Page 50 - Zone Magazine Issue 011

MUSIC REVIEWS
Danny Slade [UK] - Dance
Various Artists - Kenja Ibiza (Part 1) [Kenja Records] - Zone Top Tune - 10/10
Some serious bangers on this release and its only part 1 of 2 releases from the Kenja stables which include the lead track by Kenja’s very own Ronnie Spiteri amongst others that are seriously decent dancefloor fodder. Ronnie Spiteri’s ‘All wrapped Up’ is a deep chugging houser that really locks you into the groove with its funky bassline and is followed by Rich Wakley & 2 Homies ‘Rewind It Back’ which is another deep and dubby dancefloor devastator that is all about less is more. Next up to the plate is Raffa FL with ‘Pop Corn’ which has a super funky bassline and swung percussion and that is followed by the ItaloBros with ‘Sodium’ which is a slow builder and lastly you get the Di Chiara Brothers with ‘Acid Dream’ which has some serious retro leanings with tight drum programming and 303’s.
If you like your beats on an underground tip and aren't afraid of tracks that shy away from any vocals then this EP is for you. Its all about the grooves on this release and grooves there are by the bucket load. I didn't get a chance to visit the White Isle myself this year but if this is an example of the type of music that was being dropped, I must have missed a good one and In fact this release is so damn tasty, that I am going to make it my tune of the month!
https://soundcloud.com/kenjarecords
Raumakustik - Dem A Pree [Emerald City] - Zone Recommended Tune - 10/10
Volker & Seb aka Raumakustik have gained a lot of fans with releases dropping on Toolroom, Suara and Formatik of late and with this release on Emerald City, I am sure they are about to gain a lot more. There are three mixes on this release and all of them are destined to do some serious dancefloor damage.
First up is the Original Mix which is a tech house masterclass with a percussive intro that builds through vocal and horn stabs to a middle section which releases all kinds of aural craziness with a breakdown with vocal loops and a distorted electro bass line that just begs to be heard at high volume. Next up is Patrick Topping’s Remix which ups the tempo and strips it back to a behemoth of a remix with a super distorted bassline, frenetic vocals and looped crowd sound samples.
But if thats not enough they also throw in an excellent remix by rising star Jey Kurmis has been making a name for himself on labels such as Moon Harbour, VIVa Music and Wow! Recordings. His version opens a whole new can of whoopass and dials the craziness up another notch with with slabs of sound being launched out of the speakers in a way that makes you want to hit the dance floor as fast as possible!
Noe picking a favourite mix is a real challenge here as they all work so well but it has to be done, so I choose the ‘Original Mix’ as that is where all the fun really started. It also goes without saying that this tune scores top marks. https://soundcloud.com/raumakustik
Ibized 2016 - David Penn [Urbana Recordings] - Zone Rating - 9/10
You can pretty much tell from the cover what you are getting from this album sampler which is the latest in Urbana’s sun drenched ‘Ibized’ series of albums which contains a healthy mix of new and unheard old versions of tracks that encapsulate that summer vibe succinctly.
First up on the sampler is David Penn’s ‘Those Days’ which starts with a conga loop and builds with a kick drum and female sung vocal sample into a funky, dubby summer groove machine with a recognisable trumpet sample. Next you have Sandy Rivera’s remix of IDQ’s ‘Your Soul’ which is a cut up chunky groover with ethereal pads, electric pianos and muted drum patterns that is all underpinned with a solid frenetic bassline.
Then things get seriously funky with David Penn, Dantiez, KPD feat. Kwedjatey’s ‘We Are Human’ which is built around a bass loop and features an emotive full male vocal with a powerful and poignant piano lead line which has Jazz Funk leanings and works a treat over the sparse backbeat.
I could go on describing the individual tracks but I am guessing that you get the picture and it is pretty clear that this album is definitely one not to be missed if you like your house served up sun drenched and perfect for those long hot summer nights in Ibiza that the UK is sadly missing of late. But as they say its good to dream and I have to say that although this emotive collection of tracks won't take you there physically, It will certainly give you a feel of what you are missing!
https://soundcloud.com/urbanarecordings
Various Artists - Trallion Purple Volume 1 [Trallion Recordings] - Zone Rating - 9/10
This four track release is the first in a series of releases on Trallion, a label known for its quality trance output so it comes as no surprise that this E.P. is made up of ‘all killer and no filler’ tracks. There is also not much information included with the mail out so I can't give you any background information, but this is sometimes the best way as the music has to do the talking and I am pleased to report that it has a lot to say about itself!
First up is Darkwinder with ‘Deosil’ which is hard yet melodic and knin of reminds me of System F’s ‘Out Of THe Blue’ which is no bad thing with a galloping bassline, snare rolls, risers and a nice main riff as the main hook. Next is Tommy Silent with ‘Come Back Home’ which is slower paced and more progressive with an almost breakbeat intro which builds with vocal pads into an uplifting trancer with a massive breakdown with ethereal synths and loads of atmosphere.
The third track is by CJ S.A.Y.which speeds things up again but is quite minimal in its approach and has a real old school trance feel to it with a jangly piano top line and a warm synth melody which usher you into a breakdown with harmonious overtones. Finally you have Erick Pride’s ‘Sinners’ which has a more Tech Trance approach with a dirty synth riff, risers and a soaring main riff that tears the roof off. All four are accomplished tracks and I look forward to hearing more works from all four producers.
https://www.facebook.com/trallionrecordings/
Tavo Under - Loose Control [Uranobeat Records] - Zone Rating - 9/10
I have no information whatsoever about this two mix release apart from the facts that there are two mixes and that the label is from Mexico/ Columbia, but that is often a good thing as it gives a chance for the music to do the talking and not the PR company.
First up is the Original Mix which is is a Tech Houser with a percussive intro which builds slowly adding layers of sounds throughout which chugs along nicely and would be great as a warm up track. Then you get the ‘Gianni Ruocco Remix’ which from the offing has a bigger and more atmospheric sound with vocal samples, swung percussion and eerie sound effects which make it into a bit of a main set monster. There are a number of breakdowns as well which gives it the tension that a good track often needs and I can see this version staying on my memory stick for many months to come.
I only wish that I had some more information to give you about the track and label but thats just the way it is sometimes. The catalogue number is URB221 so they must be a well established label that I am now glad that I know the existence of.
https://www.facebook.com/URANOBEATRECORDS/