Der Klang der Familie

Artist :

About the track:

Refusing to pull any punches, Dan Curtin puts his spin on ‘Der Klang der Familie’ by 3 Phase feat. Dr. Motte, a proper underground heavy hitter with serious pedigree and the instantly recognisable hypnotic synth riff that has been sampled numerous times from hardcore breakbeat to gabber. It’s only fitting that Curtin nods towards the 90s sound at large – syncopating the beat with snares and claps, and making those 303 squelches really sing, Curtin’s version has a crystal clear upper registry and yet faithful to the uncompromising spirit of the original.

Listen:

Stream: https://dancurtin.lnk.to/DerKlangDerFamilie

About Dan Curtin: 

Dan Curtin’s musical quest began amidst the inception of the techno and house phenomenon of the early 1990s. From his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio Dan experimented with a vast number of styles, producing innovative sounds of every variety: from Chicago to Detroit to the East Coast. Dan’s considerably impressive discography dates back to 1992 when his first releases on Detroit’s 33 RPM Records and Belgium’s Buzz motivated him to launch his own production hub: Metamorphic Recordings. His unwillingness to commit to a singular style was instrumental to his continuously fresh releases on big players such as Peacefrog, Strictly Rhythm and Sublime, and Soma while his forward-thinking approach brought him tremendous support from the likes of Carl Cox, Carl Craig, and many more. In 2003 Dan’s creative instincts provoked him to relocate to the fast-paced music scene of Berlin which triggered a string of new releases on young, happening labels such as Bass Culture, Saved, Bosconi and recently on Steffi’s Dolly Dubs. Over 70 singles, nine albums later Dan is just as innovative and fresh as he has ever been whether recording under his own name or under one of his many aliases such as Purveyors of Fine Funk. His refusal to lock himself into one style as well as his unique ability to collaborate with artists from a variety of genres has helped him to maintain not only his status as an individual amongst a world of ever-increasingly like-minded musicians but also his status as a legend over two decades.

Follow Dan Curtin: Facebook  – Instagram – Spotify – Soundcloud – Resident Advisor

About the original: “Der Klang Der Familie” (The Sound of the Family) is a seminal German techno track that was released in 1992 by the Berlin-based DJ and producer trio 3Phase. The song is known for its significant role in the development of the techno scene in Berlin and for capturing the spirit of the city during the early 1990s. One of the things that make “Der Klang Der Familie” special is its use of repetition and minimalism. The track features a simple and hypnotic bassline that is repeated throughout, with subtle variations and additions to the sound. This creates a trance-like atmosphere that is characteristic of early techno music and is a hallmark of the genre. Another aspect that makes the track stand out is its connection to the Berlin techno scene. “Der Klang Der Familie” was released at a time when Berlin was undergoing significant cultural and political changes following the fall of the Berlin Wall. The track and the techno scene that it helped to define became a symbol of the city’s reunification and a way for young people to express themselves and connect with each other. In addition, the track’s lyrics, which are spoken in German, reflect the feeling of unity and shared experience that was central to the Berlin techno scene. The lyrics describe the sound of the family, which is a metaphor for the collective experience of the dance floor and the shared love of techno music. Overall, “Der Klang Der Familie” is a special track because of its significance in the development of the techno scene in Berlin and its capture of the spirit of the city during a time of great change. Its use of repetition and minimalism, connection to the Berlin techno scene, and evocative lyrics make it a classic of the genre and a symbol of a pivotal moment in German history.”

Stream: the Berlin Undercover Compilation

Computer Madness

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About the track:

True to form, Berlin Undercover sees Marc Houle crossing yet another border with his blistering, bottom heavy reiteration of Steve Poindexter’s eerie acid-house pandemonium ‘Computer Madness’ from 1989, a textbook case of making a bona fide underground hit on limited gear and shoestring budget. Striking the balance between the authentic feel of the original and putting his own stamp on the tribute, Houle has emulated legendary chiptune samples of a battery-powered Casio while swapping the wiry CZ-101 samples with chunky, acoustic kickdrum and toms. Tapping into the raw analogue energy of the original and beefing up the sound with exceptional drum programming is the name of the game here.

Stream: https://computermadness.lnk.to/MarcHoule

Listen:

About Marc Houle:

Raised in Windsor, Ontario, Marc Houle crossed the border to attend what some consider the golden age of Detroit techno warehouse parties. Getting hooked on the music meant he was done with drums and the rock band he was involved with, so he took a gig at producer Richie Hawtin’s local club, 13 Below. It was there he met fellow producer Magda, who worked Houle’s tracks into her DJ sets. Hearing the sets, Hawtin became aware of Houle’s music, signed to him to the Minus label, and released his debut album, Restore, in 2004. Two years later, he formed the Minus sub-label Items & Things, but in 2008 he moved to Berlin, so the imprint split from Minus in 2011 and became independent with the help of Magda and Troy Pierce.

