Discos Perdidos - which translates as Lost Records - is a new series started by Lisbon label Paraíso, dedicated entirely to releasing archival music that, for a reason or another, never saw the light of day.

The first outing on this adventure into the unknown is by none other than the legendary portugal-born, london-based techno instigator @ciscoadvent aka Cisco Ferreira. The three tracks on this EP were written in 1998 and were meant to be released on a label that another Portuguese techno legend - Jiggy - meant to start running, but other projects got in the way. Fast forward to early 2023, Jiggy showed the Paraíso crew the DATs containing these gems - immediately entrancing - and both him and The Advent agreed to give Discos Perdidos the honours of putting them out.

Titled Shiolas, this three-tracker opens with 'Don't Do It', a relentless techno banger that, albeit its four to the floor drum pattern, feels swingy thanks to cleverly programmed percussion and claps. A concise but extremely effective bassline and synth lead guides the energetic smasher, with cut-up vocals, timely placed filters and hi hats giving it a final shimmer.

It's followed by the Piano Mix, with an equally strong and raw arrangement and a new element - an alien, sound-sculpted piano that gives it an extra sense of urgency.

The closing track 'Jacker' has more abstract leanings, although similarly dancefloor-ready, featuring an off-kilter yet driving conversation between stabs and bells in a display of expertly crafted dubby yet visceral sound design.

A piece of dance music history is recovered - techno is now a story told more accurately.

Stream: soundcloud.com/discosparaiso/sets/paraiso011

BUY VINYL / DIGI

A1 - The Advent - Don't Do It

Paraíso é uma plataforma multi-dimensional: toma a forma de programa de rádio, editora e noite para celebrar a música a que um dia chamaram "underground house music from a paradise called portugal".
Uma homenagem à rave portuguesa que nasceu nos anos 90 e continua, hoje, a trilhar o seu caminho. Desde as lendas dos tempos da Kaos e do Alcântara-Mar aos produtores contemporâneos influenciados pelo espírito original da rave tuga, todo este contínuo serve de inspiração para a Paraíso. Para que a nossa herança nunca se perca e continue a polvilhar o inconsciente colectivo.