ASTRALWERKS 411 / FALL 1996
Freaky Chakra vs. Single Cell Orchestra - S/T (ASW 6166) CD/LPx2
Release Date: September 10, 1996
Freaky Chakra is Daum Bentley, a direct by-product of the San Francisco
electronic music scene who released his heavily-touted debut full-length of
uniquely tripped-out West Coast funky techno, Lowdown Motivator, on
Astralwerks in March 1995. Musical influences as diverse as Johnny "Guitar"
Watson, Depeche Mode, and Wax Trax! era Front 242 along with current
underground electronic sounds has given Freaky Chakra both an experimental
vision and a strong rhythmic sensibility that makes him stand apart from his
West Coast contemporaries while DJ's as diverse as Justin Robertson (Lion
Rock), Sven Vath, Doc Martin, and Keoki sing his praises.
Single Cell Orchestra is Miguel Angelo Fierro, another musician bred from the
fertile soil of San Francisco electronic community and one of Daum Bentley's
oldest friends, the two of them starting to experiment with analog
electronics together in their teens. Stylistically versatile, from dark,
science-fiction ambience and melodic trip-hop to driving techno and funky
low-end electro, Miguel's adept production talents have graced such respected
underground electronic labels such as Zoe Magik, Reflective and Asphodel.
Freaky Chakra vs. Single Cell Orchestra is a by-product of their friendship.
In the tradition of dub soundclashes, where rival sound systems would set up
their systems and face off against one another, the two run their gear
through a DJ mixer, crossfading and cutting back and forth between each
other, creating a fresh and unique live mix each night, with no two gigs ever
being the same. This unique spin on the usual live techno experience gained
them a coveted spot on last summer's ENIT tour, blowing away Moby, Traci
Lords, and Porno For Pyros. Inspired by these definitive live shows together,
FC vs. SCO is a driving, live-in-the-studio soundclash showcasing the diverse
yet complimentary talents of two of America's leading electronic music
innovators.
V/A - Werks Like A 12" (ASW 6179) CD
Release Date: September 10, 1996
In celebration of our 5th anniversary, Astralwerks is releasing Werks Like A
12", a continually mixed compilation of dance tracks and remixes that have
only appeared on Astralwerks 12"'s. Mixed by up-and-coming Florida turntable
technician DJ Grumpy, Werks highlights the label's American roster, which
includes Spacetime Continuum, Freaky Chakra and Soul Oddity, in addition to
remixes by Plastikman, Carl Craig, David Moufang (Move D.), and Single Cell
Orchestra.
Future Sound Of London - "My Kingdom" (ASW 6179) CD5"/12"
Release Date: September 24, 1996
Future Sound Of London emerge from the studio for the first time since 1994's
groundbreaking, genre-redefining Lifeforms with My Kingdom, the first single
from their upcoming album Dead Cities, to be released in October.
Spacetime Continuum - Remit Recaps Mini LP (ASW 6190) CD
Selections From Remit Recaps 12" sampler (ASW 6183) 12"
Release Date: October 1, 1996
San Francisco's Jonah Sharp is recognized worldwide as an electronic music
renaissance man. Spacetime Continuum is his flagship project. On Emit Ecaps,
the third STC album, he moved away from the ambient domain into a more
danceable yet still heady and experimental techno vein, further garnering the
respect of the electronic music's community's elite producers.
Remit Recaps is a collection of remixes of Emit tracks by both Jonah's most
respected peers and up-and-coming prodigies including legendary Detroit
Techno producer Carl Craig, Autechre, Herbert, Higher Intelligence Agency,
Subtropic, Velocette, Move D., Jamie Hodge, and others.
Remit Recaps includes a bonus version of the track "Movement #2," (remixed by
Matt Herbert aka Dr. Rockitt). The original of which was only available
previously on the import version of Emit Ecaps. The 12" (ASW 6183) includes a
live version recorded in New York City on Orbital's US Tour this past July.