Steffi
Yours & Mine LP
Ostgut Ton

On the debut album by Berlin-based Dutch DJ/producer Steffi, you will discover an even further developed producer who shares her personal journey. A long period of intense experimentation and self-discovery led to this sensitive, instinctive and extremely insightful long-player. Carefully mixing old and new, warm analog synth and drum textures flow in unison with modern studio finesse over nine tracks, each telling its own story. Ethereal, hypnotic passages and positive, uplifting messages meet temperate, slow-building vibes and heart-wrenching moments. Often, simplicity blurs into satisfying complexity. Moments of sheer joy arise against the backdrop of a rich and elegantly-controlled exploration of sound. The opening track, "Lilo," is a soothing, harmonious forecast of this deep dance music album-- swirling and reduced. A warm solid state thump drives it, however, and it becomes clear that the beauty in Steffi's house music lies in this meeting of classic, emotion-drenched melodies and bold, earthy drums. The tactile "Piem" rises and climbs with a strong late-night intensity before "Yours" featuring Virginia comes to the fore. Striking a clever balance between positive, addictive pop and straight-up club energy, this vocal-led future-classic is a loud and proud testament to how far Steffi has come -- not only as a producer, but as a DJ who understands the need for balance, control and release. Perhaps an ode to the many foundations of house that have no doubt inspired Steffi, "Arms" is a string-led jack track, a slow burner in the best sense, and all the better for it. Similarly, "Manic Moods" sells itself on the strength of its handful of carefully-crafted analog synth lines, slowly fusing to become one while her beats urge us forward. The urgent sci-fi tones and extended soaring strings of "Mine" bring it back to the club as heady images of warehouses past, present and future flash before you. This retro-futurism is then taken further with the muscular "Nightspacer," whose NY house roots are fleshed out by blossoming pads and an unstoppable, throbbing, traveling vibe. Drawing the album towards its close, the deeply spaced "You Own My Mind," featuring Virginia's beautifully smooth vocals, washes over and wraps around you in a melancholic blanket of sound. Deeply personal to the last, "Moving Lips" could be that special last embrace; one more moment to end the night and yet keep you longing for more.

DESOLATE
The Invisible Insurrection LP+CD
FauxPas
This is the fifth release by the Hamburg-based record label FauxPas Musik. Just in time for their first anniversary, they publish German anonymous producer Desolate's debut album The Invisible Insurrection. In January 2009, his first EP was released and now the time has come for his first LP, and of course, this imprint is pressed on vinyl. The dark but dynamic sounds of Burial and the spheric, spacy atmosphere of Boards Of Canada seem to be basic inspiration points for Desolate. Available in a limited 180 gram vinyl edition plus a bonus CD with extra tracks.

Listen to "Divinus" here:


RAIME/REGIS
If Anywhere Was Here He Would Know Where We Are/This Foundry
Blackest Ever Black

"If Anywhere Was Here He Would Know Where We Are" is a tense work, with a rolling rhythm that might make one think of jungle, if jungle were a product of the '80s cold wave. The drum hits and synth tones seem almost punitive, designed to admonish rather than seduce -- and yet seduce they do. On the flip, Regis reinvents "This Foundry." It's a tough but sensitive version, true to the original's overriding atmosphere of decay and disquiet, but also tapping into its romantic undercurrents.

Listen to "If Anywhere Was..." here:

Hamburg based RVDS makes beautifully deep & fragile music encompassing an array of styles from the deepest of house and techno with spacious beats and infectious melody. He took a Moment to talk about the new album, his process and love of synths.

Tell us about RVDS aka Richard von Der Schulenburg.

RVDS could be an abbreviation for "Rich Violet Detroit Sound" or "Rude Visions Destroys Science." One evening my friends did a list of different abbreviations for RVDS; it's fun. But in a way, you are right, it is my name as well and in fact it's the name for my electronic music project.

How did you come from playing in a punk band to making house music?

It's a musical development. I'm always trying and experimenting with sounds and music and always did electronic music, but not that club thing. This is new and I love to do it. In my opinion every kind of music can be awesome when it has this energetic thing. This could be a groove, a melody, a sound or a word in the lyrics. It's interesting with people like Moritz Von Oswald or Thomas Fehlmann, who have played in bands like Palais Schaumburg and 20 years later they are doing a different electronic music.


Do you recall some of your early clubbing experiences?

My early club experiences in the mid Nineties aren't that clear in my head. Maybe I was too drunk or something -- and I wasn't enjoying the music as much as I do now. My first awesome club experience was 2004 -- as you see, very late ... What I really love in all club experiences is this nonstop dancing thing and that there is this open-minded emotional communication between the people. 2004 there was this track "Easy Lee" by Ricardo Villalobos, which left me and many other people feeling something very intense. This is what I love.

Moritz Von Oswald Trio / Digital Mystikz
Restructure/Rebuild
Honest Jons

Musically, this new stepper appears to swell out of thin air. Immense and minimal, the propulsive groove of this monstrous child of Krautrock is overlain with the blues abstraction of Tikiman's guitar, the swing and effects of Marc Muellbauer's double bass, Delay's digressive steel percussion, and the otherworldly keys of Loderbauer and von Oswald. Mala's rebuild ratchets up the drama and dread. A barrage of bleeps rains down on a clopping drum pattern and steely synths. An immensely powerful record.

Listen to "Restructure 2" by the Moritz Von Oswald Trio here:





Arthur’s Landing
Arthur's Landing
Strut

Debut album comprising new versions of Arthur Russell songs, some known, some previously never heard. Produced and mixed by Brennan Green and the band’s Peter Zummo. New versions of Loose Joint’s “It's All Over My Face” and “In the Light Of the Miracle." Hot!

Listen to "Miracle 2" here:

Continue reading...