Minimal / Tech House Recommendations May 2010

Review: Austere yet undeniably groovy techno from Raiz aka Vangelis and Vidal Vargas, released on the unnervingly titled Historia Y Violencia imprint. The title track, also called "Raiz," features a squelchy 909 bassline, underpinned by a mesmeric flow. Sandwell District man Silent Servant (who runs the Violencia label - maybe we should ask him about the name) produces a killer edit on the flip, pounding out a slightly heavier bassline but keeping things tight throughout. We would classify this as beard-stroking techno, but our wiggling bums and shuffling shoes seem to disagree.

Review: Combining some deep-throated vocals, classic piano lines and a touch of the Perculator, Nelski's "Body Pop" is a bouncy house treat which will prove a fresh and funky summer essential. Rekids chief Radio Slave extends the breakdowns nicely on his mix while Jesse Rose also stretches things out on his mix, giving a techy sheen to the beats while still keeping them funky as hell. Nelski's own remix gives it some extra heat for the dancefloor, but the original will work just as well in any dancing-related situation - guaranteed!

Review: Guy Gerber's Supplement Facts imprint reaches it twentieth release by welcoming the fast rising Till Von Sein into the family. The German producer has made a string of impressive releases over the last few years but the warm and summery, groove based "Sundowna" looks set to finally demand the attention that his productions deserve.


The release opens with the playful, yet deep and groovy original version by Von Sein himself. An array of drums, shuffling chords and sweeping pads join the child-like vocals to add the fun whereas the deep rumbling bass and warm synth parts bring the sexier element to the track. Supplement Facts combine the old and the new for the first of three remixes by asking label hero Dyed Soundorom to join label newcomer Shonky to rework the track. The result is a more club orientated version which immediately finds the swing of Shonky's signature sound but merges it with the rumbling basslines sub bass of Dyed Soundorom. The remix continues to builds throughout the constant groove until chords and filtered pads crash into the mix at once, creating the perfect club moment.


New York legend Joeski is up next, assuming a classic NYC house groove by stripping down the percussion and stepping up the 4/4s. Enchanting key motifs complete the cultured and easy feel of the excellent remix. Londoners Layo & Bushwacka! draw the package to an end with a looptastic stomper. A simple and driving relentless bassline rumbles below tribal percussion and high end wild sounding effects, creating yet another whole new dimension on the EP.


Quite simply this is one of Supplement Facts' best releases to date. Embracing the sun and warmth of summer, the "Sundowna" EP is easy on the soul and dance inducing in equal measure. The impeccably selected producers on the project find the perfect balance between the two to our delight.

Review: Part 2 begins in a much more chipper mood. "Calais Douvres" seems to spill a joyous attitude out of every hole. A bristling beat and hollow percussion sets the tone from the off before Carrier's signature groove swings in and sweeps the listener off their feet and on a fun filled ride.
"Quadrilette" keeps a similar attitude, but this time adds a churning bassline that is so raw you can hear it rattling away at its deepest depth. Tribal-like percussion adds the funk and the tone is lightened further by the female vocal as made famous by Til West's "Same Man." Ending with the drum led "Le Divan Japonais," the release saunters into a rhythmic groove. Sub bass murmurs beneath the percussion at first but then makes itself more prominent as Carrier lets loose.



As a child, Carrier was exposed to all the classic sounds of the 60s and 70s through his parents. Yet as an adult, he discovered the techno raves of the early nineties. Both of these influences can be heard in Carrier's music, as he attempts to bring the best parts of both sounds together into one place. He manages this task with a seemingly natural ease here.



At a time where the boundaries between genres are continuing to blur, Gosse De Paris, both parts 1 and 2 make their own conclusions on the formula of modern electronic music

Review: James Flavour is a slave to house music. Here he teams up with old friends Sasse and Michelle Owen for this pumping house EP. His collaboration with Sasse on the title track fuses old school samples, deep keys and a grooving bass. "What's in a Name" with Owen sticks to the overall sound but adds hazy piano chords for good measure. Two Sasse remixes and another James Flavour original join in to keep the house party rocking all night.

Review: Steve Bug's unshakably individual imprint, Poker Flat reaches its one hundred and eleventh release with a concise yet masterfully produced two tracker from the boss himself. "Flight 111" takes in the usual Steve Bug ethos that less is more, spawning two dark and enveloping house tracks that build from unassuming positions into club killers.



"Metro Alpin" kicks things off in a haunting and moody fashion. It evolves from a firm analog base, but manages to build itself up through a groove of intertwined acid tweaks and smooth phasing chords. The reduced levels are worked so skilfully that it actually gives the track a driving, techy feel. It’s deep, but still driving at the same time much like the sound of early Detroit that Bug clearly has an interest in. The track also has an intensely hypnotic feel, spellbinding the listener in a myriad of tech sounds and cushioned glitch.



On the flip, "Outside Inn"keeps it atmospheric and moody but adds more funk courtesy of a punchy bassline. With more of a raw sound than the A side, the beat is kept simple whilst tense and rising synth lines that intercept one another provide the intricacy that demands the listener’s attention.



Again, Bug has been able to build with subtlety here, making it even more captivating when it drops in the later stages.



Steve Bug is never one to follow trends and hype, and as his ever established career continues to develop we are made sure that this will never change. At a time when percussive house tracks are all the rage, the unique German drops a brace of accomplished reduced yet highly hypnotic, techy tracks, proving not only that Steve Bug is a true individual but also that his production skills are second to none. As he constantly reminds us, "music is about passion, not fashion."