Hot three track EP from Madrid's techno master Leandro Gamez. "Cidine" is up first with slow-building percussion, rolling bassline and melodic, lush, Detroit-styled synths, deep and sexy in all the right places. "Desajuste" is next, bringing simple, compelling drums, trippy keys and an overriding tension that increases and rises as the track progresses. The EP wraps up with "Wrong Direction," a dark, brooding, electro-tinged tech house grinder with ominous bassline and Green Velvet-styled vocals. ***(3 of 5)
Da Fix EP – Da Fresh – Zebra 3 Recordings (FR)
Another quality release from the supremely talented Da Fresh and the
Zebra 3 crew. "Kick Ya" starts things off and simply rocks, with a
phat analogue bassline, groovy rhythms and booty-shaking vocal
samples. "Musik" is a slow-building, hard tech house mover with
growling bassline, compelling rhythms and a ton of mood-setting
flavor. The disc concludes with "Ready To Feel Luv" an amazing, deep
sexy romp with female vocal loop, lovely keys and a compelling,
soulful bassline. Quality release. ****(4 of 5)
Untitled – Paul Mac & Vince Watson – Influenced (UK)
Simple, hot two track EP (on 10" vinyl) from two of my favorite
producers, Paul Mac and Vince Watson. Side A is a slow building,
acid-infused tech house mover with smooth percussion and uplifting
keys that will rock in the early part of a set. The flip is a more
gritty, minimal acid affair with rolling beats and a tricked-out,
old-school acid bassline. ****(4 of 5)
Acapulco Nude – Krystian Shek – Band Island Music (DE)
Stunning deep tech house rocker from Band Island Music. While this EP
features remixes from Jeff Bennett and Yangiyul, it is the original
that really does the job here. Subtle, slow-moving rhythms,
dub-influenced undertones and a massive, Detroit techno bassline come
together to simply kill anything in its path. I have never heard of
Krystian Shek before this release, but you can bet I will be on the
look out for future releases from him. Quality. ****(4 of 5)
The Most Beautiful Boy In Brazil (remixes) – Physics – Deeplay Music (SE)
OK, where to begin. This is a track that was previously released on
Deeplay Music and is now back with new remixes, ready to conquer the
summer of 2005. The "Playmaker Remix" is first, with chunky, West
Coast-style rhythms, vocal samples and deep, sexy flavor reminiscent
of a Hip-e or Onions track. The flip features a new remix by Physics,
taking their original and pumping it up considerably. Adding a more
upfront bassline and moving percussion, while retaining the
hot-to-death saxophone riffs, this remix is primed to destroy this
summer season. ****(4 of 5)
Ethna – Klement Bonelli – Deeplay Soultec (SE)
Let me begin and the end by saying this is one of my favorite records
of 2005, bar none. The original is a deep, sexy, slow-developing tech
house affair with subtle bass and lovely, Detroit style keys the are
reminiscent of Knights of the Jaguar or Strings of Life. The flip
features the "12th Floor Remix" and is the real gem here. Rocking
beats, sexy bass and an uplifting synth line that absolutely kills.
This is my #1 track at the moment, by a long shot. *****(5 of 5)
Gypsy Woman – Wall Five – Reel Musiq (JP)
When I received this promo and read the title, I was a bit
apprehensive. Gypsy Woman is an all-time house classic, and I
couldn't imagine how anyone could turn this into a techno track and
keep it from sounding cheesy. I dropped the needle on the record with
a look of concern on my face, but as the track progressed, I found my
head bobbing and my expression changing. An uncontrollable smiled
washed over me, as I started to really get into this remix. Two
nights later, I dropped this in a packed club and the room just lit up
and I knew I had a winner on my hands. Find this record, you wont
regret it. *****(5 of 5)