Strike

Description

Back in 2004, 154 aka esteemed Dutch techno producer Jochem Peteri put out Strike, an essential deep techno album that unfolded like a sci-fi movie soundtrack. It was originally planned to be the first full length on Delsin in 2000, but various delays meant the artist and label collaborated on other projects in the meantime. Since it finally got released, though, Strike has remained hugely in demand and valuable, so it is now being reissued on the artist’s own NWAQ/APE label on heavyweight 180g vinyl. But actually, it might never have happened…

The album was first made in 1994 for 100%Pure, but after a 12″ (Dusk, coming soon) the label went bust before it was put out. Until 2004 it was a private release shared between friends on cassette, “so it was pretty awesome to finally have it released,” says Peteri of the frustrating and emotional experience. “Now, in 2017, finally all the hassle and logistic mayhem has settled and I can see it for what it is: a part of me.”

In the years since its initial release, Peteri has remained a key part of the global techno conversation. Under aliases like Newworldaquarium, Newworldromantic and Ross 154, he has put out plenty of deep and moody tracks on top labels like Lower East Side, Peacefrog, Planet E and of course Delsin. He has had his tracks liked to mix CDs on Ostgut Ton and no doubt influenced the sound of modern tastemakers like Marcel Dettmann, Actress and Belong.

Across six beautifully immersive tracks, warm atmospheres, wide open spaces and supple, subtle drums all hypnotise as they gently unfold and journey to the edges of the cosmos. Both dark yet light, meaningful and thoughtful, it is an album that is at times weightless and at others firmly rooted to a groove, but one that remains utterly timeless.