The interstellar electronics are once more pushed to the fore on closer “80 Axes”, where jaunty synth lines combine with soft bongo hits to create an instinctive rhythm, and intergalactic melodies sprint between the speakers. You can dance if you want to, but lying down is very much encouraged.
As part of the label’s mission to champion Dutch talent, Voyage Direct has always promoted new, up and coming, and little-known producers. Boss Tom Trago’s master plan includes building a family of artists, in part through helping unheralded local producers to fulfill their potential. On the label’s latest release, he continues that approach, serving up a debut 12” from a mysterious young producer known only as Darling. Those paying close attention to the wider Dutch house and techno scene may have spotted his recent rework of Awanto3’s “Star Butchers” on Dekmantel, in which the man or woman of mystery added some killer keys to the Amsterdam legend’s woozy, deep house original. While that rework was undoubtedly superb, Jacob’s Lead offers a truer reflection of the shadowy producer’s previously hidden talents. As debut EPs go, it’s a bit of a cracker. The title track, in particular, is a beauty. Its’ restless, hypnotic rhythm tips a wink to classic Dutch techno of old, while the undulating, analogue electronics and swirling pads recall the far-sighted retro-futurism of vintage Motor City material. Throw in some of Darling’s trademark spine-tingling keys and a deliciously loved-up breakdown, and you have a choice chunk of life-affirming techno. On the flip, Darling heads towards deeper territory with the bubbling melodies, starburst electronics and saucer-eyed chords of “Video”. Unashamedly positive in sound and intent, it sounds like the kind of track that will be cited as a classic in two decades time. Melodious and infectious, it casts Darling as the Netherlands’ answer to Larry Heard.

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Voyage Direct's message comes through loud and clear on the label’s first compilation, a collection that takes in both unreleased tracks and a hand-picked selection of classics from the imprint’s first five years...

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Voyage Direct's message comes through loud and clear on the label’s first compilation, a collection that takes in both unreleased tracks and a hand-picked selection of classics from the imprint’s first five years...1. Maxi Mill - Do You Want It?, 2. Simon Weiss - Tele-vision, 3. Overlast - Nipples , 4. Melon - Raw Funk

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Really, Aardvarck should need little introduction. While some of the artists featured on Voyage Direct are just beginning their musical journeys, Mike Kivits has been at the forefront of the Dutch scene since the tail end of the 1980s. In that time, Kivits’ output has remained thrillingly eclectic. Once a member of acclaimed Amsterdam beat-­-makers Rednose Distrikt, Kivit’s productions have variously touched on Detroit techno, ambient, jazz, broken beat, minimal, dubstep, IDM, dub, drum and bass, beatbox electro and, in his early days, tribal house. His records have appeared on Delsin, Rush Hour, Kindred Spirits, Eat Concrete, Skudge and, of course, his own Music For Speakers imprint. And that’s just page one of his sprawling discography. Throughout the 21 years he’s been putting out wax, Kivits has remained something of an enigma – a producer who seems to delight in confounding expectations while delivering music that inspires, entertains and confuses in equal measures. He is, then, something of a legend. It’s no wonder that Tom Trago wanted to release some of his music on Voyage Direct. For his ‘VD’ debut, Kivits has decided to return to the throbbing, analogue techno sound he so successfully explored on the Plus Det 12” for Skudge Presents… earlier this year. Think surging rhythms, vintage synthesizers, alien electronics and the distinctive shuffle of original analogue drum machines. With A-­-side “Thankxxx Joch”, he goes in hard from the off, launching a rolling, Detroit-­-influenced techno onslaught with the kind of sharp, in-­-your-­-face riffs that stir memories of sweaty, early ‘90s warehouse parties in far-­-flung Belgian outposts. Yet for all the boldness of the intro, there’s a lightness of touch to Kivits’ production, which makes great use of shuffling beats, tumbling melodies and hypnotic Motor City chords. Flipside “Hump”, built around the kind of voodoo rhythms with which he began his career, is deliciously dense and rhythmically intense. While the sci-­-fi synthesizers, fizzing electronics and bubbling melodies tempt you to gaze skywards, the beats – a combination of thunderous drum machine kicks, dusty snares and African-­-influenced hand percussion – keep you grounded. Why peek towards the heavens when you can get lost in the groove?

