Pal Joey

Reviews:135

Single of the Week

Neil Parkes
Me & You EP
Leftroom Limited

Hats off to Neil Parkes for delivering such an exciting production which doesn’t follow the rule book, consequently sounding rather spectacular. Me & You is the led track and combines a distinctive, undulating synth line along with brooding chords and suitably leftfield vocals. A great remix comes from Richy Ahmed who punctuates it with Chicago styled vocal stabs and Detroit synthesizers augmenting the certainly tough bassline. Dixon, then sees the producer in deeper territory with moody atmospheres and shuffling percussion again delivering singular results. The excellent, ‘You Were’ ends on a high with provocative basslines amid weirdly addictive vocals and further tech keyboards that feel uniquely soulful.

release: November 10

https://www.facebook.com/neilparkesmusic
http://www.leftroom.com

https://soundcloud.com/leftroom/neil-parkes-me-you?in=leftroom/sets/neil-parkes-me-you-ep

Karizma
Beats & Bobs Vol.2
R2 Records

I did mean to bring you this a couple of weeks ago but circumstances got in the way. Never-the-less the sumptuous Klearkut chimes with the current vogue for shimmering, marimba styled keys underscored by tough beats, which is in this case superbly highlighted by an extra layer of percussion and subtle synths at mid-point. Great track, for sure. However, it’s to the timeless quality of Earth These Beats that attention turns. Replaying the Beats version of the 1990 classic Earth People ‘Dance’ and extending it out to ten minutes is tempting on paper but played loud releases all that funky energy at full blast.

http://www.traxsource.com/title/376724/beats-and-bobs-vol-2

http://www.r2records.com
https://www.facebook.com/karizma.kaytronik
https://twitter.com/KAYTRONIK

https://soundcloud.com/r2records/karizma-presents-beats-bobs-vol2

Max Chapman & Kieran Andrews
The Factory EP
Lost Records

We’re just about to hit November and already there’s a great list of music in store.  Following neatly on from their Temperature EP for the label comes this blistering, bassline infused production in the shape of Factory 7. It’s all thumping beats, crisps sounding snares and atmospheric noises swirling round the ether, and it’s positively nasty. Philip Bader’s remix drops the loser funkier vibe of the original in favour of more attacking House beats surrounded by a pulsating vocal stabs and a creative selection of sounds for high impact. Leaving, Loving Arms to feel more emotive with hooky vocal loops and driving rhythms to end the show.

release: November 17

https://www.facebook.com/Chapman.Max
https://www.facebook.com/kieran.andrews.58
https://www.facebook.com/LostRecordsUK

https://soundcloud.com/max-chapman/sets/max-chapman-kieran-andrews-1

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Pal Joey Q&A

 

Can you describe your musical background and how you came to choose the name Pal Joey?

frankGREW UP WITH DAD PLAYING JAZZ, SISTERS PLAYING MOTOWN, AND ROCK, R&B IN THE STREETS.
MY NAME COMES FROM THE MOVIE PAL JOEY, THOUGH I NEVER SAW THE FILM UP UNTIL RECENTLY, I LOVE FRANK SINATRA AND THE IMAGE OF HUSTLE THAT WENT ALONG WITH IT.

One of your earliest tracks Earth people ‘Dance’ was big on both sides of the Atlantic in 1990. What are your memories of creating the record/ what equipment were you using at the time?

I USED A DRUM MACHINE, KEYBOARD, DJ MIXER, TURNTABLE, SEQUENCER, 4TRACK REEL TO REEL, GREAT AMPLIFIER, AND GOOD SPEAKERS.

 

 

Another great production is Hot Music which has a much Jazzier flavour. Can you tell us about those Jazz influences?

JAZZ IS EVERYWHERE, IT HAS NUANCE, WHICH I LOVE. IT’S NOT POWER THAT I FEEL. I DON’T LIKE TO BE OVERPOWERED.
I LOVE SOLFEGE

 

 

What is your attitude towards sampling?

I LOVE TO SAMPLE.
OUR CHOICES ARE, USE THE SOUNDS THAT COME FROM A KEYBOARD OR FIND YOUR OWN.

What was your experience of working at Vinyl Mania in NYC?

Pal Joey BadgeTHE BEST TIMES.
IT WAS GREAT HELPING MUSIC LOVERS DISCOVER NEW MUSIC. A LOT OF SHARING. A WEALTH OF INFORMATION. AND THE BEST BOSS.

How did you first get in Dj’ing, who initially inspired you?

WHEN I WAS 16 I GOT A HOLD OF A CASSETTE WHERE A DJ WAS CUTTING UP COOL SONGS.
I LOVED THE WAY HE WOULD REPEAT SECTIONS OF THE SONG. I LOVED THE STORY THAT WAS TOLD. I WISH I STILL HAD THAT CASSETTE.

Your latest album: Pal Joey presents Hot Music, is a compilation of your productions from then to now. How did you go about choosing what went on it?

I PICKED MY HITS, SONGS I FEEL DEFINE ME. I PUT MAYBE A DIFFERENT MIX IF I HAD DONE ONE FOR CERTAIN SONGS, AND I PUT MY FAVORITE NEW SONGS AS WELL. COMPLETE PACKAGE 😉

 

http://soundcloud.com/bbemusic/01-loop-d-loop-24

 

How do you think that Dance Music has evolved from when you started out?

PEOPLE WOULD DANCE MORE BACK IN THE DAY. EVEN COUPLES WOULD DO MORE COOL STEPS.
THERE WAS LOFTING, BREAKDANCING, AND THE PUERTO RICANS HAD THERE SPECIFIC STEPS FOR THEIR FREESTYLE MUSIC. NOW THE DANCE IS NOT AS SERIOUS, PEOPLE TALK DRINK , HAVE A DANCE, HAVE A DRINK AND LEAVE. THERE ARE STILL SOME COOL PARTIES WHERE PEOPLE DANCE ALL NIGHT LONG.

Can you tell about what you have been producing recently?

I PRODUCE MUSIC. NOW I AM A FATHER. I TRY TO BALANCE EVERYTHING. I LOVE SPORTS.
I HAVE NEW PRODUCERS DOING REMIXES OF SONGS THAT WERE RELEASED TO KEEP THEM BUSY.
THE SONGS I GIVE THEM ARE USUALLY HIP HOP BEATS THAT LACKED SOMETHING. THAT SOMETHING THAT WAS MISSING AT THE TIME WOULD PROBABLY HAD BEEN A RAPPER, BUT BECAUSE OF TIMING THE SONG NEVER CAME OUT WITH VOCALS. SO I HAVE THESE GUYS ADD TO THE FOUNDATION I CREATED.

Where can people get to hear you DJ?

IN A TOWN NEAR YOU 😉

Buy:
http://www.bbemusic.com/releases/BBE229CDG/Pal%20Joey%20-%20Pal%20Joey%20presents%20Hot%20Music#.Um0A61OTbTo

 

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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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