Darkness Isn't Always Dark

Go here to get a little background and you'll understand the reference to Demdike Stare and, if you are attentive, you'll connect with the origins of Shinjuku Thief's Witch Trilogy).

These are musicians who aren't afraid to explore those darker channels of our being most people try and avoid. As with anything dark there is always light to be found once your senses adapt. 

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Tosca - Opera (1997)

A classic.

Sourced from vinyl. 

Some differences in track times but known mostly for the vinyl only track clocking in at around 1:20 vaulting the selling price of the vinyl version to ridiculous levels.

Save yourself some cash. 

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O₂

Everyone knows the original. It was the album that started my journey out of the obligatory suburban classic rock thing into the world of electronic music.

This is a late 90s techno inspired reworking of the original and is awesome, in that late 90s club kind of way. I had no idea this even existed until yesterday. What a great find. 

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AHC

Not sure how I came across this album back in the day but it's grown to be one of my favorite albums. It's been around long enough that most people should know it by now but there's a special treat on this version.

Hint: Japan has the best releases.

Try

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Breakage - FACT MIX 104 (2009)

Breakage's This Too Shall Pass is in heavy rotation on my player. I wish I could claim to know much about the technical minutiae of drum n bass or dubstep (or grime or UK funky) but I know what I like to hear. I can tell you, however, that most of what is passed off as "dubstep" in American media is not dubstep. Knob twiddling alone does not a dubstep musician make.

Give this mix a whirl with a bass heavy sound system or headphones (no earbuds please) and go for a deep dive into the bass that makes this sound so mind blowing. May not be everyone's thing but it is certainly good for the occasional bender.

Enjoy

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Erik Jackson - Remember The Night (Special Edition Vinyl Rip) (2013)

If you like your jazz drum n bassy (or your drum n bass jazzy) check this guy out. Stumbled across his stuff a while ago and it makes for some great driving music. Highly recommended.

This is one of his more recent efforts (his Road Less Traveled was my first listen) and is a lo-fi throwback version of it ripped (by him, so it seems) from vinyl and available to download.

Samples are free and the support is reasonable. Check it

HERE

Spaceci - Ontology (2013)

A while ago I provided a link to a compilation of tracks by an artist who goes by the name Spaceci. His tracks would always stand out on the various dub techno compilations I find myself listening to so decided to give him some props.

I also learned he had a CDr release this year and it was sold out and unavailable. So I contacted the producer (David Ya from the Entropy Records label) who forwarded my email to the artist who, to my surprise, contacted me. Totally cool.

He informed me that the album would be posted to his Bandcamp page soon and he'd let me know when it was up. He let me know it is up today. Made my day.

The album is a 'Name Your Price' offer but, as always, I encourage you to show some true support.

HERE

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I Remember The First Time I Heard Your Voice (2010)

Takes what sounds like classic black and white film music (a la the cover with Joan Crawford) and gives it a subtle bit of psychoses through the use of well chosen samples.

A vinyl only release, it's something fresh and different and guaranteed to please.

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