Tunnels features three original tracks showcasing the London based duo’s versatility and maturity as producers with Bicep reconstructing the title track, morphing it into a punchy, bassline focused roller with piercing atmospheric pads.
detroit house
MK – Strider [MU003]
MK aka Marc Kinchen should need no introduction, he still is the master of the finest Dubs and Remixes in the House business for more than two decades. His 1991 track Strider remained an obscure Detroit Techno classic only for those who know and were lucky enough to get hold of the a rare test pressing of MKs first release Get It Right! on his own imprint called Masahiro Records which later became Area 10. However Strider didnt made it to the official release and was replaced by another track, as years gone by a video of this true gem caught a lot of attention and leaded to this reissue eventually. The track was remastered and comes with an additional extended version edited by Mojuba’s very own Oracy.
Marcellus Pittman / John Cannon – 1044 Coplin (Give You Whatcha Lookin 4) / J.C.s Groove
A modern boogie 7” on Unirhythm!? Yep, you heard right! Marcellus Pittman graces the A-Side of the disc on ‘1044 Coplin’ – a nice slice of mid west funk sure to appeal to all the boogie heads worldwide. On the flip we have the Unirhythm debut from Detroit’s own John Cannon. John C is a veteran producer and MC, most recently featured on the J DIlla album ‘Rebirth Of Detroit.’ No suprise there – we definitely hear some Dilla on ‘J.C.’s Groove.’
Borrowed Identity – Feeling Blue EP [HOMETAPING019]
By all accounts Romanian producer Borrowed Identity is having a splendid 2014. Currently based in Berlin taking political refuge from his homeland, the producer has already racked up strong 12″ releases. This 12″ for the evergreen Hometaping is Killing Music label shows how diverse Borrowed Identity’s range can be, dipping into similar sample laden territory to MCDE with sublime results. It’s apparent from the off with “Feeling Blue” centred around a lovely chord refrain that hooks you as soon as it drops, whilst “Nation Under A Groove” nudges the tempo up a few notches before the mood eases back down with the pair of beatdown burners on the flip. Strong four track EP with some solid sample driven tracks. Effective and tasteful house music.
Funkineven feat Jay Daniel – Discipline / Abyss [APRON013]
The ever increasing understanding between Apron and Wild Oats and the many artists affiliated with both labels continues to bear fruit for those out there that like their house music raw and rugged. The idea alone of young Detroit talent Jay Daniel getting behind the buttons with suave Stevie Funkineven should set the pulses racing and both “Discipline” and “Abyss” will leave you craving more from this partnership. There’s an effortless glide to “Discipline” as Jay and Funk’ keep the drums to a minimal yet bugged out line of kicks, leaving it to those killer keys and thick set chords to hit you in the gut and the hips. On the flip, “Abyss” finds the duo opting for a more pared back, abstract production where rhythm is kept to a minimum as the space is filled with tweaked out motifs that sound like a paranoia filled John Carpenter.
Bantam Lions – Recollections EP [SCN005]
Liverpool-based producer Bantam Lions returns with his third 12” for the Scenery Records label. Lead cut ”Recollections” is particularly good, delivering a deep and attractive fusion of fuzzy analogue warm, dreamy melodies and intoxicating chords. He ups the tempo further on ”Many Years Later”. Which layers dubbed-out chords and swirling textures over an energy-packed techno groove. The accompanying remixes are pretty tasty, too, with The Cyclist particularly impressing with his Detroit techno-goes-lo-fi interpretation of ”Recollections”. That said, the dreamy, new age-influenced downtempo take from Mood Hut regular Cloudface is pretty darn good, too.
Rick Wilhite – Vibes 2 [RHM010CD]
As a DJ and promoter Rick Wilhite has been holding it down for over twenty years. His ‘Vibes New & Rare music’ record store has been a main source for soulful electronic music in Detroit until its closure a few years back. The ‘Vibes New & Rare music’ compilation only features material that Rick Wilhite truly believes to represent the artists. After releasing Volume 1 in 2010, Wilhite now delivers the sequel, featuring pioneers and new talents alike from New York, Chicago and Detroit.
