Reviews

Track of the Moment: Frankee – “Snarl”

Darren Ressler 1 Comment

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Emerging London-based drum ‘n’ bass DJ/producer Frankee (a.k.a. David Franks) comes out swinging on his kick-ass All Four One EP on Andy C’s mighty Ram label, adeptly displaying musical diversity on many fronts. “Deep Down” featuring vocals from Caan is a radio-ready roller packing the right balance of melody, wobble and bottom end to serve many masters with aplomb. Bass jams “Drop It Low” and “Flim Flam” are well designed to inflict maximum dance floor devastation, but for me it’s all about the appropriately titled “Snarl.”

A properly dark and menacing affair following the blueprint drafted by influential tech-step pioneers including Dom & Roland, Doc Scott and Noisia, the straightforward, no-nonsense track’s click-clack hypnotizes as basslines rumble and chug beneath like an express subway car bound for the center of the earth.

It’s been said that the best club tracks are all about simplicity. “Snarl,” a wicked tune destined to incite plenty of rewinds, is a fantastic case study for those who believe in this ethos.

Essential Dance/Electronic Albums for February 2015

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Technique-Records-Tokyo-Techno-Vinyl

Music is everything. It’s what helps many of us find the strength to keep on keeping’ on and it has the power to touch us in a meaningful way, send chills down our spine or simply make us smile, dance or go freakin’ mental. February is a seriously great month for electronic music. Sure, The Prodigy are dropping a new album, but there’s so much more to explore beneath the radar. It’s all documented here on our curated list of essential releases presented in no particular order. While you’re reading it feel free to smile, dance or go freakin’ mental. Continue Reading →

Release of the Moment: Ramiro Lopez & Arjun Vagle’s ‘Sleeze’ EP

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Ramiro-Lopez-Arjun-Vagale-Sleaze-EP

Spanish DJ/producer Ramiro Lopez’s productions and remixes have been in heavy rotation here at Big Shot ever since he started infusing techno into is evolving sound. Last September R.Lo found time to mix an outstanding Big Shot Guest Mix (listen to it here), a 15-track session closing with Arjun Vagale’s “Total Recall” on Tronic. After revealing all those months ago that a collaboration with New Delhi-based Vagale was in the works for Monika Kruse’s Terminal M imprint, the Sleaze EP is finally here and it’s brilliant.

“Infinita” chugs along like a steamroller, flattening everything in its path, while “Sleaze” goes down deep and dirty. The Original Mix of “Prism” is as solid as they come, with Toronto’s The Junkies’ dark, menacing interpretation designed to make people in sweaty clubbers lose their freakin’ minds.

Here’s looking forward to future collaborations from this dynamic duo.

Ramiro Lopez & Arjun Vagle’s Sleaze EP is released in early February on Terminal M.

Track of the Moment: The Juan Maclean’s “A Simple Design” (Remixes)

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The-Juan-MacLean-A-Simple-Design-Remixes

The Juan MacLean’s In A Dream, which was released in September on DFA Records, is one of the best dance-music albums of 2014. I’m chuffed that one of the album’s standout tunes, “A Simple Design,” has been released as a single, replete with an array of kick-ass remixes.

The Single Edit positions Nancy Whang’s vocals front and center in the mix as a chugging electro-pop groove meanders and synthy shenanigans prowl behind her gorgeous croon. From the get-go L.A.’s Magic Touch stays true to the album version, gradually building with infectious piano until a breakdown strips everything down and we’re blessed with an epic crescendo.

Berlin’s xxxy distills the jam into seven minutes of heaven while hot-stuff Swiss producer Deetron takes “A Simple Design” on a completely wild acid trip.

A track that’s been on continuous play here at Big Shot HQ for the better part of two weeks, we’re pleased to declare The Juan MacLean’s “A Simple Design” our track of the moment!

Read our exclusive interview with John MacLean about The Juan Maclean’s In A Dream here.