Records Of The Week 7.3.10

Sog - Abweichung (Profan)

BUY

More thought-provoking, futuristic techno from the man that continues to produce cerebral and majestic music in equal amounts - Wolfgang Voigt. The resurrection of his much-missed Profan label is good news for those who want a return to the European experimentation of the late 90’s. 4 tracks centred on a simplistic rhythm then mutate, with moving orchestral strings seeping in over the course of time. Whilst I wouldn’t say that this record is going to change anything, it’s further proof of Voigt’s mission to seek out new territory. “Abweichung” means to stray from the path, and this does.

CRC vs Myon - Mass Defect EP - (Heliocentric)

BUY

The first release on this Mönchengladbach label was superb, and their follow-up is just as good.. The A-side by CRC, is Detroit through and through, with ERP-style strings dancing gracefully over melancholic atmospheric washes. However, the Myon record is the one to look for. If you think of the best Kevin Saunderson records, such as “Feel the Mood”, and then combine that dramatic edge with the evocative pulse of Kenny Larkin, you’ve got an idea of what this sounds like!  Limited to 250 copies so buy on sight.

Nineteen99 - The Eagle has Landed (Warszawa)

BUY

Debut release from Rhys Beard, who puts together a solid collection of Legowelt-ish electro-disco. The stand out is the hi-tempo of “The Eagle has Landed”, which whilst not exactly penetrating any new territory, has enough dancefloor nous to keep you on the floor for the whole time.

STL - Things from the Basement (Something)

BUY

Stephan Laubner has yet to make a truly great track yet, but he has a habit of putting together EPs that are usually greater the sum of their parts. In a world of track-orientated releases, it’s often difficult to stand out, but here’s another of his lo-fi, scratchy offerings that should appeal to everyone from Dan Bell to Theo Parrish. At times I feel that it’s all a little too forced, but there’s a charm to his music that will stand the test of time. As much as a lot of dub techno bores me to death, I can’t get away from the subtle charisma of the Intrusion remix.

Erik & Fiedel - Nous Sommes MMM (MMM)

BUY

This isn’t quite as good as all the record shops seem to be making out it to be, but it is still a fantastic bit of dancefloor silliness. Given their previous work as Errorsmith/Soundhack etc, you’d expect it to be one half noise and one half disco, and that’s pretty much what it is. At times it sails so close to the taste borders that the more conservative techno listeners amongst you might run to the hills, but that’s often where the truly fun records reside. Mindless, but in a fun way.

Toby Frith