Claro Intelecto: Warehouse Sessions Vol. 1-5

Modern Love, 2006-2008

Volume One

This new 12-inch from Claro Intelecto is a thick slab of Detroit/Berlin-style techno. “Thieves,” on the A-side, jumps right in with a hard, fast beat and pulses of bass. Filtered tones begin to chime, but the track remains minimal. The flip side’s called “New Dawn.” Its beats are even thicker, with a burbling bassline and dub syncopation. I could almost see this side on Chain Reaction. The cut gradually morphs through slow, subtle changes. Good stuff!

Jacob Arnold, Feb 14, 2006

Volume Two

Hot on the heels of Volume One, here are two more punishing techno tracks from Mark Stewart. First up, “Trial & Error” is sparse and bleepy, with an inching bassline and a basic beat. On the flip is “Signals,” featuring more complex percussion including hi-hats and a clipped snare. The track builds with brooding intensity, like a superhero standing in the shadows. This 12-inch is finely honed dance perfection.

Jacob Arnold, May 18, 2006

Volume Three

The third volume of Warehouse Sessions is just as great as the previous two. “X” starts out fairly minimal until sweeps of distortion kick in. It’s a heavy, rumbling track with unrelenting kick drums and a dub undertow. The B-side is “Only Yesterday,” a 45-RPM scorcher inspired by early house. Bass pads pan and wander over a basic beat. Nothing more develops, but this is still more than just a DJ tool. Mark Stewart’s creating an amazingly solid series of 12-inches here. I hope they eventually get a digital release—these explorations of classic techno may themselves become legendary.

Jacob Arnold, Jun 20, 2006

Volume Four

On this volume Stewart seems to be branching out a bit. On “Instinct,” gongs, pops, and echoing bass play off each other all too briefly. The flip side, “Post,” features dry house beats and chords. It breaks down half-way through with a momentary change of beat and lovely, jazzy piano. Very nice.

Jacob Arnold, May 7, 2007

Volume Five

The fifth and final installment of Claro Intelecto’s long-running series (which is soon to be compiled on CD) is the most modern and minimal record of the bunch. “Hunt You Down” has some dub touches, with a Maurizio-esque bassline. The chords are sharp and stretched, like tangled Slinkies. “Momento” is a house/techno hybrid with stereo bells, old-school snares, and devastating bass. The track seems a bit basic for home listening, but it would be powerful on a club sound system. It’s an appropriate way to end a great set of DJ tools.

Quantec: Unusual Signals

Echocord, 2008

Quantec’s best work to date is a meticulously crafted album of Chain Reaction-style dub techno. On “Amanita Muscaria,” chords pan over a kick drum. Deep bass drops out at the beginning and end, allowing for easy mixing. “Deliberate” centers on warm pulses. I imagine time-lapse video of clouds forming and blowing by.

“Unusual Signals/Reversion” is where the tracks start running together for me. I like the bass progression, but the chords strike me as formulaic. On “Iboga,” synth sounds swirl over puttering percussion and substantial bass, forming a moody morass. “Yage” is another chord-centric track, with reverb filling the space between notes. “Panaleous” is dark and dense.

Unusual Signals is an enjoyable listen, but like many recent dub techno LPs, the individual tracks are indistinct. Taken as a whole experience, this album works, but I’m unlikely to seek out a specific cut for later listening. In the age of shuffling iPods, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

Frankie Knuckles Playlists

Frankie Knuckles began DJing in New York City in 1971. He and Larry Levan, of Paradise Garage fame, were best friends. In 1977 Knuckles moved to Chicago and started spinning at the Warehouse, where he became famous for his selection of soulful and funky disco, music that became known as “house.” When the Warehouse owners doubled their entrance fee, Knuckles left and opened the Power Plant. (The Warehouse became the Music Box.) Before long, club-goers Jamie Principle and Jesse Saunders tried their hands at production, and the rest is history.

Below are tracklists of Knuckles club mixes I found online. Based on the evidence of these recordings, Knuckles made more edits than Ron Hardy, but they generally weren’t as radical. Also, in the early eighties Knuckles played a steady stream of underground NYC productions that were missing from Hardy’s sets.

As of this moment, all of the mixes referenced below are available from deephousepage.com.

5. frankie1.rm

1986-1987

1. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
2. Chip E.: It’s House
3. House People: Godfather of House
4. Farley Jackmaster Funk: Farley Knows House
5. The It: Donnie
6. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax (Sex Mix)
7. Al Di Meola: Sequencer [unreleased version?]
8. David Joseph: You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me)
9. Mr. Fingers: Mystery Of Love

8. frankie2.rm

Warehouse, 1979?

