Territories: WORLD minus UK

2026 Repress

FORMAT 12" 180g vinyl, generic sleeve, dl card

TRACKLIST

A1. Master Builder (Original Mix) 03:37
A2. Master Builder (Sandman Option) 04:03
B. Quartz 06:35

RELEASE INFO:
Almost 30 years after its initial release, and accompanying the re-release of ’Internal Empire’ Tresor Records is proud to present a new pressing of Robert Hood’s essential “Master Builder” EP.
This work elevates its maker as master, and remains a cherished moment in the Tresor story, sharing an irrefutable singular magic, sounding as present and indispensable as when first created. Originally released in 1994 and 1995, ‘Internal Empire’ and "Master Builder" mark a point of transition for Robert Hood moving on from his previous collaborations within Underground Resistance. Robert Hood advanced uncovering the power of true minimalism. Deep soul through a simplicity that showed how much could be done with so little. The devastating rhythms of this album forge the unmatched spirit of this sound, influencing generations to come.
"25 years ago, I was faced with the challenge of following up on 'Minimal Nation'. I cancelled all my tour dates for that summer, setup my studio in the living room and began to work on 'Internal Empire'. My intention was to create something distinctively dierent. Looking out my living room window in Detroit watching people go by gave me a new perspective. It made me look at the world within myself. 25 years later I am still discovering.” - Robert Hood, 2019

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

2026 Repress

FORMAT 2LP black vinyl, full printed sleeve, download code

TRACKLIST
A1 Internal Empire 03:23
A2 Minus 05:22
B1 Within 03:10
B2 Home 07:32
C Rek 03:46
D1 Chase 05:59
D2 Spirit Levels 05:05

Release Info:
This album holds an undeniable significance, serving as a cornerstone of both techno and Tresor's legacy. Its story is deeply entwined with that of the label, following Robert Hood's Waveform Transmission 2 under his The Vision moniker, released just one year earlier and reissued on Tresor in 2023. On Internal Empire Robert Hood perfected his signature sound already present on Waveform Transmission 2, marking a pivotal moment in techno's history. It elevates its maker as master, sharing an irrefutable singular magic, sounding as present and indispensable as when first created. To understand this work fully is to stand back and celebrate its impact.
Originally released in 1994, the album marks a point of transition for Robert Hood moving on from his previous collaborations within Underground Resistance. Robert Hood advanced, uncovering the power of true minimalism. Deep soul through a simplicity that showed how much could be done with so little. The devastating rhythms of this album forge the unmatched spirit of this sound, influencing generations to come.
"I was faced with the challenge of following up on 'Minimal Nation’. I cancelled all my tour dates for that summer, set up my studio in the living room and began to work on 'Internal Empire'. My intention was to create something distinctively different. Looking out my living room window in Detroit watching people go by gave me a new perspective. It made me look at the world within myself. Years later I am still discovering.”
– Robert Hood

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More

Formats: 3LP Regular Edition

Tracklistings

3LP Regular Edition

A1. Old Codes
A2. Mermaids
A3. Whose Money
B1. Brazilification
B2. Serratia Marcescens
C1. The Sheriff
C2. Feinman
D1. The Light of Jesus
D2. Strange Thoughts
E1. Fila Funk
F1. Pots & Pans
F2. New Chaos

The Label:

Forever Records

Music springs eternal. Recognising the enduring power of timeless albums to guide us through life, Forever Records is a reissue series dedicated to rediscovering lost musical treasures from across the spectrum of head-feeding, heart-rending electronic music.

Established by Rush Hour co-founder Christiaan Macdonald and Delsin founder Marsel van der Wielen, Forever Records places heartfelt faith in a carefully curated sequence of seminal, largely forgotten records from disparate eras, scenes and spaces within electronic music history. Tipped towards the mellow and introspective, these are albums that stop time when the needle hits the groove, stirring only when it's time to flip over before you sink back into the experience. That's what albums were always meant to be about, back then, right now, always and forever.



The Release:
Striking the sweet spot between sampledelic downtempo and earth-rooted deep house, Fila Brazillia's Old Codes New Chaos is a maverick patchwork of grooves and soundscapes. Crafted in North East England in the vibrant period before chill-out was co-opted by advertising, Steve Cobby and David McSherry's sharp-eared funk formula remains a cult classic suite of exquisite productions spanning deep house, broken beat and ambient shot through with wry humour.

Last physically released in limited quantities in 2002, Forever Records are revisiting this 1994 gem with an extensive reissue led by a triple vinyl pressing, newly mastered from the original mixdowns. There will also be a limited edition, 4LP edition including bonus tracks 'Rankine' (Live at Bounce), 'Chemistry' and 'Rankine', plus an exclusive print of Catherine Brennand's watercolour painting that graces the front of the album. A limited edition, gold disc CD housed in a digi-pack will also be available. All editions also features liner notes by veteran music journalist John McCready.

Press response to Old Codes New Chaos:

"The album that made the world finally sit up and take notice of the avant funk grooves coming from Hull's immaculately stoned tech funk magicians." Frank Tope, Mixmag, UK 1994.

"This album… stands out a mile from most of its peers as a work of untouchable genius." Bill Brewster, DJ Mag UK 1994.

"Fila works because they fit into that no man’s land, the space in your record collection where ambient seems too much like wallpaper and house seems just too braindead for your bedroom " Frank Tope, Mixmag, UK 1994.

"Having already created the perfect desert island disc, "Mermaids" and explored the darker side of sub bass on the 17-minute extravaganza "Fila Funk", Fila Brazillia have just unleashed their moving debut LP, "Old Codes New Chaos", and to be quite honest, you'd be a fool to miss out this time around." Mandi James, Melody Maker, UK 1994.

“Where Cobby and Man rip up the rulebook on the four to the floor and probably make the greatest afterhours house album in the word”. Tony Marcus, Mixmag, 1996.

Sicherheits- und Herstellerinformationen / safety and manufacturer info (GPSR)
WAS - Word and Sound Medien GmbH
Liebigstrasse 2-20
DE - 22113 Hamburg
Germany
Contact: [email protected]More