Review Weedyman - “Kananga’s Revenge” EP (Paper Recordings)

There’s more than an even chance that you’re well aware of Weedyman‘s re-edit work and an even better one that you have a few Paper Recordings releases - but the forthcoming “Kananga’s Revenge” EP (released April 2nd) is the first time they've appeared in public together.  And it’s one hell of a way to start a relationship.

As Weedyman tells it, the impetus behind this release was a desire to create new music by working in a different way;  lead track BMBJ started as an exercise in programming bongos from scratch with a distinctly “played by humans” feel .  What hasn't been fully revealed as yet is how it then grew into the deep, gorgeous and sure to be massive chugging disco/ house monster that it now is. And it’s definitely going to be huge.

Second cut “Ondo Ondo Anda” is a prime piece of compelling, hook filled and hypnotic house with naggingly familiar elements that somehow manages to add layer on layer without ever becoming crowded or losing its melodic feel.  It’s another excellent cut that practically demands to be played out immediately.

Which could also easily be said about both versions of the final tune “Feel It”, which comes in “Original” and “Leon Sweet Double Drop Remix” flavours. Weedyman’s original version marries warm pads and a bubbling bass line with intricate percussion to create a great mid tempo stepper that ramps up a level when the vocal sample hits, followed by a subtle acid burble that gradually comes to dominate as the other elements recede. Leon Sweet’s “Double Drop Remix” (what can he mean?) strips things back a bit, adding guitar chops and a funkier but breezy feel that leads to a more insistent but still gentle acid take over - it’s going to sound equally ace in the sun or towards the end of a long night.

Incidentally,  Weedyman says the initial idea to create all this came to him on a train journey, possibly influenced by “listening to some Underworld and early 90s Dub House disco”...  Given the fantastic result, is anyone else up for chipping in to buy him a season ticket and a shed load of compilations?

Weedyman “Kananga’s Revenge” EP – Paper Recordings is released April 2nd 2015

Review: Iron Curtis - The K.M.S. Years (Office Recordings)

I found the name of this EP a bit misleading, as K.M.S. refers to where the producer was living (Karl Marx Strasse in Berlin) not to Detroit techno legend Kevin "Master Reese" Saunderson's label KMS.  However, there is definitely the fingerprint of Detroit on this music--finding funk in the machines.  To be clear, this is not a funk EP--but the spirit of funk is evident. 

Diving into the tracks, "Magnet" is not very complicated, but sometimes simplicity is the disguise of genius.  It feels amazing.  Read that again, "It feels amazing."  Not the sound, not the arrangement, not the notes, but that ever-ephemeral element--feel.  The elusive difference between "repetitive" and "hypnotic" has been nailed by Iron Curtis.  That said, there are a few sonic surprises such as the super-syncopated introduction that seems to be fighting itself, yet works. It works in the same way that your body understands funk even when your mind doesn't; like when James Brown's grooves dance around "the one"--but it is never hard to find. Later there's the section where it sounds as though it's gone from a studio recording to an outside location, like we've gone for a smoke in the back-alley.  This is a great way of lifting the mood a bit before the insistent groove gets dropped on you again (which you are happy to receive!)  The take-no-prisoners kick drum says "Dance sucka!" and would make Sir Nose D'voidoffunk shake his rump.  Combined with the organ, piano, pads and perfectly-placed bass notes, this track has "classic" written all over it.

"What Happened Happened" is quite a bit murkier, but no less pleasant.  It's a bit like an after-club meal with friends where you don't remember the details, but the general feeling was good and you know something interesting went on because your friends always bring it up, but can't go into specifics.  The sounds are slightly distorted, the spoken word sample sounds pitched-down and kind of glitchy.  The bass & drum groove is solid and moves you along and the keyboard sounds have a dirty, but not dark vibe to them.  The "Berg Reduktion" of "…Happened" picks the mood up quite a bit.  It's less hazy memories and more cool party groove.  The  distorted and murky samples are still there, but the drums, bass and keys are a lot more upbeat.  Nowhere near as heavy as "Magnet," but well-balanced given the force of the A-side.

This one should work for terrace/lounges, bars and clubs and I think you're doing yourself a disservice if you do NOT buy this.  I expect to hear this one being played for years to come…

Office Recordings (OR04)
Format :  12inch vinyl / Digital
Release: 30.03.2015

Review: Kepikei – Back to School EP (Top Billin Records)

This week Slovakian born Kepikei returns with a killer techno EP - Back to School which gets released on the 14th May. Top Billin Records are quoted as saying “We don’t often drop deep music on the label, so when we do you should expect it to be something out of the box, as is the case this time” and they weren't kidding! This EP smashes it! Kepikei - now a resident of sunny LA, has produced something that would be more at home in the darkest depths of Berlin!

