Next up in our influences series is Venezuelan producer Cardopusher who, for the last the decade has been creating a wide variety of dancefloor weapons from the wild and scatty ‘Unity Means Power’ EP, PC and IDM influenced ‘We Want Ca$h’ EP, explorations of EBM and New Beat on ‘Manipulator’ and ‘New Cult Fear’ whilst his latest release ‘Muscle Memory’ on Dark Entries showcases a raw, electro-infused take on techno. There’s a twist and turn in every release from the Barcelona-based artist, leaving him full of excitement and mystery – never knowing which road he will take you down next. Over the years, Cardopusher has released on the likes of Terminal Dusk, Boysnoize Records, Murder Channel, Hyperdub and Tigerbeat 6 as well as founding his own label Classicworks which he runs alongside co-founder Nehuen.
For this piece, Cardopusher goes behind the scenes of ‘Muscle Memory’ by talking us through ten tracks that have had an impact on him whilst making this record.
RAZ – AMOUR PUERTO RIQUEÑO
Ralphi Rosario under the Raz alias for the Underground label in 1986. A simple but powerful track, only drums, vocals and sense of humor. When less is more. You can hear it on every set I play.
DJ SOTOFETT – CURRENT 82 (12 MIX)
From house, jungle, dub, techno, ambient, whatever he does is just brilliant. Spanning 12 mins, this is a perfect track to play at 6am. Released on Finnish label Keys Of Life
MARIO SMOKIN DIAZ – YOU SHOULD NEVER BEEN (SPANISH VERSION)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgesYxXqtKw
One of my favourites tracks from this Chicago legend released on Hotmix 5. Everything he does is amazing.
MIAMI BAND – EL BIGOTE REMIX
A popular tecno merengue track from the 90s made in Valencia, Venezuela. Heavily percussive and danceable, got me hooked since first listen.
DENIZ – WHY CANT YOU LOVE ME
I don´t have too much information about this track other than it was made in 1990. A raw production full of cheap sounds. Freestyle forever.
VOICE OF AUTHORITY – STOPPING AND STARTING
Timeless metallic percussive oriented track with a dub/new wave feeling. I can´t believe this was released in 1984. On U Sound never disappoint.
SUPERSTAR & STAR – KEEP ON ROCKING (DJ IM SORRY MIX)
According to his Discogs page he is “the undesputed king of home-disco”. This one is a very bizarre track as any other one coming from Superstar (you got to check out his youtube account as “Neville Lawrence” for more lo fi craziness”). A refreshing production for this current days where everything sounds so polished.
TRANSILVANIAN GALAXI – TRANSILVANIAN GALAXI
From the inmense Sex Tags Mania catalog, also known as Skatebård. Addictive and obscure italo / electro / new beat track with top quality vocals on top.
LAS CHICAS DEL CAN – LET THE RHYTHM
A merengue band from Dominican Republic popular in the 90s. I found this record on the 1€ bin at Barcelona´s Discos Paradiso expecting the usual: merengue songs. When I pressed play it it was even better: a mix between latin, electro and freestyle driven by live bits of percussion + TR 707/727 drums. One of my favorite finds, released in 1986.
KEITH HARING IN BARCELONA 1989
A little piece of history here with Keith Haring painting an AIDS awareness related mural in Raval area in Barcelona, soundtracked with 2 killer acid tracks (“Mark Imperial & Co – She Ain´t Nothin But A Hoe” and “Separate Minds – We Need Somebody”). It was also recorded on my birthday, like it was made for me.
‘Muscle Memory’ by Cardopusher is out now on Dark Entries – buy here.