Category Archives: Music

New/Reviews

Recent new music binge

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First stuff I’ve bought since May. I’ve finally started shopping digitally when possible, so expect a broader range and less full releases. I’m also hoping that less time spent encoding vinyl will translate in to more time spent listening, mixing and writing reviews of this stuff.

Wax
The Little Ones – Morning Tide [EMI]
Flying Lotus – Los Angeles [Warp]

CDs
Various – Network – The Box Set: 50 Classics [Endulge]
Kenny Larkin – Keys Strings Tambourines [Planet E US]

Full digital releases
Kadebostan – Caracas Soul EP [Freude Am Tanzen Germany]
Studio – No Comply [Information]
Kadebostan – Grand Theatre EP [Fenou Germany]
Popol Vuh – Mika Vainio (Haswell & Hecker Remixes) [Editions Mego]
Kadebostan – Ruff Dancer EP [Freude Am Tanzen Germany]
Various – Innervisions Presents Muting The Noise [Innervisions Germany]
Kuniyuki – Remixed Vol 1 [Mule Musiq Japan]
Kuniyuki Takahashi – All These Things [Mule Musiq Japan]
Koss – Ring [Mule Electronic Japan]
Koss – Four Worlds Converge As One [Mule Electronic Japan]
Kuniyuki Takahashi – We Are Together [Mule Musiq Japan]
Pascal Schafer – Dawn [Karaoke Kalk Germany]
Move D/Benjamin Brunn – Songs From The Beehive [Smallville Germany]

Digital tracks
Terrence Dixon – Awaken [Yore Germany]
Terrence Dixon – Relent [Yore Germany]
Terrence Dixon – Links [Yore Germany]
Terrence Dixon – Destination [End to enD]
Stereocity – Dedicated JB [Deep Explorer Spain]
Inverse Cinematics – The Rise & Fall (Sam Irl remix) [Pulver Germany]
A Mountain Of One – Brown Piano (remake by Studio) [Information]
Rubies – Room Without A Key (version by Studio) [Information]
Zassem Mosse – Untitled B1 (original mix) [Workshop Germany]
Workshop – Untitled B1 (original mix) [Workshop Germany]
The Mole – I’ve Got My A1 [Musique Risquee]
Syclops – NR17 [DFA US]
Syclops – 5 Out [DFA US]
Syclops – The Fly [DFA US]
The Mole – When It Tastes So Good, You Deserve It [Wagon Repair Canada]
Roland Appel – Lost Valley [Sonar Kollektiv Germany]
Roland Appel – New Love [Sonar Kollektiv Germany]
Rising Sun – Untitled B1 [Workshop Germany]
Benjamin Brunn – Untitled A1 [Workshop Germany]
Mujaba – Fuelta [Four Roses Germany]
Flying Lotus – Mages Sages (Light A Dub 2 This) [Mello Music Group]
Brennan Green – Escape From Chinatown (version by Studio) [Information]
Secondo – Distrails [Soul Jazz]
Secondo – Solstice [Soul Jazz]
Secondo – Quantum Lady [Soul Jazz]
The Asphalt – 8 Mile Road (Juju & Jordash mix) [Deep Explorer Spain]
Fontan – Early Morning (version by Studio) [Information]
Terrence Dixon – Region (original version) [Nice & Nasty]
Terrence Dixon – Device (original version) [Nice & Nasty]
Henrik Schwarz/Ame/Dixon – DPOMB (version 2) [Innervisions Germany]
Tob Jona – Metro 501 [Artless Germany]
Koss – Earth (Koss Self remix) [Mule Electronic Japan]

New/Reviews

Wayne Gardiner: Found

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The search is over. Nine digital-only releases since Summer 2007 on his CIMA Recordings imprint, the format presumably being the reason for these being off most people’s sonar. I’ve just bought at least one track off each of them, and every track from most. Some of it will no doubt be a bit polished for some people’s taste, but for this type of stuff I don’t think anyone does it better.

And for those seeking to catch up on his older stuff, all the Logic stuff on Strictly has been reissued digitally and on wax and Nervous have re-released all of his stuff digitally as well. Slightly older news I know, but worth repeating.

Mixes

New and Old: January 18,1999

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This was my first recorded mix that I was really happy with. It covers some deep house, slower Detroit house, Detroit and European techno. Originally recorded on January 18,1999.

