Page 73 - Zone Magazine Issue 017

\\ TUNES
Rich Wakley - Hoodlum EP [Lapsus Music] [Tech-House]
This EP is UK based producer Rich Wakley’s first solo release for Lapsus Music and is a Tech House wonder. It is further beefed up by a remix of the first track ‘Hoodlum’ by Lapsus family member Sante Sansone.
First up is the original mix of ‘Hoodlum’ which starts with a breakbeat intro then hits you with a female vocal sample saying “yeah that sounds dope” then brings in a rolling bassline, more male vocal samples and a stabbing lead line. It is a real rump shaker with a large speech about ghetto house in the middle and is laden with both musical and vocal hooks. Next up is ‘Psycho Safari’ which has a real sleazy groove going on with “house” samples, twisted synths and a punchy funky bassline and again is destined for dancefloor devastation. Then you have ‘Rock With This’ which builds with whoops and a 4/4 drum pattern and then starts to get a little crazy with the beat swung and loads of vocal stabs and a stripped back feel which is all underpinned by another solid funky bassline which is a theme that runs through all of the tracks. Finally Sante Sansone delivers his quality remix of ‘Hoodlum’ which is faster with a crazy breakbeat looped throughout and the speech about ghetto house as the main hook. The bassline isn't so funky but the breakbeat really carries the track and gives it great dancefloor appeal. As for picking a favourite, it isn't going to happen as all four are equally as qualified to get people up on their feet and throwing shapes for all they are worth, so my advice is listen to this release ASAP. I don't think you will be disappointed.
https://www.beatport.com/release/hoodlum-wear-house/2069253
Felix Krcher - Right Here EP [Filth On Acid] [Techno]
For Filth On Acid’s next release they welcome German based DJ/ Producer Felix Kröcher to the fray with his three track ‘Right Here EP’ which includes a Citizen Kain Remix of the title track on this peak time techno monster.
First up is ‘Back Fast’ which starts with a percussion loop for an intro and then brings in the bassline, a sinister pad and a synth lead line that all make for a real roller of a track with claps, synth stabs, a number of breakdowns and a subtle female vocal sample interspersed throughout. Its driving yet dreamy and subtle yet intense which all make for a great dancefloor mover. Then you have the Citizen Kain remix of the title track ‘Right Here’ which is a builder with layers of sound adding to the kick and bass drum intro which underpin the whole track and give it a pumped up feel that is further enhanced by female vocal line. It is simple but highly effective and makes way nicely for the final cut which is the original mix of ‘Right Here’ which starts with a kick and hi hat and brings in grunting synths, a distorted bassline and claps, then charges ever forward with wailing female vocals and much synth wizardry and is a real call to arms to the dancefloor. All three are well produced, polished and designed for full on fun in a darkened club and to be heard through a massive sound system and I like them all equally.
https://www.beatport.com/label/filth-on-acid/60985
RECOMMENDED
Luigi Gori – I Cant Leave You [D2 Records] [Tech-house]
If you are a fan of minimal Tech House this release is one that you would have to be mad not to listen to as it is a mini aural
masterpiece. It comes with an ‘Original Mix,’ a ‘Gians Remix’ and an ambient track called ‘Purple Energy’ and the original starts off the proceedings in fine style as it has its own ambient cinematic intro that at over 2 minutes long is a real show stopper. The track was created using analogue synths so there is a real warmth to its sound and as it slowly get louder and more focused it is a real spine tingler that would be perfect for an intro track or a blissed out encore to an epic set. As the backbeat kicks in, you get electro bass, stereo panned wooshes and arpeggiated synths that all create a great atmospheric bombshell of a tune. In contrast the ‘Gians Remix’ starts with a thudding kick drum and builds with layers of ethereal beauty into a mid tempo Deep Tech cut that still has the analogue warmth but also has tension created by dark synth pads and a throbbing sound. It is over 11 minutes long and is like a mini modern electro symphony and is the kind of thing that just begs to be heard on a high quality sound system so you miss out on none of its finely crafted subtlety. ‘Purple Energy’ is another analogue synth creation that is under three minutes in length and I can see a lot of DJs using it as a set intro piece. Not your run of the mill dance release but if you want something that is a little different from the norm, you have come to the right place. It is a blissed out track that almost offers a window to another dimension in sound and I implore you to check it out.
https://www.beatport.com/artist/luigi-gori/170123
Kevin Hoskin - Dark Dagger [Discover Dark] [Trance]
If you are a fan of the darker side of Trance, this release will will be well and truly up your street as it has all the right ingredients to cook up a storm on the right dancefloor. It starts with an intro that nicely builds the suspense and then comes in with a riser that takes you into the main body of the track which has a galloping bassline, synth stabs and whooshing sounds that are suitably dark and sinister, and lead to a breakdown that has a distinctly old school riff as the main hook. Then there is a snare roll and its back into the darkness. As the track progresses new sounds are brought in and it keeps building and building to another breakdown with the old school riff and onwards it rolls with great energy. It is nice to hear something a little different from the normal Trance formula and this is a perfect example of how the genre has splintered into many a sub group and is a real antidote to some of the more sickly sweet stuff that is churned out by a lot of producers of late. There is only one mix but to be honest one is all you need when you have a track that is as strong and individual as this one is. So if you fancy something that's a little different and innovative in the wonderful world of Trance, look no further!
https://www.facebook.com/discoverrecordsuk
ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC 73
9
8
8
10