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Lowtec - A1
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Lowtec - A2
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Lowtec - B1
4
Lowtec - B2
Repress!
After 19 years in the game, techno veteran Jens "Lowtec" Kuhn is still going strong. While he's recently been in a nostalgic mood - as reissues of early material prove - Kuhn is still capable of producing fresh, high quality material. There's much to enjoy about this first EP for new Malmo label Blundar, from the loud tape hiss, spooky melodies and weirdo ambient dub intent of "Track 2", to the moody, early Autechre throb of Skam-ish closer "Track 4". Dancefloor-minded thrills come in the shape of hypnotic opener "Track 1" - all unsettling, one-note chords, restless rhythms and distant electronics - and the hard-to-pigeonhole madness of the schizophrenic "Track 3".
More
After 19 years in the game, techno veteran Jens "Lowtec" Kuhn is still going strong. While he's recently been in a nostalgic mood - as reissues of early material prove - Kuhn is still capable of producing fresh, high quality material. There's much to enjoy about this first EP for new Malmo label Blundar, from the loud tape hiss, spooky melodies and weirdo ambient dub intent of "Track 2", to the moody, early Autechre throb of Skam-ish closer "Track 4". Dancefloor-minded thrills come in the shape of hypnotic opener "Track 1" - all unsettling, one-note chords, restless rhythms and distant electronics - and the hard-to-pigeonhole madness of the schizophrenic "Track 3".
More
More records from Lowtec
1
Lowtec - Excerpt 1
2
Lowtec - Excerpt 2
3
Lowtec - Excerpt 3
4
Lowtec - Excerpt 4
5
Lowtec - Excerpt 5
6
Lowtec - Excerpt 6
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Lowtec - Excerpt 7
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Lowtec - Excerpt 8
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Lowtec - Excerpt 9
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Lowtec - Excerpt 10
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Lowtec - Excerpt 11
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Lowtec - Excerpt 12
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Lowtec - Excerpt 13
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Lowtec - Excerpt 14
15
Lowtec - Excerpt 15
Captivating, cinematic, side-long Electronica & leftfield House extravaganza.
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Lowtec - No Title
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Lowtec - No Title
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Lowtec - No Title
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Lowtec - No Title
5
Lowtec - No Title
Workshop's Lowtec with a stunner for blundar! 12” 180g 33? RPM 300 hand numbered copies.
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1
Lowtec - Hotel D Europe
2
Lowtec - Boy With The Broken Glasses
3
Lowtec - Light Surfing (Part A)
4
Lowtec - Light Surfing (Part B)
5
Lowtec - Vintage Internet
6
Lowtec - Mythenquai
7
Lowtec - Interna
8
Lowtec - Burnt Toast
2LP
The man behind Workshop and Out To Lunch famously takes his time to make electronic productions that are, in turn, out of time. Over the course of his career he's released tracks that could have been made yesterday, years ago, or a decade into the future. with Avenue 66 he's found a leftfield home that celebrates pure creativity, that embraces the liminal, the weird and the sublime. Light Surfing fits all of these descriptors.
The double-LP rewards deep, repeated listening. There's plenty to unpack, but those who cherish the murky bangers that have been Lowtec's stock and trade will find plenty to love. "Boy With The Broken Glasses" weaves a subtle, dancehall-inflected riddim into hazy ambient house, while the closer, "Burnt Toast," is the latest example of Kuhn's uncanny ability to perfectly fit a soulful vocal sample into an alien dance floor soundscape.
Unexpected moments of sideways beauty also unfurl across the four sides. The two-part "Light Surfing" is one of Lowtec's most evocative suites to a date-its mournful string soundtrack is the album's recurring, longing motif. Elsewhere, as on "Mynthenquai," Kuhn applies avant-garde strategies to his synth leads, taking us on head-spinning melodic journeys.
Light Surfing is a masterful balancing act between dream states and machine-like efficiency, the experimental and functional, precision and spontanaeity. Lowtec could have only gotten here by taking his time.
A1 Hotel D Europe
A2 Boy With The Broken Glasses
B1 Light Surfing (Part A)
B2 Light Surfing (Part B)
B3 Vintage Internet
C1 Mythenquai
C2 Interna
D1 Burnt Toast
More
The man behind Workshop and Out To Lunch famously takes his time to make electronic productions that are, in turn, out of time. Over the course of his career he's released tracks that could have been made yesterday, years ago, or a decade into the future. with Avenue 66 he's found a leftfield home that celebrates pure creativity, that embraces the liminal, the weird and the sublime. Light Surfing fits all of these descriptors.
The double-LP rewards deep, repeated listening. There's plenty to unpack, but those who cherish the murky bangers that have been Lowtec's stock and trade will find plenty to love. "Boy With The Broken Glasses" weaves a subtle, dancehall-inflected riddim into hazy ambient house, while the closer, "Burnt Toast," is the latest example of Kuhn's uncanny ability to perfectly fit a soulful vocal sample into an alien dance floor soundscape.
Unexpected moments of sideways beauty also unfurl across the four sides. The two-part "Light Surfing" is one of Lowtec's most evocative suites to a date-its mournful string soundtrack is the album's recurring, longing motif. Elsewhere, as on "Mynthenquai," Kuhn applies avant-garde strategies to his synth leads, taking us on head-spinning melodic journeys.
Light Surfing is a masterful balancing act between dream states and machine-like efficiency, the experimental and functional, precision and spontanaeity. Lowtec could have only gotten here by taking his time.
A1 Hotel D Europe
A2 Boy With The Broken Glasses
B1 Light Surfing (Part A)
B2 Light Surfing (Part B)
B3 Vintage Internet
C1 Mythenquai
C2 Interna
D1 Burnt Toast
More
1
Lowtec, - Coldred
2
Lowtec, - Darrynane
3
Lowtec, - Twizel
Lowtec returns to Nonplus with his second release on the label and smothers us with his sonic art yet again. a) Lowtec ?Coldred? This piece of steel strong Berlin edged Tech house pumps along from the outset, leaving no doubt that this is one to get on and enjoy. As the title suggests, the cold dark eerie sound is built for warehouses and masterfully grows into a ?Lost for words? type tune. b1) Lowtec ?Darrynane? ?Darrynane? is the first on the flip. Uncomfortable jittering beat compression is sketched into a subtle shift of swirling synths and vocal samples that drive this tune along on a hypnotic groove. b2) Lowtec ?Twizel? ?Twizel? is an attention grabber from the outset. The woodblock sounds and the evening session is in progress?then the synths lead and drift into a massive sound bomb of uber lusciousness, leaving the beat behind temporarily. Upon its return, the tune lifts into a late night heads down shoulder twisting groove monster?and when the Harpsichord drops, say ?hi? to the hairs on the back of your neck.
