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So-Me went extra crazy hand drawn style for this eye-searing limited pic disc 12" from Ed Banger honcho Busy P (aka Pedro Winter, aka Daft Punk's manager, blah blah, you know already). In addition to the slumpy, glitched out title track(1), here...
expand review we get four remixes of the Busy/MURS collab "To Protect & Entertain" from the Ed Rec III comp. While the original mix(2) always felt a little clunky to me, the Ed Banger fam comes correct on the new versions: Mehdi smooths things out with his "99 Rap Mix(3)," Mr. Oizo(3) keeps it stompy, and even So-Me scores on his spazoid cut-up "Get Naked Remix(4)." Add an all-over-the-map Bmore-rave-house mix from Crookers(5) and this shit's a wrap. These probably won't be around long, so... -Chris Lemon-Red
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By know you know that we here at Turntable Lab are bigtime supporters of French-based label Ed Banger Records. To put it succinctly, they're one of the finest labels around today, constantly innovating and releasing unexpected records that expand on their trademark...
expand review sound (which somehow stretches to cover multiple genres). DJ Mehdi already impressed us with his Chromeo-featuring, velvet rope-dissecting single "I Am Somebody(1)," but Lucky Boy shows the man to be a far more diverse producer than that track would've suggested. The woefully short "Signatune(2)" sounds like an intro for the best song that Daft Punk never made, but falls away after just a minute. (DJs, get to work!) "Pony Rocking(3)" not only features bumping drums and a fuzzy electro bassline, but also Uffie's producer/boyfriend and Ed Banger labelmate Feadz on the distorted chipmunk old school flow. Mehdi's multi-talented wifey (and longtime Alison Tara favorite!) Fafi shows up on "Lucky Boy(4)," which sounds like Portishead on Prozac (or something). "Hot-O-Momo(5)" features Xanax and comes closest to reproducing the vintage feel of "I Am Somebody," except more of a lost Prince track than a lost Chromeo joint. 14 tracks; 47 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 12345
By know you know that we here at Turntable Lab are bigtime supporters of French-based label Ed Banger Records. To put it succinctly, they're one of the finest labels around today, constantly innovating and releasing unexpected records that expand on their trademark...
expand review sound (which somehow stretches to cover multiple genres). DJ Mehdi already impressed us with his Chromeo-featuring, velvet rope-dissecting single "I Am Somebody(1)," but Lucky Boy shows the man to be a far more diverse producer than that track would've suggested. The woefully short "Signatune(2)" sounds like an intro for the best song that Daft Punk never made, but falls away after just a minute. (DJs, get to work!) "Pony Rocking(3)" not only features bumping drums and a fuzzy electro bassline, but also Uffie's producer/boyfriend and Ed Banger labelmate Feadz on the distorted chipmunk old school flow. Mehdi's multi-talented wifey (and longtime Alison Tara favorite!) Fafi shows up on "Lucky Boy(4)," which sounds like Portishead on Prozac (or something). "Hot-O-Momo(5)" features Xanax and comes closest to reproducing the vintage feel of "I Am Somebody," except more of a lost Prince track than a lost Chromeo joint. 14 tracks; 47 minutes. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 1234
This one is for everyone who's been in line at a club or a party and had some dude push past them like "Yo I'm on the list - yeah, I know the DJ"Montreal's Chromeo hooks up with Parisian phenom DJ Mehdi...
expand review on the Ed Banger label for this track about trying to get on the other side of that velvet rope. In keeping with the theme of the record, I gotta say that we've been bumping this shit in the office for months, ever since Ed Banger sent us the advance copy. Mehdi lays down a sick (and I mean SICK!) electro groove and Dave from Chromeo gives an outstanding account of a night of weary club-hopping with uber-cool vocals on the Paris version(1). The Montreal version(2) surpasses it, though, with a simple and effective use of vocoder in key spots. Kenny Dope's remix(3) takes it from the club to the loft with a slightly tamer version for more low-key affairs. Also includes dub version of the Kenny Dope mix. -Chris Lemon-Red
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The newest Ed Banger signing (not to be confused with downtempo producer DJ DSL), at first listen, sounds like a French (or more French version) of Chromeo. "Invaders(1)" immediately separates itself from past Ed Banger releases with French raps and singing and...
