Artist: Maddslinky Title: Further Away Label: Tru Thoughts Genre: Broken Beat/Nu Jazz/Nu Soul, Dubstep Format: Digital
The man of many names – Zed Bias, Maddslinky and one half of Phuturistix – is back with this second single from his Make A Change long player on Tru Thoughts. After the Special EP from late last year included Toddla T, MJ Cole, AtJazz and Simbad on the remix front, it’s hard to imagine topping that level of quality, but Tru Thoughts have excelled once again by putting together a stellar cast of remixers.
Featuring the vocals of Tawiah, the original of “Further Away” is big. Though Tawiah coos softly during the verses, things get huge during the choruses as Maddslinky’s orchestral electronica takes over from the gentle, gliding jazz chords of the verse. It’s stirring stuff, and credit has to go to Maddslinky for combining nu-jazz sounds and structures with dubstep-friendly rhythms and bass.
Perhaps a natural choice to deliver a remix, NYC’s FaltyDL is a soulful future-garage head who has been playing plenty of ZB stuff in his DJ sets of late. Quite startlingly on the down low, DL’s mix is stirring in a whole new way – supplying a doom-laden half-step shuffle that allow the vocals to really breathe. More upbeat, Funk Butcher steps in with a hell of a mix which manages to sound like Adonis jamming with MJ Cole. Veteran British producer El-B takes a different tack – using a set of live sounds, such as a funky Hammond, to set off a sweaty nu-funk-meets-garage mix. In stark contrast, Fat City/3024’s bass warrior Illum Sphere cooks up a creeping, claustrophobic mix that constantly rises in volume in tandem with Tawiah’s vocals and threatens to go ballistic at any minute.
A hugely bright, Afro-pop mix comes courtesy of Tru Thoughts’ Hint, who adds a string-laden chord progression that fits the vocals like a glove. More punchy is the mix by upcoming D&B stars Dawn Raid, who fit the vocals around a pleasingly jungle-esque slice of jump-up, while Dubchild gives it a huge, bassy rerub that’s equally off the hook. Special mention should also go out to Polar Pair’s mix, which manages to update the classic drum sample from Schooly D’s “PSK:What Does It Mean?” and create something that almost resembles orchestral dubstep. With an acapella and a dub also included, you can make your own mix if you want to, But it looks like Tru Thoughts have pretty much covered all bases on this excellent package.
Sébastien Devaud, known to sweaty dancefloor throngs as Agoria, has released nearly 30 singles and EPs in a sparkling career that spans a decade. His fourth studio album Impermanence is due out imminently, he owns and runs the InFiné record label and has bagged himself the rather legendary role as the next fabric mix CD curator. His role within InFiné is particularly interesting; rather than using the imprint as conduit for his own productions, he’s used the platform to push a broad range of artists, from the classical leanings of Aufgang to the indie techno of Danton Eeprom, via the sultry house of jozif and more besides.
The night before Agoria played what panned out to be a storming set in London’s fabric, kicking off an mammoth 24 date Impermanence album tour, Juno Plus writer Hannah Briley sat down with the very affable – and very French – Sébastien Devaud to talk about his special relationship with Farringdon’s most famous nightspot, inspirational love and all things InFiné…
Artist: Arthur's Landing Title: Arthur's Landing Label: Strut Genre: Disco Format: Gatefold 2xLP, CD, Digital
Arthur Russell’s legacy has remained strong long after his untimely death in 1992, most notably in recent times with the highly respected music critic Tim Lawrence unveiling his must read biography last year; this follows a documentary Wild Combination and a collection of cover versions released by Electric Minds. It is perhaps this latest musical project, presented by the good people at Strut Records, that will be of most interest to fans of Russell’s work.
Arthur’s Landing is a collective of musicians who worked with the producer and cellist throughout his varied musical career. Led by guitarist Steve Hall, the ever morphing group of musicians have made a commitment to sustaining Russell’s musical legacy and have spent the last few years touring and performing new arrangements of tracks from the Russell canon and they present twelve of them here on this enlightening album which has been produced by contemporary NYC icon Brennan Green.
As well as presenting unique takes on both well known and unheard Russell tracks – witness the shimmering beauty of their take on “Is It All Over My Face” for instance – the album sleeve notes have detailed memoirs from the members of Arthur’s Landing discussing each track, making this a truly special album. Strut surround themselves with so many great music projects you’d have to wonder what a gaping hole would be left if they weren’t around.
Artist: Duffstep Title: Close Label: Electric Minds Genre: Dubstep, House Format: 12", Digital
Duffstep continues to impress us with his genre-crossing works on both his own label Join The Dots and now Electric Minds. He first came to our attention last year with his superb 12” – “Know You/More Lies” – on Saigon Recordings and the young producer shows no signs of slowing up as we enter 2011. His debut album Getting To Sirius is due out this month and is a fantastic collection of tracks that clearly exhibit Jeremy Duffy’s versatility and creative flair.
