The second episode of the series brings together music I discovered relatively recently and recordings that have been with me for years. Artists familiar from the first mix also return. This time, we venture more often into the darker regions of electronic music, but as before, what matters most to me are the emotions and personal stories connected with these records.

Tracklist:

1. Jon Hassell – Blues Nile

Ndeya

We begin with Jon Hassell, the American trumpeter and creator of the Fourth World concept, which combines musical traditions from different cultures with electronics. His connection to the history of ambient music includes his collaboration with Brian Eno on Fourth World Vol. 1: Possible Musics. I have only known his music for about a year, but Blues Nile, from Vernal Equinox, has already come to occupy a special place within it. It is the best Hassell recording among those I have heard so far. Sometimes I listen to it five times in a single day, because it is so hypnotic and deep.

2. Lotus Eater – Marrow

Stroboscopic Artefacts

I already mentioned Lucy and Rrose’s joint project in the first mix. This time, I turn to Desatura, in my opinion the duo’s strongest album. At times, the music is quite danceable, but Marrow leads into its darker side. The deep sub-bass makes it possible to literally immerse yourself in this track.

3. Demdike Stare – Hashshashin Chant

Modern Love

Sean Canty and Miles Whittaker, both associated with Manchester, make up the duo Demdike Stare. They have also built their music remotely, exchanging material between two countries. Hashshashin Chant, from the album Voices of Dust, remains their most beautiful recording to me. I also encourage you to watch the video for this track. It is a work of art in its own right and a very good example of the meeting of music and images that interests us at Velarium.

4. Throbbing Gristle – Hamburger Lady

Mute

It is difficult to talk about the history of industrial music without Throbbing Gristle. This British band helped shape the language of the genre, and its influence can still be heard in electronic music today. Coil had already appeared in the previous mix, a later group co-founded by Peter “Sleazy” Christopherson of Throbbing Gristle. Hamburger Lady comes from D.o.A. The Third and Final Report, a record that also has personal significance for me: I received it as a birthday present from the co-author of velarium.org. It is hard to imagine a better-chosen gift.

5. No. Inc. – Early Reflections (Part II)

No. Inc.

No. Inc. is another duo in this selection: Atom™ and Material Object. Both have been moving between techno, ambient and experimental electronic music for years. I have had the opportunity to hear them live many times, although usually separately. I also have a less musical memory connected with Material Object, of drinking vodka together during the Unsound festival.

6. Shackleton – Death Is Not Final

Skull Disco

Shackleton and the Skull Disco label played a very important role in shaping my musical taste. “Death Is Not Final” is one of the recordings that takes me back to that period. I was also fortunate enough to organise a performance by Sam Shackleton in Kyiv, which remains a special memory for me. Sam continues to release a lot of interesting music, so I recommend following his newer recordings as well.

7. Bee Mask – Versailles Is Not Too Large… or Infinity Too Long (A)

Unifactor Tapes

We return once again to Chris Madak, also known as Bee Mask. This time, we listen to side A of Versailles Is Not Too Large… or Infinity Too Long. Another work I wanted to share in this series.

8. Shifted – Lénine

Avian

Guy Brewer, known as Shifted, was previously part of the duo Commix. It was Commix that gave us Be True – for me, one of the most important drum ’n’ bass tracks of its era. It turns out that the man behind a recording like that can also make quite decent techno and ambient music. Lénine, from Arrangements in Monochrome [Part Two], is a good invitation to this part of his work.

9-10. Biosphere – Uva-Ursi / Sphere of No-Form

Biophon Records

To finish, Biosphere, also known as Geir Jenssen. He is an artist who can weave entire multilayered worlds with his music. I chose two consecutive tracks from Substrata, his most recognisable album: Uva-Ursi and Sphere of No-Form. For me, these are two of the biggest “bangers” on the record. And one small Polish connection to end on: Jenssen lived in Kraków for a while.