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The second release to sport DFA's new Death From Abroad spin-off label. Altz, who hails from Osaka, Japan, has previously released singles and a full length on Bear Funk. He provides a fresh sound on the lead-off "Max Motion(1)" incorporating crisp breakbeats...
expand review to the disco-funk sound. The real show comes in the multitude of breakdowns he incorporates into the track. It has an awesome stop-go effect, perfect for getting the crowd into. It's like a Scruff track got but through a DFA blender. For the follow-up, Altz heads into the cosmic territory with "Yello(2)." Moving further into space, the Idjut Boys deliver the Hoe Down mix(3) of "Yello" on the flip (yes, it incorporates a country-rock sound, the next frontier?), plus the requisite Idjut dub version. -the mgmnt
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Alright, since this is Babytalk's second official release off his own Stickydisc label, this is the last time I'll mention that this dude was DFA's in-house mixing engineer. I know all the reviews mention it (and his MySpace), but if it were...
expand review me, I'd rather be treated as my own entity, not the guy who's the engineer of those famous new disco dudes. I mean, it's already evident in his sound, and he has Hercules & Love Affair on the remix, so it practically IS a new DFA record, but still, let's not beat a dead horse. With that said, this new release features Babytalk's follow up to "Keep On Move," the new disco instrumental jam "Change(1)." Check the elastic keys on the remix and hypnotizing disco bass on the original. It's the perfect vibe for drinking and dancing without overdriving your stamina (like French electro or Bmore can do). You can go all night to jams like this. Also the Hercules & Love Affair Remix(2) supes it up with harder percussive elements and melodic synthlines. Should get doubles if you really wanna wreck with Babytalk's cosmic dub remix(3) of himself. Always love that trick. -C'mish
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Who'd have thought the new DFA supergroup featuring the likes of Delia Gonzalez, Gavin Russom, Tim Goldsworthy, James Murphy, etc would have dreamt up this groovy little number? "Casual Friday(1)" sheds the suit and tie in favor of a loose party affair,...
expand review chock full of frivolous vocals (ed.note: with an underline) and wonky synth action. All the while, a driving disco bassline and handclaps aplenty keep them butts a-wigglin. And if vox ain't your thang, there's a handy instrumental(2) on the flip. Put that in your leotard and smoke it. -Roy Dank
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Not to be confused with Betty Botox, the latest addition to DFA's Death From Abroad label is the Parisian duo of Bot'Ox, aka Julien Briffaz and Cosmo Vitelli. These guys both do great things on their own (like Briffaz' [T]EKEL project and...
expand review Vitelli's I'm A Cliche label) so expectations were high for this release; fortunately, the single is really, really good. An extended dark disco jam with ill live instrumentation and plenty of FX work, "Babylon By Car(1)" manages to keep the "DFA sound" and still sound 100% original, like LCD's moody European cousin. Flip it over for some slo-mo Italo with breathy, dubbed-out vocals on "Tragedy Symphony(2)." Plays at 45. -Larri Byrd
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Original I'm A Cliche pic sleeve pressing of this single that later got picked up by DFA's Death From Abroad imprint. Bot'ox is the Parisian duo of Julien Briffaz and Cosmo Vitelli. These guys both do great things on their own...
expand review (like Briffaz' [T]EKEL project and Vitelli's I'm A Cliche label) so expectations were high for this release; fortunately, the single is really, really good. An extended dark disco jam with ill live instrumentation and plenty of FX work, "Babylon By Car(1)" manages to keep the "DFA sound" and still sound 100% original, like LCD's moody European cousin. Flip it over for some slo-mo Italo with breathy, dubbed-out vocals on "Tragedy Symphony(2)." Plays at 45. -Larri Byrd
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Second single from the In Ghost Colours album. In the usual Modular fashion, the track gets tricked out with remixes from currently on-fire producers. Tapping into current 80s trends, Calvin Harris(1) goes retro-electro boogie on his version. Similarly the Midnight Juggernauts(2) go...
expand review 80s with a freestyle meets synth pop take. Lastly, for the straight dancefloor version, cut straight to the new disco take from DFA's Holy Ghost!(3). Also includes the OG version(4). Strong set as usual for the Modular crew. -the mgmnt
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Escort is on a roll. Of all the stacks of new music we get, I don't know any other group that can nail these new disco singles like they do. "All Night Long" is the follow up to their ill "Brand New...
