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So-Me went extra crazy hand drawn style for this eye-searing limited pic disc 12" from Ed Banger honcho Busy P (aka Pedro Winter, aka Daft Punk's manager, blah blah, you know already). In addition to the slumpy, glitched out title track(1), here...
expand review we get four remixes of the Busy/MURS collab "To Protect & Entertain" from the Ed Rec III comp. While the original mix(2) always felt a little clunky to me, the Ed Banger fam comes correct on the new versions: Mehdi smooths things out with his "99 Rap Mix(3)," Mr. Oizo(3) keeps it stompy, and even So-Me scores on his spazoid cut-up "Get Naked Remix(4)." Add an all-over-the-map Bmore-rave-house mix from Crookers(5) and this shit's a wrap. These probably won't be around long, so... -Chris Lemon-Red
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By know you know that we here at Turntable Lab are bigtime supporters of French-based label Ed Banger Records. To put it succinctly, they're one of the finest labels around today, constantly innovating and releasing unexpected records that expand on their trademark...
expand review sound (which somehow stretches to cover multiple genres). DJ Mehdi already impressed us with his Chromeo-featuring, velvet rope-dissecting single "I Am Somebody(1)," but Lucky Boy shows the man to be a far more diverse producer than that track would've suggested. The woefully short "Signatune(2)" sounds like an intro for the best song that Daft Punk never made, but falls away after just a minute. (DJs, get to work!) "Pony Rocking(3)" not only features bumping drums and a fuzzy electro bassline, but also Uffie's producer/boyfriend and Ed Banger labelmate Feadz on the distorted chipmunk old school flow. Mehdi's multi-talented wifey (and longtime Alison Tara favorite!) Fafi shows up on "Lucky Boy(4)," which sounds like Portishead on Prozac (or something). "Hot-O-Momo(5)" features Xanax and comes closest to reproducing the vintage feel of "I Am Somebody," except more of a lost Prince track than a lost Chromeo joint. 14 tracks; 47 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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By know you know that we here at Turntable Lab are bigtime supporters of French-based label Ed Banger Records. To put it succinctly, they're one of the finest labels around today, constantly innovating and releasing unexpected records that expand on their trademark...
expand review sound (which somehow stretches to cover multiple genres). DJ Mehdi already impressed us with his Chromeo-featuring, velvet rope-dissecting single "I Am Somebody(1)," but Lucky Boy shows the man to be a far more diverse producer than that track would've suggested. The woefully short "Signatune(2)" sounds like an intro for the best song that Daft Punk never made, but falls away after just a minute. (DJs, get to work!) "Pony Rocking(3)" not only features bumping drums and a fuzzy electro bassline, but also Uffie's producer/boyfriend and Ed Banger labelmate Feadz on the distorted chipmunk old school flow. Mehdi's multi-talented wifey (and longtime Alison Tara favorite!) Fafi shows up on "Lucky Boy(4)," which sounds like Portishead on Prozac (or something). "Hot-O-Momo(5)" features Xanax and comes closest to reproducing the vintage feel of "I Am Somebody," except more of a lost Prince track than a lost Chromeo joint. 14 tracks; 47 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This one is for everyone who's been in line at a club or a party and had some dude push past them like "Yo I'm on the list - yeah, I know the DJ"Montreal's Chromeo hooks up with Parisian phenom DJ Mehdi...
expand review on the Ed Banger label for this track about trying to get on the other side of that velvet rope. In keeping with the theme of the record, I gotta say that we've been bumping this shit in the office for months, ever since Ed Banger sent us the advance copy. Mehdi lays down a sick (and I mean SICK!) electro groove and Dave from Chromeo gives an outstanding account of a night of weary club-hopping with uber-cool vocals on the Paris version(1). The Montreal version(2) surpasses it, though, with a simple and effective use of vocoder in key spots. Kenny Dope's remix(3) takes it from the club to the loft with a slightly tamer version for more low-key affairs. Also includes dub version of the Kenny Dope mix. -Chris Lemon-Red
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The newest Ed Banger signing (not to be confused with downtempo producer DJ DSL), at first listen, sounds like a French (or more French version) of Chromeo. "Invaders(1)" immediately separates itself from past Ed Banger releases with French raps and singing and...
