1
Emotive Response - Welcome To The Club
2
Emotive Response - Belgium
3
Emotive Response - The Kings Tribute
4
Emotive Response - The Day After
Second part in a Belgian Trance trilogy by the hand of Thomas Blanckaert (Innershades). Things speed up with tracks reaching up till 140 beats per minute. While the streets were filled with massive crowds and Love Parades in the early 2000s, people in Belgium escaped reality in small night clubs until dawn or even midday. This second EP is more than a homage to the heydays of Belgian Trance, it's a small homage to one of the most notorious after clubs in Belgium 'The Kings Club' located in our shared hometown Aalst. The club's building was torn down this year but just like this 'hard hypnotic Belgian music' its legacy will remain... Limited repress!
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More records from Emotive Response
1
Emotive Response - Darkest Times
2
Emotive Response - Reflect On The Past
3
Emotive Response - When Love Is Gone
4
Emotive Response - Dying Sunset
Final part of the 'Emotions' trilogy. Emotive Response fulfills all expectations yet again. He delivers an EP that quite easily could have been made in the heydays of the Belgian Trance era. Center piece for this 4-tracker is the iconic Roland JP 8000 synth. His nice pounding bass and grand melodies are luring us outside again, offering a blast, inspired by the past. Hop on! First two EP's sold out in no time, so don't sleep on this one! Strictly vinyl!
More
More records from 9300 Records
1
After Club - 1 AFFLIGEM 1997
2
After Club - 2 HOOVERING IN SPACE (LIVE @ CARAT)
3
After Club - 3 MOMENTS IN ECSTACY
4
After Club - 4 MIND EXPANSION TOOL
Repress!
Following the success of the Emotive Response trilogy, 9300 Records brings another Belgian retro trance infused 4-tracker by new signing After Club. Raw analog pounding tracks that bring back the melodies and sounds that defined a generation of party goers in Belgium's 90's club scene. Hot!!! More
Following the success of the Emotive Response trilogy, 9300 Records brings another Belgian retro trance infused 4-tracker by new signing After Club. Raw analog pounding tracks that bring back the melodies and sounds that defined a generation of party goers in Belgium's 90's club scene. Hot!!! More
1
Emotive Response - Darkest Times
2
Emotive Response - Reflect On The Past
3
Emotive Response - When Love Is Gone
4
Emotive Response - Dying Sunset
Final part of the 'Emotions' trilogy. Emotive Response fulfills all expectations yet again. He delivers an EP that quite easily could have been made in the heydays of the Belgian Trance era. Center piece for this 4-tracker is the iconic Roland JP 8000 synth. His nice pounding bass and grand melodies are luring us outside again, offering a blast, inspired by the past. Hop on! First two EP's sold out in no time, so don't sleep on this one! Strictly vinyl!
More
1
Intimacy - No Title
2
Intimacy - No Title
3
Intimacy - No Title
4
Intimacy - No Title
Lovely lush emotive dancetracks full of cosmic! vibes In the opening track, a male soothing voice warns us for a gravitational collapse, and he couldn't be more right! Our new family member, INTIMACY, drags you from one musical dimension to another. His outerworld soundscapes and propelling drum rhythms make you doubt whether or not you're still on earth. Enjoy the trip!
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1
v.a. - No Title
2
v.a. - No Title
3
v.a. - No Title
4
v.a. - No Title
5
v.a. - No Title
Belgian New Beat and trance influenced tracks by Betonkust, Innershades, Robert D and Deris. 'Familly Matters Vol.1 is a 5 track EP that counts as the start of a new series on the 9300 Records imprint. It's the proper result of combined forces by these trusted beat suppliers and freshman 'Deris'. Each of them delivered their own personal homage to the thriving Belgian nightlife in the late 80's and 90's, when clubs like Boccaccio and later Zillion acquired an almost legendary status. To this day, their iconic neon-signs are still etched in our collective memory. In a decade where serious scandals, that even involved bribery, lead to heavy political disputes and a huge health-crisis (the Dioxine crisis) predominated Belgian media, people were searching for a way to escape reality and these clubs helped them to leave this world behind through music and entertainment. At the end of 1999, a point of no return was reached for the federal government, but a musical legacy was built..
