New music – Cybotron: Maintain The Golden Ratio

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In 1983, Cybotron made one of dance music’s landmark records. The single ‘Clear’ became a calling card for techno, a futuristic piece that still sounds new today. Now they are returning as a duo, original founder Juan Atkins teaming up with producer Laurens von Oswald but not Rik Davis.

A two-part EP, Maintain The Golden Ratio, is scheduled for release on the Tresor label on 13 October – and for now we can enjoy its lead track Maintain. Described as ‘a studied engagement with what techno was and should be, it is an atmospheric machine piece with strong breakbeat, busy electronics and moody backdrop. In other words, as the vocal goes, “We will maintain”…with the elements that made Clear such a lasting track largely present and correct. While not quite on that exalted level, it is still a fine piece of work. Now to see if there are more plans afoot!

Music for a hot evening – Delius: In A Summer Garden

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Delius’ garden in Grez-sur-Loing, France

by Ben Hogwood

Back in July 2015, Arcana posed the question ‘Is there a less fashionable British composer than Delius?

The thought was a response to the lack of Proms performances for his music over the years, a trend that continues to this day.

The piece played on that balmy July evening, however, made a winsome impression on this particular author, even though it is not one of his best known works. To quote from the review, “Delius’ mastery lies in his orchestration and harmony, with sultry added notes and hazy, impressionistic textures that evoke the laziness of a summer day.”

Since a good deal of Europe has been basking in hot weather this weekend, it is the ideal time to revisit this dreamy piece. Listen (and hopefully enjoy!) below:

New music – Roger Eno: Tidescape

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British producer and composer Roger Eno has hit a rich vein of form in recent years – and his prolific writing period continues with the The skies, they shift like chords…, due to be released on Deutsche Grammophon on 13 October.

On the press release for The skies, they shift like chords… Eno describes the world in a dozen musical watercolours based on spontaneous sketches, tracing an evocative and thought-provoking path through sound and silence. “I think of music in visual terms. Perhaps here the chords could be the earth, the melody the trees rising above ground, and the atmosphere of floating guitar could be the sky. These three elements are different but interconnected.” He adds, “Most of my pieces are snapshots of things that were experienced in the moment,” says Eno. “How do you describe the world unless it’s in an instant? You can’t fix anything because everything is in flux, it’s changing and mutable.”

Here is the first excerpt from the album, Tidescape, in the form of a visualizer:

New music – Vince Clarke: The Lamentations of Jeremiah

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Yesterday Vince Clarke, founding member of Depeche Mode, Erasure and Yazoo, and all-round electronic maestro, announced a new album.

Due on 17 November on Mute, Songs of Silence is described as an ‘ambient instrumental album’. Its first single, The Lamentations of Jeremiah, represents a striking musical structure. A haunting solo cello line takes the lead, a true lament set against a drone accompaniment. It is certainly dark, but has at its heart an outpouring of emotion that is ultimately positive. Listen below:

Switched On: Various Artists – Total 23 (Kompakt)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

The end of summer brings one of those reassuring points in the Kompakt calendar, the annual release of their Total compilation. Once again it draws a line in the sand to bring us a snapshot of the music the Cologne label’s artists have been making over the last year, while throwing in the gratefully accepted new versions and rarities that we collectors treasure.

What’s the music like?

Very good indeed. While techno is the broad area where the 13 tracks lie, the range of the music runs from soulful introspection to peak time euphoria (aka Rex The Dog)

The collection begins with the subtle shades of Kollmorgen‘s Muddy. After that, Argia’s No Concept is quite stark but movingly so, before the confident poise of Jürgen Paape makes itself known. Talmi is a cracker, brooding and bristling over a strong four to the floor beat. The cinematic dance is suitably nocturnal. Four Down is classy, while Jon Tejada offers a lovely heat soaked number on Wild Ride. Rex tge Dog an excellent vocal number with its hook take away my sorrow and this pain. Hardt Antoine’s All We See sends tracers out into the night

Does it all work?

It does. Kompakt are well-versed in compilations of this sort, so there is no reason the 23rd instalment should be any different! It has a very satisfying ebb and flow, played out to a nocturnal background.

Is it recommended?

It is – a consistently good guide to where the label is at musically right now.

It is – typically thought provoking work from one of Britain’s finest electronicmusic makers.

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