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Top Ten Labels of 2008
2008 really showed that quality is better than quantity. With stability and consistency in mind we have highlighted our top ten record labels of the year and delineated their most notable releases. These are the labels we have had most confidence in and we trust them not to let the music go stale.
{More»}Single/EP Reviews
Unknown - Sandwell District 12»Having won the patronage of techno royalty Jeff Mills (who reportedly bought up multiple copies of Function’s superior Isolation twelve to sell in his Tokyo store), the label now celebrates a dozen releases in typically low-key fashion, with three remixes by the cream of their talent pool of unknown artists’ unknown tracks.
Claro Intelecto - When The Time Is Right»Since his debut for Ai in 2003 Claro Intelecto (aka the Mark Stewart who wasn’t in the Pop Group) has established himself as one of the most talented of British techno producers, without ever actually bettering his magisterial debut. We look at his latest release for Manchester’s Modern Love label.
Sons of the Dragon - Sons of the Dragon»Two slabs of white vinyl from two veteran Detroit producers who wish to remain anonymous, under the banner of Sons of the Dragon. The rhetoric, track names and sound of the project has a distinct whiff of Underground Resistance about it, but let’s leave the whodunit speculation to the online forums and let the music do the talking.
Discogs - Real Love EP»Mathew Jonson’s Wagon Repair used to be a must-check label, but in recent times has come to resemble a curate’s egg; good in parts. So I was intrigued with the Discogs Real Love ep which paired up Italians Donato Dozzy and Giorgio Gigli with their border-buddies from Geneva’s Mental Groove label.
Sevensol & Bender - The Big Easy EP (Kann01)»Kann 01, The Big Easy EP by Sevensol & Bender is a solid three tracker of luscious deep house music that you can not afford to miss.
M.Rahn - Inner Eclipse EP»Matthias Rahn better known as M.Rahn has silently been releasing high quality dub techno for a number of years.
Album Reviews
A Made Up Sound - Shortcuts»Shortcuts is something of a concept album. Back in 2004, Dave Huismans (aka 2562) found a job in a city where he had to work long hours and had few friends. In such circumstances, after a hard day at the office, the temptation to collapse and do nothing often becomes too much… Huismans however used the unfortunate situation as a challenge, and set himself the task of producing a track a night for three weeks.
Azuni - City Look»The album as a whole is full of what I like to call “party house music”, you know, its the sort of house music that will get you moving and grooving down on the dance floor.
UR - Electronic warfare 2.0 - the other side of bling»Not a brand new release but rather one that deserves a write up. UR output that definitely brings the goods to the table.
Kenny Larkin - Keys, Strings, Tambourines»One of the Detroit techno innovators - Kenny Larkin makes a much anticipated return to the circuit with a brand new album which sees him release ”Keys, Strings, Tambourines” & this time he’s releasing on fellow producer & dear friend - Carl Craig’s [Planet E] imprint with one of the best (hands down) techno albums your likely to hear this year.
Giles Smith & James Priestley - Secretsundaze Volume 2»Secretsundaze Volume 2 mixed by Giles Smith & James Priestley is a excellent take on what you can expect to hear at one of their well organised parties this includes everything from Detroit techno, deep house, dub techno, plenty of funk & even a little disco. The mix is split into two discs, the first coming from Giles & the second from James.
Lindstrøm - Where you go I go too»This is a comfort, when you put on a Lindstrøm song you know you’re going to be satisfied with the balearic soup the aural chef has prepared for you.
News
The Random News»
This weeks random news contains mixes from Agnès, a Philpot Showcase by SoulPhiction, & SMA, links, a competition & more.
The Random News»
This weeks random news includes links to mixes, a free mp3 of Ewan Pearson remixing the Foals, links to a cool competition & more.
Mixes
The Random Interview/Mix With San Soda»
We have a word with one of 2008’s rising stars, San Soda about house music, Red Bull and how a game of football changed his life. He’s also done a wonderful Detroit influenced mix for us…
The Random Mix With Kann Records»
What better way to celebrate Christmas than with a really good mix. With that in mind we bring you our 10th Random Mix from our friends at KANN Records & it’s safe to say you wont find any turkeys in this excellent blend of deep house & techno. Merry Christmas & a happy new year to all. Joe, Joel , Shawn , Si , Peder.
Playlists
Top Ten Labels of 2008»
2008 really showed that quality is better than quantity. With stability and consistency in mind we have highlighted our top ten record labels of the year and delineated their most notable releases. These are the labels we have had most confidence in and we trust them not to let the music go stale.
A Random Look At The Top Ten Underrated Tracks Of 2008»With the vast amounts of electronic music being produced, sold & shared week in week out its virtually impossible to keep up. So with that in mind I’m going to run down my personal top ten tracks (in no order) that I feel have been overlooked & underrated in 2008.
Rewound Circuits
Rewound Circuit Of The Week»
As the year goes by I seem to be finding myself less and less interested in the Cecille & affiliated labels sound. When they first launched I thought great a new (ish) sound but after the same sounding releases time and again I’m finding some (not all) more throw away Mp3 than ones for the collection.
Rewound Circuit Of The Week»
With piano anthems on mind what better time to do a Rewound Circuit and focus it on an all time piano ANTHEM! This has the ultimate feel good factor its one of those records that will instantly put a smile on your face.
Interviews
The Random Interview/Mix With San Soda»
We have a word with one of 2008’s rising stars, San Soda about house music, Red Bull and how a game of football changed his life. He’s also done a wonderful Detroit influenced mix for us…
The Random Interview With Pigon»
I caught up with Oliver Kargl (RNDM) & Phillip Sollmann (EFDEMIN) aka Pigon the techno producing duo & live act who have had releases on Just recordings, DIAL records & on the Berlin based Beatstreet label. In this interview we talk about their sound, setup, influences & much more.
Events
M.A.N.D.Y.»
Listen to a stream of Reboot’s cymbal-driven 20 Cubans Rework of ‘O Superman’ to prepare you for the arrival of M.A.N.D.Y. on October 24th. Check out the show details and listen to my rant on the last two events I’ve attended.
Septiembre en Santo Domingo»
I never thought the music scene would be this amazing when I moved to Santo Domingo. This month sees the likes of Marc Houle & Konrad Black, Paco Osuna, Daniel Stefanik, Acid Circus, Sharam, and Clive Henry of Peace Division gracing the island. I will most definitely be poor after this month.
