Jan 24, 2007

Stage 17, Germany - Berlin

Stage 17, Berlin, "We can be heroes just for one day", well there's not much left of that wall except as a tourist attraction, the city which inspired thru the tension caused by the head to head of west and east, has deflated. People could breath freely again, after the exubarance of the falling of the wall , the task of rejoining two very different systems proved harder than previously thought. Berlin needed to redefine itself again. Artists may have lost that inspiring tension but they gained cheap housing, and as most artists spend the little money they have on the means to express themselves with, this attracted many artists from all over the world.A rich crossfertilsation surroundings, not in the least part for the music scene,, as at the same time techno dawned, communism may have lost but collectivism blossemed, and god turned out to be a dj after all.

Berlin has one of the most diverse and vibrant nightlife scenes in Europe, after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 many buildings in Mitte, the former city center of East Berlin were renovated. Many had not been rebuilt since World War II. Illegally occupied by young people, they became a fertile ground for all sorts of underground and counter-culture gatherings. It is also home to many nightclubs, including Kunst Haus Tacheles, techno clubs Tresor, WMF, Ufo, E-Werk, the infamous Kitkatclub and Berghain.Plenty of space to grow..and here are some of it's fruits

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"Ich bin ein Berliner"

To Rococo Rot - Hotel morgen ( ' 04)
Allien, Ellen - Stadtkind ( ' 01)
Tanzwut - Labyrinth der Sinne ( ' 00)
T.Raumschmiere - Radio blackout ( ' 03)
Malaria ! - Delirium (Remixed*Remade*Remodelled) ( ' 95 )
Thomas Fehlmann - Good Fridge 90-98 (' 98)
Rammstein - Live aus Berlin (' 99)

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To Rococo Rot - Hotel Morgen (2004 * 219mb)

To Rococo Rot formed in 1995, when the Lippok brothers (Ronald & Robert) were invited by the owner of a gallery in which they were exhibiting their art to record some music instead of providing a catalogue. Rising to the challenge, they invited bassist Stefan Schneider from up and coming Düsseldorf based Kreidler to join them, and the result was their debut album, released by Kitty-Yo in late 1995. In the years since, they have released two more albums for City Slang (Veiculo and The Amateur View), EPs for City Slang, Sub Pop, Fat Cat and Soul Static Sound, and toured Europe and the US.

They have remixed artists as diverse as Leftfield, Appliance and Mira Calix, found time to produce two radio plays and even a soundtrack to a documentary entitled No Ordinary Cowboy. Stefan Schneider has also released two mini albums under the name Mapstation, while Ronald Lippok continues to work on his acclaimed Tarwater project. Robert Lippok has also just released his debut solo material on Raster Noton Records.

The To Rococo Rot sound is quite unlike any other. Those familiar with their previous work will find that MUSIC IS A HUNGRY GHOST sees the band refine their talent for sumptuous and restrained instrumental soundscapes, underpinned by Stefan Schneider's lugubrious basslines. But it also exhibits even greater skill at resolving the conflict between abstract electronica and contemporary dance music. To Rococo Rot are weaving intricate melodies amongst intimate sounds, whilst maintaining the trademark warmth and elegance that has always lain deep at the heart of their sound.

Taken From Vinyl, their latest release, is a compilation of vinyl-only rarities released over the past ten years. Not only is it their most listenable full-length album, it establishes them as a more successful singles-oriented group. The alternate take on the legendary “Mit Dir in Der Gegend” is a new approach to a classic piece of instrumental post-rock. And “Schon Sehr Viel Telefoniert” provides a new appreciation for the band’s subtle, studied electronic dub sound.



01 - Dahlem (4:14)
02 - Cosimo (3:19)
03 - Tal (2:52)
04 - Feld (3:31)
05 - Portrait Song (2:17)
06 - Sol (3:57)
07 - Plong (0:18)
08 - Miss You (4:25)
09 - Basic (3:54)
10 - Venus (1:56)
11 - Non Song (4:28)
12 - Ovo (2:35)
13 - Bologna (2:58)
14 - Opak (1:36)

To Rococo Rot @ Base
To Rococo Rot @ MySpace
To Rococo Rot @ Amazon

To Rococo Rot @ YouTube

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Ellen Allien - Stadtkind ( ' 01 now in Flac 314mb)

Ellen Allien, born Ellen Fraatz, is a successful electronic musician, music producer and music label owner. She lives in Berlin, that is between globetrotting. When she returned from a year (89) London, her Berlin was no more, it was no longer an island, surrounded by intimidating Vopo's .The fall of the wall, the unification and liberation of Berlin inspired her to build on her London experiences, the time of techno was dawning ...

