Thomas Fehlmann - Lowflow

Label: Plug Research
Released: 2004
Style: IDM, Dub, Electro, Downtempo

"After extensive forays into more physical, club-related tracks with his series of releases (on Kompakt) Lowflow, recorded on and off over the last years, now heralds a return to his slower, more experimental side and provides a surprisingly concise description of the album's overall feel.

Both minimal and expansive, Lowflow allows its tracks to float across and into each other, an infinite, gentle mix to which Fehlmann playfully introduces the soft murmur of chimes, pedal steel guitar or his very own trumpet.

From opener "Goldhaar" and the disjointed fascination of the decidedly unslinky "Slinky" with its hypnotic, focused distortion via the briefest of Alice Coltrane homages on "Interstellar" to the almost rocky determination of "Alice Springs" and the classic, minimalist house of "Andrea is Delighted," Lowflow nevertheless retains a distinctly dubby, German flavor, a seamless pleasure that loves to pause and interrupt itself to create its very own, idiosyncratic flow.

Everything on this record was generated by Thomas himself, except the cover supplied by seminal artist Raymond Pettibon (Black Flag, Minutemen) who was his only contact when he first came to LA 15 years ago, as well as three short, connecting interludes growing out of a collaboration with Detroit artist Dabrye (Ghostly International)." - Label

Tracklisting:

1 Goldhaar (3:25)
2 Prefab (5:12)
3 Interstellar (1:31)
4 Lindt (4:34)
5 Slinky (4:26)
6 Intertwine (0:39)
7 Hana (5:11)
8 Alice Springs (5:21)
9 Springer (5:12)
10 Andrea Is Delighted (6:51)
11 Intersect (1:11)
12 Feat (5:33)
13 Fellmaus (6:02)

Link

Snd - Tenderlove

Label: Mille Plateaux
Released: 2002
Style: Abstract, IDM, Minimal

"Now with Tender Love, SND move in a far more melodic context than ever before. The results are striking but all the same familiar. The sensibilities of funk find it's way into syncopated rhythms, breakbeats and jittered doses of r'n'b percussives mingle with a unique assortment of tones and ambience. Could this be taken as new sources of lounge music in 21st Century living? You be the judge, with Tender Love SND reach a new level of pushing the notions of contemporary listening." - Label

Tracklisting:

1 1
2 2
3 3
4 4
5 5
6 6
7 8
8 9
9 10
10 11
11 12
12 13
13 14
14 16
15 17

(Note: My upload is technically tagged wrong)

Link

Lone - Everything Is Changing Colour

Label: VU-US
Released: 2007
Style: IDM, Downtempo, Ambient

"Mix the charm of early Boards of Canada and the intensity of Chris Clark, and you get Lone. Moreso a collection of tracks than an album, there's a rawness to this debut I haven't heard in IDM for quite some time, and it's something that I think is desperately needed. Lone's material captures the essence of what originally attracted everyone to Hi Scores. It wasn't children's voices or number counting; it was the idea that electronic music could escape its mechanical boundaries and display the same amount of raw emotion instruments could without becoming caricatures. Many of the artists Boards of Canada influenced have tried so hard to re-create the components of their music that they never ever re-created the magic that was the eary Boards' true appeal. On the second half of the record, a more pervasive hip-hop influence takes over, and it's to no detriment of the quality of the collection. It's no surprise to see that Lone's hooked up with Bibio's Artists' Valley collective, which cites the Boards as a major appeal, but also dabbles in the hip-hop realm as well (see Letherette). A really captivating debut, and something the IDM/hip-hop heads absolutely need to take notice of." - The Music Lobby

Tracklisting:

1 Duelling Auroras (3:27)
2 Proper Vivid (3:55)
3 My Eye (6:58)
4 Summer Of Summer (4:08)
5 Pure White Lights (4:10)
6 Drifting Off Too Far (1:11)
7 Your Lucky Numbers (2:05)
8 Cat's Eye (1:05)
9 Light From The Heart Nebula (6:02)
10 Piano Happy (2:05)
11 Midnight Feast (5:32)
12 Time Was A Spiral (1:07)
13 A Quadruple Sky (4:36)
14 Number Station (0:55)
15 Missing Persons (2:54)

