Keytars & Violins

Buffalo Of Lies

2012-02-20T17:44:00.002Z

Yasuo Sato - Gammawave (buy)

Yasuo Sato - Spacelight (buy)

A couple of tracks from the very well received Yasuo Sato EP on Aesthetic Audio from last year. Deep grooves, with track titles that kind of give you a clue as to the sound. Lovely stuff.

Psyk - Throb (buy)

Gritty four track techno EP from Spanish producer Psyk on Dustin Zahn's Enemy Records. It's the pitch that gets me in this track here, but all throughout the percussion and rugged atmosphere gives the release an appealing and authentic sound. One for fans of Skudge etc.

The Weathermen - Are You New To The Bayou

Going back to 1987 for this track by The Weathermen (part of Tuxedomoon). The a-side is a bit cheesy, but there's something kinda cool about the b-side here.

Cajun Hardt - Untitled (buy)

On sale now is the intriguing new output from Berlin and the Reference label. Restrained techno with a lot of very nice touches throughout to give a unique feel to the tracks.

Summer Rave

2012-02-16T09:22:00.000Z

Pic: Eric Cahan

Architectural - The Summer Of Love (buy)

Staggering work by Architectural aka Reeko on this track that makes up part of Semantica's 5 Year Compilation.

Summerrave Athletes - This Is A Transmission Of The Summerrave Athletes Part 1 (buy)

Summerrave Athletes - This Is A Transmission Of The Summerrave Athletes Part 2 (buy)

I know very little about this release, I grabbed it when it was released in 2010 and have had a love/hate relationship with both tracks ever since. Right now I am residing in the 'these are totally cool, banging tech-house tracks!' camp. A bit of a guilty pleasure me thinks.

Roger

2012-02-08T10:56:00.007Z

Pic: The Cosby Sweater Project

Massimiliano Pagliara / Roger 23 - H-EA-L (R'23s Healing Medicine & Anti Depressiva Dub) (buy)

Roger 23 - Ain't No Dirty Games (buy)

Searching through some records from the past few years the other night I happened upon a quality release by Belgian label Meakusma (a super label whose subsequent releases include work by Madteo and DJ Yoav B). H-EA-L featured then newcomer Massimiliano Pagliara and Roger 23 aka Roger Reuter collaborating on this murky and magnificent two-tracker. Then, heading further into Roger 23's backcatalogue I came across a couple of records he put out for Playhouse in 2005 and 2006, the track posted here is taken from the Blind Youth EP but all the tracks are pretty tasty fodder and proof that it's always good to look back from time to time.

Hans Staudinger - On A Salty Planet (buy)

This is a solid and progressive tech-house groover by Hans Staudinger for Viennese label Houztekk. Features remixes by Ken Hayakawa and Ogris Debris. Great stuff

Grovskopa - Haas (buy)

Digging this Grovskopa track off Sect's double CD It's All For You. Well worth checking the rest of the compilation too, full of quality dark techno .

212 Mix

2012-02-05T14:35:00.002Z

Pic: Merijn Hos

It's been a while since I put a mix together, so without further ado here is a classy selection of the deep, the dark, the weird and the wonderful. Enjoy!

Tracklisting

Perc - Choice (Walls Remix)
Recondite - Haptic
Francis Harris - Lostfound (Matthew Herbert's Let Yourself Go Mix)
Marc Depulse - Oberwasser
EZLV - Read This
Yan Wagner - Turmoil
OCH - Tears
Crackboy - Back To The Future
Hot City x LOL Boys - Whitney (Jus Some Shit)
Pacific Blue - Industry (Rrose Remix)
Mark du Mosch - L'Argeant
Kowton - Looking At You
Lakker - Litiv
Appleblim - Moonlight
Harald Bjork - December (Axel Boman Remix)
NG - Cut Gloss
T.S.O.S. - Over And Over
Marc Houle - Triple E
I:Cube - Un Dimanche Sans Fin
The Persuader - What Is The Time, Mr. Templar?

