Rounding up a year which saw crucial releases from Iron Curtis and Quarion, "Can't Help It" is the long awaited return of sample wizards Session Victim to the ep format. This Retreat 3-tracker is a profound, subtle and quite melancholic affair, perfect for those emotional moments in the early morning. Skillfully arranged and featuring the impeccable playing of Linnart Ebel, "Can't Help It" is once again an essential statement from one of House Music's most fascinating duo. "Pass The Diesel" begins with a stuttering beat, seagulllike noises and muted chords that wouldn't be out of place on a vintage Group Home instrumental. Staying on the aquatic tip, Session Victim introduce a beautiful rhodes sequence which takes the track into a dream-like - dare we say californian? - direction. Spiced up with gentle synth noodlings, ethereal vocal snippets and a magical strings motive, "Pass The Diesel" bathes in the deeper shades of House without ever drowning in a cliché, thanks to its snapping drums and vivid arrangement. Slowing things down a notch, "Hyuwee" starts off with what is maybe the most unconventional instrument in Session Victim's repertoire, the banjo! But the fear of witnessing these down-to-earth-boys actually becoming the boys-down-south vanishes after 30 seconds: a melancholic 3-Chord theme, snappy 808 patterns and funky drum fills lead the tune in a familiar (but vast) territory. Linnart Ebel's talent is put to great use with subtle guitar licks that give a lively feel to the whole song. You will notice that Session Victim have labeled "Hyuwee" as an "instrumental".
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More records from session victim
1
Bellaire - Daytime (Session Victim Remix)
2
Sweatson Klank - The Road To Love (Session Victim Remix)
Two certified club bangers finally available on wax, super lmtd. Edition!
Finally two highly acclaimed Session Victim Remixes for high profile artists Bellaire and Sweatson Klank are being released on vinyl for the first and only time.
A1 - Bellaire - Daytime (Session Victim Remix)
B1 - Sweatson Klank - The Road To Love (Session Victim Remix)
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Finally two highly acclaimed Session Victim Remixes for high profile artists Bellaire and Sweatson Klank are being released on vinyl for the first and only time.
A1 - Bellaire - Daytime (Session Victim Remix)
B1 - Sweatson Klank - The Road To Love (Session Victim Remix)
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1
Session Victim - Screen Off ft. Ras Stimulant
2
Session Victim - Screen Off ft. Ras Stimulant (Acapella)
3
Session Victim - Light The Way
4
Session Victim - Light The Way (Iron Curtis Illuminati Mix)
5
Session Victim - Light The Way (Iron Curtis Reprise)
Session Victim need little by way of introduction having been releasing on Delusions consistently for the last 10 years and becoming the undisputed poster boys for the label in the process. Despite their regular appearance however, it’s always a real treat to announce a new record from the German duo and we have to say, the Screen Off EP may well find them in their finest form to date! Coming hot off their latest downtempo LP entitled Low Key, Low Pressure for Night Time Stories, you can tell Hauke and Matthias were ready to take things back to the dance-floor and have delivered an EP which looks set to become a future classic and no doubt big in the box of discerning DJ’s the world over. Screen Off is really it’s own thing, living somewhere on the long and winding road between the Bar Kays and the Bad Brains, suffice to say that what it lacks in easily definable attributes it makes up for in sheer energy and raw attitude. Hauke and Matthias re-invite Jamaican poet and vocalist Ras Stimulant, who contemplates our screen addictions and urges us to disconnect and be present in the moment. Matthias’ rolling bassline provides the backbone, whilst hints of crunchy Moog and chopped guitar samples all bring a sense of urgency to the track. Light The Way acts as an antidote, bringing a sense of calm melancholia in contrast to the title track’s low-end, funked-up fervour. A soft focus and almost distant drum groove draws us in whilst arpeggiating synths add a sense of optimism, reinforcing the tracks title. Closing out the release we have Session Victim’s studio partner, good friend and all-round top producer Iron Curtis in for a remix of Light The Way. Johannes takes an interesting approach for his Illuminati interpretation, enhancing the breakbeat feel and mixing up chopped samples with classic 808 drums. A muscular bassline adds extra weight to his remix but without losing the subtle musicality and positive vibe of the original. Being the vinyl purists they are, Session Victim and Iron Curtis top up the physical 12“ EP with the exclusive Screen Off Acapella and an additional Iron Curtis Remix Reprise.
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This June Session Victim return to Jimpster's ' Delusions Of Grandeur' imprint with a third studio album. 'Listen To Your Heart' is the result of a year of cross-continental scripting, started in their Hamburg studio and wrapped up stateside in San Francisco's Room G Studios where the duo had worked on their 2014 LP 'See you When You Get There'. Sampling still remains an ever present backbone throughout the album. Session Victim have dug deep for sounds, resulting in a richly detailed and organic sound collage that goes hand-in-hand with their live instrumentation, this time enhanced through several guest musician appearances, most notably Carsten "Erobique" Meyer (ex-International Pony). Smooth guitar samples are built up on 'Over and Over' while on 'Moons & Flowers' the live instrumentals that Session Victim do so well come to the fore. The treasure trove of San Francisco's record shops proved to be a hard bait to resist and the pair spent a large part of their Californian time hunting for records to sample. Three new tracks emerged from these digging sessions, with the sweeping disco string arrangements on 'Shadows' standing out as a prime ode to days spent combing through bargain bins. Listen To Your Heart is equally a product of the road. While heavy touring is often cited as a hindrance to the creativity of artists, Session Victim see their live shows as a catalyst to their creativity. Two US tours in 2016 gave the Hamburg duo the opportunity to take track sketches and fragments on the road to incorporate into their live shows and then digest them back in the studio. The playful funk soaked groove of 'Matching Half' captures the sense of movement present throughout Listen To Your Heart and the LP mix of 'Up To Rise', which caused heavy ripples when it dropped as part of 2016's Matching Half EP is an extension of the upbeat and euphoric groove that permeates the album.
