Various Artists

Artist: Paul Nagle, Parallel Worlds, Dave Bessell u.a.
P: 2018
DIN TS02
LTD 500 Copies
Even after being involved in music since the late 1970’s Boddy has continued to explore new sonic territories and in 2016 he released what was probably his most experimental album in “Tone Science” (DiN48). This album comprised five long, slowly evolving self playing compositions realised entirely on his vast arsenal of modular synthesisers. Boddy’s love of the analogue sound has been well documented not only through his own releases but many sound and sample libraries. These instruments all but disappeared in the 1990’s but recent years has seen an unprecedented growth in interest in this form of synthesiser with a proliferation of both module manufacturers and performers using these highly flexible and personal systems. Thus, inspired by his “Tone Science” release, Boddy has set up this sub-label to feature artists and performers working in the field of modular synthesis. The first release “Module No.1 Structure and Forces” was released in March 2018 and has garnered a lot of critical acclaim. This second compilation “Module No.2 Elements and Particles”, like its predecessor, features nine artists from different musical backgrounds with the common thread being that all the tracks were composed entirely with a modular synth system. The album opens and closes with the ambient soundscapes of two tracks by Todd Barton and r beny. Barton is a world renowned exponent of Buchla modular systems as well as the Music Easel employed on this track. Austin Cairns (aka r beny) has a penchant for lo-fi looped synth atmospheres which combined, in this case, with a field recording creates a haunting, evocative piece. The next three pieces by Bluetech, Parallel Worlds and Paul Nagle build up rhythmic and sequenced elements with a fascinating amount of detail that modular systems are so good at. They also all use various methods to produce a poly-rhythmic, fractal feel as patterns shift and change throughout their tracks. The middle of the album then sees a fascinating experimental ambient interlude by Dave Bessell (a member of the synth group Node) using waveguide physical modelling in the analogue domain. The second half of the album has a rawer, more gritty feel with Richard Quirk building up a crescendo of wonderful textures in his track “Radar Hill”. This is followed by Hainbach using the exotic Ciat-Lonbarde series of hand built instruments to produce, in his words, a piece of “pure electronic music”. Nathan Moody then brings proceedings to a climax with a gnarly, muscular track using a Buchla modular system before the blissful ending piece “Marine Layer” closes out the 60 minute sonic journey the listener has just travelled. Boddy has curated both the artists and tracks on this album to flow in a musical way and not just be a collection of equipment heavy demos. Though fascinating and always cool to look at, it is important not to get lost in the gear for gear’s sake syndrome. Having said that this album features Eurorack, Serge, Buchla & Ciat-Lonbarde modular systems and the nine tracks show how varied and flexible these instruments can be. “Tone Science Module No.2 Elements and Particles” continues the journey down the rabbit hole of possibilities and sound worlds inhabited by artists and musicians working in this ever fascinating and varied musical field.

Artist:
P: 2020
DIN TS04
LTD 555Copies
Tone Science sub-label, from DiN records, continues to explore the world of modular synth music. Following the success and critical acclaim of the first three Tone Science compilation albums, DiN label boss Ian Boddy has collated another nine tracks from musicians of varying backgrounds  working in the realms of modular synthesis. One of the challenges for Boddy in compiling the Tone Science albums is to get the track order flowing to reveal a musical structure. There’s a certain amount of serendipity in this but for Tone Science V4 the shape of the album became very obvious early on. Opening with the beautiful abstract forms created on a vintage Paperface Serge system by Batchas the next two tracks feature gentle shimmering & undulating sequencer patterns from Lightbath & Panic Girl that instil   a sense of calm & wonder. This leads us to the middle section of the album where first Andrew Huang gently slows down proceedings with harmonic abstract patterns before Stefan Bojczuk twists the mood with a stark, moody atmosphere conjuring up images of the isolated landscape referenced in the title of his track, Blackstone Edge. Things start to climb up to the sonic climax of the album with first Ebcidic providing a dark & dangerous pulsing sequence followed by a crazy psychedelic melange of a track from the inimitable Steve Davis. This is followed by a sledge hammer of audio from Mattia Cupelli with huge gnarly bass & TNT percussion from which there seems to be no escape. After such an astonishing climax the longest track on the album by Tim Held at first appears to mirror the distorted tones of the previous track before a sense of calm ensues and the album finishes with a final long, beautiful breath. “Tone Science Module No.4 Form and Function” continues the journey down the rabbit hole of possibilities and sound worlds inhabited by artists and musicians working in this ever fascinating and varied musical field.

