Free Activation Series Vol. 1-3

Publications > Free Activation Series Vol. 1–3

A twisted sampling of underground electronic and psychedelic hip-hop streaming from the global collective unconscious. Produced by Sweet Mother Records.

"The Sweet Mother Recording Company is quickly becoming one of America's finest new labels for abstract dance and jazz flavored groups."
— URB #5, Jan/Feb 1997

Album cover with a lush green canyon and waterfall, titled "Sweet Mother: Free Activation Series No.1" with a red asterisk symbol in the lower right corner.

Vol. 1

Distributed by SUB POP. Features 3xInfinity, High Fidelity, Dragonfly, T.S.R., Strange Voices, Earth, Alms For The Poor, and Pigeonhed. Includes remixes by DJ Spooky and production by Mario Caldato Jr.

Released in 1997.

A green colored album cover with abstract leaf and oval shapes in various shades of green and black. The text reads 'Free Activation Series Vol. 2' and 'Compiled and mixed by DJ Nasir'.

Vol. 2

A limited edition companion release, available only at gallery events in Tokyo and New York and distributed by BEAMS Records in Japan. Features Plastiq Phantom, Beanfield, E.D. Swankz, Advertising The Invisible, Bahamadia, Pressure Rise, Snowboy and the Latin Section, Karma, Only Child, Buscemi, and Hairy Diamond.

Released in 2000.

Cover of a book titled 'Free Activation Series Vol.3 [Visual Virus]' with an abstract pattern of interconnected shapes in gray and brown tones.

Vol. 3

Published to accompany a touring exhibition curated by Neverstop, Free Activation Series Vol. 3 documents a collaboration between neo-graffiti artists and Northwest Coast Native craftsmen — two traditions rooted in iconographic visual language, separated by centuries but sharing a commitment to symbol, repetition, and meaning.

The project brought together artists including Space Invader, Perks (Australia), and Rostarr (NYC) with members of the Cowichan Tribe, who produced limited edition hand-knit sweaters and hand-carved totem poles in dialogue with the contemporary works. The exhibition opened at Beam's International gallery in Tokyo in 1999, then traveled to Paris and New York.

Released in 2000.

  • Open sketchbook displaying four Stormtrooper helmet sketches on orange camouflage background.
  • Open magazine showing images of a person, two orange rabbits, and a DJ setup on a yellow background with flower patterns and the logo 'RoSTiR'.
  • Open book showing a city scene with a poster reading 'Beatkit Must Die' on a utility box, a view of the Space Needle, and a blurred street scene with a rain-soaked sidewalk.
  • Open magazine showing a pixelated image of a red and blue character and a photo of a castle-like structure by a river with a bridge and a clock tower in the background.
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  • A person holding a smartphone while sitting at a table with several electronic devices and printed maps or charts, including a pixel art space invader and a pixel art alien.

Neverstop Publications

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  • Cover of a book titled "Free Activation Series Vol. 3 Visual Virus" with a brown background and an abstract pattern of interconnected white shapes.

    Free Activation Series Vol. 1–3

    Published to accompany a touring exhibition curated by Neverstop, Free Activation Series Vol. 3 documents a collaboration between neo-graffiti artists and Northwest Coast Native craftsmen — two traditions rooted in iconographic visual language, separated by centuries but sharing a commitment to symbol, repetition, and meaning.

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