Friday, March 21, 2008
Master Builder
How do you sum up the career of one of the most influential Detroit Techno artists ever? One word.... MINIMAL. Not in the sense of his contribution being less than prolific but in the sense that Robert Hood (with help from Jeff Mills) invented Minimal Techno. The fact that (so-called) Minimal Techno now rules dancefloors all over the world is testament to the vision of Robert Hood and his ethos of less is more.Hood's career started out when he picked up some basic equipment from a pawn shop in Detroit and began recording demos. Unable to find someone able to do “some kind of political abstract MCing – a cross between Chuck D and Q-Tip,” Robert laid down his own lyrics on his productions. He eventually passed on a demo, through friend Mike Clark (Agent X), to Mike Banks of the (then fledgling) Underground Resistance. Instantly hooked with his lyrical styling, Mike Banks and Jeff Mills took Robert on board as an MC for 2 tracks on a compilation they were putting together. As Robert’s productions grew stronger, the incomparable Underground Resistance crew formed, mixing political outrage with electronic beats, and Robert found his place as a seminal member, the “Minister of Information.”
It was with the formation of Axis Records with Jeff Mills, however that propelled Robert's music to the attention of everyone in the Techno world. "Minimal Nation" was a ground breaking production and hit the electronic music world with unprecedented explosion – it is credited today as a turning point for Techno.
Following on from this Robert then branched out on his own with M-Plant records. “M-Plant kind of borrowed from the sound I was using from Axis and really expanded on that sound. I had developed this “grey area” sound - what I mean by that is that in Detroit, even when the sun is out, there’s something in the atmosphere. The sky has a grey haze over it. It’s got to be something from the industrial factories there. I’d never really heard a sound like that before and it came from a Roland Juno - it was a chord sound that really went along with my depiction of what Detroit was at that time. A lot of buildings were abandoned and there was a lot of lifelessness in the city, especially downtown. The M-Plant, in minimalism, kind of reflected that. I remember thinking of Detroit like a museum. You know, like a work of art standing still, suspended in time.” – Robert Hood
Since his formation of Minimal Techno 14 years ago the genre has taken on a life of its own and other producers, most notably Richie Hawtin and Ricardo Villalobos with a whole host more working in Europe, have snatched the baton from Robert Hood and expanded (or should that be contracted) the sound to reach new audiences throughout the world.
“These days I am focused purely on minimalism and really embracing minimalism, because it’s taken on a life of its own. It’s now a music style separate from Techno. I would never have imagined that it would take this direction. I didn’t see that one coming! I saw minimalism in life becoming more and more evident - in furniture, in electronics, in art, in automobiles, appliances - you know, I could see that coming. But, as far as music itself being thought of now as an art form? Back then, I think people looked on at it as a trend but they didn’t realise that minimalism is an art form. I did not realise it would take on this characteristic as it has now. So, where I’m at right now is embracing minimalism and seeing how far I can push it - in my interpretation of what simplicity and the music is all about. I am really representing it as an art form and not a trend. As the future evolves, we’re going to get more and more minimal...” Robert Hood
The main reason for this career retrospective is that Robert has a new mix cd release as part of the Fabric series. Fabric 39 manages to cram in a whooping 32 tracks into its 74 minutes. The mix is a fast paced audio assault through minimal Detroit Techno with tracks from Robert himself, plus Jeff Mills, DJ Skull, Pacou, Joris Voorn and Marco Lenzi. Robert's mixing style is like that of many of his Detroit peers - quick. He doesn't mess around here and the cd starts of pumping and ends (well you can guess the rest). My only criticism is that the tracks do seem to be stuck in a time warp. The mix is in a very late-nineties style. Open hi-hats all the way. I think that he could have included more modern sounding productions in there as well to create a much more interesting journey, especially as Minimal Techno has come so far since it's inception. However these Detroit guys have never been bothered about fashion. They are the creators, not the followers. Respect is due.I couldn't leave you without some gems from Robert Hood's extensive back catalogue. The three productions below are classic examples of his sound. I love the way he modulates just one synth sound to create numerous subtle variations to create a beautiful sonic landscape that you can get lost in. "The Pace" is a classic example which also blends two different tracks seamlessly together.
