Post-Sonar Jetsam

Post-Barcelona feelings? Motivated to get my act even more together and keep on top of things. Not easy with a four-month old baby to look after and, hopefully, about to move house. Anyway, I've been sent quite a few things recently, so now is the time to try and feedback a bit about them.

While over in Barcelona I bumped into the brains behind the up-and-coming net label Stratospherik and was given a showcase promo cd. The force is strong with this one and I intend to play a track on this Saturday's "Machines Are Funky." I was also given a "Fear of Flying 2007 Sonar Edition" 35 minute mix. I played the new Fear of Flying, the "Spookhaus" EP by Tim Gregor a couple of shows ago, well not the whole EP, I played "Lounge Art" and a fine piece it is. It also features on this mix, along with another Tim track and tracks by BLM, Leif and Dadableep too. Fear of Flying are a label to keep under close scrutiny.

Soma have been reasonably prolific of late. I've been getting a lot of stuff from them. Silicon Soul's Darkroom Dubs label has a few things lying around to test your restraint. Releases from Freska and the Jet Project are, I think, both already out. Again I played "To The Speaker" by the Jet Project on my last show, and a good piece of atmospheric break-laden Detroit-inflected dubby funk it was to. Forthcoming is a side project from everybody's favourite Argentinians (discounting footballers and ex-Nazis) Silver City. They have an album out in a couple of months as The Spirals, and it's sort of like what you'd expect. Full, throbbing basslines that will keep hips swinging into the wee small hours. I've only listened to this once and know it will sound better with successive scrutinising.

Vector Lovers also have a new collection out. Entitled "Afterglow," it's Martin Wheeler's third LP for Soma. Again, only listened to it once so far, but first impressions are good. It's a sophisticated piece of electronic serenity from a producer who's up there with the best in his respective field. Some of the tracks are old and unreleased, reassembled with Ableton Live. More on this in the future. Finally "Soma Coma" a compilation of ambient down tempo nuggets that have been put together by scouring b-sides and obscure album tracks. This should have been out by now but it's release has been put back until the 16th July. I'm definitely a fan of this kind of re-contextualisation and Soma's back catalogue is much better than most. The Henrik Schwarz remix of Alex Smoke's "Don't See The Point" is included, which should be a good enough recommendation.

Aril Brikha has "Ex Machina" out on Peacefrog at the end of July, and it's quite what one would expect. Full of soaring lush melody which is able to find it's niche at home, in the front room accompanied by a fine single malt a bong and a dog, or on the sweaty dancefloor, half paralysed by by weapons grade MDMA, Aril Brikha hits the nail squarely on the head with a dramatic piece of work that doesn't disappoint. Full marks to Peacefrog for returning to their techno roots with this work of simmering atmospheric briliance.

Other stuff has passed through my hands, so a big thank-you to everyone who's sent me the fruits of their labours. If I've forgotten anything the sight of it on one of my show playlists is a sure seal of approval. This Saturday's show promises to be a goodie as I've got a guest mix from Dave Congreve (Stealth, Dig Your Own Rave, Repeat Repeat) to feature. It'll be up for download on this site from the 2/7. It's deep techy goodness from one of the UK's best. I'm also playing an hour-long session this Wednesday, 27/6, on Rapture FM between 8:30-9:30. Keep your ears peeled.

Oh, I almost forgot. One story of utter pointless point-making involved Rolando in Barcelona. Aparently after asking for his fee up front he was given it, and then told to fuck off by the promoter because "they didn't like his attitude . . ." I'm completely behind Rolando on this one. When I first heard the story I was waiting for the punchline, ie: he took the money and returned an hour later cracked out of his noggin. Having met Rolando last year in Barcelona though I would have been more than a little surprised if this had been the case. As it is, what a load of shite! Who benefits in a situation like this. Apparently once the deed had been done the promoter announced it over the mic to the packed club and everybody roared their support. Bollocks! Sometimes for reasons best left unsaid money is needed up front, even me with the most un-business brain of anyone knows this.

Bestiari in Poblenou

Barcelona during Sonar was it's usual swinging self, but the police definitely had the upper hand on the beach Friday and Saturday night, stopping anything from geting too interesting. BPitch went off ok on the Friday night, but that's about all. Of course there were lots of things going on, but with a four month-old son who doesn't sleep all night yet, I was happy just to get some uninterrupted sleep. Party animal, eh?

Anyway, the best thing that happened all weekend was this mad carnival called the "Bestiari" in Poblenou on Saturday night. We were eating patatas and drinking beer while being surrounded by carnival beasts and heavy-duty fireworks for around two hours. Check out the video above for a small taster of what went on.

Machines Playlist 16/6/07 With Tom Hallmark

Here's the story of how the Americans saved us all in the middle ages.




This is the full-length clip of the bombers ending up in Abu Ghraib prison. The last video posted is on it, with loads more.


Here's the playlist for last Saturday's show:

During the first part there was an interview with Tom Hallmark split into two parts.

United - Midnight Mike (Republic of Desire)
The Fly - Simon Baker (Conaisseur Superior)
To The Speaker - Jet Project (Darkroom Dubs)
The Fog (Darshan Jesrani remix/Sasse Edit) - The Green Men (Moodmusic)
Who Got The Flavour Again? - Abe Duque (Abe Duque Recs)
Fast Freeze - My My (Cocoon)
Nomads - Jackmate (Phil E)
Manifestation (Paul Rich remix) - Eyerer and Collins (Session Deluxe)
Consigliere - Marcin Czubala (Mobilee)

Tom Hallmark Mix

Beyond - DJ Marley Marl (West End)
These Days - Rhyme Fest (Shhh)
The Real Deal - Miquel Graca & Patrick Dream feat. Roy Davies Jnr (Mile End)
Dressed To Grill - Justin Martin & Sammy D (Classic)
What? - Lil' Mark (Disco 45)
Swamp Thing (Claude VonStroke remix) - Justin Martin & Sammy D (Dirty Bird)
Double Barrelled Babe (Bold & Beautiful remix) - Jahcoozi (Sugar Cane)
A-Sided - Jesse Rose (Dubsided)
Cockfosters (Patrick Turner re-edit) - Jacob London (Movim)
Weird To The Insane - Lee Mortimer (Greenhouse)
Seismic Thighs - Hot Lunch (Innuendo)
Pull The Other One - Chris Duckenfield (Odori)
Butterflies - Brett Johnson (Hi-Phen)
Sevens - Pete DaFeet (Robsoul)

Coming back from Barcelona tomorrow. It's been nice to visit but annoying that there was a clampdown on the beach parties. Sunday wasn't too bad but the atmosphere on Friday and Saturday was a shadow of the last couple of years. I suppose the natives are fed up of wading through coagulated sand and urine on their way to the water. Also it wouldn't be surprising if the police had tacit approval from the festival itself, after all, the beach parties are nothing to do with Sonar proper. Always beautiful to visit but I think I'll throw myself into the local scene a lot more.

Sonar and All That . . .

Off, rather predictably, to Sonar for the next few days. The Green Men have had a rather good single out for the last six weeks called "The Fog" and you can read my RA review for it here.

Back to burn next Tuesday. Keep it locked.

Pre-Sonar Flotsam

That's a big one . . .

So, quite a lot to get through before Sonar envelopes me for the next week or so. Releases that deserve a special mention are:

Fabric 35 mixed by Ewan Pearson: Ewan comes correct with a selection that more or less equals that with which he introduced Soma's “Sci-Fi Hi-Fi” mix series. Varied and spot on programming plus some eloquent blending mean that this is the best Fabric mix cd this year by far (only Marco Carola's comes close in the last twelve months imo) and paves the way for the long-awaited Ricardo Villalobos effort, and, after that, Steve Bug.

This week's show will have to be pre-recorded but it should be a goodie. I'll be welcoming in local reprobate Tom Hallmark, man-about-town and one of the brains behind the infamous rare as hen's teeth Flex warehouse parties. Next one on the 14th of July featuring Mr Hallmark plus Mr C and Mark Henning amongst others.

I'm not much for exclusives, and I'm not sure if this is one either, but the next instalment of the aforementioned “Sci-Fi Hi-Fi” Soma mix series will be put together by none other than Mr Andrew Weatherall, it should see the light of day around September and will feature an exclusive track from the man himself. Oh, and it's going out as “Sci-Fi Lo-Fi” too.

