1
Reeko & Surgeon - Scoundrel
2
Reeko & Surgeon - Gangster In Disguise
3
Reeko & Surgeon - Lemurian Blues
Tracklisting:
A1 Reeko & Surgeon - Scoundrel
B1 Reeko & Surgeon - Gangster In Disguise
B2 Reeko & Surgeon - Lemurian Blues
Sales Note
In 2003, Mental Disorder was inaugurated with its first e.p. "Psychiatric Hospital". Twenty years later Mental Disorder is pleased to present "Scoundrel", a release consisting of 3 tracks, all of them written and conceived by label founder Reeko and Surgeon, the living legend and one of the most influential artists of all time. Undoubtedly the most special, risky and different release in the whole MD catalogue so far.
On this release, we find rogue rhythms at 175bpm bordering on drum n' bass, gangster bass sequences with funk influences and eerie atmospheres, healing melodies and hypnotizing riffs that seem to come from vanished civilizations.
Anthony Child and Juan Rico bring to life the twenty-sixth in the mental disorder catalogue, giving a truly unexpected musical twist. More
A1 Reeko & Surgeon - Scoundrel
B1 Reeko & Surgeon - Gangster In Disguise
B2 Reeko & Surgeon - Lemurian Blues
Sales Note
In 2003, Mental Disorder was inaugurated with its first e.p. "Psychiatric Hospital". Twenty years later Mental Disorder is pleased to present "Scoundrel", a release consisting of 3 tracks, all of them written and conceived by label founder Reeko and Surgeon, the living legend and one of the most influential artists of all time. Undoubtedly the most special, risky and different release in the whole MD catalogue so far.
On this release, we find rogue rhythms at 175bpm bordering on drum n' bass, gangster bass sequences with funk influences and eerie atmospheres, healing melodies and hypnotizing riffs that seem to come from vanished civilizations.
Anthony Child and Juan Rico bring to life the twenty-sixth in the mental disorder catalogue, giving a truly unexpected musical twist. More
More records from Mental Disorder
1
Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur A1
2
Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur B1
3
Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur B2
Tracklisting:
A1 Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur A1
B1 Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur B1
B2 Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur B2
Sales Note
Chapter number twenty-seven of the Mental Disorder missile catalogue arrives. This new chapter is signed by Helki Torsnum, who is none other than the living legend: Inigo Kennedy, who decided 25 years ago to compose an EP for the now-defunct British label, Sheer Records. We wanted to rescue this lost gem called "Events that occur" because it perfectly defines the minimalist and raw sound of 90s techno, which occupied the entire frequency spectrum in its purest form.
Three powerful tracks that destroyed the dance floors in the mid nineties. More
A1 Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur A1
B1 Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur B1
B2 Helki Törsnum - Events That Occur B2
Sales Note
Chapter number twenty-seven of the Mental Disorder missile catalogue arrives. This new chapter is signed by Helki Torsnum, who is none other than the living legend: Inigo Kennedy, who decided 25 years ago to compose an EP for the now-defunct British label, Sheer Records. We wanted to rescue this lost gem called "Events that occur" because it perfectly defines the minimalist and raw sound of 90s techno, which occupied the entire frequency spectrum in its purest form.
