1
KX9000 - Sauce Pepe
2
KX9000 - La Locha (Feat. Cosmonection)
3
KX9000 - April (Feat. Tour-Maubourg)
4
KX9000 - Everw**day
Picture this – the light in the room has moved into the golden hour, where the sunlight sits so easy on the walls, soaking up the wooden floors, illuminating the plants, and making the crystals in the drink feel that oh-so sweet. The wavelengths that reverberate around the room flow into the sun-drenched evening sky, blue and warm to the touch, easing the mind as smiles abound on those all around the floor. All this and more can be found in the expertly curated vibe that is KX9000’s ‘The Sofa Lamp’ EP, the latest perfected atmosphere from Oath sub-label Last Year in Marienbad.
KX9000 is the primary alias of Kerim Ben Mustapha, who for a good while now has been serving up the kinds of Jazz tinged, softly undulating dance-y cuts that expertly nail the orange hues that frequent the finer moments in life, regardless of whether its the hottest dance floor or a fun-fuelled home exercusion. His previous efforts have all impressed, with a finely stuck balance found between rhythm and melodic features. Mustapha’s framework picks from a wide range of motifs, all of which touch upon a number of cornerstones within the contemporary electronic melting pot. What comes out of the process is a sound that is elegant, effortless and infectious, cutting through pre-conceived contexts and aligning itself with the mood that comes from people being together. His previous efforts cover it all – the peak time, the down times and that middle ground that simply gets things going, its dance music that is both emotionally and rhythmically intuitive, and as you dive deeper there is always more to be elaborated on and enjoyed.
‘The Sofa Lamp’ is the next serving that Mustapha has come to the surface with, and it has all the hallmarks of his established sound, but with plenty of scopes bolted on that make this a throughly well-rounded and delectable audial experience. The EP spends no time messing about, with the opener ‘Sauce Pepe’ throwing itself right into the mix, with its engrossing percussive palette doing much to get the vibrations flowing. The bass line adds weight whilst the melodic outlay that develops up top consists of jazz laden chords, snazzy horns and deep set chordal patterns, and its easy to say this will be doing the rounds come summer. ‘Locha’ arrives next, which features Cosmonection, and this one kicks the tempo up a little bit. The beat swings expertly, providing a basis for a grooving bass line to meander through the bottom ends, all the while sun-kissed chords lap over the top with such feverishness. The layers are collated and managed for maximum effectiveness, with the breaks provided allowing for those bona fide hands-in-the-air moments. ‘April’, which features man of the moment Tour Maubourg, keeps the rhythmic flavours flowing from the previous effort, with the emotive quality of the chords traveling deep into the neurons. The gorgeous lead line adds a ear worm that will last for days, and with that the key ingredients persist for an inspired dip into the dance. Last but not least, ‘Everw*day’ caps off the experience with purpose and emotional presence, with the music operating beautifully been expansive deep house notions and the rhythms of Balaeria – it does much to leave a long-lasting impression on those who encounter this collection of tunes, and we for one feel all the richer for sticking by it for these four excellent cuts.
If enriching environmental dance music is what you are after, then this is the EP for you. This EP sees KX9000 in peerless form, helped along by some inspired features that add density to proceedings and allow for the most well-rounded of experiences to prevail. If there ever was a record to soundtrack the good times, the ones where you feel at ease with your surroundings and melt into the sunlight, then this is the one for you – so go on, give it a spin. More
KX9000 is the primary alias of Kerim Ben Mustapha, who for a good while now has been serving up the kinds of Jazz tinged, softly undulating dance-y cuts that expertly nail the orange hues that frequent the finer moments in life, regardless of whether its the hottest dance floor or a fun-fuelled home exercusion. His previous efforts have all impressed, with a finely stuck balance found between rhythm and melodic features. Mustapha’s framework picks from a wide range of motifs, all of which touch upon a number of cornerstones within the contemporary electronic melting pot. What comes out of the process is a sound that is elegant, effortless and infectious, cutting through pre-conceived contexts and aligning itself with the mood that comes from people being together. His previous efforts cover it all – the peak time, the down times and that middle ground that simply gets things going, its dance music that is both emotionally and rhythmically intuitive, and as you dive deeper there is always more to be elaborated on and enjoyed.
