12" with transparent sleeve, 180g Vinyl First 12 from The Press Group from co founder Rupert Marnie
Hamburg based label The Press Group spreads 300 copies of fine, raw and modern house cuts. 'Masala EP' is not only the labels first release, but also the debut of Press Groups co founder Rupert Marnie. The record brings three tracks for the dancefloor. Starting with some dubbed out 115bpm, followed by more peak time friendly material to a melodious track for after hours.
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Three tracker of primers. Top Tune Mixmag Germany
On My Own - a heaving banger with filled with gloomy stabs and strobe-filled crescendos, slapped with heavyweight claps in all the right places.
Cut and Thrust - frenetic synths spin in a shower of sparks around razor sharp hi-hat barrages. Duck and cover!
Relax - A deeper, organic feeling permeates this lights-out groove filled with wooden hits, simmering shakers, and warm synth washes.
- A1: Goneville (Feat. Max Graef)
- A2: Computer Killer
- A3: Throwback (Album Cut)
- A4: Shit Iz Real
- B1: (Forgotten Intro) 4 My Peeps
- B2: Bochum (Feat. Imyrmind)
- B3: You Can't Groove
- B4: To The Beat Interloot
- C1: Still Shining
- C2: Kilometer Disco (Feat. Max Graef)
- C3: Ødland
- D1: One For Viktor
- D2: Long Live Human (One For Sveta)
- D3: A Bit Warmer
- D4: Brother T (Greeting To Rasho)
Essen's own Glenn Astro has called his first album Throwback, and the name is at once a perfect fit and not nearly the extent of the story. On the one hand, Astro has filled the double-LP with a wealth of old-school gestures and textures—the warm whoosh of analog synths, the rattle of Rhodes tines and the sizzle of jazzy drums,all held together by the comforting glue of tape hiss and vinyl crackle. If you're used to the clean sonic lines and stylistic streamlining of so much contemporary house music, then Throwback is sure to feel less like a record you just pulled out of plastic wrap than a well-seasoned one salvaged from a flea market or unfinished basement. And yet like so many Tartelet releases—particularly the label's last two full-lengths,
Max Graef's Rivers of the Red Planet and Uffe's Radio Days—it feels fresh and keenly contemporary no matter how vintage the fabric. Rather than throw back to any one moment, he's given us a collage of styles that's quite literally timeless. Astro makes brilliant work of his influences, drawing on hip-hop, house, funk and soul in such equal measure that it's hard to argue that one impulse dominates the other. The sound certainly flirts with the dance floor, with Astro applying highpressure
deep house pads on the title cut, gliding on shimmering keys for "One For Viktor," and taking us on a vibraphone-fueled workout with "Kilometer Disco," one of a pair of cuts featuring Max Graef. But Astro obviously relishes the time he spends on the sidelines absorbing the atmosphere, or at home head-nodding to the dustiest corners of his record collection. For every house beat you hear, you'll also dip into juicy, 90's-style beat science, toasty ambience and buttery chord progressions.
Expertly paced but never hustling you along, Throwback begs to be heard as a whole but explored at your own easy pace—a record for hazy mornings-after, vibey
nights in and endless summer afternoons.
Drew McDowall's back story reads like a primer of psychedelic fiction woven into statements of the unbelievable, superhuman and outright insane. Somewhere in the chaotic madness, comes an artist such as McDowall with total control and absolute calm within his songs and artistic method.
Growing up in the gangs of 1970's Scotland, Drew McDowall started to shy away from the daily violence once punk took hold of the counterculture youth. Drew McDowall quickly scrambled to form his own punk band in 1978 with his then wife, Rose McDowall, called The Poems. Shortly lived, the Poems released a single and various tracks but more importantly, the band allowed McDowall to network with other local musicians in Glasgow, such as Orange Juice, and allowed him to travel down to London thus forming friendships with Genesis P-Orridge, David Tibet and countless others, bringing Drew into the fold of the experimental revolution happening in the UK brought upon by Throbbing Gristle and executed by bands such as Psychic TV and Current 93.
