Net Decks 3
Tobias07.07.07 is not only a good day for weddings, it is also an excellent date for great new music . and for everyone, who wanted to hear more of Sven Laux after his darkly alluring “Boutique” contribution to Tropic’s first label sampler. Already back then, the trademarks of his style were clearly contoured: A knack for prominent atmospherics, a subtle integration of harmonies and the attachment of slight, but unsettling irregularities in his 4/4-propelled grooves. What has changed on his latest “Coco” EP, however, is the general mood: A freshly shimmering fruit on the cover and some decidedly laid-back, sun-drenched beats on the inside. Laux is obviously enjyoing the summer and his urge to share that sensation has resulted in five minimal and yet constantly evolving tracks. The title piece, for starters, is driven by the interaction between a simple rhythmic motive and microscopic particles, a warm pulse-bass and a catchy ragga-counterpoint. “Koco” starts with dreamy hawaii-vibes over a stuttering kickdrum and only gradually mutates into a deep soundscape with longing, sustained chords. It is clear that Sven Laux is genuinely trying to find his own voice, instead of coyly copying big blueprints – an admirable approach which works in many different ways and turns “Coco” into more than just a smooth set-opener.
www.tropic-netlabel.de
After celebrating its tenth aniversary with a massive party, Uran97 is currently enjyoing a short break from releasing, which is well spent on further expanding the reach of the outfit from a “mere” netlabel to vinyl output and commercial MP3s via Beatport and similar sites. Time to look back in order to have a look at their latest offering, “Beyond Life” by Black and White. A border-crossing project, this duo of D. Polack (Poland) and Sammy Fernandez has always aimed at the highest degree of musical freedom. “Beyond Life”, therefore, basically comes as a solo offering by Polack without ever letting go of the joint vision. Uran97 are not far off when claiming this could well the hit of this year’s open air season – the irresistibly tight groove of “Beyond” is a sweaty monster pumping its way through the veins of clubs and crowds, while “Black and White”, with its digital stabs and droney two-tone melody serves as a compendium of the entire project. Heavy, hypnotizing bass lines serve as a solid basis throughout, while electro influences and glistening motives lift the tracks into trancy heaven. This approach needs its time: With five pieces in 32 minutes, Black and White may not be the most concise boys in town, but their music is free of unnecessary repetition.
www.uran97.com
David Williams was the name of my English teacher in school, which will not be of great importance to you. A David Williams (no relation whatsoever) is, however, also the man behind the 82nd Avenue project and thus responsible for an immediately recognisable style mix defying all categories. “Crowd of Zero” is certainly a wayward little beast: Crunching beats, straight-forward melodies, non-linear arrangements, cowbell-funk melted into abstract electronica, melancholic guitar lines and solitary bass mantras, immediate as well as introvert moods, lazy and throat-gripping motives, it’s all there and (golly!) it makes sense, too. Williams has listened to anything from Acid House to Hardcore, but his own music is weary of all to easy classifications. It’s too smart to be “techno”, too groovy for “listening music”, too physical to be “intelligent”. Well, whatever – as long as this man can keep evoking ambiances as stimulating and halucinatory as these, no sensible person should mind.
www.yukiyaki.org/
By Tobias Fischer
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