Went to the ICA today to see the Arthur Russell documentary, Wild Combination. Really liked it. I got really emotional towards the end. Had to put up a heroic effort to fight back the tears. All of the video of him was quite affecting as well. It would be hard to do this as well as they did without getting soppy, but they pulled it off really well. It definitely was a bit short on the disco side of things, but I didn’t mind so much. The footage of The Loft was pretty cool. Had no idea there’s still literally thousands of hours of his recordings that have never been released. Would love to hear more of that. Anyway… Iowan boy done good. Out on DVD on November 3.
All posts by Phonopsia
Korg DS-10
Süd Electronic’s 8th Birthday with Scott Ferguson, Prosumer, Lakuti and me: 4th October 2008
Here’s some fine blurb for you. I’m filling in for Nick, who’s not able to make it this time around.
Süd Electronic’s 8th Birthday (+ Lerato’s Birthday ) – 4th October 2008
Powered By A Funktion 1 SoundsytemLine Up
Scott Ferguson – Dj Set – Detroit ( Ferrispark , Deep Vibes , Kinda Soul Recordings)
Prosumer – Dj Set – Berlin ( Berghain /Panorama Bar , Osgut ton , Running Back , Playhouse )
Residents :
Lakuti (Süd Electronic , Uzuri recordings )
Nick Craddock (Süd Electronic ) me
Visuals By Valero DovalDate : 4th October 2008
Venue : Somewhere in The heart Of Dalston . Full details to be revealed nearer the date
Times : 10 pm – Very late
Ticket Info : Advance Tickets £10 + BF From :
http://www.wegottickets.com/event/36523
Otherwise £12 on the door and subject to availability
For more info email : [email protected]
Or call : 07853371939Lots coming up in the next few months . hope you will be joining us .
Kicking of our Party schedule on the 4th of October , then another one on the 7th Of November and then finishing of the year With our Yuletide knees up – now in it’s 4th year , on the 13th of December .October the 4th will see us in celebratory mode :
Please come help me celebrate my birthday as well as Süd´s 8th year birthday on the 4th of October 2008A great venue has been sourced out for the 4th, right in the heart of Dalston .
This venue used to be an art deco cinema back in the day and is now being used as a snooker halll . it still maintains some of it´s original features though and we will be putting some magic into it with our own deco including some great visuals by Valero Doval .
I’m currently very excited by Valero’s work . His work encompasses art , design and illustration with a portfolio wich includes work for various art magazines and publications including illustrations for the New York Times , artwork for various bands e.t.c.For More on Valero :
http://www.valerodoval.com/We have slightly increased capacity for this one as result of the last 2 parties being to packed .
We’ve enlisted the help of two of our favourite producers / dj´s to come provide some top draw music on the night .
Scott Ferguson and Prosumer .
More on them :
Scott Ferguson ( Detroit – Ferris Park , Deep Vibes , International Dj Gigolos, Kinda Soul Recordings )
With 17 releases under his belt as well as various remixes and appearance on mixes and compilations , a forthcoming album on K Soul’s , ” Kinda Of Soul ” imprint ( The album is out in October ) ; is fair to say that Scott is a veteran in what he does .
A unique synthesis of Blues, Soul, Disco, House, and Techno music are echoed in both Scott Ferguson’s productions and DJ sets. His jazzy and soulful compositions, energetic club tracks and druggy slow-burners incorporate a blend of engaging rhythms with conscious themes. A perfect blend of awareness and unique style makes Ferguson stand on his own and is embraced by music lovers around the globe.
In 1994/95 Hungry and seeking knowledge, Scott Ferguson connected with local DJs at Zoots, The Sardine Bar, and warehouse parties at the Packard Plant and Bankle Building where Detroit’s electronic music sub-culture thrived. Attending raves and clubs on a weekly basis, Scott became immersed in the scene as well as starting his own collection of House and Techno records. He never looked back since .
2002 saw the launch of Ferrispark with the hit ep , „Dump Days . this ep went on to receive accolades from the press across europe and many parts of the world and won him fans left right and centre . those fans included some of the biggest names in electronic music – Louie Vega, Terry Hunter, Frankie Knuckles , Stacey pullen , Dj Hell , Terence Parker e.t.c. to name but a few .
Scott continues to dazzle audiences all over with a packed european tour in october , stopping over here @ Süd , Berlin , Holland , Belgium and many more cities .
