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Transitions 438
Hour 1: John Digweed
01. Guri - So Good (Freedom EP) [Sub_Urban | SU001]
02. Jamie Kidd - Getaway (Derek Marin Remix) (Inner Nature EP) [Bohemian Yacht Club Music | BYC001]
03. Jori Hulkkonen as Third Culture - Technowater (Sync Mode Remix) (Negative Time Remixes 1) [My Favourite Robot Records | MFR065]
04. Christian Burkhardt - Delight (Neumann's Toni-Rmx) (Offenbach Remixes EP) [Oslo Records | OSLO026]
05. Max Chapman - We Should Be Swimming (Dialtone 7 Years LP) [Dialtone Records | DT079]
06. Edu Imbernon & Los Suruba feat. Daniel Wilde - Leopard [Stil Vor Talent | STV093]
07. Facundo Mohrr - The Panther (Tronic 2013 LP) [Tronic Music | TR097]
08. Der Dritte Raum- Alienoid (Dominik Eulberg & Gabriel Ananda Reconstruction Remix) (Trommelmaschine Reconstructed EP) [Der Dritte Raum Records | DDR005]
09. Fairmont - Slowing Down (Automaton LP) [My Favorite Robot Record | MFR062]
Downloads:
Hour 1 >> John Digweed Transitions 438 Studio Mix.mp3
Hour 2 >> Guy J Transitions 438 Guest Mix
Release Notes:
01. Guri - So Good (Freedom EP) [Sub_Urban | SU001]
Sub_Urban is the evolution of a project that was born as an underground events promoter on Mallorca / Spain, guided by the obsessions and whims of Sebas Ramis, artist and DJ heavily influenced by two main music tendencies, the American house and the German techno... In this new stage, Sub_Urban will draw a creative line not forgetting its Balearic essence and proving its will to contribute amongst the main electronic music vanguard labels.
This January sees the launch of Spanish imprint Sub_Urban, with the ‘Freedom’ EP by Guri, comprising three original cuts of contemporary house music. The Sub_Urban brand was birthed as an events promotion company in Mallorca / Spain, tipping their focus towards American House and German Techno influences. The events have welcomed artists across the board to grace their decks from the likes of Tuccillo and Rodriguez Jr. through to heavy hitters like Nic Fanciulli. Here the brand launches its record label with long running resident of the Sub_Urban group, Guri taking the reins.
Title track ‘Freedom’ opens the release, a low-slung deep house track build around a steady progression structurally and capturing the essence of upfront deep house. Guri utilizes a selection of vocal snippets to drive the musicality of the track while blending several gritty bass-line together to create a bumpy, rolling vibe.
Next up is ‘So Good’, a retro tinged house track employing a hooky organ / sub bass-line as its driving force, the track is saturated with warmth and soul through its bright vocal lines, short stabbing synth chords and shuffling 909 drums. The Spaniard opts for a simple less-is-more approach here, delivering a straight up house record that’s tastefully executed and classy.
Closing the EP is ‘Sneaker Lover’, dropping the tempo slightly and embracing a softer more sensual feel. Warbling synth strings and ethereal pads build a warm, cosseting atmosphere while subtle additions to the percussion and background automation builds the cut smoothly. The track evolves for a near three minutes before stripping back the elements and creeping in a hypnotic arp-style chord to ride out the rest of the record.
Guri’s ‘Freedom’ EP is out on Sub_Urban on 16th January 2012.
Released by: SUB_URBAN
Release/catalogue number: SU001
Release date: Jan 16, 2013
ISRC: GB-WUL-12-40893
[Ibiza Voice]
Spanish label Sub_Urban launches with a solid, if not very ambitious, first EP from Spanish producer Guri. Two out of the three tracks are playable with one underperformer stuck in the middle to provide some filler between the good stuff. The good stuff is okay, especially “Sneaker Lover”, but there isn’t much to inspire the senses or others with making it average with much room for improvement as the label moves forward.
The title track is built around an annoying and tired vocal snippet that ceased being effective as a dance floor coaxer sometime around 1995. In spite of the classic house leanings on “Freedom” via the hackneyed sample, the track is quite modern with an easy groove and punchy bass line that wobbles enough to send chills through the bass bins and out onto the floor.
