Page 55 - Zone Magazine Issue 012

Danny Slade [UK] - Dance
MUSIC REVIEWS
Tim Baresko - Necessity EP [Cuff] - Zone Rating - 9/10
This two track release comes with two remixes of the first track;’ Dance Like This’ and one of the title track ‘Necessity.’ Why the title track isn't first is a bit of a mystery until you hear them as for me, ‘Dance Like’ this is the stronger of the two but that is just personal opinion.
Anyhow, ‘Dance Like This’ Feat. Mike Palladino the ‘Original Mix’ is first into the fray and what a fine opener it is! It starts with a vocal loop and some retro electro drum machine noises and builds slowly but surely into a Tech House monster with freaky synth stabs, male spoken vocals and weird sounds thrown in to keep the freakyness levels at a suitable level.
The second version of ‘Dance Like This’ is a remix by ‘Amine Edge & DANCE’ is more stripped down with a frenetic feel and the “Dance Like This” vocal sample is pitch shifted and cut up a more which gives it a Techno feel. Finally ‘Necessity’ starts with a rubbery bassline and brings a vocal sample into play and then the bassline gets even more chunky and funky and the track is based around a spoken male vocal sample. It has a great retro Tech feel to it and sounds great at high volume.
My two favourites are the first and then last track as they seem more edgy but on the whole this is a sterling release and is a must for lovers of the aforementioned genres!
https://soundcloud.com/thisiscuff
Ian Solano - Sunset Drive/ Traces [Mondo Records] - Zone Rating - 9/10
Ian solano delivers the the Trance goodness with his latest two track EP on Mondo Records with two contrasting tracks of tech infused uplifting music that is perfect for those long winter nights out on the dance floor.
For me there are two distinct seasons in Trance music. You have your summery tunes that work perfectly in hotter climbs and your winter ones that sound more melodic and orchestral, and the first track, ‘Sunset Drive’ here is definitely one of the latter. It starts a techy intro which quickly builds with risers, a chunky bass line and whimsical chords which take you to a wintery sounding breakdown which builds and builds into the middle section which is pure arms in the air, spine tingling trance at its finest. Its the kind of track you just know will go off on a packed dancefloor full of trance lovers.
‘Traces’ is a no nonsense heads Tech Trancer with a a kick drum intro with risers and technoid noises and a healthy acidic burbling sound that again builds you up to a breakdown which lightens the mood with big synth chords and an orchestral string line. It then keeps the dance floor pressure on and is more of a heads down groover than ‘Sunset Drive.’
As for picking a favorite, the choice is easy for me as ‘Sunset Drive’ just delivers that old school anthemic feel with a modern twist and therefore is a track that I know I will be playing for many months to come.
https://soundcloud.com/mondorecords/ian-solano-sunset-drive
Riva Starr - Is It True EP [Moon Harbour] - Zone Rating - 8/10
Riva Starr arrived on the dance scene in 2010 with his own take on house and since then has released three studio albums and 30 odd EPs on labels like Defected, Dirtybird and casual. His first project on Moon Harbour was earlier this year with a remix of Paul C & Paolo Martini’s ‘Rotation’ and he is now back with this gem of a Tech House release.
There are two tracks and a DJ tool on the EP and first up is ‘Is It True feat. DNCN’ which features acclaimed Manchester vocalist and producer DNCN. It is a full on funky little ditty that is highly infectious with a bassline and percussion intro with vocal samples that run throughout the track and builds with rhythmic elements and the introduction of the sweet spoken vocal by DNCN in a Curtis Mayfield stylee.
The second track ‘Akitune’ has a tougher more stripped back intro and builds with an ever so slightly tribal feel into a frenetic funk nugget with messed up vocal samples and a slowly rising synth line that gives it a great feel of tension as it takes you higher and higher up the musical scale. Last but not least is a DJ tool of ‘Akitune’ which is very minimalist and has no kick drum or bassline and features loads of sounds and vocals played in reverse. My favorite is ‘Is It True feat. DNCN’ but all are high quality productions which is to be expected from the man himself,
https://soundcloud.com/moon-harbour
Anamoly - Mistress EP [De Noize Records] - Zone Rating - 8/10
This fine techno two track release was promoed with no information whatsoever except for the fact that its release date is November 26th 2016. Mind you this can often be a good thing as it is the music that has to do the talking which is kind of the point so here is my description of what I have found!
The first track is titled ‘Obey’ and is a techno groover with a simple percussive intro which grows quickly into an intense affair with a galloping bassline, synth stabs and ride cymbals the track reaches many mini crescendos and is the type of track that really gets a dance floor grooving. The second track is called ‘Bad Boy’ and has a more tribal feel to it with an intro that is loaded with shakers and congas and builds with quirky warped vocal samples and another galloping bassline that gives it that dance floor groove again and would be perfect for dropping mid set when the crowd are well and truly up for it.
Both are simple yet highly effective weapons in a DJ’s arsenal and as the saying goes “are not for the feint hearted” as they are brimming with energy and verve. I have no particular favourite as both are of a similar intensity and I can't wait to drop them over the next few months in venues with a banging sound system and the right crowd of people who are prepared to party their asses off!
https://soundcloud.com/de-noize-records
Daniel Portman - Abandon [Enormous Tunes] - Zone Rating - 8/10
A great two track release here which is destined to be heard in many a packed venue in the next few months as both tracks are infectious floor fillers.
First up is the title track ‘Abandon’ which is a fusion of styles as it is essentially a House tune with a Techno backbeat. It starts with a simple percussion loop and builds with a quirky yet catchy synth riff that takes you on a merry dance through many a soundscape with strange technoid noises and a lush breakdown with strings, bleeps, bells and chants. Its a marriage of styles that simply works a treat!
The second track ‘Knock On Wood’ is more of a straight up houser with a galloping lil Louis ‘French Kiss’ like bassline and funky guitar samples with interspersed congas, claps and synth stabs to keep you grooving along with its quirky rhythms. There is a breakdown with a tribal chant and odd vocal samples which works a treat and sets you up perfectly for the latter part of the track which gives you a bit of everything to very good effect. Even though it is a new tune it has a bit of a retro 90’s house feel to it which is no bad thing at all.
As for the choice of a favourite, for me it has to be ‘Knock On Wood’ as it has that feeling of familiarity but served up in a new style which for me is often the decider as you know that the crowd reaction is going to be a good one.
https://www.facebook.com/EnormousTunes http://soundcloud.com/EnormousTunes
ESSENTIALDANCEMUSIC 55