Brotherhood Sound System Records is back with its third 12" offering and the first in a series of compilations entitled 'Percussive Parameters', delivering percussion heavy sonics focused directly at the dance floor.The lead track of the EP, Callahan's 'Kudzu', opens with a chopped, atmospheric vocal layered intelligently over rolling percussion and a hypnotic flute. A pounding 808 kick drum is teased underneath until the track switches into a relentless, chugging club tool.
This one's destined to tear up dance floors for a long time...
Next up are label bosses Silas & Snare with 'Eastern Shores'. An unassuming and innocuous introduction with lush pads and clean percussion that ricochets neatly off vocal cuts dramatically shifts pace and turns into a weighted, rolling cut of UK Techno. On the flip, A:Tonal leads the charge through an acid tinged stomper entitled 'Perfect Imbalance'.With driven percussion and firing synths in equal measure, this is unquestionably a peak time weapon in any DJs arsenal. Finally, Bristol locals SYZ & LKY deliver 'Turbulence', a groove and sub laden roller that's meditative and hypnotic whilst maintaining an assertively club ready focus.We're very excited about the start of this new project and chapter for the label, and would like to thank you for all your on-going support. Enjoy the music!
Buscar:lush 7
Late September marks the arrival on the second edition of Unclear Records 'A Tribute To Klang Club' featuring Move D, Fred P, Christopher Rau and label-heads Easy To Remember.
The Unclear Records imprint has carved out quite the reputation over the past few years with an already impressive back catalogue featuring material from Juju + Jordash, Rick Wade, Gigi Masin and Gerry Read. Here thought we see the welcome return of the labels 'A Tribute To Klang Club' series with its second contribution, following the inaugural various artists package that boasted material from Baby Ford, Roman Fluegel and more.
Move D opens with 'Rise!' and delivers a typically brooding, hypnotic number before Fred P follows up with 'Lush Life' laying down raw acidic bass and ethereal pads alongside shuffled rhythms. On the flip Christopher Rau's 'Unclear Joint' ups the energy levels via weighty drums and intricate use of string, bass and vocal samples before label-heads Easy To Remember round off the package with 'I Don't Know' a stripped back house cut led by sparse percussion, jazzy synth licks and soft pads.
'A Tribute To Klang Club Vol.2' is out on Unclear Records 26th September 2016.
- A1: What We've Got (Feat. Flint Eastwood)
- A2: No Reason
- A3: Be Still (Feat. Marina Price)
- A4: Inman
- A5: Pull Me In Part 1 (Feat. Moorea Masa)
- A6: Pull Me In Part 2
- B1: Interlude
- B2: Clementine (Feat. Marina Price)
- B3: Sleeping Puzzle
- B4: The Garden Song (Feat. Moorea Masa)
- B5: Second Guess (Feat. Marina Price)
- B6: Outro
Debut album from Pacific NW rising star, named "Best Electronic Act" in 2015 by the Seattle Weekly. ** Past Press Coverage as included: A NPR Weekend Edition Feature, Spin, Stereogum, KEXP Live in studio performce, CMJ. ** Past performance highlights: Bonarroo Decibel Festical, Bumbershoot, Capitol Hill Block Party, Sasquatch Festival, What The Festival, & Bonnaroo, as well as national tours with acts like Emancipator, Blockhead, Blackbird Blackbird, Chad Valley, Yppah, ** First single from the album "What We've Got" feat. Flint Eastwood passed 500,000 Spotify plays and 135,000 Soundcloud plays in a month's time.
Amidst the lush environs of his northwest roots, Manatee Commune has fermented an organically molded electronic sound that has been teasing the synapses of audiophiles over the last few years. While not a stranger in the Pacific Northwest, Grant Eadie's tracks have grown tentacles that stretch deep into the dance floor, fueled by natural overtones that he extracts from field recordings. Following the head-turning EP 'Thistle' on Brooklyn-based label Bastard Jazz Recordings (Illa J, Lord Echo, & others) from earlier this year, he comes to the label armed with violin arrangements, nuanced programming and pressure-sensitive LED drum breaks peppering the audio-visual experience of his participatory live performances. His debut album Manatee Commune is set for a September 16th release on Bastard Jazz, and displays the elevated confidence and deft touch of a producer truly finding his footing. Already opening for Bonobo, and recently touring with Chad Valley and Blackbird Blackbird, Manatee Commune has been featured on NPR, Stereogum, and Spin, amongst other outlets.
Eadie describes the inspiration behind his approach: "Learning how to share my creative process with my friends completely revolutionized the last of year of music for me. Inviting those I trusted and loved into my studio to spend even just an hour talking or jamming opened fountains of inventive energy for me, especially from the ones who lacked any musical knowledge. I soon found myself incredibly inspired by the originality of even the smallest interactions with people, and so I pointed my field mic at anyone who had a story, a melody, or a stumbling beat they had been absentmindedly drumming, all in the hopes of capturing their individuality and framing it with my ever expanding insight into audio production."
Reimagining his musical approach by opening his studio and microphone to friends, collaborators and loved ones, Eadie was able to release fountains of inventive energy from these deeply personal interactions, inspired by anybody who had a story, a melody or a stumbling beat to share. Key elements are amplified that get Manatee Commune audiences bouncing, while cultivating his warm and textured production aesthetic to further complexity, layer by shimmering layer.
There is a new label on the horizon and it's first imprint is all about warm heavy detroit influenced deep techno. Another Earth combines 2 acts together in a Split EP series who compliment each others sound. The A-side hosts the renowned US based producer, Myles Serge (MS - RE(FORM)), who, for these 2 tracks, let his machines run crazy beat patterns in a old school detroit techno vibe. The B-side features Dutch based duo Duijn and Douglas (Esther Duijn and Steady Douglas). Their stripped warm heavy padded deep techno influenced tracks are perfect for creating some heat on the dance floor and the B2, Stray, is driven by Berenice van Leer's lush intense voice.
Translation returns with the long-awaited Prints of You Remixes EP to continue the sonic exploration of its namesake, which marked Nuage's transition to house and bass music. Up first, veteran London-based outfit Blu Mar Ten deftly re-imagine the album's opening track Colors at a crisp 170 BPM, applying lush atmospherics, energetic breakbeats, and rolling basslines for an uplifting dancefloor vibe. Next, Nuage delves into experimental/postmodern drum & bass territory on his remix of Waterfalls, crafting an immersive, naturesque soundscape with a subdued percussive shuffle, twinkling keys, and bouncing 808 bass. Fellow Saint Petersburg based artist Bop applies his signature "Microfunk" sound to Overseas, juxtaposing crunchy lo-fi drums and glitchy FX with the uplifting house vocals and soothing synths of its predecessor. The Levels end things with a twist, re-imagining the melancholic Shining into an uplifting slice of future soul music with a textural, arpeggiated synth lead, bubbling 808 drums, and fresh verses from Alia Fresco that seamlessly blend into Veronique J's cello performance.
Cafe Bohemian is the debut EP from Sydney-based producer, t.hanks - one of the minds behind label Post Pluto. This glorious four track EP features lush string sections and warm 707 sequences in a percussive, deep house groove.
"Cafe Bohemian", the EP's title track, takes you on a journey through warm rhodes keys, soaring string melodies and dubbed out vocals. Its "Golf Club Mix" follows, bringing you into the club, with 707 jams paving the way for a dancefloor stormer.
Fresh off the heels of the success of their 'Waiting Ground' EP, the boys in black, Frank & Tony, are skating back onto the scene with another four track summer stomper, 'Under the Jaguar Sun'. The A-side starts things off with the titular track, a rollicking deep house number primed for sunset raves. A bouncing and lush bass line is the back bone of the track, as crisp hi-hats, distant, yearning pads, and shimmering bells propel dancers forward into eyes closed euphoria. Things ramp up quickly into peak-time ecstasy on the Breakaway edit of Solo Andata's A Ballet of Hands.' A whirling dervish of delicate music boxes, bowed guitars, delicate music boxes, and distant horns swirl around and weave in and out between a skipping drum pattern, pushing and pulling alongside a gruff and stuttering bass, perfect for those late night rooftop ventures. The B-side takes listeners into early morning after hours territory, starting with the groovy Difficult Loves.' An airy and luscious double bass keeps things bouyed as introspective pads shimmer alongside pillars of aquatic synths. Backed by a classic, shuffling NY House drum groove, this one is best served late into the evening. The boys wrap things up on a high note with the latin vibes of Sargasso.' Crisp tambourines keep things light as dense kicks and a bass line deeper than the deepest canyon pull dancers deep into the floor with a warm embrace. The star of the show is the bouncing and earnest synth line, which is partnered up with a pair of playful toms in a game of cat and mouse, making this track a weapon anywhere you place it in a set.
