ECHOLOGIST - Storming Heaven LR - Prologue

A diamond in the rough, Echologist aka Brendon Moeller, is undoubtedly one of the most prolific and hard working techno artists in the world. His output has certainly left its trademark on the electronic music world. His 10th album, ‘Storming Heaven’ is a unique sound experience that is flooded with deep emotion. Prologue as a label are always in the pursuit for new and inspired electronic music and this album is no exception. ‘Storming Heaven’ is a fully immersive experience that aims to explore the sonic depths and worlds of synthetic sound that will resonate on many levels. Brendon's intention for the album was to push himself beyond his comfort zone, beyond his previous work, to create an album with a distinct and unique voice. While it reflects ideas from composers that inspired him, he has attempted to personalize and interpret these influences, creating something idiosyncratic and nostalgic. ‘The Frequency Of Love’, the first track shows us what humans can do with machines, and the perfect way to start a journey into this masterpiece. Prologue present this album to you with pride and excitement - dive in and enjoy the sound of an artist in full bloom.


Tracklist:

01. The Frequency Of Love
02. Next Exit
03. Guilty Pleasures
04. Tricks Of The Shade
05. Storming Heaven
06. Even If And Especially When
07. Deep Fried
08. Lost
09. Down The Rabbit Hole
10. M13 + DPO
11. Stepping Out
12. Goodbye
13. Destabilize (Digital Bonus)
14. 77 (Digital Bonus)

Tale Of Us and Vaal - Concor - Life And Death

After the sensation caused by its last release, Life and Death comes back strong with another battle cry into the darkness. With a prized new member of the family, Vaal, joining forces with a Life and Death mainstay, Tale of Us, the stage is set for another epic EP from the forward thinking label.
On the A side Concor grabs the listener with its immediate sense of urgency and a beckoning, slightly exotic melody. As it slowly twists and turns, moving ever more insistently towards its peak it propels the listener to a distant exotic land, as a throbbing beat and cymbals accentuate and elevate the tension. Already a mainstay of the few DJs lucky enough to get their hands on it early, this is sure to be one that will lodge itself deeply into the collective unconscious as we make the long march thru winter and back to summer again.
Over on the B side comes Seahnak, an equally beautiful piece of music that manages to present its intricate melody without ever letting its energy dip. Gothic and yet regal at the same time, as the lead synth shoots out the gate, it takes us on a surprising journey as it pushes the limits of what we might expect from dance music while raising our expectations of it in the process.

Tracklist:

A - Tale Of Us & Vaal - Concor
B - Vaal - Seahnak

REBOOT - Deep V - Deep Vibes Recordings

Sascha Dive and Christian Schölzel’s Deep Vibes label drops Reboot’s new six-track LP, ‘Deep_V’ – a musical tribute and homage to Frank’s late younger brother who used the moniker - in February 2014.
Reboot AKA Frank Heinrich has appeared across some heavy hitting labels in his time namely, Cadenza, Cocoon Recordings, Moon Harbour and Ricardo Villalobos’ Sei Es Drum, with a steady stream of material being released since his debut single back in 2008.
The album itself was written and worked on all over the world drawing on exclusive field recordings from various locations and finally finished using Frank’s collection of analogue gear back home in his studio in Offenbach, Germany.
The depth to ‘Deep_V’ derives from Heinrich’s polished production ability and curiosity to explore numerous sounds and rhythms from all corners of music - something that has been the keystone behind his familiar tribal and percussive sound throughout his career. ‘Banging Ear Drums’ with its deep afro-futurist groove and South American inspired melodies is the ideal example of Reboot melting down different elements of music into one track with such suave subtlety. Equally ‘Harsh Time For Kids’ infuses a multitude of components throughout a bubbly somewhat house-ier groove with rippling drums and hypnotic beats.
On the duskier side of things ‘Tortoise’ is a long languid cut back affair while ‘How Province Saved The Funk’ is a dark organic exploration through bleeps and whirring atmospherics. ‘Tantric Behaviours’ stands out as a drum heavy piece of work with it’s low-slung sultry beat, along with ‘Che Meloni’(really fun title for all the italians) where Frank develops his distinctive kick patterns into dominance constructing a dynamic record with driving energy.
The six tracks on ‘Deep_V’ are intricately produced compositions, each with a purposeful arrangement – cultivated to simmer on low heat to draw out the delivery of those understated crowning moments that require quality headphones, speakers or a live setting to really appreciate. ‘Deep_V’ is another stellar addition to Reboot’s back catalogue and as expected an incredible body of work.
Reboot’s ‘Deep_V’ is out on Deep Vibes, 3rd February 2014 on CD/LP/Digital formats…



