On this day, 33 years ago, Kraftwerk released their remix album The Mix. It was released on 11 June 1991 and featured re-recorded and, in some cases, re-arranged versions of a selection of songs which were released on their previous albums.
Ralf Hütter stated in interviews that he regarded The Mix as a type of live album, as it captured the results of the band's continual digital improvisations in their Kling Klang studio. The band had made a return to the stage in 1990, after a nine-year hiatus from touring, and since then the band's live setlist has used arrangements drawn from The Mix rather than the original recordings. As the band didn't want to release a traditional "Greatest Hits" or "Best of" collection they opted for 'The Mix'.
At the time, the band were in the process of reconfiguring their Kling Klang studio from analog to digital recording technology; integrating MIDI into their setup and creating sound archives from their original master tapes that were stored onto computers. This proved to be an ongoing task, as new upgrades and equipment were continually made available in the years following the album project. Despite no new, original recorded material or live tours outside of Europe, Ralf Hütter did not want Kraftwerk to appear defunct to the public.
The album's production is credited to Ralf Hütter, Florian Schneider, and Fritz Hilpert, the latter of whom had replaced percussionist and stage set designer Wolfgang Flür after Flür left the group in 1987. Karl Bartos also left the band in 1991 and was replaced by Fernando Abrantes. Bartos claimed in later interviews that much of his programming work was still featured on The Mix, uncredited.
The album received rather mixed reception on its release. Although many music magazines and citric rated the album from good to very good, many fans were disappointed at the lack of new compositions and, moreover, the production values of the re-recorded tracks did not strike many listeners as particularly cutting edge, something which Kraftwerk had previously been renowned for. The Mix was created entirely digitally, albeit during a period when the technology had yet to reach its maturity, and thus featured a sound which many listeners tend to find somewhat "sterile" compared to the analogue electronics employed on most of Kraftwerk's previous recordings of these songs. Nevertheless, The Mix placed first in The Wire's year-end poll, the first time the magazine—previously known for its focus on jazz—opened up an all-genre category.
The album has been released in both an English and German sung version and on various different formats like double 12" vinyl, Cassette and CD and was officially re-released in 2009.
The Mix - Tracklist
1. The Robots / Die Roboter 8:56
2. Computer Love / Computerliebe 6:35
3. Pocket Calculator / Taschenrechner 4:32
4. Dentaku / Calculator 3:27
5. Autobahn 9:27
6. Radioactivity / Radioaktivität 6:53
7. Trans-Europe Express 3:20
8. Abzug 2:18
9. Metal on Metal / Metall auf Metall 4:58
10.Home Computer / Heimcomputer") 8:02
11.Music Non Stop / Musik Non-Stop 6:38
On this day, 29 years ago, Nitzer Ebb released the 'As Is' EP (10 June 1991), prior to their fourth studio album 'Ebbhead', on 7" vinyl, 12" Vinyl, CD, and cassette through Mute Records (MUTE122).
The EP features four tracks, each mixed by a different artist / producer. The first track, 'Family Man' is the only one which was also featured on Ebbhead album, albeit in a different version. It was mixed by Jaz Coleman, vocalist and frontman of Killing Joke. The second track, 'Lovesick' was mixed by Flood who produced the band's second and third albums, Belief and Showtime as well as the previously mentioned Ebbhead. The third track, 'Come Alive' was mixed by Alan Wilder of Depeche Mode, who would eventually be hired to co-produce the Ebbhead album. The last track, 'Higher' was mixed by Barry Adamson and Paul Kendall (PK). Barry Adamson was the bassist for Howard Devoto's Magazine and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds and PK is an engineer/producer who has worked mainly for Mute Records on various Depeche Mode and Flood projects.
As Is (tracklist)
1. Family Man 3:56
2. Lovesick 4:00
3. Come Alive 6:12
4. Higher 5:50
Nitzer Ebb
Bon Harris – programming
Douglas McCarthy – vocals
Julian Beeston – additional drums and percussion
Goth/Futurepop band, CAELUM WRAITH recently unveiled their full-length album, 13.
13's concept is based upon the idea of embracing the darker side of life. It even underscores how members of the conservative 'right' often conduct themselves in quite the opposite manner of the message of faith and forgiveness taught by their religion. 13 addresses the darker, more dystopian side of love and seduction. It often takes a tilted, ironic angle on traditional supernatural ideas.
13 speaks to the partially-outcast gothic community which continues to be among the most diverse and tolerant groups despite their embracing of the "darker side of life". Every day we hear conversations among them alluding to the extent which they feel comfortable revealing their darker side in their families, their jobs and in every-day life
13 is available on all major streaming platforms including Bandcamp and Spotify.
Today, 46 years ago, Joy Division self-released their very first 7' EP, An Ideal For Living!
Today, 46 years ago, Joy Division self-released their very first EP, An Ideal For Living! All four tracks were recorded in just one day at the Pennine Sound studios in Oldham, UK, on 14th December 1977 and released as a 7” on the band’s own Enigma label. The band self-financed this recording on a budget of £400.
The original release was pressed as 1000 copies and sold out by September the same year.
While the band was still known as Warsaw during the recording sessions for this release, they changed their name to Joy Division before the release took place.
The sleeve was printed on a 14' x 14' piece of thin cardstock and then folded into four squares. The front cover has a black-and-white Hitler Youth member beating a drum, which was drawn by guitarist Bernard Sumner and their bandname printed in a German gothic style blackletter font. The cover design, coupled with the nature of the band's name, fuelled controversy over whether the band had Nazi sympathies. When the EP was re-released on 12-inch vinyl, the original cover was replaced by artwork featuring scaffolding.
Numerous counterfeit editions of this release exist. Only the original vinyl has serrated vinyl around the label and different contours on the label.
Today, original copies are being traded between collectors and fans for prices from € 1500 to a stunning almost € 3000!
An Ideal For Living - Tracklist
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A1 |
Warsaw |
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A2 |
No Love Lost |
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B1 |
Leaders Of Men |
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B2 |
Failures |
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E-TROPOLIS FESTIVAL 2025 – THIRD BAND WAVE WITH MESH, AESTHETIC PERFECTION & TENSION CONTROL
With the British synth-pop icons MESH, we are diving straight into the third band wave of the E-tropolis Festival 2025.
For over 30 years, the band from Bristol has been thrilling fans with emotional and energetic anthems. It is all the more remarkable that Mark Hockings, Richard Silverthorn are actually appearing at the E-tropolis Festival for the first time. We are sure you will give our headliners a proper welcome when they take the stage with a grand showcase of their extensive body of work. Bring your dancing shoes, you will definitely need them!
Next up is AESTHETIC PERFECTION! Daniel Graves has prepared a spicy AEP-“Old School Electronic Set” for you – just like the good old days and hitting right in the spot! So, buckle up everyone!
Meanwhile, TENSION CONTROL invites you to the machine dance – mechanical, cool, precise – but not without a wink, as their powerful EBM grenades detonate at your feet!
Confirmed for 2025 are:
MESH * SOLAR FAKE * HOCICO * AESTHETIC PERFECTION (OLD SCHOOL ELECTRONIC SET) * ROTERSAND * EMPATHY TEST * CHROM * RUE OBERKAMPF * ORANGE SECTOR * ALIENARE * TENSION CONTROL + many more bands in preparation!
The E-tropolis Festival 2025 will take place on 22.03.2025, at the Turbinenhalle in Oberhausen. Original tickets and 5+1 bundles are available at www.amphi-shop.de! Additionally, E-tropolis Festival tickets can be purchased at all known CTS/EVENTIM advance booking offices and online at www.eventim.de (also as Print@Home)!
