Is it a rule that abstract electronic labels must launch with limited-edition compilations? Japan’s SAAG Records will be excused for following rules, because Anchor and Hiro are filled with top-notch beats and melodies. Some of the featured names, like Logreybeam and Octopus Inc. will be familiar from labels like Merck and Schematic, but plenty of unknowns from the Japan scene round things out. Hiro is more beat-oriented, epitomized by Julian Neto’s “Amenimo,” which stretches grainy pads over whispers in Japanese and triplet taps, while Anchor favors beatless soundscapes like Toshiaki Ooi’s spacious, strange “Energy in Woods.”
Gift Of Gab Fourth Dimensional Rocketships Going Up
Taking a break between Blackalicious records, Gift of Gab catches a rocketship to the Northwest and cranks out a pure MC record backed up by solid soul beats. Seattle producers Jake One and Vitamin D handle the production, giving Gab’s tunes a relaxed shuffle with ample bass and piano melodies over uncomplicated midtempo beats. Gab himself sings several hooks and joins Lifesavas’ Vursatyl to sound like hip-hop’s Simon and Garfunkel on “Way of the Light.” The focus here is on Gab’s microphone gifts, as he tears up “some ‘Pac shit” on “Stardust,” overcomes a goofy hook on “The Writz” and provides his classic uplift on “Up,” a booster rocket blasting through bad times. Gab turns on the full battle heat for “Just Because,” burning it up just before he lands.
DJ Emerson The Joint
From the label that just won’t quit comes a Latin-infused beast that reflects current tribal trends. Dubby vocal delays cut through the wobbly bass, leaving room for syncopated stabs to increasingly shuttle the dancefloor helm. This one’s on limited release, so catch yours quick.
Tim Xavier & Wale Taiwo Theater of Sound
On this 66th PV release, Pascal Feos introduces a few new affiliates to the ever-evolving roster. Chicago-based Xavier submits a shimmery, shuffled-up mix of a deeply effected plucked synth, backed with time-synced reverse reverb throughout the mix. The Feos cut on the flip houses the unedited lead with a steadier percussive drive.
DDK vs. Marces Taprepeator
With its assortment of compressed kicks and dark ambiance, “Taperepeator” progresses to the first break and explodes with dirty mayhem as the grinding lead bounces slowly between the speakers. Total sound evolution throughout; from the patterns to the patches and into the effect parameters, your trip is guaranteed.
Puente Latino Solouno
New York meets Stockholm as Cari Lekebusch teams with Alexi Delano for some serious grooves. After a heady deep house swing that gets things started, a crunchy low-end and a brilliant upper end define a big mix with a spacious stereo image. Cascading synths and three-sixteenth delay turn this vinyl into a slab of late-night enchantment.
The Advent & Wla Garcia Edition 2
Continuing what the first title introduced, this EP offers a slightly different impression of what club techno can accomplish. With unmatched charisma and style, The Advent sketches his studio full of groove-spliced fills, high-pass filter sweeps and big reverse synth breaks. Flip for even more funk.
Stereolab Margerine Eclipse
Stereolab does a fantastic job of sounding like themselves-which is a very good thing. But as mom taught us, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing. Happily, this is the only knock on Margerine Eclipse-which contains Stereolab’s most memorable songs to date. The most notable part of the band’s ninth proper release is the absence of singer/guitarist Mary Hansen, who died tragically last year. Now I know Marge, not Mary, is short for Margaret-which closely resembles the word margerine-but methinks this album is dedicated to her. And what a fine coda it is.
Various Artists Stereo Pictures Vol. 3: DJ Vadim
Russian expatriate DJ Vadim has made quite a name for himself carving out sludgy, slo-mo beatscapes-imagine your Walkman playing Tribe on low batteries. And his attention to life’s minutiae (creaking doors, honking horns) has made for some unorthodox, if not mesmerizing, listening experiences. On Stereo Pictures Vol. 3, a 23-song comp co-presented by France’s MK2 cinema group, Vadim pays homage to his forebears and his followers. Solo Los Solo, Mr. Scruff, DJ Shadow and Gotan Project all make appearances (but where’s DJ Krush?), while new Vadim interludes finish putting that ass to sleep. Those with A.D.D. or fans of M.O.P. need not apply.
Various Artists Inside Scandinavia
Few labels have burst onto the scene with the immediate impact of Stockholm’s Raw Fusion. This boundary-less imprint manages gains new admirers with every release, as they collide dangerous future flavors with tradition-steeped musicality. On “Late Night Junction,” hometown player Cyclo puts contorted brass, jiving keys and unflinching percussion into a blender. “Tombo In 7/4” by A Bossa Eletrica fits an instantly recognizable samba vocal snugly over tapping percussion, a concerned guitar and a cosmic flute. Inside Scandinavia is guaranteed to wake up the world to the exciting music making its way from Scandinavia’s icy shores.
