This was a request, I had honestly forgotten about it; but after listening to it again after those few years, I have to say it has aged extremely well. Full of loopy, dark techno with industrial references both sonically and thematically (see Coil), it's a classic Surgeon album revealing in full his idiosyncratic tendencies for bastardizing righteous techno beats with weird atmospheres and post-breakbeat loops. On that account, he always reminded me of early PWOG, amongst others; but that may be just me. Anyway, it's no wonder he made a turn towards the tech/dubstep crossover during the last few years.
His downtempo interludes are (according to Anthony Child himself) influenced by the work of his mentor/friend, Napalm Death's ex-drummer Mick Harris aka Scorn or Lull, who also contributed a dub in a 12" of remakes of tracks from the album.
Surgeon - 1999 Force + Form
Info here.
Most people would call it 'experimental techno'. I like to think that techno music is experimental by nature, although I would have to be braindead and/or deaf to believe something like this for all that music categorized as 'techno' and published in the last two decades.
P.S. I found the EP (not my link), so check it here:
Surgeon - 1999 Force + Form Remakes
Info here.
P.S.2: Link updated. Original post 2010-05-05
Force + Form
Sheen
It's been some time since I posted some music from KK Records, so here's a classic compilation - full of techno, harsh industrial beats and dark atmos.
Highlights include legendary Test Dept.'s excursions in electronics, plus classic stuff from artists already presented in this blog, like Uwe Schmidt's Lassigue Bendthaus project, PWOG, Riou, etc. The first CD focuses on technoid beats, the second one is more abstract and experimental in its sound.
VA - 1995 Sheen. Kk Records Compilation
CD1 - CD2
Info here.
Objects D' Art
From New Electronica, this was a strictly limited 4LP compilation, gathering the similarly strictly limited first 12"s of Kirk Degiorgio's Applied Rhythmic Technology (see ART) label.
Presented here are Carl Craig's early stuff as Psyche and BFC, some Black Dogs operating under the names of Balil and Atypic, Redcell, Neuropolitique and of course Kirk Degiorgio himself as As One, Future/Past and Esoterik. No need to say that it's a must hear for all lovers of the electronic sound; listen-and-learn stuff.
I seem to remember someone had requested this one ages ago. Found somewhere, sometime, it's supposed to be a 320 rip, although it doesn't sound like it. Still, the original LPs reach 50GBP prices, so...
VA - 1994 Objects D' Art 4LP
Info here.
As for the year 2010, well... I have mixed feelings. It was a really really hard year, that yet filled me with unsurpassed joy with the birth of my daughter - and was eventually so full of experiences that I can only compare it to a long rollercoaster trip. So, no big talks and resolutions and stuff from me. We're here, we survived and we're heading to the future, one step at the time.
For reasons that hopefully will be revealed soon, I recently revisited In The Nursery's 'Duality' with its Max Ehrmann quotes and finally found the whole poem ('Desiderata') and read it. Cast its moral teachings aside and see if it works for you.
So, happy new year to everyone. Take care of your loved ones and yourselves; and if I may, strive to be happy. It is still a beautiful world.
My Sol Dark Direction
James Pennington's only album, out through Peacefrog.
Hardware-based Detroit techno and electro, just like that.
Suburban Knight - 2003 My Sol Dark Direction
Info here. (Link removed)
P.S. Oops, it seems he released a digi album in 2010 as well. My bad. Although I couldn't find it anywhere.
P.S.#2 Link removed due to complaints.
Radioactive Man
From Weatherall's Rotters Golf Club, here are the first two albums by Keith Tenniswood aka Radioactive Man. For all lovers of electro with attitude.
Previously posted RGC compilation here.
Radioactive Man - 2001 st
Info here.
Radioactive Man - 2003 Booby Trap
Info here.
Time Boom X De Devil Dead
An On-U Sound release back from 1987, repressed with extra tracks at 2001 (as noted on discogs).
More from Lee Perry here. As for Dub Syndicate, I saw them once playing a double bill with Jah Wobble's Invaders; it was one of the most flawless performances I've seen in my life.
Lee 'Scratch' Perry & Dub Syndicate -
1987 Time Boom X De Devil Dead (2001 RP)
Info here.
Interestingly, I found in here some of the weirdest samples used in my personal favorite by Friedmann ('Nuf Said').
Ambient Ibiza
From Kenneth Bager's danish Flex, this is a compilation of downtempo tracks I'm posting mostly for the contributions by Lucky People Center (*), Dub Tractor (*) and the divine 'Journey' by The Gentle People (I think I have their debut somewhere...).
A couple of other known names in here as well, although many of the tracks barely escape mediocrity. And another unfortunate cover/title combination, by the way.
VA - 1996 Ambient Ibiza
Info here.
Kraftwork @ Nu Skool Elektro 2
It's been a while since I did a solid electro post, so here's a compilation of robo breaks and nervous basslines with acid tweeks from all over Europe.
