Wax Works May 2013 Tips

Here's 5 of my favourite records from this month's purchases.  I think they're all fairly essential and, at the time of writing, are all still available in shops.

I've provided YouTube and Rubadub links provided where possible, but for some reason blogger wouldn't let me post all the vids to this page?!

Hope you enjoy!

Iain xo


Clouds - Radical Cutting Methods [Overly Assembly 002]

Okay, so they're probably making techno because Blawan has made it cool, but this EP is an absolute weapon in its own right.  There's 2 tracks on here from Clouds and 2 remixes, one from Edit Select and one from Sosak, and all 4 are worth your time.  If you're after a new banger. Buy this.
My pick of the bunch ise Edit Select's version.  It's a subtle, hypnotic beast of a track and, although it isn't as immediate as the other cuts, this is the one you'll be playing for years to come.

JS - Reduction 1 [Phorma 002]

The second release on the new Swedish imprint Phorma comes from JS with a Nax_Acid remix.  This one is for fans of deeper, atmospheric and dub techno.  The one I've been playing is the A side from JS, it has a very natural/chilled out feel, but with a grooving bassline and really crisp highs to get people moving.  Just a really nice tune that could be played at almost any time of the night/day.

Delroy Edwards - White Owl [L.I.E.S 14.5]
Rubadub
YouTube

Lies is pretty much the most relentlessly killer label around right now, with a release schedule that does nothing but negatively effect your social life.  But with records like this, why would you want to go out?!  The latest EP from DELROY!!! is a killer 3 track number that is just insane.  My pick of the bunch is the title track on the A side, it is mental.  Can see this doing a lot of damage in clubs for the foreseeable future - pick it up while you can, as once they go out of stock you're gonna be paying at least double or left hoping for a repress.

Galcher - Lustwerk [White Material]
Rubadub
YouTube

Another NYC label bringing the heat.  The track I wanted to share isn't on YT, so you can make do with the A2 track, but definitely check the clips on Rubadub.  This is probably my favourite record right now if I'm honest and I reckon I'll be playing this one for a long, long time.  4 excellent house tracks, that I cannot wait to play in a club.  If you are a fan of Levon Vincent, Jus Ed, Fred P, Anthony Parasole, Anthony Naples you should get the picture.

L'estasi Dell'oro - Dichtomous Life / Belle [Flaneur Audio]
Rubadub
YouTube

Both tracks on this are really cool, but the vocalist on Belle has won my favour and that's my pick from this EP.  It is a slow building track that gradually evolves over the course of 9 minutes, it has a really raw groove to it with cool hi-hat patterns that, along with the vocal, keeps the track going for the 9 minutes.  but there's all these otherworldy, alien noises that come in and out - which is completely up my street.

Raw techno jams.  Limited pressing of 300.

zzzZ

So techno is boring. Or atleast that's what I'm hearing..

mnmlssgs probably present the best or most indepth argument, and although I agree with a lot of what they say, it doesn't mean that techno is boring or bland or uninteresting.
They are right about many things, but I just don't reach the same conclusion as them. So this is my personal opinion on why some artists/djs/writers are a bit fed up with things..

I only buy vinyl, I only listen to vinyl and I have no interest in any digital releases - I couldn't care less if my favourite artists are now on bandcamp, or if they are giving their music away for free, I just don't see the point in having mp3s/wavs on my computer.
If you're digital and that works for you then that's cool, but I think by not exposing myself to every single release, and every piece of information, it helps to keep things fresh.

I buy most of my records from record shops like Rubadub, Clone or Hardwax, they represent high quality labels, and are famous for the quality of music that they stock and distribute. It's not exactly a struggle to find interesting, new music, and more often than not I find myself removing up to 20 or so records from my crate due to financial limitations.
How can techno be boring, when there's more good music than most people can afford being released?

