3rd installement in the Tape Sampler Series. Only local artists again: Deniro, Tape dj’s, Interstellar Funk and Haron & Jeroen.
001.Features
Nu Guinea – Nu Guinea [EAS007]
Route 8 – Burek Podcast #18
Theo Parrish – American Intelligence [SSCD007]
Given that this is the first album from the great Theo Parrish since 2007, it’s unsurprising interest in American Intelligence has rocketed over the course of the year as Sound Signature left a trail of hints. American Intelligence is a fine album; deep and woozy in parts, undeniably soulful, shot through with jazz influences and full to bursting with killer cuts. By now, everyone should know the brilliant “Footwork” single; soon, clubs will swing to the off-kilter dancefloor jazz of “Make No War”, the 21st century broken house of the epic “Fallen Funk” and the decidedly odd – but brilliant – “Helmut Lampshade”.
Jerome Sydenham, Aybee, Ron Trent – S.A.T. [IRC125]
S.A.T. is the new production unit formed of Jerome Sydenham, Aybee and Ron Trent, three individuals whose respective discographies command instant respect. What apparently started as a simple dinner one night has grown into a full album between the three who evidently struck on a studio chemistry that warrants further material on the strength of this eight track album. Issued by Sydenham’s Ibadan label, SAT lives up to the sales notes billing as “loose and organic” and cuts like “The Gate” and “She Was” have that timeless quality one expects from a project Ron Trent is involved in. It all feels remarkably cohesive despite the fact the trio completed the album in under three weeks.
Suaave / Roman Muhlschlegel – Welcome To The Soul Estate [SOULES001]
The German label Soul Estate presents its debut EP, a record that amalgamates the right elements of the early ’90s with contemporary freshness. The “future” side features Suaave’s “Luminary,” which begins with a deep and airy chord-pad, slowly building until the 909 kicks in and the chords ignite. “Glass” is the laid-back A2 – slow, relaxed, and funky grooves highlighted by a fluffy synth-solo. Roman Mühlschlegel delivers the “past” side, recalling the good old days of early ’90s Chicago house with “Belladonna” and “Cool Down World.”
Tyson Ballard ft. Sheff – Feel Like I Feel [VR016]
As a follow up to Tyson Ballard’s Feel Like I Feel EP, Voyeurhythm present remixes from two modern day legends John Daly and Legowelt.
Juju & Jordash – Clean-Cut [DKMNTL021]
Two years after the artistic statement that was their expansive third LP, famed live act and hardware lovers Juju & Jordash are releasing another full-length on Dekmantel. The duo fully embrace the album format, creating a tight tapestry of emotive and danceable sound that reveals more detail and depth with each new listen. Textures range from organic and lush to synthetic and arresting. Deep-space serenity gets juxtaposed with more urgent and alien paranoia. The new release marks a clear evolution in the career of these singular artists.
Giorgio Luceri – True Feelings EP [MATH076]
The deep envisioned season is upon us with the new release from Giorgio Luceri, expressing some true emotion and crafting a body of work that stands on its own merit of creative intrigue and splendor of mid 90’s Chicago lofting Scene & Gallery scene.
Annanan – Antagonism EP [PNKMN008]
Annanan follows up his strong debut on Forbidden Planet with another crunched up techno three tracker on Pinkman from Rotterdam.
Vincent Floyd – Moonlight Fantasy [RHM008]
Unreleased material by Chicago’s great Vincent Floyd. Early works, mastered from the original DAT tapes. Electronic soul classics, now available for the first time. All tracks are drowned with warm leads, dreamy drums and dragging melodies.
Brad Peterson – Virtual Headspace [7SR025]
Brad Peterson delivers the 25th release from Glasgow’s 7th Sign Recordings. The imprint is back with a bang as Scotland-based American producer Brad Peterson, serves up deep and spiritual sounds with shades of Larry Heard interwoven with the unique, abstract, thoughtful, groovy sound that is all his own. A powerful remix by house music hero Neville Watson completes this fine addition to the remarkable 7th Sign catalogue.
Head Front Panel – HFP #8 [HFP008]
Should you desire techno that sounds like it’s sampled an ongoing laser battle in some sci-fi B movie, head straight for the opening track on this eighth edition of the Head Front Panel series from Tabernacle. The track is overflowing with laser like samples, expertly EQed into some form of forward momentum over tumbling kicks and malfunctioning modular synthetics. Following this, “Track 2” will appeal to anyone that is an advocate of the recent Population One material whilst the full on thrust of the third track may sound familiar to those that lock into the Hessle Rinse show. To close matters there is a touch of the Sun God about the final track, though the execution is done with a dash more clarity than you get from Jamal Moss.
Head Front Panel – HFP #7 [HFP007]
It’s magnificent number seven for the Head Front Panel series on a 12″ that feature four potent untitled techno tools of varying shades. As ever it’s pointless to waste air debating who is behind the music, but they certainly know how to bend minds on the basis of this record. Hurried Martian rhythms characterise the opening track, offering a distinct contrast to the unhinged almost Bunker levels of craziness that unfolds on the track that follows. The third production takes matters a bit deeper, though those drums still kick and the final track is the craziest of the lot.
Kvaser – 44.8 EP [TABR029]
A new collaboration between two forces in Swedish techno; Martin Skogehall of the Fishermen and Daniel Andréasson. The result is a metallic and uncompromising experience.
Masks – Food Plus Drug (II) [OPAL055]
In addition to his solo work as Patricia, Brooklyn-based Max Ravitz also spends his time in several collaborative projects. There is Inhalants with Jahiliyya Fields, the superbly punned Patreke with Terekke and Masks with Alexis ‘Arp’ Georgopoulos. As Arp, Georgopoulos has been responsible for some wonderful releases on Smalltown Supersound and RVNG, though as you’d expect Masks finds the artist deviating much closer to the dancefloor. The Food Plus Drug (II) 12″ for Opal Tapes will appeal to fans of hazy, smoked out techno (think Huerco S) with “Zebra” the sort of track that will bend minds on the dancefloor.
Dungeon Acid – Northern Acid / All-Nighter [HNR008]
Born to Trinidadian and Finnish parents in Sweden, Jean-Louis Huhta took an early interest in percussion Punk, African, Disco, Dub, Detroit Techno and Chicago Acid were all early sonic influences. Couple these genres with an interest in percussion, drums, synthesizers and skateboarding and you are half-way into describing the sound of Dungeon Acid.
Seph – Cinética [AMR007CD]
The Aula Magna Records team is proud to present Cinética, Seph‘s new album. This is a project that takes his characteristic IDM-driven techno sound to the next step: just as it explicitly reveals Seph‘s intimate relationship with a fresh noise-textured sound palette it also makes evident that the artist‘s rhythmic engagement has pushed him to more complex beat programming than on his previous music.
Lawrence – A Day In The Life [MMLP180]
While Peter “Lawrence” Kerten is perhaps best known for his stripped-back approach to house and techno, many of his greatest records have explored his deep-rooted love of ambient music. It’s great to see, then, that this sixth full-length sees him in full-on ambient mode, variously laying down picturesque, becalmed compositions, twinkling productions and hypnotic.
Deepchord – Luxury Part 2 [SOMA417]
Rob Modell expertly crafting two starry, melodic and admirably hypnotic compositions for Soma Records. Choose between the twinkling melodies, rolling chords and starlight grooves of “Luxury 3” and the bolder, more sci-fi tinged “Luxury 4”, whose undulating percussion, fluid chords and dub-style live mixing guarantee eyes-wide-shut thrills.