expand review that Chromeo electro-pop sound (all the way down to the vocoder action). For those who can't handle the foreign tongue, there's also a mostly instrumental TV track version. And you know these Ed Banger dudes fight like prep school kids (in big packs, never one on one), so here come the remixes. Busy P's version(2) sounds like a Missile Command arcade machine gone Short Circuit. I'm digging the lowered bpms. Djedjotronic, who might be the next big French producer, delivers two(3,4) skillful chop jobs. If you like the DJ Mehdi stuff rather than the bleeding eardrum stuff, this Ed Banger might be for you. -the mgmnt
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This has to be the most anticipated single of the year so far. Everyone (Lab staff, customers, even my girl) has been bumping the shitty BBC radio rip of "D.A.N.C.E.(1)" for months - time to upgrade! If you haven't already heard this...
expand review beast of a tune, it's Justice gone disco, swapping out their usual fucked-up electronics for a children's chorus (who sound EXACTLY like Baby's Gang), a thick bassline, epic strings and a great breakdown. Both the radio edit and extended versions are included (go for the extended), as well as the DJ tool "B.E.A.T." And in case you missed out on the limited 12", "Phantom(2)" is thrown in for good measure. Cool pic sleeve from So-Me (again). ADDENDUM: It has come to our attention that this song may be a tribute to Michael Jackson. (They namecheck "ABC," "PYT" and "Black Or White," and "the way you move is a mystery" has to be a moonwalk reference.) If this is for real, the fact that it's sung by a childen's choir truly makes it the best song of 2007. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Import only, So-Me designed pic sleeve 7" version of Justice's new mega hit, "D.A.N.C.E.(1)" Flipside has the bouncier, less intense alternate mix, "B.E.A.T.(2)." Unlike the 12", these probably won't be around for very long. ADDENDUM: It has come to our attention that...
expand review this song may be a tribute to Michael Jackson. (They namecheck "ABC," "PYT" and "Black Or White," and "the way you move is a mystery" has to be a moonwalk reference.) If this is for real, the fact that it's sung by a childen's choir truly makes it the best song of 2007. -Chris Lemon-Red
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The biggest single of the year (as far as Lab's concerned) finally gets the proper remix treatment, plus a new version from Justice themselves. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke's remix(1) stands above the rest, chock full of their trademark lush synths which...
expand review somehow make anything they remix sound floating and awesome. MSTRKRFT's remix(2) is pretty nasty too, but Justice's new "live" version(3) outshines it in terms of pure dirty electro-ness. Jackson & His Computer Band's "J.A.H.C.B.(4)" won't be burning down any dancefloors, but it's definitely the most inventive and epic take I've heard on this track. -Chris Lemon-Red
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With its hulking frame and cool falsetto guest vocals from Mehdi of Scenario Rock, "DVNO" had to be the next single off Justice's ridiculously massive debut record. Justice have never been ones to let shit get stagnant, so the single includes their...
expand review own new remix(1) of "DVNO," a more distorted and turbo-charged version of the original that was unveiled recently on their MySpace tour. (How weird is that by the way? I'm picturing Rupert with the whole Ed Banger catalog on a shelf in his office.) Institubes' Surkin(2) starts his remix off all cheery and disco-like before getting launching into a chop sesh, bonus points for ill original theremin work! The Sunshine Brothers mix(3) rounds out the A-side T-Pain style with gentle beats and heavy vocoder. Flipside includes new versions from LA Riots(4) and Les Letits Pilous(5). -Chris Lemon-Red
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LAB U.S. EXCLUSIVO! Super limited repress (1,000 copies worldwide) of Ed Banger's special Xmas gift. Ed Banger sent these out as Christmas presents to friends of the label, but we got our hands on a few extra copies for you fiends. "Phantom(1)"...
expand review is, hands down, Justice's best track to date, easily eclipsing anything on the Waters of Nazareth EP, and it's got me totally salivating for their new mini-album in March. B-side features a preview of Justice's next single, "D.A.N.C.E.," and both sides have unique etchings. Act fast! -Chris Lemon-Red
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In case you missed out on the super limited promo release of "Phantom," Ed Banger's got your back with this expanded 12" with big dog remixes. The original(1) and Pt.II(2) take up the A-Side in all their slamming, Goblin-sampling glory. Check the...
expand review flip where you'll find the devastating Soulwax remix of "Phantom Pt.II(3)," which funks shit up with some Italo arpeggiators and sexy French vocal snippets, but just when you thought it was going all disco, they turn up the distortion and absolutely wreck it. Also features the Boys Noize remix(4) which starts of with a wicked buildup of vocoder chops that explodes into a punishing flurry of synths and drums. Amazing pic sleeve art work from So-Me of course. -snackmaster
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Okay, so we're a bit late on this one, but when a single is as good as this, it's always better late than never. Justice are longtime associates of another mysterious French duo, and though they definitely take a page or...