Follow Marc Houle: Facebook – Instagram  – Bandcamp – Resident Advisor – Soundcloud

Stream: the Berlin Undercover Compilation

About the original: “Computer Madness” by Steve Poindexter, released in 1989, revolutionized the techno genre through groundbreaking sampling techniques and futuristic soundscapes. The clever use of a sample from the film “WarGames” added a dystopian atmosphere, contributing to the track’s unique appeal. Its fast and frenetic beats, combined with futuristic elements, played a vital role in shaping a new style of dance music focused on technology and innovation. This track solidified Steve Poindexter’s status as a trailblazer, paving the way for future electronic music producers and pushing the boundaries of technology and sound. With its innovative sampling, futuristic soundscapes, and significant impact on the development of techno music, “Computer Madness” remains an influential piece in the history of electronic music.

 

Force X EP

Artist :
Title : Force X EP
Release Date : 28. January 2022
Catalog ref. : 013

Born in Moscow, DJ, and producer, co-owner of Pro–tez record label Anton Kubikov is one of the key figures of the Russian electronic music scene. His wide musical range extends from dub to techno and is accompanied by a unique selection of the material, which can be heard on his many podcasts and can be seen on the shelves at his own shop Randomart in Prague.

Under his own name, Anton wrote ambient, dub techno, and house music, which can be heard on such labels as Kompakt, his own Pro–tez, MAYAK, Elusive, etc. Juras Lietus’s alter ego was created as a fully analog modular live concept project that represents Anton’s fascination with techno and cold electronics.

As a well-known SCSI-9 outfit Anton and Maxim Milyutenko have released over 50 records and 4 full-length albums and became a mainstay at Kompakt Recordings family. Pro–Tez records was created in 2005 together with Ed Vertov and Maxim Milyutenko. It’s become one of the first Russian vinyl record labels that gave a serious jump start to young electronic musicians from the ex-Soviet Union, and became part of Kompakt Label distribution family. Anton also participated in the broadcast of the first Moscow’s FM radio station called Substation from 1995 – 2001. These first broadcasts had an immense influence on the development of modern Russian music culture and helped shape the tastes of many techno enthusiasts.

Follow Anton Kubikov: Facebook – Soundcloud – Resident Advisor – Bandcamp – Instagram

 

Gratiot EP

Artist :
Title : Gratiot EP
Release Date : 26. June 2021
Catalog ref. : SOB007

Marc Houle releases his new EP Gratiot via Sound of Berlin, a sensual ode to club’s moments, between experimental house and minimal techno. Marc Houle generally releases his material on his imprint Items & Things, which makes this new release on Sound of Berlin even more intriguing.

Gratiot EP isn’t a departure—this is Marc’s hommage to Berlin, its past, its future, and an ode to the electronic music capital where the Canadian techno producer is now based. Taken from the Sound of Berlin Documentary score that Marc has signed in 2018, which gathers more than 750.000 views on Youtube today , the first track “Gratiot” pictures a smoky and deep journey around the city, from a club to another, like a cruise on a layer of silk as it shifts between ethereal chords and ascending synth pad progressions, giving a pensive but ecstatic soundscape on the top of simple but effective rhythmic elements. An after-hours gear inspired by the unique night life and club scene of Berlin.

“This Old House” starts with a forthright and groovy bassline that takes the listener straight into the club. But there’s something about the track that feels reverential of the kind of atmospheric, wiggly house most closely associated with the Sound of Berlin. There’s something old-school about it, as if the layers of rhythmic percussion and hammering bassline both captivate and intimidate, a slight looseness that makes its loopy psychedelia all the more appealing.

Raised adjacent to Detroit in Windsor, Ontario, in the same fertile music community that spawned Richie Hawtin, Houle’s obsession with electronic sounds goes back to the noise of ’80s video games and vintage synthesizers. A decade-long career of seminal records on Richie Hawtin’s Minus label, as well as his own Items & Things imprint, that not only helped define the beloved minimal sound of the mid-‘00s (“On It”), but had a laugh at its expense (“Techno Vocals”), before transcending the limits of the sub-genre completely by incorporating industrial, disco and new wave influences (“Undercover”).

Not strictly bound to electronic music in the traditional sense, Houle’s work has also led to explorations into film, producing a score of Kurutta Ippeiji’s 1926 original silent film ‘A Page of Madness’ to critical acclaim. Add the equation a deeply rooted connection and affinity with the city of Detroit, widely regarding as the birthplace of Techno, and equally as close ties to Houle’s current adopted home of Berlin, exemplified through his creation and development of 2018’s ‘Sound of Berlin’ documentary soundtrack, and it’s no wonder Houle’s records have found their way into the crates of DJs far-flung from his typical list of peers.

