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Transitions 491
Hour 1: John Digweed
01. Stelios Vassiloudis - I Burn Like (Guy J Remix) (It Was What It Was Remixes) [Bedrock Records | BEDSVRMX2]
02. Stelios Vassiloudis - Green In Blue (Satoshi Tomiie Remix) (It Was What It Was Remixes) [Bedrock Records | BEDSVRMX2]
03. Soukie & Windish - Flavour Of The Month (H.O.S.H. Remix) (A Forest - The Remixes Part 2) [URSL | URSL122]
04. JML - Seek Till You Find (Oliver Lieb Remix) [Flow Vinyl | FV053]
05. Bambook - Give It Up (Alex Nagshineh Remix) [Faceless Recordings | FR003]
06. Baunz - Out Of The Window feat. 3rd Eye [Pets Recordings | PETS039]
07. Âme - Den Råtta (feat. Vulkano) (Tatischeff EP) [Innervisions | IV47]
08. Stark D - San Francisco 1967 (Science Fiction1967 Clé and Terri Mix) [Ladies and Gentlemen | LG11]
09. Chymera - Moot Point [Ovum Recordings | OVM-237]
10. Slacker - Come With Me (Start A New Life LP) [Godlike & Electric Analogue | GAEA014]
Downloads:
Hour 1 >> John Digweed Transitions 491 Studio Mix
Hour 2 >> Satoshi Tomiie Transitions Guest Mix
Release Notes:
01. Stelios Vassiloudis - I Burn Like (Guy J Remix) (It Was What It Was Remixes) [Bedrock Records | BEDSVRMX2]
02. Stelios Vassiloudis - Green In Blue (Satoshi Tomiie Remix) (It Was What It Was Remixes) [Bedrock Records | BEDSVRMX2]
From ambient soundscapes, down-tempo vocal tracks and slo-mo house, through to deliciously deep experiments, firing tech-house and acid grooves, “It Is What It Is”, the supremely exciting double-disc debut artist album from Stelios Vassiloudis, was released on Bedrock at the tail end of 2011. Then, at the height of summer 2012, came the first of a planned series of album remix packages featuring interpretations from some of the most exciting producers from around the world, fittingly titled “It Was What It Was”. Now, at the start of 2014, comes the next highly anticipated, super-exciting selection of remixes.
The original album is rich with the many vocal talents it hosts, one of the most glorious contributions coming from Astrid Suryanto on “Feed”, giving Russ Gabriel (whose name has been synonymous with UK Techno since 1993) the perfect backdrop to create an absolutely beautiful, fresh interpretation. The brilliant One Of Them (aka New York based Niko Dalagelis) continues with the beauty theme, taking the vocal contribution of Japan’s Tomomi Ukomori on “Green Is Blue” into a deeply chilled house excursion, whilst the Japanese music master, Satoshi Tomiie, interprets things a more upbeat manner that is equally enthralling for his remix.
Guy J’s work is always touched with a magic and emotion that few rival and his remix of “I Burn Like” is yet another example of why his productions are so special. This time the distinctive original vocals of Darren Murphy are meshed into a deeply hypnotic journey. In contrast, Wiretappeur (the production partnership between Florian Kruse, Nils Nurnberg and Stelios himself) turn “I Burn Like” into a seductive slo-mo vocal house masterpiece.
Dieb Audio’s John Dalagelis (brother of the aforementioned Niko) was heavily involved in the original album project and returns here with a delightfully adventurous, jazz-influenced, widescreen techno take on “Repetition”. The superb selection of creative remixes is brought to a finale with India’s Arjun Vagale joining forces with Spain’s Ramiro Lopez to put together a frenetic percussive acid interpretation of “What's That” (odd one out here as the original track first appeared on the Bedrock 14 compilation album).
Anyone open to the emotions on display here really should check out “It Is What It Is”, the original debut artist album by Stelios Vassiloudis, as it is much more than a collection of great tracks. It’s an exceptionally exciting, bold and brave body of music that defiantly stands the test of time, beyond fickle trends and fashions, and remains a benchmark release from Bedrock to this day.
Released by: Bedrock Records
Release/catalogue number: BEDSVRMX2
Release date: Jan 20, 2014
03. Soukie & Windish - Flavour Of The Month (H.O.S.H. Remix) (A Forest - The Remixes Part 2) [URSL | URSL122]
"This is a remix i did for hamburg buddies Soukie & Windish coming on ursl! release very soon." [H.O.S.H.]
