Review: More from the Paris-based Mercredi collective, whose distinctive take on electronic music - first showcased via a solo single from key member Quidam last year - draws on a wealth of disparate musical influences. For proof, check out the A-side, where Chahan's 'Jungle (Pile Ou Faune Mix)' - a quirky but rather good blend of deep house, 80s zouk beats and glassy-eyed synth-pop sounds - is followed by the soca-goes-street soul sweetness of Monsieur Mercredi's 'Ego'. Quidam takes over on the flip, first offering up the classic house flourishes, trance builds and bustling beats of the acid-splashed 'Double Trouble', before getting all exotic on the Mali-meets-early-Massive Attack headnodder 'Lebsa'.
Francisco & Malkuth - "Night Of The Creeps" (4:52)
Rodion - "Dimensione Terrore" (3:44)
Review: Just in time for Hallween, 'Night Of The Creeps' is a fiery new disco single from Francisco and Malkuth that nods slyly to the 1986 cult comedy-horror movie of the same name, in which zombies, aliens and murderers all conspire to victimize their helpless captors. The track is a lo-fi electronic disco gut-puncher, replete with effortlessly processed vocals made to sound as demonic and low-pitched as LOTR's Sauron. It speaks of nightmares, death, etc. On the B, Rodion serves up a nearly unclassifiable slice of horror acid, but to the trained ear it might be peggable somewhere between two interrelated styles, dungeon synth and EBM. Two absolute neck-biters from the Dutch camp, Bordello A Parigi.
Review: Last seen on Bordello A Parigi, Rotterdam artist Machinegewehr makes the logical move to fledgling local concern Electronic Emergencies, a label that has really blossomed since launching with a Das Ding LP! Consisting of four tracks, The Unforgiven commences in strident Italo fashion with the title track, a real muscle-laden dancefloor number with just the right dash of electro drama and some foreboding hushed vocals. From here, Machinegewehr delves deeper into the electro sound on "You Are", whilst Gees Voorhees adds her distinct vocals to the stripped back highlight "The Geist Line". Machinegewehr heads for the dancefloor on final cut "Shield".
Review: The art of the humble back scratch is kept well and truly alive on the latest 100% Silk missive which sees regular Mi Ami conspirators Magic Touch and Ital go toe to toe, each delivering an original track along with complementing remixes. Magic Touch aka Daniel Palermo is first up with the throwback rush inducing vibes of "Anywhere U Want Me" a track dominated by the dusty treatment of pianos and swinging drums and complemented by the spiralling gospel vocals that gradually rise through to dominate. Ital's remix is a trippier, darker affair, adding some throb to the bass, while going freeform on the drums and powerful, classicist laser-like synth lines. You can almost feel the sweat dripping off the ceiling from this one in full, lysergic flight. McCormick's original production "From A Dream" is a box jam and a half, the frenetic drums that open proceedings not really hinting at the glorious, intense chaos that ensues with the track in full, bass heavy flight. Magic Touch really goes to town on his remix, reinventing the track as ecstasy filled Hi NRG Disco - best 100% Silk release in a hot moment!
Review: Antoni Maiovvi's latest synth EP 'Birds of Paradise' is a dark, brooding release that draws inspiration from classic horror soundtracks, avian themes and early synthwave. Like something between an 80s title theme for the mothman and a modernist fever dream for automobiles taking flight, each track here is named after a quirkily-named bird, whether that be the Quetzal or the Streamertail. In keeping with the thermal-riding and soaring feel of the music, every track contains subtle birdsong as its texture, not to mention beautifully danceable yet minimal melodies.
Review: RECOMMENDED
Seven Years of Delirium was originally released as a whopping 40-track digital album celebrating seven years of Berlin's Liber Null imprint, with artists such as Ontal, Repitch, Monica Hits the Ground, and Celldod featuring on the credits. Subsequently, some of those tunes have made their way to vinyl, with this logically titled outing the second instalment in the staggered wax releases.
And what an instalment it is. Efforts like 'Bodyshocks' by Alessandro Adriani define dark groove, delivering an effortlessly infectious, punch-packed dose of futurism built around a simple keyboard riff, with effects layered over to create something that feels much fuller than it is. Impossible to resist, elsewhere expect equally devastating cuts, from the sledgehammer heaviness of 'Springer' to the industrial fronted, discordant melodies of 'Fault & Failure'. Simply put, this is techno for proper heads.
Review: Last seen on 100% Silk as Innergaze, the multi-talented Jason Letkiewicz returns to the Not Not Fun offshoot for a second time, as the Broken Rhythm EP allows us a further glimpse into the mind of his Malvoeaux alter ego. Those lucky few that picked up Targets, the debut release on L.I.E.S from Malvoeaux, will know what to expect here, heavily filtered house music indebted to Trax On Da Rocks era Tomas Bangalter, all coated in a syrupy sonic fuzz. The title track alone explodes with these qualities, seemingly closer to the sound of mid 90s Roule than countless copycats in recent years, whilst "Fatal Games" sounds like the follow up to "Music Sounds Better With You" that Bangalter never got round to making. Neat new artistic direction on the 100% Silk sleeve too!
