Drumcode bangers

Paul Ritch is no stranger to Drumcode and has returned with an outstanding single featuring three tracks that will dominate DJ sets. The first track ‘Run Baby Run’ entertains us with an arpeggiated chord sequence that is accompanied by percussion-like synth sounds before bursting into a thick-layered sequence of sound. The dark and dubby side of the single see’s Paul’s ‘Astral’ bring a funky sleazed out groovy track that also uses a discerning melody. ‘Mind Insistence’ is a dark 5am groove that will keep the dance floor swaying in the early hours with it’s tripped out feel and syncopated percussion.

DC115 - Paul Ritch - Astral - Drumcode

Slam’s new three track single flawlessly encaptures the modern Drumcode sound. Movement trundles forward with snare rolls and funky percussion. The synth line keeps the funky groove rolling along until the snare roll break where it then crescendos effortlessly back into the track. The Realms synth line weaves in and out of the beat, filtering up and down to create intensity before unleashing itself into aural pleasure. Irrational Numbers takes an unusual rhythmic synth pattern and creates a groove that will make the dance floor shuffle.  Layered with pads, the track uses depth to create a distinctive character.

DC116 - Slam - The Realm - Clip

DC116 - Slam - Irrational Numbers - Clip

Adam Beyer and Ida Engberg come together to create a new track after the success of the highly acclaimed 'Lovecraft'. 'Unanswered Question' uses a weighty kick drum and a sensuous vocal before the track breaks into some groovy synth stabs. Julian Jeweil's remix of 'Unanswered Question' is a late night dubbed out version that compromises of a groove that pulsates throughout and falls into the original synth stabs before rising back into the funky, dubbed out groove. The Dense & Pika remix uses unusual percussion to produce a chunky groovy rhythm. When the track breaks it takes the listener on an eerie journey before it kicks back in to the chunky drum beat. The final track 'Virga' is a more melodic techno offering that finishes the single off with a classy finish.

DC117 - Adam Beyer & Ida Engberg - Unanswered Question - Julian Jeweil Remix - Clip

The vinyl includes 3 original tracks characterized by raw techno sounds and solid atmospheres. On the A side ‘Sonic Mood’ produced alongside his friend Piegaja, is a massive peak time tune with an unexpected twist within the break to create a unique experience. The B-side opens with ‘Uncompromised’ that is another chunky, drum driven record. Laced with a cheeky melodic stab, the track is notoriously funky and will work well on the dance floor. The Ep closes with ‘Running Fast T oday’, once again a strong powerful record with dark atmospheric synths that create a uncompromising mood.

DCLTD11 - Marco Faraone - Uncompromised - Drumcode Limited

Sam’s EP boot’s off with ‘Chocolate’, a track that builds and builds using detuned synths, stabs and funky drums to make any dance floor erupt. ‘Domino’ is a track that’s bassline drones underneath its own distinctive synth line to keep the drums rolling along steadily. The title track ‘Black Leather’ is everything you would expect in a Drumcode record; a subtle throbbing bass line which, keeps the track moving before the synth stabs enrapture the track and twist it into a dark, throbbing composition. The final track ‘Daegon’ uses dubbed out drums to incorporate a synth melody line that will blow your socks off and rounds off this well shaped EP.

DC119 - Sam Paganini - Black Leather - Drumcode

DC119 - Sam Paganini - Chocolate - Drumcode

Harvey’s highly anticipated single starts with the title track ‘Lost’ that comprises of a catchy vocal hook and rhythmic synth stabs to set the mood. This is layered over a straight, serious beat that has lots of energy and grit to make any speaker stack shake. ‘Find My Mind’ uses a mixture of reversed and straight hats to create a funky groove that is sprinkled with hypnotic synth stabs and a mesmerising vocal. ‘Hard To See’ uses a funky sub bass in combination with some swinging drums to create a groove that will rattle the speakers and bring the house down.

DC120 - Harvey McKay - Hard To See - Drumcode

DC120 - Harvey McKay - Find My Mind - Drumcode

There’s no room to argue, Joseph Capriati has enjoyed his finest year to date and his escalation as one the principle profiles in techno knows no boundaries. 

The Napoli-born firebrand has just completed a stunning season in Ibiza as a resident of Marco Carola’s Music On at Amnesia. Anyone who caught him play the main room this season will agree – his special ability to combine an infectious stage presence, with razor sharp DJ skills draws techno fans to dancefloor like bees to a honey pot. No wonder island legend Carola’s handpicked him to perform on 8 separate occasions, more than any other artist this season. 

Combine this momentum with an outstanding 2013 that already saw him headline his first coast-to-coast tour of the US, play a historic 12 hour set at the Metropolis in Napoli, plus headline every major techno festival on the planet, the time couldn’t be better for Capriati to unleash ‘Self Portrait’, his sophomore LP. 

Already ingrained in the consciousness of techno lovers this year thanks to ‘Fratello’ and ‘Awake’ the pair of searing dancefloor slayers that were released in June as the album’s first singles, ‘Self Portrait’ goes deeper than the club stormers the Italian is famed for. Over 11 future-facing tracks, Capriati displays his deft production skill to supersede his reputation for bodyslamming dancefloors. 

