quick audio picks: 12345
LAB US EXCLUSIVO. Adam Kesher follow up their outstanding debut EP on Disque Primeur with this loaded single, featuring four new tracks and four remixes from all over the place. This EP also marks the remix debut of the Lab's very own...
expand review Snack & C'mish! "P-Katherine(1)" is hype enough on its own (think Franz Ferdinand, but better), but Snack & C'mish get so funky with it(2) and turn it into an absolute dancefloor bomb. Fine work, dudes. Paris' premier ghettotech DJs, Goon & Koyote, get their hands on Kesher's first single, "Modern Times(3)," and Strip Steve puts down a HEAVY remix of "Irene(4)" - check the original(5), too. Also includes "Let The Earth Rejoice" and the original and Yuksek versions of "Feel You In My Arm." Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 1234
LAB EXCLUSIVO. The long out of print debut EP from Adam Kesher gets a special repressing! This CD sold out immediately upon initial release and these tracks are only found on this EP (no vinyl was ever made). Turntable Lab is the...
expand review exclusive US distributor of this release - you won't find it anywhere else.
Y'all might remember Adam Kesher's first appearance at the Lab from their rock cover of Para One's rave anthem "Dun-Dudun" on Institubes, but this EP is actually the band's first release from '06. Think post-punk meets electro-rock with a bit of Factory Records. Take a listen and you'll find these French rockers got more going for them than the usual rave-banger sounds that their countrymen have blown up so hard lately. "Modern Times(1)" sets the whole thing off like a flaming kick in the ass. Frantic, fast paced drums, screeching guitars, and nasty low end synths make things real hot and sweaty (it's no wonder this track set off a slew of hype remixes). Next check "160(2)" for more on this driving, high energy tip (really reminds me of Gang Of 4 on this one). "You Make Me Feel Immortal(3)" and "Voyage Interieur(4)" aren't bad either, but feature a more mellowed out melancholy vibe. An impressive debut with 5 tracks total. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 123456
A Guy Called Gerald's landmark electronica album from 1995 finally gets reissued (last issue appears to be 1997). Although it's technically a drum and bass album, the music really transcends genre tags. There was nothing that really sounded like this at the...
expand review time (Goldie's album came out later that year). Gerald weaved-in vocals in an intelligent way (rather than the pitched-up norm), used alternative drum kits (lots of afro-percussion), and helped pioneer both the dark and atmospheric styles (that directly inspired such acts as Burial). Checkout: "So Many Dreams(1), Alita's Dream(2), Finley's Rainbow(3), Cybergen(4), Cyberjazz(5)," and "Life Unfolds His Mystery(6)." Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123456
Super deluxe 10th anniversary edition of AIR's first proper album from '98. You might've listened to this back when it first came out, but it's definitely worth a revisit. I know my ears were a little more biased a decade ago and...
expand review weren't really in tune with the Frenchies, but in '08 I'm pretty sure we're all much more familiar with the "French Style" and can really appreciate what these dudes were doing. Nicolas and JB (aka AIR) were definitely ahead of their time, combining elements from Burt Bacharach and Serge Gainsbourg, ambient, lounge, new wave, disco and lots of synthesizers, into one unique musical style paving the way for similar-minded artists like Sebastien Tellier. Just take a listen the masterfully crafted chill moods -"La Femme D'Argent(1)," "Talisman(2)," "All I Need(3)," and "Sexy Boy(4)," "Le Voyage De Penelope(5)," and "Remember(6)." The whole album really goes down real easy - it's that smooth. This limited edition set also contains a bonus CD loaded with rarities, remixes, demo versions, and radio sessions as well as a DVD with an hour long documentary on the band entitled "Eating, Sleeping, Waiting and Playing" by none other than Mike Mills. All this in a fancy 12- page hard cover booklet with full liner notes, lyrics, and original artwork. Recommended. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 123456
Much props to this pair of sensitive Frenchmen for constantly reinventing themselves and trying new styles over the past decade, but honestly: Pocket Symphony is the album they should have made after Moon Safari. If Air had dropped this as their sophomore...
expand review record – just as it is, with the striking "Space Maker(1)" leading off – they could've saved themselves years of (often unjustified) negative reviews. (And maybe they wouldn't have made that "Surfing On A Rocket" song.) Anyway, yeah, this is great! Air are back! Back to the Moon Safari / Virgin Suicides days when they made lush and lovely music that sounded so good in your headphones. I can tell an album is really good when I wanna footnote a whole section of it – check the opening four tracks: the aforementioned "Space Maker," the slightly cheesy but very beautiful "Once Upon A Time(2)," "One Hell of A Party(3)" (with Pulp's Jarvis Cocker on disaffected vocal duties – amen!) and the haunting "Napalm Love(4)." Also worth your time are "Mer Du Japon(5)" and "Redhead Girl(6)." Nice to have these dudes back – now can we get a remix single with Justice and TTC? 12 tracks; 48 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12345678
This is the expanded CD version of the Come To Daddy single with 4 additional tracks not found on the 12" (they were released as a separate remixed promo 12" and rare CD single). Of these 4 extra tracks, it's worth it...
