система | system

FT + P41 Chester Copperpot - Original

It’s not everyday that pianist and composer, Francesco Tristano, joins forces with one of the Belleville Three — the godfathers of Detroit techno — and yet, anyone who’s followed the Luxembourg artist will know that expectation is not a currency he deals in. 

Set for release on Transmat, the groundbreaking label from said techno pioneer, Derrick May, Surface Tension is not just the latest album from the prolific Tristano, but perhaps the most significant in his ongoing explorations into electronic music. Described by the man himself as his “most techno and synth-based project yet,” the eight-track effort is both a celebration of electronic instrumentation and the first record May has worked extensively on for the better part of two decades. “I had to lure him into my studio,” Tristano says of May with a smile, “he was like Alice in Wonderland when he saw the synthesizers.”

Originally developed as a way create new material for Tristano’s p:anorig project — a unique live set-up debuted at Barcelona’s Sónar festival earlier this year, which finds the artist surrounded by large array of keyboards, synthesizers and other equipment (although ironically, no piano) in full view of the audience — Surface Tension grew into a project in its own right. Now 34 years old, Tristano explains that he is only now at a time in his life where he has a studio he can truly call his own. “I can hook up all these synthesizers that I’ve picked up over the years,” he continues, “it’s the fulfillment of that.” With an instrumentarium of analogue, digital, classic and modern gear — ranging from Prophets to Moogs, to Rolands and Yamahas — at his and May’s disposal, Tristano has aimed to keep processing to a minimum from the word go. The pair aren’t just using these synths, they’re paying tribute to them, honoring the rich, recognisable sound palettes that have made them household names.

The result is an album that feels, at once, nostalgic and fresh; that feels like an old friend, but one who never ceases to surprise. From the ambient vision of ‘Esoteric Thing’, drifting along to the sound of birdsong, to more beat-centric pieces such as ‘The Mentor’ and the quirky ‘Xokolade’ , the equipment, and the love it’s been treated with, shines through. Both Tristano and May’s individual presences are obvious too, yet work in a way so complimentary to each other as to blur the lines at which they cross. ‘Pacific FM’ is a lesson in uplifting techno, keys fluttering over padfoot bass; the futuristic Detroit dance of ‘In Da Minor’ is undercut by eerie, unpredictable glass synth-work; ‘Rocco's Bounce’ is free-form jazz tugged into line by structured four-to-the-floor; there’s even an itchy, jittering, Decca Records-sanctioned remix of Japanese pianist and general Renaissance man, Ryuichi Sakamoto’s classic ‘Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence’.

Those hoping for a Francesco Tristano piano album: be duly warned. “The piano is there, but it’s more like the shadow of the piano. We don’t have the mass of that sound, it’s more like the reminiscence of that sound,” says Tristano. But it’s this which gives Surface Tension the aforementioned significance. Tristano hasn’t abandoned his roots — they’re deep, but there, for those who wish to find them — yet has simultaneously transcended what it means to be a pianist in the 21st century. Tristano and May have brought together old and new, within themselves and on a wider musical level, and in doing so, rekindled the spirit of futurist expression that techno was first founded on all those years ago.

Francesco Tristano Feat. Derrick May - The Mentor(Snippet)

система # 98 | PRINX HASHIME
artist sound^
https://soundcloud.com/user-639715464
https://soundcloud.com/user-955908011
Tracklist^
1 doog - osvald jam
2 doog - subasstation
3 progressive future - mr.whatisyourname
4 progressive future feat. shakolin - luxus is kali om
5 progressive future - mr.city
6 konstantin lobanov - gate 146
7 progressive future - transindustrial express
8 prinx hashime - miles dead for monsters
9 spekuliant - x vitamin
10 prinx hashime - elusive broken bee
all tracks in the mix produced and performed by prinx hashime | some tracks produced feat. Lobanov K. | doog. spekuliant and progressive future are projects of prinx hashime and Lobanov K.

SYSTEMNAPOTVORA.LIVE # 98 | PRINX HASHIME

d_func. (aka Alexander Kowalski) makes a welcome return to Finitude.

The title hints at what to expect from the EP. Spiral Tribe are a legendary UK-originated free party project, active since the early 90's who introduced free teknivals all over Europe and North America, and the electronic music scene owes them a great deal.

Paying tribute to their activities, Alexander has prepared a two-parter, which strays away his 'signature' style. Both "Spiral Tribe Cuts" are slow, hypnotic acid burners which will be appreciated by old skool acid trance heads, as well as Plastikman and Sähko fans.

There is also a remix coming from the Swedish artist Evigt Mörker, who provides the most club-oriented track on the EP. His take is a piece of ethereal, timeless techno - if you're into Donato Dozzy or Abdulla Rashim, you're in for a treat.

Buy vinyl here: http://www.juno.co.uk/products/d-func-evigt-morker-spiral-tribe-cuts/626830-01/

Spiral Tribe Cuts

[FIN 006] A2. d_func. - Spiral Tribe Cuts (Evigt Mörker Remix)

A recording from Rhythm Büro's first anniversary event back in 2016. Acronym held an opening slot that night, and we're finally presenting a cut from his set to you.

Acronym - Rhythm Büro Podcast 004

система | system presents "triplet" EP by Kyiv-based artist sasha very | all tracks were recorded during live sessions by Sasha Very | thanks to mastering artist Timsters (Elephant and Castle) for sound optimisation.
artwork by Lesha Mykhailov

triplet

sasha very - sensational meets volca

система | system presents *Uniform Respect* track from *Bee Pole* EP by Kharkiv/Kyiv - based artist CHSZM. 
Official release of Bee Pole by CHSZM will be 17 nov 2017 .
All tracks produced / performed / mastered by CHSZM. 
artwork by система | system

Bee Pole

CHSZM - Uniform Respect

система # 121 | MOLOTON
artist/label sound ^
https://soundcloud.com/moloton
artist/label info ^
https://www.moloton.com/
https://www.facebook.com/molotontapes/
no tracklist ^
live act recorded and produced by Moloton / all tracks / sounds in this live session produced and performed by Moloton / in this session artists were using next gear ^ Korg Minilogue, ESX-1, Volca FM, Roland TG-33 and JU-06. also reverb and cassette player.

SYSTEMNAPOTVORA.LIVE # 121 | MOLOTON

система | system presents track *Minuit Dans La Bouche* from *SWAY* EP by Rennes-based artist Fureau Keel Vril . All tracks produced / performed / mastered by Fureau Keel Vril.
artwork by система | system.

SWAY

Fureau Keel VriL - Minuit Dans La Bouche

система | system presents track *Harlot* from *Jayus* EP by Ternopil/Ukraine -based artist Clasps. All tracks produced / performed / mastered by Clasps. 
artwork by система | system

Jayus

Clasps - Harlot

International digital Music Label and Live Cast serie, Art and music events organizer/in situ projects conceptor working on the relationship between architecture and live music. Odesa-UA based project, active worldwide. We work against the GATEKEEPERS in the music scene and industry and give space to newcomers, unheard and forward thinking music.