Legendary Swedish outfit Frak for the 20th installment of Libertine Records Traditions series. Extraordinary, classy, and timeless music from recovered 80s tapes. From freaky Acid to New Wave, Electro and Industrial, high-quality standards for a future underground classic release! More

As we continue on our journey here at Futurepast, we are pleased to welcome a trio that, for many years, we felt shared our vision, Frak! From Sweden, Frak have been founding an original hardware-based sound since the 80's, first via their own label Borft before collaborating with other labels over three whole decades.

On their "Formless Obstruction" EP, Frak have provided a window into the sinister twists and turns of their work. On the A-side, you see creeping Detroit stylings of "Scientific Bella" set against "Wrong Owl" with it's EBM underpinnings and industrial inflections.

On the flip, "Concentrated Feed" bubbles next to the razor sharp "Capacity Faun", both are filled with characteristic machine quirks and experimentalism. More

Höga Nord rekords proudly presents Frak! Frak was formed in the southern coastal town of Karlskrona by Jan ”Zwarre” Svensson, Björn Isgren and Johan Sturesson in 1987. Zwarre is also founder of the legendary experimental electro label “Börft” which through the years has gained both national and international recognintion. From the beginning, Frak stood for an alternative to the hair metal hegemony of their hometown Karlskrona where they, in the early days got chased from venues by the locals. “The rednecks hated us” Isgren told Resident Advisor in an interview made some years ago. However, unlike Poison, Fraks sound is still appealing and “Ternary Fission EP”, as well as all their earlier releases has all the elements necessary for a sophisticated electronic act: dark and suggestive electro and techno! If you need musical compositions for the stranded atomic submarine U-137, test flights of the Swedish fighter jet JAS 39-Gripen, the Soviet space programme, the first manned mission to Mars or the transition to the bunker society, Frak is a strong and valid option! TRACK LISTING: A1. Corridor, A2. Stetoskop, B1. Micro Fisson, B2. Arcitect More

FRAK are back on track with this dreamy album with deep dark hypnotic slow rhythmic tracks. This is experimental analog and haunting dancemusic at slow BPMs which gives you a glimpse of swedish smalltown dystopia in all its glory. The A1 track might give the impression that this is a romantic record and the A side in general will make big city people feel the urge to move to small towns again, but on the B-side it just gets darker and weirder (the smalltown kinda reveals its ugly underbelly) and it all ends with a track that would make the taped nipples fake fetishists in techno city shiver. I could say you need a mask to play this out, but lets not take it that far. For old fans of FRAK this record both delivers (A-side) and challenges (B-side). Me, I want doubles. -Joakim Cosmo More

The heavy industrial crunch and rubbery synths of FRAK’s trademark sounds come to Hypercolour with the four track ‘Berga Magic’ EP. The Swedish techno trio have been active since the late 1980s, issuing cassette tapes (and later, vinyl) filled with blueprint techno and electronica on their own Börft Records label. Following in the footsteps of Severed Heads, D.A.F. and Devo, FRAK have truly embraced performance art and experimental minimalism over the years, never compromising, always innovating. The ‘Berga Magic’ EP comes brimming with raw analogue explorations and delightfully incongruous noise. More

A long time ago, at a festival far, far away, the members of the legendary Borft trio Frak were just going to bed in their tent when something caught their attention. Now, this was well before Frak's rise to international fame - in fact, this moment was Swedish music history in the making, because what they heard was someone playing a Frak tune. That someone turned out to be Kontra-Musik's own Ulf Eriksson and once their paths had crossed, there was no turning back. Frak has since released five highly sought after records on Kontra-Musik and Kontra-Musik White Label. When it was time for a 10-year anniversary gathering in Ulf Eriksson's private garden, Frak of course turned up together with other Kontra artists like TM404 and Rivet. For those present - we few, we happy few - this turned out to be one of the most magical summer nights in living memory. The Swedish word for porch is altan, and so, to honour this wonderful experience of the whole Kontra-Musik family coming together, Frak decided to name their brand new album Altan Gathering. Another great friend of Kontra, Henrik Jonsson aka Porn Sword Tobacco, made the album cover and we wouldn't have it any other way. His aesthetic choice of tin foil is on point: Listening to Frak is a lot like biting into a fresh falafel wrap without first removing the aluminium foil holding the delicious mess together; it's mouth-wateringly warm and moist but at the same time intensely harsh and tough to chew. This might seem like a far fetched analogy but if you've ever went partying in Kontra-Musik's home town Malmo you'll know the feeling. And if you've never been to Malmo, well do stop by someday. It seems, when the stars align, the gatherings here can be the stuff both legends and albums are made of. More

