reviews:55

Mr G
State Of Flux
Rekids

Mr G’s second album for Rekids sees the renowned producer continue his trademark theme of smoking beats and funky attitude to supply yet another winning formula. What I love here is the way that the music embraces technology yet retains a distinctly soulful element – State Of Flux couldn’t be a more apt title. Take the first track G’s Riddem which perfectly sums it all up:  Thumping kick drums, heavy-duty bass, offset by treated timbale and emotive chords to produce a stunning, uplifting effect. The album then continues to fuse together a range of influences and styles, taking the best cues from House and Techno. From the brutal end of Pumped Up to the twisted Disco of Absurd Beatz No.4 this one journey that you won’t want to get off in a hurry.

release: July 23

http://www.mr-g.org.uk

http://www.rekids.com

http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/products/MrG-StateOfFluxLP-Rekids-84150.html

 

Items & Things
Variables
Items & Things

The first label compilation for Magda, Troy Pierce and Marc Houle’s Berlin-based label ‘Items & Things’ is fittingly called Variables. Variable in so far as the imprint champions cutting-edge electronic music that’s neither afraid to get deep and nasty, or even comparatively subtle such as on Miro Pajic’s infectious intro: Love Love Love. What follows next is a selection from the aforementioned and the likes of Jimmy Edgar, Tomas More and Andy Martin plus a few newer artists. There’s plenty in the way of hot syncopated Disco action to get into here too, all with Items & Things distinctive twist of course. Try Howard Watson’s, Keep Away and Nyma’s, Brain Crunch plus the beyond comprehension: In The Mirror for size. Satisfaction guaranteed.
release: July 13. Mixed CD version by Magda released July 29

http://www.itemsandthings.com/

http://soundcloud.com/itemsandthings

http://www.facebook.com/itemsandthings

 

dOP
Kisses
Circus Company

Your Feelin’ undoubtedly references synth-pop with its fizzy keyboard lines and restrained European melodies, but also counter balances it all with subtle contemporary pads and punchy beats. And just to drive the point home an Acapella follows so you can judge the vocal for yourself, although this proves to be something quietly addictive the more you hear it. Title track, Kisses sounds more like what you would expect with deeper, moodier sounds playing off against intriguing vocals, and this time comes in vocal and instrumental versions.

http://www.beatport.com/#/release/kisses/936670

http://www.circuscompany.fr/

http://soundcloud.com/dop-3

http://soundcloud.com/pillow-talk-1

 

Tuccillo
House 19 EP
Holic Trax

The second release from Holic Trax sees Tuccillo deliver the title track House 19 in a blaze of House flavoured Techno that seeks to capture the spirit of 1988, and quite frankly succeeds – smiling faces all round. Eves Sky is next and gets deeper with provocative drums and deliciously moody bass, while teasing you with haunting voices and a killer arrangement. PercussHolic then invites into you into a creative play on instrumentation with its excellent combinations of beats and fiery percussion. These tracks appear on ltd 10” vinyl while the digital release features the added bonus of Dubao, whose addictive electronic rhythms become uplifting in the most pleasing way.

release: July 23

Soundcloud preview – http://soundcloud.com/holic-1/ht-002-tuccillo-house-19-ep

http://holic-music.com/

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Tuccillo/116324391801231

 

Bara Bröst 
Kokolores
BBE

Benjamin Quint and Markus Schwarzbauer aka Bara Bröst deliver their second album for BBE and if you’re not already familiar with their unique sound then prepare yourself now. Quirky, lively and thoroughly excitable the music and words play with each other while seeking to let you in on the party. Having said that, this will either work for you or you may find it all not quite serious enough with titles such as Juicy Lady, My Mess and Tony Curtis (try the soundcloud link below). Despite the eager wordplay there are some fine \House and tech grooves which reveal themselves as on the instrumental Tiger Milk and as with everything else it all boils down to personal taste.

http://soundcloud.com/bara-brost/sets/kokolores-album

http://www.beatport.com/#release/kokolores/935044

http://www.barabrost.eu/

https://www.facebook.com/barabrostmusic

https://twitter.com/BaraBrost

 

Franck Roger & Mandel Turner
Through The Motions
Real Tone Records

You may recognise the beats from the eighties but if they’re fresh to you then you can relive the excitement generated for new. Through The Motions goes through anything but that with smooth vocals feeling soulfully refreshing in the summertime, as layers of keys build up the tension on yet another rewarding release from the label. An excellent Dub version pays compliment by stripping back the voice to highlight the cool bassline and hot House groove.

https://www.facebook.com/RealToneRecords

http://www.youtube.com/user/RealToneRecords

https://twitter.com/realtonerecords
 

Azari & III
Into the Night
Loose Lips

Next single to be lifted from their self titled album Into The Night is accompanied by a typically hot video along with a series of excellent remixes courtesy of Prince Language, CFCF, Nicolas Jaar, Renaissance Man and Seth Troxler, Masomenos & Jaw. All of which you could simply say speaks for itself. Like them or love them, you know this is good already from hearing the album.

http://soundcloud.com/purplepr/01-into-the-night

http://azariandiii.com/

https://www.facebook.com/AZARIANDIII