Sunday 29 November 2009

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: Circuit Freq (FREE 320 inside)




Interview by Benjamin Vial.

We've been hearing about Circuit Freq for some months now, as an anonymous duo from Los Angeles releasing dark tech funk bombs on their own Circuit Freq Records, teaming up with top rated remixers in the past like Stupid Fresh, Dopamine, Calvertron, Vandal, Pablo Decoder, Z-Listers, Electrixx, Charlie Fanclub, Joe and Will Ask?, Acid Jacks, and for their next single "The Filth" releasing in a few weeks with Zodiac Cartel and Will Bailey.

- Hello Circuit Freq, there is a kind of a mystery around you and your music. Are you really human? (Don't say "we are the robots", it's been used already!)

Yes, still human for now, but not for long if you believe Ray Kurzweil! He figures that with the exponential advances in technology the “singularity” will happen (he hopes) in his lifetime, and he’s in his 60s I think. That refers to a point in history where the exponential changes really take off, including (he hopes) transferring his consciousness to a machine. They are up to the level of a cat’s brain now in computing power so we’ll see.

- On your Myspace page, your influences are listed as machines only. What artists brought you to the kind of music you're producing now?

Ah yes, well we do have a love for machines but in fact, our friend Joel (Deadmau5) actually gave incitement to start Circuit Freq. I’ve also loved DJing and listening to Club music for many years which is why we are so active in having our projects remixed by dance producers for club use as it inspires new directions and ideas for all our groups.

- How would you describe your sound to someone who doesn't know you?

We have been told we sound very “U.S.” or “L.A.” but I hope we will move beyond that. We are still very new at this so we are continually evolving our sound and style. I think when we first started we wanted to come out with our guns blazing! So we did a few “bangers” now we are moving into more techy, funky and bouncy tracks.

- How do you start a new track? What inspires you?

Lately, something will spark an idea for the title and it just grows out of that. Our new track “the Filth” was inspired by a picture I took of a neon sign, and it was easy to imagine what that track was going to sound like! Sometimes it’s just the need for a certain kind of track in one of my DJ sets that will send us in a certain direction.

- What is your setup for production?

We both have studios at our homes with fairly close matched Protools systems which form the recording hub. We’ll do the bulk of the work together at one or the other studio and then instant message the session file with tweaks of the final mix back and forth. I’ll invoke a laptop running Logic to get certain kinds of grooves going that it does well. There is no sacred piece of gear that is always used but a Frostwave analog sequencer most often gets the bass lines started because of the unique results of a hands on way of programming. That’ll typically feed CV to an old Arp, Little Phatty, Oberheim Matrix 6 or Korg MS 20. There’s a Future Retro Revolution for a varietal of that approach. Sometimes we mangle things up through a Sherman Filterbank, or heat up the input stage of a Universal Audio 6176. We’re not analog purists either and happily grab a digital unit or softsynth. I devised a CV patchbay that will probably get its first test on the next track we do, and there’s a Moog MP-201 integrated into that as well.

- Seeing your interest in analog material, what is your favorite vintage machine?

The ones we don’t have yet! The good shit is getting rare and expensive. Damn you ebay! You used to be able to pick stuff up from little old ladies at a garage sale: “I think it’s broken, it only plays one note at a time”. Now everyone can find out what shit is worth, haha.
Arp 2600 donations would be graciously accepted. But of the stuff we have, the Matrix 6 is pretty sick. I always feel we scratch the surface of its capabilities, but now that all of its CV/gate inputs are wired to the patchbay it’s ready to go deeper.

- When can we expect the release of that new EP with Zodiac Cartel and Will Bailey remixes?

We are hoping to get it out before the end of the year!

- Tell us a bit about your label Circuit Freq Records.

The label was basically created to release our own music and our friend’s music. We’ve also had a lot of requests to release other artists on the label so we must be doing something right! We will be gradually starting to take some of them up on it and gauge whether the responsibilities of running a label are too distracting from making music.

- What is planned in 2010 for Circuit Freq?

We will continue to release original tracks every quarter and I will start DJing some selected gigs under the name Circuit Freq. In the future we want to do more of a “live” performance together as Circuit Freq but only when we have enough material to make it a full “show”.

