Hello,
With a history going back to the early 1980s, R&S has been one of the defining labels of the electronic music era. From new beat to techno, electronica, and drum 'n bass, the Belgian imprint has been on the forefront of every innovative new music style until its untimely demise in 2001.
Now R&S Records is back, not only with its 'Digital Archive' series of classic reissues by the likes of Aphex Twin, Model 500, Joey Beltram, and Patrick Pulsinger, but also with a stream of new release, covering both classic techno and innovative dubstep.
Note: Subscribers to our email newsletter receive a free track with every update we send out. To subscribe use the box above. Enter your code here to download your free track. |
FEATURED RELEASE
Far from resting on its laurels, R&S is once again looking towards the future these days. Given the label's well-documented history of drum 'n bass innovation, it does not entirely come as a surprise that cutting-edge dubstep styles have recently become R&S Records' focus of attention.
The imprint's latest signing is London based shooting star James Blake, whose productions of abstract, indie-pop and electronica-influenced dubstep has been receiving a large amount of praise lately and have appeared via labels as Hemlock, Hessle Audio, Brainmath, and Scuba's Hotflush Recordings.
Blake's 'CMYK EP' is comprised of four pop songs - of sorts. Vocals are present on each track, but are never simply recorded and added to the mix. Instead they are assembled from diverse sources, pitched to unnatural ranges, vocoded, and processed with effects.
The result is abstract and eerily beautiful vocal hooks, which Blake blends with lush, melancholy synth pads. His beats are sparse or washed out dubstep rhythms, but never take the foreground, leaving plenty of room for the four track's sci-fi soul. Stunning EP.
|
MORE R&S ESSENTIALS
|
|
R&S signs its first dubstep artist with newcomer Pariah, and his debut release is well worthy of the label's seal of quality. 'Detroit Falls' takes a vintage R&B sample as the foundation of a shuffling downbeat track, whereas 'Orpheus' picks up the pace for a Burial-meets-Massive-Attack approach. Excellent.
|
|
|
Essential and legendary release by Mr. Richard D. James, featuring four stone cold braindance classics of which 'Polynomial C' is certainly one of the most beautiful tracks he has ever written. Don't think for too long, everyone should have a copy of this.
|
|
|
Mind-blowing and incredibly influential release by Aphex including his break-trough hit, 'Digeridoo'. Emulating the sound of the Aboriginal instrument and fuelled by a fierce break-beat this will still bring ravers to the limits of their capacities. Utterly essential and strictly recommended!
|
|
|
For fans of Aphex Twin's softer, ambient style of production, R & S compiles 'Selected Ambient Works 85-92'. This became a classic compilation that introduced many at the time not only to the work of Richard D. James, but to electronic music, period. Essential listening!
|
|
|
The definitive collection of Aphex Twin's early works, 'Classics' also includes Richard D. James' legendary and much sought-after reworks for Frankfurt's Mescalinum United - 'We Have Arrived' - as well as live take of 'Digeridoo', performed in Cornwall in 1990. Braindance deluxe.
|
|
|
Model 500's 1996 classic 'I Wanna Be There' gets an official digital release on the seminal R&S Records. This timeless piece of Motor City soul also is accompanied by a superb set of remixes from Wax Doctor, Dave Angel, and Juan Atkins himself.
|
|
|
Originally released in 1994, the official digital reissue of Model 500's 'Sonic Sunset' was quite long overdue. Containing an 18-minute version of 'I Wanna Be There', along with the epic soundscapes of 'Neptune', this EP is absolutely essential Detroit techno!
|
|
|
Model 500's 1995 album 'Deep Space' has Juan Atkins at the peak of his powers: Electronica influences, deep Detroit techno, classic electro and a touch of the pop elements he later expanded on with 'Body and Mind' - it's all there on what is perhaps Mr. Atkins finest album.
|
|
|
Possibly Juan Atkins' most versatile full-length effort, 1999's 'Mind and Body' combines Model 500 electro roots with influences ranging from experimental electronica to soulful R&B and jazzed-out drum 'n bass. A musical pioneer at the peak of his powers.
