Cutting-edge dance music, club culture & DJ technology http://www.djmag.com en-gb Copyright Thrust Media Ltd July 2011 ben.murphy@djmag.com james@djmag.com Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:01:03 +0100 Tue, 12 Jul 2011 01:01:03 +0100 News djmag_rss_creator_1.0 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19791#19791A gorgeous, goosebump-inducing vocal, in mixes ranging from 'garden of poppies' happy to 'war-torn landscape' dirty. Soothing chords and an irresistible, rapidly played piano accentuate this beautiful voice in the original mixes, with a clean-cut drum snapping it together. Danny Byrd's contributory mix hints at the dirt to follow, then in Cutline's mix, the serrated, sore throat slurps take over. Wouldn't be surprised if it hits the National 40. reviewstory19791Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19792#19792Every now and then, a piece plays through the speakers and literally slays your sub woofers and subconscious simultaneously, as soon as it drops. This is one of them. Sounding like Camo & Krooked with full face hoods on and mischief on their minds, 'Terror War' is an epic masterpiece of melee combat. Rumbling basses, grinding, vibrating synths and anarchic alarms are all thrown in at once in a delightfully chaotic blend. Supremely energetic and worth twice the money. reviewstory19792Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19793#19793The first single from this wonder group's eagerly-anticipated debut album effortlessly traverses the fine line between basshead appeal and mainstream saleability. Classic lovers-rock reggae vocals courtesy of the great Johnny Osbourne (of 'Murderer', 'Water Pumping', 'No Ice Cream Sound' etc) are modernised and injected with speaker-crushing fervour. As the vocals and traditional reggae elements playfully reverberate, dragon-slaying sawtooth synths and rapid fire melodic bleeps add a future feel. Backed by a d&b speed flipside, where wondrous energy takes over. reviewstory19793Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19794#19794A maudlin, reflective selection of emotional female vocal snippets is given a surreal, supple feel through a late-night rolling blend of long, drifting far away bass, '80s-inspired dark electronica touches and a hypnotic, lively double snare drum pattern. 4:30am flavour. Flip for more psychic soul, where the most enormously powerful, smooth-but-serrated bass challenges your preconceptions and distinctly Numan-esque synthesisers add a moody, pensive feel to a very cool rollers drum. On the night shift.reviewstory19794Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19795#19795AI are all about anthems, and here's two goodies. Very strong pieces here that can be seen as 'organic' d&b. Slow growers, which as a result, have long-lasting quality-ridden flavour as opposed to fast, immediate gratification that soon dies out. Both are solid floor favourites. 'Finest' rather than 'Value' range. reviewstory19795Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19796#19796Cyber punk war. You know the drill, soldier. Ominous, uncertain future chords serve to initially present this abstract canvas of rising dismay and imminent aggression. Come the drop, feel free to slobber as aggressive vocal snatches bounce around mech-robot maelstroms of bass madness that sounds like Transformers and Decepticons hurling abuse and laser gun fire at each other. You simply can't help but to let yourself go. A little traditional, but still does the job. reviewstory19796Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19797#19797A six-track EP oozing with quality and multiple flavours. The robotic flow of 'Time To Do' is a hardstepper's acidic dream, 'Conquest' is for Amen rollers, where classic dark rave stabs accelerate proceedings like a Formation Recordings classic, and 'Rampage' is a Detroit techno-inspired stomper with simply evil, warping bass. Then, 'No Time' harks back to Roni Size's back-to-basics days and 'Ghetto Sounds VIP' is Grooverider-esque under his Codename John moniker. All your Christmas presents rolled into one! reviewstory19797Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19798#19798Fans of Noisia, plot your coordinates and steer your craft to this quadrant. With the confidence to traverse galactic boundaries rarely seen with human eyes and mapped even less, 'Basic Memory' is a gen-mod roller made to a strict standard where a juddering, jagged-but-smooth drum is the basis for a keyboard extravaganza of futuro-sounds and menacing, atomic mecha-sub basses. Female android-type statements - "music", "rhythmic" and "do it" complete this fine example of microchip euphoria. reviewstory19798Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19799#19799A generous slice of tuff-city unadulterated floor pressure that lovers of Playaz Records or Silver & Lutin on V will enjoy immensely. Sharp stabs balance a frantic drum that's peppered with vocal snatches of the title, while super-low subs vibrate below and throttle your breathing. Just as strongly spiced on the flip, where movie speech in the same style as Hazard's 'Machete' tells a story of vengeance, while staccato drums and alarm screech bass attack. Gonna see you sweat. reviewstory19799Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19800#19800A mixture of d&b, dubstep and electro house here, all pumping successfully and pushing the right buttons. 'Multishapes' is mechanical and musical while 'Choose Me' raises limbs skyward. reviewstory19800Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19801#19801A cross between the elevating atmospherics of, say, the Brookes Brothers, and the dark, sparse drums and ominous basses of Spirit, Jubei or Need For Mirrors. Galactus in ballet shoes. reviewstory19801Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19802#19802Detroit garage-style, uplifting trunk-funk, where a wholesome, jumping rhythm and bass style is sprinkled with just a little too many vocal chants over the beats. reviewstory19802Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19803#19803A Hype & Pascal presented, varied four-tracker containing a deep slider, a gurgling bass roller, a skipping jabber and cavernous dark-stepper by peeps like Jaydan and Need For Mirrors.reviewstory19803Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19804#19804The great Robert Owens' silky chocolate voice graces a head-nodding admirable electro groove. Two trendy electronica bleeps tease and tickle, while the vocal acts as the umpire. Cool. reviewstory19804Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19805#19805Dokes's appearance on the techno page may cause some surprise, but the title track is impossible to categorise. A driving bassline underscores melancholic piano keys, but heavy claps and pounding tribal drums guarantee its dancefloor efficacy. Dokes adopts a softer approach on 'God Of House', but its spine-tingling strings and gorgeous keys are so sensuous that they follow in the tradition set down by Derrick May's small but perfect body of deep techno. reviewstory19805Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19806#19806'Lilac' launches this Dublin label, a chugging groove underpinned by a prowling bassline and reminiscent of late 90s techno thanks to its evocative chord sequence. Hypertic provide a lighter version - their beats are snappier and traces of a disco riff are audible. Subsignal veer towards a more filtered and somewhat less rewarding tech-house direction on '122', but The Parallel's remix compensates with eerie chords and heavier beats, and rounds off an impressive debut. reviewstory19806Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19807#19807Mysterious new producer Shifted has only put out three EPs - on Mote Evolver, Syndrome Z and now this, on his own label - but with each release, his standards keep rising. The lead A-side and B-side are the standout tracks here. The former is a dense techno groove, its panning filters sucking in chiming bells, while the latter bears some relation to Skudge's material. Slamming and heavy, its tempo is restrained yet there is no let-up in the intensity levels. reviewstory19807Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19808#19808Instead of going down the usual retro-facing route, Hitsafe tries something more adventurous on 'Let The Acid Out'. Granted, the gurgling acid lines are still audible, but it is set against a