Innervisions made its name on records from its close-knit family of Âme, Dixon, Henrik Schwarz, Tokyo Black Star et al., so the label’s “Secret Weapons EP” series has acted as its window to the rest of the house and techno world. Combining Dixon’s voracious A&R appetite, the label’s esteemed reputation and a host of overlooked gems, “Secret Weapons” allowed Innervisions to release tracks it believed in without enlarging its roster. Although recent 12″s from Lil’ Tony, Boola and Culoe De Song suggest a softening of this attitude, Innervisions’ taste-making ears prove as sharp as ever for “Secret Weapons EP (Part Three).”
steve
Jitterbug, Raw Winter EP
April 6, 2009 – 10:32 PM
It’s taken London-based label Uzuri only six releases to define its coherent signature sound. 12″s from Cassy, Lerosa, Move D, Vakula and DJ Aakmael have cast Süd Electronic’s sister imprint as purveyor of raw house cuts conspicuously influenced by the genre’s American forefathers. Uzuri’s latest is also Jitterbug’s artistic debut, and its three original cuts and attendant DJ Qu remix fit easily into the mold set out by its predecessors.
The Mountain People, Mountain007
March 19, 2009 – 6:12 AM
Standing on the brink of vapid minimalism seems to have been enough to bring Mountain People back into the arms of tone and depth. Rozzo starved “Mountain006” of nearly all nourishing elements, leaving little for even some ardent supporters (myself included) to admire. Although the characteristic abundance of the first few Mountain People releases is returning only gradually, “Mountain007” is a fine return to form.
House Of House, Rushing to Paradise
March 11, 2009 – 7:43 PM
When you describe a track as “deep house,” what are you referring to? Presently the most common answer is a specific sound, one characterized by Rhodes (minor) chord stabs, mellow, hand-drummed grooves, and flecks of diva vocals or preacher a cappellas. The description has some merit, especially when applied to contemporary “deep house,” but I’ve always felt it leaves out a crucial aspect: depth. When music has depth — a wealth of elements and multiple layers of complexity — there’s so much more to hold dear, to relate to, to appreciate. It takes time to fully appreciate deep music’s density and the interplay between its range of sounds, as well as its impact from a big picture perspective. Depth alone is not enough to make music enjoyable or of high quality, but a deftly executed, bountiful song stands out widely from the pack. Listening to “Rushing to Paradise,” the debut single from Brooklyn’s House Of House, I get the sense its creators (Olivier Spencer of Still Going/Manthraxx and Saheer Umar) share my passion for depth in deep house.
Klockworks, Klockworks 04
February 22, 2009 – 10:58 PM
[Klockworks] (buy vinyl) (buy mp3s) Since its launch in 2006, Ben Klock’s Klockworks label/series has been a reliable venue for the Berghain resident’s most Spartan, DJ-geared tracks. Each subsequent release contained fewer elements, a shrinking tonal palette and a singular focus on bone-crunching grooves. “Klockworks 04,” in kind, is perhaps the most utilitarian yet, almost […]
Christian Vance, Tiger Snake EP
February 15, 2009 – 9:43 PM
Ripperton and Sam K’s label Perspectiv got its start in late 2006/early 2007, just as the former was approaching his peak popularity. The imprint pointed its new found limelight at a cast of relative unknowns like Minz, Ndru, Lucy, October and Dachshund, among others. But as Ripperton’s popularity waned post-Lazy Fat People, so did listeners’ appetite for his label’s fresh-faced selection and its singles have gone by mostly unnoticed. That’s a shame, because the end of 2008 was an especially fertile time for Perspectiv, which released a tasty platter from Dana Ruh (backed by an equally sumptuous Agnès remix) and Christian Vance’s debut, the “Tiger Snake EP.”
EQD, Equalized #002
January 25, 2009 – 8:37 PM
[Equalized] In many ways, Equalized can only be discussed as two rubber stamped records, each carved with of a deep understanding of and flexibility with rhythm. The scope of sounds found on their four sides could point to a number of talented, Hardwax-affiliated producers, solo or in collaboration. While the A side of “Equalized #001” […]
John Roberts, Bodywork
January 18, 2009 – 9:38 PM
Eyebrows raised and ears perked up when the close-knit Dial label added hitherto unknown, John Roberts, as the first American on its roster. “Hesitate,” his debut single that cobbled together deep-house movers from deftly manipulated samples and live instrumentation, did not disappoint. You could argue it was the most striking platter the imprint delivered in 2008 (in part because of a brief release schedule). All that in mind, anticipation and expectations for Roberts’ next release are high, and they’re likely to be met (and possibly exceeded) by “Bodywork,” his single-sided 12″ for John Daly’s Feel Music.
