S IS FOR ULRICH SCHNAUSS

A bit of modern German ambient from the ultra-talented Ulrich Schnauss. His albums "Far Away Trains Passing By" and "A Strangely Isolated Place" are real classics of the genre. Shame his work has taken a recent turn towards shoegazing.

From Wiki: Ulrich Schnauss was born in the northern German seaport of Kiel in 1977. He became interested in a range of music: My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Tangerine Dream, Chapterhouse, and early bleep & breakbeat tracks. There was not much opportunity to see his musical influences in Kiel, so he moved to Berlin in 1996.Ulrich's musical output began under the pseudonyms of View to the Future and Ethereal 77. These electronica and drum-driven pieces were noticed by Berlin electronica label CCO (City Centre Offices), to which Schnauss sent CDR's on a regular basis. Ulrich developed these submissions to CCO into his first album under his own name, Far Away Trains Passing By, released in Europe in 2001, and in the United States in 2005.

His next album, 2003's A Strangely Isolated Place, showed the influence of My Bloody Valentine's Kevin Shields and Cocteau Twins' Robin Guthrie. Schnauss has said of this album, "When you've worked with computers and keyboards for a number of years, they become not so fascinating of themselves anymore. I gained confidence after people began to discover Far Away Trains Passing By, and it hasn't really stopped since then. This time I decided not to compromise on what I wanted to do, with what I thought people might want me to do."

Chilled By Nature (Pete Lawrence) - Musical Box [Out of the Box Mix] Ulrich Schnauss mix mediafire

Ulrich Schnauss - Knuddelmaus mediafire

Ulrich Schnauss - Molfsee mediafire

http://www.myspace.com/ulrichschnauss

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S IS FOR THE SCIENTIST

Raving with The Scientist.

The Scientist was Phivos (Phil) Sebastiane. Phivos first heard Chicago sound at school, and got into the futuristic sound of Detroit some time later at the end of the 80's. He got involved in Alternative Radio Station Phaze One. They used to call Phil 'Q' a while before because of his intellectual skills. Then for a party at the Fridge in Brixton, they decided to write The Scientist on the flyers, an artistic name that definitely stuck. One night at the Fridge, he found himself suddenly sharing a dressing room with The Shut Up & Dance crew. He met their mixing professional at that time: DJ Hype, with whom he created The Exorcist (& Champion Sound), They produced "The Bee", which hit No.1 on the independent dance charts selling more than 35,000 records. It was named track of the year in 1990 by Kiss FM.

The Scientist - The Bee (Piano Mix) mediafire

The Scientist - Spiral Symphony (The Magic Synthony In C Minor) mediafire

The Scientist - The Exorcist mediafire

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S IS FOR SOUTH

A complete change of direction with South. A largely acoustic electronic band, strangely signed to Mo' Wax in the 1990s. For those downtempo moments. Despite a Sabres connection, not that good. I preferred Turin Breaks, which is not a band that history regards well.

The electronic trio South began out of a bond between friends. Joel Cadbury, Brett Shaw, and Jamie McDonald met as teenagers while attending Haverstock Secondary School in London. To beat the doldrums of working-class life, they opted to start a band. All are multi-instrumentalists -- McDonald takes on vocal duties whereas all three participate in playing guitar, bass, percussion, and keyboards. South first delved into professional music by remixing cuts, later tinkering around with Ian Brown. UNKLE's James Lavelle was the one who was most impressed by these young lads' intricate talents and took them under his wing, signing them to his Mo' Wax Recordings by the near end of the '90s. Several 7" limited-edition singles were released alongside a 12" EP, leaving NME, Melody Maker, and Flipside praising South to be one of the major facets of music for 2000.

Of course, this led to their stunning debut, From Here on In, which took shape later that spring. It was an impressive mix of dark acoustics, hushing vocals, and breezy yet rough-cut dance beats. Lavelle's love for South also allowed the band to collaborate on the soundtrack to Jonathan Glazer's thriller Sexy Beast in early 2001. Breaks spinning at Fabric and Damian Harris' Big Beat Boutique also electrified the trio's double musical stance as dance innovators and cross-cultural space rockers. In 2003, South returned with the Dave Eringa-produced With the Tides. The limited-edition Speed Up/Slow Down EP marked South's first release for Young American Recordings in late 2005. For South's third album, 2006's Adventures in the Underground Journey to the Stars, the English trio did away with its signature electronic layers for a stripped-down, straightforward pop affair. North American dates with Something for Rockets and Margot & the Nuclear So and So's coincided with the album's April release date. The band's first-ever concert CD/DVD package, Safety in Numbers: South's Tour Diary, followed six months later. In 2008, South released You Are Here. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide

A few tracks from the turn of the millennium, starting with a remix by ex-Sabres of Paradise member Jagz Kooner:

South - Broken Head (Jagz Kooner Mix) mediafire

South - Paint The Silence mediafire

South - Better Things mediafire

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Picture: http://www.headleydesign.com/

S IS FOR SOFTBALLET

I know nothing about Softballets. But an album of remixes by luminaries such as Global Communication, The Black Dog and Carl Craig was a must buy.

Discgs says that "Softballet disbanded in 1995. They were: Ryoichi Endo[vocals], Ken Morioka [keyboards, programming] and Maki Fujii [guitars, programming]. Soft Ballet's music was a mix of hard-edged, aggressive industrial synth lines, techno beats, heavy guitar riffs, German speech samples and strong, yet affectionate vocals."

That's fine but the featured tracks from 1995's "Forms: Remixes for Ordinary People" are nothing like that description. They are delicate pieces of techno, verging on ambient and with no vocals. None of the tracks are classics but they are very good.

Softballet - Perfection (Plaid Mix) Remixed by Black Dog mediafire

Softballet - Ride (Global Communication Dub Mix) Remixed by Reload mediafire

Softballet - No One Lives On Mars (Even Longer) Remixed by Carl Craig mediafire

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S IS FOR SOUND CLASH REPUBLIC

Fabi Paras was a damn fine DJ and sometime recording artist, with roots on early UK dance.

From discogs: Fabio Borzacco started his DJ-career in 1988, when Nick Holloway invited him to play in the Project Bar in San Antonio, Ibiza. After returning to London, he became guest-DJ in the Astorio, then in The Monkey Drum, the Limelight and the legendary Flying.

That was the time Paras decided to start an own label called Junk Rock and released his first track named "Eastern Mysteries".

Later, he worked together with Terry Farley to produce "Come Together" from Primal Scream and was very successfull with the project Outrage and the track "Tall 'n Handsome". The Soundclash Project was the next part of Paras' career, when he wrote and played his first album - "Shiva Shanti" was released in 1992.

In 1993, Soundclash Republic had a concert in Ministry Of Sound. The show was completely sold out and received good critics.

Since them, Paras is working on different remixes and own projects. Shelley Boswell told about him: "Unique is the only word to describe him".

From "Shiva Shanti":

Sound Clash Republic - Shiva Shanti mediafire

Sound Clash Republic - Hypnotic Eastern Rhythm mediafire

Sound Clash Republic - One Monitor Shy Part 1 mediafire

Sound Clash Republic - One Monitor Shy Part 2 mediafire

His own work is ok but not outstanding. DJing was where he excelled. In which case, you might want to try this which I came across when looking for something else:

Fabio Paras - Live at Magic October 15 1993 megaupload

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S IS FOR SEMI REAL

A name like Semi Real is a bit of a giveaway. So it's no surprise that it's a pseudonym. And even less of a surprise that it's a Future Sound of London pseudonym.

The tracks are a real mixed bag. The Original Mix is a bit ravey, the Med Mix a bit Balearic and the Endorphine Mix more straight up House. This was the only release under this pseudonym on their own Jumpin' & Pumpin' label. From 1992:

Semi Real - People Livin' Today (Endorphine Mix) mediafire

Semi Real - People Livin' Today (Original Mix) mediafire

Semi Real - People Livin' Today (Med Mix) mediafire

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S IS FOR SECRET LIFE

We've had very little from Cowboy Records - a key UK dance label in the early 1990s. Other than the Aloof, their stuff was too housey housey for me. I, and especially D, wanted something a bit darker. But for a change here's some housey housey with remixes by Terry Farley and Pete Heller.

From Wiki: The first release by Secret Life was a white label recording called "Spanish Lullaby", written and produced by Andy Throup and Jim Di Salvo. This was their first release from their "No Fixed Abode" recording studio, set up in South London. [1] The band then increased in size with the addition of Charlton Antenbring and Paul Bryant. Antenbring was a fashion student, disc jockey and reporter for The Big Issue.[2] Jim Di Salvo contributed on guitars, cubase programming, sampling and music production. Throup was a classically-trained pianist and contrubuted to cubase programming and music production. Bryant was the vocalist. Bryant and Throup co-wrote most of Secret Life's material.

