List #1 _ July 2013

Closest thing to a subsekt chart, ft. Developer, Subjected, Ross Alexander, Lakker, Hubot, Minimum Syndicat, Consoless, Mike Dred, REALMZ & The Stooges.

 

Developer

Proper Techno mix from Developer circa ’99.  3 decks and a shitload of vinyl.  One comment on SC talks about this being a strange soundtrack to LA back then, but likewise, the exact same could be said for anywhere in 2013. Ban atmospheres and bring back the funk. Turn it up.

 

Subjected _ Zero

New-ish album from Subjected. Just getting to hear it now, but need to listen to it a bit more. Really like VX800. There’s a track called TG33 on it too.. and I’m mad about them, so big thumbs up! Dirty music.

 

Ross Alexander _ Rhapsody of Discontent

Ross set up his label Forte last year and has just released his debut album – Rhapsody of Discontent. There’s a smart balance between the driving and deeper sounds here.. and the pace is always  good, especially when considering it as a whole album. In terms of individual tracks, I especially like Broken Translation, First Move, Amber and Head Protein. Amber in particular is a wonderful insight into the quality of Ross’ ideas and the level of effort he has poured into these tracks. Falling Away is great stuff too..  Out now on the Camp of Band. Well worth investigating.

 

Lakker _ Interview / Mix & New Monad

Nice interview and superb sonic assault from Lakker over on on Inverted Audio. The mix also features their remix for the brilliant Roebin de Freitas and the new label that he’s getting together right now. Looking forward to that. I’ve also been listening to their new Monad XIV on Stroboscopic Artefacts over the last couple of days & it’s excellent. Previews aren’t up yet, but I really love the direction that they’re going in these days. Every release seems to top the last. Some bits on the Monad are shuffly, dubby and glitchy.. kinda Electro in places, with IDM rhythms. Noisy and mixed up stuff everywhere. The customary “ambient” track that we expect from this series; Artificial Weather, is stunning. Perfect.

Hubot _ VCH

Don’t know much about this one.. I heard it while scanning Juno the other day and I thought the idea of modular Techno sounded pretty nice. Looks to be Hubot’s first release. Will definitely be keeping a ear out for new stuff.

Minimum Syndicat _ Harfang EP

New one from the excellent Pareto Park. This is being released on vinyl as well as digital and includes a cool Exium remix. Really like the 1st track and Derelict. They’ve all got a certain sophistication to them and theres no fucking about here, just slick, stripped back, move your body Techno. Excellent.

Consoless _ 22EC _ EP

Got this one the other day too. Mattias Fridell’s alter ego finally steps out from the RKT’s  mastering shadows and gets a full release. The result is an EP of flawlessly deep Techno, pounding and trippy as hell. 22EC _ 55 is slow burning and driving, but 23EC_56 & 24EC_57 (Try asking him to play any of those while shouting over a Function One sometime. Please 😀 ) are my favourites as the you can really hear him  exploring his sound and trying to do something new. There’s also a class Voidloss Remix of the main track.. with possibly the best percussion line that I have ever heard. It’s absolutely banging and sounds like your speakers are disintegrating. Superb. Out Now.

 

Mike Dred

Been listening to a lot of old Mike Dred stuff. Jawdroppingly good music. We’ve got an old skool set from the time capsule that is his HD coming up very soon, so I’ve been trying to imagine what it could be like. Pure class.

REALMZ _ Articulated Oblivion

Rob has a new one out in July.. on vinyl and looks to be on his own label too; Internal Realmz. Really like all of these, which remind me of some of the tracks that he played in his subsekt mix. Its Techno / Industrial.. but more of an original, less distorted vibe. Tense music. Trigger is wicked.. and Roaming The Mental Plane.. and Chasms.. and Timeless Halls. They all are.

Glastonbury 2013

As a regular armchair festival-goer, I was severely disappointed by the TV coverage of this years Glastonbury with far more lows than highs. Mumford & Sons headlining the main stage, while The XX were closing the other stage on Sunday? The ZZZzzz. ..

The mud is fast turning the same colour of beige because of the predictable Radio 1 playlist that dictates who gets what % of coverage. Stoopid presenters. Rappers in boxfresh welly boots. Same old shit every year. No surprises. Rare enjoyment. John Peel would be so sad. At least Wiley was honest and said it sucked.

So I decided to watch something else on Sunday night instead; The Stooges from 2007, playing like their lives depended on it and sadly for guitarist, Ron Asheton (RIP), it would literally be one of his last performances. Brilliant bass and demented stage presence from Mike Watt of The Minutemen.This is how it should be done. Tunes, energy, pace, excitement. These guys were in their late 50’s / early 60’s at the time. Respect.