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0=0
Reflux/Running (Mashed Up)
Any fan of 95 mashed up breaks (excuse the pun) is going to lap this up like nobodies business. The drums follow an interesting pathway in and out of coherency while still grooving away with the bass in a pleasing fashion. The basslines are obviously hewn from fresh igneous rock from the bowels of the earth and are a direct threat to global soundsystems and digestive systems alike. Reflux has some nice melodic flourishes which surf the tsunami of beats rather well. These tunes must have taken some serious time to come up with as the drum programming is that detailed, rarely if ever repeating itself instead doubling back and tieing itself in knots.
The b-side has got hands in the air written all over it as a female vocal fits itself nicely over the top of the mayhem below. Reviewing this tune has really tested the amount of adjectives that I can apply to one thing so I'll leave with this final sentence. Breaktabulous tings from the unpronouncable one. [Noisemonkey]
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20 for 7 feat Brooke Lindsay
Everything [EQ Grey Ltd.]
20 for 7 is a consortium of Producers called Junkbeats from Byron Bay Australia. Though they have been live performers of house music they have branched out into many facets of the scene that have made them now a success. Along with other releases under different monikers Dave Basek, Andrew Semouski, Simon Baker & Shan Sol R make up the Aussie sound heard here. These lads are also heralded by Halo & Hipp-E since they had collaborative works in the past together on the Scottish label Soma. Together the 20 for 7 crew amalgamate to form some amazing chuggy techouse that’ll leave you breathless. Sassy chords and echoing dubby grooves make the whole tune worthy of a listen including those with the highest discerning taste. Joey Youngman delivers a deep and emotional remix that accentuates the originals sensual flavour. [Oxide] - www.stomp.com.au/dept/eq
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Aalacho
Pompeii [BMI]
Aalacho is a confused blend of rock and dance. It seems like the ever popular mash up of these two styles coexists well with some groups but once you inject atmospheric trance and electro I became lost. The group consists of Nathan Scott, Chris Brown, and on background vocals by Sarah Severson. Even though Nathan’s home town of Detroit didn’t shake him up enough with metal music he picked up and moved to Seattle where he looked forward to unveil his new styles of music to all. In fact the hiring of Felix the Housecat didn’t do much help here but empty his pockets. [Oxide] - www.aalacho.com
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Alpha Omega
Analyze Dem/Bugz170 (Forestry Service)
Alpha Omega opens the book on new label Forestry Service with a couple of smooth dubby bits of beat driven cunning. Analyze dem rolls with the breaks as a stealthy bassline creeps around just out of audio range of small speakers. The edits step on thick and fast pacing out the flow. Smooth and happy chords weave in and out of the mix as some elastic filtering is carried out on the drums. A very fluid track with plenty of happy vibes sure to propel the dancefloor through the night. The various elements of the track flow in and out of the mix to round things off nicely.
Buzgz 170 is a more edgey affair with plenty of bleeps and old skooly elements to keep you interested all the way through. The track kicks away through some sparse melodies pushing onward as the bass sneaks around underneath. The bass occasionally blasts away the opposition in true dark styles before getting back to it's syncopated groove. Plenty of good FX on the drums here as well which gives the track extra depth and floor potential. All in all another pair of quality tunes which'll only serve to reinforce AO's reputation. [noisemonkey]
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Andrew Emil
When She Spoke [Smooth Agent]
This late night tribal dub remix grabs your attention right away with the clear production styles and the echoing sounds. Sean Smiths evocative moody licks and mz. Gabriela’s soothing voice stirs in various emotions. The original mix puts you square in the middle of a dirty old lounge during the wee hours sampling fine scotches and letting your mind dine on relaxing rhythms and harmonies. Reggie Halls back up vocals come forward on here to elevate the track to the next level constructing your own personal perch to listen to on. Johnny Fiasco pumps things up in a different direction with a chunky remake great for the clubs. Pounding kicks and gentle chords swiftly glide in and out of the vocal combinations making a floor jamming freak out. Sean Smith returns with a remake of the dub feel and a more hollow presence in the depths of ‘dubbed’ out house much like older audible Greyhound releases. Perhaps Garth should take notice of Sean’s mutating production abilities. [Oxide] - www.smoothagentrecords.com
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Architex
Scarlet Rain/4041 Focus -Prototype (Nemcronz)
Apart from anything else this is the heaviest bit of vinyl I've got my hands on, much thicker cut than usual and it shows in the loud pressing. Something that's been kicking around on promo for a while as well as it was first on white a few months ago but seems to be gearing up to be released. Scarlet Rain is an atmospheric but heavy amen roller. The rain in the title is a bell like loop kind of like Bukem's - Music in a way backed with some harmonising strings. The bassline descends in to the earth at regular intervals and will test your speakers to their fullest. The tune flows nicely and is long enough for some building mixes as well, pure class.
