quête:ris

After a two year gap Clio is back on Metroline Limited after producing two of the most successful releases from the label's extensive catalogue: For Sure Baby (2010) and Do It EP (2012). In the opening track, The Beautiful Forces, Blade Runner soundscapes morph into post-rave stabs and combine with heavy subs and sci-fi effects to create the soundtrack to a rave in an abandoned space station. On a more Chicago tip, Something Like That is a collaboration with French groove master Loquace. The result is a loose, flowing house jam, which as the lyrics tell you, is all about vibe - it doesn't have to be planned... it's just how you feel! The legendary Thomas Schumacher turns out a serious burner on the flip with his remix of The Beautiful Forces, bringing the vocals up in the mix and throwing in a pumping b-line to keep things moving nicely. Swiss rising star Yvan Genkins takes on marginalising the Chi-town flavour of the original and working the elements up into a eyes-down Tresor-style techno monster. Classic 909 hits, a satisfying low-end rumble... it doesn't get more floor-friendly than this.

Chevel's Air Of Freedom remixes comes from Happa, Leeds-based producer on the rise, and Parisian dance-floor prodigy French Fries.

Poker Flat is gearing up to celebrate fifteen years strong, with a series of releases that will assure their standing as one of electronic music's best known and most loved imprints. Poker Flat's unwavering dedication to the finest underground house music has unearthed new talent, developed rising stars and welcomed veterans into the fold, and the first of the label's 15th anniversary compilations brings together four of the brightest leading lights of the scene. With four seminal labels - Raw Elements, Dessous, Traffic Signs and Poker Flat - to his credit, Steve Bug has little to prove, but the tireless artist has never been a slouch on the DJ and production front, as he's proven time and again. Tracks like 'A Shot In The Dark' showcased his musical chops, and tied together elements of classic warehouse sounds, deep and sophisticated production and an uncompromising techy edge. The anniversary reworking of the tracks made for 4 Jacks boasts the remix talents of Taylor, whose sleek approach chops up the old school piano chords of the original for a bumping, more streamlined result. Another smashing new remix features in the form of Boris Dlugosch's 2012 acid-disco-house hit 'Sweet Talk". Here The Organ Grinder crafts a bass-heavy monster with a walloping kick drum and syncopated handclaps that enhance Boris' acid melodies and make it rough and ready for underground tastes. Two brand new productions round out the Jacks package.

Steve Frisco, of Serie Limitee fame, brings us the latest bundle of hot tracks to hit Wax Classic in 2014. As the title suggests, Steve takes us on a journey through low fidelity sounds and production techniques. Think dark, moody, yet crunchy basement house tracks with inspiration taken from all over the U.S and the rest of the house world. It's a generous offering as well. Six whole dusty tunes for those diggers who are looking for something with a bit more range than another record of generic piano laden, house-by-numbers pieces that still seem to be flooding the record store shelves in 2014. The moods do vary from track to track, but they remain very reflective and almost melancholic at points. The title track, 'Adventure in Lo-Fi', is the deepest of the lot with filtered chords, echoing claps and a sporadic kick pattern that often clears way for the track's bass hits. Now, compare that to 'Da Brooklyn Beat'. Whilst the former had a distinct sunrise/sunset kind of feel to it, the latter is definitely more of a club affair. Skippy snare hits and a strong organ lead the track on, and at the risk of utilizing very overused buzzwords such as 'raw' and 'ruff', this track, and the rest of the A-side for that matter, certainly captures that essence.Stalwart Wax Classic fans will no doubt be picking this one up to add to their collection. However, I strongly recommend this EP as a jumping in point to the label for any newcomers out there!

