Artist: Portable
Title: Augmented Dreams 
Cat#: CCS130
Format: Vinyl 2xLP - Digital
Release date: 13.10.2023

Short Info: 

Alan Abrahams aka Portable returns to the label in fine form with his latest full-length LP, Augmented Dreams. The title refers to the use of everyday technological advancements to achieve what were once only dreams or visions of past generations, making this an explorative concept album that is equal parts not-too-distant science fiction, and about as topical as it gets.

From the gorgeous opening string layers of “The Pull Of Time” to the classy 4/4 grooves of “Begin Again” or lead single “Guiding Me”, into the apropos and angular sci-fi broken beat feels of “Parallax” and “The Color Of Static”, fitting Detroit-influenced love taps like “Becan” and “The Mycorrhizal Network”, the politically-inspired “Are We Not Above It?” referencing the lingering effects of colonization featuring NiQ from South Africa on vocals and L_cio from Brazil on flute, through to the futurist pop elegance of the dreamy duet featuring Alexei “I Need You” and the conclusive titular track, it is clear that both the in-depth concept and immaculately-crafted musical content in Portable’s inimitable style are balanced in significance and expressive effect. This also functions as a timely statement in itself, as today’s iceberg-tip evolution of AI technology is currently impending over the arts and many of our existing realities. 

This ten-song album serves as an imaginative yet hyperrealist narrative on how humanity’s fascination with and reliance on ever-advancing technology defines the times we find ourselves in, while the skillful sonic displays and present-era production techniques along with Abraham’s knack for timeless emotive songwriting offer up this solid soundtrack for the ages.

Augmented Dreams

Pre-order

Portable - Parallax

Circus Company is an independent French label, founded in 2000 in Paris.

Markus Funke grew up in the Niederrhein area and now lives in Cologne. He came into contact with electronic music early on and found the synthetic sounds fascinating as a child. In these days he listened to BFBS on Sundays and recorded the English charts on tapes every week. In secondary school he went to the youth disco on Wednesdays in the youth cellar and came into contact with sounds from Mr. Lee, Simon Harris or S-Express; there he saw the first beginnings and saw what you can do with two 1210s and a mixer. Markus still accompanies the music today and spends a lot of time in his studio and runs his own radio program at www.sonus.fm. Markus has traveled a lot through the clubs in Germany and has gained a lot of experience there, which is reflected in his vinyl only sets today. His sets show his musical range and that's why he prefers to play long sets to pick up the audience where they are and take them on a trip. Markus played in numerous locations, e.g. Fusion, Charlote, Tresor, Griesmühle, Microclub, Poision, Tor3, Elektroküche, Bunker and many more, but he believes that a good artist cannot be judged by the clubs he has played in. After a few years away from nightlife it is time again to get more active and bring the sound of his radio show to the clubs. So far, Markus Funke has released his own tracks on labels like Logisim, Psycho Thrill Records and Form&Terra Records.

Portable - Parallax

CircusCompany