The unifying atmosphere of the latest PRRUK 12'' by Andreas Florin is a hazardous one. With sublime high pitched tones and soaring sidechained beats, this is a top notch dancefloor record with elevating elements which gradually blend into a perfect package. With the dominant sound being reminiscent and yet thumping this is an all round venture into techno music. Something for the collection as the sophomore package that's coming up is just as exciting as the first one.
*Winston Wright is another unsung hero from the Jamaican musical
cannon. Although many might not know his name, you will have
heard him on many records in your collections. When we say that
it was he who played that classic Hammond organ riff on the
1969 'Liquidator' classic, as part of the Harry J Allstars, we might
begin to appreciate his talents that bit more. But not only this, many
1970's classics carry his organ, piano and arranging skills and
even before that time, many tunes cut in the 1960's,as part of Duke
Reid's house band Tommy McCook's Supersonics, carried the
Winston Wright signature sound.
Winston Wright (b 1944 , Jamaica) began his musical career in
the 1960's as a session player and soon became an integral part
of the Treasure Isle Studio house band, that became known as
Tommy McCook's Supersonics . He played on many of the
Rocksteady era hits that Duke Reid ruled the island with between
1966-1968.His mastery of the Hammond organ made him an in
demand session player. One such was Harry J studio's that had a
massive hit in the UK in 1969 with 'Liquidator' as the Harry J
Allstars of which Winston was a member. The same year saw him
cut some great tunes as part of Clancy Eccles' Dynamites.
The 1970's saw Winston Wright working closely with Dynamic
Sounds Studios' nucleus of musicians Cutting material for all the top
producers of the time including numerous sides for Bunny 'Striker'
Lee, which we have focused on for this set of tunes. From 1975
onwards Winston Wright was a member of Toots and the Maytals'
touring band, but we celebrate here his mighty fine studio work.
Adding his touches to many a fine rhythm as only Winston could
we hope you enjoy the set.
Debut longplay release from heralded Irish producer Mano Le Tough
who is one of this year's international DJ shooting stars according
to Resident Advisor's top 100 list.
If geography has an impact on music, then Vienna has coloured Tosca's music at every turn. Over the course of a career spanning two decades, the Austrian capital has inspired Richard Dorfmeister (of Kruder & Dorfmeister fame) and Rupert Huber to make electronic mood pieces coloured with Mitteleuropean melancholy.It's a bittersweet juxtaposition that is much in evidence on the pair's new album, 'Odeon'. It opens with the hazy strings of 'Zur Guten', which ebbs into the oozing keys and pizzicato steel string guitars of 'What If', which features a smokey vocal from Sarah Carlier. Lead single 'Jayjay' is a haunted combination of sombre piano chords, rolling drums and weird, otherworldly vocals from JJ Jones. It's the pivotal track on a record that sees Tosca tapping into gothic atmospheres. It's darker than their previous five albums, more downbeat, at times ambient. It's unlike anything else out there at the moment.Is there a reason for this sombre tone Nothing specific. "Obviously our music is influenced by our experiences of life - it couldn't be any other way - so in some senses it's a kind of diary, but there weren't any single incidents that caused the record to be that little bit darker," says Dorfmeister. If anything, the exact opposite is true: life has been good. "Over the last year I think we've both learnt to be more generous and to understand our own limitations and other people's" says Huber. A case of musical yin and personal yang, then.The album's name, meanwhile, comes from the venue in Vienna where Tosca debuted the new material in October. The performance went so well they decided it would make a fortuitous name - the music/place interface in action once again. The performance features as a bonus disc on the deluxe version of the album, which will be available exclusively via !K7's webstore. More than anything, 'Odeon' is the sound of a band at the top of their game. A good time for them to release a career retrospective then. Dorfmeister reflects on the band's history. "It sounds like a cliche, but we've never really thought about other people's music when we're writing our own," he says. "We try and create our own sound. We really have always been like that. And I think we've developed a trademark sound because of that." They certainly have. It's been called the "Vienna sound". And, in updated form, it still sounds like nothing else.
