B12 - B12 Records Archive Vol. 1

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5...according to our Brian on Fri 14 Nov, 2008.

Along with Orbital, Reload, Link, Aphex & Future Sound of London, B12 were amongst the original pioneers of sparkling UK techno, blending the futuristic gliding synths of Detroit with flawless cerebral jacking rhythms with an ambient techno sensibility. I'm always gobsmacked at the production of this duos stuff, it sounds so minty fresh & timeless. Inspired by legends such as Model 500 but bolting their own personalities onto these swirling soundscapes, spilling with astral vibes and addictive beats. I'm delighted to review the first in a series of archive twin pack CDs on their own label, mopping up all the tracks from their halcyon period, all digitally remastered for that blissed autobahn cruise you've always promised yourself. With music this classic, it's hard to do it justice with words without getting a bit sentimental but let's just say, if you're lost for a decent electronic purchase this week, look no further than this blinding set.

B12 Records announce the re-opening of their archives with a 7 volume series, to include every track released on B12 Records between 1990 and 2007.
* For the first time, this 98 track ‘Archive’ series will bring together every ultra rare vinyl EP and Limited CD bonus track, gathered into a series of double CDs.
* The tracks that shaped techno history have been fully digitally re-mastered, and if owning them is not enough, the series will also contain 27 previously unreleased and unheard bonus tracks, recorded by B12 at the infamous Epicentre
Studios almost 20 years ago, during the same golden period of UK techno perfection.
* Volume 1 of this epic series collects the first 2 ultra rare releases on B12 Records, catalogue numbers B1201 (originally released on vinyl September 1991) and B1202 (January 1992). These two EPs were the first time we heard the Techno of Mike Golding and Steve Rutter, the clean, clear and complex music that contributed to this new era in UK Techno.

CD 1 combines the first ever B12 release, the first Musicology EP, which includes the seminal ‘Telefone 529’ and ‘Obsessed’ (which were both included on the duo’s Warp album ‘Electro Soma’ released two years later in 1993), with 2 Bonus Tracks extracted from the B12 Archives that have never been heard before. ‘Ming’ and ‘Eliya’ uphold every B12 tradition and maintain an unbelievable quality of sound and texture.

CD 2 is a continuation of the experimental techno that clearly defined the Chicago and Detroit influences while building and twisting the music into a unique and unforgettable UK sound. It was here that the duo’s obsession with outer space and futuristic time travel began, a journey that has only previously been experienced by a select few vinyl junkies, tracks that have never before been committed to the pure digital format they deserve.

Also included on CD2 are another 2 Bonus Tracks, again previously unreleased and never been heard before.

TRACKLISTING: CD1: Metropolis Obsessed Fear Of Expression Telefone 529 Ming (Previously Unreleased) Eiyla (Previously Unreleased) CD 2: Space Age Rings Of Saturn Future Bass Seven Weightless Condition Don~Rt Always Look At The Rain (Previously Unreleased) Colloid (Previously Unreleased)

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