expand review Life" single and (like all of their releases) this one doesn't disappoint. Although many of you will head straight for the darker, housier, Italo feel of the Rapture remix(1) - which is awesome for killing crowds, don't get me wrong - I'll stick with the original(2). I'm just biased towards the classic disco sound. The vocals are mind blowing and I haven't heard the band sound crispier. Instrumental also included. -C'mish
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Free Blood sports an impressive resume for an unknown Brooklyn band. This year alone, they've opened up for Hot Chip's latest tour and released this single simultaneously on Rong and DFA. With the male-female chemistry, they remind me a bit of The...
expand review Kills but with more of the dance-y DFA vibe. There's two original tracks(1,2) here plus a dark disco remix(3) by Rong's Barfly. -the mgmnt
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The latest from these on-the-rise Brooklynites comes once again from both Rong AND DFA at the same time (talk about a good label deal), so if you haven't heard about these guys ilsten up. "Royal Family(1)" is a prime slice of modern...
expand review dance rock goodness that pushes the boundaries and blurs the edges. Slightly dark, but definitely danceable and with a quirky, artsy vibe. "Grumpy(2)" ups the BPMs to a speedy electro tempo adding funky bass and energetic vocals in the mix for a hip dance bomb... I can see both of these being played at bars in Williamsburg for the rest of the summer and then some! Of course you get the remix action - one from Brothers(3) who turn in a chuggin' electro version of "Royal Family" and one from UK DJ legend Greg Wilson(4) who does a dubbed out disco take on "Grumpy." -suicide bangs
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Gucci Soundsystem (aka Riton & Ben from Fat Truckers) step out of the remix shadows for an original 12" on the suddenly resurrected DFA label. "Acarpenter(1)" is a retro-sounding piece of techno-funk that takes a minute to warm up, but once those...
expand review 80s synth stabs drop in, it's a wrap. The B-side features an extended Joakim remix(2), but the real heat is the inside cut of the A-side, the rumbling "Lord A Mercy(3)." A-side plays at 33; B-side at 45. -Larri Byrd
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Listen to those warm drum kicks, minimal synths, lusty ghost vocals, and perfect snares... I'm in jacking heaven right now! But wait, the label says DFA. WTF? Where's the dirt? I dunno, and frankly, I don't give a rat's ass. This is...
expand review minimal jack house perfection. It reminds me of the deepness of an early Kevin Saunderson mixed with the sexiness of Murk, and in short... it's fucking awesome. We just played "Classique #2(1)" on the speakers here and it got automatic props from the Snackmaster and Minimal Man - the groove is that infectious. Not only is the low end hot, but check the catchy synth hook and vocals. Woo! "Roar(2)" on the flip is another heater in the same vein. Honestly, I don't know which side I like better. Just make sure the people you play this for know how to party, and for goodness' sake, make sure it's dark! Have you ever heard deep jacking grooves in a well lit place? It just doesn't work. -Cmish
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Finally some excitement in NYC! Hercules & Love Affair have been blowing up this year with their string of enticing singles, reviews and remixes... but are they the real deal? I'm not the first or last to say this, but yes, they...
expand review are. This is their long awaited full length LP release, finally available domestically, clearly setting some yardage beyond the status quo of dance albums this year. The project is made possible with Antony Hegarty (from Antony and the Johnsons) and Kim Annn Foxman on vocals, Tim Goldsworthy helping with production, a small army of live musicians, and the talents of an amazing young writer, Andrew Butler. Needless to say, they are killing it. I know it's hard to stay away from labels like, "Disco Revival" whose roots run deep in the veins of this city, but the only word I can think of is "Fresh." Fresh as is fresh new sounds, in a time when 80's boogie and disco edits are around every corner. Not that I don't love the old stuff, I adore it, but I also love this too, and it's a sound rarely heard. Of course you'll hear comparisons to Arthur Russell, Inner City, Sylvester, Bohannan, etc(the list goes on), but when is it ever bad to be compared to timeless greats? For a lean walkthrough of the Hercules & Love Affair experience, check "You Belong(1)," "Athene(2)," "Blind(3)," "Easy(4)," "Raise Me Up(5)," and "True Flase/Fake Real(6)." This is future classics in the making. Also, the vinyl version comes with a free download card that you can use to get the MP3 version. Highly recommended. -C'mish
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