Hard to find but a group that goes back to the 60's called Silver Apples and their eponymous album-early analog synth music.--Mrmitch
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Nil, Let me know if anyone can find out who this music is by. It sounds like older Kraftswerk but it is not. also good is from the latest fashion show. I emailed over last Christmas but got no reply. The music is by ARP on The Soft Wave LP. No, I am not familiar with this artist. If you look at the Chanel page, at the bottom right, you will see a volume on/off button as an equalizer icon. Rollover this icon with your mouse and it will provide the music information. What I cannot tell is if this is the same version that is being used (limited to a 30 sec demo). Enjoy the music! |
Kraftwerk-"Tour de France soundtracks" obviously! There are also remasters of all their back catalogue. Worth a listen. Some Human league. Anything around "Dare" and before. Massive Attack- "Mezzanine", and maybe "Heligoland" although more dark hip hop in nature. How about some early Simple minds? "Sons and fascinations" or "Empires and Dance" or "Celebration". Kinda old school new wave. All around the time or "Replicas". Anyone that used the old Roland synths. |
Synthfreak, You mean "The art of dying alone" from last year. I had bought that one last year and just yesterday picked up the only copy they had at the Amoeba -Tribes at temple of silence. will have to look for the white clouds.. If you like bvdub, other one to check out is the setting sun from Variant. Also notable is 'K' from Dozzy Donato- very minimal |
I've been infatuated with the producer Brock Van Wey the last few years. White Clouds Drift On And On is essential but is skyrocketing in price. I'd HIGHLY suggest tracking down The Art Of Dying Slowly from last year before it does the same. He used the moniker Bvdub for that one. It's like the iciest of Biosphere's ambience mixed with the Gas album Pop. It's nearly perfect. |
Agree on dZihan and Kamien and K&D Recommendations. If you really want to explore boundaries of electronic music creations, you should get " Autechre". ( i don't think this mentioned on this thread) Autechre's older LPs may be hard to get as they may be out of print and you may end up paying premium |
If anyone is starting out in electronic music listening you can't go wrong with the basic channel, M series by Maurizio and Rhythm & Sound. They are all available on Vinyl as 12" singles- cd compilation is also available, but vinyl is highly recommended for sound quality. While talking about the mighty Moritz von Oswald, check out his latest Vertical Ascent and Live in New York and just noted that new one just released yesterday - Horizontal Structures (not to self: go to Amoeba Music ASAP and get it) New one from Pantha du Prince, Black Noise is also great. Few notable similar to Deepchord is couple of LPs from Quantec. Also silence from Monolake Synthfreak. a recommendation you made couple of years ago- Repurcussions by DJ Distance has become one of my favourites- thanks. |
Synthfans, check this out: simply gorgeous music, not to mention beautiful models and fashion. Let me know if anyone can find out who this music is by. It sounds like older Kraftswerk but it is not. also good is from the latest fashion show. I emailed over last Christmas but got no reply. http://www.chanel.com/fashion/8#8-paris-byzance-ready-to-wear-chanel-fashion-show-21,0 |
IMO the DMode's best stuff is the instrumentals that appeared on some of their singles. I can't recall if anyone has mentioned Massive Attack but if not they deserve a lot of mention. I use their albums a lot at shows- Protection, Mezzanine, 100th Window (3LP 45rpm edition!) as well as their new one. Hawkwind has a new LP out on 180gr clear vinyl. Tim Blake is now doing keyboards. Its the first Hawkwind that has kept my interest in years! |
I picked up "The Mix" by kraftwerk recently. It jumps up near the top of may favorite albums in this category immediately along with "Mix Up" by Patrick O'hearn. Both have outstanding sound quality. "The Mix" does a nice job of taking Kraftwerk's classic groundbreaking material from the 70's and bringing it up to date and relevant to those that appreciate good modern club/synth/pop type music. "Mix Up" is simialr in end result but a more significant twist upon O'Hearn's 80's "New Age" tunes into something completely different that many fans of the original's cannot stomach. |
Agree. Orbital has had a fabulous career. Ditto about the 'Insides'. Orbital's last the Blue was in many ways departure from their signature sound, but still very good. The last thing you want in these electronic albums is someone singing vocals. Surprising Orbitals not only pulls off with Lisa Gerrard singing but it becomes high light of the album that you repeat for and tickled pink (that is the best I can come up with;-))in anticipation. I think Orbita had pulled similar vocal tracks before with great success. Agree on Madonna's Ray of Light LP-A stand out. Agree times 3 on Aphex Twin later work. The last good album was the 'Druqks'. Although, the LP contained some handful great keyboard melodies ever made, the rest was his drill and bass, although the excellent kind in this album, is in stark contrast to the beautiful keyboard/piano melodies. 'The Richard D james Album is another standout and serious piece of work. The 26 for cash was not bad. Now he is putting out non stop unremarkable stuff on Vinyl. May be he should take a high road and retire? |