expand review that Chromeo electro-pop sound (all the way down to the vocoder action). For those who can't handle the foreign tongue, there's also a mostly instrumental TV track version. And you know these Ed Banger dudes fight like prep school kids (in big packs, never one on one), so here come the remixes. Busy P's version(2) sounds like a Missile Command arcade machine gone Short Circuit. I'm digging the lowered bpms. Djedjotronic, who might be the next big French producer, delivers two(3,4) skillful chop jobs. If you like the DJ Mehdi stuff rather than the bleeding eardrum stuff, this Ed Banger might be for you. -the mgmnt
quick audio picks: 1234
This has to be the most anticipated single of the year so far. Everyone (Lab staff, customers, even my girl) has been bumping the shitty BBC radio rip of "D.A.N.C.E.(1)" for months - time to upgrade! If you haven't already heard this...
expand review beast of a tune, it's Justice gone disco, swapping out their usual fucked-up electronics for a children's chorus (who sound EXACTLY like Baby's Gang), a thick bassline, epic strings and a great breakdown. Both the radio edit and extended versions are included (go for the extended), as well as the DJ tool "B.E.A.T." And in case you missed out on the limited 12", "Phantom(2)" is thrown in for good measure. Cool pic sleeve from So-Me (again). ADDENDUM: It has come to our attention that this song may be a tribute to Michael Jackson. (They namecheck "ABC," "PYT" and "Black Or White," and "the way you move is a mystery" has to be a moonwalk reference.) If this is for real, the fact that it's sung by a childen's choir truly makes it the best song of 2007. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
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Import only, So-Me designed pic sleeve 7" version of Justice's new mega hit, "D.A.N.C.E.(1)" Flipside has the bouncier, less intense alternate mix, "B.E.A.T.(2)." Unlike the 12", these probably won't be around for very long. ADDENDUM: It has come to our attention that...
expand review this song may be a tribute to Michael Jackson. (They namecheck "ABC," "PYT" and "Black Or White," and "the way you move is a mystery" has to be a moonwalk reference.) If this is for real, the fact that it's sung by a childen's choir truly makes it the best song of 2007. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 1234
The biggest single of the year (as far as Lab's concerned) finally gets the proper remix treatment, plus a new version from Justice themselves. Alan Braxe & Fred Falke's remix(1) stands above the rest, chock full of their trademark lush synths which...
expand review somehow make anything they remix sound floating and awesome. MSTRKRFT's remix(2) is pretty nasty too, but Justice's new "live" version(3) outshines it in terms of pure dirty electro-ness. Jackson & His Computer Band's "J.A.H.C.B.(4)" won't be burning down any dancefloors, but it's definitely the most inventive and epic take I've heard on this track. -Chris Lemon-Red
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With its hulking frame and cool falsetto guest vocals from Mehdi of Scenario Rock, "DVNO" had to be the next single off Justice's ridiculously massive debut record. Justice have never been ones to let shit get stagnant, so the single includes their...
expand review own new remix(1) of "DVNO," a more distorted and turbo-charged version of the original that was unveiled recently on their MySpace tour. (How weird is that by the way? I'm picturing Rupert with the whole Ed Banger catalog on a shelf in his office.) Institubes' Surkin(2) starts his remix off all cheery and disco-like before getting launching into a chop sesh, bonus points for ill original theremin work! The Sunshine Brothers mix(3) rounds out the A-side T-Pain style with gentle beats and heavy vocoder. Flipside includes new versions from LA Riots(4) and Les Letits Pilous(5). -Chris Lemon-Red
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LAB U.S. EXCLUSIVO! Super limited repress (1,000 copies worldwide) of Ed Banger's special Xmas gift. Ed Banger sent these out as Christmas presents to friends of the label, but we got our hands on a few extra copies for you fiends. "Phantom(1)"...
expand review is, hands down, Justice's best track to date, easily eclipsing anything on the Waters of Nazareth EP, and it's got me totally salivating for their new mini-album in March. B-side features a preview of Justice's next single, "D.A.N.C.E.," and both sides have unique etchings. Act fast! -Chris Lemon-Red
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