Marvin & Guy @ Gewölbe (Cologne) 16.04.2016
S Olbricht – For Perfect Beings [LT022]
Having broken the barrier for murky skewed house with his 2014 white label ‘A Place Called Ballacid’, Hungarian scene founder S Olbricht returns with a full album on Lobster Theremin that channels his distinct brand of thumping, sludgy techno, weaving through repetitive drone-laden ambient and Hague-esque escape soundtrack house. ‘For Perfect Beings’ is a sound-palette tour de force, picking ‘n’ mixing tempos and tonal balances that shift throughout each track and side of vinyl. Which strangely starts on a 12″ LP slab and ends with a pseudo ‘bonus’ 10″ two track experiment.
Juan Atkins & Moritz von Oswald present Borderland – Transport [TRESOR285]
To coincide with the twenty-fifth anniversary of Berlin club Tresor, Juan Atkins and Moritz Von Oswald have released a second Borderland album together. It begins in ominous mode, with the title track’s brooding bass tones casting a long, dark shadow, but the pair soon find a way to break away from the gloom with the mesmerising chords and heavy rhythm of “Lightyears” and the wonderfully spacey Detroit techno of “Riod”. Both “Odyssey” and “Merkur” push the tempo back down but keep an emphasis on hypnotic, woozy textures, snappy drums and jazzy tones, while “2600” shows that Van Oswald hasn’t lost his ability to craft dub-heavy, dreamy techno.
Andy Stott – Too Many Voices [LOVE101]
Andy Stott rarely gets it wrong. To date, he’s release a trio of fine full-lengths on Modern Love, each of which has arrived perfectly formed. It’s a similar story on fourth album Too Many Voices. Rich, spacious and melodious, it draws on both classic and contemporary sounds, channeling Yellow Magic Orchestra, James Blake, Boards Of Canada, Autechre and clap-happy drum machine funk, before twisting these varied inspirations into thrilling new shapes. For all the high-minded experimentalism, Stott’s greatest gift is an ability to create music that’s inspired and entertaining, achieving a balance between boundary-pushing and old-fashioned melodiousness. When he gets it right, as on Too Many Voices, few can really compete.
VA – Cosmos #1 [SVS009]
Martin Heimann – Salto [CO008]
Frankfurt based producer, DJ and music lover Martin Heimann presents his debut single Salto’ on Carry On 008. Remaining faithful to its name, the small label puts out another piece of limited wax every once in a long while. Enrooted in the soundscapes of 80s proto house the original version of Salto’ is a thriving piece of octave liberation. Consistent changes between harmonics break up the repetitive structure, while FM pads and the 303 are performing a little duet. The release is ennobled by two proper remixes from Moon B (Peoples Potential Unlimited) and Jex Opolis (Good Timin’). While Moon B keeps it bubblin’ with some extra analogue funk bounce and subtle Italo dance floor energy, the B-Side is Jexi-fied with some embellishment to the cords, change in the bassline and a nice 808 snap. On top Mr. Opolis adds some mysterious but cheesy vocals samples that match perfect with the moody 80s orchestral stabs.
Faze Action – Mangwana [FAR029]
Faze Action return with a brand new 12”, teaming up with Zimbabwean born Zeke Manyika to create ”Mangwana”. Sung in Zeke’s native Shona, and taking influences from Mory Kante, South African Kwaito to early house, Faze Action manage to create a record that harks back yet still has a modern and contemporary feel and is set to be the soundtrack to countless festivals and outdoor parties this summer. The title track is followed by the stunning ”Chiiko”, featuring Zeke’s vocals enriched by Rob’s ‘cello’s with African rhythms floating you away to another tropical world. A Vision of Panorama turns up the dial with a stunning mix on the flip side. A new bass line adds to some quality keyboard work. Finally the brothers deliver are more stripped out dub ”Paradise ’89 Mix” tailored for the peak time.
VA – RDY #30 (Ron Hardy Edits) [RDY030]
Four monstrous tracks straight from the basement featuring one of the original house music creator Ron Hardy.
Marge & The Marvellous – A Distant Dance [NMP002]
The second release of No More Pop features an obscure sideproject of the famous dutch minimal synth group “Ensemble Pittoresque”. Originally released on a promo compilation for local bands in 1984 called “De Wassenaarse Slag”, the single “A Distant Dance” is a truly unique journey into dutch synth wave. The composer and producer Ton Willekes and Paulus Wieland teamed up with Marga Visser for the vocals for their last creation before the final end of Ensemble Pittoresque. Besides the original version the record also features a special rework of the original Ensemble Pittoresque Demo of “A Distant Dance”, produced by Murphy Jax. On the remix front, the silvery Celina S resang the vocals for both Keen’s and Flemming Dalum’s remixes, which are shining due to their unique , dreamy and melancholic mood.