1. Steve Harvey: Tonight
2. Rodney Franklin: The Groove
3. Roy Ayers Ubiquity: Running Away
4. Chaka Khan: I’m Every Woman
5. Stevie Wonder: Do Like You
6. The Trammps: Body Contact Contract
7. The Trammps: Love Epidemic
8. Two Tons of Fun: I Got the Feeling

41. frankiew.rm

Live at the Warehouse, 1982

1. Yello: Bostich
2. Forrrce: Keep on Dancing [bassline]
3. Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me
4. Billy Nichols: Give Your Body Up to the Music
5. Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
6. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
7. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face (Male Version)
8. People’s Choice: Hey Everybody (Party Hearty)
9. Forrrce: Keep On Dancin’
10. Hi Voltage: Somewhere Beyond
11. Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
12. D-Train: Keep On

59. frankie10.rm

Power Plant, 1984-1985

1. ? [rhythm track]
2. ?
3. ? [We like to party]
4. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
5. Crown Heights Affair: Far Out
6. The Originals: Down To Love Tow
7. Johnny Hammond: Los Conquistadores Chocolates
8. The Trammps: Disco Party (edit)
9. The Trammps: Disco Inferno
10. ? [Money in my pocket]
11. ? [Everybody Dance]
12. Giorgio Moroder: Harmony
13. ?
14. Tata Vega: I Just Keep Thinking About You Baby

85. frankie13.rm

Warehouse, 1977

1. Ecstasy, Passion & Pain: Touch and Go
2. Pam Todd and Love Exchange: Let’s Get Together
3. ?
4. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
5. Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band: Cherchez La Femme
6. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run

128. franke84.rm

~1983-1984

1. [Never gonna give him up]
2. The Originals: Down To Love Town
3. ? (edit)
4. Persia: Inch by Inch (edit)

182. frankie105.rm

Live at the Power Plant, 1985

1. Jamie Principle: Your Love [demo?]
2. ?
3. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Man Goes Disco [unreleased version]
4. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free (Disco Madness Remix)
5. The Dells: No Way Back (edit)
6. Lenny Williams: Midnight Girl (edit)
7. Convertion: Let’s Do It
8. The Whatnauts: Help Is on the Way (break)
9. ? [Now that your love is here to stay]

194. frankie120.rm

Live at the Warehouse, 1979?

1. intro
2. The Whatnauts: Help Is on the Way (break)
3. ?
4. Rose Royce: Do Your Dance (edit)
5. Skyy: First Time Around

253. frankie702.rm

Live at the Warehouse, 1982

1. ?
2. Elektrik Funk: On a Journey (I Sing The Funk Electric)
3. Sharon Redd: Beat the Street
4. Jocko: Rhythm Talk

272. frankie847.rm

Live at the Power Plant, 1980s

1. Giorgio Moroder: E=MC²
2. Giorgio Moroder: I Wanna Rock You
3. Master C & J: In the City
4. ?
5. Frankie Knuckles: You Can’t Hide from Yourself
6. Carolyn Harding: Memories
7. Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls
8. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk: Love Can’t Turn Around
9. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
10. Jamaica Girls: Need Somebody New

330. frankie1015.rm, 360. pplant2.rm

Live at the Power Plant, 1984

1. ? [Night’s all right]
2. ? [Love Hangover cover]
3. ? [My Love Is Free cover]
4. Loleatta Holloway: Runaway
5. ? [There’s a whole world out there for you]
6. ? [Send it out?]
7. ? [Don’t do it]

373. frankie108.rm

Live at the Power Plant, 1983

1. ?
2. The Maniacs: Sweet Ladies
3. ? [Newcleus?]
4. Pushe: Don’t Take Your Love Away
5. Sinnamon: Thanks To You
6. Fresh Band: Come Back Lover (Dub Mix)
7. Powerline: Double Journey
8. ?
9. ? [You know you want to do the dance]
10. Logg: You’ve Got That Something

561. frankiepp1984b.rm

Live at the Power Plant, 1984

1. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder [echo effects at beginning]
2. Lefturno: Out of Sight
3. Convertion: Sweet Thing
4. One Way: Shine on Me
5. ? [‘til you scream]
6. ?
7. MFSB: Love Is the Message/Martin Luther King Jr. acapella
8. Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation

565. frankieknuckles1985rc.mp3 (frankieknuckles1985-)

Power Plant, 1985

1. MFSB: Love Is the Message
2. Love Committee: Law and Order
3. Love Committee: Just as Long as I Got You
4. The O’Jays: I Love Music (edit)
5. Goody Goody: It Looks Like Love
6. The Three Degrees: Dirty Ol’ Man
7. ? [I Love You, Yes I Do]
8. Dee Dee Bridgewater: Bad for Me
9. Kleeer: Keep Your Body Working
10. ?
11. Tia Monae: Don’t Keep Me Waiting

591. frankieanniv.rm

Power Plant 2nd anniversary, Dec. 1984 [same West End records mega-mix as in mix 41]

1. Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
2. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
3. Fantastic Aleems: Get Down Friday Night
4. Jackie Moore: This Time, Baby
5. ? [Let it go]
6. Jackson Five: Forever Came Today
7. David Joseph: You Can’t Hide (Your Love From Me)
8. Billy Nichols: Give Your Body Up to the Music
9. Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
10. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
11. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face (Male Version)
12. People’s Choice: Hey Everybody (Party Hearty)
13. Forrrce: Keep On Dancin’