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Session Victim’s 5th studio album ‘LOW KEY, LOW PRESSURE’ feels like an anathema to today’s fast paced, industry driven musical landscape – and for all the right reasons.
Having released two intense, dancefloor-focused 12“s on Rhythm Section and Delusions Of Grandeur over the past year, their return to NIGHT TIME STORIES brings out their trippy, headsy side once again.
And despite the pandemic downtime being over, Hauke and Matthias remain holed up in the studio, jamming, head nodding to drum breaks and churning out records like the one in front of you.
Spanning 10 tunes – 12 if you count the limited bonus 7“ that comes with the first pressing – the LP is undiluted Session Victim, with their occasional trio partner Carsten “Erobique“ Meyer as the sole musical guest on the library-esque SOFT LANDING, a tune reminiscent of something the boys would try to hunt down on one of their compulsive record store rummages to feed it to their Akais.
You’ll also find the sequel to one of their cornerstone tracks from their 2020 album NEEDLEDROP, Jazzbeat 07. (It’s JAZZBEAT 08, in case you were wondering.)
Having acquired a taste for the occasional cover version over the years, the duo closes the album out with their rendition of Instra:mental’s PHOTOGRAPH. Tackling such a classic is a daunting task which they approach in a gentle way, not swaying too far from the original, subtly reimagining the rhythmical foundation and exchanging the distinctive playground sounds from the original with field recordings of the locals populating the gritty area around their Neukölln studio.
Being long time fans of Swedish organ player Bo Hansson, Hauke and Matthias tried to reach out to the people responsible for his cover artwork - who today are in their late 80ies and have not answered ever since. Things came together in the most fortunate way when the pair were introduced to French artist Xavier d’espinay Saint Luc and his enchanting pencil wizardry. The outstanding result is what you’re holding in your hands right now.
But what do you really need to know? This is ‘low key, low pressure’. It’s got pristine drum chops to zoom in, hazy melodies to zone out, and all the texture you need to lose yourself in the details.
Including download codes for the unmixed tracks and original DJ mix in MP3 / FLAC / WAV formats.
- For fans of: DJ Shadow, AIR, HNNY, Cinematic Orchestra and RJD2
Tracklisting:
a1 enlightenment
a2 soft landing
a3 jazzbeat 08
a4 the hidden trail
a5 porchless
b1 mycelium dub
b2 walk in the park
b3 assembler
b4 one trick ponies
b5 photograph More
Having released two intense, dancefloor-focused 12“s on Rhythm Section and Delusions Of Grandeur over the past year, their return to NIGHT TIME STORIES brings out their trippy, headsy side once again.
And despite the pandemic downtime being over, Hauke and Matthias remain holed up in the studio, jamming, head nodding to drum breaks and churning out records like the one in front of you.
Spanning 10 tunes – 12 if you count the limited bonus 7“ that comes with the first pressing – the LP is undiluted Session Victim, with their occasional trio partner Carsten “Erobique“ Meyer as the sole musical guest on the library-esque SOFT LANDING, a tune reminiscent of something the boys would try to hunt down on one of their compulsive record store rummages to feed it to their Akais.
You’ll also find the sequel to one of their cornerstone tracks from their 2020 album NEEDLEDROP, Jazzbeat 07. (It’s JAZZBEAT 08, in case you were wondering.)
Having acquired a taste for the occasional cover version over the years, the duo closes the album out with their rendition of Instra:mental’s PHOTOGRAPH. Tackling such a classic is a daunting task which they approach in a gentle way, not swaying too far from the original, subtly reimagining the rhythmical foundation and exchanging the distinctive playground sounds from the original with field recordings of the locals populating the gritty area around their Neukölln studio.
Being long time fans of Swedish organ player Bo Hansson, Hauke and Matthias tried to reach out to the people responsible for his cover artwork - who today are in their late 80ies and have not answered ever since. Things came together in the most fortunate way when the pair were introduced to French artist Xavier d’espinay Saint Luc and his enchanting pencil wizardry. The outstanding result is what you’re holding in your hands right now.
But what do you really need to know? This is ‘low key, low pressure’. It’s got pristine drum chops to zoom in, hazy melodies to zone out, and all the texture you need to lose yourself in the details.
Including download codes for the unmixed tracks and original DJ mix in MP3 / FLAC / WAV formats.
- For fans of: DJ Shadow, AIR, HNNY, Cinematic Orchestra and RJD2
Tracklisting:
a1 enlightenment
a2 soft landing
a3 jazzbeat 08
a4 the hidden trail
a5 porchless
b1 mycelium dub
b2 walk in the park
b3 assembler
b4 one trick ponies
b5 photograph More
1
Session Victim - Trying To Make It Home
2
Session Victim - In And Out
3
Session Victim - Orbits Of Dust
4
Session Victim - A.M. Continental
5
Session Victim - SFC (Hommage Mix)
Repress!
“Session Victim debut on Rhythm Section Intl with an EP of understated but highly effective jazzy house rollers“
Having cemented themselves as firm favourites on the Rhythm Section dance-floor over the years, the German duo step forward to present their debut EP on the South London label: “ Basic Instinct”.
Known for their unparalleled energy when performing live or DJing, Hauke and Matthias fly the flag for sample based, soulful house music and a commitment to the art of vinyl DJing. With the never- ending search for the perfect beat at the core of what they do, it was no surprise they found a deep affinity with Rhythm Section INTL over years of playing for each other, jamming in the studio and crossing paths at festivals and airports around the world. In short, this record was an inevitable culmination of two passionate, like minded groups, a match made in Heaven and a long time coming!
