Hey All
Even though im not quite done setting this newsletter up, i thought it might be nice to do a new post. This time around its 7 contemporary electronic records i think are well worth checking out
As i mentioned before, this newsletter will be dedicated to other musical styles i like and have some info to impart, but since so many people signed up on the back of the ambient techno twitter post, i wanted to keep that idea rolling a little more but with a view towards newer albums.
By the way, i wanted to say, even though i am writing about music, I am not a “music writer”. I’m really a musician and former record store owner that has had to write a lot of blurbs about albums over the years. So, as your reading this, please bear that in mind. I’m sure my grammar is a mess, but I’m always learning, so please have patience if possible.
DSR Lines - Spoel
https://a-dsr.net/
https://www.discogs.com/release/10161691-DSR-Lines-Spoel
Whenever I have the opportunity, i tell people about this album. Its one of my absolute favorites and one of the strongest pure synthesizer records to come out in the past 10or 15 years. That’s a pretty bold statement i know because there is no shortage of competition. DSR Lines is the name David Edren works under. While there are loads and loads of people who possess massive amounts of modular synthesis equipment, David actually really understands how his instruments work and that makes a world of difference. The tracks on this double LP are all improvisations but they are never unsure or shaky in any way. When you listen to this, you may think that its reminiscent of other greats like Tangerine Dream, Terry Riley, Michael Hoenig, Klaus Schultze or other greats from the 70's era. While that makes sense, it really would be a mistake to say he is trying to copy or emulate these artists in any real way. I’m sure he was influenced by them but he never tries to do anything other than forge his own path. Its a fantastic headphone listen too.
DK - Live At The Edge
https://www.discogs.com/release/14694990-DK-Live-At-The-Edge
DK is the name Dang Khoa Chau a.k.a. 45 ACP works under. He is a Paris based producer of Vietnamese descent. Over the past few years he has done a whole load of records for a fair number of labels : Antinote, L.I.E.S, Music From Memory and Melody As Truth, Good Morning Tapes, etc...all heavy hitters. His output runs through different electronic music styles, often very dancefloor friendly. This particular release stands out for me because of its ability to transport me back to the sound i loved (and made the Twitter post about) of the mid 90's ambient era. Its flowing, with beautiful melodies, gorgeous pad sounds, all the elements you would be typically wishing for. This record is a must.
Don't DJ - Musique Acephale
https://www.discogs.com/release/9146873-Dont-DJ-Musique-Acephale
https://instagram.com/dont_dj
Over the years, as both a listener and producer, i am somewhat fascinated with drum programming. To be honest, i have never felt overly inspired to make drum tracks. Having never actually owned a drum machine, i sometimes lack the understanding of how some of it is made. A lot of the time its either very basic 4 to the floor stuff or super complex to the point of confusion. The first time i heard Don't DJ (who's real name is Florian Meyer) i flipped. This was someone who's drum programming was completely inspiring. Rich, complex polyrhythms, but still had the drive that the best dance music has. It has a certain similarity to West African music and even Balinese Gamelan but while certainly made on the computer, is completely organic and alive. He has a lot of albums under his belt, but this one is just so wonderful.
Niko Tzoukmanis - Hope Is The Sister Of Despair
https://www.discogs.com/release/18182086-Niko-Tzoukmanis-Hope-Is-The-Sister-Of-Despair
This may be the best record you would swear was made in the 90's but was actually made in 2013. He apparently is a mathematician by trade and you can hear the complexity in this album. While is technical prowess is very evident, it is flowing with emotion.. Tzoukmanis certainly listened to all of the best records of the era (you can hear loads of the "Artificial Intelligence" style here) but i dare say may have improved on it! Using that 90's era sonic template but with todays technical advances, he created a masterwork here. I am certain you will flip for this record if early Warp, Beyond, Rising High, etc. are on your menu.
Inhmost - Space & Awareness
https://www.discogs.com/release/21358966-Inhmost-Space-And-Awareness-
https://instagram.com/s.huxtablemusic
Simon Huxtable (aka Inhmost) works within a variety of electronic music styles, but for me, his work under his Inmhost moniker shines brightest. He is another musician who has studied the past masters of ambient techno and brought an incredibly deep and lush production style to the form. The first album i thought of when i heard "Space & Awareness" was "76:14", the masterpiece from Global Communication. While it doesn’t reach those heights, it gets within striking distance. It would be a standout record even on some of todays bigger ambient imprints like A Strangely Isolated Place or Past Inside The Present. This one might slip under your radar, but make a point to spend some time with it. Cant imagine you would come away disappointed.
Golden Ivy - Monika
https://www.discogs.com/release/12876361-Golden-Ivy-Monika
https://instagram.com/golden__ivy
I was very happy when my friend Fergus recommended this to me. Been a favorite for the past few years and has had an effect on my own musical output. This album by Malmo based musician Ivar Lantz, has a foot in a variety of styles without really pitching a tent in any particular one. There are stains of classical, Swedish traditional folk, ambient, chill polyrhythmic techno, and a tiny but tasteful bit of what i might call a "lounge" feel, but not burdened with the cheesiness typical of the sound. Musicianship is of the highest caliber as well. No wonder that originals of this album are trading hands for quite a bit of cash
XVARR - Beyond Illuminism
https://www.discogs.com/release/11284677-XVARR-Beyond-Illuminism
https://instagram.com/__xvarr__
For a couple of years, XVARR has put out several albums, all of them pretty darn impressive. For a while there, there was very little written about the person behind the music, so it added to they mystery and allure. So much of todays music is all about persona and social media presence. In this case, the absence of information, letting the music speak for itself, added to the allure and tapped into the mystique of the underground culture i grew up with. The music itself has a fantastic, deep psychedlicism. Deep, layered ambience, with a vague eastern feel. Lovely rippling sequencer passages. Its just very much my kinda thing. Maybe yours too?
Allright, that’s it. Hope you found that useful. Will be back soon with some new posts in the next week or so. Until then, take care!
Very much enjoying xvarr - thank you! The rest can liven up this week’s commutes...
This is great and going to be very useful! Can't wait to check out these recomendations!