Various Artists
Post Office 5, 2021

Post Office 5

2021

The number 5 of Post Office, Logistic Records' iconic compilation on Telegraph, continues 20 years after its debut, to showcase talents, gathering 12 exclusive and original tracks from some of the most inspiring producers of the contemporary electronic music scene.

Jacques

Born in 1991, Strasbourg, France
Lives and works in Taghazout, Morocco

The first thing that grabs your attention about Jacques' (which is even mentioned at the very beginning of his press biography) is his eccentric hairstyle. But the truth is that beyond the initial impact, behind the shaved haired stranger is a young artist with an unusual talent that marries house, pop, electronica and synthesized melodies. He calls it “transversal techno”, a sound halfway between electronic structures and field recordings (the sounds of nature and everyday objects), which is a key identifier of his sound. With these elements it is therefore logical to compare his style with that of Herbert, a true master when combining dance floor friendly rhythms with concrete music.

Jacques Auberger arrived in Paris at the age of 19 from his native Strasbourg. He soon founded the Pain Surprises label collective on which he released his first and only EP to date, with a title overflowing with happiness: “Tout Est Maganifique”. With only one album and sure-fire songs like “La Tournure des Choses” and “Faites Quelque Chose” (built around the ticking of an alarm clock or the creaking of a wooden floor) he has achieved stardom in France, where he has already appeared on the covers of print and online magazines. His fresh, original and dance floor friendly sound is guaranteed to generate a new raft of fans from those who attend his concert at Sónar by Day.

Losoul

Born in Cologne, Germany
Lives and works in Offenback, Germany

Losoul, his name instantly brings to mind associations with minimal or microhouse, of reduction and continuity, and consequently the now held legendary label Playhouse. This rings true for the early generation of electronic music lovers in particular but those that followed too, although Losoul is a most discrete legend. Some still recall that Berlin is deeply rooted in Frankfurt with artists, who would later move on to form labels like Perlon and various more. Founded in 1993, Playhouse pre-dates those, and Peter Kremeier alias Losoul would become one of the imprint’s key players alongside Isolée, Villalobos, and others. The sound they pushed was coined microhouse by music journalist Philipp Sherburne first and Playhouse came to define a new music genre for all subsequent labels such as Perlon, Kompakt, Spectral Sound, Force Tracks, and Fabric to name a few. “House and techno are rather timeless styles and yet related to the contemporary spirit.” Losoul may be the one who most consequently kept to this deep and functional form, and found that “atmosphere is often in the space between the sounds.” His generation of artists created something so perpetual their music is alive and kicking to this day. So much so, that Peter opened Another Picture in 2014. His imprint claims “making contact with the present” and with the third release there came a repress of Synchro, a classic track first out on Playhouse in 1997, which continues to be played by artists of any age. Losoul is aware of the context music depends upon and changes within and builds a cognisant bridge between the founding and the following generations - a continuum of a timeless affair. “If I don't feel something then I don't do it. That for me is the real essence of music.”Peter’s early musical socialization was a mix of styles. Funk, soul, naturally jazz, and then early rap and hip-hop, he admires not only for their “explosiveness” but for their ability to “unite rhythm and groove with melody, emotion, and dramaturgy.” Music for Peter is as much motion as emotion, a journey from one state to another, and it is evident why he chose “soul” for his name. Yet, he first appeared under the Don Disco guise as part of the Superbleep-DJ-Team in the early 90ies. They explored the tension between emotive sounds and automatic rhythms at their club night at Basement and other places in the Frankfurt area. It was here, Playhouse co-founder Ata as well as other people like Dan Bell became aware of the then twenty-something artist also known as Silhouétte Eléctronique and LoMotion. “It takes at least one step outside to create music, which stands for itself.”

When his productions appeared on Playhouse, Losoul became the prevalent identity. He developed his sound signature and abstracted the basics of dance music for tracks now regarded as classic Losoul grooves. His breakthrough piece, Open Door from 1996, already exercised Peter’s practice of marathon jams that ever so gradually intensify. Based on this idea of infinite evolution, his discography grew continuously and includes recent releases on labels like Logistic Rec., Hartchef, Hypercolour, Karat, and Tardis. His tracks have been remixed by Matthew Herbert, Mike Huckaby, and Theo Parrish among many others. On remixing duties Losoul has worked with Lawrence, Ark, as well as The Freaks/Luke Solomon and further, elevates the new-garde like Brandt Brauer Frick on Tartelet, the Prospector crew, or Kettenkarussell on Giegling. His aim is the dance floor, his compass taste, experiences, and emotion, which are most finely created by analog means of various selected sorts. True to his belief in the triad of club, soul, and body, Losoul usually plays at underground venues and events all over the world including renowned institutions such as Fabric, Rex Club, Panorama Bar or CdV as well as Womb, D-Edge, Closer, and the likes on the international spectrum.

