Wonderfully titled, this is the only album by Crane A.K., a project known for its releases in ForceTracks (*) and a couple more 12''s in Poker Flat and Audiomatique. Teutonic techhouse that still sounds fresh, fat and groovy.
Crane A.K. - 2001 Pink Eyed Pony
Info here.
Showing posts with label Berlin. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berlin. Show all posts
Pink Eyed Pony
Morgernstern
I had promised a Christian Morgenstern post ages ago. You've waited for long, so it's gonna be a big one. A large bio can be found in his discogs page, so check there first.
I first encountered him in Kanzleramt (*) compilations and for years mistook him for a typical techno artist; then it came that I listened to Forte and realized there was more, so much more to like. I won't try to describe his style, as it shifts from record to record. The only thing certain is that as time passed, as he gathered experience through his (numerous) releases, his music became more and more personal, more than an amalgam of his various influences - attempting a crossover sound with electro and techno elements and pop sense, keeping his attitude and aesthetics underground and uncompromising.
All albums posted here were found through the net at some time or another. They're generally low bitrate, yet who cares... I consider 'Hawaii Blue' to be his masterpiece, but you knew anyway I'm a sucker for retro electro. Although the tracks I have (and have posted here) sound weirdly like a bad cut-up; don't know if it's bad ripping or the CD is like put together that. His last one 'Carolea' was left unfinished and released post mortem. He had also compiled his Kanzleramt records in two CDs. The only album missing here is 'Re:Death Before Disco' of which I have only half of it, I hope I'll up it at some time later on.
Rest in peace, man. You did more than well.
P.S. Mario was kind enough to send us a link for missing CD 'Re:Death Before Disco'. I added it below. Thanx, man.
Original post 2010-11-15
Christian Morgenstern - 2000
The Future Is On Fire. The Kanzleramt Years
Info here.
Christian Morgenstern - 2001
The Future Is On Fire Pt.2 More Kanzleramt Years
Info here.
Christian Morgenstern - 1999 Death Before Disko
Info here.
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Christian Morgenstern - 2000 Re.Death Before Disko
Info here.
Christian Morgenstern - 2000 The Lydia EP
Info here.
Christian Morgenstern - 2001 Hawaii Blue
Info here.
Christian Morgenstern - 2003 Carolea
Info here.
Ocean Club
I've mentioned Gudrun Gut and the Ocean Club before here and here, so I won't go into all that again. Just remember: Malaria! and Monika Enterprise. Anyway, this is the 2CD version of the Ocean Club album I was looking for back then (took me a year and a half... nice...).
The first CD is a reprint of the original 1996 album, with some video clips added (posted separately). Honestly, sometimes it sounds like trance made by non-dancers and it did so back when it was first released; but a couple of tracks are good and guests include Blixa, Anita Lane, etc (see pic above).
The second CD is a compilation of remixes from the several 12"s they released, by artists like (...deep breath...) Klaus Schulze, The Orb, Thomas Fehlmann, Ian Pooley, Paul Van Dyk, Ellen Allien, Effective Force and more; definitely the one to check first, some dreamy moments inside here, plus a lot of trancey tracks for those who can take it.
Gudrun Gut - 1996 Members Of The Ocean Club
Gudrun Gut - 1996 the Ocean Club videos
Gudrun Gut - 2004 Mixes For The Ocean Club
Info here and here.
Staedtizism
Everdom
Anders Ilar's debut on Shitkatapult, a deep masterpiece blending ethereal ambient atmos with contemporary electronics, rumbling bass and tons of effects.
Occasionally dark and introvert, this one is more appropriate for relaxing, thinking, mind traveling in general, than for dancing or coming down. And rather unlike his 12"s of the time (see that great Hydro EP); only 'Make Believe' follows the mini dub techno norm. It's a low profile work, but it grows on you; I liked the stylistic switch, gave it some extra attention and was rewarded accordingly. I'd say that in here are the roots of his later tech-IDM-ish excursions through Merck/Narita, Level, etc.
A free album and some mixes/podcasts here.
Anders Ilar - 2003 Everdom
Info here.
