TAYLOR DEUPREE: STIL. CD  EUR 20
"Stil. is the much anticipated follow-up to Taylor Deupree's critically acclaimed 2001 CD Occur. Where Occur found itself exploring the non-repeating patterns of nature, inspired by the sounds of life outside of Deupree's Brooklyn studio, Stil. was initially inspired by the work of photographer Hiroshi Sugimoto, whose Seascapes images masterfully combine repetition and minute change. Stil. thus became the sonic opposite of Occur: a set of compositions based on extreme repetition and the exploration of stillness. Arranged in four long pieces, Stil. is based on the complex repetition of looping passages. The underlying idea is that a pattern repeated for long enough begins to reveal hidden pulses and movements not initially apparent. Elements and frequencies overlap to create subtle new intersections, drawing the listener in, and suspending them in this brief moment of frozen time. The sound of Stil. is built using melodic and granular passages juxtaposed in variable-length loops, creating layered and imbedded rhythms and highly variable structures of repetition."

LAWRENCE ENGLISH: GHOST TOWNS CD  EUR 10
Cyclic Defrost: "The latest processed soundscape from Lawrence English once again explores a sense of place, this time celebrating the unique sounds of a landscape so few urban Australians experience frequently. Created from field recordings made in “the remote settlements that litter the vast Australian plains” it is exotic, strange and powerfully evocative. It begins with a minimalism that gives equal space to silence and sound before the emergence of buzzing of power lines and insects. Deep and tuneless windy drones hover beneath the clanging of dry metal and the squawks of passing birds, as a fly weaves in and out of DSP scratches. While some sounds have a watery quality – there is rain – the overall impression is of dryness, heat, and emptiness. The difficulty of this landscape is also present in the insistent and sometimes almost overpowering drones and creaks. Music exists as a plucked dryness, devoid of easy melody, before a thundering roll finishes the 18 minute piece. The formidable land that’s evoked here is a constant source of discomfort to this nation’s psyche, as alien to city dwellers as our indigenous population. A well-constructed and fascinating addition to the sound art canon that has something to say about its country."

GODSPEED YOU BLACK EMPEROR: YANQUI U.X.O. CD EUR 10
All Music Guide: "Montreal politico-art/music terrorist unit Godspeed You Black Emperor! has been working on the material for Yanqui U.X.O. (unexploded ordnance-landmines) for the past four years. Some of the material predates Lift Your Skinny Fists Like Antennas to Heaven and even Slow Riot for New Zero Kanada. Recorded with Steve Albini, the nonet that is Godspeed has issued its most mysterious recording yet. The sound over these three long cuts, like all of the band's recordings, develops slowly over time and creates layers of dynamic tension that expresses itself in waves and off-kilter, shimmering flows. Usually these elements resolve themselves in earth- and ear-shattering, dissonant intensity that leaves the listener emotionally drained -- especially live. But here, a more minimal and -- dare I say -- quiet approach is used. For over 75 minutes, no "found" voices are wafting through the mix like displaced ghosts at a musical inquiry into the nature of mass control and fascism. The ghosts here are not disembodied or free to roam; they are contained within the vibrational structures and harmonic encounters along the dynamic field itself. There is more melody, not less; there are more sections in each piece, complex parts of compositions that articulate themselves more slowly and pronouncedly. Above all, there is beauty, aching, anguished beauty created by dissonance between electric guitars, keyboards, and a string section propelled by a drum kit that is barely contained within the frame of the music. Tonal extensions of simple melodic structures create new melodic fragments that are incorporated into an already growing mass of tension that is alleviated not by force, but by engaging silence as a compositional and improvisational tool. This is evident in all three tunes, but particularly in the second section of "9-15-00," which begins by stepping out of a void into a fullness of color and texture that eventually raises the tension bar over 22 minutes without resolution. For the second section, spare fragments and chords are placed carefully next to the altar of silence and engage it in dialogue, in contradiction, and in echoing its own concerns at how it is possible in our world, very possible, that at the whim of some fool, all of this -- the music; it's haunted, hunted melody; the veritable grain of its voice; along with all life -- could enter into the silence forever. A close inspection of the record cover with its photograph of bombs in free-fall and its indicting chart shows concretely how the major record labels are all involved with the creators and purveyors of weapons of mass destruction. This may be melancholy music, but this is a dark time. At least it isn't music of mourning -- yet. And for the record, though the stupid critical backlash against Godspeed You Black Emperor! has already begun, the band is making the finest music in the history of its collective. This is music for a different kind of engagement -- that of becoming aware of tyranny and disappearance."

