Day: March 28, 2013

Rick Wilhite – Connecting The Compass [RS007]

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This bumper 3×12″ release sees Joe Babylon’s Roundabout Sounds imprint enlisting the help of respected Detroit house artist Rick Wilhite to curate a compilation of unreleased house tracks from like-minded contemporaries under the appropriately titled Connecting The Compass. Highlights out of the 11 track compilation, which includes the likes of Theo Parrish, Baaz and Sean Tate are numerous, but there are several standout moments; Karizma’s “I Think” lays tracky breakbeats over a sonorous synth melody, Marcellus Pittman’s “Wolf & Moonbeams” pairs otherworldly synths and an improvised analogue melody with a low-slung bass led groove, and Norm Talley’s “Track From The East” is a devastingly simple combination of driving claps and pitched organ chords.

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Rick Wilhite – Connecting The Compass [RS007]

XDB – Frocks [SIS020]

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Sistrum proudly welcomes the return of Mr. Kosta Athanassiadis, aka XDB, back to the fold with the deep, hypnotic electronics of the Frocks EP. This three track EP features Patrice Scott on remix duties. This is another quality installment in the revered Sistrum catalog.

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XDB – Frocks [SIS020]

Jakkin’ Rabbit – Zion EP [NO19033]

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No.19 Music teams up with UK duo Jakkin’ Rabbit for some delectable House music. The ‘Zion EP’ kicks off with the wonderful ‘Mothership’ a record that once again features the timeless vocals of House music legend Robert Owens. Building on tight drum programming, subtle melodic elements and warm, bubbling bass Kane & Spence create a rock solid House groove that provides the perfect soundbed for Owens sultry vocal performance. Next up we have ‘The Truth’, a brilliantly intense old school 303-fuelled slice of House music featuring vocals from Jakkin Rabbit’s own Danny Kane. Chicago inspired drums, squelching acid and Kane’s incantation of “You can’t tell me nothing” is all that’s needed for an instant Acid House anthem, quality stuff. To complete the package Jakkin’ Rabbit serve up the outstanding ‘How Deep’, a record that answers its own question with its deep House credentials on show courtesy of some sublime filtered stabs, shuffling drums and understated vocal parts.

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Jakkin’ Rabbit – Zion EP [NO19033]

VA – Reverence [SRT155]

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Paying homage to the beloved underground, a prime collective of neo-electronic architects spawn a quintessential four track vanguard. “The Greatest” by Drivetrain begins gritty and minimal, blossoming into an orchestration of vocal samples fused with melodic pads and acid bleeps. CloudMaster Weed utilizes the vocal stylings of Goddess Stephanie on the raw and sultry “Sweet & Delicious.” Rennie Foster makes a strong return to Soiree with “Low Boxing” – an amalgamation of silky vocal samples dropping amidst heavy syncopated acid. Lush pads provide the final polishing. J.Garcia’s “Lost” serves a commanding conclusion. The throbbing rhythm drives alluring female vocal samples thru an infectious late night sizzler.

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VA – Reverence [SRT155]

Sandrow M – Prayervan EP [UV014]

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Sandrow M with his solo debut for the Dresden based label Uncanny Valley and it ended up being a hell of a record full of diversity. Everything starts with the edgy beats of ”Prayervan” that are quickly flattered by one of those catchy melodies typical for Sandrow’s synths play. This is great Pop music, even more when Sandrow M starts to sing. ”Facerunner” however, is a club tune with its ever rising beats that are accompanied by a superb synth pad. The flipside starts with the catchy anthem ”Gonna Make”. You cannot defend yourself against this sample that will stick in your head for a long time. And once again it’s his synth work that makes the difference. Not to mention the funky solo. ”Schnaubi” rounds things up in a more unpolished way with its stuttering drum work. But here again this is refined by those irresistible harmonies out of Sandrow M’s keys.

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Sandrow M – Prayervan EP [UV014]