Stephan Bazbaz heads to LOCUS to deliver his Voyage EP, backed by a remix Casey Spillman.
An artist at the heart of Tel Aviv’s blossoming house and techno scene, Stephan Bazbaz continues to showcase his skills as one of the city’s leading lights within electronic music. With releases and remixes via the likes of Djebali, hedZup and INFUSE in 2020 alone, he now closes out a fruitful twelve months with an impressive label debut via FUSE imprint LOCUS to deliver three fresh cuts in the form of his ‘Voyage EP’ – whilst INFUSE regular and LOCUS alumni Casey Spillman makes a swift return to step up on remix duties.
A low-slung and moody effort from the off, opening cut ‘300’ combines swinging percussion and icy hats whilst escalating synths and rumbling sub-bass take hold and transport the production firmly into the peak hours – unsurprisingly featuring as a stand-out track within Enzo’s sets over the past 12 months. Next up, ‘Key To Success’ offers up a groove-heavy roller, with tracky drums guiding off-kilter samples and rich piano flourishes throughout, whilst Casey Spillman’s interpretation ups the energy levels as he works punchy kicks, warping synths and menacing low-end tones to turn in a bustling remix. To close, ‘The Life’ showcases yet another side of Bazbaz’s vast production skills, opting for hazy synths and dreamy chords to round out proceedings in impressive fashion.
Mint Condition would like to dedicate this release to the life of Andy Panayi, who sadly passed away on 28th September 2020, and all profits will be donated to the Peace Hospice in Watford, UK, who took great care of Andy towards the end of his life.
Although better known for his artistic output as Stopouts and A², back in 1997 Andy and Alec Stone turned their creative skills to the emergent UK Garage scene, producing this wonderful 4 track EP of fierce garage jams under the alias Upside, a one-off, originally released on seminal UKG label Underground Classics.
'Disco Killer' opens proceedings with melodic chords before a super thick b-line rolls in to overlay those essential skipping snares and swinging percussion. As the track unfolds, mesmeric synth riffs and deep chords bring the positive energy, vibes and an atmosphere like no other. 'Vibrations' is a deeper and much more melodious affair, featuring a warm bubbling b-line, haunting piano riff, intricate classic garage keys and melancholic pads that overlay a deftly programmed breakbeat and 4/4 drum workout that delivers the funk, depth and soul. 'House It Up' brings the NYC muscle, a proper heads down bumpin' affair. There's heavy kicks and an acidic bass that builds superbly before flipping into a warm cavernous sub. Positive pads and a clipped scat vocal create a fantastic late night garage house slammer. Lastly 'Nervous Dance' picks up the pace and thump, there's more acidic overtones, a hypnotic low slung bass, luscious strings, razor sharp hi hats and gritty percussion as it hustles and bustles it's way to the middle of the dance floor.
This is an essential piece of '90s UK Garage that we hope celebrates Andy's unique talent, musical vision, energy and dedication. 'Niteworks' has been legitimately re-released with the full involvement of Andy & Alec, also thanks to Rob and all at An Alien Recordings for helping bring this release into fruition. All the tracks have been lovingly remastered by London's Curve Pusher from the original sources especially for Mint Condition. 100% legit, licensed and released. dug, remastered, repackaged and brought to you by the caring folks at your favourite reissue label - Mint Condition!
Nick Beringer debuts on INFUSE to open the label’s 2021 schedule, offering up his stellar ‘Blue Blood’ EP.
A rising DJ and producer at the heart of Berlin’s minimal house scene, Rubisco boss Nick Beringer has formed a growing reputation as a ‘go-to’ artist for quality productions across the genre in recent years, with his diverse discography welcoming material via the likes of Raum…Musik, Taverna Tracks, Mulen Records and Berg Audio to name just a few. With a sound fusing classic Detroit house and techno with more modern shades, ranging from electro-tinged elements through to more dubby textures, the German talent kickstarts 2021 with an impressive debut outing on FUSE sister imprint INFUSE as he delivers his four-track ‘Blue Blood’ EP.
Lead cut ‘Concave’ is a perfect example of Beringer’s ability to fuse genres and nuances with ease and fluidity as skipping percussion licks guide skittering sci-fi electronics and sweeping atmospherics throughout an up-front EP opener, whilst vinyl only cut ‘Aint Got Nobody’ delves into deeper realms as squelching basslines merge with icy hats and infectious vocal iterations. The lively title cut ‘Blue Blood’ opens the B-Side in style as warping synths weave amongst aquatic melodies and deep sub-bass, before closing out proceedings via the dynamic, off-kilter tones of final production ‘Second Hand Emotion’.
