RECORD OF THE WEEK: Fouk - Butterfunk EP [Outplay]

Daniel Leseman and Hans Peeman are credited producers and DJs in their own right. Childhood friends, the Dutchmen decided to join forces to make the delightful combination of Fouk. This came after years of spending time in the studio together since the age of 15, as well as their shared appreciation and deep commitment to funk music, old and new.

Signed to Heist Recordings in 2015 after their recognition from Detroit Swindle, the duo have affirmed themselves on the scene with tracks that gained rapid popularity; ‘Kill Frenzy’, ‘Gruff’ and ‘Heavy On The Bacon’ to name a few. They have released their music through a variety of labels such as Room With A View, Heist, Razor-N-Tape, as well as their very own, Outplay, which has sponsored their most recent release, ‘Butterfunk’ EP. I would imagine that this record was coined at Han’s parents summer house on the Dutch coast where they have set up a pop-up studio and claim to be their most creative.

The 'Butterfunk' EP is brilliant, and has something for everyone. It’s a four-track EP loaded with contagious dance floor funk. For a change they have strayed away from their usual style of heavy sampling and focussed more on original instrumentation and production. The stand out track for me is the opener ‘Organ Freeman’, which is just pure feel good. As a closing track ‘Winter’ winds the whole production down in a very calming manner. All in all, definitely worth picking this record up as it possesses both tracks for the dance floor and the bedroom.

3.7/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Alex M

PREMIERE: Elon & David Scuba - Last Call [ReSolute]

NYC label ReSolute has long been renowned for classy house and techno fare. They repeat the trick on their latest, as label head Elon draws on a veritable array of top-drawer talent for the label’s 10th release, 'The Nest' EP. Titled in homage to the Brooklyn-based studio where each track was produced, the EP is a collaborative project that showcases vintage gear such as the TR-808, 909, Prophet 6, TB-303 and SH-101 to name but a few. It also features a suitably diverse cast, with KiNK, mass_prod, ADNY (Alexi Delano) and David Scuba among those who Elon collaborates with.

Premiering on YO is the digi-only tip, Elon hooks up with Mr C collaborator, David Scuba. ‘Last Call’ sees the pair delve to deep, techy pastures, with the end result proving a fitting track with which to sign off a release that’s impressive throughout.

 

 

WHERE TO GO: Trouble Vision x Hivern Discs with John Talabot, Dorisburg, Solar, Andy Blake & More

This Saturday, Corsica Studios opens its doors for Hivern Discs for the 5th year in a row as part of its Trouble Vision series. John Talabot will be heading up the bill of his own Barcelonian label party. Talabot is known for his atmospheric disco and house tracks, and his production is hailed as thoughtful and complex. Excitingly, Dorisburg, another Hivern Discs signee, will also be playing a live set. This Swedish producer, previously one half of Genius of Time, branched out solo a few years ago, and produces incredibly ethereal and raw minimal techno that complements Hivern Discs’ sound. Solar, Andy Blake, Khidja and Daniel Baughman complete the fantastic line-up. Get yourself down to the shadowy maze of Corsica for a 7 hour winter party this Saturday, it will be golden.

Notably, Trouble Vision and Corsica Studios have teamed up with Watch The Hype and Alpine Hearing Protection as part of their #AllEars campaign to offer discounted ear protection for the evening, get involved.

Tickets

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Words by Dora T

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Chevals - Please Don't [HOMAGE]

HOMAGE hail from Brooklyn, New York whose main cause are about furthering real rave sounds and culture. Profound stuff, and after a great first release by Tech Support they are back with a bang with Chevals ‘Labour of Love’ EP. Taking you back to your deep house days Cheval’s ‘Labour of Love’ is a leg shaker party maker. A great little EP with the highlight being the Flute infused, ‘Please Don’t’.

The young, French and aptly named Chevals is just beginning to get a foothold on the Parisian scene. Next month is set to emulate this momentum with a new release coming out on Better Listen and a booking alongside Folamour. Looking forward to more stuff like ‘Please Don’t’ from the Frenchman. Allez les Blues.

