Hi friends!
For this edition of Guest Selections, we have the pleasure of immersing ourselves in a curated collection of music that marked turning points in their respective times, with artists who were pioneers in their genres. From the deep roots of synth-pop to the infectious beats of house music, we're in for a journey through musical history.
This month’s Guest Selector is:
Bárbara Boeing
Bárbara Boeing has firmly established herself as a key figure in the vibrant realm of Brazilian independent electronic music. With a rich career spanning 15 years, she has showcased her exceptional skills in curating and playing records across the globe, gracing renowned venues and festivals including Panorama Bar in Berlin, Cercle in Spain and Dekmantel in different formats and cities.
Recognized as one of the foremost selectors globally, 2023 marked a significant milestone for Bárbara as she released her first EP, titled Brasiliana, in the Toy Tonics label. Additionally, she recorded her first Mixmag Lab in London where she was able to show off her eclectic taste in music.
Tomorrow night, Barbara will be playing at Club Malasaña in Madrid.
Check out her amazing picks:
Yellow Magic Orchestra - Yellow Magic Orchestra (Alfa, 1978)
#Synth-Pop #Electro
In 1978 YMO marked the beginning of Synth Pop or J-Pop and shaped generations yet to come with deep voyages within synthesizers and drum machines. The genius Haruomi Hosono meet Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi in order to explore what some would say was the beginning of electronic music as we currently know of.
A bit of this history leads me to some thoughts on how difficult it is to create something new from nothing… No references to begin with and just an empty room filled with musical experiments and new instruments not yet unveiled entirely. A band that, for years in a row, just out of love for music and curiosity in exploring new instruments has re-shaped old formats marking the beginning of a new era.
Best track: Computer Game
Philharmony - Haruomi Hosono (Yen Records, 1982)
#Synth-Pop #Experimental
A more mature Haruomi Hosono and almost on the edge of splitting (or spreading, as they prefer to say) with his band Yellow Magic Orchestra composed the album Philarmony and gave birth to “Sports Men”, my absolute favourite track. Even though the genre here is Synth-Pop, within all the eccentricities Haruomi brings to the plate, it reminds me a bit of some truly wholehearted Indie music I have discovered through the years. I wonder if any of them used him as the point of reference...
It is valid to add that Haruomi, or Harry, as some might say, in 1984, made an album completely made for Video Games where he arranged and produced Pac Man’s well known tune and created some chiptune songs before this was even considered a genre.
I'm Not Gonna Let You - Colonel Abrams (MCA Records, 1985)
#House #Synth-pop
There is a bridge of organic and electronic music that only a few artists are able to build and Colonel Abrams has mastered this skill. Coming from R&B and Soul, the multi-instrumentalist Abrams has evolved into House music and is considered a pioneer in the genre. My favourite track is “I’m not Gonna Let You” and I have played this one in almost every gig I played last year.
Dynamic Seduction - MBG (MBG International Records, 1992)
#Italo House
For anyone eager to know more about Italo Dreamy House and songs that feel like approaching the gates of heaven, I suggest a deep dive into the hypnotising Giorgio Canepa’s productions within his aliases MBG, New Latin Age and Optik. It is quite hard for me to choose his best album but there is one track which I have played for so many years now called Dynamic Seduction that surely stands out.
Is it the bass line? The angelic vocals and the celestial atmosphere? Not sure… but for me this is one of the sexiest tracks alive and it gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it.
Alter Disco (Music Channel)
#Great Music Ahead
And last but not least, I'd like to share my favourite music channel called Alter Disco, which I co-created with my best friends in Brazil and named it after our party. A bit of self-promo here but this is a gathering of all the current artists inside the electronic scene that inspire us and we were able to host bigger names like Palms Trax, CC:Disco and Move:D as well as smaller and yet unknown artists that influence future musical paths through their passionate underground selections.
That was all for this week. I hope you liked the selections :D
Enjoy the weekend and tune in next Friday for more music!
Stay groovy,
Dudier