ICEBREAKER: DISTANT EARLY WARNING CD  EUR 10
The New York Times: "...A set of droning rock instrumentals inspired by a NATO nuclear-strike warning system in the Arctic - the execution is entrancing. With a strong sense of composition and forward motion, this duo creates an electro-acoustic polar soundscape that is anything but frigid."

THE MARTIAN: JOURNEY TO THE MARTIAN POLAR CAP 12"  EUR 10
www.discogs.com:
Detroit techno out of the top drawer. All four tracks offer something different and help cement Red Planet as an A-list label. If you see it buy it,you won't be disappointed.
definitely true . this is wonderful , deep techno with a vision . enlightening sounds , that grab your attention and take you all the way to Mars . But this ain't no smooth ride with celestial strings all the way . No , encountering the Polar Regions of Mars and Entering the Red Atmosphere only succeeds with top bass programming and strict drums -bringing along some heavy pumping dancefloor stuff for that new club on our neighbour planet..
I agree! The 2 "dancefloor fillers" are quite advanced in terms of structure whilst maintaining that irritatingly "simple" set of sounds. Gotta hand it to them - genius.


JEFF MILLS: THE OTHER DAY EP 12" EUR 10
5-spors EP fra Jeff Mills med vektløs fiberoptikk og digitalt samlebånd over nervøs, analog modulasjon og tikkende, dansbare techno-rytmer. Kompatibel med Atom Heart, Plastikman og Underground Resistance.

JEFF MILLS: THE OTHER DAY (Axis Compilation) CD  EUR 15
Forced Exposure:"When Jeff Mills left Underground Resistance in the early 90´s, he formed his own 12" label, Axis. About 15 vinyl-only EPs have followed, of some of the finest minimalist/abstract techno around. This CD compiles tracks from those EPs, creating one of the ultimate documents of the Detroit underground, an emotionally packed sonic masterpiece. You can't spin it inside out (as some of the Axis b-sides require) and there's no locked grooves, but this CD-only release has a couple of unreleased tracks and interesting philosophic liner notes from Jeff making it a mandatory addition to the shelf."

MUNDO MUZIQUE: THE LOST ARCHIVES 2X12"  EUR 15
Envelope, Tyskland:"Deckt eine breite Palette von Stilrichtungen ab, angefangen bei ambienten Detroit Stringsounds (manche wunderschön!) über brummelige, schwere Sequenzverschiebungen bis hin zum bösen, düsteren Brooklyn Techno." Kompatibel med Joey Beltram og CJ Bolland.

DJ OLIVE: BUOY CD  EUR 15
"The first of ROOM40's summer ambient series is DJ Olive's Buoy. Buoy is a beautifully warm and encompassing record that reflects DJ Olive's long association with the New York ambient scene, sleep parties and chill out DJ sets. One of the first DJs in New York to host ambient events in Brooklyn and Manhattan, this disc is a recollection of sounds and textures he experienced on his global tour last September through November. The record is an engaging listen, a perfect soundtrack for that hot northern summer -- a chill out session that heralds the return of DJ Olive to rich textures, humming sub-harmonics, echoed field recordings and ambient moods."

PAN AMERICAN: 360 BUSINESS/360 BYPASS CD  EUR 10
"The second  recording Mark Nelson from Labradford has made under the Pan American imprint continues and expands the rhythmic intricacies of its forbearer as new instrumental and melodic textures are added to the mix. Like Pan American, 360 Business/360 Bypass was recorded by Mark Nelson at his home studio. Special guests Alan Sparhawk and Mimi Parker of Low add vocals, cornetist Rob Mazurek from the Chicago Underground Duo/Trio
contributes some distinctly Cherryesque horn solos, and the entire album was mixed digitally with the aid of Casey Rise, the designer at Classics, Chicago. Rhythms trace and underpin vaporous melodies, or disappear altogether. Pan American balances atmospheric dread with hints of dub, funk and bossa nova as few artists can, hinting at a whiff of Studio One while utilizing digital technologies."

