[Sect Records] (buy vinyl) (buy mp3s)

If you’re an avid LWE reader you may remember DJ Bone’s debut for then unheard of Sect Records that arrived mysteriously in a plain white CD sleeve, which had staff and readers alike speculating over its provenance. Nearly two years on, Sect has introduced the wider world to aspiring techno artists such as Grovskopa, Jolka and even Bone’s own daughter, Aleckxis Jaina — as well as serving as a reintroduction to the underrated D Knox. Bone, on the other hand, has been keeping steady with his own Subject Detroit label, almost single-handedly keeping techno (in a purist’s sense) alive in his hometown.

Bone’s return to Sect is an about face from the frenetic techno that has characterized many of his previous releases. “Sunday Morning” is marked by a plaintive synth and piano chord structure, while the tempo is much slower and percussion more restrained than a usual Bone production. The melody is what stands out as the piano is used to form the base line and the higher notes interplay to form more fleshed out motifs that work well as a whole. “Sunday Night” retains the same melodic theme but ups the ante on the rhythm, bringing in hand drums, a bristling snare pulse and gliding hi-hats. It ends up sounding closer to the Bone we remember, but with more thoughtful melodic development. But it’s “Morning” that stands out, maybe for the sheer fact that it doesn’t sound like the Bone we know.

This week DJ Bone’s restless, thumping LWE Podcast is making its way into the archives. Don’t miss this whirlwind tour through the sounds of Subject Detroit — download it here before the file is taken down on Friday, February 26th at 10am CST.

[Sect Records] (buy vinyl) (buy mp3s)

It was pretty easy to spot the kids at school whose parents helped them with their homework. You’d be standing in front of the class proudly displaying your latest portrait of a family member, your sister’s limbs appearing miraculously from her amorphous blob of a body, her hair five shocked strands of pencil colored wire. Then one of the so-called wunderkinds steps up with a perfectly executed scene of their entire family at the dinner table, lounging with some air of ethereal pre-Raphaelite grace, their togas delicately draped to preserve their modesty. And so it is with the latest from Sect Records, whose third release is supposedly the result of the pre-pubescent offspring of two of techno’s finest producers. Rennie Foster’s twin girls (Dahlia and Mariko), although not even in double digits yet, are supposedly behind the immaculate, uplifting disco tech of “Butterscotch.” Kalimba-like percussion and breezy flutes are met by dramatic orchestral sweeps and a solid, funking bass, and despite the sum of its parts it never comes across as cheese laden. You’d be hard placed to find a clubber not eagerly engaged by this track.

DJ Bone’s own little protégé is a few years older but at the tender age of twelve, it’s somewhat hard to believe Aleckxis Jaina has taken so many of her father’s creative traits that she can make the same spine tingling techno with such derivative precision. All of the classic Bone elements are present: skipping, propulsive hi-hats and wriggling, demented melodies all encased in a soft womb of pads. There’s really no faulting either of these tracks and Sect Records comes away with another winner for their short but increasingly impressive discography. But you’ve got to wonder how much of the music these youngsters can really claim here (for the part of Aleckxis aka The Future, her bio points to her being the real deal). I guess we’ll find out when they start doing live PA’s.

[Subject Detroit] (buy vinyl) (buy mp3s)

What sets apart DJ Bone and, indeed, his label Subject Detroit, from the pack is the rawness and energy coursing through their numerous releases. In “No Sleep (True To Da Roots),” Bone’s jaw-dropping EP for Sect Records, this was embodied in the hands-on method with which the tracks were arranged, each gridless rhythm and slight imperfection reminding listeners that humans, not machines, were in charge. His LWE podcast, assembled largely from the Subject catalog, found the unpolished aesthetic equally charming on a broader scale. So it should come as little surprise that “Circus World EP,” one of DJ Bone’s four Subject releases so far this year, makes good with a similar approach to pumping techno.

