Some Feedback On Some Recently Received Releases.

Artist: Death On The Balcony feat Ste Roberts
Title: Aquarian Explosion
Label: Magicbag
Cat Number: MBM004
Genre: House

Clean Air
Clean Air (Gavin Herlihy mix)
Joplin
Joplin (Soul Clap mix)

Lots of energy on this four tracker. 'Clean Air' does indeed sound clean, lots of space in those grooves. Interesting use of samples pervades the tunes. Very crisp production. Very driving contribution from Soul Clap. Everything sounds very roomy and full. Was this the intention?



Title: Cidang Go EP
Artist: Doppelt Gemoppelt
Label: Miniload
Cat Number: MINI019
Genre: House

Cidang Go
Housibill
Funkto

Very poor and lacking imagination. No balls or brains. That is all.



Title: Coca Grande
Artist: Jozif Feat The Mole
Label: Vitalik
Cat Number: VIT005
Genre: House

Coca Grande (The Mole's MMD mix)
Coca Grande
I Can Read Your Mind
Zeska

The Moles MMD mix is large-scale hypnotic bliss. Lloyd Grossman might say there's an ethnic theme here, and he'd be right. The original isn't quite as groovy, but a nice piece of minmal, understated funk all the same. A very mood--creating release.



Title: Deep, Love & Slaver
Artist: Uncle Deep
Label: Appetit
Cat Number:
Genre: Deep House

Deep And Love
Deep And Slaver

Nice stoned vibe to this one. Hardly surprising he's been picked up by Anton Zap. Keeps things simple and ploughs a nice, hazy deep/downtempo house furrow. Nice use of samples but why do they feel it necessary to point out that "he is over thirty" on the press release?



Title: DGT Is Shit
Artist: Alessio Pili & Nax Acid
Label: Aconito Records
Cat Number:
Genre: Techno

DGT Is Shit (Original)
DGT Is Shit (Edit)

Godawful title for a record. It pains me to say it but people making statements like this, sincere though they may be, really make themselves look like complete arses. Good, spacey stuff though. Prologuesque, and promising.



Title: Nobody Loves You/The Pressure
Artist: Tomas Malo
Label: Architech
Cat Number: ARC004
Genre: House

Nobody Loves You
No Pressure

Wonderful drums on 'Nobody Loves You' coulpled with some subtle, well-timed keys make for disco heaven. Filtered vocals really take it up a notch. 'No Pressure' makes good use of a spoken word over a very funky, bumpy beat and is just superb. Great stuff. Reminds me a bit of Roland Clarke. I wonder why.



Title: Numb Deaf & Dumb
Artist: Detroit Grand Pubahs
Label: Detelefunk
Cat Number: DET14
Genre: Electro

I say electro, but this is unashamedly commercial in its original form. Funny though. Like most Grand Pubah's stuff it's got a good, distinctive vocal. I have to say I was expecting more from the Space DJs, their version sounds quite watered down. DJ Pierre doesn't bring much to the party either but maybe turns in the best effort with some trademark acid squelches and a distorted vocal. It's hardly groundbreaking though and feels very lazy. Disappointing overall.



Title: Real Talk
Artist: Matt Tolfrey & Christopher Sylvester
Label: Murmur
Cat Number: mur016
Genre: House

Real Talk Feat. Kevin Knapp
Real Talk (Ryan Crosson's Post Up remix)
Reality

Very good. This release and the previous one on Murmur - ? have upped the quality on this label. More balls and depth, a greqt combination. Difficult to choose a fave between the original mix and Crosson's version. The remix gets it because of its energy.' Reality' holds its own too with some lovely synth washes amidst the muscular drumming.




Title: Ride The Rhythm
Artist: This Ain't Chicago
Label: Wonk
Cat Number: WONK002
Genre: House

Ride The Rhythm (Danny Mekanik Anniversary mix)
Ride The Rhythm (Derrick Carter remix)

Just brilliant. Still sounds fresh today. I remember it the first time around. Good choice re Derrick Carter to remix, and while he offers a typically bumpty interpretation and chops things up nicely, it's no improvement on the original whose charm resides in it's very raw, primitive acid lines.





