Vinyl Releases: April - May 2002 updated:15/04/2003
CHARLES WEBSTER Ready Remixes 2x12"
(Statra Recordings)
VSTA1-32013
From the completely to die for Born On The 24th Of July (PF097CD) comes this from New York’s Statra Recordings (who released the album in the US). Tommy Musto and Ron Trent join Statra Family producers Lypid, Geche, and Cassady to deliver a well diverse 2x12 of mixes of this standout cut from Charles' album. Look forward to a Herbert remix 12" on Peacefrog very soon as well.
TIGA & ZYNTHERIUS Sunglasses At Night 12"
(City Rockers)
VROCKERS15
"last record of the night at the haywire sessions for the last year – classic". Andrew Weatherall –
"In the words of XTC this is pure pop. Like it". Ashley Beedle –
"the sound of now … 10/10" Tom Middleton -
Licensed from DJ Hells International DeeJay Gigolos, this track has already been a huge top 20 hit in Germany and has just entered the UK charts in the top 20 as well! Tiga is a former club promoter from Montreal and opened the hugely respected SONA club in Montreal in 1996. Tiga started his own record label Turbo Recordings in 1998. DJ Hell heard this cover of Sunglasses at Night and snapped it up for Gigolo and then played it non stop at Berlin Love Parade last year, after which it rocketed into the German charts. The video has been co-directed by DJ Hell and features famous New York night life star Amanda Lepore. It has to be seen to be believed. On hearing Tiga + Zyntherius’s version of Sunglasses at Night the original writer of the track, Corey Hart, said - "You've butchered it but it still tasted good!" Features an exclusive TGV remix from Tiga himselfAUDIO SOUL PROJECT Community Pt 1 12"
(NRK Sound Division)
VNRK065
The second single to be taken from the Audio Soul Project album, Community(NRKCD010), the title track, gets remixed by NY legends Francois K & Rob Rives whilst Everything Is Alright, gets remixed by Italy's Ricky Montanari and Audio Soul Project himself. Spread over two discs, Francois & Rob have turned in a couple of outstanding remixes, utilising Ron Carroll's spoken word vocal, and bringing in extra percussion for two deep & long mixes. Their Main Vocal Mix is backed by a new Audio Soul mix of Everything Is Alright on this 12". Essential!
AUDIO SOUL PROJECT Community Pt 2 12"
(NRK Sound Division)
VNRK065R
Ricky Montanari's robotic house mix of Everything Is Alright along with Francois & Rob's Dub Mix of Community. Um, did we mention its essential?
GREENS KEEPERS Should I Sing Like This 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC42
Classic once again re-write the rules of house music with another stroke of genius. Following on from the monumental What’s Your Man Got To Do With Gan?, containing the Bruce Willis favourite Low & Sweet, Chicago’s Greens Keepers aka Captain James Curd & Nick Maurer, return with their second single for Classic. The boys have been real busy recently DJ’ing in Europe and working on a debut LP for classic, as well as remixing Iz & Diz’s Mouth. Featuring Nick Maurer on vocals (he’s a classically trained vocalist y’know!), And James Curd on guitars and bass, this track will immediately jump out of your speakers as something else. Kicking off with an infectious plucked bass groove and raw kicks the freestyle vocals wind their way in. Done in one take, Nick’s tongue in cheek vocals ride the groove perfectly and are sure to twist the heads of any listener. Already a firm favourite of Derrick Carter (who re-edited this version) and Kenny Hawkes (who’s been playing his copy twice in every set), with The freaks geting to work on the flip, tripping out the track yet maintaining the all-important funk! This looks set to be another groundbreaking release.
