electronica and comes to
you highly, highly recommended. Delightful.
MAPS & DIAGRAMS / VERBOSE - SPLIT - AWKWARD SILENCE - CD (AWKWARD19CD)
Tim Diagram and Cactus / Expanding labelmate Verbose deliver =
delicate
crunchy rhythms which underpin some wonderfully spacious layered
sounds that are dripping with melancholy. 6 tracks in all, 3 apiece.
I cant see this one taking to long to sell out as it's very limited
- not quite to the scale of the Cactus Island releases, but =
certainly
a quantity that'll mean you need to snap it up. Beautiful music,
it has to be said.
MARC HELLNER - ASLEEP ON THE WING - PEACEFROG - CD (PFG067CD)
This has been knocking around on promo for a while, and it's nice
to see Peacefrog pick it up and finally give it the attention
it deserves. Co-produced by Telefon Tel Aviv, this is a lush =
mini-album
of semi-shoegazing electronic pop that has a definite Ulrich =
Schnauss
and/or Khonnor feel about it, not to mention some of the Resonant
artists (to these ears, for example Blindfold or Port Royal).
Seriously mellow, definitely recommended.=20
NAUTILIS / UGA - SPLIT - AWKWARD SILENCE - CD (AWKWARD20CD)
Starting off as purely rhythm based Electronica and gradually
opening out into a beautiful track that still has some attitude
due to the afoementioned rhythm programming. There are some more
delicate moments on here, but fundamentally, this one is all about
the beats. A fabulous release in this new, limited, series from
the excellent Awkward Silence. Get it quick though!
PLIIANT - JUST LIKE IT SHOULD - AMPOULE - 2X3"CD (TALENT002)
Is this potentially better than the first Talent release? It's
difficult to say as they are both superb! Once again you get a
beautifully packaged double 3" CD from the lovely Ampoule people
and, once again, it'slimited to 100 copies only (so get in there
quick!). Pliiant deliver 8 wonderfully diverse slices of electronic
pleasure over the two CDs and the sheer amount of depth, variety
and beauty on offer is very gratifying. More straightforward,
possibly, than the first with more emphasis on the musical aspects,
you get deep production, lush strings and sounds and a super =
collection
of rhythms, both borken and crunchy. A brilliant, brilliant release
that you'd be advised not to miss!
PUB - LILTMOR - AMPOULE - CD (AMPCD02)
I'm absolutely stoked that this has finally arrived. I've been
waiting, if not with baited breath, then certainly a great deal
of anticipation for a new Pub release. A consistently brilliant
back catalogue for both his home label of Ampoule and, of course,
the very highly regarded Summer EPs on Vertical Form. 'Liltmor'
is yet another development of the Pub sound and works on many
levels to convey its sense of depth, majestic beauty and icy-cold
warmth (an oxymoron, to be sure!). At times it has a more =
traditional
'Electronica' feel with melodic passages and lush chord sequences.
That, however, is balanced out by some of his most distinguished
soundscape work to date. Refined drones and textures form the
basis of these tracks and they drift, ebb and flow with great
swathes of layers... minimal, though, and almost subliminal. Combine
these elements with some classic Pub dubbiness and reverb-heavy,
Chain Reaction-esque moments and you have something of a gem in
your hand (and, hopefully, CD player!). Albums like this don't
come along too often so I would seriously suggest you check it
out. Highly recommended. Released August 2005.
SOVACUSA - CENTREPOINT - EXPANDING - CD (ECD22:05)
This is an absolutely superb album. Co-produced by Tim Diagram
and Steve Broca, it could conceivably be one of my absolute =
favourite
albums on Expanding both looks-wise and musically speaking. Whilst
it's not exactly a revolution in terms of sound there's definitely
an evolution here and the combination of both artists together
is potent. Sound design is icy, fragile and generally beautiful
with the rhythm structures coming across as crunchy and intricate
without being overly fussy. Delectable music from beginning to
end and a huge recommendation for fans of both the label and the
style of Electronica. Brilliant.
UTILITY PLAYER - CONVULEX EP - REDNETIC - CD (RN005)
London's Rednetic label gets stuck in with its fifth release here
from Utility Player, who was previously seen on the Onepointone
compilation. You get a splendid 5 track EP of purist Electronica
sounds that are melodic, crunchy, friendly and easygoing. That's
most certainly not a criticism and fans of Toytronic etc will
lap this up (particularly at this price!). Look out for more from
the label and the artist as they're really building it up nicely
at the moment. A bargain and not to be missed.
VESSEL - RESIST - EXPANDING - CD (ECD21:05)
Vessel delves deep on this lovely album for the excellent expanding
label. It's quite feasibly the best work he's produced so far
and the wonderfully melodic and delicate sounds he has created
are truly luscious. While it remains very much an Expanding album,
it has a slightly darker feel to the textures, possibly, than
some of the earlier releases and the loving production really
makes it shine. Oceanic in its scope and wonderfully crunchy in
the beats department this is yet another absolute recommendation.
Superb.
WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION LOOPS - 2062 - CD (20620201)
How can you describe something that's so seemingly perfect and
dripping with atmosphere as the wonderful Disintegration Loops
series without resorting to endless superlatives? It's very, very
difficult, that's the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived
when Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works from
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself =
degraded
to a point where it became barely audible and the actual process
of the disintegration became the focal point for the CDs. A happy
accident indeed as these are some of the most atmospheric, deep
and hypnotic pieces of work that have ever been released, in my
opinion. They have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed
with Arvo Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a majestic,
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and devastation
(as documented in Basinski's liner notes regarding September 11th
2001). Wonderful, stunning, awesome... simply something that =
everyone
should check out and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.
I'm giving all four the same review simply because they are all
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.
WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION LOOPS II - 2062 - CD (20620202)
How can you describe something that's so seemingly perfect and
dripping with atmosphere as the wonderful Disintegration Loops
series without resorting to endless superlatives? It's very, very
difficult, that's the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived
when Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works from
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself =
degraded
to a point where it became barely audible and the actual process
of the disintegration became the focal point for the CDs. A happy
accident indeed as these are some of the most atmospheric, deep
and hypnotic pieces of work that have ever been released, in my
opinion. They have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed
with Arvo Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a majestic,
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and devastation
(as documented in Basinski's liner notes regarding September 11th
2001). Wonderful, stunning, awesome... simply something that =
everyone
should check out and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.
I'm giving all four the same review simply because they are all
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.
WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION LOOPS III - 2062 - CD (20620304)
How can you describe something that's so seemingly perfect and
dripping with atmosphere as the wonderful Disintegration Loops
series without resorting to endless superlatives? It's very, very
difficult, that's the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived
when Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works from
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself =
degraded
to a point where it became barely audible and the actual process
of the disintegration became the focal point for the CDs. A happy
accident indeed as these are some of the most atmospheric, deep
and hypnotic pieces of work that have ever been released, in my
opinion. They have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed
with Arvo Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a majestic,
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and devastation
(as documented in Basinski's liner notes regarding September 11th
2001). Wonderful, stunning, awesome... simply something that =
everyone
should check out and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.
I'm giving all four the same review simply because they are all
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.
WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION LOOPS IV - 2062 - CD (20620305)
How can you describe something that's so seemingly perfect and
dripping with atmosphere as the wonderful Disintegration Loops
series without resorting to endless superlatives? It's very, very
difficult, that's the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived
when Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works from
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself =
degraded
to a point where it became barely audible and the actual process
of the disintegration became the focal point for the CDs. A happy
accident indeed as these are some of the most atmospheric, deep
and hypnotic pieces of work that have ever been released, in my
opinion. They have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed
with Arvo Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a majestic,
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and devastation
(as documented in Basinski's liner notes regarding September 11th
2001). Wonderful, stunning, awesome... simply something that =
everyone
should check out and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.
I'm giving all four the same review simply because they are all
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.
Restocks (CD): Electronica
BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE - SUNSET MISSION - WONDER - CD (WON01CD)
This awe-inspiring debut (at least, to my knowledge) from the
wonderfully named Bohren And Der Club Of Gore (dating from 2000)
finally gets a much needed repress. If you've never heard this
deep, ambient blend of sax and Noir-esque atmospherics , you need
to. The only suitable comparison I've ever been able to think
of is the dreamy incidental music to Twin Peaks. Other than that,
their sound is completely unique. A must for anyone's collection.
CHAP, THE - HAM - LO - CD (LCD44)
WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF GLITCH ART-POP - YOUR HOSTS, THE CHAP
(OR CHAPS). GETTING GLOWING REVIEWS ALL OVER THE PLACE, THIS MUTANT
SPACE-AGE HYBRID KINDA SOUNDS LIKE A GRAND COCKTAIL OF LCD =
SOUNDSYSTEM,
TALKING HEADS, SOFT PINK TRUTH, THE BOOKS, T-REX, KEVIN BLECHDOM,
BRIAN ENO AND UNDERWORLD WITH ICE AND LEMON. YES, IT'S DIVERSE,
YES, IT'S CURRENTLY DEMANDING YOUR ATTENTION. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
DIGITONAL - 23 THINGS FALL APART - TOYTRONIC - CD (TOY13CD)
MAJESTIC STUFF FROM TOYTRONIC. A SEVEN TRACK ALBUM. THESE GUYS
HAVE A UNIQUE SOUND THANKS TO THEIR VIOLIN PLAYER. TAKING A FAIRLY
STRAIGHTFORWARD APPROACH TO THE ELECTRONIC SOUNDS, THERE IS ACRES
OF MELODY, CUTESY BEATS AND PROGRAMMING. THAT VIOLIN THOUGH! MY
WORD, IT'S ATMOSPHERIC AND USING DIGITAL PROCESSING, IT DELIVERS
AN INCREDIBLE RANGE OF WARM, BEAUTIFUL AND CHALLENGING SOUNDS.
BRILLIANT AND HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
HAROLD BUDD / ERALDO BERNOCCHI - MUSIC FOR 'FRAGMENTS FROM THE INSIDE' =
- SUB ROSA - CD (SR239)
Anything to do with Harold Budd bears listening to as he's an
incredibly influential musician. This is simply divine and conjures
up a really filmic, soundtrack feel throughout with some delectable
pianos and well thought out beats and downbeat moments. Sounds
a little bit like Murcof at times, which I guess is ironic as
we should really be saying exactly the opposite! Stunning stuff
that comes highly recommended.
KUCHEN - KIDS WITH STICKS - KARAOKE KALK - CD (KKCD10)
SEVEN TRACK LP FROM KARAOKE. DELIGHTFUL AS ALWAYS, CONCENTRATING
AS IT DOES ON GENTLE MELODIES AND SIMPLE RHYTHMS. ONE FOR CHILLING
OUT TO I RECKON.
MANITOBA - UP IN FLAMES - LEAF - CD (BAY26CD)
I STILL CAN'T REALLY GET MY HEAD ROUND THIS ALBUM FROM MANITOBA.
IT STARTS SOUNDING LIKE AN INDIE BAND FROM THE LATE EIGHTIES.
IT THEN MOVES THROUGH FOLK, ROCK, SNIPPETS OF JAZZ, BREAK BEAT,
THEN WE SEEM TO GO BACK TO THE POPPY END OF THE HIPPIFIED SEVENTIES,
AND OVER, UNDER AND THROUGH MUCH OF IT IS PLENTY OF ELECTRONIC
MANIPULATION / SHINANIGANS... YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN? LOTS OF =
GUITARS,
LOTS OF SAMPLES, LOTS OF VOCALS. IF SOMEONE HAD PLAYED THIS TO
ME AND SAID IT WAS MANITOBA, I WOULD HAVE SAID "SURELY YOU MUST
BE MISTAKEN!". BRAVE MAN MR MANITOBA, AND VERY TALENTED TOO.
AN ODDITY, BUT A RATHER FINE ONE!
MARC LECLAIR - MUSIQUE POUR 3 FEMMES ENCEINTES - MUTEK - CD =
(MTK_FAB04)
Perhaps better known as Akufen, Mr. Marc Leclair has produced
a really beautiful album of gentle electronic music. Get rid of
your preconceptions about his style of cut-up, freaked-out House
and Techno and be prepared to be lulled by an intimate set of
gentle, lush and very tuneful downbeat Electronica. Still has
the trademark clicks, pops and wonderfully intricate programming,
but it's centered around a more listening listening theme with
dense textures and overlapping layers. Put simply, this is an
album that fans of 12k and the classic Mille Plateaux release
(think Shuttle358 mixed with Electric Birds) are going to absolutely
adore. DO... NOT... MISS!!
MONOLAKE - POLYGON_CITIES - MONOLAKE - CD (ML015)
It's that time again ladies and gentlemen. I always get excited
about anything new from Monolake and this is no exception. I was
interested to see what it would sound like now that Robert Henke
has a new collaborator in the form of T++. It's still definitely
a Monolake CD, but it has this extra edge which really =
differentiates
it from the earlier releases. A less crunchy sound, I would say,
but it comes across as a more melodic piece of work. All the =
hallmarks
are still there... the dense layers of sound, the incredible =
attention
to detail on the rhythms and the spooky, atmospheric overall design.
It just has a, dare I say it, slightly fresher feel. Stunning,
brilliant, awesome... everything you'd expect from this unique
artist. Essential.
MONOLAKE - MOMENTUM - MONOLAKE - CD (ML011CD /10961-2)
I'm sure Monolake won't need a huge introduction to Smallfish
customers, so I shall simply cut to the chase. This is a fabulous
album that takes his unique Electronica sound and develops it
into an even darker, more rhythmic style without losing any of
the stunning atmosphere we've come to expect. Frankly, this is
brilliant and your collection won't be complete without a copy.
A truly essential purchase.
OPIATE - SOMETIMES - MORR MUSIC - CD (MORR035CD)
MORR MUSIC ARE INCREASINGLY SCHIZOPHRENIC - A LABEL OF TWO SIDES
- ELECTRONICS AND GUITARS. THIS FALLS INTO THE FIRST CAMP - AND
IS EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD. OPIATE WHO FIRST REALLY CAME INTO VIEW
ON HIS OWN HOBBY INDUSTRIES LABEL (A NAME THAT MANY OTHER LABELS
WOULD DO WELL TO THINK ABOUT...) WITH A MIXTURE OF INTRICATE RHYTHMS
AND SWEET MELODIES WITH ENOUGH TEXTURAL BACKDROP TO EXCITE EVEN
THE MOST STAID OF ELECTRONIC LISTENERS (THAT'S ME!). THIS DOES
THE JOB TOO - ELECTRONIC MUSIC THAT MANAGES TO KEEP A FINE BALANCE
BETWEEN INTROVERSION, COMPLEXITY AND GOOD OLD FASHION EMOTION.
IN CASE YOU HADN'T WORKED IT OUT, THIS COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
SK/UM - I PAGU FALLSINS - RESONANT - CD (RESCD004)
ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE FROM RESONANT RECORDS WHO HAVE A SUPERB
TRACK RECORD THUS FAR. THIS'LL ONLY ENHANCE THEIR REPUTATION AS
IT'S A FINE, FINE ALBUM OF ICELANDIC ELECTRONICA THAT KIND OF
HAS A LITTLE BIT OF A MUM-ISH / MORR MUSIC SOUND, BUT MAYBE, JUST
MAYBE, IT'S A SLIGHTLY MORE BEEFY SOUND EVEN THOUGH IT'S INCREDIBLY
DELICATE AND MELODIC. A TRULY BEAUTIFUL PIECE.
VLADISLAV DELAY - DEMO (N) TRACKS - HUUME - CD (HUUMECD01 / MDM20512)
Long-awaited album project from Vladislav Delay. I thought he
would just do Luomo material from now on, such is the success
of that project. Thankfully this is a whole world away from Luomo
with deep, Chain Reaction-style textures, icy cold stabs and sounds
and minimalistic rhythm structures. The sounds penetrate your
mind and carry you away on a journey that's full of intricate
dicovery A wonderful piece of work that's highly recommended.
