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Album Of The Month: Andre Galluzzi and Raresh ‘Freakshow’ (COCOON)
Read and comment on September's Record Reviews Here |
Written by Mark EG, published in M8 Magazine.
ALBUM OF THE MONTH:
Andre Galluzzi and Raresh
‘Freakshow’
(COCOON)
No self respecting DJ should be without a selection of the best mix album fodder for the car and this is my personal recommendation this month if you’re into the more minimal bass-driven German sound. Cocoon is of course Sven Vath’s immense super club in deepest darkest Germany and all releases on the Cocoon label reflect the style that is most popular in the club at the time. Andre Galluzzi is known as the marathon man of rolling basslines and within twenty minutes of hearing his mix, you’re pulling the most disgusting faces known to man in some weird attempt to freak out the lady in the Range Rover beside you. Raresh also produces a gallant effort and although his mix is not as obvious, it still serves its purpose whilst doing a hundred and ten in the outside lane of the M1. M8/M8
Brian Sanhaji
‘Phonon/Quantum’
(CLR)
If you’ve been following Chris Liebing’s productions recently, you’ll notice that they’ve slowed down somewhat, but still retain that aggressive energy we’ve come to expect from him over the years. His label CLR has gone much the same way and number eighteen in the series sees Brian Sanhaji pull of a confident midnight bass-crumpler that fits well with their recent releases. The percussion is simple and to the point, giving the mid bass frequencies plenty of room to breath. This will work well to end a minimal set as well as setting the pace for a more aggressive hard techno workout. M6/M8
Slam
‘We’re Not Here RMXS’
(SOMA)
It’s good to see Soma giving a serious nod to the upcoming generation here, with three remixes of ‘We’re Not Here’ (which originally appeared on their last single ‘No One Left To Follow’). All remixes are a result of a competition on the digital download site Beatport and the results are nothing short of astonishing. The winner here is Joe Stawarz with his pounding kick-stomper which uses an awesome bass to maximum effect. Also worth checking is Christian Fischer’s dark electro mix on the B2. Well done to all three producers. M6/M8
Octogen
‘Square Bells EP’
(SOMA)
One of the best albums to surface at the beginning of this year was Octogen’s ‘2fiveonine’ stunning debut. Producer Marco Bernardi crossed many different forms of techno and took the listener up, down, around – and then some. This ‘Square Bells EP’ does much the same, but on a four track EP. ‘Ploughs and Clouds’ begins the proceedings and is the strongest club track of the bunch, with it’s funk-driven bassline and fast paced rhythm sections. Pure techno soul and electro follow, making this perfect material for practically any occasion. M5/M8
Alex Calver
‘Ghetto Filth EP’
(GLITCH)
We can always rely on Alex Calver to punch your granny in the face and steel her pension money and this is exactly what he’s done here. It’s not a particularly pleasant experience and with it’s hip-hop (almost punk-style) ‘dirty-hoe’ vocal sample, you’re presented with Sid Vicious meets LL Cool J meets nice filtering action with a few dirty VST plugins. It’s an aggression fest of sound with all the neat tricks we’ve come to expect from Calver. With three more tracks on this EP doing much the same, you’re in for one hell of a ride.. M6/M8
Guy Called Gerald
‘Proto Acid Berlin Sessions 2’
(LABORATORY INSTINCT)
Gerald Simpson aka A Guy Called Gerald has been at the front of the game when it comes to innovative music. Ever since the early days of rave, his ‘Hot Lemonade’ album and his collaborations with 808 State on ‘Newbuild’ have pushed major buttons. The ‘Proto Acid Berlin Sessions 2’ EP is special indeed, with the first track taking a minimal stand but packing the soundscape full to bursting. There’s a jungle-feel to the atmosphere and this fits well with the reverberated bongo’s, which have EQ’ed to absolute perfection. M7/M8
Chris Finke
‘Flux 009’
(FLUX)
Chris Finke’s Flux label is already up to number nine and this time it’s a killer blow with four totally different sounding techno tracks – all on one knockout EP. First up is an almost Kanzyani style plodder with that typical second beat snare that keep the wheels turning on a peak time dancefloor. This is followed by an utterly brilliant remake of Bam Bam’s ‘Where’s Your Child’ - one for the old school. On the flip we have a funky party anthem followed by something that fits perfectly in more hard techno sets. Variety is the key here, another great release from Flux. M7/M8
Alter Ego
‘Why Not?!’
(KLANG)
Alter Ego first came to our attention back in 1996 on the giant Harthouse Record label. Since then everyone has remixed them from Josh Wink to Johannes Heil and Eric Prydz. Their new album ‘Why Not?!’ is not exactly what you expect but it’s good nonetheless. All tracks are well produced – the second track ‘Gary’ is one of the best pieces of music you’ll have heard in months. The issue here is that they rely too much on an electro-house theme and when you’re half way through the album, you can’t help but feel you’re hearing all the same sounds, but just in different places. A good album for sure, but the overall conclusion should be left for your own personal judgement. M5/M8
Rino Cerrone
‘Rilis Special 6.5’
(RILIS SPECIAL)
Italian based Rino Cerrone has a discography as long as your arm with remixes and releases on labels such as Synewave, Zenit and Kombination Research. This new release on his own ‘Rilis Special’ imprint is another fine example of his immense talent, taking sub-bass to another level completely. It’s a two tracker and both tracks make for perfect mid-morning stomping on a tripped out minimal floor. With pops and clicks shooting at you from all unknown angles - this is one freaky mutha of a release. M6/M8
Mike Drama/Hardtrax/Leo Laker
‘Sick Tricks EP’
(MENTAL TORMENTS)
Sick is not the word here. Perhaps violent spewing of last nights curry all over the neighbours back fence and then rubbing your privates all over the lounge curtains might be a better way to describe it. The first track does the job here with it’s stop/start approach to Schranz and metallic stab fest of sound. ‘Stop, I’m sick of this bullshit’ says the vocal and of you go again. Will it ever stop? Not if you get half a chance. Great stuff from the new Mental Torments label. M7/M8
Hardtrax
‘Open Secret’
(DOMESTIC VIOLENCE)
I’ve never been one to advocate the beheading of innocent ladies on a dancefloor but for some reason this new label Domestic Violence doesn’t seem to care. Lunging forward and fondling anything blonde and feeble, it soon has a selection of rake looking stick monsters lined up innocently by the bass bins for immediate decapitation. With a kick the size of a bath tub, Hardtrax immediately aims straight for the lower regions, immediately depriving you of your most important utensils. The saw-like hats sever your neck, as an angry mid-bass gobbles your essentials and spits out the mess. M7/M8
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