I didn't make a year-end list.

But, one of my favorite moments in music from 2007 comes at around 1:30 on the album version of Radiohead's "Reckoner."

Here's their performance, entitled Scotch Mist, from NYE on Current TV.

Kathy Diamond- I Need You

Here's an interview I conducted with Veronica Vasicka, founder of Minimal Wave. An edited version appears in this month's Pop Manifesto.

First off, what is the purpose of Minimal Wave?

Minimal Wave is a NYC based record label and web project, founded in 2005. The type of music we focus on is previously unreleased 80s electronic, minimal, synth, and wave from all over the world. The purpose of the label is bring the old material back to life via limited edition vinyl pressings (300-1000) and artful packaging.

What motivated you to set it up?

I launched the label during the summer of 2005, after coming to the realization that there is an entire world of music out there that is yet to be discovered. Since I had been doing the "Minimal-Electronik +" radio show on East Village Radio, I was constantly on the look out for 'new' old material. I made contact with artists, and as a result received loads of great material, much of which had never been released. Immediately, I thought "this needs to get out there".

Describe the sounds and subgenres you’re focused on.

The sounds include synthesizer and drum machine sounds from the machines which were manufactured in the 1970s and early 80's such as: the legendary Roland Tr-808 drum machine, the Roland Cr-78 the Korg MS-20, the Juno 60, the Arp 2600, and the Korg Mono/Poly. Often referred to as "the sounds of the future", these sounds were used in Sci Fi and Futuristic films of the 60's and 70's. The first 'wave' of Minimal Wave was recorded between 1979 to 1985, and includes obscure new wave, old electro, synthpunk, technopop, minimal synth (which is a more stripped down new wave), minimal electronic, and coldwave (which was the post-punk scene which emerged in France in the early 80s). I would say that the best material was recorded around 1981.

Who influenced these artists?

These artists were influenced by Karlheinz Stockhausen, Pierre Henry, Robert Moog, Can, Faust, Tangerine Dream, Bowie, Kraftwerk, Jean Michel Jarre, Klaus Schulze, and later on Daniel Miller, the Human League, OMD, John Foxx and Depeche Mode. In regards to the 1960's, Delia Darbyshire was a pioneer in paving the way for these musicians. In 1963, she wrote the theme for "Dr Who" along with Ron Grainer, and created synthesizer sounds by splicing magnetic tape together, without even using a synthesizer.

What are your most prized releases and why?

My most prized releases are probably MW001 Oppenheimer Analysis, and MW003 V/A The Lost Tapes. Oppenheimer because the release inspired them to re-form, and even play live again. They have been recording new material, and are releasing on various German labels. They have been doing really well, and make a great live act. The Oppenheimer Analysis release also reached the European DJ culture, which was never expected.

Have you managed to connect with a lot of the original artists through what you’re doing?

Yes of course! I even traveled to some of the artist’s homes in Europe and got to know them very well. The response has been excellent. Many artists are surprised by the renewed interest in their music. I think they get quite inspired when they hear that someone in NYC knows about their band from 1982! It's also great to play some of these songs out, and see people dance. It's proof that the spirit of the music lives on.

Just back from Copenhagen, one of my favorite cities in the world. However, the weak dollar is really, really making things painful across the Atlantic. In any case, some photos and recommendations forthcoming.

In the meantime, check this:

Moodymann- Lake Shore Drive (Todd Terje Rekutt)

Beach House- Gila

From their forthcoming LP, Devotion, out in late February on Carpark Records.

More info here.

Dettinger- Untitled 01

Massive Attack vs. Mad Professor- Radiation Ruling The Nation (Protection)

Spiritualized at the Apollo Theatre, November 16, 2007.

The setlist:

Sitting On Fire
Lord Let It Rain On Me
True Love Will Find You
Cool Waves
Amen
Going Down Slow
Feel So Sad
Soul On Fire
Walking With Jesus
Stop Your Crying
All Of My Tears
Baby, I’m Just A Fool
Anything More
Ladies And Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space
Broken Heart
I Think I’m In Love
Encore: Lord Can You Hear Me
Oh Happy Day

Photo Credit

A few things I've been enjoying lately:

Burial- Untrue
Will Saul- Simple Sounds
Pan Pot- Panorama
Pole- Steingarten Remixes
Elektrons- Get Up (Greg Wilson's Special Mix)
Klimek- Dedications
Sigur Ros- Hvarf-Heim
Valet- Blood is Clean
Valet- Fire
Sun- I'll be the same
Sally Shapiro- Disco Romance
V/A- Pop Ambient 2008
Goldmund- Two Point Discrimination
Wooden Shjips- Wooden Shjips
Chloe- The Waiting Room
Holy Ghost!- Hold On
Still Going- Still Going Theme
Tracey Thorn- Grand Canyon EP
Donnacha Costello- Colorseries

Seefeel- Charlotte's Mouth

I'm in Chicago at the moment with Speck Mountain, who are in the studio recording a new single, including "Blood is Clean," a cover of the Portland-based band Valet.