Artist: Chuck van Zyl, Stephan Whitlan u.a.
P: 2021
DIN TS05
LTD 555 Copies
Tone Science sub-label, from DiN records, continues to explore the world of modular synth music.Following the success and critical acclaim of the first four Tone Science compilation albums, DiN label boss Ian Boddy has collated another nine tracks from musicians of varying backgrounds  working in the realms of modular synthesis.One of the things that is so delightful about artists working with modular synthesisers is the sheer variety of styles on show. These instruments more than any other can be personalised for each musician who can then express themselves within their own sonic world. The journey on this fifth volume gets under way with the gentle, layered tapestry of “Incantation” by Hélène Vogelsinger followed by the beautiful, glitched piano treatments of “Iterations” from Raffael Seyfried. These two opening tracks compliment each other with their melodic soothing tones before entering deep space territory with the cosmic soundscape of the track “Waving And Drowning” from Stephan Whitlan.The next two pieces very much put the modular synth in the foreground with their sound and technique. “Cuckoo” by Johnny Woods is a hypnotic, cyclical track featuring his Wiard 300 series modular system. This is followed by “Clocks, Unravelling” by Polypores which shows an astonishing command of the modular environment with its ever evolving rhythmic acrobatics.Lisa Bella Donna then takes us back into deep space with the beautifully authentic vintage synth soundscape “Electronic Study #26” featuring her venerable ARP 2600. The next two tracks re-establish the rhythmic side of modular with firstly Matths playfully combining the techno and ambient genres in the wonderful “Delusion”. This is followed by Chuck van Zyl who goes all out with his Berlin School piece “The Zanti Misfits”. The album then comes to a rest and closes out with the static dronescape of “Delicate Elementum” by Philippe Petit with the pure sound of Buchla synthesisers.“Tone Science Module No.5 Integers and Quotients” continues the journey down the rabbit hole of possibilities and sound worlds inhabited by artists and musicians working in this ever fascinating and varied musical field.

“Tone Science Module No.7 Cause and Effect” continues the journey down the rabbit hole of possibilities and sound worlds inhabited by artists and musicians working in this ever fascinating and varied musical field.

Artist: Various Artists
P: 2001
Best of CD with the popular tracks of the late night TV show: Space Night

Artist: Various Artists
P: 1997
Elektrolux e10110cd
"The Elektro Codes.One"" Compilation is the second release in a series put out by Elektrolux. A well compiled range of futuristic slammin' Elektro-flavours introduces our label's quality output and sound philosophy. Artists such as Insect Jazz, Dr. Scissors, S.O.A.B., Babel, Z-Plane, FMF, Fortunato & Montresor, The Saafi Bros. remixed by Jammin«Unit and last but not least Iceland«s Silk are all introducing the listener to the fine sound science of Elektrolux. Handy and well selected: ""Elektro Codes.One"". You'd better check 'em out."""

Artist: Various Artists
P: 1997
Elektrolux e101110cd
"After having released their two 12 ""World Cup"" and ""Rough Life"", now follows the first Dub Mix Convention album on Elektrolux.The 11 track-selection contains the whole spectrum of previous releases: Gabriel Le Mar, Marcus Darius & DJ Reverend are navigating their mothership savely through the dub-galaxy, encountering also the frontiers of house, electro, drum & bass and raggae.In cooperation with other musicians like Mighty Tolga and Jah Meek, tracks like ""Rough Life"" & ""Each One Teach One"" were recorded. Mighty Tolga, the new shooting star of the vgerman raggae- and dancehall scene, is a constant guest in studios between Frankfurt, Cologne and Kingston/Jamaica and lays his hypnotic vocals on a fundament of techno- and steppers beats."""

Artist: Various Artists
P: 2000
Elektrolux e1000110cd
With Dub Backups. Three, Frankfurt/Germany based Elektrolux label marks the end of the Ambient Diary, Elektro Codes and Dub Backups compilation cycle incorporating nine CD and DoCD releases featuring various artists. Like Volumes . One and . Two, the recent selection Dub Backups. Three covers the whole spectrum of Nu Digital Dub, reaching from House and Steppers Beats to Downbeat and Reggae influenced stuff. Among the tracks chosen are many unreleased cuts, the line up for this exceptional gem includes Tricky Cris, Ronda Ray meets the Gab, Riddim Wize, Signal Theory, Dub MIx Convention feat. Mighty Tolga, Syncromatic Dubsters, G2, Shango P.A., JFC, Index ID, Soehngenetic, Benjamin Wild, Smoke Opera,Me, Myself & I Production and Azure Taint.