Despite hailing from the techno meccas of Berlin and Hamburg, Session Victim are direct descendants of the German Jazzy House masters, tracing inspiration from the likes of Jazzanova, Soulphiction & Compost Records - the likes of which have gone on to inspire a renaissance of this more soulful sound in German clubs, spearheaded by labels like Tartelet and Toy Tonics - the latter of which the duo recently released an EP with.
This latest effort on Rhythm Section INTL is a masterclass in restraint, demonstrating a deep understanding of dancefloor dynamics, putting the maxim ‘less is more’ to great effect. The
opening track, ‘Trying To Make it Home’ is the most immediately engaging cut: a double bass riff drives along a Kerri Chandler-esque filtered piano pattern which gives way to a soaring Gospel
Vocal , allowing the groove to take control as flutes, strings and occasional guitar licks meander in and out of the mix to create a real ‘heads down, arms up’ moment for the dancefloor. More
“Session Victim debut on Rhythm Section Intl with an EP of understated but highly effective jazzy house rollers“
Having cemented themselves as firm favourites on the Rhythm Section dance-floor over the years, the German duo step forward to present their debut EP on the South London label: “ Basic Instinct”.
Known for their unparalleled energy when performing live or DJing, Hauke and Matthias fly the flag for sample based, soulful house music and a commitment to the art of vinyl DJing. With the never- ending search for the perfect beat at the core of what they do, it was no surprise they found a deep affinity with Rhythm Section INTL over years of playing for each other, jamming in the studio and crossing paths at festivals and airports around the world. In short, this record was an inevitable culmination of two passionate, like minded groups, a match made in Heaven and a long time coming!
Despite hailing from the techno meccas of Berlin and Hamburg, Session Victim are direct descendants of the German Jazzy House masters, tracing inspiration from the likes of Jazzanova, Soulphiction & Compost Records - the likes of which have gone on to inspire a renaissance of this more soulful sound in German clubs, spearheaded by labels like Tartelet and Toy Tonics - the latter of which the duo recently released an EP with.
This latest effort on Rhythm Section INTL is a masterclass in restraint, demonstrating a deep understanding of dancefloor dynamics, putting the maxim ‘less is more’ to great effect. The
opening track, ‘Trying To Make it Home’ is the most immediately engaging cut: a double bass riff drives along a Kerri Chandler-esque filtered piano pattern which gives way to a soaring Gospel
Vocal , allowing the groove to take control as flutes, strings and occasional guitar licks meander in and out of the mix to create a real ‘heads down, arms up’ moment for the dancefloor. More
1
Session Victim - Motivation (With Ras Stimulant)
2
Session Victim - Dromedary Twist
3
Session Victim - Green Run
Time to welcome Session Victim back to Delusions Of Grandeur following some heavyweight releases on Toytonics and Rhythm Section International. The German duo show absolutely no signs of slowing down continuing to impress with their unique sound which combines organic live elements, fat, floor-filling beats and a deep, musical approach. Here on The Intangibles EP we’re treated to three original tracks spanning high energy jazz disco meets techno, soulful uplifting house and downtempo blunted beats. Opener Motivation features spoken word from Ras Stimulant backed by urgent looping Rhodes stabs and an uptempo disco groove. An instant Session Victim dance-floor shaker if ever there was one, the energy cranked up to the maximum without losing sight of that all important groove. Next up we have Dromedary Twist which keeps up the pace but goes deeper on the jazzy organ chords and lays down a heavy syncopated bass- line which ensures the funk factor remains present and correct. Rounding out the EP in fine style, Green Run drops the BPM’s as we head into lazy, hazy, blissed-out jazzed-up beats territory. Lush strings and layers of analogue synths come together on this simple yet enchanting little tune which compliments the other tracks perfectly and will appeal to fans of SV’s more home-listening output from their 2020 LP Needledrop.
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Session Victim - A1 Chunky Dip (5:54)
2
Session Victim - A2 MPFree Now (4:13)
3
Session Victim - B1 Hide And Seek (5:10)
4
Session Victim - B2 House In The Hills (4:28)
Tracklist 12":
A1 Chunky Dip (5:54)
A2 MPFree Now (4:13)
B1 Hide And Seek (5:10)
B2 House In The Hills (4:28)
Release Info:
Lets hear the German duo explain this record themselves:
This is an EP with four very different tracks and we really mean all of them. None here feels like everybody's darling but they all do make us feel something, and that is what we strife for, always. The tracks have all been made by just the two of us completely being in the zone, except for House In The Hills, that started as a wonderful jam at our friend Tx‘s place in late 2019, together with him and Jamie Lloyd. We basically hung out for two days straight with nothing but the best people, great food and all the music - happy days as one might guess.
The Toy Tonics crew has been in touch ever since we remixed a song for Kapote, and the idea of doing an EP together had and been tossed around for a while already. We've been digging their musical approach all along and we're happy to get the chance to contribute a small piece to their story. When the pandemic hit, we were fortunate to have our friend Iron Curtis letting us move into his studio, as we had just lost our beloved place in Hamburg - so guess what we did for the most part of 2020? Exactly. We have always been spending most of our time together cooking beats, but probably never as much as over the last year. So has it been 10.000 hours by now? We don’t know but we’re certainly working on it.
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A1 Chunky Dip (5:54)
A2 MPFree Now (4:13)
B1 Hide And Seek (5:10)
B2 House In The Hills (4:28)
Release Info:
Lets hear the German duo explain this record themselves:
This is an EP with four very different tracks and we really mean all of them. None here feels like everybody's darling but they all do make us feel something, and that is what we strife for, always. The tracks have all been made by just the two of us completely being in the zone, except for House In The Hills, that started as a wonderful jam at our friend Tx‘s place in late 2019, together with him and Jamie Lloyd. We basically hung out for two days straight with nothing but the best people, great food and all the music - happy days as one might guess.
