Culture, Music, Records

House Music is Still House Music

Warehouse

There’s been a silly amount of good new house records out recently. I’ve talked about a bunch of them, but I’ve got a bunch more even since then. Really this has to be one of the best runs of new records in years, it seems like every week there’s enough stuff out to make an order.

Many of the names remain the same. Quite predictably, the new Reggie Dokes on Philpot is on track to be one of the top records of 2008. Moodymann’s remix of Sascha Dive is another flat out dancefloor killer that morphs from jazzy banger into deep synths and back again as if to say “Now THIS is what ‘Deep America’ means!” Scott Grooves’ second record this year on Natural MIDI is another one for the deep techno heads and the house deejays, proving that there isn’t much difference between techno and house when they’re done properly.

An item of great interest to me in this little run of great records is the amount of European records that actually do it right. Jazzanova (with a little help from Danny Krivit) get it exactly right in what has to be one of the funkiest jazzy house records in years. I guess some will debate as to whether it is “house” or not, but I don’t think there is any question. It’s been discussed to death just about everywhere, but Pépé Bradock’s newest 12″ is ridiculous. “Mandragore” is one of those tunes that you can feel his influences in, but it is distinctly his own style. Sound Stream’s fourth release is a return to form after the weak link in their catalogue that was “Love Jam” (which really wouldn’t be a weak link for most producers, but their track record is too good for that). Most surprisingly to me though was the newest 12″ by Lowtec on Workshop. In a sea of bland knockoffs, the B1 cut stands out as an awesome atmospheric house tune that manages to be dope without being derivative. This along with some of the cuts on Jus-Ed’s recent podcast for RA give me some hope that these European producers are capable of coming with their own style without being copycats.

Of course, while swimming through this sea of great new music, there are always some complaints. I guess some people would rather have a nonsense narrative than great music.

34 Comments

  1. kuri says:

    i’ve only heard the Pepe Braddock and Lowtec releases and I have to agree that both are pretty solid and deserve a purchase. will most definitely be trying to find the others for a listen. now if only I can locate a local record shop that stocks this type of house music…

  2. pipecock says:

    you’d be a luckier guy than me, I have to order all this shit from elsewhere. Downtown304.com has done a good job of stocking much of this stuff and their prices are good and shipping is fast. A couple things I got when my man did a Juno order last week, though.

  3. ptel says:

    hahaha this is funny
    but “come back ‘it sounds like an insect walking across a microphone!’” Truly you were the Ulysses of that brief period of critical discourse!

    Who was this guy he’s talking about ?

  4. Dean says:

    That new Reggie Dokes ep is absolute sickness. I was thinking it’s definately gotta be one of the records of the year. Shit is on another level. In fact I believe it’s so good that in 10-15 yrs time it will be looked back on as records like Nude Photo, Icon/Kaotic Harmony, Can you feel it and (69) Desire are now.

  5. Dean says:

    Damn that Jazzanova is sick too, all over that shit!

  6. kuri says:

    Trying to get some idea of the Reggie Dokes (which is excellent) and others stumbled upon one more to add to the list: a new Norma Jean Bell on Funky Chocolate. KDJ and Theo on remix duty. Scattin’, finger snappin’ goodness aplenty.
    http://hardwax.com/57518/

  7. matt says:

    All excellent recommendations Tom. I had not heard the Lowtec or Jazzanova, thanks for the heads-up. Hey Kuri, I’m actually pretty sure those are both old NJB tracks, the Moodymann from this: http://www.discogs.com/release/3136 And the Theo from this: http://www.discogs.com/release/13730 Excellent tracks nonetheless.

  8. matt says:

    Well damn, the periods jacked the links up.

  9. pipecock says:

    fixed, because i am magic like that.

  10. pipecock says:

    i think that jazzanova especially is not on anybody’s radar and it is just ridiculously good.

    i already have that theo rmx on the original 12″ it was on, i dont have that kenny mix though. ill just hunt down an original!

  11. Joe H says:

    There’s still a load of great house music out there,Dj Aakmael new EP on Uzuri is great,KDJ has a few killer remixes out there,Philpot are still strong.
    I picked up the new Prime numbers long player this weekend which is packed full of quality deep house.Featuring new tracks from Reggie Dokes, Linkwood, Trus Me & more. A excellent house compilation with plenty of soul for those looking to go that little deeper.