3.5/5

Listen to the full release

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

 

Words by Jack A

Old 'n' Gold: Arthur Russell- Calling Out Of Context [Audika]

You have to look pretty hard to find Arthur Russell, a premature death in relative obscurity and only a single album released in his lifetime means he remains fairly elusive. Yet for a character of such ‘elusivity’ he has had one hell of an impact. A recent(ish) documentary, biographies and several posthumously released albums show the peaks and troughs of interest in Russell.

More importantly, it has been the cult-like following and repeated resurgences of Loose Joints’ (of which Russell was a founder) infectious disco oddity ‘Is It All Over My Face?' that has been the cornerstone of his influence. An influence more recently reinforced by Midland closing an 8-hour set at Panorama Bar with Russell’s ‘That’s Us/ Wild Combination’, Ben UFO choosing ‘In the Light of the Miracle’ to finish Meredith Festival, a track also played by Antal in his Dekmantel Boiler Room, as well as Motor City Drum Ensemble championing Loose Joints records in his Boiler Rooms and DJ-Kicks.

It seems Russell is the man that some of the most eclectic and interesting current DJ/Producers turn to at the key moments. Certainly, his haunting vocals are the perfect end to the emotional journey of an extended set, while his experimental use of rhythm, beats and BPM mean many of his productions are at home in a mix at times when most disco tracks wouldn’t. Ultimately Russell was a pioneer, he championed the cello progressively and successfully ignored most of the rules of disco, and music production as a whole. Indeed, it’s this attitude to music that makes him so important and as Russell’s approach is shared by popular, forward thinking artists like Midland, Ben UFO, Antal and MCDE the connections of influence are easily made.

‘Calling Out Of Context’ serves as a good introduction, released in 2004 but recorded between 1973 and 1992 it is perhaps the easiest listening of his back catalogue. And if nothing else, the compilation is home to the un-unlikeable ‘That’s Us/Wild Combination’- timeless and hopeful, the track is the perfect optimistic close to otherwise dark looking late nights and early mornings.

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Hugo B

WHERE TO GO: Kornél Kovács & Pional at Phonox

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Since opening its doors in 2011, Phonox has carved out a scene from London’s busy clubbing landscape. With a pretty simple ethos of serving up some world-class DJs in a really friendly environment. They tie it up quite well by not allowing photos and with their all-night long Saturday nights you get to listen to some tip-top music. Great club basically, I love it in there.

This Saturday Kornél Kovács & Pional are taking hold of the reins. Kornél Kovács has been making a lot of noise on the scene, notably with his killer Boiler Room earlier this year. Back in his native Stockholm he manages the Studio Barnhaus label with best mates Axel Boman and Petter Nordkvist, which is doing really well having charted over fifty releases. Blending Kovács house/disco is Spanish big boy Pional. A real musical talent whose work spans across production, songwriting and a multitude of instruments. With various releases across Hivern Discs and Permanent Vacation, it will be a real treat to watch him team up with Kovács. A great booking from Phonox.

Tickets

Words by Jack A

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Khruangbin - Maria También [Late Night Tales]

The mysterious and highly respected, Khruangbin are a band lead by Laura Lee (Bass), Mark Speer (Guitar) and DJ (drums).  All three members derive from Space City in Houston. However, the band was formed in a small town called Burton, west of Houston, with a population of just three-hundred! In an interview with Ransom Note they divulge the meaning behind calling themselves Khruangbin. Khuruangbin is commonly known as an airplane but the literal translation from Thai to English is “engine fly”.  The motive for the name is their way of paying respects to Thai rock/funk culture, which inspired the band’s production.  Laura goes on to explain that airplane is a representation of the multitude of cultures that shape their sound. 

Their first LP in 2015, The Universe Smiles Upon You, was inspired by 60s/70s Thai cassettes alongside their unique soul, psychedelic trademark sound. Their new material is again enthused by South-East Asia, but they are introducing elements of funk and soul from parts of the Mediterranean but with a primary focus on sounds from Iran. Ahead of this highly anticipated record, the Texas trio have released, ‘Maria También’. The new track is as an amuse bouche ahead of the upcoming second album, Con Todo El Mundo which will be on the shelves from January next year. This track comes with a video about the lives of woman before the revolution in 1979 and features many artists who have been silenced and suppressed since the revolution happened. 