And specially for the Tech Funk Manifesto, they're giving away their first track called Black Chrome! Thanks guys! ;)

DOWNLOAD : CIRCUIT FREQ - BLACK CHROME


Buy all their tracks at Beatport!


Wednesday 25 November 2009

AC Slater - Calm Down (Elite Force Re-Fix)




Coming soon as a free download, this is a preview of another installment in the (p)Revamped series as Elite Force gears up for a major album release in February 2010 on U&A. This one will be dropping, first & foremost to members of the MAILING LIST sometime in January....



AC Slater - Calm Down (Elite Force Re-Fix) 128 TASTER by Elite Force

Monday 23 November 2009

Rogue Robots :: DJ Mix



Rogue Robots mixing it up in support of their new release, "Bass EP" on the Mode 2 label. Two of the tracks from the EP are featured in this set, including my pick, the simple yet elegant growler, "Bass". I started the day with this mix and skipped the usual cup of iced caffeine. Nice and tough.

TRACKLIST
1. JAYFORCE - RHYMES DELIGHT FEAT EMP
2. DEFUNCT!- FOKKIN LEKKER
3. SANTIAGO & BUSHIDO - MAKE ME FEEL
4. HARDRIVE - DEEP INSIDE (HARRY CHOO CHOO MIX)
5. WILL BAILEY - WHATS YOUR GAME
6. ELECTRIXX - TETRIS
7. CALVERTRON - DOO DOO
8. COSTELLO - GIRLS SPEAK LOUDER (DONIQUE MIX)
9. ROGUE ROBOTS - RHYTHM MACHINE
10. ROCKWELL D - YOU CANT COOL
11. ROGUE ROBOTS - BASS
12. THE DOXIS & PLUMO NORDLICHT (JELO MIX)
13. DISCO OF DOOM - WARPIG
14. AUDIUS - BODY BODY (CALVERTRON MIX)

Rogue Robots Mix

Unique 3 :: DJ Mix


Long overdue to post, but better late...Mutate Records promo DJ mix (from label head Unique 3) which supports the eclectic bunch in series, Mutations Vol. 3. The 10 track EP has generated a wide range of attention as it's a total mix of techno, electro, house and leftfield shenanigans. The same can be said for this mix, as it spans a large percentage of dance genres over the course of an hour and a half.

1. Hector Hernandez - Lounge Beat
2. Mad EP - Acid Jig
3. Koian - Drop It
4. Hector Hernandez - Soothing Wind
5. Si Begg - Come Correct
6. Unique 3 - Song For Rohan
7. ADSR - Linguality
8. Auddie - Ein Bergamotte
9. Bibhas - Something Broken
10. Unique 3 - Take This Love (Monstr Remix)
11. Momentum - On Your Way
12. Christian Woodyatt - Banjax
13. DJ Alex Graham - Fortune Teller
14. The Enemy Within - Scared
15. George Lanham - Exeter Era
16. Mark Archer - Trinity
17. Super Deejay Bobzilla - Rip Dat Shit
18. Unique 3 - Take This Love (Milanese Remix v Si Begg Remix)
19. Ki-Yota - A New Way
20. Unique 3 - If I Lose It
21. Cakeboy - Skyrider
22. Si Begg - The Bleeps (Original v Shades of Rhythm Remix)
23. Underpass - Behind Your Shoulder
24. Shinra – Edge


Unique 3 DJ Mix

Sunday 22 November 2009

Looking Back > Going Forward #2



Looking Back > Going Forward #2
A column by PAUL BLANDFORD.

Having witnessed one of the most amazing sets in a long time at the recent Resident Advisor night at the Warehouse Project, Manchester. I thought what better way to bring in the next LB>GF instalment, than with an ode to one of the most consistent producers of recent times, Claude Vonstroke.

There's no discounting the fact this man has made a gargantuan impression on the underground dance scene over the past few years, with countless productions that have left lasting impressions on many dj's who have bought his work and the people who have got lairy to them on the dancefloors. These next 2 tracks are, in my eyes (or should I say ears?), the finest tunes from the feathered figure...

When this track was initially released there was no denying the fact I had to have it straight away, it encompassed everything I was enjoying hearing and playing at the time, quite easily my favourite remix from him. A chunky rolling drumline, elevated by some spooky synth work and a cheeky vocal sample with one of my favourite breakdowns ever, which Claude is no stranger too...



