1
The Streets - A: The Streets – 3 Minutes To Midnight (Gregor Tresher remix)
2
The Streets - B: The Streets – 3 Minutes To Midnight (Gregor Tresher Dub)
12"
B-Side is vinyl exclusive
GENRE/S: Techno
TRACKLISTS
A: The Streets – 3 Minutes To Midnight (Gregor Tresher remix)
B: The Streets – 3 Minutes To Midnight (Gregor Tresher Dub)
SHORT INFO:
We take immense pride in upholding the integrity of our label's name, and we're excited to announce a remix
by Gregor Tresher for Mike Skinners legendary "The Streets”, which does just that. Gregor's admiration for
The Streets' seminal 2002 album, "Original Pirate Material,” has fuelled his unwavering support for Mike
Skinner's extraordinary musical journey.
Last year, when The Streets’ poignant EP "Brexit at Tiffany's" made its debut, Gregor crafted a remix of one
of its tracks for his DJ sets. This rework quickly became a closely-guarded secret weapon, setting dance
floors ablaze wherever he played it. The idea of reaching out to The Streets arose, driven by curiosity about
Mike's reaction to the remix. To our delight, not only did he appreciate it, but he also granted us permission
to officially release it on the label.
So without delay, we are delighted to unveil Gregor Tresher's monumental reimagining of The Streets' "3
Minutes To Midnight." This once anonymous gem has now emerged from the shadows, and we are
absolutely thrilled to bring it to your eager ears.
VITAL SALES POINTS:
First DJ Feedbacks:
Laurent Garnier: Fucking hell….. this is goooood.
Chris Liebing: Cool remix, thanks!
Mathias Kaden: Oh Geil!!
Karotte: Great Remix. Love it. Head banging mode on!
Timo Maas: Yo, die ist Dick!
Michael Mayer: finde ich super
Pan-Pot: Really cool remix!!!
Joyce Muniz: nice!
Yvan Smagghe: YES PLEASE!
Mauro Picotto: Very different and enjoyble More
B-Side is vinyl exclusive
GENRE/S: Techno
TRACKLISTS
A: The Streets – 3 Minutes To Midnight (Gregor Tresher remix)
B: The Streets – 3 Minutes To Midnight (Gregor Tresher Dub)
SHORT INFO:
We take immense pride in upholding the integrity of our label's name, and we're excited to announce a remix
by Gregor Tresher for Mike Skinners legendary "The Streets”, which does just that. Gregor's admiration for
The Streets' seminal 2002 album, "Original Pirate Material,” has fuelled his unwavering support for Mike
Skinner's extraordinary musical journey.
Last year, when The Streets’ poignant EP "Brexit at Tiffany's" made its debut, Gregor crafted a remix of one
of its tracks for his DJ sets. This rework quickly became a closely-guarded secret weapon, setting dance
floors ablaze wherever he played it. The idea of reaching out to The Streets arose, driven by curiosity about
Mike's reaction to the remix. To our delight, not only did he appreciate it, but he also granted us permission
to officially release it on the label.
So without delay, we are delighted to unveil Gregor Tresher's monumental reimagining of The Streets' "3
Minutes To Midnight." This once anonymous gem has now emerged from the shadows, and we are
absolutely thrilled to bring it to your eager ears.
VITAL SALES POINTS:
First DJ Feedbacks:
Laurent Garnier: Fucking hell….. this is goooood.
Chris Liebing: Cool remix, thanks!
Mathias Kaden: Oh Geil!!
Karotte: Great Remix. Love it. Head banging mode on!
Timo Maas: Yo, die ist Dick!
Michael Mayer: finde ich super
Pan-Pot: Really cool remix!!!
Joyce Muniz: nice!
Yvan Smagghe: YES PLEASE!
Mauro Picotto: Very different and enjoyble More
More records from The Streets
1cd, standard 15-track album housed in a 4 panel softpack with gloss finish, includes a 12 page booklet.
The album is a classic Streets album - filled with Skinner's trademark lyrical wizardry and beats honed over a decade of building his other career as a legitimate bass/rap DJ in clubs - all songs written by Skinner but featuring vocal contributions from longtime collaborators Kevin Mark Trail and Robert Harvey, as well as a track featuring Teef. The songs on the album soundtrack the film and also play the role of narrator of the film at times - and whilst neither the album or film exist without each other - both can be enjoyed separately.
TRACKLISTING
1. Too Much Yayo
2. Money Isn't Everything
3. Walk Of Shame
4. Something To Hide
5. Shake Hands With Shadows
6. Not A Good Idea
7. Bright Sunny Day
8. The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light
9. Funny Dream
10. Gonna Hurt When This Is Over
11. Kick The Can
12. Each Day Gives
13. Someone Else's Tune
14. Troubled Waters
15. Good Old Daze
More
The album is a classic Streets album - filled with Skinner's trademark lyrical wizardry and beats honed over a decade of building his other career as a legitimate bass/rap DJ in clubs - all songs written by Skinner but featuring vocal contributions from longtime collaborators Kevin Mark Trail and Robert Harvey, as well as a track featuring Teef. The songs on the album soundtrack the film and also play the role of narrator of the film at times - and whilst neither the album or film exist without each other - both can be enjoyed separately.
TRACKLISTING
1. Too Much Yayo
2. Money Isn't Everything
3. Walk Of Shame
4. Something To Hide
5. Shake Hands With Shadows
6. Not A Good Idea
7. Bright Sunny Day
8. The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light
9. Funny Dream
10. Gonna Hurt When This Is Over
11. Kick The Can
12. Each Day Gives
13. Someone Else's Tune
14. Troubled Waters
15. Good Old Daze
More
180g heavyweight 12" black vinyl housed in printed outer and inner sleeves with a gloss finish.
The album is a classic Streets album - filled with Skinner's trademark lyrical wizardry and beats honed over a decade of building his other career as a legitimate bass/rap DJ in clubs - all songs written by Skinner but featuring vocal contributions from longtime collaborators Kevin Mark Trail and Robert Harvey, as well as a track featuring Teef. The songs on the album soundtrack the film and also play the role of narrator of the film at times - and whilst neither the album or film exist without each other - both can be enjoyed separately.
TRACKLISTING
Side A
1. Too Much Yayo
2. Money Isn't Everything
3. Walk Of Shame
4. Something To Hide
5. Shake Hands With Shadows
6. Not A Good Idea
7. Bright Sunny Day
Side B
1. The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light
2. Funny Dream
3. Gonna Hurt When This Is Over
4. Kick The Can
5. Each Day Gives
6. Someone Else's Tune
7. Troubled Waters
8. Good Old Daze
More
The album is a classic Streets album - filled with Skinner's trademark lyrical wizardry and beats honed over a decade of building his other career as a legitimate bass/rap DJ in clubs - all songs written by Skinner but featuring vocal contributions from longtime collaborators Kevin Mark Trail and Robert Harvey, as well as a track featuring Teef. The songs on the album soundtrack the film and also play the role of narrator of the film at times - and whilst neither the album or film exist without each other - both can be enjoyed separately.