Tracklist LP:

A1 Tortoise
B1 Harsh Time For Kids
C1 Che Meloni
D1 Banging Ear Drums

Tracklist CD:

1. Tortoise
2. Harsh Time For Kids
3. Che Meloni
4. Banging Ear Drums
5. Tantric Behaviours
6. How Province Saved The Funk

MODERN DEEP LEFT QUARTET - Ditch Pig - Wagon Repair Ltd

The Modern Deep Left Quartet is back. Well actually, it never really went away, but due to contractual obligations they had been releasing as Cobblestone Jazz the past few years. So its high time that the projects are re-branded as originally intended, and this release marks that foray into quirky techno and mid tempo goodness.
On the A side we have the synth stab orchestra known as Ditch Pig. It is direct and to the point, pushing onward and upward with a refined relentlessness.
On the flip we first find Harry the Käse Man, a mid-tempo slice of future funk. A chugging beat meets splashes of twanged out blips and quirky pads resulting in a welcome departure from the quartets normal direction.
Rounding out the release on B2 is Silent Samba, a quirky and obtuse groove sprinkled with a little cheekiness and a touch of the abstract. It's a great representation of the odd free form jams the quartet loves to imbibe in.


Tracklist:

A1 - Ditch Pig
B1 - Harry the Käse Man
B2 - Silent Samba

VARIOUS ARTISTS - BPM001 Mixed By Art Department - No. 19 Music

BPM and No.19 Music are proud to announce the release of the first official compilation album from Mexico’s hugely successful annual electronic music festival, compiled & mixed by the one and only Art Department. The compilation is the first chapter in a planned series that will see 2 editions a year from some of the festival’s favourite artists and who better to kick things off than BPM linchpins Art Department, who draw on their close bond with the event to deliver something truly special. Released in late January, the magical selection will showcase the sorts of sounds and styles you will encounter at the much-loved cultural event that is BPM, all expertly mixed by the hugely influential duo of Jonny White & Kenny Glasgow.
The BPM Festival itself has become a go-to place for the finest artists and most clued-up clubbers each New Year. Playing out on Playa Del Carmen’s world-class beaches, it’s a place to relax and recuperate in the company of some of house, techno and electro’s essential artists and has been a key date on the dance music calendar for Art Department & No.19 Music for many years. The mix kicks off with a brace of tracks from German producer Oskar Offerman and sets off a wonderfully deep-seated groove in the process. From there it’s a perfectly programmed and tightly woven selection that touches on deftly tousled house from Deniz Kurtel, tracky tech from Boris Horel and plenty of celestial melodies of the sort that have you looking to the sky. A certain highlight of the mix is the Mind Against 909 Remix of Art Department’s own timeless anthem, ‘Sun Comes UP, whilst other No 19. Music stars such as Eric Volta and Louie Fresco also appear with essential and unique offerings that really stand out. There are also some fine artists from a wider sphere enlisted, namely Canadian techno maestro Mathew Jonson with his excellent remix of VCMG, Swiss men Ripperton and Deetron and Innervisions associate Marcus Worgull. Of course nothing will compare with being at the festival itself, but the captivating BPM001 mixed by Art Department is about as close as you will get to the experience without leaving the comfort of your own hood.