DOWNLOAD

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Onto a couple of gems

Manuel Göttsching - Sunrain (Argy Edit) (buy)

Crackboy - Ebeneezer Knight (buy)

After watching Manuel Göttsching perform with the Joshua Light Show at Transmediale last night it really hit home how relevant Göttsching's sounds are, were and perhaps will always be. Above are two edits of Göttsching's work by Argy and Crackboy. Argy readies Ashra's Sunrain for those late/early dancefloors while Crackboy condenses the epic E2-E4 into a 9 minute anthem. Sublime tracks that are testament to Göttsching's influence on the current crop of dance music producers.

Black Mill Tapes

2012-01-29T19:12:00.004Z

Pic: Jean-Pierre Hebert

Pye Corner Audio - Electronic Rhythm Number Four (buy)

The Head Technician of Pye Corner Audio Transcription Services returned last week with the 3rd volume of the Black Mill Tapes: All Corners Open. A sublime selection of Radiophonic-esque splendor. The Head Technician also just put together a great mix for xxjfg, well worth a listen.

Stefan Robbers - Pathfinder (buy)

Killer b-side to Stefan Robbers Compound 12" release on Baby Ford's now defunct Ifach label way back in 2000 pre-laptop minimal profusion.

Margot - 4 Aggressive Young Boys (buy)

Border Community faves Margot turn out some madcap grooves for the Italian label Hell Yeah on a 250 run of 12" including some special remixes by Florian Meindl and Tempelhof, this is seriously good music across the board! 'Dancefloor assault'.

January Chart

2012-01-15T19:06:00.004Z

Pic: But Does It Float

A chart of sorts, no order, just some of the very best tracks I've been listening to of late.

Kareem Moser - OS2009 (buy)

Answer Code Request - Escape Myself (buy)

Wincent Kunth - Trickle (buy)

Mark du Mosch - Reminiscing (buy)

Lakker - Spider Silk (buy)

10-20 - Bloomback (buy)

Afrikan Sciences - A Decison (buy)

Biodub - Barracuda (Glitterbug Remix) (buy)

Themes For Great Cities

2012-01-13T20:00:00.002Z

Pic: Slowboy

Wolf Müller - Lagerfeuer Tanz (buy)

Wolf Müller - Pflanzentanz (buy)

Wolf Müller debuts in impressive style for Düsseldorf's Themes For Great Cities label. A vinyl release of 300 sees Müller draw heavy influence on world music and percussive tribal rhythms, adding some mysticism with vocals calling for world peace and the like. This excellent record gives off an experimental, 'crate digging gem' type vibe that wouldn't sound out of place at all on ESP Institute or Lovefingers. As for Themes For Great Cities, the next release shouldn't be too far away with tracks from the previously featured Tolouse Low Trax as well as Montezumas Rache and Stabil Elite. Look forward to hearing more!

62 Minutes

2011-12-23T12:36:00.003Z

Pic: Manuel Birnbacher

Anthony Rother - Thermal Tune (buy)

Yet more stunning soundscapes from Anthony Rother, this time taken from his aptly titled 62 Minutes On Mars.

Cuticle - Towel (buy )

Not Not Fun's 100% Silk label certainly pushed all the right buttons this year with a string of highly impressive releases which really drew attention to an increasing indie diy/edm interaction.

Christopher Rau - Last Time Was So Good (buy)

Out on Hypercolour is this scruffy house jam by the ever impressive Christopher Rau. Top quality.

Synkro - Stop & Think (buy)

Synkro - Presence (buy)

I've been listening to a lot of Synkro's music just lately, here we have two pieces taken from releases on Millions Of Moments and Styrax, both labels which always warrant investigation.

Executive Suite

2011-12-10T13:03:00.002Z

Pic: Executive Suite

Battant - Feverish (Ise8 Pre Demo) (buy)

Painstakingly beautiful music from Battant and Ivan Smagghe. A track that finishes his inspired 'A Few Things...' compilation.

Even Tuell - Mental Marathon (buy)

Fuzzy house rhythms from Even Tuell on the Hula Vortex EP.

dRUMMAN - Endless Galaxy (buy)

Out on Lux Rec at the beginning of the year was the crazy dRUMMAN EP which sees Jori Hulkkonen setting some serious vibes off. Massive, massive.

