Styrax Records (Archive)

Hard Wax: “Audiophile, compiled, definitive reissue of mid 1990s Ambient Techno trips.”

Velocette is the nom de record of San Francisco-based ambient techno experimentalist Jason Williams. A member of noted techno producer Jonah Sharp’s Reflective Records stable, Williams has released the bulk of his work through the label, including the full-length Sonorities by Starlight and a trio of singles. Wedding minimal, usually electro-derived beats with sparse, atmospheric electronics, Williams’ work is as close in feel to ‘70s space music impressarios like Klaus Schulze and Edgar Froese as to contemporary innovators such as Sharp’s Spacetime Continuum, Autechre, MLO, and Move D. Originally a cellist, Williams sold his first instrument to buy a sequencer after being introduced to electronic music through friends. His first EP, “Microcosmik,” came out on Reflective in 1994, and was later featured on the celebrated Synoptics compilation. Following live performances at the German Love Parade, as well as at events in San Francisco and Los Angeles, Williams released the Clockwork EP before joining the album-length ranks with Sonorities by Starlight, which critics compared favorably with the likes of B12, Deep Space Network, and Atom Heart. Williams’ work was also featured on the Headtravel CD-Plus released by Om Records in 1994.

Styrax Records - The Connection Machine

The Connection Machine are Jeroen Brandjes and Natasja Hagemeier. After releases on Carl Craig’s Planet E. Down Low Music. U-Trax or Tabernacle the first re-issue of tracks from 1993 and 1995. Timeless music.  

Styrax O / P

Re-issue of earlier tracks of Felix Stalling aka Felix Da Housecat. Tracks from his early days where he did some incredible deep and emotive tracks that still bring much pleasure for those who have them. Includes “Free Love” from the Djax catalogue which is worth looking for if you want more Felix Da Housecat goodies! If you want a definition of deep house… here you have it!
Limited DJ Edition (only 100 Copies). No titles or artists mentioned on release. Clear plastic sleeve. Catalog#s deducted from the runouts.

Styrax Records - Merv

A new reissue is coming from Merv. Two old and lost tracks, dating from ’95 and ’98 will be reissued by Styrax.

Feedback: (inter alia)

Answer Code Request (Ostgut Ton): “Killer!”
Josh Wink (Ovum):
"More solid takes on the dub side of techno inspired by timeless Basic Channel! Dig Melted the best to play out.“
DVS1 (HUSH / Klockworks): "melted vein for me!”
Vince Watson (Bedrock / Cocoon / Ovum / Planet E / Poker Flat / Yoruba): “Dub. Done. Properly.”
James Priestley (secretsundaze / TSA Artists):
"smooth operations… classy & classic stuff, thanks, great reissue"
Slam (Soma Records): “strong release ­ thanx”
Heiko Laux (Kanzleramt Music): “lovely spaces ;)”
Stenny (Ilian Tape):
"Thank you for this reissue! i love these timeless beauties! full support!“
Nick Höppner (OstGut Ton):
"This sound never gets old, so good! very happy about this rerelease as I didn’t know about it before…”
Alex.Do (Dystopian): “Ooooooh yesssssss…..”
Len Faki (Figure | Ostgut Ton): “beautiful!”
Roberto (Fossil Archive / Fachwerk): “Oh my god, awesome!!!!”

STRX 15 (Promotional)

Woob 1194 was the debut album of British soundtrack and ambient musician Paul Frankland. It was recorded over the span of two months and was released in the summer of 1994 on Em:t Records. It was Em:t’s second release and is considered today to be a classic ambient album, and enormously influential. A lengthy, seamless fusion of Western and non-Western electronic and acoustic elements, interspersed with soundbites and film samples, with a level of emotional engagement and compositional sophistication rare in music of this type. Both tracks are originally released in 1994 on em:t (Cat# 1194). Few copies are sealed and come in differently coloured covers, handstamped + an additional poster.

STRX 010

Re-Issue from legendary “Earth & Nightfall” Album on R&S.
Recorded and mixed at Tracks Recording Studio, Lansing, Michigan, USA 1995. 

STRX 005

Re-Issue from legendary “Earth & Nightfall” Album on R&S.
Recorded and mixed at Tracks Recording Studio, Lansing, Michigan, USA 1995.

