JGM 83 - Motion
Tuesday, May 1st, 2012 | Podcast | No Comments
Artist - Track (Label)
1. Omar-S - Motion (FXHE) Info
2. Mood II Swing - Move Me (Music For Your Ears) Buy
3. Vincent Halliburton - Flipside (Ferris Park) Info
4. Instant House - Hat Hat (Sacred Rhythm) Info
5. Dancing Flutes - Do The Do (Underground) Info
6. Levon Vincent - Pivotal Moments In Life (Novel Sound) Info
7. Theo Parrish - Sawala Sayale (Sound Signature) Info
8. Hot Lizard - The Theme (Product Deluxe) Info
9. Kym Mazelle - Useless (Capitol) Info
10. Jack Frost - Clap Me (A&M) Info
11. Octo Octa - Coldwaves (100% Silk) Buy
12. Ike Release - Puntigam (Episodes) Info
Direct download: JGM_83_-_Motion.mp3
Guest mix for Down The Well
Monday, April 9th, 2012 | Sounds | No Comments
I was recently invited to play some records on Timmmii’s Down The Well show, which airs every Tuesday 6pm-8pm on Radio Valencia. Pretty much what was in my record bag at the time - you can stream the recording below and download the entire show here.
Artist - Track (Release, Year, Label)
1. Claro Intelecto - Signifier (Styrax Special, 2011, Styrax)
2. Rick Wade - Harsh Thoughts (Harmonie Park Revisited 2, 2008, Harmonie Park)
3. Convextion - Spice Tea (Untitled, 2002, Down Low)
4. John Tejada & Josh Humphrey - Assimilation (Assimilation, 2010, Palette)
5. Tevo Howard - The Drapes In The Living Room (The Drapes In The Living Room, 2011, Thug)
6. Helium Robots - Jarza (Theo Parrish Translation 1) (Jarza EP, 2012, Running Back)
7. Precession - Sandcastle (Mike Huckaby Remix) (Deep Transportation, 2004, Deep Transportation)
8. Klein & MBO - MBO Theme (Members Only Remix) (Historical Archives Vol. 1, 2006, Members Only)
9. Kyle Hall - Down! (WO6K, 2011, Wild Oats)
10. Omar-S - Still Serious Nic (Still Serious Nic, 2009, FXHE)
11. Mark Ernestus Meets BBC - Version (Shangaan Shake, 2012, Honest Jon’s Records)
12. Lawrence - Flowers (Never As Always Pt. 2, 2011, Laid)
13. Steve Summers - Different Paths (Mode For Love EP, 2011, L.I.E.S.)
14. Terrace - Too Close (Round Up, 1993, Djax)
15. Levon Vincent - Early Reflections (Novel Sound)
16. Lowtec - Dat America (Styrax Special, 2011, Styrax)
17. Disco Nihilist - A New Career In A New Town (Running (Far Away), 2011, Running Back)
18. Round One - I’m Your Brother (Chicago’s Twisted Mix) (I’m Your Brother, 1994, Main Street)
19. The Housefactors - Play It Loud (Play It Loud, 1988, Black Market)
20. Vakula - You Cannot Resist (You Cannot Resist, 2011, Shevchenko)
21. LHAS - Learning To Live (Learning To Live, 2011, Vibrations)
Interview with GB (Gifted & Blessed)
Sunday, April 8th, 2012 | Sounds | 2 Comments
Gabriel Reyes-Whittaker has been producing under many guises since the early 2000’s. More widely known as GB or Gifted & Blessed, the Los Angeles based producer has amassed an impressive catalog of releases and remixes; worked with legendary artists Airto & Flora Purim and his works have been widely heard through high profile ad placements. Gabriel was kind enough to answer a few questions, where he goes into some of his influences, how he began producing and how he enjoys discovering older gems over today’s more disposable music.
PYF: What is your earliest musical memory?
GB: I remember watching Tears for Fears on MTV as a baby and drumming along with sticks.
PYF: Who are some of your influences, both musical and non-musical? and how does their influence transpire in your work?
