RECORD OF THE WEEK: Unit 2 - Sunshine (Kink / Tiger & Woods Remixes) [Running Back]

A release many have been waiting for since it tore up the festival circuit last summer. This week we see Gerd Janson's Running Back label release a double sided remix of Unit 2's classic, 'Sunshine', which first appeared back in the 90’s for the seminal Detroit house label Happy Records (a subdivision to Underground Resistance). Two fantastic interpretations complement the original. Side A brings in the Bulgarian master Kink's euphoric piano stabs with jaunty, shuddering bass and uplifting progressive melodies whereas Rome's Tiger & Woods offer up an acid tinged, blissed out alternative. The former popped up late last year as a limited, stamped white label of which the 400 copies got poached quicker than the twenty pound note peeping out the cushion on the bus - now it has been properly issued by popular demand along with a brand spanker from Mr T & Mr W. Grab it while it’s hot!

4.0/5

Listen to the previews

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Oli L

MIX OF THE MOMENT: Derek Carr - Revoke Series 01

Revoke, a new label set up by well-renowned diggers Anil Lal and Ben Leigh, looks at uncovering unreleased music from the past and releasing it as limited, white labels with no distribution companies, akin to the 90’s approach. After records from Derek Carr and JS Zeiter, their next offering sees the former initiate their mix series. In keeping with the style of his own output, Derek gives us an hour of uplifting, impeccably-mixed house and techno that works just as well in the bedroom as it would on the dancefloor. The mix is full of energy and packed with music from likes Fred P, Conforce and Convextion, as well as a couple of his own bits. Derek’s resurgence over the last few years has been great to see, and with forthcoming records on Why So Series and the new B12 offshoot FireScope Records, he’s certainly one to keep an eye out for.

Words by Tom G

WHERE TO GO: Trouble Vision with Marcellus Pittman b2b Maurice Fulton @ Corsica Studios

Corsica Studios’ Trouble Vision night has been consistently hosting excellent, unpretentious parties for a few years, and its focus on bringing the best quality selectors and producers to the stellar venue has never wavered. Trouble Vision is back for May, and true to form is bringing an exceptional line-up with Marcellus Pittman and Maurice Fulton playing back to back in room one. These US legends have individually carved out outstanding reputations as godfathers of house, and have both been bringing heartfelt and funky music to the dancefloor with undeniable style and consistency for almost twenty years. It is a complete treat to have the chance to see these two side by side, and the playful and surprising tendencies of the sets both of them play bodes well for a cracking 4-hour headline slot. They are supported by a strong room two lineup of Gideon, Mr Solid Gold, Park Ranger and OK Jones. Corsica Studios’ combination of uncompromising sound (it boasts a Funktion-One soundsystem) and a low-key, intimate atmosphere, has allowed it to become a cult gem of London’s electronic music scene, and it remains one of the most enjoyable places to experience music from DJs that you love. There is no doubt that this will be one of the best parties of the year so far - not one to miss!

Tickets

Words by Dora T

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Steve Monite - Only You [PMG Austria]

Nothing unites a dance floor like African boogie and this reissue of Steve Monite’s sought-after album, Only You does just that. A prime slab of Nigerian gold that blends disco, funk, loose grooves and sexy vocal hooks. It’s raw and has a sonic soulfulness about it that captivates the listener. Fellow Nigerian boogie legend William Onyeabour released his Atom Bomb LP six years previous to Only You and so one could assume there was an influence there. On sale for just over £13 - this is a bargain taking into account the price I paid three months or even the price an original copy was going for not long ago: £1000!

4.7/5 

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Ed R

REVIEW: VA03 - Diverse Künstler Drei [Farbwechsel]

Label compilations come in a variety of packages: there’s the short 4-track record day exclusives, monstrous 5x vinyl anniversary editions, and then the one-off showcases which allows label affiliates to exhibit their quirkier, often unheard styles. Farbwechsel’s third various artists compilation falls into the latter category. 

