The whole Inika team, my fave as a little boy. All of these are my originals from 20 years ago. I'm shocked some of the light-up weapons STILL WORK with the original batteries, though I have to open them all up and check for corrosion!
Just in from Amazon...was intrigued to find this wasn't the BG/Pallas or Levi pressing, but a brand new pressing made by Conectiv in Mexico (see runout matrix in 4th image). Some copies are stamped "VINYL MADE IN MEXICO" on the shrinkwrap but mine isn't.
First copy was defective with some nasty scratches and scuffs, second is fine. Sounds great too, very full & dynamic. The low end really kicks in right around "Hotwax". I wasn't expecting much for a generic mastering job but this kind of shocked me! Impressive for a LONG single-LP (51+ minutes), and it's not even DMM. Same alt mix as prior vinyl reissues too.
You just have to be cautious of the quality control. I'm reading reports that scratches and scuffs are common on Vantiva/Conectiv pressings, including the current Sea Change.
Does anyone else have this variant yet?
A fave of my parents shortly into their marriage, they became fans a few years earlier right around when "Loser" was a hit. Still have all the CDs from their Columbia House subscription too.
What a zany album! Scratches the itch when the nostalgia bug bites. Most of all, its sound is steeped in Beck's deep knowledge of all sorts of genres...hip-hop, Mississippi Delta blues, country and punk. As a songwriter he is almost unparalleled in that respect, something I feel should be talked about more. Major credit goes to the Dust Brothers of Paul's Boutique fame, who helped polish his sound -- and well of course brought their two turntables and a microphone 😉
This is a new pressing released in 2025 or 26. So new, only 7 other Discoggers added it to their collection before me...lol. It's still got the 2016 copyright from prior reissues (including one cut by Bernie Grundman) so you can't easily tell it from a sealed copy unless "VINYL MADE IN MEXICO" is stamped on the shrinkwrap -- and mine didn't have it. First copy was defective with some nasty scratches and scuffs, but Amazon sorted me out with a replacement and it's fine & dandy.
https://www.discogs.com/release/137013-The-Chemical-Brothers-Come-With-Us
This was a delight to find. Four tracks spread over two discs, and none of the other variants is configured in the same way.
Title track explodes out of the speakers, and "H.I.A." feels like a spiritual sequel to "Hey Boy Hey Girl" in a way. Can't wait to get to the remixes, especially Norman Cook's take...
https://www.discogs.com/release/137013-The-Chemical-Brothers-Come-With-Us
Few things fill my head and stimulate me these days like the Chemicals. This orchestral epic of an album-opener explodes out of the speakers on twelve inches of smoking hot wax. A similar configuration of tracks can be found on other variants, but only the promo spreads out the grooves this way!
I can't wait to get to the remixes!
Played on an AT-LP60-USB with upgraded Lunar belt
https://www.discogs.com/release/3802-DJ-Falcon-Hello-My-Name-Is-DJ-Falcon
One word: MASTERPIECE. This one platter has the finest four songs ever produced by anyone in Daft Punk's orbit, and the single greatest & most creative example of the French House genre. Very creative & playful use of the samples.
DJ Falcon later famously featured on "Contact", the closing track of Daft Punk's magnum-opus RAM...making this beautiful little EP/maxi all the more bittersweet. "Unplugged" gets me all teary-eyed, and I've never heard it clearer than on this lovely near Mint copy.
Played on an AT-LP60-USB with upgraded Lunar belt and ATN3600LE elliptical stylus
https://www.discogs.com/release/3802-DJ-Falcon-Hello-My-Name-Is-DJ-Falcon
One word: MASTERPIECE. This one platter has the finest four songs ever produced by anyone in Daft Punk's orbit, and the single greatest & most creative example of the French House genre. Very creative & playful use of the samples.
DJ Falcon later famously featured on "Contact", the closing track of Daft Punk's magnum-opus RAM...making this beautiful little EP/maxi all the more bittersweet.
Played on an AT-LP60-USB with upgraded Lunar belt and ATN3600LE elliptical stylus
https://www.discogs.com/release/4087-Stardust-Music-Sounds-Better-With-You
Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk, his fellow DJ & musician Alan Braxe, and soulful lead singer Benjamin Diamond came together to record a fun little banger. It became a MASSIVE hit among DJs, big enough to win a deal with Virgin and explode into the masses, and this lineup never released anything together again.
While I might say Stardust was one of the great 'what-ifs' of electronic music, the thing is that Daft Punk -- whether individually or 'together' -- put quality above all. Roulé was Thomas's side project & creative outlet, and when you look at the subsequent output on the label -- ESPECIALLY his work with DJ Falcon including "Together" -- the consistency is outright remarkable. This is a quintessential example of the French House genre...simple, effective and infectious.
I feel the original Roulé 12" single is the one and only way to enjoy this classic. It's been reissued, but judging by needledrops alone, the 20th anniversary reissue doesn't come close to the breathy, crisp & wide-open treble of the Nilesh Patel mastered original. This is the WAY it was meant to be heard.
Played on an AT-LP60-USB with upgraded Lunar belt and ATN3600LE elliptical srylus