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The 1994 techno maestro Plastikman, also known as Richie Hawtin, seized the music world with his unprecedented second album, “Musik.” Hailed as one of the most innovative techno albums, “Musik” was a masterstroke from Hawtin’s illustrious discography under the iconic alias Plastikman. Dovetailing from the success of Plastikman’s maiden album ‘Sheet One,’ ‘Musik’ elaborates on the same foundation, bending and molding techno soundscapes into unforeseen shapes without forfeiting its dancefloor gravity.
Richie Hawtin had already marked his territory in the early 90s with his disruption to Detroit techno’s second wave. His flirtation with minimal techno found its distinctive voice in the grooves of this album. In the sea of acid and minimal techno, pieces like ‘Konception’ stands out with its impressive layer-building technique that explores the limitless potential of manipulated sound waves, creating an electrifying atmosphere filled with rhythm and intensity. The profound physicality of tracks like ‘Kriket’ and ‘Fuk’ makes them a magnet for any techno enthusiast.
Before Plastikman became a globally recognized name, Hawtin was more known for his solidarity with John Acquaviva, with whom he established the Plus 8 record label in 1990. Born as Richard Hawtin, the artist became bewitched with electronic music at an early age through his father’s love for Kraftwerk and Tangerine Dream, leading to his fascination with house music and techno while DJing in clubs during his teens. He shared these innovations with like-minded artists like Speedy J and Kenny Larkin through his label, Plus 8, and continued impressing fans with his inimitable beats and rhythms under the Plastikman identity.
‘Musik’ is more than a techno album; it’s an exploration and celebration of the nuances and elasticity of techno sounds. Be it the throbbing kicks, winding acid lines from ‘Konception’ or the echo-laden soundscape of ‘Kriket,’ Hawtin leaves his magical touches everywhere. Tracks like ‘Goo’ and ‘Kiropraktor’ stand testimony to his conventional yet avant-garde sound manipulation capabilities, winding in synthetic cacophony with robust acid basslines and experimenting with atmospheric sounds.
In line with the celebrated 30th anniversary of Plastikman’s inception, Richie Hawtin has regenerated new life into ‘Musik.’ The album has been meticulously remastered from the original tapes and pressed onto limited-edition bio-vinyl, impeccably presenting the abstract and alienish attraction of ‘Musik.’ Just like its predecessors, this edition of ‘Musik’ is proof of Hawtin’s continuous experimentation with sound, churning with an ethereal yet gritty charm that places Hawtin alongside legendary techno craftsmen like Derrick May and Jeff Mills.
Richie Hawtin, through his Plastikman persona, solidified his unique tissue in the broad fabric of electronic music with ‘Musik.’ The album, even after three decades, stands tall as Hawtin’s most cherished work under the Plastikman moniker, striking a chord with both techno heads and sound explorers. ‘Musik’ will always be remembered as a seminal album that sparked a revolution in deconstructing and pushing the boundaries of what once was known as techno.