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1
innershades - 1 DARKNESS FADES
2
innershades - 2 KERREBROEK MEMORIES
3
innershades - 3 COCAINE VOICES
4
innershades - 4 DARKNESS FADES BETONKUST
After inaugurating the label with a first EP in december of 2014, Innershades returns home to deliver what will be the 6th release on 9300 Records. Kerrebroek Memories is the self made soundtrack of his childhood memories in the shared hometown of Aalst (Belgium). Expect to hear a homage to early Dutch electro with a modern twist and Innershades well known trademark for dancefloor injected house tracks. Rising Dutch star and new BFF of the Belgian 9300 family 'Betonkust' polished the A1-listed 'Darkness Fades' track into a melodious electro classic.
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Jacking Chicago tracks on this first EP by Offenbach's freshmen 'AM UNIT' containing three original tracks plus a solid remix by Lauer (one half of Tuff City Kids). A-sided 'Gotta Slow Down' and 'Hold Back' are classic examples of dancefloor fillers while B-sided 'Raw Jam' is a hard and super effective acid track that leaves no-one indifferent. The Dub mix of 'Gotta Slow Down' by Lauer is an oscillating interpretation of the original track with an efficient piano line! Limited to 400 hand stamped and numbered copies!
More
More
1
walrus - Plate 16
2
walrus - Spear-thrower Bucket
3
walrus - Spear-thrower Bucket (Dj October Dub)
4
walrus - Time
As for the 3rd release on the label, 9300 Records called in fellow countryman Walrus, The three original tracks on his EP take you to the Left-field side of the house music spectrum while the remix of the title track, modeled by Dj October, is a robust techno track that will simply hit you in the face.Limited to 300 hand stamped and numbered copies !
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Customers who bought this also bought this
1
DJ Pierre - acid love
2
DJ Pierre - acid love dub
1
Juan Atkins & Moritz von Oswald present - Transport (Carl Craig Remix - 12” Edit) 05:09
2
Juan Atkins & Moritz von Oswald present - Transport (Carl Craig Remix)
Territories: World excl. UK
FORMAT 12" vinyl, generic sleeve, dl card
TRACKLIST
1. / A Transport (Carl Craig Remix - 12” Edit) 05:09
2. / B Transport (Carl Craig Remix
- DJ Deep & Roman Poncet Rework) 04:30
3. Transport (Carl Craig Remix) (Digi Only) 20:24
Closely following the release of the Borderland single Riod, the focus returns on Transport, the collaborative album by Juan Atkins and Moritz von Oswald.
Long time friend and studio partner of Moritz von Oswald, Carl Craig provides a new take on “Transport”. Extending and stripping the original sequence to its bone, the illustrious Planet E president and illustrious Detroit proponent also summons a stepping drum sequence and a swaying array of moving delays. This 12“ edit is cut on the A-side. The full version of Carl Craig’s remix clocks just above 20 minutes and is available digitally.
Both are available to anyone who purchases the record, through the enclosed download card. On the flip, DJ Deep & Roman Poncet rework Carl Craig’s remix, adding their signature grooves and myriad of tough drums, to full effect. More
FORMAT 12" vinyl, generic sleeve, dl card
TRACKLIST
1. / A Transport (Carl Craig Remix - 12” Edit) 05:09
2. / B Transport (Carl Craig Remix
- DJ Deep & Roman Poncet Rework) 04:30
3. Transport (Carl Craig Remix) (Digi Only) 20:24
Closely following the release of the Borderland single Riod, the focus returns on Transport, the collaborative album by Juan Atkins and Moritz von Oswald.
Long time friend and studio partner of Moritz von Oswald, Carl Craig provides a new take on “Transport”. Extending and stripping the original sequence to its bone, the illustrious Planet E president and illustrious Detroit proponent also summons a stepping drum sequence and a swaying array of moving delays. This 12“ edit is cut on the A-side. The full version of Carl Craig’s remix clocks just above 20 minutes and is available digitally.
