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zero" // Update #027 - July 2010 Essentials: Jimmy Edgar, Mount Kimbie, Modeselektor

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 05:36:41 PDT

Hello,

It's the last day of the month and we trust you have postponed your planned trip to the beach in eager anticipation of our July 2010 Essentials. Traditionally a slow month, July has yet produced a number of outstanding releases that should make your sacrifice more than worthwhile.

This of course includes Mount Kimbie, whose highly recommended debut album now includes a sweet video as well. We've also witnessed the return of Jimmy Edgar this month - his 'XXX' album claims our top spot, and his 'Hush EP' shouldn't be left by the wayside either. Modeselektor have further compiled their '50 Weapons' series, and techno/house fans should check the latest from Wolf + Lamb, Soul Clap, and Âme.

[ More ]

Just picked: Tiger Flower Circle Sun by Christopher Willits

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sat, 31 Jul 2010 02:00:38 PDT

Album with 15 Tracks, out on Ghostly International.

Released on Tuesday (07/27/2010) and available as MP3s.

The multi-disciplined mind of Christopher Willits issues forth his second album for Ghostly International. Weaving a sophisticated palette of acoustic/organic elements into subtle melodies and lush ambient atmospheres, Willits' envelopes the listener into a bold and imaginative journey.

Just picked: Rumors by Ambivalent

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 05:00:37 PDT

EP with 5 Tracks, out on Minus.

Released on Wednesday (07/28/2010) and available as MP3s.

Minus shooting star Ambivalent delivers a 5 track EP that packs a punch. Combining minimal techno elements with jacking grooves, tracks like 'Bumble', 'Backbiter', and title track 'Rumors' take their cues for classic Daniel Bell material and should rock any discerning dance-floor.

Just picked: 50 Weapons of Choice # 2-9 by Modeselektor

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 02:34:37 PDT

Compilation with 8 Tracks, out on 50 Weapons.

Released on Friday (07/30/2010) and available as MP3s.

Bar its first volume (ask 50 Cent's lawyer), this compiles all the highly sought after remixes for Modeselektor/Moderat in the 50 Weapons white label series. Incl. Siriusmo, Phon.o, T++, SBTRKT, Shakleton's e_p_i_c take on 'Rusty Nails', and Roska's 'Art & Cash' mix as an exclusive bonus. Absolute must.

Just picked: Action/Satisfaction by Soul Clap

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 10:24:01 PDT

Maxi-Single with 4 Tracks, out on Crosstown Rebels.

Released on Monday (07/26/2010) and available as MP3s.

Boston duo Soul Clap drop 'Action/Satisfaction', a meandering, summery house track with nice vocals and a nod to The Night Writers 'Let The Music (Use You)'. Comes with a more up-tempo Lee Jones mix and bonus tracks 'Break 4 Life' and 'Noneadawhitestar'.

Just picked: 1987 by DiskJokke

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:08:01 PDT

Maxi-Single with 3 Tracks, out on Full Pupp.

Released on Monday (07/26/2010) and available as MP3s.

Another sweet slice of Norwegian disco from DiskJokke and Prins Thomas, who delivers a great club-ready 'Diskomiks' of 1987, leaving the cosmic escapades to DiskJokke this time, and his trippy 'Takt Raver'. Hamburg housers Ost & Kjex contribute a mix of 'Interpolations' as well. Recommended.

Download Charts - Week 30

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 07:00:01 PDT

Crooks & Lovers

by Mount Kimbie.

Album with 11 Tracks, out on Hotflush Recordings.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

SUB:STANCE mixed by Scuba

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 24 Tracks, out on Ostgut.

Released on Monday (01/25/2010) and available as MP3s.

Nothing Is Certain

by ASC.

Album with 13 Tracks, out on Nonplus Records.

Released on Monday (07/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

Klangbewegungen

by STL.

Album with 11 Tracks, out on Something.

Released on Saturday (07/24/2010) and available as MP3s.

To Scratch Your Heart

by Udi Neset Bey & Company.

Compilation with 32 Tracks, out on Honest Jon's Records.

Released on Friday (05/28/2010) and available as MP3s.

Elektro Guzzi

by Elektro Guzzi.

Album with 10 Tracks, out on Macro Recordings.

Released on Monday (05/31/2010) and available as MP3s.

More Moondog

by Moondog.

Album with 30 Tracks, out on Honest Jon's Records.

Released on Friday (03/13/2009) and available as MP3s.

Galaktika Records Compilation Mix

by Pablo Bolivar.

Compilation with 27 Tracks, out on Galaktika Records.

Released on Monday (10/19/2009) and available as MP3s.

Clone Digicomp #1

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 13 Tracks, out on Clone.

Released on Wednesday (06/16/2010) and available as MP3s.

