BPitch Control

Reviews: 153

Single of the Week

Sebb Junior
Move It EP
Madhouse Records

Paris’s Sebb Junior debut on the Kerri Chandler’s label sees the artist reignite all the ingredients that made House in the early 90’s so timeless (in retrospect). The self-assured title track feels addictive with breezy, summertime jazzy keys looped over bouncing drums and chopped up vocals that work their way into your mind. The excellent, Don’t Stop then proceeds to hit you with classic piano that sounds every bit as great as it always did combining warmth, emotion and dancefloor punch. Let You Go provides the sting in the tail via its sassy drums and yearning vocals rounding off another great release from the imprint.

Release: June 1 (Traxsource Exclusive) / June 14 2015.
https://www.facebook.com/sebbjunior
http://www.madhouserecordsinc.com

https://soundcloud.com/madhouse-records/sets/kctdl1148-sebb-junior-move-it-ep

Ellen Allien
High EP
BPitch Control

Making eleven minutes sound exciting, creative and in the end enjoyable is no easy task but this first release of the year from Ellen Allien does all of that and so effortlessly too. Driven by its addictive bassline High builds in layers of suitably tense movements with tough percussion punctuating the rhythms while dark synthesizers dance away in the background. The focal point creeps in towards mid-point with a You Make Me Feel So High vocal line that I guess will have everyone nodding in approval. Lou, comes next combining Acid and Techno across hard-edged beats with undoubtedly breathless results.

https://www.bpitchcontrol.de
http://www.ellenallien.de
https://www.facebook.com/EllenAllien

https://soundcloud.com/ellen-allien/ellen-allien-high

acid1Posthuman
I Love Acid
I LOVE ACID 005

Number five in the series could just be the hottest to date with the vinyl only release arriving again in limited edition. I.E be quick. Beat Down is blistering ACID at its finest with gritty drums and 303 lines working themselves into a frenzy amid harsh vocals. Next and first rate, Inside You fuses more of Roland’s classic box together with deeper pads and funkier bass, leaving We Are The City to jam across the beats with perhaps inevitably Jack Jack Jack vocals tell you just what to do.

http://www.posthumanmusic.com
Numbered 303 copies http://www.juno.co.uk/products/posthuman-ila005/561505-01/

Bruce Brubaker
The Glass Piano
Infiné Music

I can’t confess to knowing a great deal about Brubaker but I aim to rectify that very quickly. What captured my eye was that these are Phillip Glass compositions (who he has worked with, and has also released previous interpretations through Arabesque Recordings) and likewise has again recorded fresh versions of existing tracks for this release. Acting as a conduit for the full scope of the composer’s imagination achieves stunning results, which apart from actually listening for yourself is almost hard to put into words correctly. I love the way the music tells its own story, conjuring up situations in your mind to accompany the narrative, and the freedom of possibilities that the combination of notes portray. Coming from decades of reviewing Dance Music it’s interesting to compare the result of repeating layers and textures evolving here, which in the end say so much more than the tired numbers of functional music being reproduced in that arena. So please enjoy the exquisite series of notes expanding across the stereo of ideas via Bruce Brubaker’s fingertips (plus of course the Plaid remix of Metamorphosis 5 which not surprisingly sounds very much like 2015.)

Buy: https://bleep.com/release/59559-bruce-brubaker-glass-piano-bonus-track-edition
Learn more: http://brucebrubaker.com
http://www.thevinylfactory.com/vinyl-factory-news/premiere-listen-to-a-track-from-bruce-brubakers-glass-piano-a-new-album-reimagining-phillip-glass/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoxR0Mgxsfc

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Reviews: 148

Single of the Week

Seth Troxler
Evangelion
Rumors Records

I just happened across this today, by possible accident, and so glad I did. For this is an outstanding production of ideas, sounds and sheer bravado. It’s uncompromising, includes some beautifully random classically-tuned piano along with not so delightfully twisted vocals, and simmers with ecstatic Acid tension painting a climatic, cinematic portrait that sits in a class all of its very own. Matt Jonson & Jesse Heartthrob provide the remix, with bouncy rhythms added to the equation, but for me its just relish in the Original version for now.

Release: March 30 on Vinyl, April 6 on Beatport Exclusive, April 20 Worldwide all stores

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

https://soundcloud.com/rumorsrecords/rms006-seth-troxler-evangelion-1644-pm

Joeski
Erotic Sessions EP
Poker Flat Recordings

Joeski’s fabulous Acid infused XXX Part 1 kicks off this release with a deceptively uncomplicated arrangement, which in actual fact is brimming with creative tension amid a crisp clash of percussion accompanied by understated, brooding effects. Part 2, not surprisingly, continues to build the theme pushing the Acid lines, breathy vocals and caustic fx to the fore while in the process producing tantalising, hypnosis inducing Dance music. The excellent, Come On, finishes with more superb sound effects stretching out the stereo alongside more in the way of unrelenting drums.

Release: April 6
https://www.facebook.com/djjoeski73
http://www.pokerflat-recordings.com

https://soundcloud.com/pokerflatrecordings/sets/joeski-erotic-sessions-ep

Marlon Hoffstadt & Racquet
Crumble
DHA Records

If this is anything to go by then watch out for Deep House Amsterdam’s brand new DHA Records. The Original version comprises of melancholy, smoky vocals accompanied by fine bluesy guitar and captivating drums sounding both intriguing and compelling. Andre Lodemann’s remix then adds more energy and gritty Techno textures while stripping back the song, as Poupon takes it a step deeper with the more of the Originals’ ambience played out across tougher Dance beats and bass.

http://www.deephouseamsterdam.com

https://soundcloud.com/deep-house-amsterdam/dha001-premiere-marlon-hoffstadt-racquet-crumble-original-mix?in=deep-house-amsterdam/sets/marlon-hoffstadt-racquet

Ellen Allien
ALLIEN RMXS
Bpitch Control

Reimaging two of last year’s tracks from the Freak EP comes this latest release from the artists own Bpitch Control imprint. First up are AUX 88 who riff dark techno notation together with animalistic sound effects plus pulsating drum machines to sound heavy-duty yet infectious on Butterfly. Ejeca’s Acid version of Freak The Night does just that with trippy Acid sounds amid suitably electronic drums for your pleasure, as the Radio Slave remix transforms it all into something altogether more moody and atmospheric. The excellent LA Williams proceeds to turn it upside down again with pumping Chicago rhythms feeling energised and dangerous, with Radio Slave’s Acapella finishing off for good measure.

