Episode #14: Perception [1992-1994]

As stated in Wikipedia the term "electronica" encompasses a wide range of contemporary electronic music. The music is designed for a wide range of uses which can include foreground listening, some forms of dancing, and also background music. Electronica soon became a catch-all phrase for ambient, chill-out, downtempo, downbeat, and any abstract forms of electronic music. The focus on songs, a fusion of styles, and combination of traditional along with electronic instruments often sets electronica apart from straight ahead styles like house, techno and trance. In 1991 Autechre released their first single titled "Cavity Job" but did not release a full album until 1993. In 1989 Moby signed a contract with Instinct Records and releaed "Go" which reached the UK Top 10 in 1991. In 1992 Aphex Twin released his first album "Selected Ambient Works 85-92" which came out on R&S Records, the same label that released Beltram's Energy Flash. In the rave scene the earliest mentioned chillout room was at Konspiracy in Manchester, UK. In chill rooms people would often find couches accompanied with dim lighting and projectors with trippy images displayed. This culture carried over into the United States as well as raves and nightclubs around the world. Every chill room had it's own personality, some better than others. The Higher Intelligence Agency helped lift chillout music from the side stage to the main stage with their Oscillate parties in Birmingham. In 1994 Sonic Soul Productions hosted their first chill-out event in Baltimore, MD. This event led to the series of "Cloudwatch" parties. In 1997 a compilation was released under the Sonic Soul label featuring artists such as Steve Roach, DJ Spooky, and DJ Who. Eric Idle & Richard Wilson - One Foot In The Grave (Wireless Mix) Mark Van Hoen - Battery Ending Control X - Ambient 4 LFO - El Ef Oh Aphex Twin - Shiny Metal Rods Moby - Bad Days Beaumont Hannant - Utuba Autechre - Chatter F.U.S.E. - Slac Control X - Babylon Plastikman - Plastique