Something Different Records

reviews:77

GrammeGramme
Fascination
Tummy Touch Records

Gramme’s long overdue but most welcome debut album sounds more than exciting in 2013 than it could have done at any time in the past. Because just like everything else takes its cues from historical influences which in this case range from the genius of ESG to Liquid Liquid etc – i.e. Gramme live in inspired company! But moving beyond easy comparisons, and from their initial EP released way back in 1999, this collection of spiky Punk-Funk and interesting soundscapes is also an edgy blend of razor sharp vocals and hot danceable grooves. Try the heavy percussion of Rough News or indeed the punchy Acid of Laugh Out Loud for potential starters. However the Factory referencing rhythms exist far outside of Manchester’s winter grey and are broadcast via the colourful imagination of Tim “Love” Lee’s NYC record label Tummy Touch. Check the videos for the very excellent ‘Girls Talk’ & ‘Too High’ below and get animated.

release: February 18

FREE DOWNLOAD of Too High https://soundcloud.com/tummytouch/too-high

https://twitter.com/wearegramme

https://www.facebook.com/GRAMMEBAND?fref=ts

 

nailNail
BPMs Vol.1
Airdrop

Initially only released in 2011 through his website GFI Music this collection of smoky grooves now gets a full vinyl outing. Nail aka Neil “Nail” Tolliday is perhaps best known as one half of Bent, however this evocative blend of all and sundry feels just as delightfully imaginative as much as it does tough and raw-edged. Kicking off is the superb Bad Drainage with its stunning chords and liquid bassline proving that this is music to get lost in and/ or move too if you so desire. Never falling easily into any one category, which is certainly part of the enviable charm, this hints at funk on the closing Blueberry Pill while journeying through the gritty Dub of Fucked Off along the way. Beats Per Minute….

release: February 11

http://gfimusic.bandcamp.com/

https://www.facebook.com/GFImusic

 

SDR025Junior Gee
Don’t Do That EP
Something Different Records

Keeping up the pressure from Something Different is Junior Gee’s latest title. Put simply Don’t Do That is devastating heavy-duty House music that again sees the label move in a more exciting direction. Powered by a hypnotic drum loop and insistent hi-hats this comprises of a peculiar amalgamation of sounds that sit somewhere between clocks and piano, but which result in this notably original production. Stop and Spin delivers yet more of those pounding grooves, leaving the more topical This Society to play out with jazzy snares, dark messages and strange notation. Excellent.

release: March 11

https://www.facebook.com/juniorgeeuk

https://soundcloud.com/junior-gee

http://somethingdifferentrecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/somethingdifferentrecords

 

GD30E.pdfTom Budden & Forrest
Lady Is Trouble EP
Gruuv

It’s always refreshing to hear melody adding colour to music and with the first release of the new year from Audiojack’s Gruuv imprint that’s exactly what happens. Emotive, breathy vocals adorn the original version of this in style as bass punctuated rhythms succeed in giving it all a frisky edge. Remixes come from Chris James aka Coat Of Arms who treats the voice to a sizzling variety of pulsating electro beats and deep keys. Plus from X-Press 2 whose version applies tribal flavour to the drums backed up by weird and wonderful synths creating a defining edge. Next, is Tom Budden’s own production Falling which sees chiming basslines offset by funky handclaps that you just know are going to sound absolutely huge on the right sound system. OOFT! supply the remix with classic Chicago/ Detroit influences sounding every bit as big as that suggests.

release: March 4

http://www.tombudden.co.uk/

https://www.facebook.com/forrestmusic

https://soundcloud.com/gruuv

 

Tony Barbato
1961
Favouritizm

Italian producer / DJ Tony Barbato sets the clock back to 1961 to relay his message about war and cash, which is no doubt a timely one from then to now. Although, perhaps the breezy combination of melody and music, albeit with a taught funky backing, lend themselves better to sunshine listening rather than such serious subject matter. Jazzanova/ Sonar Kollekitv stalwart Alex Barck then rearranges the sentiments to give the vocal more depth of feeling while adding a contemporary twist to the production via tense percussion and moody synths . Last but certainly not least is Patrick Podage’s excellent remix with its deliciously in-vogue bassline coupled with undulating electronics that award the edgy selection of treated words a heavy impact.

release: March 12

https://www.facebook.com/djtonybarbato

https://www.facebook.com/sarah.favouritizm/info

 

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reviews:64

The Salsoul Orchestra
The Salsoul Orchestra
Salsoul Records

Listening to The Salsoul Orchestra it becomes easy to understand why some people choose to live in the past, despite 1975 seeming like such a very long time ago. Never-the-less their blend of fiery Latin inspired Disco will always stand out because of the punch it packs, and with those dreamy minor chords playing so perfectly together your imagination is left free to run riot. Can’t say there is a filler on here and if the horn blasts, string lines and Vincent Montana Jr’s sublime vibes sometimes feel noticeably familiar then that’s because some of the players have also played on various other classics, both on Salsoul and beyond. However, I guess for me three tracks are particularly indispensible: Chicago Bus Stop (Ohh, I Love It), Tale Of Three Cities, and You’re Just The Right Size. All sassy, each suggestive in their own right – the latter’s title couldn’t be more direct! And, as with all in this series of reissues from bbr the accompanying sleeve notes are essential reading. Go try it on for yourself.

