Category Archives: Let’s Dance!

Let’s Dance – John Tejada & Silent Servant: The Monitors (Redux) (Palette Recordings)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

While it is great to report a redux of The Monitors single originally released on vinyl in 2011, it takes place in tragic circumstances – for the death of Silent Servant – aka Juan Mendez – was announced only two weeks ago.

The two were good mates and frequent collaborators, and as you will read from this excellent interview and tribute, John Tejada decided to press ahead with the release in tribute to a dear friend. Mendez contributed the design, as well as updating the drum tracks – while Tejada gave the release a fresh master.

The two have a rich history in electronic music, sharing a release in 1995 on Cytrax – and as Tejada points out, this is one of his final releases on Palette Recordings.

What’s the music like?

This is classic instrumental techno. Control makes itself known with a solid beat, which drops out to introduce the main subject, a repetitive and minimal riff in close harmony that sounds close up to the ear, but is put in perspective by clips of much more distant vocals. Towards the end the driving rhythm drops away to leave an atmospheric musical cloud.

Protection starts with the same riff and a spoken word segment in the middle distance. “Depend on The Monitors”, the public address says…and the track kicks into gear with a more intimate feel this time. That is enhanced by the addition of warmer pad sounds.

Does it all work?

Yes – the pair complement each other really well.

Is it recommended?

You know what to do – this is classy Detroit techno given a polish but sadly loaded with extra poignancy. A fitting memorial to a talent who will be much missed.

You can read a tribute to Silent Servant by the Guardian here

For fans of… both Silent Servant and John Tejada, also Terrence Dixon, Kenny Larkin

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Published post no.2,076 – Saturday 3 February 2024

Let’s Dance – Various Artists: Kaleidoscope Vol. 1 (ZEF Music)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

There is very little padding with the press release from ZEF Music for their first label compilation. Straight to the point, it reads, “We are proud to presents our first compilation, a Kaleidoscope of emerging artists destined to shape the future of electronic music. With an infusion of deep house and melodic techno, our Various Artists Vol. 1 is a testament to the boundless creativity and innovation pulsating within the underground scene.”

What’s the music like?

The bold claims made by the label are largely fulfilled – as the seven tracks here are all high quality. Akkam’s Freeze sets the tone, a really classy piece of Moroder-inflected electro disco – and Cuprite’s Asid is a great night time panorama. The brooding Spirit from Cyclone is deeper and darker, with rippling synth lines, while James De Torres’ Perseidas has a more mechanical edge, industrial even. Kirwan’s Dark Space is excellent, an urgent beat with vocals in the middle ground, and Qiel’s With You is likewise, a great shape shifting bit of club music. That leaves Tarantula, a suitably busy cut laced with dark textures from Mark (BR).

Does it all work?

It does. The melodic invention is not always to the fore, but that doesn’t matter when the beats and production are on point, as they are throughout.

Is it recommended?

It is – ZEF Music are ones to watch, providing stimulating music for the deeper side of house and techno.

For fans of… the deeper, darker side.

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You can listen to clips from this release and explore purchase options at the Beatport website

Published post no.2,073 – Wednesday 31 January 2024

Let’s Dance – Various Artists: 20 Years of Phonica (Phonica Records)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

When Phonica Records opened in 2003, Soho was a very different place to what it is now. I was working just round the corner, and my initial scepticism at another record shop opening was quickly found to be misplaced. Because Phonica is not just an ordinary record shop, and in fact it has outlasted almost every vinyl-selling neighbour, to our great disappointment. What a treasure it is, though, one of those establishments capable of giving you a musical rush as soon as you step foot in the door. The number of times I have had to enquire to the patient staff what the current tune is (because it’s too new for Shazam!) I could have been saddled with a restraining order. Instead the staff are always helpful and enthusiastic, because they are working in a shop they love.

Why the long intro, you ask? It is because Phonica’s enthusiasm for their art and craft translates directly into the music they sell on their own label, and the tracks appearing on this packed compilation. In their 20 years they have responded to new trends while keeping the old ones happy, and again that is reflected in the music.

What’s the music like?

This is a treasure trove of dance music, a joy from start to finish – and with the added benefit of a fresh track selection that will fill the listener with joy. 18 new tracks is nothing to be sniffed at, and if you read the detailed commentary on the label’s Bandcamp page you’ll see exactly what fits where.