955. frankieknucklespowerplanta.mp3

Live at the Power Plant, 1980s

1. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk: Love Can’t Turn Around (Remix)
2. Jimmy “Bo” Horne: Spank/The Whispers: And the Beat Goes On [parts edited together]
3. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (edit)
4. Visual: Somehow, Someway
5. South Shore Commission: Free Man (edit)
6. Phreek: Weekend
7. Phyllis Hyman: Old Friend
8. Fingers Inc.: A Path
9. Billie: Nobody’s Business

955. frankieknucklespowerplantb.mp3, 234. frankie129.rm [partial]

Live at the Power Plant, mid-1980s

1. Marshall Jefferson and On The House: Move Your Body
2. First Choice: Doctor Love
3. Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
4. Nick Straker Band: A Little Bit of Jazz
5. Master C & J: Dub It
6. Diana Ross: No One Gets the Prize (edit)
7. Ashford and Simpson: Found A Cure
8. ? [uses Bra bassline]
9. The Trammps: Disco Party (edit)
10. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk: Love Can’t Turn Around (Remix)

1040. frankieknucklespowerplant1983a.mp3

Live at the Power Plant, 1983

1. The Stranger: Shining Star
2. Montana Sextet: Who Needs Enemies (With a Friend Like You)
3. Klein & M.B.O.: Dirty Talk
4. Rare Essence: Disco Fever (edit) [samples over top]
5. Dee Dee Bridgewater: Bad for Me
6. Thelma Houston: I’m Here Again (edit)
7. Two Tons of Fun: I Got the Feeling
8. Yello: Bostich
9. Persia: Inch by Inch (edit)
10. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (edit)

1040. frankieknucklespowerplant1983b.mp3

Live at the Power Plant, 1983

1. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder
2. Phreek: Weekend
3. NYC Peech Boys: Life Is Something Special (acapella)
4. Donna McGhee: It Ain’t No Big Thing [echo effects]
5. The Whatnauts: Help Is on the Way (break)
6. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
7. Liquid Liquid: Optimo
8. Tommy B: Electronic Drums
9. Gichy Dan: Cowboys and Gangsters

Ron Hardy Playlists

Lately I’ve been researching pre- and early-house, and there’s no better source than the playlists of Ron Hardy. (I’ll be posting Frankie Knuckles’ soon as well.) It seems that history is always viewed through the lens of whatever is currently en vogue, and to that end a great deal of attention has been paid to early rhythm tracks. Parsing through MP3s from the tapes of people who were actually there, however, there’s no escaping that house and techno are direct descendants of disco.

Thanks to its mass commercialization in the late seventies, disco became a dirty word, but looking back at the tunes played in underground clubs, it is clear they descended from soulful sources like Motown and Philadelphia International. The experimentation of New York City producers and DJs paid a large role as well. In fact, I’d argue that Walter Gibbons’ 1978 Disco Madness LP (available on CD on this anthology) was the first album to embody the house aesthetic. While Tom Moulton was already extending breaks, Gibbons actually deconstructed them, surgically isolating and looping riffs over new rhythm tracks. It’s a small step to the many covers of “I Can’t Turn Around” over a drum machine.

All of the mixes referenced below are available from deephousepage.com. Some of these tracklists are based on Jason’s at suenomartino.net. Any corrections or additions are welcome.

48. ron3.rm

Live at the Music Box, Chicago (Part II), 1985

1. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
2. Don Armando’s Second Avenue Rhumba Band: Deputy of Love
3. beats
4. Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me
5. Exodus: Together Forever (Dub)
6. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
7. Made In USA: Melodies
8. beats
9. Klein & M.B.O.: Dirty Talk
10. Two Tons of Fun: I Got the Feeling (edit)
11. beats/Love Sensation accapella/train sound effect
12. Sylvester: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
13. Chic: Everybody Dance
14. Cheryl Lynn: Star Love (Edit)
15. Sylvester: Dance (Disco Heat)

72. ron4.rm

Chicago, 1980s

1. train intro
2. Stevie Wonder: As
3. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
4. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
5. Roy Ayers Ubiquity: Running Away
6. Side Effect: Always There
7. James Brown: Body Heat
8. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk & Ricky Dillard: It’s U
9. J.M. Silk: Let the Music Take Control
10. Mr. Fingers: Can You Feel It
11. Jungle Wonz: The Jungle
12. Jungle Wonz: Time Marches On
13. Black Ivory: Mainline

100. ron5.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1987

1. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
2. Rhythim Is Rhythim: Move It
3. Thompson & Lenoir: Can’t Stop the House (Instrumental)
4. Risque III: Don’t You Know
5. Lidell Townsell: Party People Jack Your Body
6. Chip E.: It’s House
7. Jungle Wonz: Time Marches On
8. Made In USA: Melodies
9. Thelma Houston: Don’t Leave Me This Way (break)
10. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova

