Vivod レコード& CD

Review: Attraktors originally surfaced back in 2015 with the Future Systems EP. Made up of members of Six.By.Seven, Bivouac, The Selecter and more besides. Now this eclectic group of coldwave connoisseurs fold that initial EP into a raft of new songs to make up a sterling debut album for Vivod. It's brittle, homespun stuff that opens up a wormhole to the bedroom studio explosion of the 1980s, when lo-fi new wave was king. But there are other dimensions to this record, like the dreamy synth pop of "Mensonge Et La Chute" and the cosmic rock stylings of "Theme From Unknown". For all lovers of the early to mid '80s era, this is an album you won't want to miss.

Review: Vivod rescue some Gold Blood material from the archives for their latest hand stamped 12" release, pairing up an original track by the duo (The Chariots and The Good Wife frontman Emile Bojesen and Brassica producer Michael Anthony Wright for the uninitiated) with two remixes. In original form, "The Intruder" finds Gold Blood channelling Liasions Dangereuses with a dash of Trent Reznor attitude thrown in, as Bojesen yelps angrily over a spiky guitar riff. Scottish techno icon Neil Landstrumm remixes "The Intruder", embellishing the track's synthier intricacies wonderfully whilst on the flip the dramatically named Banished To Frigia turn in a snarling remix of "The Friction" which would probably have scared the Nag Nag Nag crew right through back in the days of electroclash.

Review: Thus far the Vivod label has proved to be refreshingly diverse in its approach, with the meaty electro and tripped out Will Powers styled experimentation of the debut release from label boss Ali Renault markedly different to the primitive electronics and early wave of NCW's collaborative twelve with the distinctively titled Piss. It makes sense therefore that the third Vivod release from the wonderfully named Mild Peril should deviate in yet another direction, veering into the realm of resplendent, laid back analogue explorations. The latest creative incarnation of London DJ, musician and "reluctant club promoter" Christopher J Gilbert, Mild Peril digs into his digital archives for a newly remastered version of "Alpha Zone" that chugs gently through six minutes of cosmic synthscapes. Even better is the nine minute "Gamma Zone" which uses the slower pace and extended duration to veer deep into the Balearic core.

Review: Ooh bit of a coup here from the Vivod label who has coaxed some rare produce out of Luke 'Eargoggle' Pettersson's Monkeyshop project with fellow Swede Ronnie Johansson. The project dates back to 2002 when Creme issued the White Loafers Boulevard EP and Johansson and Pettersson have revisited it on an intermittent basis ever since. Those partial to slabs of arpeggio heavy power Italo will be all over the glorious title track "Escape From The Mental Zoo" whilst "Monkey Barouque" veers off into a delightful pocket of euphoria filled electro. The dark undercurrent that seems to run through every Vivod release is present in the remix of "Escape From The Mental Zoo" from James Francis who reimagines the track as six minutes of widescreen and weightless electronics.

Review: Having originally surfaced on Creme Organization back in 2002, Luke Eargoggle and Ronnie Johansson's Monkeyshop project is an intermittent treat that offers the best of warm synth-led electronic disco. On their second outing for Ali Renault's Vivod label (after the excellent Escape From The Mental Zoo EP in 2014) the pair bring yet more of that addictive, utopian dance magic on this new record. "Island Of Love" is indeed a romantic club burner with smatterings of vintage synth pop in its bones, while "Heartbreak" takes a more overtly Italo direction and sounds just as strong with it. Obergman then takes "Island Of Love" to task with a respectful remix that shines a few different synth lines and beat patterns through the same fuzzy prism.

Review: The Golden Lands EP marks the second release from Vivod, the limited pressing vinyl only boutique label from famed Cestrian Robot Ali Renault. Whilst Renault himself handled the Vivod debut - with meaty aplomb - this second release from the label turns to sometime Apartment Records artist NCW for two productions, the first of which features the distinctively named Piss. "Golden" evokes early wave and primitive synth sounds, with droning, delay laden vocals floating over a backdrop of gurgling analogues and gazey guitars - one for Minimal Wave fans! Complementing this "Lands" sees NCW draw out an expansive Cosmiche synth scape in a Steve Moore meets Michael Bundt style.

