Radio-V: BEAM: Reviews: TestSpinz 001

Whether your bobbing your head to the sounds of new imports in a Megastore or listening to the pre-releases of Public Enemy on MP3, you know both major and indie labels are releasing new music every minute of the hour. Don’t take the chance of missing future classics. Testspinz, a new addition to BEAM, sifts through the melange of tunes to present the best new releases. Offering a chance to stay in touch with the constant flux, we present great reviews by the heads and a chance to hear tracks that will make you move.

This issue of BEAM we play atmospheric aquatics with Blu Mar Ten of Good Looking Records, while Coldcut and company remix the cool minimalisitics of Steve Reich. Along with your favorite Martini we shake out the sounds of 60 Channels, the Dillinja and Roni Size remixes of the dancefloor wrecker “Bambataa”, Joi, Ben Wa, Badmarrsh & Shri, the V Recordings crew, the artist known as *.* and releases on Audio Couture, TIP and More Monkey Business.

Bringin’ it to you full-stream for the 99 and beyond...

Also check out AVANTRAX in the Avant Lounge where DJ Devi brings you the newest sounds before you can get them in your hands!

This week’s AVANTRAX by: Banco De Gaia

Send vinyl 12”/CD for review consideration to:
    RADIO-V
    Attn: Reviews
    285 9th Street
    San Francisco, CA 94103

Artist: Patchwork
Title: Marsmellow
Label: SpiritZone, Hamburg
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from “Fimpomat”

The third Patchwork release continues the tradition of sensual, ultra-modern ambient grooves. Not to be confused with the simple, comforting vibes of New Age or smooth jazz, these are complex, carefully layered compositions, and they are not limited to the atmospheric. The melodic and rhythmic are offered in equal measure, and the melding of many musical elements (with a psychedelic sensibility) makes this a truly new and unique sound. Here is a clue: Patchwork is Jens Paulsen, whose musical roots are in classical guitar and folk music. If you are looking for a definitive ambient release, you might have just found it. Goz

Artist: Sasha + John Digweed
Title: Northern Exposure/Expeditions
Label: Ultra Records, US
Format: Double CD
Soundbyte: from Voyager’s “Pure Frictions Groove”

This is a state-of-the-art progressive dance “expedition” across two CDs-worth of interwoven tracks designed by the in-demand DJ duo who popularized the trance direction early on. It’s a very smooth groove in general, a very polished, stylin’ future club soundscape that offers a more accessible entry into the genre than full on psy-trance or the more experimental directions coming at us from all sides. Goz

Artist: Shpongle
Title: Are You Shpongled?
Label: Twisted Records, UK
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Behind Closed Eyelids

Raja Ram, co-founder of the legendary T.I.P. label (The Infinity Project) and senior muse of the UK’s psychedelic trance scene, has been collaborating for the past couple of years with the young trance composer-savant Simon Posford (Hallucinogen) on the Shpongle project. This is the long-awaited collection of these ambient-trancemissions and it is a treasure. The genre has been established with TIPs “Infinite Excursions” compilations 1 and 2, which featured Vapour Rumours and Behind Closed Eyelids respectively. These transmodern classics are joined by 5 other exquisite sonic weavings that quite measure up. Raja Ram’s imaginative spirit, uplifting flute and vocals are perfect partners with Posford’s innovative composition and tireless technical perfectionism. Each listen brings more discoveries. Are You Experienced? Well then, it’s time you got Shpongled! Goz

Artist: Sympathy in Chaos III
Title: Various Artists
Label: Matsuri, UK
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Astralasia’s Seven Pointed Star

