Page 91 - DemoZone Magazine Summer Issue 2020

\\ TUNES
Michael D Knox - ‘The Cube' [FNOOB DiGiTAL 30]
The latest offering from Fnoob Digital is this huge 8 tracker! Michael D Knox (Michael Nemec) is a great Dj and producer (and all round top guy) who i met in Amsterdam last year at the wicked Fnoob / Cone party. His original is a hard and rumbling affair with the cool 'Where is the Cube, the humans have taken it' vocal from TheTransformers film. There are 7 remixes on offer, a proper mixed bag of styles. Steve Shaden's version is a crisp stripped back but pounding affair, Chicago legend Lester Fitzpatrick supplies a rather dirty rework in typical King Les fashion, MOT3K brings the tempo down, with an almighty heavy reverberated Kick drum, Fnoob Techno Radio founder and all round legend Daz Furey gives us a clanking synth heavy remix, full of crazy modulated sounds, ML (Mat Lionis) presents a thumping, broken beat affair with added screech, Francesco Giannese is up next and his is a monster pounding hard Techno version (possibly my favourite of the EP) really dark and thumping this! Lastly there is also a remix from someone called Mark Neenan, but im not gonna review myself, so i suggest you take a listen. Big respect to B-Vek (Kev Bousted) for compiling this and all his work on the label. Out now on bandcamp, soon to be out on all platforms too. https://fnoobdigital.bandcamp.com/album/michael-d-knox-the-cube-fnoob-digital-30
Ayako Mori & Lady Maru - Acid System E.P. [Hydraulix 093]
Henry Cullen's ever consistent Hydraulix label continue to release quality gear and its no different here with 2 Acid tracks of the highest order from new comers Ayako Mori & Lady Maru. 'Sick Memory' is a dark and searing 'in your face' acid track of epic proportions, which builds and squelches its way along in the way we all know and love. 'Dont Move' is a rather sinister dark and broody hit, with the acid kept as deep and evil as it possibly can. Love this! On remix duties Refined Format's A.P. treats us to a beautifully crafted rework of 'Sick Memory' with his driving tough techno beats, clever hat arrangements, a church like bell stab and a stupidly dark breakdown. Label boss D.A.V.E. The Drummer ups the tempo for his take on 'Dont move' which is a rolling tune with tonnes of energy and a strange electronic sounding synth laden over the top of proceedings, lots of clever effects and movements going on here to keep us hooked and with the Acid kept to a minimum, it just creeps in nicely at key moments. Utter quality from H as always! Go check this beauty out! Whilst we are all in this lockdown, can i recommend you all watch Henry and Justine live streaming every Sunday night from 'The Punishment Farm' Quality beats and visuals from the pair. Anyway back to this release and it's worthy of a 9.5/10 from me! https://www.beatport.com/release/acid-system-e-p/2875912
Jon Connor -‘Natural Resource' [Supertech 001]
North Wales legend and Bubblejam's main man Jon Connor re launches his old Supertech imprint with this mighty fine 8 track album. The idea of the album is based around 70s & 80s horror movie scores from the infamous American filmmaker John carpenter. 'Forget The World' Opens up the album with a beautifully dark 1 minute intro before it unleashes into thetough driving Techno sound that we expect from Jon. Track 2 'Devils Ritual' along with 'Satan Speaks Out' are both class crisp Acid cuts (Already been championing Devils Ritual on my radio show) 'Natural Resource' is a wicked heavy hard Techno tune, with a thumping kick, marching percussion, some old school stabs and an excellent vocal on the break. 'Close Your Eyes' is probably my equal fave on the album, you've all heard the sample before ('Just Close Your Eyes, Forget Your Name, Forget The World, Forget The People') but it's timeless and this track uses it so well. An epic modern tough Techno beast, with some dark atmospherics, clever arrangement and tonnes of energy! This is a great comeback for Supertech and im excited for the future releases! Good work Jon! https://supertechlabel.bandcamp.com/album/natural-resource-sutc001
Alvinho L Noise - ‘8 Scenes' [Valvula Records099]
Nearing their 100th release, Brazilian label Valvula have this tasty release from the brother of Anderson Noise, namely 'Alvinho L Noise' There are 6 tracks of the crispest Techno production here to choose from including the Deep grooves of title track '8 scenes' and 'File Burning' the squelchy Acid of 'Kobe Dream' and 'Setback' 'Logica' is a rattling thumper but my favourite has to be 'Against' which is a tough driving track laced with old school stabs, a wicked intoxicating synth and infectious groove! Solid stuff all round here. Take a listen!
https://www.beatport.com/release/8-scenes/2932489
Various Artists - ‘CAREBOT$' [Bass Agenda]
Ok so this isn't a review as such (Naughty!) as you can't listen to all 134 tracks untill it's released on 15th May, but with the calibre of artists on offer (Radioactive Man, Dez Williams, Carl Finlow, John Selway, Anthony Rother, Fleck E.S.C, Exzakt, Alex Jann, Darkmode, Andy Clarke, Crossmods and little old me) you just know it's going to be class! Bass Agenda are 'the' go to label for Electro, Dark Electro and even some 4/4 stuff too and Andy Bartons awesome imprint are regularly championed by The Baron Dave Clarke himself. All proceeds of this release go to help the NHS and MÈdecins Sans FrontiËres charities during this difficult time. So please get you orders in on bandcamp. (By the time this article comes out, no doubt the release will be out anyway) Thanks for your support.
https://bassagendarecordings.bandcamp.com/album/carebot-raising-money-for-the-nhs-and-
m-decins-sans-fronti-res
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