Double Gatefold LP with bonus CD of the entire album
Mario & Vidis, the top Lithuanian House duo, is back with a real treat. A solid remix package to follow up the original release of their perfect-set-closing track of summer 2012. Even though all ticking at the same tempo four different remixes and remixers on the plate represent a wide spectrum of moods and styles. From Garage and Bass infected sounds of up and coming Lithuanian producer Darius Vaikas, via Miami Bass rooted Dub version of steady groovin' American Danny Daze, to golden French Touch era reminiscent slick grooves of German combo Trickski, and summery New Disco vibes of two Lithuanian comrades from Downtown Party Network.
Tablon is a new France based independent record label. Supporting artists with a characteristic style, tablon releases music by passion, developing its own vision of today's and tomorrow's dance music.
After a first EP by Arnaud linked in a certain way to Greece, tablon 002 will come from Istanbul. Far from us the idea to make a worldwide music label or refer to any old war between two countries. It just happened like that. Sarp makes amazing music and we are proud to present his new EP. It is called "I care because you don't", the artwork is made by Nefelie and the mastering by Mathieu Berthet in Paris. As we care a lot about the vinyl thing, our releases appear first on 12" and then in digital.
"Hi, I am Sarp Yilmaz. No, not your household name, not the next megaDj, not the chart topper, just a guy with some machines and a passion in his heart, who is supported by some other guy who runs this young, fresh label, who is mad enough to release music that is not bassline obsessed, not fitting any of the genre slots of your favorite online store, that is as much hip hop and jazz as it's house. No, this will not destroy your dancefloor, nor will it make you dance like there's tomorrow, it's moody, sometimes even depressive, but I made it with a smile on my face. It's trippy, it's glitchy and it's slow. Music, I make to cure the sicknesses of my heart. Hope it puts a smile on your face too. I care because you don't".
Sarp Yilmaz - I care because you don't EP
With the homespun warmth of his album still keeping us toasty as the temperature drops in the Northern hemisphere, Dave Aju offers up two choice cuts from Heirlooms to receive surgical treatment at the hands of dear friends and respected practitioners in our beloved corner of electronic music. The divine boogie-fuelled electro pop of 'Caller#7' stood out as one of the most flamboyant and earsnagging tracks on the album, so who better to entrust the remix to than Seth Troxler and Subb-an Seth of course is a long-time partner of Circus Company, stretching back to 2008 when he first recorded an EP for us with Patrick Russell. Subb-an may be a new cat to us, but there's no denying the impact he has made with his releases for some of the strongest tech house labels around. In the hands of this formidable duo, 'Caller#7' gets sharpened and honed into a peak-time floor-filler. The vocals from Dave and dOP's Jaw and that inimitable bassline remain intact, with the focus switched to boosting the rhythms that propel this party-starter while a disgruntled caller drops in on Radio KAJU to speak her mind like a true soul sister should. On the flipside, we take great pleasure in inviting the maverick Swede Axel Boman to work his magic on 'Away Away'. After exploding onto the scene in a flurry of hedonistic imagination and cheeky originality, Axel has charmed all that come before him with his releases and his Studio Barnhus label. He treats us to a glorious, soaring version of Dave's track that shuns shortening days and worsening weather, and instead places you at the top of a mountain as the sun rises in a cloudless sky, gently building but never peaking in a truly life-affirming concoction of house music for the heart.
The top futuristic year is 12006: next up on label-owner David Vunk's Moustache Recordings label is a collaboration between him and fellow Rotterdam rogue, Ben La Desh who between them have combined to produce two tracks full of spaced out house, techno, electronic and disco feelings. First up, Turner drops a rich colour palette of vibrant space disco prize strings. The creeping cresecendo of synth-led brushstrokes paint a rich impressionistic glow interpersed with positive vocal samples drifting through like dutch boats in a gale. Next up Deep Valley takes off over the snow-capped mountain tops and towards the flowing river of deep techno drums. Eerie soaring strings and isolated vocal snaps conjure up images of cavernous depths of deep sea and space as we go deeper into the valley of the dolls. With releases coming on strong over the past few years La Desh continues his ascent into production adulthood on the 21st release on Moustache Recordings while Vunk's typical high-class production values shine through this entire release. Further collaborations between this duo would be only gezellig.
RAWAX IS PROUD TO WELCOME MR. K-ALEXI SHELBY TO THE FAMILY!