For more on Scott Ferguson:
http://ferrispark.comProsumer ( Berghain /Panorama Bar , Ostgut , Running Back , Playhouse )
Achim Brandenburg aka Prosumer has been a fervent collector of music for years . Resident at world renowned Berghain/Panorama Bar & has had a stint behind the counter at another Berlin institute ; HardWax .
Here is what Prosumer has to say about his sets and music in general :
” My heart is beating for early Chicago -Detroit techno records and for music thats similar and transports this feeling today . Generally i like producers who follow their feeling and who work on a personal style which caters for longevity , rather than a momentary kick . ”Prosumer is not only a dj but he is also a producer . he released his debut ep on Swayzak’s 240 volts label in 2004 then followed the smash hit ” The Craze ” in 2005 on Playhouse . Soon he was in demand for remix work . he released another hit ep on Gerd janson’s , Running Back imprint .
2008 saw an album by Prosumer and studio partner Murat Tepeli and he has since been ultra busy with dj & live stints in revered clubs such as the Rex , Robert Johnson , Fabric , Piping Club , Weekend , Watergate , Paradiso e.t.c.For more on Prosumer :
http://www.myspace.com/prosumer
http://www.ostgut.de/booking/Our residents Nick Craddock me & Lakuti will be joining in the celebrations too .
Hope you can make it !!!
Rosas dancing to Steve Reich
Went to see Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s Rosas run and jump around to Steve Reich, performed by Ictus at Sadler’s Wells tonight.
Here’s the blurb:
Rosas presents an evening of dance devoted to Steve Reich’s music, featuring two existing pieces of dance and two new works. The first of two new works is Four Organs, set to Steve Reich’s controversial composition created in 1970 for four Hammond organs. The second, Eight Lines, is danced to Steve Reich’s piece of the same name for two pianos plus wood and strings.
Completing the programme is the classic Piano Phase, which sees Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s choreography stripped down to its bare bones, as the dancers’ deft movements mirror the tight phrases of Steve Reich’s music.
Drumming – Part 1 is another celebrated work in which Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker’s powerful, energetic choreography is once again partnered perfectly with Steve Reich’s definitive style as 13 dancers move to the beat of four live percussionists.
Steve Reich’s score will be brought bursting to life on stage by the acclaimed music group Ictus.
It started with Pendulum Music, which does what it says on the tin. Two swinging microphones fly across stage, feeding back as they pass over two speakers. They fall out of sync and you get Reich business. Set the tone nicely.
The highlight of the night was the first full piece, Marimba Phase, performed by two drummers, with two dancers behind them with their shadows projected on a large screen. There was also another set of lights at opposite angles that projected their shadows on the same location on the screen, and this joint image would pulsate strangely to their dancing to the phases as they fell out of sync. This was really beautiful, and the only part of the evening I’d struggle to criticize. There was none of that twee dancey, running and jumping around bollocks, just good fluid dancing to the music.
This was followed by Piano Phase, which is a brilliant piece of music, but the dancing was much more interpretive rubbish modern dance crap.
Eight Lines was probably the most disappointing part of the evening, as it is one of my favourite Reich compositions (it’s like a digest version of Music for 18 Musicians, for those who don’t know it), but it was just played from a recording, and it sounded like it. In fact, it sounded like there was an unusual recording of it or as though the sound engineer was purposefully accentuating the volume of the most newly introduced part, which felt like training wheels for Reich’s music. The dancing was well up its own ass as well.
Four Organs was performed live after this, but the all-male dancing to it was completely inappropriate for the piece. In fact, I’d struggle to understand how anyone could dance to it. This was pretty irritating.
After that we found out what the 100 funny looking triangular objects were at the front of the stage. It was György Ligeti’s Poème Symphonique for 100 metronomes. One guess what happened.
They concluded with Drumming Pt. 1, which was the grandest of the dances, and probably the best other than what they did to Marimba Phase. I actually quite enjoyed it despite the odd karate kick thrown in, etc. I was a bit disappointed they only played Pt. 1 though.
After a roaring ovation (I reckon these dance people don’t get out much, or that they’ve never heard Reich before) the musicians came back on and did a short piece for five woodblocks. Most enjoyable, despite the dancers fucking about all around them during it.
In sum… I tried out modern dance. I reckon it’s shit. Steve Reich is wicked though, and it was great to see so much of his music performed live in one night. That Marimba Phase dance was pretty wicked too though, so maybe there’s some hope for this art form.
