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In 2017 Blair French came out of hibernation to release contrasting but similarly sun-kissed EPs on Rocksteady Disco and Claremont 56.
Here, he returns to action with a scintillatingly sunny and sensual six-tracker on NuNorthern Soul that may well be his strongest release to date.
Given French's chameleon-like musical history, that's certainly a bold claim.
Over the years, he's been a member of a multitude of musical collectives - most notably Cosmic Handshakes and Formless Figures - established his own DIY record label (Fat Finger Cosmic) and released music that touches on a dizzying array of styles, from award-winning movie soundtracks and Afro-fired deep house, to skewed techno, blissful ambience and experimental hip-hop.
On Patio Pastel, French is in full on sand-between-the-toes Balearic mood, delivering a range of lucid, ear-pleasing compositions that will sashay their way into your consciousness.
Contrast, for example, the drowsy organs, glistening pedal steel and undulating hand percussion of opener 'Patio Pastel' with the Serge Gainsbourg style chanson-goes-tropical bliss of 'La Playa De Tercipelo', which features some deliciously breathy vocals from Stephanie Lyon.
Then there's 'Morning Sail', a sumptuously evocative soundscape rich in toasty, dub disco bass, shuffling percussion and lilting, Jonny Nash style guitar solos (see also the effortlessly horizontal Lounsbury Gardens'), and the kaleidoscopic, saucer-eyed Balearic pop brilliance of ;'Human Make Human', where new age synthesizer melodies and the fuzzy vocal refrain of Kasi Seguin gentle dances above an Afro-flecked, mid-tempo groove.
Throughout the EP, French mixes electronic and acoustic instrumentation, drawing together musical elements from a myriad of styles to create sumptuous new fusions.
It's particularly evident on superb closer 'Belle Isle Sunsets', where colourful synth motifs, eyes-closed guitar riffs and Mediterranean-warm chords wrap themselves around a gently pulsating, impressively layered groove.
Like the rest of the EP, it's perfectly pitched, expertly executed and wonderfully atmospheric.
Next on Berlin's Renate Schallplatten is Longhair, a project formed by Marko Pelaic and Benedikt Bogenberger, two residents of Berlin's Wilde Renate. Mangostine, a four-tracker, follows last year's 12' on Dutch label Bordello A Parigi and a track contribution on House Is OK. It lands with an Axel Boman remix. The EP opens with the title track, its name drawn from the exotic fruit. Over a brooding bassline we hear light, fluttering melodies and uplifting keys, creating a peak-time roller that'll put smiles on faces across the dancefloor. 'Pans & Pots,' the A2, starts as a darker affair with trippy vocal samples and fluttering drum patterns, before warm keys and intricate instrumentation lift the mood to make for a fun-filled jam peak-hours feel-good jam. On the flip, Studio Barnhus head Axel Boman reworks the title track into a more subtle, deeper cut; the melodies remain but in the background, replaced at the forefront by tribal drums and abstract vocals. Closer 'Aquamen,' meanwhile, opens as a straight-edged techno cut with a heavy bassline and fluttering snares, before playful keys and intermittent sci-fi samples add some texture. It's another late-night jam that'll lift the energy without ever being too forceful. The release is Renate Schallplatten's first since 2017's various artist compilations. Earlier EPs have landed from Moscoman, Sebastian Voigt, Wareika, and more.
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French producer Erell Ranson's affinity for the deeper shades of Detroit sound is well known, but his ability to absorb those influences and create beautiful music with his own signature is the reason we're so excited to welcome him into our family. Having previously released on labels such as Kalahari Oyster Cult, aDepth audio, Nice & Nasty Records and his own MySelf Recordings, amongst others, Erell's became quite skilled in crafting sophisticated and emotional tracks which still seem to feel perfectly at home in a crowded 3 AM club situation. EP for Barba, titled "Dreams Of Nila", is a 4-tracker consisting of "Dreams Of Nila", "Reminiscence 0f The Past", and "Far Away Of Your Side", with the latter receiving an additional remix treatment by a Rotterdam-based project Duplex. "Dreams Of Nila" is a somewhat more leaning towards Chicago-ish side of things, with its huge bassline enveloped by shuffling 707 drums. Soft-sounding synth pad sequences work as an emotion injection and appear perfectly timed, without removing the edge of this, essentially, club track. "Reminiscence Of The Past" is the most direct of the bunch. Syncopated bass drum, forward-leaning groove and those classic techno snare roll fills make this track hard to ignore as it is, without mentioning complex interaction of synth lines, chords and beautiful detroit-reminiscent string stabs. Wonderfully executed counterpoint of hard edge and soft touch is what makes this cut a truly special one. Techno in its fullest form. "Far Away Of Your Side" is somewhat closer to the energy level of "Dreams Of Nila", and is a well-paced deep cut perfect for later moments in the night when subtle approach is everything. Slow synth pads give your mind some time to relax while the groove keeps your body occupied. Duplex remix of "Far Away Of Your Side" takes the track another notch down but in a more sideways manner. Broken electro groove is what keeps the foundation of the track while Chris Aarse & John Matze (aka Duplex) masterfully work their synths and pads to keep the tension for the whole duration of the track. Melancholy mood is tangible here, and at its best, ready for the dancefloor.