Title: Samplers Parts 1 & 2
Artist: VA
Label: Gigolo
Cat Number: GIGOLO269/271
Genre: Various Electronic Bits

Part 1:
Soy Como Soy - Makossa & Megablast
Hall Of Shame (Skatebard mix) - Diskokaine

Part 2:
This City I Love - Nick Coleman
Are You Ready - DJ Linus
All Alone - Henrik Schwartz

Have to applaud DJ Hell for his reinvention of Gigolo and realisation that electroclash was a blind alley. Having said that this is proff that he hasn't completely abandoned his roots. Two releases to choose from and five very interesting bits. Pity about the sample on what is otherwise a good track from DJ Linus. Henrik Schwartz turns in a lo-fi acid smash which is just about the best thing on here.



Title: Serious Bitch
Artist: Zdenko Grbavac
Label: FTW Recordingz
Cat Number: FTW015
Genre: Techno

Serious Bitch
Serious Bitch (Daniel Sender remix)
Serious Bitch (Ambivalent remix)

Sorry, but the titles a turn off. Anyone who calls a track "Serious Bitch" lacks imagination and deals in cliches. The music tries a bit too hard, but this producer has potential. The D Sender remix has obviously been listening to Queen Atom's "Refuse Greed." Ambivalent's is the best, and definitely playable.

Making Hay

Back to reality tomorrow. It's been a nice, long weekend in spite of the windy, unsettled weather. Plenty of time to do nothing in between something. Here's a few bits and pieces I've coralled over the past few days.



Peter van Hoesen, Cio d'Or & Hometrainer At Harry Klein 1.5.10

I came across this over at Live Sets a couple of hours ago. I've no idea who the mysterious Hometrainer is, sounds like a piece of gym equipment to me. The pedigree of the other two is beyond doubt though. I've yet to listen to this, and it's nearly eight hours long, so I've no idea who's playing when or what. It should be good though. Find out for yourselves.




Butane At Blues, Quito, Ecuador 10.4.10

I've listened to the first hour or so of this, again it's a long one, weighing in at just under four hours. It's really, really good. Druggy, stripped down tribal funk from Mr Organic Chemistry himself. Check out the remarks along the comments bar. Highly recommended.




Dan Ghenacia At Listed Presents Varsity All Stars At Victor Hotel, Miami WMC 27.3.10

Good sets from the last WMC haven't been posted in abundance, but they are slowly emerging. Keep your eyes peeled for the good ones of which this is one.




Brainfeeder Radio Presents Cosmogramma Special 20.4.10

Another big file at around six hours with Flying Lotus and the whole Brainfeeder crew in the studio together mixing up a woozy, stoned psychedelic storm to celebrate the release of 'Cosomgramma.' Roll up a fat one and don't make any plans for the day.




Cottam's Causes Of Colour Mix 26.4.10

I've yet to listen to this, but if it's half as good as the mix he did for Random Circuits (what happened, btw?), it should be a stormer. I hope so as I've recommended him for Modyfier's "Process" series.

May Chart

I've finally got my act together and written a chart. Some of the releases below have been reviewed already, most haven't. In any case, these are a taste of what I've been listening to over the past few weeks. No order of priority and all complete releases unless specified.



Ruckus - Jamie Jones (Hot Creations)

Review here.

Jamie Jones official Facebook fan page here.

Hot Natured here.




STL & His Quest For Sound - STL (Something)

Review here.

Something here.




Raiz - Raiz/Silent Servant (Historia Y Violencia)

Historia Y Violencia here.


Moments In Rhythm Vol 2 - Keith Worthy (Aesthetic Audio)

Aesthetic Audio Myspace here.


Real House Music - DJ Jus' Ed vs DJ Qu (Underground Quality)

Review here.

Underground Quality here.


Wax 30003

Wax/Shed Myspace here.


Wolfgang Hair EP - Chicago Skyway (Uzuri)

Uzuri here.


Redbox - Dexter (Dolly)

Klakson/Dolly here.


Dettman - Marcel Dettmann (Ostgut Ton)

Review here.

Ostgut Ton here.


Document - VA (Spectral)

GhostlyInternational/Spectral here.


Rabbit (Moscow remix) - In Flagranti (Codek)

Codek here.


Angels Dub EP - Kuoyah (Frijsfo Beats)

Frijsfo Beats here.

Parte Traseira EP - Pherox (Stock5)

Stock5 here.


Sect EP - Sect (Culprit)

Culprit here.

Thanks For Nothing Remixes - Danton Eeprom (Infine)

Infine here.

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