Alvin Risk is one of DC’s hidden artists. Mr. Shuttle turned me on to Alvin Risk’s music and I gotta say it is some good stuff. “At Last” is a straight-forward synth pop tune that reminds me of early Midnight Juggernauts when they were channeling the likes of ELO. There are splashes of The Buggles that pop up during the chorus. Production wise there are those heavily compressed/side-chained drums we are use to in electro/banger music but within in a pop context is a surprising touch such as in Emil & Friends’ music. Vocally, Alvin Risk delivers whispery vocals that remind me of the Postal Service which should be making a comeback about now. Overall great music that should be heard.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/Sept%202010/Alvin%20Risk%20-%20At%20Last.mp3] Alvin Risk – At Last
French Horn Rebellion’s first single “This Moment” shall be unleashed to the world on November 1st. The duo dives into Prince/synth pop territory on this track with synth stabs and catchy hooks that will be stuck in your head for days. Definitely looking forward to their full length and by the sounds of this track it will be a massive pop opus.
Logo are one of Kitsune’s favorite new acts at the moment whose track “La Vie Moderne” was featured on the latest Maison Compilation. French Fries and Tony Senghore team up for an unlikely non-banger remix of “La Vie Moderne”. It is surprising and refreshing to hear French Fries hold back from recreating “Senta” and Tony Senghore recreating “If You Came to Party” on this remix of Logo, instead they channel a very UK, restrained and chilled out sound with a synth parts that remind me of James Blake. A fantastic collaboration and production by every party involved.
Yet another installment of guest posts from Mr. Edwards, this time a lovely remix by Masters At Work of Bjork along side the tune that it inspired, The Sample Choir “Feeling Lonely”. Hope you are all enjoying and learning from this House music history less from Professor Todd.
Masters at Work’s Bjork “Violently Happy” Dub, another of my favorite MAW productions. It is Taken or influenced from an interlude by Kool And The Gang, the musical riff is one of the catchiest and most uplifiting used in an MAW dub. Once again, Kenny Dope’s use of hard snares and reverb drive the track.I attempted, once again, to emulate their work. This attempt came in the form of my track “Feeling Lonely” on The Sample Choir EP…I didn’t come close. 😉
Here is the third round of “Classic House Tracks According to the Word of Todd” by Todd Edwards. These next few posts will have a theme of tracks by the classic house duo Masters At Work who heavily influenced the Todd Edwards’ sound. Here are some words from Todd himself.
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Masters At Work created an epic catalog of orginal productions and remixes beginning in the early nineties. I idolized them, I really did. The only club I religiously went to was the Sound Factory Bar on Wednsday nights to hear Little Louie Vega spin and he NEVER disappoints!
The perfect combination of keyboard playing and drum programming. They are both masters of their craft. Little Louie always reconstructed the songs they remixed. He would always use very jazzy musical chords while keeping the vocals in the song the same. It was a great lesson for a young and new producer like myself, “you can make a song sound completely different just by using different chords that still work with the melody, BRILLIANT!”
If that weren’t enough, there was Kenny Dope Gonzalez’ drum programming. To this day there is no drum programmer that I have more respect and admiration for. It was Kenny Dope’s drumming that inspired my muscial style.
When I heard MAW’s remix of St Etienne’s “Only Love Can Break Your Heart”, I was blown away! The swing Kenny Dope put on his snares and hi hats… I tried to immitate… yeah, not so good. However, others started to take note of my drum programming and the shuffling boardering on sloppy swing that my tracks had. Who would have thought that poor imitation would help me develop a sound? My track “So Real” on The Messenger ep was based on this remix.
Lucky Shiner is the full length album by the stellar, Gold Panda. An introspective and delicate producer whose music is the perfect introduction to Fall. Lovely autumnal tones that sooth heart and soul. “Same Dream China” is a hypnotic track that is a nod to Philip Glass/Steve Reich with its moving marimba melodies while incorporating lo-fi kyotos with some raw Bibio-esque sounding beats. Stream the entire album at luckyshiner.com
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/Sept%202010/Gold%20Panda%20-%20Same%20Dream%20China.mp3] Gold Panda – Same Dream China
Ever since Scenario Rock seemed to have just faded away I always wondered what DVNO has been up to. I love their first album “Endless Season” especially the track “Modern Epicureans” and I was blown away by “Both Gotta Move On” off “Histrionics”. DVNO is back with this emotional remix of Jamaica’s “I Think I Like U2” which is a nice peak into what DVNO has in store. #SoEmotional
Mr. Emil has been making moves these past few months, moving down to NYC to join the Cantora Records family and now remixing NYC’s Samuel. An uber-pop production featuring 0o0o’s and Ah’s by Emil himself. It’s only a matter of time before more Emil music emerges.
[audio:http://diestruktur.com/asianmandan/music/Sept%202010/I%20Heart%20NY%20(Emil%20&%20Friends%20Remix)%20by%20Samuel%20from%20HEAVYROCMUSIC.mp3] Samuel – I Heart NY (Emil & Friends Remix)
UMM WHAT?! This is an official mind explosion. Squarepusher steps up his game by incorporating a serious LED-Helmet a la Daft Punk and from the looks and sound of that 1 min clip it is an epic dance funk explosion. Warp Records is seriously back in the game with that forthcoming Brian Eno release and this new Squarepusher LP which solidifies his place in my mind as a crucial electronic music producer of our time. “Shobaleader One: d’Demonstrator” is out October 18/19. Exciting music this fall!
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buy their merchandise, see them live, support them, tell your friends about them, love them, cheers.