STRX 001

The first and initial 12inch vinyl ep on Styrax Records.Three track issue, finest warm chords driven & clubby groovin’ Detroit style techno. Thank you - Don!

Styrax Records - John Beltran

Review (Juno): Having already conquered this year with a rather fetching retrospective on Delsin, John Beltran returns to the Styrax imprint in fine style with some techno glistening with next century intentions. Lead track “Beautiful Robots” is an undoubted highlight here, gradually rising from the sumptuous layers of ethereal sound into a glistening hi tech jazz refrain that rewires the orchestral flourishes from “Strings Of Life” amidst bubbling electronic touches as the track glides across the A Side. The strains of upwards glancing utopia continue on the flip where Beltran displays all his talent for intricate layered production on “What Took You So Long”, whilst “Beauty Of Life” sounds like a smartened up Ital jam. 

STRX 002

Quantec with his trademark dubby and dusty techno tracks. Three tracks that sound like a foggy spring morning in the swamps with your feet in the stinky mudd and the light blue skies slowly bringing you another beautiful day.

STRX 011

Two deep dubby string loaded techno tracks paying tribute to the Berlin school of Basic Channel and the Burden ‘Octave one’ brothers from Detroit. Actually this i a producer who is not new to this sound… and that might be no surprise if you hear the nice gentle pulsating rhythms and the driving deep basslines!

Styrax Records - Raza

Ultra raw analoque and soulful Detroit techno tracks from an old Warp Records  head now operating under his new Raza alias. Essential!

Styrax Records - Peak:Shift

Re-issue from Nurture.
“South Exit” 1999.
“Imaginary Numbers” 2001.

Review (De:Bug):
Von 1999 und 2001 stammen die beiden Tracks von Simon Flower und sind nach ihrem ursprünglichen Release auf “Nurture” vollkommen zu Unrecht in Vergessenheit geraten. Man kennt das ja. Von der Flut erdrückt. Dabei klingen “South Exit” und “Imaginary Numbers” frischer denn je. Warum eigentlich? Erinnerungen an diese Zeit? Alle verblasst. Was war damals los? In welcher Übergangsphase steckten wir, welche Verwirrung trieben wir vor uns her, dass diese Stücke erst in ein Zeitloch fielen und es wieder Mal des Archivarius von Styrax bedarf, sie auf schweres Vinyl zu pressen? Sanfte, weiche Reisen, voll fulminanter Sounds. Reduktion? Bitte woanders suchen. Hier schlenzt die volle Breitseite der Euphorie-Gefühle, des Muts zur Melodie und zum Klackern des Rimshots. Mittendrin: die wohl temperierte Verzerrung. Epische Statements einer epischen Epoche. Unbedingt auf Facebook suchen und finden, den Herrn Flowers.

Styrax Records - Ghostlight

Roof Light & Ghostek team up for this three track release for Styrax.
Though best known for their tech-house offerings, Berlin label Styrax have already dipped their toes in the murky world of bass with a release from Synkro last year, and now they turn to Ghostlight, a collaboration between Ghostek and Roof Light for more. “Tomorrow’s Child” showcases a mastery of swung garage mechanics, dub textures and melancholy atmospherics. “Pretenders To A Crown Long” is characterised by its deep subs recalling classic dubstep, while “Saboteur” is a more rolling affair, pulsing with deep low-end and spectral ambience.

Styrax Records - Nocow

St Petersburg based producer Nocow has being developing his brand of ethereal, emotive bass music for several years, and the past 12 months have seen his profile rise further with releases for Fauxpas Musik and Infinite Machine. Like those releases, there’s an overwhelming melancholy that pervades the intricate post-2 step beat work of these tracks; “Butwe” combines sonorous square wave synths and mournful vocals in a remarkably clean R&B style production, the gentle 2-step of “Yule” comes generously drenched Burial inspired crackle and moments of string led drama, while the 140pm urgency of “Homeward Rain” is given weight with its minor key progressions and choral undertones. On the flip it’s a somewhat different story; “Won’t” is imbued with a sense of optimism, “Nomore” delivers a tech-house burner with found sound accents and rhythmic swing and “Heather” saves the best for last with its rolling organic percussion and synth backdrop that cascades over them like a misty waterfall.