4041 Focus brings a shuffling break to the party and some old skooly echoed stabs. The bassline rumbles along underneath and will only be fully heard on a club system. As the tune progresses some dub vocal samples weave in and out as do other minutiae making it sound like a finished piece. There's some great production going on in this tune and skanking grooves which'll keep the floor bouncing. Skanking sounds all around. [Noisemonkey]
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Arquer & Realtime
Unlocked/FLCL (Outbreak Ltd)
Another quality pair of tracks from these American producers. Kicking off with some old skooly melodics this tracks stumbles along like a drunk fresh from a late night lock in. Bouncy breaks ramble around the main riff as a cleverly filter bit of bass work foretells of what's to come. At the drop the vagrant finally staggers in to a wall and vomits out a truely bellowing bassline which repeats itself ad nauseum. Some bee like synths fly round the pukey bass as the skipping beats roll back in to play. For a dark tune this track has a lot of head nodding groove which goes for the neck rather than those gurning jaw muscles which are usually favoured.
The flip follows a more familier path although the break used is a little out of the ordinary. The main lick of this tune is a swung stab pattern which is guaranteed to get the crowd swaying and the MC's probably will ask for the rewind (they did to me anyway). This tune pretty much encapsulates all that is popular on the dancefloor these days with the obligatory grimey rising bass tone an 8 bar switch. Not as clever as the a-side but an ok tune for the style. [Noisemonkey]
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Asad Rizvi
Slippery Heights [Soco Audio]
The A sides dreary deep outlook on house music is not what you’d expect from mister Rizvi. But wait there’s gold on the flip side! Turn things over and you’ll be greeted by a chunk load of sweaty hot disco looped deep grooves. This endless smooth and sexy track drives the whisping keys and sultry female vocals over a sweet covered bed of heavy bass. The intro’s and outro’s are long and friendly so there’s lots of room to play with and create your own killer mix. [Oxide] - www.socoaudio.com
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ASC/Wizard
Black Steel/What Lies Beneath 12" [Make:Shift Recordings]
Here is the first release from this collectively ran Toronto based label, and what a storming way to kick it all off. This clued up crew enlists the talents of the extremely versatile ASC and local Toronto madman Wizard to christen this new venture of pushing the more forward-looking sounds within drum & bass and downtempo. On this release the focus is kept within the d&b genre. ASC is given the A side duties with his chaotic yet cinematic “Black Steel”. A track that has been causing a stir on dub over the last few months and in true ASC style there is as much attention put into the atmosphere and mood of the track as there is in the drums. If you are at all familiar with this man’s work then you know that he can paint an aural landscape with cleverly placed strings, pads and triggers along with ever switching drums pinned underneath to keep the listener is awe. Once again ASC delivers with flair and originality that is second to none. The flipside duties are given to Wizard whom displays a tribal feel on “What Lies Beneath” with its mix of running bongos, swirling pads and syncopated kicks. As you would expect from the Wizard, space is indeed the place. The whole track displays a very futuristically ethereal feel throughout that will definitely appeal to fans of 720 and Cadence Recordings. Without a doubt, one for the late night floors. All in all, a very strong first release for a promising new label. [esb]
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Aya
Uptown [Naked Music]
In the customary fashion of most Naked tunes this lives up to it and exceeds the usual expectations of style and production. Jay ‘Blue Six’ Denes is behind the board on the original and dub that has an enormous jazzed up low down funky groove. The endless sensual vocals from Aya has such a rhythmic sound that it envelopes your whole psyche. The favorite for the clubs on here is the Anders Trentmollor remix complete with a haunting chord arrangement in an elctroey styled house style. It’s impossible to get away from this on as well due to its charismatic experience it ensues. Famed Eastwick & Holloway put the finishing touches on this explosive single with a more commercial club friendly mix, no my bag but I’m sure it’ll be enjoyed by someone. Oxide - www.naked-music.com
