[Smallfish-releases-text] Smallfish Mailout 02/12/05
mike oliver
mike@smallfish.co.uk
Fri, 2 Dec 2005 14:23:43 -0000
This is a multi-part message in MIME format.
------=_NextPart_000_01AE_01C5F74B.FFD6C400
Content-Type: text/plain;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
Smallfish Mailout 02/12/05
Welcome once again to the Smallfish Mailout.
I've got an extremely heavy cold (along with the rest of the country) so =
I'm going to cut straight to the chase and the list of releases as my =
brain can't deal with anything longer. Sorry about that!
Take care and wrap up warm!
Peace.
The Fish.
Smallfish Records | 329 Old Street | EC1V 9LE | +44 [0] 20 7739 2252 | =
www.smallfish.co.uk
New Releases (Vinyl): Electronica
ANTHONY ROTHER - ART IS A TECHNOLOGY - STAHL INDUSTRIES - LP (STAHL1)
Best work from Anthony Rother that I've heard for a long time.
This is one of his ambient works and I'm almost surprised that
it didn't come out on Fax with its deep, melancholy and slightly
retro feel. Dense textures and analogue sequences form an epic
sounding progression that has a real hint of Eno or Pete Namlook
at times. Very unusual to find music like this on vinyl, so if
you're a buff you should snap it up as it's a limited edition.
CATHODE - CHRONOPHOBIA - DISTRACTION RECORDS - 7" (DIST7)
Soft, warm crunchy electronica with some very indie pop style
vocals that at first dont seem to sit well with the music but
have grown on me after a couple of listens. They are certainly
taking the underground electronica sound and trying to give it
a slightly more pop feel. whether they are acheiving ther aims
i will leave up to you to decide.....
DRUMCORPZ - RMX OR DIE! - KRISS - 10" (KRISS#2)
Take a bunch of late eighties / early nineties death / thrash
metal merchants such as Carcass, Bolt Thrower, Napalm Death and
Extreme Noise Terror. Throw in the kind of old skool rave, D&B
beats and general tomfoolery associated with Venetian Snares,
Tigerbeat and their pals. Add the sliced meat and a pinch of =
seasoning
and voila! One very noisy record!=20
FOG - THE VERY BUSY SALESMAN - ALIEN TRANSISTOR - 7" (ATN13)
An unusual but very pleasant indeed release from Fog here. I'm
used to the more Folky style that he does but it's great to see
him doing some more electronic-based sounds. In fact the A-side
is a deliciously warm scupltural piece which wouldn't be out of
place on a label like 12k. The flip has elements of vocals that
give it that Fog feel but, again, layered over a more electronic
sound. Wicked little release, this, and great to see Alien =
Transistor
back on the map again.
RD - ADVDANCED EP - TOUCHIN' BASS - 12" (TB017)
Arguably the most abstract release on Touchin' Bass to date, =
although
in terms of quality, it's well up there. This is more likely to
appeal to admirers of Autechre, Skam, Schematic, Gescom etc than
those into Andrea Parker's ice cold electro stylings, but whoever
RD is, he/she does a fine job blending dark, glitched-up rhythms
with off-kilter harmonics.=20
SOFA LOFA - MAGIC SHOPKEEPER - BATHYSPHERE - 7" (DWSI001)
Melodic downbeat electronica which is really quite wonderful.
Just a nice Hip Hop style rhythm with some a lovely reverse sounding
sample that drifts over the beat perfectly. Both sides are quality
on this great little 7", highly recommended....
STRANGE SOUNDS ORCHESTRA, THE - STRANGE SENSE OF LIBERTY - STATIC =
CARAVAN - 7" (VAN59)
Awesome new 7" from Static Caravan, one of their best in recent
times. Composed and realised entirely using "non-standard =
instruments"
(eg. Casio VL-tone, child's xylophone, stylophone, dulcimer, =
oscillator,
omnichord, melodica and many more besides), this is lo-fi, quirky,
charming and all manner of other Smallfish adjectives. If you
enjoyed the Wobblyhead 7"s, or a just a Static Caravan fan in
general, this is a must.=20
Restocks (Vinyl): Electronica
AROVANE & PHONEM - AER (VALID) - VERTICAL FORM - 2xLP (VFORM008LP)
THIS IS ONE WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR! THESE TWO ULTRA TALENTED ARTISTS
HAVE COLLABORATED WITH A CUNNING BIT OF RESAMPLING AND MANIPULATION.
A DARKER, CRUNCHIER FEEL THAN YOU MAY BE ACCUSTOMED TO, BUT BY
GOD IT'S ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!=20
ENDUSER - CALLING ALL VULTURES - SUBLIGHT - LP (C12)
Dark, edgey mish mash of breaks, electronica, up & down tempo
& some nice edits in there, a little of everything (well, almost
everything!). The Emphasis though has to be on the darkness, it's
not to be listened to in a darkened room when your feeling a bit
down......
MARSEN JULES - HERBSTLAUB - CITY CENTRE OFFICES - LP (TOWERBLOCK023)
I WONDERED HOW LONG IT WOULD BE BEFORE SOMEONE PICKED UP MARTIN
JUHLS MOST WONDERFUL MUSIC UNDER THE MARSEN JULES PSEUDONYM. AFTER
A SERIES OF AMAZING RELEASES FOR SEVERAL INTERNET LABELS (AS BOTH
MARSEN JULES AND KRILL.MINIMA) CITY CENTRE OFFICES HAVE SEEN FIT
TO RELEASE THIS STAGGERINGLY BEAUTIFUL ALBUM. DIFFICULT TO CLASSIFY
MUSICALLY, IT IS A BLEND OF THE FINEST SCULPTURAL ELECTRONICA
MIXED WITH AN OVERTLY CLASSICAL, CHAMBER MUSIC SOUND. TO SIMPLY
DESCRIBE IT AS 'CLASSICAL GAS' IS TO DO IT A SEVERE INJUSTICE.
THIS IS ORIGINAL MUSIC, LOVINGLY CREATED AND BEAUTIFULLY PRODUCED
THAT'S EXPANSIVE, ENGAGING AND JUST PLAIN WONDERFUL. ALBUM OF
THE WEEK, MONTH AND PROBABLY YEAR. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
PHENOMYNA - SCRATCH - OTHERWORLD - 12" (OW003)
CLASSIC 2 TRACK 12". DISCO CUT UP ON THE B- WITH A DEEP MUSICAL
EXTRAVAGANZA IN THAT STAS'MAN STYLE-BEAUTIFULLY ORCHESTRATED =
ELECTONICA.
=20
New Releases (Vinyl): Techno / Electro
ADD NOISE - ESCUCHE Y REPITA - EARSUGAR - 12" (EARSUGAR26)
It's that time once again for Add Noise to large it with a superbly
funky, minimal Techno Assault. As ever it's worth stressing that
this indeed the real deal and any of you who enjoy the sort of
vibes that Villalobos or Luciano play on a regular basis will
absolutely adore this. Stripped-down sounds and chunky rhythms
with a superb flow and beautiful sound design. Both sides are
equally excellent and, essentially, if you're into your Techno
at all you've seriously got to seek this one out. Highly =
recommended.
AGNES - COUNTERMEASURES - STHLM AUDIO - 12" (SAEP006)
Agnes is becoming an admired name on the deep minimal techno scene
for good reason is this 5-track EP is anything to go by. Super
crisp beats and other-worldly effects and melodies blended to
perfection without ever becoming over-crowded or overly generic.
Fans of Ricardo Villalobos should do their ears a favour and give
this guy a whirl.=20
AUDIO WERNER - TRAPEZ LIMITED 39 (TRX) - TRAPEZ - 12" (TRAPEZLTD39)
One of the most anticipated releases of the year from Trapez here.
Audio Werner's records are undeniably massive and this is set
to follow on from all the others. Pumping, full-bodied Techno
with generous House leanings and some fantastically funky sounds.
Fresh arrangements with a long build up on the A-side that bursts
into a dancefloor frenzy halfway through. Don't delay as this
is a one off press. An essential record.
BAEKA - MORE TROUBLE - MORRIS AUDIO CITYSPORT EDITION - 12" (MACE0246)
First Morris Audio Citysport for a while is one of their more
accessible releases to date. Unpretentious house grooves, gentle
percussion and infectious rhythms a plenty, particularly on the
Jussi-Pekka (Poker Flat, Morris Audio, Out Of Orbit) mix which
is a real treat. Tasty.=20
BENNO BLOME - TRANSMITTER / BLAU - SENDER - 12" (SEND053)
A nice bit of rough and tumble with one half of the Blome / Grummich
partnership. Dirty great big basslines and rock-solid beats with
that gnarly Techno sound that will make you run and hide or leap
about like a potty great big fruitbat. One to check, then.
BOYS NOIZE - ARE YOU IN? - DATAPUNK - 12" (DTP9)
Boys Noize you may remember from a release on Gigolo around a
year ago. Rough, acidic electro funk in the style of DFA, Output
etc only a little more unpolished. See what you reckon.=20
BRUNO PRONSATO & FRANCO CINELLI - PICARO EP - MILNOR MODERN - 12" =
(MMR.006)
Crisp to the point of being frazzled comes this new Milnor Modern.
Bruno and Franco deliver an achingly excellent groove on the A-side
which loses the minimal crunch and adds a whole bunch of =
ultra-funky,
tribal influenced sounds. Utterly fabulous in my opinion and made
even more good value with the other two splendidly groovy tracks
on the flip. Another essential for the minimal headz. Recommended.
BUTANE - ON THE KET - DUMB UNIT - 12" (DU-025)
It's really good to see Butane getting out there with some releases
after his sterling work on the net.label scene. This has a nicely
ironic title and is packed full of the kind of crispy, hi-tech
Techno funk grooves that regularly get minimal fans in a lather.
Deep, reduced tracks that are full of nice little production touches
and a wiggly, heads down nature. Most excellent.
CB FUNK - CLATTERPILLAR - PUNKT MUSIC - 12" (PUNKT025)
Punkt Music continue down the heavy, processed Techno road here.
Kind of mutant sounding and with a loud, raunchy feel and a series
of twisted sounds and bass noises. Rough, ready and eager to =
please...
as all good records should be.
DEVILFISH FEAT. EGOTRON - PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE - FREQUENT - 12" =
(DEEQ0226)
Slick, streamlined tech / house with some seriously retro synth
action happening. Nice and upfront, a bit like Wighnomy Bros crossed
with 808 State! Yes, there's even a hint of acid in there. The
tracks on side two carry on this theme, with the final number
adding something resembling an old school Disko B / Gigolo tribal
beat. Interesting!=20
DISTORTO - DISTORTO - DISTORTO - 12" (DIS01)
The first release from Distorto on Distorto is an immaculately
crafted slice of Electro / Electronica which could potentially
be one of the sleeper hits of the year. A deep , dark and somewhat
Drexciyan attitude pervades every moment of the EP and it has
a moody, crunchy production style throughout that sometimes bring
to mind Scsi and at others has aslightly more industrial feel.
However you describe it it's a blistering first release and an
essential slab of Electronica. Recommended.
DJ RUPTURE / KID 606 / SISTER NANCY - LITTLE MORE OIL - SOUL JAZZ - =
12" (SJR12312)
None of yer distortion business on this - the production is pristine
in comparison to the usual DJ Rupture gear. Clearly aiming for
a crossover hit of some kind, Rupture and Kid 606 collaborate
with vocalist Sister Nancy on an infectious, electronic ragga
pop hit with an obvious political slant. Four mixes in total,
ending with a downtempo, almost beatless instrumental take. Could
well be huge.=20
DJ T - FUNK ON YOU - GET PHYSICAL - 12" (GPM0336)
DJ T (aka Thomas Koch & Booka Shade)'s funky original backed with
a neat old set of mixes. It's a case of Good Track Alert from
the usually avoidable Manhead, who injects some serious beef into
the production, resulting in the standout mix that certainly got
our butts wiggling (nice image, eh?). Putsch 79 adds a bit of
distortion to the original (and not a lot else is needed), and
the set closes with a handy dub. Wicked record.=20
DOMINIK EULBERG - EINE KLEINE SCHMETTERLINGS-HOMMAGE - TRAUM - 12" =
(TRAUMV67)
Big tune here from Mr. Eulberg which we've been asked about pretty
constantly for weeks now. Two tracks of pumping and surprisingly
heavy grooves with chunky beats and a quite hypnotic and heads
down sort of sound. Got to be absolutely massive on the dancefloor
and I imagine this one'll be devastating it on a regular basis
very soon indeed. Class and definitely recommended.
DUB KULT - TWELVE - TRAUM - 12" (TRAUMV68)
Excellent release from London's Dub Kult. Three tracks of sublime
minimal Techno that's nowhere as tough or banging as I might have
expected. The A-side definitely has a club groove with a bassy
flava that's liable to be played out a lot but, for me, it's the
B-side that's really interesting. Two lush Techno tracks that
are mid-paced and beautifully melodic using, as they do, guitar
licks and gorgeous chords and pads. A seriously impressive release
from this stalwart label and one that comes highly recommended.
EGOEXPRESS - EVERYBODY - LADOMAT 2000 - 12" (LADO2180)
Egoexpress are clearly on a roll and this is another slab of crisp,
funky and slightly minimalistic Techno par excellence. Driving
beats and basslines with an old school feel along with a nicely
technical feel to the sounds. B-side contains superb remixes from
both Lowtec and Jackmate for a more reduced and funking flava.
Top stuff.
EYERER & NAMITO - KEEP OUR PACE - MULTICOLOR - 12" (MCR0446)
Head-nodding slightly retro gear from the ever-eclectic Multicolor
label. Mixes from Dole & Kom, Loopschrauber and Deutsche & Albaner
are an equally varied bunch, ranging from electro tech-house to
acid to borderline twisted breakbeat. Nothing groundbreaking,
but useful when it comes to filling a gap (and keeping the pace!)
in the set, i don't doubt.=20
HUG - THE HAPPY MONSTER - K2 - 12" (K2/05)
John Dahlback once again provides a tip-top selection of reduced
Techno grooves for Kompakt's K2 offshoot. This is absolutely solid
and the B-side in particular contains two of the finest quality,
Chicago influenced tracks that are stripped and downright funky
as hell. Absolutely spot on. Recommended.
INTERCOOLER FEAT. SUZY LOVE - TV JUNKIE - SLEEP DEBT - 12" (SD002)
Twisted Techno and Electro sounds from Vogel's label. This has
gnarly bass sounds and some furious Electro beats coupled with
a a couple of Schaffel styled, vocal led, punky sounding cuts
on the flip. Probably not to everyone's taste, but certainly a
good one for those with a sense of adventure. Check.
JEFF SAMUEL - BORK / GONADOTROPIN - TRAPEZ - 12" (TRAPEZ59)
Nice to see Trapez really hitting some form again and this 12"
from Jeff Samuel (who's been remarkably quiet recently) is a fab
slice of Tech-Funk. Two cuts with a swingly, synthy feel and a
cool line in basslines that your feet will really feel. Prime
dancefloor sounds that still have a nicely subtle edge. Bravo
Trapez and Jeff.
JOHN DAHLBACK / AXEL BARTSCH - SPEICHER 32 - KOMPAKT EXTRA - 12" =
(KOMEX32)
Big, bold, brash sounds from Kompakt's heafty offshoot =
label.Speicher
32 sees Dahlback and Bartsch each delivering a tough, slightly
Trancey (and by Trancey, you know what I mean, I'm sure) tracks
with large, synthetic basslines and cracking beats. Rock solid
and made to make you feet move.=20
MARTINEZ - INTERNAL SPACE - OUT OF ORBIT - 2xLP (ORB001)
Solid, stripped-down deep minimal techno all the way on this new
album from Martinez. Has a kind of Trentemoller meets Mathew Jonson
vibe going on, with forays into Poker Flat and/or Trapez territory.
Uncluttered minimal minimal minimal minimal minimal minimal minimal
minimal repeat to a 4/4 beat ad infinitum.=20
MISTER LEISURE - NO SCENE - U-FREQS - 12" (UF0176)
Punchy techno but is it minimal enough? Yeah, go on. Has quite
a kick to it, though (kick, punch, whatever). Lots of vocal snippets
and effects thrown in for good measure make this a bit of a beast.
Wighnomy Brothers lovers will enjoy this wee fella. The tracks
on side two border from the experimental to the infectious.=20
PASCAL FEOS - I CAN FEEL THAT (REMIXES) - OMYCHRON - 12" (OMY0026)
I don't think we'll have much trouble shifting these mixes from
Speedy J, Wighnomy Bros & Robag Wruhme and DJ Gogo. High octane
repetitive grooves from Speedy, business as usual shuffly minimal
tech-glitch from the Wighnomys and Robag and borderline trance-house
(it's trendy trance again!) from DJ Gogo (erk). I think the label
name is a Futurama reference, though, so it can't be all bad!
=20
PAUL MAC - $100 - IMMIGRANT - 12" (IMM0236)
The ever-prolific Paul Mac's back. Pacey, hypnotic, pulsating
club techno with plenty of bounce and energy. Actually, this is
slightly more diverse and interesting that his usual output, being
surprisingly musical and infectious - some of those synth lines
are delicious. Large and lively!=20
PELLARIN - TANGO EP - STATLER & WALDORF - 12" (S&W06LP)
It's great to find a record that's not afraid to wear its heart
on its sleeve like this one. Pellarin is a name that I've come
across before but I'm pretty sure it was a classic Electronica
sound (unless it's a different artist). This release, however,
is pure Berlin-styled Techno dub. About as deep as you can imagine
and beautifully produced for ultimate bass, this is minimal Techno
at its finest. If you're into Deepchord or Basic channel this
is an absolutel must. Highly recommended.
PHIL STUMPF - BORDERLINE - OUT OF ORBIT - 12" (ORB0136)
Just the usual 400 new minimal techno records this week at =
Smallfish.
Generally this is quite a melodic arrangement, with some nice
deep synth chords and shuffly beats and bass. The increasingly
ubiquitous Mr Martinez ups the pace with his slightly acidic glitch
remix. Like the other 399, these will go!=20
REYNOLD - PLAY FOOL - MORRIS AUDIO CITYSPORT EDITION - 12" (MACE0266)
You wait ages for a new M.A.C.E. and suddenly two come along blah
blah rhubarb rhubarb. Quality minimal techno with an impressively
gritty production that's guaranteed to please. The tracks on side
two are just as strong. If you admire Perlon, Playhouse, Boxer
Sport, Trapez, Sub Static etc, get yourself a copy of this.=20
ROYKSOPP - WHAT ELSE IS THERE (TRENTEMOLLER MIX) - WALL OF SOUND - 12" =
(WALLT111)
None of these mixes sound terribly exciting to me, but you may
have spotted that uber-fashionable minimal techno star in his
own backyard, Trentemoller, has contributed to this set of three.
There, that's a few copies sold already. Other mixes come courtesy
of Thin White Duke and Vitalic, lest there be any copies left
and you're still interested....=20
SERGEI - BIT BY BIT - REGULAR - 12" (REGULAR018)
Heavy and nicely deep sounds on Regular which, in my opinion,
is a real return to the sort of form they were in a year ago.
Techno meets House with a tough A-side and driving basslines and
a much smoother and more melodic flipside which grooves along
beautifully. Well worth checking.
