Anyone who has  worked in an office evironment knows a "Clive From Accounts"; the nerdy one, the one that has fun "executive" toys on his desk, an oversized mug and eats two Wheetabix for breakfast - one to avoid right?  Well, this Clive From Accounts also packs an anolog synth and a brand new album on Razor-N-Tape so definitely one to get to know better!  And I don't mean in an ACCA way either.

 

We last saw CFA on the remix of 'Soul Love' by Fred Everything (see review HERE) but there were rummers of an album was coming as he wasn't featured on Razor-N-Tape's last 'Family Affair' compilation (see review HERE).

Instead, we've got 'The Very Best of Clive From Accounts' as a ten track bumper album and it's more than excellent enough to pack up the day job and all that filing and get ready to boogie all day long.

The recent single, 'Save Me', a "303 acid-tinged gospel house anthem", if you didn't know already, this guy knows no genre limits ('Save Me' samples The Staple Jr Singers who are no relation to Pop or the Staple family and features real steel drums, analog synths is a 4x4 garage/breaks!).  Or the even more cosmopolitan, 'It Began' that's DJ Shadow doing some Batov tribute as "it began with the beat".

Still not convinced? 'Ambika' goes back to the club/glitchscene, 'Heavier' is old-skool Dub Club vs. Ragga Twins with Riko Dann as the badman blood clot that's followed by some hi-tempo 'E-Magik' house.  

Not exactly what you'd expect from that nerdy Clive from Accounts in the back office?  And then he tops it off with Japanese vocals (Maya Kuroki) and violin (Jessica Roch) on 'Konsumu Suru' that swings like Athur Russell origami on the dancefloor.  He seems to like this Jap-vibe as 'Did You See' takes it and runs with some 1930s string sweeps that whilst 'Economy Of Motion' and Kipp Stone's rap on 'All That Matters' reminds me of Daedulus at his West Coast/Ninja Tune warped jazzy hip-hop best.

So you get this idea, the influences are many but the results are more than tidy as the album bubbles up to its closing track, as rampant d'n'b based 'Spectrum'.  We're told in the title that this is 'The Very Best of Clive From Accounts' but I expect there's even more 'very best' to come in the future - lets love and dance to this first though!

P.S. The 12" vinyl is a eight track option with the inclusion of a 'bonus track' surprise! 

P.P.S. Don't forget to see our in depth interview with Clive From Accounts HERE!

P.P.P.S. And here's a link for his mixtape https://music.apple.com/gb/album/razor-n-tape-in-the-mix-031-clive-from-accounts-dj-mix/1795794368

BUY LINK: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/the-very-best-of-clive-from-accounts-vinyl/1068697-01/

 

Artist:  Clive From Accounts 

Title: Razor-N-Tape,

Release date: 28th February, 2025

Label : Razor-N-Tape

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: 12" vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp LINK

Tracklist:
A1 It Began
A2 Save Me
A3 Ambika
A4 All That Matters ft. Kipp Stone
B1 Heavier ft. Riko Dan
B2 Konsumu Suru ft. Maya Kuroki & Jessica Roch
B3 Spectrum
B4 ?????

Interview: Clive From Accounts - The Very Best of Clive From Accounts (Razor-N-Tape)

It appears Clive From Accounts likes to play up to the 'beige' man of electronic music image but that is rather undermined by having a number of his own tracks released on well respected independent labels together with some higher profile remixes but what got him even more attention was the associaton with NYC's Razor-N-Tape label.  

So much so that our own Will Sumsuch has said that he's "one of my favourite producers"! And more folks are going to be saying this in the future as CFA moves from the the back office to front of stage with the release of his "greatest hits" debut album, so we jumped at the chance to find out more.

YATM: Sumsuch played 'Konsumu Suru ft. Maya Kuroki & Jessica Roch' on his latest show and even for a pretty diverse album, the funky track with Japanese vocals by Maya Kuroki & violin by Jessica Roch, how did that come about? 

CLA: Thanks! It started as a little jam with the Pulsar 23 and some modular bits sequenced outside of the computer, with hand played synth chords on top. I liked the feel but didn’t really know what to do with it. Fast forward a bit to randomly coming across Maya’s amazing band Teke Teke on an insta (Ed. @teke_teke_band - our new favourite Japanese psych-rock band). I got in touch and thankfully she was up for collaborating! I sent a main track and then this little jam loop, hurriedly cobbled together into some kind of structure. 

