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ataxia - VHS
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ataxia - Kodak Moment
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ataxia - Kodak Moment (Reeves & Crosson Edit)
Detroit duo Ataxia offer up their ‘Kodak Moment’ EP via Visionquest this March, accompanied by an edit from label co-founders Shaun Reeves and Ryan Crosson. Eric Ricker and Ted Krisko aka Ataxia have been at the forefront of the contemporary house and techno scene for some time, racking up releases on some of the leading labels across the globe such as Leftroom, Nervous, Culprit and Play It Say It, making the duo one of Detroit’s finest exports in recent years. Here we see them making their debut on Visionquest, the label of fellow Detroit natives Ryan Crosson, Shaun Reeves and Lee Curtiss. ‘VHS’ leads the package with murky synth swells, resonant synth sweeps and fluttering square wave bass tones at it’s core as shuffled drums carry the ever-evolving hypnotic groove along. The original mix of ‘Kodak Moment’ follows, shifting the focus over to snaking bass lines, mind-bending, modulating synth whirrs and dynamic, choppy percussion throughout. Reeves & Crosson’s ‘Edit’ of ‘Kodak Moment’ then rounds out the release, stripping things back to ethereal atmospherics and shuffled drums whilst subtly stirring in the original’s hooky bass groove as the interpretation unfolds.
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More records from ataxia
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Ataxia - A1. Ataxia & Mister Joshooa - Mastermind
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Ataxia - A2. Ataxia & Mister Joshooa - Doc Rickers
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Ataxia - B1. Ataxia - Six Days, No Chuck
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Ataxia - B2. Ataxia - Keep My Youth
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Ataxia - B3. Ataxia - Skatepark
Tracklist:
A1. Ataxia & Mister Joshooa - Mastermind A2. Ataxia & Mister Joshooa - Doc Rickers B1. Ataxia - Six Days, No Chuck
B2. Ataxia - Keep My Youth
B3. Ataxia - Skatepark
Detroit-based duo Ataxia and Mister Joshooa come together on Life and Death with their new EP 'Mastermind'. The record marks a new installation of Ataxia's punk forward house vibe; however, this time the group has their blinders on - this mini album is 100% dance floor oriented, all suited up to scratch the insatiable itch of the worldwide dance
Starting off strong with 'Mastermind', the collaboration delivers from the second we hit play. The A-side maintains similar elements such as a resonant kick and skipping percussive beats masterfully intertwined with vocals that echo and stutter. Record scratches, cowbell, and classic vocal hits can all be found on the B-side, bringing old-school sounds to the forefront with dynamic, rhythmic grooves.
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Ataxia - Detroit Gospel
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Ataxia & Andres - Pine Island
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Ataxia - Language
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Ataxia & Dj Minx - Maxia
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Ataxia - Spit In Your Percolator
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Ataxia - 98 Degrees
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Ataxia - Number Streets
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Ataxia - The Formulator
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Ataxia - The Pusher
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Ataxia & Mister Joshooa - Feels Like
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Ataxia - WM
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Ataxia - Dance the Bridge
Tracklist:
Ataxia - Detroit Gospel
Ataxia & Andres - Pine Island
Ataxia - Language
Ataxia & Dj Minx – Maxia
Ataxia - Spit In Your Percolator
Ataxia - 98 Degrees
Ataxia - Number Streets
Ataxia - The Formulator
Ataxia - The Pusher
Ataxia & Mister Joshooa - Feels Like
Ataxia – WM
Ataxia - Dance the Bridge
Info:
Having torn up raves for well over a decade, the Detroit duo Rickers and Ted Krisko AKA Ataxia present their debut longplayer ‘Out Of Step’. Featuring guest spots from close peers DJ Minx, Andrés and Mr Joshooa, they twist house, techno, electro, breakbeat and rave into revitalized new shapes; embellished with a touch of soul, funk and hip hop. With backgrounds in hardcore and punk, Ataxia’s debut is suffused with that energy, attitude, and approach; this is raw, lean and unashamedly no-nonsense dance floor tackle that goes straight for the jugular. Heavily analogue, the album experiments with tape saturation, which harks back to the duo’s formative years in bands, recording demos to cassettes. These straight-up, in-the-red tracks give preference to overdriven drum machines, rather than generic polished sheen, but conversely, it’s all deceptively well-crafted too; ‘Out Of Step’ is a standout record that’s big in character, bringing to mind the renegade spirit of Underground Resistance, and the bombastic brilliance of The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers.
Defiantly optimistic despite the state of the world, a “life is good” vocal sample meets minor chords sliding over 808 hats on the exemplary house/techno pumper ‘Detroit Gospel’, before a lighter moment on the album, but no less impactful with its hefty low-end thump, is ‘Pine Island’ featuring Motor City hero Andrés. Together they cook up a Motown-inspired house cut awash with horn swells and backup singers, bouncing to wide swung funk bass, in classic 313 style. ‘Language’ turns the club on its head – busting out one of the most distinct basslines in recent times, and bristling with buzzy, undulating chords, whilst ‘Maxia’ features influential Detroit royalty DJ Minx. Inspired by her classic ‘A Walk In The Park’, with a fat distorted kick and stealthy bass groove, this is low-slung, stripped-back, heads-down coolness. The high-tech funk of ‘Spit In Your Percolator’, is laser-guided in its efficiency, with a strobe-like, increasingly intensifying energy, peppered with clever, tripped up vocal chops. With the next cut, conveyor belt noises and fast churning low-end gives way to a dubbed-out breakdown, on the deep breakbeat roller ‘98 Degrees’. Charged with a blistering, rave intensity, ‘Number Streets’, is a futuristic distorted techno workout that booms through the subs, whilst ‘The Formulator’ mixes filtered snippets, abstract synth noises and melodic bleeps with a bassline echoing Paperclip People’s ‘The Floor’. Closer to the UK definition of hardcore, combining 4/4 and breakbeat, ‘The Pusher’ evokes the spirit of late 80s orbital raves, adding a natty keys solo, and deadly bass used sparingly, for even deadlier effect. ‘Feels Like’ sees Rickers and Ted team up their studiomate and fellow TV Lounge resident and club booker, Mister Joshooa. Inspired by Photek but also almost UKG in style, this breakbeat session is stamped with MJ’s signature chopped vocals and intricate rhythmic interplay. The bubbling, wobbly loose swing of ‘WM’ is constructed around a classic chopped-up MTV cribs sample, with a filtered vocal creating a far out psychedelic effect – all of which is propelled apace by a huge bruising LFO. The LP concludes in fine style with ‘Dance The Bridge’, where bouncy beats and wigged-out keys meet bright, gently uplifting synth chords that bring a clear-skied mood; ending the record as it began, on an optimistic note.
