MY FAVOURITE SELF-CONSCIOUS NEUROTIC

Here's a link to the most recent interview/article about Morgan Geist. I always take such pleasure reading about the negative idiosyncrasies that only make me appreciate an individual even more.

His response to his decision to use his own name as a DJ name? "Why take on a stupid pseudonym?" 

pretty much.

A DJ For Dark Times

Morgan Gesit makes joyous dance music for tortured souls.

NARCO OST

On continuos play these winter months is the soundtrack to a french film I've never seen, called Narco. The entire soundtrack was scored by French singer/songwriter/multi-instrumentalist Sebastien Tellier, whose distinct sound is prominent, though this time without any vocals. 12 purely melodic classicly Tellier composed songs.

The film is (obviously) about a man suffering from narcolepsy, and I laugh every time I read the wikipedia description of the film: "Narco is about Gus, a narcoleptic, whose life is made difficult by his inability to keep a job because of his narcolepsy".  Hmm. One could only assume that would be obvious "goes without saying" for anyone suffering narcolepsy, no?

Regardless of the potentially boring content it might consist of, I'd like to see it.

I drove through a snowstorm with my parents a few days ago, and had control of the music. They typically don't support my interest in lyric-less post 1990 music, so I was careful with my determination to select a melodic tune for the scenic wonderland drive. I thought it was perfect. My dad said "this sounds like a european film soundtrack to a movie with Carry Grant".  I was impressed with his accuracy for 2 out of 3.

The song I chose for the snowstorm drive was La Ballade Du Georges

my other favourite on the album is Le Long De La Riviere Tendre

FROM THE ARCHIVES

Four years later, these two mixes courtesy of Mo's Ferry Productions remain two of the most solid recorded live sets I've heard. Classic examples of minimal techno and its prominent role in 2005.

The first mix is from L.A based [a]apendics.shuffle, recorded live in Leipzeg, Germany, August 2005.

"Live @ Dreikommanull, Leipzig"

The second mix: "Der Winter Hinterlaesst Seine Spuren"

Recorded live in January 2005 by Dapayk Solo, another Mo's Ferry artist whose musical style has always had a strong consistency to it. 

I PLAY FAVOURITES (for what it's worth..)

Throughout most of December a good portion of my headphone intake was exclusively reserved for reviewing albums released in 2008, which led to my conclusion that 2008 was a year of quality production in the various sub genres that I favor, from minimal techno to nu-disco.

In no particular order (with one exception**) these albums had at one point in 2008 been on constant rotation in my headphones, each one complimented a mood, enhanced my situational surroundings,  and triggered an emotional receptor in my brain in that precise way only music is capable of.

KELLEY POLAR- I NEED YOU TO HOLD ON WHILE THE SKY IS FALLING

Environ records

One of my all time favourite albums remains Kelley Polar's first album, from 2005 titled "Love Songs From The Hanging Garden". This album is a direct continuation of his unique style, but with a polar opposite theme from the first. This is some of the most beautiful music in the world, I am convinced. I've yet to come across another artist in any genre who comes close to creating and arranging like Kelley Polar. 

SASCHA FUNKE- MANGO

BPitch Control

A very pleasurable listening time to be had with this album. Mango seems to fit many moods, from back ground to direct focus, the sounds are soothing and reminiscent of something Pantha Du Prince might produce. Obviously German.

HERCULES AND LOVE AFFAIR- S/T

DFA

Admitedly I slept on this for most of the year, dismissing it as one of "those bands" that "those kids" are listening to. Turns out yeah they are.. for damn good reason. This album became an instant favourite, with some extremely mixable songs into other genres. This album also seems to have made it onto just about everyones "best of" list, and has been highly regarded as a leading album in the nu disco genre that blew up in 2008.

SEBASTIEN TELLIER- SEXUALITY

Record Makers

So the title of this album couldn't possibly be more suiting. Definitely make-out album of the year that I didn't make out to.

Also great to melt away on prescription pain meds if the make-out option isn't available.

That aside, this French producer has his own very unique style that places him in another league of french pop that seems untouchable by any other.

