Total girl crush (still)
January 19, 2012
The first time I clapped eyes on Nina Kraviz, I was completely bowled over (and hideously envious) of her beauty. This Siberian-born lady is one fine fox, who has brains and business sense too – like the best of us, of course.
Perhaps that’s why she’s chosen Radio Slave’s Rekids as the label to release her self-titled debut album, out on 27th February.
Nina’s portfolio already includes releases on well-respected German imprints Cocoon and Bpitch, plus she’s nailed down high-profile collaborations with the likes of Sascha Funke (cue the hook-you-in Moses, circa 2010).
From what I’ve heard of Nina’s first album, it’s certainly quite a mix. It moves from soft vocals to dimly-lit industrial beats, before swiftly switching back into sun-drenched summer tones. A four second snippet of each track makes it hard to get the full spec of the album, but it’s peaked my interest enough so that I want to hear more, particularly when it comes to her grimier selections.
If you fancy checking out Nina on tour – or want to hear the album sampler for yourself – here’s all that you need to know:
24th February – Rex Club, Paris
25th February – Studio 80, Amsterdam
1st March – EGO, Hamburg
2nd March – Robert Johnson, Frankfurt
3rd March – Bob Beaman, Munich
4th March – Panorama Bar, Berlin
12th March – Warehouse party, Rome
10th March – Tenax, Florence
16th March – Klubbers Day Festival, Madrid
17th March – Be Cool, Barcelona
30th March – D! Club, Lausanne
Tuneful Tuesday
March 8, 2011
Today has been the first day in a while that I’ve had a little time to sit down and listen to what the wonderful world Beatport has to offer. As always, there’s so much on there that it’s difficult to see the wood for the trees, so to speak.
However, after wading my way through the ‘meh’ and the not-quite-so-bad, I stumbled upon a couple of treasures that turned things around. Here they are:
An old favourite, non other than Mr Paul Kalkbrenner, strikes again with Plascher (or ‘Splash’).
Sleep No More – Chris Minus (Kevin Yost remix).
One for my friend Gary: Moritz Von Oswald – Cocoon Dark Dub.
A bit of sweet house music
January 21, 2011
On the hunt for some new tunes last night, I was flicking through the many that had been sent my way. Sadly, there was a distinct lack of ear-pricking-up which prompted me to cast my attention back to 2010 and focus on those numbers I may have missed.
First found was the glittering sounds of ‘Bitter Sweet’ by Bulgarian DJ Kink, released on German imprint liebe * detail. Having bypassed me in a sea of songs (it was released almost exactly a year ago, with ‘Draw Me In’ by Tom Demac on its B side) I’m only too happy to be introduced to it now as opposed to never.
Oh, and then there’s a little track named Nein Mann by Lasercraft 3D. I can’t actually believe this hasn’t already graced the pages of Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor. The song was originally introduced to me by a very good Berlin-based friend. It’s a tale, partly told in fluorescent lights, of a boy who just doesn’t want to stop dancing and it will always remind me of the aforementioned friend, and the rest of my German acquaintances – with special emphasis on their fondness of party after party, after party, after party. With that, this one’s for you boys – watch it on YouTube here.
Happy Friday all.
Head cinema with Kollektiv Turmstrasse
November 11, 2010
Back in September, I met up with friends from across the pond for Cocoon’s Green and Blue festival in Frankfurt. An ace time was had by all, but one of the highlights by far was experiencing the live sounds of German tech duo Kollektiv Turmstrasse. Yesterday, one of the friends who was with me at the event sent a pretty incredible KT mix my way, which has been on constant repeat ever since. What’s more, it’s simply too good not to share – so here we are.
Christian Hilscher and Nico Plagemann are the boys behind Kollektiv Turmstrasse, whose sound is influenced by the dub techno beats of Berlin record label Basic Channel. Of course, Hilscher and Plagemann have their own imprint too – Musik Gewinnt Freunde – and also run No-response.org, a site that focuses solely on offering free music downloads (and has a pretty cool design to boot). Rather than harp on about the artists and their projects myself, it seems fit to leave you to your own devices and let you make up your own mind (however, I still reserve the right to assume you’ll be quick to fall head over heels).
