Category: House
Digital reproduction and distribution freed music from the confines of physicality, possessing a piece of music no longer required the possession of a black or silver disk. But this evolution had its downside, music no longer developed in localized and unique scenes, and in an endless stream of new releases advantage is given to those with the largest PR budgets. More music ends up meaning less diversity and more sameyness, special hidden gems becoming instantly duplicated and downloaded on the click of a mobile phone.
Thankfully the culture of the finite but ultra-special lives on. Using modern technology which can cut music straight to vinyl, rather than to old-school acetate which wears out after only a few plays, a hardcore of enthusiast music producers and lathe trolls is keeping the secret world of the ultra-limited alive.
So who is Vanity Gamble? A newcomer or old hand under a new alias? Those that know, know. And this music is strictly for those that know. 25 copies, no digital, no PR and no Spotify. Get it from Japhy.
Ghettotech legend DJ Godfather has been making trax and spinning tunes for over 20 years. I first became aware of his music via his Databass imprint sometime around 2000, when I was buying Detroit and Chicago imports via the Vinyl Underground shop in the UK. Since then, I’ve caught a few of his quick-mixing DJ sets and more recent releases and can safely say, he is an artist who hasn’t strayed far from the original ideas being pushed back then. Fast and raw party trax, with an outspoken appreciation for the female form.
Now in 2020, Godfather’s first proper artist album ‘Electro Beats For Freaks’ is penned for released, and his biggest undertaking to date: “With nearly 2 hours of music, it’s a collection of 44 tracks that range from Ghettotech to Juke and Electro; Techhouse to Bmore. The tracks (only a handful of which have been previously released) transition into one another with a seamless flow, so they can either be heard individually or as a continuous playback.”
Deftly produced deep and acidic melodic jams from Jonathan Krisp. 5 tracks that work for the head and feet. This will appease fans of the Border Community sound, interlocking arpeggiations and finely tuned, sparkling synth-lines are the order of the day.
Flatland Frequencies is proud to support this fundraising compilation against police brutality in the USA. Featuring legendary names such as K Alexi, Robert Hood and 4 Hero amongst many others. Press release reproduced in full below;
‘Break The Silence’ stands in solidarity with Campaign Zero and the Black Lives Matter movement and all marginalized communities that have for too long faced injustice and inequity. Featuring 14 unreleased tracks kindly donated by some of the finest voices in contemporary electronic music, this collection’s purpose is to raise as much money for and awareness of Campaign Zero’s mission to end police violence in America.
Jeran Portis in the mix, showcasing the latest releases from June 2020.
Tracklist:
From his early wonky techno releases on Djax Up Beats and Ugly Funk, to his newer house productions, we have been fans of Mark Hawkins aka Marquis Hawkes for the best part of 2 decades now.
His jacking Relief-esque records of late have made way in this outing on UTTU, in exchange for some very mellow deep house sounds (from when deep house meant something different to now!)
The EP, gradually slows in bpm, with a nice ambient track in ‘Morning After’ to finish off. Sonically, it’s nothing ground-breaking by any means, but reliably solid tools for DJs and any kind of return to ambient house is a plus in our books.
Chic beachwear vibes on this 5-track EP from DJ Soch. Blending ambient pads, 707s and resonating marimba tones to create some classy deep house grooves.
Assuming we will be able to dance outside sometime in the near future, this one will be in our daytime crates.