Once again, Guri turns to the classic house influences on “So Good”. This is a track so close in idea and structure to the original that there is at least a hint of a why bother feeling going on here when listening. The bass line is integrated into the groove providing some contrast with “Freedom” but that’s about it in terms of aspiration and inspiration. The vocal sample is past the sell-by-date and the chordal pads are also lazy and phoned in making for a track that isn’t worth much, especially sandwiched in between two much better tracks. This one will get lost in the shuffle and it’s probably better that way, there are far too many of these tracks already in existence.
The closing track, “Sneaker Lover", goes deeper than the other offering on this EP. The track gets b-side deep, providing listeners with an irresistible string and pad cut that hits the mark with accuracy. The groove is gentle and inviting and Guri once again shows he knows his way around a good bass line – the hallmark of a quality house track. If only the other tracks could have been as good, but this is a good enough start for both this release and the fledgling label.
02. Jamie Kidd - Getaway (Derek Marin Remix) (Inner Nature EP) [Bohemian Yacht Club Music | BYC001]
Bohemian Yacht Club launches in January with a three track EP from Jamie Kidd featuring a remix from Derek Marin.
Bohemian Yacht Club was birthed as a boat cruise event, taking to the seas surrounding Toronto and Miami and welcoming guests such as Art Department, Maceo Plex and Maya Jane Coles. Here the brand launches an accompanying record label for releasing music from the inspiring artists and remixers that have grown with the events.
Toronto’s Jamie Kidd kicks things off, a staple in his hometowns underground techno scene and a prominent name on labels like Perc Trax, Thoughtless Music and Roots & Wings, Kidd delivers refreshing underground records, fusing live instrumentation and electronics into vibrant arrangements.
‘13th Verse’ opens the release, a deep, dark cut full of hidden depths and intricacies. Kidd skillfully blends smooth, ethereal background pads, raw, shuffling drums and earth-shattering sub-bass tones with sporadic Rhodes licks and a profound amount of subtle automation such as expansive reverb tails and dub-delays to create an ever-evolving dynamic.
Next up is ‘Getaway’, embracing a similarly dark aesthetic with a gated guitar melody, an amalgamation of gritty bass hooks and resonant synth shots acting as the driving force. Kidd again creates a blossoming dynamic here by manipulating each elements envelope to brilliantly play off one another throughout its seven minute duration. The result is a trippy, heads-down peak-time workout.
To close the release ‘Derek Marin’ turns in a remix of ‘Getaway’, brilliantly contrasting the original cut the Siesta and Trapez Ltd artist delivers a dubbed-out, groove-led rework driven by rolling percussion and eerie vocal murmurs. A penetrating arpeggiated bass-line sweeps in around the two minute mark adding a profound dark energy to the track, this develops alongside a dark synth stab with drawn-out delays on both building the bigger picture and fuelling its progressive feel.
This is an outstanding launch for Bohemian Yacht Club and leaves an interesting prospect of whats to come. Jamie Kidd’s ‘Inner Nature’ EP is out on Bohemian Yacht Club late January 2013.
[Phuturelabs]
Canadian producer Jamie Kidd has been slowly but surely working his way through a variety of genres since the early 2000s with appearances in a dub and drum n bass act as well as playing bass in funk and rock bands before forming techno duo Metalogic with Frederik Hatsav.
With releases for the likes of Perc Trax and Sleaze in their back catalogue the duo built themselves a strong reputation for quality material. Kidd has recently been reaching out on his own once again and he kicks off 2012 with this impressive two-tracker for Bohemian Yacht Club as the reputable event promoters venture into the world of releasing music.
Both tracks show Kidd’s talent for creating warm, full sounding house with more than a touch of funk. “Getaway” is our favourite of the two but “13th Verse” certainly isn’t to be sniffed at. A quality release for a producer that’s set to make 2013 their own.
There’s also a nice rework of “Getaway” from Derek Marin which darkens proceedings slightly but it’s the original that does it for us.
Available from the 28th of January.
03. Jori Hulkkonen as Third Culture - Technowater (Sync Mode Remix) (Negative Time Remixes 1) [My Favourite Robot Records | MFR065]
Following the recent release of Jori Hulkkonen's superb new album 'Negative Time', the MyFavorite Robot Records team has called in the remix cavalry to transform some of the key tracks from the album.
