electronic directory

The eight edition of the Electronic Directory podcast is an hour of deep grooves from Irish Alan Smith.

Read the rest of this entry »

A man behind Fabrice Lig’s Melodika Recordings, Chuck Bleu warms your Halloween, with a mix featuring tech-house and techno from the likes of Pedro Cali and Joel Mull.

You can grab it here: http://blog.myspace.com/chuckbleu

We hope you all have a Happy Halloween ! ;-)

To mark the release of his Melodika debut ‘Broken Shores EP’ Matt Chester mixes up a set of hi-tech funk and soul that features tracks from UR Soldiers, Kenny Larkin, Stacey Pullen and Matt Chester himself.

Check it out over at: http://blog.myspace.com/mattchester1

Get "Broken Shores EP" here

• Buy in 320kbs MP3 format from Juno Download for £3.82
• Buy in MP3 format from Beatport for $7.47

Check out the following:

• Rob Mello – Critical (Fabrice Lig Vocal version / Fabrice Lig Dub) [Classic]
• The Parallel – Sigma (Lee Holman Flore mix / Lee Holman Deep mix) [Static]
• Tomi Chair – Waterslider (Matt Chester’s 11th Hour mix) [Nice & Nasty]
• Terrence Dixon – Minerals (Matt Chester’s 11th Hour mix) [Nice & Nasty]

The debut single from Matt Chester, "Broken Shores EP", is now available to buy. Get yours here: https://www.beatport.com/en-US/html/content/release/detail/137786/broken_shores_ep

Recently my partner incrime Itokim has signed to Güstrow-based independent label Night Drive Music with 3 tracks.

One of three, ‘Far West’ appears on a label compilation, "Night Drive Vol. 1", which will be released around Christmas 2008. After that comes a new compilation which features other two tracks, ‘Far West (Deep Distance Mix)’ and ‘Walk On’.

Far West (Original mix)

Far West (Deep Distance mix)

Walk On

SUB-SCAPE is a techno institution in the Antwerp/Belgium club scene; a fine event that has been presenting respected international names and local resident DJs to regular punters for over three years, and on a Friday night. We talked to founder Will O’Brien and escalator Lee Holman about SUB-SCAPE to find out more about the night and so on.

Will O’Brien Biography

SUB-SCAPE founder, organiser and resident dj Will O’Brien, originally from Ireland and now based in Belgium, has been buying and spinning records since he first discovered electronic dance music in the late 1980s.

His first proper dj gig took place at the infamous Club Kaos night in Galway and he has since gone on to play at some of Ireland’s leading venues and events such as The System, Club Mono, Traffic and the Dublin Electronic Arts Festival.

Since relocating to Antwerp a few years ago he has established the SUB-SCAPE concept and he has played at Pier 19, Café Capital, Fake Bar, SOS, The Australian Bar, Kaaiman, Petrol, Café d’Anvers, Decadance, Silo and Laundry Day.

SUB-SCAPE is now regarded as one of the best underground club nights in Belgium and is renowned for its emphasis on quality music and great atmosphere. Will invites guest djs and producers such as Fabrice Lig, Carl Craig, Dan Curtin, Âme, Marco Passarani, DJ S² of Underground Resistance and many others to join himself and fellow resident Lee Holman every month at Café Capital in Antwerp.

Heavily inspired by the deep Detroit techno sound, he incorporates many other influences from electro to acid, house, idm and minimal into his dj sets.

Lee Holman Biography

Lee Holman has gone on to play at many of Ireland’s leading clubs and festivals as well as running his own club nights throughout Ireland and regularly guesting on national radio. His residency alongside Will O’Brien and Fabrice Lig at Sub-Scape Belgium, has seen him guest with some of house and techno’s finest DJ’s and producers including Steve Rachmad, Dan Curtin, DJ S2 (UR), Delsin Records, Âme, Aardvarck, Shed, Eddie ‘Flashin’ Fowlkes (Cityboy), Marco Passarani, Djinxx (Electronic Resistance), Ripperton amoungst many others. His djing has took him all over Ireland with guest appearances in the U.K. also.

He has recorded for well respected Techno labels such as Ferox and Nightvision with releases on Fine Art,Mowar and Elevation recordings. His material has been played by some of the worlds leading DJ’s including Laurent Garnier,Josh Wink, Dave Clarke,Luke Solomon, Luke Slater,Joey Beltram, Jori Hulkkonen, Rennie Foster, Russ Gabriel and Orlando Voorn and has got 5 star reviews in IDJ and DJ Mag.

2007 crescendoed with a nomination for "Best New Artist" at the Irish Dance Music Awards (IDMA) and live studio guest mix for revered and well respected Belgian Radio "Switch" on Studio Brussels. Radio shows include Interstate 94 for Livesets.com and 2008 see’s a brand new show for the RT-Transmissions broadcast.

Read the rest of this entry »

Erell Ranson – Where The Clouds Are [MySelf Recordings]

Erell Ranson gets deep on his own MySelf imprint, and he just keeps getting better. ‘A Different Light’ is a really nice, deep electro-tinged thing which he splices with spooky bass lines and emotional synth lines. On the flip, Paul Mac has remixed for ‘A Different Light’ that will take the track onto any floors. Finally, ‘Where The Clouds Are’ is in the same vein but with a more melodic feel. Another very good release !

