"The unofficial Planet Core Productions guidebook
all releases on all PCP sub-labels listed, rated, and short-reviewed
https://pcplegendsintheirlife.blogspot.com/2024/07/planet-core-productions-guidebook.html "
For this book, the author listed, rated, and short-reviewed all releases of all records published by PCP and their various sub-labels.
This is interesting enough already - but now, that this "database of reviews" exists, it could also be interesting to look at it and ponder the question: which are the best-rated pcp releases?
This is of course, highly highly subjective, and we make no pretense to be correct in our very personal taste.
*But* this listing could be boonful in the following regard:
It does not look at the most popular or best known tracks for once, but at all releases on all labels equally.
So for the future pcp explorer, this is a chance to learn about some very well-hidden gems in the vast back-catalogue of this label family.
But now, without further ado, let's go ahead!
Releases rated 100 out of 100 (perfect!)
PCP 961 - The Mover – Signs Of '96
The signs Of 96! Isn't this the most legendary Mover release ever?
While most people go for "Over Land & Sea", I think the flip side, "Underwater Operations", is even a bit better.
But, let's face it, both tracks blow all the competition out of the water (pun intended).
The Mover - Over Land & Sea
Kotz 7 - Stickhead & Don Demon - Once Upon A Time In Frankfurt
Another legendary release.
Some of the most intricate, serpentine, monumental compositions in hardcore - with very high "production values".
Should be the right thing for any terror-head's frightened heart.
DE 2057 E Man - XTC Express
should be in everyone's top ten of miro's (or pcp's) releases.
going strong with the arpeggio-type tunes again, this composition almost reminds me a video game soundtrack gone dark.
but the thundering drums make it clear you that you are at a rave.
both mixes are great. i can't applaud this release enough.
DE 2007 - 303 Nation - 6 Tracker
This is it! The holy grail of techno music. Right here.
Technically, it's an acid record - but the sounds are much more than that.
With minimal instrumentation, the 303 nation manages to generate an ultra-immersive environment reminiscent of outer space colonies.
I never heard something like that before, and I never heard it again.
303 Nation - Seis
Releases rated 99 out of 100 (near perfect!)
PCP 005 - The Mover – Frontal Sickness Part 1
Do I need to review this? One of the important releases of Techno ever, and if you have not dived into it yet, go for it!
This is the very beginning of Doomcore. Hard hitting Techno beats and an almost minimalist use of some of the darkest synth lines you ever heard.
DE 2053 Evidence – Resist / Inspirit
this is actually miro again, using a new aka.
and, in my opinion, "inspirit" has one of his best-composed melodies.
apart from that, this release is a bit more on the "hardcore" side than the previous release (i.e. purple moon).
PCP 932 - The Mover – The Final Sickness
One of the most sought-after releases - at least until it's digital re-release.
An album that could be seen as a follow-up to the "frontal sickness" releases (and a precursor to "frontal frustration").
It features Marc's The Mover aka at its hardest and dirtiest;
Distorted drums, howling synth, shrieking percussion and noises; An onslaught of sounds, dismal and tenebrous.
Releases rated 99 out of 100 (near perfect!)
PCP 005 - The Mover – Frontal Sickness Part 1
Do I need to review this? One of the important releases of Techno ever, and if you have not dived into it yet, go for it!
This is the very beginning of Doomcore. Hard hitting Techno beats and an almost minimalist use of some of the darkest synth lines you ever heard.
DE 2053 Evidence – Resist / Inspirit
this is actually miro again, using a new aka.
and, in my opinion, "inspirit" has one of his best-composed melodies.
apart from that, this release is a bit more on the "hardcore" side than the previous release (i.e. purple moon).
PCP 932 - The Mover – The Final Sickness
One of the most sought-after releases - at least until it's digital re-release.
An album that could be seen as a follow-up to the "frontal sickness" releases (and a precursor to "frontal frustration").
It features Marc's The Mover aka at its hardest and dirtiest;
Distorted drums, howling synth, shrieking percussion and noises; An onslaught of sounds, dismal and tenebrous.
The Mover - Changing Platforms
DE 2052 Miro – Purple Moon
one of the best releases, on all of pcp, ever. period.
lifting off from the "blue sun", purple moon is driven by an almost hard-trancy, but much darker, arpeggiated melody and oldschool drumming.
"understand" twists this pattern around a bit.
a true miro classic.
Zone 1 - FFM Shadow Orchestra - D.N. Acid
Words fail me to describe this record. The chanting goes
"from here to there,
from star to star,
from atom to atom,
i'm surfing..."
And i think that puts across the sentiment of this record very well.
But if we were to use more technical terms, it's the trademark ffm shadow orchestra style blend of techno, doomcore, and hardcore. And one beatless dark ambient that is described as being the ritualized "terminator of death".
FFM Shadow Orchestra - D.N. Acid(Crossed Bones Mix)
DE 2038 Inferno Bros. – Slaves To The Rave (The PCP & DE 2001 Mixes)
Ah, yes, now we can play!
This is one of marc's most massive tracks ever.
Intro, "female" vocals, hoovers, sub-bass, breakdowns, football stadium suitable chanting... one of the most technically complex and perfect "hardcore" productions of the 90s.
The de 2001 mix induces an energetic rush with it's more "monotonous", hypnotic approach.
TF 103 - 3 From I.O. - F.F.M.-EP
Apparently members of the FFM shadow orchestra were involved in this EP.
