Episode 023: November 10, 2010 – Vogelmann

Extrawelt kicking things off with their new spacey breaks cut “Yummy” which is out on Boxer Recordings fantastic trippy chillout compilation “Different”, a mix that we highly highly recommend. What’s made Extrawelt stand out for us since their Great Stuff / Bordercommunity days has been their undeniable skill setting truly musical melody lines against extremely glitchy unexpected bassline and drum patterns. A deceptively simply formula that has kept smack dab in the middle of the giant German niche techno scene. This track is a perfect example.

Sticking with the German overtones, this is another crate track that’s been hanging around for a few weeks. Huntemann has actually just released an artist album worth checking out, “Fieber” on Confused Recordings, and it’s plain to see that he’s a man somewhat bassline obsessed with his retro 80’s hits mashed against gritty basslines that are too dissonant to be called electro. This track is certainly more straightforward and moody than his newest work may be, but it’s still dynamite on the low end. We’re buying both.

Essentially the B-side to a larger EP out a couple months back on Droid Records, I can’t exactly say how this found its way into the crate, but there it was: an extremely satisfying creepy chugging techno track to pound the floor with from a label that has been around nearly five years and has only put out a select 49 tracks. Audio Injection is from our hometown, the city of sun, Los Angeles, which is surprising given their heady material…but to us it only proves that even warm weather can breed rocking techno. Take that Berlin.

Mmmmmm, Definitive always seems to serve up Fresh shit…and I mean the good stuff. Greg Kobe is the exclusive property of Definitive, which is for those who don’t know, extremely rare. It’s quite an endorsement, and obviously well-earned. Italian guest-star Bodyscrub does a wonderful job taking the almost frantic double-time original and fashioning it into cleaner more driving fare. It’s a wonderful hybrid of energy and well done all around.

As ya’ll know, we’re suckers here for genre-mixing and this next one is a wonderful example of when it’s done well. It’s from a pair of producers whom I know very little – not to say, however, that they haven’t been on the A-list this year, particularly Tony Gomez who’s scored hits this summer in Ibiza-land, this cut included. Both are being showcased on S2’s “Young Progressives” compilation full of exactly that – up-and-comers. Bassline and tick-tock percussion are well above average, and they blend it nicely with a sparsely used melody. Nicely done.

Vogelmann has been on a mission in 2010, and we’re not the only ones saying so. His productions have really moved in a new direction over these past several months into something much tougher, much bigger room, and we’re definitely fans. The rhythm’d bass synth on this is in wonderful contrast to some delicate high melodies. It’s also a world-premier, out next month. So get your kicks now, and then mark your calendar.

Back before the giant foam head, back before the mau5trap, back when Joel Zimmerman was just another up-and-comer, Play Digital was his home. And on this Canadian label he dropped the successive bombs that launched him into the stratosphere where few underground acts have been able to break through. We of course remember “Faxing Berlin”, but off the very same artist album that the now-classic appeared was this track “Orca”. It was undeniably ahead of its time – just listen to the rhythm of the main synth line which is *everywhere* now. The track is getting the re-release treatment on Play Digital’s greatest-hits type release “Best of Progressive vol.  1” — Deadmau5 may be many things; visionary is one of them. Even the quickest look at his roots shows that in a second…and the track still kicks ass.

From the past to the present, here is a perfect example of the copying and, to be fair, reinvention of the Deadmau5 sound. It’s a lot cleaner now, and the arps are more complicated in their rhythms.  We like the mix of normal and double-time in this one, and the actual synth choices are well made. Milton Channels has been a chart staple this year, and he’s joined by partner in crime, Colombian Andrea Saenz. Nice to see some talent coming from that neck of the woods, and we’ll be keeping our eye out for more from these two.

What can you say about Khomha except for that he has, hands down (sorry Weekend Heroes), the BEST basslines of anyone else out there right now. Track after track of wicked throbbing madness – this one even has a key change…which is always guaranteed to make the floor lose their shit. I’m surprised in fact it’s not a tactic used more often. There’s nothing really more to say about this track. Hats off once again to Colombia…two tracks in a row.

Moving westward now to the land down under, we promised more from Sun Control Species artist album – the title track might be our favorite. Not a cheesy bone in its body, not the we mind cheese every now and then, its wistful warm feel is perfect to transition or end a set with. We chose the latter in this case, and it’s closing out the show today. It’s off the “II” album which is out right now on Iboga Records.

Well, thank you all for joining us today, a pleasure and an honor. Be a tastemaker and join the discussion by finding us on facebook and twitter. I can’t be the only one flapping my gums about all this stuff, so let your voice be heard – it’s your industry. Thanks again to Vogelmann for stopping by. Remember to think outside genres, buy your music, and keep it fresh. We’ll be right back here next week with more music and guests so keep it locked, right here. See you next week!

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