I'm not saying that being a digital DJ or artist is causing the problem, but the exposure to higher volumes of music, in a market that is oversaturated by similar sounding tracks, makes it harder to find the quality. The amount of new releases in somewhere like Hardwax just doesn't compare to Beatport, so looking for good music quickly becomes a chore and something that isn't enjoyable..
I can't imagine how many new releases there must be on Beatport in 1 month, how is it possible to listen to them and to find stuff that you like, without going back to tried and tested labels or artists? How do you find new artists?
Do you rely on charts/top 10s? Just the thought of looking for good new music on Beatport is enough to put me off techno.

Then there is also the dangers of promo, where people are receiving hundreds of tracks each week via email. There is absolutely no quality control over the releases you receive, and you have to spend you're time downloading them and perhaps reading the PR bullshit that comes with it - then skipping through them all until you find 1 or 2 that you actually like. Of course techno is going to be boring if that's what it involves, how can anyone go through that process on a regular basis and maintain enthusiasm for it.


My solution is to stop wasting time with all the digital promos, the ridiculous PR, and the absolutely worthless comments from DJs A,B & C saying how great the record is. Stop looking for music in the wrong places, get back to record shops, and pay £8/£10 for an EP.
How many mp3's do you own that you would pay £8 for? Or How many do you own that you would have never paid £8 for?
People need to learn to take criticism or simply avoid complaining about it publicly. Too many times you see arguments on RA about what rating a record got - who gives a fuck? Atleast it's getting reviewed.
The embarrassing fanboys on RA are another post entirely, but I think there's a lot of people who are *into* electronic music that could do with growing up a bit and learn to take things with a pinch of salt.

And lastly, support your scene, get involved, run a night, run a label and go to parties. Make things happen.

Techno/electronic music is to be enjoyed - by all means take it serious, and be hardcore/purist/whatever, but enjoy it.

May I recommend?

Okay, not posted up some records in a little while so here's a few that I have been playing recently, a couple that are just out and 2 that you may have to go to Discogs for.

Mike Parker: Geophone 16

Unique, warehouse techno - a new Mike Parker record means a new essential purchase, this time we're treated to 4 tracks which will seriously mess with people's heads in the club. My pick of the bunch is probably B2 , it's not for the faint hearted but it will sound unreal on a good system. This is going to be in the bag for a long, long time.

Also, I think it's worth mentioning Mike's amazing artwork which is all done by him. Talented guy.

Analogue Solutions: Analogue Solutions 1

Sample heavy house & techno that just rocks on a good system, there's something for every set in the Analogue Solutions series and if you can, I suggest getting all 6 of them - my choice has to be 001 from the records so far, 3 absolutely killer tracks that will go down well anywhere - one of the highlights of the Electric Frog was Ben Klock dropping this.

Donato Dozzy: Acid Test 03

This didn't get the thumbs up over at LWE, but I really can't see where Richard Brophy is coming from when it comes to Dozzy. His Album 'K' was one of the best records last year, and tracks like 'Your Eyes' & 'Menta' are absolutely essential. Granted these are collabs, but I think you can definitely hear the influence Dozzy has had on the them.

As for Acid Test 03 it's a warm, relaxed acidic number that was made especially for Dozzy's set at Labyrinth, and on remix duties is Tinman in a role reversale from Acid Test 01 - The remix is my favourite track out on the EP, dark, trippy techno with a haunting vocal, if you were a fan of Acid Test 01, this will be right up your street.

Atom TM & Pink Elln: Live Volume 12 - 15.11.2009 Berlin Berghain

This is one of the best records in 2011 for me, over 20 minutes of analogue, hypnotic, acid-techno. A & B are both of the highest quality, don't miss this.

Get the B Side FREE - here. Rubadub did have this in stock, but it's not on the site.

The Secret Initiative II

Another white label, another anonymous producer, another fantastic EP.

I missed out on the first Secret Initiative, but on the strength of this release I will be purchasing that when I can. Both of these tracks are ambient/droning/spacey techno with a bit of melody that adds just enough light to the tracks, pick this one up if you can.

Relative 003

This isn't the most recent release from Relative, 4 & 5 are both out and I think you can still get them in most good record shops, but it's my favourite from this label so far.