Ellen has said that one of the main inspirations for her music is the culture of reunified Berlin; the album "Stadtkind" was dedicated to the city. Her music tends to be difficult to classify stylistically and is best described as a distinctive blend of techno and electro music, which is dance-floor oriented, yet at the same time has noticeable experimental elements.Allien’s romantic views and undiluted enthusiasm about techno and electro are major reasons why she is such a captivating and popular figure inside and outside her Bpitch Control community.

Ellen spends most of her time knee-deep in DJ culture, while also finding time to run her label Bpitch Control and her own fashion line. It’s only when she decides to make another album that she takes a step back from her relentless touring and administrative duties, and is able to reflect on her own journeys, exploring the whole globe, street life, feeling the world on the skin, as well as the community around her. From there Ellen Allien develops her own intuition for material, forms and fashion. She followed Stadtkind (2001) with more great albums, Berlinette (2003) and Thrills (2005) to name just her solo work, add to that numerous remixes , compilation albums ( Ellen Allien Remix Collection 2004) and what do you see an extraordinairly driven, captivating and creative young woman. In 2006 together with Apparat she released the higly acclaimed Orchestra Of Bubbles album , she sure doesnt show any sign of letting up...



Ellen Allien - Stadtkind (flac  310mb)

01 - Send (6:25)
02 - Fensterbrettmusik (5:17)
03 - Tief In Mir (5:03)
04 - Stadtkind (5:12)
05 - Shorty (3:38)
06 - Funkenflug der Träume (4:19)
07 - Salzsee (4:28)
08 - Licht (5:01)
09 - Wolken Ziehen (5:28)
10 - Trust And ... (3:18)
11 - Data Romance (4:02)

Ellen Allien @ Base
Ellen Allien @ MySpace
Bpitchcontrol @ BAse
Orchestra of Bubbles @ Base
Ellen Allien @ Amazon

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Tanzwut - Labyrinth der Sinne ( ' 00 * 434mb)

To understand what Tanzwut (dance-rage) is all about you have to go back to the darkest period of the Medieval Ages. One of the blackest most terrifying moments was between 1348 and 1351 when the Plague raged through Europe. The bringers of the bad news, the touring minstrels, could only give one advice to the people who scared themselves to death. Sell everything you own, leave everything behind, and just plunge yourself into the intoxication of dancing, known as "Tanzwut". The cure to forget death and destruction? Well it might be the only way to feel truly alive, or at least for a moment.

The name 'Tanzwut' first appeared on a Corvus Corax single released in 1996. It was the beginning of a project which saw members of the band add guitars, programmed loops and keyboards to their formerly authentic medieval sound. They also switched from re-creating traditional pieces to writing most of their words and music themselves. Tanzwut consists of the same members as CORVUS CORAX , this alter-ego band, started 96, released the first album in 1999. Followed by this "labyrinth der sinne" (labyrinth of the senses) in 2000, "ihr woltest spass"( you wanted fun) in 2003 , a live dvd/cd double album released in 2004. Tanzwut's latest is a double album "Schattenreiter"(shadowrider) released in 2006. So assuming you never heard of them , who should give this a try, everyone naturally ! Medieval -firestarter-punks for sure ! Well Rammstein fans will get plenty to associate with, seen in that light its not surprising they have a following in Mexico and Russia. Götterfunken to you all !