A triumphant return for Eddie Leader and his proudly homegrown, fiercely independent imprint, Hudd Traxx. Revelling in the continuous cross pollination of dance music between the US & the UK, the label’s meticulously curated output, undeniably strong signings and creatively pertinent style has made it a go-to stable for house music lovers across the globe over its 15 year inception.
Eddie’s first solo offerings for the label for five years, following on from inspired and club-ready collaborations with Chez Damier, Tomson & the Classic label. Loosing none of the dancefloor functionality championed across its previous releases, Hudd 063 enlists the vocal talents of Alexander East on lead track – “Get You Alone” – a sparkly, buoyant and amorous mid-session track that drives deep through wupp’ing pads and a direct, kick-heavy beat. And while the seductively lucid vocals of East attempt to coax you onto the mattresses, this beast refuses to leave the club, bucking hard right thru till the end. There’s a tasty ‘instrumental’ handily included in the digital package too, just in case Alexander’s vox gets you too hot under the collar…
“Respect” follows, leading with an elementary but nonetheless poignant vocal refrain. With a tuff, almost New Jersey energy to it, highly advanced kinetics power this bad boy forward; the well-tested system of vintage drum boxes working overtime alongside detuned keys, space-age synth swirls and a rugged, box busting bassline.
Nods to Peacefrog, Rick Wade and Glenn Underground adorn, “Drum March” – a track so shuffled to buggery you’ll be forgiven for falling over on first listen. Littered with expertly programmed shakers, woodblocks and swung snares whilst finely decorated with some exquisite lead lines and a complimenting patina of optimistic organ notes. The very essence of deep house musica –unostentatious & deeply grooving.
“There’s A Time” hovers between its solid bass and drum foundations via a taut and scintillating synth array as an evocative speech is mined from recent events. A unifying message wrapped up for the dancefloor when the whole world needs it most, it’s again characterized by an unbeatable grasp of rhythm utilizing gripping, Chicago-indebted drum sequencing.
Quite obviously crafted with a virtuosic yet humble hand; these rooted house cuts devoid of superfluity and languishing in pure body motion are exactly what the town crier will be ordering when the doors of our dancing establishments open once more. Feasts for the feet whilst consciously acknowledging the very corner stones of house music’s underground, embryonic beginnings. Top drawer tackle from start to finish.
Hot Creations kicks off its 2021 release schedule next January with a stunning two tracker from Dateless. Titled Bee, the release marks the LA-based artists debut on the label, having previously released on offshoot imprint Hottrax.
The title track takes charge with punchy four-four drum patterns and an infectious lead synth. Driving kick-hat combos provide the overarching rhythm before groove-lead bell chimes come in and out, creating a peak-time dancefloor cut. Line In The Dirt takes things back to basics, blending stripped-back percussion with minimal-laced kicks and a powerful lyrical offering throughout.
Los Angeles’ Dateless is swiftly cementing his reputation as one of contemporary house music’s true heavy-hitters. Performances across major stages in the form of EDC Las Vegas, EDC Mexico as well as Claude von Stroke’s iconic Dirtybird Campouts have brought his unique sound to global audiences. Production-wise, his Cuando Mueves single recently amassed 1.6 million Spotify streams, whilst standout releases on Hottrax, Solid grooves and Viva Music have rightfully established his presence in the scene.
Simbad makes a welcome return to Freerange following last year’s brilliant Take My Hand EP featuring South African vocalist Brian Temba. Now based predominantly in Cape Town, the French Londoner producer and DJ is one of the most prolific artists in the scene having notched up countless EP’s, remixes and production work for labels like Apron, G.A.M.M. Faces, Hyperdub, Atjazz, BBE & Brownswood. His association with Gilles Peterson and Worldwide runs deep, hosting regular shows on WWFM as well as traversing the globe delivering his unique and eclectic sets from Africa to Asia and beyond.
Peaceful Revolution is one of those special house tracks which transcends boundaries, encapsulating an outernational sound in a way that Simbad excels in. Featuring South African upcoming producer Zito Mowa & vocalist Lwandile Zulu who brings a raw and impassioned energy to the deep and soulful mood, this tune was recorded in support of the troubled events from the past few months (Black Lives Matter movement).
Next up we have a track entitled Let Go which could quite easily be the lead track of the EP if they weren’t all as good as each other! This is late night emotive house music at its most sublime. Drop this at the right time and watch the floor come together in collective bliss.
Flip over for SMBD’s Shaolin Dub remix of Peaceful Revolution which pushes the original to the outer limits of the audio spectrum. Sub-sonic low end rumbles sitting in contrast to the ghost like whispers, glitches and industrial noises that pierce the ethereal pads.
Closing out this special release we find the unassumingly titled Soulful Jam, a low-slung groove which sees Simbad going heavy on fizzing analogue synths with a serene synth solo takin centre stage amongst the lush chords.
