8 Tracks: For Excess Baggage with Sean Johnston

 
Music

There are many an unsung hero in British dance and electronic music, those who have worked tirelessly to build a scene and remained truly committed and principled in what they do.

Sean Johnston is one half of the infamous ALFOS duo alongside Andrew Weatherall – he has been involved in dance music for decades and has many a string to his bow. Described as an "Acid-House Veteran, Techno Survivor and Alpinist" he has released music on a sprawling array of record labels and outfits which includes Flashcomm, Throne Of Blood, Sabres Of Paradise, Third Mind Records and beyond. 

As a DJ he is used to playing extended sets which span the breadth and width of electronic music: meandering through elements of krautrock, post punk, idm and electro along the way. A DJ for over thirty years, he knows more than a trick or two and has been a pivotal element in the evolution of the modern day dancefloor as we know it. 

Sean is preparing to release new music under the guise of A Mountain Of Rimowa on the label 2MR.

We invited him to pick tracks which focus on the theme of excess and a heavy weight. 


Buy the new record HERE

La Duesseldorf - Rheinita

Described by Bowie as “the soundtrack” of the 80’s”, La Dusseldorf was the brainchild of Klaus Dinger, formerly of Neu! and originator of the endless “motorik” beat which underpins some of the Krautrock greats. The combination of propulsive beat and emotional electronics is brutally compelling.

  • La Duesseldorf - Rheinita

    Described by Bowie as “the soundtrack” of the 80’s”, La Dusseldorf was the brainchild of Klaus Dinger, formerly of Neu! and originator of the endless “motorik” beat which underpins some of the Krautrock greats. The combination of propulsive beat and emotional electronics is brutally compelling.

  • Bloc Party - Signs

    Generally speaking, I’m not a fan of early 21st-century indie-rock bands, but this was brought to my attention by Larence of Dial, who once closed out a set at Cable with this instrumental. I’m drawn to harmonic chimes (maybe a throwback to the tones of the ice-cream van) and the simplicity and emotional draw of this track is seductive.

  • Acid Pauli - Nana

    Martin Gretschmann is a genius. His tracks and remixes are a regular feature at our ALFOS nights. This beauty from 2016 is one of my favourite recent modern electronic pieces.

  • Michael Rother - Karussell

    Michael Rother was also a member of Neu! This one from his 1977 album Flammende Herzen featuring Jaki Liebezeit of Can on drums and produced by Conny Plank. A krautrock classic. Inspirational for melodic simplicity.

  • L.B. Bad - New Age House

    The real “Deep House” from Lamont Booker in 1989. Memories of dancing in the smoke at the Fitness Centre with my friend James, living for the weekends.

  • Koenig Cylinders - Carousel

    Memories from a Southwark railway arch, courtesy of my partner in crime Mr. Weatherall, a Sabresonic classic. The real melodic techno.

  • Clockworks · Laurie Spiegel

    From the 1980 album The Expanding Universe, Laurie Spiegel was a pioneer of the man/machine interface. From the same school as Terry Riley, Phillip Glass and Steve Reich, a master of slowly evolving textures and emotional richness.

  • This Is Not America Smackos Emax Discoremix By Legowelt

    And back to Bowie. David Bowie and Pat Metheny track from the OST of The Falcon and the Snowman, remixed here unofficially by Legowelt. A work of genius on all parts.