MAKING CONTAKT - Deluxe Version (HD +Audio)

by Richie Hawtin.

Compilation with 12 Tracks and 11 Videos, out on Minus.

Released on Thursday (04/29/2010) and available as MP3/HD Videos.

Artist of the week: Soul Clap

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 05:00:00 PDT

Elyte and Cnyce of DJ and production outfit Soul Clap received their initiation into house music by original Boston disco DJ Caril Mitro, who instilled the sounds of New York, Chicago, Detroit and Philadelphia into their young minds and hearts. By harnessing the past Soul Clap look to the future, with forward thinking productions, remixes and edits for labels such as Airdrop, Crosstown Rebels and Wolf + Lamb. Their creative DJ sets can be regularly heard in club all over the world, besides their own Boston parties, Dancing On The Charles and...

[ All Releases by Soul Clap ]

zero" // Podcast #006 - DJ Mix

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:32:02 PDT

Hugo Capablanca is one of the busiest names in Berlin's crowded party scene. Hailing from a small village in Spain, Capablanca set up shop in the German capital six years ago, charming the city with both his intimate knowledge of rare 70s disco music and his insatiable taste for partying in style.

He took up a residency in Berlin's legendary Rio club, where he hosted his own 'Cash Money' nights. Since Rio's closure in late 2007, Capablanca brought his vintage record collection to countless venues in Berlin and abroad. His 'Tausendisco' nights have become a favourite with the Berlin in-crowd, attracting guest-DJs like Optimo, Todd Terje, and many others.

In 2008 Capablanca started his own label, Discos Capablanca. Its debut release, 'Jungle' by Grackle, a.k.a. New York's Speculator, included a remix by Düsseldorf's elusive Unit 4 and became a big favourite for neo-disco fans. On the label's second release, he brought together Whirlpool Productions' Eric D. Clark and Chicago's DJ Traxx for 'In A Daze', a classic slice of jazz-inspired acid-house.

Hugo Capablanca's latest project is Los Massieras, dedicated to the art of editing vintage underground disco with his partner in crime, David Ducaruge of Sex in Dallas. Their first EP, 'Boogity Boogity Boogity', released with a lovingly animated video, received rave reviews from the likes of Pitchfork. Its follow-up 'Better than Italians' just hit the stores and continues the duo's exploration of 70s experimental rock and disco crossover sounds.

Despite the good-times-guarantee of his parties and DJ sets, it would be a grave mistake to file Hugo Capablanca as yet another run-of-the-mill retro-hit DJ. In fact he is quite the opposite: A passionate crate digger and disciple of the artistic and free-spirited musical vision of people like Arthur Russel and Walter Gibbons.

His podcast for zero" is consequently no party set, but an inspired collection of rare musical gems, old and new. The musical journey leads from the neo-cosmic disco of Maxxi & Zeus, over spaced-out jazz by Moondog or the Moritz von Oswald Trio to the sparkling synth sounds of Oneohtrix Point Never, offering plenty of new music to discover for all but the most knowledgeable listeners.

[ More ]

Now featured: 'XXX' by Jimmy Edgar (!K7)

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:44:40 PDT

What a big month for Jimmy Edgar, whose long anticipated new album 'XXX' follows hot on heels of his warmly received recent 'Hush EP'. Four years have passed since the Detroit wunderkind had dropped 'Color Strip' via Warp, one of the most accomplished electro albums of the decade, which managed to marry classic electro-funk with futuristic electronica. For the release of 'XXX' Edgar has left Warp in favour of !K7, and listening to the new album, this is not the only thing that has changed for the now 26-year-old producer. Once known for his cerebral glitch hop, 'XXX' is certainly his most physical production to date. Tracks titles like 'Vibration', 'Hot, Raw, Sex', and 'Physical Motion', along with their suggestive lyrics, leave little doubt as for the album's central theme. Ubiquitous electro funk references, and Edgar's vocoded, Prince-style singing further up the sleaze factor. Yet, 'XXX' is never in danger of feeling nostalgic. When Jimmy Edgar looks back, he does so with one foot firmly planted in the future. His years of producing cutting-edge electronica can be heard in every synth sound, every sample, every kick-drum, lending 'XXX' a crystal-clear audio quality that would make Timbaland proud. In its finest moments Edgar moves between electro, future r'n'b and techno with a grace only he seems capable of at the moment. Stand-out album.

Just picked: Klangbewegungen by STL

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 08:50:40 PDT

Album with 11 Tracks, out on Something.

Released on Saturday (07/24/2010) and available as MP3s.

One of the finest releases in STL's astonishing catalogue, 'Klangbewegungen' (Sound Movements) is now available in digital format for the first time. Theo Parrish-inspired deep house with an experimental, otherworldly edge, but definitely suited for the dancefloor. Incredible music.