Tracklist

01. Oskar Offerman - You Said Party, I Said Maybe (Dub)
02. Oskar Offerman & Edward - What Have We Become
03. Maher Daniel & Jon Charnis - Lonely Stars In Open Skies (Luca Bacchetti Remix)
04. Tenwalls - Requiem
05. Deetron - Character
06. Deniz Kurtel - Deepression
07. Boris Horel - Wild Combinations
08. Baikal - Why Don't Ya (Ripperton Remix)
09. Louie Fresco - Arabian Sexcapade
10. Art Department - Sun Comes Up (Mind Against 909 Remix)
11. Eric Volta - Love Your Illusion
12. VCMG - Single Blip  (Mathew Jonson Remix)
13. Marcus Worgull & Peter Pardeike - Lenoix
14. Eric Volta featuring Gretz - Blood Burgundy (My Eyes Are Open)

The BPM Festival 2014
January 3 - 12, 2014
Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, Mexico
www.thebpmfestival.com

About The BPM Festival

The BPM Festival will make its return to Playa del Carmen, Mexico for the seventh edition on January 3-12, 2014. With the dramatic increase in size and abundance of talent the festival has to offer, BPM has rapidly established itself as an essential music destination on the global festival circuit.  This year’s programming brings over 250+ artists and multiple day & night events throughout the ten-day festival, culminating in what will be the most paramount edition of BPM yet.  Set along the coast of Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, the turquoise blue waters of the Mayan Riviera and endless stretches of beaches provide the perfect backdrop for the ten-day celebration of dance music in one of the most captivating holiday hotspots on the globe. BPM fans can also take a break from the festivities and enjoy a mixture of activities from water sports and eco tourism, to venturing off the beaten path to explore Mayan ruins and archeological sites. The festival’s locale provides a remarkable opportunity for industry professionals, artists, and dance music enthusiasts alike; to indulge in the finest the scene has to offer.

VARIOUS ARTISTS - I Robots presents The Balance Ep - Opilec Music

Back in July, Balance Recordings boss and deep house pioneer Chez Damier licensed three tracks from Opilec Music to release on vinyl on his own imprint. Now the Opilec Music label is digitally re-releasing the EP with a very special extra track, meaning that I-Robots, Jordan Fields, Federico Gandin and proto-house come Italo disco stalwarts Klein & M.B.O will all appear on the release.
First up is I-Robots – ‘Streets Of Dongguan’ (previously released on We Are Opilec...! Vol.II). This track is inspired and dedicated to Dongguan, Huang Jiang, a city in China where I-Robots has a second home and a daughter called Barbie. It’s a low-slung bit of house funk, with the organic pitter-patter of congas interacting with a dubby bass guitar riff. Over the top are vocals recorded in the street in Huhang Jiang in the summer 2012. The voice is a poor street seller trying to sell insect poisons whilst driving a bicycle and it is a subtle addition that has a big impact.
Next up is Jordan Fields with ‘Pink Lilies’ (taken from the forthcoming Jordan Fields album The Sound Of Chicago 1986-1991 - The Lost Trax, also on this label.) It is a lost track from the late 80s/early 90s and has a classic Dance Mania/Trax sound, with pinging drums and mournful synth lines coming together in raw house fashion.
Then comes Federico Gandin with ‘A Sonic Day On The Milky Way’ (which was first released on his debut album, Legion Of The Lost Dream). Derrick May is a big fan of the album and always plays tracks from it in his DJ sets, as well as recently including one track in his Heartbeat mix compilation. Also I-Robots included two Gandin tracks in his Movement Torino compilations.. The track is a dense bit of house with scattered drums and many different rhythmic elect’s from wooden sounding percussion to glowing synths and it really works listeners into a controlled frenzy in some style.
Finally, the extra special inclusion is Klein & M.B.O. – ‘Last Call’ (I-Robots Reconstruction Take II) which is taken from a forthcoming release that will also include another Reconstruction from I-Robots and an exclusive Gene Hunt Chicago remix as well as a Headman/Robi Insinna rework and the original and unreleased version. This I-Robots Reconstruction is inspired by the early Chicago house sound and comes with rough and ready drums, bleepy, heady melodies and plenty of thick, gravelly baselines. It’s a classic and sympathetic remix that nods its hat to house history at the same time as looking to the future.
Once again this is a carefully considered and hugely cultured package from the ever on point Opilec Music label that offers some essential sounds for fans of proper house music.
The artwork for this release is provided by talented Japanese artist Tamami Saito who is working alongside the label to provide unique covers for a selection of Opilec’s records.