01 - Tanzwut (3:52)
02 - Exlase (3:39)
03 - Lügner (4:37)
04 - Bitte, Bitte (3:13)
05 - Labyrinth (3:07)
06 - Niemals Ohne Dich (4:10)
07 - Die Drohne (3:36)
08 - Der Wächer (3:19)
09 - Dämmerung (3:32)
10 - Was Soll Der Teufel Im Paradies (4:10)
11 - Gigolo (3:10)
12 - Ikarus (3:59)
13 - Götterfunken (5:50)

Tanzwut @ Base
Corvus Corax @ Nest
Tanzwut @ Amazon.de

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T.Raumschmiere - Radio Blackout ( ' 03 * 249mb)

Since 1997 Marco Haas alias T. Raumschmiere (the moniker is lifted from the William S. Burroughs short story, 'The Dreamcops', 'Die Traumschmiere' in his native German) has released music on a variety of labels, though predominantly on his own - the wonderfully named Shitkatapult, based in Berlin, but also for Cologne's Kompakt, and Hefty Records (Chicago).
Without doubt, the T.Raumschmiere experience is best sampled live: for him the live arena is as crucial as the studio, his full- on 'stay-anti' motto confirming his punk based refusenik stance. T.Raumschmiere is a one man 'electro-punk' movement, a punk drummer, who currently also plays in a band that goes by the handle Crack Whore Society .

The move to Berlin brings him into contact with the electronic music scene and because all those efforts need to get to the people so in 1998 he starts up a label "Shitcatapult" anti - pretence.... Anyway he releases some worrk at Kompakt aswell and in 2002 he releases Anti, a minimal-techno album, later that year the great R&R swindle sees the light of day, its a compilation of his previous 12". Meanwhile his live /dj performances are causing something of a stir, they certainly get him noticed.
Radio blackout is released in 2003 and gets widely reviewed, testament to his higher profile, anyway as his work is very varied it's rather difficult to judge where T.Raumschmiere is going and so most reviewers certainly give him clearly the benefit of doubt for this album and the single "Monsterdruck Driver" gets plenty of air-time. In 2005 he releases Blitzkrieg Pop, the loudest poprecord in the world, well the album reveals the two sides of T.Raumschmiere. High octane rock and roll energy tracks for the live show and more ambient sounds for the ear and heart. Whilst recording the album T.Raumschmiere hid himself in his studio for a year to relentlessly study ’sounds with no beat’ it almost follows that his latest "Random Noize Sessions Vol. 1" (2006) a compilation from tracks, created 1999 - 2005 show T.Raumschmiere from his ambient side.



01 - I'm Not Deaf, I'm Ignoring You (1:56)
02 - Monstertruckdriver (3:31)
03 - Someday (4:30)
04 - The Game Is Not Over ft. Miss Kittin (3:43)
05 - Drown In The Sea While Watching The Stars (4:05)
06 - Rabaukendisko (3:31)
07 - Wir Kinder vom Bahnhof Strom (4:50)
08 - A Million Brothers ft. MC Soom-T (3:50)
09 - Querstromzerspaner (5:43)
10 - Radio Blackout (4:13)
11 - Musick Boy (3:10)

T.Rraumschmiere @ Base
T.Rraumschmiere @ MySpace
T.Rraumschmiere @ Amazon

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Malaria ! - Delirium (Remixed*Remade*Remodelled)  ( ' 95 * 358mb)

Almost left this one lying, "Kaltes, klares Wasser"( cold, clear water), amazing what you can do with that– Malaria! were founded 1981 in Berlin during the Neue deutsche welle days by Bettina Köster and Gudrun Gut. After folding Mania D Gudrun and Bettina took on board Manon P. Duursma, Christine Hahn and Susanne Kuhnke and named themselves Malaria !.
They immediately made an impact as the press mosquito's did their work, and so that same year John Peel had them do a session. A US tour followed with gigs supporting Cave & the Bad Seeds and Nina Hagen. In 1982 Malaria! released their first album "Emotion", it got a worldwide welcome release, You You was chosen as single. In 1983 Malaria! managed a 7 track EP "Beat The Distance", but then the girls split .

In the late eighties Gudrun Gut was part of three women band MATADOR and started to use a computer for her compositions - since the early nineties Gut has been responsible for numerous scores for film, video and radio plays.

