Instagram story viewer> @joemuggs> Tagged

Joe Muggs

@joemuggs

6.4K

followers

3460

following

Insolent child

POSTS STORIES REELS TAGGED

Music journo and tech-head Joe Muggs kicks the week off with a bang with his TOP 5 ultimate ‘90s techno tracks. Do you agree? Add your personal recommendations down below.

Comment 90s or click the link in bio for the full episode.

#TECHNO #90smusic #Talk90sToMe

Underground Resistance – The Seawolf (1992)

“A militant, sweaty, wild Detroit acid-smasher. So much of the best techno seemed to have alarm noises or klaxons in it. Two microdots and a gram of base to the good, haven’t seen anything but smoke and strobe for six hours, trainers black with dancefloor gunk, sweat dripping from the ceiling, more innocent times, hoodies for goalposts isn’t it, wasn’t it, mmm…?”

Carl Craig – At Les (1993)

“Just about as dreamy and gentle as techno gets, a perfect sunrise track. First appeared on a Belgian compilation called Virtualsex because, of course it did.”

Sabres of Paradise – Smokebelch II (David Holmes Remix) (1993)

“Of course, by the trio led by Andrew Weatherall (PBUH). Most people know the beatless Balearic classic version of this, but Belfast’s David Holmes turned it into a maniacally ambitious twelve minutes of throb, pump, military drums and ecstatic twinkle. This one has the Zap Club, Brighton, all over it for me – just in the interzone where hardcore shaven-headed grebo-ey techno lovers and greasy ponytail John Richmond Destroy leather waistcoat, flowing shirt Balearic geezers and geezerettes were still waving their arms around in the same space.”

Dave Clarke – Wisdom to the Wise (1994)

“Dave Clarke aka ‘The Baron’, the black-clad, grouchy, Brighton-born genius DJ. He’s still absolutely demolishing gigantic raves to this day and this perfect, one-riff, repeat-to-eternity minimal tune doesn’t sound too shabby either.”

Subhead – Keeper of the Frequency (1998)

“It’s absolutely mind-frazzling that only a few years after this Jamie Lidell was showing his soul-dude side, supporting Elton John, James Brown and Prince – but this is how we first knew him, making unhinged underground techno.”

94

12

"It’s some of the hardest techno imaginable."

Hardcore, crusty, dub, four to the floor, let's have it… we are, of course, finally diving into the unrelenting, tribe-declaring world of ’90s techno.

In the suburbs of late '80s Detroit, a trio of high-school friends – Kevin Sanderson, Derrick May and Juan Atkins – combined their love of European electronic such as Kraftwerk, Belgian synth-pop and Depeche Mode with homegrown Chicago house and funk. They created a sound that would go on to define the future of electronic music, pop music and club culture across the world, blessing the decade with the soulful Strings Of Life, the minimalistic bleep of Warp Records, festival bangers care of Underworld and Orbital, and almost impenetrable German punishers that would pack out the floor at Tresor every weekend. And how could we not mention Dooms Night and Flat Beat... more of that in the episode.

But can Daft Punk really be considered techno? Here to make a case for "absolutely yes", along with dissecting the impact of this much-worshipped, derided and debated genre, is music journalist and tech-head Joe Muggs.

Comment 90s to hear the full story.

#DaftPunk #Techno #90sMusic #ElectronicMusic #Talk90sToMe

344

118

One of the first people we wanted to feature on the new BassMidsTops was Grime producer and DJ Grandmixxer @grandmixxer photographed here in South London. I’ll pop a link up in my stories to the interview with @joemuggs and the mix @grandmixxer did for us #grandmixxer #grime #bassmidstops #bassmidstopsandtherest

37

2

A selection of books that have helped me understand the foundations of the music I try to platform through @crossover_ams

Together these books hold the countless stories of sonic innovation and creative expression by Black and working class people in Jamaica and the UK. To anyone interested in the history behind (UK) club music, I highly recommend reading each of these.

Bass, Mids, Tops: an Oral History of Soundsystem Culture - Joe Muggs

Starting with my favorite, a collection of interviews with key figures in UK soundsystem culture. Rob Smith (Smith & Mighty), Sarah Lockhart (Tempa) and Mala (DMZ) are just a few of the names in this crazy book

Aftershock: the Seismic Impact of Dubstep - Lauren Martin

Another oral history, focusing on the South London scene that pushed each other to make ever weirder electronic music.

