Newcastle is home to a number of electronically minded folk; Shemale, Zoviet France and the Signals label to name but a few. Flight Recorder can be added to that prestigious list. With four releases in the bag, and more on the way from the likes of Flemming Dalum, Kid Machine and Perseus Traxx it looks like 2013 will be as productive as 2012. One year old and already punching hard.
It can be difficult to navigate the microcosm of labels that exist in electronic music. Genres are spliced and subdivided, many imprints catering to specific sounds. Flight Recorder is a fledgling imprint that bucks this trend. The year old UK label has released an array of styles in its short life, exploring house, techno, electro and even some italo echoes.
The debut launch was piloted by the boss, Iron Blu, and his Jack ‘N’ Daniels EP. House plays a role, 707s and Chicago inspiration running throughout. Elements of UK techno are present, warbling bleeps and future echoes spanning the depths. This opening 12″ is full of moody melodies and soulful strings and is an excellent start for any label.
An EP of various artists followed, showcasing a fine collection of computer minded folk. For the third EP the Newcastle label called on Cottam for some Forgotten Files. Dub techno of industrial limits is the result. Insulated claustrophobic melodies are cocooned in melting strings with beats pile driving, fracking the ambient walls of sound.
For the latest, Emile Strunz of World Unkown and Porn Wax fame arrives with North Sea Body Music. The highly charged “Deception” opens this latest release. A driving electro disco beat sits at the wheel, Strunz unfurling synth lines and rumbling arpegiattors before breathy samples undress. Manchester’s Kid Machine is drafted in for remix duty. The Viewlexx artist has been turning heads with his brand of analogue disco tinted electro. The Mancunian hits the pitch control on the original, slowing beats whilst turning the original in on itself. A broody and moody piece of decelerated disco synth. Sturnz takes over again for “Elan Vital.” The warm and warbling sounds of “Deception” are present as the Newcastle artist stalks with darkened chords. Label boss Iron Blu is on hand to lead out with his take on “Elan Vital.” The head honcho adds charcoal to the original, blackening with eclipsed undercurrents and a raw electro slant.
Newcastle is home to a number of electronically minded folk; Shemale, Zoviet France and the Signals label to name but a few. Flight Recorder can be added to that prestigious list. With four releases in the bag, and more on the way from the likes of Flemming Dalum, Kid Machine and Perseus Traxx it looks like 2013 will be as productive as 2012. One year old and already punching hard.
North Sea Body Music is available on Flight Recorder. [Release page | Juno]