Here, in “Close” he blends house rhythms with a dubstep soundscape and a deep, soulful groove. Remixes come courtesy of Hreno & The Mole and Yam Who respectively, who both slow down the tempo and inject their own unique flavour to the track, making for an irresistible 12” release. First up is the 137bpm original, which eases us in to the release with gorgeous swathes of synths balanced tentatively around hissing, relaxed beats and neatly woven, but ever-shifting melodies. It’s got the same sort of fluidity in composition that one might assign to a Joy Orbison track before he went house, with rising crescendos, bass swells and intricate textures and SFX forming the body of the piece.
To counterbalance this, Canadian production outfit Hreno & The Mole team up and strip back the easy-like-a-Sunday-morning vibe of Duffstep’s original and transform it into a shimmering slice of techno-tinged house with rippling b-line and gently pulsating rhythms. Finishing up, Yam Who steps up to the fore with a fun, glitchy boogie venture which encompasses a Jimmy Edgar style soundscape to great effect. Yam Who utlises high-pitched synths, gloopy bleeps and plenty of feisty character. Funky flourishes and frolicking melodies make for an excellent re-lick – a real party starter. It’s another gem to add to add to the record box.
Artist: Various Title: Boysnoize Presents Super Acid Label: Boysnoize Records Genre: House Format: 2xLP, CD, Digital
Some thirty years after DJ Pierre stumbled upon the Roland 303’s capacity to destroy dancefloors with twisted acid lines, the rawness of acid house means it remains fetishized by contemporary producers. Feeding into this obsession, Boysnoize Records present this compilation of acid tracks from an enviable cast of the label’s artists, friends and contemporaries.
Refreshingly non purist in approach, the press release purports some tracks were made via tonnes of vintage analogue gear to ensure that sonic warmth is delivered, whilst others used 303 clones, laptops and even the iPhone 303 app (which is great fun incidentally). Equally there’s some variance in the tracks included too, it’s not just twelve acid house thumpers – Siriusmo for example delivers a typically intricate production in “I Like My Voice” that comes replete with some shimmering melodies that implements the acid qualities with a subtle ease.
Those craving ammo for the dancefloor will no doubt be pleased by any number of the tracks here, with Erol Alkan’s edit of “Death Suite”, his production with BNR boss Alex Ridha, brilliantly teasing out a lysergic 303 line before a thunderstorm of drum machine hits signals the drop into the main throbbing thrust. Elsewhere, Brodinski teams up with Harvard Bass, Noob and Djedjotronic to form H.D.B.N and deliver the suitably perky electro flex of “Extreme Compote”, whilst Strip Steve and Benny Rodriguez are notable for delivering straight up acid jackers – the latter’s “LSD” is a definite highlight here. It’s perhaps the Tigersushi All Star Team of Joakim and Krikor who ultimately triumph however, with the truly demented over the top brilliance of “Azid”.
What exactly did Matt Radio Slave Edwards do over the New Year’s period? Was he ripping up the decks in some post-industrial clubland or reflecting quietly at the moon with a bottle of lighter fuel?
Artist: Daniele Baldelli & DJ Rocca Title: Space Scribble Label: Nang Genre: Disco Format: 12", Digital
For those with an interest in the leftfield side of European disco, the recent renaissance of legendary Italian DJ Daniele Baldelli has been an exciting development. For those outside of Northern Italy, Baldelli remained a marginal figure for many years. Although he – and, it could be argued, compatriot Beppe Loda – invented the cosmic disco sound in the late 1970s and early 80s, it’s only in the last decade that the sound has been celebrated across the globe.
This renaissance has been good for Baldelli on a number of levels, not least in allowing him to pursue music production in a serious way for the first time in his 30-year career. Baldelli productions are still relatively rare, but when they come along they’re invariably worth a listen.
This collaborative EP with fellow Italian spinner DJ Rocca is his first release since 2009. It sees the duo give contemporary nu-disco a fresh new twist, adding obvious Italo, cosmic and old skool electro influences. Nowhere is this more evident than on lead track “RoBa Che Scotta”, where the veteran duo add simplistic, stargazing melodies to a rough, appregiated groove. There’s beauty within the heavy analogue beats and bassline, but they never lose sight of the dancefloor. It’s a retro-futurist delight. Ichisan provides a slightly grubbier, disco-centric rework for those who dig straight-up nu-disco.
The EP finishes with the title track. Similarly melodic and intergalactic in its construction, “Space Scribble” has an endearing, child-like quality thanks to a sprightly mix of original electro beats, swirling chords and analogue synth riffery. It’s a great end to Baldelli’s best EP yet.
Artist: Vince Watson Title: Atom EP Label: Tresor Genre: Techno Format: 12", Digital
With so much emphasis on a gritty warehouse aesthetic and a dearth of melodies, right now isn’t the most opportune time to be a deep techno producer. Then again, Vince Watson was never one to follow trends – and this approach has ensured his longevity when many of his 90s peers faltered and then faded into obscurity. Ironically, this release on the resurgent Tresor label marks a return to the approach that Watson had originally made his name with during the mid-90s on tentative releases for Dave Angel’s Rotation. Gone are the references to the more house-based narrative that Watson had embraced for Ibadan, replaced with a refreshingly pure (not purist) techno style.
