Miwon ‎– Jigsawtooth (n5MD ‎– MD252)

Hendrik Kröz aka Miwon has released his third album Jigsawtooth. Released on the label n5MD, Miwon's album is an eclectic mix of IDM, Techno, Ambient and Downtempo. Consisting of eleven tracks, the album provides a melodically warm atmosphere, cinematic at times, and causes an introspective feeling.

Personal favorite tracks from this album are Wolkengedoens, and Jigsawtooth.

Tracklist:

1.     Fuzzy Words   
2.     Charezza   
3.     Spiderman   
4.     Wolkengedoens   
5.     Shutter (Windmill Version)   
6.     Pineda   
7.     Mondharke   
8.     Cool Your Jets   
9.     Jigsawtooth   
10.   Akademgorodok (Bonus)   
11.   Centrifuge (Bonus)

A highly recommend album. I rate the music as 8.5/10.

Beautiful artwork - Fits the musical journey presented. I rate the artwork as 10/10.

Regarding the packaging, the CD is cased in a digi-file / cardboard folder. I personally do not like this kind of package since it causes fine scratches to the CDs, and also it can be easily bent. Unfortunately many labels are going for this option. I prefer jewel cases because they are robust and keep the CD safe.  I rate the packaging as 2/10.

Miwon ‎– Jigsawtooth
Label: n5md

I rate the music as 8.5/10, artwork as 10/10 and packaging as 2/10.



Thanks to Niki Sorogas at Give It A Spin  :)

Gregor Tresher ‎– Quiet Distortion (Break New Soil ‎– BNSCD004)

The latest album by Gregor Tresher, 'Quiet Distortion', was released on Break New Soil in May 2016. An album containing 12 tracks of Techno with hints of Tech-House and Ambient. Groove filled tracks and  highly melodic, which are good for the club as well as for home enjoyment. With this album Gregor Tresher continues to show why he is one of the top Techno producers out there.

Personal favorites from this album are Tyrant, Quite Distortion and Give It All Away. 

 Tracklist
1.  Numb
2.  Surrender
3.  Consistency
4.  Tyrant
5.  Quiet Distortion
6.  Safehouse
7.  The Kraken
8.  Riot Gear
9.  Depend
10. Decades
11. Goliath
12. Give It All Away

A highly recommend album. I rate the music as 10/10.

I like the artwork, artistic and eye catching. Really fits a Techno release. I rate the artwork as 10/10.
The CD version is cased in a digicase, which is good, although I prefer jewel cases because they are more rubust. The new CD case also come sealed in cellophane plastic for added protection against dirt and scratches. I rate the packaging as 9/10.

Gregor Tresher - Quiet Distortion
Label: Break New Soil

I rate the music as 10/10, artwork as 10/10 and packaging as 9/10

James Murray ‎– Eyes To The Height (Ultimae Records ‎– Inre087)

'Eyes To The Height' is the latest Ambient album from James Murray. Released on the label Ultimae Records; a record label synonymous with quality Ambient.

In my humble opinion it is a must to listen to the complete album in one go, since it feels like the narration of a tale or story. The album is a journey, atmospheric and relaxing with a hint of mystery. I was always engaged with the music through out the whole album. Contains some complex and subtle sounds which I found to be best enjoyed with good headphones. My favorite moments along the ten track album were Ghostwalking and the closing track Copestone.

Tracklist
01. The Black And The Grey    
02. Holloways    
03. What Can Be Done    
04. Particles (Part 1)    
05. Eyes To The Height    
06. Ghostwalking    
07. Passing Places    
08. Laterisers    
09. Particles (Part 2)    
10. Copestone 


A very relaxing and enjoyable album. I highly recommend it. I rate the music as 9/10.

The artwork for this release is beautiful, gives a sense of mystery and helps to engage the listener with the music. The CD contained a booklet with stunning photography of woods, trees and nature. I rate the artwork as 10/10.
The CD version is cased in a digicase, which is good, although I prefer jewel cases because they are more rubust. The new CD case also come sealed in cellophane plastic for added protection against dirt and scratches. I rate the packaging as 9/10.

James Murray - Eyes To The Height
Label: Ultimae

I rate the music as 9/10, artwork as 10/10 and packaging as 9/10

Metamatics - Bodypop (Neo Ouija - NEO37)

Lee Norris under the alias Metamatics, released the album Bodypop in November 2016, on the label Neo Ouija. Contains fourteen tracks of Electro with IDM elements and Acid flavoring. The CD is issued as a limited edition of 150 copies. The album contained eleven original compositions and three remixes by Dokun, The Shape, and Ambidextrous.

Listening to the album provided me with a feeling of a mysterious atmosphere like driving on lonely roads at night or with rainy weather. Ambient music elements are highly felt across the tracks, as can be expected from an experienced Ambient producer like Lee Norris. My favorite tracks are Moor Mist and Bodyzip remixed by The Shape. The album was a pleasure to listen to and it is one of those albums that sounds better with multiple listens.