2811

2011-11-28T18:01:00.004Z

Pic: FC Magdeburg in Europe

Recondite - Backbone (buy)

With just two releases to date and another one on the way shortly, the Plangent label has quietly put out some truly wonderful music this year. Backbone is taken from Plangent 002 but also features on Scuba's ever so good DJ Kicks.

MCMLXXXVII - Work (buy)

This is a brutal release by MCMLXXXVII, sampling Chicago tracks from 1987 and mixing them with some EQD.

Tomutonttu - Kuka On Mukana (buy)

Tomutonttu is the leader of Finnish experimental act Kemialliset Ystävät, here on his EP for Ducktails New Images label he puts across some intricate and downright catchy melodies whilst retaining a somewhat experimental feel. Talented guy.

Nocow - In A Way (buy)

Out on Ethereal Sounds, Nocow's 10" Fort EP is a delightful homage to some of the electronica I grew up with. Really nice vibes on this.

Retrospect1

2011-11-25T21:24:00.000Z

The TransHumans - Interdependence (buy)

Solid electro tinged techno by The TransHumans, taken from the Renaissance 12" out a few months ago.

Altarboy - Crap (buy)

Released earlier on in the year Altarboy's Who Is Who was the first release by new label Wonder Wet Records. The track Crap reminds me a lot of the first release on Don't Be Afraid by Semtek. Keep an eye out for Wonder Wet's latest release too by We Reset, the track Melody sounds pretty nice indeed.

Rrose - Shadow Pocket (Variation One) (buy)

Rrose and Bob Ostertag's Motormouth Variations certainly proved a standout release on Sandwell District this year. Uncompromising and absolutely wonderful material.

Sivesgaard - Unorthodox (Ricardo Tobar Remix) (buy)

This is a top remix by the ever excellent Ricardo Tobar, here he does the business for Danish producer Sivesgaard and the Parquet label

Blow, blow, thou winter wind

2011-11-21T18:08:00.003Z

Pic: Common Chant via Yessssssss

Mario & Vidis - Illum (buy)

Mario Basanov and DJ Vidis team up again, this time for their new label Best Kept Secret, set up to showcase the finest music from the Lithuanian electronic scene. They have set the bar pretty high with the first release entitled Staar Wars. Four luscious pieces of interplanetary dance music. Very, very good.

Reeko - Angels And Demons (buy)

Just one of the incongruous techno jams off Reeko's super interesting Finding The New Matter LP out on his aptly named Mental Disorder label.

Ryo Murakami - Underworld (buy)

I briefly mentioned this Ryo Murakami EP earlier on in the year when talking about the Baud label. Revisiting the Underworld EP was the perfect decision in this murky onset of winter. Trawling through the past 12 months is something i've embarked with the aim of posting some bits i've enjoyed throughout the year....in January there was this masterpiece by Rolando, spine-chilling, spell-binding etc...

Rolando - Junie (buy)

For anyone who uses Tumblr, I have started up a new one called Exuperius to cater for any spontaneous postings.

NG

2011-11-18T19:12:00.003Z

Pic: Naum Gabo

Death On The Balcony - Them 3 Words (buy)

Death On The Balcony are a Leeds based DJ and production duo who recently featured this stunning track on the first of three compilations put out by Catz n Dogz Pets Recordings entitled Friends Will Carry You Home. Plenty more in store from the likes of Axel Boman, KiNK and Arto Mwambe.

Frieder Blume - We Play For Love (buy)

Taken from new label Crossfrontier Audio's sampler this is brilliant progressive track by German producer Frieder Blume. Infectious grooves with a very decent payoff.

Makson - Void (buy)

Ukranian producer Makson dishes out some heavily filtered melodic techno on his Void EP. There's something eternally inoffensive about this kind of sound.

Jackmate - Oval (buy)

Oval by Jackmate signals Phil E's annual return to pressing. Here we have a stuttering beat layered with acidy synths. So solid!

Wild Animals

2011-11-03T18:09:00.002Z

Pic: Wild Animals

Dewalta - Keep On (buy)

Keep On is the title track off a superb new release by Meander label head Dewalta. For fans of John Roberts no doubt.

DJ Sodeyama - Stay To Get Her (buy)

Taken from the Chinese label Acupunture Records 4 Year Anniversary release is this thumping techno track by Japanese producer DJ Sodeyama. Clinical dancefloor material.

