Central Processing Unit

Eddie Symons’ fine recent run for Central Processing Unit continues. The NULLPTR mastermind makes it four releases on the Sheffield label in five years with Recursor, a six-track EP which balances precision-engineered machine-funk grooves with an overarching aura of gracefulness.

Recursor finds its lane from the opening title-track. On the quicksilver ‘Recursor’ we get Drexciyan punch, a needlegun bassline and staccato arps offset by eerie washes of synths. There’s a tension between the two elements of the track, and this yin-yang combination means that’ Recursor’ will work equally well for both the rave’s darkest corners and also the euphoria of a sunrise set.

After the title-track begins the record at breakneck speed, ‘Pulsar’ puts proceedings into cruise control. There’s still enough punch in the drum programming to ensure that ‘Pulsar’ will deliver in the dance, but this mid-paced tune is dominated by its warping bassline and keening keys, all of which comes together for a pretty and strangely wistful number. ‘Pulsar’s energy persists into following cut ‘Phase Function, though there’s a twitchiness to the bassline here which gives this track a nervier, more neurotic feel. As well as the golden age of Detroit electro, you’re also looking at Silicon Scally and Annie Hall as ballpark references, though there’s a winning idiosyncrasy to the production here which is all NULLPTR’s own.

The groove which kicks off the second half of Recursor is one of the most focussed on the whole EP - ‘Seil’ has a bassline which moves with the intent of a heat-seeking missile. When combined with the distant snap of 808s and twinkling arps, the whole thing very much maintains the shadowy feeling of ‘Phase Function’, and it’s an energy that Recursor rides into ‘Stone Tape’. ‘Stone Tape’ boasts another stellar bassline, but rather than the low-end barrelling forward intensely as it does on ‘Seil’ the bass here skips all around the mix, pleasingly erratic and playful. 

‘Portal’ is an apt title for Recuror’s sixth and final track. Indeed, the whole vibe of ‘Portal’ makes it a perfect closer for this EP of detailed electro jams. This tune really does feel like a portal being opened, the bass and drums busying themselves on the floor while chemtrails of synth in the upper-end of the mix intimate something enticing beyond the threshold.

Sparky yet sleek, Recursor is the latest fine machine-funk collection from NULLPTR.

RIYL: Annie Hall, Silicon Scally, Legowelt

Recursor

NULLPTR - Recursor

Basement Wax
Mix Series 001 - Shez & Craven

The Basement Wax: Mix Series is a curation of our favourite selectors old and new. The first in our series 001 is brought to you by Basement Wax creators Shez & Craven recorded live from Collect in Lisbon, Portugal in the summer of 2023.

@jshez & @tomcraven-illusion

BASEMENT WAX 001 - SHEZ & CRAVEN

TL Premiere #1432 (2023.11.17) : Global Goon - Calcula [Central Processing Unit]

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For this 297th Premiere of 2023, we have a track by "Global Goon" (@globalgoons) titled ‘Calcula’ from his forthcoming mini-LP "Nanoclusters" on the independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 2012, specialising in electronic music : Central Processing Unit (@cpurecords).

The mini-LP will be available on December 1, 2023 in Limited Edition 12" Vinyl + Digital.

▶︎ Pre-order : https://shop.cpurecords.net/album/nanoclusters

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Release Info :

Global Goon - Nanoclusters [Central Processing Unit]

While this may be the first release on Sheffield’s Central Processing Unit from Global Goon, the one known to friends and family as Johnny Hawk brings a whole heap of experience to the Nanoclusters mini-LP.

Hawk started dropping Global Goon records on the legendary Rephlex Records back in the 1990s. The project’s subsequent releases have taken in imprints as esteemed as WéMè and Balkan. Factor in a whole host of other aliases which have delivered missives via the likes of Planet Mu, and you know even before you press play on this witty, wily record that you’re dealing with a master at work here.