2020 note: all mixes taken down for now to re-post at higher bitrate on Mixcloud in due course. If you’re at all keen for me to do this, please let me know and I will try and get anything specific you want to hear moved over ASAP.

Tracklist
Theo Parrish – Sweet Sticky [PeaceFrog]

Urban Tribe – D2000 [Mo’ Wax]

Paperclip People – 4 My Peepz [Planet E]

D.S.L. – Soothe Your Soul [Chili Funk]

Roy Davis Jr. – Black River [Lazyboy]

Herbert – Going Round [Phono]

Smyglyssna – Insvept I Papper [Plug Research]

Vincent S. – Joyful Pool [Bigelow]

Midnight Drive – Remember Me? (Freaks Tunring Yellow Dub) [Classic]

YMC – F-Connection [Yoshi Toshi]

Cari Lekebusch – Omslaget Motiverat [Hybrid]

Wyndell Long – Still Photo [Elypsia]

Richard Bartz – The Traveller [Kurbel]

Mr. James Barth – Stealin’ Music [SVEK]

Clark – Clip [Planet E]

CRo2 – Can’t Let Go [Trace Elements]

Film/Video

The Depeche Mode 101 Rose Bowl Concert

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It’s good. It’s basically just the CD with video accompaniment though. So buy the DVD for the whole package, buy the CD/vinyl for your routine listening needs.

I still think this is such a perfect time capsule of (pockets of) American infatuation with Depeche Mode. There are moments in almost every song that have a huge affect on me. PIMPF in particular invokes a direct emotional response as soon as it’s playing. It is the musical invocation of anticipation.

As I watch it I get grand ideas (as I am prone to do) abut throwing these tracks in to DJ sets. I would love to hear the 101 version of Stripped on a Funktion 1 system to kick off a DJ set, or Everything Counts to end one. I just wish people who are brave enough to include DM in their DJ sets would reach beyond the obvious. The last thing we need is DJs playing the DM equivalent of Blue Monday (and might I add what an absolutely worthless selection that is as a DJ). I would be happy for many months if someone surprised me and dropped Blue Dress in the middle of a set.

Mixes

Smooth ‘n Rough: Summer ’99

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This is a mix I recorded some time in the Summer of ’99. Some of it’s a bit speedy, as many of my mixes at the time were. I reckon that’s an inevitable consequence of mixing with pitched decks (when you increase the range to +/-16). It was also pretty crucial to teaching me how to mix stuff from different genres together. Anyway… I really dig this mix, having not heard it for a good few years. Lots of solid Chicago house and techno. Clocks in at just under an hour.

2020 note: all mixes taken down for now to re-post at higher bitrate on Mixcloud in due course. If you’re at all keen for me to do this, please let me know and I will try and get anything specific you want to hear moved over ASAP.

Tracklist
Heiko Laux – … To All Believers [Yoshi Toshi]

Turnstyle Orchestra – Latin Soul (…Not So Latin…Sonic Soul Mix) [Guidance]

Joshua – The Breeze [NRK Sound Division]

Paul Jacobs – Soul Grabber Pt. 3 [Aquarius Recordings]

20:20 Vision – Bob Hopefield (Urban Farmers Mix) [Soma]

Troy Brown – Feel Alright B2 [Aquarius Recordings]

Gemini – How Can I [Cyclo Records]

SunKiss – Tickle [Plastic City America]

Stewart S. Walker – Nave [Tresor]

Various Artists – #6 [Chain Reaction]

Surgeon – Oval [Downwards]

Surgeon – Learning B2 [Dynamic Tension Records]

Ian Pooley – Loopduell [Force Inc. Music Works]

Claude Young – Circumstance 2 [DJax Up Beats]

Infiniti – Electric Circus [Tresor]

Mixes, Radio

Noise on KRUI: 15 February 1997

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This is another one coming sort-of-by-request, as a recent thread about, “trip hop”, elsewhere on the internets bumped these mixes to the top of the archive pile. But before I get in to the detail I have to apologise for a few mixes on these tapes where I seem to think I can scratch, and hesitantly (thankfully fairly quietly) try to do so. It’s hideous. Never again, I promise.

The first (in two 30-minute segments) is a recording that was played on Noise on 15 February 1997.

2020 note: all mixes taken down for now to re-post at higher bitrate on Mixcloud in due course. If you’re at all keen for me to do this, please let me know and I will try and get anything specific you want to hear moved over ASAP.