"Teilstueck" (German for part or segment) is the next excerpt of Jacob Stoy's ongoing attempt to translate his surroundings into music. It's his second EP for Uncanny Valley and is even more multifaceted than his debut "Redenswart" from 2012. With "OMG" you'll get the feeling that something sublime will happen right from the beginning. It's one of those tracks whereby time stands still until a mighty synth-line unfolds in all its glory. "CFM" comes in the same musical vein with a similar and slightly melancholic bass-synth dominating the drumming. By far more cheerful is "MKM". Based on a catchy bass line foundation, Jacob Stoy showcases wonderful synth-effects and sound with the beautifully oscillated pad making the cut. This is House music for machine lovers. The flipside starts with "HIM" and probably the most floor-friendly track on the record. The slowly but steadily rising organ chords prepare things and when the carefully targeted percussion elements come in, it feels like summer will never end. In contrast, "QFL" lives from its mysterious atmosphere and is very good example for Jacob Stoy's preference to use Electronica-like sounds for his House Music. The record is rounded up with "HHM" and a little nod towards past times when he used to play in a Jazz band. With its Delay effects, a fuzzy guitar and a great bass melody it's not far away from Krautrock either. For the artwork Jacob Stoy teams up with fellow student Chris Dietzel.

After the success of the first A-sides compilation in 2012, Adam Beyer has decided its time to release another. With Adam's stature steadily growing as one of the leading talents in the Techno scene and the rise of Drumcode, the standard of demo's that have been sent to Adam have been top notch. Adam has now decided to release two compilations with 10 tracks each, consisting of tracks that Adam has tried and tested.

There are also new artists that have been invited to release on Drumcode for this compilation and others who are a staple in Drumcode's core family. Combining both old and new talents Drumcode have come up with something unique and distinctive to make this two-part compilation something extra special.

Mit weltweit über 3Mio. verkauften Einheiten & 10 Studioalben hat die schwedische Modern Metal Band In Flames ihr Genre nicht nur neu definiert, sondern sich auch weit über dessen Grenzen hinaus etabliert. Nach der Gründung durch Jesper Strömblad 1990 gelang ihnen mit ihrer 2. LP "The Jester Race" der Durchbruch und gleichzeitig ein gefeierter Genre-Klassiker.
Nach ihrem mit Gold ausgezeichneten letzten Studioalbum "Sounds of a Playground" kündigt die Band jetzt ihr neues Album "Siren Charms" an. Dieses dokumentiert ganz genau, wo In Flames 2014 stehen.
Die LP wurde in den legendären Berliner Hansa Studios eingespielt und bietet neben der ersten Auskopplung "Rusted Nail" 10 weitere Tracks, die sowohl alteingesessene Fans begeistern werden ("In Plain View") als auch Crossover-Potential haben ("Through Oblivion").
"Siren Charms" sichert In Flames die Stellung als Metal-Band, die niemals still steht, und es ist zweifellos eine Band, die immer wieder Risiken eingeht, Grenzen überschreitet und sich selbst ebenso herausfordert wie ihre Zuhörer. Dass die Hindernisse die Band nicht umgebracht haben, ist offensichtlich - aber die Frage ist, ob In Flames jemals so stark gewesen sind

Unxpozd presents the 7th project from Dj Aakmael, 'The Rise EP'. The lead tune 'Rise' is a blissful, relaxed string based track
with playful keys that's perfect for any chill lounge or dance floor. 'Jazz Piece' is a sampled piece of art, where Aak cuts and
chops a vintage groove for the 2014 crowd. Many have already hailed it as something that has that old NJ deep house feel!
On the flip side, Aak gives two more untitled gems. 'Untitled 105' is a dope club thumper that takes you back to that headknod feeling, perfect for any dance floor who liked to groove! Last is 'Untitled 101', thumping beat with dramatic horns and strings to conclude a well-packaged project!

#3 Live Act of 2013 at Resident Advisor, one of the most in demand remixers around, a total of 156 gigs in 2013, releases for Rush Hour, Ovum, Macro; booked out months in advance from Berghain to Ibiza to the main electronic festivals ... KiNK: Arguably the world of dance music has not witnessed anyone else rising so clearly from bottom to top just by the centrifugal force of sheer talent. Being based in Sofia, Bulgaria, without a support network, a campaign or any media hype, his music alone - live and in the studio - created a momentum whose end we have yet to see. Lenin said: 'Communism is Soviet power + electrification of the whole country.' Hardly did Lenin suspect what an inspired take on these words could do: post-socialist techno. A child of 80's late socialism, KiNK grew up on the home computers Bulgaria's IT scientists had created by backwards-engineering Western technology. Fueled by nuclear energy on the edge of desaster, a whole generation of kids was trained to hack. Dance music gradually dripping in through early dial-up internet connections, the acoustic fingerprints of distant parties put Eastern producers from KiNK to Nina Kraviz to Vakula under a spell. Yet KiNK spent years of backwards-engineering the sounds of Detroit, Chicago and early Warp.