Just picked: Rrose Sélavy / Junggesellenmaschine by Âme

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 06:50:40 PDT

EP with 2 Tracks, out on Innervisions.

Released on Tuesday (07/27/2010) and available as MP3s.

New tracks by Âme! Both 'Rrose Sélavy' and 'Junggesellenmaschine' have a grungier feel to them than the duo's previous hits, almost as if they were assembled from live-played acoustic instrument samples. First class hypnotic deep house, with a nod to electro-acoustics. Excellent.

5 Picks with Peverelist

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 05:36:41 PDT

Over the past decade Bristol has been second only to South London in its importance for British bass music, and Tom Ford a.k.a. Peverelist is a driving force behind the city's small but highly influential scene. As the manager of Bristol's Rooted Music record store, Ford has his fingers on the beating pulse of the city's musical output, and since 2006 his Punch Drunk label has been a major outlet for some of Bristol's finest dubstep artists, including Pinch, Guido, and RSD (a.k.a. Rob Smith of Smith & Mighty).

For his own productions Peverelist set his sights on the European mainland as early as 2007, incorporating elements of Berlin-style dub techno into influential tracks such as 'The Grind' or his collaborations with Appleblim for Skull Disco. 2009 saw the release of his debut album, 'Jarvik Mindstate', which showcased the stylistic breadth of Ford's productions, ranging from Detroit references to futuristic percussive abstraction.

In the wake of the release of his newest single, 'Better Ways Of Living / Fighting Without Fighting', Peverelist picks 5 of his current favourites for zero".

[ Read more ]

Just picked: Phreqaflex by FaltyDL

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 07:12:40 PDT

EP with 3 Tracks, out on Planet Mu.

Released on Monday (07/26/2010) and available as MP3s.

FaltyDL on a future garage tip for Planet Mu: Three massive cuts combining deep house vibes with bleepy basslines, early jungle cues, and soulful vocals on 'My Friends Will Always Say...'. Big release.

Just picked: De Brandende Haan Ep by Den Haan

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:32:40 PDT

Maxi-Single with 4 Tracks, out on SuperSoul.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Den Haan hail from Glasgow, but their hearts beat for Italy, and, as their name suggest, the Netherlands, where people like i-F and Alden Tyrell have originally fattened Italian disco with modern sounds and production. Four hi-energy anthems, cheesy, yes, but lovingly executed and highly effective.

Just picked: Nightrax: Days Pass, Nights Creep In by Justin Berkovi

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:20:40 PDT

Maxi-Single with 4 Tracks, out on EevoNext.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Veteran of 'Brighton techno' Justin Berkovi returns to production with his new Nightrax project: Four cuts of deep yet pumping Detroit-style techno, reminding of Quince or Joris Voorn. Nice one.

Just picked: Leonor's Lanugo Remixes by Ripperton

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 03:06:40 PDT

Maxi-Single with 3 Tracks, out on Green.

Released on Monday (07/26/2010) and available as MP3s.

Radio Slave once again celebrates the art of epic remixes with his take on Ripperton's 2008 hit 'Leonor's Lanugo'. Part 1 + 2 of his remix weigh in at over 18 minutes total playing time of subtle and hypnotic Detroit techno. 'The Hill' is added on top as a more abstract bonus track. Nice.

Just picked: You Don't Wash (DJ-KiCKS) by Kode9

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 12:34:40 PDT

EP with 2 Tracks, out on !K7.

Released on Friday (07/16/2010) and available as MP3s.

Kode9 continues his recent explorations of funky house with this exclusive single for K7!. Save the echoing rave sirens, Spaceape's vocals, and its slightly stumbling groove, 'You Don't Wash' could easily pass as a German deep house production - albeit a very good one!

Last Weeks Best Rated Releases

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sun, 25 Jul 2010 10:00:04 PDT

Crooks & Lovers

by Mount Kimbie.

Album with 11 Tracks, out on Hotflush Recordings.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Raíz (Silent Servant Mix)

by Raíz.

EP with 2 Tracks, out on Historia y Violencia.

Released on Wednesday (05/05/2010) and available as MP3s.

Prototype

by Herman.

Maxi-Single with 2 Tracks, out on Fine Art Recordings.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Better than Italians EP

by Los Massieras.

EP with 3 Tracks, out on Bananamania.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Thursday

by Databoy78.

Maxi-Single with 3 Tracks, out on Running Back.

Released on Monday (07/05/2010) and available as MP3s.

Wireless

by T++.

EP with 4 Tracks, out on Honest Jon's Records.

Released on Friday (04/16/2010) and available as MP3s.

House Of Trax Vol 4

by Various Artists.

