07.28.05 (MusicPortal.com) EWIGKEIT have completed work on a new album for Earache Records, entitled "Conspiritus." Recorded and engineered by the group's main player James Fogarty, "Conspiritus" is due for release on August 29th. Conspiritus is an analysis of a hypothetical reality in which the world is controlled and manipulated by shadowy figures hiding behind multi-national corporations, the media machine, international banks and the global military. Over the ten tracks on the album, Fogarty's lyrical themes explore the ways in which the shadowy elite have managed to manipulate, enslave and exploit mankind; from slavery via debt through manufactured diseases, to control through the media -- all woven into a non-stop seamless cinematic journey in sound which encompasses the characteristics of Metal, Rock, and sample-based Electronic music -- as gratifying to devotees of PINK FLOYD as it could be to fans of the regimented grimace of KILLING JOKE. EWIGKEIT (pronounced "Ay-vig-kite," which means "eternity" in German) began life in Brighton, UK in the mid 90's as a studio-based project when a young James Fogarty became disillusioned playing in generic Thrash and Metal bands. He originally wanted to experiment with more Ambient and Progressive elements combined with a predominantly Metal-based mix. EWIGKEIT's early demos were a combination of heavy riffs morphed into layers of Ambience to unusual effect. A final demo, "Dwellers On The Threshold," was well-received, after which well-known NWOBHM label Neat Records released EWIGKEIT's debut album, "Battle Furies," in 1997. EWIGKEIT's Progressive leanings and Experimentation were seen as "different" at the time, but it still was not enough for Fogarty, who truly wanted to create a unique sound of his own. He developed his programming and keyboard skills for the release of 1999's "Starscape," while at the same time co-founding Black Metal band THE MEADS OF ASPHODEL, for whom he wrote, produced and recorded three demos, along with the albums "The Excommunication Of Christ" and "Jihad." Meanwhile, a third album from EWIGKEIT, entitled "Land Of Fog," was released via Metal Age Productions - by that time Neat Records having been bought out by Sanctuary Records more for the value of their back catalog than their roster of active artists. In 2004, EWIGKEIT signed a recording deal with Earache, who released the highly-regarded "Radio Ixtlan" (hailed by some as "a 'Dark Side Of The Moon' for the Death Metal generation") last July.
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07.25.05 (MusicPortal.com) A brand new compilation of KRAFTWERK covers entitled "Trans Slovenia Express - Vol. 2" has just been released via Mute Recordings. The long-awaited follow-up to 1994's critically acclaimed "Trans Slovenia Express" includes versions of KRAFTWERK songs by Slovenian artists including LAIBACH. "Trans Slovenia Express - Vol. 2" includes fourteen remakes of songs by what many would consider to be the first mainstream Electronic band, KRAFTWERK - truly pioneers of their genre. Anyone who has some knowledge about the German group would probably be familiar with their classic "Trans Europe Express" album, which was released in 1977. As on "Trans Slovenia Express" KRAFTWERK classics are once again reinterpreted by artists from Slovenia, a small country in the heart of Europe, on the new album. Some of the artists are newcomers, others have been around since the KRAFTWERK days. First up on "Trans Slovenia Express - Vol. 2" are Industrial music pioneers LAIBACH. Their contribution to the album is unique in the sense that the track they perform is not a straight remake. It is loosely based on that band's own song, 'Brother Of Mine,' arranged as though KRAFTWERK themselves would have remixed it. After LAIBACH and their Techno Pop sound, the album continues with a Pop duo called SILENCE, who chose UK singer Anne Clark ('Sleeper In Metropolis') to sing guest vocals on the KRAFTWERK track, 'Hall Of Mirrors.' "Trans Slovenia Express - Vol. 2" continues on a harder note with SIDDHARTA, the biggest Slovenian Rock act, who recently signed a deal with Ministry Of Sound as their first ever Rock act, and who sell out stadium concerts regularly in their home country. THE STROJ (pronounced "Stroy") are a crew of Metal percussionists in the best tradition of TEST DEPARTMENT or LES TAMBOURES DU BRONX, so the song 'Metal On Metal' was an obvious choice for them. OCTEX and MOOB are two laptop artists who came up with very inventive minimalistic Dub/House versions of KRAFTWERK songs that also work well in clubs. So does TORUL's old-school Electro version of 'It's More Fun To Compute,' Trance versions of 'Metropolis' by SEQUAN and 'Sex Object' by iTURK Featuring MAYA, ALENIA's Techno/House version of 'Home Computer' and a Drum 'N' Bass version of 'Metropolis' by O.S.T. LARA-B, a well-known Slovenian female Rock singer does a heavy Rock version of 'Hall Of Mirrors' while ROZMARINKE, a popular all-female string quartet, do a unique remake of 'Radioactivity.' Lastly, 'Mitternacht' by BAST is the only song here to pay homage to pre-'Autobahn' era KRAFTWERK. Each of the 14 tracks here are all previously unreleased, and are exclusive to this album.

