Little White Earbuds September Charts

I, for one, will redouble my efforts.

01. Stimming, “Funkworm” [Diynamic Music] (buy)
Have another look.
02. Len Faki, “Odyssee I” [Podium] (buy)
An offshoot of Faki’s own Len Series label, the fourth Podium continues to deliver absolute quality in the form of “Odyssee I.” Swimming in an analog sci-fi flavor, the tune’s warm launch is propelled by Detroitish arpeggios and a downright pretty motif at its core. Intense without being overblown, this track is for the cusp of peaktime, when you want to make sure all are aboard.
03. Lucy, “Glass Computer” [Perspectiv] (buy)
I love it when a song inspires visualizations which match the sound and the title; “Glass Computer” is no exception. Its tuneful beeps light up the circuitry inside the reverberating atmosphere, shooting sparks in the final minute or so. Backed with two impressive remixes from Mark August and Masaya, Lucy’s debut is nothing short of impressive. Another fine signing from Perspectiv. (Runner up for this spot was another Perspectiv: Ripperton’s delicate remix of Laurine Frost’s “Papillion.”)
04. Al Usher, “Here Today” [Misericord] (buy)
Like his Partial Arts partner, Al Usher is known largely for his remix work. But on his solo debut, “Here Today” shows he’s no slouch in originating tunes. The tune morphs several times in its length and sounds as organic as it does brilliant. The pitter-patter strings and ringing percussion boil over as a gigantic bass line throws the whole thing into a new swaying rhythm. The other tunes on the release (the one and only Misericord) aren’t quite as stunning, but “Here Today” alone makes it worth picking up.
05. Arto Mwambe, “Mudhutma!” [Brontosaurus] (buy) (buy) (buy)
Have another look.
06. Kevin Saunderson, “Till We Meet Again” (Carl Craig remix) [Planet E] (buy)
Have another look.
07. DJ Gregory, “Elle” (Âme Piano Mix) [Defected] (buy) (buy)
I must profess ignorance of the original “Elle,” but I know Âme’s revision is a large departure from the classic tune (thanks to the magic of online shops’ samples). Very much in the vein of their rated “Baladine” single, their mix is superbly constructed and loaded with sound. Rendered tense with persistent scratching, tingly guitar(?) touches and gaseous tones, the tune really hits its stride at the introduction of a vaguely arabesque synth motif which wriggles like a snake possessed. Leave it to the Âme boys to take on a classic and come away with the superior take.
08. Manuel Tur & Dplay, “Black Label #23″ [Compost Records] (buy)
Compost Records has long been one of my favorite labels, and its Black Label series efficiently highlights otherwise passed over or rising artists. This is Manuel Tur & Dplay’s first effort together (though two more have soon followed it) and it’s a fine study in contemporary deep house. Sounding a bit like a stripped back Âme, Tur & Dplay grab for simplistic chord stabs and a light string haze on “Move” and just let them roll. “Clock Work” is a bit more refined by still Âme-esque, concocted with a bobbing chord pattern flecked with claves, and is kept moving by synth builds and plucked string releases.
09. Tadeo, “Fractal” [Cray1 LabWorks] (buy) (buy)
This quick-paced track is delightfully percussive and emotive at once, its plumes of string-led anxiety suppressed only by even more restless percussion. I credit “Fractal” with spurring my greater interest in Tadeo; no mean feat with all the great releases vying for listeners’ attention this month.
10. Jamie Lloyd, “What We Have” (Is A Zwicker remix) [Future Classic] (buy)
On first listen it’s a bit indie rock in tone for most dance floors, but additional spins unwind the merits of Jamie Lloyd’s smoothed over vocal swells and Zwicker’s deep housed additional production. A nod in Phil Sherburne’s direction for turning me (and hopefully many others) on to this tune.

Goo-gaws for a new century

Photo by Michael Turner

My apologies for the lack of posts as of late. Team LWE has been hard at work on a new site design and lining up some engrossing new content for the near future, which hasn’t left much time for day to day stuff. So here are a couple of thoughts about some recent releases in the meantime.

Gui Boratto, “Chromophobia (Remixe Part 2)” [Kompakt] (buy)
“Beautiful Life” was, by far, the poppiest tune on Chromophobia thanks to its sugary, guitar-led riff and the optimistic vocals, and this release gives Sascha Funke and Boratto himself another crack at it. And while the former stumbles and smashes the dynamic tune flat and mostly lifeless, the latter repositions it for strict dancefloor purposes, with more varied percussion and a longer wait for the anthemic vocal line. Worth it for big fans only.

Stimming, “Funkworm EP” [Diynamic Music] (buy)
Beardo-crossover? The wriggling bass guitar line is addictive and drenched in the warm minimalism exhibited by Villalobos and Luciano; the marimbas are cool nu-deep house if a bit trendy. Stimming is great at soaking songs in tension, as he does here with the sustained foghorn blasts and synth meltdowns, and then wringing it out. Not only that, he gets away with halting the song for a rumbling brass ensemble aside. I listened to bits of the other tracks on this EP and they sound promising as well. Another record in my basket with a Diynamic sleeve.

Kevin Saunderson, “History Elevate 1″ [Planet E] (buy) (buy)
Planet E digs up two Saunderson classics and has Carl Craig and Loco Dice (Martin Buttrich, more accurately) throwing on a coat of new century polish. C2 strips down Inner City’s “Till We Meet Again” to jubilant, echoing vocals and a sensationally simple and grinding techno melody. About as peak time as one would expect of Craig, this one will have you protecting your decks when the kick drum finally shows up around 2:30. Buttrich understands “Bassline” was named that way for a reason and leaves the mammoth low end to roll around in peace. I actually enjoy the twittering, warbling effects and twiggy hi-hats more than the milky pads gently placed atop the roiling bass.

Tell that man we’re gonna be friends

Claude VonStroke, “Who’s Afraid of Detroit?” (Kevin Saunderson remix)

Ripperton, “Tainted Words”

Jeff Samuel, “AWK”

Gaz Nevada, “I C Love Affair” (Italian version)