EP with 3 Tracks, out on Rush Hour.

Released on Tuesday (07/13/2010) and available as MP3s.

Mount Kimbie Remixes Pt.1

by Mount Kimbie.

Maxi-Single with 3 Tracks, out on Hotflush Recordings.

Released on Monday (05/17/2010) and available as MP3s.

Just picked: Electric Wire Hustle by Electric Wire Hustle

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sat, 24 Jul 2010 06:46:40 PDT

Album with 14 Tracks, out on BBE.

Released on Friday (07/16/2010) and available as MP3s.

Mind-blowing album that straddles between Soul, Hip-Hop, Funk and pop - hence dissolving all genre boundaries. After releasing just three EPs the trio from New Zealand shows its enormous talent in delivering an all in all coherent and harmonious album. Definitely an act to keep an eye on!

zero" // Update #026 - Dubstep Special: Mount Kimbie, ASC, Peverelist

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 08:08:41 PDT

Hello,

It's all coming apart. For years dubstep has seemed like a field of limitless possibilities, its syncopated rhythms and wobbly basslines lending themselves to endless permutation.

All this has changed over the past few months. Where a year ago only the most adventurous artists like Instra:mental or Scuba have traversed the outer reaches of the dubstep universe, now the entire genre seems to expand beyond easy recognition, fusing with hip-hop, techno, IDM, house, and even indie rock.

The stars of our latest interview feature, Mount Kimbie, are rapidly becoming the poster boys of this anything-goes approach with their guitar-driven and electronica-tinged album debut, but other rising artists such as Brokenchord, SBTRKT, Ital Tek or 1000Names warrant an in-depth look at the current state of dubstep as well.

[ More ]

5 Picks with Florian Schirmacher (Wareika)

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 23 Jul 2010 07:48:41 PDT

Wareika, Federleicht, Hatikvah and Here Today are just some of the projects of Hamburg's busy house music vocalist, producer and DJ, Florian Schirmacher. The passionate collaborator has been further working with artists like Märtini Brös and Mathias Kaden for releases on labels like Cadenza and Liebe*Detail.

After successfully teaming up with Guido Schneider as Glowing Glisses at the beginning of the decade, Schirmacher joined the Havana Boys, Henrik Raabe and Jakob Seidensticker, to form Wareika. Their open-minded and modern approach to house music has since gained the trio widespread popularity, culminating in the release of their recent album, 'Formation'.

Schirmacher's other current projects should not be overlooked by any means however: Deep house outfit Hatikvah for instance, which highlights Schirmachers distinct singing style, or adventurous ambient house project Federleicht. Together with Andre Hoffmann, Schirmacher has further started his own label recently, FormResonance.

For zero" Florian Schirmacher has selected 5 soulful favourites.

[ Read more ]

Download Charts - Week 29

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Crooks & Lovers

by Mount Kimbie.

Album with 11 Tracks, out on Hotflush Recordings.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Berghain 04

by Ben Klock.

Compilation with 19 Tracks, out on Ostgut.

Released on Monday (06/28/2010) and available as MP3s.

City to City 3 - DJ Deep's Journey Through Chicago, Detroit And New York's Secret House Gems

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 14 Tracks, out on BBE.

Released on Monday (07/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

ViceVerse Compilation

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 12 Tracks, out on ViceVerse.

Released on Saturday (04/24/2010) and available as MP3s.

Rüts (Video Edition)

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 24 Tracks and 22 Videos, out on Meakusma Records.

Released on Monday (07/05/2010) and available as MP3/HD Videos.

Some Place Simple

by Martina Topley-Bird.

Album with 15 Tracks, out on Honest Jon's Records.

Released on Friday (07/09/2010) and available as MP3s.

Elektro Guzzi

by Elektro Guzzi.

Album with 10 Tracks, out on Macro Recordings.

Released on Monday (05/31/2010) and available as MP3s.

Music For Real Airports

by The Black Dog.

Album with 14 Tracks, out on Soma.

Released on Monday (04/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

Nothing Is Certain

by ASC.

Album with 13 Tracks, out on Nonplus Records.

Released on Monday (07/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

The Real Sound Of Chicago

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 25 Tracks, out on BBE.

Released on Tuesday (01/26/2010) and available as MP3s.

Just picked: Pattern Repeat 03 by Pattern Repeat

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 06:20:08 PDT

Maxi-Single with 2 Tracks, out on Pattern Repeat.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

The collaboration of Echocord's Kenneth Christiansen and Resoe drops its forth release - the third on its own dedicated Pattern Repeat imprint. 'A' is a minimalistic dub stomper reminiscent of Marcel Dettmann or Peter van Hoesen, while 'B' features melancholy strings and cool rolling snares. Great!

zero" // Podcast #005 - City Focus: Copenhagen

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 12:00:09 PDT

Copenhagen's electronic music scene has been on a steady rise over the past decade. Conveniently located half-way between Norway's neo-disco hot-spot Oslo and the German techno capital Berlin, Copenhagen has been drawing on influences from both of these cities.

