Saturday, September 20, 2008
Something Old Something New
Frank Omura's debut release, 'Unshaven Face EP', recently came out on Moodgadget and delivers five tracks of refreshing electronic goodness. Much like the varied mix of styles exhibited by Moodgadget's artist roster, each of the tracks on the EP is different from the next with everything from experimental electronica and soundtrack style atmospherics to dancefloor-focused techno and electro all being present. The EP contains nigh on enough ideas for a whole album but the ever changing sounds are cohesive and the heavy use of effects adds depth; resulting in a captivating array of sonic delights. 'Day Colliders' is probably my favourite cut from the EP but as the artist and label are kind enough to offer a free track for download it's only fair to post this one.Frank Omura - The Juggernaut Audition //Moodgadget (2008)
As with most of Moodgadget's releases, the EP is only available digitally and you can pick up it up from most of the big players including Boomkat.
EDIT: Moodgadget has got in touch and kindly given permission for us to put 'Day Colliders' up too - enjoy!
Frank Omura - Day Colliders // Moodgadget (2008)
During my constant quest for new and exciting music it's often nice to go back and hear some slightly older classics and in recent months Hardfloor's contribution to the 'Tales of the Unexpected' mix series has satisfied my cravings on a few such occasions. The acid veterans decided to take a slightly different approach with the project by positioning the album as a continuous mix spread over two CDs. From the listener's perspective all this really means is that the last track on the first disc is the first on the second one and due to a couple of badly placed vocal tracks on CD1, it's CD2 that's been the air time on my stereo. As was the norm a few years back there's a healthy dose of big basslines on offer as well as some nice old school loopy minimalism and some no nonsense electro. Unlike many mix CDs, the one thing that's missing is a liberal smattering of the artist's own tracks and in fact only one gets a mention and as you'd expect from these guys it's drenched in classic 303 squelch. A couple of tracks from the release feature below and it also seemed fitting to put up the track that cemented Hardfloor's place in electronic music's history.Alden Tyrell- Digger //Clone (2000)
Convextion - Stiletto Caress (for Yvette) // Down Low (2002)
Hardfloor - Acperience 1 //Harthouse (1992)
Buy Tales of The Unexpected 3 at Juno.
Labels: Alden Tyrell, Convextion, Frank Omura, Hardfloor, Moodgadget
Wednesday, August 06, 2008
Bring The Noise
The use of White Noise in music fascinates me and has a deep effect on my psyche. Maybe because it is the background sound of the universe, static hiss left over from the big bang where we all come from. Its utilisation in Rock and Electronic music is the sound of feedback and the static 'fuzz in the mixer' of crackles and pops to create layer upon layer of textured sounds.There are a number of artists that utilise this feedback fuzz in their creations, My Bloody Valentine and M83 are a couple of the most well known, but I have been discovering a few more tracks along the way by lesser known producers such as Ricardo Tobar that I posted back in November last year and the opus below by Jesse Somfay, which I was turned on to by a post by Random Circuits.
Fricative White (From a whisper to a scream) by Jesse Somfay is quite simply a masterpiece of fuzzy Techno which subtly rises and falls with different elements over a staggering 27 mins.
Jesse Somfay - Fricative White (From a whisper to a scream) // Serendip - Arch 036
Another great track is from a new compilation on Moodgadget Records. The Synchronicity Suite is a compilation ranging from Electropop to instrumental Post Rock and glitchy Electronica that is a great mix of styles to suit all tastes. 'Cavedweller' by The Reflecting Skin is another slice of fuzzy Tech House which peaks with layers of white noise to lose your senses to.The Reflecting Skin - Cavedweller (Instrumental Version) // Moodgadget
Buy the compilation at Beatport
I couldn't leave without giving you a rare instumental outing from the master Kevin Shields and MBV.
My Bloody Valentine - Instrumental B // Creation 1988
Labels: Jesse Somfay, Moodgadget, My Bloody Valentine
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
Sunday, July 22, 2007
Clear And Present Danger
I just got hold of some excellent new tracks that I had to share with you. First up is a remix of probably one of the most influential electronic tracks ever. "Clear" by Cybotron (Juan Atkins and Richard Davis) is considered to be a proto Electro/Techno classic from 1983. Cobblestone Jazz have stuck closely to the original version with their remix, just adding some trademark Mathew Jonson dark bass action. It's a good update on the original.
Cybotron - Clear (Cobblestone Jazz Remix) // Juno Buy
Next is a great Techno EP sent from Moodgadget Records. The Mission To Mars EP by Isomer Transition contains four quality deep Techno tracks. "Space Maddness" is the standout with a sound really reminiscent of "Baby Kate" by Heartthrob. Check it.
Isomer Transition - Space Maddness // Moodgadget Released August 18th.
Last but by no means least is a brand new track from ill-ec-tro-nic favourites Modeselektor. These guys can do no wrong at the moment. The have a new album "Happy Birthday" out on BPitch Control in September and from the tracks I have heard so far looks set to be one of the electronic albums of the year. One track from the album "Let Your Love Grow" featuring Paul St Hilaire was posted on this very blog last year by RAW. It is a collaboration with Apparat (Under the name Moderat) and was only ever released on an exclusive free CD given away with De:Bug Magazine.
The track I have for you however is very special. It features the vocal stylings of Radiohead's Thom Yorke and is quite exquisite in its depth and beauty. I'm going to have this on constant rotation.
Modeselektor - The White Flash (Feat Thom Yorke) // BPitch Control. Released Sept.
EDIT: Removed by Request.
Cybotron - Clear (Cobblestone Jazz Remix) // Juno Buy
Next is a great Techno EP sent from Moodgadget Records. The Mission To Mars EP by Isomer Transition contains four quality deep Techno tracks. "Space Maddness" is the standout with a sound really reminiscent of "Baby Kate" by Heartthrob. Check it.
Isomer Transition - Space Maddness // Moodgadget Released August 18th.
Last but by no means least is a brand new track from ill-ec-tro-nic favourites Modeselektor. These guys can do no wrong at the moment. The have a new album "Happy Birthday" out on BPitch Control in September and from the tracks I have heard so far looks set to be one of the electronic albums of the year. One track from the album "Let Your Love Grow" featuring Paul St Hilaire was posted on this very blog last year by RAW. It is a collaboration with Apparat (Under the name Moderat) and was only ever released on an exclusive free CD given away with De:Bug Magazine.
The track I have for you however is very special. It features the vocal stylings of Radiohead's Thom Yorke and is quite exquisite in its depth and beauty. I'm going to have this on constant rotation.
Modeselektor - The White Flash (Feat Thom Yorke) // BPitch Control. Released Sept.
EDIT: Removed by Request.
Labels: BPitch Control, Cobblestone Jazz, Cybotron, Electro, Electronic, Isomer Transition, Moderat, Modeselektor, Moodgadget, Techno