The confidence with which Global Goon approaches Nanoclusters shines through in Hawk taking much of the mini-album at midtempo. Cuts like ‘Khroxic Mould’, ‘Metallik’ and ‘Syntheseers’ sound like Bochum Welt heading down a dark alleyway. The former in particular is a seasick lope, the tuned synths lurching around like sailors on deck in a storm as bass ebbs and flows underneath the mix.

The influence of Kraftwerk comes through prominently at times here, particularly in the way ‘Calcula’ and ‘Digit Six’ play pensive, slightly sombre synth chords off some simple but effective forward motion in the drum programming. That is not to say that Nanoclusters is not full of invention, though. None of the productions are overly flash, but this approach allows the little details to shine through more clearly, from cleverly panned hi-hats to hissing synth counter-melodies which flit in and out of the mix. Enthralling and packed full of ear candy, they’re further evidence that Nanoclusters is the work of an expert craftsman.

While the pulse of Nanoclusters remains relatively steady throughout, it’s still a rather lively record. Plenty of these tracks will get the dancefloor moving if deployed correctly - though whether they’re heard at home or in the dance, it’s the attention to detail which makes them stand out.

‘Snapterisk’ is as perfect an example of machine-funk as you’re likely to find - the drum programming is razor-sharp but rubbery with bongos, the bass a lithe burble, and those wobbly stabs of keys that put a bit of wiggle in the beat? Delightful stuff. Elsewhere the ever-looping arpeggio of ‘Metro Esc’ has hints of Frankie Knuckles’ house classic ‘Your Love’, though an array of interesting sonic nuggets - snippets of vocal, radar-like bloops, a gently insistent low-end pulse - soften the track’s clubbier elements with a pillowy sheen. And Hawk throws us a curveball right at the end of Nanoclusters, tapping back into that old Rephlex sound for the fizzy, braindancing ‘Metal Glass’. 
 
Global Goon doesn’t need to show off on Nanoclusters - from brilliantly slick machine-funk to Kraftwerkian reveries, the CPU debutant lets the music do the talking here. It makes for a confident and vivacious mini-LP, one which wears its expertise lightly. 

Tracklist :
1. Khroxic Mould
2. Snapterisk
3. Metallik
4. Syntheseers
5. Calcula
6. Metro Esc
7. Digit Six
8. Metal Glass

releases December 1, 2023

All tracks written and produced by Jonathan Taylor.
Mastered at Computer Club Sheffield
Design by Human / www.humanstudio.com

Nanoclusters

Calcula

Pre-order

TL PREMIERE : Global Goon - Calcula [Central Processing Unit]

After building up a head of steam on labels such as Craigie Knowes and Rotterdam Electronix in the past couple of years, Larionov debuts on Sheffield's Central Processing Unit with the Space Threat EP. Larionov's previous releases have shown off a musical sensibility which is both schooled in classic electro stylings and also able to reach for leftfield sonics in a way which sets the producer apart from the pack. It's a vibe that continues into this record, a quartet of busy electro joints which are characterised by a brooding, neurotic energy.

The opening title-track is precisely the sort of thing which would soundtrack a voyage to the outer-edges of the solar system. 'Space Threat' is a nervy, restless bit of machine-funk, the track moving forward at a midtempo which manages to be at once steady and slightly fidgety. The beat skitters and swerves, a perpetual-motion machine of minor-key bass, strange modular flutters and thwacking snares. All of this is draped in icy washes of keyboard - think Drexciya if they blasted into outer space rather than delving deep down in the ocean.

'Asteroid Attack' works from the same blueprint for 'Space Threat' but ratchets up the intensity a little to take the track to another galaxy. It's still powered by a livewire neurosis, all piston-sharp drums and whirligig synth percussion. However, an increased tempo, strangely poignant keyboard lines and little snatches of vocoder-drenched vocals turn 'Asteroid Attack' in the direction of modern practitioners like Cardopusher and CPU homie Silicon Scally.