backdrop of DBX-style minimal house and even has some 'Losing My Edge'-style vocal narrative about back in the day. Tin Man also deserves praise for his remix, a heavier take with more upfront chords, nasty bleeps and a more menacing vocal which sounds like the Vienna-based producer's own tones. reviewstory19808Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19809#19809Ulf Eriksson's label has put out a wide range of music in the past year, and 'Olidan' is as unpredictable as the rest of its output. While the title track teems with shimmering synths, 'Jatten' is the real highlight here. Weighing in at over 15 minutes, it builds slowly from sublime electronic disco into a wild, drum-heavy denouement that takes its cue from Omar S and Theo Parrish. reviewstory19809Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19810#19810Munich label Prologue has been at the forefront of heavy 6am techno for a few years, so it comes as no surprise that Iori's 'Lapis' is a dense, punishing affair. However, instead of pummeling the listener into submission, 'Lapis One' chugs to the sound of grimy acid. The second version provides no such concessions, and builds to a wild finale amid arcing 303s, but 'Lapis Three' provides some relief as a pulsing bass underpins the granite beats. reviewstory19810Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19811#19811It's been a few years since Andy Stott released any new material, and this double-pack shows a more experimental side to his palette. From the white noise of 'Signature' through the deep, mid-paced techno of 'New Ground' and 'North To South', it sounds like Stott has become older and wiser. That's not to suggest he's become totally serious - check the disco-tinged 'Intermittent' - but on this occasion his dub techno has a more menacing twist, as 'Dark Details' shows. reviewstory19811Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19812#19812Absurd's spin-off series goes from strength to strength with 'In Bed'. Dozzy's original version manages to fuse the statuesque deep techno of Richie Hawtin's FUSE project with ponderous acid lines. Vienna-based Tin Man attains the same high standards with his version. Underpinned by tight drums, its breathy melodies and searing acid lines make for a breathless remix - and bodes well for Tin Man's own forthcoming album on the label. reviewstory19812Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19813#19813With such a title, it would not be unreasonable to expect a bombastic, Wagnerian techno release, but the reality is somewhat different. Obtane and Gigli's 'You Can't Hide Yourself' is based on a pulsing, splurging bassline and billowing filters contained by steely drums. On the flip, Milton Bradley's 'Escaped From The Dark' is atmospheric and textured, but set to a mid-tempo rhythm. Understated menace rather than overt force seems to be on offer. reviewstory19813Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19814#19814If you've been afforded the opportunity to play at Berghain, then this recording shows how it should be done. Pulverising, splintered rhythms, super-heavy drums and abrasive acid lines underpin arrangements that build and climax for what feels like an eternity. reviewstory19814Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19815#19815'Panel Trax 15' is a reminder of McDermott's contribution to techno during the 90s. More visceral than Hood but more adept than Vogel at making experimentation sound funky, many of these stripped-back analogue rhythms still sound fresh. reviewstory19815Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19816#19816Sydenham continues to work in the grey area where house and techno meet: the title track is driving but has a beautifully melancholic bassline, while the tougher 'Daphne' features tight claps, a rougher bass and snappy, Klock-style percussion. reviewstory19816Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19817#19817Justin Berkovi is a diverse producer, as this release shows. 'Infinity' and 'Flight' are tough club tracks and by contrast, 'Dawn Brings Hope' is gloriously melodic, while 'From Within The Cosmos' is an eerie downtempo number reminiscent of John Carpenter. reviewstory19817Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19828#19828Whilst the original is an immense bombastic ballad, a kind of heavy-metal Madonna that Goldfrapp fans will love, the chunky remix package takes it firmly to the dancefloor. From Coin Operated Boy's Stuart Price-esque nu-disco delight, through Dan Neon's atmospheric soundscape to Whyt Noyz's deep 4/4 subtle stomper, here is a collection in which all warrant their place, a carefully chosen remix selection which shows you don't need big names to be big on quality.reviewstory19828Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19829#19829Maybe it's because there's a 'death' name connection, but this really, really reminds me of Pete Burns' Dead Or Alive semi-classic 'You Spin Me Round'. That's certainly not a slag off either, because this is a proper potential 'hit single', a compact take-no-prisoners electro-pop throb that sounds like a beefed-up Hot Chip on a 21st Century Studio 54 mission. The piano breakdown sounds very like Chilly Gonzales, but he actually figures on B-side Voodoo Lovers.reviewstory19829Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19830#19830As well as co-producing much of Mylo's 'Destroy Rock & Roll' album, Kevin McKay was the writer/producer of Linus Loves. He also set up labels Breastfed (Mylo) and Heartbeats (Grum), and now re-ignites Glasgow Underground with his own EP. Standout track is 'Propaganda', inspired by his regular visits to Moscow's legendary club of the same name. It's a classy, sophisticated slice of acidy electro with nods to the past and two feet firmly on the 21st Century dancefloor. reviewstory19830Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19831#19831Blippy and burpy brick wall mastered ear-mashing nonsense with ravey breakdowns that slip into Diplo beats whilst conjuring up images of thousands of undiscerning arms punching the air. If you imagine every Chemical Brothers build-up ever recorded spliced together in one long sequence and then stripped of any subtlety, then re-played by a heavy metal pub rock tribute Prodigy band, you're still not even halfway there. Even Tocadisco's remix doesn't manage to salvage anything.reviewstory19831Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19832#19832The first taste of Simon Delacroix's new album 'Angst' features the UK's South Central on vocals and is a plodding affair that never really threatens to take off. The remix from Parisian 'alt.electro' outfit Bot'Ox is much better, a kind of Presets/Philip Glass hybrid, motoring along on synthy arpeggios and some very solid rocky drums that recall one of Soulwax's finest remix moments from their version of Felix Da Housecat's 'Rocket Ride'.reviewstory19832Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19833#19833Hamburg-based duo Raik Krause and Robert Nickel have some great work under their belts over the past year including releases on Kitsuné, Turbo Recordings and Bang Gang as well as remixes for Tiga, Armand Van Helden, Boys Noize, Busy P and Zombie Nation. 'Minor' is very much the current sound of boundary-blurring German electro/techno and contains both plenty of open space and enough going on to get well and truly blissfully lost in.reviewstory19833Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19834#19834A rockin' beaty groove which sounds a bit like a sparkly version of Digitalism from back when they were good, mixed up with guitar lines and even a very Peter Hook-style bass part halfway through. The young French duo Hugues and Thomas' own remix goes for a smoother take on the track and the package is completed with remixes from Bot'ox, Mercury, Total Warr, Black Devil Disco Club and Briefs.reviewstory19834Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19835#19835Lincoln duo Tom Austen and Will Morris have remixed the likes of Groove Armada, Count & Sinden and Foamo over the past year, and their light touch aims at a subtle euphoria rather than a mid-set block-mastered buzzsaw bass monster. 