Providing the conscious link between the Techno and House explosion of the late 80s and it’s European psychedelic rock antecedents of the 70s, System 7 had a strong influence on the birth of psychedelic Electronic Dance Music and it’s evolution up till today. Being founded in 1989, the project began as a collective of visionary musicians, also featuring The Orb’s Alex Paterson and Youth. Working consistently progressive, carefully trying and testing new influences and technologies, System 7’s central producers -guitarist Steve Hillage and keyboardist Miquette Giraudy- have forged a unique and up-to-date identity on the Dance Music genre map, in a space where Techno, Progressive and Trance meet– with a healthy side-element of Ambient. Two main characteristics in the sound of System 7 are complex sound synthesis experiments and a highly specialized techno guitar. The work of the project has always been influenced by collaborations with other musicians, including Techno luminaries like Derrick May, Carl Craig, Laurent Garnier and Richie Hawtin, and more recently Progressive Trance figures like Liquid Soul. Considering the age of the project with the first album being released in 1991, it’s no big news that the number of their releases is quite extensive: System 7 have sold over 250.000 albums and 60.000 singles in their career. Now they just released another, brand new album on their own label A-Wave: UP hit the streets on May 30th 2011. Inspired by time spent in Berlin, UP lowers the tempo a bit and tips the balance in a more Techno and Tech House direction. But this one is not just another Nu School production! We had the pleasure to pre-listen to this new work and it clearly bears the very trancey and deep character of System 7. In some way, it is even reminiscent of earlier System 7 classics like the 777 album, but with a banging up-to-date sound. UP features collaborations with Acid House pioneer A Guy Called Gerald, and System 7’s own remix of Josh Wink’s -Dolphin Smack as well as collaborations with -Japanese -artists Yuji Katsui (electric -violin) and Funky Gong Minoru. Roberdo |