|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
12"
|
|
OT 014EP
|
Optimo Trax is delighted to welcome prodigious Glasgow producer Alex Smoke. Mr. Smoke is one of the most advanced sound designers in modern electronic music who has demonstrated his talents across all sorts of releases in all sorts of not-easily-defined areas of music. He also knows how to make advanced electronic music that will work on a dancefloor, as all four of these stunners amply demonstrate. No filler here. Four tracks to make you stand up strong and proud. A-HEM.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
CONVEX 002CD
|
Wraetlic is a tense, at-times terrifying look into the realm of electronic music that is rarely touched by the likes of techno producers. To hear the uncompromising sounds on this record makes one wonder what else is in store for Alex Smoke; a challenging album, but truly a gem in its expansiveness. Features contributions from Jon Convex, dBridge, and SCB.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
HAH 001CD
|
This is the eagerly-anticipated third album from Glasgow's Alex Smoke on his own Hum+Haw imprint. On Lux, Smoke has expanded his studio to incorporate more hardware to fully push the parameters of his sound. Lux is the result of his hard work and delves into more abstract and experimental territory while retaining the melancholic musicality and cohesion of its predecessors. The development of his own Hum+Haw label has been pivotal in giving him the freedom and opportunity to realize his creative vision and to solidify his reputation as a true electronic music innovator. Since 2006's Paradolia, his approach to production has changed significantly and on this album he has devised his own techniques and programs for sound creation. Upon listening to Lux, this progression is evident, and he has crafted a consuming and haunting album that weaves modern classical harmonies with angular technoid rhythms and intricate electronic abstractions. The melancholic Smoke sound prevails throughout Lux and deep techno variants nestle alongside evocative electronica. Alex formulates a dense and original atmospheric piece that invades your soul and melts your mind. The tracks range from the introspective beauty of "Nothing Changes," "Physic" and "Filla" to growling floor fillers such as "Blingkered" and the mighty, orchestral "Paracelsus." The defining track "Lux+" is a next-level Alex Smoke production in which he twists and warps his own vocals beyond recognition. The result is an alien, scrambled lullaby that has been drowned in a miscreated voodoo pit of symphonic gloom. With Lux, Alex Smoke has achieved his most accomplished and forward-thinking work to date.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
12"
|
|
HAH 009EP
|
Alex Smoke presents the "Lux+" 12" from his third album Lux, which delves into more abstract and experimental territory while retaining the melancholic musicality and cohesion of its predecessors. The Smoke sound prevails throughout and deep techno variants nestle alongside evocative electronica. "Lux+" is an alien, scrambled, atmospheric lullaby that has been drowned in a pit of symphonic gloom. This 12" contains the maximized album version and Alex's own "Light Of Lights" and "Concert Hall Mix."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
12"
|
|
VA 003EP
|
2005 release in stock for the first time. Glasgow's minimal madman Alex Smoke returns to Vakant with five brand new blasts of schizoid techno -- his darkest work so far. "You're A Bit Rough" is a venomous, gnarling beast which will guzzle the dancefloor. Next, "Horizon" is a crispy minimal killer with crunchy percussion and scuzzy melodies. "Gypo" is another sleazy, mutant hunk of subterranean filth, and "Neds" is a compelling mind-fuck that twists and throbs throughout. This is Alex Smoke at his most sinister and deadly.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
12"
|
|
VA 022EP
|
"Glaswegian Alex Smoke aka Mr. Menzies, the man who helped kick start Vakant in those blissfully uncorrupted early days, returns with a fresh no-frills attack since his last Hanged Man EP, VA013, 1 ½ years ago. It's all glory minus the glam and trans-fats. Smoke, adding to the current relentless Vakant onslaught, makes every reveler feel as limber as 14 year-old Russian gymnast."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
12"
|
|
VA 013EP
|
"The Hanged Man EP spans the current avant-garde of electronic dance freakishness. The A-side attempts to contain 'It's a Carni Life,' a deep 10-minute motivator placed somewhere between 'Space Odyssey' and 'I Need Lithium.' 'Hanged Man' on the flip presents a more straightforward digital funk ordeal hinting at, but dares not say acid. Finally 'Rotwang,' named after the mad scientist out of Fritz Lang's Metropolis, makes you wonder if someone had transported you to your favorite summer festival at exactly the right moment without you noticing."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
12"
|
|
VA 006-1EP
|
First of a 2-part single. "Here Alex opts for advanced tricky rhythms to deliver three superior slices of reduced funk. 'Serious Like Plague' comes on like a schizoid Sleep Archive release, dense, moody and guaranteed to infect the dancefloor. Following on the flip is the sub-aquatic 'What Can I Say.' This erratic mind-melt bubbles with a tripped out groove. Concluding the EP is the raw and discordant 'Wingnut' -- a spangled classic from his live set."
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
12"
|
|
VA 006-2EP
|
Companion release to VA 006-1EP (Shwingnut. "The following release is the Shminimal EP. With this twelve Alex really explores the parameters of his unique sound and delivers three club killers. The EP begins with the anthemic 'Titti,' here he builds a relentless, driving groove with a penetrating bassline and scuzzy melody. Next is 'TV Is Pish' a demented discoid cut-up that freaks irresistibly. The pulsing 'Slippers & Slappers' growls this superb EP to its conclusion."
|