stickered sleeve

Tracklisting:
A1 FBK - Think For Yourself
A2 FBK - Pause In Activity
B1 FBK - Nightfall
B2 FBK - Faiths Lusty Reward
B3 FBK - Aftfore (Marcel Dettmann remix)

Release Note:
FBK has been pumping out releases since 1994 as a staple in the midwest. Under aliases The Sleep Engineer (Xplor) and Powerhouse on The Acid Junkies' the Acid Life, he has been a shapeshifter with a steady stream of minimal, pure motorik pulsations that embody that Midwest Freak power. Measured yet transcendently driving - a mind-bending wormhole that weaves dark introspective turns into the unknown, Think For Yourself covers a diaspora of modes for the floor - all while encapsulating the energy of his live sets that we know and love. Topped off with a subterranean remix by undeniable icon Marcel Dettmann - a huge honor to have his name grace this release. More

American producer FBK returns to Rekids with his debut album entitled 'More Stories From The Future'. Long-term house and techno heavyweight, Kevin M. Kennedy aka FBK has a career spanning three decades. Debuting with a seminal release on Frictional in '97, Kennedy went on to appear on labels like diametric. and Urban Kickz, whilst more recent releases have landed on Barba Records, Suspected (alongside Paul Mac) and Rekids - kick-starting the label's Special Projects series. With a close bond to Detroit greats like Anthony 'Shake' Shakir, Daniel Bell, Claude Young, Keith Tucker and Sherard Ingram (DJ Stingray), FBK is considered a true contemporary. Returning to Rekids for his inaugural long player, 'More Stories From The Future' demonstrates his versatility within the studio and mirrors his genre-bending approach to performing, both as a DJ and live act. 'Modular Life' brings deep resonating lows, liquid pads and clinical percussion, before the psychedelic vocals of 'I'll Sit Back, You'll Jack' join smashing snares and intensifying synths. Exhibiting erratic sound design, 'Layers of Fear' comes complete with pumping drums and intense hi-hats, until 'Hassling' offers a stepping groove, thick pad stabs and deep sub movement. 'Headless' gets modular heavy with bubbling effects and shuffling rhythm, preceding the driving kicks of 'Gate Closing' where ghostly vocals meet enveloping acid growls. 'The Boxing Lesson' delivers punchy kicks and steppy snares under lofty atmospherics, ending on 'The Finisher's Heart' where evolving detuned synths flow over powerful percussion. More

5th release of the strong Barba records! And its FBK who's back featuring a remix by none other than Claude Young - a Detroit heavy-weight who's been particularly selective with his output. Kevin's previous record for Barba, a 2016 twelve titled "Screaming Her Name", also featured a remixes by Terrence Dixon and Plural. Between then and now Kevin managed to put out a track for "The Cast Project" VA and a solo EP for Radio Slave's "Rekids" imprint. As we mentioned earlier, "Eclipse" features two original tracks, the title one and "To A Place I Know". "Eclipse" track is closer to the sound we've come to associate to FBK's productions - equally banging and meditative. This track takes you for a spin with hypnotizing lead synth, distorted acid lines and drums that intensify the vibe as the track progresses. It's dark and moody, but perfect for those moments when the dancefloor is ready to dive really deep. "To A Place I Know" starts on the similar note but as soon as the sampled vocal loop takes the lead it takes the song to a much happier place. Hypnotizing element is still unavoidably present but here the synth line is more subdued and plays a supporting role to the vocals. Something you would play when you need to dive out from the deep and feel some sun on your skin. Finally, Claude Young's remix of "Eclipse" is a fairly different affair, focusing on the meditative aspect of the original quite literally, and taking it to a whole other level. It is an exercise in restraint and patience, with a slowly-rising tension masterfully achieved by a piano line, ambient pads and synth textures subtly exchanging roles throughout the whole length of the song. Simply wonderful. All that, pressed onto a heavy duty 180 gram vinyl and beautifully packaged in an original artwork traditionally featuring local artists More

Rekids introduces a new vinyl only series titled Rekids Special Projects. A more techno orientated division of the label that will feature appearances from the likes of John Hester, Markus Suckut, and DJ Deep amongst others. First up is Ohio-based producer FBK, real name Kevin M. Kennedy, who has a career spanning three decades and after a seminal release on Frictional Recordings back in the 90's recent releases have seen him appear on labels such as Marcel Dettmann Records, Barba Records and diametric. Intricate drums and jagged synths initiate ‘You Are Not Fixed’ whilst a looped sample recurs throughout the mix. ‘Dynamonium’ then enters deeper territories as echoing stabs join a low slung meandering groove before ‘Set It Free’ ups the energy with rumbling kicks, distorted vocal murmurs and tantalizing melodies. ‘The Final Escape’ then closes the release with a syncopated drum arrangement, mesmerising chords and ethereal atmospherics. More