Intergalactic Gary – Dekmantel Selectors Podcast 002
UFOCUS – Guidance For The Puzzled [NW009LP]
Danny Wolfers aka Legowelt with a new project UFOCUS on his own label Nightwind Records. 11 Tracks with a mix of electronix and more club ready tracks, typical Legowelt style. A double-album set that explores the paranormal themes that were once a major part of the early ’90s ambient techno scene. Musically, much of Guidance For The Puzzled recalls those halcyon days, with Danny’s drawing inspiration from a mixture of classic Detroit techno, intergalactic electronica, intelligent techno, stargazing ambient house and – on the fine “Archetypes & Myths” – dreamy deep house/acid house fusion.
Marcello Napoletano – The Neroli EP [NERO031T]
Marcello Napoletano is an artist gifted with a special raw energy and his talent is shown on this debut EP for Neroli. Four tracks with that ‘Music Box’ swing only few producer have. The Neroli track in particular is set to jack hard any dancefloor.
Mr. Lee – I Can’t Forget [TX137]
One of the early big records in the UK that preceded the acid house mania that followed in 1988 and Mr. Lee’s first in a string of releases on Trax.
Qnete – If Everything Suddenly Changed EP [WAKEUP007]
If everything suddenly changed – what would that be like? Qnete’s EP is not the question and not the answer. It’s in a hiatus between hopes and fears, still maintaining an eager energy. Within a short period of time all tracks were recorded straight to tape, raw and improvised. They remember the sun bath before the storm, when you feel that something is about to roll over you. They express the urge and need to sometimes just jump into the cold water to face what’s coming next. They linger in the nervous energy when you’re lost and don’t know what to expect. But they also talk about the hope of finding a safe place.
Social Service – SS1 [MW002]
Motion Ward present the debut of LA based artist, Social Service. The sturdy yet dreamlike 5 track excursion, SS1, is a pensive debut that seamlessly navigates many of the intricate fibers that form the foundation of dance oriented music. From the warm and gently dubbed out melodies of Chamber to the lively, dance-floor-ready constructions of Stolen. SS1 stands as a quality entry point for Social Service– a narrative that’s equally diverse as it is cohesive.
Barac – Rawax Aira Series Vol. 4 [AIRA004]
The concept and mission of Rawax Aira Series will always be, to connect and invite great musicians who produce and create “essence of the real music’, not following the trend but let the music speak itself with groove, melody, vibe, energy and soul. Roland has made evolution in dance music all over the world in 80’s, Music needed those machines, and machines needed those creators of music. AIRA are not rehashing of the legendary original TR or TB, But respecting those great machines from the past, AIRA continues to evolve toward into the future simultaneously, newly developed, new generations tools to keep the music alive and to bring more possibilities for the future.We seeks out this exciting movement of dance music history, as the music lover who has actual experience the flow of this evolution, and connections between musicians and machines to make their musical pieces on this project to inspire listeners and to challenge the genres they represent by each series.
Nasty Boy – Closer to the Edge [PUU042]
Nasty Boy is a upcoming house producer Nicola Penna from Vibo Valentia in South Italy. His debut 12” on Sahko Recordings is two beautiful blue cuts somewhere between classic Detroit techno/house and modern Mood Hut style distorted bass and kick.
Svengalisghost – Digital Tsunami 099
Parrish Smith – Virgin Of The World [KH002]
For the next Knekelhuis chapter, there is Parrish Smith. In his wicked game of creation and demolishment he’s working on combining organic and mental material which brings him to his first full-length EP. His melted personal stories convey through rough mechanics and exuberant expressionism. This tells the story of fulfilment, development and setbacks. Mixing up illusional layers of metal drums with harsh and rough moving synthesis. Polyrhythmical electroniczzz for the mind.
Umwelt – State Of Matter [SHPRMX1]
Shipwrec rolls out its new remix series with a serious slab of electro red meat. The main course is served by a machine music master, Umwelt. And what else would the serving be but the rawest of electro, coarsened by surging acid and slicing snares. Accompanying the original are a triumvirate of talent: Ekman, The Exaltics and Eomac.
The Hipodrome Of Music 