The Best Reissues and Compilations Of 2024
There is nothing that excites me more than a reissue or a compilation of a record from the 90s or 00s that I love or that there are few copies in the market and if it is also in digital format, even more so because I can listen to it from my favorite gadget ❤️
So these were my favorite reissues and compilations of the year 2024 <3
Happy new Year!
Love u!
Esencia
25 – UVX – Elevator [Sound Migration]
Sound Migration proudly brings forth one of the contributions of UVX (Ultra Violet Explorer) to Magick Eye Records that was initially released in 1993. This release serves a touchstone for the quality that emerges when the gap between Ambient and early Trance is thoughtfully bridged.
https://www.discogs.com/release/32463978-UVX-Elevator
24 – Spooky – Gargantuan [49North]
Gargantuan is the debut studio album by U.K. electronic duo Spooky (Charlie May and Duncan Forbes), released by William Orbit’s Guerilla Records in March 1993. Today Gargantuan is regarded as a landmark album in the history of progressive house and British dance music.
23 – Speedy J – Rise EP [ROOTS]
Remastered reissue of the second landmark EP for Plus 8 Records by Speedy J. Again expanding on the emerging sounds of Techno Speedy J took it further into euphoric, minimal lofi and bleepy territory with ”Rise”, ”Tresor” and ”De-orbit”.
22 – Serpico – Just Can’t Stop [Moonworks]
‘Just Can’t Stop’ by Serpico is the story of a 90s UK underground classic that never was.
Hailing from Surbiton on the outskirts of London, Carlos Baker AKA Serpico had been a sound engineer and part owner of a local recording studio before going down the rabbit hole of electronic dance music production. In 1989 he teamed up with good friend and fellow producer Simon Slater (AKA Gat Decor) to make proto progressive house. By the early 90s, Baker was recording tracks under the alias Capricorn with friend and guitarist Amit Joshi, releasing a white label that took the underground scene by storm in 1992. Seemingly destined for great things, Carlos signed a multi-year deal with the major record label 4th & Broadway.
21 – Kirk Degiorgio presents As One – Reflections (30th Anniversary Edition) [Lapsus Records]
Although 30 years after its birth this fundamental electronic gem called ‘Reflections’ has achieved cult status, it is worth remembering that it all started in 1993 in a small apartment in Waterloo, London, with the help of a mixer and a bunch of hardware synth and drum machines of hardware, with the mastodontic Oberheim OB-8 synthesizer as the main partner.
While in the UK the vast majority of kids showed a certain rejection of what came from North America in the form of electro, Kirk Degiorgio, under his alias As One, embraced it openly and incorporated it into his productions along with influences from other genres that he had already adored since he was young, such as jazz, soul or funk, thus becoming one of the true early adopters of Detroit techno in the UK.
20 – Opik – Hear My Mind [Opik]
Opik delve further into the DAT archives and come up with another two unreleased tracks in ‘Hear My Mind’ and ‘Kaulsoum (Ambient Mix)’ which derive from the same recording sessions as their self-titled debut LP from 1994. Two dazzling downtempo tracks in limited edition vinyl with no repress.
19 – VA – Back Up: Mexican Tecno Pop 1980-1989 [Dark Entries]
On Back Up: Mexican Tecno Pop, Dark Entries brings us 10 divergent tracks of Mexican electronics from 1980-1989, full of skittering analog drum boxes and saucy synthesizer hooks. 8 of these songs were culled from the 2005 CD-only compilation Backup: Expediente Tecno Pop on AT-AT records. Also included are two previously unreleased cuts.
This release marks the first time many of these songs will have appeared on vinyl; it is also the first ever vinyl compilation of Mexican New Wave and post-punk.
While synth pop and obscure electronics from Europe and the United States have been extensively documented, much less attention has been paid to such offerings from the periphery. Back Up serves as a vital document of Mexico’s flourishing DIY scene in the 1980’s, surveying a wide range of styles and moods. By using home recording techniques, the bands featured here were able to circumvent relying on the expensive studios of the era.
18 – Terre Thaemlitz – Tranquilizer (30th Anniv. Restored & Expanded Ed. 1994-2024)
Among our most loved ‘90s ambient house records, Terre Thaemlitz’s debut album is mercifully – finally – expanded and reissued for its 30th anniversary, including an incredible prototype for ambient Memphis rap instrumentals and some would even say dubstep – now expanded to well over two hours long, with a delectable bonus disc full of deep cuts.
17 – Orbital – Orbital [London Records]
Originally released on September 30, 1991, Orbital’s eponymous debut album became known as ‘The Green Album’ to distinguish it from their second album (known as ‘The Brown Album’). ‘The Green Album’ includes the seminal ‘Belfast’ and a live version of ‘Chime’, the landmark dance track that launched their career in 1990. Last available on vinyl in 2015 – long sold out. The album will also be remastered by the band themselves and represented in multiple formats, to be released alongside the band’s ‘Green Album’ UK tour that starts on 24th April.
https://www.discogs.com/release/30430805-Orbital-Orbital
16 – Get F**ked* – Wet Dreams [Repeat]
Our dedication to Nathan Coles. You had a smile that lit up the whole room and you played the dirtiest beats we could hear from a mile.
