Month: June 2011
Optic Nerve – Three Dimensional EP [8-DIAM]
Keith Tucker is back for his second release on Diametric as Optic Nerve. Again delivering an EP full of trademark Optic Nerve funk and futurism, combining deep techno with haunting vocals and machine rhythms. From the fast paced opener ‘Virtual Depth Perception’ to the deep and otherworldly ‘Retina Display Scan’, this record showcases all the beauty of the Optic Nerve universe. Included are the three ‘Dimension’ interludes plus the acappella version of ‘Virtual Depth Perception’.
Tang – Bass Synergy [EMP010]
New release by Steven Tang on his label, Emphasis Recordings. Its been almost 2 years since the last Emphasis release, so its about time for a new one! The title track continues in that Chicago/Detroit vibe that we all come to know from Tang. It starts off with a bass heavy, industrial styled, drum programming before a pulsating bass comes riding along a funky melody. Just when you think you got the beef of the track, things break down to rumbling arppegiated bass roll. Them boom! Both basslines and percussion come back in for the finish! Did we mention there’s strings? Backing the main track on the flip, we have Drone and Synchronism. Originally given away as a free digital download, ”Drone” kicks off the b-side with it’s minimal, low end drums drowned in a delay effect and arppregiated bassline, subtly filtered through out this floor stomper. Rounding out the single is Synchronism, with it’s dark pad sound coupled with another arppregiated bassline and strings; very early 90’s Detroit techno vibe.
Santiago Salazar – Smile Now Cry Later EP [7SR022]
Seventh Sign presents the new release from Santigo Salazar. His sound is full of soul and warmth and is presented using state of the art production and a rich palette of modern sounds, as this E.P.
Baz Reznik – Slabs 144
John Heckle – Extrovert / Introvert EP [TABR005]
John Heckle returns on Tabernacle with a solo EP. His music displays an impeccable understanding of classic house and techno, whilst maintaining a freedom and originality.
Norm Talley – Transmissions [THEMA023]
Transmissions sends us 4intercepted signals from the mothership hovering over the Motor City primed for the peak-time dancefloor that range from outer space techno trips to alien hip-shaking deep house. There’s no fads here and no so-hip move faking, just quality in its purest form, and that alone can seem alien back on Earth in these times.
VA – Sessions Unplugged [BA014]
Lovely 4 track ep with jazz injected house tracks on the Chicago Balance label. Tracks by Urban Crew, Duke & Sill, Common People and Mark & Paul (aka Mark Bell). Lush, jazzy tracks that feel like a warm summer breeze.
RA.265 Convextion
Patrice Scott – Analog Dreams Reworked [SIS016]
Patrice Scott’s ”Analog Dreams” has rise again, refreshed, in the form of a remix project. Knowing the mixes had to be special while maintaining the authenticity of the original, Patrice tapped two of the worlds finest electronic craftsmen for the honor, both hailing from Germany – XDB and Johannes Volk. These talented artists bring forth just enough vibe from the original mix and offer their own unique interpretations, which are sure to delight those with a tasteful ear.
The Echelon Plan – Black Dots In An Ocean Of White [INCH001]
Surface Records announce the launch of new sister label – Inchoate. On the debut release, The Echelon Plan drop 3 tracks of pure deepness while Delta Funktionen reserved the remix duties.
Ernie – Black Noise EP [BLIQ003]
Ernie unveils his special blend of timeless cuts exclusively on “Black Noise EP”. “Burning Detroit” is a voyage into the abyss through a constant stream of warm pads layered with crafty percussion whereas Ordell reworks “Burning Detroit ” into a lighter afrobeat groove. “La Posse” is a fusion of underlying analogue bass stabs with raw machine drums and “Terra Nostra” concludes the release as a darkroom bonus cut – rolling deep into the early hours.
Juju & Jordash – Unleash The Golem Pt.1 [CHANNEL018]
First up Juju & Jordash with ‘Unleash The Golem’ which is more specifically made up of ‘Chelm Is Burning’ and ‘Chelm Is Dubbing’, two deep musical journeys for the head and feet.
Kuba Sojka – Mysterious Intrigue [MATH055]
Splendidly full spectrum dedication to Detroit and Chicago from Poland’s Kuba Sojka. ‘Mysterious Intrigue’ is his second release on Mathematics, expanding on the ‘Bright Shadow Of A Star’ showcase with two plates spanning beatdown, piano House, acid and more romantical styles. The first late is largely more loved-up and smoky, but the second covers the ruder stuff, from the climactic peaks of ‘Do Not Be Afraid’ to the hard-bodied wriggle of ‘I Can’t Stop (Acid Mix)’.
VA – Elusive Triumph EP [SEQS001]
This is the first release of this new American label, featuring some phat jacking tracks from Specter, Aroy Dee and Jamal Moss aka Hieroglyphic Being.
VA – Midnight Creepers EP [VIEW009]
Dairmount curates the third episode of Room With A View’s Midnight Circles vinyl-only series and there’s plenty of reason to indulge. Firstly Motor City Drum Ensemble’ delicious Mr Fingers inspired jam “Moving Through Clouds”. Alongside this is the last ever musical contribution from the dearly departed Aaron Carl, whose distinct tones ride the hypnotic, ever so spectral, Detroit back of Sebastien San with real aplomb. On the flip Basic Soul Unit is in crescendo building mood with the deep, emotive bump of his classic “Bedroom Blues” which is a perfect bedfellow for the one real unfamiliar name here in the shape of Christo. In such exalted company the rising Derby based producer excels with the reverberant skittering brilliance of “New Jazzno” based around the most joyous of jettisoning piano leads.
Neville Watson – Dancity Mix
John Daly – Bodytonic Podcast 107
Mondo – Work Me Baby [DRH035]
Deeply Rooted House presents a nice piece of wax with 2 great tracks produced around 1994-1997 (recently discovered on DAT tapes), and 2 solid 2011 remixes. Rootstrax comes with an excellent mix that is an emotional deep take that really captures the emotion of the original and brings it to a much more mature and deep territory. The Marcelus mix gives us a much more radical, uncompromising Techno interepretation.
The Hipodrome Of Music 