Matsuri, the little label with big music, launches the 3rd “Sympathy in Chaos” compilation and it definitely makes the grade and more. This series, compiled by Matsuri co-owner and meta-DJ Tsuyoshi, has been pushing the psychedelic trance wave beyond the trance dancefloor with genre-breaking selections since the first release in 1996. Number 3 brings freestyle breaks and beats to new melodic, vocal-infused highs. Digitalis kicks it off with”Yub-Yum Soul,” a downtempo grooveride, followed by the emergent Gabriel Le Mar (Montauk P., Saafi Brothers) with the lilting dub/electro “Bob.” The stage is set for the beautiful and mysterious Moloko track “Boo” with a haunting female vocal. Time for a harder hit, and Astralasia puts it down with a remarkable remix of their “7 Pointed Star.” The tracks leads off with the subtle vocal: “A storm is coming. It’s our storm. And when it arrives it will shake the universe.” It does - with sitar, tablas, kicking drumming and, yes, guitar - all craftily woven in a melodic techno-rock ride. A fascinating example of where things are headed. Next, Juju Space Jazz lightens things up with the space disco “Pop-Kook,” only to give way to the heavy industrial guitar sounds of the Japanese rock band Walrus, remixed by Tsuyoshi’s Joujouka. The power mode continues with psycho-breaks and mixed up rap injections delivered by Messenger (Kingsize label) in the form of “Spiritual Combat.” Next, Japan’s Dub Squad takes the beats into a lighthearted abstract zone with “Enemy? Or Friend.” “Kyoumei” follows, a simply gorgeous neo-drum ‘n’ bass track by Something Wonderful, another Japanese discovery (whose new “Ukajin” CD on Matsuri is a must-have). The finale is the fittingly zany mutant house piece “Fried Funk and Microchips” by Buckfunk 2000. This CD will open your mind to the 21st Century musical spectrum. It’s a promising new world ahead. Goz

Artist: *.* (Star Dot Star)
Title: Phonograffiti
Label: SINC Recordings, US
Format: CD & MP3
Soundbyte: from sharlene

Take a step forward and don’t look back, this is the sound the digital underground. _D, the “warlock” behind the tools of this psycho-funkalicious collection, is a composer who captures the insane, surreal, ecstatic energy of urban life in his unique style of blues, electro-breaks and rhythms. Working together on this album are a host of lyrical gods and goddesses -- the ragga-tough Jamalski of Ruffneck Alliance, MetaBass ‘n’ Breath from Australia, the haunting cries of Artemisia, and the sharp tounge of Phluid. My favorite traks are “sharlene”, “david & the magic clock” and “phutureworld”. Deep, ethereal hip-hop grooves merge with schizophrenic samples and distorted soundscapes aligned with other collaborators such as DJ Grey-V, h.loops and Dan Wallace Merlot who is working with *.* in a new SINC project called “Children of Paradise” . Enter SINC’s online heaven for a slew of digital treats. Miss E

planetV.jpg (5027 bytes) Artists: Adam F, Die, Ed Rush & Optical, Ray Kieth. Peshay, Kamanchi, D Product, Krust, Roni Size, Peshay, Bill Riley, Suv, Bio Mechanics, Scorpio
Title: Planet V
Label: V Recordings, UK/Ultra, U.S.
Format: Double CD & 8-pack Vinyl
Soundbyte: from Optical & Ed Rush’s Funktion Remix

Watch your heads! Never before has the world witnessed such an excellent collection of slammin’ drum ‘n’ bass. The long-awaited follow-up release to the V-Classics series is presented by Bryan G and Jumpin’ Jack Frost is headed straight for the dancefloor -- where the movement twists and turns to the sound of NOW!. They’ve been wrapped up in it since the beginning, and have brought together the foremost producers of the moment. Anthems like “Funktion”, “Warhead” and “Brand New Funk” are the remixes that come on strong, making their way through the portal once again. The bass and drums are aligned by legendary technicians like Peshay, Krust, Roni Size, Scorpio, Bill Riley, Die, Optical and Ed Rush. The vinyl collection is a must for any DJ and the CD has even more tracks you won’t want to miss. Big ups to Ultra for picking up on this and releasing it on the domestic tip. Catch it. Miss E

Artist: Badmarsh & Shri
Title: Dancing Drums
Label: Tommy Boy
Outcaste
Format: CD & Vinyl 12”
Soundbyte: from Parallel Crossing

