Audiopile Review: New label alert! Freshly launched UK imprint Sounds of Objects comes out swinging with two reissues of sorely overlooked albums pulled from the bottomless depths of 90’s electronic music, both previously released only on CD and now liberated to vinyl. First up is the self-titled debut from Gagarin, the project of percussionist/composer Graham Dowdall, a sought after studio and live performer from the UK post-punk scene who worked with Cabaret Voltaire, Faction, Suns Of Arqa, John Cale and, during her final years, Nico. Though its being simply labeled as an ambient-techno album, Gaharin explored a wider terrain here than that catchall tag would imply. From dub-centric downtempo, global breakbeat workouts and stormy trance, the fingerprints of his years in post-punk are traceable across the album, shading it with a darker bent than music of similar ilk. Anyone into well-worn classics from Higher Intelligence Agency, Namlook, A Positive Life, MLO or Spacetime Continuum are urged to grip. The second release from Sounds of Objects this week is a 1997 EP from Benge, the prolific project helmed by Ben Edwards. An IDM deep cut if there ever was one, Polyrhythmic Electronica lives up to its name with its intricate beat patterns of rushing snares, prickled and glitchy tones and fluttering synths. It retains both a cold clarity of dense production crafted with incredible skill but is still imbued with an approachable, light-on-its-feet warmth. Comparisons are sure to abound with the IDM sound that had been the hallmark of Warp during this time, but Benge strikes his own idiosyncratic style that falls more in line with labels like Skam and Rephlex and their stable of wilder talents. These both may have been a buried treasure for decades to come if it wasn’t for the thoughtful curation of Sounds of Objects, who are off to an incredibly promising start.

Benge is the influential electronica artist who launched the Expanding Records label in 1995. Polyrythmic Electronica is one of the underrated gems from Benge’s discography. Originally released in 1996, this CD is finally getting the vinyl press it deserves. Opening the series of re-issues from digital to vinyl on the new System Of Objects imprint.