The second Part of the Remix session from the album A Forest by Soukie & Windish including remixes from H.O.S.H., Schelepp Geist, Cansons, Dilo and many more.
04. JML - Seek Till You Find (Oliver Lieb Remix) [Flow Vinyl | FV053]
After the trippy elegance and rolling groove of their last release, Flow Vinyl welcomes JML with Seek till You Find. Maintaining the Australasia connection, JML is from Sydney, while Fiord are from New Zealand, and musically there are similarities too with both artists producing deep, melodic progressive house full of subtle twists and turns.
Jason Milton Lowe, otherwise known as JML, is the man behind the Vibrating Balance imprint, and has also released on labels like BEEF Records and Subsonic Music and championed by Key players like Steve Bug, etc. Seek till You Find is pure class with its low-slung funky groove and delicate strings. Jazzy keys have been laid over the top to superb effect creating an understated but captivating track. Most definitely a case of less is more.
Acclaimed Frankfurt producer Oliver Lieb takes control for the first remix taking Seek till You Find darker and techier, but still retaining its essential funk. With its added percussion, this one is destined to do some serious damage on the dancefloor.
It’s over to the Netherlands for the second remix from Nuno Dos Santos, again on the techier side, but with more of a laid-back, deeper vibe; atmospheric and spacey, but still with jazzy overtones. Completing the release is a second original track, The Way It Should Be, a fine fusion of gentle beats and swaying synths, and a nod to the glory days of chill out grooves.
05. Bambook - Give It Up (Alex Nagshineh Remix) [Faceless Recordings | FR003]
Bambook is the collaborative guise of Swedish producers Eiad Sayegh and Hannes Netzell. A duo who over the past few years have racked up a string of releases for some of the leading labels in electronic music, namely Global Underground, Get Physical and Circus Recordings, covering a broad spectrum of styles but always with the focus on the dance floor. Here they join the Faceless Recordings roster, following output on the label from Climbers, Jon Charnis, Balcazar & Sordo, and Directors Cut (Frankie Knuckles & Eric Kupper).
Kicking off proceedings is the original mix of ‘Give It Up’, a tripped-out, peak-time workout fuelled by a gritty saw wave bass hook, sweeping rhythms and smooth, blossoming pad lines. The duo ride this groove out for just over six and a half minutes, keeping the groove in an ever enticing state, while the emotive, Nu-Disco tinged vocal lines drive the musicality and modern appeal to the record. Following we have a rework from Cocoon, Supplement Facts and BPitch artist, Chaim, who shakes things up a little with his interpretation, flipping the vibe into dark and dubby realms as he brings raw drums to the forefront, bubbling atmospheric pads and warm chords then add an understated beauty to the record, while the vocal lines are processed into a psychedelic cavernous state with expansive reverbs.
The A.NAG reshape steps up next, stripping things back to a refined minimalistic state, with loose, rugged beats, as looped vocal snippets, eerie bass tones and fluttering arp-lines meander around them, again putting the mix on a mind-bending, experimental tip.
Label head Silky teams up with My Favorite Robot’s Jonny Cruz next as disCerN, the duo offer up a pure dance floor destroyer with a chuggy bass hook, low-slung rhythms and glitch synths, the record subtly blooms over seven and half minutes with an ever-evolving dynamism and progressive vibe, heavy stuff as you’d expect from these two proficient producers. Last but not least to close the single Bambook turn in their ‘303 Mix’ of Give It Up, doing exactly what it says on the tin and delving deep into the Acid House era with stuttering 303 lines, cosseting piano chords and tension building synths.
Bambook’s ‘Give It Up’ is out on Faceless Recordings 5th February 2014.
Released by: Faceless Recordings
Release/catalogue number: FR003
06. Baunz - Out Of The Window feat. 3rd Eye [Pets Recordings | PETS039]
Debut release from UK based Italian and rising star, Baunz. Having already impressed with his releases for More Music and Moda Black, 2013 also saw Baunz lend his remix talents to the Maya Jane Coles produced ‘Suspicious Heart’ on 2020Vision and rework pop favourites Rudimental.
His Pets debut, Out Of The Window, rolls outs its sleazy slappin’ bassline matching it brilliantly to the spoken vocal from 3rd Eye. Simplicity is key here as Baunz adds filtered stabs and ivory chords to create an excellent slab of laid-back funk.
NYC’s Walker & Royce return to Pets, following their 2012 remix of Chmara Winter, and turn in a rework that has cemented itself as a mainstay and highlight of the sets of label bosses Catz ‘n Dogz. The heavy kick and bulbous bassline retain the laid-back vibes of the original whilst adding some serious dancefloor dirt.