Opening up the EP's B-side, 'Flying High' finds a midpoint between its predecessors, returning to the steadier pace and twitchy vibe of 'Space Threat' but maintaining 'Asteroid Attack's single-note counter-melodies and digified vocals - although here the ghostly treatment on the voice makes for a hugely eerie atmosphere. Around the four-minute mark, the track peels back the veil of synth pads and wobbling keys stabs to turn the attention wholly to the rhythm section, a choice which feels like taking a stiff drink in order to redouble your energy for the next part of the night.

'Vimana Ride' runs with 'Flying High's approach to see Space Threat out in style. There's something to the digital vocal sighs that make up the melody of this cut which gives things a really uncanny quality - it's the kind of sonic choice that Sadboys producers like Yung Gud and Yung Sherman would make, but applied wholly to the service of crafting body-popping, acid-tinged electro.

Larionov arrives on Central Processing Unit with an EP of anxiously excellent electro experiments.

RIYL: Cardopusher, Silicon Scally, Annie Hall, Cygnus

Space Threat

Larionov - Space Threat

TL Premiere #1471 (2024.01.05) : Larionov - Vimana Ride [Central Processing Unit]

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For this 1st Premiere of 2024, we have a track by Russian DJ/Producer based in Voronezh "Larionov" titled ‘Vimana Ride’ from his forthcoming EP "Space Threat" on the independent British record label, founded in Sheffield in 2012, specialising in electronic music : Central Processing Unit (CPU Records).

The EP will be available on February 2, 2024 in Limited Edition 12" Vinyl + Digital.

▶︎ Pre-order : centralprocessingunit.bandcamp.com/album/space-threat

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Release Info :

Larionov - Space Threat [Central Processing Unit]

After building up a head of steam on labels such as Craigie Knowes and Rotterdam Electronix in the past couple of years, Larionov debuts on Sheffield's Central Processing Unit with the Space Threat EP. Larionov's previous releases have shown off a musical sensibility which is both schooled in classic electro stylings and also able to reach for leftfield sonics in a way which sets the producer apart from the pack. It's a vibe that continues into this record, a quartet of busy electro joints which are characterised by a brooding, neurotic energy.

The opening title-track is precisely the sort of thing which would soundtrack a voyage to the outer-edges of the solar system. 'Space Threat' is a nervy, restless bit of machine-funk, the track moving forward at a midtempo which manages to be at once steady and slightly fidgety. The beat skitters and swerves, a perpetual-motion machine of minor-key bass, strange modular flutters and thwacking snares. All of this is draped in icy washes of keyboard - think Drexciya if they blasted into outer space rather than delving deep down in the ocean. 

'Asteroid Attack' works from the same blueprint for 'Space Threat' but ratchets up the intensity a little to take the track to another galaxy. It's still powered by a livewire neurosis, all piston-sharp drums and whirligig synth percussion. However, an increased tempo, strangely poignant keyboard lines and little snatches of vocoder-drenched vocals turn 'Asteroid Attack' in the direction of modern practitioners like Cardopusher and CPU homie Silicon Scally. 

Opening up the EP's B-side, 'Flying High' finds a midpoint between its predecessors, returning to the steadier pace and twitchy vibe of 'Space Threat' but maintaining 'Asteroid Attack's single-note counter-melodies and digified vocals - although here the ghostly treatment on the voice makes for a hugely eerie atmosphere. Around the four-minute mark, the track peels back the veil of synth pads and wobbling keys stabs to turn the attention wholly to the rhythm section, a choice which feels like taking a stiff drink in order to redouble your energy for the next part of the night. 

'Vimana Ride' runs with 'Flying High's approach to see Space Threat out in style. There's something to the digital vocal sighs that make up the melody of this cut which gives things a really uncanny quality - it's the kind of sonic choice that Sadboys producers like Yung Gud and Yung Sherman would make, but applied wholly to the service of crafting body-popping, acid-tinged electro. 

