Monolake – Hongkong

Description

Field Records proudly presents the first complete vinyl edition of Monolakes seminal excursion into experimental dub techno, Hongkong. Originally released on the now-classic Chain Reaction label in 1997, this collection of early singles by Gerhard Behles and Robert Henke has gone on to become a vital listening experience in its own right a genre classic alongside groundbreaking works from the likes of Porter Ricks and Vladislav Delay.

The tracks that make up Hongkong were made while Behles and Henke studied computer science and immersed themselves in Berlins techno scene. Their early forays into computer-based music production were enabled by the use of the Max/MSP programming environment, forming a backdrop to the landmark work they would undertake in developing the Ableton Live DAW. Behles and Henke travelled to Hong Kong in 1996 to attend the annual International Computer Music Conference, and while there recorded extensive field recordings. These recordings became the glue that pieced together their collaborative tracks into a fluid listening experience for a CD-compilation at Chain Reactions request.

While absolutely rooted in the embryonic sound of European dub techno, Monolakes early work possesses a back room, headphone-ready demeanour which lends itself to the album listening experience. In the cascade of rhythms created by precision engineered delays and subliminal, expansive spatial world building occurring throughout Hongkong, the stage is set for a full and thorough immersion. Before the Monolake sound progressed into a more pointillist form of computer music as Henkes solo project, Hongkong presented a gritty, grainy sonic still tied in some way to the traditional methods of techno production, even as the artists ideas were sending the sequencing and arranging in exciting new directions.

Remastered and presented for the first time as a complete double 12 package, this is the definitive edition of an essential work in the evolution of experimental techno. As Henke himself explains, twenty-five years later, this record still holds immense value to me in many ways.

Tracklist:

1.Cyan
2.Index
3.Lantau
4.Macao
5.Arte
6.Occam
7.Mass Transit Railway