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For older vinyl reviews click here 12 Inch Thumpers - Pump It Up [Mixes] (12 Inch Thumpers) Another re-release of a 12 Inch Thumpers track with some newer mixes arrives, and again i am not disappointed. The mixes for this release come from Kris & Sy and Mobi-D. Both remixes are very hard, top notch attempts at making the original tune better. The Kris & Sy mix is an offbeat track that has a very hard drum beat underneath it. This is quite unusual as often offbeat tracks can be quite weak. The Mobi-D track is also very hard and it utilises some hoover stabs to get the track really moving along. Two quality mixes that i have already heard being played in Sundissentail, only 2 days after they arrived on my doorstep!! 4/5 Release Date : April 2001 Cheeky Trax - Volume 5 (White label) This is a cheeky bootleg with some quality hard house tracks on it. The two tracks are bouncy 'Ingo' style tunes and they both rip off very well known tunes, even though I can't quite put my finger on what they are!! Both tracks are being canned by all the major Dj's on the Hard House scene at the moment. I can say this because i have heard them being played time after time!!! If you see this in a shop, pick up a copy as i am sure that there are not many of them flying around. 5/5 Release Date : Unknown Modi-D - Your Lips (12 Inch Thumpers) Modi-D is the newest signing to the 12 Inch Thumpers label, and his first release should be hitting the shelves around the end of March. The release is a double A side of two uncompremising Hard House stormers. New Dimension is the first track and is a fairly hard track, but it is nothing out of the ordinary. The tune that is in the breakdown lets the track down in my opinion. however flip the record over and you have a perfect track that would easily find its home in Sundissential or Insomniacz. Your Lips is a fast and dirty track that pounds along at a nice speed. The sample that gives the track it name is hillarious and i will not spoil it by writing it out for you. Have a listen to this release as soon as it hits the shelves as i guarantee that it will fly out of the shops. 4/5 Release Date : March 2001 Kris & Sy - What A Rush (Frisky Records) Another release from the Frisky label. I am always pleased to see a record from this label come through the post, especially if it has been written by Kris & Sy. It is guaranteed to be a stormer! What a Rush is no exception. It starts off with a nice offbeat bouncy feel to it with a few hoover noises coming in now and then. the breakdown then comes in and the track builds up more and more until it suddenly stops and goes into a break-beat section. The the track gets right back up to speed for the rest of the track with some squeaky tunes helping the track along. The B - Side is called Come On, and it is a faster, harder edged tune that rocks. The track pounds along at a hectic pace until a piano break ensures a hands in the air moment from the crowd. Once again another quality release, with more to come i hope! 4/5 Release Date : April 2001 Frisky Crew - Old School Flavas Volume 1(Frisky Limited Edition) Well I am lucky, two Frisky releases in the space of one week! This comes as the first release on the new Limited Edition series from the Frisky label and it will take all you old skool ravers out there back in time. The track has a nice vibe about it and the bass line proves to be a good tune when it is played out loud. The remix comes courtesy of Lisa Pin Up, and she delivers a slightly less full on mix, that will appeal to the more commercial crowds. The 2001 Re-Vamp however is my personal favourite as it pounds along with a full on dirty bassline and a tune to match! Overall another great tune, these people can do no wrong! 4.5/5 Release Date : April 2001 12 Inch Thumpers - 3 Turntables [Mixes] (12 Inch Thumpers) Another release on the 12 Inch Thumpers label, and it is set to be huge. The mixes are courtesy of Paul Glazby and Sol Ray. The mixes are as usual very good but the Paul Glazby mix comes out on top, purely because it is harder and dirtier!! It is in typical Glazby style with hoovers all over the place and some stabs that come in just at the right point to take the roof off! The Sol Ray mix is also good but it is more subdued and a beepy tune is included for good measure. this mix is much more based around the original 12 inch thumpers track than the Paul Glazby mix is and it is pulled off very well. 3/5 Release Date : March 2001
Nephets
Giddens – Love Policy (Dust Traxx US 12”) Four tracks
of disco delight to choose from on this latest Dust Traxx offering, with
the title track leading the way with its strong horn blasts and disco
strings. Also included on the package is the awesome 80’s influenced
“It’s Alright” and another fine disco cut-up in the shape of Love Policy
Part 2. If you like your house with a hint of disco make sure you hunt
this down.