In Karl's words:

"We recorded this last month at Soma Studios with Tim Iseler... A lot of people do covers, but not many do covers of their contemporaries... It was the easiest song we've recorded so far; a day in the studio and about 2 hours to mix...The entire process was effortless-- we didn't think too much."

"Blood is Clean" is the UK bonus track on the band's album, Summer Above, to be released on Peacefrog in March. The track will be released in the US as a single. Formats, etc, TBD.

Speck Mountain- Blood is Clean

I'm working on a feature on UK producer, remixer and A&R, Will Saul.

Some bits and bobs from my notebook:

"It's very easy to make a dancefloor record that has power without any melody-- Drums, drops, big bass lines, eq's.

It doesn’t take a lot of musical background or pedigree to do just that.

The thing that really gets me going is a really interesting melody, as I think it's really hard to make a great melody into a strong dancefloor record -- a listenable record yes, but whenever you can channel the two things together it can be very powerful."

Stay tuned for the whole thing.

Mouse on Mars- Subsequence

Sometimes I hate my inbox:

hello, in the event that you are putting the
justice record on any year end lists we wanted to
make sure you had the proper information because
over the year a lot of reviews incorrectly listed
the album title as "cross".

it should read:

Justice Ý (Downtown/ Vice / Ed Banger)

note: to get the cross-like symbol just hit your
computer's option key and the letter t

thanks
[initial redacted]

Caribou- Niobe

From the archives:

This is an old(ish) Fabric radio mix initially used to promote Mayer's superb full-length mix for the series. It's a really enjoyable selection of tracks including some Soylent Green, Richard Davis, Superpitcher, etc. A few years on, all have aged very well, a true testament to his taste as a selector. It should be also noted that Fabric is launching a new podcast series October 24th, which promises mixes from Andy Weatherall, Craig Richards, and an assortment of other notable artists. Instead of playing the new stuff, the idea is to piece together a curated look at all the artists that formed their current musical tastes. Should be interesting indeed.

Michael Mayer- Fabric radio promo mix

Zoot Woman- Taken it All

Magik Markers- Taste

SAVE THE DATE

I've been asked by the Knitting Factory to help curate a night for their ongoing Blogger's Delight series. Come stop by on Monday the 15th starting at 9PM. If you haven't seen Speck Mountain play, you're in for a treat. Also, Ava Luna opens, alongside Stephen Christian (DJ smc) of Warp Records dropping unreleased Warp jams and other assorted quality.

Come say hello if you're in the neighborhood.

The full Flavorpill listing has complete details.

Jesse Serwer speaks to Para One over at Earplug.

Cobblestone Jazz
Uploaded by Clarisseworks

Warlocks- So Paranoid

via Emerge

Telephone Jim Jesus- Birdstatic

Beach House- Heart and Lungs

High Places- Head Spins
Future Loop Foundation- The Sea and the Sky (Padded Cell Remix)

Languis- In the Fields Of (Lonely Fences)

The Tuss- Alspacka

A fantastic interview with my friend Sam Valenti (of Ghostly fame) over at Murketing. The author, Rob Walker, writes the ever-reliable "Consumed" column in the NYT Sunday Magazine.

My friend Aaron recently mentioned he thought Jackson had a huge influence on the stuttering, cut-up, Ed Banger and co. sounds. I tend to agree. Here's a story I did for XLR8R awhile back (click the image for a larger version).

An excerpt:

The record cribs from his early flirtation with glitch, 80's electro and funk, but also emphasizes his early musical background as a drummer, albeit doing so via cut-up and recontextualized breaks.

If you haven't given the album a spin lately-- go back and check it out. I think you'll see how prescient his sound was. Now, I'm curious to see what he's going to do next. My guess is that his ultra fluid, 4/4 live sets will be a good indication of the next direction. In any case, I can't wait to hear it.

