Early support from Lovebirds, Jimpster, Trujillo, House of Disco, KoKo, Tugboat Edits…
An EP almost 5 years in the making, these tracks from Ron Basejam (of Crazy P) were some of the early inspiration for the launch of Razor-N-Tape and are finally getting their due on a slab of 180-gram wax! Boogie flavors all around on these 3 rare digs, sporting a nice range of playable tempos, and all touched with RB’s signature classy production approach. Been heard in Ron’s and RNT DJ sets for years, and now they’re all yours!
Berlin favourites and Visionquest Regulars Benoit & Sergioreturn with the resplendent Your Darkness EP:
The Benoit & Sergio ethos ia steeped in their live vocal take on electronic music, always editing, always tweaking, always new. With the Unparalleled success of “Walk & Talk” Benoit & Sergio return on Visionquest to show us exactly how it’s done.
Splash:
This track launches us pretty much immediately into an electronic synth heaven; deep bass tones tease us into the breakdown which when it comes is a stormer. Driving bass with a four four kick delivers, this is true electronica with bollocks.
Your Darkness:
Immediately punchy with deep dark bass tones, this track grabs you and takes you in from the start. An infectious acid squelch and haunting electronic vocal then leads us into the heart of the track. Punchy, melodica, heads down!
Beat Macho:
In your face from the offset, Beat Macho takes us exactly where expected. Driving four to the floor, added to with frenetic handclaps gives us the framework for the track. Hearing this on a large system would be nothing less than miraculous. It unrelentlessly forges on, brining the heat!
Beat Macho is without a shadow of a doubt the standout track for the EP.
If this is what Benoit & Sergio have to offer then I’m all open ears!
Two years ago I happened across a website that musically and aesthetically ticked all my boxes, a very simple concept; one quality track a day with an extremely slick yet very simple interface with an archive facility to hear previous days postings.
The more I searched through the archive section the more I realised that whoever was responsible for producing the site not only had clearly excellent taste in music, but also wanted the music to speak for itself.
Having got in contact I then discovered yet another musically intriguing project from the same stable;
An equally simple idea; each session comprises of ten people selected for their unique taste in music and their selection of ten tracks to make up their perfect mixtape.
Now two years on I now get the chance to share these websites with you and also get a chance to interview the creator and curator of this musical phenomenon.
Butter (Brian Thomas) * is a graphic designer by trade and this is quite plain in his crafting of the HTML for both sites, having lived in the states, Brazil and now living in Australia it took a while but I managed to tie him down for a short time to ask him some questions about both sites;
So lets start at the beginning; where did you grow up and what were your earliest musical influences?
I grew up in Northern California, in San Jose, a city an hour or so drive south of San Francisco. A place where having a car is essential and the radio was always on. My parents listened to lots of soul and r&b from the 70’s and 80’s. Motown. Maze & Frankie Beverly, Luther Vandross, Marvin Gaye, Bee Gees, Earth, Wind & Fire and so on. It remains at the root of my musical influence as I continue discovering. There is usually some connection between it and the things I am interested in today, even in the slightest way.
When did your love affair with House begin?
My friends in high school were DJs and and throwing parties playing house. Once I found out about this DJing business I became involved. I didn’t know about house until then. I started buying records even before I convinced my parents to buy me turntables. This was in 1997.
When and why did you move to Brazil?
I first visited Brazil in 2006 and have been attached ever since. Over several visits I learned the language, played some records and made some invaluable friends. I was living in New York before relocating and wanted a change, something outside of America and something different. Brazil is a visually beautiful country rich in a vibrant and friendly culture with deep roots in music. Brazil was where I wanted to be for a while so I made it reality in early 2012.
When did you start The Mixtape Club* and dirtyblackdisco* projects and why?
The Mixtape Club began nearly 4 years ago. My friend Micah Panama headed an analog version in design school and I pitched the idea of creating a digital platform. I wanted a place for people to share and discover unfamiliar music of all types while maintaining a strong connection to the artwork. Something very simple and very honest.
dirtyblackdisco came after in 2011. It kind of just happened. I wanted an outlet for the music I played as a DJ. On one random night I developed an idea for a brand, created a logo, programmed a website and started uploading music.
Now you are based in Australia, what was the reason behind the move?
I am a nomad I suppose.
I understand that there have already been some rather legendary Dirty Black Disco parties in Brazil, is this something you will continue to do in Australia?
Who knows really. Those parties were some of the most memorable and rewarding experiences of my life. Brazil has given me so much over the years. The country is somewhat disconnected musically from what is happening in the northern hemisphere and I saw it as an opportunity to give something back. It was a struggle. Beyond the troubles of simply being a foreigner, the beaches and babes were not tempting enough for foreign artists. The country is geographically far and not appealing for artists since South America as a whole is generally into a different kind of dance music. I managed to bring HNNY, El_Txef_A and Brennan Green over the series of parties and ended it all with an epic boat party with two of my best mates playing with me.
Being a foreign brand in Brazil is due some credit. I brought something new to Rio de Janeiro and thankfully had some critical friends who helped along the way. Australia is also far from the core electronic music scene but isn’t as behind. Artists are coming and competition is heavy. I don’t really know anyone here so it will be challenging. But its worth a shot when the time is right.
