Max Chapman

Reviews: 156

Beesmunt Soundsystem
Raindance
Pets Recordings

David van der Leeuw and Luigi Vittorio Jansen aka Beesmunt Soundsystem deliver what can only be called kick-ass House Music with this latest outing from Pets Recordings. Matters ignite in fine style with the irrepressible Searchin’ feeling frisky with its blaze of fiery drum machines sounding classically tuned yet remotely fresh all at the same time. The stripped back arrangement allows the vocal space to breath along with a nagging, agitated synth line plus occasional effects. Borrowed Identity supply a tough remix via pounding drums contrasted nicely by more subtle, soulful chords. The equally demanding Raindance is next with another round of timeless drums hitting the repeat button alongside irresistible bass and atmospheric electronics filling in the spaces. Finally, the excellent Ominous ends on slightly sleazy syncopation which is soon joined by gritty (to put it mildly) accompanying synthesizer lines sizzling with possibilities.

Release: July 31
https://www.facebook.com/beesmunt
http://pets-recordings.com

https://soundcloud.com/pets_recordings/sets/pets055-beesmunt-soundsystem

Piers Crozier
TNT EP
Resonance Records

The man behind the North West’s infamous Cheshire Garden Party gets deep, down and dirty with this excellent production for Resonance. I’ve been playing this for a while now on my DeepHouse-Radio show and still sounds just as addictive with its funky combination of rolling bass, shuffling drums and most notably the spoken words with a message adding spice to the mix. Try the original version for all this and more. Remixes come from a frisky sounding Max Chapman who adds a distinct sting with rattling percussion and low-end bass pulverising the grooves, plus from an edgier and on-point Leftwing & Kody. Second original, Someone again hits you with a neat bassline and vocals adding the human touch, while third track ‘One, Two’ joins Chicago styled vocal stabs together with more rough, tough drums and bass to only further the experience.

Release: August 3
https://www.facebook.com/piers.crozier
http://resonancerecords.co.uk

https://soundcloud.com/resonancerecords/sets/rr035-piers-crozier-tnt-ep

Santosh Khan
Mind In The Clouds EP
Etia Creations

You start off thinking this is cool, then the drum break drops and then the dark gorgeous bassline goes and introduces itself amid the ethereal hypnotic voices. If you like things moody and very late night then this is most probably/ most definitely for you. The great Steve Mac then remixes with big splashing hi-hats driving it all into distraction alongside a suitably striking arrangement set primed for the dancefloor to explode.

Release: July 24
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Santosh-Khan/115831508470298
http://etiacreations.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpGs3HoYmu4

Werner Niedermeier
Escaping
Ayeko Records

This is a great EP from Werner Niedermeier and incidentally his second for the label. There is a first-rate combination of ideas going on in the title track, Escaping with a flourish of Disco percussion fueling a hot rhythm section, that is offset by warmer chords and contrasted further by dark low-end theory and suitably smoky vocals. Easy Peeler, follows with distinctively pulsating beats plus a P-funked bassline and an irresistible sense of rhythm. The excellent, ‘Tansan’ is up next with addictive Acid lines demanding being turned up to eleven and then repeated, while Puzzled gets twisted amid a sea of inviting deepness to end.

Release: July 24
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Werner-Niedermeier/208516612553461?sk=timeline
http://ayeko.com/releases

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ig18Uj0gSHQ

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Reviews:135

Single of the Week

Neil Parkes
Me & You EP
Leftroom Limited

Hats off to Neil Parkes for delivering such an exciting production which doesn’t follow the rule book, consequently sounding rather spectacular. Me & You is the led track and combines a distinctive, undulating synth line along with brooding chords and suitably leftfield vocals. A great remix comes from Richy Ahmed who punctuates it with Chicago styled vocal stabs and Detroit synthesizers augmenting the certainly tough bassline. Dixon, then sees the producer in deeper territory with moody atmospheres and shuffling percussion again delivering singular results. The excellent, ‘You Were’ ends on a high with provocative basslines amid weirdly addictive vocals and further tech keyboards that feel uniquely soulful.

release: November 10

https://www.facebook.com/neilparkesmusic
http://www.leftroom.com

https://soundcloud.com/leftroom/neil-parkes-me-you?in=leftroom/sets/neil-parkes-me-you-ep

Karizma
Beats & Bobs Vol.2
R2 Records

I did mean to bring you this a couple of weeks ago but circumstances got in the way. Never-the-less the sumptuous Klearkut chimes with the current vogue for shimmering, marimba styled keys underscored by tough beats, which is in this case superbly highlighted by an extra layer of percussion and subtle synths at mid-point. Great track, for sure. However, it’s to the timeless quality of Earth These Beats that attention turns. Replaying the Beats version of the 1990 classic Earth People ‘Dance’ and extending it out to ten minutes is tempting on paper but played loud releases all that funky energy at full blast.

