I don’t know much about Helium Robots (other than the name Ewan Wilmott), but I like what I hear on his latest EP. “Crepitation” is dry but not cold, with a soothing series of roving chords. It progresses somewhat predictably, driven by nice mid-octave bass, until the half-way mark, when the beat filters down to a metronome tap and metallic, vibrating keys break into a jazzy solo.

“Jarza” itself is almost Italo in flavor, with an old-school synth line over muffled beats. The bass is doubled up with a lower layer. Once again, a live keyboard line elevates the composition from track to song.

Jarza [mp3 excerpt]

I’ll admit, I was drawn to this EP for its inclusion of two Theo Parrish “translations.” Neither is especially true to the original, but they are both mesmerizing in Parrish’s usual style. In the first version, a simple beat rattles along while NES-fidelity synth parts trade off. The bass is pounding yet indistinct. The second version seems to have clearer bassline and kick drum. Percussion pans back and forth while a reedy synth bumps around like an old “Snake” videogame. As uncomplicated as it is, when it ends it leaves a void.

Theo Parrish Translation 2 [mp3 excerpt]

Steven Tang’s latest single reminds me of the good old days of melodic Detroit techno. On the original mix, looped vocals burble while slow strings glide. This piece would not have sounded out of place on an old Rhythim Is Rhythim EP. The “Reprise” version removes both beats and vocals, but adds a classic, spacey synthline.

Mmmmmusic [mp3 excerpt]

The B-side, “Distance,” uses similarly sweet analogue sounds, though the treble line strikes me as overly simple. I keep waiting for a new synth-line or a touch of improvisation to tie in the low strings.

Rounding out the EP is “Chicago Skyway’s Pay Toll Mix” of “Mmmmmusic.” Sean Hernandez drapes a veil over the vocal loop, then pounds out an old-school Chicago-style house beat. I almost expect Robert Owens to break into song. The lo-fi drum break two-thirds of the way through is my favorite part.

Mmmmmusic (Chicago Skyway's Pay Toll Mix) [mp3 excerpt]

This is only Tang’s fourth Obsolete Music Technology EP in five years, but you can’t fault the man for his strict quality control. At least I know each dispatch is equally essential.

“People have recently started to exclaim, ‘IDM is back!’” observes Record Label Records. I tend to agree. After a several-year dry spell, indie rockers and dubsteppers are finding inspiration in mid- to late-nineties electronic music, from the tape distortion of Boards of Canada to the cold glitches of Mille Plateaux. For me, it’s a welcome phenomenon.

Video artist Dunkley’s first album is among the strongest of the current crop. The title track, “Corpus Clock,” is a conglomeration of clicks and bounces. Despite the lack of a traditional melody, I find the sounds warm and comforting.

“Everywhere Ghost” introduces a steady kick drum, then builds exhilaratingly to melodic bells. On “West Woods,” a woman’s voice echoes while electronic birds chirp and balls skitter. Near the end, it veers uncomfortably close to spa music. “Rollerblading” begins as a raw chip-tune before building to a glitchy cacophony.

Voices loop and overlap on “Shutters,” like a crowded coffee shop burst into fragments. On “Weatherhead,” world music is disassembled, strobing over chunky percussion. “Blue Grotto” is a nice, chill closer, though I could do without the clichéd children’s voices and water splashes.

Corpus Clock is an impressive debut, chock full of atmospheric textures. I realize this is a frequent complaint of mine, but I just wish some of the tracks were longer. Especially in this age of digital downloads and cheap hard drives, there’s no reason not to let these intricate environments expand.

