Sounds

Four Tet - There Is Love In You (Domino Records)

Monday, February 15th, 2010 | Sounds | No Comments

It’s been a while since I’ve paid much attention to Four Tet, the artist first heralded in the early 2000s for kickstarting the so-called “folktronica” scene because he combined samples of folk instrumentation with electronic sounds. Nearly five years have passed since the British producer released a proper full-length (“Everything Ecstatic” in 2005) under the Four Tet moniker. Instead, he opted for a foray into the improvisational jazz world, collaborating with drummer Steve Reid for four albums(!) and releasing them under his real name, Kieran Hebden. The 2006 two-disc compilation “Remixes” showcased some of his remix work of tracks by disparate artists like Boom Bip, The Notwist, Andrew Bird, Radiohead, Badly Drawn Boy, Beth Orton and many others. Interesting, yes, but “Remixes” simply didn’t have much staying power for me.

It was the 4-song EP “Ringer” in 2008 that caught my attention again. Sparse, minimal and more rooted in techno than anything else Read more and listen…

Tags: Ambient, Four Tet, Techno

Pop Ambient 2010 (Kompakt)

Wednesday, February 10th, 2010 | Sounds | No Comments

The 10th anniversary entry for Kompakt ‘s annual “Pop Ambient” compilation is yet another example of the consistently solid at-home listening series, proving that not all electronic music needs a dancefloor to resonate.
“Pop Ambient 2010” features a slew of top-tier artists from the German label exploring their more blissed-out, ambient sensibilities, including co-founder Wolfgang Voigt, San Francisco’s bvdub (Brock Van Wey), The Orb, Orb collaborator Thomas Fehlmann, Popnoname, Jorg Burger and DJ Koze and the long-awaited return of Dettinger.

The often otherworldly vibe begins with an ever-so-slight jarring opening via German producer Marsen Jules’ “The Sound of One Lip Kissing,” Read More and listen…

Tags: Ambient, Brock Van Wey, Bvdub, Kompakt, Wolfgang Voigt

Guest mix for Fine Art Recordings

Tuesday, January 5th, 2010 | Sounds | 2 Comments

The good folks over at Fine Art Recordings recently asked me to provide a mix for their SamuraiFM show. You can check it out here along with mixes from Basic Soul Unit, Placid, Titonton Duvante, Fabrice Lig and Orlando Voorn.

Tags: Deep House, Detroit techno, Fine Art Recordings, Guest mix, SamuraiFM

Just Good Music 12/29/09 - Best Of 2009 Pt.2

Tuesday, December 29th, 2009 | Podcast, Sounds | No Comments

Some more of my favourite artists, tracks and labels from the past 12 months.

1. Reagenz - Dinner With Q (Workshop) Info
Jonah Sharp and Move D’s Reagenz project released their ‘Playtime’ album in late November. It’s everything that you could want from techno - deep and melodic, pushing analogue synths to their fullest (but never going overboard) coupled with a nice amount of live instrumentation. Highly recommended.

2. Pepe Bradock - The Path Of Most Resistance (Atavisme) Info
Pepe Bradock graces us with one of his few and far between releases. The “Path Of Most Resistance” see’s Pepe back in fine form with a track that is on par with “4″, “Life” and “Deep Burnt”. “PLAY SUPER LOUD!” indeed.
.

.3kk

3. Reggie Dokes - Chicago Pimp (Clone) Info
Reggie Dokes had a stellar year of releases. The “Chicago Pimp” 12″ was a fine way to kick-off Clone’s Loft Supreme Series - hipnotic, raw and jacking. Treading a similar path was the “Spectacle of Deepness” EP on We Play House as well as “Until Tomorrow” on Royal Oak. Quality music from one of Detroit’s most consistent producers.

Just Good Music 12/16/09 - Best Of 2009 Pt.1

Thursday, December 17th, 2009 | Podcast, Sounds | 2 Comments

2009 saw a tonne of great music in many different genres. Here are some of my favourite artists, tracks and labels from the past 12 months. Hopefully, I’ll have a part 2 together before the end of the decade!

1. Radiohead - Reckoner (Fascinating Rhythms) Info
I was fortunate enough to hear Balearic Mike play a couple times over the summer and was blown away by his selections. One of the tracks that really stood out for me was this Johnny Miller remix of Radiohead’s ‘Reckoner’, which Mike subsequently used as the debut release for his Fascinating Rhythms label.

2. Cottam - Cottam#2 (Cottam) Info

The vast majority of edits don’t do much for me except for leaving me wanting to hear the original version. The Cottam edits however, turn it up a notch, slowing the BPM and adding raw techno infused beats to the R&B and afro-beat originals. All three releases have been great - expect good things from Cottam and his Ruff Draft label in 2010.

3. Rainer Trueby - Ayres Rock (White) Info

Another couple of respectful edits and a pleasant departure from the Latin infused house that Rainer Truby is known for, although, it sounds like most of the new direction came from (the un-credited) Motor City Drum Ensemble. MCDE’s Raw Cuts #6 was also killer.

Interview - Daniel Wang (Balihu Records)

Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 | Sounds | 5 Comments

Daniel Wang’s leftfield disco label Balihu, laid the groundwork for what was to come 15 years later, with artists/labels like Hercules & Love Affair and DFA citing Wang’s works as influences on them. Daniel provides us with his thoughts on modern production techniques, Nu Groove and life in Berlin.

Q: What was your first exposure to disco & house and what were some of the first tracks that blew you away?

A: I’m quite sure I was exposed to disco in my childhood, in the late 70’s. I remember going to a laser light show with my parents in an almost-empty stadium in Taipei, and the background music was ‘The Chase’ by Giorgio Moroder. Read More and listen…