New Releases (CD): Techno / Electro
PRINZ EZO - INSIDE BUDDY - TECH-NOLOGY - CD (T001CD)
Companion CD to the double vinyl LP 'Body Offset', Prinz Ezo (AKA
Bjorn Svin) brings together stark electronica soundscapes with
superb electronic house tracks that surf the line between techno
and house remarkably well. Think Isolee meets early Telefon Tel
Aviv and your halfway there. Check!!
VARIOUS - TOTAL 6 - KOMPAKT - CD (KOMCD42)
Kompakt. Purveyors of quality throughout their back catalogue
and increasingly essential thanks to a diverse range of Techno,
Electro and House releases. This sixth Total compilation is =
absolutely
on the money and features a broad and very comprehensive collection
of tracks that have been released recently and even includes a
few unreleased tracks for good measure. Tracks from DJ Koze, =
Tocotronic,
Michael Mayer, Ferenc, Heib, Mikkel Metal, Justus Kohncke, Jurgen
Paape, Reinhard Voigt, Rex The Dog, Thomas Fehlmann and many,
many more exude class from beginning to end making this yet another
indespensible release from our favourite Cologne label. Top stuff.
Restocks (CD): Techno / Electro
ISOLEE - WE ARE MONSTER - PLAYHOUSE - CD (PLAYCD015)
WITH EVERYONE FROM TREVOR JACKSON TO EWAN PEARSON TO DJ KOZE TO
LUCIANO TO DJ HELL TO LAURENT GARNIER TIPPING THIS, YOU KNOW YOU'RE
IN FOR SOMETHING PROBABLY FAR TOO TRENDY FOR ITS OWN GOOD... SORRY,
I MEANT HIGHLY DANCEABLE MINIMAL TECH-HOUSE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER,
OF COURSE! COME ON, IT'S THE NEW ISOLEE ALBUM ON PLAYHOUSE, WHAT
MORE DO I NEED TO SAY?
New Releases (CD): US Techno / Electro
SERVICES - YOUR DESIRE IS MY BUSINESS - A TOUCH OF CLASS (US) - CD =
(ATOC90042)
A particularly brutish and brash take on twisted electro pop.
Imagine Scissor Sisters crossed with T.Raumschmiere with a bit
of Peaches thrown in for bad measure... even then you could rough
things up a bit more. Stop shouting! I can't!=20
New Releases (CD): House
VARIOUS - THE KINGS OF HOUSE - BBE/RAPSTER - 2xCD (RR0045CD)
Compiled and mixed by Masters At Work, Kenny Dope and Louie Vega
go head-to-head with a disc each of their all-time fave tunes.
Mr Fingers, Sterling Void, Reese & Santonio, Blake Baxter, ESP,
Tyree, Rhythim is Rhythim, Robert Owens, Kerri Chandler, Frankie
Knuckles and a whole bunch of others (not to mention MAW, naturally)
all make appearances.=20
New Releases (CD): Hip Hop
VARIOUS - KEEPINTIME: A LIVE RECORDING - NINJA TUNE - CD + DVD =
(ZENCD111)
In this unique CD+DVD package (featuring the likes of Roy Porter,
Earl Palmer, J Rocc, Cut Chemist, Madlib, Nu-Mark, Ammoncontact,
DJ Shadow, King Britt, Daedelus and many more), a host of today's
DJ's jam with some of the world's most respected session drummers.
A fascinating film plus live recording, remixes, premixes, =
additional
shorts, commentaries, you name it. As much homage and tribute
as it is a celebration - a very nicely put together package indeed.
=20
New Releases (CD): Eclectic Beats
MASSIVE ATTACK - UNLEASHED OST - VIRGIN - CD (CDV3006)
Mean and moody soundtrack to this Rogue Pictures movie written
by Luc Besson and starring Morgan Freeman and Bob Hoskins. Includes
a special guest appearance from the RZA.=20
New Releases (CD): Guitar Based
ELECTROSERGE - TO THOSE I HOLD DEAR - NORMOTON - CD (NORMOTON15)
Now these really are graduates from the Notwist / Lali Puna /
Morr school of electronic guitar pop. This being barely into Sunday
afternoon, i'm having trouble finding less obvious comparisons
(ooh, maybe the Radio Dept in non-shoegazing mode, there's one!)
suffice to say this is cute, lo-fi, warm, charming, mellow and
worth checking.=20
JOSE GONZALEZ - STAY IN THE SHADE EP - AGENDA - CD (PFG069CD)
This 5-track EP is a must for anyone that contributed towards
"Veneer" being one of our best selling albums of the year. "Stay
In The Shade" is (i believe) a slightly different version from
that on the CD, "Down The Hillside" a simply beautiful, =
comparitively
lively number, but i dare say his amazingly heartfelt take on
Kylie's "Hand On Your Heart" will be the track that draws all
the attention here. The set closes with a stunning instrumental.
If this guy isn't huge within a year (i mean, compare Jose to
James Blunt!?!?), i give up.=20
MOTHER & THE ADDICTS - TAKE THE LOVERS HOME TONIGHT - CHEMIKAL =
UNDERGROUND - CD (CHEM078CD)
Curiouser and curiouser... this good-time post-punky outfit =
definitely
have a touch of the Franz Ferdinand Band about them, but have
added something altogether more off-the-wall to stamp their =
individual
mark on this borderline-tired sound. They actually really remind
me of the Super Furry Animals at times. Better than the artwork
might lead you to believe it is!=20
PICASTRO - METAL CARES - MONOTREME - CD (MONO13CD)
Gorgeous late night music. If you like Low, Rachels, early Will
Oldham, Songs: Ohia etc, give this a whirl. Some wonderfully =
intimate
string arrangements set the Slint-esque brooding backing and moody
female vocals off to a tee. Imagine a drowsy, medicated Scout
Niblett backed by Cul De Sac. Very nice (except for Ms Niblett,
who'd rather sleep).=20
SMOKE FAIRIES - STRANGE THE THINGS - CONCENTRATED PEOPLE - CD =
(CP002CD)
I believe the name of this outfit stems from some kind of imagery
detailing the silhouette of figures on a misty highway - hence,
Smoke Fairies. Smoky is an apt description of the music on offer
anyway - gutsy folky blues courtesy of a female duo that fall
somewhere between Michelle Shocked, KT Tunstall, Stevie Nicks
and Cocorosie - the image of a slightly dubious roadside diner
full of 10 gallon hats immediately springs to mind. A great debut
from a band that really could go far. Recommended.=20
YELLOW 6 - MELT INSIDE - MAKE MINE MUSIC - CD (MMM015CD)
The ultra-chilled world of Yellow 6. This isn't as densely layered
as some of his/their previous releases, and has vocals this time,
so check it out first. Ambient post-rock a la Fuxa, Transient
Waves, Windy & Carl at the Big Chill.=20
Restocks (CD): Guitar Based
BOOKS, THE - LOST AND SAFE - TOMLAB - CD (TOM50CD)
AN ALBUM THAT IS QUITE POSSIBLY DESTINED FOR BIG THINGS. AFTER
TWO SUPERB, YET LOW-KEY ALBUMS ALREADY UNDER THEIR BELT, THE BOOKS
THIRD LONGPLAYER CARRIES ON IN A VERY SIMILAR VEIN... WHICH IS
GREAT NEWS AS THEY HAVE A DELICIOUS SOUND THAT'S FULL OF PERSONALITY
AND WARMTH. MIXING FOLK, BLUES AND ELECTRONICA TO VERY FINE EFFECT
YOU END UP WITH AN ALBUM THAT YOU'LL WARM TO IN NO TIME AND CONTINUE
ENJOYING LONG AFTER THE LATEST GRIME RECORD HAS BEEN CONSIGNED
TO THE DUSTBIN. IN SHORT THIS IS A WONDERFULLY PUT TOGETHER ALBUM
OF WARM AND SOULFUL MUSIC TO GENTLY SOOTHE AWAY YOUR UNHAPPINESS.
EXPECT THE BROADSHEETS TO BE ALL OVER THIS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.
GANG GANG DANCE - GOD'S MONEY - THE SOCIAL REGISTRY - CD (TSR019CD)
STARTING OFF SOUNDING LIKE A CROSS BETWEEN SOMETHING ON PAW TRACKS
AND KITCHEN MOTORS - THE WORDS ODD AND BIZARRE SPRING TO MIND.
CHILD-LIKE VOCALS MEET VARIOUSLY ABSTRACT AND THEN DRAMIC SOUNDS
IN SOMETHING THAT SOUNDS AS MUCH LIKE SOUND THEATRE AS AN ACTUAL
ALBUM. PROPER EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC FROM THIS UNDER RATED OUTFIT.
SLEATER-KINNEY - THE WOODS - SUB POP - CD (SPCD670)
Phenomenal new album from Sleater-Kinney that kicks a huge amount
of arse, combining incredibly visceral, raw production, amazing
songs and tremendously passionate delivery. Without any question
THE rock record of the year, and easily one of the key releases
of 2005. An absolutely, completely and utterly mindblowing album
that you cannot afford to live without (and that's an =
understatement).
=20
STAFRAENN HAKON - I ASTANDI RJUPUNNAR - RESONANT - CD (RESCD006)
THIS ICELANDIC ARTISTS' SECOND ALBUM IS IN ACTUAL FACT HIS FIRST,
HAVING BEEN RECORDED BEFORE "SKVETTIR EDIK A REF", AND WITH THAT
BEING ONE OF MY FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF LAST YEAR, YOU CAN IMAGINE
HOW KEEN I WAS TO HEAR THIS. OVERALL THE MOOD IS MORE RELAXED
AND SOUNDSCAPE-Y THAN ITS EVENTUAL PREDECESSOR, BUT HIS BRILLIANT
USE OF GENTLY LAYERED GUITARS AND EMOTIVE MELODY LINES IS THERE
FROM THE START. RESONANT CONTINUE TO BE A FORCE TO BE RECKONED
WITH, BUT WITH RECORDING DUE TO START VERY SOON ON ANOTHER NEW
HAKON ALBUM, IT CAN ONLY BE A MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ARTIST
GOES STELLAR. ESSENTIAL.
TRISTEZA - ESPUMA - GRAVITY - CD (GRAVITY42CD)
BEAUTIFUL MELANCHOLIC ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC SOUNDSCAPES ON THIS 7 TRACK
CD. GUITARS INTERWOVEN WITH LUSH STRINGSOUNDS AND SOME WONDERFUL
REPETITIVE RIFFS FROM THE RHYTHM SECTION. HIGH CLASS STUFF THIS.
IF YOU ARE INTO FONN, THE WORKHOUSE, CAN OR JUST GENERALLY LIGHT,
UPLIFTING INSTRUMENTAL GUITAR STUFF THEN THIS IS FOR YOU. =
RECOMMENDED...
New Releases (CD): Funk / Jazz / Soul
VARIOUS - SCHOOLHOUSE FUNK 2 - CALITEX - CD (CT104CD)
second volume of fine, raw school band funk & jazz cuts from the
70's. chock full of raw horns, bad drums and plenty of =
groovability.snap
this up quick as the first volume came and went in flash about
3 or 4 years ago! recommended.....
VARIOUS - LAGOS CHOP UP - HONEST JONS - CD (HJRCD15)
The bulk of the music here is known as "Highlife", a pan-ethnic
style of dance music native to Anglophone West Africa, and i believe
dates from the seventies and eighties. Your best bet for a fuller
flavour is to a) give this a listen, and b) read the extensive,
extremely well-researched sleevenotes like wot i just did (well,
about a paragraph of it anyway). Honest Jons unearth another fine
selection of lost world gems (basically).
VARIOUS - LAGOS ALL ROUTES - HONEST JONS - CD (HJRCD17)
The bulk of the music here is known as "Highlife", a pan-ethnic
style of dance music native to Anglophone West Africa, and i believe
dates from the seventies and eighties. Your best bet for a fuller
flavour is to a) give this a listen, and b) read the extensive,
extremely well-researched sleevenotes like wot i just did (well,
about a paragraph of it anyway). Honest Jons unearth another fine
selection of lost world gems (basically).
WANDA ROBINSON - ME & A FRIEND - BREATHLESS - CD (52018CD)
Wonderful cd of concious, soulful poetry with background music
supplied by julius brockington and his band. Funky, jazzy and
thought provoking, what more could you ask for!
New Releases (CD): Reggae / Dub
VARIOUS - SOUND OF THE SHEBEEN VOLUME TWO - EMI - CD (CDFL2038)
Nice selection of Reggae from many of the big names: Hoarace Andy,
Linval Thompson, King Tubby, U Roy, Dennis Brown, The Abyssinians,
I Roy, Tapper Zuke and others. Not really convinced you'd hear
this in an actual Shebeen, but you might hear it in a bar in Soho
called Shebeen, if you know what I mean. Whatever, this is a
good selection of Roots and Dub.
New Releases (CD): Experimental
NURSE WITH WOUND - ECHO POEME: SEQUENCE NO. 2 - UNITED JNANA - CD =
(UJ2005CD)
You never know where you are with NWW which is probably their
raison d'etre... this starts off sounding very Dead Can Dance...