House/Techno Albums

1. Virgo Four: Resurrection (Rush Hour)
2. Hieroglyphic Being: The Urantia Project (Further Records)
3. Moritz von Oswald Trio: Horizontal Structures (Honest Jon’s Records)
4. Kuba Sojka: Mysterious Intrigue (Mathematics Recordings)
5. Yard: Celestial Acid (Further Records)
6. Hieroglyphic Being: Primitif Nous Sommes (Music from Mathematics)
7. Hieroglyphic Being: Cosmo Rhythmatic (Music from Mathematics)
8. Vagon Brei: Destiny (Further Records)
9. Hieroglyphic Being: A Memoir of Life in the Lust (Music from Mathematics)
10. John Heckle: The Second Son (Mathematics Recordings)
11. Tevo Howard: Pandora’s Box (Hour House Is Your Rush Records)
12. Andy Vaz: Straight Vacationing (Yore)
13. Overcast Sound: Beneath the Grain (Entropy Records)
14. Burnt Friedman & Jaki Liebezeit: Secret Rhythms 4 (Nonplace)
15. Hieroglyphic Being: Strange Strings (Music from Mathematics)
16. Jeff Mills: The Power (Axis)
17. Andy Stott: Passed Me By (Modern Love)
18. Rick Wilhite: Analog Aquarium (Still Music)
19. Jeff Mills: 2087 (Axis)
20. Steffi: Yours & Mine (Ostgut Tonträger)

IDM Albums

1. Oneohtrix Point Never: Replica (Mexican Summer, Software Records)
2. NHKyx: yx aka 1ch aka Solo (Skam)
3. Cayos: Shell Beach (Schematic)
4. Phoenecia: Demissions (Schematic, Detroit Underground)
5. Dalglish: Benacah Drann Deachd (Highpoint Lowlife, Record Label Records)

EPs

1. Omar S presents Colonel Abrams: “Who Wrote The Rules of Love” (FXHE)
2. Simoncino: Beat the Street EP (Mathematics Recordings)
3. Floating Points: Shadows (Eglo Records)
4. Pittsburgh Track Authority: Archipelago (Further Records)
5. Takeshi Kouzuki: The House of the Rising Sun EP (Mathematics Recordings)
6. San Laurentino: Traces EP (Mathematics Recordings)
7. Omar-S: HSG (High School Graffiti) (Scion Audio/Visual)
8. Area: Youth (Kimochi)
9. Juju & Jordash: Unleash the Golem Part 1 (Golf Channel Recordings)
10. Aster: Tormenta Del Desierto EP (Mathematics Recordings)

Compilations

1. Physic or Surgery (Highpoint Lowlife)
2. Gene Hunt Presents Chicago Dance Tracks (Rush Hour Recordings)
3. From the Vaults: The Definitive Sounds of Prescription Records Vol. 1 (Prescription)
4. Fac. Dance (Strut)
5. Elektro Diskow (Mixmag)

“Best of” charts are the hidden pleasure and the ultimate curse of the music journalist. A few days ago, when I had almost completed my 2011 list for my friends at Resident Advisor, I had to reconsider my choices after listening to this year’s fourth EP by Floating Points, aka Sam Shepherd, for his Eglo Records.

While Shepherd’s previous three releases didn’t really impress me (despite Four Tet selecting “Sais (Dub)” for his FabricLive 59 mix), Shadows is an instant favorite. It’s a five-track release straight from Shepherd’s analog-equipped studio. It’s labelled as an EP, but if you consider the length and quality of each tune, it feels more like an LP.

Shadows is the latest collaboration between Floating Points and audio/video artist Will Hunt. It introduces a Max/MSP patch (graphical environment for real-time processing) designed by Hunt which studies drum machine and synthesizer activity to generate visuals in real-time.

Every tune here is strong, beginning with “Myrtle Avenue,” an epical (10-minute), asymmetrical composition of sounds. It’s a deep groover, where warm electronics and up-tempo drums get together in a funky vibe. Unexpectedly, a female vocal snippet comes in around minute eight and improvises over the melody.

“Obfuse” is an energetic drum-machine exercise intertwined with a dreamy soundscape. Synths are fuzzily distorted and get acid-invigorated by the end of the track. “Realise” offers a consistent, abstract melody punctuated by loud kick drums—we are in a very mature portion of UK Garage territory.

“ARP3” is an emotional, pure techno tune. It’s also the most dancefloor-oriented track in the EP. The vibe is hypnotic and futuristic. Listen to the percussion blurring away, and you’ll hear nostalgic, chunky piano chords emerge.

Floating Points - Sais from Will Hurt on Vimeo.

“Sais” emerges from a crackled frame and develops into a broken beat gallop, sparkling with upright bass and a contemplative keys motif. It’s an introspective affair, with sparkling sonic qualities and fine Rhodes improvisation. These five tracks make Shadows an essential purchase. It goes straight into my “Best of 2011” selection—just in time.

