Todd Terje – Swing Star (2012)

Please welcome: It’s The Arps! Oslo’s magic music maker Todd Terje has already gained a wunderkind like reputation for his gentle yet potent productions (we won’t mention the “E” word here) on labels like Full Pupp, Permanent Vacation or Running Back on top of being one of the best remixers money can buy (Shit Robot, Bryan Ferry, Dølle Jølle et cetera et cetera). What is there left for him to do? Establish a label of his own! “It’s The Arps” is the starting signal for Olsen. And what a splendid one it is. Created from scratch and solely on the mythical synthesizer ARP 2600 (check http://www.letsnerd.com for help), it features four tracks (reads instant classics) that couldn’t be a better follow-up to his 2011 super hit EP “Ragysh”. Towering over the assortment is the laser crime scene called “Inspector Norse”. Defying genres and blinkers, this is finest goose bumps dance music that makes you whistle along, laughing and crying all at the same time – but the rest isn’t half bad either. The short, but sweet “Myggsommer” gives away Terje’s secret love for quirky exotika, whereas “Swing Star Pt 1” and its brother have a (balearic) brilliance and witchery to them that is rarely found nowadays. Powered by Smalltown Supersound and housed in a beautiful sleeve courtesy of Bendik Kaltenborn (www.benkalt.no). 100% Arp 2600 and 200% Todd Terje! [Source]
















Jackie Leven & Michael Cosgrave – Shadow Of A Man (2009)

From the compilation album All Sewn Up – A Tribute to Patrik Fitzgerald released by Crispin Glover Records in Trondheim, Noreway. Winner of Best Tribute Album at the 10th annual independent Music awards! Nominated for best packaging at IMA. [Source]


[Dedicated to Kent Munch - In memory of Jackie Leven]

Casiokids – Det haster! (2011)

Casiokids are out with a brand new track, “Det Haster!”. Some chattering-birds kick off the track before it busts out of a muted intro into an all out synth-assault on your eardrums. When the patented distorted bass jumps in, the song literally forces you to get in sync with the beat. There’s something about the way this sounds that’s absolutely hypnotic — could be the flawless combination of samples. It’s quite possible that they took sounds from late-80’s arcade games, mashed them up, and spit out this clean, unadulterated trance tune. The violins are the ultimate clincher for me. But this is what we’ve come to expect from these guys; pure electro-pop fun. [Source]