The dictionary definition of Zugzwang describes a Chess situation where any move you make will be a bad one. However, in the mid-1990s it was also one of several aliases chosen by a group of talented techno-making friends. Mark Small, Andrew Araneillo and brothers Neil and Barrie Baker released 2 EPs under this name, in 95 and 96, on their own label, Aphelion Recordings. They also recorded as Aphelion and Replicant for imprints such as Clair Poulton’s deFocus and Worm Interface – the label run by London record store, Ambient Soho. A couple of their tracks recently appeared on Vladimir Ivkovic & Ivan Smagghe’s excellent Idmemo compilations (Volume 2 is currently the only way to get a copy of the essential Euphonic without securing a loan), while Arrest has now been repressed on a 12 of its own. 

The original 1995 mix has a rattling metallic rhythm, bubbling as if it were boiling, countered by a half-speed B-line, and serenaded by synths. The latter’s melody resembling, slightly, Simple Minds’ Theme For Great Cities. It’s a fine example of that special strain of techno / IDM that races with life’s urgency while, simultaneously, is introspective and serene. Where its creators’ imaginations were fast forwarding toward some Sci-Fi utopia: a future, fantasy, dream of a land of promise and possibility. This is accompanied by 3 respectful remixes, all of which retain the spirit of the OG, from some of Zugzwang’s fellow UK techno pioneers. 

Nuron beefs up the half-speed beat, and swaps the strings for something more opulent / orchestral. Resulting in sublime electro-soul that alternates between rushing and romantic swoon. Voyance (Ben Sims & Nick Dunton) start with shimmering, sparkling sorta church organ-like swells before bringing in a snare-smashing breakbeat. Their keys, kinda cinematic / library music cues. The sonics perhaps paying homage to Carl Craig’s work as 69. B12’s Mike Golding then slows things down to a trip hop tempo, for a beautiful bit of emotive, Boards Of Canada-esque boom bap. 

Zugzwang’s Arrest can be ordered directly from Aphelion Recordings.