SOLVENT: RDJCS5-EP [suction022]
Occasionally one reads about some musical instrument with an illustrious past, Jimi Hendrix's guitar, John Lennon's piano, selling for exorbitant amounts of money at auction. And typically, that's the last of it, the instrument disappearing into some rich collector's display case, never to be heard from again. Here then, is a bit of a different story. In April 2006, a Yamaha CS5 monosynth, having been owned by Richard D James (Aphex Twin), with the actual liner notes for his landmark "Selected Ambient Works Volume II" etched into the bottom, was sold at VEMIA auction for approximately $1200 - a bargain in retrospect. The winning bidder was, in fact, a friend of Solvent's, and the synth resides not in a display case, but in Solvent's studio, on generous long-term loan.
"RDJCS5", a new 4-track 12-inch / digital EP by Solvent, is the result. This is Suction022. Each and every sound on this record came from RDJ's old CS5, painstakingly programmed and multi-tracked by Solvent over the course of several months. The limited capabilities and sound palette of this humble little synth provided quite a challenge, but ultimately the results are not merely an exercise in technical synthnerdery; "RDJCS5" speaks more of Solvent's musical kinship to thee Analord. Opening track "Curtains" bears similarity to early Rephlex signing Bochum Welt, while "Radiator", "Mould", and "Tassels" each contain hallmarks of the classic AFX sound. At the same time, each track also sounds distinctly and unmistakably 'Solvent'.
The 12" vinyl edition is limited to 300 copies, in brown chipboard sleeve with sticker, and also contains an additional noise/drone piece at the end of side B. Entitled "Sandpaper", this cut will be individually hand-etched by Solvent, for a 1-of-a-kind cut/click/loop experience.
LOWFISH: HELLO TINNITUS / A LITTLE THING GETS BY [suction023]
"Hello Tinnitus / A Little Thing Gets By" is a new 7" single from Canadian electro mainstay
Lowfish, a preview of his forthcoming "Hypersensitivity" full-length. Lowfish is Gregory
De Rocher, and this is suction023. Barring last year's "Memories..." album, a compilation of
vintage archive recordings, this double-A-side 7" is actually the first new Lowfish release
since 2008. While his last 2 albums could best be described as serene and clinical, electro
at it's most austere, Lowfish's return to Suction Records, the label he co-runs with Solvent,
also marks a return to a more melancholic electropop sound. This is not new territory for
De Rocher, but it's been a while since we've heard this kind of direct, fragile emotion from
Lowfish. In fact, with their slow, head-knodding 808 beats and wistful synthesizer melodies,
these songs could best be described as electro-ballads. "A Little Thing Gets By" is almost
cute, until the strings fade in - pure heartbreak. "Hello Tinnitus" meanwhile, is the most
pure slice of synthpop that Lowfish has delivered since 2002's "Theme to Parked Cars", a
firm Lowfish fave for many. While Kraftwerk remains the pivotal electro music reference,
only a few electro artists can rival the masters' keen sense of melody and emotional depth —
Lowfish is one of those rare electro artists, and this 7" makes that case clear.
SUCTION RECORDS is now on Soundcloud. To start, a 60-minute mix put together comprised exclusively of music
from the label's back catalog. Originally broadcasted December 8, 2010 on Radio Skylab's "Electronica" program in
Genoa, Italy — this mix represents the definitive "Suction Records sound".
This is Suction Records' Buy-Direct mail-order service. All prices are in CANADIAN currency.
All Suction Records' Buy-Direct questions, concerns and orders must be directed to buydirect@suctionrecords.com.
To place an order, simply send an e-mail with the following information:
A list of the items you want;
your full address; and
method of payment (Paypal, cash or money order).
You will then receive an e-mail response with your total, including shipping costs (see below). Your order will then be held for two weeks. If payment is not received by that time, your items will be placed back into stock.
Shipping for one CD is $5CAD within North America and $8CAD everywhere else. For vinyl and multiple item purchases, please contact us,
otherwise, you will be notified after placing your order.
Lowfish "Memories Are Uncertain Friends"
Suction [suction021]
CD $12ea
Solvent "Elevators and Oscillators"
Ghostly International [GI-43]
CD $13ea BACK IN STOCK
Solvent "Apples and Synthesizers"
Ghostly International [GI-35]
12" $11ea
CD $13ea BACK IN STOCK
Television Set "Consumer Price Index"
Genetic Music [GEN 032]
7" $10ea
Skanfrom "Soothing Sounds For Robots"
Genetic Music [GEN 013]
CD $15ea BACK IN STOCK
Lowfish "Burn The Lights Out"
Satamile [SAT-41]
CD $12ea BACK IN STOCK
Transparent Illusion "Still Human"
Anna Logue [ANNA 032.2010]
CD $18ea
Various The Anna Logue Years: Fifth Anniversary Compilation
Anna Logue [ANNA 031.2010]
2xCD $22ea
Delayscape "Morse Disco"
Anna Logue [ANNA 027.2010]
2xCD $21ea
Solvent "Subject To Shift"
Ghostly International [GI-109]
2x12" $16ea
CD $12ea
Solvent "Loss For Words"
Ghostly International [GI-105]
7" $5ea
The following is intended for reference. Some titles may be out of print and sold-out from us, but may still be
available through other outlets.
We like to keep the robots informed. Keep up to date with all things Suction, Solvent, and Lowfish by subscribing to the Suction Records' Email Thingy. You will receive information on Suction (and related) releases, events, and charts of our current favourite records roughly three times a year. Interested?
Occasionally one reads about some musical instrument with an illustrious past, Jimi Hendrix's guitar, John Lennon's piano, selling for exorbitant amounts of money at auction. And typically, that's the last of it, the instrument disappearing into some rich collector's display case, never to be heard from again. Here then, is a bit of a different story. In April 2006, a Yamaha CS5 monosynth, having been owned by Richard D James (Aphex Twin), with the actual liner notes for his landmark "Selected Ambient Works Volume II" etched into the bottom, was sold at VEMIA auction for approximately $1200 - a bargain in retrospect. The winning bidder was, in fact, a friend of Solvent's, and the synth resides not in a display case, but in Solvent's studio, on generous long-term loan.
