Welcome!
The last regular release of the year is already out, but there are still a few things we wanted to let you know!
In addition, after a long break in the Focus Interview series, we have an exchange of ideas between Luigi Tozzi and Joachim Spieth, which deals with Tozzi's work in the studio, on stage and a few other topics...
X-Mas sale
In the run-up to Christmas, our CDs released before the second half of 2023 are available at a special price in the Bandcamp shop.
Focus | Luigi Tozzi
I remember very well, it was 2016 when I became aware of the 12″ Quetzalli/Cohuätl by Luigi Tozzi. It might not have been the first material I had heard from him, but it was definitely an EP that I still haven’t forgotten, have played countless times in the club and still feel as fresh and inspiring today as I did back then. In the meantime, more than a dozen 12 “s and two albums (mostly on Hypnus and Non Series) have been released by him, which consistently follow a line or idea of his sound. Fortunately, we found the time to deal with some questions concerning his music and especially the realization of it in his live performances.
A look at Overlay
In the previous news we announced the release of the Overlay album by Markus Guentner and Joachim Spieth. Here is an excerpt of the opinions about it...
…Shifting elements of sound – random spatters of dripping water, ASMR crackles and tumbling gushes – are layered among bright, heaving pads, creating an immersive, cavernous environment…Oozing with narcotized and eroticized romantic impulses, Overlay feels like a living revenant from a voluptuous dream… (A Closer Listen)
You can find a musical overview and some press reviews of the album
Rewind
Joachim Spieth - Reshape
In a few days it will be the first anniversary of the publication of Joachim Spieth's Reshape project.
The album contains remixes by alva noto, ASC, Markus Guentner, bvdub, Warmth, zakè, Simone Giudice and Głós. It was the finale of a series of releases that celebrated Affin's 15th label anniversary.
...Reshape is everything that’s good about Affin Records, all wrapped up in a neat sunset bow. The sound design is second to none, with the fiercest bass this side of a Ben Frost record, while still sounding as airy and elegant as Nils Frahm or Scott Morgan at their most accessible. For longtime fans, it’s a welcome and much-deserved victory lap, while newcomers couldn’t hope for a better introduction. It’s also a chance to hear a lion’s share of the most interesting and talented voices working in ambient or progressive techno in one place at one time... (Spectrum Culture)
…An impressive array of artists contributed to this collection: the album opens with Alva Noto remodeling the track Sparsha. Noto is followed by Asc, Bvdub, Zakè, Markus Guentner, Simone Giudice, Warmth, and Głós. All of them reshape the original track adding their own personal sound, while at the same time the warm immersive sound from the original tracks… (Ambient Blog)
Video by Jennifer Trees
We wish you a pleasant end to the last few weeks of 2023 and an exciting and healthy 2024!