The Weather's Shit, So I've Been Writing

Title: Dettmann
Artist: Marcel Dettmann
Label: Ostgut Ton
Cat Number: OSTGUTLP05
Genre: Techno

Quasi Intro
Argon
Screen
Motive
Drawing
Reticle
Irritant
Captivate
Silex
Home
Viscous
Taris Outro

Absolute belter of a record this. OK, I know that doesn't sound like a sophisticated piece of adulation for what is, to its followers at least, an exercise in intellectual rigour, but first impressions, if they count for anything, are very positive. The titles say a lot; single words designed to conjure up images from minimal output, as is the music. Funky, minimal, gritty, industrial, dirty, I could go on, beautiful and dark though. Evocative of controlled, repressed rage . . .'Captivate', funky as funk, 'Silex' features a foundation of demon voices that fester just beneath the surface. 'Irritant' is proper insect techno. I could go on . . . Luke Slater's Planetary Assault Systems hand is, as has been hinted, a very obvious influence but, even though not maybe as obvious, so is Jeff Mills', as this record falls just as much into the category of ambient as techno and Mills is one of that brance's greatest practitioners. Dubstep is also present, as on 'Home' but with a cosmic touch, and where did he get the dense, scratchy foghorn on 'Viscous'?



The aural equivalent of Man Ray's "Dust Breeding."



Title: Doloria
Artist: Dyed Soundorom
Label: Eklo Tools
Cat Number:
Genre: House

Doloria
Dakatine

It's not called Eklo Tools for nothing you know. What you get here are two pieces of meat and potatoes tech-house (whatever that may be). Meat and potatoes implies something bog standard, but these two jams are as good as most within the genre. No real vocals, but voices are present. My favourite here is 'Dakatine' which is wonky and funky enough for anyone. It's darker and more driving than 'Doloria' which has a quirkiness similar to the 'Playmaker' remix. Messy, insistent and just the ticket for the discerning druggy dancefloor.



Title: Greatest Tits EP
Artist: Maayan Nidam
Label: Wolf & Lamb
Cat Number: WLM010
Genre: House

A1: Isitin
A2: Merry Go Round
B1: Na Und
B2: Better Stop

No surprise that Mayaan Nidam's first release for Wolf & Lamb goes down a disco route. 'Isitin' is a simple but very effective loop with funk in abundance. 'Merry Go Round' is the kind of funky, seventies dawn-of-disco get your knickers off slow jam they love. Is that a Barry White sample? Answers on a postcard please. 'Na Und' is an abstract piece of jazz that may or may not have sampled Ron Carter on bass. Nice piano tinkles cascade through most of it but it's a bit of an oddity, while 'Better Stop' comes across like a stoned, West Coast hip-hop jam, with some disembodied voices in the mix. Essential for that feeling of out and out disorientation. A game of two halves, but an interesting one.



Title: Prototype
Artist: Herman
Label: Fine Art
Cat Number:
Genre: House

Prototype
April Skies

A release of evocative, dancefloor-friendly electronica. 'April Skies' has a batacuda rhythm running through it that mutates and invokes restrained crescendos that keep the drama within reasonable limits. 'Prototype' is a lovely fusion of house and electro that is similar to 'April Skies' in tempo but slightly deeper and moodier. A nice double-header from Fine Art that's more big room than you may have come to expect.



Title: Slow Days
Artist: Yasuo Sato
Label: Logos
Cat Number: LOGOS025
Genre: Techno

A Life With You
Eternal Sky
I Found My Own Place In Her Love
I Will Go To The Place Where You Live On
Island
Love Ya Groove
Monochrome Pictures
Slow And Smooth
The 36th Scene
Tomorrow

Nice release from Logos, albeit a little predictable. Very obviously Detroit influenced techno lovingly observed by Sato, which, while being wonderfully produced lacks edge. There's nothing to really dislike here but it's a little too nice and processed. Perfect summer evening listening, or sunrise music on nice acid, but that's not really what I listen to techno for most of the time. Some nice bits here though; notably 'Monochrome Pictures' which is balearic techno on a plate, and 'Love Ya Groove', euphiric techno from the school of synth stabs. 'The 36th Scene' and 'Tomorrow' are also worth a mention but 'Slow And Smooth' encapsulates all of my reservations regarding this release.

