Creatures Of Shaun – Mind Over Matters EP – Visionquest

The third release from the label I’ve reviewed in as many weeks sparks the reoccuring thought that Visonquest remains an essentially important imprint to the fabric of club culture. Not least of all because they unleash music such as this defiantly futuristic number. Creatures Of Habit are in reality Shaun Reeves, Maher Daniel and Amir Javasoul and the title track they have created asks probing, mind enhancing questions while delivering taught, tense bass amid deliberately electro drums plus an intensely invigorating selection of keys and punctuating sounds. Cumulating at two thirds via a heart-warming rush of emotive pads. Blink, occurs next creating a darker impression as nervy synthesizers wriggle over brutal beats, leaving Out Of Orbit to complete with rumbling bass aimed at pointed drums feeling stripped down yet fully formed.

Release: April 20

http://yourvisionquest.com

https://soundcloud.com/visionquest-records/creatures-of-shaun-mind-over

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Reviews:140

Single of the Week

C’est Moi
This Song
Dessous Recordings

Alex Niggemann recording undercover as fresh alias C’est Moi hits the spot with this effortless combination of deep bass, shuffling beats and lush Detroit tones. When a song won’t satisfy the age tested addition of timely spoken words always suffices, which in this case adds that authentic human touch to the energised electronics. Dario D’Attis supplies the remix of This Song with rougher drums alongside a simpler arrangement of notes complimenting the voiceover nicely, leaving second track From A Bird’s Eye View to delve deeper with undulating keys and soulful vocals.

Release: February 2

www.alexniggemann.com
http://www.dessous-recordings.com

https://soundcloud.com/dessous-recordings/sets/cest-moi-this-song

Superlounge
All On Me EP
Motek Music

Oliver Fritsche & Alex Bach aka Superlounge latest release for Motek is a blissful piece of music that no doubt stand the test of time. The words deep and moody apply here with the breathily spoken vocals only adding emotion to the equation; however the music is richly rewarding in its own right complimented by an excellent production of enticing, hypnotic sounds. A set of striking remixes come via Eric Volta’s sizzling electronics, Maher Daniel’s darker interpretation and from Hands Free & Kosmas progressive feeling tones.

Release: February 2

www.superlounge.info
https://www.facebook.com/MotekMusic

Hugo
Ultravogue EP
Gruuv

The EP’s title track is a provocative amalgamation of electronic sounds that all at once unnerves your sense of time and space via its clash of striking effects and creative rhythms. Thinking outside of the box results in an irresistible, if unsettling, listen from the producer and that theme is continued through to Pendulum featuring Heral, and again imaginative percussion keeps you guessing alongside an insistent vocal loop plus vibrating synths. Detlef then delivers a rough and tough remix that employs fierce hi-hats against unforgiving, pounding beats and bass for full dancefloor effect. To end the first-rate Metaloop adds a funkier sequence of plucked guitar and abrupt basslines completing the standout track on the EP for me with more a musical flair.

Release: February 2

https://www.facebook.com/gruuv

https://soundcloud.com/gruuv/sets/gru039-hugo-detlef

Trippy Soul
Paradox
Quanticman Records

Matusoiu Alexandru’s pseudo name gives the game away somewhat with spacey, far reaching rhythms feeling explorative and engaging as on the opening, certainly apt Cinema. The wordplay continues next with Paradox which again develops dark themes across moody electronics, as indeed does the proceeding Shamanism. The rhythmatic, Un Mit ends this captivating set of instrumentals which all succeed in their mission of creating intoxicating atmospheres and as such score high.

Release: January 31

https://www.facebook.com/quanticmanrecords
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Trippy-Soul/325463037464704?fref=ts

https://soundcloud.com/naturalrhythm/sets/quanticman-records-q133-trippy

Jacob B
Breslau Cuts
Käse Kool

Brutal House Music, just the way we like it, sees Breslau-based producer Jacob B deliver three equally unrelenting tracks plus a remix from JMF. The self-explanatory ‘The Weapon’ kicks things off via heavy duty beats, cutting techno bass and a rave-era hoover stab that works surprisingly well. The aptly titled From The Underground follows with more harsh drums and staccato organ stabs on JMF’s addictive Fatty Rub, with the original version again hitting you with moody synths and classic House vocals. The Warehouse Stomp finishes with yet more uncompromising kicks alongside ‘muthafucker’ vocals just in case you were left in any doubt!