Add to this one of Europe's largest rock music festivals, taking place every year in nearby Roskilde, and what you get is a perfectly diverse music scene. Take artists like Tomas Barfod or Trentemøller: the former responsible for both disco-punk outfit WhoMadeWho and techno label Tartelet, the latter equally famous for his dancefloor bombs and post-rock songs.

The diversity doesn't stop here. Acts like Efterklang or Dub Tractor combine acoustic instruments with electronica, offering unique takes on experimental indie pop. Artists such as Mikkel Metal and Resoe uphold the grand tradition of cold and spacious dub-techno, and when a young producer of minimal house like James Braun drops a pristine dubstep track on a release called 'Oi World This is Copenhagen', it's a perfect testament to the city's open-minded musical climate.

For our City Focus on the Danish capital, we talk to two key figures of its electronic music scene: Martin Swanstein, better known as Martinez - certainly the city's most prolific producer of house music. His well over 40 releases have graced a wealth of international labels, and his acclaimed new album 'The Paradigm Shift' has just been released via Moon Harbour. Our second guest this week is Kenneth Christiansen, owner of the renowned Echocord label family, one of the people behind Copenhagen's most famous techno club, Culture Box, and part of dub-techno production outfit Pattern Repeat.

The zero" City Focus podcasts are created by Sebastian Schlachter-Delgado, one of Austria's best known music radio journalists and one of the people behind FM4's popular Friday night electronic music show 'La Boum Deluxe'. Schlachter-Delgado is further part of Vienna's electro-pop group Twinnie and has recently started his own label Kinderkreuzzug.

[ More ]

Just picked: Ghost In The Machine by DiskJokke & Strangefruit presents The Shookt

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 06:02:08 PDT

Maxi-Single with 2 Tracks, out on Luna Flicks.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

An chief advocate of the neo-disco sound alongside, DiskJokke appears with Luna Flicks founder and a prominent figure in the Norwegian dance scene, Strangefruit. The pair build two perfectly disco dancefloor-ready tracks, the spacey 'Ghost In the Machine', and the more straight-forward stomper, 'Bug In The Machine'.

Music From The Kitchen: An Interview With Mount Kimbie by gl03 & Ike Velez

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 07:58:09 PDT

With only two EPs on Scuba's Hotflush label Mount Kimbie managed to blast the gates of the dubstep genre wide open. On the occasion of the release of their highly anticipated debut album, 'Crooks & Lovers', we talk to the red-hot production duo.

Sunday morning, 3 a.m., Berlin's Berghain club. The headliners of Scuba's Sub:stance party, Mount Kimbie, open their set. Carefully layering loops of fragile electronica sounds, strummed guitars and angelic vocals, their music feels strangely at odds with the hard-hitting sounds dominating the rest of the night.

It's the fate of pioneers who have both grown up with dubstep, but grown weary of the genre's conventions. Dominic Maker and Kai Campos are taking the game to their own turf, using dubstep as a loose reference point for their beats, but constructing their own mesh of futuristic r'n'b, dubbed field recordings, and indie pop on top of its rhythmic foundation.

Mount Kimbie's two EPs from 2009, 'Maybes' and 'Sketch On Glass' are emblematic for a new generation of producers, approaching their music with an anything-goes attitude. Their release on a dubstep label like Hotflush has certainly played in the pair's favour, and Scuba's imprint is also the outlet for Mount Kimbie's debut album, 'Crooks & Lovers'.

[ Read more ]

Artist of the week: Jonas Kopp

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 03:00:00 PDT

Over the past few years Jonas Kopp has become recognised as one of Argentina's brightest talents in the field of techno music. His impeccably produced tracks of dark, spacious and echoing techno have been released by highly regarded label such as Spectral, CMYK, Curle, and - most recently - Ostgut Ton, where his track 'Michigan Lake' was used by Ben Klock for his 'Berghain 04' mix.

[ All Releases by Jonas Kopp ]

Just picked: Berghain 04 - Part III by Jonas Kopp

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 02:38:08 PDT

Maxi-Single with 2 Tracks, out on Ostgut.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Argentinian techno hotshot Jonas Kopp and New York's Brendon Moeller share the third volume of exclusives taken from Ben Klock's recent Berghain mix. Kopps' 'Michigan Lake' is subtle dub techno on top of a massive bassdrum, while Klock himself strips down Moeller's 'Dirt' for an extra edge. Perfect.