The Toy Tonics crew has been in touch ever since we remixed a song for Kapote, and the idea of doing an EP together had and been tossed around for a while already. We've been digging their musical approach all along and we're happy to get the chance to contribute a small piece to their story. When the pandemic hit, we were fortunate to have our friend Iron Curtis letting us move into his studio, as we had just lost our beloved place in Hamburg - so guess what we did for the most part of 2020? Exactly. We have always been spending most of our time together cooking beats, but probably never as much as over the last year. So has it been 10.000 hours by now? We don’t know but we’re certainly working on it.
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1
Session Victim - Two Crowns
2
Session Victim - Guidance
3
Session Victim - Village Youth
Session Victim have become something of a phenomenon since their inception a little over 12 years ago. They bring a sense of fun and unrivalled energy to their live shows and DJ sets which instantly connects with any crowd in front of them and their charming disregard for musical boundaries ensures that you never know quite what to expect or where they’re heading next. When not feeding their addiction to pinball machines, the duo of Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling are constantly creating, keeping things fresh by forming labels such as Retreat run by Hauke and Quarion, Pen & Paper run by the duo themselves and Hauke’s new baby Save The Books. Last year’s Needledrop LP for Night Time Stories saw them step away from the dance floor and head into deep, downtempo mode to great effect, and now we’re proud to welcome Session Victim back to Delusions Of Grandeur for the release of Two Crowns which sees them edging back towards clubbier sounds, albeit with their trademark live instrumentation and highly musical approach. The EP gives us three original tracks which move smoothly from the low-slung funky wobble of the title track with it’s stabbing analogue synths and house not house live drum groove, through to the lush, expansive sounds of Village Youth. Once again, Session Victim have created a collection of tracks which give us a sense of nostalgia for early 90’s Fila Brazilia/Solid Doctor records on the influential Porky label. A world where trippy spoken word samples, cut up breakbeats, deep pads and sine wave basslines live in perfect harmony and a sense of optimism flows through every note. Let’s face it, we can all do with some of that right now!
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A1 Needledrop (Laurence Guy Remix)
A2 Still High (Jackmate's Juke Rework)
B1 Isle of Taste (Patrice Scott Remix)
B2 Jazzbeat 7 (Dday One Remix)
B3 No Sky, Blue Sound (Panoram Rework)
Expanding upon their recently released album Needledrop, which has
received support from the likes of CRACK, Dummy, Mixmag, DJ Mag,
Resident Advisor, XLR8R and more, the Remixed EP invites some of the
pairs favourite artists for a deeper exploration of the album.
With a blend of jazz, electronic and downtempo, each of the remixers
instill their own production styles to reimagine one of underground
music’s most intriguing and genre-crossing acts into a new listening
experience. From Laurence Guy’s melodic yet driving remix of
‘Needledrop’, to Jackmate’s transformation of ‘Still High’ into 5-minute,
experimental rework, the ‘Needledrop’ remix EP continues to reaffirm
the original album as Session Victim’s most eclectic LP to date.
Patrice Scott 90’s influenced take on ‘Isle Of Taste’ is a longer and more
contemporary offering, whilst Dday One’s remix of ‘Jazz Beat’ adds a
sinuous saxophone solo to fully embrace the experimental spirit of the
original. The neo-jazz feel of ‘No Sky, Blue Sound’ is flipped to a slower
tempo by Panoram, yet retains the explorative guitar solo heard on the
album. More
A2 Still High (Jackmate's Juke Rework)
B1 Isle of Taste (Patrice Scott Remix)
B2 Jazzbeat 7 (Dday One Remix)
B3 No Sky, Blue Sound (Panoram Rework)
Expanding upon their recently released album Needledrop, which has
received support from the likes of CRACK, Dummy, Mixmag, DJ Mag,
Resident Advisor, XLR8R and more, the Remixed EP invites some of the
pairs favourite artists for a deeper exploration of the album.
With a blend of jazz, electronic and downtempo, each of the remixers
instill their own production styles to reimagine one of underground
music’s most intriguing and genre-crossing acts into a new listening
experience. From Laurence Guy’s melodic yet driving remix of
‘Needledrop’, to Jackmate’s transformation of ‘Still High’ into 5-minute,
experimental rework, the ‘Needledrop’ remix EP continues to reaffirm
the original album as Session Victim’s most eclectic LP to date.
Patrice Scott 90’s influenced take on ‘Isle Of Taste’ is a longer and more
contemporary offering, whilst Dday One’s remix of ‘Jazz Beat’ adds a
sinuous saxophone solo to fully embrace the experimental spirit of the
original. The neo-jazz feel of ‘No Sky, Blue Sound’ is flipped to a slower
tempo by Panoram, yet retains the explorative guitar solo heard on the
album. More
The 11-track album titled “Needledrop” provides a suite of both uplifting and easy-listening moments, refined and understated individually yet cohesively crafted with the honest musicianship and inarguable credentials that we know of production duo Session Victim.
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session victim - Almost Midnight
2
session victim - Castle For Sale
3
session victim - Head Over Heels
4
session victim - Thermal Explorer
This June Session Victim returned to Delusions Of Grandeur imprint with their third studio album.Listen To Your Heart is the result of a year of cross-continental scripting, started in their Hamburg studio and wrapped up stateside in San Francisco’s Room G Studios where the duo had worked on their 2014 LP See You When You Get There. Here we present the third of three LP samplers containing four tracks each, cut nice and loud for the vinyl crew. We kick things off with Almost Midnight, another uplifting summer jam loaded with trademark Session Victim energy and positive vibrations. Next up we have Castle For Sale which drops the bpm’s for a dub influenced, spaced out jam session sounding like King Tubby and Nightmares On Wax getting stuck in the proverbial lift with a large bong for company. Flipping over we have a Head Over Heels, which goes heavy on the lush orchestral strings and a brilliant bouncing Moog bassline bringing a deft touch. Finally we’re treated to Thermal Explorer, which incorporates some wonderful Larry Heard-esque keyboards for a perfect wind-down track to close the release. An impeccable demonstration of retro-inspired yet forward thinking house and downtempo music,Listen To Your Heartsees Session Victim at the top of their game.