Any study of influential Chicago DJs would be incomplete without Farley Keith (later Farley “Jackmaster” Funk). Farley started DJing at the Playground in 1981, where he would stay through several name changes until 1987; however it was his work with the Hot Mix 5 on WBMX that reached the largest audience.

Farley was one of five original members in 1981, and his mixes exposed the entire city to what was happening in Chicago’s black clubs. In 1984, Farley left for WGCI (after Scott “Smokin” Silz’s departure). In 1986, he was joined by the rest of the group. Then Farley returned to WBMX in 1987, only to see the station sold.

I’ve compiled track lists for the earliest Farley mixes I could find online. All are hosted by Deephousepage.com. It’s interesting to see the balance between older disco and soul and contemporary European imports. In 1984 and 1985, local productions began to trickle in, but it wasn’t until 1986 that there would be enough to fill most of a mix. Also of note are dark synthpop tracks, notably in mix 1277. By contrast, see the mainstream Billboard dance hits of 1985.

Some of the IDs below were first compiled by Mister_DJ at Old Skool Anthemz. Please let me know if you can identify any of the missing tracks.

2. farley2.mp3

WBMX, 1985 [~1986]

1. The Rude Boy Farley Keith: Give Your House To Me/Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait (Acappella)
2. Serious Intention: You Don’t Know
3. The It: Donnie
4. Farley Funkin Keith: Jackin the Bass [Funkin with the Drums]
5. Mr. Fingers: Mystery of Love
6. Ron Hardy: Sensation
7. Mach: On & On
8. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums 3
9. Chip E.: It’s House
10. Farley Jackmaster Funk: Jack’n The House
11. Grant: Dance
12. Farley Funkin Keith: Snare Crazy
13. Stop: Wake Up
14. The Michael Zagar Band: Let’s All Chant
15. Alexander Robotnick: Problèmes D’Amour
16. Raz: Baila

43. farley7.mp3

WBMX, 1984 or 1985

1. Lee Ritenour: Countdown (Captain Fingers)
2. Brenda Taylor: You Can’t Have Your Cake and Eat It Too
3. Machine: Is It Love
4. Inner Life: I’m Caught Up (In a One Night Love Affair)
5. Herbie Hancock: Magic Number
6. Kasso: One More Round
7. Poopee and the N.Y. Squirrels: Bust That Nut (intro)
8. Sharon Brown: I Specialize in Love
9. Serge Ponsar: Out in the Night
10. Patrice Rushen: Number One (Instrumental)
11. Madonna: Holiday
12. Herbie Hancock: Autodrive
13. Man Parrish: Hip Hop Be Bop (Don’t Stop)
14. Two Sisters: High Noon
15. Two Sisters: B-Boys Beware
16. Freeez: I. Dub. U.
17. Freeez: I.O.U.

160. farley100.mp3

WBMX, 1980s [~1985]

1. Farley Jackmaster Funk: Farley Farley (Status IV: You Ain’t Really Down acappella, Colonel Abrams: Trapped acappella, First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder acappella)
2. J.M. Silk: Music Is The Key
3. Thelma Houston: You Used To Hold Me So Tight
4. Master Jay & Micheal Dee: T.S.O.B
5. Serious Intention: You Don’t Know/Farley Jackmaster Funk: Farley Farley

326. farleywgci.mp3 (Farley on WGCI '80's), 439. farley252.rm

WGCI, 86-87?

1. Mr. Fingers: Can You Feel It?/The Source feat. Candi Staton: You Got the Love (House Apella)
2. Mr. Fingers: Beyond the Clouds/Martin Luther King speech
3. T.C. Curtis: You Should Have Known Better
4. ? [12:23]
5. Yellow House: Jack My Body
6. Frankie Knuckles: It’s A Cold World
7. Bohannon: Let’s Start II Dance Again
8. Taana Gardner: Work That Body
9. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (sounds like Ron Hardy edit)
10. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
11. The Housemaster Boyz & The Rude Boy of House: House Nation
12. John Rocca: I Want It to Be Real

665. Farley-WBMXearly80s.mp3, 1. farley.ra, 289. farley790.rm

WBMX, early 80s [~1984]

1. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
2. Skatt Bros: Walk The Night
3. Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation (Instrumental/Acappella/Walter Gibbons mix)
4. Diana Ross: Love Hangover (break)
5. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Instrumental/Acappella)
6. Phreek: Weekend
7. Tony Cook & The Party People: On The Floor (Rock-It)
8. Sylvester: I Need You

756. farleydave03.mp3

WBMX, Chicago, 1984-85?