Frak are Björn Isgren, Johan Sturesson and Jan Svensson, a trio of synthesizer lovers from Sweden. The band was formed when Svensson and Isgren’s older sisters were best friends and they introduced their little brothers to each other. Inspired by Severed Heads, DAF, Human League, Devo, Skinny Puppy, the boys began collecting analog equipment and started Studio Styrka. While the band were still in their early teens they released the first FRAK cassette album in 1987 on their own record label Börft. Almost 30 years later, FRAK continue to release their bizarre brand of Scandinavian techno with their debut release on Dark Entries. “Sudden Haircut” was recorded in 2015, a ten-minute brooding, heavy hitting acid attack full of 808 drum claps aimed at the dance floor. The three remaining songs come from a studio tape the band found in their archives named 'FRAK "After The Silence" 2001-2010' “Synthgök” and “Synthfrilla” were recorded in 2010 and originally released on the ‘Börft’ EP by Sex Tag Mania in 2012. Utilizing a 808, 303, 101 and MS-10, both are supreme cuts of electro leaning acid techno that perfectly fit the sweatiest moments of any club land experience. The deliciously rugged final track “First Glimt I Ögat” is a vintage unreleased Frak song from 2001 recorded one month before the track “Second Coming” (later released as B1 on ‘Börft’ EP). All songs have been mastered for vinyl by George Horn at Fantasy Studios in Berkeley. Designer Eloise Leigh has created a playful DIY jacket based on a mysterious black and white photo of the band in their classic tin foil masks. Each copy comes with a black and white postcard featuring a distorted back stage photo of FRAK in their teens. More

The Queen is dead! Long live the Queen! After nine releases on their KVK series of the Karlovak label, KVK1000 will be the tenth and final release on the KVK imprint (god save her soul). In it's place arises the new KRLVK series. While the concept series KVK exclusively featured releases from the label-lords themselves, the new KRLVK series will sport work from other artists with releases from Radio Slave, Ben Sims, and the Chicago house legend DJ Jes already lined up. First up on KRLVK is Ben Sims who delivers a burning EP of disco infused house and techno bombs. More

Following on from DJ Stingray's 2013 Weaponized EP (TSAR001), Swedish vererans Frak Step up for TSAR002, delivering a record of analogue black acid magic. More

By now, Frak needs no formal introduction. Let's just say they are the Swedish House Mafia for people who actually know what house music is. Lately, there has been somewhat of a surge in house and techno influenced by synth, ebm and obscure sub-genres that end with "-wave". So the timing couldn't be better for Frak to return to Kontra-Musik with this remarkable synth and acid flavoured release. This is of course a bit ironic as no-one could possibly care less about trends and hypes than Frak and Kontra-Musik. Time is an illusion. Our music, however, is not. But it may flabbergast you all the same. Machines drifting away is an intriguing piece of music; straightforward and multi-layered; futuristic and old school. The first half of the track molds itself around an ebm-like bassline which seems to be moving through a desolate landscape with hard hitting kicks, claps and drums marching on beside it, while the sky above is filled with the wails of brooding synt hs. The second part introduces a mean 303-bassline as the intensity of the journey heightens. To find a way home has a more elaborate rhythmical body, which only can be described as Frakish. The sound of an echoing metronome sets the tempo at the beginning, soon to be joined by heavy kicks and toms. Several analogue synths then joins in; bending, distorting and moving through the soundscape, almost battling for space. Everything is kept on the right path, though, thanks to an ingenious use of hi-hats - a trademark trick and treat from Frak. Everything is composed and recorded in legendary Studio Styrka, Karlskrona. More

This 12" contains some true oddities. Frak is not known for doing remixes but here is one of the few that exists. A nice acid remix of Dave ID - Soul reprise. Also they did a special track to finish off the 2013 tours and here's the splendid studio version of ... phase.


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Second release on Midlight, by the notorious FRAK, is in sight. One mighty tune on each side, both nearly 10 minutes. This mysterious group from Sweden has a history rooted in the late 80's releasing cassettes, later many tripped out releases and lauded livesets. This fresh 12'' gives proof, once more, of their intriguingly stripped sound. First limited pressing comes with a limited inlay. Get ready for a fix! More

1 Clouds Over Canigou
2 Pyrenees Dreams
3 Clouds Over Canigou (Jamie Paton Remix)
4 Pyrenees Dreams (Slight Return)
5 Clouds Over Canigou (Møzaika Remix)

