DFRNT – High Friends In Places EP

Audio, Dub Techno & House, Dubstep & Garage // By: MarkuscloseAuthor: Markus Email: markus@netlabelism.com
More Authors Posts (76) // 29/01/2013 // No Comments

It has been a quite a while since my last review and I’m now trying to find the right words to describe an absolutely terrific release by DFRNT called“High Friends in Places EP”.  Although  I am struggling with the local internet connection speed in my hometown, this EP delivers the right soundtrack to cover the waiting time for the upload to finish. Thankfully, not in the meaning of elevator music, but  more like having a relaxing cup of tea observing the bytes on their way onto the world wide web.

DFRNT’s approach is very credible: it’s an exploration of his musical roots back to deep dub influences. As always, Cut Records delivers crystal clear audio coupled with convincing artwork. The only thing that could have been left out, in my opinion, are the oldschool-sounding dub vocals spreading phrases like “Brother”. When it was just released, High Friends in Places was the perfect ending to 2012, like taking a step back from the rat race, reflecting on all past and upcoming things in life.

Cut delivers the music in one of my favourite ways. You decide what you pay, even if it’s only a tweet. And that’s not much for what you get as a download link in your inbox from Bandcamp. I wish more labels would deliver their music in this way. Let the fans decide what to pay for the music because I believe that if they like it, they will. This makes the music special instead of just another free download link stored in the digital archive on some external drive lost in the digital nirvana.

And before I get all worked up about this topic again, here is my last hint for you. If you like the sound of DFRNT and Cut Records be sure to check out his (most of the time) weekly “Insight” podcast. It is one of my main sources beside our own podcast for fresh new bass related music. You will find the link at the bottom of this article.

DFRNT – Turning Back

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Release Page: [CUT15] - DFRNT – High Friends In Places EP

Insight Podcast: Link

Various Artists – Choose Ur Way [Stasis010]

Ambient & Experimental, Audio, Deep House & Techno, Drum & Bass, Dub Techno & House, Dubstep & Garage // By: SimonVBcloseAuthor: SimonVB Email: simon.vanbockstal@gmail.com
More Authors Posts (23) // 12/03/2012 // No Comments

Upon checking my ever-growing RSS inbox of netlabel releases, I stumbled upon a release titled ‘Choose Ur Way’. Going from the spelling I quickly concluded that this probably wasn’t going to be all that good. “Oh, God. Another one of these hastily slapped-together dubstep slash drum and bass releases”, I sighed. I was wrong. Was I ever wrong. I was so wrong in fact, that I owe it to the label and all of you to tell you what a gem this truly is.

‘Choose Ur Way’ is a great introduction to the Energostatic Records catalogue. Actually, it’s more like four releases in one. The 16 tracks are neatly divided in four groups, with each group consisting of two tracks by two artists. I like this already. Choosing to include two tracks by the same artist not only provides some continuity, it also gives you a more nuanced view of said artist’s work. The styles of the four parts range from ambient over dub techno to chillstep and drum and bass. This might seem like a large leap to make in one release, but I think Energostatic gets away with it. Read on to find out why that is.

Each part of the release is given a specific vector, ranging from AA to AD. This is attention to detail in creating an atmosphere around the label really adds something extra to the experience. In a recent review, Simon Haycock pointed out that making your own netlabel is as easy as ever these days, thanks to prefab blogging software and services like soundcloud and bandcamp. While I certainly applaud these evolutions, I still find that custom-built websites which host the releases on their own pages, often take the time to add character and a uniqueness which I find lacking in many of the generic blog layouts. Energostatic Records is a great example of a label which provides this all-round house-style. The sleek design focuses on a colourful view of our galaxy. This theme of space travel fits perfectly with the styles of electronic music it releases.

Vector AA is a natural fit with the Energostatic theme, and it is a great ambient release in its own right. Copious amounts of reverb ensure a feeling of almost limitless space in Wallwerk’s ‘Lingleep’.  In Vector AB, I feel like Qumesht’s brand of dub techno is a slightly better fit to the release than that of Jimmy Myhrman. The latter’s track ‘Subway’ is a little too hard-hitting, but he immediately fixes this with the wonderfully deep ‘Shadows’.
Vector AC is my least favourite, for its first three tracks present the largest discontinuity with the styles of the rest of the release. Vital picks up the ‘Fragments’ at the end though, and so leads the way for the music that should be the soundtrack for any would-be kosmonaut: Vector AD. Marc Atmost’s clean style of living room drum and bass reminds me of my childhood favourite ‘Omni Trio’. The synth pads and surgical drum hits of ‘Aural Objects (Rework)’ make this a strong track in its own right, but when the bass finally drops in, I went weak in the knees and was twelve years old again, pressing the headphones into my ears and leaning back in the sofa with a gargantuan smile.

Energostatic Records are already on their 10th release, and I should be punished for only discovering them now. If you, like me, have not heard of them before, this release will serve as an excellent introduction to their sound. If you have heard of them before, there’s no need for me to tell you anything. You’ve probably had this on repeat since the day it was released. And rightfully so. ‘Choose Ur Way’ is a great addition to any music library. I can only hope Energostatic will continue to take us on intergalactic trips like this for years to come. [SVB]

Vector AA – Wallwerk – Teaby

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Vector AD – Marc Atmost – Aural Objects (Rework)

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Links:
Deep link to the release
Energostatic Records website

V/A – Special Swiss Compilation [Doma008]

Deep House & Techno, Dub Techno & House, Minimal, Techno & Detroit // By: NetlabelismcloseAuthor: Netlabelism Email: markus@modularfield.net
More Authors Posts (118) // 01/10/2011 // No Comments

Doma Musique’s netlabel division has shared distinct blends of intelligent glitchgroove and thoughtful techno since December of 2010, and their 8th release acts as a regional spotlight on the intriguing sounds of Switzerland. The mountainous landscapes and fresh air must surely be having a positive influence on the creative process of the five musicians featured, with each piece harnessing deft combinations of texture, atmosphere, experimentalism, and funk.

Storlon’s “Iced Orchard” bounces the listener directly into a strange alien ecosystem, seemingly dense with mechanical insects, and you can’t help but let your mind wander and join this exploration off the beaten path. Classic Storlon action here, I can easily get lost in thought with this one.

Hiss, a name new to me as I was downloading the compilation, smoothes things over with a stripped-down and slow-building groove, swimming in dark dub atmospherics. Out of the whole package “In Der Hey” might be the most versatile and friendly track for dj use.

Andres Marcos gets very playful with “Airpothpony,” a unqiue jazzy number layered with field recordings from airports. Packed full of crazy keys, spastic percussion, and hyperactive energy.

My favorite track of the compilation is MRZ’s “Tempest Toast.” This infectious rubber band groove relentlessly chugs along, balanced with modulating shakers and natural storm soundscapes. A near perfect outdoor funk anthem.

Closing out the release is the epic 11-minute work from Adriano Mirabile, rich with glitchy textures, aggressive sound design, and tinges of progressive flavor. I especially enjoyed the more ambient moments in the beginning, middle, and end of this, and “Ruido En Mi” finishes off the compilation nicely with a flourish of emotion. [KL]

MRZ – Tempest Toast

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Deep link to: Doma Musique Releases Page
Video: Storlon – Iced Orchard