Chart: June 2019

UNTHANK012 – DJ Guy (Unthank)

Beautifully presented clear vinyl 12” with yet more tracks from Guy’s inexhaustible deadstock. Electronic vignettes which span various, random moments of electronic evolution that cater to everything in general, and nothing in particular.

The Lonely Machine – John Shima (Firescope)

Again, another wonderfully realised package, this time from John Shima, on the conceptually on point Firescope. Emotive analogue soundscapes which ooze a dawn of time ambience that is currently finding its niche once again amongst the heads. It’s also a sound which is distinctly British, with a long, sideways glance towards Detroit. Mixing reflective, beat-driven ambience with slow burning, stellar sonics is a winning combo.

Never Owned A 303 – Binary Digit (Seven Hills)

I first heard this on one of Jane Fitz’s Rinse FM shows; this six tracker has variety, depth and energy. I’ll play the faster stuff pitched down a little I think. The title track is a DJ Stingray mainstay in waiting.

Union EP – Bitstream (Vinyl Underground)

Worth it if only for the repress of the sought after ‘Monolith’, a low key anthem currently going for silly money on Discogs. ‘Double Destiny’ from the same release is also included, as well as two new tracks, ‘Union’ and ‘Apollo Blunt’, which give a harder, more gritty edge to the release. Lovely stuff.

Ghostride The Drift - Ghostride The Drift (XPQ?)

Abstract electronics, described as “smudge-ambient” by Boomkat, and “outer rim junkyard electro” by Rubadub (maybe not, but that’s where I first saw this couple of cut-up genre descriptions). This is a release which intrigues and puzzles in equal measure without getting out of second gear.

Fog FM – Anthony Naples (Ans)

Described by Naples “as a house music transmission . . .  from a station out of space and time”, this double pack is a mood setter and is aptly named, sounding as it does like a collection which is both sonically vague, but with embellishments of enough clever detail to allay any slide full on into the ether.

Uchusen EP – Janeret (YoY)

Janeret is a producer whose path I’ve been following for a while now, and it’s the two tracks on side 1 which show him in peak, lush, dreamy form. Those on side 2 are great as well, embellishing breaks on double levels of intensity.

Far Away From Everything – Jeremiah R (Voodoo Gold)

Voodoo Gold is a great label from The Netherlands which seems to specialize in putting out single disc mini albums. This is Jeremiah R’s second on the label, and precedes a third, which will come out in a month or two. As always this is top draw electronica with a kick. This has an electro foundation but not necessarily a superstructure.

Levant EP – Vern (Joule Imprint)

A label going from strength to strength with each passing release, this four tracker is made up of some deep, liquid, tranced out minimal techno and resembles Pure Science slowed down and aquatically inclined.

Fr-Dpx – E.R.P./Duplex (Frustrated Funk)

Essential double header which pairs label owner Ovatow’s “Reclock” of Duplex’s ‘Molecular’ with ‘Zrx’ by E.R.P. . There’s a nice contrast between the slowed down electro ambience of the former, and the more incisive, edgy sound of E.R.P.