Review: Madrid De Los Austrias - Madrid De Los Austrias (Jepe, Ken Hayakawa & Enochson & Grieder Remixes) (Stripped Down)

The last time we ventured into the world of Stripped Down Records it was with Ken Hayakawa's latest release but this new remix territory here. 

A lot can change in 3 months from when Ken's 'Mute Air/'Unity' was released (see review HERE), we've had half of the Austrian K&D empire release an album ( Peter Kruder & Roberto Di Gioia „————————„ on Peyo Records - see review HERE) and now we've got some retro Viennese in the form of Madrid De Los Austrias and some modern day remixes. 

Twenty odd years ago, these guys were some of the founding father's of electronic deep house, future jazz that had a Latin twist as they were on the edge of the Dub Club so it's great to see the current generation doing their updates; who remembers 'Mas Amor' (see review HERE). 

Last first, is the mesmerizing '25' as remixed by Marcus Enochson and Stephan Grieder who are known as being "Swedish techno talent" but this is chill out droan shuffle that fans of Matthew Herbert might think that he's involved. 

Jepe has been known to flirt with jazz and he gets two goes with a remix of a track called 'Elele' (deep and throbbing with raspy Spanish vocals) and then does at ReRub Remix (being stripped down - appropriatly; before bringing the acid on); someone's going to have to put these two together. 

And it's Ken that kicks this EP off with his take of 'No Me' that meanders for a while before the jazzy trumpet hits. As exciting as this is, we're told these remixes are from the new Madrid De Los Austrias material with a planned release later this year. 

Artist: Madrid De Los Austrias 

Title: Jepe, Ken Hayakawa & Enochson & Grieder Remixes 

Release date: 21st July, 2023 

Label : Stripped Down Records 

Catalog Number : STRD028 Digital 

Review: Ken Hayakawa - Mute Air / Unity (Stripped Down)

Keeping up with the Stripped Down Record's love of all things Austrian, yeah! Ken Hayakawa is from Salzburg (his mother is Japanese) and here's two brand new tracks.  

Towards the end of last year we loved his two remixes of Parallea's 'Waypoint': the original remix was very much for the dancefloor whilst the 'Auhof' starts like a dub of sorts before it fully "lets go".

Well it's about time that Ken released two of his own tracks now and both show his formal/classical training as a pianist, especially 'Mute Air' that has trademark minimal techno feel to it.

'Unity' is the opposite as it's BIG synth and bang that he somehow unites; solidarity Ken.

I first came across Ken with a promo back in 2009 on Musik Gewinnt Freunde (MGF) with 'Outside The Walls' (Ed. Sounds very 'Funeral In Berlin') and he's been releasing great tracks like this ever since on Schönbrunner Perlen, Trapez, The DJ Hell Experience and this is no exception.

Austria is the place to be? 

Afterhour Sounds · PREMIERE: Ken Hayahawa - Mute Air

Artist: Ken Hayakawa 

Title: Mute Air / Unity

Release date: 21st April, 2023

Label : Stripped Down Records

Catalog Number : Digital