LFO (1991), iconic release by British band LFO, stands for Low-Frequency Oscillation. This electronic music anthem shaped the techno and electronic scene in England
About the record
I received a promo copy of it in 1991. Tommy Boy record was then promoted by Fnac Dance Division in France. At that time I was the resident DJ for the club BOY (Limoges, France). I simply loved this EP from the Sheffield duet LFO aka Mark Bell & Jez Varley on the first listening, and I played it on the following night. Audience response was amazing, people were screaming but, on those Low Frequency Oscillations, we lost part of our sound system ! We had to ask for maintenance to turbo sound. I still remember the face of the guy who came to repair it : « what the hell did you play to burn this out? ». 23 years later, I had the chance to see Mark Bell playing is solo project at Astropolis 2014, about 3 month before his passing. I loved his show…
Few words about the record
We Are Back : This track features catchy rhythms and innovative use of samples, with a euphoric vibe that was well received in clubs. LFO : This eponymous track is often considered a classic of the techno scene. It features deep bass and signature synthesizers, establishing a recognizable sound that has had a lasting impact on electronic music. This EP was a turning point in LFO’s career, helping to establish the band as one of the pioneers of British techno. Their creative use of electronics and deep bass influenced many artists in the genre and was praised for its ability to capture the energy of raves of the era. This EP also contributed to Warp Records’ reputation as an innovative label in electronic music, cementing its place in 90s music history. LFO continues to be a respected and recognized name in the music scene, having left a lasting legacy through tracks like We Are Back and LFO.
About LFO
Techno house duet from Sheffield UK, LFO are Mark Bell & Jez Varley. 1st singles We are Back, Freeze & Love is The Message from the album Frequencies and also the single Tied Up from their Advance album influenced the uk techno scene. Frequencies came out in 1991, 3 years after the creation of the band. Before their work on their second album, the duet has worked with Alan Wilder from Depeche Mode & Karl Bartos from Kraftwerk. 1995n came Advance. Since then, Jez Valey got a solo career & Mark Bell has worked on Homogenic with Björk. LFO means Low Frequency Oscillator. 2003, LFO was back with a new LP on Warp Sheath.