07.15.05 (MusicPortal.com) Celebrating the success of her Top Ten Gold selling album "Voice," ALISON MOYET has for the first time ever recorded a commercial version of her sold out "One Blue Voice" UK live concert tour. The concert was filmed just last month on June 6th in front of a specially invited audience at The Hospital in Covent Garden, London. "One Blue Voice" the DVD, will be released by Sanctuary Visual Entertainment on September 26th. Performing with an eight-piece band including a string quartet, the material includes tracks from Moyet's "Voice," and songs from the acclaimed Brit-nominated album, "Hometime." Classics such as 'Should I Feel That It's Over,' 'Alfie,' 'Only You' and 'That Old Devil Called Love,' all of which have never been recorded live before, are also presented here as exclusive bonus tracks within the DVD extras, which also include an interview interspersed with performance extracts and a photo gallery. The concert setlist includes a moving rendition of Michel Legrand's 'Windmills Of Your Mind' and the Elvis Costello composition, 'Almost Blue.' 'Wraggle Taggle Gypsies' lifts the tempo, and the Baroque classic 'Dido's Lament' showcases Moyet's natural vocal strength and ability. The capacity to present this exclusive concert in both Stereo and 5.1 Surround Sound, allows fans of ALISON MOYET to enjoy this intimate performance in the comfort of their own home, as the "One Blue Voice" DVD captures an exceptional talent in spectacular form. Superbly stylized and beautifully lit, ALISON MOYET proves without a doubt that she still has the depth and purity to her voice millions of fans worldwide have come to adore. She's been a card-carrying punk, a Blues shouter, and a dance-floor diva. She's taken one of the most expressive voices heard in pop music in many a year and used it to vividly depict the depths of despair and the celestial joys of love. In short, ALISON MOYET, revered singer/songwriter, has again and again pushed the limits of Pop music ... and she's not about to stand still. Born in Billericay, Essex, Alison grew up in Basildon and left school at sixteen largely unqualified. She spent time as a shop worker before embarking on a piano tuning course which she had to abort in the second year as the single, 'Only You,' became a worldwide hit. This new found fame was alongside Electronic music innovator Vince Clarke in the band YAZOO (a.k.a. "YAZ" in North America). Together, they redefined Dance music, merging the cold soundscapes of synthesized music with sweet Soul. However, after two albums and a Brit Award for "Best New Band," it was... [full story]
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07.13.05 (MusicPortal.com) Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the pond, CRAZY FROG is back. After four weeks at the No. 1 spot with his version of 'Axel F' (knocking off both COLDPLAY and U2 in the process) CRAZY FROG finally hopped off the top spot this past Sunday - though not before becoming an international phenomenon and producing the second biggest-selling single of 2005 behind Tony Christie. CRAZY FROG has now swapped his helmet for headphones and his waist coat for a Hawaiian shirt, as he takes to the decks to mix his version of Gershon Kingsley's 'Popcorn.' A massive international hit in 1972 for HOT BUTTER, the song reached No. 1 in Germany, where it sold more than 1 million copies while giving keyboard fanatics a temporary replacement for 'Chopsticks' along the way. Now, 33 years later, CRAZY FROG has brought it's bang up to date with production and mixes courtesy of Germany's BASS BUMPERS. The CRAZY FROG 'Popcorn' ringtone is already proving incredibly popular on the Jamster website, with predictions that it could even rival the popularity of the artist's 'Axel F' ringtone. 'Popcorn' will be released on August 8th, and will be accompanied by a CGI video created by Kaktus Films. However, if you just can't wait that long for your next installment, CRAZY FROG is releasing his debut album previous to that on July 25th. Containing 16 audio tracks and 2 videos in total, the enhanced "Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits" CD sees the artist at the top of his game. In addition to the massive 'Axel F' and 'Popcorn,' CRAZY FROG adds his inimitable style to classics such as the theme to the television show "Dallas," FELIX's 'Don't You Want Me,' TECHNOTRONIC's 'Pump Up The Jam' and the "Pink Panther" theme. The "Crazy Frog Presents Crazy Hits" release will also include computer-specific features, such as CRAZY FROG screensavers and games. Track Listing: 1. Intro • 2. Axel F • 3. Popcorn • 4. Whoomp! (There It Is) • 5. 1001 Nights • 6. Bailando • 7. Don't You Want Me • 8. Dirty Frog • 9. Magic Melody • 10. Pump Up The Jam • 11. In The 80s • 12. Pinocchio • 13. Wonderland • 14. Dallas (Theme) • 15. The Pink Panther • 16. Crazy Sounds (Acapella) • 17. Axel F (Video) • 18. Popcorn (Video)