116. ron50.rm

Live at the Music Box, mid-1980s

1. Love Exchange: Let’s Get Together
2. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
3. Evelyn “Champagne” King: I Don’t Know If It’s Right
4. The Charlie Calello Orchestra: Sing, Sing, Sing
5. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance

136. ron88.rm

Music Box, 1984

1. Chip E.: It’s House
2. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
3. Persia: Inch by Inch
4. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
5. The Originals: Down To Love Town
6. Love Committee: Law and Order
7. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
8. beat
9. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around

155. ron37.rm

Live at Club C.O.D., 1980s

1. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
2. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
3. Janice McClain: Smack Dab in the Middle
4. Sylvester: I Need You (edit)
5. Third World: Now That We’ve Found Love (break)
6. McFadden & Whitehead: Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now
7. Natalie Cole: Annie Mae

167. ron100.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1983

1. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost
2. Touchdown: Ease Your Mind
3. Fingers Inc.: You’re Mine
4. Powerline: Double Journey
5. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
6. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
7. The O’Jays: I Love Music

200. ron114.rm

Live at U.S. studio/Music Box, 1/17/1984

1. MFSB: Love Is the Message
2. Gaz Nevada: I.C. Love Affair/First Choice: Love and Happiness
3. First Choice: Double Cross
4. ?
5. ?
6. Loleatta Holloway: Love Sensation (Shep Pettibone Mix)
7. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
8. ?

220. ron300.rm

Live at the Music Box, 6/30/1984

1. Gaz Nevada: I.C. Love Affair
2. ?
3. Plastic Bertrand: Stop ou Encore
4. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums
5. I-Level: In the River
6. beats
7. Three Million: I’ve Been Robbed
8. City Circle Band: Magic
9. Billy Frazier & Friends: Billy Who?
10. Jamie Principle: Your Love

318. ron988.rm, 40. ron2.rm

Live at the Music Box, ~1985

1. Isaac Hayes: I Can’t Turn Around (edit)
2. Black Ivory: Mainline
3. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
4. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco (beats)
5. Martin Circus: Disco Circus (break)
6. T-Connection: Do What You Wanna Do
7. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
8. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face (Male Version)
9. Trussel: Love Injection

318. ron989.rm

Live at the Music Box, ~1985

1. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
2. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
3. Made In USA: Melodies
4. beats
5. ?
6. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
7. Cerrone: Love in C Minor
8. Cymande: Bra (edit)
9. Nick Straker Band: A Little Bit of Jazz
10. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
11. Thelma Houston: I’m Here Again

333. ron768.mp3

Live at the Powerhouse, ~1987 [everything sped up]

1. Rhythim Is Rhythim: Move It
2. James Brown: Body Heat
3. Willie Hutch: Brother’s Gonna Work It Out
4. MFSB: Love Is the Message
5. Bumblebee Unlimited: Love Bug
6. ?
7. Diana Ross: Love Hangover
8. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
9. Armenta and Majik: I Wanna Be With You
10. Armando: Land of Confusion
11. Ralphi Rosario: You Used To Hold Me
12. Thompson & Lenoir: Can’t Stop the House (Instrumental)
13. Phuture: Phuture Jacks
14. Armenta and Majik: I Wanna Be With You [again]

395. ron1987.rm

Live in Chicago, 1987

1. Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (Are Made Of This)
2. ?
3. Frankie Goes To Hollywood: Two Tribes
4. Phuture: Acid Tracks
5. Magnifique: Magnifique
6. Diana Ross: The Boss
7. Chantal Curtis: Get Another Love
8. Bonnie Pointer: ?
9. ESG: Moody (Spaced Out Mix)
10. Goody Goody: #1 Dee Jay

438. ron1987a.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1987

1. acid track?
2. ? [Martin Luther King Jr.]
3. Dinosaur L: Go Bang! #5
4. acid track?
5. Farley “Jackmaster” Funk: Love Can’t Turn Around
6. ?
7. The Night Writers: Let The Music (Use You)
8. acid track?
9. Touchdown: Ease Your Mind
10. acid track?/Devotion acapella
11. ? [should know this one]
12. Robert Owens: I’m Strong (Instrumental)
13. Fingers Inc.: Music Take Me Up
14. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
15. ?

461. hardy1000.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

1. Loleatta Holloway: Catch Me on the Rebound (Disco Madness Remix)
2. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Bad Luck (edit)
3. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
4. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco
5. Sheila E.: A Love Bizarre
6. Peter Brown: Do Ya Wanna Get Funky With Me
7. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)/sound effects
8. beats
9. Liaisons Dangereuses: Avant Après Mars

489. hardy1200.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1984

1. ?
2. ?
3. Frankie Knuckles: Bad Boy
4. beats
5. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
6. Candido: Jingo
7. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
8. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
9. South Shore Commission: Free Man
10. Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me (instrumental)/reversed

455. ronjamie.rm

Chicago, 1986

1. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
2. Musique: In the Bush
3. Made In USA: Melodies
4. B.T. Express: Peace Pipe
5. 52nd Street: Can’t Afford
6. The Chi-Lites: My First Mistake (edit)
7. Kat Mandu: The Break
8. The Trammps: Disco Party (edit)
9. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums
10. Weeks & Co.: Rock Your World (edit)
11. Cymande: Bra