Release: February 7

https://www.facebook.com/Jacobbofficial
https://www.facebook.com/www.kaese.kool.de

https://soundcloud.com/kaese-kool/jacob-b-the-breslau-cuts-ep-vinyl-out-feb-7th

Emika
‘Klavirni’
Emika Records

Taking a sideway step from Dance music production Emika has thankfully taken the time to share her keyboard skills with us. I say thankfully because this haunting selection of works is rather beautiful, in a melancholy sense, and also goes to prove that people who create Dance tracks can be real artists/ musicians too. The lone piano passages simply ooze with emotion and slightly remind me of the exquisite compositions of Erik Satie. That said, you can also hear modern motifs played but either it’s a definite pleasure to listen to. Try for yourself below – play loud or quiet.

buy https://itunes.apple. com/gb/album/klavirni/ id951046381?ls=1
http://emikarecords.com

https://soundcloud.com/emika/emika-klavirni-miracles

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Reviews:97

Various Artists
NAU04
NAU

Nau004The latest from Tiefschwarz’s label kind of sneaks up on you from behind but rapidly turns out to be one of the most sublime pieces of music I’ve heard in August. Sitting somewhere in-between dreamlike melancholy and engaging drum machines Eric Volta and Jonny Cruz’s ‘Sunrise Blind’ gently plays with your imagination as trippy, undulating synths and beautifully, breathy vocals from Jacques Canziani float across the speakers. The second half of the release then sees With The Rain Comes Sorrow by Gab Rhome and Maher Daniel pursuing a similar theme with another captivating arrangement of sounds and atmosphere’s complimented by touches of twangy guitar, vibes and haunting voices.

release: September 16

https://www.facebook.com/MUSICNAUMUSIC

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

https://soundcloud.com/ericvolta/eric-volta-jonny-cruz

 

Remote
Minos EP
Meant Records

MEANT016_1000px_72dpiI almost love this record but then when you hear the Minos bassline it is all so tempting. Not so sure it doesn’t go a bit Pete Tong after that with the addition of ‘Rave’ styled stabs, although when they drop out you’re returned to the punchy rhythmic hand-claps and that delicious bass. Fairmont provide the remix which almost sounds like all of the best bits from eighties electronic film soundtracks, complete with the appropriate drums, and again it’s all so tempting. Easy, then returns to House with punctuating beats and bass accompanied by fuzzy stabs on what proves to be most hypnotic in the process. Robi Insinna aka Headman then completes with an excellent dub excursion that feels never short of being totally vibrant.

release: September 9

http://www.meantrecords.com

https://soundcloud.com/meant/sets/meant016_remote_minos_ep_out_s

 

My Favorite Robot
Atomic Age
No.19 Music

MFR_album_frontLove them or simply like them a lot, My Favorite Robot never do things by halves. Which, in this case has them join forces with the excellent No.19 resulting in a display of some seriously devilish music. Beginning with the dark sequences of The Circus and ending up on the intensity of The War to End All Wars there is never an unflinching moment anywhere on the LP. Some tracks such as Here Tonight drag your senses down but then others such as irresistibly funky Home ft Clayton Steele point the mood in the opposite direction.  The title track itself sets Acid syncopated rhythms against brooding synthesizers and feels like the future waiting to happen. Nothing left to say…

release: September 16

http://www.myfavoriterobotrecords.com

http://no19music.com

https://soundcloud.com/no19music/sets/my-favorite-robot-atomic-age

 

Pal Joey
Presents Hot Music
BBE Records

clip_image002Pal Joey’s name spent many hours rotating on my turntables in the 90’s as he did likewise with lots of Dj’s so Hot Music will no doubt raise a smile on many faces reading this. The compilation of his work including the various guises pays testament to the strength of his output and if you haven’t  moved to the likes of Earth People ‘Dance’ then here is your chance. it was always a playful sound which combined the creative use of sampling with heavy-duty drums and is a recipe that stands the test of time for sure.The music ranges from the more recent soulful sounds of Loop-D-Loop ‘Show Me’ to the deeper Disco of Dreamhouse’s excellent ‘Jump And Prance’ so all bases covered. Do also try his Los Dos ‘Tomorrow’ which typified the sound of an era with its pulsating vibes, sassy percussion and irresistibly deep keys.  But not to put too fine a point on it this is a producer that you need get acquainted with, or re-acquainted as the case may be.

release: October 21

http://www.paljoeymusic.com

http://www.bbemusic.com

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