Techno, Midwest Trap, Grime and Breaks synthesised This may sound like a rather experimental combination. Nevertheless the outcome of Leibniz' latest innovation is a very DJ friendly 4-Tracker called - Quake'. The artist is co-founder of the hundert label, half of the projects DJ OK and DJ Bwin and responsible for releases on Shtum, Ratlife, Ortloff and Fourth Wave. 'Orbb almost dodged Jay's rocket'. Mastered by Beni Brachtel aka Bartellow. Artwork by Paul Bernhard and Arthur Poitevin.
Not So Much return with a trip inducing two-tracker of electro-tinged, Gaunt workouts.
‘She’s Not Patsy’ opens up the EP with metallic hits, glitching crashes and cartoon styled sound effects interweaving to give a futuristic, constantly morphing state to this formidable track.
On the flip side, out come the cosmic canons for ‘Spacebirds’. Extra-terrestrial blasts, unearthly synths and spinning pulses surge around this far-away galaxy, tied together with a thumping beat and crashing percussion that will burst supernatural waves out across the dancefloor.
Mysterious talent Clouds Of Kouros returns to their self-titled imprint to deliver the second EP on the
label this March, with three fresh cuts making up their 'Houghton Time' EP.
The enigmatic Clouds Of Kouros guise first surfaced in November of 2018, with the debut 'Reason's Why' EP picking up a slew of support from Secretsundaze through to Laurent Garnier and more.
Heavily influenced by the early UK rave scene, the project looks set to highlight key early inspirations from within the electronic sphere whilst keeping the focus solely on the music and not the artist behind the project across with each release on the imprint. The latest installment, the 'Houghton Time' EP, was written out of frustration after missing last year's edition of the festival through a last-minute transportation cancellation and in-turn returning to the studio to channel this frustration into a handful new productions. The result is an impressive fresh three tracker that takes cues from breaks through to deep house and beyond set for release on vinyl only this March.
Title cut 'Houghton Time' opens the package with authority as slick breakbeat arrangements combine with menacing basslines and infectious vocal hooks, before 'Diego's Groove' takes things deeper as dubby chords and bright melodies work in tandem. Last up, 'Hide2' completes the EP in style as the focus shifted towards punchy drum licks, resonant stabs and eerie melodies throughout.
It's easy to fall for a nostalgic approach to dance music, to cuddle oneself in the warm analogue sounds of late 1980's dance productions - especially with the heavy ongoing reissue trend going on. However, we have to stay focus: look out for contemporary sounds and means of production. Parisian producer Nathan Melja makes his debut on Antinote with an idiosyncratic three-tracker and our guess is that it sounds contemporary.
On the A-side: one tune: Deadrums. Both the name and the music speak for themselves. It's hard, it's efficient and at the same time, there's quite a lot going on, tiny bumps on the straightforward road to techno ecstasy. Nevertheless, Deadrums is a precise piece of machinery, an atmospheric banger, yes, but with deadly jaws made out of tempered steel to tear a dancefloor apart, piece-by-piece. On the B-side, Angels stands out as a perfect example of a song that has many dancefloor qualities but, like some of DJ Sprinkles' seminal recordings, turns out to be more of a late-night tale of urban wanderings on wet pavements (think Taxi Driver and its soundtrack by Bernard Hermann). Contemplative, melancholic and - let's say it - sad, its nagging melody can bring a little tear to the eyes of the most sensitive ones. Rounding up the 12' is Candy, a tune under the influence of bad boys like DJ Overdose, or Ghettotech legend DJ Assault - so that you can dry your tears.
It's Nathan Melja's first release on Antinote, but he's definitely not a newcomer. He's been around since Antinote exists, and we're glad to finally collaborate with him.
Pig&Dan signal their first solo outing on Drumcode since 2016, with a stirring three-track work.