The first release on new Berlin-based label Per Musica Ad Astra is Mick Clarke's 'Zusammen!' LP, the follow-up after many years to his debut solo release 'Games' on German label Blubberlips in 1979. A pioneer of UK electronic music, Mick was also in legendary synth-wave band Naked Lunch, and apart from producing music under a few different aliases over the years he also finds time to run the Flight Recorder label and is a regular programmer on Intergalactic FM, hosting both the Radio Oscillations and Magic Waves shows. The music here is very much in the spirit of the label's kosmische/space Berlin-school agenda, both reflecting his earlier work and exploring new territory simultaneously. Lush orchestrations and beautiful synth pads contrast against hypnotic rhythms and delicate melodies, and while the label's mission might be electronic listening music' tracks like 'Red Bird' and 'Mistral' are surely DJ material too. The latter evokes a sound similar to vintage Basic Channel, while other parts of the album flow through sonic territories as diverse as Tangerine Dream and the Berlin school of ambient, Warp Records' classic 'Artificial Intelligence' series, deep electro and even atmospheric Italo as well. The record comes in a beautiful sleeve with notes from the label, and comes free with a nice space insert! Definitely not one to miss!
The eight tracks on 'Versus' exemplify a remarkable cross-pollination of genres, a true testament to the intense, 'it takes a village' spirit of collaboration among the artists in the Wolf & Lamb aquarium.
The LP kicks off with "Real Love," an electronic duet with San Francisco's PillowTalk. A sparse, airy kick and lackadaisical, scale-climbing bass line complement a vocoder-drenched croon, evoking nothing less than an R&B version of Aphex Twin's Selected Ambient Works. In the album's next track, "Fo Porter," butter soft vocals from Voices of Black ("I want it/I need it/I just can't get enough/I hold it/I squeeze it/I just won't give it up") complement lush orchestral arrangements, doing for hip-hop inflected dance music what Metro Area does for disco.
"In The Morning," an after the after party, hands to the air entry into the house of god, will instantly conjure up for those lucky enough to have visited the Marcy the familiar image of Gadi's hands feeling up the wall in ecstasy while Zev soldiers through the groove. "Weekend Affair," perhaps the real standout of an all-round exemplary album, punctuates stuttering, oscillating synths with a ferocious cowbell and moaned vocals, continuing a long-standing New York tradition of sexualized Downtown funk.
The gorgeous "Serpentine," with it's kettle-drum compression worthy of Phil Collins's "In the Air Tonight" and atmospheric vocals from French chanteuse Rap Lisa, is rounded out by the it's a perfect ending to the album, a moment of calm before the sharks, always on the move, start circling again.
The sixth release on Deep'a & Biri's Black Crow label welcomes another new name into the fold: Nico Campanella has been quietly building a stellar reputations for himself over the past few years, working under a variety of aliases to explore a sound that much like Deep'a & Biri draws deeply from techno's Detroit heritage as well as the propulsive dub techno of Basic Channel. With releases for several high quality under-the-radar European techno labels, including Construct Re-form, CLFT, Monnom Black and his own label Subosc, Campanelli's Kaelan and 2030 projects in particular have won him some ardent admirers & plenty of tips as a talent to keep an eye on. It's as 2030 that he joins Black Crow, for the Timeworm EP, which is completed by remixes from FXHE's Luke Hess and the label's Tel Aviv-based founders. The EP's original track are a pair of lushly-produced classic Detroit-influenced excursions, redolent of the cascading ambient textures and string melodies found within the work of the city's first wave pioneers. A1 cut 'In aeternum' could easily be mistaken for a lost early 90s classic in the best possible sense, while the title track also draws on a similarly timeless quality. With the original track ensuring the EP package will win other home listeners, it's the remixers who shape them for the dancefloor. Luke Hess's 'In aeturnum' remix is powerful dancefloor workout that retains a softer edge, recalling the producer's recent collaboration with OB Ignitt. On the B side, Deep'a & Biri offer two of their own interpretations of the title track, pulling the track across the dub techno galaxy with their trademark dexterity. Completing a truly exceptional package is beautiful hand drawn artwork by Israeli artist Avraham Guy Barchil.
Luiz Carlos Vinhas or L.C.V is one of our favourite artists here at Bongo HQ. His 'O Som Psicodelico' LP is an all-time classic.
Side A here features a killer latin-Brazilian dance floor fusion, heavy on the horns and piano. Sounds like a Tito Puente workout, with Brazilian backing vocals floated over the top.
The AA side features the album version, a much deeper cut with lush textures, breaks, horns and animal noises! Taken from the 'O Som Psicodelico' LP, which we highly recommend you track down.
The dawn of Multi Culti's astrological epic assault kicks off with exotic neo-hippie modulations from Von party, Red Axes, and 'The Australians' - Dreems, Ccolo, Nick Murray & Kris Baha.
In pole party position of A1 on Vinyl #1 is 'Wet Raga' from Cult Leaders VON PARTY & DREEMS - This sprawling, 13-minute, raga-sampling main-room odyssey powers us into sunrise...and the journey begins. Prolific maestros RED AXES then kick things into darker territory with Boosha Gdola, a squelchy bleep-fest straight out of the Israeli underground. On the flip (which could be titled 'The Oz side') DREEMS comes up to bat again with the herbal Sine 'O' The Tymes, squeezing the groove into an acid genie bottle, bumping along with a few lazy cowbells in tow, until finally giving us melodic finish. Masterful. We are all feeling this one.
Fellow Australian doof dingos NICK MURRAY & KRIS BAHA bring up the tempo, toting electrified guitars, and hypnotic grooves that speak to a lifetime of overhearing digeridoos.
Finally, Ccolo sends us off with F33lings, a curious mix of lush ambient electronics and bush-ready downtempo acid.
Igor Jadranin takes no prisoners with the ttle track of his EP - the monumental 'Boulevardd'. This slice of dirty and distorted techno jazz leads you into a very dark place flled with relentless piano breaks punctuated by an unnerving single note string.
'Hero' is beautfully crafed with a staggered beat covered by a layer of synths on par with jazz fusion
great, Ronnie Foster. A killer break down leads you back into the deceptvely simple beats. For those that like their beats broken, the Mr J's mix of 'Middle Proves' tcks all the boxes. Vocoder
interplays teamed with synth, efects and chopped vocals.
Mr Beedle steps up to the plate with his 'North Street' mix of 'Middle Proves' aided and abeted by Darren Morris and Jo Wallace on producton dutes. Mr Morris's keyboard skills come to the fore with some lush, jazz tnged piano and the vocal interludes pay homage to the infuence of UK Garage legend
Todd Edwards.
140-gram 4xLP, heavyweight package including CD. One time pressing of 500 copies worldwide. The follow-up to highly acclaimed Sailing Off The Grid album
"Expect the story of life as a self-reinforcing structure that never reaches the perfect balance. The concept behind the album is to bring awareness that the balance is an illusion and that's why it's called 'At The Turn Of Equilibrium'. Petar Dundov
Petar Dundov, a stalwart of the Croatian scene and a fine purveyor of sophisticated melodic techno, has been a prominent and respected name within underground dance music for over two decades. Throughout his career, the gifted Croatian has achieved much praise and recognition through releasing no less than four acclaimed artist albums ('Sculptures 1-3' in 2001, 'Escapements' in 2008, 'Ideas From The Pond' in 2012 and 'Sailing Off The Grid' in 2013) and performing at some of the world's best clubs and festivals such as, I Love Techno (BE), EXIT (RS), Awakenings (NL), Berghain (DE), Womb (JP), Air (NL), Fuse (BE) and Space Ibiza (ES).
The inspirational eight-tracker, 'At The Turn Of Equilibrium', is Dundov's fifth long-player and encompasses all of the inimitable production qualities of his previous albums whilst exploring a broader set of moods and themes, delivering what feels like his most accomplished work to date. Dundov explains, "This time, in addition to using more sound textures I introduced parts with classical instruments like piano and strings. As the album is about life and how it evolves, from purely a physical body to a thinking person, the songs are sequenced from faster, simple-rhythmic, cyclic, body moving tracks to slower, more complex layered, beatless mind tracks."
The album's impassioned opener, 'Then Life', commences the release by taking us on a captivating journey of complex melodies and soothing ambient textures. The album continues by showcasing a wealth of hypnotic masterpieces such as the dark and slow-burning 'The Lattice', the thought-provoking 'Before It All Ends' and the Kraftwerk-esque 'Midnight Orchestra'.
Other highlights include, the Vangelis-influenced up-tempo groover 'Mist', the lush ambient soundscape 'New Hope', the uplifting and emotional 'Missing You' and the hugely stimulating synth-driven melodic work-of-genius 'Everlasting Love' which concludes the album.
