001.Features
Franco Rago & Gigi Farina feat. Lectric Workers – Robot Is Systematic [IDL007]
This is the holy grail of Italo Disco history. For the first time you can get the early Disco Magic releases of Franco Rago & Gigi Farino on one EP. The classics: Robot Is Systematic, The Garden, Life With You… and The Man From Colours plus the previously unreleased track For Hours Now by Pleasure Dicipline. This song could only be heard as a short sample on two mixage EPs, but on here you’ll find the full remixed version, with great synth hooks and classic breaks. The great picture sleeve shows us for the first time the faces behind the music.
Ben Rymer – La Trinciatrice [ARCO13]
Serge Santiago’s Arcobaleno imprint ends 2009 with an excellent Italo inspired EP from Ben Rymer. Ben is ex of The Fat Truckers – you remember, they’re the Sheffield-based Brit electroclash band who wrote tracks about cheap motorbikes, import-export business and multiplex cinemas. He was also part of Gucci Soundsystem, who have released tunes on Bugged Out and DFA and who promoted the now legendary London club-night Druzzis. Most recently, Rymer has joined the Disco Bloodbath crew, London’s finest connoisseurs of only the best cosmic, disco music, and set up the Channel 83 imprint with fellow Bloodbather Damon Martin. Meanwhile, on this 12″ we have the “La Trinciarice” (meaning ‘The Shredder’). The ‘Main Mix’ is an epic, heavy yet cosmic journey into space. The ‘Dream Dub’ is a floating dream sequence with mid-way battle and an ending that slowly floats off…
Homewreckers – Not My Business [CCS042]
Following up a solid EP for Unique the Homewreckers return on Circus Company this time with a killer remix by Dave Aju in tow. Deep, enveloping and chord heavy house, with mr Aju’s version going for a techier sound.
Russ Gabriel – Returning Home EP [DA013]
We are delighted to welcome the mighty Russ Gabriel to ever expanding Dieb family and have him contribute this excellent 3 track ep to our catalogue. Fans of Russ’ sound as well as the uninitiated will not be disappointed here as there is a very wide stylistic audio palette on display here-yet still retaining Russ’ quintessential production aesthetic and quality. Ranging from the epic, old school “Returning Home” with it’s haunting pad and melodious bass arpeggios to the stripped back chugging tech house workout of “Push It Along” and the futuristic, techno-infused “Narita Express” with it’s modulating stabs and catchy, repetitive bassline it is easy to see why Russ is and has always been considered a unique and exciting music visionary equally capable of creating harmonic, atmospheric soundscapes or high energy, functional beats aimed squarely at the dancefloor.
Fatjack – Acidicted [Auda Gamma]
Fatjack synced his TB303 to the Roland TR’s 707, 8080 and 909 and comes with some phat old school acid tracks
Paul Bennett – EP [Modern01]
Absolutely superb debut release from Paul Bennett on the new Modernista label. He shares his love for raw machine music as exemplified by mid to late eighties labels like Trax, DJ International, Dance Mania & Hotmix5 across these four tracks of expertly constructed retro deep House, acid and emotive electronic Disco Timeless music, which totally redefined the clubbing soundtrack, revisited and rendered in glorious modern production technicolour. Homage, yes…but with enough noughties nouse to win over a whole new generation.
Andy Vaz – LWE Podcast 40
Chez Damier – Time Visions 2 [MojubaGOD002]
Mojuba is very proud to present the next release of the collaboration project with the one and only Chez Damier. The second release features a new mix of the epic downtempo “Why” and turns it into a mesmerizing journey to the deep-house realm. On the flipside you will find an unreleased Carl Craig remix of the legendary “Help Myself” track from KMS. The EP finishes with a brand new Chez track in best Prescription manner that burned down dancefloors already during his latest DJ-Sets while testing it on the crowd !
VA – E11 [PN11]
Trus’me’s Prime Numbers label may only have notched a handful of releases in 2009, but counting Linkwood’s System and Trus’me’s own In The Red albums among them, it was a successful year for the Mancunian independent. Barely into the new year and Prime Numbers 11 hits us with three further reasons to count the imprint as one of the most exciting purveyors of house music around right now.
Matt Chester – Outrider EP (EHR008)
London based producer, DJ and hardware live act Matt Chester returns to 11th Hour following on from the success of last years acclaimed EPs ‘Die For A Reason’ and ‘Endless Days’, with probably his housiest release to date. Skillfully combining soaring melodies and taught pads with raw jacking beats and gritty basslines, ‘Outrider’s four tracks once again ably demonstrate Matt’s unique sound and style. Whereas “Die For A Reason” is as subtle as he comes, “Outrider” is the sort of full on dancefloor assault that Matt Chester is expert at producing. Intergalactic synths, a scary bassline and tough beats do the work on the murderous effort.
Tiger & Woods – Caddy Shag [TAIN2]
The puzzling duo like Tiger & Woods is back. Shrouded in mystery! Again! No one knows where its coming from, no one knows where its going. Special Extended Disco Versions carefully tuned, remixed, over-dubbed, cut and sliced, housed-up and boggied-down – including a run-out-tool.
