Resuscitation

Out through Ersatz Audio, this is a compilation of several 12"s released by ADULT. on E.A. as well as labels like Intuit-Solar, Bolz Bolz' Electrecord and Clone.
"Working class electronic music", they say. I call it retro electro with edge, cold synth influenced. Not dancefloor material per se, yet that's its appeal, in some sense. The artwork is also essential and a big part of the concept, Ballard-like in essence, so check more of their artwork where you can find it.

ADULT. - 2001 Resuscitation
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.

Share Vari

The song that started it all gets remixed.

A 2x12'' Puzzlebox release, trying to reinterpret an axiomatically absolute classic. You'll be the judge of whether it's successful or not, although it's sure you'll check it out.

A Number Of Names - 2001 Shari Vari Remixes
Info here.

Found around the net somewhere, sometime.

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.

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 Vault

He used to call himself Prince of Techno.

Well, I don't know about that. But the first time I heard 'When We Used To Play' I almost cried. I like his DJ style, hard and fast yet accessible and definitely sexy for the ladies. He played his part in the whole Detroit-Berlin thing, with his Tresor collaboration - I think he was the first one to go there to live and work and DJ. And his vocal contributions, his trademark and an example to many (the recent ones no less) are always interesting, either mood-fueled stoned whispers and deepnight mumblings, or mating calls and aggressive declarations. As a musician he's not the greatest you've listened to, but his tracks' power drive and his expressive persona are reasons enough to get you moving.

This is a Disko Bomb.
It's a house record; with its raw, percussive tracks spiced with disco samples and vocal snippets, the whole album points directly to Chicago. Still, he's an artist from Detroit releasing in a label from Munich, so things get complicated - he's quirky, rough and all-out house at the same time. Speed these tracks up and they fit in any techno set, can even be used as tools and blended together with little effort. House for bangers, fit for DJ Hell's sets. The 'techno' label underneath is there just to give you a hint of this.

When I first heard it, I honestly didn't like it much. As time passes, while its age is showing, I feel I get it better now in a way. It's not rare, but I don't remember to have seen it anywhere, especially around the share net.

Blake Baxter - 1995 The Vault
Info here.

P.S. I was informed that the rip had accidentally been a 128kbps one, so I re-uploaded it in 320. First posted 2009-06-18.
P.S.#2 Link updated

The Detroit Experiment

Of all the Carl Craig (*) related projects I know, this is the only one I truly have mixed feelings about. Still, it's not a Carl Craig record per se, so I'll put my doubts aside.

This album is the second one in a project that started with the Philadelphia Experiment'; attempting to "fuse the new and old musical elements of the motor city". So, basically it's full of soulful, jazzy funky trips with lots of brass and string, clashing with more 'contemporary music' forms (see: a few synths and drum machines plus rapping). The outcome favorites the live drumming and improvisational trumpet performances far more than its 'contemporary' elements - so it's okay if you're into that. On the other hand, others have managed to fuse such elements much more effectively, in my opinion as always; even Craig himself did better in his Innerzone Orchestra project.

Here it is anyway, draw your own conclusions. This was a request. Released through Ropeadope and Rycodisc for Europe; vinyl was released through Planet E. There were later released a couple of 12"s, as well as some interesting 'Think Twice' remixes through Juno Records, the most notable ones by Henric Schwarz.

The Detroit Experiment - 2003 selftitled
Info here and 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.

Hoodlum

A vinyl only '90s Hood album, out through his own Drama label. Similar to his Nighttime World LP (*), it combines house sounds with jazz elements and his trademark minimal interpretation of techno, with excellent results as expected.

A 256kbps rip from vinyl, ripper unknown.

Robert Hood - 1988 Hoodlum
Info here.

