Description
Absorbing electronic music from Chicago and Detroit onwards, this is a valuable collection of rare recordings by veteran DJ/producer Olivier Abbeloos, who uniquely evolved 90s Belgian techno and progressive house.
Released by Altered Circuits, "1993-1994: Rare & Unreleased 1" is an archival compilation of unreleased and rare tracks that Olivier Abbeloos, who has been active for over 40 years, had stored on DAT tapes at the time. While also having connections with the Belgian dance scene around The Project and T99, it is a multifaceted collection typical of him, who has operated under numerous aliases.
The opening "Combo" under the "Conga Squad" alias is energetic tech house intertwining sharp staccato chords and Latin percussion. The following "Substitute" features bold vocal samples cutting through a restrained groove, exuding the eerie atmosphere unique to 90s European club tracks. On the A-side closer "Under The Ground" under the "Holographic Hallucination" alias, dark synths and quirky basslines create a B-movie horror mood, making it appealing even to electro and leftfield listeners.
On the B-side, "Psychosky" builds a deep and hypnotic atmosphere with piano phrases layered over a slowly unfolding beat. "Dj Flavour" under the "Warp Factor One" alias intricately intertwines Latin percussion, funky bass, and processed vocals, allowing you to intensely feel the appeal of Belgian progressive house and proto-tech house. This track is also known as a recording that was included on a work pressed in only 300 copies at the time.
This is a compelling release with a raw atmosphere and experimental spirit that seems to have captured early 90s European club culture just as it was. The content naturally connects with contemporary electro, leftfield house, and dark disco scenes.
A1. Conga Squad - Combo
A2. Conga Squad - Substitute
A3. Holographic Hallucination - Under The Ground
B1. Holographic Hallucination - Psychosky
B2. Warp Factor One - DJ Flavour
"Late '80s and early '90s electronic music has had a steering influence on the Altered Circuits catalog curation, so we are delighted to present an EP by one of the pioneers of that era: Olivier Abbeloos. His 40 years of experience as a producer and DJ translate into a Discogs profile so extensive it reveals his real name alone can be (mis)spelled in 20 different ways. "1993-1994: Rare & Unreleased 1" features five tracks produced under three different aliases, all sourced from the artist's DAT tapes vault, dating back to the prolific two-year period referenced in its title. ALT024 opens with two "Conga Squad" tracks. "Combo" is a high-energy cut driven by a savory staccato chord progression, and "Substitute" works a similar, yet more restrained dynamic, that is, until a boisterous vocal sample enters. The quirky bass lines and moody synth work of "Under The Ground", the first "Holographic Hallucination" inclusion, concludes the A-side. Its twilight atmospherics fit right in amid the B-movie horror electro trending on contemporary dancefloors. The flip opens with "Psychosky", which caters slightly more to a slow-burner vibe and sets the stage for extensive piano work. "Dj Flavour", composed under the "Warp Factor One" alias, closes the EP. Here, the Latin-tinged percussion that runs as a subtle thread throughout the release takes the spotlight, while funky basslines and manipulated vocals add layers of detail. It is the only track on the EP that was already released in 1994, appearing as part of a - by the standards of that era - obscure and very limited 300-copy pressing. Those times sure have changed, but the music still sounds as fresh as ever."
