The ill-ec-tro-nic

Another slightly overdue post, this time featuring two heavyweight releases from the rather prolific TVO.

First up is his 'Rooks' 12" for Stuff, a two-tracker featuring a fresh mix of Afanc plus a new track Dots & Hashes. The original version of Afanc featured on the limited CDR given away with early copies of the Dark is Rising EP, although it's probably the 2562 remix on the aforementioned 12" that's the best known version to date. It's TVO on the remix duty this time round and he takes the track back to it's original techno structure but ups the pace a bit and delivers a constantly evolving version that sounds, in parts, not dissimilar to Aril Brikha's early works but finsihes in glitchy cinematic soundscape territory. Dots and Hashes is another constantly shifting affair but this time the haunting melodies and broken percussion kick off the proceedings before the track morphs into a full blown 4/4 workout around the halfway mark, throwing more ideas into a single track than the average minimalist manages in a whole EP and delivering a barrage of low-end party fun.

Copies of Rooks are still available here.

Moving onto 'The Starry Wisdom' on Highpoint Lowlife, opening track Akio Cut With Saffron carries on perfectly from where Dots & Hashes left off with another helping of old-school bass but this time underpinned by hypnotic percussion and a dark, Detroit-tinged undercurrent. Where Rooks had a broadly techno feel, Starry Wisdom leans more into electro and electronica territory although as ever with TVO's work he tends not to get stuck into any one particular camp for too long, so it's no surprise that so many influences are on display here. 'Akio' is probably my favourite track but the booty bass fun of Non-euclidian is also a particularly strong offering as is The king in Yellow. All in all, this is a very solid package and Highpoint's decision to put this out on vinyl after following a 'digital only' path for a while pays testament to the quality of the goods on offer here.

TVO - Non-euclidian // Highpoint Lowlife - buy vinyl or mp3

Before I go, one final thing to mention is TVO's recent mix for Fact magazine. Sure, I'm going to be a little enthusiastic about this one as it happens to feature one of my own productions, but putting that aside, this is a seriously killer mix, taking in all manner of electronic delights and exhibiting the vast influences and creativity that can be heard in Ruaridh's own work but also showing that he can cut it with the best of them behind the DJ booth too. Check it out here.

Labels: Highpoint Lowlife, Stuffrecords, TVO

When record labels you love announce that they're closing down it's usually a cause of sadness but when the reason behind the closure is to join forces with like minded souls to move into bigger and better things it can only be a good thing.

This is exactly what's happening with Wireblock, Dress 2 Sweat and our friends at Stuffrecords as they launch their new Numbers label. Numbers has been running as a club night for 5 years now and from it's humble beginnings in Glasgow it has become known as major force on the scene, even coming second in last year's best club poll in Mixmag!

Releases on the three associated labels have been coming thick and fast in recent years and have received large amounts of critical acclaim as well as helping to thrust the likes of Rustie, Hudson Mohawke and TVO onto the scene as well as well as putting out new material from old hands such as Lory D and Rod Lee.

Originally planning to put out music on the new label this year, the first records are now scheduled for early 2010 but this hasn't stopped the crew from moving ahead with the partying. Given the current dispersion of the rather sizable Numbers posse it's only fitting that they hold multiple label launch parties. The Glasgow event went of in fine style (by all accounts) last week but next Thursday sees the party come to London's Plastic People. Performing live on the night are Dorian Concept and Redinho with Deadboy, Jackmaster and Ben UFO on DJ duties. While some of these names may be new to you, Numbers is surely an outfit that can be trusted on such things and if you're in any doubt as to the likely quality of the sounds on offer, check these mixes for a taster of what may lie in store.

Wireblock - XlR8R Mix
Jackmaster - Mix for FWD

Full details of the party can be found on the Numbers website where you can also sign up for their mailing list to get your hands on a whole pile of other mixes.

