We recently reported that the techno record collective Sandwell District has called it quits. They have released a statement clarifying the reasons for the end.

“We stopped Sandwell District the same way we started it — through intuition. It’s what anyone with a passion or half a brain would have done. It will never get old. No one will be able to impose their clean values on it. We will all continue to work together. Nothing has changed but everthing has shifted. It was a glorious death, not a mercy killing, as is so often the case in these situations.” (Via FACT)

Sandwell District has called it quits. The techno record label / collective from the likes of Regis, Function, Silent Servent and Female has apparently decided to go into a new direction and possibly cease to release music all together. Beatportal and FACT have also recently reported on the matter.

On December 30th, 2011 Sandwell District first posted on their Tumblr account there would be a new Sandwell District release from Rrose out soon. The same day they also posted the following message (below) which stats that “regular audio communications from Sandwell District will cease.” Which sounds about as mysterious as their regular audio communications… Sounds to me like they are taking a break to see WhereNext? Maybe they’ll release something here or there or book some live events or some of the core members will part and something new will emerge. The label seemingly started to take a different path after the release of their full length album Feed Forward with a new (yet still mysteriously unknown) addition to the roster, Rrose. You could also sense the implosion of the collective from this recent Wire article. To top off on December 31th, 2011 they made a new Sandwell District mix tape available for free download.

R.I.P Sandwell District 2005-2011

The only thing the Movement 2011 schedule or afterparty lineup is missing is a few appearances from the Sandwell District crew. If only this was an event happening in Detroit instead of Berlin I would have my wish (I would actually wish it to be on Sunday the 29th instead of Saturday the 28th as to not disrupt my already secured Saturday Movement afterparty plans.

For this intimate clubnight in Berlin Scorn will play a live set, Function will DJ a solo set and also join Regis for a Sandwell District set. Sandra Electronics will also be making an appearance which may or may not be a solo set from Regis (as it was originally a solo project for he) or he could be paired with a recent Sandra Electronics collaborator, Silent Servent (It Slipped Her Mind’ 10).

Possibly to give you an idea of what you may hear Sandwell District/Downwards have been kind enough to offer a Sandra Electronics, Live in Santa Barbara 2009 free download. A 3:37 sample where the artist(s) for the track are aptly named KARL AND THE CURBCRAWLERS.

The first set of remixes for Sandwell District’s debut album, Feed Forward, come by way of Sandwell District’s own Function. Two remixes on the limited grey marbled 12″ vinyl include: “Immolare” (Osaka version) and “Falling The Same Way” (Dommune version).

Artist:	FUNCTION
Title:	Feed Forward Versions
Label:	Sandwell District
Format:	limited grey marbled vinyl 12″
Released:	7 March, 2011
Genre:	Techno

The highly anticipated full length compilation album, Feed Forward, from the Sandwell District record label collective has been delayed. I first began to wonder when online record stores had the album cataloged with a set release date of 10/25. The date had come and gone and so had the listing of the record. With earlier rumors that the Sandwell District collective, comprised of Regis, Funtion and Silent Servent, was not going to set an official release date and Feed Forwardwould just appear for release, I belived the disappearing listing played into the mystery of the the ominous techno label. Which it still may, but Sandwell District has officially announced “The Sandwell District compilation LP Feed Forward has been delayed due to issues with our processing plant. It has been scheduled for release in late November of 2010,” as noted below.

Side 1
1.”Reality Or Nothing” (Female mix)
Side 2
1.”Kalon 08″ (Sandwell mix)
2.”Reality Or Nothing” (’98 original mix)

Click to graphic begin download

The Sandwell District crew are set to release two new 12″ records on RSB. This set of 12″ are apparent remixes from the late ’90s releases on Housewerk Records.

RSB 8: Reality or Nothing Mixes

A1: Female Mix

B1: Kalon 08 (Sandwell Mix)

B2: 98 Original

RSB 9: Reality or Nothing Sandwell District Remixes

A1: CH Signal Mix

A2: 98 Original Demo

B1: Function Mix

B2: Silent Servant Mix

Download these three free tracks (via FACT) from the legendary Karl O’Conner (aka Regis, aka Kalon, aka CUB, among other duo projects including: UST / Ugandan Speed Trials (with Mick Harris), Sandra Electronics (with Juan Mendez) and British Murder Boys with Tony Child (Surgeon)). His more recent works are featured on his Sandwell District label with Juan Mendez (Silent Servant), Dave Sumner (Function) and Peter Sutton (Female). The just released Where Next? in preparation for the upcoming Sandwell District album due out this summer.

Be sure to check out FACT”s “Regis: Blood Into Gold” interview.

Download: Sandra Electronics – It Slipped Her Mind
- from Downwards DO4 10″ (O’Connor/Mendez, 2010)

Download: CUB – C U 1 (UST Mix)
- from CUB001 12″ (O’Connor/Harris, 2010)

Download: Regis – Accidents In The Workplace
- 2008 edit of track from Downwards LINO009 (O’Connor, 1994)