Based in Budapest, Farbwechsel (meaning ‘colour change’ in German) is run by Alpár (Balint Zalkai), SVR101 (Erik Bánhalmi), Norwell and S Olbricht (Martin Mikolai). Starting out in 2012 with cassettes and digital releases they released their first vinyl in 2015 with the first various artists compilation, (sadly however this release is yet to be sent to the pressing plants). In those past five years the label has managed to carve itself out a reputable foothold in a city that has become one of the most exciting scenes in Europe for the mass of talent emerging, the variety of clubs the city has to offer and of course, the music being produced. Perhaps a city better known for its minimal tech-house scene led by producers like Barac and Petre Inspirescu. Farbwechsel has paved way for the emergence of a unique experimental, murky low-fi techno sound – a sound that carries a distinct flavour of vibrancy and innovation that’s less caught up with over-dramatizing techno that has occurred in other scenes across Europe.

As the first release of 2017 and the first after Saint Leidal The 2nd’s leftfield album, Future Tiberian Baths Vol. 2, the comp welcomes back the majority of the label’s roster with notable home-talents, S Olbricht, Route 8, 12z (Bálint Szabó, Márton Kristóf), Wedding Acid Group (András Leidál, Lóránt Keresztes, Zoltán Balla), Mike Nylons and Lobster Theremin’s Imre Kiss. Overall the comp offers a diverse array of interesting electronic music covering low-fi techno, ambient and experimental synth pop, but it’s a diversity that’s seemingly well curated together within a collectively playful, yet also mystic atmosphere of audacious down-tempo experimentation. This is engaging home listening that covers a range of moods but has plenty of DJ friendly tracks too. 

Opening with Ashok Leylund’s ‘Nightwalk’, the comp starts with dreamy ambience made up with evocative trills and folkloric pipes reminiscent of the Japanese masters, but dusty with dainty pads. The range of the comp couldn’t be better reflected in FOR.’s opposing, sinister ‘Alles Im Ordnung’ – a downtempo industrial cut made up of hammering, jaggered percussion and murky distortion comparable to the sounds of Vatican Shadow. Q3A delivers some futuristic, slow burning electro with ‘One Frag Left’; J. Mono trails the electro vibe, but with a more upbeat acidy number, that with its airy post-rave feel resonates with the spirited electro of the DMX Crew. 

The comp’s maddest experimentation comes from 12z with ‘Katajjaq’: a truly trippy experimental noise that doesn’t shy away from its untiring use of a damaging raspy vocal sample. ‘Burial Ground’ is a notable standout consisting of dramatic, spooky synth progression and an electrifying body music pulse that carries you on a floating wave of suspense until it dissolves into a mystical upbeat outro. ‘101ex626_5’ by Svr101 is another hazy down-tempo cut worthy of mention that works with quirky sci-fi synth sounds peppered snappy broken beat. 

Buy: Digital 

Words by Fred D

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Glowing Palms - Kiki/Asteroidz [Blip Discs]

Enigmatic Manchester-born producer/DJ Martin Lester (aka Glowing Palms) takes the lead for 'Kiki / Asteroidz', Blips Discs latest endeavour, in his first solo EP since 2013. Founded in 2015 by Tom Blip, initial support from Four Tet in his London Boiler Room made their first release, O’Flynn’s explosively percussive ‘Tyrion’, an instant sell-out.  Follow ups from the label head himself and the returning O’Flynn paired dark 4/4 beats with clattering world percussion marking a preliminary aesthetic and putting Blips Discs in buy-on-sight territory. Spooky J’s subsequent release (October 2016) broke this pattern darker, alien and outlandishly cross genre, the label widened its parameters.

Equally unexpected and neatly marking the transition from winter to summer Blip Discs succeed their darkest release to date with their lightest. Opening with an insatiably intergalactic, wave-riding, karate kicking, siren-slinging peak time powerhouse, Glowing Palms’ irresistibly playful approach to electronic music is unignorable in both 'Kiki' and 'Asteroidz' (note the ‘z’). The former opens with claps, beeps and blips before erupting into a heady synth line and diving into crashing breakbeat. The opening formula ebbs, flows, is rinsed, repeated and saturated with smatterings of cosmic catcalls which set the scene nicely for 'Asteroidz'. Here, an infectious shuddering synth line, rumbling kick drum, galloping percussion and 8-bit bombardments crescendo to a frenzy before closing on a note of subduction that signals mission complete. Glowing Palms takes his Blip Discs opportunity puts it on an island in the tropics and sends it into space, resulting in one of the most ear catching releases of the year thus far.

