drumcode

Remedy



A great philosopher (Samuel Johnson, not Ebeneezer Goode) once wrote… “our brightest blazes of gladness are commonly kindled by unexpected sparks”. While it would be a stretch to suggest the Drumcode artist roster are closet philosophy fans, once one begins to unravel the tale that led to Jel Ford remixing the 2012 Alan Fitzpatrick hit ‘For An Endless Night’ and it is impossible to escape the unexpected enterprise and spirit of surprise that are at the heart of this exciting collaboration.

As fans of Adam Beyer’s label will testify, the two Drumcode names have more in common than just a label stable, they also share common ground with the peak-time melodic sound that has delivered many of the labels most memorable output. Ford being a much more recent addition than Fitzpatrick, whose history with the seminal Swedish imprint stretches back to 2009, however Ford’s history within techno goes back even further having released multiple EP’s through the early noughties on vintage UK techno labels including Dave Angel’s Rotation Records, Billy Nasty’s Tortured Records, Primate Recordings and Ford’s own Jericho imprint.

It is within this shared passion for uplifting synths and big room melodies that the ‘unexpected spark’ of creativity that led to Ford remixing Fitzpatrick can be found. An long-time admirer of Fitzpatrick’s work, Ford had developed an idea for his alternative version and secretly worked on the remix long before any discussion of the project had taken place. Once given the draft version, Fitzpatrick immediately endorsed the remix, excited to have an updated version to breath new life into what had become a familiar staple of his sets for the past two years. Parts were swapped and the end result being the barnstorming end-of-night monster presented here. A track that will be familiar with many having been the subject of much social-media furor since it first surfaced back in Autumn 2014.


For An Endless Night (Jel Ford Remix)

DC140 For An Endless Night (Jel Ford Remix)[Drumcode]

Adam Beyer’s Drumcode juggernaut attracts more fans and critical plaudits with each passing year. Holding firm on its future facing ethos, techno’s number one label presents a new volume in its acclaimed A-Sides series with 20 prime tracks to signify its 20th anniversary. 

Such is the volume of quality music Adam Beyer receives throughout the course of the year, releasing all of it would be impossible. Enter the blue chip A-Sides series: a chance for the quality-obsessive label head to issue a collection of outstanding tracks that couldn’t fit in their regular EP release schedule. 

With an eye on future talent, as much as the label’s established roster of heavy-hitters, the compilation showcases the full breadth of Drumcode’s multifaceted techno sound, equal parts inspiring and functional. 

Led by the stealth techno funk of ‘Nine of You’, Beyer’s deft collaboration with Mark Reeve, the compilation takes in exciting highlights from big guns such as Alan Fitzpatrick, Dustin Zahn, Bart Skils, Pleasurekraft, Luca Agnelli, Jay Lumen, Kaiserdisco and Gary Beck. 

The rich vein of form displayed by emerging techno talent is similarly given prime position. Rising DJ/producer Boxia makes his Drumcode debut, fresh from a well-received warm up set for the crew at the hugely successful Junction 2 festival in London, while the likes of Enrico Sangiuliano, Juan Sanchez, Ian O’Donovan and Timmo also drop fire, establishing their credentials as some of the most promising talent breaking through the ranks in 2016. 

Reinforcing the global scope of the label, artists such as The Junkies from Toronto and Layton Giordani from New York, prove techno is winning a place in the heart of the new generation of artists coming out of North America. 

Kevin de Vries - Eternity - Drumcode - DC159

Hot on the heels of the A-Sides Volume 5 compilation, Enrico Sangiuliano makes his return to Drumcode with his highly anticipated EP ‘Moon Rocks’. The heavy hitting four track EP shines a light on Sangiuliano’s tight, thundering production skills. The hoover heavy lead track ‘Moon Rocks’ is packed with booming percussion, intricate synths and brooding crescendos. The EP encapsulates Sangiuliano’s wide spectrum of sounds ranging from the fat bass line of ‘Moon Rocks’ to the more delicate harmonies shown within the ‘Dutch Kiss’ mixes whilst ‘Ghettoblaster’ sits somewhere in between.

Enrico Sangiuliano - Dutch Kiss (Inner Mix) - Drumcode - DC160

Enrico Sangiuliano - Moon Rocks - Drumcode - DC160

Now in its second decade, with a steady stream of the most forward thinking and cutting edge techno productions, Drumcode has one of the biggest selections of releases from industry heavy hitters, whilst not forgetting its future by bringing the newest talented producers into the limelight, where Layton Giordani is now a name firmly within that line up.

The New York born, but now EU based producer first had recognition back in 2014, and his debut release came via Drumcode with his track “Rivington” on the A-Sides Vol5 compilation in 2016. 

Consisting of 12 original tracks, the album packs a punch when it comes to no-nonsense techno. Successfully weaving relentless drums and catchy vocal hooks into a selection of thick, brooding, atmospheric tracks.

Layton Giordani - Sometimes - Drumcode - DC170

A work 12 months in the making, Adam Beyer continues his exciting series of collaborative EPs, teaming up with heavy-hitters Pig&Dan for an multi-faceted four-tracker.

