Hearingisbelieving: May 2008

Saturday, 24 May 2008

Sharon Jones & The Dap-Kings - 100 Days, 100 Nights (Daptone)

Sharon Jones is in ebullient form on a telling tale regarding love, which is the lead cut from her LP of the same name. Over smouldering organ work, scorching brass and taut percussion, Jones suggests that it takes a man more than 100 Days, 100 Nights to work out his true feelings.

Baobinga & ID feat. Virus Syndicate - Jump Up Get Hype (HeavyFeet’s Raving Re-shuffle) (Fat!)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/heavyfeet

Manchester upstarts HeavyFeet bring us a remix that will put them up there with the like of Switch, Herve and all the other bassline loving house fiends. It is a brilliant elasticated refix of Jump Up Get Hype that really sets them apart from the bassline pretenders. Chopping up Mcr grime crew Virus Syndicate’s lyrics to perfection over a rubbery bassline, 90s rave keys and kicks, HeavyFeet have created a dynamic dancefloor destroyer.

Nick Holder feat. Sacha - Time (Wahoo & Manuel Tur Remixes) (NRK)

Web: http://www.nrkmusic.com

Nick Holder and Sacha make pretty special music together, but it was an A&R stroke of genius to get in form Germans Wahoo and Manuel Tur to remix Time. Tur offers a vocal version where Sacha’s desireful vocals are backed by tolling brass and buoyant keys, whilst his dub is a mesmerising key trip. Wahoo provide a couple of techier workouts, with darting keys, pointed beats and flavoursome bass washes.

Pulse - The Lover That You Are (Remixes) (Jellybean Soul)

Web: http://www.jellybeansoul.com

Thirteen years after its original release, Pulse’s classic vocal house stormer is back, revised by Marlon D of Underground Collective fame and George ’Fuzion Records’ Mena. They supply a soul-kissed ’Club Mix’, complete with shimmying guitars, honeyed keys and understated percussion. The ’Deep’ Mix is actually a tougher trip, with over-arching synths, biting beats and Antionette Roberson’s imploring vocals. The Dub is a similar hard nosed version that removes most of the vocals except the Lover refrain, whilst the ‘Groovy Mix’ is a glamorous instrumental alternative to the ’Club Mix’, where sweeping strings hold court. There’s even a beatless ‘Percapella Mix’ and a set of ‘Bonus Beats’. Marlon D and George Mena have updated The Lover That You Are perfectly, but repeated plays may also have listeners reaching for the dated yet still strangely satisfying synthy original.

Mr. Scruff & Quantic - Donkey Ride (Ninja Tuna)

Web: http://www.mrscruff.com

What happens when one of your artists gets too big for you label? Well instead of offloading him to a corporate super-power, which the zany doodler would never have agreed to, Ninja have given him his own fishy sub-label on which to release his new album and all manner of now obligatory Scruffy paraphenalia. The first venture is a cool jazzy wobbler produced alongside Quantic named Donkey Ride, which has rubbery keys, wordless falsetto vocals and groovy bass movement. Giant Pickle is a solo venture where stoned strings, nagging keys and an overweight bass convene in a post-dubstep style.

HeavyFeet feat. Switch MC - Sick Like That EP (Potty Mouth)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/heavyfeet

HeavyFeet show an attention to detail that isn’t often found with bassline loving studio heads. On Sick Like That they cut up Switch MC’s bravado soaked vocals over a modulating bassline and disjointed percussion. The Dub is a tighter affair, whilst Santiago & Bushido go for an uglier bassline and echoing vocals on their remix.

Efterklang - Caravan (The Leaf Label)

Web: http://efterklang.net

The Danish five piece present an assault on the senses in the shape of Caravan. Competing voices, layer upon layer of instruments and crashing drums make this track a beguiling treat. Flip for a sombre composition entitled The Romance On Mammoth Hill, where vocals and string wail in disharmony.

