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Ramblings of a madman.

Well, after many requests for my recommendations on alternative and electronica releases I’ve decided to devote a page to this. Scroll down to see my most recent purchases!!!!

But first a PURE TRANCE 3 update (Feb. 2006)! Those of you probably know that I've been hunting down the KLF's Pure Trance 3! Well, it's kind of an inside joke but at the same time I'd love to find this record. I've seen it up on ebay 3 times over the last 7 years. First it sold for $1,500.00!!! Then I saw a white label test pressing of it listed and the reserve wasn't met (it went up to about $800.00). Then just last year another copy sold for about $700.00! The story behind it is that the KLF had planned to release a series of Pure Trance 12" singles. Each one would have a pressing of 2,000 copies. Well, 1 & 2 were pressed but apparently only the sleeves and labels were made for Pure Trance 3. But rumour has it that actually about 5-20 copies were pressed!!! Well a few years ago, I made a trade with a guy in Europe. He wanted a Dreadzone 12" single that I owned really bad and offered to trade me 4 CDRs filled with MP3 and videos of extremely rarely KLF material. Well, a few years ago MP3s were new and unfamiliar to me. Recently I found these CDRs stored in my collection and started exploring the folders and low and behold in one folder was a KLF track titled "Love Trance"! For those of you who don't know, this is the A-side of the Pure Trance 3 12". The b-side is "What Time is Love" (Monster Attack Mix) which can be found on the KLF's "White Room Original Soundtrack" boot CD which I own. I was so excited by my find I could barely contain myself. After opening up the file and listening to it my grin faded away. This track isn't so great after all. I'm pretty sure it's the track found on the A-side of the Pure Trance 3 12" because I remember one seller on ebay describing the track as opening up with a girl speaking in Japanese about the KLF "leaving the building" and it's on this "Love Trance" track that I own so it has to be the real deal. All this only goes to prove sometimes it's not good to reach the end of the rainbow, you may be disappointed. My other holy grail item is the Soundtrack/Score for the thriller Dead Calm. Graeme Revell composed the music and it's amazing. I heard from Lustmord himself that the soundtrack was going to be released finally but the deal fell through so only a few bootleg copies were pressed!

Electronica CDs/ vinyl that I've picked up in worth noting:

DECEMBER 2003 purchases
CLIENT s/t CD (2003 Toast Hawaii Mute record). If you like Adult. or Miss Kitten you'll enjoy this CD. Not as robotic as Kitten and Auldt. but the music is along those lines. Pump up the bass!
LAB RAT-Mice or Cyborg CD (Clone 2003)-the final storm of the 7 Storms released by Drexciya since 2000. I was shocked to hear of Drexciyan James Marcel Stinton in late 2002 because so much about Drexciya was a mystery. This is a short CD clocking in at 33 minutes. Track #3 is my favorite and very "bouncy", reminds me of the Elektroids-Electro World release. Hopefully, more material will be dug up in Drexciya's archives that will see the light of day.
ROTHER, ANTHONY-Live is Life is Love-Live in Belgium 2003 CD (2003 PSI49net Germany)-Anthony Rother sounds excellent live and really gets the ground into it. There's a nice 12 minute version of "Little Computer People" to end the set + 3 bonus studio tracks. "Goodbye Electro" has to be one of the goofiest electro tracks I've heard in a long time. Nice to hear some humor in Rother's material after listening to a lot of his dark stuff like PSI Performer.
ANTHONY ROTHER-Magic Diner CD (Fax Records 2003 Germany)-I was hesitant about picking this up after picking up Rother's other release on Fax Records earlier this year. That one sounded like he fell asleep at the keyboard. Magic Diner is much better and sounds like a movie soundtrack to a dark sci-fi movie that has yet to be made! It has 9 tracks and the CD clock in at almost an hour. The 2nd half is more ambient with the final tracks sounding it was recorded in a rain forest. Anthony Rother is starting to fall into the footsteps of Richard H. Kirk with releasing a ton of CDs in only a span of 5 years. In case you're wondering, Rother puts out records and CDs under the following names: LITTLE COMPUTER PEOPLE, PSI PERFORMER, FAMILY LOUNGE, NETZWERK EUROPA, NETZWERK FLORIDA. Talk about "identity crisis!". For further proof, pick up the 2xCD entitled "Welcome to Psicity".
PSYLOCITY-Klang Der Machinen CD (psi49net 2002 Germany)-I just picked this up recently through forcedexposure and it's really cool. All fans of Anthony Rother's electro material will love this. Well, this CD came out on his own label so that says a lot!)