Badmarsh and Shri free the spirits of fifth world rhthyms and technology on their first domestic full-length. Stradling the same cultural latitudes as Talvin Singh, they adopt a more stripped down, rhythm-to-the-bone version of Tabla and Bass. Occasionally mining the-not-so-ancient-past of India's musical panthology, the title track is a revitalized remix of a psychedelic hit from the seventies by the Bengali instrumentalist Ananda Shankar. But the rest of the disc finds them uncoiling the kundalini with a hybrid of original beats that pulse from urban London cool to polyrhythmic Bombay heat. Crossfading the global-mix, Badmarsh and Shri even dip into the downtempo vocal space of Portishead and Morcheeba on the "The Air I Breathe" with Tina Grace singing and sighing breathy mantras of desire and subtle demand. These outcastes are welcome additions to the new sounds of the Asian underground. Outcastes coming to a neighborhood near you. Robert

Artist: 60 Channels
Title: Give Me Your Love EP
Label: Devilishly Good/World Domination Recordings, U.S.
Format: CD & Vinyl 12”
Soundbyte: from Herbalizin’

The rude girl strikes again -- The Angel of beats and breaks takes the controls for another deliciously dubby, steppy joint. Dedicated to Curtis Mayfield, this EP features 5 tracks showcasing the combined talent and soulful vocalization of A ngie Hart of Frente on “Give Me Your Love”, as well as Navigator on “Conscious Reality” and Tre Hardson of the Pharsyde on How It Goes Down. Experience the roots as the dark, rolling drums and bass kick in with the voice biggin& #146; up all the massive in the concrete jungle, East Coast - West Coast! Watch out for the hard-hittin’ remixes of Give Me Your Love by E-Sassin of Sound Sphere Recordings and Toronto’s Vinyl Syndicate crew. Miss E

Artist: Joi
Title: One and One is One
Label: Astralwerks, US
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Everybody Say Yeah

Here’s further proof from London’s Anglo-Bengali duo of why they deserved to be on the Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan tribute. However, the music transcends its Asian influences, book-ended by two across-the-board pieces -- one, organic and swaying, the other, slamming the air without any trace of traditional instruments. The beginning track, Fingers, enters with a meditative flute, followed by a bouncy bass and tabla. The tune accelerates into outer space, layered with additional 4/ 4 rhythms to induce head-bopping with its merry synth melody. The vocals float from side to side, flowing through the breaks. Even though the voice mostly covers one chanting frequency, it sometimes soars in animation. The South Asian singing techniques a re held back on disc, so that you notice it more when it does appear. Along the way, this album also showcases Joi’s penchant for other live musicians, after the style of many of their stage performances, whether it be techno, trance, breakbeat, or a meld of them all. Besides which, they really know how to make people dance. Sophia

Artists: Coldcut, Andrea Parker, Howie B, Tranquility Bass, Mantronik, D-Note, Ken Ishii, Nobukaza Takemura, DJ Spooky
Title: Reich Remixed
Label: Nonesuch
Format: CD & Vinyl 12”
Soundbyte: from Tranquility Bass’ Megamix Remix

It was only a matter of time before the likes of Reich and other grandmasters of trance got their just due via the re-mix homage. This selection of nine interpretations of his work finds all of the artists involved re-contextualizing at high levels. High enough for the occasionally taciturn composer to give his creative consent to the project. But Reich deserves his props, not having been scared off creatively and economically by the Orb's blatant plunder of his "Electric Counterpoint" on "Little Fluffy Clouds". Amazing how Alex Patterson managed to piss off both Ricki Lee Jones and Reich on just one track--but that's another story. "Remixed" is brilliant, brimming with creative overflow as the artists involved practice mix and match with Reich's estimable back catalogue. From "Music For 18 Musicians", to "Drumming" and some of his earlier works such as "Come Out" and "It Ain't Gonna Rain", the likes of Cold Cut, Howie B, Spooky and the rest of the interpreters weave a seamless web of magical, minimalist makeovers, but it's Mike Kandel's (Tranquility Bass) "Megamix" repatched with various Reich recordings, that's destined to become an ambient groove classic. Congratulations to Steve Reich for helping make this happen. Let's hope that the current crop of DJ's and Producers discover Terry Riley, Lamonte Young and Lou Harrison along the way. Robert

Artist: Ben Wa
Title: Devil Dub
Label: Black Hole Records, US
Format: CD
Soundbyte: from Dubasaurus Rex