Two years later she founded the OceanClub, a loose collective of likeminded souls with a unique approach for tacking music from a variety of angles. The CD "G.Gut: Members of the Oceanclub" is is launched (rereleased on Moabit Musik). Together with Thomas Fehlmann Gut now hosts and co-produces oceanclub radio, a weekly 2 hour show of eclectic sounds on Radio Eins, Berlin - for real audio streams check out: OceanClub Radio at Radio One. This album, "Remixed* Remade* Remodelled", undoubtedly inspired by Gudrun Guts status, was produced/remixed in 1995

Introduced to internet broadcasting and new media communications Gudrun ( mostly with the oceanclub)  regularly produces live electronic media events all over Europe, featuring both her own work (as a DJ / Musicselector) and that of other artists. One recent regulary event is markeB - a big annual Berlin Label gathering, curated by oceanclub- Gudrun Gut, Thomas Fehlmann and Daniel Meteo. Apart from her eclectic DJ appearances in clubs and at festivals Gut is now working on her solo album .



1 - Kaltes Klares Wasser (Dr. Motte - Crystalmix) (6:33)
2 - Cheerio (Microglobe - Milchbadmix) (6:10)
3 - Your Turn To Run (WestBam - Außer-Atemix ) (5:28)
4 - You You (Sun Electric - JuJu Remix) (8:05)
5 - Elation (Dolfin' - Abstractmix) (5:33)
6 - Prophet (3 Phase - Will Keine Propheten Falschen Brauchen) (6:49)
7 - Keep Me In Love (Moritz von Oswald - Reshaped) (9:37)
8 - Warmes Wasser (Johnny Klimek & Dr. Motte Remix) (6:49)
9 - Von Hinten (Voov - Backdoor Remix ) (4:47)

Malaria @ Base
Malaria @ MySpacez
Gudrun Gut @ MySpace

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Thomas Fehlmann - Good Fridge 90-98 (' 98  Now in Flac  431mb)

Thomas Fehlmann left switzerland for hamburg in 76 to study at the art academy, in 79 he met robert fripp and decided to start making music-bought first synth (korg MS20). Together with Holger Hiller he founded Palais Schaumburg in 1980, after 3 albums they disband in ' 84 and Fehlmann moves to Berlin.
After some solo projects and 12 "'s he founds the label Teutonic Beats in 1988, the following year he meets Alex Paterson (the Orb) and in 1990 the first dj gigs, the next years touring as dj with sun electric and the orb. In 1994 he comes around when together with Fripp and the Orb he releases the 'FFWD' album. The following year he joins gudrun gut's oceanclub, and takes up residency at the tresorclub . Fehlmann remixes. juan atkins, erasure, klaus schulze etc . In 96 he goes on air (oceanclubradio) with a weekly 2hour show, Thomas takes to the air aswell as he starts to travel in neighbouring countrys as dj. In 98 this album good fridge is released, a compilation of his work the previous 5 years.
1999 is a busy year with the release of 'overflow 99' , the first connection with kompakt and a japan tour with alex paterson and the residency of the oceanclub at WMF , the following year a china tour. In 2002 Visions of Blah is released on the Kompakt label, the tour of blah: china, japan, usa, europa follows in 2003. 'little big horn' 12“ on kompakt , loads of gigs, first concert with the orb at kompakt 100 show in Cologne and he releases 'lowflow' on plug research, Fehlmans latest release a 12" Emo Pack 92006) -on Kompakt .

Thomas Fehlmann, presents us a nice release here drifting through techno, minimal,dub and ambient sounds, pumpy yet calm, quiet but disturbed, always with constructive fases, making the music fullfill emotions and thoughts.



