The Future Sound Of London - Accelerator

Label: Hypnotic
Released: 1996
Style: Techno, Ambient

"It's easy to forget just how influential FSOL were way back in the early 90's, and while much of their classic material from the 'Lifeforms' era has aquired a slightly dubious reputation given the plethora of New-Age visuals and sound-textures employed at the time, 1991's unmatched 'Accelerator' still stands as testament to their pioneering participation in the evolution of electronic music. You'll all know the played-to-death Papua New Guinea, but amongst the obscure Prince samples and "ambient" production you'll also find some mind-boggling House/Techno variants - most notably the killer Chicago House anthem "While Others Cry", the proto-bleepage of the excellent "Pulse State" and the quasi-hardcore loveliness of 'Expander'. This new edition also comes with a bonus disc lumped into the package featuring 10 (Count 'em!) remixes of Papua New Guniea - making this a bit of a bargain as well as a classic slice of early British electronic music." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Expander (5:38)
2 Stolen Documents (5:10)
3 While Others Cry (4:14)
4 Calcium (6:47)
5 It's Not My Problem (3:45)
6 Papua New Guinea (6:46)
7 Moscow (3:34)
8 1 In 8 (4:36)
9 Pulse State (7:18)
10 Central Industrial (4:19)
11 Expander (Remix) (4:49)
12 Moscow (Remix) (4:52)
13 Papua New Guinea (Graham Massey Mix)(Bonus Track) (3:45)

Link

DMX Krew - Nu Romantix

Label: Rephlex
Released: 1998
Style: Electro, Synth-Pop

"Careful listeners might be able to hear a bit of progression on DMX Krew's third album, though Upton's never far from his vocoder on "Can U Feel the Power?," "End of the Night" and "Mouse" (the latter reminiscent of Newcleus). His disembodied vocals on "You're Not There" are also typically '80s, while a Cylob remix of "I'm All Alone" provides the only link to the last decade of the century." - All Music Guide

Tracklisting:

1 Come To Me (5:40)
2 Can U Feel The Power? (4:06)
3 Mouse (2:41)
4 You're Not There (3:21)
5 End Of The Night (6:08)
6 You Can Do It! (2:59)
7 Place Called Love (4:00)
8 I'm All Alone (Cylob's Mix) (2:56)

Link

Dopplereffekt - Gesamtkunstwerk

Label: International Deejay Gigolo Records
Released: 1999
Style: Electro

"Another album from the amazing mind of Heinrich Mueller aka Gerald Donald of Drexciya / Der Zyklus / Arpanet / Japanese Telecom fame. Originally released on DJ Hell's Gigolo label and apparently only licensed after Gerald crashed Hell's BMW and had to come up with a means of paying him back. All tracks first appeared on the very obscure Dataphysix imprint from Detroit, with some releases only reaching the 500 copy mark. Now brought back to life for 2007, this could be one of the best Electro albums ever made. Yes that's right I said it... THE BEST EVER. This is almost as important for a complete techno generation as Kraftwerk’s Computerworld and Autobahn was for many in the 80's. The tracks are all pretty simple, made up of only two or three analogue instruments each, but they seem to hold these timeless melodies that you can never tire of. Other moments are eerie, menacing and downright strange, but still pure genius. You know how a lot of the time when you buy a new record it becomes your favourite for a while, and then it starts to lose a little life… (Of course it's still good, but just not as fresh as the first couple of weeks when you listened to it on repeat). Well guess what? That doesn't happen with this record. I must have listened to some of the tracks on here over 1000 times and they still send shivers up my spine. One of those special albums that just doesn't seem to age (think Black Dog - Bytes, or The Other People Place - Lifestyles Of The Laptop Cafe). It simply doesn't get better than this...."- Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Cellular Phone (4:37)
2 Technic 1200 (4:31)
3 Scientist (4:13)
4 Rocket Scientist (3:21)
5 Master Organism (3:06)
6 Satellites (2:49)
7 Plastiphilia (1:02)
8 Plastiphilia 2 (2:14)
9 Voice Activated (4:07)
10 Speak & Spell (4:27)
11 Denki No Zuno (2:51)
12 Radiometer (4:20)
13 Pornoactress (2:24)
14 Infophysix (3:52)
15 Pornoviewer (2:30)
16 Sterilization (2:30)
17 Gesamtkunstwerk (6:07)

Link

Bochum Welt - R.O.B. (Robotic Operating Buddy)

Label: Rephlex
Released: 2008
Style: Breakbeat, Electro, IDM

"Long-standing Braindance aficionado Gianluigi Di Costanza finds himself at something of a crossroads on this release. On one disc he looks back to his Rephlex past, compiling all the rare, hotly sought after material you'd otherwise have to turn towards eBay for, while on the other he offers a glimpse of the direction in which his music's headed, with a selection of new tracks and mixes. Turns out these forking paths pretty much wind up at the same destination: exactly the kind of futuristic electro/techno/whatever amalgam of electronic disciplines you've come to love and trust the Rephlex stable for. There's something timeless about the Rephlex sound (and Bochum Welt is one of the label's key ambassadorial figures): not necessarily because it never gets old, but rather because these guys just don't feel the need for arbitrary change. There's certainly an argument to be made in favour of that mindset, after all, who really wants to hear electronic artists whose musical direction is dictated by the latest software updates they've installed? No such problems here. Both discs present a sci-fi tinged vision of a future that never quite happened, but electronica devotees will doubtless find themselves right at home in this synth squelching nonplace, comprehensively running through dystopian soundscapes, hotwired circuitry and the kind of beats that'll have you pining simultaneously for the mid-nineties and the year 2537 AD." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

