There may still be electronic music artists in this age of overflow and convenience who follow their own artistic vision regardless of what attention it might bring, if any. With an output that shows individualism, ideas and a signature sound. An ongoing creative process, uncompromising and adventurous, even eccentric, with results of consistent quality and determination. Dennis Busch aka James Din A4 is an archetypical example for this type of artist. He flooded the scene with releases in the 00s with numerous monikers, mostly on his own Esel imprint, and they were all great. On the outside you had his singular artworks (he is also a very accomplished collage artist) and quirkily humorous titles, and on the inside you had his music, also seemingly informed by a collage approach (only with samples), managing to sound focussed and out of focus, often at the same time. If you listen to a James Din A4 track it probably is simultaneously playful and disciplined. Anything can happen, and a lot if it actually does.For quite some years, music releases by James Din A4 were scarce. Jan Jelinek, an ardent fan, re-interpreted some of his favourites from the vast back catalogue as an album in 2014, then ten years later the album „Ins Licht“ appeared, and it quite nonchalantly continued what seemed to have stopped, right on the same level of greatness. And now we know that it still continues, as the label Live At Robert Johnson releases the new album „Never Look Back“. Its title should not be taken too literally, as all the trademarks of his musical legacy are perfectly intact. You will find the light and air that seems to seep through the sounds, the frisky structural details, the jolly melodies, the subtle deepness, the minimalistic yet not too strict grooves. But do not be mistaken, this album is not looking back too much, of course. After all, this is music that is still evolving. Let’s hope for more glimpses of James Din A4‘s special and spacious world, they are ever needed.

Finn Johannsen

Titles:

01. Total Eclipse (5:32)
02. Never Look Back (04:22)
03. Hildegard von Bingen Techno (05:19)
04. Das Portal (02:01)
05. Stand-Up Ecstatic (05:14)
06. totally eclipsed (06:25)
07. Wake the Snake (03:42)
08. White Light / Black Hole (04:23)

Also available as a 12" vinyl pressing in an ultra-limited edition.

A1 Total Eclipse (5:32)
A2 Never Look Back (04:22)
A3 Das Portal (02:01)
B1 Stand-Up Ecstatic (05:14)
B2 totally eclipsed (06:25)

https://liveatrobertjohnson.bandcamp.com/album/never-look-back

Written & Produced by Dennis Busch
Published by Copyright Control.
Mastered by Lopazz.
Distributed by Kompakt
Artwork by Dennis Busch.

Also available on Bandcamp and all the other digital platforms.

Label: Live At Robert Johnson, 2025
Catalog No: Playrjc126D
releases June 6, 2025

James Din A4 - Never Look Back

There may still be electronic music artists in this age of overflow and convenience who follow their own artistic vision regardless of what attention it might bring, if any. With an output that shows individualism, ideas and a signature sound. An ongoing creative process, uncompromising and adventurous, even eccentric, with results of consistent quality and determination. Dennis Busch aka James Din A4 is an archetypical example for this type of artist. He flooded the scene with releases in the 00s with numerous monikers, mostly on his own Esel imprint, and they were all great. On the outside you had his singular artworks (he is also a very accomplished collage artist) and quirkily humorous titles, and on the inside you had his music, also seemingly informed by a collage approach (only with samples), managing to sound focussed and out of focus, often at the same time. If you listen to a James Din A4 track it probably is simultaneously playful and disciplined. Anything can happen, and a lot if it actually does.For quite some years, music releases by James Din A4 were scarce. Jan Jelinek, an ardent fan, re-interpreted some of his favourites from the vast back catalogue as an album in 2014, then ten years later the album „Ins Licht“ appeared, and it quite nonchalantly continued what seemed to have stopped, right on the same level of greatness. And now we know that it still continues, as the label Live At Robert Johnson releases the new album „Never Look Back“. Its title should not be taken too literally, as all the trademarks of his musical legacy are perfectly intact. You will find the light and air that seems to seep through the sounds, the frisky structural details, the jolly melodies, the subtle deepness, the minimalistic yet not too strict grooves. But do not be mistaken, this album is not looking back too much, of course. After all, this is music that is still evolving. Let’s hope for more glimpses of James Din A4‘s special and spacious world, they are ever needed.

Finn Johannsen

Titles:

01. Total Eclipse (5:32)
02. Never Look Back (04:22)
03. Hildegard von Bingen Techno (05:19)
04. Das Portal (02:01)
05. Stand-Up Ecstatic (05:14)
06. totally eclipsed (06:25)
07. Wake the Snake (03:42)
08. White Light / Black Hole (04:23)

Also available as a 12" vinyl pressing in an ultra-limited edition.

A1 Total Eclipse (5:32)
A2 Never Look Back (04:22)
A3 Das Portal (02:01)
B1 Stand-Up Ecstatic (05:14)
B2 totally eclipsed (06:25)

https://liveatrobertjohnson.bandcamp.com/album/never-look-back

Written & Produced by Dennis Busch
Published by Copyright Control.
Mastered by Lopazz.
Distributed by Kompakt
Artwork by Dennis Busch.

Also available on Bandcamp and all the other digital platforms.

Label: Live At Robert Johnson, 2025
Catalog No: Playrjc126D

Stand-Up Ecstatic 

Order

Stand Up Ecstatic

White Light / Black Hole

White Light Black Hole

Never Look Back

Das Portal

Totally Eclipsed

totally eclipsed

Total Eclipse

Wake the Snake

Hildegard von Bingen Techno

As the name states Live at Robert Johnson is the associated label of the respected venue in Offenbach and incorporates what the club stands for. The imprint has been establishing a solid ground for the new Frankfurt sound since 2009. By featuring internationally acclaimed artists LARJ has been providing DJs and audiences with essential tunes in an extensive range of high-quality house music. Laid-back dance-floor awareness with a sense for particularity in sound is what might describe best most of the releases and artists.