expand review two from Daft Punk's playbook, it's clear from the onset of "Waters of Nazareth(1)" that Justice have a completely unique twist on that super-heavy, crunchy electro sound. The title track is an absolute destroyer, shifting from a thumping low-end squelch that's alternately noisy and catchy to ethereal organs seamlessly (and doing so a few times during the course of the track) before ending in a glorious wash of feedback. That makes it sound like a total dancefloor killer, but believe me: this shit is danceable to the highest degree. The other two tracks here aren't too shabby either: the roaring "Let There Be Light(2)" is labeled as a demo version, but you'd never know to listen to it, and "Carpates(3)" is like the soundtrack to the hidden level of Contra that nobody ever saw where you have to fight Marilyn Manson's head on an octopus body. Comes in a handsome silver-on-black pic sleeve, too. -Chris Lemon-Red
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New cheaper domestic pressing. Round two! Parisian duo Justice are the men of the hour in the electro/dance community, having already remixed everyone from Britney to Daft Punk to Franz Ferdinand. They also recently signed to Vice Records, and have...
expand review provided us with this tasty EP to hold us over until they unleash their debut full-length later this year. "Waters of Nazareth(1)" was a huge success when it dropped on the EP of the same name last year; now, Justice head back to the track that spread their name far and wide, offering a remix/collaboration with fellow Ed Banger and Uffie producer, Feadz(2). The sleeve states that their remixes "contains elements from the forthcoming album," and if that's the case then I've got a new most-anticipated-album – even more obtuse and sputtering than the original, this remix may not blow up the dancefloor, but it's a hell of a listen. Speaking of blowing up the dancefloor, though, the B-side on this bad boy is designed to do just that, as electro-rock remixer extraordinaire Erol Alkan contributes a DJ-friendly re-edit(3) and DJ Funk(!) turns in the barely-recognizable "Bounce Dat Ass Remix(4)" of "Let There Be Light." -Chris Lemon-Red
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First off, Commish made the astute observation that Krazy Baldhead sounds like the name of an Adam Sandler character from SNL circa '95. Second off, this is a good bit different from anything you've heard on Ed Banger before. "Crazy Mothafuckaz(1)" features...
expand review New York's Tes and sounds more like something that would come out on his home label (Lex) or maybe even DefJux, but the production is still wild as hell. "Dry Guillotine(2)" is way more like what I was expecting: nu-rave beats with a cool Arabian flute breakdown, definitely dancefloor killer material. B-side features the straight out rave assault of the Midfield General remix to "Mothafuckaz(3)" and the jokey downtempo track "Applejuice(4)" (love that sample). Comes in a handsome pic sleeve designed by (who else?) So-Me -Chris Lemon-Red
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Transexual, asexual, truesexual, mysexual... Pedro aka Busy P has been hammering "Transexual(1)" on the Ed Banger tours, and finally it's available for junior Bangers out there. Mr. Oizo has taken on a new identity here calling himself the reincarnation of Michael Jackson,...
expand review and it goes perfectly with the Blade Running title track. "Ovoma(2)" is the other biggy on here, witness the femmebot synthesizers of death! Flip features "Patrick 122(3)," Mr. Oizo super-twisted take of a disco re-edit, and that other crazy track that Pedro's been playing early in his sets "Blind Concerto(4)" (the one that chops to half time). Cool SoMe cover illustration. -the mgmnt
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Another electro charged release from Ed Banger's Sebastian. As with most of their discography, Motor comes with a sleek new cover by So-Me and is pressed with maximum levels on cherry red vinyl. The track itself kills it with more fist pumping,...
expand review head banging, drug taking, noisy electro for that ass. With all the aggressive crunchy bass, epic breakdowns, and well timed bleepery, fans of Boys Noize, Puzique, Justice and ZZT will definitely appreciate. Careful with this one, it has a very short fuse. Once you drop it, step back and get ready for mayhem. On the flip, you'll find the much more digestable funky electro sounds of "Momy" and "Army." The disco sample on "Momy(2)" is pure gold and Sebastian freaks it hard. Slap bass, electro bass and well chopped loops all get together for the party. Also watch for the Italo-like breakdown at the end. It totally raises the intensity of the track, before dropping you into more fist pumping grooves. It's also my favorite on the wax. "Army(3)" takes the vibe into darker realms with tense chords and freaky vocal chopps. Definitely, different but signature Sebastian and a cool way to tie up the single. -C'mish
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It's the French equivalent of the '92 Dream Team, brought together for this limited edition sampler featuring music from Mr. Oizo's upcoming feature film debut, Steak. I know nothing about the film, and there's not much text (in English or French) to...
