Bass Mechanics

The influence of 80's German Industrial music on the Detroit Techno pioneers has been well documented... and Carl Craig & Laurent Garnier selected 'Kings of Techno' compilation has introduced me to another obscure gem.

Liaisons Dangereuses were formed in Dusseldorf in 1981, around when (female) singer Beate Bartel also founded Einsturzende Neubauten. They only released one album, which seems to have remained fairly unnoticed until somehow picked up by DJs in Detroit & Chicago in the mid-80s. 'Los Ninos del Parque' was the track that apparently found favour on the dancefloor, and with one listen to it's proto-techno rhythms you can spot its appeal in those industrial climes.

LIAISONS DANGEREUSES - LOS NINOS DEL PARQUE

I love this intense live clip as well. Goddam that riff needs sampling.



This is the track that's actually on the compilation. A bass riff that seems to be on the verge of breakdown; some yelping that i'm sure has been sampled on a Detroit classic (but I can't think what); and I don't know what the singer is on about, but it sounds compelling.

LIAISONS DANGEREUSES - PEUT ETRE.... PAS


Here's Nitzer Ebb's 1987 classic 'Join The Chant' as well. A hugely influential piece of industrial acid.

Altogether now, GOLD.... CHURCH.... GUNS....FIRE!!

NITZER EBB - JOIN THE CHANT

More YouTube goodness:


The 'Kings of Techno' album is an incredible compilation. Buy it here. Every track is a killer, but another one I hadn't heard before is the dark Italo 'I Need Love' by Capricorn... another track that you can't believe was made as far back as 1982. Ah, and speaking of Italo, i've got 'Dance Boy Dance' by Alexander Robotnick on now. How good?



ALEXANDER ROBOTNICK - DANCE BOY DANCE