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Banaczech
Shaddy Lane/Texas 12” [Warm Communications]
The mighty Banaczech make a welcomed return to the world of forward thinking d&b. After more than a few years out of the spotlight this South London duo are back to show more of their film noir warez. If you are at all familiar with the sound of Banaczech you know that long slow building movements in sound are their specialty. “Shaddy Lane” is a light roam through non-obtrusive breaks and bubbly keys, which give off a real sense of expansiveness. A cumbrous bassline fills out the order quite nicely. On “Texas” you are taken on a spatial 11-minute journey into the mindset of cults. The song intros with flutes, which sound straight out of the amazon while somber strings, weave in and out of the mix. A tribal yet subtle beat closes in giving you the feeling that you’re nearer to the intended destination. The bass works in pendulum fashion as it weaves back and forth as dialogue snippets are dashed across. It’s quite evident a lot of thought and time went into constructing this composition. A usual Banaczech do not disappoint. [esb]
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Baron
The Wobble EP 2x12” [CIA]
CIA’s golden boy stops back at home base to knock out 4 different angles of mayhem. Fans of Mudhoney will get a kick out of his sourcing of them on the appropriately titled “Superfuzz”. This track is a straight up floor waker. Sure the intro may be kind, but once that wobbly bassline hits it all over. “Wobble Inc.” continues the wonk theme with some analogue keys whipped into the mix. A little less organic than Baron used to be, but well done nonetheless. Things get a little more in depth on the second plate as “World Address” has some dubbed out breaks in the mix. An Atari inspired key line hooks the track and carries it. The shinning moment of the EP comes in the form of “Audio Slave” which pays homage to the old skool keys with out sounding like a played out of 2000’s revival track.. This track reminds me of the feel Break has been hitting on lately: tough rolling breaks and pounding basslines with some safer elements in the melodies to get the floors attention. This is definitely one of Baron’s better tracks as of late. All in all a pretty varied pack that should appeal to dj’s across the breakier spectrum.[esb]
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Baron
Autograph/Locked Vision 12” (Outbreak)
Always great to see new pressure from the lad whom I consider to be the finest newcomer the scene currently has to offer. The mighty Baron always seems to have a knack for injecting just the right amount of quirk, dark, bass and killer breaks, and with “Autograph” the m.o. is no different. A haunting intro laden with uneasy keys, a rolling amen and squelched bass give it all the elements needed to make this a prime time mover. On “Locked Vision” the eerie vibes is carried over with breaks and strings that would make one Nico Sikes very very proud to say the least! The drop introduces what sounds like a modem possessed by Satan himself. The nice thing about Baron productions is that he knows not to get too dark for his own good. Instead he gets the vibe dark yet injects drums that are bound to get your ass shaking. Yet another top-notch piece of wax from this producer whom I guarantee will cause some major waves in 2003! (ESB)
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Baron
Meet The Creeper/Hell Billy 12” (CIA)
The mighty Baron returns to the Total Science stable once again, but this time around with full 12" release in tow. “Meet The Creeper” reinforces the reason why this young producer is a force to be reckoned with. A Weird scronky acid line that sounds akin to a digeridoo gone mad intros the track, while a simple break pattern sucks the listener in. As per usual there is some great bongo sequences thrown in to get those asses shaking. On “Hell Billy” things get a little more manic and nasty with some screech action that is either a love/hate thing, and in this case it’s a love thing. This does a nice job of getting the punters attention before all the Galaxian inspired sounds creep in. Both tracks are backed with tight and funky breaks that we have come to expect from the mighty Baron. Easily the one to watch in 2003! (ESB)
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Baron/Total Science
Meet The Creeper/Zanzibar Remixes - CIA LTD.