'Xylophobe' works the intention well, with a bubbly groove that's enough to keep the party going whilst bringing down the intensity. Comes with a remix from Grum which kind of misses the point and adds nothing to it.reviewstory19835Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19836#19836Taken from the 'Fussmaschine' album, a fantastic collection of remixes Justus Kohncke has previously made for the likes of Human League, Rusty Egan, James Yuill and many more, now collected in one place. His take on what is arguably Hot Chip's finest moment is a solid affair that, although it dispenses with some of the original's quirkiness, replaces it with a warm shuffle that only serves to emphasise its charm.reviewstory19836Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19837#19837With over a million sales in his homeland, Beduk is big in Turkey. This is the kind of electro/disco/pop crossover that many would die for.reviewstory19837Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19838#19838If you've liked the His Majesty Andre releases that I've been plugging on this page over recent months, you'll probably be into this more than decent choppy nu-disco affair.reviewstory19838Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19839#19839A self-professed French 'Symphonic Composer' who sings in English, this is a weird and almost wonderful kind of Gallic Mark E Smith rant-pop over orchestral loops.reviewstory19839Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19840#19840Ravey stabs, check. "Don't stop the music" vocal tag, check. Filtery breakdown, check. Heard it all before but done a lot better, check.reviewstory19840Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19848#19848Once the chorus/intro is done, DG gets down to some seriously snarly bizniz over some epic downered electro. Trouble is that chorus comes back! Would just prefer the spat bars rather than the failed hook.reviewstory19848Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19852#19852See if yr gonna do hooks, make them as dreamy and swoonsome as this, make the backing as ethereal and sweet as this, break my heart with harmonies and namecheck Fela Kuti and Rakim at the same time. Nice one. reviewstory19852Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19853#19853Chi-town up-and-comers Race and Simeon Viltz drop some great rhymes on Tye Hill of The Produktionix's meaty thunking beats. One of the myriad total corkers from their superb 'Da Crack Of Dawn' mixtape. Squeak that volume knob up until you feel the hot sticky redemption of blood pouring from your eardrums. Essential. reviewstory19853Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19854#19854From the 'Beats & Bullets: Soundtrack To A Shootout' selection of hip-hop instrumentals on Digicrates.com. The Roc track freezes you in a moment of finger-twitching close-up street-level tension that never offers relief (don't wait for the beat to drop - it won't!). On the flip, Mok Vurban takes what sounds like a moment of Astrud Gilberto or Os Mutantes and slo-mo deforms it 'till it sounds like Boards Of Canada. Wonderful. reviewstory19854Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19855#19855The Canadian label responsible for bringing us recent intrigue from Planet Asia and Moka Only keep building with N'Orleans producer DaiN and his weird mix of complex beats and almost infantile, console-friendly loops. One to watch. reviewstory19855Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19856#19856Malkovich's 'Ayatollah Presley' mixtape (presented by Dilla's boy DJ House Shoes) is one of 2011's most nutzoid transmissions. Check out the equally unhinged video to this woozy, weird track, like Captain Beefheart locked Lil Wayne in a shed for two years with nothing but Pro-Tools for company. Another one to keep an eye on, if only for your own safety. reviewstory19856Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19857#19857Welsh new tech sensation Fujin-Ku have crash-landed from the Welsh Valleys with this debut release on the brand new label set up by Phil York and Fausto to showcase the new wave of tech-influenced, stripped-back sounds sweeping the global hard dance scene. Both tracks on this EP are well produced, forward thinking and really heavy on a big soundsystem. My pick of the bunch is 'Downunder' that has lots of crunchy tech percussion, an uplifting main hook and a powerful electro-driven drop.reviewstory19857Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19858#19858The limited-edition 12" that came out a few months ago now available as MP3s. You know the score with Format, rugged deliberated dated shit this old fart simply can't resist. Tons of fun. reviewstory19858Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19859#19859Australian megaforce Bioweapon take on the classic D Block & S Te Fan release, here adding their bouncy Aussie hardstyle sound to it, keeping true to the vocals in the original and beefing up the main riff to full effect. This will be big in all the top Dutch DJs' sets over the festival period this summer. Bioweapon taking over!reviewstory19859Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19860#19860Discovered by label boss Alex Kidd, this boy wonder has caused quite a stir on the hard dance scene over the past year with a UK-Euro hybrid sound incorporating various other sub-genres into his releases. This has caused him to remix the likes of Lisa Lashes, Anne Savage, Luca Antolini and Dark By Design. His new single 'My Dutch Guitar' shows his growth as an artist over the last year, seamlessly fusing different genres together from tech trance up to hard dance.reviewstory19860Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19861#19861Ooh hell yeah, this is summer right there in the palm of your hand - simmering tension laced through the gorgeous grooves, the full panel Rotary Connection-style vocals swimming through the funk like dusty sun rays. Great rhymes from J and guests, a living breathing document of what wonder hip-hop can and should bring. reviewstory19861Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19862#19862Welsh powerhouse Bionic has really been pumping the releases out this year and this is one of their best so far, coming up trumps with a big hardstyle release from Italian couple Mondello & Express Viviana. Canadian Klonez steps up on the remix, adding his dirty electro-tek sound to this with a sprinkling of hard trance in the mix, keeping the triplets hardstyle vibe in the breakdown too.reviewstory19862Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19863#19863Ireland's most legendary hard dance DJ re-releases one of his classic tracks for 2011, featuring a whole new set of remixes. My pick of the bunch is the Joint Operations Centre remix, a guise for the harder beats by Ireland's biggest trance star. Featuring a big saw bassline and techy beats, this is a bit slower than previous JOC remixes with a larger hint of trance coming through, but he still keeps the quality of the production running throughout and it sounds heavy on a big system.reviewstory19863Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19864#19864Some much needed positivity for the defeated, a 'Keep On Keepin' On' for 2011, Craig & Moka breaking the fog and painting pictures over Cosm's gorgeous jazzy beats (think Nottz, Premo and Black Milk). On the flip, 'Day That's New' keeps things jazzy for Moka Only - two of the highlights from the great 'Time & Space' LP. Seek. reviewstory19864Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19865#19865Hard dance and hardcore wonder kid Alfie spreads his wings beyond his Raver Baby home, and sets up his own new label to release his more experimental hardcore releases. His first release featuring Mark Slammer on vocals is a pounding, spine-chillingly euphoric stomper, as superbly produced as you would expect from this guy, and adds another exciting label pushing new sounds to the UK scene.reviewstory19865Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19866#19866A trio of total doozies from the lip-smacking 'Still On The Hustle' LP. 