Artist of the week: Wolf + Lamb

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 07:00:00 PDT

Cynics might argue that in a city as drained of electronic music as NYC, it shouldn't be hard to grab the public's attention with a good party series. Yet, you have to give it to Zev Eisenberg and Gadi Mizrahi that they're doing an exceptional job with their Wolf + Lamb label, production work, and notorious nights at Brooklyn's Marcy hotel. Sitting comfortably between NY deep house and European minimalism, their music is contemporary, yet soulful - perfectly exemplified on their acclaimed debut album 'Love Someone'.

[ All Releases by Wolf + Lamb ]

Just picked: Explorer's Club: 7. Belfast - Reykjavik by Hauschka

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 06:34:08 PDT

Compilation with 3 Tracks, out on LOaF.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

The seventh volume in LoAF's highly vrecommended Explorer's Club series features the talents of Hauscka & Stefan Schneider, Nils Frahm and Johann Johannsson: Three pieces of beautiful piano-neo-classic / electronica crossover, perfect for those chilled out moments. Lush.

Just picked: Better Ways Of Living / Fighting Without Fighting by Peverelist

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 04:16:08 PDT

Maxi-Single with 2 Tracks, out on Punch Drunk Records.

Released on Monday (07/19/2010) and available as MP3s.

Bristol's Peverelist drops his follow-up release to his acclaimed album, 'Jarvik Mindstate', which arrived late last year on his Punch Drunk label. His new single sees Pev reaching further into his junglist roots, conjuring up a pair of sparse, percussion-driven, instrumental tracks. Recommended.

Now featured: Crooks & Lovers by Mount Kimbie (Hotflush Recordings)

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 03:34:08 PDT

It's almost impossible to find a music magazine or web site which misses out on mentioning Mount Kimbie at the moment. zero" is certainly no exception, and there's a very good reason for this: The London duo's debut album, 'Crooks & Lovers', is simply one of the most entertaining, cohesive, and endearing listens of 2010 so far. Across its eleven short tracks 'Crooks & Lovers' manages to challenge the dubstep genre's past and future, its conventions and boundaries in such an inventive, gentle and playful manner that it's almost impossible not to succumb to its charm. Defined by sweet, wistful harmonies, sparse future R'n'B beats, and shiny cut'n paste vocals, songs like 'Before I Move Off' and 'Carbonated' serve as the album's most immediately accessible tracks. Wobbly basslines and deep echoes make an appearance in 'Blind Night Errand' and 'Ruby', but only serve as reminders of where Mount Kimbie's music is originates from, readily giving way to strummed guitars ('Adriatic') or slow-motion folktronica ('Ode to Bear'). 'Crooks & Lovers' is a remarkable debut, to be treasured all the more for its blue-eyed approach to stylistic freedom and its charming imperfections. It's an album fully deserving of the praise it is receiving, and certainly one any self-respecting music fan should have in his or her collection.

Last Weeks Best Rated Release

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 10:00:03 PDT

Some Place Simple

by Martina Topley-Bird.

Album with 15 Tracks, out on Honest Jon's Records.

Released on Friday (07/09/2010) and available as MP3s.

Label of the week: Cheap Thrills

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 08:00:08 PDT

Cheap Thrills is the label of London's popular DJ Hervé, specialising in ghetto bass and Baltimore-style breaks. Most productions come from Hervé himself, working under pseudonyms like Action Man and Voodoo Chilli, as well as from like-minded artists in the fields of ravey fidget house and breaks, such as Fake Blood and Beni G's Jack Beats project.

[ All Releases by Cheap Thrills ]

Just picked: Dark Matter: Multiverse 2004 – 2009 by Various Artists

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 07:14:08 PDT

Compilation with 24 Tracks, out on Tectonic.

Released on Monday (07/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

Bristol-based studio and publishing company Multiverse is the city's first address in all things dubstep related, with brilliant labels like Tectonic, Kapsize, and Caravan under its wing. 'Dark Matter' is an essential guide to the Bristol scene, featuring Joker, Pinch, October and many more.

Just picked: Love Someone by Wolf + Lamb

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 11:56:08 PDT

Album with 10 Tracks, out on Wolf & Lamb Records.

Released on Friday (07/16/2010) and available as MP3s.

Brooklyn duo Zev Eisenberg and Gadi Mizrahi deliver their much anticipated debut album, which lives up to the underground vibe of their popular Wolf + Lamb parties: Low-key, lo-fi deep house, mixed and recorded with an abundance of soul and atmosphere. Recommended.

5 Picks with Riley Reinhold: The Trapez Mastermind Names His Faves

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 09:50:09 PDT

Since the early 1990s Riley Reinhold has been pulling his strings behind the scenes of Germany's techno movement. Active as a DJ since 1984 in his home town Cologne, he soon turned to electronic music, founding the influential Cosmic Orgasm Soundsystem together with Sascha Kösch, a.k.a DJ Bleed. Together with Kösch he joined the editorial team of Frontpage, at the time the leading German language techno magazine, and quickly became one of the country's most influential electronic music critics.