The CIA Limited imprint returns with it’s 3rd installment in these short run one off re-licks. Baron re-works his floor wrecker “Meet The Creeper” into an Atari’s enthusiasts wet dream with it’s 80’s inspired bouncing bleeps. The memorable cyborg sounding didgeridoo from the original makes a return while a newly re-sequenced bassline gives the track a new twist. Not as awe aspiring as the original, but it works the floor nonetheless. Total Science’s “Zanzibar” gets the emerald treatment care of the great Beta 2 & Zero Tolerance whom take the track a little bit deeper than it was in its original state, and in the process give us the track that makes this a worthwhile purchase. The track intros with some nice muted drums and echoed pads as strings and vocals sweep into the mix. Don’t expect any sort of drop in this track as it heads headlong into a low hovering bassline which is keep afloat by a clean ride cymbal throughout. As expected from the 2 remixers we get a nice little roll out remix which is great for giving the floor a repose and let them take in the sounds. (esb)
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Beta 2 & Zero Tolerance
Bizzy Time/Killa Blow 12” [Advanced]
The gleaming stones from the emerald isle stop over at CIA’s sister for 2 tracks of mash up mayhem. “Bizzy Time” sees the B2 & ZT teaming up and smashing as many classic samples into a adrenaline charged piece of amen business with many a sample that will make many smile. Some will get a giggle out of the usage of the “get busy time” sample made mainstream by the Crystal Method. On the second, Zero Tolerance goes it alone with “Killa Blow” which starts off with sweeping pads and bleeps yielded by a shuffling break. It all gives way to some ragga inspired bass tactics and rolling drums. Both sides seem to take a page from the Looney Toonz ethos of constructing a good time track with substance and production values second to none. As usual from these two: essential! [esb]
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Beta 2 & Zero Tolerance
Rift/Hi-Tidez – Skunkrock
The deadly twosome are back to the skunkrock stable for some more deep pressure. This time around the offer up some solo works to move the floor. Beta 2’s “Rift” is a low slung groover, which uses its plodding yet funky bassline to suck the listener in. As always, tight breaks and vocal edits add the tracks bells & whistles into play quite nicely. Zero Tolerance gives us the soul of the single with “Hi-Tidez” which continues the Detroit influences put forth on his Reinforced moments. With it’s deep incessant keyboard line and sub work, which roars the track to life is bound to get the floor going hard. It’s tracks like this which give me hope as to where great d&b is headed. Another killer release from both the skunkrock and b2&zt camps. (esb)
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Bizzy B
Afraid Of The Dark/Darkside (Brain II)
A couple of pretty mental tunes from Bizzy on this ltd to 200 copies 10" vinyl release. Only available online from juno and [url]www.bproductions.co.uk[/url] this is one for all fans of 95 ruffness. The a-side uses some digitalesque mentasmy sounds which is one of the few elements in this track which goes in a straight line. One for the dancing to the bassline crew without a doubt. The basslines bellows away in a subtastic fashion for much of the track keeping the groove rolling throughout. It's a good tune but sounds like a few others blended together.