RUXPIN-Midnight Drive CD (Elektrolux 2002)-I picked this up thinking it might be electro but was shocked that it's more IDM sounding. I like it more and more as I listen to it while I'm driving.)
SKANFROM-Soothing Sounds for Robots CD (2003 Genetic Music Germany)-I picked this up the other day after reading about this releas on Forcedexposure. They compared this artist to Bochum Welt & Kraftwerk so I was sold on this. Anyway, on my drive home from the record store I fell in love with this CD all the way through. It contains 22 tracks and most of them have amazing electro pop melodies. I read that only 800 copies of this release were pressed on vinyl and the CD version contains 8 bonus tracks so I highly recommend picking this up before it goes "bye bye"! If you like the melodies that Bochum Welt comes up with on his Rephlex records and Fuzzy Logic releases like "Asteroids Over Berlin", you'll love this CD!
STAR GAZING CD compilation (2003 Guidance)-I got this CD used for a great price and there's some great stuff on here. The tracks by SCHNEIDER TM, G.D. LUXXE & SOLVENT, LADYTRON will appeal to fans of the electroclash movement. Also included is a nice acoustic cover version of NEW ORDER's "Blue Monday" by FLUNK).
SUN ELECTRIC-Kitchen 2x12" LP (R&S records 1993). I've been looking for this on either CD or vinyl and yesrterday I got luck with finding the vinyl. If you're a fan of the old Orb material or the experimental ambient KLF material than you'll like this CD. "Entrance" is the sand out track for me. 10 years later and I finally find/discover this album!
TRANSMAT RELICS LP compilation (1992 Buzz Records, just repressed)-my jaw hit the floor when I saw this listed on forcedexposure's website for $17.00! I thought maybe it might be missing a "1" in front of the "17"! I've seen this LP hit the $80.00++ mark on ebay and gemm.com After finally getting this record in my hands, I was not disappointed to finally hear this treasured material by Derrick May, Carl Craig and Juan Atkins. Those "relic" tracks are my favorite! I just read that the re-pressing is very limited so grab a copy before they disappear!
JANUARY 2004 purchases:
AUTOBOT: Electro in the Future CD compilation (200?). No year is given on this great compilation. Silicon Scally and Airlocktronics contribute tracks. Very nice compilation that gives you a good idea what modern electro is all about. Nice cover art with a killer looking robot on it!
FFWD s/t CD (1994 Inter-modo). Good things come to those who wait. I just found this in the clearance bin the other day. I've only seen this CD once before used many years ago at Poo-bah's in Pasadena and I didn't pick it up. This is an ultra rare side-project of the Orb (has members Alex Paterson & Thrash) with Robert Fripp. Anyway, this is CD is really ambient will appeal to fans of the Orb's really mellow material. Just lush ambient soundscape. Very nice to listen to at night when going to bed.
SILICON SCALLY-Mr. Machine CD (2002 Sci-av). Forced Exposure had this listed as the best electro release of 2002. I don't know about that but it is very good. It's mostly instrumental but it's still nice to hear serious electro that matches Anthony Rother's stuff. Carl Finlow, the guy behind Silicon Scally, is a force to reckon with. He has a lot of great 12" releases under his belt (thanks to Dave in SF for letting me borrow all of those Finlow records!)
SPACE LP-Space 001 (reissue boot). I already own this on CD but now that I've noticed that vinyl is making a big comeback I decided to pick up this rarity even though this is a re-issue/boot. The story behind this is that is was a collaboration between Jimmy Cauty of the KLF and Alex Patterson of the Orb. Alex Patterson left this project and Cauty removed everything that Paterson contributed to the recording. It's a very nice ambient space chill out recording. I highly recommend picking this up for the repressing is out of print. Another item that hits the 100 dollar mark on ebay. Beautiful cover, I might add.
VOE (Visions of Excess CD (2003 Tone Casualties). Nice to hear something new from Paul Browse (ex-Clock DVA). Some sounds on hear recall the Buried Dreams era. For further listening I recommend picking up Yellow Room (Dean Dennis, ex-Clock DVA) CD on Shadow Records. That CD recalls the early 90's Clock DVA sounds.