Tracklisting:

• A1. A Different Light
• B1. A Different Light (Paul Mac remix)
• B2. Where The Clouds Are

Get "Where The Clouds Are" here:

• Buy Twelve from Juno Records for £5.95

Related Links:

• www.myspace.com/erellranson
• www.myspace.com/paulmacuk
• www.myspace.com/msrecordings

Lee Holman – Travelling EP [Mowar]

Ireland’s young gun Lee Holman takes on a melodic voyage on the Mowar thing. A good, well-rounded package – Very playable / versatile. Very atmospheric / gorgeous. Driving without speeding, deep without being impenetrable. ‘Depart’ is the one for me here, an epic journey that is right up my street. Hurrah !

Tracklisting:

• A1. Depart
• A2. Transit
• B1. Arrival
• B2. Return

Get "Travelling EP" here:

• Buy Twelve from Juno Records for £5.10
• Buy in 320kbs MP3 format from Juno Download for £3.23

Related Links:

• www.myspace.com/leeholman
• www.myspace.com/mowar

Matt Chester – Endless Days [11th Hour]

11th Hour at its finest. Matt Chester is back on his home and in fine form. ‘Cold Restraint’ is exactly what I love about techno – it features his trademark Detroit-influenced lush pads and melodies, floating / ebbing over rough beats. Yes, yes yes and yes !! On the A-side, ‘Kick It’ comes in original stellar electro funk and a fantastic DJ 3000 remix. Motech head honcho DJ 3000 excels with an epic interpretation that is simply outstanding. All in all a top notch package.

Tracklisting:

• A1. Kick It
• A2. Kick It (DJ 3000′s Motech remix)
• B1. Cold Restraint
• B2. Down & Out In EC2

Get "Endless Days" here:

• Buy Twelve from Juno Records for £5.53
• Buy in 320kbs MP3 format from Juno Download for £3.23

Related Links:

• www.myspace.com/mattchester1
• www.myspace.com/dj3000motech
• www.myspace.com/11thhourrecordings

Santiago Salazar / Silent Servant – Santuario / Lo Profundo [Historia y Violencia]

Santiago Salazar and Silent Servant have launched a brand new label, Historia y Violencia (History and Violence). This release in particular stuck out for me because of the Hard Wax-ish qualities and deep and dark atmosphere, which segues neatly into the Historia y Violencia signature track with its many influences worn lightly and blended successfully. Santiago drops a heavy minimal-techno with a twisted groove, which builds into pure electronic madness. Silent Servant brings a proper deep and dubby techno, which draws you right in from the start. Excellent.

Tracklisting:

• 01. Santiago Salazar – Santuario
• 02. Silent Servant – Lo Profundo

Get "Santuario / Lo Profundo" here:

• Buy Twelve from Juno Records for £5.10

Related Links:

• www.myspace.com/s2remix
• www.myspace.com/theacademylb

On Logos Recordings the debut single from Itokim, "Breathe", is out exclusively on Juno Download.

Get the single here: http://www.junodownload.com/products/1359548-02.htm

Itokim is also recording for an another label at the moment. You can get a preview of the tracks at his SoundCloud page: http://soundcloud.com/itokimproductions

SUB-SCAPE celebrates 3 years with 3 parties featuring 3 of our favourite producers Fabrice Lig, Carl Craig and Dan Curtin !

SUB-SCAPE 3 YEARS PARTY #1

Friday, November 7, 2008

Café Capital, Antwerpen | Doors open at 11pm

• FABRICE LIG aka SOUL DESIGNER
• PETER VAN HOESEN
• WILL O’BRIEN

SUB-SCAPE celebrates 3 years and 33 parties on Friday 7th November with a line-up that represents the contemporary techno scene in Belgium.

Charleroi native Fabrice Lig is one of the country’s foremost global ambassadors of electronic dance music who has earned respect and admiration from Detroit to Tokyo. His recent "Evolutionism" album under his Soul Designer moniker is a musical journey from the roots to the future of modern dance music that crosses many boundaries.

Brussels-based Peter Van Hoesen has been active as an electronic musician and audiovisual artist for over 10 years and his label Time to Express was founded this year as an outlet for deep, physical techno that evokes the feeling of a jackin’, bass-heavy warehouse marathon where the strobes flash, your chest rattles, salty sweat burns your eyes and you yearn for more.

Antwerp import and SUB-SCAPE Escalator Will O’Brien will ensure that the crowd are suitably warmed up and cooled down !

