Louk's Reviews - August 2001
Louk
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Dee Mark - Moonwalker
Redemption
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Moonwalker (Original Mix) |
Full Review: After months of nagging Redemption boss Bhaskar for a copy this track finally came today. First surfacing on Germany's "Fog Area" label with plays from local DJs, I knew how good this track was and went right after it. I only have a one sided copy but when the full release will come out it will feature a remix from Dom Harding who is half of "Butch & Sundance". So you know you are in for a treat. The Original Mix has it all really, drum programming, a full on synth underlay, 303s and to top it all off a Toybox melody. This drops into a vocal of "I go insane you running around my brain" which is a strong hint this track is German. The track comes back in and builds up into a breakdown where the track fades out then fades into the huge riff, toybox melody and strings. The toybox melody really gives the track an odd edge and It certainly appeals to me. One huge build up occurs and when the track kicks in this is serious dancefloor stuff. Redemption even guarentee that if this doesn't make people yelp on the dancefloor they'll come down and sort everyone out. All I say to that is to look out for this track as soon as possible as its definitely recommended by me.
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Toxen - Nightmare Walking
Redemption
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Nightmare Walking (Original Mix) |
Full Review: Redemption return with another one sided promo. This time from new signings Toxen. Toxen are Brian Hope and a top Scottish DJ who doesn't want his identity known. Brian Hope has also produced as Tocayo and has a release on the "23:7" label. There is only the original mix on offer on this record but when the full release comes out there will be a remix by Redemption's in house producer Colin McNeil. The Original Mix starts off with a simple drumloop and FX it isn't long before a really pounding kick drum comes in and at this point the track is very similar to productions by Medicine Men on the Carnal label. A really dark synth underlay comes in and the track leads into the breakdown with parts of the riff filtering up and "I Am A Nightmare Walking" voal by rapper "Ice-T". The riff comes in fully and the track builds up and kicks back in. The track continues until the second breakdown where some really dark orchestral strings come in playing a new melody. This is really dark and scary stuff and no doubt will terrorise those who hear it. No doubt I will be charting this to the max. For more information check out http://www.redemption.co.uk
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Clive O' Riordan - Clive All Funked Up
Mr Progressive
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Clive All Funked Up (Original Mix) |
Full Review: This is to my knowledge the first release on Croydon Based label Mr Progressive but I must say I am very impressed. "Clive All Funked Up" has a really tough drum pattern which is guarenteed to get get anyone moving and a bassline which doesnt drop throughout the whole track. Lots of industrial sounds are added with some tribal loops and extra FX. This is 7 Minutes of Tough, Funky progressive which I'm sure will be licensed to a big label very shortly. Check it out.
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Perfect Phase - Deliver The Shiver
WL
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Deliver The Shiver
Shooters |
Full Review: The Freak And Mac Zimms' Perfect Phase outfit have had some very successful releases in the past and this new two tracker from them will most likely go the same way. "Deliver The Shiver" is a bouncy house track with a more harder sound than their recent output. The track builds up with tough drums and a funky bassline and drops down into some strings taken from a classical track which completely ruin the track in my view. "Shooters" on the B-Side takes the same approach but replaces the string samples with a hard and stabby synth. Not exactly their best production in my view.
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Katana - Fancy Fair
Silver Premium
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Fancy Fair
Rubaduba |
Full Review: Both Katana and Silver Premium are two labels which I have shown an interest in before, especially after "Silence". Katana have decided to return with this two tracker and "Fancy Fair" is an out and out hard techno track with twisted drums and suprisingly a breakdown with a riff in which is excellent to say the least while "Rubaduba" takes a more tribal approach still retaining the techno sound but taking a funkier approach. Will be in my chart for a while.
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Precision - Diff'rence
Vinyl Inside
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Diff'rence
Plaza Di Christo |
Full Review: As far as I know this is the first release from Pascal Van Eijk's "Precision" project but it is really funky and set to impress. "Diff'rence" is full of Tight drums, Funky basslines and stabs are at the ready with a spoken vocal every few beats. "Plaza Di Christo's" is similar in style but is a bit more on the monotonous side. Like "Diff'Rence" this track also is very funky which fans of Vinyl Inside will love and is Still an excellent release from the Vinyl Inside label which is definately worth a listen.
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Lomp & Z - Lomp-Z
WL Holland
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Lomp-Z (Original Mix)
Lomp-Z (Dub Mix) |
Full Review: BPMDance's White Label series has thrown up some very good tracks in the past such as a favourite of mine "Bootleg Horns - Holdin' On". This release from Lomp & Z is an odd one. The Dub mix is a good six of tough funky drums and a siren with a funky bassline. Unfortunately there isn't really much else but this isn't a problem as with the few sounds available is till keeps me interested. The original however isn't so interesting so definately stick with the A side.
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Various - Dynamix 009
Dynamix
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Energy + S4 - Evil Returns (Hard NRG Mix)
Safe N Sound feat Lockdown - Morphosis |
Full Review: BPMDance's White Label series has thrown up some very good tracks in the past such as a favourite of mine "Bootleg Horns - Holdin' On". This release from Lomp & Z is an odd one. The Dub mix is a good six of tough funky drums and a siren with a funky bassline. Unfortunately there isn't really much else but this isn't a problem as with the few sounds available is till keeps me interested. The original however isn't so interesting so definately stick with the A side.
