Various Artists, Workshop 11

[Workshop]


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The wait between volumes in the Workshop catalog can be nearly excruciating for diehard fans, yet the salve for the pain is also the cause: consistently excellent new releases that are few and far between. Their sudden, unheralded appearances on the Hard Wax website are events that pit fans, DJs and critics against each other to snag a copy of the hand-pressed records, only a handful of which appear on shelves each year. Workshop 11, their second release of 2010, is another of the imprint’s famous compilation EPs, bringing together the now well established Even Tuell with relative newcomers Madteo and Midnightopera.

Even Tuell dominates the A-side with a deep slice of hazy, narcotic house. With Mala-strength low end and a propulsive bass line the track has a strange sense of heavy momentum. Blurry tones drift in and heap on top of one another while dutiful rimshots keep time ticking along. Its hypnotism recalls Even Tuell’s well-loved Workshop 04 offering, but is more likely to have dancers standing still in bewilderment. Something this unusual requires a couple of listens to sink in, but once you’ve taken the plunge you’ll likely wish you could submerge yourself in its murky depths indefinitely.

Somehow outshining Even Tuell’s contribution is the incredible B1 track from Italian-born New Yorker Madteo. Like the A side, it’s unlikely to be pulled out by DJs at peak hours thanks to a glacial tempo that stuns rather than sets in motion. A shifting bass line fathoms below even many UK bass music records is almost the only element constant here, with movie quotes drifting in and out and a barely-there beat only occasionally puncturing the din. Midnightopera has two tough acts to follow but puts on a good show with the analog warmth of the B2 cut. It brings to mind the drifting, ponderous Songs From The Beehive by Move D and Benjamin Brunn, and with so many sounds buried under the surface begs close listening. Workshop 11 is perhaps the darkest and most difficult Workshop yet — and that’s certainly saying something — but wrapping your head around its grooves reveals a truly mesmerizing record.

Blaktony  on November 16, 2010 at 10:46 AM

Nice piece of music; though maybe not for dancefloors,perfect for drifting or driving.

Per Bojsen-Moller  on November 16, 2010 at 3:58 PM

That last sentence sums it up wonderfully. Workshop records can’t be purchased just on their dance floor appeal and for that reason they may seem to be superfluous to some, but they remain essential.

matteo  on November 17, 2010 at 12:22 PM

The original and deepest dancefloors are in the minds and spirits of the listener. ‘Dance’ music was never born to be dancefloor music (Africa ??? hallo ) lol

Matter fact, when having the deepest time on a ‘real’ dancefloor, you’ll prob. see me nodding off with my eyes closed, like I’m in the zone on some DMT trip but hells no, I’m just on Da/Mad/Teo tip….. lol

Plus, I Live in NY and its 2010, not many dancefloors I’d wanna be in.

Sibonelo Zulu  on November 25, 2010 at 5:18 AM

I love workshop releases. I will grab this one, I am sure its worth it.

@Matteo, eish man, I am from South Africa but I have to agree with you when you say “‘Dance’ music was never born to be dancefloor music.”

matteo  on December 2, 2010 at 3:18 PM

word up Sibonelo Zulu ! ahah man I soo hope to get to The Motherland before I go !!! best < M

Trackbacks

Madteo, Noi No | Little White Earbuds  on December 6, 2012 at 11:02 AM

[…] of hallowed labels, yet he only seems at home wherever he decides to drop. The three tracks on Workshop that many rightfully consider his breakthrough are all intensely maniacal, ideally suited for the […]

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