Recommended music: 'The Gambler' by Nonkeen

The first couple of listens to this (on the train, with headphones) left me a bit ambivalent about it. But then the vinyl arrived and something clicked with me. Listening to the record seemed to open up the analogue warmth of the original tape recordings. Recorded over many, many years by 3 lifelong friends (of which the most famous is Nils Frahm) the final product is the result of hours of material using primitive equipment and single-take sessions. These were sometimes processed and over-dubbed, and at others left raw and original.

The album flits from trip-hop ('Saddest Continent On Earth') to Krautrock ('Ceramic People') and on into ambient territory, all the time retaining an organic feel and flow that enables you to really drift away with it. Although sonically it might be quite removed from Frahm's usual solo work I'm sure it will apeal to lovers of his previous material. For me he can do no wrong and it's good to hear him in this group environment - I imagine these tracks will develop further when they play them live as a band in the forthcoming months.

It's worth mention that if you get the vinyl you get an extra track (which takes up the whole of side D). The record comes with a download code for the digital version of the album as well, so it's worth the investment in a physical copy.

'The Gamble' is out now on R & S Records - you can stream and and follow the purchase link below.

Track of the Day: 'Inner Systems' by Prequel Tapes

I'm a big fan of what Ninja Tune do (does?), but I'm sure that even they'd admit that the write-up to this track on Soundcloud is a huge steaming pile of pretentious nonsense. No matter though, because if you disregard that and just listen to the music you'll be amply rewarded. 8 minutes worth of electronic goodness await you as this Berlin-based artist conjures up dark digital sculptures which are tempered with bright piano acoustic interjections. It's a free download too, so grab it for yourself below and stick it on your headphones late at night.

Video of the Day: 'Trance Frendz - An evening with Ólafur Arnalds and Nils Frahm'

There seems to be new material appearing from Messrs Arnalds and Frahm. First there was the single 'Life Story / Love and Glory', then the announcement of their new EP 'Loon', and now this. What started out as a planned recording of one improvised piece turned into an 8-hour session, all of which was filmed by Alexander Schneider. At the end of the night they had a number of new pieces that had been composed on the spot which they've shared with us here (along with some more homely shots of Nils cooking the dinner). Edited down to 46 minutes, it really does show two masters at work, not to mention showcasing Nils' lovely studio in Berlin.



'Loon' is released on October 2nd and you can pre-order it from Erased Tapes here.

Remix of the Day: 'Europa Geht Durch Mich (Erol Alkan's Mesmerise Zwei Rework)' by Manic Street Preachers

Ahead of their new album 'Futurology' Manic Street Preachers have teamed up with remix genius Erol Alkan for a 12" single featuring a couple of different versions of 'Europa Geht Durch Mich'. Here you can hear an edit (although it's still 6 minutes long) of the second remix, which is a dark and trancy version of the original. Of course, it sounds nothing like the Manics, but then their remixes have always pushed the boundaries, especially the ones from 'Journal For Plague Lovers'. You can pre-order the 12" from Phantasy here.



Although 'Rewind The Film' featured some great songwriting, it wasn't really what I want or need from a Manics album, but I'm really excited about the release of 'Futurology'. the return of loud guitars and an angry stance, a hint of krautrock and a record inspired by 'permanent revolution, modern art and Autobahns' is exactly what a Manic Street Preachers album should be like. Here's the video for lead single to 'Walk Me To The Bridge' which, like quite a few Manics songs, may or may not be about Richie.

Recommended music: 'Quarters' by Seams

Following on from last year's EP, the debut album from James Welch has arrived and it's pretty fantastic. recorded in four different locations around Berlin, the city where he now lives (hence the title), this is a brilliant album of electronica, surprisingly full of warmth, and with an emotional depth that gives lie to the 'soulless' tag that the ill-informed often give to this genre of music.

'ClapOne' kicks the album off in style, with hypnotic beats and claps, whirling bleeping synths, and some snatches of Thom Yorke-esque sampled vocals, giving you that feeling of excitement at the start of a long-planned journey. It's hard to say which is the best track on the album as they're all so good, but 'Constants' is up next and it's definitely one of my favourites.It's a richly-layered track that develops kinda like the way a track by Caribou might. There's some great sounds going on in the background, particularly one that sounds a bit like the sea, like electronic pixels washing up on an artifical shore, which according to Mr Welch is tape hiss due to the melody being recorded on a dictaphone (it's amazing what you can find out via twitter!).

'Pocket' is a short section of twinkling brightness, undercut with a deep squelch, which gives way to 'Sitcom Apartment' which may (or may not) be the sound of James' Berlin flat. If so than the flat (and the track) seems like an inviting sort of place - maybe a bit rough around the edges, but the sort of place that'd be great for a party. As the track build up it brings to mind one of those animated videos full of dancing 70s toy robots (or is that just my mind?) - it's an upbeat track with loads going on.

'Iceblerg' fittingly has a bit if a watery feel when it starts, almost like the sound of ice being crushed. The hard, crisp beats  (something of a trademark on this record) are overlaid with some great keyboard themes and a throbbing bassline, and complimented with more of the handclap sounds from 'ClapOne'. 'Hurry Guests' is next up. Starting with a simple six note refrain it bobs and weaves through various phases while never losing sight of its overall direction. It's a bit like a journey through Berlin on the tram at night - various people get on and off, some stay, some don't, and by the time you reach you're stop you're the only one onboard.

You might have heard 'Rilo' already as it was the first track to be released from the album. It's another highlight for me - pulsing rhythm, great beats and some really uplifting melodies. The arpeggio riff and the ticking, blipping keyboard combine like a speeding train passing you while you're waiting on the platform. Then album closer 'TXL' is ful of deep beats but also has a light, gentle refrain - together they combine to make something that's part Jon Hopkins and part Four Tet, but all good.

Overall this is a really accomplished and detailed record, one that knocks the sharp edges off the electronic sound and replaces them with the nicely rounded sound of humanity. Definitely goes straight into the pile of contenders for electronic album of the year.

New music: 'Creatures (DJ Cull's Minimal Mix) by Applescal & Ryan Davis

This track is fresh from the Atomnation label, and I couldn't resist the chance to make my own mix of it. The collaboration was started in Amsterdam, finished in Berlin and now remixed in London, so it's a truly pan-European track. There's no free download as yet so you'll have to make do with listening to it, but if I get the nod from the label I'll enable the download as soon as I can. Let me know what you think!