Page 66 - Zone Magazine Issue 018

Camelphat & Mat.Joe - World In Action EP [Elrow Music] [Tech House]
Elrow Music seem to be going from strength to strength with their release schedule filled with sure fire Tech House bangers like this one, It looks like things can only get better for them, and more importantly us the public that get to enjoy them.
This stellar two track EP kicks off with ‘World In Action’ which starts with a percussive intro with a bass line in situ and builds with the onset of more percussion and a beefing up of the aforementioned bass line and then hits you bang in the face with some vintage samples taken from a TV news report about the beginnings of Acid House parties in various warehouses in the late 80’s/ early 90’s. The backbeat is suitably twisted and the samples about Acid House, drug taking and frenzied dancing and are witty and make this track a sure fire hit. There are also interviews with members of the British tabloid reading public which are very good and fit perfectly with the theme of the tune. The second track ‘Bang 2 Drum’ uses another old sample but this time its a spoken sample from an old dance track. They have enveloped it in another on point percussion heavy Tech House backbeat with a siren sounds, congas and synth stabs which all make for a very danceable tune which is a proper floor filler. Make no mistake this is a very crowd friendly track but is still firmly rooted in the underground, especially ‘World In Action’ which has very controversial lyrics that make it a bit of a novelty tune but done in a very good way. In fact it is so good that I have no hesitation in making it my Zone Top tune.
Release date: November 13th
https://soundcloud.com/camelphat
TOP TUNE //
Riva Starr & Green Velvet - Keep Pushing (Harder) EP [Snatch! Records] [House]
A landmark tune for Snatch Records as it is their 100th release on Riva Starr’s label which has given a lot of new producers their break and has acted as a laboratory for experimenting with his own productions. For his centennial release he has teamed up with Chicago’s Green Velvet and the results are good! Its a two track EP with the first track being the title track which starts with a high pitch boing noise, a muted bassline and percussion and slowly builds with trippy vocals until the bass line comes in properly and leads the track on its merry dance through insane sounds and vocal samples that repeat “keep pushing.” Like a lot of Riva Starr’s productions it is quite repetitive which locks you into a groove and the madness comes in and out for the full length of the track. The second track is called ‘I Feel Good’ and again locks you in the groove while sounds are brought in and out of play when and where they see fit and the groove stays the same just with different types of sounds thrown in the matrix. There is the line “I Feel Good’ and a bit of someone sampled speaking then this kooky little melody that comes into play every now and then which all adds to the dancefloor mayhem that this track will no doubt cause. My favourite track is ‘I Feel Good’ but in general this is a great 100th release that is well worth seeking out and if you like your dance music fun and frivolous, this one is a dead cert.
Release date: November 7th
https://www.facebook.com/rivastarr
Vast Vision - Golden Era [Rielism] [Trance]
This uplifting Trancer comes from Holland’s own Vast Vision and comes to you in the form or two extended mixes that both pack a hefty punch. The Original Extended Mix starts with a massive kick drum and an acidic lead line and builds with layers of percussion and melody into a warm and enveloping track that kind of sounds wintery somehow so will be perfect for the coming months ahead. There is a breakdown with a warm lead sound which is complimented by a high synth sound that plays the melody beautifully and then after a snare roll kicks back into the main body of the track which is a real spine tingler and reminds you of how trance used to sound back in the glory days. Its a proper epic that comes in at over nine minutes but you wouldn't think it as it never drags or loses its allure. The Second version is called the ‘Alternative Extended Mix’ which doesn't have such a slow build up and is more percussive than the first and has subtle risers and acid, and the breakdown has been reworked to make it even more uplifting than the first mix with lush pads and the arpeggiated riff really grabbing your attention. It is more anthemic in my opinion and although they are similar there is something about it that makes you want to raise your hands in the air and really loose it to the beautiful music that bathes you. Although both are great tracks I would have to say that the ‘Alternative Extended Mix’ is the best one for me as it just feels that bit more spine tingling and luscious .
Release date: November 20th
https://www.facebook.com/vastvisionofficial
Andrew Greatorex - Freedom EP [Krafted Digital ] [House]
A great two track EP from Andrew Greatorex and the Krafted posse with no information whatsoever with the release so Its all about the music doing the talking here.
The First track is ‘Freedom’ which starts with a percussive intro that takes you a rolling bassline with the crisp drums from the off and a whooshing sound which which brings in what sounds like Roto Tom hits as the track builds its backbeat and then whooshes again and brings the male vocal which is spoken and repeats “freedom to love, freedom to dance.” There are a lot of off beat sounds that give it a slightly dubby feel which works nicely and gives it a natural swing. There are female backing vocals as well and the sounds keep building and building up until there is breakdown with the vocals, claps and snare rolls in play. The second track is called ‘Movement’ and starts with a simple drum lead intro and then brings in more percussive quirkiness again which works nicely along with a funky bassline, risers and much tuned cacophony which goes in its favour as so much is going on, you never lose interest in the track that tells you it is all about the origins of house music amongst other things. There are also sirens and synth stabs and again it is all about the backbeat with the vocals as the main hook which I have to say works great for me.
My favourite of the two has to be ‘Freedom’ but it is a closely fought battle as both are great DJ tools and very floor friendly as well with them both being very busy tracks that are in no way minimal whatsoever which makes a nice change. Release date: November 6th
https://www.facebook.com/EJUnderground
dance // danny slade
66 ZONE-MAGAZINE.COM
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