Hello,
If it weren't for today's free bonus day we would have had to miss out on a few amazing releases this February: Regis' three-volume 'Complete Works' for instance or Edward's debut album on White Music, which have just barely made the deadline for this month's essentials.
The longest February in four years had plenty more great music in stock for us though: Mouse on Mars, Burial, Terranova, Marc Houle, Ólafur Arnalds and Atom TM are just a few of the artist that have returned with substantial works this month.
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FEATURED RELEASE
For the past few years it seemed as if Mouse on Mars were content with their status as glitch-punk godfathers and eternal festival headliners. Along comes 'Parastrophics', Andi Toma and Jan St. Werner's tenth studio album since 1994 and their first full-length since 2006's 'Varcharz'.
For the duo's many fans this is great news in itself, but delivered via Modeselektor's ultra-hip Monkeytown imprint 'Parastrophics' also marks a change in context as well as a thorough reinvention of MoM's unique brand of quirky, experimental electronica pop.
Guitar feedbacks and breakbeat samples are a thing of the past. They are replaced with sharp drum beats and heavy synth leads more akin to Hudson Mohawke and Mokeytown label-mate Siriusmo than to previous MoM albums. It wouldn't be Mouse on Mars however if each track wasn't intricately adorned with a puzzling amount of edits and digital effects, resulting in an acoustic density that makes 'Parastrophics' stand out as a labyrinthine and ultimately thoroughly rewarding listening experience.
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ESSENTIAL EXCLUSIVES
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Conforce heads for Clone's Basement in a slightly rawer fashion than usual, with three tracks that serve as a jacking and shuffling counterpart to the refined dub techno sounds of his recent Delsin album. Sticking to the roughness, Gesloten Cirkel provides a great analogue rework of '24'. Essential zero" exclusive.
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Another killer zero" exclusive coming from the Clone camp: Geeeman follows up last winter's huge 'Rubberband2' with yet another perfect Chicago tribute. 'Bang't' is a fantastic, organ-grinding shuffler and Flip side 'Fire Extinguisher' is a peak-time jacker, Robert-Armani-style. Don't sleep!
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TECHNO / HOUSE ESSENTIALS
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The third of three volumes compiling Karl O'Connor's early recordings '1999 - 2001' oscillates between beatless ambient and symphonic compositions on the one hand and Regis' unique brand of stunning percussive techno on the other. Indispensable - as are the series' other two volumes.
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Years 1997 - 1998 mark Regis' introduction of more minimalistic and subtle undertones into his hard-hitting techno style, most notable on the Female collaboration 'Guiltless' or the long-winding modulations of 'Right Side of Reason's two parts. Essential collection.
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Compiling Regis' earliest recordings '1994 - 1996' starts out with his seminal 'Montreal' EP from 1995 and progresses relentlessly through one pounding, spiraling techno classic after the other, such as 'Surface', 'We Said No' and 'Careless Pedestrian'. Reduce dosage if side effects occur.
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Marc Houle, long-serving Minus cohort appears with this LP for 2012 on the 'Items & Things' imprint he co-founded with Magda and Troy Pierce. Departing from the sleek minimalism of his early releases, 'Undercover' gives it some sneaky grind and shake, Detroit synth mystique providing its backbone. Recommended.
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Album released 13-02-2012 on Kompakt
A long-standing act, Terranova now consists of Berlin-Paris duo made of Fetisch and &Me. Featuring rotating guests on vocals and even a cheeky electro rework of Timberlake's 'My Love', if you have a soft spot for impeccably produced vocal electropop, 'Hotel Amour' will melt you!
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Austrian veteran Peter Kruder graces Macro Recordings once more since 2009's 'Law of Return', his productions quality as ever. 'Xenomorph' creeps with the Eastern exoticism of a desert-dancefloor mirage, 'Vespertilio' proceeds more mechanically, rolling percussion punctuated with dramatic strings.
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Planetary Assault System's 'The Messenger' was an epic addition to the Ostgut catalogue late in 2011, now Silent Servant launches the low-end thumping 'Bell Blocker' into the cosmosphere, and The Black Dog imbue the dusky itching 'Beauty In the Fear' with a mincing tech-step.
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Matthew Chicoine better known as Recloose treats us to a generous helping of his soulful Detroit house, 'Feels Like Magic' with vocals by R.Slade banishes winter with its unbeatably loved-up vibe, 'UHF' roams dreamy soft-focus carefree melodies and Carl Craig splices in his C2 magic to boot.
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Edward's 'Teupitz ' is White Music's first full-length, and if we discount opener 'Control's rather awkward attempt at a vocal track, it's a formidable offering of richly textured deep house vibes, reduced techno elements, and a number of interludes to cleanse the palate.
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The second of two late-2011 collaborations between UK shooting star Blawan and Berlin's Analogue Cops sees the (digital) light of day. 'Cursory EP' combines Blawan's knack for crunchy beats and subtle edits with a raw and soulful deep house vibe. Four unique tracks, highly recommended.
