Okay, first off, thanks to all the kind folks out here who sent me info on the San Fran scen. It is _very_ much appreciated.
And secondly, what follows are some formal reviews of tracks; some might be a little dated, but there is new stuff in there as well. enjoy.
C/Sphere
Texel/Ameland
Produced by Coleman Horn/Mark Gage
Telepathic Records
9/10
This is Coleman's third release on Telepathic. A beautiful record. Head straight for the Mark Gage edited Texel track. Bell like chimes and a weaving synth start the track off, which then proceeds to head deep into the beats. 4/4 magic all around that suddenly takes at turn for the acid. Its at that moment that piece really takes shape. Lovely. Definetly one for the "early morning, as the sun comes up" moments.
DJ Funk #1
Street Trax II
Produced by DJ #1
DanceMania
10/10
Holding the minimal flag of Chicago's Dancemania high over his head, DJ Funk #1 releases a MONSTER of a record here with Street Trax #1. Goddam, the man put everything (including the kitchen sink) in the mix on "DJ #1 West Side Chicago Mix". From old school house tracks to cheesy samples of Black Box, DJ Funk does not discriminate. Other tracks get the fat butt rolling with moody house (Follow), acid and the well known sound of Dancemania minimalism. So remember boys and girls, Chicago's back in the house and on top of the world.
A Nite Life Productions Presents Smooth Stan Smith
Produced by Paul Johnson
DanceMania
9/10
Following close on the heels of the StreetTrax release, Smooth Stan Smith, drops the kid gloves and takes the lo-tech route on this piece o' plastic. Jazzy breaks, hissing old school samples, raw production; if that's your thing then this is truly your piece of cake. Personally, I got off on the "2 Smooth" track. Sounds like that Pacific 808 State break looped with "Its so smooth" samples a la Marge Simpson. When you compare creative stuff like this with the stunted minds of many so called "top producers" who put way too much attention to how clean a track sounds, you just have to laugh.
Grooverider
Hardstep Selection #1
various producers
Kicking
9/10
The explosion of the jungle in the last year, has caught many (myself included) by surprise. One could never imagine that beautiful tracks like this could emerge from creative vacuum of early breakbeat material. This compilation and the events and singles of the last year just go to show that elitist techno fans had their heads stuck up their ass. Let me be the first to say that my mouth is still full of shit, as I head down to the shoppe and check the selection of excellent choons making their way across the sea. This compilation is no exception. Intelligent tunes and that ever present deep throbbing bass. Essential for those of you overwhelmed by the flood of recent compilations. Oh, and that United Track by DJ SS is heaven.
Armand Van Helden
Various
Produced by Armand Van Helden
Strictly Rhythm
9/10
What do you get when you cross the old school sound of Chicago minimalism with a rabid and openminded hard house freak? Armand Van Helden. "Witch Doctor" , "Donkey" and "I feel it" traverse the DancaMania path while "Break the 80's" drops the samples like it drops the panties. Break out the Planet Rock records. But for me, the best track on here is "Nrongo Na Nrongo" which begins with Santa Claus 808 sleigh bells. The bass begins to boom and you suddenly find yourself immersed in African chants. Yes, my fellow hard house heads, this track is for you.
Global Technological Innovations - Soundwaves 1
Various producers
New Electronica
7/10
Number twelve in the New Electronica series is a collection piece. If you already have these tracks, or if you find something new that's just as good, don't buy this. While many of these tracks are classics ((Die Kosmichen Kuriere, The Real Thing), I cant help but wonder why New Electronica released old material that is readily available to most people in its original form. Nevertheless, when I take a step back, I have to admit its worth as a good introduction to the intelligent side of the techno coin.
Laurent Garnier
Shot in the Dark
produced by Laurent Garnier
F Communications
6/10
Laurent is a terrific DJ, a media darling, and one of the producers of what is arguably the finest 12" of all time: Acid Eiffel. So its hard to imagine that this album would be anything but brilliant. Shot in the dark misses the mark by more than a few feet. Except for brief moments of pleasure (Shapes under Water), it fails to create the sheer aural ecstasy that previous Garnier projects generated. I cant put my finger on it, but something in the grooves just doesn't do it for me. Buyer beware.
