Though I'm still reeling from this news, I've decided to share a few small insights.
I was a relatively early collector & follower of FAX/Namlook (around mid 90s) and can say that I have at least 95% of the catalog, other than a few original editions that were missed (mostly because of the lack of distribution here in the US for the label).
Of course, trying to procure original releases of, say, "Air I" or "Shades of Orion I" has only been possible if you wanted to make a car payment to obtain them (and all those dealers's sense of economic logic is woefully misplaced), and, I hate to say, now that Pete is gone many of those original versions will only be affordable if you already own real estate in Dubai.
I had some general (if light) correspondence with Pete during the publication years (90s-00s) of my magazines "i/e" & "e/i", and although I was never able to get to know him that well, he was generous, forthcoming with information, fiercely focused, and always willing to spread his own unique idiom of electronic music.
So, like most musicians/artists, ultimately history has the work to savor, enjoy, critique, dissect, etc. Thankfully his legacy arose during a time when hard media was in its heyday and the physical artifacts holding his sounds can continue to be relished.
Naturally this does little in the way of amending this ineffably sad news, but my duo, Groupthink, performing tonight in New York City, is dedicating its set in honor & to the wondrous memory of Mr. N.
Onward...
