Where have Kenton Slash Demon been hiding? Since stumbling across these guys I've been hooked, 'locked in' as some might say. Kenton Slash Demo are nonetheless a Danish house duo comprised of Jonas Kenton and Silas Moldenhawer, two young gents who also form half of the Indietronic pop band 'When Saints Go Machine'. 

Their 'Sun EP', the first of a series of three, will raise the bar for most of us, and will make us rethink what music is all about. 'Sun' is undoubtedly one of the best songs I've heard for a while. It's has so much energy in it, no matter what the situation is, 'Sun' picks you up and gets you flexing those moves...if that's what your into? It will intoxicate you lovingly, making that rewind button ever more so tempting to hit.

The second track to the EP is a rework of Sun by Bodycode aka Portable who's had releases on both Ghostly International's Spectral imprint and Perlon. His take on Sun remove that house kick to it, whilst picking out the best elements of the original to create a deep rhythm emphasised by the vocals. It's very much a great companion for the original.

Lined up next for Kenton Slash Demon are two more EPs, ‘Matter’ and ‘Daemon’, set for release in October and January 2011 on  Tartelet Records and a debut album for later in the year, as for what label, K7 are in talks. If Tartelet Records are new to you, I strongly recommend you check out the Berlin trio Brandt Brauer Frick also on the label.

The Kenton Slash Demon sound sidesteps the classic house formula as it combines the organic with the futuristic. Their remarkable talent carry compositions and production much further than the classic 4/4 beat. With bubbling sound narratives, catchy basslines and interesting breaks they manage to create an intelligent structural take on electronic music that reaches far beyond the confines of the dance floor. Don't miss this one out, check out their exclusive Sun website out and stream Kenton Slash Demon's Sun and download Bodycode's version of Sun exclusively from IA now.

‘Sun’ is released on the 26th of July on Tartelet records.

STREAM: 'Sun' - Kenton Slash Demon

DOWNLOAD: 'Sun' - Portable (AKA. Bodycode) Remix

Tracklist:

A Digital Mystikz LP, triple pack or whatever you want to call it has been a long time in the making. Search Discogs at your peril, as the DMZ back catalogue will set you back a fair penny! The label restricts most 12”s to a one-time limited run. DMZ heads flock to Mala and Coki sets to hear their arsenal of dubplates, nearly all of which remain unreleased, and gather on message boards to speculate which will see the light of day first.

In this age where music is digitalised and the consumer can get their hands on mp3's whenever they want, restricting their releases to only a few a year makes DMZ releases even more so cherished. Digital Mystikz music is fetishised almost as much as a physical object as it is a piece of sound. Endless two-minute samples ripped from radio sets and placed on YouTube at a low quality have never been enough for DMZ fans, and this makes perfect sense for music so obviously physical - listening to Mystikz tracks is an incredibly physical experience as they are so reliant on bass pressure.

This physicality goes arm in arm with the format the music is presented in – the only time Mala placed mp3s online to buy he instantly regretted it and they were duly removed. Therefore the limited nature of DMZ records and dubplates have created a huge expectation for more physical releases, which DMZ have consistently resisted over the past few years, which results in their music becoming a kind of treasure. It is into this climate that this LP, vinyl only, is released.

Opener 'Unexpected' is driving and dark, the drums harking back to DMZ classic Anti War Dub, but with a less aggressive, more pensive mood. The LP continues with 'Pop Pop Epic', in which a vintage analogue synth and decapitated ‘soul jah’ vocals brood away whilst reverb-soaked halfstep drums provide the vast sense of space that is present throughout the record. 'Eyez' is both tense and sparse, yet arguably provides the most obvious dancefloor moment of the record.

My personal highlight, 'Mountain Dread March' accurately matches its title. The longest track on the record, it ebbs and flows, constantly building through its drops, the low end demanding that the body sways and the feet move like, well, a march. 'Living Different' is almost cosmic and continues the record in typically sparse style. The title track is the most intense and dense and concludes the LP like the end of some kind of inter-planetary lay-line before ending abruptly.

It is hard to resist the feeling that it has all ended too soon, that for an LP this collection of dubplates interspersed with newer tracks might be too brief after such anticipation. But then this was clearly not how this record was intended to be enjoyed. Return II Space exists as a positively haunting document of DMZ for the many who have demanded it, manifested in fine form on three pieces of heavyweight virgin vinyl. This is evidently in the way it was meant to be enjoyed: in high quality, physical fashion and it will be incredibly satisfying to fans, at least until the next batch of dubs.