Disc 1:

1 Flag (3:00)
2 Robotic Operating Buddy (3:36)
3 Saint (Dmix) (5:05)
4 8221SB (3:23)
5 Interlude (Extended) (3:37)
6 DR2D (5:16)
7 Gyromite (4:28)
8 Test Mode (2:49)
9 HC-012 (4:45)
10 Family Computer Robot (4:11)
11 Fcs (6:17)

Disc 2:

1 Extra Life (3:40)
2 Avtomaticesk (Edit) (2:23)
3 Mechanique (Version) (3:11)
4 Paph (2:43)
5 Asteroids Over Berlin (3:19)
6 Puck (2:50)
7 Lunakhod (2:57)
8 B2 (2:59)
9 Desktop Robotics (4:31)
10 Leafs Brought By The Wind (3:19)
11 Asteroids Over Berlin (Live) (2:19)
12 Board 2 (3:30)
13 Hug Me Tight (2:56)
14 Greenwich (3:54)
15 Fortune Green (3:20)
16 Radiopropulsive (3:46)
17 That's Mutuality (2:39)
18 Feelings On A Screen (3:01)
19 Arnos Park (3:16)
20 La Nuit (Slumber Mix) (3:08)

Link (Disc 1)
Link (Disc 2)

Gas - Pop

Label: Mille Plateaux
Released: 2000
Style: Modern Classical, Techno, Ambient

"Köln kingpin Wolfgang Voigt often waxes tyrannical about the sanctity of techno's four-on-the-floor heartbeat. In his Gas guise, though, Voigt is gradually coming to value beatless bliss. His atmospheric Gas-werks are as in thrall to the almighty kick drum as all productions bearing the redoubtable Voigt's nom de jour. But over four albums (and a vinyl-only mini-LP), Voigt has been refining the Gas concept to the point of perfection. Practice indeed has its virtues. Voigt craftily weaves string and woodwind samples that he has skimmed from obscure classical recordings into bolts of melodic mesh. Where these folds once fell freely over beds of uncompromised beats, Pop hangs them as from a lofty bough to billow in the breeze. As this shimmering material twists and tangles, shadows collect among the creases. Voigt introduces the knotlike texture of the familiar 4/4, and the intrusion of rhythm is for once absolutely justified. While uplifting and ravishingly melodic, Pop is certainly not pop. Nor is it ambient music in the strictest, Brian Eno-sired sense of the word--Voigt's still reluctant to give up those ghost drums. For now, Gas is like no other music on Earth or off it." - Amazon

Tracklisting:

1 Untitled (5:13)
2 Untitled (8:38)
3 Untitled (7:27)
4 Untitled (9:31)
5 Untitled (10:52)
6 Untitled (9:24)
7 Untitled (14:37)

Link

Nautilis - Are You An Axolotl

Label: Planet Mu
Released: 2002
Style: Glitch, Abstract, IDM, Downtempo, Hip Hop

"In which Texan electronicist Skyler McGlothlin wisely looks beyond standardized clicks and glitches. Fusing late 80's hip hop, gnarly rapping and 70's soul soundtracks amongst the glassy electronic scenery, he's come up with a scintilating set that leaves most contemporary electronica contenders for dead. Even without such lateral thinking, Nautilis' twinkling piano sweeps, evocatively weary atmosphere and pin-sharp rhythmical cascades collude to remind us why electronica was so exciting four years ago. "It's Lonely In The Streets" is even a classy song. Planet Mu's finest since Capitol K's debut." - Jockey Slut

Tracklisting:

1 Nautilis - Mofpex (4:32)
2 Nautilis - Oh How Schmee Loves DSP (2:46)
3 Nautilis - Mend (2:18)
4 Nautilis - Polyphonix Tronix Scapegoat (2:47)
5 Nautilis - Ruffion (3:37)
6 Nautilis - Blix2 (2:24)
7 Nautilis - 081301 (3:51)
8 Nautilis - It's Lonely In The Streets (2:39)
9 Nautilis - Wednesday Afternoon (6:01)
10 Nautilis - Professor Glick (4:07)
11 Nautilis - J222 (2:55)
12 Nautilis - Hoax (3:52)
13 ML - Drumpedal Remix (4:08)
14 Nautilis - All I Have (4:52)
15 Nautilis - Why It Got To Be So Damn Tough (2:04)

Link

Wagon Christ - Tally Ho!

