Hello,
You could literally hear the jolts and jostles of the music industry's shifting into gear last week: From a quiet holiday mode to the bustle and hustle of what should be an intensely busy autumn season.
If you're still in a tranquil summer mindset you might have already missed some positively huge releases: techno and house with Marcel Fegler's Berghain 05, Kompakt's Total 12 and Cosmin TRG's album debut, dubstep and hip-hop with Hudson Mohawke and Paul White, electronica with Balam Acab and Mika Vainio, and pop and disco with Stereo MC's and Spank Rock.
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FEATURED RELEASE
While some of his fellow Berghain resident DJs have made a name for themselves as visionary purists and uncompromising innovators, Marcel Fengler has regularly opted for a more differentiated approach - by balancing grungy techno, stumbling dub loops and Actress-like electro in his production for instance and of course through his varied and entertaining DJ sets.
On 'Berghain 05' Fengler finally gets his shot at showing off this diversity in a full 1:16h long mix, including many previously unreleased exclusives by a stellar line-up of contributors.
Emika and Marcel Dettmann provide the chorale-like intro for the mix, which leads on to Peter van Hoesen's exclusive, 'Axis Mundi'. It's a dramatic opening that is followed by an electro-inspired section featuring Byetone, Octogen and Regis, and it is with two unearthed techno classic - the 'Minneapolis' mix of Secret Cinema's 'Timeless Altitude' and Ratio's 'Doublefeature' - that Fengler returns to straight techno beats.
Dissolving Seiji's funky shuffles into Claude Young & Takasi Nakajima's drifting piano chords is only one of the many inspired moments that Marcel Fengler's mix provides, and with its second half almost exclusively comprised of unreleased tracks - by Convextion/E.R.P., Ben Sims, Reagenz, Vril, and Marcel Fengler himself - its flow is never short of variations and surprises. Highly recommended.
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TECHNO / HOUSE ESSENTIALS
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This year's edition of the Cologne electronic stable is as ever a compilation of the highest quality. Alongside hits from Matias Aguayo, Gus Gus and WhoMadeWho remixed by Michael Mayer are new tracks from Superpitcher, Wolfgang Voigt, Reinhard Voigt, Mohn and welcome return of Jorg Burger's The Modernist.
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Cosmin TRG has a proven track record for quality and versatility with hallmark releases landing on Hotflush, Tempa, and Rush Hour. Here he presents his debut LP for 50 Weapons, 'Simulat', showcasing the remarkable depth and range that he has built his name on.
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Agnès releases his second full-length under his Cavalier moniker, on fellow Swiss label Drumpoet Community. That effortlessly deep yet jacking sound flows liquidly all the way through its 17 tracks, Chicago and Detroit heritage underlying seductive dreamy details. Excellent album.
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Dial/Smallville luminary Lawrence releases this mix 'Timeless', his first outing on Cocoon. As you would expect, he uses his sublime taste of the deep, tactile side of house and techno mixing from labelmates Smallpeople & Rau and Pigon stateside to Delano Smith, Rob Hood and ending in Plaid - magnificent!
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Hot Creations co-founder Jamie Jones works his magic for the Fabric series, embodying that quality sultry house London is doing so well right now. Opening dreamily as his Hot Natured duo with Lee Foss, with his own Coat Of Arms edit and track 'The Lows' adding sparkle to an all-round lush mix. Essential!
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The first in Honest Jon's series of remixes and reworks of Shangaan electro sees Mark Ernestus (Basic Channel, Rhythm & Sound) finely teasing out ghostly harmonies from BBC's 'Ngunyuta Dance' with an incredibly tactile dub, hypnotic and abstract yet still maintaining a light-footed energy. Just superb.
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Barnt, Crato and Jens- Uwe Beyer team up as Magazine for the first time on their eponymous and much-lauded label. Their impossibly titled debut release brings together slow-jacking techno, cosmic vibes, and snappy electronica on four long and perfectly mesmerizing tracks. Highly recommended.
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Maxi-Single released 15-08-2011 on CLR
The third remix single for Tommy Four Seven's debut album, and this time it's Robert Hood and Sigha who fail to disappoint. The Math Assassin's take is a great minimalistic jacker, while London's Sigha transforms ambient track 'Verve' into a hard-hitting techno track. Recommended.
