Category Archives: review

BURNS + DEADMAU5

Written by manalogue. Posted on October 6, 2009. Filed under cancon, electro, house, local shows, manalogue, mashup, rave, remix, review, robotdisco. Tagged , , , , , . No comments.

A week ago my mate LOTEK and I had the pleasure of seeing BURNS and DEADMAU5 when they were in Winnipeg. While the opening disc jockey warmed things up I asked the promoter if I could say hi to Burns and thank him for the guestlist spot. I didn’t make arrangements for an interview so I didn’t bother bringing anything to record the chat but as it turned out, I really wish I did. The 23-year-old remained refreshingly candid, and his personality reflected a casualness normally reserved for close friends This was the first correspondence I’ve had with Burns personally, but by the time he had to go downstairs it felt as though we had a number of previous encounters. The conversation drifted from his upcoming album, to remix work (that can’t be mentioned on these pages…yet), to the current state of djing and clubbing, how Deadmau5 wanted to Burns to tour with him, and how his working relationship with his label, 21-12 and LINUS LOVES formed.

Burns has also been extra busy in the studio turning out mixes for Ladyhawke, Frankmusik and Jack Splash feat Missy Elliot with amazing results. I hope to be able share some of them soon for now here’s what I can give you, followed by a review of the show.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: Burns – In My Eyes (His Majesty Andre remix)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: The Toxic Avenger – Toxic is Dead (Burns remix)

Give Burns love from somewhere like beatport.

REPUBLIC is, without a doubt, the best sounding club in this city – another reason this show kept its appeal despite falling on a Tuesday. The early week show didn’t stop hundreds of people from getting their party on, many of whom did it with their jaws clenched and pupils dilated so it became quite clear early on that this night would be a bit bonkers. By the time Burns made his way to the stage the venue had filled up nicely – something I hadn’t seen in a long time.

A little while earlier Burns noticed the opening dj laying down some really heavy material which we both thought was odd for how early it was. We discussed flow and etiquette and came to the same conclusion. For better or worse, djs can and will play anything they want now. While there are still some who plan the direction and track list for the entire set, Burns confessed that at most he would select a track to open with and go into a set with a direction in mind, but nothing was ever concrete. Picking up on this, Burns opened with some housey material that sparkled with a little 80s glitz, playing some of his own tunes and remixes. He kept the dancefloor moving with a dynamic set that flowed from nu disco to indie-dance-whathaveyou, and ended by preparing the crowd for Deadmau5, laying into some heavy thunder. One point to note too – Burns isn’t a laptop dj. He played a flawless set entirely on CDJs.

Before I knew it, Burns was done and sound technicians had moved his gear to make room for Deadmau5. I was ready to go, but stuck around to see what was going to happen.

When Deadmau5 started, the crowd went bananas. He immediately gave them what the wanted to hear but I thought it was a bit odd that he played hit after hit to open things up. He did it well, using Ableton (I think) and a Native Instruments Maschine and a Lemur by Jazz Mutant. His Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger bootleg was the first track I heard by the Canadian so I was happy to hear it as it was intended to be played, loud.

I really wasn’t that into it though so I left. (Plus there’s the fact that I have a demanding day job that needed my full capabilities at 8:00 in the morning that pulled at my conscious.) I heard afterward from a number of people that Deadmau5 kind of blew his load early with the heavier material and progressed into a bit of a techno set. That would have been great to see, although for this old man it wasn’t suitable for a Tuesday night.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: Deadmau5 & MC Flipside vs Kool and the Gang – Jungle Friend (Mark Starr’s Jungle Boogie Beatz Mashup)

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: Daft Punk – Harder Better Faster Stronger (Deadmau5 edit)

Post to Twitter

MACHINES DON’T CARE + THE AMERICAN DREAM TEAM

Written by manalogue. Posted on March 23, 2009. Filed under bass, electro, review. Tagged , , , . 1 Comment.

Coincidentally, the last post featured some iconic samples. Here’s another that fits a similar pattern, this time from TADT. You’ll get the idea after the clicky.

Audio clip: Adobe Flash Player (version 9 or above) is required to play this audio clip. Download the latest version here. You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.