During the 1980's, McDowall found himself in the ranks of P-Orridge's Psychic TV and collaborating with the mysterious duo comprised of former Throbbing Gristle creator Peter 'Sleazy' Christopherson and the enigmatic John Balance who had been creating esoteric and progressive electronic music under the title of Coil. It was during his formative collaborations with Coil that McDowall saw himself shift from occasional contributor to austere full-time member of the arcane outfit. McDowall's impact on the band's sound was apparent as the releases transformed from their previous avant pop signature to a more complex and methodic electronic imprint accompanied by even more abstruse subject matter than previous years. McDowall would continue honing his compositional skills with Coil until the release of the band's two most broad-minded albums, Astral Disaster and Musick to Play in the Dark.
The past decade, Drew McDowall found himself living in New York City and re-appropriating himself within the local music scenes he found himself contributing to. In 2011, alongside his friend and collaborator, Tres Warren (Psychic Ills), McDowall found himself exploring his passion of meditative drone and abstract sound patterns in their project Compound Eye. In recent times, McDowall's production work has provided the music world with some of the most outstanding remixes for bands such as Nine Inch Nails, Azar Swan and Long Distance Poison as well as his well-received scores he composed alongside artist Tamaryn for the works of Bret Easton Ellis. Outside of his collaborative duties, McDowall formed an audience as a solo artist, playing countless performances and showcases around New York's electronic music haunts.
Dais Records approached Drew to solidify his standing as a leading electronic musician with the recording of new material neatly wrapped up in his debut album entitled 'Collapse'. Recorded in 2015 in Brooklyn, NY, McDowall's synonymous modular synthesizer compositions are augmented by obtuse sampling cut-ups and contributions from Nicky Mao (Hiro Kone / Effi Briest) rounding out the lumbering sequential knot work that has become synonymous with McDowall and craft.
After impressing with his debut album, 'Buy The Ticket, Take the Ride', on Tsuba last year, Magic Feet label boss Craig Bratley is back with a hot new EP on his own label that features tracks by Unisexl Audio Club, Beato Cozzi and the man himself.
Since 2014's LP release, Bratley has been remixed to great effect by Ewan Pearson and has continued to take his machine made, darkened disco sounds to clubs and festivals around Europe.
His sound is robust and analogue, has come out on labels like Andrew Weatherall's Bird Scarer and Is It Balearic and now for the first time arrives on his own Magic Feet, a label that has showcased sounds by Timothy J Fairplay, Antoni Maiovvi and Tommy Awards amongst others.
Up first here is Unisex Audio Club with 'Event Duality,' an elastic, low swinging, mid tempo track with frazzled synth lines, pixelated melodies and lots of dark energy. Flabby bass adds serious weight to this most arresting affair.
Beato Cozzi offers up 'Killer ', which comes on like a long forgotten Italo B-side, a chugging rework of a solitary 1990 chart hit that sounds all the more resplendent for its rainy alien melodies, extra visible and twinkling chords and invitingly laboured drums.
Then comes Bratley with the first of two cuts. 'Photons' is seven minutes of loose and lush house music with arcing pads, feel good chords and emotionally swollen melodies. It's the sort of breezy, al fresco tune that would sound great at a boat party and shows a more tender, vulnerable side to Bratley's work.
His second, 'Analogue Voodoo', is a slow and sparse affair where futuristic synth lines, apocalyptic drums and darkened spoken word snippets all conjure an unsettling, industrial mood. It's a fresh sounding cut that is destined to stand out on any dancefloor.
This is another fine offering from Magic Feet that offers disco lovers of all shapes and sizes something to explore and enjoy.
Originally released back in 2006 Destination Boogie has been one of ZR's most popular and respected compilations. In fact we recently reissued it on vinyl for the first time.
There's a lot of crappy edits out there, we believe these Dr Packer reworks are very worthwhile, well-constructed new versions that make the tracks more playable for today's dancefloors whilst retaining their boogie tastic musicality.
Since the album was released the whole edit culture has exploded so we thought it would be a nice idea to get one of the best, Dr Packer, to rework four of the most danceable cuts from the album. We at ZR HQ think he's done a great job on these........