BUY THE TRACK ON BEATPORT

Having heard this next track prior to heading up north to check out his set at the Warehouse Project, I dont think I have ever been excited quite like I was to hear a track be played out... especially in such a venue as Manchester Picadilly Arches! The track, 'Monster Island' (Godzilla Dub Drop) leaves no prisoners, the sub bass throughout this dub techno monster melts faces, honest, I witnessed it! And the drop alone leaves a room punching the air like a ghost has just groped them! I managed to record some good footage of the tune and the response it got. Dont fgorget you'll find this on his latest album 'Bird Brain'.



'til next time. x

Saturday 21 November 2009

Zodiac Cartel - Stay On Top



Zodiac Cartel - Stay On Top (128k TASTER) by Zodiac Cartel

I Like Skirts - Maelstrom Rmx :: Free 320



Easy all, just got this one sent over - a free (and unreleased) remix from the talented and genre flouting french producer Maelstrom. The Original is by Shilas Bedroom Fashion - release number three for the Katorza label, out soon on vinyl and mp3. The beats here are stripped to the third shift and the bass is all Mael method, with Californian rapper Ms Vybe contributing a delivery that adds a twist atop Mael’s usual sound. Party starter stuff. Check the Maelstrom and Redux remix of the Original for a more bangin interpretation.

I Like Skirts - Maelstrom Rmx

Maelstrom on Soundcloud

Deadmau5 - Ghosts & Stuff (Elite Force Re-Fix) [FREE 320]


Deadmau5 - Ghosts & Stuff (Elite Force Re-Fix) by Elite Force




In February, Elite Force releases a landmark album of re-fixes, mashups & re-edits, 'RE:VAMPED', on his U&A Recordings imprint. The album will be toured with a brand new A/V tour from February > FULL TOUR DETAILS / BOOKINGS

Initially given out to the U&A MAILING LIST (as will all of these freebies), the first of these re-rubs is now being unleashed to the blogs, and where better to start than here :)

"There were a number of reworks that couldn't be officially acquired for the album, so we decided we would do a series of free downloads under the 'PRE:VAMPED' banner, prior to it's release, starting with the Deadmau5 re-fix which has already had close to 7,000 plays on Soundcloud".

DEADMAU5 - Ghosts 'n Stuff (Elite Force Re-Fix) [320] > DOWNLOAD LINK

Friday 20 November 2009

Cartridge Kings

The Outsider is an insider (shock horror!) : Mix inside



In the mid nineties the Junior Boys own label was at the peak of its powers, releasing music from Underworld, the Chemical Brothers and X-Press 2 and amongst this triumvirate of soon to be pop stars came some of the best underground techno & house music of the decade from the duo of Marvin Beaver and Justin Drake setting forth under the moniker Outsider. Fast forward almost a decade and a half and both Beaver and Drake look back on considerable successes under the banners of Dylan Rhymes and Peace Division respectively. However it seems for Beaver at least there is some unfinished business here, and so he has decided to take matters into his own hands, saying farewell to Justin Drake and setting out on his own under! After lying dormant through the change of millennia and beyond it’s now time for Outsider to rise from the still warm ashes of its distant past to once again set alight the dancefloors of the present.

The eponymously titled ‘Outsider EP’ has come home to roost on the Lot49 label & you can grab it at BEATPORT now.

The eager Beaver has also done a brand new promo mix ... one-hour of deep & techy goodness for your downloading pleasure :)



OUTSIDER NOV 09 MIX by Outsider

1. HEY HEY - DENNIS FERRER
2. TECHNOID - ANT BROOKS
3. DRUMBOTTO - MATTEO DIMARR
4. SCHADENFREUDE - ADAM SHAW
5. JACK IT - TIM DELUXE
6. TEMPERAMENTAL - MIKAS
7. THE KEY - DAVE SPOON
8. TRUE IDENTITY (PIG + DAN) - STEPPENWOLF
9. WHIPLASH - A. MOCHI
10. WIWY - DUSTY KID
11. ALPHA BAGUERA - STEVE ANGELLO
12. TAPPED UP - OUTSIDER

DOWNLOAD

Thursday 19 November 2009

[UP & COMING] Zach Moore : On The Mix


A native of Ohio and San Francisco resident of 15 years, Zach Moore was introduced to house music in 1999 and began DJing in 2003. Today he's known in the San Francisco dance community for his affiliations with two legendary Burning Man-based collectives, The Deep End/Rock Bottom (since 2006) and The Space Cowboys (beginning January 2010).

