S.o.t.D. - Train Trac (Train-Abuse) – F.U.S.E.

Train Trac (Train-Abuse) – F.U.S.E.

Further Underground Sound Experiments was one guise for Richie Hawtin, (and I can’t recall if John Acquaviva was involved in this too, or Dan Bell). “Holy crap! This is nuts!” was pretty much my reaction on first hearing this.

S.o.t.D. - Spastik – Plastikman

Spastik – Plastikman

I can still remember a reaction something along the lines of “Holy moly!” when I stuck the NovaMute compilation cassette I had just received in my walkman for the train ride to work one morning back in 1993.

S.o.t.D. - Marbles – Plastikman

Marbles – Plastikman

For all those who claim that techno is soul-less and boring, a track like this proves them wrong. This totally takes you on a journey.

S.o.t.D. - Technarchy – Cybersonik

Technarchy – Cybersonik 

My pal Michelle called me up years ago and asked me if I had heard of Dan Bell.

“Yeah. Cybersonik! Kick ass techno. Why?”

“He’s my cousin.”

“Wow. Small world. Well when you talk to him tell him that Technarchy is a wicked track.”

A collaboration between him and +8’s Richie Hawtin and my former neighbour John Acquaviva.

S.o.t.D. - DE9 Transitions – Richie Hawtin

DE9 Transitions – Richie Hawtin

I’ve seen a lot of live acts in my time, but if I had to pick the top 3, or top 5, Richie Hawtin would rank up there. I’m sure many people who don’t know any better will wonder how someone playing records can be considered a “live” act. But his show is very much live. Utilizing elements from 3 records, keeping them all in sync, adding elements from sequencers, sampling on the fly, and building up tracks from that, controlling the visuals. And what he creates is just amazing. Cold and clinical on one hand, and totally warm and funky on the other hand.