Thomas Fehlmann - Good Fridge 90-98 (flac 431mb)

01 - Superfrühstück (4:26)
02 - Hermosa (5:34)
03 - Zauberwort (3:37)
04 - Banda (i.a.o.o.l) (1:46)
05 - Barati (3:27)
06 - Unisize (0:49)
07 - 6ix Days Ft . Alex Paterson (3:07)
08 - Kirsche (1:04)
09 - Wee Wee Madmoiselle (3:12)
10 - Globus (2:48)
11 - Sangita Rana (4:44)
12 - Cuddle (3:51)
13 - Teufel Ft . Alex Paterson (3:16)
14 - Face The Day (4:09)
15 - Kufi & Nashi (1:23)
16 - Speedo (2:22)
17 - Lüster (4:05)
18 - Snake Salvador Ft.  Sun Electric (3:10)
19 - Dingo (4:21)
20 - Schizophrenia (4:33)

Thomas Fehlmann @ Base
Thomas Fehlmann @ Amazon

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Rammstein - Live in Berlin (1999 *700mb)

At Rho-Xs i try to pass on big names, they get plenty of attention elsewhere, however not only am i a fan of Rammstein, their story is special, in 1988 none of these DDR citizens could have foreseen that 15 years later they would be global rockstars, and yet...
In 1993 by six East German ex-factory workers, Christoph "Doom" Schneider, "Doktor" Christian "Flake" Lorenz, Till Lindemann, Oliver Riedel, Richard Kruspe Bernstein and Paul Landers formed Rammstein. They took their name from the site of a US airbase where tragedy struck when three planes crashed during an aerial display, resulting in 70 fatalities and 350 seriously injured.. Four albums on, by 2005 they are the most successful German-language band (albeit their lyrics are not exclusively in German), famed for their theatrical /pyrotechnics stage shows.

Rammstein's fan base extends way beyond any industrial metal hardcore. Wordplay is a fundamental component of their lyrics, in many instances, the lyrics are phrased such that they can be interpreted in several ways, add to that the poetic qualities of singer /lyricist Till Lindemann who in November 2002 published the "Messer (knife)" a 54 poems book. All those female fans sure picked up on that part of Rammsteins dance - metal as they like to describe themselves.

Rammstein could well be seen as the greatest rock act on the planet, considering the way they manage to go cross cultures from latin -america to asia, from USA to Russia and the palet of Europe, they cross gender and generations, almost unbelievable for a band that released their first album a decade ago.. and singing in german. There's plenty more to say, Wiki has several pages on Rammstein and likely in many languages aswell, for the english version start here !



Rammstein 22, 23 August 1998 Wuhlheide, Berlin

Rammstein - Live in Berlin (Ltd Ed) (flac  700mb)

01 Spiel Mit Mir 6:09
02 Herzeleid 3:57
03 Bestrafe Mich 3:48
04 Weisses Fleisch 4:36
05 Sehnsucht 4:25
06 Asche Zu Asche 3:24
07 Wilder Wein 5:57
08 Klavier 4:50
09 Heirate Mich 7:47
10 Du Riechst So Gut 5:25
11 Du Hast 4:36
12 Bück Dich 6:03
13 Engel 6:31
14 Rammstein 5:42
15 Tier 3:42
16 Laichzeit 5:13
17 Wollt Ihr Das Bett In Flammen Sehen? 6:15
18 Seemann 9:56

Rammstein @ Base

Rammstein @ Amazon

i came across this nice one
Mein Hertz Benz...commercial

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* All downloads are in * ogg-7 (224k) or ^ ogg-9(320k), artwork is included , if in need get the nifty ogg encoder/decoder here !

10 comments:

  1. hat deutschland eigentlich noch was blöderes als rammstein zu bieten?

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  2. mediafire links don't works, "Invalid Quickkey. This error has been forwarded to MediaFire's development team" :(

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  3. Rammstein is a band that I used to listen to all the time, then they started to become more popular and their sound decreased in quality... thank you for the other bands, it's always good getting to know new bands.

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  4. How amazing blog you guys have. This great blog is very interesting and enjoyable to read. Thanks for all the enthusiasm to offer such helpful information here.

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  5. Thanks Jacksonville it is a labor of love and ..a one man show.

    Rho

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  6. hi, sorry, think I commented on the wrong post, this is the one — I would love to see reups of the Allien and Fehlmann if possible. And again, thanks for all your good work! msj

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  7. be cool to get a re-up of Thomas Fehlmann - Good Fridge 90-98 (' 98 Now in Flac 431mb). Great blog, many thanks for you labours! Larry.

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  8. you the man, than you very much. Larry

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  9. re-up of Thomas Fehlmann - Good Fridge please. Great stuff!

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  10. One love i&i.

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