More Fuel

Title: Birds & Souls EP
Artist: Birds & Souls
Label: Spectral
Cat Number: SPC-91
Genre: House

1: Birds & Souls
2: Birds & Souls (Runaway)
3: Birds & Souls (Birds & Beats Extended Version)

A staple in Seth Troxler's sets late last year and early this, and so much a stand-out that much frenetic forum wanking greeted its inclusion in a mix, 'Birds And Souls' while being a great track faces the possibility of being played - out before it even gets a release. I'm not sure myself, but I think that unless it's completely fresh to the ears of those about to hear it it may be given short shrift by a large minority already in search of the next big tune. In any case, it's brilliant, as much a hands in the air rock anthem as a house one. The 'Runaway' version takes things down a dubbier and more conventionally deep house path, and is very good in its own right, while the 'Birds And Beats Extended Version' isn't extended and is more like a radio edit. What's that all about, eh? Deserves to be on whatever poor excuse for a chart show is being shown at the moment and to sweep all before it.





Title: Strongholds (Cast 'Em Down)
Artist: Gerald Mitchell
Label: Still Music Chicago
Cat Number: STILLM028
Genre: House

A1: Strongholds (Cast 'Em Down)
A2: Fly High Like Eagles
B1: Strongholds (Marcus Worgull Mainframe mix)

Soulful release from UR member and Los Hermanos founder Mitchell. 'Soul Saver' was were he made his first real mark, back in 1997 and since then his releases have been characterised by an emotive, housey sensibility. Like Octave One, deceptively simple in structure but with clever chord changes the order of the day a winning formula has been found that's difficult to beat. 'Strongholds (Cast 'Em Down)' and 'Fly Like An Eagle' both very typical of the genre. Percussive, driving, jazzy monsters that are difficult to resist on the dancefloor. The real star of the show though is 'Strongholds (Marcus Worgull Mainframe mix)' which tweaks everything and embellishes with emotion. A good, if slightly predictalble, release, with the remix standing out.




Title: STL & His Quest For Sound
Artist: STL
Label: Something
Cat Number: Something 12
Genre: Deep House

A1: Night Sky Watching
A2: Jump And Run
A3: Loop A
B1: What The Heck
B2: Cranky
B3: Can U Hear Me?
B4: Loop B
C1: Come Together
C2: Bedroom Scientist
C3: Loop C
D1: Down The Street
D2: Third Ear
D3: Loop D

I love STL and his take on house, which seems to sit midway between hauntology and studied lo-fi. Stephan Laubner comes across as being an enigma even to himself. Why does he make music and for whom? Is it possible that the tempo is upped on this release and that it may be his most dance floor - friendly yet? The other worldly funk and "Outer Limits" noises that permeate most of his output are al present and correct but there's definitely something else lingering in the background. There are elements of dubstep in the off-kilter meanderings of 'Night Sky Watching' 'Cranky' is an excellent little metronomic piece of electro reduction and along with, 'Jump And Run' is as op-en an invitation to dance as STL is capable of giving. This is the first record. The second descends into more familiar aqueous worlds, and creates an ambience more in keeping with the general impression of this most individual of artists. And then there are the ubiquitous loops. A great touch. I left one on all night by mistake and thought I had burglars.





Title: Real House Music
Artist: DJ Jus' Ed vs DJ Qu
Label: Underground Quality
Cat Number: UQ-027
Genre: Deep House

1A: Runwitit by DJ Qu
2A: All Across The Floor
1B: Retrace Your Life by Jus' Ed
2B: Jusnotic by Jus' Ed

A minimal, mysterious and very rhythmic sound built for customising and mixing is what we have here. This is how STL could sound if he injected his music with cocaine instead of heroin. 'Runwitwit' and 'All Across The Floor' are genius. I don't know why I' saying this as I've heard plenty of similar tracks in my time. Maybe It's just because if I'd made them I'd feel very proud. 'Retrace Your Life' and 'Jusnotic' although not as much to my liking as the tunes on the A side, are still excellent, especially 'Jusnotic.' Jus' Ed and his cohorts have made this deep, techno-influenced house sound so much their own that soon there will be sequencers and software made with Jus' Ed plug-ins or buttons.