‘Out Of Step’ marks another chapter in the ongoing relationship between Life and Death co-founder DJ Tennis and Ataxia. Their connection goes back to the earliest days of the label, where they played gigs together on some of Tennis’ initial visits to Detroit. It’s a friendship that’s blossomed organically over the last decade through their shared love of punk and hardcore, and led to the fruition of one of Ataxia’s most compelling projects to date. Labels to release Ataxia’s output include legendary Detroit techno imprints Planet E and KMS, plus the seminal American house label Nervous Records. Their catalogue also includes music for Visionquest, Leftroom, 20/20 Vision and Seth Troxler’s Play It Say It.
More
Ataxia - Detroit Gospel
Ataxia & Andres - Pine Island
Ataxia - Language
Ataxia & Dj Minx – Maxia
Ataxia - Spit In Your Percolator
Ataxia - 98 Degrees
Ataxia - Number Streets
Ataxia - The Formulator
Ataxia - The Pusher
Ataxia & Mister Joshooa - Feels Like
Ataxia – WM
Ataxia - Dance the Bridge
Info:
Having torn up raves for well over a decade, the Detroit duo Rickers and Ted Krisko AKA Ataxia present their debut longplayer ‘Out Of Step’. Featuring guest spots from close peers DJ Minx, Andrés and Mr Joshooa, they twist house, techno, electro, breakbeat and rave into revitalized new shapes; embellished with a touch of soul, funk and hip hop. With backgrounds in hardcore and punk, Ataxia’s debut is suffused with that energy, attitude, and approach; this is raw, lean and unashamedly no-nonsense dance floor tackle that goes straight for the jugular. Heavily analogue, the album experiments with tape saturation, which harks back to the duo’s formative years in bands, recording demos to cassettes. These straight-up, in-the-red tracks give preference to overdriven drum machines, rather than generic polished sheen, but conversely, it’s all deceptively well-crafted too; ‘Out Of Step’ is a standout record that’s big in character, bringing to mind the renegade spirit of Underground Resistance, and the bombastic brilliance of The Prodigy and Chemical Brothers.
Defiantly optimistic despite the state of the world, a “life is good” vocal sample meets minor chords sliding over 808 hats on the exemplary house/techno pumper ‘Detroit Gospel’, before a lighter moment on the album, but no less impactful with its hefty low-end thump, is ‘Pine Island’ featuring Motor City hero Andrés. Together they cook up a Motown-inspired house cut awash with horn swells and backup singers, bouncing to wide swung funk bass, in classic 313 style. ‘Language’ turns the club on its head – busting out one of the most distinct basslines in recent times, and bristling with buzzy, undulating chords, whilst ‘Maxia’ features influential Detroit royalty DJ Minx. Inspired by her classic ‘A Walk In The Park’, with a fat distorted kick and stealthy bass groove, this is low-slung, stripped-back, heads-down coolness. The high-tech funk of ‘Spit In Your Percolator’, is laser-guided in its efficiency, with a strobe-like, increasingly intensifying energy, peppered with clever, tripped up vocal chops. With the next cut, conveyor belt noises and fast churning low-end gives way to a dubbed-out breakdown, on the deep breakbeat roller ‘98 Degrees’. Charged with a blistering, rave intensity, ‘Number Streets’, is a futuristic distorted techno workout that booms through the subs, whilst ‘The Formulator’ mixes filtered snippets, abstract synth noises and melodic bleeps with a bassline echoing Paperclip People’s ‘The Floor’. Closer to the UK definition of hardcore, combining 4/4 and breakbeat, ‘The Pusher’ evokes the spirit of late 80s orbital raves, adding a natty keys solo, and deadly bass used sparingly, for even deadlier effect. ‘Feels Like’ sees Rickers and Ted team up their studiomate and fellow TV Lounge resident and club booker, Mister Joshooa. Inspired by Photek but also almost UKG in style, this breakbeat session is stamped with MJ’s signature chopped vocals and intricate rhythmic interplay. The bubbling, wobbly loose swing of ‘WM’ is constructed around a classic chopped-up MTV cribs sample, with a filtered vocal creating a far out psychedelic effect – all of which is propelled apace by a huge bruising LFO. The LP concludes in fine style with ‘Dance The Bridge’, where bouncy beats and wigged-out keys meet bright, gently uplifting synth chords that bring a clear-skied mood; ending the record as it began, on an optimistic note.
‘Out Of Step’ marks another chapter in the ongoing relationship between Life and Death co-founder DJ Tennis and Ataxia. Their connection goes back to the earliest days of the label, where they played gigs together on some of Tennis’ initial visits to Detroit. It’s a friendship that’s blossomed organically over the last decade through their shared love of punk and hardcore, and led to the fruition of one of Ataxia’s most compelling projects to date. Labels to release Ataxia’s output include legendary Detroit techno imprints Planet E and KMS, plus the seminal American house label Nervous Records. Their catalogue also includes music for Visionquest, Leftroom, 20/20 Vision and Seth Troxler’s Play It Say It.
