Review:
Still Hot is an upcoming German label that focuses on a small coterie of artists. As this split release shows, it has succeeded in its mission to keep a tight focus on its select pool of talent. Alex Flatner's "Without You" is a deep, tranced out house groove featuring euphoric vocals, while at the other end of the tech-house spectrum, Benny Grauer delivers a moody, chord-heavy roller on "Absolute Alert" and Martin Eyerer's "Accessor" revolves around urgent percussion, a grinding synth riff and a skipping rhythm. Veteran German producer Martin Landsky brings the tempo and mood back down on the clanging bass and tonal bleeps of "Alpha Funk", while Mihai Popoviciu & Markus Homm end the release with the stripped back "June Tune".
Review:
Nuremberg's Markus Homm has released on a who's who of respected labels over the years such as Highgrade, 8 bit, Saved and Bondage but now makes his debut on Hamburg institution Poker Flat. Starting off with the rolling, driving and absolutely energetic title track: this one is perfect for the peak time. The energy level remains the same for the slinky and hypnotic "Dance With Me" featuring some smooth vocals that add to its overall euphoric qualities. Finally "Feel It" is a change of vibe altogether: this one is rather moody and more suited to the early evening or afterhours alike. With its dub techno influence all over the bassline, haunting chords and delay drenched textures: this is perfect mood lighting if we've ever heard it!
