wp_1644810 – Pagina 77 – Different Grooves

Theiz ‘Moving Forward Into The Past EP’

Artist: Theiz
Title: Moving Forward Into The Past EP
Label: EPMmusic
Cat. #: EPM87
Format: Digital Download / Streaming
Release Date: 11 December 2020
Tracklist:
1. Moving Forward Into The Past
2. Motor City Bliss
3. The Beauty Of Machines
4. Motor City Bliss (Carl Finlow Remix)

EPMmusic rounds off 2020 by welcoming Theiz to the label with an EP that draws on elements of techno, electronica and electro before being rounded off by a stunning electro remix from Carl Finlow.

Theiz, real name Mathijs Schippers may be a new name to many but the Dutch born and now Belgium based producer is some 29 years deep in the scene. Having released on labels such as Eevolute (with East Island), Techno-Tourist and Ear-land Recordings in the late ‘90s and early ‘00s, Mathijs began producing again in 2015 with no pressure to release – simply just for the sake of making new music. His activity as a music journalist brought him back into contact with the music industry and now freshly motivated, he returns after a 15-year break.

Drawing on influences from Tangerine Dream, Pink Floyd, FSOL, Plastikman, Derrick May and even Phillip Glass, Theiz’s ‘Moving Forward Into The Past’ refers to the period of time the tracks were written in. Moving back to the house his wife grew up in was, for them, a step forward into a new future, whilst simultaneously surrounded by childhood memories.

’Beauty of Machines’ is built around a recording Mathijs made with his phone of an industrial oil pump at work that sounded like a “minimal techno groove”. ‘Motor City Bliss’ expresses his love of the Detroit Sound – warm grooves, subtle melodies and pumping beats whilst the title track, ‘Moving Forward Into The Past’, has a kind of naivety to it, peppered with melancholic melodies and an ungainly beat and thus, capturing the emotions of the title perfectly.

The EP is finally complemented by Carl Finlow’s “Kraftwerk on steroids” electro remix of ‘Motor City Bliss’.

Keith Carnal ‘SEC004’

Artist: Keith Carnal
Title: SEC004
Label: SEC NDº
Cat. #: SEC004
Format: Vinyl + Digital
Release Date: 27th November 2020
Tracklist
1. Hope
2. Endless
3. Daily Route
4. Sadly Mistaken

Amsterdam’s techno talent Keith Carnal returns to his own Second Degree with a fresh four tracker.

Keith Carnal’s techno has a signature sound that draws on rich melodies and locked-in groove – it is made for dancing but comes with an ominous feeling of melancholy that makes a lasting impact. He also layers in percussion that immerses his audience ever deep and as well as DJing around the globe has also released on Affin LTD, Arts and his very own Second Degree imprint.

He kicks off his latest powerful missive with the driving, rock solid kicks of ‘Hope’, a dark and alluring track where the heavenly synths bring the only light to the groove. ‘Endless’ is a peak-time cut that will have you riding on the edge of your seat thanks to its high speed arps and icy hi hats, all racing along over more firmly rooted kick drums.

Carnal’s cultured studio craftsmanship is laid bare once more on the pounding, stripped back yet compelling ‘Daily Route’ which is linear techno with a soulful synth sound that takes you well into the future on a mysterious vibe. Closer ‘Sadly Mistaken’ has taught, pining kick drums and spooky howling synth sounds that are brilliantly unsettling as you march onwards.

Pig&Dan & Victor Ruiz ‘Consciousness EP’

Artist: Pig&Dan & Victor Ruiz
Title: Consciousness EP
Cat #: DC234
Label: Drumcode
Release Date: 23 November, 2020
Tracklist:
1. Consciousness
2. Music Takes You
3. Paradise Lost

Drumcode heavyweights Pig&Dan and Victor Ruiz link for their maiden collaborative EP.

The project begun in the first quarter of the year when the artists were still touring and was later completed during a series of productive sessions after lockdown – Pig&Dan members Dan Duncan and Igor Tchkotoua experiencing a creative synergy with close friend Victor Ruiz that injected some lightness into an otherwise challenging time for the trio of producers.

