A new four track piece coming from one of Germany's most active but still most underrated producers who caters a serving that starts of with a stomping but playful MinimalHouse phonker on top of a simplistic, but uber-kicking bassline motif. Track two turns out as kicking as the first one but riding on a clean ElectroTech train reminiscing to the heydays of acts like Beroshima and their "Electronic Discussion" whilst number three surfs the same wave but is focusing on abstract percussion, playful melodies and a dark'ish sub that only works out well when blasted on excellent PA systems. Finally the closing track with the weird name "Das Stachelschwein Von Fürstenberg" is dealing Acid as acidic as Acid can be, a raw and unprocessed monster with a tight oldskool feel, dry percussions and two tone synths spreading sweet melancholia. Jack your fucking body. Now!
Totally amazed by the fact that - for the first time ever - I overheard a conversation of Icelandic native speakers I've been spending some time and thoughts today on how and when to learn that language as it sounds great and I love all these letter we don't have in German.
Plus: for some reasons that are defo not related to elves and trolls I've always had a thing for Iceland and felt the need to spend some time there someday.
Focus On: Daniel Dexter [Poker Flat Recordings Promo]
Another one scheduled for March 2013 is the next part of Poker Flat's "Focus On"-series, this time focussing on the works of Daniel Dexter and featuring tracks from previous single releases like "Storm" or "No House For Old Men" alongside two remix works provided for Gender Bombs and Zombie Disco Squad but - in difference to its prequels in the series - clearly emphasizes on new and unreleased material. So "Focus On Daniel Dexter" is more of a real artist album than a showcase of past works, released as 2x12" vinyl and in CD format physically. As we're talking the CD here it's not a track by track-selection but built and arranged like a energy driven DJ-mix that comes to a first climax after less then 10 minutes when the anthemic "Night Away feat. Geraldine Roth" kicks in and proves that strong female vocals and an effective loop running in circles are just the right ingredients to create a banger - "Night Away" is nothing short of a sex track, a sonic equivalent to a pheromone overdose. And so are a lot of the thirteen tracks here as Daniel Dexter seems to have a thing for seductive basslines, simple but strong melody hooks, 'troity strings and functional stabs made for primetime abuse. This is what DJ's love about his productions and a simple female "Hey..." added to this fusion like in the raving "Raw Land" makes a big difference, transforming a very good track into a huge one. Or a classic if the producer picks the right vocalists for adding an extra bit to his own work which Mr. Dexter does a lot whilst pushing Vocal (Tech)House to the next level with his first longplay assault. Massive.
Coming soon on the little big Major Label is a limited to 100 copies 12" release recorded and produced by Les Clochards Du Monde which are catering two deep PostRock-influenced instrumental tracks on the A-side living by a continous change and will to break up their own structures, changing from nearly Flamenco'esque guitars into distorted, feedback-driven ones in "Distance" whilst "Beyond Three Minutes" fuses film noir-influenced sections with ritual drum excesses, crime scenes and ancient tribalisms merged into a furious but still pacifying race of thrilling effect that gets even more intense when the record flips and the title track continues this race but adds more Funk and a deeper thrill due to what might be named Rap or ffwd Spoken Word stylewise but isn't lyrically, just another but very important layer of instrumentation. Is this the new Jazz for the dark minded? "Porn" is the answer and the answer is yes.
Scheduled for March on hfn music
/ Hamburg is a massive digital package showcasing a bundle of 28
remixes crafted by and for the Copenhagen-based producer Kasper Bjørke
who is making some waves with his latest single "Sunrise"
these days and so it's only natural that Slow Hands are opening this
package with their rework of the named track. Dropping some names means
that the likes of Trentemøller, Mano Le Tough, WhoMadeWho, Pillow Talk
or Wareika are involved here on the remixside of things whilst Mr.
Bjørke takes care of projects as diverse as Darkness Falls, Ilya
Santana, Human Woman or Moby when it comes to reworks being crafted in
his own studio. Too many good tracks to be found here to emphasize on
single ones but if I'd be forced to pick out one outstanding favorite it
might be Kasper Bjørke's rework of "Apple Pie" by Nelson Can which is a
sweet PostPunk-flavored piece of IndieElectro madness or the still
great re-cut of Darkness Falls' dancefloor filling "Hey!".
Yes, I'm guilty. This is the very first song I fell for via youtube and I'm still clueless how I uncovered the music video made for this little 7" gem which was released back in 2011. Anyway, it's sweet, seductive, longing, somehow tragic and I'm pretty happy that I easily managed to find me a vinyl copy as it's nothing but a Minimal Wave banger.
02. Sinkane - Mars [City Slang]
Did I mention before that Sinkane is great? Yes, I did and more than once. I'm still totally feeling his fusion of Afrobeat, Funk, Indie, SynthPop and the airy, relaxed, laidback feel of old Stereo MC's records without touching HipHop grounds even once. This one is essential and will be called the "classic" name in future years. One album to put on your buy list even if you don't plan to buy an album in 2013. Get me?
03. Steve Bug feat. Foremost Poets - No Adjustments [Poker Flat Recordings 136 Promo]
See review for details...
04. Bidol Cath / Rygeue DF / Cosmo Woslowski [Raketenbasis Haberlandstrasse 001 Testpress]
See review for details...