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More
More records from blundar
1
nrl:ndr - A1
2
nrl:ndr - A2
3
nrl:ndr - A3
4
nrl:ndr - A4
5
nrl:ndr - A5
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nrl:ndr - B1
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nrl:ndr - B2
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nrl:ndr - B3
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nrl:ndr - B4
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nrl:ndr - B5
Coming from a diverse background of equal amounts hip hop and rock, the producer behind the alias of nrl:ndr got into dance music late in his musical career. After playing in kraut-oriented bands like So Many Mammals, parts of that group reformed into the live techno outfit Tren Ne´, with the goal of fusing techno elements with live drums. Playing for illegal raves with a punk-like energy, nrl:ndr has cemented his relationship with his machines in service of the dance floor.
But his solo debut on blundar is quite far removed from that scene. To understand this music, one should be aware of the conditions under which it was manufactured. Reluctant to consider himself an artist in the traditional sense, nrl:ndr makes his music free of anticipation and without apparent goals. To glean into this outre´ musical space is like putting one's ear to the boarded up windows of the photograph that adorn the front sleeve.
The album makes extensive use of the Roland JV-2080, a sample-based synth rack from 1996 with a distinctly clean sound. Our producer dives deep into the expansion cards (labeled after genres like “Hip Hop” and “World”) for curious and sometimes cheesy samples. But he also forces the JV-2080 to do things which are not its forte, like the arduous task of programming decent kick drums.
Another technique that is testament to his experimental view on music making, is the idea of using sketches of unfinished tracks with different time signatures, and mash them together into something new - of which the results of one of these experiments can be heard on the closing track and its bilingual conversation between ambient and tribal.
Full of stunted rhythms and eerie melodies, the unclassifiable nature of the music of nrl:ndr lies somewhere in the vicinity of IDM, classical avant garde and private press synth. From the epic opening track - echoing the post-kraut drumming style of Michael Shrieve - to juggling with chopped up vocal samples and treading into almost trap-like territories on A4, he crosses into a multitude of genres without getting his hands too dirty with nostalgia. More
But his solo debut on blundar is quite far removed from that scene. To understand this music, one should be aware of the conditions under which it was manufactured. Reluctant to consider himself an artist in the traditional sense, nrl:ndr makes his music free of anticipation and without apparent goals. To glean into this outre´ musical space is like putting one's ear to the boarded up windows of the photograph that adorn the front sleeve.
The album makes extensive use of the Roland JV-2080, a sample-based synth rack from 1996 with a distinctly clean sound. Our producer dives deep into the expansion cards (labeled after genres like “Hip Hop” and “World”) for curious and sometimes cheesy samples. But he also forces the JV-2080 to do things which are not its forte, like the arduous task of programming decent kick drums.
Another technique that is testament to his experimental view on music making, is the idea of using sketches of unfinished tracks with different time signatures, and mash them together into something new - of which the results of one of these experiments can be heard on the closing track and its bilingual conversation between ambient and tribal.
Full of stunted rhythms and eerie melodies, the unclassifiable nature of the music of nrl:ndr lies somewhere in the vicinity of IDM, classical avant garde and private press synth. From the epic opening track - echoing the post-kraut drumming style of Michael Shrieve - to juggling with chopped up vocal samples and treading into almost trap-like territories on A4, he crosses into a multitude of genres without getting his hands too dirty with nostalgia. More
1
Kolorit - A Side Sample
2
Kolorit - B Side Sample
The duo of Kolorit are probably best known through their respective solo careers - Jens Kuhn under the guise of Lowtec and Gunnar Wendel as that of Kassem Mosse. That the two would have a duo together should come as no surprise, as Wendel has had numerous releases on Kuhn’s label Workshop through the years.
The Kolorit project took shape sometime in 2017 following a night in Bristol where they were both booked for live shows and - on a whim - decided to combine them on stage and see what happened. This laid back and playful attitude would later manifest into the Workshop-released debut album the following year. Crafting unclassifiable mutations of house and techno through live improvisations, the two could join the dots between experimental urges and a dancefloor potential into a vision of crisp drum machines and wobbly melodies.
Lowtec being no stranger to the blundar label (his untitled album of 2015 would be the label’s first,followed by a 12” and a cassette in 2020) it would seem fitting that the duo would continue their journey here with a 2-track 12” further exploring their work. Both tracks here are proper club tools, making this a more compact and focused release than its predecessor. Yet the improvised flavors are present: on the A-side propelled by a jazzy keyboard jam that explores the room like a dancer loosening up their joints. The B-side, while maintaining a crisp motorik beat, bubbles with flourishes of synthesized flutes - somehow both euphoric and unhinged in direction - pierced by the steadfast punctuation of a Brazilian cuica.
It is evident that Kolorit are playing with the color palette of deep house, yet taking things just a notch further with a dry European sense of humor. Exuding humidity and pulsing with heat, these jams utilize the inherent qualities of the right machines without the need for an abundance of filters - making for a stripped down yet fully fleshed out aural experience. More
The Kolorit project took shape sometime in 2017 following a night in Bristol where they were both booked for live shows and - on a whim - decided to combine them on stage and see what happened. This laid back and playful attitude would later manifest into the Workshop-released debut album the following year. Crafting unclassifiable mutations of house and techno through live improvisations, the two could join the dots between experimental urges and a dancefloor potential into a vision of crisp drum machines and wobbly melodies.
Lowtec being no stranger to the blundar label (his untitled album of 2015 would be the label’s first,followed by a 12” and a cassette in 2020) it would seem fitting that the duo would continue their journey here with a 2-track 12” further exploring their work. Both tracks here are proper club tools, making this a more compact and focused release than its predecessor. Yet the improvised flavors are present: on the A-side propelled by a jazzy keyboard jam that explores the room like a dancer loosening up their joints. The B-side, while maintaining a crisp motorik beat, bubbles with flourishes of synthesized flutes - somehow both euphoric and unhinged in direction - pierced by the steadfast punctuation of a Brazilian cuica.
It is evident that Kolorit are playing with the color palette of deep house, yet taking things just a notch further with a dry European sense of humor. Exuding humidity and pulsing with heat, these jams utilize the inherent qualities of the right machines without the need for an abundance of filters - making for a stripped down yet fully fleshed out aural experience. More
1
Unfinished Portraits - A1
2
Unfinished Portraits - A2
3
Unfinished Portraits - A3
4
Unfinished Portraits - A4
5
Unfinished Portraits - B1
6
Unfinished Portraits - B2
7
Unfinished Portraits - B3
Across these 7 untitled tracks (as is the modus of all blundar releases) the producer known as Unfinished Portraits crafts a coherent album experience that is equal parts empty space and density. Working in a seemingly collage-like fashion, the opening track juxtaposes rhythmic elements that just barely fit together; declaring upon entrance that all expectations from here on out are futile. Tension builds through a sparse palette of sounds both tactile and atmospheric. Dry, isolated clicks of digital clean trickling through a humming industrial space. Segments are abstract on their own, but stitched together still form an elegant whole. Just when you think you’re getting lost into avant experimentation, something cuts in to surprising effect. It feels “live” in a way only improvised music can.