Texas-based electro producer Cygnus broke the post "Cosmos" LP hiatus with 2018's "ne0 ge0" EP on Barba. Now, less than a year since, it feels like a good time to present another record from this artist worthy of the highest echelons of electro universe. "Liquid Sunlight" EP consists of four tracks: "Quicksilver Surprise", "Behold The Spirit", "Crystals In Your Mind" and "Liquid Soul" which all share common qualities of his previous work - deep, spacey, richly textured and just really well crafted electro music. Throughout the record's various moods, there's an undertone of melancholy and beauty. What Cygnus does so masterfully here is combine the futuristic imagery with deeply human emotions, a juxtaposition which makes the result feel much deeper than the sum of those parts. Without a doubt, "Liquid Sunlight" is a wonderful example of how electro in 2019 can sound. Respectful to the genre's tradition yet looking toward the future. Technology led but deeply grounded in the human condition. Engaging in solitary home listening, powerful at 4 AM in the club. All of our releases, this one's pressed onto a heavy duty 180 gram vinyl and beautifully dressed in an original artwork by local artist. More

Return of the UK producer Allen Saei aka Aubrey on the mighty Barba label is another bold statement in the discography of this well-versed artist. Building on the relationship with the Burek/Barba/Pomalo family established through remixes of Information Ghetto's "Inspiration" track (Burek 2013), DJ Stingray's "Communication System" (Barba 2015) and his solo "Clock Funk EP" (Barba 2017), for this record Aubrey presents us with a continuation of his previous Barba release, simplistically titled "Clock Funk 2" EP. As is to be expected from a guy who's been spending time in the studio for better part of the last three decades, this 12" is pure techno, in the best sense of the word. As mature and consistent as the previous record of the series, we have Aubrey building on that ground and expanding the range into more abrasive and rough on one side, and even more subtle and humane on the other. A1, titled "Clock Funk 2" is among the subtle ones. Beautiful cascading keys, glitchy synth bleeps and lead lines intertwine into a gorgeous composition grounded by a driving bassline and counterpinted with distorted ride cymbals. Uniquely sounding track which draws influences from many corners of the planet. A2, titled "Sel Moulo" sets a point for the other side of the spectrum. The heaviest and roughest, it locks the frame in which this EP works. Direct, abstract and firmly aimed towards the dancefloor, this cut is for the peak moment of the night when its combination of jacking beats and trippy leads will just push the craziness off the edge. B1, the most humane and gentle track on the EP, "Triads" is a perfect match for the A1 cut, although slower and calmer. Again, the similar approach is used, where the perfectly tuned combination of small synth and keys elements form a complex image which will stay ingrained into anyone's mind once you play it in the right moment. Again, it's hard not to reach for the word "beautiful" when describing this one. B2, Ghost Mist, is on the other hand a match for the heavy A2, but also not as intense. A repetitive affair, with abstract synth lines and disharmonic pads serving as an emotion injection just when they're needed. Common thread moving through all four cuts is an infectious groove intertwined with synth lines that would not be misplaced amongst the best examples of space-influenced techno music firmly grounded on the floor. All that, pressed onto a heavy duty 180 gram vinyl and beautifully packaged in an original artwork by local artist EmaEmaEma. More

Texas-based electronic music producer Phillip Washington aka Cygnus was on bit of a hiatus since his phenomenal "Cosmos" long play on Fundamental Records, released near the end of 2016. With this EP, titled "ne0 ge0", he's breaking the silence and we're extremely happy to see it happening through Barba imprint. The record consists of 4 cuts; "Zone Shifting", "Vertexing", "ne0-ge0" and "Astronoot" which all share common qualities of his previous work - deep, spacey, richly textured and really well crafted. "Zone Shifting" is what electro in 2018 should sound like. Deep, emotional and futuristic but well grounded in the human condition through the vocal line which seems to haunt from the distance. "Vertexing" is a slightly more paced, moodier affair with slow enveloping Vangelis-esque synth lines bleeding all over traditional electro sounding beat. However, in this case that's exactly what's needed. Title track, "ne0-ge0" is the first one on the flip side and the busiest one. Creasing of multiple synth lines and pads is done in such an expertly elegant manner that you just can't resist but play it loud on a big soundsystem and see what it does to the dancefloor. And finally, record closes with "Astronoot", and as B2 tracks usually are - it's the deepest of them all, reserved for those heady moments when you need something to bring the magic to the next level. More

