ELEKTRO CODES TWO Elektrolux/DM/CDx2 With much of the current focus on electro centred around the material coming from the United States-Detroit in particular-and the Netherlands, labels like Germany's Elektrolux are often overlooked. And it's not for a lack of quality. Elektro Codes Two brings together 22 tracks over two compact discs and maintains a high standard throughout. Leading the charge is Anthony Rother with two tracks from his incredible "Redlight District" EP, including the now seminal "Destroy Him My Robots" and the gruff "Dude On The Street" (taking a blunt look at Amsterdam's prostitution scene). While Rother's style of stark, chilling electro is well represented along with acts like Unn and Audiowerk, there's also progressive fare like the lengthy "Tranmission From Istanbul" from Insect Jazz-complete with burbling analog lines and traffic noise--that experiment and play with the familiar boom boom thwack with stunning results. The inclusion of numerous previously unreleased cuts as well as sneak peaks at forthcoming releases make this compendium especially worth purchase. Hopefully this compilation will generate some deserved interest in some of the fine artists in the Elektrolux stable. --Andrew Duke Back to album reviews index