You want plenty of bass? They’ve got it – even with the bass turned all the way down, there’s still bass. Moody movie samples, virtuoso performance guitars sneaking up on you, silly scratches? It’s all right here, folks, blended in together like a slow-cooked soup. On first listen the music wafts under you and moves your insides. Then if you tune in again, you catch something new each time around, as if the textures actually make up the landscape around your ears in hills and valleys of rolling rhythm, with insect noises making impressions as they fly here and there. Is it evil, or merely a flip-side impressionistic drum beat coming from the earth’s core? You be the judge and give this a listen. Ironies are lost on the brain-dead, but the dub stylee never fails to push another state through. Sophia

Artist: Blu Mar Ten
Title: Everglades EP
Label: Good Looking Records, UK
Format: Vinyl 12”x 2
Soundbyte: from Voidfield

Known for there lush basslines and ethereal soundscapes, Blu Mar Ten presents a full spectrum of deeply structured beats in their latest project on Good Looking Records entitled Everglades. The UK duo of Leo Wyndham and Chris Marigold have constructed four solid tunes that defy gravity. The self entitled tune, Everglades, is riddled with crazy electro- styled synth lines and tweaked ethereal bass chords. Tracks like Everglades perform mind tricks on a club system, while tunes like Voivoid and Santur have pycho-funky, Bob James-esque bends that move the feet and caress the mind. Blush, the last tune on the EP, is a quiet storm with its tranquil yet rolling beats and haunting horn sections. Blu Mar Ten puts together an intelligently crafted soundscape of music. A definite buy. Scott

Artist: Dillinja, Roni Size & Mask
Title: Bambaata 2012 The Remixes, Episode 1 + 2
Label: Ebony Recordings, UK
Format: Vinyl 12”x2
Soundbyte: from the Dillinja remix

BOOM-BOOM-BAT-BADOOMBADOOM-BAT!!!

So it goes...it’s the remixes, baby. You didn’t think it could get any better. Leave it to Dillinja, Roni Size & Mask to take Bambaata and Funksta to the 21st Century, re-presenting the sound of Shy FX’s orig inal call of the jungle. Brace yourself for the metallic, digital mayhem and bass rush of these new pressings. ‘Nuff said. Miss E

Artist: K
Title: Destination Unknown/Third I
Label: Audio Couture 019
Format: Vinyl 12”

A slamming release from the Moving Shadow offshoot Audio Couture. The A side contains a lethal dose of new school electro breaks with mind altering sonic landscapes. The flip contains a drum ‘n’ bass monster entitled Third I, this one sleeks along in a subtle way, with a subliminal funky bassline giving the drive. It all becomes a new school mix by putting it on 33 rpm making this a very versitile 12". Adam

Artist: The Freaquez
Title: Monkey Freaquez/Monkey Buzz
Label: More Monkey Business MMB001-6
Format: Vinyl 12”

A pounding night time Techno thriller on the A and a more funkier tech-trance mix on the inner track on the flip produced by Commander Tom and Andy Trex of Noom. Serious Dancefloor grooves for those that know. Adam

Artist: Synchro
Title: Drugs e.p.
Label: TIP World 001, UK
Format: Vinyl 12”

TIP Records are back with a whopping start on their new imprint TIP World. What a fitting start it is with the mighty Synchro giving us a blast of some serious Techfunktrance. My favorite track has to be Oyborg for its subliminal grooves and funky appeal. It definitely dosent end there with 4 solid tracks that will definitely please all elements of the techno trance camp. At it doesn't end here, word on the street is a full length will be dropped very soon. Adam

Artist: Proper Filthy Naugthy's
Title: Stitch Up
Label: 10 Kilo 009
Format: Vinyl 12”

Back for 1999 10 Kilo breaks it's 10"-only rule to unleash phatter liquid beats in more generous 12" grooves. Also known as The Light, who’s recent 12" with Hooj Choons has blown up big time with everyone from Sahsa to Rennie Pilgrim and everyone in between charting them. It’s no wonder The Light has recently signed a deal with City Of Angels. This however is all beside the point as this is their alter ego PFN, and this is sharp beat trickery with lots of bass and serious attitude. One listen and you will see why this one has reached the number 2 in the UK beat charts in DJ magazine. Adam