Tekno Tronik

A welcome return to this blog for Tronik Youth aka Neil Parnell, with a very belated follow up to the first Dubhed selection that I posted in August 2024.

Neil also heads up the NEIN Records label, which has been a go-to for me since discovering it on Bandcamp approx. 6 years ago. I've been on the mailing list since and NEIN releases are a regular addition to my shopping basket.

Last week, I received an offer that I couldn't refuse, an opportunity to buy the entire NEIN Records back catalogue at a frankly unbelievable discount. Even allowing for the considerable number of releases I've previously purchased, it was still such a bargain that I would have been silly not to.

Transaction completed, I've now added well over 1,500 tracks to my collection. It's going to take a long time to sift, sort and listen to it all...!

Tronik Youth music alone is a daunting prospect, with dozens of solo and collaborative EPs and albums, standalone releases, scores of edits and a remix CV that probably edges into three figures on NEIN Records alone.

 

Rather than feel overwhelmed by the sheer volume, much of which I haven't heard yet, I've instead followed my original rule of thumb in creating a snappy, 45-minute selection that can pair with my previous effort as a C90 cassette-friendly side.

As before, today's selection is a mix of Tronik Youth tracks, edits and remixes (of and by), 8 songs in total, spanning 2017 to 2026.

If you like what you hear, head over to NEIN Records on Bandcamp and buy.

Given the treasure trove of music, I can guarantee that I will posting further artist selections from the NEIN Records roster throughoout 2026.

1) Arabia Felix: Sarv + Tronik Youth ft. Monixa (2024)

2) Zulu Whiskey Zulu (Gemini Brothers Remix): Tronik Youth (2017)

3) Bumpy Rider: Tronik Youth (2023)

4) Seedling (Tronik Youth Remix): MAN2.0 (2017)

5) Electric Baby: Tronik Youth (2017)

6) Kill It (Single Version): Tronik Youth (2022)

7) Don't Space (Ands Mega Remix): Tronik Youth (2017)

8) Happy Days (Tronik Youth Remix): Ackerman (2026)

Tekno Tronik (45:37) (GD) (M)

You can find the previous selection, Elect Tronik, right here.

For those of you poised to ping your letters of complaint that I'd hoodwinked you in thinking today's post was all about Belgian rap/dance popsters Technotronic, I offer a crumb of consolation.

The cover art is a crop of the cover for their 1991 album Body To Body, which I put through a LunaPic filter and then further played around with lighting and exposure.

The hand and leg in question belongs to Reggie aka Réjane Magloire, the voice and face of Technotronic for their second album. In looking this up, I was sad to read that Reggie died of a heart attack in October 2023.

Turn That Frown Upside Down

I'm always thrilled when an email drops in, giving me a heads up of a new release by Jezebell aka Jesse Fahnestock and Darren Bell, and the latest news especially so.

Turn It Yes was one of five new songs and the closing track on last year's essential compilation Jezebellearic Beats Volume 2 (my review here), a joyous seven-and-a-half minutes built around a positive message/sample. I may be walking on thin ice if I name the featured artist here again, but they should be instantly recognisable. 

Eight months later and 6th March (Bandcamp Friday, if you're keeping note) brings Turn It Yes Remixes Vol. 1, a 4-track EP featuring the original mix plus three fresh reworks.

The EP is previewed with a gorgeous remix by Parvale aka Neil Parnell and Ian Vale, returning the favour as Jezebell remixed their own single Breaker City in 2025. Needless to say, it's a celebratory affair, upping the BPMs but losing none of the emotional impact of the original. 

Given that the other two remixes come from Hardway Bros aka Sean Johnston and Five Green Moons aka Justin Robertson, then this EP is the very definition of a must-have purchase.

And "Volume 1"...?

Those Jezebell lads spoil us rotten.

A Pair Of Portmanteaus

Parvale = Neil Parnell & Ian Vale

Jezebell = Jesse Fahnestock & Darren Bell

I do love a portmanteau name and when Nein Records label head Neil Parnell teamed up with Ian Vale, Parvale was created and new EP Breaker City the first fruits.

The lead track is an unashamedly heartfelt love letter to Acid and Breakbeat, blending the best of both into 345 seconds of compelling body music. 

I've greatly enjoyed Neil's releases and remixes as Tronik Youth and relatively recently caught up with Ian's work, so I was pretty much bought into this concept before hearing the track. That first listen sealed the deal.

Who else do you turn to for a remix than Jezebell? In their own words, Breaker City is "gone cut'n'paste and pop 'n' lock", dropping the tempo but not the attitude. A recurring sample of "nice 'n' slow" provides the remix with its name and, as you might expect, it's a slick, groovy six minutes that thrills from start to finish.

Closing track Drip Dry brings the BPMs right back up, another consumate and confident example of Neil and Ian's ability to pull from the past whilst reaching forward. At once evocative of the late 80s/early 90s and fresh as a springtime flower, it's another winner for me.  

Breaker City was released on 21st February but if you hang on to Bandcamp Friday to buy, even more of your hard earned pennies will reach the artists. And whilst you're at it, check out more of the Nein Records and Jezebell back catalogue too.