Set It Off (Justin Martin Party Starter remix) - (5:45) 123 BPM
Review: Justin Martin has dropped onto US label Dirtybird on remix duties for Strafe, furnishing a two-tracker that takes a dual approach to Strafe's Set it Off. The first remix is the slightly more relaxed of the two; imagine a classic rave sound merged with retro-esque stabs and melodies that leaves you plenty of space to move but still packs a bubbly bassline that evolves in tandem. Justin Martin's Party Starter Remix then lays down the real heat, a long intro gets you excited before twists of low-frequency bounce entwine with a proper funk injection. Suspenseful and driving, this is house that'll satisfy pretty much everyone.
Review: Hagelstein is one of the most respected German minimal house producers, and his relationship with Watergate goes back a few years. On his latest venture for the Berlin label, he ventures far down the trippy path. "Dematerialize" featuring Justin Evans, is a psychedelic slice of modern house that resounds to acid-inspired gurgles unfolding over a pulsating groove. "Forward Vision" is a more heads-down affair and sees Hagelstein serve up a brooding, atmospheric minimal house track that climaxes to a wild acid segue, while the label has also tapped Martin Buttrich to rework "Dematerialize". In his hands, it turns into a linear, wiry groove that's even more bugged out than the original.
Review: Dirtybird has commissioned remixes of tracks from Walker & Royce's 2017 debut album - and the results are mind-blowing. Jon Tejada, best known for his deep, minimal techno work on Palette and Poker Flat, drops two takes on "My Own Thang". The first, which still features Sophiegrophy's rhymes, is a busy but distinctive workout, while the US producer's elastic bass and spacious drum programming really come to the fore on the dub version. In contrast, Justin Martin & Ardalan's dub take on "Can You Pass That?" is more in keeping with the Dirtybird style, as psychedelic bass tones and a grinding rhythm makes for a wild ride. Walker & Royce's own take on "Role Models" is also distinctive, with a spaced out acid line underpinning the geeky vocals.
Review: It's been another great year for Catz 'N' Dogz's Pets Recordings imprint. If you missed any of the Polish imprint's many essential releases, fear not, as help is at hand via this top-notch round up of their biggest cuts of 2019. There are naturally plenty of contributions from the label's popular head honchos, with highlights including Andhim's evocative, acid-sporting vocal remix of "Would You Believe", a suspenseful contemporary dream house rework of "There" by Terr and a deliciously retro-futurist house take on "New Love" by Gerd Janson. Elsewhere, top picks include the warehouse-ready throb of Truncate's "Pressure", the pitched-down darkroom chug of "Rattlesnake" by Psychemagik and the drowsy deep house/UK garage fusion of Black Loops' "Keep A Secret".
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