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
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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
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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: 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
quick audio picks: 12
I must admit... when I saw that we got another Deadset album, I rolled my eyes to myself and was like "whoopy" in my internal monologue. But, being the trooper I am, I put it on, and immediately retracted my previous statements....
expand review The UK duo of Deadset sure rocked a spot with this one. I'm all about funky synth lines, and you're going to be pretty hard pressed to find something this ass-shakingly good as in "Buzzer Says Werner(1)." I could do without the damn police siren, but whatever... nothing's perfect, right? My good friend and resident NYC party rocker Derek Plaslaiko hit me with this a few times last week, and I was definitely pleased to know that we now carry it. I, personally, am a little more partial to the flip however. "Cardinal Rules(2)" has that slumped and shuffled minimal style that seems to be blowing up all over the place lately. It just jerks along, and you really can't help but to get a little swerve going when you hear those warped chords coming in. Two bumpy, fun and fantastically well produced tracks here. Recommended. -minimal man
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Michael Dykehouse has been floating around the Ghostly camp for quite some time, and it was only a matter of time before the lo-fi quirk that is Dykehouse got a proper debut on the label. The guy is kind of a phenom...
expand review - mixing this Depeche Mode meets My Bloody Valentine sleeps with Radiohead style fantastically had to have been a chore, but damn, did he ever pull it off. "When You Come(1)" is an instant jam - pairing it with "Lost Holiday(2)" and you've got a great start to a good 80's movie soundtrack. Other notables are "One More Day(3)," the very rocking "Signal Crossing(4)," and dancerock stormer "Chain Smoking(5)." Give this one a thorough listen - you're going to notice more and more in this album with each pass, so don't let it get much rest on your shelves. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 123
First of all, the name is slightly misleading. "Italoboyz" don't actually make tracks that sound like italo, it's actually more German minimal-ish sounding than anything. Take a listen to "Zinga(1)" and you'll see what I mean. Never ending violin strings over a...
expand review 4x4 kick drum might not sound too appealing, but apparently this sound is huge in Europe and is starting to catch on here in the States. I can see how this stuff would kill a bunch of drugged up party goers in the late late stages of a party, but I'm writing this on a cold NY morning, so I'm not really into it at the moment. I'm feeling the "Drama Dub(2)" of Zinga a lot more with it's harder, pseudo-jacking percussion and less repetitive composition, but it's really all about "At De Stella(3)." Feeling that slow building minimal groove + acidic bassline with dude naming of all kinds of foods in a Swiss(?) accent. Kind of sounds like the Swedish Chef from the Muppets went to a party in Berlin and started reading off a menu. Fans of Booka Shade, Electrochemie, and other Get Physical styles will dig. -snackmaster
quick audio picks: 12
Yes, this is actually an officially-cleared dance remix of John Coltrane's "Bahia!" But have faith, this is far from some corny acid jazz remake. The Italoboyz (Mothership, Get Physical) dissect the original song for dusty parts, creating a haunting big-sound dance track....
expand review Further into the track, Trane's actual solo comes in and it's the ultimate release. The Party Swing version(1) is more direct, while the Mucho Longo(2) version has a slower build-up. A-side plays at 33, B-side at 45. Recommended. -Chris Lemon-Red
quick audio picks: 123
Look... acid is huge right now. But you know what? It always was, and I quote, "the fucking bomb," so this revival isn't really too much of a shock to me. Big dog James T. Cotton, AKA Dabrye, Tadd Mullinax, and a...
expand review host of other pseudonyms, has the formula down pat, and he sure as hell brings the heat. "Press Your Body(1)" kinda caught everyone off guard a few years ago - it was such a throwback to the classic sound, but reinvented it perfectly in a hypnotically brooding way. Its dirty as fuck, if you hadn't noticed - watch them EQ's and levels, kids; most sound guys hate when you blow the entire system with one track. "Blue Blood(2)" is my favorite on this album - totally bananas track, pure insanity, and just driving as all hell. "Bizarre Carnival(3)" is... well... bizarre. It's hard to mix, its really warped out and twisted, but really brings a lot to the table. Check that bassline, son! More primo musicals from that Midwest label we all love. -minimal man
quick audio picks: 123
Some first thoughts: electro, house, minimal, and...acid? I know it ain't a golden description, but click on the sample and hear for yourself(I'll wait). It's the same label that put out Elektrochemie's "Get Yourself" and Jona aka Jonathan Truopin is...
expand review their newest on their frontline of dance producer. The kid's only 24, but quite mature for his genre crossing style. "Manta(1)" and "Amon(2)" appeases Dubsided appetites with minimal, acid-like sound kits. Pretty hard for the midnight hour, but turn it over to "Exoplanet Dub(3)!" It's Italo disco like synth bass keeps it real driving with funky synth organs pumping on the top. Fans of In Flagranti must peep. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 123
There's never a bad day for some new Junior Boys tracks. This one comes exclusively off their Body Language Six Comp released earlier this year and features some awesome remixes for the dancefloor. Since their introduction to the lab the soft voiced...
expand review synth pop duo have been spreading their wings gaining the highest respect from top producers and DJ's. "No Kinda Man(1)," kills it on the midnight groove tip, with seductive floating synths and a surreal electro beat. Jona(2) throws in a stomping house remix complete with chopped vocals and driving synth chords. Add Chloe(3) for a full sided remix that borders on a minimal feel with electro tendecies and it's a wrap. -C'mish
quick audio picks: 12
Justin Martin's original(1) version of "Night Owl" is more of that same unique sound we all love him for. Always deep, yet containing minimal and techy electro elements a la Dirty Bird, this one's another must-have for Justin Martin fans. Been getting...
expand review caned by Charles Webster and Ben Watt. On the flip is the winner for me however, a remix by Manoo and Francois A(2) that's been stealing the spotlight all over the world. Their remix is worth picking up this record for- reminiscent of Ame's work, it's super deep and dubbed out, just the way we like it- chock full o swirly synths and dope percussion- delicious! -Alison Tara
quick audio picks: 123
You know what will always kick ass? Industrial. Nitzer Eb's "Join In The Chant" is timeless, and who doesn't love some Nine Inch Nails? (Probably going to get some hate mail from the NIN fanboys on that one, but whatev's...) Kill Memory...
expand review Crash definitely has a very similar style, with grinding guitars and some intense electronics thrown in the mixture, but it goes without saying that anyone that can pull a Richard Devine remix(1) for their album should be played without question. Anything that comes from the Warp records camp is going to be sick - play that remix a few more times, will ya? The original(2) ain&'t so shabby either, but it's not as good as Mr. Devine's concoction. Also don't forget that sleeper third cut, "T. Bo
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