On Rotation: Staff Picks, September 6

On Rotation: Staff Picks, September 6

6 September, 2011 | 7.40AM

• Written by: Beatportal
• Filed under: Music News: on rotation, staff picks

Once again, Beatport’s staffers wax ecstatic about the tracks that are in heavy rotation on the office stereo. Read on to find out what they picked, including dubstep from Tunnidge, classic house from DJ Assassin, UK garage revivalism from CDBL, electro pop from Mike Simonetti and more.

Dan Cole

General Manager of Merchandising & General Manager / Berlin

CDBL, “Vices” [Squelch An Clap]

As the UK bass scene forays into today’s modern collective conscience, the parallels between the contemporary movement and the late ‘90s speed garage scene become ever more present, with the protoganists behind Sheffield’s Squelch And Clap label providing the greatest degree of evidence. Ther latest release, the “Vices” EP by CDBL, is a 2-steppy ode to classic UK garage, with pitched-up vocals, skipping hi-hats, and plenty of bass. Kidnap Kid’s remix of “I Need You” is the standout track on the EP, its sound leaning towards that of Julio Bashmore and 3024, but with extra soul and tropical fun.

Step To This:

George Fitzgerald, “Fernweh"/"Hearts" [Man Make Music]

C.R.S.T., “Forever After” [Deep Thrills]

Kahn, “Like We Used To"/"Helter Skelter” [Punch Drunk]

Philip Sherburne

Editor, Beatportal / Berlin

Mike Simonetti, “Capricorn Rising” [Italians Do It Better]

Until now, New Jersey’s Mike Simonetti has tended to stay behind the curtains, tending to his Italians Do It Better label and tweeting about progressive house. (Ironically? Semi-ironically? Who even knows any more? His recent mix for Beats In Space will certainly surprise listeners expecting nu-disco purism: the setlist includes Paul Kalkbrenner, Gui Boratto, Adam K & Soha, and Bruce Hornsby and the Range.) In any case, “Capricorn Rising,” his debut mini-LP, suggests that Simonetti is more than ready to assume the spotlight. Opening cut “The Third of the Storms,” featuring Sam Sparro, is an absolutely gorgeous slice of slow-motion disco-pop that’ll send chills down the spines of Superpitcher fans, and the rest of the record is full of left-field electro-pop pleasures. The two-minute samples on Beatport don’t really do the music justice; check out Simonetti’s SoundCloud page for full-length streams.

Summer, We Hardly Knew Ye:

Erdbeerschnitzel, “Always Remain” [3rd Strike]

Boys Noize & Erol Alkan, “Avalanche (Terminal Velocity) – Ewan Pearson’s Deeper Underground Mix” [Phantasy]

Thundercat, “The Golden Age of Apocalypse” [Brainfeeder]

Gustaf Sparr

Senior Label & Office Manger / Berlin

Exaltics, “See It Through My Eyes” [Creme Organization]

When he was nearly 13, my brother Krille got his arm badly broken at the elbow. When it healed, and Krille’s fears of never being able to play football were assuaged, he was seldom self-conscious about his injury. His left arm was somewhat shorter than his right; when he stood or walked, the back of his hand was at right angles to his body, his thumb parallel to his thigh. He couldn’t have cared less, so long as he could pass and punt.

Balms for Crushed Bones:

Tridact, “First Steps” [Internajonal]

Axel Boman, “Europa” [Studio Barnhus]

T. Trax, “Project Piano” [Clone Jack Fpor Daze Series]

Mike Chapman

Merchandising Manager / Berlin

DJ Assassin, “A Face In The Crowd (Intellidred Mix)” [Cross Section]

It’s all about the older steady house cuts for me this week, with a few jocks recently bringing this jam back from the vaults. Tracky, chunky and groovy house music that just never gets old… Chris Simmonds’ remix just sounds amazing when dropped in the mix.

Further Listening:

Thomas Froehlich, “Get Us” [Uncanny Valley]

Isolee, “Torn” [Dial Records]

Recloose, “Electric Sunshine” [Rush Hour]

Sean Lewis

Merchandising Manger / Denver

Tunnidge, “Control” / “Decay” [Get Darker Recordings]

A pretty easy selection for me this week. The masterfully dark and dangerous sound of Tunnidge comes through on his lastest from GetDarker. The B-side “Decay” paints its percussive hits in an underground cavern with dank and lush reverb, embellished by ghostly pads, growling synths and a whispering cinematic vocal. This tune, on bass stacks at several thousand watts, will change some lives.

Get Lower:

Benton, “Skeptics” / “Thermo Stellar” [Black Box]

District, “Haymaker” / “3.5 Grams” [Chestplate]

Benton, “20/20” / “Zardoz” [Wheel & Deal Records]

Matt Ferry

Merchandising Manger / Denver

Balam Acab, “Wander/Wonder” [Tri Angle Records]

After spending most of your waking moments during the weekends listening to your chosen variation four-to-the-floor party music, it’s nice to hear something that takes the edge off. Balam Acab (aka Alex Kroone) has done just that in his debut LP for Tri-Angle, “Wander/Wonder.” It’s drenched in lapping water loops, pitched-up vocals, and huge sweeping synth strings. Best to listen to loud.

Wander Further:

ZZT, “Vulcan Alarm” [Turbo]

Max Cooper, “Empirisch” EP [Traum]

Hugo & Sammy, “Triangles’ Angle” [Good Vibe Records]

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