Genre/Influences: Abstract-electro, experimental, techno, tribal-techno, ambient.

Background/Info: This sampler featuring 10 artists is meant as an ‘Contemporary Italian Electronic Music’-feature.

Artists: Chevel, Marco Shuttle, Silvia Kastel, Andrea Belfi, Ninos Du Brasil, Alessandro Adriani, Lucy, Lory D, Caterina Barbieri, Neel.

Content: Ten artists are not that much for a compilation, but the artists are clearly dealing with very different –although related, kinds of music. From pure abstract sound experiments (Silvia Kastel) to intriguing ambient (Marco Shuttle) to tribal experimentation (Ninos Du Brasil) to intelligent techno (Alessandro Adriani, Lory D) to tribal-techno (Lucy) to pure ambient reverie (Caterina Barbieri, Neel) this sampler really has a lot to offer.

+ + + : It all is a question of taste, but my favorite cuts definitely are the more up-tempo ones. Lucy did an impressive job on the tribal-techno driven “Starving The Mind”, which also features a great Eastern-like atmosphere. Lory D will also appeal for techno heads with the cool “PRV-HH3-X”. In a totally different approach “Caterina Barbieri explored electronic space paths on her extended version of “Virgo Rebellion”.

– – – : Diversity might be exciting, but I was less convinced by some explicit experimental- and abstract songs.

Conclusion: Stroboscopic Artefacts remains an incredible source of visionary music artists and it’s not that different with this sampler although some of the tracks are maybe too experimental-like.

Best bands: Lucy, Lory D, Ninos Du Brasil, Caterina Barbieri.

Rate: (6½).

Label: http://stroboscopicartefacts.com / www.facebook.com/StroboscopicArtefacts

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: IDM, experimental-techno.

Content: We recently already discovered some interesting minimal-techno minded artists from the Stroboscopic Artefacts roster like Chevel and Dadub. Ken Karter is one of the latest signings to the label.

This Berliner based artist has already released multiple EP’s, but now joined this label for the 21st part of the “Monad” label-series. Ken Karter is an interesting and somewhat visionary artist who tries to create ‘a world where art meets science, where chaos is arranged by the clinical order of numbers’. It’s a strange concept and fascination, but I’m always curious to know how it can be transposed into music.

The 4 composition clearly reveal the work of a true sound architect. I can’t really say that Karter belongs to an established genre as he looks more interested in the creation of sounds, which he likes to manipulate. The compositions are supported by overwhelming and powerful blast, which sound like they are emerging from complex studio procedures. It’s one of the main characteristic in this artist’s work.

Ken Karter deals with pure experimentalism and techno minimalism, but can we speak here about a real genre? It’s hard to say, but there clearly is a sonic bridge between techno music and experimental sound creation.

I can’t say that it’s fully accessible although fully enjoyable for all lovers of intelligent contemporary compositions. “Monad XXI” reflects the darker side of techno-minimalism. The tracks are progressively joined by harder and more danceable fields, but globally speaking this EP is an impressive creation exploring the most alternative corners of techno music.

Conclusion: If you’re a bit familiar with the work of Ken Karter you’ll discover a new creative exposure of the musician’s talent.

Best songs: “MX-04.11”, “MX-02.11”.

Rate: (DP:8)DP.

Band: www.facebook.com/ken.karter.1

Label: www.stroboscopicartefants.com / www.facebook.com/StroboscopicArtefacts

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Genre/Influences: Electro-ambient, IDM, experimental-techno.

Content: Behind Chevel is hiding Mario Tronchin who got some fame as a producer, but also as owner of the labels Enklav and Monday Night Records. While most of his EP’s got released by Enklav he now moves back to Stroboscopic Artefacts (where he already released an EP) to unleash a new full length, which is available on vinyl format.

“Blurse” is an interesting experiment and I think that the definition of ‘experiment’ is at its place. I expected an artist dealing with a rather minimal format of techno music, but technoid ingredients are hard to find, but somewhere placed in the background. The real essence of the work moves into ambient sound creations, which have been constructed by low, resonating sounds, dark atmospheres and a kind of techno-minded experimentation. Low, vibrating tones and space-like sound signals are emerging from the composition creating a mysterious, astral sound dimension.

The least I can say is that Chevel sounds like no other band. Mario Tronchin seems to strive for innovation or at least avoiding established standards. He creates a weird, but efficient kind of lo/fi-industrial and electro-ambient composition, which might be considered as a visionary ambient work or pure techno-experimentalism. But when the composition is a little less elaborate he definitely appeals for lovers of IDM (cf. “Loop #33”).

Conclusion: “Blurse” is not the most accessible album and can’t be totally considered as belonging to an established genre, but on the other side it also is a fascinating piece of avant-garde music.

Best songs: “Loop #33”, “The Windrunner”, “Loop #42”.

Rate: (DP:7)DP.

Band: https://soundcloud.com/chevelmusic

Label: www.stroboscopicartefacts.com / www.facebook.com/StroboscopicArtefacts

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com