nwl.

Koutaro Fukui - Between Objects [eko004]

2006-07-19T15:33:00.000+02:00

I have to admit that I couldn't really connect with Eko's extremely minimal releases so far. With ambient, the movie in your head is even more important than with other styles - and Koutaro Fukui succeeds with this fantastically. He kicks off with a very atmospheric track that sounds like generated from one single synth. With "Fltic", Fukui aborts this extreme minimalism and combines electronica beats with wonderful melancholic piano and strings instead. Later on, he even makes use of an accordion and finishes with nice samples and noise on "Ordinary Kitchen".

4x MP3, 256kbps, 51.0MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
Not available...

V.A. - Panorama [dn005]

2006-07-19T15:06:00.000+02:00

Dreiton is one of the few of the lately founded netlabels that shows a coherent concept. Release number five is a first overview and an excellent opportunity to invite some well-known acts: Lod from Sinergy and Daniel Stefanik from instabil.org. All together, eight artists show their definitiv of Dub here. Most of them work very deliberate and elegiac, but two tracks appear somewhat unfitting: The contributions by Dieter Krause and Frank Hellmond are contemporary minimal for sure, but feel like candy with red wine given such hypnotic numbers such as Dreiton's "Boom" and Chris Airs "7th son".

8x MP3, 192kbps, 72.8MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
We got it: Our first compilation gonna hit the streets! We called it Panorama and it presents artists and projects from the international electronic music scene who have one thing in common: a tendency to reduction, to minimalism, to the essential. Listen and tell!

Buzz - Revelation [pp017md]

2006-07-19T12:29:00.000+02:00

Unfortunately, there are only a few netlabels that explicitly cover drum&bass. But still, there is Plain Audio: This is their 17thn release - and it's another highlight again. Three atmospheric tracks with driving beats and hectic percussion. One or two effects might be a bit too much of it, but floating fragile soundscapes compensate with a wonderful ambivalent mood. And it's nice to see which musical bandwith can be covered by three different tracks - keeping true to the genre, of course: "Dragon Love" reminds me of Alex Reece while the dark "Revalation" is a typical reference to Virus.

3x MP3, 320kbps, 48.0MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
Another stunning release from Buzz starts off with "Revelation", a piece that truly lives up to its name by providing cinematic soundscapes and eerie effects. Once the bassline gets you, the track grows deeper and deeper, drilling its way right into the heart of darkness.

The second track goes by the name of "Dragon Love" and shows some of that old school droppin' science vibes. Retro fx and strong bass make this a burner. Buzz proves once again that he's capable of building atmospheres like hardly anyone else.

Last but not least there's "The Ninth Wave": a mad beat-shuffling journey reminiscent of Reinforced's glorious days, exploring the possibilities and depths of breakbeat science.

Nicorola - Bitstick E.P. [1bit015]

2006-06-08T15:12:00.000+02:00

Checkt the official text... =)

5x MP3, 256kbps, 31.8MB ZIP-file (incl. cover): Download here.

Official text:
After two compilation contributions, Nico finally delivers a whole new EP. Many people have been waiting for it - when we were talking to listeners of 1bit, we heard quite often that Nicorolas 1bit #003 is their favourite. So here he is, our guy from Berlin with his unique blend of broken beats and lovely digital synths. And again, we are stunned by the maximum of funkyness he squeezes into his tracks with such a minimal sound setup.

Spenza - acidQuest EP [vxnet001]

2006-05-30T17:50:00.000+02:00

Vakant X seems to be some kind of special gift for fans of the straigth-minimal label Vakant. All stuff that does not fit the vinyl edition seems to be given to the web audience – which is a welcome playground for artists. Following the video works of Chris De Luca (one half of Funkstörung) and Spenza himself, the latter strikes back this time with pure digital madness: The first audio-only release on Vakant X is perfect IDM – hectic beats, disturbing noises, crazy sound morphing. According to the title, Acid has to be part of the program ("acidQuest") but for me feels like the weakest part of the EP. "antiStraight" uses Atari-like sounds while knowing to surprise with melancholic vibes towards the end. However, highlight of this EP surely is "rep eat": Starting sluggishly but developing into a sheer fireworks of Electronica.

4x MP3, 192kbps, all together 42.7MB
Download here.

