Iris Manta – Kilonova LP
Three years after the release of the debut album “Mental Equations” from the solo project Iris Manta by Manos Zafirakis, it is with great enthusiasm that the second album entitled “kilonova” reaches the surface.
Although in both cases the electronic sound is the most dominant one, the approach to ‘Kilonova” is completely different, as far as both the sound as the ideas that are developed. In the first album the mood was ambient, space synth ,cinematic, wandering, where the composer operated as an observer of universal images in an attempt to seek answers as to what it is that we observe and experience whether it be an illusion or the reality, if there is absoluteness, as well as whether everything is translated into mathematical equations.
Contrary, to the case of “kilonova” an attempt is made to decode astronomical events into music. Each piece represents a process taking place out there, like for example the homonymous track referring to the violent collision of neutron stars or Stellar sculptures concerning the impressive remnants left behind by a supernova explosion.
In other words, this time the approach is pragmatic rather than philosophic while the mood is turbulent. The maker tries to find himself amidst these natural processes, sense them, express them and describe them.
Of course, in the result greatly contributes the use of analog synthesizers, drum machine, while all the tracks on the whole are instrumental with a slight presence of vocoder vocals. Generally speaking, the style of music tends to be inclined towards synth wave.
“Kilonova” is a self-funded album and it circulates in both a digital form and online (Bandcamp, Spotify, Amazon, CDbaby etc.) as well as in physical form CD-R(digipack limited edition of 100 pieces). Released July 7, 2018.
Gorillaz – Humility (DJ Koze Remix)
‘Humility’ feat. George Benson is taken from the brand new album THE NOW NOW.
Kidnap – Ursa Minor (Birds That Fly)
Matt Relton continues to evolve under his Kidnap alias as he gifts us with another thoughtful and emotive production via his respected imprint, Birds That Fly. True to form, the Sheffield producer delivers a sublime track that is a reflection of his unique and intelligent sound.
“Ursa Minor is the outcome of a recommitment to the process of evolution. One which for a time was laid down. It is an ode to distant orbits and a call for adulation. A nudging reminder to revere our lives lived as they are, hanging amongst the stars.” Kidnap
Also the name for a constellation of stars visible in the Northern Sky, Ursa Minor takes the listener on a deep and moving journey. Opening with a flurry of cosmic arpeggios, the production is as dreamy as it is cinematic. The use of delicate percussion and glistening synths will leave you in a state of deep wonderment.
Kidnap has come a long way since he first came to the public’s attention in 2012, winning iTunes Best Electronic Track for Vehl. In 2016 he launched his own label, Birds That Fly, in a bid to create a platform where he could release music whilst retaining complete artistic freedom. Last year was a turning point in both Relton’s career and personal life. He dropped the ‘Kid’ from his name and began releasing under Kidnap, a nod towards his musical growth. This year has already seen Relton play a sold-out EP launch in London as well as a string of events across the US. 2018 will also see Relton take on the role as an ambassador for the popular “Corona Sunset Series”. The events take place across the globe in stunning locations and aim to reflect the nostalgic summer sounds and emotions that Kidnap’s music evokes.
Body Language Vol. 20 by Emanuel Satie
As the iconic Body Language mix series hits a 20th essential edition, Get Physical enlist the ever-talented Emanuel Satie as the man to curate and mix it.
Berlin based DJ and producer Satie, has been a vital artist over recent years, with an impressive output of releases on marquee labels such as Moon Harbour, Knee Deep In Sound, DFTD and of course Get Physical. He is currently riding high following a recent BBC Radio 1 Essential New Tune with his stunning track ‘Don’t Forget To Go Home featuring Billy Cobham’. He has included this in his Body Language mix, alongside another self-penned track ‘Paris featuring Mama’, as well as a fine remix of Jay Haze’s feat. Big Bully & Sven VT’s ‘Soul In A Bottle’ which is sure to be finding favour in discerning record boxes, and will be released as a stand-alone release later this summer.
The mix kicks off in absorbing fashion with thoughtful deep house that has tender vocals and broken beats from Self Egg. Pezzner keeps things cosy with his ‘Heartline’ before the perfectly roughshod and whimsical classic ‘Silent State’ from STL lulls you into a day dream. Things then begin to get more upright with the quirky melodics of Kiani & His Legion’s ‘Eindelozer’ and The/Das’s enchanting ‘Drug Dilling’.
This perfectly coherent mix remains expertly paced, smoothly moving through the gears with tracks from Fred P, Doza, dubspeeka and Tuff City Kids that all add something new and dynamic. Satie’s own ‘Paris’ is a haunting bit of stripped back house and his remix of “Soul In A Bottle’ sinks you into mellifluous house grooves rich in gorgeous piano keys. Satie expertly concludes the mix with his other original ‘Don’t Forget To Go Home’ a glowing house cut with real musical warmth after more twisted, tech tinged tracks from Detroit great Kevin Sanderson & KiNK, and German master Roman Flu?gel.
This latest Body Language mix is another fresh instalment that champions the Get Physical sound as well as being a tasteful snapshot of the best deep and tech house has to offer.