‘The Sofa Lamp’ is the next serving that Mustapha has come to the surface with, and it has all the hallmarks of his established sound, but with plenty of scopes bolted on that make this a throughly well-rounded and delectable audial experience. The EP spends no time messing about, with the opener ‘Sauce Pepe’ throwing itself right into the mix, with its engrossing percussive palette doing much to get the vibrations flowing. The bass line adds weight whilst the melodic outlay that develops up top consists of jazz laden chords, snazzy horns and deep set chordal patterns, and its easy to say this will be doing the rounds come summer. ‘Locha’ arrives next, which features Cosmonection, and this one kicks the tempo up a little bit. The beat swings expertly, providing a basis for a grooving bass line to meander through the bottom ends, all the while sun-kissed chords lap over the top with such feverishness. The layers are collated and managed for maximum effectiveness, with the breaks provided allowing for those bona fide hands-in-the-air moments. ‘April’, which features man of the moment Tour Maubourg, keeps the rhythmic flavours flowing from the previous effort, with the emotive quality of the chords traveling deep into the neurons. The gorgeous lead line adds a ear worm that will last for days, and with that the key ingredients persist for an inspired dip into the dance. Last but not least, ‘Everw*day’ caps off the experience with purpose and emotional presence, with the music operating beautifully been expansive deep house notions and the rhythms of Balaeria – it does much to leave a long-lasting impression on those who encounter this collection of tunes, and we for one feel all the richer for sticking by it for these four excellent cuts.
If enriching environmental dance music is what you are after, then this is the EP for you. This EP sees KX9000 in peerless form, helped along by some inspired features that add density to proceedings and allow for the most well-rounded of experiences to prevail. If there ever was a record to soundtrack the good times, the ones where you feel at ease with your surroundings and melt into the sunlight, then this is the one for you – so go on, give it a spin. More
More records from KX9000
1
KX9000 - Air Dodge
2
KX9000 - Sit Back Disco
3
KX9000 - Smoking Lobby
4
KX9000 - That Jewell (Feat. Cosmonection)
Having found major success already with debut EPs on Pont Neuf, Apparel Wax or Blaq Numbers as well as the recent Parisian label’s sixth anniversary VA Hexagonal Club Vol. 3, established French talent KX9000 makes a welcome return to Pont Neuf with his Manual User EP. The eclectic four-tracker features fellow countryman Cosmonection on the final track, showcasing modern French dance music at its best.
Drawing inspiration from disco funk, Chicago house, city pop, broken-beat and more, Franco- Tunisian talent KX9000 embodies the new wave of French dance music producers. A regular of Pont Neuf, Mixmag described him as “one of the most remarkable of his generation”, a testament to his keen-ear for production. Now, his Manual User EP represents an amalgamation of all the sounds close to his heart, resulting in a body of work that showcases the inherent diversity of France’s thriving electronic music scene. More
Drawing inspiration from disco funk, Chicago house, city pop, broken-beat and more, Franco- Tunisian talent KX9000 embodies the new wave of French dance music producers. A regular of Pont Neuf, Mixmag described him as “one of the most remarkable of his generation”, a testament to his keen-ear for production. Now, his Manual User EP represents an amalgamation of all the sounds close to his heart, resulting in a body of work that showcases the inherent diversity of France’s thriving electronic music scene. More
More records from Last Year At Marienbad
1
Sam Paradise - The Way We Flow
2
Nu-Cleo - De Nuit (3 A.M.)
3
Gloved Hands - She Wrote
4
Rick Wade - Hard Deep
The wax is hot. The tunes are massive. Oath’s sub-label, Last Year at Marienbad, dispenses a foursome of punchy house tracks for its fifth release, lovingly crafted by some of the genre’s finest producers.
‘The Way We Flow’ by Sam Paradise pairs detuned, lo-fi samples with thumping kicks, and muffled drums. Just when those innocent lo-fi elements simmer, the drums slam back into your periphery harder than ever, making for an absolute dancefloor smasher.
