Renamed and Archived

Dear All,

The electrosynth blog was run in my free time for two years from 2005 to the end of 2006.

All the links below should still work, and there is a great achive of links for you to cut through in your own time!

You can email me if you have any special requests, otherwise head over to my profile here on myspace!

2006/7 Ramblings & Photocall - Silverclouds

So another year ends... the days seem darker than ever, the year has passed and nothing seems to have changed for the better since the last year..... but there are always a good few electro records out there for you to find for 2007!

2006 has been a tricky one for electro.. it seems as if there's an ever growing divide between the vinyl junkies and the mp3 heads and it feels like there is a natural conflict between the electrophile's push for technology against the desire for the old skool stuff... Am I mad in thinking that we're all losing something if we download from the internet something we could have bought on 12" from a decent independent record shop?

Irrelevant thoughts aside, and onto 2007, our friends at the masters of Clone Records who have cemented themselves as being one of the best labels and distributors around for robot music have been packing out the records on their own label and on their sister labels.

One record soon to be released is the amazing Photocall's (Los Angeles Duo of Eli Epstein and Terynn Westbrook) release of Silverclouds. This is an insanely robotic old skool sound which has been seriously lacking of late with electro releases... this is pure robotic madness! Listen to Silverclouds here. The Dexter remix is as good as the original and has the firm 'dirty Dutch' Dexter phat stamp to the sound - echt vet! Listen to that mix here.

Seriously high quality electro that makes me think that 2007 is going to be a very promising year! Out on Clone in the very near future...

Available at Clone directly (on release) and Juno will have some copies waiting for owners no doubt of that!

The Blog WILL Return... (And Solvent Live!)

Hey all, its been ages since I last posted, some seriously busy times for me at the moment. Don't think for one second I have forgotten about all you great people that visit the blog and continue to search through the archives!

Just a quick link for Solvent fans of the master live back in September. Click here and enjoy some electronical madness!

Neongrau - Hi Level Electro!

One artist that alerted me to his music through myspace is Neongrau, who is proving that German electro is alive and well, and being produced in high quality doses!

Neongrau, aka Oliver Gerling offers some quality tracks which you can hear on his myspace account here. The first track that will play is the moody and dark track of 'Fucking Talkshows'
with the synths sounding edgy and dark... which seems to be the formula for good electronic robot music at the moment! The lyrics fit perfectly to the sounds and it makes for a very smooth and complete sound, without actually having too many elements to the music, a great achievement.

'Photographic' is where you can really here the influences on the music, for me, Kraftwerk and I-F leap out, as well as the more pop sounds of Gary Numan and Soft Cell. The vocals work perfectly with the line "I said I'd write a letter, but I never got the time" and the track just takes off.

'High Level Slacker' is another track with great lyrics and very electronic sounds from the drum machine just the way we like it! Again, superb and well thought out lyrics in the track.

Well worth the hunt to find these tracks, and I look forward to an album release!

Work and More Work

I have not forgotten the blog.... just having to work in excess of 70 hours a week at the moment.

I've heard some great new talent on the myspace network (don't laugh) and I will be reviewing some excellent unsigned people very shortly.

Meanwhile, I have to drink more energy drinks and get back to work....

Kompleksi - Sister Longlegs Dances In The Disco

I mentioned the release by Kompleksi - '(I Ain't No) Lovechild / Moscow 1980' almost exactly one year ago to the day, and I was then very impressed with the 'Moscow 1980' track.

I'm pleased to see that Kompleksi have completed the new album 'Sister Longlegs Dances In The Disco' and its looking for a good publisher. It continues the strange and dark Kompleksi sound which is impossible to define.

The album has strong elements of electro with the drum sounds, synths kicking in for the track but pHinn's vocals make for the unique end product. Some tracks are jagged, with the vocals heavily over the synths which create the truly dark sound distinctive of Kompleksi.

My own favourites other than 'Moscow 1980' (which I LOVE) are 'Gothic Robots' (hear at myspace) which has the ability to stick into your head and stay there, with its bouncy electro beat which sounds like its always hiding something more sinister! 'Spiders In The Sky' (myspace link) has the same effect of sticking in your head for the day, a good solid feel to the track.

'Porno Tampere' has a darker sound with a haunting melody and desperately haunting vocals. Pick up 'Porno Tampere' on Bunker Records' 'Artists Anonymous' release. Available on Juno.

I think the album ends wonderfully with the 'The Only Star In My Sky' track which is a real journey ending with a warmth, its a perfect finish to the album.

A terrific overall feel to the album that will sound like no other album you have ever heard. Its hard and heavy at times and wonderfully dark -It has to be released!!

More Essential Albums

Back in October last year I gave a mention to five albums that are simply essential for electronic music fans to have. I promised that I would have an update with some more albums… and well, some seven months later I think I have three more albums that I feel you HAVE to buy.

Solvent – Solvently One Listens (Suction Records)

Okay, so I mentioned the ‘Apples and Synthesizers’ Album last time out when making a list, but this album is way too good to not mention. To say this album is just warm and soulful is a massive understatement, just listen to the ‘Pineapple Boy’ track and you have an example of Jason Amm’s superb ability. All the tracks on this L.P. are outstanding; I am fond of ‘Tape Recorder’ as a fine example and ‘Wig $1.00’ just has the whole grainy sound going on with it… its just magnificently and obviously meticulously put together. I like this album because it demonstrates the way that lyrics are not essential to a track- the music is what matters here, and the way you can listen to the sounds ‘raw from the synth’ because of the way Jason Amm works. Amazing.


Kraftwerk – Autobahn (Astralwerks)

Sure I mentioned three albums by Kraftwerk last time out, but this one deserves a special mention. The title track is what this is all about, that’s no disrespect to the other fine tracks, but the 23 minute ‘Autobahn’ is truly a piece of music that I will never forget. The mastery behind is just mind blowing, the moods the track takes you through are compelling, the melody, everything about this track is just right. It has wide appeal outside of the hardcore robot people because of its easy to listen to, although one friend said “but why is it so long?”. Don’t ask what my reply was. Sure, I’m an electro snob sometimes!

Orbital – Insides (Internal Music)

I can’t believe it really was ten years ago that I bought Orbital’s forth album ‘Insides’. I feel it is their best, built on the previous excellent albums that entertained me during my early years of my love for electronic music. This album has that emotional feel to it, very strong tracks with the length and depth which made them instant classics. I think I didn’t take the CD out of my little Sony Hi-fi I had at the time for months with this album. ‘The Girl With The Sun In Her Head’ starts the mood of the album and just lines you up for the 72 minutes. I have to admit, I was disappointed with the albums that followed, but this for me, represents Orbital at their very best.

I will in due course add another two albums to my list, giving my favourite ten albums :0)

Alden Tyrell - Times Like These

Good synthy electronic albums are becoming as hard as hen's teeth to find these days. One recent release that has really caught my ears is Alden Tyrell's album 'Times Like These'.

A mix of nostalgic twists and basslines in the tracks and the superbly haunting melodies which have that same edge of Legowelt tracks makes for a great album, well worth buying. I'm particularly taken by 'Hills Of Honolulu' which features the ever great vocoder vocals and a bassline with great use of portamento to give a nice, solid synth track. 'Rendez Vous At Rimini' is in the same area-with haunting melodies playing dramatically through the track.

Its out on our friends Clone Records and is a must buy for the synthpop electro types! Juno have still have it in stock!

Solvent - UK Gig!!

Some great news if you are a Scottish Solvent fan - his debut UK gig in Glasgow on Friday 26th May at the Sub Club.

I am a little disappointed that the first UK gig is at the other end of the UK, but much more happy that Solvent makes his UK appearence! I've not yet ruled out flying up there for it, but I over indulged in Belguim this weekend, so its not looking good financially. If I don't make it, I know the Scots will give him a warm welcome, so I hope the first of many UK appearences!