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Strong one on Voyage Direct from Rotterdam's Benny Rodrigues...TIP! The label say "Benny Rodrigues seems to delight in confounding critics. Since making his debut alongside Darko Esser with 2007's Underwater Records-?released "Paradox", the Rotterdam-?based DJ has surprised and excited at every turn. Variously delivering woozy tech-?house, rave revivalism, stripped-?back minimal, jackin' acid, wide-?eyed deep house and, under his occasional ROD alias, shirts-?off warehouse techno. Along the way, he's released music on some of Europe's most prestigious labels, including Desolat, Soma, EC Records, Be As One and Wolfskuil Records. Here, he makes his debut for Tom Trago's Voyage Direct imprint with two undulating, hypnotic, heads-?down tracks that blur the boundaries between house and techno. Rhythmically loose but impressively tough - like all of Rodrigues' best productions - both cuts are built around mesmerising late night grooves and intoxicating chords. "Master French" kicks things off, lacing nagging shakers, subtle synth strings and fluttering chords over a robust, shuffling tech-?house groove. Rodrigues works the mix like a master, bringing elements to the fore before sliding them into the background. It's a simple, heads-?down, 4am groove, but it's executed brilliantly. "Z", on the other hand, is an altogether breezier affair, with repetitive, new age-? inspired synthesizer melodies seemingly drifting over a rock solid house groove. Notable ride cymbals and warm beats proper the track forward, giving it a humid, tropical feel. This is music to move the body, mind and soul. "

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The label say: 'It’s rare to hear a debut 12” single that really blows you away. That’s hardly a controversial statement; in truth, most producers take time to find their feet, developing a distinct style over a period of years, rather than months. Magnesii, then, is something special. Currently based in Amsterdam. The previously unheard of producer has delivered a stunning debut 12” for Tom Trago’s Voyage Direct label. Raw, fuzzy and in turns melancholic, spellbinding and intense, its’ three tracks bubble and hiss to the distinct sound of vintage analogue hardware. You see, the young Dutch producer tends to avoid modern computers. “I often feel like those screens suck my soul away,” he says. Instead, he jams out tunes on a tasteful selection of analogue gear, sequencing with either the Alesis MMT-8 or the Akai MPC2000 – a favourite toy of many of the Netherlands’ best electronic producers – and adding basslines, beats, acid lines and melodies on obscure synths and drumcomputers”. His creations are then bounced down straight to 1/4" tape or cassette. Some of these resultant jams, as showcased on this impressive debut, are nothing less than inspired. Acid lines rise and fall, machine drums rattle, and distinctive synth lines weave in and out of the mix. These are raw tracks for the dancefloor blessed with all the colour and warmth associated with vintage hardware. “RZTB Tantra” sets the tone, layering bubbling acid lines and dreamy chords over a relentlessly nagging bassline and punchy, scattergun drum machine percussion. “Lava Jam” is decidedly deeper, with woozy, emotive melodies and alien electronics tumbling over a dusty rhythm pattern and tactile acid bass. Magnesii completes a sterling debut with “Van Dyke Island Jam”, whose squidgy bassline and long, drawn-out M1 chords work in complete harmony with the crispy rhythm track and densely building percussion hits. Like its’ predecessor, it too seems to be tinged with sadness, as if Magnesii’s machines are shedding a tear for glories past.