GB: I’m not even sure where to begin…I’m influenced by the music of the world…jazz, early electronic, field recordings, folkloric music, hip hop…and lots more. My non-musical influences range from personal experiences to relationships to mythology to nature. There are many great people who have come before and who are here now whom I admire. A question like this is particularly hard for me because as an artist my primary intention is to express what is true for me. I can’t say I seek out influences to inspire my work, it just happens, and ultimately as creators I think what we all create comes from one divine Source of inspiration.
PYF: How did you get into producing music? Was there anyone in particular that inspired/ helped you on your musical path? Read full interview…
March record reviews
Friday, March 30th, 2012 | Sounds | 2 Comments
Yet more great releases to check out.
Since it’s inception in 2009, Eglo have released a lot of great material. Of course Floating Points has been responsible for many of the labels most well known releases, however their growing roster are adding to those highlights. Eglo’s latest signing, LA’s Gifted & Blessed gives us three tracks under The Abstract Eye moniker, which was slated for a late March release (but still no sign of it yet). Like last years excellent ‘Cool Warm Divine’ EP, it’s another slice of Detroit infused electro and techno, which fits in perfectly with label mates FunkinEven and ARP.101 - highly recommended. Another London based label, Don’t Be Afraid, gives us their latest offering from Mr. Beatnick. The ‘Sun Goddess’ EP, is four deep house cuts, with my personal favourite, ‘Shifting Sands’, having a distinct Theo vibe to it. King Britt also sees a release via yet another UK label, this time being the always interesting Hyperdub. The release under Britt’s Fhloston Paradigm alias, is by far the best material I’ve heard from him in a while. Forward thinking unclassifiable music, with a similar vibe to some of the Actress material - not to be missed.
On the other side of the pond, Aybee gives us his first release of 2012, ‘Astral Metronome’, via his Deepblak imprint - three transmissions of deep techno that picks things up from where ‘11:11′ left off - as usual, highly recommended. Also on the deep techno tip is the forthcoming ‘Subsequent’ EP, the first in a series of vinyl only Episodes from Chicago based Ike Release. All four cuts (including the Hakim Murphy remix) are stellar, with ‘Puntigam’ being the stand out for myself. From new Chicago to old, Black Market re-issues The Housefactors’ ‘Play It Loud’ EP. Original produced by Larry Heard back in 1988, the EP is a lesson in raw jacking house - essential stuff. Another vital release seeing a re-issue is the excellent ‘In The Dark’ album from 2005. One of the strongest releases in Still Music’s excellent catalogue, it compiles some of Detroit’s finest producers, including Marcellus Pittman, Mike Huckaby and Delano Smith.
Mo Kolours gives us the second in a trilogy of EP’s, ‘Banana Wine’, released on One Handed Music. Following up from last years excellent ‘Drum Talking’ EP, ‘Banana Wine’ treads a similar unclassifiable path with percussion heavy dub infused beats, that somehow capture both Mo Kolour’s Mauritian roots as well as his current home of South London. Also included on the EP, a remix from DC based duo Beautiful Swimmers, of one of the EP’s highlights ‘Mini Culcha’. All of the Mo Kolours material thus far seems ripe for some remixes, so hopefully we’ll be hearing more soon. The EP is available on vinyl as well as a free download from One Handed Music’s Bandcamp page.
JGM 82 - Too Close
Thursday, March 29th, 2012 | Podcast | No Comments
Artist - Track (Label)
1. Jump St. Man - Because (Garage Trax) Info
2. Midway - Set It Out (Personal) Info
3. Alexander Robotnick - Love Supreme (Fuzz Dance) Buy
4. James Mason - Nightgruv (Rush Hour) Buy
5. Zsa Zsa La Boum - Something Scary (Kaos Dance) Info
6. Steve Poindexter - The Rhythm (Housetime) Info
7. Steve Summers - Different Paths (L.I.E.S.) Info
8. Terrace - Too Close (Djax) Buy
9. Phuture - Spank Spank (Trax) Buy
10. Incogdo - Simple Just A Ventage (Spiritual) Info
11. K-S.H.E. - B2B (Skylax) Info
12. Moodymann - Dem Young Sconies (Planet E) Buy
13. Members Only - The Secret Scent Of Women (Members Only) Info
Direct download: JGM_82_-_Too_Close.mp3
Spring 2012 round-up
Wednesday, March 7th, 2012 | Sounds | No Comments
2012 is only a couple of months in, yet there has been no slow in pace of new releases worth picking up. Here are a few things that I’ve been enjoying recently.