1. unreleased Farley beats
2. Midway: Set It Out
3. Colonel Abrams: Music Is The Answer
4. Z-Factor: I’m The DJ
5. Knight Action: Single Girl
6. Pet Shop Boys: West End Girls (intro)
7. Plastic Mode: Baja Imperial
8. Klein & MBO: Dirty Talk
9. Alessandro Novaga: Eletronic Drums [sic] Fusi Four
10. L’Amour: Let’s Make Love Tonight
11. Starflight: Dance to the Beat
12. Alisha: All Night Passion
13. Kasso: Walkman

899. farleyjackmasterfunkwgci.mp3

WGCI Mastermixes, 1987? [~1986]

1. Teddy Pendergrass: Only You
2. Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls/Ellis-D: My Loleatta
3. On The House with Marshall Jefferson: Ride The Rhythm/train effect/Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax B3
4. Frankie Knuckles: It’s A Cold World
5. Dan Hartman: Vertigo/Relight My Fire
6. Wally Jump Jr. & The Criminal Element: Turn Me Loose
7. Nitro Deluxe: Let’s Get Brutal
8. Stephanie Mills: Put Your Body in It
9. Paul Lewis: Girl You Need A Change Of Mind
10. Jamie Principle: Waiting On My Angel
11. Two Tons of Fun: I Got the Feeling
12. The Michael Zager Band: Let’s All Chant
13. Modern Romance: Salsa Rappsody
14. Mr. Fingers: Can You Feel It?
15. ad break

914. farleyWGCI1980s.mp3

WBMX, 1980s [tracks 1-13 ~1986; tracks 14-25 Ralphi Rosario, WGCI ~1987]

1. The Crusaders: Street Life
2. Shot: Main Thing
3. Pam Todd & The Love Exchange: Let’s Get Together
4. First Choice: Love Thang
5. Five Special: Why Leave Us Alone
6. The J.B’s: Doing It to Death/Lyn Collins: Think (About It) intro
7. Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax B2
8. Tracy Weber: Sure Shot
9. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums 3/Martin Luther King sample
10. Eddie Kendricks: Goin’ Up in Smoke
11. Farley Funkin Keith: Jackin the Bass [Funkin with the Drums]
12. David Joseph: You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me)
13. Jago: I’m Going To Go
14. The Rude Boy Farley Keith: Give Your Self To Me
15. Princess: In The Heat of a Passionate Moment
16. Master C & J: Face It
17. Raze: Let The Music Move You
18. Raze: Jack The Groove
19. The House Rockers feat. Frankie “Hollywood” Rodriguez & Jimmy L.A. Perna: Everybody Do It
20. The Housemaster Boyz: House Nation
21. Marshall Jefferson: Move Your Body (The House Music Anthem)
22. Frankie Knuckles: You Can’t Hide From Yourself
23. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder
24. Fresh: Dum Dum Part Two
25. On The House: Ride the Rhythm

968. farleywgcimastermix86-87.mp3

WGCI Mastermix, 1986-87?

1. Project 122: Kiss Me Baby
2. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk & Jessie Saunders: Love Can’t Turn Around
3. Farley Jackmaster Funk/Ricky Dillard: It’s All Over (unreleased)
4. Bam Bam: You’ve Been Messin Around
5. Farley Funkin Keith: Jackin the Bass [Funkin with the Drums]
6. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
7. Liz Torres feat. Kenny “Jammin” Jason: What You Make Me Feel/What You Make Me Feel (Jack Track)
8. Darryl Pandy: Climax
9. Duane and Co.: Piano Traxx
10. The Force: It’s O.K., It’s O.K. (Tracks)
11. Tyree: I Fear the Night
12. The Housemaster Boyz: Trax U Lost
13. Kat Mandu: I Wanna Dance
14. Anthony and The Camp: What I Like