While it was house music that launched Zach's career, it is the combination of tech funk and breakbeat that sustain it. Among his main influences Zach counts Elite Force, Meat Katie, Dylan Rhymes, The Plump DJs and The Stanton Warriors, making him the perfect candidate for our UP & COMING series.

In 2005, as a way to stimulate interest in his fledgling DJ career, Zach launched a house and breakbeat series called The Gough Street Sessions which he circulated to friends and his handful of fans through e-mail. Today The Gough Street Sessions is now a successful iTunes podcast with listeners all over the globe.

Upcoming Gigs:
November 20th - The Plump DJs at Mighty in SF with the Seismic crew
January 1st (his debut as a Space Cowboy) - Breakfast of Champions at Mission Rock in SF with Soul of Man

TRACKLIST
1. "Blow" feat. Mojo (Wrexx Remix) - Future Funk Squad
2. "Detox" (Burufunk Remix) - Lee Coombs
3. "Daily Grime" - Backbeat Soundsystem
4. "Put 'em Up" (NAPT Remix) - Beat Assassins
5. "Trouble!" (Deepcut Remix) - Soul Of Man
6. "Rude Boys" (Krafty Kuts Re-Rub) - Draax & Seavers
7. "Star 69" (Rogue Element Remix - Fatboy Slim
8. "I Am Sweet" (Ctrl Z Remix) - Dylan Rhymes feat. Pablo Decoder
9. "Back Up" (Krafty Kuts Remix) - Deekline & Wizard
10. "Insight (A Skillz Remix) - Fort Knox Five
11. "Do It" - Plaza De Funk
12. "Feelin' Kinda Strange" (Bass Kleph & Nick Thayer Remix) - Drumattic Twins
13. "Happy" (Go Home Productions Remix) - Max Sedgley

If It Ain't Broke, Fix It! (MP3 Version)
If It Ain't Broke, Fix It! (M4A Version) (with chapter markers)

Thursday 12 November 2009

INTRODUCING ... Satori C (Colorado)




I came across Satori-C at this year's Burning Man Festival ... a result of one of those happy chance meetings that just happen when you're washed up in the desert on a sleepless diet for 5 days. Their Tone Age camp was a blast, with each & every DJ battling manfully with the crunch of the CDJ platters grinding through another dust storm. Since then, we've been in touch & I was very pleasantly surprised by some of the original tracks I heard on Soundcloud, so thought I'd share a couple with you. Rough, raw but what Soundcloud is all about IMO!


Take That_Satori.C by Satori-C


Satori-C has been diligently plugging away in the Colorado underground for a decade and a half now, amassing a modest but respectable collection of career milestones along the way. Velcro City Records, is his primary current release outlet for those wanting more than what his Soundcloud page has to offer.


MeltedChocolate_AHabit by Satori.C




Tuesday 10 November 2009

Meat Katie :: Dirty Stop Out Mix :: Nov '09




1. D-Nox & Beckers - Cala a boco (Meat Katie Remix) - Sprout
2. Matteo DiMar - Drumbotto - Mar186
3. Muzzaik - Going Underground - Stealth
4. Marco Bailey - Jungle lapse - Bedrock
5. Unknown (Noob remix)- CDR
6. Erphun - Pesadilla hermosa - (Pig & Dan Arpism remix) Audio Theropy
7. Christian smith & John Selway - 'Swingworld'
8. Maps- I Dream Of Crystal (Steve Lawler remix)- Mute
9. Zero z - Medicine Man (Noob remix) Chopshop
10. Outsider 'Tech App 1' Lot49
11. Infusion - Dogtown (Infusion Remix)- Ominis Recordings
12. Moby - I love to Move in Here - (Style of eye remix- MK re-Edit) Mute
13. Meat Katie - 'Lucia' - Lot49
14. Mark Trophy - 'Ripper' (Koen Groeneveld Remix) - Toolroom
15. Dustin- Zahn - 'Stranger to Stability' (Len faki Podium mix) - Rekids