FREAKS Can We Re-Freak it? 12"
(Music For Freaks)
VMFF12021
Dem Freaks return with their second single taken from last year’s mini-LP Meanwhile Back At The Disco (MFFCD003). Can We Re-Freak It? features two new mixes of the LP version, one from Paper’s Reset and the other from cross section’s Chris Simmonds. Luke Solomon & Justin Harris (Freaks) have been real busy in recent months, DJing all over the globe, recording their third album The Man Who Lived Underground (due for release at the end of the year) and remixing the likes of Greens Keepers, Telepopmusik & Random Factor to name but a few! Now to the music, first up on remix duties we have Miles Hollway & Elliot Eastwick (aka Reset), who throw dirty live bass, soaring strings & tweaked atmospherics into the mix to create one hazy dancefloor groover! On the flip Chris Simmond’s (Cross Section) pushes the track a little harder, creating a heads down, drug fuelled mix that drives and drives.
FREEFORM FIVE Perspex Sex 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC44
Freeform Five deliver their third monumental single on Classic and it is simply huge! Having been on remix duties of late, Anu Pillai (Freeform Five’s main man) has been casting his magic remix skills on X-Press 2 Lazy, Llorca Blue Indigo and Destiny’s Child Bootylicious amongst others, and has now produced his first own solo project in two years. Again, roping in a plethora of musicians and vocalists, Anu has produced a psychedelic, acid, disco, bollywood end of night house anthem featuring such esteemed vocal talents as Ms Carolyn Harding Chicago’s own DJ Bang and Tamara Barnet-Herrin. Combining elements of funk brass and bass, bollywood strings, rock guitar and house drums it’s not your average house fare, and that’s not even mentioning the Latin breakdown and Egyptian electro! In the words of the esteemed Chris Duckenfield (Swag) 'it’s like Playgroup meets Basement Jaxx on the set of Carwash'. The full vocal a-side counteracts the dark, sexually predatory musings of DJ Bang with the tongue-in-cheek white male pop vocal of Nick De Cosemo, while a host of chanting female backing singers drive the rhythm to it’s ultimate climax, magnificent! And if that all gets to much flip it over for the dub, a club-friendly tougher version, complete with dirty-ass acid line, cut up strings and an effects-laden breakdown, phew, how was it for you?
RUB I Was U EP 12"
(Music For Freaks)
VMFF12020
Music For Freaks present their latest signing Rub, aka Michael Clark. I Was U is his first release of many on MFF and he’s currently busy working on a debut LP. Michael is also a fully-fledged member of the Freaks’ new live band. I Was U has already been included on Justin Harris’ (Freaks) new mix CD Some More Freaky Stuff (MFFCD004). This EP features 4 tracks, and we kick off with the title track I Was U. Reminiscent of earlier Cajual releases this is a totally unique yet highly infectious vocal work out that rips off your head with its warped beat and bass patterns. On the flip Michael wreaks havoc on the bass with Handclaps & Hand Grenades, a current Derrick Carter fave that won’t fail to move your feet. Finally we have Ding 1.3, another superbly tripped out excursion with eerie atmospherics and strangely funky stabs.
LOUIS DIGITAL Change Position EP 12"
(Footwork)
VFW01
Footwork Records is a new London label exploring the connections between house, r&b and Detroit techno. The Change Position EP is co-written by London producers Louis ‘Digital’ Moreno and Laszlo Kovacs. The EP is distinctly electronic with tracks ranging from sparse and tight synthetic house to deeper techno-soul material. The EP has crossover potential for house, electro and techno buyers, its tracky nature has obvious appeal to adventurous house DJs like Derrick Carter, Sneak And Terrence Parker.
L RAY ROBINSON Music Is EP 12"
(DIY Diversions)
VDIV18
L Ray Robinson is a musician and producer based in San Francisco, California. L Ray has a 15-year history of producing original tracks and remixing other artists. Over the years he’s worked with various artists including Mod Squad, Digital Underground, Tupac, Funky Aztecs, Island Universe, Daisy Glow, Tasty Box, Jondi & Spesh and others. L Ray has recorded tracks for Priority Records, Interscope, TNT Records, Trip ‘n Spin Records and Imperial Dub Records. He has previously been featured on DIY's Serve Chilled Vol. 3 (DIV13CD). As a part of the hip hop and house music scenes from the early years, l Ray has created music that incorporates elements from a wide range of styles. He continues to create tracks that blur the boundaries, often old school in feel and future forward in concept. This is L Ray’s first solo release for DIY/Diversions, a great blend of up-tempo breaks, horns and hip hop style vocal samples that add a fresh slant to the whole nu-jazz sound....