Vincenzo returns to Dessous Recordings with something a little special. 'Merry Go Round' features the stunning vocal talents of Language aka Kaori Kaneko, a haunting, drifting and highly affecting piece of music that sounds like nothing else. Kaori already released two albums on Japanese Crue-L Records as Kaori and three albums with her band Language on Madoromi / Atari Productions and was also featured on the Chi Chi Squads classic 'Treat Me Right'. Built on dreamlike, evolving pads and textures, the vocals are reminiscent of the best work of Tracey Thorn, rising and falling over the 7-minute duration of the original mix. After some minutes a crisp, chugging, mid-tempo beat develops and lifts the track yet further, a moment perhaps best enjoyed at sunrise. The Reprise Mix is a totally beatless mix, emphasising the pads, guitar and piano work. The third track sees Axel Boman on remix duties, who primes it for the dance-floor with a loopy, hypnotic rework that retains the original character but adds a visceral, gritty quality for the dancers.

JD Records proudly presents 4 new dope remixes of previous JD Records / Subwax Excursions releases. The artists in question is Terrnece Parker, Orlando Voorn, Clip! and Lay-far. For the honorable remix work we have chosen Portugals fastest rising underground house producers, Jorge Caiado. The result is 4 perfect and classy house productions and with his releases on label's such as Balance and Groovement he has proven he definitely is a name to watch in the very near future.

Maricopa returns to Back To The Balearics to complete his stunning opus, Pastel Love.

And he continues where he left off building deeply textured songs packed full of simple melodies that really shine.
His music opts for subtle feelings and passing vibes over the more obvious structures of 'dance music'. The release of Part One led to a number of comparisons with the early work of Aphex Twin as well as more contemporary producers such as Four Tet.

Such comparisons don't come lightly, but Pastel Love demonstrates that a rare musical talent has arrived.

The release again has beautiful printed covers and looks as good as it sounds. Viva Maricopa!

Heavily influenced by Moodymann and Andres, new Home Taping artist Simba produces music that is full of soulful echoes, while still dripping in raw house music vibes.

Nothing is too straight in the Simba sound as FX drift around and subtle production touches come at you from all angles.
Vinyl hiss is as important as the kick drum and the overall atmosphere has that classic house music quality that can transport you instantly to another place.

The Black Madonna was the one who drew attention to the rising talents of this young producer. So fittingly she delivers her own 'Lost In Chicago' take on the original, which delights in the track's edginess and the wonderful release of the main hooks.

All of which are given the trademark BM Chicago stamp, or should that be stomp
Quality house music for the believers out there.

'Many Things", released in 2008, and 'From Africa With Fury: Rise' in 2011, 'A Long Way To The Beginning' is the third album by Seun Anikulapo Kuti with Egypt 80, the 14 musicians big band he's been leading since the death of his father Fela Kuti in 1997. It's actually the third part of a triptych in which Fela's youngest son, direct descendant of the afrobeat music style created by his father at the end of the 60's, is back on the offensive regarding injustice in his country, Nigeria, where it still grows, with an intact anger and a music more powerful than ever. The ingredients that have contributed to the success of the first two albums are warring beats, triumphant brass sections and burning lyrics but 'A Long Way to The Beginning' is also distinguished by jazz pianist Robert Glasper's contribution as a producer. While opening the spectrum of the sound, Glasper has made the participation of guests from the conscious American rap scene such as M1 (Dead Prez) or Blitz The Ambassador, a Ghanaian in New York, possible. The voice of German-Nigerian singer Nneka can also be heard on the track 'Black Woman". Finally, the French vibraphonist David Neerman adds his personal touch on two tracks ("I.M.F.' and 'Black Woman"), enhancing his attention to details that, allied to its firepower, allows 'A Long Way To The Beginning' to be a sophisticated and strong album. The message of this record is political. Its mood is offensive. When asked about his commitment, Seun answers: 'Being African means being politically involved. From the moment he wakes up in the morning, an African has a political attitude as everything he'll be doing during the day will have something to do with survival.'