Label: Astralwerks
Released: 1998
Style: Downtempo, Instrumental Hip Hop

"Which leads nicely to Wagon Christ's latest album, "Tally-Ho" - so called as Vibert says, "to deliberately conjure up images of a colonial UK. There's a lot to be said about the naffness of our heritage and I thought that the title said it all." Like previous Wagon Christ material, "Tally Ho" rarely takes itself too literally. Unlike the studied seriousness of his solo shot, the album celebrates the side of dance most pretentious listeners would rather forget. But then, everyone has a skeleton in his or her closet." - Label

Tracklisting:

1 Fly Swat (5:12)
2 Crazy Disco Party (5:07)
3 Tally Ho! (4:33)
4 Memory Towel (5:37)
5 Shimmering Haze (6:18)
6 Juicy Luke Vibert (2:18)
7 Piano Playa Hata (4:57)
8 Workout (4:54)
9 Rendleshack (5:19)
10 Lovely (4:08)
11 My Organ In Your Face (5:12)
12 Musical Box (4:30)
13 The End (2:05)

Link

Joseph Nothing - Dreamland Idle Orchestra

Label: Planet Mu
Released: 2002
Style: Leftfield, IDM, Experimental

"Second album for Planet Mu from Yokohama City's Joseph Nothing (aka Tatsuya Yoshida). The Follow up to "Dummy Variations", this is a concept album about Yokohama's "Dreamland" themepark... a joyful unsettling album full of strange arrangements and melodic diversions that flow with a classic IDM vibe, albeit with signature Japanese branding. Ace." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Dreamland Geist Orchestra (4:16)
2 Icon (1:03)
3 Wind May Blows Nobody (1:57)
4 Still (4:37)
5 Spiral Cloud (1:48)
6 Skinny Land (1:28)
7 March Of The D.I.O. (2:28)
8 Exhausted Machine Island (4:44)
9 Fat Baby (2:32)
10 The Incredible Journey In My Flying Saucer (0:27)
11 Secret Calm Life (2:40)
12 Its Next Step Toward Nothing (3:39)
13 Brown Sky Walker (3:11)
14 Yesterday Evening (4:41)
15 Or (1:05)
16 Underground Cafe (3:17)
17 Blind Theme For All (3:00)

Link

The Gasman - The Grand Electric Palace Of Variety

Label: Planet Mu
Released: 2005
Style: Modern Classical, IDM, Ambient

"Massive double-cd set from Portsmouth’s Chris Reeves for Planet Mu, once again pairing his love of Aphex-style playful intricacies with a harrowing line in abandoned dancehall instrumentals. The opening of this album defies expectations with its dense splice-up of choral phrases and ghostly ice-rink vibes, seemingly influenced by VVM’s Caretaker and Akira Rabelais’ haunting choir re-arrangements. ‘Imodium’ does this particularly well, you don’t quite now what you’re listening to as the dis-assembled choir start to sound like they’re building themselves up for an Amen tumble that never arrives – brilliant stuff. Elsewhere the beautiful piano cascades and breaks of “Fridge” illustrate Gasman’s lilting hardcore sensibilities at their best – some choice cuts across this album’s mammoth 34 tracks. Recommended." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

Disc 1:

1 Hump (3:11)
2 Imodium (5:40)
3 Twit (3:29)
4 Trampoline (3:31)
5 Ice Dance (3:48)
6 Bifidus (5:20)
7 Fingis (1:52)
8 Fridge (5:01)
9 Flash (3:32)
10 Zarin (2:45)
11 Chuff (6:25)
12 Citrimax (4:22)
13 Gash (3:37)
14 Ark (3:25)
15 Muzzle (3:22)
16 Radion (4:51)
17 Pirate Reeves (2:52)

Disc 2:

1 Blister (6:14)
2 Broken CD Player (3:41)
3 Flume (5:04)
4 Tractor (5:02)
5 Bontempi Lutein (5:09)
6 Turbine (4:18)
7 R-Lipoic Acid (2:47)
8 Blurb (3:14)
9 odgem (3:28)
10 icnic (5:59)
11 Rotor 2:34)
12 Electric Coconut (2:58)
13 Waltzer (1:32)
14 Flounce (5:34)
15 Green Hen (6:30)
16 Gastric (4:19)
17 Chip Pan (6:16)

Link
Link

Keith Fullerton Whitman - Multiples

Label: Kranky
Released: 2005
Style: Ambient, Minimal, Experimental

"Multiples was recorded at the Harvard University studios, where a stash of vintage synthesizers and electronics was made available to Keith Fullerton Whitman during his time as a lecturer there. The eight tracks on Multiples flow through hit hat shimmer to skull-scraping electronic tones to interlocking clusters of repetition. This is Whitman's most inclusive and developed album yet. The limited edition Antithesis and Schöner LPs released in 2004 showed the range of Whitman's interests, Multiples integrates them into a complete work." - Label

Tracklisting:

1 Stereo Music for Hi-Hat (2:49)
2 Stereo Music for Serge Modular Prototype - Part One (3:36)
3 Stereo Music for Serge Modular Prototype - Part Two (5:39)
4 Stereo Music for Serge Modular Prototype - Part Three (1:54)
5 Stereo Music for Yamaha Disklavier Prototype, Electric Guitar and Computer (10:08)
6 Stereo Music for Farfisa Compact Duo Deluxe, Drum Kit (6:47)
7 Stereo Music for Acoustic Guitar, Buchla Music Box 100, Hewlett Packard Model 236 Oscillator, Electric Guitar and Computer - Part One (5:29)
8 Stereo Music for Acoustic Guitar, Buchla Music Box 100, Hewlett Packard Model 236 Oscillator, Electric Guitar and Computer - Part Two (10:32)