Title: Fabric 52: Optimo (Espacio)
Artist: VA
Label: Fabric
Cat Number: Fabric52
Genre: Mix CD/Genre Mash-up


01. Fad Gadget - Lady Shave
02. Discodromo - Cosmorama (Prins Thomas Discomiks)
03. Basic Channel - Q1.1
04. Spencer Parker - YOGOTO
05. Locussolus - Gunship
06. Rebolledo - Amigos Cómeme
07. The Minister - Jack Your Bodey House Your Mind
08. Altz - Get It Down!
09. Thomas Brinkmann - Walk With Me
10. Rheingold - Dreiklangsdimensionen
11. Capablanca & T Keeler - La Konk Fiesta
12. Roska - Feeline
13. Cumbia Moderna De Soledad - Shacalao
14. The Tyrell Corporation - Together Alone
15. Roni Griffith - Spys
16. Levon Vincent - Love Technique
17. Oni Ayhun - OAR003-B
18. Desire - Don't Call
19. Crazy Cousinz - Inflation
20. Matias Aguayo - Walter Neff
21. Nakion - Heartbit
22. Xex - Heartbeat



Without having to listen through each Optimo CD in my possession in order to make qualified comparisons, Fabric 52 does seem to be a very cohesive collection, which is something I'm always subconsciously looking for when listening to such a mix. There's very little sonic jarring here and 'tings flow very nicely. Some lovely transitions and some pregnant pauses while one waits for the bass to kick in. Of course. like a real hat trick is a goal with each foot and the head, a real mix should, maybe, also exhibit polyvalent tendencies designed to show off and entertain. Turntablism this isn't, but deft editing it is. Suffice to say it wouldn't be easy to create such a montage without the use of cutting-edge digital technology, and such software is very necessary to elevate the music even higher than normal and to really emphasise the programming, which is strongly evident in every chord and note throughout its fluid journey. Less anarchic than previous earlier commercially-available mixes, it's probably the reason why this particular release falls well within Fabric's Saturday night rubric. A very solid release, full of interesting moments that continues Fabric's strong, recent run.

Beat Perfect? 1

Can be downloaded here.

New Fuel

Well, there's been a relative dearth of good mixes to post recently, but like buses they all seem to turn up at once. Here are a few that have crossed my path in the last week.




Jamie Jones At Plastic People: 16.4.10

Came across this one today via Jamie's Facebook page. Recorded last Friday at Plastic People when, because of the cursed cloud of volcanic ash, he stood in for Motor City Drum Ensemble. Germany's loss is our gain, as far too few of his sets are readily available. This is the most recent I've come across since the Essential Mix back at the beginning of October.




Soul Clap At Sunday School For Degenerates WMC 2010

Episode 70 of "The Adventures Of Soul Clap Podcast." A series updated more often than the Wolf & Lamb one and just as good. This tumbled into my ITunes player yesterday. Subscribe to the whole series. It's well worth it.




Seth Troxler At Fabric On & On: 6.3.10

Part of one of Seth Troxler's set at Fabric during their marathon weekend at the beginning of March. Reminds me of a young Derrick Carter does Mr Troxler. He has the same feel for the music as DC and. as mentioned in a previous post, also has a great ear for an interesting vocal.




Lee Curtiss Afterhours Radio Show: 12.12.09

Not as hot off the press as the previous three offerings, but incredibly relevant nonetheless. Lee Curtiss and his libidinous brand of tech funk from a few months back.

Cacophonous Broadcast: 3

Cacophonous Broadcast 3 is available to download. Link here.

Andrew Weatherall Live Electrics ll 1998

Next on the vintage cassette set upload we've got the quintessential English spinner, Andy Weatherall. I remember the night this piece of plastic was put in my hand. I used to live in Brixton, St Matthew's Road to be precise. Some friends of mine were down from Wallasey, Mssrs Pulford and Hurst (although Hurst was a London resident at the time), and we made the short walk up to the George lV on Brixton Hill. Mr Weatherall was playing with James Ruskin, who used to have a Blueprint label night there. In any case, champion of the mixtape freebie on the door that he was/is, we were given a copy of the cassette that I've digitized for your listening pleasure. I think it was Helene, Hursty's then sort of missus, that was given it and I managed to blag it off her. It's very good, particularly the second side which owes a heavy debt to the Detroit electro sounds of the era. Sorry, no tracklist.