Mr. K Alexi Shelby
Like a moth drawn to a flame, there is something utterly infectious about the music of Mr.K Alexi Shelby, better known as K-Alexi one of the founding fathers of house music direct from his home city of Chicago. Since the late 1980s, he has pioneered the true house sound, leading to a DH and production career spanning over 20 years, including collaborations with artists ranging from The Pet Shop Boys to Derrick May and from Larry Heard and Felix da Housecat to Will Smith, as well as gigs across the globe.
An impressionable young teenager, Mr.K Alexi Shelby developed friendships with Frankie Knuckles and Ron Hardy whilst attending seminal venues like The Warehouse and The Music Box in the mid 1980s. Being here at this embryonic stage of dance music culture, there were no rules or precedents, so K Alexi drew on a rich musical heritage that had seen him grow up in the 70s and 80s listening to Stevie Wonder, Prince, Curtis Mayfield and David Huff. Those roots continue to influence his music to this day.
It was under the moniker Risque III that Essence Of A Dream was released in 1987, firmly establishing the name of Mr.K Alexi Shelby amongst the most prominent of all house producers at the time. Moreover, those early tracks are still recognized to be the quintessential Chicago house sound. The rumbling and dark bass, smooth strings, incredible percussion and the spoken word poetic and erotic lyrical flow became the trademark for classic Chicago house and the template for everything else that followed. To reiterate, there was no template before this. This was the beginning.
This initial success has lead to Mr.K Alexi Shelby working with the leading names across the electronic music world and beyond. Collaborations and remixes for Chicago peers like Mike Dunn, Mr. Lee and Marshall Jefferson merely served as the springboard for Alexi to work with the best in the electronic scene, from Derrick May to Paul Johnson ,Ron Trent Dave Angel to Felix ad House Kat. Furthermore, his talents have also lead to him working with The Pet Shop Boys and Will Smith.
On top of this, his tracks have appeared on compilations by artists varying from Laurent Garnier to DJ Hell, who used It's Me 2010 contribution to the Body Language series for Get Physical Music. Produced under the Club M.C.M. moniker, the 1991 EP It's Me/Club M.C.M. has been a frequent selection for compilations for 20 years and is rightly regarded as a true underground techno classic.
* 180 gram audiophile vinyl
* Gatefold sleeve
One of the most eagerly anticipated albums of 1968 by press and public, Cheap Thrills met every expectation and then some.
With the heartrending version of "Piece Of My Heart" and a definitive cover of Gershwin's "Summertime", the album (which consists of studio and live material) shot to the top of the charts and stayed there. The audio has been sourced from the original masters, and Robert Crumb's artwork (also known for creating Fritz the Cat and the iconic Keep On Truckin' comics) is meticulously recreated on this Music On Vinyl issue.
A truly classic album and an important part of Rock history, this album is 'a time capsule for one of rock's most distinguished singers.'
Perc Trax is proud to unveil the 2nd 12' to be taken from Forward Strategy Group's debut album 'Labour Division'. Since its release at the end of May the album has received across the board DJ support and press coverage with a 4/5 review from Resident Advisor and even a full page in the Guardian about FSG and Perc Trax. The album has also had launch parties in Amsterdam and London and has seen the FSG guy's crossover outside of techno to be featured in the wider music press including The Quietus and Stool Pigeon.
This 2nd 12' rounds up some of the most popular tracks from the album giving them the vinyl release they truly deserve. First up is the most popular club track from the album; 'Elegant Mistakes' where raw industrial sounds meet with broken beats that hint back at classic UK hardcore. Completing the a-side is album opener 'Ident', one of the LP's most melodic moments and proof, if it was ever needed of Patrick and Al's wide ranging influences and production skills.
The b-side opens with 'Nihil Novi', an album favourite that appeared on the first Labour Division 12' as remixed by Factory Floor. Now the original mix appears on vinyl and it's echoing, slow-morphing stabs sound as cutting as ever. A DJ favourite since it was initially promo'd, it now sounds even better on vinyl. Closing the EP is a re-edit (sarcastically called a 'radio mix') of 'Metal Image', where a world of atmospherics opens up on top of a slow droning kick drum. A perfect set-opener or mid-set Dj tool it is demonstrates the variety that is on show across 'Labour Division' and is one of many reasons for the albums excellent reception.
