Tag Archives: VLSI

Switched On – BUNKR: Antenne Remixed (VLSI)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

BUNKR’s third album Antenne, released nearly a year ago, was based on the radio station of the same name “devoid of any human voice to provide us with clues. No big ups for the SW9 crew, no ads for the turbo-sound rave with safe security.  The 97.9 FM frequency was vibrant with all manner of cosmic, unending playlists of widescreen techno, breakbeats, ambient washes and occasional forays into obscure German synth music”. The producer – aka James Dean – brought it to life with expressive, moody soundscapes painting a series of atmospheric pictures. Each was ripe for a remix – and VLSI present here a series of interpretations of a number of tracks from the album, each one built from the lost audio files and recordings of Antenne broadcasts.

What’s the music like?

Consistently absorbing. There is a lot of busy beat making going on here, with the emphasis tending to be on the rhythm section over melodic input. However there was already plenty of that in the original BUNKR material, so the combination works really well.

Warrington Runcorn New Town Development Plan kicks things off with a busy mix of Oriam Speedway, beats chattering down the airwaves above a longer, drawn out line that gives plenty of space.

There is a similar urgency to the Mattr remix of the same track, while the beats get even more prominence from Polyop, and the clattering set of percussion used in the remake of I Feel Eye See. Faex Optim’s take on this track is a widescreen winner, backed with a heavy break, while Alphabox gives a nice, dreamy contrast towards the end of Aquatakt.

Echaskech save some of the best moments until last, their studied and rather majestic account of Nectar Rushes bringing cool ambience and space.

Does it all work?

It does – the only regret being there aren’t a couple more remixes to enjoy. Yet this is a really strong package that gives a great variety of beatmaking.

Is it recommended?

It is. The remix album really should be employed more, for it is a great way of seeing how producers work and getting another view of their process. This group is an example of just how effective the process can be.

For fans of… Echaskech, Fluke, Ulrich Schnauss, Leftfield, Hybrid

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Published post no.2,533 – Thursday 15 May 2025

Switched On – BUNKR: Antenne (VLSI)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

BUNKR‘s third album is centred around Antenne, a 24-hour pirate station transmitting instrumental music only, “devoid of any human voice to provide us with clues. No big ups for the SW9 crew, no ads for the turbo-sound rave with safe security.  The 97.9 FM frequency was vibrant with all manner of cosmic, unending playlists of widescreen techno, breakbeats, ambient washes and occasional forays into obscure German synth music.”

The commentary goes on. “Who or what was behind Antenne we may never know; without doubt the unknown makes it all the more alluring. But this album serves to keep the memory of Antenne alive along with the countless other faceless pirate stations from the golden era of electronic music. Just maybe those radio waves continue to hurtle through space like gradually decaying echoes from a once brave new world, readying to connect with our brothers and sisters on the back side of the sun.

Antenne transmitted and informed, we listened and absorbed.”

What’s the music like?

The concept is an ideal one for BUNKR’s music – which could indeed have been teleported from 1996 – but has certainly come via a contemporary mind that knows how to make things fit in the modern world. Antenne flows beautifully, like one of those DJ sets, with BUNKR – aka James Dean – securing music of great fluidity and no little energy.

The beats have more breaks this time round, and his music feels faster, the likes of I Feel Eye See, Controller 29 and Nectar Rushes tearing up ground with very different beats, as they cleverly and energetically intertwine their loops. There is still room for the slower atmospheric grooves we know he can produce, Ceres Outpost and Waiting In Tofino the pair of beauties appearing on here. Meanwhile Oriam Speedway works intricate bleeps and percussion into formation.

Does it all work?

It does. BUNKR’s music is as expressive as ever, the moody soundscapes painting many a picture – and working so well in instrumental form. The greater variety of beats is the icing on the cake.

Is it recommended?

Enthusiastically. James Dean is a prolific writer – this is his third long player in five years – but each one adds a thrilling chapter to what is turning into a compelling story. If atmospheric electronic grooves are your thing, then you need look no further.

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Published post no.2,224 – Saturday 29 June 2024

New music – BUNKR: Ceres Outpost (VLSI)

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by Ben Hogwood

BUNKR, an electronic musician whose first two albums have been greatly appreciated on these pages, is back with a third album.

Antenne is due on Friday 28 June – and if you head on over to Bandcamp on the page below you can hear the first excerpt from it, Ceres Outpost. The signs are good for a quality third opus! Keep coming back here to find out more in the next 10 days…

Published post no.2,215 – Thursday 19 June 2024

Switched On – Echaskech: Novacene (VLSI)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Echaskech describe their new album as ‘a soundtrack to an imaginary movie based on James Lovelock’s book and theory of the ‘Novacene’. Reflecting the tragedy of the previous epochs’ climate damage and the optimism of a more positive future, the tracks trace the dream-like lives of a group of humans co-existing with cyborg collaborators.

Deep into a distant future, the world has survived a brutal climate breakdown and shifted from an epoch defined by humankind, the Anthropocene, to one defined by hyper intelligent beings – the Novacene.

What’s the music like?

One of the strengths of Echaskech’s music has been their ability to combine floated ambience with earth shattering beats – yet this release sees them leaning heavily towards the former discipline.

It proves an effective move, for Dom Hoare and Andy Gillham have always been expert scene-setters, creating vivid and spacious pictures even before the beats make themselves known, and that is the case here. The key is a slight adjustment in the musical tension, so that the listener is drawn into a more meditative state of mind, but not necessarily relaxed, as there is still enough tension here.

Instead the music tends to reflect the cover, the synths creating deep washes of colour and full harmonies that bring James Lovelock’s concept to life. Walking With Spheres is very descriptive, with sharper outlines against the broad canvas. Conversion Using Sunlight has an ambient backdrop of birdsong, into which the warm synth colours emerge. The duo still use beats, and Garden of Antheia has a steady, dubby tread. The title track presents a bright outlook, reinforced by an atmospheric closing pair.

Does it all work?

It does. Best heard in an uninterrupted sequence, Novacene works as an immersive experience – best heard this way – or if it retreats to the corner of your listening.

Is it recommended?

Very much so. Echaskech have a high quality threshold with their releases, and Novacene shows the best of a ‘less is more’ approach, securing ambient music that still rewards closer listening,

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Published post no.2,122 – Tuesday 19 March 2024

Switched On: Alphabox – Only Forward EP (VLSI)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

Alphabox is the new pseudonym under which Andrew Dobson is operating. Dobson has a good deal of previous form, as the much-loved Digitonial – where ambience could be found through cultured and beautifully sculpted electronica.

Alphabox looks to do similar, though is more beat-based and has a new home on the VLSI label.

What’s the music like?

Deeply satisfying – and, on the strength of this EP, music with staying power. The cool textures and easy profile of Feather set the tone, with the assurance that Dobson has clearly kept from his previous work. Gateway Station is relatively easy going, though there is more depth to the piano line than meets the eye, and a loop of consonant harmonies to go with the offbeat rhythm track which prove oddly reassuring.

Meanwhile the closing Blyth feels more like Plaid, but with a folky undertone containing a lot of agreeable melodic content, backed by a purposeful rhythm.

Does it all work?

It does indeed – and is beautifully produced by an expert hand.

Is it recommended?

It is – an auspicious beginning for a project that already looks like one to follow.

Listen and Buy