And there is a conceptual sense of humor in letting the seams of the process lay bare. A string section builds only to be cut short upon completion. A field recording is audibly (i.e. intentionally) looped. The listener is made aware of the illusion and manipulations that ‘music’ creates in the same way Martin Margiela handled ‘fashion’ - with a postmodern kind of wit.
Hailing from Cairo but residing in Argentina, Unfinished Portraits could easily exude upon a dual exoticism in nationalities and climates. This is however not on the agenda, as for where this artist truly resides, is in the hypertextual realm of late capitalism. Identity loss, internet culture, the aesthetic of sadness and the Warp Records catalogue all come into play.
No matter what city, the urban landscape is always concrete and glass. And as the sleeve photo suggests - a picture of a former park turned to rubble in the process of housing developments - all cities are essentially unfinished. More
And there is a conceptual sense of humor in letting the seams of the process lay bare. A string section builds only to be cut short upon completion. A field recording is audibly (i.e. intentionally) looped. The listener is made aware of the illusion and manipulations that ‘music’ creates in the same way Martin Margiela handled ‘fashion’ - with a postmodern kind of wit.
Hailing from Cairo but residing in Argentina, Unfinished Portraits could easily exude upon a dual exoticism in nationalities and climates. This is however not on the agenda, as for where this artist truly resides, is in the hypertextual realm of late capitalism. Identity loss, internet culture, the aesthetic of sadness and the Warp Records catalogue all come into play.
No matter what city, the urban landscape is always concrete and glass. And as the sleeve photo suggests - a picture of a former park turned to rubble in the process of housing developments - all cities are essentially unfinished. More
1
Komet - Sample1
2
Komet - Sample2
3
Byetone - Sample1
4
Byetone - Sample2
From Raster-Media; Frank Bretschneider as Komet on Side I, & Olaf Bender as Byetone on Side II - revised versions of tracks from Benjamin Brunn 2019 BLUNDAR7 LP.
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1
Sacred Grove - A1
2
Sacred Grove - A2
3
Sacred Grove - A3
4
Sacred Grove - B1
5
Sacred Grove - B2
6
Sacred Grove - B3
A sacred grove is a place in a forest thought to hold spiritual powers. Throughout history, these sites have been places of worship and ritual. Since the rave boom of 89’ - a new generation has found an alliance with nature steeped in hedonistic abandonment. So it is a befitting alias for the Malmö-based producer Teodor to use in order to serve us these spiritual excursions into ‘open air’ territory. While he has previously donned this mantle to provide atmospheric lo-fi techno on the Japanese label City-2 St. Giga (then as a duo with his friend DJ Natto) - here he hits closer to the deep house palette of his 2017 album ‘Neo Geo’ under the alias Fyodor The DJ.
For the 8th instalment on blundar, the artist has worked closely with the label in picking out the right tracks from his vast archives. While the tempo sometimes staggers well towards BPM levels of hardcore techno, the touch remains gentle and soft. This genre-defying characteristic owes a lot to video game music, and especially Japanese games, where Teo finds a lot of his inspiration.
The first track bathes us in tropical field recordings before tripping off into a relentless tribal groove - countered by meandering new age flutes. A2 is a fluid and complex piece, vibrating with a warm tenderness all the while maintaining a minimal progressive path. A3 deals in crunchy breakbeats and layers upon layers.
On the second side, B1 builds through a hazy fog of tape hiss, pierced by the bouncing thud of sped-up bongos and an arpeggio that escalate it all into transcendental euphoria. B2 goes ‘off the grid’ for a heady trek of slippery beats that spill out into small flecks of breaks, all the while gleaming through the doorway to a sombre ambient jazz score. Closing off this 12” is a chilling high-speed chase through a neon-flashing night, propelled by a numbingly hard hitting drum machine sequence.
The artwork for BLUNDAR8 is as always photographed by mutantexture. The photos - which were taken during a hot summer by the Western Harbour of Malmö - were picked out by Teo as this is a place of great significance for him. A place for the daydreams of sun-dazed ravers More
For the 8th instalment on blundar, the artist has worked closely with the label in picking out the right tracks from his vast archives. While the tempo sometimes staggers well towards BPM levels of hardcore techno, the touch remains gentle and soft. This genre-defying characteristic owes a lot to video game music, and especially Japanese games, where Teo finds a lot of his inspiration.
The first track bathes us in tropical field recordings before tripping off into a relentless tribal groove - countered by meandering new age flutes. A2 is a fluid and complex piece, vibrating with a warm tenderness all the while maintaining a minimal progressive path. A3 deals in crunchy breakbeats and layers upon layers.
On the second side, B1 builds through a hazy fog of tape hiss, pierced by the bouncing thud of sped-up bongos and an arpeggio that escalate it all into transcendental euphoria. B2 goes ‘off the grid’ for a heady trek of slippery beats that spill out into small flecks of breaks, all the while gleaming through the doorway to a sombre ambient jazz score. Closing off this 12” is a chilling high-speed chase through a neon-flashing night, propelled by a numbingly hard hitting drum machine sequence.
The artwork for BLUNDAR8 is as always photographed by mutantexture. The photos - which were taken during a hot summer by the Western Harbour of Malmö - were picked out by Teo as this is a place of great significance for him. A place for the daydreams of sun-dazed ravers More
1
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
2
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
3
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
4
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
5
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
6
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
7
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
8
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
9
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
10
Benjamin Brunn - Untitled
Repress!
After Lowtec, Alex Cortex, STL and iridescence; Swedish label ‘blundar' presents Benjamin Brunn 11th solo album, 20 years after his debut.
BLUNDAR7 comes as a 10 tracks / 38 minutes long-player, coloured cover on a 180g black vinyl. Artwork by ‘mutantexture’
Brunn wrote and produced all tracks between 2017 and 2018; In contrast to most releases that were limited to one or two synthesisers, this time a whole array of instruments was used: tELHARMONIC, Music Thing Modular Chord Organ, Doepfer A-111-3V Precision VCO, 4ms STS, Yamaha DX7, Clavia Nord Modular G1 & G2. The long-player comes after a collaborative album with Dave Wheels out on Sushitech early this year, and will be followed by one together with Move D, via Smallville in 2020. More
After Lowtec, Alex Cortex, STL and iridescence; Swedish label ‘blundar' presents Benjamin Brunn 11th solo album, 20 years after his debut.
BLUNDAR7 comes as a 10 tracks / 38 minutes long-player, coloured cover on a 180g black vinyl. Artwork by ‘mutantexture’
Brunn wrote and produced all tracks between 2017 and 2018; In contrast to most releases that were limited to one or two synthesisers, this time a whole array of instruments was used: tELHARMONIC, Music Thing Modular Chord Organ, Doepfer A-111-3V Precision VCO, 4ms STS, Yamaha DX7, Clavia Nord Modular G1 & G2. The long-player comes after a collaborative album with Dave Wheels out on Sushitech early this year, and will be followed by one together with Move D, via Smallville in 2020. More
1
alex cortex - Track 1
2
alex cortex - Track 2
3
alex cortex - Track 3
4
alex cortex - Track 4
5
alex cortex - Track 5
6
alex cortex - Track 6
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alex cortex - Track 7
8
alex cortex - Track 8
9
alex cortex - Track 9
Repress!
