After making some massive claims regarding electronic music last year which caused a stir in the dance music community, Mat Zo had a lot to live up to with his long awaited second album "Self Assemble". What didn't help was the fact that his first album, "Damage Control" was critically acclaimed by many within dance music and is now considered a modern-day masterpiece with mesmerising tracks such as The Sky and the massive Easy with Porter Robinson.Blending genres and sounds in a way only Zo can achieve, this record flows incredibly well as the tracks move from one to the other almost telling a story of the different styles of electronic music. At times the album is reminiscent of Zo's incredible Essential Mix from back in 2013 in the way that it progresses and constantly surprises the listeners. A lot funkier than Damage Control, it's no less incredible.
Beginning with the beautifully atmospheric "Order out of Chaos" which starts with an absolute wall of sound that boggles the mind in how Zo even went about designing something so complex, this sets the tone for the rest of the record in a cracking way. The melody soon crescendos and we're introduced in to the meat of the album with "The Enemy". Bringing out all the good funky vibes on this track, again Zo exhibits his insane production talents which are a staple of the album. Featuring vocals from the wonderful Sinead Egan, this is a great uplifting tune that'll no doubt have you dancing in your chair or in the club.
'Sinful" acts to continue the funky good-time vibes and transports us to a cool summertime drive. It has us yearning for happier times and again the guest vocals from I SEE MONSTAS go a long way in getting across this happy vibe. Featuring an uplifting almost french house inspired bassline and squelch synths that wouldn't look out of place on a Daft Punk or Madeon record, this is another stunning track from the record. "Patterns Emerging" feels like a bridge into the next section of the album and is unfortunately short. The orchestral element really brings out the emotion on this track and we only wish it was longer. "Killing Time" has those classic chopped up vocals that Zo uses to great effect and some nicely programmed drums that could be a nod to the drum and bass he used to put out under MRSA.'Smacked up on Jack" features some cool middle eastern sounds and a wacky vocal sample that helps to progress the album and keep the listener interested, again though we feel like it's a bit too short and are left wanting more. The next tune "Ruffneck Bad Boy VIP" is an absolute mammoth and one of our favourites off the record. Opening with an immense rhodes melodic sequence and after some nice vocals, the track rips into the electro house and dubstep infused banger that it really is. Some dirty, dirty sound design and drum production will have the dance floors going wild and shows us again why Zo is so good, it's a far cry from the funkier elements of the earlier stuff on the album and shows how Zo can show off a range of electronic sounds. "Lights Out" is a straight up hard hitting electro banger with an infectious vocal sample that only needs to be heard to be understood. Not much more needs to be said about it! Coming into the last section of the record, "Soul Food" returns us to the groove with an astonishing house beat and bass line that have us questioning how Zo makes it so hard not to smile listening to this album."Stereo no Aware" starts sounding like it's taken straight from a space movie epic and soon transforms into a goose bump inducing melody with a driving growling bass line that bring back the epic dubstep we all used to love a couple of years ago. Skrillex eat your heart out. Finishing off this record on a more emotional note, "Too Late" starts off like a guitar ballad and then transforms into something totally different. Egan's melancholic vocals enhance this track to great effect and is all backed by Zo's lovely downbeat production until we're treated to a monster of a climax around half way through the track which will surely blow the cobwebs right off you. Zo says goodbye to us with the phenomenal "The Last Transmission" and what a way this is to close out an incredible sophmore album for the English producer. The melancholic piano chords are a subtle and pleasing way to close out this journey of a record. Mat Zo really has outdone himself here and we're really looking forward to hearing some of these bombs dropped live. Surely a contender for album of the year at such an early stage, yet again it's only the best delivered by Mat Zo.
Latest album, Damage Control was Grammy-nominated for Best Dance/Electronic Album last year
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All Tracks Written and Produced by S3A
Mastered by Kuniyuki Takahashi
This house project, based on the idea that electronic music is a blend of different cultures and music, started 15 years ago when Max began jamming on analog machines and samplers with different projects from techno (FriendShip Connection) to house (S3A).