‘De Nuit (3 A.M)’ by Nu-Cleo descends deeper. Swinging drums and chocolatey, indulgent keys lay the basis for a hypnotic acid bassline. Real tension builder.
Flipping over to the B-Side – careful, it’s hot – is ‘She Wrote’ by Gloved Hands. Seemingly just a ride through a well-made bouncing synth and house groove combo at first, this track soon shows off Gloved Hands’ knack for leftfield flavours. There’s an unexpected trap-esque vocal that gets re-contextualised for the club alongside piercing synths and a bulging broken beat.
‘Hard Deep’ by Rick Wade is an obvious one. The stalwart of the house scene serves up another of his zesty, masterful grooves. Shimmering, effortless keys steer a tight drum groove while a subtle bassline nestles between the kick’s low end.
Four cuts from four house experts. Is there much more a dancefloor could ask for? More
‘The Way We Flow’ by Sam Paradise pairs detuned, lo-fi samples with thumping kicks, and muffled drums. Just when those innocent lo-fi elements simmer, the drums slam back into your periphery harder than ever, making for an absolute dancefloor smasher.
‘De Nuit (3 A.M)’ by Nu-Cleo descends deeper. Swinging drums and chocolatey, indulgent keys lay the basis for a hypnotic acid bassline. Real tension builder.
Flipping over to the B-Side – careful, it’s hot – is ‘She Wrote’ by Gloved Hands. Seemingly just a ride through a well-made bouncing synth and house groove combo at first, this track soon shows off Gloved Hands’ knack for leftfield flavours. There’s an unexpected trap-esque vocal that gets re-contextualised for the club alongside piercing synths and a bulging broken beat.
‘Hard Deep’ by Rick Wade is an obvious one. The stalwart of the house scene serves up another of his zesty, masterful grooves. Shimmering, effortless keys steer a tight drum groove while a subtle bassline nestles between the kick’s low end.
Four cuts from four house experts. Is there much more a dancefloor could ask for? More
1
Ben Hauke - Make Up Break Up Bench
2
Ben Hauke - Watch Me Now
3
Ben Hauke - First Snow
4
Ben Hauke - Forever Me
5
Ben Hauke - Save The Date
6
Ben Hauke - Let's Move On Bro
As we stumble into 2023, Oath sub-label Last Year At Marienbad stands tall with this wondrous new mini-album from the multi-faceted and talented Ben Hauke, with a collection of tracks that make the head turn and the soul yearn.
Ever since his debut back in 2013, Hauke has been chasing a sound that is fed into from multiple angles and reference points, so much so that it feels like he has been making music over the course of many lifetimes. Hauke operates within that contemporary House realm where the genre is broken down and reconstructed within differing images, but there is a continuity that threads it all together, a deep mystifying presence that knits skylight emotions with superb drumming patterns. His craft as such feels elastic and boundless, leaving the listener finding all they could ever wish for and more with every release, the flow from one record to the next only bounding people more to his effortless emotive breeze. There’s a haziness to his work that persists within the sampled feel of many elements within his tunes, which provide an earthiness to proceedings and provide vitality in all its forms. So much has been covered within his soundscape yet there is always room for growth, such as Hauke’s vision and his control over how his sound will develop and morph. He has released on a wide variety of labels, including Far Out, Church, Hear Other Sounds, Melodica, Co-Operation Recordings, and YAM. The founding of WOOP records would go on to see Hauke further experiment with his style, with UK Garage, Jungle, and Breakbeat all making an appearance on this wonderful series of wax releases which only further Hauke as a go-to producer for keeping you on your toes and for taking you deep within the dance.