'Hip-Hop' and 'My Own Line' see Marco Polo unintimidated by the Large one, throwing down beats the ol' master himself would be proud of under some fantastically free-flowing verbals courtesy of veteran rhymeslinger Neek. Queens rap at its finest. reviewstory19866Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19867#19867A former Money Shot anthem here reworked by one of the most exciting acts on the scene at the moment, with that techy futuristic Organ Donors sound running throughout.reviewstory19867Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19868#19868The king of bounce mashes up two big tracks I've been playing in my sets over the past year with the riff from Swedish House Mafia's 'One' mixed in with the "put your middle finger up in the air" vocal. Big yet very cheeky!reviewstory19868Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19869#19869New wave UK hard trance producer Leon B is really pushing the UK sounds forward with his electro-fused hard trance, still keeping those UK influenced uplifting melodies and epic breakdowns but adding clever hard house electro-fused drops.reviewstory19869Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19870#19870Precision of imagery. Nonchalence of delivery. A totally unique vision where "the paper that I'm folding is like wet tissue dissolving", where every affirmation carries with it its own vicious paradoxical denial, where the music (a gorgeous thrum of lo-end and smoky beats) serves only to make the words even more hypnotically driven into the skull. Fantastic stuff as ever from Jehst, if this is any sign then the soon-come 'Dragon Of An Ordinary Family' LP should be one of 2011's major high-points. Get in early. reviewstory19870Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19871#19871Astonishing, twisted, ultra-stoned slo-mo abstraction from Sheffield loon Treillon, rhymes that almost fall apart with their own reality, music so sparse and devestating I genuinely can't think of any antecedents. 10 million times more interesting than Odd Future. Hear it before any of the hipster fucks jump on it. reviewstory19871Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19872#19872Cheeky little mash-up of the biggest hardstyle and electronica producers at the moment. Sadly will never see legal release, but definitely a floor rocker!reviewstory19872Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19883#19883One of his first vocal-led numbers, 'Another Life' shows a clear advancement in Mr Distance's studio abilities. While Stine Grove's vocals/lyrics are a touch indistinct at times, her delivery nonetheless proves to be both hooky and attention-grabbing. With more than a hint of fragile lament about them, they prove the perfect foil to Hlusek's uplifting backing. reviewstory19883Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19884#19884'Love Is Darkness', Sander's first 2011 outing, divided fans and critics alike. The follow-up should calm any quivering nerves. A catchy, whistle-y intro, high-drama symphonic string midsection and a blistering, synth-propelled end to the break, 'Koko' doesn't put a foot wrong anywhere. Matching both high-end originality with an ability to rock the most mainstream of trance floors, it's Van Doorn's best in ages.reviewstory19884Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19885#19885'Sleepwalkers' has a relatively restrained, low 130bpm tempo. Not that you're likely to notice! In virtually every other respect, the track displays all the curb of a charging rhino. From its tweakin' intro to the inexorably thrilling build of its jet engine mainline, it'll red-line many a club's soundsystem. Beyond any doubt, the most peak-time track out this month - by rights it should come wrapped in hazard tape. reviewstory19885Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19886#19886'Sanctuary' had longer legs than any other trancer out there in the last 12 months. Taking hold around ADE, it was still going strong during Miami Music Week. Keen to see lightning strike twice, Lucy Saunders is back on singer/songwriter duties for 'Fight the Sunrise'. It's a comparably wispy, dreamy vocal performance, but might not have quite the catchy lyrics of 'Sanctuary'. reviewstory19886Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19887#19887Three years ago, in an inspired (and somewhat audacious) move, Nektarios brought together not one, but two famous dance vocalists for his first-ever track… Only for it to sail by cruelly unnoticed. Righting that injustice, High Contrast has picked up 'Invisible Walls' and Dennis Sheperd has given it a remix rubdown. With production, vocals and lyric wheels all now turning together (and Hawkshaw & Johnston unmasked from their original F-used guise), this could well pop. reviewstory19887Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19888#19888Enhanced's unerring knack of delivering highly innovative talent to the floor shows no sign of abating. Through them, Audien appears to be displaying the same youthful signs of early greatness that Arty did two years back. With a looping, sophisticated vocal harmony, intricate, agreeable trance-progressive production (which includes a fantastic Mylo-esque organ nod), 'People' is a new career high for the young American. reviewstory19888Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19889#19889Fascinatingly, this sees a barely-disguised Tijs 'Tiësto' Verwest step back into the arena he so publicly disappeared from 18 months back. Not just for a single, either, but a whole start-to-finish trance album process. There's way better to come on the 'Kiss From the Past' long-player, but with its catchy choral hook, 'Show Me the Way' is a fair opener.reviewstory19889Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19890#19890'Sun & Moon' - Richard's first 'Group Therapy' session - shifted units, but was perhaps a somewhat austere album starter. With its more emotive tones, 'Thing Called Love' inches closer to the Bedford highs of 'Stealing Time'. Fielding a killer chorus, Above & Beyond play the vocals off against a post-break mainline that drops in an ingenious tweak/twist, which ignites the track.reviewstory19890Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19891#19891With a title like 'Lamento Sentimental', you can guess there's no tech-trance shoe-shredder on the way. Half the success of its quest to charm and beguile, is that it manages to firmly check any excessive string-swelling and melancholic button pushing. 'Pune' does lay on the Asiatic twangs some (no sitars, mind), and has a 'surprise' break-ending, which will put you bolt-upright the first time you hear it! reviewstory19891Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19892#19892Coldharbour is a label in the rudest of good health. If you liked Skytech's 'Sirens', this is like its end-of-set, bullish big brother. Wind-tunnel trance.reviewstory19892Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19893#19893Refreshed and revised, Perfecto Flouro makes a frontline return with this Ben Lost/Rich Mowatt-produced number that oozes '80s influences from first bar to last. reviewstory19893Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19894#19894Crisp, bold production, with a steely, determined lead line and a simple-yet-magnificent vocal hook from Jano. Excellent. reviewstory19894Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19905#19905Recorded at Portishead's studio and with a nice wide-panning cinematic vibe to the deep-focus backdrop, whilst Klash & K9 swap their knowledge. Top class. reviewstory19905Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19906#19906Must admit I've shamefully ignored Braydz until now (always thought the name was daft), but 'The Slugga' is gonna be one hell of an album if this is anything to go by: the kind of planet-sized heaviosity that sucks the breath out of yr lungs and blows flames to the cosmos, Sean Price unzipping his usual coiled brilliance into the mesh. reviewstory19906Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19927#19927With the likes of Aloe Blacc, Raphael Saadiq and even Cee Lo Green currently tapping into the traditional soul and R&B revival, this debut single from 23-year-old London soul-man Michael Kiwanuka comes at a perfect time. Produced by The Bees' Paul Butler, it's the lead track 'Tell Me A Tale' that really takes your breath away; timeless, beautiful and as near-perfect as you're likely to find. Wonder soul in the key of Withers, Callier, Gaye and Redding! reviewstory19927Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19928#19928For the James Blake die-hards, the fact that this latest single only features tracks lifted from his recent long-player may come as something of a disappointment. For those folks still unfamiliar with this guy, though, this is a beautiful place to start. It's hard to know if/when the James Blake bubble will burst, but in the meantime, we are more than happy to keep on lapping up