Vinyl Releases: August 2002 updated:15/04/2003
FREDDY & HERMAN Aquarius 12"
(City Rockers)
VROCKERS12
"Playing at 33rpm - fucking brilliant." Ashley Beedle
"Played it on BFM, no one called or cared" Simon (in music)
Pressed initially in limited quantities, Aquarius received rave reactions from DJ's as diverse as Ashley Beedle, Gilles Peterson, Cosmo, Rob Da Bank and Boy George, and found many friends in Ibiza last year. With only select DJ's receiving copies, it became the sunset theme at various clubs and bars on the sunblessed isle. Now picked up by City Rockers, its appeal looks set to spread everywhere in the coming months. The mysterious Freddy is rumoured to be one half of an established production team from the UK, who has released material on a plethora of labels. He decided to get a bit of sun down-under and never came back! Jumping ship in Sydney with nothing but a head full of ideas, he met up with Herman who had the hardware and the know-how to bring them to life. Their debut Aquarius single samples the Floaters Float On and sees the dynamic duo in full flight. One of the most sublime and serene musical moments of the year. Just gorgeous! Remixes are courtesy of the hotly tipped Radio Slave (who have recently remixed Lazy) and breakbeat merchants Deep Impact. Oh by the way - you can try the original at 33 or 45...
MOON UNIT Whip It / Drop the Bomb 7"
(God Made Me Hardcore)
VGMMH2302
Julienee Davis covers Devo’s Whip it in a electroid fashion.
PLAYGROUP & PEACHES Fourth Sex Baby 10"
(Playgroup)
VPG004
Collectors edition 10inch featuring Peaches & Gonzales and lifted from the recent Playgroup album. This is a very limited release featuring the album vocal & the exclusive instrumental version.
TONY SENGHORE This Is It 12"
(Music For Freaks)
VMFF12025
This Is It is probably the finest slice of haunted / demonic house you’ll hear this year. Swedish based Tony Senghore has recorded for a number of labels, most notably Paper, Under The Counter, Moody, Brique Rouge, Panhandle and Horehaus under a number of pseudonyms including The Wack Daddies & Disco Duck. He started making records with Martin Venetjoki as La Cienda Honduras at the age of 13 and has now released over 50 singles and 5 albums... and he’s only 23! The original is a voodoo stricken slice of tough demonic funk fusion, like Basement Jaxx on the set of Live and Let Die, this is Satan’s fanfare, not for the faint hearted... one time! Tony has also provided a new dub and remix. The remix is a stripped down deeper version for those not wanting to scare the crowd that much, whilst the dub is perfect for the narcotically challenged amongst us. Monster monster!
AGENT K Feed The Cat – Jason Brunton mixes 12"
(Laws Of Motion)
VLM031LTD
Kaidi Tatham’s debut album (LMCD104) is the funkiest form of the new black Avant Garde, a combination of layered melodies, intricate beats and percussion mixed with deeply soulful vocals. It has been seen as a benchmark to techno, jazz and house bods alike! After the acclaim of Ladies (including Maddslinky mix) and the awesome BB Boogie remixes, Laws of Motion present the title track set in a different form. Sirkus and newly signed Transmat recording artist Jason Brunton delves into his box of magic musical tricks to deliver two lush techno soul versions in a Moodymann style. Think Roy Ayers meeting Carl Craig, this fuses the sprit of the past with the groove of the future and is finding favour with many of the Detroit posse. Superb!
SCOPER & BUBBA I’m Satisfied 12"
(Classic Music Company)
VCMC39
Lifelong buddies Scoper & Bubba aka Mark and Jonny hail from the jolly city of Belfast and have been recording together for beards. I’m Satisfied is their debut release under their latest new alias but they have recorded with various other Belfast based musicians as International Swingers (Illicit), Bellcrash (7th Sign) and Future Rhythm Foundation (Paper) as well as running the mighty fine Digital Boogie nightspot. This release showcases their undying love of retro electronica and house music. The A Side features the irresistibly catchy original version of I'm Satisfied, an 80's inspired house-disco-electro hybrid with a truly distinctive and dynamic vocal. Mixes of this release come from fellow Classic artist Brett Johnson & West Coast pioneer Doc Martin. Brett takes the track by the reins and pumps it up into a narcotic fuelled club jacker with a devious vocal drop to die for. Check it. On the flip our man Doc once again looks set to have the audience on their knees with his building deep hypnotic ‘Power’ mix that’s already doing big things stateside... one for the late nights!