TRACKLISTING
Side A
1. Too Much Yayo
2. Money Isn't Everything
3. Walk Of Shame
4. Something To Hide
5. Shake Hands With Shadows
6. Not A Good Idea
7. Bright Sunny Day
Side B
1. The Darker The Shadow The Brighter The Light
2. Funny Dream
3. Gonna Hurt When This Is Over
4. Kick The Can
5. Each Day Gives
6. Someone Else's Tune
7. Troubled Waters
8. Good Old Daze
More
Disc 1 - Side A 1. Turn the Page / 2. Has It Come to This? / 3. Let's Push Things Forward
Disc 1 - Side B 1. Sharp Darts / 2. Same Old Thing / 3. Geezers Need Excitement / 4. It's Too Late
Disc 2 - Side A 1. Too Much Brandy / 2. Don't Mug Yourself / 3. Who Got the Funk? / 4. The Irony of It All
Disc 2 - Side B 1. Weak Become Heroes / 2. Who Dares Wins / 3. Stay Positive
More
Disc 1 - Side B 1. Sharp Darts / 2. Same Old Thing / 3. Geezers Need Excitement / 4. It's Too Late
Disc 2 - Side A 1. Too Much Brandy / 2. Don't Mug Yourself / 3. Who Got the Funk? / 4. The Irony of It All
Disc 2 - Side B 1. Weak Become Heroes / 2. Who Dares Wins / 3. Stay Positive
More
More records from Break New Soil
1
André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Passages
2
André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Don't Panic
3
André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Out Of The Past (Pan-Pot Remix)
4
André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Out Of The Past (Original)
GENRE/S: Techno/Tech House
TRACKLISTS:
A1: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Passages
A2: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Don't Panic
B1: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Out Of The Past (Pan-Pot Remix)
B2: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Out Of The Past (Original)
SHORT INFO:
For the next installment on Break New Soil, we are very excited to welcome two artists, who might be new additions to our label, but who are surely not new faces to the world of electronic music:
André Galluzzi and Daniel Stefanik have both cemented their status as true musical innovators with a strong sense for details and sonic quality in their productions. The three original tracks showcase their signature sound, trippy on one hand but with both feet firmly on the dance floor! For the remix, we are happy to
welcome our good friends Thomas and Tassilo, better known as the infamous Pan-Pot, who delivered one belter of a remix that sounds classic yet modern at the same time! This is a release you don't want to miss for sure! More
TRACKLISTS:
A1: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Passages
A2: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Don't Panic
B1: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Out Of The Past (Pan-Pot Remix)
B2: André Galluzzi & Daniel Stefanik - Out Of The Past (Original)
SHORT INFO:
For the next installment on Break New Soil, we are very excited to welcome two artists, who might be new additions to our label, but who are surely not new faces to the world of electronic music:
André Galluzzi and Daniel Stefanik have both cemented their status as true musical innovators with a strong sense for details and sonic quality in their productions. The three original tracks showcase their signature sound, trippy on one hand but with both feet firmly on the dance floor! For the remix, we are happy to
welcome our good friends Thomas and Tassilo, better known as the infamous Pan-Pot, who delivered one belter of a remix that sounds classic yet modern at the same time! This is a release you don't want to miss for sure! More
Gregor Tresher kicks off 2015 looking to break new soil with his first ever full release for John Digweed's Bedrock Records. Last year was as hectic as ever for the Gregor and he came into it on high from the success of his artist album Nightcolours and h
More
(Dosem, Nick Curly & Patrick Siech rmxs)While he is halfway into an extensive 6-month world tour, we are now very proud to present the album remixes. Gregor invited 5 of his fav producers of the moment to remix their fav album cuts!
More
More
1
Gregor Tresher, - Frontline
2
Gregor Tresher, - Through The Shadow Glass
3
Gregor Tresher, - Lights From The Inside
4
Gregor Tresher, - Lights From The Inside
5
Gregor Tresher, - Echelon
(Nic Fanciulli & Function (sandwell district) remixes) While he is halfway into an extensive 6- month world tour, we are now very proud to present the album remixes. Gregor invited 5 of his fav producers of the moment to remix their fav album cuts!
More
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Sven Väth - L'Esperanza (Original Album Version)
2
Sven Väth - L'Esperanza (Hardspace Mix)
Tracklist: (1) Sven Väth – L'Esperanza (Original Album Version) (DE-Q20-24-00009)
(2) Sven Väth – L'Esperanza (Hardspace Mix) (DE-Q20-24-00010)
L'Esperanza (Hope) is undoubtedly one of Sven Väth's greatest hits. After more than 30 years, we are very proud to revive this timeless masterpiece for you on Cocoon Recordings. The artwork of the A-side is from the original 12" cover, which was released on Eye Q Records back then. Anyone who knows Sven recognizes that he has always felt free and evolved in terms of appearance and style. That's why we instantly loved the idea of Sven re-staging himself in the same pose but in a new guise. This picture disc documents a 30-year-long transformation, both sonically and visually. It is a beautiful journey through time and a true collector’s item.
A1: L'Esperanza (Original Album Version) 1993 Produced in 1993, this track has certainly not lost any of its charm over the years. Lovely string sounds envelop you in a cloud of comfort, while the filtered downbeat emphasizes this feeling of lightness. The catchy tune of the playful synthesizer melody invites you to close your eyes and start dreaming. Let yourself fall into a deep state of meditation and trance. The airy electric bassline comes with a charismatic power and opens a door to the subconscious, calling on you to dive deep. The atmosphere of this composition sits somewhere between drifting through the sea and hovering through space.
B1: L'Esperanza (Hardspace Mix) 2023 A revised version of the "Hope Will Move Mountains Mix" by "Visions Of Shiva" occurs on the B-Side in the form of Len Faki’s hardspace mix. Len is renowned for his elegant edits and refined modifications as part of his side project, this time delivering a stripped-down 135 BPM version that fits perfectly into the current zeitgeist. A club version of "L'Esperanza" that radiates a high level of euphoric energy, constantly pushing the rhythm patterns forward. All hands go up in the air at the latest when the piano part starts in the middle section. Let’s go back to the good old days of the original 90s trance sound since the cheerful arpeggio synth melody takes us along.
What is certain, you can't tell that either version has been around for 30 years.
More
(2) Sven Väth – L'Esperanza (Hardspace Mix) (DE-Q20-24-00010)
L'Esperanza (Hope) is undoubtedly one of Sven Väth's greatest hits. After more than 30 years, we are very proud to revive this timeless masterpiece for you on Cocoon Recordings. The artwork of the A-side is from the original 12" cover, which was released on Eye Q Records back then. Anyone who knows Sven recognizes that he has always felt free and evolved in terms of appearance and style. That's why we instantly loved the idea of Sven re-staging himself in the same pose but in a new guise. This picture disc documents a 30-year-long transformation, both sonically and visually. It is a beautiful journey through time and a true collector’s item.