Larionov arrives on Central Processing Unit with an EP of anxiously excellent electro experiments. 

Tracklist :
1. Space Threat
2. Asteroid Attack
3. Flying High
4. Vimana Ride

releases February 2, 2024

All tracks written and produced by Dmitry Larionov.
Mastered at Computer Club Sheffield
Design by Human / www.humanstudio.com

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Follow Larionov :
Bandcamp : www.larionov.bandcamp.com
Facebook : www.facebook.com/Larionovmusic
Instagram : www.instagram.com/larionovmusic
Linktree : www.linktr.ee/larionovmusic
SoundCloud : www.soundcloud.com/larionov

Follow Central Processing Unit :
Facebook : www.facebook.com/cpurecords
Instagram : www.instagram.com/cpurecords
SoundCloud : www.soundcloud.com/cpurecords
Website : www.cpurecords.net
YouTube : www.youtube.com/user/cpuoutput

Vimana Ride

TL PREMIERE : Larionov - Vimana Ride [Central Processing Unit]

Basement Wax
Mix Series 002 - Frenchy

Next in our Mix series we have long time friend and big favourite "Frenchy”, supplying us with this heads down, feet stomping, quad throbbing mix direct from his home studio in London. Digging deep through his collection of records he has hand selected a mix that takes us through early house, tech house and a sprinkle of Acid that seamlessly grooves from start to finish.

@frenchy-1

BASEMENT WAX 002 - FRENCHY

After building up a head of steam on labels such as Craigie Knowes and Rotterdam Electronix in the past couple of years, Larionov debuts on Sheffield's Central Processing Unit with the Space Threat EP. Larionov's previous releases have shown off a musical sensibility which is both schooled in classic electro stylings and also able to reach for leftfield sonics in a way which sets the producer apart from the pack. It's a vibe that continues into this record, a quartet of busy electro joints which are characterised by a brooding, neurotic energy.

Larionov arrives on Central Processing Unit with an EP of anxiously excellent electro experiments.

@larionov

https://beacons.ai/looselipsmusic

PREMIERE: Larionov - Flying High [Central Processing Unit]

Basement Wax
Mix Series 003 - Ben Boe

This latest Basement Wax selector mix is from DJ, label owner and producer, Ben Boe. Ben’s imprints have left a modest but credible mark on the underground house community over the last 15+ years, having delved deep across the electronic spectrum to search for individual sonic trademarks and push lesser known artists to the fore. 

Leaning deep into his record collection, Ben’s mix is a silky tapestry of NY gems, chuggy west coast rollers, space funk jams and soulful vocal pumpers taking a heads down trip across all four corners of the deep house world.

@forthosethatknoe

BASEMENT WAX 003 - BEN BOE

Basement Wax
Mix Series 004 - Annie Errez

Dropping in hot for our next "Selector" in our mix series we have good friend and prolific DJ - Annie Errez. Hailing from Leeds and a long serving resident of Mint Club & Warehouse she is renowned for her non-nonsene heads down body shaking rhythms.

Carefully curating this mix for us Annie wanted to do something different for us. So she has gone a little bit deeper, a little bit weird but with plenty of energy, and flows perfectly from start to finish. 

"I quite like the energy this little bunch give off together, I think it’s a good reflection of how I’d play round mine at the afters, my favourite kind of music"

@annie_errez

BASEMENT WAX 004 - ANNIE ERREZ

Seelie has been showcasing his deep love for music for the best part of 20 years. During this time, his passion for dance music culture and its values has manifested in an array of channels.
Seelie has been showcasing his deep love for music for the best part of 20 years. During this time, his passion for dance music culture and its values has manifested in an array of channels.
        