Side A
F.S.O.L – Her Face Forms in Summertime [Virgin]

Fila Brazillia – Bulls Dozing [SSR]

Clatterbox – Easy Does It [Clear]

Midnight Funk Association – Code [Mo Wax]

Autechre – 902 Quarter [Warp]

Sun Electric – Stimpak [Apollo]

Side B
Funky Porcini – Long Road [Ninja Tune]

DJ Vadim – Headz Still Ain’t ready [Ninja Tune]

DJ Wally – Space People [Samz Jointz]

Pronoia – E ‘Rotisi (Interrogative Mix) [Groove Attack Productions]

Jaziac Sunflowers – Dazed and Confused [Black On Black Records]

Luke Vibert – Sharp A2 [Mo Wax]

I also found a similar mix, for which I have no date, and I can only assume it was from the same time period, as The Herbaliser album came out in March 1997. It’s one 45-minute segment.

The Herbaliser – Another Mother [Ninja Tune]

David Caron – Easy Afternoon [Eevo Lute Muzique]

Tek 9 – Phat Like A… [SSR]

DJ Wally – Ridiculous Sound [Home Entertainment]

Aloof – Wish You Were Here (David Holmes Instrumental) [EastWest]

DJ Cam – Innervisions [Columbia]

Snooze – The Chase (Fila Brazillia Remix) [SSR]

18 Wheeler – Stay (Dr. Rockit Remix) [Creation Records]

Snooze – The Snooze Theme [SSR]

The Wiseguys – Casino “Sans Pareil” [Wall of Sound]

Impulse – One-Six-Four-Seven (Numbers Rammed Down My Ear Mix By Autechre) [Studio !K7]

Radio

Background: Noise on KRUI

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A few words on my old radio show, so you know what I’m talking about when I refer to this stuff.

KRUI, 89.7 FM, is the University of Iowa’s student radio station where I hosted the weekly dance music show from Autumn 1992 – Spring 1997. For the first year it was called X-Static Radio, then Noise until Vince Woolums and Scott Stone took over as Noise Radio in the Summer of 1997 when I moved to Seattle for a bit.

I was extremely grateful to be able to continue the tradition of quality dance music on KRUI, pioneered by The Acid Club House, The Foundry and Dance Trax, which were all hugely influential on my musical development. Vince and I would schedule our lives around these shows when we were in high school. I’d often drive around in the car for three hours just so I could ensure uninterrupted signal, as my basement bedroom on the outskirts of town didn’t cut it.

This was my first experience as a DJ. I mostly bought CDs (quality dance music vinyl in Iowa City at the time was rather hard to come by) and pitch adjustable CD players didn’t hit the market until 1994, so most of the material is not beat-matched. I bought Denon CD players and a 3-channel, global 3-band EQ DJ mixer in 1994. I believe my first 1200 came in early 1995, so even the mixes in 1997 were towards the infancy of my beat mixing.

Towards the end of my time at KRUI I would often pre-record mixes to tape and play them on the air, as I was tired of not being able to mix properly in the studio (the decks were pre-1200, with the +/-6 dials that were nearly impossible to hold a mix on and radio mixers do some funny things with compressing low signals). I only explain this last bit so you understand why you won’t hear me talking on those mixes.

Gigs, Mixes

Bleep NYE 2002

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This one’s getting wheeled out by request of Rob Taylor, although I reckon the memories of the night will be better than the experience of listening to it today. The beginning is drift-y (to be kind) and the rest has levels all over, etc. All that said, it was my first proper set in London so it holds some very fond memories. And the tracks are favourites of mine, so here goes!

Note: the file is wma, as that’s the format I originally received it in and I didn’t want to introduce the lossiness of decode and re-encoding. Anyway… I had to log on to the Microsoft site to claim a license to listen to it (shows how long it’s been since I’ve listened to a wma file). Apologies if that causes any problems.