Following the success of 'Phase', Research brings you an all-star cast delivering remixes of their pick from Mildlife's debut album released early 2018.
Research welcomes Tornado Wallace to give us his take on 'The Magnificent Moon'. The Berlin based master producer who recently released his debut LP, Lonely Planet (Running Back) is no stranger to the remix game. With releases on the likes of ESP Institute, Beats in Space and Music From Memory's sister label, Second Circle Wallace is a "force to be reckoned with".
Joining Wallace on the A side is Melbourne's own, label-bosses, beat makers and party starters, Sleep D. Since 2013 the pair have been responsible for the Butter Sessions imprint, which is considered "one of Australia's essential dance music labels". Here the pair put their signature dubbed out sound on 'Im Blau'.
Finally on the flipside Swedish disco-house rockers Mount Liberation Unlimited turn 'The Gloves Don't Bite' on its head with an extended 12-minute take. A re-imagined bass line mixed with quirky Swedish vocals, and their signature drum freak-outs makes for a memorable ending to this diverse EP.
a1. The Magnificent Moon (Tornado Wallace Remix)
a2. Im Blau (Sleep D Remix)
b1. The Gloves Don't Bite (Mount Liberation Unlimited's Re-edit for The Dancefloor)
Club tracks for weak knees and sweaty palms! Finally on wax, a series of club edits paying tribute to Glasgow's infamous after-party scene ca. 2011 - 2019. Mom's Spaghetti takes influence from sounds heard at these events by mixing curveball selections with muscular techno. Vol 1 offers up 4 bootleg mash-ups served in a sauce adjacent to Robert Hood's legendary Floorplan alias.
This special release is dedicated to Detroit DJ Legend Ken Collier. His untimely passing deeply touched me personally, as he was one of a small few who always supported me & my music. Because of Ken Collier, Detroit developed a dance scene, which inspired artist & producers to make dance records, which gave birth to Techno, which has provided careers for many of you in the business today. So I dare ask all you techno producers, djs, record labels, record shops, techno magazines, clubs which play techno music, and fans of techno to pay respect to Ken Collier just as you would our other fine music innovators.
Side B: However, this special compilation isn't about techno, it's about H.O.U.S.E. sounds - broadcasting it to you live from the inside in lovely Ste - re - o!!. This record contains no artist or track listing because i don't want this to be about who made the tracks, track titles, or even who wrote this commentary. This record is my personal tribute to him and how he has motivated me to make my contributions to house music. Thank you Ken Collier, for helping me grow not just as a dj or record producer, but as a person. Every dj and dance artist here in Detroit owes thanks to you for going out into the musical forest, chopping down trees, thus paving the way for us to build HOUSE!.
"In Loving Memory Of Detroit DJ Legend Ken Collier"
Rising Welsh producer // DJ Harrison BDP has been making some serious noise as of late, with a string of stand out releases on Phonica, Berg Audio & Lost Palms. This time making his debut on Shall Not Fade with some of his most weighty productions to date. ‘Sound Expansion Meditation’ takes the listener on a voyage of discovery with spacey synths, dusty drum sequences and floating bass riffs.
It's "Illegal Jazz" time again. Toy Tonics head honcho Mathias ,Kapote' Modica and former OYE Records music impressario Delfonic started to release some of their reworks of rare dance jazz tracks. Made originally for their own DJ sets, then released on two limited EPs. The vinyl were sold out immediately. So they decided to do a next chapter: four reworks of obscure Latin Funk, unheard disco Soul and lot of jazzy vibes in here - not easy to decipher the originals. All tracks have been reworked for DJ buisness - editing, looping, adding drums - with full respect to the original artists. To make dancers hear and feel their vibes again.
We asked Tom VR back to InterGraded for a solo EP and he came with the MELTERS. Behold the Fast Track to Bliss.
Tom VR has been quietly developing his style for over a decade under the surface. Recently his signature sound has flourished and resulted in a string of records on his own label Valby Rotary, and Midland’s Intergraded as well as his debut album on All My Thoughts; an electronica trip, laced with samples from films, podcasts and Japanese field recordings.
Tom’s musical vision, like many, was shaped by his time spent in Leeds, where he first started going to clubs and DJing regularly, coupled with a 7 year residency at The Mango Club in Chester.
The recycling of previously discarded projects, patchwork-style percussion, and Korg ARP Odyssey are defining elements of his sound.
Belfast-born, London-based duo Bicep (Matt McBriar and Andy Ferguson) release their hotly anticipated second album, “Isles”, on 22 January 2021 via Ninja Tune.