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Ataxia - Oblivion
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Ataxia - Michaelangelos
Tracklist:
A1 Oblivion
B1 Michaelangelos
Release Info:
Having made a huge impact amid Carl Craig’s celebrated 2019 entry in Planet E's Detroit Love mix compilation series, Ataxia's anthemic ‘Oblivion’ arrives on vinyl for the first time alongside a new cut, ‘Michaelangelos’. Each track takes Ataxia’s notoriously detailed production techniques and applies them to a widescreen, enveloping template.
Constructed from rubbery basslines, wormholes of rave power and a structure that applies tension and release to killer effect, ‘Oblivion’ has continued to engross dancers since it’s digital release, transmitting an increasingly rare blend of minimal yet maximal rave pleasures.
On ‘Michaelangelos’, Ataxia further demonstrates a fluid ability to keep listeners on their toes, shuffling the deck but applying the same irresistible tricks to a rhythmic, tripping cut and the unexpected sample at its core.
Consisting of Eric Ricker and Ted Krisko, Ataxia have previously released on labels including Visionquest, 2020 Vision, Leftroom and Kevin Saunderson's KMS Recordings. They currently hold down long term residencies at the legendary Marble Bar and TV Lounge in their hometown of Detroit.
More
A1 Oblivion
B1 Michaelangelos
Release Info:
Having made a huge impact amid Carl Craig’s celebrated 2019 entry in Planet E's Detroit Love mix compilation series, Ataxia's anthemic ‘Oblivion’ arrives on vinyl for the first time alongside a new cut, ‘Michaelangelos’. Each track takes Ataxia’s notoriously detailed production techniques and applies them to a widescreen, enveloping template.
Constructed from rubbery basslines, wormholes of rave power and a structure that applies tension and release to killer effect, ‘Oblivion’ has continued to engross dancers since it’s digital release, transmitting an increasingly rare blend of minimal yet maximal rave pleasures.
On ‘Michaelangelos’, Ataxia further demonstrates a fluid ability to keep listeners on their toes, shuffling the deck but applying the same irresistible tricks to a rhythmic, tripping cut and the unexpected sample at its core.
Consisting of Eric Ricker and Ted Krisko, Ataxia have previously released on labels including Visionquest, 2020 Vision, Leftroom and Kevin Saunderson's KMS Recordings. They currently hold down long term residencies at the legendary Marble Bar and TV Lounge in their hometown of Detroit.
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ataxia - Quicksand
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ataxia - Hot Snakes
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ataxia - Texas is the Reason
Seth Troxler’s Play It Say It label opens up 2018 with another release from the highly regarded Ataxia, who serve up their third EP for the imprint. The Detroit duo impressed with their previous outings on the label, The Supertouch EP back in July 2017 and The Acid EP in 2016. Since then they have also released on Leftroom and Nervous and continued their eight year residency at prominent Detroit venue TV Lounge. Their fresh take on Motor City techno often comes with flashes of acid and makes cyber punks Ted Krisko and Eric Ricker one of the most interesting pairs in the game. Opening up the essential EP is ‘Quicksand’, an immediately arresting and busy electro track with real machine soul. The bassline bubbles and boils underneath crisp percussion and emotive keys bring a sense of tenderness. It’s a macho cut with robust drums and is sure to win over any crowd. The fresh ‘Hot Snakes’ is a deep, menacing track with dark bass gurgling beneath the airy hi hats. Frazzled synths are dystopian and brain frying, and together the whole thing takes you into hypnotic territory with an intense sense of urgency that is impossible to ignore. Last of all is the freakiest of the lot. The brilliant ‘Texas is the Reason’ has circling bass that is warped and intriguing and will own any club, while the drums drive on and trippy keys are skewed and twisted up top. It’s a truly intense record for late in the night that is sure to become a big tune. This is an expressive and varied EP full of contemporary and innovative Detroit house and techno sounds and marks another step in the Ataxia story.
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ataxia - Time Original
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ataxia - Supertouch
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ataxia - Villains
Seth Troxler’s agenda setting Play It Say It label is back with more summer heat, this time from Detroit based duo Ataxia. Hailing from Detroit, this pair has recently played the famous Movement Festival in their home city for the fifth time; work with top labels like Nervous Records and Culprit LA and have already impressed with a fine EP on Leftroom this year. Their sound is designed to get the party started, and after already releasing on this label in 2016 they are now back with three more essential tracks. Up first, the terrific ‘Time Original’ is a fluid and wriggling tech cut with busy synth lines scurrying about over driving drums. It’s dark and freaky with poised chord stabs and the whole thing cannot fail to get floors moving. Then comes ‘Supertouch’, which is a superbly slick acid number. Weird bleeps and clipped vocals add an unhinged edge to the urgent rubbery drums and the whole thing is a mind melting number that will take any set to the next level. Last of all is the vital ‘Villains’, seven inventive minutes of gurgling bass, alien sound design and wonky synth lines that all warp around each other and melt your mind as they do so. Colourful and full of character thanks to a rapped vocal line, this one is a real party anthem in the making. Across all three cuts here this talented duo really show off their wide range of studio skills in some style.
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More records from visionquest
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N/UM, Wareika - Foundation
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N/UM, Wareika - Fragments Of Five
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N/UM, Wareika - Kaizen
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N/UM, Wareika - Embrace
Visionquest returns in 2024 with a true meeting of the minds! Combining the superpowers of two world-renowned trios and resulting in a masterclass in musicality, patience, texture, and psychedelia…
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Theoretical Speed - Take Me To Bed And Mix Me Forever
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Theoretical Speed - Dusty Rugs Feat. John Camp
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Theoretical Speed - Dusty Rugs Feat. John Camp (Silverlining Swung Dub)
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Theoretical Speed - Dusty Rugs Feat. John Camp (H Foundation Remix)
Label boss and international mainstay Ryan Crosson returns for Visionquest 088 under his Theoretical Speed alias. For over two decades Crosson has been lighting up dance floors with his sets and productions, from his native Detroit to Berlin and back again.