'At The Turn Of Equilibrium' is a very absorbing and imaginative album that's been driven by Dundov's eternal quest of translating sound into emotion. Developed like a well-constructed DJ set, the album has not only been designed to invoke personal insight for music to be the catalyst for understanding but also make sense as a listen, highlighting Dundov's unparalleled talent, depth and versatility as a DJ/producer.
WEvery artistic scene is lead by their artists and kept alive by their fans, but mostly by its talents, who can look outside of the box and have a great relationship with their crowd. Junior C is a great example of how this theory comes true for a DJ and Producer.
Junior C is a very versatile artist, who consolidated his career in three columns: Technique, Feeling and Crowd-Reading, Important skills that added to his strong musical taste made him able to adapt his sets to many dance-floors, from underground to mainstream without loosing his musical identity.
As a producer, he got a lot of attention by his latest tracks Relax' and Sweet Acid Talk' released by Impact Records, produced in partnership with Wehbba and Propulse. Both tracks in just a couple of weeks hit the top 20 in tech-house at Beatport receiving compliments from: Sven Vath, 2000 and One, Karotte, Hector Couto, Joseph Capriati and many more, afterwards Sweet Acid Talk' was the best seller of Ibiza Underground 2013' released by Toolroom Records.
In this EP he has worked with H.O.S.H., Gui Boratto and Gunjah to create new approaches of his latest single Coming Over' and the result are 3 different interpretations of this dance floor timeless song, full of groove, lush harmonies and organic undertones. It doesn't take much to imagine this EP owning dance floors in the months and years to come.
Engineered to perfection by label head GUI BORATTO, it's an exciting step for the imprint and the project alike.
it's an exciting step for the imprint and the project alike.
Ark & Pit Spector continue their inspired journey with an extended EP full of groovy jams and absorbing rhythms for Hold Youth. The Frenchmen have formed a potent alliance with a series of expertly-crafted, high-quality releases dropping over the last couple of years. On this new EP they go deeper into their sound explorations with five original works and a remix from their Parisian buddy and Hold Youth member, Le Loup. First up, we go into bumping jazzy territory with 'Chauffage Central', a mesmerising cut with swirling pads, soulful vocal clips and a jaunty b-line. Straight up after that, Hold Youth rudeboy Le Loup gives 'Chauffage Central' a funky little rework, throwing live sounding percussion, Nubian vocal clips, trumpet parps and a pumping bassline into the mix which gives a totally different identity. The final track on side A, is a cheeky teaser called 'Petite Ondée'. Rolling out for just under two minutes the track has a muffled, jazz-esque feel to it with a warm rolling bassline and bright, sparkling piano keys.
On the flip we kick off with 'Air Conditionelle', a lush, retro feeling with those oh-so-familiar heavy-hitting eighties snare licks. The bassline takes you to a New York City street and the whole atmosphere is that of an old school NYC neighbourhood, while a spoken-word sample adds a human touch just before the track comes to an end. 'Sub Tropical' goes a little leftfield with an unusual combination of sounds in tandem with a pulsating low end, occasional sax licks and punchy percussion to give it plenty of energy. 'Averse Et Contre Tous' closes out the EP with a slothish ride into the sunset - Ark and Pit Spector show their experimental side presenting an odd union between blues samples, gruff electronic sounds and piano keys.
Another triumphant effort from Ark and Pit Spector, in fact, some of the finest work to date. Make sure you check it out!
Outstanding and miraculous, this record is an international effort, resulting in a great combination, relevant for both bagging it or playing out on a soundsystem. The original music is by one of Russia's most prolific and gifted reggae musicians - Rebelsteppa. Melodic instrumental music, a swing-stepper with a saxophone.
None Shall Escape the Judgement', vocals by Stikki Tantafari from Jamaica is on the A side of the record. This song is rough and tough, dynamic and persistent. Stikki Tantafari has previously released music with Paul Lush on Nucleus Roots Records.
On the B side "Give Unto Jah' by Sista Sherin, the German singer. Compared to the record's first side, this one is smoother, the voice of this young lady is glorious and captivating - positive vibrations.
Both sides feature Rebelsteppa's dub-mixes - His style is always a mixture of classical energy combined with peculiar intelligence of sound given by restrained echoes, created for the soundsystem.
Chicago based 'Chris Gray' has appeared on multiple releases throughout the 90s and the new millennium. While some of his most appreciated works have been published through his own imprint Deep4Life, for the next PULP release, Chris gets deep and melodious with some funked out synths whilst maintaining that lush deep atmosphere that has proven to be his signature mode.
FF-Fear is the emotive opener for the 12inch. A vast amount of cosmic goodness can be found throughout. PULP usual suspect 'DaRand Land' offers a spellbinding remix which takes one into deep territories through it's repetitive and lush composition.
FF-Freedom is the flipside opener, and another Chris Gray original. Again, a melodic trip to places unknown is offered.
FF-Fantasia is a more firm approach to the Chris Gray sound. Interesting key changes which show the compositional capabilities of the artist appear throughout. A very interesting break takes one back to the very essence of house music.
A sweet groover from the Italian scene of the 70's - music that's got a lush feel, but a funky one too - a great mix of strings and electric instrumentation that rivals the best cop/crime work of the time - yet also has a nice sexy feel too! There's almost a blaxploitation vibe to the record at times - and although some instruments solo at points, the real groove lies in the tight vamping of the orchestra - which hits all the right notes to really send the whole thing soaring - often with a nice use of tone and color too!
12 stamped w/label, black sleeve, 180g Vinyl, 300 copies
Parallax 03 - This upcoming release on Parallax features two fresh cuts by Yogg on the B-side, and the first taste from his new collaboration with another Tel-Aviv based producer -Pharaoh. 460 is a 10 minute run of subtle deep atmospheres and flucuating dub sequences. For Now shows Yogg's more violent Techno style with it's accentuated offbeats & industrial leaning patterns. Oo-oO brings this one to closure on a quite but powerful note, with a more lush texture and subtle serial sequencing.
Due to popular demand; a double A side from the one and only, Marcos Valle. This is the second time he has appeared in this Brazil 45's series LINK'Democustico' is a lush, uptempo MPB constructed from guitars, rolling percussion and soaring woodwind. Taken from his 1972 LP 'Vento Sul' on Odeon Brazil.
'Freio Aerodinâmico' is an uptempo piano driven, bossa/MPB, laden with hooky vocals, strings and horns, underpinned with a funk drum groove. Aeroplane sound effects thrown in for good measure! Taken from his 1970 self-titled LP on Odeon Brazil.
A. Taiguara - Aquarela De Um País Na Lua
Extremely unique, psychedelic uptempo Brazilian jazz fusion. Flutes, piano and vocal harmonies drift in and out of the mix, creating a lush soundscape.
Taiguara was a prolific and hugely successful singer and songwriter - primarily within pop/MPB - whose career spanned nine albums in the late 60's and 70's. He is also thought to be one of the most censored Brazilian artists and was exiled to London in the 1970's by the Brazilian dictatorship.
'Aquarela' is taken from his most experimental album 'Imyra, Tayra, Ipy' originally released in 1976 on Odeon.
AA. Marisa Rossi - Deixa Eu Te Amar
Killer uptempo psychedelic funk/soul track, highly sought after, originally released on Copaconana 7' in 1970.
Marisa, and the backing track, sound very much like the wonderful 'Doris' whose album 'Did You Give The World Some Love Today Baby' we have previously reissued.
Rossi recorded an album arranged by the legendary Arthur Verocai.
Beautifully Designed 1LP, 180g Vinyl Press kit: Following his Extended Play EP on Other People last year, Jream House is the turbulent and spiritual debut LP of Mark Hurst aka A Pleasure. Blending mathematical composition with an unrestrained studio experimentalism, the sound of A Pleasure charts a space where formative influences confront the most immediate performative impulse. Using a process of numerical transposition, the names of personally significant bands and composers are converted into drum patterns. He then lets loose, improvising around these structures with a variety of traditional and unorthodox instruments: bass and guitar, bowed cymbals, drum machines juggled like turntables, blowtorch on aluminium, to name but a few. With his influences as start-points, he builds rhythmic structures literally in their namesake, blasting their hulls with walls of noise, monolithic basslines and any other jam-yielded shrapnel. Despite the chaos and complexity of the process, the results sound neither clinical, nor garbled. The tracks always find their way to an emotive melody or strong groove. Lush guitar strums and yearning keys ride the high-speed beat of Slow Channel", which seems to soar through cloud-cover as one snaking mass. The Order of Things' folds a cosmic guitar-part into a backdrop of heavily side-chained noise. Arthur Russell' features a neck-snapping rim-shot and crushed snare that splash up the bits of an elegiac vocal part. Through violent and idyllic atmospheres, Jream House jettisons its inspirations like landing shuttles, always in search of new ground. These are songs, not just experiments.