German techno sensation Andre Kronert closes the package with a powerful excursion that sees Out Of The Window thrust from one extreme to the other and revamped for the harder, darker floors.
07. Âme - Den Råtta (feat. Vulkano) (Tatischeff EP) [Innervisions | IV47]
Frank and Kristian's secret Rosicrucian activities throughout the world has made it difficult for them to finalize some new Âme material. Keep your heads up though, because here is the next release!
'Two fantastic new tracks courtesy of Âme, sounding la bit like back in the days when it all started with Innervisions.' [Kann-Records]
'Âme bring out the bells and horns for the duo's latest two track EP which begins with the twists and turns of "Tatischeff", a Balearic-tinged bassline-driven progressive house production tipped with euphoric touches of Italo disco. "Den Råtta" on the other hand opts for something percussive, and clocking in at almost nine minutes, allows Ame the time to confuse, love and tease the dance-floor into climax the Innervisions way.' [Juno]
Produced by: Âme (Kristian Beyer & Frank Wiedemann)
Distributed by MutingTheNoise
Released by: Innervisions
Release/catalogue number: IV47
Release date: Nov 25, 2013
[Xlr8r Review]
As part owners of Innervisions, Âme's musical taste is irrevocably ingrained in the DNA of the Berlin-based imprint. Alongside co-owner Dixon, Âme's Kristian Beyer and Frank Wiedemann have taken great care to craft their label's aesthetic. For these three, that comes with a degree of meticulous consistency that extends from the packaging to the music itself. A similar approach is taken when it comes to Âme, as Beyer and Wiedemann keep their output to a scant one or two releases each year; in short, they're not the kinds of producers who slouch on craftsmanship, a fact that is readily backed up by both entries on the duo's new Tatischeff EP.
The title track bears all the markings of an Âme production, and an Innervisions record for that matter. Beyer and Wiedemann, who often incorporate a subtle African influence, lead with a glowing marimba line and forceful kick. Paced out as the track is, it's almost hard to notice the quiet addition of static hi-hat hits and the creeping staccato synth chatter that rises within "Tatischeff" alongside its pensive flute melody. It's as if every stem within the track is there to contribute to the rising swell of its encompassing, deep groove. The song's machine atmospherics eventually take over and reveal a second movement, a swarm of digitized textures that reminds the listener of Âme's long-held reverence for Detroit.
"Den Råtta" makes a more unrestrained entry than its predecessor. With a techier pulse and a smattering of hard-edged guttural coughs, the track quickly unfolds to include all manner of dissonant components, from the distorted trill of analog bass to the bellow of a baritone horn blast. Pleasingly unsettling in a way only this style of deep techno can be, the track plateaus fleetingly with the haunting coos of vocalist Vulkano before the composition is stripped back down to its base components.
On the whole, the Tatischeff EP is more understated than the soulful treatment that helped propel Weidemann's "Howling" to acclaim last year or helped give "Rej" its now classic status. Despite that, each offering here is no less of a sophisticated outing from Beyer and Weidemann, or the label mothership that they are helping to pilot.
08. Stark D - San Francisco 1967 (Science Fiction1967 Clé and Terri Mix) [Ladies and Gentlemen | LG11]
The latest release from Phonique's Ladies & Gentleman imprint sees the Brazilian rising star Stark D drop an essential four tracker.
'Such A Bitch' is classic house, harking back to the early 90s New York club scene for inspiration. Against a backdrop of a crisp Roland drum track we get an iconic sounding bass line and a tongue in cheek vocal feature by Asha Edmund that might spark some vogueing on various discerning dance floors.
'Souljahs' is a mid tempo groover with a philosophical slant that echoes the vibe of Mr Fingers 'Can You Feel It'- an uplifting call for unity against the forces of oppression.
This might be a recurring theme for Stark D, as the third track on the EP references the first summer of love - 'San Francisco 1967'. The track itself is a spacey deep house bomb, and comes with an additional 'Science Fiction 1967 Mix' by Clé and Terri which sets the control of the heart of the sun - trippy space station house music for intergalactic adventures.
09. Chymera - Moot Point [Ovum Recordings | OVM-237]
It has been 7 years since Chymera’s seminal Ovum release “Umbrella” and it only seems fitting that we kick of our 20th Anniversary celebration with a new release from the Irish producer. Since his debut on Ovum, Chymera aka Brendan Gregoriy has been busy releasing on lables such as NRK, Komplex De Deep, Cocoon, Kompakt, and more.
