ANCIENT METHODS, 2012 // 12″ / BUY: VINYL
The latest transmission from Berlin-based techno imprint Ancient Methods (#6) serves up three tracks of looped, no-nonsense industrial techno courtesy of Ugandan Methods – a collaboration project of Regis (Karl O’Connor, aka Ugandan Speed Trials) and Ancient Methods. Truth be told, most of the AM stuff is way too heavy for my taste but this EP pulls the right strings. Devastating, especially the A-side.
Here’s a quick rundown of mixes I’ve been enjoying recently:
Rrose (Sandwell District) – Electronique.it Podcast 153
The mysterious Sandwell District producer Rrose supplies a podcast for Electronique featuring tracks from Miles, Joey Beltram, Conforce, Jeff Mills, and many others. There’s also an unreleased mix of his/her own track “Waterfall” featured towards the end of the mix.
Unseen Selectors – Graphite North Mix Volume 010
Four words: jaw on the floor. Epic, dark, spooky, violent. Demdike Stare, Haxan Cloak, Ekoplekz, Forest Swords, etc. This podcast series consistently delivers the goods.
Tropic of Cancer: Her Will Mixtape by Camella Lobo
Another fine mixtape courtesy of Camella Lobo of Tropic Of Cancer. If you happen to enjoy this mix, then you’ll need to grab this one asap.
100% SILK, 2012 // LP / BUY: VINYL / DIGITAL
936 by Peaking Lights (released on the LA-based Not Not Fun Records) has been hyped to death as one of the best albums of 2011. Honestly, I’m not sure why as I find the album to be nothing special, maybe even a bit boring. Anyway. Not Not Fun sister label 100% Silk just dropped a nice 12″ featuring remixes of tracks from 936 by fellow Silk artists Ital, Innergaze, Xander Harris and Cuticle. I like the old-school drum programming and acid house feel of Innergaze’s rework of “Shines For U”. The track has a nice analog vibe to it that just works.
Here’s one from the vaults. Produced by Ken Leray and Geraint Hughes and released in 1982, the vocal version of “Systems Breaking Down” by the mysterious Anna is one of my all-time favorite synth-pop tracks. Proper Balearic vibes paired with Anna’s spooky and tortured vocals all add up to one helluva classic track. There’s also a more dubbed-out version on the B-side.
The original 12″ vinyl pressing will set you back quite a lot, however, this bootleg has been floating around since 2009 (yeah, the sound quality is terrible). The vocal version can also be found on this fantastic compilation from Electunes.