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Transitions 460
Hour 1: John Digweed
01. John Barber - Dark In You [Soma | Promo]
02. Footprintz - Fear Of Numbers (Escape Yourself LP) [Visionquest | VQLP002]
03. East End Dubs - Summa Dis [Metroline Limited | MLTD063]
04. Dexter Kane - Hurt Me (Three Of A Kind EP) [Shadow Sanctuary | SS004]
05. Russ Yallop - Mistakes (The Journey EP) (Russ Yallop & Taymor Zadeh Remix) [Crosstown Rebels | CRM113]
06. Rodamaal - Fortune [Buzzin' Fly | 069BUZZ]
07. Verche - Into The Forest [Verche | Promo]
08. Mind Against - Argo (Compilation M) [Cocoon Recordings | CORLP035]
09. Mr C - Open Up ft. Victoria Wilson James (Jordan Lieb Remix) [ Superfreq | SFD003]
Downloads
Hour 1 >> John Digweed Transitions 460 Studio Mix
Hour 2 >> Charlie May Transitions Guest Mix
Release Notes:
01. John Barber - Dark In You [Soma | Promo]
Driven, focused and a perfectionist, emerging talented Southampton producer John Barber has just signed his forthcoming ‘Days Without Freedom’ EP to Soma Records - this one is due for release in the summer of 2013. If you can't wait until then John has recently released his 'Illusion Of Now' EP on Safari Numerique, delivering an amazing batch of pure deep house that has seen support from Raresh, Josh Wink, M.A.N.D.Y, Robert Dietz, Mgada, Ritchie Hawtin and Rodriguez Jr.
With his underground and organic sound and style to production continuing to develop, a raw and unpolished natural sound is emerging from the studio. There is no doubt you’ll be hearing a lot more from him.
02. Footprintz - Fear Of Numbers (Escape Yourself LP) [Visionquest | VQLP002]
"When I was 18 I had those albums you'd escape with. When we were making the Footprintz record that was really our aim - to produce an album that kids can listen and escape to." [Clarian]
As Clarian and Addy say, 'We wanted to work around a concept of escaping the confused years of growing up. 16-25, those are the years where you're figuring yourself out, going through the motions of meeting different people and finding new things'.
Having met at an afterparty aged 15, Clarian North & Adam Hunter have experienced most of their adult life together. 'Escape Yourself' distills their experiences, wraps them in a warm analogue fuzz and shares them with the listener. You join them on their journey, and deep down they hope it helps you shape your own.
The long awaited Footprintz debut album Escape Yourself finally arrives!. An album that delivers on a level that many dance LPs aspire to reach but few attain; a proper album with each song taking you deeper and deeper into what is an accomplished and well-rounded body of work.
From the moment the opening chords of The Things That Last Forever give way to a hypnotic bass-line, you know you are on your way. Bass-lines form a key part of the Footprintz sound, acting as an anchor from which vocal melodies, synth lines and warm chords weave around in an often psychedelic style.
Debut single,Utopia, exemplifies this ethic with its synth flirtations and optimistic vocal musing sadding layers upon a solid core. Tracks like Uncertain Change and recent single Dangers of The Mouth tackle this subject head on, focusing on the insecurities that arise from growing up. Zanzibar takes a lighter approach, touching on the innocence of youth that brings with it, its own simple pleasures.
What becomes apparent throughout Escape Yourself is a real craftsmanship to Footprintzs songwriting. Each track reveals a little more on each listen, aided by the slick production work, done predominantly by the guys themselves in their Montreal bunker studio full of analogue equipment, odd instruments and a fridge laden with special brownies; which goes some way to explain a noirish-haze that permeates through the album.
03. East End Dubs - Summa Dis [Metroline Limited | MLTD063]
East End Dubs delivers a surgical strike on this Metroline 4-track release. Weighty b-lines, and sharp perc work is the order of the day here. Summa Dis hits us with a top drawer Chi Town baseline, with pads that call out like Muezzins in the night and taught atmospheric strings. The result is a clean hit of Great Lakes techno. Highly recommended.
Following right behind, title track Argo brings together bruising on-beat bass hits, and skittish perch elements that cut like a razor. Clever EQ-riding, and some sexy french vox give the track depth, but this is one for the eyes-down crew.
On the flip, Snilloc takes remixing duties on Summa Dis, twisting the original into a track pounder, that slowly but surely evolves into a full-on siren-laden relentless warehouse stomp
And finally we end up in the once-fashionable Hoxton. Just like the London neighbourhood that inspires the name, the track has a ghostly, nostalgic quality - like an echo of a memory - but one that you can dance to, obviously, thanks to a deep growl of a baseline and lush pads given the full long-release Deepchord-style reverb treatment. Lush.
