Drumcode - part 2

Having developed an impeccable reputation in the past twenty years since delving into the word of turntables and mixtapes at an early age, Sims can be called a genuine legend in the world of techno. As a producer he has remixed Jeff Mills, Chris Liebing, Adam Beyer and Kevin Saunderson as well as releasing on just about every seminal techno imprint there is. As an A&R he’s been at the helm of nine labels, including the highly influential Ingoma and KB Records inc, and continues to steward Theory and Hardgroove towards the boxes of the discerning fans. 

Most recently the London-based producer has seen his ‘Way Back Wednesday’ (with Tony Anderson), ‘Funk You’ and occasional disco radio shows garner huge support while ploughing further energy into the futurist techno club night “Machine’ alongside Kirk Degiorgio. 

It’s with Sims’ multitude of achievements and notoritey in mind that the knowledge that ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ is his debut LP is somewhat unbelievable, but fact it is. After initially hooking up with Adam Beyer’s Drumcode imprint late in 2010 after a long standing friendship, the affable and dry witted Sims’ was persuaded to deliver an LP and the lengthy writing and selection process began. The result is 11 superb productions which showcase Ben’s talents, influences and perhaps most importantly, his vision of what techno can and should be. 

From the off ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ is a technicolour affair that refuses to sit too comfortably into one groove, preferring to pull the listener through a range of vibes that, while disparate, flow together perfectly. As the album moves, snippets of new vibes bleed through before developing into themes and this is one of the brilliant elements of ‘Smoke & Mirrors’.  

The rousing and prophetically titled ‘Riots in London’ opener leads us into a frenetic, dub-tinged and filter-driven aesthetic which is neatly carried on in ‘Descent’ but subtly augmented with almost-there soulful vocal samples. This nod to soulful elements is then carried on in the less pacey, house referencing ‘ The Snake’ which fuses stabbing keys to a skipping beat which is as much New York as it is Detroit, London or Berlin. 

As ‘Smoke & Mirrors’ develops, suprises like the out-and-out tech-funk of ‘Back To The Pod’ and the street party disco of ‘Can You Feel It?’ are hinted at but never lack surprise when dropped. The emphatic drive of the huge sounding ‘I Wanna Go Back’ featuring Blake Baxter takes things back to techno territory and does so with real purpose while darker edged tracks such as the lethal ‘Bullet’ and the late-night discordance of  ‘The Afterparty’ ramp up the tension. 

The twilight sections of Sims’ debut are perfectly judged. The dubbed (and blissed) out title track lightens the mood before the slightly more aggressive but widescreen ‘The Calling’ trips proceedings out in anticipation of the closer, the Tyree Cooper vocalled and aptly titled ‘I Feel It Deep’

‘Smoke & Mirrors’ has been more than worth the wait. It’s as balanced, entertaining, engaging and powerful as you’d expect from such an artist as Ben Sims and, complete with artwork from Alan Oldham and collaborations from Blake Baxter and Tyree Cooper, is essential stuff.

Ben Sims - Bullet

Ben Sims - The Calling

Ben Sims - Miss Out On Monday

Label: Mord
Artist: Ritzi Lee
Title: Audiologics EP
Cat No: MORD029
Format: 12" and Digital
Art by: Dennis Beutner

Audiologics EP

Ritzi Lee - Framework

Artist: Ben Sims 
Title:  Smoke & Mirrors 
Label:  Drumcode 
Release: 27th October 2011 
Format: Vinyl / CD / DigiCat No:  DCCD005 

Late-October sees the long awaited release of Ben Simsʼ debut LP, ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ, on Swedish techno imprint 
Drumcode.  
 
Having developed an impeccable reputation in the past twenty years since delving into the word of turntables and mixtapes at an early age, Sims can be called a genuine legend in the world of techno. As a producer he has remixed Jeff Mills, Chris Liebing, Adam Beyer and Kevin Saunderson as well as releasing on just about every 
seminal techno imprint there is. As an A&R heʼs been at the helm of nine labels, including the highly influential Ingoma and KB Records inc, and continues to steward Theory and Hardgroove towards the boxes of the discerning fans.  
 
Most recently the London-based producer has seen his ʻWay Back Wednesdayʼ (with Tony Anderson), ʻFunk Youʼ and occasional disco radio shows garner huge support while ploughing further energy into the futurist techno club 
night “Machineʼ alongside Kirk Degiorgio.  
 