FEBRUARY 2004 purchases
CLAN OF XYMOX-Subsequent Pleasures CD (Metropolis 2000). Thank you Andy (at Rockaway records) for speaking highly of this release. I know this belongs in the gothic catergory but it has a cool synth pop sound like old Soft Cell/ Depeche Mode (think of the Some Bizzare compilation and you'll get an idea of the sound on this release). I almost put this CD back but now I'm glad I bought it. It's gothic without sounding too morbid. And I must also say thanks to Robert (at Rockaway for speaking highly of Xymox's Medusa release, that turned out to be a very good album too!)
J.P. BUCKLE-Flying Lo-Fi (Rephlex Records Cat064CD 1998). Pretty crazy mix of styles on this release. Don't know what to make of this. good thing there are 28 tracks to listen to! Most of these tracks are very short and get right to the point. The good ones are good and the forgettable ones require your finger to push that dreaded "track skip" button!
NOVEL 23-Architectural Effects CD (2003 France). Very nice CD if you like IDM material found on the old Skam records compilations. I discovered this artist thanks for the Vol. 1 & 2 CD compilaton on Benbecula. This release is slowly growing on me.
SKANFROM-Hand-picked Fragments (2002 Suction Records). Not as good as his current Soothig Sounds for Robots release but this release is essential for the fans (including myself) who missed out picking up his limited 7" & 12" single releases!
SNOW ROBOTS V.3 CD compilation (Sunction records). The Skanfrom track on hear kicks ass! I could see myself playing this in a club. The GD Luxxe track is very Depeche Mode sounding (I believe it's a cover of a Martin Gore song off his old Counterfeit EP, I'll have to do some research). Now, I kick myself in the ass because I once owned Snow Robots Vol. 1 & 2 but didn't give them a chance and quickly sold them.
Sound of Warhammer Chapter III CD (Art of Perception). Well, this one is a mixed bag compared to vol. 1 & 2!! The early tracks on this compilation are good and well paced but towards the end of this CD this CD starts throwing in some non-electronic sounding tracks that throws off the feel of the release. My least favorite in the trilogy (why is it the 3 release in a trilogy is the weakest one: "Return of the Jedi" and "Mad Max Beyond Thunderdome" come to mind. But then again "Return of the King" was exellent!).
March 2004 Purchases
BOCHUM WELT-Kissing a Robot Goodbye (2004). Bochum Welt goes back to his Rephlex records roots with some very minimal IDM abstract sounds. I was hoping to hear some more pop melodies but before the CD can build it up it's suddenly over.
GD LUXXE-Vendetta CD (Suction 2002). Very cool 80's New Order/ Depeche Mode sounding. That flower design on the cover reminds me of the flower design on the New Order's Power Corruption & Lies.
LOWFISH-Maintain the Tension CD EP (Suction records 2002). Super short ep clocking in at just 23 minutes. Not a whole lot of synth pop happening here. More beats and electro sounds but still a good release.
LOWFISH-1000 Corrections Per Second (Suction records 2003). Another excellent Suction release that has excellent synth pop sonds. Track #8 sounds like it was lifted from Depeche Mode's Speak & Spell.
MITGANG AUDIO-The View From Your New Home CD (2003 Suction). The Snow Robots Vol. 3 CD has lead me to purchase a lot of Suction releases lately and I'm loving them! They capture that early 80's simple synth pop sound. Bring back Soft Cell, Fad Gadget, early Depeche Mode, Yazoo, Visage and others!
STARLIGHT, JOHN-Rip It! CD (2003 Neuton Germany). 1/2 of Zombie Nation. This CD sounds very 80's inudstrial dance (think of Wax Trax!/ Nettwerk and you're there). Sadly, I don't listen to much of that music anymore. A lot of it didn't age well with time.
May 2004 purachases
AIR FRENCH BAND-Talkie Walkie CD (2004 Source Virgin France). Well, I finally caved in and picked up the ltd 2xCD version of this after a nice recommendation from my friend, Joe Lee! It turns out that this is a decent release and returns Air to their older Moon Safari sound. the bonus DVD is a nice treat with footage of them performing 2 songs from that classic release! I had almost wrote off this group in my mind but the music on this release and re-earned my respect!
ESSA3 CD (Zoe Majick 1996). An amazing release that I stumbled upon. Only bought this because I've liked other releases on this label on the legendary Young American Primitive CD. This CD has a lot of the same magic as YAP has. Surprised I never heard of this release before.
FAINT, THE-Media CD (Saddle Creek 1998). Well, I picked this up at Knockout Records in Pasadena the other day and I was a little disappointed. I was expecting the genius that's behind their Blank Wave Arcade and Dance Macabre release. Then again, Eriq C. warned me that this release is earlier and is more guitar oriented.