04. Dexter Kane - Hurt Me (Three Of A Kind EP) [Shadow Sanctuary | SS004]
After a several month hiatus, label boss Dexter Kane returns with three choice house cuts. From the incessant snares of 'Work That', to the rumbling bass of 'Hurt me', to the classic chords of 'Hell Yeah', all three tracks shape up nicely as dance-floor tools. This coherency, along with solid grooves from start to finish, make for a tidy and accordant package hence the title: 'Three of a Kind EP'.
Support from: Luciano, Ralph Lawson, Huxley, James What, Mandy, Moodtrap, X-Press 2, DJ Shield and Sishi Rosch.
05. Russ Yallop - Mistakes (The Journey EP) (Russ Yallop & Taymor Zadeh Remix) [Crosstown Rebels | CRM113]
To be released on Crosstown Rebels this month, Russ Yallop returns with his latest two original track release ‘The Journey’. This latest EP offers a route into the more clouded and deeper side of vocal house. Remixes come from Huxley and Taymor Zadeh.
Featuring the talents of Aimee Sophia, I’m introduced to the first original work by Russ Yallop dubbed ‘The Journey’. Her lightly husky tones compliment this number extremely well and you could imagine this song to have the ability to close down any club night.
Stepping up to the plate to provide the first remix is Huxley- who supplies his remix in a dub version as well. His vocal remix of ‘The Journey’ explores the deeper sounds of the original whilst adding more of a vocal element to it. His dub remix removes the vocal element and adds in the extra oomph expected in a dub release.
Turning over to the B-side, I’m introduced to ‘How I Feel’ featuring Belle- the second original track. Slightly slower and more reserved than the rest of the tracks, don’t let this put you off, the depth and rhythm change make for a chilled summer vibe.
As a digital extra, the release closes with Mistakes- a joint remix effort from Russ Yallop and Taymor Zadeh. With uplifting elements and introducing a slightly new sound to the release, Mistakes finishes the release on a high.
It’s been a long time coming since Russ Yallop put anything out in the musical domain and certainly a lot has changed since his 2010 delivery. Whether the title of his latest EP represents the kind of journey he has been on over the past three years, this is certainly an air of difference, a difference which is extremely refreshing and welcomed.
06. Rodamaal - Fortune [Buzzin' Fly | 069BUZZ]
It is no secret that Ben Watt has chosen to close his acclaimed label Buzzin' Fly to new music after ten great years as one of the UK's leading dance independents. But the label has chosen to go out with a bang with one final single. Unearthed from the vaults are two dazzling tracks from cornerstone artists, Rodamaal, and Manoo & Francios A.
Rodamaal's ‘Fortune' was originally completed back in 2007 but scheduling problems prevented it from being released at the time. Produced by the Franco-Portuguese trio (Rocco, Darkmountaingroup's Alex Santos and Manoo) it is a stark but emotionally-charged deep-techno masterpiece, that deserves its place alongside their other classics for the label, ‘Musica Feliz' and ‘Insomnia'. On the flip, and originally produced in 2005, is ‘Other Places' a long-lost track by Manoo and Francois A. Full of summer shimmer and heavy bass tones, it was produced by the duo during their heyday at the label, and was a secret favourite of label boss, Ben Watt.
Two perfect swan-songs. Buzz buzz.
07. Verche - Into The Forest [Verche | Promo]
Hailing from Zadar (Croatia) Marin 'Verche' Roncevic has releases forthcoming on System Recordings ('Raw Substance' support from Hernan Cattaneo) and Sangria ('The Pillars Of Earth' EP). Verche also recently featured on Nick Warren's Renaissance Master Series.
08. Mind Against - Argo (Compilation M) [Cocoon Recordings | CORLP035]
It’s summer time, which means it’s Cocoon letter compilation time, and in 2013 the long running series hits the letter M. The colour this time out is pink, dreamy and pretty just like the sounds that open up the compilation the Frankfurt label lovingly oversees each year. As ever, the 12 track selection – available as a CD and vinyl pack – touches on names both close to the Cocoon family and those lesser know associates, and together they cover plenty of techno ground; much of it that will likely form the soundtrack to Cocoon boss Sven’s parties out in Ibiza at Amnesia once again this summer.
