--REVIEW-- August 21, 2021 "The Answer Is In The Beat" Radioshow WCBN 88.3FM ---
"This record introduces Los Angeles-based producer Ivan AM and the Buena Gente Recordings imprint. “Exceed” is a straightforward tech-house roller with a simple, repetitive vocal sample, just pushing things along in a robotic conveyor belt. “Mourning Rain” has a bit more spirit to it, with a touch of gospel organ and just a general levitating feel. Nothing too involved or melodic, but it does create an aura. On the other side, Sheweytrax regular Delicate Instruments gives us some straight up jacking minimal Detroit-style house with “High Life”, which has some fun lo-bit samples from a Speak-N-Spell-type toy that recites letters of the alphabet. “Turn Away” has a breezy but also slightly melancholy vibe to it, with the sort of stripped-down Radio Shack microphone feel of certain underground techno tracks, like some DBX material." https://theanswerisinthebeat.net/2021/08/21/ivan-am-delicate-instruments-split-12-ep-buena-gente-recordings-sheweytrax/

This is a perfect disco track!! Its so funky and those keys go on like a prototype early house track. New to me and that's what made this such a dope second hand find. Keeper single.

From the mighty Raul Recinos aka DJ EFX!! So many dope electro/mashup classics and deep house/techno gems, totally underrated producer of the 1980's and 90s!

Review by Jamie Funk, Divide and Conquer - Indie Music Album Reviews (8/13/2020)
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"withNme is the latest musical project undertaken by singer/songwriter Jamie Salazar. He recently released a self-titled EP withNme that contains three songs. There are two remixes of two of the songs as well. He explains, “The name of the group and LP comes from a line from Lao Tzu's "Tao Teh Ching.” "How do I know about the world? By what is within me. This philosophy of self exploration and discovering the power of the one is a heavy theme in both the sound and subject of the songs.”

The music itself felt like a mix of pop and new wave. There are a lot of airy elements within the songs as well as strong vocal melodies that I felt defined the aesthetic of the songs. The first song is called “Early Girl” and you first hear the sound of a heavy heart beat. It quite suddenly transitions into a full arrangement of lush instrumentation. The feeling here is soft and reflective as he sings poetic lyrics. As the song progresses there are added elements that appear which increase the intensity. The low end of the drums is magnified and reverb laced instrumentation seems to surround the sonic space. “Window Sill” felt a little more on the nose in terms of the new wave flavor. It’s a really catchy song and follows a pop structure with a smooth verse and a chorus that pops with energy. Lyrically, it’s a mix of language. A little poetic, some of it’s straightforward and there is even some humor. My favorite line was “All of your whippersnaps became a cross in your lap / Iconic giant like Stay Puft.” “Skywalker'' begins with warm guitar and piano. The feeling here is more melancholy and all things considered I think this was the highlight. I thought the vocals were really well delivered and some of the additional layers give it a post-rock almost Sigur Rós type of quality.

The remixes are “Window Sill (DELINSTR Chasin' REMIX)” and “Window Sill (DELINSTR Chasin' INSTR)” which had old Chicago club type energy from a couple of decades ago that I’m old enough to remember. There are some solid songs on this EP and the production was top notch. I think many people will appreciate these songs. Take a listen."

This song is so amazing, never gets old. It's hard to describe why it's so great but it definitely has stood the test of time. Is this song about moving past a painful breakup or maybe it's learning how to cope in the world and how to live in it when you are trying to move on. It's hopeful yet melancholy at the same time. Either way this is a true masterpiece of a tune.

Going through the old crates - this is a nice Jesse Johnson/Prince "Erotic City"/Vanity6 style vibe track..and on the same 80's L.A. label as 'Sleeze Boyz - Robocop' from back in the day. Too bad no full instr. version but the original 11:44 mix jams out from the breakdown to the end. This is the only release under 'Marlin Seven' and nothing more - wonder if there is a Minneapolis connection?

Love record digging - it's amazing how many treasures are still out there from back in the day. This is a great song full of emotion. Reminds me of the feeling you get when listening to Sylvester and man this is so well recorded. Strings are amazing builds and builds like a Nile Rodgers/Chic vibe, funky little beat.