Three powerful tracks that destroyed the dance floors in the mid nineties. More
1
Reeko / Tensal - A1 Reeko - Rose Out Of Chaos
2
Reeko / Tensal - B1 Tensal - Lux Rhapsody
Tracklist:
A1 Reeko - Rose Out Of Chaos
B1 Tensal - Lux Rhapsody
Release Note:
This time Mental disorder returns with the luminous contribution of artist Tensal bringing light to a release that starts off totally demonic with the sounds of the darkest hell from the hand of Reeko. The two faces of Tremendous Satan's Doom. More
A1 Reeko - Rose Out Of Chaos
B1 Tensal - Lux Rhapsody
Release Note:
This time Mental disorder returns with the luminous contribution of artist Tensal bringing light to a release that starts off totally demonic with the sounds of the darkest hell from the hand of Reeko. The two faces of Tremendous Satan's Doom. More
1
Reeko & Psyk - No Title
2
Reeko & Psyk - No Title
1
Reeko - No Title
2
Reeko - No Title
3
Reeko - No Title
1
reeko - No Title
2
reeko - No Title
3
reeko - No Title
4
reeko - No Title
5
reeko - No Title
6
reeko - No Title
7
reeko - No Title
8
reeko - No Title
1
reeko - Damage #1
2
reeko - Damage #2
3
reeko - Damage #3
4
reeko - Damage #4
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Ben Buitendijk - Zero Dawn
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Koen Hoets - Essence
4
Vand - Splinter
The beauty that arises from music is the connection between people. Oblique's twelfth EP consists of four friends who have spent many hours together in the studio, booth and kitchen, yet this is the first time they appear on a release together. A friendship cultivated from a shared passion for hypnotic techno, and here, each artist presents his unique take on it.
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1
Private Press - After Request
2
Private Press - .370
3
Private Press - Into The Circle
4
Private Press - Risky
Tracklisting:
A1 Private Press - After Request
A2 Private Press - .370
B1 Private Press - Into The Circle
B2 Private Press - Risky
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
Oblique Music is proud to present Polish wonder-duo Private Press. Through their debut EP on Technosoul, they made an immediate impression with their matured taste and signature sound design, subsequently followed by releases on Indigo Aera proving that it wasn't a fluke.
Here we have a diverse, yet coherent four-tracker. Blending inspirations from early 90's Detroit- and dub techno to early 00's UK tech house, the duo manages to offer an EP that respectfully winks at the past, while keeping an eye out to the future. More
A1 Private Press - After Request
A2 Private Press - .370
B1 Private Press - Into The Circle
B2 Private Press - Risky
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
Oblique Music is proud to present Polish wonder-duo Private Press. Through their debut EP on Technosoul, they made an immediate impression with their matured taste and signature sound design, subsequently followed by releases on Indigo Aera proving that it wasn't a fluke.
Here we have a diverse, yet coherent four-tracker. Blending inspirations from early 90's Detroit- and dub techno to early 00's UK tech house, the duo manages to offer an EP that respectfully winks at the past, while keeping an eye out to the future. More
1
Match Box - Midnight Ft. Elif Murat
2
Match Box - Nocturnal Synergy
3
Match Box - Midnight (Bliss Inc. Remix)
4
Match Box - Quantum Transients
Rave Purveyors Match Box venture into the physical disc world with London record label GODDEZZ on their first joint vinyl collaboration ‘VANTAGE POINT’.
Here they present four sublime cuts of trance-futurism, bejeweled with the most uplifting melodies, hypnotizing vocals, and driving grooves crafted to take you through the portal. The Dutch duo are at the top of their game, presenting a polished and accomplished EP of pure dance movement from start to finish, not to mention a mind-melting remix from the enigmatic legend Bliss Inc.
Having had early support from Job Jobse featuring the track Quantum Transients in his exalted BBC Essential Mix last year, the hype train hasn’t stopped… with big support coming in from disc spinners such as Maruwa, Spray, Aloka, Reflex Blue, LUXE and Manami.
Those who purchase the eternal disc will also receive exclusive access to secret Angel D’lite, Eoin DJ & Dylan Forbes remixes of Match Box’s divine jungle offering earlier this year Cyber Sunshine, as well as downloads of the duo’s complete GODDEZZ back catalog. More
Here they present four sublime cuts of trance-futurism, bejeweled with the most uplifting melodies, hypnotizing vocals, and driving grooves crafted to take you through the portal. The Dutch duo are at the top of their game, presenting a polished and accomplished EP of pure dance movement from start to finish, not to mention a mind-melting remix from the enigmatic legend Bliss Inc.
