City of Bass [Dispatches from Vocode Project]

Electro - Two Week Wrap Up of City of Bass up at Darkfloor

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 18:49:00 +0000

I write a bi-weekly column over at the excellent Darkfloor site that's a wrap up of my top picks from the past two week's worth of electro grooves here at CoB..spanning January 16th to January 26th 2012. If the post count here's too high for you, go get you some

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Robots Riot Episode 16 - Mixed by Mode 101 [DJ Mix]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 22:32:00 +0000

Flying the electro flag long and strong, Poland's Elektropunkz presents the next in their 'Robots Riot' mix series. Episode 16 features Mode 101. You can follow them via mixcloud here.

I did a feature mix for these cats last year which you can check out here as well

The Robots Riot. Episode 16: Mode 101 by Elektropunkz on Mixcloud

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Oh yes.. Four Roland 303's and a 606 In Action [Video]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 20:59:00 +0000

Spotted via the homie @redandviolet, wicked deep acid grooves with four Roland TR-303's and a Roland 606.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Electro Showcase 37 from the Vocode Archives

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

From the archives of the Vocode Project. Episode 37 featuring Birmingham UK DJ Steve Wellings. Listen below via the Vocode Project mixcloud presence.

Electro Showcase Episode 37 May 2005 by :: Vocode Project :: on Mixcloud

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Posatronix - Step Into My Groove - Direct Beat

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Looking back ten years ago from the Vocode Project Electro Showcase of February 2002.. Electric Soul 'X2' off Direct Beat.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Electric Soul - X2 - Direct Beat

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Microknox - Transmission - Direct Beat

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Looking back ten years ago from the Vocode Project Electro Showcase of February 2002.. Microknox 'Transmission' off Direct Beat.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Cronik Tronic - King of Bass - Direct Beat

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

Looking back ten years ago from the Vocode Project Electro Showcase of February 2002.. Cronik Tronic 'King of Bass' off Direct Beat.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Electro Showcase 38 from the Vocode Archives

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

From the archives of the Vocode Project. Episode 38 featuring Athens, Greece DJ Dynamons. Listen below via the Vocode Project mixcloud presence, and if you like the mix, you can right click/save as to download.

Electro Showcase Episode 38 June 2005 by :: Vocode Project :: on Mixcloud

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Nimoy - 1981 - Bunker Holland

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

Bunker Holland is one of those brands that get's the immediate "let's take a listen" reaction. Deep 6 tracker from Nimoy on his self-titled released, but its the track '1981' that gets the nod and recommendation. Deep head.phon business but not for my spliff splitters - this sound is eerie and beautiful, but if you tend to paranoia when imbibing this one isn't for you :P Recommended and available here.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Detroit In Effect - Detroit Party Train / Detroit Technobass - MAP US

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Sounds like the boys behind Detroit In Effect are taking the Scape One approach to releases - incessant quality and a non-stop release schedule. Not taking a breather from their previous two releases earlier this month, this one goes straight for Detroit/Miami Bass style, in the DJ Magic Mike/Ghetto Style Bass way, not the hardcore assault killer robots modern way. For my party rocker DJs who likes the ladies booties movin', this was previously released on vinyl back in 20120 and is now available here in digital format.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Ever Vivid - Sketches of My Life - Open Mind [Vinyl]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

Another deep one from the new City of Bass warehouse finds series, I missed this one last year but all things happen for a reason - in this case, supreme joy at hearing some incredibly deep Detroit/Tresor inspired techno and electro. Not Tresor during the jackhammer days, but Tresor during the 6 AM sunrise can-it-get-any-deeper days. Brilliant 4 track release from Ever Vivid, 'Sketches of My Life' is available here on 12" vinyl, releasing on Open Mind Recordings.