As I'm at Sonar this weekend and not back until the 19/6, the playlist for the show will be a bit late. I do hope to film a few rudimentary videos with my camera, so I'll post them up. I'll be looking for crabs amongst the overpriced caparinhas on the beach. Hopefully there'll be no naked hippies pissing into the sea. If there is though, I'll nail them on this blog.

I've had quite a few bits lately and I apologise to everyone I've promised detailed feedback. Truth is I'm rushed off my feet at the moment. Thanks to Mark Henning for the latest two releases on Clever Music and for forwarding me his brother's release on Fear of Flying. Also to Soma for keeping me busy, I'll hopefully put some names to faces over in Barcelona, (or should that be faces to names?) In any case, everything is getting an airing on the show so if I don't mention it here, the good stuff gets heard.

Motorcitysoul

Check out my RA review of Motorcitysoul's 'Kazan' here

Machines Are Funky At The Fair: 2/6/07

The board outside the Circus Tent.



Yours truly in full broadcasting effect.



James and Sam in jocular mode.



Having a few words with a drunk who pissed against the side of the tent, got slapped for his troubles and tried to argue the toss with a certain Mr Fish.




Club Global rocking the hot joints.



This young lady was typical of the many beauties on show yesterday.




At the after party. Giovanni on the ones and twos.

Here's the playlist for last night's show, which was live and direct from Strawberry Fair on Midsummer Common in the heart of Cambridge. It was a scorcher! (The day, and the show).

Black Jack (Serge Santiago version) – Baciotti (Arco Edit)
The Dark Side Of The Spoon – Alexander Robotnick (crème)
Staccato Rave – Slam (Soma)
Incoming (Motorcitysoul mix) – David K (Tsuba)
Natural Gum – SWAT Squad Vs Paul Ritch (Resopal)
Another Moment Of Silence – Stardiver (Speicher)
A Flauta Encantada – Chris Carrier (Freak N' Chic)
Sadm Svek Pearl (Loop) – Magda (CDR)
I'm A Man (Audion's Donation remix) – Black Strobe (Play Louder)

The Priory manned the decks for the second hour of the show but I was too lazy to write down a tracklist. They opened with a track by Chris Carrier and Fine Cut Bodies on green vinyl, and also played the Serge Santiago version of Black Jack which opened my hour, but apart from that my mind's a blank.

Oh, and am I the only person that thinks Audion's Black Strobe remix isn't the best thing since sliced bread? It sounds like Engelbert Humperdinck on crack.

Friendly Fire & The Friday Night Special

Another jihad gem from Monkey Dust.

The Friday Night Special:

I put this together last night, so here it is warts and all. Too lazy to edit. Anyway, live mixes are the only true reflection of a dj. Feedback appreciated as always.

Grab it here.

Tracklisting:

Up in Flames (Glove remix) – Captain Comatose (Playhouse)
Nip Slip – Mathias Tanzmann (Moon Harbour)
Set The Limit – Shyza Minelli (Tuning Spork)
Feuervogel (Guido Schneider remix) – Solomun & Stimming (Diynamic)
Hermano – Monoblock (Freak N' Chic)
Track B1 – Glory B (Grow 002)
Apnea – Marco Carola (+8)
Mr G remix – Mark Henning (CDR)
Do It Again (Audion's House Arrest remix) – The Chemical Brothers (Virgin)
Kazan (My My remix) – Motorcitysoul (Aus)
Son Of Raw (Locodice remix) – Dennis Ferrer (Objektivity)
Think Twice – Ephebe One (Ferox)
Dark Star – Exercise One (Mobilee)
Bal Masque – Handycraft (Kick Boxer)
Munch – Redshape (Delsin)

Strawberry Fair in Cambridge today. The show is coming live from the 209 Radio tent at the usual time, 7-9pm GMT. The station is broadcasting all day from this location. It's a lovely day so it promises to be a laugh. Efforts to have a party after have been rumbled though, as the Box Tree got cold feet on opening for the day as an “unofficial dance tent” and the Loft will let us play, but only from 6-11. I'll be swinging past there after my show. Match report tomorrow, and show playlist.

Rendez Vous?

Read my Resident Advisor review of the new Freak n' Chic compilation here.

Been ill and on my hols. A bit of catching up to do . . .Watch this space. . . .

Springfield Gorge and Competition Questions

One of the funniest moments from the best tv show ever.

There were two comps in last Saturday's show. One to win two copies of Alexander Robotnick's "My La(te)st Album" and one to win the same amount of "Boogie Bytes Vol. 3" mixed by Modeselektor. Both come highly recommended so here are the questions.





Robotnick: Which Detroit artist released "Problemz" in 2000 as a homage to Robotnick's Italo classic "Problemes d'Amour"?




Modeselektor: Who was behind the first installment of the "Boogie Bytes" series?

Answers and all relevant contact details can be left as a comment. This comp wil be open until the 4/6. Good luck.

There are some other things I've got to plug as well. The Dissonanze Festival in Rome, which is getting b igger every year and is a nice little warm up for Sonar and something going on in London this weekend.



This is a party that cousin Mathieu (Harpo; God knows why he chose the same name as one of the Marx Brothers) is doing with Digs (DIY) and Dan Foat (Phonica). It's a freebie and I'd be there myself if I wasn't in France at his auntie's.

Machines Playlist: 19/5/07 & Chart

Here's the playlist for last night's show. No guests, which was a blessing, as I wasn't feeling myself and after going home and watching the excellent Jimi Hendrix prog on Beeb 2 I went straight to bed. What a lightweight!

Disco d'Oro (DJ Spun mix) – Tussle (Rong)
Lounge Art – Tim Gregor (Fear of Flying)
La Forza del Destino (Radio Slave remix) – Soylent Green (Playhouse)
Beirut Boogie – Sebbo (Liebe Detail)
Troubled Man (Ruede Hagelstein remix) – Tiefschwarz (Souvenir)
No One Left To Follow – Slam (Soma)
Then and Before (Redshape Present mix) – Zander VT (Memo)
Evagelism – Pakt (Clever)
Dies und Das – Solomun (Diynamic)
Joko Tai – Kiki (Bpitch)
Balkan Bridge – DJ300 (Mtech)
Begun the End Has (Matthew Jonson remix) – Joel Mull (Railyard)

Ellen Allien Fabric 34 Radio Mix:

Like A Child (Carl Craig remix) – Junior Boys (White Label)
Falling Up – Theo Parrish (Syncrophone)
Lotus – Future Beat Investigators (Discomedusa) (Sonar Kollektiv)
When It Was Day We Made It Night – Joris Voorn (Green)
Dragon Soup (Lod remix) – Pep Gaya (Klitekture)
Acuphase – Emptyset (Future Days)
Love Can Damage Your Self (Abicah Soul and Dennis Ferrer remix) – Telepopmusic (Objektivity)

I haven't done a chart for ages. Too busy with the here and now I suppose. Anyway, here's a small top ten of stuff I've been getting into recently.

Strangely enough I'm going to start off with mix cds, and a couple of Mixmag freebies.

The Beats of San Fran Disco - Claude Von Stroke
Ibiza '07 - M.A.N.D.Y.

Mixmag is much derided, but when it comes up with freebies of this standard I'm not complaining. Put your prejudices aside and grab 'em. The Vonstroke one is from last month, but a search around your less popular newsagents should turn one up.

Please, Please, Please - Tobias Thomas (Kompakt): Tobias Thomas' third mix on Kompakt. It's a slow burning mood setter, (as opposed to that famous Korean dish, the slow burning red setter). Not one to provide instant gratification and all the better for it.

Le Bal Masque EP - Handycraft (Kick Boxer) : Not exactly new, but worth a mention nonetheless. Fresh tecchie rave sounds for the spring and summer. This one will stick around for a few months yet.

Plastik - Simon Baker (Infant): Again, been around for ages, but not on general release for that long. Mr Baker rolls out an accomplished piece of electro funk that has been picked up by Playhouse for their latest "Famous When Dead" comp.
"Bustin'."

Oscuro Claro (Tensnake remix) - Paulo Olarte (Fresh Fish): Lovely tropical lush stuff.

Feuervogel (Guido Schneider mix) - Solomun and Stimming (Diynamic): Not feeling the over produced original at all. Guido does what he does best and keeps things groovy and deep. Didn't like "Steppenwolf" by Hosh on the same label either. Sorry John.

