RBMA Radio: Kyle Hall - Trainwreck Mix

Detroit's Kyle Hall may have just turned 20 years old last week, but the rising star has already been featured in many established magazines, traveled around the world to perform and successfully created a critically-acclaimed record label. Now he brings Red Bull Music Academy another wonderful mix, this time for the Trainwreck series.

Drumcell live @ CLR at Movement Afterparty

American techno maven Drumcell played the CLR afterparty this year for Detroit's famous Movement festival. With a powerful lineup of the genre's most influential DJs, Moe Espinosa was kind enough to record his opening set.

[review] Pezzner - Mesh EP (8Bit)

Artist: Pezzner
Release: Mesh EP
Label: 8Bit
Date: 07/08/11
Format: Digital, 12”

Whether he realizes it or not, Seattle-based DJ and producer Dave Pezzner has found a rhythmic hotbed of creation in his music this year. Always one for including attentive production techniques with beautifully-crafted sounds, the Pacific Northwestern musician is able to achieve a nice balance in music and emotions on his newest release for 8Bit.

The Mesh EP delivers three originals and one remix from little-known producer, Zepp01. Pezzner brings his soulful touch of past memories forged with tight, modern production values to the listener once again, creating lasting impressions with every moment. The title track opens with a fierce groove and vocal loop that pair nicely, establishing a sense of percussive glory that never seems to grow weary. While many struggle with creating that interesting groove mixed with a house beat, Dave seems to add an original flair to such a watered-down idea of music. Introductions is slowed down and stripped a bit, offering a bit of a break between each of the sounds. This track is perfect for those still holding on to the past dreams of minimal dance music, but that doesn't detract from its intentions. Dave continues to use typical vocal stabs, and yet the feeling is not lost. Isn't that the sheer beauty of house music, though? A formulaic approach to creating a series of songs is predictable in theory, but the inclusion of such warm and meaningful sounds is the attraction. Circles follows suit, with resonating chords and dancing drums to keep everyone buzzed. The Zepp01 breaks away from the three-track mold that Pezzner has created with funk-infused jazz, giving the music a spaced atmosphere. But just like most great house releases, the words and descriptions are still irrelevant. The music speaks for itself, and Dave Pezzner's Mesh EP does a fine job with that.

A1: Mesh
A2: Introductions
B1: Circles
B2: Mesh (Zepp01 Remix)

Buy the record here:
Decks
Juno

Buy it digitally here:
Zero Inch
Traxsource

Scion A/V Presents: Moodymann Interview

Scion A/V Presents: Moodymann Interview from Scion A/V on Vimeo.

Moodymann explains to Scion A/V why he's the mother fucking man. And life in Detroit, music discoveries, Buy Rite Records and more.

[review] Here Today - Down Here (with Remixes)(Claqueur Records)

Artist: Here Today
Release: Down Here Remixes
Label: Claqueur Records
Format: Digital
Date: 07/07/11

Since its inception, Claqueur Records has always aimed its releases for both home and club listening purposes. With this very notion, a sound three decades in the making continues to breathe life into its core audience who desperately wish to find something more in electronic music. It takes dedication and commitment from everyone involved in a label to provide a glimmer of hope.

Here Today comprises of German resident musicians Engin Öztürk and Florian Schirmacher. The original vocal and instrumental tracks contain a moody bass loop, resonating chords and patient house rhythms in one simple package. This formula sounds routine and basic for avid deep house fanatics, but the electronic duo manages to keep an interesting flow of ideas throughout this house structure. UK veteran Ian Pooley heads the first remix, no doubt adding his signature thematic tone to the existing deep nature of Down Here. Including wild pitch elements to the second half of the track, Ian creates a track perfect for an energy-packed dancefloor. The Flying Remix, rearranged by Berliners Andreas Baumecker and Gokhan Demiray Biond, features a more pacing rhythm section and emphatic chords to compliment Ian's version. While both of these remixes are well done, you can't help but love the original instrumental and vocal mixes that much more.

1. Down Here (Instrumental)
2. Down Here (Ian Pooley Remix)
3. Down Here (Vocal Mix)
4. Down Here (Andreas Baumecker & Gokhan Demiray Remix)