SI BEGG - REVELATION - NOVA MUTE - 12" (12NOMU159)
The revelation here is that Si Begg has simultaneously jumped
on the Trendy Trance and Grime bandwagons! The A-side is incredibly
glossy techno... there seems to be an increasing number of records
around like this, some one needs to find a name for this sub-genre
pretty sharpish! Flip over for some tough ole' grimy beats. Great
artwork, love the political statistics on the back... the music,
however, i'm still not sure about. David, it's over to you....
=20
TOKTOK - DEN DEN DEN (REMIXES) - TOKTOK - 12" (TOKTOK0086)
Three mixes of this massive track from Toktok, best known for
their releases on B Pitch Control. Their own remix is the standout,
adopting a Smith 'N' Hack / Soundhack style approach to their
in-yer-face grooves. Silly, but you try keeping still. DJ Maxximus
cuts the track up even more, and Electric Indigo and Hautmann
adopt a seriously deep and minimal approach, with some almost
Echocord-esque stabs.=20
TOM CLARK - LAYLINES VOL. 3 - MORRIS AUDIO - 12" (MORRIS0436)
Well now, if it isn't me old mate Maurice Audio. I do enjoy their
uplifting minimal techno sound, particularly at this time on a
Tuesday afternoon. In fairness, the production on this is very
clean, the basslines are on the money and the percussion metallic
and well-rounded. The final track (of the three) is a real winner,
reminding one of Akufen at the top of his game. Recommended.=20
TRANSPARENT SOUND - VOYEURS CHANCE EP - ORSON - 12" (ORSON006)
With remix contributions from Bangkok Impact (Creme, Viewlexx),
Espion and James Taylor aka Swayzak (lots), not to mention the
original by Transparent Sound (Elektrix), you know you can't really
go wrong. From slightly retro electro disco to thumping tech house
to the much more minimal and subtle original (and Swayzak mix,
which is one of his best remixes for a long time), there's something
for everyone here.=20
VARIOUS - ACIIIEEED VOL. 3 - ACIIIEEED! - 12" (ATA0036)
DJ ESP (Woody McBride), DJ Man At Arms and The Mayhem Lecture
Series give us a glimpse into "the future of Acid House". Slamming,
electro tech-house for the more =
up-for-anything-and-taking-everything
crowd. Dirty hard acid fun all round. Nasty!=20
VARIOUS - FULL BODY WORKOUT VOL. 2 - GET PHYSICAL - 2xLP (GPM036LP)
The second Get Physical compilation comes just as welcome as the
first. From lo-fi electro pop to pumping dancefloor house, those
requiring solid rhythms, infectious grooves and lively pace will
be most satisfied. Includes tracks by Elektrochemie, Motion 040,
Afrilounge, Claude Von Stroke, Einzelkind, Voltique etc. If you
like Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y, B Pitch Control etc, check this at
once.=20
VARIOUS - STADTMUSIK TORONTO - ONI.TOR - 12" (ONI.TOR48)
Nothing against the first part of the series but this beats the
pants off the Stadtmusik Cologne EP. Four choice cuts from Matt
Thibideau, Jeff Milligan, Mike Shannon and Adam Marshall. All
four cuts are deep, grooving and slightly House orientated with
a funked up selection of sounds that will easily move you. Matt
Thibideau's track in particular is a lovely Detroit-esque cut
with the sort of pads and chords which the Motor City is famous
for. A lovely EP that's full of warmth and feel.
VATH VS ROTHER - KOMM - COCOON - 12" (COR0166)
Energetic dancefloor techno from Misters Sven Vath and Anthony
Rother. Lots of farty synth noises and crisp, phat beats on the
Gregor Thresher (Datapunk) remix that's bound to get the crowd
jumping and pumping. Even better is the original, which has a
harder, edgier feel to it - slammin'!=20
WILLIE GRAFF & KYLE ERRISON - SYNERGETIC - OUT OF ORBIT - 12" =
(ORB0126)
Easy-going, infectious, melodic synth techno that owes as much
to the retro sounds of Viewlexx and co as it does to the current
minimal techno scene. Think Kompakt Pop meets Italo disco meets
Alex Smoke - highly recommended.=20
ZENTEX - KAYRA - KICKBOXER - 12" (KICKBOXER02)
Three tracks of easy-going, accessible Tech fun from Boxer's new
offshoot label. Crunchy and fun sounds with a funky feel and the
real bonus of a superb remix from the one and only Alex Under
who's hugely on form at the moment. One of his more obvious =
dancefloor
tracks but with all the hallmarks of his quality sound. Top stuff.
Restocks (Vinyl): Techno / Electro
AUDIO WERNER - ZWRTSHAK DRIVE - HARTCHEF - 12" (HCF05)
Restock. There really has been an almighty hoo-haa about this
record... particularly in the aftermath of his wicked Trapez =
release.
My advice is head for the flip which, quite frankly, is a =
monstrously
good minimal Techno track. Blippy, bleepy sounds that are very,
very playable and mixable with these fabulous aeroplane noises
zooming through the mix. Really dynamic and very enjoyable. Just
get it.
BABIES FROM GONG - BABIES FROM GONG - 100% PURE - 12" (PURE 2)
4 WICKED TECHNO TRX FROM THIS DETROIT INFLUENCED DUTCH LABEL
NO STAND OUT CUTS COS THERE ALL SO GOOD...BUY IT NOW!=20
BEN PARRIS - DOUBLE WIMPFIGHTER EP - FOUND SOUND - 12" (FOUND05)
Funking, chunking, crispy-assed minimal Tech from that label that
can... and does! Ben Parris delivers 3 tracks of textbook grooviness
that has a definite 'Found Sound' feel and acres of playability.
As strong as the others, easily. Includes a top quality Magda
remix as well.
DJ KOZE - KOSI COMES AROUND - KOMPAKT - 12" (KOM124)
DJ Koze is a superb techno artist and this highly anticipated
album sees him at the peak of his powers. To just dismiss this
as another minimal techno record would be wrong - his crisp, deep
production style coupled with a penchant for wicked grooves makes
him stand out from the ever-swelling crowd. Add to that a real
musicality, playfulness and lightness of touch all too often missing
from the genre and you can't ask for more. The perfect blend of
techno and electronica, this comes highly, highly recommended.
MATHEW JONSON AND THE MOLE / AXEL BARTSCH - SPEICHER 26 - KOMPAKT =
EXTRA - 12" (KOMEX26)
WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THIS RELEASE? MATHEW JONSON CONJURES UP
ANOTHER ABSOLUTELY STORMING TRACK WITH THE MOLE WHICH SITS VERY
HAPPILY WITH THE GENERAL SPEICHER STYLE BUT ALSO HAS HIS OWN UNIQUE,
MINIMAL TECHNO FLAVOUR. IT'S HUGE... YOU WANT IT... GET IN THERE!
AXEL BARTSCH HAS DELIVERED A COOL, DEEP AND SOLID TECH TRACK AS
WELL, ALTHOUGH IT'S A SHAME THAT THE MATHEW JONSON CUT IS LIABLE
TO OVERSHADOW IT SOMEWHAT. A BRILLIANT EP FROM KOMPAKT EXTRA.
MURMUR / BOVILL - GROUND EP - MEANWHILE - 12" (MEAN001)
Restock. The debut release from Murmur, Bovill and, of course,
Meanwhile... a very promising new label from London. Using =
influences
from Berlin, Detroit and a certain degree, Chicago, both artists
deliver stunning, thoughtful, atmospheric and very engaging pure
Techno tracks. Kicking off with Bovill's cut which has a rolling,
bass kick-heavy flava that gives a definite nod to Robert Hood
in his absolute prime. Superb, minimalistic instrumentation keeps
the tracks fresh throughout with a series of subtly shifting sounds.
The second track has the purest of Detroit sounds with a killer
analogue sequence coupled with an offbeat kick drum. This has
the most simplistic feel of the EP, but works in such a hypnotic
fashion that you sson get stuck into the groove. The flip has
two more wonderful tracks from Murmur with a pad-heavy, string-laden
piece that, again, has an incredibly subtle offbeat groove to
keep it shuffling ever forward. The EP finishes off with some
serious Berlin-style sounds that have all the best elements of
a deep, dubbed out Basic Channel cut plus reverb-heavy stabs and
a cleverly arranged feel with a cool fade out in the middle which
cuts back in with the 4/4 rhythm driving through and giving it
a grooved-out dancefloor feel. You may have guessed that I like
this record somewhat! I do. It's brilliant and you need it if
you're even vaguely interested in Techno in any way. Just get
it!
PLANETARY ASSAULT SYSTEMS - PLANETARY FUNK VOL 2 - PEACEFROG - 12" =
(PF016)
SECOND VOLUME OF THIS STORMING SERIES FROM LUKE SLATER. SLAMMING
TECHNO FROM 1993 WITH TOP PRODUCTION AND LARGER THAN LIFE BEATS
AND STABS. PHAT!
SURFACE EFFECT - RECAL - EXRANOPLAN - SURFACE EFFECT - 12" (AE14777)
EXCELLENT FIRST RELEASE FROM THIS SCOTTISH BASED PRODUCER.......
DEEP DARK ELECTRO CLUB TRACKS.... ROUGH RHYTHMS AND SUPER OBSCURE
MELODIES... ON BLUE VINYL AND EVERYONE IS INDIVIDUALY PAINTED!!!
CHECK.....................=20
SWEET N CANDY - DEAD BETWEEN THE EARS - DUMB UNIT - 12" (DU-024)
Sweet n Candy are unstoppable at the moment and, thankfully, they
haven't run out of ideas yet. Springy, chunky minimal grooves
that beat the hell out of most of the other Dumb Unit releases
by quite a long way. Killer production and phat as hell grooves...
essential for the heads.
SWEET N CANDY - TACKY WAKEUP - RAUM MUSIK - 12" (MUSIK050)
Whooah! Massive new four track EP from current hotshots Sweet
N Candy. Ultimately deep and ultimately obscure, this is the kind
of music that will make you twist and groove but in such a mutant
way that you might think there's something wrong with you. =
Incredible
production and awesome sound design ensure this never, ever gets
boring. For the minimal fans, there's no excuse no to get this
beast!
SWEET N CANDY - FIDDLESTICKS EP - REGULAR - 12" (REGULAR15)
Sweet n Candy follow up a very good run of singles with this top
notch groover for Spanish label Regular. 3 tracks of glitchy,
funky Techno sounds with wicked production and the kind of driving,
rolling basslines that'll get you up and about in no time. Cracking
edits and little drops and breaks that keep it interesting =
throughout
and, overall, another really excellent release from Regular. =
Recommended.
WERK - GRIM DUBS VOL.3 - WERK - 12" (WERK6/GRIM3)
GRIME, BUT ELECTRO AT THE SAME TIME. QUITE A POTENT COMBINATION,
I THINK YOU'LL AGREE. ANOTHER ANONYMOUS ARTIST AND ANOTHER =
SPECTACULAR
COUPLE OF TRACKS THAT WILL MAKE YOU DANCE WITHOUT EVEN BREAKING
A SWEAT... MASSIVE, TWISTED BASSLINES AND ROCKING TWO-STEPPY BEATS
MAKE THIS A KILLER. ROLL IT OUT WERK!
New Releases (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro
EXZAKT - REPRESSED (CLEAR VINYL) - MONOTONE - 12" (MON000)
This is a bomb! 4 humungous Electro tracks from Exzakt which do
pretty much exzaktly what you'd expect but with lots of bells
and whistles on. Tough beats, slamming basslines and a tidy B-Boy
feel all combine to make a furiously good EP that fans of pure
Electro and labels like Satamile are going to love. Rock solid.
EXZAKT - MUSIC IS THE DRUG REMIXES - MONOTONE - 12" (MON001)
Exzakt gets down with a more Electro / Breaks fllava EP here that
even has a remix from Blim on it. Still very much what you'd expect
but there's a 4/4 mix on the A-side that really makes a tough
and tastyy hybrid of Techno and Electro. Rough, ready and aching
to be played on your decks... bravo Monotone!
HYDE VS. EXZAKT - I AM THE ENEMY - MONOTONE - 12" (MON004)
Devastating slab of electro with the main track being an upbeat,
dancefloor rocking track that has all the powerful elements you'd
expect from an Exzakt related production. Two tracks on the B-side
as well and, guess what? They're both banging as well! Fans of
Satamile please form an orderly queue for this top EP.
ISOMETRIC - INSERT COIN (DINKY REMIX) - DISTRICT OF CORRUPTION - 12" =
(DOC007)
District of Corruption is one of those labels that's bubbling
just under the radar at the moment, but I expect them to bust
out over the next 6 months or so as they've put out a stream of
quality records thus far. Isometric deliver two tracks (including
a superb remix from Dinky) that are heavy, but in a tripped, fuky,
minimal sort of way that says 'Cologne' all over it but with a
distinctly U.S. feel as well. Wicked dancefloor tracks that should
stand the test of time.
LOCUTUS - MINDSHAPE EP - ANODE - 12" (AR-007)
Locutus provides another EP of incredibly fierce, very definitely
U.S. sounding Techno that's got a foot in Detroit and another
foot somewhere else entirely. Dark, heavy and absolutely rough
sounding tracks that will pound any dancefloor... and that's really
not a bad thing now, is it? Class.
NETZWERK FLORIDA - EARTH.WIND.FIRE/ - MONOTONE - 12" (MON002)
Two absolutely slamming Electro cuts from the German monster that
is Anthony Rother. Large beats, phat bass... just proper =
honest-to-goodness
dancefloor Electro all round. I honestly didn't think I'd ever
see this again so snap it up before it disappears for good. Huge
stuff.
Restocks (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro
JOHN TEJADA - LOGIC MEMORY CENTER - PLUG RESEARCH - 2xLP (PLG55LP)
JOHN TEJADA COMES BACK WITH A BANG WITH THIS WONDERFUL ALBUM FOR
PLUG RESEARCH. CONTRARY TO WHAT I EXPECTED IT'S A LIVELY COLLECTION
OF MAINLY DANCEFLOOR ORIENTATED TRACKS THAT USE HIS TRADEMARK
PRODUCTION SKILLS TO WONDERFUL EFFECT. JERKY, QUIRKY, WARM AND
SOULFUL TRACKS THAT HAVE CRISPY SOUNDS AND SPIKY, MOVING RHYTHMS.
HE INDULGES IN A SPOT OF VOCAL SHENANIGANS WITH HELP FROM CARL
FINLOW , JAMES FIGURINE AND KIMI RECOR. THIS ADDS YET ANOTHER
LAYER OF DEPTH TO AN ALREADY PACKED ALBUM OF GREAT MUSIC. COMES
RECOMMENDED FOLKS!
VISION - GYROSCOPIC EP - UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE - 12" (UR008)
CRUSH, KILL DESTROY... THE TITLES SUGGEST EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS
EP!!! REMEBER UR RELEASE MUSIC FOR A REASON. THIS TIME IT WAS
SOMEONE WHO WAS MURDERED BY THE MICHIGAN POLICE... CLASSIC HARD
DETROIT - WITH THE FUNK!!!
New Releases (Vinyl): Hip Hop
DISFLEX 6 - DREAM SEQUENCE / BOMB THE FACTORY - TWENTYFOURSEVEN - 7" =
(247016)
Intricate leftfield Hip Hop from the Mush / Anticon school of
thought. At first i thought this was one of the filed under =
'Folktronica',
but then the rhymes came in - musically it's a bit Static Caravan!
The flip is equally low-key with some nice retro / cheap keyboard
drum sounds. On attractive orange vinyl, and definitely worth
checking out.=20
RICCI RUCKER - UTILITY PHONOGRAPH RECORD 3 - SOUND IN COLOR - LP =
(SICKBRK099LP)
One of the best & most inventive battle weapons i've heard in
a long time. lots of ultra slowbeats to double up over and some
great little percussion loops and analog noises to get busy with.
highly recommended.
T SKI VALLEY / FAMILY - CATCH THE BEAT / FAMILY RAP - SOUL JAZZ - 12" =
(SJR12512)
Very attractively presented limited promo sampler (presumably)
for a forthcoming Soul Jazz compilation documenting the early
days of Hip Hop in New York. T Ski Valley's "Catch The Beat" is
a classic track now nigh on impossible to find on an official
12". Very much in the "Rapper's Delight" style, but arguably even
better! The Family track is an excellent choice to back it with,
too. This is what Hip Hop is really about.=20
VARIOUS - 2K6 (THE TRACKS) - DECON - 2xLP (DCN29LP)
Nice comp showcasing some of the artists on the decon roster &
friends. RJD2, The Roots, Zion I, Common, Aceyalone, Jean Grae
and more. 15 tracks in total of top quality Indie niceness.=20
Restocks (Vinyl): Hip Hop
GHOSTFACE KILLAH - BE EASY - DEF JAM - 12" (DEF511611)
Record of the week for me here! Super funky back on form Pete
Rock beat with ghostface spittin his verses in a top notch style.
must have must have must have must have.......
STEVE SPACEK - SPACE SHIFT - STUDIO DISTRIBUTION - 2xLP (SIC007LP)
Spacey, off the wall soul from the front man of =
the-should-have-been-huge
Spacek. The lead off single is a top of the range jay-dilla =
production.
The rest of the LP/CD is produced by Steve & friends. Its a shame
that there isnt more forward thinking things like this around
at the moment.....
Restocks (Vinyl): Eclectic Beats
CAPONE - PARADISE / VOICE - HARDLEADERS - 12" (HL014)
ROUGH DRUM AND BASS SOUNDS FROM THIS LATE 90'S LABEL WHOS RELEASES
HAVE BEEN OUT OF PRINT FOR A WHILE NOW. IF YOU ARE INTO THE HARD
NOISE BASED DRUM & BASS / RAGGA STUFF FROM THE BUG, ROOTSMAN ETC
THEN YOU SHOULD CHECK THIS.............
FORMULA 7 & TDK - MECHANISM / TRAUMA - HARDLEADERS - 12" (HL017)
HARD AGRESSIVE DRUM N' BASS WITH A BASSLINE THAT WILL RUMBLE RIGHT
THROUGH YOUR CHEST. SLIGHTLY ATMOSPHERIC OVERTONES BUT ITS THE
RHYTHM THATS THE THING HERE. IF YOU LIKE BUG, ROOTSMAN, KID 606,
BAD CO ETC THEN YOU SHOULD CHECK THIS OUT. CLASSIC LATE 90'S DRUM
AND BASS THAT HAS BEEN OUT OF PRINT FOR A WHILE NOW.......
REGULATE - THERAPEUTICS - HARDLEADERS - 12" (HL008)
2 NICELY SPACED OUT ATMOSPHERIC TRACKS FROM REGULATE. HEAVY =
BASSLINES
COME TO THE FRONT AS SHIFTING MELODIES, CHOPPY RHYTHMS SLIP AROUND
WARM FX WASHES FOR A MORE RELAXED TAKE ON TECHSTEP.
