Full Length
Asa Breed - Matthew Dear – Ghostly International (US)
I honestly don’t know what to make of this disc. Taking us beyond dance music, Dear explores lots of styles and flavors here, and in the best places he shines brightly. But as an overall piece of work, it seems disjointed and never really finds its spot. I am all for an artist searching for his “voice”, but I vote for less mediocre singing and more dance floor moving.
** (2 of 5)
Sound – Various (mixed by Black Van) – Moonbootique Records (DE)
The first mix complication from young label, Moonbootique – brings forth a hot selection of tracks of previously released and new gems, heard for the first time here. Stand out cuts include “In the Sky” by Moston & Malente, a big room electro mover and “Dark City” by Maniax, a colossal house slayer. If you are looking for an introduction to this strong new imprint, this is a great place to start.
*** (3 of 5)
Fabric 34 – Various (mixed by Ellen Alien) – Fabric (UK)
German techno DJ/ Producer extraordinaire, Ellen Alien calls next in the Fabric series, delivering this truly gripping mix. Combining trippy, mind numbing tracks from Schubert and Damian Schwartz, with melodic movers from Cobblestone Jazz and an emotional closer by Apparat – Alien does it all with substance and style.
*** (3 of 5)
Grand Cru – Various – Connaisseur Recordings (DE)
One of my favorite labels for many years, Connaisseur drops this double disc full of ace material. Disc One is a collection of label artists, all lending brand new tracks, running the gamut from dance floor movers “Zugunruhe” by Ripperton, to moody destroyers “Tribute” by Afrilounge, and retro bombs “Crawl Around” by Daso & Pawas. Also included is a second disc, featuring a mix of past releases from label mate, Patrick Chardronnet. Quality compilation.
**** (4 of 5)
Playin’ Out – Dubble D – 20 20 Vision (UK)
I admit it, I am biased here. The first full length from Dubble D, “Reaching Out” was one of my favorite albums of the last 5 years - so it was with great anticipation that I hit play on this disc. Finding a way to make divergent styles come together perfectly, Dubble D mixes up Jazz, Funk, Soul, House and Breaks – in an amazing musical stew. After four listens in a row, this album is destined to live in long term, heavy rotation in my car and mp3 player. Amazing release.
***** (5 of 5)
Unhuman – Motor – Novamute (US)
Picking up where their massive debut “Klunk” left off, Motor is back to rock the paint off the walls on this truly fantastic sophmore release. Take a pinch of Nitzer Ebb, a teaspoon of Speedy J, and a heaping helping of Iron Maiden – and you have an approximation of what Motor is all about. Mr. No and Bryan Black are masters of their realm and deliver exactly what the doctor ordered, a heaping helping of in your face, rocking electronic madness.
***** (5 of 5)
Singles
Sexy EP – Marco Nastic – Earresistible Music (SL)
Both cuts are more laid back and groovy than Marco’s pervious releases, but he shows he can deliver the deep goods as well. “Sexy” is a chunky, compelling mover, with lush keys and emotive synths, while “Unforgotten Mornings” is an equally beautiful excursion. Unfortunately, this track has a “faux” scratched vinyl sample that is simply too annoying to get past.
*** (3 of 5)
Is It Deep? – Moog Conspiracy – Elektrotribe (DE)
Six tracks of undeniable minimal from Moog Conspiracy and Berlin based, Elektrotribe. Stand out cuts include the original mix of “Code Alfa”, a stripped down, moody mover, and the Digital Filth Remix of “Drop”, complete with fat beats, glitchy stabs and a ton of filthy, techno grit.
** (2 of 5)