It is through this project that he expresses, among other things, his taste for soul and House music. Such as his beloved artists MCDE, Floating Points... he uses the process of sampling as a basis to color his music with sounds of all his inspirations, he always add his own touch and groove to get his own vision of electronic music: dynamic, warm, emotional and dirty.
Although he discovered electronic music in 92 through UK hardcore with DJ as Tanith or Producer, his culture is based on a solid knowledge of house music, soul, funk, hip hop, making him one of the most promising house artists of the French scene since 2009.
He first came to Paris with Zadig to realize his childhood dream: building a studio and later collaboration, Frendship Connection (All is just a matter of time has actually been playlisted by Marcel Dettmann).
His residency at Concrete helped him to confirm his DJ position since the last 4 years adding as well releases on Lazare Hoche Records, Hold Youth, Concrete Music, Local Talk, Phonogramme and Faces. With these releases, his remix for Laurent Garnier on Music Large and his booking request from the French legend to play with him for his residency at Rex club and Concrete, gave him legitimacy and visibility in all over Europe.
In 2014 he decided to make his own label Sampling As An Art Records and focus on finding new-blooded artists and release his very personal music. A perfect definition between underground quality emotional house music and dancefloor efficiency!
In 2015, he released a collaborative EP on Uncanny Valley Label with Max Graef and Cuthead (whom released S3A RECORDS 03 the same year), made his first live representations and currently continue to spread his vision of music.
Incl. Trus'Me Remix! Early supported by Loco Dice, Ame, Marcell Dettmann, Ben Sims, Ben Ufo, Fred P, Dj Tennis, Reboot, DVS1, Kevin Saunderson, Marco Carola, Truncate, Osunlade & many more..
Abstract Theory is back with a great new EP from Italian bangers Dirty Channels in team with the talented Eternal Entropy, who built up two ghetto house inspired bombs. The package includes a solid techno-dub Remix from Prime Numbers boss TRUS'ME and a lovely deep version from Francesco Bonora & Marcello Arletti.
After music from Terrence Parker, Boo Williams, John Tejada, Tony Lionni, Mike Shannon and Vince Watson, with this new release Abstract Theory confirms to be one of the finest italian labels to watch this year.
Italian native, Christian Lisco is well known for having an extremely envious collection of vintage
synthesisers and drum machines housed in his basement.
It was there that four ridiculously special acid cuts that we are prone to immediately fall in love
with on rst reception.
"Your Joy' which sees the collaborative eorts of singer, Michael Cliord, evokes the feeling of the
early age of American House music.
The next set of tracks were treated with a surrounding of acid basslines and heavy drums. Mixed
live and directly recorded to tape.
TOM And His Computer is the newest alias for Copenhagen favourite Thomas Bertelsen. He started out as a teenager by looping and creating beats on his 4 track tape-recorder. Since then the very talented producer and DJ has been around the block. He produced two albums (with Lulu Rouge) and a number of songs, edits and remixes. He has also been DJing alongside Trentemøller every now and then since the early days and most recently TOM And His Computer performed live on the opening slot of Trentemøller's latest live tour and lately at Sonar Copenhagen 2015. Now we are happy and proud to present 'Small Disasters', TOM And His Computer's debut EP on Anders Trentemøller's label In My Room! Mixing elements as disparate as electronica, lo-fi guitars, driving beats, vocals and cinematic soundscape, this EP is a perfect example of why TOM And His Computer is tipped for big things in 2016. What maybe can be described as 'alternative electronic music' unfolds in different nuances. The lead track 'Organ' rides along on a crunchy rhythm track while throwing in psychedelic organs and howling electronics. Fizzing guitars weave in and project a paranoid undertone. Next up is 'Girl A Go Go' and its raw driving beat and bass hits in without any warning, before an agressive, hypnotising surf like guitar-riff comes in. Layers and layers of dirty distortion build a colapsing, overdriving climax. 'Tectonic' keeps the dark energy flowing, but packs it into a slow crawling creepy setting, drenched in reverb and noisy layers. Fraser McGuinness contributes the otherwordly vocals. Is he moaning Or conjuring Or proclaiming The song evolves from a fragile, fleeting feel into a massive, 'tectonic' pressure and all the way back. 'La Fountaine' completes the EP with another cut that perfectly fuses diverse elements from across the musical spectrum
180 gr vinyl - vinyl only release
Apes Go Bananas is the new imprint from Steve Bug and Clé, and also the moniker for his new project with long time friend and collaborator Clé. The vinyl only debut release sets out the stall in fine style - this is straight up dance floor rocking house music with a sense of fun and plenty of influence from the golden age of the art form. First up, Kerri On pays homage to one of the greatest, with Mr Chandler's signature crisp drums and deep, jazzy chords present throughout. Bug and Clé relive some classic New York deep house vibes yet retain a strongly contemporary take. Bananas is more late night in approach - the driving 909 and dirty descending synth line evokes a sweaty warehouse, complete with smoke machine and lazers. Yeah You Know fits perfectly into this three track EP - a tightly programmed rhythm track replete with a shuffling breakbeat is the foundation for a simple yet highly effective synth line and a classic cut-up house vocal. Yeah, Apes Go Bananas know house.
