Wednesday, January 30, 2008
ill-ec-tro-nic @ Coded
As seems to be the unfortunate norm whenever we promote our own nights, we're not giving you much notice for this one but myself, Langer and one of our other ill-ec-tro-nic resident DJs, Mark Solo, are playing in Brixton's swanky Dex club this Saturday.It promises to be a night of quality techno & house (even if we do say so ourselves!) and what's more we're opening up the doors for FREE.
It's on from 10PM-5AM and all you have to do is mail coded@graffiti.net to get your name on the guestlist beforehand.
So now that January will finally be over, why not dust off your dancing shoes and come join us.
Labels: Coded, House, ill-ec-tro-nic, Key, Living Wreck, Mark Solo, Techno
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
The Great Outdoors
Given their length of service and the number of releases under their belts, Soma's importance to the history of dance music is unquestionable. I've found their output to be a bit of a mixed bag over the years but they've had some undoubted highlights such as putting out early Daft Punk and Surgeon tracks as well as the obvious wealth of quality Slam releases such as their all-time classic, Positive Education. Recent years have been more though, due largely to Alex Smoke's extensive output as well as quality releases from Repeat Repeat, Lee Van Dowski & Quenum plus some superb Black Dog reissues.One of their newer signings that had escaped my notice until now was Let's Go Outside (not the catchiest moniker I've ever heard!). However, I recently got hold of a live set and also tracked down his two singles releases and am suitably impressed by my findings. For those that have yet to hear his work it's basically solid techno beats with a variety of different ideas scattered liberally on top. Whether it be blending sultry female vocals, acid synths or dirty basslines, Let's Go Outside seems to have found a winning dancefloor formula - I'd expect nothing less from a man who cites his primary influences as being "techno, techno, techno and Tetris"!
I've posted a live set below as well as the title track from his Speak My Language 12" which is available for free in it's entirety from the Soma shop. His debut album, A Picnic With The Hunters is out this week so given the number of freebies dished out already, and the fact that there's even more on his website, I strongly urge you to give the man the respect he deserves and buy yourself a copy.
You can also see him in action at Fabric this Saturday alongside a typically stellar lineup which also includes Andrew Weatherall, Ame, Dixon and Henrik Schwarz! - check out the full lineup here.
Let's Go Outside - Speak My Language // Soma
Labels: Fabric, Let's Go Outside, Soma, Techno
Sunday, January 20, 2008
Disco What Disco?
I was planning on doing a post about the new Hot Chip album but seeing as every blogger and his dog are writing about it I'll give it a miss. I was however very enthused when I heard that a classic compilation from the early Noughties was getting a timely re-release. Disco Not Disco was released by the now defunct Strut label and is a compilation of classic underground gems from the Post Punk, Electro and Industrial scenes.It includes classic tracks such as Delta 5 - Mind Your Own Business, Shriekback - My Spine Is The Bassline, James White & The Blacks - Contort Yourself (August Darnell Remix), plus classic Industrial from Liaisons Dangereuses - Los Ninos Del Parque.
The other main highlight however is the classic proto Techno of A Number Of Names with the classic "Sharevari" or "Shari Vari" depending on your spelling preferences. There are few words I can use to describe this classic tune however it can be argued that it is one of the most influential electronic records ever made.
A Number Of Names - Sharevari // Capriccio
I'm also going to treat you to some more Liaisons Dangereuses. "Peut Etre... Pas" is another slice of classic Industrial infused funk. I'm absolutely sure that the bassline has been sampled by some Detroit Techno artist but cannot track down who. So if anyone out there knows please enlighten me.
Liaisons Dangereuses - Peut Etre... Pas // Teldec
Listen to more tracks from Disco Not Disco. Buy the compilation from Play.com and Amazon
Labels: A Number Of Names, Disco Not Disco, Industrial, Liaisons Dangereuses, Post Punk
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Vocal Stylings
Brand new DFA comin' at ya. We've been sent this new track from Hercules & Love Affair and if you haven't heard this already be prepared for some serious cosmic disco in the usual DFA mould, this time with added vocal stylings from Antony (of Antony And The Johnsons fame). This track took a little while to seep into my consciousness but has grown on me steadily and is now revealing it's unique sound.The 12" is released on March 3rd through DFA and also comes with a mix by House legend Frankie Knuckles. check it and let me know your thoughts.