Robert Hood - Museum // Minimal Nation LP. Axis Records 1994
Robert Hood - The Pace // M-Plant 1996
Robert Hood - Who Taught You Math (Edit) // Peacefrog 2002
The Fabric Mix is out now. Buy it here and here. His back catalogue is still available if you look hard enough. Check out his newer material at his Myspace
Labels: Axis, Fabric, Jeff Mills, M-Plant, Minimal, Peacefrog, Robert Hood, Techno, Underground Resistance
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Rib Tickling
Deep, Deeper, Deepest.This chest crunching new record by Dubfire (aka Ali Shirazinia from Deep Dish) was inspired by a visit to Ibiza Techno mecca and home of all thing dark and minimal, DC10. At over 12 minutes this is a track which builds into a dark trippy soundscape with the ever pervading baseline that on a big system will cause chest cavities to vibrate to the point where you feel your internal organs will fall out.
It is topped off by a rush of white noise after 9 and a half minutes that brings the track to an epic climax that will have people screaming in ecstasy. This a monster.
It is topped off by a rush of white noise after 9 and a half minutes that brings the track to an epic climax that will have people screaming in ecstasy. This a monster.
Dubfire - Ribcage // Desolat
Buy this as a single side 12" from Phonica or 320kbps MP3 from Beatport
Labels: Desolat, Dubfire, Electronic, Minimal, Techno
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Balkan Beats
I got sent a rather nice Techno EP all the way from Zagreb. The New Tendencies EP is by Croatian Techno producer Davor O. There are six tracks in the release all displaying Davor's subtle touch for minimal Techno yet with enough ideas to fill several releases by more established minimal labels (Hands up M_nus). The two tracks here clock in at over 10 minutes each but there are plenty of unique sounds to keep you interested. Davor describes two of the tracks thus.. "Moka Bay" is a futuristic beach party, as rays of sunset peek through silicon silhouettes of cybernetic dancers. Eerie bells ride through looped chirps, as cleansing waves of synths bubble between the toes. "Chiq Pearls" gets percussive on your ass, its tight groove tiptoeing through hip-shaking gamelan chimes, insistent bass pulses, and dub effects.Davor O - Chiq Pearls // Home Made Electronica
Davor O - Moka Bay // Home Made Electronica
You can find more details about the release at www.homemadeelectronica.com
Buy the release at Beatport
Labels: Davor O, Electronic, Minimal, Techno
Thursday, May 03, 2007
The Worm Has Turned
There's been a lot of talk in recent months about techno and dubstep getting ever closer and Villalobos' remix of Shackleton's Blood on my Hands has been one of the most hyped records of the year.It finally got released this week and weighs in at 18 minutes of extremely dark minimalism.
It's out on the prolific Skull Disco label who have had a number of critically acclaimed releases which have now been collated onto a double pack CD also out this week.
Shackleton - Blood on my Hands (Villalobos Apocalypso mix) // Skull Disco
You can buy Skull Disco releases here.
Sleeparchive is another of the techno heavyweights to have dabbled in this genre, co-producing the excellent LAC / Russia 12" on Stamp Release earlier this year. Check the speaker-shaking results below and pick up a copy here.
Stamp Release - Russia // Stamp Release
Labels: Dubstep, Electronic, Minimal, Ricardo Villalobos, Shackleton, Skull Disco, Techno
Monday, April 02, 2007
Jazz Noodles
Just a quick post to tell you about some new material by Kieran Hebden (aka Four Tet) and Steve Reid. Tongues is the new album by the pair and while improvised, off-kilter, avant-garde Jazz noodling is not my usual bag, this track sounds rather interesting and I'm sure someone out there will like it (although I'm not quite sure who... or why).Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid - The Sun Never Sets // Domino
This is much more up ill-ec-tro-nic's street, an Audion remix. If all else fails give it Matthew Dear to sort out.
Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid - People Be Happy / Rhythm Dance (Audion's Highlight Mix) // Domino
Buy Tongues at Juno check their website www.kieranhebdenandstevereid.com
Labels: Audion, Electronic, Jazz, Kieran Hebden, Minimal, Steve Reid, Techno
Monday, March 26, 2007
Breakfast Time!
I avoided the over confident approach of posting this track during our 'Birthday Bombs' series despite the fact that the two previous Soliton Research tracks I posted did technically qualify as 'exclusive releases'.This latest ditty is something I've knocked up recently and as usual I'll just leave you a link to the track and let you make your own mind up about it.
I've also entered it into a competition to try and win some free studio time - you can check that out here. Would love to know what you think (good or bad) so comments here or via the comp would be greatly appreciated.
Nanorhythm - Continental Breakfast
P.S. Anyone who has already heard this track, this is a slightly different version that was only completed today.
EDIT: Thanks to the guys who made the comments and for the positive feedback - much appreciated :-)
I had to temporarily change the hosting of this track as we broke March's bandwidth allowance at Soliton Research. Not sure where the comments disappeared to after the re-post?!
Labels: Electronic, Minimal, Nanorhythm, Soliton Research, Techno
Tuesday, March 06, 2007
ill-ec-tro-nic @ 1001
Thursday March 8th sees ill-ec-tro-nic returning to Cafe 1001 in Brick lane to spin more of the lastest Electronic wonders.Joining Bauer and Myself we have a special guest. Kiran AKA 'Mr Soft' from the excellent TAPE blog whom I'm sure will have tunes so fresh that the CDR's will still be warm.
We will be in spinning in the bar from 7.30 til Midnight. It's free all night so come and join us for more aural delights. Click for directions.
And for those of you that missed it last time, here is my live DJ from last month. Enjoy.
Langer - Live @ 1001 Mix (08.02.07)
Tracklist: 08.02.07
Booka Shade - Darko (Radioslave Remix) // Get Physical
Alex Under - Untitled // Apnea
Bobby Peru - Erotic Discourse (Audiojack Mix) // 20:20 Vision
OST, Kjex - Shanghai My Chedder // Dialect Recordings
Elektrochemie - Mucky Star // Get Physical
OST, Kjex - How Not to Be A Biscuit // Crosstown Rebels
Marc Romboy & Stephan Bodzin - Telesto // Systematic
The Knife - Silent Shout // Brille
Alex Smoke - Prima Materia (Abort Mix) // Soma
Heartthrob - Baby Kate (Sascha Funke Remix) // M_nus
Burial - Distant Lights // Hyperdubs
Moderat - Let Your Love Grow // De:bugs
Labels: 1001, Electro House, Electronic, Electronica, Live, Minimal, Mix, Techno
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Paranormal Activity
There is currently lots of activity over at Ghostly International and Spectral Sound. I got sent the brand new remix album from Lusine (AKA Jeff Mcllwain). Entitled Podgelism (Tracks taken from his debut album Serial Hodgepodge) it is a stunning collection of glitchy rhythms and intricate melodies remixed by himself plus other top-flight electronica producers including Apparat, John Tejada, Lawrence and Matthew Dear.My favourites from the album include scatter-shot rhythms and warm tones of Flat (Lusine Remix) and Falling In (Lusine Remix). Matthew Dear steels the show however with his pure liquid electronics interpretation of Flat For You. Masterful.
Unfortunately I'm only allowed to give you one treat from this album but you can listen to the rest of this superb collection here.
Lusine - Still Life (Lusine Remix) // Podgelism LP - Ghostly International
Next up are some brand new remixes of one off the biggest tunes of last year. Audion's Mouth To Mouth was a track of atomic bomb proportions, destroying every dancefloor within a 50 mile radius. It's no surprise then to learn that is has got the remix treatment from both Heartthrob and Konrad Black. Trying to better the energy of the original would be impossible so both producers have opted to strip the track right back to it's minimal foundations leaving it's bassline and adding snippets of the original synths which gave it such a distinct sound.We can't give you the full versions but my boy RAW has done a special little edit for your listening pleasure. You can however listen to the other mixes here.
