Drumcode

On my Drumcode Live show I have an hour from mine and Joseph Capriati's 8 hour B2B show live from Metropolis, Naples.

DCR187 - Drumcode Radio Live - Adam Beyer & Joseph Capriati B2B live from Metropolis, Naples part 1

On my Drumcode Radio Live show I have another hour from mine and Joseph Capriati's 8 hour B2B show live from Metropolis, Naples.

DCR188 - Drumcode Radio Live - Adam Beyer & Joseph Capriati B2B live from Metropolis, Naples part 2

Bart Skils returns to Drumcode with his third solo release, ‘Shadowprint’. Consisting of Bart’s famous rolling drums and bass rhythms he has crafted an EP that is exceptionally functional. With each track Bart has added character by introducing vocals, interesting melodies and deep percussion to keep it interesting. The EP is made up of 3 peak time tracks that are eloquently put together. ‘My Part Of Town’ is a bit deeper from Bart and contrast’s well to the rest of the EP with it’s melodic bass line.

Bart Skils - For Your Eyes - Drumcode - DC126

Nicole has returned to Drumcode all guns blazing with her new ‘Bittersweet EP’. The A- side ‘I Know Where I’ve Been’, is a deep rolling techno machine that uses a constant building percussion loop that eventually explodes into some serious funky signature Moudaber techno! ‘Bittersweet’ is a techno belter that uses a hypnotic synth rhythm that will take the listener into another world. The repetitive claps induce a flurry of energy and excitement whilst supported by the crisp highs.

Nicole Moudaber - Bittersweet - Drumcode - DC127

Adam Beyer - Grass Carpet

Foremost international techno outlet Drumcode is delighted to announce the release of its next full-length album, ‘Satellite’, by enduring Italian techno talent Sam Paganini.

Though he has been active since the mid nineties, recent years have been hugely successful for Sam, with searing techno EPs coming on revered labels such as Riche Hawtin’s Plus8, Sven Vath’s Cocoon and of course, Adam Beyer’s Drumcode. In his time he has been responsible for underground hits like ‘Zoe’, ‘Polyester’ and ‘Fire In My Arms’, all of which demonstrate his dynamic understanding of sexy, dark and hypnotic techno grooves and at the same time have earned him plenty of great Beatport chart positions as well as respect from the best in the game.

Incredibly, ‘Satellite’ is Sam’s first full-length album. Informed by his DJ gigs at legendary places like Berghain in Berlin and Cielo in New York, the album starts with a dystopian bit of sonic scene setting, as if a space ship is charging up ready to take off.

From there it’s a case of getting straight down to business. ‘Another Chance’ is a spacey bit of cantering techno and ‘White’ is rooted in devastating kick drums and is riddled with serrated synth lines that build lots of great techno pressure. ‘Down’ is an undulating bit of funky techno complete with choice vocal flourishes and tracks like ‘Lotus’ are prime offerings from the deeper end of the scale.

No two tracks sound the same on Satellite: Sam is always teasing out a new bit of texture, nailing a slightly different vibe or exploring different amounts of light and dark throughout the course of this most excellent album. This is evidenced by diverse cuts like ‘Dusty’, ‘Toxic’ and ‘Rave’.

Despite ‘Satellite’ being Sam’s debut album, it showcases his seductive style in all its glory across 12 fantastic tracks that will leave you begging for more.

Sam Paganini - Sunflower - Drumcode - DCCD10

Luigi Madonna returns to Drumcode a year after his superb single ‘Primo’ using familiar hooks, huge stabs and monstrous drums that storm across the dance floor which, are common with Mr Madonna. The hard hitting raw vibe of this EP gives Luigi an edge, with fluttering high’s and saturated lows, Luigi’s tracks are a mainstay in all DJ sets. The EP encompasses different emotions throughout that can be felt within the track ‘Singer One’, offering a more mellow side to Luigi’s already expansive catalogue.

Luigi Madonna - Unconditional Beauty - Drumcode - DC135

Adam Beyer is back on Drumcode with an impressive array of tracks that will get the senses tingling and shows us what Drumcode is all about. These 4 tracks are deep and almost melancholic in their approach to techno, using effects to really help enforce an ambience only Beyer can achieve within his productions. The under lying throbbing of the drums drives this EP into the forefront of the heads down Drumcode sound and have been heard in many of Beyer’s phenomenal sets throughout the year.