GLASS CANDY- B/E/A/T/B/O/X

Italians do it better

A big transition for me in 2008 was the re-acceptance of lyrics. On the large scale, I generally view lyrics as getting in the way of the music I am trying to enjoy. Of course much of that opinion comes from the fact that most often lyrics and electronic music don't mix.  Discovering Glass Candy has provided me with a pleasure I didn't know I was missing, and has reminded me how fun music can become with the addition of the right voice. It makes sense that I've opened up to bands like Glass Candy and H&LA whose vocalists have unusual tones, which complement the music instead of getting in the way.

This album actually came out at the end of 2007, but remained unknown to me until the later part of 08, at which point it became an integral part of my obsessive rotation.

MINILOGUE- ANIMALS

Cocoon recordings

A subtle beauty of minimal enjoyment.  Though I haven't spent countless days listening to this to know the full length inside out, I have thoroughly enjoyed it on the occasion I pick to listen to it. A good reminder that 2008 did not kill minimal. not even close.

**The exception would of course be Morgan Geist's Double Night Time. Number One. See previous posts depicting my obsessive love for this album and the man who made it.

Also Secret Diary by College, but I already mentioned it in a separate post, so no need to reinstate. 

A SONG FOR TODAY

Crisp, clean, melodic. always a pleasurable combination for me and my headphones.

Today it's Det, by Daso and Pawas, from the Det EP released on Ghostly International in May of 2008.

COLLEGE EDUCATION.

The late 08 debut album Secret Diary, by French electro producer College has just found its home in my headphones, and wow, what a treat. Occasionally I need a healthy dose of well made electro to intercept the consistent techno play. In general this electro is a specific sound the French seem to hold dominancy over. 

I'm compiling my best of 2008 list right now, but it wouldn't be right to include this album, since it's January 3rd and I just finally got it. So instead, this is officially my new favourite album of 2009... which offers a strong start in the right direction, of quality production for both my listening pleasure and dancing needs.

I Need a Better Engine- original mix

BEST OF 08.. AS THE OTHERS SEE IT

While I decide if I will compose my own best of music in 2008 list, here are the top sites of which I agree with on their selections.

The results are quite similar it's true, but still interesting to me nonetheless. Really I was quite surprised when it came time to make a list and look at others, that there were actually so many full length albums from 2008 that I really enjoyed. More so than in the past two years, that's for sure.

Resident Advisor broke it down in three categories: 

top 20 albums, 

top 30 DJs, 

top 100 tracks produced in 08.

I find it particularly interesting/amusing that in the year that wrote "death of minimal techno" in headlines, Ricardo Villalobos was named the #1 DJ of the year. ??

Little White Earbuds categorized by singles (parts 1-4), top 10 albums, and most enjoyable, top 5 non commercial mixes of 2008, all of which are available to download.

The "best of" categories on beatport are far to extensive to list here.. go digging.. it's ALL there.

Critical review site Textura offers an informative series of top 20s; each and every album/compilation/EP and 12" is accompanied by a brief yet detailed review.

Finally, I appreciated reading the beatportal recap of 2008: a year in electronic music news.

Have a look around the site for more specific best of charts.

Also more close to home, "84" over at 84/85 posted his year end best of 2008 full length albums, and is worth looking at as well. Definitely in agreeance with him on most of his selections. just maybe not the real band-y ones...

TREND OR TRANSITION?

Here's an interesting article I found on a topic that keeps coming up: the revival of disco in 2008.

The opening line, "The last 12 months have arguable belonged to disco", offers a blunt and accurate summation of the year in music.

All of the various music oriented websites I frequent seem to be in agreeance with their year end "best of 2008" lists. 

I am especially intrigued by and happy to see that a lot of the focus on this disco resurgence is backed by a strong sense of awareness in young people who seem interested in learning about original disco to enhance the enjoyment of the new. At least this is what I've gathered from all of the research I've been doing. Maybe I am wrong, and not a lot of people actually care, but for those that do, this article is a detailed overview of the current position in electronic music.

Also, if you scroll down to the bottom of the comments, someone posted an extensive list of disco based artists who fit the discussion. appreciated awareness.

not just ANOTHER FRENCH PRODUCER

I first discovered Joakim on my ipod, during a long drive a few years ago when Come into My Kitchen came on. I was hooked instantly and have been a Joakim enthusiast ever since.

It seems every time I hear something else from this french producer it becomes all I listen to.

His Max Berlin remix Elle et Moi remains one of my all time favourites.

