D Dub - Deep Blue (Stimming Remix) 2008

Deadmau5 'Faxing Berlin' 2007

ALBUM REVIEW: V/A WATERGATE X OUT 9 NOVEMBER

OMG 10 years. Where did the time go? This comp has been boiling for a decade and is showing no signs of slowing down yet. This is a 2 disc unmixed CD which was a little disappointing as I would have liked a bonus mixed disc too but the collectors box does come with a bonus DVD about Watergate including interviews history, a photo album and a triple vinyl set and a poster and guest list admission card. Check out the stream below for a taste. 

4/5 

CTZN V41N

STREAM / DL: Soul Button - Shadows EP Mixtape

An air of mystery surrounds the artist responsible for Steyoyoyoke‘s third release, titled ‘Shadows‘ out May 11th. The anonymous artist, given the name Soul Button, takes the helms for the label’s May release, but if you don't want to wait then check out this superb promo mix instead.

ALBUM REVIEW: V/A 'Watergate 10 Marco Resmann' out 20 February on Watergate

I confess that I'd never heard of Marco Resmann before. Didn't know what to expect but had a feeling as this was the 10th instalment of the Watergate compilations series and a mini milestone then it would be good. Did it live up to my expectations. That and more! It's nice to listen to a well constricted mix by a true DJ who understands the craft, history and above all class that it takes to pull off a minimal mix that isn't well, boring. Not everyone has succeeded in this in the past. Even Tiefschwarz didn't manage to do as good a job as Resmann has here.

There are loads of his own productions on here. I'll definitely be looking out for this artist in the future. If you are into soulful minimal house and techno with a soft rounded edge vibe then this will be right up your street.

7/10

CTZN V41N

ALBUM REVIEW: V/A 'Body Language Vol.10 M.A.N.D.Y' out now on Get Physical

Is this is as good as M.A.N.D.Y.'s first attempt which launched this series way back in 2005? Of course I am talking about the truly epic Body Language Vol.1 which if you have yet to have had the orgasmic aural delights commonly associated with listening to said release you really should consider purchasing, erm yesterday!

So this is sadly not as good as the first, but then such is life. I mean, sex excluded, the first things are usually the best as we 'chase the dragon' in a vain attempt to replicate these premier events. Off the top of my head my first cigarette, pill, joint, insert other drug here, football match, cheese sandwich, cigar, glass of vintage 30 year old wine were all the best and have yet to be bettered. In the case of the cigarette they hardly even register now on the rare occasion nicotine passes through my Hypothalamus but boy oh boy that first one sent me swimming! The same can be said of the Body Language series. Whilst I still more than enjoy listening to the great series, I have never been truly as moved as I was by the classic mix by M.A.N.D.Y in Vol.1.

So, as much as I do truly and honestly adore this - especially good is the Carl Craig Edit of 'Void 23' by Ramadamman & Appleblim and 'To Insanity & Beyond' by Patrice Baumel - it's not the best in the series by a long shot. Of course as an individual mix release this is truly excellent and M.A.N.D.Y can teach the budding DJ a thing or two about programming and beatmixing so pay attention to that and in case you got the wrong idea from the initial diatribe I still think you should buy it so what you waiting for?

4/5

CTZN V41N

ALBUM REVIEW: Reboot 'Shunyata' out now on Cadenza

The title of this album comes from the Buddhist religion and loosely translates as 'emptiness'. I'm not sure why Reboot chose this title - maybe he was feeling empty at the time? - but the resulting 10 tracker is anything but and left me feeling rather fulfilled after listening to it on a number of occasions.

That said this is in no way a classic and it's got serious issues that need to be addressed such as lack of any real crossover appeal whatsoever and the length of some tracks are way too long - there is not even one track on here that could be considered accessible to all. This is one for the heads and props must be given to Reboot for avoiding the sell-out route. Don't you just love the artwork for example?

The main thing is the music though and there are some incredible stand out tracks on here that make it worth the purchase. The first is the opener 'Urana', a great introduction for what is to come. It's soft gentle tropical swooshyness takes you on the first leg of the trip of an album that really should be listened to from start to finish at least once before dissection can begin.