BUY: Digital Mystikz 'Return II Space'

Formats: 12"

Tracklist:

A. Unexpected
B. Pop Pop Epic
C. Mountain Dread March
D. Eyez
E. Livin’ Different
F. Return II Space

Digital Mystikz MySpace DMZ MySpace

Mount Kimbie have been receiving a lot of much deserved praise recently - and it's fair to say this album has been hyped on some kind of Olympics 2012 level. Expectations are much the same as what was in the air on the eve of Cosmogramma's release - and my initial reaction was much the same upon hearing it. "Where's the life changing productions at? Why haven't I felt a shift in my spirituality? I'm three tracks in, and the only sense being pleased is my hearing, oh and the cover is really funny - I simply must update my tumblr!" Nothing could have lived up to the expectations I had - they were unjust, and I had mistaken the release of an album for the coming of a new messiah, only this time he's atheist and is using his spiritual gifts to treat everyone to holidays in Berlin and offers to pay their council tax. All that aside though, this is a fantastic album. Make sure you hear it, it's important that you do.

These guys have an ear for lovely stuff like almost nobody else. I feel like an idiot talking about textures and stuff, so I will only do so briefly. But they got their freaky textures down; we knew that from their initial, essential EPs. Where they showed off their knack for filling tracks with those warm, intense hums you find in dark broody techno. Their trademark formula of combining hazy field recordings with sweet melodies, or 'caramelodies' as I like to call them. It works, it's affecting music, and I find myself becoming immersed in it (I know, I know - pass the wheatgrass juice).

The first tracks I heard from Mount Kimbie planted the idea that a long player would work. Something about the music they produced, it's richness perhaps, or it's awkwardness in finding an angle for the dancefloor was something which felt odd as an EP. They've created an album that works as an album. An album with moments leaning towards a dancefloor though. Much like Burial's debut, it's a creature with endless possibilities. Right I’m going in to hiding now, because comparing anything to Burial is a bold move and I’m expecting boulders to come tearing through my window any second now.

It's a pretty spot on album in which they represent everything we've come to know them for over their past two EP's. Whether it's the stumbling, beautiful mess of 'Maybes' or the 'Hey you could totally get away with playing this in a club', bouncy, crunking flavaz of Sketch On Glass' they've totally widened their boundaries even further. I reckon this will be a favorite at least until a new messiah comes along.

Released: 19.07.2010

Formats: 12" & CD

Tracklist:

1.  Tunnelvision
2.  Would Know
3.  Before I Move Off
4.  Bling Night Errand
5.  Adriatic
6.  Carbonated
7.  Ruby
8.  Ode To Bear
9.  Field [Click to stream]
10. Mayor
11. Between Time

Glass Table is the new sub label from Brighton based Hypercolour records. Their aim is to focus on the more seedy side of dance music, the kind of beats you put on when you get back home from a club with your friends and refuse to sleep and counter the effects of 'sleep', by focusing all their efforts by carefully spreading substances across that 'glass table'. Yeah you get the picture, Glass Table is all about listening to all sorts of weird and wonderful sounds. Glass Table records launches with the 'Hush EP' featuring two of Detroits most respected mavericks Jimmy Edgar and Kyle Hall, on remix duty.

If you haven't noticed the artwork yet for the EP, have a good look, because it's actually quite hilarious and I can't even imagine where this was taken or even found? Guess thats thanks to Google! A miniature man stands bemused alongside his trophy, yeah that bare naked sex 'cougar', grrr. There's no doubt the artwork instantly conjures up seedy thoughts and can only mean it's a reflection of the music. Rip open the vinyl's film casing and slide out the actual 12" and you'll be in for another surprise, good old KFC's Colonel Sanders cheeky face grinning at ya, both of the A side in red and on the flip side in blue!

Both of Edgars tracks 'Hush' and 'BThere' are deeply lo-tempo, measuring in at about 106 BPM. The tracks have different elements in them from electro, broken beat to house. It gives them this sexy future disco sound to them. It might sound confusing but this is exactly the kind of subtlety that Jimmy Edgar does so well when producing tracks. Kyle Hall's moulds 'Hush' into a rhythmic deep house motown cut, injecting an uptempo groove akin to Carl Craig or Shed. Overall the 'Hush EP' delivers superbly original Detroit influenced music from both producers and are a give a great indication on Edgars new album 'XXX'. Stream 'Hush' now on our homepage.