During the wait I was recording Jess and we had a go at the same track, doing some long takes: her on violin and me manipulating the recordings live with granular modular effects, space echo etc. 

Maya delivered some astounding vocals, particularly over this little secondary track. I then spent a long time adding to and editing everything together into a cohesive song where the violin and vocals could both shine. They sound meant to be together now but it’s funny they were completely unaware of each other at the time!

YATM:  I suppose we ought to start at the beginning, where did it all begin for you as a musician/fan, 'It Began' sounds influenced by early Ninja Tune?

CLA: Aside from growing up in a music loving household and soaking up lots of core influences from Prince to Sun Ra, the personal start for me was Drum n Bass in about ’98. Through to Dj Shadow, Deep funk and then into the world of digging for more eclectic sounds. I’ve always loved Coldcut, especially the early cut n paste stuff so the mighty Ninja Tune isn’t too far away.  I’d say almost everything I do is influenced by that Ahead Of Our Time era stuff. It blew my mind when I first heard it. 

With 'It Began' the loose idea was to blend early electro hiphop with more world flavours and see what happens. It morphed a bit but still has that DNA.

 
YATM:  Talking of Ninja Tune/Big Dada, 'Heavier' featuring Riko Dan and 'All That Matters' featuring Kipp Stone has that classic hip-hop meets Dorothy Ashby spiritual jazz vibe.

CLA: I’ve never actually met Riko in person either. It ws cold calling again from me and I’m just over the moon that he was up for it!  I sent him the beat and he just destroyed the vocals and sent me back the stems a few days later. Really incredible. 

[The] same with Kipp but that was all handled by Aaron at the label (Razor-n-Tape) as they’re all US based.

I like the fact they’re short and dense with ideas. I’d rather make something that warrants repeat listening than gets boring and repetitive!

YATM:  Then we flit from post-dubstep East London to NY disco 'Amibka' and 'e-Magik' in this diverse but dancefloor friendly approach attract you to JKriv's Razor N Tape label and vice versa?

CLA: It’s always a pleasure to work with them and I’m constantly inspired by their output. I also really respect the way they were so open to releasing all these different genres that are on the album. 

With 'Ambika' and 'e-Magic', alongside what you mentioned there was also a big French influence; I love Roulé Records particularly (Ed. always worth checking out Thomas Bangalter's history - and his Dad's!)

YATM:  That's funny as I was going to say 'e-Magik' has a Studio 54 meets Daft Punk sound and then 'Did You See' is another dance like Yellow Magic Orchestra vs.Arthur Russell uptown with big strings. Are there plans for a tour?

CLA: That’s high praise indeed, thank you! I’ve only done a handful of Clive Gigs so far, one of them being the super prestigious Low Life which was unreal. I actually played a very early version of 'Did You See' that night (Halloween ‘23). I have a gig at the Prince of Wales, Brixton [What’s On – POW] for Maizon on May 17th and I’m also toying with the idea of doing an album release party somewhere. [maizon.ldn]

Bill Brewster · CLIVE FROM ACCOUNTS | Low Life Halloween 2023

YATM:  Have you got a large collection of old syths/keyboards computer s/ware programmes - which are you favourites? 

CLA: Synths are my weakness! I’ve had a ton of them in my time, sold/traded most of them, and nearly always regretted it. I just don’t have the space to keep too many at once sadly. Current bits that are all over the album are the Oberheim Xpander, Minimoog, Octave Cat, Juno 6, Novation Peak, Mutable Ambika (hint hint), Prophet 10, Dinsync Re303 (a perfect clone), my DIY 808 I built and various modular pieces. The Bass and synth parts on 'Did You See are from my Jupiter 6 which I ended up selling.. it makes the song a real tearjerker for me haha. 

