Given that Melbourne’s about 10,000 miles away from the Cafe Del Mar, Australian producer Len Leise might not seem like the most person to have recorded 2015’s undoubted Balearic masterpiece. But that, readers, is exactly what he’s done. His new album on International Feel “Lingua Franca” (review here by our Rob) hits the shops tomorrow and its a beauty. Read full feature here. Press play and drift away with Len Leise’s Afro Trance DJ mix.
What a tin it is. And what musical treats it contains within! Three discs — crammed onto one USB in this instance — worth of mindbending oddities and eclectic obscurities, the kind of stash of super rare, super weird records that fills you with both joy (these records are incredible!) envy (I wish I’d found them!) and sadness (I’ll never find really cool old strange balearo-scando-disco stuff like this on my own!) before zipping back round to joy again.
You can buy the trio vinyl set — and if you’re quick enough, one of the very, very limited edition tins — from all good retailers now, but if you need a little taster — geddit!? — before you get some cash out of an ATM, why not listen to this gorgeously compact super mini mix that Prins has put together?
Ahead of his sold out Barbican show with the BBC Orchestra, conducted by Christophe Mangou, Jeff Mills reveals an exclusive mix of his favourite composers and a taster of what’s to come on his new album…
‘The mix comprises of various compositions from my favourite composers and a few from myself with pianist and composer Using the last composition in the film2001: A Space Odyssey by Stanley Kubrick as my first track here, my objective was to create a charismatic continuation soundtrack that takes place after the end (finale) of Kubrick’s film. Something that addresses an unusual unfolding occurrence, perhaps the special synthesizing that happens when/as human life is formed. Where elements are the subject of consequences far beyond the listener’s control.’
Tracklist
2001: A Space Odyssey (Sprach Zarathrustra) Richard Strauss, performed by the Berlin Philharmonic
‘This was selected because of the climatic ending of 2001: A Space Odyssey.’
Atmospheres, György Ligeti, performed by the Berlin Philharmonic
‘Partially used as a transition piece, I used it because of the chord structure and notes that were found in the composition before and after.’
G Song by Terry Riley, performed by Kronos Quartet
‘This is the main composition of the mix. I wanted to find something beauty that would make the listeners lose their place in time and space. An evolving piece, the playfulness of it reminds me of Debussy.’
Metamorphosis Philip Glass
‘This was selected because of the simplicity of it. Simple, but deeply beautiful.’
The-Sensational-beauty-of-nothing-at-all, Jeff Mills
‘This is sample of a track from an forthcoming album I’m working on entitled, Free Fall.’
The Eternal Burning Beauty Of Fire, Mikhail Rudy and Jeff Mills
‘With this unique composition, I wanted to display how the complexities of life can be unexpected and random and with all humans, we began on a life where we are constantly trying to perfect.’
Few artists at the vanguard of electronic music have the kind of dedication and singular vision of Thomas Moen Hermansen.
The DJ, producer and label owner better known as Prins Thomashas occupied a regal role in the Norwegian house and disco scene thanks to his influential productions and the Full Pupp label, which for over 10 years has been emitting highly original, synth-saturated 4/4 beats and astral rhythms.
As a DJ he’s especially celebrated for his mammoth five-hour stints at London’s Plastic People and diverse mix compilations Cosmo Galactic Prism and Live At Robert Johnson. They’re ample proof that there’s a lot more to him than the hackneyed “cosmic disco” tag might suggest. His new mix, Paradise Goulash, is panoramic in scope over its three discs, with everyone from Sun Araw to Actress, Kurt Vile to Pev & Kowton getting a look in; it certainly contains the twinkling vistas you might expect, but there are plenty of surprises too. FACT got in touch with the noted record hoarder to find out about his vinyl obsession, the frustrations and blessings of being pigeonholed, and the appeal of rave revivalism. Full Story.
Does Jochem Paap really need an introduction? Better known by his stage name Speedy J, a moniker that stems from his speed behind the decks, the Rotterdam-based DJ-producer is synonymous with the word techno, a key figure in the genre’s renaissance. As an artist, Paap continues to push the boundaries of techno exploration, experimenting with different sounds and textures—the result being a catalog of thought-provoking records on labels including Plus 8, Warp and Novamute. Paap also heads up Electric Deluxe, a brand that encompasses both a highly-demanded event series and a flourishing imprint that promotes creative freedom by encouraging artists to push beyond their usual parameters.
On the eve of the label’s next release, a debut album from Giorgio Gigli, XLR8R connected with Paap to hear more about his production techniques and discuss his inspirations and visions for the brand. Read more
Stephan Bodzin and his custom live set up going to town in Berlin.
We’re particularly excited to bring you Stephan Bodzin‘s new live show, featuring music from his new LP ‘Powers Of Ten’ on his own Herzblut imprint. Always consistent and on top of the game for years now, 2015 has been no different for Stephan, also releasing on the taste-making Tale Of Us’ label Life & Death.