ORIGINAL SOULBOY I Can’t Feel It 12"
(Dadhouse)
VDADH009
Original Soulboy are DJ’s + producers David Jarvis (Faith) and Chris Bangs, and for this, their 3rd single release on Dadhouse, they return with a soulful funky house cut entitled I Can’t Feel It! featuring the silky vocals of Dee Ellington. Dee’s deeply soulful r&b tinged vocals have previously been heard with the likes of Don-E, Omar, Uschi Classen, Tricky, and Problem Kids. I Can’t Feel It! comes equipped with mixes for every dance floor. The main club mix is a funky us house groove that mixes the vocals with funky rhodes piano licks and deep dubby bass while the dub goes deeper into that 'path' style Dave and Chris have forged with Terry Farley for Junior.
ALL GOOD FUNK ALLIANCE Make Me 12"
(Dadhouse)
VDADH010
The All Good Funk Alliance consists of Frank Cueto and Rusty Belicek, all good boys who met while taking music production courses together at Nova in Northern Virginia. From their first collaboration in the studio together, they knew there was something special to be had. They have previously had releases on Defective, Maxi, Wha Roots and their productions have featured on mix compilations by the likes of Pete Heller and Hipp-E & Halo to give you an idea of the fast rising profile Rusty and Frank are getting for their productions and mixes. The original version of Make Me is an awesome funky blend of Latino percussion, funky bass and crisp old skool block party beats mixed into a contemporary club that seriously rocks the party. This cut has been getting great response from promo CDR’s in the States and should be large!!! On the flip West London’s original soul boy’s Dave Jarvis and Chris Bangs turn in a deep chugging house re-working that will rock all those late night dancefloors and finally Frank and Rusty turn in a useful dub of the original.
MR FINGERS Amnesia 2x12"
(Indigo Music)
VFING2
Finally available again…. re-issue of this seminal early Chicago house record from Larry Mr Fingers Heard.
TUTTO MATTO LMF EP 12"
(Tummy Touch)
VTUCH069
Killer percussive disco house from Italy's Tutto Matto Duo. Four varied mixes with all manner of wicked percussion, keyboard and dub touches. Will appeal to fans of Harvey, Idjut Boys and labels like Yello, Nuphonic etc..
STUDIO PRESSURE Relics 12"
(Certificate 18)
CERT1817
Limited reissue of this drum & bass classic from 1996 produced by Rupert Parkes aka Photek. Includes killer remix from Plaid (Warp, GPR etc.).
HERBERT Second Hand Sounds 3x12"/2CD
(Peacefrog)
File Under: Herbert /Dance
VPFG021:02/PFG021CD
"As sensual as it is intellectual" 3/5 Muzik
"To put it more coarsely, its as satisfying as a fat line of bugle. Showbiz Herbert you might say." 7/10 Ministry Mag
Second instalment of vinyl – very limited.
With ten or so years writing and recording behind him Mathew Herbert has built an impressive body of work. His recordings for such labels as Clear, Phono and his recent and highly successful album Bodily Functions for the !K7 label have given him a near mythical status. With this reputation comes a demand for his sound, and that means a hell of a lot of remix work. Gathered together here are some of his best, most sought after mixes and even a couple of previously unreleased ones. And the pedigree of the musicians who sought mixes by Mathew is not to be sniffed at. Bjork, Serge Gainsbourg, Moloko, Blaze, Recloose, Louie Austin are just a few of the names here. With a total of 25 mixes across a double CD digi pack & the vinyl release split in to 2 separate triple packs. A stunning package, lap it up.
