Page 53 - Zone Magazine Issue 015

Waxhands [UK] - House & Techno
MUSIC REVIEWS
Mark Zowie – You & Me Grrrl [Zula Music] - Zone Top Tune - 10/10
My last review for Mr Zowie was all good, and this one will be no different. This guy is on a roll at the moment. With releases on Ministry of sound, Whartone, 9G and Southern Fried, he has taken it upon himself to focus most of his own releases on his own Jula label. This track is a great example of Mark Zowie's distinctive take on deep and progressive house. Its a solid club track, with a bassline that gives a the track an ominous undertone, a kind of franticness to it that really sticks in the head. The drums are solid, and punchy with a shuffle in the hats and high percussion. Its not overly complicated but doesnt need to bee as all the elements of the track sit nicely together. As the track goes on, it morphs from a more deep style, till at the break more progressive elements are brought in. A dreamy arpeggio and luscious pads bring the energy and emotion up to another level.
Vocal duties are undertaken by Zowie himself, and although used sparingly, they complement all the other elements perfectly and again give the track identity and make it something that would really stand out in a dj set. This is a great track for a bar set early on, or in a nice dark room somewhere in the early hours of the morning. Its a bold move sometimes to put out a release with just the original mix, and no remixes these days, but Jula and Mark Zowie really are ones to watch this year, if the standard of output from himself or the label is kept up to this standard, only great things are gonna be happening in 2017. https://www.traxsource.com/title/781607/you-and-me-grrrl
Ana Wares – Saturn Return EP [Awares Recordings] - Zone Recommended Tune - 9/10
Based in Melbourne, producer and Lo-Fi 45 label manager, Eva Guss has used her new alias “Ana Ware” to explore her more melodic side. The first 2 track EP is exactly what she describes it as, techno electronica. Whilst still focused on the dancefloor, it also allows her to delve into a more sensitive and delicate side of techno, and it is done with great effect.
First up, “Eye to eye to eye” is the darker of the 2 tracks, with a droning synth intro giving an air of menace before the twinkling topline which carries the track along releases the tension. At the halfway mark, things drop away leaving the minimalist percussion and a gentle pad to hold you in a state of limbo before things begin to build again and you are off into the clouds again.
Second track “Saturn Return” is the more “dancefloor friendly” of the two tracks. Its a perfect sunset or sunrise tune, with gentle shuffling percussion and subtle chord progressions giving a sense of space and openness. The lead is simple yet never boring and is another layer in a wonderfully uncomplicated set of sounds that all complement each other wonderfully. With the elements of her jazz influences quite clear in this track, it will be interesting to see where Ana takes this new alias of hers for the next release. If its anything like this, I cannot wait.
Out on Awares recordings 9th of May
Sir Vere – Rebirth [Rocstar Recordings] - Zone Rating - 8/10
The term “Dance Rock” is one you dont really hear a lot nowadays. However Sir Vere have been ploughing away for a fair few years and have built up a considerable back catalogue. The fact they are also a full live band has helped them along the way, and got them bookings at such varied venues as Manumission and Scala to Glastonbury.
The follow up to their collaboration with Rocstar's head honcho Cut la Roc is another track from their new album, due out later in the year. A simple arpeggio and drums that remind me of the breaks classic Gyromancer by PMT, lead into the growling bass and kind of half spoken, half sung vocals from Craig Hammond. The vocals serve as a rally cry to individuality, and as such despite the dark backing, actually give the track an uplifting edge. Band member Stevie Vega takes p the remixing duties, and strips the original back. Minimal use of the vocals, just having fleeting bits of them layered over the top of the track, in the midst of a sea of delays and reverb. He also gives the drums a more chunky feel with slightly more punch than the original, you can see this remix is meant for the dj sets instead of the original being for the live shows.
The main vocal hook is brought in halfway through, and acts as a focal point beofre the break and another arpeggio is brought in, bringing in an acid feel and the guitar style reverbs wash over every thing before thinks kick back in and the hands go up in the air, or the heads go down. It will be interesting to see what the rest of the album has in store, and if you get a chance, definitley try and go and see them live, you wont be disappointed.
https://www.beatport.com/release/rebirth/1974924
Luca Bisori – Historical Speech [Deeptown Traxx] - Zone Rating - 8/10
Swiss label Deeptown Traxx has had a bit of a roll recently, with releases from Roland Clark, Audiowhores and GoJack to name a few, and the trend continues with “Historical Speech”.
Tuscany's Luca Bisori looks straight to the past with this one, with the old school vibe plain to hear. Its a simple, peak time tech house number that will get the floor going. The drums are all 808 open hats and a heavy kick drum, that pounds through the mix and gives the energy need to keep things going. Bassline is pure simplicity, but works well, and then on the breaks we get a hint of rave with the lead line. As the title would suggest the track is laden with spoken samples but are used enough to give the track identity but not to get annoying. Coupled with staccato female vocals scattered over the top and the track fills out nicely in the break before dropping back into the simple drums and bassline.
One half of the UK's GoJack, Mike Mac is brought in on remix duties. Pick of the 2 for me as he takes the track, uses many of the original elements, but takes things on a darker vibe. Beefing up the drums and going heavy on the rolls, it has more of a late night feel to it. I can see this working if the energy in the room is starting to flag a bit, get this on and it will no doubt bring the levels right back up. Peak time stuff, and a great package from two very talented producers. https://www.traxsource.com/title/784710/historical-speech
Kaymid – Cascais Curve EP [Lo -Fi 45] - Zone Rating - 7/10
When you start you DJ career at the age of 13, you are on to a winner. That's exactly what Kasey Taylor did, and he hasnt looked back since. More renowned for his big room progressive house and techno releases, his “Kaymid” alias allows him to explore a broader sound, in particular his deeper and more techy tenancies.
Ths 2 track EP on Australian imprint Lo-Fi 45 is a great example of this. First track “Cascais” starts things off with a low undulating synth that forms to an extent the basis of the track. This one is all about the filtered synths and deep drums. Spoken etherial vocals are layered over the top and all slowly builds up to the first break where a new lead line brings in an element of funk to things. The drums shuffle along nicely and provide a solid groove to things.
Seconf track “Curve” is in a similar style to start with, filtered drums and scattered percussion sit with another undulating synth, and begin to build straight away. Pads are added and are use intermittently as almost stabs to add layers of sound before the shuffle of the hihats gives the energy. As all these elements grow and build, creating an other worldly atmosphere, and you do genuinly feel like you're on a journey, and when the filtered arpeggio is brought in along with the lead riff, things go to another level and a dreamscape is created.
A great 2 track EP from a label that at the same time is not afraid to go against the grain in terms of not sticking to one particular sound or genre, but at the same time picks its releases well enough to keep its identity. Great stuff. https://www.beatport.com/release/cascais-curve/2014217
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