Robert Crash is an alias of Italian DJ and producer Fransesco Schito and now he makes a debut outing on Creme Organization with a tidy four track EP. In the past he has turned up on Dog In The Night Records, and with these cuts lays out his singular take on outlier house and techno. Up first is 'Gigolo', a spare and weird house cut with sine waves and random claps, hunched drums and trippy synth lines. It's a unique track made in a unique way and will lead to plenty of freaky dance floor moments, for sure. 'Co. Art' is a whacked out techno cut with slap-funk claps, blistering and blistered synth lines and a rugged bit of bass underlining it all. The track is cavernous and metallic, empty and distant as if it somehow survived a nuclear blast. On the flip, 'Alzheimer' is a slow and gurgling, swampy techno number with broken drums and crawling synths that sound like their batteries have run down. Icy, watery melodies eventually rain down, but the track remains resolutely eerie. Last of all, 'Fabric' is another decaying track with subtle, heavily filtered synths and drums all making for a minimal groove that is barely there. This is heavily deconstructed music that sounds like little else out there and may well be the start of a very fast rise through the ranks for Robert Crash.
* Jon Gurd's Birth Right EP is the first material from the Portsmouth based Techno producer in more than 2
years since his ventures on Octopus recordings, 8 Sided Dice and Quartz. The EP therefore indicates an
audible step change not just in the approach to production but also in the mindset and emotive feeling
behind each texture and layer. Having emerged unscathed from a traumatic family related drama Jon
communicates a tortuous and re-evaluated life message across all 3 tracks, and is dedicated to his brother
with a hidden meaning conveying, Tomorrow Is - Promised - To No One'.
* Dissecting the EP further the educated are blessed with field recordings, analogue rumbling and modular
synthesis exiting from almost 24 months of lab driven experimentation. No real process has been applied or
extant formulae followed and the EP's resounding success is that this now exudes what Jon feels' innately
rather than what the industry wants, therefore the journey, endless noise making and experimentation gives
a balanced and exciting offering. Jon comments seriously my process for producing this has been all over
the place, literally stumbling on shit, slipping over my own creative vomit, workflow went out the studio
window on day one'.
* Having spent two years asking himself why he makes music, I think on first listen of Birth Right EP we will all begin to empathise why. Remixes kindly provided by Messrs Dave Clarke and Ancestral Voices (new project from Liam Blackburn formerly Indigo / Akkord).
* A long time-friend and recording partner of Alan Fitzpatrick, as well as one third of Mister Woo with Dave from Reset Robot, Jon Gurd is best known for his work on the likes of Octopus Recordings, 8 Sided Dice and Quartz. Abundant with field recordings, analogue rumbling and modular synthesis, his latest signing to Derelicht is a result of almost 24 months of lab driven experimentation, and marks an auspicious return from a musical hiatus that stemmed from a personal tragedy. From the off, 'Tomorrow Is' is a driving piece of techno complete with sinister undertones and menacing atmospherics, meanwhile 'Promised' focuses on a low-slung groove as tantalising synths operate on top. The last original, 'To No One', then exhibits a deeper vibe with ebbing pads and spectral chords. Dave Clarke's decadent rendition of 'Promised' ups the tempo whilst demonstrating commanding kicks, until Ancestral Voices, the new project from Liam Blackburn (Indigo / Akkord), strips back the beats of 'To No One' for a subdued subterranean workout.
* Press / Promotion: 3 x Co-ordinated PR Campaigns (In House campaign by Derelicht, Dispersion PR and EPM Music, 100 vinyl hand-distributed to leading editors, artists and tastemakers. Key editorials through Resident Advisor, Inverted Audio, Ran$om Note, Beat Vision, Slate The Disco, Magnetic Magazine, DJ Mag, Noise Porn, Mind Grub Audio, Portals, Elevated Culture. 1 x videos produced to support Dave Clarke remix
Tiefschwarz - 'Just Beautiful!'
Alan Fitzpatrick - Yeah massively into this, will play a lot. Thanks for sending.