Miami ex-patriate Alexander Suàrez debuts on Unknown Precept with A Los Mártires. Conceived as an ode to those who spilt their blood in vane for political ideologies that failed them and countries that were never their homes, the five tracks that make up the release show the Brooklyn-based producer sinking into odd techno hybrids manipulation; shooting down unrestrained grooves and rusty samples while excavating lush sound exploration tinged by local folklore and grievous metallic tones. In his own words, Suárez discloses that the embodiment of this strange intermingling sound like an organic and humming invitation to an uninhibited meditation on our inevitable assimilation into modern industrial society; an overarching rhythmic theme built on the idea that the resistance to and the seduction of these systems might trap us in a push and pull limbo from which the only escape is rage or submission.
Following on from his well received Foreign Parts LP this Summer, Seb Wildblood releases new four
track EP 'Submarine', on the SW catalogue. The DJ, producer and co-founder of south London's
'Church', delivers four dreamy house cuts with a remix from 1080's Project Pablo.
As the title of the release suggests, all four tracks submerge the listener in Wildblood's deep, melodic
grooves. Lush soundscapes are complimented with subtle 4/4 beat structures . The EP is out December
4th.'Seb Wildblood has a penchant for making bubbly, feel good house music' - mixmag 'Seb Wildblood shows a more chilled-out side to Church, employing an old school yet very fresh style to
great effect throughout.' - DJ Mag 'Seb Wildblood has been bubbling away on the underground, catching the attention of some of the most prolific names in the house and techno scene including the likes of Seth Troxler and Maya Jane
Coles to name but a few' - iD Mag
Only 150 worldwide
After more than 10 years in the game and a string of successful
EPs to his name, Idriss D releases his first proper album on his
own Memento Records. At first conceived as a succession of
singles for his Dib 00' series (the first two being Constantine
and Alger), the project then became more of a collection of
dance floor tracks influenced by what he likes to play in his DJ
sets. The title Amalgamation' comes from the desire of
bringing together his life experiences over the last few years,
both music-wise and from a marketing and management angle,
this time exclusively focusing on himself and gathering all the
inputs in one single piece of work. Transition''s atmospheric
vibe and ethereal sounds open the LP with a blast of hazy
vocals and noises, followed by the percussive and trippy Casa
Baratas', a nod to the early 90s Acid House movement.
Karma''s pounding kick drum and stripped down arrangement
are a true example of Minimalistic Techno at its wildest. The
more personal RIP Ouarda' was composed in memory of his
grandmother who passed away: dark and hypnotic, it stands
out as one of the most experimental on the album. Title track
Amalgamation''s landscape of lush eerie synths makes it a
blissful comedown number, while Parall-el''s bouncing rhythm
speeds up the pace to high effect. Strong Hayet' is dedicated
to his mum, a source of continuos strength in Idriss' life,
both in good and difficult times: the heavy bass line and almost
obsessive looping vocals and hi-hats are icy and dramatic.
Barn''s pitch shifts and manic vocal samples swing through a
maze of rim shots and toms, its stomping groove and pulsing
beats closing off the album with a bang.
When an 8 year old kid asks for a drum machine and Atari 500 computer with the intention of starting his own band, you know his future does not lie anywhere but in music. Introducing: Jeroen Hofer aka Melon. Not your average human being. Something that becomes obvious the second he enters the room - a beaming, larger than life personality that cannot possibly be ignored. Flair and charisma have never hurt anyone in this business. Melon is a natural artist, over the last few years, he has managed to create a high production profile. Nitzi' on Innervisions and Spring' on his own Ratiomusic' imprint are incredibly subtle and timeless masterpieces, while his work under his Je Dàvu moniker, such as his infamous re-edit of INXS's I Need You Tonight' and I Zebra' on Platzhirsch, showcases a more rocking side of his repertoire. In this EP he has worked with D.O.C. label mastermind Gui Boratto, their new EP sports music for the dance floor, full of groove, lush harmonies and organic undertones. Engineered to perfection by label head GUI BORATTO, it's an exciting step for the imprint and the project alike.
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.
Blossom Kollektiv returns to vinyl once again after the success of Jepe's 'Spring Shadow,' this time around inviting House and Techno veteran Matthias Vogt to the label. The two-track EP of finely crafted melodic and emotive Techno features remixes from Oliver Gehrmann and Jepe and is sure to find its way into DJ bags world wide.
Starting the EP off on a strong note with Solace, Matthias Vogt takes us on a magical journey like we're floating in the clouds with a driving kick and lush melodies that keep us soaring through the sky into a land of beautiful and lovely emotions. Then just when we feel like we're about to fall the track uplifts us once again into a place of cosmic bliss with rich piano notes full of substance.
Playing with the rich piano notes of the original Oliver Gehrmann creates his own vision of Solace bringing a deeper and more after hours feel. The track takes us through the elements of the original but reworking it ever so slightly while never losing the strong emotional sense of the original.
Next we come back to Matthias with Fluorescence where we once again are whisked of to a fascinating place full of melody and care free attitudes. However don't let this allure fool you, powered by a heavy kick drum and tight percussion this track will work wonders on any peak hour dance floor bringing a sense of euphoria to the crowd.
After returning from our blissful land Jepe brings us right to the floor with his straightforward house version of Fluorescence. Putting his stamp all over his version using classic piano stabs and funky percussion to make the track uplifting in a rhythmic way, then subtle synths from the original peek their heads out to create a little drama and suspense until the slamming kick drum kicks back in making the crowd move.
Streetlight Soul' is the inaugural release on new imprint Gnosis. This four track EP is the fifth Myriadd record, following 12"s for Crème organization, Pinkman and Signals. The past decade has seen releases from the artist under a variety of pseudonyms including Acid Phreex (Djax-Up-Beats), Mantra (Bunker, Abstract Acid, Solar One Music) and Monofonix (Iwari, Cataclyst). Across the EP, Myriadd remoulds the template of vintage Chicago house, acid and deep house into his vision of modern house music. Opening with 'Midnight Obsession'; working a dark hypnotic bassline into an endless groove of crisp jacking drums and soul stirring melody, all primed for maximum effect at 4AM when lost in the smoke and strobes. 'Visions Of Love' is driven by a Juno bassline, a classic palette of tumbling, infectiously funky drums, warm, enveloping synth atmospherics and elevated by lush, celestial string work which comes off like some fantasy Mr Fingers + Virgo psychedelic jam. The EP's titular track goes deeper into the night with 909 claps, off-kilter snare hits, melancholy synth and ethereal melodies that ascend and dissolve into neon clouds. Closer 'Back To Nature' is a trip into blissed out, tropical house sounding like a lost Balearic classic re-tweaked for the 21st Century..
2015 will prove a benchmark year for Scissor and Thread with the rising momentum of Frank & Tony and Desert Sound Colony and now with the introduction after many months of work of their new enigmatic artist, Rosas Nievas, with a sublime debut EP, Every Inch of You. Like a tip of the hat to Herbert, the title track entices with easy piano licks, a cooing vocal and a lush atmospheric enveloping the 'floor in a warm embrace. Flipping the switch, the bounce of "Opinions" propels dancers into hands-up, Chicago-style elation, while the rollicking, looping closer, "Hear Me Rain", entrances with its early morning psychedelia. Completing the package is a breakaway edit from label heads, Frank & Tony, who transform "Every Inch of You" into a sun-drenched, euphoric deep house stormer, in a way only they can do.
Phase 2: Expansion Unit returns with another three tracker of bass-heavy electro robotics, lush techno variations and beautifully tweaked Pro One madness.
We here at Watergate Records are ecstatic to bring you the first single release 'Do Me feat. Khan', from Tiefschwarz in anticipation of their stunning new album, 'Left'. Along with a couple of carefully curated remixes by from two of the most prolific and unique remixers working today, Roman Flügel and Frank Wiedemann, the complete package is a trifecta. The original 'Do Me feat. Khan' is fully rooted in Tiefschwarz's cryptic dance floor approach, intricately balancing the serious and the absurd through the call and response of an almost comedically vocoded voice and a smooth, slick talking murmur. Khan's voice joined with a continually climbing bassline, lush percussive melodies and infectious drums result in a cut that is perfect for, and will shine, any time. Going a different direction by barely using the vocal, but staying very true to the original is Roman Flügel. Taking the original bassline and shortening the loop to 3/4 time, Flügel has devised a hypnotic tail chase that continues from beginning to end only to be accompanied by the whip of a big hi hat and wild 909 claps. Finally, it's the Frank Wiedemann Orchestra Remix, and it's pretty safe to say that this will be one of the anthems of the year. Aptly titled, the remix is a magnum opus conducted by a master. An enormous ensemble of rich strings and delicate melodies that build and swell from start to finish.