The b-side intros with some subtle pads and quickly cuts out the beats before a "darkside" vocal sample kicks in and the track rumbles off in to the distance at a pace. The beats consist of some nice ameny edits and the track doesn't have that many other elements apart from the bare drums and bass but this doesn't stop it treading an interesting path between old and new weaving some classic housey stabs in to the second breakdown before kicking off again. A quality release overall and nice to see the 10" vinyl format being revisited. [Noisemonkey]
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Blacksoul
I Got Soul [Deepfunk]
Croatia’s Tomislav Pasanec is the mastermind behind this bumping Chicago fueled sounding release. New to the Deepfunk team Alex MC (Sprayfonk) does up the remix treatment with an infectious keyboard riff and chopped up deep beats. Familiar Texan JT Donaldson does it right by going off the deep end and mustering up an arrangement of sensually jazzy tones and breakdowns full of fat guitar chords. [Oxide] - www.deepfunkrecords.com
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Blakkat & Onionz
East River Rituals [Shaboom America]
A sensual deep tribal track with vocals by none other than Mark ‘Blakkat’ Bell this powerful piece lifts and soul up from a troubled day or hardships of life. Other than the meaningful vocals the harmonious keys are executed by Grammy Award winner Paul Birchall. The flipside takes us on yet another journey through the minds of Blakkat & Onionz with a more stirring dub. The uplifting track pours out the rhythmic beats in all directions grabbing your entire psyche and transforming it into a dancing machine. Another stunning and fine successful single from these two individuals with a forth coming new album that I await with anticipation. [Oxide] - www.shaboom.co.uk
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Blue
Exploitation (Streetbeats)
Nice bit of forthcoming action from the streetbeats head dude on this rolling sci-fi number. Introing just like the start of a good set as some nasty chords float down from the ether and a chunky 2 stepping beat. Some nice breaks are woven around the framework along with a couple of driving synth lines and a mantra like vocal. The bass pulses along subtastically grinding underneath and some filtering accentuates the end of the loops with rising synth lines. The vocal becomes more afflicted by choppage as time goes on and the chords reemerge to make the overall edge much more panicky. Rinsing and rolling. I'll post up new info. about this one when I get it. [Noisemonkey]
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Brazilian Girls
Lazy Lover [Verve Forecast]
Ever had that feeling where you’re going to be ill. Thinking that the Verve label was one to be choosey and get artists that were different was understandable but this exception is a horrid one. With the lop sided vocals and strange lyrics it makes you wonder how groups get on labels. Although the full length album has some housey bits to offer the remixes here don’t stand up to par. Matthew Herbert lends a hand but is unable to make a substantially acceptable remix. [Oxide] - www.vervemusicgroup.com
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Breakage
So Vain / Mars (Bassbin)
I was chatting to a mate of mine in local record shop today about this tune and although he's a fan of heavy tune's he didn't get this one. Even more surprising when you listen to the sumo wrestler heaviness of the subs in this track. What's even better is the way that they are offset by dub styled melodic atmospherics which give the track an extra lift and a different angle on what's usually done with amen tunes. After the second drop another hundred tons of bass is liberally sprinkled amongst the lower depths of the tune. Can't wait to hear this one on the Valve.