expand review help out, but judging by the artwork it could very well be an Ed Banger-style update of West Side Story. The music doesn't clear things up much either: "Skatesteak(1)" is totally addictive, sounding like a lost 70s relic with little choppy stop/start bits for good measure - in other words, it sounds like Sebastien Tellier with some Ed Banger dudes. (That's a good thing.) "C.H.I.V.E.R.S.(2)" gets heavier, dropping Tellier's wistful sound in favor of some crunchy distortion. On the flip, the quick, Krautish interlude "Letrablaise(3)" leads into the single's only straight-up pop track, "Hashis Vers(4)," featuring the trio(?) on vocals and, yes, some electric banjo and sax. If you're tired of the full-on electro assault from Ed Banger, this is a nice change of pace. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This is the import-only vinyl version of the new comp from the only label that pretty much everyone can agree on nowadays. What do we really need to say about this one? We sold a couple hundred copies of Justice's "Phantom(1)" in...
expand review a few days, so I'd have to imagine y'all are still hungry for it. Not to mention a lot of the shit here is previously unreleased and much-talked about, like Uffie's Hollerboard slam "Dismissed(2)" (no comment) or two tracks from the lesser-known but always great Mr. Flash, "Eagle Eyez(3)" and "Disco Dynamite(4)." You also get to catch up on some singles, like label head Busy P's "Rainbow Man(5)" and the Krazy Baldhead B-side "Strings of Death(6)." So-Me even gets inside the record sleeve this time with a remix of Klaxons' "Golden Skans(7)!" Features stunning artwork by So-Me. 14 tracks total. -Chris Lemon-Red
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This is the first ever CD compilation from the only label that pretty much everyone can agree on nowadays. What do we really need to say about this one? We sold a couple hundred copies of Justice's "Phantom(1)" in a few days,...
expand review so I'd have to imagine y'all are still hungry for it. Not to mention a lot of the shit here is previously unreleased and much-talked about, like Uffie's Hollerboard slam "Dismissed(2)" (no comment) or two tracks from the lesser-known but always great Mr. Flash, "Eagle Eyez(3)" and "Disco Dynamite(4)." You also get to catch up on some singles, like label head Busy P's "Rainbow Man(5)" and the Krazy Baldhead B-side "Strings of Death(6)." So-Me even gets inside the sleeve this time with a remix of Klaxons' "Golden Skans(7)!" Our good friends at Vice hooked it up with a US-exclusive bonus track, too – it's Busy P's remix of "What's Your Name Again(8)" by hotshot French rock outfit Fancy. 15 tracks total. Highly recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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The long awaited Ed Rec III comp is here, in all its French touch glory. You know the deal - fresh So-Me art on the outside and a whole mess of new and unreleased tracks from the Ed Banger fam on the...
expand review inside. Mr. Flash's "Over the Top(1)" mixes anthemic rock with a solid four on the floor, laced with lavish synths and even a solo! SebastiAn follows suit with "Dog(2)" but bests Flash's hardness with an all out barrage of metal/hardcore sound in his own signature chopped style. (This is what I imagine would be playing during a bad trip.) Don't get me wrong - I'm quite a fan of hardcore music, but this one could turn the breakdance circle into a mosh pit. Feadz's production for Uffie on "Robot Oeuf" is cool, but his real killer is "Back It Up(3)" with Spank Rock on the second piece of wax. Justice's live performance of "Stress(4)" rounds out disc one with its orchestro/electro blasts, full of all the lasers, pizzicato strings and timpani rolls you like and then some. Disc two is kicked off with one my personal favorites of the comp, Mr. Oizo's "Minuteman's Pulse(5)," and it is signature Oizo sound. A mesh of left field in the intro, but it comes together with a saxophone ditty, more lasers and strings. Second fav of this comp is Medhi's track "Pocket Piano(6)" - it's got a classic disco feel to it with rhythmic piano and congo patterns giving it life. Ed Banger art maestro So-Me rounds out the comp with with "Decalcomania(7)," a reflection of what his graphic work would be if it played sound - a solid, driving banger. 12 tracks total; double vinyl, gatefold jacket. -Chris Lemon-Red
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