We've been working with Glass Table closely over the past couple of months to help promote the 'Hush EP'. Our promotions team IA | PR have built a micro-site for the 'Hush EP' where you can watch the highly controversial music video for 'Hush' and leave your feedback. Be warned it contains explicit images and may offend some of you. This is what Jimmy Edgar has to say about the video:

"I actually think the video is dirty as fuck but brilliant. you can see the despair in the girls eyes and the blonde in the beginning is gorgeous and so sad. the end when the man goes "you like? is it ok? nooo?" and then the girl looks disgusted and moves away...This is modern art film, exposing the sick tragedies that women endure to make money or create fame."

BUY 12": Jimmy Edgar 'Hush EP' [Glass Table]

BUY Digital

Formats: 12" & Digital

12" Tracklist:

A1 Hush (Original Mix) [Click to Stream]
A2 BThere (Original Mix)
B1 Hush (Kyle Hall Remix)

Digital Tracklist:

1. Hush (Original Mix)
2. BThere (Original Mix)
3. Hush (Kyle Hall Remix)
4. Vrndaktor Hell
5. Jns-2000

Hush EP Micro-Site | Jimmy Edgar | Kyle Hall | Glass Table

Tim Xavier knows a thing or two about making a dancefloor move. Over a decade of releases for the likes of Clink and LTD400 plus an enormous list of engineering credits for Wagon Repair, Ghostly & others have made Xavier very much part of the European house / techno establishment. How, then, will this audio purist approach his debut artist full length? Well, thankfully, he's stuck to what he’s best at.

After the fuzzy, noisy ambience of opener ‘Ambient Duality’, we’re straight into the uncompromising tech-house fray, and no mistake. Let me be clear: I in no way regard that as a pejorative genre term - as many others seem to, putatively because its not aligned with the contemporary headwind. Indeed, the 10 dance cuts on offer here fly directly in the face of recent trends: the closest we get to the tropes of Mannheim are the subtle chords on the electro-drenched, multi-layered ‘Sequence Madness’; the nearest proxy for the cavernous drones of Berghain are the blunt, gristly churnings on the superb titular offering, or the subtle deployment of filtered white noise throughout.

Otherwise, Xavier serves up an exquisite collection of Cocoon-friendly, intricately propulsive, bass-heavy grooves designed for big systems and messy mainroom floors. Witness the heavy kick and drugged-out vox of ‘Urban Survival’, the insistent bleep and darkly Villalobos-redolent incantations on ‘Incarnation’, and my personal standout, closing track ‘Ambiguity’, which in one fell swoop demonstrates the technical prowess so called upon by his contemporaries, all bottomless low end, skittering percs and slashing hats.

Although the refusal to bow to contemporary pressure might leave Xavier open to accusations of outmodishness, I for one found the selection refreshing, with plenty to get my party moving: torpid, faux-soulful, conga-heavy house be damned.

Release Date: 28th June 2010

Tracklisting:

01. Ambient Duality 
02. Sonic Duality 
03. Into the Light 
04. Eleven Eleven 
05. Sequence Madness 
06. Viper Fish
07. Urban Survival 
08. Incarnation 
09. Uplift the Ghetto 
10. Ambiguity [Click to Stream]

Clink Records | Tim Xavier MySpace

Recently i've been dreaming up a trip to Berlin, and this mix has often been the cause for long periods searching for flights, hostels and stuff to check. Having never been to Berlin, I imagine every bar, café, restaurant, square, plaza, public toilet, car park, bus stop, supermarket and, well just about everywhere to be infused with techno. In my head it's one giant techno organism with Berghain as it's heart and hardwax as it's senses. In my head, there are dudes in big white vests partying their ways to work (where they will then party some more) to the rolling, sweeping, 4x4 that fills the city. 

Of course, it isn't anything like this in reality, but I guess it's one of those things you don't realise until you've been there. This mix however, makes it far too easy to dream up a place - it's sublime.

Ben Klock seems at the very centre of the current climate in techno, which seems to be shifting to something a little darker and stripped back and has been for a while. Perfect Berghain business essentially. A brutality to the music is softened by a prominent melody - and a definite groove to everything. Ostgut Ton's output seems to be maintaining the seriously high levels in their output - and this mix demonstrates that perfectly.

Watch out for the 12"s which will follow the release, Martyn's offering with the astounding 'Miniluv' in particular is worth your time.

