Change-Underground and Aidan McGlynn present a new podcast series, which showcases some of the shining lights from today’s scene. Here he takes you through the tracks on this month’s mix.
1. Ben Shaw – ‘Above the Clouds’ – Sudbeat
Ben Shaw’s music has been soundtracking my life on and off for 15 years now, both as a solo producer and as one half of NameSpace. ‘Above the Clouds’ gets this month’s mix off to a seriously lovely, uplifting start with its chunky bassline and layers of interlocking melodies.
Released: 2/11/15
2. Ziger – ‘Razor (Color Ray & Praveen Achary Remix)’ – Juicebox
Juicebox don’t release much, but when they do…well, it’s always something like this. There’s so much to like here – Ziger’s original is really driving, but Color Ray & Praveen Achary give their remix a slightly more laid-back and groovy feel, that’s still steeped in atmosphere.
Released: 30/11/15
3. Khen – ‘Emergency Routine’ – microCastle
This is just a snippet of one of the tracks from one of my favourite releases around at the moment. All three originals from Khen are superb, and Luca Baccehetti just kicks ‘Pollen Spreader’ into orbit with his gorgeous reworking. ‘Emergency Routine’ is tough and stripped-down, until it reveals glorious sweeps of melody.
Released: 16/11/15
4. Quivver – ‘Pictures’ – Sudbeat
Another cut from the excellent Sudbeats 3 compilation. This sees Quivver firmly in melodic progressive house territory, and it’s just delightful – and when I heard how well this fitted with the previous track, with Khen’s melodies washing over Quivver’s basslines, it just had to be on the mix.
Released: 2/11/15
5. Blusoul – ‘Modular Memories (Guy Mantzur Remix)’ – Lost & Found
Guy Mantzur’s remix of Blusoul’s lovely original gives the track a menacing, low-slung bassline, which together with some moodier bass tones acts as a fantastic counterpoint to his delicate, chiming interpretation of Blusoul’s melodic ideas. As a bonus, the breakdown is even more heart-melting than the rest of the track prepares you for.
Released: 13/11/15
Buy it
6. Steve Parry – ‘Flippant’ – Bedrock
AAAAAAACCCCCCCCCCCIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!!!!
Released: 26/10/15
7. Marc DePulse – ‘My Daily Keys (Dave Seaman Remix)’ – Jeahmon!
This came out on Marc DePulse’s own label, and his original had this really appealing fusion of tough tech-house and classic piano sounds. It’s Dave Seaman’s remix that really pushes my buttons though – there’s just oodles of bounce in the percussion and bassline, topped off with driving, in-yer-face stabs which are periodically echoed by more melodic sounds to create something quite euphoric. Easily one of my favourite records of the moment.
Released: 26/10/15
8. Jobe – ‘Critical Mass’ – Selador
Finishing up an inadvertent Selador trilogy on this mix, we have a British producer that I’ve been following for a while with his debut EP on the label. The EP’s highlight is Jobe’s third original, ‘Critical Mass’, which at once boasts the sweetest, strongest melodies of all the tracks, and the most exciting techno dynamics. The combination of the layered, arpegiated melodies, punishing percussion, and electrifying bass tones is just stunning, and the paradoxically dreamy/urgent breakdown is pretty special. Awesome stuff from Jobe on this one.
Released: 16/11/15
9. Lonya – ‘Wastelands’ – Plattenbank
Something a bit dark to finish us off this month, with Lonya returning to the ever-reliable Plattenbank with ‘Wasteland’. It’s the combination of the growling, menacing basslines and the more melodic touches that really work for me here, and the package also includes a nice remix by Oliver Weiter.
Released: 20/11/15
