With a consistent, unflashy approach to presenting his craft, it can sometimes be easy to overlook Benjamin Brunn. The Hamburg-based producer has been releasing music for the best part of 20 years, although it is primarily since his collaborative work with Move D around 2008 that he has been more publicly visible, and yet he remains something of an outsider proposition. Musically, his is an easy confection to love, dealing in well-rounded, melodically rich electronics with an understanding of groove and enough kinks in the composition to hold your attention. 2012’s A Sun Life LP on Third Ear served as a perfect distillation of these qualities, sporting as it did a warming balance of techno and house laden with plush synth lines.
The Hamburg producer returns to London’s Third Ear Recordings with a new LP.
On recent releases for The Trilogy Tapes, Don’t Be Afraid and Berceuse Heroique, Manuel ‘MGUN’ Gonzales has worn the influences of his hometown Detroit clearly, moving through techno, house, electro and ghetto. However for this debut on the Third Ear label there is little trace evidence of the Motor City’s legacy. If there is one lingering characteristic however, it’s the raw, lo-fi approach to production that Gonzales now shares with artists like Omar S and sometime label mate Kyle Hall.
The Detroit producer will next be seen with a five-track EP on the London label.
Third Ear Recordings mainstay Wbeeza announces his return with the Mo Bella EP.
For a while there it seemed like the accessibility of digital production and its ensuing glut of characterless music had ensured that anyone who could get hold of some crusty analogue equipment to run their tracks through was guaranteed success, and the chance to stand head and shoulders above the rest of the baying crowds of beatsmiths through sheer sonic charm and raw aesthetic. Alas it seems that it’s no longer that simple, as an ever increasing swell of artists both burgeoning and established reach for the hardware to bring authenticity and relevance to their tracks, and once again ideas and imagination must be called upon to truly stand apart in ever more competitive times.
Third Ear are a comforting proposition in a scene littered with brash new upstart labels, high-concept imprints and artist-run ventures. Guy McCreery’s venture is a label’s label, if such a thing could ever exist, steered by one man with a clear vision for house and techno informed by Detroit but never in deference to it. Over the years plenty of the Motor City greats have appeared in various forms, from Mike Huckaby to Theo Parrish, Mike Clark to Kyle Hall, but the remit of the label has reached out to artists from all over the world. It’s hard to pinpoint the exact sound that defines Third Ear; it’s better considered as intangible, much like the output of the city that inspires it so.
How do you attempt to remix a track that’s already been graced with an iconic revision from one of the best in the game? In the case of Upperground Orchestra, rip it up and start all over again.
British imprint Third Ear has announced a four track EP of “re-imagined” classics from the label’s back catalogue, with Theo Parrish’s “Falling Up” set to receive a remix from Rabih Beaini’s Upperground Orchestra.
South London based producer Wbeeza will release a 17-track debut album in November on Third Ear Recordings.
Artist: Sarrass
Title: Lust
Label: Third Ear UK
Genre: Deep House
Format: Digital
Buy From: Juno Download
UK based label Third Ear have proven themselves to be rather on the money when it comes to discovering new artists. This time, they introduce German producer, Sarrass who deals us an accomplished EP whose four tracks deliciously blend Detroit techno with more abstract electronica. Hailing from the south-west of Germany, Sarrass first entered the world of music playing piano and trumpet in classical and jazz orchestras. Electronic music first came to his attention via Klaus Schulze and then after hearing techno later, he was hooked.
Third Eye discovered his talents through his MySpace page and tracked him down to finally get this EP out to world. Showcasing his deep and melancholic sound, the “Lust” EP contains the beauty and emotion that Sarrass sees as pivotal to his approach to music. His preference of emotion above functionality is clear to see over these four diverse original productions. “Seance” gets the ball rolling with some lusciously deep house music. Keeping things relatively simple, Sarrass sets the tone with a warm feel courtesy of lush synths and deep bass. “Louisa Suiza” takes on more of a stripped down, down tempo techno persona. Spiralling tech sounds cascade through a wall of pulsating bass and shield of steady beats.Returning back to house music, “Be as Been” builds amid stabbing bass parts, snapping claps and a driving beat. Simple key patterns add yet more character as Sarras indulges in the disciplines of his past.
Delving into chunkier pastures, “Lust” finishes the EP with a staggering jaunt through the intertwining sounds of house and techno. Often raw sounding, but always deep and emotive, the “Lust” EP is an expertly crafted manifestation of Sarrass’ own unique sound. Once again proving Third Eye’s aptitude for spotting new talent, we can only wait with bated breath to see what they uncover next.
Review: Tom Jones