Solimano returns to his Unlock Recordings imprint with two mellow house cuts, featuring a pair of imaginative reinterpretations from fellow Argentinean's Barem and Deep Mariano.
Originally established to promote Latin American productions in 2004, Unlock Recordings has since hosted the likes of Jorge Savoretti and Guti. Its founder, Gonzalo Solimano, has proven himself time again as a label owner, DJ and producer, working as a 'Mr. X' at Red Bull Academy for almost ten years when not performing at the likes of Creamfields Buenos Aires, South American Music Conference and Space World Tour.
'Learjet' is a low-slung groover complete with organic samples, bass guitar licks and a hypnotically looped vocal sample. Up first on remix duties, Minus regular Barem subdues the raw textures of the original to generate an understated rendition, whereas Get Slow founder Deep Mariano takes it down a percussive route where an infectious rhythm is accompanied by dub inspired synths. Finally, 'Calling Again' is a sensual deep house cut featuring the vocals of Sophie Taylor, known for her collaboration with Mathias Kaden, among many others.
Support by:
Hernan Cattaneo - Paco Osuna - Neil (Nail) - David Durango (David Durango, Poker Flat, Suara, Galaktika) - Stacey Pullen (Transmat (Detroit) - Rich Nxt (Fuse) - Hector Couto (Tribal Sessions) - Jorge Savoretti (Esperanza - Savor) - Alexi Delano (H Productions / Visionquest / M_Nus) - Rework (Visionquest / Items & Things / Loveyeah) - Martin Landsky (Poker Flat) - Leon (VIVa / Various) - Grant Dell (Giant Sound / Chicago Transit Authority) - NTFO (Diynamic) - Simone Giudici (Dirty Channels, Ovum, Hot Natured, Rebirth) Javi Bora (2020Vision / Hudd Traxx / Defected / Kehakuma) - Eddie Richards (Evil Eddie Richards)
* Emerging from the shadows are the thrills and chills of Royalston's new album the People on the Ground' LP out 30th October on Med School - the experimental sister label of drum & bass empire Hospital Records. For his second album, Sydney-based DJ and producer has ripped apart the rulebook with fifteen eccentric and exciting electronic tracks.
* The People on the Ground' LP explores through the obscure yet brilliant sounds of one of Sydney's most talented exports for a haunting and hypnotic take on drum & bass. Title track features the captivating vocals of Hannah Joy and moves through melodic, piano foundations before catapulting into a euphoric whirlwind of sounds and styles making way for mania to come.
* There are the sudden, schizophrenic switch-ups of Give Me the World' and I Saw the Face of a Person' that highlight Royalston's unpredictable style. His game of guesswork keeps things exciting and exhilarating throughout with influences of techno, house and trance all enticingly tangled into dirty drums and deep bass. The Wrath of Mr Sparkles' and Don't Give Me Up' are not to be taken lightly, unrelenting and unrestricted to any musical parameters.