expand review alone for "Iz-Us(1)" as Richard James executes a stunning breakbeat track without any strings attached, it's feelgood all the way. Also includes: "Come To Daddy Mummy Mix(2), Funny Little Man(3)," and "To Cure A Weakling Child(4)." As for the rest of the EP, here's what we said about the 12": The Come To Daddy single from 1997, again featuring a twisted Chris Cunningham cover, is one of my favorite Aphex singles released on Warp (the Rephlex ones are still the best). A funhouse of styles and emotional responses here, first with the potent adrenaline rush of "Pappy Mix(5)" juxtaposed with the gorgeousness of "Flim(6)" and polished off with the incredible breakbeat-possessed child track "Bucephalus Bouncing Ball(7)." This is why Mr. James is sweated. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12345
Not for the easily offended! (But you could tell that from the cover.) It's the debut EP from Bangers & Cash, the new project from MC Spank Rock and producer Benny Blanco, and it's about as dirty as you'd expect a Spank...
expand review Rock tribute to 2 Live Crew to be. The live show favorite "Shake That(1)" sounds just as good on record, but how could a track that samples 2 Live's "Fuck Shop" and Splack Pack's "Shake That Ass Bitch" not be? "B-O-O-T-A-Y(2)" pulls sources from no less than three different tracks, but guest vocals from Santi of Santogold really makes the track; same goes for the hoodrat track "Loose(3)" and the guest spot from Amanda Blank, who just sounds better every time she gets on the mic. "Pu$$y(4)" gets a little too dumb for my taste, but "Bitch!(5)" overcomes its subject matter with an epic beat from Benny and a sample from NWA. And if you think the cover is nasty, you should see the back and inside. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 1234
It's confusing, why an artist/group like Black Devil Disco Club would go to such lengths to cover his/her/their true identity, and then further stir the blog soup with label text comparing the group's tunes to the art of Salvador Dali. It's confusing...
expand review because, while that stuff can be fun, BDDC's music is so good that it doesn't really need hyping. This third (and supposedly final) album from the maybe contemporary / maybe 70s artist contains just six songs, but those six supremely well-executed Italo, electro and disco hybrid jams definitely deliver. There are just so many things to dig in each track: those robot backup vocals in the sinister "Open The Night(1)," the subtle percussion and squelching keys on "Free For The Girls(2)," the overall haunted house vibe of "For Hoped(3)." And the uptempo opener "With Honey Cream(4)" is one of the top tunes this dude/group (see? this is tiring) has come with yet. Here's hoping this isn't really the end. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12345
Even though I know it, I always forget just how absolutely huge electronic music really is in Europe, and the rest of the world for that matter. It's just pop music there y'all! This tour DVD that comes with the re-release of...
expand review Booka Shade's very solid 2006 long player is major. It follows them to North America, Australia and their native European continent, riding in helicopters, jamming in front of jumping crowds and giving interviews along with their publicist and tour manager in front of lit candelabras! Also, includes live visuals, raw live performances and a grip of remixes, including two by Hot Chip, only playable ON the DVD (no iTunes unfortunately). But really, the magic lies in the album. If you haven't heard the album in its entirety and you've been at all interested in this German two piece, you should definitely pick this up. From major worldwide minimal electro house club bangers "Mandarine Girl(1)," "In White Rooms(2)" and and "Body Language(3)" to funky tech'd out sleeper tracks that are just as strong, like "Darko(4)," Booka Shade are forward thinking and consistent, with a strong grasp for hook and melody. They even slow it down and get slightly emotional on the Boards Of Canada like, "Lost High(5)." And, unlike most German club all stars' full lengths, this album comes complete with great sequencing and cohesive LP feel. Get with it if you haven't already. Recommended. -Rezound
quick audio picks: 123456
Chaz Jankel is one of my biggest heroes. He started his career in the late 70s as the keyboardist and guitarist for Ian Dury & The Blockheads, lending co-writing talents on some of their biggest hits like "Spasticus Autisticus" and then later...
