U, Trikk & Erosion Flow - ManMakeMusic Edits Volume 1

 Label: ManMakeMusic

After a thunderous 2012 and a relatively quiet 2013, George Fitzgerald’s ManMakeMusic imprint is gearing back into action with a fresh series of edits. For this white label collection of bootlegs, two of the label’s stars and one fresh name take the reins of a trio of classic tunes, aiming for the party jugular in a variety of styles. The first flavour is the most authentic, as resident weirdo U (who you may remember from his strangely seductive debut EP) turns in a rough and ready rework of Dancemania classic House Nation. Rather than modernising (read: sanitising  the track, U’s rework focuses on looping the distorted percussive patterns, as razor-snares and sunken kicks are retextured with the appropriate grit and heft. Given the recent love for lofi house jams, U’s effort comes off as the most timely, and bodes well for his forthcoming sophomore EP for the label.

The second  classic to receive a rework is Crystal Waters’ Gypsy Woman, which MMM alumnus Trikk takes ‘back to the traxx’ on a beefy big-room number. It may be polished but the effort feels ultimately lacklustre: the Portugese producer heaps a big bassline over a powerful 4/4, but aside from the recognisable vocals and organ line this is identikit deep house. The surprise turn of the package comes from newcomer Erosion Flow, who spins Next’s RnB classic Too Close into a slinky bass burner. Still, it is hard to forget that this transformation of RnB into bassy house has been done before, and better, by the likes of Joy Orbison, Palace and Jacques Greene. Still, it remains a competent rework, as neon pads wash over skittering percussive tics and that timeless acappela. ManMakeMusic’s volume of edits is clearly aimed at the party crowd, but these bootlegs don't wholly convince: too close to the originals to be considered worthwhile re-interpretations, they feel like unnecessary updates for a trio of tracks which can still work their magic just fine. 

5/10

October Roundup 2012

Here are White Noise's top tunes of October, mostly in a handy Youtube playlist. Unfortunately a few of our top picks weren't available on the 'tube, so I've put up some alternative links at the bottom. This playlist gets darker as it goes on, so don't sleep on the devastating second half.

Enjoy!

Tracklist:

Daphni - Yes I Know

Maxxi Soundsystem feat. Name One - Regrets We Have No Use For

Andrés - Hart Plaza

Last Magpie - Hypno

U - Eah

Pangaea - Game

Elsewhere - Trippin'
Eats Everything - Trubble

Juju & Jordash - Track David Would Play

Vessel - Court of Lions

Jam City - ...Now We Relate
Dawn Day Night - Big Booty Girls
Swindle - Mischief

Here are some clips of our other favourite releases from this month:

Jack Dixon - E

 

Presk - Nobody Makes Me Do


Breach & Midland - 101 (/Somewhere)

 

Jets (Jimmy Edgar and Travis Stewart) - Lock Lock Key

Artifact - Turtle Flight (clip here)

U – MMAKEU01

 Label: ManMakeMusic

After only a few month’s wait, the latest release from George Fitzgerald’s on-point label is a vinyl-only 10’ from newcomer U. George Fitzgerald's ManMakeMusic label is rapidly acquiring a reputation not only for quality releases, but also for scouting out fresh talent; issuing hot releases this year from up-and-comers  Leon Vynehall and Trikk. Here the on-point label continues to source new productions with U, whose debut marks the label’s first step away from the dancefloor. He assembles an interesting collection of genre-defying tunes that reflect not just dance music but the twisted memory of it, evoking nostalgia-tinted deconstructions that slip between the gaps of house, ambient and sample-crazed electronica, each drenched in heavy atmospherics and ethereal, lofi vibes.

Eah

On the A-side, main track Eah lurches into a powerful groove with stripped beats and dusty tape hiss. The pitchbent vocal takes the tune underwater before it rises back out with filtered synths and sharp snares; a warped house cut that eschews current trends to create an atmospheric cross-section of the groove. Evil Spirits has a more mournful tone, with twinkling pads setting off low-key percussive touches to moody effect.

Haunted is another strong cut that leads the B-side, setting a Boyz II Men sample against ghostly effects and a shuffling 4/4, while final tune Heaven is the most optimistic of the lot, with an upbeat melody contrasted with a sharp bass buzz that creates an uneasy tension. Unfortunately the track lengths prove a little irritating over repeated plays, despite the individual sound all of the tracks apart from the opener come off as a little sketchy.  Still, the unique and exciting voice of U shines through in all of these tracks, offering something different from the mainstream while still somehow commenting on it all, a rare and promising approach.

7/10