Having had early support from Job Jobse featuring the track Quantum Transients in his exalted BBC Essential Mix last year, the hype train hasn’t stopped… with big support coming in from disc spinners such as Maruwa, Spray, Aloka, Reflex Blue, LUXE and Manami.
Those who purchase the eternal disc will also receive exclusive access to secret Angel D’lite, Eoin DJ & Dylan Forbes remixes of Match Box’s divine jungle offering earlier this year Cyber Sunshine, as well as downloads of the duo’s complete GODDEZZ back catalog. More
1
Ben Buitendijk - Roots
2
Ben Buitendijk - Side Stepping
3
Ben Buitendijk - Apollo
4
Ben Buitendijk - Near Mint
Tracklisting:
A1 Ben Buitendijk - Roots
A2 Ben Buitendijk - Side Stepping
B1 Ben Buitendijk - Apollo
B2 Ben Buitendijk - Near Mint
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
For the second effort on his very own Oblique imprint, Ben Buitendijk returns to the sound he's only showcased through his well received Promised Land (Mosaic) and a recent remix through Subwax.
This more dubby approach is the general thread in the sophomore Oblique release called ''Past and Present EP''. Generally, this release is threading into deeper territories than it's predecessor but is therefor revealing different sides of the label owner's taste that are maybe being underexposed thus far.
''Roots'' acts as a sublime opening track. Dramatic fx works are bundled together over a well built drum pattern that collides extremely well with the almost lava-esque bubbly sound of the delay laden synths that float throughout. ''Side Stepping'' is somewhat of a change in atmosphere. While maintaining the spacious yet dubby approach of the the opening track, ''Side Stepping'' has a lighter feel to it while the drums are thoroughly programmed underneath and the FX chains seem even more present than before.
On the B side we find ''Apollo'' again a dubby stepper which evolves subtly into a more mean crawler that cleverly blends dramatic chords together with fragments of delayed stabs and panned artefacts. ''Near Mint'' serves as the ''Past And Present EP''s finale. A spacious cut that respects the overall feel of the EP whilst gently threading into a more otherwordly atmosphere which moves in perfect harmony with the buldging bass hit that sits underneath. More
A1 Ben Buitendijk - Roots
A2 Ben Buitendijk - Side Stepping
B1 Ben Buitendijk - Apollo
B2 Ben Buitendijk - Near Mint
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
For the second effort on his very own Oblique imprint, Ben Buitendijk returns to the sound he's only showcased through his well received Promised Land (Mosaic) and a recent remix through Subwax.
This more dubby approach is the general thread in the sophomore Oblique release called ''Past and Present EP''. Generally, this release is threading into deeper territories than it's predecessor but is therefor revealing different sides of the label owner's taste that are maybe being underexposed thus far.
''Roots'' acts as a sublime opening track. Dramatic fx works are bundled together over a well built drum pattern that collides extremely well with the almost lava-esque bubbly sound of the delay laden synths that float throughout. ''Side Stepping'' is somewhat of a change in atmosphere. While maintaining the spacious yet dubby approach of the the opening track, ''Side Stepping'' has a lighter feel to it while the drums are thoroughly programmed underneath and the FX chains seem even more present than before.
On the B side we find ''Apollo'' again a dubby stepper which evolves subtly into a more mean crawler that cleverly blends dramatic chords together with fragments of delayed stabs and panned artefacts. ''Near Mint'' serves as the ''Past And Present EP''s finale. A spacious cut that respects the overall feel of the EP whilst gently threading into a more otherwordly atmosphere which moves in perfect harmony with the buldging bass hit that sits underneath. More
1
Na Nich - Manipulation
2
Na Nich - Still There
3
Na Nich - Karpati
4
Na Nich - Morning Habit
Tracklisting:
A1 Na Nich - Manipulation
A2 Na Nich - Still There
B1 Na Nich - Karpati
B2 Na Nich - Morning Habit
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
Often the best music gets made when people get out of their comfort zone and venture into new territory. That is what I felt listening to these tracks from Ukrainian veteran Alexander Pavlenko. He has a long history in drum 'n bass as Sunchase, and as Na Nich, you might have heard him on Rhythm Buro or Semantica, but this release reveals another side of him that we haven't heard before.
The Karpati EP kicks off with "Manipulation". A rolling sub and punchy drums propel the track's momentum forward and make it dancefloor-ready. The sounds on top take inspiration from multiple genres for a track that finds a perfect balance between the deeper sides of both house and techno.
Next up is "Still There", a stripped deep house tune where filtered percussion, pads and vocals alternate each other, flowing in and out of focus.
Title track "Karpati", a hypnotic techno track, takes inspiration from the mountain region in western Ukraine, the melody reflecting a similar beauty as the Carpathian nature. Add Na Nich's expert sound design on top, and the result is a deep and captivating trip.
"Morning Habit" rounds up the EP by slowing things down for a dubbed out house cut. Chords playfully bounce over the beat for a tune suitable for either the early or very late mornings. More
A1 Na Nich - Manipulation
A2 Na Nich - Still There
B1 Na Nich - Karpati
B2 Na Nich - Morning Habit
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
Often the best music gets made when people get out of their comfort zone and venture into new territory. That is what I felt listening to these tracks from Ukrainian veteran Alexander Pavlenko. He has a long history in drum 'n bass as Sunchase, and as Na Nich, you might have heard him on Rhythm Buro or Semantica, but this release reveals another side of him that we haven't heard before.
The Karpati EP kicks off with "Manipulation". A rolling sub and punchy drums propel the track's momentum forward and make it dancefloor-ready. The sounds on top take inspiration from multiple genres for a track that finds a perfect balance between the deeper sides of both house and techno.
Next up is "Still There", a stripped deep house tune where filtered percussion, pads and vocals alternate each other, flowing in and out of focus.
Title track "Karpati", a hypnotic techno track, takes inspiration from the mountain region in western Ukraine, the melody reflecting a similar beauty as the Carpathian nature. Add Na Nich's expert sound design on top, and the result is a deep and captivating trip.
"Morning Habit" rounds up the EP by slowing things down for a dubbed out house cut. Chords playfully bounce over the beat for a tune suitable for either the early or very late mornings. More
1
Ben Buitendijk - Black Mamba
2
Ben Buitendijk - King Cobra
3
Ben Buitendijk - Stingray
4
Ben Buitendijk - Locked Groove #1
Tracklisting:
A1 Ben Buitendijk - Black Mamba
A2 Ben Buitendijk - King Cobra
B1 Ben Buitendijk - Stingray
B2 Ben Buitendijk - Locked Groove #1
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
Rotterdam based artist ''Ben Buitendijk'' has been around for quite a while now. With a string of releases of labels such as ''Ogun Records'', ''Eshu Records'' and appearances on the mighty ''Field Records'', the time has come for Ben to launch his own imprint. Inspired by the city of Rotterdam and his love for anything architectural, Oblique was founded. A label that is designed to cater to Ben's vision on the overall electronic landscape and to display his love for well thought out drum patterns with dense long-stretched builds and strained atmospheres.
''Venomous EP'' comes in a package of three extended techno cuts with a certain corresponding theme. As the title might suggest, all cuts have a certain
touch of hazardousness to them.
''Black Mamba'' is best explained as the experience of poison slowly creeping through one's veins and leaving an irreversible trail of destruction.
''King Cobra'' feels more boisterous than it's predecessor. Again, a long repetitive build keeps on changing into a slightly psychotic state of being while razor-sharp bits of synthesis tickle the listeners brain like when undergoing acupuncture.
