Review: To accompany Heiko Hoffmann's photography book of the same name, Above Board has compiled some of the best tracks to feature in Berlin clubs from the early 90s to nowadays. No Photos features the dramatic Detroit techno of 3MB's "The 4th Quarter" , while Mijk van Dijk and Tanith's 9-10-Boy project and Alec Empire's "SuEcide" capture the wide eyed rave of the early 90s. The compilation also features signature Berlin techno tracks - ss any record more closely linked to Hardwax/Berghain than the Maurizio Remix of Vainqueur's "Lyot"? -while the hypnotic bleeps of Sleeparchive's "Elephant Island" is a true minimal classic. Like the book, No Photos is expertly curated and executed.
Review: On his debut solo LP for Ostgut Ton, Leisure System co-founder Sam Barker turns his focus toward the psychology behind the musical decision making process, with solutions for 'quantifying pleasure, abolishing suffering, and the ethical use of drugs and nanotechnology' - being just some of the themes over its nine tracks, with a strong aesthetic of dub techno throughout. From thought provoking IDM cuts like "Posmean" or the particularly cavernous "Gradients Of Bliss", right through to moments of emotive techno-soul as heard on the title track and the transcendental ambience of "Wireheading" - 'Utility' is a non-ironic musical approach to a whole spectrum of utilitarian and transhumanist ideas.
Review: While it may not seem as familiar as other artists, Sam Barker's relationship with the Berghain / Ostgut axis is long-established. Working together with Andy Baumecker, he has released a series of albums and Eps for the label, while his own imprint, Leisure System, has hosted nights at the hallowed Berlin club. Now flying solo with Debiasing, he reveals a more contemplative edge to his sound. "Cascade Effect" and "Look How Hard I've Tried" are led by atmospheric chords and gentle bass tones, while on "When Prophesy Fails", he offers up a similar, albeit slightly more frosty melodic sequence. Clearly there is a lot more going on to Barker than dance floor techno, and even the warbling rhythm of "Filter Bubbles" is complex, intricate - but always intriguing,
Review: Killekill associated imprint Krake have got something pretty special for their debut release - a diverse and fulfilling compilation of some of the most interesting electronic artists of the moment, ranging from techno to IDM and beyond. This is one for you to check out piece by piece but we thought we'd pick out a few tasty ones to get your juices flowing: Pole makes a rare appearance with the beautiful, dubbed-out half-steps of "Wipfel Dub", Cassegrain's "Serpent" is a fast-winding, semi-techno banger complete with one of the nastiest basslines since Surgeon's "Krautrock"; meanwhile Perc comes in with his pulsating techno camaraderie and Lakker's "Darcdub" is just militantly insane. All in all, a fantastic, wide-ranging compilation of new material from some of the darkest minds out there - check the other, lesser known faces too. We're certainly looking forward to the next chapter of Krake...
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