With that, here’s the mix itself which you can listen to, and of course download – all for the fine price of ‘free’. Music was made to be shared – much thanks goes out to the person who sent it my way. If you like it, be sure to pass it on too.
Music for a moody Monday
October 18, 2010
Judging by this morning’s hideous journey into The Eco Office, costing me a fine full £10 for said travel – today did not start off on the best foot.
However, after a particularly slow first few hours, things finally picked up with discovery of some good tunes to type to. So, if you’ve been having a miserable Monday too, and are already wishing the week away, here are a few of my latest musical finds to help you at least melt away a good half an hour. Enjoy.
Eine Kleine Nachtmusik – Le Serenissima.
The Tough Alliance – A New Chance (Juan Mclean remix)
Mihalis Safras – Berliner.
Last but definitely far from least, Nalin and Kane’s Beachball is currently battling all others to be awarded Tinker Tailor Soldier Sailor’s ‘track of 2010′ - thanks to a beautiful combination of the ‘head cinema’ moments it holds for me (a lost in translation term my German friends coined for ‘memories’) and as it enlists the skills of 2010′s undisputed remix master Joris Voorn. This edit was made to be played at no other volume other than LOUD. Abide by the rules and watch as your Monday suddenly becomes Funday…
Nalin and Kane – Beachball (Joris Voorn remix)
Paul Kalkbrenner- Atzepeng
November 29, 2009
Time to come clean, I have an unhealthy addiction. Ok, so there are worse things to be hooked on but I can’t quite get enough of Paul Kalkbrenner.
From his amazing mix from this summer’s Chateau Click Clack festival in Germany and his performance in Berlin Calling (finally winging it’s way to me as we speak) to his chart smashing single Sky And Sand, there’s a lot of good ground for my obsession.
But what really has me transfixed is his never-tiresome track Atzepeng. It hasn’t ever been released, but each and every time I hear it, it triggers something inside that words can’t seem to match. Listen for yourself…there’s no messing around, it bursts straight in with a thumping beat and leads into killer notes that induce some sort of hypnotic euphoria.
Without a doubt, this is my ultimate sound to 2009.
Enjoy.
Transform – Transformation (Tobi Neumann Matthew Styles Mix)
September 22, 2009
Since returning from Ibiza, I’d somehow forgotten to look up the tune that became the soundtrack to my holiday. Going by last year’s effort, that’s quite out of character too…
Fear not, last night, a friend sent me a link to a song he wanted me to listen to…and there it was. Funny how things have a way of finding you sometimes.
Transformation by German duo Transform (Ralf Hertwig & Tommy Eckart), features a gradual build up of trance like tech beats and unless my memory fails me, (pun unintended), I’m pretty sure this was also played at a particularly special night at Amnesia.
Whilst maybe not an immediate favourite for me, give it a shot and let its haunting sound take you on a journey that convinces you otherwise. For me, it’s this plus the dulcet tones of a ‘voice you could marry’ (according to some who clearly should have gone to bed earlier), that makes me love it and will always remind me of the fun had by all on the Bon Sol bal ‘cony’, Playa D’en Bossa.
The Amnesia I Will Never Forget
September 13, 2009
Arriving home at 7am yesterday, it really felt like a week in Ibiza had just melted into one as it completely flew by. However, I’m delighted to say that not only was it the best holiday of my life, it was also throughly a thirtieth to remember thanks to one incredible night; Cocoon at Amnesia.
A friend tipped me off on the night (and in particular, the amazing ex-Hip-Hop DJ Loco Dice) a few weeks before I was to jet off. Having said it was the best music he’d heard in twenty years, I couldn’t believe my luck that the the party landed on the evening of my birthday and new to the term ‘tech’ house (but not the music), I couldn’t wait to check it out. There also seemed to be a bit of a German theme on the actual night, between headlining DJ’s - Sven Väth, Tiefschwarz, Loco Dice, and five amazing new friends we met on our neighbouring balcony, who joined us to ‘make a party’.
