If the idea of crossing crisp minimal tech-dub with the Northern, post-Kraftwerk ambience of Lackluster sounds alluring, Ben Recht’s Length Scales will form the ladder to your stately paradise. This is hook-laden ambient pulse music that is rarely done so well.
Automato My Casio
If the DFA asked for the help of MCs, it would surely sound like “My Casio.” In fact, the DFA-produced jam sounds like LCD Soundsystem looped by Neptunes, which amounts to either lazy self-plundering or brilliant self-knowledge. I’ll vote for the latter.
Cylob Music System Volume 1
Like a tech-nerd who’s escaped the institution, the master of IDM madness has returned and it’s all gravy for you and me. The suffering B-boy-on-acid brilliance of “Inseminoid” is worth admission alone and is sure to stir many a devotee in the coming months.
Various Artists So Young But So Cold: Underground French Music 1977-1983
This CD is in fact nothing short of a history lesson, the liner notes to So Young But So Cold inform us. Indeed, aside from the overlooked brilliance of Lizzie Mercier Descloux and perhaps JJ Burnel, no wave-era underground French music has rarely been available Stateside. Compiled by Volga Select and Black Strobe’s Ivan Smagghe, So Young happily changes such a fate, collecting searing tracks from the likes of Metal Urbain offshoot Metal Boys, Mathematiques Modernes, The (Hypothetical) Prophets and many others you’ve never heard of. Trite but true, this is essential listening.
Various Artists Nitin Sawhney:Fabriclive 15
In the mid-’90s acts like Asian Dub Foundation and Talvin Singh expanded the minds of electronic music listeners via combining traditional Indian instrumentation with modern-day sampler trickery. But despite successfully turning some clubbers onto world music, the tag “Asian underground” became its own caste system; soon, it was hard to envisage the music without visions of trance travelers twirling in your head. On Fabriclive 15, Nitin Sawhney mostly steers clear of swirling tablas and hackneyed “ethnic” moments in favor of cutting-edge beats that subtly reference the Indian subcontinent. The mix trudges through a grey landscape of remixes of and by Sawhney, but emerges on the dancefloor, as Phuturistix and Darqwan deliver bass-heavy two-step pressure and Niraj Chag and the Visionary Underground turn in manic, and truly under-the-radar, Hindi drum & bass. You won’t find any of the ultra-clubby, hip-hop pulse of British bhangra here-Sawhney opts for what could be called a mature take on tronics. Nevertheless, this figurehead once again proves that the Asian underground is still utterly relevant.
Various Artists Get Physical
DJ T’s “Freemind” sparkles and glitters like a disco ball’s thousand refracting lights, its synthetic strobing laser synths and squiggly freestyle bass subtly winking and whispering “Follow Me.” A fierce banji boy slices his derriere through an acidic Chicago jack track before exclaiming “Shazaaam!” on Chelonis R. Jones’ “Blackout.” Tiefshwarz melds post-punk and house rhythms for his remix of M.A.N.D.Y & The Sunset People’s “Sunsetpeople,” where stuttering vocals mimic every dilating pupil and bass pulses beat to the timing of the crowd’s fibrillating heartbeats. The second anniversary compilation from Germany’s Get Physical label-a collection of their 12″ releases mixed by two-man outfit M.A.N.D.Y.-wraps up the last 20 years of sweaty underground house parties into a hot mix of late-night love. Don’t be surprised if you feel an insatiable desire to make out with the DJ.
The Moontrane Conductors Emptysea
There’s something about this CD that really reminds me of early ’90s chill-out rooms. Perhaps it’s the dub influences on “Element” and “Killadub,” recalling The Orb’s outer space tripster swirl. Or maybe it’s the moody cinematic trip-hop of numbers like “Axis” and “In For the Night,” whose languid atmospheres and drummy backdrops will please fans of early Ninja Tune. At times this debut is a bit too “progressive,” as on the wanky synth scrawls of “Radio Bastard” or the horn-laden vocal cut “On My Own.” Mostly, though, Emptysea contains good quality evolved trip-hop for beanbag dwellers and early morning comedowns.
DJ Motive Don’t Get it Twisted
Australia’s DJ Motive drives DSC14 off the deep end with two minimal rollers that aren’t the usual sci-fi pressure. “Don’t Get it Twisted” stays locked on an intricate groove, while the hip-hop-influenced “Roc Raider” utilizes punchy beats, tough stabs and a shuffling hi-end to keep the zombies twitching until dawn.
Aquasky/Garon Atlanta
Aquasky brings on the ruff and tuff beats with a distorted bassline, but American Garon steals the show with “Fo’ Schizzle,” which eases into things with a hypnotic intro before dropping into a suddenly spiraling wall of bass. Can you say reload?
Acen Dirty Raver
Legendary breakbeat hardcore producer Acen returns to the limelight with the cheeky “Dirty Raver,” more electro-driven funk than old school flashback. Distorted beats, ill vox and a nasty ass grinding groove form the core before Rennie Pilgrem polishes things off with an industrial disco version. Buy on sight.
