The powerhouse duo, behind the Liquid club nights at Frankfurt’s Robert Johnson, Thomas Hamman and Running Back label honcho Gerd Janson, are the latest to take the reigns on the club’s fourth release. With its impressive selection and solid mixing, it’s like being on a journey through the 90s.
The first few tracks provide a nice starter to warm up the ears, taking us out deeper into space with Lontano’s sublime “Lovebass”. It’s where the fourth track “W.B.W.U.” kicks in, where it would really whip hips on the dance floor. It is just sequenced so beautifully, from the infectious kicks and snares, build-ups, the abrupt pause, and the drop. Amazing. One of my favorite moments in a DJ’s mix, is when you’re thinking it’s peaking, it just gets better and better. The hypnotic ‘Moroder-esque’, “Big Bang Theory” does just that. The momentum pulls back a few notches for air with Azymuth, then bounces back harder with Chez Damier’s “Take it Away A and B2”, and followed effortlessly by one of my favorite anthems: Kenny Dope’s mix of “Red Hook Dreams”. The rest of the mix includes more gems by Soundstream, DJ Duke and Radioslave, while the cheeky Superpitcher remix of DNTEL’s “(This Is) The Dream Of Evan And Chan” rounds out the mix with its lyric, “he played every song from 1993″.
With the exception of a few relatively new tracks, none of them feel dated at all. They sound just as fresh as they do now as they did back then, standing tall even amongst the latest house productions out now. This mix CD isn’t just a great listen outside of the club, but would definitely please those house lovers in it.
Having teased listeners with a trickle of singles and EP’s dating back to 2006’s Lost and Found, producer Brian Lindgren aka Mux Mool finally drops his first full-length album Skulltaste, and we’re pleased to say it’s well worth the wait.
With an array of different sounds and styles at his command, Mux Mool creates a deliciously psychedelic roller-coaster ride of an album, with opener The Balled of Gloria Featherbottom setting the tone perfectly via a rush of galloping arpeggios and dirty breaks. While it’s hard to spot influences in such a mercurial and maverick talent (anything goes, from Four Tet to the Cocteau Twins) there’s certainly an appreciation of J Dilla at work in songs like Hog Knuckles, which like much of the album sounds like kaleidoscopic instrumental hip-hop.
Skulltaste’s title track is a weird and wheezing hip-hop shuffle, and Breakfast Enthusiast keeps the trippy mid tempo vibe going, adding lashings of heavy bass into the mix. Enceladus however is pure dancefloor genius though, upping the tempo into the 120bpm’s and sounding similar to German producer Siriusmo’s sideways approach to electro. The dynamic arrangements are what make Mux Mool so special. “Dandelion” starts off thread bare, but then builds to a thrilling mix of strings and chiming keys. “Wax Rose Saturday” switches up styles mid-song, while 1st and 4th progresses from a simple bass and drum groove into an epic and effortless drumroll that will leave your jaw gaping wide open.
On a more glitchy, slo-mo tip “Death 9000″ uses big swathes of ambient vinyl crackle and hiss to create a grainy soundscape which is embellished with retro synths and vicious vocoders. “Get Better John” though is brighter and more uptempo, with 90s style hip-hop drums anchoring buzzing synths that seem to be trying to escape into the stratosphere. Fans of Hudson Mohawke, Flying Lotus and Debruit will definitely dig where Mux Mool is coming from, but there’s really so much great stuff here it demands to be heard by all.
Josh Wink’s Ovum Records will be celebrating their 15th year this 2010 at WMC, showcasing their finest artists – old and new. Teaming up with Juno Plus, we will be offering readers the chance to win a pair of tickets to the unmissable event.
Juno Download present their latest podcast bridging the gap between minimal house & techno – delving into the wide range of styles that we currently stock within our minimal genre.
Moving on from electro influences, disco king Vitalic’s ‘Flashmob’ last year was his second album to date, with well-crafted addictive tunes. See his new video for his latest single, “Second Lives”, where Vitalic delivers a high energy breathtaking number.