gems like these. reviewstory19928Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19929#19929Yet another cheery and unpretentious musical missive from the Super Furry Animals frontman. Most will recognise 'Honey All Over' from the recent 'Hotel Shampoo', but the real highlight of this EP comes in the shape of the previously-unreleased b-side 'Xenodocheinology' (a word used to describe a person's love of hotels and inns, apparently!) which is a brilliant piece of slow, bouncing, quirky, feel-good pop. reviewstory19929Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19930#19930Those in the know are calling this crisp, minimalist pop. It sort of works, but truth be told, there's a load more to this debut EP from Diagrams than just that. Each track seems to reveal a different side to their production, and so the switches begin; from rich, string-laden pop to hi-hat-riding, brass-driven alt-funk, via a touch of charming and beautiful acoustic folk. Very nice indeed.reviewstory19930Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19931#19931One of Ninja Tune's leading exports returns with another bass-laden cheeky morsel, for those who appreciate a solid, mid-tempo bottom-heavy groove. Never one to over-complicate, Scruff adds his signature humour, with some fluctuating synth lines, once again proving that simplicity is indeed key. The bonus is a discordant re-tread of 'Music Takes Me Up', courtesy of Nickodemus & Zeb, making this a very desirable two-tracker from Ninja. reviewstory19931Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19932#19932The union of Rich Thair and Jake One comes good again, with this four-track salvo that mixes a myriad of influences into its 22-minute duration. From the delicately percussive-yet-punchy trip of 'Chromaphon' to the skipping offbeats of 'Wavaphon', via the glitching 'Harmonic Ping', it's clear that the ideas are alive and well in camp Toob. Cunning arrangements, electronic trickery and a nod to Carl Craig as much as Cabaret Voltaire bring this home. reviewstory19932Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19933#19933Continuing to bring the finest global music from the outer limits into your living rooms, Fatcat roll out another chapter in their infamous split series. LA's Foot Village bring a 16-minute tribal and chant-led onslaught on the a-side, whilst the traditional Takamba music of Western Africa, courtesy of Super Khomeissa, occupies the flip. Both hypnotic and alluring in different contexts, yet both possessing a certain intensity, it's another intriguing and educating listen from Fatcat. reviewstory19933Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19934#19934An immaculately-conceived package from SBV, who have selected a talented and faithful set of guest remixers to pay homage to the legendary Popol Vuh. Thomas Fehlmann, Peter Kruder, Stereolab and Mouse On Mars, to name a few, all get involved, adding their particular twist to selections from the band's ambient side. A timely retrospective, it also comes with the original versions that display how far ahead of the game these boys really were. reviewstory19934Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19935#19935Certainly no half-stepping from Tigersushi, who follow up their Yes Wizard release with this double header that crosses deep Balearic house on 'House Of Ill Fame' with low-end bubbling acid on the brilliantly f*cked up 'Speakwrite'. Neither sitting in one musical camp nor another, it's the perfect definition of what the chameleon-like Tigersushi are all about. Inventive and intuitive music. reviewstory19935Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19936#19936Sharp and precise analogue grooves from the 4-Hero man, who teases us with this sampler from his forthcoming LP. Schmooth.reviewstory19936Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19937#19937It's all about the dark micro-glitch on 'Flux': super-subtle programming and a climatic finish. Just like great sex.reviewstory19937Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19938#19938Steel drums and kick-drums combine here for this piece of feel-good, modern electronic soul, courtesy of beat-smith Zed Bias and UK soul legend Omar.reviewstory19938Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19939#19939The hotly-tipped Leatherette return with another futuristic amalgam of reconstructed boogie, twisted disco and hip-hop soul for Alexander Nut's Ho_Tep imprint.reviewstory19939Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19940#19940Somewhere within the chaotic explosion of sounds that is this EP lie a few really good, really interesting tracks. Never has the concept of taking the rough with the smooth been so apt.reviewstory19940Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19951#19951As this "scene", or non-genre, or whatever it is that this reviews page covers grows, there's more and more unremarkable releases being made within it. You know the type, they use the same woozy synths as everyone else, the same 808 samples or garage breaks as everyone else, and they nearly all sample Aaliyah at some point. Bok Bok's Night Slugs label has been copied more than most of late, and Southside, his first full release for the label, plays out like a big "fuck you" to those who thought they could pin Night Slugs down. It's hard, uncompromising, individual music with classic grime and Chicago at its heart (and, crucially, in its basslines), painted with the sort of widescreen artistry that the Night Slugs artwork, also by Bok Bok, reflects. Watch how many people try to rip this off in the next six months. reviewstory19951Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19952#19952Look, by the time you're reading this, 'Boo You' will have been out a little while - longer than the rest of the singles here, anyway, but I didn't include it in last month's page and to ignore it would be criminal. Royal-T is quickly becoming the best producer in the Butterz camp for me, and his remix of TRC's 'OO AA EE' - a perfect marriage of grime, garage and bassline house - was begging for a vocal version. OGs here duly oblige, with P Money looking way back when on the chorus and Blacks ensuring that, despite the track's accessibility, it probably won't get mainstream radio play because of all his lyrics about cum. Boys, girls, they love nasty. reviewstory19952Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19953#19953As if Ossie's breakthrough 'Tarantula', released earlier this year wasn't good enough, here he is dropping a 12" for Hyperdub that's even better. Those African-inspired, live-sounding drums that are swiftly becoming Ossie's trademark set the perfect stage for a serenade from a love-struck robot, and for those who wish Darkstar had stayed making 'Aidy's Girl'-type tracks, you might have just found a summer anthem. reviewstory19953Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19954#19954Who the hell is Huxley? I have no idea, but according to his Soundcloud he's from Tring, which means he's automatically the best thing that town's ever produced. Everything I've heard from this guy has been absolute gold, but 'Shower Scene' is his finest moment yet, a marriage of late '90s garage and golden New York house that shimmers in the highs and bangs in the lows. reviewstory19954Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19955#19955This is already an insane dream team from the get-go, but throw in an ultra-rare remix from the legendary DJ Harvey and another from Caribou's Dan Snaith under his Daphni guise, and this becomes the house music equivalent of the Travelling Wilburys. Moody and magnificent, the original version is a stunner - a vintage bassline and two-way vocals blended to devastating effect. Harvey's version throws in Balearic guitar licks, while Daphni's injects a smattering of free jazz sax alongside itchy beats and another chopped female vocal. Frankly, it's little short of miraculous.reviewstory19955Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19956#19956Tensnake, aka Marco Niemerski, has gone all Todd Terry circa '88 and good God, if this is not the soundtrack to your summer we'll eat our hats, coats and probably shoes too. This undisputed colossus incorporates the Bizarre Inc-esque stabs, what sounds like the whole of the 808 and 909 percussion section, shiver-inducing breakdowns the size of the Mediterranean and a dreamy vocal. There's a Jas