15 May 2012
Remixing Bruce Haack
Canada’s Bruce Haack is an oft-forgotten name in the history books of early electronic music pioneers. Heavily interested in the interplay between humans and machines, Haack invented a number of electronic instruments that relied on human interaction, such as the Dermatron, a touch- and heat-sensitive synthesizer which he demonstrated on American TV shows in the sixties. As well as this, Haack was an award-winning composer, scoring adverts for some of America’s largest companies including Goodyear and Kraft.
In 1970 Haack released his album Electric Lucifer on Columbia Records - a mixture of acid rock and electronics that was way ahead of its time, and as a result, quickly forgotten. Relegated to the annals of time, it was rediscovered and rereleased by Stones Throw in 2010, and it is this version, entitled The Electric Voice, that provides the source material for the remix project.
Our Stones Throw-affiliated artists Jonti, James Pants and The Stepkids have all had a hand in bringing Haack's work back onto the public’s record players. Jonti takes on opening track “Incantation” and lends it a spacey vibe, whilst James Pants brings his trademark frantic stylings to “Chant of the Unborn”. Meanwhile The Stepkids add a funky groove to “National Anthem to the Moon”.
Other remixes are provided by the likes of Vex Ruffin, Jonwayne and Stones Throw label boss Peanut Butter Wolf.
The album is available to download or purchase on vinyl from the Stones Throw website.
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