Page 71 - Zone Magazine Issue 017

house & techno // john ricketts \\ TUNES
Soul Nomad – Man from Detroit EP [Rotate Records]
With a new alias from Mickey Jay, Soul Nomad makes his debut on Kent based Rotate records.
A great 2 track EP, with both tracks both having their own identity but also having enough individuality to hold their own, and show the signs of a great artist. “Man from Detroit” is a great rolling deep house track, shuffling hi hats and percussion sit perfectly on top of the smooth chord lead, with a sub that will shake any system. The spoken vocal sample is used to good effect but not over done to the point where sometimes it can get annoying. Solid drums and top production are both trademarks of both tracks. “A chat with George” is the slightly more leftfield of the 2 tracks, with glitchy and scatty drums, whilst being a solid groove at the same time. The squashed bassline is punchy and and chords are used sparingly. The vocal again is used to perfection, and great use of panning gives the whole track a sense of space. Looking forward to hearing more from Soul Nomad, a great debut.
Out 7/9/17 on Rotate Records
TOP TUNE //
Paride Saraceni – One Last Chance EP [Suara]
Fresh from releases on Tronic and Truesoul, Paride Saraceni makes his debut on US based Suara, and it is an EP bursting with energy and character. First up “Barcelondon” is a tour de force of progressive tech house (I dont even know if thats a thing). The driving main riff and bass with a slight portamento give it great depth, with pounding yet delicate drums rolling things along at a great pace, before the chords and pads of the break are slowly introduced and building before an amazing release of energy. This track would sit perfectly in a tech house set or a techno set, a great cross over record. Up next things are brought down a notch with title track “One last chance”. With an almost bell lik main riff, it has a melancholic feel whilst also being upbeat enough to hold its own on the dancefloor. Again great use of strings and pads adds more emotion to the track, and solid deep drums keep things moving. Finally “Choices” closes things up and cranks the energy back up again. Once again there's a progressive element to it whilst having the groove of techno. Really nice EP, full of character.
https://www.beatport.com/release/one-last-chance-ep/2098468
Emery Warman – Beat Blaster EP [Elrow]
Elrow is a name that seems to be on everyone's lips at the moment. Whether it be there epic parties that they seem to be putting on all over the world at the moment or the constant stream of tech house and house from their label, they are, in no uncertain terms, on fire at the moment. Hungarian producer Emery Warman is definitely one to watch at the moment and this 2 track EP is a great showcase of his sound. Title track “Beat Blaster” is a peak time tech house groover, with great use of percussion and simple yet effective drums laying down the basis, whilst on the breaks the vocals and funk/jazz samples are built up wonderfully to bring things up to a great moment of release before the monster of a bassline is brought in. This track is fun, that's all there really is to say about it. Drop this and it will be smiles all round. “Mind Games” takes things a bit darker, with a tension laced build full off swirling, delayed and reverbed vocals that is released with another beast of a bassline and that distinctive tech house drum pattern that is a theme throughout.
https://www.beatport.com/release/beat-blaster-ep/2071702
RECOMMENDED
Aurelio Mendoza – More or less EP [Bubblejam]
New York based producer Aurelio Mendoza delivers an outstanding 3 track EP on Bubblejam . With previous releases
on IAMT, Natura Viva, Soulstorm Recordings and Delta Sounds records, he has an ever growing back catalogue of some great techno. “More or less” kicks things off with a great progressive vibe to it, with its rolling bassline and echoing vocal samples. It is complemented by solid drums and ethereal pads and chords. “Code 909” continues the progressive feel with its arpeggiated bassline and solid sub, with the melody and harmonies all complementing each other wonderfully. The break is a great example of bringing things down whilst still maintaining energy in a track. Finally “Daybreak” draws things to a close and goes on a more deep tech direction with a great filtered and heavily reverbed vocal sample giving the track a great identity and with the brooding pads and bass it rounds things off nicely. Brilliant 3 tracker.
https://www.beatport.com/release/more-or-less-ep/2077833
Nodin – Choupette [Bully Beatz]
Since signing his first EP “The Mute” with Zins Records, and follow ups on Inlab Recordings, Minimized Records and ODN Records, Nodin has garnered some heavyweight support for his top notch productions and remixes. Having his music played buy artists such as UMEK has allowed his profile to grow with each release. This release on Bully Beatz shows no signs of that stopping. Teaming up with Inphasia, this is a dark, brooding techno assault with some progressive elements to it. The breakdown perfectly builds the tension, with filters on the synths being slowly opened up to create a wall of sound that will have the hands in the air before slamming into the punchy drums and stripped back instrumentation and dark bass. This is proper techno. Dani Sbert is brought in on the remix and delivers a stripped down deep tech affair using a fair amount of the original whilst still putting his own spin on it. Great release, and one to watch for sure.
https://www.beatport.com/release/choupette/2053695
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