  12. Tom B. says:

    Don’t forget about Theo’s recent record ‘Love Triumphant’ …. amazin’ record

  13. gmos says:

    yeah, some serious house music coming out right now. that Reggie Dokes record on Philpot is amazing, def a record of the year contender. also just put in an order for his other new one on the Prime Numbers label.

  14. clom says:

    prime numbers are on a roll just now.
    all the firecracker stuff got a repress this year too if you fancy more linkwood/fudge fingas action.
    http://www.discogs.com/label/Firecracker+Recordings

  15. paul says:

    Speaking of Scott Grooves samples of the new Natural Midi just up on w&s,a side of his new one on clone sounds nice too.
    http://www.wordandsound.de/article/56702

    Favourite house record atm though would definitely be ‘Miles’ by Lawrence,one of those tracks i could listen to on loop for a day.
    http://www.juno.co.uk/products/334484-01.htm

  16. paul says:

    Great blog btw! My first post.

  17. pipecock says:

    glad you like it, man! welcome….

  18. paul says:

    Cheers! Just ordered that Lowtec thing,quality stuff.

    One other thing i must recommend is an amazing new Chateau Flight remix that has this incredible heart-breaking vocal from Tikiman.Not released yet unfortunately but you can hear it here..
    http://www.simplerecords.co.uk/#/releases/63

  19. kuri says:

    seriously sweet recommendations ya’ll. and thanks for the tip on the NJB remixes Matt.

  20. bernardo says:

    Lots of great stuff mentioned in this post and above. Definitely loving the Soundstream and Pepe Bradock and will need to get the Jazzanova piece.
    I’m also really feeling Clone’s reissue of the Ragtyme / Ten City classic ‘I Can’t Stay Away’.
    http://www.discogs.com/release/1496571

  21. gmos says:

    yeah, thank fuck for Clone Classics! another expensive record off my wants list 🙂

  22. Niels says:

    Some very nice recommendations in this threat.
    The other day I discovered Kyle Hall and his The Water Is Fine ep on Moods & Grooves, wich I think is ace!!
    http://www.nuloop.com/fr/mp3/detail/10201/kyle_hall_the_water_is_fine_ep.html

    His new ep, wich is coming out this week, sounds verry promissing too
    http://www.clone.nl/item13904.html

  23. barry says:

    picked up that lowtec last weekend, fantastic release. havnt been shopping in a while due to money restrictions, had to leave the pepe braddock behind there was som much good stuff to be had. got the stl double pack with something is raw, a nice san proper on we play house music, the bredan moeller remixes on apple pips, and an old soundstream. so much out there at the moment!

  24. ShaolinSoul says:

    Yes Sir, Kyles espcially talented for someone his age. And that EP is HUGE!

  25. Chris O says:

    Lots of people feeling the lowtec. It’s the first Lowtec record I’ve picked up since the Secret Corner album on Source from 2002. I haven’t really felt the rest of the workshop catalog other than the Move D stuff, but I’m a big fan of his so I carry a little bias. I’m still kicking myself for not ordering a copy of the Jazzanova when I got yours.

  26. bernardo says:

    barry where did you get the STL double-pack? Are you in the US by any chance? Haven’t been able to find that over here (nyc) and been dying to get it!

  27. matt says:

    Yeah if anybody has a good tip on places to get STL’s Something releases in the US, do tell. I ordered a couple things directly from him, but shipping costs and the weak dollar made that a bit painful on the wallet.

  28. barry says:

    got it in my local record shop im afraid, i think theres a pretty good stock of them available from the something site, but that shipping might be a pain alright.

  29. matt says:

    Yeah, that sounds real nice. I’ve got the one on FXHE and it is some wacky business. From the sound clips, I definitely need these new ones.

  30. ShaolinSoul says:

    why does all the good shit go straight to the shops in Europe? Shit is rare as fuck in the U.S.!

  31. ShaolinSoul says:

    Yeah hes only 17

  32. yeah yeah... says:

    Someone mention Lowtec.. ???

    Damn that boys making some SICK sh*t!!

    Hear me Ya’ll… Over & Out!!

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