Chances are up if you spied Adam Beyer in an airport departure lounge over the past 12 months, he’d have his head buried in his laptop, immersed in creating sound sketches. A long-time fan of collaborations, the Drumcode chief has been on an inspiring streak of form lately, teaming up with the likes of Mark Reeve, Dense & Pika and now Pig&Dan. The results have been compelling, to say the least. 

In trademark perfectionist Beyer style, the title track ‘Capsule’ – a shimmering slice of techno - involved “around 15 different versions” the track rigorously road tested by the Swede and featured in episodes of Drumcode Radio to test dancefloor reactions, before finally getting the sign off.  ‘In Love’ is a big room techno groover, driven by crisp drums and the kind of evocative vocal effect that’ll have hairs standing on ends. ‘Atmosfear’ is true to its name, centered on a menacing synth line and gritty percussion, its deep kicks and subterranean bass combining superbly to create a heady dancefloor brew. ‘We Are E’ is propelled by a catchy synth hook and a classic call-to-arms vocal, which tips its cap to the artists’ shared love of classic UK rave.

Adam Beyer Vs Pig&Dan - Capsule - Drumcode - DC171

Adam Beyer Vs Pig&Dan - Atmosfear - Drumcode - DC171

Drumcode returns with its 6th installment of the internationally celebrated A-Sides series. Renowned for fostering a shared space between industry tastemakers and rising talent alike, the careful curation that goes into each volume is a fine example of why Beyer’s brand continues to go from strength to strength.

Techno titan Adam Beyer has grown Drumcode into a force to be reckoned with; the label has become synonymous with forward-thinking, functional techno and even after 20 years, Drumcode continues to find new boundaries to push, and ways to solidify its legacy as the world’s number one techno label. 

2017 is no exception, with Beyer’s imprint hosting it’s first stage at Tomorrowland, not to mention the expansion of the critically acclaimed Junction 2 where the Drumcode stage is the centrepiece and Adam plays the key role of festival director. The Drumcode phenomenon continues to grow each week, chiefly fuelled by Drumcode Radio, Adam’s radio show that’s broadcast in 57 countries via 86 stations and to a global audience of 16 million techno fans per week. 

The A-Sides series acts as a perfect vignette of Drumcode’s cutting-edge sound; functional yet inspired techno, all tracks tried and tested by Beyer himself. Vol. 6 continues this tradition with a collection of 16 multi-faceted cuts from a mixture of both emerging artists and experienced label friends. 

The heart-throbbing bass in Amelie Lens’ electrifying piece ‘In Silence’ sets the tone for the dark and dance-floor-ready energy that Vol.6 carries the whole way through. Other standouts include Mars Bill’s rough’n’ready ‘Mohave’. Pulsating and precise, ‘Mohave’ has highlighted many of Beyer’s sets recently as has Wehbba’s monster track ‘Fake’, which fans have been anticipating the release of all year. 

Label-favourites Dense & Pika also feature on ‘A-Sides’ Vol. 6 with their hard-hitting ‘Just a Beat’ and a huge track from Beyer himself who has joined forces with Enrico Sangiuliano to bring us their undeniably infectious ‘Preset Heaven’. 

With many more notable selections from the likes of Julian Jewell, Timmo, Tiger Stripes and Pig&Dan, A-Sides Vol. 6 is another impressive addition to the label’s prolific release roster and a testament to why Drumcode remains at the forefront of the electronic world.

Luca Agnelli - Hypericum - Drumcode - DC178

Adam Beyer & Enrico Sangiuliano - Preset Heaven - Drumcode - DC178

After a very productive and succesful 2017 so far Thomas Schumacher returns to Noir Music with part II of his newly started Natural Rhythm series.
Part I had support from Techno lovers across the world and saw both tracks hit the top of the techno charts. So how do you follow up on that? Well, if you’re Thomas Schumacher, you do the natural thing and follow your instinct.
Natural Rhythm II serves up yet another strong 2-tracker that is designed for the primetime techno floors around the globe. Both tracks have been carefully crafted down the bone without ever feeling over-produced. “Unconfused” has a big, surprising synth break whereas “Locust” takes a unexpected turn after the drop with an additional acidic bass-pattern.
Both tracks carry the Thomas Schumacher energy and underground sound that I have come to love so much. I play both tracks in my sets, will you?

Natural Rhythm II

Beatport

Noir Music // Thomas Schumacher - Natural Rhythm II // NMW106

Adam Beyer’s Drumcode is growing from strength to strength, year after year, with a non-stop release schedule showcasing both the labels new and most established artists with cutting edge techno beats. After 20 years since its inception, Drumcode continues to push the boundaries, firmly grounding their position as the world’s No.1 techno label.

Drumcode’s youngest rising star, Layton Giordani, exploded on to the scene after his debut album “Where It Begins” back in February, after scoring some of the biggest festivals in Europe this summer, he now returns with an exciting collab titled “Live Again”.

