Minimal / Tech House Recommendations March 2010

Review: Wolf + Lamb label co-founder Gadi Mizrahi's first solo EP starts off with a rather sullen pared-down piece "She Don't" playing out a dark tale with a heavy rounded kick. Reworked as a super-minimal remix, Berlin-based Lowtec takes the whispering vocals and adds synthier elements plus more upbeat rhythms that Spectral Sound are famed for. Title track "I Can Never Get Enough" is a sumptuous offbeat number, all shaking drums and classic house vocals stuttered to their death adding texture and complexity. "Oh Love" as played out by the likes of Le Loup and Matt Tolfrey, is a more positive piece, focused around cleverly used vocal samples and a funky bassline.

Review: After the incredible success of Body Language and other hook-up's in the past, German duo Booka Shade once again team up with labelmates M.A.N.D.Y on "Donut", and include a slew of ace and diverse remixes to whet your appetite.

The original keeps their winning combination of deep tech sounds with slightly funkier beats, and it's clear that Donut is going to get a lot of play over the coming months. On the remix front, Southampton born prodigy James Talk takes the original's distinctive lead sound and bends it into a whole new set of ways while adding some expansive textures and extra percussion.

Brazilian producer Gui Boratto keeps things driving and minimal, whilst also adding some classic keyboard flourishes that add to the funkiness of the track. Upcoming remixer Ben Hoo also delivers a strong mix, that holds the main signature riff back and drops it in the most perfect way.

Mad Decent signing Boy 8-Bit as always does some serious damage, remaking the track in his own hypnotic and intense way by taking a tiny fragment and delaying it into something Steve Reich would be proud of. Meanwhile, in a different genre altogether, Logistics cranks up the bpm's for a D&B mix. The man responsible for the slamming Jungle Music on Hospital turns in a banger as expected. A great range of mixes overall for what's bound to be another big tune.

Review: Andre Lodemann's Best Works imprint launch their 2010 schedule with an expertly crafted three tracker from Berliner Eva Be. "New Crack" combines an electronic dub driven bass sound with classic old-school house influences in an EP that displays her undeniable production talents.

No novice to electronic music, Eva Be is building on the success of her "Trippin With Eva Be" EP in addition to her Moving Without Travelling long player which came out two years ago on Jazzanova's Sonar Kollectiv. "New Crack" is the continuation of her sound as she moves further towards her reggae-dub influences.

The title track showcases her widely appealing sound in a funky and squelchy, electro-warped dub track. Melodic synth stabs pour out on top of funky bass, a 4/4 beat and a multitude of pads and claps. She keeps it deep, never letting the sound get too heavy and keeps a lighter feel with quirky sound samples. Dutchman Darko Esser delivers a more dramatic, crystalline twist with his more intricate remix. Toning down the energetic synths of the original, he creates a more ambient and atmospheric sound than Eva Be's work, balancing the EP to perfection. Label boss Andre Lodemann is up next with his previously unreleased remix of Eva Be's "She Walks Alone." Taking the track into the sounds of deep house he reduces Pegah Ferydoni's vocal to just the occasional exclamation of "so right and so wrong" and then adds a disco-dub glaze, giving the remix a real lounge feel.

The "New Crack" EP is a tight package of sophisticated house music from a producer that is very accomplished at showcasing the variety of her musical influences out in one track. We can only hope that another Eva Be release will be on its way soon.

Review: Baby Ford and Zip continue a fruitful partnership with some uber cool, super deep minimal techno on Pal SL records. "Clean Hands" sees a hushed and soulful vocal wafting over atmospheric synth scratches, ultra low end bass and deft high end clicks and shuffles. "For How Long" is even more reduced, letting the space between the sparse sounds say as much as the sounds themselves. Truly unique sounds from this talented pair.

Review:  Deadbeat, aka producer Scott Monteith does a neat trick with this two-track release. The A-side "Vampire" is a beautifully layered Minimal tune that shows off Deadbeat's abilities as a producer to the max, using some beautiful ambient atmospherics to conjure up a unique dreamscape. The Vampire Dub on the other hand is a half-speed, 60bpm version of the original that not only captures the unique drum sounds of a bonafide 70's dub-plate, it also makes for an interesting set closer or great transition record too. Fans of minimal tech should be looking forward to getting their teeth stuck in.