Tracklist:

1. I-Robots – Streets Of Dongguan
2. Jordan Fields – Pink Lilies
3. Federico Gandin – A Sonic Day On The Milky Way
4. Klein & M.B.O. – Last Call (I-Robots Reconstruction Take II)

FABIO MONESI / JORDAN FIELDS - Split Groove Ep Part 3 - Wilson Records

For the third installment from the Wilson Records Split Grooves epic, we see the “new school” of Fabio Monesi featuring the “classic school” of the Chicago house producer Jordan Fields, a guy with a career that was shaped by the early days of breakdancing, boom-boxes, and ’80s house.
Fabio Monesi’s evolution into an artist of his own accord is becoming increasingly more apparent with this all out analog fatale of the old school on the A side ‘Warmest Bump (Hissman mix) and Black Brother’ Two cuts on fresh wax throwing down some ruthless hard hi hattin’ action.
Released on a coloured vinyl, you can’t say we don’t spoil you.

Tracklist:

A1 - Fabio Monesi - The Warmest Bump (Hissman Mix)
A2 - Fabio Monesi - Black Brother
B1 - Jordan Fields - Yeah (1992 Dub)
B2 - Jordan Fields - Feelin Music (1991)

 

VARIOUS ARTISTS - Selected - Compiled By Fred P - SoulPeople Music

Boards, the newest addition to SoulPeople Music is a space where forward thinking music is encouraged. Curated by Fred himself the sub label already has a couple impressive releases under its belt. These releases are reflections of Fred's ideals prior to becoming a globe trotting selector of some of the finest underground dance music around. In his own words Fred says: "In the early days it was difficult to afford more than one or two records. I would buy compilations because the value was greater and I was exposed to artist that I might not have known about otherwise .When I think of compilations I think of mix the vibe, soul of science, trust the dj and of course dj kicks. I learned a great deal from these series over the years and developed my own ideas based on what I love to hear thus Selected was born."
Keeping with the aesthetic of SPM yet different from Earth Tones, Fred's yearly compilation series, "Selected" focuses purely on the vibration and mood of who's compiling that given project. Fred P naturally takes us on a journey with deep spacey and etheric grooves. From the opening of DeepJust AQuaBeaT Interpretation to the murky dense and electrifying moodiness of Ryo Murakami's Midnight Sun evokes a state of mind for otherworldliness. Yet the journey continues with Lapien's floor pleaser My Obsession and closes with a track from one of Fred's side projects sound destinations.
It's a reshaped dub of a jazz tune entitled N.Y. Based on a video of Fred riding in a cab coming home after a long tour. This tune is surely a high point with depth and feeling completing what is a amazing maiden voyage into new levels of deepness as only captain P can deliver. True to his sound and vision, be it his personal productions, reshapes, collaborative projects, video works and dj sets world wide, Fred present "Selected" with the same mantra;
Peace, love and sound...


Tracklist:

01. - DeepJust AquaBeat - Interpretation
02. - Bassik Grooove - Synthetic Ocean
03. - Bobby O' Donnell - The Shards Of Our Childhood
04. - Ryo Murakami - Midnight Sun
05. - Lapien - My Obsession
06. - We Are MAM - Roots Underground
07. - Orion 70 - Enki
08. - Fred P - Selected Dub