The EP starts off hot with the aptly titled “Take Me to Bed and Mix Me Forever”. Tough analog drums break into a trademark VQ vocal with deep moving sub bass. Step and Swing is the name of the game. After an overdrive odyssey midway through, the track is polished off with beautiful, murky, submersed synths drifting in and out.
Next up is the title track, “Dusty Rugs” featuring the inimitable John Camp on keys. Lovely melodic pianos cascade into a sick bass line that perfectly bumps and swings with the percussion. As the piano irons itself out the bass twists into a new groove with a punctuating vocal stab. It perfectly serves up Detroit/Berlin magic clearly influenced by the likes of Thomas Melchior.
On the flip, the B side starts out with Silverlining’s “Swung Dub”. The UK underground veteran delivers a dope dubbed out version of the original. In this offering, the drums notch up the swing and consistency while the keys shimmer in and out of the foreground. A masterclass in restraint and depth.
H-Foundation, a duo that needs no introduction, put their signature stamp on another “Dusty Rugs” remix to round out the EP. File under infectious classic grooving dubby house. Shuffling drums bounce with underwater synth stabs in perfect syncopation, giving us a fantastic completion to another great cut of VQ wax. More
The EP starts off hot with the aptly titled “Take Me to Bed and Mix Me Forever”. Tough analog drums break into a trademark VQ vocal with deep moving sub bass. Step and Swing is the name of the game. After an overdrive odyssey midway through, the track is polished off with beautiful, murky, submersed synths drifting in and out.
Next up is the title track, “Dusty Rugs” featuring the inimitable John Camp on keys. Lovely melodic pianos cascade into a sick bass line that perfectly bumps and swings with the percussion. As the piano irons itself out the bass twists into a new groove with a punctuating vocal stab. It perfectly serves up Detroit/Berlin magic clearly influenced by the likes of Thomas Melchior.
On the flip, the B side starts out with Silverlining’s “Swung Dub”. The UK underground veteran delivers a dope dubbed out version of the original. In this offering, the drums notch up the swing and consistency while the keys shimmer in and out of the foreground. A masterclass in restraint and depth.
H-Foundation, a duo that needs no introduction, put their signature stamp on another “Dusty Rugs” remix to round out the EP. File under infectious classic grooving dubby house. Shuffling drums bounce with underwater synth stabs in perfect syncopation, giving us a fantastic completion to another great cut of VQ wax. More
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Deadbeat - The Serpent and The Jaguar
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Triptease & Yonatan Levi - Amniotic Jive
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Tuccillo - Outer Space
4
Wareika - When Will We Meet Again?
Visionquest is back for VQ X EP III their third installment of the epic acclaimed various artist anniversary series.
It kicks off with the sublime “The Serpent and the Jaguar” from a master producer who is constantly on the forefront of electronic music, Deadbeat. Perfect dubby bounce intertwines with wooden synth delays and murky deep low end to bring the listener the aural bliss he’s so well known for.
For A2, Berlin supergroup Triptease team up with frequent collaborator and highly regarded bass player Yonathan Levi on the track “Amniotic”. Robust upright bass leads the listener into a dreamy soundscape punctuated by crisp analog percussion. As the track picks up, icy keys and rolling pads move with beautiful walking bass that conjure up memories of classics like Bitches Brew.
The pace picks up on the B side with world renown house maestro Tuccillo. A long time label friend, collaborator and Ibiza stalwart. Tuccillo has been synonymous with quality for the past 20 years. Tucci comes in hot with a bumping house tune which may have come from “Outer Space”. The drums dip in and out of a breaks feel, oozing with subtle sophistication.
Rounding out the EP is the lovely “When Will We Meet Again” from the fantastic
Visionquest mainstay Wareika. Beautiful jazz steeped percussion and guitars segue into more clubby low end bringing the listener closer to the dancefloor but somehow remaining mysterious in form.
VQ087 is an amazing continuation of the boundary pushing series on a label that’s constantly moving on the cusp of modern electronic music. More
It kicks off with the sublime “The Serpent and the Jaguar” from a master producer who is constantly on the forefront of electronic music, Deadbeat. Perfect dubby bounce intertwines with wooden synth delays and murky deep low end to bring the listener the aural bliss he’s so well known for.
For A2, Berlin supergroup Triptease team up with frequent collaborator and highly regarded bass player Yonathan Levi on the track “Amniotic”. Robust upright bass leads the listener into a dreamy soundscape punctuated by crisp analog percussion. As the track picks up, icy keys and rolling pads move with beautiful walking bass that conjure up memories of classics like Bitches Brew.
The pace picks up on the B side with world renown house maestro Tuccillo. A long time label friend, collaborator and Ibiza stalwart. Tuccillo has been synonymous with quality for the past 20 years. Tucci comes in hot with a bumping house tune which may have come from “Outer Space”. The drums dip in and out of a breaks feel, oozing with subtle sophistication.
Rounding out the EP is the lovely “When Will We Meet Again” from the fantastic
Visionquest mainstay Wareika. Beautiful jazz steeped percussion and guitars segue into more clubby low end bringing the listener closer to the dancefloor but somehow remaining mysterious in form.
