Physical Address
304 North Cardinal St.
Dorchester Center, MA 02124
Label: Factory Benelux / Les Disques Du Crepuscule
Cat No.: TWI 1257 / FBN 165 (Released 2022)
Format: CD in card sleeve (Promo)
Matrix/Stampers: TWI1257/FBN165 A001
Mastered by: Peter Beckmann, Sleeve Design: Pascal Blua
Promotional copy, not for resale. A fascinating sampler for the iconic labels Factory Benelux and Les Disques Du Crepuscule. First things first anyone lucky enough to own a copy of FAC2 (A Factory Sample) will know that the Durutti Column track ‘Thin Ice’ was heavily edited with a long fade from 3:00 onwards. This was one of my favourite tracks on the double 7″ and so to get an uneditied version on here is a joy to behold. There is now a full unedited intro and no fade, giving us 4:54 compared to 3:29 on the original. It is worth trying to get hold of a copy for this track alone, although there are some cracking tracks elsewhere on the CD.
There are rarities from New Order and Steven Wilson but the stand out tracks aside from the aforementioned ‘Thin Ice’ are from Ultramarine, Hot House, The Union of Knives ft Marnie, Campbell Mallinder Benge, Piscine et Charles, Big Daddy, Section 25 and Plenty.
Blending techno, house and ambient with a dash of Canterbury jazz, English duo Ultramarine are hugely underrated and the excellent track here was previously only available on the Japanaese version of their Signals Into Space album. Worth checking out as it’s a fine album.
German electronic duo Big Daddy evolved from the bands Bourbonese Qualk and 23 Skidoo. Their debut album Bomb Culture is worth checking out. Review to follow.
Section 25’s Looking From A Hilltop is also included here. Remixed by Bernard Sumner and only available on the 3LP version of From The Hip. This one uses a strangely fascinating odd time signature.
There are no flaws on this compilation. It’s a very well curated, must have compilation.
LTM Recordings
4.5 out of 5.0 stars