Tracklist:
01 Self Egg – Cold
02 Pezzner – Heartline
03 STL – Silent State
04 Kiani & His Legion – Eindelozer
05 The/Das – Drug Dilling
06 Fred P – 6AM
07 Doza – Ixchel
08 Emanuel Satie feat. MAMA – Paris
09 Radio Slave – Bell Clap Dance (Tuff City Kids Mix)
10 dubspeeka – Reflection1
11 Jay Haze feat. Big Bully & Sven VT – Soul In A Bottle (Emanuel Satie Remix)
12 Kevin Saunderson & KiNK – Idyllic (Extended Mix)
13 Tuff City Kids – R-Mancer (Roman Flu?gel Happy Gerdy Remix)
14 Emanuel Satie Feat. Billy Cobham – Don’t Forget To Go Home (Radio Edit)
15 Body Language Vol. 20 by Emanuel Satie (Continuous Mix)
Cocoon Compilation R
Cocoon’s much anticipated alphabet series hits the letter R in 2018, and as well as a CD release, there is a special vinyl version features 6 x 12” fluorescent records which glow in the dark and create a magical effect in the club.
Of course, label boss Sven Vath and his Cocoon label are synonymous with techno. But under his charge, strict style guidelines and exaggerated pigeonholing do not apply. It’s especially true for the compilation series, which having now reached the letter R, impressively shows the arc the Frankfurt label’s output continues to span. From soft and melodic with a lot of depth to highly functional and extremely crisp – there’s a creative range on offer that very few labels can boast.
Says Sven, “I listen to and play everything that I like and that touches me. I always pack a genre-spanning record bag. I’m particularly interested in those special tracks – that’s exactly what my vision of Cocoon Recordings is about.”
The current compilation continues this idea and is a prime example of the label’s philosophy. The artists on the latest edition include prominent names like Isolee, Lusine, Pig&Dan, Inigo Kennedy, Ambivalent & Alden Tyrell, ROD and Mano Le Tough. Label representative and Frankfurt original Ingo Boss offers up a track and with contributions from International Anything, John Heckle, Cristi Cons and Eduardo De La Calle, promising new faces from further afield are also represented.
Things open in melancholic fashion with the thoughtful and rolling house of Lusine’s ‘Parallel,’ then Isolee serves up a modern classic that is minimal and melodic with ‘Yes Let’. The always deep Mano Le Tough offers typically organic grooves, Spaniard Eduardo De La Calle melts your mind with his trance inducing techno, and veterans Ambivalent and Alden Tyrell get raw and angsty with their twisted techno number. There is then big room fair from Pig&Dan, celestial synth techno from John Heckle and expertly reduced minimal from the master of detail that is Christi Cons.
All in all, this makes for one of the most diverse compilations yet and is a perfect snapshot of what to expect from one of ringleader Sven’s celebrated sets somewhere round the world.
Tracklist:
1. Lusine – Parallel
2. Isolee – Yes let
3. Mano Le Tough – Vanishing Landscapes
4. International Anything – The Future is Here
5. Eduardo De La Calle – Caravaca’s Distortion Theory
6. Inigo Kennedy – Black Light
7. Ambivalent & Alden Tyrell – War Island
8. Pig&Dan – Shattered Minds
9. ROD – Abel
10. Ingo Boss – Junghof Love Star
11. John Heckle – Fantasy
12. Cristi Cons – Bird in Space
Henri – Last Dance feat. Imogen Rose
Following her release on Anjunadeep earlier this year, DJ, producer and songwriter Henri makes her return with “Last Dance.” The track is laced with cinematic emotion, with the ethereal Imogen Rose’s piercingly high, haunting vocal hook reminiscent of a war cry. Beginning with a classical, dark, moody piano arpeggio, “Last Dance” constantly vacillates between tension and release, driven by thumping beats, synth stabs, and melodic, percussive builds.
It is both sexual and foreboding, the last dance between two lovers and also our last dance with the world we are so successfully destroying. “The visuals of Lars Von Trier’s film ‘Melancholia’ mirror the sentiment I envisioned when writing the song,” says Henri. “It’s deceivingly beautiful while simultaneously about the end of the world.”
Over the last few years, up-and-coming London-based DJ, Henri has been fine tuning her remixing and production skills, having reached number two on Hype Machine with her melodic house remix of Flight Facilities’ “Two Bodies,” releasing “Sunshine of Your Love” on Armada Deep last year and “Hiding” on Anjunadeep earlier this year.
David August – D’Angelo
The first single of David’s new album “D’Angelo” coming on October 5th via [PIAS].
Video: Orbital – P.H.U.K.
Legendary dance outfit Orbital have made a hard-hitting new video about the current situation in Britain today to accompany their hypnotic new single “P.H.U.K.” The video features searing images such as scenes of police brutality, poverty and the shell of the Grenfell Tower, juxtaposed with the latest billionaire flats at the Battersea Power Station development in London.
One half of the revered techno duo Paul Hartnoll said of the video: “It’s a snapshot of the state of Britain today, where opulence and poverty rub shoulders amidst the chaos, a disparity that can be transposed to many other nations. But as Leonard Cohen once said, light shines through the cracks, so it’s not all bad! Please Help UK? You decide…”
Video director Felix Green was inspired by the cyclical, mesmerising and relentless techno melody: “The track lends itself to highlighting some of the ironies, dissonances and juxtapositions present in UK politics and culture. It may look like we’re all totally P.H.U.K.’d but it’s actually not all doom and gloom…. we do have dancing policemen.”
‘P.H.U.K.’ drops today, June 29 – the same day Orbital headline a home town show at Brighton Racecourse. This is the second single from their forthcoming album, ‘Monsters Exist,’ which is due for release on September 14 via ACP Recordings.The songs contained on ‘Monsters Exist’ demonstrate why Orbital have remained Britain’s giants of electronic music.
