Dave Clarke releases ‘Red 2’ Digitally for the first time – Announces 30th Anniversary Box Set of his seminal album
Originally released in 1994, UK artist Dave Clarke continues to revitalise his catalogue for a new generation with the digital re-release of the seminal “Red 2”. This timeless EP slots into the middle of a trilogy of genre-defining releases, highlighting a historic period for electronic music by connecting a new generation of listeners with an undeniable pioneer of techno.
As a prominent figure in techno and a bold ambassador for the genre’s inherent futurism, Dave Clarke has long been classified as a genuine, expressive artist whose lasting musical career combines a bold idiosyncratic passion and technical ability, crashing through walls of hesitancy with a passionate conviction.
Now released via Skint Records, the revolutionary lead track “Wisdom To The Wise” transports us back to the times of razor-sharp club weapons armed with spellbound rave sequences and packed-out kick drums. The title of the track is a message from Clarke to “those that know the difference” and signifies the purity of the subcultures that techno paved the way for during the 90s. The latter track “Gonk” serves up a percussive shuffle detailed by an overlapping extraterrestrial electro-hook.
Compiling the digital re-releases of the complete ‘Red’ series, a unique boxset edition of the ‘Archive One’ album will be released in 2024 – over 30 years after it first changed people’s perceptions of what techno could be. The special edition boxset is now available to pre-order and will be supported by a tour throughout spring, with European dates visiting France, Spain, Germany, UK, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Ireland.
“Back in 1986, The Elect came up with a track called “I am House” – in 86 not much was moving for house music on the UK south coast, sure some clubs were playing it, hats off to Chris Coco, Shem etc, but it still was “secret sauce” and normally a half-hour jolly after soul and funk and hip hop. I do not believe I actually ever heard a DJ even play this track on the dancefloor either, but the lyrics and deepness of the track struck something within me (it still does) and the lyric “Wisdom to the Wise” always stayed with me. Fast forward to the end of 1992 / beginning of 1993, I had this track that had no title and the eureka moment came, the two just fitted together hand in glove; the title meant to me “for the heads” “for those that know the difference”. It was a different scene, nascent, on the peripheries of sub-culture, a wink wink with other heads. Red Two for me was a bookend from when house music like The Elect was for the “weird” people, then bouncy castles and raves and money took over, then club culture came back and techno started to credibly flourish” – Dave Clarke
A maverick, a musician, a photographer and a man with a singular electronic vision, Dave Clarke has great instincts – and those singular instincts have kept him on the correct musical path for over three decades straight. Championed early by the late John Peel who affectionately labelled him The Baron Of Techno, Dave Clarke has been making music of his own since 1990, along the way collaborating with and remixing iconic artists such as Depeche Mode, The Chemical Brothers, Underworld and New Order to Fontaines D.C. Soft Moon, A Place To Bury Strangers, Gazelle Twin, The Amazing Snakeheads and Placebo.
By disposing of the status quo virtues that music must be polished and prepared, Dave Clarke is an underground-championing artist with principles that can’t be bought or sold.
His incredible catalogue and career forged a timeless pillar for the genre of techno, early recordings that helped crack open a world for fresh voices of electronic music, and a lasting admiration amongst the scene’s new generation of protagonists.
Pre OrderThe One Time Limited Edition Pressing Of Archive One And The Red Series 30th Anniversary Boxset.
Contains:
- 1 x Remastered Archive One Album
- 3 x Red Series Coloured Vinyl Singles
- 1 x Red Rare Coloured Vinyl Single
- 1 x Red Remixes Coloured Vinyl Single
- 16 Page Booklet with rare photos, sleeve notes and a foreword by Dave Clarke
- 1 x Signed photo print
Remixers include The Chemical Brothers, Umek, DJ Sneak, Surgeon, DJ Rush and Robert Hood. Pre-order here
Dave Clarke on Tour *denotes Special Red Set
27th Jan 2024 – L’Autre Canal, Nancy, France
2nd Feb 2024 – Infinity, Sintra, Portugal
10th Feb 2024 – IBoat, Bordeaux, France
11th Feb 2024 – Le Sucre, Lyon, France*
17th Feb 2024 – Fabrik, Madrid, Spain
1st March 2024 – Ulster Sports Club, Belfast, Northern Ireland*
2nd March 2024 – Electric Avenue, Waterford, Republic Of Ireland*
16th March 2024 – Netto Arena, Szczecin, Poland
29th March 2024 – Wav, Liverpool, England*
30th March 2024 – Cactus Club, Brugge, Belgium
13th April 2024 – Fabric, London, England
20th April 2024 – Lenox Club, Luxembourg*
30th April 2024 – Mayday, Dortmund, Germany
4th May 2024 – Tresor, Berlin, Germany*
14th June 2023 – Rex Club, Paris, France*
Dave Clarke – “Red 2” is out January 31st via Skint / BMG.
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