PLASTIKMAN: CLOSER CD  EUR 15
"Exactly a decade since releasing Plasikman's Sheet One album (Novamute 1993), Plastikman's new album Closer does just that. Brings the listener a little closer to the artist himself. It further delves into the mind of this unique figure in the electronic music world, making this his most personal work ever. In addition, for the first time in his career Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman) uses his own voice in his music. The resulting album -- familiar yet alien, queasy yet comforting, intensely personal yet veiling its confessions in pseudonym and technological disguise -- is, perhaps, the first Richie Hawtin record that truly arrives from his mind to yours. 'Instead of making a soundscape for people to lose themselves in, it's more like being locked inside my own head,' reflects Hawtin."

THE SEA AND CAKE: ONE BEDROOM CD  EUR 10
The Sea and Cake 's sixth album, ‘One Bedroom’ , is elegant pop. Membrane like layers of electronic tones, delicate synthesizers surround intricately woven guitars. Melodic bass lines punctuate these restrained and complex sounds. Songs are propelled by imaginative percussion lines and shaped by spare warm vocals. Sam Prekop’s lyrical style is poetic as opposed to narrative. Paradoxically, the resulting album of delicate precisely constructed songs sounds effortless. After Eight years, the Sea and Cake lineup remains the same: Sam Prekop (vocals and guitars), Erik Claridge (bass), John McEntire (drums), and Archer Prewitt (guitar). Their musical vocabulary is greatly expanded by their other artistic pursuits. Erik Claridge has been working on a solo album as well as his continuing painting/ illustration career, part of which is a regular insert in the Chicago Reader. Archer continues to create his Drawn and Quarterly produced Sof’ Boy comics. Prewitt additionally released a solo album entitled ‘Three’. John has engineered numerous records in his own Soma Studio, while McEntire has also managed to make time to start recording a new Tortoise album as well as play a collaborative performance at the Thalia Theater with Ikue Mori and Zeena Parkins. Sam Prekop, with whom most songs originate, has had several painting shows including a solo show at Clementine Gallery in Chelsea. Prekop has also continued to pursue photography, it is his photo on the One Bedroom cover. The Sea and Cake is a group of active individuals whose experiences add to its vibrant palette of sounds, tones, and textures.

SUBTROPIC: HOMEBREW CD  EUR 15
Det første drum´n´bass-produktet fra USA! Positiv San Francisco-atmosfære med sugende, subsonisk dub bass og kosmisk-analog klang under sofistikerte jungel-rytmer. Ute på Jonah Sharp (Spacetime Continuum) sin Reflective-label.

SUBURBAN KNIGHT: BY NIGHT EP 12" EUR 6
4-spors EP fra Underground Resistance med illevarslende sequencere og industriell-alarmerende keyboards over stikkende, dansbare 808/909-rytmer. Sjarmerende, mørk techno for de med godt nattsyn!

ZANE TROW: FOR THOSE WHO ARE ACTUAL VOICES CD  EUR 15
Cyclic Defrost: "Zane Trow’s gorgeous work is quite mesmerizing in it’s drifting tranquility. Recorded utilizing echoes, delay, loops and live audio mulch via laptop, its execution is much closer to the Eno definition than most of which receives the tag ‘ambient’, consisting of almost formless washes of warmth that envelop a room, altering it’s mood almost imperceptibly. Queensland based Trow however seems to approach this idea with a pop mentality, with relatively short three or four minute pieces that could easily be extended for fifty odd minutes without any complaints. Most are a series of gentle drones, with the development coming from internal narcotic pulses or restrained feedback, with the results warm, hypnotic and almost purifying on an incredible and quite meditative release. "

WINX: HYPNOTIZIN´ 12"  EUR 5
5-spors EP fra Josh Wink med slamrende basstromme og sylskarpe hi-hats over nervøs sequencer-puls og sjenert string.

YANU: B50 LAB EXPERIMENT 12"  EUR 15
4-spors EP fra Dave Janu med organisk-hypnotisk Bassline og dansbar 909-rytme over pulserende string og foruroligende analog modul. Kompatibel med Cusp, Teste etc.

© Biophon Records 2003