''Stingray'' is the final cut of this first ''Oblique'' effort. Whilst maintaining the corresponding ''Venomous'' theme, the last endeavour is a thumping outcry of muscular drums, a ponderous bass shot, and haunting pad sounds that together create a dystopian character. As an extra, Ben has thrown in an ominous locked groove that should be useful in adventurous club settings. More
A1 Ben Buitendijk - Black Mamba
A2 Ben Buitendijk - King Cobra
B1 Ben Buitendijk - Stingray
B2 Ben Buitendijk - Locked Groove #1
Release Note:
- 2022 repress -
Rotterdam based artist ''Ben Buitendijk'' has been around for quite a while now. With a string of releases of labels such as ''Ogun Records'', ''Eshu Records'' and appearances on the mighty ''Field Records'', the time has come for Ben to launch his own imprint. Inspired by the city of Rotterdam and his love for anything architectural, Oblique was founded. A label that is designed to cater to Ben's vision on the overall electronic landscape and to display his love for well thought out drum patterns with dense long-stretched builds and strained atmospheres.
''Venomous EP'' comes in a package of three extended techno cuts with a certain corresponding theme. As the title might suggest, all cuts have a certain
touch of hazardousness to them.
''Black Mamba'' is best explained as the experience of poison slowly creeping through one's veins and leaving an irreversible trail of destruction.
''King Cobra'' feels more boisterous than it's predecessor. Again, a long repetitive build keeps on changing into a slightly psychotic state of being while razor-sharp bits of synthesis tickle the listeners brain like when undergoing acupuncture.
''Stingray'' is the final cut of this first ''Oblique'' effort. Whilst maintaining the corresponding ''Venomous'' theme, the last endeavour is a thumping outcry of muscular drums, a ponderous bass shot, and haunting pad sounds that together create a dystopian character. As an extra, Ben has thrown in an ominous locked groove that should be useful in adventurous club settings. More
Label:Tresor Records / BMG
Cat-No:TRESOR313EP1
Release-Date:13.10.2023
Genre:Techno
Configuration:12" Excl
Label:Tresor Records / BMG
Cat-No:TRESOR313EP1
Release-Date:13.10.2023
Genre:Techno
Configuration:12" Excl
1
Cybotron - Maintain 04:56
2
Cybotron - The Golden Ratio (Version) 04:43
Territory: WORLD
FORMAT 12” 180g vinyl, printed labels,
A4 printed inlay 170gsm, dl code,
black innersleeve, white outersleeve
TRACKLIST
A. Maintain 04:56
B. The Golden Ratio (Version) 04:43
INFO
Cybotron has re-emerged in our contemporary cybercultural age when artifactual futures begin a transition into a new era of
"Meta".
By combining their knowledge of philosophy, science fiction, and mechanical engineering, at a time when electronic instrument
companies were only just beginning to distribute their products to the masses, two prosumer audio technicians named Juan
Atkins and Rik Davis were able to re-engineer Cybotron – a combination of the words “Cyborg” and “Cyclotron” (an atomic
particle accelerator) – to be used as a home studio performance music that would change the course of independently produced
and distributed electronic music.
Dissolving the boundary between singer, songwriter, and producer, Juan Atkins named Cybotron’s future forward funkadelic
sound “techno” in reference to Alvin To ler’s concept of unlikely “techno rebels” against technocracy. Techno is music that
sounds like technology, and its purpose was to help society survive our collision with a universally felt “future shock” by inserting
an audio virus into the cultural matrix.
Techno’s blueprint spread across the Detroit-Berlin Axis between Metroplex and Tresor. As human society began its transition
from a post-industrial to an information-based market economy, Cybotron enabled a thorough system override of the human
senses towards a tangible man-machine hybridity and showed the world how to channel their emotions and imaginations into
new sound technologies and create new ‘sonic’ spatialities where listeners can transport themselves out of the physical world
into the future. The cover of their debut album Enter (1983) transmitted a fragmented view of a body in motion being digitized
mid-stride, dissolving physical and virtual reality into sonic fiction.