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=3771

 

Rob Pearson & Jay Dynan
The Babestation EP
ARTHOUSE

It’s tempting to speculate about the meaning of the EP’s title, but…l’ll pass on that for now. The confidence of this production is obvious as the bassline and drums entice you straight from the off. In fact, it’s one of those combinations that could simply run on a loop and you would repeatedly love it. Babestation, employs unnerving sounds and fx, and feels consistently imaginative with that said killer combination running the duration alongside minimal appearances from Trumpet and deadpan voices. Naughty Von Shuffler continues the theme with its dark blend of Tech sensibilities and crisp values, while third track Neigh Your Neighbour feels friskier with perky percussion and expanding sounds. Label boss Jamie Anderson rounds things off with a deeper interpretation which, as always, hits the spot.

release: October 8

http://soundcloud.com/arthouserecords

https://www.facebook.com/artformrecords

http://www.dj-jamieanderson.co.uk

 

Soul Camp
Wonder EP
Something Different Records

Berlin producers Werner Niedermeier and Sefty Sersseludis are the names behind Soul Camp Recordings and now bring their captivating sound to Something Different. The label’s been busy of late and for me this is one of their strongest releases to date with I Wonder If You Know combining atmospheric electronics together with sharp European synth lines and beguiling, tripped out voices. There’s something almost early 90’s Murk about this, so can’t think of any better compliment than that for this invigorating piece of music. Sean Danke provides a great remix by adding extra energy to the drums while retaining the sense of mystery. Leaving, Baby Don’t Go to again creatively fuse the dots together, while still feeling emotive, and surprisingly, even more powerful via the inclusion of some fevered stabs.

release: October 16

http://soundcloud.com/somethingdifferentrecords

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Soul-Camp/124710637623472

https://www.facebook.com/#!/somethingdifferentrecords?fref=ts

 

John Alvarez
Berlin Calls
Celestial Recordings

Something about this production lends itself to a dark room and a Function One sound system. Opening track, Gritty Tails is one of the most involving recordings I’ve heard in a while when it comes down to tension building blocks. Someone is clearly very talented. I for one can’t get enough of the explosive sounds which pepper the arrangement, and the devastatingly simple array of drums that couldn’t feel huger if they tried. In fact, I’m going to play it again – LOUDER. The two remaining tracks are no less impressive with Nocturnal coming a close second…

http://www.celestialrecordings.net/

http://soundcloud.com/celestial-recordings

 

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reviews:40

Aartekt
You & Me/ Girl Get Up
Something Different Records

As the label suggests this original sounding production from Aartekt does a whole lot more than simply replay Deep House numbers in sequence. In fact You & Me owes more to Europe than it does to America with its robotic twisted chords, electro beats and ice cool vocals all going to make this release one of the more original so far this year. As Harold Heath begins to redefine it all it suddenly occurs that this is what the word remix is meant for. However it’s not that this is better, just tastefully different with heavy bass tones and swinging rhythms producing ice cold perfection – on both versions. Girl Get Up then sends tech stabs into orbit with melodic odd-ball percussion and more distinctive voice, followed by Kirby’s punchier take which again squarely hits the button. 9

release: 13 March

http://soundcloud.com/somethingdifferentrecords/sets/sdr006-aartekt-you-me-girl-get/

https://www.facebook.com/somethingdifferentrecords

https://twitter.com/#!/S_D_Records

 

The Veda Rays
All Your Pretty Faces
God Within Recordings

The Veda Rays sounds like they should be some uber cool new-wave band sometime after Punk rock but who thankfully live up to their name and time with this exquisitely late night song. Falling nervously somewhere between Dance and Indie Scott Hardkiss once again dispatches a selection of interpretations which does all of the elements justice, most notably the guitar. Try the full Vocal, Instrumental, or for total proof James Stark’s tripped out Acapella and you may well agree. The Q-Burns Abstract Message Edit then re-tweaks the arrangement for much more of the same artistic merit. 9

release: 13 March

http://soundcloud.com/8dpromo/the-veda-rays-all-your-pretty

http://soundcloud.com/scotthardkiss

www.thevedarays.com

www.q-burnsabstractmessage.com

 