SOUL - JAH - DOWN WITH THE LITES / STEP 2-1-2-1 - HARDLEADERS - 12" =
(HL002)
THE ARTIST AKA LEMON D LETS LOOSE WITH THESE REEEWIND! NUMBERS
COMPLETE WITH SIRENS , WESTERN THEMES, PERCUSSIVE JUMP UP BREAKS
AND MIGHTY BASS STABS. =20
CHECK OUT THE "URBANOLGY " LP CONTAINING
THE CLASSIC FADE II BLACK. ALSO NEW LEMON D LP COMING
ON R&S.=20
SOULJAH - ROLLIN / COME ON (ALL NIGHT LONG) - HARDLEADERS - 12" =
(HL012)
RAW TO THE CORE DRUM AND BASS IN THE LATE 90'S STYLE. THIS SEEMS
TO BE POPULAR AT THE MOMENT AND WE FOUND A SMALL CACHE OF TITLES
IN THE DEPTHS OF OUR STORE ROOM, AND HERE THEY ARE FOR YOU ALL.
FANS OF THE BUG, ROOTSMAN, KID 606 SHOULD INVESTIGATE...........
New Releases (Vinyl): Guitar Based
JUNIP (JOSE GONZALES) - BLACK REFUGE EP - TEME SHET - 10" (TEME001T)
Junip is essentially the wonderful Jose Gonzalez (whose solo =
acoustic
album "Veneer" on Agenda remains one of our best sellers of 2005)
backed with a full band, and by gum, this EP does not disappoint
in any way. Jose's unmistakable voice amidst some terrific, intense,
organ driven arrangements works wonders - "Official" is particularly
epic. Also included is a Bruce Springsteen cover ("The Ghost Of
Tom Joad"), and Mike Joyce (*the* Mike Joyce?!) on percussion.
If you liked "Veneer", you'll love this. It's that simple.=20
LUCKY LUKE / KING CREOSOTE / SOUTH DOWNS / IMMIGRA - THE WHISPER EP - =
CHAFFINCH - 7" (7FINCHEP1)
4 lovely tracks here. Singer songwrtier material with heaps of
meloncholic overtones in the wonderful melodies. I particularly
love the use of the harmonium on the inside side. beautiful.....
ROBERT JESSE & SIMON LORD - WITHIN WITHOUT - TRIAL & ERROR RECORDINGS =
- 7" (TNE004)
Fresh from a very successful Smallfish instore comes the debut
release from this promising acoustic folk duo. This is definitely
to be investigated if you're a fan of the likes of Jose Gonzalez,
Tunng, (early) Kings Of Convenience, Simon & Garfunkel etc. They
actually remind me of very early Turin Brakes in that brief window
when they were very good, before they became horribly mainstream.
Bit of a buzz on this, and quite right too.=20
SIGUR ROS - HOPPIPOLLA - EMI - 12" (12EM673)
Beautfully packaged new 3-track 12" from the ever-epic and etheriel
Icelanders. I'm sure everyone's familiar with their sound and
style by now, so there's no need for me to bleat on too much suffice
to say if you're a fan, you're gonna love it. The final track
("Hafsol") is particularly huge. Comes with a gorgeous poster,
as well.=20
Restocks (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / Soul
CLYDE ALEXANDER - GOT TO GET YOUR LOVE - HEAVENLY STAR - 12" (HS905)
Super classic disco that has been sampled by many. Its the =
instrumental
that is doing it here, if your into house in a big way your going
to recognize this straight away. Keep these fine reissues coming
mr brown, we love 'em....
New Releases (CD): Electronica
ALVA NOTO + RYUICHI SAKAMOTO - VRIOON - RASTER NOTON - CD (R-N050)
Back in stock. The 50th release for Raster Noton sees the pairing
of these two talented artists in what has become something of
a watershed recording. At heart it's a gentle, intricate and subtle
blend of electronics and acoustic piano that weaves and hypnotizes
with Sakamoto providing the piano phrases and Carsten Nicolai
gently processing and manipulating them underneath. The use of
identifiable motifs works like a dream and really gives the listener
something to lock onto (as if you needed to). Beautifully melancholy
and aching with divine melodies, this release is infinitely special
and if you own the second collaboration 'Insen' you should treat
this as a must have CD. Simply awesome.
ANGIE REED - XYZ FREQUENCY - CHICKS ON SPEED - CD (COSR27CD)
One minute it's poppy, the next it's punky, the next it's noisy,
the next it's not but i have to say i've heard a lot worse from
this label. Some catchy (if slightly unhinged) tunes on here -
at times it reminded me of Altered Images! Whatever happened to
Clare Grogan, she was lovely...?=20
BONG-RA - I AM THE GOD OF HELLFIRE - VERY FRIENDLY - CD (VF029CD)
Yes, of course you are. Bong-Ra manages to capture the spirit
of the more experimental end of the Breakcore sound with this
album of brutal and roughneck sounds. Furious breaks and a whole
load of noise combine to make a true jump-around sound. Fans of
Breakcore in general should seek this out immediately.=20
DEPARTMENT OF EAGLES - THE COLD NOSE - MELODIC - CD (MELO034CD)
Ok, so the less said about Nine Black Alps and Harrisons the better,
but overall Melodic have released many a great record, and this
is another discovery which really works for me. You may remember
their album on Isota a couple of years ago, and this is a lovely
progression from that - think Broken Social Scene, Twisted Nerve,
Caribou, Four Tet and (yes) the better Melodic artists! Very =
enjoyable.
=20
FOVEA HEX - BLOOM - DIE STADT - CD (DS83CD)
Ethereal vocals with a haunting quality over some very beautiful
string laden electronica. Such a beautiful fragile sound packed
with emotion. 3 tracks that really are quite sad in the real sense
of the word.
LARSEN - HMKE - IMPORTANT - CD (IMPREC072CD)
spacious soundscapes that really stretch out here on this lovely
CD. Although it is a pretty bleak sound it has an abstract warmth
to it that is very beautiful. lovely.....
LOKAI - 7 MILLION - MOSZ - CD (MOSZ006)
Lokai's 6 track work for Mosz is a mini masterpiece of beautiful
sound and noise that's instantly appealing thanks to an inspired
choice of opening track. It kicks off in a delightfully guitary
sort of way which really brings to mind the work of Keiichi Sugimoto
(aka Minamo and Fourcolor) with delicate playing and a gently
manipulated sound which is very soothing indeed. After that things
become more texturally based and there's a lush soundcape feel
that's minimal without being ultra-reduced. Yes, there are moments
that become a tad noisier, but it's never at the expense of =
atmosphere
and overall really adds a great deal to the album. Very, very
good indeed and definitely one to check if you're into 12k etc.
MARK CLIFFORD / SIMON KEALOHA - RUNNING TAPER - POLYFUSIA - CD =
(FUS003)
Eagerly anticipated here at Smallfish as there are a couple of
us that are confirmed fans of Mark Clifford's work. This full
length album is a collaboration between Clifford and Simon Kealoha
and provides something of a missing link between Seefeel and =
Disjecta
sound-wise and is an intriguing blend of dense, sculptural =
electronica
soundscapes and abstract rhythmic elements coupled with one =
absolutely
powerful as you can imagine guitar noise track that absolutely
fills your mind. As delicate at times as it is challenging at
others, this is something to listen to several times before it
really clicks into place, but, my word, when it does... you've
got a powerful piece of contemporary minimalism. If you're a fan
of Seefeel and Disjecta or not, you simply must check this out.
Gorgeous.
MONOS - GENERATORS - DIE STADT - 2xCD (DS74CD)
Ultra-deep ambient dronescapes that make most of the Kranky releases
sound like banging techno! Yes, switch off the lights, curl up
by the fireside, make yourself a cup of horlicks (not in that
order) and prepare yourself for a double CD of the more intense
variety of minimal!=20
MUI - INSIDE A MOVING MACHINE - KEPLAR - CD (KEPLAR014)
Keplar is a label that I try to like on a regular basis but that
I just end up thinking is pretty good but nothing special. This
release, however, could change all that as it's a sublimely put
together slice of Electronica and Post-Rock which is mellow, melody
driven and full of warmth and beauty. Skillfully produced to create
a flowing atmosphere, it has a few more upbeat moments but, =
generally,
this is a very soothing piece of work indeed. Quality through
and through.
PITA - FREMDKOERPER - MOSZ - CD (MOSZ007)
Peter Rehberg absolutely doing what he does best here. 7 wonderfully
dense and intense tracks of electronic manipulation and layering.
He strikes a lovely balance between challenging, ear-crunching
noise and delicate, almost Fennesz-esque processing which makes
for a very appealing work. At it's heart this is definitely =
experimental
but as people are now open to that kind of sound a lot more you'll
find that if you listen to 12k, Apestaartje and other such labels
this may well appeal to you. Best have a listen and see what think,
but for me this is highly recommended.
SAADANE AFIF 02 / TUJIKO NORIKO / PORTADIUM - MELANCHOLIC BEAT - =
SEMISHIGURE - CD (SEMIAFIF01CD)
A strange mix of laptop computer rhtyhms & some bizzare vocals
that are quite hard to understand in truth. At times it is quite
coherent and flows nicely, at others it becomes intertestingly
disjointed. Some of the sounds used within the rhtyhms are very
well constructed. worth checking me thinks...
SUSANNE BROKESCH - EMERALD STARS - CHICKS ON SPEED - CD (COSR26CD)
Anyone that heard Susanne's last album (on Disko B) won't be =
expecting
the usual Chicks On Speed sound. This is warm, broken electronic
pop not entirely unlike Morr Music's trademark shoegaze-tronica.
It has its more intense moments, mind - especially the cover of
David Bowie's "Heroes" - but overall this is mellow, hypnotic
and surprisingly pleasant.=20
TV POW - BURNED BRIDGES & LOST LOVE - BOTTROP-BOY - 2xCD (BBOY023CD)
2 CD's of twisted eccentric electronica with plenty off ear =
splitting
frequencies along side played samples, vocal snippets and human
digestive system noises. All in all an off the wall experince
that will have dogs barking everywhere.
VARIOUS - FREQ OUT 2 - TOUCH - CD (ASH68)
Touch doing what they do so well here. This multi-artist live
performance (part of the Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival
2004) comes highly recommended to those into 12k / Line, Raster
Noton, Richard Chartier or anything Mike recommends. Lie back,
relax and let the ultra-minimal ambient drooooooooooooooooone
wash over you....=20
VARIOUS - SUBVARITRAX - SUBVARIANT - CD (SUBV002)
Subvariant comes to us from Chicago and label Boss Liz Knight
has done a sterling job of consolidating her ezine, 'Modsquare.com'
with her jewellery design company, 'Zelle' and now this most =
excellent
Electronica label. Clearly a labour of love it features 17 tracks
from artists both known and unknown and it concentrates on the
melodic, experimental (I daren't say IDM) side of things. Marshall
Watson, Kero, Derek Michael, Zainetica, Quench (aka Funckarma),
Ochre, Matthew Mercer and Quantazelle (Liz heself) all feature
amongst others, and I think it's fair to say that at this price
and with this quality of tracks you absolutely can't go wrong.
Beautifully realised and extremely worthwhile, this one comes
highly recommended, particularly to fans of Toytronic, Expanding
etc. Check.
Restocks (CD): Electronica
ALVA NOTO - TRANSALL CYCLE 1 - TRANSRAPID - RASTER NOTON - CD (R-N061)
Put simply, Carsten Nicolai is pretty much in a league of his
own, and this is a stunning series of releases. Apart from the
packaging being unbelievably cool and beautiful, and it coming
on a 3" cd pressed on a clear 5" cd, you get four tracks of =
incredibly
intricate and crisp electronics with deep, surprisingly percussive
rhythms, electrostatic sounds and amazing high frequencies. =
Bordering
on genius, I'd say! Don't miss out on this highly recommended
piece.
GOLDMUND - CORDUROY ROAD - TYPE - CD (TYPE005)
TYPE CONTINUE TO GROW IN STRENGTH AND STATURE WITH EACH RELEASE
IN MY OPINION AND WITH THIS ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL ALBUM THEY'VE
DELIVERED SOMETHINGS CRYSTALLINE, PURE AND STUNNING BEAUTIFUL.
'CORDUROY ROAD' IS A SERIES OF PIANO PIECES THAT ARE SIMPLE, YET
ULTIMATELY REFINED AND AMAZINGLY HYPNOTIC. THE SUBTLE TREATMENTS
OF THE PIECES WITH REVERB ADD A HAUNTING AND MELANCHOLY FEEL THAT
IS AT ONCE DISTANT AND ICY, BUT STRANGELY WARMING AND FRIENDLY.
IMAGINE HAROLD BUDD AND BRIAN ENO'S 'AMBIENT 2' IF YOU CAN, THEN
STRIP IT DOWN A BIT AND YOU'RE PRETTY CLOSE TO HOW THIS SOUNDS.
A MARVELLOUSLY ASSURED PIECE OF WORK THAT HAS A TRULY TIMELESS
QUALITY. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.
RYAN TEAGUE - SIX PRELUDES - TYPE - CD (TYEP002)
QUALITY CONTROL IS SOMETHING THAT IS CLEARLY VERY CLOSE TO THE
HEARTS OF THE TYPE LABEL AS THIS SUPERB, SUBLIME AND WONDERFUL
NEW RELEASE WILL ATTEST. I DON'T WANT TO GO ON TOO MUCH ABOUT
IT, OR TYPE IN GENERAL IN FACT, BUT, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT
THEY ARE CONCEIVABLY ONE OF THE MOST EXCELLENT LABELS WE HAVE
IN THIS COUNTRY AT THE PRESENT TIME AND THEIR WHOLE CATALOGUE
SHOULD BE THE ENVY OF A LOT OF OTHER LABELS. RYAN TEAGUE HAS =
PRODUCED
SOMETHING OF A GEM HERE WITH SIX TRACKS FORMING A DELICIOUS SET.
STRINGS... THAT'S THE ORDER OF THE DAY. ALMOST CHAMBER MUSIC,
PRETTY CLOSE TO BEING CLASSICAL AND RIGHT ON THE MONEY AS FAR
AS ATMOSPHERE AND BEAUTY GOES. SIMPLY GORGEOUS AND ONE FOR ALL
FANS OF THE MORE ORGANIC SIDE OF ELECTRONICA (EVEN THOUGH THIS
ISN'T, STRICTLY SPEAKING, ELECTRONICA AT ALL). DON'T MISS OUT
BECAUSE A) IT'S GRAND AND B) IT'S A REAL BARGAIN AT THIS PRICE.
ESSENTIAL STUFF.=20
SAWAKO - OMNIBUS - COMMUNITY LIBRARY - CD (CL2)
Made by Sawako and friends from musical and non musical =
perspectives.
10 tracks of simple electronica meets field recordings - the
tracks hold the sampled sounds and music together really well,
with them feeling like complete (if very minimal and fragile)
tracks whilst still evoking actual places and situations. Charming
and simple. Recommended. =20
STATIC - RE: TALKING ABOUT MEMORIES - CITY CENTRE OFFICES - CD =
(TOWERBLOCK31CD)
More highly accomplished songs from Static, with his usual crack
squad of members of Tarwater and To Rococo Rot in tow. Quite =
possibly
their finest release to date, this is the perfect blend of warm
electronica, gentle vocals, subtle glitchiness and lo-fi aesthetics.
Included is a cover of The Assembly's "Never Never", which seems
fitting somehow. Another fine release from CCO.=20
THOMAS FEHLMANN - LOWFLOW - PLUG RESEARCH - CD (PR58CD)
THOMAS FEHLMANN IS ONE OF THOSE ARTISTS WHO SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN
AROUND FOREVER AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN SOME OF THE MOST IMPORTANT
PROJECTS OVER THE PAST FIFTEEN YEARS. 3 PHASE, SUN ELECTRIC, THE
ORB, MARATHON AND LOTS OF HIS OWN PROJECTS, NOTABLY ON KOMPAKT.
THIS ALBUM DISTILLS EVERYTHING THAT I LOVE ABOUT HIS WORK INTO
ONE SPECTACULAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. DUB, TECHNO, HIP HOP, =
ELECTRONICA,
R&B AND MANY OTHER INFLUENCES COLLIDE TO PROVIDE AN INTENSE =
SELECTION
OF WONDERFULLY DEEP TRACKS, EVERY ONE OF WHICH IS A GEM. THREE
TRACKS ARE CO-WRITTEN WITH GHOSTLY'S DABRYE, AND YOU CAN TELL
WHICH ONES THEY ARE. SIMPLY UNMISSABLE AND ESSENTIAL AND GENERALLY
WONDERFUL. BUY IT!
New Releases (CD): Techno / Electro
FRANCISCO - MUSIC BUSINESS - NATURE - CD (NA2130CD)
Electro / Techno / Disco from Italy here. Francisco has put together
an immaculate album of tasty dancefloor grooves that owes as much
to Detroit and labels like Delsin as it does to old Italo House
and Disco Records. Stunning arrangements and amazingly funky sounds
and beats combine to make one wicked album. Definitely recommended.
MELNYK - SILENCE - GAYMONKEY RECORDS - CD (GAY14)
Melnyk's full album is a fun and funky selection Electro / Disco
that uses retro, synthy sounds and Moroder / Patrick Adams =
influences
to give it a slightly Disco edge. Cracking production all the
way through with some beautifully defined sounds and beats that
give it a mature sound. Way better than a lot of the cheesey stuff
that you can find yourself listening to. If you like Vector Lovers,
you should really check this out.
VARIOUS - GREEN & BLUE - COCOON - 2xCD (CORMIX0112)
O Come all ye minimals. Ricardo Villalobos and Loco Dice in the
mix, a disc a piece. In the blue (Villalobos) corner; Roman, Kenny
Dope, Sasse, Robag Wruhme, Donnacha Costello, John Tejada, Guido
Schneider et al. In the green (Dice) corner; Bucci, Alexander
East, Bearback, Monne Automne, Konrad Black etc.=20
VARIOUS - C/O POP FESTIVAL COMPILATION 2005 - COLOGNE ON POP - 2xCD =
(COP02CD)
Double CD of tracks related to Cologne's music festival from earlier
this year. Includes a wide variety of tracks from the likes of
Prosumer, Ricardo Villalobos, Schaeben & Voss, Annie, Alex Smoke,
Wighnomy Brothers, Mathias Schaffhauser, Andre Kraml and more.
Deep Techno meets punky, poppy Techno and Electro head-on. A quality
selection all round.
New Releases (CD): House
VARIOUS - GREATEST MIXES COLLECTION - SLEEPING BAG - CD (TEG76512CD)
Great comp of classics from this New York label. Dinosaur L, Class
Action, Konk and more. a totla of 8 classy cuts that have graced
dancefloors the world over for more than 2 decades...
New Releases (CD): Guitar Based
JACKIE-O MOTHERF*CKER - FLAGS OF THE SACRED HARP - ALL TOMORROWS =
PARTIES - CD (ATPRCD20)
Jackie-O's most accessible album to date is also their best, and
surprisingly beautiful. Gentle, expansive slo-core / =
singer-songwriting
reminiscent of Low or Codeine, marking a real departure from their
more experimental soundscape material. The cheekily titled "Good
Morning Kaptain" gives a hint as to another influence. Highly
recommended.=20
OCEAN - HERE WHERE NOTHING GROWS - IMPORTANT - CD (IMPREC073CD)
Ambient doom metal / slo-core for those seriously into the genre.
If you're a fan of Earth (especially the Sub Pop days), look no
further - likewise Pelican, Neurosis, Buried At Sea, Sunn O)))
etc. Three epic full-length tracks that have "been mastered to
be played at a higher volume"!=20
SAADANE AFIF / RAINIER LERICOLAIS / MARCELINE DELB - ROCK & ROLL AT =
THE DOWN CLUB - SEMISHIGURE - CD (SEMIAFIF02CD)
Soft meandering songs sung with a disafected, and at times =
disinterested
vocal style. Some nice tape loop effects at times here. at best
excellent, at worst interesting. One to check out i would say....