Adam Beyer - That Would Be The Sun - Drumcode - DC141



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]

The Drumcode A-Sides compilation is quickly becoming synonymous within the techno world as a go to compilation for the hottest tracks that are deservedly A-side material in their own right. Each specific track has it own unique character that brings an outstanding and electrifying aspect to the compilation that as a whole makes it something extremely special. Mixing both highly experienced and new artists has helped to bring a new dimension to the compilation that makes it such a special array of tracks.

Adam Beyer & Reset Robot - Florians Cookie - Drumcode - DC142

Drumcode live this week is a studio mix from Adam Beyer using some of the tracks from the third A-sides compilation. Expect to hear tracks from Stephan Hinz, Dense & Pika and a collaboration from Adam Beyer & Reset Robot.

01. Skiver - Playing Games - Drumcode
02. Victor Calderone - Requiem - Drumcode
03. Stephan Hinz - Breakout - Drumcode
04. Dense & Pika - TEX - Drumcode
05. Adam Beyer & Reset Robot - Florians Cookie - Drumcode
06. Marco Bailey - Don’t You Want Me - Drumcode
07. Sasha Carassi - The Hard Parade - Drumcode
08. Enrico Sangiuliano & Secret Cinema - Trrbulence - Drumcode
09. Roberto Capuano - Flashback - Drumcode
10. Juan Sanchez - Morcilla - Drumcode
11. Clio - Techno Frequencies - Drumcode
12. Sidney Charles - Milo - Drumcode
13. Ian O’Donovan - The Border - Drumcode

DCR250 - Drumcode Radio Live - Adam Beyer A-Sides studio mix

Roberto Capuano - Flashback - Drumcode - DC142

Marco Bailey - Don't You Want Me - Drumcode - DC142

Featuring heavily on most of Drumcode’s shows due to his impeccable DJ’ing, Bart Skils is back with a new EP flexing his signature rolling sound and hooks. Caressing from one track to another, the use of pads in this EP and using uneasy sounds to build tension in each track. The swelling bass within each track manoeuvres the tracks into dark after hour’s territory with the help of the subtle percussion.

Bart Skils - Dark Days - Drumcode - DC143

Drumcode live this week is an hour from Adam Beyer’s set at DGTL, Barcelona. Expect to hear tracks from Jel Ford, Joseph Capriati and Victor Calderone.

01. Sante - Flip That Back - Etruriabeat
02. D-Unity - Out Loud [Oscar L Remix] - Unity
03. Pirupa - Be With Me - Intec
04. Dubfire & Oliver Huntemann - Terra [Joseph Capriati remix]
05. Mars Bill - Stronger
06. Aphrohead - Let’s Prance [Radio Slave & Thomas Gandey Last Community remix] - Crosstown Rebels
07. Paul Strive - Acid Love [Steve Mulder remix] - Advanced (White) 
08. Drunken Kong - To The Piece - Tronic
09. Gregor Tresher - Goliath - Bedrock
10. Christian Smith - Turn The Lights
11. Joseph Capriati - Awake [Julian Jeweil remix] - Drumcode
12. Loco & Jam - Broken Reflections - Bitten
13. Gary Martin - Well [Robert Hood remix] - Motech
14. Adrian Hour - 00005 - Suara
15. Victor Calderone - Dilate - Intec

DCR264 - Drumcode Radio Live - Adam Beyer live from DGTL Festival, Barcelona

Following on from the success of Capriati’s album Self Portrait, 4 tracks have been hand selected by some of techno’s hottest producers. Dubfire, Coyu, Julian Jeweil, Luigi Madonna have each incorporated the same feeling that Joseph laid out in his original productions, but have added a unique twist that breathes a new lease of life into the tracks.

Joseph Capriati - This Then That (Coyu Remix) - Drumcode - DC148

Mark Reeve presents his second release on Drumcode, ‘Run Back’, a four track EP crammed with heavy hitting kick drums and his signature big basslines. The dark sounds and heavy textures are typical of Reeve and he’s showing no sign of slowing down yet. Four tracks of brooding techno, this EP is one not to be missed.

Mark Reeve - Hold Me - Drumcode - DC151

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.

Drumcode

Ach....die 2