I think it is for these moments we came up with the idea of creating the Vinyl Alter Ego series. As vast as the ocean of good music can be, there are so many sailors who have relentlessly explored every corner of it. One may be tempted to call record selectors a rara avis in our times, when millions of tracks are conveniantly available at our fingertips. Wrong! There are many diggers out there, yet the process of finding good records is such an intimate experience, you could hardly convince them to speak in public about their passion.
Eric Cloutier is that kind of a record selector. A self-described “record digging psychopath”, Eric had sharpen his DJ and record selector skills in New York at The Bunker, where he quickly became a regular. Now living in Berlin (where else?!), from where he runs his imprint Palinoia Records, Eric was kind enough to invite us in his private musical universe. And boy, what a trip! An electronic music history lesson, so comprehensive and diverse that we could easily say it’s one of the best features we ever had on our Vinyl Alter Ego series. Eric Cloutier also took time to write down the story behind each record, which made this even more precious. A real feast to anyone who is down to discover golden gems etched on vinyl!
A second hand dig I’m most proud of
I somehow came across an absolutely mint copy of this while digging with Sven Weisemann at a now-defunct (and very, very under-appreciated shop called Power Park) here in Berlin and I couldn’t believe it when I saw the sticker price – which was, from memory, 5€. This is arguably one of Steve Rachmad’s finest releases ever, next to “Teardrops” from his Tons of Tones alias.
I have played this so, SO many times, and also have two copies of it for posterity. What a masterpiece of real deal techno “Technition” is.
The record I’d love to see it repressed
People largely associate me with techno, but they often forget that I do deeply love house music (albeit in a very specific style and sound). This record has eluded me for ages, and I’ve always LOVED “Newlands” on this release. What a gem!!
The label I’d buy all their releases without even listening to them
I already froth over this entire catalog, but I see one on a shelf or in my promo folder and I don’t even bother to listen, it just goes right in the bag. I offered to do a Driftwood style label mix for them when they hit #10, but they turned down the offer (and then someone else ended up doing it and putting it on SoundCloud anyway).
The record artwork that blows my mind every time I look at it
Atom & Pinjk Elln – Live Volume 3
I wouldn’t say this artwork is out of this world. It is, at its base, quite simple. But knowing Uwe (Atom.TM) and his genius-level brain, he probably rendered these low-res scans of his and Tobias.’s heads himself out of curiosity about the technology, because he is basically a supercomputer himself. Every experience I’ve had with Uwe is equal parts thought provoking and hilarious – the man should be studied when he succumbs to the mortal coil (if he ever does) – but god damn does looking at this (and the other volumes in the series) just make me laugh, but also make me appreciate the “less is more” vibe even more. Oh, and BTW, this recording is next level, much like everything Atom.TM and Tobias. do together when preforming live. (Side shoutout to the entire Señor Coconut concept overall – when I saw “artwork” my brain went to “cover” and I almost suggested all of Uwe’s bossa nova covers of Kraftwerk and beyond – seriously, go look it up).
The record that triggers childhood memories
I’ve infinite memories of this album (and basically anything from The Police or Sting), but “Walking On the Moon” will remain in my brain, rent free, for the rest of my time on this planet.
The record shop I would spend my whole savings in
Given an infinite bank account, one can spend literally days inside Amoeba in LA. Just look at any photo of the interior online and you’ll understand within seconds.
One record from my early DJ career that I still play today
You cannot deny how good this whole LP is, but specifically “Jak to Basics.” Mark Bell as Clark (not the Clark people know of today) was so ahead of his time with this one, and Carl Craig putting this on Planet-E before anyone else could gobble it up was just a brilliant choice. This thing is a party monster, but you have to time it perfectly to not make it appear desperate or contrived.
The record that never leaves my DJ bag
This. Track. Absolutely. Slaps. The whole EP does, to be fair. “Land of the Lost,” also a winner, but “Answering Machine?” You want to ignite a party? Throw this on. I can’t even tell you how reliable this track is. I would use this as a flotation device in a flood its that reliable.
Last record I checked its price on discogs
It may be a little bit predictable to use a Driftwood record in this list, but as one of the few humans that actually own all ten in the series I am randomly persuaded to see how ridiculous the prices have become for these EPs, especially the very elusive #10. I admittedly sort my collection on Discogs by value just to have a giggle and I’m always in awe at some of the asking prices for things on there. Granted, the Discogs marketplace isn’t a gold standard, and there’s some hilarious instances that I can recall where something I spent 5€ on gets played by Ricardo Villalobos or Raresh and it suddenly, magically, becomes “worth” 200€ and I can’t help but giggle.
One record that sounded way ahead of its time when it was released.
Detroit Escalator Company has been, by and far, the most amazing thing to ever come into my musical life. I’ve listened to literally every release and every track hundreds and hundreds of times and I never get bored and always discover something new. I’ve turned many of my peers, superiors, and heroes on to DEC, and I’m always amazed by their first impressions. It may be almost 30yrs old now, but it still sounds like the future to me.
Last record I bought for my home listening pleasure
The George Garabedian Players – Hooray For Hollywood
I slip this little gem on at dinner parties just to see if people are paying attention. And yes, this was a purchase made under signifiant influence and lack of sleep. And no, I don’t regret it one iota.
The record closest to my heart from my entire collection
Anyone that knows me knows I will literally drop my drink, walk away from a conversation, and storm through a crowd like I’m in a mosh pit to get to the dancefloor when Kenlou’s “The Bounce” is played. I have, over time, had about five copies of this, some lost, some stolen, but there remains a mint copy in my parents’ basement just in case of emergency. This is, by and far, my favorite track ever made.
The record that perfectly captures the Detroit vibe
It may be a bit cliche to use a UR thing, but “Particle Shower” by The Martian is pretty much flawless.
But if you want to get to the real real of Detroit, there’s nothing quite like Death’s “Politicians In My Eyes – punk before it was called punk!!
The non dancefloor record that proved to be perfect for clubs, also!
The Irrestible Force – It’s Tomorrow Already
Clearly meant for the earliest (or latest) of hours, the appropriately titled album from MixMaster Morris, AKA The Irresistible Force, “Its Tomorrow Already,” is just chillout perfection. Try and find one single flaw with this album – I dare you!!!
A now defunct record label from which you luckily own a few records
One of the greatest heroes of our time, Mike Huckaby had his S Y N T H label, an offshoot of his Deep Transportation imprint, that was short-lived, but full of absolutely timeless dub techno sounds. Largely comprised of edits of fellow Detroit legend Rod Modell (AKA DeepChord / Echospace / etc), Huck did a Huck and funked things up a bit. He even went so far as to make the “My Life With the Wave” sample CD-Rs that are full of loops and stabs that he made while mastering the Waldorf Wave synthesizer. I fortunately own all of them, gifted to me by the man himself over the years, including the nearly impossible to store on a shelf (or fit in a flight case) #001-C that has the glued-on transistor to the spindle.
One record that’s so good, you even bought a copy to keep it in mint condition
Tell me you don’t want to own 100 copies of this LP? They reissued it recently, with a remastering, and that’s what I now have in mint, but I do own two copies of the OG version of the LP, thanks to Jane Fitz tipping me off to it.