Maxx Klaxon - Italian Ice

I can't stop listening to Maxx Klaxon's track 'Italian Ice'. To say this track is smoother than a pint of Guiness sat on a freshly and finely sanded wooden bar being drunk by Sean Connery would be no exaggeration.

It has everything, from smooth pads to smooth chords and melody. Maxx Klaxon is known for his original lyrics, and this track is no exception. Its from the 'Paranoid Style' release, which you can buy for just $6.99 from Portland based CDbaby. They got a CD I ordered on Monday to me by Saturday, which with a Bank Holiday on friday is very impressive! Out on Popular Front Records.

Ghostly International - Volume Two

Its getting pretty hard to overstate the importance of some labels to the music scene, and for me this is absolutely true of Ghostly International Records.

The output of the Michigan based label is varied to say the least, it reminds me of Warp Records in the way that the label manages to have artists of such a contrasting nature, and yet, still hold it all together and be successful. Successful in independent label terms in short means surviving!

The latest compilation release is Idol Tryouts Two: Ghostly International Vol Two which is well worth a listen and a purchase.This album has been a great listen while I've not been in the best of health recently. Some of the tracks need to be heard a couple of times to appreciate, in a Boards of Canada like way I think.

But my picks of the many tracks to choose from are Solvent's 'Spin Cycle' and a more minimal yet wonderfully produced track by Cepia called 'Hoarse'.

Do check out all the clips for the tracks though, it makes for a great listen to some progressive music. Available through Juno

Thanks For Your MP3s & Where You All Are

Just a note of thanks for the people who take the trouble to email me their musical creations, there's some real talent out there waiting to be released on shiny vinyl! I genuinely hope that your music makes it past the computer sequencer and into record shops.

Some stuff has been way off what this site is about, I'm not talking about stuff in the same electronic genre, but people have emailed me R n B and Indie stuff that its impossible for me to judge as its not music that interests me... not that I don't wish you every success.


Where are you??

I actually took the time to look at where visitors to the site are from on the site metre. Don't worry, it doesn't track you! :) The stats show that you are mostly from Northern and Western Europe, although notably not the UK. There are also a few of you from the east coast of America and Canada and a couple of rebels from the west coast of the States. I suppose its because this is where most of the music originates, but I'm slightly disappointed by the lack of Asian and South American interest -Where are you? Does electro music have such little support in these places? However, the search facility on the blogger website has helped more people to find the site. Thanks for your visits, and feel free to drop an email!

Black Turtleneck - Musical Chairs

Black Turtleneck will probably be a duo that you may know of, but not heard any musical output of... -if that makes any sense! The only track I have ever heard is the impressive 'Storefront' which featured on a Suction Records' Volume 3 Album release from a few years ago now.

Black Turtleneck is the duo of Jason Amm (Solvent) and Thomas Sinclair, and I was always disappointed that the project didn't seem to develop from the 'Storefront' track because of the wonderful combination of Jason's ever amazing synthesis and the super vocal style of Thomas Sinclair, (almost Anglo-nu wave with the Toronto accent chucked in).

The forthcoming album 'Musical Chairs' is probably going to be my album of the year, its fresh and original without sounding cold and sterile as some electro albums can generally sound of late.

The first track 'Discontinued Parts' (links to the Black Turtleneck myspace account which you can hear the full track) is superb, I love the references to everyday life "rummaging for a token" which I sure is reference to the TTC system in Toronto. (Can you tell I miss Toronto?). Its a wonderful track, and sets the standard for an amazing album.

You can hear clips of all the tracks on the Black Turtleneck website, and the overall influence of old and new is very well mixed. I like the way the tracks are not too smoothly constructed, in a typically Jason Amm style. Its a great album, and I can't wait for May when it is released!

Out on Normals Welcome Records

Orgue Electronique

Orgue Electronique is often mentioned by me on here, but probably still not enough to give credit for his creative efforts. Any half decent electro music compilation would probably feature at least one of his tracks, and its worth you looking for his work!

The reason I mention Brian Chinetti aka Orgue Electronique today is I've had the 'On A String' track stuck in my head for a good few days now, and could not remember where I had heard it, or whose track it is! How many times does that happen? Only this morning when I woke up that I realised that its an Orgue Electronique track!

Well, check the Orgue Electronique website out, there's a great pic of him with his synths on the Bio section of the site, and details of the source of Brian Chinetti's musical love:

"When Brian Chinetti aka Orgue Electronique heard Planet Rock for the first time on a local US airforce radio station he realized 1+1 = 1. The Jarre and Kraftwerk records his mother would play to make him play quietly with his toys, and this refreshing new music referred to as ‘electro’ was in essence the exact same thing: music made with synthesizers and drum computers. The urge to make electronic music was born."

A story so true of most people now into electro music, showing how important radio is! :)

I'm particularly taken by the 'unfinished(?)' track 'Stairway To The Ocean'.

Alden Tyrell - Disco Lunar Module

Its brilliant that I’ve actually had the time to look around for records lately, and its on the whole been a successful swoop for some hard to find 12" numbers.

One I've been after for a long time is Alden Tyrell's 'Disco Lunar Module' release from a couple of years back now. if you're wondering why its worth hunting for the release, listen to the title track here and listen to 'Knockers' which if you like your bright 80s synths... you'll love the track!

As good these two tracks are, the best in my opinion is 'Rendezvous At Rimini' which reeks of Ataris, Spectrums and Commodores all in one with an almost Legowelt-ish drama to the synths. Well worth you checking out if you like your 80s-ness overloading!! Out on the ever outstanding and amazing Clone Records.

P.S. There's still a copy at Juno!!

Duplex - Late Night Driving

Out last month was the debut album from Duplex, a Dutch duo whose music seems to fall into the laid back, slightly chilled techno genre. If you're wondering what the hell that means, then listen to the album, which could not be more appropriately named 'Late Night Driving'. Its just perfect for a late night drive or a relax in the early hours of the morning after a great time.

Check out the first track 'Autosug' which was also released as a 12" for a good guide for the general feel of the album. Warm pads and nice drum sounds which make you remember the quality techno releases of the mid 90s mix with a very fresh sound that will hook you into the whole album. 'Elevated Mood' emphasises the smooth flow of one track to another on this release.

'Late Night Driving' certainly helps to kill off the myth that Dutch electronic music can't be taken seriously. This is a definite purchase LP that has to be listened to all the way through to appreciate, it brings a level of nostalgia and warm feeling which makes it a soulful and impressive release!

Re: Offset - Sucrette EP

Since my post on the excellent Offset - 'Sucrette' EP release, I've now found the label website for Groovetronic Records and for Offset, the website being here.

Another exciting project in the world of electronic music!

New Savas Pascalidis 12"

It seems that Savas Pascalidis has no end to his energy for releasing great tracks and forming sub labels to his Lasergun Records label.

This time the track 'Superman' gets its 12" release and is a refreshing track in pretty quiet times for the electro styles I like! There's a more than worthy flipside track 'Is There Anybody There?' which has almost Daniel Wang basslines with an overall bouncy feeling track with a good kick to it.

Its out on Savas' sublabel UFO which is not to be confused with a London based acid label also called UFO. Full credit to Savas for his efforts in a great 12" that's well worth your purchase!!

Offset - Sucrette EP

I was back in the UK with a bump last week with the temperatures a baking +9c and no sleep for two days. Who would think 5 hours time difference could mess so much with the body clock?
I'll stop complaining immediately as a very good friend of mine travelled much further and for much longer! She went from -15c to +30c and endured a 16 hour time difference!

So since I've been back I've had some time to check out the releases, and this new EP release by Offset titled 'Sucrette' is a great Italo style number. Its on Groovetronic Records which a Google search returned some nice Italian results, so I'm none the wiser as to who owns the label or what projects are upcoming.

