quick audio picks: 12
About a week ago, Snackmaster leaned over to me and said "Yo, they're repressing the first batch of Metalheadz records!" For the next 45 minutes or so, me and him went through the entire back catalogue, did some major headbobbin', and shouted...
expand review out "rewind!" and "boh selektah!" a couple hundred times. Serious timewarp shit here! This is when drum and bass really WAS drums and bass. "Pulp Fiction(1)" was the fuckin' jumpoff back in the day. Sure, the synth trumpet sounds way dentist office, but this track was about as perfect and brilliant as they came back in the day. Any time someone dropped this, every hand went up and bounced to the beat, and you could pretty much light a room on fire with that rolling bassline. Jazzing things up a little more with some wicked stabs and smooth piano rolls, "Chill Pill(2)" definitely screams "Goldie." While I'm no D'n'B expert, I know my way around the classics fairly comfortably, and this record, both sides, are about as true to the word "classic" as they come. Recommended for its timeless brilliance. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 12
This record comes together on all fronts. Firstly, the 80s collage cover art by Nina Tobien is an appropriately twisted way to start off the experience. Bonus points if you can name the source of the mouth (it's not Bullworth, I think...
expand review it's from a metal cover). Alter Ego backs up the visuals with the awesome "Gary(1)." It's equal parts Blade Runner, cult Italian soundtrack and lost dark disco record. If you like Padded Cell, then you'll most likely swerve to this. To top off this already impressive package, they enlisted none other than remix master Carl Craig to deliver the b-side remix(2). Predictably, he destroys it. Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Extremo heatage alert. In the recesses of my brain, I always thought Mr. Fingers' "Can U Feel It" would sound exalted with some appropriate vocals (just like how "Hot Music" got blown up a couple years ago, remember one hit wonder K-Os?)....
expand review Well, "If I Feel It(1)" is as dream-like as I could have ever imagined... Amp Fiddler dueting with Corrine Bailey Rae over a re-edit of "Feel It?" Getdaphucouttahere. On the flip "If I Witness(2)," the same Amp-Bailey combo rides over another super-popular beat, Roots Manuva "Witness The Fitness." Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234
Armand Van Helden's "Funk Phenomena(1)" has consistently been one of our most requested dance classics, but hard to track down on any format. This 1996 hit is a bonafied classic in multiple genres including house and funky breaks, hell, you could get...
expand review away throwing it down in a hip-hop set. When I call this thing a "classic," there's no deciphering or interpretation to do, just listen, this track is pure stoopid fire. It has a universal, brainless, clear-cut formula, similar to a trusted Kenny Dope party break. Plus, was their anyone better to snatch samples in the mid-nineties from than Redman, after all that whole drum and bass / hip-hop remix movement was partially Red's indirect doing? You get the original 7 minute original version(1) plus the Kenny Dope's hip-house remix(2), MS T's Phenomenon remix(3), and the Ras Mix(4). Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123456
Ayres proves once again that he like make dance of all kind with this diverse EP of dance / house remixes and edits. The A-side keeps it more current with Kid Sister's "Pro Nails" vs. Surkin's "Radio Fireworks(1)," Masters At Work's "Work"...
expand review vs. South Rakkas' Chinkuzi riddim(2) and a drumline remix of Pharrell & Twista's "Give It Up(3)" (a team-up with Canada's Smalltown DJs). The B-side is focused on house classics, including Bmore edits of Lidell Townsell's "Nu Nu(4)" and 4Hero's "Mr. Kirk's Nightmare(5)," and a seriously beautiful club version of Black Box's "Everybody Everybody(6)." Are those sleestaks on the center label? More ammo for your crate from Ayres. Recommended. -Larri Byrd
quick audio picks: 123456
First they dropped the Ayres & Titties Bmore megamix on Money Studies. Then it was the first ever Bmore battle record on A-Trak's Ammo Records. Tittsworth & DJ Ayres continue their themed release dominance with the new one on their own T&A...
