View basket “The Endless Echo” has been added to your basket. Black Mill Tapes (10th Anniversary Box) Pye Corner Audio SKU: LPSPS6 Barcode: 4062548019261 102.00 £102.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Lapsus Records Released Date: 21st January 2022 Buying Format: 5LP Box Set Out of stock Back Order Add to your Wishlist Description Product Info In the beginning, there was just a box of tapes and “Fate’s Gentle Hand.” It was the autumn of 2010, and an anonymous figure known only as the Head Technician, an employee of Pye Corner Audio Transcription Services (“Magnetically aligning ferrous particles since 1970”), found himself at an auction in the village of Coldred, pop. 110. He was on the hunt for tobacco pipes when he chanced across a trio of boxes listed in the auction catalog, which described their contents only as “archived magnetic recordings.” The sole bidder, he won the lot, and upon receipt of his purchase took possession of an unspecified number of mouldering cassettes and ¼” reel-to-reel tapes. The collection contained no identifying information save for a single phrase scrawled on each box: “Black Mill Sessions.” And so, armed with razors, eyedroppers, and a bevy of solid-state circuitry, the Head Technician sat down at his machines and got to work. Whether anyone believed it or not, this was the framing device surrounding Pye Corner Audio’s Black Mill Tapes Volume I: Avant Shards, which took the mysterious tactics of artists like Boards of Canada and Burial and raised them exponentially. Much like the narrator of a 19th century novel, the anonymous Head Technician purported merely to be the messenger of secondhand sounds. These were not compositions, we were told; they were tape transfers—“transcriptions” of an unknown author, slathered with hiss and thick with ambiguity. “Some of the tapes displayed an unusual amount of degradation and …an unsettling amount of background noise, whether electrical in nature, or otherwise,” wrote the Head Technician. “I chose to edit around the worst of the unusual break-ups, but some still remain.” It was a good yarn, and the music was better still. Like his contemporaries Demdike Stare and Ghost Box, Pye Corner Audio seemed to be tapping into some hidden energy current, channeling spirits via electrical means. The pioneering transmissions of the BBC Radiophonic Workshop could be detected lurking within the music’s staticky swirl; so could the ominous throb of John Carpenter’s film soundtracks. Drones and flutes commingled with chugging machine beats; miasmic clouds of haunted tone alternated with death disco. It all sounded eerie, otherworldly, possibly occult—yet also, in tracks like the glimmering “We Have Visitors,” accented with a hint of mischief. Over the next few years, Martin Jenkins—for that, after all, was the Head Technician’s name—would go on to release three more volumes of Black Mills Tapes. Among the dozens of releases he has put out since 2010, they remain among the most beloved in his catalog. Those original, digital-only releases—a rarity when they came out—reappeared on cassette, courtesy Seattle’s Further Records, in 2012; in 2012 and 2014, the now-defunct Type label would anthologize all four volumes. Now, 10 years after Avant Shards first appeared, Lapsus collects all four volumes —now remastered— along with a fifth disc of unreleased material and a limited booklet. The musical landscape has changed considerably in the past decade, but what is remarkable about the Black Mills Tapes material is that it hasn’t aged a day; its retro-futurist transmissions sound just as mysteriously compelling as they did the first time around. While they purport to faithfully transcribe the sound of yesterday’s technology, they end up being something more: a record of what we wish the past sounded like—a rickety tape transfer of desire itself, spooled and boxed, just awaiting discovery. Artist Pye Corner Audio Genre Electronica Label Lapsus Records Buying Options 5LP Box Set Format 5LP , Box Set Condition New Country UK Track Listings LP 1 - Black Mill Tapes Volume 1: Avant Shards LP 2 - Black Mill Tapes Volume 2: Do You Synthesize? LP 3 - Black Mill Tapes Volume 3: All Pathways Open LP 4 - Black Mill Tapes Volume 4: Dystopian Vectors LP 5 - Black Mill Tapes Volume 1: The Lost Tapes Share this On Facebook On Twitter Via Email More from Pye Corner Audio View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio The Endless Echo Electronica | Ghost Box | 1LP Released 5th April 2024 £20.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Pye Corner Audio The Endless Echo £20.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX045LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 5th April 2024 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Let’s Remerge! (Sonic Boom Remixes) Electronica | Sonic Cathedral | 10", Coloured Vinyl, Single Released 4th November 2022 £16.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Pye Corner Audio Let’s Remerge! (Sonic Boom Remixes) £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Sonic Cathedral SKU: SCR212 Formats: 10", Coloured Vinyl, Single Released Date: 4th November 2022 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Let’s Emerge! Electronica | Sonic Cathedral | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 15th July 2022 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Let’s Emerge! £21.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Sonic Cathedral SKU: SCR210LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 15th July 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Social Dissonance Electronica | Sonic Cathedral | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 15th April 2022 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Social Dissonance £20.