The release features 3 tracks, the outstanding one being 'Sans Sucre Ajoute' which features a bright sounding melody with a simple yet warm bassline which makes for an excellent track. Its simple yet addictive, listen to the clip a few times and you'll have the bassline stuck in your head for the day.

Any Italians who can do some translation for me, or if you're behind the label, drop me an email!

Finds in the Stores..

I've managed to pick up a CD copy of Solvent's Solvent City from downtown for less than $20, which is a pretty amazing price! I've been doing a lot of other shopping here, as stuff IS much cheaper than back in the UK, I've just got to figure out how I'm going to get it all home!

The cold weather has finally come and it was -14c with the wind yesterday, which didn't stop me searching through record shops, even if anyone with sense headed indoors! This city is just so beautiful, when I saw London on CBC this morning, it looked so unbelievably dark and gloomy, while the sun was pouring in here in TO.

Okay, I'll stop rambling on about here and will focus on releases when I'm back home!

Don't Worry... The Blog WILL Return!!

Hi there! If you're still checking back to see if there's any new posts, well, thank you!

The blog will return in a couple of weeks, as there are at least five new records out that are excellent and well worth your consideration!

I'm currently in Toronto and having an amazing time but I'm kicking myself that I missed a Lowfish gig on Friday night a couple of miles away on Queen Street West!! Argh! Well, there's the lesson -always check your email regularly!

I've got to get out buying some records here this week and I return to London in the middle of the month.

Canadian observations: They do say "about" strangely... but its not "aboot".

Back in a couple of weeks!!

Those Automan Releases!

I cannot stop listening to the catchy track 'I Wanna Be Your Lover' which has more disco campness than some could handle.. but what a catchy track!

Its out on the slightly mysterious Automan series, which is repressings and re-edits of long lost electro disco tracks. All we know from Discogs is its run by DJ Nathan Wilkins

Its such a shame that such tracks were able to fall into obscurity like they have, but even better that they have been rightfully brought back to be bought up by people like me! Its a truly excellent series, and if it doesn't get you moving, you are hereby declared dead!

#I wanna be your lover, not just be your friend!"

Its cheese, but so great!!

Apologies for the Quiet Period

Hi there! Regular readers are probably sick to death with seeing the same reviews on the front page for the last few weeks, so I'm probably morally obliged to give you the reasons (excuses!).

Well first off, it seems like I've been absolutely working every hour that God gives at my full time job, so that has really hit hard on the ability to route out the good records, review them and let you know where to find them. But everyone has a need for money to see more of the world, and clear debts and buy machines...

Secondly, there are just not enough good new releases anymore. There's no reason to be depressed about that, as I said in an earlier post, a lack of quality releases doesn't necessarily mean that there is any less passion for the music!

Thirdly, and maybe more interestingly, I've been working a lot on my own musical projects-I'm laughing at myself by saying "I'm working on my music" so don't think you're alone in laughing at me! To say that my tracks are in their infancy would be too kind on the squelches and blob sounds that I'm bunging together to call music. If you want to hear my most developed track, which I am yet to give a proper name, email me at electrosynth@gmail.com

Don't be thinking this is the end of Music for Robots, because its certainly not, I didn't write 100 posts for the sake of it, I love electronic music, always have and always will. Its just that posts will be irregular, so check back every couple of weeks and I'll have a worthy release and maybe an update on any other projects I have going.

Huge respect to anyone who enjoys the blog, keep reading, and keep in contact! :-)

Savas Pascalidis - Disko Vietnam

Yes, its another Savas Pascalidis post, but this time its for the 'Disko Vietnam' LP from way back in March which I omitted to mention on its release for some reason. Anyway, its a wonderfully solid album, Savas uses his trade mark drum sounds, which he is one of the best for!

The tracks make up an interesting mix of some moving tracks with warm basslines, and the oh so good drum loops!! The opening track 'Raw Mission' catches you like a winter cold, and it'll have you hooked.

There's more amazing beats in the album title track 'Disko Vietnam'. A great offering on International DJ Gigolo Records, well worth your close attention! Available on the ace Juno!

P.S. My apologies for the recent infrequent posting!

Savas Pascalidis - Haunted House 12"

It is an age since I last mentioned Savas Pascalidis and an age since I mentioned a release on his Lasergun Records. Well, time for me to make a long overdue mention of both!

Savas Pascalidis needs little mention other than excellent drum loops, amazing basslines... and just amazing results. His new 12" is 'Haunted House' and the title track's orginal mix has all the elements of becoming a classic. I cannot get the haunting melody and wonderful drum sounds out of my head!

The other side has 'The Prototype' which reminds you of DJ T with its nice use of hand claps and basslines... wonderful stuff you have to listen to, and get dancing!

Get out there and buy it!!

I-F Presents the Conservatives - Lonelyness

'Lonelyness' is a great single sided release from the great I-F, limited to 200 copies, but according to Clone, it will have another limited repress -as so many copies have flown off already!!

What you get is a track that has the dramatic strings that would sound at home on an 80s crime drama, mixed with the Italo disco feel that has enough to make you move to the beat... and think you're in 1983! Its an emotionally pulling track, the strings set that out and the track title couldn't be more appropriate for the tune.

My recommendation is to buy this straight away while there are still copies, as this WILL sell out within the month! Its on I-F's Viewlexx label.

Disappointing, but its probably a good sign.

There have been so many disappointing releases of late in my humble opinion, I've really failed to find a record that makes me want to buy it, (just as now I have the cashflow for it!).

I have money burning a hole in my pocket but every record that I listen to in a shop or online seems to either be: a) treading on the same ground as every other record, almost frightened to try something new 2) half finished- lacking the quality and depth to sound quite 'right'.

I'm all for experimentation with music, most great music is given that honour because of the way it broke a mould, changed the way music was made or did something that no one else had done before. Take Aphex Twin, who was for years an unknown quantity who banged out tracks at home on his gear like no other had done. His tracks were unknown, but the delights of his talent was later realised and appreciated by so many.

Take some of my favourites like Lowfish and Solvent who had the same process of making music for the sake of making music which was appreciated later on. Solvent's use of distortion to generate sounds uses synths in ways even the manufactures had no idea could be possible, or what the result would be.

So what does this all mean? Perhaps the lack of quality releases of recent weeks is a good sign; perhaps it means there are people out there creating music now that we will hear in maybe 5 or 10 years time that will blow us away just like others have done in the last 30 years.

Audion - Suckfish

There's times when music starts to get a bit too fluffy and rounded, and doesn't really hold you listening for long because it just washes over you. I could put possibly most chart music into this category, and some electro tracks of recent years which just lack any real edge, warmth, strength or well... anything!

This is certainly not the case with Audion - Suckfish which is an album which has a cover that makes your eyes dance, let alone anything else! Audion is a project of Matthew Dear who records pretty chilled minimalish vocal house tracks under his real name. Audion is like his dark side... as this album is just harsh and edgy!!

Its minimal, and maybe too minimal for some used to electro pop tracks, but it really echos back to the days of really industrial music, really mechanical beats and mechanised hooks that lock you in, reminiscent of tracks on MTV Europe's Partyzone programme ten years ago. The first track 'Vegetables' has a gritty feel to it, which continues through the album, and 'Rubber' (full track!) just locks you in. Its out now on Ghostly's sister label Spectral Sound.

Its dark and dirty, and selling so fast Ghostly have already repressed it!

Putsch '79 - Winterslam 12"

The Clone Records website is a great source for the up and coming new releases, not just from the label itself, but other independent labels releasing quality electronic music.

So the new 12" 'Winterslam' from Putsch '79 is something really to look forward to as the winter approaches. 'Galactic Pancake' is like stepping back into a club circa 1982 without the guy on the door wanting to beat you up. Think of it as the good parts of the 1980s, rather than the less fun stuff!

Another great track from this 4 track offering is '1400' when the sound gets even more funky and has the usual Putsch hooks that suck you into their music!

Its out on Dexter's co-run Dutch label Klakson and will be a fine addition to your record collection this winter when its released!