You mention competition, I know in recent years there has been a marked increase in Australia in the popularity of electronic music with some quality projects appearing like Future Classic, do you think Australia is a good place to be right now creatively?
There is some quality production coming from this country. Tornado Wallace, Mike Callandar, Softwar, Untzz 12″. And considering its distance a good amount of artists come here to play. It all seems fairly accessible and with a plethora of opportunity.
How many parties have there been so far?
One in New York. Five in Rio de Janeiro and one in São Paulo.
Would you ever consider bringing the party to London?
The idea has developed as a traveling party. I’d love to do parties in London and wherever else there is an audience ready to dance.
Who would be your dream booking to play a Dirty Black Disco night?
Kuniyuki, Motor City Drum Ensemble and Actress with Peven Everett on vocals. Or Moodymann, Floating Points and Gilles Peterson back to back. Guest appearance by Fatima.
The German house duo let loose for our latest live music film.
Authenticity is essential to the work of Session Victim. Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling are the type of guys who only work with people they know. They both have a hand in vinyl-only labels—Freer runs Retreat with Quarion, Reiling is involved with Giegling—and only play vinyl in their DJ sets. Session Victim produce classic house tracks on hardware gear and often use old soul, funk and disco records for samples and inspiration. They’ve released an album, The Haunted House Of House, and lots of 12-inches in this vein, and most recently Freer put out Treats Vol. 5, Retreat’s latest compilation.When it comes to playing live, Session Victim run a setup that intentionally leaves room for error: “There are so many points where we can fuck up,” they told us in 2010. “We’re able to improvise and people should really see that we are doing something.” For their RA Session they gave us a raucous rendition of “Never Forget,” a track from their upcoming LP for Delusions Of Grandeur, which, like their best work, is bright and full of character.
I think I went to every Underworld gig in the first ten years of their career. Living in Upminster all the reprobates drank at a local watering hole; The Bridge House in Upminster Bridge (penultimate stop on The District Line) .
Mr Darren Emerson was a local so hence we all attended every gig religiously. It was almost like going to football.
Now here we are TWENTY YEARS LATER, where the hell did that go?
Good times have been aplenty thats for sure and more than a few of us then hardened beat disciples have fallen by the wayside, but the music still speaks for itself; an incredible album which still sounds fresh and new today.
Underworld a serious combined talent and well worth another sniff, get involved!
As magical pairings go this one is off the scale. Drumpoet Community; the swiss maestro’s are one of the most forward thinking labels around, with an impressive roster of releases from such esteemed artists as Agnes, Quarion, John Daly, Sacha Dive, Ray Okpara and Ly Sander, and to boot a firm favourite of mine are releasing an EP by the multi talented beyond his years Brame.
The 18 year old Irishman has gone from strength to strength in recent years with a string of killer releases on Saft, Morris Audio and Deep Down Slam as well as his current EP on Dirt Crew this young man is packed full of promise, his productions are clean cut textbook deep house.
Vinyl Cut, the first track on the EP and the standout track for me is deep deep bass from the outset, sweeping pinched filters and hissing hi hats keep us locked into the moment. When it comes the piano break is full and hair raising but not in a cheesy breakdown way, this is deep house as it should be, rich soulful and heartfelt, one for the heads.
Shades is immediately more punchy, up tempo and in your face. Hi hats and a lethal four to the floor instantly hooks you in, this one carries the impressive start through to the end of the track, a real heads down stormer.
Absent, the third track on the EP is seriously reminiscent of early Detroit House. Immediately driving and infectious with melodic multi layered synths, constantly rising takes us on a real journey.
This EP is one of the finest I’ve heard on Drumpoet, I cant wait to see what else happens here, new beginnings and the shape of things to come
It was my second trip to this great and beautiful city for off Sonar week. I came for the first time with my wife Ericka in 2013 for my fortieth birthday celebrations, after which we were both decidedly hooked and immediately made the decision then and there to make it an annual event.
On our arrival at Barcelona airport we are greeted by an all out taxi strike which was not ideal, but the city’s exemplary bus service certainly saved the day (all day and night long!).
Our first port of call was the long awaited Maeve Showcase sell out at El Monasterio of El Poble Espanyol.
The Maeve imprint was launched in 2013 by Mano Le Tough and The Drifter, childhood friends, Irish expats and Berlin residents. The name Maeve is Gaelic and translates as “the cause of great joy” or “she who intoxicates”.
When we arrived at the venue initially there was some confusion. We were admitted and our names crossed off the list and given wristbands as per, however when we entered the venue it was like walking back in time. We were surrounded by a full and open Spanish courtyard, many bars were open and tourists were walking freely around enjoying the culture. Not your usual destination for a rave!
El Monasterio of El Poble Espanyol is actually an Architectural Museum and was built in 1929. From its initial conception it was intended to be a true representation of a Iberian village with over 117 buildings, streets and squares from all over Spain faithfully reproduced in scale to bring together all the traditional architectural characteristics. Wandering through these cobbled courtyards and sunlight dappled squares really was an amazing pre-party journey.