Tracks such as ‘Electrolytic’, the album’s atmospheric opener evokes mood with a barrage of steely synths, gritty drums and industrial beats, while ‘Self Portrait’, the typically reflective album title track is an understated ambient gem led by warm trickles of melody that pairs nicely with ‘Naked’ which exhibits the producer’s deft skills for moulding sparse stripped back minimal that kicks along with cheeky vox and shuffling percussion. 

He further reinforces his ability to create addictive club rollers with the quirky, squiggly groover ‘Easy Come Easy Go’, while the masterful ‘Basic Elements’, chugs along with rattling industrial percussion before giving way to a sublime wall of melody that’s just the kind of genius fare that gets his diehard fans raising Italian flags inscribed with ‘JOSEPH CAPRIATI KING OF TECHNO’ regularly at this gig. And with an album this good, who are we to argue?

Joseph Capriati - Easy Come Easy Go - Drumcode

Using rolling percussion and a thumping kick, Luigi’s four track EP starts with a bang as the title suggests; ‘Primo’ really is unbeatable! Luigi uses synth stabs that add character and finesse to this outstanding piece of music. ‘I Believe’ uses dubby drums and an infectious vocal to really tear things apart before dropping into a melodic synth section that will make anyone move. Tantra’s melodic groove synths help this early morning track really come into its own before the main melodic section, accompanied by strings, will take any clubber to their own dimension. Hypnotizek rounds off the EP being more upfront about where it’s going. This cheeky, groove based track will warm up a dance floor quickly and get people in the mood for a real party!

DC122 - Luigi Madonna - I Believe - Drumcode

DC122 - Luigi Madonna - Primo - Drumcode

Harvey McKay starts his next single using a killer vocal hook and heavy-duty synth stabs to full effect, conjuring up more of Harvey’s unique style with ‘Silk Road’. The second track ‘Slip’ uses ghostly pads that float over the top of a crisp, chuggy kick drum combining two different qualities before welcoming the percussive synth blips into the mix. The third and final track ‘Start Running’ is chuggy and uses a mesmerising bass loop to draw a dancefloor in. The vocal stabs sit nicely on top before the lead vocal gives the track character and definition.

DC124 - Harvey McKay - Silk Road - Drumcode

4 Sam Paganini Paral-lel

In the same vein as her recently launched MOOD imprint, ‘Believe’ is suited to a number of atmospheres and settings. Across the nine original productions and one collaboration with label boss Adam Beyer, Nicole has crafted a sonically diverse long-player of sounds which draw on the plethora of styles electronic music has to offer. From her accustomed techno to twisted house and everything in-between, the stylistic variety on offer means cuts ‘Believe’ will easily feature in more intimate settings and big-room venues alike. ‘Believe’ features a host of tracks aimed squarely at the clubs. From the moody ‘Movin On’, the bass-heavy “Do Your Thing”, to the industrial techno grooves on “Come And Lay” and the hypnotic chanting vocal on “Get On It”, the techno-aficionados will not be disappointed with what is sublime set of cuts that will no doubt destroy any dance-floor. 
In contrast however, there are more intimate moments to be found. For example the rhythmically entrancing yet uplifting “Fly With You”, to “Liberum Spirita” with its mazy ethereal breakdown, and the synth-heavy percussive builder “Lumière Tamisée”. Nicole’s further flexes her production muscle with the stripped back dub-flavours of “Big Love With No Apology”, and a robotic groove-laden funk on the standout “Can I Get Some”.  “Believe” delivers a consummate body of work with which Nicole’s considerable abilities in the studio are clear for all to hear. A wide-range of sounds that is sure to appeal to the idiosyncratic tastes of the various sub-sections of electronic music community. Furthermore, it lives up to the high-standards of previous Drumcode long-players and is an engrossing and impressive debut; and one that offers a smooth segue into the next chapter of an already exciting career. 


Nicole Moudaber - Do Your Thing - Drumcode

Nicole Moudaber - Get On It - Drumcode

Nicole Moudaber - Can I Get Some - Drumcode

Starting with his track ‘Tonal Response’, Petter B has incorporated chunky drums with a melodic synth to give this track an industrial feel that will leave its stamp in any club. ‘Filtered Tone Sequence’ uses a tonal sequence and filtered cut offs to give this track depth and character. On the flip side, ‘Tone Reproduction’ uses short stabs and a reverberated percussion to create a phrase that has a perfect juxtaposition with the bass to create a funk driven groove. ‘Atonal Dub’ is the final track to close the EP and is based around a weighty rhythm section to create an absurd groove to keep the dance floor moving. 

DCLTD10 - Petter B - Tonal Response - Drumcode Limited

DCLTD10 - Petter B - Filtered Tone Sequence - Drumcode Limited

Bart Skils kicks off the three-track single with ‘Fight Club’. Using rolling drums, ‘Fight Club’ builds to a crescendo before the unusual melodic synth phrase bursts in to give the track a distinctive character. ‘Base Camp’ uses a throbbing, militant style synth that emanates in and out to add dynamic and tension. ‘Tracking Down’ uses atmospheric pads to construct a thick build up before a funky, melodic line kicks in to give ‘Tracking Down’ a different feel to the others.

Drumcode bangers

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