Ark

Born in Paris, France
Lives and works in Lyon, France

Seen as the pioneer of the new experimental/minimal house style in France over ten years ago with releases on Brif, ARK has gone on to collaborate with and inspire a multitude of today’s established and rising stars across Europe... and the world!

From his origins as guitarist in a number of 80's funk bands, most notably Trankilou, where he hooked up with the legend that is Pepe Bradock and onto the great Matthew Herbert & LoSoul with their first collaboration, 'Belle Lurette' in '99. The 'Alleluyark' EP series from 2003 reaffirmed his status as the chief protagonist of experimental, groove-led house and techno. His 2005 Long Player on Perlon, 'Caliente' won him critical acclaim, which is furthered by his more recent works together with Shalom (as Shalark), Krikor (as Krikark), Cabanne (as Copacabannark), Mikael Weill (as Les Cerveaux Lents) and Dolibox. His cannon of remixes is as long as the channel tunnel, reworking the likes of Stephen Beaupre, Mr. Oizo, Archive, Mossa, Salif Keita, Slabb, Krikor, Fym, Cabanne, Robag Wruhme... His new album "Arkpocalypse Now" (Perlon) came out on May 2010, and his latest solo EP "Arkuarium" (Thema021).

Ben Nevile

Lives and works in Montreal, Canada

Ben is a guy from Canada. He's a music person, positioning himself daily to receive the hazy, magic moments that we're all chasing every time we go to a show.  Ben is technical, the most technical maybe. He contributed to the signal processing algorithms that run in zillions of DAWs. But despite these digital chops, or maybe because of them, his studio process is intentionally fuzzy. A handful of synths and samplers. Instruments that you play with your fingers. Microphones. Tape. Records. Ben is friends with other music people you may have heard of, friends from Canada, friends from America, friends from Paris and Berlin and all the other places. Making and listening to music is about other people, maybe soon to be friends, moments where we experience the same air pushing around us. The process of discovering and designing and sharing sounds. The wordless communication between players in a band, athletes in a game, dancers in a dark room. Good techno stops time.

Jackmate

Born in Stuttgart, Germany
Lives and works in Stuttgart, Germany

Jackmate, aka Soulphiction, born in Stuttgart, owner of philpot-records & phil_e

In 1989 Michel Baumann started spinning as a hiphop-dj at local jams in the Stuttgart area. in 1991 he became infected with Chicago and Detroit based house music, whilst working at a record store. 1996 was the year in which his first two releases came out on Frankfurt's "stir15" label, followed by the classic "the jacker" on the then new poker flat label. since that time he has released on Perlon, Playhouse, Mosaic, Freude am Tanzen, and many more.

Ben Vedren

Born in 1982, Paris, France
Lives and works in Paris, France

Singular character of today’s music scene, Ben Vedren’s work is well-recognized and highly acclaimed through his production & Live/DJ performances around the world.

He is co-founder of Reduce Records and has been a permanent resident of the infamous club Concrete in Paris.

Ben has an impressive production catalog, including releases on Perlon (VillaH2H, a collaboration alongside Ricardo Villalobos & Chez Damier), Minibar, Balance, Concrete Music, Prospector, Eklo, 240 volts, Djebali, among others. He won a Beatport remix contest, releasing on Planet E Records his brilliant remix of the classic Carl Craig track «Bug in the Bass Bin». His remix of Dani Siciliano « I’m the question » on Circus Company has been strongly supported, it’s now a classic track to be heard in Clubs.

Starting his career as an composer/sound-engineer in Paris, he later devoted himself to his own productions, collaborations, and teaching as a certified Ableton instructor.

His first EP on Minibar (2012) « I Know You Know » received unanimous success and pushed him to the front of the scene.