Hudson Mohawke steps things up a gear with this hyped and ridiculously anticipated collaboration with fellow beats alchemist, Lunice - both representing their respective corners, Warp and LuckyMe. Their live shows and snippets of their tracks that have been found online have fuelled the excitement around this release
Welcome reisssue for monster soul-funk LP 'Disconnection', one of the most obscure and sought-after releases from top 70s disco label, Prelude. Ridiculously expensive and hard-to-find in the original, this album is stuffed full with killer tracks spanning warm, soulful disco, high-stepping groove and boogie-heavy funk all written and produced by Robert Holmes. Standouts include the jazzy free-style 'Dead On The Case', later reworked for the mysterious French Skyline project, cool jazz-funk groover 'Bay City', recently edited by none other than Balearic maestro Lexx, and the floor-friendly chunky funk workout 'Cash Money'. However no track is a filler on this superb album which fully deserves its 'holy grail' status with collectors. Essential!
There's no need to do a big introduction of Deep Space Orchestra. Si Murray and Chris Barker have releases on a number of heavyweight labels (e.g. Delusions of Grandeur or Use of Weapons) and regular guest appearances at club nights and radio shows throughout the UK and rest of the world. Their second EP for Quintessentials is some raw and analogue business topped with the DSO funk! Wolf Music hot shot KRL adds some piano and old school power on his remix and we must admit we're delighted!
UK stalwarts Jamie Anderson and Owain K team up again for another sumptuous slice of contemporary house music on Steve Bug's Dessous Recordings. Jamie Anderson has been exploring and manipulating the links between house and techno for over 15 years, having released on numerous influential labels, both solo and as a collaborator with other top artists. But it's his work with Bristolborn hot-property Owain K that is currently exciting discerning dancefloors worldwide. 'Do You Know', their latest collaboration, sees Jamie and Owain drop some serious sunshine grooves - shuffling hi-hats and a classic, Chitown synth let you know that this is all about the good times. The spoken word vocal pays homage to forgotten jazz legends - the uplifting vibe sure to put a smile on the faces of dancers all summer long. Jamie and Owain switch it up on the other main track in this release. 'Keep It Pumping' drops the tempo to 118bpm and digs its toes into the sand for a balearic-tinged nu-disco stomper. Disco toms fire, the sub bass rumbles, and spacey synths and vocal samples wash over this expertly crafted sunrise/ sunset groove. A dub of 'Do You Know' rounds off the release from this hugely talented combo.
Just in time for summer, Pampa issued Aimlessness, the long-awaited new album from Dntel AKA Los Angeles producer Jimmy Tamborello. His latest electronic suite brought forth stronger leanings toward house grooves, building upon the pop and IDM approaches he
explored earlier in his career as half of the Postal Service and a member of Figurine ñ with a healthy dose of Pampa otherworldliness on top.
The New York and Miami based duo ROM deliver this LP with twelve wildly energetic instrumental pieces. Pingipung very happily welcome Roberto Carlos Lange and Matt Crum to their artist family.
Gerwin & Nuage return to the Fokuz imprint once again. On the A side we have a colab between the two who again prove to be incredible talents. 'Hidden Dreams' uses a beautifull soundscape/atmosphere on top of a stripped back drum line and a deep bass. The vocal gives just that bit of soul while still maintaining the depth. On the flip we have 'Here To Stay' by Gerwin. Again some deep vibes, except this one is a slightly more dancefloor orientated track with bouncey drums, a superb bassline and heavy delayed vocals.
Fool, the 'tongue in cheek' self-ironic entitled third album, is another tour de force in Kasper Bjørke's signature production style - this time wrapped up as a concept album to be released on Fool's day April 1, 2012 on CD and vinyl. The versatile Copenhagen producer and DJ follows up on his successful sophomore solo album from 2010 'Standing on top of Utopia' that reached high acclaim from the international press and indie blogosphere.
On the final part of the Fokuz 050 series we have someone who could be described as a veteran in the Fokuz camp. Brother brings the quality as expected with a beatifull piece of music called 'Manna'. It's all about the subtle jazzy vibes on this one. Although Brother isn't the artist getting the most exposure, he proves again that he is definitely a force to be reckoned with.
'This Morning' is the highly anticipated release by dynamic duo 'Hybrid Minds' who already had support from some of the biggest names in the scene. Rolling drums, sensuous chords and a groovy bassline! The track also features Canadian producer/vocalist 'Grimm' adding his vocal flavour to this piece of topnotch production.