THE MODERNIST-Explosion (Matador 2000). A pretty cool release by J. Burger. If you like any of the Burger/Ink releases then you will enjoy this CD. Lots of minimal techno that reminds me of the good Basic Channel/ Chain Reaction releases from Detroit!
PHONOSYNTHESE-Lebensstrom (Elektrolux 2002 Germany). Another ambient experimental release that's pretty cool with repeated listening. I've surrendered the fact that Elektrolux is more of an ambient/IDM label than an electro one.
SYRINX 2600-Docking 20s (Elektrolux 1998). A strange experimental ambient side project of Dr. Scissors (whose releases are electro).
JUNE 2004 purchases
BEAT CLASSICS compiled by J. SAUL KANE aka DEPTH CHARGE (DC UK). I scored on this CD used the other day for an excellent price. A collection of breakdance era obscure electro cuts. Put it this way, I was there back in '83 breakdancing days and I don't remember any of these tracks. Looks like these were all East Coast jams. I remember High Fidelity Three's "B-Boys Breakdance" but this "Never Satisfied" track escapes me. Nice hearing the old school electro beats again. Time to break out the cardboard after all of these years!
DYNAREC-User Input CD (Delsin 2004 Amsterdam). Wow! If you are a fan of Drexciya or Dopplereffekt seek this CD and purchase it without hesitation. I got my copy from forcedexposure (I'm starting to order more from them because the record stores out here in Los Angeles ignore electro and Detroit techno. What a shame). Anyway, 16 tracks in all-some very short interludes but they have Drexciya written all over them. Made in Amsterdam but this sounds like it came out of Motor City. From Motown to Yo Town!
PLAID-Spokes CD (Warp 2003). I finally picked this up the other day after being able to listen to it at the listening station. I had read some lukewarm reviews on it so I was hesitant to pick it up. I'm happy to announce that the material this release is a lot like their early stuff (think of the Trainer compilation). Some of these tracks have melodies that actually stick in your head after the track has ended. Lots of trademark Plaid/early Black Dog sounds throughout. This CD is a keeper. Nice packaging too but I can't even make out the song titles! Well, then again, who pays attention to song titles with the electronic releases?!
SANDOZ-Digital Lifeforms Redux 2xCD (Mute records 2004). Has it been over 10 years since the original release of Digital Lifeforms came out! Time flies! I remember picking this up at Tower in Pasadena and only getting it because I saw "R.H. Kirk" in the credits and my ears were changed forever. "Chocolate Machine" still sounds crisp like the 1st time I heard it. I saw this song listed in one of Alex Patterson's (The Orb)top 10 electronica tracks of all time! The real hook, line, sinker on this release is the bonus disc with 8 unreleased tracks + 2 hard to find tracks. "Ocean Reflections" is finally unleashed to the general public after only being available on the New Electronica compilation CD many years ago. In the sleeve notes it's nice seeing Richard Kirk mentioning Derrick May & Juan Atkins as heavily incluences for his Sandoz material. Always, nice to see when "talent recognizes talent".
STONED...CHILLED...GROOVE mixed by COLDCUT & STRICTLY KEY CD (1997 S.O.U.L. Vibration). Amazing mix of nice downtempo chill out tracks by the likes of FILA BRAZILLIA, GLOBAL COMMUNICATION, JOURNEY MAN (aka WOOB), DJ FOOD, BANDULU and others. The 2nd track by Global Communication entitled "Maiden Voyage" reminds me so much of the Tangerine Dream score for the obscure nuclear war thriller Miracle Mile. Even the rapping on this CD by Asian Dub Foundation doesn't bother me too much. It's low key. Music for kickin' it.
JULY 2004 purchases
GOLDFRAPP-Felt Mountain CD (Mute). really strange out there music that reminds me of Mad Monster Party soundtrack from the 1960s. Will appeal to fans of Tipsy and other lounge artists.
ROTHER, ANTHONY-Popkiller CD (Datapunk 2004). I'm speechless after hearing this CD for the first time. Just when I counted Rother out of the electro scene he comes back blasting with electro styles I've never heard him kick out before. Lots of synth happening here. Turns out that Rother can actually sing. I can compare this release to early G.D. Luxxe material and old Depche Mode releases. The last song on this CD has him singing like Dave Gahan without trying. Track 10 is my favorite with him sounding like he's driving in the rain singing really low. This CD will rest on my shelf next to DM "Speak & Spell" and "Broken Frame".