VQ087 is an amazing continuation of the boundary pushing series on a label that’s constantly moving on the cusp of modern electronic music. More
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Gianluca Pegoiani - One Room
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Gianluca Pegoiani - One Room (Hubble Remix)
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Gianluca Pegoiani - The Key
May 2020 sees Gianluca Pegoiani drop his Visionquest debut in the form of the "Fifth Room EP". Pegoiani has been collecting records, analog machines and hitting the clubs since the mid 90's, taking inspiration from the greats like Ricardo Villalobos, Richie Hawtin and Derrick May. He has lived all over the world and has worked as a promoter at Mazoom / Le Plaisir, Vice and Blok in Brescia, Italy. In addition to collaborating with duo Polydrum for Skream's "Of Unsound Mind" label he has also produced releases for NGtrax and Rebirth Records. The Fifth Room EP comes in hot with the fast paced A1, "One Room". Filling the space with rising and falling rhythmic sounds secured by a fat kick. Ethereal, almost choral pads emerge that give way to a skittery, chopped up vocal. In the second half of the track, the gate on the vocal opens up and the sound fills up with even more drenched pads. For the A2, Berlin staple and fellow Italian DJ and producer Hubble checks in with his take on "One Room". The remix enters with methodical kicks and shifting bass tones, as seemingly 'found sound' percussion scrapes through the dense bass. The vocal peers in from a distance as the back half of the track undulates between bass tones, vocal and metallic percussion. On the B2, "One Key", begins with reversed strings where u can almost hear the bow sliding back and forth. An indistinguishable vocal loop brings the listener back into the kick/snare and ricocheting percussion hits that bounce around the spectrum. New reversed strings jump in giving a nostalgia drenched Mediterranean vibe that somehow brings a tense energy. The tension continues to build until the end, leaving the listener excited and in anticipation for the the artists next offering. TRACK LISTING: A. One Room,, A2. One Room (Hubble Remix), B. The Key
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Triptease - Drumses III
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Triptease - Bobby Peru
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Triptease - Tony Little Something
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Triptease - Pseudomartyrs
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Triptease - Duodular
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Triptease - Lo Siento
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Triptease - Song with No Name
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Triptease - Teide featuring Greg Paulus
Triptease have steadfastly become a staple of the ever impressive Berlin electronic music scene. Comprised of four multitalented musicians, (Topper, Francesco , Jacopo and Hugo), they have become known for their marathon live performances that can sometimes reach 8 hrs in length and incorporate special guest musicians from around the world. Their home bases are the infamous Club der Visionaire and Hoppetosse, where they have honed their craft by bringing almost the entirety of their studio onto the dance floor for long range jams that contain a mixture of some prepared material and a hefty amount of total free form improvisation. Using guitars, synthesizers, drum machines, samplers and a vast array of efx pedals they create a soundscape completely fresh while retaining the signature sound of the city they call home. Their first full length LP and debut on the mighty Visionquest label perfectly displays a sound that they have crafted in diverse locations across the globe, including a week of recording in Tenerife, right under the Teide Volcano, the secret mountain of Guanche Mythology. The album title Mescaleros is, in their words, "a concept we like to use to indicate an approach to making music and art in general, inspired by spaghetti western aesthetics and 60’s lysergic emancipation put through the lens of modern technology and science fiction. We translate that approach into long improvisational jams where we try to feel music as something alive that can and must change from time to time and also within the same performance. A1. Drumses III, A2. Bobby Peru, B1. Tony Little Something, B2. Pseudomartyrs, C1. Duodular, C2. Lo Siento, D1. Song with No Name, D2. Teide featuring Greg Paulus
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DeWalta & Shannon - Artificial Turf
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DeWalta & Shannon - Courtside
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DeWalta & Shannon - Playing Field
4
DeWalta & Shannon - 22.22.4.1
Growing up in Southern Germany, DeWalta began playing french horn and taking cues from his grandfather's jazz record collection at an early age. He eventually transitioned to the saxophone and joined the esteemed Musikhachschule Hanns Eisler conservatory in Berlin. Soon after he immersed himself in electronic music, creating music for Vakant, Cynosure and his own label, Meander. Since then he has traveled the globe playing everywhere from Resolute in New York to Sunwaves in Romania. Mike Shannon hails from Ontario, but resides in Berlin and has established himself as a true pillar of the scene. A highly respected DJ and producer, he has released music on plus 8, Wagon Repair, Cynosure and a host of other top notch labels, including his own imprint, Haunt Music. Mike's impeccable DJ skills are only complimented by his ability to A&R and introduce the world to new artists. Upon meeting, the duo quickly forged a seminal production team and live act based in Berlin, which led to releasing multiple EP's. This record has that perfect Berlin bounce. That classy, sexy swing that keeps people dancing for hours.
