CD Album Recommendations October 2010

Review: In the space of just four years Munich imprint Permanent Vacation have hustled their way to the front of the queue marked labels Juno loves and generally challenge DFA for first place in our collective affections. It's a label that oozes quality, from the compelling concepts behind their compilations to the lovingly presented twelve inch releases. To commemorate the landmark of 50 releases, Permanent Vacation indulge us with 22 tracks from the likes of Pollyester, Tensnake, Woolfy Vs The Projections, John Talabot and Sally Shapiro. Amidst these more recognisable PV artists, there's some curveballs like DMX Crew and Arto Mwambe's "Lauer" and a dash of unreleased gems. Recent classics such as "Coma Cat" and "Reckless With Your Love" are present as well as three versions of Midnight Magic's soon to be classic "Beam Me Up". In fact it's the previously unreleased version from Bostro Pesopeo that ends the compilation which provides the highlight, stripping the track of its vintage disco sheen and turning it into a quite brilliantly haunting track.

Review: After the "next level jazz shit" of Cosmogramma, you'd forgive Flying Lotus for a taking a time out and maybe hit some clubs in LA to find his next Brainfeeder signee. Instead he's spent the past few months scouring the inner workings of his clearly impressive musical brain to deliver Pattern & Grid World, seven tracks of expansive machine funk futurism. Commencing with the hazy mist of psychedelic soul synths flourishes and intricate beat patterns that is "Clay" Ellison demonstrates an ever increasing array of beat poetry. "Kill Your Co-Workers" marries tinny drum and bass programming with an ever expanding opulence of joyous melodies whilst "Pie Face" drops outer galactic grime syncopation over kaleidoscopic bass patterns. "Time Vampires" could soundtrack the astro travelling Lord Quas referred to on the classic Madlib album The Unseen whilst "Jurassic Notion/M Theory" splays wonked out afro percussion over belly level schizoid bass lines. The final rhythmic jolt of "Physics For Everyone" replete with head first plunges into industrial bass makes this a bewitching complement to Ellison's highly lauded album.

Review: Seriously amazing 14 track collection curated by Detroit's gatekeeper of all things deep, Rick Wilhite. The Vibes New & Rare compilation, out on Rush Hour, features killer work from Motor City heroes old and new, including Theo Parrish, Kyle Hall, Marcellus Pittman and the all star Urban Tribe lineup. Wilhite dons his Godson moniker and teams up with Detroit darling Kyle Hall on "Microburst", which provides one of the more interesting, experimental moments on the album. The unreleased material from some of the city's lesser known producers is worth checking out, while anything that carries the tag "Theo Parrish" and "unreleased" should be snapped up pronto. An utterly essential release.

Review: As you probably know by now, Belgian outfit Aeroplane is now fronted by just one pilot, with former member Stephen Fasano pressing the "eject" button a few months back. As such everyone has been waiting with bated breath to see what Vito De Luca can come up with. Well, the results are in, and it's an intriguing mix of styles and vocalists, with De Luca showcasing his musicality and studio prowess across 12 very different tracks. Juno favourite "We Can't Fly" remains a standout, a shimmering, slow-mo Balearic treat, while the Tina Turner-isms of "I Don't Feel" and Depeche Mode flavour on "My Enemy" show a real pop nous. There are some refreshingly subtle moments too, most notably the teasing vocals on "Without Lies". An adventurous debut packed with ideas: we can't wait to see what Aeroplane comes up with next.

Review: 
Strut re-kindle their involvement with one New York's most revered DJs and re-edit pioneers, Danny Krivit, with a fresh album of essential new, rare and classic re-works, past and resent.

As a producer, Krivit is the acknowledged "King Of The Edit" and has been a major influence on today's re-edit culture. From early classics like the 'Feelin' James' and 'Rock The House' JB cut-ups during the mid-'80s, he has released over 300 unique versions, often under the mysterious 'Mr. K' moniker. After releasing a batch of his finest edits on the 'Edits By Mr. K' compilation in 2003, Strut now delve back into the tape cupboard for an all-new edition, bringing together some of Krivit's secret weapons in a wide-ranging selection covering soulful disco, funk and jazz.

Review: With a production career that dates all the way back to 1999, it's only fair on Marco Niemerski to take full advantage of the opportunities afforded him thanks to the monumental success of his Tensnake production "Coma Cat". The homage to Jelly Bean Benetiz has been the swiftest example of a track crossing over from the underground in recent times. The fanfare preceding its release on Permanent Vacation in January no doubt was intrinsic in the momentum that has since made the track a staple on Ibiza with celeb DJ Daveed Gueeeta having taken a shine to it. Whilst purists may sniff at Defected jumping on the Tensnake bandwagon, the label must be applauded for allowing Niemerski full reign on this In The House mix which doesn't have a single commercial concession on the track list. In fact it's more than a bit intriguing to see how the Defected faithful take to hearing a mix that begins with Mugwump and ends with the iconic 90s house of Phase II, veering between the likes of Michael Mayer, Mount Kimbie, DJ Sprinkles and Basic Soul Unit along the way.

Review: Kilimanjaro is one of those albums that doesn't immediately take hold of your senses; it requires a few listens for the subtle nuances to settle in your memory. The vocals of Superpitcher's Alex Schaufler feature heavily, and whilst they don't have the quirks which distinguish Dan Snaith's singing for example, the singular drone of them adds another layer to the tracks. "Rabbit's In Hurry" was a good choice for lead single, with a punk funk bassline that hugs your attention until the track expands into the glorious swirls of kaleidoscopic psychedelia. Schaufler pitches the album perfectly between energetic highs like this and the equally hypnotic "Country Boy" and the mid section descent into the beatless instrumental "Moon Fever". Eastern-tinged lounge hopper "Who Stole The Sun" follows, and serves as the precursor to the midnight synth jam "Black Magic", which along with the hazy piano bliss of "Joanna" and wonderfully odd "Holiday Hearts" brings the album to a sublime close.