and then carries on in that vein... spooky chanting and soft female
vocals... over one track that lasts for 50 minutes (well, that's
what happens for the first 15 minutes anyway, i got other =
descriptions
to write!).=20
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<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2><STRONG><U>Smallfish Mailout=20
24/08/05</U></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Welcome, welcome, welcome to another =
Smallfish=20
release mailout. Sorry there wasn't one last week but due to a lack of =
staff it=20
just wasn't possible. However, here are the goods for this =
week!</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>William Basinski - =
Disintegration Loops=20
I - IV</U></STRONG></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Couple of weeks late on these which is =
a shame,=20
but we now have all four volumes of Basinski's landmark series in stock =
at the=20
price of =A316.99 each. Pricey? Not really when you consider just how =
utterly=20
stunning these releases are. I'll quote the review from the website:=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>'How can you describe something that's =
so=20
seemingly perfect and dripping with atmosphere as the wonderful =
Disintegration=20
Loops series without resorting to endless superlatives? It's very, very=20
difficult, that's the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived when =
Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works from 1982. He =
discovered=20
that as he recorded them the tape itself degraded to a point where it =
became=20
barely audible and the actual process of the disintegration became the =
focal=20
point for the CDs. A happy accident indeed as these are some of the most =
atmospheric, deep and hypnotic pieces of work that have ever been =
released, in=20
my opinion. They have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed with =
Arvo Part)=20
and a dense, drone sound that lends them a majestic, beautiful quality =
whilst=20
symbolising utter decay and devastation (as documented in Basinski's =
liner notes=20
regarding September 11th 2001). Wonderful, stunning, awesome... simply =
something=20
that everyone should check out and most people should own. DO NOT=20
MISS!'</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>What it boils down to is this: They =
are incredible=20
through and through and anyone with a remote interest in soundscape / =
textural=20
Electronica should immediately seek these out and get stuck in... trust =
me,=20
they're amazing!</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>Pub and Pliiant=20
releases</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Sadly we have run out of the first =
Talent release=20
by Pliiant and due to the extremly limited quantities involved we won't =
be able=20
to get any more now. Sorry for any disappointment there. However, we do =
have a=20
very limited quantity of the second Talent release, also by Pliiant, =
called=20
'Just Like It Should'. Again, we have a very, very samll quantity of =
these as=20
well so it'll be fastest-finger-first I'm afraid. Don't miss out and get =
in=20
there quick!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Pub's delightful 'Liltmor' will be =
back in stock=20
by Friday (hopefully) so anyone seeking out a copy of this long awaited =
release=20
should check back then.</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>Fenton - Back in =
stock + Filfla -=20
In stock</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Dan Abrams aka Shuttle358's wonderful =
Fenton CD=20
has just come back into stock so I 'd recommend that if you haven't yet =
checked=20
this sublime release out that you do so immediately.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Leading neatly on from that is the =
equally superb=20
new Plop release, 'Frame' by Filfla (aka Keiichi Sugimoto aka Minamo aka =
Fourcolor aka Fonica), is in stock and ready for your listening =
pleasure. Deep,=20
organic electronics that are easily up there with his other output and =
should=20
see you happily through </FONT><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>the =
miserable,=20
rainy nonsense that we have to call Summer in the UK. Truly=20
delightful.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>You can read a longer review of this =
and a few=20
other bits and bobs on the new Blog 'Remote_ Thoughts' that's been =
started up by=20
one of the Smallfish crew (guess which one!). Check it here: <A=20
href=3D"http://remote-silvergun.blogspot.com/">http://remote-silvergun.bl=
ogspot.com/</A></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>3 No Fillings - Ant Booty - =
Postscript=20
- 7"</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Another Smallfish related release this =
week.=20
Related and somewhat belated! We've been waiting for this to drop for a =
couple=20
of years or so and it's a pleasure to finally to have it in! 3 No =
Fillings=20
is Galia Durant, of Psapp, and Tom Middleton, so you'd be forgiven for =
thinking=20
that it's an odd mixture! Quite the contrary though... It's a fun =
fuelled slice=20
of quirky and very energetic Electronica with an almost pre-Grime feel =
(in a=20
good way, you understand!) Phat, shuffling and perky, it's complemented =
by a=20
superb remix of Matt Elliot (aka Third Eye Foundation) on the B-side. A =
wicked=20
littel release and abit of a bargain to boot! Get in there!</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>New Expanding=20
releases</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Expanding get busy with 2 new releases =
this week.=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2><STRONG>Sovacusa - =
Centrepoint</STRONG>: Sovacusa=20
is Tim Diagram and Steve Broca working together and, by gum, they've =
come up=20
with a beautiful album. Deep, melodic and icy Electronica with a Maps +=20
Diagrams-ish feel, but, possibly, an even greater degree of structural=20
excellence. A deeply satisfying release.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2><STRONG>Vessel - =
Resist</STRONG>: The highly=20
regarded Vessel delivers another lovely piece of work for Expanding in =
the shape=20
of this atmospheric and beautiful Electronica album. Crucnhy rhythms, =
lush=20
melodies and chord structures... everything you could possibly want or =
expect=20
from the combination of artist and label. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Both highly recommended =
albums.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Autechre / Hafler Trio - =
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>Yes, we have a few copies of this =
superb=20
collaboration back in stock, so if you missed out on it before, make =
sure you=20
check it out now.</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>And=20
Finally...</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DTahoma =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Steve's back. Yes, jolly old Mr Stas =
has wound his=20
weary way back to Smallfish and I've got to say it's fantastic to have =
him back.=20
Any Funk and Hip Hop related questions should be related to him from now =
on (as=20
well as queries regarding cakes and old episodes of Doctor Who!). =
Seriously good=20
to have the big fella around again I'm sure everyone will =
agree!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>So that's that. Sorry it's a bit long! =
Hopefully=20
you'll find something of interest in there.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DTahoma size=3D2>Take good care and don't get =
wet!</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=3DArial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): Electronica</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> 3 NO FILLINGS - ANT BOOTY - POSTSCRIPT - =
7"=20
(PS001)<BR> Two years plus in the pipeline but (I'm =
relieved=20
to say) finally<BR> set free! "Ant Booty" is a =
collaboration=20
between the lovely Galia<BR> Durant of Psapp and the=20
ever-lovable Tom Middleton, but quite<BR> frankly it =
doesn't=20
sound like anything either of them have ever<BR> done. =
Considering this track pre-dates the whole Grime =
movement,<BR> =20
it's amazing how well it fits into that scene, although it's=20
a<BR> lot more quirky, energetic, eclectic and =
interesting=20
than that<BR> might suggest - in short, it shuflles =
along like=20
an army of ants<BR> marching out to battle (kinda =
hence the=20
title)! Flip over for<BR> a rather different approach =
taken by=20
Matt Elliott (the artist<BR> formerly known as Third =
Eye=20
Foundation). Nowhere near as dark<BR> and intense as =
his usual=20
output, this warm, melancholic remix<BR> is more =
reminiscent=20
of the likes of Isan (although there are hints<BR> of =
Matt's=20
trademark sound). A rather furtive release that's =
strictly<BR> =20
limited to 500 copies worldwide (hence the brown paper bag),=20
this<BR> is exclusive to Smallfish for a few weeks =
before any=20
remaining<BR> copies get flogged to all and sundry=20
(hopefully), so you lucky<BR> Fish customers get first =
dibs,=20
as it were. It sounds phat as ph*ck<BR> for a 7" too. =
A killer=20
piece of work all round, highly recommended,<BR> a =
sure fire=20
collectable, won't be around forever blah blah =
blah.<BR> I'm=20
off now for a week and want to see lots of copies of =
this<BR> =20
sold by the time I get back - ok?! Consider yourselves told!=20
I<BR> love you all. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> JACKSON & HIS COMPUTER BAND - ROCK ON =
- WARP -=20
12" (WAP194)<BR> I think this is a licensed, =
France-only 12",=20
hence the higher<BR> than usual price. It's a massive =
track,=20
though - imagine Daft<BR> Punk meets Vitalic meets the =
cutting-up skills and beat-driven<BR> brutality of =
Aphex in a=20
bad mood and you're getting there. In<BR> theory, this =
should=20
be a b*tch to dance to, but just you try keeping<BR> =
still -=20
it's an absolute beast. Highly infectious to boot =
(with<BR> =20
that disco vocal sample) this is one of the tracks of the=20
summer<BR> so far for me. Wicked. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> RESEARCH, THE - I LOVE YOU, BUT... - AT =
LARGE - 7"=20
(FUG008)<BR> Produced by Tortoise's John McEntire, try =
getting=20
the chorus to<BR> this one out of your head!=20
Cute-but-not-too-cute electronic pop<BR> that's a bit =
Notwist=20
/ Morr Music without the syrup. Those close<BR> =
harmony vocals=20
suggest easy listening but the lyrics certainly<BR> =
don't. I=20
have to say i didn't know what to expect from this =
but<BR> =20
it's ended up being one of the best new records i've heard=20
all<BR> month - get in there. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SOVACUSA - CENTREPOINT - EXPANDING - LP=20
(EVA14:05)<BR> This is an absolutely superb album. =
Co-produced=20
by Tim Diagram<BR> and Steve Broca, it could =
conceivably be=20
one of my absolute favourite<BR> albums on Expanding =
both=20
looks-wise and musically speaking. Whilst<BR> it's not =
exactly=20
a revolution in terms of sound there's definitely<BR> =
an=20
evolution here and the combination of both artists=20
together<BR> is potent. Sound design is icy, fragile =
and=20
generally beautiful<BR> with the rhythm structures =
coming=20
across as crunchy and intricate<BR> without being =
overly=20
fussy. Delectable music from beginning to<BR> end and =
a huge=20
recommendation for fans of both the label and the<BR> =
style of=20
Electronica. Brilliant.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VESSEL - RESIST - EXPANDING - LP=20
(EVA13:05)<BR> Vessel delves deep on this lovely album =
for the=20
excellent expanding<BR> label. It's quite feasibly the =
best=20
work he's produced so far<BR> and the wonderfully =
melodic and=20
delicate sounds he has created<BR> are truly luscious. =
While=20
it remains very much an Expanding album,<BR> it has a =
slightly=20
darker feel to the textures, possibly, than<BR> some =
of the=20
earlier releases and the loving production really<BR> =
makes it=20
shine. Oceanic in its scope and wonderfully crunchy =
in<BR> the=20
beats department this is yet another absolute=20
recommendation.<BR> Superb.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (Vinyl): Electronica</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> AFX - ANALORD 11 - REPHLEX - 12"=20
(ANALORD11)<BR> WITH ANALORD 10 EXCLUSIVE TO THE =
BINDER, IT'S=20
STRAIGHT ON EPISODE<BR> 11 WE GO. ARE YOU READY TO GO =
ANOTHER=20
TEN ROUNDS? MORE IMPORTANTLY,<BR> ARE YOUR WALLETS?! =
SIDE ONE=20
IS TAKEN UP BY AN EXTENDED, SLIGHTLY<BR> EERIE, =
OFF-KILTER=20
PIECE OF HIGH END, SUPER COMPRESSED RELECTRO<BR> (AS =
I'M NOW=20
CALLING IT) THAT COULD EASILY DATE FROM 1981, AND<BR> =
FOR ALL=20
I KNOW DOES. SIDE TWO IS A MOST SCHIZOPHRENIC AFFAIR =
-<BR> =20
DISTORTED, ENERGETIC DISCO, FOLLOWED BY DOOMY, BROKEN,=20
HYPNOTIC<BR> EXPERIMENTALISM. CLASSY STUFF, YOU HAVE =
TO ADMIT=20
AND JUSTIFYING<BR> THE HYPE ONCE AGAIN.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> AFX - ANALORD 02 - REPHLEX - 12"=20
(ANALORD02)<BR> HERE'S THE SECOND PART OF THE NEW =
SERIES OF=20
AFX RELEASES AND,<BR> IF ANYTHING, IT'S ACTUALLY =
BETTER THAN=20
ANALORD 01! THIS ONE COMES<BR> AT YOU IN A SIMILARLY =
ACIDIC=20
STYLE, BUT WITH A DEEPER, SURPRISINGLY<BR> HOUSE =
ORIENTATED=20
STYLE AND A DEFINITE NOD TO THE ONE AND ONLY<BR> LARRY =
HEARD.=20
A REAL RETURN TO FORM FROM ONE OF THE MOST =
DELIBERATELY<BR> =20
AWKWARD ARTISTS OF ALL TIME. PROPS TO THE TWIN. OH YES,=20
YOU'LL<BR> NEED TO GET IN QUICK AS THESE ARE VERY =
LIMITED.=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> AIR LIQUIDE - @ THE CLUB - THE REMIXES - =
BLUE - 12"=20
(BLUE2-01)<BR> 3 wonderful tracks from the lords of =
Acid. This=20
was the first<BR> release on the reborn Blue label and =
it sees=20
the Air Liquide guys<BR> tweaking the 303s and =
providing some=20
tough Techno grooves in a<BR> live stylee. This are =
seriously=20
limited as they're original copies<BR> so don't hang=20
around!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> APHEX TWIN - REMIXES 1 - UNKNOWN - 2xLP=20
(ATW01)<BR> WELL, WELL. A SELECTION OF REMIXES BY A =
CERTAIN=20
APHEX TWIN. SEEMS<BR> A BIT LIKE THE 26 MIXES FOR CASH =
COMPILATION BUT, TO BE FAIR,<BR> YOU CAN'T KNOCK A =
VINYL=20
VERSION THAT INCLUDES HIS STAGGERINGLY<BR> COOL =
VERSIONS OF ST=20
ETIENNE, NAV KATZE, SEEFEEL, CURVE, BABY FORD,<BR> =
MEAT BEAT=20
MANIFESTO, THE GENTLE PEOPLE AND THE BEATNIKS. =
PLUS<BR> YOU=20
GET THE ACID EDIT OF WINDOWLICKER AS WELL. STORMING =
STUFF<BR> =20
THAT IT WOULD PROBABLY BE FOOLISH TO MISS!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> JAMMIN' UNIT - REMOTE CAR BABE - TEMPLE - =
10"=20
(TEMPLE004)<BR> I must admit that I don't remember =
this from=20
when it first came<BR> out so it's very pleasing to =
find that=20
this slightly off colour<BR> clear vinyl 10" is a =
classic slab=20
of Air Liquide styled acidic<BR> Electronica / Techno =
with all=20
the hallmarks of that mid '90's<BR> sound I love so =
much. Get=20
in there with this as I have a sneaking<BR> suspicion =
that=20
it's not going to last that long!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MODESTY - MINDFLY - XXC3 - 12"=20
(XXC3/301)<BR> Once again I'm delighted to present one =
of my=20
favourite records<BR> of all time. I hammered this so =