Dustin Zahn - Feeling the original of "To No One." the chord/pads are hitting the right spot for me this morning! The remix is also a nice take on the original
Baikal - to no one and Derelicht are dope
Kirk Degiorgio - Dave's mix for me!
Bas Mooy - yep! A1 for me mate!
Ben Sims - a1 is the cut for me, heavy and heady but still has the groove
Benjamin Damage - Thanks for sending this, top work!
Bryan Chapman - really feeling this EP, fav is the Ancestral Voices remix, that downbeat vibe
Bryan Zentz - Wonderful, moody, and emotive...LOVE it
Carlo Lio - Actually feeling all of them. Something for every time of the night. Can see myself playing a few of these for sure
Lo Shea - Tomorrow is sick! Dave Clarke's remix is dope too.
Since launching last summer, Rasta Vibez has carved a niche for itself among the drum and bass community for those seeking out some dub and reggae flecked jungle cuts for the dance. Now, after a successful series of 10" hand stamped records, Mystic Pulse kicks off a new 12" series pushing a more serious and distinguished sound with style. Both sides start off halftime but effectively evolve into breakbeat chaos, which has already proven to shake up the dancefloor big time. In short a must have for all ragga muffin junglists!
Entitas, is the second instalment of Jay Clarke's BLACKAXON imprint, and sees the label boss bring out the big guns in the form of three distinct and diverse cuts. First up is Entity, an autonomic monster which has sweat soaked energy written all over it. It's auspiciously one part deep, and more than double just as twisted. Things are far from linear with Entity, it's mercilessly the sum of it's own parts, and has the hallmarks of a true big room pleaser written all over it. A truly authentic demonstration of the old adage 'It's not where you are going, it's how you get there'. Entity is certain to be reached for by all of the major players on the Techno circuit for a long time to come.
On the flip, Ghosts Of Acid is the Yin to Entity's Yang. A plangent and introspective groove opens up with wispy cymbals, cleverly placed rims, hats and claps. Exploratory and evolving subaqueous acidic forays dare the listener to dive in a little deeper, with the reward being a very proficient and efficient take on the now classic Acid sound.
Existence Through Perception seeks to carry on where the previous two tracks left off. A driving groove and sinister hook lets up briefly midway to a near triumphant fanfare, only to be brought back to it's mischievous overture. A perfect late night/peak time track for DJ's looking to elevate the bar of their set just one more rung higher.
Support From:
(Phase), DVS1, Ben Klock, Answer Code Request, Luke Slater, Norman Nodge, Chris Liebing, Lucy, Oscar Mulero, Speedy J, DJ Deep, Tommy Four Seven, Cassegrain, Inigo Kennedy, Slam, Brendon Moeller, Nihad Tule, Kr!z, Psyk, Jonas Kopp, Truncate, Samuli Kemppi, Juho Kusti, Anthony Parasole, Eric Cloutier, Jereon Search, Moerbeck, Truss, Distant Echoes, Yac (I/Y), Philippe Petit, Thomas Hessler, Randomer, Volte-Face, Fundamental Interaction, Arnaud Le Texier, Ame, Angel Molina, Tensal, Kwartz, Stacey Pullen.