Contributions include a few tracks already posted before (by Scan X and A1 People), others by established artists like Scanner (*), Luke Slater, Carl Finlow (*), Stanny Franssen, Zzino, etc.; and a host of less known names of whom Ultradyne and Prozack are the only ones I knew and most of whom have disappeared ages ago.
Bad artwork and ridiculous titles are long-standing traditions for generic compilations like this one, solid soundwise but full of less known names - and we shouldn't like it otherwise. Awful covers scare away the hasty customers that don't reach the tracklist at all, leaving the CDs stored in dusty shelves, waiting for us to pick them up.
There was a Vol.1 (obviously...) that sounds promising, which I never managed to track down anyway.
VA - 1998 Kraftwork @ Nu Skool Elektro 2
CD1 - CD2
Info here.
Future Funk + Voltage Control
Some more web finds concerning Russ Gabriel (*). From General Production Recordings' sublabel Input Neuron Musique, these are the two LPs he released there in 1995; sadly in low bit format (160 and 192kbps respectively).
'Future Funk' is more tool-like and dancefloor oriented; the real treat here though is 'Voltage Control', a sublime mix of all progressive tendencies of the time: Detroit elements, IDM and electrofunk forge the style soon to be named techfunk and to become UK's primary underground techno export. A hidden classic.
This was a request - and at the same time a wonderful opportunity to revisit Russ Gabriel' masterpiece. Once again, credits to the Unknown Original Uploaders.
Russ Gabriel - 1995 Future Funk Vol.1
Info here.
Russ Gabriel - 1995 Voltage Control
Info here.
Adventures In Techno Soul
From Russ Gabriel's label, here are the two compilations that along with the '[313] Soundtrack' should be enough to establish Ferox in our minds as a forward thinking label to respect and cherish. With tracks and remixes by the likes of Carl Craig, Derrick Carter, Bjørn Torske, Aubrey, Mark Broom, etc., etc., these are a must for all lovers of the '90s sound, be it techno, house or whatever.
The first one is in 192kbps, found around the net; the 2nd one is a typical 320kbps CD rip.
VA - 1996 Adventures In Techno Soul
Info here.
VA - 1998 Further Adventures In Techno Soul
Info here.
P.S. New 'Further' link added. I think it's OK this time; although I noticed that ripping took some extra time, so it's probably a typical damaged CD case. First posted 2010-10-24.
The Beat Diaries
This is Luke Solomon & Justin Harris' debut album as the Freaks, through their own label named, eh, Music For Freaks.
Groovy house with electronic funk elements and attitude, raw and minimal technoid tools, occasionally aided by the quirky vocals of Stella Attar, it still sounds as if it was released yesterday - it's really weird that they don't even sell it through their shop. Anyway, it was a great start and a clear sign of the greatness to come.
Freaks - 2000 The Beat Diaries
Info here.
Blue Skied An' Clear
Another quality Morr Music compilation; check that post first for more info.
It's actually a tribute compilation to Slowdive; in CD1 Morr artists do covers of their tracks, in CD2 there are original tracks inspired by them. Purists might not like it, no many wall-of-sound guitar sounds in here; most of the tracks are simplistic and transparent sound-wise and retro-electropop stylistically. But the dreamy/smokey spirit is still there, bittersweet vocals dominate and Slowdive's influence on this scene becomes apparent, more notably in the second 'originals' disk.
VA - 2002 Blue Skied An' Clear
CD1 - CD2
Info here and here.
This was a request, yet I was planning on posting it at some time anyway. Enjoy.
Für Dich
You know my love for the Cologne scene. Well, here's the CD that established Kompakt in my mind as a fixation to love and cherish and Tobias Thomas (*) as a DJ to watch (eventually I had the chance to open for him during a beautiful night in Athens, but that's another story).
I had bought it without knowing anything about it or himself. I recognized only a few of the artists involved, I remember it was really expensive and I had no way of listening to it beforehand, but I took my chance - turned out to be a turning point for me, an epiphany and an example to look up to. From post-pop to hard club techno, from abstract synthetic tool tracks to jazzy vocal house, Tobias builds a rollercoaster of emotions, trippy ideas and bold proposals that stands the test of time, beyond hypes and cliches. For you.
Contains rare Gamat3000 original gem 'Feeling Love', Various Artists' Autechre remix (*), some early Kompakt classics ('Puma', 'Nachschub', etc.), subtle paean 'Check Your Buddah' from Ford/Melchior (*), Lali Puna's heavenly 'Superlotado', an uncredited intro, etc. etc. etc. And of course Vladislav Delay's monumental 'Huone', mixed so subtly that it took me a couple of years to understand how he did it.
It won't stay up for long, for the reasons stated here. Makes a good couple with this Mayer mix, yet this one is far more effective. And I hate cliches, but occasionally I have to use them: I cannot recommend it strong enough.
VA - 1999 Tobias Thomas _ Für Dich
Info here.
P.S. Link removed; you had your time. Go to any shop and buy it, it's worth 100%.