1023. FarleyFunkinKeithWBMX1985Disco.mp3

Friday Night Jams, WBMX, 1985, courtesy of Mario Luna

1. Frankie Goes To Hollywood: Welcome to the Pleasure Dome (Alternative to Reality) intro
2. Coati Mundi: Que Pasa/Me No Pop I
3. Bumblebee Unlimited: I Got a Big Bee (break)
4. Skipworth & Turner: Thinking About Your Love
5. Rose Royce: Do Your Dance
6. Savage Progress: Heart Begin to Beat
7. World Premiere: Share the Night
8. Touche: Just Like a Doorknob
9. The Montana Sextet: Heavy Vibes
10. Earl Young’s Trammps: What Happened to the Music (Dub Mix)
11. Visual: The Music Got Me
12. Colonel Abrams: Music Is The Answer
13. Jack Master Funk: Aw Shucks (Let’s Go Let’s Go)
14. Jamie Principle: Waiting On My Angel
15. Jesse Saunders: Waiting On My Angel [tape pause]
16. Plastic Mode: Baja Imperial
17. Master Jay and Michael Dee: T.S.O.B
18. Colonel Abrams: Trapped (Acappella)
19. Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax B2
20. Freeez: Acappella U.
21. Klein & MBO: Dirty Talk/beats

1131. FarleyJackmasterFunk1985wbmx.mp3

WBMX, 1985, compliments of Mario Luna, Chicago

1. Yello: Vicious Games
2. Yello: You Gotta Say Yes To Another Excess
3. Yello: Bostich
4. Jesse’s Gang with Farley “Funkin” Keith: Real Love (Is It Real?) (Dub/Vocal)
5. Fresh: Dum Dum
6. Alexander Robotnick: Problèmes D’Amour
7. Candido: Thousand Finger Man
8. Stars on 45 Theme
9. Trilogy: Not Love
10. Stopp: I’m Hungry
11. Hugh Masekela: Don’t Go Lose It Baby
12. Farley Funkin Keith: Jackin the Bass [Funkin with the Drums]/Sharon Redd: You’re a Winner
13. Prince and The Revolution: When Doves Cry
14. Newcleus: Computer Age (Push the Button)

1277. FarleyFunkinKeithandJulianPerezWBMX1985.mp3

Farley Funkin Keith and Julian Perez, WBMX, Chicago, compliments of Mario Luna, 1985

1. Quando Quango: Love Tempo
2. George Kranz: Trommeltanz (Din Daa Daa)
3. Laid Back: White Horse
4. Karen Young: Hot Shot
5. ’Lectric Workers: Robot Is Systematic (break)
6. The Coachouse Rhythm Section: Time Warp
7. Powerline: Double Journey
8. Sylvester: I Need You (edit)
9. Persia: Inch by Inch
10. Harvey Mason: Groovin’ You (break edit)
11. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes
12. Bo Kool: (Money) No Love
13. Taana Gardner: Work That Body
14. Konk: Your Life
15. Night Moves: Transdance
16. Wet: That’s The Game
17. X-Posed (Exposé): Point of No Return
18. Mascara: Baja
19. Africa: A.I.E. (A Mwana)
20. Lime: I Don’t Wanna Lose You
21. John Rocca: Once Upon a Dub
22. Debbie Deb: Lookout Weekend

1339. Farley_JackMaster_Funk_031685_DHP.mp3

Saturday Night Live Ain’t Chicago Dance Party - WBMX, 3/16/85

1. Jamie Principle: Your Love
2. Black Gold: C’mon Stop
3. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who? (break)
4. Geraldine Hunt: Can’t Fake The Feeling (edit)
5. The Salsoul Orchestra: Ooh, I Love It (Love Break)
6. Extra: Haven’t Been Funked Enough
7. Northend feat. Michelle Wallace: Happy Days
8. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums 1
9. Bumblebee Unlimited: Lady Bug
10. beats [30:01]
11. Klein & M.B.O.: The MBO Theme
12. Isaac Hayes: I Can’t Turn Around (edit)
13. Jesse Saunders: Funk-U-Up (Bonus Beats)
14. J.M. Silk: Music Is The Key
15. The Michael Zager Band: Let’s All Chant
16. Taana Gardner: Work That Body
17. Bohannon: Let’s Start The Dance (edit)