Apnea - Marco Carola (Plus 8): Minimal tribal is all the rage, don't you know. Mr Carola rocks the communal living space with electronic wood blocks knocked together in an ethnic, but not at all PC, way.


Begun The End Has (Matthew Jonson remix) - Joel Mull (Railyard): As featured on last night's show. I played this before Ellen Allien's mix, and meant to cut it short, and even though there's not an incredible amount of variety here, MJ manages to sustain the interest level admirably. Typical Matthew Jonson epic.

Miss Gigler (Darko Esser remix) - David Squillace (Luxa Flex): Nice work from the rising star of the Italian underground. This is coupled with Trickes (Boris Ross Freak n' Cut remix) - Adam Craft. A good double header from the land of tulips, clogs and industrial strength weed.

Do It Again (Audion's House Arrest mix) - The Chemical Brothers (Virgin): Not to be released, but seek and ye shall find. Matthew Dear rules the roost at the moment. Arguably the best all-rounder since Beefy serves up a sumptous smorgesboard of trademark screwed-up headfuck house. Makes The Chems palatable anyway.

God, two more to go. Now I remember why I can't be arsed with charts . . . .

U Askin' - Mr G (Rekids): In these turbulent times, it's good to know there's somethings that never change. Was it F. Scott Fitzgerald who said that everyone had one good book in them, and that if an author wrote more than one they were simply variations on a constant theme? I'm dusting off my entire collection of Phoenix G singles (laid end to end they encircle the Earth thrice!) and I'd like to know when "If It Ain't Broke . . ." is coming out.

What Makes You Go For It - Prosumer/Murat Tepeli (Ostgut Ton): Good package on the trailblazing Berghain label, although it's difficult tp put feelings of pretentiousness out of your head when listening to the lyrics.

Bugger the hyperlinks. I'm off to bed.

The Scorpion Of Allah

This has to be seen. Ever wondered why series' two and three (from which this was taken) never made it onto DVD in this post 7/7 world? The words "close" and "bone" spring to mind.

More of this to come.

Machines Schedule: 19/5/07

No guests on this weeks show (at least not at the moment, but things may change). So, to guild your respective lilies, there'll be new music from the Luxaflex, Clever and Fear of Flying labels, as well as Dennis Ferrer/Locodice, Soylent Green/Radioslave, Solomun and Stimming, Sebbo the Ellen Allien promo mix for her Feabric cd (which is better than the full-length version) and loads of other stuff. Oh, and two competitions you really shouldn't miss. One to win two copies of Alexander Robotnick's new album "My La (te)st Album" and the same quantity of Modeselektor's excellent mix "Boogie Bytes 3." Keep it locked.

Hey Nonny, Nonny My Buttocks

Click here for my Resident Advisor review of D'Julz's "Runny." Lovely hair D'Julz btw.

Also, here again are the competition questions from my last show.

To win one of three copies of Aardvarck's "Cult Copy"

What constitutes the ardvarck's staple diet?

To win one of three copies of Comtron's "Follow The Money"

Which city is home to Rush Hour Recordings?

Leave your answer, and full contact details in the comments.

Good luck

A Few More Reviews

It's about that time again to say a few words on some of the stuff I've been listening to lately, and there's been a lot to take in, so here we go.

Es Kubells
The Rejekts
Rejekt Music

"Es Kubells" is an unremarkable track that in it's original version relies on a few wonky sounds to underpin a monotonous, plodding beat. Sounds like I'm being unkind, but this works particularly well in the mix, I've just bended it with Mathias Tanzmann's "Procon" (Moon Harbour), and it sounded great. It just doesn't do much on it's own. I prefer "Rejektion" and the Argy remix of the title track. BTW am I alone in thinking that the Jerome Sydenham remix of "1985" by Argy (Liebe Detail) is overrated?

My Favourite Kind of Irrelevance
Metamatics
Hydrogen Dukebox

Really good stuff provides refuge from the increasing bollocks of everyday life. I can pay this record no higher tribute. I won't waste any words on it. Oh, wait a minute, I will. Abstract ambience from the heart, Lee Anthony Norris, aka Metamatics has produced a lush collection of mature, evocative soundscapes to accompany the whole range of human emotions.

Rush Hour Presents Beat Dimensions Vol !
Compiled By Cinnamon & Jay Scarlett
Rush Hour Recordings

Not normally what I'd pay on my show but I got sent it, no doubt due to it's Rush Hour credentials. Aardvarck makes an appearance on here but it's certainly not an indication of what to expect. This is an album of drunken funk, the type where the drums clamber over everything in an attempt to disembowel the proceedings as much as possible. There are a fair few bits amongst the twenty four tracks that function as little more than extended breaks due to their brevity, but everything contributes to provide a compelling soundtrack to a parallel dimension.

Faith Is Fear
Various Artists
Dust Science

Faith Is Fear follows up last years Keep The Faith. Both are compilations that aim to showcase the range that techno has to offer. The tracks range from ambient to dance floor friendly and feature a range of artists both old and new. The Black Dog, Anthony Childs (Surgeon), Regis and Fabrice Lig appear, as well as DNCN, Slit and Mat Carter and Lee Graves. The result is a compilation full of character and variety. My favourite track at the moment is Regis and Female's C/Chaos, which is a trancey groover and is amongst the slew of uptempo tracks which close this collection.

Derrick May at The Soul Tree

. . .passed in a blur. It's been a long time since I've had a night like that. The music was great from all concerned and the atmosphere too. There should be more nights like this in Cambridge. Don't expect any detail in this account, 48 hours later and I'm still piecing my fragile mind back together.It was a blur of high powered machine funk, and I got home, crashed out and woke up with the worse hangover I've had for ages about seven hours later. Dave Angel next bank holiday.

Damo's Mix:

For info on Damo, click here

For last night's 209 mix
click HERE

Playlist For Last Night's Show

Derrick May ce soir. Full match report to follow.


Here's a playlist for last night's show, which was a belter. Damo provided a superb electro-tinged mix, and said a few words sporadically throughout the first part of the show. The mix will be available on this blog for download very soon.


Deception de Real (Tony Rohr remix) – Tim Xavier (Clink)Space Disco (Sonja Moonear remix) – TR One (Fine Art)
It's A Carni Life – Alex Smoke (Vakant)
The Riverbed – Baby Ford and Zip (Perlon)
Neoreplicator – Robert Babicz (Systematic)
Aacid Code 8 – Casio Casino & Neville Atree (Gumption)
Falling Up (Chateau Flight remix) – Theo Parrish (Syncrophone)
Perspective – Sleep Archive (Ostgut Ton)

Damo in the mix:

01. lusine - seemingly - [shitkatapult]
02. markus müller - chateaubriand (mariel ito remix) - [connaisseur]
03. lusine - near sight - [ghostly]
04. mariel ito - future 2020 - [Ai]
05. simulant - access future audio - [scopex]
06. mariel ito - spectral romance - [spacebar sentiments]
07. jean-paul bondy - xeno persuasion - [compost]
08. ADJ - bahomet - [touchin' bass]
09. weedjs - breathe - [touchin' bass]
10. litwinenko - the 6 strikes back - [detroit underground]
11. limbertimbre - AABA (justin maxwell rmx) - [pretension]
12. justin maxwell - the tussincussion - [palette]
13. reporter - k for cars - [open mind]
14. midnight star - the midas touch (hell interface remix) - [white

Technologystolemyvinyle

Well, thanks to the efforts of the Mighty Reds last night, here is, as promised, a link to download Moodymann's latest offering. Here's also a couple of photos of KDJ on a recent trip to Scotland (purloined off the Slam Events forum). He looks wasted doesn't he? God knows who the bloke is next to him doing his best impression of a pig's head on a platter.



TECHNOLOGYSTOLEMYVINYLE

PS: Moodymann, I did pay for this track, it's only one-sided and a limited edition. I doubt you're losing too much money by it being on here, but if you want me to take it down, you only have to get in touch. Respect.

Miscellaneous Reviews From April's Arse End

As already mentioned, I'm being sent a few things at the moment. Long may it continue and multiply. So with this in mind I thought I'd round up a few bits that are currently lying strewn amongst the laudanum at Chateau Corey.

