Apologies for the tardiness, it would seem that I haven't done a column in quite a while, due to the fact another little bundle of joy has entered my life... meaning 3 women in my house now!
Anyway...Having been a fan of both these next artists for a long time I thought the next instalment of the column would be an ode to 2 (3 if you include their recent collaboration!) of the most pioneering acts in electronic music at the moment. Modeselektor & Apparat.. otherwise known as Moderat.
I remember my first introduction to Modeselektor. T'was Elite Force's maiden visit to my club night SUMO in Cardiff, and with it he brought a true behemoth of a tune, so much so that I discreetly pestered him for what was then to be one of my most played tracks to date. Followers of the Manifesto, I give you 'Kill Bill Vol.4'... brace yourselves.
Their basslines are second to none and every track oozes dancefloor fodder, generating techno, dubstep, electro and even more leftfield textures, their sound is unsurpassable yet always immediately known to the ear once you hear something new from them... simply because no one else makes music quite like them. I...M...O.
Apparat's arrival however, was a tad late for me. Which I didn't mind because the amount of music that was to follow was nothing short of mesmerising. The soundscapes and melodies this man generates are quite spectacular, think of him as the bastard child of a menage et trois with Sigur Ros, Royksopp and Bjork.
Having collaborated with one of the true techno femme fatale's, Ellen Allien, I soon learn't that this man has so much to offer, always holding that superbly constructed sound. Which was recognised by none other than John Peel.But by far and away, the main highlight of these 2 acts, is their exquisite collaboration, in the shape of Moderat. You only have to take a listen to the 1st track on the album, 'A New Error' to appreciate where your about to be taken, a moody trip through some of the most awe-inspiring electronic music you are likely to hear.
It's quite hard to put them up against another act as what you are likely to hear is so original, this is only confirmed when they take this live, it quite simply takes your breath away, well mine anyway.So many acollades have followed their amalgamation, and none more so than recently receiving an award from the Beatport Music Awards for their track 'Porc 2'... you can understand why.
Now with a busy summer ahead of them with another European tour, things are certainly looking up for what I believe are the next big name to come out of the underground scene... but who's to say they haven't already... I certainly wouldn't.
Looking back > Going forward #3 A column by BlandF
With the christmas and new year break firmly out of the way, a much needed musical hiatus is also now finished. So straight back in, head first to the ever astounding world of underground dance music. After reintroducing myself to some of the inform producers of 2009, seeing that in 2010 they've just carried on like the runaway trains of the previous year. It seems, there are also some new head-turners in the midst. And so we go....The amalgamation of Zuul & Benjamin Vial, two very tech biased minds, has brought a project that promises to grow some pretty fine fruits over the coming months. Machine Electrique. And to introduce there new sound, they've made a pretty tasty re-rub of one of the finest acts ever, in my honest opinion.... Portishead - Glory Box (Machine Electrique Projet) by Machine Electrique
Lot49 have started the year with a very appreciative nod to new producers. Not only are they fronting a new compilation that consists soully of new producers but they're introducing some new flavours to their releases too. Dylan Rhymes has gone toe to toe with Tom Real for his latest release with 'Godzilla' which brought a burgeoning remix package along with it, but of this package was an unknown gent (to me anyway), Fussy Boy. He kept the unrelenting bass and turned it into a heavy indie/nurave/pull-you-around-by-the-short-&-curlies track! Totally original!Also I have great pleasure in telling you, that I'm one of them lucky finalists to grace the forthcoming compilation, I introduce The Omega Men... Godzilla (Fussy Boy Remix) by DYLANRHYMES
It doesnt stop there, fresh out of Bristol come another new act, in the shape of Sonic 3. Not content on just starting a night in the city, they aim to overthrow the listening public with their productions too. They'll be bringing you tech laden sounds with a take-no-prisoners attitude, here's a link to a forthcoming tune to show exactly their intentions... Sonic 3 - Sonic Lab V1 [Lobe Records] by Stan Collins
Lest we forget the days of old though, especially myself at the moment. I have been listening intently to tracks for inspiration over the past few months, for that spark to bring forth another attempt at producing that future floor filler. None more so than the following two tunes, enjoy...
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.
A column by Paul Blandford. 
Posts