VARIOUS - ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES 3.1: CURATED BY MATT GROENI - ALL =
TOMORROWS PARTIES - CD (ATPRCD16)
The perfect Christmas gift for the Simpsons / alternative guitar
music fan in your life, me thinks! Coming complete with (brilliant)
instantly identifiable artwork courtesy of Matt Groening himself,
this compilation commemorating his curation of the ATP festival
of 2003 finally gets released. Eleven great selections from The
Stooges, The Magic Band, Spoon, The Shins, Modest Mouse, Elliott
Smith, Daniel Johnston, American Analog Set, Electrelane, Jackie-O
Motherf*cker and Sonic Youth (with their version of the Simpsons
theme tune). Woo-hoo indeed!=20
New Releases (CD): Experimental
BEEQUEEN - GUND - PLINKITY PLONK - CD (PLINK11)
Sale. Frans de Ward and Freek Kinkelaar's Beequeen project manages
to be extremely experimental whilst retaining a listenable sound
that's really quite engaging. Definitely on the softer, more layered
side of this expansive style with deep, rumbling bass sounds,
manipulated samples and field recordings and the occasional moment
of more glitch based elements. Excellent.=20
BILL HORIST & KK NULL - INTERSTELLAR CHEMISTRY - BETA LACTUM - CD =
(MT037CD)
Sale. Legendary guitar manipulator KK Null teams up with Bill
Horist to provide an incredibly intense twelve track selection.
From ultra aggressive noise and feedback to, weirdly, an electro
track with screwed up guitar sounds. There are a few moments of
processed ultra reduced minimalism to go along with the harder
gear and, ultimately, it's a bit of a goodie.=20
BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL / BRUCE RUSSELL - BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL / BRUCE =
RUSSELL - CPSIP - CD (CPSIP1001CD)
Sale. Recorded at various locations in New Zealand, these two
fellas get it on with a variety of gear from guitars, violins,
computers, effects and oscillators through to fire (!), pine cones
(!!), water (!!!), the sugar bowl (!!!!) and an electric toothbrush.
Not normal behaviour at all but certainly unique.=20
BLONK / MAKIGAMI / DUTTON / MINTON / MOSS - FIVE MEN SINGING - VICTO - =
CD (VICTOCD092)
Sale. I'm not sure i'd call it singing, although it does sound
pretty extraordinary. Five men chanting, droning, screetching
and generally making daft noises on stage, more like - nice work
if you can get it. Haven't laughed so much in ages, God knows
how the audience kept a straight face! Definitely one to cure
the winter blues!=20
BRUCE GILBERT - IN ESSE - MUTE - CD (CDSTUMM171)
Sale. Wire's Bruce Gilbert with a relatively contemporary release
(from 1997). Dark textures and soundscapes that are minimalist
and very introverted, almost seeming to climb inside themselves
(have a listen and you'll see what i mean - i hope!).=20
BRUCE GILBERT - AB OVO - MUTE - CD (CDSTUMM117)
Sale. Wire's Bruce Gilbert here a varied selection of styles,
from pure electronics to some very doomy guitar and drum work
plus the occasional bit of textural soundscape. Good stuff from
1996.=20
CARTER TUTTI - LIVE CONCERT LEM FESTIVAL OCTOBER 4, 2003 - CONSPIRACY =
INTERNATIONAL - CD (FARTOOLONG1)
Sale. The description's in the title, really, isn't it? One for
the Throbbing Gristle diehards out there.=20
CHRISTINA KUBISCH - ARMONICA - BOTTROP-BOY - CD (SEMI006CD)
Beautiful soft tonal soundscapes on this gorgeous CD. It has a
transparent, fragile feel to me suggesting a bleak winter landscape,
somewhere very flat, completely silent with a light mist hanging
in the air.If it can paint this picture to me after listening
to it for just a minute or so, i think i will have to listen to
it at home and give it the attention it deserves. recommended..
CLARE GASSON (AND FRIENDS) - ELSEWHERE - N/A - CD + BOOK (N/A)
Sale. CD number two from local artist and occasional Smallfish
customer Clare Gasson is an altogether more ambitious project
than before. The CD is her most enjoyable spoken word piece to
date (all very canine inspired), and comes complete with a 32-page
booklet of prose and photography taken from an exhibition just
around the corner from here. It's only a matter of time before
we hear our Clare on Radio 4, me thinks. Great stuff, very =
attractively
packaged, wholeheartedly recommended.
CONTRASTATE & THE TIGER LILLIES - GOODBYE GREAT NATION - BLACK ROSE - =
CD (BRCD96-1004)
Sale. A one-track, 20 minute spoken word soundscape, the theme
of which seems to be the general decline of the nation / the royal
family / Diana etc. Deep, throbbing tones and semi-operatic vocals
enhance the atmosphere. All pretty chilling stuff.=20
DANIEL MENCHE - EYE ON THE STEEL - SUBSTRACTIF - CD (SUBSF07CD)
Sale. This artist has produced some fine work in the field of
intense noise manipulation but he's really excelled himself here.
Drones, frequencies and textures akin to Merzbow at times but
somehow with something more cerebral and imaginative happening.
Dark, desolate and doomy yet there is a light at the end of the
tunnel.=20
DAVID GRUBBS - TWO SOUNDTRACKS FOR ANGELA BULLOCH - SEMISHIGURE - CD =
(SEMI007CD)
2 long soundscape tracks that have perhaps as much space between
music as actual music! the result is a very minimal experince
that needs to be heard in its entirety to be appreciated.
DEREK BAILEY - GUITAR, DRUMS & BASS - DIW - CD (AVAN060CD)
Sale. To use an old Smallfish / Ronseal cliche, this does exactly
as it says on the tin, only the Derek Bailey way. DB does his
old cat-being-put-through-a-mangle deconstructed guitar thing
up against DJ Ninj's eclectic drum programming. Unfathomable track
titles, equally unfathomable music!=20
FURT - DEFEKT - MATCHLESS - CD (MRCD50)
Sale. The duo of Richard Barrett and Paul Obermayer are otherwise
known as Furt, and this four track CD of recordings made between
1997 and 2000 is extremely heavy going at times. Dark sonic =
manipulation,
collage, samples and extreme electronics create a disturbing and
heady sound. Snatches of dialogue from the Great Dictator only
add to the immense sense of menace.=20
IVAN AND CHESH - ONE AMAZING DAY - V/VM TEST - CD (OFFAL2000)
Sale. A day out at our beloved Dome (as was). Recording snippets
of the cultural excellence that it housed - close your eyes and
you can almost feel the Millenium Experience (and maybe regret
that you missed the opportunity before all the public money spent
on the Dome was squandered to make way for the true vision of
the new millenium - the sheer, unadulterated quest for profit....)!
=20
LIGHTBOX ORCHESTRA, THE - FIRST CONTACT - LOCUST - CD (LOCUST09CD)
Sale. I'll quote. "The Lightbox has 10-14 variously coloured bulbs
each controlled by a switch. Each player then responds to their
own flashing light, thus inviting them to play". A weird concept,
but when artists of the calibre of Jim O'Rourke, Kevin Drumm,
Todd Carter, Bob Marsh, Liz Payne and many more are involved,
you've got a winning slice of experimentalism.=20
MEIRA ASHER & GUY HARRIES - INFANTRY - SUB ROSA - CD (SR165)
Sale. Uneasy listening. Spoken-word accounts based on the reports
of child soldiers and tortured children from Burma, Israel, Liberia,
Lebanon, The Philippines and Uganda underpinned by a sparse, =
experimental
electronic score. As unsettling, confrontational and politically
charged as it gets.=20
NOISE/GIRL - DISCOPATHOLOGY - KILLERPIMP - CD (PIMPK002CD)
Noise, Noise, and then some. Noise, well distorted noise is the
theme of the day here. A popo hit that escapes me gets the 'my
laptop makes things sound noisey' treatment. I feel i can say
no more without starting to give this a complete slagging off.
The price is a bit ridiculous as well, sorry about that!
OLIVIA BLOCK - OUR GAZE - SEDIMENTAL - CD (SEDCD026)
Sale. A one track, twenty-five minute piece of seemingly =
electro-acoustic
experimentalism from Olivia Block. Loads of other musicians are
credited and the field material that is used is really interesting.
Disjointed, yet cohesive, with moments of quiet and moments of
bedlam. Worth the effort and working out where it's coming from.
=20
THURSTON MOORE / TOM SURGAL / WILLIAM WINANT - PIECE FOR JETSUN DOLMA =
- VICTO - CD (VICTOCD045)
Sale. One for the hardiest of Sonic Youth completists. Recorded
live in 1996, Thurston and his pals improvise their way through
this intense, experimental avant jazz/rock concrete soundscape.
By no means a comfortable ride, but who the heck expected it to
be?=20
UNSONG - THE FRAILTY OF ANGELS, THE TREASON OF PEOPLE - MACROPHONIES - =
CD (MAC14)
Sale. Totally deep, really quite beautiful at times and very dark
and disturbed at others. Yes, this CD from Brighton based =
Macrophonies
is a rollercoaster ride of intensity with wonderfully dense =
soundscapes
that grow with every listen.=20
VARIOUS - THIS MUSIC IS SILENT UNTIL YOU LISTEN - DISCUS - CD =
(DISCUS6CD)
Sale. Six electro acoustic works from the individual talents of
Martin Archer, Simon Fell, Robert Godman, Simon Vincent and =
Katherine
Norman. Fragile acoustic instruments, organic and mechanical =
electronic
manipulations all thrown together in varying degrees. Kind of
like something you'd hear at the Hayward Gallery with a hint of
Raster Noton. Atmospheric and challenging (in a good way).=20
VARIOUS - JAPANESE AVANT-GARDE - SUB ROSA - CD (SR202CD)
Sale. Subtitled "Agitiation / Stillness - Noise / Silence". Apt
description, that, with music from Merzbow, Otomo Yoshihide, Aki
Onda, So Takahashi, Ground Zero and others. An interesting and
intriguing selection of experimental electronics.=20
VARIOUS - SUFFER / ENJOY - ANTIFROST - CD (AFRO2014)
Sale. All artists on here have a restriction placed on them so
that they can only work within "a maximum bandwidth of 200Hz",
hence a lot of intense, deep, low frequencies and an extremely
minimal approach to composition. An unsettling collection of pieces
courtesy of Francisco Lopez, PG-13, Utah Kawasaki, Ilios, Kim
Cascone and others.=20
------=_NextPart_000_01AE_01C5F74B.FFD6C400
Content-Type: text/html;
charset="iso-8859-1"
Content-Transfer-Encoding: quoted-printable
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=3DContent-Type content=3D"text/html; =
charset=3Diso-8859-1">
<META content=3D"MSHTML 6.00.2900.2722" name=3DGENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=3D#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT size=3D2>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2>Smallfish Mailout=20
02/12/05</FONT></U></STRONG></DIV>
<DIV><STRONG><U><FONT face=3DVerdana =
size=3D2></FONT></U></STRONG> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2>Welcome once again to the Smallfish=20
Mailout.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2>I've got an extremely heavy cold =
(along with the=20
rest of the country) so I'm going to cut straight to the chase and the =
list of=20
releases as my brain can't deal with anything longer. Sorry about=20
that!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2>Take care and wrap up =
warm!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2>Peace.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2>The Fish.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana><FONT size=3D1>Smallfish Records | 329 Old =
Street | EC1V=20
9LE | +44 [0] 20 7739 2252 | </FONT><A =
href=3D"http://www.smallfish.co.uk"><FONT=20
size=3D1>www.smallfish.co.uk</FONT></A></FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=3DVerdana size=3D1></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ANTHONY ROTHER - ART IS A TECHNOLOGY - STAHL INDUSTRIES - LP =
(STAHL1)<BR> Best work from Anthony Rother that I've =
heard for=20
a long time.<BR> This is one of his ambient works and =
I'm=20
almost surprised that<BR> it didn't come out on Fax =
with its=20
deep, melancholy and slightly<BR> retro feel. Dense =
textures=20
and analogue sequences form an epic<BR> sounding =
progression=20
that has a real hint of Eno or Pete Namlook<BR> at =
times. Very=20
unusual to find music like this on vinyl, so if<BR> =
you're a=20
buff you should snap it up as it's a limited edition.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CATHODE - CHRONOPHOBIA - DISTRACTION RECORDS - 7"=20
(DIST7)<BR> Soft, warm crunchy electronica with some =
very=20
indie pop style<BR> vocals that at first dont seem to =
sit well=20
with the music but<BR> have grown on me after a couple =
of=20
listens. They are certainly<BR> taking the underground =
electronica sound and trying to give it<BR> a slightly =
more=20
pop feel. whether they are acheiving ther aims<BR> i =
will=20
leave up to you to decide.....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DRUMCORPZ - RMX OR DIE! - KRISS - 10"=20
(KRISS#2)<BR> Take a bunch of late eighties / early =
nineties=20
death / thrash<BR> metal merchants such as Carcass, =
Bolt=20
Thrower, Napalm Death and<BR> Extreme Noise Terror. =
Throw in=20
the kind of old skool rave, D&B<BR> beats and =
general=20
tomfoolery associated with Venetian Snares,<BR> =
Tigerbeat and=20
their pals. Add the sliced meat and a pinch of =
seasoning<BR> =20
and voila! One very noisy record! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FOG - THE VERY BUSY SALESMAN - ALIEN TRANSISTOR - 7"=20
(ATN13)<BR> An unusual but very pleasant indeed =
release from=20
Fog here. I'm<BR> used to the more Folky style that he =
does=20
but it's great to see<BR> him doing some more =
electronic-based=20
sounds. In fact the A-side<BR> is a deliciously warm=20
scupltural piece which wouldn't be out of<BR> place on =
a label=20
like 12k. The flip has elements of vocals that<BR> =
give it=20
that Fog feel but, again, layered over a more =
electronic<BR> =20
sound. Wicked little release, this, and great to see Alien=20
Transistor<BR> back on the map again.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> RD - ADVDANCED EP - TOUCHIN' BASS - 12"=20
(TB017)<BR> Arguably the most abstract release on =
Touchin'=20
Bass to date, although<BR> in terms of quality, it's =
well up=20
there. This is more likely to<BR> appeal to admirers =
of=20
Autechre, Skam, Schematic, Gescom etc than<BR> those =
into=20
Andrea Parker's ice cold electro stylings, but =
whoever<BR> RD=20
is, he/she does a fine job blending dark, glitched-up=20
rhythms<BR> with off-kilter harmonics. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SOFA LOFA - MAGIC SHOPKEEPER - BATHYSPHERE - 7"=20
(DWSI001)<BR> Melodic downbeat electronica which is =
really=20
quite wonderful.<BR> Just a nice Hip Hop style rhythm =
with=20
some a lovely reverse sounding<BR> sample that drifts =
over the=20
beat perfectly. Both sides are quality<BR> on this =
great=20
little 7", highly recommended....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STRANGE SOUNDS ORCHESTRA, THE - STRANGE SENSE OF LIBERTY - =
STATIC=20
CARAVAN - 7" (VAN59)<BR> Awesome new 7" from Static =
Caravan,=20
one of their best in recent<BR> times. Composed and =
realised=20
entirely using "non-standard instruments"<BR> (eg. =
Casio=20
VL-tone, child's xylophone, stylophone, dulcimer,=20
oscillator,<BR> omnichord, melodica and many more =
besides),=20
this is lo-fi, quirky,<BR> charming and all manner of =
other=20
Smallfish adjectives. If you<BR> enjoyed the =
Wobblyhead 7"s,=20
or a just a Static Caravan fan in<BR> general, this is =
a must.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> AROVANE & PHONEM - AER (VALID) - VERTICAL FORM - 2xLP=20
(VFORM008LP)<BR> THIS IS ONE WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR! =
THESE TWO=20
ULTRA TALENTED ARTISTS<BR> HAVE COLLABORATED WITH A =
CUNNING=20
BIT OF RESAMPLING AND MANIPULATION.<BR> A DARKER, =
CRUNCHIER=20
FEEL THAN YOU MAY BE ACCUSTOMED TO, BUT BY<BR> GOD =
IT'S=20
ABSOLUTELY FANTASTIC. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ENDUSER - CALLING ALL VULTURES - SUBLIGHT - LP=20
(C12)<BR> Dark, edgey mish mash of breaks, =
electronica, up=20
& down tempo<BR> & some nice edits in there, a =
little=20
of everything (well, almost<BR> everything!). The =
Emphasis=20
though has to be on the darkness, it's<BR> not to be =
listened=20
to in a darkened room when your feeling a bit<BR> =20
down......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MARSEN JULES - HERBSTLAUB - CITY CENTRE OFFICES - LP=20
(TOWERBLOCK023)<BR> I WONDERED HOW LONG IT WOULD BE =
BEFORE=20
SOMEONE PICKED UP MARTIN<BR> JUHLS MOST WONDERFUL =
MUSIC UNDER=20
THE MARSEN JULES PSEUDONYM. AFTER<BR> A SERIES OF =
AMAZING=20
RELEASES FOR SEVERAL INTERNET LABELS (AS BOTH<BR> =
MARSEN JULES=20
AND KRILL.MINIMA) CITY CENTRE OFFICES HAVE SEEN =
FIT<BR> TO=20
RELEASE THIS STAGGERINGLY BEAUTIFUL ALBUM. DIFFICULT TO=20
CLASSIFY<BR> MUSICALLY, IT IS A BLEND OF THE FINEST =
SCULPTURAL=20
ELECTRONICA<BR> MIXED WITH AN OVERTLY CLASSICAL, =
CHAMBER MUSIC=20
SOUND. TO SIMPLY<BR> DESCRIBE IT AS 'CLASSICAL GAS' IS =
TO DO=20
IT A SEVERE INJUSTICE.<BR> THIS IS ORIGINAL MUSIC, =
LOVINGLY=20
CREATED AND BEAUTIFULLY PRODUCED<BR> THAT'S EXPANSIVE, =
ENGAGING AND JUST PLAIN WONDERFUL. ALBUM OF<BR> THE =
WEEK,=20
MONTH AND PROBABLY YEAR. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PHENOMYNA - SCRATCH - OTHERWORLD - 12" =
(OW003)<BR> =20
CLASSIC 2 TRACK 12". DISCO CUT UP ON THE B- WITH A DEEP=20
MUSICAL<BR> EXTRAVAGANZA IN THAT STAS'MAN =
STYLE-BEAUTIFULLY=20
ORCHESTRATED ELECTONICA.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ADD NOISE - ESCUCHE Y REPITA - EARSUGAR - 12"=20
(EARSUGAR26)<BR> It's that time once again for Add =
Noise to=20
large it with a superbly<BR> funky, minimal Techno =
Assault. As=20
ever it's worth stressing that<BR> this indeed the =
real deal=20