Hercules & Love Affair - Blind (Hercules Club Mix) // DFA
If Space Disco is your thing you have to check out the Prins Thomas mix of "Jurassico" by Nemesi on Relish Records which was posted over at 20jazzfunkgreats recently. It's a Cosmic Kraut Funk masterpiece!
Another Electronic Pop ditty that I have recently (re)discovered is this beautiful cover version of The Smith's "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" by Schneider TM.This was released back in 2003 as "The Light 3000" on a 7" on the For Us label and also as part of the 6 Piece EP on Mute.
The record is now out of press and is now worth good money via the Discogs Marketplace
Sit back and enjoy an amazing version of one of the finest songs ever written.
Schneider TM - The Light 3000 // For Us 7" 2003
Labels: DFA, Hercules and Love Affair, Schneider TM, The Smiths
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Lying Low?
To assist those of you that have made a resolution to keep things low key during January, I thought I'd post a touch of chill-out today.A Setting Sun's latest EP, Views From the Real World, came out on Moodgadget at the back end of last year and it's mellow electronica all the way. The first track (available below) has got possibly the longest introduction I've ever heard as it's over four minutes into the track before the kick finally drops.
Maybe it's the artwork and the name that reminds me of Boards of Canada as much as the actual sounds - it's just the melodies really anyway as there's none of BOC's trademark electro beats here. Manitoba, was something else that sprung to mind. Ahh, what the hell, find yourself a comfy seat & check it out for yourself.
A Setting Sun - Walking Toward A Setting Sun // Moodgadget
The EP is only released digitally and is available from the usual places such as iTunes and Beatport.
And for those of you that steadfastly refuse to chill out whatever time of year it is, maybe the next offering is more your cup of tea.Havoc is produced by Røgge, resident DJ at Milan's club:index and as far as I know it's an unsigned track. If you want to know more about this guy, you can check out his Myspace page.
Røgge - Havoc
Labels: A Setting Sun, Moodgadget, Røgge
Thursday, January 10, 2008
Competition Time
We have something a little different for today's post as the nice people at Fabric have provided us with a pair of free tickets to give away for this Saturday night.As usual, the lineup's pretty damn tasty and if you want to pop along free of charge then all you've got to do is answer this ridiculously easy question:
Q) What was the first track ever posted on this blog?
Send your answer to us at illectronic.blogATgmail.com and the first correct entry will get to jump the queue and keep the admission fee in their pocket.
And while we're on the subject of giveaways it seems a fitting time to mention the podcast sections of both Fabric and their room 3 guests this week, 2020Vision,'s websites as there's some quality mixes to be had.
Fabric are up to number 4 in their podcast series but check out the tracklists a little more closely before deciding whether something tickles your fancy as the DJ's are dishing up eclectic selections rather than tracks they're typically associated with (Doc Scott incorporating Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd and Underground Resistance being a prime example!).
2020Vision have got a longer list of podcasts on their site and have just added a new one by The Electric Press. I've not had a chance to check this one out yet but some of the older ones are damn fine and I particularly like the Simon Baker one from November last year as it's dirty techno-flavoured house (or is that house-flavoured techno? ) all the way.
Anyhow, go have a browse for yourselves & good luck with the comp!
Labels: 2020 Vision, Fabric
Tuesday, January 08, 2008
ill-ec-tro-nic @ 1001
Ill-ec-tro-nic was recently featured in The Guardian in a round up of the best blogs to feature free music online. Check out the article here. Now of course the pressure is on to keep up with the new posts and give all you new readers some new content.To start with let me introduce our regular monthly DJing sessions in the bar down at Cafe 1001 in Brick Lane, London.
Every second Thursday of the month you can hear myself and RAW spin the latest electronic tunes that are currently floating our boat. Joining me this Thursday (10th) will be Bauer, Mark Solo and Goodhand from Stuff Records straight out of Glasgow.
So expect multiple assortments of the finest electronic beats and come join us for a drink.
I couldn't leave without giving you a couple of tasters of what you might expect so here are the following treats.
Andy Stott - Hostile // Modern Love
This metallic gem featured in my Top 40 of 2007 and is a slab of straight up Basic Channel style Techno.
Buy the full 320 kbps MP3 or the 12" from Boomkat.