Fabric 34
Ellen Allien
Fabric

Not bad, but not great. If I'm being honest I didn't really know what to expect but it's quite good. A relatively original tracklist, despite the inclusion of stalwart tracks like “The Sun Can't Compare”, “India in Me.” and the Plastikman remix of Baby Kate.” Having said that, it's not the strong release I think Fabric could have done with after the disappointment of Ralph Lawson's effort, but interesting enough.

10 Years of Tiefschwarz
Tiefschwarz
Souvenir

Coming your way in June, “10 Years of . . . “ is a double cd package. One disc collects six original tracks along with a remix of each, the other is a mix. Like Ellen Allien's “Fabric . . “ the mix is alright and nothing more. I've only heard Tiefschwarz dj once live a while ago, but have listened to countless sets online as well as other commercially available packages and I've never been impressed. Having said that, last year's “Fabric” mix by them was a good 'un, but their skills leave a bit to be desired and although the tracks on offer here are generally good, programming let's the side down and the mix lacks symmetry. They're much better producers than djs anyway. Pick of the remixes for me, Shonky's re-rub of “Ghosttrack.”

Wrong Meeting Part 2
Two Lone Swordsmen
Rotters Golf Club

Andy Weatherall and Keith Tenniswood do rock. I suppose it's ok if you like that sort of thing, but I'm only into these guys for their electronic output and nothing more. Nothing narrow about this. I don't buy rock, haven't for years and I'm not going to start just because one of the best djs in the world is 50% of a beat combo. It's an indulgence that is probably getting more attention that it normally would due to AW's involvement. That doesn't mean it's bad, just different. I hope I'm not being too dismissive here.

This is Rong Music
Mixed by DJ Spun
Rong Music

Got this this morning, and it's really good. I tend to like the extremes of underground dance, from electrnic minimalism to the sun-drenched psychedelic disco espoused by Rong. This is another double cd, the first is a mix, the second a selection of unmixed tracks from the label. More on this when I've had the chance to absorb it properly.

Cult Copy
Aardvarck
Rush Hour

Good stuff from Aardvarck. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Aardvarck gives his Detroit-inspired beats some Dutch steel which serves to lift this album above the sweaty mob of Detroit-alikes. His Cult Copy project has been in existence for about five years now and has nicely crystallized with this collection. There's a dvd to accompany the cd with a 26 minute “video mix” that rounds off the package nicely.





Aacid Code 8
Tarantula Continuum
Casio Casino vs Neville Atree
Gumption Recordings

“Aacid Code 8” is wonky and powered by the dark undercurrent that all good techno possesses. A voice urges you to “trip” throughout, and why not? It wouldn't be a waste of your time to embark on this roller-coaster ride of a track. One for the messy 4am set when you've got a strobe going off in the corner and little else except someone scrabbling around in the darkness, fingernails bitten to the quick, looking for some long lost beans that never really existed. “Tarantula Coninuum” is a dense, smoky low-slung groover that comes from the murky depths. Satisfying.






Inner Thoughts
Space Disco
TR One
Fine Art Recordings

Second release on Fine Arts, and after the shuffling tech -house of “Stolen From the Jake” we get two moodier, introspective cuts from an act eager to impress with their techno credentials, and they do. Acid dominates once more in “Inner Thoughts” the remix of which turns the tables and comes up with something a little bit more evocative and lusher. “Space Disco” is a scene setter and an ideal warm up/down piece that bumps along underpinned by some animal-like 303. Sonja Moonear's remix funks things up into an unrecognisable blend of skewed breakbeats and concave bass. Nice.

It's impossible to write a chart at the mo' with one rubbish collection every two weeks and a huge amount of shitty pampers to wade through but one will come within the next few days. If Liverpool beat Chelsea and get through to the Champion's League Final I promise to post up Moodymann's “Technology Stole My Vinyle” as a download and risk having a “cap popped in my ass . . .” or something like that.

Machines Playlist and The Box Tree: 21/4/07

Here's the playlist for last night's show:

Supernature – Cerrone (Atlantic)
Theme Park – Aardvarck (Rush Hour)
Nip Slip – Mathias Tanzmann (Moon Harbour)
Hot Potato – Brett Johnson (Freerange)
Sky Dive – John Daly (Plak)
To Begin – Aril Brikha (Poker Flat)
Winter Ceremony – Paul Ritch (Resopal Schallware)
Carbonat – Piemont (MBF)
Ahck (Jichael Mackson remix) – Minilogue (WIR)
Lovin' (Hipp E remix) – Funk d'Void feat. Jay Leblone (Soma)
Baltrigue – Chateau Flight (Innervisions)
1985 (Jerome Sydenham remix) – Argy (Liebe Detail Spezial)
Techno Playtime – The Black Dog (Soma)
Ghosttrack (Shonky remix) – Tiefschwarz (Souvenir)
Twisted – GummiHZ (Mobilee)
Sequential Circus (Konrad Black remix) – Will Saul (Simple)
Moon Bounce – Kerri Chandler (Deeply Rooted House)
Deep (We Are) (dub mix) – Dirt Crew (Dirt Crew)
Soon (Andy Weatherall remix) – My Bloody Valentine (Creation)

The Box Tree was fun last night, but nothing got going until around midnight, by which time there was only an hour left. Anyway, Ed Davenport played the last two hours, and very good he was too. I wanted to record it and put it up for download but no one had the wherewithall to sort things out, like tell me where the recording sockets where at the back of the mixer. Sounds easy, eh? Well, if I tell you that for the first hour I sat transfixed as “Koyanasqaatsi” played over and over again on a big screen, you'l have some idea as to my mental state at the time.

Met Ed, who turned out to be a genial bloke, as did local drum and bass heroes Logistics and Commix, who told me about their upcoming album on Metalheadz as well as connections and remixes with Underground Resistance and Matthew Jonson. Oh, and before I go, a reminder that Derrick May returns to The Soul Tree on the 5/5.

Machines Schedule: 21/4/07

It's a guest free show this weekend. I'll be playing new releases from the likes of Will Saul, Aardvarck, Someone Else, Funk d' Void, Argy and Tiefschwarz, and of course loads more. Watch out for a guest mix and interview with Subculture's Damo on the 5/5.

Check the links at the right for all relevent info regarding the show. Derrick May's in town again on the 6/5.

Horseplay at The Box Tree 21/4/07

Horseplay at the Box Tree this week, featuring Johnny Davies, SamI Am and Ed Davenport on the wheels of chocolate. Shud be a good 'un. More to come.

Kurt Vonnegut 1922-2007 RIP

It's not every day a literary legend pops his clogs. RIP Kurt.

Easter Mix and Detritus & Jamie Jones, Robert Babicz Words

The last of the chocolate museum photos. Funny how they look just like my kids and their mates . . .

This week's show featured a Dave Kelso showcase, as well as a running interview with Dave throughout the show:


Puritan Fist – Two Lone Swordsmen (Rotters Golf Club)
I'll Lick Your Spine (Repeat Repeat mix) – Let's Go Outside (Pnuma)
Milo's Groove – Robert Babicz (Systematic)
Mouth to Mouth (Whorenando's Couch to Couch mix by Konrad Black Edit) – Audion (Spectral)
U Are Like Sunray – Davide Squillace (CMYK)
Hi Tech Dreams – UR (Submerge)
Thujon – Daso (Connaisseur)
Aura – Motorcitysoul (Stir15)
Boul de Gum – David K (Freak n' Chic)
Boney M Down – Lindstrom (Eskimo)

Dave Kelso:

Matt Lowe's a Soldier
Patience
Untitled
Blimpdk
Absences Doesn't . . .
Chris Jones is a Soldier
Engnag

Extrapezlo – Alex Under (Trapez)
Long Green – Brett Longman (Clever)

I'm getting sent a bit of stuff these days, so I think it's time to open a reviews column. I've reviewed stuff on this blog in the past, and I've got links to the reviews section of Resident Advisor on the right of this page, but now I plan to stick stuff on this page regularly. So here we go . . .

