Collabs 3000 Returns with 2025 EP Before November Metalism Vinyl Release
Chris Liebing and Speedy J have produced their first new material together in nearly twenty years. The tracks appear on the 2025 EP, which precedes a vinyl reissue of their 2005 album Metalism. Both releases arrive via NovaMute in November.
Artist: Chris Liebing Speedy J
Release Date: 2025-11-14
Genres: Ambient, Techno
Label: Mute Records
Description: Chris Liebing and Speedy J return with new EP plus Metalism 20th anniversary vinyl reissue via NovaMute this November 2024.
The 2025 EP contains two tracks. ‘Zwart’ operates through repetitive techno patterns that accumulate intensity across its duration. ‘Spiegeling’ combines minimal melodic elements with driving percussion. The EP exists in a limited vinyl pressing of 500 copies, available now, with digital distribution following on 7 November.
Metalism receives its first vinyl pressing for the 20th anniversary edition. Liebing handled the remastering process. The Designers Republic’s original artwork returns for the reissue. The album contains eleven tracks that alternate between direct dancefloor material and more abstract electronic compositions. The anniversary edition arrives on 14 November across vinyl, CD and digital formats.
The Collabs 3000 partnership began during an unplanned performance at Frankfurt’s U60311 club in 2001. Liebing mixed from Speedy J‘s live set while Paap responded to Liebing‘s selections. This impromptu session led to studio recordings at Paap‘s Rotterdam facility for the Collabs series on NovaMute.
The EP artwork references Maurizio Cattelan’s ‘Comedian’ installation and the duo’s “bass banana” – an object they pass between themselves to indicate who controls the rhythm section during their collaborative process.
Chris Liebing operates CLR, a label active since 1999. His work spans DJ performances, production and podcast curation. He has released two albums through Mute that explore melodic and meditative territories beyond his usual techno output. His CLR podcast preceded the format’s widespread adoption.
Speedy J, born Jochem Paap, produced Ginger for Warp and Plus 8 in 1993. The album appears in early intelligent dance music discussions. His catalog crosses multiple electronic sub-genres. Electric Deluxe, his label, launched in 2008. Recent projects include collaborations with Surgeon, recorded at his STOOR laboratory in Rotterdam.
The original Collabs series began in the early 2000s through NovaMute. Paap invited various producers to work within the collaborative framework. The Liebing partnership expanded the series beyond single releases into album territory and international touring by 2005.
Retrofurista is a site on design, interesting things, audio visual arts, and food.
Discover more from RetroFuturista
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
