Empress Touch

2019 was another very good year for remixes.


The Mind Machine album
'Return To The Machine'
was superb.

But credit to the Brians Belknap & Olsen
as well
for the 16-track remix compilation:
'Remix The Machine',
feauring (arguably) THE remix of 2019,
DarwinMcD's 'We Keep Walking'.

This CD compilation
is a who's who
of electronic remixing talent
in-form right now.


2019 also saw The Frixion delivering
their most dynamic single to-date,
in 'I Cannot Play These Games'.

Manchester-based, German outfit Mordelin
also delivered a fine song 'Spirals',
as did Passion Flower Storm
with 'Adrenaline'.


Other classy musicians
to keep an eye on in 2020
are Fused,
Parralox,
Chain Complex,
Promenade Cinema
and many more...

To those of you whom may have followed our Empress Touch music for some time; once again, I apologise for how long things are taking to finalise. The wait will be worth it.

For those who have only noticed more recently, do feel free to check out the website:
empresstouch DOT com
where you'll find details of many of the superb remixers' music.

Once again, thanks for your patience, support AND feedback.

To all mailing list subscribers
of Empress Touch music projects,

Hopefully there'll be some great stuff to listen to in 2019-20 and beyond.

You're all very welcome to put questions to myself about the music I've been involved with
for as long as I've made writing, co-producing, reinterpreting, collaborating.. you get the picture!

Thank you all again, for your patience and curiosity towards the music I help share and create with others
as well as enjoy listening to and discovering. Music is a long-term lifetime education I've no intention of ending.

Take care,
Carl.
England, UK

My focus, once again, as a fan of great music, has been to follow synth-pop-related musicians and online radio shows dedicated to many artists and broadcasters working very hard to let us fans know about the tracks being made.


In particular, the singles of 2018 have brought me much joy and pleasure. Here's some suggestions you may or may not like, but do give yourself the chance to make up your own mind:


Stereo-In-Solo - 'Flowers On The Moon'
(from the CD album: 'Somewhere Out There')

A wonderful gentleman from Paris, Thierry, once part of the 1980's synth-pop duo Stereo, brought us a superb album played on many stations earlier this year, the pick of which being 'Flowers On The Moon'. The album is so good, I've bought five copies on CD, for those who I know would love it as much as many who already agree!


The Distant Minds - 'Strangers in The Same Hell'
The Distant Minds - 'Until the Lights Go Out'
The Distant Minds - 'Proof Of Life'

Another duo, singer Darren and producer Alan, making The Distant Minds a force to take note of this year.

Three great songs, of many released this year. You may remember their 2014 single 'The Suicide League', which I enjoyed then, but this year has been even better for the gentlemen from Northamptonshire, England, UK.


Photona - 'You Look Like Warhol'
(from the 4-track (expired link). 'OVERDOSER')

Great song by a trio from Portland, USA. They seem up for the challenge of proving it was no fluke, and the very best of luck to them.


Dark Smoke Signal - 'The Big Stage'

When someone asks 'Who's the best band in the world?', I regularly quote the Paul Weller line: "You're only as good as your last album". If this is true, the best band in the world are still Mesh - the Bristol duo Mark and Richard.

There are many other talented musicians from this city in the south-west of England, including Sombre Moon, Sinestar and this gentleman called Alex ((expired link). Dark Smoke Signal). His song 'The Big Stage' is again, a complete synth-pop song of the highest quality. The production - organic and electronics combined - yes, but the improvisation, the chord-phrases, the wit in his lyrics: it's all there, and a must-listen.


The Frixion - 'Deceive A Believer'
(from the 'Magic' cassette single)

Gene and Lloyd, another duo, bringing us some wonderful synth-pop, 'Deceive A Believer' being the pick of their songs to-date.


Fused - 'Love, In Itself' (featuring GLYDA vocalist Stephen Newton)

A very good Depeche cover, and look out for another cover by the collaborators, hopefully on CD soon.


I could name many more, and perhaps should, but do check out the following shows if you agree with any of the above:

Electronic Family Tree
((expired link))

Synth City
((expired link))

2KAAO
((expired link))

And again, I could name MANY more shows and online stations who offer these talented musicians the platform they richly deserve.


Enjoy your Christmas time, and look forward to a great 2019 and beyond...

Merry Christmas to all who have kindly subscribed to my Number One Music webpage.

If you haven't - and were not expecting this, please accept my sincerest apologies.


Despite the hard-won success achieved by Empathy Test's two albums this year, 2017 has been a big let down in terms of Long Players.

It has, however, been a very interesting year for new single tracks.
In particular:

Voldo Blanka - 'Go Your Way' (a wonderfully melancholy and sentimental song I discovered this Summer - even though the band almost certainly never meant it to turn out that way!)

Dicepeople - 'Synthetic' (A textbook synth-pop song with great chords and lyrics, though the video is justa little scary!)

Depeche Mode - 'Going Backwards' (Video Edit) (One of three highlights from 'Spirit', the band's latest warning from the future.)

Jamiroquai - 'Automaton' (A classy comeback with a refreshing electronic flavour.)

Orbital - 'Copenhagen' (The veteran techno duo showing they still mean business.)


There have been many others, this is just a selection.

Take care, Carl.