German techno champ Alex Cortex hasn't released an album since 2011's Kihon on Pomelo, but the prolific and long-serving artist is rarely resting on his laurels. Having released just one other EP from Lowtec, Blundar now presents a new untitled LP from Cortex that should satisfy fans of his leftfield approach to techno in all its forms. "Track 2" is a masterclass in how to work breakbeats into techno without sounding forced or false, while "Track 4" blooms from delicate ambience to snagging broken beat with the grace you can only find with such a seasoned vet. Spanning many moods, tempos and rhythms, this is a perfect demonstration of the many engrossing approaches Cortex can attempt and succeed at within the many-sided realm of techno. More
German techno champ Alex Cortex hasn't released an album since 2011's Kihon on Pomelo, but the prolific and long-serving artist is rarely resting on his laurels. Having released just one other EP from Lowtec, Blundar now presents a new untitled LP from Cortex that should satisfy fans of his leftfield approach to techno in all its forms. "Track 2" is a masterclass in how to work breakbeats into techno without sounding forced or false, while "Track 4" blooms from delicate ambience to snagging broken beat with the grace you can only find with such a seasoned vet. Spanning many moods, tempos and rhythms, this is a perfect demonstration of the many engrossing approaches Cortex can attempt and succeed at within the many-sided realm of techno. More
1
DJ Sotofett/ SVN - Track 1 (DJ Sotofett's Subcortex mix)
2
DJ Sotofett/ SVN - Track 2 (DJ Sotofett & E-GZR's Subcortex mix)
3
DJ Sotofett/ SVN - Track 3 (SVN’s Total Tape mix - Clip 1)
4
DJ Sotofett/ SVN - Track 4 (SVN’s Total Tape mix - Clip 2)
Recorded at Wania#1 and Neues Deutschland studios. DJ Sotofett ( Wania, Sex Tag Mania) on Side I, and SVN ( Sued, Acido) on Side II, revised BLUNDAR2 and BLUNDAR5 respectively. 12” 180g 45 RPM, 500 copies.
TRACKS
UNTITLED (DJ Sotofett's Subcortex Mix)
UNTITLED (DJ Sotofett & E-GZR's Subcortex Mix)
UNTITLED ( SVN’s Total Tape Mix) Clip 1
UNTITLED ( SVN’s Total Tape Mix) Clip 2
More
TRACKS
UNTITLED (DJ Sotofett's Subcortex Mix)
UNTITLED (DJ Sotofett & E-GZR's Subcortex Mix)
UNTITLED ( SVN’s Total Tape Mix) Clip 1
UNTITLED ( SVN’s Total Tape Mix) Clip 2
More
1
Lowtec - No Title
2
Lowtec - No Title
3
Lowtec - No Title
4
Lowtec - No Title
5
Lowtec - No Title
Workshop's Lowtec with a stunner for blundar! 12” 180g 33? RPM 300 hand numbered copies.
More
Customers who bought this also bought this
1
Oscar Mulero, Adriana Lopez, Zadig and - A1. Oscar Mulero - Figures of Light
2
Oscar Mulero, Adriana Lopez, Zadig and - A2. Adriana Lopez - Espacio Infinito
3
Oscar Mulero, Adriana Lopez, Zadig and - B1. Zadig - Crystal Boy
4
Oscar Mulero, Adriana Lopez, Zadig and - B2. Ricardo Garduno - Trust in Dirt
12" Marbled Purple Color Vinyl, full colour jacket
Volume number 8 of 8 Vinyls, for the 16 Years of Illegal Alien Records
GENRE/S: Techno
TRACKLISTS:
A1. Oscar Mulero - Figures of Light
A2. Adriana Lopez - Espacio Infinito
B1. Zadig - Crystal Boy
B2. Ricardo Garduno - Trust in Dirt
4. SHORT INFO:
We are extremely happy and proud to present you Volume number 8 of our 16-year anniversary project which will
be released in a limited 12' Vinyl edition and Digital format and will be split into 8 Volumes which includes a total
of 44 exclusive tracks and 46 great artists, from the early days of Techno till now. We immensely thank to all the
artists involved in this project, for believe in Illegal Alien Records, for joining us in this celebration and contributing
with their music to make this release even more special, it's a true honor to count with all of you, thank you for
being part of our history.
More
Volume number 8 of 8 Vinyls, for the 16 Years of Illegal Alien Records
GENRE/S: Techno
TRACKLISTS:
A1. Oscar Mulero - Figures of Light
A2. Adriana Lopez - Espacio Infinito
B1. Zadig - Crystal Boy
B2. Ricardo Garduno - Trust in Dirt
4. SHORT INFO:
We are extremely happy and proud to present you Volume number 8 of our 16-year anniversary project which will
be released in a limited 12' Vinyl edition and Digital format and will be split into 8 Volumes which includes a total
of 44 exclusive tracks and 46 great artists, from the early days of Techno till now. We immensely thank to all the
artists involved in this project, for believe in Illegal Alien Records, for joining us in this celebration and contributing
with their music to make this release even more special, it's a true honor to count with all of you, thank you for
being part of our history.
More
1
DJ Koze - Pick Up (12" Extended Disco Version)
2
DJ Koze - The Love Truck
2023 repress
Tracklist
A. Pick Up (12" Extended Disco Version)
B. The Love Truck
DJ Koze might be one of the world's best producers, but above all he's a DJ, and it's his DJ ear that governs. Just as in a great set, so with his releases: "Seeing Aliens" came out of nowhere, a big buzzing beast of a track, to announce that Koze was back on the scene and prime everyone for the coming album, knock knock. But now that Koze has your attention, it's time to remind everyone what's most important about club music, pull things back, take a turn to the left, and get deep into the groove.
Thus "Pick Up": the second single from knock knock is 100% pure groove, doubly so in the extended 12" version. In a sense it's incredibly familiar - it is essentially a filter disco record, very close to something you could imagine coming out of Paris around the turn of the millennium. But of course, this is Koze. Nothing is normal or familiar in his world, and he's taken this most foundational of clubland staples into new territory. Flipping samples of Gladys Knight & the Pips "Neither One Of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" and Melba Moore's "Pick Me Up, I'll Dance", it creates something completely airborne, shot through with emotions such as gods must feel: not quite explicable to the human mind but strong enough to knock you off your feet. In its way it's absolutely as powerful as "Seeing Aliens", but it comes in like the proverbial iron fist in a glove of velvet.
