Review: Fresh from outings on 8Bit and Dirtybird, Audiojack return to the label they established way back in 2010, Gruuv. In keeping with the Yorkshire-raised duo's outings on the imprint, it's a tightly focused and club ready two-tracker. First up is 'Somebody', a rumbling, body-moving slab of 1997 speed garage revivalism - all Armand Van Helden 'dark garage' bass, dark synth strings, echoing vocal snippets and chunky house drums - which sounds like a genuine peak-time anthem in the making. They continue the "arms aloft" vibes on the similarly large title track, 'Release Yourself', which mixes vintage UK garage influences with nods to contemporaneous big room NYC house sounds.
Review: Global Underground's' Select' series acts as a kind of annual nod to all the electronic music that floats their boat, with each digital download edition offering two (uncredited) CD-length mixes and full then versions of each included cut. 2024's edition - volume nine in total - is naturally packed to the rafters with tasty tracks from both established producers and rising stars. That means an attractive, immersive and frequently emotive mix of ambient-tinged deep electro (Pablo Bolivar & Nacho Sanchez), evocative tech-house (Dixon re-working Nandu's 'Around', Guy J's hypnotic, acid-flecked 'State of Trance'),pitched-down neo-trance dreaminess (Joris Voorn editing Solee), grandiose big room workouts (Fur Coat & Lexur), 21st century acid house (Phunkadelica remixing Damon Jee), and uplifting progressive house (D-Nox).
Review: Buoyed by outings on Dirtybird, 8Bit Records and Crosstown Rebels, long-serving Leeds duo Audiojack make their bow on Shall Not Fade. They're in confident, all-action mode from the word go, peppering a funk-fuelled breakbeat with new age ambient melodies, mutant bass and eyes-closed female vocals on lead cut 'Hooked', before exploring dreamier and more psychedelic breakbeat house pastures on 'Rise Up' (check the speed garage influenced bassline that drops midway through). Elsewhere, 'Haze' is a subtly bassline-influenced chunk of tech-tinged deep house heaviness, and 'Bring It Back' is an energy-packed fusion of mind-mangling tech-house sounds, tactile chords, female vocal samples and warped speed garage bass.
Review: To celebrate Toolroom's return to the electronic music hub that is Amsterdam Dance Event, the label has compiled a selection of essential music, featuring some of the best underground cuts of the moment. Included are two continuous house and tech house mixes exploring the plethora of tunes presented - 50 to be exact - not to mention six exclusive tracks from talents. There's Kideko's trumpet led uplifting house workout "Free", Carly Wilford with the sweltering tribal tech house of "Burning Night" and Carly Carmen getting deep with some late night mood music - plus many more.
Review: Ibiza-based Leeds lads Audiojack can usually be relied on to deliver the goods. Predictably, they've nailed it with their latest release, which is remarkably their first EP of 2021. The experienced duo hits the ground running with 'Vertigo', a sharp, acid bass-propelled stomp which comes backed to the rafters with crunchy house drums, echoing vocal snippets, drowsy chords and squeezable synth riffs. They opt for a far jollier and cheerier sound on 'Missing', where chiming lead lines and nagging electronic loops ride a deliciously retro-futurist bassline and sweaty, non-stop house drums. Arguably best of all though is closing cut 'Foundations', a glorious fusion of punchy '80s electro drums, analogue synth sounds, giddy electronic riffs and early Orbital style melodic movements. Brilliant stuff all told.
Review: Following up the lead single "Under Your Skin" with Kevin Knapp, veteran duo Audiojack of Gruuv Recordings fame finally unveil their full length album on Crosstown Rebels. The Leeds natives James Rial and Richard Burkinshaw last served up an LP back in 2009, so it's another career high for the pair and features a diverse array of moods and grooves across 10 tracks. From the balearic downbeat chill vibe of "Binaural Dreaming", to the funky and bass-driven tech house of "Easy Rider" or similarly the acid laced "Psychoactive" (Part 1) which are more typical of the pair. Not to mention the utterly euphoric second single "Feels Good" featuring vocalist Jem Cooke, its a cohesive effort by these staples of the Ibiza party circuit.
Review: Earlier in the year Audiojack teased their forthcoming second album, Surface Tension - their first full-length excursion for 12 years - with a pleasingly off-kilter and bass-heavy cut featuring an atmospheric vocal from Kevin Knapp. 'Feels Good', which features storied singer Jem Cooke, is also taken from Surface Tension. It's arguably even better than its predecessor, with Cooke's delay-laden vocals riding crunchy drum machine percussion, ghostly chords and a restless, rolling electronic bassline. The accompanying Patrice Baumel remix is simply stunning, too, with twinkling piano motifs and atmospheric stabs rising above a smoother but weightier, kick-drum driven groove. As it progresses, Baumel introduces sparkling synths and richer chords, taking an already excellent track into the stratosphere.
Review: Crosstown Rebels follows up a killer album by drum & bass legend DJ Krust with this new one by Gruuv main men Audiojack, who team up with American expat in Berlin Kevin Knapp. The result is "Under Your Skin", an off-kilter and experimental cut that's quite unlike anything you've heard from the producers before, with its intoxicating and bass-driven vibe that's perfect for the chill-out or warm-up alike. With this in mind, it receives a remix from quite the suitable candidate in the form of Pearson Sound. The UK bass hero taking the track into the more hypnotic realms in pursuit of his typically low end theories.
Review: Audiojack decided to lose themselves in production during lockdown in order to escape from the daily reality of coronavirus, and Introspection is the first release from that period. It sees the UK pair team up with Polarbear, who delivers a fantastic stream of consciousness narrative about uncertainty and self-doubt over a linear rhythm and a bubbling bass. The label has tapped Nick Curly to remix "Introspection" and the German producer does a fine job, adding some airy synths to create a deeper and more atmospheric version. This is the first in a series of Audiojack releases recorded during lockdown - and "Introspection" has set a high bar.
Review: Toolroom is back with the second instalment of the 'House Party' series, with Chicago veteran Gene Farris, the enigmatic Wh0 and ascendant duo Raumakustik closing out the summer in style with their respective mixes. Featuring 80 tracks from leading international names including Carl Cox who goes for a minimal vibe on his remix of Hannah Wants & Kevin Knapp's "Call Me", Hot Since 82 serves up something different than usual on the summertime vibe of "Rise", Saved chief Nic Fanciulli gets some spiritual and life-affirming vibes in effect on "Virgo", Hamburg disco stu Tensnake gives Dombresky & Boston Bun's "Stronger" a neon-lit makeover and label boss Mark Knight impresses with the funky house anthem "Tonight" ft. Chenai and Mr. V.
Review: Leeds legends Audiojack return to Josh Butler's ORIGINS RCRDS to deliver some riveting new material, after a slew of top releases for the likes of Crosstown Rebels, Hot Creations and Knee Deep In Sound over recent years - not to mention running their own well respected Gruuv label. They deliver two tracks, with "No More" kicking off proceedings with its soulful Detroit inspired vibe, not limited to an epic and emotive chord progression that has to be heard. This is followed up by the high-octane adrenaliser that is "On The Run". This proves that the duo are still true experts of rocking the main room at peak time - slinky and hypnotic UK tech-house at its best.
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