Combining the trademark sound of Vitalic classics LA Rock and Poney Part 1 with revamped production techniques, “Second Lives” come with remixes from The Bloody Beetroots, newcomers Colonel Up and Mister Down who both did a furious banging nu-electro remix. Elsewhere, Mustang takes us back to with a retro feel, whilst Lifelike adds his magic touch to craft a melodic take and the digital release will also include a fantastic remix of “Flashmob” by driving tech-house leader, Popof.
Artist: Tom Trago Title: Voyage Direct Remixes Part 2 Label: Rush Hour Holland Genre: Deep House Format: Digital Buy From:Juno Download
Dutch electronic institute Rush Hour unleash the second and final Voyage Direct remix EP. Keeping their local sentiment, all four featured remixers come straight out of the label’s Amsterdam base. Aardvarck, Boris Werner, San Proper and Sotu The Traveler deliver a diverse set of mixes that continue to retain the interest in Tom Trago’s debut album.
Following a string of acclaimed singles over three years, April 2009 saw the release of the hot Amsterdam producer’s debut album. Turning heads instantly, the album was a hit and was followed up with a remix EP in August last year. Earlier this year, we saw the release of the Live Takes and now the final instalment drops to round off what has been a highly successful Voyage Direct campaign for Tom Trago.
Opening the EP, Boris Werner provides a latin infected house version of “Lost in the Streets of NYC.” With shades of disco, the rework has an airy quality to, induced by an intricately delicate piano pattern. A flowing groove keeps the rest of the track grounded as the other components drift off in a dream-like trance. Famed for his distorted dupstep-techno crossovers, Ardvarck hands in a tough electrodisco version of “On the Side.” Roughed up kicks combine with Soundstream-style string edits. Highly energised and full of power, the track is roughened up in Ardvarck’s trademark Cult Copy style.
San Proper ‘s “Use Me” remix sees disco looping edits, acidic synthbass merging with a Detroit feel before Sotu the Traveller closes the release with his hybrid of dupstep and electrohouse on his interpretation of “Voyage Direct.” As the long journey of his Voyage Direct draws to a close, Tom Trago will no doubt look back with starry eyes. Stretching the output from the album to the max but always maintaining the quality, he could have surely never imagined the ride would be this long and prosperous.
DFA’s Shit Robot aka Marcus Lambkin having had huge success with the record ‘Wrong Galaxy’ back in the day, has just released his new single ‘I Got A Feeling’ featuring B-side ‘Norfolk Nights’. Having remixed the likes of labelmates The Juan Maclean and Simian Mobile Disco, the Irish producer hailing from Dublin recommends his Top 10 tracks for March…
Artist: Sarrass Title: Lust Label: Third Ear UK Genre: Deep House Format: Digital Buy From: Juno Download
UK based label Third Ear have proven themselves to be rather on the money when it comes to discovering new artists. This time, they introduce German producer, Sarrass who deals us an accomplished EP whose four tracks deliciously blend Detroit techno with more abstract electronica. Hailing from the south-west of Germany, Sarrass first entered the world of music playing piano and trumpet in classical and jazz orchestras. Electronic music first came to his attention via Klaus Schulze and then after hearing techno later, he was hooked.
Third Eye discovered his talents through his MySpace page and tracked him down to finally get this EP out to world. Showcasing his deep and melancholic sound, the “Lust” EP contains the beauty and emotion that Sarrass sees as pivotal to his approach to music. His preference of emotion above functionality is clear to see over these four diverse original productions. “Seance” gets the ball rolling with some lusciously deep house music. Keeping things relatively simple, Sarrass sets the tone with a warm feel courtesy of lush synths and deep bass. “Louisa Suiza” takes on more of a stripped down, down tempo techno persona. Spiralling tech sounds cascade through a wall of pulsating bass and shield of steady beats.Returning back to house music, “Be as Been” builds amid stabbing bass parts, snapping claps and a driving beat. Simple key patterns add yet more character as Sarras indulges in the disciplines of his past.
