Buscar:round

Imagined as a sharp contrast and complement to Funn City's trashy vintage vibes, Darshan Jesrani's new Cylinder moniker sets out to explore the more streamlined, forward-facing side of Startree's vision, while sacrificing none of the warmth or funk of its classic influences. 'Disco Engine' is a futuristic joyride which draws upon late 80s and early 90s techno vibes as much as it does disco and R&B to produce a groove which is warmly insistent, buoyant, sexy and a little menacing. Ruthless, detuned 808 toms and a punchy, round analog bass synth provide a floor you can push the gas pedal to. A greasy, giddy synth rhythm holds the middle down like a session guitarist when rent is due, and ecstatic choral synth pads and vocals by Chelsea Adewunmi soar just above the horizon. Underground dance music with the top way down. Side B's '4-Stroke Dub' works a more DJ-oriented angle around that 808 and juxtaposes parts which do not play together in the original, creating a track which is subtly driving and every bit as engaging. The gorgeous, understated vocal refrain in the middle is a destination you will have been happy to go the extra distance to reach. Startree is happy to present its second release as a continuing statement of its musical intentions and its simple desire for all to have a really good time.

THE company focused on realeasing original obscure dance classic and everything's that sounds fine to their ears !What a special one we have here on Skylax Classic! Damien Zala, the man who put out the superb album 'Lonely Happiness' on Rowtag Records in late 2012, who gets heavy support from the great Theo Parrish, dishes up six special tracks for our next release. Before diving in, it is well worth noting that a selection of Damien's album tracks had remixes by the likes of house icons such as DJ Jus-Ed, Rick Wade and Boo Williams! If those names register even the slightest blip on your radar, which they should, then this record might be the treasure you've been searching for. Damien's sampling technique has a certain air of grandeur to it. 'Shake Vibration' makes this apparent right from the start with intricate layers of vocals, guitar licks and keys. 'All My Respect' and 'Come Around' both follow suit whilst 'Dizzie' picks up the B side with a bit more energy and frenzy compared to what has come before it. The record rounds out with two tracks taking things a bit deeper. 'Stay Where You Are' drives forward with filtered pad chords that accompany jazzy sax and vocal cuts while conversely, 'Z To The Jz' brings in a moodier vibe with its jazz samples and smoky drums.
Do not miss the chance to get such a gem of a record from Damien Zala!, C L A S S I C ! A must to have in every djs collection. Essential Item No Digital .

Concept e25 is back! Wax Classic 15 sees Concept e25's third release on the label in the space of just a year! The demand has been overwhelming for more garage house hits with that added subtle, French flourish. We heard those cries, so here we have another slammin' four track record from the man himself! The opening track of the EP, 'Sing!', is destined for greatness this summer on dance floors everywhere. For me, this will be the go-to track of the record for most DJs out there. On this track, Concept e25 combines a pumping Kerri style bassline with beautiful sustained chords, feel good vox cuts and the occasional sax line. Proper hands-in-the-air vibes here! 'Giving It' takes the EP into a deeper realm, one that evokes images of late evening summer sunsets. However, the garage swing and signature Concept e25 bass sound is still present. 'Lies' leads with moody chords before introducing a vocal that will be stuck in your head for a long time! Again, we have a smooth sax line to accompany the vocal up to the track's climax. Rounding out this solid release is 'Feel This Way'. Here, the punchy bass hits are united with an acid line that bubbles underneath, before being unleashed halfway through the track in a warehouse-reminiscent burst of resonance.

Deep and organic analog tracks. Features interpretations by Sisterhood & Ben Sun. 300 copies pressed. Tip!!
The second instalment from the ensemble imprint offers four tracks courtesy of Belgian house ambassadors, Gratts and Xan Xoda, under their cheeky 'De Ambassade' guise.

On A1, Belgian ambassadors in Berlin Xan Xoda and Gratts treat us to some delicious 'Gebakken Lucht', a Belgian expression that you'd have to look up yourself.

Next up is Raw Sketches aka. Eklektiker, one of Belgium's finest DJs and a resident of the ensemble nights. His analogue workout 'Intiem' pushes all the right buttons and charmed us straight away when we first heard it.

Our favourite Australian poster boy of house music Ben Sun then gives a fresh perspective on 'Gebakken Lucht'.

And finally the great Sisterhood lads from London round off the EP with their rework of 'Intiem', turning it into a trip into space, where bass is the place!

Our first release is by Jay Clarke, a London based producer and resident of the renowned monthly party. The first release will showcase killer cuts from Jay himself, each showcasing a brand of Techno narrative that's become now synonymous with his contradistinctive sound.

Jay's production methods are by no means homogeneous to one strain of dancefloor Techno, his DJ sets regularly encompass tracks, tools or elements from the broader spectrum of electronic music, and you're sure to find an array of influences in abundance throughout his own productions. So it's not just First Flight by name, it's also First Flight by nature here for Jay.

First Flight features three original tracks from Jay himself and UK producer JoeFarr has been drafted in to take care of remix duties here, and brings his trademark rough- edged Techno sound along for the ride. This really isn't one for the faint-hearted; a great addition to what is a supremely versatile and well-rounded release.

