Slacker - Damage To Be Undone (SFTRW01)

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Soft Raw is a new label from Danielle – a natural extension of the Bristol-based DJ’s expansive tastes within contemporary club music. Over the past few years the NTS resident has become a leading light in the multifaceted world of modernist techno abstractions, ably balancing soundsystem pressure and propulsive rhythmic intensity with experimental textures and explorative energy variations. Soft Raw seeks to continue that mission with releases which will progress stylistically from one approach to another, taking in exciting, emergent producers unique in their approach but bound together by the idiosyncratic curation of Danielle – a faithful reflection of her proven skill as a selector.

The label launches with a six-track drop from Slacker. Sam Black has been winding up a potent strain of needlepoint techno which leans towards jungle and half-time D&B in its tempo and structure. Across a selection of various releases, Black’s sound has evolved into an accomplished and detailed style which draws on moody atmospheres and advanced engineering in the grand tradition of UK soundsystem music. Across this EP the Slacker sound matches up to the spirit of Soft Raw, balancing fierce kinetic energy with delicacy and finesse and leaving some space for outright ambience. At times he locks into a half-step warm-up mode, while elsewhere the amens creep in for a more pronounced jungle rinse-out.

It’s a strong opening statement for this new label, but crucially this doesn’t spell out the future in absolute terms. True to Danielle’s broad outlook, subsequent releases are set to take in everything from straight up 4/4 and acid to footwork and electro, with a narrative binding each release together according to her internal logic and the tension between soft and raw qualities explored across consistently cutting-edge tracks. 

Press release by Oli Warwick. 

Releases November 25, 2022

Written & Produced by Sam Black
Mastered by Analogue Cuts
Distributed by One Eye Witness
Design by Atelier Superplus
softraw.bandcamp.com
@soft__raw

all rights reserved

Slacker - Damage To Be Undone | Soft Raw (SFTRW01)- Snippets

Hot on the heels of Guinu’s modern Brazilian jazz-funk opus ‘Palagô LP’, comes an exceptional remix 12” of four standout album tracks.  For the A1, Jose Marquez flips the title track into a percussion-heavy and hypnotic Afro-Latin house burner, a masterful future classic of a mix that feels all but destined for late night Louie Vega or Osunlade sets. Faze Action harken back to their early 2000s vibe with a loungey beat-driven reimagining of ‘Haja Fé’.
 On the flip, Razor-N-Tape stalwart Diogo Strausz takes the angular ‘Eletromandinga’ into the stratosphere with anthemic synth melodies, rousing bloco percussion and interstellar vocal treatments. Rounding out the EP, well-loved Brazilian producer Carrot Green gives ‘Porão de Ferro’ an 80s boogie makeover, complete with dubbed out vocals and funky synth bass work over bouncy analog beats

PREMIERE : Guinu - Portão De Ferro (Carrot Green Dance Mix)

The moon cast a harsh light on the path through the mountains, if there was another route they'd take it but one hadn't revealed itself to them. Making their journey in the darkness wasn't an easy decision but it was the only way they could keep their cover; it was imperative they weren't seen by a soul. It wouldn't be long before the sun would start appearing on the horizon and then they'd have to find shelter again - the nocturnal hours were the only friend they could trust.

In May of this year Berlin-based couple Local Suicide released their long-awaited debut album Eros Anikate. They continued their collaborative approach, bringing friends along for the ride, many of whom they've previously joined forces with, including Curses, Skelesys, Kalipo and Theus Mago.

Since the release they've extended invitations to more like-minded producers for a series of four remix EPs, each taking their name from an Ancient Greek god. For the third edition they've enlisted Adana Twins, Pacific Assalt Sissem, Alejandro Molinari and Andre VII to rework four tracks, all of whom add their own touch to the originals which blend dark disco, new wave, acid and slow-techno influences.

PREMIERE: Local Suicide w/ Skelesys - Moustache (Andre VII Remix) [Iptamenos Disco]

It didn't seem to matter how much he prepared in advance or how many hours he put aside to reach his destination; somehow he still managed to make it just by the skin of teeth. Too many anxious journeys, angry exchanges and sweat-soaked runs through terminal buildings had preceded this moment, so when would he learn? Or would the odds continue to stack up against him? It was always down to the last call...

Nantes has got themselves a freshly minted record label in the form of Cane Corso. The first release gives us a window into what you can expect from the label in the future, in both musical ethos and curation. Featuring a healthy roll call of several underground artists who are making moves across France at the moment, namely Realitycheck, Adam BFD, Voiron and several others, Première Portée threads together bass, IDM, techno and breaks.

PREMIERE: Realitycheck - Last Call [Cane Corso]

@danielle_dj launches her new @soft-raw label with six tracks of bassy techno and breaks from @sam-black747

More info: https://djmag.com/listen/premiere-slacker-love-devil

Premiere: Slacker ‘Love As A Devil’

Pre-order: https://slacker-artist.bandcamp.com/album/damage-to-be-undone

@soft-raw is a new label from @danielle_dj – a natural extension of the Bristol-based DJ’s expansive tastes within contemporary club music. The label's first release comes in the shape of a brand new six-track EP, 'Damage To Be Undone' from @sam-black747.

Across the EP, Slacker's sound matches up to the spirit of Soft Raw balancing fierce kinetic energy with delicacy and finesse and leaving some space for outright ambience.

More exclusive music

Premiere: Slacker 'Dulled Voice Of Anger'

It was about time they laid all their cards on the table; no more secrets, no more excuses and definitely no more sneaking around. How they'd not been found out yet was something of a miracle - there were many times the game had nearly been up, but somehow the truth had never come out. If they'd been honest from the outset, things could have been different, but sometimes putting your feelings out there, naked and bare, was more frightening than the repercussions. 

There's certain DJs that you can trust will curate a top drawer record label. With Bristol mainstay Danielle and her freshly minted Soft Raw imprint, we're definitely in safe hands. An extension of her own tastes as a DJ, the label will explore the contrast between soft and raw textures, casting a net far and wide to catch everything from abstract rhythms to technoid experiments and weighty sub-heavy sonics, whilst seeking to platform new producers who are carving out a singular sound. The first comes from Sam Black, better known as Slacker, who sets the tone in fine style with a collection of moody, rumbling cuts that lean heavily into jungle and half-time DnB.

PREMIERE: Slacker - Lay It Bare [Soft Raw]

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