The flip, a ten-minute new track, "The Love Truck" is a big contrast again. If "Pick Up" is giddy flight, "The Love Truck" is woozy floating. Its sharp, clicking percussion recalls 2000s minimal techno, but this time absolutely nothing is generic. The long, intense, on-and-off bass tones, the flickers of birdsong, the pure voices slipping in backwards as if from the future... it's all like the most blissful dream, and culminates in a coda so subtle yet so beautiful it's like ever time you've ever seen the sun rise and thought "I never want this to end", all the while understanding deep down that the fleeting nature of the pleasure is also what give it its power. But of course, being created with that consummate DJ's ear, it's also full of the thrill of wondering what Koze has in store next.
More
Tracklist
A. Pick Up (12" Extended Disco Version)
B. The Love Truck
DJ Koze might be one of the world's best producers, but above all he's a DJ, and it's his DJ ear that governs. Just as in a great set, so with his releases: "Seeing Aliens" came out of nowhere, a big buzzing beast of a track, to announce that Koze was back on the scene and prime everyone for the coming album, knock knock. But now that Koze has your attention, it's time to remind everyone what's most important about club music, pull things back, take a turn to the left, and get deep into the groove.
Thus "Pick Up": the second single from knock knock is 100% pure groove, doubly so in the extended 12" version. In a sense it's incredibly familiar - it is essentially a filter disco record, very close to something you could imagine coming out of Paris around the turn of the millennium. But of course, this is Koze. Nothing is normal or familiar in his world, and he's taken this most foundational of clubland staples into new territory. Flipping samples of Gladys Knight & the Pips "Neither One Of Us (Wants to Be the First to Say Goodbye)" and Melba Moore's "Pick Me Up, I'll Dance", it creates something completely airborne, shot through with emotions such as gods must feel: not quite explicable to the human mind but strong enough to knock you off your feet. In its way it's absolutely as powerful as "Seeing Aliens", but it comes in like the proverbial iron fist in a glove of velvet.
The flip, a ten-minute new track, "The Love Truck" is a big contrast again. If "Pick Up" is giddy flight, "The Love Truck" is woozy floating. Its sharp, clicking percussion recalls 2000s minimal techno, but this time absolutely nothing is generic. The long, intense, on-and-off bass tones, the flickers of birdsong, the pure voices slipping in backwards as if from the future... it's all like the most blissful dream, and culminates in a coda so subtle yet so beautiful it's like ever time you've ever seen the sun rise and thought "I never want this to end", all the while understanding deep down that the fleeting nature of the pleasure is also what give it its power. But of course, being created with that consummate DJ's ear, it's also full of the thrill of wondering what Koze has in store next.
More
1
Monolink - A. Return to Oz - Artbat Remix – 8:00
2
Monolink - B1. Father Ocean - Ben Böhmer Remix – 7:56
3
Monolink - B2. Sirens - Patrice Bäumel Remix – 7:25
2024 repress
Tracklist:
A Monlink - Return to Oz - Artbat Remix – 8:00
B1 Monolink - Father Ocean - Ben Böhmer Remix – 7:56
B2 Monolink - Sirens - Patrice Bäumel Remix – 7:25
Short Info:
Berlin’s own Steffen Linck, a multi-instrumentalist known as Monolink, announces the 12” remixes release, due June 7th via Embassy One. ARTBAT + BEN BÖHMER + PATRICE BÄUMEL + MONOLINK – no more words needed.
More
Tracklist:
A Monlink - Return to Oz - Artbat Remix – 8:00
B1 Monolink - Father Ocean - Ben Böhmer Remix – 7:56
B2 Monolink - Sirens - Patrice Bäumel Remix – 7:25
Short Info:
Berlin’s own Steffen Linck, a multi-instrumentalist known as Monolink, announces the 12” remixes release, due June 7th via Embassy One. ARTBAT + BEN BÖHMER + PATRICE BÄUMEL + MONOLINK – no more words needed.
More
1
Richie Hawtin - A1. Acid King (Full Tilt Mix)
2
Richie Hawtin - A2. Acid King (Vox)
3
Richie Hawtin - B1. Acid King (F.U.S.E. Bass Dub)
4
Richie Hawtin - B2. Acid King (Bonus Beat)
2022 REPRESS - ORIGINAL ART
Richie Hawtin continues his reconnection to the dancefloors, following on from the 'Time Warps' EP from late last year. 'Acid King' goes from melodic introspection back to his intense and hypnotic acid style that first brought him to the stage in the early '90s.
Written, mixed, edited & produced by Richie Hawtin.
TRACKLIST:
A1. Acid King (Full Tilt Mix) [10:41]
A2. . Acid King (Vox) [01:57]
B1. Acid King (F.U.S.E. Bass Dub) [05:45]
B2. Acid King (Bonus Beat) [02:51]
"What started out as a studio experiment searching for the soft, warm distortions that were inherent in all my early 1990s F.U.S.E & Circuit Breaker ACID tracks, morphed into something else..."
Richie Hawtin - 'Acid King'
More
Richie Hawtin continues his reconnection to the dancefloors, following on from the 'Time Warps' EP from late last year. 'Acid King' goes from melodic introspection back to his intense and hypnotic acid style that first brought him to the stage in the early '90s.
Written, mixed, edited & produced by Richie Hawtin.
TRACKLIST:
A1. Acid King (Full Tilt Mix) [10:41]
A2. . Acid King (Vox) [01:57]
B1. Acid King (F.U.S.E. Bass Dub) [05:45]
B2. Acid King (Bonus Beat) [02:51]
"What started out as a studio experiment searching for the soft, warm distortions that were inherent in all my early 1990s F.U.S.E & Circuit Breaker ACID tracks, morphed into something else..."
Richie Hawtin - 'Acid King'
More
1
Boo Williams - Living Waters
2
Boo Williams - End Of Days
3
Boo Williams - My God
4
Boo Williams - Fruits Of The Spirit DUB
BOO WILLIAMS returns to Chicago's NOBLE SQUARE with 4 deeply spiritual bangers. Includes a special remix of the highly sought after 90s classic FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT that should not be missed. Act quickly, this future classic EP captures why BOO is a Chitown legend and will sell out fast.
More
1
Harddrive - Deep Inside
2
Harddrive - No Cure
3
Harddrive - Just Believe
4
Harddrive - Maurice's Vibe
5
Harddrive - The Dub
WHITE VINYL REPRESS! Well. Where do we start with 'Deep Inside'? Originally released in the golden NYC House era of 1993, this 5 tracker literally smashed everything in sight. And still does now! The epitome of an evergreen, all-time classic release. Masters At Work Louie Vega and Kenny Dope were on a major roll in this era, producing, remixing, dj-ing and everything in-between, these guys put in ridiculous work. They are joined on this EP by a roll-call of names and collaborators, Erick Morillo engineering the title track? Check. Maurice Joshua on co-production duties? You got it. Vocals by Ms. Barbara tucker? They're there. Killer, rock hard drums? Stacks of Soul? Masterfully chopped up Disco samples? All present. Serious stuff. Sometimes a record just manages to capture and distill the true essence of what this is all about and 'Deep Inside' is one such record, it bears all the hallmarks of golden era MAW, all the signposts of what was happening in NYC's clubs in the early to mid 90's were there within it's grooves. You know a record is good when it's still being, quite literally, hammered nearly 25 years later! Now, remastered, and reissued with the full involvement of Strictly Rhythm this seminal piece of NYC House history is made available again with all original, full sleeve artwork intact as per the 1993 original. This one's a straight up essential for any self-respecting dance aficionado. You know what to do!
