Released: 22/09/2008

I love the sound of Crazy P. Not long after I posted the Bionics’ “Love chains”, they are back with a new single under their own brand. As expected, “Lie Lost” does not disappoint. Soon the release their fifth album “Stop Space Return” on 20:20 Vision.

“Lie lost” is warm, organic and groovy house music of finest vintage. On remixing duties are the brilliant Maurice Fulton, and the Crazy P guys give us two versions under their Hot Toddy guise. The results are spaced, quirky disco funk, and dubby electronic disco. Much appreciated!

20:20 Vision | Crazy P | Fat City | Juno Records | Beatport | YouTube | 

Released: 08/08/2008

A relatively new name to me, but it did not take many seconds to take notice of his sound. On the other hand, I vaguely recall a connection. Together with partner Tim White Max Essa first sprung to prominence with a string of 12″s and an album as Essa on Paper Recordings in 2001. Originally from London, he is now living in Japan. 

He took some time off to spend time with his family, but returned to the scene when Chicken Lips maestro Steve Kotey signed him to his brilliant Bear Funk label last year. No wonder he was not top of mind, but seven years later he deliver the goods. I definitively recommend “Back to the beach EP” and “Midnight Garden EP”, and the label in general. Max Essa also provided a remix for Rubies “I feel electric” on the fantastic Tellé label earlier this year. 

This EP, however, is out on Feel Music. It is a very good package overall, with all three tracks packed with quality. “Theme from Superhorse” is a synth fueled, slow and beautiful balearic groove. “Threehouse sex scene” is just as sleazy as the title suggests, with Twin Peaksy mysterious pads and slow buildup. “Patrol” takes it up a notch, groovy building funk with just the right amount of congas and funky synths. A lot of emotion combined with elements that make you groove with the best of them in these tracks. If you like the sound of the Norwegian cosmic disco scene (Lindstrom, Prins Thomas, Todd Terje etc.) you will love Max Essa’s sound. 

I am also glad to announce that Max Essa is working on a full length release on Bearfunk entitled “Continental drift” and is due later this year. Keep your eyes open!

MySpace | Beatport | Juno Records |

Released: 20/11/2007

I picked this one up quite recently at electronic music store Beatport.com. As in all record-stores you have the urge to buy more than you should, ending up with a few records that don’t really stand out. This time, however, the ones I bought were all great – and considering that this still stands out gives it a lot of credit.

Behind The Bionics is Danielle Moore and Tim Davies from Crazy P/Crazy Penis and Ben Davis (Shaboom/Paper). No wonder the production is good. I have been a huge fan of Crazy P for a long time. Few house acts are able to keep the organic soul and funk in the genre as they are. Certainly liberating in times where electro seems to dominate dancefloors. The single is taken from the album “Solid Silver” that was also released on Nottingham label Bocajito late last year.

There is a solid package that make “Love chains” stand out. You have the beautiful voice of Danielle mixed up with a solid organic bassline, funky percussion, wonky tonky synths and piano lines that compete with the best of the US soulful house. It is a slow and groovy number, perfect for the lounge or for those early/late occasions where there is a lot flirtation and sensuality on the floor. Remixes come from personal favorite Greg Wilson and Heavy Deviance. 

Beatport | Juno | MySpace | Bocajito Records | Crazy P |

Released: 02/06/2008

This record immediately caught my attention. Tirk has been one of my favourite labels since it sprung out of the excellent Nuphonic imprint back in 2004. Furthermore, this record had a scandinavian sounding name and behind the production is Groove Armada’s Tom Findlay. So who is Morten Sorensen?

The grand story from the label reads that ”…hailing from a small mackerel fishing village in southern Norway, 22-year old Morten Sorensen enjoyed a ten year spell spent in New York whilst his dad worked for the UN’s international maritime commission developing a love of dusty old NY disco that was to irrevocably shape his future”. Sound like Maurice Fulton and the Tirk guys have done some creative writing if you ask me. Fiction or non-fiction, the sound is definitively Tom Findlays.

Those of you familiar with Tom Findlay and Tim Hutton’s collaboration under the name “Sugardaddy” will recognize the sound (on Tirk as well). The special cut on this release is the title track – “Start something”. Slow grooves and a touch of building electro before it breaks down into the soul bliss of Chic’s 1982 classic “I feel your love comin’ on”. Good use of the sample and a great breakdown for those early hours.

There are three other tracks on the EP as well. “Cyclick”, “Visage” are both decent productions, minimal with that element of funk – however, none of them really stands out. “Woo hoo” enters the sound of Chicago and samples “Jack your body”. Accompanied by some funky stabs on the synth and a bouncy bassline it should go down well on the floor.