Meat Katie's 'Dirty Stop Out Mix' (Nov 2009) FREE DOWNLOAD! by Meat Katie


DOWNLOAD

Monday 9 November 2009

Strongarm Sessions : Special Edition #03

Beatport


Strongarm Sessions return for another 'Special Edition', mixed as ever, by Elite Force. This is a free download, but your comments are always appreciated on any of the links below. Enjoy the mix, and look out for a brand new mix CD entitled Re:Vamped from Elite Force in early 2010, featuring many of the mashups and re-edits that have graced the shows and DJ sets over the past 18 months or so.

Members of the U&A / EF mailing list will also be receiving a MONTHLY free download of one of Elite Force's legendary mashups, beginning on 16th November with the re-fix of Deadmau5's 'Ghosts N Stuff'. You can join here to get them upfront & straight to your inbox > SIGN UP

TRACKLIST

01 Nick Muir & John Digweed - Tangent (Timo Maas Mutantech Mix) [Bedrock] BUY
02 Pirupa, Pigi - Rough N Raw (Alan Fitzpatrick Mix) [Size Records] BUY
03 Monolythe - Siberia (JELO Mix) [Big Alliance] BUY
04 Loco & Jam - Medusa [Rekluse] BUY
05 Vandal - They're Here [Benefit] UNRELEASED
06 Elite Force, Harnessnoise, Daniele Papini - Harness the Nonsense [U&A] PROMO > BUY U&A
07 Mini Mode - Process (Marshall Mix) [303 Lovers] BUY
08 Spektre - Typhon [Yoshitoshi] BUY
09 Maelstrom - Vox Populi [CDR] UNRELEASED
10 The Loops of Fury - Soap [U&A] PROMO > BUY U&A
11 Elite Force - The Law of Life [U&A] PROMO > BUY U&A
12 TC - Where's My Money (Caspa Vs Elite Force Re-Fix) [CDR] FREE DOWNLOAD SOON
13 Benga - 26 Basslines (Elite Force Re-Fix) [CDR] FREE DOWNLOAD SOON
14 AC Slater - Calm Down (Elite Force Re-Fix) [CDR] FREE DOWNLOAD SOON
15 Skream - Rumble Inna Station [Dub Technic / Expresillion] BUY

STREAMING LINK (mixcloud)
DOWNLOAD LINK (zippyshare)
DOWNLOAD LINK (rapidshare)


TWITTER
MYSPACE
YOUTUBE
FACEBOOK

s
x

Wednesday 4 November 2009

Boxroom Show w/ Zuul & Schadenfreude



CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SHOW

1st Hour - Zuul

1. Alexi Delano - Molar One [Clink]
2. Jerome Sydenham - Asama Rising [Ibadan]
3. Adam Beyer & Par Grindvik - Seq 2 - Turn [Drumcode]
4. SQL & Tom Real - Dark Matter [SK Supreme]
5. Benjamin Vial - Midnights [Plasma]
6. Adam K - Wrong Guru [Secret Weapons]
7. Mr Copy & Simon Stokes - Flume [Rekluse]
8. Abe Duque & Blake Baxter - Lets Take It Back (Joey Beltram Remix) [Process]
9. Savas Pascalidis - Deep Inside Your Eyes [Sweatshop]
10. Jesper Dahlback - Roret [AFU Limited]
11. Phil Kieran - RESP [Cocoon]
12. Guy J - Dust [Sudbeat]

2nd Hour - Schadenfreude Guest Mix

1. Dark is The Night For All (Original Mix) - Daniel Portman
2. As The Record Spins (Schadenfreude Remix) - Richard Dinsdale
3. Voiceover (Kiko Remix) - Joy Kitikonti
4. Rio Bravo Del Norte (Adam Shaw Remix) - Schadenfreude
5. On Off (Original Mix) - Cirez D
6. Organyc (Schadenfreude Remix) - Adam Shaw
7. Sibir (Original Mix) - Schadenfreude
8. To Cool 4 Skool (Adam K & Addy Remix) - Olivier Giacomotto
9. Billiess Mascotte (Nihad & Nima Remix) - Marco Brugattu
10. Norrec's 24hr Street Carnival (Original Mix) - Schadenfreude
11. Serenity (Original Mix) - Popof