Track one “Dawn” gives you a sinister but exciting insight as to where this EP might be going, with track two – “In so many Ways” upping the anti, with the female vocal loop cutting through the heavy electronic backdrop. Track three entitled “Nancee Kelly”, may sound like a Disney heroine, but think Maleficent, more than Sleeping Beauty! The final track on the EP is aptly named “Spun” and keeps the energy levels up until the bitter end.

Individually, the tracks are creative, innovative and fast paced. As a whole the EP demonstrates why Kepikei is attracting attention from DJs and industry media, solidifying his reputation as one of the most interesting DJs in the warehouse techno scene at the moment.

"Back To School" is available now on all major download stores, or buy directly via the Top Billin' Bandcamp

Preview: Santiago Lopez - Red Sunset (Apollo)

Apollo is one of those labels which sticks to its aesthetic and artistic guns. While other imprints are frantically trying to switch their sound in a futile attempt to reflect whatever the cool kids are salivating over this week, Apollo is still floating serenely around in space without a care in the World...

In my book, this consistency of sound and vision, coupled with a seemingly constant supply of supremely talented artists who hardly anyone has heard of (yet), makes them one of the most important electronic labels around right now.

Their new release by San Francisco's Santiago Lopez is typically spacey, cinematic and evocative.

If you like moody music which gives you room to imagine and think- grab a hold of this one.

As the press release puts it: "Apollo is pleased to announce Santiago Lopez's three-track "Red Sunset" EP. Contemplative in nature, the triptych of tracks comprising "Red Sunset" are deep house gems that sparkle in their glowing surroundings."

The EP is out on December 12th exclusively on Beatport.

Preview: Shade - All I Need to Know (RvS)

A brand new treat, coming soon on Reverberations' newly- rebranded incarnation, RvS. No frills here, just a proper emotive slice of deep house goodness from Barcelona- based producer Shade. The track is getting a well deserved vinyl release, alongside a trio of excellent remixes from Asadinho, Joshua Iz & Silver Team. The Joshua Iz mix is particularly outstanding to our ears, full of energy and invention. Get a preview of the release below. and be sure to grab this record as soon as it drops!

Formats / release dates:
Vinyl             18/02/2013
Digital             18/03/2013

RvS002 - Shade - All I Need To Know (inc. remixes by Asadinho / Jek K & Alex Murak / Joshua Iz) by RvS Music

Podcast: Sumsuch - 2B Continued 'Open Spaces' Mix

Here's a brand new mix from Sumsuch for your delectation. An hour of reflective and emotive deep house joy, free to download. The mix was compiled exclusively for Israeli electronic music website 2B Continued.

1. Horizon Variations Intro - Max Richter - Mute
2. Stole My Soul (South West Seven Remix) - Seven Music
3. We Have Wings ft. Lophius (Seraphine Remix) - Jonas Afonso - Apollo
4. Invisible Man (Hernan Cerbello Remix) - Peluca - Apollo
5. This Old Town feat. Matty Eeles - Sumsuch - Apollo
6. House Music Soldiers (Sebastian Davidson Remix) - Hamza + Vipul - Wind Horse
7. Ser Mi Dama (Martijn Remix) - Hohle - Deep Edition Recordings
8. Losing You (Cyril Hahn Remix) - Solange - CDR
9. Give It All Away (Original Mix) - Mirage Man - Nightrunners
10. Looking For The Real Thing (Harris Robotis Remix) - Kurt & Russell - Mr Kim's Records
11. These Times ft. Jinadu (Dixon Refix) - Jimpster - Freerange
12. Like Now (Andreas Saag Remix) - Jevne featuring Robert Owens - OneThirty Recordings

Listen / Download here:

Preview: Heller & Farley - Spring Affair (Get Up Recordings)

A super-heavyweight collab for you all- enjoy!

Get Up Recordings unveils "Spring Affair," the upcoming single from the legendary Heller & Farley featuring a quartet of great remixes from David Harness, Brodanse, The Connection, and MATRiXXMAN.

"When Pete Met Terry? Probably at the legendary London party, Shoom, in the late 80s, where host, Danny Rampling made Peter Heller and Terry Farley residents. In addition to deejaying, Pete had an 808 drum machine, so they hooked up to create some ‘indie dance’ remixes, including a dub of Happy Mondays’ “Stinkin’ Thinkin’”, which Junior Vasquez got hold of and made into a Sound Factory classic. From that moment, they were off and running. In addition to their own formidable discography as a duo, Heller & Farley recorded as Roach Motel, an outlet for their more underground projects; they also joined producer Gary Wilkinson in the lush garage techno trio, Fire Island, as well as teaming with Weatherall and Hugo Nicholson in Bocca Juniors. Pete had solo success with the anthem, “Big Love”, as well as many other club hits and solo remixes, while Farley helped form Faith, a London crew that has thrown some legendary parties and published the essential fanzine of the same name."

