Rob Da Bank

Typewriter out. Trousers on. Here's a link to a Rob Da Bank compilation review which I cracked out yonks ago for Fact magazine. They put it up on their website recently and it’s even graced the pages of the seasonal hard copy of the publication. I’d like to do more of this stuff but I’m too busy doing a job where I have to produce news stories on Slovakian politics and savings accounts.

Here's the link

Tirk 02

Props to go out to Tirk records here. They’re on the verge of releasing their Tirk 02 compilation, and deserve a bit of kudos. licks and affection.

They’ve put out some right records and artists yet no one appears to have shout their corner too much. Full time stoner, New York ex-pat now Sheffeel disco freak Maurice Fulton makes records for them as does Eric Hedford, one time drummer of the Dandy Warhols, now purveyor of wobbly punk funk.

Throw in Sugar Daddy, Greg Wilson and electronic crooner Louie Austen (Check 'Grab my Shaft' for the steeze) and they're hotter than hot and worthy of respect.

Check my witterings on the new compilation here.

Can I have an Ashtray?

Not sure what the blog etiquette is on posting consecutive posts on the same topic. Anyhoo here's a demonstration of giving the 'rules' a good fuckin over. This Alexander Robotnick tune is so hot (accompanied by another amazing video) that I can't resist.

Alexander Robotnick gets distressed

(Mr Robotnick by Mike Rosley)

Check out Alexander Robotnick up there. He's a pretty old dude. But being old doesn't stop anyone from loving their italo and doing the electronic circle jerk. His past is long, varied and full of madness. He's scored films, he's hailed as the godfather of the whole italo revival by many arbiters of taster and he loves smoking snouts.

Now This is Music, who put out the amazing Township Funk, are deeming it fit to unleash new tune Obsession for the Disco Freaks, complete with remixes from the likes of Rory Phillips. The title and vibe sums up where we're at.

The video is below. When I saw it for the first time I almost pissed my pants due to the sheer amount of strong looks. What a freaking hero. That dancing. Jesus. There's a vid of his mixing double below at a party in what looks like an Austrian dungeon. Eek.

Omar S disses on Ricardo Villalobos

The latest Fabric installment is from a slightly unknown entity, the vaguely mysterious Omar S. No, me neither but according to reports, Mr S has been swaggering round Detroit for a number of years making real men’s techno and shooting his mouth off. He sounds like a top bloke and genuinely mental.

Check out the Resident Advisor interview with the man in preparation for the release. Omar has ‘done a Villalobos’ as it’s now known by filling his Fabrish mix with his own productions. Whether this move is an act of great narcissism, bravado or a bold statement of intent he was obviously unaware that it had been done previously. And he’s not happy.

RA: How has the mix been received?

Omar S: “You read the shit people are saying already about the Fabric Mix? A few assholes are talking about "Oh, Omar-S. He did the same thing as Ricardo Vi-vi--...." whatever the fuck he's called. I don't even know who Ricardo Willalobo is. I ain't start hearing his name till like a year ago. Who the fuck is that? So how would I know what he did for Fabric? I don't even know how to say his last name, why would I bite off of him?”

Check the full interview here. It is worth it.

Important Warp news

Warp and Turbo are up there as my favourite record labels in the world right now.

Amazingly both appear to be springing into activity again in the 09 with great and glorious gusto.

According to the former, it's celebrating its 20th year of activity on the earth with a compilation and number of events. Here's what they're doing and what you can do to help them by visiting Warp20

'Create The Definitive Warp Album. Vote for your favourite ever Warp tracks here. Your top 10 (by different artists) will combine with our top 10 to make a historic album for release this Autumn. Leave personal messages and memories and the best will be printed in the album art. We Are Reasonable People.'

Not only this, but they're throwing a series of parties across the UK during the summer.

Paris, New York, Sheffield, London and Tokyo are the locales. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for Sheffield and a party to truly bring home the vibe of the bleep.

Sign up for emither updates here

The final bit of good news is that the bathroom door (see above) is finally getting fixed. As previously reported, we had to bash it in last October after an unsuspecting guest became trapped inside after which I did the same. That crack in the middle is the damage wrought upon it. So hopefully within a hour we'll be able to defecate and simultaneously lock the door.

Heavy.

Important Turbo news

Big news people. Big, heavy, bubonic news.

First of all is that Tiga's record label, Turbo, has just overhauled it's website. Yep that's right. I told you it was BIG. But it is. Not only is Tiga's second album due very soon (Ciao Tiga is it's name, rave pop is probably gonna be it's game. Although I wouldn't want to stick him in a box), happily they're putting together a compilation of the best bits from the label under the title of Omni Dance. Out on May 25th it looks, how you say, sicker than sick.

Check out the new website here...

Turbo Records

For those of who cannot get enough of Tiga's thoughts, there's an amazing interview with him about the new album on there.

This bit is the funniest moment...

Q: Are you happy with what you’ve been able to achieve?

Tiga: Once you realize you have the power to rent a limo anytime you please, you know in your heart that you’re not like other men. To hear 10,000 people chant your name and then have them locked inside the venue until you have had a chance to learn all of theirs. My goal has always been to become the most famous man in the world by the time I am 50. Failing that, I will assume the identity of a respected physician. My album’s success will determine whether the world will ever come to know Dr. Timothy Tiga.

And you can get more of his updates on the twitter he's set up. Dip into this and you'll realise the man is monstrously tapped...

Tiga Twitter

Not that I'm obsessing. I'm just laughing. A lot.