Talking Shopcast with echospace [detroit]
January 15, 2009 – 7:09 PM
Welcome to the twelfth edition of our series of interviews and mixes affectionately titled Talking Shopcast. The majority of media and fan attention gets showered on the artists who create the music we love to listen to/DJ with/dance to, and for good reasons. But without the hard work, keen ears and business savvy of label […]
Agnes/Chaton/Ripperton, +91 Ahead Session 2
January 11, 2009 – 8:10 PM
[Plak Records] Chaton, founder of Plak Records, has produced serviceable if spartan grooves for Sthmlaudio Recordings and his own label since they both debuted in 2001. I find his tracks are most ear-catching when they’re remixed, as they have been by Agnès (“Catch the Beat”) and now Ripperton. He constructs the canvas for others to […]
Matthew Styles, Speculate This…
January 4, 2009 – 11:40 PM
Matthew Styles took the long road to acclaim before puncturing charts and year end lists with the propulsive grind of “We Said Nothing.” As a manager of Crosstown Rebels and well rated DJ, he was already plugged into the scene before dropping his first collaborative and solo releases (the ill-advised “Baby Judy” homage with Jamie Jones and for Dinky’s label Horizontal, respectively). Firsthand knowledge of floor-filling fillips honed his own productions such that his first real hit cratered clubs wherever it was played, even if the flipsides were all too easily overlooked. Style’s second Horizontal single, “Speculate This…” plays out with similar gusto, except the tables are turned: the deep B cut is the one worth skipping to.
DJ Sprinkles, Midtown 120 Blues
December 10, 2008 – 8:24 PM
[Mule Musiq] Like disco before it, house music was born in queer club culture, one of the few places its artists and patrons — mostly gay minority men — could be themselves without fear of reprisal. And also like disco, house was co-opted by ever larger audiences, shedding its ethnicity and sexuality along the way. […]
The Mountain People, Mountain 006
November 30, 2008 – 6:03 PM
[Mountain People] Since launching the Mountain People label to house his homage to The Mole People’s incredible “Break Night,” André (Rozzo and Peter Dildo) Schmid’s tracks under the moniker have gradually dried out, as he’s become a near teetotaler for melody. Considering how lush the imprint started (and was continued by Serafin and Roman Bruderer), […]
Sten live & Steve Mizek spins @ Sonotheque tomorrow
November 24, 2008 – 8:49 AM
Dial Records manager and excellent producer in his own right, Sten/Lawrence makes his Chicago debut tomorrow night at Sonotheque (1444 W. Chicago Ave). LWE editor in chief, Steve Mizek, and event promoter cavarly (The Body Politic) will be providing support. Little White Earbuds is proud to sponsor this FREE event and we sincerely hope you […]
Pépé Bradock, Pistes Insolites Vol. 3
November 23, 2008 – 9:43 PM
[Atavisme] Underlying Pépé Bradock’s production genius is a vein of weirdness which has grown wider and more prominent at surface level with each passing year. Its influence in the direction and aesthetic of Bradock’s work was apparent even in his relatively straightforward French deep-house tracks from the 90’s, with a willingness to disengage from four-to-the-floor […]
Margaret Dygas, See You Around
November 16, 2008 – 7:40 PM
[Non Standard Productions] For a producer who seems enthralled with a quintessential set of musicians and entertainers (as evinced by her top Myspace friends), Margaret Dygas’ latest release could hardly be further from the norms and standards of dance music. The Polish producer’s thorny and compellingly off-kilter debut for Contexterrior hinted at experimental instincts, and […]
LWE Interviews Dave Aju (part 2)
November 13, 2008 – 8:25 PM
Photo by dCOY In part two of our interview with Dave Aju, we discuss the balance between fun and function, the reception to his music, and his plans for the coming year.
LWE Interviews Dave Aju
November 12, 2008 – 7:49 PM
Photo by de’fchild productions (defchild.com) Marc Barrite, better known as the producer/DJ Dave Aju, once quoted George Clinton when describing his musical mission, aspiring to “rescue dance music from the blahs.” But a more popular Clinton quote tidily sums up the San Franciscan’s approach to making music: “Free your mind and your ass will follow.” […]
Barack Obama for President
November 3, 2008 – 2:22 PM
Taking a break from techno/house, LWE’s editor in chief offers a few thoughts on the election. Unlike many democracies whose election seasons often resemble a month long sprint, America’s presidential campaigns have grown into epic marathons lasting up to two years. That may seem excessive on the face of things, but it’s proven a great […]
DJ Bone, Circus World EP
October 26, 2008 – 7:32 PM
[Subject Detroit] 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 […]