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07.08.05 (MusicPortal.com) Following up last year's successful anthology album, "I Could Have Been A Contender," comes the first commercial release from JAH WOBBLE since 1994's "Take Me To God" album. "Mu," scheduled to be released on September 12th via Trojan Records, is a 10-track album described by the artist as "Zen Dub." JAH WOBBLE, one of contemporary music's more unique bassists and producers, has found a new sensibility on "Mu," drawing on a plethora of inspirations, sounds and techniques that make up the genre-busting set. For instance, 'Samsara' is a tough Urban track with a deep and spiritual message, while 'Viking Funeral' is a real London-flavored Reggae number and 'Buddha Of Compassion' is a lush, dreamy and cinematic slice of World Dance. Behind the concept of the album, Wobble explains how "the original idea behind 'Mu' was to make a dub-style Surround Sound 5.1 recording." However, owing to technical difficulties at a fairly early stage, he aborted the 5.1 sessions and reverted to Stereo. Despite the switch back, Wobble "retained a '5.1 sensibility' with most of the tracks, i.e. lots of frequencies moving around, stereo image as wide as can be, the sound layered in sonic tiers." "Mu" also presented itself as a perfect opportunity to showcase the prodigious talents of sound engineer Mark Lusardi (The Orb, David Bowie, Lee "Scratch" Perry, Dennis Bovell, Duran Duran, etc.). Wobble first worked with Lusardi back in 1978, and have since collaborated together on various projects including "Deep Space" (1999) and "Molam Dub" (2000). "He (Lusardi) is the most under-appreciated and unacknowledged 'back room boy' in the game that I know of," Wobble comments. "Mu" continues JAH WOBBLE's ability to mesmerize, surprise and challenge his audience, his musical direction having always been genuine, from the heart and pure. According to Wobble, The title "Mu" refers to an old Zen Koan. "It came into being when a famous Chinese Zen master called Joshu (A.D. 778-897) was paid a visit by an aspirant monk. As a dog walked by the Monk asked Joshu: 'Has that dog got Buddha nature or not?" Joshu immediately answered 'Mu!' 'Mu,' like the original..." [full story]

07.05.05 (MusicPortal.com) The legendary clubs, their patrons and pioneer DJs that paved the way for present day global DJ and Club Culture will finally get their due in the 2-disc DVD release of the internationally acclaimed documentary film, "Maestro." Directed, written and produced by Cuban-born, New York-raised Josell Ramos, "Maestro" has opened in cinemas in Australia, Europe, the United States and Asia, receiving critical acclaim. The "Maestro" soundtrack CD and DVD are set for simultaneous release via Sanctuary Records in North America on July 26th. For the first time, Josell Ramos' documentary puts into perspective the period of time spanning the late 60s into the early 80s when New York City saw the birth of the Underground Dance Music Culture, a musical and a cultural movement that deeply impacted social rules and ultimately set the groundwork for the Chicago House Music scene, the Disco era and present day global DJ Culture. The quintessential elements captured in the DVD on the legendary New York and Chicago clubs like The Loft, the Paradise Garage, the Music Box, and the Warehouse, along with their well-renowned DJs, have influenced parties and dance music productions across the world. According to film critic Kevin Thomas of the Los Angeles Times, "Maestro traces the roots of today's global dance-music culture with a passion, knowledge and insight that is as infectious as the music itself. For the uninitiated it is a revelation and for the aficionados it will surely be a special treat." The "Maestro" DVD provides extensive, unique and compelling insight into the lives of the people who inhabited that scene, such as club luminaries Larry Levan, David Mancuso, Nicky Siano, Frankie Knuckles, Francois K, Tom Moulton, Tee Scott, Robert Williams, Danny Tenaglia, Tony Humphries, Derrick May, Tee Scott, Danny Krivit, "Little Louie" Vega and regulars of the clubs, such as fashion designer Patricia Field. No cameras were allowed in the clubs, yet "Maestro" features never-before-seen original footage of the Paradise Garage and The Loft... [full story]
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[Electronic News: June 2005]
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