For One, For All: DJ Hell's Body Language Volume 9

"Hell doesn't just represent a type of music, he represents a whole lifestyle, aesthetic and worldview – and Body Language Vol. 9 is perhaps the closest any disc has yet come to capturing that totality."

Last fall, Modeselektor contributed to Volume 8 of Body Language following Matt Dear, but this is particularly different from any mix compilation I've heard of late. It's not something to dance to at all times, but could withstand any car ride, apartment cleaning and company-having occasions. More important, it's an integral journey into the heart of why we love music of many facets.

Featuring Balanescu Quartet's chamber music take on Kraftwerk, a Dixon Edit of Die Vögel that brings on the brass instead of the bass and the insertion of "A Fifth of Beethoven" towards the end, this is by far one of the most diverse collections. Falling in the Body Language series is a smart move, as there are listeners outside of Hell's realm that will look on him fondly for this, as well as long-time fans, like myself, who know him as the Jackmaster Dominator that can bring you down to Hades with his dark techno DJ sets.

This isn't necessarily a lighter side of Hell, but it's just right for someone with his rich history to be given free reign to compile and mix 23 songs that speak a universal language to the human body. Last year's album, Teufelswerk, was an incredible achievement and the return of Hell's career between a ground-breaking gig in New York and the album pulling in praise from every direction.

A standout moment is Stereotyp's "Take the Weight (Peter Kruder Vocal Mix)," which breaks through the trance (poor word choice?) with haunting, soulful vocals not long after David Sylvian comes through with "Forbidden Colours." There's a lot to take in on this mix, and taking all summer to do so seems more like a pleasure than a chore.

Follow on over to Resident Advisor to check out more details and the impressive tracklist for Body Language Volume 9 : DJ Hell.

Unsound Festival Debuts In New York TODAY

My anticipation for the Unsound Festival's premiere in New York has been relatively short, but more intense than any Christmas morning I have ever looked forward to. During the next 10 days, areas of New York City will be saturated with some of the most experimental music in the truest sense of the word. Both Ronin of Wordless Music and Bryan Beyond/The Bunker are two of the handful of talented, significant promoters in America, and they've all paired up with festival founder Mat Schulz, whose been in town planning this massive feat.

"After seven editions in its native Kraków, Poland, Unsound Festival comes to New York for its USA debut. Stationing itself across several venues throughout Manhattan and Brooklyn, this bold, uniquely modern program of music will take in everything from classical music to post-rock, electronica to noise and beyond.

Eastern Promise a cornerstone of the festival will expose a broad range of artists from Poland, Romania, Ukraine and Belarus. The Unsound Warhol series features events dedicated to and inspired by Andy Warhol. Additionally the festival includes a kids-only workshop in electronic music, two "Silence & Noise" nights devoted to post-rock, noise and drone, a Brooklyn electronic music showcase, two Bunker nights featuring the very best in contemporary techno/house and a special Bass Mutations showcase dedicated to dubstep & its variations. Both Festival weekends will also include panels and workshops."

For the most comprehensive breakdown of the festival, please visit its press page at Backspin Promotions.

Artists include: 2562 (Netherlands), ACME (USA), Pavel Ambiont (Belarus), Vince Aletti (USA), Borne (USA), Blondes (USA), Kabir Carter (USA), Eric Cloutier (USA), Carl Craig (USA), Marcin Czubala (Poland), David Daniell (USA), Vladislav Delay (Finland), Ensemble LPR (USA), Falty DL (USA), Groupshow (Jan Jelinek, Andrew Pekler, Hanno Leichtmann) (Germany), Tim Hecker (Canada), Luke Hess (USA), Ezekiel Honig (USA), Mike Huckaby (USA), Petre Inspirescu (Romania), Jacaszek (Poland), Jan Jelinek (Germany), Kadebostan (Germany), Alexander Kaline (USA), Konque (USA), Kwartludium (Poland), Legowelt (Netherlands), Hanno Leichtmann (Germany), Alan Licht (USA), Lillevan (Germany), Sebastian Meissner (Germany), Moritz Von Oswald Trio (Germany), Mountains (USA), Nadja (Canada), Neurotic Drum Band (USA), Newworldaquarium (Netherlands), nsi. (Germany), Joshua Ott (USA), Andrew Pekler (Germany), Tristian Perich (USA), Derek Plaslaiko (USA), Pole (Germany), Barbara Preisinger (Germany), Dave Q (USA), DJ Qu (USA), Radian (Austria), Lee Renaldo (USA), Simon Reynolds (USA), Patrick Russell (USA), Sawako (USA / Japan), Anthony “Shake” Shakir (USA), Sepalcure (USA), Michael J. Schumacher (USA), Mike Servito (USA), Jacek Sienkiewicz (Poland), Spinoza (USA), Asa Stjerna (Sweden), Morton Subotnick (USA), Tape (Sweden), Tobias. (Germany), TRG (Romania), Untold (UK), Levon Vincent (USA), Xavier Van Wersch (Netherlands), Bora Yoon (USA), Zavoloka (Ukraine) and Zenial (Poland)

Head over to Halcyon's digital shop, to download a free compilation featuring artists performing at Unsound from February 4th - February 14th.

Open Your Wallets and Submerge Yourself

A journalist/DJ recently posed the question: What is your favorite 12" of the last decade? Interesting, since it could encompass an album, single or EP, and immediately piqued the thinker's interest because it waxes nostalgic (wahhhh pun) of, in this digital age, something physically owned and cherished.

His own answer was the "Inspiration / Transition" vinyl from Underground Resistance, which - honestly, to my surprise - is still in stock and for sale. Call me foolish, but I figure UR is hard to find on wax, but then again how often do I shop for physical formats of music? (Sidenote: This past week, I purchased Jawbox: For Your Own Special Sweetheart, Hanne Hukkelberg: Rykestrabe 68 on CD and Function: Variance 3/4, Boards Of Canada: Geogaddi (2 track promo) on vinyl...I guess I am full of shit.)

Anyway, it was a pleasure to find out about Submerge, a place to buy all things Detroit. I hadn't realized it re-opened on East Grand Blvd in 2002. The website is not the best, but it's a great place to start and you can't go wrong with anything on sale here. Need a UR mousepad? Done. How about the Interstellar Transmissions book? Versions 1 and 2 are both available. Plenty of music to empty your wallet and fill your soul, as well.

Website: Submerge

kssm mss n mnml ssgs

Without any Kassem pics for use, we turn to sausages. Oh yes.

mnml ssgs is a wonderful website. It's devoted to minimal techno - one of my favorite things - and while being light-hearted, the entries can also be more informative than any other spot on the Internet. It's a great source for raw information on lesser known producers and DJs, but also a good place to get an honest opinion from music lovers with very, very good taste.

The site has just put up a Q&A with Kassem Mosse to follow up on last week's 18th mix, which features him on the decks.

Oh, and he's from Germany - surprise!

mnml ssgs