Link

Manual - Lost Days, Open Skies And Streaming Tides

Label: Darla Records
Released: 2007
Style: Shoegaze, Dream Pop, Ambient

"The long awaited Manual double cd Lost Days, Open Skies and Streaming Tides – a collection of rarities, remixes, covers, unreleased pieces and brand new tracks – including a new collaboration with Cocteau Twins mainman Robin Guthrie. Spanning the period from 2002, around Ascend, up to now, this is a collection that covers the entire spectrum of Jonas Munks stylings; from the minimalist drone soundscapes, to the over-the-top 1980s influenced shoegazing electronica à la his masterpiece Azure Vista, from the sweet pop-influenced gems to abstract blissed-out timeless ambient. Munk’s trademarks are all over the 19 pieces on this double disc set: the highly adventurous sense of composition that is still so unheard of in electronic music – always taking the listener on a colourful journey instead of relying on repetitions like pretty much every other electronic artist -, the mix of well-programmed beats and electronics against surreal, shimmering, heavily treated guitars, and the sunbathed 1980s romantic melancholia that has become Jonas Munk’s signature sound. It is hard to think of a more perfect introduction to Munk’s music, and for fans of his work this is simply a must! All in all, Lost Days, Open Skies and Streaming Tides includes almost an hour worth of previously unreleased music. In Jonas’ own words: “Instead of compiling every single rarity out there or every unreleased piece in the drawer, I only wanted to include the stuff that I feel is absolutely up to standard with my best work, and I feel this collection is just as important and representative of what I want to do as my most celebrated works such as Azure Vista or Ascend." - Label

Tracklisting:

Disc 1:

1 Manual - The Wind-Up Bird (2:15)
2 Manual - Summer Haze (5:05)
3 Manual - A Real America (5:53)
4 Manual - Blue Shibuya Dream (5:17)
5 Manual - October Sky (1:17)
6 Manual - Into The Blue (3:29)
7 Antenne - Black Eyed Dog (Manual Remix) (5:02)
8 Manual - Crossing Signals (2:04)
9 Manual - Marbella (5:01)
10 Manual - Blue Skied an' Clear (5:29)
11 Manual - Crystal Pier (5:10)
12 Port-Royal - Karola Bloch (Manual Remix) (8:26)
13 Manual - Crockett's Theme (5:38)

Disc 2:

1 Manual - The River (23:20)
2 Manual - Open Skies (4:12)
3 Manual - Andaman (5:34)
4 Manual - April Trees Daydream (2:44)
5 Manual - Junitaki (2:22)
6 Manual - Dizzy Sun (9:12)
7 Manual - Seleva (5:58)

Link (Disc 1)
Link (Disc 2)

Have A Nice Life - Deathconsciousness

Label: EnemiesList
Released: 2008
Style: Post-Punk, Experimental, Shoegaze, Industrial

"So, what does or did "Deathconsciousness" teach me? Is it that records simply can surprise me or that when critical acclaim isn't applied that I have to clearly generate some to overstuff an average album? Is it that Have a Nice Life is a complete emotional replica of my current situation and that the overwhelming melancholy and despair of the album is part of my inner being? No, I don't really think there is anything that can be said about this record besides the fact that it is stunningly personal. In turn, it made me want to make this review stunningly personal, and that is what "Deathconsciousness" essentially did: inspire me. This record is draining, it is intelligent, it is an amazing composition, but most of all it is an inspiring, subdued lo-fi masterpiece that almost perfects the idea of home recording. The group of people involved with the production and creation of this record have shown through their music that they have no pretensions and are just trying to share what they've done with people that they think will appreciate it. Maybe in a sense, that is what my goal in music criticism is all about: to help similar-minded people find similarly enjoyable things. A simple concept brought to mind by a simple record." - Sputnikmusic

Tracklisting:

Disc 1: The Plow That Broke The Plains

1. A Quick One Before the Eternal Worm Devours Connecticutt
2. Bloodhail
3. The Big Gloom
4. Hunter
5.Telephony
6. Who Would Leave Their Son Out In The Sun
7. There Is No Food

Disc 2: The Future

1. Waiting For Black Metal Records to Come in the Mail
2. Holy Fucking Shit: 40,000
3. Deep, Deep
4. The Future
5. I Don't Love
6. Earthmover

Link (Disc 1)
Link (Disc 2)

