Various Artists - Telepathic Fish: Trawling The Early 90s Ambient Underground

Label: Fundamental Frequencies – FDMTL4
Format: 2 x Vinyl, 12", Album, Booklet
Country: UK
Released: Sept, 2025
Genre: Electronic
Style: Acid, Ambient, Chillout, Jungle, IDM, Trip-Hop, Techno 

The first-ever illustrated compendium recounting the seminal underground South London ambient party that surfaced at the axis through which the likes of Ninja Tune, Warp and Rising High flowed. Telepathic Fish shared fertile waters with Megatripolis and The Big Chill, moving the early 90s London back room chill-out space into the kaleidoscopic spotlight.

Documenting the sights and sounds of South London’s seminal Telepathic Fish ambient parties. Hosted by Chantal Passamonte (aka Mira Calix - RIP), David Vallade, Mario Aguera and Kevin Foakes (aka DJ Food) - collectively named Openmind. With the help of Mixmaster Morris (The Irresistible Force) and Matt Black (Coldcut), they put on some of the earliest chill out events in London. 

Rooted deep in the heart of the electronic underground they started DJing and decorating house parties or squats with mind-blowing installations and wholly idiosyncratic design, hosting the likes of Aphex Twin, Andrea Parker and Tony Morley (The Leaf Label). Within a year they were playing VIP after shows for the likes of Orbital and illegal New Year’s gatherings at the disused Roundhouse whilst guesting on Coldcut’s Solid Steel radio show on London’s KISS FM. 

Whilst collaborations with legendary club nights such as Megatripolis saw them share bills with Autechre, Higher Intelligence Agency, Scanner and Global Communication, they also created their own ambient fanzine - Mindfood – to document the scene evolving around them. A 20-page history of their parties is included in the release, richly illustrated with personal photos, artwork and memorabilia from their adventures between 1992-95. The gatefold sleeve also features their Telepathic Fish logo, mirroring an original T-shirt design they sold in Ambient Soho, a record shop three of the four worked in at different times.

The selections featured here are all personal favourites that were played at the Telepathic Fish parties during the 90s. Picked and arranged by Mario, David and Kevin who combed their collections for key pieces they associate with the time and Chantal’s music tastes. Over a hundred tracks were selected, totalling nearly 11 hours of playing time, before being whittled down to the essentials by the trio, forming a snapshot of their world back in the day.

1. Barbarella - Barbarella (The Irresistible Force Remix)
2. Spacetime Continuum - Fluresence
3. Nightmares On Wax - Nights Interlude
4. Insides - Skinned Clean
5. Global Communication - Incidental Harmony 
6. Caustic Window - Cordialatron
7. Keiichi Suzuki - Satellite Serenade (Trans Asian Express Mix)  
8. Tranquility Bass - Cantamilla (Bomb Pop)
9. Golden Girls - Kinetic (Morley’s Apollo Remix)
10. No-Man - Days In The Trees - Reich