Tirk | Myspace | Beatport | Juno Records | 

Released: 1990

An all time Ibiza favourite. The piano line and dreamy pads reminds me of the sunset at Café del Mar, pure ambient bliss while having a meal at Savannah. Something about that Balearic vibe on the white isle never seems dated, yet so peaceful. 

Of course, did not pick this up at the time of release as I would be about eight years old. But that is the beauty of music, digging out stuff years later and it is still beautiful. When it comes down to it, I don’t really know a lot about it. It was written by Ben Angwin, Phil Hope and Tony Newland back in 1990. The first edition included a “Happening mix” and a “Impulse mix” both by Nick Addison. It is included on a couple of great compilations, Groove Armada’s “Back to mine” being one of them, “Renaissance – The classics” another. 

Do you know more about BBG or this release? Let me know! Leave a comment or send an e-mail.

YouTube |  

Released: 21/07/2001

Sampling Pat Metheny (Slip Away), “Summer Daze” is one of my all time summer classics. The original was out quite some time on DNH, but my release was on the almighty NRK label and included a radio mix, the extended and Journey. Naked Music and NRK regular Miguel Migs later remixed the song as well. 

The soulful house vibe is happy and carefree, perfect for the beach, the park, or for getting your crowd into light spirits and trying out their finest moves on the floor. It obviously owes a lot to the sampled original, but Holder added that extra rhythm section that made it a firm house classic.

YouTube | MySpace | NRK Music |

Released: 19/07/2004

Taken from Fred Everythings second album “Light of Day”, this three track EP was originally released back in 2004. It includes remixes by Rob Mello, Jimpster and Maurice Fulton. All remixes adds a little extra to an already great album from Frédéric Blais.

Mello’s gives “Find your way” his characteristic bouncing Classic treatment, while Jimpster takes it down to its jazzy roots. However, Maurice Fulton’s remix of “Elevate” which Fred did with The New Mastersounds is the track of choice. The New Yorker gives the track an atmospheric, multi-layered, Ibiza ambient feel to it, and I absolutely love it. Haven’t left the box for ages.

Maurice is visiting Oslo again the 22. august, so make sure to stop by underground club The Villa to experience his soundscape.

20:20 Vision| Last FM | MySpace: M.Fulton | MySpace: F.Everything

Released: 07/04/2008

After seeing their great live performance at the Lovebox Weekender in London last weekend, I thought it was a good idea to post a tune by Dutch funksters Kraak & Smaak. I have been playing their tunes for ages, and they are providing a steady stream of good music that blends funk, house and disco to form a unique sound.

For those of you not familiar with Jalapeno Records, the label is also home to artists like All Good Funk Alliance, Dr.Rubberfunk, Kid Créme and Skeewiff. ”Squeeze me” was the first single from Kraak & Smaak’s second album “Plastic People”, and features a collaboration with Ben Westbeech. There is a quality set of remixes on the release from Lack of Afro, ASkillz and Jem Stone.

Check out the YouTube link as well for a peak at the fresh video that accompany the single. 

Jalapeno Records | Kraak & Smaak | YouTube | 

Released: July 2008

This Justice style cover of Lerry Levan’s classic remix of the Joubert Singers. It is a healthy update indeed, and judging by the mystery and hype surrounding it, it will be another huge French house hit. Rumors are suggesting Justice is behind it, perhaps as a major label alias outside their usual Ed Banger home.

The original was given a proper release on Next Plateau records back in 1985 (with a Tony Humphries mix). However, it was recorded live three years before it’s release in the First Baptist Church in Crown Heights, NYC. Walter Gibbons lived in area, and soon picked it up and the it made its way into legendary nightclubs like the Loft, Garage and Zanzibar. More recently it made an appearance on Little Louie Vega’s “Choice – A collection of Classics” compilation. 

YouTube 

Released: 30/06/2008

The mighty Modular label have provided us with tons of good stuff in the last few years. Chromeo, Colder, Cut Copy, Jack Johnson, Klaxxons, New Young Pony Club, The Presents, Wolfmother, Robyn (yeah the blond swede), the Avalanches and much more. 

This the second single from Ladyhawke, raising the level from her first single “Back of the van”. It is definitely true that Paris is burning these days, so much good stuff coming out of the french capital that it would be unfair just to list some of them here. The city of love is screaming all night long.

Remixes from label-mates Cut Copy, Alex Gopher, Peaches, the almighty Chicken Lips and a french take in the “Paris Senflamme mix” – A package you should find hard to resist.

On a personal note, I am looking forward to see Ladyhawke at the Lovebox Weekender in London’s Victoria Park later this month. This festival is the lovely creating of the mighty Groove Armada, and is an event you can’t miss. 

YouTube | Modular Recordings | Ladyhawke | MySpace