4.5/5

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Hugo B

OLD 'n' GOLD: Bronski Beat - Smalltown Boy [London Records]

Bronski Beat’s 'Smalltown Boy' was originally released in 1984 on the album The Age of Consent which in itself was eerily honest and ahead of its time. With the sad passing away of the group’s founder member and keyboard player Larry Steinbachek in December of last year, as well as rumours of Bronski Beat releasing new material in 2017, now is a good time to look back at the impact, both musically and politically, that the record has had in the 33 years since its first release.

The Age of Consent was the debut album from Bronski Beat, who were all openly gay, a brave thing to be, and particularly rare in 1984, at a time when stigma against the LGBT community was incredibly high. The only one to feature Jimmy Sommerville (he left the band shortly after the album’s release), The Age of Consent was seminal in many ways, and the emotion and socio-political points within the lyrics combined with the variety of the music itself, really marked it out. The overall effect is a diverse selection of tracks spanning soul, jazz, dance music and indie-pop, which is also incredibly moving. In fact, the genius of this album is the merging of political and musical significance and freshness in every track, but ‘Smalltown Boy’ is undoubtedly the highlight, and has stood the test of time remarkably well, being played by selectors worldwide to this day.  

The track is semi-autobiographical, and depicts experiences of marginalisation and mental health issues within the LGBT community, many of which are still painfully relevant today. As well as becoming a gay anthem, the single came to be a mainstream club classic, reaching number 3 in the charts; has been reissued twice, in 1991 and 2013; and has been frequently re-recorded and sampled - most notably in Supermode’s 2006 ‘Tell Me Why’ (which also samples ‘Why?’ from The Age of Consent) 

‘Smalltown Boy’ is somewhat defined by Sommerville’s otherworldly falsetto, which avoids being a reflection of other artists recording similar music at the same time, such as Duran Duran and Wham, because of the haunting, pain tinged quality of his voice, and the honesty of his lyrics such as: “Mother will never understand why you had to leave, but the answers you seek will never be found at home.” However, the magic really comes in the combination of these vocals with the instrumentals, which somehow manage to combine trance-like repetitive synths with thoughtful melodies underpinned by lo-fi, Chicago house-like baselines to create a simultaneously sad and uplifting dance track. ‘Smalltown Boy’ perfectly treads the line between beauty and excitement, without quite spilling into cheesy, and this comes both from the unforced sound of Sommerville’s voice, as well as the under-produced, loose feel of the whole track, which moves from simple one-line melodies into bass-driven electronic choruses in an easy, improvisational way that protects the sound from getting stale or feeling tacky. This is a mood that samples and re-recordings of the track, as well as tracks of a similar genre, haven’t managed to recreate.

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Dora T

WHERE TO GO: Raving Iran at Village Underground

We in the West, take our access to quality electronic music for granted.  For those in Tehran, Iran, the reality is a little different.

In Iran, electronic music is ‘generally forbidden’, and has no choice but to be ‘underground’.  As a producer or DJ of these sounds, following your passion and approaching it in the ‘the wrong way’ comes at price.  If caught, to be beaten, imprisoned, or even killed comes as no surprise. 

Raving Iran follows the life and journey of two Iranian Techno DJ’s, Anoosh and Arash aka Blade & Beard, and their frustration with the oppression of their home country’s attitude to the liberal arts, which ultimately lands them in serious danger.

Sick of hiding from the police and the stagnation of their career, they organise one last manic techno rave under incredibly dangerous circumstances in the desert.  “Back in Tehran they try their luck in selling their illegally printed album, without permission.”  All hope is lost when Anoosh is arrested.  By chance they receive a call from one of the worlds biggest techno festivals.  Once landed in Switzerland, the feeling of euphoria fades rapidly as the seriousness of the situation dawns on them.

