STRATIS - Mokoyaro 1982-1985

2012 release. "Limited edition of 500. This box is a complete anthology of the musical output and works by Albert Klein and Antonios Stratis as Stratis, as well as Kleins project with Philip Tesch, 96 Eyes, all recorded between 1982-86. It contains all of their original tape recordings released on their own label Creative Tapes (later called Temporary Music) between 1982 and 1984 (Exotic, New Face, Musica da Ballo, Film Musik, and Raging Beauty), which they also licensed to Colin Potters ICR label. It also contains all of their compilation contributions from 1983-86, originally released on various vinyl and tape labels such as Bain Total, X-Tract, Mystery Hearsay, Noel (founded by Oscar Smit (Vinyl Magazine)), and many more. All in all, 64 beautiful minimal synth tracks ranging from NDW-Classics like "Die Kur" through minimal robotic synth pop; German electro; cold wave classics like "Herzlos" and "She Is Dancing"; sci-fi and future-obsessed tracks that could have been composed for movies like Blade Runner (1982), Flash Gordon (1980), or Tron (1982); and even traditional progressive German electronic music from the Tangerine Dream school as well as tracks recalling Chris & Cosey and Yello, including "Technotow," "Foggy Weather," and "Nightfly." Masterfully played analog equipment with jazz and funk influences and superb basslines ("Musica da Ballo," "Mezzanotte," "Dance"). As if this is not enough, one can even hear tracks with Eastern electro vibes and Arabian melodies and vocal samples echoing in the background, sometimes bringing to mind Bryn Joness Muslimgauze. "Although the role of Stratis in the 80s was obscure in commercial terms, the ambassadorial significance of his self owned label Temporary Music was vital in introducing Northern American artists to what has now grown into a flourishing German electro scene and vice versa." --Mark Lane, Chain D.L.K.