expand review producing his own solo jams, which remain timeless today. So good in fact, that he's still producing futuristic jams over 30 years later for Tirk records and even getting remixed by cutting edge groups like Hercules & Love Affair. This new collection combines some of his best known hits like "Ai No Corrida(1)" (which was covered by mf'n QUINCY JONES), "Glad To Know You(2)," which to me sounds like where Chromeo got a lot of their sound (made in 1981), and "3,000 Synths(3)" an uncatagorizable futuristic synth jam with mean bass and epic movements. There's a lot more classics, but let’s move on to the new stuff. Check the smooth yet hard groove on the title track, "You're My Occupation(4)," the undeniable pop disco groove on "Get Myself Together(5)," and the reggae infused instrumental jam that pays homage to "Glad To Know You," "To Woo Lady Kong(6)." If you're into new disco, Chaz Jankel is like required listening. He's not only an influence to many influential artists, he's living proof that dance music can be timeless. Recommended. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12345
Man, when this album came out- life was great. We (who are old now) were all raving our asses off at illegal warehouses or on the beach with huge soundsystems- the MDMA was 100% pure, and the music we were hearing was...
expand review 100% new. Back then, there were no sub-genres in dance music -- it was just crazy music. And this album was on everyone's turntables, in everyone's cassette decks, on all our favorite DJs mixtapes... One of the most classic dance albums ever produced and in my opinion, the best work the Chemical Brothers have ever done. Listen to it with anyone who listened to it back then and I guarantee we can all sing every acid squelch and beat on every track. Shit will get under your skin. From the slower chunky sound of songs like "Chico's Groove(1)," and "One Too Many Mornings(2)," to the faster dance floor stormers like "Leave Home(3)," "In Dust We Trust(4)," and my personal favorite "Song To The Siren(5)," this album will NOT disappoint! (ed.note: This might be the most visceral DM review ever. Buy or die, kid!) -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 12345
Time to light one up, Chimp Beams are back. For those unfamiliar to the dub-infused electronica of this group, here's the background check. They come from Japan, dwell in Brooklyn and make some of the chillest beats out there. We've carried their...
expand review stuff for a while, and their fusion of dub, jazz, downtempo and house has always been a relaxing addition to the shelves. This is their latest release, compiling classic cuts like "Menina - 2007 Mix(1)" and "Lost Nomad," unreleased versions of tracks like "Sleeptalking," "Vanishing Dub(2)," "11217(3)" and "Jupiter Acid(4)." Also includes unreleased tracks, "Sleepless(5) and more dubby killers like "Calm Tribe Mix." It's pretty much a greatest hits comp and then some. With 11 tracks total, that's a whole lot of thick, luscious beats to soak in. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12345
While giving this new Chimp Beams album a first listen, I found myself floating in a world of Twin Peaks dialogue, Lost in Translation imagery, and gut-wrenching Six Feet Under montages. Yes, it's that good. This electronic dub trio has...
expand review been repping Brooklyn via Japan for a while now, and they do it with respect and consistency. Among the band members' side hustles is those fancy Concent accessories (type "Concent" in search) that you all love to buy from us. They also host great dub parties at BPM Studio, one of Williamsburg's best kept secrets. In between all that they make songs like "Menina(1)" which could easily have been too uplifting in the wrong hands, but damn if this nugget of joy doesn't make me want to walk through a garden in the rain with someone I love. If he had only had a boombox instead of a torch, I feel like Short Round could've used this song on Indy in the Temple of Doom to break him out of his evil spell. "11217(2)" already had me cradled as it was my first zip code in Brooklyn. The gritty pretty vibe has me open right now. You didn't know the slope was real like that, son! The somewhat sloppy dubs kill it in this one. They give me the same feeling in my stomach as I get walking down 5th Ave looking in the windows of coffee shops and restaurants at faces of people I will never know. I just read a line in a bell hooks book that says: "We do not know the truth that to be seen and not known is the ultimate abandonment." Welcome to New York City, baby. These Beams are really good at capturing the NY merging of endless possibility and bountiful potential for incredible lonliness. The mixture makes for really beautiful music and a really depressing review. It should be noted that I just watched a lot of "Sex in the City" and I have a stomach virus, a fever and a bumping headache right now. It's not that I retract anything I've said, but you may want to determine the depth on your own. Listen to the heavy happy of "Brooklyn Dub(3)", "Winter Song(4)", and "Dubzillian(5)" for a more complete taste. The cd and vinyl versions have different tracks but don't worry, you can buy them both. -Telekinetic Kat
quick audio picks: 12345678910111213141516
When Chromeo say "deluxe," they mean DEEE-LUXE. This expanded 'Fancier Footwork' edition of their massively popular and officially crossed-over second album features all the hits that your friends who watch Jimmy Kimmel would know: the bumping title track(1), "Tenderoni(2)," "Bonafied Lovin'(3)," etc....