NY born and bred, Danny Tenaglia has always been a true inspiration for Layton since his teenage years, so when the opportunity to collaborate with the fellow NY legend was on the cards, it was a dream come true.

Danny and Layton join forces for the lead track ‘Live Again’. Its deep and dark with a slowly building pad wrapping around a modulating synthetic hook. The dark and effected vocal echo takes the track into a hypnotic vibe.

‘Take It Back’ delivers a pumping drive the moment it fires up. Snapping percussive force and an infectious rhythmic groove will unhinge dance floors nationwide, whilst ‘Secrets of Vibration’ has a rattling, yet blistering low end presence to it.

The New Yorkers unite on this energetic and exciting collab.

Layton Giordani - Take It Back - Drumcode - DC180

Layton Giordani feat. Danny Tenaglia - Live Again - Drumcode - DC180

Following on from his debut EP on Drumcode earlier this year, Ilario Alicante returns with a generous 6-tracker.

Ilario Alicante - Figure Of RA - Drumcode - DC183

Making his debut on Drumcode in 2017 with his track ‘Fake’ featured on the A-Sides Vol 6 compilation, one of Brazil’s much loved exports Wehbba brings us his first full EP this February with ‘Eclipse’.

A no nonsense 4 track offering, and all thoroughly road tested by Adam, they have gained much support from longtime Drumcode fans. Eclipse, delivers a low end rumble along with a modulating synth line. Reigning high throughout the track, is the undeniably catchy and unique synth. Leaving this track one to be recognised on dancefloors all over the world.

‘Protocol’ doesn't turn down the pace, straight into a chugging hypnotic drive, this track leaks with attitude, along it’s eerie undertones.

Probably the most acid influenced track of the EP, ‘Glasswerk’ has a futuristic modular synth riff which thunders along a hypnotic bass line which flows nicely into ‘Framework’ to close out the EP. Its punchy and powerful kick sits alongside the cleverly crafted synth pattern, taking this track into a dark zone with a groovy element still resonant.

Wehbba - Glasswerk - Drumcode - DC185

Wehbba - Protocol - Drumcode - DC185

Wehbba - Eclipse - Drumcode - DC185

One of the most exciting artists to emerge in techno circles in recent times, Drumcode is excited to present the label’s first EP from Boxia.

Over the last 12 months the UK artist has impressed with his classy take on techno that mines two decades of rave. Last year’s ‘Colour Sequence’ EP on We Are The Brave marked one of 2017’s standout releases, before being tapped by Maya Jane Coles to remix a track from her latest album ‘Take Flight’, while B.Traits also shone the spotlight on him for a Future 12 residency on BBC Radio 1 throughout September. Boxia first came into contact with Adam Beyer when he opened the Car Park at Tobacco Dock for LWE’s NYD event in 2016, and since then the pair have spoken regularly sharing similar tastes in music and DJing. He dropped his first cut on DC during the summer of ’16, with ‘Revolution’ that featured on A-Sides Vol. 5, making him primed and ready for his first full length EP in 2018.

The four-track work lives up to his growing reputation for crafting beautiful, nuanced and ultimately very powerful electronic music. The EP opens with ‘No World Order’, a deep transcendental slice of techno propelled by a wicked acid line and vocal that leads to a galloping finish. ‘Only Human’ is drenched in atmosphere and old skool wonder, a brilliant composition of punchy multi-layered drum work, catchy synth lines and cutting acid that reveals its tender side with emotive broken beat interludes. ‘Unreal’ is a big peak time belter, raising the tempo to sweaty palms level, as a propulsion of acid and a memorable riff fill the technosphere. The title track ‘Ethereal Education’ closes out the work, a beautiful chord-driven vocal cut that evokes images of the classic dance that characterised Boxia’s earlier years and makes a fitting outro to this outstanding EP.

Boxia - Only Human - Drumcode - DC186

Boxia - No World Order - Drumcode - DC186

Mark Reeve makes his welcome return to the Drumcode fold with a powerful three-tracker ‘Far Away’.

In recent years Mark Reeve has become a pivotal member of the Drumcode crew. His 2015 EP ‘Run Back’ was a standout, before he backed it up strongly with ‘Nine of You’, his collaboration with Adam Beyer that featured on A-Sides Vol.5, ensuring his place in the hearts of DC fans. As further evidence of his importance to the collective, Beyer has selected him to suit up for the inaugural Drumcode Festival happening this August in association with Awakenings. 

Harking back to formative times in the ‘90s when he’d frequent Sven Väth’s legendary Omen in Frankfurt, the title track to Reeve’s ‘Far Away’ is a timeless beauty, driven by a celestial melody line and emotive bass notes that lobs it into the kind of laser-kissed territory that would make even the most jaded of raves throw their arms skyward. ‘Fragile’ follows, a classy bass-driven cut that makes its mark with deep subterranean stabs and punchy kicks. Rounding out the EP is ‘Redemption’ a tougher, heads-down techno workout imbued with plenty of energy thanks to a crafty bass melody that runs throughout.

drumcode

patrickamsterdam