YATM: When are we going to find out what the 'bonus' track is on the vinyl release? It's not the Hectic Extension of 'Heavier' is it? (Only joking)

CLA:  I’m sworn to secrecy so you’ll have to get your hands on the vinyl to find out! All I can say is It’s one of my fave tracks from the album, quite different in style again and will never be released digitally so snap it up while you can. C x 

Well, that was an great insight as to how to producer an album that is 'The Very Best of Clive From Accounts'.  Not sure why Clive descided not to answer my questions on the very best tax avoidance schemes; possibly as 'The Very Best of Clive From Accounts' will be such a huge hit he'll leave all that bookwork behind him and (re-)buy a Jupiter 6?

Album review is HERE to check it out.

And here's a link for his mixtape https://music.apple.com/gb/album/razor-n-tape-in-the-mix-031-clive-from-accounts-dj-mix/1795794368

BUY LINK: https://www.juno.co.uk/products/the-very-best-of-clive-from-accounts-vinyl/1068697-01/

Artist:  Clive From Accounts 

Title: Razor-N-Tape,

Release date: 28th February, 2025

Label : Razor-N-Tape

Catalog Number : TBC

Format: 12" vinyl / Digital / Bandcamp LINK

Tracklist:
A1 It Began
A2 Save Me
A3 Ambika
A4 All That Matters ft. Kipp Stone
B1 Heavier ft. Riko Dan
B2 Konsumu Suru ft. Maya Kuroki & Jessica Roch
B3 Spectrum
B4 ?????

Review: Ben Sun - The Henge (Razor-N-Tape)

Fans of big stones, soltices and salutations should turn towards Ben Sun's 'The Henge', the eight track album to rock your start of the new year.

The cover artwork by Ben is a cross between Led Zepplin's "mysterious" symbols, Tai Chi's extended yin-yang design with a test card surround.  Why? dunno, as this is as far from Chinese heavy metal TV repairs as you can get.

What it is close to is electronic dance that's ready for a sun set or a sun rise with a varying rhythms that's not consistently dark, moody, meditative or upbeat but manages to combine all in a conherent tapestry.

You get the idea from tracks like 'Autumn Phase' and the warped chant, acoustic boogie of 'Bootstand (Strange Soil)' the playfully percussive synth-up of 'The Khan's Reverie' and the "mixtape introduction", 'Living Things'.

Those lost is a tradition chinese folk and Christmas harp music, head for 'Moon Lion' (not too far for fans of Küf Knotz & Christine Elise's 'Yü / Cascade' - see review HERE) but we also like the beach sounds of 'Ten Thousand Shells' for some Balearics and the space bouncy 'Azha (The Nest)'.

'Photoelectric' is the big dancefloor tune and it's similar to Ben's last release on Razor-N-Tape, 'Distant Messenger EP' which came out about the time of his live ambient set at We Out Here Festival.  He's also had releases on Jimpster's Chyphon Recordings (as recently see with Loxodrome - see review HERE) and Delusions Of Grandeur (as recently seen with Son Of Hex - see review HERE) and 'The Henge' feels like a combination of all this, a electronic high point that's warming in so many ways.

No wonder fans as diverse as Linkwood and Laurent Garnier are on this already so they're well prepared for the next Summer Solitice.

Artist: Ben Sun

Title: The Henge
Release date: 17th January, 2025
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp LINK The Henge | Ben Sun

Review: Tigerbalm - Profunda Alma (Razor-N-Tape)

This isn't the pain relief that you get in jars to relieve itching, this is 'the' Tigerbalm in total 'Profunda Alma' featuring Joy Tyson.

Razor-N-Tape got all tropical before Xmas with this 5-tracker where Tigerbalm (aka Nicola Robinson) indulges her Afro-Latin obession (as you may guess from the cover artwork).

Renewing the 'International Love Affair' association with Joy Tyson, 'Profunda Alma' is the Rio beach Night Club tension set to the colour abandom of New Year Fireworks; at the disco of course, with cuíca.

Tigerbalm's 'International Love Affair' album attracted some name remixers like Chico Mann, Daniele Baldelli, Emperor Machine and Bustin' Loose (aka Tom Lilly at the Disco Express - see interview HERE) this release is going to get the Make-A-Dance duo, London based Ben Lewis and Josh Ludlow, top of many lists for tripped out dubs.

With the groovey Make-A-Dance Tribal Dub and a Make-A-Dance Acid Mix, this is great 12" for many an occassion.