Official text:
Fast and packed with breaks and noises. After his videos kunstFehler and schnittMenge Spenza is delivering 4 new tracks in abstract jungle/breakbeat - style.

A.C. Projects - Projections [txtn032]

2006-05-30T17:48:00.000+02:00

Textone – run by Jay Haze – is regarded as one of the untouchable establishments of netaudio. One of the reasons for this surely is the popularity of Haze himself and his many vinyl activities (Contexterrior, Tuning Spork) which undoubtedly have helped to introduce the subject of net music to many listeners. However, even pioneers are not immune towards criticism and it has to be noted honestly that there hasn’t been much output by Textone lately. A short time ago, there even was the information that Textone will be closed down since it has passed its climax. Bearing this in mind, this release is totally surprising: "Projections" is one more meditation over the never-ending topic named "minimal" – in seven extracts. Of course, that’s not the latest craze out there – but we shouldn’t expect that from every new release either. Especially not as these tracks here are extremely hypnotic in their slowly developing arrangement and absolutely superb production – might be the perfect stuff for certain moods...

7x MP3, 192kbps, all together 86.5MB:
Download here.

Official text:
Too long to quote - see webpage!

And/Or - Snow Effect [mi053]

2006-05-08T18:03:00.000+02:00

Bleed has categorized this as IDM ("Intelligent Dance Music") in his de:Bug podcast - but I must admit that I have something totally different in mind when speaking of IDM. However, this definitely is great relaxing music from Japan, no matter how you call it: Very calm and harmonic. Of course, there are strange noises here and there - but after all, it's absolutely blessing for stressed ears. Slowly walking broken beats, deep piano lines and a lot of echo - very touching. Even more astonishing is the fact that this already is Mimi's 53rd (!) release.

4x MP3, 192kbps, all together 31.6MB:
Download here.

Official text:
Snow Effects is a collection of 4 melodic minimalist downtempo tunes flavored with hints of acoustic and piano solos. There is also a little IDM/glitch put together by a classically-trained electronica.

Stefan Tretau - Rue De Commerce [brq020]

2006-05-08T17:43:00.000+02:00

Broque.de is one of the few labels that practice the fusion of the publishing media vinyl and MP3. Accompanying vinyl release number four by Stefan Tretau, net-release number 20 brings you eigth tracks/remixes. The interesting thing about it is that the remixers didn't hear the original - instead they were only given a pack of samples. The original of "Rue de commerce" is a nice Techhouse track with cool shakers. Phonout transports this into Breakbeat, Georg Neufeld into atmospheric, pushing Techno and Sinus Force's rework reminds me of Gigolo, Bpitch or Lasergun. However, the real highlight of this EP are the four (!) remixes by an artist called "Freund der Familie". Two of them ("komma strüsch mix" and "abakus rmx") are terrific pieces of deep atmospheric minimal dubby stuff. Excellent in production and far ahead...

8x MP3, 192kbps, 66.6MB ZIP-file:
Download here.

Official text:
Suitable to the current Broque.de-record are we releasing a new track by Stefan Tretau, which is complemented by many remixes. What makes this remake special is the fact, that the remixer never heard the original before and had only a sample-package to their disposal. This makes the result much more interesting. You will get music between drifting raving hymn and tasty experimental melting pot.

Kultobjekt - Home is... [1bit014]

2006-04-04T18:46:00.000+02:00

As usual - you've got to stick to the official text...
=)

6x MP3, 256kbps, 77.6MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
With this EP, Mirsch a.k.a. Kultobjekt once again proves himself as 1bit wonder's probably most productive artist: Six new tracks right out of the fridge, cool and refreshing. No cheap fast food, but exquisite delicatessen. Tasty fare between minimal and dub. For ears, body and... tongue? Whatever you like - have fun!

Juno6 - Crete [tro007]

2006-03-31T11:09:00.000+02:00

Juno6 - a young guy living practically next door to me - has already given an appearance on our latest 1bit wonder, the "Celebration Compilation #2". This is his first netlabel-EP, released on diligent new imprint Tropic. He kicks off with the dreamy "chania", going on to "serpentine" - a really superb dancefloor rocker. Weird sequence he uses, but highly effective, I'm sure. Followed by "sfinari" - a very slow, wonderfully atmospheric piece of melancholy, using a real sample from the roar of the surf. "Crete" finishes off with a piece of playful minimal techno (which is not very exact - Juno6 always shows some house influences as well), "syia 3". Very nice release!

