Who ever thought techno music will come out of the deep south of Birmingham, Alabama where the Civil Rights Movement all started? There's a few good artists here in my hometown who needs to be expose to the public and Letrotek is one of them. The techno duo released two albums at the same time. The first one is their self-titled that features 9 danceable tracks. This is a standard minimalist dance album that the djs can play at the rave clubs and parties. You get songs like "Gruve Theory", "Warp Speed", "Dive Deep", "Atmozpherik Dizturbanze", "Galaxy Unknown" and the house track "Dance" that features one of the half member, Eric Carwell's wife, Randi on vocals. Letrotek can make a name for themselves in the dance scene, but only if they push their albums out so they can get some recognition. They're too good and deserve publicity.

Three reasons why I like this band: One-originality; Two-positive lyrics; and Three-they can make you dance. Endora is a four piece electronic band making wave in the state of Illinois and other parts of the United States as well. A new breed in synth-pop, electro, futurepop, and ebm. Have already recorded numerous of tracks and been getting club and radio play. A five song demo was sent to me and indeed impressed what I've heard and couldn't stop playing the disc. The kick off track futurepop "Perfect Isolation" have a couple of breakdown bridges and stands the ep out very well with a ebm beat. "Smile" have a Depeche Mode feel, which kind of reminds me of their "Some Great Reward" era. A great love song with catchy synth melodies. A remake of Anything's Box "Carmen" was done in a beautiful way using only piano and strings. Endora is no stranger to the electronica scene. They've been around a couple of years and have performed in clubs, the House of Blues and been interviewed live on a radio station. The band's new and second singer, Johnny Quale, voice puts you in the mind of Dave Gahan. On the Mp3.com's Chicago artist page they're listed as top artist in Chicago area, 8th straight month. In one less year their Mp3.com website has been up and surpassed the 5,000 play mark. The band is releasing a full debut album sometime this year in 2003. Take a peep at their website and listen to the samples of their music, you'll see why everyone loves ENDORA!

Every year new bands are form and REASON COMES RUNNING is one of the modern ones to date. This gothic/industrial duo based out of Arizona is consists of Cat Ide-lyrics/vocalist/synths; and Chuck Den-Baars-vocalist/drums/electronic drum fx/synths. Their very first six song ep release"Darkroom Unity" has gotten my undivided attention fully. So many times I've listened to the cd over and over and over again and still hook on it. And I just can't stop playing it. I like the way Cat sings. Her voice puuurrrrrfectly blends with the music. The album have female/male vocals, but Cat sings more than her other half. And it is a good idea to have her upfront and in control. "Austrian Room" starts off the disc. This song is real catchy. It talks about a person who commits suicide. And after the trigger from the gun been pulled, he/she has realized what they've done after figuring out it's not the solution to the problem they been facing until it's too late. On "Daylight," Cat takes a stab on relationships. To make the picture transparent by explaining it with a brief sense, the song is about trusting the one you truly love. But the one you truly love betrays you. Everything you see in that person is nothing but an 'illusion.' Another favorite of mine is "Dark Angel," which talks about a woman who's having a crush on a guy she sees. Basically, the some of the songs on the cd is based on Cat's personal feelings, experiences, and other people she knows who told her their drama life story. RCR music have an 80's feel, but an original unique sound of their own. This ep is totally magnificent and you can buy it from the MP3 company. If you buy the cd, it features a bonus track called "Vespers." A song about grief and have a haunting feel. That's seven awesome tracks in all with a dance and solitude thinking feel. Buy the cd. NOW!!!!!!

My interview with Cat Ide will appear in the next issue of Underground Access. To reserve a FREE copy, e-mail me your address privately. This is one kick-ass interview you don't want to miss reading. It's like watching VH1: BEHIND THE MUSIC!

ENVY IS BLIND (aka Mike Poggenburg) has finally dropped its very first release, a six song ep called "The Eyes Of Time's Conception". EIB stands along side with Frontline Assembly, Skinny Puppy & other industrial acts, but have his own unique noise harsh-filled sound. The disc kicks off with "Synthetic Evolution", an aggressive hard-floor dance track with a dark ebm beat. This is the best song that stands the album out and could be the first single and be played at all the underground clubs and radio stations. "Requiem" follows next, which is dedicated to the event that happened after the September 11th incident. There's a remix of the song called "Requiem (Little Tin Box's Eyesore)", which you can hear and download on mp3.com. You'll hear samples of Bush, McCain & others discussing the issue on the track. Definitely, it have an industrial/EBM feel too. On "Co-Existence", a vocoder is used instead of a human voice and also have a sample of voice talking. ENVY IS BLIND brings out the cold and mean definition of sound from machines with soundtrack themes, atmospheric surroundings and mature club/dance feel. Buy the cd, you won't be disappointed or check out some mp3's at www.mp3.com/envyisblind

It's time to go back to the 80's where Newwave/New Romantic and electronics/synthesizers first began it's mainstream groundbreak. Oh yes, definitely! Felix Da Housecat, aka Felix Stallings Jr., (who also have performed under the name Aphrohead, Thee Madcat Courtship, and Elektricboy) has put out an amazing cd that's purrr-fecto blend of 80's electro decadence and underground grooves. I'm talking about "Kittenz and thee Glitz" that includes various of collaborators who helped made this album strolling up on the dance charts. The disc shot off three singles; "Madame Hollywood" sung by sexy Swiss and the new queen of electro-pop Miss Kittin, which was number 8 for best selling maxi-single. The two videos I saw on MTV2 Dance are "What Does It Feel Like?" and the remake of the all girl 80's group The Flirts "Silver Screen Shower Scene". "Harlot" (Intro) opens the disc with the seductive vocals of Melistar who sounds like Garbage frontwoman Shirley Manson. Other tracks features "Pray For A Star" and the soulful and beautiful soft ballad "Runaway Dreamer" sung by Harrison Crump. Felix and thee glamour Glitz crew offers the sound of house and trance in "Sequel2Sub", "Analog City" and "Magic Fly". These cool 16 tracks of synth-pop and house will make you want to get out your strobelights and dance the night away. Some of the music compositions are backed by electro melodies that resembles Depeche Mode 1982 "A Broken Frame" era. A great combination from this Chicago's American Dj. "Kittenz and thee Glitz" is the most innovative album ever produced for the new millenium!