521. ronbootleg.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985 [lots of EQing]

1. Tavares: It Only Takes a Minute
2. Cheryl Lynn: Star Love
3. South Shore Commission: Free Man
4. Made In USA: Never Gonna Let You Go
5. Made In USA: Melodies
6. Loleatta Holloway: Dreamin’
7. Quincy Jones: Stuff Like That
8. Brothers Johnson: Stomp!
9. Brass Construction: Movin’
10. Michael Jackson: Working Day and Night
11. Gayle Adams: Plain Out of Luck
12. Gichy Dan: Cowboys and Gangsters
13. Tasha Thomas: Shoot Me (With Your Love)
14. Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

594. ronhardywilliam1980s.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1980s

1. Oliver Cheatham: Get Down Saturday Night
2. Stevie Wonder: Higher Ground
3. Sylvester: Sell My Soul
4. Undisputed Truth: You + Me = Love
5. Machine: There But For The Grace Of God Go I
6. Mouzon’s Electric Band: Everybody Get Down
7. ?
8. Aurra: Make Up Your Mind
9. Jean Carn: Was That All It Was
10. Roy Ayers: Don’t Stop The Feeling
11. Love Committee: Law and Order
12. Bunny Sigler: By The Way You Dance
13. Chocolette: It’s That East Street Beat
14. Ripple: The Beat Goes On and On

641. RonHardy1985.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

1. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
2. Mike T: Do It Any Way You Wanna
3. ?
4. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
5. The Dells: No Way Back (edit)
6. ?
7. beats/Trapped acapella
8. ?
9. beats
10. Direct Current: Everybody Here Must Party
11. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)

641. RonHardy1985Side2.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

1. Chip E.: It’s House
2. Chip E.: Like This
3. Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
4. Cymande: Bra (edit)
5. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
6. Lenny Williams: Midnight Girl
7. ? [Let’s Take a Love Break]
8. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)

718. RonHardyHiss.mp3, 10. ron1.rm

Music Box, 1980s

1. Made In USA: Melodies
2. ? [Martin Luther King, Jr.]
3. beats/Weekend, Touch and Go acapellas
4. Cameo: I Just Want To Be
5. Robert Owens: Bring Down the Walls
6. The Dells: Get on Down
7. Blue Magic: Welcome to the Club (edit)
8. Double Exposure: Ten Percent (Disco Madness Remix)
9. Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
10. Carl Bean: I Was Born This Way
11. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free (Disco Madness Remix)
12. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’
13. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Don’t Leave Me This Way

735. muzicbox121583a.mp3 (RonHardyUS_Studio_Muzic Box 12), 187. ron112.rm [partial]

U.S. studio/Music Box, 12/15/1983

1. Curtis Hairston: I Want You (All Tonight)
2. Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
3. Gaz Nevada: I.C. Love Affair
4. Serge Ponsar: Out in the Night
5. Kasso: One More Round
6. Paul Simpson Connection: Use Me Lose Me
7. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder
8. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums #1
9. Laid Back: White Horse
10. Night Moves: Transdance
11. Tommy B: Electronic Drums
12. Liquid Liquid: Optimo
13. The Originals: Down To Love Town
14. beats
15. ?
16. Positive Force: We Got the Funk

735. muzicbox121583b.rm (RonHardyUS_Studio_Muzic Box 12)

U.S. studio/Music Box, 12/15/1983

1. Imagination: Burnin’ Up
2. George Kranz: Din Daa Daa (Trommeltanz)
3. Stopp: I’m Hungry
4. Black Ivory: Mainline
5. Paul Lewis: Girl You Need A Change Of Mind
6. beats
7. The Broads: Sing - Sing - Sing
8. Trilogy: Not Love (Instrumental)
9. Koto: Japanese War Game
10. The Rolling Stones: Undercover of the Night
11. Skatt Bros.: Walk The Night
12. ?
13. ?

796. ronhardy0702c.mp3, 569. ronhardyrc.rm

Music Box, 1980s

1. Caroline Crawford: Coming on Strong
2. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
3. Black Ivory: Mainline
4. First Choice: Double Cross
5. Isaac Hayes: I Can’t Turn Around (edit)
6. T-Connection: Do What You Wanna Do
7. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
8. Sylvester: I Need You
9. Loleatta Holloway: Dreamin’
10. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free

796. ronhardy0702d.mp3

Music Box, 1980s

1. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
2. Thelma Houston: Don’t Leave Me This Way
3. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost (edit)
4. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
5. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
6. Loleatta Holloway: Hit and Run
7. T.C. Curtis: You Should Have Known Better
8. Geraldine Hunt: Can’t Fake The Feeling
9. Jamie Principle: Your Love