Some Essential Albums

Its been a slow week to say the least, there's not been much that's inspired me to mention, so I thought its about time I did a favourites list.

Well, for now, its a few albums that come to mind at the moment as being the most important to me for so many reasons. It also might help the people who've emailed me with "I'm new to this electro music, what do you recommend??".

So here goes, in no particular order:

LFO - Frequencies (Warp Records)
Nothing much needs to be said about this album, other than its timelessness. When everyone else was blowing whistles and hanging on to the rave scene, this album came along and was simply inspiring. The LFO title track is amazing (shame its a shorter version I've always thought) and its the inspiration behind many new electro artist's music. All the tracks are superb, its dark but warm, and its so important to me, as this was the first album I ever bought!

Polygon Window - Surfing on Sine Waves (Warp Records)
If I remember correctly, this release is a collection of Richard James' tracks from the mid 1980s, it was released in 1993, and the tracks are mind blowing! That's not only for the "how far ahead of everyone else was this guy at this time?" factor, but for the true quality of the music. Its a bit trendy to like Aphex Twin (Richard James' most well known artist name) in London as some sort of middle class kid rebellion against your parents: "listen mum, distorted sounds!" I wonder whether some really like Aphex Twin's electronic sounds per se, which is what the music should be appreciated for, not for fashion or to impress some art students. This is for people who really appreciate good electronic music, and a great album if you are new to electronic music like this.

Kraftwerk - The Man Machine, Trans Europe Express and Computer World
Alright, its cheating to have 3 albums from one band, but its neccessary! I don't need to say much about Kraftwerk, other than they were pretty much the first people to make electronic music with synthesizers that can be recognised today as electro music. There were of course others making music with synthesizers, but Kraftwerk had the structure, the sound and finished product that sounds as fresh today as when the music was made, 30 odd years ago. Just buy any of these albums, and then realise how much many modern artists owe to these German guys!

Lowfish - Fear Not The Snow and Other Lo-Fing Objects (Suction Records)
Another great album, and this time one from more recent years. Lowfish makes electronic music like so many other people don't-with edgyness. So many electro tracks have way too much of the polished feel, giving this way too neat and tidy sound that tends to wash over you, rather than pull you into the track. All Lowfish's albums are outstanding, but this was the first one I heard, and I was blown away by the sound, the rough sandpaper feel to the tracks, the raw 'analogue-ness' of the music is what makes this an essential purchase. Play the track 'martin c. martin' over and over and you realise why the track is something special.

Solvent - Apples and Synthesizers (Suction Records)
Its a tough choice to pick out a favourite from Solvent, but this is an essential purchase. You are chucked right into electronic bliss from the start, with tracks that aren't afraid to stand out, and melodies that are so warm that you can appreciate the effort in making music the hard way without the sole use of a laptop and ten minutes on a friday afternoon. You can hear old Korg synths in all their glory and get a demonstration of how many modern synthesizers are so cold by comparison. There are a lot of other tracks by Solvent that I love not on this album, so my advice is just buy anything with "Solvent" on it-but only in the record shops, not the DIY chain store! (okay, not funny but urgh...)


Well that's all I can think of right now, but I might post a few favourite albums in the near future!

Delironic - No Sir 12"

Browsing next week's releases on Juno, I came across Delironic - No Sir, which is a new 12" release on a label I have not heard of Special Products. I know nothing about the artist, and nothing about this Spanish label.

There seems to be a lot of Spanish labels that appear with releases, but it remains a mystery who exactly they are run by and for how long! The only details I can find is in DJ playlists, all in Spanish. So, if you are the artist, or you know more about this label, please drop me a line, as the 12" release is very pleasing to the ear, with a sound a little like Star Whores Records.

Check out track one for a great sound and track two for more from this intriguing release! It has the distinctive Spanish electro sound to it- no doubt of that, but who is behind the label?

Gosub - Low Volume Lovers

It was two whole posts ago that I mentioned Miami based Gosub and the 'Data Mining In Anthilia' release. A great record that is still sat on one of the turntables because of the quality body popping factor of the tracks and the feeling like you're about to bung Cybotron's 'Clear' on straight after.

Well, the forthcoming 12" release 'Low Volume Lovers' shows as much promise as 'Data Mining In Anthilia' and the opening track 'Earth Recompile' has this dreamy quality with the same robotic charm as earlier releases.

The title track 'Low Volume Lovers' plays warm synthetic drums with a depth at you which stops the track becoming souless like some breakbeat electro tracks of late.

The release is on Frustrated Funk, the sub label of Clone Records, so look out for it within the next few weeks.

Chair Recordings - Canadian Chilled Electro

I'll admit that I know little about Chair Recordings other than that its based in Toronto, and has released some amazing music! They even have a great phone number -(416) 83-CHAIR. (that's a Torontonian "fouurrrr one six" number ;-) ... okay private joke!).

Take the 'Blackout Theory Presents Tele:Port' 12" from three years ago, cool and calculated electronic music is what you get here, with music that almost oozes how it was made. Not in the technical equipment sense, but you can't help but get the impression it was made in a hard Canadian winter with temperatures of -40c meaning that you're inside with your synthesizer pressing and tweeking buttons like some madman as the snow piles down!

Okay, maybe not as dramatic as that, but the music is edgey and harsh with Lowfish's 'Memory Hole' and Blackout Theory's 'Choke'. Cron 'Interrupt' has the same "made in the cold" feel and its mysteriously dark nature makes for an excellent track.

What a great release, get it from Juno while you still can!!

Gosub - Data Mining In Anthilia

I sometimes feel I'm a bit neglectful of producers in the States, and considering that now half of you readers are from the States I'll mention this great release from a while ago by Miami based Gosub.

The 'Data Mining In Anthilia' release features five tracks of true robotic electro. I love tracks that just sound like they've been put together by a robot with a drum machine and just jerk slightly akwardly to produce great electro music!

What you get with'Miami Pulse Direction' is pure electronic robot music! Perfect!

'Drake Pass' has the same robotic feel that makes you feel like you're some robotic arm fitting parts to a Ford in Detriot!

Out on UK label Device Recordings, its a great way to spend some of your money!

One Man's Noise Is Another Man's Music

New label Omniamm based in the US have released an L.P. of tracks which broadly span the spectrum of breakbeat electro type tracks. Discogs have the L.P. listed as 'Mam? You Forgot Your Octuplets' whereas Juno have it listed as 'One Man's Noise Is Another Man's Music'. So look out for either name as I'm not 100% sure which is the correct title. It f

Featuring people like Digitek (you must get the 'Made in Detriot' E.P!) its a nicely put together compilation of tracks. It also features Lowfish's Fric Frac track as well as giving you Ruxpin - 'Lamuamochorr' which sounds pure Warp Records from a few years ago, in its golden era. Its an amazingly warm track, with a real Boards of Canada like sound to it, so if you liked stuff from Warp Records a few years back, you'll love this!

Another track well worth mentioning is Analog Audio Association - 'Die Kehrseitte', which sounds so spacey!

Great release!

Safety Scissors - Tainted Lunch

Something I've been doing probably all the time I've been into electronic music is searching for music that is just that little bit different, something that sounds slightly out of your usual domain but has appeal that grows until you just love the track and have to track it down and buy it.

This is what sort of happened this week with Safety Scissors' Album 'Tainted Lunch' and I have to admit all I knew about Safety Scissors before hearing this new album was that "he/they makes sort of minimal click house" and that was it.

This release is an education- its unusual, its quirky and unlike much else out there. The L.P. starts with a wonderfully minimal Matthew Dear like track called 'I Am The Cheese' and then moves on to try different styles and different uses of the drum machine which makes for an interesting album.

The L.P. finishes with a track 'Where Is Germany & How Do I Get There' which has a catchy set of vocals that sums up the album over all as a creative and entertaining L.P. The vocals are almost reflective of your everyday feelings and experiences, rather than beign about shooting people and the usual generic tosh in the 'charts'. Check out clips of all the tracks on Juno.