expand review Records, Ultimate T&A. Grey market Bmore remixes collide with grey market breaks compilations, as Titts & Ayres & Co. flip the Ultimate Breaks & Beats theme and rework some fonky classics. On the A-side, "Go Back(1)" has Ayres chopping the Jimmy Castor Bunch to bits, then gluing them back together with hard claps and nasty horn stabs. A-Trak's version of "Sir Duke(2)" is spot on - not too goofy, not trying too hard to be hype. (The subtle, unexpected cuts on the hook are a nice touch.) Tittsworth finishes the A-side with his mix of Ray Charles' "Georgia(3)," then starts off the flip with the EWF classic "September(4)." There's something about Tittsworth and Earth Wind & Fire - they just go together. The best is saved for last though, as DJ Eli (yes, of Fondle 'Em fame!) reworks James Brown on "Papa(5)" and Bamabounce (aka DJ Taj) brings the house down with Minnie Ripperton's "Lovin' You(6)." Artwork by Burlesque's Mike 2600. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 123
Woooooowww. Here's something you don't hear everyday. I'll be straight with you, Beta Evers is fuckin' weird man, but i guess that's their appeal. Check their Myspace. It's seriously on some futuristic less is more shit and doesn't say a thing about...
expand review them. Just the tracks featured here. The Transient EP is the first album we've carried by them and it's three tracks of dark, gothy, horror-tinged, electro tracks with a smoky voiced ghostly vocalist. "Prisoner Of Mind(1)," starts with a sci-fi horror synth line with a droning bassline and some seriously dark lyrics faintly singing Prisoner of the Mind. Perfect for when you feel like being left alone. "Paralyze(1)" is probably my favorite track on here, 'cause it's like Goth Acid man! Crazy synth lines and dark percussion driving you to the breaking point. Makes me wanna put on dark eye liner and shoulder shake with the devil's bride! "Foreign Control(3)" continues the mayhem, with more dark wave sounds. If it had a more abrasive percussion, it could be the comeback of industrial(which will be the new thing after this nu-rave thing dies). If you're brave enough to go against the grain, I'd have to say - it's recommended! -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
It's time for an official pressing of the "Percolator." This new silver label junx also features 2 remixes not on the whites. The Keep Movin mix(1) is a pretty cool instrumental variation, while the Green Velvet mix(2) is the industrialized take. Here's...
expand review what we had to say about the original version (also included): One of the radio stations in Maryland played this track when it first came out, instantly starting a craze in my middle school. I never actually heard the song, but I played along to act like I was in the know. Kids walked around school saying the chorus: It's time for the percolator... it's time for the percolator. I thought it was about chicken breeding or something. Over 10 years later, this track is now considered a classic piece of Chicago techno. Furthermore, it's achieved that status across several genres including house, rave, and b-more club. In fact, you can argue that it is one of the foundational b-more club tracks, and remains a staple spin to this day. Back to the actual song... "Percolator" features a childlike quality to it: the mysterious chorus, the rubber suction noises, and that waning tone. It immediately captures the feeling of being in a warehouse engulfed by bass and strangers. It has a unique power of unfamiliarity. Curtis Jones produced this oddity in 1992, releasing it on his label of the same name (early home to DJ Sneak and others), and ever since it has become one of those tracks that's been bootlegged to hell. You should be able to mash this up somewhere in your set, guaranteed to draw a crowd to the booth every time. By the way, the original title to this track was "Coffee Pot," solving the whole percolator mystery. Lookup "percolator" in the dictionary and you'll get: "A coffeepot in which boiling water is forced repeatedly up through a central tube to filter back down through a basket of ground coffee beans." What about them chickens? -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Recorded live in Paris in September of 2006, Carl Craig brought his rare leftfield jazz sounds to the stage with the help from popular Om Records saxophonist Wendell Harrison, and keys provided by Kelvin Sholar (old friend of C2's) and "Mad" Mike...
expand review Banks of Underground Resistance fame. Without even listening, you can put together all this information and pretty much formulate the same answer I'm about to give you - this record is amazing, and it really makes me wish I could travel more. Ignore the fact that Carl looks bored as fuck on the cover art sitting at the table - this record spanks! A-side warmup "Twilight(1)" sets the general mood - swirling atmospherics, wicked solos, and that always noticeable attention to detail C2 brings to all his production. But where the real action is is the B-side's "At Les(2)". Wooooah daddy! Now THAT is some serious Detroit heat! I can't even imagine how bonkers the crowd was going during this - what a damn treat those Parisians got! Bastards! Really wish I had a recording of the whole live set... maybe Carl has a trick up his sleeve for a future Planet-E CD release? One can only hope... but for now, I'm going to eat my freedom fries and enjoy this fine piece of musical bliss. Easy recommendation on this one. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 123456
K7 is one of the most important names in DJ mixes and Carl Craig is a giant in the Detroit techno and house world. Get both together and, as you'd expect, the chemistry is on fire and the result epic. This 3LP...
