SAFT announces a release by the one and only funketeer and Pasadena based connoisseur of the true underground funk-music ”DaM Funk”. The trans atlantic collaboration between the Canary Islands based label and DaM FunK resulted in ”Architecture”. A 3 track limited slice of otherworldly synths, drum machines and percussive grooves that showcase the true west coast sound of modern funk.
Theo Parrish has teamed up with Rotating Assembly member Duminie DePorres and Dirt Tech Reck head Waajeed. The EP, Gentrified Love Part 2, is the first new work Parrish has released since his 2014 album American Intelligence.
Finale Sessions celebrates it’s 5 year aniversery with Luke Hess, Patrice Scott. Basic Soul Unit and label boss Michael Zucker .
Armon ‘Aybee’ Bazile is undoubtedly one of electronic music’s most consistent performers. He’s barely put a foot wrong since making his debut in 2004, and continues to deliver high-grade material on a regular basis. Predictably, there’s plenty to get excited about on this 12″, too. “Man Over Machine” is a winding, constantly building gem, with rising and falling, spaced out melody loops riding an off-kilter techno rhythm. On the flip, you’ll find the deep space chord progressions, delay-laden electronics and deep tech-house grooves of “Build Them (Solstice Mix)”, the intricate pianos solos and Soichi Terada style deep house vibes of “Legacy”, and the off-kilter deep house/IDM fusion of “Melted Chains”.
The third release of Male Records features “The Order” a studio and live group that shares with “The True Underground Sound Of Rome” the same city and sound. A powerful mix of electronic detroit sounds together with melodic and balearic ambient atmospheres. Still comes as collector’s Album edition of 475 copies only containing the original songs from the rare “The Order EP” from 92 plus two unreleased strong songs: “Quasar” and “Way Back” recorded in the same year and performed only live during the big house event “Night Of Male 92” back in the days. This LP features also Stefano Di Carlo for additional percussions on Long Waves and Leo Young on the mix.
The second and final release of Scott Grooves’ Parts Manager series on Natural Midi- representing another four parts of the Scott Grooves sound.
Orson Wells returns to his own Sound Mirror imprint with another superb 3-tracker. A slightly electro tinged dreamy and melodic beauty called G.I.T.S.’ is followed by the distorted, heavy breakbeat enhanced pounding title track Missn’ U’ on side A, while the futuristic deep journey Red Planet’ on the flip makes this EP another versatile and quality packed release you shouldn’t miss.
Sistrum welcomes the second installment in the Genesis Tracks series, bringing together four special cuts from Patrice Scott, Reggie Dokes, Eric Cloutier and Kai Alce. Label head, Patrice Scott opens the EP right – setting the tone with a smooth excursion into lush chord stabs and deep, low end vibrations. Vintage strings ride high, while tinkling jazz keys dance amongst the waveforms, making for yet another future classic in the Sistrum lineage. Mr. Reggie Dokes offers up nothing less than a baptism by sound for his contribution, going deep with reverberant rhythms and crisp synth work, crafting an interstellar afro journey of the highest order. Keeping the quality at its highest, Eric Cloutier’s entry is a deep, techy mover – designed to lock the dancefloor into a hypnotic state. Drifting strings provide the foundation for highly modulated, gritty chord stabs to lead the way through the darkest of dancefloors. Kai Alce rounds out the EP in fine form – stripping things back to the essentials. ‘Jelly’ is raw, bouncy goodness, simply put. The filtered down acid-esque bassline is nothing short of a call to movement for all believers in the authentic sounds of house music.
This EP features 3 remixes, one By Brian himself and the others by Detroit’s Patrice Scott and Atlanta’s Byron The Aquarius. First up is man of the moment, Byron The Aquarius with his ethereal take on the original. With it’s cosmic sounds weaving in and out, Byron manages to infuse his soulful sound on the track to take it to a otherworldly territory. Brian is up next with his “Chicago Sur Seine Mix”, introducing a steel drum and some beautiful pads that are reminiscent of 808 State’s, Pacific 202. While still keeping with the original’s pace, this remix has more of a down tempo feel, and would fit perfectly in those late night/early morning sets. Finally Patrice Scott delivers a more beat driven Detroit take on the original, with an emphasis on the hi hats and clap that really gives the track that driven feel. While still paying respect to the original, half way through Patrice takes it to another level with his atmospheric keys that round off a great remix EP.