much=20
that my copy barely plays<BR> any more. The A-side is =
a deeply=20
emotive ambient track with a<BR> gorgeous, divinely=20
atmospheric analogue line which builds and<BR> builds=20
throughout and then is joined by the sweetest flute / =
pan<BR> =20
pipe line. Sounds odd but it's genuinely beautiful. The flip=20
is<BR> host to a more minimalistic Techno sound with =
some=20
absolutely<BR> deep as hell sounds and claatering 909=20
percussion. the other track<BR> is more of a Black Dog =
inspired slice of Electronica. Simply brilliant<BR> =
and still=20
sounding amazing after 10 years. Highly, highly=20
recommended<BR> indeed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> U-ZIQ - EASE UP - PLANET MU - 12"=20
(ZIQ130)<BR> First new material from Mike Paradinas' =
U-Ziq=20
project since 'Bilious<BR> Paths'. This three-track =
12"=20
contains live favourite 'Ease Up'<BR> (a slow dubwise=20
D&B/breakcore cut that's been ending his sets<BR> =
nicely=20
for the last two years), the 'Lunatic Harness'-like=20
'Wergle<BR> The Proud' (which brings back those much =
admired=20
Paradinas melody<BR> lines), and the VIP mix of 'Ease =
Up', a=20
13-minute epic. Frankly<BR> a bit of a must! =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): Techno / =
Electro</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> 2 DOLLAR EGG - NAXOS REMIXES - NUMMER =
SCHALLPLATTEN=20
- 12" (NUMMER#12)<BR> Everyone seemed to go potty for =
the=20
original track a couple of<BR> months ago so it's good =
to see=20
some high class remixes doing the<BR> rounds as well. =
Duties=20
are performed by none other than Audion<BR> (aka =
Matthew Dear)=20
and Someone Else. Phat, fresh Techno / House<BR> licks =
that=20
have a suitably groovy and skippy / cut-up flava =
that<BR> =20
should appeal to fans of Found Sound / Telegraph / Circus=20
Company<BR> etc. Massive? You betcha. Get =
in!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> A. VIVANCO - LAS VELAS EP - KAHLWILD - =
12"=20
(KAHLWILD02)<BR> Second release fro Platzhirsch =
offshoot=20
Kahlwild has a lot to<BR> live up to as the Ali Kahn =
record=20
was a cracking slice of minimal<BR> funkiness. =
Luckily,=20
whoever A. Vivanco is has delivered a top-rate<BR> =
follow up=20
in the form of another deep, very, very clubby =
slab<BR> of=20
Tech fun. Not as glitchy / crunchy as the first release=20
but<BR> more purist in some respects. Fans of =
Donnacha's=20
material and,<BR> of course, most of the Kompakt =
related=20
business should definitely<BR> chek this out.=20
Top.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> ABSTRACT THOUGHT - HYPOTHETICAL =
SITUATIONS -=20
KOMBINATION RESEARCH - 2xLP (KRE02LP / ELP33026LP)<BR> =
Restock=20
on this forgotten classic! One of the 'Seven Storms'=20
rumoured<BR> to be coming out of the Drexciya camp =
before=20
James's sad death.<BR> This is totally vintage =
Drexciya with=20
harsh anaolgues that mix<BR> with sweet, melodic =
moments plus=20
the customary tough Electro and<BR> Techno beats. You =
really=20
only need to know who it is to work out<BR> that it's=20
completely essential. Buy with confidence.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> BAXENDALE - I BUILT THIS CITY - KOMPAKT =
POP - 12"=20
(KOMPOP8)<BR> Whooah there! London band Baxendale =
deliver the=20
most upfront release<BR> thus far on Kompakt's Pop =
offshoot.l=20
Very much going to be a matter<BR> of personal taste =
as to=20
whether you enjoy the slightly cheesey<BR> Electro / =
House /=20
Pop feel of it. The flip sees remixes from Justus<BR> =
Kohncke=20
and Michael Mayer (who's having a jolly busy time of =
it<BR> =20
the week). These are the versions you'll mostly go for I=20
reckon,<BR> so you'd best check them out.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DASO - DAYBREAK - MY BEST FRIEND - 12"=20
(MBF12014)<BR> Trapez and Traum offshoot My Best =
Friend=20
delivers possibly its<BR> most accessible track to =
date.=20
Sounding dangerously close to being<BR> an Ibiza =
anthem at=20
times, it just about stays on the right side<BR> of =
the tracks=20
and grooving along quite nicely. Solid and =
workable<BR> =20
dancefloor tracks that are, as ever, reliable indeed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> EGOEXPRESS - HOT WIRE MY HEART - LADOMAT =
2000 -=20
2xLP (LADO2172)<BR> Egoexpress's album is a varied =
selection=20
of Techno tracks that<BR> showcases their talent for =
melody as=20
well as tight rhythms and<BR> tunes that border on =
just the=20
right side of Trancey. Minimal cuts<BR> make an =
appearance as=20
well along with a couple of more House orientated<BR> =
numbers.=20
If you've enjoyed their recent run of singles the =
chances<BR> =20
are you'll get right into this.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> GOLDFRAPP - OOH LA LA (EXTENDED MIXES) - =
MUTE - 12"=20
(12MUTE342)<BR> Plenty of 'Frapp action this week with =
two=20
12"s accompanying the<BR> new album. Two extended =
mixes of the=20
smash single that's been<BR> all over radio and TV =
here (from=20
Goldfrapp themselves and Phones<BR> aka Paul Epworth - =
nice to=20
see a former Smallfish employee get<BR> a credit on =
that=20
one!). That saucy minx Alison Goldfrapp needs<BR> a =
bit of Ooh=20
La La and who are we to get in her way? </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> GOLDFRAPP - SUPERNATURE - MUTE - CD=20
(CDSTUMM250)<BR> The ultra-pop-chart show people who =
are=20
Goldfrapp - and they are<BR> back with a full length =
album of=20
electro glam rock with a 2005<BR> twist. Comes =
complete=20
with all sorts of CD ROM extras and information<BR> as =
to how=20
to download the ringtones!!! Catchy, and familiar=20
(even<BR> if you don't listen to the =
radio).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> GOLDFRAPP - SUPERNATURE - MUTE - 2xLP=20
(STUMM250)<BR> The ultra-pop-chart show people who are =
Goldfrapp - and they are<BR> back with a full length =
album of=20
electro glam rock with a 2005<BR> twist! Catchy, and =
familiar=20
(even if you don't listen to the radio).<BR> Limited =
edition=20
deluxe gatefold and all that. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> GOLDFRAPP - OOH LA LA (TIEFSCHWARZ DUB) - =
MUTE -=20
12" (L12MUTE342)<BR> Plenty of 'Frapp action this week =
with=20
two 12"s accompanying the<BR> new album. The Benny =
Benassi=20
mixes might not be to everyone's<BR> taste, being a =
rather=20
unsubtle blend of roughed-up electro house<BR> (that =
might be=20
what you're looking for, of course!). The main<BR> =
selling=20
point, however is the Tiefschwarz dub that =
everyone's<BR> =20
banging on about - one of his beefier affairs and certainly=20
as<BR> good as anything he's ever done. Ooh La La =
indeed!=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MIKKEL METAL - RMX EP PART 4 - ECHOCORD - =
12"=20
(ECHOCORD014)<BR> This is a really interesting release =
from=20
Echocord as it's one<BR> that doesn't instantly sit =
with the=20
rest of the catalogue. Probably<BR> the most =
accessible of the=20
series so far with Kompakt supremo<BR> Michael Mayer =
and the=20
Modernist turning in two excellent versions<BR> that =
give the=20
original tracks a bit more funk. They're good, oh<BR> =
yes, but=20
really, the key version on here is Rene Lowe doing =
a<BR> =20
Vainquer version. Ultra-deep, ultra-Chain Reaction-esque,=20
ultra-amazing.<BR> If you don't like this track and =
you=20
consider yourself a Dub-Techno<BR> fan, what's wrong =
with you?=20
Quite simply sublime. Essential.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> ONUR OZER - FREAKDISKO EP - FREUDE AM =
TANZEN - 12"=20
(FAT023)<BR> Everyone's been talking about this record =
for a=20
couple of weeks<BR> and it's not hard to see why. =
Fresh, funky=20
and uniquely produced<BR> House / Techno from this =
excellent=20
label. Quite a dark and driving<BR> feel with some =
moody=20
sounds and wicked processing. Think Wighnomy<BR> =
Brothers in a=20
bad mood with a heavier bottom end... wicked =
stuff.<BR> =20
Recommended.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PAUL MAC - WHAT ARE YOU - KANZLERAMT - =
12"=20
(KA122)<BR> The Kanzleramt wheel keeps turning - I =
can't=20
believe that they<BR> are up to number =
122! Paul=20
Mac delivers four tracks of crisp<BR> club techno - =
fast,=20
furious and hypnotic. Darkened room middle<BR> =
of the=20
night stuff.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PRIME DOMINANCE - THEME OF SWIFT ROCK - =
DOMINANCE=20
ELECTRICITY - 12" (DR-020.006)<BR> Superb electro cuts =
in a=20
very convincing B-boy style. To the untrained<BR> ear =
this=20
could well have been produced in 1982. Solid =
grooves<BR> to=20
break to and more!! Add to this the excellent Sbassship=20
'Encryption'<BR> mix, and the throwdown enducing bonus =
beats,=20
and you have in your<BR> hands a very fine record=20
indeed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PRINZ EZO - THE BODY OFFSET - TECH-NOLOGY =
- 2x12"=20
(T001LP)<BR> Companion double vinyl LP to his 'Inside =
Buddy'=20
CD, this is Prinz<BR> Ezo's (AKA Bjorn Svin) clubbier =
side.=20
That said, there's still<BR> a strong electronica =
feeling to=20
record two in this exceptional<BR> double pack. Record =
one=20
contains three very well produced electronic<BR> house =
grooves=20
that are sure to set the floor alight on any given<BR> =
night.=20
Think Isolee meets early Telefon Tel Aviv and your =
halfway<BR> =20
there. Check !!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> REIKY - FUCKY - VOLTMUSIK - 12"=20
(VOLT12)<BR> Another big track from the Voltmuzik =
label. This=20
time it's a slightly<BR> pervy sounding selection of =
Electro /=20
House and poppiness that's<BR> sure to appeal to a =
wide range=20
of listeners thanks to it's variety<BR> of mixes, both =
deep=20
and groovy and perky and lively. The star<BR> mix =
comes from=20
Roger 23 however, with a blistering, old school,<BR> =
808=20
percussion section at the beginning that grows then =
drops<BR> =20
into a fresh, funky slab of Techno / House of the highest=20
order.<BR> Solid, playable... very nice =
indeed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> 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!)</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SBASSSHIP - BLOCK UNIVERSE - ELECTRONIC =
CORPORATION=20
- 12" (ELCO11.0)<BR> Fast, dedicated electro E.P that =
owes as=20
much to Kraftwerk & Afrika<BR> Bambaataa as it =
does to=20
A.F.X. and the Kitbuilders. Four tracks<BR> in total =
of solid=20
electro monster grooves, enough to reduce Dexter<BR> =
to tears.=20
Very sweaty, very recommemded!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SLAM - KILL THE PAIN - SOMA - 12"=20
(SOMA180)<BR> Featuring respected vocalist Dot =
Allison, this=20
is a rather useful<BR> set of (four) mixes, including =
vocal=20
and instrumental takes of<BR> a remix from Marc Houle, =
a dub=20
mix by man-of-the-moment Alex Smoke<BR> and an =
instrumental of=20
the original. No need to say too much about<BR> it, =
it's gonna=20
make a swift exit from these premises regardless!<BR> =20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> TOMIE NEVADA - MEETING AT THE CORNFIELDS =
EP -=20
UNLEASH - 12" (UNLEASH017)<BR> I was a bit unsure =
about this=20
track to begin with, but it's really<BR> grown on me. =
As long=20
as you ignore the dangerously trancey B-side<BR> =
you'll=20
probably enjoy the sense of space and minimalism. =
It's<BR> =20
Housey, but Techy and features a little much in the way of=20
builds<BR> and breaks, but gets it so right on the =
sound=20
design. See what<BR> you think...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> TUBE JERK - FOLD - ILL - 2x12"=20
(ILLLP014)<BR> This is vintage material by Tim Wright, =
recorded under his Tube<BR> Jerk moniker. Constructed =
at the=20
tail end of the last millenium,<BR> this collection of =
eight=20
tracks finds Tim in a slightly (only<BR> slightly) =
lighter=20
mood. Now snapped up by Nova-Mute, listening<BR> to =
this=20
collection it's clear to see why. Solid dancefloor =
action<BR> =20
that barely gives you a chance to deny the power of the=20
four/four........</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - TOTAL 6 - KOMPAKT - 2xLP=20
(KOM123)<BR> Kompakt. Purveyors of quality throughout =
their=20
back catalogue<BR> and increasingly essential thanks =
to a=20
diverse range of Techno,<BR> Electro and House =
releases. This=20
sixth Total compilation is absolutely<BR> on the money =
and=20
features all of the brand new tracks from DJ<BR> Koze, =
Justus=20
Kohncke, Jurgen Paape, Reinhard Voigt, =
Aguayo/Rossknecht,<BR> =20
Jonas Bering, Superpitcher and Thomas/Mayer. Completely=20
indespensible<BR> music from our favourite Cologne =
label.=20
Props.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VITALIC - NO FUN (REWORK) - PIAS - 12"=20
(DIFB1047EP)<BR> There's definitely something about =
Vitalic's=20
blend of twisted,<BR> nasty electro house that appeals =
to me -=20
kinda reminds me of Daft<BR> Punk during happier =
times. The=20
perfect companion to the Jackson<BR> single in as much =
as this=20
is the sort of stuff that sets dancefloors<BR> alight! =
As=20
heavy as house music gets, totally up-for-it. =
Mine's<BR> a=20
large one! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (Vinyl): Techno / Electro</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> ADAM BEYER - SNUFF & NOISE - MAD EYE =
- 12"=20
(ME03)<BR> THE MAD EYE RELEASES ARE SO EASILY THE BEST =
WORK=20
THAT ADAM BEYER<BR> HAS PRODUCED IN YEARS. HERE HE =
USES A=20
PALETTE OF INCREDIBLY DEEP<BR> AND PHAT MINIMAL TECHNO =
SOUNDS=20
OVER SOME AWESOME BEATS. BASS HEAVY<BR> STUFF THAT'LL =
GROOVE=20
IT PRETTY MUCH ANYWHERE... WELL, ANYWHERE<BR> THEY =
LIKE=20
MINIMAL TECHNO!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DAGOBERT - ON THE RUN - DOMINANCE =
ELECTRICITY - 12"=20
(DR-016.003)<BR> Early-ish Dominance EP that features =
some=20
stormingly good electro<BR> grooves. Pure and synthy =
on one=20
side with a smashing mix by Sbassship<BR> on the flip =
which=20
ups the pace and heaviness to a large degree.<BR> =
Proper good=20
sounds which no Electro-head should be without.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DONNACHA COSTELLO - NO MATTER WHAT I DO - =
MINIMISE=20
- 12" (MIN019)<BR> Donnacha's colour series would =
appear to=20
have come to an end for<BR> the moment so he's =
concentrating=20
on the later catalogue numbers.<BR> This is finely =
honed,=20
tiightly produced Techno in a minimalistic<BR> style =
with=20
those Plastikman / Minus references but put into a<BR> =
slightly more bleepy context. The bassline's chug away=20
providing<BR> a reliable base for the rhythms to roll =
over and=20
the sounds are<BR> pure vintage. A wicked record all =
round.=20
Top.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> EZEKIEL HONIG - LOVE SESSION - MICROCOSM =
- 12"=20
(MCOSM1003)<BR> THREE RELEASES FOR EZEKIEL HONIG IN A =
MONTH OR=20
SO! BONUS. HE'S<BR> DOING IT FOR ME WITH ANOTHER SET =
OF LUSH,=20
DEEP, DUBBY, GLITCHY<BR> TECHNO TRACKS THAT ARE GENTLE =
AND=20
WARM AND JUST GENERALLY BRILLIANT.<BR> YOU HAVE TO =
CHECK THIS=20
OUT IF YOU'RE INTO ECHOCORD OR ANYTHING<BR> LIKE THAT. =
JUST=20
MAKE SURE YOU AVOID THE DRUM & BASS MIX. RECOMMENDED.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> ISOLEE - WE ARE MONSTER - PLAYHOUSE - =
3xLP=20