 As a DJ, he quickly became a regular throughout the UK’s clubbing institutions and illegal rave scene, playing alongside the likes of Move D, Chez Damier, Antal, MCDE and Jeremy Underground. Once in Bangkok he founded the infamous Transport parties, using warehouses, rooftops and disused strip clubs to curate secret location events across the city. The Transport crew are passionate about representing diversity and showcasing local talent, as well as inviting some of the worlds finest underground artists.  Now 9 years in Asia, Seelie has become a permanent fixture at some of the continent's most renowned underground parties. Playing yearly at festivals such as Wonderfruit and club mecca’s  Savage Hanoi, The Observatory Saigon, Mihn Hong Kong, Time Manila, Potato Head Bali and Pistil Seoul and Oath Tokyo. 
          
Beyond the club, Seelie has a deep affection for radio and its roots. Whilst being invited to host shows on stations such as Red Light Radio, Mixmag, Refuge Radio and Kiosk, he began the co-creation of Bangkok Community Radio. This community focused platform has allowed him to invite the likes of Heels & Souls, Eternal Love and Planet Trip’s Mike Who on his breakfast show.  Here he showcases his full spectrum selections that span from blissed out balearica to unearthed dance music from every corner of the globe

MIX069 - Seelie (曼谷)

DD PODCAST 012 - FOZ - MID NOUGHTIES MINIMAL VINYL MIX

20 YEARS TODAY SUNDAY 1st MAY 2005 WAS THE 1st EVER DIRTY DISCO 

To celebrate I’ve finally got round to recording this mix, I’ve been planning to it for a while, its a masterpiece if i do say so myself, when Dirty Disco started CDJs were starting to take over so I did buy a few records around this time but like everyone kinda stopped buying vinyl. However in lockdown I got a bit addicted to buying from around 2004-2007 in lockdown and tried to collect all the best tracks from when Dirty Disco started and found some right gems and random b sides and thought it would be good to bring it out with it being our 20th year and bringing it out on the day it started seems like the perfect day and the sun is shining beautifully today!

So it’s a bit of a long one, just under 5 hours, good after party tackle. Especially on a sunny day and bank holiday ahead of us it’s all vinyl and some are a bit old so a few skips, jumps, crackles. 

HUGE thanks to Bobby ODonnell for spending hours mastering it. 

Recorded live in MiNT Warehouse on a cold Tuesday night so big shout to Lewis Smart and Will Gibson for spending 5 hours with me letting me do that also. 

Here is the tracklisting, in almost the right order, almost but not quite, i recognise records by colours and how tatty the vinyl are but wanted to give people an idea of the vibe of the tunes.  

Andre Kram - feat Schad Privat - Safari (Kiki & Silversurfer remix) Crosstown Rebels TBC
Burnski - Planet B - Soundplant Records
Sebo K - Moved feat Prosumer - Mobilee Records
Gummihz - Isolate (Sebo K Remix) - Mobilee Records
Guido Schneider - Unterwegs Mit - Mobilee Records
Guido Schneider meets Jens Bond - Oh My Buffer - Poker Flat
Sebo K - Horizons - Mobilee Records
Marcin Czubala - Capofamiglia - Mobilee Records
Sebo K - Spirits (Drum version feat. Max Moya) - Mobilee Records
Loco Dice - Flight LB 7475 - Ovum Records
Sacha Funke - Boy - B-Pitch Control Records
Matthias Tanzmann - Bulldozer - Moon Harbour Records
Argy - Night Ritual - Poker Flat Records
Audio Werner - Base - Perlon Records
Loco Dice - Orchidee - Minus
Exercise One - Debaya - Mobilee Records
Marc Antona - One More Sugar - Mobilee Records
Argy - Love Dose - Hide & Seek Mix - Poker Flat
Anja Schnieder - Lily of the Valley - Mobilee Records
Martini Bros - Tracks from the Lab - Poker Flat
Onur Ozur - Red Cabaret (2000andone remix) Vakant Records
Raudive - Non - Music Man Records
Pan-Pot - Schuss aus der Hulte - Mobilee Records
Audio Werner - Onandon - Perlon Records
Konrad Black - Ginkgankgonk - Minus
Heartthrob - Baby Kate - Minus 
Marc Houle - Simpler - Minus 
Raudive - Magentic - Music Man Records
Pan-Pot - Popy & Caste - Mobilee Records
Pan-Pot - Black Dog - Mobilee Records
Exercise One - Easy things Duplex (100 Remix) - Mobilee Records
Argy - Love Dose - Luciano Mix - Poker Flat
Loco Dice - Seeing through Shadows - Minus
Pan-Pot - Ape shall never killl ape - Mobilee Records
Exercise One - Steady Pulse - Mobilee Records
Martin Landsky - 1000 Miles (Martin Landsky Mix) - Poker Flat 
Sebo K - Too Hot - Mobilee Records
Gaiser - Scatter - Minus
Pan-Pot - Crank - Mobilee Records
Samedi Futago - Samedi  (DJ 3000 Mix) - Teknototiika
Pan-Pot feat Hugh Betcha - Charly (Anja Schnieder tex mex mix) - Mobilee Records
Pan- Pot - P.O. Box - Mobilee Records
Ellen Allien - Your body is my body (Kikis Body Trip Mix) - B Pitch Records
Vitalic - Le Rock 01 - Gigolo Records
Pryda - Nile - Pyrda Recordsy