* Royalston has also enlisted a number of artists to join in the fun and games. Welcoming back Victoria, from pop group MA, cousin and fellow drum & bass producer Pearse Hawkins, Sydney-based singer Emily Harkness and emerging UK hip-hop artist Lyflyk.
* When he's not writing drum & bass Royalston pursues his other passion of illustration, which he's made full use of in this project, with the intricate detail in his music replicated in the artwork he solely designed.
* The "People on the Ground" LP accelerates Royalston from his previous album "OCD", whilst keeping to his unorthodox approach to production mashing and merging genres into one crazed counterpart.
LAB.OUR 06 features offbeat, dancefloor techno from Hermans. Hermans (Jerry Riggs 'Dick Diamonds' & Maxwell Church) already have releases out on labels such as Run Out Run, Klasse Recordings, Zodiac44 & Extended Play, among others.
A1 is Sweat Box Rock, an epic stormer that sounds like a techno jam session with alternating beat patterns and dirty keys.
B1, Dustin Tombtones, is an uptempo acid workout destined to move dancefloors. B2 is a remix of Sweat Box Rock by Lab.our Music bosses Basic Soul Unit and J-UL.
Record Store Day 2015 will see a special release from Gene Hunt directed and selected by label boss I-Robots.
The two track vinyl EP features unreleased material produced in the early years of the famed Chicago artist's career in the 80s and is dedicated to musical legend Frankie Knuckles who appears on the artwork in a rare picture with Gene Hunt from back in the day.
Gene has regularly produced and remixed for the label before now (including remixing Klein & M.B.O. 'Last Call' and on forthcoming I-Robots project 'Dirty Talk' ft. Donna McGhee) and has already assured his place in house history as a DJ headlining clubs like Warehouse and the Music Box as well as playing with the likes of Ron Hardy and Larry Heard.
As a producer he has been on top of his game for three decades and has released on legendary imprints such Rush Hour, Svek, Djax and many more, so is a true house icon.
His first cut here, 'Drive Yourself Nuts' is a classic bit of Chicago jack with prickly percussive patterns staying busy on top of punchy drums. Wonky bass, physical grooves and coarse claps all make this one a standout banger for the peak of the night.
On the flip of this special package, 'Wildside D Dubb' is a slow building, mania inducing tune with a lead synth line slithering about over dusty metallic drums. Eventually some acid bleeds into the mix and pans all around, adding a sense of scale to this heady, freaky, dance floor smasher. As ever, Opilec Music show others how it is done with this real and rare bit of true Chicago house history.
Beyond Time is the first album by acclaimed experimental group 23 Skidoo in fifteen years, released in a special double disc edition combining the soundtrack music to 2011 documentary film Beyond Time, and a DVD of the film itself.
Directed by Alex Turnbull and Pete Stern, Beyond Time is a journey into the life and work of artist William Turnbull, from his modest roots as the son of a Dundee shipyard engineer to his standing as one of the world's most highly regarded modern sculptors. Narration is by Jude Law. 'An insightful, irreverent documentary, yet with a palpable sense of purpose' said the Daily Telegraph, with the Guardian confirming that'William Turnbull helped change the way we see art today.'
The soundtrack music is performed by 23 Skidoo. Formed in 1979 as industrial, post-punk and funk genres coalesced, the group included Bill Turnbull's sons Alex and Jonny together with Fritz Catlin and Peter 'Sketch' Martin. As well as new music, the accomplished score features re-worked versions of older material. 'Johnny and I thought 23 Skidoo's anti-commercial tendencies came from a punk sensibility,' explains Alex. 'But it turns out we had a genetic predisposition to anti-establishment practices. Bill was a polymath at a time when that was a dirty word, shifting between sculpture and painting and putting both in a symbiotic relationship. Now crossing boundaries is everywhere: think of hip-hop. The name of the band referenced a William Burroughs short story. Burroughs used, as we did, cut-up techniques, collaging and sampling. We were oblivious to the fact that a lot of that aesthetic was in what Bill did until I made the film.'
