Chart courtesy of The Economist.
01. Brendon Moeller, “The Big Thrill”
[Connaisseur Supérieur] (buy)
Versatility is one of Brendon Moeller’s strong suits, freeing his sound to bend and shift to fit the label on which it’s released. The club-moving vigor of “The Big Thrill,” his latest, is perfectly suited to its surroundings at Connaisseur Supérieur and ranks among the imprint’s best releases. Turning dub’s reverberations inside out to glide freely across a skyline of ostinato stabs, balmy bass and eyebrow-raising zip noises, Moeller exhibits how he’s able to stay one big step ahead of many of his peers in dub techno. Even more impressive than his club-friendly 12″ for Leena Music, “The Big Thrill” is a must have.
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02. Juju & Jordash, “Same Ol’ Day” [Juju Music] (buy)
Not ones to blend in with current trends, Amsterdam’s Juju & Jordash are always good for a taste of the unexpected. And though their latest is entitled “Same Ol’ Day,” listeners may have difficulties hearing where it fits among today’s deep house scene. The tune aims for the stars created by an iridescent layer of oscillating synths, and is dominated by two intertwined (and surprisingly engaging) saxophone runs playing tag with flute ripostes and tasteful slap bass. While the extended beatless midsection might put off some DJs, Juju & Jordash have created a beautiful and expressive soundscape that leaves the dance floor grabbing for its patrons’ floating feet.
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03. Will Saul & Mike Monday, “Zippo” [Buzzin’ Fly] (buy)
Simple/Aus Music manager, Will Saul, is a known frequent collaborator, and his new partnership with aural prankster Mike Monday on Buzzin’ Fly is both unexpected and delightful. “Zippo” starts unassuming enough as a bleep-pocked, tech-house beat prepares the ground work. Just then, an exceptionally colorful progression ripples just below the surface and travels around the stereo channels. Filling the air with joyful wonder, “Zippo” goes for grins as a rounded ostinato progression creeps forward in the mix. There’s more than a bit of escapism in Saul and Monday’s gorgeous creation, and frankly that’s what many of us need these days.
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04. Danilo Schneider, “Ungeduld” [Brouqade Records] (buy)
Although relative newcomer Danilo Schneider is only an unknown quantity at present, his debut 12″ on Broquade will surely help carve out his own identity as a producer. “Deep Down” and its attendant remix by Guido Schneider are serviceable, yet they pale in comparison to the understated power of “Ungeduld” on the flip. If its length and slow build seem at odds with the title (which translates as “impatience”), listeners’ rewards for persistence -– backbeat synth flares, clave punctuation, off-handed snare hits and trembling Rhodes chords, -– suggest what Schneider is warning against.
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05. Even Tuell, “Untitled A1” [Workshop] (buy)
Expectations are high for Paul David Rollmann, better known as Even Tuell, after his first Workshop platter found its way into many a DJ’s crate and on Âme’s Fabric mix. His sure handed sound design adds alluring dimensions when paired with sparer tracks and stands well on its own, too, especially at home. More conventional structures are the most marked difference of “Workshop 07,” but Tuell’s focus on finely crafted timbres remains unscathed. As noted by the oft-repeated (for better or worse) “Detroit” vocal sample, “Untitled A1” pays homage while remaining its own beast, stitching together a tight web of simple melodies around vintage-sounding drum programming. “Workshop 07” finds Even Tuell’s forward momentum carrying him in a promising new direction.
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06. Paul Frick, “Steal My Heart” (Dub Version)
[Kalk Pets] (download)
07. Christian Vance, “Tiger Snake” (Quarion remix) [Perspectiv] (buy)
08. Klockworks, “Grab Me” [Klockworks] (buy)
09. Kontext, “Blinkende Stjerne”
[Immerse Records] (buy)
10. 2562, “Embrace” [3024] (buy)
Check out staff charts after the jump.
Staff Charts
Momo Araki:
01. Atomâ„¢, “Wellen Und Felder” [Raster-Noton]
02. Wreck Tech, “Leading Cause of Death Among Soundboys”
[Math + Science Show]
03. Unit Moebius, “Overload” Clone Classic Cuts]
04. DJ Sprinkles, “Midtown 120 Blues” [Mule Musiq]
05. Alva Noto, “Xerrox Tek Part 1” Raster-Noton
06. Intrusion, “Angel Version W/Paul St. Hilaire” [echospace [detroit])
07. Ben Klock feat. Elif Biçer, “OK” [Ostgut Tontrager]
08. Anstam, “B-side” [Anstam]
09. Pom Pom, “Track 3” [Pom Pom]
10. STP, “The Fall (Peverelist remix)” Sub Solo]
Per Bojsen-Moller:
01. Synkro, “Lost Love” [On The Edge]
02. Intrusion, “Little Angel” [Intrusion]
03. Mount Kimbie, “Maybes” [Hotflush Recordings]
04. Equalized, “EQD002A” [Equalized]
05. Seth Troxler, “Aphrika” [Wolf+Lamb Music]
06. Ben Klock, “Gloaming” [Ostgut Tontrager]
07. Trentemoller vs DJ Lab, “Rauta” (Girl remix) [Echocord]
