AC Records is a label that stands for real Electro. Their records, to date, are true to a sound that has quite strict parameters. A distance is maintained whilst just the right degree of warmth is allowed to dissect the sterility. AC showcases both established and fresh talent, knows what it wants and delivers.
[October 2011] The glories of Kraftwerk. The floor feel of Aux88. Modern pioneers like Cultivated Electronics. Electro is a terse addictive sound. But just as Electro is an outstanding and diverse style, it is easily corrupted and turned into something crase, rowdy and lager filled. Thankfully there are more and more labels pouring forth with quality Electro. One imprint from Germany has recently bleeped onto my screen; born from Acidlab.de is AC Records.
This German label, founded in 2009, already has an impressive back catalogue. With a fierce devotion to Electro, AC Records have scanned the sinewaves for artists of a similar wavelength. Featuring on four of the label’s eight releases is dB_24 aka Steve Romani, arguably the darling child of the label. But, as soon as the needle drops on any of Romani’s Urban Works EP’s it is crystal clear why AC hold him in such high regard. dB_24 takes the listener by the earhole into his desolate electronic landscape, one flexxing with industrial undertones and an insolent barreness. Criss crossing from Techno to Electro, dB_24 creates consistent tracks for both after party and arm chair moments.
Across the octagon of AC 12’s are a trio of compilations. AC opened its doors with Viva Oliv and Xerxes arrived last year featuring Morphology, Highsage and Christophocles. Magnetite amalgamates for a split EP. First up is Time Light Curve. Now that name might mean little to most, but TLC is yet another moniker of the supremely talented Gerard Hanson aka Convextion aka E.R.P. This gifted electronic man does not dissapoint, offering up deep and subtle Electro with a tough 808 edge. The title track, performed by TLC, is a wonderful searching piece that gives a serious nod to 90’s techno. On the flip is a fellow 808 zealot, Headnoaks. The Leipzig artist pushes forth with clipped machine sounds, laconic moods and subaltern moments in tracks like “Promised Land.” “Lost Sense CPU” sees Headnoaks plumb the depths, bringing in greater level of complexity.
Recently UK based Koova brought his brand of Electro to AC. ERem brings together six pieces of molten Electro. The raw side of Electro is sheathed, with Koova injecting some mellower tones in the clinical foundations. The acidified moods of Detroit ruminate across the record, pulsating in tracks such as the “ERem” and “Excess 2.” This is Electro that takes its influences from a spread of sounds, labels like Direct Beat, Tresor and some early Warp moments coming through. Seriously multilayered sounds emanating from this Londoner.
The infamous Morphology first featured on the exellent Xerxes EP in 2010. In recent months the Finnish twosome have been given a full twelve inches with Nucleosynthesis. The four tracker sees Electro and Acid tones merging together. “Lagrangia” is a wonderfully rich piece, Morphology taking measured beats whilst constructing a complex melody. Atmopsherics are at the core, with 303 tweaks rising next to stuccato snares. The title piece ripples with a subdued energy, a track with a dark dancefloor undercurrent.
AC Records is a label that stands for real Electro. Their records, to date, are true to a sound that has quite strict parameters. A distance is maintained whilst just the right degree of warmth is allowed to dissect the sterility. AC showcases both established and fresh talent, knows what it wants and delivers. If you’re an Electro lover, and haven’t heard this label, open a new tab and get listening.
For more info about AC Records, visit their website at www.acidlab.de.