Delving into chunkier pastures, “Lust” finishes the EP with a staggering jaunt through the intertwining sounds of house and techno. Often raw sounding, but always deep and emotive, the “Lust” EP is an expertly crafted manifestation of Sarrass’ own unique sound. Once again proving Third Eye’s aptitude for spotting new talent, we can only wait with bated breath to see what they uncover next.
Artist: Laszlo Title: Mr Sunshine Label: Lydian Genre: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz Format: Digital Buy From:Juno Download
Newly formed label Lydian launch themselves with an experimental journey into electronica with fluffy psychedelics, jazzy keys and a child-like innocence courtesy of London based producer Laszlo.
Laszlo is an accomplished multi instrumentalist who has previously had a successful career composing music for TV programmes and adverts worldwide. His influences stretch from jazz artists like Claude Debussy to people like Frank Zappa and on to electronic acts such as Aphex Twin and Pre-fuse 73. His music blends various styles and textures, constantly touching on dance, experimental, jazz, folk, classical and world music. Despite its experimental nature, his music still boasts intricate and memorable melodies in addition to catchy hooks and modern beats. His music originates from solo piano pieces; it does not use samples, but is instead programmed and performed from scratch. “Mr Sunshine” includes three original tracks from Laszlo and two remixes of the title track. Throughout the release, the London producer demonstrates well thought out instrumentation throughout clever compositions that combine organic musical elements with electronic textures. The sound remains playful but will an intelligible musicality that will engage listeners of any genre.
Opening with the title track, “Mr Sunshine” starts in a warm an approachable mood. Influenced by modal West African guitar styles as well as the kora playing artists of the region, the track uses mandolin, Spanish guitar, piano and Rhodes to create a friendly and playful beginning. “Zeitgeist” continues in similar vein, but includes vocals from the London based singer / songwriter, Clara Belle and percussion made up from household items including pieces of wood, walls and the side of a mandolin. Heavily processed by Laszlo, these sounds come together to create lucid rhythms and patterns. “Anatolia” takes on a more minimalist persona, encompassing delicate keys and soft wood and pipe instruments. Accompanied by a Ragga Waltz mix from Laszlo himself and then a glitchier version of “Mr Sunshine” from Todd Baker this is a full and varied package, and one that certainly gives us a glance at what this talented producer has to offer.
Andre Lodemann’s Best Works imprint launch their 2010 schedule with an expertly crafted three tracker from Berliner Eva Be. “New Crack” combines an electronic dub driven bass sound with classic old-school house influences in an EP that displays her undeniable production talents.
No novice to electronic music, Eva Be is building on the success of her “Trippin With Eva Be” EP in addition to her Moving Without Travelling long player which came out two years ago on Jazzanova’s Sonar Kollectiv. “New Crack” is the continuation of her sound as she moves further towards her reggae-dub influences.
The title track showcases her widely appealing sound in a funky and squelchy, electro-warped dub track. Melodic synth stabs pour out on top of funky bass, a 4/4 beat and a multitude of pads and claps. She keeps it deep, never letting the sound get too heavy and keeps a lighter feel with quirky sound samples. Dutchman Darko Esser delivers a more dramatic, crystalline twist with his more intricate remix. Toning down the energetic synths of the original, he creates a more ambient and atmospheric sound than Eva Be’s work, balancing the EP to perfection. Label boss Andre Lodemann is up next with his previously unreleased remix of Eva Be’s “She Walks Alone.” Taking the track into the sounds of deep house he reduces Pegah Ferydoni’s vocal to just the occasional exclamation of “so right and so wrong” and then adds a disco-dub glaze, giving the remix a real lounge feel.
The “New Crack” EP is a tight package of sophisticated house music from a producer that is very accomplished at showcasing the variety of her musical influences out in one track. We can only hope that another Eva Be release will be on its way soon.
Combining music, pyrotechnics and a clubbing environment from a group of well established promoters (including Bugged Out, Glastonbury Dance Village and Bristol’s Blast, The Greatest Show on Earth comes together to produce a festival-setup party.