1354. Farley_Jackmaster_Funk_WGCI_121986_deephousepage.mp3

Power 107.5 - WGCI Mastermix, 12/19/86

1. Frankie Knuckles: It’s A Cold World
2. Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax A1
3. Jesse Saunders: On and On (5A)
4. Fingers Inc.: You’re Mine
5. Mr. Fingers: Can You Feel It?
6. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around (House In E-flat minor)
7. Jesse Saunders: On and On (4A & B)
8. Farley Jackmaster Funk/Ricky Dillard: It’s All Over (unreleased)
9. Master C & J: Face It/Carl Bean: I Was Born This Way
10. On The House: Ride The Rhythm/Martin Luther King speech
11. The House Rockers feat. Frankie “Hollywood” Rodriguez and Jimmy L.A. Perna: Everybody Do It!
12. Yellow House: Jack My Body
13. Klein & M.B.O.: The MBO Theme

1361. FarleyKeithWBMX112484deephousepage.mp3

Saturday Night Live Chicago Dance Party - WBMX, 11/24/84

1. Serious Intention: You Don’t Know (Limited Edition Special Remix)
2. ? (Instr.) [6:17]
3. Tempest Trio: Do You Like The Way It Feels
4. Touche: Just Like A Doorknob
5. beats [15:25]
6. Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation (edit)
7. Jago: I’m Going To Go
8. Evelyn Thomas: High Energy
9. Gaucho: Dance Forever
10. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Two Tribes (Carnage)
11. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
12. Kleeer: Keeep Your Body Workin’

1465. FarleyJMF_RalphieRosario1986WBMX.mp3

WBMX, 1986, compliments of Mario Luna [tracks 1-20 Farley Jackmaster Funk WGCI, 1986; tracks 14-20 Ralphie Rosario WGCI, 1986; tracks 21-33 Farley Keith WBMX, ~1984?]

1. Mr. Fingers: Mystery of Love
2. Farley Jackmaster Funk: Farley Farley
3. Mr. Lee & Kompany: Shoot Your Best Shot
4. Chip E: Like This
5. T.H.: Don’t Forget (To Buy This Record) [announcement, tape pause]
6. Mach: On & On [tape pause]
7. The It: Donnie
8. Raw Silk: Do It To The Music
9. Mr. Fingers: Mystery of Love
10. Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax A1
11. The Rude Boy Farley Keith: Give Your Self To Me
12. Farley Jackmaster Funk: Jack’n The Trax
13. T.H.: Don’t Forget (To Buy This Record)
14. The Homeboyz feat. Renny: It’s Your Night
15. Mr. Lee & Kompany: Shoot Your Best Shot
16. Van McCoy: Soul Cha Cha
17. Mark Imperial: J’Adore Danser
18. ? [31:04]
19. Made in Italy: Made in Italy
20. ? [35:02]
21. Den Harrow: Future Brain (instrumental) [announcement, tape pause]
22. Trilogy: Not Love
23. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face [start of West End Records medley?]
24. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
25. Master Boogies Song and Dance: When The Shit Hits The Fan
26. Taana Gardner: Work That Body
27. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
28. Gibson Brothers: Cuba
29. Suzy Q: With Your Love
30. Starflight: Dance To The Beat
31. Magnum Force: Get in the Mix
32. My Mine: Zorro
33. Roni Griffith: Dancing Machine
34. Martin Circus: Disco Circus

1487. FarleyKeithWBMX102784deephousepage.mp3

WBMX, 10/27/84

1. Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait (acappella)
2. MFSB: Love Is the Message
3. Paul Simpson Connection: Use Me Lose Me (Reprise Me)
4. Circuit: Release the Tension
5. Tempest Trio: Do You Like The Way It Feels
6. Culture Club: White Boy
7. Earl Young’s Trammps: What Happened to the Music (Dub Mix)
8. First Choice: Doctor Love (Special Remix)
9. Master Jay & Micheal Dee: T.S.O.B
10. Karen Silver: Nobody Else
11. George Duke: I Want You For Myself
12. Fantasy: You’re Too Late
13. Nick Straker Band: Straight Ahead