More
1
Nima Gorji - You & I
2
Irv.in - Future Vision
3
James Dexter - Small Talk
4
Sous Sol - All Around
2023 repress
Special remarks:
180G VINYL // VINYL ONLY // NEW PRINTED SLEEVE
Tracklist 12":
A1 Nima Gorji - You & I
A2 Irv.in - Future Vision
B1 James Dexter - Small Talk
B2 Sous Sol - All Around
German label Bondage Music delivers the eighth instalment of its ‘Bondage Games’ series. Another vinyl only release, this time with four fresh tracks from Nima Gorji, James Dexter, Irv.in and Sous Sol.
Vinyl pressed on 180g, vinyl only release.
More
Special remarks:
180G VINYL // VINYL ONLY // NEW PRINTED SLEEVE
Tracklist 12":
A1 Nima Gorji - You & I
A2 Irv.in - Future Vision
B1 James Dexter - Small Talk
B2 Sous Sol - All Around
German label Bondage Music delivers the eighth instalment of its ‘Bondage Games’ series. Another vinyl only release, this time with four fresh tracks from Nima Gorji, James Dexter, Irv.in and Sous Sol.
Vinyl pressed on 180g, vinyl only release.
More
1
bicep - just
2
bicep - celeste
3
bicep - back 2 u (tranz dub)
2022 Repress
Tracklist
A1 Just B1 Celeste B2 Back 2 U (Tranz Dub)
Info:
Hot on the heels of AUS' recent releases from Breach, Huxley and Bwana they ready their next offering from Irish duo and long term label affiliates Bicep. Aptly timed for the festival months, their 'Just' EP follows up a series of self-released titles which include collaborations with Ebony and Midland and is an impassioned bundle of broken beats, shimmering synth lines and rapturous piano chords. The title track kicks things off and suffuses a broken kick and snare combo with a poignant sequence and heart-rending synth strings. A vocal refrain drops in and out throughout a lucent breakdown before () lays a soft, filtered croon over a swelling piano motif. Tension is astutely balanced, never quite boiling over and keeping the listener pinned before () drives a tough, gravelly kick under gentle flecks of acid and rich sweeping pads.
More
Tracklist
A1 Just B1 Celeste B2 Back 2 U (Tranz Dub)
Info:
Hot on the heels of AUS' recent releases from Breach, Huxley and Bwana they ready their next offering from Irish duo and long term label affiliates Bicep. Aptly timed for the festival months, their 'Just' EP follows up a series of self-released titles which include collaborations with Ebony and Midland and is an impassioned bundle of broken beats, shimmering synth lines and rapturous piano chords. The title track kicks things off and suffuses a broken kick and snare combo with a poignant sequence and heart-rending synth strings. A vocal refrain drops in and out throughout a lucent breakdown before () lays a soft, filtered croon over a swelling piano motif. Tension is astutely balanced, never quite boiling over and keeping the listener pinned before () drives a tough, gravelly kick under gentle flecks of acid and rich sweeping pads.
More
1
Specific Objects - Nightnoise
2
Specific Objects - Nightnoise (Introversion Remix)
3
Specific Objects - Virgo Vibes
4
Specific Objects - Sweet Spot
5
Specific Objects - Nightnoise (Introversion’s Trippy Edit) - Digital Only
Special remarks : handstamped whitelabel, downloadcodes
Genre: Techno
Tracklist 12":
A1 Specific Objects – Nightnoise
A2 Specific Objects – Nightnoise (Introversion Remix)
B1 Specific Objects – Virgo Vibes
B2 Specific Objects – Sweet Spot
Digital Only: Specific Objects – Nightnoise (Introversion’s Trippy Edit)
Short Info:
Handstamped whitelabel with 4 fast paced and forward driving techno killers from Specific Objects including an Introversion remix.
Mastering & lacquer cut by Kassian Troyer at Dubplates & Mastering Berlin
More
Genre: Techno
Tracklist 12":
A1 Specific Objects – Nightnoise
A2 Specific Objects – Nightnoise (Introversion Remix)
B1 Specific Objects – Virgo Vibes
B2 Specific Objects – Sweet Spot
Digital Only: Specific Objects – Nightnoise (Introversion’s Trippy Edit)
Short Info:
Handstamped whitelabel with 4 fast paced and forward driving techno killers from Specific Objects including an Introversion remix.
Mastering & lacquer cut by Kassian Troyer at Dubplates & Mastering Berlin
More
1
DJ Koze - Blume Der Nacht
2
DJ Koze - Rue Burnout
2023 repress
Tracklist:
A: Blume Der Nacht
B: Rue Burnout
DJ Koze doesn't aim for technical perfection for its own sake, but rather to serve the purpose of giving birth to great music. On his debut 'Rue Burnout EP' from his own Pampa label, he plays with finesse and sophistication, and implicitly understands the importance of subtlety, leading from dreamy and restrained parts to a noisy frenzy at the end. 'Blume der Nacht' starts with a looped piano solo from Arabian dodecaphony, interwoven with bangs of violine bows, piercing high-pitched strings, almost shrieking glissandi, deep angel chants and obsessive sharp rhythms. The 37 year old constantly horny wunderkind producer has made a habit of creatively foiling expectations, and works also under the pseudonyms Adolf Noise, Swahimi and recently Madima Lokkah to redefine the boundaries of electronic music. This daring concept works perfectly in the title track 'Rue Burnout' - it is very rare that you find house music this excitingly light-fooded and precisely transparent. The musician cuts the pigtail off the term 'Kackmusik' for good, and demonstrates how sounds are capable of creating the most delicate musical interplay.
Amen.
DJ Koze, Germany, April 2010.
More
Tracklist:
A: Blume Der Nacht
B: Rue Burnout
DJ Koze doesn't aim for technical perfection for its own sake, but rather to serve the purpose of giving birth to great music. On his debut 'Rue Burnout EP' from his own Pampa label, he plays with finesse and sophistication, and implicitly understands the importance of subtlety, leading from dreamy and restrained parts to a noisy frenzy at the end. 'Blume der Nacht' starts with a looped piano solo from Arabian dodecaphony, interwoven with bangs of violine bows, piercing high-pitched strings, almost shrieking glissandi, deep angel chants and obsessive sharp rhythms. The 37 year old constantly horny wunderkind producer has made a habit of creatively foiling expectations, and works also under the pseudonyms Adolf Noise, Swahimi and recently Madima Lokkah to redefine the boundaries of electronic music. This daring concept works perfectly in the title track 'Rue Burnout' - it is very rare that you find house music this excitingly light-fooded and precisely transparent. The musician cuts the pigtail off the term 'Kackmusik' for good, and demonstrates how sounds are capable of creating the most delicate musical interplay.