Get Lost 2
Jamie Jones
(Crosstown Rebels)

Rising star of the London techno underground, Jamie Jones, whose main claim to fame up to now is having been behind Freak n' Chic's biggest seller "Amazon," steps behind the decks to show us what he's made of. Anyone expecting a mix in the vein of label head Damien Lazarus will be surprised, as Jamie forsakes the full-on for a deeper, more introspective groove. A friend of mine, who will remain nameless, once described the experience of listening to a Jamie Jones set similar to hearing "a homosexual Terry Francis," and it's not surprising why. I can only assume that the 'homosexual" was mentioned due to the depth and warmth of Jone's sets (don't know what I'm getting at here, to be honest), and having heard Terry spin on many an occasion, I can definitely understand the comparison.

Anyway I digress. This cd weighs in at sixteen tracks, five of which come from the Rebels stable, one is a forthcoming release from Jones himself, "Panama City," whilst others come from producers on fire, (and Jones favourites) Jennifer Cardini and Shonky, the perennial Dennis Ferrer, sometimes Seasons artist Franck Rodger and Larry Heard (feat. Mr White). These deeper tracks nestle comfortably together with the more jacking fare of Jeremy Caulfield and Sebbo (it's when these tracks meet that the mix peaks) while another Jones staple, Plasmik contributes another future Rebels track, as well as a Ripperton remix.

Minor quibbles aside (the inclusion of five Rebels tracks, a piece of strategic product placement?), this is a good mix that is more than the sum of it's parts. It's not going to set the world on fire, but in these days of instant gratification it's good to hear something that demands a bit more patience from it's intended audience, patience which is ultimately rewarded.

A Cheerful Temper
Robert Babicz
(Systematic)

Acid house/techno veteran Robert Babicz comes up with the goods for Marc Romboy's on form Systematic label. This is an unashamed club trax album that both moves and evokes. It's fair to say that this music has a frozen, epic feel to it that could only have been produced in a European environment but what makes it stand out is Babicz's experience in production, which gives this collection a head start in the sound quality department.

There's also a range of moods evident in the compositions that is rare in this format. The album is well programmed and the different pieces add and subtract from one another on a variety of levels. Not just in keeping up a momentum that alleviates any boredom, but also in subtly varying the dynamics and the underlying perspective from track to track. "Warsaw" jumps out of the mix, and appears three dimensional compared to "Neoreplicator" which comes before. "Imperial Star" is an updated version of Robert's massive club hit from 2005 "Battle Star" (Punkt), and is more restrained and linear than it's predecessor.

All in all this is a strong album that preserves the essence of the dark, sweaty dancefloor with only a single strobe for company. It's as sophisticated as club music production gets, and that's not because of the compositions themselves, all of which are strong, but due to the care and attention to detail implicit throughout.


And finally I thought I'd get my act together and do a mix. Download it here . . .

Here's a tracklisting.

Intro: Sleep Characteristics
The Siren (Jahcoozi's Marc Jacobs Handbag remix) – Unknownmix (Playhouse)
Kungstradgarden – The Persuader (Svek)
Galaxy 82 – Makossa and Megablast (Gstone)
State of Mind – Motorcitysoul (Lo-Fi Stereo)
Magic – Harry Axt (Grand Petrol)
Save Me – Marc Antona (Micro Fibres)
Zapped – Johnny Fiasco (Cajual)
My Definition – The Martinez Brothers (Objektivity)
Species – Redshape (Present)
Gravelifter – Foremost Poets (Soundmen on Wax)
Meteor Im Eis (Guido Schneider remix) – Tom Clarke (Highgrade)
Violet – Nick Hoppner (Ostgut Ton)
When the Funk Hits the Fan (Mood ll Swing When the Dub Hits the Fan) – Sylk 130 (Ovum)
Dopamin – Robag Wruhme als Ralf Olsen (Freude am Tanzen)
Hi Tech Dreams – Underground Resistance (Submerge)

Done with two Technics 1210s, two Pioneer CDJ 200s, and an Allen and Heath Xone:32 on Easter Sunday 2007 at Chateau Corey inna Babraham. The first of a monthly cut out and keep series.

Horseplay Live Set: 31/3/07

Get Le Jockey and Tom Akam's set here.

Bear with me on the audio. It's the first one I've done and I need practice!

More to come. A mix from yours truly next week. The excitement is palpable.

Horseplay at The Box Tree 31/3/07

. . . and a good time was had by all. Great crowd at The Box Tree last Saturday. However, the postion of the decks behind the bar and the speakers/monitors down the other side of the room meant that proper mixing was impossible. Before you go on about “bad workmen blaming their tools . . .” the sound was shite from where I was playing and it's made my decision not to post up my, Dave Kelso's and Sam's sets very easy indeed. We wrestled with insurmountable odds and didn't do too badly, but glitches are present so I'm not putting them up for download. I will try and get Jockey and Tom Akam's set up by the end of the week.

Chart to come very soon . . .

Machines Playlist 24/3/07 & Competition & Other Musings

A good show last night. No guests but after the shenanigans of the night before at The Junction I wasn't really in the mood to interact. I think I spoke a bit too much over and in between tracks, and my voice definitely sounded a bit huskier than usual, but apart from that a highly enjoyable couple of hours. The night before had seen the arrival of “Kill 'Em All Let God Sort It (or is it them?) Out” in Cambridge. I arrived during just before The Righteous Rockers took to the main stage. Before them some band were playing. The first thing that struck me was how the sound had improved since my last visit. Anyway there I was busy lapping up The Righteous Rockers dj set when Harry Sword commented on how shit the sound was, and when I said it was a vast improvement on the last time I'd been, and how I was enjoying the music, that too was derided for being cheesy by Priory resident The Fish.

The upstairs room opened at 11:30 for The Priory and was rammed from the start. I wa up there for the duration making occasional sorties downstairs. At 2 I wandered downstairs for the rest of the night and Erol Alkan was opening his set. First track I caught was “Let's Dance” by David Bowie, causing me to rewind a couple of decades to when The Tube played the video of said track as a “worldwide exclusive. It was a bit of a big deal a it was something of a change of direction/beginning of a new era (the end?) for Bowie. I always preferred his Iggy Pop penned follow up “China Girl” though.

Anyway, here's the playlist for Saturday's show:

Auf Dem Hot (Freaks Funk That Disco 2006 re-do) – Kalabrese (Stattmusik)
Disco Sick – Alexander Robotnik (Hot Elephant Music)
Temptation – GummiHZ (Mobilee)
Stolen From The Jake (Droido remix) – Gary Beck (Fine Art Recordings)
La Fee Verte – Daso (Connaisseur)
Merman – Sian (Karmarouge)
Cuckoo (Motorcity Soul remix) – Brett Johnson (Freerange)
Cult Copy (Dexter's Dikke Cult Copy mix) – Aardvarck (Rush Hour)
Eirtanz – Touane (LAN)
Summer In The Wood – Mudd (Rong Music)
Hybrid – Mauler (Trapez Ltd)
Jewelsweet Grove (Kiki remix) – Jesse Somfay (Audio Invaders)

Ralph Lawson Fabric Radio Mix:

Escape – Paul Woolford aka Bobby Peru (20/20 Vision)
It's So (Will Saul remix) – Content (Simple Records)
Metro Transit – Sebo K (Get Physical)
Let Me Dance – Martin Landsky (Poker Flat)
Title Unknown (Jesse Rose remix) – Soho Dolls (Label Unknown)
Pecan – Microfunk (Remote Area)
Gravity (Peter Dildo remix) – Sasse (Moodmusic)
8 Bit – Mike Shannon (Cynosure)

And the competition question, to win two copies of the excellent new Mudd LP “Claremont 56” (Rong Music) is the stunningly simple

Which city is the home to Rong Music?

Please reply by leaving a comment on this blog and don't forget to leave all contact details. Alternatively, you can reply to paulcorey1@yahoo.com or to machines@209radio.co.uk. The competition will be kept open until the 10/4.
And finally, as mentioned before there is to be a party at The Coldham's Lane warehouse complex/industrial estate/fucking impossible place to find your way out of in the middle of the night when you're pissed. I received this email from Mr Tom Hallmark towards the end of last week, and it's so dramatic I just had to reproduce it word for word.

"Yes it true, Flex will happen on July the 14th Hosted
by me Davo and Pickles. Mr C has confirmed (payment
being a mattress), Le Jockey, Alex pickles + Tom
Hallmark back to back, Ian P, not sure if Mark Henning
is booked yet, also trying to get Jane Fitz of peg
down but shes unsure of her commitments.
All the best mate
T"


And before I forget, another reminder that the latest Horseplay Records party at The Box Tree is this coming Saturday 31/3, featuring yours truly, Sam I Am, Dave Kelso, Tom Akam and of course Le Jockey. TTFN.


