quick audio picks: 1234
4T4, aka Ultrasonic 7, is one of Belgium's top underground DJ's. Here he throws some hot stuff at us, starting off with the banging "It's Just Begun(1)," a cover of the Jimmy Castor Bunch's funk classic, full of sweet saxophones, as well...
expand review as a catchy vocal. Next up, "Stakker Humanoid(2)," a cover of Humanoid's 1992 dance classic, is chock full of 303's, and some other crazy synth work- super rockin and deep breakbeat / acid / techno craziness for the dancefloor. Last up are two mixes of "Last Night(3)," a 90's Euro flavored dance track featuring Nia Saw of Zap Mama. -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 1234
Nordic Trax does it again, proving they can withstand the death of house, by adding a little breath of life to the scene with this 12", featuring remixes by our favorite, the Lawnchair Generals. The original version of "Believe En Me(1)" is...
expand review in the vein of most of East's productions- smooth and deep vocals that never get annoying, over crisp beats and deep sounds. The "Push of the Jams Mix(2)" is a slower, super smooth and beautiful number, great for morning play. But folks, it's all about the return of the Lawnchair Generals here. Their "Believe En East Mix(3)" is pure LCGs greatness. A rubbery bouncy bassline, perfect use of the vocals, and perfect beats, making this one yet another perfect LCGs remix. These guys take a long time on each release, and it's pretty obvious why, upon one listen. Last up is the LCG's "Believe En West Mix(4)," a more stripped down version of their other mix, with some serious subbass and mean synth work. -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 12
Ame is literally responsible for changing the sound of dance music today. And their scope of success reaches beyond the dancefloor, as demonstrated here with this 12", originally composed for a German ballet performance at Berghain, Berlin's world famous club. "Fiori" was...
expand review then featured on the "Shut Up & Dance" CD to wide acclaim. The original version of "Fiori(1)" is a 17 minute deep lush ambient track that samples Klaus Schulze's Kraut classic "Stardancer II." This is an epic track that builds and builds with time, full of complex rhythms and melodies. The club mix(2) adds a kick and those typically beautiful Ame arpeggios and repetitive, hypnotic melodies. Still has an ambient vibe, but a great track for end of the night or afterhours play. -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 12
Ane Brun is a songwriter, vocalist, and guitar player, and a rising star in Norway. Her third album is at #1 on the Norwegian charts, and she now graces Dennis Ferrer's Objekitivity label, with this 12", as a teaser to her upcoming...
expand review album. First up, we have Henrik Schwarz's mix(1), which was created live on his laptop. The track has the same feel of an Ame track, with lush, deep electronic sounds and Brun's stunning vocals. On the flip, Innervisions' Dixon, one of my favorites, delivers a stunning, hypnotizing edit of the original. Special record here- do not sleep! -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 123
Is "hype minimal" an oxymoron? You know, like "jumbo shrimp?" Many fans will disagree, especially when it comes to the beast which is Matthew Dear. Woop! I meant Audion, same difference. These are the "hype" new minimal tracks from Matt's moniker adding...
expand review to his flawless roster of releases. Click on the main track, "Billy Says Go(1)," for a cosmic ride through the stargate to ancient times. The sound it is strange, eerie and pumping, and he pulls it off with grace. Also check the minimal tech house sounds of (in Randy Savage's voice) "Snap Into It(2)" and "Against All Odds(3)." Gotta check the end of that last track. Seriously takes me back to some sweaty 4am dancin'. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
You know a track is huge when it starts getting drum n bass remixes in 2008. When it comes to Axwell's "I Found U" there's no question the track has reached stadium status, so it was only a matter of time till...
expand review it got the drum n bass remix. And for better or worse, that time has come. High Contrast has taken up the task of DnB-izing "I Found U" and this 12" offers two flavors of his remix. The first is the Berlin After Dark Mix(1) which sticks closely to his usual Hospital Records style - grinding bass with sprinkles of synths on top and sped up vocals from Axwell. Of course there are even built-in stadium crowd cheers on the breakdown! Surely this goes off well in Europe. The Oldskool Revenge Mix(2) offers... you guessed it, an oldskool rave style! The familiar rave piano chord progressions are very prevalent in this mix as well as some very recognizable classic synth and bass sounds. In the right context (Europe), this will kill. Get the glowsticks and UFO pants ready and start practicing your high- speed Tecktonik moves. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
Anthem builders Axwell and Bob Sinclar join forces(1) for this cerebral slammer. It starts with an innocent spoken word segment... the groove is cool... but when the beat drops, get the hell out of my way (very similar to "Be"). People eat...
expand review up this spiritual elevation - freedom shit. Dub version on the flip(2). Love the old hip-hop cover bite too. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Woooooowww. Here's something you don't hear everyday. I'll be straight with you, Beta Evers is fuckin' weird man, but i guess that's their appeal. Check their Myspace. It's seriously on some futuristic less is more shit and doesn't say a thing about...