A great Al-Haca feature by Toby Warner (Earplug)

In the latest Rolling Stone, BPitch control artists Modeselektor are featured in the "Hit or Hype" section. The verdict?

"We haven't rocked out to music this rave-marish since parachute pants were all the rage. Say it with us: Never Again."
Verdict: Hype.

The new Modeselektor is one of the most interesting records I've had the pleasure to hear this year. Also, it has little or nothing to do with "Rave," at least in the comparison the writer is trying to make. I find it also quite interesting that the magazine fawns over MIA and her creative beatmaking, global influences, fashion style, etc. a few pages before.

I'm not denying that the new MIA album is quite good, but perhaps if the Modeselektor chaps had a glossier, pop-friendly public image, complete with tinny proclaimations about "power to the people" and garish neon clothing, they could be more palatable. Instead, they just make groundbreaking dance music that is an intelligent amalgam of several disparate genres. Rave being one of them. Dancehall, Dub, Industrial and Pop being others.

However, it's no surprise that traditional media can't wrap their heads around this. My advice: stick to your strike zone, Rolling Stone. Surely there's some new Pete Wentz news, or overhyped, derivative UK garage rock band to drool over.

Battle for Blogosphere Ballot Box Heats Up (Financial Times)

The Tuss- Shiz Ko E

A nice new mix from my friend Philip Sherburne. This installment is very minimal, but has more than enough swing to stay engaging. Very deep and hyponotic...a good one to lose yourself in. His first record, "Lumberjacking", is out on Lan Music in September.

Philip Sherburne- Chips the Light Fantastic Mix

Uusitalo- Korpikansa

Modeselektor- The White Flash (Feat. Thom Yorke)

Boards of Canada- Eagle in Your Mind

How to make a Flat White Coffee. Or, if you live in New York, just go to Ruby's.

Cobblestone Jazz- Live PA in Amsterdam (Thanks SV4)

Of interest:
-Ewan Pearson gives a track by track rundown of his recent Fabric 35 mix.
-An ever-expanding cache of great podcasts over at Resident Advisor.
-A brand new mix from Alex from Tokyo over at Beats in Space. Also, don't miss Dan Selzer going track by track through his recent early industrial set from the show.

Burial- Shutta

If you haven't yet, be sure and download Philip Sherburne's newest mix, hosted by my pal Rayna over at Modyfier.

Some really positive momentum for my good friends Karl and Marie-Claire. Their band, Speck Mountain, is starting to get some really nice reception in the press. Matt Perpetua featured one of my favorite cuts, "Girl out West," over at Fluxblog, and word on the street is Manchester's Piccadilly Records will be featuring "Summer Above" as their record of the week sometime very soon. Also, they'll be touring with Honey Owens' excellent solo project, Valet, this summer. Don't miss their live show.

Fujiya & Miyagi- Ankle Injuries

Young Marble Giants- Searching for Mr. Right

Jamie Lidell- When I Come Back Around (Featuring Jimmy Edgar)

Skream Essential Mix (Direct DL)

Hat tip to Mr. Aaron Rietz.

Reuber- In Fernen Ländern

A Perfect Friend- When the Temperature is Rising

All The Critics Love U in New York

A special treat today. A few years back, Woody from Turntable Lab handed me a CD entitled New Wave: 1977-1990. It a really fantastic party mix that I find myself going back to often. It's properly beatmatched and lovingly curated with all the usual suspects: Romeo Void, INXS, Pet Shop Boys, etc. Also, Wire, Yaz, Crowded House, Gang of Four, etc. Highly enjoyable, indeed. And I know Sarah will love the inclusion of Joy Div's "Stolen Transmission." Here's a link to the .zip file:

New Wave: 1977-1990

Radiohead- How to disappear completely

Misha- Delovedly

Photek- The Hidden Camera

Spot the sample:

Paul Lansky- Mild Und Liese

More about Paul here and here.