Andy's rather hirsute on the accompanying photo, a little different from what he looked like back then. I particularly like the tattoo on his forearm. I wouldn't have put him down as an All Spice man.

I can't remember what the night itself was called. If anyone can, please get in touch.

Live Electrics ll 1998 1: Andy Weatherall by Cacophonousbling on Mixcloud

Live Electrics ll 1998 2: Andy Weatherall by Cacophonousbling on Mixcloud

Ron Hardy At The Music Box

So, as promised last week, here's another from the vaults. This time it's Ron Hardy from The Music Box some time in the mid-to-late eighties. Quality isn't great, but as there aren't too many of his sets around it's something that's worth putting up with. I think this is already floating around on the interweb, but I could be wrong. Next it'll be Andy Weatherall from the late nineties and some Live Electrics.

The Music Box 1 Ron Hardy by Cacophonousbling on Mixcloud

The Music Box 2 - Ron Hardy by Cacophonousbling on Mixcloud

A Bunch Of Five

Title: Distance Against Time
Artist: Patrice Scott
Label: Sistrum
Cat Number: SIS011
Genre: Deep House

A1: Eclipse
A2: Eclipse Beats
B: Distance Against Time

If there's anyone out there making more emotive, fragile, psychedelic, deep house than Patrice Scott at the moment, then I've yet to hear him/her (OK, maybe Keith Worthy). I can't praise this EP highly enough. Everything falls into place at just the right moment. These tracks are an object lesson in less is more. Deep as you like but with their constituent elements carefully chosen, as space-age and modern as can be, but with a simultaneous feeling of nostalgia guaranteed to provoke unrequited longing, it's all here. We are often accused of falling on our knees and venerating Detroit just for what it is, but when it effortlessly turns out artists of this calibre it's easy to see why. A wonderfully evocative piece of distilled electronic bliss.



Title: Hispanic Causin' Panic
Artist: Hector
Label: 8-Bit
Cat Number: 8Bit030
Genre: Tech-House

A: La Buena Onda
B1: Suavecito (Nick Curly remix)
B2: Suavecito

Clocking in at around ten minutes, 'La Buena Onda' has everything I like about a tribal tech house track. Galloping rhythm, earnest vocal snippets, and an energy that has you visualising yourself dancing like a wild animal on some messy, drug washed dancefloor. It's no-holds barred tuneage of the highest order and should only be indulged in when completely off it or if not afraid to be seen gurning. 8-Bit is often generic, but this is one of its strengths, because when it gets it right it's on the money. And who should pop up on 'Suavecito' remix duties, but label boss Nick Curly; he does a good job too, but fails to match 'La Buena Onda' for hands-in-the-air abandon. The original of the aforementioned track brings to mind that Joeski track on Maya that I can't quite remember the name of (it's around here somewhere, just give me a few days . . .), and as the two artists share a latin-American heritage it's hardly surprising that they should share influences. Best track on 8-Bit for a long time.



Title: Ruckus EP
Artist: Jamie Jones
Label: Hot Creations
Cat Number: HC001
Genre: House

A1: Ruckus
A2: Ruckus (Discoid Dub) [Vinyl Only]
B1: Say What?
B2: Masterplans

Hot Creations extends itself like a plant stem captured by time lapse photography to become the publishing vehicle for Hot Natured, aka Jamie Jones and Lee Foss. Jones has long had two sides to his character, that of deep tech-house don, as well as that of bass-led, funk/disco evangelist. Meeting Foss seems to have been a match made in heaven, as their mutual tastes seem to be so similar that hitting it off musically seems inevitable for a while to come yet. With the "Ruckus" EP they step things up pace-wise a little from what I've heard of their Hot Natured-themed sets to deliver four-tracks of slightly varying tempo, each of which is characterised by a funk and bass so simply effective it's difficult to describe without descending into pretentious platitudes. Squelchy disco breaks characterise the title track and dub, while an acid sensibility and laser-sharp stabs get the point across elsewhere. Music to dance to or you're dead. It's that simple.