A1: L'Esperanza (Original Album Version) 1993 Produced in 1993, this track has certainly not lost any of its charm over the years. Lovely string sounds envelop you in a cloud of comfort, while the filtered downbeat emphasizes this feeling of lightness. The catchy tune of the playful synthesizer melody invites you to close your eyes and start dreaming. Let yourself fall into a deep state of meditation and trance. The airy electric bassline comes with a charismatic power and opens a door to the subconscious, calling on you to dive deep. The atmosphere of this composition sits somewhere between drifting through the sea and hovering through space.
B1: L'Esperanza (Hardspace Mix) 2023 A revised version of the "Hope Will Move Mountains Mix" by "Visions Of Shiva" occurs on the B-Side in the form of Len Faki’s hardspace mix. Len is renowned for his elegant edits and refined modifications as part of his side project, this time delivering a stripped-down 135 BPM version that fits perfectly into the current zeitgeist. A club version of "L'Esperanza" that radiates a high level of euphoric energy, constantly pushing the rhythm patterns forward. All hands go up in the air at the latest when the piano part starts in the middle section. Let’s go back to the good old days of the original 90s trance sound since the cheerful arpeggio synth melody takes us along.
What is certain, you can't tell that either version has been around for 30 years.
More
1
Dubfire - Escape (Truncate Remix)
2
Dubfire - Dark Matter (Drumcell Remix)
Single 3
Tracklist:
A Dubfire - Escape (Truncate Remix)
B Dubfire - Dark Matter (Drumcell Remix)
EVOLV is a visionary window into the mind of Dubfire, the journey of the ‘hybrid’ being and its evolution. Last year in October, an 11-track debut album was released on his long-standing SCI+TEC imprint. And now, just over a year later, Grammy award winning producer Dubfire returns to that sonic discourse, drafting in an impressive array of names to re-interpret the material, and accompanied by Dubfire's new audio-visual EVOLV show which picked up where the critically acclaimed electronic performance experience HYBRID had left off.
The eclectic package will include such notables as Glaskin, Arjun Vagale, Nadia Struiwigh, Mathimidori (dub alias of Mathias Kaden), Maral, Decka, Carl Craig, Truncate, Drumcell, Chris Liebing, Radio Slave and Luke Slater who have all given the original music in their own unique style.
With a career spanning over 3 decades, Dubfire has achieved global success as an artist with relentless drive, talent, and intuition. Pioneering commercial notoriety came initially as one half of the Grammy Award-winning (2001) duo Deep Dish, before embarking on a truly groundbreaking solo career in 2007. A career filled with timeless tracks include his early works, ‘RibCage’ (2007), ‘Emissions' (2007), ‘Roadkill’ (2007) and the highly acclaimed ‘Grindhouse’ (2009) remix from Radio Slave which led to a host of other notable projects over the years.
Collaborative work highlights include projects with Miss Kitten, Luke Slater, Flug, and Oliver Huntemann, as well as co-producing two songs on Underworld’s Barking album. A true artist, he has always been heavily invested in exploring performance technology, unveiled to wide praise with his HYBRID live show. A two-year world tour commenced in 2015 and was followed by his retrospective album, A Decade Of Dubfire (2017), a celebration of his immense output during the first 10 years of solo artist stardom. EVOLV is Dubfire’s debut solo artist album.
More
Tracklist:
A Dubfire - Escape (Truncate Remix)
B Dubfire - Dark Matter (Drumcell Remix)
EVOLV is a visionary window into the mind of Dubfire, the journey of the ‘hybrid’ being and its evolution. Last year in October, an 11-track debut album was released on his long-standing SCI+TEC imprint. And now, just over a year later, Grammy award winning producer Dubfire returns to that sonic discourse, drafting in an impressive array of names to re-interpret the material, and accompanied by Dubfire's new audio-visual EVOLV show which picked up where the critically acclaimed electronic performance experience HYBRID had left off.
The eclectic package will include such notables as Glaskin, Arjun Vagale, Nadia Struiwigh, Mathimidori (dub alias of Mathias Kaden), Maral, Decka, Carl Craig, Truncate, Drumcell, Chris Liebing, Radio Slave and Luke Slater who have all given the original music in their own unique style.
With a career spanning over 3 decades, Dubfire has achieved global success as an artist with relentless drive, talent, and intuition. Pioneering commercial notoriety came initially as one half of the Grammy Award-winning (2001) duo Deep Dish, before embarking on a truly groundbreaking solo career in 2007. A career filled with timeless tracks include his early works, ‘RibCage’ (2007), ‘Emissions' (2007), ‘Roadkill’ (2007) and the highly acclaimed ‘Grindhouse’ (2009) remix from Radio Slave which led to a host of other notable projects over the years.
Collaborative work highlights include projects with Miss Kitten, Luke Slater, Flug, and Oliver Huntemann, as well as co-producing two songs on Underworld’s Barking album. A true artist, he has always been heavily invested in exploring performance technology, unveiled to wide praise with his HYBRID live show. A two-year world tour commenced in 2015 and was followed by his retrospective album, A Decade Of Dubfire (2017), a celebration of his immense output during the first 10 years of solo artist stardom. EVOLV is Dubfire’s debut solo artist album.
More
Label:Cheezy Crust Records
Cat-No:CCR005
Release-Date:10.12.2021
Genre:Acid House
Configuration:12" Excl
Label:Cheezy Crust Records
Cat-No:CCR005
Release-Date:10.12.2021
Genre:Acid House
Configuration:12" Excl
1
Mint Huus - A1 Dnarks
2
Mint Huus - A2 Snadre
3
Mint Huus - B1 Szun
4
Mint Huus - B2 Rradix
Genre: Electro
A1 Dnarks
A2 Snadre
B1 Szun
B2 Rradix
And here we go again. After making his self-titled label debut in 2019 followed up by the super limited cassette tape "Sport EP" in 2020 Mint Huus is finally back on Cheezy Crust Records - and he's back on vinyl!
Exploring "Odd Radio Circles" we see Mint Huus catering an array of four cuts, once again covering and exploring a spectrum of superbly driving, high quality electronic club music of a timeless quality which is nothing short of a truly epic manifestation of the German artists production standard and value which is up to par with the genres greats.
Sparse, yet melodic, bouncing, yet dreamy from the very start the Mainz / Germany-based producer effortly amalgamates a highly functional Electro foundation, beautifully arranged vintage retro synth layers and ever bubbling Acid modulations to further carve out and create a distinct sonic realm and niche which, due it's innate drive and well comforting depth, is set to excel way beyond the confined boundaries of the Electro genre and gain praise and recognition on many dancefloors all around the globe.
More
1
Sally C - OG Chunker
2
Sally C - Let's Get This
3
Sally C - Turn That
Repress!
