quick audio picks: 1234
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
quick audio picks: 12
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
quick audio picks: 12
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
quick audio picks: 123
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
quick audio picks: 12
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
quick audio picks: 1234
NY's champion horse of modern disco is back with their second official 12". Just when you thought they couldn't follow up "Blind," they drop this on you. If you listened to the album, "You Belong" stands out as an obvious dancefloor heater...
expand review that's perfect for a single release. Unfortunately, the album version is available only on the other single release of this, but this one makes up for it with a more minimal "Hercules Club Mix(1)," a darker house remix by the legendary "Kevin Saunderson(2)," a bumping remix by the infamous Derrick Carter and a sweet modern house treatment by "Riton(4)." Talk about stacked! -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
DFA is on a tear lately! Whatever this new phase they're in is going to classified as by Vice and a few hipster blogs, I'm totally down with it. New artists Holy Ghost! come with a techy dancerock gem with one dirty,...
expand review dirty bassline. I'm instantly reminded of David Carretta from International Deejay Gigolo's - dirty beats and sassy lyrics. While I'm not too keen on the vocal version(1), thank god there's an instrumental for your ears. Flipping gives us the extra funky remix from Blackjoy(2). Guitar picking, slap bass, and violin jabs funk the hell out of the original, and will more than likely be heard in a Lloydski set in the very near future. I've got 10$ on some serious babies being made on the dancefloor when this one drops. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 12
"Hold On" was one of DFA's biggest hits to date. Not quite as big as "Jealous Lovers" but somewhere in the vicinity of "Yeah" and "Losing My Edge." So for the remix 12", you know that DFA isn't gonna come with the...
expand review stadium-electro-rock version. Instead, you get two brainy reworks by Mock & Toof of "Lycra Virgin" fame. The first remix(1) sounds like a studio outtake from The Time with Roger behind the boards. It's not knocking your head in, but it's consistently funky. You'll catch its genius after the three minute mark. "Mock's Mod Mix(2)" could definitely be classified as minimal, something you'd almost expect to hear on a Spectral release. Hooray for diversity. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234
Solid pick for Hot Chip's second single from The Warning album. "Boy From School(1)" was definitely one of the standout party tracks from the album. The band, who are quickly becoming the remixers du jour, provide one(2) of the remixes, which new...
expand review wavifies the song considerably. The opening moments hark back to New Order (doesn't everything?), and the song has a darker, waves of synth feel. If you ask me, I prefer this version over the original. Erol Alkan provides(3) the DFA-styled remix with live sounding drums, clicky percussion, and big basslines. Also includes the previously unreleased "Bell Ringers(4)." -the mgmnt
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