Not only that, to mis-quote SNL, "More cuíca!"  And that we get with 'Vem Cá' featuring João Selva; with added bonus of a Yuksek remix.  The original sounds like it could have been on the 'new' Brasil of a 'SIM, SIM, SIM' (see review HERE) whilst Yuksek takes it up to the jazzy mainroom and he's the hot name at the moment after the Chilam Balam release last year (see reviw HERE).  Not exact Azymuth/Airto/etc for 'more cuíca!' but it's getting there.

Remember this is the Tigerbalm to take away any new year dancing pain and it's going to last long into the night/year. 

Artist: Tigerbalm

Title: Profunda Alma
Release date: 4th December, 2024
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : RNTR074
Format :  Digital / Bandcamp LINK https://razor-n-tape.lnk.to/ProfundaAlmaEP

Review: VA - Family Affair Vol. 4 (Razor-N-Tape)

The NYC to the world present that comes via those trendies at Razor-N-Tape (now on Vol. 4) is the compilation that gives the most for the dancefloor that's 'Family Affair'.

If you've been a fan of Razor-N-Tape's yearly round-up of friends and family since Vol. 1 in 2021, the first thing you'll notice about this years' Vol. 4 is they've swopped the black frame album art theme for a snappy pop-art-ish 3x3 tile, which would work great if they created drinks coaster products (Ed. we'll want 10% of future sales).

You'll also notice that the quality of Vol. I's "affair", like heavyweights Dimitri From Paris, DJ Rocca and the then lesser known, Clive From Accounts (who only last week had his Fred Everything remix released on Lazy Days Recordings - see review HERE), is still being used as the formula.

There's two options, a 5-track 12" featuring DJ Rocca's comptemporary in the cosmic disco style, Ilija Rudman ('Discoteka Parmida'), Yasmin ('Real High'), Barcelona's Arnau Obios ('Pagan Mambo', a lively Afrobeat), label co-maestro JKriv's rework of Bessa Simons' 'Sii NaNa' plus one of our 2024 favourites, Vincenzo with 'Love Accurate' (also see the incredible Vincenzo remix of 'Free Born Man' by Sumsuch & Will Brock - see review HERE and his own 'Extrasolar' on Be Adult Music - see review HERE).

The digital 10 track also features future names like the Underground System's "Afro-Punk-Disco" (very NY), Dennis Liber and Yasmin Kademian on Latin-Italo-disco ('Baila Exotica') and Misiu's 'Belsize Funk' (too good to be influence by Belsize Park 80s jazz-funk? And Mike Misiu who was on Family Affair Vol.2 with Philippa who has just has a remix released on Best's Friends - see review HERE) and on Vol. 3, Yuu Udagawa who had her tracks remixed by JKriv and Fred Everyting earlier this year (see review HERE).

So it's clear that those that you don't know on Vol. 4 now will probably go on to get better known within the Family Affair dispora of dance so get it now to get ahead of the game and enjoy this wide ranging festive get together.

Artist: Various Artists

Title: Family Affair
Release date: 13th December, 2024
Label : Razor-N-Tape.
Catalog Number : TBC
Format :  12" - 5 track viyl / Digital / Bandcamp

. 

 

Review: Patchouli Brothers, Edits Vol. 2 (Razor-N-Tape)

Patchouli Brothers bid to take over the dancefloor continues with Edits Vol. 2 out on Razor-N-Tape and it's even more proof that we should be dancin' with you!

You might be surprisd to find out the the Patchouli Brothers are Canadians (more Canuk biz coming soon from the Toronto Hustle and Sean Roman with 'The Symington Avenue EP') and whilst the Bros. are known for disco/soul/Latin/boogie edits and remixes (check out RNT057, Vol. 1), Vol. 2 focuses their reworking of 90s house, 80s electro boogie, Euro dance!

If you thought that we don't need anymore of this re-cycling, the 'P' boys will prove you wrong as they know how to dig and edit all at the same time.   The opener with its female vocals en français. 'Male Dans Le Peau' is pure je te ador on boogie time.  