“Give me a chunky bassline, banging drums and a weird vocal – that’s the holy trinity! Simplicity is key - less is always more” – Sally C
The past 12 months have stamped Sally C as one of the industry’s most exciting breakthrough DJ talents. She’s graduated from putting on parties at Griessmühle, to throwing down a masterclass Boiler Room debut at AVA Festival, gigs at Berghain’s Saüle and Melt! Festival, alongside tireless zig-zagging across the UK and her native Ireland. At the same time, she’s impressed heads with a large catalogue of outstanding online mixes, ensuring that if you hadn’t seen her play in the flesh, you sure as hell know she can lay it down like no other.
Alongside breaks, techno rollers and long lost second hand cuts, it’s Sally’s deep passion for the golden era of hip house and the sounds of 88’ - 98’ that have really shaped her raw and chunky style and inspired her first productions and eponymous label Big Saldo’s Chunkers. A homage to the era she’s so obsessed with, if you will.
The three-track work encompasses tried and true bangers ready for the rave. ‘OG Chunker’ will be familiar to those who’ve followed her closely stretching back to her acclaimed Boiler Room last summer, popping with its hiplashing groove, rapid-fire vocal sequence and in your face rides. ‘Let’s Get This’ is a no-nonsense Chicago-inspired ghetto pumper, driven by low-slung bumping bass and a catchy vocal. ‘Turn That’ favours deep tribal grooves, ravey sirens, scratch effects and a bassline that fills your stomach. Chunker mode ignited.
Who is Big Saldo? “Big Saldo is a nickname friends gave me; it’s my rowdy care-free side which comes out a lot when I DJ and is now channelled into my productions. I wouldn’t call her an alter ego, rather an essence of who I am; more confident, no holds barred, bullshit-free. It’s also the intention behind the Chunkers. Raw and ready cuts ripe for the club. What you see is what you get.” – Sally C More
“Give me a chunky bassline, banging drums and a weird vocal – that’s the holy trinity! Simplicity is key - less is always more” – Sally C
The past 12 months have stamped Sally C as one of the industry’s most exciting breakthrough DJ talents. She’s graduated from putting on parties at Griessmühle, to throwing down a masterclass Boiler Room debut at AVA Festival, gigs at Berghain’s Saüle and Melt! Festival, alongside tireless zig-zagging across the UK and her native Ireland. At the same time, she’s impressed heads with a large catalogue of outstanding online mixes, ensuring that if you hadn’t seen her play in the flesh, you sure as hell know she can lay it down like no other.
Alongside breaks, techno rollers and long lost second hand cuts, it’s Sally’s deep passion for the golden era of hip house and the sounds of 88’ - 98’ that have really shaped her raw and chunky style and inspired her first productions and eponymous label Big Saldo’s Chunkers. A homage to the era she’s so obsessed with, if you will.
The three-track work encompasses tried and true bangers ready for the rave. ‘OG Chunker’ will be familiar to those who’ve followed her closely stretching back to her acclaimed Boiler Room last summer, popping with its hiplashing groove, rapid-fire vocal sequence and in your face rides. ‘Let’s Get This’ is a no-nonsense Chicago-inspired ghetto pumper, driven by low-slung bumping bass and a catchy vocal. ‘Turn That’ favours deep tribal grooves, ravey sirens, scratch effects and a bassline that fills your stomach. Chunker mode ignited.
Who is Big Saldo? “Big Saldo is a nickname friends gave me; it’s my rowdy care-free side which comes out a lot when I DJ and is now channelled into my productions. I wouldn’t call her an alter ego, rather an essence of who I am; more confident, no holds barred, bullshit-free. It’s also the intention behind the Chunkers. Raw and ready cuts ripe for the club. What you see is what you get.” – Sally C More
1
Scuba - Truth
2
Scuba - Riding
3
Scuba - i wna doit nth bckst
4
Scuba - Give Up Everything
5
Scuba - Pocket Rocket
6
Scuba - Storms Of Love
Welcome to ‘Hardcore Heaven III’, the third in Scuba's series of classic hardcore-inflected vinyl EPs further develops the themes, from acid house to jungle, established on the first two installments.
Hardcore Heaven III ups the tempo from the first two EPs, with a focus on early Jungle on ‘Truth’ and ‘Give Up Everything’. Meanwhile, ‘Riding Hi’ and ‘Pocket Rocket’ add a 4/4 kick and samples possibly best described as… borderline?
Scuba has also announced D:U:LIVE, a series of live shows inspired by his acclaimed ‘Digital Underground’ mixtape and ‘Hardcore Heaven’ vinyl EPs from last year. More
Hardcore Heaven III ups the tempo from the first two EPs, with a focus on early Jungle on ‘Truth’ and ‘Give Up Everything’. Meanwhile, ‘Riding Hi’ and ‘Pocket Rocket’ add a 4/4 kick and samples possibly best described as… borderline?
Scuba has also announced D:U:LIVE, a series of live shows inspired by his acclaimed ‘Digital Underground’ mixtape and ‘Hardcore Heaven’ vinyl EPs from last year. More
1
Space Dimension Controller - A1. Jet Free
2
Space Dimension Controller - A2. Cryfaze
3
Space Dimension Controller - A3. Tiraquon's Final Quest
4
Space Dimension Controller - B1. 1 4 U
5
Space Dimension Controller - B2. Acid Funk Sequel (Vinyl Exclusive)
6
Space Dimension Controller - B3. Beyond2
Track list:
A1. Jet Free
A2. Cryfaze
A3. Tiraquon's Final Quest
B1. 1 4 U
B2. Acid Funk Sequel (Vinyl Exclusive)
B3. Beyond2
Highlight:
Space Dimension Controller returns to Aus Music with six tracks of superb cosmic adventure
EP arrives digitally or as a six-track 12" including exclusive vinyl-only cut 'Acid Funk Sequel' on July 26th
Space Dimension Controller is an intergalactic musical explorer. His sci-fi sounds paint technicolour pictures
in widescreen. Whether crafting definitive albums like Love Beyond The Intersect on R&S, club-ready EPs
for Aus and Running Back or dropping collections of unreleased tracks on his own Tiraquon Recordings, his
work sounds futuristic yet nostalgic for the past. It is fueled by funk and crafted on synths, hardware, tape
machines and various other imperfect tools that lend it a loveable character.
His Final Quest EP is a "French-inspired" release, which is an influence that predates the Space Dimension
Controller alias and goes back to Hamill's teenage years. It is also the last EP from his current studio before
it is dismantled and moved to Amsterdam sometime this summer.
From start to finish, this new EP showcases Hamill's ability to craft emotionally evocative melodies and
genuinely absorbing soundtracks. Opener 'Jet Free' is awash with filtered synths that are sugary sweet and
underpinned by funky guitar riffs and laissez-faire grooves. The wonderful 'Cryfaze' has rueful pads spiralling
around sleek drums that bounce along next to supple neon arps, while 'Tiraquon's Final Quest' is a bubbling
and elastic rhythm run through with soft acid squelches and pixelated pads full of cosmic charm. '1 4 U' rides
on heavier drums but is no less joyous thanks to the crystalline melodies and dreamy vocals that swell the
heart. Vinyl exclusive 'Acid Funk Sequel' is another playful moon safari with buoyant bass patterns and
snappy drum funk under ever-evolving melodic refrains and 'Beyond2' closes down with forlorn, introspective
melodies that ripple over heavy-hearted chords.