The Analogue Cops - Good Stuff ft. Blawan (buy)

The Analogue Cops go big here on their Restoration Records label with the help of Blawan and Ryan Elliot. Taken from the essential Big Family EP. Meanwhile, myself and a million others await Blawan's further exploits in the shape of the monstrous Peaches EP for Clone Basement Series.

Space Rubbish

2011-10-27T21:30:00.002+01:00

Pic: A Fistful Of Dynamite

Gui Boratto - Half Life (Patrick Chardronnet Mix) (buy)

Exactly the right approach taken on this remix by Patrick Chardronnet. Proof that minimal techno can still hit the spot.

Anaalivaihe - Nälkä 1 (buy)

Anaalivaihe is a Finnish experimental side-project of Imatran Voima's Perttu Hakkinen. The 7" release Kolme Tutkielmaa Nälästä may feel like 'world-music' in places, but it really is something more, the b-side especially gives off the vibe of a producer with his finger firmly on the pulse.

Ursula Bogner - Sonne = Blackbox (buy)

Lovingly compiled into an LP and released on Faitiche the homemade recordings of Ursula Bogner have been given their chance to shine 40 years after their creation. Sonne = Blackbox is an essential listen.

Datassette - Space Rubbish Theme (buy)

I remember hearing this wonderfully sleazy tune an age ago on Datassette's Soundcloud, eventually it has been released as a theme tune for the Super Space Rubbish video game. Genius.

Elbee Bad - In The Sky (buy)

Stunning deep house jam by Elbee Bad. Released on the ever reliable Yore Records.

Velvit

2011-10-21T13:18:00.002+01:00

Velvit - Den-En-Toshi (buy)

Velvit - Chic Anatomy (buy)

A glorious debut on Exit Records by the unknown Velvit. Nostalgia filled electro grooves and spacious IDM melodies. Classy stuff.

Will get on and post more regular soon.

Sunday Six

2011-10-09T11:18:00.006+01:00

Enjoy this little playlist. Taking in the experimental antics of Tom Fazzini, Anthony Rother and Tolouse Low Trax. The darker techno leanings of Developer. And the forward thinking dance rhythms of Ozka and Aubrey.

Tom Fazzini - Cradle Song (buy)

Anthony Rother - Säuger (buy)

Ozka - Phantomz (buy)

Aubrey - Power Of The Drums (buy)

Developer - Hypnotica Erotica (buy)

Tolouse Low Trax - Prokery (buy)

Recursive Solution

2011-09-29T18:03:00.004+01:00

Maxim Lany - Cuncambias (buy)

Belgian house music at it's finest with this killer from Maxim Lany that featured on We Play House Red. Immense.

Kate Wax - Holy Beast (Holden Woolly Beast Edit) (buy)

Things are heating up in anticipation of Kate Wax's Dust Collision album on Border Community. Label boss James Holden serves up a couple of dancefloor bound edits to whet the appetite.

Area - Dogs And Flies (buy)

This track by Area features on Mindshift's latest release. The track is something quite special, incredibly subtle in it's delivery it is a track I have been going back to for weeks now. The release also features some nice work by Hakim Murphy and Murdoc. One for the heads.

The Cartridge Family - First Refusal (buy)

Family Meeting One by The Cartridge Family was out in 1999. Chirpy house tracks that still sound fresh.

Sunday Four

2011-09-25T13:51:00.002+01:00

Pic: Evasion

Zenker Brothers - Berg 10 (buy)

Afrikan Sciences - Ways & Means (buy)

Amir Alexander - The Abyss (buy)

Neil Landstrumm - The Choke (buy)

Feel

2011-09-21T18:17:00.002+01:00

Pic: Kathy Grayson

Adam Strömstedt - Feel (buy)

Taken from Junk Yard Connections first release. The Swedish label has just dropped it's second 12" courtesy of Hannes Netzell, it's a bit good.

Recloose - UHF (buy)

One of Recloose's own tracks which features on Hit It And Quit Revue. A compilation that showcases the sounds you're likely to hear on Recloose's and Frank Booker's radio show of the same name. Funk, Disco, House and more.

