• Contributed Releases (3)

• Pending Submissions (8)

• Browse Collection (225)

• Browse Wantlist (56)

• Contact

Moodymann - The Dancer - 04-Nov-08 06:33 AM
Whoever buys this will hopefully buy it for the original mix of "The Dancer", because DJ Tonka's remix exactly represents what the Moodymann reportedly hates the most - white, suburban kids mindlessly sampling black music, making it sound cheesy and ridiculous.

I don't believe that Kenny Dixon Jr. even was given a chance to dissapprove DJ Tonka's remix - because that's definitely what he would have done if he had had a chance to hear this cheese before it was pressed. Except for the vibraphone sample (which is only used in a few short sequences as an excuse to call this stinker of a track a remix of "The Dancer"), this remix doesn't have anything to do with Moodymann's breathtaking, bootyshaking original.

However - DJ Tonka isn't the one to blame for this mess in my opinion. It's that ignorant dumbass A & R at "After Midnight" who obvioulsy has no understanding of where the Moodymann comes from or what his music stands for.

Secret Cinema - Rita & Lynn - 03-Nov-08 01:15 PM
Pure Techno bliss on this one. Horrevorts Remix is incredibly deep. Whispering sounds and crackles float above a relaxed beat while ace synth chords get their filters tweaked and funked up and down in that distinctive Dutch way. The original mix has a slightly more "jackin" feel to it, while the chords remain more straight and static, surfing that thin line which separates cool simplicity from uninspired dullness.

"Poolside", the closing track of this EP, is just plain beautiful. Sounds like a track by the Boards Of Canada with a straight beat underneath. It reminded me of Holdens "Break In The Clouds" and other stuff from Border Community too at first - not because it would sound likewise, but because it has the same quality of merging an emotional melody with groovy beats without sounding like a cheap, pompous hymn.

Let's call this one timeless Dutch Techno, shall we?

Robert Armani - Madman Stand - 29-Oct-08 06:37 AM
Surely one of Robert's better efforts regarding albums. Fourteen offerings from the man who claims to finish most of his tracks within an hour. Personally, I think that this is quite a healthy approach towards recording - to try to capture the spontaneity of the moment, not being afraid to fail. However, Robert Armani generally tends to also put out quite mediocre or even bad tracks alongside the few quality bangers where he really hits the spot.

Then again - who cares? Because, at the times where Robert succeeds, it's pure Chicago heaven: "Madman Stand" bounces away with a sense of humour like there's no tomorrow while two dirty violin sounds ride the rhythm; "Scrabble" is a fine Acid tune, "Bouncing Baby" grooves straight forward underneath atmospheric bell sounds.

Robert Armani - Blow It Out - 29-Oct-08 05:49 AM
As someone else already pointed out - you'll either love or hate Robert Armanis style. "Blow It Out" is not as good as older albums - too many stinkers on here, quite uninspired arrangements, dull melodies and bad mixdowns.

But - and this is a great "but" - "Chicago Calling" is one of Armani's freakiest little tunes. A siren that sounds like a robotic voice, clever breaks and build up and a bassline that comes in quite late - but when it comes in, it sure blows things up the way it should!

"Shock" could also have been a great tune, but the bad mixdown makes it sound rather empty and harsh.

Kenny Larkin - Keys, Strings, Tambourines - 14-Sep-08 04:30 AM
"Keys, Strings, Tambourines" has what most of todays Techno albums lack: "Flow". Kenny is not trying to be particulary special, tricky, conceptual or clever. The music on here just keeps on flowing like good Techno music should. One can tell from listening to this album that Kenny makes the music he personally feels - instead of just mimicking his favourite records like too many other artists in the genre do.

Very emotional, very warm, full of spontaneous ideas and organic arrangements. Every track on here is filled with captured moments.

Easily as fresh and creative as "Azimuth" and "Metaphor" were back in the days, "Keys, Strings, Tambourines" will grow on you with each time you listen to it. Not "Retro" at all - just timeless and true Techno music.

View all 25 reviews...