DFA/Rong Music Pres: Notwave

Now, a nice bit of free download action from a sampler I received from Rong/DFA’s newly re-issued (it first came out early 2008) 'Notwave' Compilation, ('Notwave' being term they are using to describe the New Wave/Electro/Noise/Disco rock vibe that grew out of New York in the early 1980s.)
Others have been reaching into this underground leftfield brand of disco such as the 'Disco Not Disco' compilations. To be honest some of it sounds great, but some of it sounds a tad flat to me and just sounds like iffy post-punk bands trying to do disco in a noisy fashion.
Nonetheless, there are a more than a couple of winners and on here.
This compilation strives to offer an alternative slant on the famed New York no-wave sound, helpfully suggesting: "it's kinda like No-Wave, but Not." The selection features new artists from around the world, plus originators of the movement like James Chance & The Contortions, throwing into the bargain eight exclusive tracks. While the level of diversity on show throughout 'Notwave' is exceptionally broad - running from the jagged guitar battery of 'Striplight' to the housey grooves of New Jersey producer Mr. Chin - the essential spirit of the original movement remains more or less intact, with tracks such as 'The River Art' by Research notching up the authenticity factor with an arrhythmic grasp on jazz/punk crossover. Proving that the new school have just as much to offer, Brooklyn's 'Free Bloo' condense the very essence of what 'Notwave' might mean, making bizarre, semi-improvised electronics feel like party music.
Anyhow, give it a listen and make your own mind up about it innit!

01. Quad Throw Salchow - Unwelcome Guest
02. Non-stop - Hydration Explosion
03. Striplight - No Search No Entry (Tim Love Lee dub)
04. Tussle - Elephants Meandering (Sal Principato & Dennis Young mix)
05. Mr. Chin - Faces vs Fractions (Trust)
06. Circuits - Pistols at Dawn (Tim 'Love' Lee's Fully Bearded mix)
07. Freshro - I Turn My Camera On
08. Welcome Stranger - Smoke Machine
09. Free Blood - Weekend
10. Scotty Coats - Beautiful Ones
11. Research - East West Axis
12. Scotty Coats - Lude Boy the Rude Boy
13. James Chance & The Contortions - King Heroin
14. Research - The River Art

DFA/Rong Music Presents: Notwave.