More
A1. Jet Free
A2. Cryfaze
A3. Tiraquon's Final Quest
B1. 1 4 U
B2. Acid Funk Sequel (Vinyl Exclusive)
B3. Beyond2
Highlight:
Space Dimension Controller returns to Aus Music with six tracks of superb cosmic adventure
EP arrives digitally or as a six-track 12" including exclusive vinyl-only cut 'Acid Funk Sequel' on July 26th
Space Dimension Controller is an intergalactic musical explorer. His sci-fi sounds paint technicolour pictures
in widescreen. Whether crafting definitive albums like Love Beyond The Intersect on R&S, club-ready EPs
for Aus and Running Back or dropping collections of unreleased tracks on his own Tiraquon Recordings, his
work sounds futuristic yet nostalgic for the past. It is fueled by funk and crafted on synths, hardware, tape
machines and various other imperfect tools that lend it a loveable character.
His Final Quest EP is a "French-inspired" release, which is an influence that predates the Space Dimension
Controller alias and goes back to Hamill's teenage years. It is also the last EP from his current studio before
it is dismantled and moved to Amsterdam sometime this summer.
From start to finish, this new EP showcases Hamill's ability to craft emotionally evocative melodies and
genuinely absorbing soundtracks. Opener 'Jet Free' is awash with filtered synths that are sugary sweet and
underpinned by funky guitar riffs and laissez-faire grooves. The wonderful 'Cryfaze' has rueful pads spiralling
around sleek drums that bounce along next to supple neon arps, while 'Tiraquon's Final Quest' is a bubbling
and elastic rhythm run through with soft acid squelches and pixelated pads full of cosmic charm. '1 4 U' rides
on heavier drums but is no less joyous thanks to the crystalline melodies and dreamy vocals that swell the
heart. Vinyl exclusive 'Acid Funk Sequel' is another playful moon safari with buoyant bass patterns and
snappy drum funk under ever-evolving melodic refrains and 'Beyond2' closes down with forlorn, introspective
melodies that ripple over heavy-hearted chords.
More
1
Solomun - Can't Stop
2
Solomun - Follow The Disco Ball
3
Solomun - Can't Stop (Dub)
Tracklist
A. Can't Stop
B1. Follow The Disco Ball
B2. Can't Stop (Dub)
Can't Stop .There seems no better way to describe the work, party and music ethic of Solomun. Carrying the mirror ball on his shoulders like Atlas, it is impossible to imagine the modern disco world without his dynamics. While his countless DJ sets give fresh impetus to the many shades of house, techno and their siblings, conversely they are a driving force behind his studio and remix excursions. Can't Stop provides an impressive insight into his musical universe.
Resulting from a rather casual after-dinner-listening-session during a car ride on Ibiza with a zesty Gerd Janson, who coaxed the title track out of Solomun making use of their friendship to full capacity, it is a triptych of direct, functional and free-spirited dance floor approach. After some back and forth in the search of the missing pieces to make it so, Solomun managed to deliver the perfect Running Back peak time record.
While Can't Stop channels UK dance music highs through German engineering values, which makes it perfect for dance hall and car rides (yes, indeed!) alike, its heavy dub is constructed with fearless techno DJs in mind who like new beat excerpts, rave stabs and a lot of bass in equal parts. Follow The Disco Ball leads us back to the aforementioned Greek titan and can be read as a love letter to the genre that can be found in its name. Catchy, compelling and cool, it is a masterclass in user-friendly, yet edgy arrangement and dancing shoe compatibility. We repeat: the perfect Running Back peak time record. Can't Stop, won't stop!
Short: Solomun on Running Back. Dance floor fanatics at work. A triptych of fun, friendship and functionality. Can't Stop channels UK dance music highs through German engineering values. Perfect for dance hall and car rides alike. Its heavy dub is constructed with fearless techno DJs in mind who like new beat excerpts, rave stabs and a lot of bass in equal parts. Follow The Disco Ball can be read as a love letter to the genre that is found in its name. Catchy, compelling and cool, it is a masterclass in user-friendly, yet edgy arrangement and dancing shoe compatibility. The perfect Running Back peak time record. Can't Stop, won't stop! More
A. Can't Stop
B1. Follow The Disco Ball
B2. Can't Stop (Dub)
Can't Stop .There seems no better way to describe the work, party and music ethic of Solomun. Carrying the mirror ball on his shoulders like Atlas, it is impossible to imagine the modern disco world without his dynamics. While his countless DJ sets give fresh impetus to the many shades of house, techno and their siblings, conversely they are a driving force behind his studio and remix excursions. Can't Stop provides an impressive insight into his musical universe.
Resulting from a rather casual after-dinner-listening-session during a car ride on Ibiza with a zesty Gerd Janson, who coaxed the title track out of Solomun making use of their friendship to full capacity, it is a triptych of direct, functional and free-spirited dance floor approach. After some back and forth in the search of the missing pieces to make it so, Solomun managed to deliver the perfect Running Back peak time record.
While Can't Stop channels UK dance music highs through German engineering values, which makes it perfect for dance hall and car rides (yes, indeed!) alike, its heavy dub is constructed with fearless techno DJs in mind who like new beat excerpts, rave stabs and a lot of bass in equal parts. Follow The Disco Ball leads us back to the aforementioned Greek titan and can be read as a love letter to the genre that can be found in its name. Catchy, compelling and cool, it is a masterclass in user-friendly, yet edgy arrangement and dancing shoe compatibility. We repeat: the perfect Running Back peak time record. Can't Stop, won't stop!
Short: Solomun on Running Back. Dance floor fanatics at work. A triptych of fun, friendship and functionality. Can't Stop channels UK dance music highs through German engineering values. Perfect for dance hall and car rides alike. Its heavy dub is constructed with fearless techno DJs in mind who like new beat excerpts, rave stabs and a lot of bass in equal parts. Follow The Disco Ball can be read as a love letter to the genre that is found in its name. Catchy, compelling and cool, it is a masterclass in user-friendly, yet edgy arrangement and dancing shoe compatibility. The perfect Running Back peak time record. Can't Stop, won't stop! More
1
mpeg - Pollen
2
mpeg - Bad Intel
3
mpeg - Pluto Dogs
4
mpeg - Dots
R.A.N.D. Muzik Recordings proudly welcomes Dresden’s mpeg to the label for a 4-tracker of deep tech house nostalgia.
More
Finally back on vinyl again! A double LP that doesn't need an introduction!
More
More
1
BELLA - Note To Self
2
BELLA - Orchestra Spring
3
BELLA - Odd Symphony
4
BELLA - Odd Symphony (Olsvangèr Remix)
Repress!
Fast-rising Dutch DJ/producer BELLA becomes the first new artist signing to Sally C’s Big Saldo’s Chunkers imprint, with the inspiring ‘Note to Self’ EP – her debut production.