Omar S – Annoying Mumbling Alkaholik [AOS000]
Omar S returns to the wax 12” after a slew of heavy-hitting double packs. 3 tracks, raw yet smooth like an uncooked sausage.
VA – NDATL Special Edition 2014 [NDATLSE14]
NDATL Muzik with a Special Edition featuring 3 tracks by Kai Alce, Mike Huckaby and Jay Daniel.
Martin De Brig – Morning Has Broken [TC001]
Influenced by his passion for Detroit and Chicago’s House and Techno scenes, on his production debut some deep tracks with nice baselines, layered with strings, soaring pads and an abundance of hats and snares.
VA – Combo EP [OJO009]
Rick Wade, K.Alexi, Fantasna and Jorge C signing in for this 9th release for the South American Ojodeapolo label. A fine Various Artists compilation titled Combo EP. A-side begins with Jorge C. “Baile” a set of playful chords , seductive machine drums plus percussions,voices & whispers and surrounding baselines. Followed by “Sun On My Face” by the legendary Chicago star K Alexi Shelby consisting on a mysterious, hypnotic and sensual refreshing summer hit. B-side continues with the one and only Rick Wade, who delivers a tremendous track called “Darling Your Love” transporting us to his own sound-signature developed before by his own imprint Harmony Park label. Last track is “Faraon”, a real deep-acid-anthem that comes by the hand of the young promise Sebastian Mella aka. Fantasna, one of the best kept secrets from Santiago de Chile.
Guerrilla Soul! – Guerrilla Soul! [VS006]
Amir Alexander with his project The Guerrilla Soul! comes with versatile 4 track deep house EP for Vanguard Sound.
Cool Peepl – Free Part. 1 [MG054]
Several years in the making Mike Grant finally completes the second Cool Peepl project. Originally assembled in 2002 for the Puzzlebox Sharevari remixes, Cool Peepl is a collection of Detroit artists coming together for a session. Focusing less on machine based tracks, the group focuses on organic productions. “Free” features former Members of the House vocalist Bill Beaver, longtime percussionist Sundiata O.M. and the multi-talented heavyweight Amp Fiddler. Andres comes with the remix.
Davina, Carlos Nilmmns, Niko Marks – Get By Me [ORN030]
Davina, Carlos Nilmmns, Niko Marks offer a quintessential blend of Detroit house tracks. Comes with a remix from Andres.
OB Ignitt – I’m Here Now The Arival EP [OBONIT001]
True old school quality house and techno tunes by OB Ignitt, known for his collaborations with Omar S, on the first release for his own label Obonit Records.
VA – Planetary Telepathy [SRT158]
‘Planetary Telepathy’ – intelligent rhythmic perception, inspired by cosmic energy. Featuring tracks from Drivetrain, Woodward & Jefferson, Rennie Foster and Mattimoe & Perrine.
Walt J – Resurgence EP [NLRN002]
Detroit’s Walt J has undoubtedly become a legend of the house/techno scene since his first release in 1995 on Vigilante Records. After 17 years of absence, M. Jones is back and chose parisian imprint Unlearn to share his unique style with the world. This EP sets another step to the unlearn foundation, underlying the founders thirst for eclecticism in electronic music.
Terrence Dixon / Fred P – Two Worlds [FS022]
Considering the combined talents of Detroit veteran Terrence Dixon and Black Jazz Consortium man Fred P, you’d expect this split EP for Finale Sessions to be a lesson in warm, soul-flecked depth. Pleasingly, that’s exactly what it delivers. Dixon excels with the sub-sporting alien futurism of “To The Bridge” – the aural equivalent of staring into space while dancing to electronic jazz – and the sumptuous, minor key bliss of the casual deep house jam “Starting Over”. Fred P, meanwhile, delivers two contrasting cuts. There’s some acid-fuelled deep house futurism in the shape of “Circuit”, and a chunk of bongo-laden dancefloor humidity in “The Road”, whose rising strings and sweet melodies are arguably the highlight of a superb EP.
Theo Parrish – Footwork [SS053]
Two tantric dancefloor jams marks the return of Theo Parrish to his spiritual home and life’s work Sound Signature. Building on the same rhythmical territory as the recent 12” for The Trilogy Tapes/Palace/SS.
The Hipodrome Of Music 