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EP released 22-08-2011 on !K7
MCDE's ultra-lush track 'L.O.V.E.' taken from his excellent DJ-KiCKS mix gets a slew of prime remixes. Kyle Hall's brilliant rework going in deep, heady and raw, Wolfgang Voigt extracts tense synths and lends a ghostly vibe, Smallville's Smallpeople busying with oldschool cheer. A+++ all round!
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Taken from Osunlade's latest LP, 'Pyrography', on their own Yoruba Records, 'Envisions' gets licensed to Innervisions for a set of remixes by Âme and Dixon. Being careful not to tinker too much with the original's winning formula, Âme and Dixon amplify the mood to prime it further for the big room.
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Across the lush Detroit style soundscapes of 'Sark Island Acid', the Chicago-style jack on 'Backwoods Fantasies', and the snaking rhythms of 'Sea of Nuhuhu', Legowelt's exceptional contribution on L.I.E.S. sound envelops you in a dreamlike state when keeping that booty shaking.
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Outstanding new material from Rob Hood's mighty Floorplan moniker - 'We Magnify…' flies invigorating gospel vocals over tough piano house, 'Baby, Baby' minces elements of disco and soul for dancefloor frenzies and 'Basic Principle' binds a would-be euphoric synth line over a mean bass drum. Incredible tracks.
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EP released 19-08-2011 on Yore
His noble career stretching back to 80s New York house, Elbee Bad eventually made Berlin his home and continued his pioneering career. Now he appears on Cologne's Yore with this deep, mysterious house track of tactile details, and a vocal tale opening up the spaces above your head. Irresistable.
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Maxi-Single released 16-08-2011 on Planet E
Rolling with Planet E's 20th anniversary celebrations this year, two classic tracks from the much-loved moniker of head honcho Carl Craig get updated. Dubfire adds broody, cavernous bass weight to '4 My Peepz' whilst Loco Dice adds sleek nifty details to 'Parking Garage Politics'. Nice.
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First release on new label This Ain't Music. 'Atom Heart' takes a pulsing minimal beat and stretches itself out in an increasingly complex melodic web, the 'Instincts Mix' a step broodier, nodding at dubstep influences. HOPE takes an ultra reduced approach and M_nus' JPLS adds bassy warmth. Great stuff!
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With a torrent of excellent releases on their own Skudge Records, the Swedish duo appear fittingly on Copenhagen's Echocord Colour. 'Surplus' sees agile dubby flexes, immaculately executed, 'Void' a more assertive futuristic bounce and the Conforce remix a moody bass-heavy gem. Top!
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Detroit duo of Luke Hess and Brian Kage make their mark for Planet E's twenty years celebrations. 'Another Place' is a powerful driving breathtaker, purist Detroit intensity with spoken word over shapeshifting piano chords, punctuated with lush dubby sweeps. Sublime.
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EP released 08-08-2011 on !K7
The much-acclaimed quartet helmed by Mathew Jonson returns with two edits of a live jam session, with The Mole now a full time studio member alongside Danuel Tate and Tyger Dhula. Conjuring lost depths, grizzly bass textures wind under tantalising synths and distant vocal samples. Killer tracks.
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Berlin-based Murphy Jax drops another stonker on the Jack For Daze series following up 'It's the Music' feat. Mike Dunn. 'Kevin Spacy' plugs away with propelling cosmic synths and Chi-town finesse and two additional versions, whilst 'Smoodrama' pads softly in a lush house fuzz. Unmissable zero" exclusive!
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Peter Van Hoesen's 'North 6th' on his second contribution for Komisch sees him taking a small step away from the gritty, deep, and dark techno he is known for into something slightly more uplifting for the dance floor. 'Desay Duty' gets down to business with an uptempo groove.
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DUBSTEP / HIP HOP / ELECTRO ESSENTIALS
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Beginning from the epic kaleidoscopic arpeggios of 'Octan', the opening track to his stellar new EP, 'Satin Panthers', Hudson Mohawke reminds us just how special he is. Going through many different facets of his musical personality in only five tracks, from swirling synthstep to bleeping hip-hop, Hudmo is truly an exciting and unique talent.
