Some good records, shared and not shared.
So I just got a new Booka Shade 12 on Get Physical via their promo pool. It’s nice for once to recieve a piece of music before you’ve read about its existence, usually I talk about “the” rather than “a” when something new comes out, due to the hype that’s preceded it, especially with big acts like Booka Shade, so it was funny to notice that this time around I stopped myself in the act.
The latest release is a two track EP recorded on the road, but thankfully there are no hotel room laments here. The A-side “Tickle” is the pick of the two tracks, it sounds like “Pong Pang” from Movements a little, it’s actually a really nice drawn out acid trancer, with deep housier chords in the closing minutes that really make it. However if you want to be critical you could say it’s no real sonic advancement from the second album. In fact it’d fit perfectly on Movements. But then this is just a 12 and Booka Shade’s sound is one of the nicer established sounds out there.
The B-side is “Karma Car” was apparently written after their taxi broke down in Manhattan, and the cab driver fixed it through magical Karma, or something (so we haven’t escaped the “on tour” stuff completely!). I’m not mad on this one, it sounds a bit too much like “Body Language”, albeit with some faintly Yello styled vocal humming.
But it is nice I guess, it just seems a bit throwaway. As far as I know a third LP is planned for this year, it’ll be interesting to hear how it pans out. It’d be wrong to read too much into this two track EP, but I’d like to hear something different. On the other hand I feel a little sorry for Booka Shade as they seem to be the only mainstream representatives of a huge subculture of deep German house music. Never before have the hopes of so many rested with so few!
I’m not going to share this release since I was sent it, and that’d be rude, but sadly/happily I’m sure someone else probably will. But on this blog, you won’t leave empty handed. I’m really enjoying Alex Smoke’s latest “Hanged Man EP” on the ever wacked out Vakant label.
Already responsible for one of the best records of the year, and one of my absolute favourite records to play out, Oner Ozer’s “Red Cabaret”, Vakant now come with a great release from Alex Smoke. In the past I’ve been left cold by Smoke (ahem) but this time around I really like what he’s done. There’s a fine line between individuality alienating tracks from a dancefloor setting and individuality that fits into house and techno, I guess Alex Smoke crosses over and back all the time.
But this EP is definitely good club music. Here’s one track from it. Enjoy this and check the rest of the EP if you like it.
Steve wrote:
Just heard the Booka Shade EP and was likewise unimpressed. I’d even take my appreciation down a level further and say I didn’t like the tracks. I felt like “Tickle” borrows some played out motifs while “Karma Car” is as stalled as their taxi was. Perhaps too much time touring/picking out new spangly shirts to concentrate?
Posted 23 Apr 2007 at 9:52 pm ¶
benkirwan wrote:
I managed to hear the two tracks when they were briefly put up on their myspace. I’m gonna reserve my judgement for now but i will say that Karma car reminded me too much of some Fischerspooner track. which was kinda irritating.
I’d agree that they don’t sound too different from the style of movements tracks. but what can u do.
I like some of alex smoke’s previous stuff that i’ve heard. ‘Don’t see the point’ - i love this track.
Posted 24 Apr 2007 at 4:25 am ¶
mitch wrote:
I like loads of alex smoke’s originals, but i can see why they might err on the wrong side of aphex twin for ronan. however, have you heard the henrik schwarz mix of “don’t see the point” or the ada rmx of “never want to see you again”? not anywhere near the dark druggy dubbiness of this new ep, but both firm microgoth favourites of mine.
Posted 24 Apr 2007 at 2:29 pm ¶
Ronan wrote:
I liked some of the first album, and that Ada mix was nice yeah. Not sure I’ve heard the Schwarz mix of “Don’t See The Point”, must have a look for that one
Posted 24 Apr 2007 at 2:30 pm ¶
benkirwan wrote:
ye good spot there, the Henrik Schwarz mix is brilliant.
Does anyone have an opinion on Jurgen Paape? I like some of the stuff i’ve been hearing…
Posted 25 Apr 2007 at 12:50 am ¶