Skylax presents a new sublabel Skylax Records Extra Series #1. The first release presents the wonderful work from house maestro Jason Grove with some of the most timeless artists from both Chicago & Detroit, featuring vocals & productions of the great Merwyn Sanders (formerly known as Virgo 4) & legendary undeground resistance member Niki Marks.
CTEPEO ’57 (STEREO ’57) are a newly formed duo. They’ ve been around for a while and you might know them under different aliases. Their obsession with 1950s culture brought them together and they own a massive collection of Marlon Brando memorabilia. The 1950s were a decade of mystery and hoaxes, the cold war, the space race and the establishment of NASA. CTEPEO ’57 insists the cold war isn’t over and claim Russian astronauts landed on Mars in the late 90s to discover something truly amazing… It all seems far-fetched but who cares, when they make music like this.
Growing up in the deep south of Germany with multi ethnic friends and big interest in many different music genres of the world, Borrowed Identity built his wide knowledge in music. This variety in his musical taste is also the reason why he is working under different aliases producing a big variety of sound from ambient to house to experimental music and everything inbetween. Borrowed Identity debut EP on Quintessentials is another great example for his multistyle approach to music. You’ll find elements of house, disco, techno, ambient and more – always with an imminent love for music.
We Play House 019 brings us Art Of Tones with Lauer remixes. Art Of Tones aka Llorca provides in stylish fashion with two original tracks on the A-side. ‘Take Me Higher’ is vintage deep house music that will get any floor moving. Disco and funk-infused rhythms are paired with a diva-like vocal sample and a bassline to die for. ‘Damped’ explores that territory even further, and uses a sample from a certain well-known record that shall remain unnamed her. On the B-side it’s all Lauer in fine form, delivering not one but two remixes, each of them providing a different take on ‘Take Me Higher’. The ‘Al’ remix is a little deeper, and the ‘Bert’ remix will be the more instant dance floor piece, but you really should play both of them.
Toronto’s Stuart Li aka Basic Soul Unit has made not one, not two but three interpretations of Kyodai’s Moving. Some deeper & dark electronic house biz. Basic Soul Unit’s ‘BSU Basement Mix’ is a typically taut affair with the rhythm swinging, great panned synth hissing, compressed piano lines and a rumbling bassline. Flip for the ‘BSU Attic Mix’ which swings less, nailing everything to a wobbling sound system bassline and stiff rhythm track.
Limited 12” with some sweet gently and jazzy Detroit influenced house tracks. Come with unique handmade red paint bicycle wheels patterns on the front record sleeve – each a unique individual piece, sleeve backside handstamped.
‘The Same Thing’ EP opens with the title track which kicks pretty damn sweet with Loleatta Holloway freestyling over strummed acoustic guitar, live-sounding bass, Rhodes jamming on top of a tight groove. There’s also a dub version included on the B-side. Last but not least, ‘The Great Sgatmi’ is a jazzy and bumpy house take with lot’s of samples perfectly balanced.
The NY duo, DJ Spider & Marshallito, land on TTT with four chapters of toxic, virus-ridden techno-house amalgamations for the bravest of heart. Taking the boundaries of the genre to their very limit and further – another instalment of wacked-out electronics from the London label.
Andy Vaz with his second release on Chiwax. Kicking off with a chunky resounding kicks and some soft 808 congas, Andy drops a subtle bassline then plays with some very minimal percussion and ethereal sounds, before letting the subtle vocal samples permeate as the track gradually increases in its complexity as more percussion and synth parts are added even though the overall tone remains satisfyingly repetitive, deep and intriguingly organic. The flip uses the same kind of warm percussion, adding smatterings of acid cut with panning and wild unusual chords and tones that grab the mind just to take it to the side before unexpectedly swiftly in the other direction. The final track has a mixture of samples giving a clue to the Detroit influence, while clearly stating out the German craftsmanship as one key force of the worlds motorisation, before descending into laid back acid over warm kicks and ticking hats complimented by yet more ethereal chords and stabs from bass and lead. There is nothing about this that’s boring or cliché and though this isn’t from Detroit, a lot of the inspiration clearly is. This is a release with some serious low tempo depth and skill, taking the feel what’s great about America’s midwest with a well considered European approach, definitely the best of both worlds….
The transmission of deep sonic intelligence begins here. Drivetrain’s (Detroit, USA) “Digital Toy Box” beckons the listener to participate in audio pleasure as the melodious introduction offers an enchanting Wonderland followed by the deep-tech rhythm and throaty vocal sample escort to a sensual playground of sound. Motomitsu (Paris, France) reaches out to Soiree Records from his native Japan via Paris with “L’emotion Revoltee.” Joining the countries together with a call of action through a powerful dynamic clap marching through chanting vocals to create a crescendo of musical rebellion. Blackjack’s (Aberdeen, Scotland) “LV-427” brings his prowness once again as pressing beats grab hold, beginning a smooth ride over a solid terrain kissed with voice and sweet effects driving a late night journey. “Beatz” is the Soiree debut from Dax Inc (Rome, Italy), Dario Lotti and Simone Gatto. Heating the tempo with throbbing bass and a merciless wall of hard-hitting syncopation, this commanding duo profoundly announce their arrival.
Next to the regular catalogue number, here comes a strictly limited 3LP handmade package including represses of all parts from Daniel’s “In Days Of Old” voyage. Kann locks the awesome project with a complete collection of all tracks from “#one – #nine” that teases out Daniel Stefanik’s many-faced shining talents in techno and house music.
This super rare promo was compiled and re-edited by Chicago legend Jordan Fields, featuring rough and (club) ready dancefloor tracks from Hakim Murphy, G Marcell, Blackadiscomental Bobby Starrr. The rough trax on offer run the full Chicagan gamut, taking in Salsoul sampling, filtered house and italo synths to make a dancefloor come alight. This colored vinyl promo has never been available for sale (the black vinyl promo was out in 2008).
First release for Le Disque Record label, dedicated to quality House Music, touching the deepest jazz realms with the song ‘Spiritually Captured’ by Glenn Underground and on the flipside the wonderful “How I Feel” by Isoul8 that features the genius Kaidi Tatham on keyboards, licensed from the Neroli Records catalogue and remastered for the event. Also on the B side a wild collaboration from Isoul8 & Ricardo Miranda, a real futuristic track for the headz.
Catamaran, a young NYC based producer who’s tracks are infused with the life of the city – from jackin’ house to lush rhodes grooves. Plus, a Fort Romeau remix that takes the sound across the pond. 500 copies, hand stamped, vinyl only.
HotMix presents Sean Sanders, artist better know as Moon B. Three tracks on this special 10 reminiscent to TC Curtis and 52nd Street.
Jordan Fields with his definition of house music. ‘A clear understanding'” has a very 1990’s vibe. Next is Dubrazil’s “Red Vinyl” that was originally an untitled track with only 223 pressed. The “Midmight in Tokyo” was an unreleased project from Japan, follwoed by ‘Can you feel a beat’.
The Hipodrome Of Music 