Art Department – Vampire Nightclub review

by Juno Daily on 10.09.2010 at 15:56pm.
Last edited: 14.09.2010 at 11:27am.

It’s been pretty hard to escape the hoo-hah surrounding Art Department (aka Kenny Glasgow & Jonny White) ever since YouTube footage of the veteran Toronto production duo having a grand old time whilst dropping “Without You” at the Hot Natured DEMF party surfaced back in June. Early support from the likes of Soul Clap, Jamie Jones and Seth Troxler can only have helped build this momentum, but the Juno editorial branch is in complete agreement that such hype is totally justified on this debut 12 inch release for Damian Lazarus’ Crosstown Rebels.

“Vampire Night Club” slides across the A Side with a guest vocal spot from the aforementioned Seth Troxler, er, vamping it up backed by some haunting harmonies from Glasgow. It’s the dynamic usage of infectiously dark bass patterns and intermittent synth stabs that help cement the eerie atmosphere that pervades the track. This sense of pulsing menace is transferred to the B-Side brilliance of “Without You” which seemingly co-exists in the realms of forward thinking and classically sounding tech house. Made for play in darkened spaces where the crunching beat, throbbing bassline and creeped out vocal refrain from Glasgow can reverberate around the walls and your cerebral cortex, “Without You” is destined to become a mainstay in record boxes for many months to come. This debut release is a bewitching example of what to expect when Crosstown Rebels unleash the full album from Art Department early next year.

Tony Poland

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

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