Page 46 - Zone Magazine Issue 010

MUSIC REVIEWS
Danny Slade [UK] - Dance
House
Techno
Trance
Patrick Topping - Taking Libz EP [Hot Creations] - Zone Top Tune - 10/10
Patrick Topping has certainly made a name for himself for releasing quality music and now returns to Hot Creations label to drop this belter of an EP which features three tracks that have hit written all over them.
First up is ‘Brayed’ which starts with a pounding kick drum and a quirky vocal sample then takes you to a mini breakdown and then brings in a frenetic funky bassline and more of the vocal. There are loads of stereo panned effects and an almost rave sounding synth line and the track is relentless in its onslaught, but in a good way.
The second cut is called ‘Hawk’ and is a four to the floor affair with a deep distorted bass line, male and female vocal samples, claps and finger clicks and mutated stereo synth stabs. It has a tight funky feel throughout and has a few crazy breakdowns with space age bleeps in the mix which work a treat.
Last but not least is the title track, ‘Taking Libz’ which has already been featured on Steve Lawlers BBC radio 1 Essential Mix and is a builder which starts with electro percussion and then brings in a tight bass line and more percussive elements. There is a crazy synth line that darts all across the stereo sound spectrum and a spoken male vocal sample and the track is my favorite on the EP. Last year saw Patrick snatching the Beatport chart number one spot for a fifth time and it is easy to see why, when he is releasing music of this calibre. In fact I like it so much that I am going to give it top marks and also make it my tune of the month! https://soundcloud.com/patricktopping
Mesa - After Party [Konneqt] - Zone Recommended Tune - 9/10
This track is a blend of Techno and Tech House and is the trademark sound of Liverpudlian DJ/ Producer Mesa, who has been on a roll of late with plays at the likes of Ministry Of Sound and Sankeys and spots all over the white isle itself.
As a testament to the quality of his productions on such labels as Konneqt, Vacation and MVMT, he has gained the support of the likes of Carl Cox, Roger Sanchez and Dubfire and evidence of the quality of his productions is here for all of you to hear!
The track itself is a slow burner with a percussive intro, mutated vocal samples, risers and a funky assed bassline that lead you to a messed around male spoken vocal sample of a man describing an after party, which is something that we all should have knowledge of...unless you live in a cave or something, or should get out more!?
There are messed up piano samples, stereo panned effects, synth generated bleeping whoops (I love bleeps in a track so much) and much aural craziness throughout and although its over seven minutes long, it doesn't drag on at all as there is just so much going on in it.
Its one of those tracks that you just know that dropped to the right crowd, will tear the roof of the place and I for one can’t wait for the opportunity of hammering the crap out of it over the coming months. https://soundcloud.com/konneqt/mesa-after-party-original
Audiojack - Turya [Crosstown Rebels] - Zone Rating - 9/10
This two track release was born out of a ‘guided meditation’ session that Richard of the Audiojack tried and thought that it would work well on a dancefloor and I have to say that I wholeheartedly agree with him!
‘Turya’ starts with a simple kick drum pattern and builds with hand claps, closed hi hats and a rubbery electro bassline to the vocal line that is a female spoken self help meditation tutorial that turns out to be an excellent hook. The track is pretty minimal with a church organ supplying the main melody and some acidic burblings adding tension and I have to say that it is all that you need as the vocal is such a powerful one.
The second track ‘Event Horizon’ Is built round a solid breakbeat drum pattern which leads you merrily through to a male spoken vocal sample repeating “touch the other side” and has a bleepy melody and a moody bassline that together equal minimal bliss. It is definitely a case of less is more here and this track is a heads down, no nonsense dancefloor groover.
This is a well thought out release with each track complementing the other perfectly and as Audiojack are based in Ibiza, they are in the perfect place to road test their tracks at their Sunday residency at the Veto club. And with a recent essential mix on Radio 1 under their belts and tracks of this quality dropping, they are indeed destined for even greater things than they have already achieved.
https://soundcloud.com/audiojackofficial
Jamie Trench & Oli Furness - In The Berghaining EP [I & I] - Zone Rating - 9/10
A fine two track EP of Tech House design which is the first release on I & I records and that is all the information that I have on it as there was no press release included, which is often better as you have no preconceptions.
The first track by Jamie Trench is called ‘Razor’ and it starts with a simple almost breakbeat percussion loop which quickly develops into a dubby chugger with eerie one note synth lines and bell samples which give it tension and a simple natural sounding bassline. Then in come the vocal samples which are male spoken and are looped and then a vocoded vocal line that becomes more a part of the back beat of the tune and works a treat.
The second tune by Oli Furness is called ‘Wings Of A Dove’ which has simple beginnings with a kick drum intro which quickly builds into a controlled cacophony of percussion which then forms an integral part of the track. Then there are vocal stabs one note synth lines and much stereo panning of vocals and drums that are minimal to a fault. Again it has a dubby feel which is helped by the simple bass line and all of the rhythmic elements.
A simple description of both the tracks doesn't really do them any real justice as they are just begging to be heard over a big sound system as they are both such thrilling aural rides. My recommendation to you is seek them out at all cost as if you are a fan of rhythmic tech house as you will not be disappointed. https://soundcloud.com/iandirecordings/ii001-jamie-trench-oli-furness-in-the-berghaining-ep
Soundopamine - Ice Cream EP [Architects Of Paradise] - Zone Rating - 9/10
This soulful two track EP comes from the Romanian act Soundopamine and is perfect for those long summer nights ahead in warmer climes at many a terrace, beach or pool party. The Bucharest based trio is made up of Roman Botnari, Cristian Munteanu and vocalist NTSH and they have delivered two sublime cuts of summer chillaxation.
First up is the EP title track ‘Ice Cream’ which starts with an organ intro with breathy vocals, sea gull and seashore samples and builds with a muted funky electro bassline and crisp hi hats. The track features a full sung vocal which is delivered with style and panache and is all very relaxing and laid back yet has a solid groove to keep you dancing and swaying to the chilled out vibes.
‘Lose Control’ is a more of a jacking track with a jazzy Fender Rhodes type piano intro with congas, which leads into a male sung or detuned vocal line that is echoed by the scintillating female vocal with attitude and verve. As the track develops there are subtle
risers, percussion loops and stereo panned effects and the whole track has a jazzy soulful feel to it.
It is their second release but to listen to it, you would think that they are seasoned professionals as both tracks are so well produced which is hard to get right with full vocal lines involved. I have no favourite as both are good for different reasons and I can see them both staying on my memory stick for a very long time.
https://soundcloud.com/soundopamine
46 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE