Kid Machine - First Contact (2014)

Cyber Dance Records return with a full-length double-vinyl album from Manchester's Kid Machine (aka Mark Wilkinson) following a string of instantly sold-out EPs for Viewlexx, Red Laser and Flight Recorder. A long-time collaborator of world-famous Italo Disco DJ Flemming Dalum, it's no surprise that many of the tracks have that hallmark space sound reminiscent of the likes of Cyber People and Koto, but Mark stamps his own distinct identity on the genre by slowing down the BPM's and incorporating many other influences throughout so that this is no retro affair but a distinctly fresh and modern take on the genre. No mere collection of dance tracks, this is a proper album in the truest sense of the word. From the dark and powerful strains of the opening 'This Is My Universe' to the rousing emotional closing track 'Golden Triangle' Mark takes us on an epic synthesised journey that is as comfortable on the home stereo or night-drives in the car as it is on the dancefloor. Effortlessly incorporating elements and themes ranging from the cosmic ('Forever In The Stars', 'Leaving Space', 'Astromance', 'Starbreaker', 'Galaxia') to the militant ('We Are At War') to subconscious fear ('Nightmares'), everything flows with an ease far beyond the short time that he's been releasing music so far and revealing why his rise has been such a lightning phenomenon.