 | Single Of The Month: Slam ‘Azure’ (Soma)
Album Of The Month: Massonix ‘Subtracks' (Skam) |
Single Of The Month:
Slam
‘Azure’
(SOMA)
Orde Meikle and Stuart McMillan aka Slam really have gone and done it this time. Taken from their forthcoming album, ‘Azure’ is such an exquisite piece of music that you’re left altogether amazed at just how many textures and atmospheres you can actually fit into one track. The melody reminds of early ‘Galaxy To Galaxy’ exploits but in some way cleaner and more electronic – as if Slam have brought the voice of 90’s techno more up-to-date than ever before. This is already receiving immense support from the likes of Laurent Garnier and Tom Middleton and once you hear it, you’ll see why. Perfect work from two of the UK’s most talented producers. M8/M8
Album Of The Month:
Massonix
‘Subtracks’
(SKAM)
Produced by former 808 State main man Graham Massey, this is music from a pioneer - so be prepared for big things from the offset. Luckily we are not disappointed and bearing in mind this man has a colossal history of innovation, you would expect nothing less that a smack around the head immediately. Steel drums, zylophones, warped bass and downright mechanical weirdness - it’s all here. Thirteen tracks that take electronic music and push it into unknown territories. The techno influence here is obvious but if it’s bang bang bang you want - look elsewhere. A mammoth album from a sometimes forgotten key player in dance music. M8/M8
Motor
‘Bleep 1’
(NOVAMUTE)
For those that don’t know, Motor’s sound is electronic with more melodies than possessed ice cream van. And after hearing Motor’s forthcoming album, you’ll be pretty blown away to say the least. ‘Unhuman’ is due out in March and this single will be release two weeks before - as a prelude to what you are about to receive. From a personal point of view, ‘Bleep 1’ is not the best track on the album, but it’s damn fine nonetheless. The ‘Whitely Clean Machines Mix’ is however, super impressive and is well worth going out of your way to get hold of before the album hits the streets. Be aware you can also download an exclusive track by Motor called ‘Buzzslut’ from Beatport as we speak! M7/M8
KN
‘Technique on Monday’
(CLUSTER)
When it comes to party techno, there’s one label that never ceases to amaze. Yet again Cluster sticks its head way above the rest with this new track by Japan’s KN. The main A-side cut is the damage-doer, entitled ‘Technique on Monday’, it’s a track more suited to a Saturday night mosh pit than a Monday however. Choppy use of air-raid siren and blippy melodic lead-line means you’ll be reaching for this one time and time again. Recommended ONLY if you like to party. M7/M8
Jon Rundell
‘Future Funk EP’
(MENTOR)
Intec label manager Mr Jon Rundell has been causing somewhat of a stir lately, both with his excellent production and DJ talent. This release comes courtesy of Trevor Rockliffe’s Mentor label so you better be set for some low down funk-action. ‘Saxual’ is the main work here - using a cheeky sample from ‘Dreams Of Santa Anna’ by Todd Terry. Immediately recognisable to the right crowd, this will get the ladies moving and the blokes looking up their skirts. The other tracks all have that rolling Intec-style tribal feel, but the one to do the business is ‘Saxual’ everytime. M6/M8
Christian Smith
‘Finca Dofi’
(TRONIC)
If it’s house techno crossover music you’re after, Christian Smith is the man who can. ‘Finca Dofi’ is a seriously addictive party tune and has one of the best breakdowns this month - twice dropping into a filtered break and stunning fx before kicking back in at lightening pace. This gets a serious reaction on the floor. Flip over and you get the late-night grooves of the one and only Alexi Delano on the remix tip. Superb work from two Swedish masters. M7/M8
Kobaya
Shiballizer
(JESUS LOVED YOU)
Valentino Kanzyani’s Jesus Loved You label has seen some serious classics over the last few years but this one takes all the prizes for packing the killer punch. Belgrade’s Nenad Petrovic has come up with an electro-tech gem of a peak time party tune entitled ‘Shiballizer’ - and it will destroy absolutely everywhere it’s played. The key is the ‘Drop That Ghetto Blaster’ sample after the main break that quite simply put, makes the whole floor drop its trousers, never mind their radios. Seven minutes of pure annihilation! M8/M8
Jamie Fanatic & Mario Ochoa
‘Lost And Found EP’
(RELIC SILVER)
DJ Preach’s Relic label has recently gone silver with this new sub-division. The sound is housier that his Relic imprint - so don’t expect to be slapped across the head with a turkey. However, do expect to be forced into a cage of sexy women all demanding you lick their boots and drink from the fountain of Venus. The best track on here is the A1 number ‘Found More’ by Jaimie Fanatic and it’s one of those that builds and builds until an almighty peak in the break down. Massively recommended at a frisky after party. M5/M8
Fuse Presents:
‘Steve Bug’
(MUSIC MAN)
I’ve been a huge follower of Steve Bug’s sound since the earlier Superstition releases in the 90’s - minimal to an extreme. He always, somehow, manages to encapsulate everything that is good about the stripped down side to electronic music. So it came as a welcome surprise to discover he’d been given the task of mixing this latest in the serious of Fuse Presents albums. Following in the footsteps of legends such as Dave Clarke, DJ Hell and Joris Voorn, Steve takes on the job without fault and delivers a stunning mix with many great moments - especially the inclusion of ‘The Dance’ by Rhythim Is Rhythim at the end. Get out and grab yourself one seriously good album this month. M7/M8
Alex Calver and Mike Andrews
‘Wig Wam Bam (Boris S RMX)’
(NUBREED)
Skull Tunes front man and aggressive techno shirt-lifter Boris S is on the remix tip here with ‘Wig Wam Bam’ - the original of which is a stuttered kick liaison from Alex Calver and his buddy Mike Andrews. As expected, Boris does a sterling job in creating a peak time floor burner with a break that has you karate chopping the person next to you in a vague attempt to stop the butchery. This is a great EP and with all four tracks doing their own thing, it represents great value for money if you’re bonkers about the Schranz sound. M6/M8
Seb Marx and Jimige/Oli Brand
‘Nitrous Haze/Out Patient’
(KSS)
KSS have been organizing techno parties for years and it’s about time they got there act together to release some heavy party music. Here we have a two track EP and although Seb Marx takes the reigns on the A-side, the real dark destroyer is on the AA from little known producers Jimige and Oli Brand. It’s always a pleasure to discover new production talent like this and the track crosses more pure sounds of techno with the style a label such as Hydraulix would release. What a clever track this is. Can’t wait to here more music from this label. M7/M8
Sandy Warez
‘Transfer Failed’
(CORPORATE)
Sandy Warez drops the bomb of an EP on the now well established Corporate label. Of course Corporate stands for hard punishing techno music and the A1 track on here is as punishing and as hard as it gets! The energy lies completely in the bottom end - which if you’re not careful you might miss if all your listening for is standard kick and bass. Instead throw the rule book out of the window and turn the gains up to a maximum. Ultra-death metal for the techno world! M7/M8
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