His live performances fascinate and captivate with his unique energy, groove, generosity, sensibility and uncommon talent with machines. He is an artist that has mastered the skill to make the listener experience this feeling of « We Are One ».

Ben is an experienced traveling DJ playing gigs throughout the world including Exit Festival, Mutek Montreal, Womb Tokyo, Festival des Nuits Sonores, Weather Festival, Amore Festival, Trouw Amsterdam, Rex Club, Tresor, Half Baked, Stereo Montreal, Hoppetosse, Club der Visionaere, sharing regularly the decks with the world’s top DJs. In parallel, he has built several major projects outside of the club scene: a sound journey at the Villa Medici (Roma), an sound installation for the Nuit Blanche Festival (Paris), a sound and light show at the Grand Palais (Paris), one for the Fêtes des Lumières (Lyon), an audio-visual show « Bi-Oscillations » at Centre Pompidou (Paris) and several collaborations with designers concerning the sound of spaces and even objects.

Ben also loves to collaborate with other artists.

With Chez Damier, they produce music under the project H2H (Heart 2 Heart), where they experiment with music and also teach and encourage new talents.

Another major collaboration is his project with with Leiris, a longtime music partner under the alias Monkey Nenufar. They produce and play live, taking a very unique approach to minimal house/techno music.

John Thomas

Born in 1975, France
Lives and works in Lisboa, Portugal

Key figure on the French electronic scene, John Thomas decided to leave the circuit in 2009 in order to fulfill a childhood dream: to return to live in Africa (Senegal) to work with animals. Ten years later, now based in Portugal (Lisbon), he finds his DJ producer cap with Ginga Music, his new sound label in partnership with Yoyaku Distribution. Scheduled for December 2019, the first release will delight House Music fans.

Back in the day. 2009: John plays all over the world! Resident DJ of the Rex Club for 10 years, he is one of the French flagship producers, his music is played by legends like Jeff Mills or Robert Hood. But after 3 albums, and more than 40 EPs, he feels the need to step back and decides to take a break. It’s the perfect opportunity to live his childhood dream, with his wife Barbara Goes, they settle in Africa, more precisely in Senegal. The destination makes sense, John spent part of his childhood there, he returns there regularly since his 18 years.

"I wanted to live there for a while, to do something other than music, because I had always lived only since my 15 years ".

If he starts his career so young, it is because his parents had clubs, and he is only 10 years old when he plays his first Funk and Disco records. Inspired by Hip Hop, the young boy polishes his skills, then his mother makes him discover titles that trigger him an immediate click: Marshall Jefferson's Move Your Body, and Deee-Lite's Groove is in The Heart: "Everything I loved came together in one piece: Hip-Hop, Funk, Disco ". John works hard to progress, and quickly confirms his enthusiasm with his first residencies: the weekend at the club Storm (Serious Trip Of Rave Master, in Limoges), where he receives DJs like Laurent Garnier or Jacques de Marseille. At the Privilege Club (Palace, in Paris), for the Jet-Sex parties. When the late DJ Kriss (Toulouse) made him discover the very first edition of Boréalis, John is far from imagining that in this same festival, a few years later, Jeff Mills will play his title External (Logistic 05, 1998) three times in the same set! South of France occupies a preponderant place in his life. After playing for the Positiv 'Evolution parties, he meets people whom are determining his producer’s career, such as Eric Dalbin and Alexandre Petit (Logistic Records), or Olivier Micheli (Static Drum). With a handful of EPs, John Thomas is recognized as one of the leading french producers. His meeting with Jean-Guillaume Cabanne is then essential, after some collaboration for Logistic records, the musician participates (for 6 titles out of 17) in the writing of the first album of John. Blackstage was released in 2001 and was voted album of the year by Radio Nova. John plays internationally and collaborates with artists such as Robert Hood, Aril Brikha, Dj Slip, Claude Young, Technasia, Fumiya Tanaka, John Tejada, Octave One, Rolando, DBX (Dan Bell), Losoul …

In 2005 John meets his wife, Bárbara Goes. While they are discovering their musical universe, their references, they also produce for labels like Ethique and Minibar (Cabanne’s label), before producing The Unlimited Experience, an album whose visuals are made by Laurent Dubois. A EP of remixes also has collaborations signed Jens Zimmermann, Tom Ellis, and Ark. John and Barbara also perform "Live", including the Rex Club (where he is resident from 1999 to 2009), and Nuits Sonores festival in Lyon. But Africa has never left the John’s mind, who spent part of his childhood there and returns regularly since he was 18 years old. Then, in 2009, they leave France for an adventures which last 10 years. Eventually, his friends convince him to make a come back. John and Barbara then moved to Portugal, Lisbon, where they set up their new studio, and develop new projects, such as Ginga Music, their new label, House Music oriented, influenced by Funk, Disco, Samba, Hip-Hop, of which the first release is announced for December 2019.