Tracklist
Set starts with the tail end of Plant43’s set

Amp Dog Knight – I’m Doing Fine [Mahogani Music]

Ola Jagun & The Ancestral Rhythms – Oda Oya (The Rebirth Version) [Spiritual Life Music]

Universal Tongues – Prayer for Sun [Natural Resource]

Hipnotic – Naima (Ian O’Brien Mix) [Laws of Motion]

Plutonia – Forever [Visions]

Rednose Distrikt – N.Y. Boom (Domu’s Nose-Beast Mix) [Rushhour Records]

Dom Um Romao – Lake of Perseverance (Opaque Remix) [Head To Toe Records]

Mustang – Twilight (Freedom Soundz re-edit) [Visions]

Needs – Walkin’ Through Circles [Needs Music]

Focus – Marvin Is One [Versatile Records]

Classic Man – Gentle Morning Rain [Natural Resource]

Kuniyuki – Precious Hall (Original Mix) [Natural Resource]

Convextion – Spice Tea [downLow]

Robert Hood – Quartz [Tresor]

Max Duley – Eternal Bleeding [ARC]

Thomas Kufner – Maginus [Kurbel]

The Moderator – Interstate 5 [Keynote]

Infiniti – Flash Flood [Tresor]

Mixes

Sold Volume II

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Not sure exactly when I recorded this, but I suspect it was some time between ’97-’99. It was all mixed from CD to minidisc, although there isn’t a great deal of mixing on this installment. I did three Sold mixes, each of which was a collection of tracks from CDs that I didn’t feel I could justify hanging on to when there was only one or two tracks on them that interested me. This was at a time when almost all of my income was devoted to paying off my music-binge-buying folly circa ’94-’96. Point being that if I could buy a few new bits from the proceeds of these, then parting with this stuff would be justifiable. The other thing behind this was that I never used my CD players for mixing anymore, so as a DJ the format was fairly useless to me even if I loved the tracks. In principle I would be buying this stuff again on wax in future but was Jonesing for some new bits right away.

The first installment was house and techno, but the mixing was mostly of the intro-over-outro style and many of the tracks look like obvious classics to my audience today, so I’ve opted not to bother with that one. This one is mostly down-tempo, and while it doesn’t actually include many distinct artists, I think it holds together as a mix tape reasonably well. I like the mood of it.

2020 note: all mixes taken down for now to re-post at higher bitrate on Mixcloud in due course. If you’re at all keen for me to do this, please let me know and I will try and get anything specific you want to hear moved over ASAP.

Tracklist
Two Lone Swordsmen – Azzolini And The Branch Brothers Meet Being [Emissions Audio Output]
Future 3 – Silver M [April Records]
Front 242 – Gripper By Fear (Bunker Mix) [Red Rhino Europe]
Front 242 – Mixed By Fear [Red Rhino Europe]
Orbital – Science Friction [FFRR]
Orbital – Adnan’s [FFRR]
Orbital – I Wish I Had Duck Feet [FFRR]
Saint Etienne – Only Love Can Break Your Heart (A Mix Of Two Halves) [Heavenly]
Coldcut – Autumn Leaves (Irresistible Force Mix Trip 2) [Waveform]
Woob – Pond Life [em:t]
Woob – Woobed [em:t]
Two Lone Swordsmen – In The Nursery Visit Glenn Street [Emissions Audio Output]

Mixes, Radio

Archives

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For quite a few years I’ve been promising to unearth my mix archives. Basically, the mixes on this site have never really stretched back before 1999 (unless some of you recall the Summer in Seattle mix from ’97, which once lived here in hideously low quality Real Audio). For the most part this has never materialised because I’ve not transferred anything over from tape, but I’ve also missed a few things along the way, so they aren’t all ancient. For a while I thought I’d hold out for a good price on a PlusDeck2c on eBay but they seem to be going up in price if anything, so I decided to crack on and get this thing rolling.

The first herculean hurdle was to align tapes with cases. Far too many of the tapes had no identifiable markings, and quite a few cases with tracklists needed to be filled. This hurdle is now clear, save about ten cases that seem to have no contents, and about twenty radio archives from ’96-’97 that have no markings or tracklists – but this is miles better than where I started.

I’m now at the point where I’ve got a lot of tapes to encode, then I need to vet them before inflicting them on the public again. I imagine there will be quite a few worth resurrecting, many with painful late-teens/early-twenties geeky radio monologues. On the other hand, I read a mean Public Service Announcement.

Along the way I’ve also been reminded of some later mixes that were kicking around on minidisc and CD. These are fresher in my memory, so I’ll be shipping these out internetwards in the next few days if all goes to plan.

Assuming this plan doesn’t fizzle, this is a taste of what’s to come thereafter.