Soon after the release of the second album expect to be seeing and hearing a lot more from this fascinating collective. They are due to be touring the UK from February, with shows in London, Brighton, Bristol, Glasgow and Manchester. 

4.7/5

Buy: Digital
Pre-order Con Todo El Mundo

 

Words by Max J

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Earth Trax X Newborn Jr. - Mirage EP [Les Yeux Orange]

Les Yeux Orange proves in stellar fashion that all good things come to those that wait. Following on from records by Wav Fuzz and n.stal last year, this instalment from the collective come label reunites Polish pairing Earth Trax and Newborn Jr.. The two combined for one of last year's standout EPs - 'Sax & Flute' via the ever incorrigible Rhythm Section and put simply, they’re at it again with the 'Mirage' EP.

Having garnered a fine reputation for their meticulously curated content and premiering platform, the Parisian label, Lex Yeux Orange deliver their third release. Pairing Earth Trax and Newborn Jr. was always going to be a winner, the two have long since spread their wings from Warsaw and clearly like to keep busy. Earth Trax previously as both The Phantom and one half of sought-after sampling duo Ptaki, Newborn Jr. through tripped out project Private Press AKA Raw Feelings. 'Mirage' EP is diverse- the A-side pits hazy Balearic tones in 'Nemesis' alongside the minimal amiable roaring thud of standout track 'Hypnosis'. Flip it over and you get the slow burning ambient chug of 'Mirage' contrasted with the uplifting rumba-esq 'Just In Time' from Newborn Jr.. It’s a record that has something to fit just about every occasion, from squat rave thumper to grandma’s 89th (that is a compliment)!

'Mirage' is only their second record together and it comes as some relief that we won’t have to wait long for their next dual offering. Bailando/Aquamarine on Echovolt Records is looming large on the horizon and it’s already a firm favourite.

4.0/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Marcus P

Old 'n' Gold: Da Hool - Meet Her At The Love Parade [Kosmo Records]

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This track, which I heard for the first time in Corsica Studios earlier this year, is celebrating it’s tenth birthday, and its sound is both timelessly fresh and unavoidably reflective of its 90s roots. Released on the Munich label, Kosmo Records in 1997, 'Meet Her At The Love Parade' perfectly exemplifies the German electronic music scene at the time in its mischievous, trancey strangeness. German producer and DJ Da Hool holds a special place in dance music’s heart as a pioneer of rave culture throughout the late 80s and 90s. In a time when underground electronic music was bubbling up as a subversive, anti-establishment sub-culture, Da Hool was instrumental in paving the way for this rebellious sound in his home country, a focal point of the movement, and spreading it throughout Europe.

The title of the track is a reference to the deep and reactionary relationship between dance music at the time and political resistance. German Love Parades were music festivals where people danced on floats that rolled through the city blasting techno and electronica. The first Love Parade developed out of a peace protests against the Berlin Wall in West Berlin in 1989, and the tradition continued annually until 2003, becoming a symbol of inclusivity and a celebration of freedom and art. Love Parades were a safe space for LGBQT people, and nudity, flamboyance and drag were encouraged. The centring of electronic music within this context helped to set an incredible standard of altruism and community for the genre and rave culture that still now prevails.

The mood of the track reflects the hedonism and revolutionary spirit of its namesake. It commences with a deep, tinny bass drum, which builds slowly and is joined by an electronic kick and a hi-hat. The base comes pulsating from underneath like a beating heart. The main tune of the track is staccato, dotted, and fades slowly in. There is a feeling of intense anticipation and then release in the slightly off-key, buzzing main melody. Apart from some distortion of the melody, there isn’t much variation, so you become hypnotised by the rolling sounds. It is undeniably euphoric, and sounds like a battle cry.

The whole record has a feeling of a march, and is bare boned, and raw. This track should be celebrated both for just its firm grounding in the belief of music as a powerful force for change, and because of its undeniable quality as a dance track.