Single Cell Orchestra did some nice stuff back in the mid 90s. I agree, must of the complications suck, but back in the 90s there were some good ones: Free Zone 2, Chill out or Die 2, the Astralwerks samplers (I have one that has FSOL and Labradford, the Labradford cut in particular is awesome), the Apollo Divine Compilation (has a Biosphere cut on it)... these are LPs that I can play from one end to the other. I think Orbital had a fabulous career. 'Insides' is one of my favorites, and 'Blue' was a great swan song, especially with the Lisa Gerrard cut at the end. Although I'm not a fan of her, Madonna's Ray of Light LP, collaborated with William Orbit, has several nice electronic cuts. IMO its her best work since I can't listen to anything else she did :) If we expand this genre just slightly, Mogwai is suddenly on the horizon- their second to last LP (current LP is The Hawk is Howling) was a set of remixes and is a lot of fun, and I recommend anything that they did. Although its not on LP, the soundtrack to The Fountain is really nice too. Mono is a Japanese band that sounds enough like Mogwai that if you like Mogwai, you will like Mono too. Sundial did a wonderful set of LPs back in the 90s- hailed as one of the modern masters of psych. A spinoff LP, Quad, is really wonderful and well worth the effort, if you want something more chilled. I'm not a fan of his later works, but the early Aphex Twin, which is really minimalist, is recommended. |
Synthfreek, Yes I do like minimal stuff and do immenslely love the pole, Deepchord, basic channel, loscil sound, Rod modell's last is diff the deepchord but still very good. Like I said, the dub tractor is really unique. The 'hideout', his last is complete departure from his first two, but oh so gorgeous. I can't have enough of the hideout. Heavy rotation. I will be sure to check out your recommendations. And Chashmal's too. Amontobin is also unique Then there are minimal spacey ambient stuff from Biosphere. Some good stuff from Tarwater. (the guy can't sing a la Kraftwerk, but good quirky melodies and guitar work)- 'The needle was travelling' a really standout and a must buy. How is the new 'spider smile'? 'Kiln' stuff is a must buy. 'Bibio'is unique electronic 'folk' music, although nothing like typical folk. You buy this kind of stuff after you do Mastery in electronic music listening. Not to start out with. You will eventually be able to separate real stuff from cheesy and typical dance music.(stay away from this and 'compilations') Of course good dance (upbeat)music is out there. Check out 'Motor', the vegetable Orchestra, The field, from kareoki to stardom, skull disco. Monolake is really good stuff. 'Pop ambient' offerings from Kompact label is always good bet I can go on and on... |
Nil I have almost everything on your list. Good stuff. you should track down the album by Yagya titled Will I Dream During The Process? if you're down with the Basic Channel, Gas & Modell sound. Super minimal but more melodic and ambient than BC. Pete Namlook is another favorite of mine. I have many to suggest by him for fans of Tangerine Dream, Schulze(who he's collaborated with many many times), Jarre, Ashra, Hillage, etc. |
Synthfreak, thanks for the dubstep pointer- i will be sure to check it out. I second the global communications Other key acts not mentioned on this thread- just to name few are - Autechre, aphex twin, orbital, plaid, photek, FSOL'S other moniker- amorphous androgynous, Mira calix, Colleen, Felix Laband, Don't forget Ladytron for the synth stuff, Goldfrapp, Komputer, underworld, squarepusher ( check out his last three offering- very jazzy, Air, Boards of Canada. Musiq, stars of the lid, Loscil (u will love these), (I will add more when I get more time) The one not to miss also is the GAS (the founder of Germman label Kompact) Also unique is PANSONIC From newer artists, Venetian snares, 2562, ellen alian, Burial, bookashade, rod modell, box cutter, dominik euleberg, The flying lotus, Panth du prince, luciano, and the trentmoller.. It is not fair to name these all in one breath as their styles differ, but they all make some outstanding electronic music. |
Synthfreek, you and I have a lot of musical taste in common. Thanks for the trivia about GC. I do a one-man synth act called Salubrious Invertebrae (myspace.com/salubriousinvertebrae) An obvious band I forgot- the Orb. Another essential LP is Mystical Experiences, by the Infinity Project, on the Blue Room label. And- Bola. I'm also a big fan of Porcupine Tree. Lots of electronic soundscapes there, especially in their early stuff. |
