Artist: Florence / Wladimir M
Title: Analogue Expressions / Leaves Fallin’ Recklessly
Label: Delsin Records
Cat No: dsr-eevo001 / dsr-eevo002
Released: 24th April
Genre: Techno / IDM
Amsterdam label, Delsin Records really has developed a flair for reissuing and repressing lots gems. This time they turn their attention to one of the most important and unsung labels in the story of Dutch techno, Eevo Lute Muzique.
Eevo Lute Muzique was established in 1991 by Wladimir Manshanden and Stefan Robbers, (who was already releasing tracks as Terrace and as one-half of Acid Junkies for Djax-Up-Beats). Their early releases were heavily influenced by Detroit techno, even naming their first release “U.S Heritage”, while fusing those influences with their own love for the Euro Synth Pop and 80’s New Wave sounds they’d grown up with.
This release offers 2 albums of 22 complied tracks spanned across a 5-disc set. The first album, Analogue Expressions is a compilation of music by Stefan Robbers under his moniker, Florence. All 11 tracks across these 3 discs offer a divine kaleidoscope of different electronic flavours and styles, while still managing to maintain a consistent level of emotion and innovation. From the opener Exploration; a panicked, bass-heavy, electro driven pep-talk to the closer, Revival; a subtle, emotive stomper, each and every track is quite unique. Despite these tracks being over 25 years old (mostly recorded between 1991 and 1994), the majority still sound as fresh and as forward-thinking today as they did then.
Part 2 of the Delsin x Eevo Lute Musique retrospective is a collection of tracks by Eevo Lute co-founder, Wladimir M, entitled Leaves Fallin’ Recklessly. It kicks off the same way as his 1994 LP, Life is a Short Story, with short spoken word, Autumn Leaves I, followed by the epic Planet E (originally released on the Detroit label of the same name in 1991). Generally though, Leaves Falling Recklessly lacks the same colour and diversity as Analogue Expressions. The highlight here is Wladimir’s track, Evil. Abrasive percussion rumbling below, virtuous synth hovering above, and with Wladimir’s apocalyptic poetry in-between. So good! Canned by everyone, from Dave Clarke to DVS1 over the years, the original is still a highly sort after record.
Most of the early Eevo Lute singles have been well sort after, with record hounds paying up to and even over 100 euros for some discs.
The first five releases have become highly coveted, not just because of the timeless music they contain, but also because the pressing stampers were accidentally destroyed meaning they were never repressed.
Once again Delsin has come through in bringing some unsung heroes of electronic music to the foreground, particularly the highlighting one of the many monikers of the much underrated, Stefan Robbers. Three thumbs!