Page 52 - Zone Magazine Issue 014

MUSIC REVIEWS
Deejay.de vinyl - House & Techno John Ricketts
Thomas P. Heckmann - 25th Anniversary remixes part 1 [AFU LTD]
This is heavy stuff, no doubt about that! Theres no messing around here, each of the 4 tracks have the same underlying energy that gives them their very destinct sound. Its fast, full of agression. A prefect example of this is the Perc remix of “Death, the high cost of living”, full of pounding kicks and saw tooth bass. The David Meiser remix of “Learys Dream” is all arpeggiated pianos and heavy drums.The Israel Toledo remix of “Tanzmaschine” brings things down a little and gives us more of the modern techno shuffle we're used to these days. Finally the Dave Tarrida remix of “Knarz” has the crunchy drums and rolling bass he's become renowned for. Great selection of stuff for the right dj.
http://www.deejay.de/
Thomas_P_Heckmann_25th_Anniversary_Remixes_Part_1_AFULTD64_Vinyl__252325
Andhim - Tosch EP [Superfriends Records]
The new brainchild of Andhim is their label Superfrinds, and this EP is the sound of it in one package. First track Tosch featuring the dreamy vocals of Piper Davis, over a dark brooding bassline sets the tone, with sparkling pads over the top giving a sense of release for the dark bass and vocals. “German Winter” Has a lighter tone to it, with pads and synths rising and falling over a deep bassline and minimal stuttering hats and a gentle but firm kick. Things are toned down even more on “Mond” with the reverse cymbals and minimal drums setting a base layer for the trippy sampled vocals and floaty instrumental samples. And finally “Horse Society” which closes out the 4 track EP with a large dose of funk in the bassline and and heavy on the percussion. Great stuff.
http://www.deejay.de/Andhim_Tosch_Ep_SF001_Vinyl__244917
ALG 002 [Algorhythmic]
Nice selection of stuff from Algorhythmic here, kicking things off with the deep, dubby feeling “Kaze” by Rojid. Simple percussion over the top of a monster of a sub bass keep things rolling nice, with breathy vocals scattered over the top.”Kage” by Idana steps things up a notch with the rolling percussion and hi hats giving energy to the glitchy and smooth at the same time bass and synth. Dubson's “Vento” brings in a bouncy bassline that brings some much needed relief after the first 2 deep brooding tracks and an element of fun to things. The EP is brought to a close with “M Games” by Rqz. A smooth, bouncy deep house track using pads and synths to ease you into a nice groove and chunky drums. The pads remain through out giving a recurring sound to the track and giving it identity. Nice stuff from a great selection of artists.
http://www.deejay.de/Various_Artists_Alg002_ALG002_Vinyl__244034
DJ Honesty - Bom Dia EP
Germany's DJ Honesty (one of many aliases) has been wowing dance floors for many years now and has built up quite a reputation. Now his new EP is wowing not only dance floors but his peers in the industry aswell. Opener “Whats new” is a straight up house groover, with its ascending bassline and synths over chunky house beats. “Bom dia” is more of the same with organ stabs being the main driver of the track being carefully filtered throughout to add movement. “The Warning” is all about the acid undertones with a wobbly 303 bassline and chords stabs throughout. Finally the Julian Alexander remix of “The Warning” takes it into a more glitchy cut up affair, deconstructing the bassline and putting it back together in all the wrong/right places!
http://www.deejay.de/Dj_Honesty_Bom_Dia_Ep_QV009_Vinyl__246278
Mark Miroir - Intact / Comfort Zone [Paso Music]
Label boss Mark Miroir takes control for the second release from his album “Identity Kit”, with 2 originals and 2 remixes. Intakt is pure tech house with 909 and 808 drums all over the place, with a rolling repeating bassline giving the foundations whilst samples and stabs are placed carefully to give things space. Diego Krause takes “Intact” and turns it into a glitchy scatty deep tech affair with little or to no noticeable elements of the original and makes it totally his own.
“Comfort zone” brings in the deep sub bass and oppressive drums to create a dark atmosphere and an element of tention to the track, giving it a more techno element to it, whilst still having a certain swing to it to kep the groove exactly where it should be. Kia and Handmade Motivation Corporation take things more into the world of dub techno, with the same dark bassline and spooky samples over the top. Good stuff, and sure to be effective in the right hands.
http://www.deejay.de/Marc_Miroir_Intakt_Comfort_Zone_PASO049_Vinyl__241389
52 ZONE-MAGAZINE.COM