You’re NEXUS 21, central to the dizzy zeitgeist of the 1991 adrenaline rammed UK House Music juggernaut, and you have just recorded a masterpiece of an album MIND MACHINES. DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT - somehow even though your record label love the album it does not get released. DO IT LIKE THIS - it finally gets issued now. When Mark Archer and Chris Peat flew back from a seminal recording session at Kevin Saunderson’s KMS Studio in Detroit there was a palpable feel of excitement. Instead of merely paying homage to their Techno forerunners, they were now creating their own just as innovative waveforms. In the can was a gem - DON’T DO IT LIKE THIS, DO IT LIKE THAT. Motor City songstress Donna Black had unconsciously seemed to add Ma to the start of her name and her recorded in the dark vocals helped conjure up an almost Madonna and a drum machine meets Techno hybrid. This it was agreed could be a huge breakthrough single which - preceded by strategically released set up tracks - would build up Nexus 21’s surely inevitable rise to glory. And the release of the MIND MACHINES album. But it never happened. Instead one day Mark and Chris burst into Network’s Birmingham office excitedly brandishing no less than 8 new recordings infused with a propulsive Rave energy flash compared to their more cerebral Nexus 21 work. The label agreed that the new tracks should be released under a new artist name and an initial suggestion. Alien 8 replaced by Altern 8. What was planned as temporary dalliance became a long term relationship. You all know the score - Altern 8 became surf riders supreme on the rave tsunami, not just music makers but myth creators. The plan has been to run Nexus 21 and Altern 8 parallel, a kind of schizophrenic experiment by two men, a drum machine and a mad for it record company. History shows that Altern 8 became too DOMIN 8 and the lovingly recorded Nexus 21 album was left on the proverbial shelf (actually a box in Birmingham) So now MIND MACHINES finally meets the World. First thing that screams out that it hasn’t half aged well. Obviously it is a wet dream for the anoraks of electronica, that goes without saying. But above and beyond the history lesson of how 2 young UK techno mad kids got the dots from Detroit and deconstructed them to create something very British the music they created, sometimes naive but frequently knowledgeable, sounds .. well just great. The four Detroit recordings - NEXODUS, TOGETHER, DON’T DO IT LIKE THAT, DO IT LIKE THIS and EVERYTHING (NO STATUES) - variously feature contributions from Motor City luminaries Marc Kinchen and Anthony Shakir. Only two of the twelve recordings were properly released in 1990/1991 with two more making it on a withdrawn white label 12 inch at the time. Three of the tracks, including a live recording at London’s Brain Club that has been retrieved from a DAT that was thought to have disappeared, are previously unreleased. And as well as two previously unreleased much altered versions of Nexus 21 gems there is the legendary much tougher mix of the duo’s signature techno treasure Self Hypnosis.

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It started with a night out at New York’s Sound Factory - and turned into an obsession, Inner City main man Kevin “Reese” Saunderson and his then manager, Neil Rushton, were at the NY uber house club when The Pressure by The Sounds Of Blackness got its’ debut World play, with the ecstatic response from the crowd meaning it was spun three times in a row. Nobody was more knocked out than Kevin who vowed there and then to come up with a Detroit answer, much to the delight of Soul mad Rushton, co-owner of the Network label. The idea of The Reese Project was quickly turned into House Heaven reality as Kevin recruited Detroit vocalist diva Rachel Kapp to record the anthemic Direct Me & The Colour Of Love as the first two singles. Network made the group a main priority, coming with a whole slew of remixes to complement the original USA mixes on the subsequent album. Three of the most loved Network remixes are on this wonderful timeless 12. The Dave Lee Joey Negro mix from 1991 is rated by many as one of Network’s finest moments, and maybe Lee’s finest ever “remixed with extra production” epics.
Rushton remembers meeting Lee to collect the remix, and instantly phoning Saunderson proclaiming “you won’t believe this”. Underground Resistance’s Mike Banks added his magic to the 1991 original mixes of “The Colour Of Love” and the results were so overwhelming great that the idea of subsequent remixes was daunting.but the classic 1994 Network remix by The Playboys flew the flag for U.K. House. C.J, Mackintosh set the production standards for U.K. Soul filled House and his 1993 remix of “So Deep” - sung by La’Trece - is a gem to be cherished forever and a day. Network’s passionate crusade to crossover The Reese Project from House Music superstars to Pop success came tantalising close but never quite happened. But the Network remixes are a glorious legacy of House Music’s golden age and three of the very finest are remastered here and presented on one glorious 12.

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It’s not normal to take 31 years to release a follow up album. But then Network was never a normal sort of record label, and often opted for the quirky rather than the quick buck. The logo was launched in 1990 and that year, along with a slew of startlingly good singles, created and issued two bio-rhythm compilations, each of which showcased cutting edge USA techno rubbing shoulders alongside its’ sparse UK bleep counterpart. At the time the words quality and dance music compilations were not phrases shared that much. bio-rhythm 1 and it’s almost instant follow up bio-rhythm 2 bucked the trend with groundbreaking exclusive tracks, iconic minimal artwork and surreal sleeve notes. Each of the albums have been hailed by many as piece de resistance primers to electronica music. As well as capturing the zitgeist of a blurry everything of that moment experimental time, they have endured to be acclaimed as all time iconic classics. So why was there no follow up? One reason was that things were moving so bewilderingly fast at the time for Network that the emphasis was always on the next thing, not regurgitating repetitive beat ideas. Another was that the opportunity arose to direct the acumen gained from the bio-rhythm experience at the release of two (now equally acclaimed) compilations from Frank and Karen Mendez’s cult Nu-Groove label. The current Network reconstruction meant an opportunity to re-indulge and finally release bio-rhythm 3. Matt Anniss’s splendid sleeve notes are reproduced below and tell you all you need to know about the carefully selected (and mostly exclusive to this collection) tracks on 2 x 12 vinyl for increased sonic joy. Network. We continue.

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Network’s two groundbreaking bio-rhythm albums in 1990 were each accompanied by much loved 12” preview samplers of tracks from the iconic compilations. For the third release - a mere 31 years after the first sets - Network have added a fresh twist. The sampler this time around contains 2 tracks from the bio-rhythm 3 vinyl release and 2 that will only be otherwise available on digital format. It makes the sampler a must have for all electronica vinyl junkies. Nexus 21 “Silicon”, a mainstay of the duo’s much acclaimed live sets, was recorded in 1991 but not released at the time. Memories are thin as it why such a gem was ignored but the most probable explanation is that the transformation of Nexus 21 into Altern 8 took attention away from the track. After being found in the tape vaults it has been remastered for the bio-rhythm 3 project. It is joined on side A by the Octave One remix of 10th Planet “Strings Of Life” - which is not on the album vinyl. There is a proper labyrinthe story behind this remake of the Rhythim Is Rhythim classic of classics. Kool Kat, the predecessor to Network, arranged for Rhythim Is Rhythim to play live supporting Inner City at a London Town And Country Club concert in September 1989. The label recorded the show which featured Derrick May and his guest Carl Craig. Fast forward to 1995 and the tapes were handed over to Ashley Beedle to reconstruct and remix for a release on Network under Ashley’s 10th Plane moniker, . On to 2003 and Network’s Neil Rushton was running the suSU label where an attempt to record a vocal of Strings Of Life with none other than Shara Nelson on vocals was made using the 10th Planet parts. That never came to completion, but at the time Neil was working with Octave One and they conjured up this recreation, which has only ever been previously released as a track on a suSU compilation. FIRST TIME ON VINYL ANYWHERE FOR THIS AMAZING VERSION OF “STRINGS OF LIFE”. “Neurosilence” - Doggy is previously unreleased recording by Birmingham’s Peter Duggal. His bleep classic “Labyrinthine” would have been totally at home on Kool Kat/Network and in recent months both label and artist have both been shaking their heads as to how it didn’t happen. The release of the stark “Neuroslince” finally sees an 0121 alliance bond together. The 4th track “In The Presence Of Beauty” is taken from the digital release of bio-rhythm 3 and is a truly beautiful “Reprise” take on the version on the vinyl album.

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Inner City’s sojourn at Network resulted in a series of classic recordings. As well as perfectly crafted vocal tracks including “Your Love”, “Share My Life” and “Do Me RIght” it meant that Kevin Saunderson could also return to his Techno roots with underground Inner City tracks. None more so than the wonderful “Ahnonghay” which perfectly joined the dots between electronica and the brutal urgency of Kevin’s Reese persona which helped shape the early Detroit Techno landscape. This 12 contains the Saunderson original plus wonderfully contrasting remixes from Detroit’s Carl Craig and the UK’s Dave Clarke which were equally acclaimed when released on Network’s six6 label. Another reissued gem from Network.

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House anthem Slo Moshun “Bells Of NY” is one of the most iconic gems in the Network catalogue and gets a timely reissue. The lovingly remastered 12” includes the epic nearly 9 minutes long “House To House Mix” which started the fuss in the first place, plus the much loved by DJs “Xen Mantra Beefy Bells Mix” which like fine wine seems to have matured with age. It’s almost impossible to explain the hype that exploded when the first copies of this landed in 1993. Network pressed a limited run of the first copies on the Dansa label with bogus New York producer credits in an attempt to create mystique. The combination of that relentless uptempo house piano and the break where everythIng slows down underneath a hip hop sample hypnotic proved irresistible, and saturation radio plays from KISS in London turned the track into an instant anthem right away. The the boss of a rival label boasted they had sourced the track and paid “a fortune” to licence it for UK release. He was making it up as a stampede by labels to locate and release the track began. Network sensed an opportunity to create major mischief and create even more of a buzz. New York garage producer and Network ally Andrew Komis was enlisted and happily donned the bogus ID of a new kid on the block NYC producer to do phone interviews with UK dance music publications. His pretend story that Bells Of NY was his homage to the UK House scene laced with Big Apple Hip-Hop was eagerly printed by the magazines. They were left red faced when the truth emerged that former Nexus 21 and Altern 8 member Mark Archer and his new music making partner Danny Taurus had in fact come up with the gem in homely Staffordshire and not glamorous New York for Network. All the PR spin in the World would not matter a not if the record didn’t live up to the hype. Bells Of N.Y did and still does. It gave Network a first chart hit on their six6 label and more importantly is an all time House Music Classic.

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Rhythm On The Loose “Break Of Dawn” is quite simply one of House Music’s all time classics. Producer Geoff Hibbert was inspired by seeing dawn break on an Italian coast line to draw inspiration from Moby’s anthemic “Go” and disco gem “Let No Man Put Asunder” by First Choice to create his loving homage to the UK Rave scene. Network set up a label “The One After D” to release a limited edition press of the instant classic to create demand. One of the first copies was picked up by Kevin Saunderson and his relentless playing of the track helped fuel interest in the USA. The first release on Network in 1991 established the track as iconic. That original mix is here and still sounds as fresh as ever. Perfect in fact. The 12” also contains remastered versions of the 1995 remixes by Rhythm On The Loose, Strike and Stonebridge.

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That was the question put to Mark Gamble when the initial mixes of “Take Me Back” were delivered to Network in 1990. Mark - he of the mad Mohican haircut - replied as low and dirty as you want. His subsequent definitive Bass Heads mix became the ultimate Dance Music With Bleeps anthem, causing chaos and literally carnage as bass bin speakers in clubs throughout the World were well and truly blown. Network had to get a lawyer on board to deal with compensation claims from outraged club owners as Take Me Back was hailed as an instant iconic classic. A Robert Gordon edit “with extra bass” added Steel City credibility and that, plus promo copies on a spoof 0742 label, built up the myth that Mark hailed from Bleep capitol Sheffield. In fact despite being a member of Krush whose mega “House Arrest” generated headlines hailing Sheffield as the UK’s equivalent of Detroit, boffin Mark was creating his brooding earthquake sonic booms from a tiny bedroom studio in his Nottingham house. To celebrate Network’s 30th Anniversary, Mark searched for the master tape of his 1990 gem and has come up with a typically sound splat of a remix. It’s Track 1 here and “Take Me Back” also features with a TJ edit of the Anniversary remix, plus the aforementioned classic Bass Heads and Rob Gordon edit versions. There’s also the original versions of “Frequency” and “Demons” which each followed up “Take Me Back” and were also acclaimed as iconic Dance Music With Bleeps moments. The late great John Peel’s Radio 1 show hammered “Demons” which went to top the USA Billboard Dance Chart.