Link

Christ. - Metamorphic Reproduction Miracle

Label: Benbecula
Released: 2003
Style: IDM, Downtempo

"The history of the scottish artist Christ has been surrounded by genuine hearsay and much speculation since his appearance on the benbecula sampler "music volume two" in august 2001. What followed was a slew of press speculation about his origins and his musical background in Scotland, as well as a gradual frenzy of anticipation for his debut EP "Pylonesque". Following critical acclaim for the release of the EP and some very special live shows culminating in a headline slot at Japan's metamorphose festival on mount Fuji in front of 20,000 people and a live appearance at this year's Sonar festival, Christ set off to work on his massively anticapted debut album : "Metamorphic Reproduction Miracle". Completed in february 2003, it's obvious that his recording style has matured and evolved beyond the confines of his well-known background. Where "pylonesque" was an EP containing "hits" in their own right, "Metamorphic..." is an intricate jigsaw of styles and textures which combine to form a perfect whole. The album introduces new concepts to the repertoire: "ray breakout" is a mechanical onslaught of the senses, the opening vocal giving you fair warning "please stand by!". Further expansion in style is evident in the sci-fi film soundtrack "medulla oblongata", the heavily filtered "odds evens and primates" or the beautifully pleasing up-tempo "mk naomi". Throughout, Christ. maintains his unique fusion of simple but timeless melodic structures, overlaid with gritty percussion: "skylab one", "a giant bird" and "eezeebreez" being perfect examples of his unique approach. A truly classic album, fans of Boards of Canada or richly layered evocative electronic music of any kind will have discovered a new masterpiece to add to their collection. Fabulous." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Lazy Daisy Meadow (2:55)
2 Dianoes Nouveau (5:02)
3 Eezeebreez (5:46)
4 Medulla Oblongata (1:15)
5 Odds, Evens And Primates (5:04)
6 Sunart (1:51)
7 Fantastic Light (6:07)
8 Always To Play (2:02)
9 Mk Naomi (4:13)
10 Skylab One (3:22)
11 Pylonesque (Broken Mix) (3:46)
12 A Giant Bird (2:45)
13 Ray Breakout (4:08)
14 School Is Not Compulsory (5:20)

Link

DMX Krew - Many Worlds (The Collapse Of The Wave Function Volume 4)

Label: Rephlex
Released: 2005
Style: Electro, IDM

"This is the fourth release in synth-pop Londoner DMX Krew's (Edward Upton, Ed DMX, Computor Rockers, EDMX) The Collapse Of The Wave Function series, an exploration of the Copenhagen Interpretation of Quantum Physics. Regular DMX Krew electro synth-pop dance trax morph into something profound, universal and slanted. From the sounds of the Eventide Harmoniser (the first digital effects unit) to the righteous yet drowsy funk of analogue synths, this series reveals a deeper, more considered side to DMX Krew's production, featuring quirkier dancefloor fillers. Collapse of the wave function: think electro/techno with hints of ambience, throw in some grime, some braindance, and you've just about grasped the theory." - Forced Exposure

Tracklisting:

1 Reverse Tachyon Beam
2 Meridian 1212
3 Monolith
4 Spinal Implants
5 Synchrotron Blue
6 Fallen Kings Track
7 Mars Memory
8 The Monsignor
9 The Pleasure Zone

Link

Lukid - Onandon

Label: Werk Discs
Released: 2007
Style: Abstract, IDM, Hip Hop

"Astonishing debut album here that will slay you if you're a lover of the blunted beat constructions of Madlib, Dabrye, Flying Lotus, Kaman Leung, Dr Who Dat?, Timbaland and the like!!!* Whilst most teenagers are content to see out their days playing Xbox, annoying their parents and ruining tightly scripted photo-opportunities with the Tory leadership (no rash stereotypes here then...), Lukid's debut album proves just how potently creative the years between 12 and 20 can be when given the right conduit to bloom. A Sarf London lad, Lukid makes the kind of Rubik's cube compositions that twist in a broad spectrum of elements to create hip-hop founded electronics that relish the use of dust-encrusted loops, lazer-tag beats and sea-sick rhythms. Landing somewhere between Dabrye, Theo Parrish and BOC, 'Onandon' is drenched in the sound of a youth spent hunched over a sampler - crafting the kind of intricately plotted instrumentals that unfold with textured detail, yet never hurry their slow-burn predilection. Opening through the frosted-glass head-nodder of 'A Smart Girl', Lukid immediately asserts a laid back ambience to proceedings that seems neither contrived nor lazy - instead recalling the gravelly disposition of early DJ Shadow, or recent sample plunderer Dr. Who Dat? Moving on from this dusty-groove intro, next to the plate is 'Piano Nono'; wherein a less ADD Prefuse is invoked, as a gorgeous piano melody trickle around a misfiring beat and twinkly exterior for maximum impact, before 'Wake Up' glides into view atop optimism flecked soundscapes, bleeping fidgets and shuffling rhythms. The results are supine. Recalling the likes of Kid Loco (sans the cloying whimsy), tracks like 'The Now', 'Fela' and 'Western Swing' all nod their way past with grace, sample dexterity and a ton of panache - pitching Lukid well away from the weary baggy jeans and bong brigade. Displaying his youthful exuberance most fully on the stalled beats of 'Isis', fractured glass of 'Wonder Years' and the gorgeous curtain-call of 'Light Up', Lukid has produced an album that is mature, complex and (most importantly) a damn good listen." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 A Smart Girl (2:38)
2 Piano Nono (4:17)
3 Wake Up (5:47)
4 The Now (4:49)
5 Isis (5:27)
6 Onandon (3:32)
7 Western Swing (4:07)
8 Fela (4:19)
9 Wonder Years (4:23)
10 Light Up (4:05)