Oh, and the other thing that struck me is that Reich is a very strange choice for this. While his music is undoubtedly rhythmically compelling and challenging, watching the live performance of it has always seemed balletic enough for me.
Making myself slightly less late
Complete Releases
2562 – Aerial [Tectonic]
TRG/Dub U – Losing Marbles [Hotflush Recordings]
Individual tracks
Pangea – Deviant [Hessle Audio UK]
DJ Gregory – Labyrinthe [Faya Combo France]
DJ Gregory – Sookoos [Faya Combo France]
TRG – Feel For You [Subway Holland]
TRG – Missed Calls [Subway Holland]
DJ Gregory – You Are My Friend (dub) [SSOH France]
Julien Jabre – The Stook (main mix) [SSOH France]
Kontext – Plumes [Immerse]
Expect some reviews and hopefully some new mixes in the not-too-distant future.
Recent new music binge
First stuff I’ve bought since May. I’ve finally started shopping digitally when possible, so expect a broader range and less full releases. I’m also hoping that less time spent encoding vinyl will translate in to more time spent listening, mixing and writing reviews of this stuff.
Wax
The Little Ones – Morning Tide [EMI]
Flying Lotus – Los Angeles [Warp]
CDs
Various – Network – The Box Set: 50 Classics [Endulge]
Kenny Larkin – Keys Strings Tambourines [Planet E US]
Full digital releases
Kadebostan – Caracas Soul EP [Freude Am Tanzen Germany]
Studio – No Comply [Information]
Kadebostan – Grand Theatre EP [Fenou Germany]
Popol Vuh – Mika Vainio (Haswell & Hecker Remixes) [Editions Mego]
Kadebostan – Ruff Dancer EP [Freude Am Tanzen Germany]
Various – Innervisions Presents Muting The Noise [Innervisions Germany]
Kuniyuki – Remixed Vol 1 [Mule Musiq Japan]
Kuniyuki Takahashi – All These Things [Mule Musiq Japan]
Koss – Ring [Mule Electronic Japan]
Koss – Four Worlds Converge As One [Mule Electronic Japan]
Kuniyuki Takahashi – We Are Together [Mule Musiq Japan]
Pascal Schafer – Dawn [Karaoke Kalk Germany]
Move D/Benjamin Brunn – Songs From The Beehive [Smallville Germany]
Digital tracks
Terrence Dixon – Awaken [Yore Germany]
Terrence Dixon – Relent [Yore Germany]
Terrence Dixon – Links [Yore Germany]
Terrence Dixon – Destination [End to enD]
Stereocity – Dedicated JB [Deep Explorer Spain]
Inverse Cinematics – The Rise & Fall (Sam Irl remix) [Pulver Germany]
A Mountain Of One – Brown Piano (remake by Studio) [Information]
Rubies – Room Without A Key (version by Studio) [Information]
Zassem Mosse – Untitled B1 (original mix) [Workshop Germany]
Workshop – Untitled B1 (original mix) [Workshop Germany]
The Mole – I’ve Got My A1 [Musique Risquee]
Syclops – NR17 [DFA US]
Syclops – 5 Out [DFA US]
Syclops – The Fly [DFA US]
The Mole – When It Tastes So Good, You Deserve It [Wagon Repair Canada]
Roland Appel – Lost Valley [Sonar Kollektiv Germany]
Roland Appel – New Love [Sonar Kollektiv Germany]
Rising Sun – Untitled B1 [Workshop Germany]
Benjamin Brunn – Untitled A1 [Workshop Germany]
Mujaba – Fuelta [Four Roses Germany]
Flying Lotus – Mages Sages (Light A Dub 2 This) [Mello Music Group]
Brennan Green – Escape From Chinatown (version by Studio) [Information]
Secondo – Distrails [Soul Jazz]
Secondo – Solstice [Soul Jazz]
Secondo – Quantum Lady [Soul Jazz]
The Asphalt – 8 Mile Road (Juju & Jordash mix) [Deep Explorer Spain]
Fontan – Early Morning (version by Studio) [Information]
Terrence Dixon – Region (original version) [Nice & Nasty]
Terrence Dixon – Device (original version) [Nice & Nasty]
Henrik Schwarz/Ame/Dixon – DPOMB (version 2) [Innervisions Germany]
Tob Jona – Metro 501 [Artless Germany]
Koss – Earth (Koss Self remix) [Mule Electronic Japan]
Wayne Gardiner: Found
The search is over. Nine digital-only releases since Summer 2007 on his CIMA Recordings imprint, the format presumably being the reason for these being off most people’s sonar. I’ve just bought at least one track off each of them, and every track from most. Some of it will no doubt be a bit polished for some people’s taste, but for this type of stuff I don’t think anyone does it better.