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.
Select Cuts
The first Meteosound compilation, more or less with the same people as in that Submission post; here are also made apparent the connections with the Ocean Club (*). Expect dubby and spacey electronics Berlin-style, plus some roots excursions.
VA - 2002 Meteosound. Select Cuts
Info here.
I haven't been posting much due to really little free time. Hope to manage to post some more soon.
Atari Teenage Riot
I had the honor (not exactly pleasure...) of witnessing Atari Teenage Riot live back in 1998. Yet this video shows more accurately their true colors. Respect.
And pigs will always be pigs.
Submission Replay
A compilation of remixes for Submission, an alias of Klaus Barm (unknown to me), through Shitkatapult's sub-label Meteosound.
With the originals boasting contributions by Tikiman and Paul PM in vocal duties, these versions are Berlin-heavy dub reworks by some the city's top, like Thomas Fehlmann, Sun Electric, Rechenzentrum, etc.; also from a bunch of otherwise unknown names (that could well be cameos of gods-know-who), plus a dub from The Rootsman. Ranging from down-to-earth roots dub to deep techno, covering many of the in-between crossovers, and with a few extra d'n'b touches, the outcome varies from uptempo lyric attacks to dreamy electronic drifts.
An interesting, multi-layered record, that might demand more than a couple of runs to be fully absorbed. Brings in mind the album from related austrian artist Sugar B posted here, as well as the Incoming! releases (*). It's mastered by Robert Henke, if that helps.
Submission - 2000 Replay. The Dub Remixes
Info here and (in german) here
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
Blue - Red - Yellow
This is the famous trilogy that made Stefan Betke aka Pole known to music fans everywhere, released on Kiff SM label (a '90s sub of PIAS Germany that mostly published Kreidler, B.Friedmann and of course Pole).
Back then, Betke had a good name as a mastering engineer (and I can assure you, he cares a lot for his sound as I found out later in a concert) and a malfunctioning filter, a combination which gave him a distinctive sound, perfectly in the middle between the then rising clicks 'n' cuts movement and the Basic Channel/Chain Reaction type dub. I remember that comparisons with Maurizio made him nervous and he tried to distinguish himself from that posse from early on. The truth is that back then there just weren't many others playing some combination of dub and electronics or techno. Anyway, I believe his work lies closer to Jan Jelinek or Friedmann (whose works he released in ~scape a lot) or Vladislav Delay (who also built his sound on a cracked echo or something).
The Blue one came as a shock to the world with his new bold cracking and hissing proposal, covering a wide spectrum of tastes, satisfying critics, academics and dope-heads alike. Either seen as an experiment or as an urban chillout album, it still sounds really well and should be considered as a milestone in experimental minimal techno and dub music. The Red one, the shorter in duration, kept in the same track, although the previously understated melodies became (occasionally) more obvious and spiced his sound up; yet the minimalist vein was still running strong. The Yellow one might as well be considered his 'pop album' of the three, in the sense that the intricate bass lines form complex and groovy rhythms while sweet melodies jump out of the cracking sounds in a practically accessible way. Almost a 'song' album, it emphasizes the dubby elements and is danceable at parts. A great record to listen when walking or in a train through the city. Overall, if you haven't heard anything of Pole, start at the Yellow one but don't miss the other two.
After these and few 12''s, Betke started his own very well known ~scape imprint, and the rest is history as they say. His sound changed a little bit, but still he sounds great and he's been supportive for a lot of old friends and new talents alike through ~scape. Respect.
Pole - 1998 CD1
info.
Pole - 1999 CD2
info.
Pole - 2000 CD3
Part 1 - Part 2
info.
Some more info here.
If you can find the vinyls of these three (or his early ~scape releases), try switching rotation speeds at the turntable. They still sound good!
P.S. Original post 2007-11-15. Added new link for CD1.
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.
Interference. Live at Love Parade '94
Compiled by Dr.Motte and with an impressive tracklist, this compilation of live recorded tracks contains mostly experimental ambient excursions with the compulsory acid twists of the time.
