quick audio picks: 1234
U-Man keeps coming with the fresh afro-dance sounds on the France's Down The Bush imprint. Blending traditional afro-house elements and just the right amount of electro-production (quite minimal, but noticeable). Check the a-side "Champion(1)" and the Chalice Cooper's remix(2). On the b-side,...
expand review U-man gets into serious latin jazz-dance sounds (the kind popularized in the UK) with "Bush Wants You(3)" and Callaloo's version "Green Note(4)." If you like this, make sure to check his previous release "Save Jane. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Ican is a huge Latin techno supergroup, now gracing the Planet E label with four tracks of serious techno, including a remix by Carl Craig. "Pa Mi Gente(1)" is a tough, Detroit flavored techno journey that kills it on a loud system....
expand review With rumbling bass and South American vocals, this one's been getting played by all the big guys. Next up, Carl Craig(2) delivers a more melodic and slightly more laid back mix, with dope synth work and nice percussion. Of course, Carl doesn't let us down with any kind of fluffiness, he adds a deep heavy kick and some dark elements into the mix. Last up, "Chiclet's Theme(3)" is another epic track, with driving beats and again, delicious Detroit flavor via beats and strings reminiscent of "Knights of the Jaguar." -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 12
The very stylish and undercover Redux label (previous releases by 40 Thieves, Greg Wilson, etc) delivers the unexpected with this sublime Bauhaus cover(1) by the unknown Fernando. Super-crisp, no-wave-style bass and drums with a respectful nod to the original. Includes instrumental...
expand review and a wicked Synth Dub version(2). Getting play from Trevor Jackson, Aeroplane, Optimo, Cosmo Vitelli, Tim Sweeney, and others. Recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Osborne's second single on Spectral Sound. If you thought he came out of nowhere with his knockout 2008 album, check this 2003 release and you'll be corrected. Osborne was killing the melodic electronica back when electroclash was ruling... check "Daylight(1)." ...
expand review Isolee comes with a super-creative, minimal remix(2); it takes a minute for it to register in your brain. Lastly, "Hydragilm Exit(3)" is one of those Aphex Twin-type atmospheric compositions complete with faux-scientific title. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
IDM is one of those genres that has a smattering of producers that really fuck it up for the rest of the good guys. It's a hard style to really perfect, and people think that smashing a mish-mash of dumb noises, effects,...
expand review and some droning bassline equals success - but thank fucking GOD for Kiln. Sunbox was one of those albums I used to listen to while driving around Michigan with my windows down, late at night, cruising through tree-lined streets and just enjoying the fact I wasn't doing anything. I could honestly listen to "Ghost(1)" on repeat for days on end and never get sick of its subtle blurps and crackles. Equally impressive is "Season(2)," with this calming chords and a warmth that shows that ambient is much like a fine wine - it just goes better when it's simple, and it's best to let it sit for a while before you dive in to it (Boy - that was the queerest thing I've said in... well... probably five minutes). Anyway... "Lux(3)" bubbles and broods along magically, and I honestly can say that its probably one of the most relaxing tracks Kiln has ever produced. This trio of producers sure know how to make some insanely good ambient - god bless Ghostly for putting out yet another marvelous album. Recommended. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 12
Nowadays, finding a good house record is like few and far between. Thankfully, there are people like Gilles Peterson and his historic and recently revived Brownswood label, who are keeping the deep house sound alive. On Brownswood's newest release, Moodymann is called...
expand review upon to remix Jose James' "Desire(1)." The result is a Detroit flavored lullaby so beautiful, it drips with soul, combining subdued piano chords, signature Kenny Dixon Jr. beats, and James' crooning vocals. On the flip, on of my favorites, the UK's Ben Westbeech, delivers a remix of "Love(2)" that's more dancefloor friendly, with a heavy kick and deep bassline that combines elements of the UK broken beat sound with the melodic Detroit sound we all love. Don't sleep on this one! -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 123
One-half of the DFA-signed duo Runaway, Jacques Renault (boss name; Twin Peaks references = win), contributes the latest smattering of obscure, dirty re-edits for RVNG's kick-ass 12" series. "Bad Skinned(1)" opens up with some zooming space FX before nestling into a lazer-shot...
expand review disco groove with saucy femme vocals, while "Sweet Rollin' On(2)" is a funky instrumental strutter bolstered by toight horns and some ace guitar work. There's also the string-driven slab of boogie "Tuxedo Dance(3)" and "Bad Skin Effect," which is the aforementioned space FX isolated at the end of the B-side for use as a helpful DJ tool. Sweet hand-screened jackets as always. Limited pressing; 1,100 copies. -Van Hammersly
quick audio picks: 1234
Limited edition repress of Matthew Dear's sought-after "EP2" from '03. I'm no expert on minimal techno (that would be that guy minimal man), but I must say that Matthew is able to make some seriously funky, butt-shakin music out of what would...
expand review seem to be just a bunch of beeps and bloops over a 4x4 drum kick. I guess that's the point of minimal no? Apparently this and "EP1" were some of the first waves of "microhouse" to come out of the US of A and influence DJs and producers on the other side of the pond (you can hear echoes of this style in a lot of those Get Physical releases coming out of Germany). If you're like me and missed out the first time around, these represses are a great way to see what the fuss is all about. Check the picks: "Lakonic(1)," "Krist (Ceiling)(2)," "Pinch & Pillage(3)," and "Making Out(4)." Recommended. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 1234
Limited edition repress of Matthew Dear's "EP1" from '03. I'm no expert on minimal techno (that would be that guy minimal man), but I must say that Matthew is able to make some seriously funky, butt- shakin music out of what would...
expand review seem to be just a bunch of beeps and bloops over a 4x4 drum kick. I guess that's the point of minimal no? Apparently this and "EP2" were some of the first waves of "microhouse" to come out of the US of A and influence DJs and producers on the other side of the pond (you can hear echoes of this style in a lot of those Get Physical releases coming out of Germany). If you're like me and missed out the first time around, these represses are a great way to see what the fuss is all about. Check the picks: "Laguna Madre(1)," "Reae(2)," "Hammers(3)," and "Versus You (4)."
quick audio picks: 1
No idea who Mr. O'Hoolihan is, but his nasty, pulsing electro take on M.I.A.'s "Paper Planes(1)" is sure to fly out of here with the quickness. Finely minced vocal samples, rolling dubstep bass and even a slow-down-speed-up break right out of Scottie...
expand review B's version make for an extremely satisfying remix. Limited pressing; one-sided whitelabel. Recommended. -Van Hammersly
quick audio picks: 12
Chris Martin (aka Nu Bono) and the boys are the latest to get the Dirty Funker treatment as the UK's mysterious house-rock remix maestro puts his touch on a pair of cuts from their new album. His mix of "Viva La Vida's(1)"...
expand review stuttering beats build up steam nicely along the way, teasing with those epic strings but never unleashing the full vocal fireworks. On the other side, "Violet Hill(2)" goes a tougher, more electro route. Limited pressing; pic sleeve. -Van Hammersly
indepth
