Review: The wonderful Er + Er imprint has a knack for getting some of the biggest names in electronic music together and jamming the hell out! Some of the works by Ricardo Villalobos for the label have been simply sublime. This time, we got legend Carl Craig going head-to-head with the supremely talented Francesco Tristano in a sort of classical techno vibe. "Luder Pre" combines a mid-tempo percussive beat with some seriously twisted piano work, twisting and contorting into a right old spin. It's a one-sided gem, it's 300 copies limited, so you better get yourself one quick!
Review: When Cabaret Voltaire returned to the release schedule in 2020 as the one-man Richard H Kirk show, fans were relieved to find that mind-bending meld of 1970s Kosmische, techno, dub, house and space-age experimental electro was as pure as it ever has been - the results being a typically fresh and forward-thinking record the man in question summed up as "no nostalgia... normal rules do not apply. Something for the 21st Century. No old material."
Less than six months later and the big CV has more next level business to offer us, coming in the form of Shadow of Funk, a new EP that offers something of a counterpoint or extension to last year's full-length, Shadow of Fear. Based on 'Billion Dollar' alone - an acid-driven big, dark room banger that closes this EP -this release looks set to make an equally heavy impact, but as with anything this man touches, the joy is in discovery. So, let's leave it at that.
Review: Cosmic vibes, disco roots and a touch of robot melancholy, created during a time of isolation and strange moments apparently, so channels feelings of longing and creativity into something playful and deeply human. We're told that what began as an open-ended studio session became a journey fuelled by synthesisers, with Luis adding guitar and Marabou handling gear and recording. The tracks balance nostalgia and futurism across remixes from I-f, Gerd Janson and Dan Tyler of the Idjut Boys.
Die Klapperschlange (Escape From New York) (vocal)
Die Klapperschlange (Escape From New York) (instrumental)
Die Klapperschlange (Escape From New York) (edit)
Die Klapperschlange (Escape From New York) (Nomoo remix)
Review: One of legendary filmmaker John Carpenter's few forays into electro-disco proper, 'Die Klapperschlange' is an instant throwback, the title theme from the 1981 sci-fi film Escape From New York. Everyone knows this melody, yet few could point to its origin, and that's likely due to the German release of the John Carpenter film being titled 'Die Klapperschlange' ('The Rattlesnake'). And yes, you heard us right: John Carpenter himself made this piece of music. A multi-talented man indeed, though he did work with fellow composer and sound designer Alan Howarth to add the finishing touches here. It's as if this track were made for the anarcho-discos of the future, its inherent darkness rendering it seemingly unassailable by the crumbling of society or public breakouts of violence depicted in the film. Plus, there's *that* unmistakable four-bar extension, in which a three-note hook has permanently wedged itself in our minds - wowee. And on this new release via ZYX, we've got two new alt-mixes and an outrun techno remix from Nomoo. Sweet!
Review: 1asia is a label that focusses on Asian artists from a broad array of genres and Caslean is next up with the beguiling Sweet Adventure, a remix EP that finds her work reinterpreted by an array of innovative talents. 'Munir's Bandung First Trip' is serene electronica with lush and dreamy lines and naive vocals floating up above the smooth and uplifting rhythms. 'Meng Que's Yard' brings jumbled percussion and sugar synths to a broken beat jumble and 'Mogwaa's Studio In 07307' is a retro-future cut that pairs bouncy nu-disco with dubby pads. Last of all is 'Knopha's Re-clockwork,' another innocent and pure electronic world of neon synths and intriguing vocals.
Review: Ceremonie hail from France and have an '80s-inspired sound that hits differently. Their songwriting reaches new levels and draws on well-chosen, well-designed sounds with a wonderful sense of melancholy and just the right balance of drama and subtlety. After an indie-pop leaning cassette a few years ago they now land on Enfant Terrible with a contemporary take on retro new wave and synth-pop. Three of the tunes are originals, one is a cover of French 1980s new wave band Message and there is a whole new album in the works, apparently. Great stuff.