and any of you who enjoy the sort of<BR> vibes that =
Villalobos=20
or Luciano play on a regular basis will<BR> absolutely =
adore=20
this. Stripped-down sounds and chunky rhythms<BR> with =
a=20
superb flow and beautiful sound design. Both sides =
are<BR> =20
equally excellent and, essentially, if you're into your=20
Techno<BR> at all you've seriously got to seek this =
one out.=20
Highly recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> AGNES - COUNTERMEASURES - STHLM AUDIO - 12"=20
(SAEP006)<BR> Agnes is becoming an admired name on the =
deep=20
minimal techno scene<BR> for good reason is this =
5-track EP is=20
anything to go by. Super<BR> crisp beats and =
other-worldly=20
effects and melodies blended to<BR> perfection without =
ever=20
becoming over-crowded or overly generic.<BR> Fans of =
Ricardo=20
Villalobos should do their ears a favour and give<BR> =
this guy=20
a whirl. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> AUDIO WERNER - TRAPEZ LIMITED 39 (TRX) - TRAPEZ - 12"=20
(TRAPEZLTD39)<BR> One of the most anticipated releases =
of the=20
year from Trapez here.<BR> Audio Werner's records are=20
undeniably massive and this is set<BR> to follow on =
from all=20
the others. Pumping, full-bodied Techno<BR> with =
generous=20
House leanings and some fantastically funky =
sounds.<BR> Fresh=20
arrangements with a long build up on the A-side that=20
bursts<BR> into a dancefloor frenzy halfway through. =
Don't=20
delay as this<BR> is a one off press. An essential=20
record.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BAEKA - MORE TROUBLE - MORRIS AUDIO CITYSPORT EDITION - 12"=20
(MACE0246)<BR> First Morris Audio Citysport for a =
while is one=20
of their more<BR> accessible releases to date. =
Unpretentious=20
house grooves, gentle<BR> percussion and infectious =
rhythms a=20
plenty, particularly on the<BR> Jussi-Pekka (Poker =
Flat,=20
Morris Audio, Out Of Orbit) mix which<BR> is a real =
treat.=20
Tasty. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BENNO BLOME - TRANSMITTER / BLAU - SENDER - 12"=20
(SEND053)<BR> A nice bit of rough and tumble with one =
half of=20
the Blome / Grummich<BR> partnership. Dirty great big=20
basslines and rock-solid beats with<BR> that gnarly =
Techno=20
sound that will make you run and hide or =
leap<BR> about=20
like a potty great big fruitbat. One to check, then.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BOYS NOIZE - ARE YOU IN? - DATAPUNK - 12"=20
(DTP9)<BR> Boys Noize you may remember from a release =
on=20
Gigolo around a<BR> year ago. Rough, acidic electro =
funk in=20
the style of DFA, Output<BR> etc only a little more=20
unpolished. See what you reckon. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BRUNO PRONSATO & FRANCO CINELLI - PICARO EP - MILNOR =
MODERN -=20
12" (MMR.006)<BR> Crisp to the point of being frazzled =
comes=20
this new Milnor Modern.<BR> Bruno and Franco deliver =
an=20
achingly excellent groove on the A-side<BR> which =
loses the=20
minimal crunch and adds a whole bunch of =
ultra-funky,<BR> =20
tribal influenced sounds. Utterly fabulous in my opinion and=20
made<BR> even more good value with the other two =
splendidly=20
groovy tracks<BR> on the flip. Another essential for =
the=20
minimal headz. Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BUTANE - ON THE KET - DUMB UNIT - 12" =
(DU-025)<BR> =20
It's really good to see Butane getting out there with some=20
releases<BR> after his sterling work on the net.label =
scene.=20
This has a nicely<BR> ironic title and is packed full =
of the=20
kind of crispy, hi-tech<BR> Techno funk grooves that =
regularly=20
get minimal fans in a lather.<BR> Deep, reduced tracks =
that=20
are full of nice little production touches<BR> and a =
wiggly,=20
heads down nature. Most excellent.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CB FUNK - CLATTERPILLAR - PUNKT MUSIC - 12"=20
(PUNKT025)<BR> Punkt Music continue down the heavy, =
processed=20
Techno road here.<BR> Kind of mutant sounding and with =
a loud,=20
raunchy feel and a series<BR> of twisted sounds and =
bass=20
noises. Rough, ready and eager to please...<BR> as all =
good=20
records should be.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DEVILFISH FEAT. EGOTRON - PASSIVE AGGRESSIVE - FREQUENT - =
12"=20
(DEEQ0226)<BR> Slick, streamlined tech / house with =
some=20
seriously retro synth<BR> action happening. Nice and =
upfront,=20
a bit like Wighnomy Bros crossed<BR> with 808 State! =
Yes,=20
there's even a hint of acid in there. The<BR> tracks =
on side=20
two carry on this theme, with the final number<BR> =
adding=20
something resembling an old school Disko B / Gigolo =
tribal<BR> =20
beat. Interesting! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DISTORTO - DISTORTO - DISTORTO - 12" =
(DIS01)<BR> =20
The first release from Distorto on Distorto is an=20
immaculately<BR> crafted slice of Electro / =
Electronica which=20
could potentially<BR> be one of the sleeper hits of =
the year.=20
A deep , dark and somewhat<BR> Drexciyan attitude =
pervades=20
every moment of the EP and it has<BR> a moody, crunchy =
production style throughout that sometimes bring<BR> =
to mind=20
Scsi and at others has aslightly more industrial =
feel.<BR> =20
However you describe it it's a blistering first release and=20
an<BR> essential slab of Electronica. =
Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DJ RUPTURE / KID 606 / SISTER NANCY - LITTLE MORE OIL - SOUL =
JAZZ -=20
12" (SJR12312)<BR> None of yer distortion business on =
this -=20
the production is pristine<BR> in comparison to the =
usual DJ=20
Rupture gear. Clearly aiming for<BR> a crossover hit =
of some=20
kind, Rupture and Kid 606 collaborate<BR> with =
vocalist Sister=20
Nancy on an infectious, electronic ragga<BR> pop hit =
with an=20
obvious political slant. Four mixes in total,<BR> =
ending with=20
a downtempo, almost beatless instrumental take. =
Could<BR> well=20
be huge. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DJ T - FUNK ON YOU - GET PHYSICAL - 12"=20
(GPM0336)<BR> DJ T (aka Thomas Koch & Booka =
Shade)'s funky=20
original backed with<BR> a neat old set of mixes. It's =
a case=20
of Good Track Alert from<BR> the usually avoidable =
Manhead,=20
who injects some serious beef into<BR> the production, =
resulting in the standout mix that certainly got<BR> =
our butts=20
wiggling (nice image, eh?). Putsch 79 adds a bit =
of<BR> =20
distortion to the original (and not a lot else is needed),=20
and<BR> the set closes with a handy dub. Wicked =
record. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DOMINIK EULBERG - EINE KLEINE SCHMETTERLINGS-HOMMAGE - TRAUM =
- 12"=20
(TRAUMV67)<BR> Big tune here from Mr. Eulberg which =
we've been=20
asked about pretty<BR> constantly for weeks now. Two =
tracks of=20
pumping and surprisingly<BR> heavy grooves with chunky =
beats=20
and a quite hypnotic and heads<BR> down sort of sound. =
Got to=20
be absolutely massive on the dancefloor<BR> and I =
imagine this=20
one'll be devastating it on a regular basis<BR> very =
soon=20
indeed. Class and definitely recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DUB KULT - TWELVE - TRAUM - 12" =
(TRAUMV68)<BR> =20
Excellent release from London's Dub Kult. Three tracks of=20
sublime<BR> minimal Techno that's nowhere as tough or =
banging=20
as I might have<BR> expected. The A-side definitely =
has a club=20
groove with a bassy<BR> flava that's liable to be =
played out a=20
lot but, for me, it's the<BR> B-side that's really=20
interesting. Two lush Techno tracks that<BR> are =
mid-paced and=20
beautifully melodic using, as they do, guitar<BR> =
licks and=20
gorgeous chords and pads. A seriously impressive =
release<BR> =20
from this stalwart label and one that comes highly recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> EGOEXPRESS - EVERYBODY - LADOMAT 2000 - 12"=20
(LADO2180)<BR> Egoexpress are clearly on a roll and =
this is=20
another slab of crisp,<BR> funky and slightly =
minimalistic=20
Techno par excellence. Driving<BR> beats and basslines =
with an=20
old school feel along with a nicely<BR> technical feel =
to the=20
sounds. B-side contains superb remixes from<BR> both =
Lowtec=20
and Jackmate for a more reduced and funking flava.<BR> =
Top=20
stuff.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> EYERER & NAMITO - KEEP OUR PACE - MULTICOLOR - 12"=20
(MCR0446)<BR> Head-nodding slightly retro gear from =
the=20
ever-eclectic Multicolor<BR> label. Mixes from Dole =
& Kom,=20
Loopschrauber and Deutsche & Albaner<BR> are an =
equally=20
varied bunch, ranging from electro tech-house to<BR> =
acid to=20
borderline twisted breakbeat. Nothing =
groundbreaking,<BR> but=20
useful when it comes to filling a gap (and keeping the=20
pace!)<BR> in the set, i don't doubt. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HUG - THE HAPPY MONSTER - K2 - 12" =
(K2/05)<BR> =20
John Dahlback once again provides a tip-top selection of=20
reduced<BR> Techno grooves for Kompakt's K2 offshoot. =
This is=20
absolutely solid<BR> and the B-side in particular =
contains two=20
of the finest quality,<BR> Chicago influenced tracks =
that are=20
stripped and downright funky<BR> as hell. Absolutely =
spot on.=20
Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> INTERCOOLER FEAT. SUZY LOVE - TV JUNKIE - SLEEP DEBT - 12"=20
(SD002)<BR> Twisted Techno and Electro sounds from =
Vogel's=20
label. This has<BR> gnarly bass sounds and some =
furious=20
Electro beats coupled with<BR> a a couple of Schaffel =
styled,=20
vocal led, punky sounding cuts<BR> on the flip. =
Probably not=20
to everyone's taste, but certainly a<BR> good one for =
those=20
with a sense of adventure. Check.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JEFF SAMUEL - BORK / GONADOTROPIN - TRAPEZ - 12"=20
(TRAPEZ59)<BR> Nice to see Trapez really hitting some =
form=20
again and this 12"<BR> from Jeff Samuel (who's been =
remarkably=20
quiet recently) is a fab<BR> slice of Tech-Funk. Two =
cuts with=20
a swingly, synthy feel and a<BR> cool line in =
basslines that=20
your feet will really feel. Prime<BR> dancefloor =
sounds that=20
still have a nicely subtle edge. Bravo<BR> Trapez and=20
Jeff.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOHN DAHLBACK / AXEL BARTSCH - SPEICHER 32 - KOMPAKT EXTRA - =
12"=20
(KOMEX32)<BR> Big, bold, brash sounds from Kompakt's =
heafty=20
offshoot label.Speicher<BR> 32 sees Dahlback and =
Bartsch each=20
delivering a tough, slightly<BR> Trancey (and by =
Trancey, you=20
know what I mean, I'm sure) tracks<BR> with large, =
synthetic=20
basslines and cracking beats. Rock solid<BR> and made =
to make=20
you feet move. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MARTINEZ - INTERNAL SPACE - OUT OF ORBIT - 2xLP=20
(ORB001)<BR> Solid, stripped-down deep minimal techno =
all the=20
way on this new<BR> album from Martinez. Has a kind of =
Trentemoller meets Mathew Jonson<BR> vibe going on, =
with=20
forays into Poker Flat and/or Trapez territory.<BR> =20
Uncluttered minimal minimal minimal minimal minimal minimal=20
minimal<BR> minimal repeat to a 4/4 beat ad infinitum. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MISTER LEISURE - NO SCENE - U-FREQS - 12"=20
(UF0176)<BR> Punchy techno but is it minimal enough? =
Yeah, go=20
on. Has quite<BR> a kick to it, though (kick, punch,=20
whatever). Lots of vocal snippets<BR> and effects =
thrown in=20
for good measure make this a bit of a beast.<BR> =
Wighnomy=20
Brothers lovers will enjoy this wee fella. The =
tracks<BR> on=20
side two border from the experimental to the infectious. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PASCAL FEOS - I CAN FEEL THAT (REMIXES) - OMYCHRON - 12"=20
(OMY0026)<BR> I don't think we'll have much trouble =
shifting=20
these mixes from<BR> Speedy J, Wighnomy Bros & =
Robag=20
Wruhme and DJ Gogo. High octane<BR> repetitive grooves =
from=20
Speedy, business as usual shuffly minimal<BR> =
tech-glitch from=20
the Wighnomys and Robag and borderline =
trance-house<BR> (it's=20
trendy trance again!) from DJ Gogo (erk). I think the=20
label<BR> name is a Futurama reference, though, so it =
can't be=20
all bad!<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PAUL MAC - $100 - IMMIGRANT - 12" =
(IMM0236)<BR> =20
The ever-prolific Paul Mac's back. Pacey, hypnotic,=20
pulsating<BR> club techno with plenty of bounce and =
energy.=20
Actually, this is<BR> slightly more diverse and =
interesting=20
that his usual output, being<BR> surprisingly musical =
and=20
infectious - some of those synth lines<BR> are =
delicious.=20
Large and lively! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PELLARIN - TANGO EP - STATLER & WALDORF - 12"=20
(S&W06LP)<BR> It's great to find a record that's =
not=20
afraid to wear its heart<BR> on its sleeve like this =
one.=20
Pellarin is a name that I've come<BR> across before =
but I'm=20
pretty sure it was a classic Electronica<BR> sound =
(unless=20
it's a different artist). This release, however,<BR> =
is pure=20
Berlin-styled Techno dub. About as deep as you can =
imagine<BR> =20
and beautifully produced for ultimate bass, this is minimal=20
Techno<BR> at its finest. If you're into Deepchord or =
Basic=20
channel this<BR> is an absolutel must. Highly=20
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PHIL STUMPF - BORDERLINE - OUT OF ORBIT - 12"=20
(ORB0136)<BR> Just the usual 400 new minimal techno =
records=20
this week at Smallfish.<BR> Generally this is quite a =
melodic=20
arrangement, with some nice<BR> deep synth chords and =
shuffly=20
beats and bass. The increasingly<BR> ubiquitous Mr =
Martinez=20
ups the pace with his slightly acidic glitch<BR> =
remix. Like=20
the other 399, these will go! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> REYNOLD - PLAY FOOL - MORRIS AUDIO CITYSPORT EDITION - 12"=20
(MACE0266)<BR> You wait ages for a new M.A.C.E. and =
suddenly=20
two come along blah<BR> blah rhubarb rhubarb. Quality =
minimal=20
techno with an impressively<BR> gritty production =
that's=20
guaranteed to please. The tracks on side<BR> two are =
just as=20
strong. If you admire Perlon, Playhouse, Boxer<BR> =
Sport,=20
Trapez, Sub Static etc, get yourself a copy of this. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ROYKSOPP - WHAT ELSE IS THERE (TRENTEMOLLER MIX) - WALL OF =
SOUND -=20
12" (WALLT111)<BR> None of these mixes sound terribly =
exciting=20
to me, but you may<BR> have spotted that =
uber-fashionable=20
minimal techno star in his<BR> own backyard, =
Trentemoller, has=20
contributed to this set of three.<BR> There, that's a =
few=20
copies sold already. Other mixes come courtesy<BR> of =
Thin=20
White Duke and Vitalic, lest there be any copies =
left<BR> and=20
you're still interested.... </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SERGEI - BIT BY BIT - REGULAR - 12"=20
(REGULAR018)<BR> Heavy and nicely deep sounds on =
Regular=20
which, in my opinion,<BR> is a real return to the sort =
of form=20
they were in a year ago.<BR> Techno meets House with a =
tough=20
A-side and driving basslines and<BR> a much smoother =
and more=20
melodic flipside which grooves along<BR> beautifully. =
Well=20
worth checking.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SI BEGG - REVELATION - NOVA MUTE - 12"=20
(12NOMU159)<BR> The revelation here is that Si Begg =
has=20
simultaneously jumped<BR> on the Trendy Trance and =
Grime=20
bandwagons! The A-side is incredibly<BR> glossy =
techno...=20
there seems to be an increasing number of records<BR> =
around=20
like this, some one needs to find a name for this=20
sub-genre<BR> pretty sharpish! Flip over for some =
tough ole'=20
grimy beats. Great<BR> artwork, love the political =
statistics=20
on the back... the music,<BR> however, i'm still not =
sure=20
about. David, it's over to you....<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> TOKTOK - DEN DEN DEN (REMIXES) - TOKTOK - 12"=20
(TOKTOK0086)<BR> Three mixes of this massive track =
from=20
Toktok, best known for<BR> their releases on B Pitch =
Control.=20
Their own remix is the standout,<BR> adopting a Smith =
'N' Hack=20
/ Soundhack style approach to their<BR> in-yer-face =
grooves.=20
Silly, but you try keeping still. DJ Maxximus<BR> cuts =
the=20
track up even more, and Electric Indigo and =
Hautmann<BR> adopt=20
a seriously deep and minimal approach, with some =
almost<BR> =20
Echocord-esque stabs. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> TOM CLARK - LAYLINES VOL. 3 - MORRIS AUDIO - 12"=20
(MORRIS0436)<BR> Well now, if it isn't me old mate =
Maurice=20
Audio. I do enjoy their<BR> uplifting minimal techno =
sound,=20
particularly at this time on a<BR> Tuesday afternoon. =
In=20
fairness, the production on this is very<BR> clean, =
the=20
basslines are on the money and the percussion =
metallic<BR> and=20
well-rounded. The final track (of the three) is a real=20
winner,<BR> reminding one of Akufen at the top of his =
game.=20
Recommended. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> TRANSPARENT SOUND - VOYEURS CHANCE EP - ORSON - 12"=20
(ORSON006)<BR> With remix contributions from Bangkok =
Impact=20
(Creme, Viewlexx),<BR> Espion and James Taylor aka =
Swayzak=20
(lots), not to mention the<BR> original by Transparent =
Sound=20
(Elektrix), you know you can't really<BR> go wrong. =
From=20
slightly retro electro disco to thumping tech =
house<BR> to the=20
much more minimal and subtle original (and Swayzak =
mix,<BR> =20
which is one of his best remixes for a long time), there's=20