DJ 3000 – Galactic Caravan – The Remixes [UGCD-MT005]
DJ 3000’s full length release “Galactic Caravan” on Motech Records was a well received record all on its own. Add 23 of the worlds most known and unknown producers to the mix and you come away with Galactic Caravan – The Remixes. There are remixes from names familiar to the Motech camp like Deviant who creates a beautiful downtempo mix of “Heritage”, as well as mixes by Gary Martin (“Darjeerling Sun”), Subotika (“Coat of Arms”), Shawn Snell (“Memory Almost Full”) and DJ Compufunk (“Emotional Sequence”). DJ 3000’s goal on the “Galactic Caravan” remix record was to not only allow his fellow label mates a chance to remix tracks from the record, but to also reach out to artists who’s work he both enjoys and respects. This led to an impressive stock of remixes from Detroit and across the world.
Oskar Offermann – Apple Crumble Beneath My Feet [WHITE0086]
Ok, first of all I want to reveal a myth: These infotexts are mostly written by the labelowners themselves, not by hardworking editors. So what happens, when the guy behind a label releases his own music? Well, either he is a wellorganised deadline-machine and he asks somebody capable of doing this stupid job, or he realizes: “Oh fuck the distribution what’s to do their work and they needed this sheet weeks ago…” So in the end, he’s gotta do it himself: Of course, now I could tell you how great this record is (what it is!) and what a hell of a motherfucker I am (also true!)… but I prefer telling you sentimental other bullshit instead… This EP marks a new beginning in my career.
Intelligent Audio
Intelligent Audio is a London based label, split into 2 streams.
IA1 is for deep, tech house and all kinds of techno, and IA2 is anything NOT house and techno. Expect broken beat, nu jazz, downtempo, chill out, melodic d n b, funky hip hop…all sorts really…watch this space.
Where possible artists will fully express themselves, releasing 8 tracks simultaneously over IA1 and IA2. We also release music specific to either IA1 or IA2 depending on the artists.
The vision for the label is to release 8 tracks every month, starting in 2010, stepping up a gear from 2009.
We aim to release quality, consistent, well produced, excellently and excitingly programmed, amazing inspiring electronic music; any sort of electronica that has soul, emotion, and that makes people groove, and smile.
Or to put it another way, just solid, rocking, timeless phat beats!
Kirk DeGiorgio, Nigel Hayes and Vince Watson have been added to the artist roster for 2010 – please stay tuned for future releases.
Iori – Galaxy / Urge [PhonicaWhite001]
The first release on Phonica White Limited Series is from Okinawa’s Iori. This young producer’s impressive work ranges from woozy ambient electronics to full-on club tracks; the common thread is a highly developed sense of texture and arrangement. A-side “Galaxy” is simply lean, expertly crafted techno, led by a rolling bassline and crisp hi-hats, with hypnotic melody patterns skittering off the surface. It’s a trippy but accessible heads-down affair that has the depth and the bite to do damage at peak-time and in the after-hours alike. “Urge” on the flipside is an even deeper, sub-heavy cut, an insistent, club-friendly groove swathed in burbling synth arpeggios and FX. Despite being stripped-back, the sound design and sheer warmth of the production is incredible; the track really breathes.
This is a two-tracker of ultra-effective dancefloor material that will appeal to fans of Basic Channel, Ostgut-Ton, Sahko, Sleeparchive and other purveyors of bassy, surgically-focused techno.
VA – Music Institute 20th Anniversary (Pt 2 Of 3) [NDATL MI-02/3]
Kai Alce’s celebration of the legendary Detroit clubbing landmark rolls on with pt.2 of the exceptional ‘Music Institute 20th Anniversary’ Series including exceptional tracks from Derrick May, Mike Huckaby, Theo Parrish and Kai Alce. We get a prime-time Latin infected groove from Mr Mayday, some deeper jazzwise abstraction from Theo, crystallized square-bass driven house from Huckaby and a kinda Other People Place style mover from Kai Alce to finish.
Conforce – Love And Hate EP [MEAN018]
After four singles for some of Europe’s a-list techno labels – Meanwhile welcome this inspired 22 year old Dutchman – Leeuwarden-based Boris Bunnik. As Conforce, he prefaces a stunning double album incoming soon, one of profound electronic depth representing classic techno’s next wave with this melodic, stunning and need we say highly limited three tracker. ‘Love Hate’ for us pretty well defines what’s best in futuristic Motor City techno-soul- house music – the sheer drama of this track as it ripples and swells all shapes it for those who care: dense and modern, pressed deep in a new era for the physical medium. If you can’t stand the deepness, get the hell out of the way.
Delano Smith & Norm Talley – Constellation / Detroit 2-Step [SUSH04.4.6]
Nice cuts by two uptempo tracks by these two friends. Delano Smith goes for a slightly deeper introvert cut that builds and grooves and that has a nice athmospheric feel to it. Norm Talley goes for a jazzier approach and a nice steady almost 2 step beat that keeps going.
Aybee / Jus Ed – Underworld EP [UQ025]
Jus-Ed “I didn’t know of Aybee until recently after I met him through Fred P. Fred had played this classic track called “build her” by Delaroix which turns out to be Aybee! This EP bridges the gap between Afro House and Tech House. Guaranteed to move the crowd!”