We stepped through Amnesia’s doors at around 1am and straight into an already euphoric atmosphere. Essentially, what’s a huge warehouse space in the middle of a highway was illuminated with a spectrum of LED lights and the speakers were bursting with heart-shaking bass-soaked beats. From one am to six-thirty, not one of the eight of us left that dance floor and at around 5.30am, we were lucky enough to see the custom-built ‘robot’ my friend had missed only a few weeks before. Apparently the lazer-lit creation is famous the world over and favoured by DJ-of-the-moment David Guetta. After appearing to rise from the floor, levitate to beam luminous light rays through the crowds and jets of dry ice, I can see why. To say this was an experience doesn’t anywhere near hit the mark and the video below could sadly never quite substitute the real thing. Indeed, you really needed to be there and if you’re fast, you may well get the chance at one of the few remaining parties this year.
After a majorly disappointing We Love Space Sundays the evening before, I think it’s only fair i thank my friend for alerting me to the existence of Cocoon and indirectly being responsible for probably the best night of my life. Bring on Ibiza 2010.
Each year, there’s a veritable choice of Ibiza compilations to choose from. Whilst I’m a big Azuli fan, a sample CD made its way to me last year to prove there’s only really one go-to label to wind you up for the White Isle, and keep you going long after a hedonistic week. Who? Independent house label CR2 Records.
This year, the landmark club Space celebrates its twentieth birthday and to mark the occasion, they’ve chosen CR2’s founder Mark Brown (one half of DJ duo MYNC project), and his partner in crime Nick Corelli to present the Space 2009 CD. Thanks to Facebook, I was sent a message to notify me the album had been released and as a music junkie and Space fanatic, I was unable to contain my enthusiasm. What’s more, a lovely lady named Cila from their PR team then discovered Tinker Tailor and contacted me just in time to send me said compilation. I’m thrilled to say, as I listen now, I was right to be excited.
Here’s why: less than two minutes into La Terraza (disc one) – I’m hooked. Seamless mixing, heart-pounding beats and baselines are peppered with classic tunes that hurl me back to my house-bunny teens. Brown and Corelli excel themselves in mixing three decades of classics such as David Morales’s Needin’ You, Lee Cabrera’s infamous Shake It and Analog People In A Digital World (featuring and titled after St Germain’s timeless Rose Rouge). The result? The best selection of tracks I’ve heard in a very long time. All 108 minutes has got me fired up, ready for my Balearic getaway (visible somewhere on the horizon), and eager to track down each and every song to mix myself. At only halfway through listening, I’m already thinking that if this year’s compilation is anything to go by, on September 6th, I will not be leaving the Space dance floor. Period.
Part two, La Discoteca, opens with ‘The Crawl’ by Harry Choo Choo Romero vs Nick & Danny Chatelain, and whilst mirroring the tracks name (things take a while to warm up), the underlying addictive beats ensure your anticipation is cranked so high, you know it’ll be worth the wait. Enter just enough and no more of the key beats from Faithless’s We Come One. This remixed version by Bobby Tee and Juan Kidd is by far my most loved track of the moment and destined to be absolutely massive. Is it appropriate to prematurely thank CR2 now?
Things take a darker turn as disc two continues with a slathering of tech, trance and minimal vocals, before sneaking in Simian Mobile Disco’s super-track, Audacity Of Huge. As if I needed anymore convincing to love the Space ’09 CD, there’s a bit of Pryda on the menu too and a brilliant stripped back version of Underworld’s Long Train by Petrae Foy & PJC Project. Who’d have thought the 90s could sound so cool? If you manage to track down the extended version, make sure you don’t miss the last twenty seconds of the track too - quite simply, they’re amazing.
With a winning formula of old, classic and stomping new house tracks and the entrancing beats Space are known for, (those that race through your body and glue you to the dance floor); CR2 have done the club proud by producing the ultimate download. Whether like me, you are making your way out to Ibiza for the closing parties, have been or are already booked for next season, this essential mix guarantees catapulting you instantly to the otherworldly, unforgettable experience that is Space.
Thanks to Cila for kindly sending my way the perfect soundtrack to to my Ibiza trip and what’s likely to be my biggest and best birthday yet. With music this good, it’s definitely going to be one to remember…
