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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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