Tracklisting:

1.   154 - Apricot

2.   DVS1 – Pressure previously unreleased

3.   Junior Boys - Work(Marcel Dettmann Remix) previously unreleased

4.   Martyn – Miniluv exclusive

5.   STL - Loop 04

6.   Levon Vincent - The Long Life 

7.   Jonas Kopp - Michigan Lake exclusive

8.   ACT – RoHd previously unreleased

9.   Mikhail Breen – Veracity previously unreleased

10. DVS1 – Confused previously unreleased

11. Rolando - De Cago previously unreleased

12. Kevin Gorman - 7am Stepper exclusive

13. Ben Klock - Compression Session 1

14. Roman Lindau – Keppra exclusive

15. Tyree - Nuthin Wrong

16. The Echologist - Dirt (Ben Klock Edit) exclusive

17. James Ruskin – Graphic exclusive

18. Ben Klock feat. Elif Biçer - Elfin Flight previously unreleased

19. Rolando – Junie previously unreleased

12"s

14.06.2010 Martyn/Roman Lindau – Berghain 04 Pt. I (o-ton 37, 12”)

28.06.2010 James Ruskin/Kevin Gorman – Berghain 04 Pt. II (o-ton 38, 12”)

19.07.2010 Jonas Kopp/The Echologist (Ben Klock Edit) – Berghain 04 Pt. III (o-ton digital 02, digital only)

Ostgut Ton Records | Ben Klock Myspace

Hotflush have released a fair amount of utterly mind blowing music in their time, from the techno explorations of Sigha and Scuba, to the anthemic bliss of Joy Orbison’s Hyph Mngo (whatever that means) and on to the funky claustrophobia of Roska’s remix of Untold’s Just For You.

Continuing this tradition, New York’s Sepalcure are set to mark the label’s 25th  release with their Love Pressure EP. Rather than the Brazilian metal I expected when I first saw their name (Sepulture anyone?) their sound has a garage-like, yet frequently halfstep aesthetic, with sugary, buzzing synths and vocals cut from bliss-drenched house acapellas.

The title track has a loved-up, deep vibe, with all signals pointing towards complete immersion. The vocals are the key here, the manipulation of which hints at the haunting of early 90s Hardcore raves. The other track on this side, Down, continues in the same vein, but is slightly more geared towards the dancefloor. It builds with a dominating synth, which seems to do battle with the vocal samples throughout.

The second side is even stronger than the first: 2-step stormer Ever Day of My Life is hypnotic and understated in equal measure and benefits from a heavy dose of bass; and we have the final track from the EP for you to listen to here. It’s undeniably one of the most instantly astounding tracks of the year so far. The kind of tune that makes you feel like you’re experiencing some kind of meditative-zen-enlightenment just by listening to it, before you inevitably rewind it again, and again, and again…

Release Date: 7th June 2010

Format: 12" / Digital

12" Tracklist:

A1  Love Pressure [Click to Stream]
A2  Down
B1  Every Day Of My Life
B2  The Warning

Hotflush Records | Sepalcure MySpace

Whether you' download their amazing podcasts, attend their ever more vital events or avidly follow their releases - you'll definitely understand how consistently on-point these Wolf + Lamb guys are.

I don't think anything quite demonstrates this better than this Love Someone LP. Like the very best of Detroit long players, it goes absolutely everywhere house music should go. From the 808, acid infused stronghold of their Mock & Toof remix, to the flippant equalizing and arms aloft disco joy of 'Love Someone'.

For a collection of tracks and remix work, the release sure holds together as an album. Not truly in the conventional sense, as dance music often doesn't - but there is definitely enough here to maintain a listeners interest. I'm not going to lie though; this stuff is for playing out, or enjoying on mixes.

Anyone who was in attendance at last week's Wolf + Lamb presents party in London recognises just how cool these guys are. Their names are Gadi Mizrahi and Zev Eisenberg. Those aren't the names you find amongst people like us. Those are the names of people ball around in tailored suits, and actually use speed dial. I know the word 'cool' and 'guys' would probably make you switch of quicker than the appearance of Eamon Holmes' smug, chin-heavy face - but if you're still with me, trust me on this one. They just know how to get everything right. In terms of parties, it's that they realise all you need is a basement, a speaker stack and rolling tracks for several hours. And in terms of releases, well all you have to do is put out the hottest tracks, and some really nice design to go along with it goes a long way. This one is essential.

Tracklist:

1. Just For Now
2. Mock & Toof - Shoeshine Boogie (Wolf + Lamb Remix)
3. Love Someone
4. Want Your Money (Dyed Soundroom Wants Your Love Remix)
5. I Know You're Leaving
6. Monster Love
7. Want Your Money

Wolf + Lamb | Facebook

For the past eight years Kompakt Extra, a sub label of Kompakt,  have been releasing the eagle emblazoned Speicher series. If you have no idea what this series is or even stands for, I suggest you head over to Discogs and check out the roster of producers that have released a Speicher EP. If you can't be bothered to do that here are a few names that I'm sure you would have noticed before, DJ Koze, Superpitcher, Wighnomy Brothers, Michael Mayer, Steve Bug, Oxia and Gui Boratto, not a bad selection at all.