Sticking to with the Euro-currencies, 'Mista Hasta La Vista' is heavy on the Spanish castanets with some holiday romance lyrics that would give Baccara a run for their money back in the day, (Ed. Did someone say revival).  That said, it seems that there's at least one annual Eurovision entry that manages to make a mess in this ilk so it's healthy that we get a track that gets it right here.

But what you really want this EP for is the night time tracks of 'See You Tonight' that rests heavy on the Peech Boys as they take out NYC and 'All Nite' that's got a vocal of a VAR quality but stick with it, as it's somewhat absorbing (and has a great bouncy bassline).

The Patchouli Brother are nothing less than prolific with releases on influencial labels (like Defected, Soundway Records, G.A.M.M and more) in addition to Brooklyn's Razor-N-Tape (what a busy week they've had with the release of the equally disco friendly, Tom Noble Presents... 'House Of Spirits' (see review HERE).

I'm not sure why we've got an image of a beaver gnawing on a tree stamped on the label but recommend you get your teeth into this one. 

Patchouli Brothers Edits Vol. 2 | Razor-N-Tape

RNT057 // Patchouli Brothers Edits - 12" on 180g Wax | Razor-N-Tape

(including 'Disco 4 A Non-Nuclear Future')

Artist: Patchouli Brothers

Title: Patchouli Brothers, Edits Vol. 2 

Release date: 22nd November, 2024

Label : Razor-N-Tape.

Catalog Number : RNT059

Format :  Digital  / Bandcamp

Review: Tom Noble Presents... 'House Of Spirits' (Razor-N-Tape)

Tom Noble Presents... 'House Of Spirits' is coming out just at the right time to make that big dancefloor impact; it can't be faulted.

Razor-N-Tape were founded by Aaron Dae ad JKriv and If you haven't come across the label yet, imagine them as the Brooklyn base of the "disco" trinity of Rocksteady Disco (Detroit) and Toy Tonics (Munich) who all started out serving the dancefloor at about the same time, these guys.

In fact, the label is having its 12th anniversary celebrations and this release is the cherry on the proverbial cake as 'House Of Spirits' has taken Tom Noble the best part of 15 years to produce!.  

And don't get the idea that this guy is just a bit lazy about this, he's crammed a history of disco into this release as well as running the label/shop 'Super Elevation' (also based in Brooklyn) plus releasing records on other label including Tim Sweeney's Beats In Space (god, I used to love Tim's WNYU shows).

So whilst the cover is like a cross between a Deep Purple/Dimtri From Paris mash up with Playboy magazine, the music is fantastic.   If you haven't heard recent singles 'Please Take Me There' and 'Times Are Changing' (this one also had a Harvey Sutherland remix), you've already got the idea of the classic golden era funky disco Tom's able to produce.

In fact, I'd go further 'Love Trip' is a like Arthur Russell's tribute to 'Miss You' (how cool it that?) whilst 'Holding On' gets the strings out for what sounds very early Brit-jazz-funk mixed with gospel house. the smoocher 'Diamond Girl' is a touch cheesy but that's what it was like at Room At The Top, Gossips and Oscars (insert your own favourite 80s club).

It's not that there's lots of disco misappropriation going on, the sum really adds up to more than the parts and whether it's Patrick Adams, Mizell Brothers or Nile Rodgters, Tom having decades of club music knowledge (Ed. the word 'Musicologist' is banned on YATM) has made these tracks as cool and as club friendly as if they'd come out at any time in the past 40 years; 'Times Are Changing' being proof that times ain't.but 'Times Running Out' is perhaps a warning to us all (not forgetting Brit-jazz-funk crossed the pond with Rod Temperton!) whilst the heavy synth chugging track, 'Moving Away' (arguably the best track) is the the "Hello" to playing the album again.

P.S. Update, 'Love Trip' is arguably the best track as Gilles Peterson played 'Love Trip' on his BBC 6 Music Show 'Prime Cuts' show 26.10.24 "Yes, excellent new music from Tom Noble album [his] new record with 'House Of Spirits on the brilliant always Razor-N-Tape on November 22nd"

Artist: Tom Noble Presents...

Title: House Of Spirits

Release date: 22nd November, 2024

Label : Razor-N-Tape.

Catalog Number : TBC

Format :  Digital - House of Spirits / Bandcamp