[Music] The Electro Compendium pt.1

A friend of mine (let's call him Knut) recently wrote an article about a very interesting musical project called "The Electro Compendium". I asked him if I could publish it on JAZZFUCKED and he did not only say "yes" but he was even going to translate it, as the article was originally in German. Thx man! Good stuff. 


The Electro Compendium - A musical statement
Berlin, September 29th, by Philipp Rupp

They simply had to do it. Dave Paton from Scotland (39) and Jean-Paul Bondy (41) from Texas share a common, musical passion for many years now: Electro. This should be a simple, clear statement. But there’s a certain problem with the term.

Cover artwork for the Electro Compendium. © Geso 

Although Electro has got the same roots as other kinds of electronic music, like house or techno for example, it is a separate genre on its own. The music is characterized by a broken beat, which features a snare on the backbeat and basically a kick on the 1 and 3. Beyond the distinctive rhythm, the music comes with a very futuristic, highly technical and often dark minded attitude. Electro does strictly not want to sound earthly or natural, but artificial and mechanically. The conflict between man and machine is a constant, central topic. Computers, machines, robots and androids are omnipresent in the names of artists, tracks, covers, artworks, lyrics and in the music itself. It is this special, distinctive character, which gives electro its very own esthetic and deepness.

By steady misuse in the last years, the term “electro” got more and more washed-out and unclear. In the meantime electro is even used as a collective term for all kinds of electronic music. This doesn’t only cause communication problems, but leads to the serious danger, that the original style electro gets buried in oblivion. The Electro Compendium wants to act against this process. „We were both sick of seeing the term being used for different styles, that are clearly not electro, and decided to do something about it.”, explains Jean-Paul Bondy. A lot of people are aware of this problem. 116 artists accounted a track for the compendium.

While techno and other genres of electronic music got more and more famous in the past decade, electro apparently stayed in the underground. Asked for the reasons, Dave Paton answers: „I think, maybe it doesn't have the initial impact of a proper acid tune or a good techno stomper, but electro on a dancefloor can rock it as much as the techno classics.” And he’s right: although electro is more abstract in its structure than straight techno or house, it comes with strong rhythms and is absolutely danceable.

As the involved artists live spread all over the globe, the project had to be realized across geographical distances. Facebook and Email made it possible. The whole idea actually was born in virtual networks, as Paton reports: „We have been reacting against the misuse of the word electro for some time. Mainly just at each other on forums and various other networks. Myself and JP were both removed from an electro group for having a discussion which was not welcome. My reaction was to simply set up my own electro group, mostly on a whim. Almost overnight all the producers I know and many more had joined up along with many other electro followers. The actual project (Anm: The Electro Compendium) was something that came to mind after many people had joined the group and were having good, friendly conversations on the subject of electro. I felt like we should make use of all

these people in one place. The main intention being to promote the genre and bring all the small fan bases of many different artists together. Time will tell if this has had any lasting effect.”

The honesty of the compendium also appears in the fact, that there was absolutely no money involved. All artists gave their music without any payment. Also the artwork and the administrative work of Bondy and Paton were free of charge. „I just didn't want to involve money as it tends to dilute things. I don't believe in music as a business and I've never made music to make money.“, says Dave. Jean-Paul gets even more explicit: „Money ist the root of all evil.“ Consequentially the compilation is released as a free download in the web.

“The Electro Compendium” is a great, high-quality compilation with the best and only real ambition music can have: passion. A corporate group of artists rises with an extensive piece of art against disregard and oblivion of its musical genre: Electro. The 116 tracks reach from experimental listening experience to raw, functional dancefloor-killers. For freshmen this compilation is an educational lesson – a friendly invitation to get in touch with the cosmos of origin electro music. For lovers it’s a generous gift of unreleased material.

“The Electro Compendium” is available as a free download under http://anti-social-network.bandcamp.com. Besides downloading it for yourself, your task is to support the mission by sharing and spreading this musical statement.

But still not enough of the good work: in addition to the music package, Jon Drukman (aka Bass Kittens) developed a really nice iOS-Mobile-App for The Electro Compendium. And guess what – its available for free in your app-store. To end with Dave Paton’s words: „Electro is dead. Long live electro.” 


Note: Part 2 will feature an interview with the two main characters behind this project. It will be released tomorrow, right here. Stay detuned.