Title: Untitled
Artist: VA
Label: Enypnion
Cat Number: env2
Genre: Techno

A1: Entra - Furthr
A2: Elevation - Irratio
A3: Away - Furthr
B1: This Music - Pegaz (2)
B2: High Above - Session View

"Faceless techno (minus the "bollocks")" is still on fine form, and it's represented here on a release from, if my memory serves me well, Poland. God, the chords, sounds, etc on Furthr's 'Entra' are so familiar and derivative, but in a good way. (Please excuse this more impressionistic of reviews.) Five tracks on a single piece of vinyl, snatches of machine moods that belong to a place always just that little bit out of reach. Like a collection of out takes considered to short to mix, this is a fine release of ambient, dubby technoid snapshots that have just the right amount of oomphf to stop them descending too far into the nether regions of dub techno. 'Away' is pitchblend-perfect narcoleptic Basic Channel with a lingering, bittersweet melody, and leads nicely into the slightly more uptempo B side where 'This Music' and 'High Above' invite you to a place that's bathed in analogue warmth and hearkens back to a time when the music was all that mattered. I like to listen to music like this with a glass of brandy and a fat one. How about you?



Title: Yes We Are EP
Artist: IFM
Label: Drumpoet Community
Cat Number: DPC028
Genre: Deep House

A1: Yes We Are
A2: Promise Land
B1: Yes We Are (Det-Riot mix)
B2: Yes We Are (Bonus Deep mix)

If you're going to sample Martin Luther King, try and find something that hasn't been said before. IFM, aka Marcello Napoletano & Franchesco Schito, unfortunately don't do this on 'Promise Land', thankfully the quality of the grooves carries one away from any notion of hackneyism. Napoletano has been a busy boy of late, with recent releases on Uzuri, (again as IFM) Mathematics and Quintessentials. He's obviously talented but I do occasionally have misgivings about his choices of spoken word, that on 'September 11' being another to forget. Not to worry, they are but a minor detail on this EP and don't in any way detract from its overall quality. All three versions of 'Yes We Are' offer something a little bit different. This release thrusts a bit more than his others . . .which is nice.

Electrifyin' Mojo & The Wizard On WJLB Radio Detroit

A cassette recording of one of the Electrifyin' Mojo's shows from 80s Detroit. No idea when exactly it was broadcast, but Run DMC "Raising Hell" era feature heavily, as does Prince and miscellaneous other hip-hop of the time, Doug E. Fresh, Slick Rick, etc. Jeff Mills as "The Wizard" is on the wheels of steel. The recording quality is predictably uneven, but not bad.

I've got some other cassette-only recordings to post. Next up, a recording of Ron Hardy at The Music Box. Soon come later, some pirate radio stuff from late 80s London.: Electrifyin' Mojo & The Wizard

It's in two parts. I was copying it while we had guests so couldn't listen as much as I would have liked, therefore fine detail eludes me. It's been a while since I played it so this was like a meeting with a long-lost friend. Make up your own minds as to its authenticity and quality.

WJLB Radio Detroit 1: Electrifyin' Mojo & The Wizard by Cacophonousbling on Mixcloud

WJLB Radio Detroit 2: Electrifyin' Mojo & The Wizard by Cacophonousbling on Mixcloud

Cacophonous Broadcast: 2

Is available to download here.

Reviews, Reviews, Reviews

Title: Halal Prepared Vol 1
Artist: VA
Label: Boe
Cat Number: BOE007
Genre: House

A1: Kiss The Sky - Kink
A2: Back Up - Iron Curtis
B1: Diamond - Ladzinski

Deep house just how I like it, with a kick and synthesis. Kink won't lose any of the new friends he's recently made with the impressive knee-in-the-bollocks funk of 'Kiss The Sky.' It's a game of two halves this one. Swirling Detroit-influenced synths, tinkling, spaced-out keys and that rimshot-driven percussion, so beloved of the seasoned warehouse party goer. 'Back Up' is a rougher cut, bogged down by thick synthetic squelches. This is no bad thing as a tense, stressed situation is created that makes the inevitable release feel all the better. Finally, Ladzinski rounds things off nicely, picking up the baton from Iron Curtis with renewed momentum with a hypnotic groover destined to take you clear through to the other side. For a perfect example of how depth can be a dancefloor weapon, look no further.