'Tainted Lunch' is out on German label Scape Music and is worth your close attention and subsequent purchase!

Re: Iwari Records - Our Friends Electric E.P.

Back in mid July I mentioned the 'Our Friends Electric' E.P. out on Iwari Records, still available for you to buy from Juno.

Robokid's 'Controversy' track is one example of the E.P. having a really charming old skool but definitely fresh sound. It was nice today to get a thanks from Robokid by email for the review:

"found your site on the web and was well into the review of our record - its crackin'. Glad you enjoyed it, cheers for the positive words. Nigel (robokid) "

Its always encouraging to get feedback for the site, whether positive, negative or in correction of errors! But I'm especially grateful for comments from the people whose tracks I review!

Solvent European Tour

Solvent is adding to the live performances earlier this year with one show in his home city Toronto this Saturday and a European tour.

Regular readers who know how much I love Solvent's music would expect me to be going crazy at the European tour, but there's no UK date :-(. Big disappointment for me personally.

However, I'm very pleased that Jason is performing here in Europe because there's good deal of support for him especially in Germany, and I know that he'll get a warm reception! I just hope next time round he can make a UK date and be scared of me an obsessive fan!

For all you lucky enough to live nearby, go along as enjoy. Don't forget your Solvent T-shirt!

Toronto, CanadaEar To The Ground festival @ Exibition Placeheadlining the SubUrban (electronic) stageSat, Sept 17

EU gig dates:
Berlin, GermanyCity.Centre.Offices labelnight @ NBIThurs, Oct 20th
Amsterdam, HollandElectronation/Amsterdam Dance Event @ Sugar FactoryThurs, Oct 27th
Utrecht, HollandElectronation @ TivoliFri, Oct 28th
Genoa, Italy@ venue tbaSat, Oct 29
Rome, Italy@ BrancaleoneMon, Oct 30
Barcelona, SpainClick New Wave night @ The Loft ClubFri, Nov 4
Liege, BelgiumPanoptica 4 Festival @ Salle des fêtes de Bressoux-DroixheSat, Nov 5
Hamburg, GermanyMFOC @ Pudel clubSun, Nov6

Re: Dexter - D Funked E.P.

Back in mid June I was getting excited about this new E.P. from Dexter called 'D-Funked'. Well its been released since then and now we have the the track names!!

Echt Vet is track one, hugely impressive, as are the other two tracks D-Funked and Midnight Cruiser. It is as Clone Records descibe "Three pure and razor sharp P-funk electro tracks."

As I said in the original post:

"Its got that 3am street light feel to it, it would be at home playing in a NY taxi with the street lights shining on the puddles on the street below..."

Its avaible from Clone Records at €8.00 of your hard earned euros or from Juno for £5.99.

Daniel Wang - Idealism 2005 (reissue)

Something I've not mentioned is the repress of Daniel Wang's album 'Idealism' which until the start of the week, I had heard just two of the twelve tracks on this outstanding album.

This really is something special, its not purist electro, Daniel Wang's style moves from one genre of music to another and it works wonderfully. I love Daniel Wang's music because of its wonderful basslines and the stunning use of synthesizers.

The creativity of this guy is what impresses the most, there seems to be no end to possibilities of music that he makes, slapping the "I hate synthesizers" mob and their opinions down! I think this album will have much wider appeal because the warmth and depth of every track on this album is amazing. This is by far the best artist album I've heard all year and will be in one of my cd players for a long time, and in my record collection forever.

'Let's Go To Mars' kicks off one of the best 70 minutes of music you'll hear for a long time, and its in typical Wang style with great use of keys and vocoder.

'24 To Vector Z' has a bassline that will get stuck in your head all day!

'Rings Of Saturn' has great drums and sounds like you're in a disco in 1978, and has the usual creative flare of Daniel Wang to make it another outstanding track.

You have to hear these tracks in full, so go out and spend £12.99 on an album that you'll be listening to in 20 years time.

Christopher Just - Variation makes the album

I've just been listening to Christian Just's summer LP release 'Roland Flick Fairmont Princess #1527' and its a creative mixture of house, electro and everything that sort of hangs inbetween.

I like these sort of albums as they help to conteract the attitude to over define genres in dance, categorising music way too narrowly, meaning that each artist, and each fan is pigeon-holed into one particular style.

The Austrian is not afraid to try different styles across house from more upbeat tracks like 'The Way To Success' which sort of changes unpredictably but not into complete self induglence or disorganisation. Listen to all the tracks on his site.

You have to check out his latest E.P. called Disco 128, (not yet on discogs)which is much more electro, Black Strobe or Alter Ego like sound, and very good! The details appear as a pop up on his site, so turn off the pop up blocker for a minute! Unfortunetly its out of stock at most places at the moment, meaning it must be well sought after! I'll update when I see the E.P. in stock online.

Alexander Robotnick - LP release on Crème

An exciting release from Alexander Robotnick soon is his 'Krypta 1982 (Rare Robotnicks Pt II)' LP on Creme Organization.

It features 17 tracks, which sound so much in the Robotnick style with the instant electro hook that makes you crave more! Fortunetly you can hear clips of the tracks on Creme Organization's distributors and friends Clone Records.

There are no names for the tracks, but check out track 2 and track 4 in particular. Track 4 has this electro weirdness to it that makes you want to play it so your neighbours hear and are convinced you're some kind of evil force that threatens suburbian life.

All the tracks can be heard on Clone's feature of the LP release here. Great stuff!

Electrosynth - M.F.R. Returns!!

The stress is over, August is over….so the blog returns for September!!

Over the last month, I can let you know that I have been informed a little bit more about the mystery E.P. I reviewed six weeks ago 'Each - 'Upside Down' which features four tracks, all wonderful, but the two which were so excellent sounding were 'Blow Up' and 'Zabriskie Point'.

The producer of these tracks, Each, read the blog and was happy to tell me a little bit about himself and what he plans for his new record label Bay Street Records:

"Hi Peter! Funny enough my real name is Pierre. I'm the guy behind the bay street recording label and the guy behind the nick name of Each! the 2nd release is going to be big as well with a remix from Martinez out of orbit/dessous/get physical/deeplay music/etc...\comin out late Sept. ...thanks for your review sounds cool! I'm French from montpellier based in London for the last 5 years."

To make up for the lack of posts, I can let you know that I'll be interviewing Each and will of course be posting the interview on here, and of course finding out about the all important forthcoming releases on his label. I know for sure the second release is going to be great with a remix from Martinez!

Time for a Summer Break

Its time for a summer break from the blog! I'd love to keep going through August, but my time commitments for the next month are too great.

But don't think I'm on a beach relaxing, when I'm switching to my caffine robotic junkie mode trying to remember everything I've been studying for the last year..

Roll on 1st September, when the blog will return! In the meantime, there's 80 posts of links in the archive, so that should keep you entertained.

See you in September!

Electro Disco Re-Edits

I've been listening to the Automan re-edits of some classic disco tracks from long ago. What amazing quality has been found and repressed!

I recommend listening to all these tracks, I can't believe how such tracks fall into obscurity and so many more will probably never be heard again. I recommend Cat no. 11 in the series for three excellent tracks that will have you thinking its 1980.

Try 'Dance To The Music' and 'Computer Communication' both wonderful tracks!

MSX (Spain) -Yet Another New Label

By the title of the post it sounds like I'm almost sick of new labels, which could not be further from the truth!

Its great when a new label starts out leaving you to wonder if it'll grow into something huge or just wonder what the label's 'sound' will develop into. From an investment point of view, first releases are always hard to find later on and worth their weight in gold to a collector.

I've had my ears prick up from a new label 'MSX Spain' (no link as there's no website for it yet it seems). The debut release is 'Megafreak Part 1' which features four tracks from Undo & Vicknoise, Robert Calvin, Patrick Dubois and Ivan Smoka.

