Prologue : RA's Label of the Month

Newsflash... so called 'headfuck' techno label Prologue Records has been profiled for RA by Todd Burns. The article offers a glimpse into the mind of one of the most unique sounding techno labels emerging at the moment, and the label behind recent strong releases (not to mention some superb artwork) by Juho Kahilainen and Giorgio Gigli. Judging by the forthcoming tracks on the accompanying mix they're going to continue upwards into the Autumn with new releases from Cio D'Or, Kemppi and Rosella. They're definitely one of the labels I'm watching this year- check out the RA profile or Prologue's blog and listen to the mix for an introduction to their sound:

Prologue mix for RA
01. Tadeo - Monotono [CMYKmusik]
02. Jason Emsley - And now meet massif [Siteholder Cup]
03. Milton Bradley - Derealization [Do Not Resist The Beat!]
04. Nax Acid - Synthetic Nature [Aconito Records]
05. T++ - Audio1995#8 [Apple Pips]
06. Giorgio Gigli - Spazio [Prologue]
07. Dino Sabatini & Rossella - Tribes [Prologue Demo]
08. Cio D'Or - Brokat [Prologue (October 2009)]
09. Dino Sabatini & Rossella - Caveman [Prologue Demo]
10. Barem - So serial [M_nus]
11. James Ruskin - Massk [Blueprint]
12. Edit Select - Aurian [Lick My Deck]
13. Samuli Kemppi - Droning [Prologue (September 2009)]
14. Donato Dozzy & Cio D'Or - Limone [Time2Express]
15. Giorgio Gigli - Self-Reflection [Prologue]
16. Juho Kahilainen - Kuolonkellot [Prologue]

Slow jams

Slow jams anyone?

No, fear not, i've not changed my allegiance to the world of RnB... I'm talking slow techno jams. The prospect of listening to really slowed down Dettmann or Scuba may not fill everyone with joy. But there's a bit of it around at the moment- have a listen to B1 on Workshop's new release from Kassem Mosse. If I had it on vinyl, I'd wonder if it was at the wrong speed- 33 or 45, who knows? Is it lethargic, arthritic techno, sloping along at its own pace minding its own business at 33, or a peak time dance floor destroyer at 45? i suspect only Kassem knows.

Workshop isn't the only one playing this game. SMA's mixes morph recognisable techno tracks into something else altogether. I've posted his modyfier mix before, but he has a new mix for download called Mars Rising 179 that i came across courtesy of Teleost. Pitching down techno tracks in this way seems to give the compositions and individual sounds room to breathe. It's a really good selection of tracks too- the new Scuba, some Dettmann, Dozzy and Hoesen- it grows into a deep and dark atmosphere and by the end I was bowled over by the quality of this mix and the unique attitude SMA has. I really regret not going to see him at Colony, judging by this that would have been a fun night out. I'd be interested to know what others think about this mix or the idea of slow techno, or if anyone's seen the man in action.

Check out the tracklist below:

01 Plastikman, Cor Ten (m_nus)
02 Studio 1, Green (Studio 1)
03 Milton Bradley, Derealization (Do Not Resist The Beat!)
04 Scuba, Volt (Abucs)
05 STL, October Sunrise (Something)
06 Frozen Border, 2.2 (Frozen Border)
07 Actress, Ghosts Have A Heaven (Prime Numbers)
08 Loco Dice, Tight Laces (Marcel Dettmann Response 1) (Desolat)
09 Donato Dozzy & Nuel, Untitled (Aquaplano)
10 Kevin Gorman, Cyclic (The Beats) (Mikrowave)
11 Markus Enochson & The Subliminal Kid, 6 12am 6 24am (Ann Aimee)
12 Redshape, Nightshade (Ruin)
13 Peter van Hoesen, , Strikethrough (Time 2 Express)
14 Kenny Larkin, Butterflies (Art of Dance)

leaving...

[leaving] recorded on flight recorded on flight FR8547 berlin-london, july 2009

A sunday set-up

A few sets I've been listening to lately, mostly summery tech house and techno related this time- longing for summer after the awful weather we've been having in Cardiff! Some new artists for me, and one old favourite:

Gary Beck Mixing in May: Gary Beck is someone I've been following since his track 'Consumed' on Minus and would like to get to play for us at Oblique soon. This mix blends tech-house and techno with track by Ahmet Sisman, Edit Select, Sydenham and Beck himself.

Ahmet Sisman Dj set May '09: A summery mix by Vath favourite Sisman. Fairly chunky tech house with lots of vocals, live instruments and the like on the Onur Ozer vibe.

Juho Kahilainen: Big Shot Guest mix I came across Juho after listening to his recent Kuolonkellot EP on Prologue. If you're a fan of the Sandwell District / Kemppi sound I'd recommend having a listen to that- this mix keeps to the minimal and techno end of the spectrum- i really like the first half of this mix, but I'm not as keen on the end.

Peter Van Hoesen: Little White Earbuds Podcast An insightful interview and a live set from PVH, I'm sure most people will have seen this by now. Techno all the way from the Belgian maestro- can't wait for some of those unreleased tracks to see the light of day!

Oblique: August

join the oblique residents for a summer celebration at 10feetTall.

Hope to see you there...

Charting July

A few records I've been listening to / bought lately:

Forward Strategy Group: Applied Generics
I missed the first release on this label, but this second release fits nicely into the Sandwell/Kempii techno sound. Track 2 is the dance floor standout here- a punishing beat, hisses, clanks and a modulating acid sounding hook line smouldering in the background.

Ahmet Sisman: Esraj EP
Sounding like a pumped up version of Onur Ozur, the new Ahmet Sisman EP is an ethnic tinged summer anthem in Sisman's trademark style. For me the best track is the A side 'Esraj,' a dense atmospheric track, building through looped live instruments before breaking down into a vocal chant.

Do not resist the beat: 03
Perhaps the most evil release on DJ Zeal and Milton Bradley's Do Not Resist The Beat label to date, DNRTB 03 continues the trend set in 01 and 02 for combining unique, haunting layers and textures with sparse skittering percussion. I'm told that these tracks sound like the approach to the Berghain dancefloor- stripped back rumblings and clankings in the distance, muffled rumblings of bass...

Edit Select: Stay Below EP
I've been after this for a while after hearing it on a few mixes recently. I found Edit Select's recent release on Ostgut worked best as a tool, but these two tracks have much more dance floor direction. Both sides have booming basslines and trance-esque Dozzy synths, and while I prefer the more peak time A side 'Aurian', both sides fit nicely with the Italian techno sound.

Moderat: Moderat 1 unofficial mixes
I haven't listened much to the recent Moderat album, but these remixes by Shackleton, T++ and Headhunter are essential. Shackleton's mix of rusty nails is among his best work, subtly using the original's vocals and twisting the original into a narrative journey of a track, eclipsing what are strong mixes from T++ and Headhunter on the B side.

And a few close contenders:
Frozen Border- Frozen Border 03
Rosella- 28
Fernandez Manetta- Ape EP
Alessandro Izzo- Restyle (Gary Beck remix)
Max Cooper- The End of Reason (Perc's End of Season mix)

Oblique summer coming soon