861. ronhardycodsa.mp3

Live at Club C.O.D., 1980s

1. Lyn Collins: Think (About It)
2. Dr. Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band: Cherchez La Femme
3. M.F.S.B.: Love Is the Message
4. Janice McClain: Smack Dab in the Middle
5. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
6. Rinder & Lewis: Anger
7. Wood, Brass & Steel: Funkanova
8. ?
9. Brass Construction: Movin’
10. Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough

861. ronhardycodsb.mp3

Live at Club C.O.D., 1980s

1. Inner Life: Ain’t No Mountain High Enough
2. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
3. Blue Magic: Welcome to the Club (edit)
4. ?
5. Diana Ross: No One Gets the Prize
6. Spinners: Mighty Love
7. Lenny Williams: Midnight Girl (edit)
8. Imagination: Burnin’ Up
9. Ian Dury: Spasticus Autisticus

876. ronhardy1986J326b.mp3

Chicago, 1986

1. Cymande: Bra (edit)
2. beats/Peech Boys: Don’t Make Me Wait
3. D.J. Hollywood: Shock, Shock The House [?]
4. Gayle Adams: Plain Out Of Luck
5. Brass Construction: Movin’
6. ?
7. beats
8. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax (Sex Mix)

952. ronhardy1983-0403a.mp3

Music Box, 1983

1. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
2. The Chi-Lites: My First Mistake (edit)
3. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Bad Luck (edit)
4. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: The Love I Lost (edit)
5. Touchdown: Ease Your Mind
6. Fingers Inc.: You’re Mine
7. Powerline: Double Journey
8. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
9. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
10. The O’Jays: I Love Music

952. ronhardy1983-0403b.mp3, 295. ron888.rm

Music Box, 1983

1. The O’Jays: I Love Music
2. Loose Joints: Pop Your Funk
3. J.M. Silk: I Can’t Turn Around
4. Sylvester: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
5. Stephanie Mills: You Can Get Over
6. Salsoul Orchestra: Salsoul 3001 (intro)
7. Colonel Abrams: Trapped (acapella)
8. beats
9. Direct Current: Everybody Here Must Party
10. Virgo: Go Wild Rythm Trax [?]
11. Virgo: Under You
12. Paul Lewis: Girl You Need A Change Of Mind
13. The Trammps: Body Contact Contract
14. Sparque: Let’s Go Dancin’

1039. ronhardy1985tb1.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1985

1. Anne Clark: Our Darkness
2. Fingers Inc.: You’re Mine
3. House People: Godfather of House
4. Martin Circus: Disco Circus (break)
5. Chip E.: Like This
6. Bumblebee Unlimited: Everybody Dance
7. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free (Disco Madness Remix)
8. Direct Current: Everybody Here Must Party
9. Sleezy D.: I’ve Lost Control
10. Taana Gardner: When You Touch Me
11. The Originals: Down To Love Town
12. Parlet: Pleasure Principle

1039. ronhardy1985tb2.rm

Live at the Music Box, 1980

1. Parlet: Pleasure Principle
2. Thelma Houston: Don’t Leave Me This Way
3. Thelma Houston: I’m Here Again
4. MFSB: Love Is the Message (edit)
5. Sylvester: You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
6. Frankie Knuckles: Baby Wants to Ride (demo?)
7. beats
8. beats
9. beats
10. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face
11. beats [track 9 again]
12. Patti Labelle: Get Ready (Looking for Loving) (edit)
13. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Don’t Leave Me This Way

1181. RonHardy061984a.mp3

Live at the Music Box, 6/19/1984

1. Lady B: To The Beat Y’all
2. Alessandro Novaga: Faces Drums #3
3. ?
4. Prince: When Doves Cry
5. Jamie Principle: Waiting on My Angel
6. Frankie Goes to Hollywood: Relax (Sex Mix)
7. Doctor’s Cat: Feel the Drive (Remix)
8. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco
9. MFSB: Love Is the Message
10. Roy Ayers Ubiquity: Running Away
11. Tullio De Piscopo: Stop Bajon
12. Jocelyn Brown: Somebody Else’s Guy
13. Womack and Womack: Baby I’m Scared of You

1181. RonHardy061984b.mp3

Live at the Music Box, 6/19/1984

1. Womack and Womack: Baby I’m Scared of You
2. South Shore Commission: Free Man
3. Dinosaur L: Go Bang!
4. The Originals: Down To Love Town (edit)
5. First Choice: Let No Man Put Asunder (Disco Madness Remix edit)
6. beats
7. Hugh Masekela: Don’t Go Lose It Baby
8. Double Exposure: My Love Is Free
9. Al Di Meola: Sequencer
10. Klein & M.B.O.: The MBO Theme
11. John Rocca: I Want It To Be Real
12. Fresh Band: Come Back Lover

1297. 1105_ronhardy.mp3 (Ron_Hardy - Muzic Box)

