Hello,
Our love for the latest release on the Forced Nostalgia label borders on obsession – a split LP unearthing an absolute gem of early 80’s Casio pop from little known Glaswegian group Vazz, coupled with a side of analogue gloom-wave from Italy’s La Bambola Del Dr Caligari. It’s an amazing set – but that Vazz side in particular is just off the scale, reminding us of so much music we love from the era, ranging from Antena’s ‘Camino Del Sol’ all the way to The Cure’s ‘Seventeen Seconds’, augmented by incredibly forward-thinking electronic production that genuinely ranks it alongside some of the finest electronic pop of the early 80’s. If you’re after something special – this is the real deal.
After lurking in the shadows awaiting its turn, the fourth and final instalment of Demdike Stare’s ‘Elemental’ set finally drops this week on limited coloured vinyl. These will fly out so hurry if you’d like a copy, and in case you blinked and missed it, there’s good news: the deluxe double CD edition of the full Elemental album (including alternate versions of vinyl tracks plus a ruck more) is now also available for preorder below.
Outta the near-arctic north, Finland to be precise, Sähko offer Atom ™ aka Uwe Schmidt’s stunning – and somehow previously unreleased – ambient odyssey ‘Cold Memories’ , spread across two discs (2 hours total). It’s deeply reminiscent of early ’90s classics from AFX, but also with passages of glacial minimalism recalling the likes of Eleh and Mika Vainio, or even a frozen Leyland Kirby. Connoisseurs and audiophiles should take note.
Another archival tip, of very different stripes, is The best of Regis ‘1994-1996’ collected by Downwards. For those who missed his hand-crafted ‘Adolescence’ 3CD set (pretty much everyone), this is essentially CD1, charting the foundations of the Birmingham Techno sound through 16 girder-strong and darkly funked-up weapons. Oh, and the first ever Regis twelve is also now at long last available on wax again. Both tracks were recorded in ’94 onto a Philips pocket memo, and have been recently re-mastered for optimal bite and scratch, housed in a gorgeous reverse-board jacket.
Also in this week – longer players for the floor from Benjamin Damage & Doc Daneeka, and 100% Silk renegade, Cuticle. The former’s ‘They!Live’ album for MDSLKTR’s 50 Weapons is a sophisticated balance of Warehouse ravers and, lush melancholic vibes suitable for home listening, while Cuticle’s psychdelic ‘Mother Rhythm Earth Memory’ is best suited for the home, but braver DJs could really flip a floor – both recommended!
For Doom heads and Bass lovers, they don’t come any more crucial than Sunn 0)))’s towering behemoth, ’00 Void’ – reissued this week for the 1st time in eight years, while blissout masters Windy & Carl return with the loveliest folksy ambience for Kranky on ‘We Will Always Be’. From acoustic folk laments to Basinski-esque drifts and chiming, Robin Guthrie-like guitar patterns, it’s a warm salve for those weary of winter and seeking something to immerse themselves in.
There’s a strong smell of dark Techno of varying shades in the office this week, headed by a killer bullet from the Chasing Voices posse out of New York. Its another one-sided pressing in screen-printed jacket which is bound to fly out, whilst elsewhere Will Bankhead and Joy Orbison open their Hinge Finger account with a supremely blunted side from NYC’s Madteo and the hotly tipped Ifan Dafydd presents his debut proper on Push & Run for fans of James Blake. Oh, and there’s a heavy dose of funked-up House mutations from Machinedrum for LuckyMe and Lamin Fofana for Aramac’s Sticks “N” Stones Recordings to boot.
Also out this week, new releases from: Dro Carey, Expo 70, DMZ, Goth Trad, Terry RIley, Raime, Oren Ambarchi, Robert Lippok, Helios/Goldmund, Zeena Parkins, Forest Swords, Bruce Haack, Rrose, Lone, Not Not Fun, Ilyas Ahmed, ASC, Ali Renault, John Tejada and much much more.
Have yourselves a fabulous week…
Peace! nekkers…xx
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