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Network’s 30th Anniversary celebrations continue with the re-issue of the debut release from the iconic label. The launch of the logo with Neal Howard “Indulge” in 1990 caused a sensation, with the track being instantly acclaimed as a Classic, and Network noted as a new label to watch. “Indulge” hails from Chicago, but sounds like its’ DNA is Techno City Detroit. A futuristic call to dance from Windy City mystery man Neal Howard, whose previous releases “The Gathering” and “To Be Or Not To Be” had already reached cult status. Those gems, and “Indulge” were recorded by Chicago label Phuture Sound. Plans were being laid for the transformation the Kool Kat label - the UK outlet for Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and Juan Atkins - into Network, but the dilemma was finding something “really really special” for the first release. That search for the perfect beat ended when Network’s Neil Rushton on a visit to Chicago heard the just mixed “Indulge” on a cassette played by Phuture Sound boss Terry Baldwin, who after prolonged negotiations agreed to cancel a USA release so the new UK label could have an exclusive. The label design for this release is a replica of the original DJ Promo 12” that introduced Network to the World with exactly the same tracks; Terry Baldwin’s much loved Club House and Deep House mixes of “Indulge”, coupled with “To Be Or Not To Be” remixes by Chicago’s Bad Boy Bill and Detroit’s Derrick May. network - it is what it was...

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Network’s 30th Anniversary celebrations continue with the re-issue of the debut release from the iconic label. The launch of the logo with Neal Howard “Indulge” in 1990 caused a sensation, with the track being instantly acclaimed as a Classic, and Network noted as a new label to watch. “Indulge” hails from Chicago, but sounds like its’ DNA is Techno City Detroit. A futuristic call to dance from Windy City mystery man Neal Howard, whose previous releases “The Gathering” and “To Be Or Not To Be” had already reached cult status. Those gems, and “Indulge” were recorded by Chicago label Phuture Sound. Plans were being laid for the transformation the Kool Kat label - the UK outlet for Kevin Saunderson, Derrick May and Juan Atkins - into Network, but the dilemma was finding something “really really special” for the first release. That search for the perfect beat ended when Network’s Neil Rushton on a visit to Chicago heard the just mixed “Indulge” on a cassette played by Phuture Sound boss Terry Baldwin, who after prolonged negotiations agreed to cancel a USA release so the new UK label could have an exclusive. The label design for this release is a replica of the original DJ Promo 12” that introduced Network to the World with exactly the same tracks; Terry Baldwin’s much loved Club House and Deep House mixes of “Indulge”, coupled with “To Be Or Not To Be” remixes by Chicago’s Bad Boy Bill and Detroit’s Derrick May. network - it is what it was...

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we wanted something to listen to in the car...” Network’s 30th Anniversary celebration continue with a dig in the vaults finding three timeless treasures from UK Techno pioneers Nexus 21. The “Progression Logical” 12” highlights how skilfully the Stafford duo - Mark Archer and Chris Peat - combined their love of Detroit inspired Techno with North of London Bleep culture. This is the first time the much loved original mix of “Self Hypnosis“ (that track with the ice cream vans sound)has been released on a commercial 12”. Up till now it could only be found on a sampler 12” for one of Network’s iconic bio-rhythm albums, and on that LP Itself, with a remix being done for a subsequent 12”. That original still sounds amazing. The 1990 recording was made at Derby’s much lauded Square Dance Studio, Next year saw a move to nearby Nottingham and Network (nothing to do with the label) Studio where “Mind Machines” was conceived. This is its’ debut on any format ever! Listening to something so epic now, that decision not to issue it at the time seems bizarre,but as Mark recalls: “The mad thing is it’s just a live mix because we wanted to listen to something in the car. We never finished it. That was live with us muting things, and and me changing patterns on the drum machines and turning the sounds up and down. There are so many small mistakes in it, but it adds to the character of the tune.” A later “proper” mix was never done as Nexus 21 turned into Altern 8 and life got ravey. The third track is well and truly an historic piece of Techno history - Carl Craig’s first ever remix no less. Nexus 21’s “Still Life” was conceived as a homage to Inner City’s “Big Fun” and “Good Life”. Upon signing to Network, the label thought a deconstruction by Inner City’s Kevin Saunderson would complete the circle. A kind of Stafford does Detroit and Detroit does Stafford back with 808 and 909 knobs on odyssey. Kevin obliged big time, and arranged for other remixes by then young Motor City hippersnappers MK and Carl. As the intro to his version proclaims - Mental! TRACK LISTING:: A1. Self Hypnosis (Original Mix), B1. Mind Machines, B2. Still Life (Keeps Moving) (Carl Craig Instrumental Remix)

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Of all the Network treasured relics set to be released this year to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the label there’s nothing as appropriate as the Nexus 21 “Made In Detroit” EP - it was recorded in the 1990 starter year and has been stuck In the vaults gathering dust ever since. Why the 4 tracks on the EP never got issued is partially shrouded in mystery as explained later on. A1. Don't Do It Like That , A2. Don't Do It Like That (Instrumental) , B1. Nexus , B2. No Statues


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