I always wanted to compile an experimental music DJ set, focused on trippy music (a worthy adversary of the classic clubbing music!). I am lacking essential knowledge in electronic experimental tracks (at some time I need to perform a listening marathon for the back catalog of The Future Sound of London). This does not prevent me from enjoying forgotten downtempo tracks like this:
EARTH LEAKAGE TRIP - THE AWAKENING
Wandering in the music stores of Athens, I came across a white label from Rising High Records. The label of the late Caspar Pound was not "terra incognita" for my ears, but music project Earth Leakage Trip certainly was! Obviously, the purchase was a no-brainer for two main reasons: the consistency of the label in high-quality tracks and my curiosity!
Earth Leakage Trip was the birth child of Neil Sanford & Simon Carter. Their first release Psychotronic EP dates back to 1991 and it was provided by Moving Shadow, the seminal jungle label run by Rob Playford. It was one for first releases for the label and it was considered an underground gem (a collage of industrial, techno and breakbeat).
A second release followed on year later in Rising High Records, called Virtuality EP. The same blending ingredients were applied, but in a more mature manner (in my opinion). The highlight of the EP is the last track, called "The Awakening". While no energetic compared to the other tracks, the best use of sampling can be found here, which creates a neat cerebral texture assisted by the melody loops and breakbeat rhythms.
Simon's contribution to the project lasted until 1992, whereas Neil was the constant member. In 2003 the latter re-spawned the project, collaborating with Tony Lobue on future-jazz compositions, which had nothing to do with the experimental side of music.
If you are into non-danceable electronic tracks, only created to blow your mind, then ELT (pre-1994 material) is worth checking out.
Κυριακή 16 Ιουνίου 2019
Κυριακή 2 Ιουνίου 2019
Tune #95: Red Mecca - Sura Kijame
Al-Qiyama is the 75th chapter of the Quran, which refers to "The Resurrection". I am not familiar with the Islamic religion, therefore I can only assume that the chapter is the an interpretation of "The Day of Judgement" for the Muslims.
How is the above information connected with the post? I am not sure, but the Albanian translation for "Al-Qiyama" is "Surja El-Kijame", which is the name of today's track:
RED MECCA - SURA KIJAME
Red Mecca was a production team consisting of Fred Ventura, Stefano Comazzi & Livio Fogli. In the beginning of the 90's the three guys were part of "The Undeground Sound Of Milan", promoting underground techno releases under Evolution Records, a subsidiary label of Discomagic Records (one of the most important italo disco companies throughout the 80's).
The first release of the label was Grey Area - Action (1990), which was a production of the same guys under a different pseudonym. The second release was Sura Kijame under the Red Mecca alias, a techno-new beat composition mixed with arabic vocals. Unfortunately, I do not understand the Arabic(?) language, in order to identify if the lyrics refer to the chapter of the Quran. However, they create a hypnotic feeling with the assistance of the repetitive beat.
What surprises me is the rating of the release in Discogs (less than 4 stars out of 5). I do not know if it actually influenced other electronic music artists in the next years, but several proto-trance elements can be heard, setting the basis for the first trance records. The artwork of the release is also remarkable, which is a painting by Italian painter Pino Volpi.
The lifespan of Evolution Records was short; until 1994 (during the last two years the releases focused on deep house genre). Nowadays, Ventura and Fogli seem to remain active in music production, while Comazzi's last traces can be found in the previous decade.
Finally, it is a mystery why an Albanian translation for a islamic term was used for the release (possibly the guys may have Albanian roots). At any case, this obscurity is worth archiving in the vault called "Music Miner"!
How is the above information connected with the post? I am not sure, but the Albanian translation for "Al-Qiyama" is "Surja El-Kijame", which is the name of today's track:
RED MECCA - SURA KIJAME
Red Mecca was a production team consisting of Fred Ventura, Stefano Comazzi & Livio Fogli. In the beginning of the 90's the three guys were part of "The Undeground Sound Of Milan", promoting underground techno releases under Evolution Records, a subsidiary label of Discomagic Records (one of the most important italo disco companies throughout the 80's).
The first release of the label was Grey Area - Action (1990), which was a production of the same guys under a different pseudonym. The second release was Sura Kijame under the Red Mecca alias, a techno-new beat composition mixed with arabic vocals. Unfortunately, I do not understand the Arabic(?) language, in order to identify if the lyrics refer to the chapter of the Quran. However, they create a hypnotic feeling with the assistance of the repetitive beat.
What surprises me is the rating of the release in Discogs (less than 4 stars out of 5). I do not know if it actually influenced other electronic music artists in the next years, but several proto-trance elements can be heard, setting the basis for the first trance records. The artwork of the release is also remarkable, which is a painting by Italian painter Pino Volpi.
