ELEKTRO DOMÉSTICOS 2, A CLASSIC RECORD
More than ten years ago, in 1998, the first Spanish hip-hop label (SuperEgo/Tu Pierdes, CPV, La Mala, 7 Notas 7 Colores, etc.) edited one of the most important compilation albums in the history of Spanish electronic music: Elektro Domésticos.
It was a completely unique record, and nowadays it is considered to be a classic in Spanish electronic music. It acted as a reactance for the emerging group of electro music producers which, at the time, were starting to create their first works for big audiences. Elektro Domésticos also kept in black vinyl all those previous works which a handful of producers had been recording in cassettes during the eighties.
Among those who participated in Elektro Domésticos, there were names such as Khosmaker, Kapi, Moockie, Split DJ and Elektrosher (aka Alek Stark), just to mention some of those who proved to be a breakthrough in electro music. Yet one should also mention Zeta, Teen Marcianas, and Hippaly as examples of those who have followed the path of funk, hip hop, and techno. Furthermore, there are those, like Raúl Santos/Supercinexcene/Najwa Nimri, who in following a type of electro closer to pop have proved to everybody that, stylistic issues aside, they were here to stay.
Now that nobody questions the fact that electro music came back during the mid-nineties to stay, Alek Stark presents the second part of this classic record of Spanish electro.
This sequel is faithful to the spirit of the first compilation and it will act as a platform for a new wave of electro music producers. While, for some of these, the record will be yet another compilation album, for others it will mean a milestone in their careers as producers.
There is a great difference between the two albums. For the one which Alek presents, strict norms have been established in regards to style and the way in which audio files are submitted. The reason for this is that a great importance has been given to the record's final sound.
Twelve years have passed and, during this time, the technical quality of the producers involved (more than thirty!) has improved in an exponential manner. The sound is more convincing, more concrete, and Alek has been very meticulous with the mastering, especially in regards to the dynamics of the themes that keep the record’s final volume in the background. This is of absolute importance at a time in which the absurd search for maximum volume has turned into the blight which has ruined nine out ten records in the last 15 years.
The list of artists directly involved in the creation of Elektro Domésticos 2 could not be better. In alphabetical order:
Alek Stark, Annie Hall, Atöm vs Zode 2, Dark Vektor, Deathmann & Meco Mokhardo, DJ Hash, Downrocks, Elektrosher, Fastliner, Freeze Rockers, Groof, Helena Gallardo, Icebreaker, J.S. Lop, Khosmaker, Mauri, Meka, N-Fecto, Negocius Man, Neonwerk, OCP, Replicante Norman, Sace 2, Shorai, Spanish Robots, Spectrum Data Forces, Split DJ, Synth Alien, The Activist, Uni-Mate, Vagon Brei and Zuples Fuck.
They are producers from all parts of the Iberian peninsula, who have released records on local and internationals labels: Disko B, Djax Up Beats, Transient Force, Dominance, Electro Sounds, Last Known Trajectory, Solar One Music, Semántica, Turbo Records, Minifunk, Geometrik, New Flesh Records, Dona Li, Star Whores, Drivecom, Subsonic Device, Electric Kingdom, Cray1 Labworks, Original Street Techno, Dirty Planet, Toyfriend Records, Microciudad Recording, LAM Records, Sindicato, MSX, etc.
They have dragged their 808 through clubs and festivals in the whole of Europe, such as: Electric Science (Bélgica), Sonar (Bcn), Stadtgarden (Colonia) Benicassim, María (Berlín), WMF (Berlin), Panorama (Berlin), Cupole (Zurich), Paradiso (Amsterdam), Nitsa (Bcn), 8Z8 (Mad), Moog (Bcn), etc.
No words are enough to describe this group, and so the only way of doing justice to their work may be to actually listen to their tracks on the Elektro Domésticos page and in his My Space. Alternatively, these are also available on their shop, Band Camp, where it is possible to listen to the different perspectives included in the record, from ambient electro to the devastating versions of electro:
www.elektro-domesticos.com
www.myspace.com/elektrodomesticos
alekstark.bandcamp.com
When talking about this record, it also has to be mentioned the luxury edition in vinyl, in triple vinyl, developed by the most prestigious vinyl maker in the world, Record Industry, for which quality is the most important sales argument.
Three completely different editions of this triple vinyl, tripe EP!, will be released in transparent, white and crystal orange vinyl. They will be limited to only 100 copies, hand numberer, of each edition will be available. This is an absolute must for all those vinyl freaks!
The covers are different for each of the 100 copies editions. Special cardboard materials have been used, such as 300g Natural Translucens, produced by the prestigious paper factory, Antalis, through which it is possible to see the coloured vinyl on the inside. The folders have been produced with Sleeves Slaves, thus standing out, in terms of looks and folder quality, from the mediocre plastic covers and folders which nowadays populate our favourite shops.
In addition to this vinyl edition, there is a double carbon CD edition which includes all the more than 30 artists involved in Elektro Domésticos 2. And, of course, there is a digital edition which can be downloaded in mp3 format and in any other loss-less format. Both editions include extended versions of some of the tracks, plus some very interesting extra material.
For those who want to show the world their musical preferences, Alek Stark has also designed a t-shirt available in small numbers only, which has been made by using the finest serigraphy and produced up to very high-quality standards. So if you want to get hold of it, visit either his My Space site as soon as possible or any of the shops and distributers which you will be able to find listed on his webpage.
Elektro Domésticos 2 is undoubtedly the electro record of the year, but…will we have to wait another twelve years for the third part?
released July 20, 2010
ARTISTS
Alek Stark, Annie Hall, Atöm vs Zode 2, Dark Vektor, Deathmann & Meco Mokhardo, DJ Hash, Downrocks, Elektrosher, Fastliner, Freeze Rockers, Groof, Helena Gallardo, Icebreaker, J.S. Lop, Khosmaker, Mauri, Meka, N-Fecto, Negocius Man, Neonwerk, OCP, Replicante Norman, Sace 2, Shorai, Spanish Robots, Spectrum Data Forces, Split DJ, Synth Alien, The Activist, Uni-Mate, Vagon Brei and Zuples Fuck.
Mastered by Alek Stark at Fundamental Audio
fundamentalaudio.blogspot.com
Artwork 2010 by Alek Stark
Original graphic concept 1998 by Cisco
Thanks to everyone who support this record
Special Thanks to Sergio Aguilar
+ info
myspace.com/elektrodomesticos