Not to mention you had the funniest style. You had us laughing our heads off for quite a while. See you on the other side you fucking legend! <3
15 – Pariter – Smooth & Simmonds – The Pariter Collection [Pariter]
Pariter presents a collection of timeless house classics reissued just in time for Spring. Hailing from Smooth & Simmonds, renowned for their seamless blend of house, garage, and techno, these tracks are beloved by aficionados for their ability to transcend genres.
14 – Elaine Vassell / 3rd Zone – Never Give Up / You Stole My Heart [Heels & Souls Recordings]
Heels & Souls Recordings roll into reissue number eight with a double dose of early ’90s UK street soul magic, splitting the sides between two sought-after cuts from Elaine Vassell and 3rd Zone.
Step back to 1993, house music has hit, UK Soul is in full flow and its rawer, DIY street soul sibling is making its mark across the UK’s underground. Fuelled by accessible, affordable production gear and ignited through enthusiasm and an influx of ideas and sounds, two acts drew inspiration from a melting pot of genres they were exposed to, providing their take on soul as they saw it.
13 – The Aphex Twin – Didgeridoo (Expanded Edition) [R&S Records]
“It’s just too easy to make a standard dance track,” Aphex Twin said of his mindset back in 1992. “You’ve got to put a bit of thought into it to get something a bit different.”
‘Digeridoo’ was released on the Belgian R&S Records label in 1992, and originally peaked at #55 in the UK singles chart in May of that year. Over the last 32 years the track has become one of the essential Aphex Twin tracks in a gargantuan catalogue that continues to amaze and inspire.
“I wanted to have some tracks to play to finish the raves I used to play in Cornwall, to really kill everybody off so they couldn’t dance,” Richard D James, AKA Aphex, told Select magazine back in the 90s. “Digeridoo came out of that.”
12 – Gas – Gas [Kompakt]
Kompakt is proud to announce, finally, a reissue of the first, self-titled GAS album. Originally released on electronica imprint Mille Plateaux back in 1996, it’s been unavailable in its original form ever since – the version of GAS included in 2008’s Nah Und Fern box featured several different tracks. Here, however, GAS is restored in all its glory, the debut full-length from Wolfgang Voigt’s most enigmatic, quixotic project.
11 – Global Communication – 76:14 [Music On Vinyl]
English electronic part-time music duo Global Communication released their second album 76:14 in 1994, one of the most famous and widely-loved albums in ambient techno. The title of the album corresponds to the record’s total running time in minutes and seconds, just like the songs are named after its length.
This is an immense journey into early ‘90s ambient with a doze of techno. The music the duo creates takes you to another world, full of calm, relaxing and atmospheric rhythms and melodies. True to their “Global Communication” moniker, Tom Middleton and Mark Pritchard crafted an album that speaks to everyone.
https://www.discogs.com/release/31097057-Global-Communication-7614
10 – VA – Virtual Dreams II: Ambient Explorations In The House & Techno Age, Japan 1993-1999 [Music From Memory]
We are proud to announce the next installment of our popular multi-artist compilation Virtual Dreams II – Ambient Explorations In The House And Techno Age, Japan 1993-1999′. As with Part One, released in 2020, ‘Virtual Dreams II’ shines a light on house and techno-adjacent music that helped redefine the definition of ambient music during the 1990s.
The focus of Part One heavily fell on music from techno and house producers in Europe, eagerly exploring new soundtracks for chill-out rooms and re-imagining the potential future of club culture from new perspectives. For Part Two, we narrow the lens to focus on a unique time and place, namely Japan between 1993-1999. Despite missing out on the ‘Acid House Fever’, club culture was beginning to take shape in Japan during the early ’90s. In contrast to the rest of the world, where ambient techno / IDM emerged as a by-product or response to the scene, ‘listening techno’, as it is known in Japan, was a central pillar of the culture right from the start.
‘Virtual Dreams II’ is compiled by Eiji Taniguchi and Jamie Tiller, who have worked closely together on previous Music From Memory releases such as ‘Heisei No Oto’ and ‘Dream Dolphin – Gaia’. It is also the final project Jamie Tiller worked on before his tragic passing in 2023. Jamie had been researching, planning, and compiling this version of Virtual Dreams even before the first chapter was released, believing that there were many great tracks in Japan that fit the concept of the series. Knowing how much love and energy he put into compiling it gives it an extra special place in our hearts.
