Back in January’s essential album roundup we gushed about Berlin via Los Angeles/San Francisco DJ/producer Alland Byallo’s Bones, Flesh, a career-defining album of deep, heavily rhythmic techno that touches your mind, body and soul. Luckily for us here in America Byallo is heading back to the U.S. to play a series of select dates in March. We touched base with the multihyphenate before his upcoming stateside excursion and asked him to talk up five songs that are currently rocking his world.
Alland Byallo’s Bones, Flesh is out now on Third Ear Recordings. Catch Byallo at Do Not Sit On The Furniture in Miami on March 6, Night Secrets Warehouse Party in New York City on March 7, Housepitality in San Francisco on March 11 and an gig to be announced in Los Angeles on March 13.
1. Die Roh – “Xm 11” (Black Venison)
This is just a beast of a track. The whole record is some monster business, but it’s all about this “Xm11” cut. Nasty, heavy, simple but perfectly effective, distorted 909 action balanced exquisitely with this soulful male vocal. It just works — hell, it works overtime! Definitely going to make some heads make that scrunched up, squinty “daaaaayummmmn WTF is this???” face. Flip to the B2 for some well-executed, hypnotic, raw dog techno. Can I say that? If you dig the more straight-up side of The Analogue Cops, you need this in your life.
2. Traumprinz – “All The Things” (Giegling)
I’m so happy that this label is getting all of the love it deserves. I actually met the owner, Konstantin, while shopping at Halcyon [in Brooklyn, NY] during my 2014 tour of the States. Super nice, humble dude, doing this for all the right reasons. It truly shows in his A&R and the label’s presence in general. This track is something of an instant classic. It’s infectious, the sample is sultry, stomps like mad, and it’s just straight up sexy as fuck. It’s definitely a cut to close your eyes and lose yourself in. I just can’t get enough of it. My name’s Alland, and I’m a Giegling-holic.
3. RCD – “REM” (Baum Records)
I really love this whole record. I was super thrilled on “Recall” at first for its energy, darkness and wonderfully twisted production. That churning bass and those wild stabs. Then I got to really giving “REM” some love. What a gorgeous cut! I mean, I’ve always been the sort of guy to get more out of the B-side of any house or techno record, and this is is a prime example of why. Relative to the rest of the record, this is the perfect B2 with its super smooth synth work. I tend to play tough, drummy stuff, but this has all that and comes laced the grooviest little baseline and that bliss on top. DONE. Perfect form.
4. Levon Vincent – “Anti-Corporate Music” (Novel Sound)
I mean, what can I say? Not only is Levon one of the most down to earth cats in the world of techno, not only is he giving his new album up for free download as the vinyl comes out, not only did he take on an apprentice because he just felt he’s doing well enough to take the time to give back and school somebody that shows promise, but he goes and writes some of the most beautiful, timeless techno out there. The title cut is my jam: It’s droney, emotive and tough in all the right ways. I carry a few of his records on me at all times, and this one’s gonna stay in the rotation a long time. Endless props to that dude. Dance music today needs pillars like Mr. Vincent.
5. Seven Davis Jr. – “One” (Must Have Records)
Dude’s one of the brightest, most unique characters to hit dance music in a long time. I just can’t wait to hear what this dude comes with next, you know? This is the most perfect jam of his. It bumps, and those lyrics… damn! So casual, so effortless. I’m not one to harp on about how catchy a tune is, but the fact is every time I put this on I find myself singing “wussup wussup wussup wussup witchyou and me” all day long. Hell of an ear worm. Plus, it brings up lovely memories of proper deep house, when that actually meant something. Kinda like that Shaun Escoffery “Days Like This” feel-good vibe, but subdued, slick and straight up cool.