ARTICLE
2006 10 Favourite Labels

ALBUMS
aMute
Art Ensemble of Chicago
Asphalt Jungle
Joseph Auer
Avia Gardner
Tommi Bass
Caural
Cdatakill
Christ.
Conjoint
Contriva
Cursor Minor
DJ Soul Slinger
DJ Wally/DJ Willie Ross
DoF
Electric Penguins
Encre
Flashbulb
Fuckpony
Funckarma
Cedric Gervais
Eglantine Gouzy
Greater Than One
Greg Haines
François Houle
Housemeister
Jan Jelinek
Eleni Karaindrou
Kode9 + Spaceape
Takagi Masakatsu
Mini
Move D
The New Law
Nuuro
Qwel & Meaty Ogre
Rant
Max Richter
Janek Schaefer
Svarte Greiner
Thighpaulsandra
Unwed Sailor
Geoff White
Wilt
Yellow6
Jesse Zubot

COMPILATIONS/MIXES
4 Women No Cry Vol. 2
Analog for Architecture
Assemblage Sessions
Jimmy Van M
King Unique/Nubreed
Monza Club Ibiza
Pop Ambient 2007
Rub-N-Tug
Thankful
The Rorschach Suite

3"/7"/10"/12"/EPs
Baseheadz
Big Toe
Franco Cangelli
Richard Chartier
Deadbeat/Monolake
Depth Affect
Diebombshelters
DJ Koze
Eltron
Johan Fotmeijer
Hellothisisalex
Mitsuaki Komamura
Múm
Ozka
Seekers Who Are Lovers
Strategy
Tandem 5
Andi Teichmann
The Twilight Sad
Ray Valioso

Big Toe: Direct Sales
Bathysphere

Direct Sales is the third installment in Bathysphere's planned series of nine 7-inch singles, with each release encased in a hand-printed cardboard sleeve that's got collector's appeal written all over it. Judging by the disc's two songs, Big Toe, comprised of James Tarling, Chris Cousin (Sofalofa, Chin Chin), and Theresa Connelly (Chin Chin), specialize in a somewhat macabre electronic-folk style. Shuddering effects and scarred guitar noises imbue “Direct Sales” with an ominous undertow that's thankfully brightened by Connelly's hushed vocalizing. Side B's “Cycling Shoes” is largely free of such doom-laden ambiance yet still exudes an aura of mystery; most strangely, one feels the ghostly presence of Syd Barrett (circa The Piper at the Gates of Dawn) lurking in the song's background.

December 2006