Pit Spector

Born in 1983, Les Lilas, France
Lives and works in Paris, France

Member of the live trio Antislash since its foundation in 2006, Pierre Deniel aka Pit Spector is an essential figure of the Parisian nightlife, currently metamorphosing into one of Europe’s hottest up-and-coming underground players. Having released on the Minibar label founded by Cabanne, plus Antislash EPs on Salon and Circus Company, Pit Spector’s standout style is a variation on micro-house, tinged with intriguing instrumental and vocal samples. After his first solo album in 2010 and the creation of the recording studio “Studio 52” with his Antislash accomplices, he partnered with his brother Ark in 2013 for a series of EPs released on the likes of Versatile, Hold Youth, Thema and Karat. Noticed by the taste-makers at some of Europe’s most influential clubs, Pit has played at Paris institutions Rex Club and Batofar, as well the 2014 edition of the highly celebrated Weather Festival. Perfectly fitting the mood of Berlin he has been invited to the legendary Bar25, Club der Visionaere, Tresor, Chalet, Katerholzig… to the DJs dream, Panorama Bar. In 2014, Pit launched his residency party Prospector at Paris’ La Machine du Moulin Rouge, each time inviting the guest artist to join him in the studio beforehand to work on a track. Other than a damn good party, the result is Pit’s new label of the same name, launching September 2014. Expect top quality collabs with San Proper, Ben Vedren and Narcotic Syntax. Also launched this year with his Zerozerobar posse was label Rose et Rosée, for which Pit provided the excellent opening EP.

Matthew Dear

Born in 1979, Kingsville, TX, USA
Lives and works in Michigan, USA

Matthew Dear is a shapeshifter, oscillating seamlessly between DJ, dance-music producer, and experimental pop auteur. He is a founding artist on both Ghostly International and its dancefloor offshoot, Spectral Sound. He writes, produces, and mixes all of his work. He's had remixes commissioned by The XX, Charlotte Gainsbourg, Spoon, Hot Chip, The Postal Service, and Chemical Brothers; he's made mixes for DJ Kicks, Get Physical's Body Language, and Fabric mix series. He maintains four aliases (Audion, False, Jabberjaw, and Matthew Dear), each with its own style and distinct visual identity. He straddles multiple musical worlds and belongs to none, now nearly 20 years into his kaleidoscopic career, with five albums and two dozen EPs plus millions of miles in the rearview of his biography.

Visit his website www.matthewdearsounds.com

D’Julz

Born in France
Lives and works in Paris, France

There are DJs, and then there are DJ’s DJ’s.

Julien Veniel, artist name D’Julz, is undoubtedly one of the latter – a true craftsman behind the decks whose true strongest skill is his ability to go beyond mere genres and trends, deciding instead to actively shape the ever-changing soundscape of electronic music through his own productions, DJ performances and parties.

Through a career spanning two and half decades, D’Julz has practically done it all. He began spinning in Paris, often playing his home city’s much-talked about early 90’s raves and legendary clubs, all before moving to New–York in 1993 to further hone his skills and cement his reputation as a true taste-maker in his field. The rest, as they say, is history. Despite finding himself in high demand in every corner of the globe, from the States to Japan and countless countries in between, D’Julz has always remained true to his roots in Paris, where he has been running the now legendary “Bass Culture” night at Rex club since 1997. In tandem with the birth of his party D’Julz has dedicated a large amount of time and energy into the production side of his musical output. Solo-wise his music has been signed to some of the world’s finest underground labels – Circus Company, Robsoul, Ovum, Rekids, 20:20 Vision and more. Since D’Julz started producing he has been responsible for a long list of tracks and remixes that have become essential weapons in the record boxes of the world’s DJ elite. As a DJ he exudes class and panache. A gifted curator of music whose pedigree has earned him a loyal international following and a constant tour schedule which sees him travel the worlds major cities every week playing the best venues they have on offer. Not to mention the infamous Circoloco (DC10) where he has held a long-standing residency, taking charge of the main room and the world-renowned red terrace room several times each summer season. Each set demonstrating D’Julz’s uncanny ability to weave his penchant for dub elements into the house and techno sphere and rocking DC10 with potent groove and sultry rhythms. D’Julz remains as enthusiastic as he was when he first started DJing, as his Bass Culture label goes from strength to strength, clocking over 50 releases and he continues to traverse the globe rocking dance floors every weekend. A true legend and one who will continue to be at the top of his game…