Both the CD and vinyl versions of Beyond Time include a Region 0 NTSC format DVD of the documentary film (with bonus features), but feature different artwork. The CD/DVD package features a portrait of Bill by photographer Ida Carr, while the vinyl/DVD version features a detail from 05 by William Turnbull (oil on canvas, 1959) printed on matt reverse board.
Inspired by the success of last summer's retrospective on Poker Flat, Steve Bug takes up his Traffic Signs moniker once more for a fabulous jam that more than merits the 10-year wait. The uncredited tunes that first came out under this name were classic jack tracks that devastated dancefloors - and 'Cookie Jar' is a more than worthy successor. This is stripped-down house, Chicago-esque, direct and determined to make you move. Berlin legend Jake The Rapper adds downright dirty humour with a spoken vocal fit for an age of internet sextapes and celebrity photo hacking. 'I like what you're cookin. Those cookies smell goooood,' he rascalously declares. Three mixes sprinkle the musical equivalent of chocolate chips, pecans and Brazilian stardust over the original. Steve Bug makes fine adjustments for the club, bouncing around the kick drums and doubling the synth riff with strings, while Joyce Muniz's dark, strobing treatment adds a dirty bass line for sexy, sweat-drenched dancefloors everywhere. Stripping away the vocal on the dub, Muniz's production talents are all the more scintillating, irresistibly kinetic from beginning to end. The brilliant video for 'Cookie Jar' has been created by swiss-french duo Ben & Julia, who let us take part in their playful, colorful and surreal world that suits the song so well.
- A1: Octa Push Feat. Isaac - Khuchende Halala
- A2: Pinch Feat. Temi Oyedele - Are You Coming With Us
- A3: Dirty Parafn Feat. Hannes Teichmann - Choborops
- B1: Lunabe & Djef Feat. Mc Sacerdote & Mc Yola Noivada - Temedo
- B2: Batda Feat. Cannibal - Mama Watoto
- B3: Just A Band & Octa Push - Boom Boom Boom
- B4: Lunabe Feat. Mc Sacerdote - Quero Falar
- C1: Rob Smith Feat. Jah Device & Sasha Perera - Work!
- C2: Wura Samba & Gebrüder Teichmann - Antere
- C3: Diamond Version, Bikya & Wetrobots - Dv_Bk_Wr_06
- D1: Perera Elsewhere Feat. Aremu - Ebora (Spirits)
- D2: Dubmasta, Hannes Teichmann & Leon Ersamus Feat. Afurakan - 10 Henry Nxumalo Street
- D3: Diamond Version, Bikya & Wetrobots - Dv_Bk_Wr_01
- E1: Hannes Teichmann & Vakula Feat. Planet Lindela - Last Chance For Momo
- E2: Afrologic Feat. Aremu, Temi Oyedele & Wura Samba - Omode Mewa (Ten Litle Children)
- F1: Vakula & Planet Lindela - Jozi Sunset
- F2: Vakula & Planet Lindela Feat. Okmalumkoolkat, Thuli Mdlalose, Tshepang Ramoba & Moonchild
- F3: Oren Gerlitz Feat. Karun - Orange Green
BERLIN, BRISTOL, CAIRO, JOHANNESBURG, KYIV, LAGOS, LISBON, LUANDA, NAIROBI, NAPLES
50 electronic music producers and instrumentalists from these ten cites were invited to collaborate
in studios over the course of more than six months. As a result hip-hop from the squats of Naples,
dubstep and bass from Bristol and Lisbon, experimental techno from Berlin and jazz-tnged deep-house
from Kiev are thrust upon the pumping kuduro of Luanda, the free-thinking crackled electronica of
Cairo, the afro-jazz of Lagos & Johnannesburg, and the Sheng street slang of Kenyan hip-hop and rap.
A selecton of the results of these cross-contnental experiments can be heard on this record.
Ten Cites Masala
The third imprint on Dirty Session sprung from Luca Bear s idea with the intention of spreading a new concept of music.