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Swiss DJ and producer Andrea Oliva debuts on Cadenza with four tracks, of which 'Piano Piano' clearly stands out: A sparse yet hugely efficient piano trancer that wouldn't feel out of place in a Carl Craig or Âme set. Add three more solid house tools and you have a winning EP.
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Amirali's 'Beautiful World' closely follows the Art Department template with heavy house beats, techno-funk vibes and pop vocals, but it's actually Deniz Kurtel's stripped down electro mix that best satisfies our thirst for Depeche Mode revivalism. Hrdvsion's dreamy version comes also recommended.
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Yet another must-have installment of Dekmantel's 'Anniversary Series' with Danilo Plessow (Motor City Drum Ensemble) teaming up with Vienna's Felix 'BNCKD' Bergleiter as HUNDRED20 for some deep and analogue techno house goodness, and Berlin's Hunee dropping more of this on the flip. Excellent.
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Lituanian producer duo Mario & Vidis's tearjerking deep house 'Changed' ruled dancefloors in 2011 and they now emerge with a debut album of their downbeat house sound, many tracks featuring Lithuanian talent Giedre on vocals. Deep jazzy grooves to take you from the bedroom to the dancefloor.
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One of the key producers in second wave Chicago house of the late-90s, DJ Sneak becomes the latest to make his addition to the Fabric mix series. Seamlessly moving between sassy genuine Chicago grooves to peppier European tech-house, a vibrant mix from one of house's modern legends.
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A new collective sees Canada's Mike Shannon of Cynosure and Wagon Repair join forces with excellent experimental guitarist Takeshi Nishimoto and German-Turkish vocalist Fadila. This collaboration results in a lush sound between jazz, dub and electronica, bringing downbeat to 2012 in a surprisingly pleasing way.
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After years releasing exclusively on Modern Love, Manchester's Mark Stewart aka Claro Intelecto debuts on Delsin. Title track 'Second Blood' is hazily-wired, deep and dubby sub-techno, 'Heart' soars string chords at the heart strings and 'Voyeurism' has subtly energising glacial proportions. Massively lush.
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The Bristol imprint pushing an upfront disco house and co-founded by Julio Bashmore compiles this fresh selection. All brand new exclusive tracks, from mainroom Balearic euphoria to hip-shaking minimalistic shimmying, there's much to be said of the talent coming from this label. Check.
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Anonymous producer Rivet debuts on Kontra Music with an excellent single: 'Metrist' is raw techno soothed by great off-beat chords and deep strings. Marcel Fengler contributes a fine, jacking remix of this, before 'Sleepwalker' closes the EP with a hint of 1990s Warp techno. Recommended!
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With Shed's next album set to be released on Modeselektor's 50 Weapons, this little two track EP appears, hinting at the directions his indominable producer spirit has been roving. 'The Praetorian' squidges noisy sparks against intergalactical haze, whilst 'RQ-110' winds broodily with uneasy calm. We're gripped.
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Following up his flawless recent 'Conducted' compilation on Music Man, Berghain ambassador Marcel Dettmann releases this killer eerie gem. 'Landscape' has a distant dusky ambience, laced with a twisted vocal and brash metallic kicks, the Answer Code remix sets it up righteously for the big room. Ace.
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Album released 17-02-2012 on Type
Originally released in 1996 on Berlin's seminal Chain Reaction imprint, the duo of Thomas Köner and Andy Mellweg's first album became a bona-fide dub techno classic. Still sounding utterly incredible, Type's timely reissue shows how this kind of quality truly stands the test of time. Absolutely essential.
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DUBSTEP / HIP-HOP / ELECTRO ESSENTIALS
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The ecstatic ebullience of South African Nozinja-led Shangaan Electro which landed via Honest Jon's in 2010 gets reworked by the masters and pioneers of various electronic niches selected by HJ's. From Mark Ernestus to Actress, Theo Parrish, Villalobos & Loderbauer to MMM, Rashad and Spinn. Outstanding, essential LP.
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Again releasing on Lone's Magic Wire label, Neon Jung follows up last year's excellent 'Just Can't Leave It Alone' with 'Delirium Tremens', a spiralling, bleepy electro piece that's backed by a 1991-style breakbeat and classic house vox. No other than Nathan Fake tweaks the tune knobs for a techno mix on the flip. Check!
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MinimalRome releases its third 'Urbi et Orbi' compilation, and this time around it's a full double album of 20 tracks that strike a great balance between subtle Dopplereffekt veneration, smacked-up acid jams and brooding Globlin-esque film scores. Great!
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Forced to change name for legal reasons from Christian AIDS, Manchester's newly renamed Stay+ releases this strong EP on Ramp. Opening track 'Stay Positive' rewires 90s-eurotrance euphoria with a slodgey ghostly 2010s disenchantment, gritty and twisted feverish tracks. Hot stuff.
