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It's a sad fact that 12 inch singles are not selling to music consumers like they used to. Sure, they'll always be used by DJs, and some people who don't play out but have a turntable at home still prefer the vinyl format over CD. It's becoming increasingly obvious, however, that artists have to put more focus on the full length release-and labels have to make these albums available on vinyl and CD-to ensure the progression of electronic music. Eight bangin' tracks compiled as an album aren't going to cut it, either. The artist who can strike a balance on their album that pleases the DJ and the home listener is going to be ahead in the end. Here are some of the more notable album releases that should find their way into your collection. Up first is the new album from California's Low Res (Danny Zelonky) on the forward moving Plug Research label. "Approximate Love Boat" is, quite simply, a work of art. The album is subtitled quite fittingly as "Mistaken Alien Interpretations Of Earth Music". Picture downtempo headnodders with a twist, hazy soundscapes, exotic rhythmatix, lush pockets of aural exploration, and future funk beamed direct from a distant planet. Investigate this album, you owe it to yourself. Juan Atkins, the man who schooled many to true techno, has collaborated with Zelonky on past and present projects. If that ain't a recommendation, I don't know what is. If you haven't purchased the #1 joint from last month's Cognition Audioworks Electronics Chart--Shadow Huntaz' "DJ Screams Medic"/"Nut Up" 12" on PR--you'll want that as well cos the music is provided by Trash Aesthetic (Low Res and Mannequin Lung working together). More head exercises come from Rephlex's Mike Dred working with Peter Green (not the guy from Fleetwood Mac, by the way) for "Virtual Farmer". With Green's involvement and education (how many people do you know with a Masters Degree in Electroacoustic Music composition?) comes almost a mathematical approach to sound manipulation, complete with extensive liner notes on each of the 10 tracks. Don't be scared, though. Unlikely sourcing such as Green's mum playing clarinet (badly) and friends' vocals (instead of the usual sample-a-previous-hit routine) along with Dred's knowledge of the persuasive power of the drum machine and analog keyboardry results in a real stunner: jerky dance numbers, warm cinematic pieces, and guaranteed mayhem for the headphone users. And for Mike Dred in electro mode, be sure to check for his "98k Gold" 12" and the accompanying cutup from DJ First Rate of the Scratch Perverts. Germany's Ladomat label follows up their recent excellent albums from Forever Sweet and Netto Houz by unveiling a full length from solo artist Turner. "Lukin Orgel" takes a new look at the house tempo ("Multiorgel" and "Porze"), draws you in with evocative synth washed listening pieces ("Faune" and "Cask"), and shows us the meaning of IDM--intelligent dance music--with the jiggling rhythms of tracks such as "Wieff" and "Drum & Dran". First single from the release is the 3 track "Imschwung" EP, which features 2 cuts not on the album. Robin Rimbaud continues to record brilliant pieces under his Scanner moniker. His latest for Belgium's Sub Rosa is "Sound For Spaces", a collection of 9 pieces recorded between 1984 and 1997 for specific events such as art exhibitions and Internet broadcasts. From 1988's treatment of Irish playwright Samuel Beckett's rendition of his written word to the incredible story told with "Rivers & Bridges", Rimbaud shows he knows how to present found pieces in a gripping framework. Q-Burns Abstract Message has been teasing us for awhile and finally makes his debut album, "Feng Shui", available for consumption. Michael Donaldson, the man behind the Q, pairs a variety of vocalists with his brand of moody to frantic beats. Q excels at a number of tempos, ranging from the chilling sheen of "Jennifer", featuring Gus Gus' Daniel Agust on vocals, to the spy movie theme of "He's A Skull"--the album's initial single which comes complete with remixes from Robbie Hardkiss and The Usual Suspects (who hide out at The End in the UK). Notable as well are Lisa Bridgeforth's sweet stylings on "Kinda Picky" and the percolating acid background of "There Must Be Something…" Donaldson upholds the fine Eighth Dimension reputation with this effort. "Awake In The Lap Of A Dream" is the result when you record a collective of open minded DJs and musicians who aren't afraid to move from trippy slomo beats to house workouts and drum n bass. Freakie People is the name of the label. Expect big things from this group-Jacob Krin, Obvious World (Matthew Ahearn), Joel Garnier, In Flight Entertainment (Ahearn and Garnier), and Freaken Hammer (another Ahearn project)-- they definitely have a way with translating their mass of ideas into a cohesive final product. New York's Sm:)e imprint are definitely on to something good with their licensing of Rae & Christian's "Northern Sulphuric Soul" full length (originally out on the British Grand Central label) for a North American audience. Mark Rae and Steve Christian have moved from remixing artists like the Jungle Brothers to bringing them in to guest on R & C material. In a word, this album is smooth, and that's with a capital S. Whether instrumental cuts such as the album opener, "Divine Sounds", hip hop featuring Jeru The Damaja and the JBs, or sultry soul graced by their good friend Veba, it's all done with panache. High quality funk that shows the Americans how it should be done. Speaking of things British, the Blood And Fire label continues their string of essential offerings with the release of the "129 Beat Street Ja-Man Special 1975-1978" compilation from Junior Byles & Friends. Always immaculately packaged with detailed notes and background info from Steve Barrow, Blood And Fire here document classic soundsystem material from Byles, Rupert Reid, Pablo Moses, Bim Sherman and others who have made Jamaica, and Kingston in particular, such a revered locale for conscious vibes. If you're a Massive Attack fan, you'll see who Horace "Horace Andy" Hinds was running with as a youth; if the German Basic Channel/Chain Reaction sound or Plastikman's "Consumed" is more to your liking, this is a reminder of from where it all comes. A most necessary purchase that will sound just as fresh 20 years from now. Bristol's Milk have put together the "Silver Top Collection" to highlight their current stable. New material from Mr. Neveux ("To Miss C") and Bagg's Dirt mix of Edison's "Drift" rubs shoulders with previously released pieces from Pendulum (the Dylan Rhymes take on "Duck On A Bike") and spine-tingling classics like "Smoocher's Helpline" from Jazz Spanky & The Sound Approach, here reworked by One Cut. For the drum n bass fiends, put your ear to DJ Suv's "Right To Dance" remix of Finger's "Distortek". If this is how they're finishing the year, 1999 is looking to be a good one for Milk. The Crammed Discs family of labels in Belgium releases another batch of quality compilations this month. On Language, "The Family Album" offer exclusive newies from Endemic Void, Phosphorous, and Buckfunk 3000 and serves as a tidy introduction to what the Language people have in mind. SSR and DJ Morpheus present hop hoppers including Non Phixion, Basement Khemist, Mass Influence, and a slew of others on "Phax n Phixion: The Nu Hip Hop Underground". Early in the new year, look for some choice Brazilian and Latin music from BossaCucaNova, a relatively new label that Crammed is preparing to expose to a wider audience. Can't wait. Cognition Electronics Top 10 1. Mike Dred/Peter Green-"Virtual Farmer" 2 X LP (UK Rephlex)
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