1487. FarleyKeithWBMXApril1984deephousepage.mp3

WBMX, Apr 1984

1. Skatt Bros: Walk The Night
2. Patricia Harris: Heaven Is... (In the Back Seat of My Cadillac)
3. Kasso: Walkman
4. Plastic Mode: Baja Imperial
5. MFSB: Love Is the Message
6. Sparque: Take Some Time
7. Denroy Morgan: I’ll Do Anything For You
8. Paul Lewis: Girl You Need A Change Of Mind
9. Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation (Shep Pettibone Mix/acappella)
10. The Salsoul Orchestra: Ooh, I Love It (Love Break Groove)
11. Bruce Johnston: Pipeline
12. Project: Love Rescue

1487. FarleyJackmasterFunkWBMX102586deephousepage.mp3

WBMX WGCI, 10/25/86

1. The Housemaster Boyz & The Rude Boy of House: House Nation
2. Project 122: Kiss Me Baby
3. Raz: Amour Puerto Riqueno (Puerto Rican Lover)
4. Santos: Work The Box
5. Fingers Inc: A Path/Sinnamon: I Need You Now acappella/Serious Intention: You Don’t Know (Accapella)/
6. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?/Virgo: Go Wild Rhythm Trax A1
7. Adonis: W.R.D.T. House (Instrumental)
8. Frankie Knuckles: You Can’t Hide From Yourself
9. Klein & M.B.O.: The MBO Theme/train effect
10. Ronnie Dyson: All Over Your Face
11. Ecstasy, Passion & Pain: Touch and Go/train effect
12. J.M. Silk: Music Is The Key/The Source feat. Candi Staton: You Got the Love (House Apella)
13. Tempest Trio: Do You Like The Way It Feels

1509. FarleyKeithWBMX083185.mp3

WBMX, 1985-1986

1. ?
2. J.M. Silk: Music Is The Key
3. Farley Funkin Keith: Jackin the Bass [Funkin with the Drums]/Wham!: Everything She Wants
4. Jack Master Funk: Aw Shucks (Let’s Go Let’s Go)
5. John Rocca: Once Upon a Dub
6. Nick Straker Band: A Little Bit of Jazz
7. Koto: Visitors
8. Alexander Robotnick: Problèmes D’Amour
9. Rick James: Glow
10. Jack Master Funk: Jack The Bass
11. Raz: Baila
12. Laid Back: White Horse
13. Evelyn Thomas: High Energy

I’m a few months late to this EP, the second release on Area’s new label. Area is better-known as m50, host of etc radio on WNUR’s Friday Streetbeat. I know him to be a friendly, dedicated supporter of electronic music.

The music here befits its soothing, hand-painted sleeve. “Hardplace” moves slowly with continuous chords and muted, atmospheric percussion. At the end, bass notes tumble in an improvised solo before dropping away, leaving only an analogue synthesizer drone. It’s a really lovely piece.

Anton Zap’s mix of “Ajumas” on the flip is deep and dubby. Synthesizer notes squirm as though they’re alive. At times, sheet metal reverberates to the steady beat. The closer I listen, the more I hear shifting in the background, like a giant machine slowly drifting.

Area’s original mix is more dissonant. Textured feedback-like tones sound over a simple synth pattern and basic drum sounds, evoking wind moving through sculpture. I’m always glad to hear experimental elements incorporated into an uptempo piece.

Keep an eye out for the label’s next release from Brothomstates under his Airliner Series guise, also set for limited-edition vinyl.

Inspired by their fantastic live performance a week ago when they opened for Dam-Funk at VIA, I tracked down a copy of Pittsburgh Track Authority’s latest EP. “Archipelago 6” is a fat, dubby jam. After a slow build-up of percussion changes and syncopated chord stabs, treble synths form a delicate melody. “Archipelago 3” is sparser, contrasting nice, deep bass with cold keys. On the flip side (at 45 RPM) is a dub version of “Archipelago 6.” The reverberating chords sound like voices at times.

It’s difficult to pinpoint this group’s influences, which means they must be wide. Suffice to say these guys (one of whom is infinitestatemachine’s Thomas Cox) love deep music, and it shows.

