Reviews

Track of the Moment: Jeff Derringer’s “Beat To Quarters”

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

Jeff Derringer - Beat To Quarters Electric Deluxe

A resident at Smart Bar and the founder of the five-year-old Oktave series, Chicago DJ/producer Jeff Derringer continues to push boundaries as a producer within the realm of techno. After collaborating with Raíz’s Vangelis and Vida two years ago on Electric Deluxe, Derringer makes a triumphant return to the label with this gallant four-tracker comprised of two original cuts and two remixes. The title track oozes with the sort of hypnotic digital funk and tribal rhythms tailor made for a dark, sweaty dance floor. On his interpretation, Rome’s Giorgio Gigli takes kicks things up a few notches, transforming the track into a relentless beast. On “The Stranger” Derringer comes out swinging with a monster track built on chugging beats and dramatic cymbal crashes. Voices From The Lake completely flip the script on their re-rub, reworking the track into a breezy, spacious offering. Techno doesn’t get any better than this.

Review: Rennie Foster – ‘Childish Things’ EP (RF Music)

Big Shot Magazine 1 Comment

Rennie Foster - Childish Things

★★★★☆

With the summer (finally) in our sights, it’s high time we banished the winter blues and enter more laid-back times. Say hello, then, to Rennie Foster, who really comes up trumps here with the sumptuous effort that comprises the Childish Things EP, a fascinating jaunt down the more thoughtful and considered side of his production arsenal. Warm, fuzzy and full of good vibes aplenty, the title track leaves the listener basking in a celestial glow, the likes of which will see it perfectly suited to Balearic dance floors especially. A real winner, it’s matched only by “Traders” in the quality stakes. On the latter, Foster calls on the trumpet again, but this time, it’s married with a far more up-tempo sound signature. On paper, that might sound like an odd pairing, but on the ear, it’s a very different story.

“Grass Roots” is the other track on offer, and thanks to its otherworldly twists and turns as well as its many smoldering hues, it too intoxicates the listener, while its title (presumably?) gives us a sneak peak in to Foster’s trail of musical thought. A real delight from the off, this one deserves all the plaudits it can muster.

Moog Music Unveils $90k Emerson Modular System at Moogfest

Yehouda Silverman Leave a Comment

Moog New Emerson Modular System

Fifty years after introducing the Moog Modular, which was the world’s first voltage controlled synthesizer, Moog Music unveiled the new Emerson System at Moogfest, honoring Keith Emerson, of Emerson, Lake & Palmer fame, and his seminal collaboration with Bob Moog. Development of the custom handcrafted unit took three years with designers using the original documentation as well as circuit board and art files for nearly every original Moog module. To celebrate the introduction of the new Emerson Moog Modular System, Moog Music featured Emerson as a headliner at Moogfest 2014. In the video below, Emerson explains how he came to know Bog Moog and the learning curve he faced when he bought his first Moog synth.

According to Gizmodo, the unit will sell for at least $90,000. Crazy? You decide.

Track of the Moment: Memory9’s “Wuseng Dub”

Darren Ressler Leave a Comment

memory9 sonic carpaccio EP

We’ve been following Memory9 (a.k.a. Gadi Sassoon) for a few years now (check out his Big Shot Guest Mix from 2012), and he’s continually evolved his sound with each release. Today the Milan-born dubstep/drum ‘n’ bass producer’s latest effort — his apocalyptic “Wuseng Dub” — was issued as part of the Sonic Carpaccio EP on Berlin’s Moniker Eggplant. Encompassing glitch, dub and bin-rattling beats, there are also three other worthy tracks from three artists that are worthy of your attention. Have a listen below and don’t fear the bleeper!