(PLAY115)<BR> THE TRIPLE VINYL LP, HERE AT LAST. WITH =
EVERYONE=20
FROM TREVOR JACKSON<BR> TO EWAN PEARSON TO DJ KOZE TO =
LUCIANO=20
TO DJ HELL TO LAURENT GARNIER<BR> TIPPING THIS, YOU =
KNOW=20
YOU'RE IN FOR SOMETHING PROBABLY FAR TOO<BR> TRENDY =
FOR ITS=20
OWN GOOD... SORRY, I MEANT HIGHLY DANCEABLE =
MINIMAL<BR> =20
TECH-HOUSE OF THE HIGHEST ORDER, OF COURSE! COME ON, IT'S=20
THE<BR> NEW ISOLEE ALBUM ON PLAYHOUSE, WHAT MORE DO I =
NEED TO=20
SAY?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MR VELCRO FASTENER - LUCKY BASTARDS =
LIVING UP NORTH=20
- I220 - 2xLP (220016LP)<BR> Solid dancefloor Electro =
cuts all=20
round from the man they call<BR> Mr Velcro Fastener. =
Came out=20
a few years ago but, my word, it<BR> still sounds =
remarkably=20
fresh. I guess that's because Electro<BR> doesn't =
really date.=20
Purist, funky... wicked stuff. Check!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> NATHAN FAKE - DINAMO - TRAUM - 12"=20
(TRAUMV56)<BR> TRAUM'S FIRST REALLY BIG RELEASE OF =
2005 COMES=20
FROM NATHAN FAKE...<BR> AND IT'S AN ABSOLUTE KILLER. =
THREE=20
TRACKS, EACH COMPLETELY INDIVIDUAL<BR> THAT ARE =
GUARANTEED TO=20
BE MASSIVE. THE MAIN TRACK IS AN EPIC PIECE<BR> OF =
WORK THAT=20
STARTS OFF WITH SND STYLE CLICKY SOUNDS AND =
RHYTHMS<BR> BUT=20
SOON BURSTS INTO A FRESH, MELODIC 4/4 TECHNO TRACK WITH=20
BEAUTIFUL<BR> PRODUCTION, LOVELY ARPEGGIOS AND A =
WICKEDLY=20
HYPNOTIC KICK DRUM.<BR> IT PROGRESSES FURTHER INTO A =
SQUELCHED=20
OUT ACID LINE BUT KEEPS<BR> IT ROLLING AND MUSICAL =
THROUGHOUT.=20
STUNNING. THE FLIP HAS A PURE,<BR> OLD SCHOOL ACID =
TRACK=20
WHICH, FRANKLY, ROCKS, FOLLOWED BY A LUSH,<BR> POPPY,=20
TYPICALLY MELODIC TRAUM SHUFFLER. A BRILLIANT EP THAT=20
COMES<BR> HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SLEEPARCHIVE - RESEARCH EP - SLEEPARCHIVE =
- 12"=20
(ZZZ03)<BR> NOW, WE'RE NOT SURE WHETHER THIS IS A =
BOOTLEG OF=20
OLD TRACKS OR<BR> IF SOMEONE HAS COME UP WITH SOME =
STUNNING=20
MINIMAL TECHNO THAT<BR> PAYS HOMAGE TO LABELS LIKE DUM =
AND=20
SAHKO. THREE TRACKS OF WONDERFULLY<BR> STRIPPED DOWN =
AND=20
PURIST TECHNO ON A CLEAR VINYL SLAB. HARKS BACK<BR> TO =
THE=20
ULTRA-MINIMAL SOUND OF THE MID '90'S AND DOES SO WITH =
A<BR> =20
GREAT DEAL OF STYLE, PANACHE AND DANCEFLOOR POTENTIAL. =
RECOMMENDED.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - IMMER NULL - KOMPAKT - 12"=20
(KOM122)<BR> With this release we are witnessing the =
birth of=20
something new<BR> and very, very special indeed. This =
4 track=20
ep sees the resurgance<BR> of the ultra-minimal Profan =
/=20
Kompakt Techno sound that they really<BR> became =
famous for in=20
the early days. This certainly has something<BR> to do =
with=20
Michael Mayer's exceptional 'Immer' mix CD, =
concept-wise<BR> =20
and if the first four cuts are anything to go by it's going=20
to<BR> be a very special series indeed. Michael =
himself,=20
M:I:5, Reinhard<BR> Voigt and Jurgen Paape all feature =
and the=20
tracks, although you<BR> proably already know some of =
them,=20
are so powerful when put together<BR> that it makes it =
an=20
irresistable record. From dubbed-out, =
stripped-down<BR> tech=20
to the kind of edited, choppy, reverse-sample sound =
that<BR> =20
Wolfgang Voigt does so uniquely well. Deep and essential=20
sounds.<BR> Highly, highly recommended.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - ELEKTRONISCHE MUSIK - =
INTERKONTINENTAL 4=20
- TRAUM - 2xLP (TRAUMV59)<BR> HUGELY IMPRESSIVE FOURTH =
INSTALLMENT OF THIS FIRMLY ESTABLISHED<BR> SERIES THAT =
SEES=20
THE LIKES OF OLIVER HACKE, PETER SCHUMANN, =
SWAT-SQUAD,<BR> =20
DOMINK EULBERG, JESSE SOMFAY, STEVE BARNES & RILEY REINHOLD,=20
OFF<BR> POP AND POPNEBO ALL DELIVERING SUPERBLY WICKED =
TECHNO=20
TRACKS.<BR> TAKE MY WORD FOR IT... THIS IS BRILLIANT =
STUFF AND=20
COMES HIGHLY<BR> RECOMMENDED.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): US Techno / =
Electro</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DJ GODFATHER - WHOS THAT DJ - DATABASS - =
12"=20
(DB061)<BR> 4 super simple booty cuts, some 4/4, some =
electro.=20
pure club action<BR> that does the =
job.......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DJ GODFATHER - WHAT DOWN EP - JUKE TRAX - =
12"=20
(JK6)<BR> 4 super simple booty cuts, some 4/4, some =
electro.=20
pure club action<BR> that does the =
job.......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - PEOPLE MOVER - PEOPLE MOVER =
PRODUCTIONS -=20
12" (PMP4.2)<BR> Leftfield house tracks from the likes =
of P20,=20
A.Toth, R.Barrett<BR> and C.Zyskowski. I ain't heard =
of any of=20
them before but that<BR> does not detract from the =
quality=20
there in. Great and varied house<BR> tracks that would =
be at=20
home on Kompact, Minus or even Classic<BR> (R.I.P.).=20
Check!!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (Vinyl): US Techno / =
Electro</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> GERALD MITCHELL - BELLYDANCER / ZERMREN - =
MOTECH -=20
12" (MT008)<BR> Produced by Gerald Mitchell, this 12" =
mixes=20
Bollywood string melodies<BR> with tough, detroit =
style house=20
on side A, and electro/two-step<BR> on side B. Rather =
like Mad=20
Mike in Delhi. A bit like sugar & salt<BR> to =
these ears=20
so you'd best decide for yourself....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PLASTIKMAN - NOSTALGIK.2 - MINUS - 12"=20
(MINUS-2)<BR> Originally produced in 92/93, these lost =
gems=20
are finally issued<BR> on the marvellous Minus. Three =
tracks=20
of genius, vintage Plastikman.<BR> Love it, love it, =
love=20
it.... and so will you!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): House</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> GHETTO LOVE - GHETTO LOVE VOL. 1 - =
UNKNOWN - 12"=20
(ESSOARR)<BR> Not one to be taken seriously, but a=20
floor-filler in the right<BR> environment. =
Straightforward-ish=20
funky house with speeded-up female/soulful<BR> vocals =
that=20
falls just about on the right side of the line =
dividing<BR> =20
cheese from cred! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - THE KINGS OF HOUSE (PART B) - =
BBE/RAPSTER=20
- 2xLP (RR0046LP)<BR> The vinyl of MAW's tribute to =
house=20
music royalty comes as a kid-fleecing,<BR> two-part =
8-track=20
double-pack, Part B featuring KC Flightt, Rhythim<BR> =
is=20
Rhythim "It Is What It Is", Romanthony, Blunted Dummies,=20
The<BR> Endless Poker, Sterling Void "It's Alright" (a =
hit for=20
the Pet<BR> Shop Boys, of course), Masters Of Work (of =
course!) and Blaze.<BR> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - THE KINGS OF HOUSE (PART A) - =
BBE/RAPSTER=20
- 2xLP (RR0045LP)<BR> The vinyl of MAW's tribute to =
house=20
music royalty comes as a two-part,<BR> kid-fleecing, =
8-track=20
double-pack, Part A featuring Mr Fingers<BR> landmark=20
instrumental version of "Can You Feel It", Jungle =
Wonz,<BR> =20
Anane & Mr V, Virgo 4, ESP, Teule, Louie Vega feat. Mr V=20
(again)<BR> and Joe Smooth. Worth it for the opener =
alone if=20
you ain't already<BR> got it on vinyl. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (Vinyl): House</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> HOWARD THOMAS - EXPERIMENT#1 - SOUND =
SIGNATURE -=20
12" (SS22)<BR> An unusual collection of 4 tracks here. =
a mix=20
of the modern detroit<BR> house sound, early chicago =
and=20
wobbly european techno eccenrtricities.<BR> an odd =
release for=20
sound signature which is a good thing. keps<BR> us on =
our=20
toes........</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> THEO PARRISH - CAPRITARIOUS #7 - SOUND =
SIGNATURE -=20
12" (SS23)<BR> 2 long spacey cuts with the cut on the =
flip's=20
titl summing things<BR> up, "out there". the a side is =
the one=20
for me with its deep, melancholic<BR> feel and =
infectious=20
groove, so typical of the man. the flip is<BR> along =
the same=20
lines but not quite as deep. quality though, as<BR> =
you would=20
expect....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): Hip Hop</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> AZ & NAS - SERIOUS - FAST LIFE - 12"=20
(FSLS138)<BR> az & nas get all funky ober salaam =
remi=20
using another incredible<BR> bongo band classic (he =
produced=20
the classic "made you look") using<BR> the superb =
break on=20
"last bongo in belgium". on he flip is hard<BR> =
hitting street=20
cut produced b y buckwild. rough and ready......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> BIG SHUG / DJ PREMIER - DO YA / ON THE =
RECORD -=20
SURE SHOT - 12" (SSR1026)<BR> primo gives 2 standard =
but nice=20
beats to the veteran shug to ride<BR> here, taken from =
his=20
forthcoming lp "whos hard?". just that traditional<BR> =
old=20
boom bap, i still love it!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DJ JS-1 - ROCK BREAKS VOL 2 - GROUND =
ORIGINAL - LP=20
(JS004LP)<BR> even more rock inspired beats for the dj =
to get=20
creative with.<BR> some great moments here, well worth =
a spin=20
for the comedy value<BR> alone!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PLANET ASIA - THE MEDICINE - BATTLE AXE - =
12"=20
(BAX2038)<BR> planet rocks over an uninspiring =
evidence beat=20
(what has happened<BR> to dilateds off late?) the high =
point=20
here though is the inclusion<BR> of mobb deeps havoc. =
hard=20
hitting rhymes, no doubt.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - SBX EP - SOUNDTABLE - EP=20
(BBP12001)<BR> limited ep from the forthcoming dvd =
celebrating=20
and reinacting<BR> a battle between percee-p and lord=20
finesse from back in 1992.<BR> also features =
cuts from=20
a.g., d-flow, party arty and more. super<BR> raw, =
super=20
limited & super good. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (Vinyl): Hip Hop</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MURS & SLUG - FELT: A TRIBUTE TO =
CHRISTINA=20
RICCI - RHYME SAYERS - LP (ACC001LP)<BR> NOT ONLY DOES =
THE=20
LOVELY CHRISTINA GET A MENTION, BUT SO DOES<BR> RICK =
JAMES=20
& (BY MEANS OF AN AFFECTIONATE PASTICHE OF TOM'S=20
DINER)<BR> SUZANNE VEGA! THESE GUYS HAVE AN UNUSUAL =
STYLE -=20
WELL WORTH INVESTIGATING!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> TOMMY EVANS - ME/YOU - YNR - 12"=20
(YNR10)<BR> GREAT PRODUCTION FROM HARRY LOVE HERE, HIS =
BEATS=20
ARE SOUNDING<BR> FAT AS..... ONE OF THE BEST UK 12" =
RECENTLY.=20
HIGHLY RECOMENDED!!!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): Guitar Based</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> BLACK WIDOW - S/T - AKARMA - LP=20
(AK326LP)<BR> hard bluesy rock with a progressive =
tinge here=20
on this rare lp<BR> reissued by akrama. if you like it =
with a=20
bit of dirt, have a<BR> listen to =
this.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> CHARLOTTEFIELD - HOW LONG ARE YOU STAYING =
- UNLABEL=20
- LP (UN029LP)<BR> Charlottefield follow-up their =
release on=20
Fatcat with this album<BR> / mini-album that was =
released=20
recently on CD on Jonson Family,<BR> but comes atcha =
on Vinyl=20
on the Unlabel. Angular, funky Indie<BR> sounds with =
quality=20
drumming (nice one Ash) and some great punky<BR> =
moments as=20
well as a bit of a thrashy influence at times. =
It's<BR> great=20
to hear some varied sounds and this one comes =
recommended.<BR> =20
Is that really the price, though (Cargo)?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> COACHWHIPS - PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY =
LIVE AT THE=20
GINGER MINGE - NARNACK - LP (NCK7024LP)<BR> At last =
some vinyl=20
on this veritable beast of an album. That title<BR> =
certainly=20
takes a lot of beating, as does the music - a riot =
of<BR> =20
white noise and pure, distorted garage rock that's akin to=20
Lightning<BR> Bolt beating up the White Stripes and =
even=20
giving Billy Childish<BR> a bit of a biff on the nose =
while=20
they're at it, too. On the same<BR> label that's =
currently=20
supplying The Fall to America! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> EGG - THE POLITE FORCE - DERAM - LP=20
(SML1074)<BR> Prog with a capitol P. and an R. and O. =
oh, and=20
a G. super complex<BR> music from the canterbury scene =
that=20
you either love or hate.<BR> although very tricky and =
complex,=20
still humourous and warm. i<BR> love it, maybe you =
will too??=20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> LOCUST, THE - SAFETY SECOND, BODY LAST - =
RADIO=20
SURGERY - 12" (RSR001)<BR> Raucous, shouty, thrashy =
(and, yes,=20
Mike, Thrungy) sounds abounds.<BR> The CD of this was =
released=20
recently on Ipecac, which should give<BR> you some =
idea where=20
it's coming from! The Locust are hard to listen<BR> to =
at=20
times but that gives them an edge in a weird sort of =
way.<BR> =20
On grey/multi-coloured vinyl, natch. Fierce! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MOTHER & THE ADDICTS - TAKE THE =
LOVERS HOME=20
TONIGHT - CHEMIKAL UNDERGROUND - LP (CHEM078)<BR> =
Curiouser=20
and curiouser... this good-time post-punky outfit=20
definitely<BR> have a touch of the Franz Ferdinand =
Band about=20
them, but have<BR> added something altogether more=20
off-the-wall to stamp their individual<BR> mark on =
this=20
borderline-tired sound. They actually really =
remind<BR> me of=20
the Super Furry Animals at times. Better than the =
artwork<BR> =20
might lead you to believe it is! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> RICHARD HAWLEY - THE OCEAN - MUTE - 7"=20
(MUTE347)<BR> If you're not familiar with Richard =
Hawley, his=20
first three albums<BR> were released on Setanta, but =
now he's=20
moved to Mute and it sounds<BR> like there's a budget! =
Quite=20
right, too - if there's any singer/songwriter<BR> out =
there=20
deserving of more commercial success it's him. His =
blend<BR> =20
of classic Roy Orbison-style crooning, sweeping romanticism=20
and<BR> beautiful songs is a joy to behold. The B-side =
is a=20
downtempo<BR> surf instrumental reminiscent of =
"Sleepwalk",=20
however (although<BR> that's lovely too). =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> UGLY CUSTARD - S/T - WAH WAH - LP=20
(LPS026)<BR> prized lp among beat diggers everywhere =
this.=20
Driven, guitar and<BR> organ dominated tracks that =
were also=20
on the kpm library series.<BR> the famous session =
guitarist=20
alan parker being the driving force<BR> behind the =
project.=20
some great and very danceable moments here.<BR> highly =
recommended.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> WHITE STRIPES, THE - MY DOORBELL - XL - =
7"=20
(XLS218)<BR> Most sensible choice of second single =
from "Get=20
Behind Me Satan<BR> You Naughty Necromancer". An =
extremely=20
catchy l'il ditty indeed<BR> that's as infectious as =
"Blue=20
Orchid" was rockin'! Coming atcha<BR> on white =
marble-effect=20
vinyl, and backed of "Same Boy You've Always<BR> =
Known" live=20
in Brazil, this is hard to resist at less than a =
quid.<BR> =20
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / =
Soul</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> BIGROUP, THE - S/T - WAH WAH - LP=20
(WLP006)<BR> Reissue of a horendously rare library lp =
that is=20
popular with<BR> the diggers and the rock freaks =
alike.=20
originally on the peer<BR> library label comes this =
super=20
funky lp with the outstanding "heavy<BR> lift" as well =
as some=20
other great cuts and stonking breaks. recommended..</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> BRIAN AUGER & JULIE DRISCOLL - STREET =
