Various Artists, Exp/Static [Expanding + Static Caravan – Van 51 E/S, 2003]

The two influential record labels Expanding and Static Caravan join forces and release “Exp/static” a 10″ picture disc for the Christmas season 2003. The expanding (xmas waistline) team is represented by the core of expanding’s artists: Benge, Stendec and Vessel. The static (auntie val’s xmas nylon jumper) caravan team is represented by: Lilienthal (recently reviewed… Continue reading Various Artists, Exp/Static [Expanding + Static Caravan – Van 51 E/S, 2003]

Frank And Bill/Laurent Brondel, Untitled [Skam – SMAK11/12, 2003]

At last this record got released and it’s FAB’s contribution to the ever growing and exclusive Smak split series. Other familiar faces here at Electronic Desert that has previously contributed to the Smak series include New Speaks’ Ola Bergman. This is another excellent release by the grossly underrated duo known as Frank and Bill. Their… Continue reading Frank And Bill/Laurent Brondel, Untitled [Skam – SMAK11/12, 2003]

Melodium, Parthenay EP [Autres Directions in Music – MOULIN001, 2003]

“Parthenay EP” is the very first release from  (Adim) comes from Melodium. Autres Directions (look in ED’s link section) is a French electronica web-zine and Adim is their web-label and they take DIY very seriously: “available records on adim can be dowloaded for free, the artists involved having agreed to that, original works and creations… Continue reading Melodium, Parthenay EP [Autres Directions in Music – MOULIN001, 2003]

Lusine ICL, Chao EP [mental.ind.records – MIR001.4, 2003]

Another excellent release by Lusine ICL and this time around on mental.ind.records. This artist seems to have an unlimited amount of crisp beats and deep basslines to choose from and on the “Chao EP” he does exactly that. “Chao” starts off with harsh sounding treated beats that progresses into a veritable Lusine classic, with momentous… Continue reading Lusine ICL, Chao EP [mental.ind.records – MIR001.4, 2003]

Gimmik, Back to Basics [Toytronic – TOY16LP, 2003]

The latest offering by Gimmik and Toytronic is a full-length album entitled “Back to Basics”. The album has two sides (!), musically as well as physically the first side is beats-oriented and contains a fair amount of production trickery and assorted cut-ups. The second side focuses on atmosphere and soundscapes. One could say that one… Continue reading Gimmik, Back to Basics [Toytronic – TOY16LP, 2003]

Funckarma, DemSongzByWe [ON Records – ON104, 2003]

ON is on it again, the second and last release Anno Domino 2003 features the giants of the deep: Funckarma. They’re not newcomers to the ON label and have actually made contributions to three out of four releases so far. The fourth instalment on ON Records will be a four-track remix twelve-inch entitled “DemSongzByWe” and… Continue reading Funckarma, DemSongzByWe [ON Records – ON104, 2003]

Robokoneko, Anembo [Couchblip! – BLIP006, 2003]

Couchblip! is an Australian label and Robokoneko’s “Anembo” is their sixth full-length CD and Robokoneko’s first full-length album. Starting off the eleven-track album is the short but sweet “Satsuma”. It got strong yet gentle melodies with a decidedly retro-feeling to the choice of sonic elements, without sounding completely immersed in nostalgia. In some aspects it’s… Continue reading Robokoneko, Anembo [Couchblip! – BLIP006, 2003]

Disjunction Reunion, Modernism for Newborns [Couchblip! – BLIP007, 2003]

Couchblip! is an Australian label and Disjunction Reunion’s “Modernism for Newborns” is their seventh full-length CD and Disjunction Reunion’s second full-length album. Starting off the fourteen-track album is the fast paced “Modernism for Newborns” with apt drum programming, nice melodies and string sounds and the same can be said about “Crackers”. In “Thickwig” you get… Continue reading Disjunction Reunion, Modernism for Newborns [Couchblip! – BLIP007, 2003]

Resina, Opinio Omnium [Mousike Lab – MSKCD01, 2003]

This eight track mini-album is an interesting first release from this newly started Italian label called Mousike Lab. They’re based in the South Italian city of Naples and they are part of Avatar 41° – an electronic music and arts collective. The opening track “Muschià” is a beautiful composition starting off with amplitude of atmosphere… Continue reading Resina, Opinio Omnium [Mousike Lab – MSKCD01, 2003]

Various Artists, Avatar 41° [DSP – DSPCD09, 2003]

A self-entitled compilation from the collective Avatar 41° it’s a CD featuring 10 songs and as many artists. Avatar 41° is using some of their own words: “Avatar is a transverse multi-expressive network formed by artists and professionals linked to music realm, communication and visual arts. Absolutely by chance, Avatar has incarnated itself in Naples,… Continue reading Various Artists, Avatar 41° [DSP – DSPCD09, 2003]