When Frontpage folded in 1997, his focus however gradually bagan to shift: In 2000 Reinhold started the label Traum Schallplatten with a compilation of electronic music from Buenos Aires, which introduced then unknown Argentinian producers like Gustavo Lamas to a European audience. Traum was soon followed by Trapez, and eventually My Best Friend. All three labels have long become an integral part of the German electronic music landscape, publishing literally hundreds of releases by artists like Dinky, Dominik Eulberg, Extrawelt, Mihalis Safras, Nathan Fake, Nôze, and many, many others.

His own productions have recently been picking up pace as well: Reinhold's acclaimed album 'Friends Are Silence' (as Triple R) was followed by a string of releases on My Best Friend Ltd., most recently the EP 'More Distortions'.

For zero" Riley Reinhold has selected five of his favourite releases of timeless techno and house.

[ Read more ]

zero" // Update #025 - Chicago Special: DJ Deep, House Of Trax, Paul Johnson

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 04:54:10 PDT

Hello,

Chicago is a state of mind. 30 years of house music history have made Chicago a mythical, imaginary place, only loosely related to the actual city.

Inspired by DJ Deep's recent tribute compilation, which includes a wealth of international artists, and Efdemin's conceptual 'Chicago' album, we dedicate this newsletter to jacking beats, old and new, coming from Chicago-based producers, but also from artists around the globe who carry the Windy City in their hearts.

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Artist of the week: ASC

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 03:00:00 PDT

Growing up in different areas of England, on a steady diet of Motown, techno & the blossoming UK hardcore scene, James Clements started producing drum 'n bass around 1997, starting his own label Covert Operations in 2000. His productions established ASC as one of the most prolific and forward thinking producers in drum 'n bass music. Teaming up with Instra:mental, ASC's work has featured prominently in the Autonomic Podcasts, and from 2009 on, ASC will be working exclusively with the Nonplus and Exit Records labels run by Instra:mental and...

[ All Releases by ASC ]

Label of the week: anticon

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:36:08 PDT

It's been over ten years since anticon first blast onto the Los Angeles music scene, paving a way for alternative hip-hop with fresh rhymes and musical influences drawn from indie rock, pop, and experimental music. Run by a collective of eight individuals, the anticon core members include Doseone, why?, Jel, and Odd Nosdam, who work together under a myriad of names like cLOUDDEAD, Themselves, and 13 & God.

[ All Releases by anticon ]

Just picked: Nothing Is Certain by ASC

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 02:16:08 PDT

Album with 13 Tracks, out on Nonplus Records.

Released on Monday (07/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

First album release on one of the most exciting labels around at the moment, and as expected, it is a real gem. ASC delivers his very own definition of drum & bass / dub-step / techno hybrids, taking you on long journey into unknown sonic territories. Highly recommended!

Download Charts - Week 28

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 07:00:01 PDT

Berghain 04

by Ben Klock.

Compilation with 19 Tracks, out on Ostgut.

Released on Monday (06/28/2010) and available as MP3s.

City to City 3 - DJ Deep's Journey Through Chicago, Detroit And New York's Secret House Gems

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 14 Tracks, out on BBE.

Released on Monday (07/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

Some Place Simple

by Martina Topley-Bird.

Album with 15 Tracks, out on Honest Jon's Records.

Released on Friday (07/09/2010) and available as MP3s.

Dancehall: The Rise of Jamaican Dancehall Culture

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 33 Tracks, out on Soul Jazz Records.

Released on Sunday (11/09/2008) and available as MP3s.

Magda's Fabric Parts

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 33 Tracks, out on Minus.

Released on Monday (11/30/2009) and available as MP3s.

DJ-KiCKS

by Kode9.

Compilation with 31 Tracks, out on !K7.

Released on Tuesday (06/22/2010) and available as MP3s.

Open Strings

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 30 Tracks, out on Honest Jon's Records.

Released on Friday (04/10/2009) and available as MP3s.

Elektro Guzzi

by Elektro Guzzi.

Album with 10 Tracks, out on Macro Recordings.

Released on Monday (05/31/2010) and available as MP3s.

SUB:STANCE mixed by Scuba

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 24 Tracks, out on Ostgut.

Released on Monday (01/25/2010) and available as MP3s.

ViceVerse Compilation

by Various Artists.

Compilation with 12 Tracks, out on ViceVerse.

Released on Saturday (04/24/2010) and available as MP3s.