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

 

Words by Dora T

WHERE TO GO: Maple Cuts w/ Futureboogie (Dave Harvey & Christophe) at The Pickle Factory

The Pickle Factory, sister of the renowned East London club Oval Space, has fast become a popular venue for a cosy night of raving in the heart of Bethnal Green since it’s inauguration as a club and revamp from, well…a pickle factory. The 200 capacity space focuses on great acoustics with its Audiotechnik sound system and has played host to some outstanding nights and afterparties since 2013.

Thursday sees Bristol house and disco connoisseurs Dave Harvey and Christophe, co-founders of the imprint Futureboogie grace the decks for a back to back session that’s not to be missed. Also the brains behind Love International Festival in Tisno Croatia, and Love Saves The Day Festival in the South West - promoter’s Maple Cuts have curated a truly tasty squeeze to get you in the mood for the weekend as these two never fail to disappoint. Expect sassy vocal cuts and bouncy basslines throughout. Joined by up and coming DJs, Harry Illisley and Jackson Massey to start the party, there will be no doubt good vibes all night long.

Tickets

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Words by Oli C

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Avalon Emerson - One More Fluorescent Rush/Finally Some Common Ground [Whities]

Avalon Emerson is pretty cool. Whether it’s her consistently progressive production, slamming festival sets, her recent wonderful, non-dancefloor oriented RA Live mix or the fact that she looks straight off the set of Stranger Things, she has been the perennially ‘up and coming’ DJ/producer consistently getting things very right. Unsurprisingly, her most recent release for Whities, ‘One More Fluorescent Rush/Finally Some Common Ground’ is no different. It’s always reassuring when a producer seems to be moving in a specifically forward direction. Indeed, over seven physical releases Emerson seems to have traversed the influences of house, tech-house, techno and electro to arrive at this unique most recent endeavour.

Gender has become smartly-avoided shaky ground when it comes to talking about electronic music. Ignoring this, Emerson undoubtedly exemplifies the kind of refreshing uniquity that’s almost always present in women in techno- seen in the unusual and harmonious marriage of  light and dark in her production. As we’ve recently and all too often discovered, anyone can buy ten tight black t-shirts, get a short back and sides and make a living spending their summers in Ibiza... well not quite anyone.

Emerson’s two A sides for Whities are a good example of what sets her apart. 2016’s 'Frontier' is all rumbling kick drums, charging basslines and arid clicks and beeps, accompanied by a striking, euphoric melody. It works perfectly, and is not unlike ‘One More Fluorescent Rush’, which features slightly lighter percussion and a more complex incessant, driving bleep based melody. The B-side ‘Finally Some Common Ground’, is low key and offbeat, less immediately ear-catching, but a rolling peaktime powerhouse nonetheless and indistinguishable in quality from its counterpart.

Emerson is creating her own space in the well worn world of techno and her latest release completely encapsulates this. Out in it’s entirety on Friday with some excellent artwork, for now, the A-side can be streamed on YouTube and Bandcamp accompanied by an unreal, fittingly Blade-Runneresque video. Carefully considered and not one to miss.

4.5/5

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Hugo B

Label Heat: Hessle Audio

By now Hessle Audio is likely on everyone’s radar, however, with a ten year anniversary tour ongoing and two exceptional releases in quick succession, it seems like the right time to have a look at what makes the ever-popular and consistently brilliant label so unique.

In some circles, dubstep is a genre that gets a hard time these days, largely because more commercial minded produces took some of it’s aspects and began rumbling towards big money, radio play music- the kind that has now morphed into EDM. With this in mind it’s important to disregard any prejudices to the potential musical buzzword ‘dubstep’ has become. Indeed, the genre serves very much as the roots of the label which are characterised by the precedent setting early releases of founders Pangaea and Pearson Sound as well as production from the likes of Joe, TRG and even James Blake.  These EPs are full of rolling, heavy, broken percussion, some are late-night and club oriented while others are more atmospheric and experimental. 

