September 25, 2009
KOZE is coming home...
PAMPA, the new label by Hamburg Native and Resident DJ KOZE will be Distributed world wide exclusively through Wordandsound, of Same Origin.
Pampa is a new label from old pals DJ Koze and Marcus Fink, dedicated to releasing club music that's seriously danceable without recourse to the tried and tested ingredients. A home for house and techno tunes that will conquer hearts and take root there forever, music that's brave and not afraid to break with convention. The first release is by Die Vogel, a collaborative project between Jakobus Siebels and Mense Reents. Jakobus is an innovative multi-instrumentalist who has previously recorded distinctive albums for Tomlab, Chicks On Speed Records, Karaoke Kalk; the no less talented Reents is a member of the groups Egoexpress, Die Goldenen Zitronen and Stella, and operates the Art Blakey Studios in Hamburg where this EP was recorded. Listening to A-side 'Blaue Moschee' you immediately know this going to be a strange and wonderful trip: oompa-style brass looped and layered over a stripped-back kickdrum, this tunes messes with all received notions of what house/techno music is! With a musicality and wicked sense of humour that naturally appealed to Koze and Fink, Siebels and Reents have created a timeless dancefloor banger using the most unlikely of elements. The result definitely isn't "jazzy techno" - the brass, far from being an afterthought, it's the very substance of the thing; it provides the melody, the bass, and the rhythm. Brass is the driving force behind the whole EP. B1, 'Petardo', is likewise driven by growling trombones and tubas, this time offset by cooing woodwind and set to a rolling, almost tribal drum tattoo. The horn chords are reminiscent of moody 60s British jazz, while the woodwind lends a South American fire and flair to proceedings. The track is full of subtle edits, but Siebels and Reents don't overwhelm the mix with synthesized sounds, instead letting the acoustic instruments speak for themselves. Closer 'Empire' again finds exquisitely arranged brass parts interlocking into a tough, single-minded groove, underscored with a skippy, broken 4/4 pulse and handclaps. Often when a new label claims to be taking risks and trying something new, the truth is rather less remarkable. Not in this case: Siebels and Reent have created a terrifically original, inimitable trio of tracks that combine the pop and the avant-garde, the cerebral and the physical, to absolutely stunning effect. It might be unusual and it might be clever, but it's still dance music pure and simple. magic!
September 23, 2009
STL on SOMETHING exclusive!
This 4 tracker comes deep and dirty. Tube amplified driven grooves with colorful shining percussions - the unstoppable affectiv exciting melodies on top - plus the ever appearing bonus loops makes this again a very exceptional and personal sounding something twelve inch. The included Dancefloor madness will shake your heads once you are down with it. House music that will move you, but also amaze your senses in relaxed listening situations. Play that tracks in moody places and this record brings you into other orbits. Finally this again has that typical STL vibes inside, for what he is notorious for, meanwhile. Buy Something - your turntable will be grateful!
September 22, 2009
Pssshhht...The Bla Bla Bla Album of the Italoboyz
The 2007 hit “Viktor Casanova” was picked out of a folder of hundreds demos by Claude VonStroke. It went on to sell out many many times and started a somewhat unlikely and fantastical relationship between a small upstart U.S. techno label and two Italians living in London. The Italoboyz went on to then sign hit records like “Zinga” to Get Physical and continued their hot streak on mothership with “Bahia,” their masterwork featuring the only John Coltrane sample ever licensed for dance music. Italoboyz have always pushed the boundaries and tested the limits of traditional dance-floor music. Their debut album “Bla Bla Bla” is the culmination of their hard work over the years. This new album takes them to the next level - producing live instrumentation. Of course it is the Italoboyz, so the live music is tweaked and twisted, but the source material is much more fluid and made to taste. There are still some samples, but the majority of new material is recorded from long studio sessions in London with their many friends. Piano, saxophone, live bass, percussion and old school drum machines show up frequently and are worked and played in unusual and creative ways, forming 70+ minutes you will definitely not hear anywhere else. Italoboyz have a distinct identity and will never get lost in the sea of samey-same music that flows freely these days. We hope you enjoy this adventurous music as much as we do.