Labels: Ben UFO, Deadboy, Dorian Concept, Dress 2 Sweat, Jackmaster, Numbers, Redinho, Stuffrecords, Wireblock

Here's a final reminder about our night down at Concrete Bar in London. We are showcasing Glasgow's Stuff records and playing live is The Village Orchestra and ill-ec-tro-nic's very own RAW in his Nanorhythm guise.

TVO has an arsenal of electronic weapons in his machines ranging from cerebral armchair electronica through to dancefloor bombs whilst always exhibiting an air of playful experimentation. With a new album just released on Highpoint Lowlife and still riding the wave of the critical acclaim he received for his The Dark is Rising EP on Stuffrecords earlier in the year, this rare London appearance for the talented producer should be unmissable.

Nanorhythm will already be known to The ill-ec-tro-nic readership and while a small number of his productions have been exposed to the world via the blog and through the Soliton Research netlabel (of sorts) that he co-runs, this is Nanorhythm's debut live set. He's been working on a host of new productions and is looking forward to unleashing his brand of dub-infused techno minimalism on the crowd.

If that's not enough then Stuff and Numbers resident DJ Goodhand will be bringing the funk with his glitched-up party tunes and myself, Langer will be playing deep Techno and my favourite cutting edge Dubtec records.

We always like to give you a little something extra here at ill-ec-tro-nic so TVO has put together a superb mix of Techno and Dubstep for you listening pleasure.

TVO - Blank Page Mix // 1 h 40 mins

You can get the tracklisting plus other Stuffrecords podcasts Here.

Saturday July 18th
Concrete Bar,
Hayward Gallery, South Bank,
London, SE1 8XX
8pm - 1am / Free Entry

Map

Facebook

www.stuffrecords.co.uk
www.ruaridh.marciablaine.com
www.nmbrs.net
www.solitonresearch.com
www.myspace.com/djmarksolo

Labels: Concrete Bar, Nanorhythm, Stuff Records, Stuffrecords, The Village Orchestra

Apologies that our posting frequency's been even slacker than normal of late but one of the things that's been keeping Langer and I busy is sorting out a party for next month.

It's at Concrete Bar which is part of the Hayward Gallery on London's Southbank and is crackin' little venue both inside and out. We've got a Stuffrecords special going on with The Village Orchestra playing live as well as Stuff/Numbers resident DJ Goodhand. I'm donning my Nanorhythm guise for the evening and playing my debut live set and Langer and our mate Mark Solo are on DJ duties as well. It's on Saturday July 18th 8pm-1am and it's FREE to get in too so hopefully see you there!

Saturday July 18th, Concrete Bar, Hayward Gallery, South Bank, London SE1.
8pm - 1am Free Entry.

Map

Facebook page

We'll be reminding you about it nearer the time too but to whet your appetite's here's a tasty little mix that Mark did for my Soliton Research site - enjoy!

Mark Solo - The Waters Have Broken

Tracklist:

01 | Tokyo Black Star - Game Over (Loco Dice 5am Remix)
02 | Deepchord - Vantage Isle (DC Mix)
03 | Deepchord - Vantage Isle (Original)
04 | Ovatow - Phalaenopsis
05 | Onur Ozer - Kasmir (Loco Dice Remix)
06 | Reese and Santonio - How To Play Our Music
07 | Affkt & Danny Fiddo - Points
08 | Fuckaponydelic - Switch The Lights (Motorcitysoul Mix)
09 | Kenny Larkin - Bass Mode
10 | Inspirational - Releasing The Pressure (Rhadoo Mix)
11 | Lauhaus - Cassmance
12 | Jona - Sunset
13 | Minilogue - Ghost
14 | Repeat Repeat - Why Must
15 | Body Code - Equidistant
16 | Queen - Flash's Theme
17 | Chromatics - Running Up That Hill

Labels: Concrete Bar, Goodhand, ill-ec-tro-nic, Mark Solo, Nanorhythm, Soliton Research, Stuffrecords