The second part in the Hudd Traxx 10th Anniversary 'Now & Then' compilation sees tracks from Luna City Express, Sek, Iz & Diz and Rick Wade. Berlin duo Luna City Express serve up a lush deep house groove that builds throughout the track, and will bring a smile to the faces of those who follow them on their beloved Moon Habour Recordings. Sek uses slick beats, trippy leads, a driving bassline and some 'Thug life' vocals to ensure this one has 'future classic' written all over it. Go back in time (to 2006 to be precise) on the 'Then' side to find Iz & Diz's 'Happy'. The words 'epic' & 'journey' are often misused in music but both can be mentioned about this track. It had devastating effect on first release and is set to do the same again nearly 10 years later. Rick Wade closes things out in fine style to fly the Detroit flag on an all Chicago / Detroit side.
'Nana' is the fourth Simonal track to appear in the Brazil 45's series. Lush, horn and string laden MPB-samba-jazz, taken from his 'A Nova Dimensao do Samba' LP released by Odeon in 1964.
Nana was released on 7' in the same year, also by Odeon.
Rich NxT helms the next release on the Fuse London label, with his 'What's In The Box' EP, the 3rd solo EP from one of the parties chief residents. This release brings yet more variety to the NxT stall with a classic feel on the A1 track, 'Defy' where he kicks things off with his trademark, crisp beats and razor sharp percussion riding over the dubby low end, then opening out into lush pads and a vocal that never fail to raise the atmosphere, proving popular with people everywhere.
'Mylove' is the release's vinyl only track and is an understated anthem, once again delving deep with brooding bass, paired with drum snatches echoing that of his early jungle days. When the tripped out male vocal and percussion builds into the drop and counter melody, all the elements align in that unique NxT fashion. Over on the flip, 'Twang' has become another firm favourite with audiences, calling again on memories of old school rave combined with a rolling, edgy groove, whilst 'Cannonball' finishes the EP off in fine style with a slab of atmospheric wonder perfect for those early morning sunlit sessions.
- A1: Pega A Voga Cabeludo
- A2: Canastra Real
- A3: Módulo Lunar
- A4: Volksvolkswagen Blue
- A5: Tão Longe De Mim
- A6: Carolina, Carol Bela
- B1: Feitiço
- B2: Planador
- B3: Espiral
- B4: Gotham City
- B5: Momento B/8
- B6: Que Maravilha
LP[27,10 €]
Rare and highly sought after in its original format, Os Brazoes self-titled album was originally released on RGE Discos in 1969. It is a psychedelic masterpiece that fuses samba, r'n'b and rock 'n' roll influences using fuzz guitars, synths, percussion, lush vocals and effects.
Os Brazoes formed in Rio de Janeiro in the late 1960's. They backed Gal Costa during her Tropicalia period, yet apparently never recorded in the studio with her. Miguel de Deus, the bands front man, recorded the highly sought after 'Black Soul Brothers' LP in 1977, which became an important record in the 'Black Rio' movement. Mr Bongo released the title track from that LP, on the 'Brazilian Beats: Brooklyn' compilation in 2006 and recently as part of their Brazil 45's re-issue series.
'Os Brazoes' features covers of Gilberto Gil's 'Pega a Voga, Cabeludo' and Jorge Ben and Toquinho's 'Carolina, Carol Bela'
The Mr Bongo LP reissue is manufactured in Japan, presented in a super high quality card sleeve with replica original artwork. The CD is presented in a 4-page digi-pack.
Celebrated ambient artist John Beltran jointly release not one but two vinyl compilations on Delsin Records in association with his own Dado label. The compilations, named Music For Machines Part 1 and Part 2, will take the form of two vinyl LPs released apart, with both releases complied together onto one CD available at a later date. Michigan born producer Beltran, of course, has released countless legendary EPs and LPs on labels like Peacefrog, Carl Craig's Retroactive and Belgium's R&S. His music has been licensed to high profile HBO TV series and a number of films, and pulls together elements of jazz, world music, organic soundscapes and electronic textures into compelling listening experiences. Most recently this came in the form of his Amazing Things album in 2013, whilst his career spanning Ambient Selections from 2011 is still a vital listen. Part 1 of the compilation pulls together new and exclusive tracks from the likes of Winter Flags, Blair French, David Elpezs and John himself, whilst part two focuses on the likes of Natalie Beridze, Kirk Degiorgio and Vincent Volt. Part 1 opens up with the found sound lushness of 'Winterfall Winds' before naturally unfolding through Reinehr's wintry harmonics and the crowning glory of Beltran's own titular track, which is a moving bit of textured modern classical music that sooths your mind, body and soul. As for Part 2, it is riddled with sumptuous sonic delights like Greg Chin's icy and alpine 'Dashboard Angels' and Mick Chillage's beautifully suspended 'Only In My Dreams'. Vincent Volt keeps things beautifully beachy with his 'Subway Arp' and A2B2C2's 'Stereometry' is a suitably sombre affair that closes the compilation down in style.
Soma mainstay Deepchord returns with part 2 of the Luxury Series. This Double A release feature Deepchord's signature atmosphere rich tones and lush environments and also mark a slight upturn in terms of pressing on a more Techno vibe.
Luxury 3 opens as spacious as can be as the dynamic Modell crafts otherworldly pads and haunting tones, driven by muted kicks and driving subs. His effective use of delay and reverb knows no bounds as he subtly shifts synth stabs and background noise through the dimensional barrier, creating rhythms so refined they defy the natural law. His usual percussive wizardry is at work here that, whilst vigorous, retains a light atmospheric feeling keeping fully in line with the melancholic tones of the track. Clocking in around 14minutes, this is Modell as his most immersive.
Luxury 4 has a distinct Detroit heart to it. Those almost instantly recognisable saw waves, moulded by layers upon layers of processing, swirls and evolve and Deepchord slowly works in various elements of the track to unparalleled levels. Fairly reminiscent of earlier, more stripped work, subtle percussion brings things to life fairly quickly as Modell allows the layers of ethereal synths and processing to blend and fuse naturally, creating a cohesive background to which the listener can easily spend hours listening to, every time finding ever so slight nuances to each cycle of the track.
Deepchord never fails to impress with every release and can easily change his style up from previous incarnations based in pure atmospherics to his own unique brand of legendary Dub Techno.
Versatile Parisian Jay Ka, offers a slow dripping slice of deepness to the SAFT following. With the help of Paula King on vocals, title track Only Grace is a reminiscent anthem with strong vocals supported by lush chords and smokey rhode hits. As a real single should, this package also offers 3 interpretations of the original. With remixes by Briton NY*AK and Atlanta situated Kai Alce, this SAFT output should grab your full attention easily.
Where NY*AK's rework maintains a more repetitive vibe with nicely timed vocal cuts, Kai Alce's 'Late Night' interpretation recalls classic vocal-house reworks from the glory days of extended 12inch mixes.
As usual for a complete single like this, an instrumental version of Kai Alce's rework is included.
'Decadubs 5' is a vinyl-only double-pack companion to 'Hyperdub 10.4', the fourth and final CD in Hyperdub's series of collections throughout 2014 to mark the label's first decade in existence. Both 'Decadubs 5' and its full-length parental set explore the club spaces opened up by house, garage and techno, as viewed through Hyperdub's singular filters. Side 1 leads out with 'Lambeth', a long awaited previously unreleased track by Burial, with an unusually triumphant and - compared to recent extended montages - relatively direct 2step feel. This is followed by the low slung tech-garage of Kode9's 'Oh', while on the flip the whole of Side 2 is given over to the lush deep house of Cooly G's 'Love Again'. Side 3 opens with the fathoms-deep bubbling bass and synth washes of DVA's extremely psychedelic 'Monophonic Nightmare', then Dorian Concept turns in a quirky remix of Martyn's classic 'Mega Drive Generation', which originally appeared on Hyperdub's fifth anniversary compilation in 2009. Side 4 reveals another classic from the vaults in the shape of Cooly G's skeletal house cut 'Him Da Biz', and the EP comes to a close with energy levels turned up on Funkystepz's 'Vice Versa', a track much in demand since it first appeared on Kode9's 'Rinse 22' mix compilation from 2013.
E C2 | Martyn - Mega Drive Generation (Dorian Concept Remix)
The German saying 'Ist der Ruf erst ruiniert, lebt man voellig ungeniert.', meaning once your reputation is ruined, your life gets easy, sums up a lot about Furfriend's artistic doing.