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session victim - Shadows
2
session victim - Unchained
3
session victim - Up To Rise
4
session victim - Over And Over
This June Session Victim return to Delusions Of Grandeur imprint with their third studio album. Listen To Your Heart is the result of a year of cross-continental scripting, started in their Hamburg studio and wrapped up stateside in San Francisco’s Room G Studios where the duo had worked on their 2014 LP See You When You Get There. Here we present the second of three LP samplers containing four tracks each, cut nice and loud for the vinyl crew. Shadows gets things rolling with a classic Session Victim housey groove, looped up pads and hooky spoken vocal samples. Filtered string stabs bring a warm and soulful edge whilst dub delay touches add a floaty element to get lost in. Next up we have Unchained which drops the bpm’s for a widescreen, slo-mo jam clouded in a smokey haze with jazzy touches, recalling the halcyon days of Pork Recordings. Flipping over we have a brand new LP version of previous single Up To Rise, another sublime slice of blissed-out house music with a wonderful organic and live sound palette. Echoing Rhodes licks join the lead guitar tune for a Balearic beauty which will be stuck in your head long after the sun sets. Closing this second sampler we have Over And Over, which winds things down somewhat for an inspired, bass-led roller. An impeccable demonstration of retro-inspired yet forward thinking house and downtempo music, Listen To Your Heart sees Session Victim at the top of their game.
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More records from retreat
Your favourite vinyl-only label kicks off its 2012 discography with another episode of the Treats saga! If the previous volume were associated with straightup dancefloor goodies, Number 4 is more focused on musicianship as Session Victim, The Hints (Quarion & Jules Etienne) and Iron Curtis & Leaves pick up the instruments to compose 3 songs drenched in Funk and Soul with an undeniable 21st century House feeling! Fresh off their acclaimed The Haunted House Of House album, Session Victim fire up the ep with something that seldom occurs nowadays: the cover of a modern Dance classic! Originally released on Deeply Rooted House by the enigmatic Rootstrax, Harlequin has already achieved mythical status thanks to its amazing bassline. Clocking in at almost eight minutes, svm's version is a proper Funk workout that begins with rhodes chords, percussion, guitar melodies and saxophone licks over a long yet exciting intro. But as soon as the live bassline kicks in, you know that it's game over and that people with or without true dancing skills will sweat it out on the floor! Add to that an enigmatic vocal, some rhodes and sax riffs coming at every turn as well as a few chord changes and this piece really is the closest Session Victim have ever been to sound like a proper band. Wow! …
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track name
A1 Session Victim - Good Intentions
Nebraska Soho Samba Mix
B1 Iron Curtis & Leaves - A & F
Session Victim 612 Remix
B2 Session Victim - Black Cream
Quarion’s White Smoke Remix
Seven years and five volumes of »Treats« down the line, Retreat flips the script in 2016 and introduces a brand new remix series (cheekily) entitled »Re-Treats«! With Nebraska, Session Victim and Quarion reworking stables fromthe RTR back catalogue, »Re-Treats Vol.1« is a brilliant showcase of the art of the remix as each artist comes up with a truly personal take on the original material.
RTR18 starts in high fashion with digger extraordinaire Nebraska tackling the label’s most famous track so far, »Good Intentions« from Session Victim. It’s merely impossible to rework a bonafide modern classic but the english producer manages this task with ease and stays close to the original by breaking down the main loop into a one bar groove with super crisp beats. This would already suffice as the core for a powerful track but the real action begins after a short break: Nebraska brings the original four bar loop back at the forefront while adding a wicked samba twist to it! And as the kick comes back in, you can help but dance with your arms in the air and a big smile on your face. The »Soho Samba Mix« is an irresistible tune with that unmistakable »London« flair, not to mention a proper dancefloor anthem in its own right!
Turn the record over for Session Victim’s take on »A & F« from Iron Curtis & Leaves. It will only take a few bars for you to feel that you’re in for a special ride with the one and only »Two Man House Band« at the commands. Matthias’ and Hauke’s version of »A & F« is much more a cover than a traditional remix as SVM add percussion, layers of juicy synths, loose drum fills and quirky samples over the original chords and vocals. There are shades of Jazz, Soul, Reggae and even a bit of Pop in the »612 Remix« but the vibe is 100 % Session Victim. The lads really excel in sun-drenched grooves and this remix is bound to become another staple in their dynamic live set for this summer’s festival season.
If the previous two reworks manage to somewhat stay close to the original material, then Quarion’s version of »Black Cream« takes an alternative route and propels Session Victim’s track into another dimension. Constructed around a tough beat and an hypnotic synth, the »White Smoke Remix« is thrusted by a powerful bassline and flying hi-hats that evolve in rapid succession. Parts of the original (a vocal here, a guitar there) are being fragmented to molecular level and clash with each other at light speed, as if Quarion managed to run these elements through the CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. It’s a dense, yet fluid remix and a thrilling conclusion to this first volume of »Re-Treats«.
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A1 Session Victim - Good Intentions
Nebraska Soho Samba Mix
B1 Iron Curtis & Leaves - A & F
Session Victim 612 Remix
B2 Session Victim - Black Cream
Quarion’s White Smoke Remix
Seven years and five volumes of »Treats« down the line, Retreat flips the script in 2016 and introduces a brand new remix series (cheekily) entitled »Re-Treats«! With Nebraska, Session Victim and Quarion reworking stables fromthe RTR back catalogue, »Re-Treats Vol.1« is a brilliant showcase of the art of the remix as each artist comes up with a truly personal take on the original material.