Relationships are key for Sally C. Since the inception of Big Saldo’s Chunkers in 2020, she’s released three carefully chosen EPs, all from her own studio. When she met BELLA while playing a festival in Amsterdam during summer 2022, the click was instantaneous, with the pair going on to play an impromptu b2b that day. Vibing both musically and energetically, they kept in touch, with BELLA sending Sally her maiden productions ‘Note To Self’ and ‘Orchestra Spring’. Sally connected so deeply with the tracks that they’d form the backbone of her debut artist EP on Big Saldo’s Chunkers.
One listen to the final EP and it’s not hard to see why Sally wanted to emboss them as Chunkers. Three fresh originals taking in influence from ‘90s house, acid, electro and prog, all with a unique hard-to-pin-down energy that makes them hit with a special swing.
The title track – also the first production made for the EP - sees BELLA lay down a sonic blueprint – both for her own sound and the full body of work. “This set the vibe and guided me through the creative process. I was really trying to make something that felt my own, that was also unique and not something I’ve heard before,” she shares. ‘Note to Self’ is heavy on attitude and bounce, driven by banging old skool drums, a rapid-fire grime-style vocal and a duo of synth lines – one uplifting, the other mining a slick ‘80s sheen, and the results are memorable. An absolute tune that Sally’s delighted to add to the Chunker catalogue.
‘Orchestra Spring’ is the perky sequel, a wicked one-two punch of kaleidoscopic groovy house with lashings of attitude that loves to scribble outside the lines with lots of retro samples and trippy energy. ‘Odd Symphony’ completes the trio, a blazing late-night cut driven by a gurgling acid underbelly, gritty drums and warm chords, giving the EP a brilliant afterglow.
Olsvangèr – one of Sally’s favourite producers – steps up for remix duties of ‘Odd Symphony’, and delivers a dynamic re-rub that begins in upbeat house territory, before taking an interlude in perkier rave realms.
“I'm over the moon to be releasing this EP on Sally’s label. It’s really special to have someone who I look up to release my music. She has given me tremendous support and guidance over the last two years, always ready to chat or give me some advice. It was a big surprise and honour when she suggested releasing the tracks on her label. It feels like a perfect fit. It’s super sweet to share this journey with her.” – BELLA
"I’m so excited to welcome BELLA to the label for her debut EP. It was time to take this next step and open the Chunkers door to new artists. I couldn’t think of a better one than BELLA to debut her fresh Chunkers on the label. Three banging originals by an extremely talented artist which I’ve been playing ever since she sent me the tracks. Polished with an Olsvangèr remix, it’s a really strong four track EP." – SALLY C More
Fast-rising Dutch DJ/producer BELLA becomes the first new artist signing to Sally C’s Big Saldo’s Chunkers imprint, with the inspiring ‘Note to Self’ EP – her debut production.
Relationships are key for Sally C. Since the inception of Big Saldo’s Chunkers in 2020, she’s released three carefully chosen EPs, all from her own studio. When she met BELLA while playing a festival in Amsterdam during summer 2022, the click was instantaneous, with the pair going on to play an impromptu b2b that day. Vibing both musically and energetically, they kept in touch, with BELLA sending Sally her maiden productions ‘Note To Self’ and ‘Orchestra Spring’. Sally connected so deeply with the tracks that they’d form the backbone of her debut artist EP on Big Saldo’s Chunkers.
One listen to the final EP and it’s not hard to see why Sally wanted to emboss them as Chunkers. Three fresh originals taking in influence from ‘90s house, acid, electro and prog, all with a unique hard-to-pin-down energy that makes them hit with a special swing.
The title track – also the first production made for the EP - sees BELLA lay down a sonic blueprint – both for her own sound and the full body of work. “This set the vibe and guided me through the creative process. I was really trying to make something that felt my own, that was also unique and not something I’ve heard before,” she shares. ‘Note to Self’ is heavy on attitude and bounce, driven by banging old skool drums, a rapid-fire grime-style vocal and a duo of synth lines – one uplifting, the other mining a slick ‘80s sheen, and the results are memorable. An absolute tune that Sally’s delighted to add to the Chunker catalogue.
‘Orchestra Spring’ is the perky sequel, a wicked one-two punch of kaleidoscopic groovy house with lashings of attitude that loves to scribble outside the lines with lots of retro samples and trippy energy. ‘Odd Symphony’ completes the trio, a blazing late-night cut driven by a gurgling acid underbelly, gritty drums and warm chords, giving the EP a brilliant afterglow.
Olsvangèr – one of Sally’s favourite producers – steps up for remix duties of ‘Odd Symphony’, and delivers a dynamic re-rub that begins in upbeat house territory, before taking an interlude in perkier rave realms.
“I'm over the moon to be releasing this EP on Sally’s label. It’s really special to have someone who I look up to release my music. She has given me tremendous support and guidance over the last two years, always ready to chat or give me some advice. It was a big surprise and honour when she suggested releasing the tracks on her label. It feels like a perfect fit. It’s super sweet to share this journey with her.” – BELLA
"I’m so excited to welcome BELLA to the label for her debut EP. It was time to take this next step and open the Chunkers door to new artists. I couldn’t think of a better one than BELLA to debut her fresh Chunkers on the label. Three banging originals by an extremely talented artist which I’ve been playing ever since she sent me the tracks. Polished with an Olsvangèr remix, it’s a really strong four track EP." – SALLY C More
1
Dubfire - Bottom Dweller (Chris Liebing Remix)
2
Dubfire - Deadbug (Nadia Struiwigh Remix)
Single 2
Tracklist:
A Dubfire - Bottom Dweller (Chris Liebing Remix)
B Dubfire - Deadbug (Nadia Struiwigh Remix)
EVOLV is a visionary window into the mind of Dubfire, the journey of the ‘hybrid’ being and its evolution. Last year in October, an 11-track debut album was released on his long-standing SCI+TEC imprint. And now, just over a year later, Grammy award winning producer Dubfire returns to that sonic discourse, drafting in an impressive array of names to re-interpret the material, and accompanied by Dubfire's new audio-visual EVOLV show which picked up where the critically acclaimed electronic performance experience HYBRID had left off.
The eclectic package will include such notables as Glaskin, Arjun Vagale, Nadia Struiwigh, Mathimidori (dub alias of Mathias Kaden), Maral, Decka, Carl Craig, Truncate, Drumcell, Chris Liebing, Radio Slave and Luke Slater who have all given the original music in their own unique style.
With a career spanning over 3 decades, Dubfire has achieved global success as an artist with relentless drive, talent, and intuition. Pioneering commercial notoriety came initially as one half of the Grammy Award-winning (2001) duo Deep Dish, before embarking on a truly groundbreaking solo career in 2007. A career filled with timeless tracks include his early works, ‘RibCage’ (2007), ‘Emissions' (2007), ‘Roadkill’ (2007) and the highly acclaimed ‘Grindhouse’ (2009) remix from Radio Slave which led to a host of other notable projects over the years.