URP Vol. 1 CD (Intone). Various releases by Richard Kirk's side projects. Amazing stuff. This guy must write material in his sleep. And this is the stuff that he has keeped locked away since the mid 1990s.
UPR Vol. 2 CD (Intone). More great material from Richard Kirk. Track#1 is the best.
AUGUST 2004 purchases
A MAN CALLED ADAM-All My Favourite.... CD (Southern Fried Records UK 2004). This CD is amazing. I can't believe that Fatboy Slim is behind this release (it's his new label that has released this excellent collection of AMCA chill out tracks). Too bad the full 10 min version of Easter Song isn't here but to make room for other songs is very understandable. Barefoot in the Head (acoustic version) is incredible. So is the Esquivel sounding Yachts (vox version). Pick this up as soon as it washes ashore!
ORB, THE-Bicycles & Tricycles CD (2004). Another unusual CD released by the ambient originators. I keep buying release after release hoping to capture the magic of their first album but am always disappointed. This CD is good as just background music. Track #2 is a skipper. Rap of any kind and the Orb's music does not do it for me. If you like Badorb then this might satisfy you.
ROTHER, ANTHONY-In Electro We Trust compilation CD (Datapunk-limited edition): After 2 months of trying to track down this CD I finally found it on Amazon for an excellent price. Anyway, it's a decent collection of pure electro tracks from familiar electro artists such as: DR. SCISSORS, ROTHER (of course), THE HACKER, BILLY NASTY, THE ADVENT, ALEXANDER KOWALSKI, JOHANNES HEIL, LARRY McCORMICK, SILICON SCALLY plus others. No really weak tracks here! Then again there's really no stand out tracks. Just pure electro with a pulse. The music just goes non-stop. The bass will make your windows and mirrors shake!
SEPTEMBER 2004 purchases
Excursions: A Journey into Chill Out CD (2002 Water Music). A nice collection of downtempo stuff. Water Music records needs to be recognized. They are making great efforts to releasing nice downtempo material.
FOUS DE LA MER-Stars and Fishes CD (2004 Elektrolux Germany). I knew buying this CD used that it wasn't going to be electro. I figured out that the label Elektrolux has gone ambient chill out sometime ago. The cover of this CD (which is beautiful I might add) and the song titles and the fact that it was recorded in Ibiza told me right away what to expect. What I wasn't expecting were really nice latin female vocals backed with cool downtempo sounds. You could play this at any party or gathering and get a good response. I look forward to more releases from this artist.
MUM-Summer Make Good (2004 Fat Cat Records UK). Nice follow up their classic Finally We Are No One released last year. Will appeal to fans of Mira Callix and Boards of Canada. Weird sounding music with hypnotic vocals.
MUSLIMGAUZE-Zul'm CD (Xtreme 1992). Through this CD I can see why there's such a fuss over Muslimgauze releases. Though it would take years to collect everything released by Muslimgauze, this is an essential release. Filled with middle eastern rhythms it will gain your respect.
TISCHLER, STEFAN -Excess of Free Speech CD (1992 Extreme records). Every U.S. citizen should listen to this CD. It awakens you to all the political b/s that we have to put up with. Listen to track "Americans are Sleepwalking" and you'll understand. Very hypnotic. An essential release to add to your ambient/ experimental collection.
October 2004
PFL-Blue Dubsessions Pt. 1 CD (Elektrolux 2003). It was bound too happen. This is the first disappointing release I've heard on this label. This CD tries too hard to be chill out Ibiza sounding. Too many cooks in the kitchen. The guest list of artists on this CD got out of hand.
SNIPER MODE & MBP-Travellers Beyond CD (Elektrolux 2003). Very nice laid back sometimes electro sounding tracks. Elektrolux has developed a reputation for putting out some quality releases. Take note of this label!
November 2004
ANGEL, DAVE-Trust the DJ02. Unmixed selection of Dave Angel remixes over his career. Would have been nice to see his remix of Sun Electric's "Entrance" included here. All in all a nice selection of various tracks and sounds.
ANGEL, DAVE-Trust the DJ03 CD (Trust the DJ). Nice to hear Angel returning to his old style of mixing. Just received word from him directly that a compilation of classic Rotation Records releases will be released! Hell yeah! Hope "Artech" is on this comp!
ELEC.INPHO-3.000.000 CD (Elektrolux 2001). Decent electro sounding release. Some of the electro sounds are a little too "weird" for my taste but all in all a pleasant listening experience. To track skippers here.