Finnish producer Jori Hulkkonen needs little introduction, having been at the heart of the electronic music scene for the best part of two decades, recording for legendary labels such as F Communication & Turbo. 2012 saw the highly respected Mr Hulkkonen team up with one of the hottest labels around, Toronto's My Favorite Robot Records for the release of his latest long player 'Negative Time'. Now Jori and the label's A&R team have compiled a stunning selection of remixes created from some of the highlights of the album.
The package kicks off with 'Step Aside feat Harri Falck(Phonogenic remix)', a track that sees fellow Finnish producer Tuomas Salmela AKA Phonogenic take the reins and create a pulsing, acidic version that is simply stunning.
Next up MFRR stable mate Fairmont gets to grips with 'Liquid Hologram feat JiiHoo', turning in mix which steps further into the acid area with a full blooded 303 workout.
The Scandinavian connection is picked up once again as Denmark's Kasper Bjorke gives his interpretation of 'Vile Talk feat JiiHoo' offering up an excellent disco tech fusion that does justice to the original song.
Entering the second half of the package we have Of Norway taking apart 'Do It feat Olga Kouklaki' andre imagining it as a stripped and spacious slice of techy house with real electronic soul.
The penultimate cut sees up and coming artist Sync Mode remix 'Technowater' into a taught, bass driven groove that draws on twisted vocal parts and some sterling drum programming.
Finally we get a dub version of the opening mix from Phonogenic bringing a Larry Hear-esque vibe to bear in a very good way. A superb package of mixes that truly do justice to Jori Hulkkonen's brilliant originals, enjoy!
04. Christian Burkhardt - Delight (Tobi Neumann's Toni-Rmx) (Offenbach Remixes EP) [Oslo Records | OSLO026]
Earlier this year we presented you Offenbach, Christian Burkhardt's latest stroke, including the hit Delight. Now we are back again with a charming selection of remixes, including work by Tobi Neumann and Julien Veniel aka D'Julz.
Tobi Neumann's remix reminds the attentive listener to the old days of Oslo. It is so to speak on the point. It's light, but still complex in a special way. Tobi carefully unhinged the catchy vocals of 'Delight', added it at some points and put his glance over it.
The B-side is home to D'Julz's interpretation of 'Pianissimo'. A dark and powerful house track, that finds its glory in its simplicity. A subtle piano sample is the basis for a forward moving drum pattern. Here and there an eerie vocal shot rises and guides the dancer through the musical mind of D'Julz.
05. Max Chapman - We Should Be Swimming (Dialtone 7 Years LP) [Dialtone Records | DT079]
This compilation showcases 16 tracks, which explores contemporary house with style and grace. Getting support by Russ Yallop, Richy Ahmed, No Artificial Colors, Tone Of Arc, Cozzy D, Lee Foss, M.A.N.D.Y, Robert Owens, Rebel, Dzeta & Basile, Slam, Jonny Cruz, Waif & Strays, Newbie Nerdz, Tough Love, Adam Banks, Lee Webster and many others.
Max Chapman has risen quickly to the forefront of the UK's underground house circuit with his crunching basslines and melodic grooves.
Max's 'The Lost EP' on Electronique Digital, won instant acclaim - with "Don't Go" being featured on Pete Tong's BBC Radio 1 show, and instantly shooting to the top of the Beatport Charts, followed closely by his second EP on Kaluki, the Rhythm Stick EP which also Infected the high end of the Beatport Charts.
Chapman's Hot Creations contract, which holds the rights to 'No Games' on Hot Waves, was also a high point in his career. This was a collaboration with an extremely established house artist 'Julien Sandre' Further productions are forthcoming later this year Including a monster EP along side dynamic duo No Artificial Colours who have been tearing up the scene globally of late.
06. Edu Imbernon & Los Suruba feat. Daniel Wilde - Leopard [Stil Vor Talent | STV093]
What better way to welcome the New Year than with a bang? Thats precisely why we once again got the extraordinary Edu Imbernon on board to follow up on last years outstanding Mystery Inside. On Leopard, Edu teams up with Barcelona residents Los Suruba and the vocal talent Daniel Wild to dazzling effect.
The original mix kicks off the A-Side with shuffling rhythms and atmospheric pads that make way for a beautiful synth bass-line, echoing bells and Wildes sensuous voice, driven forward by a sharp snare. Striking a perfect balance between restraint and euphoria, we are invited on a dreamy musical journey that arrests both, body and soul.
