Page 55 - Zone Magazine Issue 021

john.ricketts@zone-magazine.com \\ TUNES
Elon – Panick 03 [Panick Panick!] [Tech-house / Minimal Techno]
Their first release of 2018 brings in the talents of Elon. A great 3 tracker, bursting with interesting ideas and sounds. Opener “Stoner” is a quality deep house number, with its rising bassline and scattered vocal samples over the top of some interesting percussion and hat programming. Next up “where's my shit” takes things on a more experimental and darker route. With a deep rumbling bassline and some shimmering synths over the top. “Skipping stones” lightens the mood with a rolling bouncy bassline and an almost jazzy, of kilter lead line. Drums are techy and puncy.
https://www.deejay.de/Elon_Panick_03_PP03_Vinyl__301509
Akufen – Music 2 Wiggle 2 [Telharmonic Texture] [Minimal House]
Akufen, or Marc Leclair as he may be better known is no stranger. Under his Horror Inc alias and Perlon he has been releasing for many years. This EP kicks off with “The sketchiest sandwich in town”, a quirky house number, with a zippy bass line, combined with smooth chord stabs and snappy drums. Over all it has an almost jazzy feel to it. Next up, “I love 2 wiggle” is another unique deep house number, full of individuality, with an almost GymTonic vibe to it. Finally “Ritalin Swing” rounds things off with a definite swing feel to things, a really interesting and unique EP.
https://www.deejay.de/Akufen_Music_2_Wiggle_2_TTX003_Vinyl__303945
RECOMMENDED
Re.you and Floyd Lavaine – Khana EP –
[Moon Harbour] [Tech-house]
After 18 years of releases, Moon Harbour see no sign of letting up. This great EP showcases the sounds of both artists aswell as pulling in some heavyweight remixers aswell. Opening with “Humanity” its a stripped down minimal house affair. With a sparse bassline and nice organic sounding drums, its simple but effective. The vocal sample is where the track finds itself though. With an almost psychadelic feel to it. The Lawler remix of “Humanity” goes in a more dancefloor orientated direction, with tought, punchy drums and a rolling deep bassline. “Seamless” is a droning deep techno number, with vocals scattered over the top of the oppresive and relentless bass and drums. Minimal use of percussion means the track has space to breath. Finally Daniel Stefanik is brought in to remix “Seamless” and strips it down to a deep tech affair. Less dark than the original, it's a great mid tempo track. https://www.deejay.de/Reyou_Floyd_Lavine_Khana_Ep_MHR114_Vinyl__302275
Andhim feat Hogni – Stay Close to me [Superfriends Records] [Tech- House]
Returning to their Superfriends label, house duo andhim join forces with Icelandic singer Hogni with this new double A-side. First up the vocal version of the title track has a deep progressive feel to it, with sparse use of the vocal to begin with, letting things build before the vocal is released and is set free. Heavy on the melodics, this is a great song. The instrumental is a wonderful deep house number. Aswell as both of these, we have the bonus of another original “Miles to go” which is brings things right down to an almost ambient feel. A wonderful after hours track, full of emotion.
https://www.deejay.de/Andhim_feat_Hoegni_Stay_Close_To_Me_SF006_Vinyl__301725
Ben Rau – Systeme Solaire EP [Inkal Music] [Tech-House]
Having spent a lot of time in Australia soaking up the winter sun, it comes across clearly in Ban Rau's latest offering on Inkal Music. Kicking off with “Systeme Solaire” its a deep chord driven number, which would equally be at home in a warm up set at the right time, or a sun drenched beach setting somewhere.
B-side “Expand” keeps the energy levels up, but introduces some jazzy influences into the mix and keeps the sun soaked feel of the EP. A great summer release, this will do well.
https://www.deejay.de/Ben_Rau_Systeme_Solaire_Ep_INKAL004_Vinyl__305092
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