NOISE -=20
EARMARK - 2xLP (42051LP)<BR> a stone cold classic here =
from=20
the furious organ stylings of auger<BR> and the =
amazing vocals=20
of julie driscoll. blue eyed soul if there<BR> ever =
was some=20
here. the lp just oozes emotions from soft to =
hard.<BR> =20
features there legendary rendition of light my fire, which=20
to<BR> me is THE best version ever recorded, doors =
included!!!=20
stunning<BR> lp that comes highly=20
recommended......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> HARVEY MANDEL - CRISTO REDENTOR - N/A - =
LP=20
(6336009)<BR> Superb debut lp from the one time canned =
heat=20
guitarist. a very<BR> soulful affair this, and one =
thats=20
popular with the hip hop producers,<BR> most notably =
diamond=20
D. the title track is a cover of a donald<BR> byrd =
track, and=20
there is also a great version of ramsey lewis's<BR> =
wade in=20
the water as well. highly recommended.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> KATZENJAMMERS, THE - CARS - RED HOOK - 7" =
(RH6)<BR> this just proves what a crazy world we live =
in, and=20
its all the<BR> better for it. a jamaican steel band =
version=20
of gary numans cars!<BR> not much more to tell you =
really, you=20
just have to have a listen!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> LEON MITCHISON - LOVE IS - SOUL CAL - 12" =
(SCR-105)<BR> raw funky soul in the vein of the mighty =
ryders=20
here. uplifting<BR> and definetly one to play at the =
party.=20
comes in vocal & inst<BR> form. lovely track, have =
a=20
listen...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MARTA ACUNA - DANCE DANCE DANCE - P & =
P - 12"=20
(12666)<BR> another fine repress from the extensive =
P&P=20
catalog gets a welcome<BR> reissue. uplifting =
inspiring disco=20
with just the right amount<BR> of brie to keep it from =
being=20
to cheesey.comes in the shape of<BR> 2 versions, a =
disco &=20
a dj. the kind of headnodding disco sound<BR> that has =
helped=20
shape the sound of some of the b etter house =
producers<BR> of=20
today. you know who i mean dont you......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MOHAWKS, THE - PEPSI - JJ - 7"=20
(JJ02)<BR> the best non lp cut that the mohawks did =
here.=20
super tight drums<BR> and percussion with that superb =
thumpin=20
bass. great track, check<BR> it out...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> NEIL ARDLEY - KALEIDOSCOPE OF RAINBOWS - =
PURE=20
PLEASURE - LP (GULLLP1018)<BR> wonderful lp from the =
late=20
lamented mr ardley. a concept peice<BR> with some geat =
musicians involved here. Ian Carr, Geof Castle,<BR> =
Tony Coe,=20
Trevor Tomkins and many more. progy jazz with a =
healthy<BR> =20
sprinkling of funksoulrock added to the mix in that great=20
british<BR> tradition. Very limted pressing on double =
180gm=20
vinyl (the original<BR> being a single vinyl pressing) =
not to=20
be missed!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> NIAGARA - S.U.B. - UNITED ARTISTS - LP=20
(US29343)<BR> super rare lp by this german fusion =
band. a ton=20
of super funky<BR> breaks lace these great tracks. =
just 4 long=20
cuts to get your teeth<BR> into. a great lp, have a=20
listen.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> RICKEY CALLOWAY - GET IT RIGHT - KAY-DEE =
- 7"=20
(KD008)<BR> kenny dope comes with this soulful slice =
of vocal=20
funk from rickey.<BR> all the ingredients are here. =
nice=20
subtle horns, rolling drums<BR> and scratchy guitars, =
have a=20
listen.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> TUBBY HAYES - ON THE AIR - HARKIT - LP=20
(HRKLP8156)<BR> 13 unreleased cuts from mr hayes here =
seeing=20
him playing sax,<BR> flute & vibes. no recorded =
dates in=20
the liner notes but it sounds<BR> like a late 60's =
session.=20
features gordon beck on piano, jeff<BR> clyne on =
bass=20
and johnny butts on drums (oh matron!). highly =
recommended.......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> TYRONE WASHINGTON - ROOTS - PERCEPTION - =
LP=20
(PLP40)<BR> Highly regarded, if somewhat erratic lp =
which has=20
the well sampled<BR> track "submission" used to great =
effect=20
by show & ag as well as<BR> K.R.S. One. great =
track that=20
melodically & harmonicly abstract<BR> but =
rhythmiclly=20
funky as you like. recommended....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - BLOC PARTY EDITS - ORIGINAL =
SOUND TRACK -=20
2xLP (0094631174810)<BR> Classic Disco from the likes =
of Patti=20
Jo, George McCrae, Johnny<BR> Harris, Wood Brass and =
Steel,=20
Minnie Ripperton, Family Tree, Ray<BR> Barretto and a =
few=20
others... ...given the re-work / re-edit /<BR> re-mix=20
treatment from some of the current crop of Disco=20
afficianados<BR> including Zongamin, Tim "Love" Lee, =
Ashley=20
Beedle / Phil Asher,<BR> DJ Harvey, Black Science and =
a few=20
others. Disco-tastic for 2005.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - SCHOOLHOUSE FUNK - CALITEX - LP =
(CT104LP)<BR> second volume of fine, raw school band =
funk=20
& jazz cuts from the<BR> 70's. chock full of raw =
horns,=20
bad drums and plenty of groovability.<BR> =20
recommended!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / =
Soul</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> 101 STRINGS - ASTRO SOUNDS - LICORICE =
SOUL - LP=20
(LSD006LP)<BR> SPACED OUT EASY LISTENING THAT AT TIMES =
IS=20
ANYTHING BUT. A GLORIOUSLY<BR> KITSCH LP THAT USED ALL =
THE=20
STUDIO TRICKS OF THE TIME THE LATE<BR> 60'STHAT IS) TO =
PRODUCE=20
A CLASSIC LP. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DONNA MCGHEE - MAKE IT LAST FOREVER - RED =
GREG - LP=20
(RG1002)<BR> SUPER SOULFUL DISCO SOUNDS HERE FROM =
1978.=20
UNBEATABLE FOR ME ON<BR> THE CUTS "MAKE IT LAST =
FOREVER" &=20
"IT AINT NO BIG THING". THE<BR> STRINGS ON MAKE IT =
LAST=20
FOREVER ARE SUPERB. MOODY AND YET UPLIFTING.<BR> =
HIGHLY=20
RECOMMENDED.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MULATU OF ETHIOPIA - S/T - WORTHY - LP=20
(W1020LP)<BR> STUNNING ETHIOPIAN FUNKY JAZZ LP THAT IN =
ITS=20
ORIGINAL FORM IS<BR> A REAL RARITY. THINK OF A STRAT =
EAST=20
RELEASE WITH A HINT OF AFRO<BR> AND PLENTY OF FUNK ( =
LOTS OF=20
SAMPLE POTENTIAL HERE!) HIGHLY RECOMMENDED....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SUNFOREST - S/T - HUGO-MONTES - CD=20
(HMPCD015)<BR> DUTCH ONLY REISSUE OF THIS VERY RARE =
AND SOUGHT=20
AFTER TRIPPY FOLK<BR> LP FROM THE UK. NOT ONLY SOUGHT =
BY FOLK=20
COLLECTORS, BUT BY THE<BR> BEAT HEADS AS WELL FOR THE =
AMAZING=20
CUT MAGICIAN IN THE MOUNTAIN.<BR> A SMOKEY, TRIPPY =
PSYCH-FOLK=20
CUT WITH BIG BIG DRUMS!!! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED<BR> =20
!!!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - SOUL 7 BOX SET - NOW-AGAIN - =
7x7" BOX SET=20
(TEG7000)<BR> SUPERB BOX SET HERE OF 7 SUPER SOUGHT =
AFTER=20
& EXPENSIVE FUNK 7"<BR> P4RESSED WITH THIER =
ORIGINAL=20
LABELS AND A SUPERB BOOKLET WITH<BR> RARE AND UNSEEN =
PHOTOS=20
AND INDEPTH ARTICLES ON THE BANDS, THE<BR> LABELS, AND =
THE=20
MUSIC. AS FOR THE TRACKS THERE ARE THE =
FOLLOWING<BR> =20
BANDS FEATURED: BILLY BALL & THE UPSETTERS, SOUL SEVEN,=20
BOOKER<BR> T. AVERHART, BAD MEDICINE, ERNIE & THE =
TOP=20
NOTES, SOUL COMMANDERS,<BR> SOUL VIBRATIONS. SOLID =
STUFF EH!=20
HAVE A LISTEN.......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (Vinyl): Reggae / Dub</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> ALTON ELLIS - ANTHOLOGY 1965 - 1770 - =
EARMARK -=20
2xLP (EM304LP)<BR> as the cover states "the godfather =
of=20
lovers rock" gets a nice<BR> little anthology on =
earmark of=20
cuts from 1965 to 70. 38 cuts spread<BR> across to =
slabs of=20
vinyl. poor a wine, turn down the lights, put<BR> on =
you bath=20
robe, and get plastered. whilst listening to this<BR> =
lp.=20
anymore leisure tips please send a stamped addressed=20
envolope<BR> to the usual address......</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MOHAWKS, THE - CHAMP - JJ - 7"=20
(JJ01)<BR> wickedly funky reggae version of the =
mohawks champ.=20
with vocal<BR> shouts laid with a really cheekyness to =
them=20
this is a superb<BR> alternate version of the hip hop =
classic.=20
a must have.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Electronica</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> AOKI TAKAMASA + TUJIKO NORIKO - 28 - =
FATCAT - CD=20
(FATSP10)<BR> After a plethora of superb releases on=20
Progressive Form comes<BR> this debut collaboration on =
Fatcat.=20
Gently playful glitch melodies<BR> rub shoulders with =
delicate=20
Japanese vocals to beautiful effect<BR> in this =
charming album=20
of warm, electronic songs. Anyone that<BR> enjoyed =
Aoki's=20
previous albums, any of the recent Ryoondo-Tea<BR> =
releases or=20
anything on the Karaoke Kalk label will thoroughly<BR> =
enjoy=20
this without a shadow of a doubt. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> FENTON (SHUTTLE358) - PUP - PLOP - CD=20
(PLIP-3014)<BR> Restock. What can you say about a new =
album=20
from such a heavily<BR> respected and loved artist as =
Dan=20
Abrams aka Shuttle358? To discover<BR> that this =
exquisite gem=20
of a release had landed on our doorstep<BR> today =
after being=20
unsure as to quite how we'd get hold of it was<BR> a =
moment to=20
treasure. And here for your listening pleasure is,<BR> =
conceivably, the highest point so far achieved in the field=20
of<BR> Electronica and organic, guitar based music. =
Dan has=20
put together<BR> a sparkling collection of gentle, =
lilting and=20
achingly beautiful<BR> tracks that will do their =
absolute=20
utmost to soothe and enchant<BR> you with beautifully =
picked=20
and played melodies. Couple that with<BR> the sort of =
deft=20
manipulations that have made him the figure he<BR> is =
within=20
the sphere of this sort of minimal music and you =
have<BR> a=20
shining, shimmering example of exactly how to do it. A=20
very<BR> special album indeed and one that we're =
incredibly=20
proud to be<BR> able to offer you. You simply have to =
check=20
this out! Highly,<BR> highly recommended.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> FILFLA - FRAME - PLOP - CD=20
(PLIP-3015)<BR> 45 minutes of sheer beauty from =
Keiichi=20
Sugimoto (if my Japanese<BR> reading abilities serve =
me=20
correctly) of Minamo and Fourcolor<BR> fame. Truly a=20
delectable slice of intimate, introverted, =
guitar-based<BR> =20
electronic sounds with his trademark gentle manipulations=20
shining<BR> through. At once familiar - thanks to his =
sterling=20
work for labels<BR> such as 12k, Apestaartje and, of =
course,=20
Plop - but defiantly<BR> individualistic, =
Sugimoto=20
imbues every track with warmth, depth<BR> and the most =
subtle=20
of melodic elements. Predominantly beatless<BR> music =
which=20
will sit very happily next to the equally =
wonderful<BR> Fenton=20
CD - the previous release on Plop - and forms yet =
another<BR> =20
reason for why this is easily one of my favourite labels, in=20
Japan<BR> or anywhere else. Absolutely sublime. =
Released in=20
September 2005.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> JASPER LEYLAND - BLACKDALE - STRAY DOG =
ARMY - CD=20
(MZL002)<BR> Mole Harness's Stray Dog Army label is =
only two=20
releases in, but<BR> judging by the output so far we =
could=20
well be witnessing the beginning<BR> of something =
special.=20
Jasper Leyland provides an intriguing counterpoint<BR> =
to Mole=20
Harness's guitar work by concentrating more on a =
drone<BR> =20
style with looping, low-key sounds that convey a sense of=20
melody<BR> as well as an abstract feel. Similar to =
some of the=20
work on 12k<BR> and Raster Noton, but with a slightly =
less=20
clinical quality to<BR> it, it really gets going on =
the fourth=20
track 'Copper' which rolls<BR> in at an impressive 15 =
minutes=20
long. Simply put this is to be<BR> investigated by =
fans of=20
minimalistic Electronica and comes to<BR> you highly, =
highly=20
recommended. Delightful.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MAPS & DIAGRAMS / VERBOSE - SPLIT - =
AWKWARD=20
SILENCE - CD (AWKWARD19CD)<BR> Tim Diagram and Cactus =
/=20
Expanding labelmate Verbose deliver delicate<BR> =
crunchy=20
rhythms which underpin some wonderfully spacious =
layered<BR> =20
sounds that are dripping with melancholy. 6 tracks in all, 3=20
apiece.<BR> I cant see this one taking to long to sell =
out as=20
it's very limited<BR> - not quite to the scale of the =
Cactus=20
Island releases, but certainly<BR> a quantity that'll =
mean you=20
need to snap it up. Beautiful music,<BR> it has to be=20
said.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MARC HELLNER - ASLEEP ON THE WING - =
PEACEFROG - CD=20
(PFG067CD)<BR> This has been knocking around on promo =
for a=20
while, and it's nice<BR> to see Peacefrog pick it up =
and=20
finally give it the attention<BR> it deserves. =
Co-produced by=20
Telefon Tel Aviv, this is a lush mini-album<BR> of=20
semi-shoegazing electronic pop that has a definite Ulrich=20
Schnauss<BR> and/or Khonnor feel about it, not to =
mention some=20
of the Resonant<BR> artists (to these ears, for =
example=20
Blindfold or Port Royal).<BR> Seriously mellow, =
definitely=20
recommended. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> NAUTILIS / UGA - SPLIT - AWKWARD SILENCE =
- CD=20
(AWKWARD20CD)<BR> Starting off as purely rhythm based=20
Electronica and gradually<BR> opening out into a =
beautiful=20
track that still has some attitude<BR> due to the=20
afoementioned rhythm programming. There are some =
more<BR> =20
delicate moments on here, but fundamentally, this one is all=20
about<BR> the beats. A fabulous release in this new, =
limited,=20
series from<BR> the excellent Awkward Silence. Get it =
quick=20
though!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PLIIANT - JUST LIKE IT SHOULD - AMPOULE - =
2X3"CD=20
(TALENT002)<BR> Is this potentially better than the =
first=20
Talent release? It's<BR> difficult to say as they are =
both=20
superb! Once again you get a<BR> beautifully packaged =
double=20
3" CD from the lovely Ampoule people<BR> and, once =
again,=20
it'slimited to 100 copies only (so get in there<BR> =
quick!).=20
Pliiant deliver 8 wonderfully diverse slices of =
electronic<BR> =20
pleasure over the two CDs and the sheer amount of depth,=20
variety<BR> and beauty on offer is very =
gratifying. More=20
straightforward,<BR> possibly, than the first with =
more=20
emphasis on the musical aspects,<BR> you get deep =
production,=20
lush strings and sounds and a super collection<BR> of =
rhythms,=20
both borken and crunchy. A brilliant, brilliant =
release<BR> =20
that you'd be advised not to miss!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PUB - LILTMOR - AMPOULE - CD=20
(AMPCD02)<BR> I'm absolutely stoked that this has =
finally=20
arrived. I've been<BR> waiting, if not with baited =
breath,=20
then certainly a great deal<BR> of anticipation for a =
new Pub=20
release. A consistently brilliant<BR> back catalogue =
for both=20
his home label of Ampoule and, of course,<BR> the very =
highly=20
regarded Summer EPs on Vertical Form. 'Liltmor'<BR> is =
yet=20
another development of the Pub sound and works on =
many<BR> =20
levels to convey its sense of depth, majestic beauty and=20
icy-cold<BR> warmth (an oxymoron, to be sure!). At =
times it=20
has a more traditional<BR> 'Electronica' feel with =