5th release of the strong Barba records! And its FBK who's back featuring a remix by none other than Claude Young - a Detroit heavy-weight who's been particularly selective with his output. Kevin's previous record for Barba, a 2016 twelve titled "Screaming Her Name", also featured a remixes by Terrence Dixon and Plural. Between then and now Kevin managed to put out a track for "The Cast Project" VA and a solo EP for Radio Slave's "Rekids" imprint. As we mentioned earlier, "Eclipse" features two original tracks, the title one and "To A Place I Know". "Eclipse" track is closer to the sound we've come to associate to FBK's productions - equally banging and meditative. This track takes you for a spin with hypnotizing lead synth, distorted acid lines and drums that intensify the vibe as the track progresses. It's dark and moody, but perfect for those moments when the dancefloor is ready to dive really deep. "To A Place I Know" starts on the similar note but as soon as the sampled vocal loop takes the lead it takes the song to a much happier place. Hypnotizing element is still unavoidably present but here the synth line is more subdued and plays a supporting role to the vocals. Something you would play when you need to dive out from the deep and feel some sun on your skin. Finally, Claude Young's remix of "Eclipse" is a fairly different affair, focusing on the meditative aspect of the original quite literally, and taking it to a whole other level. It is an exercise in restraint and patience, with a slowly-rising tension masterfully achieved by a piano line, ambient pads and synth textures subtly exchanging roles throughout the whole length of the song. Simply wonderful. All that, pressed onto a heavy duty 180 gram vinyl and beautifully packaged in an original artwork traditionally featuring local artists More

UK producer Allen Saei aka Aubrey is no stranger to Burek family, having already remixed Information Ghetto's "Inspiration" track for Burek in 2013 and DJ Stingray's "Communication System" track released on Barba in 2015. As is to be expected from a guy who's been spending time in the studio for better part of the last three decades, on 13th Barba release Aubrey delivers a mature and consistent space-themed club 12" titled "Space Funk". Although pretty self-referential as a whole, each track on the 12" offers a different take on the topic. "Clock Funk" and "Space Jazz" are quite direct and peak time, "Spaceship Blues" is a chunky funk workout and "Path To Nowhere" is somewhat deeper introspective piece. Common thread moving through all four cuts is an infectious groove intertwined with synth lines that would not be misplaced amongst the best examples of space-influenced techno music firmly grounded on the floor but with eyes on the future. All that, pressed onto a heavy duty 180 gram vinyl and beautifully packaged in an original artwork by local artist EmaEmaEma. More

Alex Cortex delivering the heat!! Mr Cortex is kicking hard with a direct and mental techno tracks! Oscillon, A1, is a bleepy affair, direct and repetitive, but please, play it loud and watch. Rheometric is in the same alley as Oscillon but bringing the bleeps and glitches trip even more in your face. Combined with the fat but quirky bassline, it does the peak time techno thing extremely well. B1's title "Shear Wave" does the track justice. Backed by a fat downtempo beat, the distorted 303-reminiscent synth line cuts through the mix in a way that's impossible to ignore. Strain Rate Tensor rounds up the previous three cuts, also in a very dancefloor-friendly manner. Bubbly main lead and anxiety-inducing pad sneaking in the background seem to be the main thing, until another synth hits you as a counterpoint and flips everything upside down. Proper no-nonsens stuff!! (comes on 180grams vinyl) More

London-born producer Colin Lindo aka Nubian Mindz is not your average predictable artist. You know his stuff's gonna be good, but there's a solid chance you'll be surprised with a thing or two in every track. Similar approach applies here. Generally speaking, the music is deep and rich, yet very direct and club ready, but with plenty of those unpredictable moments which made us go crazy for these tracks in the first place. A1 - "Aqua Lifeforms" is perhaps the least intense cut on the record, a sort of a slow grower which builds up momentum by layering sounds and pads. A2 - "Body Mover" is exactly what the title tells you. Crunchy peak time tune for the dance floor, with shuffling broken beats wrapping around deep chords that hint what's happening on the flip side. B1 - "Doorway To Her" is a nod to the classic deep techno chord-ish approach. Well, sort of. The song lets you think that until the first curveball just before the half of the track. After that, it's just deeper than deep. B2 - "Pulsing Hearts" is another well-crafted dance floor cut. The track moves from deep meditative vibe to subtle acid tripping, just to be finished with a proper bass workout. Overall, we couldn't think of a better way to mark the 10th Barba release. More

Killer deep spaced out electro tracks!!! Over 20 years ago Shad T. Scott and his pal Seven set up Isophlux Records, Miami's infamous first electronic imprint releasing, as they put 'techno, electro, funk, experimental, and anything good'. Now in year 2016, Shad under his Gosub alias releases this Sunday At Battle Ship Key titled EP for Barba Records, staying true to that initial principle. Its far away from just being good though, its beautiful and warm electronic music at its best, oozing chill and feel good moods. Original two tracks are accompanied with a remix by second time appearing on Barba - JTC aka Tadd Mullinix who this time nicely surprised us with his ol' school NY style house beauty. Overall one fine classic record this, period.

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