The title track is a fist-pumpingly epic affair: Watson drops a high-tempo pulsing, acidic bass and then copper-fastens soaring, dramatic synths to it. “Flux” also sounds birthed in an analogue era, with its hypnotic rhythms trailing off into the bleepy ether, making for a wonderfully woozy but captivating feeling. Unlike the other contributions, “Kaleidoscope” sees Watson step out of his comfort zone with a brittle rhythmic arrangement that veers from linear techno into shuffling electro drums and back again. Of course, the motif that defines his work is present here as well, with dreamy, melodic chords enveloping everything.
Detroit’s Rick Wilhite – for so long an underrated force but now thriving in his time in the sun – will release his debut album, entitled Analog Aquarium, this March.
Artist: Coati Mundi Title: Dancing For The Cabana Code In The Land Of Boo Hoo Label: Rong Music Genre: Disco Format: 2xLP, CD, Digital
The enigmatic boutique of NYC disco refinery known as Rong have been quiet for far far too long, and they return with something typically special in the form of a brand new album from the finest zoot suit wearer in the business, Coati Mundi. A founding member of Dr Buzzard’s Original Savannah Band and Kid Creole & The Coconuts, this legendary Puerto Rican producer has his place in the disco hall of fame, no doubt.
If you want to read more about his glorious career we heartily recommend you indulge in the latest Faith magazine which has an in-depth and truly interesting interview with the man. Dancing for the Cabana Code in the Land of Boo-Hoo, Mundi’s first in some two decades, is quite the epic too, spanning funk, salsa, samba and disco. It’s the sheen of contemporary production thanks to the input of UK producer E-Love and some additional knob twiddling from Rong stalwart Lee Douglas (The Stallions/TBD) that makes this album standout. Every track here is rich with densely packed rhythms.
Listening to the album as a whole is a rewarding and enjoyable experience thanks to the simple yet infectious lyrical input from Mundi, but typically for a Rong release the majority of tracks here are equally ripe for club play. The intricate polyrhythmic chug of “He Wants To Make To Himself” and the rasping Diwali Latin techno shudder of “Bundas Bom” in particular stand out as tracks that would demand your attention on the dancefloor, as does the previously released brilliance of “Dancing Disco 101”. Arriving in distinctive artwork courtesy of Lee Douglas himself, this is an album that deserves closer attention.
Another hotly tipped act to appear on Scuba’s Hotflush imprint, Sepalcure blend ambient soundscapes with lush melodies, hushed vocals and a deep, experimental post-dubstep sound that’s quite frankly, really rather wonderful. You may recognise them from their former constituent parts – Machinedrum (Travis Stewart) and Praveen (Praveen Sharma) – but the Brooklyn based duo, who recently marked their debut in Europe with their gig at Plan B in Brixton, have really come into their own as Sepalcure. They first emerged from the undergrowth using the new moniker late last summer with their Love Pressure EP, which stunned audiences across the globe and now they return with the highly anticipated follow up Fleur.
Kicking off with the EP’s title track, Sepalcure send us into a sublime headspace which is somewhere between contemporary hot shots like Mount Kimbie, Pariah and fellow yanks Vondelpark and Ninja Stalwarts like Cinematic Orchestra. Chiming instrumentals are paired with shimmying, faded out vocals and clipped woodblock beats. Next, “Your Love” takes things even more downbeat with echoing, reverbed atmospheric crackles and a warm, murmuring b-line yet there is a sense in which this track won’t settle – constantly fidgeting and looking towards the horizon until entering a contemplative passage towards the end. It leads us neatly into “No Think” – which could well be the defining track of the EP, what “Work Them” was to Ramadanman last summer. Here lurching 2-step rhythms hit home with great effect, the same shimmering, barely there vocals which saw before return and there’s an overwhelming sense of brooding darkness before a soulful element rounds it off. Divine. Finally, “Inside” closes the EP with a synth-soaked intro and short two-minute Flying Lotus style finale, incorporating string flourishes, muttering lyrics and warm ambient watercolour washes.
Those of you who love techno the most are in for a Valentines Day treat with the news that M Plant have enlisted the talents of James Ruskin to remix Robert Hood’s “Alpha”.
The legendary Roland TB-303 synthesizer is probably the most famous piece of kit in dance music’s history. Manufactured for a period of approximately eighteen months in the early eighties, it was far from an overnight success, failing to hit the spot with the guitarists it was marketed towards as a bass accompaniment.
Of all the mysterious techno that routinely shakes the Juno Plus office walls and permeates into the Burger King below, Swedish duo Skudge are right up there among our favourites.
For anyone bored of oversized venues jostling with lairy clubbers and willing to make the trek down to south London, new ‘house and bass’ night Fill Yer Boots at Plan B may be a welcome variation on usual weekend plans – a smooth move away from Hackney’s sweat-dripping ceilings exchanged for a decent sound system and lack of pill-heads.
Interesting developments over the weekend as Carl Craig responded to the uncredited usage of one of his productions on a mysterious twelve inch by re-editing the track in question and distributing it for free via his Soundcloud page.
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