Mars on the other side is much more conventionally rolling although the way that the drums are put together is much more fluid than the usual two step. This is an ideal tune to slot in those hard to fill moments in the middle of a set. Rocking. [Noisemonkey]
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Breakage
Disco 45/Mother Earth – Bassbin
London Town’s mighty beat chopper makes his debut on the ever consistent and always grooving Bassbin imprint out of Ireland. “Disco 45” is a bumping little bomb that intros with some nice pitched down chants while grinding keys weave in and out in the mix, whilst a tight little break builds things up. What does it build you ask? Why only a tearing amen as only Breakage knows how to chop and edit into a whole new animal of its own. The subs rumble along nicely as the pads keep their presence well know throughout the tune. On the flip we have “Mother Earth” which kicks straight of with the “ya bad sister” break that we have all come to love and know, all the while a lush bongo and pad interplay each other in the mix. The bassline rolls along quite nicely, and in the process makes this a nice little head nodder the get floor locked into a groove. This one fits nicely into a harder or more laid-back set without at all sounding out of place. Great transition material. Expect some great things to surface from both this stunning producer and label. (esb)
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Breakage
Transbohemian/Spiritualism – Breakin’
Here is the kick off release for this new Bassbin sub-label geared at breakbeat driven d&b, and what a release it is! Breakage has the honours of having the first release on this soon the be seminal label. “Spiritualism” is a nice deep track which takes it time to build a vibe with its saddened keys and slow pulsing sub, all the while a creepy yet soothing vocal line careens in the mix. This all soon gives way to some clean rides and breaks, which keep changing up with wickedly edited fills and in tern set a precedence as to what this label will embody. “Transbohemian” harkens back the heyday of 94 with its heavy dub and chill-out influences pinned under a tight punching breakbeat. These in turn remind me of great days which have passed, but updated with a little bit of today’s tricknology. The vocal samples and horns will totally remind you of the glory days of Coldcut and Bukem alike. All in all some of Breakage’s mellowest work yet, but also some of his most stunning. Essential! (esb)
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Breakage
The Break Age EP 2 x 12” (Reinforced)
Well...as the title may imply breaks are the order of the day here. This fine producer from London landed on the scene late last year with his killer remix of the Doc Scott classic “Here Come The Drumz”, and in the process offered what was arguably the best track on the “Battle Of The Breaks” pack. On this EP Mr. Boyle serves up 4 tracks that chop the amen to its most skewed and brutal limits, and in the process test the bassbins to their fullest. He might use the same break in all four productions, but how he chops them will leave your jaw on the floor. If I had to pick one though that leaves a lasting impression it would have to be”47 Cuts” which would make Paradox and Rupert Parkes very happy indeed to see that they have made an impression. This is one producer whom has impressed me right from the get go, and needless to say I am eagerly awaiting his new material destined to drop on Bassbin and Inperspective very soon. (ESB)
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Bryan Jones & Scud Bloom
Devotion [Aroma]
Bryan Jones is the new sensation to stay on the look out for. His deep moody funky tracks are filling floors and charts all over the world quickly. With over 2000 miles between these two producers we see them team up to make a serious hot and funky EP. With San Francisco Scud Bloom working on the mix in "Devotion" we go on a energetic ride of deep organic sounds. “Keep Moving” and “Gotta keep on” lay out some serious vibrant keys setting the tone for moody techy rhythms. [Oxide] - www.aromarecordings.com
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Bryan Jones - Chicago Jack
Control
Without a doubt Bryan Jones is another rising star to emerge on the house scene this year. He kicks off the new Control imprint with this slamming ode to his hometown of Chicago. With plenty of remixes with the Sound Republic, Joey Youngman and Scud Bloom all contributing its hard not to like something on here. Each are playable cuts with Joey rocking his trademark staggered swinging beats and cut-up samples galore. The Sound Republic drop the thump and twisted jazz-funk for a smooth late night workout. Jones' original works a filtered groove suitable for prime time slots. [Oxide] - www.controlrecordings.com
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Calibre
Trust/ Waiting (Signature)