Oh, and another thing. Reading matter at the moment is the excellent
“Paris The Secret History” by Andrew Hussey. Andrew obviously has a liking for the seedy side of life and wastes no opportunity to include sex, drugs and as many grisly execution details as he can in his wonderful tome. He acknowledges a debt to Peter Ackroyd's “London The Biography” and having read the latter I can say that “Paris . . .” so far stands up well to it. Excellent stuff and just the thing to take the edge off all the miserable twats on my bus every morning.

Machines Are Funky: 24/3/07

Something I don't normally do is preview my radio show on this blog, normally because I forget, so in an attempt to remedy this, here's a blurb for Saturday's broadcast.


On this week's emission I'll be giving two lucky listeners the chance to win Mudd's new cd on Rong Music “Claremont 56” and featuring a Ralph Lawson Fabric mix. As well as this , you'll be exposed to plenty of wonderful new music, the like of which I can scarcely contemplate.

Check the 209 or show link at the side. The Lawson mix will be the Fabric radio promo one. I wasn't too impressed with the actual release, which wasn't bad but just didn't stand out. I've also recently taken delivery of "Get Lost 2" mixed by Jamie Jones on Crosstown Rebels and "Boogie Biytes 3" by Modeselektor on BPitch. The Jamie Jones is definitely more up my particular strasse, but more on that sometime soon.

Will be checking out Erol Alkan and local heroes The Priory at "Kill 'em All . . . " at The Junction this Friday 23/3, and playing the latest Horseplay Records party at The Box Tree on the 31/3 along with Le Jockey, Sam I Am, Tom Akam and Dave Kelso. I've also just heard that there will be another party at the famed Coldham's Lane warehouse on the 14/7, nearly a year after the last one. DJs on the night will include Le Jockey, Mark Henning and Mr C (apperently becuase he's bought a mattress off the venue owner and decided the best payback was to spin). I'll believe it when I see it, but anyone with more authoratitiive knowledge on this matter is welcome to leave a comment.

Bottom Heavy Photos

You can see some photos from last week's Bottom Heavy here. Thanks to Doppler for the link.

The Bottom Heavy Jinx

The Bottom Heavy jinx struck again last night. I've now missed the last two due to events beyond my control. I suppose last night was in my control, but when you've just become a father and your partner has the impression (rightly or wrongly) that she's doing everything and you're gallivanting around town without a care in the world, discretion is called for. I hope you had a good birthday Largo. Sorry I couldn't be there. So no photos of Trevor Rockliffe, etc , on the blog today. Still, not to worry. I've got another ancient Mayan carving from the Bruges Museum of Chocolate for you.

Been listening to loads of stuff recently. Very impressed with “Claremont 56” by Mudd aka Paul Murphy on Rong. Opened the show with a track from it last night. Psychedelic disco/soul is how I'd describe it. If I was a wine critic, I'd be saying stuff like “I'm getting The Mamas and The Papas on my palate, with an explosion of The Byrds combined with Arthur Russell . . .” which is nice. I've just reviewed “Fuse Presents Steve Bug” on Music Man for Resident Advisor. If they accept it it'll be linked on the right. If not I'll put the review up here within the next few days. It's very good by the way. Got myself a copy of the new “Get Lost 2” mixed by Jamie Jones on Crosstown Rebels, more on that later, and Fabric have just sent me the new “Fabric Live 33” mixed by Spank Rock. A good few days intensive listening coming up.

It's been a lovely day here inna Babraham. So lovely in fact that I'm going to barbecue half a leg of lamb and make a gratin Dauphinoise to accompany it. Mustn't forget the red wine. How's about a Bordeaux 2005? Still a bit young, but widely regarded as one of the best years in living memory; no such luck. It's a Corbieres from Budgens in Sawston. A few more days like today and little Marcel's crying will be easier to bear.




This week's show was originally going to feature Kittenflux and Subculture stalwart Dave Kelso. He ran into a spot of bother on the day of the show though, so Ed Sexton of Badger Attack bravely stepped into the spotlight at short notice. Thanks again, Ed.

The first part of the show featured a two part interview with Ed.

Speilplatz – Mudd (Rong)
Material World – Comtron (Rush Hour)
Let Me Dance (Sebo K remix) – Martin Landsky (Poker Flat)
Revoltec – Sven Weissmann (Styrax Leaves)
Jazz – Brendan Moeller (Third Ear)
Flower – Fuckpony (Get Physical)
Dig Your Own Rave – Zander VT (Memo)
Berghain – Aril Brikha (Kompakt)
Verde Confeti (Pan Pot remix) – Damian Schwartz (CMYK)
Swoon (Shonky remix) – MIA (Substatic)

Ed's Mix (Badger Attack Fireside Favourites)

Scarlito – Mikael Weill (Karat)
Bash the Bishop – Sweet n' Candy (Dumb Unit)
Am I Bothered Though? - Mark Henning (Found Sound)
Ruby Darling – Mossa (Morris Audio)
Tanz der Polymere (Hemmann & Kaden remix) – Misc (Sender)
Black Worm – Funk d'Void & Phil Kieran (Soma)
Positive Education (Richie Hawtin's Stripped mix) – Slam (Soma)
Strip Down – Glimpse (Glimpse)
Two Bags of Grass – Loway (Dorigen Music)

Thanks also to Axel for being the Duty Manager at the studio for my show.

It's now about four hours later and I've just had dinner. The lamb was cooked to perfection and the gratin, despite having a bit too much liquid, was also very good. I'm sitting in front of the tv with
Marcel, who is starting to make gurgling noises, watching some football. I was playing the Jamie Jones mix cd and came downstairs a couple of tracks from the end, sounded good. Easy to hear/see why certain people in the know have compared him to Terry Francis. The Spank Rock cd is yer typical mash up. Well executed but not really my cup of tea. Some more detailed feedback to follow. Have a good week.

Stratospherik Chart

I thought I'd put a few words down about a new net label run out of Barcelona called “Stratospherik.” It's three releases old at the moment and while what it produces isn't necessarily ground breaking it's certainly good, deep techy house and absolutely gratis. The releases are, in chronological order:

In an Empty Room/Threshold – Clarke Cassidy
LaidMeBack/Dainty Day – Stratoliner
Mindnone/Nippondark – Clarke Cassidy

I'm a big fan of mood setting music that does exactly what it says on the tin, no strings attached. If you've ever wondered why, in The F Word, uberchef Gordon Ramsay almost always gets his arse kicked when he challenges someone to make a better dessert than him, it's because he insists on being too clever. He puts secret ingredients in his brownies that completely ruin the flavour and the expectation. He creates something else which, while tasting nice isn't what was wanted. I want my roast potatoes to be crispy on the outside, fluffy inside and seasoned simply with some sea salt, black pepper and maybe a little flat leaf parsley on top (oh, and don't forget to use goose or duck fat in the oven with them if available). I've never been able to understand most titles in techno or house. It's all about evocation I suppose, but I definitely think that Clarke Cassidy's first double header contains more than a hint of the words used. One of my favourite titles of any piece of music has to be “Condor to Malaga” by Jeff Mills. Whether the music fits the title or not, I feel like I'm flying over the Med when I listen to that track. Likewise, I'm having a dainty day when I listen to Sratoliner's track of the same name. The stylings are almost oriental in this one and it lays down a metronomic groove that takes it up a notch from it's predecessor “Laidmeback.” By the time we've got to the third release “Mindnone” we've come full circle and we're back with Mr Cassidy's kick drum. Listening to these three in order does give one a sense of symmetry. Stratoliner injects some uncertainty and drugginess into the proceedings and this flows over into “Mindnone” which is toughened up by an off key bass that harmonises with a disembodied vocoder. “Nippondark” is perhaps the most overtly sinister of all the tracks on offer here, with it's rumbling, industrial sub bass and busy Duracell bunny-like snare drum. You can find all these tracks here. I've no idea who made them, but that shouldn't stop any one wanting to inject their sets with some darkness from snapping them up pronto.

Here's a chart. Didn't have time to do one last month, what with babies being born and all that. Again, what you read about might not be amazingly recent, just the stuff that I'm playing at the moment.