TEDDY G Zis Is Not A Rap Song 12"
(Glasgow Underground)
VGU094
Zis Not A Rap Song originally appeared as the flip side to Pascal’s Place Is Rocking on the very first Rotax release back in the summer of ’98. While Pascal’s floor-filling treat instantly received widespread acclaim (including inclusion on Dimitri from Paris’ playboy mansion CD) Teddy’s track was more of an underground cut and has remained relatively obscure since then. These new mixes from Omid ‘16b’ Nourizadeh should change all that. In his strongest mix since his re-working of Halo’s Future, Omid pulls out all the stops for a no holds barred tribal assault on the dancefloor. Straight into the playlists of Danny Tenaglia, Steve Lawler and Slam. For those that are all prog’d out, Omid adds another, more subtle working of the original that should spark fires on the moodier house dancefloors the world over. Add to that Teddy’s eighties-inspired original and this is quite a package.
HAKAN & TVYKS Norr / Vychodd 12"
(Paper Recordings)
VPAP085
Hakan has a single out with a Czech person called Tvyks. Its eastern European folk house. The strangest collaboration in dance music you may ask? Well who cares because people like the sound of what they have produced. Well, who then? Mr Scruff has been charting it high, Faze Action ask 'can we have more records like this?' and Halo [he of halo and hipp-e fame] has demanded he be sent one! Now its your turn….
TOMMI WHITE FEAT VENUS Paradise 12"
(66 Degrees Records)
V66D08
Excellent Icelandic house imprint 66 Degrees drop Paradise from Tommi White, who has had previous outings on Oblong, Pronto, Music Is and his own label Icon. He has also pursued a successful DJ career for the last 10 years playing in clubs in London, Paris, Rome and of course Reykjavik where he is now resident at club Thomsen. First up on the a side is Paradise featuring a diva called Venus. Dubby disco house with lovely layered production that contrasts beautifully with the vocals. If singing isn’t your thing then head for the dub on the b-side which also features some great live bass action & effects. Reykjavik Rainbow which completes the EP is an incredibly useful cut-up that will bridge perfectly between disco & house sets for the more discerning DJs.
RYTHMA The Big Dream EP 12"
(Ryzms)
VRYZMS03
Fresh is the best way to describe Rythma’s take on deep house, at only 22 years old this young Californian producer has an impressive discography which includes remixes of his tunes by such leading house exponents as Kenny Hawkes for Tweekin Records and Johnny Fiasco for Terraform and Swag. The three tracks on offer are a perfect reflection of Rythma’s Californian way of life – groovy house that’s full of sunshine.
FRITZ VALLEY PROJECT The Story Of Mister Muller 12"
(Transfusion)
VTF030
The Fritz Valley Project a.k.a. German producers Frank Impink and Andreas Kohler are back for their 4th release on transfusion. Once again its two slices of deep melodic house that works as well on the floor as it does on the headphones. Marco Franze and Laszlo Wolpert lend their hands on guitar and flute respectively. Frank and Andreas have produced various tracks for other highly regarded labels such as F-Communications and Global Underground.
VARIOUS Playskool Breaks LP
(Fat Kids Records)
VFK001
Playskool Breaks is beat education of the finest order featuring some of the rarest club tunes of the sixties & seventies, the fattest breaks and the most revealing samples. Tracks for your listening pleasure. Whether you are a DJ looking for exclusive funk to play out or a hip hop beat spotter, we are sure you'll agree this compilation is the Bomb. With cuts from Gabor Szabo, Martha Valez, Brassgain, Zell Black, Howard Blake, Bad Reaction, Andre Brasseur and The Free Orchestra and a few more.
