Reviews: 175

Frag Maddin
Snatch! Records

original_imageGreat production by Frag Maddin who delivers unforgiving and most certainly unrepentant rhythms that force the word gritty through the mill while coming up smiling. Three tracks for Riva Starr’s imprint kick off via the sizzling, bombastic beats and bass of Up To You – which even makes the Loleatta Holloway vocal feel fresh. 1st Reason, follows with a continuation of sinister synths lines and probing low-end theory, while 2nd Reason explores funkier (dare I say melodic) climes to complete this first rate release.

http://fragmaddin.com

https://twitter.com/snatchrecords

jozif
Thrill Me
Music For Freaks

Next in line of killer releases from the label is this irresistibly funky number from jozif who transports a neat sequence of cowbell hits into something altogether more huge care off fuzzy bass notes, plus punchy synthesizers and commanding voices. All My Life, then gets moodier with repeating electronics alongside the relative warmth of harmonious melodies. Either way, great music.

Release: July 29

https://www.facebook.com/jozifmusic
https://soundcloud.com/jozif
@jozifmusic

Yamen & EDAOne_Records_-_038_-_Insta
Temporis EP
One Records

Four equally captivating productions adorn this latest outing from the French duo for One Records. And as you’d expect they cut right to the edge via tough, smoky drums and low-slung bass. The EP’s title track does all that and more with chiming keys playing out across rich yet moody atmospheres perfect for those deep and possibly late-night moments. The Mankind, then adds a swing to the drums along with more brooding chords, leaving the excellent Hustle to get freaky via break-beats and heavy synths. The aptly titled Running Out completes via energetic rhythms that will no doubt leave a satisfied dancefloor once again.

https://www.facebook.com/onerecofficial

Release July 18

Listen/ Buy http://www.deejay.de/ONE038_-_Yamen_und_Eda_-_Temporis_Ep_-_12inch__233834

 

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iO (Mulen Records/ One Records) Q&A

io picYour excellent new single ‘Mir’ for One Records is due out at the end of June. How did you get involved with the label?

Everything is simple, all the DJs are sharing music, and sometimes it gets into the right hands. My friend John Dimas listened to my tracks and shared them with Adam Shelton, one of the owners of One Records, who liked my tracks and said he wanted to release some of them. At the time the track  “Mir” was called “number 5”, and was signed to another label already, but after sending many tracks to Adam Shelton he insisted on the release of “number 5”, which I then agreed to.

Can you talk us through where the inspiration for the title track came from, and how you produced it (including any favourite pieces of studio equipment you like to use)?

My inspiration is an old school sound ‘garage’ style, which is music from my childhood and it always makes a fresh sounds fresh. You can always hear lovely style in my tracks, sampling the classic approach of “House makers”. I love to work with samples for arrangements by adding  “Roland Juno-60” synthesizer and “Roland TR-909”

buy: http://www.juno.co.uk/products/io-mulen-mir/570632-01/

https://soundcloud.com/egroove/premiere-io-mir-one-records

 Cab Drivers have done the remix. Can you tell us about why you choose them?

I am very glad that those professionals have done a wonderful remix on my track. I have been a big fan of the label “Cabinet” for a long time, but the remix- was an arranged by Adam. Thanks to them for perfect work. They are unique in their sound.

Can you tell us about your Kiev based label: Mulen Records and any forthcoming plans?

Mulen rapidly continues to develop in music, design, online- projects. The Profilabel platform is running already, a lot of producers on all of the world like it and use it cause Profilabel has very convenient functionality and restrained design. We were joined to many new artists like beginners talents and approved itself in the music field. We continue to develop and work.

https://soundcloud.com/mulenrecords/mulen-podcast-08-io-mulen?in=mulenrecords/sets/podcasts-1

As we are entering the summer season I was wondering what your thoughts are on the big festivals in relation to Underground Dance music?

io festIn our time the festivals have risen to such a level that all people can enjoy the music and feel most liberated and create tremendous positive energy anywhere in the world. The strongest vibration of positive energy.

 Where can people get to hear you DJ next?

Ostrov festival, Fabric on the “One Records” label show-case, show-case Mulen in America. See you there!

http://mulenrecords.com

https://www.facebook.com/mulenrec

@MulenRec

https://soundcloud.com/recycle/sets/rev005-io-mulen-rediant-ep

 

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Paolo Rocco Q&A

paolo picGrowing up in Canada how did you first encounter Dance Music and who were your initial influences?

Initially, I first encountered dance music over the radio but only really got into it when I started going out to clubs, spinning tunes and digging in record stores. In general, I have always had many influences when it came to music. When talking specifically about House, I would say Kerri Chandler, Masters at Work, DJ Gregory and Daft Punk were among the first big ones.

Your new Compilation album for Get Physical: Ibiza 2014 begins with an emotional sequence ambient of sounds. How important is setting a mood when you DJ?

For me it’s the difference between actually being a DJ and not. Walking into a room prime time and banging out whatever people want to hear is not being a DJ, it’s being a jukebox. I find a lot of times that the importance of how to properly open up a space and bring people in and onto a journey is often missed, it’s not something that should be rushed into or taken lightly. I personally love opening up rooms and, more often than not, enjoy opening up for myself when I can. There is a lot of really cool music you can play during an opening set that you would not be able to play later on.

