Emotional Response reaches 10 years plus with a first, a label compilation bringing together a series of artists who are friends, family, known, unknown, established or up and coming, who all represent an element, a sound, of the label that can be heard on the monthly NTS show, All Trades.
Presenting a spread of all the labels under the Emotional Recordings banner, the “All Trades” show provides a mixture, a showcase of a sound, from ambient to dub, soul to disco, beatdown to techno, all (un)mixed and merged in an unplanned, freeform style.
Coming to the idea of bringing that to a compilation, the “Jack Of All, Master Of None” ethos is narrowed to a selection of admired producers today. Twenty Four artists (over 2 Volumes) from numerous backgrounds, starting with the man who helped the label’s birth way back, helping creating the identiy, logo and early designs, in Paul Byrne aka Apiento. As well as running the heralded Test Pressing website, he is now a respected producer of deep, melodic techno beats and acid embrace. His throbbing acid collaboration with Tepper is the perfect start to set the tone of the album.
Following, Edinburgh DJ, producer and overall (dry) oracle Gavin Sutherland offers the beautifully balearics of his Other Lands project, mixing the motorik with the Durutti, before Sweden’s trio Datasal weld a warm, live analogue mind worming jam.
Side two sees Belfast’s rising stars Black Bones in full percussive, their love of post punk, dub and hip-hop apparent, a tipping point drama. The first of three French digidub tracks is presented by Froid Dub, with just three releases capturing wide-ranging fans, Item By Item Dub encapsulates their riddim’n’sound. To close, the wonderful Howes offers his new project Paperclip Minimiser, the trippy, ambient techno oeuvre that is a rightful ending.
The second half starts with another worthy collaboration, featuring Berlin residents of distinction, Cosmo Vitelli & Die Wilde Jagd joining forces with a suitably spoken word meets krautrock throb. Tangents explored, welcoming Seattle’s Ann Denio and a quick step, spoken word joy. Over a near 40-year career, this multi-instrumental composer of soundtracks for modern dance, film and theatre, as well as a songwriter and music improviser, is a delightful addition. Then, a debut of sorts, Exotic Garden arrives, the new solo project of Peaking Lights’ Aaron Coyles, his self-proclaimed ‘Gothic Dub” instantly appeals, the dark psychedelics stretches the corners of All Trades sound, with more to follow.
Closing the album are three ‘friends & family’ of the label, starting with the now prolific productions of Belgium’s soFa elsewhere, offering another collaboration, here vocalist Yamila uplights over sweet percussion and latin swing. Next, acclaimed drummer and percussionist Valentina Magaletti shows why she has become a rightful cause célèbre with her extraordinary Radio77, celebrating her punk and industrial leanings with a rant through the airwaves, before the finale, the warm mediative embrace of Seahawks’ ambient statesman Jon Tye, closing with a beautiful, graceful farewell.
supported by 7 fans who also own “All Trades - Volume One”
The title track is f*ckin gorgeous. It has everything. The whole album is perfection. Well done everyone involved and thanks for making this happen. Unreal. davidcalderreid
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