Live at the Music Box, 1986 courtesy of Jamie3:26

1. Nightlife Unlimited: Peaches & Prunes (edit)
2. Liaisons Dangereuses: Los Niños Del Parque remix?
3. Virgo: Free Yourself
4. Frankie Knuckles: It’s A Cold World
5. Frankie Knuckles: Baby Wants to Ride
6. Tempest Trio: Do You Like The Way It Feels
7. Hercules: 7 Ways
8. The Originals: Down To Love Town (break)
9. Parlet: Pleasure Principle
10. Sleeque: One for the Money
11. Carl Bean: I Was Born This Way
12. Billy Paul: Only the Strong Survive (edit)
13. Loleatta Holloway: Catch Me on the Rebound (edit)
14. Harold Melvin and The Blue Notes: Don’t Leave Me This Way
15. Loose Joints: Is It All Over My Face (Male Version/Female Version)/reversed
16. Blue Magic: Welcome to the Club (edit)
17. Teddy Pendergrass: The More I Get, The More I Want

1308. ron_hardy84v2.rm

Live at the Music Box, ~1984 courtesy of Jamie3:26

1. Nick Straker Band: A Little Bit of Jazz
2. Colonel Abrams: Music Is The Answer
3. Kikrokos: Life Is A Jungle (edit)
4. ?
5. Jamie Principle: Your Love (dub?)
6. Stopp: I’m Hungry
7. ?
8. Isaac Hayes: I Can’t Turn Around (edit)
9. MFSB feat. The Three Degrees: T.S.O.P. (The Sound Of Philadelphia)
10. Jackmaster Dick’s Revenge: Sensuous Women Goes Disco (beats)
11. Jesse Saunders: Funk You Up
12. Liaisons Dangereuses: Avant Après Mars

Deepchord: Vantage Isle Sessions

Echospace, 2008

While I wasn’t blown away by the vinyl release of this a year ago, the CD version has grown on me, especially since it makes great driving music. The other day on an afternoon trip to Albuquerque, I cranked up these mixes, and the combination of road noise and puttering chords was perfect.

The three “DC” versions are relatively straight-forward. Dull beats thud under meandering, reverberating synths. The third part is the best of the bunch, thanks to a wider range of synth tones and some welcome syncopation. I find the Echospace mixes more interesting. The “Glacial” version is built from waves of shimmering sound which crash around chord pulses for three minutes. The “Reshape” doesn’t resemble Basic Channel’s famous remixes since it lacks their signature bass, but the echoes, noise swells, and Pole-like crackles are a welcome change of pace. “Spacecho Dub II - Extended Mix” is a much longer version of a track from the original vinyl. The clattering chords are reminiscent of Basic Channel’s “Radiance.”

My favorite mix is by Convextion (his first remix for another artist). Reedy, distant synth tones sound like a science fiction soundtrack overheard rooms away. An undercurrent of echoes, many difficult to describe, drift in a sonic syrup.

The two CV313 mixes are new to this release. “Reduction” has a wonderfully deep bassline. Some reggae-inspired bits emerge near the end. “Reduction II” is mainly soft surface noise. “Echospace Excursion” is another exclusive. It is similar to Echospace’s latest work, with a fleshed-out bassline that strikes me as more house than reggae. As on the “DC” mixes, I wish the bass drum was a bit less generic.

Modell and Hitchell must have both drawn a lot of inspiration from this single track, generating a dozen of their own remixes over a half-dozen years. As a result, this release is a great overview of their output to date. The early mixes are straight-forward dub techno, while the newer ones are more varied. Under their Echospace and CV313 monikers, both men have become prolific producers. I look forward to their experiments with a wider sound palette.

Kettel: Myam James Part 1

Sending Orbs, 2008

Kettel is one of the few electronic music makers to wear his heart on his sleeve. He isn’t afraid of sweet melody, and he has the confidence to mix old and new sounds. He follows up last year’s beautiful Whisper Me Wishes with some of the warmest acid tracks I’ve ever heard.

On “The Wombat,” TB-303 squelches swarm over softer synths. It’s a happy tune. “Dolend” plays with a similar palette, but at a slightly slower pace. “Kroost Kids” pairs a crunchy hip-hop beat with harpsichord-like tones. The melody is great, and a solid bassline pulls it all together. “Church” sounds a lot like a certain Squarepusher track, albeit with simpler percussion.

On the second half of the album, Kettel moves into different territory. “Ende” is a strange, beatless ballad with atonal singing over slow synths. “Palle’s Popsong” seems straight-forward enough, but it ends with a recording of what seems to be a fight. “Fishfred” is rather melancholy, while “Twinkle Twinkle” is a re-working of a similarly named track from Look At This! Ha Ha Ha!

Two fine remixes flesh out this release. Phoenecia turn “My Dogan” into a brooding, abstract collage of sound. Secede’s remix of “Church” slowly builds with voices and oscillating bass, the former sounding like a Bach organ work played presto.

Count Kettel as another artist inspired by AFX’s Analord project, but of course Reimer has his own refreshingly unique interpretation. I have a feeling this album will make my top ten at the end of the year. I can’t wait to hear the second part in a few months!