The Swedish house overlord John Dahlback aka founder of Pickadoll and one half of minimal techno act Hugg & Pepp with his cousin Jesper has remixed the likes of Martin Solveig to Fedde Le Grand, focusing on a more commercial house approach to techno sounds.
Flying Lotus – aka Steven Ellison – is about to release one of the most anticipated records of 2010. Cosmogramma, the follow up to the much-vaulted Los Angeles LP, is “more dynamic, bigger in scope and more textured” than his previous work, according to the man himself.
The Warp-signed producer grew up in auspicious musical surroundings – his great aunt was Alice Coltrane, the acclaimed pianist and composer, who he cites as his biggest inspiration. As such he brings a fluid, jazz-like style to his futuristic hip-hop tinged electronica – an incredibly unique and fascinating combination. Juno Plus caught up with Ellison during a recent visit to London for the Red Bull Music Academy.
Artist: Donnacha Costello Title: Before We Say Goodbye Label:Poker Flat Germany Genre: Minimal/Tech House Format: Digital Buy From:Juno Download
Only his third LP in an established career that spans nearly a decade and a half, Before We Say Goodbye is Irishman Donnacha Costello’s latest album that deals with the topic of techno in his own unique and beautiful way. Released on Steve Bug’s Berlin based label Poker Flat, the album proves that techno music can harbour the skill, emotion and diversity that is so often missing within it.
Much like his 2001 masterpiece Together Is the New Alone, this LP taps into an ambient texture, but builds it with techno rhythms and pulsations. By keeping his club sentiment at bay, Costello delivers a subtle album that flows with the kind of natural current that is often lost within techno productions. Weaving in and out of styles, up and down tempo ranges, the LP is expertly crafted to take you on a journey that ebbs and flows with purpose. From the deep and melancholic but groovy slow burners such as “Leaving Berlin” and “A Warm Embrace” that set the LP off, Costello moves into an old school mood on “It’s What We Do” before hitting his stride with the more up tempo offerings of “No-One Is Watching” and the onomatopoeic “Roll It Out.”
On the second half of the album he winds things down with tracks like “With Me Still,” “Stretching Time,” the mournfully melodic “The Tug” and the beautiful “Last Train Home” which finishes the LP off in aptly reflective mood. Such is the musicality of Before We Say Goodbye that it feels like an album crafted outside of techno and underground dance, but at the same time using the sounds and the flavours of the genre to redefine the way we view ambient techno in the UK.
Following the last two years of playing 5 and 6 hour sets on nights for Easter Thursday and New Years Eve, Erol Alkan returns to Fire’s main room to push his limits further with a whopping 7 hour set this Easter 2010.
Artist: Shit Robot Title: I Got A Feeling Label: DFA Genre: Electro House Format: Digital Buy From:Juno Download
DFA are truly specialists when it comes to releasing retro-futurist club tracks. “I Got A Feeling” and “Norfolk Nights” by Shit Robot are joining a long list then, but it is testament to the label and the tracks that they release not none of them become forgettable faces amongst the crowd. “I Got A Feeling” is no different, establishing a unique sound for itself but fitting comfortably onto James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy’s New York label.
Following his move from his hometown of Dublin to New York in 1992, Marcus Lambkin or Shit Robot as he is now know, began playing and then later throwing parties in the city. Along the way he was to meet DFA co-founder James Murphy, who is now releasing the two tracks on his esteemed label. Serving as the follow up to 2009’s “Simple Things Work It Out” this release comes at exactly the right time for the Irishman.
“I Got A Feeling” builds slowly from its minimal beginnings complete with rough lead riff and slow jacking body onto the house-led second half of the track. At the mid-way point, housey piano chords start the ascent into this territory before the vocals from Saheer Umar, one half of NYC dance duo House of House, begin to kick in. Moving further, bassy synths and electro handclaps join a driving beat as the echoing vocals cascade over each other, sending the track into overdrive.
“Norfolk Nights” on the B, another 8 minute journey like its predecessor, merges old school beats and building Italian style, spacey synths on top. As it peaks though, things descend into an eerie quietness before the track builds itself back up from scratch.
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