His brand new remix of DJ Mehdi's Pocket Piano is about as exciting as it gets for my headphones these days, and the discovery that it's been released as a 12" gives me much satisfaction.

Both the above mentioned remixes are on a compilation he released in October appropriately titled My Best Remixes. 

check his label tigersushi for more.

GOODBYE LEATHER

after nine years of devotion and daily wear, my beloved leather jacket and I will separate. The Chilean shoe cobbler said he'd fix it, but after 2 months of neglect gave it back and told me to "take it to the russians". They didn't want to touch it either. Back to the closet it went, until my dad pulled it out and asked if he could rip it to shreds to make drum handles. When he re-worded it by saying that my jacket could put 3000 songs into the world, I couldn't really refuse, considering the sad and unwearable state it's in. 

Nine years ago the above mentioned father found it abandoned on the gym floor of the prison he was living in. He spent countless hours polishing the worn leather, and even ordered some fushia satin material that he hand stitched inside the jacket before giving it to me for my 17th birthday.

goodbye leather, I will miss you.

A PLAYLIST

no need to glorify the title for this post... straight up here are some songs on repeat in my headphones.

one tree hill -Extrawelt

mango- Sascha Funke

loud- Minilogue

slur- Lusine

madchen mit hase- Isolee

laundry- Midwest Product

logon rock witch- Alarm Will Sound (Aphex Twin acoustica)

light powered- Daestro

all of these artists have releases available on beatport, which also has a sale on full length albums right now.

TIGRESS ATTACK IN PARIS

I was in Paris this spring during the 20 year anniversary parties for Rex Club.  We strayed from rex club only one night, to catch the Noze album release party at Bataclan. While I was there, dancing in a way not at all acceptable by composed parisian standards, I managed to catch the eye of Parisian photographer Johann Rousselot. He was one of the very few Parisians to embrace my unruly dancing style, and the only one to have encouraging words to say about it. He shot a portrait of me, sweating on the dance floor, and gave me his card before disappearing into the night. When I had a chance to look at his work, I was completely blown away. I honestly feel so lucky to have briefly met Johann so that I can know these beautiful and compelling photographs exist and are available for me to look at whenever I want.

NOT HERE

while i compile a playlist to share, here are some things worth viewing in the mean time.

First off, Russian fashion. I have a growing interest in all things Russian, which started 2 years ago when I decided to teach myself to read and write cyrillic. I wondered why at the time, but over the past while, more and more to do with Russia has taken a centre stage on my international interest scale. 

visit the sartorialist and Moscow based fashion blog lookatme for more visual pleasure.

LOVE LOEV LEVO

Here's a little gem released earlier in 2008 on eskimo recordings by an under the radar Swiss duo called  Low Motion Disco. I walked into the bar in time to get the full sample of this from my friend who played it. Just as my other said "I have a problem with groups that have 'disco' in their name", the music went silent and then it dropped..  we both just looked at each other, a little stung by his words, which he instantly had to take back.

oooh it's good.

love love love. original mix. Low Motion Disco.

  

IMPORTANCE OF PLACE... A SIDE NOTE

Over the years I have been subjected to numerous voices in my life trying to reinforce the idea that place does not matter in ones life. They continue to argue that what matters, above all else, is that  you can be happy in yourself, where ever you are.

I understand the theory, to a degree, but have tried to argue the importance of place using what I know and feel, based on my own experience. Now I have a new source to stand behind. Richard Florida, a U of T professor known for his extensive research behind his publications, has a new book, suitably titled Who's Your City. Based on 25 years of world wide research backing the idea that place is in fact as important, if not MORE important than the typical WHAT will I do/WHO will I do it with, this book is full of conclusive information that is currently doing wonders to help me understand why I feel like an alien amongst my fellow Canadians. I am simply in the wrong country.

I would like anyone who has ever argued the above with me to read the following exert from Who's Your City, and then approach me for a further educated discussion.

Furthermore, thank you Richard Florida, and on a more personal level, Clara. I needed this.

The following is a direct paragraph from Who's Your City. chapter one: The Question of Where.

"I want you to think hard about the following questions.

1. How do you like the place you're living now? Is it somewhere you really want to be? Does it give you energy? When you walk out on to the street- or the country lane- in the morning, does it fill you with inspiration, or stress? Does it allow you to be the person you really want to be? Are you achieving your personal goals? Is it a place you would recommend to your relatives and friends?"