Deep Sensation -
Somehow, Somewhere [There’s a soul heaven] (Fluential UK 12”) Originally
released on Guidance back in 1998 and missed by almost everybody first
time round, Fluential prove there is some justice in the world and bring
the track to the forefront of people’s attention. The original utilizes
the music from the seminal disco classic by Ultra High Frequency, and if
that’s not enough the Cleptomaniacs turn in 3 brand new mixes that are
guaranteed to put some soul back into your life. Milk Factory – Make
Move (Loud Bit Italy 12”) Nothing but
good solid house music on this new release out of Italy. There’s four
mixes in total to choose from but in truth there’s little between them, as
they all contain some sharp percussion driving bass and a little bit of
funk.
Instep feat Mintzi
Berry – I can do bad all by myself (InHouse UK 12”) Probably
the strongest release to date on Todd Terry’s fledging InHouse label sees
the impressively powerful vocal of Ms Berry over a disco groove to die
for. Funky guitar licks, piano and horn stabs combine to turn this into
an anthem of some proportions and definite contender for vocal tune of the
year.
J Majik feat Kathy Brown – Love is not a game (Defected UK 12”) There were more than a few eyebrows raised when Defected snapped up this drum and bass classic, but all the doubters seem to have been silenced as the Original and Dillinga mixes are getting support in all the right places. The house mixes come in the shape of John “Julius” Knight and he produces 3 stunning remixes based around some slick disco strings and Kathy Brown’s soaring vocal. Top class stuff. Mya – Free [Milk & Sugar Mixes] (Interscope UK 12”) The voice of “Ghetto Superstar” returns with her strongest club track to date. Germany’s Mike Milk & Steve Sugar head straight for the sun and provide a Latin groove that should be rocking many a dance floor right into the summer. Syndicate of Law – Early in the morning (Mostiko Belgium 12”) Nothing but good solid house music here from new label Mostiko, and with 4 mixes to choose from there should be something to suit most. Whether you choose the bass led “Snake Attack mix” or the filter driven “#3 SL Squad” mix, depends on your personal preference, but with little to choose between them my advice would be to play both! The Soul Providers – The Spaghetti Disco (Elan US 12”) Baltimore’s finest go straight for the jugular with 2 disco grooves that can’t help but move you. Dance to the Rhythm is probably the stronger of the two, but play either of them and the whole club should have no problem in getting up to get down. Audiowhores – Destiny/Tempogroove (White UK 12”) The debut release for the Manchester based
outfit and what a debut - 2 tracks that are equally playable on one piece
of vinyl. Destiny is a Chaka Khan sampling cut which, with its tight
production and well used samples, is already picking up support from Paul
Farris in the UK and Deep Swing in the US. On the flip, Tempogroove is a
more Latin affair that should do some major damage out in Miami. Electric J – Soo Good (WEA UK 2 x 12”) With the Italians on a seemingly unstoppable roll (luckily the World Cup is a couple of years away!), it’s the turn of Spiller’s mate, Jason Piccioni, to wow the UK’s dance floors. Kicking if with the original mix, Soo Good is a roller coaster ride full of energy, and with additional remixes courtesy of Astrotrax and Kamasutra, this is a package that simply oozes class.
System Exclusive – Miami (Unknown UK 12”) With the Winter Music Conference just around the corner, System Exclusive present their debut EP, the aptly titled Miami. There are two different tracks included here, and for my money the Chaka Khan sampling A-side just has the edge, although both are guaranteed to whip you into a disco frenzy.
