Full Length
Human Response – Slam – Soma (UK)
Long time techno stalwarts, Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle are back with their newest full length excursion. Well conceived dance floor movers (“No One Left to Follow”, “Where Not Here”, and “Azure” – to name a few), are inter mingled with laid back, introspective, ambient works. The result is a disc that is equally at home in your car, living room or on the dance floor.
**** (4 of 5)
Fabric Live 34 – Various (mixed by Krafty Kuts) – Fabric (UK)
The Fabric Live series continues from strength to strength, with one of the most engaging and creative heads on the scene, Kraft Kuts. From “The Message” by Grandmaster Flash and “Funky Jam” by Primal Scream, to the usual suspects from the world of breaks (Plump DJs, Freestylers, and Krafty himself), this disc is chock full of energy and enough twists and turns to satisfy any Formula One driver.
**** (4 of 5)
Some Other Country – Swayzak – K7 (US)
On this, their fifth full length release Swayzak displays a depth and maturity that only time and experience can provide. From the opening strains of the eerie “Quiet Life”, through the trippy house of “Distress and Calling”, and the techno influenced “By The Rub Of Love”, this is a wildly diverse outing that takes you on an aural journey. There are places that it all gets too moody and melancholy for my tastes, but where it succeeds – it does so with flying colors.
*** (3 of 5)
Dimensions of House Music – Masi & Mello – So Deep Music (US)
I met Dean Masi about 5 years ago at the DJ Expo in Atlantic City, and I have been continually impressed with his progress as a producer and DJ. He is truly one of the hardest working people in dance music, and along with his partner Mello, turns out quality tracks, time after time. This release is a collection of their best tracks, from their monster reworking of “Can You Feel It” by Mr. Fingers, to their collaborations Erick Morillo, P. Diddy and Jody Watley. Full of energy and positive vibes, this is an exceptional release.
**** (4 of 5)
12” Singles
The Remixes – Terry Lee Brown Jr. – Plastic City (DE)
Two tracks from Terry Lee Brown Jr.’s excellent full length “Karambolage” are handed over to scene legends, Swayzak and Eddie Richards. The Swayzak remix of “Across the Ocean”, is tight, but the real stand out here is the Eddie Richards remix of “Hold Em”, complete with subtle grooves and a rising, acid house synthline that simply destroys over time.
***** (5 of 5)
Unreliable Virgin – Argy – Cocoon Recordings (DE)
Two tracks of compelling minimal from Greek producer Argy. While I like the title cut, it’s the B Side “Malenta” the really does it for me. Slow building rhythms, repetitive keys and a ton of swirling stabs and effects come together to form a truly inspiring, hypnotic mover. This is sure to have your crowd dancing, smiling and getting down in no time.
***** (5 of 5)
Worth The Wait – Vorsprung – Brickhouse Records (DE)
UK based Vorsprung (don’t let the name fool you), find their way to Brickhouse Records and the remixing desks of Dave Spoon and Analog Life. Spoon takes a deep, smooth original and gives it a complete work over, finished with thick electro bassline and a ton of bouncy energy. The flip features a more straight ahead house remix from Analog Life.
**** (4 of 5)
Unbound – Murat Ozer – Connect Four Records (DE)
Lovely EP from Turkish producer Murat Ozer, on this new offshoot of the ever consistent, Tic Tac Toe Records. Side A features the original mix of the title cut, and a more upfront front remix from Theodor Zox, but it’s “Yip” on the flip side that does it for me. Subtle grooves, lush undertones and silky laid back vibe rock this truly amazing late night jam.
**** (4 of 5)
Bomber EP – Mihalis Safras – Enemy Recordings (US)
Minneapolis based Enemy Recordings drops this 3 tracker, featuring the production skills of Mihalis Safras. While I like “Bomber” and “Dia”, it’s the simply infectious “Minitech” that does it for me. Compelling minimal beats, vocal stabs, trippy keys and a ton of underlying tension make this a perfect way to set up an early techno set. Quality as usual.
**** (4 of 5)
Childhood’s End – Pele – Connaisseur Superieur (DE)
Amazing debut on Connaisseur for German newcomer, Pele. The original mix of “Childhood’s End” is one of the most gripping pieces of deep techno I have heard in years. Lush pads, thick analog chords and compelling riffs that will rip apart any dance floor, in the most musical way possible. Add the killer “Kollektiv Turmstrasse Remix” and you have a 12” that is a requisite purchase. Love it.
***** (5 of 5)
Fortuna – Ritch & Collins – Get Physical (DE)
Taking things in a harder direction that we are used to, Get Physical bring forth a slammin’ 4 tracker from French producers, Collins and Ritch. The title track, “Fortuna” is a slow rising, dance floor destroyer with hypnotic undertones and foundation rocking beats. “Pumkin” and “Waldorf” are both solid, but you will find yourself reaching for the title track over and over.
***** (5 of 5)