RUXPIN-Magrathea CD (Elektrolux). Not as good as "Midnight Drive" and "Avalon" but still pleasant to listen to. Nice chill out down tempo sounds.
RUXPIN-Avalon CD (Elektrolux). This CD is incredible. Nice ambient IDM tracks to chill out too.
SAUNDERSON, KEVIN-Deep Space Techno CD (Trust the DJ). I'm really happy that I slapped down some dollaz for this CD. It takes off where his Deep Space Radio X-Mix CD left off a number of years ago. Looking at the dates on the records used in this mix, I'm shocked to see that they are recent releases. I didn't know anyone made techno that sounds like this anymore! All names and labels I've never heard of before! If you like his Deep Space Radio mix then you'll enjoy this release!
DECEMBER 2004
DRON-Homeworld CD (Mikrolux 2002) Another excellent release on this label. Track# 8 is my favorite. This CD has a lot of cool ambient/IDM/electro sounds. This CD will get a lot of my play in my G-ride!
KIRK, RICHARD-URP Vol. 3 (Intone). Another excellent compilation of unreleased Kirk material from the late 1990's. There's some killer stuff here. If you like his Sandoz material then you must own this.
SAUNDERSON, KEVIN-Trust the DJ Vol. 1 CD. This mix isn't as spacey as the Deep Space Techno and Deep Space Radio mixes but will still keep you moving. Lots of tribal sounding house stuff going on. Nice to see Gary Martin's Teknotika material in the mix.
FEB 2005
CALIX, MIRA-Prickle CD EP (Warp 2001). This CD has its IDM moments. Will appeal to fans of Mum, Boards of Canada and Plaid.
EM:T 004 CD (Time records 2004). Glad to see this label releasing ambient music again. This is an excellent compilation. The tracks blend into one another flawlessly. The packaging has not changed one bit. Get this CD before you regret it! Look what happened to all the other OOP CD masterpieces by WOOB, GAS, etc!
LOWFISH-Fear Not the Snow and Other Lo-Fiing Objects CD (Suction records 1999). This is a very hard to listen to CD! Lowfish acknowledges Skinny Puppy as an influence and I hear a lot of Skinny Puppy influences. Think SP's "Yes He Ran" and you have an idea what this CD sounds like! About 1/2 way through I had to turn this CD off. It will take some time to get used to listening to.
LOWFISH-Elimination CD (Suction 1999). Really cool electro sounding CD that hints at synth pop at times. An essential purchase for fans of the Suction label (Good luck finding this OOP CD!)
STEVE BUG presents BUGNOLOGY CD 2004 (this is a nice mix of minimal tech/house with a light hint of electro towards the end.
PETE NAMLOOK/GEIR JENSSEN-Fires of Ork CD (release). This is an amazing piece of work. This will appeal to fans of Biosphere. This CD has a 99.9% Biosphere feel to it.
RAUSCHFAKTOR-Aquarium CD (Elektrolux 2002 Germany). Freakin amazing! This is one of the best electronica CDs I've heard in a very long time. There's a little of everything going on here: ambient, downtempo, electro, IDM, and soundscapes. Beautiful packaging. You can get lost looking at the cool looking sea horse looking creature underwater.
C-SCHULZ-Flicker Tunes CD (Sonig 2005). Wow, amazed to see that Schulz has finally put out another solo release since his landmark Film Ton on the Xtreme label. This CD is a little hard to listen to. There's a lot of droning soundscapes going on her but it's still great to listen to. Just a little harder to fall asleep to.
TWO LONE SWORDSMEN-From the Double Gone Chapel CD (Warp 2004). This is a hard to describe CD. Gone are most of the electronics and in are a lot of real instruments. With Weatherall and Tenniswood you never know what you're gonna get (listen to a Virus with Shoes and Further Reminders) and you'll see what I'm talking about.
March 2004
AIR (Pete Namlook) V CD (2004) very cool release by Mr. Namlook that strays from his ambient side and exposes some latin sounding down tempo music + cool trance.
BOLA-Gynase CD (2004 Skam records). This is incredible IDM release. If you like Soup you will love this release. There are a lot cool sounding string arrangements going on in this CD. Pick it up before it becomes extremely difficult to find.
LUSTMORD-Purifying Fire CD (Soilemoon) nice collection of dark ambient tracks from 1995-1998. A great introduction into the world of Lustmord. Heresy is also another essential relesase.