Next is a track I only got introduced to a couple of months ago but it immediately had me hooked. 'Qawwali' by Pinch was originally released on Plant Mu records back in 2006 but features on Pinch's new LP 'Underwater Dancehall' on Tectonic. The track has been renamed 'Brighter Day' and appears as a vocal version featuring Juakali and also as an instrumental. It's a sparse Dubstep masterpiece.
Check out samples and pick up a copy at Phonica.
Pinch - Qawwali // Planet Mu
Labels: 1001, Andy Stott, Dubstep, Modern Love, Pinch, Planet Mu, Techno, Tectonic
Friday, January 04, 2008
RAW's Belated Best-Of's
Seeing as most people managed to get their end of year polls out several weeks ago and certainly in time for the new year, I figured I'd best get on the case really.So, for what they're worth, here's my contribution for the pot of what rocked in 2007. There's bound to be loads of great stuff that I wasn't fortunate enough to hear, things that I've forgotten and probably some things that I may not rate so highly as the years go by but as Langer has already noted, 2007 definitely produced some absolute gems!!!
Tracks of 2007:
1. Rekorder - Rekorder 8.1 // Rekorder
2. Max Romeo - One Step (Matty G Remix) // War001
3. Redshape - Black Dust // Present
4. Henrick Schwarz - Robert & Dornroosje // White Label
5. Disrupt - Selassi I Continually // Werk
6. Agoria - Les Violons Ivres // PIAS
7. Moderat (Featuring Paul St Hillare) - Let Your Love Grow // BPitch Control
8. Heartthrob - Baby Kate (Sascha Funke Remix) // M_nus
9. Simon Baker- Plastik // Infant
10. Unknown Artist - Seldom Felt1 (B1) // Seldom Felt
11. Burial - Etched Headplate // Hyperdub
12. Rustie - Clipper // Stuff Records
13. Bob Marley - War (Matty G Remix) // WAR001
14. Andy Stott - Massacre // Modern Love
15. Franki Valli - Beggin' (Pilooski Edit) // 679
16. Burial - Archangel // Hyperdub
17. Andy Stott - Hostile // Modern Love
18. Battles - Atlas (DJ Koze Remix) // Warp
19. Dubfire - I feel Speed (Audion Mix) // Sci + Tec Digital Audio
20. Beck - Cellphone's Dead (Villalobos Entlebuch Remix) // Interscope
21. Substance & Vainquer - Libration // Scion Versions
22. Minilogue - Elephant's Parade // Wagon Repair
23. Quietpoint - Caffeine Awakening // Pasta Musik
24. Dixon - Thom In The City // White Label
25. Convextion - Miranda (DeepChord Remix) // Matrix
26. Modeselektor - The White Flash (Feat Thom Yorke) // BPitch Control
27. Ellen Allien - Go // Bpitch Control
28. Thom Yorke - The Clock (Surgeon Remix) // XL
29. Nanorhythm - Continental Breakfast // Soliton Research
30. Gui Boratto - Mr Decay // Kompakt
31. Stephan Bodzin - Luka-Leon // Herzblut
32. Ame - Enoi // Innervisions
33. Stamp Release - LAC // Stamp Release
34. Samim - Heater // Get Physical
35. Nanorhythm - Woden's Discotheque (The Wild Hunt Mix) // Soliton Research
36. Najem Sworb - Teranidian // AI
37. Dubfire - Rib Cage // Desolat
38. Shackleton - Blood On My Hands (Villalobos Apocalypso Remix) // Skull Disco
39. LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum // DFA
40. Audion - Noiser // Spectral Sound
Albums of 2007:
1. Burial - Untrue // Hyperdub
2. Disrupt - Foundation Bit // Werk
3. Modeselektor - Happy Birthday! // BPitch Control
4. DeepChord Presents Echospace - The Coldest Season // Modern Love
5. Gui Boratto - Chromophobia // Kompakt
6. Echaskech - Skechbook // Just Music
7. Pantha Du Prince - This Bliss // Dial
8. Stephan Bodzin - Liebe Ist // Herzblut
9. Argenis Brito - Micro Mundo // Cadenza
10. Lusine - Podgelism // Ghostly International
Mixes / Compilations of 2007:
1. Ellen Allien - Fabric 34 // Fabric
2. Modeselektor - Boogybytes Vol III // BPitch Control
3. Basic Replay 1 // Basic Replay
4. Cadenza Contemporary 01 & Cadenza Classics // Cadenza
5. Ricardo Villalobos - Fabric 36 // Fabric
