A Guy Called Gerald ‘How Long Is Now' / Bosconi Records / Released December 1st 2012
Whenever Berlin-living Manchester native Gerald Simpson makes a record it's pretty special. Over two decades after the 808 State and Voodoo Ray days he's still doing it, and here's perfect proof. Three truly interesting tracks, ranging from the time-stretched, dark shuffling title tune to the frantic (and fittingly named) acid workout, 202.
Hans Bouffmyhre ‘Stress Control EP' / Sleaze Records / December 3rd 2012
Bouffmyhre is back on his own label for a bit of thumping techno. Stress Control's Rob Hood-style minimalism cunningly holds us on a knife-edge. Droning is less tense, but no lighter or lacking in real menace, then Par Grindik gives the first a very Swedish sounding treatment, and Slam do their Paragraph thing on the second. Not for softies.
Saytek ‘Growth Over Destruction' / Cubism / Released December 5th 2012
It's been quite a year for Joseph Keevil, making waves from London to Ibiza. Off the cuff live sets are his game, and here fans can pick up the closing track from his recent Live On Cubism CD, a tough, moderately retro-house affair that packs energy, not just meat in its kicks. Oh, and JP Chronic, Owen Howells and Scott Kemp then give it a re-rub.
Tale of Us ‘Fresh Water EP' / Life and Death / Released December 10th 2012
Special sounds hinting at epicness from this rising Italian duo. The title track is brooding, with stabbed baritone synths, misleading drops and huge background timbre rationalising why it nods to the Sashas of this world. Life and Death is less intense, strolling beats and dubby chords abound, with Keep This closing things on a deep and melodic tip.
Dusky ‘Calling Me EP' / School Records / Released December 10th 2012
Nu school properness from School Records, dominated by What I Do, an immersive, purposeful stomper built around hulky kick drums, proggy low ends and a pitched-down vocal loop. Like we said, proper. Calling Me, on the other hand, is less bravado but a tad harder, opting to save lyrics for background noises, whilst adding a little acid to the formula.
Robin Ordell ‘Monopolar EP' / Eklo / Released December 13th 2012
Opening number For Fucking Years is one of those beautifully deep, rhythmically repetitive house workouts that does nothing and excels at the task. Monopolar is a little jazzier, splayed pianos dropping in occasionally to check on the stepping snare-capped beat, and Please Police has a similar sound, only the keys are played on organs.
Jori Hulkkonen as Third Culture ‘Negative Time Remixes 1' / My Favourite Robot / Released December 17th 2012
Selected items from Mr Hulkkonen's recent Negative Time LP are reworked and redone courtesy of folks from Canada's ever-impressive My Favourite Robot. Phonogenic, Fairmont, Kasper Bjorke, Of Norway, and Sync Mode are the artists taking turns to remix, creating filthy big room elec-tech, deep spatial grooves and heads down synth poppiness.
Various ‘Classics V.1' / Shack Music / Released December 17th 2012
Any imprint started in an old shed is fine by us, that Shack's output is also strong makes its story even better. The offerings here being pretty typical then, as Kemistry serves constantly building, emotive house music, Moses McClean dishes out classic, stripped vocal fours, and DJ Technic gets his relentless horns and cymbals out.
Adriatique ‘Face To Face EP' / Culprit / Released December 19th 2012
Los Angeles is in the house, or more accurately making house. Fans of Manik certainly won't mind Face To Face's vibes, it's funky bass and echoed lyrical flairs- all very California hotel roof party. Three other tunes are provided on top of that, Circle of Love, Blackbox, and Need It Now, keeping things along the same stylistic lines.
Circle ‘Music & Emotion' / Worship Recordings / Released December 31st 2012
Philadelphia-based collective Circle don't shout loud, but what they say has been worth hearing for nearly 20 years now. Music & Emotion summarises this point perfectly, offering a low-slung deep house ode to male samples and subtly clattering percussion. A triptych of dubs and alternative versions complete the package, none of which are bad.