Bell Trip EP

Artist :
Title : Bell Trip EP
Release Date : 28. May 2021
Catalog ref. : SOB006
The main track Bell Trip travels through loopy techno, undulating noises. The bells mirror this tension, stretched to its breaking point over a bassline that worms through the quantized beat. Strange and hypnotic, it’s a surprisingly gentle journey despite its busy rhythms.
The second track That’s what I thought starts with a heavy techno beat before offering a release with some welcome house chord crescendos and glitched vocal samples.
Written during the course of the Corona pandemic, that EP is an homage to Berlin dancefloors that BB Deng describes as her biggest influence “the biggest influence for me is not a specific person but the dancefloor itself”. 
 
A music video produced and animated by Marc Houle for the main track Bell Trip will follow the release.

Chimes At Midnight

Artist :
Title : Chimes At Midnight
Release Date : 30. April 2021
Catalog ref. : SOB005

Two unique minds crafting modern-day electronic hypnotism.

At the root of Nick Lapien and Robin Koek’s Artefakt project is a shared love for melancholic, hypnotic voodoo music. Their sound is pensive with deep, rich textures; long track lengths—often six-minutes-plus—give the duo an expansive framework in which to make small changes of texture and tone, creating cerebral, balanced atmospheres that absorb and engage. “Sometimes we just take a short element, like the sound of a falling drop of water, and from this recording we extract the rhythm and use it as a starting point,” they say. “It’s a very organic way of creating new material.”

After a period of self-reflection, the Dutch duo returned in 2019 to launch a label with a new EP. De Stijl serves as a platform for their musical explorations and those of their close friends. The imprint’s inaugural EP, Far and Wide, a lesson in dancefloor-ready techno that prioritises mood and melancholy, preceded Monsoon, Artefakt’s second album, this time on Svreca’s mighty Semantica Records. Across eight tracks, the duo evidenced an intrinsic understanding of rhythmic structures, confirming their status as one of the most singular and emotionally evocative acts in contemporary techno.

As a live act, Lapien and Koek have performed all across Europe, North America, and Asia, their analog-heavy set a must-see for fans of melodic and deeply emotive techno. Drawing on their shared love for collecting records, they also perform as DJs, crafting long, hypnotic narratives laced with exclusive material and records from the expensive collections, old and new.

Having first crossed paths at university, Lapien and Koek began making music together in 2012. Lapien, whose infectious, swinging house cuts have featured on Rekids, Soul People Music, and DVS1’s Mistress, was just beginning his career as a solo artist; while Koek, who designs his own artistic systems and teaches at dBs Music Berlin, had just earned a Master of Arts from Utrecht’s School of Arts, specializing in Sound Design and Composition. After releasing two EPs on the legendary Dutch imprint Delsin Records, in 2017 Koek and Lapien presented their debut album, Kinship, cementing their nuanced, atmospheric style while showcasing its breadth. It was the first big step in their ongoing pursuit to adopt techno as an art-form rather than a genre.

In 2021 the duo emphasized their long nurtured ambient roots, with the release of their third album ‘Days Bygone’ returning to their homebase Delsin Records. Reflecting the dynamic of the times, the album is a spacious introspective work interwoven with their signature airy textural rhythms.

Folllow Artefakt: Facebook – Instagram – Soundcloud – Bandcamp

Wrestle EP

Artist :
Title : Wrestle
Release Date : 26. March 2021
Catalog ref. : SOB004

The duo INIT, consisting of Nadia D’Alò and Benedikt Frey, will release their new EP “Wrestle” on March 26th via the label and multi-channel platform Sound Of Berlin.

Despite the intensive use of analogue synthesizers and drum computers, INIT‘s productions cannot be pigeon-holed into the techno drawer. The duo breaks boundaries and creates their very own soundscape. On their latest EP, rhythmic and hypnotic sounds meet distorted and mystical vocals, which moves the EP somewhere in the mysterious middle of acid house, techno, ambient and krautrock.

Nadia D’Alò and Benedikt Frey, whose house productions have already been placed on Live at Robert Johnson in the past, met at university where they were both studying sound studies. The foundation of the joint project INIT in 2012 was the logical consequence of an experimental phase, in which the two worked together with different artists from other creative fields. The willingness to experiment continues with the duo mixing influences from the most diverse genres into a unique and coherent sound aesthetic.

Follow INIT: Facebook – Instagram – Spotify – Soundcloud

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Sunday Morning EP

Artist :
Title : Sunday Morning
Catalog ref. : SOB002

About the Release


The EP perfectly radiates with Alinka’s distinct sound, while showcasing a harder-edged electro rhythm and bassline, fused with sharp, futuristic synths.

“I wrote the EP specifically for this project, so it was inspired by my time living in Berlin. It’s a dedication to Berlin’s dance floors and dancers, and the special energy that exists in the city. ‘Sunday Morning’ specifically is an ode to Panorama Bar as it’s my favourite place to play in the world and I’ve had many magical Sunday’s there.” Alinka

Follow Alinka: Facebook – Instagram – Soundcloud

Sunday Morning – Official Video produced by Rose Bonica

Follow Rose Bonica: __Rose Bonica: https://www.instagram.com/rosebonica​ https://linktr.ee/rosebonica

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