4x MP3, 192kbps, 36.9MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
juno6 provides for the first sunbeams this year and prepares for us a perfect mix of minimal, ambient and housy sounds.

V.A. - Cooking with herbs [ecb002]

2006-03-31T03:15:00.000+02:00

Epicure Business is a label operating from Thuringia, which is only a few minutes by car away from where I live. It's nice to watch people starting their own projects and developing within this process. I have to admit that their first release was not my sense of taste, but this one is: Five Tracks by the artists Less, Insert84 and Gunne (from 1st Decade). Gunne surprised me with his dryly kickin' minimal shit, with 1st decade in mind I expected something different... Insert84 and Less stay minimal as well, with the first one moving on to somewhat dreamy, almost melodic structures while the latter unleashes two superb bassy movers, "don't grab my fuckin money" being my favorite on this release. Should get some dancefloor testing soon... =)

5x MP3, 320kbps, 59.3MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
Not available...

Ontagon - Forgetful EP [post-digital]

2006-03-23T02:51:00.000+01:00

I don't really get how this netlabel works but I guess they don't care - which seems to fit with the sound as well. This EP starts with two weird tracks somewhere between ambient and IDM. It goes on with some more relaxt, nice, soft breakbeats till it flows into a sound that is something of everything: Some oriental influences here ("180 degrees"), some pop there ("forget to remember"). Sometimes it gets melancholic, but even though it combines all these different elements it never turns kitschy. At the end they even serve some Hiphop - amazingly good one ("grandfather clock") - and something to laugh at ("rain on my parade"). Great stuff that is!

7x MP3, 192kbps, all together 34.8MB:
Download here.

Official text:
this 7-song ep is a varied and strange journey of diverse electronic songs. from the glittery idm synth intro to the dark industrial middle-eastern 180 degrees, this ep defies categorization. originally released on the ontagon.com site in january of 2005, its rerelease on post-digital in january 2006 will bring it to new listeners.

V.A. - 30 Days [pm001]

2006-03-17T04:02:00.000+01:00

I absolutely like this project, Peppermill, with its total feel all around and stuff. Take their wonderful down-to-earth self-description for example: "The Peppermill is a fun little project label based in Vancouver, trying to make interesting art in interesting ways."
And their first project is really interesting indeed: 30 artists from all over the world working together on a project in a period of 30 days - resulting in a monster longplayer of 30 tracks. Of course, the result is very diverse - with some absolutely superb vocal tracks by Antenne and Alice Rose as well as some works which are simply too crazy for me (Domotic, Venetian Snares). Surprisingly enough, there's is not one track in here which I would consider belonging to the much-hyped genre "minimal" - most of these 30 tracks work in a field between IDM, experimental and ambient. Some elements of classical music (KKFS), trashy dance (The Flashbulb) and acid (Bogsnarth) are represented as well. However different all these tracks are, because of the production process they all fit together somehow - a nice flow of 82 minutes music...
Note that the next project will be an open remix project of this release. For sample packs and more info click here.

30x MP3, 192kbps, 113MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
This album was created in thirty days by thirty different artists, in a sort of chain-collaboration where one finished at midnight and passed it on to the next to continue the set. Each song leads smoothly into the next creating one slowly morphing mix of a large variety of electronic music.

Holden / Unit 21 - Ucomputer EP [grat001]

2006-03-16T17:58:00.000+01:00

A new netlabel hailing from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia - with musical orientation towards ambient and minimal techno. Release number 001 already sounds promising: Nice deep cuts with a lot of atmosphere. Ranges from minimal stuff ("ucomputer") over ambientish electronica ("recommand (u21 re-run)") to slowly movin' techno ("ucomputer remix"). Comes with a stylish graphic artwork - one picture accompanying each track plus front & back cover. Very nice!

4x MP3, 192kbps, 35.8MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
the spirit of the first net-release half-opened the holes, where the green rat will be making its promenades. following the "nothing amiss, when saving whiskers and tail" principle, pc had felt crackling of the musical linen on its own back ('recommand' track) and came to the conclusion, that techno is on the verge of foul - i.e. when it's not yet hard, but already catchy ('ucomputer remix') - provokes a natural reflex of musculoskeletal system. 'ucomputer' and 'blop-bip-bop' are manifestations of deep techno with "intelligent" pulsation, and that's all and even a bit more to say.