Benga - Diary Of An Afro Warrior

Label: Tempa
Released: 2008
Style: Dubstep

"One of the scene's youngest and brightest talents finally drops off his debut album proper for Tempa, and needless to say, it's mucking fassive. Benga has been an integral cog in the dubstep machine since the genres inception, producing his first genre defining e.p at the tender age of 16, with 'Skank/dose' on the original dubstep label, Big Apple, and has since proceeded to rule the scene with a slew of irrefutably influential releases for everyone from Planet Mu to Hot Flush, and his own Benga Beats imprint. Alongside his school pal Ollie Jones, aka Skream, Benga has come to define this particularly virulent and effective strain of the the hardcore continuum known as dubstep, marrying a rudeboy raving attitude with a devastatingly raw production talent and passion for bass to come up with the freshest dancefloor sound currently coming out of the UK right now. Kicking off with the jazzing juxtaposition of 'Zero M2', the CD moves through outright anthem 'Night' onto the massive 'B4 the dual', placing Moondog style big band wind instrumentation over a skipping Benga special, with unreal effects. Why isn't this on the vinyl copy fo f*cks sake?!?! Again, another CD only cut, 'someone 20' shows another previously unheard side to benga, with a slack and moody electro disco cut sounding quite unlike anything we've ever heard from him before. The album moves through more anthems on 'Crunked up' before arriving at electro hardcore beast 'go tell them' sounding like it could have come from Luke Vibert's Spac Hand Luke project. In the albums final 3rd, the lights are dimmed for the awesome run of 'emotions' (the b-side to 'night'), followed by '3 minutes' and the tranced out minimalism of 'pleasure', indicating very exciting new directions for dubstep as it embraces the funky house and techno scenes and moves slightly away from the skunked out rave bliss of yesteryear. The CD copy also includes the alternative ending of 'loose synths' with Benga rolling up for a velvet smooth landing with some darkly opulent synthwork, sharing more in common with Italo or European electro than anything vaguely dubstep. Seriously classy stuff, the cd edition in particular." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Zero M2
2 Night
3 B4 The Dual
4 E Trips
5 Someone 20
6 Light Bulb
7 Crunked Up
8 Go Tell Them
9 The Cut
10 Emotions
11 3 Minutes
12 Pleasure
13 26 Basslines
14 Loose Synths

Link

Daedelus - Denies The Day's Demise

Label: Ninja Tune
Released: 2006
Style: Breakbeat, Experimental

"If 'Exquisite Corpse' firmly asserted itself as the Daedelus hip-hop album, then 'Denies The Days Demise' is some kind of mutant, electro-tropicalia - eschewing the collaboration rich approach of old and proffering a heady stew of all things Southern Hemisphere. The favoured name of LA-based Alfred Weisberg-Roberts, Daedelus proved his sampling credentials with the rimy beats of 'Exquisite Corpse' - and whilst a similar strain of structure is evident, the samples are much less conspicuous, leading the man himself to tag it as "Daedelus naked". Opening with 'At My Heels', Daedelus submerges the listener in a fog of multi-instrumentation that invokes the messy clatter of The Avalanches - but where they relied on an endless cycle of crazy samples, Daedelus has crafted everything from scratch, lending proceedings a frenetic intensity that is as syrupy thick as it is appealing. Pulling in strands from all his previous releases, 'Denies The Day Demise' rattles along at a fair old pace; with the Brazilian bloc-party of 'Sundown', looped-lament of 'Viva Vida' and chopped bass-clarinet of 'Bahia' all hitting the spot with a level of kinetic charm that propels you on throughout and recalls the sun-bleached aspects of Nobody's 'And Everything Else...'. Elsewhere, 'Sawtooth EKG' takes a juddering set of strings and builds a swooping delight around the solipsistic core, 'Like Clockwork Springs' pulses like a mosquito-light on a summers evening, whilst album closer 'Never None The Wiser' is a blast of vitamin C orchestration after a proper gorgeous build-up. Denial is futile..." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 At My Heels (3:19)
2 Sundown (3:18)
3 Nouveau Nova (3:36)
4 Viva Vida (3:18)
5 Samba Legrand (5:48)
6 Like Clockwork Springs (2:46)
7 Lights Out (3:12)
8 Bahia (3:35)
9 Our Last Stand (5:21)
10 Patent Pending (2:35)
11 Sawtooth EKG (2:53)
12 Dreamt Of Drowning (2:43)
13 Sunrise (2:56)
14 Petite Samba (1:57)
15 Never None The Wiser (3:38)

Link

Aleksi Perälä - Project V

Label: Rephlex
Released: 2007
Style: IDM, Electro, Breakbeat

"After a hiatus of what seems like far too many years, Aleksi Perala (better known as Ovuca / Astrobotnia) makes a return to the Rephlex imprint with a brand new body of work under his own name. This is classic Reohlex territory - beautifully produced Aphex variations that lean on the side of warm, padded basslines, emotive melodies and propulsive arrangements that sit somewhere between acid, IDM, electro and classic soundtrack music. Last track "Sunbath" even harks back to the heady days of classic drill'n'bass braindance - something that's produced a good few knowing smiles in the office this afternoon. Good stuff - Rephlex heads take note!" - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Rocking Chair (2:10)
2 Spacetime (2:34)
3 Path (4:23)
4 Muska (1:52)
5 Purple Rain (9:29)
6 Underwater Carousel (1:35)
7 Autumn Morning (4:14)
8 Dark Energy (4:53)
9 Lagrange Point (3:23)
10 Feast (3:11)
11 Black Leicester (4:27)
12 Sunbath (2:52)