Credits
- A1: Nils Frahm - 4:33
- A2: The Baka Forest People Of South-East Cameroon - Liquindi 2
- A3: Carl Oesterhelt / Johannes Enders - Divertimento Fur Tenorsaxophon Und Kleins Part 4
- A4: Four Tet - 0181 (Excerpt)
- A5: Boards Of Canada - In A Beautiful Lace Out In The Country
- A6: Bibio - It Was Willow
- B1: Dictaphone - Peaks
- B2: System - Sk20
- B3: Rhythm & Sound - Mango Drive
- C1: Victor Silvester - It's The Talk Of The Town (Nils Frahm's '78' Recording)
- C2: Miles Davis - Générique
- C3: Colin Stetson - The Righteous Wrath Of An Honorable Man
- C4: Penguin Café Orchestra - Cutting Branches For A Temporary Shelter
- C5: Nina Simone - Who Knows Where The Time Goes
- C6: Gene Autry - You're The Only Star (Nils Frahm's '78' Recording)
- D1: Dinu Lipatti - O Herr Bleibet Meine Freunde, Bmv 147
- D2: Nina Jurisch - Cleo The Cat
- D3: Dub Tractor - Cirkel
- D4: The Gentlemen Losers - Honey Bunch
- D5: Nils Frahm - Them (Solo Piano Edit)
- D6: Cillian Murphy - In The Morning (Exclusive Spoken Word)
Composer, musician and producer Nils Frahm steers the new edition of Late Night Tales, set for release on 11th September. A hypnotic voyage through modern and classical composition, experimental electronics, jazz, dub techno, soundtracks and soul; Frahm's Late Night Tales haunts and beguiles. It's not mixing, so much as gently layering, like a particularly fluffy goose-down duvet folding in on itself, the folds part of the attraction, the layers part of the overall picture being painted. Many of the tracks have been edited, effected and re-made. The subtly overdubbed parts on Rhythm & Sound's 'Mango Drive' adding to the haunting hypnosis, while choral interruptions aid Miles Davis' 'Générique' on its journey towards the light. Meanwhile, on Boards Of Canada's 'In A Beautiful Place Out In The Country', the tempo is somewhat sluggish, the organs slurred, as Frahm slows it down to a funereal 33rpm that nevertheless fits perfectly. The purring of his girlfriend's cat Cleo transitions playfully between Nina Simone's definitive version of 'Who Knows Where the Time Goes' and unearthing the gentle electronics of Dub Tractor. Eddy Arnold's 'You're The Only Star', a country tune that sounds like its transmitting from a mid-west diner wireless circa 1947, is straight from the soundtrack to an imaginary David Lynch movie, comforting and dismaying all at once. This crackly reality abounds, as on Finnish band Gentleman Losers' 'Honey Bunch', that adds an unsettling texture, with a sound that is modern but as nostalgic. Frahm's own tracks bookend the mix, opening with an inspired "rework" of the infamous silent John Cage piece '4:33' ("I sat at the piano in silence and worked from
there. I listened and took in the atmosphere and this is what came out of it") and ending with a solo piano version of 'Them', taken from his recently released score of the film 'Victoria'. The traditional Late Night Tales spoken word epilogue is voiced by actor Cillian Murphy (Inception, Batman, 28 Days Later), reading a short story by Edna Walsh (Hunger, Disco Pigs).
The stage is set from minute one on Clay Wilson's new 4-track EP, "Skandha," his second release for The Bunker New York.
The eponymous first track begins with a familiar techno throb, but is quickly overcome by a blooming swirl of coruscating synthesizer pulses that seem to gather inside the listener's head, a phenomenon Wilson seems particularly interested in: "I've never been into really straightforward club techno that works in neat 8- and 16-bar sequences," he says. "I'm always looking for things that have forward momentum, ways to escape that 'block-y,' downbeat-centric feeling that you find in so much contemporary techno. For me, it's the drone—what's going on in the background—that serves to hold my interest."
Nowhere is this more apparent than on the record's second track, "Cataleptic." The meat of the track is its tightly-wound techno core built from insistent, hypnotic percussion, but it's what's happening in the background that keeps you coming back for more: The sound of a babbling brook and a plaintive, meandering bird call ("the only actual recorded animal sounds on the record," notes Wilson) gently give way to the tintinnabulation of a distant bell, whose meditative timbre brings to mind a Tibetan singing bowl. It turns out that the naturalistic, organic sounds in many of Wilson's tracks are often just that: "I make field recordings all the time, actually—on my phone," he says. "I've found field recordings have been a great way to pull things along, never repeating themselves, but also never being so upfront as to draw your attention away from the synths and drums."
That's a key point, and make no mistake—for all the flora and fauna lurking in the background of Wilson's productions, they're designed for the dancefloor through and through. "Feres," the EP's third track, slows down the pace a little bit, keeping time with a static kick-hat pattern while chunky, stepped percussion laid on top makes the track feel remarkably dynamic. The final cut, "Pict," seems to slowly unfurl like flowers at dawn, while a ghostly vocal sample (or merely something approaching it) repeats itself underneath it all.