Atmasphere I consider myself a HUGE Global Communication fan so I have to make a correction. Pentamerous actually came out before 76:14 aka the "ear" album. It was re-released because George Lucas wanted the one 5 second CR-P0 sample removed. That may be the year you have. Remotion is a remix album of theirs' that is superb. You should track down the Reload album for more GC goodies. Nilthepill you should check out the new Distance album. Ace dubstep producer. It's titled Repurcussions I believe. Another pick for me is the Sending Orbs label. The Secede album titled Tryshasla is my fave. Spacetime Continuum-Sea Biscuit. Speedy J-G-Spot. |
Right. Hard to find, but if you see **anything** by Global Communications, pick it up. The first album is the 'ear' album (reissued 3 times), 2nd is 'Remotion' (not reissued) and finally Pentamorous Metamorphosis. If you are into this stuff, these LPs are required. Vangelis did a soundtrack for the movie 1492, it is on LP and so far is his best work. About the same time Mike Oldfield released his best work to date, 'Songs of Distant Earth', also on LP but like 1492, quite rare. But awesome. If you get into Vangelis, his other LPs are spotty, perhaps one of his best is called Soil Festivities. You want to get the British LP. Opera Sauvage is quite nice too. There is a sizable amount of stuff that came out of Germany during the 1970s, loosely called 'Kraut Rock' of which Tangerine Dream is the tip of the iceberg. You may also enjoy Can, Ashra Temple, Klaus Schultz (stay away from his later stuff...), Neu (we issued one of Michal Rother's later albums on LP, if you are interested), Cluster... And our LP, Thunderbolt Pagoda, has been getting good reviews, although its more of a space rock, like early Hawkwind. We did 360 copies and the cover is hand-screened. (myspace.com/thunderboltpagoda) |
Since you are asking for Synth mainly, Check out the ' Broken Spindles' by Broken Spindles- The first electronic album from ' the Faint'. Very Kraftwerky, synth and bells, if you like synth the last track on this album will take your breath away. LPs available, i think. Another must for the Kraftwerk fan is the albums from 'Kraftwelt'- Deranged in space and Retroish. Oh man you will love these. Not sure about LPs Of course work from Depeche mode. 'synthesizer hits' compilation is what I turn to to get 80's synth sound- many hits- like miami vice theme and many more Check out 'www.discogs.com' for anything electronic- you will find rare LPs there- at a price $$ On other note , my new find lately is the Dub steps category: Pole, Deepchord, Benga. And for taste of meditation/beautiful dub, try the 'dub tractor' - music and moniker so cooool. |
Early Depeche Mode, 'Upstairs at Eric's' by yazoo (Vince Clarke-ex depeche mode/Alison Moyet). The Human League. Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Laurie Anderson. Roxy Music. Rick Wakeman especially '6 wives of Henry the 8th' and 'Criminal Record' Soft Cell. Vangelis ELP Pet Shop Boys Jean Michel Jarre. Goldfrapp Ultravox OMD. |
I am surprised I don't see Wendy Carlos - now that is going back to synth roots - remember Clockwork Orange! Also no mention of Depeche Mode (Vince Clarke) and his subsequent work Alison Moyet (Yaz). And Human League - classic stuff - especialy the 12" versions. Visage and Ultravox. Duran Duran's work (Nick Rhodes). And Jean Michel Jarre - perhaps the audiophile synth all time best - like Ultravox - put it on and turn out the lights....WOW, WOW and WOW! |
I third the Synergy, Second the band called FM and for newer groups that are out there, try Ozric Tentacles (Prog Rock meets Synth). You may also appreciate some Mike Oldfield and another interesting band from the seventies and one of my all time favorites was Happy the Man. The keyboardist is amazing and you can find his solo stuff on line. Just search for Kit Watkins. Cheers, |
Here are some of my favorite that I know are on LP: The Orb-UFOrb The Orb-Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld Global Communication-76:14 Pete Namlook-Air I Pete Namlook-Air II Boards Of Canada-Music Has The Right To Children You might like some of the Ultravox and John Foxx lps for more pop-based electronic music ala Numan,Human League,OMD, etc. Future Sound Of London-Lifeforms Future Sound Of London-Dead Cities Klaus Schulze-numerous albums Tangerine Dream-I prefer their early '70's to about '80 releases such as Rubycon, Phaedra & Stratosfear The Edgar Froese(of T. Dream) solo releases Aqua and Stuntman are also i this vein Syzygy-Morphic Resonance Bola-Soup Bola-Gnayse Higher Intelligence Agency-Freefloater Higher Intelligence Agency-Colourform Speedy J-G-Spot Peace Orchestra-Peace Orchestra(or just about any Kruder & Dorfmeister related albums) Anthony Manning-Concision Irresistible Force-Flying High Irresistible Force-Global Chillage Irresistible Force-It's Tomorrow Already Distance-My Demons |