Today, the man-machine hybridity of Cybotron is still the truest form of techno, coevolving in conversation with the technological music they created and inspired. The latest data disk marks a new chapter that reflects a techgnostic musical expression of
the knowledge acquired during their decades-long hiatus. Unlike the dance music industrial replications of the Model 500
formula, acknowledging the content marketing expectations that segments music into specific, sellable genres, this techno
music is self-aware. Cybotron processes dance music tropes spawned from its very own blueprint with a meta-tactical precision
out of sync with our current rave new world.
Cybotron’s return demonstrates a studied engagement with what techno was and should be with a peerless update of Juan
Atkins’ initial inventive idea of do-it-yourself electrically reengineered music xeroxed onto both sides of the 12” – uploaded
directly into the alleys of your mind.
- The Rhythmanalyst
More
FORMAT 12” 180g vinyl, printed labels,
A4 printed inlay 170gsm, dl code,
black innersleeve, white outersleeve
TRACKLIST
A. Maintain 04:56
B. The Golden Ratio (Version) 04:43
INFO
Cybotron has re-emerged in our contemporary cybercultural age when artifactual futures begin a transition into a new era of
"Meta".
By combining their knowledge of philosophy, science fiction, and mechanical engineering, at a time when electronic instrument
companies were only just beginning to distribute their products to the masses, two prosumer audio technicians named Juan
Atkins and Rik Davis were able to re-engineer Cybotron – a combination of the words “Cyborg” and “Cyclotron” (an atomic
particle accelerator) – to be used as a home studio performance music that would change the course of independently produced
and distributed electronic music.
Dissolving the boundary between singer, songwriter, and producer, Juan Atkins named Cybotron’s future forward funkadelic
sound “techno” in reference to Alvin To ler’s concept of unlikely “techno rebels” against technocracy. Techno is music that
sounds like technology, and its purpose was to help society survive our collision with a universally felt “future shock” by inserting
an audio virus into the cultural matrix.
Techno’s blueprint spread across the Detroit-Berlin Axis between Metroplex and Tresor. As human society began its transition
from a post-industrial to an information-based market economy, Cybotron enabled a thorough system override of the human
senses towards a tangible man-machine hybridity and showed the world how to channel their emotions and imaginations into
new sound technologies and create new ‘sonic’ spatialities where listeners can transport themselves out of the physical world
into the future. The cover of their debut album Enter (1983) transmitted a fragmented view of a body in motion being digitized
mid-stride, dissolving physical and virtual reality into sonic fiction.
Today, the man-machine hybridity of Cybotron is still the truest form of techno, coevolving in conversation with the technological music they created and inspired. The latest data disk marks a new chapter that reflects a techgnostic musical expression of
the knowledge acquired during their decades-long hiatus. Unlike the dance music industrial replications of the Model 500
formula, acknowledging the content marketing expectations that segments music into specific, sellable genres, this techno
music is self-aware. Cybotron processes dance music tropes spawned from its very own blueprint with a meta-tactical precision
out of sync with our current rave new world.
Cybotron’s return demonstrates a studied engagement with what techno was and should be with a peerless update of Juan
Atkins’ initial inventive idea of do-it-yourself electrically reengineered music xeroxed onto both sides of the 12” – uploaded
directly into the alleys of your mind.
- The Rhythmanalyst
More
1
Roberta - Don't Bother Knockin'
2
Roberta - Be My Man
Tracklist:
Side A: Don't Bother Knockin'. Side B: Be My Man
Release Info:
Roberta is back and taking no one's mess delivering two more deep cuts showcasing her far-ranging jazz, funk & soul influences. Side A's 'Don't Bother Knockin' is running right out of the gate with its brazen yet playful energy. B Side's Be My Man softens things a bit by adding the required feminine touches: once again delivering an EP with her signature sound replete with her penchant for groovy basslines. A much welcomed follow-up release to her successful debut on James Duncan's Brooklyn based Innermoods label.