Crucially, Hessle Audio has always been experimental in a progressive and origins-acknowledging manner. As dubstep in the UK gave way to techno, to some extent, the label followed suit while always curating music and choosing producers who brought something different, new and often leftfield. Ultimately, EPs like Joe ‘Claptrap', Blawan ‘Fram’, Objekt ‘Cactus’ and Bruce ‘Not Stochastic’ occupy their own ground, demonstrating an awareness of many aspects of the genres they pluck from, while disregarding all the so-called rules of generic production. This is testament to the kind of producers that inhabit the label, and who send Hessle Audio their music. However, it also demonstrates just how considered the approach of founders, Ben Thomson (Ben UFO), Kevin McAuley (Pangaea) and David Kennedy (Pearson Sound), is. In part, McAuley and Kennedy lead by example with their production, however, there is also a level of curation that goes into the label’s releases that seems to elude others. Indeed, stories like Bristol-based producer Bruce (Larry McCarthy) being persuaded to remove the synth line from the track ‘Trip’, show the respect and influence the trio have. Crucially, McCarthy was happy with the results. In this sense, while many of the label’s releases are very different from one another they all sound recognisably of Hessle Audio, without being pigeonholed. Resultantly, the imprint has often been described as genre-defying. I would agree with this to the extent that they are defying genres by creating their own. Indeed, I have often heard releases that sound like Hessle Audio, something that doesn’t often get said about labels, and with their depth of catalogue and renown it seems clear where the influence has come from. 

In terms of recent releases, late September and mid-October have seen Beatrice Dillon and Call Super’s 'Inkjet/Fluo' and Joe’s 'Tail Lift/MPH'. These rapidly released EPs, combined with a ten year anniversary, provided a welcome opportunity to write about the label. HES031 'Inkjet/Fluo' is a class act, home to atmospheric alien techno, weird drum patterns and synth stabs.

In terms of their most recent release, Joe and Hessle Audio are a consistently weird and wonderful combination, tracks like ‘Claptrap’ and ‘Slope’, are some of the most interesting dance floor assaulting productions in recent years (in my opinion). After all, this is the producer who turned Bobby McFerrin’s 'Thinkin’ About Your Body' into a loopy, thumpingly percussive, dance floor ready, surprisingly explosive slow burner. ‘Tail Lift’ fits the same brief, ultimately and quite simply it sounds like Joe having fun- there are aspects of bass, percussion heavy music combined with carnivalesque, off-key synth lines, stabs, deranged sounding bird calls, whistles and cow bells. On paper the track sounds like it shouldn’t work, it’s just off madness inducing, but thankfully it does. And riding these kind of risky lines successfully is what sets the label and their returning, almost-resident producers apart.

Over the course of ten years, thirty-two EPs, three LPs, a series of extended mixes and three compilations Hessle Audio’s quality has never waned. The label has consistently been home to some of the most progressive and forward thinking releases around. Certainly, it speaks volumes that Pearson Sound’s ‘Blanked’ has enjoyed a renaissance/re-discovery this summer and a ‘mere’ seven years after it was first released it is still stunning audiences. This article could go on and on, but hopefully it is a small insight into what is so impressive about Hessle Audio and why they are perhaps the premier and longest serving example of what is so exciting about the UK music scene.

 

 

 

Words by Hugo B

RECORD OF THE WEEK: Blawan - Nutrition [Ternesc]

Blawan’s new EP, 'Nutrition', is out on vinly in the next week, and it is set to become a staple of any good selector’s techno collection. The first solo release this year on his own label, Ternesc. Nutrition’s sound is satisfyingly characteristic of the UK producer and DJ, who has been hailed as a pioneer of the industrial techno revival, and came to prominence with the track ‘Why They Hide Their Bodies Under My Garage’.

Never one to shy away from meaty mechanical soundscapes, the young Dorset-born artist is a rare master, making miraculously thoughtful, nuanced and complex music that spans dubstep, techno and garage. Unsurprisingly, 'Nutrition' is packed full of more ceiling banging weirdness. There is a distinct sense of cheeky humour throughout the EP, in its extremes of aural-experimentation. The record is shot through with a visceral sense of the unknown, of exploring dark, strange places. Blawan’s fondness for weaving vocals distorted beyond recognition into the fabric of his tracks is also evident, particularly in 'Calcium Red', which feels like being commanded by an alien being.

