Lush, huge dynamics ranging from chiming, piercing, scraping metallic rings to the rumbling deep bass of gongs & toms to challenge any sub-woofer. Solid and subtle electro-acoustic improvisations feature over 30 percussive instruments on a more traditional tip, except for a sustained and scary bass/digi remix by Die Elektrischen on the flip. Overall, sonic artistry made with love and care.
Morgan Craft Valhalla (Adagio)
Mournful, anthemic lone-wolf stunt guitarú from an Afro-Viking Minnesotan. “First World” electronic improvisation is as resourceful as “Third World,” using all parts of the animal (broken strings, cable tips, amp tubes, back springs, machine heads, pickup pole pieces, etc.) to steer electricity to new, spacious sound frontiers. Think long-distance truckin’ through an echoing wasteland. A beauty.
Only Child Feat. Amp Fiddler U Bring Me Vibes
In collaborating with Only Child, Amp Fiddler gets to step out of the shadow of Kenny Dixon Jr. and provide vocals for this track. The result is a mood fit for a late night in a dark room. The flip features Mantis mixes reminiscent of an early Grant Nelson production.
Jephte Guillaume Pouki
Music for the serious dancer. When I first put this on I imagined [late Detroit techno historian] Laura Gavoor out on the floor moving in circles to the hypnotizing rhythms. Great production with five different mixes, although I wish one of them took things into a different direction.
Mr. G New Blood EP
Colin McBean’s main appeal is that his production is universal. His records are played by house, techno, and even trance (yecch) DJs. This one’s no exception: for the house-head, “The Day After B” employs filtered vocal samples that slip in and out, while “Flux Tech” pounds the body into submission with only one escape-dance.
Soul Funky Let’s get Down (DJ Dub Vocal)
This sums up the Breakin Bread sound. Uptempo, heavy hip-hop beats, singing, rapping and a backing track that goes from electronica to soul and back again via hip-hop. I know of only two copies of this, and we need more!!
Jehst, Supa T, Cee-Why, LG & Lopez Party Animals
A dope ep that showcases the superb UK talents marshalled by the YNR imprint. Uptempo club banger on the a-side, deep and dark headnodder, “Seein’ Red,” on the flip. A future UK classic.
Jurassic 5 A Day At the Races
The best party rockin’ track off the last LP, finally available in the UK on a promo 12″. The chainsaw cuts that introduce verses by Big Daddy Kane and Percee P are awesome!!
Matthias Tanzmann Those Nights
Leipzig’s minimalist house master Tanzmann breaks it down to the bone with the dubby ‘n’ skeletal title tune, while the flip’s “Side Effects” puts spitting percussion upfront and floating synth chords in the distance. The closing “Ladies First” is all in yr face, hinting perhaps at Tanzmann’s late-’80s house influence. Moody and essential.
Pysofunkodiscodelic Cabaret Breaks
The veteran Bay Area house collective puts the big, funky breaks on. The a-side offers up some early-’90s flavor, with a jumpy arrangement that spotlights a mighty three-note bassline and a hit-and-miss array of vocal samples (including some tight Al Pacino bits). The flip brings on a more nu-breaks flavor with a freaky beat, distorted bass and less vocal samples. Bing-bang-boom.