ZE NATURR

The dark prince enjoying his (un)natural habitat.

THE DARK PRINCE

Discovering the music of Pantha Du Prince was one of the better experiences for me in 2007, musically speaking. Shortly after the release of his second full length, This Bliss, he played the album to a small crowd at Mutek in Montreal, where my best friend and I stood in wonderment while our ears took in a satisfying dose of crisp, clean, melodically beautiful techno. After the show I introduced myself to Hendrik Weber, the mysterious caped German responsible for producing such a unique sound of immeasurably high quality. Upon his inquiry as to where I was from, the conversation quickly turned to his infatuation with "ze naturr", which I heard about every time we spoke during the 3 day festival.

One year later, on a perfectly humid spring day in Paris, I was sitting in a park alongside the Seine, listening to This Bliss on my headphones. I noticed an approaching figure on the path, a caped figure in layers of black despite the warmth of spring. I sat, favourite music in my ears as a soundtrack while I watched Pantha Du Prince slowly walk by, standing out amounst the tourists around him. Once out of sight, I realized perhaps he was in Paris to play a show, so I collected myself and took off in haste to try and find him. I ducked through the crowd down one narrow cobblestone street after another, all the while my most favourite song, Steiner Im Flug loud in my ears. click bellow to listen...

 

DISCO ITALIA (a mini lesson)

From current production to remixed originals, to recorded DJ sets delivering old gems to new audiences, it is safe to say 2008 has seen a strong resurgence of italo disco music.

Starting with the original sound in its original form, italo disco enthusiasts Metro Area have dug deep into their extensive archive to record a BRAND NEW release for London's famed fabric series.  It's as good a place as any to start learning and appreciating, with an especially enjoyable introduction from Morgan and Darshan.

 

Moving on to remixes.. the song of the week I can't stop playing is (of course) a Morgan Geist remix of special agent man by the original italo disco masters Gaznevada. Their myspace page provides an excellent history of their music, as well as the song in mention. listen to it, love it, then buy it on beatport. 

For an original classic that's pretty fun to listen to, paradise by Dance Department, from 1986 has been on repeat most of the day.

Bringing this brief music lesson up to current, there are two artists I'd like to reference that seem the most fitting for this post. 

Hiding in his apartment in Vancouver Canada, Young Monday  has done his research in italo disco history, with focus on a specific mid 80's sound that has resulted in extremely impressive production. Despite his remote location (let's be honest... who thinks to look at western Canada for new music?) the well received discodust blog managed to find him this summer, and has a link to download my personal favourite, PRLS.

The other producer of current who has caught my eye is Marcello Giordani. 

His song  respect yourself is the perfect summation for todays post, as it is quite quintessentially everything definitive of the italo disco sound, both retro and current. This was recently passed on to me, and in turn I am delighted to spread it further.  enjoy...

DOUBLE IN DETAIL

While discussing the emotional intimacy that myself and others experience while listening to  Double Night Time, one friend offered the words that fit the mood:  This album IS love. 

Whether it be an overbearing rush of tears or joy, or a whole hearted realization that with music like this, one will never be alone in the world, I can't remember the last time a full length album conjured up such an overwhelming array of feelings.

Perhaps part of the emotional attachment to the album comes from having read a series of recent interviews with the seemingly embittered Morgan Geist. Notably the much talked about resident advisor interview, which appears to have set the dismal tone for which other on line magazines and blogs alike have based their reviews from. My favourite contrastive take is the more recent interview on Tim Sweeney's beatsinspace radio show. It was definitely refreshing to hear Morgan outright laugh at himself while speaking in a much lighter tone than in any preceeding interview. Of course behind their hours long banter, Morgan provides an obscure italo disco infused music lesson, and as with all beatsinspace radio shows, there is a provided play list so you can happily hunt down the necessary classics.

MUSIC IS NOT DEAD. or, The BEGINNING...

Absent Appendix has only one place to begin: Double Night Time.

Environ Records founder Morgan Geist has single handedly resurrected my beat down musical soul from near death, which has given me the much needed inspiration to get this music journal started, as well as a great reason to showcase my favourite photo of a funeral parlor for the backdrop.