How do you see the album reflecting the Ibiza of the title, and do you think the Island is as important to Dance music as it once was in light of the music’s now global popularity?

The album for me was about putting together a journey which is essentially what the Ibiza vibe is all about. Ibiza is detached from the rest of the world and once you walk into a party there you’re pretty much ready to stay the whole night right into the next morning without worrying about what you have to do or where you have to be – unless of course you have a flight to catch the next day. This is also why the compilation is longer than usual; I really wanted it to reflect the different moods you can get through an extended set. It opens up smoothly, then moves on to something bumpy which is then picked up with some heavier grooves; it is then closed off with a classic / nostalgic type tip. Aside from that reflection, it’s also how I like to build my sets in terms of mood traveling, I don’t always like sticking to just one mood. In terms of the importance of the island itself for Dance music globally, I think it will always be there as long as the people who run the club scene stay there. As the popularity of Dance music rises everywhere the tales of Ibiza’s euphoria grows with it.

The album also features some of your own productions like, ‘Caution You’ and Jay London collaboration, ‘Lost Tourist’. Can you talk us through the process of you producing a track – any particular favourite instruments/ software?

Me and Jay are good friends and work on several projects together even outside of producing music and DJing. The tracks we collaborate on usually happen out of the blue and we both have a day off messing around in the studio, sometimes it turns to something. We don’t sit down and decide today we are going to do this specifically, we just get together and jam here and there and when something happens it happens. When it comes to my solo productions I usually separate them with two focuses: making a single / music with a message type record; or tracky, hypnotic, groove type record that I can include in my DJ sets. The dub of Caution You is kind of the tracky interpretation of the vocal mix. Something I myself can use as a DJ.

How important is it for DJ’s to produce music as a means of helping to promote themselves these days, what advice would you give to someone starting out in 2014?

It’s important until it’s not important anymore. I think making music as a means to help self-promotion is a bad idea. If that’s the focus and heart of your music it’s going to be missing some soul and I can say that because I’ll admit that I have been there. At first I started making music in hopes to one day tour as a DJ, however that message was transcended to my music and it all sounded cookie cutter and rushed. The day I sat down and just started making whatever I felt without thinking too much about it people started becoming interested in what I was doing and what I had to say. I guess the only advice I would have is to make sure you focus on the process of production itself and make sure you enjoy that process, work that process and don’t focus so much on the results. Results will come on their own and producing without a result based focus will keep your music human and relatable.

Can you tell us about your involvement with Bauhaus Collective (and why that name was chosen) plus the RAW Moments parties?

rawWell the “Bauhaus Collective” is still in its beta form. The name came from “Staatliches Bauhaus” which is an art school in Germany that combines crafts and the fine arts. It’s an agency type lifestyle blog collective thingy all in one concept that we’re working on (confusing eh). Until we launch it officially it’s just a collective of artists whom support and help each other’s brand and work on collaborative projects – RAW Moments being one of those projects. It’s a party that we started doing in Montreal, all the talent we feature at these parties are home grown and the family grows with every event we throw. Each party also comes with a recap video that is put together by one of our friends Anthony William.

Where are you looking forward to playing most this summer?

I’m currently enjoying my residency at StereoBar & Stereo Afterhours here in Montreal more and more as the weeks go by. I’m very lucky to have a place in my city to call home where I can express myself and test out a bunch of new music. Besides that I’m on the road looking at being back in Europe come October around ADE.

Thank you so much!

* Paolo Rocco photo credit Monsiieur

https://www.facebook.com/paoloroccomusic
https://twitter.com/DjPaoloRocco
http://www.beatport.com/artist/paolo-rocco/215572
https://www.facebook.com/momentsraw
http://bauhauscollective.com
https://www.facebook.com/bauhauscollective

https://soundcloud.com/paolorocco/gates-of-sand-original-mix

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reviews:87

Guido Schneider & Jens Bond
Here I Am
Cadenza Lab

CAL018This delicious, brooding production from Guido Schneider & Jens Bond is little short of outstanding. Not only do the intriguing electronic rhythms captivate your attention creating a hypnotic, inviting soundscape but with the addition of commanding voice, trumpet and timbale the picture is warmly complimented by the human touch. Another first rate piece of music from the Cadenza stable. Planet E’s Monty Luke then remixes the title track with pulsating drums, acid styled bass and squelchy keys. The likewise excellent Flags Of Peace, finishes with punchy instrumentation featuring infectious organ stabs, spacey effects, flourishes of Balearic guitar and a spoken message that will surely resonate throughout the summer…

release: June 10

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Guido-Schneider/155915707889348