My personal favourite tracks are 'Mayhem' and '993'. 'Mayhem' is slow, raw, dark and metallic. It is deeply self-assured and evokes a primal urge to stomp your feet around and scream. The cranking main melody is laid over an ominously steady two-note tune, which pulses up from underneath, bringing a deeply unsettling nature to the track. The beat marches unhurriedly along, continuously building in intensity, but never quite piquing. Strange, vocal-sounding "woops" mingle with intermittent injections of drilling drums, until the whole track is reclaimed by the unaligned, juddering, dominant melody.

'993' is an apocalyptic, rumbling tune. The top line buzzes around assuredly, unpredictably, and is brought together by a slow moving, melodic undertone, that swells and subsides, inflating and deflating the track in tide-like waves. It is characterised by a euphoric sense of abandon, created by the pairing of rich, rounded base drums with the cacophony of growling and distortion running about on top.

'Nutrition' is a unique treat, constantly surprising and deeply fulfilling to listen to. Overflowing with the genre-defying, fundamentally gratifying style that we’ve come to expect from Blawan, it is sure to be sprinkled over dark and sweaty dancefloors for years to come.

5/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Dora T

RECORD OF THE WEEK: KH - Question [TEXT]

One of the summer's most highly anticipated anthems. Speculation surrounding the unidentified producer was abundant on social media, as the track stood out in festival sets from Daphni, Joy Orbison, Floating Points and Jamie XX’s recent Reykjavik Boiler Room. Frantic Facebook groups and comment threads have now been relieved from their transient anguish as an Instagram post from Four Tet (real name Kieran Hebden) fittingly revealed it was in fact a release under his own KH alias.

This funk-fuelled house edit pivots around a catchy vocal loop taken from a rare 1971 Bobby Powell release and an infectious guitar riff which together sit on top of punchy kicks and claps. Towards the end of the track, the vocals filter abruptly into a punchy drop.

Achieving this high an impact with such simplicity is a testament to Hebden’s phenomenal talents as a producer and the track has already proved crossover success between both warm up and well timed peak hour sets.

Firstly released as a single-sided test pressing run of 100, it was only available in London record stores Phonica and Sounds Of The Universe. Inevitably within hours there were copies appearing on Discogs for around £500. Much to our relief, the record has now received a full European release and resale prices are also starting to come down.

The British producer once again showcases why he really is considered one of the best in the business.

4.0/5

Buy: Vinyl

Words by Henry C

Old 'n' Gold: Keith Tucker - Detroit Saved My Soul [Mint Condition]

Keith Tucker is a hero amongst the first generation Detroit techno and electro producers; a contemporary and collaborator with many of the city’s greats like Juan Atkins, Moodymann, Terrence Dixon, Suburban Knight, Drexciya and the whole Underground Resistance crew. Under aliases DJ-K1, Optic Nerve and as one half of AUX 88 with Tommy Hamilton, Tucker has been a pioneer of electro and continues to put out some of the genres purest and grittiest tracks. Co-owner of Puzzlebox Records with Anthony Shakir from 1996, this has been home to the majority of Tucker’s productions and affiliated projects. Like many of his Detroit peers, Tucker also was influential introducing electro over to Europe, especially with the raw and snappy EP, ‘Brace Yourself’ which came out in 1998 on Cologne’s Electrocord. 

Another of Tucker’s standout EPs, ‘Detroit Saved my Soul’ sees a well-thought after repress on newly established imprint, Mint Condition. Originally released on Glasgow-based label, Seventh Sign Recordings in 2005, it’s now been remastered by London's Curve Pusher. 2017 has been a solid year for the label, which focuses on unearthing and reviving classic house and techno gems; and whilst not ready to flog out £50+ on Discogs for the original, most now can truly appreciate their efforts!

The title track is a pulsating minimal cut with sentimental trippy vocodered lyrics. The hooks and paddy percussion have the classic weight and grit of early US techno, speaking true to Detroit’s musical legacy. ‘My Mental State’ has similar punch with bouncy rhythm, syncopated percussions and more psychedelic vocals. Acidy electro. Then ‘Electronik’ again epitomizes the early US electro sound. It’s stabby and invigorating with riveting dichotomies of cold percussion, mystical synths and growling bass. Unlike the other two tracks, ‘Electronik’ has those futuristic keys designed to take the listener to the furthest corners of space.

Buy: Vinyl / Digital

Words by Fred D