FRANCIS HARRIS - Minutes Of Sleep - Scissor and Thread

On "Minutes of Sleep," Scissor and Thread label founder Francis Harris continues to grapple with the subjects of memory, loss and profound grief that suffused his critically acclaimed debut "Leland" (2012), an album length requiem composed for his father. Writing this time in tribute to his mother who sadly passed the following year, Harris revisits deeply personal territory on "Minutes of Sleep" with newfound perspective, heightened confidence and a markedly refined approach, yielding a noticeably matured and eloquent statement which transcends sorrowful brooding and rumination. It was through recording "Leland" that Harris first broke from his decade long preoccupation with solitary electronic music production. Seeking to infuse his formal compositions with emotional content, Harris employed the singular talents of Danish vocalist Gry Bagøien, trumpeter Greg Paulus (No Regular Play) and cellist Emil Abramyan, each of whom provided truly inspiring passages throughout that album. All three return on "Minutes of Sleep" along with Léah Lazonick on piano, session player Brendan Golle on keys and Harris' childhood mate Gabe Hedrick on guitar. Harris even contributed to the sessions himself with some solid guitar and piano work, evidencing the direction his career has taken since the release of "Leland" and that project's rekindling of his passion for instrumentation, collaboration and performance. Despite the familiar presence of Bagøien's uniquely childlike blues delivery, Paulus' heartbreakingly august trumpet or Abramyan's plaintiff cello, it is the conceptual basis of Harris' songwriting and his emphasis on painstaking production processes that impart "Minutes of Sleep" with structural integrity and aesthetic continuity. Across the ten song opus, Harris works organic and synthetic elements into his compositional framework, relying less than ever on percussive elements to define his moods whilst solidifying his signature blend of house, modern classical, shoe-gaze and noise. Working with engineer Bill Skibbe at the famed Keyclub Recordings on Sly Stone's original Flickinger console, Harris drenches the tracks in analogue effects, adding tape saturation for good measure by running the final mix through a vintage multi-track. The result is a constantly warm yet intense, almost tangible sonic atmosphere that rises and falls subtly like breath with the pacing of the music.


Tracklist:

01. - Hems
02. - Dangerdream
03. - Radiofreeze
04. - Lean Back
05. - You Can Always Leave
06. - Me To Drift
07. - What She Had
08. - Blues News
09. - New Rain
10. - Minutes Of Sleep
11. Dangerdream How Che Guevaras Death and Bob Dylans Life Militarized Brigate Rosse (Terre Thaemlite Remix)

MUNK and REBOLLEDO - Surf Smurf - Gomma Records

The Gomma label has put together a new killer combination for their next EP in the form of Pachanga Boys' Rebolledo and label boss MUNK, and when two freaks like these meet for music the end result is always going to be a magical masterpiece. This pairing might sound unusual to some, but it comes quite naturally given that Rebolledo has been a Munk fan since the beginning, often dropping the label’s records in his sets, whilst Mathias has DJ’ed a lot in Mexico at Rebolledo's club Topaz de Luxe. And so to the music – in their own words, ‘Surf Smurf’ is “a dirty sixties surf rock song gone electronic; like a David Lynch soundtrack for a movie he does in 2030.” There are in fact two versions – one from Munk that is full of dirty rockabilly vibes, whacking great guitar licks and grubby hand claps. It builds a well swung groove and keeps you locked there for almost six minutes as all sorts of drums and electric guitars bursts in and out of the chaotic mix. Full of analogue vibes and charm a plenty, it’s a seriously fun track of the sort DJ Harvey would love.
Rebolledo on the other hand offers a 12-minute dub techno orgy that builds around the basic guitar lick and rattles and ripples in all directions. It’s epic and enthralling, taking you on a real journey via its ramshackle drums and would no doubt perfectly fit into a set from someone like Trentemoller. Finally, ‘Got It Baby’ is warm but dirty, sordid yet sexy with its raw claps, squealing acid and organic piano lines all knotting up with each other before the vocal cries arrive and really set the thing on fire – dancefloors will erupt when this one gets dropped, guaranteed.

Tracklist

1. Surf Smurf (Munk Version)
2. Surf Smurf (Rebolledo Version)
3. Got It Baby (Munk’s Bonus Track)

WILL AZADA - Clichè - CGI Records

After exploring over 6 hours worth of unreleased original material from the relentlessly prolific and ever expanding production catalog of Will Azada, CGI is extremely proud to present these 3 stand-out cuts that represent a depth of production skill and aesthetic range unparalleled in today's over-saturated dance music landscape. Confronting the clichés head-on, Azada breathes new life into tried-and-true templates of jacking, industrial funk and synth-y groovers with his remarkable ear for arrangement and sense of movement, masterfully exploiting the infinitely renewable resource of subtle variations that he continuously unfolds throughout the tracks' durations. The material runs the gamut from the stark, throbbing, industrial workout "The Whip" to the melody-driven, synth-fueled ecstasy of "Michalski's Theme" and the chord-driven, vocal-chopped house of "Cliché." The fact that an EP this unique and diverse can also feel so unified is a testament to the vision on display here.


Tracklist:

01. Clichè
02. Michalski's Theme
03. The Whip