RTR18 starts in high fashion with digger extraordinaire Nebraska tackling the label’s most famous track so far, »Good Intentions« from Session Victim. It’s merely impossible to rework a bonafide modern classic but the english producer manages this task with ease and stays close to the original by breaking down the main loop into a one bar groove with super crisp beats. This would already suffice as the core for a powerful track but the real action begins after a short break: Nebraska brings the original four bar loop back at the forefront while adding a wicked samba twist to it! And as the kick comes back in, you can help but dance with your arms in the air and a big smile on your face. The »Soho Samba Mix« is an irresistible tune with that unmistakable »London« flair, not to mention a proper dancefloor anthem in its own right!
Turn the record over for Session Victim’s take on »A & F« from Iron Curtis & Leaves. It will only take a few bars for you to feel that you’re in for a special ride with the one and only »Two Man House Band« at the commands. Matthias’ and Hauke’s version of »A & F« is much more a cover than a traditional remix as SVM add percussion, layers of juicy synths, loose drum fills and quirky samples over the original chords and vocals. There are shades of Jazz, Soul, Reggae and even a bit of Pop in the »612 Remix« but the vibe is 100 % Session Victim. The lads really excel in sun-drenched grooves and this remix is bound to become another staple in their dynamic live set for this summer’s festival season.
If the previous two reworks manage to somewhat stay close to the original material, then Quarion’s version of »Black Cream« takes an alternative route and propels Session Victim’s track into another dimension. Constructed around a tough beat and an hypnotic synth, the »White Smoke Remix« is thrusted by a powerful bassline and flying hi-hats that evolve in rapid succession. Parts of the original (a vocal here, a guitar there) are being fragmented to molecular level and clash with each other at light speed, as if Quarion managed to run these elements through the CERN’s Large Hadron Collider. It’s a dense, yet fluid remix and a thrilling conclusion to this first volume of »Re-Treats«.
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track name : A1 Summer Games , B1 Black Cream , B2 Finderlohn
After last month’s »Busted Moniker« EP from Quarion, Retreat is thrilled to announce a new 12" courtesy of house music’s most energetic duo, the incomparable Session Victim! The aptly titled »Two Man House Band EP« is the lads’ first record since their 2014 magnum Opus »See You When You Get There« and perfectly transcribes the energy that Session Victim pour into their incendiary live show. Tailormade for a night out in the club or a joyous day at the festival, the »Two Man House Band EP« once again prooves that Session Victim are unstoppable in their pursuit of the ultimate groove!
»Summer Games« is an ode to that most festive of seasons and could easily hold the claim of being Retreat’s »biggest« track so far. Built around an Hypnotic organ loop, »SummerGames« completely blurs the lines between house, funk and soul : rolling breakbeats, catchy vocal snippets and a very groovy bassline are the core elements of this anthem that could rock any party. Yet Session Victim add a slight twist in the form of a melancholic string motive that appears in two chiseled breakdowns. It’s a little reminder that summers do not last forever and that one should enjoy them while they last ...
Flip the record in order to dive into the deeper realms of »Black Cream«, a more reflective track for the late hours. With its jazzy (almost broken) beat, guitar licks, rhodes pads, subtle percussion and ethereal vocals, »Black Cream« is the soundtrack to an exciting underwater trip with Matthias and Hauke at the controls. Thanks to the captains’ lively drum programming, the track flows effortlessly and we’re treated with many surprises along the way before a gradual rise brings us back to the surface.
»Finderlohn« is a smokey downtempo workout which finds Session Victim digging deep in their collection to demonstrate their prowess in manipulating samples. Beginning with an instanly classic guitar and piano loop, »Finderlohn« allows a shuffly breakbeat to take center stage, sometimes reinforced with double-time hihats for a more dramatic effect. The tune is definitely a headnodder’s paradise and the listener is taken that little bit higher thanks to a mystical flute solo that concludes »Finderlohn« in a psychedelic way.
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After last month’s »Busted Moniker« EP from Quarion, Retreat is thrilled to announce a new 12" courtesy of house music’s most energetic duo, the incomparable Session Victim! The aptly titled »Two Man House Band EP« is the lads’ first record since their 2014 magnum Opus »See You When You Get There« and perfectly transcribes the energy that Session Victim pour into their incendiary live show. Tailormade for a night out in the club or a joyous day at the festival, the »Two Man House Band EP« once again prooves that Session Victim are unstoppable in their pursuit of the ultimate groove!
»Summer Games« is an ode to that most festive of seasons and could easily hold the claim of being Retreat’s »biggest« track so far. Built around an Hypnotic organ loop, »SummerGames« completely blurs the lines between house, funk and soul : rolling breakbeats, catchy vocal snippets and a very groovy bassline are the core elements of this anthem that could rock any party. Yet Session Victim add a slight twist in the form of a melancholic string motive that appears in two chiseled breakdowns. It’s a little reminder that summers do not last forever and that one should enjoy them while they last ...
Flip the record in order to dive into the deeper realms of »Black Cream«, a more reflective track for the late hours. With its jazzy (almost broken) beat, guitar licks, rhodes pads, subtle percussion and ethereal vocals, »Black Cream« is the soundtrack to an exciting underwater trip with Matthias and Hauke at the controls. Thanks to the captains’ lively drum programming, the track flows effortlessly and we’re treated with many surprises along the way before a gradual rise brings us back to the surface.
»Finderlohn« is a smokey downtempo workout which finds Session Victim digging deep in their collection to demonstrate their prowess in manipulating samples. Beginning with an instanly classic guitar and piano loop, »Finderlohn« allows a shuffly breakbeat to take center stage, sometimes reinforced with double-time hihats for a more dramatic effect. The tune is definitely a headnodder’s paradise and the listener is taken that little bit higher thanks to a mystical flute solo that concludes »Finderlohn« in a psychedelic way.
