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Omega II / Debonaire* & Exzakt - Sonic Boom / Ignition... Full Thrust - 15-Oct-09 07:38 PM
A timely return from one of Miami Bass’s original masters. While others have been raving it up on Electro’s resurgence over the last 15 years, Claudio Barrela, aka Debonaire has been busy in his studio producing music for others, as he told us in his interview. Now the time has arrived for him to rise from behind the mixing desk and bring some much needed freshness and enthusiasm to the scene. Delving into his large catalogue of legendary material and hookin up with other artists to keep Electro moving by reinterpreting these classic jams and creating new future classics.
“Final Ignition” is a great example. Together with Exzact, Debonaire has put together a tune that contains that pure Miami feel while utilising the knowledge he’s gained from years of studio engineering. From the get go we’re given insistent low-end synth rhythm over boomin precise beats. HAL intones, “I don’t think I’ve seen anything quite like this before” then we have a crazy, staccato melody that sounds like a computer gone array…fitting after listening to HAL’s voice. Complete with radio squelch and rocket boosters noises, this track pulls you along at pace without sounding hurried. Then it breaks down into a very nice hardcore synth section with overdriven noises that really bring this track above others. I could listen to that section over and over as it appeals to my grittier side.
”Ignition Full Thrust” is a slightly darker version. The snare has more balls with lovely reverb and the rising, long release synth tone is well nasty, in a good way.
There seems to be more power in this version and I can’t quite nail it as to why. “What’s the situation now? I don’t know”, ya got that right ! The subtle differences between the two is such that it’s hard to chose which is best ! I think this one gets my vote tho. With the beep and “oooh” to keep those synapses hinged in the past to remind us where we’re comin from and clearer, modern production this is a great ode to the old school.
On to the flipside and another absolute classic jam with a great vocoder session !
”Sonic Boom” is without doubt one of the most treasured 12”s in anyone who’s managed to get an original copy’s collection. Here we have it in its original (but remastered) form and a special “Sonic Re Boom” mix. The original has everything an electro classic needs. Absolutely brilliant Vocoderism, beats to make ya wana pop and break (or jus shake yo ass) and great synth melodies with DJ cuts n scratches makin it complete. What I think makes this a classic jam is the structure of the track. It’s not monotonal, it shifts with the melody rising and falling around the scale and just seems more musical than most of the stuff we get these days. It has that feel from its original time of conception, excitement, optimism and fun. This is electro like it’s supposed to be !
“Sonic Re Boom” is a masterclass in reinterpretation. Taking a classic and faithfully rebuilding it with new technology. Our mysterious producers on this track have done total justice to this version excursion. Giving it a lovely bass noise that rattles the pans in the kitchen (or the glasses on the bar if yer in a club!). it’s strange to think this was being mistaken for the original for a while because the differences, although mostly subtle, do give this track a more modern feel. The reworked vocoderism is sublime and the lovely mirroring of the word “BOOM” with a bass tone is like frosties, greeeeeeat !
This 12” is a sure fire winner and a fine example of things to come from this reanimated label. 2 trax with 2 versions to please any EBF Monk and most probably make new converts to the REAL electro bass funk sound. Available in a numbered, signed 100 limited edition coloured vinyl edition .