Both are available to anyone who purchases the record, through the enclosed download card. On the flip, DJ Deep & Roman Poncet rework Carl Craig’s remix, adding their signature grooves and myriad of tough drums, to full effect. More
1
Alva Noto - Xerrox Topia
2
Alva Noto - Xerrox Sans Nom I
3
Alva Noto - Xerrox Sans Nom II
4
Alva Noto - Xerrox Ascent I
5
Alva Noto - Xerrox Ascent II
6
Alva Noto - Xerrox Sans Repit
7
Alva Noto - Xerrox Nausicaa
8
Alva Noto - Xerrox Xenonym
9
Alva Noto - Xerrox Ada
10
Alva Noto - Xerrox Arc
11
Alva Noto - Xerrox Kryogen
12
Alva Noto - Xerrox Isotope
2LP
A1. Xerrox Topia
A2. Xerrox Sans Nom I
A3. Xerrox Sans Nom II
B1. Xerrox Ascent I
B2. Xerrox Ascent II
B3. Xerrox Sans Repit
C1. Xerrox Nausicaa
C2. Xerrox Xenonym
C3. Xerrox Ada
D1. Xerrox Arc
D2. Xerrox Kryogen
D3. Xerrox Isotope
NOTON is pleased to announce the release of Xerrox Vol. 5, the final installment of Alva Noto’s Xerrox series.
For anyone who has been following the series since its inception in 2007, the concept of Xerrox no longer requires introduction. Originally, it aimed to create copies of images—both visual and acoustic—that are more memorable than the originals. The exploration of the relationship between the original and the copy, along with the invention of the copier, not only inspired the series name but also informed its underlying concept. In 2024, this series comes to an end, marking the culmination of a journey that began with the first recording in 2005/2006. Over nearly two decades, the five albums in this series have accompanied the artist's evolving perspective and conceptual approach.
Initially characterized by rawness and a conceptual focus on seeking resolution in white noise, the later works engage with themes of dissolution while shifting their emphasis toward acoustic particles. The copying process is now less visible through software manipulation; rather, it unfolds as the artist describes melodic and acoustic images that are then manipulated, copied, and transformed into new patterns during composition.
Nicolai describes this evolution as a journey encompassing buildup, exploration, and resolution, drawing parallels to the Odyssey and the stories of Jules Verne, particularly those featuring Captain Nemo.
The conclusion of this album holds a sense of finality for the artist. “I aimed to create a whole cycle of tracks that frame both the beginning and the end,” Nicolai explains. “The motif of the journey continues, but this time, the story reaches a dissolution through a conceptual object that embarks on its own journey into infinity. The word “dissolution” (“Auflösung” in German) is a wonderful concept. On one hand, you can solve a riddle, on the other hand, a pill can completely dissolve in water. Here, I am deliberately describing the process of dissolution.”
In crafting Volume 5, Nicolai has evolved his compositional process, eschewing samples in favor of original melodies. “This album probably took the longest to complete,” he reveals. “I first created melodic sketches, which became the foundation for the pieces. These recordings are created entirely from scratch. Based on these sketches, I constructed the process of copying, manipulating, and reshaping.”
Drawing from his recent experiences working with film and larger ensembles, Nicolai's approach to composition reflects a growing influence of classical instrumentation. “This experience of working with acoustic classical instruments has flowed into the compositional process for Xerrox Vol. 5. Certain instruments are designed with potential orchestral translation in mind.”
The sonic atmosphere of Xerrox Vol. 5 is one of profound dissolution. “I wasn’t initially interested in strong, emotional melodic aspects,” Nicolai shares, “but I realized that the fragment plays a central role.” This shift leads to an emotionally charged experience, imbued with melancholy and the bittersweet essence of farewell. The passing of Ryuichi Sakamoto, an admirer of the series, has further deepened the album’s emotional resonance.
“Xerrox Vol. 5 has a lot to do with farewell,” the artist explains. "Not only the farewell to the series itself, which I’ve nurtured for almost two decades, but also there have been many farewells to people who were close to me. I believe these people are recognizable in the music. It’s a very emotional, personal album.”
Listeners can expect a visual dimension to the music, though Nicolai intentionally leaves this open to interpretation. “I prefer to allow the music to evoke personal experiences and images rather than dictate a specific narrative,” he states. The result is a layered listening experience that invites tenderness and introspection.
