FRANK DE WULF — B-sides (4lp Boxset)

Frank De Wulf – B-SIDES (4LP BOXSET) arrives as a substantial 4 × 12-inch vinyl statement from Music Man Records (catalogue MM182). Issued on 19 May 2023, the set revisits the seminal B-Sides project that first emerged from the Belgian new beat and techno scene in 1990, compiling the original volumes I-IV, the remix collection and the “Beyond The B-Sides” material into a heavyweight 180-gram package. Within Music Man’s current output, MM182 follows a series of upcoming releases slated for 2026, including Ignacio’s “VIRTON” (MM077) and “Organa” (MM038), as well as Robert Hood’s “Hoodmusic 3” (MM138). Though the label’s forthcoming schedule points to a forward-looking roster, the B-Sides boxset anchors the catalogue in a historic techno lineage, offering a deep dive into one of the genre’s formative bodies of work. Side A opens with “Compression” and its companion “Reforced”, tracks that frame the set with a kinetic pulse that feels both archival and immediately usable on the dancefloor. “Just Another Beat” continues the momentum, while “There Ain’t Nobody” on the B-side introduces a slightly more melodic contour before “Electrain” reinforces the rhythmic drive. The “Compression (Remix)” closes this half of the record, providing a reinterpretation that hints at the remix culture surrounding the original releases. Side C shifts focus with “Magic Orchestra”, a piece that balances hypnotic loops with a spacious feel, followed by “Freestyle 909” which, as the title suggests, leans into classic drum-machine patterns. The “Magic Orchestra (CJ Bolland Remix)” re-imagines the earlier theme with a darker edge, leading into “Latino” on side D, a track that injects a subtle world-music flavor before “The Heat of The Moment” and “Butterfly” round out the side with atmospheric depth. The third disc opens with “The Tape (Remix)” and “The Darkness Revisited”, two tracks that explore texture and tension, while “Foreign Trips” adds a wandering, percussive vibe. “Orbital Ways”, “The Original” and “The Tape” on side F continue the narrative, each offering a distinct groove that can serve as a bridge between peak-time energy and more introspective moments. Side G presents “Moribund”, “Imagination” and “Raise”, a trio that moves from brooding intensity to uplifting release, setting the stage for the final side. “Traffic”, “Moral Soundabuse” and the closing “I Love You” on side H provide a blend of rhythmic urgency and emotive resonance, offering DJs a range of closing statements for a set. In the context of Frank De Wulf’s discography, the B-Sides boxset follows the 2022 “B-SIDES, VOLUME 6” (BSL022, 12-inch) on the B-Sides label, extending the archival project into a comprehensive collection. The release underscores De Wulf’s enduring influence on techno’s evolution, presenting material that remains relevant for contemporary producers and selectors seeking the raw energy of early Belgian techno. For DJs, the four-disc format supplies a versatile toolkit: the early tracks deliver punchy, percussive loops ideal for opening or transitional moments, while the remixed cuts and deeper cuts on the later sides lend themselves to late-night or back-to-back sets. Collectors will appreciate the cohesive curation of the B-Sides era, the inclusion of a detailed eight-page booklet, and the limited run of 500 numbered copies, which together reinforce the set’s status as a reference point for the genre’s formative period. The release is presented as a 4 × 12-inch vinyl boxset, each record cut at 180 grams, providing a substantial feel and durability for repeated play. The packaging includes an eight-page booklet with liner notes, enhancing the archival experience. Frank De Wulf – B-SIDES (4LP BOXSET), Music Man Records, catalogue MM182, 4 × 12-inch vinyl, 24 tracks, techno, released 19 May 2023. Tracklist: A1. Frank De Wulf – Compression A2. Frank De Wulf – Reforced A3. Frank De Wulf – Just Another Beat B1. Frank De Wulf – There Ain't Nobody B2. Frank De Wulf – Electrain B3. Frank De Wulf – Compression (Remix) C1. Frank De Wulf – Magic Orchestra C2. Frank De Wulf – Freestyle 909 C3. Frank De Wulf – Magic Orchestra (CJ Bolland Remix) D1. Frank De Wulf – Latino D2. Frank De Wulf – The Heat of The Moment D3. Frank De Wulf – Butterfly E1. Frank De Wulf – The Tape (Remix) E2. Frank De Wulf – The Darkness Revisited E3. Frank De Wulf – Foreign Trips F1. Frank De Wulf – Orbital Ways F2. Frank De Wulf – The Original F3. Frank De Wulf – The Tape G1. Frank De Wulf – Moribund G2. Frank De Wulf – Imagination G3. Frank De Wulf – Raise H1. Frank De Wulf – Traffic H2. Frank De Wulf – Moral Soundabuse H3. Frank De Wulf – I Love You