Collaborative work highlights include projects with Miss Kitten, Luke Slater, Flug, and Oliver Huntemann, as well as co-producing two songs on Underworld’s Barking album. A true artist, he has always been heavily invested in exploring performance technology, unveiled to wide praise with his HYBRID live show. A two-year world tour commenced in 2015 and was followed by his retrospective album, A Decade Of Dubfire (2017), a celebration of his immense output during the first 10 years of solo artist stardom. EVOLV is Dubfire’s debut solo artist album.
More
Tracklist:
A Dubfire - Bottom Dweller (Chris Liebing Remix)
B Dubfire - Deadbug (Nadia Struiwigh Remix)
EVOLV is a visionary window into the mind of Dubfire, the journey of the ‘hybrid’ being and its evolution. Last year in October, an 11-track debut album was released on his long-standing SCI+TEC imprint. And now, just over a year later, Grammy award winning producer Dubfire returns to that sonic discourse, drafting in an impressive array of names to re-interpret the material, and accompanied by Dubfire's new audio-visual EVOLV show which picked up where the critically acclaimed electronic performance experience HYBRID had left off.
The eclectic package will include such notables as Glaskin, Arjun Vagale, Nadia Struiwigh, Mathimidori (dub alias of Mathias Kaden), Maral, Decka, Carl Craig, Truncate, Drumcell, Chris Liebing, Radio Slave and Luke Slater who have all given the original music in their own unique style.
With a career spanning over 3 decades, Dubfire has achieved global success as an artist with relentless drive, talent, and intuition. Pioneering commercial notoriety came initially as one half of the Grammy Award-winning (2001) duo Deep Dish, before embarking on a truly groundbreaking solo career in 2007. A career filled with timeless tracks include his early works, ‘RibCage’ (2007), ‘Emissions' (2007), ‘Roadkill’ (2007) and the highly acclaimed ‘Grindhouse’ (2009) remix from Radio Slave which led to a host of other notable projects over the years.
Collaborative work highlights include projects with Miss Kitten, Luke Slater, Flug, and Oliver Huntemann, as well as co-producing two songs on Underworld’s Barking album. A true artist, he has always been heavily invested in exploring performance technology, unveiled to wide praise with his HYBRID live show. A two-year world tour commenced in 2015 and was followed by his retrospective album, A Decade Of Dubfire (2017), a celebration of his immense output during the first 10 years of solo artist stardom. EVOLV is Dubfire’s debut solo artist album.
More
1
Ken Ishii - A1. Into The Inside (2024 Remaster)
2
Ken Ishii - A2. Fading Sky (2024 Remaster)
3
Ken Ishii - A3. Non Essential (2024 Remaster)
4
Ken Ishii - B1. Finite Time (2024 Remaster)
5
Ken Ishii - B2. Interjection (2024 Remaster)
6
Ken Ishii - B3. Scene One (2024 Remaster)
LP 180g Heavyweight vinyl, Remastered, with original track-list available on vinyl for the first time
"Ken Ishii has risen to be one of techno's biggest names" Bandcamp Daily
"A pivotal moment in the history of techno, ambient and electronic music from Japan. An important milestone in a journey to explore the endless possibilities of music and a precious result of our passion and adventure at the time" Manabu Yamazaki (Sublime Records)
GENRE: Techno, Ambient
Tracklist:
1. Into The Inside (2024 Remaster)
2. Fading Sky (2024 Remaster)
3. Non Essential (2024 Remaster)
Side B
1. Finite Time (2024 Remaster)
2. Interjection (2024 Remaster)
3. Scene One (2024 Remaster)
New liner notes by Martyn Pepperell
The musician and DJ Ken Ishii sits right at the pinnacle of techno's most noteworthy, but although a game changer for the artist personally - and for Japanese electronic music in general - his 1994 album 'Reference to Difference' is something of an unsung gem today.
Now reissued and remastered, released to mark the 30th anniversary of Musicmine / Sublime Records, and available on vinyl with its original track-list for the first time, this stunning, lesser-known classic is ripe for rediscovery.
Born 1970 in Sapporo, Ishii was introduced to electronic music at a young age through arcade games, and Japanese and German pioneers like Yellow Magic Orchestra, Isao Tomita and Kraftwerk. During his teens, he absorbed new wave, synth-pop, EBM and industrial, before making a life-changing discovery of Detroit techno in the late 80s.
As the 1990s dawned, so did his introduction to Black Dog Productions and Warp Records' Artificial Intelligence compilations. Blown away by the emerging British and American IDM, braindance, and ambient techno movements, he quickly folded their influence into his still-developing but cultivated aesthetic.
A futuristic confluence of unplaceable ambient atmospheres, space age techno, IDM and minimalist composition, 'Reference To Difference' unfolds as an effortless series of exercises in pristine synth textures, robust man/machine rhythm and understated melodies. It teleports the listener back to a golden moment in the mid-1990s, when a dedicated generation rose out of Tokyo's storied clubs and took the innovation, energy, and creativity of Japan's unique techno culture to the world.
Opened in 1993, Maniac Love was a new nightclub where Manabu Yamazaki aka DJ Yama promoted the Sublime parties, which soon became a crucial hub within the burgeoning Tokyo underground. It was here where Yamazaki rubbed shoulders with peers including Ishii and Susumu Yokota, and the trio's future became intertwined.
Much like Ishii, the late Susumu Yokota began his musical career by reaching out to Europe. Not long before Ishii released his debut longplayer 'Garden On The Palm' through Belgium's R&S, Yokota released his debut LP 'The Frankfurt-Tokyo Connection' through Harthouse, the German label co-founded by Sven Väth. In the wake of both records' overseas success, Ishii and Yokota set a benchmark for techno in Japan.
By 1993, as they both became in-demand producers and DJs, it felt like their dreams were coming true. Through talking with Ishii and Yokota, Yamazaki became emboldened to transform Sublime into a record label.
Soon after, Yamazaki partnered with Hideoki Amano, who was on the verge of founding Musicmine, a now respected and longstanding independent Japanese music company. As Yamazaki tells it, Amano helped him turn his dream into a reality: Sublime Records.
For Musicmine and Sublime Records' inaugural album releases, Yamazaki and Amano approached both Ishii and Yokota, resulting in the simultaneous drop of 'Reference To Difference' and 'Acid Mt. Fuji' respectively, on June 29th 1994.
Yamazaki remembered 'Reference To Difference' being well received by DJs, listeners, record store buyers and journalists, stating "people were excited by this new wave of music coming out of Japan, and had high praise for its unique sound."
With the pair of LPs further stamping Japan on the contemporary musical globe, the scene was beginning to boom at home too. Specialist record stores, and club music magazines like Ele-King and Loud spread the word, and in the wake of Maniac Love's impact, new nightclubs like the legendary Liquid Room were opening up, bringing a steady stream of world-famous DJs to the Japanese capital.
"Without a doubt, I think the arrival of Ken Ishii was a major turning point for the Japanese music industry in the 1990s," Amano reflected. "Nowadays, the Western club music scene is rediscovering Japanese techno from the 1990s, and digging our music is a common sight, but before Ken Ishii, no Japanese DJ was in sync with the global club music scene. He was the catalyst."