Keep it BRAP! www.brap.fm w

Bassweazel :: On the mix :: November 2009




01 Bounce Camp ft. Jesty Beatz - Good Beat (Breakdown Remix)
02 Crookers - Put Your Hands On Me (Jesse Rose Remix)
03 Nick Ostertag - Get Hyped (Original Mix) CD-R
04 TLGB - Incredibly Soft (Shooting Horses Remix)
05 Sub Focus - Move Higher (Original Mix)
06 DJ Dan & Hatiras - Drop Hits (Santiago & Bushido Remix)
07 Mightyfools - Unknown (CD-R)
08 Bass Weazal ft. MC Majestic - 8 Million Ways To Rave (Original Mix) CD-R
09 Hirshee - The Rinse Out (Luvstuff Remix)
10 The Potbelleez - Nightmare (Original Mix)
11 The Wideboys - Sambuca (Will Bailey & Mikey Hook Remix) CD-R
12 Tommie Sunshine ft. Oh Shap - 5am (Black Noise Remix) CD-R
13 Benjamin Vial - Temporize (Aniki Remix) CD-R
14 Tom Deluxx Reactivate (Original Mix) CD-R
15 Mightyfools - Hoo Hah (Original Mix) CD-R
16 Subfocus - Could This Be Real (Original Mix)

DOWNLOAD

Monday 2 November 2009

Looking Back > Going Forward #01

Realising I have an enviable position here on the Techfunk Manifesto with being able to push sounds, I feel I haven't taken the advantage of which a lot of you readers would. So, let's get started, good n proper!


I'll be bringing you music of old, new and the future, all containing that irrepresible techfunk sound.


In the summer of 2004 I took to my first residency at a night called SUMO, 5 long years have passed and safe to say the party atmos of the early years still lives on, irrespective of the change in sounds that now quench our hearkening thirst. I remember having the satisfaction of spending my hard earned wage on lots of amazing vinyl, not having children or a mortgage would allow this at the time! One I truly couldn't wait to let rip on the Sumo masses, was a production courtesy of JDS & Mihell, going by the oddly named 'Purple Funk Monkey'. This low-slung, bass-hungry track took no prisoners and still to this day leaves people wincing from the sub bass damaging their organs... as the past weekend's crowd found out.







The past summer has been inundated with latin/tribal/jazz enfused tunes with almost to many to choose from. But there was one that didn't leave the front of my wallet the whole way through. This rolling, tribal, tech house number, 'Asi Baba' by Signore Dito (better known as Broombeck) & the Molisans Bros. always brought amazing responses, whether it be an already throbbing dancefloor or one just kicking off. Chant along, it's addictive!







Harvey Mckay has always been under my scope with his productions, and it's hard to find any flaws with his sound at all. Throbbing melodic techno seems to be his forte, with the odd lean to tech house tendencies. This forthcoming release steeps of what I truly like about him though, deep, dark, post-3am techno. The stuff to really get your head down and elbows out too.



Nightwalker / harvey demo by harvey mckay



'til next time. x


REMIX CONTEST : Rogue Element




Fancy a stab at remixing the Rogue Element?

Here's a huge remix contest for you : To mark the release of the new Rogue Element single Lumina (released end of Nov), Exceptional are giving you a chance to get your grubby mits on the stem audio files from the track. Feel free to kick them about, splice them with your own noises, throw them at the wall, paint them green, do whatever you like but bring us something to get excited about. The winners will be judged by Exceptional Records and Mr. Element himself.

The winner gets full promotion through Exceptional Records, including announcements on various web pages as well as mailing lists to thousands of media partners. Furthermore, the winning producer will get a stack of CDs from Exceptional Records - and if your remix is really, really good, it will be released on iTunes and Beatport.

So, head over to MYSPACE and listen to the original

You can get yourself the stems HERE

Once you're content with the result, go email it to info@exceptionalrecords.co.uk before November 13, including name and email address in the ID3-tags of your mp3. Please don't flood our inbox by sending files larger than 10MB.

Please note by entering the competition you agree to all the terms and conditions determined by Exceptional Records Ltd in relation to this competition.

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