The lifespan of Evolution Records was short; until 1994 (during the last two years the releases focused on deep house genre). Nowadays, Ventura and Fogli seem to remain active in music production, while Comazzi's last traces can be found in the previous decade.
Finally, it is a mystery why an Albanian translation for a islamic term was used for the release (possibly the guys may have Albanian roots). At any case, this obscurity is worth archiving in the vault called "Music Miner"!
Κυριακή 12 Μαΐου 2019
Tune #94: Meek - Glowing Trees
"FAIL WE MAY, SAIL WE MUST"
This is one of Andrew Weatherall's many tattoos, a phrase he heard at a young age from an Irish fisherman, when the latter had to steer a boat in a stormy weather. Adopting the meaning of the phrase to push his artistic creativity to new levels, Sir Andrew has been an electronic music royalty for over three decades.
In past February I had the opportunity to attend an open discussion with him, held in Athens. While I was not keen on the questions of the moderator or the audience (including my non-intervention), I was amazed by the attitude and spirit of this man. Andrew Weatherall is a great speaker with his humor-flavored feedback on various topics, from music evolution and DJ point-of-view to youth culture (not surprising considering the fact that he was once a freelance journalist). A huge respect should be given to him for his DJ work ethic, staying loyal to his musical roots and never attaining the superstar DJ identity.
The 2-hour set followed after the discussion was quirky, tailored to Mr. Weatherall's ethos. The other half of the duo (i.e. Sean Johnston) was not present, yet the track selection and the atmosphere was very ALFOS-ish (playing below 122 bpm along with occasional techno bombs). As always, the tracks included in the mix were obscure (I guess that only some of them could be identified by Shazam's groundbreaking technology).
There are very obvious tribute tracks to use for today's post:
- Happy Mondays – Hallelujah (Remix): Andrew partnered with Paul Oakenfold for remix duties on a classic Madchester anthem
- Saint Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Remix): A "cool & deadly" remix on Saint Etienne's first single, a cover of a Neil Young track.
- The Sabres Of Paradise – Smokebelch II: Collaboration with Gary Burns & Jagz Kooner for mellow downtempo productions, featured in many chillout compilations
- Primal Scream - Come Together: The production mind behind Screamadelica, responsible for re-inventing Primal Scream and creating a rave 'n' roll album.
However, the following obscurity is selected:
MEEK - GLOWING TREES
In 1994 Andrew Weatherall used the pseudonym Emmet Prague, in order to produce track Glowing Trees. The two versions of the track are ambient techno compositions that do not fit to his dub leftfield style, but reveal his dark side in terms of music production. Limited to 500 copies, it is a must have rarity for Sir Andrew fans.
Long live to techno punk Andrew Weatherall!
This is one of Andrew Weatherall's many tattoos, a phrase he heard at a young age from an Irish fisherman, when the latter had to steer a boat in a stormy weather. Adopting the meaning of the phrase to push his artistic creativity to new levels, Sir Andrew has been an electronic music royalty for over three decades.
In past February I had the opportunity to attend an open discussion with him, held in Athens. While I was not keen on the questions of the moderator or the audience (including my non-intervention), I was amazed by the attitude and spirit of this man. Andrew Weatherall is a great speaker with his humor-flavored feedback on various topics, from music evolution and DJ point-of-view to youth culture (not surprising considering the fact that he was once a freelance journalist). A huge respect should be given to him for his DJ work ethic, staying loyal to his musical roots and never attaining the superstar DJ identity.
The 2-hour set followed after the discussion was quirky, tailored to Mr. Weatherall's ethos. The other half of the duo (i.e. Sean Johnston) was not present, yet the track selection and the atmosphere was very ALFOS-ish (playing below 122 bpm along with occasional techno bombs). As always, the tracks included in the mix were obscure (I guess that only some of them could be identified by Shazam's groundbreaking technology).
There are very obvious tribute tracks to use for today's post:
- Happy Mondays – Hallelujah (Remix): Andrew partnered with Paul Oakenfold for remix duties on a classic Madchester anthem
- Saint Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart (Remix): A "cool & deadly" remix on Saint Etienne's first single, a cover of a Neil Young track.
- The Sabres Of Paradise – Smokebelch II: Collaboration with Gary Burns & Jagz Kooner for mellow downtempo productions, featured in many chillout compilations
- Primal Scream - Come Together: The production mind behind Screamadelica, responsible for re-inventing Primal Scream and creating a rave 'n' roll album.
However, the following obscurity is selected:
MEEK - GLOWING TREES
In 1994 Andrew Weatherall used the pseudonym Emmet Prague, in order to produce track Glowing Trees. The two versions of the track are ambient techno compositions that do not fit to his dub leftfield style, but reveal his dark side in terms of music production. Limited to 500 copies, it is a must have rarity for Sir Andrew fans.
Long live to techno punk Andrew Weatherall!
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