Friday, 23 May 2008

Jafar & Touch feat. Rich Medina - The Undeniable Truth (Artizan)

Web: http://www.artizanmusic.co.uk

Rich Medina isn’t one to beat around the bush and here he tells tales of racial injustice over Jafar & Touch’s smooth house work that isn‘t a million miles away from certain Kerri Chandler productions. The Undeniable Truth pitches frank vocals alongside jumpy keys, deeply gazing basslines and thumping beats. The chugging ’Acidstrumental’ will suit those uncomfortable with The Undeniable Truth.

Black Grass - Queztalcoatl Returns (Catskills)

http://www.black-grass.com

As with the last album from Black Grass, alongside all the hippety hoppity posturing, there is a mindblowing Latin influenced that makes the admission price worth it. The track in question on the album named Three is Queztalcoatl Returns, which takes its strength from romantic strings, groovy bass hits and pattering beats.

Tony Senghore - Jinx/Indigo (Hoha)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/tonysenghore

Sweden’s Tony Senghore hits the nail on the head with a couple of brilliant synthilating house efforts that should appeal to big room spinners and techier heads. Indigo is based around bright keys and a messy bass, whilst Jinx features a wall of modulating synths.

D’Julz - Just So U Know (Ovum)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/d_julz

French producer D’Julz reminds us why it’s worth checking his musical wares with this low-end driven banger on Josh Wink’s Ovum imprint. Mind losing keys, tight percussive work and a shuffling bassline deliver the goods on Just So U Know. The Bass Mix adds echoes and effects to said bassline, whilst ditching the nagging keys.

Julien Parise - Bloc Apollo (Missive)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/missiveparis

Julien Parise aka Mister J is boss of the French Missive imprint and here he delivers two mysterious technoid efforts for his label. Bloc Apollo is all trippy keys and ashen faced beats, whilst Astronotes opts for melodic bass action and flavoursome synthetics.

Morten Sorenson - Start Something EP (TIRK)

Web: http://www.tirk-recordings.com

Norwegian newcomer Morten Sorenson has roped in Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay to help on this EP, which will definitely raise his stock. The choice cuts appear in the form of a mind expanding key effort called Cyclick and the current house meets retro acid jackery pokery of Woo Hoo.

Alexander East - Believe En Me (Nordic Trax)

Web: http://www.nordictrax.com

Alexander East reminds listeners of just how beautiful deep house can be with this release for Vancouver’s celebrated Nordic Trax imprint. Love U Right (Push Out) is the winner here, with its effortless chords, dreamy vocals and soft bassline. The Lawnchair Generals’ Believe En East remix of the title track is also worth investigating, due to its excellent synth driven groove.

JF

Croucher & Myles - Vicious Cycle (Soma)

Web: http://www.somarecords.com

Croucher & Myles woo us with a crunching technoid display that forms their debut release for Soma, entitled Vicious Cycle. The original is all punishing beats, barbed synths and lost vocals, whilst Alex Smoke’s remix is an even more disjointed affair, with all manner of electronic confetti. Profits from the single go to Yorkhill Children’s Hospital.

Itamar Sagi - Black Gold (Be As One)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/itamarsagi

Itamar Sagi unleashes a powerful technoid banger in the shape of Black Gold for fellow countryman Shlomi Aber’s Be As One imprint. Vice grip like beats, relentless synths and a firing bassline meet on the brilliant Black Gold.

Soft Rocks - Disco Power Play III (Soft Rocks)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/softrocksrecordings

Brighton’s Soft Rocks deliver Disco Power Play III, which sticks two fingers up at the glut of pointless re-edits, due to Soft Rocks’ ability to deliver ridiculously cool source material. The winners here are a demented vibraphone number named Jingo-Huh? and the loungecore sleazefest of Black Magic.

Golden Bug - I Can't Stop (Gomma)

Golden Bug - Can’t Stop (Gomma)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/gommarecords

The sparkling insect returns with a fun loving punk-funk EP. The tacky rap of the title track is worth avoiding, but Bisco does the business with some falsetto vocals, ‘live’ drums and synthetic guitars. Rocket City is also worth a punt, courtesy of its crazy synth work and hearty percussion.

Hook & Sling - The Plastic Wrap EP (Hussle)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/hooknsling

Hook & Sling is Sydney based Anthony Maniscalo and here he brings us an excellent EP on Hussle. Plastic Wrap is home to writhing synths and heavyweight percussion, whilst Green is a glorious slice of stoner disco, with slovenly synths and lost keys.