Due to the strict laws in Iran they have to work out alternative techniques to document this tale.  One of them is to cut a small hole in Arash’s shirt so that his iPhone can shoot from inside.  The film has won numerous awards, and it’s showing, followed by a Q&A session from Anoosh and Arash themselves in Village Underground, is highly anticipated.  If you’re at a loose end, why not pay the two of them a visit and hear their incredible story. 

Trailer | Tickets

Words by Alex M

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Cuthead - Potato Express [Local Talk]

Hailing from Germany, Karvan de Robartosz aka Cuthead pulls it out the bag for his debut release on Local Talk. The four-track EP entitled 'Fuck That Shit' is packed full of funky house flavours. 'Potato Express' is the pick of the bunch with its sluggish trumpet filtering in and out, complimented beautifully with some angelic vocals lightly scratching the surface. The drums are fresh and who doesn’t love that open hi-hat pounding through on the second drop. The contrast of the synth over the top of all these classic instrumental sounds, for me, puts the icing on the cake. Expect to hear this one getting rinsed at your favourite summer day party!

3.9/5

Listen to the EP in full.

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Henry M

MIX OF THE MOMENT: Ben Sims presents The Essex Rascals Special on NTS

Essex Rascals is a UK DJ collective made up of members Tony Anderson, Paul Mac, Mark Broom and Ben Sims, all affiliated with the label Way Back Wednesday. Despite being recognized on the international music scene for their UK techno legacies, over the past decade they’ve been delivering their wonderfully eclectic Way Back Wednesday radio show on several stations including London’s Centre Force and Deepfrequency.com. The crew explore an incredible depth of old school music whilst also featuring their own edits and remixes; they delve deep into 80’s Soul, Disco, Boogie, Funk and continual switch the focus between shows to explore the forgotten classics in a wide variety of genres from Rave, Acid House, Hip Hop, Rap and Reggae. Start tuning into the Essex Rascals Podjam mix series via their website and explore their endless archive on SoundCloud.

Back in February we actually caught up with Ben Sims to discuss his music making under his ‘Ron Bacardi’ disco-edits project and got him to talk about the diversity of his music passion beyond the world of techno he’s become famous for. You can read the interview here. 

At end of last year, Ben Sims got to deliver a special one-off Essex Rascals show on NTS and at 3 hours long, it’s a sublime showcase of what the show/collective stands for: fun, loose-haired party music. This is feel good music through and through. It’s got a pure hedonistic feel that’s undeniably sexual, groovy and carefree cheesy. Exploring all the emotions felt on the dance floor from moments of catching your breath to tense sexuality, emotive sensitivity to high-energy body-shifters, in the right context the mix offers a way to actual escapism – a demonised term that’s plagued with irony in its misuse – but the mix’s light-heartedness, sensuality and positivity is able to remind us to kick back from time to time and switch off from the world and enjoy the things we’re fortunate for. As an effective, well-needed escape from the absurdity of these times subsumed under a collectively grim outlook for world politics, etc., I ended up replaying the mix straight away to remain in a bubble I had found myself in with my companion listener. 

Make this background music for a day/night indoors with cheerful company and engage yourselves in a variety of silly activities. There’s acidy disco, jittery boogie, tantalising drums, silly strings and cheeky bass guitars, all crafted together with brilliant use of effects. Highlight tracks include, Mighty 7 - Call Me, Jeanette - You Turn Me On, Curtis Hairston - I Want Your Lovin’ (Just A Little Bit), L.A.X. - All My Love, Innerlife - Your Love, and Alfie Silas’ classic - Put The Freeze On.

Words by Fred D 

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Soul Reductions - Got 2 Be Loved [Take Away Records]

The third release from new Californian imprint on the scene, Take Away Records. Following two tasteful Disco EPs, Take Away have recruited little known North Londoner Soul Reductions for their best release yet. The two track EP entitled ‘Got 2 Be Loved’, opens up with the title track - a sizzling Disco number with a playful baseline and catchy, sugar coated vocals. Track two, ‘A Rose Is A Rose’, is also a prime cut, though a more low key affair, still oozing with summer soaked, feel good vibes. 

4.1/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Ben C

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Sacamono - If You Wanted Me

Baltra and DJ Seinfeld link up as 'Sacamano’ (another Seinfeld reference) to release the super nice, ‘If You Wanted Me’.