We are particularly feeling 'The Connection' remix here, but all versions are very nice indeed!

Release Date: 3rd Dec 2012

Buy on Beatport

Heller & Farley - Spring Affair (Get Up Recordings) by 8DPromo

Review: Atnarko - Violent Sky (Dance:Revolt Recordings)

Here at YATM Towers, things have been a little quiet of late. You might assume that we've all been lazing on the beach for the last couple of months, and you would be partly right, but we've also been waiting to find the kind of incredible, exclusive new music which inspires us to put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboards). We will never review substandard material just for the sake of it, so you'll forgive us for the odd gap between posts.

Thankfully, our musical drought is at an end, thanks to this incredible release from Atnarko. We received this package from the lovely folks at 8D, who supplied us with the following introduction to the folks behind the music:

"Introducing Dance:Revolt Recordings, a new label formed by a collection of scene veterans that is sure to make immediate waves on the international house music scene. Dance:Revolt is the brainchild of renowned Florida-based DJ/producer Atnarko in cahoots with Dub Creative Group, an industry-established marketing and media team as well as hosts of internationally renown house music events. The label is intended as "a celebration of music and lifestyle," working within a variety of formats, including vinyl 12" issues of Dance:Revolt's releases."

The original is an undeniably sexy chunk of low slung deep house music, which simply oozes class. Three Piece Suit's rework takes the original into darker territory, with shades of 80's electro. Rey Aguilar's remix ups the tempo, creating an insistent, groove laden dancefloor bomb. Finally Lomez's take on the track twists and turns expertly, resulting in an engaging and unique version.

We love all the mixes, there truly is something for everyone in this package. But enough from us, listen for yourself:

Atnarko - Violent Sky (Dance:Revolt Recordings) by 8DPromo

Release Date: August 27, 2012  

BUY ON BEATPORT

Exclusive: Lifers - Finders Keepers EP (Avangardia)

Harold Heath and our very own blogger in chief Sumsuch are proud to present their new project- Lifers. The first of many collaborations, this EP contains one original, plus solo remixes from each artist. To top it off, Avangardia boss Ricky Ryan has roped in top Indian producer Hamza (boss of Wind Horse Records), as well as Latin American stars Dee Keepers to add their own special magic...

Here's what the label have to say:

"AVANGARDIA all bright eyed and bushy tailed in 2012 introduce themagical world of Harold Heath & Sumsuch. Presenting - Lifers debut single 'Finders Keepers'., , Hazma opens the evenings proceedings with a lovely-lounge-locked driven groove with mountains of melody and Detroit 'Strings of Life' accents to illuminate you., , Harold Heath and Sumsuch 'Dub' it to the bone and re-jack the underbelly exposing the inner workings of the power station that drives Finders Keepers., , Sumsuch by his own admission roughs it up with robotic commands and bass-end acrobatic misbehaviour to leave you in no doubt who's the captain of this ship., , Dee Keepers make it clear from the very start that there is no hurry. The Melodic chords are stretched out as far as your eyes can see giving your ears plenty of time to ingest every last morsel., , Harold & Sumsuch's original version is stealthily and thoughtful. The momentum never allows you to leave the comfort of this well crafted Deep House exploration."

'Finders Keepers' will be available on all major download stores from June 2012.

http://www.beatport.com/search?query=Avangardia

Review: Adnan Sharif - WeR1 (Uniting Souls Music)

Seattle's Uniting Souls Music have impressed me greatly with their last few releases. It's a label which doesn't fall into the trap of releasing safe, generic tracks like so many others these days, and this policy really makes it stand out from the crowd. The latest release is certainly no exception, featuring a spiritual call to the dancefloor from veteran DJ and producer Adnan Sharif, as well as remixes by Pezzner & Michael Manahan. Musically, the package is perfectly balanced. The original version is a completely unique tune; dark, delicate and soulful in equal measure, with a gorgeous vocal drop from Light Searcher. Pezzner's remix meanwhile is nothing less than a deep house dancefloor behemoth, with all the darkness, twists, turns and squelches we've come to expect from him. Finally, Michael Manahan's version takes on a much lighter mood and a real hypnotic sense of musicality, making it ideal for the terrace. A fantastic EP overall, highly recommended.

WeR1 is released on April 3rd 2012 on all major download stores.

Adnan Sharif - WeR1 (Uniting Souls Music) by 8DPromo