Link

Christ. - Pylonesque EP

Label: Benbecula
Released: 2002
Style: Leftfield, IDM, Downtempo, Ambient

"Not long after Music Volume Two was released Christ. had already started work on his first major EP. From memory it seemed only weeks when he first produced the master cd that was to become Pylonesque. Constructed using very basic beats and live synth work, the melodies that immediately emerged are arguably his most powerful to date, when taking into the account the simplicity of his set up at that time. To then go on and sell 2 to 3 thousand copies is almost unheard of for a debut EP in the struggling market of electronica on a relatively unknown indie label such as Benbecula. Of particular note is the title track and the mesmerising "Absolom (For Lucy)", with the repeated intro phrase seemingly going on for bars and bars before the powerful key change, I still get lost in it. Along with the popular live favourite "Perlandine Friday", one could settle for these three tracks alone. However the others are by no means fillers and the EP flows beautifully as a whole. I cannot imagine anyone with a remote interest in electronica not having this record - period." - Label

Tracklisting:

1 Dream Of The Endless (5:31)
2 Arctica (1:43)
3 Spengly Bengly (4:48)
4 Pylonesque (3:13)
5 Fantastic Light (6:08)
6 Perlandine Friday (5:03)
7 Absolom (For Lucy) (6:21)

Link

Seefeel - Polyfusia

Label: Astralwerks
Released: 1994
Style: Abstract, IDM, Shoegazer, Ambient

Mark Clifford (Disjecta, Woodenspoon) combines two earlier Seefeel EPs for domestic re-release on the Astralwerks label. First are four tracks from More Like Space, followed by five more from Pure, Impure. The latter (and slightly more interesting) EP is put mostly in the hands of Clifford's peers, recruiting the remixing and engineering talent of Mark Van Hoen (Locust), Sine Bubble, and Richard James (Aphex Twin), who contributes two very respectful and similar-sounding mixes to the track "Time to Find Me" (both his "AFX Fast Mix" and "AFX Slow Mix" are must-haves for collectors). All in all, Polyfusia is one of the group's more guitar-oriented albums, though still heavily garnished with atonal keyboard ambience and minimalist loops, due in equal parts to Clifford's own aesthetics and the reworkings on the latter half of the CD. Sometimes the minimal and repetitive elements of the tracks test the listener's patience, but it's one of the things that sets it apart from other bands in the same genre. Seefeel trusts that the sound is interesting enough as is, without cramming too much into each measure. It breathes steadily enough; it's music for a dream you can't understand yet, but you know it means something important." - All Music Guide

Tracklisting:

1 More Like Space (8:45)
2 Time To Find Me (Come Inside) (5:07)
3 Come Alive (5:06)
4 Blue Easy Sleep (4:42)
5 Plainsong (7:02)
6 Moodswing (5:45)
7 Minky Starshine (10:43)
8 Time To Find Me (AFX Fast Mix) (7:35)
9 Time To Find Me (AFX Slow Mix) (9:33)
10 Plainsong (Sine Bubble Embossed Dub) (8:46)

Link

Tom Burbank - Famous First Words

Label: Planet Mu
Released: 2006
Style: IDM, Downtempo, Experimental, Instrumental Hip Hop