In keeping with both artists’ sound, this record is covered in dust, the drums are riddled with saturation and phase and the prevailing element is the ultra melodic sample.

Sounding like some mid 90’s R&B, the sample is without a doubt what makes this track along with the piano chord synonymous with DJ Seinfeld’s releases. All of these elements make for a real sunny listen and with summer fast approaching this seems totally appropriate.

Hopefully this collaboration is the first release of many, so far this just seems to be available on SoundCloud.

3.7/5

Words by Tobias Y

Old 'n' Gold: The Ahmad Jamal Trio - The Awakening [Impulse! Records]

Ahmad Jamal, The Awakening…  where do I even begin to comment on this highly complex and influential masterpiece?

It was originally recorded at Plaza Sound Studios in New York in 1970, was repressed via Be With Records in March.  The news all jazz fanatics have been waiting to hear!

The Pittsburg born and bred musician is without a shadow of a doubt one of the most revered jazz musicians the world has ever seen.  Having released around 20 albums via Chess Records, Jamal then started on his album, The Awakening, over the course of two days for Impulse! Records (Creed Taylor’s first label).  At the same time Impulse! was working with the likes of John Coltrane and Charles Mingus - this alone shows us the immense calibre needed to work with this prestigious label. 

Ahmad Jamal plays the piano with a style that cannot be replicated.  He was able to truly understand the instrument and make it his own.  Jamal is best known for his sparseness and his ability to be in possession of one sound, but being able to incorporate beautiful variety in his style of playing.  Even though Jamal is the foundation stone of this LP, he wouldn’t of been able to accomplish the rich sound without the meticulous timing of Jamil Nasser on the bass and the scrupulous precision of Frank Grant on the drums.  Not many musicians could keep up with Jamal’s unpredictability on the piano with such ease.  The trio were able to utilize many different grooves on this LP, such as swing and elements of funk.  However, the real genius is how they blended the grooves with modern harmonies to create a timeless sound.  The star of The Awakening is 'I Love Music'.  Not to take anything away from Nasser and Grant, but Jamal took centre stage and dominated it expertly with harmonic intricacy.  At the same time he allowed room for the rhythm section to sink their teeth in to create the finesse.  The composition itself is undeniably beautiful.  The consistent change in rhythmic speed and the erratic nature of its excitable chords is what really increases the heart rate.  However, in all its complexity Jamal is still able to craft memorable motifs and powerful harmonies.  

Even though this is album is a jazz triumph, the record intrigued some of the most revered hip-hop artists during the 90’s.  DJ Premier (half of Gang Starr) was the first to uncover the albums sampling opportunity.  He looped the opening bar of the album’s first composition and exploited it halfway through Gang Starr’s first album, No More Mr. Nice Guy.  Soon after, numerous other artists in the hip-hop world started sampling Jamal’s work; Shadez Of Brooklyn, Nas and Common have all chopped and sampled The Awakening.  Jamal’s talent was so organic, so innovative, that it even struck a powerful chord with one of the titans of jazz, Miles Davis.  His work and his style of production were inspired by Jamal.  Davis in his 1989 autobiography gave tribute to him stating that he was electrified by his “concept of space, his lightness of touch and his understatement”. 

This album is a must have so make sure to grab yourself a copy of this limited repress!

Listen to the full album

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Max J

WHERE TO GO: Tief x Thunder with Beautiful Swimmers & Red Rack'em

The promoters have peppered my calendar with some really big names heading to the big smoke this month. Being so spoilt for choice I will be ordering up the Beautiful Swimmers/Red Rack’em sandwich!

Beautiful Swimmers are a name you don’t really hear playing that often, based in the U.S. I get snippets of their magic through various mixes online. A great duo to watch, especially taking the reins in Corsica’s room 1. Alongside captain of Futureboogie Dave Harvey and Tief’s Hesseltime to back them up. 

After Tief comes Thunder. Headed up by Red Rack’em, the man behind the biggest record of last year, ‘Wonky Bassline Disco Banger’ woop woop! Will be a good one, a really good producer and with Kink’s remix, he is a hot act at the moment, definitely one to see. Backing Red Rack’em we have the likes of Miles Simpson, Joseph Apted and Rick Hopkins. “Expect Plastikman mashed into disco into synth pop and lots more fun stuff too” - ooo yeah! With the beats going on till 7am it will make you feel young again!