something<BR> for everyone here. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - ACIIIEEED VOL. 3 - ACIIIEEED! - 12"=20
(ATA0036)<BR> DJ ESP (Woody McBride), DJ Man At Arms =
and The=20
Mayhem Lecture<BR> Series give us a glimpse into "the =
future=20
of Acid House". Slamming,<BR> electro tech-house for =
the more=20
up-for-anything-and-taking-everything<BR> crowd. Dirty =
hard=20
acid fun all round. Nasty! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - FULL BODY WORKOUT VOL. 2 - GET PHYSICAL - 2xLP=20
(GPM036LP)<BR> The second Get Physical compilation =
comes just=20
as welcome as the<BR> first. From lo-fi electro pop to =
pumping=20
dancefloor house, those<BR> requiring solid rhythms,=20
infectious grooves and lively pace will<BR> be most =
satisfied.=20
Includes tracks by Elektrochemie, Motion 040,<BR> =
Afrilounge,=20
Claude Von Stroke, Einzelkind, Voltique etc. If =
you<BR> like=20
Booka Shade, M.A.N.D.Y, B Pitch Control etc, check this =
at<BR> =20
once. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - STADTMUSIK TORONTO - ONI.TOR - 12"=20
(ONI.TOR48)<BR> Nothing against the first part of the =
series=20
but this beats the<BR> pants off the Stadtmusik =
Cologne EP.=20
Four choice cuts from Matt<BR> Thibideau, Jeff =
Milligan, Mike=20
Shannon and Adam Marshall. All<BR> four cuts are deep, =
grooving and slightly House orientated with<BR> a =
funked up=20
selection of sounds that will easily move you. =
Matt<BR> =20
Thibideau's track in particular is a lovely Detroit-esque=20
cut<BR> with the sort of pads and chords which the =
Motor City=20
is famous<BR> for. A lovely EP that's full of warmth =
and=20
feel.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VATH VS ROTHER - KOMM - COCOON - 12" =
(COR0166)<BR> =20
Energetic dancefloor techno from Misters Sven Vath and=20
Anthony<BR> Rother. Lots of farty synth noises and =
crisp, phat=20
beats on the<BR> Gregor Thresher (Datapunk) remix =
that's bound=20
to get the crowd<BR> jumping and pumping. Even better =
is the=20
original, which has a<BR> harder, edgier feel to it -=20
slammin'! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WILLIE GRAFF & KYLE ERRISON - SYNERGETIC - OUT OF ORBIT =
- 12"=20
(ORB0126)<BR> Easy-going, infectious, melodic synth =
techno=20
that owes as much<BR> to the retro sounds of Viewlexx =
and co=20
as it does to the current<BR> minimal techno scene. =
Think=20
Kompakt Pop meets Italo disco meets<BR> Alex Smoke - =
highly=20
recommended. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ZENTEX - KAYRA - KICKBOXER - 12" =
(KICKBOXER02)<BR> =20
Three tracks of easy-going, accessible Tech fun from Boxer's=20
new<BR> offshoot label. Crunchy and fun sounds with a =
funky=20
feel and the<BR> real bonus of a superb remix from the =
one and=20
only Alex Under<BR> who's hugely on form at the =
moment. One of=20
his more obvious dancefloor<BR> tracks but with all =
the=20
hallmarks of his quality sound. Top stuff.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> AUDIO WERNER - ZWRTSHAK DRIVE - HARTCHEF - 12"=20
(HCF05)<BR> Restock. There really has been an almighty =
hoo-haa=20
about this<BR> record... particularly in the aftermath =
of his=20
wicked Trapez release.<BR> My advice is head for the =
flip=20
which, quite frankly, is a monstrously<BR> good =
minimal Techno=20
track. Blippy, bleepy sounds that are very,<BR> very =
playable=20
and mixable with these fabulous aeroplane noises<BR> =
zooming=20
through the mix. Really dynamic and very enjoyable. =
Just<BR> =20
get it.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BABIES FROM GONG - BABIES FROM GONG - 100% PURE - 12" (PURE=20
2)<BR> 4 WICKED TECHNO TRX FROM THIS DETROIT =
INFLUENCED=20
DUTCH LABEL<BR> NO STAND OUT CUTS COS THERE ALL =
SO=20
GOOD...BUY IT NOW! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BEN PARRIS - DOUBLE WIMPFIGHTER EP - FOUND SOUND - 12"=20
(FOUND05)<BR> Funking, chunking, crispy-assed minimal =
Tech=20
from that label that<BR> can... and does! Ben Parris =
delivers=20
3 tracks of textbook grooviness<BR> that has a =
definite 'Found=20
Sound' feel and acres of playability.<BR> As strong as =
the=20
others, easily. Includes a top quality Magda<BR> remix =
as=20
well.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DJ KOZE - KOSI COMES AROUND - KOMPAKT - 12"=20
(KOM124)<BR> DJ Koze is a superb techno artist and =
this highly=20
anticipated<BR> album sees him at the peak of his =
powers. To=20
just dismiss this<BR> as another minimal techno record =
would=20
be wrong - his crisp, deep<BR> production style =
coupled with a=20
penchant for wicked grooves makes<BR> him stand out =
from the=20
ever-swelling crowd. Add to that a real<BR> =
musicality,=20
playfulness and lightness of touch all too often =
missing<BR> =20
from the genre and you can't ask for more. The perfect blend=20
of<BR> techno and electronica, this comes highly, =
highly=20
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MATHEW JONSON AND THE MOLE / AXEL BARTSCH - SPEICHER 26 - =
KOMPAKT=20
EXTRA - 12" (KOMEX26)<BR> WHAT CAN YOU SAY ABOUT THIS=20
RELEASE? MATHEW JONSON CONJURES UP<BR> ANOTHER=20
ABSOLUTELY STORMING TRACK WITH THE MOLE WHICH SITS =
VERY<BR> =20
HAPPILY WITH THE GENERAL SPEICHER STYLE BUT ALSO HAS HIS OWN=20
UNIQUE,<BR> MINIMAL TECHNO FLAVOUR. IT'S HUGE... YOU =
WANT=20
IT... GET IN THERE!<BR> AXEL BARTSCH HAS DELIVERED A =
COOL,=20
DEEP AND SOLID TECH TRACK AS<BR> WELL, ALTHOUGH IT'S A =
SHAME=20
THAT THE MATHEW JONSON CUT IS LIABLE<BR> TO OVERSHADOW =
IT=20
SOMEWHAT. A BRILLIANT EP FROM KOMPAKT EXTRA.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MURMUR / BOVILL - GROUND EP - MEANWHILE - 12"=20
(MEAN001)<BR> Restock. The debut release from Murmur, =
Bovill=20
and, of course,<BR> Meanwhile... a very promising new =
label=20
from London. Using influences<BR> from Berlin, Detroit =
and a=20
certain degree, Chicago, both artists<BR> deliver =
stunning,=20
thoughtful, atmospheric and very engaging pure<BR> =
Techno=20
tracks. Kicking off with Bovill's cut which has a =
rolling,<BR> =20
bass kick-heavy flava that gives a definite nod to Robert=20
Hood<BR> in his absolute prime. Superb, minimalistic=20
instrumentation keeps<BR> the tracks fresh throughout =
with a=20
series of subtly shifting sounds.<BR> The second track =
has the=20
purest of Detroit sounds with a killer<BR> analogue =
sequence=20
coupled with an offbeat kick drum. This has<BR> the =
most=20
simplistic feel of the EP, but works in such a =
hypnotic<BR> =20
fashion that you sson get stuck into the groove. The flip=20
has<BR> two more wonderful tracks from Murmur with a=20
pad-heavy, string-laden<BR> piece that, again, has an=20
incredibly subtle offbeat groove to<BR> keep it =
shuffling ever=20
forward. The EP finishes off with some<BR> serious=20
Berlin-style sounds that have all the best elements =
of<BR> a=20
deep, dubbed out Basic Channel cut plus reverb-heavy stabs=20
and<BR> a cleverly arranged feel with a cool fade out =
in the=20
middle which<BR> cuts back in with the 4/4 rhythm =
driving=20
through and giving it<BR> a grooved-out dancefloor =
feel. You=20
may have guessed that I like<BR> this record somewhat! =
I do.=20
It's brilliant and you need it if<BR> you're even =
vaguely=20
interested in Techno in any way. Just get<BR> =
it!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PLANETARY ASSAULT SYSTEMS - PLANETARY FUNK VOL 2 - PEACEFROG =
- 12"=20
(PF016)<BR> SECOND VOLUME OF THIS STORMING SERIES FROM =
LUKE=20
SLATER. SLAMMING<BR> TECHNO FROM 1993 WITH TOP =
PRODUCTION AND=20
LARGER THAN LIFE BEATS<BR> AND STABS. PHAT!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SURFACE EFFECT - RECAL - EXRANOPLAN - SURFACE EFFECT - 12"=20
(AE14777)<BR> EXCELLENT FIRST RELEASE FROM THIS =
SCOTTISH BASED=20
PRODUCER.......<BR> DEEP DARK ELECTRO CLUB =
TRACKS.... =20
ROUGH RHYTHMS AND SUPER OBSCURE<BR> MELODIES... ON =
BLUE VINYL=20
AND EVERYONE IS INDIVIDUALY PAINTED!!!<BR> =20
CHECK..................... </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SWEET N CANDY - DEAD BETWEEN THE EARS - DUMB UNIT - 12"=20
(DU-024)<BR> Sweet n Candy are unstoppable at the =
moment and,=20
thankfully, they<BR> haven't run out of ideas yet. =
Springy,=20
chunky minimal grooves<BR> that beat the hell out of =
most of=20
the other Dumb Unit releases<BR> by quite a long way. =
Killer=20
production and phat as hell grooves...<BR> essential =
for the=20
heads.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SWEET N CANDY - TACKY WAKEUP - RAUM MUSIK - 12"=20
(MUSIK050)<BR> Whooah! Massive new four track EP from =
current=20
hotshots Sweet<BR> N Candy. Ultimately deep and =
ultimately=20
obscure, this is the kind<BR> of music that will make =
you=20
twist and groove but in such a mutant<BR> way that you =
might=20
think there's something wrong with you. Incredible<BR> =
production and awesome sound design ensure this never, ever=20
gets<BR> boring. For the minimal fans, there's no =
excuse no to=20
get this<BR> beast!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SWEET N CANDY - FIDDLESTICKS EP - REGULAR - 12"=20
(REGULAR15)<BR> Sweet n Candy follow up a very good =
run of=20
singles with this top<BR> notch groover for Spanish =
label=20
Regular. 3 tracks of glitchy,<BR> funky Techno sounds =
with=20
wicked production and the kind of driving,<BR> rolling =
basslines that'll get you up and about in no time.=20
Cracking<BR> edits and little drops and breaks that =
keep it=20
interesting throughout<BR> and, overall, another =
really=20
excellent release from Regular. Recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> WERK - GRIM DUBS VOL.3 - WERK - 12"=20
(WERK6/GRIM3)<BR> GRIME, BUT ELECTRO AT THE SAME TIME. =
QUITE A=20
POTENT COMBINATION,<BR> I THINK YOU'LL AGREE. ANOTHER=20
ANONYMOUS ARTIST AND ANOTHER SPECTACULAR<BR> COUPLE OF =
TRACKS=20
THAT WILL MAKE YOU DANCE WITHOUT EVEN BREAKING<BR> A =
SWEAT...=20
MASSIVE, TWISTED BASSLINES AND ROCKING TWO-STEPPY =
BEATS<BR> =20
MAKE THIS A KILLER. ROLL IT OUT WERK!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> EXZAKT - REPRESSED (CLEAR VINYL) - MONOTONE - 12"=20
(MON000)<BR> This is a bomb! 4 humungous Electro =
tracks from=20
Exzakt which do<BR> pretty much exzaktly what you'd =
expect but=20
with lots of bells<BR> and whistles on. Tough beats, =
slamming=20
basslines and a tidy B-Boy<BR> feel all combine to =
make a=20
furiously good EP that fans of pure<BR> Electro and =
labels=20
like Satamile are going to love. Rock solid.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> EXZAKT - MUSIC IS THE DRUG REMIXES - MONOTONE - 12"=20
(MON001)<BR> Exzakt gets down with a more Electro / =
Breaks=20
fllava EP here that<BR> even has a remix from Blim on =
it.=20
Still very much what you'd expect<BR> but there's a =
4/4 mix on=20
the A-side that really makes a tough<BR> and tastyy =
hybrid of=20
Techno and Electro. Rough, ready and aching<BR> to be =
played=20
on your decks... bravo Monotone!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> HYDE VS. EXZAKT - I AM THE ENEMY - MONOTONE - 12"=20
(MON004)<BR> Devastating slab of electro with the main =
track=20
being an upbeat,<BR> dancefloor rocking track that has =
all the=20
powerful elements you'd<BR> expect from an Exzakt =
related=20
production. Two tracks on the B-side<BR> as well and, =
guess=20
what? They're both banging as well! Fans of<BR> =
Satamile=20
please form an orderly queue for this top EP.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ISOMETRIC - INSERT COIN (DINKY REMIX) - DISTRICT OF =
CORRUPTION - 12"=20
(DOC007)<BR> District of Corruption is one of those =
labels=20
that's bubbling<BR> just under the radar at the =
moment, but I=20
expect them to bust<BR> out over the next 6 months or =
so as=20
they've put out a stream of<BR> quality records thus =
far.=20
Isometric deliver two tracks (including<BR> a superb =
remix=20
from Dinky) that are heavy, but in a tripped, =
fuky,<BR> =20
minimal sort of way that says 'Cologne' all over it but with=20
a<BR> distinctly U.S. feel as well. Wicked dancefloor =
tracks=20
that should<BR> stand the test of time.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LOCUTUS - MINDSHAPE EP - ANODE - 12" =
(AR-007)<BR> =20
Locutus provides another EP of incredibly fierce, very=20
definitely<BR> U.S. sounding Techno that's got a foot =
in=20
Detroit and another<BR> foot somewhere else entirely. =
Dark,=20
heavy and absolutely rough<BR> sounding tracks that =
will pound=20
any dancefloor... and that's really<BR> not a bad =
thing now,=20
is it? Class.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> NETZWERK FLORIDA - EARTH.WIND.FIRE/ - MONOTONE - 12"=20
(MON002)<BR> Two absolutely slamming Electro cuts from =
the=20
German monster that<BR> is Anthony Rother. Large =
beats, phat=20
bass... just proper honest-to-goodness<BR> dancefloor =
Electro=20
all round. I honestly didn't think I'd ever<BR> see =
this again=20
so snap it up before it disappears for good. Huge<BR> =20
stuff.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): US Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JOHN TEJADA - LOGIC MEMORY CENTER - PLUG RESEARCH - 2xLP=20
(PLG55LP)<BR> JOHN TEJADA COMES BACK WITH A BANG WITH =
THIS=20
WONDERFUL ALBUM FOR<BR> PLUG RESEARCH. CONTRARY TO =
WHAT I=20
EXPECTED IT'S A LIVELY COLLECTION<BR> OF MAINLY =
DANCEFLOOR=20
ORIENTATED TRACKS THAT USE HIS TRADEMARK<BR> =
PRODUCTION SKILLS=20
TO WONDERFUL EFFECT. JERKY, QUIRKY, WARM AND<BR> =
SOULFUL=20
TRACKS THAT HAVE CRISPY SOUNDS AND SPIKY, MOVING =
RHYTHMS.<BR> =20
HE INDULGES IN A SPOT OF VOCAL SHENANIGANS WITH HELP FROM=20
CARL<BR> FINLOW , JAMES FIGURINE AND KIMI RECOR. THIS =
ADDS YET=20
ANOTHER<BR> LAYER OF DEPTH TO AN ALREADY PACKED ALBUM =
OF GREAT=20
MUSIC. COMES<BR> RECOMMENDED FOLKS!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VISION - GYROSCOPIC EP - UNDERGROUND RESISTANCE - 12"=20
(UR008)<BR> CRUSH, KILL DESTROY... THE TITLES SUGGEST=20
EVERYTHING ABOUT THIS<BR> EP!!! REMEBER UR RELEASE =
MUSIC FOR A=20
REASON. THIS TIME IT WAS<BR> SOMEONE WHO WAS MURDERED =
BY THE=20
MICHIGAN POLICE... CLASSIC HARD<BR> DETROIT - WITH THE =
FUNK!!!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Hip Hop</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DISFLEX 6 - DREAM SEQUENCE / BOMB THE FACTORY - =
TWENTYFOURSEVEN - 7"=20
(247016)<BR> Intricate leftfield Hip Hop from the Mush =
/=20
Anticon school of<BR> thought. At first i thought this =
was one=20
of the filed under 'Folktronica',<BR> but then the =
rhymes came=20
in - musically it's a bit Static Caravan!<BR> The flip =
is=20
equally low-key with some nice retro / cheap =
keyboard<BR> drum=20
sounds. On attractive orange vinyl, and definitely =
worth<BR> =20
checking out. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> RICCI RUCKER - UTILITY PHONOGRAPH RECORD 3 - SOUND IN COLOR =
- LP=20
(SICKBRK099LP)<BR> One of the best & most =
inventive battle=20
weapons i've heard in<BR> a long time. lots of ultra =
slowbeats=20
to double up over and some<BR> great little percussion =
loops=20
and analog noises to get busy with.<BR> highly=20
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> T SKI VALLEY / FAMILY - CATCH THE BEAT / FAMILY RAP - SOUL =
JAZZ -=20
12" (SJR12512)<BR> Very attractively presented limited =
promo=20
sampler (presumably)<BR> for a forthcoming Soul Jazz=20
compilation documenting the early<BR> days of Hip Hop =
in New=20
York. T Ski Valley's "Catch The Beat" is<BR> a classic =
track=20
now nigh on impossible to find on an official<BR> 12". =
Very=20
much in the "Rapper's Delight" style, but arguably =
even<BR> =20
better! The Family track is an excellent choice to back it=20
with,<BR> too. This is what Hip Hop is really about. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - 2K6 (THE TRACKS) - DECON - 2xLP=20
(DCN29LP)<BR> Nice comp showcasing some of the artists =
on the=20
decon roster &<BR> friends. RJD2, The Roots, Zion =
I,=20
Common, Aceyalone, Jean Grae<BR> and more. 15 tracks =
in total=20
of top quality Indie niceness. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): Hip Hop</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> GHOSTFACE KILLAH - BE EASY - DEF JAM - 12"=20
(DEF511611)<BR> Record of the week for me here! Super =
funky=20
back on form Pete<BR> Rock beat with ghostface spittin =
his=20
verses in a top notch style.<BR> must have must have =
must have=20
must have.......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STEVE SPACEK - SPACE SHIFT - STUDIO DISTRIBUTION - 2xLP=20
(SIC007LP)<BR> Spacey, off the wall soul from the =
front man of=20
the-should-have-been-huge<BR> Spacek. The lead off =
single is a=20
top of the range jay-dilla production.<BR> The rest of =
the=20
LP/CD is produced by Steve & friends. Its a =
shame<BR> that=20
there isnt more forward thinking things like this =
around<BR> =20
at the moment.....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): Eclectic Beats</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CAPONE - PARADISE / VOICE - HARDLEADERS - 12"=20
(HL014)<BR> ROUGH DRUM AND BASS SOUNDS FROM THIS LATE =
90'S=20
LABEL WHOS RELEASES<BR> HAVE BEEN OUT OF PRINT FOR A =
WHILE=20
NOW. IF YOU ARE INTO THE HARD<BR> NOISE BASED DRUM =
& BASS=20
/ RAGGA STUFF FROM THE BUG, ROOTSMAN ETC<BR> THEN YOU =
SHOULD=20
CHECK THIS.............</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FORMULA 7 & TDK - MECHANISM / TRAUMA - HARDLEADERS - 12" =
(HL017)<BR> HARD AGRESSIVE DRUM N' BASS WITH A =
BASSLINE THAT=20
WILL RUMBLE RIGHT<BR> THROUGH YOUR CHEST. SLIGHTLY =
ATMOSPHERIC=20