|
|
|
Nine of Juan Atkins' era-defining tracks, remastered and compiled by cult-label R&S. 'No UFO's', 'The Chase', 'Electric Entourage', 'Off To Battle' or 'Sound Of Stereo' are all included, each track an essential piece of electronic music history. Must have.
|
|
|
Classic Patrick Pulsinger EP that originally appeared on Disko B and was licensed to R&S. 'Construction Tool' is a massive, raw minimal techno monster which still sounds incredibly fresh today. 'City Lights' is bossa infused groover with Mr. Dorfmeister joining the control tower.
|
|
|
Some historic piece of techno right here including one of the meanest, darkest and fiercest tunes ever written. 'Energy Flash' still sends shivers down our spines with its haunted 303 bass-line and paranoid vocals craving for the substance which dominated the clubs in the early 90ies. Unmissable classic.
|
|
|
A compilation of some of R&S Records' classic hits, from Aphex Twins's 'Analogue Bubblebath' to Human Resource's 'Dominator', 'In Order To Dance' also features new remixes of the tracks, with Redshape taking on 'Mentasm' and Audion reworking 'Plastic Dreams' for instance. Highly recommended
|
|
|
Another milestones release in R&S’ extensive label catalogue, combining the Belgian hi-energy vibe with classic Detroit pads and sampled bass-lines. Comes with three (!) remixes by 'The Elevator' Kevin Saunderson as well as a kosmische monster by Prins Thomas.
|
|
|
New York's Mudo Muzique contributed some of techno's eternal classics before mysteriously ceasing production around 1992: Second Phase's 'Mentasm' (with Joey Beltram), Final Exposure's 'Vortex' (with Beltram and Hawtin), as well as his solo EP's for R&S, of which 'Tranztechno' is one of the finest.
|
|
|
One of the three founding fathers of the Detroit school of techno musbic, Derrick 'The Innovator' May recorded countless classics of the era. They are all collected on this 29-track album, from 'Nude Photo', over 'The Dance' to 'Icon', and of course 'Strings Of Life'. Unmissable.
|
|
|
Showing off Fehlmann's commitment to sound design, each track hereretains its own uniqueness, whilst still staying relevant to the overall impact of the album. From the playful into track 'I Wanna Be A Fishy' to highlights as 'Threefloor King's Club' and 'Superflowing', it's a perfect home listener.
|
|
|
Mark Bell, one half of LFO, slips in his Speed Jack guise to drop some deep and jacking classic Detroit rooted techno. Three quite fast-paced tracks that are still very playable today and should cause real damage on techno dance floors. Recommended.
|
|
|
The Source Experience serves up 'Zyklus' on the legendary R&S Records. Part 1 a filtered sound-scape of industrial drones over a rushing wave of hit-hats and bass drums. The 2nd Part breaks the beat of its earlier partner, with a off kilted acid line and plenty of tribal attributes.
|
|
|
Released in 2006 on R & S Records' sister label Apollo, David Morley's 'Stardancer' EP is an ambient classic that envelopes you in its beautiful, lush soundscapes from start to finish. Especially recommended: The AFX-flavoured 'Tonus'. Superb production!
|
|
|
Sun Electric's 1990 'O'Locco' is a seductive ambient house classic, that has stood the test of time. Its walking bass lines, stabbing pianos and deep sax hits have lent themselves to a wide array of remixes - from the space warpness of the Kama Sutra version, to the vast sound scapes of 'The Orb's Remix 2.'
|
|
|
Arriving on the Belgium powerhouse label, R&S Records, in 1990, Spectrum's 'Brazil' EP is a techno classic produced by R&S founder Renaat Vandepapeliere. With its ravey chords and arpeggiated melodies, 'Brazil' defined Belgium's contribution to techno and became a benchmark for the years to follow.
|
|
|
Lemon D's 'Two Techniques' EP offers two tracks designed purely for flexing its muscles on the dance floor. The A side, a shuffling attack of snares and loose hi-hats, held up by a snarling bass, whereas Dillinja's remix offers a more sample based take, whilst incorporating a warping flute solo.
|
|
|
R&S Records presents a great collection of classics, originally released on their legendary Apollo ambient sub label. Featuring 4Hero's Afronaught, Sun Electric, David Morley, Speed Jack and more. Highly recommended listening album for a special price.
|
|