Shaw alternative mix which slows the tempo to something more classically Balearic, but whichever you play, be prepared to accept the consequences.reviewstory19956Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19957#19957There's rolling beats, then there's Bummalo, the lead track on this most impressive EP from Crosstown Rebels regular Maceo Plex and New York City's Elon, coming out of his own ReSolute stable. A groove so solid you could build apartments on it, it's chock full of space techno stabs, trancey vocals (on the digital exclusive 'Vox Edit') and 'that beat', so large it has its own area code. Additional tracks 'Chordate' and 'Floating Face' are also worthy of towering praise.reviewstory19957Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19958#19958Hailing from Rosario, Argentina, Lucas Mari has appeared on labels like Greener from his homeland and Adjunct in the US. This sees him drop the second release from Savor Music, out of Buenos Aires, and it's a stunner, a clattering blend of Chi-town percussion and a rubberised bassline. Gez 'G-Man' Varley then provides a doubly hypnotic version with echoes of Carl Craig at his most trippy. Over, 'AM' impresses - a jacking, building anthem.reviewstory19958Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19959#19959Purest dancefloor devastation from Dortmund here, courtesy of Stu Patrics and Sasse's most eminent Moodmusic imprint, now over 100-releases-old. 'Things Working' is an old school garage anthem with a spoken word which slots right into the groove. 'By Your Side', meanwhile, throws caution to the wind, with those garage stabs, massive drops and a rolling bassline. Hard to imagine where this kind of thing wouldn't bring a dancefloor to its knees.reviewstory19959Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19960#19960Mobilee regular Sebo K has achieved something particularly special here with 'Mr Duke' (a nod to the legendary-but-largely-unsung DJ Duke, perhaps?), crafting a devastatingly simple two-track release of barely paralleled quality. The original version builds and builds until the percussion is thick with bells and congas, before dropping to reveal its dark rave keys. Over, the alternative version is all warmth and synths, grooves firing off left, right and centre. Just brilliant.reviewstory19960Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19961#19961What house music would sound like beamed from space, this inspired slab of darkest disco in fact emanates from Edgar Jack's own fledgling Hummingbird label. It's deep and groove-laden, interspersed with an occasional howl of female vocal. Andres Bucci's mix takes things more robotic, while Someone Else's version plumbs deeper still. But Jamie Lloyd and Dean Dixon go effing nuts with live drum sounds and dizzying atmospherics, creating something totally original. Well bloody done.reviewstory19961Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19962#19962Chicago's Tevo Howard returns to Rush Hour spin-off Hour House Is Your Rush following the vintage grooves of last year's spectacular 'Crystal Republic' EP. Less an EP than a mini-album, there's eight tracks of deep acid here, from the electro styles of 'Confusion' and 'The Promenade' to the jacking 'The Instruction', and the pulsating 'Spend Some Time'. 'Intersection', meanwhile, is a jarringly gorgeous, arpeggiating masterstroke from the man who appears unable to set a foot wrong.reviewstory19962Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19973#19973Szare! The prince of dark techno is back, this time turning to Bristol's Idle Hands label for a release. Nothing as catchy as last year's incredible 'Snake Care' on this 12", but the emphasis is all on the atmosphere, the grooves shuffling like mummified bodies awakening from their gazillion year sleep. There's even some notes at one point in 'Action Five' that sound exactly like the opening of 'Next Hype', which is a bit odd for obvious reasons.reviewstory19973Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19974#19974Boddika has been getting plenty of attention this year, but now it's the turn of the other half of Instra:mental to show what he can do solo. Jon Convex is the Videodrome-inspired alter ago of Damon 'Kid Drama' Kirkham, and - much like Boddika - his solo debut looks to an analog utopia, with the emphasis on classic grooves, natural reverb and minimal EQ, and just the right balance of rough and smooth. reviewstory19974Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19975#19975Breach & Williams are two of the UK's sharpest producers in terms of sound, so you know when they team up shit's gonna be crisp. '2 Bob Note' itself is a bit dubsteppy for my tastes, with its overcooked LFO bass, but Williams' 'Fatherless' remix on the B-side is a jam. You obviously can't beat the original, though.reviewstory19975Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19976#19976Two of the UK underground's most influential elder statesmen team up for a collaboration on Keysound, but it's label boss Blackdown who slyly steals the plaudits with his 'Debt Repaid' remix on the flip - a prime example of rolling 4/4 garage taken as subterranean as it can go, Drag Me To Hell-style scenarios aside. reviewstory19976Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19977#19977Scuba debuting a new alias on Roska's Kicks and Snares label is a bit of a curveball in itself, but it seems to have brought out Scuba's... wait for it - "fun side". Bouncy percussion, pop samples - it's bloody good, and you can almost picture Scuba smiling while making it. Surely not?reviewstory19977Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19978#19978Look, it's a known fact that most of the best producers harbour a desire to produce for pop singers. Julio Bashmore - a man already more than adept with slow, hypnotic grooves, as fans of his house music will tell you - suits the role more than most, and launches full force into the role here, with a backing track that's perfect for McCarthy's Amaretto-sweet voice, while instantly making you want the instrumental too.reviewstory19978Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19979#19979Blinding piece of work from Cosmin TRG - 'Fizic' is rampant acid techno with a golden finish, while B-side 'De Dans' channels Plastikman's 'Spastik' with its percussion assault. "Real" drums of death, right here. Welcome to the tunnel...reviewstory19979Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19980#19980Just because a record may be super-rare, as you know, this doesn't necessarily make it any good. Well, this isn't the case for this latest from this Honest Jon's endorsed label; it's super-rare and super-good. In fact, it's rather incredible. Originally making an appearance on Nigerian disco label, Afrodesia, this slice of idiosyncratic acid-disco is the work of little known artist, Benis Cletin, who employs the most bonkers, modulating synth into this almost no-wave disco oddity. Beguilling, captivating, unique and utterly unmissable!reviewstory19980Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19981#19981Featuring an appearance from none other than Euro-dance legend, Haddaway, this rather extrovert pastiche of the genre gets a release from disco/cosmic/Balearic revivalists, Permanent Vacation. Making this rather sugary disco tune a little easier to swallow are the additional production talents of Bulgaria's KiNK and Danny Wolfers under his fantastic Legowelt guise. KiNK drops a chunky, FM bassline under a compressed house thump, whereas Legowelt opts for some of that eerie, primitive synth nostalgia.reviewstory19981Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19982#19982Kenny Glasgow and chums follow up their album debut with fellow emo-house crew, Soul Clap, plus the spiritual aid of Strictly's Osunlade. Caribou's Daphni tweaks a skewed electro/boogie version of sorts, before handing the reins over to DJ Harvey, whose slo-mo, surf-disco provides the EP's highlight. His dirty dubby electronics deliver just the right amount of sleaze and give a little nod to his forthcoming album on Balearic/cosmic-revival stalwart, International Feel. Ace. reviewstory19982Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19983#19983NYC 1976, Lydia Lunch, alongside punk-funk-jazz musician and all-round enfant terrible of the No Wave scene, James Chance, founded cult punk group, Teenage Jesus & The Jerks. Her career