The duo stands as one of electronic music's most prolific artists, shapeshifting between different shades of house and techno over a 15+ year period, all the while displaying a startling breadth that's ensured their enduring demand. Their relationship with Adam Beyer has solidified over the years, first impressing with a debut EP 'Mexico' in 2016, before collaborating with the Swede himself in 2017 for the fantastic four-tracker 'Capsule', a notable highlight. With their contribution to last year's A-Sides compilation 'La Bruja' one of the strongest of the bunch, their return for a full-length EP is timely.
Title track 'Infinity' is rave-infused stadium techno crafted to perfection, driven by an undulating melodic lead that builds to a tension-packed break, before the chords re-appear and propel the track toward a trippy finale. Vocal cut 'Losing Part of Me' is momentous, with punchy bass and pin-sharp percussion juxtaposing superbly with the emotive vocal and laser-kissed melodic touches. The EP concludes with 'Plex', as a brooding melody line is paired with pumping percussion for an atmosphere-heavy finale.
after The Release Of Dystopian's Very First Long Player the Untold Way Monoloc Took Some Time To Focus On His Own Label Unterland And The Cinematic Sounds The Imprint Stands For. Now He's Back On Dystopian With The drought Ep, A Heavy Four-tracker That Combines Stepping Grooves, Gloomy Soundscapes And Dance Floor Effectiveness.'
Warehouse Find!
Time flies when you're having fun and we can't fathom how this can be Ben Sun's 5th EP for Delusions Of Grandeur but it's true enough and once again he comes up trumps in the form of the Place Of Worship EP. Having previously graced such esteemed imprints as Royal Oak, Tru Thoughts, Razor n Tape as well as his own vinyl-only label Voyeurhythm the London based Australian producer continues to be both highly regarded, yet somewhat under the radar but we're sure that's about to change with this incredible new three tracker.
Opening up we have See It Come Shining, just the kind of life-affirming club track which seem to be in such short supply these days, but that we need now more than ever. Gospel flavoured piano chords tug on the heart strings whilst a simple, raw disco groove with added 909 punch creates a warmth and energy that transcends the dance floors that it's destined to liberate.
Flipping over we have Oceanways T150, a deep, analogue jam that harks back to simpler times when breakbeats collided with a house thump, uplifting pianos meld into punching basslines and discovering music through muffled old cassette mixtapes or patchy pirate radio reception was all we knew.
Rounding off the EP we have the perfect closer Atlantis Transfer. Here Ben puts more early influences into the mixing pot with ambient washes cascading down over a sublime 90's deep house bassline. Analogue hats and tripped-out sound FX skirt around a naive synth melody making for a heady late night treat to get lost in.
German producer, DJ and label-owner Phonk D, who has risen fast to stardom in 2018, is back once again on NDYD Records with his sequel-release Disco Goodies Pt.2, an outstanding four-tracker that should instantly do the trick to boost his career even further.
From Talking Vintage, an quite energetic floor-filler with a feel-good sound thanks to the percussions that will last in your memory for some time, to Gettin Down, a homage to the French 70s on the southern shores of the Cote dAzur, the charismatic producer keeps the level at the very top of the game. The b-side complements the funky ride with the pumping disco-sensation Can Do It while Disco Africana, with its lovely afro disco-touch rounds up the picture of the 30th release on the emerging German label from the city of Frankfurt.
Seb Zito is one of the essential pillars of the FUSE London crew and his productions always pack plenty of attitude. Drawing inspiration from rave records of the 90s, he returns to the label with The Source EP, a no nonsense two tracker.
The title track is razor sharp starting with a solid kick and a skippy pads before meandering through breakbeat at halftime. The One heads down a deeper road, but still pays homage to classic rave with a propulsive, low-slung bassline and soaring, dizzying pads remerging post-breakdown with a series of breakneck claps. Another great release from this great talent!
Shortly after Joe Lewandowski's afro-house explorations comes the sophomore EP of Les Yeux Orange Records young alumni Ensthal (formerly known as n.stal) with a four-tracker depicting the dream-like state and excitation of a hazy night wandering in Paris, his hometown. While its opener, « Selective Behavior », is a full-on disco-house joint inviting us to put an end on quick judgments and hypocrisy, N.M.W. channels a Parisbound Detroit techno vibe and takes us to a journey of unadulterated warehouse fun, one organ at a time. On the flip comes « The Liquor Store », a five-minute auditory hallucination where keys and strings collide and disappear in the echoes of the heights of Montmartre. « Charlotte À L'Étage » finally closes our adventure on a jazzier note, an improvisation of sorts for the early-risers and those who, most likely, did not chose to sleep.