expand review them. Just the tracks featured here. The Transient EP is the first album we've carried by them and it's three tracks of dark, gothy, horror-tinged, electro tracks with a smoky voiced ghostly vocalist. "Prisoner Of Mind(1)," starts with a sci-fi horror synth line with a droning bassline and some seriously dark lyrics faintly singing Prisoner of the Mind. Perfect for when you feel like being left alone. "Paralyze(1)" is probably my favorite track on here, 'cause it's like Goth Acid man! Crazy synth lines and dark percussion driving you to the breaking point. Makes me wanna put on dark eye liner and shoulder shake with the devil's bride! "Foreign Control(3)" continues the mayhem, with more dark wave sounds. If it had a more abrasive percussion, it could be the comeback of industrial(which will be the new thing after this nu-rave thing dies). If you're brave enough to go against the grain, I'd have to say - it's recommended! -C'mish
quick audio picks: 1234
Portugual wunderkind Portable is a well-known name amongst those in to microhouse and abstract beats, so when the world found out he was making a dancefloor album, they knew they were in for something good. But when they found out it was...
expand review coming out on Ghostly? They knew it would be nothing short of fantastic. Quirky dance tunes like "I, Data(1)" and "World Without End(2)" come across with Kraftwerk like precision and style, while the chunky acid beats of "Equidistant(3)" slide in under the radar for those much needed head-trips. Don't forget that IDM jam "Nanotechnology(4)," either - shit's a scorcher!! Definitely one to slide in one long car trips or boring subway rides - its guaranteed to be a perfect sountrack for any occassion. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 12
After a highly entertaining Live PA debut at this year's WMC in Miami, Matt Johnson and Bons drop everyone's favorite ghetto bass-infected party jam on Bon's own Inuendo imprint. "Slumberparty Massacre(1)" takes the house-focused label one step further with an electro-pop crossover...
expand review joint that has been teasing the girls properly with lyrics like "Slumber party massacre- we like young girls tight... I'll beat that kitty right." Johnson's signature dirty basslines and synth work keep the floor moving and promise to get these guys some big exposure with this playful sound. "JY's Juicy Booby Remix(2)" has hotshot of the moment Joey Youngman dropping a solid four/four thump and west coast keys behind the vocal for a deep ride. Youngman's mix has been getting big attention and rocks the party almost as well as the original. Four versions, including two instrumentals, this one is hard to track down and you won't find it at many other stores. -Mike Walsh
quick audio picks: 12345
This just in! Booka Shade's vinyl release of their new album. If you heard the CD, you've already got a taste of the minimal, tech-house and modern dance flavors that define Booka Shade. The whole album is an artful electronic journey through...
expand review sound giving you heightened moments of ecstasy (like their single "Charlotte") as well as aerobic cool down soundtracks. It's pretty much made for listening and soaking in. And if you have Serato kickin, you probably don' t think the vinyl is necessary, right? Hell nah, bizznatch. These are all the dance mixes they made especially for the DJ's who get live. As far as I know, these mixes aren't available on digital format, making them pretty rare compared to the accessibility of mp3's nowadays. Here's some prime examples of what you're missing: the pumped up "Charlotte - Extended Mix(1)," the dance mix of "Sweet Lies - Spotlight(2)," the hype version of "Dusty Boots(3)," and the dancefloor heaters "Redemption - Factory Mix(4)" & "Monkey On My Deck(5)" which aren't even on the CD version! If you want a listening experience, the CD is perfect. If you wanna pump up your next set, the vinyl is all you. Also, I know there's some of y'all that think that the main picks are the end all of dope tracks on an album. Not true, the whole thing is pretty damn good. Recommended. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
Deadstock find! Pick your poison: original flavor(1) or the bouncing, Desi-tastic house mix from Rishi Rich(2). Useful instrumentals included for both. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 1234
Herve is back in his Count disguise, dropping the highly awaited "Dibby DJ(1)." This bastard ragga-dance track annihilates Cutty Ranks' "The Stopper," and is destined to be one of the biggest tracks of the year. Traveling along in similar Pentz paths, Herve...
expand review bmores (yes, I just used it as a verb) Hollertronix-fave "Bad Man Forward" with equally effective results. "My Condition(3)" might get overlooked with those 2 no-brainers on here, but don't overlook this evolved, next movement fidget track. Also includes "Bounce That Ass(4)" which would have been an A1 track on any other record. Top level creativity and energy, highly recommended. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 123
Oh God, I know that everything I write in this blurb will be scanned with great scrutiny by Minimal Man, who doesn't work in the office anymore but is such the minimal house master that he checks up on it anyway. Well,...
expand review here goes. Sweet follow up to their Night Express EP that set their name rippling in the minimal/tech house waters last year. Now they've both joined the Spectral Sound army and are once again sweetening the pot with this flavorful single featuring a mysterious remix dude, Schatrax. The original single is so serene and beautiful it brings a damn tear to my eye. Soft early morning lovemaking and a vision of golden sunrise come to mind. I know that's sounds cheesy, but those are probably some of the best things in life. Schatrax(2), on the other hand, does not "Schat" on the track, but instead lifts the intensity with clustered drum patterns, dubbed out keys, thicker bass end, and an epic climax. In short, it's the rocker of the bunch. "Brazil To Detroit(3)" is kinda stomping for minimal. Dirty bass lays the foundation for this gritty ride, which they quickly cover up with soft floating synths. Will this mean a full length from Spectral? I dunno, but I think Minimal Man would say something to the effect of, "They goddamn better, or I'll make them drink bleach until their shit turns white." Detroiters kill me. -C'mish
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