Xerrox Vol. 5 will be released as a limited edition vinyl, digitally, and on CD by NOTON on November 29, 2024.
Album art designed by Carsten Nicolai & Nibo.
Mastering by Bo at Calyx.
More
A1. Xerrox Topia
A2. Xerrox Sans Nom I
A3. Xerrox Sans Nom II
B1. Xerrox Ascent I
B2. Xerrox Ascent II
B3. Xerrox Sans Repit
C1. Xerrox Nausicaa
C2. Xerrox Xenonym
C3. Xerrox Ada
D1. Xerrox Arc
D2. Xerrox Kryogen
D3. Xerrox Isotope
NOTON is pleased to announce the release of Xerrox Vol. 5, the final installment of Alva Noto’s Xerrox series.
For anyone who has been following the series since its inception in 2007, the concept of Xerrox no longer requires introduction. Originally, it aimed to create copies of images—both visual and acoustic—that are more memorable than the originals. The exploration of the relationship between the original and the copy, along with the invention of the copier, not only inspired the series name but also informed its underlying concept. In 2024, this series comes to an end, marking the culmination of a journey that began with the first recording in 2005/2006. Over nearly two decades, the five albums in this series have accompanied the artist's evolving perspective and conceptual approach.
Initially characterized by rawness and a conceptual focus on seeking resolution in white noise, the later works engage with themes of dissolution while shifting their emphasis toward acoustic particles. The copying process is now less visible through software manipulation; rather, it unfolds as the artist describes melodic and acoustic images that are then manipulated, copied, and transformed into new patterns during composition.
Nicolai describes this evolution as a journey encompassing buildup, exploration, and resolution, drawing parallels to the Odyssey and the stories of Jules Verne, particularly those featuring Captain Nemo.
The conclusion of this album holds a sense of finality for the artist. “I aimed to create a whole cycle of tracks that frame both the beginning and the end,” Nicolai explains. “The motif of the journey continues, but this time, the story reaches a dissolution through a conceptual object that embarks on its own journey into infinity. The word “dissolution” (“Auflösung” in German) is a wonderful concept. On one hand, you can solve a riddle, on the other hand, a pill can completely dissolve in water. Here, I am deliberately describing the process of dissolution.”
In crafting Volume 5, Nicolai has evolved his compositional process, eschewing samples in favor of original melodies. “This album probably took the longest to complete,” he reveals. “I first created melodic sketches, which became the foundation for the pieces. These recordings are created entirely from scratch. Based on these sketches, I constructed the process of copying, manipulating, and reshaping.”
Drawing from his recent experiences working with film and larger ensembles, Nicolai's approach to composition reflects a growing influence of classical instrumentation. “This experience of working with acoustic classical instruments has flowed into the compositional process for Xerrox Vol. 5. Certain instruments are designed with potential orchestral translation in mind.”
The sonic atmosphere of Xerrox Vol. 5 is one of profound dissolution. “I wasn’t initially interested in strong, emotional melodic aspects,” Nicolai shares, “but I realized that the fragment plays a central role.” This shift leads to an emotionally charged experience, imbued with melancholy and the bittersweet essence of farewell. The passing of Ryuichi Sakamoto, an admirer of the series, has further deepened the album’s emotional resonance.
“Xerrox Vol. 5 has a lot to do with farewell,” the artist explains. "Not only the farewell to the series itself, which I’ve nurtured for almost two decades, but also there have been many farewells to people who were close to me. I believe these people are recognizable in the music. It’s a very emotional, personal album.”
Listeners can expect a visual dimension to the music, though Nicolai intentionally leaves this open to interpretation. “I prefer to allow the music to evoke personal experiences and images rather than dictate a specific narrative,” he states. The result is a layered listening experience that invites tenderness and introspection.
Xerrox Vol. 5 will be released as a limited edition vinyl, digitally, and on CD by NOTON on November 29, 2024.
Album art designed by Carsten Nicolai & Nibo.
Mastering by Bo at Calyx.
