Page 59 - Zone Magazine Issue 021

//TUNES
HOUSE & TECHNO // john rickets john.rickets@zone-magazine.com
Stelios Vassiloudis – 99.9 EP [ Bedrock Records]
John Digweed and Nick Muir's Bedrock has always been a forward thinking label since the pair set it up in the late 90's. That ethos shows no signs of stopping and this outstanding 4 track EP from Stelios Vassiloudis is testament to that. Kicking of with “Blinders” the drums are solid and the bass is punchy. Stabs are used to create atmosphere and the percussion is minimal enough to have space but also provide the groove for what is quite a minimal progressive house track. The break is brought right down to pretty much just the percussion and stabs before everything is brought back in. Its incredibly simple but done with skill and a knowledge of knowing when to hold back. Next “Kitchen Knife” is more of a nod to the old school progressive house heads. Not sounding out of place on Deep Dish's Moscow Global Underground cd, its all about the pad sweeps and rolling drums. Again a lesson in simplicity, its has its basic elements, but as they are so effective, nothing alse is really needed. “Looking California” is more deep tech sounding, with perky hats and a solid bassline, with more of the trademark synth sweeps which appear to be a theme throughout the EP. The stabs are opened up on the break, giving a feeling of building tension before everything is closed up again and the groove kicks back in. Finally “Zabriskie Point” rounds things off and closes the EP with a deep house feel. Still in keeping with the rest of the EP, it is just a great way to finish up. A great EP all round and a joy to listen to all the way through.
https://www.beatport.com/release/99-9-ep/2263436
TOP TUNE //
Justin Jay and Ulf Blonde – Transatlantic Untz [Pets Recordings]
Justin Jay and Ulf Blonde team up for an interesting release on Pets Recordings. With one collaboration and and original from each of them, its a great, varied release. First up they koin forces for “Journey across the”, a deep, minimal number gor the heads down groovers out there. The bass is very, very deep. You need a decent system to get the most out of it. Combined with a dreamy lead line and chord stabs used to create their own rythmn, this is proper deep house done well. Next Ulf Blonde has the title track “Transatlantic Untz” which is a bouncy deep house number. With all the elements given lots of room to breath and have their own space in the mix, its a very clear sounding track. You can hear everything, and everything has its own place. The drums are a combination of scatty hats and a solid kick. Not much else is required to be honest. Finally Justin Jay rounds things off with “Land Ahoy” and things are notched up a gear. This is still in deep tech territory, but there more energy in this one. The drums are beefier and the percussion is more rolling than the previous track. The breakdown is still subtle, and does exactly that, breaks the track up before everything kicks back in. A great dancefloor track. https://www.beatport.com/release/transatlantic-untz/2273885
RECOMMENDED
Super Flu – Ark [Monaberry]
Monaberry's first release of 2018 is by none other than the head honcho themselves Super Flu.
2 originals and a stonking remix make up the package. Title track “Ark” is all about the scatty arpeggios and simple yet effective drums. The heavy kick and deep sub bass sit together perfectly and act as a perfect bed for the track. Layered above that is a wealth of sparkling arpeggios and almost middle eastern sounding synths.“Doppt” is a more driving house number. With a sense of tension from the bassline and an almost chugging feel grom the percussion, it has a great sense of movement and really feels as if you were on a journey. Cymbals shimmer above the bottom end and add another unique elemen to the track, giving it an organic feel, whilst the pads and synths all have space to breath and provide their own parts. Finally Hyenah takes up remix duties for “Doppt” and takes things in a more deep techno direction. With a solid bass, and heavy kick drum, it really is simplicity done well. When the track is stripped back it has great movement and when all the elements are together they all sit perfectly.
https://www.beatport.com/release/ark/2258190
Selador 5th Birthday Part one – Various Artists [Selador]
Part one of what is shaping up to be a stellar 5th anniversary compilation, Selador have pulled in some heavy hitters for this one! A perfect representation of the labels eclectic sound, it kicks off with the pounding “In name only” by Quivver and Christoph. Its a relentless, epic progressive house roller. The rolling bassline and main riff provide the vibe whilst the drums provide the endless energy. This is a peak time track to be played loud and proud. Next is “Friendship” by Robert Babicz and Stelios, who delve into the more melodic and deep house sound of the label. The chunky bassline sits perfectly with the floaty and delicate synths and arpeggios that are layered above it. The drums shuffle along and the pads rise above it all and give a sense of space and openness. “Three Hearts” by Raw District and Just her is the closest you will get to a deep house track on here. Still with the feel and sounds of the progressive house the label is renowned for, it has a slower feel and s more laidback in feel to the rest of the tracks on here, that is before the huge main riff kicks in and takes things in a whole new direction. Its a curveball, and it works. Finally we have “I hear voices” by Tim Healy and Luke Brancaccio, and we're in full on techno territory here. Its a pumping, driving affair. With a main riff that will make your head feel all kinds of funny, with filters being opened up and cloased constantly, its repetitive and also at the same time constantly evolving. Its heavy, its full on, and its great.
https://www.beatport.com/release/selador-5th-birthday-part-one/2266259
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