ike yard: remixed

Ike Yard came into being as no wave passed on, industrial was in the air and "proto techno" had yet to be coined. Propulsive, paranoid, aggressive electro minimalism, with as much attention paid to the mixing board and effects processors as to vocals, guitar and synth. At once starker and more fully-formed than virtually all other contemporaneous post-punk music, Desire's 2012 edition of their 1982 album represented the first-ever vinyl reissue of this classic, prophetic release. This CD-only collection compiles the three different remix 12''s that Desire has released over the last 18 months. It starts with a new mastered version of the now-classic Regis version of "Loss." It's followed by a Monoton dub version of "NCR." L.A.'s own Tropic Of Cancer delivers a great ethereal version of "Half a God." Camella Lobo signs a rare remix after a series of acclaimed EPs for Blackest Ever Black, Downwards, and Mannequin. Former Ike Yard member and synth-wizard Fred Szymanski also reinterpreted "Half a God" with a unique musique concrète-inspired electronica piece under his Recombinant guise. Arnaud Rebotini, head-honcho of Black Strobe, signs a long Detroit-inspired techno version of "Cherish 8." Powell (Diagonal Records) follows by doing a great beat-driven rework of "Half a God." The KVB delivers a post-punk rendition of "Cherish 8." "Cherish 8" is also remixed by Vessel of Tri Angle/Young Echo fame. "NCR" is also remixed by enigmatic UK industrial/dubstep artist Bandshell. The last three remixes are exclusive to this CD. "Cherish 8" is remixed by French Kraut/electronic producer Intramoros of One Switch To Collision and also by Norwegian electronic veterans Epilketrician. And to close this collection, Monoton offers a club mix of "NCR." Ike Yard was originally a quartet comprising Michael Diekmann, Stuart Argabright, Kenneth Compton and Fred Szymanski. The group is active again after a 28-year hiatus, sans Szymanski; their most recent album is 2011's Nord and they are currently working on a final album.