melodic=20
passages and lush chord sequences.<BR> That, however, =
is=20
balanced out by some of his most distinguished<BR> =
soundscape=20
work to date. Refined drones and textures form the<BR> =
basis=20
of these tracks and they drift, ebb and flow with =
great<BR> =20
swathes of layers... minimal, though, and almost subliminal.=20
Combine<BR> these elements with some classic Pub =
dubbiness and=20
reverb-heavy,<BR> Chain Reaction-esque moments and you =
have=20
something of a gem in<BR> your hand (and, hopefully, =
CD=20
player!). Albums like this don't<BR> come along too =
often so I=20
would seriously suggest you check it<BR> out. Highly=20
recommended. Released August 2005.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SOVACUSA - CENTREPOINT - EXPANDING - CD=20
(ECD22:05)<BR> This is an absolutely superb album. =
Co-produced=20
by Tim Diagram<BR> and Steve Broca, it could =
conceivably be=20
one of my absolute favourite<BR> albums on Expanding =
both=20
looks-wise and musically speaking. Whilst<BR> it's not =
exactly=20
a revolution in terms of sound there's definitely<BR> =
an=20
evolution here and the combination of both artists=20
together<BR> is potent. Sound design is icy, fragile =
and=20
generally beautiful<BR> with the rhythm structures =
coming=20
across as crunchy and intricate<BR> without being =
overly=20
fussy. Delectable music from beginning to<BR> end and =
a huge=20
recommendation for fans of both the label and the<BR> =
style of=20
Electronica. Brilliant.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> UTILITY PLAYER - CONVULEX EP - REDNETIC - =
CD=20
(RN005)<BR> London's Rednetic label gets stuck in with =
its=20
fifth release here<BR> from Utility Player, who was =
previously=20
seen on the Onepointone<BR> compilation. You get a =
splendid 5=20
track EP of purist Electronica<BR> sounds that are =
melodic,=20
crunchy, friendly and easygoing. That's<BR> most =
certainly not=20
a criticism and fans of Toytronic etc will<BR> lap =
this up=20
(particularly at this price!). Look out for more =
from<BR> the=20
label and the artist as they're really building it up=20
nicely<BR> at the moment. A bargain and not to be=20
missed.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VESSEL - RESIST - EXPANDING - CD=20
(ECD21:05)<BR> Vessel delves deep on this lovely album =
for the=20
excellent expanding<BR> label. It's quite feasibly the =
best=20
work he's produced so far<BR> and the wonderfully =
melodic and=20
delicate sounds he has created<BR> are truly luscious. =
While=20
it remains very much an Expanding album,<BR> it has a =
slightly=20
darker feel to the textures, possibly, than<BR> some =
of the=20
earlier releases and the loving production really<BR> =
makes it=20
shine. Oceanic in its scope and wonderfully crunchy =
in<BR> the=20
beats department this is yet another absolute=20
recommendation.<BR> Superb.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION =
LOOPS - 2062=20
- CD (20620201)<BR> How can you describe something =
that's so=20
seemingly perfect and<BR> dripping with atmosphere as =
the=20
wonderful Disintegration Loops<BR> series without =
resorting to=20
endless superlatives? It's very, very<BR> difficult, =
that's=20
the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived<BR> =
when=20
Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works =
from<BR> =20
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself=20
degraded<BR> to a point where it became barely audible =
and the=20
actual process<BR> of the disintegration became the =
focal=20
point for the CDs. A happy<BR> accident indeed as =
these are=20
some of the most atmospheric, deep<BR> and hypnotic =
pieces of=20
work that have ever been released, in my<BR> opinion. =
They=20
have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed<BR> =
with Arvo=20
Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a =
majestic,<BR> =20
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and=20
devastation<BR> (as documented in Basinski's liner =
notes=20
regarding September 11th<BR> 2001). Wonderful, =
stunning,=20
awesome... simply something that everyone<BR> should =
check out=20
and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.<BR> I'm =
giving=20
all four the same review simply because they are =
all<BR> =20
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION =
LOOPS II -=20
2062 - CD (20620202)<BR> How can you describe =
something that's=20
so seemingly perfect and<BR> dripping with atmosphere =
as the=20
wonderful Disintegration Loops<BR> series without =
resorting to=20
endless superlatives? It's very, very<BR> difficult, =
that's=20
the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived<BR> =
when=20
Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works =
from<BR> =20
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself=20
degraded<BR> to a point where it became barely audible =
and the=20
actual process<BR> of the disintegration became the =
focal=20
point for the CDs. A happy<BR> accident indeed as =
these are=20
some of the most atmospheric, deep<BR> and hypnotic =
pieces of=20
work that have ever been released, in my<BR> opinion. =
They=20
have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed<BR> =
with Arvo=20
Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a =
majestic,<BR> =20
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and=20
devastation<BR> (as documented in Basinski's liner =
notes=20
regarding September 11th<BR> 2001). Wonderful, =
stunning,=20
awesome... simply something that everyone<BR> should =
check out=20
and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.<BR> I'm =
giving=20
all four the same review simply because they are =
all<BR> =20
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION =
LOOPS III -=20
2062 - CD (20620304)<BR> How can you describe =
something that's=20
so seemingly perfect and<BR> dripping with atmosphere =
as the=20
wonderful Disintegration Loops<BR> series without =
resorting to=20
endless superlatives? It's very, very<BR> difficult, =
that's=20
the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived<BR> =
when=20
Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works =
from<BR> =20
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself=20
degraded<BR> to a point where it became barely audible =
and the=20
actual process<BR> of the disintegration became the =
focal=20
point for the CDs. A happy<BR> accident indeed as =
these are=20
some of the most atmospheric, deep<BR> and hypnotic =
pieces of=20
work that have ever been released, in my<BR> opinion. =
They=20
have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed<BR> =
with Arvo=20
Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a =
majestic,<BR> =20
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and=20
devastation<BR> (as documented in Basinski's liner =
notes=20
regarding September 11th<BR> 2001). Wonderful, =
stunning,=20
awesome... simply something that everyone<BR> should =
check out=20
and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.<BR> I'm =
giving=20
all four the same review simply because they are =
all<BR> =20
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> WILLIAM BASINSKI - THE DISINTEGRATION =
LOOPS IV -=20
2062 - CD (20620305)<BR> How can you describe =
something that's=20
so seemingly perfect and<BR> dripping with atmosphere =
as the=20
wonderful Disintegration Loops<BR> series without =
resorting to=20
endless superlatives? It's very, very<BR> difficult, =
that's=20
the answer. This series of four CDs was conceived<BR> =
when=20
Basinski was archiving a series of tape loops / works =
from<BR> =20
1982. He discovered that as he recorded them the tape itself=20
degraded<BR> to a point where it became barely audible =
and the=20
actual process<BR> of the disintegration became the =
focal=20
point for the CDs. A happy<BR> accident indeed as =
these are=20
some of the most atmospheric, deep<BR> and hypnotic =
pieces of=20
work that have ever been released, in my<BR> opinion. =
They=20
have a classical air to them (think Gas crossed<BR> =
with Arvo=20
Part) and a dense, drone sound that lends them a =
majestic,<BR> =20
beautiful quality whilst symbolising utter decay and=20
devastation<BR> (as documented in Basinski's liner =
notes=20
regarding September 11th<BR> 2001). Wonderful, =
stunning,=20
awesome... simply something that everyone<BR> should =
check out=20
and most people should own. DO NOT MISS! PS.<BR> I'm =
giving=20
all four the same review simply because they are =
all<BR> =20
themed so closely and are all simply amazing.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (CD): Electronica</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> BOHREN & DER CLUB OF GORE - SUNSET =
MISSION -=20
WONDER - CD (WON01CD)<BR> This awe-inspiring debut (at =
least,=20
to my knowledge) from the<BR> wonderfully named Bohren =
And Der=20
Club Of Gore (dating from 2000)<BR> finally gets a =
much needed=20
repress. If you've never heard this<BR> deep, ambient =
blend of=20
sax and Noir-esque atmospherics , you need<BR> to. The =
only=20
suitable comparison I've ever been able to think<BR> =
of is the=20
dreamy incidental music to Twin Peaks. Other than =
that,<BR> =20
their sound is completely unique. A must for anyone's =
collection.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> CHAP, THE - HAM - LO - CD=20
(LCD44)<BR> WELCOME TO THE WORLD OF GLITCH ART-POP - =
YOUR=20
HOSTS, THE CHAP<BR> (OR CHAPS). GETTING GLOWING =
REVIEWS ALL=20
OVER THE PLACE, THIS MUTANT<BR> SPACE-AGE HYBRID KINDA =
SOUNDS=20
LIKE A GRAND COCKTAIL OF LCD SOUNDSYSTEM,<BR> TALKING =
HEADS,=20
SOFT PINK TRUTH, THE BOOKS, T-REX, KEVIN BLECHDOM,<BR> =
BRIAN=20
ENO AND UNDERWORLD WITH ICE AND LEMON. YES, IT'S =
DIVERSE,<BR> =20
YES, IT'S CURRENTLY DEMANDING YOUR ATTENTION. HIGHLY =
RECOMMENDED.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> DIGITONAL - 23 THINGS FALL APART - =
TOYTRONIC - CD=20
(TOY13CD)<BR> MAJESTIC STUFF FROM TOYTRONIC. A SEVEN =
TRACK=20
ALBUM. THESE GUYS<BR> HAVE A UNIQUE SOUND THANKS TO =
THEIR=20
VIOLIN PLAYER. TAKING A FAIRLY<BR> STRAIGHTFORWARD =
APPROACH TO=20
THE ELECTRONIC SOUNDS, THERE IS ACRES<BR> OF MELODY, =
CUTESY=20
BEATS AND PROGRAMMING. THAT VIOLIN THOUGH! MY<BR> =
WORD, IT'S=20
ATMOSPHERIC AND USING DIGITAL PROCESSING, IT =
DELIVERS<BR> AN=20
INCREDIBLE RANGE OF WARM, BEAUTIFUL AND CHALLENGING=20
SOUNDS.<BR> BRILLIANT AND HIGHLY =
RECOMMENDED.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> HAROLD BUDD / ERALDO BERNOCCHI - MUSIC =
FOR=20
'FRAGMENTS FROM THE INSIDE' - SUB ROSA - CD =
(SR239)<BR> =20
Anything to do with Harold Budd bears listening to as he's=20
an<BR> incredibly influential musician. This is simply =
divine=20
and conjures<BR> up a really filmic, soundtrack feel=20
throughout with some delectable<BR> pianos and well =
thought=20
out beats and downbeat moments. Sounds<BR> a little =
bit like=20
Murcof at times, which I guess is ironic as<BR> we =
should=20
really be saying exactly the opposite! Stunning =
stuff<BR> that=20
comes highly recommended.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> KUCHEN - KIDS WITH STICKS - KARAOKE KALK =
- CD=20
(KKCD10)<BR> SEVEN TRACK LP FROM KARAOKE. DELIGHTFUL =
AS=20
ALWAYS, CONCENTRATING<BR> AS IT DOES ON GENTLE =
MELODIES AND=20
SIMPLE RHYTHMS. ONE FOR CHILLING<BR> OUT TO I=20
RECKON.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MANITOBA - UP IN FLAMES - LEAF - CD=20
(BAY26CD)<BR> I STILL CAN'T REALLY GET MY HEAD ROUND =
THIS=20
ALBUM FROM MANITOBA.<BR> IT STARTS SOUNDING LIKE =
AN=20
INDIE BAND FROM THE LATE EIGHTIES.<BR> IT THEN =
MOVES=20
THROUGH FOLK, ROCK, SNIPPETS OF JAZZ, BREAK BEAT,<BR> =
THEN WE=20
SEEM TO GO BACK TO THE POPPY END OF THE HIPPIFIED=20
SEVENTIES,<BR> AND OVER, UNDER AND THROUGH MUCH OF IT =
IS=20
PLENTY OF ELECTRONIC<BR> MANIPULATION / =
SHINANIGANS... =20
YOU SEE WHAT I MEAN? LOTS OF GUITARS,<BR> LOTS =
OF=20
SAMPLES, LOTS OF VOCALS. IF SOMEONE HAD PLAYED THIS=20
TO<BR> ME AND SAID IT WAS MANITOBA, I WOULD HAVE SAID =
"SURELY=20
YOU MUST<BR> BE MISTAKEN!". BRAVE MAN MR =
MANITOBA, AND=20
VERY TALENTED TOO.<BR> AN ODDITY, BUT A RATHER =
FINE=20
ONE!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MARC LECLAIR - MUSIQUE POUR 3 FEMMES =
ENCEINTES -=20
MUTEK - CD (MTK_FAB04)<BR> Perhaps better known as =
Akufen, Mr.=20
Marc Leclair has produced<BR> a really beautiful album =
of=20
gentle electronic music. Get rid of<BR> your =
preconceptions=20
about his style of cut-up, freaked-out House<BR> and =
Techno=20
and be prepared to be lulled by an intimate set of<BR> =
gentle,=20
lush and very tuneful downbeat Electronica. Still =
has<BR> the=20
trademark clicks, pops and wonderfully intricate=20
programming,<BR> but it's centered around a more =
listening=20
listening theme with<BR> dense textures and =
overlapping=20
layers. Put simply, this is an<BR> album that fans of =
12k and=20
the classic Mille Plateaux release<BR> (think =
Shuttle358 mixed=20
with Electric Birds) are going to absolutely<BR> =
adore. DO...=20
NOT... MISS!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MONOLAKE - POLYGON_CITIES - MONOLAKE - CD =
(ML015)<BR> It's that time again ladies and gentlemen. =
I=20
always get excited<BR> about anything new from =
Monolake and=20
this is no exception. I was<BR> interested to see what =
it=20
would sound like now that Robert Henke<BR> has a new=20
collaborator in the form of T++. It's still =
definitely<BR> a=20
Monolake CD, but it has this extra edge which really=20
differentiates<BR> it from the earlier releases. A =
less=20
crunchy sound, I would say,<BR> but it comes across as =
a more=20
melodic piece of work. All the hallmarks<BR> are still =
there... the dense layers of sound, the incredible=20
attention<BR> to detail on the rhythms and the spooky, =
atmospheric overall design.<BR> It just has a, dare I =
say it,=20
slightly fresher feel. Stunning,<BR> brilliant, =
awesome...=20
everything you'd expect from this unique<BR> artist.=20
Essential.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MONOLAKE - MOMENTUM - MONOLAKE - CD =
(ML011CD=20
/10961-2)<BR> I'm sure Monolake won't need a huge =
introduction=20
to Smallfish<BR> customers, so I shall simply cut to =
the=20
chase. This is a fabulous<BR> album that takes his =
unique=20
Electronica sound and develops it<BR> into an even =
darker,=20
more rhythmic style without losing any of<BR> the =
stunning=20
atmosphere we've come to expect. Frankly, this is<BR> =20
brilliant and your collection won't be complete without a=20
copy.<BR> A truly essential purchase.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> OPIATE - SOMETIMES - MORR MUSIC - CD=20
(MORR035CD)<BR> MORR MUSIC ARE INCREASINGLY =
SCHIZOPHRENIC=20
- A LABEL OF TWO SIDES<BR> - ELECTRONICS AND=20
GUITARS. THIS FALLS INTO THE FIRST CAMP - =
AND<BR> IS=20
EXCEPTIONALLY GOOD. OPIATE WHO FIRST REALLY CAME INTO=20
VIEW<BR> ON HIS OWN HOBBY INDUSTRIES LABEL (A NAME =
THAT MANY=20
OTHER LABELS<BR> WOULD DO WELL TO THINK ABOUT...) WITH =
A=20
MIXTURE OF INTRICATE RHYTHMS<BR> AND SWEET MELODIES =
WITH=20
ENOUGH TEXTURAL BACKDROP TO EXCITE EVEN<BR> THE MOST =
STAID OF=20
ELECTRONIC LISTENERS (THAT'S ME!). THIS DOES<BR> =
THE JOB=20
TOO - ELECTRONIC MUSIC THAT MANAGES TO KEEP A FINE =
BALANCE<BR> =20
BETWEEN INTROVERSION, COMPLEXITY AND GOOD OLD FASHION=20
