"Sant You" and "Happy New Hear"

6 out of 20? Not too bad for a Years Ending!

 Today Resident Advisor published their top 20 Albums for 2008,
and we are happy to announce that 6 out of them are distributed by no other than yours truly…
So without any further bragging & boasting - let’s get down to business:

17. Dave Aju - Open Wide [Circus Company]

One of my personal favourites this year, Dave Aju’s oral explorations sound like they were beamed out of Sun Ra’s mind, channelled through Bootsy Collins Bass, by the way of Dr.Dre’s MPC, straight into the feet of Berlin’s after hour dancers…

12. Deadbeat - Roots & Wires [Wagon Repair]

Another great record, Deadbeats “Roots & Wires” feels like an unreleased Basic Channel tape playing through King Tubby’s echo chamber, before being cut and rearranged by a crazy Ableton Live scientist…

09. Bruno Pronsato - Why Can't We Be Like Us? [Hello? Repeat]

This is more like your mind on a Sunday morning being amplified by thousands of little speakers fabricated with unknown NASA technology. Bruno Pronsato delivers a fine and rare example of “minimal” done right, no boring noodeling around with lame preset sounds, just some music with a heart and soul.

06. Lee Jones - Electronic Frank [Aus Music]

It’s not that often that you find someone using as many samples, breakdowns and ideas in their songs, while still being able to paint a picture as consistent and colourful as Lee Jones on this album. “Jazzy” in all the right ways…Gotta love the Zebra.

05. The Mole - As High as the Sky [Wagon Repair]

Imagine some dusty disco records found in your parent’s basement being drenched in an acid bath cooked by Moodymann, hypnotising you into a state where you are at the same time grubbing through the ground like a mole while flying as high as the sky.

02. Move D & Benjamin Brunn - Songs from the Beehive [Smallville Records]

Creating a buzz like a bee, this is by far my favourite Album of 2008. A sound world of it’s own, with every listening you find new details, unexpected turns and sounds you didn’t hear before. Warm and gentle, sweet like honey, Move D and Benjamin Brunn managed to create an album which will surely be regarded as a classic in a few years time.

Stefan Goldmann and Dave Aju nominated for Preis der deutschen Schallplattenkritik

The almost unthinkable has happened. The Albums of Stefan Goldmann "Transitory State" (Macro07) and Dave Aju "Open Wide" (CCCD05) have been nominated for the "German Music Critics Award" in the fourth Quarter of 2008. The Board of German Music Critics is not well known for picking electronic Artists to say the least, as far as we know they have hardly ever nominated an electronic Dance Release at all. Jazz, Pop or what they call "Nu and Extreme" being the most ccntemporary of their regular Top Lists. However it seems that even the Grandsegneurs of the Critics feel willing to acknoledge some more depth and longivety, some actual value, in todays electronic Music, a fact long time denied. Especially in our own Country, Germany. However, we want to say thanks and congratulations to both, the Critics Bord and Our 2 Labels for having made this possible. Respect!

Poker Flat gets 100 - The House of God is 20!

Almost 20 years on from the original release of D.H.S.‘s classic, ‚The House of God‘, (DHS = Dimensional Holofonic Sound) is back to guide us and persuade us once again. Championed in Germany by Techno innovators such as Sven Väth in the golden age of 1989/1990, the track quickly reached cult status and is a true example of the power and magic of this music form. DHS is the techno alias of San Francisco based electronic musician and member of the Meat Beat Manifesto, Ben Stokes. Heading up this exciting new package, to celebrate 100 releases of Poker Flat Recordings, we‘ve got three new mixes to inspire the mind and captivate the senses, starting with a topform remix from central Dessous and Poker Flat artist Phonique. Phonique‘s name is a regular and highly respected one amongst both DJs and clubbers and really needs no introduction… ‚Mr. Good Idea‘ presents his vision of ‚House of God‘ as a cheeky, modern jacking track, complete with climbing, squelching basslines and tweaked out FX spinning around those infamous siren stabs and the classic vocal. Its a high-energy remix that will leave the dancefloor totally breathless! Phonique loved the orginal so much he made this remix independently, but when Steve Bug heard it, it was time to resurrect this timeless track and bring it to a new audience. Martin Landsky is also on hand with another stunning remx. Landsky, who enjoyed recent success with his last bomb on Poker Flat - ‚Man High‘ - is also central to the label‘s sound and continues to promote it here with his deep and powerful club remix. Its a bass energy monster that chugs along with the just right contrast between darkness and salvation. This time DHS has updated his original version with a very special modern interpretation of his self-made milestone in house and techno history. Chunky, functional and minimal inspired beats pump as the mystery preacher works his magic… leading us through many exciting passages of dark, house energy!

Motorcitysoul mixing on RA this week!

Fresh from releasing their Technique album on Will Saul's Simple imprint, the Frankfurt duo of Matthias Vogt and Christian Rindermann, AKA C-Rock, have had a busy year so far. Their own brand of melodic house music has been in high demand during the current deep house resurgence, with releases signed to Freerange and Tsuba on top of their aforementioned full-length. To say that they are bandwagon jumpers would be far from the truth; they've been plugging at this deep, driving sound for a while now, even managing to score a collaboration with US house legend Chez Damier back in 2005.
The pair first recorded together around five years ago for local label INFRACom, with Matthias taking writing responsibilities, and C-Rock acting as the technical brains behind the production. Since then, they've decided to share the songwriting duties equally, forging a lush soulful sound that retains its dynamism. The same could be said about their RA podcast, which takes some of their own original productions (both as a duo and solo) and mixes them up with a fine selection of deep house both old and new. We caught up with them by e-mail to ask about the mix, and how things are going with their club night and label.

 Frankfurt duo Motorcitysoul provide a mix of tech and deep house for this week's RA podcast:  http://www.residentadvisor.net/podcast-episode.aspx?id=126

Open Wide - Dave Aju has arrived!

After three amazing EP’s on Circus Company, including the recent underground hit “Be Like The Sun,” we are proud to present Open Wide, Dave Aju’s debut full-length LP release. He has really outdone himself this time with his most conceptual and personal, yet accessible work to date. The album was made entirely with sounds from his mouth, but it’s no novelty affair, these are all wonderful pieces of music, covering a variety of styles. “Roundabout” starts things off with fat shuffling drums, an infectious bassline, and vocal refrain that builds into a ‘horn-section’ crescendo - straight from Chicago via Aju’s mouth. “Bump” is second, a fun and futuristic approach to storytelling hip-hop - the bass like he says, ‘bumpity-bump’s. “Crazy Place” is an homage to disco, pop, and wave styles, but Aju’s version takes it to the next level - pulsing lfos, ‘live’ mouth percussion, and a chorus and breakdown guaranteed to melt hearts and dancefloors worldwide! Next up is “First Love,” a super-deep and soulful house track with spoken word connecting Aju’s personal music history, referencing song titles up to this moment - pure class. “Tapatio” shifts back to his raw party side with huge sub-bass, sick bleepy synth hits, and playful vocal cut-ups - hot like the sauce! The title track “Open Wide” follows, bringing a crazy broken reggaeton-style groove, complete with clattering teeth percussion, squeaky funk synth riffs, and a dark and lovely chorus. “Anyway” is Aju’s take on an uplifting house music anthem - recalling Lil’Louis with Sun Ra Arkestra vocals. Finally, “With You” closes the album on a slow and sweet note, bubbling over with smooth synths, warm bass, and some of the most tasteful vocoder work around, on a 21st century Roger and Zapp love tip. Open Wide my friends, Dave Aju has arrived.