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291out ensemble return on Fly By Night with another well orchestrated project by Riccio.
The latest release on FBNM, 291out - Habbanera is thematically inspired by the 1982 Italian film score, "No Grazie il Caffè Mi Rende Nervoso" "No Thanks, Coffee Makes Me Nervous".
It was originally composed by James Senese and directed by Lodovico Gasparini, "Habbanera" has only previously been released on Senese's self titled LP in 1983.
This four tracker includes two new versions of the main title theme "Habbanera" and two remixes by the two Italian pioneers of house music and the balearic sound; Leo Mas and Fabrice.
291out "Original Version" is a cover of the main score theme, which also features on Senese's 1983 LP; the "Alternate Version" is also taken from the movie, but from a different scene, which has the same melody of the opening theme but with a different rhythm, never having been released before and completely reassembled by 291out.
Leo Mas & Fabrice provide two different cuts, one pitched-down boogie slow jam and one 4/4 dance-floor banger.
291out are:
Luca 'Presence' Carini: Electric Bass
Tancredi Duccio 'Nagarrius' d'Alò: Electric Guitar / Mandoline
Floriano 'Maja' Bocchino: Electric Piano
Antonio 'Totem' Bocchino: Drums
Den Lacava: Saxophone
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Following on from last year's releases by Neue Grafik and Selectors Assemble, CoOp Presents step into 2019 with a new 4-track EP courtesy of Oliver Night; a DJ, producer & singer born and raised in North London.
In addition to joining the Selectors Assemble family recently, Oliver is a member and producer of Roots Manuva's Banana Klan. He established himself as a DJ some 15 years ago, and has since played across the capital, from the Tate Modern to Boiler Room. His music has been supported in the past by the likes of Tony Humphries, Kerri Chandler & Seth Troxler,
This four-tracker illustrates Oliver's diverse range of influences, from the initial inspiration of his Jamaican uncle, musician Hughie Izachaar (who worked with Lee Scratch Perry & others), through to his passion for London's broken beat movement. Oliver's sound epitomises tru-skool UK sound-system ethics; grounded in reggae and dub production sensibilities, whilst built solidly for the bruk and house music dances of today.
The set kicks off with title track, 'Make Believe', featuring the powerhouse vocals of BB.JAMES aka Bethany Barnett Bywater, who's had previous releases with EVM128, Spoek Mathambo and Waze & Odyssey. London-based singer BB is a talent to watch in her own right, as proven on this monster of a track, which has all the ingredients to crossover & damage dancefloors underground and over. Sassy soulful vocals ride a woofer-shattering b-line and synth stabs with devastating effect - a sureshot future anthem.
Next up is 'Swing For Life', an instrumental jazz-house affair, which features the talents of Vancouver-born trumpeter, Jay Phelps - a highly-prolific, highly-acclaimed musician in the jazz world, who found his base in the capital over a decade ago and has since worked with a veritable who's who of international jazz artists, including Courtney Pine, Wynton Marsalis, Amy Winehouse, Hugh Masakela & George Benson, to name a few.
Finally, the flipside brings with it two versions of the cut 'U Got To', remixed by Selectors Assemble family, Cengiz, and label founders IG Culture (fresh from receiving a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at the 2019 Worldwide Awards) and Alex Phountzi (formerly of Bugz In The Attic) aka NameBrandSound, delivering more of their signature bassweight business. Oliver unleashes his own vocal talents on this track, deftly demonstrating a rich, soulful Omar-esque quality to his voice, and completing a truly heavyweight debut for the label.
This record is huge. Essential business, no BS. A truly firing start to the new year for CoOp Presents.
Limited vinyl & digital available on ********
First non-D release on Von-D's own Dubs Galore imprint - He's inviting young gun Hebbe for a 2-tracker, bangers galore!
Nikolajev is a Tallinn, Estonia based producer, DJ, half of Dima-Disk with Ragnar Rahouja and co-founder of the club Kauplus Aasia and the now legendary Lekker before that.
His 'LEL' EP on Incienso is a diverse four tracker containing many moods and styles - All recorded live in single takes. From the Devo-meets-Deep-Disco shuffle of 'Plasticine', to 'Left', a song from an alternate universe where 80's movies were scored by Bunker Records - and the sweeping ambient passages that bookend them, 'Lumipoly' and '12 AM Monday' - This is an EP filled raw emotion, for raw people,
everywhere.