IAN POOLEY Missing You 12"
(NRK Sound Division)
VNRK064
The second in Ian Pooley’s trax series for NRK, on BLUE vinyl. Missing You catches Pooley in an Eighties Flashback! With a thumping drum loop and funky synth vibes, the Flashback Mix cuts up some long lost 80’s groove, splicing up the vocals with funky drum fills and filtered bass. Pooley’s Mirrorball Dub on the flip side filters out those vocals and heads straight for the jugular with a big bad boogie bass mix. Strictly limited – 4000 worldwide, going… going…did we mention its blue… gone.FC KAHUNA Glitterball 12"
(City Rockers)
VROCKERS11
Glitterball is the first proper single release from FC Kahuna’s eagerly awaited debut album Machine Says Yes. The single was made Pete Tong’s "Essential New Tune", Seb Fontaine’s VIP Tune and DJ reactions have been glowing…
"It’s one of the best tunes I’ve heard this year" James Holden
"It’s rocking" Darren Emerson
"The response was great… abstract, bass heavy madness… yes please!!" Craig Richards
"Glitterball is a fine piece of twisted electronic music" Yousef
… and we agree, you?INDUCEVE Monolevel EP 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC46
Induceve, aka Jesse Rose & David Taylor return with their second release on Classic Recordings. Since their last release Jazz Chops in early 2001, which blew the whole joint up – well my place at least… hmmm chops… Monolevel is a made to measure club jacker. Rolling on a backward bass groove and inspired strings this track hits hard and funks harder. With DJ’s like Kenny Hawkes & Ralph Lawson already wiping the floor with it, this looks set to be another winner. Next we have What Night (The Dub), which creates a devilish groove out of heavy looped bass akin to Sneak with tech synths and fat filtered beats. Finally the EP takes the pace down a peg or two with Yes No, showcasing another side to this duo’s production, this downtempo gem glides along with superb filtered beats, cut up vocal samples and flutes.
SHAWN WARD Footprints EP 12"
(DIY Discs)
VDIY52
Canadian producer Shawn Ward, who has previously recorded for Turbo, Penetrate and Tweekin Records, drops his debut four-tracker for DIY Discs. Searching starts the EP, a driving number propelled by some tasty ivory tinkling before Spice And Soul takes things deeper, a gorgeous after-hours cut with great spaced-out keys. Vintage Boogie is a percussive Latino tinged number with live flute soloing perking up proceedings and last we have Cuban Swing, an uptempo horn sampling dancefloor track of the highest order.
BRS Try Your Best EP 12"
(Friends & Family)
VF&F01
New label from the BRS crew who’ve previously released material on Cyclo, Imperial Dub and 20/20 Vision. Try Your Best is built around an insistent, super catchy guitar loop, features Male/female vocals and a particularly sturdy bassline. The Number One Set is an absolute killer west coast style dancefloor shaker with an infectious acidic bassline, dubby spoken vocals and tougher than leather beats. Free Falling takes things in more of an after-hours direction with sultry female vocals and spaced-out keys / stabs. A very promising label debut, more please.
AIR FROG Mazuka 12"
(Svek)
VSK058
Wow, it’s the new cut from Air Frog and it’s another monster, fierce Latino percussion (that wouldn’t sound out of place on one of Jeff Mills Purpose Maker releases). With mad keyboard stabs, energetic male chants and an absolutely huge hoover/Reese style bassline. If that isn’t enough, there are two slightly more traditional, yet no less invigorating, techno remixes from hot producer Samuel Session on the flip.
DON YVO MEETS THE HUNTER Madinga EP 12"
(Maine Recordings)
VMAINE003
"Anyone with a Spiritual Life record in his or her collection is advised to check this." Miles Hollway / Jockey Slut April 2002
Erik Rug's Maine Recordings is striking back with a genuine Brazilian Batucada influenced EP that might shake all dancefloors on this planet! After having spent some time studying and practicing local beat drumming patterns in Brazil, Don Yvo, part of the Parisian band Ethnicians, delivers us an impressive lesson on how to beat the drum. Close your eyes and hear a full Batucada orchestra playing in the middle of the Amazonian jungle. The Hunter was thrilled and proposed Don Yvo to contribute with his highly percussive Mandinga Drumz to fusion it, adding his own distinguished and stylish organ and analog synths sounds. Mandinga keyz brings a warm electric vibe that reminds us of 70's combos like Osibisa or Candido. The b-side begins with the ambient Mandinga Chill, with it's abstract and atmospheric organs and flutes arrangement. Deep house fans will be delighted with the last deep jazz version on this EP, called Mandinga Soulful.