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track name
A1 Lost Coordinates , A2 A Thousand Questions , B1 Burnin’ , B2 You Were The Only
FFinally putting to rest a one-year break, Retreat is back in full swing in order to bring more heat this summer thanks to the "Busted Moniker EP" from Quarion! With four tracks that showcase a jazzier, somewhat wilder side of the Retreat co-founder, "Busted Moniker" has the stamp of a producer on top of his game, squeezing out all of the funk from his machines and letting loose without too much over-thinking. Can you handle it?
The ambient introduction "Lost Coordinates" represents a direct follow-up to Quarion's offering on the "Treats Vol.5" Compilation. Built around a circular four note theme, white noise percussion and a distant choir, "Lost Coordinates" evokes a ghost spaceship that is drifting through the void, his destination unknown and his point of origin long forgotten.
The bumpy house beat of "A Thousand Questions" teleports us back to a more familiar territory: this is proper club music with a sweet jazzy touch. Not holding back on his skills as a musician, Quarion treats us with a Rhodes bassline, deep piano chords and many drum fills. The tune moves along nicely and just when you think it couldn't get any better, Quarion surprises us with a break that introduces energetic Juno stabs and a booming new bassline. Slick!
"Burnin'" is maybe the EPs hottest track (all puns intended) and is sure to light fires on dancefloors all over. Beginning with a deep bassline atop a shuffled beat, the groove becomes irresistible as soon as the cheeky vocal samples arrive, but it's the entrance of an infectious and offbeat Rhodes loop that is sure to make the dancers go crazy. As the track gets stronger, the theme breaks down in descending chords and we're left with just the kick drum and a percussive noise. The loop soon emerges anew from the background now coupled with a phased cymbal for one more everlasting burn... Ouch!
"You Were The Only" is the EP's conclusion, a jazzy Broken Beat workout reminiscent of what came out of West London at the turn of the millennium. Starting with a catchy synth, the track truly opens up when the additional sub bass and skippy Juno chords come into play, but the real magic happens after a short break. The bassline evolves into an 8-bar sequence with beautiful chords to match and we're instantly taken on a jazz journey with sprinkling keys, ethereal strings and more Juno stabs. A perfect finish to a very juicy EP!
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Releasedate 18.8.2014
Artist/track name
A1 Jamie Lloyd/Spiro Hustle A2 Session Victim/Much Too Strong A3 Johannes Albert/Co Co Jam Boo B1 Reverend G/Pam’s Cleavage B2 Kim Brown/I Am Batman C1 Quarion/Enter Coordinates C2 Mr Beatnick/Hold On To Your Dreams D1 Iron Curtis/Love Commitment D2 Robert Oh/Blush
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Artist/track name
A1 Jamie Lloyd/Spiro Hustle A2 Session Victim/Much Too Strong A3 Johannes Albert/Co Co Jam Boo B1 Reverend G/Pam’s Cleavage B2 Kim Brown/I Am Batman C1 Quarion/Enter Coordinates C2 Mr Beatnick/Hold On To Your Dreams D1 Iron Curtis/Love Commitment D2 Robert Oh/Blush
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After the well-received "Treats Vol.4", Retreat closes its 2012 chapter with a fantastic 4-tracker from House maestro Iron Curtis! Following his accomplished debut album on Mirau, "Glazing " is a highly versatile EP which sees the producer breaking new ground.
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Retreat celebrates its first double-digit release with something out of the ordinary: an ep from Session Victim’s Matthias Reiling that blends House, Hip-Hop and UK Bass music in a very unique way. After two highly praised albums on Giegling, the Hamburg – based producer further develops his musical persona with the help of dusty samples, bouncy beats, tense atmospheres and a strong cinematic feel.
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More than a year after his last EP, Quarion returns to Retreat for a fantastic expedition: a journey to the "Moons around Jupiter". Consisting of four tracks dedicated to the four Galilean satellites, "Moons around Jupiter" is a sonic masterpiece that blurs the lines between House, Techno,
Broken Beat and Disco. A certain Detroit mystique (the futurism & outer space themes) also surrounds thismesmerizing ep which Quarion himself ranks as possibly his best work to date … come and take a ride! We may share the ultimate bond with the moon Europa: the presumption of oceans underneath its crust of ice as well as an atmosphere that is mostly filled with oxygen make this satellite a good candidate for possible extra-terrestrial life (more micro-organisms than 3-eyed aliens though). Quarion's "Europa" hopes to reveal the secrets underneath the ice layer: beginning with a skippy beat and
a tinkling piano, the track evolves rapidly as subtle keys and a cosmic choir appear from beyond. .. More
Broken Beat and Disco. A certain Detroit mystique (the futurism & outer space themes) also surrounds thismesmerizing ep which Quarion himself ranks as possibly his best work to date … come and take a ride! We may share the ultimate bond with the moon Europa: the presumption of oceans underneath its crust of ice as well as an atmosphere that is mostly filled with oxygen make this satellite a good candidate for possible extra-terrestrial life (more micro-organisms than 3-eyed aliens though). Quarion's "Europa" hopes to reveal the secrets underneath the ice layer: beginning with a skippy beat and
a tinkling piano, the track evolves rapidly as subtle keys and a cosmic choir appear from beyond. .. More
We're thrilled to welcome Iron Curtis as a new character in the retreat saga! Hailing from Nuernberg but now based in Berlin, Mr. Curtis is known for his contemporary take on the classic Chicago House sound and has been making waves for the past two years with quality releases on Mirau, Morris Audio, Mule Electronic and Jackoff. However, we strongly believe that Iron Curtis is presenting a different aspect of his personality with "Stumbled Across", an EP that ventures in weirder territories with the help of Hip-Hop, dubstep and techno influences. A definitive statement froma blossoming producer who brings the element of surprise back to the dancefloor
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After their hot contributions for Treats Vol. 2, session victim
prove indeed that they are On The Roll with a funkafied
and no holds barred EP that pays homage to their Hip-Hop
Roots. Move Me So starts rather simply, with just a guitar
and a vocal, but you can hear a moving bassline and
distant rhodes chords creeping up from the background.
