Record reviews catch-up

Monday, November 22nd, 2010 | Sounds

I’ve picked up a lot of great records in the past few months, and have been slacking off on posting reviews, so here’s a quick catch-up on what’s doing it for me.

In a few releases Jack Hamill aka Space Dimension Controller has picked up a lot of attention. Last years full length, ‘Unidentified Flying Oscillator’, hinted at what was to come, fusing techno and electro with a distinct Detroit feel. This year has seen excellent releases on the resurrected R&S, as well Clone sub-label Royal Oak. The Detroit connection is present again with SDC’s remix of Anthony Shakir’s ‘Detroit State Of Mind’ - I can’t get enough of this remix.

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Laid continue their strong release schedule with their past few records. The untitled Kassem Mosse track (Laid 007) hits all of the right buttons with it’s tough Chicago style drum programming, and the Lawrence release (Laid 009) features three hypnotic tracks in his usual style, the highlight of which being the excellent ‘Dwelling On The Dunes’. John Roberts released his debut album, ‘Glass Eights’, via Laid’s parent label Dial. The album has been receiving a lot of critical acclaim, however, the album leaves me cold compared to Robert’s previous material on Laid

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Seattle’s Further Records, release Aybee’s, ‘Vertigo’ on vinyl, which takes two tracks off the cassette release from earlier this year. ‘Vertigo’ is on a broken beat tip, while on the flip, ‘Sun Of Cycle’, is a deep techno affair. The vinyl has been mastered really well, which further adds to the richness and depth of both of these tracks. Also, with a lovely hand numbered and silk-screened sleeve, this is definitely one to pick-up. Speaking of Aybee, I’ve got a dope mix from him, coming up for this month’s podcast.

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Love’s Label out of Chicago release their debut record, featuring two deep house cuts from Bvdub and Shifty Science, who remix each others tracks. Shifty Science’s remix of Bvdub’s ‘Same Boat, Different Sea’, updates the dub-techno sound that Bvdub is known for, giving it a more uplifting feel, that reminds me a lot of early 90’s UK techno. Bvdub’s version of Shifty Science’s ‘Love’s Not Fading’, is a much more up-beat affair than his usual style, something which hopefully, we’ll hear more of from him.

Kyle Hall has been picking up a lot of attention over the past year. The ‘Sun Goddess EP’ from a few months ago on Hall’s Wild Oats imprint is definitely my favourite from him so far. Both tracks are more dance floor friendly than his previous material. ‘Solar Funk’ has the distinct Kyle Hall bump, while the flip, ‘Dances With A Sun Goddess’ is a deep acidic workout, reminiscent of 808 State’s ‘Deepville’. Another one on the acid tip is DJ Qu’s ‘For The Beneath’ - the title says it all. Also, from earlier this year is STL’s ‘Things From The Basement’. Five very deep house tracks, sounding very Theo. Stephen Hitchell also provides a lovely remix under his Intrusion guise.

On the re-issue side of things, French label Skylax, shine the light of day on four tracks taken from the limited Japan only release, ‘Routes Not Roots’ by Kami-Sakunobe House Explosion, aka DJ Sprinkles. Four house cuts that sounds like a cross between Moodymann and Herbert. Dope Jams label Slow To Speak have been responsible for digging up many fine 90’s house tracks. Out of the latest batch of releases, House Of Gypsies’ ‘Another Worry’ and Kerri Chandler’s ‘Stratosphere’ are the ones that are doing it for me - raw 90’s house that sounds as good now as they did 15 years ago. Another hard-to-find lost classic is the excellent dub version of Ability II’s ‘Pressure’, which was originally released via Bassic in 1990 and is know seeing a (bootleg?) re-issue.

Speaking of older records, I was lucky enough to be in New York for the annual WFMU record fair. Certainly one of the better record fairs that I’ve been to and good to see so many people buying vinyl. I picked up some great stuff including a few Nu Grooves gems (The Vision, Bas Noir and Roqui), some early Chicago cuts (Liz Torres, Sterling Void) and some great disco (Was (Not Was), Raw Silk, Chaz Jankel, Jeffrey Osborne, Telex).