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ELECTRONICA / AMBIENT ESSENTIALS
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The inimitable Uwe Schmidt in his Atom TM guise provides the perfect soundtrack for Europe's current cold freeze, 'Cold Memories' is two one-hour tracks from the Ambient City radio project in Helsinki in 1994. Indescribably beautiful electronic journeys from a true pioneer. Unmissable.
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Editions Mego release two live performances of KFW's 'Generator' project; from 'Issue Project Room' dedicated to the work of Elaine Radigue and the 'High Zero' festival in Baltimore. Two stunning contrasting 17 minutes tracks tackling the challenge of the live performance of these mind-bending digital-analog electronics.
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Ólafur Arnalds arrives on the big screen with his soundtrack to the Demi Moore starring film 'Another Happy Day'. But fear not: Your cherished Icelandic composer has not succumbed to Hollywood opulence. This is a fragile and intimate album of elegiac chamber music. Simply beautiful.
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Silent Servant side-project Tropic of Cancer combines inspirations from classic new wave albums such as 'Unknown Pleasures', 'Seventeen Seconds' and 'Psychocandy' with a subtle touch of contemporary dub/drone avant-garde. Fine album and not only for die-hard goths.
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Manchester's legendary Skam records sees a new release, the first in five years from mr76ix. As if straight from the thick of a 90s rave, he dishes up only the most skewed breaks, rattling techno thorough-bred with decentralised jungle trajectories and intermittent moments of tranquil ambience.
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Polar Bear's Sebastian Rochford teams up with composer/producer/recent Brian Eno collaborator Leo Abrahams for a short and dark piece of piano'n'bass jazz abstraction. Pete Wareham focuses on a more dissonant piano crescendo with his remix. Great.
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Mux Mool returns since 2010 eclectic 'Skulltaste' again appearing on Ghostly with a slightly less hyperactive album of his highly imaginative hip-hop driven electronic excursions. Paced over 10 tracks, from funkin' IDM to broken hiphop delirium with videogame synths still dipping in, an accomplished album.
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Detlef Weinrich of Kreidler's appears with a third album in his solo outfit Tolouse Low Trax. From the sombre percussive trip 'Jeidem Fall' to melodic plucking synths of 'Conpearl Walker', intricate instrumental textures balanced masterfully with deft electronics, a must for modern Kraut/Kosmische fans.
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The first solo female to appear on the esteemed Raster Noton label, Tokyo/Berlin-based Kyoka successfully fuses both the abstract experimental sonics and dancefloor-inclined sides of the imprint's output. The brilliant pulsating murky 'HADue' even gets a top remix by Atom TM. Unique, check!
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Konstantinos Soublis's releases as Fluxion hark back to late 90s Chain Reaction and Basic Channel days, he now releases his second album on Echocord. Beautifully formed, immersive deepest dub techno, and a new vocal mix of "No Man is an Island" from 1970, Fluxion definitely delivers. L.U.S.H.
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Rescued from the vaults, this recording of 1974 collaboration between Wire's Bruce Gilbert and Ron West of The Tea Set was inspired by a talk given by Brian Eno. An incredible 30-minutes with freaky oscillator flexes reverberating between haunting noise and eerie calm. Still as compelling almost 40 years later.
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Stephan Laubner aka STL's otherworldly approach to deep house make all of his releases on labels like his own Something, Smallville and Perlon buy-on-sight. This 2012 collection of unreleased cuts and jams is equal parts trippy and stone-cold beautiful, deep supra-dancefloor journeys. Highly recommended.
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Possibly our most eccentric album of the month, 'Mad Men Butterfly' has Vienna's Original Low Fi spin found-footage, experimental hip-hop, French chansons and German new wave into a pastiche album of epic proportions. We have yet to spot the butterfly, but the mad men can't have gotten far. Check.
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ALTERNATIVE / POP / DISCO ESSENTIALS
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Album released 20-02-2012 on Strut
Absolute UK legend and founder of Output Recordings Trevor Jackson, does the world a favour and compiles prime picks of classics and rarities from his chest of industrial & EBM treasures, the heritage of so much of today's discerning electronic music. D.A.F., Analysis, Secession to mention a few. Essential!
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Get Physical's DJ T. aka Thomas Koch devotes himself to a disco compilation, and a what a fine one it is. 43 tracks surveying classics from the past three decades from Loose Joints to Simian Mobile Disco, with unreleased edits, remixes & exclusives from Tensnake, Catz 'N Dogs & Damian Uzabiaga. Get on it!
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Album released 27-02-2012 on LOaF
The self-titled debut of new electronic pop outfit NZCA/LINES condenses a wealth of influences into a light-hearted ten-track LP, from modern synth-pop à la Junior Boys to disco and 80s references. Those not adverse to the music of Erlend Oye or Hot Chip should definitely give 'NZCA/LINES' a shot.
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Album released 13-02-2012 on Kitsuné
That stylish lot over at Kitsuné in Paris led by Andre and Gildas have been hard at work compiling 'Parisien II', 14 tracks (plus 2 bonus tracks) of 100% French talent from electropop to synthwave to indie-dance, its a full on feel-good snapshot of what's to come for 2012.
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