Gerd Janson's Running Back label will put out their first DJ tool release in November.

The record has actually been previously released as an ultra-limited run through Japan's Strada Records, becoming a sought after item even before Gerd mentioned it during a recent interview with RA. Now, Janson plans to make the vinyl available to a much wider audience via his Running Back label. The release features a children's choir, sirens, drones and field recordings, while most of the samples are set to synch up with beats played at 125 BPM, with each side of the record containing a handy click track to aid quick and smooth mixing.

We caught up with Gerd via e-mail to ask about the release, how he first heard it, and his general thoughts on DJ tool records.

When you said that the record had come out on Strada Records in your Running Back RA feature, I went searching online for it and found nothing. Was the first run that limited?

Yes, it apparently was. I contacted the fine people at Strada Records in Kobe via their website because I could not find the record anywhere – neither in the virtual world nor in actual reality. To my great grief they had to tell me that they were completely out of stock and the initial run was long gone. But before I walked away with my head down and my eyes teary, they added that they know about the label and asked me if I would be interested in re-issuing it. Of course, I was. Blessed with the luxury of having a label of your own, you can be so selfish to release the records you want to have yourself for one reason or another.

How did you originally find out about the record?

Two years ago on a Thursday night in London. I had the pleasure of being the substitute for a handicapped Dixon at Innervisions' Plastic People residency alongside the Âme boys. During the start of the night and Kristian's first set, my interest was attracted when I heard a cheerful choir of children's laughter played over a lofty rock record – I had to know the basis of it. A deck shark attack revealed the source, and Kristian told me that he bought it in Japan. You already know the rest of the story. A tragic side note: Kristian had a record bag stolen or lost while flying around. You don't need to know its content. Too bad, huh?

What sort of sounds can we expect to find on it?

Almost everything you would expect from a good sound effect anthology: ambience, future sounds, rain, sirens and the oddball children's laughter. The only important things missing are a roaring lion and a machine gun that goes off. We decided to save it for the next one.

Why did this particular sample record stand out for you?

It just sounds so good. Strada's Hideyuki Tomita and Takanobu Saeki did a terrific job with their field and studio recordings. Acoustic High-End Research is an apt title. Even our mastering and cutting expert Lupo from Dubplates & Mastering was impressed. It was a recommendation without words as I told above, but now it features liner notes from Danny "The Dancer" Wang to recommend it to you.

Do you use tool records much in your own DJ sets?

I do when it feels right and especially on recordings outside of a club. Comes in handy to bridge different tempos or create a mood. Also, I like to introduce New Order's "Blue Monday" with a siren and end it with a foghorn. I can't help it!

Tracklist
A1. Electronic Sweeps
A2. Sea Side Ambience
A3. Urban Structure
A4. Nature Ensemble
A5. Air Raid Siren
A6. NYPD
A7. 125 BPM Adjuster
B1. Electronic Sweeps
B2. Kaminari
B3. Aquasphere
B4. Acid Child
B5. Jet Travels
B6. Prophet Wind
B7. Sonar Signal
B8. Disco Bomber
B9. 125 BPM Adjuster

Running Back will release Strada Professional Sound Effects on November 9th, 2009. 5 Comments