Review: Zurich based DJ and producer Jimi Jules is one of the most promising upcoming artists within the international underground. With previous releases on top labels like Superfriends, Cocoon and local imprint Zukunft - he tops all that by being picked as selector for esteemed Berlin institution Watergate's 24th mix album. Here we get treated to a few exclusives: first we have Jules & Jesaya's +4 BPM Update of Ame's "119 BPM", there's also his collaboration with Domenico Ferrari on the sleazy lo-slung pop of "Parkuhr". Then, we soon discover its almost entirely a Jimi Jules affair (naturlich!) with his remix of Swiss/German duo Egopusher's "Flake" (venturing into truly sublime territory) and the dreamy and bittersweet tones of Ed Ed & Petja Virikko's "Sundroina" (feat Jinadu).
Review: Ed Ed of Canada is now based in Berlin and has appeared thus far on the likes of Noir, DFTD, Bedrock, Defected and can now add Sasse's always impressive Moodmusic to the list. This guy's one to watch and he delivers the goods again on the Nanaimo EP: four dark journey tracks engineered for pure dancefloor euphoria. The title track's soaring synth leads, rich tapestry of pads and humming bass ticks all the right boxes. "Lilly" gets even more epic, building the vibe gracefully and that synth lead has some serious 'wonk' in it, wicked! "Sentinel" offers a bit more in variation on this fairly stripped and skinky tech house cut that's perfect to build the set pre-peak time.
Review: Sasse aka Freestyle Man's Moodmusic has been releasing sleek and sexy tech house of the deeper variety successfully since 1996. Having moved from Finland to, you guessed it; Berlin several years ago, the label has done a fine job of staying contemporary and here's another great example. Latest recruit Ed Ed delivers some progressive and atmospheric grooves on the Nunchi EP. First track "Zoo" is testament to this and will mix well between anthing by Recondite or Mind Against easily. The infectious and razor sharp bassline of "Delta" begs your attention too. "Monti" is a dark and brooding effort whose layers of rich synth leads and arpeggios build to truly captivating climax.
Review: Canadian expat in Berlin Ed Ed teams up with Finnish expat in the same city Kiki, who is usually affiliated with local institution Bpitch Control for these two new tracks on Sasse's Moodmusic. The woozy and smooth rolling tech house of "Day Of Drones" is perfect to set the early evening mood, with its trippy vocal loops and wonky synths. The remix up next by Clink boss Camea is much fiercer and suited to the peak time with its adrenalised 909 beat accompanying those wonky synths to great effect. Second original offering "Wave Of Drones" is a dark journey track that is really in harmony with the current sound of Berlin at present. Finally London duo Azimute's remix breathes even more nefarious vibes into the track sounding like a one way ticket to hell and back!
Review: Get Physical role into the new year with an ode to the past of a pretty one good just gone with a 2019 various artist compilation drawing upon the straight up club manner of the label alongside some curios from the year that was. These special interest tracks include the refreshingly cosmic aqua italo remix of Soul Spaces' "Lotus Eater", tomping soft club kicks adding that extra touch. There's acoustic fringe funk and atmospheric numbers to go by on Daniel Dubb and DJ T account, with sparse, reduced minimal taking up abstract forms in Enzo Leep & Alffie's "Morning Fragments". Always deep always trippy, the compilation goes off like fireworks on your new year's eve!
Review: The boss is back! The legendary UK pioneer and Bedrock head honcho gives us a live set from Canada's second city, complete with crowd noise. Digweed's knack for sniffing out the most cutting edge progressive and tech house grooves is second to none and you can bet that this set is chock block full of narrative, innovative grooves: one journey you'll never forget! Featuring contributions from Germany's Recondite ("Tame"/"Baro"), Glasgow's Sei A ("You Can Bring"), Berlin's Smash TV ("Cascadia"/"God Key") and Los Angeles' Eagles & Butterflies amongst a host of other big names. Also comes as six continuous mixes for your listening pleasure. Enjoy!