89 When Things Were Fine (Demi Riquisimo remix) (7:27)
Review: Manuel Darquart is the London-based New Zealander who has impressed with outings on the likes of Wolf Music Recordings, Infinite Pleasure and Seb Wildblood's Coastal Haze. This time out he serve sup big Italo house tunes for the cult white label Semi Delicious. This is music with proud synth work and nice rough-around-the-edges drums, plenty of fills, retro 80s samples and a subtle nostalgia that makes them all there potent. 'For You' is one of our favourites for its perfectly blissful post-rave ambiance over deep drums, but 'In The Club At 5 am' also perfectly lives up to its name.
One More Mission (Also Playable mono Deeptalo remix) (6:55)
Review: Quinn Martin's 'One More Mission' is an Italo disco classic from 1987 on the Academy label. It has become something of a cult classic which of course means that finding a decent copy on wax, at a reasonable price, is all but impossible. Enter the good folk at ZYX in Germany who have managed to fully licence this reissue on nice special blue vinyl. The original version is a mid tempo and rather heavy hearted disco chugger with deadpan male vocals and sweet female falsettos. On the flip you will also find 'Another Version' which pull apart the arrangement for subtle tweaks.
Review: Thus far the Vivod label has proved to be refreshingly diverse in its approach, with the meaty electro and tripped out Will Powers styled experimentation of the debut release from label boss Ali Renault markedly different to the primitive electronics and early wave of NCW's collaborative twelve with the distinctively titled Piss. It makes sense therefore that the third Vivod release from the wonderfully named Mild Peril should deviate in yet another direction, veering into the realm of resplendent, laid back analogue explorations. The latest creative incarnation of London DJ, musician and "reluctant club promoter" Christopher J Gilbert, Mild Peril digs into his digital archives for a newly remastered version of "Alpha Zone" that chugs gently through six minutes of cosmic synthscapes. Even better is the nine minute "Gamma Zone" which uses the slower pace and extended duration to veer deep into the Balearic core.
Review: Mirror Box is the solo analog synth project of Dallas musician Sean Kirkpatrick. With an extensive resume that includes keyboard duties for Kill Rock Stars' 00s noise rock band The Paper Chase as well as his concurrent projects, dark post-punk-synth-rockers Nervous Curtains and darkwave duo Little Beards, Mirror Box is Kirkpatrick's first foray into the purely electronic realm. Blending together elements of Giallo moodiness, dub texture, techno propulsion, a passing nod to your favorite wave music, and a flare for the kosmiche, Mirror Box' debut release, Minimal Compliance EP, is a tour de force of the veteran musician's exploration of a wide range of influences and experience.
Review: Platform 23 continue to do a great service to all seekers of furtive sounds from the DIY underground, this time shining a light on the wonderful Mode I/Q. Anyone who digs the sound of New York-tinged new wave and danceable post punk will love this record - the limber disco funk of the rhythm section meets with squalling guitar textures and dubby FX, all shot through with a hooky pop sensibility that makes this record so easy to fall in love with. "Confidence" is especially strong, as is the ramshackle party starter "Two Different Things". It seems there's no end to the overlooked gems from this golden era of independent music - it's time to catch up with Mode I/Q and file them next to your favourite disco-not-disco movers and shakers.
Review: While Jeroen Warmenhoven has delivered plenty of material of late under the DJ Overdose alias, it's been some four years since he last explored more Italo-flavoured pastures under the Model Man guise. This return for Bordello A Parigi is, then, well overdue. It's naturally rather good, with lead cut "Peeking Through The Blinds" - a raging, camp-as-Christmas Italo-disco banger straight out of the Rotterdam school - hitting hard from the off. The acid-flecked "Burning Bed" and skittering EBM cheeriness of "Antidote" could also be considered tried-and-tested dancefloor smashers, while the slower, rhythmically broken "Flying Knives" is one of the most cheerfully positive things you'll hear all year. Best of all, though, is the deep, picturesque and wonderfully slow title track.
Review: Well done to Dark Entries who have managed to pull another crucial Italo jam out of the bag here. This one is Alex Molo's 'Look At Me' which was released in 1986 on Rainbow Records. Claudio Corradini produced it and Mauro Spagnolo and Steven Stefani are on vocals on a tune that has everything you need from a classic Italo jam of the late-era. The basslines are powerful, the chords are massive and the hits are doused in reverb. A Dance Mix is perfect for dancefloors and the Radio Mix is detailed with extra synth work. An original of this will cost a pretty penny so scoop this one up while you can.
Review: Mattoni Pazzi is a brand new label that launches with some killer covers from the Monomax Band. Covers have always been a big feature of the Italo scene but they aren't often as good as this one. The a-side, as the title suggests, makes reference to a Led Zeppelin classic. Here it comes with big fuzzy synths, spooky pads and rugged 80s slap-funk drums. On the reverse side is a remake of the female. It takes off at much higher speeds and has a hypnotising bassline that is overlaid with aromatic chords and oriental inspired melodies. A fine first release, for sure.
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