Various - SOM Compilation - 15-Oct-09 07:26 PM
Kicking off the black disc one is The Exaltics “Wont Back”. Fast funky beats, long release chords and a twisted hook fuel this relentless onslaught.Not for the faint hearted,that’s for sure.I’m fast becoming a true fan of their productions.Tight rhythms and spacious sounds married with devastating synth work and an attention to detail on mix down that’s inspirational. This monster crushes the city of small,weak electro buildings like it was made of paper.
Next up comes the indefatigable Clatterbox with “Executive Toy”.If you don’t already know Clatterbox,you’re in fer a treat. Very sharp electro beats and machine funk synths working in unison to stir deep grooves from dancefloor robots.Almost minimal but with enough noises to keep you thoroughly entertained and cause off kilter muscle spasms.
Third and its time for Impakt and “Kewkog”.A 303 fuelled,606 beat infested track with a smile, not a yellow smiley face, don’t get me wrong, this is way too funky and almost laid back for that.It’s a short little ditty utilising few machines to create a moment of lighter,yet still well executed entertainment.
Last on the black disc is Goliaths “Clonal Selection”.A slightly leftfield sonic construction of deep, immersive sounds. With almost constant bass tones modulating around metallic hits and strange noises.This is a track for a dark room where its strange funk can infect you as it bubbles up and down and you sway from side to side. Invoking images of strange little creatures at work with bizarre machines to make you move in ways previously unknown.
Wow! That was a varied and very entertaining start.What’s next?
A blue mini disc and a name most of us at Electro Empire are very familiar with. Gab Gato brings us “CSP Industry”.
High pitched, slow modulating tones arise and the statement “CSP Industry” is heard.BoOM! We’re off as an almost nasty synth hook instigates itself over a funky 120ish bpm 808 beat. Dependable as ever, Gab delivers once again that Italian quality production he and his label,Villains Inc,are fast becoming known for.A lovely high chord rounds this track off nicely as it progresses and fills out with understated power.This is the kinda sound UR would be proud to produce.
Hot on the heels of Gab is Sprawl and “X-51”.Fast,no nonsense beats rip us off the spot along with a very sharp,high rhythm part that goes right through yer head before a very tight bass riff completes this stark production.Building up with hi hats and strange synth wibbles.Great Space Echo like short-fast set effect is layed over the snare and deep booming beats and the interspersion of a detuned vocal here and there make this an insistent,if a little stripped down little groover.
We’re talking vast distances next.Lightyear present us with “Lunar Rising”.A Very simple beat lures us in with a little mid toned synth hook,break down.Bassline hook and what a hook it is. Wobbly and irresistible.This is a playful number that inspires a lot of sideways funk.Interspersed with actual NASA flight radio chatter this minimal groove is sure to make yer ass shake.
Finishing off the Blue Disc is AST with X Beat and “The Invaded Planet Earth”.Coming at you like a harder Aux88 or something from Marguerita Recordings and with a vox from a female alien telling us we’ll be her slaves for all eternity! GULP! Simple, uncomplicated and destined for electro clubs everywhere.This is pure, unadulterated modern electro and I predict great things from the man,X Beat.
Last to come out of its little slip case is the red disc. Making the statement “Lets Be Honest” is AS1.Full, rough and tough from the get go,AS1 here transmits a distorted 303 riff over a simple beat that removes all thought and leaves you with sheer instinct.Relentlessly chugging along,taking you by the scruff of the neck and taking you with it on its direct and to the point journey of head down, foot stomping,low light funk.
Second on the red disc is Equitants “Technik”. Remixed by Crotaphytus,another Solar One artist.Luring us in with an FM synth with a quiet assurance before changing totally to reveal itself as a fast, distorted monster.Overdriven drums,uber squelchy synths yet with space enough in the production to catch every nuance.Chord pads ease us off a bit before those synths sneak back in to finish us off. Brilliant.
Keeping up the pace,next comes SLF with “Radio Active” and I’m having trouble staying sat down here!Staccato 303 like riffs abound over this tough,frenetic beat before slight relief comes in the form of a break down to some nicely disturbing synths then weeEE,we’re off at full pelt again! Don’t go too fast though.This sucker ends ina way that’s likely to make you fall over if it catches you off guard.
Finishing this Solar One Music Compilation is the rather acid like “Fucking Song” by Franck Sarrio.Very Different from the rest and making me think of times way back when acid house wasn’t all uplifting and fun.Dark and seriously left of centre, you’ll either love it or hate it.It’s like New Beat but GOOD! With its almost constant bedoan sounding off pitch horn pipe over classic sounding acid house production drums and synths and the “Fuck Em!” male vox,this will inspire the firing of neurons long since forgotten.

Exaltics, The - Invasion - 15-Oct-09 07:01 PM
The space ships are here!
At least, that’s what I thought after laying in a pitch black room listening to the new long player from The Exaltics.
It just doesn’t get any more sci fi than this. Your typical ‘Get on the dancefloor!’ Electro this ISN’T - Its better.
This is a beautifully mastered creation of mood stimulating soundscapes, tightly crafted beats, time and distance.
”Time and distance”
Yup, Time and Distance. (Think about it, time IS distance, it is a point to point measurment of our POSITION in regard to our orbit and rotation - so how is that a dimension, Einstein?)
This is unhurried, evocative sonic entertainment to inspire your mental wonderings as much as it excites your feet. The distance is created by The Exaltics in their writing and production. There’s room to hear everything, subtle nuances of reverbs and echoes, the twists and turns in the synthesis, wide stereo movement and the full A D S R.
Not over compressed force of beats and screaming synths flyin at ya at 145 BPM
(Although, we LOVE that when we have our dancing sneakers on!).
Don’t get me wrong! There are meaty, pulsing electro beats aplenty with squelchy synths and fat bass ( the brilliant The Exaltics Theme for one).I just don’t feel I’m been FORCED to dance by the shear volume of the music, more enticed, poked and prodded by alien hands with a nod and cheeky wink.
Yes, this is indeed a quality creation of uncomplicated but masterfully concocted Electro music for those deeper moments as much as those ass shakin moments.
There are SIXTEEN trax on the CD transmitted to me from deep space (well, Germany!) and what a journey they create. I’ve sat and listened to “Invasion” in a few different surroundings now and it goes about its business entertaining you (and others around you) with a deftness not often heard in the Electro world. One person asked me about 3 times, throughout the playing of the album, what it was she was listening too because she kept been prompted by the sheer quality and spatial depth. “This is still The Exaltics? Wow! This IS good.”
At times ambient soft pads rise and fall while stranger sounds move ghostly from left to right in the background in an ethereal otherworldly dimension and at other times, metallic beats and deep bass prevail and all the while The Exaltics are taking us deeper, further. If you’ve been missing the more classic sounding Dopplereffekt then there’s sonic fluctuations here for you. Something to listen to as you read that Philip K Dick book? Audio stimulation while on a long journey? A little something more serious for your electro set on the Friday night? Brought a few friends back from the club? The Exaltics have created “Invasion” for all these moments and more.
Personally I like to turn the light off, lay on the bed with a pair of good headphones on, turn the volume to 11 and let the album as a whole take me away. Not a bum track to stutter your musings, nothing to skip past here, just give yourself over to the Invasion.
The Exaltics have a mission, they have motive. They aren’t twiddling knobs coz that aint got anything better to do, nope! They aim to inspire, to give you time to question the universe and allow ideas to form. With strange, off kilter sounds as much as the eponymous boomin kick drums. Shifting the flow with the pace of varying BPMs, food for the brain as well stimulants for the muscles.
Expand your mind, reach out to Solaris, observe, wonder, discover, ponder, react.