Link

Chris Watson - Stepping Into The Dark

Label: Touch
Released: 1996
Style: Field Recording, Ambient

"The thing I really love about Chris Watson is that his recordings are not 'merely' field recordings. There is something inherently lazy about so much field recording, where artists tend to look to filling a passage of time rather than really listen to the sounds and the textures they are capturing - not so with Chris Watson. The British sound recording expert who honed his talents working with the Hafler Trio and Cabaret Voltaire (before being snapped up by the BBC as a wildlife recorder) seems to have an inexplicable ability to capture environmental sound as music. These are simple, unprocessed recordings yet are more captivating to listen to than so much straight music out there. Although there are plenty of wildlife recordings on offer here (the most striking being the birds and insects of 'River Mara at Dawn') there is nothing trite or cynical about Watson's work. Watson treats the call of a bird or the fluttering of a dragonfly's wings as a layer or instrument in his piece and you get the feeling that these recordings were selected from hours and hours of work. In my opinion Watson is at the absolute top of his game, and these recordings are simply incomparable to anyone else working within the genre right now. Totally essential listening..." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Low Pressure (3:46)
2 Embleton Rookery (4:24)
3 The Crossroads (5:02)
4 River Mara At Dawn (6:27)
5 River Mara At Night (4:59)
6 A Passing View (1:51)
7 Bosque Seco (9:03)
8 Sunsets (5:02)
9 The Blue Men Of The Minch (4:51)
10 High Pressure (5:13)
11 Gahlitzerstrom (4:05)
12 The Forest Path (4:52)

Link

Dykehouse - Dynamic Obsolescence

Label: Planet Mu
Released: 2001
Style: IDM, Drum n Bass, Electro

"From long-time composer Mike Dykehouse, comes this unexpected collection of unbelievably good music that has been gathering dust in his home from as early as 1996. This is quite a catch, I told to myself when I purchased this record (or rather ran to the cashier after hearing 2 tracks and running home so that I could listen to it). Like most people, I didn't know anything about Dykehouse except that he was on Planet Mu. I have to say that this is one of the few really satisfying electronic records I have owned to this day. The range of sounds and production is incredible, with nods to electro-pop and IDM, and also reminds you of electroclash productions getting released these days, but never really settles down to a particular style, which is just great. Compiled by Mike Paradinas (Planet Mu's own µ-Ziq), who really deserves credit for assembling such a landmark electronic album, it spans the work of Mike Dykehouse from 1996 to 2001 and this is probably what makes it so good, because of the amount of good, brilliant material from which it was selected. Seriously, this record will be a precious one for everyone who will own it. The question is now, will we see more Dykehouse in the future? I surely hope so." - Discotoaster

Tracklisting:

1 Yorkshire Acid Burn (3:26)
2 Cheesy Haiku Model (4:02)
3 Shelf Life (2:31)
4 Humid Easel Hockey (2:45)
5 The Patina Of Accumulation (2:43)
6 Kalamazoo (5:04)
7 Record Store Track (5:03)
8 Gursym (2:17)
9 Cargo Cult (4:01)
10 Lost Copy (3:01)
11 Chapel Hillectro (2:18)
12 Dairy Bird (3:24)
13 Quick Migraine Fixture (1:15)
14 Ypsitucky (3:33)
15 Fluffernutter (2:47)
16 Tauq 2 (5:11)
17 Elk Rapids (2:20)
18 Ultra Taboo (3:15)
19 Last Track (3:26)

Link

Fennesz - Field Recordings 1995:2002

Label: Touch
Released: 2002
Style: Glitch, Abstract, Experimental

"Fennesz has attracted a large amount of attention of late, largely due to his incredible ‘Venice’ album and collaborations with David Sylvian. ‘Venice’ is one of those records that has quite strangely instilled itself into the popular music world, a ‘weird’ album that mainstream music fans can buy without fear, and that is a great achievement. Fitting then that Touch have re-introduced this collection of classic Fennesz material dating back as far as 1995. There’s a lot on here, with tracks culled from the seminal ‘Instrument EP’ on Mego, soundtrack work and various compilations he has been involved with over the time, then it’s polished off with a number of totally exclusive tracks. Seriously, we’re being spoiled by Touch and of course the disc is packaged as usual totally impeccably and in this case it’s even slightly humourous, with the title ‘Field Recordings’ being mocked slightly by rural farming pictures. The music of course is typically high quality stuff, ranging from the noisier end of Fennesz’s sound on the opening track ‘Good Man’ and the ‘Instrument Ep’ to the melancholic pensive quiete of his Ekkehard Ehlers remix under the Betrieb moniker. A crucial collection for casual Fennesz fans and raving completists alike, ‘Field Recordings’s greatest strength is that it plays like an album rather than a haphazard compilation. On listening to the record at no time did I think the tracks were thrown together or sounded jarring, quite the opposite in fact, it sounds like they were always meant to be heard this way." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Fennesz - Good Man (4:05)
2 Fennesz - Instrument 1 (5:27)
3 Fennesz - Instrument 2 (6:05)
4 Fennesz - Instrument 3 (5:16)
5 Fennesz - Instrument 4 (5:05)
6 Ekkehard Ehlers - Betrieb (Remix) (3:55)
7 Fennesz - Menthol (3:51)
8 Fennesz - Surf (5:36)
9 Fennesz - Stairs (1:28)
10 Fennesz - Ivend00 (1:30)
11 Fennesz - Namewithnohorse (Version) (2:02)
12 Fennesz - Odessa (Version) (1:28)
13 Stephan Mathieu & Ekkehard Ehlers - Codeine (Remix) (5:17)