On the flip, things get colourful on Boy Next Doors remix of Leopard as neon disco chords lighten up a deep bass-line, while Wildes vocals are given ample room to work their magic. Last but not least, Sascha Braemer & Dan Caster create something entirely different by pitching down the vocals, replacing the originals synths with enchanting guitar loops and steely high hats. Never surrender!
Released by: Stil vor Talent
Release/catalogue number: STV093
Release date: Dec 10, 2012
07. Facundo Mohrr - The Panther (Tronic 2013 LP) [Tronic Music | TR097]
The "Tronic 2013" compilation encompasses everything that Tronic is about. Fifteen exclusive tracks from the regular Tronic household names and as well as newcomers. From deep, to musical, to funky, to peaktime. I decided to do this compilation because Tronic has had a fantastic year, and I wanted to showcase a taste of what is to come in 2013. It is also very important for me to support new artists so I included about half the tracks from artists that you might not know yet, but will in the future. - Christian Smith Please take a close listen to all the tracks and we hope you like them We wish you all happy holidays, and a happy new year! Lets rock again in 2013!!!
Buenos Aires producer Facundo Mohrr has been steadily building a reputation thanks to a stream of releases and remixes. Under his own name, his brand of progressive house has already gathered many a big name supporter and seen him travel the globe to DJ. With the likes of Sasha, Nick Warren, Anderson Noise and Christian Smith all lending their support, it has encouraged Facundo to broaden his musical horizons and produce material with a tougher, techier edge. To be released under the pseudonym, Mohrr. His music has appeared on the likes of Sudbeat, Mirabilis Records, Stripped Recordings and now Tronic.
Released by: Tronic Music
Release/catalogue number: TR097
Release date: Dec 20, 2012
08. Der Dritte Raum - Alienoid (Dominik Eulberg & Gabriel Ananda Reconstruction Remix) (Trommelmaschine Reconstructed EP) [Der Dritte Raum Records | DDR005]
Originally released in 1996 on Harthouse with a Villalobos remix 'Trommelmaschine Reconstructed' 2012 hit's daylight and turns its attention to the importance of electronic music classics. Together with Index ID, Andreas Krüger forms the producer duo Der Dritte Raum - one of the first acts signed to Sven Väth's label and being responsible for international charted tracks like Hale Bopp, Trommelmaschine, Wellenbad amongst others. The current back catalogue release is a re-orientation within the current and classic techno map and is thus setting new standards.
On the A side, we see Toby Dreher who created a great and perfect DJ tool that has enormous power on the dancefloor. Dominik Eulberg and Gabriel Ananda are established artists and are now preparing to convince the rest of the community with their remix of 'Trommelmaschine'.
B2 is reconstructed by co/pilot Index ID. His Playlove Mix is deep and beautiful as the majority of his work and has been produced with awesome effect. All in all we see 3 brand-new versions of Trommelmaschine on a 12 plus exclusive bonus remixes by Alexander Kowalski & Fenin.
09. Fairmont - Slowing Down (Automaton LP) [My Favorite Robot Record | MFR062]
My Favorite Robot Records team up with Canadian electronic music heavyweight Fairmont for a stunning new album of vocal driven techno that blurs the lines between indie & electronica.
Roving Canadian troubadour Jake Fairley aka Fairmont has built up a loyal worldwide following throughout the course of his ten year long musical career. Albums and singles for leading global labels such as Border Community and Traum Schallplatten have established Fairley as a key player in the world of electronic music, whilst his perpetual travels across land and sea, bringing his live sets to the masses, have bonded him with music lovers on the four corners of the planet. The past few years have seen Fairmont spreading his musical wings, with the his techno killer ‘All Dreams Are Nightmares’ on Areal and the disco tinged ‘Emax/Bercy’ on Beachcoma, but it is perhaps with his recent gothic/indie inspired releases on Border Community and Traum that he has given the clearest insight to where his future sound lies.
That future has seen Jake Fairley join forces with one of Canada’s hottest exports of recent times, the ever- excellent My Favorite Robot Records. The Robot crew have been a long time followers of Fairmont’s career and when the opportunity came up to sign him for MFRR, they jumped at the chance: one listen to Fairmont’s latest LP and it’s abundantly clear that this was a very wise move. ‘Automaton’ is a perfect fit for the Toronto imprint with his dark & melancholic yet heart warming mix of richly produced electronica and vocal led songs.