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Londoner Paul White's experimental hip-hop has earned him well-deserved attention since he first appeared on One-Handed Music in 2007. With vocalists bridging UK and US, such as Guilty Simpson, Danny Brown and Jehst, his lovingly bizarre and imaginative productions make a stunning album. Recommended.
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Moving further into its explorations of the Chicago underground, Planet Mu unearths 24-year old producer, DJ Diamond, repping the city's West Side with his debut LP, 'Flight Muzik'. Featuring meticulously detailed and polished production, Diamond's debut is an essential Footwork album.
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Drawing key support from Mount Kimbie with a remix on their latest EP 'Carbonated', Klaus finds his debut release landing on R&S Records. Wonderfully abstract and reduced arrangements reminiscent of James Blake evoke a maturity in production style from this intriguing newcomer.
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London-based Infrasonics continues to understatedly push the UK sound forward, this latest release sees Manchester's xxxy throw down the feisty footwurkin' 'Body Movin'' and percussive jam 'Swing Those Hips' whilst Ike Release's agile beats and crafty bass weight are just perfect for dark dancefloors. Ace.
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With his fellow Instra:mental mate ripping up dancefloors as Boddika, Jon Convex is paves his own direction with a strong follow up to his 'Convexations' EP on Martyn's 3024. 'Radar' has a moody depth, stern razor synths and preened punchy beats whilst 'Vacuum States' pads aquatic bass deliciously. Excellent.
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Dutch producer Inofaith fuses melodic 90s electronica with contemporary dubstep rhythms for his debut EP, 'Dawn is Late'. Whether or not you're intrigued by Boards Of Canada and The Orb inspired chill-out vibes, this young producer's work should be given a listen.
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In his second of a trilogy of releases for Monkeytown, San Diego-based eLan sets loose more gleeful synths and sweetly trippy beats in the brilliantly aptly titled 'Alligator Snaps'. His fuzzy basslines and bright bleeps are never over done and the Cosmin remix slyly transforms it into Berghain corker!
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BD1982's Disktopia imprint is further proof that the stylistic lines are blurred more than ever. Featuring heavy contributions from A Taut Line, BNJMN, and BD1982, this EP throws out any guidelines for tempo or genre in favor of an 'anything goes as long as it bangs' approach.
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The second release from London's left_blank crew opens with Visionist's stripped and percussive 'W.M.I.D', followed by two versions of Lorca's sweet lo-swung stepper 'Hold Back'. Collaborative effort 'Slapstickk' sees slickest supple beats and giddy razored synths making prime dancefloor banter. Top.
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After releases on Black Acre and Blunted Robots, the South London trio appear on Modeselektor's selective bass imprint with a fine four track EP. 'Speeding Blue' a kicking UK funky beat graced with woozy energetic synthlines, 'Neon' and 'The Lick' UKG leanings and 'Be Myself' a good dose of juke. Slick!
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Sam KDC has been gaining support from DNB's leading profiles like dBridge, Instra:mental, Commix, and Doc Scott, culminating in this release for the 'Symbol' series on ASC's Auxiliary imprint. 'Symbol #3' explores the deep and experimental side of the genre, establishing Sam KDC as an artist to watch.
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ELECTRONICA / AMBIENT ESSENTIALS
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The anticipation has been building ever since his brilliant EP, 'See Birds', and now Balam Acab's debut album finally arrives on Tri Angle Records. With 'Wander/Wonder', the young producer exceeds expectations and dispels hype with his deeply emotional and dream-like sound. Essential.
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After ten years pushing the outer limits of electronic music and its weirdest hybrids, Highpoint Lowlife shut up shop in style with this 28 track compilation. Featuring tracks from Dalglish (aka OST), Erstlaub, Spatial, Calika, Hot City, Depakote, they can certainly boast a high quality output. Hats off.
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Mika Vainio's latest album sees the guitar featuring heavily, ever-skillfully asserting his abrasive sound-world. A hint at more traditional guitar usages is seen in a haunting cover of The Stooges 'Open Up And Bleed', whilst his incredible use of drones, textured noises and spaces make a gripping album.
