Page 54 - Zone Magazine Issue 007

MUSIC REVIEWS
Wax Hands [UK] - House - Techno
Lord Leapord - Mark of Passion/Fantastically well EP - Zone Top Tune - 10/10
When it was announced that Eats Everything was going to be setting up his own label, alongside fellow Bristolian Nick Harris, there was a great deal of buzz about what the initial release was going to be. Some thought it was just going to be another artist using their own label to push their own releases. However Eats Everything has openly stated “Edible is by no means a vehicle for my own music, on the contrary, we want to develop and grow a house music label that can stand the test of time”.
The debut release from Lord Leapord, is a 2 track ep comprising tracks that show elements of deep tech house with a smattering of techno thrown in for good measure. “Mark of passion” with its off kilter rhythms and chunky bass is garanteed to rock any dancefloor whether it be an early set or peaktime. And when those soulful vocal cuts kick in, its a no brainer. “”Fantastically well” takes things on a deeper groove, with its jazz drum and brass interludes and rolling bassline, this could quite easily fit into a set at 4am at Fabric. Production is top notch and its a great first release for the label, showing it’s not afraid to stay away from “the norm” to get its own identity. Plus using Nicolas Dixon to do individual artwork for each release, its got a bit of a “Finger Lickin records” vibe about it. Looking forward to seeing where it goes next.
https://pro.beatport.com/release/mark-of-passion/1635176
Seizure - Future Happiness [EJ Underground] - Zone Recommended Tune - 9/10
EJ Underground, which is part of the Krafted group, which owns a number of labels across a broad range of house and techno, is having a bit of a gold rush at the moment. Consistently their releases are dynamite and are receiving support from some serious heavy hitters within the industry. “Future Happines” by Seizure is a cracking bit of deep house. Suitable for a set at any time of day or night, i could see this played across any sun drenched beach (despite it being december) as well as any bar in Dalston at 2am. A simple bassline is complemented by sparse percussion, but the vocal sample is what glues this together. Both uplifting and a tad haunting, it’s used sproadically throughout so you dont feel like Seizure have relied on it, more they know that less is definitly more. Solid release, and se good things happening for Seizure if they keep this up.
Released on Dec 28th - http://kraftedmusic.com
Vaim - Way to the east [Stazis] - Zone Rating - 8/10
Relative unknown artist, and a relatively unknown label usually to most people means they wouldn’t usually bother giving a track a listen. If this is you you are missing out on some great tracks at the moment. What we have here is a track that pounds away with its rolling, heavily sidechained bassline for the duration, with a huge break that lets the title come into context. Eastern inspired synths wash over tough techno and open the track up to a relieving break. Before going straight back into the tough drums and a nice alternation to the bassline, still with those synths sitting nicely over the top. A very interesting track, showing alot of creativity from the producer, who again is not afraid to step out of the mainstream to produce something individual. Only complaint is that at just over 4 minutes, it is VERY short and may put off alot of djs from playing it.
Out on 28th december - https://www.facebook.com/stazislabel
Torlef Parker - Vibe ep
Tanz Kultur Audio are on fire at the moment. Their current string of releases have been top notch, and this seems to not show any signs of stopping. Torlef Parker gives you some serious bang for your buck here with a four track ep, showing great variety and creativity, whilst keeping his own signature style showing throughout. “Cosmic funk”, a very appropriate title, kicks things off with a nice bouncy bassline, sprinkled with sharp chords and techy stabs before breaking down to spacious synths and a great arpeggio before a great jazzy line comes in to take things back to groove built up before. “One night with Rita Leen” is a great, deep tech house track, but again with those jazz elements over the top, it keeps things rolling along with a nice dark element to the whole track. “Vibe” is my pick of the bunch, nice rolling bassline, with minimalist percussion allowing things to grow naturally as the track progresses. Some may feel it goes a bit progressive house at points, but thats why i like it as it could fit into a deep house set or a prog set easily. Nice and chilled vibe to it, but still works on the dancefloor. “Cabriolet” Finishes things off nicely, again with a bit of a proggy feel to it, but bookending the ep nicely, a chord driven track, which keeps things moving nicely and a great uplifting pad after the last break sends things home nicely. Keep em coming Tanz Kultur
https://pro.beatport.com/release/vibe/1644210
54 ZONE-MAGAZINE.IE