Its a very Star Whores Records like sound, with all the tracks sounding electro disco and well.. 'Spanishy'. It works wonderfully, its nice to have something new from Robert Calvin.

My pick is Ivan Smoka - 'Quien Mato A Laura Palmer' for the striking melody that fits so will to the bassline that is minimal without losing depth to the track. Do check it out on Juno.

¡maravilloso!

Mihai Popoviciu - Tales From The Moon

Its been a while since I looked out for releases from International DJ Gigolo Records but I have taken to the new 12" Mihai Popoviciu release 'Tales From The Moon' .

The main track is 'Women From Outer Space' which, as the release title suggests, features spacey synths which have a Jean Michel Jarre style to them making for a good soild track. The track 'Cassettes' is very much in the International DJ Gigolo Records style of electro with that slightly camp-euro sound that made the label such a sucess when it started out and the sucess it is today.

Worth your while checking out this 12" and considering a purchase from an old favourite label of mine.

Turbo Records T shirts

Although they seemed to never have my size last year, I did eventually manage to get a Turbo Records T shirt and its a much loved T shirt in this world of stale, boring clothes that we live.

Well, they now have added caps and have a new range of T shirts for you to show your support for Turbo Records. A good range of colours on offer for $29.95 Canadian. (I'll ignore questions of "what's that in 'real' money?!" as if the Canadian dollar isn't real money!) and allow you to do your own exchange in your home currency.

Get yours while they have your size in stock!!

Bay Street Records- New Label, Super Sound

Another new label, not even listed on Discogs (the dance music bible) yet is Bay Street Records. I have no idea where the label is based, what exactly they are about and who'd behind the project.

So with that complete void of knowledge on my part, the first release is Each - 'Upside Down' E.P. which features four tunes to make you think its about 1995 again. They each have their own techno sound, and sound so wonderful! 'Blow Up' has all the qualities of early Orbital music, when it was so strong on melodies and simple drum patterns that were just so superb.

The track 'Zabriskie Point' gives me this complete memory of me around the age of 14. I was listening to stuff like this by the likes of As One in bed until 4am with school the next day, wondering why my life was so crap at that point- it provided me with complete escapism!

Looking back I can see how music really does function for you and it now all has some deeper meaning of a place, emotions or a whole era. I hope to hear many more releases of this standard from Bay Street Records, what a start!

Iwari Records - Our Friends Electric E.P.

Its always a pleasant experience to check out the latest releases and hear something that you instantly like on a label you haven't heard of before.

So Iwari Records fall straight into the catergory of producing good electro music with that charm that many labels lack. The 'Our Friends Electric' E.P. falls straight into the good side of the record collection when you get your copy, as the five tracks featured are all different, but solid and creative enough for an interesting mix that will have you playing it a good few times through.

Robokid's 'Controversy' track has the 1988 house sound without being overly nostalgic, great stuff! Reminds me a little of Alexander Robotnick.

Scape One's track 'Lightcycle' gives this hypnotic warmth and sound that instantly locks you into it. Its criminal if you don't check out all the tracks on the release and make this a priority purchase!

My God, I've actually really liked a UK track!! Rare for me lately!

8 Bit Rockers - Lemurian Dreams

Sami Liuski aka 8 Bit Rockers doesn't seem to have any end to creative talents, I need not remind regular readers that he's behind the artists Bangkok Impact, Lolita Sträp, Olavi, Omni Incentive, and one half of Putsch '79.

This 12" offering 'Lemurian Dreams', is firmly in the 8 Bit Rockers style featuring six tracks thnat make you want to oil down a piece of lino and spin on your head, and crash on the floor as you realise you aren't that good at that sort of thing... Just settle for some robotic movements of the arms, its safer that way :)

Anyway, I recommend 'The Electrical Ones' to spin about to and 'Into My Mind' will have you spining about like a windmill. Available on one of the favourite labels to the right--> Stilleben Records. Go out and buy it!

Today's events

Although this is a electro music blog, after today's terrorist attacks in London, I thought this post would be appropriate as London is my home.

While I hope that all my family, friends and readers have not been victim to these attacks, may I send my warm wishes to anyone who has been injured and send my deep, deep, sympathies to the familes of those who have been killed.

Acid Pauli - Nancy (Disko B)

I've just been catching up on releases from Munich based Disko B, who have a great list of releases from some very well respected electro artists.

I've been looking for something a little bit different from the usual electro stuff the last few days, and Acid Pauli may have come up with what I'm after with this 12" release. Its just two tracks which are minimal but progress along to keep you into the groove of the tracks.

I like the Nancy track but more so the flipside track I Love You. Not quite sure what it is that makes the tracks good, its a pretty 'techno' 12" with Nancy being in the harder spectrum of electronic music. But its not senseless or souless, it just flows nicey, especially the I Love You track. Nancy has a hefty kick drum, but its, as Disko B describe it, 'a contemplative' track.

Music Mine Records- The Crazy World of Japan.....

I was looking around for anything new, old or interesting on the internet and in particular anything by the king of funky electronic music, Daniel Wang (link to interview).

I came across a mixed CD entitled 'Sessions Volume 3: Come On Let's Fly' which didn't exactly make much sense to me as to what its trying to say or suggest? Nothing to do with 'drug cigarettes' I hope! :-) It becomes a little bit clearer what this is all about when you realise that its released on a Japanese label, Music Mine.

The CD is full of a strange mix of modern and old disco tracks, which are SO marketed at the Eastern market its unreal. Just check out this front cover to the CD, it proves there's still markets that have their own way of selling things...even in electronic music.

Anyway, aside from the oddness, there are some good disco tracks with Daniel Wang's -Berlin Sunrise (The Night Mix) the standout for electroheads.

Then there's the ones that make you think you're losing the plot like Yoko Katori - 'Going Back To China' which follows the Intro track which is like being in a dream, nice synthy sounding....

But it all makes you really think that the world is still a very diverse place, with many different influences and styles on music. Part of the beauty of electronic music is its international nature, and this CD shows how you can be chucked into the deep end and out of your comfortable European or North American music and made to stop and think, perhaps not for long, "how weird is this??".

Juno, have the album in stock, at £19.99. If nothing else, show it to your mates when they come over next time!

Royksopp - Only This Moment

It seems like a complete age since Royksopp's 'Melody AM' album, which really made it big here in the UK, I had copy shortly after it was released and somehow didn't really listen to it until a few months later, once it had been 'HMVed' and was mega popular.

So finally we have a nice new offering from Royksopp, on Wall of Sound who deserve credit for their many years of contribution to Dance music. The main CD single release is called 'Only this moment' and is a pretty 'Royksoppy' type track.

For me the gems are in the remixes, especially 'Royksopps Hissige' and the 'Headman remix' on the 12" remixes release.

Nice couple of steady pace building tracks, from the kick into something bigger. Shame they're on different releases of the track! then again, for £2.99 for the CD release and £4.20 for the 12" on Juno makes it not too bad value!

My apologies if posts become weekly for the next few weeks, I'm really under pressure for time on my course now.

Italcimenti - Under Construction

If you're thinking who is Italcimenti? The answer is that its a collaboration between Alexander Robotnick (Maurizio Dami) and Ludus Pinsky (Lapo Lombardi).

You'll probably be familiar with Alexander Robotnick but not even Discogs (the dance music who's who) have Ludus Pinsky listed. Italcimenti have produced a fine collection of tracks on a new CD released on Robotnick's label Hot Elephant Music.

Its what you'd expect from Robotnick, with reassuringly italo beats and melody being the main offering. But its by no means predictable, there's an element of tongue-in-cheek with the CD that stops it from taking itself too seriously. Its a really solid offering that you'll listen to for many years to come.

Try out the three clips on this page, especially 'Disco tamarro' which reminds me of Hakan Lidbo's Sexy Robots L.P.

