Another album by Stockholm artist Peter Benisch (*,*). A Fax record from 1999, repressed through Ambient World in 2007 (that's the one I have).
More simplistic than 'Soundtrack Saga', it doesn't have the maturity of composition or the crispiness of production of the above mentioned epic; it's a darker affair, brooding on the edge of depression and claustrophobia. Its approach brings to mind other typical Fax concepts - all tracks feel like a part of a large session, analog lines morph around simple rhythmic elements. It also sounds a bit retro-primitive, I think it was intended to be this way though. But it's worth a try if you're into the Fax scene, certain tracks betray some quality elements to be further developed later on.
Peter Benisch - 1999 Waiting For Snow
Info here.
Btw, his first one seems impossible to find (and to buy...). If anyone has it, please let me know.
Waiting For Snow
The Blunted Boy wanders
I remembered the other day that people had asked for some NYC '90s techno some months ago. I'm still looking for my Synewave compilations, so I'll need some more time. Luckily though I found the following, which I decided to pack together. It's by Steve Stoll, the Blunted Boy himself, the man behind Proper NYC, a legend of NYC beats compared only to Frankie Bones and Mike Dearborn.
So, this guy from Brooklyn plays techno. Tough, muscular, hard and funky techno. He's giving us the occasional acid treatment or a housey vibe here and there; but a hip hop interlude or a jazzy pad cannot change the fact that this guy plays techno. I don't know what to say more to emphasize that these are techno records. Minimal techno records, actually- some drum loops with an edge, some dopey effects and analog synth lines held together by the sheer power of character and/or a druggy flirt with the other side of techno beat. It's not the hardest thing you've ever heard; no Panacea-like hardcorisms or DHR noise bangers, no. Just non-stop Detroit infected, adrenaline heavy hardfunk of the purest tradition.
The 'Model T' EP includes remixes by Aux 88 and Cari Lekebush.
I have some more Stoll stuff on vinyl, but ripping them is not an option yet. Still, I have my hopes for a second pack later on. Enjoy.
Steve Stoll - 1997 Damn Analog Technology
Info here.
Steve Stoll - 1998 The Blunted Boy Wonder
Info here.
Steve Stoll - 1998 Model T EP
Info here.
Steve Stoll presents The Blunted Boy Wonder - 2000 Innuendo
Info here.
P.S. Check the comments for more.
The Sound Of Music
Six Nine is Carl Craig.
A couple of early '90s 12"s went out first through Planet E, then through R & S. Then they were compiled in this CD; recently they were reprinted.
An indescribable fusion of techno, house, jazz and hardcore that gave CC some hits. You'll understand why.
69 - 1995 The Sound Of Music
Info here.
Squaredancing In A Roundhouse
Boompty Boomp. Where U At?
A Classic.
Derrick L. Carter - 2002
Squaredancing In A Roundhouse
Info here.
Highrise + Select
A double post of Savvas Ysatis' albums on Tresor, representing the not-local greek not-really-a-scene.
I knew him as a New York City sound artist, relatively famous for his abstract sound constructions released through imprints like Instinct (*,*) and 12k as Omicron, as well as for his collaborations with Taylor Dupree as Futique and Seti. So, I was rather surprised (as well as a lot of people were I guess) when he released 'Highrise', a late '90s tech house album based on deep stabs, subtly filtered Chicago-inspiration and driving minimalistic beats, full of groove and sentiment. Detroit- inspired tech house from a greek guy in NYC releasing through Berlin; I liked the sound of it. Most importantly though, the album was good, especially for home listening.
I don't know if it was really well received; two years later though a second album appeared, made on the same blueprint. Although he also released his more abstract stuff, he carried on with the idea in Greece, forming a duo with a indie-gone-commercial 'vocalist'; the project was named 'Allou', meaning 'elsewhere'. They had a release where he keeped on doing more or less the same things, the voice ruins everything though (my personal opinion, as always). After that he released a 12'' in Klik's sub Nuevo. He's still in Greece, I think.
Savvas Ysatis - 1999 Highrise
Info here.
Savvas Ysatis - 2001 Select
Info here.
So, what's up with the (not really common) name Savvas? I'll remind you of Savas Pascalidis of Kurbel, Lasergun and Gigolo; or Savvas Georgiadis aka Novatek, DJ Savage or Neuro D (*).
Who, along with Fluxion (*), might be all that you'll remember of the Greek scene in a couple of years, if we don't get our act together.
Metaphor
An album not so famous as 'Azimuth' (at least in Europe..), out in R & S. Timeless Detroit electronics by Kenny Larkin (*). No need to say much more, I guess.
Kenny Larkin - 1995 Metaphor
Info here.