Title: Hush EP
Artist: Jimmy Edgar
Label: Glass Table
Cat Number:
Genre: Esoteric

Hush
Hush (Kyle's Detroit Retro Metro mix)
BThere

The first release from Hypercolour offshoot Glass Table, sees Detroit native Jimmy Edgar behind two slo-mo pieces of fragmentary disco ambience characterised by eponymous repetitive female vocals. Both OK in their own right, but both leaving you slightly underfed and dissatisfied. A little extra helping next time please Mr Edgar, even if it wasn't originally the point. The same cannot be said of current flavour of the month Kyle Hall. He can be very abstract and, dare I say, noodly, can Hall, but his remix of 'Hush' pushes all the right buttons and then some. Recognisably Detroit and very much on a house tip, this is still idiosyncratic enough to be refreshingly original. Lovely bass..



Title: Joint Custody EP
Artist: Gadi Mizrahi & Soul Clap
Label: Double Standard
Cat Number: DS01
Genre: House

A1: So Addicted To You - Gadi Mizrahi
A2: Yer Body (Kills Me) - Gadi Mizrahi & Soul Clap
B1: Funk Sex - Soul Clap
B2: Romantic Comedy - Gadi Maizrahi & Soul Clap

A vinyl-only release, the download of which was ripped from said plastic, all of which serves to envelop the sound in what can only be described as self-conscious analogue warmth. Whether this was intentional from the outset is neither here nor there. All good in any case as this release couldn't be more typical of the whole Wolf & Lamb/Soul Clap sound if it tried. Heaven forbid pigeonholing, or stereotyping, which is why I've referred to this release as very definitely house, rather than re-edits or a reinvention of the sensual, libidinous slowie, that end-of-night dance when you step up with your best girl and let the whole place know you're together. Maybe I'm saying that because the last time I ever indulged in such foreplay was a while back, when these tracks probably took their initial inspiration. In any case this is a good release, and has four tracks each diverse enough to make a difference on their respective floors or respective times. Nothing new as such, but reverent hands have been at work, and it shows.



Title: Soul Skool EP
Artist: Subb-an
Label: One Records
Cat Number: ONE003
Genre: House

A1: Soul Skool
B1: Soul Skool (Shaun Reeves remix)
B2: Tool 01
B3: Tool 02

It's a nice touch to incorporate tools into a release, but are they really necessary in this day and age of digital DJing and endless loops? One Records obviously think so, as this type of surprise has characterised all of their releases so far. I was reasonably impressed with Subb-an's first release on the label, 'The Musik' a lot less so with the second release by Little Fritter. This is, in its original form, a good old heads-down no-nonsense tech-house banger, driven forward by an insistent bass, subtle percussion and a gospel-inflected vocal. You can't go wrong with this. Shaun Reeves' remix slows things down and emphasises the bass so it throbs. Nice handclaps too. Things are a little bit spacier and dubbier and it's a decent rework.



Title: Your Reference To Positional Stability
Artist: Retail & Leisure
Label: Retail & Leisure
Cat Number: RNL001
Genre: Techno

A1: Your Reference To Positional Stability
B1: Your Reference To Positional Stability (Adrian Ross Augment)
B2: Track 3

City Centre Offices, Sandwell District, Forward Strategy Group and now Retail & Leisure. There are doubtless others who use technically obscure, and shadowy business/ council monikers to create an atmosphere of insect menace, but I can't be arsed looking them all up now. The title as well 'Your Reference To Positional Stability' creates an instant feeling of intrepidation before the record has even reached the turntable. Taking its cues from Axis, this track takes its inspiration from, amongst others, the mighty 'Growth' and goes forth to reside in a nether world of swirling winds and disembodied voices. The 'Adrian Ross Augment' doesn't, as its name suggests, improve on the original, just turns it into a bouncy, industrial symphony of of controlled discord. 'Track 3', so good they couldn't think of a name for it, is paced similarly to the 'Augment' and is a sparse accompaniment to a night in the sweatshop, making cheap clothes to dress people with no style. Ominous and fascinating.

Two More Before I Forget

Soul Clap

A set of theirs recorded at the arse end of last year at a Culprit after party, purloined from the Happy Please blog. I haven't listened to this yet, but the tracklist is below. Looks interesting.