I haven't really got round to buying that much Calibre up til recently as his output used to be so minimal. Wicked productionwise but not enough sounds to fill out the tracks. These two lovelies certainly solve that problem as the samples which he's used have a lot of depth and dubby resonance as they roll along. Trust is more of the DJ's choice as it has a shorter intro with some cunning sweeping backdrops and spacey vocal. The bassline is deep and funky and definitely has arse shaking potential. Waiting on the flip is slightly heavier and a fun intro to mix stripping it down to the bare kicks at one point for the cutting fiends amongst you. After a short gap the track cruises in to life with a chunky bit of bass action and some driving synths. My only criticism of these tunes is that the actual beats and bass bit of the tune is a little too short as it doesn't leave much room to manuever another track in unless you've got another with a short beginning. Other tha
n that some classy little numbers. [Noisemonkey]
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Chris Udoh
Talking To Kristen - [Slush recordings]
Philly's veteran Chris Udoh (Tigerhook/Wamdue) delivering a two-track monster of jumbo electronic house grooves with this killer release. Going big on the acid and synthy material that's been rocking it for Duriez, Mazi and Tripwire, this release features the driving, gritty tribal-laden hypnosis of the A-side "Talking With Kristen" - a real banger that slowly drifts into deeper territory. The flip "Love Park on Acid" is a nasty floor-snapper of XXL acid lines and blessed-out deep pads - seriously twisted mental gear right here . http://www.slushrecordings.com/releases.php
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COLD HANDS
Angel Soup Scottie B [Blunted Funk]
This afro-hop and jam band does lots of free styling and improvisation when they play out but here we find structure with heavy break beats and an organic groovy feel. Brooklyn band mates Abdulah Saeed & Ahmad Saeed are the backbone of this fantastic group. The two main cuts are simply layered ethnic spacial sounds with an up-tempo beat in Angel Soup. More Chills slows down for a moody jam that can only be enjoyed over a couple martinis in a lounge. Blunted’s Scottie B steps up to remix Angel Soup by pumping up the 4/4 and puts some techouse groove but still make use of the original riff. Q-Burns Abstract Message joins in with his worldly melodic brand of sound. The break beat exists in a funky motion and quirky keys and floaty chords caress the filtered vox reminding you of Grandmaster Flash songs. [Oxide] www.bluntedfunk.com
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COLETTE
Didn’t Mean to turn you On [Om]
Only the divine vocal abilities of Colette will make you melt on the spot without hesitation on this remake of the late and great Robert Palmers classic. Kaskade's mix takes it right to the dance floor and brings whole new level of funking and bumping. It’s chalk full of chunky warm chords and chopped up filtered horns. Chuck Love funks things up a bit more by slicing up some deep horny stabs plus minimal use of the vocal making this a choice cut for late nighters. Justin Martin just lays down the dirty beats and the full vocal is heavenly throughout. [Oxide] www.om-records.com
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Concord Dawn
Don't Tell Me/Morning Light (Klute remix) [Timeless]
Concord Dawn's MC Tiki rails against conformity on Don't Tell Me with a fair degree of vitriol. As a complete opposite to this is the music which it overlays, Dillinja's influence abounds from the break to the angry bass noise. The intro clicks in with customary hi hats and a beeping loop. The bassline rises from the silence behind for the hands in the air massive. A pretty pounding tune which is sure to get those chins swinging.
Klute's take on Morning Light isn't too far removed from the original but he does had his production polish which lends this version extra bite. The amens have been toughened up with hyperspeed percussion and some trancier sounds enter the fray in the intro. Klute must have been doing some serious spring cleaning when he came up with this one as the hoover bass is in full effect sucking up all in it's path. Both sides begging for the rewind before the MC has even had a chance to ask. [noisemonkey]
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D-Kay
It's On The Way/Space Quest (Soul;r)
Soul;r bringing some smooth grooves yet again on this liquid laden bit of wax. The a-side stomps away with a catchy synth and some rigid 2 step beats. This is balanced against a fairly funky low bass and harmonised synth work. A rolling track but doesn't really have much in the way of impact to speak of. The vocal of the title track does go some way towards solving this as it gives the track a bit more focus. A good tune if you running out or have to fill in for someone if they turn up late.
