Rare '90s UK electronic music gathered on new two-volume compilation
The release includes a 1993 track by Aphex Twin under his Strider. B. alias
A new two-part compilation from the label Above Board gathers a number of rare '90s UK electronic music cuts.
The first volume of 'Happy Land: A Compendium Of Alternative Electronic Music From The British Isles 1992-1996' was released on vinyl last week, and takes in old cuts from the likes of Matthew Herbert and Cabaret Voltaire.
The second instalment, set for a vinyl release on 14th April along with digital versions of both volumes, features tracks by The Black Dog, Richard H. Kirk under his Sandoz alias, and Aphex Twin, who appears under his little-used Strider. B. moniker. You can listen to his track, 'Linmiri ≠ Bradley Stryder', below.
"From an electronic music perspective, the period 1992 to 1996 in the UK that this compilation celebrates, was one of dizzying sonic diversification," Above Board said in a press release. "It was also a particularly turbulent time in the UK, not only politically and economically, but also culturally too.
"This deep diving selection brings together some truly adventurous and original electronic music from this period, much of it very hard to find. Major label outings connect with white label oddities with ease. Perhaps it could even be argued that many of these unearthed gems fit more easily into DJ sets in 2023 than they ever did at the time."
Aphex Twin will play this summer's Field Day at London's Victoria Park, as well as Barcelona's Sónar festival.