08. Omar-S, “Brown Valvetrane” [Sound Signature]
09. Luke Hess, “Agape Dub” [Modelisme Records]
10. Kontext, “Plumes” (Ramadanman remix) [Immerse Records]
Nate DeYoung:
01. Unknown Artist, “Hubble” [Thriller]
02. Audio Werner, “Easygoing” [Hartchef Discos]
03. Joker, “Digidesign” [Hyperdub]
04. DJ Mujava, “Township Funk” (Ikonika’s Nexus-6 remix) [Warp Records]
05. Spandex, “Bermuda Triangle” [Hand On the Plow]
06. Even Tuell, “Untitled B1” [Workshop]
07. Boredoms, “Ant 10” (Remix By Lindstrom) [Commmons
08. Jus Wan, “Action Potential” [Apple Pips]
09. Seth Troxler, “Aphrika” [Wolf+Lamb Music]
10. House Of House, “Rushing to Paradise (Walkin’ these Streets)”
[Whatever We Want Records]
Shuja Haider:
01. House Of House, “Rushing to Paradise (Walkin’ these Streets)”
[Whatever We Want Records]
02. Black Jazz Consortium, “Watching You Vogue” [Soul People Music]
03. Shake, “Indagoo” [Morphine Records]
04. Norman Nodge, “Attitudes” [Marcel Dettmann Records]
05. Derrick May, “Untitled” [NDATL]
06. Klockworks, “Grasp” [Klockworks]
07. Omar-S, “Blown Valvetrane” [Sound Signature]
08. Soulphiction, “Underground Railroad” [Philpot]
09. Scott Grooves, “Detroit 808” [Natural Midi]
10. Kyle Hall, “I <3 Dr Girl Friend” [Wild Oats]
Todd Hutlock:
01. Omar-S, “Brown Valvetrane” [Sound Signature]
02. Intrusion, “Little Angel” [Intrusion]
03. Sven Tasnadi, “Our Destiny” (Weisemann’s Shuffle On Mix) [Ornaments]
04. Digitaline, “Tapadaka” [Cadenza]
05. Klockworks, “Grab Me” [Klockworks]
06. Paul Frick, “Steal My Heart” (Dub Version) [Kalk Pets]
07. Hell, “The Angst” (Henrik Schwarz remix)
[International Deejay Gigolo Records]
08. Luomo, “Tessio” (Stimming remix) [Great Stuff Recordings]
09. Gui Boratto, “Atomic Soda” [Kompakt]
10. Loco Dice, “Breakfast At Nina’s” (Onur Özer remix) [Desolat]
Will Lynch:
01. AntonZap, “It’s Your Wave Too” [Quintessentials]
02. Nils Anthes, “Lost Soul Chapter 1” [Be Chosen]
03. Matthew Styles, “Palladium” [Horizontal]
04. Prompt, Evolve (Slam remix) [7noise]
05. La Peña, “Free From Love” [La Peña]
06. Collabs, “Magnit Express” [Electric Deluxe]
07. Seuil, “Double Room” [Moon Harbour Recordings]
08. Q. Lazzarus, “Goodbye Horses” (Krikor Edit) [Discograph]
09. Sascha Dive, “Kranviz Tee’s” [Raum… Musik]
10. Slam, “Ghost Song” (Prompt remix) [Soma Quality Recordings]
William Rauscher:
01. Isolee, “October” [Diynamic Music]
02. Norman Nodge, “MDR 05” [Marcel Dettmann Records]
03. John Roberts, “Bodywork” [Feel Music]
04. Seth Troxler, “Aphrika” [Wolf+Lamb Music]
05. Levon Vincent, “Invisible Bitchslap” [Deconstruct Music]
06. Carl Craig & Moritz Von Oswald, “Recomposed remixes”
[Deutsche Grammophon]
07. Shaun Reviews, “Patience EP” [Wolf+Lamb Music]
08. Mr. White, “Aeroplane” [Alleviated Music]
09. Paul Frick, “Steal My Heart” (Dub Version) [Kalk Pets]
Colin Shields:
01. Ben Klock, One [Ostgut Tontrager]
02. Omar-S, Fabric 45 [Fabric]
03. Luke Hess, “Agape Dub” [Modelisme Records]
04. Shed, “Another Wedged Chicken” (Martyn’s 131 remix) [Ostgut Tontrager]
05. Mike Dunn presents MD X-Press, “Congregation EP” [4th Floor Recordings]
06. Kode9, “2 Bad” [Hyperdub]
07. Marko Fürstenburg, “Ratsholz” [Baum Records]
08. Kontext, “Plumes” [Immerse Records]
09. Joker, “Digidesign” [Hyperdub]
10. Pepe Bradock, “Intriguing Feathered Creature” [Atavisme]
gotta say i agree with Shuja, that House of House is doing it to death right now. i can’t wait for my vinyl copy in the mail, streaming it off the web repeatedly just isn’t doing the trick 😉
quite interesting to see Juju & Jordash making an appearance on the top 10, i’ve been loving all their releases for a number of years now. to my ears, they’re amongst the best and most interesting house producers out there.
Looks like Todd shares the same cup of tea with me.
sorry but the even tuell track is a joke. i like the track itself but that sample is just cringe worthy. it’s ok with me when detroit producers talk about detroit (delano smith – something for myself) and just barely ok when german producers (jost – cc01) sample someone who’s presumably from detroit, but that detroit sample in even tuell’s track with the thick, thick german accent just makes me laugh and i can’t take the rest of the track seriously. how about an instrumental mix?
I think Juju and Jordash are from Amsterdam – not Detroit.
You’re probably right. They’re just so often discussed in the same breath as Detroit artists it seemed natural they would be from there. Good eyes.
Have to agree with petepete on the Even Tuell track. I HATE that sample, it has no place, it´s as if the track was made without it and then just pasted on afterwards, awful. But i have to say i love his previous productions. And Workshop is a top quality label. Love the LWE mix. Paul
Personally think you guys are being a bit too harsh on it when other tracks have made much worse use of “Detroit” vocal drops. It’s not my favorite part of the track, but it’s a good piece of punctuation around which Even builds the track. It’s a rhythmically tricky tune and his placement is deceptively well thought out.