Favorite Releases from November 2022
Life is a snowflake, a free-falling star
a fragile reminder of all that we are
born of a raindrop laced by the breeze
spinning through space dancing through trees
a diamond of life, a gem in the sun
a journey of hope , a new life begun
- Charles Ghigna
November continued carrying over the ADE vibes, bringing warm memories and a full slate of exciting releases, albums, and remixes that spans a broad spectrum of underground house and techno. This month’s selections feature: Spekki Webu & Altjira, Simone Bauer, Lord Of The Isles, Daniel Avery, ASC, Claudio PRC, Ben Kaczor, ZG, RDS, and Lawrence Le Doux.
Spekki Webu & Altjira
Aalto’s Labyrinth
Patterns Of Perception
Patterns of Perception and Minimal Collective have joined forces to launch an annual VA project, Future Patterns. The project takes the form of a various artists compilation release available digitally and as a limited edition CD with accompanying 3D animated artwork and visualization. With an emphasis as much on the visual as the sonic, the aim is to push the boundaries of multidisciplinary craft within the contemporary electronic music industry.
The first compilation features music from C-Refund, DBR, HOMI, Jasmin, Jay Duncan, Konduku, Mary Lake, Nali, Nicole, Solid Traveller, Spekki Webu & Altjira, Sunju Hargun, and VC-118A, as well as visuals by Rotterdam-based, Italian-born artist Deborah Mora. All profits from the first release will be donated to the Berlin-based children’s charity Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk.
Future Patterns invites both artists and listeners to explore the future of electronic music and the sounds, techniques, and energies that could shape it. The project was initiated and coordinated by the Berlin-based electronic music collective Patterns of Perception, with visual concept and direction by Minimal Collective, an Amsterdam-based platform and artistic network operating at the intersection of music, art, and technology.
buy on Bandcamp
Soundcloud - Spekki Webu
Soundcloud - Altjira
Simone Bauer
Luna Sativa
From A Lost Place
Colombian imprint From A Lost Place reveals the third installment of the charity compilation project showcasing a wide range of vibrant sounds of 20 artists that contributed a piece for this charity compilation. Entitled “Sigh Of Relief,” it features music from Aspetuck, Human Space Machine, Laura BCR, Arkajo, Daniel[i], Martinou, Saphileaum, Rambadu, Ina Kacz, Ebende, the label owner Launea, amongst other artists.
Money raised will help the Fundación Rediseñandonos located in Bogotá, which works to reintegrate homeless people through needlework. another part goes to indigenous organizations in defense of life and care of the environment in Cauca region.
Simone Bauer‘s “Luna Sativa” is imbued in deep melancholy blending break beat-driven rhythms endlessly rich layers of organic textures.
Lord Of The Isles
Together
ESP Institute
Scottish producer Neil McDonald, better known as Lord Of The Isles, returns to ESP Institute with the release of 'Night Of The Endless Beyond,' the sophomore album immersed into a mysterious beauty of rhythms and sounds. The label describes the album as follows:
“The tracks very slowly crept into formation from the lowest depths of 2021, and once the completed album finally made the leap from creation into manufacturing, an entirely new onslaught of follies and delays awaited at the pressing plant. We began to laugh, for not only did Mario Hugo’s otherworldly sleeve artwork visually translate this music so well, but it was an uncanny premonition to the album being lost in space, falling through a black hole, evaporating into the aether like a dream that never really happened. But, at long last, ground control has confirmed contact! It did happen, it will arrive, and it’s not a myth.”
“Together” evokes a reflective mood in the listener with its subtle harmonies combined with gentle introspective synth tones and textures to craft boundless and beautiful atmosphere.
Daniel Avery
Higher
Phantasy Sound
Electronic music producer Daniel Avery presents his new album “Ultra Truth,” a coherent force and outstanding collaboration with friends featuring Ghost Culture and Manni Dee, the vocals of HAAi, Jonnine Standish (HTRK), AK Paul and the voices of Marie Davidson, Kelly Lee Owens, Sherelle and James Massiah. In the artist’s own words;
“Ultra Truth finds me in a different place to where I’ve been before. My previous albums have all focused on the idea of music being an escape or a distraction from the world but that’s not the case this time. For me this album is about looking directly into the darkness, not running away from it. There’s a way through these times but it involves keeping the important people in your life close to you and navigating the noise together. This is an intentionally heavy and dense album, the hooks often hidden in dusty corners. I’m no longer dealing in a misty-eyed euphoria. Ultra Truth is a distorted fever dream of a record: riled, determined and alive.”
In creating 'Ultra Truth', Daniel Avery went back to many of the things that had inspired him to first make music as a teenager - pensive, emotive records by Deftones, Portishead, Nick Cave or Mogwai, the exquisite darkness of David Lynch’s movies and - on tracks like Devotion and Higher - the thunderous energy of leftfield rave music.
“I’m working with an entirely new world of sound on this record. Every single influence from the last decade spent on the road plays a part. Things that have been in the back of my mind forever, warped, distorted and pushed to a new place.”
