 |
Single Of The Month: Christian Smith and John Selway ‘Transit Time’ (SINO)
Album Of The Month: Joris Voorn ‘From A Deep Place’ (TECHNORIENT)
|
ALBUM OF MONTH:
Joris Voorn
‘From A Deep Place’
(TECHNORIENT)
It’s been a tough contest for album of the month this time but finally, the prime spot goes to the Dutch whiz kid that is Joris Voorn. A nineteen-track album is impressive enough indeed but when every single one of those tracks is of unparalleled quality and calibre, you are left virtually winded by it’s intensity and power. A journey this good is impossible to describe completely, but if you can imagine twist and turns at every possible juncture, leaving no stone unturned, then that points almost laughingly as to what you need to expect here. If you thought summer had just arrived, well you just aint seen nothing until you get hold of this. M8/M8
SINGLE OF THE MONTH:
Christian Smith and John Selway
‘Transit Time’
(SINO)
With over thirty releases under their belts, Smith and Selway are prolific to say the least. ‘Transit Time’ is the first single to be released from their forthcoming album ‘Lightning Strike’ and as a taster, its leaves you wolfing down desert and begging for seconds. The A1 is a ploddy house/techno crossover affair but don’t be fooled by the relatively simple percussion, it’s the mid-air flight sound over the top that really gives this the edge. But turn to the B and we’re on a more Hawtin-style skip with the verbed rim-shot and chatter snares. A club-killer. This one devastates. M8/M8
Slam
‘Human Response’
(SOMA)
Finally we have the fourth album from Scotland super-duo Stuart McMillan and Orde Meikle and it’s a belter. From the very off, it’s quickly apparent that there’s nothing else out there like this. From the climactic progression of ‘We Medicate’ to the full-on party emotion-puller that is ‘Azure’, you’re treated to complete electronic mastery that you only find in Slam’s music. At points, it’s almost as if you’re listening to an up-to-date B12 or a cleaned up and polished Galaxy 2 Galaxy. Top marks and great work. M8/M8
Paul Woolford
‘Body Double EP’
(INTIMACY)
It’s exciting when you discover an obvious creative talent for the very first time and that’s just what happened here when checking this new four track EP by Paul Woolford. On a new label called Intimacy, you wouldn’t be exaggerating to say he doesn’t put a foot wrong on any of the three tracks here. The bassline on track one is perfection – reminding of Model 500’s ‘Interference’. There’s an old school 1985 Chicago vibe about much of the music here, but the punch of techno is around every corner. Can’t wait for more from this guy. M8/M8
Marco Nastic
‘Sexy’
(EARRESISTABLE)
Besides being a fantastic DJ, Belgrade’s Marco Nastic is now a world renound producer and this EP demonstrates why. It’s his uncompromising ability to surprise that makes any release of his a worthy addition to your collection. The title track ‘Sexy’ demonstrates his more minimal approach to music but flip over and you have the beautiful sound of ‘Unforgotten Mornings’ – a melodic monster of emotions that quite literally tears the house down at after-party mashups. M6/M8
Mike Humphries/Audioklinik
The Ages EP
(OPEN SOURCE)
This month’s hard party anthem comes courtesy of that Red Seal all-time great Mike Humphries. With a kick that argues with the bloke next door and boots his own kids up the ass, ‘Automation’ really does get the party flying here. The old school stab works perfectly and the FX in the final break gets the ladies-a-screaming like nothing else. Upcomers Audioklinik completely rock the B-side too, finishing off one brilliant EP on Open Source. M7/M8
Convextion
‘Romantic Interface’
(AW)
There seems to be something of an old school vibe in the air this month, as Gerard Hanson drops another bassline Juan Atkins would be proud of. And it’s great to hear artists still sticking with the more string-type Detroit style when others seem to be hitting the minimalist catwalks. This EP demonstrates the true roots of our music and keeps the AW label at the top of the pile. Four tracks of pure mechanical beauty. M7/M8
Chris Fortier
‘As Long As The Moment Exists’
(EQ)
Encouraging debut album from Chris Fortier on the Australian based EQ label. We’re given fifteen tracks of techno, ranging from ambience to tech-house to full on party central. As a listening album, this could flow a little better but there’s some interesting ideas here and it’s well worth a flick through to see if any of the single tracks are playable in your own club environment. Personal fave tracks are ‘Sunday Is A Travel Day’ and ‘Stay Tuned’. Keep it coming. M5/M8
Various
MP3P EP
(VEZOTONIK)
Serbia’s Dejan Micevic (and Marco Nastic’s B2B DJ buddy) joins forces with Slovenia’s Veztax and Aneuria for this three track bass ripper on the Vezotonik imprint. If it’s car junk yards and various door closing noises that turn you on, then this could very well get you in the parts that other tracks just don’t get. Placed with tracks from the likes of Nastic and Kazyani, you’re in the zone of deep debauchery. M6/M8
Stephan Bodzin
Liebe Ist
(HERZBLUT)
The first five tracks on this eleven-track album place Stephan Bodzin on a completely different planet to anyone else. With a tight minimal style 4/4 structure, almost every sound he brings in changes so violently and unpredictably, that you’re left holding onto anything dear in a false belief that everything is going to be ok in the end. In fact, the bassline on the title track ‘Liebe Ist’ is probably one of the strangest things I’ve ever heard in my life. It’s a real shame the later half of the album doesn’t hold up with the same ferocity and impressiveness, but if you want to be blown into the middle of next week just for 20 minutes, this is worth it simply for the first half. M7/M8
Various
Superfreq Express Samplers
(SUPERFREQ)
It’s been a good few years since Mr C (of Shamen fame) released a mix CD, so the news of a new one imminent is welcomed with open arms. Two EP samplers will be released before the album hits the streets both coming out in the next month. Each one is pretty stunning with the first featuring tracks from Don & Tom and Mr C himself. But by far the best is EP 2, with the incredible ‘Floorescent’ from Adultnapper as well as ‘Nameless One’ from Swedish genius Alexi Delano. M7/M8
Various Artists
Ekspozicija 07: Mixed By Kevin Saunderson
(EXPLICIT)
This great little album by one of the original Detroit masters is impressive indeed. At first it’s the tracklist that jumps out – from the sexy tones of Carl Craig’s ‘Kill 100’ remix, to the more club sounds of Preach and Giacomotto, the twists and turns are there for all to see. Even hard techno wife-beater DJ Ogi makes an appearance. It’s a raw energy of emotions, that rollercoaster’s its way out of your speakers and into the very core of your brain. Where most mix album usually focus on one specific part of a style, this takes the best of it all and fits it all into one. Hats off to the originator. M7/M8
 |
Subscribe to this comment's feed