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jens-Bond/117236128313369?directed_target_id=0

https://soundcloud.com/cadenzamusic/sets/guido-schneider-jens-bond-here/

Julien Chaptal & Lauhaus
Jujuman
Supplement Facts

Julien Chaptal & Lauhaus - Jujuman digital.inddJulien Chaptal & Lauhaus challenging collage of sounds fly high along the lines of tribal and hypnosis. It’s a deeply intoxicating blend of slightly unsettling moods coupled with dark, pulsating rhythms and striking sound effects firing off in all directions, with the relief of subtle melody only occurring via moody synths some six minutes in. Franck Roger’s Remix as you would expect adds quality House bass to the equation while supplying his own take on the effects with as usual inspired consequences. Second and equally good is, Watching You which supplies sleazy suggestion vocally running alongside various Acid tweaks and building layers of percussion.

release: June 10

https://www.facebook.com/supplementfacts

sound clips at http://www.deejay.de/__124765

Yamen & EDA
Planet Brooklyn
One Records

ONE032-ARTWORKAnother great release from One records this time seeing the label explore seductive possibilities by Frenchmen Yamen & EDA. You could describe this as very late night or illicitly early morning depending on your sense of time but either way this excellent production simmers with low-slung tension. Powered by throbbing bass and tough percussion this features an entrancing monologue playing alongside the whirring instrumentation. Remixes come from Shaun Reeves, Jay Haze & Bill Patrick who pick up the tempo as they inject twisted electronics into the mix while concentrating on the Rap part of the vocal. Next, All Out continues the tension with deep beats and echoed stabs giving it all spacey far flung quality. The Subb-an 5am Remix completes with an all out Techno assault that spins an invigorating basslines against quick-fire drums.

release: June 10

https://www.facebook.com/YamenEda?ref=nf

http://www.onerec.net/

https://www.facebook.com/onerecofficial

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reviews:59

Anthea
Distraction EP
One Records

Subb-an & Adam Shelton’s One Records are about to release their finest moment to date. Anthea’s sublime yet slightly distressing production bears all the hallmarks of a classic in the making, with its sizzling electronic rhythms feeling heavy-duty and inescapably funky. Although, perhaps what’s most enticing here are the deliciously sleazy sounding vocals intoning, ‘I can’t dance when you’re next to me’ – hence the records title. First remix comes from Dan Ghenacia who reliably adds some extra juice to arrangement with more insistent bass, swinging hi-hats and haunting keys. The second is by Subb-an whose apt 5am Remix again delves deeper with throbbing basslines, more revealing vocals, and a masterly Murk feel that always sounds killer.

release: August 20

http://soundcloud.com/one-records/one-016-anthea-distraction-e-p

http://soundcloud.com/anthea-marie

http://www.onerec.net/

 

Hand Plant
Gone Ghost
Disco Boodlbath Recordings

The second release from London’s Disco Bloodbath is even better than the first. In fact, it’s an excellent piece of music. Combining the talents of the imprints own Ben Pistor and one half of Maxxi Soundsystem Sam Watts this swirling exploration of synthetic sounds feels like a trip through a myriad of influences, which define the finer point s of electronic music, from somewhere in the eighties until now. Love the sense of melancholy melody too as Gone Ghost isn’t shy of exploring a rollercoaster of emotions, then Jamie Blanco’s Acid Rework dives head first into 1988 with Acid enhancing the already expansive chords. The stunning, Arpy finishes in a blaze of intensity, complete with nasty sounds and grandiose Nu Beat references – this is nothing short of epic.

release: 8th August 2011 (Vinyl) / 21st August (Digital)

http://soundcloud.com/disco-bloodbath-london/sets/hand-plant-gone-ghost-clips

http://www.discobloodbath.co.uk/

 

 
Matthias Tanzmann
fabric 65
fabric

fabric continue their pioneering journey through sound with number 65 occupied by Matthias Tanzmann. The words deep, dark and soulful all crop up when listening to this extraordinary blend of  engaging music that begins with the strange jazz of Minimono’s ‘Venus’, passes through Monkey Maffia’s supremely funky ‘Sources From The Past’, via twist and turns from Maya Jane Coles and Davide Squillace. Also featured is his own superlative reworking of Silicone Soul ‘Right On, Right On’ plus Alexis Cabrera’s bizarrely groovy ‘Everything’, which you’ll find in amongst any number of other not so hidden gems. You could also use the words stunning and stylish.

release: August 20

http://www.matthiastanzmann.com/

https://www.facebook.com/matthiastanzmann?ref=ts

https://twitter.com/matttanzmann

http://www.fabriclondon.com/

 

OXIA
HOUSEWIFE feat. Miss Kittin
InFiné

Love the Wipe Out Remix of this track from the recent Tides Of Mind album, as it combines sleazy hi-nrg syncopation along with dead-pan, somewhat camp vocals from Miss Kittin extolling the virtues of being a ‘housewife’. Joy. Powered by a huge Kick drum and a bunch of eighties references this sounds like a fun place to be at. An Extended version of the Original also appears (see below) with remixes from Society of Silence who treat it with a much more intense Techno edge, while Yannick Baudino takes it deeper with pulsating beats and atmospheric synths.

release date: August 20 (V) September 3 (D)

http://www.oxia-dj.com/

https://www.facebook.com/OXIA.official#!/misskittin

http://www.infine-music.com/

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