Düsseldorf-based Background Records was established by Andy Vaz in 1995 as an imprint specializing in minimal techno, but the label's music, especially its current fare, transcends whatever stereotypical associations such limiting terms engender. Just as Perlon's microhouse is often more maximal than minimal, so too are Background Records' releases richly layered, compositionally detailed, and increasingly pan-global. In addition, the label's gaze is firmly directed towards the future, as its comp series Futuristic Experiments illustrates in name and action. Since its inception, the label has evolved stylistically, inspired initially by Detroit's techno innovators, but in the years following has expanded its vision and pursued delineable -- if at times unpredictable -- trajectories. The label broadened its catalog beyond Germany and the U.S. and today reaches out to Africa, Australia and Canada. Background is more artistically vital today than ever before, as its releases are becoming ever more sophisticated as a result of advances in digital production methodologies. Plus, they're deeper sonically as broader stylistic areas and musical traditions are explored by its current roster.
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BG 049CD
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[deleted] Columbus, Ohio-native Geoff White (aka Aeroc) is one of America's premier techno producers, and this is his fourth full-length release. He has amassed a catalog of distinguished releases on labels such as Force Inc., Traum, Proptronix, Morris Audio, Cytrax and Ghostly International. White recently relocated to Barcelona to continue his work in music. His first full-length album, Questions and Comments was released on Force Inc. in 2001. The formation of his Edit Audio label followed shortly thereafter, with an emphasis on modern production techniques as well as dancefloor beats. In 2003, Geoff paired with Stewart Walker to produce the album Discord, released music under the alias Jackstone, and made an EP with Swiss duo Dialogue. White has also provided remixes for a variety of labels such as Leaf and Source. The sound of this album could be described as dub-influenced, but largely stripped of the endless reverberant, delayed elements which largely define the genre. What remains is a collection of quirky jams which tumble about and squirm around to seemingly no end. There's a balance found in the contradictory worlds that exist between raw/refined, minimal/hyper-arranged, and ethereal/in-your-face. The vinyl version includes 8 tracks while the CD plays straight through and includes a handful of extra tracks mixed together as a continuous arrangement.
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BG 050CD
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Background proudly presents a 50th anniversary release with an exclusive label compilation bursting with talent. Background Records is internationally-acclaimed as being one of the most instrumental and most consistent labels to focus on minimal electronic music in all its facets. Background Records has been a major force in the presentation of minimal techno, introducing and educating the world to the geographic variable influences that exist within the genre. Some of the most influential artists of the minimal electronic music movement around the world have contributed to the label, creating a rich history which stands out from the norm. Long before minimal techno turned into genre after subgenre after subgenre (clicks & cuts, click-house, IDM or micro-house), Background Records focused on all forms of minimal electronic music from 1998 to the present, while always keeping an eye on future new developments and technology within the music. Here you'll find examples from the techno and house movement coming from Detroit and Chicago with no remix gimmicks or otherwise -- just eight quality tunes representing previous and forthcoming artists all with an old-school approach. Classic techno is represented by Further Details' "Half Forgotten Dream," whose lush groove and synth smears offer more than a little hint of Detroit, and Pascal Schaefer's "Deep Thoughts," a lovely slice of tech-house driven by a snaking bass line and shimmying skip, and topped with a sweetly glistening synth melody at song's end. The partying wildcat of the bunch, Frivolous (Daniel Gardner), summons synth squeals and a thudding tech-house groove, evoking Parliament-Funkadelic, with the "Forget the Funk" title. On a more textured tip, there's Antiguo Autómata Mexicano's micro-mix of soft guitar strums, dulcimer swirls, and scurrying beats and DB's voodoo-glitch that evokes a dark jungle teeming with moaning and writhing creatures. Accompanied by The Exposures' N. Gratin, Background head Andy Vaz merges bubbly pinprick techno with soulful guitar funk in a manner that recalls Curtis Mayfield. Capping the album beautifully is Terrence Dixon's track, its soft percolations as lightly chilled as a winter snowflake and its glimmering melodies as bright as fireflies. This mix is a must-have for everyone who has been following Background Records, as this compilation draws a line between the musical past and the future, while they prepare for the next 50 to fill.
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BG 037CD
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[deleted] "Cycling by Portable is the album we always dreamed of doing as a record label. It combines so many things in one; raw and sexy very unique electronic music with a strong modern groove, based on the traditional rhythms of early Chicago house music. Most tracks are dancey, while perfect for listening as well, always staying interesting and diverse, yet always with Alan Abrahams(Portable) very personal handwriting."
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BG 035CD
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[deleted] "Demonstrating more state of the art, more dancefloor related electronic music, rather than experiments that are trying to look into the future. Featured artists on Futuristic Experiments #006 are: Akufen, Ben Nevile, Sutekh, Dave Miller, Andy Vaz, Rhythm_Maker, B. Helvetica, Si-Cut. Db, Portable, DB. This 6th in a series of compilations follows the ideal of keepin' one eye on the future of techno by combining body and mind in music, without slandering the roots, while also keeping the history of 4/4 alive & authentic. In our cultural understanding, art and music are integrated into everyday life and mind and body are not separated. A tune can be functional, entertaining and intellectual all at the same time -- by means you can 'jack your body' & 'elevate your mind', without forgetting the need for music to perform different functions. On the floor, we want the listener to get their groove on, while at the same time we want people to sit back, listen and get deep into the individual artistic idea behind the music presented here. Futuristic Experiments works as a two way street -- combining mind & body against the idea that music is either entertainment or else an intellectual habit of separating the mind and the body, rather then integrating them. Techno has always been about both: the body and the mind -- hence it can be whatever you allow the music to be, but it doesn't have to limit itself -- it can bring maximum effect within a minimal aesthetic."
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BG 021CD
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[deleted] "Dusseldorf's Stefan Schwander (aka Antonelli Electr.) presents his first techno-album under his Rhythm_maker alias. Apart from his previous Background 12" 'Ches' which always had both feet on the dancefloor, his album landing became a grown-up adult full-flavour listening and dancefloor album which takes the listener onto a trip through different musical landscapes, ranging from experimental sidetrips, deep excursions through the fields of minimalism & harmony, further to uplifting powerful 4/4 running-fields, all together turning this album into a open-minded up-to-date modern guide of today's state-of-the-art electronic music."
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