The second full-lenght album produced by the talented Esem and released by Merck. “Serial Human” is decidedly more up-tempo than the last album (Enveloped reviewed in 2002), drawing heavily on techno, house and especially electro without becoming generic whatsoever. The twelve tracks on “Serial Human” displays a darker and more intense musical side of Esem… Continue reading Esem, Serial Human [Merck – MERCK014, 2003]
EU, Mandarines [Delikatessen Records – PLATE7, 2003]
EU on Delikatessen what can you say? With out a doubt a worthy follow-up to the mysterious Myrza release. Not as intense beats programming, but excellent down-tempo bass-filled electronica bearing EU’s analogue sounding trademark.There are four tracks on the 10″ ranging from the hallow yet solid beats and quirky melody in the forward moving opening… Continue reading EU, Mandarines [Delikatessen Records – PLATE7, 2003]
Adam Johnson, Chigliak [Merck – MERCK016, 2003]
Although he’s already had some releases Mr Johnson’s music was completely unknown to me until I received my copy of ON Records compilation 002 and heard his excellent contribution “Boungy”. I’ve been waiting for his first full-length release for some time now and finally here it is. The 16 track CD is entitled “Chigliak and… Continue reading Adam Johnson, Chigliak [Merck – MERCK016, 2003]
Lackluster, Showcase [Merck – MERCK015, 2003]
A more than aptly named album by the Lackluster and don’t get it wrong this is a share show of force. There’re 19 tracks ranging from world class electronica, to old-school sounding electronics and beyond. In the warm melodic vein of things the number two “LL7 01/10/00”, number fifteen “mes 19/10/99” and number sixteen “11/11/99”… Continue reading Lackluster, Showcase [Merck – MERCK015, 2003]
Xela, For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights [Neo Ouija – NEO18LP, 2003]
Excellent full-length album by Xela released some time ago on the ever-impressive Neo Ouija label. The album starts of with “Afraid of Monsters” with its sweet melody and really warm sounding basslines, which by the way also is the common denominator for this album. A high-pitched rim-shot leads in the second track alongside harmonica like… Continue reading Xela, For Frosty Mornings and Summer Nights [Neo Ouija – NEO18LP, 2003]
Nynack, Pattern Errors [ON Records – ON103, 2003]
After releasing two outstanding compilations ON Records’ have just released (May 2003) “Error Patterns” a six-track EP by an artist called Nynack. This release does not have much in common musically with the earlier compilations and one reason for this is naturally that it is not a compilation it is an EP by a single… Continue reading Nynack, Pattern Errors [ON Records – ON103, 2003]
Various Artists, Seed Volume One [Seed Records – SEEDCD06, 2003]
Seed Records’ are releasing “Seed Volume One” a CD compilation featuring their entire live roster and some of their forthcoming releases. A total of twelve tracks by electronic household names such as Ardission, Digitonal and label runners Posthuman as well as new fresh and unheard talent. I suppose the compilation is meant to be a… Continue reading Various Artists, Seed Volume One [Seed Records – SEEDCD06, 2003]
Lackluster, Wrapping [Defocus – FOC369, 2002]
Some beautiful pieces of music that the accomplished Lackluster has put together on “Wrapping” the latest full-length delivered by him. One of the last releases if not the very last release on the reportedly terminated defocus label, who brought us among other things last year’s brilliant “Enveloped” album by Esem, the awesome “Ikae” 12-inch by… Continue reading Lackluster, Wrapping [Defocus – FOC369, 2002]
EU, Warm Math [Pause_2 Recordings – PAUSE008, 2002]
This EU release on the Pause_2 imprint is a full-length album entitled “Warm Math”. The album contains twelve tracks of down tempo hip hop influenced beats, carefully constructed melodies and slight retro feelings. Not necessarily a bad thing and there’re plenty of examples of that on the album. For example the opening “Retro” [sic!] with… Continue reading EU, Warm Math [Pause_2 Recordings – PAUSE008, 2002]
While, Haze [Chocolate Ind. – CHLT009CD, 2000]
Terrific six-track EP from While on Chocolate Ind. “Haze” contains all his trademarks, but has an overall more sinister feeling to it. Tempo is lower, hip hop influenced beats and tremendous bass, fills the sonic picture, somewhat reminiscent of Scorn’s work, but not as slow or minimal and less sinister. The six tracks on the… Continue reading While, Haze [Chocolate Ind. – CHLT009CD, 2000]