Audion - Mouth to Mouth (Whorenando's "Couch to Couch" mix by Konrad Black) EDIT // Spectral Sound 12"
You can buy both these releases at Beaport and Juno from March 20th
Labels: Electronic, Electronica, Ghostly International, Lusine, Minimal, Remixes, Spectral Sound, Techno
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Brand New Bodzin
Stephan Bodzin (looking the ever moody baldy Techno producer) has released two brand new tracks on the Spiel-Zeug Schallplatten imprint. Bodzin has become one of my favourite techno producers of recent months and has developed his own distinct sound on his own and in collaboration with producers Thomas Schumacher (Elektrochemie) Oliver Huntemann (Rekorder) and of course Marc Romboy. These two new gems carry on from maximal synth sounds aired on the recent Rekorder series (which owe a debt to 'The Sky Was Pink' by Nathan Fake. The influence of which has become massive). I wonder if Mr Bodzin got the titles for these tracks from recent excursions to these places, although why he would want to travel to Bedford is anyone's guess.Stephan Bodzin - Daytona Beach // Spiel-Zeug Schallplatten
Stephan Bodzin - Bedford // Spiel-Zeug Schallplatten Sample
Buy this at Juno Download
And here's another treat for you Bodzin fans. Check out his recent podcast at Resident Advisor. It's packed with his own productions and remixes.
Stephan Bodzin - Live DJ set Club Nitsa, Barcelona // Resident Advisor Podcast
Labels: Electronic, Minimal, Spiel-Zeug Schallplatten, Stephan Bodzin, Techno
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
This Week I Have Been Mostly Listening To....
My mood has been dark this week. Maybe it's the weather, maybe it's work. These tunes have complemented my state of mind. The Burial album is the sound of urban isolation, echos in subway underpasses. The warm glow of a halogen street lamp.
Burial - Distant Lights // Hyperdubs
Heartthrob - Baby Kate (Sascha Funke Remix) // Minus
This mix by Sascha Funke of Heartthrob is totally hypnotising. It's a dubbed out reworking which which will have you lost in the bassline and cycling synth lines. One of the best Techno records so far this year.
OST & Kjex - How Not To Be A Biscuit // Crosstown Rebels
Elektrochemie - Muck Star (Original Mix) // Get Physical
On a more dancefloor oriented tip here are a couple of tunes that are uplifting yet retain dark undercurrents. OST & Kjex released this mesmerising tune late last year that has synth elements of 'The Sky Was Pink' (yet another one) but still retains its originality and is a progression of the sound.
Mucky Star is the brand new track by Elektrochemie who were responsible for last year's Your My Kind! which utilised the vocal talents of Caitlin Devlin alongside the production work of Thomas Schumacher and one Stephan Bodzin, the man responsible for the Rekorder series and also a big fan of the production style seen on the OST & Kjex tracks, check Rekorder 5.1 and 7.1 to see what I mean. The vocal on this reminds me of Roisin Murphy of Moloko.
If you are down at Cafe 1001 Tomorrow night you may just here me play some of these out.
Buy all these records at Beatport and Boomkat
Burial - Distant Lights // Hyperdubs
Heartthrob - Baby Kate (Sascha Funke Remix) // Minus
This mix by Sascha Funke of Heartthrob is totally hypnotising. It's a dubbed out reworking which which will have you lost in the bassline and cycling synth lines. One of the best Techno records so far this year.
OST & Kjex - How Not To Be A Biscuit // Crosstown Rebels
Elektrochemie - Muck Star (Original Mix) // Get Physical
On a more dancefloor oriented tip here are a couple of tunes that are uplifting yet retain dark undercurrents. OST & Kjex released this mesmerising tune late last year that has synth elements of 'The Sky Was Pink' (yet another one) but still retains its originality and is a progression of the sound.
Mucky Star is the brand new track by Elektrochemie who were responsible for last year's Your My Kind! which utilised the vocal talents of Caitlin Devlin alongside the production work of Thomas Schumacher and one Stephan Bodzin, the man responsible for the Rekorder series and also a big fan of the production style seen on the OST & Kjex tracks, check Rekorder 5.1 and 7.1 to see what I mean. The vocal on this reminds me of Roisin Murphy of Moloko.