I realize now I might had a rather skewed image on what the infamous Love Parade meant in the past. I've mostly considered it to be all about dreadful euro-trance and commercial hyped stuff. The depiction of the small freaked bunch of early '90s ravers in 'We Call It Techno' didn't changed much my opinion - I bet it wasn't like that later on. But this one always troubled me; if it really mirrors the old Love Parades' spirit, then all Berliners were lucky and I'm really sorry I missed those days.
VA - 1995 Interference. Live at Love Parade '94
CD1 - CD2
Info here.
Cashier Escape Route
The compilation that got me into Berlin's labels like Morr Music, Lux Nigra (and of course CCO), specializing in early-Autechre-like and post-pop electronics.
Just check the discogs' tracklist. Irresistible artists, classic tracks, excellent artwork... what more can one ask? Totally recommended.
VA - 2000 Cashier Escape Route
A City Centre Offices compilation
of supermarket music
Info here.
Related stuff already posted here: *,*,*,*,*,*
Club Blaou. Die Hits Der Clubs
A Blaou (*) compilation, showcasing their early music tastes and revealing much about the label's later profile and the styles it moved around: pure house anthems, weird post-pop hybrids and acid. Some must tracks in here, the weirdest being Jimi Tenor's 'Take Me Baby' remix and Grungerman's take on Andreas Dorau's 'Girls In Love', plus a Whirlpool vs. Mel Torme track. As for the housey tracks, they're all stars.
Each 'hit' is correlated with a specific club, one for each city. In track order:
1) Sweet Sundays, Hamburg
2) Dockland, Muenster
3) Millenium/Partysanen, Muenchen
4) Red Dog, Stuttgart
5) Rote Liebe, Essen
6) The Box, Frankfurt A.M.
7) Distillery, Leipzig
8) Aufswhung Ost, Kassel
9) WMF, Berlin
VA - 1997 Club Blaou. Die Hits Der Clubs
Info here.
Business & Technologies
A Müller Records compilation (first check here and here), showcasing the label's style and artists like Beroshima, the Globus crew (Jonzon, Rok, DJ Disko) and Dave DK, plus a very early Paul Davies (*).
Repetitive techno and fast-paced dirty filter house tools, acid rave echoes, electro basslines and disco samples, even deep and fast dubby stuff; this one shows its true colors from the beginning and bangs its way through the history of Berlin's underground music, making me wonder once more why Frank Müller is not as known as, say, any of the above mentioned...
If it helps, this material is weirder than Tresor and sometimes harder than early Gigolo stuff, yet fully compatible with both.
VA - 1999 Business & Technologies
Info here.
Volksworld
Second Steve Bug album, the last one in his own Raw Elements label. Techhouse with a lot of oldschool elements and spartan track structures; it's still house music though, deep, smooth and at times funky as hell. I really posted this one for the 'Big Cheese From Wisconsin' and the 'Rhodes Flash' tracks.
He's a good DJ for sure; not exactly my favorite producer, yet much respected and effective in club terms - I really liked some of his releases up to the 'Loverboy' era. Since then, he turned too much towards this (post-cocaine) variation of techhouse that was named 'minimal' (and really gets on my nerves, as you have established by now). The last 'Collaborative' concept sounds a bit better, still I'm not 100% convinced...
The thing I find more interesting, now that I listen to this one again after all these years, is how little his sound has changed through time. He's still playing the same stuff over and over again. He could have disguised this one as a new release, a 'going back to the roots' project, and very few people would have known. I consider it more a sign of creative stagnation, rather than a 'sticking to his sound' mentality. Still, many others of the deep house scene have followed his example and made careers out of it... Draw your own conclusions.
More Bug tracks here.
Steve Bug - 1997 Volksworld
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.
The Oldschoolstreet
On the same wave with the previous post:
One of Germany's prodigies, largely ignored these days, Heiko Laux has the respect of the global techno scene for his own Kanzleramt and his funky, tough and mature productions. This is an i220 release with participations by some of his old buddies, like old warrior Johannes Heil and Anthony Rother.
Heiko Laux - 1998 The Oldschoolstreet
Info here.
Also check here and here.
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