SECT - SECTsy - Culprit
Sloe Clap - KG vs TT Edits - CDR
Trus'me ft. Dâm Funk - Bail Me Out - Prime Numbers
Levon Vincent - I Owe You Everything - Novel Sound
Michael J Collins - Ixias Dub - CDR
Michael J Collins - The Cosmos Is Wrapped In Cottonwool - CDR
40 Thieves - Crystal Mountain Thunder - CDR
Move D - Computer Flop - Workshop
Soul Clap & Trickski - Members Of The Clap - CDR
Daz Nazziz - Daz Nazziz - CDR
Mark E - Get Yourself Together - MERC
Earth, Wind & Fire - Kalimba Tree (Terje Edit)
Manolo - Lose Myself - Delusions Of Grandeur
Phil Collins - I'm Not Moving (Edit)
Rene & Angela - I Love You More
Dâm Funk - 10 West - Stone's Throw
Massive Attack - Unfinished Symphony
O.M.D. - Talking Loud And Clear (Edit)
Soul Clap - Bakerman - AUX



Appleblim & Ramadanman Back To Back, Plan B London 12.2.10

Again another quick addition because I'll forget if I leave it any longer. Recorded at Sin City in London last month. Another I've yet to listen to, but I've got no reason whatsoever to think it won't be wonderful. Check it here.

More Overdue 'Tings

God, I've been neglectful. So much to do over the past few weeks, kids, new job (the wife, not me), reading, thinking and other important activities. The blog will rise again though. Expect some reviews tomorrow, and an end-of-month chart next weekend.

Meanwhile, a few more mixes from the interweb. I'm sure you'll have seen some of these already, but they're here in an easy-to-digest post for those of you who can't be arsed looking elsewhere.



Droog

Here's a podcast that LA housers Droog did for the self-conciously over-camp "Fortuna That Vicious Slut." Droog play on the roof of The Standard hotel in Los Angeles once a month over spring and summer. Here's a link to their first big party of the year. They also run, or have a hand in, the rather excellent Culprit label.



Moodymann

Kenny Dixon Jnr was in London t'other week for The Red Bull Music Academy, and hosted a roller disco. Here's his set, and above, some footage of the evening. here's another link to an entertaining pre-gig interview avec the Moody one.



Donato Dozzy

This is part of a set recorded live at Unit Tokyo at the end of January. Really hyped to the heights by Mnml Ssgs, and a pioneer of what has been endearingly named "headfuck techno, this is the most recent set of his to appear. Great DJ and one with an eclectic approach that, simultaneously seems all his own.

Keep it locked.

Some Bits

Blog activity has been a bit slow around these parts recently. Family life has taken over as has laziness. Anyway, I always need an occasional hiatus to remind me why I do this, as well as some time to take stock of my situation. My radio show is no more and I'm plotting my next move (s). As mentioned on my previous post "Requiem For Detroit" was on BBC2 over here in merry olde England last night. Great programme. Despite the odd snippet of vaguely technoish music being part of the programme's soundtrack, the only person who got a name check in the realms of techno was Richie Hawtin, whose name was briefly mentioned in reference to some parties he used to hold at The Pakard Plant, which he named a track after, and has now become a vast, decaying urban wasteland, like so much else of the city. I can hear Eddie "Flashin" Fowlkes coughing into his cornflakes from here.



Anyway, here's a mix I came across this morning while readying myself to go out for a dim sum lunch. Lee Foss put this together for what looks like a quite good blog, Keep It Deep. Mr Foss is one of my personal "ones to watch" for 2010. His mixes don't come along that often, so one should take complete and utter advantage of them when they do. Here's a link for the mix. It's at the bottom of the article, which is about London bog clubbing sensation, Kubicle. Here's a link to an interview I did with Lee, for this very blog, at the end of last year. Now what happened to the Jamie Jones answers? Mmmm . . . .



Gentlemen, that reminds me. Another link to another great mix I came across over the weekend. Finn Johannsen is someone whose mixes you have to track down if you can. Here's one he produced for a blog with a ridiculously long name. He's got a bit more experience than the average spinner, has Finn, and this shows, not only in his selections but in his occasionally effortlessly epic transitions. Check out Oneiro going into Terence FM on this baby. Here's the tracklist.