has been very much active since then and this latest collaboration with Bip-Hop's Philippe Petit is a continuation of the spoken-word style she has adopted over recent years. Petit's nebulous production is an ideal backdrop for her cynical, sage words; if a little world-weary.reviewstory19983Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19984#19984Suitably timed release that will function well in the Balearics as much as it will the local, inner-city discotheques. Current darling of the fertile UK house scene, Julio Bashmore (with a few cracking releases under his belt for the likes of Martyn's 3024 label and PMR Records) delivers a practical refix, but the disco heads will take more notice of the No Wave-inspired, electro-disco remix from DFA's Yacht. Both work really well, even if you find the vocals a little unpalatable.reviewstory19984Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19985#19985Giallo knowledge, pre-cert VHS horror fan and all-round electronic disco enthusiast, Bottin, drops another EP for Tirk offshoot, Nang. This time around, an alliance with Swiss producer, Joy Freypong, yields canny results that blend the sounds of new wave with Italo and Euro-disco styles. Well arranged tracks that glow with a sassy Tina Weymouth-esque vocal by Freypong. Faze Action fans, take note of Robin Lee's throbbing dub and vocal versions under his Rudy's Midnight Machine guise.reviewstory19985Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19986#19986The first of three precursory singles leading to an album debut from Jori Hulkkonen & Jeri Valuri's Processory project. Leading album tracks such as 'Nightfall' and 'Young Italians' fall under the production scrutiny of XL's nu-disco superstar, Aeroplane, and h-pop/chillwave hero, CFCF, respectively. Aeroplane delivers exactly what you expect, a euphoric remix that will no doubt be the tune that will get the most Shazam hits over the forthcoming festival months; but it's CFCF's version that is the highlight, with its delicate, nebulous, hypnogogic beauty.reviewstory19986Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19987#19987The duo first caught our attention after their stunning debut - a bizarre "Persian version" (excuse me) of the Euro/Italo disco classic 'Margherita' - was released on History Clock. Both cuts are sumptuously produced, with beautiful, choral arrangements and deluxe strings (a 17-piece orchestra, no less); all recorded at the White Stripes' favourite studio, Toe Rag. Currently doing the rounds as a very, very limited 12" single. Go seek one.reviewstory19987Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19988#19988More impenetrably obscure disco/rock/Afro cover-ups, re-edited and remodeled by this cabalistic cast of three. Digging deep into what seems like an endless resource of covetable relics.reviewstory19988Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19989#19989Showing absolutely no sign of running out of ideas, Bottin showcases some of his favourite esoteric disco tunes. Essential cover-ups are the very macho/very camp 'Adriano' and the almost vaudeville 'Stefania'.reviewstory19989Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19990#19990Excellent Royal House 'Can You Party' homage from Rob Mello and Tristan De Cunha as Sick Sense. Features an amusing, skewed take on the Techotronic rap too. Fun.reviewstory19990Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=19991#19991Pretty safe-sounding disco-romp from Portuguese duo, Cisco Cisco. Greg Wilson roughs up the title track somewhat with a steely, technoid edge.reviewstory19991Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20025#20025Only the most churlish of dancefloors would be disappointed in these four tracks from Alex Jones, particularly 'Romania Pika', a slab of spectacular '80s vocal aceness.reviewstory20025Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20003#20003Ahhh, this is like a triple trippy Inception-style dream; one level is the world of quality loopy grime from early Aftershock and Roll Deep days that has enough character to hold its own for four minutes. The second level is a world of NWA and Dr Dre sans raps, with an amalgam of laidback G-funk samples. And the final level is the 'Funky Worm' of Ohio Players fame. I'm sure granny would approve. This is a straight purchase. reviewstory20003Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20004#20004Another classic recording from the Greensleeves catalogue gets the remix treatment from the dubstep cognoscenti. Horsepower, Goth Trad and Coki have all taken a pop. But high up on the wish list is Kevin Martin, aka The Bug. Roping in Flowdan for mic duties, this classic dancehall bomb gets dealt with. Riffling 4/4 structures and penetrating sub bass underpin Flowdan's coffin-gravel delivery: an unerringly quality Bug production. Bad man pull up, indeed. reviewstory20004Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20005#20005Another new sister imprint for Ramp alongside Brainmath and PTN, comes Fourth Wave (the name, I am speculating, has something to do with "post-dubstep" and the new breed of producers coming through, but then I am quite stupid, so who knows). Netherlands unknown Presk is the first to soil the sheets, offering two syncopated tracks with more cut-up vocals than a self-harming choir, which are nice enough, but fail to really entice you to repeat listens. reviewstory20005Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20006#20006It's safe to say that the Enter Shikari chaps aren't a bunch of bandwagoning dubstephiles who think that Doctor P is a demi-God (well, I bloody well hope not), nay, they have been propagating their mongrel rock-step for some time. The title track is rather fun, and will get many an indie oik going apeshit. 'Destabilise' gets three remixes, with Rout producing a floaty dubstep de jour remix, but I really love Jonny & The Snipers version, which pleasingly has no "step" at all. reviewstory20006Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20007#20007Much like R&S, Aus has benefited greatly from the divergence of the "dubstep" canon: Ramadanman, Appleblim and Midland are all great cases in point. Here, George fits nicely into the Aus stable with more synth-heavy, gently syncopated house. 'Silhouette' continues to push his melodious, synth-fronted style, and is at odds with the frankly awkward and mildly bonkers John Roberts remix. Yet it's the loopy modulations of 'Reset' that really get the synapses firing. Big, fleshy house music. reviewstory20007Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20008#20008Ahoy, two tracks from the forthcoming album 'A Wha Him Deh Pon?', and to say I was intrigued when this came in the mail would be an understatement. A long time fan of 4Hero and his broken beat material, it's good to hear the old boy out and about again. However, this release still feels a little stuck in 2002: syncopated beats, check, jazzy chords, check, noodley noodle, check. 'Love & Hate You' has more promise, with touches of half-step and affected synths.reviewstory20008Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20009#20009The third release off the 'Crooks and Lovers' album from the MK boys, and once again, the interest lies in the extra tracks and remix package. 'Flux' and 'Bave Chords' further propagate MK's oxidised vibrations, the latter track offering a fine augmented lushness. New on the decaycore set is Klaus, with a portentous remix of 'Adriatic'. Airhead and Peter Van Hoesen both remix 'Carbonated', with the former wandering nicely outside the circle. reviewstory20009Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20010#20010Anyone for a slice of "left of centre" house music? Good, good, you've come to the right place. Please sit down and let newcomer, El Kid, play you his new tunes. '112', with its off-kilter synth play and pokey key work, is bolted onto delicately misplaced kicks and sub patterns. 