DENNIS JNR How Can I Reach you? 12"
(Jazid Collective)
VAZID003
New comer Dennis Jr., a 24 year old Oslo native that shares the Jazid studio alongside Slow Supreme and Slow & Local. He also won the ‘Bedroom Grooves’ prize at the infamous Jazid talent nights in Oslo, as Slow Supreme did in 2000. Traditionally from a house background Dennis also incorporates elements of Jazz, Techno, Funk and Disco into his music. Both tracks on this double A side have a character of their own and fans that have already picked up on the label will definitely not be disappointed! Big DJ responses from Richard Dorfmeister, Rob Mello, Doc Martin, Ivan Smagghe, Ewan Pearson, Harvey, Erik Rug, FK and more!
PLAYGROUP Make It happen 7"
(Source)
VSOURVS017
Very limited 7inch single of this killer electroclash anthem produced by Trevor Jackson and featuring the vocals of Kyra (Thee Headcoatees). Comes in full colour picture sleeve, has large centre hole and the versions are exclusive to this release. A true collectors item.PLAYGROUP Make It happen 12"
(Source)
VSOURVT017
Last remaining copies of this killer electroclash anthem produced by Trevor Jackson and featuring the vocals of Kyra (Thee Headcoatees). Features the extended mix, instrumental and accapella. Comes in groovy full colour picture sleeve.
RONNIE RICHARDS Steppin’ Out 10"
(Atlantic Jaxx)
VJAXX023
Reggae Star Ronnie Richards comes with a taster of his forthcoming debut LP on Atlantic Jaxx recordings. Includes the summery chilled calypso of Mrs.X and blues party rare groove of Steppin Out. The flipside sees a reggae dubstyle remix workout by one of the UK’s most prolific dub soundsystems the Iration Steppas. Pure smoked out summer vibes!
NIQUE Loopaholic EP 12"
(Jackin the Box)
JTB001
The first output from Chicago based house print Jackin the Box with Nique providing 2 tracks of filtered dirty ass house beatz. Nique, a former Denver DJ/recording artist began beating the Denver dance floors with his slamming house sets in the early 90’s. In 1998 he moved back to Chicago where he held residencies at Red No. 5 and Big Wig, some of Chicago’s best. Like the label name, this is pure jackin Chicago house. We like that.
ORIGINAL SOULBOY High On Sunshine Promo 12"
(Dadhouse)
VDADH013
Very limited promo edition of this huge Brazilian house stormer! Original Soulboy are London based DJ’s + producers Dave Jarvis (Faith) and Chris Bangs and for this, their 4th single release on Dadhouse, they return with a pumping main room Latino track High On Sunshine featuring the silky Brazilian vocals of Monica Vasconcelos following on from last years Touch the Sun which has been on countless compilations, Amstel beer adverts and the new channel 4 (UK) series Red Hot Rio (think Ibiza uncovered in Rio!!) High On Sunshine comes in 2 mixes for every dance floor. The main room Nightlife mix is a funky, pumped up house groove which mixes pure summer vibes with Brazilian Scat, latin percussion, guitars and deep deep bass while the Beachlife mix takes a more straight up Latin house route for a more chilled terrace feel...
COSMIC FORCE Chocolate Starfish 12"
(Vertige Productions)
VVP001
Vertige Productions split decision - new French disco group Cosmic Force playing true to the genre live disco/funk, live instruments! Produced & engineered by mentor Dimitri From Paris, but wait! The flip is classic material by Clyde Alexander & Sanction (P&P Records) originally produced by Peter Brown & Patrick Adams, re-edited by Kenny "Dope" Gonzalez, what! Timeless disco/funk production seamlessly extended in the Tom Moulton tradition, both sides crucial!
SOFT ROCKS Purple Rinse 12"
(Soft Rocks)
VSR1
First release from the Soft Rocks crew sees an 'artist's' early work revamped & extended for maximum dancefloor appeal, whilst the flip side sees an obscure French combo doing their best to sound like Arthur Russell with an insane slab of twisted disco-jazz. Will appeal to all fans of Harvey’s Weekend / Black Cock material, Idjut Boys, Loft Classics etc. and has already been getting heavy play from the Idjut Boys and the Nuphonic crew!