Review: Having been responsible for the debut Vivod transmission, label founder Ali Renault has largely adopted a more curatorial role as it's blossomed, introducing some lesser known but like minded artists that lent the operation a truly diverse feel. Vivod is much, much more than merely electro or wave, there are moods and atmospheres explored with each release that get better with age. The Afterlife is Renault's first Vivod transmission in a year and the title track feels as wistful in tone as it does in name, with a mid-paced tempo and spaciousness allowing the producer to introduce some real textural detail into the arrangement. A sense of rhythmic, almost Krautish, urgency and some sublime oscillating synths give B Side track "Birdial" a feeling of hope that's truly rewarding.

Review: Launched just over a year ago by former Heartbreaker Ali Renault, Vivod has garnered something of a cultish following amongst those with more experimental inclinations. An inaugural release from Renault that featured both meaty EBM and Will Powers at the wrong speed disco freakery has been followed by some lesser known talents that fully convey Vivod's diverse manifesto. Subsequent 12?s from NCW & Piss and Mild Peril couldn't sound any different, touching on early wave, expansive kosmische and deep Balearica, and Renault's return with the SanSicario EP , Vivod"s fourth release, continues in this fashion. Pensive analogue boogie is the best way to describe A Side track "Shnin", which has some neck snapping percussion that Dilla would be proud of, whilst the B Side title track retains the level of melodic and textural warmth whilst operating at a tempo Renault fans will be more familiar with. Check the official video on YouTube too for some North London KISS fans getting psychedelic off play-doh vibes.

Review: Famed Cestrian Robot Ali Renault launches his new label in style... Limited to 100 copies, numbered and hand stamped, these type of discs are what record collecting was invented for. "Infinity Eyes" is a meaty analogue stomper with a gritty, freestyle bassline that sounds like it's been massaged out of an 808. "Norven" is the chilled out, nonchalant little brother. Cruising at a much slower tempo, it's like a tripped-out, dubby dub mix of Will Powers "Adventures In Success" played at the wrong speed. In other words; amazing!

Review: Vivod label boss Ali Renault pays tribute to his late friend Peter Mangalore of Human Shield on this moody new EP of twisted electronics. 'Northdown Acid' opens up in downbeat fashion, with glass Italo melodies and busted bass on a rugged groove. 'Imminent Salad' picks its head up to ride a chunky, organic house beat with glistening synths and 'Peter Summoning' is misty and pensive ambient interlude. 'Forbidden Mind' drags its heels to sombre effect, with splashes of cymbal and heavy finger clicks heightening the melancholy. 'Nawce Blizzard' rounds out the EP on a sense of hope and optimism.

Review: Limited, hand-stamped and complete with screen printed artwork, Ali Renault's Vivod imprint consistently command investment... And that's before we even tackle the rich beats on offer here. Both Emile and Iron Blu have carved careers in the darker, more uncompromising side of electro and tech-edged disco and, as this joint EP shows, their styles clearly complement each other. Emile's "People Who You Know (Who Can't Say No)" wears an acid house cape while doing the fandango in what appears to be Black Strobe's studio. Iron Blu takes care of the B-side business with "The Protagonist". Frozen funk that teeters on the edge of timeless electro, somehow it manages to sit somewhere between Aux 88 and Lindstrom. Alluring and addictive, Vivod continue to deliver the premium goods.

Review: Vivod returns for a sixth limited run release with a man at the helm whose name is closely associated with the various endeavours of label founder Ali Renault. Together with Renault and Pete Mangalore, Tommy Walker III founded the Human Shield Record Co. over a decade ago, and he's also had releases on the Cyber Dance label that Ali runs concurrently. So it's little surprise to see Walker III on Vivod and the Relegade EP makes for pleasantly diverse listening. The title track grips the entire A Side and will resonate with fans of Tuff Sherm material, the stuttering beat seemingly always on the point of all out collapse. Face down, "Hill Battle Aftermath" is a cocky electro funk gem that bursts with vivid colour whilst "Reverse Blunt Maestro Cliff" is best described as what happens with you hook up a drum machine and a sub automatic weapon.

Review: Ali Renault's Vivod label continues to bring the goods, as recent missives from Skatebard and Monkeyshop (their first release of any sort for 11 years) emphatically prove. The imprint's latest release comes from newcomer Paul Withey, who follows up a fine contribution to a recent split E.O on Ruby Hills & Diamond Mountain, with a debut solo E.P of his own. The five tracks featured are nicely varied stylistically, but all boast the distinctive shimmer of analogue synthesizers and dusty drum machines. Highlights include the surging Italo-disco revivalism of "Pallas", cheerily positive synth-pop flex of "Yes Master", and the curious, Radiophonic Workshop style weirdness of "Beneath the Surface".