Quality over quantity has been the guiding principle for this London techno label over the past decade, and it has been better than ever since its relaunch in 2009. RA delves into the history of James Ruskin's Blueprint.

thanks!

5 stars label!
Thanks 4 the mix

Nice one RA... I've got a lotta love for Blueprint and Ruskin! Looking forward to that mix and most importantly... BP030

hell yes! just what the doctor ordered

best feature i've seen on RA in a while. very well done.

one of our main inspirations...

Always been a Fan, still a fan. Thank you Mr Ruskin.

One of my favourite labels. Love what James Ruskin is doing. Go on like that!!

btw: will BP029 be released on vinyl too? Can't find it anywhere. On discogs it's only listed as a digital release so far. Hope Blueprint will go on with releasing on vinyl and digitally.

Big fan of Ruskin of past and present.



Also WTFOMG at the tracklist on that mix. YES!

The article is pretty simple & too straight. It doesn't fit me with information, just made an overview of already known things. & it's a shame, because music journalism should open new dimensions, visions & ideas & not repeat what was already being done. As for top 'music oriented' site like RA, it's a shame.

Anyway, thanks for 'promoting' proper music & thanks for the mix.

There are still very many people who are discovering music and simply don't know the label nor the dj! I just read in some thread that someone didn't knew Mills... It's a nice sum up about the history, present and coming future, so what else need to be said? What Ruskin eats?

I beg your pardon, but, please, don't act silly. It's obvious that there are a lot people who know nothing about Blueprint. For them there are Wikipedia. On other hand, there was really useful info like Robert Hood debut or... hmmm... Valmay release & that's all. Ruskin is more interesting person who can reveal & describe his sound, his attitude to technologies & so on. Ok, yes "it's a really nice sum", but you read it in 10 minutes & bye-bye, no interesting ideas or sorf of will go with me. I mean, the style of article is like a "news feature" similar to BBC like to post. This thing is really sad.

Thanks for the feedback, MilesEvents. I consciously chose to write this article in this style for a variety of reasons, not least because I think that Blueprint's style of music is one that defies a certain type of analysis - something that I hopefully hinted at when making mention of James' "I don't know how to describe what it is that is Blueprint, but I know it when I hear it" quote from our interview.

I'm of course disappointed that you feel that this was the wrong approach to take, but I hope you understand where I was coming from in deciding to take it. There are plenty of reviews/features that utilize different styles of writing to get their points across, and at RA we embrace this. Hopefully the next time around we'll hit the spot writing-wise for you! For now, I hope that you at least enjoy the music and the little nuggets of information that you couldn't get reading Wikipedia.

If you - or anyone else reading this for that matter - would like to get in touch about writing for the site, feel free. Our door is always open.

http://www.residentadvisor.net/contact.aspx

Todd, many tranks for straight answer. In fact, when I found that Blueprint is a label of the month it was the best news of a day, thanks for that. I know why u wrote it in this way, but I can't hold my lournalist past not to say 'c'mon, next time u could make it better'. & u know that there always be somebody telling u what to do & how to do.

I'm just a fan of Blueprint & James Ruskin, that's why I 'demand' more & more. That's why I wasn't satisfied with article.

And 'yes', I'll definitel write u.

p.s. as for Ruskin's quote, at least u could explore his 'touch in techno music' & for example, show that while mostly everybody in UK are making 'everything that sells on Beatport' like Broom or Ho, Ruskin follow his own sound even on remixes for Boys Noize or Pierre.

"Quality over quantity has been the guiding principle for this London techno label over the past decade, and it has been better than ever since its relaunch in 2009"

steady now

well done.

i remember blueprint and specially ruskin released very dark and strange tracks in the 90ies. i bought one of the first releases on blueprint, awesome stuff.
the present direction of blueprint is originally techno, raw and straight but always in a special mood, that makes blueprint to a "real undergorund-label".
one of the best remix in modern techno-interpretations so far, thats my opinion, comes from Ruskins upcoming Remix on Labrynth Label.

just finished listening...

by the end, ruskin sounds like he's just gearing up for another few hours of mixing...

!!!

I was only on Beatport yesterday listening to Ruskin tracks.
Funny timing ! Really looking forward to reading this and listening to the d/l.
Thanks guys. Ruskin rocks !

i think the article is very well written and does a good job of giving the reader enough background to get a feel for blueprint, it's history, ideas, and purpose, as well as bringing much deserved light to Ruskin as a recording artist. It's definitely one of the more interesting articles I've read on RA in awhile and this mix - which is totally nasty, by the way - seals the deal. As for the label, I think Blueprint represents a pure, honest, and unique perspective on techno music; a perspective which has survived in the background without becoming irrelevant or lost in the shear amount of mediocrity that you hear topping the beatport top downloads lists. just when i find myself getting bored by the trends and hype that often surround the techno scene, labels like blueprint, ostgut ton, sandwell district, et al drop another release and it renews my excitement about this music.

B-)

yeah. thnx

the bukowski excerpt at the end of the valmay record is stunningly great...

light hearted sentiments get me teary eyed every time.

Go James!!!! Blueprint is legendary....and Ruskin's music has always stayed solid through the years! I Almost always have a Ruskin record in my bag!!

thanks RA for this interview and deepest mix from Ruskin!
There was introducing to me with his person and sound

Excellent label, when is the James Ruskin & Mark Broom EP gonna get a release on vinyl, Hostage is a fucking awesome track.

I'm really pleased to hear that Blueprint and James Ruskin are not only still around, but also continuing a really amazing array of gutsy techno music. That Valmay/Paul Mac piece is really kicking, and Ruskin's own new version of "Work" is pretty great also. Best techno mix I've heard in a while.

cool

Really liked that article... nice bit of history, got the story across, & no nonsense... Nice read.

For me (I mean in my own taste, and largely because of the berlin techno detroit dub low kick berghain klock like imprint that I'll keep like tatooed on my ears and heart for a long long time) it's just the most state of the art hi-end kind of techno music on...earth.

I Just love it. PErfect balance between genres, deepness, rythm, minimalism...A.R.T

wow, very good mix! true A.R.T indeed

no concerns !!! Well deserved !!! I agree with chris... Techno is up on the hill.. real techno !

nice one!

really great feature and cool mix!

Fuck Yeah!!!!
Can't wait to download this. I've got a 2.5hour trip from Manchester to London alone on Tues will be headbanging all the way.

Todd........good shit baby......the article was beautiful......the mix.....ahhhhhhh

Deserved - Blueprint is a great label.

Great feature, really interesting, thanks.

Quality mix it has to be said.

Ruskin is th man

Todd, you forgot to ask him the really brutal questions......

1. where was the mix recorded,
2. what did you record the mix on,
3. after the mix was complete, how many sound systems did you test the mix on and where were the sound systems located,
4. who was present when the mix was recorded and
5. did he have a clue at the end of the mix how damn hot the mix was....lol

track at 55:53,

Excellent mix from Ruskin. Thanks for this.

lol yeah, just had a read of the whole poem. im not sure too laugh at its bleakness or be scared if his predictions!
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KdWaOXgDQM4
Also an insanely good sample.

Back on topic though. long live ruskin

What a brilliant mix.

this mix really is awesome!

Dude, Blueprint is great label, that V.A is very nice, Thanks!

James, I been waiting for a Blueprint mixtape for about ten years. Thanks, Todd! This is going to stay on the playlist for a v. long time.

Mark Broom/James Ruskin - No Time Soon - Blueprint 029 - 12" Vinyl - Now available!

Most of the early stuff is really good!

Amazing mix. Thanks.