Childproof Man – Ritual Feeling review

by Juno Daily on 30.03.2010 at 15:11pm.
Last edited: 30.03.2010 at 15:11pm.

Artist: Childproof Man
Title: Ritual Feeling
Label: Spectral Sound
Genre: Minimal House/Tech House
Format: Digital
Buy From: Juno Download

Spectral Sound, the dancefloor-centric offshoot of companion label Ghostly International is known for releasing leftfield, quirky sounding house and techno from heavyweights such as Audion, Osborne and Seth Troxler.

This “out there” tradition continues with the mysterious Childproof Man’s Ritual Feeling. According to the Ghostly/Spectral Sound website, a demo was sent to them via old school mail with no return address or information attached. The package consisted of two tracks totalling more than 30 minutes of pensive, moody journeys of total groove.

True to its name, title track, Ritual Feeling is a 17 minute steady floor filler with mantra-like vocal samples and a fat bass that just keeps plodding onward, upward and beyond. Play this and the dance floor will hypnotically be in the palm of your hand (plus, there’s plenty of time to mix in and out of the track)! Who’s Been Meaning To is a more subtle, yet equally stunning afffair filled with vocal snippets under an even-keeled thump that hauntingly breaks near the eight-and-a half minute mark gradually delving into deeper and darker terrain as you lose track of all time. Choice debut ep for Childproof Man- who the hell are you?!

Review: Steve Phillips

Gadi Mizrahi – I Can Never Get Enough review

by Juno Daily on 11.03.2010 at 12:10pm.
Last edited: 11.03.2010 at 12:10pm.

Artist: Gadi Mizrahi
Title: I Can Never Get Enough
Label: Spectral Sound
Genre: Minimal House/Tech House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

Wolf + Lamb label co-founder Gadi Mizrahi’s first EP released on Spectral Sound 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 are so well known for.

Title track “I Can’t 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, where Mizrahi introduces the addition of a moment-defining clap over halfway through the track.

The debut four track EP showcases the kind of sheer quality in modern deep sounds that Mizrahi has perfected in his own tracks as well as those he picks for his own label.

Review: Flora Wong

DJ Yellow – No Way You Can Sleep review

by Juno Daily on 09.03.2010 at 10:24am.
Last edited: 09.03.2010 at 10:31am.

Artist: DJ Yellow
Title: No Way You Can Sleep
Label: Plastic City
Genre: Deep House, Minimal House/Tech House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

DJ Yellow releases are something of a rarity these days. That reason gives this release an exciting feel instantly but in actual fact, it’s special in its own right and that begs the simple question – why don’t we see more of his productions out there anymore? “No Way You Can Sleep” proves in one crisp swoop that he’s still got what it takes by showcasing three original tracks of deep, soulful house with an irresistible groove.

Alain Ho is a man who has seen genres grow and evolve around him over the years. During the 80s he played a large part within the French hip-hop scene before becoming an instrumental figure within French house music. Renowned for being forward thinking and clearly still influential today, we can only hope that this will be the first in a string of new productions from the Frenchman.

The title track effortlessly blends deep, funky and tech house into just over seven and a half minutes, maintaining both a deep and driving vibe courtesy of a relentless groove and intricate percussion. “I Know What You Need” maintains much of the energy of its predecessor but delves in darker territory with barely audible, slow male vocals and a pulsating bassline. “Reflection on the Self” is much more playful, with swirling synths, allowing the track to take on a warm feel that is further accentuated by the hushed, French vocal.

What makes this such a strong release is DJ Yellow’s clever combination of the deep and the funky. These can be difficult disciplines to merge at times but he manages it throughout, always keeping the focus very much on the dancefloor. Well done Plastic City for bringing DJ Yellow back once again – long may he stay.

Review: Tom Jones

Danton Eeprom – Yes is More review

by Juno Daily on 23.02.2010 at 09:39am.
Last edited: 23.02.2010 at 18:07pm.

Artist: Danton Eeprom
Title: Yes is More
Label: Infine France
Genre: Techno, Minimal House/Tech House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

In 2008 I saw the spectacle of a man in a white leather suit and shades distorting his vocals over his own glitchy, techy beats while flinching about on stage like a distressed penguin. I was absolutely impressed with this performance from the man known as Danton Eeprom. Naturally, I jumped at the chance to do a review for the wacky, eccentric London-based Frenchman’s debut full length album thinking I was going to hear a collection of odd, quirky dance floor tracks. Well, let’s just say Eeprom, unpredictable as always, went beyond my expectations by cooking up a uniquely beautiful album of eclectic catchy, dare I say- songs. Oh, don’t get me wrong…the odd quirk factor is still there, but wrapped in a frantic yet serene concoction of songs that sound equally awesome in the headphones as they would on the dance floor. “Confessions of an Opium Eater”, “Unmistakably You” and “Tight” will be sure to get even the most lethargic dance floor moving (even North American ones). “Give Me Pain” starts with an accordion riff before giving way to a dirty bassline, sexy beat and later a burst of horns that all complement the trademark lusty vocals of Eeprom fans have come to love.

Eeprom has a sound all his own, but if you really need to have a comparison picture the weirder side of Matthew Dear’s techno combined with the breezy electronic pop of Air. Having done stunning remixes for artists as diverse as Royksopp and Simian Mobile Disco as well as collaborating with tech-house master Radio Slave on the massive “Grindhouse” single, Yes is More truly reflects Eeprom’s penchant for pushing boundaries. For some added “wtf-value”, there’s even a great cover Sister Sledge’s disco classic “Lost in Music”. Oh yeah, and the last three cuts have to be some of the warmest moments of indie/electronic in 2010 so far. For real.