Amen.
DJ Koze, Germany, April 2010.
More
1
Amaliah - Helix
2
Amaliah - Me So
3
Amaliah - Spooky Dub
4
Amaliah - Helix (Call Super Remix)
Moxie’s On Loop imprint proudly presents ‘Manifold’, the highly anticipated debut solo EP from Amaliah. The rising Londoner delivers on her burgeoning ravey promise, unleashing a remarkable trio of percussive club tracks that link UK house aesthetics with global soundsystem influences, and comes with a wonderfully knotty remix from celebrated producer Call Super. Borne Fruits founder Amaliah has rightfully ascended through the musical ranks of her native city to emerge as one of its most exciting voices. As a DJ and producer, she intersects at the exhilarating crossroads of contemporary house sounds, soundsystem culture and UK club influences to packed dancefloors weekly across the UK and EU. The Manifold EP flexes Amaliah’s parallel trajectory as a wicked tunesmith, offering her long-awaited and most substantial musical offering to date for Moxie’s much-loved On Loop imprint. Opening track “Helix” curls a percussive membrane around its funky core, pumping along with nocturnal rave menace punctured by sirens and grotty synths. Next up, “Me So” shimmers with bubbling assuredness, diffusing Detroit-inspired melodies atop a bumpy house stepper that spurts with synthetic glee along its way. “Spooky Dub” greets us on the flip, wasting no time in igniting its punchy dembow groove while peppering its rubbery bassline amongst some dub-drenched fx. It briefly retreats for a half-step breakdown before re-launching us straight back to dancefloor salvation. Can You Feel The Sun’s Call Super sees us out with a typically psychedelic labyrinth-like remix of “Helix”, refracting a minimalised Electro groove through a magnificent fairground ride of wide-eyed sound design and intimate melodics. Early support from Saoirse, Call Super, Parris, Moxie, Niks, Roza Terenzi, ISAbella and featured in Pangaea’s BBC Radio 1 Essential Mix.
More
1
Sven Väth - A1. Sven Väth – Silvi's Dream (Damiano Von Erckert Remix)
2
Sven Väth - A2. Sven Väth – What I Used To Play (Roman Flügel Remix)
3
Sven Väth - B1. Sven Väth – The Worm (Robag Wruhme Remix)
4
Sven Väth - B2. Sven Väth – We Are (Jonathan Kaspar Remix)
5
Sven Väth - C1. Sven Väth – Feiern (Krystal Klear Remix)
6
Sven Väth - C2. Sven Väth – Mystic Voices (Benjamin Damage Remix)
7
Sven Väth - D1. Sven Väth – Nyx (PAS Deep Heet Remix)
8
Sven Väth - D2. Sven Väth – Butoh (Robert Hood Remix)
9
Sven Väth - E1. Sven Väth – Nyx (Planetary Assault Systems Remix)
10
Sven Väth - E2. Sven Väth – Being In Love (Harald Björk Remix)
11
Sven Väth - F1. Sven Väth – Catharsis (Mano Le Tough Remix)
12
Sven Väth - F2. Sven Väth – Silvi's Dream (Florian Hollerith Remix)
- 3x12“ gatefold vinyl – with turquoise foil embossing
Tracklisting:
LP
1. (A1) Sven Väth – Silvi‘s Dream (Damiano Von Erckert Remix)
2. (A2) Sven Väth – What I Used To Play (Roman Flügel Remix)
3. (B1) Sven Väth – The Worm (Robag Wruhme Remix)
4. (B2) Sven Väth – We Are (Jonathan Kaspar Remix)
5. (C1) Sven Väth – Feiern (Krystal Klear Remix)
6. (C2) Sven Väth – Mystic Voices (Benjamin Damage Remix)
7. (D1) Sven Väth – Nyx (PAS Deep Heet Remix)
8. (D2) Sven Väth – Butoh (Robert Hood Remix)
9. (E1) Sven Väth – Nyx (Planetary Assault Systems Remix)
10. (E2) Sven Väth – Being In Love (Harald Björk Remix)
11. (F1) Sven Väth – Catharsis (Mano Le Tough Remix)
12. (F2) Sven Väth – Silvi‘s Dream (Florian Hollerith Remix)
The life-affirming energy at the heart of Sven Väth‘s recent album Catharsis is revisited, reanimated,
and remixed by some of the most exciting names around, closing the circle on a superlative burst of
recent work that has not only given us the epic original LP, but also the extraordinary compilation What
I Used To Play.
Roman Flügel, Benjamin Damage, Robert Hood, Planetary Assault Systems, Mano Le Tough… do we
need to go on? This hand-picked list of luminaries have answered the call and certainly don’t
disappoint, each fusing their signature sound with Sven‘s DNA to create a wild, uncompromising
companion piece to the original album.
True to form, the running order is very much rooted on the dance floor, Silvi‘s Dream, revisited by
Damiano von Erckert, explodes like a Balearic sunrise. Dreamy strings with a touch of Detroit create a
lovely atmosphere while the beautiful piano sound goes right into your heart and appears as if you
could feel the warm sun on your skin. Roman Flügel’s acidic rework of What I Used To Play is a
homage to the 80s and the early sound of electronic music which creates nostalgic feelings and offers
a greatly produced retro soundscape à la Kraftwerk. Staying close to the original, but with the perfect
amount of spin, it’s a symbiotic interplay of synthetic bass pads, and a tiny bell melody. Robag
Wruhme’s cranking minimal funk takes us down The Worm-hole. A concise interference sound builds
up sustained tension, tangled but structured, deep and yet driving. Robag took over the deep and dirty
rhythms of the original perfectly and delivers a versatile piece. This opening salvo oozes quality and
sets things up perfectly for the electrified celebration of hi-octane technology come.
Jonathan Kaspar‘s growling interpretation of We Are provides a melancholic atmosphere with
fascinating percussion parts. Zaps shoot through the air like small laser pistols while we let ourselves
be carried away by the bass, the frisky vocal stutter effect is the icing on the cake. Speeding things up,
the euphoric trance that engulfs Krystal Klear’s epic version of Feiern. Expansive strings increase up
to ecstasy and guide us to a love-filled unity. This remix is sure to be an excellent peak-time smasher
for the open-air season. On to a wild ride of pure techno with Benjamin Damage, who delivers a dry
and uncompromising Berlin Techno version of Mystic Voices. Harder pace but the string synthesizer
harmony brings light to an otherwise gloomy environment. Next up is Luke Slater’s PAS Deep Heet
Mix to add a retro nineties vibe to proceedings on Nyx. Entering a rough space with gigantic clap
impacts, we are blessed with straightforward Techno. Shimmering and spooling, this groove hits the
mark. Then, as if it was ever in doubt, Sven‘s lofty place in the techno firmament is underlined by a
peak-time contribution by non-less than Detroit legend Robert Hood. Unmistakable, you must
recognize the signature Robert Hood drive on Butoh. Chord stabs fulfill the Detroit feeling with offtaking string elements and high-energy vocal transformations. It’s a warm embrace that triggers
emotions. Planetary Assault Systems then blasts things ever deeper into the cosmos on a second
outing of Nyx. Reduced and to the point but of course, true to form, with powerful tribal percussion
parts and intensive cutting hi-hats.