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Lee Curtiss & Steingold - Dream Adjacent
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Lee Curtiss & Steingold - Dream Adjacent (Doc Martin's Sublevel Live Remix)
3
Lee Curtiss & Steingold - Talk
Lee Curtiss has been in the game since your mother bought her first techno record. An undeniable fixture of the scene, with a vast career that has brought him from Detroit to Berlin to LA, Curtiss has played the best festivals and clubs the world over and released on countless top labels such as Spectral, Get Physical, Wolf + Lamb, Classic Music Company and of course the label he co-runs, Visionquest. As part of that all-star crew he has released classic remixes for Tracey Thorn, David Lynch and the epic "Good Voodoo" by Kiki. Steingold grew up in Detroit listening to The Wizard, Jeff Mills on the radio and began honing his dj skills at Detroit fixtures like Alvin's, The Shelter and Motor. He moved to LA in the early 2000's, and formed Hard & Soul, during which he connected with Peanut Butter Wolf and toured with Common and Lupe Fiasco. Hard & Soul remixed Mayer Hawthorne's Tuxedo project for Stones Throw and Steingold went on to work with SPNCR and Curtiss thereafter, resulting in releases on Repopulate Mars and Soul Clap Records respectively. He currently tours all over the world with Mike D of The Beastie Boys, playing festivals ranging from Boston Calling to Primavera Festival in Barcelona. The duo start off the EP with "Dream Adjacent", which pops right in with snappy, sexy percussion and that lovely Roland descending airplane sound. The future 80's type sound is foreshadowed by a synth that sounds like it jumped out a certain old video game involving two cave men. When the synth comes back in full time it's perfectly complimented by a fat bassline and a dashing arpeggiated figure that dances around the spectrum. Add some synth strings to the mix and you've got a jam! Next up, full on legend Doc Martin turns in a remix of "Dream Adjacent". Staying true to the core base of the song, Martin jacks up the percussion, adding swirls, beeps, acid arps, a string pad and a sultry vocal that feeds into the breakdown. The EP finishes with "Talk", a bumpin' jam with a nasty bassline and a reverb and delay drenched vocal. There's plenty of space in the track, and that perfectly allows one to sop up as much of that bassline as you can get. Some reversed hats slide back and forth amongst the crispy forward pattern. A subtle, reverbed saw bass pops around the back half of the track, giving just the right amount of lift when it coincides with whooshing noise. It's a standout EP that rightly brings that future funk we all love so much
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bodj & roksi - Weird Science
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bodj & roksi - Otis
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bodj & roksi - Flowtec
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bodj & roksi - Tomodachi
For his sophomore effort with the Visionquest family, Bodj teams up with fellow Greek native and audio engineer, Roksi, to create the Weird Science EP. The four track EP starts with title track "Weird Science". The slow burner emerges with etherial pads, tight percussion and warm sub bass, as toms and a reverb drenched vocal emerges. Atonal synths pop in and squelch as the track drives forward, keeping the uptempo momentum high. A2, "Otis AX", keeps the tempo poppin', with beautiful chords dropping in, supported by a nice, round bass that bumps the pads along as synths enter and sprinkle away. The track stays bouncy with chopped arpeggiated synths, tactfully dipping their toe in the water. The B1, "Flowtec", indulges the listener in the dirtier, late night club vibe that we all enjoy so much, while minimal textures, murky vox and bleeps and synths stab in and out. Minor chord rhodes stabs pop in and out until deep pads fill out the sound in a luxurious way to finish out the track, without losing any of the steam it started with. "Tomodachi" rounds out the EP, keeping the vibes high and quick with another dope bassline. This offering stays true to the bassline and delayed chord stabs, and acts more as a bumping dj tool for the release, sure to keep the vibe going. One things for sure this standout release won't be putting anyone to bed!
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deadbeat - Boom Jack
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deadbeat - Keep On Dancing (Shaun Reeves Remix)
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deadbeat - Keep on Dancing
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deadbeat - VQ Infinity Dub
This June will see the release of Deadbeat's "Jacks and Slow Dances" EP on Visionquest Records. The EP kicks off with massive bass, big toms and cascading synths and effects that build with the "Boom Jack" vocal, until diving into a driving kick. The patient tension continues and the repeated synths rise and fall as the rhythm of the vocal becomes more frequent and more manic, sure to excite the dance floor. For the A2 Shaun Reeves' remix of "Keep On Dancing" drops a 4/4 kick on the track and adds a classic Berlin low slung bass line that bumps along with some added sub bass, while delayed keys drift across the top. It's perfect for summer sessions at Club Der Visionaire, which is a frequent haunt for both artists. The B side kicks off with the original mix of "Keep On Dancing", and sounds as though the listener is dropped into some remote jungle in the middle of the night. Monteith's beautiful and casual vocal arrives drenched in reverb while the minimal percussion accompanies his thoughts along the way. The song continues through the night as an arpeggiated bass synth leads the listener toward the 4/4 kick and the delightfully swung hi-hats that follow. The EP is rounded out by "VQ Infinity Dub, an uptempo jam that starts with his mature building of percussion and cascading synths and vocals that drive and pulsate the track forward. Foregoing the typical use of the big clap/snare, Montieth instead relies on the kick and shakers to keep the track moving and it just goes to show how effective his unique and unconventional his style can truly be.
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ryan crosson - ITYC
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ryan crosson - Janet
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ryan crosson - Favogo
Many moons and stars have passed since VisionQuest co-founder Ryan Crosson last took to the controls on his own label for a full solo trip... ‘I Hope You Will’, his first EP on the label since 2015’s ‘On The Rise’ We’d say he was making up for lost time. Except the time was never lost in the first place. Ryan’s renowned for his creatively prolific output as a DJ and producer. Continually touring and working under a variety of aliases and collaborations, and releasing on the likes of Leftroom, Nervmusic and Number 19, Ryan refuses to sit still.... Just like his music. Forever in momentum and progression. This EP sums up where he’s at and where we can potentially be. Molten grooves with open dynamic agendas where anything can happen. Each track a transition from one place to another as Crosson introduces different elements, tones and grooves. ‘ITYC’ writhes with that sexy Detroit lucidity that makes eight minutes feel like 20 seconds thanks to its strong physical hypnosis, ‘Janet’ plays the ultimate switch up as we’re suddenly jacked from heads down tunnelling foggy, grainy techno to deep breathing, rolling house music at the flick of a snare while ‘Favogo’ provides the final bubbling adieu. Primed with drums so smooth and liquified they’re almost silky, iced with lingering melodic elements so atmospheric they feel like vapours, it’s the perfect way to bring another stark, singular and personal EP to a conclusion. Rest assured he’ll be back again. Who knows how many moons will pass meanwhile...
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floog - Suprapus
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floog - Staring at the Sun
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floog - Premiza
A new year, a new VisionQuest excursion: rising Romanian Floog is our navigator for this mission and he’s coordinated a precision interstellar trip to ease us into a new season. The timing couldn’t be better. Momentum made via his debuts on the likes of Crossed Grooves and Atipic, ‘Suprapus’ is Floog’s boldest, furthest reaching EP to date as he continues to map his own name around the cosmos. ‘Suprapus’ takes the lead. Romanian for superimpose, it lives up to its title as layers weave with natural ebb and flow. The sense of timelessness is another strong superimposed weave as we’re immersed in a haze of foundation elements and a strong rolling funk while driven by future focused beatcraft and production. This theme is continued on ‘Staring At The Sun’. Another wistful piece that stares up with hope but runs with such groove hypnosis you lose any temporal senses, it’s both heads-down and shades-down as Floog rolls out into the centre of solar system. Finally ‘Premiza’ brings us back home. Darker, gruffer, trippier and relentlessly driving. There’s some serious noir magic at play on the tweaked drums, creepy arpeggios and overall sense of tension. Transition in 2019 complete, but don’t get too comfortable... Another VisionQuest excursion is awaiting imminently.