Dutch based Sushitech producer Makam presents a dreamy opening track that is without any doubt the perfect start for this compilation. Warm harmonies open up the door for track number two by Leftroom boss Matt Tolfrey and partner in crime Inxec. From there the percussive ante is upped by Alejandro Mosso from Argentina. With a slight Cadenza-feeling his ‘Grinding Love’ tune is made for the beach-party and perfect for any Âme fans out there with its deep and epic groove.
A new name to the fold is the recently broken through talent that is wAFF who has made some melodic techno delights for Hot Creations before now but here goes a bit darker and more intense with his galloping percussive loops, rattling techno chords and rampant kick drums on BeatMakerZ.
After all this sweaty build it's time to breathe deeper again and start the 2nd half of the compilation with Temma Teje's ‘Nueva’. Epic strings in a nice Chymera style meet straightforward 909 programming and gradually intensify towards a main room peak once more. From there, Soma’s Gary Beck heads off an industrial tinged techno tip with his zithering synths and squelchy hooks and Ray Kajioka then strips things back to some mysterious minimal beats, late night trippy chords and imbues his contribution with plenty of poise and tension.
As is always the way with Cocoon standouts are everywhere, but the old school Tetris style melodies that rain down the face of Mind Against’s ‘Argo’ sure do make a good shout for track of the compilation. Its’ left to Tuff City Kids and the jagged, electro licked loops of ‘Meshnerize’ and Julien Bracht’s smooth, drummy licks on ‘Anthem Rhythm’ to close out the mix in emotionally absorbing manner that really makes you feel like you have been on a proper trip.
Cocoon has always been one step ahead of the techno masses and this compilation proves it once again.
09. Mr C - Open Up ft. Victoria Wilson James (Jordan Lieb Remix) [ Superfreq | SFD003]
Mr.C delivers a remix package of, ‘Open Up’, via his Superfreq imprint this June, taken from his recently released ‘Smell The Coffee’ LP, the package features reworks from Just Be, Inxec, Jordan Lieb and David Scuba & Dance Spirit.
Richard West aka Mr.C, and the Superfreq imprint, both earned highly praised statuses within the underground over the years, through pure dedication to releasing, and DJing the most cutting edge electronic music around. The Superfreq label made a triumphant return this year, following a brief hiatus, returning in full force with the likes of Brett Johnson, the late, Motorcitysoul, Jay Tripwire and [a]pendics.shuffle delivering works for the relaunch.
Here the label drops remixes of Mr.C’s ‘Open Up’, pulling in a variety of on-point remix artists to reshape the infectious original. Just Be aka Bushwacka! turns in the first mix, putting things on an ever-evolving, hypnotic tip, with sweeping atmospherics, brooding pads and raw shuffling drums. Crosstown Rebels’ Inxec delivers the following rework, opting for a sparse, stripped interpretation with loose drum programming, tension building low-end tones and hooky synth lines, while the original cuts vocals brilliantly meander around the grooves foundation.
Superfreq’s, Jordan Lieb, takes things in a deeper, more house orientated direction with his remix, dropping the tempo and instilling a warm, cosseting vibe through soft Rhodes, subtle organs and bright synth melodies. While David Scuba & Dance Spirit go the other way with a dark and eerie workout, the percussive groove maintains a simple, loopy format, leaving the blooming pads and psychedelic melodies to keep things in an ever-enticing state.
Label: Superfreq
Release: 24th June 2013
Cat No: SFD003
Format: Digital
Hour 2: Charlie May
01. Ted Stinson - Return to Life (Vlada D'Shake Remix) [Stellar Fountain | SFR036]
02. ThermalBear - U Love (Sasha Remix) [Last Night On Earth | LNOE008]
03. Digital Mess - Open The Box [Bedrock Records | BEDCOLLAB01]
04. Der Dritte Raum - Alienoid (Dominik Eulberg & Gabriel Ananda Reconstruction Remix) [Der Dritte Raum Records | DDR005]
05. HVOB - Jack (Edu Imbernon Remix) [Stil Vor Talent | SVT097]
06. Audiotox & Overtone Watson - End Of A Nice Day (Van Bellen Remix) [99 Percent Recordings | 99008]
07. Marco Bailey & Filterheadz - Fifth Avenue [Bedrock Digital | Beddigi-32]
08. ID
09. Miss Kittin - Life Is My Teacher (Borderline Remix) [wSphere | 41032]
10. Le Carousel - Carousel (Phil Kieran Remix) [Phil Kieran Recordings | PKRD16]
but it doesn't sound like diggers voice :S
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