Salt Tank ‎– Head Straight For The Salt Tank Mix (2000)

Still plugging away here at HTCIS. Getting harder and harder to find that balance between harder to find or sleeper gems that are not overly nostalgic and not drowning in the overwhelming amount of music being released daily.

This one took a while to track down but these guys put out some incredible tracks during the heyday of the 'trance' sound before it devolved into mere formula and raves became tourist attractions. This release features remixes they did for other artists during this fertile period of time. Dig in to the roster and follow the leads and discover the beauty.

For those who were there this will take you right back to what made those times special. For those who may not have been there this will take you back to a time when this sound was unique and new.

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Teargas & Plateglass

Couple of hard to find 'samplers' from the mysterious and elusive Teargas & Plateglass. Though covering the bulk of their tracks from their two album releases these also contain some non-album tracks as well to round out the discography.

With inspiration from Koyaanisqatsi and sampling from Baraka, what's not to love?

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Cir(que)le Of Life

This one is a little more personal than most posts here. Aside from the occasional story here, I realize many of the posts here are just shy of anonymous, directed toward the insiders.

You'll have to follow the remnants of another blog to get the connection of this album, follow the link below.

I just learned, having known this album all these years, that it was dedicated to Christopher McCandless who achieved fame for all the wrong reasons and whose legacy has veered toward myth.

Check out the remnants from another blog of mine lying dormant for the rather detailed, though strangely interesting and relevant, story on the significance of the person to whom this album here is dedicated.

Spiritual Mutt - Christopher McCandless and the Cir(que)le of Life

Shoreless

The parent of this label, though I'm not sure exactly how, I only know they share the same logo. Made a brief appearance for two years and introducing some of us to artists such as bvdub, Quantec and Atheus.

Still need to track down originals of this one and this one for those who may be feeling generous as a lossless source is the missing link and we need to rid the world of price gouging sellers (trust me when I tell you that it is working).

Discography.

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Confineless

The remnants of this label, in ways I have yet to decipher, became the label here which appeared three years later and, within a year, vanished without a trace.

This label introduced many of us to artists such as Teemu T., Mr. Cloudy, The Nautilus Project and others who are still expanding our sonic universe today. I believe this is music whose time has not yet come and will be discovered, like lost treasures, by later generations. 

Discography.

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YAM - Symphony

Replaces the annoying single track mp3 v2 VBR that's been with us since 2009.

Another HTCIS exclusive.

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LTJ Bukem - Mix Tapes Collection

10.6 GB (yes, GB) of various Bukem mix tapes such as this one here from as far back as 1991. 

The Mother Lode.

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Som(m)a

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With too many projects to mention and too many artists sharing a rather large and expansive roster, always with a bent toward something magic, even mystical, this collaboration takes on the Tibetan vibe, with chanting monks to boot.

Logic Trance

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It's amazing to me to see this stuff come back around 20 years later. It was exploding around this time, bubbling up from underground. As I have aged, and the music with it, I cannot help but grin now in recognizing what a special time that was as the sounds laid down during that time are now the base of so much of modern music. 

What sounds new to the untrained ear here brings a smile to the knowing ear as we acknowledge that we really did live through and experience something new rather than revisit it as historical relic. 

LGR

Been on one of these kicks lately and it takes me back to that same place it took me when I first discovered this sound.

It's a happy place.

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Still around though life has certainly taken me on a different path than I could have ever expected. This is painstakingly a very good thing. Maturity?

Perhaps, but I appreciate those who have stuck around or have stumbled upon this blog. Hard to believe it's been seven years (even longer for those who remember everythingonmyipod)!

Speaking of weather...

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Mmm... Skyscraper I Love You

Classic.

CD version.

FLAC

Bunk them scalpers.

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Sense/Net Overload

They had been silent for a few months leaving me unable to get my fix and then, bam, five releases within a few weeks. Happy ears.

Though short in some cases the label remains true to its experimental nature. With sounds ranging from ambient to techno to noise not every release will satisfy everyone's taste unless, like me, the greater the variety the greater the joy.

The description for one of the releases states

lost-radio has gone mad. Mad in a good sense.

Unusual rhythms. Strange melodies. Atmosphere of the city filled with drugs, crime and violence.

This may as well apply to the label as a whole. 

Most releases are Name Your Price offerings but even when there's a charge it's not enough to not show some support to keep the music flowing.

Sense/Net Bandcamp Site

Von Schommer - dc15 (2002)

There seems to be some potential bootlegs of this making the rounds on a certain website which shall remain nameless. I can personally trace the lineage back to the source so there is no doubt where this one originates. 

However, this now appears to be a 'legitimate' bootleg, an unauthorized copy from within the ES camp. Stay tuned.

Even with all the Echospace reissues upon reissues this one has remained elusive and is still out of print in any format and there is yet another layer of this that needs uncovered.

This one is an exclusive to HTCIS - FLAC.

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A**le Is Not Your Friend

A**le and F*c*b**k are not your friends.

Ever.

