Electronic Sound Magazine

It's almost 100 years since the invention of magnetic audio tape revolutionised the way that sound was recorded, but the focus of this month's cover story is how it subsequently became an unexpected tool in the creative process. Step forward visionary figures such as PIERRE SCHAEFFER, DELIA DERBYSHIRE and STEVE REICH, whose work with strips of tape – cutting, splicing, stretching, manipulating, duplicating, looping – spawned a totally new form of music. And alongside our in-depth history, we've selected 20 classic releases and 30 of today's sharpest loopers for your delectation and delight. WILLIAM BASINSKI, OPEN REEL ENSEMBLE, RACHAEL FINNEY, CATE BROOKS and HOWLROUND are among those on the loopy list.

Keep turning the pages for interviews with plenty of other forward-thinking artists, including bass kingpin JAH WOBBLE and experimental guitarist MICHAEL BROOK, whose credits take in Brian Eno, Robert Fripp and David Sylvian. We also have ROBERT MARGOULEFF, the brains behind the amazing TONTO mega-synth, and On-U Sound chanteuse and poet LITTLE ANNIE, plus fresh names such as E.M.ARSON and THE PEACE RACE. We speak to musician and filmmaker Jesse Hartman too, primarily about LAPTOP, his brief but super-stylish 1990s electropop project. If you missed that back in the day, you're in for a treat.