More
1
Felipe Gordon - Self Love
2
Felipe Gordon - The Punk Automata
3
Felipe Gordon - Your Feelings
4
Felipe Gordon - Please Don't Go (Feat. Bob The Egoist)
Our favourite Colombian of all time is by far Felipe Gordon. His individual (and jazzy) take on house music and beyond has given him a big following within the underground dance community. We reached out to Felipe and asked him if he wanted to do a release on GAMM with only one request..."do whatever you want".
The music we got sent back is a beautiful four-track EP that delivers all aspects of Felipe Gordon's unique take on dance music.
The main track 'Self Love' is a warm and intimate jazz excursion that also plays around with some quirky electronic ideas...feel good with a twist. The second jam 'The Punk Automata' got a more bumpy and driving rhythm and has a slightly stronger club play appeal.
On the third track 'Your Feelings' we go darker with a proper late-hours deep house jam...proper!
On the final track, Felipe teams up with Bob The Egoist (great name) for a deep and musical vocal jam entitled 'Please Don't Go'.
Don't forget about the amazing artwork supplied by our favourite Scotsman, Mr Al Kent. This man truly has the magic feel when it comes to creating authentic vinyl designs. More
The music we got sent back is a beautiful four-track EP that delivers all aspects of Felipe Gordon's unique take on dance music.
The main track 'Self Love' is a warm and intimate jazz excursion that also plays around with some quirky electronic ideas...feel good with a twist. The second jam 'The Punk Automata' got a more bumpy and driving rhythm and has a slightly stronger club play appeal.
On the third track 'Your Feelings' we go darker with a proper late-hours deep house jam...proper!
On the final track, Felipe teams up with Bob The Egoist (great name) for a deep and musical vocal jam entitled 'Please Don't Go'.
Don't forget about the amazing artwork supplied by our favourite Scotsman, Mr Al Kent. This man truly has the magic feel when it comes to creating authentic vinyl designs. 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
1
Ignez & Rødhåd - VERMILLION 01 [220207.1]
2
Ignez & Rødhåd - VERMILLION 02 [220210.1]
3
Ignez & Rødhåd - VERMILLION 03 [220208.2]
4
Ignez & Rødhåd - VERMILLION 04 [220208.1]
WSNWG continues it's collaborative story with label head Rødhåd and upcoming Dj and producer Ignez.
With the label's love for nature and like-minded interests from Ignez, their mutual affinity laid the foundation for a profound collaboration in composing a novel sonic narrative. In febuary 2022 a marathon week of studio sessions yielded these driving yet emotive tracks. This EP initiates the first interoperation of a two-part series. More
With the label's love for nature and like-minded interests from Ignez, their mutual affinity laid the foundation for a profound collaboration in composing a novel sonic narrative. In febuary 2022 a marathon week of studio sessions yielded these driving yet emotive tracks. This EP initiates the first interoperation of a two-part series. More
2022 VINYL REPRESS….
Waveform Transmission Vol.3 initially came out in 1994 on Tresor Records.
The eight titles on the album marked a turning point for Jeff Mills. It indicates a transition from the straightforward sound he had created through the early 1990's, into the different facets and sound pallet he will develop through the remainder of the decade. It is a significant piece within Jeff Mills' masterwork.
TRACKLIST: A1. The Extremist 04:13 A2. Solid Sleep 03:49 B1. Life Cycle 03:52 B2. Workers 03:15 C1. Wrath Of The Punisher 03:46 C2. DNA More
Waveform Transmission Vol.3 initially came out in 1994 on Tresor Records.
The eight titles on the album marked a turning point for Jeff Mills. It indicates a transition from the straightforward sound he had created through the early 1990's, into the different facets and sound pallet he will develop through the remainder of the decade. It is a significant piece within Jeff Mills' masterwork.
TRACKLIST: A1. The Extremist 04:13 A2. Solid Sleep 03:49 B1. Life Cycle 03:52 B2. Workers 03:15 C1. Wrath Of The Punisher 03:46 C2. DNA More
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SW. - HÄÄlene ___
2
SW. - the beauty
3
SW. - HE is stupid
4
SW. - Ha
5
SW. - green
6
SW. - malady
7
SW. - horizon
8
SW. - anima
2LP
Tracklist:
A1. HÄÄlene ___
A2. the beauty
A3. HE is stupid
A4. Ha
B1. green
B2. malady
B3. horizon
B4. anima
mindSET is the ninth album from enigmatic producer SW., directly following this summer’s excursion into his trademark techno, IDM and bleep soundscapes, on the myDEFINITIONS Vol II album. But with his mindSET album SW. takes a left turn, as pioneers often do, and we find ourselves on the lesser traveled side roads of electronic music history. Or in SW.’s own words: “the more abstract leftfield elements.”