OVERTONES BUT ITS THE<BR> RHYTHM THATS THE THING HERE. =
IF YOU=20
LIKE BUG, ROOTSMAN, KID 606,<BR> BAD CO ETC THEN =
YOU=20
SHOULD CHECK THIS OUT. CLASSIC LATE 90'S DRUM<BR> AND =
BASS=20
THAT HAS BEEN OUT OF PRINT FOR A WHILE NOW.......</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> REGULATE - THERAPEUTICS - HARDLEADERS - 12"=20
(HL008)<BR> 2 NICELY SPACED OUT ATMOSPHERIC TRACKS =
FROM=20
REGULATE. HEAVY BASSLINES<BR> COME TO THE FRONT AS =
SHIFTING=20
MELODIES, CHOPPY RHYTHMS SLIP AROUND<BR> WARM FX =
WASHES FOR A=20
MORE RELAXED TAKE ON TECHSTEP.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SOUL - JAH - DOWN WITH THE LITES / STEP 2-1-2-1 - =
HARDLEADERS - 12"=20
(HL002)<BR> THE ARTIST AKA LEMON D LETS LOOSE =
WITH =20
THESE REEEWIND! NUMBERS<BR> COMPLETE WITH SIRENS =
,=20
WESTERN THEMES, PERCUSSIVE JUMP UP BREAKS<BR> AND =
MIGHTY BASS=20
STABS. &=
nbsp; &n=
bsp; &nb=
sp; =20
<BR> &nb=
sp; &nbs=
p;=20
CHECK OUT THE "URBANOLGY " LP CONTAINING<BR> THE =
CLASSIC FADE=20
II BLACK. =
ALSO NEW=20
LEMON D LP COMING<BR> ON R&S. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SOULJAH - ROLLIN / COME ON (ALL NIGHT LONG) - HARDLEADERS - =
12"=20
(HL012)<BR> RAW TO THE CORE DRUM AND BASS IN THE LATE =
90'S=20
STYLE. THIS SEEMS<BR> TO BE POPULAR AT THE MOMENT AND =
WE FOUND=20
A SMALL CACHE OF TITLES<BR> IN THE DEPTHS OF OUR STORE =
ROOM,=20
AND HERE THEY ARE FOR YOU ALL.<BR> FANS OF THE BUG, =
ROOTSMAN,=20
KID 606 SHOULD INVESTIGATE...........</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (Vinyl): Guitar Based</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JUNIP (JOSE GONZALES) - BLACK REFUGE EP - TEME SHET - 10"=20
(TEME001T)<BR> Junip is essentially the wonderful Jose =
Gonzalez (whose solo acoustic<BR> album "Veneer" on =
Agenda=20
remains one of our best sellers of 2005)<BR> backed =
with a=20
full band, and by gum, this EP does not disappoint<BR> =
in any=20
way. Jose's unmistakable voice amidst some terrific,=20
intense,<BR> organ driven arrangements works wonders - =
"Official" is particularly<BR> epic. Also included is =
a Bruce=20
Springsteen cover ("The Ghost Of<BR> Tom Joad"), and =
Mike=20
Joyce (*the* Mike Joyce?!) on percussion.<BR> If you =
liked=20
"Veneer", you'll love this. It's that simple. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LUCKY LUKE / KING CREOSOTE / SOUTH DOWNS / IMMIGRA - THE =
WHISPER EP=20
- CHAFFINCH - 7" (7FINCHEP1)<BR> 4 lovely tracks here. =
Singer=20
songwrtier material with heaps of<BR> meloncholic =
overtones in=20
the wonderful melodies. I particularly<BR> love the =
use of the=20
harmonium on the inside side. beautiful.....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ROBERT JESSE & SIMON LORD - WITHIN WITHOUT - TRIAL & =
ERROR=20
RECORDINGS - 7" (TNE004)<BR> Fresh from a very =
successful=20
Smallfish instore comes the debut<BR> release from =
this=20
promising acoustic folk duo. This is definitely<BR> to =
be=20
investigated if you're a fan of the likes of Jose=20
Gonzalez,<BR> Tunng, (early) Kings Of Convenience, =
Simon &=20
Garfunkel etc. They<BR> actually remind me of very =
early Turin=20
Brakes in that brief window<BR> when they were very =
good,=20
before they became horribly mainstream.<BR> Bit of a =
buzz on=20
this, and quite right too. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SIGUR ROS - HOPPIPOLLA - EMI - 12" =
(12EM673)<BR> =20
Beautfully packaged new 3-track 12" from the ever-epic and=20
etheriel<BR> Icelanders. I'm sure everyone's familiar =
with=20
their sound and<BR> style by now, so there's no need =
for me to=20
bleat on too much suffice<BR> to say if you're a fan, =
you're=20
gonna love it. The final track<BR> ("Hafsol") is =
particularly=20
huge. Comes with a gorgeous poster,<BR> as well. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (Vinyl): Funk / Jazz / Soul</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CLYDE ALEXANDER - GOT TO GET YOUR LOVE - HEAVENLY STAR - 12" =
(HS905)<BR> Super classic disco that has been sampled =
by many.=20
Its the instrumental<BR> that is doing it here, if =
your into=20
house in a big way your going<BR> to recognize this =
straight=20
away. Keep these fine reissues coming<BR> mr brown, we =
love=20
'em....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ALVA NOTO + RYUICHI SAKAMOTO - VRIOON - RASTER NOTON - CD=20
(R-N050)<BR> Back in stock. The 50th release for =
Raster Noton=20
sees the pairing<BR> of these two talented artists in =
what has=20
become something of<BR> a watershed recording. At =
heart it's a=20
gentle, intricate and subtle<BR> blend of electronics =
and=20
acoustic piano that weaves and hypnotizes<BR> with =
Sakamoto=20
providing the piano phrases and Carsten Nicolai<BR> =
gently=20
processing and manipulating them underneath. The use =
of<BR> =20
identifiable motifs works like a dream and really gives the=20
listener<BR> something to lock onto (as if you needed =
to).=20
Beautifully melancholy<BR> and aching with divine =
melodies,=20
this release is infinitely special<BR> and if you own =
the=20
second collaboration 'Insen' you should treat<BR> this =
as a=20
must have CD. Simply awesome.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ANGIE REED - XYZ FREQUENCY - CHICKS ON SPEED - CD=20
(COSR27CD)<BR> One minute it's poppy, the next it's =
punky, the=20
next it's noisy,<BR> the next it's not but i have to =
say i've=20
heard a lot worse from<BR> this label. Some catchy (if =
slightly unhinged) tunes on here -<BR> at times it =
reminded me=20
of Altered Images! Whatever happened to<BR> Clare =
Grogan, she=20
was lovely...? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BONG-RA - I AM THE GOD OF HELLFIRE - VERY FRIENDLY - CD=20
(VF029CD)<BR> Yes, of course you are. Bong-Ra manages =
to=20
capture the spirit<BR> of the more experimental end of =
the=20
Breakcore sound with this<BR> album of brutal and =
roughneck=20
sounds. Furious breaks and a whole<BR> load of noise =
combine=20
to make a true jump-around sound. Fans of<BR> =
Breakcore in=20
general should seek this out immediately. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DEPARTMENT OF EAGLES - THE COLD NOSE - MELODIC - CD=20
(MELO034CD)<BR> Ok, so the less said about Nine Black =
Alps and=20
Harrisons the better,<BR> but overall Melodic have =
released=20
many a great record, and this<BR> is another discovery =
which=20
really works for me. You may remember<BR> their album =
on Isota=20
a couple of years ago, and this is a lovely<BR> =
progression=20
from that - think Broken Social Scene, Twisted =
Nerve,<BR> =20
Caribou, Four Tet and (yes) the better Melodic artists! Very=20
enjoyable.<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FOVEA HEX - BLOOM - DIE STADT - CD =
(DS83CD)<BR> =20
Ethereal vocals with a haunting quality over some very=20
beautiful<BR> string laden electronica. Such a =
beautiful=20
fragile sound packed<BR> with emotion. 3 tracks that =
really=20
are quite sad in the real sense<BR> of the word.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LARSEN - HMKE - IMPORTANT - CD =
(IMPREC072CD)<BR> =20
spacious soundscapes that really stretch out here on this=20
lovely<BR> CD. Although it is a pretty bleak sound it =
has an=20
abstract warmth<BR> to it that is very beautiful.=20
lovely.....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LOKAI - 7 MILLION - MOSZ - CD =
(MOSZ006)<BR> =20
Lokai's 6 track work for Mosz is a mini masterpiece of=20
beautiful<BR> sound and noise that's instantly =
appealing=20
thanks to an inspired<BR> choice of opening track. It =
kicks=20
off in a delightfully guitary<BR> sort of way which =
really=20
brings to mind the work of Keiichi Sugimoto<BR> (aka =
Minamo=20
and Fourcolor) with delicate playing and a gently<BR> =20
manipulated sound which is very soothing indeed. After that=20
things<BR> become more texturally based and there's a =
lush=20
soundcape feel<BR> that's minimal without being =
ultra-reduced.=20
Yes, there are moments<BR> that become a tad noisier, =
but it's=20
never at the expense of atmosphere<BR> and overall =
really adds=20
a great deal to the album. Very, very<BR> good indeed =
and=20
definitely one to check if you're into 12k etc.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MARK CLIFFORD / SIMON KEALOHA - RUNNING TAPER - POLYFUSIA - =
CD=20
(FUS003)<BR> Eagerly anticipated here at Smallfish as =
there=20
are a couple of<BR> us that are confirmed fans of Mark =
Clifford's work. This full<BR> length album is a =
collaboration=20
between Clifford and Simon Kealoha<BR> and provides =
something=20
of a missing link between Seefeel and Disjecta<BR> =
sound-wise=20
and is an intriguing blend of dense, sculptural=20
electronica<BR> soundscapes and abstract rhythmic =
elements=20
coupled with one absolutely<BR> powerful as you can =
imagine=20
guitar noise track that absolutely<BR> fills your =
mind. As=20
delicate at times as it is challenging at<BR> others, =
this is=20
something to listen to several times before it<BR> =
really=20
clicks into place, but, my word, when it does... =
you've<BR> =20
got a powerful piece of contemporary minimalism. If you're a=20
fan<BR> of Seefeel and Disjecta or not, you simply =
must check=20
this out.<BR> Gorgeous.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MONOS - GENERATORS - DIE STADT - 2xCD =
(DS74CD)<BR> =20
Ultra-deep ambient dronescapes that make most of the Kranky=20
releases<BR> sound like banging techno! Yes, switch =
off the=20
lights, curl up<BR> by the fireside, make yourself a =
cup of=20
horlicks (not in that<BR> order) and prepare yourself =
for a=20
double CD of the more intense<BR> variety of minimal! =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MUI - INSIDE A MOVING MACHINE - KEPLAR - CD=20
(KEPLAR014)<BR> Keplar is a label that I try to like =
on a=20
regular basis but that<BR> I just end up thinking is =
pretty=20
good but nothing special. This<BR> release, however, =
could=20
change all that as it's a sublimely put<BR> together =
slice of=20
Electronica and Post-Rock which is mellow, melody<BR> =
driven=20
and full of warmth and beauty. Skillfully produced to=20
create<BR> a flowing atmosphere, it has a few more =
upbeat=20
moments but, generally,<BR> this is a very soothing =
piece of=20
work indeed. Quality through<BR> and through.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> PITA - FREMDKOERPER - MOSZ - CD =
(MOSZ007)<BR> =20
Peter Rehberg absolutely doing what he does best here. 7=20
wonderfully<BR> dense and intense tracks of electronic =
manipulation and layering.<BR> He strikes a lovely =
balance=20
between challenging, ear-crunching<BR> noise and =
delicate,=20
almost Fennesz-esque processing which makes<BR> for a =
very=20
appealing work. At it's heart this is definitely=20
experimental<BR> but as people are now open to that =
kind of=20
sound a lot more you'll<BR> find that if you listen to =
12k,=20
Apestaartje and other such labels<BR> this may well =
appeal to=20
you. Best have a listen and see what think,<BR> but =
for me=20
this is highly recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SAADANE AFIF 02 / TUJIKO NORIKO / PORTADIUM - MELANCHOLIC =
BEAT -=20
SEMISHIGURE - CD (SEMIAFIF01CD)<BR> A strange mix of =
laptop=20
computer rhtyhms & some bizzare vocals<BR> that =
are quite=20
hard to understand in truth. At times it is quite<BR> =
coherent=20
and flows nicely, at others it becomes =
intertestingly<BR> =20
disjointed. Some of the sounds used within the rhtyhms are=20
very<BR> well constructed. worth checking me =
thinks...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SUSANNE BROKESCH - EMERALD STARS - CHICKS ON SPEED - CD=20
(COSR26CD)<BR> Anyone that heard Susanne's last album =
(on=20
Disko B) won't be expecting<BR> the usual Chicks On =
Speed=20
sound. This is warm, broken electronic<BR> pop not =
entirely=20
unlike Morr Music's trademark shoegaze-tronica.<BR> It =
has its=20
more intense moments, mind - especially the cover =
of<BR> David=20
Bowie's "Heroes" - but overall this is mellow, =
hypnotic<BR> =20
and surprisingly pleasant. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> TV POW - BURNED BRIDGES & LOST LOVE - BOTTROP-BOY - 2xCD =
(BBOY023CD)<BR> 2 CD's of twisted eccentric =
electronica with=20
plenty off ear splitting<BR> frequencies along side =
played=20
samples, vocal snippets and human<BR> digestive system =
noises.=20
All in all an off the wall experince<BR> that will =
have dogs=20
barking everywhere.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - FREQ OUT 2 - TOUCH - CD =
(ASH68)<BR> =20
Touch doing what they do so well here. This multi-artist=20
live<BR> performance (part of the Ultima Oslo =
Contemporary=20
Music Festival<BR> 2004) comes highly recommended to =
those=20
into 12k / Line, Raster<BR> Noton, Richard Chartier or =
anything Mike recommends. Lie back,<BR> relax and let =
the=20
ultra-minimal ambient drooooooooooooooooone<BR> wash =
over=20
you.... </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - SUBVARITRAX - SUBVARIANT - CD=20
(SUBV002)<BR> Subvariant comes to us from Chicago and =
label=20
Boss Liz Knight<BR> has done a sterling job of =
consolidating=20
her ezine, 'Modsquare.com'<BR> with her jewellery =
design=20
company, 'Zelle' and now this most excellent<BR> =
Electronica=20
label. Clearly a labour of love it features 17 =
tracks<BR> from=20
artists both known and unknown and it concentrates on =
the<BR> =20
melodic, experimental (I daren't say IDM) side of things.=20
Marshall<BR> Watson, Kero, Derek Michael, Zainetica, =
Quench=20
(aka Funckarma),<BR> Ochre, Matthew Mercer and =
Quantazelle=20
(Liz heself) all feature<BR> amongst others, and I =
think it's=20
fair to say that at this price<BR> and with this =
quality of=20
tracks you absolutely can't go wrong.<BR> Beautifully =
realised=20
and extremely worthwhile, this one comes<BR> highly=20
recommended, particularly to fans of Toytronic, =
Expanding<BR> =20
etc. Check.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Restocks (CD): Electronica</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> ALVA NOTO - TRANSALL CYCLE 1 - TRANSRAPID - RASTER NOTON - =
CD=20
(R-N061)<BR> Put simply, Carsten Nicolai is pretty =
much in a=20
league of his<BR> own, and this is a stunning series =
of=20
releases. Apart from the<BR> packaging being =
unbelievably cool=20
and beautiful, and it coming<BR> on a 3" cd pressed on =
a clear=20
5" cd, you get four tracks of incredibly<BR> intricate =
and=20
crisp electronics with deep, surprisingly =
percussive<BR> =20
rhythms, electrostatic sounds and amazing high frequencies.=20
Bordering<BR> on genius, I'd say! Don't miss out on =
this=20
highly recommended<BR> piece.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> GOLDMUND - CORDUROY ROAD - TYPE - CD =
(TYPE005)<BR> =20
TYPE CONTINUE TO GROW IN STRENGTH AND STATURE WITH EACH=20
RELEASE<BR> IN MY OPINION AND WITH THIS ABSOLUTELY =
WONDERFUL=20
ALBUM THEY'VE<BR> DELIVERED SOMETHINGS CRYSTALLINE, =
PURE AND=20
STUNNING BEAUTIFUL.<BR> 'CORDUROY ROAD' IS A SERIES OF =
PIANO=20
PIECES THAT ARE SIMPLE, YET<BR> ULTIMATELY REFINED AND =
AMAZINGLY HYPNOTIC. THE SUBTLE TREATMENTS<BR> OF THE =
PIECES=20
WITH REVERB ADD A HAUNTING AND MELANCHOLY FEEL =
THAT<BR> IS AT=20
ONCE DISTANT AND ICY, BUT STRANGELY WARMING AND =
FRIENDLY.<BR> =20
IMAGINE HAROLD BUDD AND BRIAN ENO'S 'AMBIENT 2' IF YOU CAN,=20
THEN<BR> STRIP IT DOWN A BIT AND YOU'RE PRETTY =
CLOSE TO=20
HOW THIS SOUNDS.<BR> A MARVELLOUSLY ASSURED PIECE OF =
WORK THAT=20
HAS A TRULY TIMELESS<BR> QUALITY. HIGHLY =
RECOMMENDED.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> RYAN TEAGUE - SIX PRELUDES - TYPE - CD=20
(TYEP002)<BR> QUALITY CONTROL IS SOMETHING THAT IS =
CLEARLY=20
VERY CLOSE TO THE<BR> HEARTS OF THE TYPE LABEL AS THIS =
SUPERB,=20
SUBLIME AND WONDERFUL<BR> NEW RELEASE WILL ATTEST. I =
DON'T=20
WANT TO GO ON TOO MUCH ABOUT<BR> IT, OR TYPE IN =
GENERAL IN=20
FACT, BUT, WHEN IT COMES DOWN TO IT<BR> THEY ARE =
CONCEIVABLY=20
ONE OF THE MOST EXCELLENT LABELS WE HAVE<BR> IN THIS =
COUNTRY=20
AT THE PRESENT TIME AND THEIR WHOLE CATALOGUE<BR> =
SHOULD BE=20
THE ENVY OF A LOT OF OTHER LABELS. RYAN TEAGUE HAS=20
PRODUCED<BR> SOMETHING OF A GEM HERE WITH SIX TRACKS =
FORMING A=20
DELICIOUS SET.<BR> STRINGS... THAT'S THE ORDER OF THE =
DAY.=20
ALMOST CHAMBER MUSIC,<BR> PRETTY CLOSE TO BEING =
CLASSICAL AND=20
RIGHT ON THE MONEY AS FAR<BR> AS ATMOSPHERE AND BEAUTY =
GOES.=20
SIMPLY GORGEOUS AND ONE FOR ALL<BR> FANS OF THE MORE =
ORGANIC=20
SIDE OF ELECTRONICA (EVEN THOUGH THIS<BR> ISN'T, =
STRICTLY=20
SPEAKING, ELECTRONICA AT ALL). DON'T MISS OUT<BR> =
BECAUSE A)=20
IT'S GRAND AND B) IT'S A REAL BARGAIN AT THIS =
PRICE.<BR> =20
ESSENTIAL STUFF. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SAWAKO - OMNIBUS - COMMUNITY LIBRARY - CD=20
(CL2)<BR> Made by Sawako and friends from musical and =
non=20
musical perspectives.<BR> 10 tracks of simple=20
electronica meets field recordings - the<BR> tracks =
hold the=20
sampled sounds and music together really well,<BR> =
with them=20
feeling like complete (if very minimal and =
fragile)<BR> tracks=20
whilst still evoking actual places and situations. =20
Charming<BR> and simple. Recommended. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> STATIC - RE: TALKING ABOUT MEMORIES - CITY CENTRE OFFICES - =
CD=20
(TOWERBLOCK31CD)<BR> More highly accomplished songs =
from=20
Static, with his usual crack<BR> squad of members of =
Tarwater=20
and To Rococo Rot in tow. Quite possibly<BR> their =
finest=20
release to date, this is the perfect blend of warm<BR> =