If you are down at Cafe 1001 Tomorrow night you may just here me play some of these out.
Buy all these records at Beatport and Boomkat
Labels: Crosstown Rebels, Dubstep, Electronic, Get Physical, Hyperdubs, Minimal, Minus, Techno
Sunday, February 04, 2007
ill-ec-tro-nic @ 1001
This Thursday, February 8th sees ill-ec-tro-nic return to Cafe 1001 in Brick Lane for another hoedown of the electronic variety. Catch us in the bar all night from 7.30pm. It's free all night so come down, listen to some soothing Techno grooves and kick back knowing that you only have one day left until the weekend. Click for directions.Langer - Live @ 1001 mix (11.01.07)
Photo: Janette Beckman/PYMCA
Track list:
1. From Karaoke To Stardom - Maguliadura // Rrygular
2. Martin Buttrich - Cloudy Bay // Pokerflat
3. Booka Shade - Darko (Radio Slave remix) // Get Physical
4. Riton & Heidi - Vejer // Get Physical
5. Chelonis R. Jones - Deer In The Headlights (DJ Radioslave Remix) // Get Physical
6. OST, Kjex - Shanghai My Cheddar // Dialect Recordings
7. Lazy Fat People - Shinjuku // Wagon Repair
8. Depeche Mode - The Sinner In Me (Villalobos Conclave Remix) // Mute
9. Cobbletone Jazz - Dump Truck // Wagon Repair
10. Rekorder - Rekorder 7.1 // Rekorder
11. Hot Chip - No It State (Audion Remix) // EMI Promo
Labels: 1001, Electro House, Electronic, Live, Minimal, Mix, Techno
Thursday, February 01, 2007
The Theory Of Everything
Look up 'Prima Materia' and you will discover that it has many meanings. Primevil matter, a fundamental substance. In the broadest terms the concept of the prima materia states that all particular substances are formed out of one and the same original substance.In Descartes' philosophy of radical doubt the prima materia is knowledge or perception (including the inner perception of one's own mind) because the existence of an objective reality corresponding to our perceptions can never be demonstrated.
Its existence is intimately linked to our need to understand the ultimate or absolute truth of our reality and to the folly of our quest for the 'theory of everything'.
I wonder if Alex Smoke had this on his mind when he produced this beautiful but distorted slice of string led Techno minimalism? This is sublime. This could be very big indeed.
Alex Smoke - Prima Materia (Abort Mix) // Soma Recordings
Buy it
Labels: Alex Smoke, Electronic, Minimal, Soma, Techno
Saturday, January 27, 2007
For the Heads
Now lets face it, most of us spend more time than is really healthy browsing through racks of vinyl or searching the web for more fine sounds to pleasure our ears. But even amongst the constant barrage of hyped releases there are always some that seem to be granted that that extra ounce of praise leaving the would be purchaser with high levels of anticipation. The hype surrounding Convextion's eponymously-titled album on Down Low is one such example of this and the limited vinyl release including the even more limited coloured vinyl format only serves to raise expectations still further. But in these times of large amounts of quality and varied releases every week does anything ever really live up to the hype? In my opinion, the answer is 'rarely' because a single record is unlikely to change your life as certain reviewers would have you believe. Does this mean we shouldn't get excited about new releases and not bother heading down to the shops to buy them? Of course not as it's always a joy to add to an ever-expanding record collection. So as you all start to lose interest in my waffle and wonder where I'm going with this (I'm wondering this myself too!) I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is a good album that obviously has influences from many of Detroit's forefathers as well as Europe's elder statesmen such as Basic Channel and Aphex Twin (when he's not in clanking dustbin lid territory) but it's not really that much more special than others in its field. The price in the stores is a little high but still well worth splashing out those pennies on so here's one of my faves to give you a taster of what's in store should you decide to start the hunt for one of the elusive copies yourself.Convextion - Astrum // Down Low Records
Labels: Detroit, Electronic, Minimal, Techno