'Freedom of Filth' lives tightly along those lines and throws its full force of lushness at you, growing into an empowering industrial monster that makes you want you to rip all clothes off your body. If JFK did it, so can you.
If big room sound is too much for you and you miss the simplicity and pervy voice of Dingo Tush that made the duo famous, you'll wanna follow their instructions for self appreciation and have a listen to 'Touch Myself', A trainlike fuckfest for the dancefloor. Make sure to bring some lube!
Following is a short live recording from the 'Fuck Olympics' .... we are just going to leave this uncommented here.
The unsung hero of melodic techno prepares to step up to the Poker Flat plate for a second time, continuing the partnership that began with the epic 'Planet Funk EP' earlier this year. Vince Watson is a stalwart of the scene and truly in a league of his own: an unparalleled discography, a singular flair for arrangement, and a signature sound of lush layers and deep irresistible grooves. 'Rock It' is another complete chapter written in Watson's unique vocabulary. The EP's title track's swift pacing and bright multi chords-create a constant state of uplift and progression, movement and light. Subtle changes and hypnotic building loops drive this number towards a state of blissful contradiction: slow-burn euphoria. 'Sonar' contains all the scale, emotion and colour that the title may suggest; a prominent chord progression is sustained throughout, running through the track like a shot of neon, ensuring its future a peak time anthem. 'Feel It' is the yin to the yang of the previous tracks, easing into a looser, deeper tech house tempo, and unravelling tight melodic harmonies for breezy watercolour washes of pads.
Created in an industrial workplace in Leyton, where Canary Wharf punctures the skyline, Circle Traps craft music made in the image of the modern city. The group consists of Jack Wyllie, Duncan Bellamy and Will Ward and was formed in East London in 2010 and quickly scored their first release on fellow East Londoner Subeena's Opit Records in early 2011. Their eponymous debut EP earned serious critical praise from the likes of The Wire, Quietus and Fact Magazine. Their attention to ambient textures is reminiscent of Actress and Daniel Lopatin, but their unique, multi-layered, crystalline vision is consistently offset by dance floor impulses that nod to Detroit through the likes of Model 500 and Derrick May. The Machine City EP is a lush amalgamation of textural, distorted melody and bassier dance floor leanings.
Phiorio's Animals release has been a labour of love. After co-running Metroline Limited for the past 6 years and after a series of digital releases and remixes for both Metroline and Retrometro (as well as Letroom Limited and MBF amongst others), Phiorio's vinyl debut on ML finally sees the light of day. The choice of remixers has also been laborious but over at Metroline HQ we are really happy that in the end we managed to secure two stunning reworks by the likes of the more and more in demand French producer Doubtingthomas (with releases on labels such as Hummingbird, Organic and of course, Metroline Limited) and the super-hot up and coming Russian producers Adjustment Bureau. The EP opening track Ninja Cat is a deep and quirky number. The groove is tight with heavy drums and crisp percussions. An acid b-line leads the way while atmospherics pop in and out until an off key synth appears and adds a level of spookiness to the proceedings. Doubtinthomas remix take things into even deeper territory. His landmark reduced drum programming is very noticeable here with shuffled up percussions, lush pads and a very heavy bass to guarantee maximum impact on the dancefloor. Superpupider is a no-nonsense straight up dark and dirty techno tool. It's all about the groove with this track, the drums lead the way with clever use of filtered hats and percussions. That said, Phiorio's ability with abstract sound is still in evidence with plenty of spooky voices, pads and noises firing off in all directions. Adjustment Bureau remix of Ninja Cat completes our tasty package. The Russian duo's (soon to release a stunning debut EP on Hypertone) approach is in line with modern trippy and experimental techno and has a distinctive 'Romanian' vibe. They used the original elements of the track and added extra percussive and vocal samples to create an epic, intricate and groovy paranoid funk number.
You Know Who You Were Multi-faceted producer and DJ Ben Westbeech has accomplished something that eludes most artists - after ten years in the industry he successfully stands with 'one foot in the underground, one in the commercial' - and nowhere is this more apparent than on his first release on Aus Music as Breach which see's Ben digging deeper than ever before. After a year of high-power, unshakably catchy chart topping singles ("Jack' and 'Everything You Never Had"), a killer collaboration with Naked Naked cohorts Dark Sky and a well-received DJ-Kicks mix, Breach indulges some of his more underground and experimental tendencies on the 'Artis' EP. Bringing in bits of his past (the exotic, colorful vibe of 'Fatherless' can be detected in the lush atmosphere of 'Artis") along with some sounds newer to the moniker, Breach gets beautifully moody here and will once again keep people guessing as to what's coming next...
Franc Spangler is back with three brand new cuts to form the Painted Lady EP. Spangler, also known as Jamie Odell also known as Jimpster returns to Delusions Of Grandeur following something of a hiatus since his 2010 EP Forever And A Day. Not that there hasn't been demand (following his brilliant remix of Norm De Plume for vinyl only label Kolour Limited) but with a busy gig schedule and two labels to keep on top of, the Spangler moniker has always been seen as a bit of a special side project where quality presides over quantity.
Title track Painted Lady kicks things off in fine style with warm, deep house being the order of the day. Franc gets just enough dust in amongst the layering keyboards and echoing stabs to keep things the right side of smooth, the overall vibe is rolling with subtle FX and sounds poking through every now and then bringing a new element to latch onto.
Up next we have Lumpsucker, which brings us a lovely, blissed out, slice of electronica underpinned by classic TR707 beats adding just the right amount of jack to the track. We're getting hints of YMO and Balil with a lingering note of Larry Heard on the finish.
Finally, we're treated to the epic closer that is Camberwell Beauty. Mid tempo boogie beats with crunchy claps and steady hats lay the bedrock for a loping CS5 bassline whilst lush keys shimmer and swirl like little fluffy clouds in a bright summer's sky.
Gear appreciating Italian 'Giorgio Luceri' enters the SAFT dome with the machine driven 'Liger EP'. On the opening track 'Liger' Giorgio cleverly paints an elusive ambiance using jumbled drums and an appealing bassline together with a continual synthline that nicely sits on top of the serene pads that give rise to an intense atmosphere.
The B1 side opens with similar soothing pads that gradually change when the immense bassline and full bodied kick drum come in. Giorgio again creates a somewhat adverse vibe which helps to give it a hint of lushness.
For the B2, Chicago legend 'Gene Hunt' contributes with a massive percy remix for 'Liger'. A lot of drum action is present in this club oriented (yet deep) roller. As far as remixes go, Gene Hunt proves to be a craftsman of high stature.
We are pleased to welcome American producer Developer into our pack. Mr. Developer brings to Warm Up his beats and sequences all the way from the West Coast, with two original tracks plus a bunch of extra remixes available on the digital edition. On the list of remakes, none other than Argentinean top producer Pfirter and the label owner himself, Oscar Mulero, both in charge of providing all the funk.
The tangible plastic release starts with '
'Cuerpo', a frenzied number based on continuous synth lines, fast cabasa-driven rhythm patterns, obscure vocals and floaty strings. Spacey and grey, all at the same time.
On track two, Oscar Mulero keeps the fundamental elements, filtering them up and down and adding extra tension to create a perfect mixing tool to complement the original.
Side B opens with 'Western Ways'. Toms appear on the beat, along with FM sequences, and lush stabs that turn aggressive as the minutes go by. A floor stomper.
Pfirter fattens the kick, sharpens the hi hats, and provides some bleepy action and reverb-fuelled ambiances, giving the original a personal twist. Peaktime techno.
As a complement to the plastic version, the digital release boasts two additional revisions of 'Western Ways' by Oscar Mulero. One where he carries out the same routine as we found on 'Cuerpo', preserving most of the original elements, filtering and creating a dense atmosphere, and another with slower tempos, a liquid overall feeling and a more smokey and dubby approach.
The Auf Togo combination of Clement Cachot-Coulom from
the Fabulous Penetrators and Sasa Crnobrnja, one half of In
Flagranti are back with a follow up 12' for Leng.
Once again they blend the warm analogue sounds with a
dancefoor approach this time bringing in some vocals on 'Old
Models' that sit over a tight live drum beat and lush guitar work
locking us into a killer summer groove.
'Waiting For Beggi' gets a Balearic workout with more hazy
guitars, percussion and a rolling bassline.
OneOffs volume 3 offers just like the previous volume four new cuts from four different producers.
First up we got Swedish producer Jonas Rathsman and 'Yes I Am', a lush deep house track that's both heartfelt and sublime. Let it breathe on a large sound system for maximum effect!
