Selections: Surgeon

For three decades, Anthony Child has been at the cutting edge of UK electronic music. Whether he’s slinging out DJ sets packed with tough, funk-fueled techno as Surgeon, soldering strands of industrial, punk and EBM alongside Regis as one-half of British Murder Boys, or exploring modular ambience and field recordings under his given name on Editions Mego, he’s established himself again and again as an essential, influential force in the musical landscapes of Birmingham, Berlin and far beyond. 

For Tresor, Child recently released his first techno album in over five years, ‘Crash Recoil’. Inspired by his recent live sets, the eight tracks embrace unpredictability and spontaneity; the music itself was born from these performances, developed and refined over time, before then being reimagined in a studio environment. “In the same way that bands tour songs before going into the studio to record an album, I was able to explore these songs and hone their effectiveness during my live performances before creating a studio version,” he said. 

The album’s origins on the dancefloor come as no surprise. Listen to the rumbling techno rhythms, looping basslines and slowly-expanding motifs on offer and feel their raw, intuitive force; it’s like surfing the waves of rave energy that swell, peak, roll and repeat over the course of a night. Proper, heavy hypnotism for the heads. 

All the while, Child’s myriad musical influences are felt.  “I can hear Coil, King Tubby, Detroit Techno and The Cure all wrapped up with 30 years of DJing,” he said of the album. It’s a variety of taste that’s reflected throughout his catalogue, and more recently in his regular Marital Aid show on Rinse FM alongside his wife, DJ Bus Replacement Service. It’s also well represented in his Selections, which take in psychedelic pop, modular synth jazz, timeless dub and music to make you feel like your “brain has been soaked in a vat of LSD”. Dive in below.

“Coil are at the centre of my musical universe and this album with ELpH (a conceptual being that is one part physical equipment, one part celestial being) is one that I keep going back to. It’s one of their most ‘out there’ projects and even though it’s often incredibly minimal, it contains various galaxies and solar systems.”

“Julia is quite a recent discovery for me and this album is an epic journey through 'the cacophony of the mind in a melting world'. Such a varied and beautiful trip. I love the huge range of emotions she conveys on this album.”

“I’ve been a huge fan of John Elliott’s work since he was a part of Emeralds. He always leads the pack. His new album is soft and gentle yet never bland. With just enough of an edge to avoid a flotation tank limbo hellscape.”

“Oh joy! This album is pure joy. Two artists that I love come together with an album that’s greater than the sum of its parts. I love their idea of looping the intros of Eddie Cochran and Everly Brothers songs to create a new world of psychedelic wonky pop.”

“Delicate, precise and beautiful music from Jo Johnson. I’ve been a fan of her album 'Weaving' since its release in 2014 and this new one was worth the wait.”

“Another recent discovery and this album slowly crept up on me. Her voice is so beautiful, and underneath that lush, old-style pop backing I always felt there was a real darkness lurking that’s very much at odds with the surface. I find that contrast very powerful. If you don’t hear it, then watch the video for ‘It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody’ and you’ll see!”

“Excellent electronic / jazz experimental project with modular synth and acoustic drums. ‘Hold on’ — I hear you say— ‘not a load of aimless wibbly-wobbly nonsense!’ No, this is the real deal. There’s a refined level of musicianship and improvisation skill here that sets this apart.”

“Wow. What to say? It’s worth it for the title alone. Such attention to detail. So many hilarious twists and turns landing you in all sorts of unexpected situations.  Slugabed has made so much amazing music is the last few years. Also check his Peter Talisman project with Sam Organ.”

“I keep going back to King Tubby again and again. It’s hard to know what to say. So inspiring that I want to cry.  This album is a stone cold classic and the track ‘King Tubby Meets the Rockers Uptown’ is absolute perfection. Everyone else should just pack up and go home.”

“‘Tony, I really want to feel like my brain has been soaked in a vat of LSD that I’m drinking through a colourful straw,’ I hear you say. Well, this is just the album for you! Three and a half hours of pure crystalline Moth Cock goodness. Bring out the Belgian Gells!”