Tracklist
Bodypop    
Image 2 Image    
Op3    
Moor Mist    
Bodyzip    
Midge Image    
Clear The Floor    
Midge Image (Dokun Mix)
Chromazone    
Bodyzip (The Shape Re Shape Mix)
Who Can Do It    
Image 2 Image (Ambidextrous Mix)
Shit Hot Dirt    
Cornish Pasty


I really enjoyed this album and I recommend it. I rate the music as 8/10. The artwork for this release, although not my cup of tea, gives me a sense of mystery or a sinister feeling. I rate the artwork as 7/10.
The CD version is cased in a jewel cases, which is my preferred kind of packaging. The new CD case also come sealed in cellophane plastic for added protection against dirt and scratches. I rate the packaging as 10/10.

Metamatics - Bodypop
Label: Neo Ouija

I rate the music as 8/10, artwork as 7/10 and packaging as 10/10

Various - 15 Years With Echocord (Echocord - cd015)

Echocord Records is celebrating its 15 years of releasing excellent music with the compilation '15 Years With Echocord'. Released in October 2016, it is available in both CD and vinyl formats. A compilation consisting of an exclusive selection of 10 tracks ranging from Ambient to Dub Techno from great producers in the electronic field.

From my first listen of the CD, I was totally engaged in the music. Found myself wondering with my mind in a surreal atmosphere.

The CD opens with the Ambient track 'The Ancient Scale' from STL. From the second track on-wards you enter step by step into the realm of Dub Techno, including the tracks from Arovane, Beat Pharmacy, Resoe, XDB, Luke Hess, Mikkel Metal, Fluxion, Mike Dehnert, and Deadbeat.

Tracklist:
STL - The Ancient Scale
Arovane - Struktur 1
Beat Pharmacy - Sunday
Resoe - Oblivion
XDB - Latonal
Luke Hess - Hoodmode
Mikkel Metal - Lomina
Fluxion - Origin
Mike Dehnert - Track Providing Home
Deadbeat - For Whom the Bell Tolls

I really enjoy this compilation and I highly recommend it. I rate the music as 9/10. The artwork for this release, produced by Lasse Kusk, is a pleasure to look at, especially if enjoyed on the vinyl release. I highly like the artwork used by Echocord Records on their releases, they never miss. I rate the artwork as 10/10.
The CD version is cased in a Digipack. Although I generally prefer jewel cases since they offer more protection, a Digipack case is good as well. I rate the packaging as 8/10.

Various ‎– 15 Years With Echocord on Discogs
Label: Echocord

I rate the music as 9/10, artwork as 10/10 and packaging as 8/10

 

Aphex Twin - Cheetah EP (Warp - WAP391CD)

No introduction needed here for Aphex Twin. An EP by Richard D. James on Warp records out July 2016. A very well crafted and highly enjoyable mix of IDM with Breaks and Techno elements. A great release on Warp records, a record label which in my humble opinion needs to go back to its roots with records like the 'Artificial Intelligence' series.

This EP contains seven tracks; actually five full length tracks and two short experimental-style tracks. The EP starts with two versions of the track Cheetah; CheetahT2 (Ld Spectrum) is IDM, while CheetahT7b is more Techno flavored. These are followed by two experimental short tracks Cheeta1b ms800 and Cheeta2 ms800. My favorite track from this EP is Cirklon3 (Колхозная Mix) which is a melodic downtempo-ed IDM track. A nice video was also produced for this track which was produced by a 12 year old. Cirklon1 is a breaks oriented IDM track while 2X202-ST5 is a downtempo - breaks track.

The artwork is 'minimalistic' and somewhat retro styled. Nothing wrong with that.
I am reviewing the CD version here and the tracklist is not printed directly on the artwork but on a sticker fixed on the plastic shrink wrap. The packaging is a let down, no jewel case or slim case just a carton envelop with the CD in it. This type of packaging has the tendency of causing fine scratches to the disc. Unfortunately the tracklist sticker is fixed on the plastic shrink. The packaging could be much better in my humble opinion. I was left disappointed by this packaging from a label like Warp.

Aphex Twin - Cheetah EP on Discogs
Label: Warp

I rate the music as 8/10, artwork as 6/10 and packaging as 2/10

Hello,

On this blog I intend to review Electronic Music CDs, being albums, singles, compilations, mixes .... Well depending on what I have at hand at the moment. I will cover all styles of electronic music from Ambient and Downtempo to Hardcore Techno and Gabber, from House to Trance, all flavors.

My intention is to review the release as a whole, meaning that I review the music as well as the artwork and packaging. So I will try to stick to physical media releases, and not digital-only releases, maybe doing an exception once in a while.

My reviews are my personal opinion depending on my tastes and mood, so they are not to be considered as an attempt to bad-mouth, criticize or obscure a producer, DJ, label, etc.

If a producer, DJ or label wants to have a release reviewed, he/she is welcome. Just contact me to have the physical release sent to me.

Hope you enjoy this blog :)

Thanks for reading.
Dan

Photo by belindner from pixabay