This is one of the most remarkable releases on all of PCP, imho.
Not "Hardcore", but going more into the direction of "Trance" - but 'FFM Shadow' style Trance.
Surreal, twisted, extraterrestrial... fulfilling a deep cosmic longing.
DE 2038 Inferno Bros. – Slaves To The Rave (The PCP & DE 2001 Mixes)
Ah, yes, now we can play!
This is one of marc's most massive tracks ever.
Intro, "female" vocals, hoovers, sub-bass, breakdowns, football stadium suitable chanting... one of the most technically complex and perfect "hardcore" productions of the 90s.
The de 2001 mix induces an energetic rush with it's more "monotonous", hypnotic approach.
TF 103 - 3 From I.O. - F.F.M.-EP
Apparently members of the FFM shadow orchestra were involved in this EP.
This is one of the most remarkable releases on all of PCP, imho.
Not "Hardcore", but going more into the direction of "Trance" - but 'FFM Shadow' style Trance.
Surreal, twisted, extraterrestrial... fulfilling a deep cosmic longing.
3 From I.O. - Fairlight
Tune 1 - New Balance - Up & Down / Kick The House
the story runs that marc produced the tracks for the releases on this label (Techno Tribe) in one long night session.
twelve records. all of them.
so, essentially he produced *a whole label* in only a few hours, in one go!
kudos to that, mister acardipane!
of all the EPs on this label, this is my favorite.
ecstasy-inducing techno rave that makes you want to stomp you feel all night. and when the track is done, you instantly want to listen it again.
"up & down" became a huge thing on the internet later, even leading to a successful remix contest led by marc.
Elastic 4 - Barracuda - Braineaters
I assume that even a lot of PCP die-hards more or less ignored Elastic records; it's a very obscure sub-label for PCP.
yet this release alone would make it worth it; a mover style track in 4 mixes that are only in subtle ways different from each other.
a drum, a chorus, some fx... what more do you need?
this is the stuff of futuristic dreams.
and you better take care... because "their brains go *pop*!"
Barracuda - Braineaters (The Mover Mix)
Lost 6 - Cold Crush City Cru – The 6th City Mob EP
yes yes, this is the one (sorry, Laura!).
as it includes "stereo murder", maybe the most monumental track by PCP (and in techno history!)
"t99" type samples, a thunderous, reverberated drum... guaranteed to send anyone in the huge space arena into madness.
the flipside gives us another two mean and dirty tracks.
TF 105 - 69 Juice - System of love
Another alias of the FFM Shadow Orchestra on Tranceform.
Even though both tracks are listed as being edits / mixes of each other, they sound quite distinct.
one is filled with beautiful, sweet piano sounds, the other with celestial swirling of synth sounds.
and both have a very exotic, almost oriental feel.
Once more: "FFM Shadow Trance" at it's best!
NNR 02 - Destination - Nowhere
Preliminary names of the tracks of this 2 tracker release were 'the trip" and "the theme".
So both are connected - yet both tracks are worlds apart. the trip is a very experimental, non sequitur electro-affair. And "the theme", now turned into "destination - nowhere", is one of the most fascinating compositions in the history of music.
No beats, vocals, anything, just a movie-score like world of utter heartbreak and melancholy.
Tune 1 - New Balance - Up & Down / Kick The House
the story runs that marc produced the tracks for the releases on this label (Techno Tribe) in one long night session.
twelve records. all of them.
so, essentially he produced *a whole label* in only a few hours, in one go!
kudos to that, mister acardipane!
of all the EPs on this label, this is my favorite.
ecstasy-inducing techno rave that makes you want to stomp you feel all night. and when the track is done, you instantly want to listen it again.
"up & down" became a huge thing on the internet later, even leading to a successful remix contest led by marc.
Elastic 4 - Barracuda - Braineaters
I assume that even a lot of PCP die-hards more or less ignored Elastic records; it's a very obscure sub-label for PCP.
yet this release alone would make it worth it; a mover style track in 4 mixes that are only in subtle ways different from each other.
a drum, a chorus, some fx... what more do you need?
this is the stuff of futuristic dreams.
and you better take care... because "their brains go *pop*!"
Barracuda - Braineaters (The Mover Mix)
Lost 6 - Cold Crush City Cru – The 6th City Mob EP
yes yes, this is the one (sorry, Laura!).
as it includes "stereo murder", maybe the most monumental track by PCP (and in techno history!)
"t99" type samples, a thunderous, reverberated drum... guaranteed to send anyone in the huge space arena into madness.
the flipside gives us another two mean and dirty tracks.
TF 105 - 69 Juice - System of love
Another alias of the FFM Shadow Orchestra on Tranceform.
Even though both tracks are listed as being edits / mixes of each other, they sound quite distinct.
one is filled with beautiful, sweet piano sounds, the other with celestial swirling of synth sounds.
and both have a very exotic, almost oriental feel.
Once more: "FFM Shadow Trance" at it's best!
NNR 02 - Destination - Nowhere
Preliminary names of the tracks of this 2 tracker release were 'the trip" and "the theme".
So both are connected - yet both tracks are worlds apart. the trip is a very experimental, non sequitur electro-affair. And "the theme", now turned into "destination - nowhere", is one of the most fascinating compositions in the history of music.
No beats, vocals, anything, just a movie-score like world of utter heartbreak and melancholy.
Destination - Nowhere
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