New Omar-S 12″ on his own FXHE Records. Side A, “Desert Eagle” is the type of melodic track that just makes you feel good, with floaty keys over a consistent bass line to keep the feet moving. On the flip is, “Cry Me A River” – a simple yet effective house track that relies on 909 drums, a dusty vocal sample, and strings to put you over the edge.
Detroit Electronic Quarterly (DEQ) Magazine Issue # 7 LP: It’s a slick, compilation from Detroit Artists Mike Clark, Todd Modes, Gary Martin, Gustav Brovold, Marshall Applewhite, The Valley and the Mountain and Quinton McRae.
The Best Omar S, newest album simply reflects the singer, songwriter/producer’s brilliant career- always vogue, forever moving forward, yet transcending trend to find its place among the classics. The 11 selections gracing album, produced by Omar S is just what you never expect from a modern entertainment legend.
For the 8th installment of their record label, Half Baked invite long time friend and Detroit legend Mike Huckaby to join the record label family. He comes with something very special in two rolling deep house tracks presented on a 12-inch picture disc. Both tracks have Mike’s signature touch, jazzy, smooth keys and rolling bass in a way that only Huckaby knows how, he really has delivered once again. Mike’s knowledge of his machines and software shows here as he comes with something super classy for daytime or night.
Label head, Patrice Scott returns to the controls for his next offering of sonic impressionism. The Detroit Upright EP features two choice cuts of pure soul. Patrice’s musical foundation was laid and developed in Detroit and the inspiration continues to this day.
First release on the vinyl only Label Topic Drift comes from Halvtrak. This 4 track EP got some detroit house influences and easy going chill out vibes on B1.
Amid whispers of a new album from Unirhythm boss and Three Chairs stalwart Marcellus Pittman, two tracks from his excellent debut LP Pieces finally get committed to wax. It’s a shame Pieces never got a vinyl release, but the chance to grip “Sneak Attack” and “Random Acts Of Insanity” on 12″ should not be passed up. This 12″ was actually released in ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ white label format in 2014, but finally gets a proper issue! For those that don’t have the LP, “Sneak Attack” is a curious concoction, with Syclops style electronics occasionally flowering over deep, dusty, intricately programmed rhythms. “Random Acts Of Insanity” feels a little bolder in approach, though its’ rich chords and odd, off-kilter rhythm track are contrasted with some notably bonkers electronic touches.
The Second release in a series of 12′ records from Scott Ferguson. House Tracks that were recorded in Detroit during the Late 90’s early/realy 2000. Previously Unreleased until now.
Way back in 2007, Mike Huckaby released an EP that joined the dots between Detroit deep house and dub techno all made exclusively on his Waldorf Wave synthesizer. Some nine years on, he’s finally got around to releasing a follow-up. My Life With The Wave Volume 2 eschews the dub techno influences of old, instead focusing on the fluid, rich, soul-flecked Motor City deep house he does so well. He begins with the looped, minor key melodies and strutting grooves of “Let The Dancer Do His Thing”, before increasing the rhythmic intensity via the cymbal-heavy waviness of “Phuture”. Flip for the sun-kissed breeziness of “Baseline 313” – all repetitive electric piano motifs, handclap-heavy percussion and tribal vocal samples – and the fluttering, picturesque deepness of “Another Fantasy”.
OB’s onit! Two on-point Detroit nailers. Solid grooving wild-pitch style tracks by OB Ognitt with a Omar-S vibe to it. This will go straight in the box and it will stay there for some time.
STL has been a firm favourite of Phonica Records ever since his first releases surfaced in the early 2000s. Although he is highly revered within the underground scene, he’s always kept a low profile and consistently pursued his own blend of boundary pushing abstract and experimental House & Techno. The two tracks on ‘The Amplified Bleep Package’ EP marks his first contribution to Phonica’s white label series.
