ESP Institute: Fingertracks Vol.1 (Lovefingers) Vinyl 2LP

lovefingers.org is a relic of the unconsolidated, pre-social media internet. Free of opinions, reviews or aggressive personal branding, Andrew Hogge (aka Lovefingers) posted a track per day each day from 3/15/2006 to 12/31/2009. Dusty dollar bin finds cavort with cosmic grails, private press records in sequence with cutting-edge indie-electroclash-pop-whatever. In the label's words - “This was before most things we now take for granted were common on our dancefloors, radio shows or live streams. Those ubiquitous Euro Pop dubs, unclassics that aficionados play at the wrong speed, or private gems that have since been reissued to the moon and back? Many of them popped up on our collective radars via the medium of lovefingers.org first.” While the site remained relatively underground for much of its run, it was incredibly influential and insppired a new generation of crate diggers and selectors. The site posted its last track on New Years Day 2010, leading to the launch of ESP Institute, a platform to champion new artists who emerged from this foundational community. Fingertracks Volume 1 is the first in a rumored series of compilations that selects and collects a handful of records that re-introduce the story of this dense musical resource. “Theme One” by The Chequers is layers of wonky keys and sequenced horns, “Good Side” by Lifetones is jittery lo-fi funk with a truly baffling spoken vocal. “Today” by Hotlegs is medieval MIDI strings and falsetto vocals, “Skylab” by Electronic System is downtempo bass and snare, howls of electric guitar in the margins. This record is pressed on double heavyweight vinyl. 

• double black vinyl pressing
• music label: ESP Institute

reviewed by SWOPTIMO 07/2019