Buy: http://po.st/bpc313beatport
www.bpitchcontrol.de
www.facebook.com/EllenAllien

https://soundcloud.com/ellen-allien/ellen-allien-freak-the-night-la-williams-rmx

Todd Terry
Our House is Your House
Ministry Of Sound

Launching another Mix series for Ministry comes this rough retrospective of Todd Terry’s musical output. I can’t remember who coined the Todd Is God phrase but thankfully that was back in the sad old days of 90’s dance journalism. To put it basically though, Todd falls loosely into the pre and post Missing phase: the former representing those glorious Acid years from 1988 through to the tough Hard-House of the early 90’s and for me it’s that number of classics that are hard to beat – period. Try any of the Todd Terry Project productions and listen for yourself (including a couple of disappointing omissions from the T.T canon on this compilation below). The second CD has a selection of some of his current tracks and remixes, including three new tracks from Terry two of which are exclusive to the compilation: ‘Give Me A Reason’ feat. Robin S, and ‘Go Away’ featuring Martyna Baker. The shuffling rhythms espoused on his infamous Everything But The Girl remix is perhaps what he’s currently most celebrated for, and it’s maybe curious to note that those sounds are still contemporary in today’s climate? For a producer who helped define the landscape of House through the late 80’s and early 90’s (and for some beyond) is a big accolade for anyone to achieve. This compilation gives you the chance to sample that justification for yourself.

Release: March 30

https://soundcloud.com/ministryofsound/todd-terry-minimix-1

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vGZ6u4rGadw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihdTQqVn-cw

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Reviews:117

I-Robots present Klein & M.B.O.
Last Call
Opilec Music

The next vital release from Opilec is set to be released on this year’s Record Store Day. And if you aren’t already familiar with the heavily influential Klein & M.B.O from the notorious 80’s then here’s your chance to hear just why they were and still are. Appearing as the European Connection Unreleased Instrumental the number bears all the hallmarks of what was to happen next with Dance music with its shimmering bassline and electronics offset by breezy guitar and drum sounds all set to four on the floor. I-Robots provide two new versions that wash the arrangement in swathes of atmospheric synths, while Chicago stalwart Gene Hunt retains more of the originals playful feel with his two takes featuring the glorious syncopated b-lines in full. DJ Skull proceeds to loop it into distraction, leaving Headman aka Robi Insinna to deliver another killer blow maintaining all the Electro/ Italo Disco reference points succinctly.

release: Vinyl April 21/ Digital May 12

https://www.facebook.com/pages/I-ROBOTS/51899406997

https://soundcloud.com/i-robots/opcm-12-034-i-robots-present

Forty Fings Dynamo
615EP
La Dame Noir Records

The new side project from Adrien (one half of Villanova) and Emmanuel aka Solofour kicks off in fine style with the EP’s title track. It’s all about the B-line here (again) with this euro-disco infused nugget sounding supreme chugging away alongside crisp beats and breathy spoken words, all proving dangerously addictive. My Favorite Robot deliver their own version complete with Electro drums aided by a more caustic bass and unsettling synths lending the vocal an altogether more disturbing twist – lovely. Excuse Me is next with more Acid/ Nu-Beat styled rhythms for your delectation with Alejandro Paz’s heavily treated remix providing an interesting alternative. All in all, a fine release of music.

release: April 21

https://www.facebook.com/fortyfingsdynamo
http://ladamenoir.fr

https://soundcloud.com/la-dame-noir/sets/forty-fings-dynamo-ldn-07

Murk
Dark Beat (Addicted To Drums)
Murk

The title says it all really. Although originally released back in 2003 Dark Beat still retains its distinctive twisted drumming, though drops the melody of the vocal in favour of darker edits. Updated by Danny Daze with tribal pulsating, abrasive beats coupled with moody swirls of synth this feels every bit as hard, heavy and captivating, in either of the two new versions available here as way back then.

http://murkrecords.com

https://soundcloud.com/dannydaze/murk-ft-oba-frank-lords-dark

orrinOrinn
A Man Was Had
Restless Soul

Great new release from Restless Soul with Orinn’s neat fusion of influences sounding just great here. Centred around a tastefully soulful vocal delivery, plus a melodic sprinkling of synth tones and Tom Tom Club like keys, this shines centre-stage with a determined funkiness that has sunshine blazing all over it.

Out now: https://www.traxsource.com/title/302225/a-man-was-had

Dillion
The Unknown
BPitch Control

Dillion’s second album is a rather stunning affair. Opening with its title track, The Unknown the playlist proceeds to ignite your senses via the sometimes challenging array of emotions on display. From melancholy to melodic delicate vocals float their way across poignant piano and electronic sounds producing music that, is mercifully, hard to categorize yet so obviously mesmerizing. Beautifully produced – I wonder how Brian Eno would compliment it – it’s hard to pick out a favourite track. However, in one sense this is all about the resulting ambience created in your own space. The words contain a certain poetic justice delivering a sting in their tail, just as the music does.

http://www.dillon-music.com

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