The Binary Collective - Sin Skin II (buy)

Great blurb to go with a great idea. The Binary Collective is a new project formed by the Autonomic family in order to make spontaneous music as a collective with multiple inputs from whoever happens to be in the studio at the time. It could be two people involved on production duties or it could be four or more such as on this first release. Made on a drunken afternoon crammed into Rosies Box (dbridges Studio), the collective put their talents together and the tracks formed themselves like Voltron, The Binary Collective was born

Container - Application (buy)

Editions Mego sub label Spectrum Spools has put out Container's self titled LP. Container makes jarring techno with a very DIY touch. Highly interesting.

Sunday Five

2011-09-18T18:21:00.000+01:00

Pic: Carly Waito

Alla Farmer - Fortune (buy)

Analog Solutions - My Own Transition (buy)

Truncate - Concentrate (buy)

Emmanuel Top - Dominos (buy)

Wolfgang Voigt - Kafkatrax 3.2 (buy)

Life On Titan

2011-09-14T18:27:00.003+01:00

Pic: Tabor Robak

John Heckle - Life On Titan (buy)

Taken from John Heckle's Life On Titan EP released on Mathematics. The talented Liverpudlian producer is making waves both with the Chicago based label to whom his analog house sounds fit right at home and also Tabernacle Records whose output has been oh so impressive since first forming a year ago. Mark du Mosch's Exegesis EP will be released on Tabernacle shortly.

2000 & One - Geometric Nature (buy)

Geometric Nature dates back to 1992 and the Never Ending Cycle 12" released on Eevo Lute Musique. Remastered and re-released digitally, the track is oozing modernity despite pushing 20 years old.

Juniper - In The Interest (buy)

Manchester based deep house Juniper turn out some pure quality (not that you can expect anything less) on Underground Quality. The Theories EP is a delicate blend of soothing electronica and deep house grooves that are sure to please.

Lucretio - Albatross (buy)

Lucretio - The Peace (buy)

Taken from the Range Gate EP by Restoration Records boss Lucretio. Some really pleasant vibes on this release.

Birdland

2011-09-04T19:54:00.004+01:00

Pic: Hannah Tindle

Birdland - What? (buy)

Going back to 2005 for this cracking b-side to Birdland's Slower EP. After a few years absence the Neurhythmics label that put this release out is back on the scene and offering some quality house music.

Jeferson Velasquez - Dedicated (buy)

Dedicated was the first release on Velasquez's Terpsichore label in early 2009. Coming in at nearly 15 minutes it smashes the boundaries of interpreting classic techno into it's own modern sound.

Philipp Quehenberger - Uffuff (buy)

Taken from Editions Mego's 12" of Philipp Quehenberger remixes.

Aquiescence - Nocturnal Wave (buy)

Not much known about the artist behind the name Aquiescence . One thing is for sure however, the track Nocturnal Wave is engaging dance music of the absolute highest order. Released on iSrecords.

Roll on Bestival.

Kenya

2011-08-31T18:12:00.004+01:00

Cubenx - Lovebirds (buy)

Following on from Rone's whimsically sublime So So So Ep, InFine chalks up another hit here with Cubenx' Wait & See EP. Deliciously deep tech house.

Orlando Voorn - Unpredictable Love (The Analog Roland Orchestra Remix) (buy)

The Analog Roland Orchestra goes to town on this Orlando Voorn track. Puts you in a trance.

Unknown Artist - M.E.T. (buy)

Taken from the essential Les Edits Du Golem collection, an edit of SPK's Metal Dance (check out the young Jools Holland in the vid!)

Sven Kacirek - Paperflowers (Rework) (buy)

Pingipung has always put out some really interesting music, Sven Kacirek's Kenya Sessions is no different, a journey collecting sounds from Kenya patched together into something bordering tribal electronica. Then there were remixes, I was drawn to The Kenya Reworks release by the Lawrence edit but the pick of the bunch is this track.

Sunday Gold

2011-08-21T20:40:00.002+01:00

Pic: Herri met de Bles

The Abstract Eye - The Unseen (buy)

Brtschitsch & Mr.Rod - Perfect World (buy)

Altered Natives - The Rain (buy)

Nick Dunton - Oikumene (65000 Leagues Mix) (buy)