PERCY X Time To Jack 12"
(Soma)
VSOMA122
Originally this track appeared on the CD of the album only. Now vinyl junkies have the opportunity to pick up this breakin’ cut. Radioactive Man aka Two Lone Swordsman Keith Tenniswood has delivered a mighty slice of machine funk in his meaty remix. This scorching, twisted electro monster has the biggest bass you’ll hear this year. On the flip we are treated to the excellent original version and discofied album favourite Club X, which was also very popular with a certain Fatboy. This is another great package from the X-Man with every electrocuted track a winner.
TOBIAS SCHMIDT The Haunted House EP 12"
(Nest)
VEST006
NEST records rears its ugly head again with the Haunted House EP. Tobias Schmidt supplies all four tracks with a guest appearance by G. Runder. 4 tracks of ElectroPfunkpunksoUlhipHophousErave, can you swallow that? This one’s for you, all of you...
DJ Q Album Sampler 12"
(Glasgow Underground)
VGU99
Since his first release on Lex ‘Blueboy’ Blackmore’s Gemini imprint, DJ Q’s records have been synonymous with serious dance floor business. Here he returns with two examples of what he does best. Raw, crowd-pleasing house grooves. Over U Now is jazz-soaked partying at its best. Already a big hit with Ben Watt, Laurent Garnier, the Idjut Boys and Ashley Beedle, its combination of bumpy tribal drums and ass-shaking bass is sure to be on many a playlist for a long time to come. The flip-side’s System 600 ups the live element and delivers a swinging Latin house jam complete with rare percussion and a soaring trumpet line. By now a big favourite for John Marsh, Romanthony and Harri at the Sub Club, it makes the two-tracker a real DJ’s delight. DJ Q’s two previous albums Face the Music and Twenty Four 7even have been huge successes and his third album Music As We Know I’ looks set to follow in their footsteps when it is released in October.YELLOWKNIFE True Soul 12"
(Prolekult)
VKULT036
Yellowknife, the collective name for producer extraordinaire Chris Scott (Lexicon Avenue, Little Green Men, Echomen, etc) and fellow studio bods Simon Gibb and Peter May, provide two fine cuts of tech-tinged house for Prolekult. True Soul on the A side kicks straight off with grooving, housey percussion before tight and techy progressive influences start creeping in giving the track a bit of snap as deep words drift over the running beats. Over on the flip, Pitch Blend continues the quality with spaced out, funk-touched FX sitting atop the low, bumping bassline and drums.
MONK Thunk EP 12"
(Cordless)
VCORD005
Monk (alias Duncan Grey) joins Cordless for his debut release; Thunk EP. He has recorded under many guises on labels such as Blue Black Test, Console and Black Russian, but is probably best known for his collaborations with Andy Weatherall as Sons of Slough, the most notable of which was the excellently received Omegadent on Skint Records (a big favourite with Arthur Baker). Monk’s Thunk - A slab of compulsive, driving, hypnotic, dark and moody tech-house, constantly building, laced with acid vibes that take you there - Maurizio meets the dancefloorOn the flip, While You Were Sleeping – Is slightly tougher with full on edginess - phat bassline, relentless beat, repetitive vocal, plus all the right bleeps and blobs - dancefloor mayhem for all the manics out there! Do What Feels Nice ends things nicely with a mid-tempo vibe, which builds gradually from deep, floating house into a slightly darker more menacing sound with minimal vocal stabs and acid undertones.
STYLOPHONIC Bizarre Mind 12"
(Prolifica)
V12PR007
Stylophonic drops this wicked piece of warped disco as a taster for his forthcoming album on Prolifica. But what is much more interesting is Chicken Lips doing their thing on the flip side to stunning effect. The DJ support speaks for itself. DJ support: Tayo, Tom Findlay (Groove Armada), Dan Kahuna (FC Kahuna), Rob Da Bank (Sunday Best / R1), Ashley Beedle (X-press 2), Colin McBean (Mr G), Ralph Lawson (20/20 Vision), Richard Scanty (Southern Fried), Steve Lawler, Touché (Wiseguys), Paul Harris (Dirty Vegas), Stuart Patterson (Soulsonic), Tarrentella (Whoop Records) and Andy Smith (Portishead).