Downrocks - 15-Oct-09 06:52 PM
Downrocks as a musical project has a very basic concept. One mind, focused, bringing the thoughts with much flexibility, to create funky body rockin music.
Kapi, the producer behind Downrocks has been deeply related to the Barcelona Hip Hop scene from its beginnings in the early 80s. Kapi has always been an appreciator of a variety of musical styles, the classics of yesteryear that he heard in clubs and danced on and the more contemporary sounds of today’s worldwide underground Rap and Electronic music scenes.
Under this name Kapi, he has created some productions directly related with the Rap side of Hip Hop and has also published some Electro and Breakbeat music.
Downrocks was then born as a musical concept to distinguish the Kapi as a Hip Hop, Funk or Breakbeat producer with the Kapi as Downrocks, creating Electro Funk style.

Gab.Gato vs XBeat - No Light Or Shadow EP - 15-Oct-09 06:46 PM
The Villains Inc have opened another doorway from the depths of their mysterious dimension into our unsuspecting world!
Their second release sees the hard working beat manipulator Gab Gato collaborating with the creative force known as Xbeat. Together they have concocted a superb 12” of stark, brooding electro that’s not for the faint hearted and some true school ethereal techno.

A1 – Gab Gato vs Xbeat. “No Light or Shadow” Electro mix.
From the first kick and the sub bass hum, you know this isn’t gona be lightweight!
The pure electro beat kicks in with clear frequencies and intent, to drive you on to the dark, strobe lit dancefloor.
Not sure yet? Breakdown and a totally SICK 303 synth insists you move. A low, brooding voice then intones “Feel the rhythm, no light or shadow here. Feel the rhythm, a body possessed” and the vocal part now inspires you along with some very spooky hi synth melodies of human sounding voices. DEEP!
This is head down, foot stompin, ass shakin, spirit slappin gear. You may need to call an exorcist!

A2 – Gab Gato vs Xbeat. “No Light or Shadow” Techno mix.
Coming from a totally different angle, like something delivered via a time machine from early 90’s Detroit! This is pure techno.
Starting with a nice 4 / 4 beat and a mid tone 303 wibble and beautiful chord pads, this mix evokes deep memories that muscles immediately start to twitch on. The eponymous late 80’s ,early 90’s rounded, almost humming bassline of old makes your backbone slip. The vox on this version is lighter in tone and pitch but the depth is still there, not spooky but serious in its intent. Claps then lift you a little higher but still there’s slight darkness up here. Melding classic sounds together in a recognisable yet not tired and over done mixdown, lovers of real techno will embrace this like a long lost track they always wanted but never had.

B1 - Gab Gato vs Xbeat. “Subterrania”.
With an funky electro beat kickin straight in with distorted, low level vocoder and open synth notes rising and falling, Subterrania lands with something to move to in a no nonsense, shake yo ass kinda way. A simple, uncomplicated bassline carries you away on a sweat inducing electrobotic dancefloor boogie. Complete with slightly edgy hi tones that don’t over ride, just hint at more serious vibes, Subterrania delivers that unmistakable modern, stripped down electro groove.

B2 - Xbeat “Autobody”.
Bashin buttons and flippin faders, Xbeat flies solo here and illustrates his skills of powerful, deep n sexy electroness! Fat, insistent bassline and wonderful chord pads combine with strange extra terrestrial bird calls and strings to create a monster groove. Brilliantly uncomplicated and oozing dirty thoughts on the dancefloor, nasty ideas abound…if only you could get your hands on that hot, luscious Autobody.


B3 Gab Gato “The Villains Inc”.
Time for the master of The Villains to take control on the last track.
Gab Gato here combines pure Electro beats with rather more techno sounding synths.
Speak & Spell vocoderism spells out the name of the crew while fat beats and a great sub bass kick cause smooth body movement. Light technoid chords drift around in the distance leaving most of the space for the beat and a wicked machine noise.
Brought to you with brilliant production values that lay waste to a lot of paper thin electro wanabe’s. There’s no mistaking the quality of these boys audio experiments.
They’re on a mission and they have YOU in their sights!!!

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