Sensitivo – This is why (Z UK 12”) It’s not often that Joey Negro’s Z label releases other people’s material, but this is the case on this latest cut. Don’t worry though because as we have come to expect from a label of this calibre, the production is of the highest quality. The extended mix is a classy affair, with a multitude of live instruments combining with the vocal on the track, whilst on the flip the “Independence dub” steps things up a gear, but still retains its soul.
Chic – Good times [Remixes] (Frenetic Holland 12”) There is always a danger that by remixing and re-releasing masterpieces such as this, you could destroy the original forever more. Luckily that doesn’t happen here and if you like the original, then head straight for the Stonebridge remix. Keeping pretty true to the original, Stone updates the track perfectly for today’s dance floors without losing any of the appeal of this all time classic.
Dionne Warwick & the Detroit Spinners – I don’t need another love (White 2 x 12") Joey Musaphia gets to grips with this classic Dionne Warwick track, updating the tune perfectly for 2001. The vocal sits beautifully in the mix, and combined with the strings and horns, give the track more uplift than a Wonderbra. Benjamin Diamond – Little Scare (Epic UK 12") The voice of Stardust is back once again with the 2nd single to be taken from his album. Todd Edwards is on remix duties and in his typical fashion he provides a slab of cut up disco fused with jazzy keys. Other mixes are included, but if you like your house funky, stick with the Todd the God. Robbie Craig & Gerideau - Who’s the better man (FFRR UK 12") Two of the best male house vocalists around at the moment team up for the latest FFRR release. The original mix will appeal to the 2-step fraternity, whilst the house side is catered for by new FFRR signing "Mr. DJ" whose mix combines an acoustic guitar, organs and funky percussion to great effect Bob Sinclar feat James ‘D-Train’ Williams – Darlin (Defected UK 2 x 12") The second single release from the widely acclaimed Champs Elysses album sees the French maestro team up with the voice of D-Train, James Williams. The original is a down tempo number, so Defected have enlisted the services of Brian Tappert to house things up. The result is a slice of uplifting funk that should work on most dance floors. Also included is the Brian Tappert mix of Save Our Soul which is a more uptempo affair, but equally workable. Filur – It’s Alright (Edel UK 12") Summer has arrived early with this awesome new track out of Denmark. Featuring the sublime vocals of Miss Nellie Ettison, this has all the right ingredients to become a summer anthem, and with an album in the pipeline, Filur could be one of the discoveries of the year.
S.H.L.A.G. - Glowstix (Hazchem Records) Co-producing under the alias S.H.L.A.G., DDR and D.A.V.E. the Drummer press yet another solid vinyl slammer. With hard 909 infused rhythms, this LP carries old school rave flavor, but with a cleverly engineered contemporary edge. The A side pushes you straight ahead with a trance-esq. feel, whereas on the flip side you will find warm analog waves which these acid techno pioneers are famed for. Whether you need to add more banging beats to your bin, or are searching for that perfect peak track for your set, look no further because this ‘havin it imprint is essential listening. 10/10 PRAXIS
THE BINMEN - Plodbusta (C.O.S.H.H.) With consistent quality release after release, this label’s seventh installment is by far no exception. DDR loops a grungy Seattle-ish guitar sample as his classic 909 pulsation sets this imprint’s tone. Sirens begin to fade in as the screaming 303’s envelope starts to open. After the short break, the track pushes heavy chaos until the end. The B-side is a bit darker and features some tricky snare EQ tactics. Contained here are two solid tunes that won’t let you down, but what do you expect from the man who defines the acid techno sound? 9/10 PRAXIS
CHRIS LIBERATOR/POUNDING GROOVES - Process black (Maximum Minimum) The unnamed artist, "Pounding Grooves", and London’s acid techno legend Chris Liberator team up to present this energy boosting EP. Packed with a punchy kick and heavy rolling bass riffs, the stereo spectrum is mixed primarily with the lows up front. Backed with a well-panned chime loop, these techie drum tracks defiantly require some fiddling with the EQ. Although this imprint steps away from the C. Lib. sound, fans of the Pounding Grooves series will enjoy the leap forward to a much fuller teched-up groove. 8/10 PRAXIS