It’s in these less-defined areas that SW. finds his sweet spot, building dancefloor soundtracks that defied definition. And with mindSET the sounds and the machines might have changed, the methodology remains the same.
“It draws from what was more generally seen in leftfield as a term for the slightly off-kilter house and broken beats that didn’t fit neatly into classic genres, whether that was Chicago house, French garage, drum and bass, or broken beat. It’s more about those in-between sounds that never really took off, only appearing briefly in the early to mid-90s and then quickly disappearing. There was a certain magic in that moment, which I wanted to capture. Also, the entire album was produced using classic analog equipment, with old machines that were used during that era. That’s the approach I’ve taken.”
The eight tracks on mindSET are shaped out of de-tuned techno pop synths and heavy, syncopated drums, grooving along chopped-up polymeters to create an eerie mood, as if orbiting an undiscovered planet for the first time. The harmonic movements are often bent out of shape, sometimes veering towards Gherkin Jerks or Cristian Vogel territory. But in the end, the sounds are less important than the atmosphere, and the tracks represent an attitude or an approach - to creating the music as well as experiencing it. mindSET is a nod to those dancers sharing an oddball moment, and for those of us on the same wavelength, it's a vibe we can all get inside.
More
Tracklist:
A1. HÄÄlene ___
A2. the beauty
A3. HE is stupid
A4. Ha
B1. green
B2. malady
B3. horizon
B4. anima
mindSET is the ninth album from enigmatic producer SW., directly following this summer’s excursion into his trademark techno, IDM and bleep soundscapes, on the myDEFINITIONS Vol II album. But with his mindSET album SW. takes a left turn, as pioneers often do, and we find ourselves on the lesser traveled side roads of electronic music history. Or in SW.’s own words: “the more abstract leftfield elements.”
It’s in these less-defined areas that SW. finds his sweet spot, building dancefloor soundtracks that defied definition. And with mindSET the sounds and the machines might have changed, the methodology remains the same.
“It draws from what was more generally seen in leftfield as a term for the slightly off-kilter house and broken beats that didn’t fit neatly into classic genres, whether that was Chicago house, French garage, drum and bass, or broken beat. It’s more about those in-between sounds that never really took off, only appearing briefly in the early to mid-90s and then quickly disappearing. There was a certain magic in that moment, which I wanted to capture. Also, the entire album was produced using classic analog equipment, with old machines that were used during that era. That’s the approach I’ve taken.”
The eight tracks on mindSET are shaped out of de-tuned techno pop synths and heavy, syncopated drums, grooving along chopped-up polymeters to create an eerie mood, as if orbiting an undiscovered planet for the first time. The harmonic movements are often bent out of shape, sometimes veering towards Gherkin Jerks or Cristian Vogel territory. But in the end, the sounds are less important than the atmosphere, and the tracks represent an attitude or an approach - to creating the music as well as experiencing it. mindSET is a nod to those dancers sharing an oddball moment, and for those of us on the same wavelength, it's a vibe we can all get inside.