Tickets

Words Jack A

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Mall Grab - Pool Party [Hot Haus]

This Melbourne producer is hot on everyone's lips at the moment with good reason; Mall Grab dropped his 'Pool Party' EP on Hot Haus earlier this year. The title track on the A-side is pure hype with driving thuds and escalating riffs directing the play. Lending from some cool west coast hip hop synths and twisting vocals, 'BFODAAS' is simply insatiable with it's pistol whipping form and zippy charisma that will get you shooting from the saddle. 'Catching Feelings' is a woozy, blissed out alternative that has been floating around the Australian's sets since last summer and is certainly one for the early hours. You can easily lose yourself in the looping melody and hats off for the seductive Outkast sample that manipulates the track in wonderful fashion. Mall Grab plays at London's Oval Space on Saturday 6th May alongside Tornado Wallace...

4.3/5

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Oli L

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Machinegewehr – A Girl You Know [Bordello A Parigi]

Strictly intergalactic vibes this week! This spacey nu disco number from Machinegewehr is a real toe tapping triumph. ‘A Girl You Know’ is part of the four track EP entitled ‘The Cordyceps’ by the Rotterdam based producer. Released on Bordello A Parigi, the dutch label specialize’s in almost a vintage electronic style which seems to be having a bit of a come back at the moment. Other big name releases on the label come from Jack Pattern, Skatebard and Palms Trax. 

‘A Girl You Know’ is a cosmic journey with silky, soothing vocals creeping in every now and then. It may not be a basement banger but it is definitely worth adding to the collection, certainly for the Italo fans out there. The rest of the EP is well put together and follows suit with a cosmic feel throughout. For more space disco keep an eye on Machinegewehr, he's got heaps of the good stuff!

4.0/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Barney C

WHERE TO GO: British Murder Boys at Oval Space

On the 25th March Oval Space continues this years undeniable string of bookings with revered techno duo British Murder Boys. The live project is made up of Anthony Childs (aka Surgeon) and Karl O’ Connor (aka Regis), two of the most famous faces in British techno and founders of what’s now become known as the Birmingham sound with the legendary ‘House of God’ parties, which has paved the way for UK techno from the start of the ‘90s. 

The British Murder Boys project was put to rest in 2008, now this is their first tour in almost 10 years. The duo’s last show was in Tokyo in 2013, where the performance was captured on the Live in Japan DVD, with a compilation album dropping the following year. The only UK date on the tour, and being the first time in 6 years that the two are playing in the UK together, this is literally not an opportunity to miss! 

The night will also host famed UK peer, Steve Bicknell who’s been at the helm of UK underground since the late ‘80s, playing the legendary raves ‘Orbital’ and ‘LOST’. Alongside the two British acts will be Minimal Wave label boss and NYC icon, Veronica Vasicka. She started her label to put out a mixture of Cold Wave, Post-Punk, Industrial and Synth-pop genres; you can expect to hear an assortment of synth-wavey and industrial sounds, plus electrifying techno and everything gritty in between. Intrigued as what to hear from her? Catch her Dekmantel set here. Also check out her sub-label, Cititrax which has recently released the highly-praised LP, ‘Adieux Au Dancefloor’ from Marie Davidson.

Tickets

Words by Fred D

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Antoni Maiovvi - Adams / Branca [Drift Music]

Described within the press release as ‘not for wimps’, this excellent debut from new label Drift Music cuts through the chaff. Co-founder of Giallo Disco, Antoni Maiovvi has a new imprint under way and is leading by example by submitting its first output. Taking a slightly different approach compared with his earlier records, Maiovvi evokes an ethereal feel while holding true to his dominant percussions and groove led kicks. Both clocking in at ten minutes these are mood setters extraordinaire, that carry you to new heights, you literally feel this might be music best enjoyed on a plane at 40,000 feet overlooking the blues and greens of the earth below you - not for everyone’s taste, not for wimps indeed.

4.2/5

Listen to the full EP 

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Ben S