Luke Sanger brings a calm yin to an energized yang in his new EP, Mountain Dance for Cosmic Pint Glass, with Jamie Paton and Møzaika remixes. Limited to150 x black 12? vinyl with hand finished screen-printed sleeves.
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It is common knowledge Toby Tobias used to rule the coasts of Ibiza with his Balearic Iron Funk! Now back on his home turf of London, Toby has chosen the Cosmic Pint Glass to tell us the story Sun, Sea and Madness! A Room for Babette is a Balearic House Funk bomb filled with sandy frolics and a touch of mayhem. Afterwards we hit the romance button. Touch Meh is a one of the smoothest edits to be given the Toby treatment and on the flip Ptaki take you on an amazingly beautiful 12 minute journey around the islands with their A Room for Babette remix complete with dolphins! When Toby Tobias visited Ibiza he used to stay at an amazing B&B ran by Babette. She was one of the original party people of the island and would hang out with the likes of Grace Jones.
A Room for Babette echoes that summer madness only found on these islands in a certain time and place. The track starts off with that feeling of disorientation that perhaps a few midday holiday brews might bring on. An erratic beat and explosions rattle overhead, until the soothing sounds of a synthesised flute float in. Shortly after a saxophone joins in and the explosions start up again. It's at this point things start to get fun! Tensions are rising and the boogie is starting to happen! Before long you're travelling at full tilt! Toby has been part of the London scene since breaking some shapes in the streets back in the 80's. He has seen genres come and go and all the while been adding to his record collection. In this track you can hear a cross pollination of Styles from Funk, House, Soca and even No Wave making for a DJ friendly track and has a genuinely rare style. After the evening out on the town, it's time to go back to the chalet for a night of romance. Touch Meh is a one of the smoothest, romantic edits. Toby adds his magic to re-edit with the addition of some powerful drums making for a seriously raunchy track! The next day (On the flip of the EP) we meet up with Ptaki, everyone is feeling a little delicate so the boys take you to their favourite cove, or that's what it sounds like. A Room for Babette remix has been tamed beautifully to give a wholly relaxing track with the addition of an amazing string sample that sits perfectly in the groove. The explosions and erratic drums are gone leaving the sound of paradise. After a small visit to some dolphins a rhythm on the horizon can be heard and after a little while, we find ourselves in a trance, fully relaxed to the deep house sound of Ptaki.
What an amazing holiday! .

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Out of the depths of the Cosmic Pint comes a Disco release from the Alps of Slovenia. Complete with live bass guitars, sparkling arpeggios and swirling drifts of analogue equipment Ichisan and Nakova have constructed two beautifully stripped back tracks that chug along like a golden steam engine fueled on Chanel No. 5. With remixes by Ruf Dug and Jonathan Krisp. Igor 'Ichisan' Skafar and Jure 'Nakova' Plestenjak met up over 10 years through their mutual love of Scandinavian Nu-Disco, and over the past decade have been steadily carving out a new style of Yugo Disco. Princesa makes its entrance with a playful rhythm. Before long the arpeggios come in giving an added sense of activity, it's only when the piano starts to play that the track takes on an air of elegance. Princesa is a warm, light hearted theme, in the vein of some of the Metro Area greats. The track itself seems to tell a story with changes of mood, excitement and drama. Mrk has a sense of urgency from the outset. Synth chords stab a pathway, horns join in followed by keys. The intensity builds, filters open and then all of a sudden a different rhythm takes the lead opening up to sun scorched Balearic guitars. It's a beautiful journey. Ruf Dug returns to the Cosmic Pint Glass, changing Princesa into a fantastic subtropical adventure. Opening up the proceedings with some distinctly steamy panpipes and an array of additional percussion. Ruf has a definitive style of his own and you can definitely hear it in this remix, perfectly marrying his tropical world styles with the Yugo Disco, ensuring they live happily ever after. All round gentleman and amateur parapsychologist, Jonathan Krisp steps up to the plate unveiling his mysticism drenched version of Mrk. Dizzyingly layered chords start the cogs turning, wood blocks, spring reverb and chimes all help build the atmosphere. A church organ is used, like a medieval Todd Terje, flipping the track back into a Disco powered dance workout. 300 copies - screen-printed sleeve .

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UK funk connoisseur Duke Slammer takes the driving seat on the 303-fueled 'Bangkok Skytrain', with remixes from Moscow based Simple Symmetry and returning artist Tony G. Inspired by tropical heat, Bangkok Skytrain utilises 303s, analogue drum machines and mixes in field recordings taken from an excursion to Thailand. The result is a heady concoction of warm basslines and humid atmospheres, with a groove reminiscent of early 90's melodic techno and a cheeky drum track that wouldn't be out of place on a Larry Heard record. Simple Symmetry, the Lipski brothers from Moscow, slowly rebuild layers of the track like a locomotive building up momentum, and in typical style Simple Symmetry style finding the perfect vocal sample and pan pipes that help propels you into the foreign lands. Before you know it the track is pumping at full chug! Tony G's take goes a bit further afield than the original. A dub rhythm sets the picture in outer-space. Hihats stutters like cosmic dust rickashading off the nosecone of the space ship while longing strings take us deep into a distant nebular before the 303 bring the thousands of new galaxies into view. Definitely music to listen to in the dark! Look out for the secret dancefloor weapon 'Just Drums', an industrial drum machine workout for the freaks!

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