On Rotation: Staff Picks Week 8

On Rotation: Staff Picks Week 8

21 February, 2012 | 6.00AM

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

This week’s roundup of our editors’ recent faves ranges from stone-classic disco from Inner Life and Jocelyn Brown to tweaked-out, contemporary techno and house from Kris Wadsworth. Oh, and worry not: there’s plenty of wobble to go around, as well....

Matt Ferry

Merchandising Manager / Denver

Kris Wadsworth - Ex Girlfriends EP [Morris Audio]

Ever since J.Phlip dropped this Kris Wadsworth release on our Ustream show back in September, I’ve been super sleuthing promo lists near and far trying to figure out the name. Next thing you know, it shows up in the My Beatport tab! Great Gatsby, what a delight. As far as I’m concerned, it’s the weirdest, wonkiest, most wondrous techno to wobble its way out of the lower 48 in many years. Classic techno, classic house, classic cleanliness—the Ex Girlfriends EP has it, and much, much more. Stop reading and start listening—you’ll be happy you did.

Further Listening:

Mike Gao & Daisuke Tanab - Finest Ego / Faces Series Vol. 2 [Project Mooncircle]

Pepe Acebal - We Will Stay Together [Kindisch]

Dehix - Sonnambulo [Multi Vitamins]

Sean Lewis

Merchandising Manager / Denver

Vodex - Generation Monsters EP

I was lucky enough to catch an advance copy of this one about a week ago, and I’ve been playing it over and over. Even though I dug it on the first play through, it’s grown on me so much that I’d have to say this is the best Bassclash release to date. It’s one half futuristic, but at the same time, the other half mirrors the classic era when wobble began to reign supreme. Can’t get enough of this sound.

Further Listening:

Burial – Kindred [Hyperdub]

Compa – Boka Artillery Vol. 2 [Boka Records]

Tunnidge – Aftershock / Blame [Chestplate]

Christine Kakaire

Merchandising Manager / Berlin

Inner Life - II [Salsoul Records]

One of the benefits of working with such a vast store of music is discovering the hidden gems tucked away in our back catalogue. The classic Salsoul Records catalogue came back online recently, bringing early-’80s outfit Inner Life to my attention for the first time. It’s unashamedly uplifting disco on the cusp of ‘80s boogie, and “I Picked A Winner” and “Moment Of My Life” are immediate standouts. And if this particular disco diva sounds familiar, it’s because she is:  The vocalist is Jocelyn Brown, of “Keep On Jumpin’” fame.

Further Listening:

Ron Trent feat. Robert Owens - Deep Down [Foliage Records]

Rene Breitbarth - Hooter [Deep Data]

Napolian - Rejoice [Software]

Dan Cole

General Manager of Merchandising & General Manager / Berlin

Krystal Klear - Never Thought You Would Go [Eglo Records]

Lifted straight from the ‘80s, this is pure un-adulterated RnB a la Bobby Brown, with its sensual vocals, hand claps and slow rhythm. This could make the ultimate DJ tool or go straight onto that playlist you were making for a special somebody.

Further Listening:

Tessela – D Jane / Channel [Punch Drunk]

Randomer – Scruff Box / Get Yourself Together [Hemlock]

Shed – The Praetorian / RQ-170 [50 Weapons]

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