It only makes sense for Hauke to release his latest masterclass via the one and only Last Year In Marienbad, which has blessed us with two excellent records from Retromigration and Jesse Bru thus far, with ‘Save The Date’ acting as yet another impressive step forward for both the imprint and Hauke. The record is, as always, seeped in dynamic boundary defying moods and breezy, steppin grooves, moving easily from club floors through to sun kissed walks and deep hued evenings. There’s the broken beat masterclasses in the form of ‘Make Up Break Up Bench’ and ‘Let’s Move On Bro’, both of which contain swings that could move mountains and a sombre yet uplifting top layer of keys and flutes which really tie into that sampled feel we know and adore Hauke for. Then there’s the upbeat house numbers, and they really are something – from the fast talking ‘Watch Me Now’, with its gorgeous filtered melodic lines and evocative vocal elements, through to the 90s leaning ‘Forever Me’ with its electronic Sax taking centre stage as we welcome the morning light, through to the title track and its driving wobbles and emphatic piano lines, there is much to be said about the spaces that can be inhabited within and around these tracks. There’s even time for a break halfway through, with the sub-1 minute ‘First Snow’ showcasing Hauke’s love of Hip Hop , and within a sea of energized grooves its joyous to be provided with a differing side to the story, recharge if you will.
Ben Hauke has really harnessed a particular something during his career to date, and it is no surprise that he continues to push out top-quality recordings that feel very much in his own image, and for us ‘Save The Date’ feels like his most complete and accomplished release to date, and that is saying something when compared to the quality he has provided us with before. Heart-inducing, pulse-setting, all bound within a easygoing atmosphere that washes away the fears and sets the mind on a brighter path – a path we are so very willing to traverse. So why not take a gander and be whisked away on a sea of only the finest House laden Vibrations – Mr. Hauke has you covered….. More
Ever since his debut back in 2013, Hauke has been chasing a sound that is fed into from multiple angles and reference points, so much so that it feels like he has been making music over the course of many lifetimes. Hauke operates within that contemporary House realm where the genre is broken down and reconstructed within differing images, but there is a continuity that threads it all together, a deep mystifying presence that knits skylight emotions with superb drumming patterns. His craft as such feels elastic and boundless, leaving the listener finding all they could ever wish for and more with every release, the flow from one record to the next only bounding people more to his effortless emotive breeze. There’s a haziness to his work that persists within the sampled feel of many elements within his tunes, which provide an earthiness to proceedings and provide vitality in all its forms. So much has been covered within his soundscape yet there is always room for growth, such as Hauke’s vision and his control over how his sound will develop and morph. He has released on a wide variety of labels, including Far Out, Church, Hear Other Sounds, Melodica, Co-Operation Recordings, and YAM. The founding of WOOP records would go on to see Hauke further experiment with his style, with UK Garage, Jungle, and Breakbeat all making an appearance on this wonderful series of wax releases which only further Hauke as a go-to producer for keeping you on your toes and for taking you deep within the dance.
It only makes sense for Hauke to release his latest masterclass via the one and only Last Year In Marienbad, which has blessed us with two excellent records from Retromigration and Jesse Bru thus far, with ‘Save The Date’ acting as yet another impressive step forward for both the imprint and Hauke. The record is, as always, seeped in dynamic boundary defying moods and breezy, steppin grooves, moving easily from club floors through to sun kissed walks and deep hued evenings. There’s the broken beat masterclasses in the form of ‘Make Up Break Up Bench’ and ‘Let’s Move On Bro’, both of which contain swings that could move mountains and a sombre yet uplifting top layer of keys and flutes which really tie into that sampled feel we know and adore Hauke for. Then there’s the upbeat house numbers, and they really are something – from the fast talking ‘Watch Me Now’, with its gorgeous filtered melodic lines and evocative vocal elements, through to the 90s leaning ‘Forever Me’ with its electronic Sax taking centre stage as we welcome the morning light, through to the title track and its driving wobbles and emphatic piano lines, there is much to be said about the spaces that can be inhabited within and around these tracks. There’s even time for a break halfway through, with the sub-1 minute ‘First Snow’ showcasing Hauke’s love of Hip Hop , and within a sea of energized grooves its joyous to be provided with a differing side to the story, recharge if you will.
Ben Hauke has really harnessed a particular something during his career to date, and it is no surprise that he continues to push out top-quality recordings that feel very much in his own image, and for us ‘Save The Date’ feels like his most complete and accomplished release to date, and that is saying something when compared to the quality he has provided us with before. Heart-inducing, pulse-setting, all bound within a easygoing atmosphere that washes away the fears and sets the mind on a brighter path – a path we are so very willing to traverse. So why not take a gander and be whisked away on a sea of only the finest House laden Vibrations – Mr. Hauke has you covered….. More