Review: Roam Recordings' periodic compilation series returns after a year off in 2021. As with previous editions, main man Jason Peters has put together a fine selection of back catalogue gems, lesser-known remixes and obscurities from the vaults. It's a fine snapshot of the San Francisco-based imprint's uniquely psychedelic, cosmic and heavily electronic sound, with highlights including the clap-heavy, mind-mangling hypno-throb of Freudenthal and Jake The Rapper's '1982 (Darlyn Vlys remix)', Endrik Schroeder's Patrick Cowley-inspired revision of 'Brothers' by Back To The Wave, the acidic electro-disco breathlessness of Vongold's 'Pleasure Cinema' and Cardopusher's new beat-meets-EBM style revision of Tronik Youth's Fairlight-sporting 'Number Wang'.
Review: Named after a quote from French philosopher Jean Luc-Nancy, You Don't Make a World With Simple atoms is a two-part compilation assembled by Latido in honour of the label's first birthday. This first part, which like its partner collection features new music from the label's growing roster, largely offers a cosmic and psychedelic take on electronic disco. There's plenty to admire throughout, from the new beat influenced throb of Tronik Youth's 'A New Day' and the smooth, sun-kissed Balearic nu-disco of Monoxido, Tulioxi amd Daniel Monaco's 'Walking Home Mad', to the pleasingly warped, late '90s Orbital flex of Colbertizo & Durand's electro-flecked 'Two Indians in a Club', and the surging Italo-disco/druggy synth-pop fusion of 'No Escape' by Italoconnection.
Review: Take it back to the mid-20-teens and Newcastle Upon Tyne's Man Power, aka Geoff Kirkwood, was only just getting out of bed. With early releases on Jennifer Cardini's Correspondent and later John Talabot's Hivern Discs, Man Power has taken it all the way through ESP Institute, Optimo Trax and Throne Of Blood to Skint, DFA and of course the project's home label, Me Me Me. With a spotlight over three years of remix work that sees Me Me Me lift a selection of remixes made over Bryan Ferry to Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca, Man Power takes it back to the roots with a rework of Woolf vs Projections and Tronik Youth! With the heaviness of Man Power's remix to Ess O Ess a highlight too, expect a touch of acid, EBM, Italo and kosmische inspirations woven in and around bustling drum machines, analog synths and plenty of Man Power.
Review: Neil Parnell (aka Tronik Youth) has been a staple of London's electro scene for about 10 years now. Lately he's been putting out some seriously fine mixes and re-edits, but here he's just dropped a brand new production. "Zulu Whiskey" is a slowly escalating electro-houser with severe new wave/Balearic leanings - always a good thing in our book. There's plenty of remixes too, including Gemini Brothers' deep and fuzzy italo/cosmic workout and, best of all, the filthy and broken EBM thruster of a mix by man of the moment, Emile Strunz.
Review: Given the ubiquity of straight-up disco and boogie edits, it's heartening to see Tronik Youth doing things differently with this fascinating release. The four tracks are decidedly sludgy and left-of-centre, from the dreamy slo-mo Balearica of "Rare Breed", to the clanking, metallic rhythms and curious rock vocals of the strangely stomping "Electric Baby". Best of all, though, are the two tracks that bite old EBM and Belgian new beat jams. Opener "What Is Love" is particularly potent, with mid '80s house riffs riding a deliciously dirty, analogue-heavy new beat groove. The pulsating "Body Heat" - think "Sensoria"-era Cabaret Voltaire with a twist - is almost as good, and one of the most interesting edits you'll here for a while. Three cheers to Tronik Youth for doing things differently.
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