Space Quest on the other hand is the best thing that I've heard by D-Kay by a long way. Using plenty of cunning change ups in the drums and some stunning atmospheric sweeping synths this track rolls along with devastating understated effect. The intro brings back the bongos as some good analogue action is brought alongside with some breaks snaking their way in to view. This is one of those ultimate play at dawn or dusk kind of tracks with it's contrast between dark and light. A pleasing bit of sub action keeps things moving at the bottom end whilst the percussion rolls overhead at quite a pace. Worth buying for this track alone although I'm not sure why this track wasn't on the a-side. [Noisemonkey]
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Da Sunlounge
Down Tools - Myna
Martin & Simon Newby head up this project like much their others in the past with ease and style every time. You might remember them from the moniker Solo & Logan as well but their newer releases seem to have gotten them more famed exposure. The title suggests this EP is more of a tools record but it’s beyond that with it’s highly useable and constructive elements and pieces that can build any entertaining set. The funkiness ranges to heavy bass to down right dirty licks and chords. It’s all mixed down with a professional manner including poppy background vocals and yummy crunchy bits. [Oxide] - www.mynamusic.co.uk
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Da Sunlounge
Jazz Lounge [Myna]
Continuing in the favorable notion of the “Jazzy” vibe Martin & Simon Newby chalk up another wicked EP. ‘So Good‘ jump starts the party with a ‘rocking and pumping it up’ vocal sample that sets the mood right away. It’s definitely a floor filling groove right away. The chunky bass line drives a feeling of jacking all night to a tune like this. The one thing that kind of off sets the atmosphere is the acid like roll. Although it’s only there for awhile it’s still there and kinda…annoying. The flip doesn’t sacrifice your ears but entices them with some sweeter deep techy tunes. Warm keys and funky lines thrust forth a peak time essential need for these two tracks. All of You & About the Money are stellar and most notably is the later for it’s chunky Chicago groove with a tight kick and sassy bass line. [Oxide] - www.mynamusic.co.uk
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Deep House Souldiers
In My Bag [Lowdown]
With Matthew Bandy & Joel Jacksons recent release on Offset this jam generates more smooth Rhodes riffs, tight percussion and bouncy bass that continues one for ever. The flips vocals are always moving making the pads and whirly melodies fuse into a pumping jem of a track. D. Muldrow vocals are a welcome added touch even though they’re filtered it’s recognizable. [Oxide] - www.doubledownrecordings.com
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Delia Gonzalez & Gavin Russom Relevee
DFA Records
If we play the "techno vs. house" parlor game, techno's at the mercy of Detroit-as-Arcadia purists, while house is warm and catholic and all-appropriating. Carl Craig's work on "Relevee", some of the kids have already whined, is Not Detroit Enough. Yet Craig's remix is transcendent, and trance-inducing nonetheless. His arpeggiated tour of the unconscious lingers anxiously on the original sequenced bleeps. He marinates the melody north of three minutes before the 808 shows up, and these bass kicks deliver what the Krauty, spacey source material always implied: boundless dancefloor potential. Before long, an open hi-hat and clap add color to the minimal palette, as Craig molds the sounds into different shapes on the fly, with digital congas and an Alice Coltrane piano-as-harp strums forthcoming. Typically, the DFA have little interest in the source material here, keeping only a rearranged version of the melody. Then of course they outfit the beat with handclaps and congas plus, inevitably, disco drums. So right off the bat their version of "Relevee" radiates their signature physicality. A fresh thicket of keys and a pounding low-end give it body. Soon house territory is on the horizon as we hear the echoes of tender diva mumblings. More Chicago than Detroit. More emoting too then, the melancholy dropped by Delia and Gavin swept up and away by the DFA's whirlwind of exuberance. Wait for it though: That bleached-clean piano at the end flips the script and surpriseseven the duo's most jaded listeners. Both duos. [Oxide]www.dfarecords.com
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Delta & Format
Sparks/Wishing 12” (Critical Recordings)
For a label that is only 5 releases into the game they sure are making an impact, and rightfully so I may add! This time around the duo of Delta & Format drop two contrasting styles which both get the floors ablaze. On the appropriately titled “Sparks” we get treated to a down & dirty old skool workout. Some interesting intro work punched up with some deep subs end up coming up trumps. Definitely one for the more aggressive punters in the crowd. Whilst on “Wishing” a smooth femme fetale vocal seems to do the trick just right. Some nice bubbly piano work pinned under shuffling breaks usher in some nice bottom end work bound to stir a rise in the crowd. A very well done job done for Critical indeed! (ESB)
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Density
Who Want's Some/Nightfall [Puntured Light]
As soon as I heard the bass kick in this one my jaw dropped and molded itself in to a grin. It's hard to know where the kick starts and the bass begins with this bruiser. Out of the usual array of hi |