http://www.traxsource.com/title/376724/beats-and-bobs-vol-2

http://www.r2records.com
https://www.facebook.com/karizma.kaytronik
https://twitter.com/KAYTRONIK

https://soundcloud.com/r2records/karizma-presents-beats-bobs-vol2

Max Chapman & Kieran Andrews
The Factory EP
Lost Records

We’re just about to hit November and already there’s a great list of music in store.  Following neatly on from their Temperature EP for the label comes this blistering, bassline infused production in the shape of Factory 7. It’s all thumping beats, crisps sounding snares and atmospheric noises swirling round the ether, and it’s positively nasty. Philip Bader’s remix drops the loser funkier vibe of the original in favour of more attacking House beats surrounded by a pulsating vocal stabs and a creative selection of sounds for high impact. Leaving, Loving Arms to feel more emotive with hooky vocal loops and driving rhythms to end the show.

release: November 17

https://www.facebook.com/Chapman.Max
https://www.facebook.com/kieran.andrews.58
https://www.facebook.com/LostRecordsUK

https://soundcloud.com/max-chapman/sets/max-chapman-kieran-andrews-1

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Reviews:27

Max Chapman
‘The Rhythm Stick EP’
Kaluki Musik

Max Chapman does Kaluki proud with this EP. Rhythm Stick’s bold bassline provides the reason that made you fall in love with House Music in the first place. Plus with its creative combination of smart drum programming, ear pleasing sounds and wish you’d thought of it arrangement this proves hard not to love. Escape again adds together notable sounds with fresh feeling perspective, with Another Time and a Julien Sandre collaboration finishing with yet more addictive bass, perilous synths and haunting voices. 9

http://www.myspace.com/kalukimusik

 

I:Cube
‘Lucifer En Discothèque EP’
Versatile Records

Transpiration sounds like a Todd Terry stab on acid. And as tempting as that may, or may not sound, what’s truly exciting about I:Cube’s shimmering production is that it makes you want to jump up and down in no particular order. Coupled with big Disco hi-hats and edgy electronics this has to be heard to be believed! Jah Menta then delivers a scratchy soundtrack to tempt you further into mysticism, while the title track is an instant rush of new-wave disco that is purely party. Forward thinking music and a perfect teaser of what’s in store from the forthcoming album, Megamix. 8

http://versatilerecords.com/chateauflight/news/listen-to-the-new-icube-ep-coming-out-in-december-and-icube-forthcoming-album-details-revealed/

 

 

Matthias Vogt
‘Under The Radar EP’
Lazy Days Recordings

Everything begins with a C as this Chicago inspired EP kicks off with the effortlessly cool, C-Scat. Built around jazzy vocal snippets and one mother of a bassline this hits the spot nicely. Under The Radar, follows with deeper chords and toms producing tasteful moods, as The Flow version of the same proceeds to explore the atmosphere further with poignant piano and classic techno percussion. And if all of that wasn’t enough the Pad-A-Pella does just what you would expect with funkier beats and even more space and time. 8

http://soundcloud.com/fredeverything/undertheradarsnip

release: 6 december 2011

 

 

Le Vinyl
‘Time For Change’
Deep Edition Recordings

It isn’t all just about the drum and the bass as this imaginative production shares frequently excitable rhythms and effervescent chords with you, alongside a spoken sample that feels warmly familiar – or maybe not. Picking up the pace the ‘Chris Minus a bit Deep Fried Remix’ wobbles the bassline over snappy snares and disco attitude to provide a notable alternative. 8

 

http://soundcloud.com/deep-edition-recordings

release: 5 december 2011

 

 

Shades Of Gray
‘Soul Machine’
Beef Records

Michal Schwa and Nick West wear the confidence of their convictions proudly on their respective sleeves as this two CD (vinyl and digital) set has the audacity to be released alongside the accompanying remixes on their own label. Which in this case come from the likes of The Timewriter, Jef K & Gwen Maze, Soul Minority. The original music is packed with energy and comes with a cool European edge that only adds to the charm, as both vocals and dubs vi equally for your attention. The counterparts then rework the lot. At times this leans towards the dancefloor – witness First Kontakt – while at others has ambience in mind such as on the captivating, Illusions. Beats range from straight-up House to the more twisted variety while funky instrumentation and the smart use of effects always keep you plugged into the loop. 7

http://soundcloud.com/kahua-music/sets/beefcd005-originals

http://www.beefrecords.net/

release: 5 december 2011

 

and last but not least is this forthcoming single (no release date yet) from Wagon Cookin’. excellent video – especially if you missed the eighties (lucky you!)

 

 

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