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DIRTY DISCO


DD PODCAST 012 - FOZ - MID NOUGHTIES MINIMAL VINYL MIX

The voyage would take quite some time. The journey would be long but in the end it would all be worth it. As they left their little island they wondered what lay beyond the wild seas. Just like their forefathers who had come before they would travel to unchartered lands, seeking out prosperity, hope and wonder. As the sun set behind them upon their old home they did not look back, for there was to be no reflection on the past and time was of the essence.

Janeret is just one of an array of artists who are set to appear on a brand new compilation being presented by Illusion Recordings. Norm Talley, Keith Worthy and many more also feature.

Illusion Recordings Presents Connections Vol.1

PREMIERE: Janeret - Traveller [Illusion Recordings]

We've got the premiere of Detroit don Norm Talley's track 'DETROITAFTADARK' from Illusion Recordings 'Connections Volume 1' LP.

It's Talley at his uncompromising best, with a refined, atmospheric, warehouse-setting deep house track,  giving you a good taste of what's to come from the rest of Illusions Recordings excellent compilation.

Norm Talley - DETROITAFTADARK - ILL010

More info: https://www.xlr8r.com/news/2017/01/hear-a-new-track-from-tommy-vicari-jnr/

@tommyvicarijnr
@illusionrecordings

More info

Premiere: Tommy Vicari Jnr - YL

OUT NOW 

BUY HERE> http://www.juno.co.uk/products/keith-worthy-norm-talley-connections-vol-1/622930-01/

ILL010 - ILLUSION RECORDINGS

[ILL010] CONNECTIONS VOL.1 - C1 - John Shima - Aftermath

Tresor.Klubnacht
Date /
Saturday
4 February 2017
23:59 - 12:00
Venue /
Tresor
Köpenickerstrasse 70; Mitte; 10179 Berlin;
Germany  Germany
Cost /
tba
Members attending /
48
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Event admin /
TresorClub
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Promotional links /
Tresor Berlin
FB Event

Line-up /
Globus:
Live: Kuniyuki (Mule Music/ JP)
Fred P (Soul People Music, UQ/ US)
Laurine & Cecilio (Slow Life/ Berlin) 
John Dimas (Elephant Moon/ Berlin)

Tresor:
Roman Poncet (Tresor Records, Deeply Rooted/ Paris)
Oliver Deutschmann (Vidab/ Berlin)
Mario Berger (Tresor.Berlin)

[ILL010] CONNECTIONS VOL.1 - C1 - John Shima - Aftermath

illusionrecordings

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