Contemporaneous to the development of Secret Life, Throup was also working with others involved with

techno and house music, such as noted techno and house DJ Lenny Dee.
The band toured extensively, particularly in the United Kingdom, and performed on three popular UK TV music shows: The Beat, Dance Energy and The Hitman and Her. They also released several music videos. Jim Di Salvo left the band in 1993 to set up "Bass Boom" recording studios. Di Salvo then released numerous singles and albums under his own name and the alias act names of "The Juggler", "Bong Brothers" and "Salvo Jets", during the 1990s.
One of Secret Life's first singles, a 1992 dance arrangement of Stevie Wonder's "As Always", was one of the most successful records issued by their then label, Cowboy Records, associated with their manager, Charlie Chester.[7] After house producers Masters At Work remixed Secret Life's "Borrowed Time" (1994), Chester moved the band to Pulse-8 Records, with a view to enhanced pop appeal. He was able to obtain an eight album deal from the label. The group was now a core duo of Bryant and Throup.[8] A pop-oriented single, "Love So Strong", previously issued by Cowboy Records in 1993, was remixed and released by Pulse-8 in 1994. Three other singles were released in 1994, followed by an album, Sole Purpose, in 1995. According to one reviewer, "Production from Brothers in Rhythm, Chris Porter and Pete Gleadall give Sole Purpose an R&B and house feel, and the album is topped off with...thoughtful lyrics and smooth vocals."

From 1992 to 1996, the group released eight singles and one album. Five of the singles reached Number 1 on the Coolcuts and Mixmag dance charts in the United Kingdom. Two of the singles were also top 40 hits on the UK national charts. Pulse-8 Records subsequently went bankrupt, ending prospects of further releases through that label. Throup, now known as Andrew Grainger, moved to New York City from England in 2000 and became a lounge pianist and studio owner. In 2007, Andrew Grainger relocated to Austin, Texas, to continue lounge work. After spending some time in the late 1990s contributing vocals to the work of others, Bryant left the music business.

From 1993 on Cowboy Records:

Secret Life - Love So Strong (Junior Vocal Mix) by Farley and Heller mediafire

Secret Life - Love So Strong (Junior Style Dub) by Farley and Heller mediafire

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CHARITY SHOP CLASSICS (50)

Carl Craig does funky laidback jazz under his Innerzone Orchestra guise and Q Burns turns in a bit of a home listening house stormer.

chaoskitty says: The Innerzone Orchestra is a special project for Craig. It's a summation of where he's been, and in these pre-millennium times, a pointer to where we all may be headed. The project has it's roots in a 1992 track called 'Bug In The Bassbin." The track was picked up by Ranx, friend of 4 hero, Goldie, and J.Majik which then caused a raucous noise on the then infant drum'n'bass scene. A swell of interest returned to Carl a couple of years ago when the Craig-obsessed James Lavelle re-issued the track on his Mo' Wax label. Craig then used that impetus to launch a jazz trio, both as a live and recording project. That trio has since drastically developed into a assemblage of talent that now includes Paul Randolph, the bassist from Mudd Puppy, Richie Hawtin (aka Plastikman), serious Jazz pianist Craig Taborn, ex Sun Ra sideman Francisco Mora on drums and percussion, and lots more.

Q-Burns Abstract Message is the alter ego of Orlando, Florida DJ/producer/remixer Michael Donaldson. A member of the city's Eighth Dimension collective, Donaldson's eclecticism has graced several compilations, EP and single releases for various labels, and remixes for artists including Faith No More and Us3. After nabbing the opening slot on the Chemical Brothers' U.S. tour, Donaldson was signed to the Astralwerks label in 1997. His debut single, "Touchin' on Something," was released late in the year, and the singles collection Oeuvre followed in 1998. Invisible Airline appeared three years later. ~ Steve Huey, All Music Guide

From Innerzone Orchestra "People Make The World Go Round" (2000) and the Astralwerks compilation "Sound In The Eight Dimension Vol 2" (1997):

Innerzone Orchestra - Elevator Music (Instr) mediafire

Innerzone Orchestra - People Make The World Go Round (J88 Remix) mediafire

Q Burn's Abstract Message - Total Maza mediafire

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S IS FOR STANTON WARRIORS

Stanton Warriors are Nu-Breaks kings. One of their own tracks and a couple of rather good remixes.