Two more solid minimal tracks follow before my next fave comes into play. 'Dreilach' is a masterpiece of the genre and opens the way for the next song 'Save Me' a nine minute monster that is as complex as it is sparse, industrial as it is organic and now we see the true meaning of the album title start to come into play. For this is not a sadness this is an emptiness that actually juxtaposes itself by creating a fullness with what it does not say rather than what it does. Less is more in this case for sure.

Next comes the title track. 'Shunyata' is probably my pick of the album. I love the driving bassline and slight Balearic feel to this one. It's certainly got something Latin or Mediterranean about it. It's dark, warm and moist and transported me straight to the open air dancefloor - you can hear people chatting in the background on the breakdowns too which adds to this feeling of being there.

Like I said before, this is one for the heads and lovers of serious electronic music only should apply.

3.5/5

CTZN V41N

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ALBUM REVIEW: V/A 'Lee Jones: Watergate 07' out now on Watergate

Tearing it up with a thouroughly modern underground vibe. No need for tricks and trends here. This is pure house and it feels good people. Starts off slow, percussive and bassy with hints of what's to come, then bang! In comes Mathias Meyers & Lee Jones 'Basic Chord Tool' and it's then that you know you wish you were where your really ought to be listening to this - in the club, down at the front coming up; luxuriating in wave after wave of lusciuous blues and yellows and red synths flowing into oneness with the music, the vibe, the people, the drug, the soul, the smoke machine, the girl (or boy) beside you.

If a mix compilation can tear my imagination up this much - in my living room tap tap tapping away on the keys wishing it was a synth whilst listening to the beat kick back in after an elongated and heavily ecstasy charged breakdown, wishing I could time travel to get back to or forward to the next dancefloor - then you know it's good. Lee Jones takes it up, he takes it down, he takes you all around and I want to go listen to him play a live set right now but I can't so I'll happily take this mix any day of the week. Essential.

5/5

CTZN V41N

ALBUM REVIEW: Mathew Jonson 'Agents Of Time' out now on Wagon Repair

This is Jonson but not as we know him, but still, as we know him. Yes, quite. When you stick this in for the first time and crank it up loud, as you will invariably do if you are a fan (guilty), then you may be a little surprised to hear the chilled out vibes of opener 'Love In The Future'. This is a classy downtempo chill-out, electronica number that secretes the usual globules of golden production goo that only the Jonson meister is capable of.

Normal service is then empahtically resumed with tracks 2 and 3 'Girls Got Rhythm' and 'Thieves in Digital Land'. But there is something not quite of the norm about this album which is, surprisingly, Johnson's debut. What he has cleverly done is come up with a sound that is unmistakably him but slightly twisted. It's like he is making a statement, trying to tell us all that yes I'm here you love my singles but this is a project and it's something different and you can't just pigeon-hole me but here's some of those sick synths and weird electronic noises that you all love and that I'm famous for so don't panic it's still really me after all.

5/5

CTZN V41N

ALBUM REVIEW: Pier Bucci 'Amigo' out now on Maruca

Smoking hot new album from Chilean producer Bucci that smacks of Mediterranean Latin vibes, lazy Balearic days and heavy sexy seductive nights. The fusion between minimal tech and house is perfectly balanced. A prime example hits you straight in the face in track 2 'Canto Libre'.

If you ever wanted to hear the essence of a producer who is deep into the vibe of house and understands what this form of electronic music means, it's connection to the soul and eternal being of humanity then you must get this album. This beautiful work of house genius really has to be heard to be believed. There are 10 wonderfully crafted tracks to hear and some of them will work magic on the dancefloor like 'La Paya'. If you are a DJ this is a must but for all the lovers out there do not miss this.

5/5

CTZN V41N

ALBUM REVIEW: V/A 'Boogybytes Vol.05 mixed by Seth Troxler' out now on BPitch Control

OMG how much does Seth Troxler look like a version of Carlito from WWE Smackdown after a hard nights K binge?

It's a lot and trust me as hardcore as the photo looks it pales in comparison to this simply stupendous tech house stormer of a mix from the man voted in the top 10 of in Resident Advisor's 'Top DJ's of 2009' poll.

Medis bollocks and accoladers aside. This mix stands on it's own two feet as a contemporary masterpeice in mixing, programming and rocking the club the right way. It's obvious that Troxler is not only an accomplished DJ but a lover and afficiando who has paid his dues. Get it.

4.5/5

CTZN V41N

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