All too often what’s billed as electronic is simply standard female vocal tracks with a bit of electronics to disguise that it’s really just a standard folk song. Durante and Tuff Ghost manage to transcend those limitations by achieving a balance between a keening vocal and some fascinating electronics with a funky beat pattern. Lifts this track far above the madding crowd.
I know we had the original of this tune on Sunday but I’m going to indulge myself in also having a remix today. It’s from Wolftek who produces some excellent liquid drum and bass or ambient drum and bass. He takes the opening sample and that essence of the vast danger of space and stretches it into something endless.
The Transsiberian Express was on my wish list in the 80s/90s. Even had tickets once, which I had to return but that’s all a long time ago. Thylacine has done the journey and has produced an album as a result. I really love the album. It’s ambient in parts, found sound in others and has a similarity to Banco de Gaia’s Last Train to Lhasa. I was playing it when D came round and she commented that it was a very 90s style sound. That may influence why I enjoy it so much. There’s a bit of Digweed’s Northern Exposure in there too. This comes highly recommended.
Blurb: Named after the famous railway connecting Moscow to Vladivostok, it was written on Thylacine’s – (real name William Reze) own journey last summer, a concept album inspired by travel, composed entirely over the course of the trip, alone in the cramped, confinements of his cabin. He recorded the sounds of the trains and these samples can be heard throughout. He also took a video crew with him to document the journey and to highlight the creative process undertaken to achieve the final result. The album also comes with a remix from Kompakt Record boss Michael Mayer.
I wonder if Michael Hooker is related to TJ Hooker? Did TJ Hooker jokes mar his childhood or something altogether less forgiving? Sideways offers a nice cross between techno and deep house. There’s the solidity of techno in the beats and that element of aggression. Meanwhile the deep house bit offers a flowing set of synth sounds. That his origins go back to 93 isn’t a surprise in the classic techno elements. The punch this track provides comes in beautifully rolling waves.
Michael says “The track is a free download to say thanks for people supporting my music.”
Blurb: Hearing a mixtape from an illegal warehouse party in 1993 was the catalyst that sparked Michael’s passion for electronic music.
Listen to one of his countless live sets or podcasts and you can hear the attention to detail, seamless mixing, and musical maturity Michael has become known for. These skills have not gone unnoticed. Michael has played all over the world and has been honoured to share the stage with some of the industries most respected names such as; Matt Tolfrey, Subb-An, Tube & Berger. This is the reason house legend Danny Howells recently referred Michael as “One of the best DJs I have heard in a long time” after they played together.
Currently based in Arizona, Michael currently DJs for the two biggest promoters in the state; Relentless Beats and Stateside Presents. He produces music under his own name and the pseudonym Micon for deeper house tracks. He also manages his chart topping record label Re:Sound Records which he founded in 2010.
Always evolving and striving for perfection. Michael has his mind focused on a positive future. Moving to America has given him an international platform to grow his brand. Music isn’t just a passion – it’s his life.
Life coach kitteh says:
“Thinking positively for just 10 minutes a day raises the risk of you posting an inspirational quote on the internet by 55%.
What gives you inspiration?”
Blippy techno full of korg’s is this morning’s inspiration. Tecmodrome by The Phantom Wave is billed as “KORG ESX1 + Moog voyager + Buchla 200e + Teenage Engineering OP1” which isn’t the most interesting way of describing a really clean techno track that gets by with the minimum of drums allowing you to focus on the intricacy of what lies within.
And there’s a video
Most of the time I try not to slag off artists. I’d rather focus on the good stuff. And, J’lectroniq produces some wonderful electronic house music.
But first a grump. Is it me or is “The Adventures of Coolio Iglesias: Epilogue” not the lamest title for an album in ages? A limp pun that offers nothing about the wonders therein. Why do that?
Epilogue is a five track offering. The mood throughout is one of soft wonder, exemplified by opener Vamoose. There are washes of space sound accompanied by wondering synths and some hushed vocals. A romantic soft synth pop. Gypsy Summer offers lots of summer with very little gypsy. A noodly sort of affair but washed through with sunshine and Pimms.
A change of mood somewhat with Raindance. After an indefinably mournful start this picks up the beats into soulful house. Definitely dance floor. Next track, Stray, manages to be a highlight. Quirky, perky tempo and some synth xylophone sounds all contrive to make you smile. Closer, Closer, wobbles away in wonder and offers a few of htose hushed vocals. Almost R&Bish in its approach it lets the album slip from your grasp beautifully.
Blurb: Jasper Bosgraaf (born October 24,1988) better known by his stage name J’lectroniq (pronounce: Jay-lec-tronic), is a Dutch record producer, recording artist and DJ. In 2009 he founded Afrodisiac Recordings while living a year in Amsterdam. Back in his hometown (Groningen) he decided to put out a long-term project: ‘The Tales of a Dreamer.’
He’s back. Turns out Slighter can’t stay away. And that’s really a good thing. Resonance Cascade is a great bit of ambient breaks.
Slighter says “”Resonance Cascade” is a brand new track from Slighter, part of a forthcoming EP for Confusion Inc.” As for the track, it manages a spacey, sampled opening. All very 2001 A Space Odyssey. Then it breaks through into something much harder and raises the emotional temperature into a battering of drums. Welcome back sir.