Dutch label Dekmantel offers the first in a series of releases celebrating it’s 5 year anniversary. Juju & Jordash’s contribution, ‘African Flower’, is the stand-out of the two tracks on the 12″. Another version of ‘African Flower’ was first included on the excellent Aesthetic Audio release from 2008 and has long been one of my favourite productions from the duo. The ‘Cosmic Dub’ included on the Dekmantel release, strips things down (compared to the Aesthetic version), giving the bass and guitar more room in the mix which furthers adds to the deep atmosphere of this track. Juju & Jordash also provide a remix, along with John Heckle for TR-One’s ‘Drum Dance’, on Apartment Records. All three cuts on this record are great; Juju & Jordash provide a more dubbed-out affair, Heckle gives us a swinging Chicago style remix and TR-One’s original gives us drum work-out for the first third of the record before breaking into some heavy chords & synth - highly recommended.
On the Detroit tip, Theo Parrish’s remix of Helium Robot’s ‘Jarza’ is one of the best things I’ve heard from him in a while. Sonically cleaner and with drum programming that is a lot more straight-up than most of Parrish’s productions - but there is no mistaking Theo’s sound in this excellent remix. Helium Robot’s original version of ‘Jarza’ as well ‘Crepitation’ are also recommended (although quite different from Theo’s translation). R&S teams up again with Juan Atkins to give us the new Model 500. Atkins is back to working solo (after working with UR members on the last release) and gives us two tracks that are reminiscent of his ‘Deep Space’ era material - a real return to form.
There’s been a lot of re-issues and compilations released over the past few months worth picking-up if you don’t have the originals (or enough money to buy them). First-up, Rush Hour, who always do a fine job with unearthing older gems, releases James Mason’s ‘I Want Your Love/Nightgruv’. The original released in 1996 has become quite sought after, fetching high prices on Discogs. ‘Nightgruv’ recorded in 1984 is a proto-house track that sounds a lot like Larry Heard. On the flip, ‘I Want Your Love’, is a slower boogie number - both tracks are so good that you can understand the previous high price tag. Rush Hour have also released a Burrell Brothers retrospective, collecting the finer moments from their Nu Groove releases. Included are some of my personal favourites like, Metro, Utopia Project and NY House’n Authority - some of the best house music around. Another New York house gem that has been long sought after, the Joubert Singers ‘Stand On The Word’, gets a re-issue from French label Favorite. Included is the wonderful Tony Humphries mix as well the more widely available (but equally as good) Larry Levan mix. New French label, Vibes and Pepper, gives us Claude Young and Terrence Parker’s ‘The 4 Play EP’, which was originally released on Claude Young’s Dow label in 1993. Four raw Detroit house tracks, two of which (the untitled a-side tracks) have not aged too well in my opinion, however the record is still worth picking up for the two great (untitled) b-side tracks.
Also seeing a re-issue, is Porter Ricks’ ‘Biokinetics’. Released in 1996 on Basic Channel sub-label, Chain Reaction, and now getting a much needed release on Type. Deep, immersive techno, that was (and still is) way ahead of it’s time and hugely influential for many producers and genres over the years - highly recommended. Italian producers, Donato Dozzy & Neel, gives us ‘Voices From The Lake’, another essential deep techno album. If you enjoyed Donato Dozzy’s album, ‘K’, then you’ll definitely enjoy what is on offer here. The album’s eleven tracks seamlessly build, giving it a live performance vibe and makes this a deeply compelling album that you’ll want to hear from start to finish.