Review: Cetu Javu's iconic track 'Por Que?' (which as you probably can work out translates as why?) returns on a lovely grey marbled vinyl 12" courtesy of Blanco Y Negro Spain. A timeless classic from the late 80s and early 90s synth-pop and electronic scene, this single captures the band's signature blend of infectious melodies and emotive Spanish vocals. It's a fiery sound that is packed with melancholic undertones and driving rhythms that mean it has remained a dancefloor favourite for fans of vintage electronic sounds. This special edition offers a pristine homage to the era that takes you back in an instant.
Review: Cetu Javu's 'Por Que?' gets a fresh release on vinyl from Blanco Y Negro and it's a proper nod to classic dance nostalgia. Side 1 kicks off with the extended mix of 'Por Que?,' a melodic, synth-heavy track packed with infectious grooves, followed by 'Don't Leave Me,' which keeps the energy high with its pulsating basslines and emotive vocals. Side 2 brings a remix of 'Por Que?' that adds a modern twist, alongside the original album version, perfect for fans craving that irresistible late 80s/early 90s dance vibe.
Review: Soanish mega-label Blanco Y Negro continues to reissue rather good, but frequently overlooked, gems from its vast archives. This one, from German-Spanish synth-pop band Cetu Javu, dates from 1992 and sees the combo combine their early Depeche Mode-esque vocals and synth sounds with nods to the more driving, peak-time ready sounds of European house music. That's best exemplified by the opening 'Remix' version of title track 'Dame Tu Mano', which also comes in the moody synth-pop style 'Extended Mix'. Over on the flip, we get the chiming melodies, mid-80s Pet Shop Boys grooves and Euro-dance bleeps of 'Una Mujer (remix)' and the Bobby Orlando-meets-Shep Pettibone fun of 'Tempo (remix)'.
Review: Cetu Javu's 'Dame Tu Mano' is something of a classic for lovers of early synth sounds and now it is back and reissued on grey marbled vinyl. Known for their blend of synthpop and Latin-inspired melodies, this track captures Cetu Javu's signature emotive style and irresistible sense of analogue rhythm. Originally a hit in the late 80s and early 90s, this fine single is a staple for fans of 80s beats and its great vocals also bring plenty of old-school vibes.
High Lonesome Soundsystem - "Champion Sound" (Tom dub) (7:42)
Review: Tom Chasteen is an LA-born mega-musician who is widely credited for helping to spurn the San Francisco rave movement of the 1990s, not least by founding the Exist Dance label. Masquerading under various monikers such as Eden Transmission, High Lonesome Sound System and Voodoo Transmission, many of his tracks are cemented in the rave music canon as some of the most pivotal, thanks to their pushing of a rather psychedelic sound. Suitable for the looking-back era of the 2020s, the new EP by Tom, 'Selected Productions', zooms out of that era and into the present, re-homing in on some of that artist's later works when the SanFran heyday was over. Downtempo, full of international influences, and retaining that scratchy 'lifted from vinyl and remastered' sound, this is spiritual lyrical miziricle music for the dancing astral traveller.
Review: Riccardo Cioni is well-known as a mastermind behind early Italo disco, coming up in the Florentine disco scene with his troupe, Bella Band. His later solo outings, first made on the cusp of the 1980s, marked a more electronic shift, and 'Darkness Inside' is a strong example of his best work from that time. First released in '84, the three tracks on this early nu-disco heater cement Cioni's chops as a deft, swift and talented producer, with vocoded jams such as 'Go Break' and city slap-bassers like the title track locking in something timelessly futurologic. It could only ever have been a product of its time, though; these are three serene, yet hard-hitting, proto-nu-disco bangers.
Review: Civilistjavel's most recent album, 2022's Janmatter, was a predictably atmospheric and out-there affair that blended suspenseful ambient moods and melodies with occasional IDM rhythms and plenty of experimental chops. Here two giants of leftfield electronic music and experimental techno give their interpretations of the album, crafting 'remixes' based on stems from a variety of different album tracks. Dave Huismans dons his familiar A MAde Up Sound alias on side A, re-imagining Civilistjavel's work as a hybrid deep techno/dub techno/ambient techno epic - all densely layered ambient textures, deep and distant beats, and waves of effects-laden synth sounds. Ossia takes a different approach on his 'Disconnected Dub', delivering an immersive sound design experience built around creepy, effects-laden ambient chords, unsettling rumbles and echoing bleeps.
