Page 54 - Zone Magazine Issue 021

Albums - Dance
Deejay.de / Vinyl / house & techno // john ricketts
Albums - Dance
Sidney Charles – Rawelution EP [Moon Harbour] [Tech-house]
Following on from “Soultrade”, Sidney Charles returns to Moon Harbour with a monster 4 track EP. Kicking off with “Good Times” and teaming up with Hector Moralez, its a heavy and sometimes oppresive feeling tech house number. The spoken vocal is the classic history of house sample. Combined with the female vocal which is used sparingly, they give the track its character. The bassline and synth lines are paired nicely. Drums are puncy and solid. Next up “Rawelution” s a heads down deep tech affair. With a rolling sub bass and some interesting drum programming, its aimed firmly at the clubs. Next “Gone” is heavy on the vocal loops, and with an element of funk thrown in, its a welcome change of vibe. Pick of the bunch for me. Finally we have “On and On” which has a dark feel to it, but is juxtaposed by the diva-esque vocal loop. With the steccato synths and pads, its a great way to round up the EP.
https://www.deejay.de/Sidney_Charles_Rawelution_Ep_MHR112_Vinyl__295409
TOP TUNE //
Josh Butler – Rabbit Hole EP [8Bit Records] [Tech-House]
Josh Butler has had a fast rise to the top of the house music scene. Now Gorge and Nick Curly welcome him to their 8Bit imprint. Title track “Rabbit Hole” is a bouncy house music affair, with a chunky bouncy bassline and piano and synth stabs forming the backbone of the track. With a smooth synth lick, and piano rises thrown into the mix, its a track made for the summer.
Next “Nightshade” takes things in a bit more of a deeper darker direction. The sultry female vocal directing you to “Set your body free” and get lost in the music. Its a rally call to the dancefloor. Finally “Sinawava” pretty much stays on the same vane as the previous track. A deep chuggy bassline and a spoken vocal are the main elements here, with solid drums and simple percussion. Great EP.
https://www.deejay.de/Josh_Butler_Rabbit_Hole_Ep_8BIT135_Vinyl__303701
Julenn – Real thing EP [Blind Vision Records] [Minimal House]
Starting things off with the bouncy “Chaperchay” this is an EP full of character. “Chaperchay” s all about the smooth yet funky bassline, and the snare rolls over the top. Add to that the quirky synths and effects and its a great start. Next “All night” takes things in a smoother, deep house feel, with the 808 rim shots and chunky snares forming the basis of the drums, whilst the bass is smooth and the chord stabs add energy. “Real thing” is the most avant garde of all the tracks here. The bass is minimal and the track is made up of 4 or 5 basic elements that feel like they shouldnt fit together but they do. Finally “Enregistre Saoul” brings the energy levels up and has a more jacking feel to it. It finishes the EP on a high.
https://www.deejay.de/Julenn_Real_Thing_Ep_BVR010_Vinyl__302418
JossMoog–Nocturne [OnduleRecords][DeepHouse]
For their 19th release, Ondule Records pull in none other than Joss Moog. 4 tracks of wonderful Parisian house. “Nocturne” is all about the undulating synth and piano lines with a simplistic bassline. However it is the jazzy licks and small samples that give the track its identity. Add to that solid house drums and you're on to a winner. “Pause” strips things back with a classic Cymande sample and a beautiful piano sample which are both used to great effect. The breakdown is pure jazz, and its great. “Weird Balance” is more dancefloor focused, with the double bass (as in an actual double bass) line giving the bass line a great off kilter wobble. Combined with the tech style drums, and the vocal breaks, its a unique track. “Party line” throws all the previous sounds out of the window and goes for an old school electro feel. Eclectic is an understatement. https://www.deejay.de/Joss_Moog_Nocturne_OND019_Vinyl__301103
Nektar Agu – How to be more fun [RE.FACE Limited] [Minimal House]
A great three tracker from Nektar Agu, with support from Barac, S.A.M, Kozo and Dan Andrei. Title track “How to be more fun” is a bouncy, and have to say it, fun house track. Full of quirky nuances that give it its own feel. Whether its the vocal element, the deep bass or the scatty drums, its all there. After that we have “Incandecant”, and with it the vibe changes to a more dancefloor orientated feel. Srtipped back and minimal in feel, its a great floor filler. Finally “Oreye” has a more experimental feel to it, with obscure elements put together, and fitting together well.
https://www.deejay.de/Nektar_Agu_How_To_Be_More_Fun_REFACELIMITED003_Vinyl__294951
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