BTM

One of the best series to hit during the heyday of the electronic music surge. Started off strong with DJs like Dave Seaman and Nick Warren throwing down some mixes proper with eclectic and eccentric tracks but the series eventually just rolled into a series of mixtapes by well known electronic music artists.

By the time the series ended electronic music was, quite literally, everywhere and there was little that was distinctive about this series.

For its time, however, these are essential to discover an incredible variety of tracks from artists that inspired a generation of electronic artists.

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Netlabel Day

Netlabel Day is back.

Lots and lots of free releases from independent netlabels featuring artists from around the world in genres and styles too many to mention.

Support the true indie spirit and get some new and experimental music to boot.

Don't forget to scroll through Bandcamp as well and search by 'Netlabel Day'.

Good stuff out there.

Check it out

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88 FM

For those who know, you know. You're welcome.

Another HTCIS exclusive.

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Biko (Live At The Blossom Music Center), 1986

His album IV was remastered and re-issued in 2015. As my Fiio is able to play lossless, the sound in 24/96 Hz is incredible. I've been on a binge revisiting the album and have stumbled across some documentaries and factoids surrounding its making.

It was a before/after moment when I picked it up on cassette at 14 years old in 1982 and digested it by playing over and over until I knew every word, every note and every sound. Took me right out of my suburban naivete and into the world at large and was part of my trajectory away from the world of rock music.

His 1986 tour introduced me to Youssou N'Dour and, unknown to me, I was at the very show from which this audio was taken. I actually was in a cast at the time and recorded it with a Walkman I sneaked in under the sling (crappy recording but still listenable now, sadly, long gone in the moves of life).

In light of recent events, this just seemed fitting.

From what I recall, the chanting went on for a long time, the entire venue in unison.

How far we've come, how far we haven't.

Analogue Dreams 2

The first from this label which in turn produced an incredible cast of artists throughout the late 2000s who charted a unique course for electronic music and helped establish a platform for the 'next generation' dub techno artists, many of whom are still making music today.

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Aside from dub techno and vaporwave, it is the post post-rock guitar based noodling that has captured my interest and keeps me transfixed. 

I highly recommend anything this artist has done.

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One off joint effort from one of the members of one of the heavyweights of the post-rock sound and fellow label mate. 

Its a short teaser with lots of promise, would be a shame if it's the last.

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Analogue Dreams

Electronic based noodling, an homage to the last transmitter in Scotland to switch off analogue television.

The team behind this needs no introduction.

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Seven Years of Home Normal

One of the better labels out there today. I discovered them in 2011 with bvdub's Tribes At The Temple Of Silence, the first of what would be seven release that year after the now classic White Clouds Drift On And On emerged from what seemed to be nowhere and the echospace label would continue its ascent from the underground. From the label:

Hello. Home Normal is a small record label originally founded in Tokyo in 2009. Since then we have been lucky enough to have released over eighty musical packages from some of the most talented music producers and sound dreamers all around the world. We've also managed to donate a significant amount to charities close to our hearts, and have been able (through the kind support of a good many people) to donate our money and time to supporting those affected by homelessness and isolation in Japan specifically. This has been developed through releases and most notably our sponsored shows around the world.

It's tough to keep up with all the great releases that flood us daily but this is definitely a label to keep in your feed as there are some gems here that are worth discovering when you are seeking more mellow, quiet, experimental offerings that require attentive listening.

Name Your Price offering

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The Temple Of Darkness Vol. 1

The tale of another label that has gone the way of ghosts in what was perhaps the heyday of blogging in the late 2000s. Not even sure how or when I came across these but I've got so many files I snatched during this time that it's only over time that I've even begun to dabble in them.

This one was a surprise as the title doesn't fit the notion of 'darkness' I had before listening. Excellent compilation of late 00s techno from a new(er) generation of music makers.

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Art Zero

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As often happens today there are brief moments of musical treasures popping in and out of existence. Like a solar flare or a virtual particle in the universe if you aren't paying attention, or don't know where to look, you'll miss it.

This was a brief flash and appears to now be defunct. The musical business is tough but there will always be art.

Rescue Knife - Enformig (2016) [Special Request]

 

The Energostatic Label has reached out to its fans for a special request for one of its artists who is facing cancer. From the label:

Dear Friends and Listeners, We are at loss and saddened by terrible news.

Our soul mate, MIKHAIL SCHEVCHENKO, also known as ENFORMIG, an outstanding live performer, great techno artist and a good man has CANCER! He has been fighting against disease for 2 years, resources of his family are exhausted. We have nothing else left, but ask for your help. Mikhail requires about $10k (equivalent to 250k UAH) for two rehabilitation courses.

Shocked by the news, we decided to make a release, consisting of Enformig's unreleased/demo tracks he submitted to us long-time ago. All funds received will be transferred to Mikhail's family to help him with the treatment.

PLEASE SHARE, REPOST & SUPPORT! HELP TO SAVE A HUMAN LIFE!"

It's a mere $2 but you can contribute more if you are able.

Show some love

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