PLASTIKMAN - Krakpot (NovaMute) Mr. Richie Hawtin adds one more piece of wax to his already incredibly vast discography with this recent LP. With a slightly slower BPM than previous releases, Plastikman fills the mix with an unexpected 303 pattern. Adding a spaced-out flange and a front line delay to the classic TB sound, Mr. Hawtin just won’t put a tune on the shelves without profound effect saturation. Needing no further explanation, this world-renowned vinyl master just won’t quit. 8/10 PRAXIS
THE ANXIOUS - Visions of a motion EP (Compound Records) If you often find yourself hunting through bins at your local shop in search of thumping tribal drum work, then this is a composition well worth searching out. With a straight-ahead drive this EP embodies progressive drum lines, a distorted ride, and deep analog loops. The use of reverse fills keeps this 12" interesting, along with the intense use of compression. As the kick drops out, the top end soars right in your face. Overall you will find satisfaction in adding this well constructed audio document to your file. 7/10 PRAXIS
B. McCoy – The word of God (Bumpin City US 12”)
Copyright – Where would we be (Soulfuric US 12”)
Giresse - Mon Ami (Inferno Records) This track has been floating around on a few white labels for a month or so and it was a supposed cheeky little French track that was going to cause a huge commotion when it was picked up by a major label. Well now it has, the people at Inferno have got their hands on this stormer but only now are we told that the whole French side to the track was a joke. It is really by Andy Galea and Justin Scharvona. Andy DJ's all over the country at venues such as Turnmills and MOS, while Justin write music for Playstation games!! The original mix bounces along nice pace until the first breakdown hits us where a cheeky little sample from Gary Newman's 'Are Friends Electric' pops up. This sample is then repeated over and over again increasing in tempo each time until the drums come back in and the crowd goes wild!! The other mix is undertaked by progressive master Jan Driver and he has produced a very smooth and cool ix of the original that will would not sound out of place in Renaissance. Overall a great start to the year by Inferno, lets hope that it continues in this way. 4/5 Release Date: 19th March 2001 Caldera - Stalsis (Hinotori Sound) Ah to my delight another Hinotori record arrives on my doorstep, and to my even bigger delight it has a Sharkey Remix included in the package. It was taking me back to my hardcore days already, until I realised that Sharkey had moved on to producing hard trance records and this mix is no exception. The original mix is a good trance tune that could even do quite well if it was released on a commercial basis rather than on the underground scene. It has a very catchy tune that weaves and winds itself through the tune creating a wicked atmosphere. The Sharkey remix on the other hand is much much harder. It starts off with what sounds very much like a slowed down distorted hardcore drum pattern. Parts of the tune soon begin to creep in and in no time at all it has turned into a full on hard trance monster of a record. The beat keeps the record driving along and it would not be out of place in a set from Dj's such as Mark EG, M-Zone or Energy. It also has a huge long breakdown that adds to the tune when the drums come pounding back in. Overall a wicked tune that is another great release for the Hinotori Crew. 4.5/5 Release Date : February 2001 12 Inch Thumpers - The Tumbler (mixes) This was one of the first releases from the 12 inch thumpers and now there is a good remix package to follow up the original. There are two mixes to choose from, the Ilogik mix and the Paul Glazby mix. First up the Ilogic mix is a driving hard house monster that pumps along until it breaks down into a very familiar tune. This tune is then carried throughout the rest of the track. There is also a hint of a rip from that Operation Blade track in the background! The Paul Glazby mix on the other hand is a different monster altogether. It starts off perfectly well with a nice and fast drum beat, but then in drops the weirdest baseline thingy that I have ever heard. It just sounds like some noise as a baseline. Not my cup of tea really. Overall a good set of mixes with the Ilogic mix coming out on top as Paul Glazby took it a bit too far this time! 3.5/5 Release Date :19/02/2001
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