Thirty years later, former Depeche Mode colleagues Vince Clarke and Martin L. Gore have reunited to produce techno for the new future. Under the banner VCMG (think about it), the two plan on releasing a new full-length album next spring, preceded by a series of EPs. It should be noted that this will be the first time they’ve collaborated since Clarke left Depeche Mode shortly after the UK collective released their debut album in 1981. So, why now?
“I’ve been getting into and listening to a lot of minimal dance music and I got really intrigued by all the sounds,” Clarke explained in an issued statement. “I realized I needed a collaborator… so it occurred to me to talk to Martin.”
Martin added: “Out of the blue I got an e-mail from Vince just saying, ‘I’m interested in making a techno album. Are you interested in collaborating?’ This was maybe a year ago. He said, ‘No pressure, no deadlines,’ so I said, ‘OK’.”
In a slight modern twist, much of the writing and recording behind VCMG was completed over e-mail, where the two exchanged files recorded in their respective studios. In fact, it wasn’t until a festival this past May that the two had met in person to discuss the group’s future.
Produced by California electronic guru Ãœberzone / Q, the group’s yet-to-be-titled LP will surface in Spring 2012, but to build up some hype, there will be a series of EPs leading up to its release. The first, titled SPOCK, features remixes from Edit-Select, Regis, Zak aka DVS1, and XOQ, the alter ego of Ãœberzone / Q, and will be available on November 30th as a global release through Beatport. Following this, it’ll be ported to all DSP’s on December 12th, with the 12″ release shortly following on December 19th. Check out the tracklist below.
Stay tuned for more on this collaboration.
EP1 / SPOCK Tracklist:
01. Spock – Album version
02. Spock – Edit Select Remix
03. Spock – Regis Remix
04. Spock – DVS1 Voyage Home Remix
05. Spock – XOQ Remix