‘Consciousness’ is driven by a catch low-end riff that’s powerful and funky in equal measures and is a particular favourite of Adam Beyer’s, highlighting the boss’ Drumcode Indoors II and Tomorrowland’s United Through Music stream. ‘Music Takes You’ is a delicious low-end roller driven by a punchy synth workout that drops down into a captivating vocal break made for big moments. ‘Paradise Lost’ is a widescreen melodic gem, comprised of a laser-kissed synth hook, crisp percussion and a clever low-end chord progression, giving it a classy timeless appeal.

Reset Robot ‘Cosmic String EP’

Artist: Reset Robot
Title: Cosmic String EP
Label: Truesoul
Cat. #: TRUE12133
Release Date: 23 November, 2020
Format: Digital
Tracklist:
1. Opto
2. Cosmic String
3. Romeo

Truesoul’s most capped contributor, Reset Robot, delivers another supreme EP.

Dave Robertson (aka Reset Robot) is a treasured label asset, his association with Adam Beyer stretching back a decade. Over the years he’s gifted the imprint 10 EPs and an album ‘Let Your Soul Outside’ in 2014, his talent and crisp sound signature shining through.

For his twelfth Truesoul offering, ‘Cosmic String’, he lays down a trio of winners. ‘Opto’ is industrial and trippy in equal measures, managing to avoid any possible pigeon-hole, while crying out to be utilised in a variety of musical scenarios. The title track is true to its name; organic bass tones and a soft melodic core spiral into otherworldly realms thanks to a tweaked-out string section that amplifies the track’s impact. ‘Romeo’ is a low-end modular exploration, which still embodies an innate

Agents Of Time ‘Midnight Drive In Santiago EP’

Artist: Agents Of Time
Title: Midnight Drive In Santiago EP
Label: Afterlife Recordings
Cat. #: AL045
Release Date: 27-11-2020

The duo return with four enchanting cuts.

Agents Of Time are back on Afterlife with the Midnight Drive In Santiago EP, following their debut Forest Of Lies in 2018. Known for their distinct, synth-driven take on electronic music, the duo showcase their production prowess with four tracks that demonstrate their ability to tap into your emotional centre with varying styles. ‘Santiago’ is the melodramatic opener with its mesmerising melodic riff and bright layered synth work. ‘Midnight Drive’ takes us for a meandering moonlit spin in a shiny black Chevrolet Corvette. ‘Chain Reaction’ utilises an insistent rhythm and emotive pads to hypnotise you and draw your emotions to the surface. Finally, ‘Out Of Format’ invites us to explore the dark, mysterious corners of the universe as we embark on a whimsical cosmic journey beyond the stars.

Out on 12″ vinyl and digital on November 27th, 2020.

Dario D’Attis ‘Misleading EP’

Artist: Dario D’Attis
Title: Misleading EP
Label: 8BIT Records
Cat. #: 8BIT163
Release Date: 11.12.2020
Tracklist:
A1: Dario D’Attis & Shyam P – Misleading (Vocal Mix)
A2: Dario D’Attis – Out Of Tune
B1: Dario D’Attis – Caption
B2: Dario D’Attis – Misleading (Instrumental)

What a pleasure to finally welcome Dario D’Attis, our friend from Switzerland, on board at 8bit.
While Shyam P added some great whispered lyrics to ‘Misleading’ Dario left the other 2 tracks instrumental. Anyway 3 proper dancefloor tracks.

P-Ben ‘Kybalion EP’

Artist: P-Ben
Title: Kybalion EP
Label: Motech Records
Cat. #: MT139
Format: Digital Download / Streaming
Release Date: 27 November 2020
Tracklist:
1. Kybalion
2. Hors Normes
3. Unforgiven
4. CathedralMotech Records proudly present label regular P-Ben a.k.a. Benjamin Geelen with ‘Kybalion EP’ for what is the 139th release from this highly respected Detroit label.

The ‘Kybalion’ title is taken from a famous book about the study of the Hermetic Philosophy of Ancient Egypt and Greece. The title track kick-starts the EP in pure analogue distorted perfection resulting in high energy techno at its finest. Producer P-Ben adds, “this track is inspired by a tool track from the ’90s, based on rhythms from the Tr-909 and samples from an old polyphonic synthesizer”. Track two on the EP is ‘Hors Normes’ which moves to the metaphorical darker and harder room in the club – expect an industrial, pulsating, relentless tribal-techno groove! A track influenced by the work of the great Ben Sims and his Hardgroove imprint, P-Ben says, “this track utilises a few samples from my vinyl collection, which worked really well”.

