pic: Andy Gilmore


Juan Trip' and his latest album Fireplace has wowed me into a state of contentment, feeling the cold? Get this on. 23 tracks of exquisite psychedelic content. It's a testament to Citizen Records too, proving they are about much more than full on electronic music. A great release. For fans of obscure '60s and '70s psych and in the realms of modern 'cool', Beyond The Wizards Sleeve and maybe even Battles in the odd instance.






You know i've said how this year has been good for compilations. Add another one to the list. Versatile Records 2008 Compilation. A sublime blend of italo disco, acid-house and kraut rock. Featuring tracks from Joakim and Fabrice Lig and remixes from Danton Eeprom and Ame. Really good stuff from Versatile as usual. Get it here.

Typically outstanding work from The Field on this remix of Popnoname's new track Touch, that's taken from his latest LP Surrounded By Weather. A great follow up to last years White Album.





Ost & Kjex seem fuelled by cheese. They put some Scissor Sisters-esque vocals to the Solomun track Federgewicht and the result is actually quite satisfying given how cheesy it is. Then they turn their hand to some killer techno on Foodchild, a track which has been embedding itself in my head at various times over the last few months.





To stray off electronic music for a moment. Proof that seeing a band live can change your opinion of them was had when I saw White Denim on Saturday, having not reckoned that much to them on record I bore witness to a great show. Their drummer is seriously good. Further pleasant surprises were had when it turned out there was a Justice, Busy P etc after party also at Korova too which was pretty wicked in spite of stolen drinks, lack of money, and friends not lasting the distance :( amazing scenes nonetheless. Sad fact: If you think you've got enough money to last the evening, you are wrong.

Warp records rarely go wrong, and they certainly haven't in the acquisition of Glaswegian dubstep and grime titan Rustie who has produced some sterling remixes of Warp acts Jamie Lidell and Pivot in recent months. Looking forward to seeing him on Saturday in support of Proxy. Rustie destroys what was my favourite dance track of 2007 on the latest Bpitch Control release, Modeselektor Remixed. With the other track here take from his killer debut EP Jagz The Smack. Heavy stuff.




Morgan Geist remixed by Carl Craig. Two legendary names. Taken from the 12" Detroit EP released on Environ back in September.




Might I also point you to the incredible piece by Carl Craig & Moritz Von Oswald where they take on the classical works of Maurice Ravel and Modest Mussorgsky. It comes in 6 movements with interlude and to be fully appreciated probably should be listened to in full, not just a snippet, it's mesmerising as each movement builds on the last. That and Optimo's Sleepwalk compilation have served me well in the recent late nights.

It's always a risky thing doing a cover of an artist or song that is highly regarded. But if it comes off well, then it was totally worth it. It's a couple years old now, but Plantains take on the all-time classic I Feel Love by Moroder and Donna Summer works just beautifully.







Belgium is a hub of goodness when it comes to the cosmic/disco thing. Rubber Room are sounding very promising, their track Cockroach is featured on the new Eskimo Compilation and will surely appeal to fans of Lindstrom et al.




A Mountain Of One have this way of putting me at ease when I listen to their tracks. This remix of a Takahashi Kuniyuki song is no exception, there's always an air of nonchalance about their productions, effortlessly cool or something. A collection of Kuniyuki remixes are available here.







Check out Booooooom! for some nice things to look at.

pic: Hannah Stouffer

Droid is the new 12" release by The Idjut Boys. Two unnamed tracks. Simple, dark, percussion filled disco killers. Grab the vinyl from here.






Check out Civil Music. They've recently released what could possibly be the best track you will hear for some time, i've been playing it pretty much all weekend when i've had chance and can see it setting dancefloors alight. Track in question? Drums Of Death and his mindblowing re-work of Escort's track Starlight. The Drums Of Death vinyl is limited to 500 copies and you can grab your copy or lossless download HERE. Civil Music also has a lot more coming up too. I'm particularly looking forward to an EP release from experimental pop wizards, Javelin.