expand review But wait... that's not all! The second disc includes some of the dudes' "greatest hits" ("Needy Girl(4)," "Rage(5)," "You're So Gangsta(6)," the DJ Mehdi collab "I Am Somebody(7)") plus a whole mess of remixes from both the Fancy Footwork and She's In Control albums from the likes of DFA, MSTRKRFT, Crookers, Lifelike, Playgroup and more. 9 remixes in all - that's bang for yer buck. The first CD is also enhanced with all of Chromeo's videos to date (including "I Am Somebody!"). A whomping 24 tracks and over 100 minutes of music in total. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 123456
I was pretty lucky to stumble upon this record. It was a late shift at the Lab store in LA, already played everything on the wall, so I grabbed this home-made looking record under the DJ booth, and damn, it was probably...
expand review the best thing I heard since I got there. Not sure who comprises Clutchy Hopkins, but they're a live downtempo band that sounds like they should be backing Portishead or releasing cult 7"s (but damn, an entire album!), it's really that good. None of the tracks have titles, but track two(1) is an incredible flute-led heater that will get you hooked. The thing that gets me here is the finesse, check track one(2) and four(3). They can go weirdo too, check Track 6(4), with its eastern-influenced guitar and dribbling piano licks. It sounds like something you'd hear on Doom's Special Herbs, but deeper. Or what about straight buttery smooth, check tracks 8(5) and 9(6), like some glistening oil on a beautiful french lady's skin in the Riviera. I won't ruin the entire surprise, there's 12 tracks in all. Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123456
Cut Chemist dropped a solo LP? Yup, in case you haven't heard Cut has got his own Warner Brothers deal (I don't know about J5, is he still with them?) and dude is out to break the DJ album jinx. Judging...
expand review from the sampler cd that we got (yours free with purchase, it includes a couple instrumental versions not on the full album), this is gonna be Cut Chemist being Cut Chemist. No crossover attempts, no new "surprise" styles or any of that. Just sample + turntable based music that takes it's cues from a long ass time of record collecting, party rocking, mixtape making and cut n paste put togethering (he is certifiably "one of the best" at all of these things). Feeling that lead track "The Garden(1)," working with a bunch of Brazilian stuff. Guest MCs are on here, but we're talking Mr Lif and Edan on "Storm,(2)" and somebody named Hymnal on "What's The Altitude(3);" not BEP and The Game or something. I'm actually kinda shocked Warner Brothers went through with this. Kudos! -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12345
LAB US EXCLUSIVO. New album from French rap supastar Dabaaz featuring production from some of Disque Primeur / Institubes' most trusted names. A-Trak scratches all over an obscure Clipse sample for "Regardes Les(1)," Drixxxe tinkles the ivories on the jaunty, piano-driven "En...
expand review Plein Effet(2)," and Para One puts down a nasty, squelchy beat on "Le Da(3)." If you slept on Dabaaz's "Open Bar" single last year, you get the remix(4), just another of many dope Drixxxe productions here. (Feeling the "Whisper Song" update on "La Plus Belle Ce Soir(5)" - pretty sure I heard him say "Durex.") I can't understand a word this dude is saying and I still dig this album. Check the samples. 12 tracks; 46 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 123456
Everything is moving faster. I just heard Catchdubs in the office saying that there's already an I Love The New Millennium on TV. Hey, that shit's not even over yet! All the while, the world gets smaller and cultures start to...
expand review blend until and you have genres like electro/rave/house/mashup. And how does Daedelus fit into this picture? Well, being one of Ninjatune's premiere electronica artists, he really shows his ability to keep up with the pace. Not like he hasn't on other releases, but this one's a bit different. He really hits you from all angles, keeping the project fresh new ideas. From his modern rock and dance on "Fairweather Friends(1)" (from his EP last year), pop tributes like "My Beau(2)" to inspired by Ghost town City DJ's "My Boo," the southern bounce feel of "Touchtone(3)," the electro-bass feel of "Twist The Kids(4)," the 80's modern rock feel of "Make It So(5)," to even the the dubstep sounds of "Hrs:Mins:Secs(6)," it's pretty amazing that he could touch on so many moods in a single album. As a producer, his sound is crafted to reach way beyond earshot of your nearest ipod. I'd say most of these tracks are prime for performance and tour. There's 15 tracks total and a lot more to sink in. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12345
Environ CD reissue of Daniel Wang`s 2000 debut solo album. If you are not familiar with this guy, he's making moves in the underground dance world, similar to how labelmates Metro Area blew up a couple years back. Founder of his own...
expand review Balihu label, Wang utilizes vintage instruments for unique sound suitable for the headphones or the progressive club. The original tracklist has been modified with new versions of "All Flowers Must Fade(1)" and "Misty(2)." "Black Boots and Sine Waves(3)" and "Glimmer In His Eyes(4)," twin cult classics from the Nocturnes 12" have also been added as bonus tracks. Lookout for the massive "Rings of Saturn(5)," originally a 150 copy white label release. Limited edition. -the mgmnt
indepth