VA: Viewpoints Chapter One

AW-Recordings, 2008

This first compilation on Arne Weinberg’s label is a wonderful introduction to overlooked artists crafting techno in the Detroit style. San Diego’s Louis Haiman kicks off the collection with a real mind-bender. Synth squelches and clattering beats pan so expertly they seem to move up and down through the listening space. I’m not surprised to see Haiman on a Transmat compilation from 1999, according to Discogs. CRC’s “Archon” builds slowly, but the batty synths at the end remind me of Fade to Black’s “The Calling.” Think 1990. Stephen Brown, another Transmat favorite, contributes “Light Rain,” with tasty analogue synth tones over a heavy kickdrum.

Next up is “Multipole Vector” by Time Light Curve, a new Convextion alias. Dry snares provide a grid which is gradually filled with warm bass synths, glitchy squawks, and ghostly voices. A bittersweet tune ties everything together. Myon’s “Odyssey Red” is cinematic, with seven minutes of sad, sweeping melody over old-school beats. “Soleil” by Detroit’s Strand makes exceptional use of piano over crisp percussion and complex bleeps.

Moving inevitably into dub techno territory, Ovatow’s “Visitation V4” pulls together odd sounds which never truly gel. I can’t decide if it’s missing pieces or just strangely mastered. East Island’s “The Master of Servir” is more successful, with unique tones dreamily circling lo-fi beats. “C.O.N.” by XDB is the best of the bunch, infusing a driving tempo with dub depths. Cascading reverb speeds about like lightning in some mad scientist’s lab. Back to more traditional Detroit techno, another favorite is Obsolete Music Technology’s “Evening Star.” From its opening chords, it pulls me into a warm, beautiful place. Every single tone is a pleasure to hear.

This compilation proves old production techniques can still result in beautiful tracks. None of these cuts would seem out of place on a compilation of early nineties techno. These artists remind me of a time when technology seemed exciting and empowering instead of just overwhelming.

Yard: "Detrit"

Binary Dilemma, 2008

Yard takes his fascination with surface noise a step further on this new 12-inch. “Detrit” is a crunchy, crackling techno track with a slow-building melody. Somehow it evokes nostalgia of late-night radio shows with vinyl spinning in a darkened studio. “Squeekr” is a fun digression. Warped synth notes whine over a coarse bassline. It’s somewhat grating, but I’m reminded of old, primitive UK techno. The B side contains two remixes of the title track. The first, by Cane, injects acid squelches and deeper bass. The second, by Anders Ilar, has a dubby, aquatic undertow. It’s subtle and pleasant if a bit muddy. I actually like the original version best of all. I wish Yard had provided four different tracks in that style.

Aaron Carl: "Crucified"

Millions of Moments, 2008

This 12-inch came out a couple of months ago, but it’s too good to skip covering. The original track, by Aaron Carl, is deep house originally released on Mike Banks’ Soul City label in 1996. After an a cappella introduction, reversed vocals and plenty of reverb add an experimental edge to simple piano and bass. Quantec’s remix pulls the vocals down into dub techno territory, with a nice deep bass pulse. Synth stabs echo as is their wont.

The real masterpiece here is Rod Modell’s “Like A River Remix.” Modell takes the tiniest vocal snippet and turns it into a hypnotic chant which pans and filters over twelve minutes. It’s a simple enough idea, but it’s intoxicating in its execution. Unfortunately both copies I have suffer from a few strange digital pops which seem unintentional. Nonetheless, vocals are used so rarely in dub techno tracks, it really is refreshing to hear the combination.

VA: Depth Perceptions Vol. 1

Pronounce Records, 2008

Despite the recent glut of dub techno records, it seems I still can’t get enough of the sound. This compilation is the first release on Detroit-area Pronounce Records. Most of the artists are new to me, but they have all perfected the art of crafting deep tracks with reverberating chords and slow, heavy bass.

The collection begins with Decoside’s “Storm Slowly.” Single-note crescendos and cascading reverb form a digital ocean over shuffling bass depths. On “Polar Ice,” Biodub chooses similar sounds, but with a speedy beat and less minimal bass. “Grey Days” by Havantepe is dense but dance-able with an intoxicating rhythm. Dubatech’s “All Those Yesterdays” shimmers with chord echoes over a basic bassline. Something about it reminds me of early house music—it would be a good track for late-night driving.

Quantec contributes “Particular Reversion,” with its Maurizio-esque bassline and familiar chord reflexions. Lossless and Dominique Jacquinet’s tracks both have a Detroit feel. The former is reminiscent of Model 500’s “Starlight.” “7H AM People” by Aku Aku combines a house beat with minimal techno tones. Atheus’ “Basic Reaction” is a “Phylyps Trak” tribute, while Grit’s “Homage” reminds me of Redshape.

Some of the early tracks in this collection blend together, but thankfully there is more variety towards the end. As much as I like this CD, in the back of my mind I worry the dub techno sound is getting too predictable. At their best, Basic Channel would explore one set of sounds on a thirteen-minute side, then (supposedly) re-configure their studio for a new experiment. Their output ranged from collaborations with Detroit heroes like Jeff Mills, Carl Craig, and Juan Atkins to locked grooves of mere surface noise. I would love a return to those days when the possibilities seemed endless.