Nighttime Worlds

A couple of masterpieces from the man himself; some his more out-of-the-box moments (and rather hard to find in decent prices), drawing from Detroit techno-funk as well as from purer forms of funk, soul and jazz. In my mind, these albums are his tribute to the pre- and post-WWII nightclubs, evoking the spirit of those places where black music tradition was cultivated. Vol.1 is raw and beat-oriented, trying certain things yet retaining its techno-house character; Vol.2 is more multi-faceted and sophisticated, possibly Hood's best work music-wise, a work of beauty and power.

I was been playing Vol.2 for some time in my HPs when I saw that 'Internal Empire' (*) was reprinted; I decided to remove the posted link and to post these instead. So, enjoy.
.

Robert Hood - 1995 Nighttime World Vol.1
Info here. (LP rip)


Robert Hood - 2000 Nighttime World Vol.2
Info here. (CD rip)

Internal Empire

Everybody's talking about the 'Minimal Nation' album as the tour de force of the '90s minimal wave of Detroit techno; in which I partially agree, since it's definitely a landmark, a real classic. For me though the absolute masterpiece of that era was this one; the ultimate, mature definition of the minimal sound from the Man himself, out through Tresor. Only for 'Minus' and 'Home', it should be immortalized in techno's Top Ten list; yet it's out of print at the time...

And I thought, what the hell... Until it's repressed (hopefully by M.Plant), here it is.

Robert Hood - 1994 Internal Empire
Info here.

Ripped from the Tresor 77 repress (there are no differences, as far as I know).

P.S. Link removed due to the 2010 Tresor repress. Glad it's back on the shelves. Please go buy it. Original post 2010-03-28

All Access

Compiled by Carl Craig (*), this is a great showcase/promo for the free festivals held in Hart Plaza in Detroit, most notably DEMF; take a moment and check the really interesting Wiki link for its full history and for a good laugh (see the 'co-founder' on the cover above).

Detroit music as you know it. Contains 'On and On' mentioned in the Aril Brihka post and a couple of unreleased tracks by Random Noise Generator and Anthony 'Shake' Shakir; plus a 'Good Life' retake, Stacey Pullen's dirty epic 'Sweat', Theorem vs Swayzak's 'Day From Hell' etc., etc.

VA - 2001 All Access to Detroit's Music Festivals
Info here.

Deeparture In Time

An early neo-Detroit classic, from swedish Aril Brikha in Transmat.

If by chance or accident you've missed 'Groove La Chord' so far, a) this is your chance, and b) you must be living in some parallel universe and read this through a hole in space/time, after all. The rest of the album is not so different, as all tracks are live takes and revolve around the same deep Detroit theme.

This is the second version of this CD; for some reason I don't know Transmat first released that one in 2000; a year later came this, with a different tracklist. As if only to confuse us, Transmat has also released an EP with the same name (with two out of the three tracks that aren't included here). Anyway, the track 'On And On' will be posted very soon (P.S. here).

Aril Brihka - 2001 Deeparture In Time
Info here.

Panthera onca

'Centuries ago, before the coming of the conquerors, the Aztec Mystics ruled an empire larger than what is now known as Mexico. The symbol of their power was the Jaguar, the powerful creature that stalked the jungles just outside of their monumental cities. In todays world, the Aztec civilization lies in ruins. Their temples and tombs have been desecrated and their power animal, the Jaguar has almost been hunted to extinction. Despite the encroachment of Western civilization, untold power and awareness yet lie within these ruins and the spirit of the Jaguar.
To desecrate these ruins and this spirit would be harmful to modern man. For these are things that are beyond the perception of modern world. Legends foretold of the greatest of the Aztec Mystics vowing vengeance on anyone who violated their temples and totems. This warrior society used their most powerful totem as their symbol, they were known as the Knights of the Jaguar.

Even now in the new millennium, the long dead Jaguar Knights can sense the violation of their symbols and spirits. Using the Jaguar as their spirit guide to travel through the realms of Death itself, they can stalk their prey through time and exact their ultimate vengeance.''

text written by the Ancient

DJ Rolando a.k.a. The Aztec Mystic - 2000 Jaguar
Info here.