Seth Troxler

Born in 1986, Kalamazoo, USA Lives and works in Detroit, USA

Since moving from Detroit to Berlin, and more recently London then Ibiza, ten years ago, Seth has established himself as one of underground electronic music’s most iconic figures, equally at home playing to the smoke-filled dancefloors of some of the world’s most discerning nightclubs, such as fabric, Nortstern, De School or Output, as he is headlining the world’s largest festivals, like Glastonbury, Lowlands, Roskilde or Tomorrowlands. Right from the word go Seth has been as passionate about food and contemporary art as he is about music and these two interests have resonated at all points in parallel alongside his music career. A multi-faceted polymath: he has held residencies at talismanic music institutions such as DC10 (Ibiza), fabric (London) Trouw (Amsterdam), and Output (NYC), runs three record labels, owns a successful restaurant ‘Smokey Tails’ and is just about to unveil a new project that sits firmly at the intersection between futuristic electronica, contemporary art and technology. In 2013 he was voted number one DJ in the world in Resident Advisor’s prodigious ‘Top 100 DJs’ poll. In 2016 he was member of an expedition to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro lead by renowned Australian neurosurgeon Charlie Teo that raised over $1million for brain cancer charities. “I live to work on projects and build ideas that sit at the point where art, commerce and ideas meet. For me, this idea of creation, is really the essence of life."

Craig Richards

Born in 1966, Bournemouth, UK

Craig Richards has realised worldwide recognition by staying in one place. His residency at Fabric is an unparalleled success. Each and every week he creates an inspiring soundtrack for the club, never the same and always challenging, his early morning sets are legendary. As artist in residence and musical director for Saturday nights at Fabric he is responsible for the inspired approach taken to programming by the club. Craig is currently producing an album of music and a book of poetry and paintings with Howie B to be released at the end of the year.

Bruno Pronsato

Born in 1974, Austin, TX, USA
Lives and works in Berlin, Germany & Austin, TX, USA

Bruno Pronsato (aka Steven Ford) has been subverting expectations within techno’s upper echelons since 2003. A former speed-metal drummer with a serious appreciation for 12-tone composers, Pronsato began creating electronic music in 1999 under the moniker Bobby Karate. In 2003 he released, Hot Trips, Cold Returns. However, later that year, Ford transferred his focus for advanced tone-bending into the experimental-techno realm, as evidenced by Pronsato’s debut 12”, Read_Me (Orac Records). Pronsato followed that with the acclaimed full-length Silver Cities (Orac), a phenomenal derangement of dance-music tropes and an ear-tricking delight on headphones. Exceptional reviews in XLR8R, The Wire, The Stranger, and various European zines led to interest from elite labels worldwide, including Canada’s Musique Risquee, which issued the Ape Masquerade EP in 2005. A powerful, exciting set at Montreal’s 2005 Mutek festival has furthered Pronsato’s ascendancy within avant-techno circles.

Follow him on Instagram @bpronsato

André Saraiva

Born in 1971, Uppsala, Sweden
Lives and work in France & USA

Before he began exhibiting his work in galleries, André Saraiva was known as Monsieur A in graffiti communities. Saraiva was active in the early Parisian graffiti movement, alongside Space Invader and Zevs. He became identified with his iconic, cartoonish character: a round-headed figure with long limbs and a circle and a cross for eyes—a subject that recurred in Saraiva’s early canvas paintings. In the 2000s, Saraiva began a performative project called “Love Graffiti” in which he would spray paint the name of someone’s lover at an address of his or her choosing. His later works continued to employ line, text, and clean-edged geometry. In 2012, he created a large-scale installation titled Andrépolis, resembling a city based on Paris and New York in miniature scale with neon lighting.

Visit his website www.mrandre.com
Follow him on Instagram @andresaraiva