STM 101 - Jan Jelinek

Jelinek began his journey as a passionate record collector with a wide spectrum of musical genres, ranging from dub, jazz, funk, soul, to experimental music, until one day he discovered house music. In the late '90s, he embarked on his musical career, immersing himself in the expanding abstract yet rhythmically subtle electronic music scene. Over more than a decade, he has released numerous records on notable labels such as ~scape, Klang Elektronik, and his own Faitiche imprint. Jelinek is known for his numerous pseudonyms, including his techno alias Farben and the improvisational Gesellschaft Zur Emanzipation Des Samples. He also actively participates in the collaborative project Groupshow, which includes Andrew Pekler, who once recorded a magnificent mix for Secret Thirteen. Jelinek mainly creates loop-oriented music based on the interaction between him and the computer. He transforms and reduces sounds from diverse sample cuts to form completely reimagined audio structures that smoothly reflect modernism and complex harmony. All in all, Jelinek's music is a mixture of implied space, refined minimalism, fluid groove, and a conceptual exploration of intersections between old and new.

“Secret Thirteen Mix 101” is a retrospective and exceptional audio journey through different periods of electronic music. The eclectic selection connects 32 unique records in less than an hour. Despite the diversity of the works, Jelinek masterfully weaves them into a well-measured, sustained musical narrative. His skilled use of effects, thoughtful mixing techniques, and long experience with sampled music add new colors and flavors to each record, sometimes even entirely reshaping the mood or dynamics of well-known works after unexpected collisions. The music spans from the early 1950s to the present day, creating a wide range of associations and elaborate connections that inspire and prove that some music is timeless, standing for centuries as brilliant monuments of music history. The mix includes unreleased material from Jelinek’s various projects, unpublished recordings from his earlier live performances, and even a record from the forthcoming Faitiche release. It is inspiring to hear old gems by historical rock and reggae musicians such as Jimi Hendrix, Frank Zappa, and Susan Cadogan woven together with unforgettable pieces by prolific modern composers like Bernard Parmegiani, Luc Ferrari, and Vladimir Ussachevsky. This mix hides many emotional voyages and technical aspects worthy of exploration, as each part requires in-depth study. It is like a beautifully packed Christmas gift from the whole Secret Thirteen team and from the artist himself, waiting to be unboxed individually.

Just imagine that the vivid abstract painting “Fifth Street C12.2, 2012” by Caio Fonseca is like a postcard with individual warm greetings written to each of you. Have a cozy and lovely holiday.