Like Shrubbery? - Tanzmann & Stefanik - Moon Harbour (DE)
Fantastic 3 track EP from the ever-consistent Moon Harbour camp. The
title track is a simple, subtle number with clicky, groovy beats and
the title sampled in very cheeky way. Funky and funky at the same
time. The flip features "Seaview Dinner" a silky, deep tech house
affair on the Steve Bug or Jeff Bennet tip, with an amazing bassline
and slow-building vibe. "Sense Appeal" wraps up the package with some
unreal synth work that moves the track progressively onward and
upward. Another outstanding package. ****(4 of 5)
Point Of Life - Hiroshi Wantanabe - Klik Records (GR)
The original version is a slow-developing minimal tech-house mover
with a ton of atmospheric pads and a long, silky breakdown that will
take you and your listener on a deep journey. But the standout here
is the "Mikael Delta Remix," which takes things up a notch or two,
with compelling, tribal infused drums and forward moving, progressive
undertones. Quality. ****(4 of 5)
Nitro - Jan Driver - Grand Petrol Recordings (DE)
It's been a while since I played a Jan Driver record in my set. After
hearing this EP, I will be playing several in my next set, and many
sets to follow. The two standout tracks here are "Whack!" a simple,
hard disco-flavored affair with trippy stabs and rough, jackin' beats
and "Ring My Balls" with its simple, electro-styled drums and a flavor
that is a cross between old school techno and new school Roman Flugel.
This is a track that will have trainspotters running to the booth and
the dancefloor bouncing like a basketball. Unreal EP. *****(5 of 5)
Holzkopf EP - 3 Phase - Toktok Records (DE)
Bublings, analogue synth lines, simple, minimal beats and quirky drum
patterns combine on this wildly diverse, four track EP from
experimental house/ techno label, Toktok. **(2 of 5)
Sickness - Jence - Systematic (DE)
Following up their massive 6th release, featuring label boss Marc
Romboy and Blake Baxter, Systematic is back with release number 7,
featuring Jence. "Sickness/ Fitness" is up first and is a
tension-filled, electro-flavored tech-house mover with dark bassline
and building percussive that drives the track onward and upward.
"Pogo Galactica" takes up the flip side and is a more rock influenced
jam that sounds like a cross between Steve Bug and The White Stripes.
Very retro, very 80s and very funky. ***(3 of 5)
Tiger - Kagami - Frogman Records (DE)
Two tracks of straight-ahead, techno-flavored party anthems. "Tiger"
is up first, with banging beats, big, brash percussive rhythms and
disco-flavored synths that fill up the space and engulf the senses.
Like a cross between Champion Burns, DJ Dan and Joy Kitikonti, this is
manic music for energy filled sets. The B Side brings us "Nite Bird,"
a dark, murky, old school rave-style rocker. ***(3 of 5)
Good People - Marco Militano - Bananza Music (US)
Release number four for red-hot Boston-based house imprint, Bananza
Music. Enlisting the talents of local boy, Marco Militano and the
remix assistance of label mates, TradeMarq and the ever-excellent
Joshua, this is a fantastic release. The "Original Mix" is a groovy,
sexy, jazzy house groove with fantastic sax improvisation, compelling
beats and a growing vocal that is at once soulful and poignant. The
flip features Joshua's "Vox Dub," a silky reworking with lush pads,
vocal samples and an amazingly fierce bassline. The disc concludes
with DJ Tari and Marco, under their TradeMarq guise on the remix
duties. Subtle, jackin' undertones and robotic vocal effects are
added to wrap up this top notch EP. Keep your eyes on this label as
they continue to move forward, one class release at a time. *****(5 of 5)
Situation - Mardel - SAW Recordings (US)
Newcastle, England based Mardel brings his talents to the mighty SAW
camp on their newest release. The "Vox Mix" is a smooth, sexy vocal
house affair with a dark funk-flavored bassline, swirling, atmospheric
keys and a luscious female vocal from Fay Barton. The "Dub Mix" takes
things in a deeper, more sinister direction, dropping some of the
upfront instrumentation in favor of a more space, minimal mood. Both
mixes are getting strong support from Hector Romero, Tedd Patterson
and David Morales (to name a few.) Grab this before everyone else
does, as it will be one of the summer anthems without a doubt. ****(4 of 5)