09 – VA Lost Paradise: Blissed Out Breakbeat Hardcore 1991-94 [Blank Mind]
With an intrigue for a particular niche of old UK hardcore which takes cues from Sheffield bleep ambience, heady rave futurism and soft, almost new age synth pads, Blank Mind presents ‘Lost Paradise: Blissed Out Hardcore 91-94’.
Though the records gathered for the compilation span a short three-year period and bridge the gap between scenes, the collection manages to find a sweet spot where the influence of Warp’s Artificial Intelligence, back room chill out sonics and the nascent jungle boom meet with elements of Italian piano house and slower breakbeat cuts
08 – Sisterlove – The Hypnotist [Sound Migration]
Cafe Del Mar chill out classic classic from 1992. Tap into your subconscious and conquer anything with these 4 different mixes featuring the voice samples of new age hypnotist Barry Konicov, known for an outstanding proclivity towards not paying Federal Tax in the US, but also for being the founder of Potentials Unlimited, a self-help hypnotism program that became especially popular in some circles during the 80s and 90s.
From beat less ambient excursions to rhythmic drum samples these mixes explore modern Balearic themes in different ways – take a trip.
https://www.discogs.com/release/30007630-Sisterlove-The-Hypnotist
07 – UR – The Final Frontier [Underground Resistance]
Underground Resistance’s The Final Frontier is a towering achievement in techno, released in 1991 as the third record on the UR label. It was techno, it was electro, it was acid—and it was absolutely epic. Crafted by Jeff Mills, “Mad” Mike Banks, and Robert Hood, the track embodied a militant sound born of Detroit, marking the next wave of techno as it boldly carried the torch from the genre’s pioneers into uncharted territory.
https://www.discogs.com/release/31416080-UR-The-Final-Frontier
06 – Paul St. Hilaire & René Löwe – Faith [Kynant Records]
Twenty years after its original release, Paul St. Hilaire (AKA Tikiman) & René Löwe (AKA Vainqueur)’s eternal classic Faith is being reissued for the first time.
Richard Akingbehin’s Kynant Records, which recently released the first solo Tikiman album since 2006, is behind the reissue of Faith, giving new life and the first digital release to one of the most beloved dub techno 12”s of all time.
05 – Harmon Eyes – Chasing Golden Planets [Proxima]
Proxima proudly presents the reissue of the highly sought-after “Chasing Golden Planet” EP by Stockholm-based producer Peter Benisch, known by his alias Harmon Eyes.
This rare record, first released in 1994, sounded way ahead of its time, blending dreamy floating acid with techno and trance, captivating listeners with its innovative soundscapes. Featuring remastered tracks and a fresh new remix by Audrey Danza, this release is a sublime roller and an essential addition for any electronic music enthusiast.
04 – Alien Signal – Ethereal Visions EP [Dream Software]
‘Quantum Limit’ is a perennial ambient trance number which has, and will continue to stand the test of time. A medium weight driving trance tune layered with transient ARP’s and an iconic synth line, an all time classic that explores visions of a retro-futurist utopia. As you walk through the local clusters service station, the brushed steel panels of well maintained machinery reflect the artifical light in an ambient illumination and soft glow.
All of this equipment must be kept sterile to avoid any contamination when used for deep space expeditions. As you look up at the gigantic structure of smooth steel bodywork and high-propulsion magnetic engines. It really dawns on you just how far humanity has come.
Alex Silvi’s work has been a massive inspiration for the label and for me personally, so I’m extremely honored to have the ability to reissue these tracks and re-release them back into the atmosphere.
Many thanks to Lopazz for remastering these beauties and to @oneeeyewitness for distribution.
03 – Convextion – R-CNVX2 [Mojuba Records]
Long awaited reissue of classic Convextion tracks originally released on Matrix Records Detroit.
02 – Ricardo Villalobos – 808 The Bassqueen [Rawax]
Ricardo Villalobos’s 808 The Bass Queen is a defining anthem in minimal techno. Built around the iconic Roland TR-808 bass drum, the track features a deep, hypnotic bassline and complex rhythms that create a captivating, immersive groove.
Initially released on Lo-Fi in 1999, it quickly became a dancefloor staple, praised for its ability to sustain energy and draw listeners into its evolving soundscape. Villalobos’s skillful fusion of minimalism with infectious rhythm helped cement 808 The Bass Queen as a key track in his career and a landmark in the minimal techno genre.
https://www.discogs.com/release/30563278-Ricardo-Villalobos-808-The-Bassqueen
01 – Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works Volume II (Expanded Edition) [Warp Records]
An essential piece of electronic music history is restored to its full glory for the 30th anniversary, with all 25 tracks of Selected Ambient Works II reunited in this Expanded Edition alongside two extras.
Warp Records has announced a momentous occasion for fans of electronic music icon Aphex Twin: an expanded edition of his seminal album, Selected Ambient Works Volume 2. This genre-defining release, originally unleashed upon the world in 1994, is available for the first time ever in a comprehensive collection encompassing all formats.
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