Classic jam heard in the mix with disco/hiphop/electro for years and years..and can be played with almost anything. Never seen a dancefloor reject it when hearing this out.

Another release that completely took over the player for a good year upon release. Elements of Talking Heads, Radiohead, The Cure, Joy Division yes, but this album was so different with its off-kilter vocal delivery and unique emotional content. Remember this was released after 911 so it just felt right ("NYC"). An inspired album, and can stand the test of time.

This album definitely took over the CD player for a good year back in 2005...it's still a great listen with each track able to stand out on its own. It plays as a full listen without having to skip tracks along the way which make this a real keeper. "Like Eating Glass", "Banquet", "Helicopter" and "So Here We Are" all standouts from this inspired full length.

---Review#1--- Featured in the mix by MGUN...
'MGUN Winter 2019 Mix' https://www.theguardian.com/music/2019/mar/27/the-months-best-mixes-dusty-house-spooky-techno-and-sparkling-jungle "Memory-1" off this release comes in at 30:10 (Source: The Guardian (UK))

---Review#2---
"The latest release from the prolific West Coast label Shewey Trax is the first part of a full-length from Delicate Instruments, who has been steadily releasing records since 2013, including a 2017 single bearing an Octo Octa remix. These four tracks are deep but also kind of lo-fi, and even industrial-tinged. “Memory-1” is a nighttime city cruiser with a voice urging you to expand your consciousness of the world around you. “The Judgement” is much rougher and grittier, with the voices taking a much sharper tone, and the beats more clanky than smooth. “Fading Away” is back to the more meditative feel of “Memory-1”, then “Behind the Waterfall” mixes natural sounds and appropriately lush tones with a thick, distorted kick drum. A good mix of both relaxing and edgy sounds, pressed on nice, thick vinyl. I’m kind of surprised I haven’t heard more from this label before." July 31, 2019 - Paul Simpson "The Answer Is In The Beat", WCBN 88.3FM.

This track should never leave the crate. Bomb disco funk bassline!

Nice indie/punk record..found this a few years ago on a dig - great vocals, rawness, tempo, distortions.

Classic Doobie must get. "Long Train Runnin" and "China Grove" will likely get that 'I had no idea that was the Doobie Brothers' response.

Masterpiece Boingo record. Entire album is great and never gets old - its new every time you listen to it and with interesting musicianship like no other band from this era. Boingo didn't seem to fear genre blending using elements of rock, pop, new wave/punk, electronics, and ska - mixing it all up together way back in '81.

"Technicolor" and "Clear" were big tunes here on the West Coast 80's and still are a must for every electro fan. In my opinion, the intros alone set off DJ careers with doubles playing back to back for new variations and scratching material. These tunes were all part of the early hip-hop/electro/breakdance scene here in Cali. Metroplex was part of the essential records for learning how to mix and for GenX getting into this whole DJ thing before hip-hop turned to the slower beats of the 90's. Atkin's was a huge influence - one of my favorite tracks.

Favorite band of all time. 5-Star track from DM! One of the things that blew me away is watching the concert from '88 at the RoseBowl in Pasadena..wish that time travel was possible because that night felt like a religious experience even watching it through video (take the time and watch if you haven't seen the whole show).

Recent super strange punk new wave find...might keep this one. Kind of 'Oingo Boingo' and off the wall 'Devo / B-52's' electronix at the same time. "Whose Mama Is This" haha! check this out...

'Tyree Mix' is so nice on this record - if you're into soulful timeless house this record is worth picking up just for this mix.

This record almost did not exist. First extra tests got lost -nowhere to be found? Then records were delivered to a foreclosed house by accident (massive housing crash here in Cali. at that time). To avoid a total financial loss, eventually tracked down the investor who anonymously brought them back to the foreclosed misdelivered address. Basically returned the record boxes to a garage heap of leftover junk. The garage was left unlocked to pick them up in the middle of the night which kind of mirrored in an odd way the meaning of several tracks off this record. FedEx had claimed delivered either way so it was really a miracle that these survived. Records were days away from being sent to the junkyard. Lbe