Review: Rambadu's self-titled label is young but already onto a good thing with a distinctly deep brand of techno. This time out the boss is back once more but in cahoots with Italian techno legend Claudio PRC. They cook up a trio of mind melters starting with 'Sai.' Warped lines menacingly roam about the stereo field over sparse kicks and deep abs. 'Matika' is just as paired back and atmospheric in a deep, dark way with slowly churning drums taking you deeper down the rabbit hole. 'Aqua' is a meatless blend of distant groans and wispy pads that keeps you in suspense.
Review: Codek is the brainchild of Jean-Marie Salaun who grew up in Paris influenced by the folklore of the inner city. In 1978 he joined art rock group SpionS alongside Gregory Davidow and recorded two singles. Diving into the Paris post punk scene he met Claude Arto and designed the artwork for Claude's single on Celluloid "Kwai Systeme / Betty Boop." Robin Scott (M "Pop Music") had produced the SpionS first single and wanted to collaborate further. With Claude, Jean-Marie wrote "Me Me Me", intended for a choir, for M. Then SpionS split and Robin was off to Switzerland to record an album to follow-up his hit single. That left Jean-Marie alone in London, where he began working as Codek, a play on the brand name Kodak The "Me Me Me" single was released by MCA Records in 1980. Back in Paris, now with some studio experience, Celluloid Records hired Jean-Marie to produce records for Artefact and Les Orphelins. Over the next 2 years he began working on ideas for the next Codek single "Closer / "Tam Tam".
Review: Bristol label-turned-blog Innate launches a new sub-label, Innate Editions, which it says is dedicated to timeless UK techno, IDM, electro and ambient music, and it'll all come on heavyweight vinyl to boot. The first release revives Connective Zone's Palm Palm, a millennium-era cult classic and Ben UFO favourite that first came out on Mark Broom and Dave Hill's Unexplored Beats in 2001. Now, this long-out-of-print, expensive and hard to find gem has been remastered by Jamie Anderson and so sounds superb with many lavish electronic layers, richly emotive melodies and dynamic drums that lean on UK techno, IDM, and deep electro. Sounds as good now as it ever did.
Review: Techno troubadour Yan Cook has a fine discography on some of the most respected labels out there. Now he heads to Ukraine's Cooked, a young but perfectly formed imprint, and kicks off his EP with 'Blades,' which is all melon twisted synths and driving techno kicks. 'Whistleblower' then slips into a deeply atmospheric groove with gurgling bass and watery effects and 'Grom' is all about the swing in the drums. Gritty textures and insistent claps add to the thrill of it all and 'Skyhigh' is a more frosty dub techno cut that leaves out breathless.
Review: Cititrax/Minimal Wave come together to put out this new release from the Vancouver-based synth wave duo Cosmetics, which was originally formed by Nic Emm and Aja Emma in 2008. They have been quiet over recent years but recently got back together with a new full-length called Baby that's due soon. The lead singles from it now arrive on this 7" and are full of sultry minimal sounds, moody synth craft and seductive vocals from Emma that really cut through as the clavier a dark, film-like narrative that is beautifully beguiling. A great return ahead of the much anticipated full length.
Review: Cologne label Magazine have been releasing some fine leftfield offerings from the likes of Barnt, Drums Off Chaos, Wolfgang Voigt and Naum Gabo over the years. Now they present the debut release from Creme de la Deutz, an enigmatic project from unknown sources dealing in the kind of ambience to stick on while you gaze at the stars. Following exhibitions and performances at noted spots like Salon Des Amateurs, this limited edition pressing is hitting the streets and not likely to stick around for long. If you appreciate rich, synth-driven ambience, this album is for you.
Review: The Opal label continues to establish itself in the electro realm with a second searing new release. This one comes from Cruz and is a full throttle outing that opens with 'Marine's Odissey', a journeying cut with searching synths and coruscated low ends. 'Tecnologica' has an even more rugged mix of raw drums and kicks and bumping basslines that never allow you to settle. There is increased turbulence on 'Los Misterios' with its zippy low ends and squelchy bass all firing every synapse in your brain then 'Los Finales Annunciados' shuts down with knick-snapping snares and alien sounds bringing the whole thing to life.
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