Support from:

Dave Clarke, AnD, Phase, DVS1, Kriz!, Inigo Kenedy, Ben Sims, Shifted, Marcel Dettmann, Kwartz, Answer Code Request, Adam X, Surgeon, Norman Nodge, Henning Baer, Luke Slater, Nihad Tule, Francois X, Len Faki, Abstract Division, Slam, Pfirter, Happa, Rivet, Thomas Schumacher, Brendon Moeller, Ame, CTRLS, Joseph Capriati, Richie Hawtin, Steve Lawler, Sasha, Hernan Cattaneo, John Selway, Dave Angel, Dave Tarrida, Juho Kusti, Bas Mooy, Psyk, 2000 and One, Dax J, Espen Lauritzen, Arnaud Le Texier Fundamental Interaction, Vincent Neumann, Lee Holman, Gareth Wild, UZB, Mr Jones, Submerge, Sandrien, Setaoc Mas, Annie Hall, Matthias Woot

After 14 years working with a huge spectrum of D&B greats, London based Irishman Cian McCann has long since established his place in the scene. From his early days in Dublin with the Bassbin label to working with the likes of Calibre, 4 Hero, Klute, Alix Perez, Rockwell and Noisia, he has never stood still. 2008's Cheap Shots LP for Total Science's CIA Records was a high point, with lead track Walk Away bringing vocalist Steo to the worlds attention. Also a noted remixer, he has retouched artists as diverse as Dillinja, Slam, Rolo from Faithless, Sabre, Lemon D and Lenny Fontana. Zero T's discography shows the diversity that his DJ sets have always shown, ranging from full vocal smoothness to darker, more technical styles. You are as likely to find his music on labels like Subtitles and Shogun as on Soul:r or Signature. 2010 saw two milestones reached; the Launch of Footprints, Zero T's own label, and compiling and mixing FabricLive052 for the esteemed London venue. After a short period away from the scene, 2014 sees the return of Zero T as a producer and DJ. Watch out for his collaboration with long-time cohort Beta 2 coming on Metalheadz Platinum soon and a follow up EP to the Roxy Music EP on Dispatch Recordings. Now The Prestige Music Group is proud to announce, 'Roundwood / Hurricane Charlie' due out in late September or early October

Listen to this if you like: anything that we've put out last year, wrapped together in a lovely double pack of a 12 and 10. The Roundup part 1 is the first part of an annual recurring event: the big Heist family remix EP, where all artist names get put in a big bowl, and by luck of the draw, find themselves remixing (and remixed by) another Heist artist. We've got Max Graef remixing Detroit Swindle and turning the break up into a full on Graef-affair. The label heads themselves take 'The Organ Grinder"'s 'Change all the time' and turn into a deep Chicago-esque tune and completing the 12, there's Frits Wentink's take on Bluebottle, experimenting with his trademark shuffle. On the 10, Standout track of the first year of Heist 'Jungle' gets a lovely rework by Nachtbraker, giving it a more 4x4 feel than the original and The Organ Grinder who turns Frits Wentink's Schrewd into a full on Filter house cut. The artwork is handmade and photographed by Baster. Sincerely yours, Lars & Maarten

This (insert month) FUSE London's sister label, Infuse, returns with the seventh installment of the series with three superior house deviations from Wigbert, Motif and Pelle & Roon aimed squarely at those in the know.

First up is Wigbert and his track 'Bongo Bongo' lives up to its name as it is a percussive journey through various rhythms. Next up is Motif who delivers the excellent rolling house number 'Inner' which features a dubby bass line, with an intermittent wailing vocal and perfectly executed stabs. 'Gida' by Pelle & Roon rounds off the EP in fine style. It is another low-slung house number characterized by deep bass and warm chords washing against more mechanical sounds.

This seventh installment is another sterling addition to the famed Infuse series. All the artists on offer here showcase their distinct sounds and styles and despite effortlessly slotting into that loved Infuse sound, their differing personalities shine through. Essential.

Audiojack's Gruuv label returns this October with a four-track package from French producer Okain, featuring a remix from Tuccillo. Parisian artist Samuel Thalman aka Okain has quite the standing in contemporary electronic music having been a prominent name as a DJ and producer for the past fifteen years. Playing at some of the leading nightclubs across the globe such as Fabric, Watergate, Space Ibiza, Rex Club and Electric Pickle to name but a few. Thalman's also built quite the respectable back-catalogue in his time, releasing material via the likes of Tsuba, BPitch, Memento and Cadenza, and here we see him add Gruuv to his affiliations.

Kicking off the release is 'Down the Block', seeing Okain offer up a rugged percussion and bass led house cut, fuelled by swinging rhythms, rumbling sub tones, sporadic sax licks and processed vocal lines, opening up the EP on an energetic tip.

'RZ One' follows this, retaining a similar aesthetic with an insistent drive and penetrative low-end, though Okain opts for a grittier production feel here, distorting the drum sounds, instilling expansive, atmospheric reverb tails and drawn out delays alongside hip-hop imbued vocal lines.