A close cousin to “Higher” from the aforementioned “No Sleep,” “Circus World” layers a familiar galloping synth progression atop widely reverberating percussion (as if recorded in an empty factory), churning with mechanical energy. DJ Bone’s weary and distorted tenor, which laments artists who “replicate” and a “circus world” with no chance of escape, contrasts with unrelenting progressions and the metallic upstroke intensifying with each passing measure. Only the hope that music and dancing offer some reprieve from everyday life keeps the existential dread at bay; the instrumental mix is perhaps a bit friendlier to fragile minds. But for all the trepidation of side A, “One More Tune” offers a perfect tonic on the flipside, based heavily upon a sample of a particularly determined Edinburgh crowd who refused to leave the dance floor. Its looped whistles and chants, played against a swooning shade of synth pads and flanged percussion, embody the sort of atmosphere DJs and dancers alike crave from a night out. Musically unguarded and unabashedly emotional, the “Circus World EP” proves again why DJ Bone should be anything but one of Detroit’s best kept secrets.

When we finally figured out that Detroit’s DJ Bone was behind “No Sleep (True To Da Roots),” the first mysteriously launched release from Sect Records, it was only a matter of time before we rifled through his deep back catalog and saw a long history of quality tunes. Would his fast and furious producing style carry over to his DJ sets? The answer is loud and furiously clear in this exclusive mix which provides a sweat-inducing overview of Bone’s label, Subject Detroit. Try to keep up.

LWE Podcast 07: DJ Bone (49:44)

Tracklisting:

01. DJ Bone, “Fam (Create)” [Sect Records]
02. DJ Bone, “GTC” (DJ Bone’s Deep Concentration Mix) [Subject Detroit]
03. DJ Bone, “The Vibe” [Subject Detroit]
04. DJ Bone, “No Sleep (True To Da Roots)” [Subject Detroit]
05. Trench, “Arrival” [Subject Detroit]
06. The Future, “They Call Me” [Sect Records]
07. Rennie Foster, “Hustle N’ Flow” [Subject Detroit]
08. DJ Bone, “Himbot” [Subject Detroit]
09. Stephen Brown, “MG” [Subject Detroit]
10. DJ Bone, “Higher” [Sect Records]
11. Stephen Brown, “Keygroups” [Subject Detroit]
12. DJ Bone, “Thursday Night” [Subject Detroit]
13. DJ Bone, “Tru Warriors” (Spirit Mix) [Subject Detroit]
14. Stephen Brown, “Music Is” [Subject Detroit]
15. Crudo, “First year” [Subject Detroit]
16. Crudo, “Slave of Rhythms” [unreleased]
17. DJ Bone, “Circus World” [Subject Detroit]
18. Joris Voorn, “Revelation” [Green]

Read an interview with DJ Bone after the jump.

When and where did you make the mix?

DJ Bone: I did this mix live in my studio last week (9/8/08). I was motivated by something interesting I read so I jumped up and did the mix. They’re always better when I’m inspired.

What’s the concept behind the mix?

The concept was to bring the moodier side of techno into a dancefloor mentality. It’s not bang-bang-bang, but it definitely makes you want to move. And once you’re moving you start to feel the emotion come out of each song. So I’m basically mixing emotions on this mix.

Who are a few of your favorite DJs and why?

I have to be completely honest with you about this, there are very few DJs I admire. This is because of all the great DJs I witnessed in Detroit when techno was kicking off. Those years spoiled me for life. I always dig when Derrick May plays. I also love listening to Laurent Garnier, Theo Parrish, Aaron Carl, Deetron and Ken Ishii. I think DJ Bone isn’t half bad either!

What can we expect from you for the rest of the year?

I am going to finish up my new album titled Another Language and release another mix CD. We also have a couple of compilations coming out and a few secret projects that I can’t speak about (too many of my concepts have been stolen already). I’m also doing some gigs in Europe.

LWE Podcast 07: DJ Bone