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Veronica Vasicka compiles rare and unreleased tracks from '79-'85 for this compilation on her Minimal Wave imprint. Hailing from Japan, Yugoslavia, UK and many from Belgium, these are lo-fi bedroom productions of raw, synth-pop gems of uncanny electronic nostalgia, plus two bonus tracks. Bliss.
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As the music world mourns the recent passing of former Tangerine Dream and Kluster member Conrad Schnitzler, this release appears fitting. Borngraber & Struver explore new worlds within Schnitzler's original tape library, preserving analog sanctity and creating some truly magical material.
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Reincarnated as a vehicle for Gordon Sharp's solo productions, legendary post-punk project Cindytalk returns to Editions Mego for a third album. 'Hold Everything Dear' gracefully tackles intensity levels that range from fragile piano elegies to harmonious drone cascades on 12 inspired instrumentals. Excellent.
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Holy Strays, France's Sebastien Forrester drops another deliciously psyched-out EP on L.A.'s enigmatic Not Not Fun label.
'Enlightenment' a drifting mystical haze, 'Phrenesia' a dusty pronged epic, both tinged with krauty atmospheres and a fine set of remixes including a Moroder-esque workout from Xander Harris.
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Live recording of a 6-channel concert in which Thomas Lehn, analogue synth improviser and computer music whiz Marcus Schmickler meet once again. Together these modern legends of analogue and digital electronic create an absolutely riveting, spine-tingling 46 minutes of masterful experimental sonics.
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ALTERNATIVE / POP / DISCO ESSENTIALS
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Album released 29-08-2011 on !K7
Stereo MC's have always been interpreting contemporary dance music styles, so the indie dance pop direction of 'Emperor's Nightingale' is not really the surprise some have made it out to be. It's a concept that works best when Underworld-like stadium vibes are balanced out by a New Order style melancholy. Solid.
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Five years after first busting onto the scene Spank Rock return with the Boysnoize-produced 'Energy'. If you expect electro rave though, think again, as this is one surfadelic, Can-sampling funk monster! Remixes by Jan Driver, Win Win and The Glimmers.
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LA's Suzanne Kraft continues the edit business on Gerd Janson's Running Back imprint with four excellent beat collages that range from the soulful late night disco of 'Morning Come' to the funk-infused electro boogie of 'Femme Cosmic'. A must for fans of Tiger & Woods or Mark E.
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Cut Copy's second single this year has the Australian pop stars once again enlist the help of prominent remix artist, such as Toro Y Moi, who delivers a sunny filter house take on the marimba-led original, Chicken Lips and Tornado Wallace. Nice one.
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An excellent and surprising set of remixes for Little Dragon's latest single: Hamburg's disco house don Tensnake converts the original song into a downtempo future r'n'b workout, while London's Maya Jane Coles constructs her version around a Joy Division inspired bass guitar rumble.
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Soundtracking historical changes in Africa in the 1960s to 80s, Honest Jon's release the second of two compilations bringing the diverse cultural mix of Nigeria to our ears. From pan-ethnic highlife style, which was to influence Fela Kuti's Afrobeat to the folkier juju, much incredibly beautiful music here.
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Now unleashed in its full glory, Jerry Bouthier (of the Ponystep and Boombox compilations on Kitsuné) mixes only Gomma releases, including the four edits made especially for the mix. As it happens, 100% Gomma increases that slinky, funky, feel-good disco house factor exponentially - wow!
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Italians Do It Better unearth three unreleased demos by Italo disco legend Fred Ventura. The years might have gone by since they've been recorded some 25 years ago, but these tracks should still get the floors going with melancholic ease. Sweet.
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Maxi-Single released 02-08-2011 on DFA
DFA's resident engineer and analogue synth nerd whips up this ecstatic rolling disco-magic-carpet treated with psychedelic licks and percussion fit for a mystical desert, whilst Mutant Beat Dance (Melvin Oliphant aka Traxx and Beau Wanzer) eek out a sombre tingling cosmic remix. Deep disco brilliance.
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Taking two tracks from their highly sexualised album earlier this year, the first remix of the title track sees DFA's Shit Robot cranking in cheeky chord stabs and a stylish house bounce whilst Gomma's Moullinex minces the funkin' disco of 'Latter Day Methods' down to a generously fluid dub.
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