This CD version includes three remixes by Jeff Mills, Octave One and Mad Mike (not the Derrick May ones, though) plus the various re-releases' b-sides. Once more, watch the video here.

Check some Wiki info on the Jaguar Warriors and their role in the Aztec army, as well as on the Jaguar beliefs in Mesoamerica, on Aztlán and the concept of La Raza.

Also check this page on the UR vs. Sony/BMG case; to think that those guys accuse others of piracy...

True Spirit

Three CDs are barely enough to cover the label's repertoire; consider it as an extensive 'best of..'. The track list is a fan's dream and accurately representative of the label's course through history. As for the booklet, it's more than informative if rather self-praising (yet we'd expect that); works as a much needed companion for those who haven't dug into the Tresor vaults yet. For the rest, most of the tracks you'll have or already know; there are some unreleased mixes and out of print stuff anyway.

I had to buy my copy used (it sold out quite fast, I guess) and only much later did I realized that there were things missing from inside (sticker, booklet, etc.). Bastards...

VA - 2001 Tresor Berlin. True Spirit.
CD1 - CD2 - CD3 - booklet
Info here.

Metropolis

Mills' attempt to compose a soundtrack for Fritz Lang's monsterclassic 'Metropolis'. A Tresor release.

While some of it sounds really awkward and occasionally pompous (the ambient parts, at least), it has its good moments. There were two 12"s out of it, I think; I also remember him performing by playing on top of a cut-up video version of the original, which I considered to be at least ill-advised, but then he revisited this idea with 'Three Ages' (*).

Sometimes it's the thought that counts.

More of him here.

Jeff Mills - 2000 Metropolis
Info here.

Lifestyles Of The Laptop Café

I had this one in some crappy mp3 form or another to listen to; until very recently, when I found a physical copy buried in a back shelf... So, it's a James Stinson production for Warp, leaning towards rather romantic directions; possibly his poppier stuff, without of course moving away from the electro norms that made Drexciya (*) so famous.

The Other People Place - 2001 Lifestyles Of The Laptop Café
Info here.

Live At The Liquid Room,Tokyo

The second part in a series of five mixed sets (see Mix-Up Vol.1, 2, 3, 4 and 5), this is a poor sounding yet undeniably strong testimony of Jeff Mills' skills and mid '90s manic disposition when in the booth.

The mix itself is presented in three segments; for track spotting you'll have to use the discogs page (good luck...). Since this one's ripped from the React repress, I used that cover instead of the original.

Jeff Mills - 1996 Live At The Liquid Room, Tokyo
Info here.

More of him here.

Time Machine

Another Jeff Mills album (*,*,*), this time from his short-lived Tomorrow sub-label. A rather relaxed one, alternating between soft and trippy minimal techno tracks and pure ambient atmos, bears more similarities to older Axis material than to his later releases. Recommended for all Mills fans, anyway.
I ripped it from a CD copy I made back then, I cannot seem to find the original anywhere... It's partially mixed, intros and outros crossfading all the time, so give it a try on a decent player.

Jeff Mills - 2002 Time Machine
Info here.

The Other Day. Axis Compilation

To my great surprise I recently noticed that the copy I have of this Axis compilation is the european 16-track version, instead of the more common 13-track one. I was revisiting my Jeff Mills (*,*,*) records anyway, so I thought I'd drop it here for the unlucky ones to have missed it.

Covering what in my opinion has been Mills' most creative era (in terms of fertile experimentation alongside his already tested club-ruling mentality), it's one of those albums that each and every track has something unique; lots of epic paeans in here, with or without beats. And that 'Gamma Player' track...
It's needless to point out what an impact this man had on music overall. As for myself, I'll say no more than that: I might have been into the scene since the early '90s, throwing some raves with friends, playing some chill dubby stuff myself from time to time; yet I feel that if I hadn't seen Jeff Mills DJing live, I wouldn't play techno all these years.

Jeff Mills - 1997 The Other Day. Axis Compilation
Info here.