Page 53 - Zone Magazine Issue 014

Deejay.de vinyl - House & Techno John Ricketts
MUSIC REVIEWS
Hyenah - Mami Wata EP [OBJEKTIVITY Records]
Not much is known about the mysterious Hyenah, but we do know they have a talent for creating atmospheric deep house. Title track “Mami Wata” is the epitome of their style, with its dark, string like synth stabs rise, giving an feeling of pressure before the piano on the break releases the tension. Dark pads murmur throughout. “Soak it” featuring Nonku is up next with its rolling claps and sonar like percussion and glitchy synths.reversed arpeggios are slowly opened up before the innocent vocals of Nonku are let out. Shuffling shakers give the track movement and the drums are tight.
Andre Lodermann gives his remix a techy edge, with a chunky saw tooth bassline and dreamy pads giving emotion over the top of heavy tech beats, before again light pads take things to the net level. Also included is the dub version, exclusively on the vinyl release. http://www.deejay.de/Hyenah_Mami_Wata_Ep_OBJ038_Vinyl__247962
Various Artists - Blanc VA Vol1 [4Plae Blanc]
First up, from Bucharest is Nice n trick with “Adiacent”, a dream like track with gentle tight beats and delicate rolling synths and pads. One for the sunset sessions or very early in the morning this one. Next is Direct with “Caries”, which is a bit heavier, with crunchy distorted drums over what sound like almost sci-fi like synths and a chunky, but not too heavy bassline. Percival bring us “All night” which has the tech house beats providing the foundations whilst droning synths and a filtered female vocal give the track character before the reverberated stabs bring in the next element. The FAT remix of “All Night” gives the track an edgier feel, with its 909 claps and rolling hats giving it a more dancefloor feel and moody at the same time. http://www.deejay.de/Various_Artists_Blanc_Va_01_4PLVB001_Vinyl__244686
G Tresher, N Moudaber, Gemini, Wigbert, Jewel Kid - Quiet Distortion (The remixes) [Break new soil]
No introduction needed foe Nicole Moudaber, a legend on the scene. His take on Quiet Distortion gives us a beautiful synth laden introduction building to an amazing (anti) climax before the tough kick hits in and we're off on a journey through the world of deep techno.
The Gemini Voice Archive remix of “Safehouse” is about the frantic arpeggios and soft pads over the top of rollong hi-hats and crisp claps before bright lead synths kick in releasing a wonderful feeling of space. Wigbert's take on “Quiet Distortion” takes things to a darker place, with the recurring pulse like lead percussion keeping things in check with high and low pads providing an oppressive atmosphere. Whilst in the breakdown things take on a more cinematic feel, before the bassline kicks back in. Finally the Jewel kid remix of “Quiet Distortion” is a lesson in analogue synths and is aimed firmly at the dancefloor. Drums rolling and the bass is squelching this is a really interesting take on the original.
http://www.deejay.de/
Gregor_Tresher_Nicole_Moudaber_Gemini_Wigbert_Jewel_Kid_Quiet_Distortion_the_Remixes_BNS0 59_Vinyl__249078
Raffa FL and Charles Ramirez - Material Heads vol 16 [Material Series]
First up is Raffa FL with “Want it”, a lesson in big room tech house. Shuffling rim hits and open hi hats give the drums movement and an unmistakable groove, whilst the old school synth stabs a knowing nod back to the rave days of the early 90s, and when the drop kicks back in with some of the most insane panning I've ever heard things go next level. Next “The Back”is all about the cut up hip hop samples and driving bassline with rolling hats and chunky kick drums. Charles Ramirez brings us 2 cuts, first up is “Bass”. Simple yet very effective, its got the typical tech house shuffle, an ascending bassline and sharp vocal cuts and shouts that keep the crowd in the mood and delivers on every front. Next is “We Like That” which brings things down, but only slightly, still firmly aimed at the dancefloor, this is all about the acid as the bassline builds along with the male vocals climaxing in an epic clap build before the groove kicks back in! One for everyone here.
http://www.deejay.de/Raffa_Fl_
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Various Artists - Material Heads vol17 [Material Series]
Another top notch compilation from Material Series, they're on fire! First up is Cozzyd with “You should be getting down” and you really should! A great tech house roller with a solid basslie and hard hitting drums.Filtered in all the right places with sirens going off all over the place this will get a party going!
Redondo and Filthy Rich are up next with a deeper cut of tech house. Deep growling bass is accompanied by the light hearted spoken vocal which gives way to the funk laden bass and great builds.
Mikapa Ena next, with MK1, an analogue heavy rolling house track. Heavy on the 808 and 909 this is full of energy and will get any floor going with heavy drops and tight beats. Finally, Charles Ramirez with his dub version of “We like that”, which rounds things off with an all round great house record with equal amounts strut and attitude aswell as plenty of swag and funk. http://www.deejay.de/Various_Artists_Material_Heads_Vol_17_MATERIALXXX17_Vinyl__248302
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