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shaun reeves & tuccillo - Shade
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shaun reeves & tuccillo - Cavernous
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shaun reeves & tuccillo - Superstitions
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shaun reeves & tuccillo - Tessera
Visionquest embark on a brand-new voyage as founding member Shaun Reeves takes the mantle once again. Reuniting with kindred spirit Tuccillo for another no-rules, boundary-blurring session, it’s their most explorative collab EP to date. Picking up where previous collaborations such as ‘Seclusions’ and ‘Smile’ left us, the lead track ‘Shade’ reminds us of the duo’s innate ability to lure you deep into their groove unwittingly. Misty, and pensive, this one’s deep coded with unmistakable Visionquest atmospherics as each element gradually unfolds. Elsewhere amid the ageless shadows we have the stark, sensual stripped-back struts of ‘Cavernous’, an uplifting piece where a restrained-yet-bumping groove is laced with garage style vocals and a sublime synth twist midway. Deeper again we strike more mystic noir…. ‘Superstitions’ rolls out over a stately 8+ minutes, building gradually with percussive hypnosis and the dark art of subtlety while ‘Tessera’ brings the EP to a close with strong levels of funk and feel good. A reference to their own collaborative project Shantu, it’s a devilish fusion of velvet android bass, evocative humanised textures and beat that draws you in but leaves more than enough room on this voyage to take in each perfectly considered and sculpted element. Enjoy the view…
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more than material - Intimate
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more than material - Godsa
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more than material - Doctor High
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more than material - Doctor High (Archie Hamilton Remix)
Fresh names to Visionquest, but certainly not new to the game; More Than Material is the promising new project between two bonafide French selector statesmen who collectively boast decades of dancefloor and studio science: Jedsa Soundorom and Gauthier DM. Launching their new alias earlier this year on Zingiber Audio, their signature has been tangible from the off; deep weighted grooves, warm dynamics and total immersion. ‘Intimate’ says it all; realising its title’s close connotations with a dubby, physical groove and a rollcall of soul rolling elements, it’s the sound of a crowd locking in en- mass. Low ceiling, heads down, lights low. ‘Godsa’ follows with similar moody momentum and another hypnotic weave. This time over much more of a stately techno noir soundscape as its persistent jack is laced with subtle acid details. Next, we hit ‘Doctor High’, an ageless deep house groove peppered with nuances of uplift, trippiness and a drum arrangement that taps deep into the foundations. Once again, the track relives its title’s implications. Finally, we sign out with a precision revision from Fuse resident Archie Hamilton who refixes the pace and density of ‘Doctor High’ with more of a driving peaktime aesthetic that remains fully respectful of the original’s weight and clarity. More Than Material by nature, spirit and name.
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merveille & crosson - ARP (Luciano Sous le Sol Remix)
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merveille & crosson - Asleep At The Wheel (Moffa x Troxler 357 Mix)
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merveille & crosson - Even Tides (Bruno Pronsato Remix)
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merveille & crosson - Nordic Bummers (Clovis Remix)
2017 saw Cesar Merveille & Ryan Crosson deliver their second long player in the shape of ‘Cerulean’, drawing on their modern classical, jazz, ambient and abstract influences to create yet another unique listen featuring collaborations with a classical pianist, trumpet, guitar and double bass players. Here we see those original parts eschewed into something entirely fresh from friends and close associates of the duo. Leading on the release is Cadenza boss Luciano’s ‘Sous Le Sol’ interpretation of ‘ARP’, which twists and turns through the hypnotic chimes and emotive piano chords of the original whilst stirring in Lucien’s signature modulating and intricately evolving rhythmic style. Following is a collaborative rework from New York’s Phil Moffa and Seth Troxler which employs ethereal synth drones and stuttering vocal cuts alongside a bumpy percussive drive and pulsating subs. Perlon’s Bruno Pronsato steps up next to remix ‘Even Tides’, delivering his typically raw and emotive style via glitched out, mind-bending percussion, elongated bass drones and cleverly reshaped cuts of the original’s cinematic elements. L.A’s Clovis then closes the package with his remix of ‘Nordic Bummers’, employing shuffled hats, lumpy subs and crunchy claps at it’s core whilst horn swells and aiy atmospherics ebb and flow throughout.
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creatures of shaun - Mind Over Matters
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creatures of shaun - Blink
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creatures of shaun - Out of Orbit
Berlin based co-founder of Visionquest Shaun Reeves has gradually carved out his unique take of raw, minimalistic house music over the years via releases on Dorian Paic’s Raum...musik, One Records, his new Shantu label alongside Tuccillo and of course his own Visionquest. Here we see him pairing up with Canadian duo Maher Daniel and Amir Javasoul who together as Creatures Of Habit have been picking up attention from the likes of Ricardo Villalobos, Zip, Raresh and Apollonia amongst others. Here marking the debut of their collaborative ‘Creatures Of Shaun’ guise the duo offer up their ‘Mind Over Matters’ EP, the title-track leads and lays down mind bending, modulating percussion and synth swirls alongside bumpy bass grooves and hypnotic atmospherics whilst stirring in a tripped-out spoken word vocal sample to further fuel the psychedelic house feel. ‘Blink’ follows and tips the focus over to resonant subs, stripped-back organic percussion and murky vocal swells, again resulting in something mesmerizing and groove-led before ‘Out Of Orbit’ reduces things even further to refined shuffled hats, minute rhythmic modulations and snaking bass flutters.
