KHIDJA レコード& CD

Review: To accompany the release of Especial's compilation mix CD, "Eleccio" - offering of a
snapshot of the first 9 EPs on the label - a limited edition sampler EP is being released
featuring 4 unreleased remixes from the label's roster to date.
Ever since the first white labels appeared at the end of Summer 2013, [Emotional] Especial
has had a busy release schedule, putting out music that are a slightly warped take on club
music. Mixing the influences of dub, electro, disco, proto-house, house and techno, a feeling,
a sound, a vibe has appeared without any preordained plan.
With the release of EES10CD - a DJ meets studio compilation mix created by label mainstay
and handyman, Jamie Paton - to mark the end of first series of the label, it was decided to
included a couple of specal unreleased remixes to add a bit of new with the old in the mix.
To that end this limited edition vinyl sampler was created to include the two remixes, plus
the inclusion of another two gems that simply needed to see the light of day.
First is the alternative "Member" remix of Inhalt by Black Merlin - a strings meets leather
bar club-dub-out that takes things deeper and darker than before. This is followed by Jamie
delivering his own take of Khidja's massive Mustafa, with a warped, swamped out dub. Next
is another mix from Cage & Aviary of their pals, Blancemange. Brooding low-slung rerub dub
anyone? Finally there is a very special remix by Khidja of The Ganges Orchestra. Reissued
on Emotional Rescue in 2013, this special remix takes the vocal mantra of the original and
creates a balearic-raga tale that perfectly rounds off Especial to date.

Review: ***B-STOCK: Creasing to corner of outer sleeve but otherwise in excellent condition***


Stuart Leath flexes his contacts book with an all-star cast of producers and respected scalpel artists called on to rework cuts from the recent Never Seen The Dunes EP by Khidja. Any 12" featuring the collective talents of Discodromo, In Flagranti, Red Axes and Selvy on mixing desk duties should get you excited and this crew bring the disco heat. "Never Seen The Dunes" is given the Discodromo treatment, adding pulsating bass, driving arpeggio, all while allowing the bump of the original to keeping pushing things on. This is followed by In Flagranti's inspired 'Autobahn' retake of the deeper vibes of "Aura" which is apparently a huge favourite of the label. A matured cruiser that keeps the swing, it all leads to those strings and Eastern flavours gliding over for the perfect finale. Things head darker on the reverse, with Tel Aviv's shinning stars Red Axes, manning the controls for the scatter bounce of "Indecis" for the stand out remix. Twisted vocals, brooding FX and reversed guitar all atop a mesmeric kick, things just keeps going higher and higher. Finally "The Quiet Before The Red Stop" is tweaked by Selvy of The Very Polish Cut Outs and Transatlantyk fame, adding some club bump to Khidja's Balearic original.

Review: ** REPRESS ALERT ** Emotional Especial return with a release from Romanian duo Khidja that comes packing some excellent remixes from senor Fairplay and Juju & Jordash! Brought to the attention of EE thanks to Hardway Brother Sean Johnston, who returned from a Bucharest DJ gig singing the praises of two young DJs, Khidja's productions are as impressive as their selections on the evidence here. "Mustafa" is more immediate with shuffle percussion, swirling sirens and acid bubbles leading to a perfect horn break. In the hands of Mr Fairplay, the track takes on anthemic qualities; the stabbing bass and build have allegedly seen howls of appreciation when it's dropped at A Love From Outer Space. "Abdul" finds Khidja in a more calming mood reminiscent of Art of Noise, though the kick and bass ensure there is plenty of rhythmic emphasis, whilst the Juju & Jordash remix edges towards a Balearic digidub vibe.

Review: It's fair to say Khijda's debut EP on Especial was one of the highlights of the label to date. Mustafa - in original form and remixed to distraction by Timothy J Fairplay - became the soundtrack for many a Summer party, while Abul was perfect for those deeper late night
afters.
This time though we present a stand alone 4 track EP of original music so that Khijda's sound can be full explored. Starting with the title cut, the duo aim right for the dance floor, mixing throbbing live bass, guitar and a touch of Eastern mystic vocals that twist and rise higher and higher.
This is followed by the deep dub vibes of Aura. Coming on as if the idjut Boys had relocated to Istanbul, the bass rumble and tripped out fx are overlaid with strings, xylophone and even a nice does of (more) cowbell that is full of funk and ass moving swing.
On the flip is where things take a warped turn with Indecis. It's incessant rhythm and
Eastern flavour, mixed with 80's style cut up vocals, take the sounds championed by Baris K and Acid Arab to new (and bazar) heights.
Finally then, the EP comes down with the beautiful 'Balearic' grooves of The Quiet And The Red Stop. With a nod to their roots Khidja again forge their own journey, creating and carving out a sound of their own that is unique and at the same time compelling. Watch the skies.

Review: P-Balans continues to shed light on the more unusual underbelly of the Romanian scene, taking a few cues from the dominant minimal scene but adding plenty of analogue weirdness into the mix to provide a genuine alternative for those who like a little more spice in their sauce. On this release Khidja and Delusion Men team up for some off-kilter trips into subversive danceability, starting with the subtle, wavey acid of "Strayed" before cartwheeling into the spooky delights of "Recurrent Weakness". The ghoulish theme gets ramped up to 11 on "Ghost Caravan", where a deathly slow beat carries all kinds of undead synth work, and then Borusiade takes "Recurrent Weakness" to task with a pinging, plunging remix for the end of days.