And for those seeking to catch up on his older stuff, all the Logic stuff on Strictly has been reissued digitally and on wax and Nervous have re-released all of his stuff digitally as well. Slightly older news I know, but worth repeating.
New and Old: January 18,1999
This was my first recorded mix that I was really happy with. It covers some deep house, slower Detroit house, Detroit and European techno. Originally recorded on January 18,1999.
2020 note: all mixes taken down for now to re-post at higher bitrate on Mixcloud in due course. If you’re at all keen for me to do this, please let me know and I will try and get anything specific you want to hear moved over ASAP.
Tracklist
Theo Parrish – Sweet Sticky [PeaceFrog]Urban Tribe – D2000 [Mo’ Wax]
Paperclip People – 4 My Peepz [Planet E]
D.S.L. – Soothe Your Soul [Chili Funk]
Roy Davis Jr. – Black River [Lazyboy]
Herbert – Going Round [Phono]
Smyglyssna – Insvept I Papper [Plug Research]
Vincent S. – Joyful Pool [Bigelow]
Midnight Drive – Remember Me? (Freaks Tunring Yellow Dub) [Classic]
YMC – F-Connection [Yoshi Toshi]
Cari Lekebusch – Omslaget Motiverat [Hybrid]
Wyndell Long – Still Photo [Elypsia]
Richard Bartz – The Traveller [Kurbel]
Mr. James Barth – Stealin’ Music [SVEK]
Clark – Clip [Planet E]
CRo2 – Can’t Let Go [Trace Elements]
The Depeche Mode 101 Rose Bowl Concert
It’s good. It’s basically just the CD with video accompaniment though. So buy the DVD for the whole package, buy the CD/vinyl for your routine listening needs.
I still think this is such a perfect time capsule of (pockets of) American infatuation with Depeche Mode. There are moments in almost every song that have a huge affect on me. PIMPF in particular invokes a direct emotional response as soon as it’s playing. It is the musical invocation of anticipation.
As I watch it I get grand ideas (as I am prone to do) abut throwing these tracks in to DJ sets. I would love to hear the 101 version of Stripped on a Funktion 1 system to kick off a DJ set, or Everything Counts to end one. I just wish people who are brave enough to include DM in their DJ sets would reach beyond the obvious. The last thing we need is DJs playing the DM equivalent of Blue Monday (and might I add what an absolutely worthless selection that is as a DJ). I would be happy for many months if someone surprised me and dropped Blue Dress in the middle of a set.
Smooth ‘n Rough: Summer ’99
This is a mix I recorded some time in the Summer of ’99. Some of it’s a bit speedy, as many of my mixes at the time were. I reckon that’s an inevitable consequence of mixing with pitched decks (when you increase the range to +/-16). It was also pretty crucial to teaching me how to mix stuff from different genres together. Anyway… I really dig this mix, having not heard it for a good few years. Lots of solid Chicago house and techno. Clocks in at just under an hour.
2020 note: all mixes taken down for now to re-post at higher bitrate on Mixcloud in due course. If you’re at all keen for me to do this, please let me know and I will try and get anything specific you want to hear moved over ASAP.
Tracklist
Heiko Laux – … To All Believers [Yoshi Toshi]
Turnstyle Orchestra – Latin Soul (…Not So Latin…Sonic Soul Mix) [Guidance]Joshua – The Breeze [NRK Sound Division]
Paul Jacobs – Soul Grabber Pt. 3 [Aquarius Recordings]
20:20 Vision – Bob Hopefield (Urban Farmers Mix) [Soma]
Troy Brown – Feel Alright B2 [Aquarius Recordings]
Gemini – How Can I [Cyclo Records]
SunKiss – Tickle [Plastic City America]
Stewart S. Walker – Nave [Tresor]
Various Artists – #6 [Chain Reaction]
Surgeon – Oval [Downwards]
Surgeon – Learning B2 [Dynamic Tension Records]
Ian Pooley – Loopduell [Force Inc. Music Works]
Claude Young – Circumstance 2 [DJax Up Beats]
Infiniti – Electric Circus [Tresor]