Track three is titled ‘Unforgiven’, and as P-Ben points out, it draws inspiration from the legendary Jeff Mills, specifically tracks on his momentous Purpose Maker towards the end of the ’90s. A beautifully textured track with great use of reverb and subtle, harmonically pleasing piano stabs layered between percussive tribal drum patterns forming the perfect glue in this minimal groove. Commenting on the EP’s final track, P-Ben says, “its dark and very cavernous side immediately reminds me of a cathedral”, hence its majestic title. ‘Cathedral’, with its driving, reverberating techno and twisted grooves is a modern classic stomper, to wrap up another top quality release from Detroit stalwart, Motech Records.

‘Kybalion EP’ [MT137] by P-Ben is available on Motech via all digital and streaming platforms from November 27th.

Various ‘Teamwork Vol. I’

Artist: Various
Title: Teamwork Vol. I
Tracks by: Firmin, Karaba, Aiden Francis, Les Ondes
Label: Tessellate
Cat. #: TESS009
Format: Vinyl
Release Date: 20th November 2020
Tracklist:

Firmin – But On Second Thoughts, Perhaps I Will
Karaba – Vice Versa
Aiden Francis – Cloud Generator
Les Ondes – Phase One

London label Tessellate drops a VA release which includes four club-ready cuts from Firmin, Karaba, Aiden Francis and Les Ondes.

‘Teamwork’ is the first in Tessellate’s series of VAs which will aim to have a musical thread running through each release with this inaugural one focusing on the proggy side of breaky electro. This release comes off the back of four Tessellate outings in 2020 from T. Jacques, Kylin Tyce, Armless Kid and label bosses The Trip, which picked up support from the likes of Peach, Barely Legal, Cinthie and many more.

Firmin is a Berlin-based artist with two EPs out on Tessellate and kicks off the pack with ‘But On Second Thoughts, Perhaps I Will’ which lays focus on skippy rhythms, sunshine soaked pads and pulsing bass rolls before French producer Karaba who has previously released on T. Jacques’ Nuances de Nuit label follows with ‘Vice Versa’ offering up syncopated breaks-tinged percussion, otherworldly cosmic melodies and elastic acid squelches holding your focus throughout.

On the flip, Manchester’s Aiden Francis delivers the vibrant house track ‘Cloud Generator’ featuring skippy, energetic drums, resolute fx which develops wonderfully above the uplifting, spiralling synths while Paris-based producer Les Ondes rounds off the EP with ‘Phase One’ as the celestial atmospheres come to full force on this spiralling electro cut.

Various ‘Stomping Grounds (Music Is 4 Lovers Remixes)’

Artist: Various
Title: Stomping Grounds (Music Is 4 Lovers Remixes)
Tracks by: DuBeats, Juany Bravo, Mitch Dodge, PALOMA, SAAND, The Silver Rider
Label: Music is 4 Lovers
Cat. #: MI4LCOMP008
Format: Digital
Release Date: 20th November 2020

Music is 4 Lovers follows up the launch of their STOMPING GROUNDS V/A series with the remixes compilation, featuring remixes from each of the artists reimagining each other’s tracks.

STOMPING GROUNDS: Music is 4 Lovers Remixes is scheduled to hit digital platforms on Friday, November 20, 2020. Be on the lookout for the next STOMPING GROUNDS compilation in 2021 from another San Diego-based crew: Late Night Jackin.

Tracklist:

DuBeats – Mesmerized (The Silver Rider Remix)
Juany Bravo – Real High (DuBeats Remix)
Mitch Dodge – Freaks Like To Eat ft. JENNY VOSS (Juany Bravo Remix)
PALOMA – Canto De Media Noche (SAAND Remix)
SAAND – Work (Mitch Dodge Remix)
The Silver Rider – Cirrus Love Song (PALOMA Remix)

Mark Michael ‘Mirage’

Artist: Mark Michael
Title: Mirage
Label: Terminal M
Cat. #: TERM190
Release Date: 02.12.2020
Tracklist:
A: Mark Michael – Mirage
B1: Mark Michael – Horizon
B2: Mark Michael – Aurora

Terminal M welcomes the new family member Mark Michael.
“On his EP ‘Mirage’ he presents 3 strong tracks with deep melodies and pumping grooves which caught me from the first time I listened to them.” (Monika Kruse)