On the latter half of the release we have two versions of 'By Your Side', the first of which is the original mix from Okain, which takes on a more stripped-back approach in comparison to the preceding composition's, laying its focus on fluttering synth sounds, a stab-led bass hook and warm motown style vocal chops. 2020Vision artist Tuccillo then rounds off the package with his mix of 'By Your Side', turning in his signature percussive-led style on the mix with intricately programmed drums and a subtle underlying tension that softly bubbles away in the depths over the cuts seven minute duration.

Dutch drum & bass legends Maduk and Nymfo head up the latest Fokuz Recordings 12''. Three feel good tracks leaning more towards the musical side of the spectrum. We kick off with 'Motions', an energetic stepper with a powerfull wobble bass en deep vocals.

On the flip we a solo track by Maduk called 'Approaching Me'. A smooth roller wit slick vocals and groovy guitar licks. To round things off Maduk and Nymfo bless us with 'Tatta Ganja' a naughty little reggae infused roller, that will go down perfect at a festival. Boh!

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.

Mark Henning returns to Soma with yet more jacked up machine funk in Titan. Mark has firmly established him self within the Soma mainstays and continues to further his sound on the label. This latest EP sees him take to the street with two energetic drum workouts laden with his unique flavour.

Title track Titan is very typical Henning, keeping the ingredients simple yet effect and created live. A solid groove from his trusty 909 that just oozes dance floor compatibility hooked up with a quirky synth stab, weird vocals and a eerie organ-like riff all rounded off with a fantastic arrangement makes for one seriously infectious track

Roots gives of a real ghetto-tech feel, as once again a 909 groove is enough to get things going while squelchy synth hits bounce of rimshots working up to a subtle rolling bass line. Mark's skill in the arrangement process take hold as he allows the tracks to develop into a full drum workout with mutes here and there and the simple addition of more stuttering percussion help to pick up the pace.

Henning as the enviable talent of being able to create dance floor burners with the simplest of elements, a task he delivers of with blinding result on this EP.

Alexander Skancke makes his debut on Eskimo Recordings with the beautiful and compelling 'Found My Place', which will also appear on the forthcoming Green Collection. Deep electronic strings lead the almost melancholic yet balearic melody with luscious pads filling the low end and the infectious vocals from HEwrote flowing throughout for an overall emotive feel. No stranger to the label Vinny Villbass delivers two remixes. His first 'Tropical Mix' rolls with intricate percussion, sonic synths and plenty of groove, while his 'House Mix' is a deep house delight and one for the dance floor with a playful loop on the vocal and trippy synths. Local Berliner Oskar Offermann rounds off the release perfectly with his remix, adding a raw bass and sharp kick, with the warm synths and FX running throughout, this is another groovy addition for the dance floor.

"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.

NDATL continues with new tracks crafted by Brett Dancer known for his deep productions and being the creator of seminal label Trackmode. After a long hiatus he returned about year ago with the highly sought after Euphonic Moods EP. Now he he comes with three stormin deep tracks that encompass the Dancer sound. The title track 'Hybrid' is a hypnotic journey that dance!oor will enjoytaking. 'Someone' is a lost dub of the hit by Kai Alce & Phil Asher feat Kayenne released on Restless Soul in 2010. Here his rendition takes a very warped sublime aproach and with a little help from Glenn Crocker aka Glenn Underground this one will de"nitely set a mood. Now 'Something' rounds out the 12' with straight dance!oor mover! The light & uplifting key work & bouncin bassline shows Brett's ability to keep it deep and bumpin.

Full Circle come back round on Crowdspacer...TIP!

Pink marble vinyl / Sleeve artwork by ' The 'Warm'
Friendly Feeling Embodied in a Red-Pink One 1961 by Mcdermott & McGough.

ISNISNT offers it's second release of forward leaning electronics with a diverse group of modern techno from label head Jesse Siminski. Acting under his Heartthrob guise, Jesse initiates the release with 'Someone Called Again' a tough, but funky, bass driven tune that marries detailed production with his signature ominous melodies to great effect. Subtle modulating percussion work against harder, swung snare and synthetic drums workouts, as surprising analog synth bursts glue things together. Building smoothly into a headfirst groove, the track pressurizes and never loses it's drive as heady synth riffs keep things musical and emotionally interesting. In an even funkier tangent the two mixes of 'Cougar Juice' draw together an irresistible bass line with pushing breakbeats and precise synth stabs. These horn like synthesizer bursts mark surprising turns and recall similar moments in classic Hip-Hop jams or even tracks from Detroit's Anthony Shakir or Robert Hood- two of Jesse's production heroes. The 'Driving Past the Jail Mix' incorporates these synth stabs hypnotically within the melodic structure, while the 'Reduced Dub Mix' dials things back and focuses on the bass line, drums and dubbed out flourishes. With their funk driven momentum constantly moving forward, either mix will bring something unique to either a house or techno set. And finally 'Let Them Go' rounds out the group in a deep, yet still driving fashion. It splices sub bass pulses, a melancholic synth atmosphere, absurd bleeps and submerged voices amongst stripped down drums into a steadily building hybrid cut- not quite house and not really techno.