Itʼs with Simsʼ multitude of achievements and notoritey in mind that the knowledge that ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ is his debut LP is somewhat unbelievable, but fact it is. After initially hooking up with Adam Beyerʼs Drumcode imprint late in 2010 after a long standing friendship, the affable and dry witted Simsʼ was persuaded to deliver an LP and the lengthy writing and selection process began. The result is 11 superb productions which showcase Benʼs talents, influences and perhaps most importantly, his vision of what techno can and should be.  
 
From the off ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ is a technicolour affair that refuses to sit too comfortably into one groove, preferring to pull the listener through a range of vibes that, while disparate, flow together perfectly. As the album moves, snippets of new vibes bleed through before developing into themes and this is one of the brilliant elements of ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ.   
 
The rousing and prophetically titled ʻRiots in Londonʼ opener leads us into a frenetic, dub-tinged and filter-driven aesthetic which is neatly carried on in ʻDescentʼ but subtly augmented with almost-there soulful vocal samples. This 
nod to soulful elements is then carried on in the less pacey, house referencing ʻ The Snakeʼ which fuses stabbing keys to a skipping beat which is as much New York as it is Detroit, London or Berlin.  
 
As ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ develops, suprises like the out-and-out tech-funk of ʻBack To The Podʼ and the street party disco of ʻCan You Feel It?ʼ are hinted at but never lack surprise when dropped. The emphatic drive of the huge 
sounding ʻI Wanna Go Backʼ featuring Blake Baxter takes things back to techno territory and does so with real purpose while darker edged tracks such as the lethal ʻBulletʼ and the late-night discordance of  ʻThe Afterpartyʼ ramp up the tension.  
 
The twilight sections of Simsʼ debut are perfectly judged. The dubbed (and blissed) out title track lightens the mood before the slightly more aggressive but widescreen ʻThe Callingʼ trips proceedings out in anticipation of the closer, 
the Tyree Cooper vocalled and aptly titled ʻI Feel It Deepʼ 
 
ʻSmoke & Mirrorsʼ has been more than worth the wait. Itʼs as balanced, entertaining, engaging and powerful as youʼd expect from such an artist as Ben Sims and, comfrom Blake Baxter and Tyree Cooper, is essential stuff. 

DJ SUPPORT FROM: ADAM BEYER, SLAM, BEN KLOCK, MARCEL DETTMANN, CARI LEKEBUSCH, TECHNASIA and many more.

Ben Sims-Smoke & Mirrors 'Drumcode Album Mini Mix'

ARCS-01

Skull Gun

Ben Sims - The Afterparty (Original Mix)

53 Degrees North (Part One)

Psychofiller

XX Part 1

96.1 Mhz (2019 Mix)

Buy: https://bit.ly/2JlD4bp

Techno supergroup LSD - which consists of Luke Slater, Steve Bicknell and Dave Sumner (aka Function) - are launching a new self-titled record label with 'Second Process' - a six-track double-pack that is set to land on June 28.

The release is a heavy display of the group's "melodic and mind-melting techno" that permeates with "surreal atmospheres and propulsive drum-programming." Ahead of the release, LSD has handed over the lead track off the double pack, 'Process 4'. It's a chugging and tireless cut of pure techno that will lead you into the darkest recesses of their beloved genre.

Second Process

More exclusive music

Premiere: LSD 'Process 4'

Techno trio LSD return with the third instalment of the Process series. Hear the futuristic pads and hypnotic, rolling percussion of 'Process 12' now.

More info: https://djmag.com/news/premiere-lsd-process-12

Premiere: LSD 'Process 12'

Bad mood EP

Bad Mood (Original Mix)

Adam Beyer - Simple Maze (Original Mix)

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Franz Jäger’s Roots EP lays down a distinct feverish sound, abducting listeners into a hectic affair filled with surprise and depth that manifests itself in compulsive body action. An astute and diverse release ready to bring dancefloors into a daze.

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Soundcloud: @hayescollective
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Resident Advisor: www.residentadvisor.net/record-label.aspx?id=16137

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Soundcloud: @franzjager 
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Adam Beyer - Simple Maze (Original Mix)

Tim Rutten 2

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