"Alongside the likes of Kyler and The Kilimanjaro Dark Jazz Ensemble, Tom Burbank further extends the Planet Mu remit beyond the perceived boundaries of its splenetic catalogue - with 'Famous First Words' a glitchy river of melodic hip-hop and electronic intricacies. Very much a contemporary of Prefuse 73, Burbank's sound relies heavily on the slippage that occurs deep within the digital heart when all is not right; lending 'Famous Last Words' a moody and melancholic edge that marks him out from the usual cut-up merchants. Kicking off with 'Fragile', the usual tick-list of elements are undoubtedly present (juddery beats, bursts of electronics, disrupted emissions) - yet whilst others have seen the surface as all important, Burbank ensures a real depth exists that sees him happily ranked alongside the likes of edIT and Prefuse. From here, 'Knuckles' is brashly regimented in it's gun-fire of crumpled tronics, 'Stay One' goes straight for the widescreen jugular with watercolour soundscapes of some beauty, whilst 'Tha Chop' sees the acoustic and machine living in perfect harmony. Closing with the sun-bleached strings and Air-esque atmospherics of 'Riding Off', Burbank has delivered a blissfully simple debut that doesn't need to show off to get its point across." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Fragile (3:12)
2 Knuckles (3:57)
3 Stay One (3:57)
4 Gnats (4:11)
5 Baghdad Mood (5:06)
6 Tha Chop (5:00)
7 Cracked (3:54)
8 Blabber Mouth (3:58)
9 Slab (3:56)
10 Dot (4:28)
11 Juno Rhapsody (5:35)
12 Riding Off (5:01)

Link

Massonix - Subtracks

Label: Skam
Released: 2006
Style: IDM, Abstract, Electro, Experimental

"I think it's safe to say that Graham Massey's legendary status is now assured - not only was he part of crucial techno pioneers 808 State, he managed to turn his hand to countless production efforts, most notably for Bjork on 'Army of Me' which to these ears still stands as one of her finest moments. A long time coming (after years of occasional live shows), this is the debut Massonix release and has been much anticipated by all those who've witnessed Massey's killer live sessions. Apparently the melodies and rhythms were dragged from recordings of these sporadic live sets and then reworked into fully realised tracks, so we end up with the perfect retrospective of ten years of Massey's most intriguing work. From the cover you've probably already worked out that the theme is somewhat sub-aquatic, and that sentiment translates more than appropriately to the Drexciyan treats on offer here. Rolling step-sequenced percussion and buzzing analogue synthesizers make up the majority of the works and bring back memories of a day when techno was anything but minimal. This is music that simply revels in its sense of melody, with hooks aplenty and emotive bass-lines guaranteed to cause havoc on the dancefloor. Just flip over to 'Sargasso' with its chunky electro rhythms and wobbly synths; the track builds up menacingly before hitting you with gigantic arpeggiated bliss and descending into total abstraction. Elsewhere we have the almost Radiophonic workshop bliss of 'Deep Saline Green', or the staid rhythmic warehouse vibes of 'March of the Triton Titans'. The best is saved until last though, and the album finishes on two absolute stormers - the jubilant emotive electro classic 'El Rey De Rey' and the 10 minute ambient epic 'Pulsars'. If you fancy delving into some truly classic electronic music, from a time when electronic music didn't just mean random laptop experimentation and pointless plug-in over-use then look no further, Graham Massey is back. Highly Recommended." - Boomkat

Tracklisting:

1 Port Silat (Off Port Silat) (4:14)
2 Sargasso (Horse Latitudes, Giant Kelp) (3:32)
3 Debussa (Undersea Danube) (3:36)
4 Despina Farfisa (Continental Ridge) (2:48)
5 Gold Coast (Pro Bumba Colony, Sea Caves) (5:15)
6 Deep Saline Green (Light Conductor 45 Fathoms) (1:47)
7 March Of The Triton Titans (Rubber, Canvas And Lead) (4:33)
8 Forests Of Crespo (Kelp Forest Range) (5:27)
9 Boonadawn - (The Mackerel, The Sampan And The Marlin) (5:27)
10 Diamond Dance (4ths, Heavy Water) (3:57)
11 The Subatlantian (Black Smokers) (6:01)
12 El Rey De Ray (Warm Gulf Water Rising) (4:39)
13 Pulsars (Deep Ocean Basin To Jodrell Bank) (10:30)

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)

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

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

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

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

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

The Tuss - Rushup Edge

Label: Rephlex
Released: 2007
Style: IDM, Techno, Acid

"Now that the dust has settled on the message board debates and the fake MySpaces, this has all but been confirmed as the new Aphex Twin material fans thought they would have to wait years for after the Analord series. Stylistically, it remains close to the Analords, but pushes the aggression and the programming to a more complex level, much moreso resembling Analord 10 than 1. But amazingly, after 40+ tracks of Acid released over the course of 2006 in the Analord series, Rushup Edge still sounds fairly fresh and in no way a retread. A real feat for Richard, or whoever’s doing his best to resemble him on this record." - The Music Lobby

Tracklisting:

1 Synthacon 9 (6:21)
2 Last Rushup 10 (6:35)
3 Shiz Ko E (3:08)
4 Rushup I Bank 12 (4:40)
5 Death Fuck (6:38)
6 Goodbye Rute (5:21)

Link