Link

Fennesz - Transition

Label: Touch
Released: 2008
Style: Experimental, Abstract, Ambient, Glitch

"For the first time since the original issue of his sublime 'Plays' EP, Christian Fennesz returns to the 7" format. You may recognize one of the sides on this release from the digital exclusive from the end of last year - it's an ocean current of superior, shimmering digital drones and frankly, it sounds awesome on vinyl. Since we've already spent our two cents on that track, let's get stuck into the other side: the guitar is far more pronounced here, nestled within an electrically charged breeze of fizzing sonic particles and debris. It's a recipe that's been copied extensively ever since 'Endless Summer' became big news, but what keeps Fennesz head and shoulders above the copyists is his complex, nuanced production, particularly when it comes to capturing his guitar. There really isn't any other electronic artist who seems capable of properly recording the instrument and harnessing the full richness of its timbres. This seven-inch exudes all that warmth and depth of personality, and is every bit the equal of the Chris Watson release that kicked off Touch's singles club... Utterly lovely."

Tracklisting:

1 On A Desolate Shore (5:14)
2 A Shadow Passes By (3:21)

Link

Biosphere - Cirque

Label: Touch
Released: 2000
Style: Downtempo, Ambient

"'Cirque' was originally released by Touch seven years ago in 2000, and they have finally seen fit to re-issue the record so those of us who missed it first time around can hear what all the fuss was about. Interestingly too, it hasn't dated much at all - of course there are things where you have to think about the context of the time, but Jenssen's expert blend of minimal dub-leaning techno and gorgeous ambience is masterful and hugely enjoyable. This is where he really began to experiment beat structures and the framework of 'dance' music, yet he submerged the rhythmic elements so far beneath his expertly crafted drones and field recordings that it's difficult to place this in the same genre as more dancefloor oriented work. Take the Basic Channel influenced 'When I Leave'; vinyl crackle and dissonant pads float around gloriously before being punctured by a pulsating bassline and then a simple, minimal 4/4 thud to bring the track together perfectly. Elsewhere 'Iberia Eterea' takes a jazzy hi-hat rhythm and pushes it through a haze of lo-fidelity noise and buzzing synthesizer drones giving it the quality of an ancient movie seen through the eyes of David Lynch. It's easy to see on this album where acts such as Deaf Center managed to mine so much inspiration - Geir Jenssen's work has served to influence so much modern electronic music that it is almost crucial to re-visit everything the man has to offer. A gorgeous record - buy." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Nook & Cranny (4:02)
2 Le Grand Dôme (5:36)
3 Grandiflora (0:48)
4 Black Lamb & Grey Falcon (5:08)
5 Miniature Rock Dwellers (1:04)
6 When I Leave (5:54)
7 Iberia Eterea (6:38)
8 Moistened & Dried (2:25)
9 Algae & Fungi Part I (5:43)
10 Algae & Fungi Part II (5:17)
11 Too Fragile To Walk On (4:51)

Link

Skream - Skreamizm Vol. 2

Label: Tempa
Released: 2006
Style: Dubstep

"It kind of goes without saying, but Skream really can lay a serious claim to the pure Dubstep crown - taking as he does the gut-shuddering bass that underlies the genre, then giving it a 20/20 top-spin of shrapnel melody which makes it as catchy as it is devastating. Following the massive success of 'Skreamizm', the second volume is just as addictive and full of tunes that will be recognisable to the dubstep heads thanks to their hammering from the likes of Mary Anne Hobbs as well as being included on all the pirate shows and mixtapes that count. With a tracklisting that boasts 'Blipstream', 'Welcome 2 The Future', '0800', 'Deep Concentration', 'Morning Blues' and 'Dub Period', 'Skreamizm 2' is packed to burst with all the prime-cuts that people have been clamoring for, and acts as a proper teaser for the forthcoming debut LP. With highlights coming thick and fast, the lad Skream really does make something very complex sounds astonishingly simple; a feat that marks this out as yet another step in a formidable rise. I skream!" - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Blipstream (3:44)
2 Welcome 2 The Future (4:30)
3 0800 Dub (4:27)
4 Deep Concentration (5:17)
5 Morning Blues (4:26)
6 Dub Period (6:44)

Link

Skream - Skreamizm Vol. 1

Label: Tempa
Released: 2006
Style: Dubstep

"Easily the most anticipated dubstep release since err... the last Skream release, 'skreamizm vol.1' is the heavyweight double pack of the most sought after dubs in the trade. Since the astronomical success of 'midnight reuqest line' the 19 year old producer has become one of the most talked about and revered young British producers currently operating, forging a headstrong and determined style similar to that of his peers Digital Mystikz and Kode 9, yet retaining his own watermark of originality and design. The success of his productions can be largely put down to the uncanny execution of the dual functions of melodies for the shak-out and the rhythmic codes to unlock skanking feet. 'Glamma' opens the show with a classic Skream circus melody and the stickiest bassline since '28g', purely gloopy aural satisfaction. The untitled track from Youngsta's allstars 2 mix gets a vinyl cut, a reflective steppa for ultimate bass weight meditation. The fruity loops flutes are cracked out on 'rottan', in stark contrast with the chasmic bassline drone and slo-mo darkcore stabs, holding back the brukkout drop for 'lightening'. Rinsing out a writhing amen with a huge undertow of warped half tempo bass, the taut balance between brukkout energy and dubstep restraint is shocking and completely irresistable. 'Hag' rounds out the pack with a pressurised hardstepper, bare riddim essentials embellished with whipcracking snares and spacious chord stabs just begging to be heard on the biggest soundsystem you can lay your hands on. A benchmark release for the dubstep fraternity and beyond." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Glamma (4:54)
2 Untitled (3:52)
3 Smiley Face (4:00)
4 Rottan (5:04)
5 Lightning (4:37)
6 Hag (5:19)

