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(01) Tim Tetlow :: Beauty Walks a Razor’s Edge (Planet-Mu) [UK]
Tim Tetlow’s abstract electronic punch allows much room for
the melodic bits and bytes to enter at just the right moments.
It’s when structure meets melody accurately that this release
shines bright. An uplifting, early Aphex Twin’esque full length
that is sure to survive the test of time.
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(02) Esem :: Enveloped (DeFocus) [UK]
George Marinov definitely knows how to extract the beauty in
his musical palette of sound. Emotions interact peacefully with
thoughtful electronics, cascading rhythms and gently propelled
percussion through all of his tracks. One of the highlights on Enveloped include “Eloki.Neadu”, an ultimate favorite. Very well thought out and
a very sincere album debut.
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(03) Andre Estermann :: Balloon (Sellwell Productions) [GR]
Andre Estermann’s Balloon focuses on a variety of genres’ to
fulfill the musical envelop in a similar vein as Tim Tetlow. A focus
on top-quality production is evident on this release with Sellwell,
and it’s sure to please many ears as it delves into abstract electronics,
ambient interludes and emotional/thoughtful experimentations.
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(04) Jack Dangers :: Variaciones Espectrales (Instinct/Bella Union) [USA/UK]
One can’t ask for more. 7 days and 7 tracks later, Jack (aka Meat
Beat Manifesto) delivers the goods in his genuine MBM fashion. The
goal with Bella Union had Jack extracting the best in his usual slamming
beats, creative samples, and signature basslines for one of the top
releases (and rather short for that matter) prior to the upcoming and
heavily anticipated R.U.O.K? full length due out soon this year.
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(05) Bloq :: Life from the Outside (Couchblip!) [AU]
This Sydney (AU) artist known as Jim Dodd who was actually raised in
the UK just released his debut full-length with Couchblip! with bass driven
simplicity and staccato beats that all mold perfectly together. His unique
elements of sound-design have him in a field of his own creating a style
and displaying it perfectly on Life from the Outside. Top quality electronics
(and even electro) mixed with melodic and uplifting mechanical rhythms
that is sure to please those looking for something new in the genre.
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(06) Boards of Canada :: Geogaddi (Warp Records) [UK/USA]
Not much else can be said, really. Boards of Canada’s highly anticipated
full length works quite well with thorough listens. Generating the usual childhood
memories with relative ease and molding them with BoC flavored melodies,
it’s no wonder that Marcus Eoin & Michael Sandison deliver the best with
each release. Total satisfaction guaranteed and top-notch production on
the mathematically correct Geogaddi full length.
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(07) Further Electronics :: Vol. 1 Comp. (e:Motion) [GR]
What else can you ask for? With artists like Nikakoi, Global Goon, Herrmann
& Kleine and Penfold Plum complimenting the best in experimental electronics,
e:Motion (GR) have combined some of the best international artists to deliver
13 tracks of (mainly already released) tracks. Vol. 1 Comp. is a great intro
to the array of artists and labels creating some of the best electronics out there
to date. Very well executed and designed release.
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(08) Abfahrt Hinwil :: Links Berge Rechts Seen (Toytronic Records) [UK]
Abfahrt Hinwil are the creative duo of Chris Cunningham (not the Video director
for Warp et al) and Toytronic recording artist Gimmik (aka Martin Haidinger). They
quite simply create some of the most genuine, emotional, sad and uplifting
frequencies that it’s hard to take this release out of the CD-player. Each piece
crafted by Abfahrt Hinwil are sincerely developed and engineered to extract the
most from each sound. Links Berge Rechts Seen acts as a compilation displaying
some previously released EP’s and unreleased tracks that are definitely well worth
absorbing.
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(09) Proem :: Among Others (n5MD Records) [USA]
Richard Bailey has been crafting his digital experiments in sound for quite some
time and on several different labels over the past few years. With each release
his style becomes more fulfilling and intriguing. Among Others accurately maps
Proem’s sonic journey through intelligent yet abstractly defined electronics molding
low basslines to direct and punchy rhythms.
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(10) Autechre :: Incunabula (Warp Records) [UK]
Going back to Autechre’s early days, Incunabula consistently and most accurately
laid out the map for intelligent listening electronics throughout the years. And to this
day it continues to propel itself and stands the test of time with it’s ambient electronic
beauty and perfectly structured rhythms. Not much else can be said, this is truly a
remarkable album that should be in everyone’s collection.
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