Plus 8 Tribute Part 3: Loco Dice, Zdar, JD Twitch, Alan Fitzpatrick

Plus 8 Tribute Part 3: Loco Dice, Zdar, JD Twitch, Alan Fitzpatrick

24 August, 2010 | 7.24AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: alan fitzpatrick, jd twitch, loco dice, plastikman, plus 8, speedy j, zdar

Twenty years ago, Richie Hawtin and John Acquaviva planted the seeds of a legend when they started up Plus 8 Records. Long before Minus, Plus 8 defined a new sound in American techno, paving the way for some of the most significant developments in the ‘90s and ‘00s.

We continue celebrating the label’s 20th anniversary with more tributes from friends and fans of the label. Today, Loco Dice, Cassius‘ Philippe Zdar, Optimo’s JD Twitch, and Alan Fitzpatrick share their favorite tunes and memories. Which Plus 8 classic sounds equally devastating at 33 or 45? Read on to find out.

And don’t forget: from now through August 26, 2010, get 20% off the entire Plus 8 Records catalog. Click here for the coupon code and instructions on how to use it.

Plastikman, ‘Glob’ (1993)

Loco Dice

My favorite classic Plus 8 track is ‘Glob’, from ‘Sheet One’ by Plastikman.
 It took me on a journey when I heard it for the first time, back in the ‘90s. 
I knew immediately that I would never let this track go. In fact, I even included it on one of my compilations.

Zdar (Cassius/Motorbass)

For me, Plus 8 has been one of the most inspiring labels ever. I guess it’s one of the only labels for which I have all the vinyls—often in double! I even have all the sub-labels, like Probe and Accelerate.

When I discovered raving in 1991, I went to BPM, the best record shop in Paris, and I bought F.U.S.E.’s ‘Approach & Identify’ on +8 as part of my first-ever batch of vinyls. From this moment I always tried to get them all. They were so modern and the look was incredible, still a milestone for me today.

I still play Speedy J’s ‘Something For Your Mind’, ‘Pullover’, ‘Technarchy’ or DBX on Accelerate, often along with classic house, minimal techno, or maximal big room tracks—they always work, and they’re still modern.

Speedy J, ‘Something for Your Mind’ (1991)

When we did La Funk Mob with Boombass, my partner in Cassius, James Lavelle (the boss of Mo’ Wax) asked us who we would love to be remixed by. I straightaway asked James if he could approach Richie Hawtin and Carl Craig. He didn’t know who they were, but in the end both said yes, did the mixes, and made me so proud. They both became who they are now, and sometimes when I hear Richie’s remix I go back in time, a time where my joy was to go every week to the record shop asking for news and waiting anxiously for the red, black, and white +8 logo and lettering—so distinctive, so ahead of the time, and so singular.

Even if it’s hard to hear it, when we did Motorbass’ ‘Pansoul’ with Etienne De Crecy, +8 was one of our big influences. Best to all!

JD Twitch (Optimo)

It was very, very hard to decide on a favourite Plus 8 release as so many of the releases made a huge and lasting impression on me. In the early days, it seemed each release was writing the blueprint for techno and that blueprint was developing and evolving on an almost weekly basis. Twelve-inch singles from F.U.S.E., Cybersonik, Final Exposure, Vapourspace and Plastikman were more than just anthems—they were a way of life for myself and a lot of my friends, to the point that a lot of people I knew had Plus 8 tattoos. We were very lucky to have a F.U.S.E., Cybersonik, and Speedy J live triple bill at the club, Pure, I played at back then, and that to this day it remains for me one of the pinnacles of live electronics.

After much consideration and having simply played ‘Substance Abuse’ one time too many, I have chosen Speedy J’s ‘Rise’ as my favourite—not track, but complete EP. ‘Something For Your Mind’ was the big club hit but it also features the beautiful and aptly titled, constantly rising Detroit techno of ‘Rise’ and the emotive downtempo delight that is ‘De-orbit’ which if sneakily played at 45rpm morphed into a Carl Craig style monster. ‘De-orbit’, though, is the one that has really stood the test of time and still gives me goosebumps every time.

Speedy J, ‘De-Orbit’ (1991)

Alan Fitzpatrick

I think for me, my favorite track has to be Richie Hawtin’s ‘Substance Abuse’, released under his F.U.S.E. alias. It’s a truly crazy track that perfectly combines the best elements of acid house with thumping techno fused into it. I love the heavy kick drums and sharp 909 hats! OVERDOSE!! A Plus 8 classic!!

F.U.S.E., ‘Substance Abuse’ (1991)

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