The original Modulation & Transformation album brought together a roster of talented European techno producers that focused on the lighter, more experimental side of techno, establishing Mille Plateaux as a respected label with a precedent for high-quality, innovative techno. At the time of the album's release in 1994, techno was still evolving beyond the first and second-wave Detroit recordings and the early '90s movements in Berlin, but the Frankfurt, Germany-based Mille Plateaux label looked beyond the techno Meccas of ...
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The original Modulation & Transformation album brought together a roster of talented European techno producers that focused on the lighter, more experimental side of techno, establishing Mille Plateaux as a respected label with a precedent for high-quality, innovative techno. At the time of the album's release in 1994, techno was still evolving beyond the first and second-wave Detroit recordings and the early '90s movements in Berlin, but the Frankfurt, Germany-based Mille Plateaux label looked beyond the techno Meccas of Detroit and Berlin for its inaugural release, finding a plethora of talent in the nearby city of Cologne under various monikers: Jorg Burger (the Bionaut, J. Burger), Gregor Lutterman (Rootpower, Car & Driver), Cem Oral (Jammin Unit, Air Liquide, Ultrahigh), Ingmar Koch (Walker, Air Liquide), and Andreas Bolz (Bolz-Bolz, Car & Driver). Mille Plateaux also included early recordings by other talented artists such as Aphex Twin, Alec Empire, Ian Pooley, and Thomas P. Heckmann, further illustrating the label's insightful knack for hand-picking some of the most promising up-and-coming producers at the time. Truthfully, every song on this compilation deserves recognition; while most techno from the early '90s has dated rather quickly and poorly, these songs remain beautifully interesting. Aphex Twin's "On - Reload Mix" begins the album on a high note, as the artist otherwise known as Richard D. James proves that he can make traditional techno as well as -- if not better than -- he can craft ambient soundscapes and crazed noise constructions. Following this euphoric song with its strong emphasis on melody, the succeeding German producers head into darker territory, employing variations on the 303 acid riff motif overtop eerie, non-abrasive percussive rhythms. Yet for as wonderful as this watershed collection is, it sets the precedent not so much for Mille Plateaux future releases but for the then-burgeoning Cologne scene surrounding the legendary Structure label. ~ Jason Birchmeier, Rovi
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