05. Peaking Lights - Lucifer In Dub [Weird World Record Company]
After feeling fairly disappointed when I listened to their recent full length album "Lucifer" which - in direct comparison to its predecessor "936" - was not only weak and way too Pop-driven but also totally overrated mediawise it's pretty good to see that Peaking Lights are back on track again with their re-rub "Lucifer In Dub". Dub seemed to play an essential but still not overly obvious role in their foggy Campfire Folk of "936" which was one of the reasons I fell in love with their music and their turn towards classic Dub techniques including tape echoes and reverbs to transform the easily accessible sound of "Lucifer" into something more eclectic and stripped is not only a good decision but seems to be the next logical step here. Stripping down things to the basics, peeling off unnecessary layers of sugar and garnishment and uncovering each songs core meaning - this is what "Lucifer In Dub" clearly does. Therefore recommended although paranoia hits me every time when I'm listening to "Lo Dub High Dub" due to the perverted abuse of doorbells.
06. Nogociella - Quando Cominciai A Vomitare [Voluntary Whores 003 Promo]
See review for details...
07. Chevel - Hearing EP [Non Series 005 Promo]
It's been quite while since I came across a real Minimal Techno record that deserved to be filed under this regularly abused flag. But Chevel which I reviewed for this months issue of FAZE Magazine totally suits this term, serving four skeletal, stripped down but dancefloor functional tracks for DJs and those who know the score. Not exactly a decent homelistening record but still a well hypnotizing piece that even spills a drop of Acid at a certain point. Well crafted and proper.
08. Seph - AM 02 [Aula Magna Records Promo]
Another one I reviewed for FAZE Magazine which finally touched down in my monthly charts. Defo on the DubTechno side of things but branching out into BrokenTechno realms this one will be appreciated by Dubstep headz and Basic Channel lovers alike. Similar to artists like Deadbeat the Argentinia-born producer Sebastian Galante - Seph's real name - takes care of known ingredients and manages to cater a basic but well-spiced menu for advanced dancefloors. Timeless.
Mynoda - Night Bathing [Voluntary Whores 004 Promo]
Recently put on the circuit via Voluntary Whores as the labels cat.no 004 is "Night Bathing", a four track debut for Mynoda which is the collaborational Dark Ambient / Noize outfit of the Russia-based artists 1g0g, DN23rd, Струп, Obzdur and Shebuzzz which have been busy in the underground CDr and digital circles of eastern Europe throughout the last years. Now with their conjunctional efforts available on tape as a limited edition of 70 copies they've created music out of hissing noises, harsh layers, indifferent sound accumulations and distorted field recordings of what might be political speeches - although I'm neither able to understand nor to speak only one word in russian language the overall athmosphere of the recorded voices just feels like they've got a political or suppressive nature. Turning the tape the musical mood turns as well catering tranquil and calm Dark Ambient with slowly swelling pulses and decent bass movement happening in the background, creating a cold post-thunderstorm athmosphere of a radioactive kind - the sound of the city after the mushroom cloud decayed.
Steve Bug feat. Foremost Poets - No Adjustments [Poker Flat Recordings 136]
Scheduled for mid month via Poker Flat Recordings is the next single taken off Steve Bugs recent album "Noir" which is the uber-massive "No Adjustments". Being one of the albums strongest tracks and an undoubted anthem in its own right the tune has been slightly re-shaped by its producer on the A-side for even more chicago'esque dancefloor pressure that's nothing less but on point. On the flipside we'll find Alex Niggemann and Arttu on remix duties - the first one emphasizing on the thrilling bassline figure, quite raw, oldskool-reminiscing drumworks and unprocessed claps whilst nervous cowbells and minimal but still epic strings cause dancefloor mayhem. On the other hand there's Arttu providing a psyched-out wild pitch feel for illegal basement gatherings with nothing more but concrete, flashing strobe lights and bodies soaking wet, dancing, jacking and being completely out of control. There's nothing not to love in this 12". Fully recommended.
There is a great guide for bands that make their first attempts to catch blog attention I've found whilst surfing the net and I'm biggin' up David Greenwald @ Rawkblog for being totally on point here. I totally recommend to read his full post but even if you don't just pay attention to these essential rules.
"Related: if a blog is supporting you, support them back! Retweet their
post about you, put it on your Facebook, shoot them a nice email. We’re
all in this together."
"If you’re going to send a mass email, BCC the addresses"
"Dont suck. This should probably be No. 1, but make sure your music isn’t stupid amateur bullshit"
Scheduled for February 15th via Sascha Müllers own Psychocandies-imprint is his latest full on Acid attack named "Acid Random 303", an album that's fifteen tracks strong and nothing but fueled to the max with spiralling 303 lines, sharp hi-hats and banging, sometimes even distorted underground drums that even manage to tear bomb shelters apart if played loud enough. Especially the track named "Travelsequence" is nothing short of a Rave banger with great, hoovering Techno stabs, drumrolls and powerful claps building up maximum energy in huge warehouse spaces or abandoned factories - I literally see the lights turn down in the mid track break before all lasers and fog machines are in full effect again. And this is by far not the only great tune to be found on this one - make sure to check out the psychedelic "Acid Test" with its tinny snares, the deep and 'troity "Mental Organ" or the Trance-inducing distortion stormer named "Bone Dancer" that's one for the late night posse. Get.
NASA is doing some great science. Again. And once again they're catching my attention as I'm a kind of a sucker for outer space images although I'm not digging deep in these acres. But catching the occasional glimpse of what's happening out there thrills me every now and then so I stumbled upon this video via Asteroid Watch.
NYC Death Rap at it's best. Rumours have it that Kardiac is about to release some stuff via the Austrian best-in-splatter imprint Hirntrust Grind Media soon. Spring 2013 that is.
Due to ongoing ignorance of artists, labels and promo agencies unfortunately we had to remove our email adress to protect our inbox from spam, newsletters and digital promos.
DO NOT send NEWSLETTERS or MP3 / DIGITAL DOWNLOAD / SOUNDCLOUD promos. Unless a physical sound carrier is sitting in our postbox your music will NOT happen on this website. No exceptions. Period.
