Courtesy of Jon Freer (mosoul.co.uk) here are twelve reviews of available and soon to be released 12″ singles (sorry no cover shots or tracklistings this time):
Peven Everett – Stuck (Soul Heaven)
Soul master Peven Everett has never been afraid to dabble in Housey waters, with his most famous vocal outing being on Roy Davis Jr’s magnificent UK Garage forging “Gabrielle” release. “Stuck” isn’t in the same league as that genre splitting track, but it is an infectious soul slanted House jam, which has received a deserved battering on cd-r over the last few months. Phil Asher supplies a slightly tougher reinterpretation, with bubbling keys, smooth guitars and snappy drums. Danny Krivit extends the track impressively, as light fingered guitar work and soft centered meet under Peven’s stressed vocals.
Niko – Womb (Atic)
It’s been a while since Niko’s last release on Grand Central surfaced and after severing ties with that Manchester institution, her music pops up on the fledgling Atic imprint. Atic is the musical baby of Andy ‘Aim’ Turner and the highlight of the label’s introductory EP is Niko’s gorgeous “Womb” track. Her new life embracing vocal display really shines on this offering, backed by slouchy hop percussion and shimmering instrumentation.
V/A – Traffic 3: #1/4 (Combination)
Combination strive to do things differently musically and here they’ve decided to make the format of their releases stand out too, by offering the third instalment from the Traffic series in four 10″ instalments. “Autorock” from Matt Flores is a mind-messing synth driven escapade, whilst Glagla’s “Nightlife” is home to wide-eyed keys and pleasant synths. Ada’s “Sternhagel” is an endearing little cut, where gorgeous keys and politely nagging synths rule.
Darkmountaingroup – Lose Control (Buzzin Fly)
Aimed squarely at the feet and the posterior, this wicked bassline driven dancefloor assault is the work of Alex S of Romadaal fame, and a couple of his Portugese mates. Bleepy surface keys, robotised synths and never giving up beats team up alongside the downright evil bass on “Lose Control”. The main elements of the track are also available separately, for those wishing to create maximum club mayhem.
The Similou – All This Love (DNM/Back Yard)
This is without doubt the popiest effort yet from a Nordic duo, who have swapped frozen House planes and rural Broken Soul pastures for the gleaming Electro-Pop lights of the city. “All This Love” is a catchy number, which features innocent keys and a perfect bass groove alongside typically Scandinavian lovelorn vocals. Zoo Brazil’s remix is a gutsy synth stabbed overhaul, whilst The Drill’s remix applies a little too much eyeliner.
Hösh / The Youngsters – Split 12″ (F…U!)
Two of F Comm’s most famous acts team up here on this all-star Techno mission. Hösh gives us “Savage/Hyneman Theorem”, where a muscular bass carries along nervous keys and running beats. Searing keys and an abrasive bass do the damage on The Youngsters’ “How To Kill The Idiot”.
Paul Nazca – Verdue (F…U!)
Heavy Techno is name of the game here, with Scandium Records boss Paul Nazca offering a couple of pummelling assaults on his F…U! debut. “Verdure” takes winding synths, pretty keys and a pushy bass on an exhilarating voyage. Fuzzy synths and distressing keys take centre stage on “Total Midi”.
Tosca – Souvenirs EP (G-Stone)
Lindstrom and Prins Thomas’ reinterpretation of “Zueri” really stands out from the rest on this 12″, which features three remixes plucked from a CD load of Tosca retouches. Guitars that sound like they’ve just regained conscious after a long sleep take the spotlight on Lindstrom and P-T’s fine overhaul. DSL’s lazing guitar addled remix of “Rondo Acapricio” and Stereotyp’s ugly bassed touch up of “Pyjama” also feature on this record.
The Spirals – Permission To Fly (Darkroom Dubs)
With more aliases than a team of master criminals, Julian Sanza and Fernando Pulichino enter the Darkroom for a spacey House party. “The Cowboy” marries cosmadelic synths with sparkling keys and mind corroding acid. Elated stabbing synths press the hypnotic “Bomba” into shape.
Immortal Technique feat. Chuck D & KRS 1 – Bin Laden (RMX) (Viper)
With a little help from a few legendary lyric deliverers, Immortal Technique vents his anger against foolish presidential decisions. The remix of “Bin Laden” brings in Chuck D and KRS 1 to add their support, as vocals from IT and the pair of Hip Hop heavyweights ride dejected keys and heavy beats. The original has a lighter feel and features a delivery from Mos Def alongside live drum hits, animated keys and IT’s irate words. Mumia Abu Jamal hits out against unnecessary violence on the gloomy key driven “The War Vs US All”.
Trevor Loveys – Digitial Watch / Leg Warmer (Front Room)
Loveys fattens out the grooves for maximum hip shaking appeal on this two tracker for Jesse Rose and Chris Belsey’s Front Room imprint. “Digital Watch” supplies amusing synth slides and firework keys alongside portly beats and reliable bass noises. The synths lose it on “Leg Warmer”, as shocked keys and a muttering bass try to hold the record together.
Newcleus – Destination Earth (1999) (Deeplay Soultec)
When the original version of this record was conceived in the mid 80s, 1999 was a long way away. Now 1999 is only a memory and Deeplay give “Destination Earth” a new Techy lease of life, with powerful updates from Dibaba, Martin Brodin and Dream 2 Science. Dibaba’s ‘Starry Dynamo Remix’ is a menacing revision, with shrill synth shrieks, contorted key dalliances and a grating bass. A pushy synth arrangement, pleased keys and violent beats meet on the ‘Martin Brodin vs Candy Station Soultec Dub’. Soothing synths try to calm filtrated beats and a buoyant bass on the ‘Dream 2 Science Remix’.