It comes with 3 raw, analogue house bangers with 'Play Records' being my pick, it just destroys, it's a massive, massive tune.
I think this is one of the only tracks that has been played twice at one of our gigs

For those who don't know, Relative, Appointment, Restoration & Live Jam are all the same crew - and they are making some of the best house music around right now.
If you like your house to be a bit rough around the edges, then this is for you - all of the tracks are recorded on analogue gear, probably in 1 take.
These records just have so much more feeling and warmth than the majority of what is being released today, absolutely essential in my eyes.

* Don't wait around on these records because they are limited, vinyl only pressings and when they're gone you're looking at about £20 + for these on discogs

Also - I highly recommend checking out this mix from ISM if you're new to these guys

RSD, New Mixes & Some Worthwhile Reading

So, Record Shop Day...

I went down to Rub A Dub at about 4pm and the shop was packed, there was plenty of beers going round and Stephen Brown was playing a great live set, this was followed by more beer, sets from The Blessings & Instra:Mental amongst others and a fantastic selection of house and techno records to check out, plus some exclusive RSD records.

The one criticism I do have is that it was only at 8pm, when Dan Monox went on the decks, that I saw a record being played, but apart from that it was excellent and in RAD's case, certainly proved that it is worthwhile and long may it continue.

I was surprised by a lot of the negativity towards RSD over the last few days, culminating in this feature from 'Digital DJ Tips'. What I really fail to understand is why anyone who loves music or Djing (in any form) would want to discredit RSD. Who cares if it won't save vinyl? Surely the longer that vinyl is around, the better it is for all of us? Can you imagine Glasgow without Rubadub? Berlin without Hardwax? Rotterdam without Clone?

Is there anything positive about that?

MP3s are cheaper, they are more convenient and you have almost every tune you can think of available instantly, so just be happy with what you have got. Live and let live - as a DJ, regardless of what you play, it's in your best interest to support vinyl and to support the scene, it's small, it's not in great shape and we won't always have it, so make the most of it while you can.

It wouldn't take much effort to shop at your local record shop more often, even if it's only for the latest software.

Kinda related to this is an article over at LWE from Stefan Goldmann, it's pretty long but I highly recommend reading it the whole way through as it is spot on, although slightly depressing. The future looks bleak (for most of us).

On a slightly more positive note, I think that everyone with an interest in techno should read this feature over at RA. It's a very interesting piece on the London techno club 'Lost', it's extremely well written and it makes you wish that you could have been part of it.

The description of the Mills/Basic Channel set really puts a modern 'live' set into perspective, true masters of their craft.

On the mix front, there's a couple of new ones that I think are worth sharing.

The 1st mix is from Juho Khusti, who has featured here before, with a mix for the Zombeats blog. Hypnotic techno is the order of the day, and if you're into this then please check out the Deep Space Helsinki radio show and look out for a very special mix later in the year.

Get it here.

The 2nd mix is from Yuka who is signed to Dasha Rush's label Full Panda, this is a vinyl only mix of otherworldy techno that was recorded for Nutation Records.

Get it here.

Also, for those who missed out on the vinyl release the Sandwell District album has now been released on CD and is available at all good record stores.

Record Shop Day

This Saturday the 16th April is Record Shop Day, as good an excuse as any to spend a day listening to tunes and socialising with some like minded folk.

Check here to see if your local store is getting involved - as for the lucky ones who stay in or near Glasgow, Rub A Dub have got a top class lineup and a selection of exclusive music only available in store.

Here's the details..

Sets in store from:

Instra:Mental (Nonplus Recordings, Autonomic, Apple Pips)
Edit Select (Edit Select)
The Blessings (LuckyMe)
Koreless (Pictures Music) - Live

Exclusive releases from these artists:

Floating Points
Flying Lotus
Clark / Bibio
Spark (w/ Ramadanman Remix)
Some classic New Order

& more

The shop is open from 10am until 8pm.

Unfortunately I am working on Saturday morning but will be heading down for 4pm, anyone who wants to check it out and get a beer let me know.