After some time of weaving our way through the meandering lanes we came upon the grand entrance. We walked through a high ornate stone gate and up a gravelled path, tucked at the foot of a high sandstone wall, set about by tall trees which gave some welcome shade from the hot Barcelona afternoon sun. Small fountains tinkled gently on the ear, the water sparkling in the sunlight. Then, as we moved further up the hill slowly but surely came the instantly recognisable sound of four four beat could just be heard in the distance.
We arrived in a shaded courtyard and made our way up a further winding iron staircase only to be presented with some of the finest views over the entire city.
The relentless pounding of the music was now unmistakeable as we made our way up a slightly sloping hill into the main area of the party
We had arrived at 2pm, the very start of the party and even though we were early, already a crowd was forming. Easing us into the proceedings was Maeve co-founder; The Drifter. The sound system was already of a decent volume and The Drifter effortlessly set the mood for the days proceedings. Next up was the mysterious Baikal, spoken “bai kyul” = “rich lake” the deepest and oldest lake in the world. Already familiar with most of his productions including the absolutely outstanding remix work done for Ian Pooley on Innversions last year;
I was eager to hear his set which very quickly upped the ante and more than lived up to all of my expectations.
Next up was the legend that is Matthew Jonson, this is something I had been waiting a very long time for. The last time I had heard Mr Jonson play it was at DC10 back in 2006, so you can imagine my deep and utter joy when he played his track Typerope:
This really set the standard for the evening’s entertainment, the crowd absolutely soaked up his set, which whipped us all into a frenzy for the man himself, Mano Le Tough.
The über talented Irishman has made tsunami sized waves over the last few years, seeing his debut album “Changing Days” reach dizzy heights with critical acclaim from around the globe. As is said; the proof of the pudding is in the eating, I can honestly say I have had this album on repeat ever since its release date. With his own haunting vocals on most of the tracks its quite clear that we are witnessing a real raw talent. I’ve not heard an album so prolific since Underworld’s “Dubnobasswithmyheadman” back in 1994.
As to be expected Mano Le Tough took us all on a journey, one which I personally did not want to end, leaving me hungry for more.
Then seeing us out we have the inimitable Tale Of Us; the two Italian born Berliners are completely unstoppable at the moment. Having remixed Thugfucker’s “Disco Gnome” back in 2010 things have gone from strength to strength for the duo and they are in seriously high demand. After last year’s remix of Mano Le Tough’s “Primitive People” and success in their own right with tracks like “Another Earth” amongst others made them the perfect bedfellows to finish off the evening’s roller coaster ride
They saw us out and played a completely textbook Tale Of Us set, a night to remember!
We’ll be 100% back for Maeve’s off Sonar next year for sure!
Bright and (not too early) the next morning we awake, raring to see what else this amazing city has in store for us.
And after a spot of breakfast and a stroll down Las Ramblas to the beach, we find a place to grab a bit of lunch, then we make our way to Parc Del Forum for the One Illusion party.
One Illusion being the off Sonar party for Illusion recordings, an imprint which has enjoyed unparalleled success in recent years, releasing some quality material from the fantastic Volta Cab – Don’t Give Up Trus’me remix, to the huge Bicep championed dance floor slammer NY Stomp – The NY House track. Given the fact that Illusion Recordings had been set up and run by two industry mainstays Tom Craven and James Cotterill we knew this was a going to be a party to raise the roof.
Both Craven and Cotterill have been involved in House music for the long haul. Craven was bitten by the bug back when he was just 16 at the legendary Hacienda in Manchester. He moved to Leeds and became immersed in the current burgeoning scene, Back To Basics and Hard Times were both nights that were riding high at the time and went onto to achieve cult status. With that he went onto become a DJ and worked four crazy summers in Ibiza culminating in a residency at We Love at Space. A chance meeting with label partner James Cotterill in Ibiza in 2003 formed a long term friendship between the pair eventually culminating in Illusion Recordings as it exists today, an exciting underground imprint with an impressive roster; Trus’me, Mic Newman (Fantastic Man) and Garry Todd to name but a few.
Parc Del Forum itself, although impressive at first glance, on a closer inspection seems to have seen better days. I guess that the root cause being the long lasting financial blight over the global economy of recent years, but in this case I believe the overgrown concrete, with life sprouting up through the paved cracks all around lent a certain something to this party; a chaotic throng of hedonistic revellers amongst the backdrop of Spanish urban decay.
An intimate affair but nonetheless less potent for it with some amazing DJ’s booked, the likes of Craig Richards, Norm Talley and Below Birmingham residents Subb-an and Adam Shelton the party went from strength to strength. A twelve hour affair, but not a slow builder, we are thrown into the throng early and the quality and energy of the tracks being played increases exponentially. Busy but never uncomfortably rammed gave us all an amazing experience, the highlight of which for me was hearing DJ Gregory’s Elle as the sun went down…
Even though we were situated in an outside venue the sound did not suffer in the slightest and was second to none all day long. Such was the vibe that when we hit midnight left the crowd were left gobsmacked and begging for more. A truly special day/night.
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