01. Âme, Fabric 42 [Fabric] (buy)
While few mixes have received many repeat listens at LWE HQ this year, Âme’s Fabric 42 has proven to be a huge exception. Not only does the mix mirror the sounds inspiring Âme’s own music, it’s woven together with a definite narrative and purpose, flowing from the ethereal strains of Linkwood to the incisively incredible Mixworks “Berlin Dub” to the obscure yet thriving KB Project. Although the a cappellas have rankled some, I find their choice in messages (”Accept yourself” from Moondog, “stand up for yourself” via Sharvette/Armando, “face the truth” from Those Guys) to be both compelling and providing a nice brainy balance to a mix that would have dancers turning off their minds to concentrate on dancing. Hands down my favorite mix of the year.
02. Paul Frick, “Knock On Wood, Babe” [Kalk Pets] (buy)
Our favorite avant-garde composer-cum-house producer, Paul Frick, is back with his second EP for Kalk Pets, the punningly titled “Knock On Wood EP.” Although the whole EP is a treat, especially the sample heavy and hilariously narrated “Steal My Heart” (hear it on Kalk Pets’ Myspace), “Knock On Wood, Babe” is the cut that will land this in DJs’ crates. More energetic and challenging than “Rasmus Farber Plays the Marimba,” Frick chops up Matthias Engler’s propulsive marimba runs into tinkling icicles and deep, syncopated chords under which his house beat snaps open and shut. Another clear sign Frick is not to be slept on.
03. Wink, “Stay Out All Night” [Ovum Recordings] (buy)
It took a bit of trainspotting to realize that the record I kept hearing in mixes and in the club was Josh Wink’s newest. Not being to much of a Wink fan, I was pleased that his move to the deep end of the pool was both relatively restrained and seemingly genuine. Its core organ riff lingers in the mind as if it’d been lurking there for ages and works a treat with the jazzy noodles and acid syncopations. Fizzy and ripe for mixing, “Stay Out All Night” might be one of Wink’s best tracks in ages.
04. Quenum, “Mokossa” [Thema] (buy) After his huge debut for Cadenza, Philippe Quenum sort of fell off most enthusiasts’ radar in spite of singles for Num, Plak, Platzhirsch and Orac. His latest, “Vault Elements,” is from May but still warrants attention, not least because of the supplemental digi-only track “Mokossa.” Quenum guides listeners through an incredibly diverse journey through jacking rhythms, tribal percussion, disoriented skat vocals and gurgling pads, all while maintaining a loose and low slung stance and swagger. The original EP is well worth a listen as well, especially the hymnal house chords of “Venice.” A solid reason not to let Quenum (or Thema, for that matter) stray too far from your line of sight.
05. Mathias Kaden, “Perclue” [GS] (buy)
Mathias Kaden has proven ahead of the curve in his concerted interest for tribal percussion, and “Perclue” from his split with Knor finds him still a few steps in front of the crowd. That he’s able to precisely blend a seemingly endless array of hand percussion without suffocating dancers is impressive, as are reverent vocal surges and bass plucks which keep proceedings fresh. Kaden is definitely one artist young producers should look to before wading into the land of all things bongo.
paul frick ep is fucking awesome!!!!!!!!!!
check also his remix for scott on the ep “anytime”, MBFltd12018 !!
Mattes on
October 3rd, 2008
Hahahaaa… Mathias Kaden is so hot!
hutlock on
October 3rd, 2008
I really liked the Wink track on that M_nus comp from a few years back, Minimize to Maximize. It was called something like “Have To Get Back”? I was shocked to find out it was him even!
I’ve been waiting for that Kaden track ever since I heard it in a set he did with vivanco in april. I really like the way it changes. When I first heard it I thought it was two different songs.
just discovered the web, brilliant!
check boris brejcha (along with stimming the hottest producers right now)
his tracks Frühlingsbienchen and Mein Wahres Ich blow away all the bleepin generic minimal trend
btw straight to bookmarks
JJ on
October 8th, 2008
Love the Quenum release, all tracks are Ace!
Thema Rocks!!! A label to look out for.
I really love the theme concept behind it and I look forward to see who will be on their new “Terra Project” releases. I like it when labels have more substance to it than just following trends.
After his huge debut for Cadenza, Philippe Quenum sort of fell off most enthusiasts’ radar in spite of singles for Num, Plak, Platzhirsch and Orac. His latest, 
link to the paul frick track goes to the dj koze remix of “miinimal”
ame’x mix, fucking sick, today i listened to raw structure to six-ten about 10 times in total, defintely feeling it, powerful.
amex ? edit^
yeah ame’s mix fucking rules… also, good to see some stimming and shed on the staff lists. word you guys
Tracks should be correct now; thanks for the head’s up.
paul frick ep is fucking awesome!!!!!!!!!!
check also his remix for scott on the ep “anytime”, MBFltd12018 !!
Hahahaaa… Mathias Kaden is so hot!
I really liked the Wink track on that M_nus comp from a few years back, Minimize to Maximize. It was called something like “Have To Get Back”? I was shocked to find out it was him even!
Yeah me too “Have to get back” (non vox version). Killer piece of deep minimal.
I’ve been waiting for that Kaden track ever since I heard it in a set he did with vivanco in april. I really like the way it changes. When I first heard it I thought it was two different songs.
Yeah!
just discovered the web, brilliant!
check boris brejcha (along with stimming the hottest producers right now)
his tracks Frühlingsbienchen and Mein Wahres Ich blow away all the bleepin generic minimal trend
btw straight to bookmarks
Love the Quenum release, all tracks are Ace!
Thema Rocks!!! A label to look out for.
I really love the theme concept behind it and I look forward to see who will be on their new “Terra Project” releases. I like it when labels have more substance to it than just following trends.