Putting The Morr Back In Morrissey
I realized that the title's wordplay is lost on most ears nowdays. Anyway, I won't go on about that label that redefined contemporary electronic listening music by combining experimental sounds and techniques with indie pop and aesthetics, blah blah blah. I'm talking about Morr Music and similar stuff, of course - a scene mentioned many times before in this blog anyway (*,*,*,*,*,*).
The first CD mostly contains unreleased stuff, the second one remixes between label artists. Simply one of the best listening compilations I own - still sounds good as gold. Enjoy.
VA - 2000 Putting The Morr Back In Morrissey
CD1 - CD2
Info here.
Underground UK
Mid '90s UK techno and weird house compilation from Kickin' (*), known for its Techno Nations series amongst others. Probably a sequel to this one.
Lots of less known and (save a couple of them) otherwise unreleased goodies from a stellar roster of artists, the inlet says it all. As for the concept, I would openly wish for more signs of similar ethos in the contemporary music scene, but you'll call me a pessimist.
VA - 1996 Underground UK
Info here.
Unfortunately, Baby Ford's heavy abstract masterpiece would not rip. I may have another copy though, I'll get back to it sometime.
Circulation. Abstract Funk Theory
From Obsessive's Abstract Funk Theory series, this is the one compiled by Circulation (*); it's unmixed and, along with Carl Craig's, my personal favorite of the lot.
Tech, house and electro sweetness by artists already presented in this blog, like Carl Craig (*), Carl Finlow (*) and themselves; plus from The Timewriter, Atjazz, Touche!'s Jamez vs. H.P.Vince and an early Bushwacka!. Despite the compilation's global representation and chronological variety, it sounds tight and stylish without losing its clubbish character, allowing us a glimpse of the late '90s UK techhouse/ techfunk/ whatever sound.
Sounds good in the summer heat too; hadn't noticed that before.
VA - 2001 Circulation. Abstract Funk Theory
Info here.
Tec House Living
A groovy mixed compilation, the first of Jesse Rose back from 1998, through Subversive Records (also see the Liquid California compilation).
Showcasing what was commonly thought as the UK tech house sound, contains tracks by local heavyweights like Jamie Anderson, Dave Angel, Charles Webster, Cevin Fisher and a newbie called Vince Watson, plus a couple of highly influential guests like John Tejada, Maurice Fulton, Steve Rachmad and Orlando Voorn (with early classic 'Flash').
In all, a great track list and a lively mix, full of emotional and energetic house anthems with that extra techfunk touch. I remember playing in sets that Plastic Avengers/C.Fisher mix a lot, possibly the only time I did something similar (I had neither the tracks themselves nor a way to edit them yet). Freaks came out.
VA - 1998 The Deeper Sound Of Bristol presents
Tec House Living
Info here.
Agendas
Oldschool Detroit influenced electronics and techno in a three-pack of compilations from much respected dutch label Eevo Lute Muzique, released both there (21, 22) and as showcases for british label New Electronica (22, 23).
For those who don't know EevoLute, picture it as what you'd call the first european neo-Detroit label, except of course that it operated at the same time with the mass of third wave Detroit producers; they even had a collaboration with Planet E (12"). Anyway, if you like Delsin (*), this is its blueprint. It made a comeback some years ago as digital EevoNext.
Besides owners Florence (aka Terrace) and Wladimir M., appearing here are artists that went much bigger later like 2000&One and Ross 154 aka Newworldaquarium, plus some less known but not at all less interesting like The Keyprocessor and veteran Max 404.
In all, a totally recommended pack of retro sounding sentimental crap from the past. I only had #22 and was looking for the rest since ages ago to manage a full post; thanks to Renueh, it is now possible. Miss them at your own risk.
VA - 1993 Agenda 21. An EevoLute Compilation
Info here.
VA - 1994 Agenda 22. Another EevoLute Compilation
Info here and here.
VA - 1998 Agenda 23. Another EevoLute Compilation
Info here.
#21 and #23 probably are 320kbps CD rips; #22 surely is.
P.S. Links removed due to request from EevoLute.
Soundclash
If you liked the 'Echoman' album posted here, here's a mix of some of their tracks and remixes that Chicken Lips did for Kingsize and the DJ mag. Typical early CL stuff, includes timeless epic 'He Not In'; sadly in shitty one-track-per-mix format.
As for the Switchcraft part... I never managed to listen to in full. Someone might like it though.
VA - 2001 DJ & Kingsize Records present
Chicken Lips / Switchkraft Soundclash
Info here.
Channel 1 & 2
The first two compilation of Trevor Jackson's Output label (*).
A peak at the tracklists should convince you; the obvious hits are there (LB, DFA, BlackStrobe), but I'm sure you'll find something new to care about anyway, probably from the less known artists and most of it listening stuff. A few tracks in there I don't like at all (i.e. the worst Robert Smith impersonation by The Rapture singer), but that's a matter of taste as always.
A must for anyone who hasn't experienced 'The Difference' yet.
VA - 2000 Channel 1.
A Compilation of Output Recordings
VA - 2003 Channel 2.
A Compilation of Output Recordings
Info here and here.