Invasion Planete 4th Anniversary 12" LP

I was pleased to see that Invasion Planete's 4th anniversy 12" LP is in stock at Juno.

I know I'm frequently posting about their releases, but they have released some exceptionally good records, and this album is a fine example of the French label's work.

I recommend all the tracks to listen to, as not one of the tracks is the same as another, there's experimental stuff, weird stuff, and very robotic stuff. And its all on one peice of shiny black plastic shapped into a 12" circumference that will bring you much joy!

Try out It & my Computer's - 'Trouver Quelqu'un' for a nice synthy robotic style track and Evaviii (same guy)- 'Skin-Deep' for one all about melody. Did I mention its just £6.50?? not bad at all for 11 tracks.

Dexter -Forthcoming 12" on Clone

Clone Records know how to attract talent to their label, and this forthcoming release by Dexter aka Remy Verheijen entitled 'D-Funked' is a real gem.

There's three tracks to the release, all untitled so far, but all equally with their own charm and groove. Take your pick from track 1, track 2 or track 3.

Track one has this nice old skool sound to it, without being overly nostalgic. Its very smooth but with a nice edge on the drum loops that stop it from disappering into the abyss of stuff in this style.

It will be a good one from driving home from somewhere late at night or relaxing on a Sunday. Its got that 3am street light feel to it, it would be at home playing in a NY taxi with the street lights shining on the puddles on the street below...

So, look out for it when its released!

Chicken Lips - Sweet Cow

Chicken Lips have always been about in recent memory in my record collection, tracks like "He Not In" just stick in your head for days, and that's the kind of sound that you get from them. Its all about mininal disco, or something disco/housey/electro but always very disco. Perhaps its just best to say they are 'disco' per se.

What makes Chicken Lips strange to me is that they are UK based... there are very few people who I follow now who are from the UK. Just look over to my favourite record labels on the right of the page, and there's just two UK based labels there, that's it. Perhaps its time I added Kingsize, based in Staines (not far out of London) to my list.

Why are there so few UK labels on my list? There just doesn't seem to be the interest from me for UK music, nothing often gets me hooked. Its no problem, the beauty of Electro and Dance music in general is its international flavour, you spend your life with records from all over the place side by side, not just two or three locations in the world. One cosmopolitian record collection is what develops.

Anyway, my point was to check out Chicken Lips' new track 'Sweet Cow' for that great bassline. Out on Kingsize, available on Juno.

In the U.S? Solvent Gigs

Solvent will be playing three dates in the US this month and next. The dates are:

Saturday 25th June in Milwaukee at the Onopa Brewery,
Thursday 30th June Detroit Comerica Tastefest@ Pure Detroit Stage (Second av. / Lothrop),
and Saturday 23rd July in Boulder@ Trilogy Wine Bar.

So, if you're around, go along in your newly purchased Solvent T Shirt and show your support.

I was slightly disappointed to read that "Suction Records is currently on an indefinite hiatus." I know Lowfish and Solvent have been working on their own projects a lot lately, but I hope to see many more Suction releases, as the standard of this label's releases are so high.

So once again, be there if you can be!

Kompleksi - Fine Rare Finnish Sounds

I've been keeping an eye on pHinn's blog aka Kompleksi and was really taken by his new 7" release '(I Ain't No) Lovechild / Moscow 1980'.

I just love the 'Moscow 1980' track, it really has something about it, listen to the clip the couple of times, and you'll have it stuck in your head. Its not at all predictable, but then not so dark to lose the warmth of the synths which sound really retro, but with a nice edge that makes it a special track.

Its out on Lal Lal Lal and will not be easy to get hold of, limited to 525.

The inspiration for the music must come in part from the answer to the question: Who are Kompleksi?

"Kompleksi ("complex" in Finnish) are Mike Not and pHinn, two ex-suicide candidates from Tampere, Finland, who ride in a red Lada through the gloomy streets of their rainy post-industrial town" Lal Lal Lal

Despite the limited availability, its available on Boa Melody Bar for just £3.50... A great price. keep up the good work, I keenly await the L.P!

Putsch 79 & Clone Records

Just been looking at the Clone Records website and was pleased to spot this new release from Putsch '79.

The main track is 'Arpeggio Life' and while its firmly in what you'd expect from Putsch '79, its got a great bassline, great use of drums and the odd guitar jangle, it just has that summer sound to it, a very complete sounding track really.

Clone descibe it as: "an N.Y. influenced disco track combined with some italo flavor, a touch of techno and a rolling 303. Impossible not to move to this track. "

I couldn't agree more, it'd have the dead moving to it!

Popular Computer

As I sit here using the filthy University computers, I came across Popular Computer's 'I Can't Forget You' out on a new release of the track. Its nice to see the track on 12" unmixed, which is something that up until now was pretty tricky.

I think there must have been demand for a re-release since the track's appearence on Tiefschwarz's - Misch Masch Compilation from October last year. Its out on house label Kitsune France, who if I remember correctly released the Black Strobe and Hotel 17 12" from a year or so ago. Grab it if you can, its a classic! Or give it a listen.

Limited Edition: Solvent T Shirts

Just been checking out the Ghostly International Records website, and they have Solvent T Shirts for sale! Priced at$20 and limited to just 72!!!

They warn us "No more shirts like this will be made again". So if you're a fan of solvent's music and want a T shirt that no one else has, buy one! All the best for getting hold of one!

Check out 'Wish' (full song) by Solvent if you're curious to hear his snow robotic sounds!

New From Bangkok Impact

Bangkok Impact aka Sami Liuski and 8Bit Rockers, Lolita Sträp, Omni Incentive, Putsch 79 to mention just a few... released a new 12" on Creme Organization earlier this month, entitled 'Do It'.

Check out the main track here, super stuff!

Available on Juno, as ever! (In response to an email I got, I honestly have NO connections to Juno other than as a customer!)

Re: Triple 7" From Invasion Planete

I posted about the new Invasion Planete release 'Le Monde Cruel De Katja: La Trilogie' last week, and got my copy the other day.

What I didn't mention in my original post is that the release is limited to 526 copies. Limited pressings are a nightmare if you subsequently decide to go for a release a few weeks later, or are looking at a label's back catalogue years on... so if you're after it, get it NOW!

Daniel Wang

Just checked out this new one from Daniel Wang, entitled 'Sylver Belt' on Eskimo Records.

Nice track, it reminds me of Stevie Wonder, crossed with Herbie Hancock! Its a nice number, very much in with Wang's disco sound that makes you grow those side burns just that little bit longer... That's only if you're a man, of course ;-)

There's a nice interview with Daniel Wang here, he's such a decent bloke that you kind of wish you knew him, especially when he gives this message to people:

"The reality is so simple - groovy music made by humans who care about a good bassline or a good song. It's just about love, falling in love with some beautiful boy or girl or thing on the dancefloor.It's about fantasy, so forget the expensive Gucci bag and go out in a leather harness or a ballgown instead. Or.... just go naked."

If you're not familiar with Wang's work, check out the full legal track from Epitonic called 'Pistol Oderso', which still hooks me now like the first day I dropped the needle on the record and heard this awesome track.

Jacques Lu Cont

I can't get two tracks out of my head at the moment, one is Steve Miller Band's 'Abracadabra' and another is Chicken Lips' 'Steppin''.

One goes with the other in my mind. The reason is probably because I remember the superb mixing of the two tracks by Jacques Lu Cont aka Stuart Price on the mix cd 'Fabric Live 09' from 2003. I recommend this cd, its something nice to listen to when you're in search of some housey disco like stuff to relax to, or just fancy something to cheer you up a bit. Its also good for waiting at train stations in the morning... :)

Juno have it in stock, its available pretty much everywhere, including play.

Triple 7" from Invasion Planete

A nice new one from Invasion Planete is the 'Le Monde Cruel De Katja: La Trilogie' with the delights of Porn.Darsteller/De Frontanel/It & My Computer included.