Yore, 2011

Yore label co-founder Andy Vaz’s second studio album reveals his intimacy with deep house. The opening track’s vocal sample, “I’ve gotta put a little Detroit in me,” could be construed as posturing in another producer’s hands, but considering Yore’s output over the past four years, there’s no argument—Vaz is a true believer in and promoter of Detroit music. The chord progression at the beginning echoes “Desire” by Carl Craig (as 69) but the jazzy piano at the end is purely original. It’s just too bad the vocal sample has a “Little Fluffy Clouds” feel to it.

The saxophone on “Stubnitz” immediately caught my attention. Andreas Pasternack’s playing makes the instrument cool again. Messerschmidt is credited with “additional co-production” on this creative blend of airy synthesizers and bouncy bass.

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The album’s title track is all dubby bass and laid-back vibes. By contrast, “Fukuoka Liquid” is gritty with a muffled kick drum and a wormy acid midrange. Snares tap away and metallic notes burst, yet the cut feels spare.

With “Just Another Round,” Vaz takes the disco edit to an entirely new level. A loop from the similarly titled Kasso Italo classic gains funky bass, handclaps, and an 808 cowbell. After a taste of the chorus, Pasternack joins in with a funky sax line. This is just begging to be played to a crowded dance floor.

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On “Colliding Worlds,” Vaz merges an acid line with Detroit-esque chords. “A Dope Jam (Bullyshit Mix)” playfully mocks New York disco decadence (and possibly a certain record store). A flight attendant announces, “We’d like to take the time to welcome you to New York, big city of dreams, city of opportunity. You’ll also find plenty of high taxes, bullshit laws… and much more bullshit. Break out your wallets and enjoy your stay….” Meanwhile, the sugar-coated bassline to “Boogie Oogie Oogie” loops away.

The album concludes with “The Other Place.” Old-school beats merge with modern bass, spacey synths, and tabla courtesy of Timir Roy. A voice murmurs, “That’s the other place.” While the terms “meditative” and “uplifting” are overused, this is one of those golden tracks that’s instantly relaxing. In fact, the entire album is a joy (and as a bonus, it includes a link to MP3 remixes by Patrice Scott, Rick Wade, Alton Miller, and others). Vaz built himself a surprisingly soulful home.

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Jeff Mills’ latest album this especially productive year is inspired by the obscure 1966 sci-fi flick Cyborg 2087. The plot is suspiciously similar to Terminator—a cyborg travels from the future to the present to assassinate a mathematician whose discoveries will enable a dystopian society repressed via mind control.

Despite Mills’ statement of intent, the music is similar to his other recent work. His distinctive palette of pure, analogue tones is always pleasant to hear, though it sometimes seems lacking in range.

“The Secret” is an ominous, drawn-out crescendo of skittery synthesizer chords. At first I thought “Human Condensing” was going to play around with phasing a la Steve Reich, but after a few tantalizing variations it falls into a simple loop for its final minute. “Programmed to Kill” makes use of primitive computer sounds. With its heavy Purpose Maker kick drum, it could even work on a dancefloor.

My favorite tracks are the most melodic. “Free Thinkers (The Dream),” for example, is beat-less and beautiful. On other tracks, only certain parts stand out. “Search for Sigmund Marx” is enjoyable for its bassline alone. The synth line on “Tracer 1” is instantly catchy, but by the time beats break apart at the end it has outlived its welcome.

By the album’s midpoint, the tracks tend to blend together. “Homing Device” uses such familiar Mills sounds, it falls into the background. With concentration, the percussion on “Operation to Free Garth” is quite distinctive, but the loop over top is a descent into madness. “Running Through Time” has hypnotic reverberation, but the overall effect is surprisingly emotionless for such an evocative title. “Dreams of Dreams,” on the other hand, perfectly captures the sensation of being half awake, and its sound is Detroit through and through. The bells on “Consequences” are perfectly shaped as only Mills can do.

Mills evidently approached this project with complete seriousness, but I think the album would benefit from a touch of camp. It’s hard to look back at sixties space fashion without cracking a smile. That said, Mills successfully builds a fantasy world with few Earthly ties. Next month he tackles Fantastic Voyage.