Chymera kicks this two tracker off with “Tidal”. A full on smash that sees Brendan take us on a throbbing journey, ebbing, flowing and bringing the floor to the boil. On the flip Brendan presents a sound that’s more familiar to the fans of his previous Ovum outing. “Moot Point” at 11 mins 44 sec, is a thing of beauty. An epic Chymera trip that is set to soundtrack the rising sun, over many a dawn party. The emotion in his music reminds us of why we fell in love with Chymera seven years ago and why we feel it was only right that he kick off our 20th Anniversary celebrations.
[DMC World]
So much good music around at the moment, 2014 is shaping up to be an excellent year for it. In fact, its actually been some seven years since his debut, ‘Umbrella’ hit the label, and conveniently its Ovum’s 20th year anniversary this year too. Two tracks make up the EP with the edgy tones of tech production ‘Tidal’ starting things off nicely. However, it’s the second track for me that works wonders. ‘Moot Point’ sees shimmering synths cascade over classy Deep House beats, claps, snares and bass all the while pointing towards an extended breakdown. If it's atmosphere you’re after..
Chymera offers a melodic journey of about 12 minutes that reminds us of the Alexander Kowalski’s great productions. Always treated with the class that characterises him, this second track also features percussion focused on raising arms, and an acid touch.
10. Slacker - Come With Me (Start A New Life LP) [Godlike & Electric Analogue | GAEA014]
A beautiful track to close from the late and great Shem McCauley aka Slacker.
Start A New Life really does remind us of those classic UK downtempo albums from the 90’s and early 2000’s. It makes sense because Shem was a huge fan of this genre but never had the correct forum to release his own music of this type.
The influences are apparent and when listening to Start A New Life you’ll pick of pieces of The Sabres Of Paradise “Smokebelch II (Beatless Mix)”, Cocteau Twins “Cherry-Coloured Funk”, Moby “Go (Jam & Spoon Remix)”, Coldcut “Autumn Leaves”, Boards Of Canada Music Has The Right To Children, Future Sound Of London Accelerator, Dusted When We Were Young, and of course, The KLF Chill Out album.
“In the 90’s I was doing progressive house and endless club remixes but I originally came from Hip-Hop and rare groove. So my influence was definitely based around funky beats and slow stuff,” Shem says. “I always wanted to do an album like “Start A New Life” but never had the balls or circumstance to get it together. Towards the last four or five years of my life in the UK I was completely disillusioned, didn’t enjoy making music and eventually stopped. I made the choice to come out to Bangkok and found instant happiness with my new chilled existence.
I pulled out the old demos and wrote more and more. [The KLF’s] “Chill Out” and Future Sound Of London’s “Tales Of Ephidrina” are some of my favourite albums, so I started to create an album based on my love of these works. Stylistically, it might sound like a big change, but for me, it’s like expressing the stuff I was never previously able to.”
While Shem is now back doing music, the intention to leave his previous career behind was real. In fact, he originally arrived in Bangkok with two suitcases and no equipment. He started teaching yoga and spent time getting his health back together.
When it came time to revisit music there wasn’t a fancy studio or even a traditional space to create in. Rather, Shem wrote the entire album on his laptop in the food court of a Bangkok shopping mall. Yes, it’s a bit unconventional for what we’ve come to expect from today’s glitzy studios and production techniques, but Start A New Life is more honest than anything you’re bound to hear from the genre. After all, it’s a living documentation of Shem McCauley’s new life.
Hour 2: Satoshi Tomiie
01. Me And My Drummer - Don't Be So Hot (Tale Of Us & The/Das Remix) [Sinnbus | SR044-5]
02. Stelios Vassiloudis - Green In Blue (Satoshi Tomiie Remix) (It Was What It Was Remixes) [Bedrock Records | BEDSVRMX2]
03. Johanna Knutsson & Hans Berg - Donka (Joel Alter Remix) [Klasse Recordings | KLS028]
04. Dance Spirit - Future Romance [Superfreq | SFD006]
05. Nacho Marco - The Memory Lane (Blackmail EP) [Saw Recordings | SAW0088]
06. Mike Kiraly - One Day In Crazies [Radio Science Recordings | RSR 001]
07. Satoshi Fumi - 4MM (Iori Wakasa Remix) [Unknown Season | USDC0031]
08. Marcel Vidal & Sandro Beninati feat. Iori Wakasa - Green Statement (Miyagi Remix) [Vogelfrei Records | VFR006LTD]
09. ID
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