Just picked: Bop / Paino Shakur by Brandt Brauer Frick

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 02:30:08 PDT

Maxi-Single with 3 Tracks, out on Tartelet Records.

Released on Monday (07/12/2010) and available as MP3s.

Brandt, Brauer & Frick are starting to become a driving force amongst the higher tiers of electronic music, with each artist bringing their highly tuned musical attributes to the table. This latest release on Tartelet is a perfect example of their jazz-infused live-techno vision.

zero" // Podcast #004 - DJ Mix

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:52:50 PDT

Manager of the mighty Shitkatapult label, DJ, promoter, and producer of extraordinary electronic music - Daniel Meteo is a man of many vocations, all of which he follows with the heart and passion of a true music lover.

Daniel Meteo hails from the West German industrial town of Essen, but has been living in Berlin for the past 15 years, where he quickly became an integral part of the city's booming electronic music scene. In 2000 he founded his Meteosound imprint, dedicated to diverse explorations of electronic dub sounds. He further started the project Bus, together with Tom Thiel of legendary ambient outfit Sun Electric.

The fruitful collaboration yielded two albums for Pole's ~scape label, a perfect outlet for the pair's abstract hip-hop and downbeat productions. In 2006 Meteo released his debut solo-full length, 'Peruments', a dubbed out masterpiece, crossing over low-slung grooves with influences from deep house and minimal techno.

Hooking up with Apparat and T.Raumschmiere, Daniel Meteo united the three labels Shitkatapult, Musick and Meteosound under the umbrella of Random Noize Musick, for which he took over label management duties. This did not keep him from producing music however, and numerous EPs for Karaoke Kalk and Meteosound were followed by his acclaimed second album, 'Working Class', released on Shitkatapult at the end of 2009.

With his zero" podcast, Daniel Meteo invites you to discover highlights and rare gems from the vast Random Noize Musick catalogue. His mix includes some of his own current productions of fragile dub-house, hints at jacking acid and techno, before taking it deep into dub territory with his and Thomas Fehlmann's adaptation of Sun Electric's 'Toninas', leading to the experimental soundscapes of T.Raumschmiere's Shrubbn!! project. Cool music for summer listening.

[ More ]

Artist of the week: Machinedrum

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 11:00:00 PDT

Brooklyn's Travis Stewart has been recording his explorations of abstract broken beats for the sadly defunct Merck label since the early 2000s under his Machinedrum alias. In recent times he has hooked up with the highly recommendable Lucky Me imprint for the release of his 'Many Faces' album, an eclectic journey through experimental hip-hop, dub-step and granular acid styles. He has further remixed Jimmy Edgar's 'Hot, Raw, Sex single and featured on Ghostly International's recent 'The Nocturnal Suite' compilation.

[ All Releases by Machinedrum ]

Just picked: House Of Trax Vol 4 by Various Artists

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:22:50 PDT

EP with 3 Tracks, out on Rush Hour.

Released on Tuesday (07/13/2010) and available as MP3s.

Some serious trash talking going on this volume of Trax classics: 'Beat That Bitch...' will beat every dancefloor into submission, and it's the first time in 17 years this rare gem is available in proper audio quality. On the flip Maurice Joshua leaves no doubt about the size of his private parts. Hits!

Just picked: House Of Trax Vol 3 by Various Artists

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 03:22:49 PDT

EP with 4 Tracks, out on Rush Hour.

Released on Tuesday (07/13/2010) and available as MP3s.

Absolutely classic Chicago house, wrested from oblivion by the crate diggers from Rush Hour: Jamie Principle gets super sexy with 'It's A Cold World' and 'Bad Boy', while Virgo's 'Let Your Body Talk' is just a perfect house song. Essential tracks, not only for old-school fans.

Label of the week: Royal Oak

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 12:29:45 PDT

Yet another new sibling in the Clone family, Royal Oak has been off to a great start: Deep house by old hands like Gerd and Reggie Dokes is complemented by the original p-funk sounds of Space Dimension Controller, and remastered cuts from the legendary Blake Baxter / Orlando Voorn collaboration project, Ghetto Brothers.

[ All Releases by Royal Oak ]

Artist of the week: Neil Landstrumm

info@zero-inch.com (zero'' // zero-inch.com) — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 11:00:00 PDT

A fixture of the UK electronic music scene, Neil Landstrumm is known for his genre-defining productions since the early 1990s. Originally associated with the then booming 'Brighton school' of techno, alongside artists such as Cristian Vogel and Dave Tarrida, the scandinaviophile Scotsman first released his hard hitting, yet funky and reduced techno production via influential UK imprint Peacefrog before signing with Tresor in 1996 for his 'Understanding Disinformation' album. Known to take regular time-outs from music to pursue diverse creative...

[ All Releases by Neil Landstrumm ]