ASC
Eye Of The Storm
Past Inside The Present
UK electronic music producer James Clements brings his new “Eye of the Storm” EP to Past Inside The Present under his alter-ego of ASC. The atmospheric drum & bass shines through all four tracks creating a tapestry of drifting rhythms and delicate synth melodies. The package comes with remixes by Inhmost, zake & James Bernard, and Cristina Ganone.
The opening track, “Eye Of The Storm,” melds widescreen electronics, lush pads, and rolling rhythms to the pristine and atmospheric drum and bass.
Claudio PRC
Kaikō
Delsin Records
Following on from his 2021s "Rites Of Passage" EP, Italian producer Claudio PRC returns to Delsin Records with another well-crafted release of multi-faceted techno. Comprising of four tracks, the “Challenger Deep” EP perfectly captures the deep and hypnotic vibe and expertly weaves it into hazy, futuristic creations, each with its unique sound.
The closing track “Kaikō” draws upon the layered magnetism of intricate textures, hazy percussive rhythms and colorful effects with its washes of subtle synth timbres and gentle atmospheric flourishes.
Ben Kaczor
Bura
Dial Records
After releasing his ‘Sun Chapter One’ LP earlier this year, Swiss producer Ben Kaczor debuts on Dial Records with his new full-length album ‘Petrovo Uho.’ The eleven-track record continues to evolve Ben Kaczor’s sound bridging the space between lyrical melodicism and propulsive house and techno rhythms. Here is what the artist intends to say about his album:
“For the album, an important conceptual thought came from encountering a rare ear-shaped seashell called Petro Uvo (Peter’s Ear). I found it while diving in Dubrovnik, Croatia in the summer. Inspired by the sound of a foreign language, I decided to keep all the tracks in Croatian, some of them in the dialect of the town of Dubrovnik, because the atmospheric soundscapes of the tracks reflect memories and feelings of traveling through Croatia, the force of the sea and wind, the play of lights and moods.”
The EPs fifth track “Buta,” is an elegant exhibition of an intricate blend of rich, atmospheric textures wrapped around the edges of subtle electronic sounds, replete with the delicate Ben Kaczor’s touch for mysterious deep techno.
ZG
Aura
Scissor and Thread
“ZG is the moniker of London-based Zansika Lachhani and Grant (aka Anthony Collins, and the Tony in Frank & Tony). The concept was borne out of a connection online, as Grant and Zan connected on Soundcloud, both independently vibing off each other's music and approach to their art.
In 2018 they began to work together, developing a number of tracks but eventually parking the project as other life commitments got in the way. Fast forward to 2021, while clearing out old harddrives, Grant rediscovered the recordings and was blown away by the music already put down. Together they began to rework and develop the project further, resulting in a blindingly beautiful seven track LP.
Opener Jungle Times sets the scene, an atmospheric dreamy opening giving way to an idiosyncratic breakbeat and whispered vocals from Zan, setting the tone perfectly, floating the sound equally between London and New York styles. Following it up is the enigmatic Roll of Thunder, drawing its power broken beat patterns, deep and soulful strings and washes reminiscent of 4Hero in their prime.
When Young also brings a jazz aesthetic to the fore, with upfront drums and Rhodes chords washing over in melodic bliss. Ombre starts with a thick bassline and urgent synth stabs before developing into a tripped-out groove, layered with thick synth lines and subtle harmonic touches. Similarly, Aura uses some of the same sound palette as well with touches of guitars and more sparking pads creating an uplifting yet melancholic journey. The first real vocal arrives with the penultimate track Dog Days, dreamily layered over beautifully evolving synth washes and skittering beats. By the time Drift Out arrives to usher in the last act of this exceptional LP, we are on cloud nine.”
buy on Bandcamp
Soundcloud - Zansika
Soundcloud - Grant
RDS
BB Suite
Kalahari Oyster Cult
RDS plumbs the depths of analogue texture on his Kalahari debut proper. Following a guest appearance on Eversines’ ‘Plooi’ EP, the Amsterdam artist returns to explore the more expansive integers of his hi-tech sound across four deftly crafted tracks. It is exactly the sort of enveloping, sophisticated material we’ve come to expect from a De Lichting member.
Straight deep space manoeuvres on the opener. Setting billowing widescreen pads against solid, tight groove, ‘2312’ feels as if it’s escaping the eye of some turbulent solar event. Then, landing with a sensitivity absent from the harsh climes of its predecessor, ‘BBsuite’ leaps from translunar to tenderness with dappled keys and lithe breakbeat intricacy. Saying that, there’s still something undeniably explorative and sc-fi in its mood, almost reminiscent of Orbital or Future Sound of London.
Lawrence Le Doux
Notation
Nous’klaer Audio
Brussels-based producer Lawrence Le Doux steps up to the Nous’klaer Audio imprint with the new “Insula Dulcamara” EP. Lawrence Le Doux‘s unique style reflects dissonance, sublime melodic patterns, and rhythms, gliding across ambient and leftfield electronica. The sophisticated sound design continues in “Insula Dulcamara,” expressing his artistic flair and constructing an immersive sonic journey.
The second track “Notation,” embraces all the power of luminous vibrancy of abstract sonic intricacies and shifting rhythmic elements, beautifully creating contrasting moments of intensity and delicate ambiance.