From the up tempo and stirring opener ‘Creatures of Night’ it’s clear that Fairley will be pulling no punches; robustly mixed and taut with atmosphere, his vocals carve a channel through the deeply hypnotic electro influenced backing, whilst the live guitar parts give the record a distinctly ‘indie’ edge. This indie sound in fact runs throughout the album, from the soaring melodics of ‘Waiting’ to the quirky shuffle of ‘Last Dance’ and on to the gothic eighties inflected ‘Tiny Diamonds’. ‘Automaton’ is an album that deftly marries influences from across the decades, fusing 70s and 80s synth sounds with electro elements and themes from modern techno, electronica and indie pop. It is a darkly melodic record that highlights the broad musical talents of Fairmont and his ability to bend genres at will and is a wonderful insight into the world of this ever-evolving artist.
In line with the release there will be a full album tour showcasing, a new incarnation of the Fairmont live show, highlighting Fairley's unique ability to perform what is simultaneously a rocking stage show and a killer dance-floor set.
Released by: My Favorite Robot Records
Release/catalogue number: MFR062
Release date: Nov 5, 2012
[Special Housin Association]
What happens when you cross one of the most exciting electronic producers with one of the most adventurous record labels of the here and now? Happily, the answer is not some sort of Philadelphia Experiment horror show involving the body of Jake Fairley melting into the Canadian headquarters of My Favorite Robot, but one of the stand out electronic albums of the year.
Sitting somewhere in-between his synthier work on Traum Schallplatten and the lofi Indie moods on Border Community, Automaton tells a story of sound constructed from wispy tendrils of smoke, in structures that are both direct and casually digestible. Owing a debt to shoe-gaze and via the medium of our passion of electronic noise boxes and kick drums, Fairley weaves cherry blossom polyphony with his own voice mirroring the misty textures that drift through each track.
In a climate that has been heavily indulging in obvious 80′s and 90′s tropes, you find yourself casting back to New Romantic memories through the sensual regret of Last Dance, the hazy recollection of a brat-pack end of year ball soundtracked by Alkaline, and the brooding fringe obscured moods of Waiting and Libertine. Automaton brings back memories of that era (sans fromage) when bands just wanted to experiment with the exciting and suddenly affordable world of synthesisers—a technology that was previously reserved for the exceptionally rich rock artiste—and managing to feel simultaneously fresh and familiar.
Within this nostalgia there is clearly a contemporary edge; Creatures Of The Night opens the album with trance edged chords that modulate in intensity and Slowing Down closes with an angular drawl firmly planted in the current era, Broken Glass hearkens back to Border Community moments with a single longing synth peering through arpeggio layers that tease the internal metronome and Tiny Diamonds allows a subtle 303 to move onto the stage through the vapourous atmosphere. While Automaton demonstrates a consistency in mood, there is also variation in subtlety; Old Ways juxtaposes melancholic and detuned Japan-esque melodies with fervent pace and spirited vocals, while Fate’s lazy acidic burble lackadaisically drags its feet with beats that catch on cracked pavements. Every track feels as if it was cut from the same cloth, yet unique in texture and colour variation when examined up close.
The past and present are clear influences on Automaton, pitfalls of hackneyed recollections of times gone by and jarring juxtapositions of modern inspirations are neatly sidestepped on what is Fairley’s most coherent work to date. As we enter a period of the year where grass becomes crispy with frost and morning mist blankets the mundane in the ethereal, this is one album to provide the soundtrack to those pre-work journeys in the cold.
Hour 2: Guy J
01. Intro
02. Guy J - 2000 Eleven [Unsigned]
03. Lanoiraude - Waitin (Charles Webster Mix) [Missive 11]
04. Guy Gerber - The Money Shot /dactilar [Day One]
05. Guy Gerber - Steady (Guy J Mix) [Supplement Facts]
06. Bp - Inpirado Por Usted (Guy J Mix) [Lost & Found]
07. Stelios Vassiloudis - I Burn Like (Guy J Mix) [Bedrock Records]
08. Guy J - Combo [Unsigned]
09. Guy J & Sahar Z - 7:11 [Bedrock Records]
10. Guy Mantzur - I'm Your Country (Guy J Mix)[Unsigned]
11. Guy J - Break Me Young [Unsigned]
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