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Various - Nu Energy 022
Nu Energy
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Safe N Sound - Casading Minds
Super X, Persuasion + K Komplex - Bass Oddity |
Full Review: Kevin Energy's Nu Energy label has become a well known name for fans of something a little bit hard and fast. Safe N Sound (aka Sharkey and K-Komplex) have teamed up with Cynista on the A side and it has it all. "Cascading Minds" starts off with a breakbeat into euphoric gated strings and a build up this track is intense, acidic swirls and a vocal saying words related to the track title. "Bass Oddity" on first listen blew me back. An intro with stabs, dark sweeps and vocal teasers lead into a full on speaker attack. No suprise that some space samples are in it. A wicked 303 build up comes in which is enough to make anyone rush and then the breakdown kicks in a breakbeat, space vocals and some choirs. Going to be supporting both of these tracks in my chart for a few weeks at least. Check it out.
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Various - Dynamix 010
Dynamix
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The Preacher + John Paul - Power
K Komplex - Galactica |
Full Review: Another release from Dynamix comes from The Preacher (who has been having a busy time with his successful DJing accross the UK) and John Paul. "Power" reminds me on first listen of some stuff on DP recordings but much faster. A Very happy full on Crowd Pleaser done in fine style with a riff thats very catch and 303s at the ready I personally think this is definately worth checking. "Galactica" on the B is produced by K Komplex (who is one half of Safe N Sound). Full on hard trance which takes no prisoners at all with a hard resonant build up into a driving riff, to class this track as something only for the headstrong is an understatement. Vocals and a driving hoover riff come in the breakdown and this is definately one to get you moving.
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X-Ceptional Music - Volume 1
X-Ceptional Music
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Radical
Elliptical (Energy) Noisefloor - Ultrawave (Higherstate Remix) Strickly Drum N Bass Reso Didier Rosseau - Openminded (B.J Kunnen Mix) Mystic Movements Meltdown Funky Feelings Part 2 Darkness Dimitri M - Discotrain Dimitri M - Slammer |
Full Review: At the forefront of X-Ceptional Music is Dutch Producer Bas Kunnen. He has had success with his releases under the name Noisefloor and Cassini and this 12 Track CD is a collection of his recent unreleased work that should be hitting shops soon. His Noisefloor project has also recently started touring live and some of these tracks are from his live act. "Radical" starts with a funky driving beat and deep bassline with stabs, it isn't long before this track breaks down into a dark but melodic riff which builds up and launches into a very dark trance track which works really well with the drum programming. "Elliptical (Energy)" begins with a twisted FX loop and some very tribal drum programming comes in with a dark bassline like on "Radical". This leads into a really weird breakdown in which filters are put to full effect and when the track kicks in it is a funky breakbeat tune. Both of these tracks are taken from the Live act. "Ultrawave (Higherstate Remix)" is a remake of the succesful Noisefloor track on Combined Forces. It has been updated as the track has added some really nice and dreamy strings which give the track a less frantic approach compared to the full on original.
"Strickly Drum N Bass" is another track from the Live Act. Opening with some warm pads, shakers and claves and a vocal repeating the title. This track unsuprisingly launches into a drum and bass track which is slower considering the usual pace of the style but is still pretty intense. A dark saw wave bassline also is at hand to do some speaker damage. "Reso" is exactly what it says on the tin (or CD in this case), six minutes of filtering and resonant sweeps with a funky beat but little else unfortunately and the other tracks on this CD so far are much better. The "B.J Kunnen Mix" of "Openminded" by "Didier Rosseau" is a funky hard edged track in the same style as "Club System" by "Noisefloor". There are some nice and sharp sweeps with some complex drum programming and in the breakdown a really nice laid back riff comes over a shuffled drumloop. This track will be released on Beats Included Records. "Mystic Movements" is another track from the live act. Bouncy Drums lead into the bassline and this drops down as the lead instrument is filtered with. When the riff comes in fully this is certainly a track to get you smiling in no time and dancing to with its very happy theme.
"Meltdown" is a simple yet hard edged trance tune with a tight and punchy drum beat and saw wave bassline. The track does not let the bassline drop at all for the whole seven minutes. Other elements are included such as organs and some more drums but that is it really. On "Funky Feelings Part 2" we are treated to six minutes of a bouncy and uplifting trance track with an upbeat bassline, warm pads and a riff similar to Luvstruck by Southside Spinners. This is very good stuff but the kick drum was quiet in this mix which is its only fault. "Part 1" is released on Part Of The Deal Records. "Darkness" is very similar to "Infinity" by "Cassini" which was a favourite of mine last year. The same rolling bassline and uptempo beat are still here. The track goes into a breakdown with some strings and a dreamy vocal. This builds up and kicks back in. With all these elements this is one very good track. This track is also taken from the Live Act. "Discotrain" by "Dimitri M" is a funky house track which after the drums leads into a filtered breakdown and when this builds up there is a different drum section than before the buildup. More Filters are at the use throught the track and this really is one for the house floors with its manic build up and frantic snare patterns. "Slammin" also by "Dimitri M" is a weird track which plays on the resonance over a simple drum pattern. Strings come in later but unfortunately little else to grab my interest. Both of these tracks are coming out on Ala Bianca Records.
Almost all twelve tracks on this CD are very good and I would definately check out this guy's production talents as he is sure to go far. Check out http://www.x-ceptionalmusic.com for more information.
Louk