Archive for December, 2009

Next Entries »

Review: Ben Klock – Tracks From 07

Published December 5, 2009 Review Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , ,

Label: Deeply Rooted House
Catalog#: DRH 028

Tracklist:

A: Red Alert


B: Viscoplastic

Recommended!

As Deeply Rooted House gets involved with Planet E as a distributor, the label manages to reach a wider audience as well as getting the selling support it deserves. With this insurance, a well placed EP is due.

Even though the label name might be a contradiction, Ben Klock manage to deliver two tracks that feel as they belong on it – somehow, they seem more connected to the current US standard as well as not losing ground with the Berlin home. The hard edged techno groove is there, but as Klock showcased with ‘One’ on Ostgut Ton, his influences ranges far beyond the genre in which he is most closely related to – the beat structure reminds a lot of Detroit house as well as a pumping groove close to DJ Funk and Cosmic Records.

‘Red Alert’ is a track that might be considered as an anthem, but at a closer and more focused listening will reveal, the elements are more subtle than that. Bringing a slow but powerful melody at first, the track peaks as the percussion comes together with a high pitch synth saw.

With the B-side ‘Viscoplastic’, a more current state is displayed. Subtle arrangements bind together with each other, as small variations through the melodies reveal themselves, the track hypnotises at an incredible amount. Playing this track at a powerful sound system will display the effectiveness and energy of it.

‘Tracks From 07′ is expected before the end of 2009.

Review: DJ Qu – Party People Clap

Published December 3, 2009 Review 1 Comment
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Label: Deconstruct Music
Catalog#: DEC-03

Tracklist:

A: Party People Clap


B: Party People Clap – Levon Vincent Remix


C: Party People Clap – Fred P. & Ant Parasole Mix


D: Party People Clap – DJ Jus-Ed Remix

Buy here

Recommended!

DJ Qu from Strength Music, being friends and involved with everybody else involved with Underground Quality, Deconstruct Music and Novel Sound, his first release on Deconstruct was just a matter of time. His own tracks are getting strong support by Levon Vincent and Anthony Parasole, together with DJ Jus-Ed and Fred P.

Even though DJ Qu’s own sound might follow in the same direction as his friends, it’s only natural that the resemblance is there – what’s unique is that, even though being closely related to the labels he releases on, his own style and energy are always what shines through the most. His previous tracks are already well established by those who push things forward, and being in that unique spot between equal deepness and reduction, DJ Qu manages to fuse both opposites (depending on how you see it) to create a familiar, yet very new and fresh place.

The original mix of ‘Party People Clap’ is a very steady and the least sublime track of this release, bringing all the elements on an equal level, the melodies fuses together and it works very well that way. A steady rhythm creates a good groove, something that DJ Qu seems to have focused on.

Being under the hands of Levon Vincent for quite some time – the first apperance of his remix was back in June – Levon Vincent takes the idea behind DJ Qu’s original, but somehow manage to reduce the elements that felt as a deeper house track into a heavy machinery NY house track. Standing for something new, this remix seems more as an output of a new creative side rather than following his previous work on Clone, Novel Sound and Deconstruct Music. This fresh take seems even more natural with the upcoming Novel Sound 04 …

Even though Levon Vincent’s remix would very well suffice by its own, it’s fellow label owner Anthony Parasole and Fred P. who push things even further into new territory. Reducing everything into it’s bare elements, they create a whole new track that feels very strange and impressive – featuring elements established by all five participants of this release but executed in such style it’s unbelievable. This is probably what 2010 will sound like!

DJ Jus-Ed manage to create a remix that leans towards the more classic and calmer aspect of the original – this is what he does best and in his prime. His remix is necessary on a remix package as this, since it was the missing piece to create one of the best remix double 12″s in a very long time.

Do not miss out on this one!

Review: Delta Funktionen – Silhouette EP

Published December 2, 2009 Review Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , ,

Label: Delsin
Catalog#: 79dsr-ep

A: Silhouette


B: Silhouette – Marcel Dettmann Remix

For just over a year ago, Delta Funktionen’s track ‘Silhouette’ got released on Ann Aimee (one of Delsin’s sublabels).

Being pressed in a very small amount, together with his previously digital only remix of Marcus Enochson and The Subliminal Kid’s track ‘That’s a Lot of Bait’, the track didn’t really see a proper EP release on any label at all. In October this year, Delsin announced that the popular B-side to the limited Ann Aimee release (‘Silhouette’), would get a re-release together with a remix by Marcel Dettmann.

Even though this EP was planned for an earlier release, it feels very natural for it to get out in the middle of December instead. The original’s quite reduced sense brings out a rougher side of Delta Funktionen as well as following the trail established by the ‘Electromagnetic Radiation Part I’ release – dark, cold and what to expect nowadays.

Even though the original is a good track, Dettmann’s calmer take on it brings out a new visualisation of the elements of the original; while keeping his own trademark style to it. Leaning more towards his own ‘Helix’ track on ‘Phantasma Vol.3′, the mesmerizing aspects of his sound takes a bigger space over the dark and haunting elements usually acompanied Dettmann’s work. In some sense, this was quite unexpected and welcomed – even though traditionalists might overlook this EP because of that.

The power of the original ‘Silhouette’ is still there after a year, even though it feels as Delta Funktionen’s own sound has developed since its initial release on Ann Aimee. Nevertheless, it feels natural that a track getting various support by the Ostgut DJ’s, getting a remix by one of their DJs, should be on the same EP after all.

The EP is expected 18th December.

Review: Anthony “Shake” Shakir – Frictionalism 1994 – 2009

Published December 2, 2009 Review Leave a Comment
Tags: , , , , , ,

Label: Rush Hour
Catalog#: RH 110

Tracklist:

A1: Happy To Be Here
A2: Breathe Deeper
B1: March Into Darkness
B2: Electron Rider
C1: Arise
C2: Simpatico
D1: The Fake Left. Go Right Plan
D2: Mr. Gone Is back Again
E1: Assimilated
E2: Get A Feeling
F1: Untitled
F2: Frictionalized
G1: The Floor Filler
G2: Plugged In
H: The Other One

7″

I: My Computer Is A Optimist
J: Fact Of The Matter

Recommended!

With Anthony Shakir’s collected works from ‘Frictional Recordings’ (and select tracks from Daniel Bell’s ’7th City’) on Rush Hour, his experimental yet very natural talent is showcased on a four 12″ collection which also includes an additional 7″ – a collection that is comprehensive and re-mastered.

Being overlooked and not getting the support he deserves, Shake has continuously made his own sound into something unique over the years. Even though many tracks are very old, they all have a sense of timelessness that always seem to be the case with Shake. This is a retrospect of Shake’s work from these last 15 years as a producer.

Keeping the focus on the funk and power that are the foundation of all the tracks, Shakir maintains a very high standard (which is why he is considered being under rated and under appreciated). With Frictional getting a new release soon, it’s very fitting with a release that summarizes the previous material from himself just before the new one. Even though it’s hard to know what to expect from Shake, it’s always something that keeps a high level of energy and intensity.

The package is due later on in December.

« Previous Page