More music I'm enjoying:

Gudrun Gut- In pieces remixes, particularly the Burger/Voight version.
Future Loop Foundation- Memories from a faded room
Henrik Schwarz- Walk music
Theo Parrish- Sound sculptures vol 1
Seefeel- Quique (Redux Edition)
JPLS- Twilite
Konono no 1- Live in Tokyo EP
Paul Kalkbrenner- Altes Kamuffel 12'
Dan Berkson- The Hollow
Popnoname- White album

Duplex- Mysterious unraveller
Four Tet- Rivers become oceans

On rotation:

Jens Zimmermann- Tranquillite (K2)
Selway + Vincenzo- Dream stealer (CSM)
Shackleton- Next to nothing (Crosstown Rebels)
Morgan Packard- Airships fill the sky (Anticipate)
Cobblestone Jazz- Lime in da coconut (Wagon Repair)
Cobblestone Jazz- DMT (Wagon Repair)
Carl Craig- Paris Live EP (Planet e)
Naw- City Saturate (Noise Factory)
Matthew Dear- Asa Breed (Ghostly)
False- 2007 (Minus)
Motorcitysoul- Kazan (Aus)

Closer Musik- Maria

Joy Division- Dead Souls

Kalabrese - Hide Feat. Guillermo Sohr

Dungen- Familj

Cornelius- Fit Song

Human League- Things that dreams are made of (dub mix)

Richard Carnes with a nice piece in Stylus on Shut up and Dance, the collaboration between the Berlin Staatsballet and Ostgut, with pieces from Âme, Luciano, NSI (aka Tobias Freund and Max Loderbauer), Sleeparchive, and Luke Slater (as The 7th Plain).

My interview with Matt Dear in the new issue of Earplug.

Islaja- Pysähtyneet Planeetat

Also, don't miss Nate Cunningham's post here. Glacial vibes.

Modeselektor- Fake Emotion (Dabrye mix)
Padded Cell- Are you anywhere?
My Bloody Valentine- Off your face
Ø- Helium
Panda Bear- Comfy in Nautica (Contender for 2007 track title of the year)

The designers were paid 400,000 pounds for this monstrosity.

A quick dispatch from The Mutek Festival in Montreal. Tonight's main venue lineup was Pantha Du Prince, Jichael Mackson, Matias Aguayo, Gui Boratto and Michael Mayer, if that's any indication of the quality this festival puts on year after year. An earlier highlight was My My playing live at the outdoor picnic at Parc Jean Drapeau right on the river.

There's still lots to take in on Sunday, but the standout act so far was Cobblestone Jazz, who absolutely tore the roof off Friday night. They were also joined by The Mole towards the end of their performance for a few cuts as the Modern Deep Left Quartet. Stay tuned for more information about their forthcoming LP, due out in September on the stellar Wagon Repair imprint. Also in the hopper for the label is the new Circlesquare LP, which I'm incredibly excited about. I've been a huge fan since a friend introduced me to their debut, The Distance After, on the now-defunct Output Recordings in the late nineties. It's an absolutely incredible release and still one of my favorite EP's ever. Also, if you slept on Pre-Earthquake anthems, don't miss it.

Here's a cut from one of the artists featured at Mutek:

Jichael Mackson- Blow

Porn Sword Tobacco- Giftwrap Yourself, Slowly

Edwin Starr- Get up (Pilooski edit)

Theo Parrish- Soul Control (w/Alena Waters)

Battles- Atlas

Two great music blogs worth a look:
American Athlete
24 Hours

Happy weekend!

Lindstrom & Solale- Let's Practice (Dub Mix)

A nice mix here! My pal Mr. Toby Warner (who forwarded the link) describes it as, "A weird and heady concoction of dub, dancehall, baile funk, and perhaps a lil dubstep. Sounds improbable but it fucking slaps."

Direct dl link here.

Joe Colly interviews James Murphy over at Earplug.

Owusu & Hannibal- Delirium

Go check out my playlist for Flavorpill Radio this week.



New stuff from Yacht, Day for Night, Tracey Thorn, Apparat, Jarvis Cocker, Battles, etc. Also- a killer Burial remix of Jamie Woon.

Annie- My best friend (Nathan Fake Remix)

I've started an "Edits" channel over at Socialight. It takes Monocle's location-based recommendations (with full attribution, of course) and tags them to a defined place. Then, you can access their picks on your mobile phone when you are in the area. For example, you land in a new city, check in to your hotel, then check in with your location via the mobile web to quickly see what recommendations are in your immediate area awaiting your discovery.

Socialight is very good for finding off the beaten path selections, and Monocle's content in New York, Geneva, London, Hong Kong and Tokyo really adds a nice element to the platform. If you haven't yet signed up for Socialight, go do it. Also, the third issue of Monocle is on newstands now.

I'm really enjoying the new Ellen Allien Fabric 34 Mix. I often find it hard to spend enough time with each installment (they're released on a monthly basis), but I've found myself reaching for this one several times in a row.