MP3: Machine’s Don’t Care – Drop it to the Floor (TADT Baby Pop remix)

Oh, if you didn’t know, MACHINES DON’T CARE is Herve’s collaboration project. For volume 1 he collaborated with a who’s who list including Trevor Loveys, Sinden, and Fake Blood. Volume 2 is being recorded and should hit the shops this month.

Post to Twitter

FABRICLIVE. 41 SIMIAN MOBILE DISCO

Written by manalogue. Posted on July 30, 2008. Filed under house, manalogue, review, robotdisco, techno. Tagged , , , , , , , , , . No comments.

In a way, James Ford and Jas Shaw should be credited for the creation and publication of MANALOGUE.COM. A few years ago I was super depressed with music from record shops here in the Peg. A very dear loved one noticed my downtroddenness and encouraged me to order some new records online. During one purchasing binge I blindly came across “HUSTLER.” I went bonkers for this track which subsequently spawned my brighter love for dance music, eventually leading to this blog.

When fabric sent a promo copy of FABRICLIVE. 41 Simian Mobile Disco I was super pumped to check it out. The first few mixes on the disc reminded of me of my early rave days where late evenings were spent dancing until the sun was bright. The mixes are subtle, slow, and technically precise. The lack of strobed vocals became apparent straight away and in fact, SMD steer clear of all strobed activity. It’s refreshing that SMD keep this mix clean with a brilliant 22-track collection of robotdisco which confidently pounds some old fashioned techno into this blend of dancefloor sonics. SMD start by letting loose with some kind of rhythmic bird and a fluffy layer of funk from Sistors of Transistor. The mix keeps the rollers locked to the synthetic flavours of disco like the captivating track from Metro Area who hype things up with their pillowy bassline. The adventure graduates into some meaty techno – finishing with two classics Spastik and Flash before the cooldown from the last track from Walker Brothers.

The CD drops August 11 in the UK and September 16 in North America. When it’s available, you can get your copy from fabric.

TRACKLIST

01 Tomita – The Firebird – Infernal Dance Of King Kastechi [Clean Version] – SonyBMG
02 Sisters Of Transistors – The Don – This Is Music
03 Simian Mobile Disco – Simple – Wichita
04 Hercules And Love Affair – Blind [Serge Santiago Version] – EMI
05 Smith N Hack – Space Warrior – Errorsmith and Soundhack
06 Discodeine – Joystick – Dirty
07 Shit Robot – Chasm – DFA
08 Perc & Fractal – Up Tool – Kompakt
09 Metro Area – Miura – Environ
10 Worthy – Crack EI – Leftroom
11 Moon Dog – Suite Equestria – Roof
12 Fine Cut Bodies – Huncut Hacuka – Chi Recordings
13 Bentobox vs Chordian – Aemono – Imprimé
14 Jelo & DeadMau5 – The Reward Is Cheese – Rising Trax
15 Simian Mobile Disco – Sleep Deprivation [Simon Baker Remix] – Wichita
16 Popof – The Chomper [LSD Version]– Turbo Recordings
17 Raymond Scott – Cindy Electronium – Basta
18 Paul Woolford Presents Bobby Peru – Erotic Discourse – 2020 Vision
19 Moebius Plank Neumeier – Pitch Control – Sky Records
20 Plastikman – Spastik – Mute
21 Green Velvet – Flash – Relief Records
22 The Walker Brothers – Nite Flights [Album Version] – SonyBMG

The official launch is Friday, August 1 at fabric in London. The lineup looks sick, wish I could be there. You can get tickets through TICKETWEB here.

Post to Twitter

SEBASTIEN TELLIER: SEXUALITY

Written by manalogue. Posted on July 27, 2008. Filed under review. Tagged , , , , . No comments.

For some reason, SEBASTIEN TELLIER and the buzz surrounding him hasn’t tinted the charts in Canada like they do in his native France. His previous work dipped into hues of avant garde experimentalism but still remained accessible pop albums. Tellier worked with Daft Punk’s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo to create p*rn music. He said the motivation for SEXUALITY was to create an R’n'B record coloured with synthesizers and European sensuality. I’m not sure if the typical Canadian fear of sex will shade sales here in the great white north, regardless, it’s time for people to turn off their synth blockers and get into an orgy with (Georgio) Moroder-like flirty noodlings and American booty obsessed R’n'B.