'Le Corbusier' descends further into the dusty basement, unveiling lovely stabby keys and a driving plod that grinds into your head. reviewstory20010Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20011#20011Whilst the original is pleasant enough dubstep, it's drum & bass producer Lynx on the remix who really creates some magic, drawing further ovavou from the parts. reviewstory20011Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20012#20012With a title like that, I was expecting big, silly dubstep, but instead the influences are subtle, pinned to a friendly house foundation. Typically benign and ultimately uninspiring. reviewstory20012Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20013#20013A lip-wetting EP from this newcomer: warm techno with dubwise flourishes and a twist. Head for the probing spoken secrets of 'Younger'. Mesmerising. One to watch. reviewstory20013Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20014#20014A skippy dippy doo da EP, chock-full of garage references and dancefloor-friendly riddims. Check 'Destiny' for the bump and grind special. reviewstory20014Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20026#20026Crikey. There's deep, and then there's what Safari Electronique main man Arnaud Le Texier has turned in here for D'Julz's Bass Culture imprint. Did we mention it was deep?reviewstory20026Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20027#20027Italian producer Padice maintains his clockwork reliability here, dropping yet another classy release. The title track is gorgeous, as is a darker, jacking mix from Alex Picone.reviewstory20027Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20028#20028Purest party gear here from Huxley, the hotly-tipped producer with past form on Tsuba and Morris/Audio. Irrepressible NYC-style grooves, all thick and voluptuous.reviewstory20028Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20039#20039Aussie duo Karton are twanging out some big and bashy rhythms here, just ahead of their second album 'Find The Constant'. Showcasing the breadth of their sound, the title track with Melbourne rapper Fraksha is a rolling, grimey dubsteppy hip-hop thang that'll sound great in da club. Great rhymes. 'Girl With Vertigo' is a scintillating, wobbleboard bass music piece that starts off like Mylo or Daft Punk until after the first drop. Big build-up to the breakdown, while 'Feed The Horde' is a synth-heavy bad-ass widescreen dubstep thang for the first half before switching up temporarily into jungle breaks. Packaged to perfection.reviewstory20039Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20040#20040Back with their breakbeat heads on after making waves with their Southern Fried project Black Noise, the Aquasky boys invite some pals to remix some of their recent work. Cutline have the wondrous vocals of Diane Charlamagne (Goldie's Inner City Life' etc) to work with on 'Take Me There', and craft an accessible dubstep piece with mental Flux bass, while Jay Robinson turns it into an incessant bass music thang that twists through a bad-ass revving b-line and old skool breakbeats. Meanwhile, the 601 guys transform 'Feel The Sound' - feat LadyRoller - into a wicked jungle breaks thing that's like a 1995 Reinforced thing with deadly growly bass. reviewstory20040Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20041#20041'Ave this! Love the vocal sample on the bad boy breakbeat original, featuring a Ray Winstone soundalike talking menacingly about how the criminal underworld these days is run by "Little men on laptops", as opposed to the tools of the trade being guns and stuff. Little man on a laptop himself and Mutate label boss Unique 3 turns it tech-funk, while Gella puts the vocal through a mangle before whacking in a thugged-out bass-heavy breakbeat main section. Love it. There's also an acid breakbeat reworking by Justin Johnson and a Mike Lennon dubstep thang to boot.reviewstory20041Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20042#20042A fizzy electronic topline, dreamy chiming synths and snappy beats kick off 'On A Break' before the jazz-inflected female vocal comes in. The vox feels a bit out of time at first and although it realigns, it seems like the track just doesn't quite gel. Kid Chameleon on the remix tip, though, transports it into 140bpm jungle breaks territory, oceanic washes and tweeting birds giving it the feel of a Bukem/Omni Trio classic. There's little point calling this slower artcore d&b stuff 'future jungle', when 'jungle breaks' will do just fine. 'Future jungle' just dates and negates 'jungle', which just won't do.reviewstory20042Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20043#20043NAPT have only gone and started up their own label now to push things further forward, and this is the first Red Sugar release. Like Evil Nine and others, they may have decided to purge their sound of breaks these days, but the techniques they've learned over the years still infects both 'Emotion Parts 1 & 2' with a breakbeat sensibility. Uplifting female vocal, electro pads, noisenik bassline, just the right amount of glitch should help them reposition in the 4/4 world they desire. The Reset! remix is a bass music beast, while 'Boca A Boca' with Lucian X sees Ash and Tomek cook up a funky-yet-glitchy fusion pon da floor.reviewstory20043Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20044#20044Spectrum main man Pete Jordan steps out on Westway for the first time with a filtered disco hip-house thing that's going to sound great in Ibiza this summer. Cut La Roc's mix is pivoted around a swinging old skool Balearic bass groove, while the Visionaires go for the classic Defected circa 2000 feel (ATFC, OnePhatDeeva etc). Kid Chameleon turns in a great jungle breaks mix with a speed garage bassline, utilising pared-down old skool breaks superbly, and Misk - aka Splitloop's Phil - comes up trumps with another stuttery ghetto electro slab. Finally, Killaflaw use Justice-y synths that embed in yer brain at hip-hop tempo for a surprisingly different overhaul. reviewstory20044Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20045#20045Intro recalls 'Wordy Rappinghood' by Talking Heads offshoot the Tom Tom Club. But then neo trance synth stab arpeggios make an appearance, and they just tip it over into the wrong side of fromage territory for these ears. Persevere with the original for big rooms, and check the Precision Cuts mix for darker floors. PC layer flittering keys and a low-down, submerged bass over an intricate beats lattice. Koro Inu's take is a kinda post-dubstep head-nodder that is more for headphones/daybreak home listening.reviewstory20045Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20046#20046The 601 guys have been exploring the jungle breaks template of late (we're NOT calling it future jungle here), and on 'Can't Take It' an old skool Rachel Wallace-style cut-up female vocal sits atop a wobbly Reese bassline and fresh skibbedy breakbeats. This is a great example of a future-retro jungle breaks cut, recalling the mid-90s past but with inescapably futuristic production. Bad-ass. 'Whoop!' must've been the exclamation that Ape label bosses Ben & Lex emitted when they heard the second cut here, a killer bassline breaks track with a gnarly b-line, submarine pulses and acidy FX. 'Whoop!' indeed. reviewstory20046Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20047#20047Young 22-year-old Refracture from Ipswich has evidently got a promising future, and this EP for Dusted is going to lift his stock further. Glitchy dubsteppy breakbeat piece 'Blue' is lightened by the street-real vocals of Trudi, and it drops down to a hands-in-the-air minimal trancey breakdown halfway through. Not bad for early doors, while 'Punk' has a nasty bassline, punchy breaks and staccato neo-trance synth pads. Not quite sure why it's called 'Punk' unless it's in a Ferry Corsten way, but there you go.reviewstory20047Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20048#20048A ravey 140bpm jungle breaks thang with a massive shrill dubstep b-line wub-wub courtesy of American dweeb Skrillex. FB on fire right now.reviewstory20048Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20049#20049Neo tech-trance ravey breaks thang with Clavia electro keys and chuffing acidic arpeggios for the psy-breaks massive. 48K growls it up.reviewstory20049Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20050#20050Peo turns the original by this new Swedish act into a zippy, glitch-ridden, garden-hosing, beats-clanging, lighthouse-bleeping, lattice-arranging salad. reviewstory20050Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000 http://www.djmag.com/music/reviews?id=20051#20051Alt.dub troubadours Dreadzone have their 1996 hit mangled through a conscious fax machine and readied for 2011 dubstep zones at festivals this summer.reviewstory20051Wed, 30 Nov -001 00:00:00 +0000