My Rendition – The Martinez Brothers (Objektivity): I've written enough about this one already. Click on the link opposite to read my full Resident Advisor review.

Tranquillite – Jens Zimmermann (K2): A lot going on here, and a bit of a departure for K2. Disembodied Gregorian chants and a murkiness keep this one going through a miasma of unsettling but rhythmic percussion.

Whenever – Dolly la Parton (Bemysheep): First came across this one on the Marco Carola Fabric mix cd. It's Alex Under at the controls and the Robert Hood-like harmonics that he's taken a notch or two higher are dribbling in and out of the driving beat.

Czeslawa – Ben Klock (Ostgut Ton): The stamp of Robert Hood again, more noticeable on “Warszawa” than “Czeslawa.” It's debatable whether Klock and his ilk really realise that they are making something derivative (and I mean that in the nicest possible way) because this stuff sounds so fresh. “I remember (adopts the voice of a venerable old reptile) buying “Minimal Nation” on Axis in the mid 90s and they all thought I was mad.”

Dig Your Own Rave – Zander VT (Memo): Named after the legendary T Bar Sunday daytime knees up of the same name. Melancholy and optimistic simultaneously.


Galaxy 82 – Makossa & Megablast (GStone): Not an imprint that usually crosses my path, but I've got the good people at Phonica to thank for this one. Asking what a certain record on the wall was, I was given this to accompany it, as they were both from the same label. My original request didn't cut it, but this one more than does. An early evening crowd pleaser as well as and end of night floor shaker.

Alone on Mars – Redshape (Present): I'm really checking everything by Redshape at the moment and not being even slightly disappointed. Classy Detroit-inspired but entirely European techno. Not nosebleed but tear-jerking.

Housemusic/State of Mind – Motor City Soul (Lo Fi Stereo): Classy 21st Century house that houses more than it techs. “State of Mind” is the one for me. Underpinned by a bass line you've definitely heard somewhere before, a keyboard stabs away insistently bringing the track to a hands-in-the-air climax. Check the recent remixes for Fuckponydelic on Cocoon and for Dani Casarano on Connoisseur Superior which are both superb.

Viellees Canadiennes EP – Luci (Titbit): Montreal's Luci comes correct with a four track EP that peddles what is basicaly a leftfield version of what used to be called “funky house” but, thanks to K sounds a little bit more warped than your average four to the floor. This EP reminds me of Brett Johnson in parts and is suitably wonky enough to keep things interesting.

No Model No Tool – Luciano (Cadenza): Double pack from Luciano that contains something for everyone. It's the two elongated workouts “Keridos” and “Saulitude” that are the only ones I'm bothering with though. The smaller tracks on disc two all have their place, but would only work as layers on the dancefloor.

Detritus

I've been up to my eyeballs in shitty pampers, cute little one-piece pyjama suits and bodies, and pooey baby smells. To top all this, I've been up every two or three hours breastfeeding. How, you may ask, am I able to blog with the chaos expanding all around me? Well it's not easy. I've also found time to review some new stuff forthcoming on Soma, Titbit & Motech as well as writing a mini-epic for Resident Advisor on the subject of The Martinez Brother's release on Objektivity “My Rendition.” I've been a busy bee, and being pregnant has only been the half of it. Oh, and before I forget, here's a repeat of the competition Ques
“Nobody's Perfect
Part Two.”

What was the name of the single that Andre Parker made with DJ Godfather and DJ Assault?

Answers to this blog please. Leave a comment and full contact details. Because of my mind being obviously elsewhere these last couple of weeks, I've almost certainly forgotten important details in the question, such as when the single was made. Therefore this competition is open until the next show, which will be on the 10/3 featuring local boy genius and member of the Kittenflux collective, Dave Kelso. I thank you.


This week's show featured an interview with Doppler of the ARU DJ Society. He also selected the second half of the show.

First half incorporating Doppler interview:

Hypnodelic -Francois Kevorkian (Wave)
Dwarfzilla – Luci (Titbit)
The Weight – The Black Dog (Soma)
Electron Push – Silicon (NSC)
Alia (Gary Martin remix) – DJ 3000 & Gerald Mitchell (Motech)
Warzawa – Ben Klock (Ostgut Ton)
Ring of Fire – Mark Henning (Trapez)
Moonbeam – Eclipse (Traum)

Doppler's selection:

A Chico Rythmico – Locodice (Cadenza)
Kreuzberg Krunk (Inside Out mix) – Tony Rohr (Clink)
Der Senat – Paul Kalkenrenner (Bpitch)
Exciting Ride – Bodycode (Spectral)
Akul – Umek (Audiomatique)
Kaliber 10.1 – Kaliber (Kaliber)
Bring The Beat Back – Pascal FEOS (Level Non Zero)
Pintare – Sami Koivikko (Spectral)
Heka Bright Side – Daniel Vigorito (Nusi de Orion Minimal Music)

Birth of a Corey

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Marcel Emile Oscar Corey was born at 4:23am on Tuesday 13th February 2007. The three christian names are because we couldn't make up our minds what to call him. I've just returned back to work from paternity leave and slowly getting used to the routine. Sleep has been a luxury, but not as much as for the wife. I found time to go to The Priory last week with Paul Woolford, which was nice, so that's why there's a mix of photos. Not in the mood to write a lot now. Expect a chart by the start of next week, along with a show playlist. I hope to be having Doppler, of the ARU DJ Society and resident of local night "Minimal Theory" guesting, so tune in for that. It should be a good 'un.

Guess where I am? I'm in the food hall of Addenbrooke's Hospital while Emmanuelle's upstairs in the delivery suite waiting for a midwife to come and induce the baby. It's a hive of activity in here with everyone eating crisps and food better suited to anywhere but a hospital. Anyway, as you can imagine I've got things on my mind at the mo' so I'll just post last Saturday's playlist and be on my way.

Click on the show link in the links list. The archive isn't up yet, but should be by tomorrow.

Prima Materia (edit) – Alex Smoke (Soma)
Anne Will (Vicenzo remix) – Move D (Liebe Detail Spezial)
Die Alpenstrandaufer von Spiekeroog – Dominik Eulberg (Traum)
Skydive From Venus (Deetron remix) – Detroit Grand Pubas (Detelefunk)
Magik – Harry Axt (Grand Petrol)
Asha – Pantha du Prince (Dial)
Fluteorgie – Hug (Kompakt)
Sukkin Mutik – Davide Squillace (Ovum)

In The Mix:

Home, Stop, Welcome (Andrew Weatherall remix) – Repeat, Repeat (Soma)
Voodoo Ray (FK remix) – A Guy Called Gerald (Fontana)
Driven (Jamie Jones Pacific mix) – Estroe (Connaisseur Superior)
Galaxy 82 – Makossa & Megablast (G Stone)
Bosch – Richard Wolfsdorf (Research)
Time – Christian Vogel (Tresor)
State Of Mind – Motor City Soul (Lo Fi Stereo)
My Rendition – The Martinez Brothers (Objektivity)
Playing Games (Rob Mello's No Ears mix) – Galen (Utensil)
Olympia – Shonky (Freak n' Chic)
Blue Bayou – Marc Houle (Minus)
Olanto (Lee Jones remix) – Jacopo Carreras (LAN)
The Human Bond – E Dancer (KMS)

Expect a mix to be posted for download within the fortnight, and some baby photos too.

The Time Is Nigh . . .

The Time Is Nigh. . .

I am on standby. Every night I turn in I am painfully aware of the fact that it could be all hands on deck at any time now. Emmanuelle may face the call of nature. Reproduction waits for no one. The ambulance could may have to be called and all hands will be on deck. So far so good but at the very least, the baby will be induced a week today. At least I'll know when it happens if it happens on time. Cryptic eh? Anyway, earlier ijn the week I popped down to London for the evening and got taken out to an excellent Japanese restaurant. I love the food, but am not an expert so it was that at my ripe old age I was initiated into the ways of sashimi and varieties of sushi that I thought were mere myths. I've also been filling my time reading about, amongst other things The Children's Crusades. This was bonkers and would make a great film, however, due to the current political climate, I don't think I'll be putting my money behind it just yet.