NEON PHUSION It’s Another EP 12"
(Laws Of Motion)
VLM025
Laws Of Motion lynchpins Neon Phusion are back with their first release of 2002, an EP featuring a trio of state of the art 21st century jazz funk cuts. It’s Another is an irresistible dancefloor groove helped on it’s way by Neon Phusion’s trademark funky, off-kilter beats with swirling keys and gorgeous female vocal ad-libbing. Timeless Motion is an analogue bass, synths and percussion based number with male vocals drifting in and out of the mix. Kaleidoscope is a clever electro influenced track with a big fat electronic bass line, precision-engineered beats and all manner of cool squelches and effects.
KASIO KID White Doves Cry 12"
(Touchy Feely)
VTF01
This was first played by Pete Tong at Space off the back of one acetate pressing, this track then went on to become a firm favorite with crowd at DC10 in Ibiza (originally only 400 copies available in the UK). Pete tong went on to play it three weeks in a row on radio 1 along with Lottie, Danny Rampling, Tim Lennox, Ali B, Graeme Park and Ralph Lawson. Still in the DJ hype chart and tipped by Mixmag as one of the hot tunes of the year. Sound good? How bout we up the stakes and say it’s a limited one-sided promo? Still not interested… hmmmm how bout a free piece of string to everyone who purchases this title….
GOLDEN BOY & MISS KITTEN Rippin Kitten 12"
(Ladomat)
VLADOMAT2123
Exceptionally large interpretations of one of the best tracks from the Golden Boy & Miss Kittin long player and one of the standouts of last weeks Futurism (CITYROCK3CD) compilation. Remixes come from Ellen Allien from B Pitch Control , Turner , Ego Express And Alexander Polzin. Also includes original mix.
MIGUEL MIGS Satisfied 12"
(NRK Sound Division)
VNRK061
Miguel returns to the NRK fold with another slice of feelgood house music in his own inimitable style. Satisfied comes in four mixes, including the dub toasting Bump The Dancefloor mix and the acid house Old Skool Flava Mix. Something for everyone on this EP.ATLANTIC FUSION Sanctuary 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC45
Felix Hopkins returns to Classic under another new guise; Atlantic Fusion. Felix is probably best known for his acclaimed reputation as an engineer in demand; working over the past three years regularly with Phil Asher of ‘restless soul’ and Nathan Haines fame with whom he shares a passion for house music and all things soulful. He’s also engineered regularly for artists as diverse as Modaji, Diesel, Terry Farley, Nathan Haines and Alex Attias, and has recently been working with vocalists Jocelyn Brown, Kim Mazelle, Taka Boom, Harriet Roberts, Lulu & Shelley Nelson. Felix has also recently remixed 4 Hero, Sia and Charlie Watts with Phil Asher under the ‘restless soul’ banner. Sanctuary successfully combines live elements of double bass and keys with a raw tribal jacking groove. Opening with lusciously warm synth waves, the artificial intelligence style vocal sits perfectly over driving rhythm to create an almost Moodymann-esque feel. On the flip we have another incredible track, Exit 16. Another soulful epic, full of emotion and impeccable quality, floating on jazz tinged keys, utilising Wurlitzer, ethnic percussion and trumpet. Pure class coming straight outta West London.
GROOVE ASSASSINS & DJ RAW DJ’s Preachin Machine 12"
(Glasgow Underground)
VGU93
Groove Assassins the Sheffield production team delivers a diverse twelve with the intense Preachin Machine and the more laid back Housetrack. DJ’s Preachin’ Machine is 7 minutes and 9 seconds of raw, New York-styled dancefloor explosives. Building on a hotbed of carnival rhythms and tough beats, the Assassins work a high-octane disco loop into the mix before layering the mighty tones of a god-fearing preacher over the groove. The result is a roaring house cut that should be perfect in the sets of DJ Sneak or Derrick Carter and their many imitators. Housetrack is at the other end of the house spectrum. Distinctly cool, this hypnotic hip-swinger harks back to output on labels like Prescription Underground and Balance. Certainly not peak-time action on many floors around the world, but a real slow-burner that will be a useful record to have in the box for months to come.