Mike DeVellis - Funkalicious (Diesler Remix) (Straightup)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/diesler

Straightup are known for releasing wishy washy neo-funk outings, but Diesler puts them on the right track with his remix of Funkalicious by Mike DeVellis. A chugging bassline dominates the overhaul, backed by heavy percussion and playful sax episodes.

Shur-I-Kan - Letting You Down (Freerange)

Web: http://www.freerangerecords.com

Armed with a cheeky vocal sample, courtesy of a soulful Queen whose backing band has been getting all the acclaim of late, one of Freerange’s finest producers’ returns with one of his finest productions to date. The questioning vocal sample is laid out over jerky keys, submerged horns and pointed beats.

Alton Miller - With The Dawn EP (Left Of The Dial)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/altohit

Detroit house dignitary Alton Miller makes truly soul-kissed music that reaches deeper than most of his contemporaries. Blues (What Am I Missing) pleads for an answer over magical synths and dependable percussion. Tell Me is a similarly probing effort, with intense keys and poised beats.

DJ Q - Superclique (NRK)

Web: http://www.nrkmusic.com

Paul Flynn aka DJQ has made some monstrous house records and after four years off, he is back with a fine release for one of the few labels that has been around as long as he has. Superclique is a magnificent dancefloor destroyer, with lustful vocals, powering beats and lush synths. Blue Chicago takes wide-eyed keys, pointed stabs and spat out title vocals on a magical retro-futuristic mission.

Rob Symeonn - Remixes Vol 1 (Redbud)

Web: http://www.redbudrecords.com

Redbud bring us a number of retooling of tracks from Symeonn’s excellent The Chosen One album, which originally blessed our ears in 2006. It is Zeb who comes up trumps with his remix of the title track, which features a mystical bassline that wraps itself around hearty beats, rootsy instrumentation and Rob’s praising vocals.

Bangana feat. Clarisse Muvemba - Dead End (Heya Hifi)

Web: http://www.heyahfi.com

Last year Ms. Muvemba released one of the records of the year in the shape of Roses and here she returns, re-united with the Stockholm based production duo who were the force behind that EP. Dead End sees Bangana layer Muvemba’s distraught vocals over pushy synths and hulking beats. D’Julz’s remix is a hypnotic affair with handclaps and powerful keys a plenty.

Nneka - Heartbeat (Yo Mama’s)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/nnekaworld

Nneka Egbuna returns with a typically soul stirring outing called Heartbeat, released on the Yo Mama‘s imprint. Heartbeat marries her intense vocals with proto D&B percussion, stinging strings and downhearted keys. Walk The Line is a questioning effort, where DJ Farhot glues the clapped percussion, heaving bass and vocal slices together.

Lars Behrenroth - Ice On The Sun (Freerange)

Web: http://www.deepershades.net

Currently LA based, Lars Behrenroth has a fair idea how to make effective deep house records, given his club DJing, radio show and production past. Therefore its comes as no surprise that this release from the former Hamburg resident does the business. Head straight to Feel The Sunshine, for some pointed keys, sliced vocals and fat synth based fun.

The Rurals - I’m Lost (Ananda Project Remix) (Digi-Peng)

Web: http://www.peng.co.uk

Chris ‘Ananda Project’ Brann helps The Rurals find their way with a monstrous remix of I’m Lost. Gorgeous synths, reaching strings and pert beats provide an excellent backdrop for Marie Tweak’s confused vocals.

Sol Tribe & Sarah Linhares - Pura Vida EP (Public Transit)

Web: http://www.ptrmusic.com

A real summer treat is in store for listeners here in the shape of Pura Vida from Sol Tribe and Montreal based vocalist Sarah Linhares. Her sweet vocals are backed by cool flutes, shaped and layered percussion on the original, with Fred Everything supplying a couple of excellent broken house remixes for the dancefloor.