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Sonic Cathedral SKU: SCR188LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 15th April 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Sleep Games (Reissue) Electronica | Ghost Box | 180g, 1LP Released 27th July 2017 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Sleep Games (Reissue) £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX017LP Formats: 180g, 1LP Released Date: 27th July 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Hollow Earth Electronica | Ghost Box | 1LP Released 8th February 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Hollow Earth £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX032LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 8th February 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio The Spiral Electronica | Death Waltz Originals | 10", EP/Mini Album Released 30th June 2017 £14.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio The Spiral £14.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Death Waltz Originals SKU: DWO21 Formats: 10", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 30th June 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Stasis Electronica | Ghost Box | 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 19th August 2016 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Stasis £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX025LP Formats: 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 19th August 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more from Pye Corner Audio Start again More from Electronica View Product Quick View Alex Somers Siblings Electronica | Krunk | 2LP Released 16th April 2021 £28.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Alex Somers Siblings £28.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Krunk SKU: 0190296810152 Formats: 2LP Released Date: 16th April 2021 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Sudan Archives Athena Electronica | Stones Throw | 1LP Released 11th November 2019 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Sudan Archives Athena £21.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Stones Throw SKU: STH2412LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 11th November 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Decius Decius Vol.1 Electronica | The Leaf Label | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 4th November 2022 £20.00 - £24.00 Select options Decius Decius Vol.1 £20.00 - £24.00 Genre: Electronica Label: The Leaf Label Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 4th November 2022 Read More Select options View Product Quick View Death In Vegas Scorpio Rising Electronica | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 11th December 2018 £24.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Death In Vegas Scorpio Rising £24.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP2251C Formats: 180g, 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 11th December 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Matt's picks View Product Quick View Native Soul Teenage Dreams Electronica | Awesome Tapes From Africa | 2LP Released 24th September 2021 £23.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Native Soul Teenage Dreams £23.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Awesome Tapes From Africa SKU: ATFA043LP Formats: 2LP Released Date: 24th September 2021 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Jane Weaver Flock Electronica | Fire Records | 1LP Released 5th March 2021 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Jane Weaver Flock £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Fire Records Released Date: 5th March 2021 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Elkka Harmonic Frequencies Electronica | Technicolour | 12", EP/Mini Album Released 21st January 2022 £11.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Elkka Harmonic Frequencies £11.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Technicolour SKU: TCLR042 Formats: 12", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 21st January 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Gogo Penguin Man Made Object Electronica | Blue Note | 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve Released 5th February 2016 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Gogo Penguin Man Made Object £22.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Blue Note SKU: 4768203 Formats: 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve Released Date: 5th February 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Goldie Timeless (The Remixes) Electronica | London Records | 3LP Released 21st July 2023 £48.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Goldie Timeless (The Remixes) £48.00 Genre: Electronica Label: London Records SKU: LMS5521643 Formats: 3LP Released Date: 21st July 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders View Product Quick View Borghesia [PIAS] 40 Electronica | PIAS | 12", EP/Mini Album Released 28th April 2023 £13.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Borghesia [PIAS] 40 £13.00 Genre: Electronica Label: PIAS SKU: BIAS4005 Formats: 12", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 28th April 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders See more in Electronica Start again
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio The Endless Echo Electronica | Ghost Box | 1LP Released 5th April 2024 £20.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Pye Corner Audio The Endless Echo £20.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX045LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 5th April 2024 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Let’s Remerge! (Sonic Boom Remixes) Electronica | Sonic Cathedral | 10", Coloured Vinyl, Single Released 4th November 2022 £16.00 Add to basket Reserve View Reservations Pye Corner Audio Let’s Remerge! (Sonic Boom Remixes) £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Sonic Cathedral SKU: SCR212 Formats: 10", Coloured Vinyl, Single Released Date: 4th November 2022 Reserve View Reservations Read More Add to basket