TRUANT Afro Bandwagon 12"
(Paperecordings)
VPAP083
The remix on the A side comes courtesy of Sweden’s finest, Hakan Lidbo. Hakan has recorded for loads of labels including Loaded, Moody, Peace Frog and Skam amongst many many others and boasts 100+ back catalogue of releases. He is part of (if not the leader) of the whole wave of new Swedish producers who have started emerging within the past couple of years. Amongst them being Tony Senghore, John Andersson (Laid / Outcold) and Martin Venetjoki, who shares a studio with Hakan. The original mix is Latin tinged tribal house, with quite a laidback feel to it. Hakan’s mix is a lot quirkier and very true to his style of techy house and the solid production that comes as standard with all Hakan releases.
MR HERMANO Free As The Morning Sun (remix) 12"
(Disorient)
VSUSHI031
Mr Hermano return with remixes of their anthem, opening with the Scumfrog Remix a track with bounding beats and rousing vocal choruses to lift the mood. Hypnotista (Ambient Dub) follows up on the flip side with spacious moods and sonic tones, similar in style to some early orbital stuff, spooky and haunting in a mellow vein. Talisman offers up dense rain forest rhythms using percussion to it’s max, wandering enchanted sax and dark moods. Free As (Locked Groove) uses a clever little looping groove to annoy the bollocks out of me.
SUBWAY Subway Tracks 12"
(Nuphonic)
VNUX184
New signings to Nuphonic Subway take their influences from many differing sounds. And so this EP sets their stall out for all to see. Giving My Love To You goes for the disco dub sounds. Testing has a more haunting electro vibe, Joy II has cheeky beats and finally Margerita offers house vibes with a real dancefloor ambition.
NOEL NANTON El Ray 12"
(Honchos Music)
VHM013
El Rey surfaces on Honchos Music, backed with a taster from Noel’s forthcoming debut album. Here Olav Basoski takes on the remix duty, he has built up an impressive reputation with productions & remixes on the Work label (that he co-incidentally runs) as well as numerous projects for the UK Defected label, and remixes for the likes of Moby, Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Joey Negro & James Brown. Here Olav turns out a very satisfactory drum heavy version of Noel’s Latin house classic. Fierce horns and a salsa soul vibe get cut up in a DJ Sneak style to powerful effect. Things Are Changing on the flip is a good introduction to his driving, string heavy, deep and percussive house.
THE MELLOWTRONS Time Of The Signs 12"
(Spiky Records)
VOUCH011
Spiky Records’ latest offering is from Lee Walker, a.k.a. The Mellowtrons who you may know from previous releases on thi Skam, Chill Out records and his collaborations with Meat Beat Manifesto. The A-side title track showcases Lee’s unique handling of breakbeat-heavy electrofunk to awesome effect with plenty of brash production tweaks and also the right amount of cheeky acid attitude. (This tune has already featured on Mixmag’s cover-mounted CD mixed by Osymyso.) Over on the flip are two fantastically fucked-up remixes of his previous single RU Feelin’ Hi?, the first is from Warp records’ Mira Calix who’s mix was featured in her sets all across Europe on an extensive tour with Autechre. Here the original has been mutated into an unsettling voyage through dark glitchy beatscapes and the vocals transformed into ghosts in the machine. Last up is an even more deconstructed version by the mysterious Duffy Moon that should not be listened to with the lights off!!
THE BOWLING GREEN Pre-Fabrications II 12"
(Spiky Records)
VOUCH13
After carving out a unique niche with his debut album One Pound Note. Micko Westmoreland has assembled a cast of esteemed collaborators - including members of The Stranglers, Godfathers and Jimi Tenor’s band – for an even more ambitious LP still rooted via mischievous sampler manipulation. This one-sider features two album originals Hot Patootie – blending passionate flamenco flourishes with a thorough breakbeat kicking, before electro-pop anthem Stereo Love puts in a trashy, flashy appearance with vocals courtesy of mysterious chanteuse Jayne Wayne that flirts outrageously with Top 40 action. Hot Patootie is already being used on the trailer for Debbie Harry’s new film The Fluffer, this taster should make waves well beyond the relative confines of electronica.
in music releases are available at all good record stores nation-wide