Key Picks: deep techno of 'Once', and the deep electro grooves of 'Lost Love', 'Fallen' and 'Abandoned Virtues'

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Galaxian - Looting of Reason EP Officially Out - Last Known Trajectory

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 16:44:00 +0000

I did a sneak preview and pre-order drop of Galaxian's 'The Looting of Reason' last year and today is the official drop date on the excellent Last Known Trajectory label. If you're already familiar with Galaxian's sound, then you've probably already ordered - if you're not, then get familiar. Brilliantly deep music that shows the evolution of electro music... not content to follow pre-defined formula's or preach the genre bible, Galaxian takes it to the next level, and it's why I keep listening. Recommended. Available here

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Dieptepunt: Feeling Deep (Delta Funktionen Remixes) [Vinyl]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Apparently limited to 300 vinyl copies with no re-press planned, the 808 mix on Dieptepunt 'Feeling Deep' is the one.. Masterful production skills. Sold out in certain outlets, but available here at the time of me writing this, definitely a top Vocode City of Bass pick.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Karatuk - XR - Kotangens Records

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Deep space electro on this 3 tracker by Karatuk off Kotangens. I love all the regular heads that pop up on City of Bass, but I'm also excited by new artists, labels or potentially pseudonyms of said artists.. but I digress. 'Colour Images' is the stand out track here, one for the head.phon crew but the other two joints don't slack off either - scattershot beats, pulses and movement that all joins together in the right places. Top notch and worth your time.. I know I could get a lot more traffic by posting up certain artists and labels, but that's not what this is about.. it's about music exploration and you guys always knowing you're gonna hear the creme-de-la-creme in electro when you visit Vocode CoB. Take a listen.

In other news, I'm sick as a dog so this is the only one for today, I'm writing at 2:29 AM with insomnia and mad flu ;) Enjoy!

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Impakt - Resonant Escape EP - Solar One Music

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

'Dance The Pain' is the one on this 6 tracker from Impakt, off the 'Resonant Escape' EP on Solare One. Don't let the unorthodox melody and dissonant tones throw you off.. this one is a builder and wraps you warm and tight - and when it hits you'll have the crowd zoning. Definitely one to close a set with and leave the party people feeling like that experienced something... most excellent. When a song loops in my head long after I stopped listening, I just know man. Good grooves.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Detroit In Effect - Work It - MAP US

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

Detroit In Effect, 'Work It' on MAP US - two times in one month? The first release I went on about earlier this month was incredible, consider this a continuation, and a must-have. For those of you who don't know, I round up the best of the best picks from the already hand-picked cuts here at City of Bass at Darkfloor, and this one's definitely going up on the next column. I swear I foresee the 3rd renaissance of the electro scene.. it's been building.

Key picks: 'In Yo Face', and the deep grooves of 'Shake A Little Faster'

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Hardfloor - Skill Shot Remixes - Hardfloor Germany

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

I've been listening to Hardfloor tunes near 18 years now, and that they're now collabing with some of the best and brightest producers on the electro scene is damn sure doing it for me. The 'Skill Shot' Remixes EP is out now, and features several brilliant remixes by the likes of Versalife and Pip Williams. Winning cuts all around, and includes the straight groovin' original. Recommended.

Key picks: Versalife 2 Remix, Hardfloor vs Pip Williams Remix and the original.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

DeFeKT - Destroy Your Planet [Sneak Preview]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

OK I lied about the sneak preview business, I can't help myself when the music is dope. Another banger from Ireland's DeFeKT. Lovin' that little pitch bend flip on that wicked bassline - this will be all over the electro DJ playlists. Word is it's dropping on vinyl at the end of the month. Stay tuned.

As an aside, I listen to tons of electro, and the secret to getting featured on CoB on a regular basis is simple - drink the kopfnikken juice before you go in the studio. Wicked.

DeFeKT - Destroy your planet(preview) by DeFeKT-

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Paul Blackford - Voyager 2 [Sneak Preview]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Spotted via Darkfloor, the man like Paul Blackford puts in a deep groover of an electro tune, one for the spaceheads and bassheads, and manages to give you that incredible deep slow vibe yet fast-paced drums Militant Science is known for. Bangin'. And another opportunity to inform you about Mantis Radio 100 which has a stellar electro line up for the heads.