More
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Mike Dunn Presents MDIII - 43-31
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Mike Dunn Presents MDIII - Acid Feet Phaze One
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Mike Dunn Presents MDIII - Time Machine
Mike Dunn is a pivotal house artist who brought his own famously raw and stripped-back style combined with infectious hip hop elements. He is behind plenty of well-known anthems, most famously 'Dance You Mutha' and 'God Made Me Phunky', and founded Dance Mutha in 1988. It released music by MD Connection, Gershon Jackson and I-ROC-T, while Dunn also co-founded seminal acid labels Warehouse Records and Muzique Records which played a key role in the development of Chicago and acid house. Dunn has continued to produce over the ensuing four decades and has landed on the likes of Defected, Nu-Groove, Classic, Trax and many more. The relaunch of the Dance Mutha label has been inspired in part by Dunn's discovery of a raft of 'lost' unreleased masters from the late '80s and early '90s. It's these tracks that provide the jumping-off point with this new release. '43:31' is the first out of the blocks and brings prickly acid texture to raw analogue drums. Slapping hits add extra bite to this most stripped-back and effective slice of pure warehouse music. Then come the snappy snares and deep bass of 'Acid Feet (Phaze 1)'. This spare, impactful cut is riddled with shapeshifting acid and caustic synth textures that bring the rugged drums to life. Last of all, the excellent Time Machine' will indeed take you all the way back to the dark, delirious and delicious days of the earliest acid house with its wonky 303s burrowing deep into the night next to coarse claps and ice-cold hits. Support from Francois K DJ Bone Paranoid London Gerd Tasha Ben Sims DJ Deep Josh Wink Massimiliano Pagliara Eclair Fifi Optimo Alexander Nut
More
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The Advent - TK421
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The Advent - Clap Trap
3
The Advent - Bad Transfer
4
The Advent - Mugger Scum
Tracklisting
A1 The Advent - TK421
A2 The Advent - Clap Trap
B1 The Advent - Bad Transfer
B2 The Advent - Mugger Scum
Sales Note
***
The place is now
let us accept the time forever
and you'll wear your silver shoes.
*** More
A1 The Advent - TK421
A2 The Advent - Clap Trap
B1 The Advent - Bad Transfer
B2 The Advent - Mugger Scum
Sales Note
***
The place is now
let us accept the time forever
and you'll wear your silver shoes.
*** More
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UFO95 & Rødhåd - LAVENDE 01 [240107.2]
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UFO95 & Rødhåd - LAVENDE 02 [240107.1]
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UFO95 & Rødhåd - LAVENDE 03 [240106]
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UFO95 & Rødhåd - LAVENDE 04 [240110]
We are excited to announce the next collaborative release on the WSNWG Label. LAVANDE is the result of a one week long jam session between french producer and live performer UFO95 and label head Rødhåd in January this year.
The EP will be released on vinyl and in digital formats on the 7th of June. A Special Edition limited to 100 copies will be available on the same date at 12.00pm CET via the WSNWG bandcamp site.
Written & Produced by UFO95 and Rødhåd at WSNWG Studio Berlin.
Mastered by Conor Dalton at Calyx Mastering in Berlin.
Vinyl cut at Schnittstelle in Berlin.
A1 LAVENDE 01 [240107.2] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
A2 LAVENDE 02 [240107.1] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
B1 LAVENDE 03 [240106] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
B2 LAVENDE 04 [240110] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
More
The EP will be released on vinyl and in digital formats on the 7th of June. A Special Edition limited to 100 copies will be available on the same date at 12.00pm CET via the WSNWG bandcamp site.
Written & Produced by UFO95 and Rødhåd at WSNWG Studio Berlin.
Mastered by Conor Dalton at Calyx Mastering in Berlin.
Vinyl cut at Schnittstelle in Berlin.
A1 LAVENDE 01 [240107.2] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
A2 LAVENDE 02 [240107.1] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
B1 LAVENDE 03 [240106] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
B2 LAVENDE 04 [240110] - UFO95 & Rødhåd
More
DARKSIDE is the collaborative duo of guitarist/composer Dave Harrington and electronic producer Nicolas Jaar. DARKSIDE summon a hybrid of electronic music, psychedelic rock, and dancefloor techno with the sort of artistic depth and breadth for which the term "progressive" was coined. DARKSIDE's first fulllength album-released on Nico's own Other People label in conjunction with Matador Records-is called Psychic. DARKSIDE's Psychic is a watershed moment for the duo, a quantum leap forward from their 3-song debut, 2011's DARKSIDE EP. At any given moment, Psychic encompasses the ritualistic structures and methodologies of krautrock, the cosmic exploration of classic space-rock, and the immersive, body-moving transcendence of 21st century house and techno-but, working with the finishingeach- others'-sentences fluidity of kindred spirits, Dave and Nico synthesize it all into a living, breathing whole. DARKSIDE are deep listeners and creators
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