dreamed

Sometimes the 'shuffle' function alerts me to tracks I've overlooked due to my propensity to acquire disgusting amounts of music every week, month, year. Recently, it alerted me to another track by the mysterious One of Them, whose "He is Dancing in New York" I posted back in May. Here, Sean Palm gives the remix treatment to "Niko It's A Bad Dream," transforming a dark techno banger into a bright, tech-house piece that is perfect for that 3 am dancefloor apex. With some sonic and rhythmic similarities to Glove Disco's remix of 2raumwohnung from 2007, this is a propulsive slice featuring excellently syncopated percussive elements, a wriggling bass-line, a very Loco Dice mid-frequency five-note harmonic element, and a washed-out break that is sure to drive crowds crazy. A sleeper hit of 2009 for certain! On Chris Fortier's Fade imprint.

One of Them- Niko It's A Bad Dream (Sean Palm's Bits & Pieces Remix)

Next up, an older slice.

he is dancing

Chris Fortier's Fade Records imprint usually deals with a more noisy, glitchy, experimental side of techno and house, so it came as a surprise that his second official release for the man known as One of Them included some deep, rolling grooves. "He is Dancing in New York" is a mid-tempo house number with wet handclaps, deep kicks, and synth syncopations that are quite nice. The melancholy, minor-key piano work that rides over everything provides an airy feel to the track, bringing to mind the early summer evening in New York, when the weather becomes bearable after a long day of garbagey heat. With a bit of Ibadan flavor bubbling throughout, "He is Dancing in New York" is certainly my favorite piece thus far from One of Them, and among the best releases on Fortier's label thus far.

One of Them- He is Dancing in New York

Seeing where tomorrow leads me-- I'll be in New York until Sunday, May 17th. Will I see any of you at the Dopplereffekt show at Le Poisson Rouge on Saturday night?

dark acid wash

Today, I give you some brand-new dark techno from the UK's Tim Cook. From his second release on Chris Fortier's Fade imprint, "Perfect World" is 127-bpm slice of noisily masterful drum-programming, hallucinatory vocal samples, and a lo-mid two-stab that totally puts the track into the slamming category. With acidy flourishes here and there and perfect EQs, "Perfect World" might not necessarily put you into sunnytime daydreams, but it will surely make you want to find the nearest warehouse techno party and get down. Cook is a talent to watch out for-- his three releases have been consistently interesting takes on the more rough-sounding, dirty side of techno, and his upcoming Humanize Me EP (from which the track is taken), is quite something. Recommended!

Tim Cook- Perfect World

Tomorrow, something a bit more dreamy.

Today, a departure from the gayness and the house for something a bit leftfield from One of Them, one of the newest signings to Chris Fortier's Fade Records imprint.

"Contagious Error" is one of those rare minimal techno gems that pays a weird sort of homage to industrial noise music along with that genre of yesteryear, IDM: the percussive elements of "Contagious Error" sound like the rusted machineries of old factories set into hypnotic motion again, with a disarmingly low bass rumble, deep kicks, hi-frequency blips, a subtly gorgeous melodic line, and secondary synth elements that emerge from the roar quite slowly. The track has a similar aesthetic to last year's excellent Tupperwear record on Klitekture, as it seems that One of Them has an abiding love for the noisier, more rough-hewn edges of techno music. Quite beguiling stuff-- definitely recommended for any into IDM, rough techno or noise music.

One of Them- Contagious Error (Original Mix)

Tomorrow, a return to form with a smooth house jam.

bless the darkness

Today, a new-ish track from the mysterious Profile25, whose new EP on Chris Fortier's Fade Records imprint is an elegant masterpiece of lush, dark techno. "G" is a 128 bpm piece that might never work on the typical dance-floor, but certainly will worm its way into your skull. With synth pads reminiscent of the sort used by many artists on Marc Romboy's Systematic label, a come-hither bass-line, and hi-frequency flourishes and washes, this is a techno track for listening and daydreaming, perhaps of summer rain in the city, or hurricanes in the tropics, or approaching a dark wood. Good stuff!

Profile25- G

Tomorrow, a little-heard track from the Kelley Polar Quintet!

horizon staring

Today, as promised, a bit of new tech-house courtesy of Kolo, a longtime progressive and trance DJ who has worked extensively with Chris Fortier. Among his more recent releases is the digital EP Outerspace Vault, with tracks that range from Bryan Zentz-style trancey techno to more deep progressive sounds.

"Nova" is one of these later tracks, with excellent percussion sequencing, a dubby melodic line, dry vocal samples, and an atmosphere that somehow reminds me of Leiam Sullivan and James Mowbray's "Tropical Heights" from last summer. Nice hi-frequency wiggling harmonic lines work perfectly with the writhing bass, and it is fair to say that the track's relatively low BPM helps it build in a most pleasing, summery way. On Fortier's Fade Records label.

Kolo- Nova

Tomorrow, a bit of old minimal for a change.