Beyond the Bassline: 500 years of Black British Music - edited by Paul Bradshaw (collection of essays)

Companion to the exhibition curated by Dr. Aleema Gray, the essays touch upon the societal and political surroundings in which much of the music was developed. Challenging the notion that Black British Music only started with the Windrush generation, the exhibition looks back much further.

Dub Revolution: Jamaica’s Sonic Innovators and the Birth of Remix Culture - David Katz

This one focuses on a small group of Jamaican producers, like King Tubby and Lee “Scratch” Perry that reinvented the recording studio as an instrument through innovative use of multi-track mixers and effects like delays and echos. This way of producing music is deeply foundational to the way much of modern electronic club music is produced.

Join the Future: Bleep Techno and the Birth of British Bass Music - Matt Anniss

Focuses on a small scene of artists in Yorkshire, the book argues that Britain’s love for bass started with the bleep techno movement of the late 80s. Interesting alternative history.

Come hear what has been built on these foundation on the 16th of October at Crossover in @garagenoord !

105

23

And we’re back, BassMidsTops returns with the second part of our interview with the mighty David Keenan @reversediorama Acid House and Gods and Monsters. During the making of this episode we’ve discovered the the best way to defeat AI is a Glaswegian accent in a pub… Thanks so much for bearing with us it means the world x. David’s latest book ‘Boyhood’ is out now on Lee Brackstone’s @leebrackstone10 magnificent imprint @whiterabbitbks As ever interview by Joe Muggs @joemuggs and pictures by me @bds1970 I’ll put a direct link up in my stories #davidkeenan #thisismemorialdevice #whiterabbit #bassmidstops

125

6

Today is #bandcampfriday, give my new song ‘Dalaman’ a listen (link in bio) and, if you wish, support the release by downloading it.

Alternatively, you can also give it a listen on @rovr_live where @joemuggs kindly featured it in his Multiversal Discernment programme.

There will be more news soon, but in the meantime, receive the balmy warmth from Dalaman and beyond. Stay tuned.

✨

13

2

And we’re back, BassMidsTops returns with the second part of our interview with the mighty David Keenan @reversediorama Acid House and Gods and Monsters. During the making of this episode we’ve discovered the the best way to defeat AI is a Glaswegian accent in a pub… Thanks so much for bearing with us it means the world x. David’s latest book ‘Boyhood’ is out now on Lee Brackstone’s @leebrackstone10 magnificent imprint @whiterabbitbks As ever interview by Joe Muggs @joemuggs and pictures by me @bds1970 I’ll put a direct link up in my stories #davidkeenan #thisismemorialdevice #whiterabbit #bassmidstops

92

1

On from 2pm hosted by a couple of my oldest friends… all decent people welcome ……

Been dying to do a sunset so this a double whammy… here’s the map , it’s today Sat 26 September. Don’t bring any dickheads pls #deephouse #harvestmoon

13

0

Made it onto @bandcamp beat electro I for August!! Big up @joemuggs you diamond!!! #deephouse #atjazz @atjazzofficial @atjazzrecordcompany (and @coflothesoulshifter for the heads up and congrats, this is truly a small global family this deep music thing 😁)

51

4

OK today is the day!

It’s our birthday and your last chance to get the founders subscription rate in perpetuity.

It was started in 2009 as the papers were gutting their arts pages, by the critics who had been writing them, and it has been going every day since. Ballet, opera, film, gallery shows, dubstep raves in rooms above pubs. All of it written by people who love and deeply understand the thing they turned up to watch.

In an age of algorithmic recommendation, AI slop and relentless sponsored content we’re more committed to this mission than ever.

If that sounds worth keeping: share this, or tag someone who’d love it.

theartsdesk.com

37

2

On the 50th anniversary reissue of Mort Garson's Mother Earth’s #Plantasia, a cult classic attempt to communicate with plants via Moog, Joe Muggs selects 10 more examples of musicians plugging themselves into the green stuff. The Strange World of Music Made By and For Plants. @mort.garson @joemuggs @sacredbones. Read further via link in bio. #thequietus #culturecountered

239

7

@joemuggs has finally got his feet back on the ground after @weoutherefest, and has provided a whistle-stop tour of an extraordinary array of everything from ancient flute meditations to genres so new he doesn't even know what they are.

With joyous highlights from @rupturelondon @yukimiforyou @stereolabgroop @joshuaidehen @tama_sumo @lakuti_ @freyawinona @__a__c__t__r__e__s__s__ @peven.everett and dozens more - plus features the slightly unhinged thought "what if Black Dave Lee Roth?"

68

7