Nathan G
Future Proof 2
Large

Having reached an impressive/ incredible 150th release Large have expanded the possibilities still further with this second instalment from Nathan G, which not only features an explosive cover but has the music to match. Generate Fire creates the sort of impression that something strange is happening with its futurist combination of assorted instrumentation and electronic creativity which rushes headlong to a climatic conclusion. Leaving Come & Get It to twist Disco through filters for a smoother ride, while the Boogie Rapture Remix of Night Time Is The Right Time slows down the pace to an intelligent head-nodding sequence of events. 8

release: 21 March

http://www.traxsource.com/index.php?act=show&fc=tpage&cr=titles&cv=144528&alias=deephouse&ca=top

http://www.largemusicglobal.com/

 

Henry Mancini
Moon River And Me
El/ Cherry Red Records

The legend that is Henry Mancini scored the theme song Moon River for Blake Edwards’ Breakfast At Tiffany’s back in 1961 and is a romance which will either leave you cold, or in fits of heart-warming envy. Personally, I can’t stand Moon River but then it is widely regarded as a classic – Mancini won two Oscars: one for Best Original Score and the second for Best Film Song Of The Year – so what could I know. Although what appeals in every sense of the word, and it’s hard not to get carried away on the waves of emotion, are all the sumptuous Jazzy-Latin incidentals which sound so uniquely dated that they define this particular moment in celluloid. Try the crazy swing of Party Three or indeed Party Four with horns blazing and heaps of sassy percussion. You’ll find it’s hard to beat. Along with the films’ music also come various versions of the theme from luminaries such as Jerry Butler, and Art Blakey & The Jazz Messengers who masterfully make it feel all the more edgy. 9

http://www.cherryred.co.uk/default.asp

Breakfast At Tiffany’s http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054698/

http://www.henrymancini.com/

 

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Reviews:17

                                                             

Sean Danke

‘Breath/ Leeks’

Something Different Records

Always good to start at the beginning as Jesus Pablo and Di Riviera celebrate their brand new imprint with this from Sean Danke. A name no doubt many of you are familiar with as the Reykjavik resident delivers what could suggestively be called techno at a strident tempo to match. However there’s something particularly infectious about the repeatedly disturbing voices and their accompanying syncopation as generated by Breath, can’t quite put my finger on exactly why but then that’s part of the appeal. Martijn remixes with typical flair and imaginatively pitches down the mood, although as it turns out with no less intensity with plenty of funky sequences on offer. Leeks, feels lighter in comparison, the piano helps, and spans nine minutes of invigorating danceable music. Philipp Ort then remixes the piano with added sparkle and layers of chords into warmer atmospheres to finish off round one. 8

release: 25 Oct 2011

http://www.facebook.com/somethingdifferentrecords

 

 

Tracey Thorn

‘Night Time E.P’

Strange Feeling Records

Night Time made perfect sense the second time I played it. Firstly because it’s an XX cover and secondly as Tracey Thorns consistently distinctive voice sounds so very right on this version, which also features a certain Ben watt on guitar and backing vocals alongside Ewan Pearson’s tasteful production. Next, Swimming gets reworked via an excellent re-tweaking of Visionquest’s remix from last year by Pearson. You know you’re in the company of future genius here as this sublime arrangement of fizzing electronic melody sits stunningly with the vocals, and the pay-off is well worth waiting for.  Emotive sounds and swirling atmospheres continue to compete for your attention on Charles Webster’s versions, which both hit the mark just as you would expect from him. 9

 release: 31 Oct 2011

http://www.strangefeelingrecords.com/

 

Darkness Falls

‘Alive In Us’

hfn music/ Fake Diamond Records

This band – there are two of them – have been appearing on the radar since their debut e.p was released last March. Danish duo Josephine Philip and Ina Lindgreen make the kind of noises which you could argue fit autumn like a glove, with pleasantly melancholy songs and sixties musical references – slightly Velvet Underground – floating in a certain direction on the first half of the playlist. You can picture the accompanying film and the scenes therein, which like reading books is just what you want. Produced by Trentemøller tracks such as The Void have the guitars feeling big and twanging while the electronics are wired into swirling moods and so on, conversely tracks like Josephine feel entirely haunting and epic. Paradise Trilogy II sees playful toms and chorus-like vocals combine with searing string sounds that are eerily reminiscent of one Ennio Morricone  – the finishing version III has whistling too . Timeline lifts the sense of melody into dirtier, funkier territory and proves to be one of the best tracks on the album, which as time plays on both the tempo and intensity lift into jumping up and down moments ending up at Hey! This may be a taste you might like to acquire. 7

release: 24 Oct 2011

http://www.myspace.com/darknessfallsmusic

 

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