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The label say "Fresh from impressing with the pulsating techno of Boris Werner and the fuzzy live house jams of San Proper, Tom Trago’s Voyage Direct label turns to a man who needs little introduction: Dutch legend and man of many pseudonyms Danny Wolfers. Best known under his Legowelt alias, Wolfers has spent the last two decades flitting between strobe light acid house, 808 electro, fluorescent techno and shimmering space disco. Throughout, he’s kept his productions pleasingly analogue-heavy, making great use of classic drum machines and vintage synthesizers. While his music may be steeped in the past, Wolfers’ productions always sound like the future. For this first outing on Voyage Direct, Wolfers resurrects the House of Jezebel alias – a pseudonym previously only used for the twinkling deep house warmth of 2010’s “Love & Happiness” – and delivers two tracks of synth-laden analogue house goodness. “Back In Dogtown USA” sets the tone, as Wolfers layers rising chords, darting electronics and wide-eyed synthesizer melodies over a clattering analogue house groove. As with much of the legendary Dutch producer’s work, the track ripples with rush-inducing melodic intent. It’s the soundtrack to a party on Jupiter, and we’re all invited. Wolfers’ ups the tempo dramatically on “I Took A Train In 1979”, transplanting us to the far reaches of our galaxy via jackin’ techno drums, picturesque organ melodies, drifting chords and intoxicating pads. There are echoes of classic Detroit techno, surging Rotterdam electro and vintage cosmic disco, yet it doesn’t really sound like any of these things. Like “Back In Dogtown USA”, “I Took A Train In 1979” sounds like the past, reconfigured and rearranged for the consumption of future generations. In other words, it’s a classic Wolfers production."


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Next up on Tom Trago's Voyage Direct series is Overlast. This Amsterdam based producer returns on Voyage Direct with three synth driven club tracks!

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New San Proper on Voyage Direct. All tracks were written, produced and performed by Proper at Trouw's Verdieping in 2013.

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William Kouam Djoko returns to Voyage Direct with Deflourished. After a year with a lot of high highs and some deep lows, William found himself on the dance floor listening to a set by Chicago Footwork specialists DJ Rashad & DJ Spinn. William experienced what religious people might call a divine moment. All the experiences, emotions and soul searching from the previous year came together in one emotional, energetic moment. William tried to recapture all of this in his studio the next day and within hours Deflourished was created. A pure form of energy shared by William for everyone to enjoy, hopefully as much as he enjoyed creating it. B-side Behind Closed Doors completes the package; a lot more subtle and refined than it's A-side brother. A synth-heavy, down-pitched and outstretched song that builds heavily on space, both physical and mentally. On his Sophomore Voyage Direct release William Kouam Djoko truly sets out on a voyage to discover his inner-self. The result, whether it's the expressive energy of Deflourished, or the more mesmerising gloominess of Behind Closed Doors, is beautiful to say the least. The package is completed by a stunning video of Deflourished made by graphic designer Sa?a Ostaja and animator Niko Lanzuisi. The video will be launched at a special party


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Tom Trago's Voyage Direct series welcomes another new Amsterdam artist to its roster. This time it is the up and coming MPC lord Overlast, who debuts on the label with a killer two tracker! With this single Overlast is coming to a zone of his own. 'Alive' is a smooth, yet weirdly alienating house jam that hits hard. 'Range Rover' must be the next car anthem, especially for those who drive one (and have a loud sound system). A shexy, half time bass banger that takes it to the next level. Amazing stuff!

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We welcome William Kouam Djoko to the Voyage Direct family with his first release for the label.

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Next up on Tom Trago's Voyage Direct series is Maxi Mill, a young producer from Amsterdam. Maxi Mill came up under the wings of Tom Trago, co-producing some of Trago's tracks, like 'Steppin' Out' or '200 B.C'!

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Rush Hour presents a new series of releases entitled ‘Voyage Direct’. Tom Trago, one of the most prominent producers on Rush Hour records, who has produced several releases for this label since 2006, curates this series. In 2009 he presented his first Voyage Direct output and in 2010 he started selecting tracks for ‘Voyage Direct’, which presents a collection of his favorite producers & tracks. The saga of ‘Voyage Direct’ continues. The third release is a very classy one. House of Jezebel aka Legowelt takes us back to the Warehouse days with his epic version of soul classic 'Love & Happiness'. Granted, this sample has been used a few times before, but this is simply one of the strongest versions ever to appear. Comes as vocal and instrumental version.



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