MODEL 500-The Chase 12" (1989 Kool Kat records!) hell yeah! I finally tracked this record down thanks to Chris at Amoeba in Hollywood! This and the Transmat Relics were my 2 Detroit techno holy grails. On this 12" not only do you get a cool ass looking cover but 3 excellent mixes of The Chase including a Derrick May remix.
MUSLIMGAUZE-Remix 1 & Remix 2 CD (Soilmoon 2003). Interesting experimental CD of music that Muslimgauze himself remixed. Comes in very nice oversized folder type casing.
SWARM OF DRONES 2xCD (Asphodel 1995). Very strange collection of tracks from various artists like Steve Roach, Vidna Obmana, Robert Rich, Robert Fripp and others complete with the sound of buzzing bees. After listenig to this 2xCD you feel unreal.
APRIL 2005
FREDDY FRESH-Essential Old School Mix 2xCD (
LUSTMORD-Core CD (Happy Pencil). Stop what you are doing and seek out this CD before it goes out of print. Amazing dark ambient release with super cool dark animation. Too bad it's only about 2 minutes long. If you enjoy Lustmord' Heresey you must get this.
S.E.T.I. (Lagowski)-live in Brussels April 29, 2000. This is really cool dark ambient stuff. On the downside-it is a CDR only release. It comes in a cardboard sleeve. This CD is filled with strange unearthly noises and transmissions from jet fighter pilots.
SOLVENT - Elevators and Oscillators CD (2005 Ghostly International) Nice collection of remixes and special versions of Solvent tracks. It's nice to see artists like LOWFISH , SKANFROM to give their take on Solvent tracks.
THE CUT UP! A HISTORY OF THE SCRATCH 2xCD. Finally it has happened-someone has taken these extremely rare obscure early 1980s scratch/breakdance records and have made them available on CD! Here they are: SCRATCH PART 1 - 2 - 3 , NEW YORK SCRATCH MASTERS JAM# 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5, SCRATCHDANCE, SCRATCHMATIC, MIX TRIX #1. Only if they could have fit Mix Trix #2,3,&4!! I only hope for a part II release!!!
May 2005
OBJECTS D'ART III CD (New Electronica 1997). Great compilation of Detroit style techno. track this down if you are a fan of AS ONE, Autocreation.
POL - Baby I Will Make You Sweat CD (Odd Size France 1995). Thanks to discogs.com I was able to find this CD easily in the cheapie bins. A side project involving C-Schulz (his masterpiece being the Film Ton release). This CD contains only one long 37 minute track (apparently the score to an obscure German film). The music on this release sounds close to what he's doing nowadays on the Sonig label!
ROTHER, ANTHONY - Art is a Technology CD 2005. Brand new release and it looks like Rother is still on the experimental ambient tip. Pretty good release if you like Vangelis (Blade Runner) or John Carpenter movie scores.
May 2005
G.D. LUXXE - Between Zero and Eternity (Ersatz Autdio 2004). Well, I had read that GD Luxxe ditched the electronics for this release and it shows. Nothing special. If you like the Faint you may enjoy this. Gone are the Depeche Mode/ New Order synth pop sounds.
OBMANA, VIDNA - Twilight of Perceptioin CD (Projekt Archive). Another excellent release by Vidna.
OBMANA, VIDNA-The Contempory Nocturne CD (Hypnos). Excellent amibent.
OBMANA, VIDNA-The Surreal Sanctuary CD (Hypnos). I found a lot of Vidna releases used this month and all of them do not disappoint. Great music for late night listening!
OBMANA, VIDNA-Landscape in Obscurity (Hypnos). Great collaboration release with Capriola Trifoglio & Diego Borotti.
OBMANA, VIDNA & DEVADDER, SERGE-The Shape of Solitude CD.
SEOFON w/ Vidna Obmana, Steve Roach, Stephen Ken, Robert Rich. Excellent ambient!
TWOFOURTEEN-Esemplastic CD (2004 Mikrolux Germany). Nice electro release that falls into the Anthony Rother style.
ZOMBIE NATION - Absorber 2xCD (Universal-made in Mexico). I've held off on picking up this CD because I had read that one of the 2 members left the group before this came out. Anyway, I found used for an excellent price and I was pleased to hear that it sounds a lot like their debut release on Gigolo records. Very cool sounding dark electro-clash. The bonus disc doesnt have anything special just a "live" version of their hit "Kernkraft" (you hear this track every time the L.A. Dodgers hit a home run!).
July 2005 AKUFEN-Fabric London mixed CD. Very strange selection of tracks that work. Senor Cocunut's cover "Smoke on the Water" somehow works and fits into this mix and grows on you.