No schemes, no compromises, the only prerogative is quality.
The love for the sounds of the past combined with new technologies: the key concept of the label is to propose a precise sound, characteristic, that evoke the early days of electronic music with an eye to the future. A journey into the unknown from the early 90s. House or techno It is not important! What matters is the sound.
SHADELEAF reaches out to the tribes and comes home with a serious crop to see us through !
For their debut V.A selection 'Please Come Correct' Thatmanmonkz has pulled in some serious talent from the fringes of forward-thinking House
Ny*Ak fires the opening beatdown salvo,'U Don't Understand', and cooks up another of those loose, low riding, sample heavy and heady jams, reminiscent of Berlin via early Sound Signature that made last year's EP for Intimate Friends via Rush Hour such an essential!
Next up Cape Town's Jumping Back Slash, who's been making some serious music, fusing elements of S.A House with Kwaito and, well pretty much anything else he can throw into the mix to move your assets.
'Bloodlines' however could just as easily have emanated from 8 Mile, a captivating piece of pure, crisply rendered machine soul back lit with township chants and emotive chords.
Mr 'monkz himself handles B1, and to say this guy's on a roll would be something of an understatement!
Much like Graef and Co, 'imgettintiredofyou' is Deep House that dines out on a diet of Hip Hop, dirty hertz in the low registers and deftly manipulated sample work throughout - killer stuff!
Finally our truly global selection winds up in Moscow as another hotly tipped up-and-comer Lay-Far gives us 'Many-Sided'.
Fans of last year's excellent EP on Fifty Fathoms Deep will know what to expect. Again, a loosely pieced together cut, hinting at West London vibes,and shot through with creative sampling and an undeniable ear for melody and groove that really shines.
Richie Hawtin, Someone Else, Amine Edge, Transmit Promo Radar, Luca Doobie, Mariano Mateljan, Guido Durante, Herck
Ceryx, Ovidiu Adrian, Indy Lopez, Edgar De Ramon, Javi Alvado & THC, Pantany, Claude Solis, Alessan Main , Elchinsoul, Michel De Hey , Marco Carola, Dirty Culture...
In time, Plusculaar has become an indispensable asset to our label so it is only fair that we kick off this Esemtrax Limited vinyl series with his "Rumänische" EP. After the massive success "Stai Jos" on Enough!Music, it is our turn to "take advantage" of his talent so we asked for some top quality tracks. The result is mind blowing! It contains his finest work yet, a blend of techno and minimal, the very well known "romanian sound".
Local Talk is proud to present a release featuring Clemens Kahlcke aka Clé, also known as 1/2 of Märtini Brös. A true veteran in the electronic dance music scene with several releases on established labels, including Poker Flat, Dessous and liebe*detail.
The title track The Jam is a classic deep house track, cleverly layered with elements that builds the track gradually, giving it real drive and purpose.
Dirtytwo is on a roll and after remixing HNNY last month the dynamic duo continues to make house magic, their take on the original is another winner. The sharp beats, shuffly hihats, short staccato strings rips the track to dramatic effect and a guaranteed weapon in any DJ's set.
Poker Flat Recordings explode back on to the scene with yet another essential release - this time it's the turn of house music legend Boris Dlugosch and his wonderfully titled EP 'Knalldrang'. Sure to be welded to the turntables of the top tastemakers and party starters, the release kicks off with the speaker-troubling sounds of the enormous lead track. Boris's vast experience behind the decks and the mixing board shine through - this is the man who's releases with Mousse T in the 90s - as well as his much in demand remix work for the likes of Moloko - shaped the scene we know and love today. 'Knalldrang' is an insistent, acid-bubbling, floor-slayer of the highest order - this one will set fire to your sets. 'Sweet Talk' keeps up the pressure, cut up vocal layers, insanely funky drums, and a vibe that pays respectful homage to the 90s. Rounding off the release is Show-B's remix of 'Knalldrang' - a straight up deep and dirty groover with a filthy snare designed to work the floor to the max.




