EMOTION.<BR> IN CASE YOU HADN'T WORKED IT OUT, =
THIS=20
COMES HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SK/UM - I PAGU FALLSINS - RESONANT - CD=20
(RESCD004)<BR> ANOTHER EXCEPTIONAL RELEASE FROM =
RESONANT=20
RECORDS WHO HAVE A SUPERB<BR> TRACK RECORD THUS FAR. =
THIS'LL=20
ONLY ENHANCE THEIR REPUTATION AS<BR> IT'S A FINE, FINE =
ALBUM=20
OF ICELANDIC ELECTRONICA THAT KIND OF<BR> HAS A =
LITTLE=20
BIT OF A MUM-ISH / MORR MUSIC SOUND, BUT MAYBE, =
JUST<BR> =20
MAYBE, IT'S A SLIGHTLY MORE BEEFY SOUND EVEN THOUGH IT'S=20
INCREDIBLY<BR> DELICATE AND MELODIC. A TRULY BEAUTIFUL =
PIECE.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VLADISLAV DELAY - DEMO (N) TRACKS - HUUME =
- CD=20
(HUUMECD01 / MDM20512)<BR> Long-awaited album project =
from=20
Vladislav Delay. I thought he<BR> would just do Luomo =
material=20
from now on, such is the success<BR> of that project.=20
Thankfully this is a whole world away from Luomo<BR> =
with=20
deep, Chain Reaction-style textures, icy cold stabs and=20
sounds<BR> and minimalistic rhythm structures. The =
sounds=20
penetrate your<BR> mind and carry you away on a =
journey that's=20
full of intricate<BR> dicovery A wonderful piece of =
work=20
that's highly recommended.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Techno / Electro</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PRINZ EZO - INSIDE BUDDY - TECH-NOLOGY - =
CD=20
(T001CD)<BR> Companion CD to the double vinyl LP 'Body =
Offset', Prinz Ezo (AKA<BR> Bjorn Svin) brings =
together stark=20
electronica soundscapes with<BR> superb electronic =
house=20
tracks that surf the line between techno<BR> and house =
remarkably well. Think Isolee meets early Telefon =
Tel<BR> Aviv=20
and your halfway there. Check!!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - TOTAL 6 - KOMPAKT - CD=20
(KOMCD42)<BR> Kompakt. Purveyors of quality throughout =
their=20
back catalogue<BR> and increasingly essential thanks =
to a=20
diverse range of Techno,<BR> Electro and House =
releases. This=20
sixth Total compilation is absolutely<BR> on the money =
and=20
features a broad and very comprehensive collection<BR> =
of=20
tracks that have been released recently and even includes=20
a<BR> few unreleased tracks for good measure. Tracks =
from DJ=20
Koze, Tocotronic,<BR> Michael Mayer, Ferenc, Heib, =
Mikkel=20
Metal, Justus Kohncke, Jurgen<BR> Paape, Reinhard =
Voigt, Rex=20
The Dog, Thomas Fehlmann and many,<BR> many more exude =
class=20
from beginning to end making this yet another<BR> =20
indespensible release from our favourite Cologne label. Top =
stuff.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (CD): Techno / Electro</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> ISOLEE - WE ARE MONSTER - PLAYHOUSE - CD=20
(PLAYCD015)<BR> WITH EVERYONE FROM TREVOR JACKSON TO =
EWAN=20
PEARSON TO DJ KOZE TO<BR> LUCIANO TO DJ HELL TO =
LAURENT=20
GARNIER TIPPING THIS, YOU KNOW YOU'RE<BR> IN FOR =
SOMETHING=20
PROBABLY FAR TOO TRENDY FOR ITS OWN GOOD... SORRY,<BR> =
I MEANT=20
HIGHLY DANCEABLE MINIMAL TECH-HOUSE OF THE HIGHEST =
ORDER,<BR> =20
OF COURSE! COME ON, IT'S THE NEW ISOLEE ALBUM ON PLAYHOUSE,=20
WHAT<BR> MORE DO I NEED TO SAY?</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): US Techno / =
Electro</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SERVICES - YOUR DESIRE IS MY BUSINESS - A =
TOUCH OF=20
CLASS (US) - CD (ATOC90042)<BR> A particularly brutish =
and=20
brash take on twisted electro pop.<BR> Imagine Scissor =
Sisters=20
crossed with T.Raumschmiere with a bit<BR> of Peaches =
thrown=20
in for bad measure... even then you could rough<BR> =
things up=20
a bit more. Stop shouting! I can't! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): House</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - THE KINGS OF HOUSE - =
BBE/RAPSTER - 2xCD=20
(RR0045CD)<BR> Compiled and mixed by Masters At Work, =
Kenny=20
Dope and Louie Vega<BR> go head-to-head with a disc =
each of=20
their all-time fave tunes.<BR> Mr Fingers, Sterling =
Void,=20
Reese & Santonio, Blake Baxter, ESP,<BR> Tyree, =
Rhythim is=20
Rhythim, Robert Owens, Kerri Chandler, Frankie<BR> =
Knuckles=20
and a whole bunch of others (not to mention MAW,=20
naturally)<BR> all make appearances. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Hip Hop</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - KEEPINTIME: A LIVE RECORDING - =
NINJA TUNE=20
- CD + DVD (ZENCD111)<BR> In this unique CD+DVD =
package=20
(featuring the likes of Roy Porter,<BR> Earl Palmer, J =
Rocc,=20
Cut Chemist, Madlib, Nu-Mark, Ammoncontact,<BR> DJ =
Shadow,=20
King Britt, Daedelus and many more), a host of =
today's<BR> =20
DJ's jam with some of the world's most respected session=20
drummers.<BR> A fascinating film plus live recording, =
remixes,=20
premixes, additional<BR> shorts, commentaries, you =
name it. As=20
much homage and tribute<BR> as it is a celebration - a =
very=20
nicely put together package indeed.<BR> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Eclectic Beats</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MASSIVE ATTACK - UNLEASHED OST - VIRGIN - =
CD=20
(CDV3006)<BR> Mean and moody soundtrack to this Rogue =
Pictures=20
movie written<BR> by Luc Besson and starring Morgan =
Freeman=20
and Bob Hoskins. Includes<BR> a special guest =
appearance from=20
the RZA. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Guitar Based</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> ELECTROSERGE - TO THOSE I HOLD DEAR - =
NORMOTON - CD=20
(NORMOTON15)<BR> Now these really are graduates from =
the=20
Notwist / Lali Puna /<BR> Morr school of electronic =
guitar=20
pop. This being barely into Sunday<BR> afternoon, i'm =
having=20
trouble finding less obvious comparisons<BR> (ooh, =
maybe the=20
Radio Dept in non-shoegazing mode, there's one!)<BR> =
suffice=20
to say this is cute, lo-fi, warm, charming, mellow =
and<BR> =20
worth checking. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> JOSE GONZALEZ - STAY IN THE SHADE EP - =
AGENDA - CD=20
(PFG069CD)<BR> This 5-track EP is a must for anyone =
that=20
contributed towards<BR> "Veneer" being one of our best =
selling=20
albums of the year. "Stay<BR> In The Shade" is (i =
believe) a=20
slightly different version from<BR> that on the CD, =
"Down The=20
Hillside" a simply beautiful, comparitively<BR> lively =
number,=20
but i dare say his amazingly heartfelt take on<BR> =
Kylie's=20
"Hand On Your Heart" will be the track that draws =
all<BR> the=20
attention here. The set closes with a stunning=20
instrumental.<BR> If this guy isn't huge within a year =
(i=20
mean, compare Jose to<BR> James Blunt!?!?), i give up. =
</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> MOTHER & THE ADDICTS - TAKE THE =
LOVERS HOME=20
TONIGHT - CHEMIKAL UNDERGROUND - CD (CHEM078CD)<BR> =
Curiouser=20
and curiouser... this good-time post-punky outfit=20
definitely<BR> have a touch of the Franz Ferdinand =
Band about=20
them, but have<BR> added something altogether more=20
off-the-wall to stamp their individual<BR> mark on =
this=20
borderline-tired sound. They actually really =
remind<BR> me of=20
the Super Furry Animals at times. Better than the =
artwork<BR> =20
might lead you to believe it is! </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> PICASTRO - METAL CARES - MONOTREME - CD=20
(MONO13CD)<BR> Gorgeous late night music. If you like =
Low,=20
Rachels, early Will<BR> Oldham, Songs: Ohia etc, give =
this a=20
whirl. Some wonderfully intimate<BR> string =
arrangements set=20
the Slint-esque brooding backing and moody<BR> female =
vocals=20
off to a tee. Imagine a drowsy, medicated Scout<BR> =
Niblett=20
backed by Cul De Sac. Very nice (except for Ms =
Niblett,<BR> =20
who'd rather sleep). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SMOKE FAIRIES - STRANGE THE THINGS - =
CONCENTRATED=20
PEOPLE - CD (CP002CD)<BR> I believe the name of this =
outfit=20
stems from some kind of imagery<BR> detailing the =
silhouette=20
of figures on a misty highway - hence,<BR> Smoke =
Fairies.=20
Smoky is an apt description of the music on offer<BR> =
anyway -=20
gutsy folky blues courtesy of a female duo that =
fall<BR> =20
somewhere between Michelle Shocked, KT Tunstall, Stevie=20
Nicks<BR> and Cocorosie - the image of a slightly =
dubious=20
roadside diner<BR> full of 10 gallon hats immediately =
springs=20
to mind. A great debut<BR> from a band that really =
could go=20
far. Recommended. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> YELLOW 6 - MELT INSIDE - MAKE MINE MUSIC =
- CD=20
(MMM015CD)<BR> The ultra-chilled world of Yellow 6. =
This isn't=20
as densely layered<BR> as some of his/their previous =
releases,=20
and has vocals this time,<BR> so check it out first. =
Ambient=20
post-rock a la Fuxa, Transient<BR> Waves, Windy & =
Carl at=20
the Big Chill. </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>Restocks (CD): Guitar Based</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> BOOKS, THE - LOST AND SAFE - TOMLAB - CD=20
(TOM50CD)<BR> AN ALBUM THAT IS QUITE POSSIBLY DESTINED =
FOR BIG=20
THINGS. AFTER<BR> TWO SUPERB, YET LOW-KEY ALBUMS =
ALREADY UNDER=20
THEIR BELT, THE BOOKS<BR> THIRD LONGPLAYER CARRIES ON =
IN A=20
VERY SIMILAR VEIN... WHICH IS<BR> GREAT NEWS AS THEY =
HAVE A=20
DELICIOUS SOUND THAT'S FULL OF PERSONALITY<BR> AND =
WARMTH.=20
MIXING FOLK, BLUES AND ELECTRONICA TO VERY FINE =
EFFECT<BR> YOU=20
END UP WITH AN ALBUM THAT YOU'LL WARM TO IN NO TIME AND=20
CONTINUE<BR> ENJOYING LONG AFTER THE LATEST GRIME =
RECORD HAS=20
BEEN CONSIGNED<BR> TO THE DUSTBIN. IN SHORT THIS =
IS A=20
WONDERFULLY PUT TOGETHER ALBUM<BR> OF WARM AND SOULFUL =
MUSIC=20
TO GENTLY SOOTHE AWAY YOUR UNHAPPINESS.<BR> EXPECT THE =
BROADSHEETS TO BE ALL OVER THIS IN THE NEAR FUTURE.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> GANG GANG DANCE - GOD'S MONEY - THE =
SOCIAL REGISTRY=20
- CD (TSR019CD)<BR> STARTING OFF SOUNDING LIKE A CROSS =
BETWEEN=20
SOMETHING ON PAW TRACKS<BR> AND KITCHEN MOTORS - THE =
WORDS ODD=20
AND BIZARRE SPRING TO MIND.<BR> CHILD-LIKE =
VOCALS MEET=20
VARIOUSLY ABSTRACT AND THEN DRAMIC SOUNDS<BR> IN =
SOMETHING=20
THAT SOUNDS AS MUCH LIKE SOUND THEATRE AS AN =
ACTUAL<BR> =20
ALBUM. PROPER EXPERIMENTAL MUSIC FROM THIS UNDER RATED=20
OUTFIT.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> SLEATER-KINNEY - THE WOODS - SUB POP - CD =
(SPCD670)<BR> Phenomenal new album from Sleater-Kinney =
that=20
kicks a huge amount<BR> of arse, combining incredibly=20
visceral, raw production, amazing<BR> songs and =
tremendously=20
passionate delivery. Without any question<BR> THE rock =
record=20
of the year, and easily one of the key releases<BR> of =
2005.=20
An absolutely, completely and utterly mindblowing =
album<BR> =20
that you cannot afford to live without (and that's an=20
understatement).<BR> </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> STAFRAENN HAKON - I ASTANDI RJUPUNNAR - =
RESONANT -=20
CD (RESCD006)<BR> THIS ICELANDIC ARTISTS' SECOND ALBUM =
IS IN=20
ACTUAL FACT HIS FIRST,<BR> HAVING BEEN RECORDED BEFORE =
"SKVETTIR EDIK A REF", AND WITH THAT<BR> BEING ONE OF =
MY=20
FAVOURITE ALBUMS OF LAST YEAR, YOU CAN IMAGINE<BR> HOW =
KEEN I=20
WAS TO HEAR THIS. OVERALL THE MOOD IS MORE RELAXED<BR> =
AND=20
SOUNDSCAPE-Y THAN ITS EVENTUAL PREDECESSOR, BUT HIS=20
BRILLIANT<BR> USE OF GENTLY LAYERED GUITARS AND =
EMOTIVE MELODY=20
LINES IS THERE<BR> FROM THE START. RESONANT CONTINUE =
TO BE A=20
FORCE TO BE RECKONED<BR> WITH, BUT WITH RECORDING DUE =
TO START=20
VERY SOON ON ANOTHER NEW<BR> HAKON ALBUM, IT CAN ONLY =
BE A=20
MATTER OF TIME BEFORE THIS ARTIST<BR> GOES STELLAR.=20
ESSENTIAL.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> TRISTEZA - ESPUMA - GRAVITY - CD=20
(GRAVITY42CD)<BR> BEAUTIFUL MELANCHOLIC =
ELECTRO-ACOUSTIC=20
SOUNDSCAPES ON THIS 7 TRACK<BR> CD. GUITARS INTERWOVEN =
WITH=20
LUSH STRINGSOUNDS AND SOME WONDERFUL<BR> REPETITIVE =
RIFFS FROM=20
THE RHYTHM SECTION. HIGH CLASS STUFF THIS.<BR> IF YOU =
ARE INTO=20
FONN, THE WORKHOUSE, CAN OR JUST GENERALLY LIGHT,<BR> =20
UPLIFTING INSTRUMENTAL GUITAR STUFF THEN THIS IS FOR YOU.=20
RECOMMENDED...</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Funk / Jazz / =
Soul</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - SCHOOLHOUSE FUNK 2 - CALITEX - =
CD=20
(CT104CD)<BR> second volume of fine, raw school band =
funk=20
& jazz cuts from the<BR> 70's. chock full of raw =
horns,=20
bad drums and plenty of groovability.snap<BR> this up =
quick as=20
the first volume came and went in flash about<BR> 3 or =
4 years=20
ago! recommended.....</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - LAGOS CHOP UP - HONEST JONS - =
CD=20
(HJRCD15)<BR> The bulk of the music here is known as=20
"Highlife", a pan-ethnic<BR> style of dance music =
native to=20
Anglophone West Africa, and i believe<BR> dates from =
the=20
seventies and eighties. Your best bet for a fuller<BR> =
flavour=20
is to a) give this a listen, and b) read the =
extensive,<BR> =20
extremely well-researched sleevenotes like wot i just did=20
(well,<BR> about a paragraph of it anyway). Honest =
Jons=20
unearth another fine<BR> selection of lost world gems=20
(basically).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - LAGOS ALL ROUTES - HONEST JONS =
- CD=20
(HJRCD17)<BR> The bulk of the music here is known as=20
"Highlife", a pan-ethnic<BR> style of dance music =
native to=20
Anglophone West Africa, and i believe<BR> dates from =
the=20
seventies and eighties. Your best bet for a fuller<BR> =
flavour=20
is to a) give this a listen, and b) read the =
extensive,<BR> =20
extremely well-researched sleevenotes like wot i just did=20
(well,<BR> about a paragraph of it anyway). Honest =
Jons=20
unearth another fine<BR> selection of lost world gems=20
(basically).</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> WANDA ROBINSON - ME & A FRIEND - =
BREATHLESS -=20
CD (52018CD)<BR> Wonderful cd of concious, soulful =
poetry with=20
background music<BR> supplied by julius brockington =
and his=20
band. Funky, jazzy and<BR> thought provoking, what =
more could=20
you ask for!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Reggae / Dub</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> VARIOUS - SOUND OF THE SHEBEEN VOLUME TWO =
- EMI -=20
CD (CDFL2038)<BR> Nice selection of Reggae from many =
of the=20
big names: Hoarace Andy,<BR> Linval Thompson, King =
Tubby, U=20
Roy, Dennis Brown, The Abyssinians,<BR> I Roy, Tapper =
Zuke and=20
others. Not really convinced you'd hear<BR> this =
in an=20
actual Shebeen, but you might hear it in a bar in =
Soho<BR> =20
called Shebeen, if you know what I mean. Whatever, this is=20
a<BR> good selection of Roots and Dub.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial>New Releases (CD): Experimental</FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DArial> NURSE WITH WOUND - ECHO POEME: SEQUENCE =
NO. 2 -=20
UNITED JNANA - CD (UJ2005CD)<BR> You never know where =
you are=20
with NWW which is probably their<BR> raison d'etre... =
this=20
starts off sounding very Dead Can Dance...<BR> and =
then=20
carries on in that vein... spooky chanting and soft =
female<BR> =20
vocals... over one track that lasts for 50 minutes (well,=20
that's<BR> what happens for the first 15 minutes =
anyway, i got=20
other descriptions<BR> to write!). </FONT></DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
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