Review: K7's DJ Kicks compilation series is given a new makeover with their latest juggernaut from London-based electronic deviant, Actress, who gives one of his rare appearances out of the live format and onto the decks. As expected, the techno shape-shifter puts through a diverse mix of 20-plus tracks spanning old-school Chicago house to more contemporary experimental techno and ambient-filtered dance music. This continuous DJ mix includes vintage Detroit techno from Reel By Real, distorted outsider disco from the Shit & Shine crew, Gherkin Jerk's "Red Planet" and a new cut from the man himself, "Bird Matrix". It's safe to say that this mix is comprehensive of the current state of affairs in the techno world: cuts ranging from the distorted house of Breaker 1 2, golden era electronica from Autechre, TTT's Zennor, Germany's STL and even PPU affiliate Moon B! An essential collection of music from 2015, highly recommended, of course!
Review: There's much to admire about Kamaal Williams' contribution to the long running DJ Kicks series, not least the producer, DJ and keyboardist's blend of self-made exclusives (both under his name and his alternative Henry Wu alias) and largely overlooked gems. Highlights in the former category include a stunning live version of "Snitches Brew", the jazzy Latin house of "Projections" (a Henry Wu hook-up with Earl Jeffers) and "Lowrider", a jazz guitar-propelled cut from his collaborative Yusuf Kamaal project. In the latter category, we'd suggest wrapping your ears around Awanto 3's dusty and ultra-deep "Pregnant", the deep jazz-funk bliss of Diggs Duke's "Cause I Love You", the up-tempo dancefloor soul of Peven Everett's "Stuck" and the slow motion wonder that is Steve Spacek's "Hey There".
Review: This an altogether epic offering from Deetron; a vast collection of un-mixed tracks from his brilliant DJ Kicks mix (naturally included as a bonus cut) that is little less than a lesson in the evolution of techno over the last three decades. Amongst the 38 tracks you'll find fine representatives of a myriad of sub-genres (intelligent techno, dub techno, IDM, ambient techno, gospel techno, and so on), as well as past, present and future classics (Damier and Trent's "Morning Factory", Spacetime Continuum's "Swing Factory", Mark Ernestus's recent Equinoxx remix, the Motor City bliss of Rhythim is Rhythim AKA Derrick May's "Ka-o-tic Harmony", a brilliant old Black Dog Productions workout). In other words, it's a breathlessly brilliant collection of both well-known and obscure gems. It comes heartily recommended.
Review: 1990s sitcom fan turned lo-fi deep house royalty DJ Seinfeld is the latest selector to contribute to K7's long-running DJ Kicks series. This digital download edition naturally contains his mix - a hugely entertaining musical voyage rich in dreamy chords, bustling breakbeats, groovy deep house workouts, skewed techno and post-IDM curiosities - as well as all 21 tracks in unmixed, full-length, DJ-friendly form. Highlights are plentiful and include the downtempo bliss of the producer's own "I See You", the bass-heavy breakbeat/deep house fusion of Rudolf C's "Deep C Survivor", the quirky electronics and low-slung grooves of Falty DL's "Freak Acid" and the loved-up wonder that is Project Pablo's "Who's It For?"
Review: A slightly confusing talent roster here, as New York-based producer Photay teams up with members of UK Afro-Latin dance band Penya as WEMA, then recruits Tanzanian gogo star Msafiri Zawose and London's Marysia Osu to take care of vocal and harp duties respectively. The Acoustic Version of 'ZEZE' is a melancholy, mournful piano-and-voice piece, the Photay Version adds rolling hand percussion and exotic-sounding wind instruments, but it's the Middle Eastern-tinged Magnus PI Version that stands out to these ears, and that's no doubt coming soon to a chill-out room near you.
Review: !K7 continue to celebrate The Exclusives DJ Mix series that takes a 'best of' selection of tracks that were produced and performed by the DJs who mixed some of the earlier DJ-Kicks albums. Highlights here include the moody ballroom house of Jayda G's "All I Need", Cinthie's all time classic "Organ" to Leon Vynehall's deeply seductive "Ducee's Drawbar". Mr. Scruff & CyberPunkJazz make the cut with their space oddity "3001: A Space Disco Remix" next to some higher tempo experimetalisms from Laurel Halo's "Sweetie" - and let's not leave out a rare Robert Hood number via the etroit legend's dubbed out "Focus". That, and much more!
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