From there on in, the collection gradually re-enters the atmosphere, burning with a phosphorescent,
melancholy glow. Harald Björk extrapolates Being In Love into a hypnotic groove for the early hours. A
playful and atmospheric electronica interpretation to soothe our souls due to disharmonious synth
pads and a dreamy deformation of the original melody. Mano Le Tough harnesses the ethno-rhythms
and brooding energy of Catharsis into a low-slung, tribal stomper. Anomalous organ parts ring out and
link up with a trance-like sequence, summer feelings arouse as you feel like you can almost smell
Ibizan air. The collection comes full circle with a second equally seductive interpretation of Silvi‘s
Dream by Florian Hollerith. Stripped-down and hypnotic, the homage to Sven's girlfriend Silvi is
extended as a reverence to Sven himself. Sven's profound vocals clearly infuse time and space and
leave a forever-lasting memory of love.
By accident or design, it somehow leaves us with the reassuring sense that, although this specific part
of the journey may be drawing to a close, the mission of the man behind it all most definitely isn't.
written & produced by: Sven Väth & Gregor Tresher More
Tracklisting:
LP
1. (A1) Sven Väth – Silvi‘s Dream (Damiano Von Erckert Remix)
2. (A2) Sven Väth – What I Used To Play (Roman Flügel Remix)
3. (B1) Sven Väth – The Worm (Robag Wruhme Remix)
4. (B2) Sven Väth – We Are (Jonathan Kaspar Remix)
5. (C1) Sven Väth – Feiern (Krystal Klear Remix)
6. (C2) Sven Väth – Mystic Voices (Benjamin Damage Remix)
7. (D1) Sven Väth – Nyx (PAS Deep Heet Remix)
8. (D2) Sven Väth – Butoh (Robert Hood Remix)
9. (E1) Sven Väth – Nyx (Planetary Assault Systems Remix)
10. (E2) Sven Väth – Being In Love (Harald Björk Remix)
11. (F1) Sven Väth – Catharsis (Mano Le Tough Remix)
12. (F2) Sven Väth – Silvi‘s Dream (Florian Hollerith Remix)
The life-affirming energy at the heart of Sven Väth‘s recent album Catharsis is revisited, reanimated,
and remixed by some of the most exciting names around, closing the circle on a superlative burst of
recent work that has not only given us the epic original LP, but also the extraordinary compilation What
I Used To Play.
Roman Flügel, Benjamin Damage, Robert Hood, Planetary Assault Systems, Mano Le Tough… do we
need to go on? This hand-picked list of luminaries have answered the call and certainly don’t
disappoint, each fusing their signature sound with Sven‘s DNA to create a wild, uncompromising
companion piece to the original album.
True to form, the running order is very much rooted on the dance floor, Silvi‘s Dream, revisited by
Damiano von Erckert, explodes like a Balearic sunrise. Dreamy strings with a touch of Detroit create a
lovely atmosphere while the beautiful piano sound goes right into your heart and appears as if you
could feel the warm sun on your skin. Roman Flügel’s acidic rework of What I Used To Play is a
homage to the 80s and the early sound of electronic music which creates nostalgic feelings and offers
a greatly produced retro soundscape à la Kraftwerk. Staying close to the original, but with the perfect
amount of spin, it’s a symbiotic interplay of synthetic bass pads, and a tiny bell melody. Robag
Wruhme’s cranking minimal funk takes us down The Worm-hole. A concise interference sound builds
up sustained tension, tangled but structured, deep and yet driving. Robag took over the deep and dirty
rhythms of the original perfectly and delivers a versatile piece. This opening salvo oozes quality and
sets things up perfectly for the electrified celebration of hi-octane technology come.
Jonathan Kaspar‘s growling interpretation of We Are provides a melancholic atmosphere with
fascinating percussion parts. Zaps shoot through the air like small laser pistols while we let ourselves
be carried away by the bass, the frisky vocal stutter effect is the icing on the cake. Speeding things up,
the euphoric trance that engulfs Krystal Klear’s epic version of Feiern. Expansive strings increase up
to ecstasy and guide us to a love-filled unity. This remix is sure to be an excellent peak-time smasher
for the open-air season. On to a wild ride of pure techno with Benjamin Damage, who delivers a dry
and uncompromising Berlin Techno version of Mystic Voices. Harder pace but the string synthesizer
harmony brings light to an otherwise gloomy environment. Next up is Luke Slater’s PAS Deep Heet
Mix to add a retro nineties vibe to proceedings on Nyx. Entering a rough space with gigantic clap
impacts, we are blessed with straightforward Techno. Shimmering and spooling, this groove hits the
mark. Then, as if it was ever in doubt, Sven‘s lofty place in the techno firmament is underlined by a
peak-time contribution by non-less than Detroit legend Robert Hood. Unmistakable, you must
recognize the signature Robert Hood drive on Butoh. Chord stabs fulfill the Detroit feeling with offtaking string elements and high-energy vocal transformations. It’s a warm embrace that triggers
emotions. Planetary Assault Systems then blasts things ever deeper into the cosmos on a second
outing of Nyx. Reduced and to the point but of course, true to form, with powerful tribal percussion
parts and intensive cutting hi-hats.
From there on in, the collection gradually re-enters the atmosphere, burning with a phosphorescent,
melancholy glow. Harald Björk extrapolates Being In Love into a hypnotic groove for the early hours. A
playful and atmospheric electronica interpretation to soothe our souls due to disharmonious synth
pads and a dreamy deformation of the original melody. Mano Le Tough harnesses the ethno-rhythms
and brooding energy of Catharsis into a low-slung, tribal stomper. Anomalous organ parts ring out and
link up with a trance-like sequence, summer feelings arouse as you feel like you can almost smell
Ibizan air. The collection comes full circle with a second equally seductive interpretation of Silvi‘s
Dream by Florian Hollerith. Stripped-down and hypnotic, the homage to Sven's girlfriend Silvi is
extended as a reverence to Sven himself. Sven's profound vocals clearly infuse time and space and
leave a forever-lasting memory of love.
By accident or design, it somehow leaves us with the reassuring sense that, although this specific part
of the journey may be drawing to a close, the mission of the man behind it all most definitely isn't.
written & produced by: Sven Väth & Gregor Tresher More