Welshman Aubrey Fry knows how to make bold electronic statements. He has quickly proved that with EPs on the likes of John Digweed’s Bedrock where he blends elements of breaks, techno, and electronica to perfection. He has also collaborated with the likes of Stelios Vassiloudis, Alex Banks and Charlie May, exploring new sonic territories and releasing captivating remixes. Beyond his solo ventures, Aubrey is part of a band with Shanti Matkin and Frédéric Holyszewski, collectively known as ACiDTRAX and will serve up their debut EP in 2024 on The Soundgarden. As his new ‘Riser EP’ drops on Sasha’s Last Night On Earth, DMCWorld goes back to mine with Aubrey Fry.
Manuel Göttsching – E2-E4: Ruhige Nervosität 2
This has to be one of the finest pieces of electronic music ever made. It encapsulates everything that is important to me, including the Balearics, the art of DJing, and pure unadulterated emotion. It means a lot to me as it was first released in 1981 (the year I was born). I can think of a thousand times I’ve played this album from start to finish, and I will never ever get bored of it.
The Orb – Little Fluffy Clouds
The first time I heard this track was back in 1991 when I was aged 10. I was introduced to The Orb by a family friend who had just been to see them at a gig in Cardiff. I was mesmerized by both Adventures Beyond The Ultraworld and The Ultraworld Excursions albums. They are still mind-blowing journeys into electronica.
Doi-Oing – Blue: Trance Mix
An absolute belter of a track also featuring on one of the all-time best afterparty CDs – Northern Exposure 2, mixed by none other than Sasha & Digweed, which has countless stunning tracks on it, but this one sticks out for me. It is one of those tracks that changes the pace of whatever journey you are on, be that at home or in a club.
Shakespears Sister – Black Sky (Dub Extravaganza, Pt. 2)
This track takes me back to my school days. I was pretty obsessed with Shakespears Sister and rave culture. At school, my year group would hold listening parties in an old science classroom, DJing with cassette tapes and sharing the new music we’d found. This was a firm favourite of mine.
Boymerang – Lazarus
Another throwback to my formative years. I would drive into the Welsh mountains, stare into the bleak yet beautiful vista, floating away on a marijuana-intoxicated trip. Some of the most amazing times were had listening to this album, which is one of the first standout drum and
bass albums in my opinion.
The Detroit Escalator Co. – Abstract Forward Motion as a mission
Pure and emotive, this track takes you to the end of time and back. It transports me through a new solar system on every listen and yet, on a more grounded level, it draws on the everyday struggles of life, invoking an inner sadness that is blended into joy as the arrangement unfolds. One of the most incredible pieces of electronica ever made.
Boards of Canada – Olson
The kings of ambient, pure gritty, wonkery. This track takes me back to my time in Brighton studying music production in the early 2000s. It encapsulates some of those times perfectly. Time was irrelevant, days, nights, weekends all rolled into one. Like a blur, yet firm and
fixed in time.
Ulrich Schnauss – Goodbye
Now for the grand master of ambient! This guy has always pushed the barriers of what became a sound that the likes of Royksopp and Tycho champion today. This guy was always way ahead of the game in my opinion. His musicality has always pushed the right buttons for me. Full-on soundscape, full-on emotion; this is just bliss.
Charlie May – Wake Up Late(r)
From his days with DJ Sasha and also Spooky, Charlie has always been a huge inspiration to me. I love his production style and also his ability to bring a mixdown to life. This track is just incredible in my opinion: lush, simple, and yet super powerful. As my old sound design tutor used to say to me, less is more!
Morphology – Past Tense
This is a deep dive into the underground, from one of the most prolific underground techno labels in the UK, exaltrecords. This is a journey of pure joy, one of the most beautiful pieces of music that harness some of my favourite sounds in one palette. It takes me to places that I never thought existed, or at least lost for a time. Acid-laden bliss! Enjoy!
Aubrey Fry, new ‘Riser EP’ is out September 8th on Last Night On Earth.