There's some experimental synthy numbers on the record, but there's some excellent peices of music like Porn.Darsteller's 'Dans Le Tourment'.

I just love this one 'Chikita (Le Cocktail)' from It & My Computer. What a track! Its insane!

Play Porn.Darsteller's 'La Machine Du Marquis' to your friends, and they will definitely call the men in white coats!

Enjoy!

Thomas Jaldemark

You can trust a label like Lasergun to release good stuff, and when they got the demo tape from Thomas Jaldemark last year, they must have been impressed.

The Swedish have some serious electronic talent like Finland, and this guy is a welcome addition to the market. His debut Lasergun release was the 'Primitive Fun' 12" at the start of the year. A good track is 'Speccy Loveaffair'.

Nice sound, long may it continue. And his great pair of sideburns!

More Robert Calvin and Picture Discs

Picture discs are a curse in many ways, the price of the vinyl triples -all for a picture to spin around at 33.3 RPM. This is true of the outstanding E.P. from Robert Calvin and Alek Stark on the Spanish Star Whores Records, which I can only find as an expensive picture disc.

Its a bit of originality, a change from the black plastic, but when tracks such as Robert Calvin's excellent 'Neverending Story' appear on such E.P.s its the balance between eating for a few days or having an excellent record through the letterbox.

Juno, as ever, have the picture disc in stock, but its fitted with a price of £14.51.. ouch.... then you have to allow for Royal Mail to bend it up a bit in transit. That said, I'd grab this future collectable if you have the cash, there aren't many copies floating about in the UK.

Sorting out Records and the World of Digital

Just been having a less than fun 30 minutes sorting and counting my records, CDs and humble cassette tapes.

Its like an obsession now, but a necessary evil as over the course of a month, the records end up in the wrong sleeves, cassettes start to form a mountain and the CDs take over the floor space.

I was a little disappointed to count only about 850 as a total, but I have a few in the loft.. so the day of breaking the 1000 mark is not perhaps so far off. I've also sold a few on ebay, being short on space and cash!

People laugh on the train at my humble Panasonic personal cassette player, with their trendy white iPods, but the logistics of shifting a collection to digital form, and storing it puts me right off.. Plus.. the one I was listening too was so damn quiet, and coldly digital. I think the iPod obsession comes from most people's experience of cassettes and vinyl being used on very poor quality pieces of equipment from their childhood.

I tend to record music 'Hot' on to cassette, giving a warmer bass sound, but you can't do this with digital recording as you just get that awful distortion, there's just little leeway with the format. Shame. Its why it sounds a bit tinny to me on Mp3 players.

With such little scope to play around with the way you record something with digital, its like an old school teacher is saying in your ear: "Record sensibly young man!" With analogue, you have that freedom to change so many settings and really get the best out of music.

...And will the Mp3 files live to see 40 years? The experts say yes, but lets see....

Legowelt on flight Lufthansa 1977....

I cannot remember when I last mentioned Legowelt, it might be the 'Crystal Cat' track from the 'Bronson Quest' E.P. from earlier this year. It seems ages ago! Check that 'Crystal Cat' track out if you like your 1970s style dramatic synths!

Legowelt is really one of my favourite producers out there, he describes his sound as:

"a hybrid form of slam jack The Hague electronix combined with deep chicago trax,obscure & romantic ghetto technofunk, EuroHorror Soundtracks and lots -a- more! You can't quite pigeonhole it but it sure as hell slams the pit!"

I'd say that pretty much sums it up, his sound is like a twisted processed horror film sound track, without the dodgy special effects. Think of the synths from Creepshow or Evil Dead 2, and you're on the same lines.

Check out Lufthansa 1977 for one of his more subdued offerings, but with all the synth drama that makes you feel like you're in heaven, crossed with a 1980s lo-fi horror film! I mean that in the best possible way too - 1980s horror films are great!

He also makes this 100% true statement on his mp3 page:

"Mp3s are really nice but Vinyl is where its at!"

I could NOT agree with you more. Keep it analogue, and keep music true to the source!

Miami is nice.. London's not too bad either

I picked up a cassette of mine to listen to in the Walkman from about a year ago, entitled "Electro Comp Volume 14" and on it was the delight of Robert Calvin's great track 'Miami is Nice'.

It was released about April last year, just as the weather was improving from the winter, so it was nice to hear it again on a sort of sunny Central London day. It has such a catchy nature, typical of releases from Tiga's Turbo Records, based in Montreal, in the great Canada!

Anyway, the track is on an E.P. called 'Methods of Dance' if you don't already have it, and features 3 other very good tracks.

Its great to see that Turbo Records releases are getting much easier to get in the UK, I ordered this E.P. straight from the label last year and suffered the shipping fees and annoying wait of international postal services.

Juno have it in stock, but if you live in London, HMV Oxford Circus (the one closest to the tube station, with 100 English Language schools within a stone's throw!) have about 3 copies in stock on 12".

New wavey style from Gigolo

Gigolo Records have always been a label that have a considerably more varied catalogue of releases than many labels. I'm impressed with this re-release by Experimental Products called 'Glowing in the Dark'. Its available on Juno.

It has some good lyrics, and a nice beat to give it a distinctive Gigolo Records feel, almost Mount Sims like, with a slightly edgy wining use of analogue synths.

Worth a listen!

A brief consideration: What is electro?

Wondering how to explain to someone what electro music exactly is becomes one of those social situations where your left trying to put something into words but nothing seems to come out that the person understands. You can think of tracks that they might have heard, you can think long about how to get across what something is, buts its difficult.

You could say its composed on synthesizers, it uses drum loops, it uses pads and basslines and a melody as a rule and the end result is an electro track. But to do so breaks down when you try and think of all the tracks you consider that are electro, and its too clinical to say that a certain formula creates an electro track. I’m not sure its ever possible to pin down some things in life, and electro is definitely one of those things that when you try and explain something in cool clinical terms, you are assuming too much and ignoring important parts of what makes ‘electro’.

The term ‘electro’ itself is not helpful in itself. You could argue the concept very widely and include works from major labels and artists of the last 40 years, saying that the use of the synthesizer makes something an electro track. You could draw your conclusions much more tightly, and specify certain elements that have to be present in order for it to be electro. The problem with the first approach is it does not really help create a point of access for someone from the outside to go and find electro tracks. If you follow the tighter line, you end up with this ever-evolving use of terminology to describe what does not fall into the one category that you choose to call electro. You end up in this situation where anything out side of that type of music ‘doesn’t get its label’ as it is not electro as defined.

I think the problem a lot of techno (another term!) falls into the trap of being sterile because of the fear of not being within what the purists call techno anymore. Think about The Prodigy, the record shops had to decide whether it was techno/breakbeat/hardcore in 1992 into wondering whether its indie music in 1996. It must have played havoc with their classification system. That’s the trouble when you go beyond mere classification as a means of access, and into the realms of pigeon holing a genre into something that it isn’t.

Maybe if you approach it from a conceptual angle, and think more about what passion, drive and creativity creates a genre of music, you would be able to encompass more music from your collection that gets the ‘electro’ label. Perhaps if you spend more time looking at what is in the creator’s mind, rather than what the end product comes out from him, you avoid a production line approach, as if someone is creating a product from a set design.

Creating electro has to involve an idea, and an experimentation developing that idea, not a mechanical process of production. Sure, there may be methods of production that are used. Someone may start on a melody, build on a drum loop, but at the heart of all production, is a blank canvas, on which a creator puts forward their idea. Just like an artist does with in creating an image, a musician puts forward their image in the form of sounds, not really caring what classification the end product will become.

The beauty of what electro is… is that it allows for that blank canvas, unlike so many genres which seem to have explicit and unwritten codes on what can and can’t be used on a track. You never know quite what to expect when you drop the stylus onto the record with many labels, and that’s the great thing about ‘electro’, whatever it really is.