Fritz da Groove feat. Hubert Tubbs - It’s Alright (Pep Sounds)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/huberttubbs

Vienna vocalist Hubert Tubbs joins Fritz da Groove for a couple of instantly satisfying slices of spirit brightening house. Sunshine lets smiling keys, cymbal driven percussion and submerged vocals do the talking. It’s Alright takes it strength from imploring vocals committed bass work and 80s percussion motifs. Both tracks also come in instrumental form, for Tubbs-less moments!

Photonz - Trembler (Dirty Music)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/photonz

Portugal based outfit Photonz test our sanity with this weird yet somehow wonderful outing on Dirty Music, the stable best known for releasing re-edits by Pilooski. Trembler is a pretty accurate description of this cut, which shivers, shakes and shudders all over the dancefloor, due to its employment of psychotropic instrumentation and avant-garde beats. Discodeine steer the track in a more conventional direction, courtesy of smart kit percussion and levitating basslines.

Mop Mop - Kiss of Kali EP (INFRACom!)

Web: http://www.mopmop.com

Andrea Benini heads to the (nu)jazz club on this sparkling outing for INFRACom. It is actually the B side cut Living Beat that is the winner, courtesy of its demented brass, hot stepping percussion and day brightening keys. Bruno ’Pathchwork’ Hovarth supplies a gorgeous discofied remix, where playful guitars, skyward reaching strings and an adlibbing sax shine.

Marc Antona - Warehouse Espirito EP (micro-fibres)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/microfibres

micro-fibres is a Freak N Chic sub-label headed by Marc Antona, who stars on this dark’n’techy two tracker. Espirito sees him hook up with Anthony Collins and the pair deliver a number where jerky keys and a heavy bassline make their presence felt. Warehouse sees Antona go solo on an effort where meticulous keys and percussion work wonders.

Two Armadillos - Patience (Four Twenty)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/fourtwentyrecordings

This release from Two Armadillos aka Martin ‘King Roc’ Dawson and Giles Smith of secret sundaze fame is euphoric, albeit in a very understated way. Patience gains its strength from warm keys, pattering percussion and bright synth dispalys.

DJ Ebar - More Lights More Stars (Digipeng)

Web: http://www.peng.co.uk

NY’s Ebar debuts on Digipeng with a dreamy deep houser entitled More Lights More Stars. Joeski of Horny Hustle and Maya Recordings fame provides a choice remix alongside Seph, which features reliable percussion, satisfying bass drops and echoed percussion. Vincent Cassanova’s remix smoothes out the ruffles, courtesy of looped synths, playful sax work and repeating vocals.

Ralf GUM feat. Diamond Dancer - All This Love For You (Gogo)

Web: http://www.gogo-music.net

Detroit’s Diamond Dancer gives thanks to house music in a very evocative manner on a track that will make listeners remember their own personal liaisons with the music in the past. Diamond Dancer’s vocals ride shimmying keys and calm beats on Ralf GUM’s original version, with Rocco supplying a techier remix.

M.A.R.S. - Remote Area (Heya Hifi)

Web: http://www.heyahifi.com

Heya Hifi hit us up with a simple yet cool technoid outing that happens to be the debut offering from M.A.R.S. Remote Area takes its strength from simple keyed rhythmic, hitting beats and disconnected Afroid vocals. Alf Tumble’s remix tightens up the cut, courtesy of its torchlight key work, careful percussion and subtle bass work.

Alland Byallo & Tres Manos - Secret Games (Justified Cause)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/justifiedcause

Alland Byallo & Tres Manos hook up for an Atlantic collaboration of epic proportions, where Manos himself supplies the spoken vocals Teched out house is the name of the game here and each producer supplies a wall shaking mix. The strongest version of Secret Games is actually the digital only ’Unreleased Mix’, with its wobbling synths, simple percussive arrangement and anxious keys.

Fool - Drama EP (Hum&Haw)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/humhaw

Alex Smoke and Shadowhuntaz MC Non push down the tempo on this slice of prickly electronic hop for Smoke’s Hum&Haw imprint. Unfortunately, the instrumental version isn’t included on the commercial release and listeners will have to make do with the polluted vocal version, where the full power of the barbed synths, flashing keys and fat beats are slightly masked by the grating vocals. As far as the remixes are concerned, Name+Relucto hit home with an off the rails technoid assault, where a monstrous bassline, go faster beats and crazed synths do the business.

