News editor: Mikael Kahrle

New Kraftwerk compilation
• Cascade, a sub label to Energy Rekords, has released a new compilation with techno versions of Kraftwerk classics called "Technicolour". The CD features nine tracks, of whom Para One has made three and Funkstar Deluxe two. There is one track each from Lunar Flux, Audio Science, Element and Voight Kampff. Funkstar Deluxe is the most well-known project, since it has a hit last year called "Sun Is Shining".
Cascade has released a similar compilation before, called "Enter the Mix", with both Kraftwerk and Depeche Mode covers. /Mikael Kahrle

The alternative music world is growing
• Every week we hear from countries which we have had no or little contact with before, like Russia, Slovakia, Mexico, Poland, China, South Africa, Latvia, Singapore, Brazil and so forth. A lot is obviously happening around the world, perhaps thanks to modern media like of course the Internet. And some of the newly opened countries are not yet trapped in the mainstream, so alternative music has a chance to play an important role.
Here's our first News entry ever about the former Soviet Union republic Georgia. An organisation called Komuna works with modern music such as electronica and alternative, but also other Western sounds. They want to promote this in their home country.
Komuna are involved in a TV show called "Komunikatori" and try to promote music towards media. There is also a radio show and web magazine called Lametta.
These people want to get in touch with labels and people from the rest of the world and they are looking for more music to work with. E-mails: lametta@gmx.net and komunikatori@gmx.net. /Mikael Kahrle

Moby + Madonna?


• According to an MTV interview, Madonna has expressed interest in working with everybody's (current) favourite Moby.
- But I’m on tour forever and maybe when it comes time to make my own record, if she wants to help out, I’d love to have her involved, he says.
Moby has a busy live schedule ahead and hope to start on a new album later this year.
A Moby remix of one of Madonna's new songs isn't likely either. He explains he is tired of remixing other artists and want to write his own music again.
Madonna's new studio album "Music" was handled over to Warner on June 14 and is said to be electronic and melodic. The release is scheduled for August 22 (US). The date might differ around the world. The kick-off single with the same name will start spinning on radio shortly and a video, once again directed by the Swede Jonas Åkerlund, is about to be launched as well. The second single is already planned and is called "What It Feels Like for a Girl". /Mikael Kahrle

US release for Ravenous
• Metropolis will take care of the US release for German electro project Ravenous latest album, "Phoenix". The release month is set to September. See review. /Mikael Kahrle

No Comment produced by José Alvarez


• German female fronted electro band No Comment is soon back with new material. "I Won't Cry" is the title of their new single. It's to be released on July 31 and Markus Reinhardt from Wolfsheim and well-known synthpop producer José Alvarez has produced the new pieces. Hopefully, the new album "Underwater Tales" will show up late 2000. /Mikael Kahrle

Fields of the Nephilim signed by Metropolis
• US label Metropolis have signed two well-known acts: goth legends Fields of the Nephilim and techno act Juno Reactor - as well as less famous Xorcist. Xorcist plan to release a fifth album "Insects and Angels (Different and Indifferent)" in September. /Mikael Kahrle

Cevin Key soon finished with his second solo album
• Cevin Key is probably preparing for Skinny Puppy's reunion gig in Germany, August, but is also close to the release of his second solo effort. The new album is called "The Ghost of Each Room". Maybe he will work on the new announced Puppy songs afterwards? /Mikael Kahrle

The future belongs to Dkay.com?


• Earlier, we have reported about the super group Dkay.com. Now we have listened to the debut "Decaydenz". A subjective preview as follows:
It is likely to be one of the most appreciated albums in the hard electronics school 2000. It's sounds just as innovative as one can demand from an electronic album in a new century: fast, beautiful sequences, hard riffs, good melodies and over all this Jürgen Engler's hoovering voice. The place behind the microphone is shared with Birgit Fischer from the German band Motorsheep.
The single "Hell Is Heaven" should be out now. It includes the movie "The Calling" from the game "Diablo II".
Dkay.com are confirmed for the M'era Luna, Bizarre and Highfield festivals in Germany and a tour is scheduled for October. /Jens Krause, Mikael Kahrle

Last Reclaim gig for over 2 000 people
• Last weekend, the German synthpop band Reclaim held their last concert in its old line-up, in front of over 2 000 people in Pasewalk. Mastermind Oliver Thiede will continue to make music and singer Mario Niemann also has future musical ambitions. /Jens Krause

New single from celebrated synthpop newcomers


• Synthpop duo Lorelei de Lux is back with the single "Blick", taken from their debut "Tigerkött" (see review). The single offers two versions of the title track, one house mix of another album track as well as a new song. /Mikael Kahrle

Talla 2XLC and Vernon B goes separate ways
• The German music profile Talla 2XLC has ended his long-time relationship with friend and producer Vernon Bauer. During the last five years, Talla has realised his musical visions together with him. It remains to be seen how this affects Talla's forthcoming projects. /Jens Krause

Welle Erdball signed by Energy in Sweden
• German retro electro duo Welle Erdball has been signed by Energy Rekords in Sweden. Welle Erdball has grown more and more popular in the country lately, with successful live performances in Stockholm and Gothenburg.
Energy will first release the single "Starfighter F104" shortly. It was originally released in Germany earlier this year. A brand new album will follow. /Mikael Kahrle

Three new Björk releases
• Björk is currently in Spain, preparing her next studio album. The next release, however, will be a live album recorded in London last year. No release date is set, but it is likely to show up in the end of the year. The album will contain covers of Petula Clark and Elvis Costello as well as Björk together with The Brodsky Quartet. As usual most songs are reworked. And of course the "Dancer in the Dark" soundtrack is on it's way. We will get back with more info about this release. /Mikael Kahrle, Erik Almgren

Never ending flow of soundtracks


• Even though the constant stream of releases has slowed down because the music business has a tendency of becoming lazy during summer times, soundtracks continue to show up in an endless stream. Two new ones ended up in our snail-mail box today.
On the "American Psycho" soundtrack, we find remixed versions of The Cure's "Watching Me Fall", David Bowie's "Something in the Air" and Information Society's "What's on Your Mind". The original version of New Order's classic "True Faith" is here and we have to endure M/A/R/R/S' "Pump up the Volume" once again.
In "Gone in 60 Seconds", starring Nicolas Cage and Angelina Jolie, we find music from The Cult, The Chemical Brothers, Moby, Apollo Four Forty and many more. The soundtrack is out now. /Mikael Kahrle

Interesting darkwave newcomer on Clan of Xymox label
• Ronny Moorings of the Dutch darkwave act Clan of Xymox has signed female fronted band Sophya to his label Pandaimonium. The album "The Age of Sophya" offers beautiful tunes in 4AD style. The singer isn't named Sophya, but Sonja. Watch out for a review in one or two weeks. /Mikael Kahrle

American synthpop festival in trouble
• Salt Lake City's Synthstock event in July announces major changes.
The festival is moved to August 24. The concerts with Alphaville and Camouflage will take place on other occasions during the autumn instead. Anything Box is the only act confirmed for the new Synthstock, so far. /Mikael Kahrle