SUB-SCAPE 3 YEARS PARTY #2

Sunday, November 30, 2008

Café Capital, Antwerpen | Doors open at 9pm

• CARL CRAIG
• K’BONUS
• WILL O’BRIEN

A bona fide musical genius and living legend, Carl Craig’s peerless production and remixing accomplishments have gained him universal respect and admiration across many boundaries, even earning him a Grammy nomination ! He began recording at the turn of the 90s, following on from the futuristic lead of originators Juan Atkins, Derrick May and Kevin Saunderson. He became a key player in Detroit techno’s second wave, using a number of aliases to release innovative ambient, techno, house, breakbeat and future-jazz sounds. One such alias, Innerzone Orchestra, issued "Bug in a Bassbin" in 1992, a track that many regard as being a key influence in the evolving sound of drum & bass at that time. He continues to push boundaries to this day, bringing his Midas touch to an array of cutting edge productions. He also heads Planet E Communications, the definitive Detroit label that employs the same eclectic and futuristic ethos that informs his own music.

On this Sunday evening edition Carl Craig will play a special set encompassing the many styles expressed through his multiple aliases such as 69, Paperclip People, Innerzone Orchestra, Designer Music, Detroit Experiment, Moxie, C2 and Tres Demented.

Support from Antwerp’s funk master K’bonus and SUB-SCAPE Escalator Will O’Brien.

SUB-SCAPE 3 YEARS PARTY #3

Friday, December 5, 2008

Café Capital, Antwerpen | Doors open at 11pm

• DAN CURTIN
• WILL O’BRIEN

SUB-SCAPE proudly welcomes back one of our all-time musical heroes, Dan Curtin, a true purveyor of fine electronic funk and hypnotic grooves. Since coming to the world’s attention in the early 90s through a series of releases which re-imagined the techno sound of Detroit with a unique twist of his own, Dan has remained one of the most eagerly observed producers in dance music circles. As well as releasing a series of landmark albums on the UK’s Peacefrog label, Dan has gone on to release for countless top techno, house and minimal labels including Strictly Rhythm, Sublime, Elypsia, Down Low, Rush Hour, Starbaby, Headspace, Tuning Spork, Soma, Dust Science, Mobilee and of course his own Metamorphic imprint. He has forged a particularly distinctive and original musical style, thus managing to avoid being identified with any particular scene. Influenced by hip hop, electro and house as much as by Motor City techno, his productions are raw, funky, unpredictable and never stand still. Deeply rooted yet always futuristic, Dan’s sound is as relevant today as it has ever been and it displays a confidence and maturity few contemporary techno producers can match. There is no doubt that Dan Curtin has defined himself as one of the key players in the development of electronic dance music as we know it today.

Equally adept as a dj, Dan loves nothing more than to rock a great party from behind the decks so there’s no better man to finish the SUB-SCAPE anniversary celebrations in fine style !

You can now pre-order from Juno Download at the following link: www.junodownload.com/products/1359548-02.htm

Hot on the heels of his techno masterpiece ‘Seven Days’ Itokim returns with a four tracker of deeply emotive techno.

"Breathe" was conceived as a project to explore the dancefloor of things. Combining a subtle blend of techno edge and spaced atmospherics. ‘Snowdrop’ is one of the standouts from a package that highlights Itokim’s talent in finding a melody, a deep cut of emotional techno. Itokim also takes inspiration from IDM and electronica, both of which are evident in ‘Prayers & Melodies’.

It is receiving some excellent feedback from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Vince Watson and Franco Cangelli as well as air time on 209radio and YLE Areena.

Feedback:

i realy loooove anubis I will play the hell out of this full club support from me – Laurent Garnier (FCommunications)

snowdrop is beautiful.. full support on this! – Vince Watson (Bio)

very strong release, loved all tracks. snowdrop maybe a fave if one had to be chosen. club & radioplay! – Jori Hulkkonen (FCommunications)

I really like Anubis and Prayers & Melodies. Beautiful. – Taho (Lumina)

quality detroitish stuff.. – Djinxx (Mezzotinto)

come closer is my favorite. i will be adding this to my sets. – Anthony Shake Shakir (Friction)

Ooooh, Whee! Stellar compositions! – Niko Marks (U2X Productions)

I’ve been playing SNOW DROP since April ’08. One of the best techno tracks of 2008. Great release for Logo’s. – Santiago Salazar (Historia y Violencia)

I am really feeling this Itokim track "Anubis"… getting heavy play with me right now. Hot, emotive, wonderful track. – Rennie Foster (Dirty Works)

Thanks for sending this liking Snodrop from this package not sure if I could play it in club sets but will try and give it some play on some radio shows and mixes. – Paul Mac (Stimulus)

Prayers & melodies is a very deep and intimate track. It’s soothing to my ears. I like Come Closer a lot as wel. Some nice deep tech house, good stuff for afterhours. Nice release all in all! Keep it up! – Franco Cangelli (Mowar)

Hey, another great release on Logos. Pure moment of groove and deepness !!! "Anubis" is the track for me, like his deep melody and evolution. Excellent, Itokim !!!! – Erell Ranson (MySelf Recordings)

"Anubis" hits hard with a rolling rhythm punch before an ascending synth line hits vertiginous heights. "Come Closer" is the clear winner for me though: Reminiscent of classic Detroit techno minimalism but expands its reaches into warmer climes with glowing synth pulses. Itokim is adept at taking his tracks from a starting point and ending in someplace altogether unexpected. – Kuri Kondrak

You can get an advanced preview of the tracks here:

Itokim – Breathe EP by Logos

The new single, "Breathe" will be out October 29th.