A record that once again proves the dynamism of early techno and never die attitude of the TB303.
Mapping a journey in sonic creation
There are seminal releases in electronic music. Then there are ground-breaking ones. “Stakker Humanoid” belongs to the latter category. Originally released in 1988, Brian Dougan’s creation was a sensation that crisscrossed the clubs of the world. Not only did it bring “acid” to an ever greater number of smiley clad ravers, but it also melted the TB303 with house and techno, bold beats and bass, to devastating effect. “Stakker Humanoid” has been a record bag weapon for nearly thirty five years now and De:tuned are paying homage to it with some very special guests.
The original is up first and will be a welcome addition to any collection. Squelching bass, thumping drum patterns and belligerent robotic samples are the ingredients in a track that has barely aged in spite of its years. Dougan offered an updated version of his ode to strobe and sweat for De:tuned’s tenth anniversary compilation, “sT8818r.” It is this revised edition that three trailblazers of British electronics use as inspiration to deliver three very different remixes: Luke Vibert, Mike Dred and Autechre.
Vibert carries the Atari samples and frenzied whoops of 1988 into his interpretation. Acid lines are bubble and simmer below solid snares with brighter tones dawning to bring balance. From one Rephlex stalwart to another, Mike Dred maintains a steady percussion line as this true acid master takes the helm. Thumping kicks offer fertile ground from which notes bend and flex. Smouldering with a late-night intensity, this remix adheres to the club core of “sT8818r.” The outliers of the guestlist must be Autechre. Arguably the most influential partnership in machine music, Booth and Brown are better known for their complex compositions rather than their 303 rinsed works. The interesting thing is you never know what to expect with these Mancunians. And, as per usual, the pair deliver the goods and surprises. Drum patterns have not been shattered and spliced, instead the rhythm route taken on this A664 remix, the number being a road reference that links Manchester and Rochester, is a steady pulse. Although the warbling liquid lines and samples that characterised both “Stakker Humanoid” and “sT8818r” are present, they are refracted in a pool of reverb. The approach is different to the house anthem reworks of Gescom that appeared on Skam as simply “A1-D1,” this remake is both dark and deep as it ensnares and reshapes the original to produce something recognizable yet transformed.
sT8818r Humanoid maps a journey in sonic creation. A classic from a pioneer of all forms of electronics (lest we forget Dougan’s work in Future Sound of London) to re-imaginings from sound sculptors who have been responsible for changing what electronic music means, this 12” contains more than three decades of audio history in its grooves. A record that once again proves the dynamism of early techno and never die attitude of the TB303.
sT8818r Humanoid is available on De:tuned. [Bandcamp]