The many highlights can be condensed – only slightly – but include some lithe drum & bass from Tim Reaper & Comfort Zone‘s Subterranean. Daniel Avery contributes the typically brilliant Bells, then the jittery Read My Lips zips along with rushes of euphoria from Paramida & E-Talking. Nyra‘s Broken Needs is a cracker, no messing – while the shuffling beat of Gene On Earth‘s Club Jacket mining the best of 90s garage house. Dam Swindle‘s Alright (Just A Tribute) is also a mid-90s update, a kind of cross between Grace and Crystal Waters. Dauwd‘s Slam is superb, with hushed vocal and leading drum track, while System Olympia‘s Mezzonotte breaks towards 80s electro to very good effect.

The high standard continues, with nocturnal shades from Willow‘s Willbush, and an excellent disco-house hybrid from Austin Ato, Song For Mr Lewis with a great spoken bit in the middle. There is some classy, nippy deep house from Felipe Gordon & Bob The Egoist – Get Your Body Movin’ complete with tasteful flute solo. Eli Escobar‘s FindAWay2Day is a really good, zippy track while, Will Saul‘s For Joanie is superb, with vocal displacement and a slightly glitchy house beat and atmospheric pads.

Does it all work?

It does – nothing to quibble with here, other than electronic excellence and energy that translates from the big city to the bedroom studio.

Is it recommended?

Without doubt. Compilations like this are few and far between in electronic music these days, but Phonica have filled the gap with some aplomb.

For fans of… all sorts of house, garage and techno!

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Published post no.2,073 – Wednesday 31 January 2024

Let’s Dance – Ratier: Ritual (D-Edge)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is the launch of a new moniker for Brazilian producer Renato Ratier, the man behind Sao Paulo’s D-Edge and Surreal Park clubs.

He already has two albums under his belt, but with Ritual he makes a conscious reboot.

What’s the music like?

There is some excellent, vibrant house music in the course of Ratier’s album, made by a producer who keeps things moving, doesn’t overstay his welcome with any of the tracks, and keeps a really strong concentration on the dancefloor throughout.

Aura is a brilliant deeper house cut with vocal hits, taking influence from Chicago in its execution. Bamboo really hits the spot too, a bouncy track with a woozy chord pattern that leans towards trance. There are a couple of powerful spiritual tracks, with Mantra featuring a guest vocal from L_cio that talks emotively about divisions, ultimately pleading to ‘teach us how to pray’. Profeta is of a similar ilk, with a great low bass underpinning the vocal. Meanwhile Ritual is a winning cultural blend, and you can feel the heat shimmering over the house beats as the indigenous chants play out.

Does it all work?

It does. Ratier works his crowd to excellent effect.

Is it recommended?

Heartily. One the house music heads will certainly enjoy, especially if they are of a Chicago or Detroit persuasion!

For fans of… Floorplan, Carl Craig, Marshall Jefferson

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Published post no.2,067 – Thursday 25 January 2024

Let’s Dance: Various Artists – Twenty Year Weekend (Two Decades of Darkroom Dubs) (Darkroom Dubs)

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by Ben Hogwood

What’s the story?

This is one of those anniversaries that make writers feel old – especially this one, who was starting to write when Glaswegian duo Silicone Soul put their Darkroom Dubs plan into full action.

Rather than look back with rose-tinted glasses, however, Craig Morrison and Graeme Reedie have commissioned a whole new set of deep and dark house music, with 14 tracks making the cut.

What’s the music like?

Happily the tunes and beats collected here are in the best Darkroom Dubs tradition, with some fulsome house beats, darkly coloured textures and reassuringly full-bodied beats.

Highlights include the loping beat and robotic precision of Phunkadelica’s Phunkarama, and the excellent Lucky Luciano from Am$trad Billionaire with its rhythmic impulse. Undo’s Vencejos makes clever use of swifts in the background, a great pairing with the solid beats, while Amount‘s Figure Skating is an excellent cut, bubbling under the surface. Few tracks, however, can match the confident strut of Subcisco’s Boiling Point, the lean bass of Nuclear Digital Transistor’s Lead Boys, or the voiceover / synth combo of Local Suicide & Wiener Planquadrat’s Flashdance.

Does it all work?

It does indeed – and satisfies both the newcomer and the label afficionado.

Is it recommended?

Definitely. Raising a glass to Silicone Soul and their excellent Darkroom Dubs venture, with the hope it will only appreciate in value as time goes on. The signs are very good from this compilation!

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