Two years in the making, “Isles” expands on the artful energy of their 2018 debut “Bicep”, while digging deeper into the sounds, experiences and emotions that have influenced their lives and work, from early days in Belfast to their move to London a decade ago. “We have strong mixed emotions, connected to growing up on an island” they say, “wanting to leave, wanting to return”. “Isles” is, in part, a meditation on these contradictions, the struggle between the expansive and the introspective, isolation and euphoria.
The breadth of music they’ve been exposed to in London during this time informs “Isles’” massive sonic palette; both cite the joy of discovering Hindi vocals overheard from distant rooftops, snatches of Bulgarian choirs drifting from passing cars, hitting Shazam in a kebab house in the vain hopes of identifying a Turkish pop song. But time away from home has also made the pair more reflective about the move between islands which led them here.
12” gatefold sleeve on Curious Matter, printed colour and Pantone, three cover variations (selected at random). 2 x 140g 12” black vinyl housed in purple paper inner sleeves. Download code included.
a1. Atlas a2. Cazenove a3. Apricots b1. Saku (feat Clara La San) b2. Lido b3. X (feat Clara La San) c1. Rever (feat Julia Kent) c2. Sundial d1. Fir d2. Hawk (feat Machina)
Saturday Night Rush make their Lobster Theremin debut with a heavy and unique four-tracker of sub-heavy breakbeat and deep house, following up their acclaimed 2019 ‘Open’ EP for There Is Love In You.
‘Relief’ EP draws influence on a spectrum of classic house sounds along with a ton of UK influence, with bass-driven breaks meeting rave ready piano stabs, garage drums, and luscious deep synth patterns all colliding on one killer 12”. Title track ‘Relief’ is full bassline wobble riding under ravey breakbeat house; Unite is ethereal, classic house music from the dreamworld of deep house past; ‘Wicked Dub’ rides the proto-garage vibes across an off-kilter UK house template; lastly, ‘Real Headz’ is proper house music flavours. Steeped in Detroit and New York influence with a hefty dose of London for good measure. A suitably classic closer to the EP.
Shall Not Fade welcome mysterious producer DJ ÆDIDIAS to the family with a feel good slice of dreamy house music, backed with a killer remix from long time friend and collaborator DJ Swagger.
Hammer returns to the UTTU Omnisphere after last years incredible debut on Soft Computing - here Hammer kicks off 2021 with a 3 tracker of emo-electronix, deep-euro-houz & IDM-esque-beach-tronica.
Tristan Da Cunha dons his Freakenstein alias and debuts on UTTU with a special split release! the Hot Haus Side shows show off his sought after House prowess before flipping over to the UTTU side for Freakenstein’s Electro flare to shine over 2 red-hot-elektro-werk-outs.
After much anticipation, UK-talent Ben Westbeech returns under his Breach moniker next February. Serving up the long-awaited Sun Salutations on André Hommen’s These Eyes imprint, the EP marks his first release under the alias since 2018, and features Dekmantel mainstay Cinnaman on the second track. The ethereal sound of Sun Salutations sets the feel of the release, as progressive synths reside atop a distinctive kick-hat backbone. We’re soon graced with an enchanting mid-track breakdown, paving the way for a tribal-leaning bassline and dreamy, flute-like chords. New Horizons feat. Cinnaman brings things to a gentle close, as warm keys converge on reverberating vocals to form a soothing, slow-building cut that’s perfect for sunrise, sunset or anywhere in between. Ben Westbeech AKA Breach is no stranger to the scene. Cutting his teeth on Gilles Peterson’s Brownswood Recordings, it was in 2013 that Claude Von Stroke picked up Breach’s Jack EP for a release on his iconic Dirtybird imprint, the likes of which charted at number nine in the Official UK Top 40 Chart. Since then, the UK-talent has refocused his attention on the underground, launching his Naked Naked label as well as producing standout productions for the likes of Crosstown Rebels, Ninja Tune, Aus music and many more besides. André Hommen's These Eyes has cemented its standing as one of Germany’s leading labels, with the likes of Tlak (Denis Horvat), Marc Romboy and Jonathan Kaspar finding a home on the imprint in recent times. Refusing to be pigeon-holed by genre or style, Breach’s debut highlights the eclectic sound through which the label has become best known, a testament to the vision of label-founder André Hommen.
NY Graffiti’s imlookin4thedoor is a gritty, dubby, angst-ridden exercise in dance. The inaugural release by Peace Anthem Records features four tracks by the artist. On the A side, two tripped-up, smoke-laden tracks move the needle in hypnotic and hallucinatory fashion. On the B Side, Arco, inspired in equal parts by UK hardcore and the sight of Paolo Soleri’s utopian architecture, moves at a glacial pace, scribing a path along the liminal edge of futures past.
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