Review: Third Ear deserves kudos for putting together this massive, 28-track compilation of Thomas Brinkmann's released and rare material. It serves as a reminder that the veteran German producer has been one of the most influential - but sometimes overlooked - names in European house and techno. From the wild cut-ups and rolling snares of disposable "Sur Ace" and the noisy, ebm-style "2 Sun" to the lopsided, melancholy grooves of "Crazy" and "Souls", the scope and range of Retrospektiv is impressive. The compilation also succeeds in providing a reminder that Brinkmann's dance floor credentials are impeccable and the quirky "What You're Doin" and the toy town synths and gentle white noise of "Isch" are as impressive as anything that Akufen produced.
Review: Ricardo Villalobos remixes Deardrum from Alejandro Mosso's album Isolation Diaries, recently released on hi-tech soul merchants Third Ear. Villalobos worked up a 40 minute jam from this nine minute section, which moves from a gentle pattering of sounds into a full on Villalobos style groove; taut and slinky at the same time, but irresistibly funky. The jam then subsides into chattering noises before the groove begins again. Burnt Friedman's remix of "Isolation Diaries" is a slow burning/super funky jam with classic dub elements you've come to expect from the German artist: laced through the track together with a twisted and phased melody. The closing track from the album "Mounivers" completes this fine release.?
Review: It's been six years since US producer Alland Byallo's debut album was released, but not much has changed. That's not necessarily a bad thing; the former San Francisco resident excels at making soft-focused, organic electronic music and Bones Flesh is full of such moments. From the hazy ambience of "Looking Long" through the mushy chords and melodies of "Sah" and into the blissed out "Fool Me Twice", Byallo's second album is full of seductive, melodic textures. That's not to suggest that he shies away from the dance floor - as the warbling synths and rubbery groove of "Beguine" and the drunken bass of "Singularity" both demonstrate - but this album's real strengths lie in the blurred sound scapes and murmuring vocals of "Periphery" or on the haunting chord sweeps of "Tomb Tomb".
Review: Swedish producer Patrik Skoog throws a curveball on his debut album. Eschewing the dance floor for the large part, Exit Earth is located at techno's fringes. "Cluster 34" and "Inside Jupiter's Eye" are deep, space transmissions, while "Voyager, Part 1" and "Voyager, Part 2" start as atmospheric arrangements before evolving into teased out, acid-drenched dub techno grooves. There are some nods to Skoog's more conventional techno leanings - with the deep, metallic early-Sterac groove of "Cygnus A" and the droning "Death Of A Pulsar" impressing most - but as the white noise hiss and crackle of "Radio Emissions" shows, for this outing, Skoog remains at Earth's outer limits.
Review: Third Ear continue their fine form by giving us a remastered reissue of two remixes which have inspired just about everyone in the game. Both versions of "Falling Up" are given an ante up by Stefan Betke and although there isn't really a way to make these tracks any better, the man does a fine engineering job indeed! Carl Craig's take on it is almost too much of a classic to be described into words - if you haven't heard it then shame on thou! Theo Parrish has similarly created a timeless infusion of atmospheric broken beats and deliciously placed sample snippets.
Review: What will this kid come up with next? Following a groundbreaking two tracker on Hyperdub and a melodic house remix of the Hundred in the Hands on Warp, Kyle Hall returns with the Must See EP on UK house label Third Ear. The title track maintains the raw vibe that Hall brings to his productions - be it jazz, house or dubstep - with an oh-so Detroit bassline, swirling synths and catchy claps. "Ghosten" sounds like an ode to someone or something lost, and shows Hall is just not all carefree enthusiasm - he knows how to get melancholic too. "Osc_2" keeps it restrained but with a shuffling high hat and hint of squelchiness in the bassline - it's tense and foreboding stuff - while "Body Of Water" rounds off the EP in a brilliant manner. Simply put, the Must See EP is a must listen.
Review: 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.
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