electronica, gentle vocals, subtle glitchiness and lo-fi=20
aesthetics.<BR> Included is a cover of The Assembly's =
"Never=20
Never", which seems<BR> fitting somehow. Another fine =
release=20
from CCO. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> THOMAS FEHLMANN - LOWFLOW - PLUG RESEARCH - CD=20
(PR58CD)<BR> THOMAS FEHLMANN IS ONE OF THOSE ARTISTS =
WHO SEEMS=20
TO HAVE BEEN<BR> AROUND FOREVER AND HAS BEEN INVOLVED =
IN SOME=20
OF THE MOST IMPORTANT<BR> PROJECTS OVER THE PAST =
FIFTEEN=20
YEARS. 3 PHASE, SUN ELECTRIC, THE<BR> ORB, MARATHON =
AND LOTS=20
OF HIS OWN PROJECTS, NOTABLY ON KOMPAKT.<BR> THIS =
ALBUM=20
DISTILLS EVERYTHING THAT I LOVE ABOUT HIS WORK =
INTO<BR> ONE=20
SPECTACULAR LISTENING EXPERIENCE. DUB, TECHNO, HIP HOP,=20
ELECTRONICA,<BR> R&B AND MANY OTHER INFLUENCES =
COLLIDE TO=20
PROVIDE AN INTENSE SELECTION<BR> OF WONDERFULLY DEEP =
TRACKS,=20
EVERY ONE OF WHICH IS A GEM. THREE<BR> TRACKS ARE =
CO-WRITTEN=20
WITH GHOSTLY'S DABRYE, AND YOU CAN TELL<BR> WHICH ONES =
THEY=20
ARE. SIMPLY UNMISSABLE AND ESSENTIAL AND GENERALLY<BR> =
WONDERFUL. BUY IT!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Techno / Electro</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FRANCISCO - MUSIC BUSINESS - NATURE - CD=20
(NA2130CD)<BR> Electro / Techno / Disco from Italy =
here.=20
Francisco has put together<BR> an immaculate album of =
tasty=20
dancefloor grooves that owes as much<BR> to Detroit =
and labels=20
like Delsin as it does to old Italo House<BR> and =
Disco=20
Records. Stunning arrangements and amazingly funky =
sounds<BR> =20
and beats combine to make one wicked album. Definitely =
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MELNYK - SILENCE - GAYMONKEY RECORDS - CD=20
(GAY14)<BR> Melnyk's full album is a fun and funky =
selection=20
Electro / Disco<BR> that uses retro, synthy sounds and =
Moroder=20
/ Patrick Adams influences<BR> to give it a slightly =
Disco=20
edge. Cracking production all the<BR> way through with =
some=20
beautifully defined sounds and beats that<BR> give it =
a mature=20
sound. Way better than a lot of the cheesey stuff<BR> =
that you=20
can find yourself listening to. If you like Vector =
Lovers,<BR> =20
you should really check this out.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - GREEN & BLUE - COCOON - 2xCD=20
(CORMIX0112)<BR> O Come all ye minimals. Ricardo =
Villalobos=20
and Loco Dice in the<BR> mix, a disc a piece. In the =
blue=20
(Villalobos) corner; Roman, Kenny<BR> Dope, Sasse, =
Robag=20
Wruhme, Donnacha Costello, John Tejada, Guido<BR> =
Schneider et=20
al. In the green (Dice) corner; Bucci, Alexander<BR> =
East,=20
Bearback, Monne Automne, Konrad Black etc. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - C/O POP FESTIVAL COMPILATION 2005 - COLOGNE ON POP =
- 2xCD=20
(COP02CD)<BR> Double CD of tracks related to Cologne's =
music=20
festival from earlier<BR> this year. Includes a wide =
variety=20
of tracks from the likes of<BR> Prosumer, Ricardo =
Villalobos,=20
Schaeben & Voss, Annie, Alex Smoke,<BR> Wighnomy =
Brothers,=20
Mathias Schaffhauser, Andre Kraml and more.<BR> Deep =
Techno=20
meets punky, poppy Techno and Electro head-on. A =
quality<BR> =20
selection all round.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): House</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - GREATEST MIXES COLLECTION - SLEEPING BAG - CD=20
(TEG76512CD)<BR> Great comp of classics from this New =
York=20
label. Dinosaur L, Class<BR> Action, Konk and more. a =
totla of=20
8 classy cuts that have graced<BR> dancefloors the =
world over=20
for more than 2 decades...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Guitar Based</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> JACKIE-O MOTHERF*CKER - FLAGS OF THE SACRED HARP - ALL =
TOMORROWS=20
PARTIES - CD (ATPRCD20)<BR> Jackie-O's most accessible =
album=20
to date is also their best, and<BR> surprisingly =
beautiful.=20
Gentle, expansive slo-core / singer-songwriting<BR> =20
reminiscent of Low or Codeine, marking a real departure from=20
their<BR> more experimental soundscape material. The =
cheekily=20
titled "Good<BR> Morning Kaptain" gives a hint as to =
another=20
influence. Highly<BR> recommended. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> OCEAN - HERE WHERE NOTHING GROWS - IMPORTANT - CD=20
(IMPREC073CD)<BR> Ambient doom metal / slo-core for =
those=20
seriously into the genre.<BR> If you're a fan of Earth =
(especially the Sub Pop days), look no<BR> further - =
likewise=20
Pelican, Neurosis, Buried At Sea, Sunn O)))<BR> etc. =
Three=20
epic full-length tracks that have "been mastered =
to<BR> be=20
played at a higher volume"! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> SAADANE AFIF / RAINIER LERICOLAIS / MARCELINE DELB - ROCK =
& ROLL=20
AT THE DOWN CLUB - SEMISHIGURE - CD (SEMIAFIF02CD)<BR> =
Soft=20
meandering songs sung with a disafected, and at times=20
disinterested<BR> vocal style. Some nice tape loop =
effects at=20
times here. at best<BR> excellent, at worst =
interesting. One=20
to check out i would say....</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - ALL TOMORROW'S PARTIES 3.1: CURATED BY MATT GROENI =
- ALL=20
TOMORROWS PARTIES - CD (ATPRCD16)<BR> The perfect =
Christmas=20
gift for the Simpsons / alternative guitar<BR> music =
fan in=20
your life, me thinks! Coming complete with =
(brilliant)<BR> =20
instantly identifiable artwork courtesy of Matt Groening=20
himself,<BR> this compilation commemorating his =
curation of=20
the ATP festival<BR> of 2003 finally gets released. =
Eleven=20
great selections from The<BR> Stooges, The Magic Band, =
Spoon,=20
The Shins, Modest Mouse, Elliott<BR> Smith, Daniel =
Johnston,=20
American Analog Set, Electrelane, Jackie-O<BR> =
Motherf*cker=20
and Sonic Youth (with their version of the =
Simpsons<BR> theme=20
tune). Woo-hoo indeed! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>New Releases (CD): Experimental</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BEEQUEEN - GUND - PLINKITY PLONK - CD=20
(PLINK11)<BR> Sale. Frans de Ward and Freek =
Kinkelaar's=20
Beequeen project manages<BR> to be extremely =
experimental=20
whilst retaining a listenable sound<BR> that's really =
quite=20
engaging. Definitely on the softer, more layered<BR> =
side of=20
this expansive style with deep, rumbling bass =
sounds,<BR> =20
manipulated samples and field recordings and the occasional=20
moment<BR> of more glitch based elements. Excellent. =
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BILL HORIST & KK NULL - INTERSTELLAR CHEMISTRY - BETA =
LACTUM -=20
CD (MT037CD)<BR> Sale. Legendary guitar manipulator KK =
Null=20
teams up with Bill<BR> Horist to provide an incredibly =
intense=20
twelve track selection.<BR> From ultra aggressive =
noise and=20
feedback to, weirdly, an electro<BR> track with =
screwed up=20
guitar sounds. There are a few moments of<BR> =
processed ultra=20
reduced minimalism to go along with the harder<BR> =
gear and,=20
ultimately, it's a bit of a goodie. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL / BRUCE RUSSELL - BIRCHVILLE CAT MOTEL =
/ BRUCE=20
RUSSELL - CPSIP - CD (CPSIP1001CD)<BR> Sale. Recorded =
at=20
various locations in New Zealand, these two<BR> fellas =
get it=20
on with a variety of gear from guitars, violins,<BR> =20
computers, effects and oscillators through to fire (!), pine=20
cones<BR> (!!), water (!!!), the sugar bowl (!!!!) and =
an=20
electric toothbrush.<BR> Not normal behaviour at all =
but=20
certainly unique. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BLONK / MAKIGAMI / DUTTON / MINTON / MOSS - FIVE MEN SINGING =
- VICTO=20
- CD (VICTOCD092)<BR> Sale. I'm not sure i'd call it =
singing,=20
although it does sound<BR> pretty extraordinary. Five =
men=20
chanting, droning, screetching<BR> and generally =
making daft=20
noises on stage, more like - nice work<BR> if you can =
get it.=20
Haven't laughed so much in ages, God knows<BR> how the =
audience kept a straight face! Definitely one to =
cure<BR> the=20
winter blues! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BRUCE GILBERT - IN ESSE - MUTE - CD=20
(CDSTUMM171)<BR> Sale. Wire's Bruce Gilbert with a =
relatively=20
contemporary release<BR> (from 1997). Dark textures =
and=20
soundscapes that are minimalist<BR> and very =
introverted,=20
almost seeming to climb inside themselves<BR> (have a =
listen=20
and you'll see what i mean - i hope!). </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> BRUCE GILBERT - AB OVO - MUTE - CD=20
(CDSTUMM117)<BR> Sale. Wire's Bruce Gilbert here a =
varied=20
selection of styles,<BR> from pure electronics to some =
very=20
doomy guitar and drum work<BR> plus the occasional bit =
of=20
textural soundscape. Good stuff from<BR> 1996. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CARTER TUTTI - LIVE CONCERT LEM FESTIVAL OCTOBER 4, 2003 -=20
CONSPIRACY INTERNATIONAL - CD (FARTOOLONG1)<BR> Sale. =
The=20
description's in the title, really, isn't it? One =
for<BR> the=20
Throbbing Gristle diehards out there. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CHRISTINA KUBISCH - ARMONICA - BOTTROP-BOY - CD=20
(SEMI006CD)<BR> Beautiful soft tonal soundscapes on =
this=20
gorgeous CD. It has a<BR> transparent, fragile feel to =
me=20
suggesting a bleak winter landscape,<BR> somewhere =
very flat,=20
completely silent with a light mist hanging<BR> in the =
air.If=20
it can paint this picture to me after listening<BR> to =
it for=20
just a minute or so, i think i will have to listen =
to<BR> it=20
at home and give it the attention it deserves. recommended..</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CLARE GASSON (AND FRIENDS) - ELSEWHERE - N/A - CD + BOOK=20
(N/A)<BR> Sale. CD number two from local artist and =
occasional=20
Smallfish<BR> customer Clare Gasson is an altogether =
more=20
ambitious project<BR> than before. The CD is her most=20
enjoyable spoken word piece to<BR> date (all very =
canine=20
inspired), and comes complete with a 32-page<BR> =
booklet of=20
prose and photography taken from an exhibition =
just<BR> around=20
the corner from here. It's only a matter of time =
before<BR> we=20
hear our Clare on Radio 4, me thinks. Great stuff, very=20
attractively<BR> packaged, wholeheartedly =
recommended.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> CONTRASTATE & THE TIGER LILLIES - GOODBYE GREAT NATION - =
BLACK=20
ROSE - CD (BRCD96-1004)<BR> Sale. A one-track, 20 =
minute=20
spoken word soundscape, the theme<BR> of which seems =
to be the=20
general decline of the nation / the royal<BR> family / =
Diana=20
etc. Deep, throbbing tones and semi-operatic =
vocals<BR> =20
enhance the atmosphere. All pretty chilling stuff. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DANIEL MENCHE - EYE ON THE STEEL - SUBSTRACTIF - CD=20
(SUBSF07CD)<BR> Sale. This artist has produced some =
fine work=20
in the field of<BR> intense noise manipulation but =
he's really=20
excelled himself here.<BR> Drones, frequencies and =
textures=20
akin to Merzbow at times but<BR> somehow with =
something more=20
cerebral and imaginative happening.<BR> Dark, desolate =
and=20
doomy yet there is a light at the end of the<BR> =
tunnel.=20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DAVID GRUBBS - TWO SOUNDTRACKS FOR ANGELA BULLOCH - =
SEMISHIGURE - CD=20
(SEMI007CD)<BR> 2 long soundscape tracks that have =
perhaps as=20
much space between<BR> music as actual music! the =
result is a=20
very minimal experince<BR> that needs to be heard in =
its=20
entirety to be appreciated.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> DEREK BAILEY - GUITAR, DRUMS & BASS - DIW - CD=20
(AVAN060CD)<BR> Sale. To use an old Smallfish / =
Ronseal=20
cliche, this does exactly<BR> as it says on the tin, =
only the=20
Derek Bailey way. DB does his<BR> old=20
cat-being-put-through-a-mangle deconstructed guitar =
thing<BR> =20
up against DJ Ninj's eclectic drum programming. Unfathomable=20
track<BR> titles, equally unfathomable music! </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> FURT - DEFEKT - MATCHLESS - CD =
(MRCD50)<BR> Sale.=20
The duo of Richard Barrett and Paul Obermayer are=20
otherwise<BR> known as Furt, and this four track CD of =
recordings made between<BR> 1997 and 2000 is extremely =
heavy=20
going at times. Dark sonic manipulation,<BR> collage, =
samples=20
and extreme electronics create a disturbing and<BR> =
heady=20
sound. Snatches of dialogue from the Great Dictator =
only<BR> =20
add to the immense sense of menace. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> IVAN AND CHESH - ONE AMAZING DAY - V/VM TEST - CD=20
(OFFAL2000)<BR> Sale. A day out at our beloved Dome =
(as was).=20
Recording snippets<BR> of the cultural excellence that =
it=20
housed - close your eyes and<BR> you can almost feel =
the=20
Millenium Experience (and maybe regret<BR> that you =
missed the=20
opportunity before all the public money spent<BR> on =
the Dome=20
was squandered to make way for the true vision of<BR> =
the new=20
millenium - the sheer, unadulterated quest for=20
profit....)!<BR> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> LIGHTBOX ORCHESTRA, THE - FIRST CONTACT - LOCUST - CD=20
(LOCUST09CD)<BR> Sale. I'll quote. "The Lightbox has =
10-14=20
variously coloured bulbs<BR> each controlled by a =
switch. Each=20
player then responds to their<BR> own flashing light, =
thus=20
inviting them to play". A weird concept,<BR> but when =
artists=20
of the calibre of Jim O'Rourke, Kevin Drumm,<BR> Todd =
Carter,=20
Bob Marsh, Liz Payne and many more are involved,<BR> =
you've=20
got a winning slice of experimentalism. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> MEIRA ASHER & GUY HARRIES - INFANTRY - SUB ROSA - CD=20
(SR165)<BR> Sale. Uneasy listening. Spoken-word =
accounts based=20
on the reports<BR> of child soldiers and tortured =
children=20
from Burma, Israel, Liberia,<BR> Lebanon, The =
Philippines and=20
Uganda underpinned by a sparse, experimental<BR> =
electronic=20
score. As unsettling, confrontational and =
politically<BR> =20
charged as it gets. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> NOISE/GIRL - DISCOPATHOLOGY - KILLERPIMP - CD=20
(PIMPK002CD)<BR> Noise, Noise, and then some. Noise, =
well=20
distorted noise is the<BR> theme of the day here. A =
popo hit=20
that escapes me gets the 'my<BR> laptop makes things =
sound=20
noisey' treatment. I feel i can say<BR> no more =
without=20
starting to give this a complete slagging off.<BR> The =
price=20
is a bit ridiculous as well, sorry about that!</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> OLIVIA BLOCK - OUR GAZE - SEDIMENTAL - CD=20
(SEDCD026)<BR> Sale. A one track, twenty-five minute =
piece of=20
seemingly electro-acoustic<BR> experimentalism from =
Olivia=20
Block. Loads of other musicians are<BR> credited and =
the field=20
material that is used is really interesting.<BR> =
Disjointed,=20
yet cohesive, with moments of quiet and moments of<BR> =
bedlam.=20
Worth the effort and working out where it's coming =
from.<BR> =20
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> THURSTON MOORE / TOM SURGAL / WILLIAM WINANT - PIECE FOR =
JETSUN=20
DOLMA - VICTO - CD (VICTOCD045)<BR> Sale. One for the =
hardiest=20
of Sonic Youth completists. Recorded<BR> live in 1996, =
Thurston and his pals improvise their way through<BR> =
this=20
intense, experimental avant jazz/rock concrete =
soundscape.<BR> =20
By no means a comfortable ride, but who the heck expected it=20
to<BR> be? </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> UNSONG - THE FRAILTY OF ANGELS, THE TREASON OF PEOPLE - =
MACROPHONIES=20
- CD (MAC14)<BR> Sale. Totally deep, really quite =
beautiful at=20
times and very dark<BR> and disturbed at others. Yes, =
this CD=20
from Brighton based Macrophonies<BR> is a =
rollercoaster ride=20
of intensity with wonderfully dense soundscapes<BR> =
that grow=20
with every listen. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - THIS MUSIC IS SILENT UNTIL YOU LISTEN - DISCUS - =
CD=20
(DISCUS6CD)<BR> Sale. Six electro acoustic works from =
the=20
individual talents of<BR> Martin Archer, Simon Fell, =
Robert=20
Godman, Simon Vincent and Katherine<BR> Norman. =
Fragile=20
acoustic instruments, organic and mechanical =
electronic<BR> =20
manipulations all thrown together in varying degrees. Kind=20
of<BR> like something you'd hear at the Hayward =
Gallery with a=20
hint of<BR> Raster Noton. Atmospheric and challenging =
(in a=20
good way). </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - JAPANESE AVANT-GARDE - SUB ROSA - CD=20
(SR202CD)<BR> Sale. Subtitled "Agitiation / Stillness =
- Noise=20
/ Silence". Apt<BR> description, that, with music from =
Merzbow, Otomo Yoshihide, Aki<BR> Onda, So Takahashi, =
Ground=20
Zero and others. An interesting and<BR> intriguing =
selection=20
of experimental electronics. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> VARIOUS - SUFFER / ENJOY - ANTIFROST - CD=20
(AFRO2014)<BR> Sale. All artists on here have a =
restriction=20
placed on them so<BR> that they can only work within =
"a=20
maximum bandwidth of 200Hz",<BR> hence a lot of =
intense, deep,=20
low frequencies and an extremely<BR> minimal approach =
to=20
composition. An unsettling collection of pieces<BR> =
courtesy=20
of Francisco Lopez, PG-13, Utah Kawasaki, Ilios, =
Kim<BR> =20
Cascone and others. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV></FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>
------=_NextPart_000_01AE_01C5F74B.FFD6C400--