k2O, Musica Obscura

So, evidently, this one isn't listed in Discogs...

It's a compilation of tracks released on k2O Records, Kanzleramt's experimental electronics sub-label, specially compiled as a label showcase for Freeze magazine, the longest standing (though more or less sad) greek mag on electronic music. Possibly around 2003.

If you're familiar with the sound of k2O Records you should definitely get this; know that many tracks appeared on CD first time here (and possibly never again).
For those who don't know k2O, it was an output for Kanzleramt's artists and guests for stuff that didn't fit into the original concept. From the more abstract electronics a la Lux Nigra or DIN to glitchy deep tech or monotone breaks, for me it has always been a welcome deep dive into Berlin's dark heart. Interesting and daring, k2O acted as a much needed counterpoint to mother label's melodic yet aggressive techno (a mentality to be envied, especially today). Appearing here are the usual Kanzleramt boys plus famous (yet even unexpected) guests in disguise, check the links thoroughly.
Though Kanzleramt still releases some 12"s once in a while, k2O is defunct for some years.
I'd also recommend the already posted 'Art Is A Division Of Pain' trilogy. (P.S. For more check here).

VA - 2003 Musica Obscura, a k2O showcase
Info here.

Due to the lack of a scanner I wasn't able to provide a cover. Maybe in the future...

P.S. I did the Discogs post, soon to be full with covers and all. I'll repost this one then.

Clock Wise

Another sadly overlooked k2O album (*,*).

The debut of Dennis DeSantis (also a percussionist, now working for Ableton) at first sounds more influenced by UK techfunk than Detroit techno, despite him living in NYC at the time and releasing in one of Berlin's phattest and toughest labels (see Kanzleramt). Then the loopy progression of the tracks and the clear, software based production shifts the attention towards Berlin; specifically towards this (almost typical now) loopy, minimal, bright techhouse/ techno style eventually adopted by most americans and canadians living and working there.
DeSantis' approach is a bit different, in the sense that he's more synth-based than the average 'minimal' producer; lots of rich pads and sweet strings and melodies over steady beats, his music brings in mind early '90s ambient techno loops mixed through Live, raised on a higher energy level. Neither sleepy electronics nor techno for pills; he manages to balance the elements enough to provoke interest without wrecking our ears.

Seeing how well artists of M_nus and similar labels are doing with their recent releases, this should be a world-wide hit...

Dennis DeSantis - 2002 Clock Wise
Info here.

Monophace + Clubsessel

Mainly known as Misc. and Niedeflur (for their M_nus releases), they come from Cologne but worked mostly with iconic Berlin label Sender, spreading their rumbling mini-techno to the world. Although a bit repetitive ('minimal') during the last years, they maintained some side-projects from time to time; two of them are presented here. More info in their Hybrid Music Club site.

Clubsessel is a clicks'n'cuts one-off affair, cold and chilling drones mix with scarce beats. Monophase is their drum'n'bass project, although in this album they sound more than a cross-breed between click techno and two-step. (Did somebody said 'dubstep'? You shouldn't, it's only 2002 yet...) They released their debut in Kabuki's label; so there are similarities to his later sound as well as to other projects of the Combination Traffic compilations posted here. Contains spine-chilling 'The Need', which proved to be the project's swan song.

Both albums out through k2O Records (*).


Clubsessel - 2002 Clubsessel
Info here.


Monophace - 2002 Random Factor
Info here.

Lazyfish & Mewark

Another one from k2O Records (*). A deep record, at times cosmic, glitchy, abstract and/or cosy, balancing through ambient atmos and weird beats. It sounds a bit similar to some Merck stuff.

Alexander Potekhin aka Lazyfish and Alexander Petrunin aka Mewark are Russians; so very few things I could tell about them I won't even try. I just knew Lazyfish from the early Trapez and Salo days. Nowdays they seem connected with the Lagunamuch Community, where Selffish and Alexandroid also release.

About 8 years ago I also knew SCSI-9 and Nooncat. And Nikakoi. And I can remember no other artists from the ex-USSR, in any kind of music outside psy-trance. I can't figure out the exact conditions that held them back that much. I blame the long distance from the rest of Europe and the difficulties of the post-communism era most; possibly some russian friends might enlighten us more on that. Yet apparently at that time some few managed to break out of their (vast) borders and the first target was Germany. The music I got to know, through a series of moody deep and trancey techno 12"s, was mostly directed to the dancefloor (call it tech-house, if you like).
Later, with the boom of the net-based labels and free downloads (and the share-net and piracy) millions of bedroom musicians flooded the world with their fresh stuff, listening electronics, hard techno, 8-bit electro, post-rock amalgams, modern classic stuff, neo-goth and electro-house. Everything, actually. Still, I believe their strong spot is their idiomatic electronica, abstract enough to be cerebral but also dipped in melancholy and sentiment, something rare in these days of fast produced club hits. It's no wonder that some of the best artists on the best of the netlabels' circuit (check the end of this post) are from the ex-soviets.
I also think that there should be a medal or something for labels like this one that discovered and promoted certain artists like these here.

Lazyfish & Mewark - 2002 selftitled
Info here.

Art Is A Division Of Pain

Psi Performer is an ambient project of Anthony Rother. The original work out on Kanzleramt (all track titles are years) was quickly followed by two more compilations of remixes by more or less everyone, both out in k2O sublabel. Check the info links for artists listings.
My favor goes to 'Remixed 1' CD, still it's interesting to listen to these three as a trilogy of sorts. I wanted to post these for a long time but I didn't have and couldn't find 'Remixed 2', until some weeks ago thanks to the Magesy guys.

Incredible cover art, by the way.


Psi Performer - 2001 Art Is A Division Of Pain
Part 1 - Part 2
Info here.


Psi Performer - 2001 Art Is A Division Of Pain - Remixed 1
Part 1 - Part 2
Info here.


Psi Performer - 2001 Art Is A Division Of Pain - Remixed 2
Part 1 - Part 2
Info here.

Further Obliq Perspectives

A compilation of tracks by Multicast and of some solo members' efforts. Summarizes the sound of Obliq (you'll find all the info you need in their site).

American darkish electronics with electroid edges, once more a k2O Records release (*).

VA - 2002 Multicast presents
Further Obliq Perspectives
Info here.