Palm Skin Productions - Magnetic North (Freerange)

Web: http://www.freerangerecords.co.uk

The real excitement here is generated by Solomun, who gives Magnetic North a tasty overhaul. Bright eyed keys, shaken beats and warm synths make his mix the one to write home about.

Manuel Tur - Vagabanque (Freerange)

Web: http://www.freerangerecords.co.uk

German wunderkind Manuel Tur continues his assault on the deep house world with another ear raising release. The main cut and remix from Stimming will do the business on most dancefloors, but Girardet will win hearts and minds, courtesy of its modulating bass, precise beats and wistful keys.

Solomon - International Hussle (Four Twenty)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/solomunakaplay

Now firmly established as a premier house talent, Mladen Solomun continues his drive towards dancefloor domination with another epic release for Four Twenty. International Hussle is all churning bass work, cool synths and reliable percussion. Explicit takes heavy beats, stabbing keys and melancholic synths for a dreamy dance.

Justin Martin - Bottoms Up (Buzzin Fly)

Web: http://www.buzzinfly.com

Justin Martin’s previously unreleased Bottoms Up sees the light of day as a freebie to celebrate half a decade of Buzzin Fly musical outings and to promote the affiliated compilation. The track in question is a groovy slice of deeper house from the San Fran star, with dazzling key touches, deft vocal loops and soft bass work.

Class 71 - Seaphone / Diamond Door (Four Twenty)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/fourtwentyrecordings

Class 71 is none other than Italian production ace Santos, who takes things deeper and darker on this outing for the mighty Four Twenty. Seaphone is a moody groover, with smooth bass pressure and firing beats. Diamond Door hits harder, courtesy of dark string washes and mind expanding synths.

K-Alexi - Mother’s Child (Left Of The Dial)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/kalexi

Chicago’s K-Alexi has been releasing house since the 80s and here he brings a beautiful jazzed out effort in the shape of Mother’s Child. Almost abstract in scope kit percussion, a purring bassline and painfully melancholic keys meet on this excellent track from one of house music’s founding fathers.

Rune RK - Day In The Dark (Underwater)

Web: http://www.underwaterrecords.com

Rune RK is in dancefloor destroying mood with this stormer, which is fittingly titled Day In The Dark. A big fat bassline, head messing synths and never giving up beats make this a cool effort from RK.

Three Minutes With Mark Murphy - Secrets (Remixes Part 1) (Vienna Scientists)

Web: http://www.viennascientists.com

After a lengthy hiatus, the Vienna Scientists imprint returns, kicking off with a 12” of remixes of a track produced by Darcosan and Alexdrum and voiced by Mark Murphy. The Freedom Satellite Remix features moody bass drops, gutsy percussion and almost whispered vocals. Shanti Roots supplies a smooth remix with twisted guitars and muted brass, whilst Stefan Obermaier lets a fuzzy bassline take centre stage.

Three Minutes With Mark Murphy - Secrets (Remixes Part 2) (Vienna Scientists)

Web: http://www.viennascientists.com

Complementing the triplet of remixes from the Scientists themselves, a number of other producers get to grips with the ghostly Secrets. Full marks go to Quantic, who has created a spaced out revision with mournful brass playing, shuffling percussion and layered bass action. As far as the other mixes are concerned, the Fake Fellini version hits home, courtesy of its unremitting bassline, snatched vocals and hitting beats.

Sebastian Davidson - Rain (Khazuma Future)

Web: http://www.myspace.com/khazumafuture

Khazuma Future keep up the pressure with another cool technoid outing in the shape of Rain from debutant Sebastian Davidson. Rain is all sonorous keys, bass fuzz and deadpan percussion. The MouseUp Remix draws out the keys, before adding a drop of acid and pushing the beats further.

Xpansul & Massi DL - Nerd Life EP (Soma)

Web: http://www.somarecords.com

Soma continue to snap up new artists to their roster and here present us the debut offering from Spanish slimline Techno twosome Xpansul and Massi DL. Head straight for Nerd Soul, where a frowning bass vies for attention with crazed synths and powering beats.

Saturday, 24 May 2008

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