Its been a good few months now, and I must say – I’m already sick to the back teeth of the hordes of Michael Jackson samples that are wriggling their way into the hard drives and studios of so many unsuspecting producers. It surely can’t be intentional. Not so many. All at the same time. Tut. Give up on the token Jacko tribute sample track, its has no place in your set – trust! Maybe we’re feeling the bite of a recession and too many weekends firmly OFF the rave, or maybe we’re … right? Thank God for a bunch of new vinyls to keep our spirits up…
1. 6th Borough Project – Part 1 (Instruments of Rapture)
We gave love to the mighty Instruments of Rapture label in our last weekly releases round-up – here’s another excellent release from them. Perhaps there’s something in the water up there in Scotland, but they’re churning back some seriously laid back disco influenced house of late. This EP compines classic disco sounds, and a deep and delicious dub from label head honchos The Revenge. Craig Smith aka 6th Borough Project has allegedly been a stalwart of the Edinburgh house scene for quite some time now, and apparently there are more releases coming up on Freerange, Future Classics and Delusions Of Grandeur. Keep ‘em coming, we say – thick and fast!
2. Martin Eyerer, Benno Blome – Pianoroll Remixes (Great Stuff)
A well-placed piano, when it manages to be neither cheesy nor overbearing, is music to my ears. Martin Eyerer and Benno Blome managed it earlier this year with Pianoroll, these remixes are just spectacular. On the a-side Ramon Tapia borrows the bassline from Josh Wink’s “Stay Out All Night” bringing us into slightly more up-tempo territory, retains the rolling quality of the original track. On the flip side are Audiofly, of all people, adding to the original, giving it a bit more groove and a few extra riffs, just where they were needed. Difficult to pick a favourite but we’re going for the Wink homage (just).
A1 – Pianoroll (Ramon Tapia Remix)
3. Mark E – Freakin & Shreakin / Formed (Under the Shade / Jiscomusic)
Man of the moment Mark E is here for Jiscomusic with a disco re-edit of Grace Jones “La Vie En Rose” on the A-side – its quite light and teases us with those piano riffs, until Grace makes her entrance with dem killah vocals. The B-side is my favourite here though – a more dance floor orientated cut, you will definitely have heard this before as it’s been afforded a few spins in all the right places.
4. Freestyle Man – Vibin’ (Hairy Claw)
DJ tools done good, Sasse returns as Freestyle man to deliver some delicious early doors grooves. Layered loops and grooves, mutated samples and some deep, deep basslines. Whether the more upfront ‘Vibin’, or other, more laid back cuts are your bag – these are not to be dismissed as fillers. Listen… and appreciate.
5. Catz ‘n’ Dogz – Me (Get Physical)
Despite possibly having the worst sounding name in dance music, I can’t help but love Catz ‘n’ Dogz – they rarely disappoint ant this EP is gorgeous. Harking right back to the old school, there ‘me’ vocal is repeated throughout, with the A-side feeling pretty up-tempo and loopy with some melodic elements creeping in underneath. The B-side mashes it up a little, keeping the old-school vibe but taking things down a notch and adding a ghetto feel with some real bounce.
6. Two Armadillos – Hawthorne’s Theme (Bang!Bang!)
100% pure sub-label Bang!Bang are back here with a sneaky little two tracker from King Roc and Giles Smith – the original is alright; slowly grooving and as deep as it comes. The remix, though, is killer – Babies From Gong aka 2000 And One and Sandy Huner (lets face it, neither can ever really put a foot wrong) bounce it about a bit. Larvley.
B1 – Hawthorne\’s Theme (Babies From Gong Remix)
7. Wax – 20002 (Wax)
Its been over a year since the release of Wax 10001 and, well, its been worth the wait. Fresh from Berlin, I’m told this one is by Ostgut’s Shed. The A-side is quite stripped, filled mostly by a heavy bassline and some sparse keys. The B-side is lovely, with a more intense and yet easier feel punctuated in all the right places by that piano riff. Favourite.
8. Equalized – 002 (Equalized)
Affiliated with the Wax releases, here’s a repress of Equalized 002. This is Shed again, so its repress is timed to fit wit the Wax release, which is puzzling. Releasing white labels like this is some kind of statement by its maker – doesn’t making the statement twice take away from the punk aesthetic? The two tracks are quite varied – the A side shares more in common with its Wax counterpart – more techno influenced, euphoric, with echoes of Detroit. The B-side is something of an oddity – I’m not quite sure where you’d hear this played. Purposefuly out-of-time, and yet again somewhat euphoric.
9. We See Us – 001 (We See Us)
Its becoming all about elusive presses this week – the original is a lovely, simple house track – laid back and melodic but for some nice hi-hats. Both cuts are beautiful – the remix doesn’t differ too much, adding some more space and bringing out the vocal. Can’t wait for more We See Us.
Loving Tanzmann & Seuil – Joints Vol 1 on Moon Harbour; Kasper Bjorke & His Friendly Ghost; and the new Silent Servant EP. There just ain’t enough hours in the day! Also giving out props to the Hibernation Sampler Part 1 on Bear Funk – particularly the guitar heavy Billy Bogus & Sal – ‘Terror Island’ track. Genius. Over and out for now.