Isolée – Brazil.com
Raudive – Paper
I-F – Energy Vampire
DJ Sprinkles – Masturjakor (Masturmix)
U2 – Lemon (Bad Yard Club)
Terence FM – Stay Around (Cajmere’s Black Hole Mix)
Oneiro – Oneiro Say Shhh! (Slide On The Wild Side)
Losoul – Brother In Love
Dave Angel – Fever
Roy Davis Jr. – My Anthem (Plant Life Mix 1)
Paul Johnson – My Free Feelings
Gemini – Le Fusion
Raudive – Brittle
Theo Parrish – Solitary Flight
Terre Thaemlitz – In The Style Of Terre Thaemlitz Untitled Tape Recording Age 10 Pt. 1



And there's more . . . here's a link to an interview with Detroit's legendary radio host,
The Electrifying Mojo. I haven't listened to this yet but, judging by the comments it should be interesting at least. I have a cassette of one of his shows somewhere in the deepest recesses of my dungeons. I shall try to root it out and upload it this week.

Requiem for Detroit

If you live in England, Scotland or Northern Ireland, or have access to BBC2 somewhere, try and tune into this at 9PM GMT. For more info, click here.

Cacophonous Broadcast: 1

Is available to download here.

"Time Flies By . . .

. . .when you're the driver of a train" or even when you're a once - employed radio show host. It'll have been two weeks since my last show this Saturday evening so I should do something to fill the void . . .and I will. I plan to record a two - hour unmixed "podcast" (the byword for almost all audio preparations these days), live over the weekend. There'll be no talking as I don't have a half-decent mic, just good music. Each "show" will be available to download from my Tumblr site, the only post on which thus far has been my Modyfier mix. Oh, top link at the side of the page.

My Last Stint

Sitting here in the Duty Management position for 209 Radio for the last time. The place has a forgotten feel about it. The final day of broadcasting will be this Saturday. There is an offer from another community radio station to take over the license but I'm not enitrely sure if this will be a popular move. I've made my decision anyway. My last show was three days ago and I won't be coming back. I've had a wonderful relationship with the station, an associate more or less since its inception, seven years ago, a producer/programme maker for five and a half. New sonic adventures await. Excited about producing a podcast as well as writing more. A wordpress blog will be starting up specifically for this very soon indeed. It will be mostly composed of subjective, opinionated ramblings. Now there's a surprise.

Machines Are Funky RIP

So that's it then. I must confess to feeling quite emotional regarding the death of 209 Radio, and particularly my show, which breathed its last at 9pm yesterday. For the first time since we started broadcasting at our studio I decided to play an almost exclusive set of vinyl, all of which had come out before my first show back in September 2004. The one concession to cds was the Omar S track, which paved the way for 'Hi-Tech Jazz' as my last ever track for 209 Radio and my show.

Here's the tracklist:

Time And Space - Francois K (Wave)
Forever Monna - Chez Damier & Stacey Pullen (Balance)
Make It Hot - DJ Buck (Siesta)
Faithfull (Prassay mix) - Fantomas (Source)
Theme From Blue Cucaracha (D's Rednail Reconstruction) - The Innocent (After Midnight)
Back To Back - Discocaine (Zoom)
Latin Seoul - DJ Sneak (Large)
Pick Your Poison - Chris Nazuka (Tweekin')
Can't Take It (Herbert's Some Dumb Dub)
The Dream (Sharam's Deep Dish Dreamscape) - Deep Dish Presents Prana (Tribal)
Generate Power (Wild Pitch mix) - Photon Inc (Strictly Rhythm)
The Preacher Man - Green Velvet (Relief)
Tick Tock (Apocalypse Now mix) - Chiapet (Yoshi Toshi)
Bon Voyage - Air Frog (Svek)
Casa - The Purpose Maker (Axis)
Kylie Said To Jason - The KLF (KLF Communications)
Cosmos - Omar S (FXHE)
Hi - Tech Jazz (The Science) - Galaxy To Galaxy (Underground Resistance)

As mentioned in an earlier post, I intend to, at the very least, podcast. These will vary from house/techno, etc to more eclectic offerings in the vein of my recent Modyfier 'Process' mix. They will all go on my new blog reserved for mixes, a link to which is at the top of the links section.

Out With A Bang

Tomorrow's show will be the last. So, expect some classics from the last twenty years. Lots of wonderful Chicago and Detroit grooves amongst others. I can't make my mind up what to play so tune in and find out.

Keep it locked


Machines Are Funky: 7-9pm GMT

105FM in Cambridge

209radio.co.uk globally