Ending the a-side is duo Twinpeaks funk-fuelled ride ' Not That Tech House - DJ Tool Dropped By Paris Hilton You Were Searching For'. A track that would fit right into any peak time set, even by Paris Hilton.
Want from Pixel82 is a punchy track with it's scattered synth chords, jerky hats and a thick groove followed by Life Is A Gamble where Jesse Futerman takes us on a soul inspired journey of deft sample manipulation
Local Talk is talking to you!
Building upon the foundations laid by his stunning debut single for the label, 'Theme Park / Off Topic', Blu Mar Ten Music is proud to
present the second single from prodigiously talented young producer Frederic Robinson's forthcoming album, 'Mixed Signals'. A
natural successor to the aforementioned single, the two tracks on offer here, 'Bloom' featuring Stray and 'Shore', give a further insight
into the depth and diversity of his work and what you can expect from his debut long player when it drops later this year.
On 'Bloom' Robinson teams up with experimental electronic producer and fellow BMTM alumnus Stray, for a characteristically
forward-thinking and unique exploration of 170bpm's outer possibilities. Built around a skittering tribal rhythm, lush synths and
acoustic instrumentation weave in and out of the track's skeleton over a deep b-line punctuated by elegantly cut ethereal vocals. With
the pair fluidly building and deconstructing layers as the track evolves and effortlessly shifts grooves, the track's nuances make it as
compelling for home listening as it is fresh on the dance floor.
This is paired with the delicate percussive timbres and rich ambience of down tempo offering 'Shore'. Here Robinson's off-kilter,
organic rhythms combine with a dense patchwork of piano, strings and natural textures to create a track that is as beautiful as it is
haunting, aided by the distant call of Robinson's own vocals.
Already receiving support from revered taste makers such as Giles Peterson, Mary Anne Hobbs and London Electricity, the depth and
quality of Robinson's music is quickly starting to make people stand up and take notice. Quickly proving himself to be an inimitable
talent, the new single is a worthy addition to his musical canon.
Idiot Savant Masterpieces is the 3rd release and the first full solo EP by Amir Alexander on the Vanguard Sound record label. On display is Amir's somewhat off kilter take on U.S. dance music. An approach so different that one critic described the work of Amir and his crew as Idiot Savant Masterpieces. All bases are covered, acid, deep, big room, and banging techno with a little hip house thrown in for good measure. Vanguard Sound is quickly establishing itself as a label to watch so serious collectors should buy this one on sight!
The Realest of the Real! - An acid/ hip house hybrid banger that draws influence from the classic acid and hip house vibes. With vocals written and performed by Amir himself, this track combines 303 808 and 909 sounds with Amir's "street chants" to create a vibe that looks back to classic Chicago while pushing it forward and into the future.
Sonic Weaponry! - An insidious techno groove that grabs you by the neck on the first note, and never lets go. Tough banging drums combine with a staccato analog synth passage that charges like an advancing army. The rubbery bass line joins the fray to incite utter madness as this deceptively minimalistic track whips the floor into a mad frenzy.
Rebel Music (Version One)! - A big room Banger lead by a phrenetic sine wave bass line that never lets up. Deliberate, yet, stuttering percussion anchors the track. The accompanying synth ostinato continuously shifts as huge lush chords blow through like gale force winds. Black Panther's H. Rap Brown and Stokely Carmichael drop science about the nature of rebellion in the U.S.
Who are You - The "Deepest" track of the four opens with a beautiful ascending/ descending flute like synth passage that instantly sets the soul adrift. The hard and jumpy kicks interplay with a throbbing rhythmic bass that bubbles like a boiling cauldron. About halfway in a driving synth ostinato comes in to push the track forward. In the middle there is a dreamy
somewhere between New Order, Arthur Baker, and Giorgio Moroder with the benefit of modern ears, Argentine export and Berlin movershaker Nico Purman continues to shape his ever evolving vision of sound with his new label Art of Memory and its debut release AOM001. Carrying the momentum of his recent EP's such as Visions on Vakant (VA036) and Fade Away on Crosstown Rebels (CRM086), Nico drops perhaps his most expansive and melodic work yet drawing on influences from decades past to produce something both new and honest to former eras. With nods to New Wave, Techno, and a dusting of Space Odissey, AOM001's 3 tracks (+1 digital exclusive) bring both the lush musical synth textures of Purman's electronic forefathers with modern low end motivation of deep bass and tight rhythmic production. The resulting tracks that comprise AOM001 express pensive, moving, deep ideas of an electronic yesterday with an unrestricted vision of tomorrow written and shaped by the minds of talent like Nico Purman's.
Sister Label to Vanguard Sound Anunnaki Cartel plays host to the fourth installment of the Vanguard Sound Series featuring 4 tracks from crew members Dakini9 (Lola), Chris Mitchell, DJ. Spider, and founder Amir Alexander. During the time since Vanguard Sound Vol. 3 launched the Vanguard Sound label, the series has reached a kind of cult classic status among the most dedicated U.S. underground vinyl collectors. As more and more people discover Alexander and his Crew of ultra talented DJ/Producers, their releases on discogs disappear and then reappear for three to five times their original price. Buy on sight status is quickly being achieved by all six members of this shadowy Crew.
The four tracks contained in this release all touch base with the vibes already established by the Crew, while continuing to expand the sonic palette as well.
Amir Alexander's Cypher is classic dirty analog at it's finest. With a slightly overdriven synth baseline leading the way, followed by restless percussion. Midway through, deep and mysterious pads create a dreamy texture as a spoken word passage muses about loyalty to those you came up with.
Chris Mitchell's 213NL raises the temperature with Chris's signature "Phrenetic" drum programming under an SH101type acid baseline oscillating wildly as melodic strings soar.
DJ Spider keeps things gutter with some Vanguard/ Plan B style street knowledge in the form of New World Resistance. An industrial/ futurist tech beat frenzy full of vocals dropping science about the New Word Order's plans for global domination.
Dakini9 closes the release by taking us to the depths and beyond with her deeply emotive work in the form of Rollercoaster to Nowhere. Sci fi atmospherics weave in and out of lushly serene pads while her always deadly serious percussion marks the time effortlessly. Time travel is evoked as the dulcet tones erode all sense of the here and now. Fall into infinity! For the collector's, this one is not to be missed as it is a rare Vanguard Volume on it's sister label Anunnaki Cartel with both logos on one record. Don't sleep..
Mr. G continues his legacy with a hard hitting 12' which entirely covers the broad spectrum of true house music. While the A1 track starts out a little sinister it still evolves into a lush ambiance. This sourishly vibe changes continue throughout the release. Another top notch MR.G effort which shouldnt be missed.
REPRESSED !!
Detroit veteran Len Bartush (Mutate) returns to advance the series that began with the now classic Circle 1. A full round kick and jack style upbeats are all that's necessary to support the deep, modulated synth lines that travel through lush plates of reverb. Alberto Pascual hits a homerun with his remix that will move any club, festival, or warehouse party. Project 313's remix supplies moving synth lines are stripped down and replaced with driving rhythms and pulsating bass making this a superb techno offering. The Plankton remix turns up the tension with warehouse style percussion and intertwining rhythms complimented by science- fictionesque stabs and pounding bass.
The 'Circle 2' EP is an essential piece of Detroit minimalism. Detroit veteran Len Bartush (Mutate) returns to advance the series that began with the now classic 'Circle 1'.
The EP starts off with Mutate's 'Circle 2' (Machined) original. A full round kick and jack style upbeats are all that are necessary to support the deep, modulated synth lines
that travel through lush plates of reverb, creating an atmosphere perfect for any techno desire from dance floor, to living room, to headphones.
Alberto Pascual hits a homerun with a remix that will move any club, festival, or warehouse party. Big room percussion, moving sub bass, and funky rim shots compliment the dark synths from the original.
Project 313's remix delivers with an interpretation that celebrates the true spirit of the original. Moving synth lines are stripped down and replaced with driving rhythms and pulsating bass, making this a superb techno offering.
The Plankton remix turns up the tension with warehouse style percussion and intertwining rhythms, complimented by science-fictionesque stabs and pounding bass.