expand review release takes a handful of the most wanted tracks from his K7 Sessions mix and gives you full, unmixed versions for the dancefloor. Check the diverse selections. From minimal, jazzy, to big room tracks, Craig is the man and he gives you all that. Everything is remixed, produced or both by Craig himself and as a bonus he throws in some unreleased tracks. Do yourself a favor and sample the smooth yet heavy sounds of Directions' "Busted Trees - Remix(1)," the hypnotic funkiness on Paperclip People's(Carl Craig) "Throw - Unreleased Version(2)," the sophisticated vocals on Beanfield's "Tides - SessionsRemix(3)," and the futuristic jazz sounds of Innerzone Orchestras'(Carl Craig) - "Bug In The Bass Bin - Sessions Remix(4)." Also, the hot Junior Boys' "Like A Child - Remix" and the pumpin' Delia Gonzales & Gavin Russom's "Relevee - Remix" which we had for a quick minute at Lab but now are gone. So if you missed 'em here's a perfect chance to get crispy vinyl versions. To collectors of dance music like myself, this is so necessary. Recommended. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
One of the most in-demand re-edits around, Carl Craig splices up the Talking Head's "Once In A Lifetime" exposing it as the spacey loop affair it actually is (while adding no new elements or effects). That song has got some mystical powers....
expand review I was always amazed when Spinna would drop this track in the middle of a hip-hop set (circa late nineties). The crowd would be like "wha," but he always knew it was dope. Flip features a re-edit of the intense electro cut "There's A Woman" by Gino Soccio. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Oh shit, this is a killer re-edit of a classic that's been sampled for a famous hit single, so please, watch out for falling name drops! From the very first notes of this, everyone will go, "Yay! It's Stardust!" It sounds...
expand review like it's gonna be "Music Sounds Better With You," the hit single by Thomas Bangalter (half of Daft Punk) and Alan Braxe. It'll grab peoples' attention for sure, only to have them flip out that's it's another house edit of the original song sampled for Stardust, Chaka Khan's "Fate." The re-edit is by disco legend Man Friday, and he keeps Chaka's soul intact in all its glory. Just played this on Friday night and although it followed up some electro track, the familiarity of it kills everytime. For once, please play the vocal(1) version of this. The dub(2) is cool also, adding an acid-like bassline for the pumpin' midnight groove hour, but I can't help listening to the soulful version. It's like liquid gold. Recommended. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 1234
Herve is back in his Count disguise, dropping the highly awaited "Dibby DJ(1)." This bastard ragga-dance track annihilates Cutty Ranks' "The Stopper," and is destined to be one of the biggest tracks of the year. Traveling along in similar Pentz paths, Herve...
expand review bmores (yes, I just used it as a verb) Hollertronix-fave "Bad Man Forward" with equally effective results. "My Condition(3)" might get overlooked with those 2 no-brainers on here, but don't overlook this evolved, next movement fidget track. Also includes "Bounce That Ass(4)" which would have been an A1 track on any other record. Top level creativity and energy, highly recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 12
Electro 101 right here, kids. This record, "Al-Naafayish," and a coal mining helmet with a strobe light on top and you're legitimate techno wizard boy #747. If I was a 50-something recovering hippie-cum-preraver or this was a Pitchfork review (same difference), I...
expand review would probably call this "a slice of electro-fried protoplasmic funk" or some stupid shit. As it is, all I'm gonna say is you need to buy this and turn your stereo up as loud as it goes and put your ear up to the speaker until you get sound induced apoplexy. Probably right around the time that wet, dirty gravel someone had the nerve to call a fucking bassline begins its 3rd crawl around your scalp. Once the first layer of your eardrums has been cut into angel hair flesh sheets and the drum track has morphed into a frozen squalid toothbrush foam brain barrier, it might be time to utilize that medic alert keychain Auntie Zelda let you borrow for the weekend. Completely ridiculous that this is getting burn just now as a Missy sample. Shit has been a fucking staple for 20 years, and best believe that it's going to sound as mind numbing in 200 years. When "Lose Control" is just that track that sampled "Clear(1)" in the dancyclopedia fagtanica, new generations of kids will still be getting turned on to Cybotron. Completely indispensable record. -Bob Bannister
quick audio picks: 12
I must admit... when I saw that we got another Deadset album, I rolled my eyes to myself and was like "whoopy" in my internal monologue. But, being the tro
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