Some say rock ‘n’ roll will never die, but electro could outlast even that hoary beast. Spawned in the early ’80s, this robotically funky style continues to enchant young producers, including K?ln’s Kitbuilders (Benway and Ripley). Wake Up originally surfaced in 2001, but reappears here with two bonus remixes of the title track by BolzBolz. Keen students of Kraftwerk’s Computer World, Giorgio Moroder, D.A.F. and the Liquid Sky soundtrack, Kitbuilders applies recent electronica’s glitch fetish to surprisingly durable ’80s synth settings. Ripley’s female vocals evoke obligatory anomie and snottiness, but the music’s edginess and weird textures help it transcend electroclash ennui.
E.O.C. Chromatix
Jeff Mitchell of Jazmin & Face and his man Keith Anderson collab as E.O.C. for this tight piece, which comes off more as uptempo, git-down funk than just another house tune. The remixes definitely refresh: “James Greens Keepers” Curd spins off of a bit of the original’s Rhodes chords to form his choppy and intriguing Inhalation Remix, while Dallas boy Demarkus Lewis opens it out for a long take that integrates the tune’s wah guitar, Rhodes and bluesy flutes. Smokin’.
Brockie & Ed Solo Sleeping Giant
Brocks and Eds have rolled another one for ya. Lovely spy-soundtrack piano and vibraphone samples in the intro of “Sleeping Giant,” reggae-ish mid-tone bassline over the sub-bass, and tight dubby effects make this an elegant, propulsive piece. On the flip, “Piano Tune” comes across with a simpler sophistication, but doesn’t quite measure up to the Giant. Overall, this one works.
Mr. Barcode Binary Is the Language of Love EP
Following up releases by Western-tech types like Wyatt Earp and Adnan & Amit, Berkeley, CA’s PR2 label offers well-crafted, Detroit-inspired techno from this mysterious producer. Thea-side’s tweaked-out “Robot Love” gets a prize, as does the funky electro remix on the flipside, which also hosts the strangely melodic-yet-disconcerting tech-marcher “Disgusting Base.” Smart techno is back, folks.
Database vs Care In the Community Gradient
South London’s CITC trio follows up their “Dub Ting” single by mixing it up with the one like Database. A squiggly bassline and a minimalist, delayed piano chord highlight this hot, funky and slower-than-normal jam. Many DJs will see this as a warm-up tune due to its tempo, which makes sense because it’ll get folks on the floor in anticipation of the more extreme stuff.
Unit Moebius/Polygamy Boys The Sixth Reich
Shame on us for sleeping on Holland’s Bunker label, which for 12 years has chronicled the apparently prolific grimy squatter/nerd techno scene festering in crack-ridden south central Den Haag. On this split single’s A-side, “Bombe Mit Bombe” sees legendary (now-defunct) industrial planet-rockers Unit Moebius weave Hitler speech footage into a potent, Laibach-ish bit of slog-funk. On the flip’s “Wake Up,” Polygamy Boys resurrect everything that was substantial and even emotive in ’80s electronic body music. Catch this crowd at bunker-records.com. Crucial.
Rhodessa Road To Rhodessa
German mystery duo Rhodessa serve up an sublimely hypnotic tune here, pouring non-intrusive ambient keyboard washes and effects over a beat that’s equal parts wandering drum & bass and propulsive Neu!-style motorik rhythm. And what’s that Spanish female voice saying in the background? Even their more dancefloor-friendly Club Mix turns out to be deep house with tasty dub trimmings. Killer!
Incognito On the Road (Danny Krivit Re-Edit)
Body and Soul resident Krivit follows up his treatment of Aretha Franklin in his re-edit series with this smooth yet jumpy New York-style bossa treatment of this classic from the prime players in acid jazz’s first wave. The Brazilian environment works wonderfully, especially in the vocal/keyboard trade-offs and percussion breakdowns in the middle.
Bill Vega and New Decade Running Scared Remix
York University production crew Big Square Sound remixes this one. Crunchy, distorted chords greet you at the intro, and after the nicely treblized breakdown brings forward the thematic vocal sample, you’re dropped into a big, wallowing booyaa of a bassline. Big Square Sound has rolled out a tune with numerous mini-breakdowns and change-ups on the fourth bars, both of which used to be breakbeat standards before things started getting monotonous. Bravo.
Transform Man Razorblades
T-Man unleashes another straight-ahead primetime bass thrasher for MBN’s seventh release, handing over a dense, synth-heavy piece for the headstrong. On the flip, Bristol man Kraymon calmly tones down the bass buzz and laces the whole thing with nuanced electro accents, making for an understated mix that outshines the original.