ATKINS, JUAN-20 Years of Metroplex 2xCD (Tresor 2005). Awesome, essential collection of Detroit electro/techno. Some of the tracks on this compilation can cost you an arm and leg on ebay. Favorite tracks: "Future", "The Chase", "Night Time (Drive Thru Babylon)", "Clear", "Ocean to Ocean", "Cosmic Cars", "Alleys of Your Mind".
CLARO INTELECTO-Neurofibro CD. This CD is amazing and has to be heard of any one who respects and appreciates Detroit techno/ electro. Influences of Derrick May, Carl Craig, and Juan Atkins bleed through the music on this disc!
MICHAEL MAYER-Fabric Live CD. Nice mix of techno/minimal German material.
SWAYZAK-Fabric Live CD. Awesome mix of strange and wonderful music.
SWAYZAK-Loops from Bergie CD. Nice 80's sounding material from an artists that puts out a lot of minimal tech house.
TECHNOVA-Dirty Secrets CD. Very cool electroclash sounding CD. I'm surprised I never heard this CD before. If you like Fischerspooner than this CD is for you.
TECHNOVA-Electrosexual CD. The electro cover version of Joy Division's "Atmosphere" must be heard to be believed.
WATSON, VINCE-Biologique CD. If you like Detroit techno or Dave Angel's early Rotation records release than this CD is for you!
FEB 2006
Well, it’s been a while since I talked about any of the recent purchases I made. Somewhere in the middle of 2005 my life took a turn for a worst and one bad thing was happening after another. 2006 is upon us and I’m trying to make it a better year for myself and my loved ones. I’m still buying music but now as much as I used to due to budget problems. So here we go for 2006! AUX 88 s/t CD. Being a long time fan of Aux 88 and their many side projects throughout the year I’m very pleased to get hold of their new album. I purchased the download something I’ve never done in my life. I’m looking forward to purchasing the actual CD/LP but it’s only a Japan exclusive right now and it’s way too complicated for me to buy it (I tried!). Good news Aux 88 starts off with where they left off. Actually, the material on this latest venture sounds more like the Is it Man Or Machine material than the Xeo-Genetic stuff. I guess Keith Tucker’s contribution makes a big difference. The stand out track on their new CD is “Rated Aux” (This is the background music that’s currently playing on their official website). This track is very hypnotic and you get to hear the standard awesome “A.U.X”, repeated over and over! “K-1 Theme” plays homage to Cybotron’s “Clear” (the track that started it all for Detroit electro!, thank you Juan!). “Aux Mind 2005” is simply a re-recording of the classic early track. It sounds more polished and cleaner than the original recording. “Electro Planetary Acknowedments Pt.1” is a 5 minute track that gives shout outs to those in the electro community.

My favorite electronica labels since 1990

EM:T (hands down, probably the greatest ambient label of the 90’s! Great packaging with nice color photos that seemed to have been lifted from the pages of National Geographic, these releases are timeless.
Silent Records (grab any of these early 90’s releases and you won’t be disappointed. Pick up the “From Here to Tranquility” compilations for starters).
Fax Records (I’ve heard people say “if you’ve heard one Pete Namlook release you’ve heard them all. That may be true considering that at one time he was putting new releases every week. Pick up anything by Sad World, Silence or Air (not to be confused with Air French Band) and you’ll see what attracts listeners to this label.
Transmat (Detroit techno label founded by Derrick May. Happy to see that the ultra rare Transmat Relics LP has been repressed! :)
Metroplex (Detroit techno label founded by Juan Atkins. I tend to like the electro releases on this label instead of the straigh techno ones)
Red Planet (Detroit label run by the Martian. Listening to these releases take you to Mars!)
Rephlex (This is a great label to get introduced to the whole IDM movement. I seem to be getting more and more disappointed with the current releases on this label but the early ones are awesome)
Skam (if you like Boards of Canada pick up anything on this label. Seek out the 2 CDs by Christ.)
Kanzleramt (another nice German label that’s putting out more plain techno than electro)
Waveform records (a great ambient dub label that has not fallen into the Astralwerk’s trap of getting sidelined)
Instinct Ambient (great label that made some of those rare EM:T releases domestic in the US)
Exist Dance (the early releases are well worth searching out. Label died in the mid 90’s and was revisted in 1998)
Tone Casualties (nice experimental label based in Los Angeles and run by the creative team behind Rug Rats and some of the Simpson’s cartoon episodes!)