JGM 81 - The Future
Wednesday, February 29th, 2012 | Podcast | No Comments
Artist - Track (Label)
1. Metro Area - Proton Candy (Environ) Info
2. Daniel Wang - Not Feeling It (Balihu) Info
3. Delano Smith - Back In The Day (Mixmode) Info
4. Marvin Dash - Untitled (Workshop) Buy
5. 4th Measure Men - 4You (Area 10) Buy
6. Earth People - Dance (Underworld) Buy
7. Brawther - Asteroids & Stardust (Balance) Info
8. Lawrence - Precious Hall (Laid) Buy
9. Move D - Aspiration 2010 (Soul People Music) Info
10. Alexander Robotnick - Problemz D’Amour (Ndatl) Info
11. Prince - The Future (Warner) Info
12. Armando - 151 (Hot Mix 5) Buy
13. Reese & Santonio - How To Play Our Music (KMS) Info
14. Jack Master - Bang The Box (Jack) Info
15. Kraftwerk - Tour De France (EMI) Info
16. Hieroglyphic Being - 2 (Net28) Info
17. Vince Watson - Signals (Bio) Buy
Direct download: JGM_81_-_The_Future.mp3
JGM 80 - The Final Frontier
Tuesday, January 31st, 2012 | Podcast | No Comments
One from the archives, transferred from a cassette recording made long ago.
Artist - Track (Label)
1. Logic - The Warning (Strictly Rhythm) Buy
2. The Sound Vandals - Feel It (Nu Groove) Info
3. Logic - The Final Frontier (Strictly Rhythm) Buy
4. Alternations - Feel It For You (RCA) Info
5. Sueno Latino - Sueno Latino (BCM) Info
6. Dv8 - This Beat Is Over (Strictly Rhythm) Buy
7. Underground Solution - Deep In My Mind (Strictly Rhythm) Buy
8. Robert Armani - Circus Bells (Dance Mania) Buy
9. MD Connection - Laser Scan (Muzique Records) Info
10. Lil’ Louis - Blackout (FFRR) Info
Direct download: JGM_80_-_The_Final_Frontier.mp3
JGM 79 - Best of 2011
Thursday, December 22nd, 2011 | Podcast, Sounds | 2 Comments
1. Afrikan Sciences - Spirals (Deepblak) Buy
Kicking-off Deepblak’s 10 year anniversary was Afrikan Sciences’ debut album, ‘Means and Ways’. The album explored multiple genres, all with a heavy influence of (hi-tech) jazz running through-out. The dance-floor tracks (’Spirals’, ‘Ejercicios’ and ‘NanoRock Skank’) were subsequently released on vinyl. Afrikan Sciences also provided a killer remix of Aybee’s ‘Build Her’.
2. Ital - One Hit (100% Silk) Buy
There was a lot of hype around 100% Silk in 2011. I personally wasn’t feeling most of the releases but the Ital record really stood out for me - simple yet highly effective. All three tracks on this EP are great and have a similar raw energy found on early Chicago records.
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3. Levon Vincent - Revs/Cost (Novel Sound) Info
After a year hiatus, Levon Vincent released two records via his Novel Sound imprint. ‘Man Or Mistress’ was inevitably going to be a huge track for the dance floor, but I preferred the more subtle tracks found on the ‘Impressions Of A Rainstorm’ EP. Either way, both records are essential.
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4. Kevin Reynolds - Liaisons (Nsyde) Info
Kevin Reynold’s debut (released via his Todhchai imprint in 2006) was really impressive. This years follow-up (’Favis’) was a little underwhelming in my opinion. However, the ‘Liaisons’ track released via Nsyde more than made up for it. Hopefully we won’t have to wait another 5 years for his next release.
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5. Tin Man - Nonneo (Acid Test) Buy
A real treat of a record, Tin Man’s ‘Nonneo’ caught the ear of many. ‘Nonneo’ saw Tin Man focusing on crisp, driving drum programming while keeping the sparse and emotive 303 bassline fairly restrained, producing both a trippy yet upbeat feel. The flip gave us the excellent Donato Dozzy remix, who kept things sparse and let the bassline breathe, which only added to the trippiness.
6. Vakula - You Cannot Resist (Shevchenko) Info
I was quite surprised to not see Vakula featured on more year end lists. The Ukrainian producer gave us great remixes of Herman’s ‘Rock Your Body’ and Steve Reich’s ‘2×5: Movement 3 Fast’, as well offering up 10 releases of his own material. The ‘You Cannot Resist’, ‘Unthank’ and ‘Picture Of You’ ep’s are all top quality and highly recommended.