"Looking back, I can tell it was meaningful that this was one of the first techno albums by a Japanese artist that was released on a Japanese label," Ishii reflects. "Maybe I did something that bridged between old school Japanese electronic music and 'new school' techno in line with the Detroit sound with this record" he adds, in modest understatement.
The new liner notes were written Martyn Pepperell, a well-regarded music journalist who has covered Susumu Yokota for Wax Poetics and Midori Takada for Dazed, amongst numerous other articles.
Ken Ishi DJ dates:
Fri 14 June Tokyo, Japan : MUSICMINE 30th Anniversary @ WWW
Sat 15 June Nagano Pref, Japan : Re:birth Festival 2024 @ Kurumayama-Kogen Skypark Resort
Sat 22 June Tbilisi, Georgia : Tbilisi Open Air (Khidi Stage) @ Lisi Wonderland
Fri 12 July Tokyo, Japan : TECHNOH LAB. @ Suigian (*Non+techno performance with Manjiro Tatsumi)
Fri 12 July Tokyo, Japan : @ Vent
Fri 26 July Tokyo, Japan : @ Shinjuku Loft
Sun 28 July Naeba, Japan : @ Fuji Rock Festival
Sat 31 August Amsterdam, The Netherlands : Wooferland 2024 @ Houtrak Halfweg
More
"Ken Ishii has risen to be one of techno's biggest names" Bandcamp Daily
"A pivotal moment in the history of techno, ambient and electronic music from Japan. An important milestone in a journey to explore the endless possibilities of music and a precious result of our passion and adventure at the time" Manabu Yamazaki (Sublime Records)
GENRE: Techno, Ambient
Tracklist:
1. Into The Inside (2024 Remaster)
2. Fading Sky (2024 Remaster)
3. Non Essential (2024 Remaster)
Side B
1. Finite Time (2024 Remaster)
2. Interjection (2024 Remaster)
3. Scene One (2024 Remaster)
New liner notes by Martyn Pepperell
The musician and DJ Ken Ishii sits right at the pinnacle of techno's most noteworthy, but although a game changer for the artist personally - and for Japanese electronic music in general - his 1994 album 'Reference to Difference' is something of an unsung gem today.
Now reissued and remastered, released to mark the 30th anniversary of Musicmine / Sublime Records, and available on vinyl with its original track-list for the first time, this stunning, lesser-known classic is ripe for rediscovery.
Born 1970 in Sapporo, Ishii was introduced to electronic music at a young age through arcade games, and Japanese and German pioneers like Yellow Magic Orchestra, Isao Tomita and Kraftwerk. During his teens, he absorbed new wave, synth-pop, EBM and industrial, before making a life-changing discovery of Detroit techno in the late 80s.
As the 1990s dawned, so did his introduction to Black Dog Productions and Warp Records' Artificial Intelligence compilations. Blown away by the emerging British and American IDM, braindance, and ambient techno movements, he quickly folded their influence into his still-developing but cultivated aesthetic.
A futuristic confluence of unplaceable ambient atmospheres, space age techno, IDM and minimalist composition, 'Reference To Difference' unfolds as an effortless series of exercises in pristine synth textures, robust man/machine rhythm and understated melodies. It teleports the listener back to a golden moment in the mid-1990s, when a dedicated generation rose out of Tokyo's storied clubs and took the innovation, energy, and creativity of Japan's unique techno culture to the world.
Opened in 1993, Maniac Love was a new nightclub where Manabu Yamazaki aka DJ Yama promoted the Sublime parties, which soon became a crucial hub within the burgeoning Tokyo underground. It was here where Yamazaki rubbed shoulders with peers including Ishii and Susumu Yokota, and the trio's future became intertwined.
Much like Ishii, the late Susumu Yokota began his musical career by reaching out to Europe. Not long before Ishii released his debut longplayer 'Garden On The Palm' through Belgium's R&S, Yokota released his debut LP 'The Frankfurt-Tokyo Connection' through Harthouse, the German label co-founded by Sven Väth. In the wake of both records' overseas success, Ishii and Yokota set a benchmark for techno in Japan.
By 1993, as they both became in-demand producers and DJs, it felt like their dreams were coming true. Through talking with Ishii and Yokota, Yamazaki became emboldened to transform Sublime into a record label.
Soon after, Yamazaki partnered with Hideoki Amano, who was on the verge of founding Musicmine, a now respected and longstanding independent Japanese music company. As Yamazaki tells it, Amano helped him turn his dream into a reality: Sublime Records.
For Musicmine and Sublime Records' inaugural album releases, Yamazaki and Amano approached both Ishii and Yokota, resulting in the simultaneous drop of 'Reference To Difference' and 'Acid Mt. Fuji' respectively, on June 29th 1994.
Yamazaki remembered 'Reference To Difference' being well received by DJs, listeners, record store buyers and journalists, stating "people were excited by this new wave of music coming out of Japan, and had high praise for its unique sound."
With the pair of LPs further stamping Japan on the contemporary musical globe, the scene was beginning to boom at home too. Specialist record stores, and club music magazines like Ele-King and Loud spread the word, and in the wake of Maniac Love's impact, new nightclubs like the legendary Liquid Room were opening up, bringing a steady stream of world-famous DJs to the Japanese capital.
"Without a doubt, I think the arrival of Ken Ishii was a major turning point for the Japanese music industry in the 1990s," Amano reflected. "Nowadays, the Western club music scene is rediscovering Japanese techno from the 1990s, and digging our music is a common sight, but before Ken Ishii, no Japanese DJ was in sync with the global club music scene. He was the catalyst."
"Looking back, I can tell it was meaningful that this was one of the first techno albums by a Japanese artist that was released on a Japanese label," Ishii reflects. "Maybe I did something that bridged between old school Japanese electronic music and 'new school' techno in line with the Detroit sound with this record" he adds, in modest understatement.
The new liner notes were written Martyn Pepperell, a well-regarded music journalist who has covered Susumu Yokota for Wax Poetics and Midori Takada for Dazed, amongst numerous other articles.
Ken Ishi DJ dates:
Fri 14 June Tokyo, Japan : MUSICMINE 30th Anniversary @ WWW
Sat 15 June Nagano Pref, Japan : Re:birth Festival 2024 @ Kurumayama-Kogen Skypark Resort
Sat 22 June Tbilisi, Georgia : Tbilisi Open Air (Khidi Stage) @ Lisi Wonderland
Fri 12 July Tokyo, Japan : TECHNOH LAB. @ Suigian (*Non+techno performance with Manjiro Tatsumi)
Fri 12 July Tokyo, Japan : @ Vent
Fri 26 July Tokyo, Japan : @ Shinjuku Loft
Sun 28 July Naeba, Japan : @ Fuji Rock Festival
Sat 31 August Amsterdam, The Netherlands : Wooferland 2024 @ Houtrak Halfweg
More