Two minutes into the track and there’s still no kick drum,
although the level of excitement produced by the magnetic
groove is almost unbearable. A filtered drum break finally
gives way to a four to the floor beat that should turn any
dancefloor into a frenetic party. The track builds with high
energy, as the pounding bassline seems to be directly
lifted from an early 90’s Hip-Hop classic. The breakdown
sees the vocal/guitar loop being played differently until the
second part shifts gear and brings more surprises in the
mix with the intro rhodes chords coming in and out. … More
prove indeed that they are On The Roll with a funkafied
and no holds barred EP that pays homage to their Hip-Hop
Roots. Move Me So starts rather simply, with just a guitar
and a vocal, but you can hear a moving bassline and
distant rhodes chords creeping up from the background.
Two minutes into the track and there’s still no kick drum,
although the level of excitement produced by the magnetic
groove is almost unbearable. A filtered drum break finally
gives way to a four to the floor beat that should turn any
dancefloor into a frenetic party. The track builds with high
energy, as the pounding bassline seems to be directly
lifted from an early 90’s Hip-Hop classic. The breakdown
sees the vocal/guitar loop being played differently until the
second part shifts gear and brings more surprises in the
mix with the intro rhodes chords coming in and out. … More
One year old and four releases deep, RETREAT present
its first 2010 offering with the long awaited second volume
of the "Treats" series. Featuring 3 exclusive tracks from
Session Victim and Quarion, "Treats vol.2" showcases the
producers' ability to move beyond the traditional House
sound, incorporating more Soul and Disco influences as
well as coming up with a few surprises! SESSION VICTIM
start things off with the magical "Danish Daughters", a slow
groover that begins in a gentle but assured way, sparking
your interest with its infectious guitar and piano loop until
the beat kicks in and makes you irrepressibly shake that
thang. Adding a synth line here or a bell sound there, the
duo keep the pace of the track steady until a startling guitar
riff breaks it down, giving way to the original loop to return
in its full glory, complete with extra organ dashes! More
its first 2010 offering with the long awaited second volume
of the "Treats" series. Featuring 3 exclusive tracks from
Session Victim and Quarion, "Treats vol.2" showcases the
producers' ability to move beyond the traditional House
sound, incorporating more Soul and Disco influences as
well as coming up with a few surprises! SESSION VICTIM
start things off with the magical "Danish Daughters", a slow
groover that begins in a gentle but assured way, sparking
your interest with its infectious guitar and piano loop until
the beat kicks in and makes you irrepressibly shake that
thang. Adding a synth line here or a bell sound there, the
duo keep the pace of the track steady until a startling guitar
riff breaks it down, giving way to the original loop to return
in its full glory, complete with extra organ dashes! More
Just in time to conclude a bittersweet summer (at least in
Berlin), Retreat brings the heat with a soulful EP from one of
his founders, hotshot producer Quarion. As the name implies,
Dusty Fingers sees the beatmaker return to his Hip-Hop roots
and dig in the crates for a sample-based deep & dirty 3
tracker!
Quarion was last seen circling around Venus and we hope he
won't be More
Berlin), Retreat brings the heat with a soulful EP from one of
his founders, hotshot producer Quarion. As the name implies,
Dusty Fingers sees the beatmaker return to his Hip-Hop roots
and dig in the crates for a sample-based deep & dirty 3
tracker!
Quarion was last seen circling around Venus and we hope he
won't be More
big with: Ripperton (Perspectiv), Mr
Scruff (Ninja Tune), Soultourist
(Drumpoet), Audio Werner (Hartchef),
Langenberg (Dessous), Julius Steinhof
(Smallville), ND Baumecker (Pbar),
Nathan Mclay (Future Classic),…
+ DEBUG CHARTS # 3
Welcome to the second chapter of the Retreat saga!
"Contribute" was just a teaser for SESSION VICTIM so
with "Out On Love”, Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling
show their true potential through 3 tracks of undiluted
funkiness. The first track on the EP starts off quite simply
but your excitement builds as promising chords and a
Detroit-style acid-synth give you an idea where "Memory
Lane" is heading. After a dramatic break that features a
notorious groove legend proclaiming that he's "out on
love", the chords reveal their full potential and the track
rolls into a major floor filler, complete with tight drum
patterns, extra sub bass and some more vocal snippets.
Yes! Flip the record and the beat of "Calypso Strut"
introduces a mysterious pad, decorated with wild
percussion and playful cut-up samples. 2 minutes in and
the pad morphs into a drunken piano that propels the track
into another dimension. More
Scruff (Ninja Tune), Soultourist
(Drumpoet), Audio Werner (Hartchef),
Langenberg (Dessous), Julius Steinhof
(Smallville), ND Baumecker (Pbar),
Nathan Mclay (Future Classic),…
+ DEBUG CHARTS # 3
Welcome to the second chapter of the Retreat saga!
"Contribute" was just a teaser for SESSION VICTIM so
with "Out On Love”, Hauke Freer and Matthias Reiling
show their true potential through 3 tracks of undiluted
funkiness. The first track on the EP starts off quite simply
but your excitement builds as promising chords and a
Detroit-style acid-synth give you an idea where "Memory
Lane" is heading. After a dramatic break that features a
notorious groove legend proclaiming that he's "out on
love", the chords reveal their full potential and the track
rolls into a major floor filler, complete with tight drum
patterns, extra sub bass and some more vocal snippets.
Yes! Flip the record and the beat of "Calypso Strut"
introduces a mysterious pad, decorated with wild
percussion and playful cut-up samples. 2 minutes in and
the pad morphs into a drunken piano that propels the track
into another dimension. More