Chopper

When I was in Paris for my honeymoon I went walking about on a Sunday to check out the streets in a few different areas. All of the shops were closed including this department store I came across with giant window display for Sexuality. Like the mood of this record, the display was wrapped in a sexy gloss. Only a few 12″ sleeves floated in the glimmering  window space and I think I nearly pitched a tent looking at it and I’m sure I would have made a mess of myself if I walked into the shop.

Sexual Sportswear

Before I left France I picked up the first single, Sexual Sportswear. Most of the songs on the album groove a little slower than this track. The album itself isn’t entirely floorfiller material but think how great it would be to play at your next dinner party. Get rid of your generic jazz hits and throw this one on instead, then find a bowl for your keys.

MP3: Sebastien Tellier – Sexual Sportswear

The track that really makes me want to tear my clothes off is the album opener. The sultry piano at the top sets the mood for intrigue. (Maybe it helps that I don’t understand French too?) The painfully slow rhythm is the perfect tease with the bassline that leads into near orgasmic levels.

MP3: Sebastien Tellier – Roche

The closer, L’Amour Et La Violence – it’s a track that drops you to your knees with its endless progression. A romantic fantasy, epic and tragic.

MP3: Sebastien Tellier – L’Amour Et La Violence

Honestly though, what’s a Manalogue post without something for vertical dancing.

MP3: Sebastien Tellier – Sexual Sportswear (Donovan remix)

You can get all romanticsynthetic if you’re lucky to live in the big smokes.

SEBASTIEN TELLIER ON TOUR:
Aug. 3rd @ Osheaga Festival, Montreal QC
Aug. 4th @ Mod Club, Toronto ON

Post to Twitter

it’s not the band i hate…

Written by manalogue. Posted on February 11, 2008. Filed under review. Tagged , , . 3 Comments.

…it’s their fans.

Sloan penned that line and I find its relevance far too often. This Saturday for example. LA RIOTS half, DANIEL LEDISKO headlined a Nutty Klub party. His set was a beat down in gym class, all sweaty and…

… juvenile.  Everywhere you went a handful of children smashed into people. The party was bumpin but these fuckers didn’t get it. They could not understand that this was not mixed marshal arts practice. No joke. A few of them sparred in a corner. Glad the music made you a bit hyphy dickwads.

Others moshed and had to be broken up countless times. They never got kicked out though.

Maybe one kid did. Loads of people danced on the stage, next to and on top of LEDISKO. The decks were knocked about, records skipped. People tripped over monitors falling onto the dj. The stage would be cleared for a few minutes and then the same people would go on stage and the same thing repeated. At about 1:30 some stupid high school jockular reached out and tried to scratch with the live track. LEDISKO was furious – as any dj should have been. The assface that did it ran away into the crowd. A few mixes later it looked like DEDISKO pointed him out to some bouncers. After a few more mixes the stage filled again. Most of the time it was all fanny up there shaking it like they just didn’t care. It was fun to watch at first but eventually one of them stumbled over their egos and skipped the record. Repeatedly. Over and over. Once again, someone tripped over the floor monitor so bad LEDISKO had to catch him. This time the idiot nearly knocked the entire gear table over.

That’s when I left and I wondered if LEDISKO knows about this song:

Venetian Snares – Winnipeg Is A Frozen Shithole | [YSI Link]

Sometimes its hard not to think that when it’s minus 40 outside and all you want to do is have fun but some children who need to go back to grade school fuck it up. It’s too bad monkeys have no social skills. Thanks LA Riots for coming. Please lie and tell your friends you had fun so other fun djs can come here too. Maybe the dumb people will have to stay outside next time. For what it’s worth, your set knocked me on my ass on its own.

Here’s something to dance to.

ZZT – Lower State of Consiousness (Justice remix) | [YSI Link]

Post to Twitter