While at times the drawn-out shimmering tones in Wilson's work may recall modern minimalism, "getting into techno, and more specifically techno production, was kind of a way for me to get away from (formal, classical musical) training," he recalls. "I had been headed down an open-minded, anything-goes path with a compositionally-geared approach, and ... all those paths led to techno." And for that, we're glad.
Over the last sixteen years Moods & Grooves has amassed a staggeringly impressive label family that includes names like Theo Parrish, Mr G, Kyle Hall, Rick Wade, Andres & Kenny Dixon Jr. aka Moodymann. This May the legendary Detroit label returns with a seminal thirteen-track album from veteran DJ & producer Joe Le Bon entitled 'House Music Love Music'.
With this new LP Jarno Eerola aka Joe Le Bon demonstrates his inimitable production prowess, garnered from a musical career spanning more than twenty years and encompassing releases on labels such as International Deejay Gigolo Records, Pro-Tez, Plastik.FM and Blumenbeat. Alongside his own output the Berlin-based artist has written tracks and remixes for numerous producers, most notably composing DJ Hells chart- smashing remix of Tim Deluxe 'Transformations' which saw six continuous weeks at number one on Beatport.
Jarno's polished production ability and aptitude for exploring diverse sounds and rhythms whilst maintaining a resolute warmth and depth to every cut is the most prevalent footnote across the course of the album. For 'Ghosts On Cassette' the Berlin-based producer works whirring space-like atmospherics over hypnotic beats and shuffling snares to dish up a smooth and captivating opener. 'For Yasuni' and 'The Road Is Under Repair' get worked over subtle synth patterns and crisp percussion to offer up some of the more emotive provisions on the album. This in contrast to the deep driving beats of 'House Music Love Music' and the more club-ready tracks like '82 Degrees' or 'Like Cotton Deep Orchestra' truly exemplifies the wide-ranging nature of the album.
All in all Joe Le Bon has structured a sublime body of work that can be enjoyed in the comfort of your own home or the middle of a dance floor, each and every track oozes depth and sits as a true testament to his abilities in the studio.
Matt Nowak drops a trio of mesmerising techno tracks on his Zaijenroots imprint this June with appearances from Sebastian Klenk and Jerome Sydenham. Matt Nowak inaugurated the Zaijenroots discography under his No Mad Ronin moniker alongside Jerome Sydenham in 2013, before reappearing for the second release with Quiet Daze (Ian Pooley) on remix duties. As the label returns for its third outing Nowak pairs up with German producer Sebastian Klenk whilst distinguished veteran Sydenham carves up a remix. 'Aleister' sees Nowak and Klenk create an acosmic track that initiates with a touch of funk before sullen synths make way for punchy SP-1200 beats and unsettling throbs. Sydenham provides a rendition of No Mad Ronin 'Chemical Planet' from Zaijenroots second release, featuring a perennial hook joined by intangible spoken samples and a subtle sub bass. Lastly 'Lenore' ties things together with a subterranean cut abundant with echoes and spacey atmospherics.
Clip! steps up to the plate as FINA White continues to set out its stall as a go-to label for top quality techno.
Second up on FINA White is a four tracker from rising Barcelona producer, Clip! Since being cherry picked by RBMA back in 2011 Clip! has quickly established a name for himself in and amongst the city's growing pool of electronic artists and further beyond. Diverse releases on on Discomaths, Classicworks, Sweat Taste and JD Records, coupled with his signature 'hardware only' live shows, showcase his sound shifting style and impressive knowledge of sound design - unsurprising perhaps given his classical and jazz music roots.
Clip! is a chameleon of sorts and for FINA White, he puts on his thick skin and offers up a package of pure and unadulterated peak time cuts.
The title track is an absolute sonic stonker. Its menacing bass line, low end throb and sharp edged hats roll and slice with a galvanized intent whist the old Chicago house sample and gradual layering of pumped up beats and sustained synths give it an unmistakable groove with attitude.
