Fast Forward Magazine

About

Fast Forward Magazine was a conduit for the ephemeral, a label that emerged in the liminal space of the 1980s, surfacing in the tidal wave of cassette culture. With a catalog that boasts 15 releases over its decade-long arc, Fast Forward operated on a frequency tuned to the understated complexities of experimental sound. The DIY ethos thrummed through its veins, with 13 of its 15 releases materializing as cassette tapes — tactile artifacts of an era where format was as crucial as form. The label’s output, largely a series of various artist compilations, sculpted immersive soundscapes from minimalist compositions. The Fast Forward series, from its inaugural release in 1981 to its mid-decade offerings, acted as a crucible for emerging voices in experimental music, each tape a fractal of the larger scene. In this auditory constellation, Paul Hardcastle's "Rainforest 90" (1990) stands as an anomaly, a vinyl outlier amidst the tape-driven continuum. 1991's "Realidade Virtual" marked a final, exploratory note in Fast Forward's narrative, encapsulating the interdisciplinary spirit that defined the label's journey. While it ceased operations in the early '90s, Fast Forward Magazine remains a significant artifact, echoing the sonic processes and cultural currents of its time.