Luke Slater's Seventh Plain
My Yellow Wise Rug
Produced by Luke Slater
GPR
10/10
Two slabs of black vinyl, one poster. The essential ingredients for the best album to emerge from England over the last few months. Luke, (doing the Jekyll and Hyde routine) takes a break from making our heads spin with manic acid tunes and reverts back to lush and intelligent sound of his GPR releases. He decides to keep the beats, but the motto is "nothing over 125". The thing I like about the album is that while he bows to the sound of Detroit, he ends up creating something which is its own trademark. And that's how it should be.
Florence - Intersection
Produced by Stefan Robbers
Eevolute
9/10
Stefan Robbers
Mask Ep
100% Pure
9/10
Edge of Motion
Produced by Stefan Robbers
100% Pure #7
8/10
Somewhere out there, the sound of electro, techno, ambient and anything else you can imagine bump together in the minds of men and women like Stefan Robbers. These three records, all by the same increasingly prolific producer are evidence that electronic music is still growing beyond the Detroit crib. Jumping around styles as if musical tags and boundaries never existed, Stefan manages to please the mind as well as the move the ass. Moody chords take rides on waves of electro beats as the ambience hugs you all around on Florence-Intersections, while Stefan plays with the EQ on the acidlike Mask ep. Anyone for 100% Pure as label of the year?
Trance Europe Express 3
Various Producers
BMG Uk
9/10
The last two TEEX albums were kind of mediocore. You got the sense that the tracks were just B-sides taken off of the studio shelve cause the producers needed something exclusive. Not this puppy. The obvious standout track is the U-ziq "Roy Castle" number. Playful horns plot the early path as the staggering beats begin to beckon. A strange mutoid track that is fairly indicative of the brilliant material that has come from Michael Paradinas in the past. All your favorites are included here (Richard James, Luke Slater, 808 State, Joey Beltram) and included in the deal is an informative, inch thick booklet detailing the artists. Cant miss with this one.
Vibert/Simmonds/Weirs
Produced by Luke Vibert and Jeremy Simmonds
Rephlex UK
7/10
Rephlex. The name is like a guarantee. Any sleeve that has the Rephlex mark of quality is as good as gold. And this? Well...um..maybe. Strange measures and beats creep up on you and you slowly begin to hum. But then you take a few steps back and think "I don't know, there's nothing that gets my attention as readily as the other material on the label". So you put the headphones back on throw yourself into the mix. After careful listen, I have to admit it's worth and that it will probably grow on me (I hope). I also need to remember that Rephlex has a high listening curve (wink).
Plastikman
Musik
Produced by Ritchie Hawtin
Novamute/Plus 8
10/10
First things first: its a great album. And not only cause it will sound good at 33, 45 or anywhere in between (I tried 78 rpm too, but it didn't work out too well). "Musik" takes a step away from the neo-industrial qualities of the last album. Sexy bass makes the head bob while the legendary 303 squiggles make their appearance every so often. The tracks on "Musik" sound real simple, but weave complex webs of colored sound and energy. This release is important in a few ways: it marks the longevity of artists like Ritchie in a field of music that could previously count the number of albums by artists on one hand AND the (hopefully) successful marketing of techno by
a major label (remember that Novamute *is* a major label). Cause that's the only way that deserving artists like this are ever going to make some cash for their efforts. Some might think what I'm saying is heresy, but how many "underground" artists do you know that are making enough money to get by in the real world?
Autechre
Amber
Produced by Booth/Brown
Warp UK
10/10
Last years "Incunabula" saw the wonder duo bang the kettle drums and work moody synths in the mix to the wonder and surprise of many technoheads the world over. "Amber" does the sparkling reputation of the group justice. The album is not as dark and melancholy as its predecessor and works it beauty and magic in a different manner. While more atmospheric and ambient in some parts, they take the dive into familiar territory with tracks like "Nile" and "Teartear". Patented Autechre percussion takes over and you can't help but appreciate the brooding and low key creativity that is Autechre.
Agenda 22
Various Producers
New Electronic/Eevolute
9/10
Those smart kids at New Electronica know a winner when they hear one. Agenda 22 is the second in a series of absorbing albums from Eevolute. Diversity here, is the key. From spoken-word (Wladimir M - Sex and Lies) to lush soundscapes to dark, murky numbers (Max 404 -Lost), its all here in this package. Thank god for the Netherlands. Okay now, repeat after me: "if its on eevolute, then it must be good, if its on eevolute..."