In her words:

“I wanted to do an analog mix, by hand. I used my favorite records of last year and the newest ones. I like analog!" says Ellen. "And I like to hear how one has to manipulate the mix until it’s tight. I like the mix because to me it’s the ideal club mix that I personally would like to hear in a club. It’s also a nice memory for me – I can remember every record being played by myself in a club. And when I now listen to the mix I can recall all the great moments.”

Here's the tracklisting:

1. Schubert - S1
2. Larry Heard Presents Mr. White - The Sun Can’t Compare
3. Estroe - Driven
4. Damian Schwartz - Tu Y Yo (Peros Nos Volvemos A Levantar) (Pilas Remix)
5. Don Williams - Orderly Kaos
6. Melody Boy 2000 - Sound Stealer
7. Artificial Latvamaki - It Is Now Either
8. Cobblestone Jazz - India In Me 2
9. Roman Flugel - Mutter
10. Aste/Maan - Aaltovaihe
11. Thom Yorke - Harrowdown Hill
12. Ellen Allien - Just A Woman
13. Ben Klock - Journey
14. Heatthrob - Baby Kate (Plastikman Remix)
15. Apparat - Arcadia

In other news, Resident Advisor reports that Ewan Pearson is mixing Fabric 35. Can't wait for that.

A fine day in the district.

Paul Mogg's got some interesting things in the works. Check out his Myspace for new cuts that I'm really impressed with. Also, he's got a poppier side project that is worth a listen, Baby Snakes.

Also, don't sleep on Trevor Jackson's remix of Black Ghosts. It's the first track featured on his player. B'More break with indie-ish vocals and circa 1999 Fabric Ed Rush and Optical-styled filthy bass stabs. Interesting.

Boards of Canada- Zoetrope

Aphex Twin- Xtal

This is probably one of the more exciting tracks I've heard in some time. Be sure to listen on good headphones:

Amon Tobin- Foley Room

Brazilian Girls- Last Call (Carl Craig remix)

Sly Mongoose- Bad Pulse

Hot off the presses: My Q&A with Ewan Pearson is here.

Also, my review of Justine D's new mix in Earplug:

On the latest mix in the RVNG series, Justine D — best known as the woman behind New York's Motherfucker party — reveals a wide range of influences with a proclivity toward dance music's dark side. Compiled and mixed with assistance from Optimo's JD Twitch, the mix doesn't aspire to the Glaswegian duo's cut 'n paste, time-stretched mastery, opting instead for clean transitions between early electronic sounds (the Orb), contemporary underground disco (Danny Wang), industrial (Nitzer Ebb), and goth (Christian Death). With an obscure Weatherall remix of My Bloody Valentine sitting nicely amidst newer tracks from the likes of DFA's Hot Chip and Delia & Gavin, Justine D sets herself apart from legions of vacant-eyed party promoters as a true purveyor of underground sounds from the last 20 years. (CJN)

Zoot Woman- Taken it all

On Rotation:

Tobias Thomas- Please Please Please DJ Mix
Panda Bear- Person Pitch
Dixon- Body Language Volume 4
Grandadbob- Pictures (Quiet Village Dub)
Pär Grindvik- Casio
Jurgen Paape- Take This
The Vulva String Quartet- Cranberry Song
Reinhard Voigt- Charge your dreams
Jonas Bering- Inside
Kalabrese- Rumpelzirkus
Motivi_Tuntematon- I don't feel good when you're not around
Optimo Walkabout DJ Mix
DJ Koze vs Sid Le Rock- Naked (DJ Koze remix)
JPLS- Program 2 (Original Mix)
Mathias Kaden- Pentaton (Original mix)
Herbert- The Audience (Martinez Cosmic Re-Edit)
MIA- Bittersuss
JJ Cale- Ride me high (Joakim edit)
Lazy Fat People- Club Silencio
Triple R- Selection 5
Kieran Hebden & Steve Reid- The sun never sets
Will Saul- Pause
Hug- Tiny stars
Gavin Herlihy- Praia Brava
The Mole- Jingover

I'm also keen to check out this Air- Late Night Tales, which I seem to have slept on. Thanks to Blacknoise to pointing it out. The tracklisting looks amazing.

And, I encourage everyone to go buy a new 12' or a hi-res copy of Mathew Jonson's Marionette and listen on good headphones as loud as you can stand. Also, and go check Hercules and Love Affair.