Link

Astrobotnia - Part 03

Label: Rephlex
Released: 2002
Style: Breakbeat, IDM, Ambient

"11 tracks wide, Astrobotnia 3 falls somewhere between the ambient strokes of Part One and the mentalist outbursts of Part 2, a kind of outer space sci-fi Tron encounter of the Aphexiest kind. Head straight for ‘Portable Motor Home’ - eyewatering mishapen electronic ambience and eerie breaks, classic aquatic electronica, pure loveliness. ‘Bifidus’ continues along similar ground – all detuned keys and ‘I Care Because You Do’ breaks, nostalgic, melancholy, uplifting future music that will make you happy. We promise. It’s not all sweetness and Light, however, ‘C*nt’ gives it some junglist strokes pitched up and down, messed around for yr pleasure and reassembled for downtempo bezerkerists everywhere to tango to. Ace." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Muminaa (1:06)
2 B (4:23)
3 Acidophilus II (3:06)
4 Portable Motor Home (3:52)
5 Drops (5:03)
6 Thoarse (4:57)
7 Esther Calling Jennifer (5:05)
8 Bifidus (4:04)
9 Leftovers (3:27)
10 Cunt (3:36)
11 I Am Mr. P (2:51)

Link

Astrobotnia - Part 02

Label: Rephlex
Released: 2002
Style: Breakbeat, IDM

"Astrobotnia 2 is a set of six untitled songs that follow the celebrated hype of the Astrobotnia series. Unlike Astrobotnia 1's ambient-oriented electronica, part 2 is an agressive world of electronic beats, where breakbeats dominate every song. Nowhere had the term "braindance" been so clearly established as it is on these six tracks, which bring new sounds and interesting beats through their every second of progression. The songs are a mind boggling world of fun, with electronic beats going all over the place and a sinister feeling abounding the entire EP. In "A3," electronic beats begin the song for the usual mind boggling as disturbing human blowing sounds develop and synthesizer harmonies begin to create an entirely different song, and all different sounds break down into one big fest for the mind to dance along to. In "B1," we hear the familiar "Whoo, Yeah!" electronic sounds that disguise the dark ambient oriented background of the song, as beats envelop the entire masterpiece, and the song goes through an insane amount of styles. In "B2," strange voices are heard throughout the entire song as they speak in a strange language (reminiscent of spanish, but most likely made up) as jungle beats abound throughout the track, in a more slowed down tempo than your typical jungle song. Hectic yet slower than usual. The EP ends with a more agressive track that has its breakbeats heights and lows as atmospheric sounds bring upon reflection. The entire album is a clear masterpiece and one of the most amazing electronic breakthroughs heard in recent years, blending in typical electronic styles with mind boggling sensations, atmospheric sounds, a sinister mood and layers upon layers of different sounds to hear and experience. Go pick it up now." - Kludge

Tracklisting:

1 Untitled (4:59)
2 Untitled (3:49)
3 Untitled (4:36)
4 Untitled (4:36)
5 Untitled (4:58)
6 Untitled (4:55)

Link

Astrobotnia - Part 01

Label: Rephlex
Released: 2002
Style: Breakbeat, IDM, Ambient

"Who exactly is Astrobotnia? Described in the press release as a ‘Mystery Rephlex Artist’, it seems almost inconceiveable that anybody but Richard D James could be behind this staggeringly well-produced material. OK, so that’s precisely what we’re meant to think, right? But, alas, you really would have to conclude that no one but the Twin is capable of production at this level. Take ‘Everyone’, for example, percussive treatments lifted straight off Icct Hedral, sped up funky drummerisms stretched into Drukqs-flavoured breakbeat mentalisms, all the while accompanied by pure Aphex strings and harmonies. Or ‘Miss June’s’ stripped crisp tweaks and slight harmonic adjustments that ever so slightly Jar, all thrusted so unbeleivably effortlessly into perfection. As if to confuse or affirm your suspicions even further, the closing ‘Applause’ even sounds as if it employs the same Prepared Piano that sprinkled Drukqs with it’s Satie-esque charm late last year. To conclude, this really has to be the Twin, and if it ain’t.....erm....Rephlex have just landed themselves the debut electronic material of the decade. Essential." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Lightworks (3:33)
2 Hallo (4:07)
3 Everyone (3:50)
4 Acidophilus (4:37)
5 Untitled (4:02)
6 The Wing Thing (3:11)
7 Miss June (4:38)
8 Sweden (4:27)
9 Applause (3:20)

Link