Tuesday, February 15, 2011

King of the counterfeit groove

This is quite an old banger, but the choppy techno style of this track caught my attention, theres so many layers to this track, which make each break a new discovery. The best element of the track has to be that intense bass belly that is gives the track such a funky feel. While i'd come to expect only chilled tracks from I:Cube, this was a refreshing break from all the down-tempo stuff I've been jamming.

I:Cube - Gtnup

RA News: Stimming preps second album, Liqourice

Hamburg-based producer Martin Stimming will release his next album, Liquorice, this March.

As a linchpin of Diynamic Music, Stimming is known for his upbeat and often club-ready style of tech house. But Liqourice shows a different side of the producer; hardly any of the tracks ride a 4/4 beat, and most of them rely heavily on field recordings, giving the album an experimental feel. "I kind of sneaked around the normal bassdrum/clap or snare combination," he says. "I only tried to express the feelings I had during this time... without thinking of what will happen with it or who's gonna buy it."

The mood, too, is more somber than usual, a change Stimming attributes to the personal crisis during which he produced much of the album. "I had to sleep on the couch in my 16 square metre studio, certain circumstances didn't allow me to sleep at home." Though he didn't go into further detail on the matter, the song title "Me Against the Bitch" speaks volumes.

As for the album title, Stimming says its an acknowledgment of the fact that the record isn't for everyone. "I called it Liquorice because I simply love real liquorice sweets (all kinds actually), and I have realised that it's something someone loves or hates. There's not much middle ground, and there were probably 50% who like it and the others don't."

Tracklist
01. Cold Water
02. My Lonesome Drumset
03. Trashcan
04. Cooking Coffee
05. On a Grey Day
06. January, Second
07. Marble Run
08. No Strings Attached
09. Black Caramel
10. Don't Touch This
11. Time to Leave
12. Me Against the Bitch
13. The Train

Diynamic will release Liqourice on March 28th, 2011.

I:Cube

Nostalgic Indulgence

Last night while at a varsity rugby game, I was shocked to see how young the first year students looked. It got me thinking about how young and lost I must have looked. Luckily my mate ando was next to me as I was reminiscing and he reminded me of this beautiful remix by Brabe or Phtps of the Foals 'Electric Bloom'. I remember first listening to it in the truth parking lot (around 2008) while trying to finish a bottle of vodka between the both of us, oh the folly of youth hahaha. Anyway I decided this atmospheric minimal banger deserved a re-post, after all it was responsible for my discovery of the Foals. Enjoy

Foals - Electric Bloom (Phtps Dusk Remix)

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Proudly ..South African..

I'm probably going to get in major trouble for this post, but here goes. 2010 was a great year for house in South Africa, mainly because of the talented duo: Liquideep. When they released their first single 'fairytale' it was an immediate hit and people speculated as to whether they had just got lucky. However, upon listening to their album and the realease of their 2nd and 3rd singles, its clear that they are here to stay. This particular track is my favourite and its beautifully african, with amazingly soulful vocals.

Liquideep - BBM

Sound Of The Underground

I've been hanging onto this one for some time now, when you listen to it, you'll feel a bit protective of it and even selfish. Its a beautiful banger by Monika Kruse, the super talented producer was recently in our country and played a set I wont soon forget. This track however embodies the whole spirit of the underground, its a subtle ode to the rebellious masses seeking nothing but reckless abandon. It has an old school feel about it too, which makes it end up sounding like disco-tech. Check it out...

Monika Kruse feat. Toto Lamposina - Morgana

Huey Lewis Standing In The Rain

I've only discovered the genius that is Seth Troxler and after listening to this absolute banger, i found myself obsessed with getting everything this man has made. To be fair this track is a collaboration of efforts, but it was enough to get me into Troxler frenzy. This track is a loaded deep minimal banger that keeps you hanging, hoping for more and it delivers with the darkest and yet lighthearted vocals. You'll have this on repeat for a while. Oh and Happy New Year!

Seth Troxler & Matthew Dear - Hurt

RA.242 Catz N Dogz

By far the best Resident Advisor Podcast I've heard in a while

Tracklist

Out Hud - The Zillionth Watt - Kranky
Catz N' Dogz feat. Paul Randolph - I'm Free - Mothership
Instra:mental - Let's Talk - Nakedlunch
Vakula - Different Tone / El Guincho - Bombay (Catz N' Dogz edit) - Different Tone
Theopilus London - Overseas (Soul Clap's EFUNK mix) - CDR
Claude VonStroke - The Whistler (DJ Assault remix) - DirtyBird
Krush - Jack's Back - MERCURY
Tomasz Wakulewski - That Time (Pol_on Remix) - Empedo
So Lonely (acapella)
Daniel Bortz - Toxic (Catz N' Dogz dub) - White
Pop Kulture (DJ Dozia edit) - Ovum / Jay Shepheard – Haselnuss - Retrofit
Kevin Yost - It's Getting Better - I Records
Love Don't Let - A Classic Man dub - Nervous Records
Salt City Orchestra - The Book (Epilogue reprise) - Paper
Robert Cashin - Razor Fish (The Cupid Stunt remix) - Loosing Suki
Psionic Terror - Bad Autopsy
Maceo Plex - Girl I Like Your Style – Crosstown Rebels
Gemini - How Can I - Cyclo
Second Hand Satellites - Orbit 1.4 / Chinawoman - Party Girl - Shaboom
Kornél Kovács - Baby Step - Studio Barnhus
51 days - Paper Moon - Touche
Capucino - 1times1 (Soul Minority remix) - Rhymast
Swayzak - Devil of Rotation / Andronicus - Make you whole - M_nus
Kombi - Przytul Mni - Wifon

Download RA.242 Catz N Dogz