great tracks

10 - Chelonis r Jones - Just us dub

06 Chelonis R. Jones   One & One

Available on Juno here - http://bit.ly/1hh0xG3

Back with another serious heavy hitter, Crosstown Rebels presents the latest from dream team Psychemagik, ‘Black Noir Schwarz’ ­ their first original production not to be self­released and already championed by Pete Tong on BBC Radio 1. A club weapon of psychedelically charged, electro­tinged epic proportions, the original is driven by the monster wonky bassline, dark and sultry vocal (from Renata De Sutter aka Renegade) and freaky synths. Spooky keys and chords, and grinding distorted bass bring the track to even murkier depths. Featuring remixes by the legend that is Tensnake and Minéo, make no mistake ‘Black Noir Schwarz’ is set to destroy all dancefloors in its wake.
UK dance music heroes, avid vinyl collectors and masters of the re­edit, Danny McLewin and Tom Coveney aka Psychemagik first entered the public consciousness with their supreme, balearic pop and 12” disco edits. Since then the UK duo has since released an impressive array of highly acclaimed original productions and remixes. Recent remix projects include Bryan Ferry, Haim, Boy George, The Villagers, Azari & III, Metronomy, Chapel Club, Kauf and Mirror People. After other much lauded compilations, such as the self­released ‘Diabolical Synthetic Fantasia’, last years superb ‘Magik Sunrise’ was named the #1 Compilation Of the Year at Piccadilly Records and featured in most good record shops top 10 compilations of 2013 bestsellers lists, including Rough Trade and Phonica. The duo has just returned from a world tour of Australia, USA, Mexico, Asia and Europe.

Tensnake needs little introduction. A household name since his dancefloor smash ‘Coma Cat’ on Permanent Vacation, the Hamburg born DJ and producer Marco Niemerski has since been in ever­increasing demand. His music effortlessly transcends genres and his forthcoming debut album ‘Glow’ is set to cement his reputation as a major talent. For Crosstown Rebels, Tensnake delivers a full­bodied and rolling ‘Black, Noir...’ rework.

Minéo has been buried away in the studio for the past couple of years working on music for his new solo project. With his latest release ‘Turn Out The Lights’ flying high on Hot Creations, Mineo arrives on Crosstown Rebels and turns in a totally fresh take on ‘Black Noir Schwarz’, revelling in a P­funk style groove and filtered vox.

CRM122 Psychemagik feat. Renegade - Black Noir Schwarz

Chelonis R Jones - Deer In The Headlights (Dj Hell Remix)

Black Label #36

The Way Back

Solomun - The Way Back (Out now on Compost Records!)

Somebody's Story

Solomun - Somebody's Story (Out now on Compost Records!)

Different Morals (edit)

Captain Rapp ‘Bad Times (I Can’t Stand It)’ (greg wilson edit)

120 bpm

Previously limited vinyl only 2009.

With all the talk of recession during late 2008 through 2009, Captain Rapp’s ‘Bad Times’ kept running through my head, prompting the idea to put together this edit, which would be pressed  to limited vinyl as part of the Ruff Edits series, appearing as ‘Ruff Rapp’ on Ruff Edits #3. Now, with the news reporters back to warning us of a rocky road ahead, with all the social problems this might entail, it provides a topical opportunity to share it here.

Taking its lyrical cue from 1982’s seminal recording, ‘The Message’ by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, ‘Bad Times (I Can’t Stand It)’ was a socially conscious rap that explored the issues of the day, topped off with the raw pleas of singer Kimberley Ball. Just as important though was the killer Electro-Funk groove that set the more discerning of dancefloors alight. A proper underground tune that was huge for me during the latter part of ’83 , topping my floorfillers list not long before I called time on my DJ career:
http://www.electrofunkroots.co.uk/lists/no1_floorfillers.html

This was very much a track you’d only hear if you were tuned into what was going on in the black clubs over here. Like the majority of tracks I played, I’d picked it up on import from Spin Inn, the essential shop in the North for Soul, Funk, Disco, Electro-Funk and Jazz (the elements that made up a specialist night circa ‘83). As I've said before, if you didn't buy your records at an import stockist like Spin Inn, you couldn't seriously aspire to be a black music specialist, and Spin Inn was right up there, along with an elite of shops, like Groove and City Sounds in London, shaping the course of UK club culture via the constant stream of dance music, great, good and not so good, they brought into this country.

Whereas New York was the centre of the dance universe at this time, its hybrid groove and technological experimentation pushing the music ever forward, ‘Bad Times’ was a West Coast, not East Coast  track, released on a small label out of Los Angeles called Saturn, with unknowns, Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (along with Rich Cason), credited as arranging and performing (Jam & Lewis would, of course, become the most successful dance / R&B producers of the mid-late 80’s). Captain Rapp himself was Larry Earl Glenn, whose 1981 ‘Gigalo Rapp’ (by Disco Daddy & Captain Rapp) has its place in history as the first West Coast Rap 12”. 

‘Bad Times’ would be issued in the UK on the Becket label, but failed to make any real impact beyond the black scene. As such, it’s always retained its underground credentials, and a place in the hearts of black music enthusiasts with a fond ear for the early 80’s. 

Greg Wilson – October 2011

Check out my label's music at: https://superweirdsubstance.bandcamp.com

Captain Rapp 'Bad Times (I Can't Stand It)' (greg wilson edit)

Anthony Rother - Little Computer People

Fur Coat feat Cari Golden -  You and I (Cocaine Ketamine)

La Funk Mob - Motor Bass Get Phunked Up (Richie Hawtin Electrofunk Remix)

Miss Kittin & The Hacker - Frank Sinatra

Nicolas Jaar - Love Teacher

Download in The Ghostly Store: http://www.theghostlystore.com/products/matthew-dear-fighting-is-futile-seth-troxler-remix
Buy 'Beams' in The Ghostly Store: http://www.theghostlystore.com/products/matthew-dear-beams

great tracks

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