Suction 001

2022 marks the 25th anniversary of Suction Records, the Toronto-based electro/IDM label founded in 1997 by two emerging producers, Lowfish (aka Gregory De Rocher) and Solvent (aka Jason Amm), the latter still overseeing the label to this day. The labels inaugural release was a split Lowfish/Solvent 12, marking both artists debut vinyl appearance.

Gregory and Jason had known each other since high-school, but a deeper friendship was forged during their university years, after Gregory introduced Jason to early Rephlex releases by Aphex Twin and -Ziq. Gregory had been making electronic music in his bedroom for more than a decade, but it was those Rephlex releases that ignited Jasons passion to do the same. After several years of obsessive gear buying, music making, and playing tracks for each other, Lowfish and Solvent had hit their stride, and their demos even attracted the interest of legendary early IDM labels labels Skam (for Lowfish), and Isophlux (for Solvent). But things were slow-moving in those days letters, faxes, phone calls nothing was panning out. So thats when they decided to start their own label, and put out 300 copies of this 12, suction001.

The label was heavily inspired by contemporary artists like AFX, Autechre, and Panasonic, but on suction001, those influences collided with their 80s synth-pop and industrial roots to create something unique. 25 years later, it still sounds fresh, and like nothing else out there. On suction001, 808 drum machines are run through distortion and breakbeats are chopped and mangled, contrasting with melodic OMD-style leads and catchy synth-pop basslines a sound the label would refer to as distortion pedal new wave.

Over the past 25 years, Suctions sound has morphed and evolved, but in recent years has shifted back to its original Rephlex-inspired roots. That makes 2022 the perfect year to revisit this wild, 1997 debut, now reissued in a new, expanded edition for its 25th anniversary. The reissue adds 2 bonus tracks a 1999 remix by Detroit electro-punk duo ADULT., along with a previously-unreleased version of Lowfishs A1 cut, and also features new and improved artwork, including an insert with full label discography.

“Black” Limited to 500 copies,and comes with a download card.
“Black In Clear” Limited to 200 copies,and comes with a download card.