DJ's Supporting release:
A.Trebor, Alberto Pascual, Altstadt Echo, Angel Alanis, Anthony Jimenez, Audio Injection , Brendon Moeller, Bruno Ledesma, Chris Liebing, Claude Young, Dadub, Daegon, DCibel, Developer, Drumcell, DVS1, Erphun, Exium - Hector, Exium - Valentin, Felix Lorusso, Hyperactive, Jeff Derringer, Joachim Spieth, Joel Morgan, Justin James, MADA Cedric, Mas Teeveh, Material Object, Measure Divide, Memnok , Monocraft, Morgan Thomas, Octave, Onoffon, Project 313, Rene Walther, Ricardo Garduno, Sigha, Sone, Submerge, Tommy Four Seven, Tony Kasper
- A1: Dark Crawler Intro
- A2: Mirrors Edge Ft Lex Envy
- A3: Dark Gremlinz Ft D.o.k
- A4: Air Max 90 Ft Champion
- B1: Dark Crawler Interlude Ft Riko Dan
- B2: Full Hundred
- B3: Rum Punch
- B4: Dark Crawler Interlude Ft Mayhem, Deadly & Saf One
- C1: You Make Me Feel Ft Meleka
- C2: Baby Oil
- C3: Dark Crawler Interlude Ft Trim & Kozzie
- D1: Delicately Ft Ruby Lee Ryder
- D2: Moschino
- D3: Dark Crawler Outro
Terror Danjah's second Hyperdub album is 'The Dark Crawler', a well-paced and much more upfront and energetic journey through his musical world than his debut 'Undeniable'. The album revolves around the 'Dark Crawler' theme, a blistering grime track that pops up several times, vocaled by MC's Riko Dan, Mayhem, Deadly and Saf One, and then lastly Trim and Kossie. That's not to say the album is one dimensional or relentless. It's subtley balanced with the 'Dark Crawler' thread of tracks allowing the album to spin off in a web of directions without losing any focus. It's a much more contained body of work, paced to keep the listeners interest. From the 'Dark Crawler' intro into the cartoonish horror soundtrack of 'Mirror's Edge', which tricks you into thinking its just any dubstep tune, before scattering into Terror's signature broken kicks and claps. 'Dark Gremlinz' featuring D.O.K. is a classic peak-era asymmetric grime instrumental. The album then drops down into the 130ish speed of 'Air Max 90' featuring Champion, which builds from a soca-like drum drill stretching the rhythm to the point of collapse with a wonky synth, before concluding on a driving baseline house 4/4. The first 'Dark Crawler' vocal is next, with a ferocious performance from veteran Roll Deep MC Riko Dan, who drops bloodthirsty threats at a breakneck pace. Next, the tempo drops down again to the drunk funk of 'Full Hundred', with criss cross claps and a rasping bassline breaking down into live drumming and tight trap door edits. Things speed up a little again with the intricate 8 bar funky of 'Rum Punch', a hard drum tattoo rolling out over a heavy detuned bassline and intense bleeps. On the second 'Dark Crawler', mic duties are shared by Birmingham MC's Mayhem , Deadly and Saf One. Their hard vocals contrast with lush styled R'n'B of 'You Make Me Feel' featuring Meleka. The album then rolls out into the galloping drums and smooth G-Funk synths of 'Baby Oil'. Trim and Kossie drop the final 'Dark Crawler' vocal, with Trim dropping deadpan threats contesting with Kossie's focussed hysteria. Next up 'Delicately', with Ruby Lee Rider, starts in slow motion R'n'B mood, sweet Rhodes chords drift and bubble up as the track doubles up into dreamy drum and bass with a fluttering tabla keeping the time, and Ruby's tender vocals tempering the pace and aggression. Overall, it's a brilliant exercise in breathless rhythmic arousal. 'Moschino', on the other hand is a darker, chunkier and grimier mirror image to 'Delicately', switching up into a ferocious metallic riffage, before the album closes on an outro of 'Dark Crawler' again. Form, function, energy and talent fuse perfectly over 'The Dark Crawler' s length. Enjoy the ride.
Unxpozd presents the third Dj Aakmael project - Breathe Deeper, which is a testament to Aak's amazing and captivating style of house music.The main track Breathe Deep takes you back to the 'golden era' of house music, giving you that raw sound with Esq once again on vocals. Untitled 79, for those who love their music old-school and classic but fresh this is for you. With a phat deep bass, lush chords and keys throughout, this one is sure to please the deepest and most mature househeads. Lastly to close, Aakmael continues his dubb series with Dubb 2, continuing to pay homage to one of the sounds that caught his ears' attention so many years ago. This track is a little more trancy, very deep and has that meditative vibe all deep house heads look to escape to.
We celebrate our number 30 with a double pack, featuring one of the creators of techno in Spain: Groof.
Roberto Gemelin, from Madrid, is Groof. He's Robert Calvin too. No matter which of his alias you know him by, he's one of the most active producers in the Madrid arena.
Aka Robert Calvin, he released materials with Turbo (Tiga's label) in 2004, having previously collaborated with Star Whores in a joint release with Alek Stark (2002).
Also important are the remixes he did for Disko B or for Sindicato Records and MSX, paying tribute to Megabeat with his recreation of the great classic Strange.
His background as Groof is even more extensive, as his early steps go back to the times of Minifunk (the cheeky and shameless label from Barcelona that was then managed by Omar and Dj Loe). With them he recorded Mambo! (1999) and I want you (2000). He has also recorded with WarmUp, Fieber, Rainwaves or Shareware Records.
At the end of the ninetees Groof shared Quite Unusual with Oscar Mulero: the start of a deep friendship that nowadays brings us WU30 mini-album.
'Angel exterminador' is on the A side; modern and dark techno, based on cemented beats and deep synth work. A track that is constantly growing and evolving; quality and punch in one track.
'Diagrama esporadico' goes next: relaxed BPM, 909 beats, spacey arpeggios, and analogue synth percussions for a mental feeling.
'Gummy' starts with weird flanged noises, fed with distorted drums and drones that create an elastic feeling, hence the gummy name. Scientific techno.
'Amb' goes back to darkness, subtle ambiences and drones, fixed sequences and a clever arrangement.
'Vac 04' continues on the same mood: obscure synths, classic drum machines, sharp hats and white noise.
Closing the release, 'Islands' is a liquid track based on lush keyboards, and a dubby feeling with those endless delays. A classy number.
A nice mini-album which is diverse, complex, classic and futuristic at the same time.
As the US retire each of their space going shuttles it appears that exiting the stratosphere is more difficult than ever. Yet there is one pilot who still makes aural excursions into the cosmos, Roland Sebastian Faber. Since the beginning of Aube Records RSF has been serving up his brand of analogue astronomy, creating lush interplanetary sounds and otherworldly vistas.
Deep`a & Biri return to Rotary Cocktail with their "Hybrid Lava" EP.On the A side, they bring us a deep raw track which takes you on many twists and turns. What starts as a lush beauty builds into a raw energetic monster. As the synth mid bass kick in the tracks takes on entirely new energy. A nod to the old school, but with a fresh twist.
'End Of Times' on the A side is a dark futuristic beast of a roller sure to get your blood pumping on and off the dancefloor. On the flip 'Hondonadas' features a more experimental approach maintaining the right balance between dark and light with lush pads and breaks washing in and out of the soundscape. A must for the more concerning drum and bass heads out there.
The new album will be released across a series of 4 limited edition 12" vinyls. This is the 2nd 12 inch From Tronic Jazz The Berlin Sessions. A Guy Called Gerald has spent the last couple of years flitting through shadows, turning up on labels like Perlon, Beatstreet and Sender like a peripatetic prophet of the Berlin underground, seeding the scene with cryptic singles that return to the past to suggest alternate futures. Now he returns to Berlin's Laboratory Instinct label with the follow-up to 2006's Proto Acid: The Berlin Sessions, the album that re-established Gerald as an acid hero and techno auteur. Tronic Jazz: The Berlin Sessions builds upon the foundation established by its predecessor to create an even more powerful statement of intent, one that communicates more persuasively than ever Gerald's vision for techno in its third decade of existence. One immediate difference stands out, this time around. Where Proto Acid offered a seamless mix of 24 cuts, recorded in one epic session, Tronic Jazz collects 13 standalone tracks. That's welcome news to DJs. After so many years of digital anything-goes, you might have forgotten the kind of sounds that are possible with "old" machines: the way a lead stacked against tuned percussion and shrouded in pads can evoke still other sounds, hidden in the mix, or maybe not really there at all. It's a ghostly, suggestive presence, a kind of evocation of infinite possibility within the context of a limited set of inputs. In that sense, Tronic Jazz follows a certain minimalist impulse, but it's far too lush ever to be mistaken for the dread "mnml" of recent years. This stuff is wide-eyed and full of life. When it funks, it funks hard, and when it smoothes out, it can be as intimate as a hand-written note left on a lover's pillow. As "class ic" as Tronic Jazz may be, the album refutes any notion that "class ic" equals "retro," that the ideas have all been expressed before. Tronic Jazz takes the foundations of house and techno as though they were a kind of language, and speaks volumes with them.
































































