Someone who has really grabbed my attention via their production over the last couple of years is French born, Irish based Sputnik One (aka Jim Richard). His sense of rhythm & drum programming is incredible and has that balance of exactly what to leave out and what to leave in down, making for a very hypnotic timeless brew.
An artist with a very strong trajectory has entered our orbit!
Some rough & raw sounds coming out of Chicago from the golden olden days. This stripped back machine music never dates to my ears and always sound good in a club. We always bang on about how much we prefer this stuff to some (all) of the more produced & polite coffee table electronics out there – to which there is a lot.
This music feels like it was made quickly with very little equipment and sounds all the better for it.
On International Womans Day, no way I was posting any tracks by geezers/blokes/lads. Here are five favs from some fantastic producers, I have been following over the last few years. Equality on the floor, in the booth & everywhere!
Isle of Jura records is a re-issue label based in Australia. Taking their time to give us really nicely packaged and pressed perfect early doors or home listening records. These records all have a nice punch to them, so perfect on a nice system.
I have loved UK don Ian Loveday’s music for a very long time. Tragically he passed away in 2009 in his mid fifties. The futuristic and timeless nature of so much of his music means the mark he left behind can be enjoyed by others for a long time to come.
Five that never fail below…
Idle Press is a label run by the rather brilliant DJ Sundae. It couldn’t be described as prolific, releasing a handful of music in the six years it has been going. But then again less is more!
A little bit of everything – from edits to a repress and some originals. Quality over quantity wins every time.
Someone who has really stood out to me over the last while is Beatrice Dillon. There is a real sense of freedom & experimentation to her music and it all comes across as being innovative & unique.
Five that sound like they were captured in the right moment below…
Rong records knew where the party was. Nice mix of edits and originals that to my ears sound as good as ever. Think these can still be picked up for not a lot. The kind of records that never leave the bag.
Another year, another legend departs. Deeply saddened to hear about the passing of Phil Asher, Ladbroook Grove don and all round top geezer. I never got to meet Mr Asher but I did meet a lot of his ace friends over the years and the kindness, generosity and wise advice he once gave to one of my own friends, I’ve never forgotten.
I play a lot of his productions and the fact he had multi projects, styles and pseudonyms on the go is very inspiring.
Ten touched by the hand of MPC king Phlash below…
Gary Martin is a bit of an underrated Detroit producer. The sweet spot was in his early years and this stuff still sounds great. It has a certain punky rough quality that still shines through and bangs on a good sound system. Like a lot of quality underground electronic music you can still pick most of it up for cheap and proves you don’t need to spend silly money to get those little gems. Trust your own ears!
