Wladimir M. – 2023

‘2023’ is the rather unexpected new project of the Dutch cult hero Wladimir Manshanden. 32 years ago, in 1991, Wladimir M founded together with techno icon Stefan Robbers, one of the first Dutch techno labels: Eevo Lute Muzique.

While Robbers (as Terrace and Acid Junkies) pursued an international techno career in the years that followed, Manshanden preferred to remain in the shadows. His discography is as small as it is peculiar. But his track ‘Evil’ is an undisputed classic, back in the days, picked up and licensed by the likes of Carl Craig’s Planet E and Dimitri’s infamous Static Tracks Volume 1 mix, while the re-issue a few years ago was picked up again by Nina Kraviz and others.

For that reason alone, ‘2023’ is special. But it gets even better. And weirder. On his collaborative, music is produced by either Stefan Robbers or Bjorn Telkamp, new project, he disassembles the eighties pop hits of his youth into sober, futuristic spoken-word techno.

On the one hand, he does not shy away from some cringe (Dire Straits, Simple Minds, Tina Turner). On the other, he pays tribute to some genuine electronic heroes like Kraftwerk, New Order and (low and behold) Master C&J.

The path to the bare essentials leads through a futuristic labyrinth. Along the way, you get hints of monotone voices, cipher codes and wondrous Dutch titles like ‘Privé Onderzoek.’ The outcome is alienating and magical at the same time.