7. Ethyl & Huxley - Reflexions (Tsuba) Buy
2011 was a busy year for Aybee and his Deepblak imprint. As well as providing stellar remixes for Ethyl & Huxley, Damon Bell and Afrikan Sciences, Aybee also gave us his own ‘11:11′ EP, a split release with Miles Sagnia as well as the ‘Build Her’ remix ep. Deepblak also celebrated it’s tenth anniversary with the ‘Ten’ compilation, which rounded up highlights from the label.
8. Recloose - Electric Sunshine (Rush Hour) Buy
Following-up from last years excellent ‘Early Works’ retrospective, Recloose gave us the ‘Saturday Night Manifesto’ EP via Rush Hour. Recloose’s first new material in three years, the EP is real return to form in my opinion. Both ‘Tecumseh’ and ‘Electric Sunshine’ are killer tracks.
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9. Floating Points - Arp3 (Eglo) Buy
In two short years, Sam Shepherd (aka Floating Points) has released some of the finest music around. The early part of 2011 saw Floating Points release the excellent mid-tempo track, ‘Marilyn’ as well as the wonderful remix of Daedelus’ ‘Tailor Made’. The latter half of the year he gave us the acid tinged ‘Danger’, with the very nice (yet too short) ambient piece, ‘Miniature 27′ on the flip. The ‘Shadows’ EP released in early December finished off Floating Points’ year in very fine style. Hoping to hear a full album from Floating Points in the near future.
10. Kassem Mosse - Untitled (Workshop) Info
Wonderfully weird deep house from Kassem Mosse on the always excellent Workshop label.
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11. Cosmin TRG - Amor Y Ortos (Fifty Weapons) Buy
A lot of techno coming out of Europe leaves me cold, but 2011 saw a number of producers who piqued my interest, including Romanian producer Cosmin TRG who gave us his debut album, ‘Simulat’ via Fifty Weapons - ‘Fizic’, ‘Ritmat’ and ‘Amor Y Ortos’ being the stand-out cuts for myself.
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12. John Heckle - What Once Was (Mathematics) Info
Another producer that I was surprised at not seeing on more year end lists. John Heckle gave us a fine debut album, ‘The Second Son’ (the CD version was completely different from the vinyl, so essential two albums). The ‘Hard Sleeper’ release was also great but it was ‘The 4th Dimension’ EP that did it for me. Also, on Mathematics was the excellent ‘Traces’ EP by San Laurentino.
13. Mr. Fingers - Finger Fuck (Rush Hour) Buy
Obviously not from 2011, but (for most) these tracks only saw the light of day this year. Compiled by Gene Hunt, ‘Chicago Dance Tracks Vol. 1′ featured unreleased material taken from reel-to-reel’s given to Hunt during the 1980’s, with highlights from Virgo 4, Mike Dunn, Craig Loftis, Ron Hardy and Mr. Fingers.
14. Omar S - Here’s Your Trance Now Dance! (FXHE) Buy
Released at the beginning of the year, ‘Here’s Your Trance Now Dance!’ was no doubt going to ubiquitous. Omar S doing what he does so well.
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15. Kyle Hall - Down! (Wild Oats) Info
On his only release this year, Kyle Hall gave us two raw looped based tracks. Simple, yet highly effective. Hall’s imprint Wild Oats also gave us the debut release from Jay Simon, ‘Faith’, a great rework of Faith Evan’s ‘You Used To Love Me’.
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16. John Daly - Sea Level (Further) Buy
Seattle’s Further Records have released some great music all across the board over the past couple of years. Last year’s amazing Donato Dozzy album, ‘K’, got a much welcomed CD release this year. Other highlights from this year included o1o’s ‘Futurespective’ EP - a collection of Aybee’s headier material from the past few years, as well as the excellent John Daly record.
17. Space Dimension Controller - Max Tiraquon (R&S) Buy
Yet another one that should have turned up on more year end lists. This was billed as a prequel release to next years full length album, but this is really a great album in itself. You can clearly hear Detroit’s influence on SDC but he makes the sound his own. ‘The Pathway To Tiraqoun6′ provides great listen from start to finish.
Direct download: JGM_79_-_Best_Of_2011_1.mp3
