HE’S
reinvented himself more times than Madonna has that there John Morrison. Black
Jack, or even BlackJack, Mr. Man, Submorphosis, it’s hard to keep up at times with
the experienced DJ and producer, a stalwart of the Scottish underground
electronic scene. Now you can add to the list ‘label boss’ as, in cahoots with
DJ partner Jace Syntax, he’s gone and launched his own imprint, Xenology
Records.
It’s quite a debut for
the label too, a staggering 20-track compilation of fresh techno gems
culled from an eye-catching roster of well-known and well-respected artists
including Derrick Thompson (aka Drivetrain and owner of Soiree Records
International), Derek Carr (For Those That Knoe) and Rennie Foster (F Communications/Rebirth),
not to mention Morrison and Syntax too. And why not, it is their label after
all.
Between them they know
their way round a techno track this lot and, boy, does it show with one super
production following relentlessly after another, a mouth-watering and
value-for-money two hours plus of intelligent, high-quality techno.
Standouts abound. Cliché it may be, but there really is
something for everyone depending on your musical bent. There’s the rapturous and futuristic
uplifting techno of the aforementioned Carr’s simply-titled X, Hughes Giboulay’s Variable, J Garcia’s Moon Roof and Jules Wells’ magnificent arms-in-the-air number You Are. And how could I not mention
Stevie B Brown’s catchy piano-driven stormer Dirty Soul [piano mix, of course]?
For something more ethereal and
intergalactic take EBE’s sumptuous and aptly-named Spacely, Mark Ryal’s deeply Rough
and the charming Light Side from
Andron Electron. The head honcho’s are no makeweights either. Syntax’s Alien Biology is a melodic and trippy
little affair, whilst the sprightly and hypnotic Separate Entity showcases perfectly the ability of Mr. Morrison,
who has long-standing and deeply-rooted connections within the Detroit
underground electronic scene. He’s a busy boy too these days with fingers in numerous
pies including a forthcoming release on a project close to my heart. Stay
tuned.
For now though Morrison and the Xenology
crew should bask in the credit of a job done well and a debut that promises even
more good things to come. Full marks.
Check out:
The Electronica Sound Of Planet Earth Volume 1 @ Juno