Meanwhile, long drawn out synth tones, distorted vocals and broken beats make up the stirring intro of 'R36'. The calm is short lived of course as the steady beat gives way into the track's defining hard-hitting bassline; one that is enveloped and then let loose again by a carefully crafted fusion of atmospheric sounds.
On the flip side, 'Forward' is, well... forward; a no messing, relentlessly percussive banger. And wrapping up the EP is 'Dissonance's Technique' an equally straight-up, rough n ready belter which once again showcases Clip!'s skills in the studio. Watch his space.
'Brotherhood EP' is out on FINA White.
secretsundaze 017 comes from London based producer Endian. Releasing just 2 EPs in a few years on Nonplus and Electric Minds, Endian has nevertheless managed to turn the heads of the likes of Steffi who used one of his tracks for her Panorama Bar compilation and Boddika who also licensed a track for a various artists EP. Sounding like a producer far more experienced than the two releases would indicate, it came as no surprise that this is far from the output of a novice but the seasoned veteran George Levings aka Commix (Metalheadz).
Endian has been a regular at secretsundaze events over the years and a friendship developed with Giles and James. The project is an outlet for him to release the more technoey and house sound that he is increasingly inspired by.
Lead and title track 'Finish Me' is a stone cold killer. Ballsy, raw and over driven in the mix, a tribal breakbeat groove builds before brassy stabs sneak in. The peak of the track sees dramatic pads cut through for a moment of serenity before the drums drop back in. Joy Orbison used 'Finish Me' in his Essential mix late last year and its also been a highlight of secretsundaze's sets over last 6 months. 'Dusty' goes deeper with a layer of fuzzy warmth enveloping the track. Driving but definitely one for the later hours or early on with its hypnotising flow and subtle musical flourishes. Last up 'Sub Tropic' is a heads down, growling, low slung techno track with its deep sub bass. This is definitely a track you can imagine hearing in the bowels of Berghain well into Sunday daytime. 'Finish Me' is arguably Endian's best work to date and it's another fine addition to the secretsundaze catalogue.
For our next release we have called upon Sideways. Two artists who's relationship with Watergate dates back to the clubs beginning nearly twelve years ago. It was in the early 90's when Marcus Kaye and Lee Ching worked at two of the most influential record shops in the UK resulting in a mutual friendship born out of an eternal hunt for new and exciting music. Soon both were at the forefront of a progressive Drum and Bass movement under their Marcus Intalex and Dj Lee monikers performing on a global scale and contributing some of the most influential music of the genre but never actually collaborating. As Kaye broadened his horizons creating the Trevino alias to critical acclaim and Ching went the mundane route of 9 to 5 normality the duo's still weekly conversations about the nuances of modern house and techno turned into Sideways. Finally, after more than a decade, the two have joined forces to bring us the truly unique and exciting EP, Retraced". Although all the tracks on Retraced' are rooted heavily in a techno aesthetic, they all possess parts spanning across a wide range of genres from drum and bass to deep and soulful house. With the title track Retraced' the two take a euphoric journey laced with rich strings laid over a hefty bassline while Minor Difference' holds no punches and goes straight for the four to the floor approach ripe for the strobe lights on a crowded, dark dance floor. The final cut on the EP is PJ's Groove' and of all the three, it's the throwback. With crisp open hi hats, warm organ stabs and big washed out pads it feels like a trip down memory lane, yet with an updated, modern twist. After more than a decade in the making, we think it's the perfect collaboration for us at Watergate and, we think you will feel the same.
Plasma Audio bring the heat with their third release and first outing for 2015. With three releases under their belt so far they have succeeded in cutting a solid path with enormous cuts from Icicle and Sabre among others. For the third release they've enlisted Fre4knc.
Plasma like to keep things on the grittier side of drum and bass and these two Fre4knc cuts do just that. The A side, Chain of Command is a rumbling roller that swoops and crunches through your ears and on the flip Sinjek feels more spacious and lean, but still delivers a hefty punch.




