Review: Steve Phillips

Mr C – Lunar review

by Juno Daily on 16.02.2010 at 14:53pm.
Last edited: 16.02.2010 at 14:53pm.

Artist: Mr C
Title: Lunar EP
Label: Wagon Repair Canada
Genre: Minimal House/Tech House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

A true legend and survivor, Mr. C has returned after a five year hiatus to drop the Lunar EP, the title of which suggests that the former Shamen frontman has spent most of the time looking up at the skies. The three song titles on the EP reflect the cycle of the moon, starting off with “Full Moon”, which takes you into a spacey place courtesy of some fine acid synth-lines and some slow building strings that join in after a couple of minutes.

The three songs aren’t meant to be a full-blown cycle, but there’s still a nice sense of continuity between the tracks as sounds reappear throughout. Waxing is a darker, more sinister tune with breathy pads in the background. Dark Moon rounds off the interplanetary trip nicely, with an sweet breakdown to a simple bassline. Apparently this EP was the first time Mr.C has produced 100% solo in the studio. If so, it’s a formula he should continue with, as well as the star-gazing.

Review: Oliver Keens

Mike Monday – Yoppul review

by Juno Daily on 16.02.2010 at 13:24pm.
Last edited: 16.02.2010 at 13:24pm.

Artist: Mike Monday
Title: Yoppul
Label: Get Digital/Get Physical Germany
Genre: Minimal House/Tech House
Format: 12″, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records, Juno Download

This two-tracker is a refreshing and classy release from Brit Mike Monday. Title track “Yoppul” has an addictive filtered vocal that slowly rises over an infectious beat which is minimal, but at the same time sounds like a whistle short of a full-on carnival party. With snares on the one for a funky feel, and layers of percussion tastefully arranged underneath, it really lends itself to a minimal arrangement. The groove is so great, it can carry on indefinitely and still not lose a single body from the dancefloor. It’s fresh as hell and well worth checking out.

Touch is a more Tech-orientated tune, but again the hypnotic simplicity wins you over in seconds. Whispered vocals play call and response with each other over a perfectly balanced beat, while slowly a huge wave of synth pads swells over the top. The simplest of changes through the track become hugely affecting and memorable, always the sign of a quality Minimal House producer at work. These two tracks come highly recommended.

Review: Oliver Keens

Pantha Du Prince – Black Noise review

by Juno Daily on 08.02.2010 at 10:45am.
Last edited: 08.02.2010 at 10:45am.

Artist: Pantha Du Prince
Title: Black Noise
Label: Rough Trade
Genre: Minimal House/Tech House, Techno
Format: 12″ (2xLP), CD, Digital
Buy From: Juno Records (CD, vinyl), Juno Download

Hendrik Weber aka Pantha du Prince returns with his follow-up to the much acclaimed This Bliss avec Black Noise and it does not disappoint. With chimes and marimba acting as aural touchstones throughout, Black Noise shows the further evolutions of Weber’s melodic-robotic dichotomy and his penchant for deep and infectious bass. And speaking of infectious, “Stick To My Side”, Weber’s collaboration with Animal Collective’s Noah Lennox will leech itself into your memory banks and have you humming and singing it for days. It’s a truly great crossover hit that is just as groovy as it is catchy, and will no doubt help Pantha gain some new listeners.

Beyond that, tracks like “The Splendour”, “A Nomad’s Retreat”, and “Satellite Sniper” are amazing 4/4 burners that build carefully and envelop you in lush tones and Detroit-tinged techno beats. There’s much more warmth to Black Noise than This Bliss, and it’s somewhat reminiscent of The Field’s second album in its execution and musical aesthetic.

Weber seems a bit of a Byronic Romantic. The concept of the album stems from a trip to the Swiss Alps with some musician friends to record sounds and philosophize about music, technology, and silence. Next door to where they were staying was an enormous pile of debris, the remains of a landslide that had buried an entire village, and this is where the album’s concept was born – with the notion that ‘black noise’ is heard like a sonic omen before a natural disaster.

The second half of the album is more sedate, yet still no less compelling. The last two songs “Im Bann” and “Es Schneit” are warm and melodic come down tracks, the closer working those chimes into a subtle frenzy before dissipating like smoke in the air. Black Noise is another excellent release from Pantha du Prince, and a great start for electronic music in 2010. Dig it.

Review: Matt Leslie

Marino Berardi – Best Intention EP review

by Juno Daily on 05.02.2010 at 11:20am.
Last edited: 05.02.2010 at 11:20am.

Artist: Marino Berardi
Title: Best Intention EP
Label: Room With A View
Genre: Minimal House, Deep House
Format: Digital
Buy From: Juno Download

Nothing short of epic, this 11 minute track from Marino Berardi is a must hear for fans of awesome dub techno and inventive deep house. Having previously had releases on Francois Kevorkian’s Wave label and Josh Wink’s Ovum, as well as steady collaborations with Phil Dairmount over 2009, this sees Marino go it alone with devastating effect.

“Best Intention” has already drawn high praise from Trevor Jackson and Deetron, and it’s not hard to see why. Densely layered synth strings ebb and flow over the track’s hypnotic groove, and give a new meaning to the term “deep” house. It’s seems almost never ending, in a good way of course.

Seattle producer Pezzner also turns on the charm with a warm, percussive take on the original that adds some funk but doesn’t lose any of the original’s intensity and melancholy, while Derby-based newcomer Christo turns in a mix that introduces some tastefully wonky claps and a clutch of soaring filtered strings.

Review: Oliver Keens