- Releases on Innermoods, Sound Kemystry, Boutade Musique, A Friend In Need
More
Side A: Don't Bother Knockin'. Side B: Be My Man
Release Info:
Roberta is back and taking no one's mess delivering two more deep cuts showcasing her far-ranging jazz, funk & soul influences. Side A's 'Don't Bother Knockin' is running right out of the gate with its brazen yet playful energy. B Side's Be My Man softens things a bit by adding the required feminine touches: once again delivering an EP with her signature sound replete with her penchant for groovy basslines. A much welcomed follow-up release to her successful debut on James Duncan's Brooklyn based Innermoods label.
- Releases on Innermoods, Sound Kemystry, Boutade Musique, A Friend In Need
More
1
Monolake - Cyan
2
Monolake - Index
3
Monolake - Lantau
4
Monolake - Macau
5
Monolake - Arte
6
Monolake - Occam
7
Monolake - Mass Transit Railway
Field Records proudly presents the first complete vinyl edition of Monolake’s seminal excursion into experimental dub techno, Hongkong. Originally released on the now-classic Chain Reaction label in 1997, this collection of early singles by Robert Henke and Gerhard Behles has gone on to become a vital listening experience in its own right - a genre classic alongside the other groundbreaking works from the likes of Porter Ricks and Vladislav Delay.
The tracks which make up Hongkong were made while Henke and Behles studied computer science and immersed themselves in Berlin’s techno scene. Their early forays into computer-based music production were enabled by the use of the Max/MSP programming environment, forming a backdrop to the landmark work they would undertake in developing the Ableton Live DAW. Henke and Behles travelled to Hong Kong in 1996 to attend the annual International Computer Music Conference, and while there recorded extensive field recordings. These recordings became the glue that pieced together their collaborative tracks into a fluid listening experience for a CD-compilation at Chain Reaction’s request.
While absolutely rooted in the embryonic sound of European dub techno, Monolake’s early work possesses a back room, headphone-ready demeanour which lends itself to the album listening experience. In the cascade of rhythms created by precision engineered delays and subliminal, expansive spatial world building occurring throughout Hongkong, the stage is set for a full and thorough immersion. Before the Monolake sound progressed into a more pointillist form of computer music as Henke’s solo project, Hongkong presented a gritty, grainy sonic still tied in some way to the traditional methods of techno production, even as the artists’ ideas were sending the sequencing and arranging in exciting new directions.
Remastered and presented for the first time as a complete double 12” package, this is the definitive edition of an essential work in the evolution of experimental techno. As Henke himself explains, “twenty-five years later, this record still holds immense value to me in many ways.” More
The tracks which make up Hongkong were made while Henke and Behles studied computer science and immersed themselves in Berlin’s techno scene. Their early forays into computer-based music production were enabled by the use of the Max/MSP programming environment, forming a backdrop to the landmark work they would undertake in developing the Ableton Live DAW. Henke and Behles travelled to Hong Kong in 1996 to attend the annual International Computer Music Conference, and while there recorded extensive field recordings. These recordings became the glue that pieced together their collaborative tracks into a fluid listening experience for a CD-compilation at Chain Reaction’s request.
While absolutely rooted in the embryonic sound of European dub techno, Monolake’s early work possesses a back room, headphone-ready demeanour which lends itself to the album listening experience. In the cascade of rhythms created by precision engineered delays and subliminal, expansive spatial world building occurring throughout Hongkong, the stage is set for a full and thorough immersion. Before the Monolake sound progressed into a more pointillist form of computer music as Henke’s solo project, Hongkong presented a gritty, grainy sonic still tied in some way to the traditional methods of techno production, even as the artists’ ideas were sending the sequencing and arranging in exciting new directions.
Remastered and presented for the first time as a complete double 12” package, this is the definitive edition of an essential work in the evolution of experimental techno. As Henke himself explains, “twenty-five years later, this record still holds immense value to me in many ways.” More