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.

Proper Fachwerk style techno with vocals by Envoy. Comes with remixes by Mike Dehnert and Roman Lindau.

So it seems that 2013 was the year Skudge team decided to camp by the pressing plant! The Skudge imprint is indeed growing along its artists as we're now ready to embrace longer formats, a testimony to the future and most than anything a continuous effort to grasp the present's relevancy.
After their wonderful EP from a year ago, the Fishermen are ready to take you on a diving trip with their very first album, an accomplishment in itself With 'Patterns and Paths', Thomas Jaldemark (YTA) and Martin Skoggehall (MRSK, Smell The Flesh) have crafted a rather mesmerizing story of abstract and figurative tropes altogether, and eerie is probably the best word to describe the general mood of this, but hard and raw eeriness! The affair starts with 'Green Horn', a gentle foreplay setting the tone for an imminent journey into the lightless abysses. 'Hope Is gone' further enhances the incoming grim turn of events in a coil-like fashion before 'Serpents' makes our feet and hips take over our fear of the unknown. The trance has indeed begun and we're soon entering a hidden warehouse rave cave of un-earthy shamanism, the unforgiving stomp of 'Get None'. 'Dyspnea' manages to find a path into deeper regions the groove shift towards a darker funk with 'Lost Teeth', a caribbean techno banger that'd wake any zombie in the making! 'The Four Skulls' suddenly hints of a safer journey with healing percs and melancholic pads, but 'Rise' soon shatters those false hopes with an evil lurking motoric groove. Then, you hit 'Scurvy' where the pace slows down a little only to introduce the seductive side of this gloomy adventure, a challenge to you feet inducing lascivious moves. Keeping you in trance, 'In Solitude' kind of combines both previous tracks strengths with an added Twin Peaks value. Now finally reaching the far bottom of the ocean, the mood gets even more claustrophobic with 'Sunken Mosque', the last stage of this trance before maybe getting back to the surface. Indeed, if 'Torments' might let you catch a breath of air, it is filled with minerals, the world above has changed, and you might very well feel safer back under the water, a reverse mirror to Mike Ink's old Gas project. While this tour guide concludes his narration, the Skudge camp proudly hopes to see you embark on it very soon!

With a stellar year in the life of La Fleur coming to an end, the Berlin-based artist is set to close 2013 on a high, with the return to her own beloved imprint Power Plant. After landing a coveted residency with acclaimed Berlin club Watergate, and producing a chart-topping EP as her debut for the club's inhouse label, the Feline EP brings La Fleur back to her roots: unique house music that leaves an imprint on you long after you hear it. A-side track 'Kattflickan' establishes the theme, drawing on the Swedish term for 'cat girl' as its inspiration. It cuts a sleek figure, and is a slower, groovier, quirkier iteration of La Fleur's signature house sound. 'Kattflickan' revealing more detail with every change, and providing a colorful journey through the spectrum of La Fleur's sound. On the B-side, the chiming bell melody of 'Feline' carries it from the outset, and is the genesis of its mysterious and ethereal mood. Punchy drums and layered, meshed chords and its hazy chorus of rising vocal harmonies make it fit for any set. As delicate as it is completely assured, 'Feline' is another irresistible example of La Fleur's balance of dancefloor appeal and melodic richness.

Following on from Medlar's debut album 'Sleep', WOLF Music return with their 21st release.
This time they welcome back James Welsh to the label with a full EP backed up by a remix by Dutch rising star, Frits Wentink.

Following on from introducing the world to Auntie Flo, SOPHIE and Alejandro Paz, Glasgow raised and London-based party outfit Huntleys + Palmers returns with a slew of new bangers this winter.

First up, Argentinian duo DJs Pareja, who are best known for their work on the Comeme label, deliver a pair of dancefloor destroyers.

If lead track Steps doesn't get you dancing, nothing will. With one step in South African kwaito, the other in UK Funky.

On the flip, La Risa takes a different form in the shape of a odd-ball house belter.