V.A. - Sushitech Err9r [mnlv004]

2006-03-16T14:54:00.000+01:00

Minlove releases are always promising: This time, it's UK-based Sushitech with a label showcase. And it's a maximum one: 14 tracks, covering a musical spectrum from sophisticated electronica (Franco Cangelli, Nir T.) over nice atmospheric stuff (Koljah, Westend Ghetto, Stl, Automata) to dryly kickin' minimal (Miss Fitz, Molair). It's nice to see such a young label showing this variety in sound as well with its artists (12 different ones). The release is divided in two parts, the first one representing the "mother label", Sushitech, the second one dedicated to its sub, "Sushitech Purple". I have to admit that I like the first half better as it is more diverse and not as straight as the Purple part. However, with this release Minlove definitely establishes itself as a highly welcome enrichment to the netaudio scene.

14x MP3, 256kpbs, 153MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
Too long to quote - see webpage...

V.A. - Celebration Compilation #2 [1bit013]

2006-03-10T02:50:00.000+01:00

No comment - just listen... =)

12x MP3, 256kbps, 136MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
It has been a wonderful first year - thanks to all our artists, listeners, fans, critics, supporters. Our second big compilation is our birthday gift for you - a diversified collection of tracks that can give you a good idea of how wide our musical spectrum is. From jaunty minimal techno and detroit-influenced 4/4 to experimental electronica and the songwriter stuff of "The Noise Tales" - there probably is something in here for everybody, ranging from sweaty basement club dancers to meditative sofa surfers...

Kai - Atomic [audio808.011]

2006-03-06T11:59:00.000+01:00

Argentina's Audio:808 comes with a double release in February: Kai on 011, Vaia on 012. I prefer this one here - three nice minimal tracks with a good flow. Their sound is not too stuffed, instead Kai holds it pretty minimal. The Bassline always vibrating, all three tracks come with an underlying and somewhat dubby chord or rhodish sound. Sounds deep but still moving. Well done!

3x MP3, 192kbps, 34.2MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
Only available in Spanish...

Xoki/Hieronymus - Dub World Order [KY_D12]

2006-02-28T19:07:00.000+01:00

These guys carry the dub spirit in their ass, baby! Four excellent new meditations over such eternal themes as slowliness, deepness and the indifference of time and space. The only point of critic is this organ in Xoki's "Cut Down" playing just one note in a loop - sounds uninspired and unfitting to me. However, it's still one of the best releases 2006 has seen so far...

4x MP3, 192kbps, all together 30.5MB:
Download here.

Official text:
Too long to quote...

Phillipe - Demasiado Personal EP [pn005]

2006-02-27T17:43:00.000+01:00

South America is coming stronger and stronger on netaudio fields. Pueblo Nuevo, hailing from Chile, is one of those up-and-coming netlabels that get better with every relese. Phillipe is diggin' in minimal tech styles with this one - ranging from moving loopy stuff ("Canyon", "Mom") to pretty deep shit ("Una pausa", "Miss"). Unfortunately the offered ZIP-file is one of those huge ones including each track in four different qualities...

5x MP3, 64kbps/192kbps/VBR/OGG, 121MB ZIP-file (incl. cover): Download here.

Official text:
In this first release for our label, Phillippe delivers 5 minimal, melodic tracks, using sound process and repetition as his main material for composition. Synchopated rhythms with a flair for the dancefloor.
Undoubtedly, we except new surprises and many more music and by Phillippe.
Pueblo Nuevo adds a new member to the catalog and acknowledges everyone involved in this release.

Dreiton - Classic EP [dn001]

2006-02-27T16:54:00.000+01:00

There are not many netlabels which provide high quality stuff right from the start. I hope, Dreiton will be one of those few ones that do. The first release already sounds great: Deep dubby stuff with clicky modern background sounds, done by the founders themselves. Very atmospheric tracks for quiet hours and chilly moods. Love it!

4x MP3, 192kbps, all together 39.3MB:
Download here.

Official text:
The first releases you can find on the new dreiton.net-label are from the dreiton-project itself. The tracks were produced in 2004 and 2005. Deep bass grooves come upon atmospheric sounds to be harmonized, and move on and on endlessly...