STREET CHOIR Workin 12"
(Choir)
VCHOIR001
Workin’ is a tribute to Van Morrison’s funky anthemic gem from 1970. Uplifting melodic house with a monster bass line, an intense, soulful and passionate vocal and very ‘now’ afro-latin percussion for a summer floor filler. Add to this Workout a deeper, dubbier but no less funky action on the flip. Perfect record for the clubs and bars of winter and beyond into summer.
LOS LADRONESS Mi Amor Es 12"
(Earth Project)
VEP009
Latin Flavours from Los Ladrones with Wiawan providing the dancefloor mix.
STEVE KOTEY Getting Stranger 12"
(Hairy Claw)
VHC01
Hairy Claw is the latest label project from Bear Entertainment - the home of disco-dons Big Bear & the inspired Economy DJ house imprint. First up is Bear Entertainment’s regular in-house funkateer Steve 'Fella' Kotey. Already known for his work on the Idjut Boys’ label Discfunction, he is one third of Akwaaba and half of Session Records’ Kost Effective. He’s been a busy boy of late remixing Nuphonic’s Block 16 and Chicken Lips on Kingsize and there's forthcoming new 12's aplenty. On this release Steve heads straight for NYC with the kind of shimmering workout that would fit nicely into a François K play list. This hazy analogue house affair should appeal strongly to fans of Metro Area, Daniel Wang etc. and with plenty of releases ready and waiting this label looks set to deliver the perfect soundtrack for those sweaty summer sessions coming up.
REALSIDE High Noon 12"
(Sirkus)
VSIRK031
Realside is Dominic Stanton and Mark Russell. Mark has been producing club music for 5 years now under various different guises and licensing music globally to labels as diverse as Good Looking and Ministry. Whilst Dominic is better known as Domu, darling of the new jazz / broken beats scene and a favourite of Gilles Peterson. High Noon is Realside’s second collaboration and is the perfect fusion of futuristic production with retro attitude. Kicking off with some chunky Latin rhythms, High Noon soon twists into a stuttering yet funky 4/4 groove that mixes the best of house and broken beat. The bassline, keys and melodies are all pure sunshine, whilst on the flipside Maddslinky (a.k.a. Zed Bias) turns the dark up for a more menacing, bass driven mix.
JAY HOWARD Trackdown EP 12"
(Cordless)
VCORD006
Jason Howard arrives at DJ Q's Cordless Music as a relative newcomer as an artist, having previously only cut his teeth with Chris Simmons on Black No Suga records with the Step Inside E.P. However, he’s been around the scene for years, DJ’ing and promoting Oxford’s first House night back in the daze! The last few years have seen him locked away in his studio, experimenting with minimal tech-house sounds, which he hopes to incorporate with live elements and vocals in the future. This is the first of many to come... Trackdown kicks things off with tight drums, a driving bassline and moodiness from the wind, all held together by some keyboards extraordinaire. One for the dancefloor! On My Mind has snappy hi-hats, deep bass and piano interlaced with grumbling organ, and all the spacey noises you’d expect. A nice warm-up cut! Finally Change is a spacey Larry Heard-esque house moment with a light airy texture... on the 5 a.m. tip! The Trackdown EP has already received rave reviews in the music press, with Musik magazine affording it the accolade of Single of the Week.
BRIAN BRISTOL Dreams 12"
(Hysteria)
VHYS015T
Lydia Rhodes is the famous US dance singer who has collaborated with Brian Bristol on this cover version of Stevie Nicks’ classic Dreams. Mr Bristol is the behind the scenes man who has remixed the likes of Moloko, Martha Wash, Funky Derrick and The Funky Green Dogs and has also engineered Barbara Tucker, Ultra Nate, and Crystal Waters. ‘Dreams’ comes in two turning remixes, one especially vibed by the legendary Tedd Patterson and the other a super edit of the original by Hysteria's Eric Kupper and Hunter Wilson. This record is very much in the same bag as MAW / B&S ammo!!!
WILKO Wilkos Dirty Jam 12"
(Pimp Records)
VPIMP004
The next outing on PIMP comes courtesy of Ignition Technician bad boy Wilko... who fires in with another 4 tracks of booty techno fusion. Going more in the direction of ghetto sleaze he manages to combine your well-known high street ass shaker with some heavy compressed drum action... Watch this man like a hawk...
in music releases are available at all good record stores nation-wide