Voyager 2 by Paul Blackford

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Blackout for SOPA and PIPA - but it's more than just that

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 07:07:00 +0000

I had a solid block of new releases and sneak previews queued up for today, but I'm holding off until tomorrow to represent the SOPA and PIPA blackout protest.

But please make note, it's not enough just to protest and blackout your site - if you're a US citizen, I urge you to contact your local representatives and make your voice be heard - I hear a lot of young people talking about the system being corrupt and that we can't really do anything, but that's not true. The way politics works for now, is they get voted in so they can have influence and power - and we do have the force to take that away with our vote. Don't forget that. And while we still live in a representative democracy, it DOES matter.

I don't have any fancy code so you can go contact your local rep, but visit wikipedia today - they have a handy zip code representative script going - put in your zip and follow through. And for God's sake, vote in the upcoming presidential collection, because even if you think Obamba is a nozzle, the alternative is much much worse.

Peace,

Mad Wax | City of Bass | Vocode Project | Vocode Records

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Robodrum - It Came From Outerspace - Devine Disorder [Official Release]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 23:00:00 +0000

This one dropped as a sneak preview a while back on City of Bass, and I almost missed the official release. That's the problem with this digital era and everything moving so fast paced - I'm almost of a frame of mind to f--k off with the sneak previews altogether to be honest.. flash in the pan in these times.

Hard dark electro bass from one of Poland's finest, with some excellent remixes from DJ Nail and Dwellz. It can't be all head.phon business. Recommended.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Morphology - Information Paradox EP - Cultivated Electronics

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 21:00:00 +0000

This new joint from Morphology 'Information Paradox' off Cultivated Electronics is dripping with more funk juice that Ice Cube's hair during his N.W.A days. Dark and paranoid, yet sublime and funky.. this is a must-have. All four cuts here blaze, but it's the slow burner groove of 'Tangent Spaces' that's got me winding out the night at City of Bass HQ. Recommended. Available 01-17-12 here and here

CE009 - Morphology - Information Paradox EP - Preview by Cultivated Electronics

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Anthony Rother - This Is Electro - Datapunk [Compilation]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 19:00:00 +0000

What's the defining element of a good producer? It's crafting your own unique sound.. no matter what the style... Anthony Rother has this in spades. It's no secret that he had a big part to play in the resurgance of electro in the 90s, and for those of you not up on why, or looking to check it out in one handy package, this one's for you. I'm guessing most of the DJs who read this blog already have these joints on vinyl, or for the newer cats digital collections, but the 'This Is Electro' Datapunk compilation is without a doubt recommended. I wish dude would come back and bless us with more, but I'm not hatin' the back catalogue. Hell, maybe this is a marketing test and if enough people buy it, he'll break out the broken beats again ;)

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed

Diggin In Chicago [Video Documentary]

noreply@blogger.com (Madden Wachsenhoff) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:00:00 +0000

As I was virtually 'digging' for music, I came across this dope little documentary video a cat put together about digging for vinyl in the Chi. Great visuals, great insight into Chicago vinyl stores, and well worth the watch if you have the time. Back in the day when it came to electro, I was mostly special ordering from Planet X Usa, copping the occasional gem at the long-gone Casa Del Soul in Denver, or making the occasional trip to Berlin to the mecca of techno/electro vinyl and maxin' out the card. When it came to digging for non-electro joints though, I loved the saturday beer/bar/record-store trips with my fellow co-founder of the Vocode Project, Lex Luthor. We'd hunt for all kinds of s--t, from old school p-funk, classic soul records, rare techno joints and other oddities, hit the locals for the pints, and then hit the studio to listen to the finds. Good times.

City of Bass: blogging daily about the electro music scene. Follow along via twitter, facebook or the RSS feed