Dark Vibrations - Equall E.P. [tro003]

2006-02-17T09:37:00.000+01:00

While their first two releases were nothing for my musical taste, Tropic surprises me with these high-quality tracks. With a lot of reverbs and delays, Dark Vibrations - producer from Argentina and labelowner of audio808 - creates a dubby feeling over heavy techhouse rhythms with shuffled hats.
Three nice tracks for early or pretty late hours in the club - or in front of your pc speakers... =)

3x MP3, 192kbps, 26.8MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
dark vibrations comes with melodic broken bleeps, dubby structures, shuffled grooves and a refinement, which one hears only rarely today.

V.A. - Soundtrack for Your Wedding [aer002]

2006-02-17T09:20:00.000+01:00

I always told you that I have a soft spot for personal releases. So if you compile a selection of netaudio for your own wedding I'm on your side - especially when that selection is a nice one. Aerotone has done a great job with this one - powerful emotional listening stuff. Most of it I would label as "ambientish electronica" while some tracks go in a different, heavier direction (Ecoplan, funky Blisaed, pop-like Cloinc). I guess, with music like this it must have been a nice celebration...
(Wonderful webpage, by the way...)

14x MP3, 192kbps, 81.3MB ZIP-file:
Download here.

Official text:
14 artists from all over the world taking part in this compilation for a very personal occasion and giving their impressions for this wonderful and unique day in life. 'Soundtrack for your wedding (AER002)' is describing a journey through several styles of soft and heartfelt electronic music. This soundtrack is a wedding present, reflecting all these emotions we went through. Thank you all musicians and artists for taking part, this day was accompanied by your music!

Zofa - Private [ykyk003]

2006-02-09T23:43:00.000+01:00

After starting with an excellent debut release, Berlin-based Yuki Yaki goes on with releasing deep minimal stuff: Zofa from Mexiko City sent five wonderful tracks which are clicky, chilling and somewhat trippy. The sound design is pretty demure but highly effective. It's not the kind of stuff dancefloor crowds will go crazy to but I think it was never meant to be like that. Instead, it's great music for head and brain...

5x MP3, 256kbps, 39.7MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.

Official text:
Is it the abrasive sensation of the megalopolis Mexico City or is it more the shivering awe in the shadows of an ancient Aztec temple that keep the tunes of this Mexican Electronica craftsman confidently on the edge between beauty and bit reduction. Just envision an immaculate House tune being fragmented into a thousand shiny dazzling splinters and then being recomposed by the artist showing an unconcealed indulgence for tiny little flaws and scratches. Zofa keeps a moderate pace on his 5-tracker for Yuki Yaki which appears to underline the comfy furniture reference of the name itself. Zofa seems to be more after the slightly abstract dim-lit glamour of an artisan bar than after floor-breaking excitement. This minimalist cocktail has to be served chilled!

Navarro - EKO Std. [skm008]

2006-02-07T18:45:00.000+01:00

Again a very nice release on Standard Klik Music. Navarro does everything right and delivers a beautiful piece of ambient. Atmospheric, melodic, relaxing. I guess that's exactly how ambient is meant to be...

7x MP3, 192kbps, 40.7MB ZIP-file:
Download here.

Official text:
Navarro want to share with us this new 7 tracks MLp EKO std. journey in his "natural" sweet environnement of sounds and melodies, minimal and ambient. Another trial to make it possible to extract one from the weight and the inertia of a sometimes heavy and tedious daily routine, search of poetry and appeasing in our high-speed consumer society. Please find for the 1st time a video accompanied by this release, realized by Navarro.

Le Debut - The Banjo Consorsium [seed014]

2006-02-07T18:19:00.000+01:00

I love music that is personal. This release is full of wonderful tones, sounding somewhat "hand-made" and... strongly personal. "my.sugar melted" is my favorite - what a great soundtrack for sentimental scenes. I admire this skillful use of classic instruments - like trumpets, guitars, flutes, violins. Simply great.

6x MP3, VBR-MP3, 55.2MB ZIP-file (incl. cover):
Download here.
(Files also available as .ogg and .aac.)

Official text:
nostalgic, thoughtful, and unique. a mixture of classic folk-tale sounds and modern beats, the banjo consorsium’s “le debut” is a refreshing addition to the seedsound library: it is haunting and almost desparate at times… searching for a path through something uncharted and innocent, while maintaining a mature precision in a production that is truly personal.