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merveille & crosson - Intro (AlmostRaw)
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merveille & crosson - AcidPal
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merveille & crosson - Even Tides
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merveille & crosson - Quadra
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merveille & crosson - ARP
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merveille & crosson - Asleep At The Wheel
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merveille & crosson - Nordic Bummers
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merveille & crosson - MCYH
Merveille & Crosson return to Visionquest this October with their second long player, entitled ‘Cerulean’ and featuring nine original compositions from the duo.
2012 saw the release of Cesar Merveille & Ryan Crosson’s critically acclaimed inaugural long player ‘DRM’, seeing the pair veer their output into abstract realms and embrace a more eclectic left on centre production style. Here five years later the pair return with their second album ‘Cerulean’, again tipping the focus over to a modern classical, jazz, ambient and abstract aesthetic, featuring collaborations with Juliard trained classical pianist Julien Quinten, No Regular Play’s Greg Paulus on trumpet, Wareika’s Henrik Raabe on guitar, Yonathan Levi on double bass, Moritz Baumgartner adding additional drum work and Berlin’s Signum Saxophone Quartet.
Across the ‘Cerulean’ project Merveille, Crosson and all involved offer up an amalgamation of sounds and styles from the freeform jazz odyssey styles of ‘Even Tides’ and ‘Nordic Bummers’ to the ethereal ambience of ‘Intro (Almost Raw)’ and ‘MCYH’ whilst subtly nodding towards their minimal roots with ‘Acid Pal’ and ‘Qaudra’. The pair also radiantly display their love for the New Age modular synth style with ‘ARP’ and ‘Life In The 80’s’ with intricately programmed, dynamic melodies throughout, all in all resulting in a truly unique and forward thinking project from an array of talents. More
2012 saw the release of Cesar Merveille & Ryan Crosson’s critically acclaimed inaugural long player ‘DRM’, seeing the pair veer their output into abstract realms and embrace a more eclectic left on centre production style. Here five years later the pair return with their second album ‘Cerulean’, again tipping the focus over to a modern classical, jazz, ambient and abstract aesthetic, featuring collaborations with Juliard trained classical pianist Julien Quinten, No Regular Play’s Greg Paulus on trumpet, Wareika’s Henrik Raabe on guitar, Yonathan Levi on double bass, Moritz Baumgartner adding additional drum work and Berlin’s Signum Saxophone Quartet.
Across the ‘Cerulean’ project Merveille, Crosson and all involved offer up an amalgamation of sounds and styles from the freeform jazz odyssey styles of ‘Even Tides’ and ‘Nordic Bummers’ to the ethereal ambience of ‘Intro (Almost Raw)’ and ‘MCYH’ whilst subtly nodding towards their minimal roots with ‘Acid Pal’ and ‘Qaudra’. The pair also radiantly display their love for the New Age modular synth style with ‘ARP’ and ‘Life In The 80’s’ with intricately programmed, dynamic melodies throughout, all in all resulting in a truly unique and forward thinking project from an array of talents. More
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alexi delano - Water Colors
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alexi delano - Alexi Delano - Water Colors (The Persuader Remix)
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alexi delano - Communicate
This September will see Visionquest return with Alexi Delano’s ‘Water Colors’ EP, accompanied by a remix from the Persuader aka Jesper Dahlba¨ck. Chilean born, Swedish raised, New York adopted and Amsterdam based producer and DJ Alexi Delano has an impressive back catalogue dating back over two decades and featuring releases on labels such as Laurent Garnier’s F Communications, Richie Hawtin & John Acquaviva’s Plus 8, Ghostly International’s Spectral Sound and M_Nus as well as Visionquest where he returns to here following his collaborative ‘The Breeze’ EP alongside label co-founder Shaun Reeves in 2013. Title-track ‘Water Colors’ opens the release, a smooth and gradually unfolding composition fuelled by an amalgamation deftly programmed multi-layered melodies which ebb and flow throughout the sturdy rhythmic foundation. Following is The Persuader’s take on ‘Water Colors’ which dubs things out to create a murky submerged feel in contrast, utilizing the original’s hypnotic melodies whilst subtly working in a rugged 303 line throughout. ‘Communicate’ then rounds out the package with a groove-led feel, bringing a squelching acid bass, hooky vocal chop and modulating synth flutters into the limelight as the shuffled dynamic drum machine workout carries things along.
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merveille & crosson - Dream State
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merveille & crosson - Guns
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merveille & crosson - Time Constraints
Long time friends Cesar Merveille and Ryan Crosson return to Visionquest to reignite their ‘Merveille & Crosson’ project in late May with three fresh, intricately programmed cuts. Visionquest boss Ryan Crosson and Parisian Cesar Merveille need no introductions, with the duo’s back catalogues featuring material on the likes of revered imprints Cadenza, Desolat, Little Helpers and MDRNTY. 2011 welcomed the introduction of their ‘Merveille & Crosson’ project, with their debut album ‘DRM’ on Visionquest gaining plaudits from industry heavyweights including Ricardo Villalobos, and after a five years absence here we see the duo return once again to deliver ‘Dream State’, a three track EP that oozes quality from the off. The A side is home to title cut ‘Dream State’, a production that tumbles and twists smoothly around meandering synths, crisp percussion shots and a bumping low ends, typical of the duos free flowing and evolving production styles. On the flip, ‘Guns’ sets to work through pitched down vocal loops, sweeping sonics and rich textures all reinforced by a driving bassline that carries plenty of groove, before ‘Time Contraints’ slowly unveils itself with a series of off-kilter gliches and pops, delicate pads and sophisticated sound arrangement, concluding yet another fluent and immersive offering from Merveille & Crosson, and an excellent addition to the Visionquest catalogue.
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