From nme.com: Stanton Warriors are the breakbeat duo Dominic Butler and Mark Yardley. They are a DJ and producer team of Nu skool breaks, a style of electronic dance music. Originally from the West Country, the pair now play high-profile sets at internationally-renowned clubs such as Fabric and Sankeys Soap in the UK, and travel the globe extensively, with international acclaim in Europe, Canada, America and Australia. Their style is sometimes described as a fusion of electro, breakbeat and 2-step UK garage. Their name was taken from a hexagonal shaped manhole cover, made by Stanton Ironworks, based in Ilkeston, Derbyshire which seemed fitting with their style of underground, cutting edge style of music. Its also a reference to Stanton DJ products. The name was originally conceived from one of the warriors tripping over a "Stanton Warrior" draincover on Tower Bridge.

In 2001, Stanton Warriors laid down a fresh new sound with the seminal 'Stanton Sessions' that was instantly signed to XL Recordings. The mix saw off competition from Fat Boy Slim and Deep Dish to win Best Album at the Dance Star Awards, and again at the Muzik Mag Awards where they beat Dave Clarke and Danny Tenaglia, whilst the mix recently featured in Mixmags top 50 best compilations ever industry poll. 'Stanton Sessions' went on to become the biggest selling breaks album of all time. High profile remixes for such luminaries as Missy Elliot, Fat Boy Slim, Basement Jaxx, Mylo, Freeform Five, and Busta Rhymes amongst others constantly fill their diary, whilst their own original material continues to push the boundaries. They are incomparable when it comes to working with vocalists. In a scene renowned for instrumentals, Stanton Warriors have jetted around the world to record with vocal talents that include Big Daddy Kane, Twista and The Beatnuts, implementing house, electro, hip -hop and funk elements into their sound.

In 2006 Stanton Warriors signed their debut album 'Lost Files' to V2, becoming one of the first breaks act to sign to a major. Released to massive critical acclaim, 'Lost Files' received support from a variety of djs across a variety of different scenes, with major support from MTV and Pete Tong on Radio 1. The album was also play listed to Radio 1 & XFM daytime shows plus countless other stations around the world. 'Stanton Sessions 2' was released at the same time and was immediately voted 'Album Of The Year' on Annie Nightingale's BBC Radio 1 Show; and this is not forgetting the request to mix Fabric's milestone 30th compilation, which was voted 'Timeout Compilation Of The Year' and 'Breakspoll Compilation Of The Year' respectively, with the mix ultimately becoming one of the fastest selling in the series.

In 2008 Skint Records brought together Dom and Mark's killer versions of Gorillaz' 'Feel Good Inc', Alter Ego's legendary 'Rocker' and Azzido Da Bass's 'Dooms Night' amongst a great deal more on 'Remixes'. The compilation perfectly showcased the Stantons sound and made it clear why DJ Mag included them in their recent list of the '50 Best Remixers Of All Time'.

Stanton Warriors - Da Virus mediafire

Fatboy Slim - Demons (Stanton Warriors Remix) mediafire

Cosmos - Break Me With You (Stanton Warriors Remix) mediafire

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S IS FOR SMELLS LIKE HEAVEN

Smells Like Heaven is our old friend Fabio Paras.

Paras started his DJ-career in 1988, when Nick Holloway invited him to play in the Project Bar in San Antonio, Ibiza. After returning to London, he became guest-DJ in the Astorio, then in The Monkey Drum, the Limelight and the legendary Flying.

That was the time Paras decided to start an own label called Junk Rock and released his first track named "Eastern Mysteries".

Later, he worked together with Terry Farley to produce "Come Together" from Primal Scream and was very successfull with the project Outrage and the track "Tall 'n Handsome". The Soundclash Project was the next part of Paras' career, when he wrote and played his first album - "Shiva Shanti" was released in 1992.

In 1993, Soundclash Republic had a concert in Ministry Of Sound. The show was completely sold out and received good critics.

Since them, Paras is working on different remixes and own projects. Shelley Boswell told about him: "Unique is the only word to describe him".

Smells Like Heaven - Rhythm De Londres (Smells Like Heaven) mediafire

Smells Like Heaven - Londres Strutt mediafire

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