Disco Nouveau

Tangent 2002 (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (April 16, 2002)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Ghostly Int'l
• ASIN: B00005TPGN
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #222,965 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

A dance soundclash inspired by late-'70s electro-disco (of the Cerrone/Moroder variety) and the turn-of-the-(last)-century futurist movement, Tangent 2002: Disco Nouveau proves label-of-record Ghostly International has a great handle on the new school of nu-skool electro. Though it's Ghostly's first compilation release, the label displays a careful hand with the (always important) compilation and sequencing, keeping the concept tight by recruiting a set of producers delightfully in touch with the sound and style of prime electro. Daniel Wang kicks it off with "Pistol Oderso," followed by all manner of acts gathered under the umbrella: IDM hobbyists Solvent and Lowfish, Dutch disco terrorist I-F, a clutch of acts from Detroit's throwback electro scene (Ectomorph, Perspects, and Adult, all courtesy of Ersatz Audio), New Yorker John Selway (as Memory Boy), even Japanese avant-techno producer Susumu Yokota. Highlights crop up all over, led by Adult's dispassionate pop piece "Nite Life," Legowelt's surprisingly danceable "Discorout," and I-F's electro epic "Holographic Voice," which moves from Tron-style effects to a soft-porn vocal by guest Nancy Fortune. Yes, there are a lot of Casio synthesizers, pointed beats, and handclap mechanics in effect, but Tangent 2002 is a conceptual dream come true for electro fans. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars dancetastic, October 11, 2004

By 

J. HANSIS "jammy" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Disco Nouveau (Audio CD)

this compilation came out when the electroclash scene was peaking, but the quality here hovers way above anything else that genre has to offer. Ghostly got some of the best electronic artists from around the world to create tracks inspired by the robot-disco sound pioneered by Giorgio Moroder (producer for Donna Summer among others).best inlcusions:

Adult.- they offer their poppiest song ever here
Daniel Wang- lovely melody and production
Solvent- his first song with vocals, i think
Legowelt- this track reminds me of the snow level in Sonic the Hedgehog 3
Mat-101- lots of cool production effects

the only disappointment is the song from Susumu Yokota, which is basically an uncredited cover of Donna Summer's 'i feel love', but not very interesting. he's done way better. although this record is a compilation, it has a very cohesive feel overall. very upbeat, slick, and fun.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Somewhere between synthpop and electro, August 3, 2006

By 

R. Barnes (Philly) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Disco Nouveau (Audio CD)

If you are more interested in listening to music that sounds like it was made by robots playing keyboards than by humans playing guitars, this album is for you. Unlike some other electroclash-esque compilation that feature modern rock bands flirting with 80's style melodies and synth sounds, this stuff is strictly synth driven. Although this album isn't vocal heavy, it does vear towards standard pop music sound structure rather than towards standard dance-music structure.

Some of the artists on this compilation have made some very electro tracks that are not really accessible to the masses. However, the particular tracks chosen on this compilation are shifted more towards the synthpop than the electro end of the spectrum. These tracks tend to be more fun, shimmery, glossy, & beautiful than gritty, dirty, or funky (if that makes any sense).

If you like Solvent, I expect you would like this, if you liked the music on the Electricity 1 and II compilations you should like this.

If you want really lo-fi analog electro, this is not for you (try Anthony Rother or This is not the 80s). If you want complex and sophisticated beats this is not for you (try Autechre). If you want a disc full of Euro dance floor bangers this is also not for you (try Euromix cds from Tony Romano).

Anyhow, I find this album to be a collection of some great, timeless synthpop that (alas) will never get near the radio.