Got a show this week, pre-recording it on Friday. No guests, just me, but there'll be a new mix on it which I'm really looking forward to putting together. I wanted Tom Hallmark, who would have guested on the show that was cancelled last weekend, to guest but he's tied up. He'll be on sometime in March I hope. Doppler from the ARU DJ society will be with me on the 24/2 I hope, and Dave Kelso soon after and Mark Henning. Other dates for your diary include The Priory with Paul Woolford on the 15/2, and Erol Alkan with The Priory at "Kill 'Em All Let God Sort It Out at The Junction on the 23/3.

As far as I'm concerned I need to get out more, and that means journeying down to fair Londinium for as many knees-ups as I can manage. I'm working on getting my arse down to the T-Bar on a regular basis and immersing myself in the hedonism and fornication that goes on thereabouts. Meanwhile I'm liking the new deeper direction electronic music seems to be taking itself in. DJs such as Jamie Jones, Matt Styles and Geddes are mixing things up rather nicely and blazing a trail for others to follow. In truth what they're doing isn't any different from the halcyon days of tech-house, but the current direction seems fresh and there's a buzz in London at the moment which has been nicely amplified by the many after parties, and parties in their own right, at places like Kubicle and the T-Bar and of course Mulletover. I for one am looking forward to some interesting excursions in the months to come.

The Show Didn't Go On

Still feeling frustrated because a couple of days ago my show was cancelled. No duty managers has volunteered to man the station and as Saturday night is probably the most difficult to cover I was bound to suffer eventually. In case you're wondering what I'm on about at the studio there has to be somebody on duty while shows are being broadcast, we're all volunteers at 209 and we all try to give our time when we can, unfortunately there's always a black hole Saturday night, which effects my show, "Kids Love Rhymes" the hip-hop show that comes directly after and runs from 9-11pm, and "Drums Wide Open," the drum and bass show which runs on alternate Saturdays. If anyone from Cambridge is reading this and would like to lend a much-needed hand, drop by Citylife and 209 at The Howard Mallett Centre, check out contact details on the 209 website, the link is on the right of this page.

The upshot of this is that I should be able to pre-record my next show (another thing which is getting more difficult as the studio is almost constantly occupied). I'd resigned myself to not being able to do the 10/2 as I'll be becoming a father again around that time. Expect maudlin photos of a fleshy embryo when that little event takes place.


Meanwhile . . .


First chart of the New Year and I'm feeling a bit stale, but is the music?

Home Stop Welcome – Repeat Repeat (Soma): Included for the Weatherall remix, which pitches things a bit lower compared to the original, (which didn't stand out on the album for me). This one makes for the ideal set opener and has a nice bass to draw the dancers in.

Sideways (Andre Kraml remix) – Miss Yetti (Gold und Liebe): Since “Dirty Fingernails” I've always kept an eye on Herr Kraml's output. This is a driver that will raise the stakes in any set. It's a squelcher.

Wet – Steve Bug (Poker Flat): The Bugman keeps up his usual high standards with this moody wild-pitch inspired builder.

Just Dazing – Falco Brockespeir (Substatic): A metronome of a beat keeps time and underpins a very synthetic woodwind section (that's what it sounds llike to me anyway). One to make you think of wide open spaces.

Dirty (Woody remix) – Autotune (Fumakilla): The mix from label boss Woody wins the day due to it's increased syncopation. Phage and Daniel Dreier also contribute to the package, and have nothing to be ashamed of, but Woody wins.

Olanto (Lee Jones remix) – Jacopo Carreras (LAN): The usual hot joints from Exercise One's thoroughbred stable. Jacopo Carreras sounds like a medieval latin troubador but with Lee Jones on remix duties he's brought kicking and screaming into a funk-soaked twenty first Century.

Horse Nation Amended – Heartthrob Vs Troy Pierce (Minus): Of course this is a remix, and little has been done to the original, but what could you do to a track as perfect in the first place? Like the Glimmer's recent Fabric cd opening remix of “Same Old Scene” by Roxy Music, Heartthrob has taken the best bits and amplified them. Simple really.

Jam On It (Claude VonStroke & Galen's Disco Kryptonite mix) – Newcleus (Deeplay Soultec): A bit different and all the better for it. Jacks along like David Brent with crabs.

Where Is Didier Lambing? - Sarah Goldfarb (Triebstoff): Where indeed. Tech house (remember that genre? It's coming back with a vengeance) par excellence. The mysterious Sarah from Marseille does it again.

Take This – Jurgen Paape (Speicher): Gives John Dahlback a run for his money. Nothing ground-breaking but pushes all the right electro buttons. A jagged beat cutting through the crap.

Too Posh to Push?

A date has been set, cs on the 8/2. Ah well, at least I shouldn't be running around in the middle of the night. I'm here at 209 towers duty managing for Harry's show, "Drums Wide Open," then it's back home to watch the mighty Reds dismantle Chelsea. Mourinho looked very resigned to things during his post-match comments. If the Arse beat the Mancs tomorrow, then things could start to get interesting. Lovely goal by Pennant.

Start As You Mean To Go On

Saturday's show was good fun. Jonny Davies, aka Le Jockey, came down and played some new stuff he's been working on. "Gibba Lia" stood out as the best track and it's rumoured to be coming out on Clever Music. He also played a few tracks that have been kind to him over the last year or two. Ed of Badger Attack dropped by to say hello accompanied by a couple of friends, and the whole thing went off very well. I've still got to upload that recording from last week's Horseplay party, but I'm not sure if I possess the technology. Why can't everything fall nicely into place without me having to worry about it?

Halfway through the last book of Murakami short stories
"Blind Willow Sleeping Woman." Much better than I thought it would be. I didn't read "Kafka By The Shore" but after gorging myself on him three or four years ago I thought the novelty had worn off. Obviously there's a time and place for these things, and I'm really enjoying this latest collection of short stories. Can't wait to finish so I can finally get around to "In Pursuit of the Millenium . . . "


Machines Playlist: 12/7/07

Shari Vari - A Number of Names (Puzzle Box)
The Creator (12" edit) - Cobblestone Jazz (It Is What It Is)
Jam On It (Claude Von Stroke and Galen's Disco Kryptonite mix) - Newcleus (Deeplay Soultec)
Horsenation Amended - Heartthrob vs Troy Pierce (Minus)
I'm the Red - Le Jockey (CDR)
Trauermusik (Alter Ego mix) - Partial Arts (Speicher)
Save Your Saviour (album edit) - Octogen (Soma)
Hotfork Buffet - Mark Henning (Einmaleins)
Gibba Lia - Le Jockey (CDR)
Bounce It - Reynold (Morris Audio)
Hankofloppe - Wighonomy Brothers (Freude am Tanzen)
Say So - Ryan Crosson (Trapez Ltd)
Just Like That (Alex Under mix) - Random Play (Puzzle Trax)
Walk - Hemmann & Kaden (Milnor Modern)
untitled - Le Jockey (CDR)
Zu Fun - Extrawelt (Border Community)
Where is Didier Lambing? - Sarah Goldfarb (Triebstoff)
We Like Moroder (Divider remix) - Jupiter Black (Clone)

A Nice Beginning

Back in Cambridge after having been on holiday, first in Bruges and then back up home in Wallasey at me Mum's. It was good to get back in the swing of things and bring the New Year in belatedly with a short set at The Box Tree. Dave Kelso started proceedings, followed by yours truly, Tom Akam doing a live set, a bit of Le Jockey with The Priory's Sam rounding off the proceedings. I left about twenty minutes before the end with a splitting headache, but managed to record a good three hours; all of my set plus Tom Akam's, with Dave Kelso's last half hour and Sam's first. Le Jockey's mini set also got immortalised. I enjoyed it, but didn't choose the right records for the occasion and had the impression that I really banged it, the Dominik Eukberg mix of Shane Berry's "Fillertet . . ." (Trapez Ltd) really stretching some cerebellums, along with the by now ubiquitous Audion remix of Hot Chip's "No Such Thing." Apart from anything else though, I perfectly timed my escape to the strains of 'Have you got anything like "Put Your Hands Up For Detroit . . ."' from someone I'd been observing out of the corner of my eye for some time and whom I'd marked down as a possible voice of dissent. In truth though, I didn't play that well, but check out the sets anyway. They'll be up asap (don't hold your breath).

Oh, and don't take the piss as far as my photography skills are concerned. Feel free to laugh at the freaks in the photos though.