2010 welcomes Maxime Dangles and Steve Moore to the first Speicher EP of 2010. Frenchman Maxime Dangles flexes his techno wings with 'Bras De Zil', which is 100% classic Speicher techno from the very start. 'Bras De Zil' begins with an absolutely banging rumbling bass line, that isn't far off from being attributed to some kind of Berghain sound building up pressure throughout untill it sends you beserk with an almighty drop.

Steve Moore known to many as part of the progressive rock act 'Zombi' and others as 'Titan' and Lovelock, offers up “Bayern Kurve”, a mid-tempo roller that recalls the classic crawl of EBM that has come to the techno intersection - destination: future unknown. This tune is what the disco kids will certainly scream for as they now start to yearn for darkness in their dance.

Speicher 67 is as always a fine example of how techno should be done, go grab a copy, turn up the volume and piss off your neighbours.

BUY / Listen

Kompkat.fm | Maxine Dangles MySpace | Steve Moore MySpace

Rinse compilations more often than not serve as notable landmarks in the constant shape shifting of London's bass music. Whether that's the foresight of funky's rapid introduction and continual growth with the Supa D and Marcus Nasty volumes; or the mixing pot sets that are now a staple from Alexander Nut's, and now Oneman's, offerings.

Oneman gained his name by single-handedly re-introducing garage to a new generation, bringing it back to the UK’s underground dancefloors. Eliminating the premise of it being a dirty word, or even a laughable selection. Certainly for myself, growing up outside of it's London home and being far too young to have been exposed to much more than Craig David or 'Flowers', a whole new world of crate digging was exposed.

This comp is a statement though, Oneman has become known for this, but if you listen to his recent shows he's about looking forward more than ever. The current sound of London is represented, and if anything it stands up far more than a mix of 'classics' could - and will probably serve as something far more memorable. I would term stuff like Kode9's '2 Far Gone' and Zomby’s ‘Rumours And Revelations’ modern classics, even though I'm probably being far too premature on this and may live to regret it. Too make a mix of purely current sounds was a bold move, but I think he pulls it off. Documenting the now is important and it certainly makes this release more necessary.

I swear Oneman's name is misleading though; his abilities with mixing are testing my trust in him. Surely only one man can't mix this quickly, this precisely. It must take a team of people, spending hours in a boardroom fully zoned into a mantra of 'blue sky thinking' t pull something like this off. I hope that statement stinks of hyperbole, but that you kind of get the pint. Obviously with any pre-recorded mix, you can never really tell somebody's skill, but if you've ever seen him out, or even just caught his radio show - the man isn't natural. The blend from Martyn's Bittersweet mix of Acid Bells into Geeneus and Dynamite's 'Get Low' is testament to his ever-challenging selection. Mans got foresight!

Tracklist:

1. Double Helix (LHF) – 96 Flavas (No More Games)
2. Ramadanman – Mir
3. Martin Kemp – After The Night
4. The Detatchments – Circles [Martyn's Round & Round Mix]
5. Jazzanova – I Can See [Doc Daneeka Dub-Bump Mix]
6. Kode 9 – 2 Far Gone
7. Martyn – Mega Drive Generation
8. Bassjackers & Apster – Klambu
9. Deadboy – U Cheated
10. Zomby – Rumours and Revolutions
11. Efdemin – Acid Bells [Martyn's Bittersweet Mix]
12. Geeneus & Ms Dynamite – Get Low
13. Smoove Kriminal – Represent
14. Sticky – Jack It Up feat. Marvin Brown
15. R1 Ryders – Rubberband VIP
16. SouLTonic Sound System – The Flying Saucer
17. Bok Bok – Citizens Dub feat. Bubbz
18. Hem feat. Terrible Shock – On a Mission [Shortstuff Remix]
19. A4C – Untitled Mambo [Boogaloo Crew Remix]
20. Joy Orbison – Hyph Mngo
21. Breakage feat. Newham Generals & David Rodigan – Hard
22. Desto – Disappearing, Reappearing ink
23. Joker – Digidesign
24. 2000F & J Kamata – You Don’t Know What Love Is
25. Starkey – Rain City
26. Headhunter – Prototype [Modeselektor's Broken Handbrake Remix]
27. Crystal Fighters – I Love London [Brackles Remix]

Oneman Myspace | Rinse FM | BUY HERE