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Let’s Emerge! Electronica | Sonic Cathedral | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 15th July 2022 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Let’s Emerge! £21.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Sonic Cathedral SKU: SCR210LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 15th July 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Social Dissonance Electronica | Sonic Cathedral | 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 15th April 2022 £20.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Social Dissonance £20.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Sonic Cathedral SKU: SCR188LP Formats: 1LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 15th April 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Sleep Games (Reissue) Electronica | Ghost Box | 180g, 1LP Released 27th July 2017 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Sleep Games (Reissue) £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX017LP Formats: 180g, 1LP Released Date: 27th July 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Hollow Earth Electronica | Ghost Box | 1LP Released 8th February 2019 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Hollow Earth £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX032LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 8th February 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio The Spiral Electronica | Death Waltz Originals | 10", EP/Mini Album Released 30th June 2017 £14.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio The Spiral £14.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Death Waltz Originals SKU: DWO21 Formats: 10", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 30th June 2017 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Pye Corner Audio Stasis Electronica | Ghost Box | 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released 19th August 2016 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Pye Corner Audio Stasis £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Ghost Box SKU: GBX025LP Formats: 180g, 1LP, Includes Download Code Released Date: 19th August 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Alex Somers Siblings Electronica | Krunk | 2LP Released 16th April 2021 £28.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Alex Somers Siblings £28.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Krunk SKU: 0190296810152 Formats: 2LP Released Date: 16th April 2021 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Sudan Archives Athena Electronica | Stones Throw | 1LP Released 11th November 2019 £21.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Sudan Archives Athena £21.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Stones Throw SKU: STH2412LP Formats: 1LP Released Date: 11th November 2019 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Decius Decius Vol.1 Electronica | The Leaf Label | 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 4th November 2022 £20.00 - £24.00 Select options Decius Decius Vol.1 £20.00 - £24.00 Genre: Electronica Label: The Leaf Label Formats: 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 4th November 2022 Read More Select options
View Product Quick View Death In Vegas Scorpio Rising Electronica | Music On Vinyl | 180g, 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released 11th December 2018 £24.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Death In Vegas Scorpio Rising £24.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Music On Vinyl SKU: MOVLP2251C Formats: 180g, 2LP, Coloured Vinyl Released Date: 11th December 2018 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
Matt's picks View Product Quick View Native Soul Teenage Dreams Electronica | Awesome Tapes From Africa | 2LP Released 24th September 2021 £23.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Native Soul Teenage Dreams £23.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Awesome Tapes From Africa SKU: ATFA043LP Formats: 2LP Released Date: 24th September 2021 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Jane Weaver Flock Electronica | Fire Records | 1LP Released 5th March 2021 £16.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Jane Weaver Flock £16.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Fire Records Released Date: 5th March 2021 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Elkka Harmonic Frequencies Electronica | Technicolour | 12", EP/Mini Album Released 21st January 2022 £11.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Elkka Harmonic Frequencies £11.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Technicolour SKU: TCLR042 Formats: 12", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 21st January 2022 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Gogo Penguin Man Made Object Electronica | Blue Note | 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve Released 5th February 2016 £22.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Gogo Penguin Man Made Object £22.00 Genre: Electronica Label: Blue Note SKU: 4768203 Formats: 2LP, Gatefold Sleeve Released Date: 5th February 2016 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Goldie Timeless (The Remixes) Electronica | London Records | 3LP Released 21st July 2023 £48.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Goldie Timeless (The Remixes) £48.00 Genre: Electronica Label: London Records SKU: LMS5521643 Formats: 3LP Released Date: 21st July 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders
View Product Quick View Borghesia [PIAS] 40 Electronica | PIAS | 12", EP/Mini Album Released 28th April 2023 £13.00 Back Order View Pre/Back Orders Borghesia [PIAS] 40 £13.00 Genre: Electronica Label: PIAS SKU: BIAS4005 Formats: 12", EP/Mini Album Released Date: 28th April 2023 Read More Back Order View Pre/Back Orders