For anyone that’s sought out the deeper, more textured, more interesting side of electronic music over the past 20-years – Jori Hulkkonen should be a very familiar name. Or perhaps not, for as much as Hulkkonen is definitely one of the special talents of his generation, with his prolific production work earning him an almost untouchable reputation amongst his peers and fans – he’s always remained a connoisseurs choice. Now in 2012, he’s recorded an LP to remind us all exactly why.

Ever since his debut LP for Laurent Garnier’s legendary F.Communications back in 1996 (the first of 6 artist albums for the label), Jori Hulkkonen has always followed his own musical path. His journey started before then of course, and his love of making raw, stripped-down club music has never left him, his numerous classic solo releases and collaborations with great friend Tiga on Turbo Recordings pay testament to that. But, Jori’s sound has always been just as much about the listening experience, and in ‘Options’, the first single to be taken from his forthcoming album release ‘Negative Time’, that focus hasn’t changed.

With trademark beauty, ‘Options’ organically flows across a tougher, more mechanical structure as Jori introduces a new direction, and a new concept, under the guise of Third Culture.

“A few years back I read a piece about Third Culture. The basic idea was to take hard science, like physics and mathematics and put them with literary humanist faculties, although instead of opposing them, the idea was to try and find the similarities and common ground between them. I instantly recognized that juxtaposition; it’s the exact same element I strive to find when I play live shows with all of my vintage hardware. Improvising and creating something unique – a human touch, but using electronical machinery – it was something I just had to explore further.” Jori Hulkkonen, 2012

And with that, the scene is set.

Selected Feedback:

Kasper Bjorke – “Great!”

Martin Landsky – “The Tomas Barfod Dub for me here…”

Phonogenic – “Killer release”

Chloe – “Arto Mwambe remix is really nice!!! + the Tomas Barfod mix. Goood one”

Timo Maas – “Very nice stuff”

Justin Droog – “Arto Mwambe can do no wrong – Lovely vocals”

Jody Wisternoff – “Cool shit, love Jori and this track is on point! Club & radio support for sure ☺”

Ewan Pearson – “Very nice indeed – the Barfod mixes probably win for club play but I like all the versions”

Maasimiliano Pagliara – “The Arto Mwamber remix for me!”

Roberto Rodriguez – “Oh I so much want to hear the album after this teaser. This is just lovely!”

Matt Walsh – “Love the Arto Mwambe remix!”

Plastique de Reve – “Efficace. Merci”

Sasse – “Original is amazing and so are the remixes – well done MFR and especially Jori – this will stay for a long time in the box!”

Djuma Soundsystem – “Lovely deep house from Mr Barfod. I guess California treats him well ☺”

Lee Curtiss – “Cool ep!”

The Model – “Tomas Barfod remix yeah!!

Baby G – “This sounds really good, im sure the album will be a great success, good stuff robots!!!”

Anja Schneider – “Like the Tomas Barfod remix”

Daniel Avery – “Really like that Arto remix”

Darabi – “The Arto Mwambe remix is great”

Adultnapper – Really great package. Love the Barfod remix!”