SCB XLR8R Mix

Paul Rose (aka Scuba/SCB) is at it once again, following his sublime release under the SCB alias with a mix of equal quality for XLR8R. The head of Hotflush, now based in Berlin, provides 1 hour and 8 minutes of pure house and techno. Tracks are wonderfully mixed, with seamless transitions and a tracklist full of exclusives and less obvious deep cuts that sit nicely in Rose's collection. The mix travels between deep house, jacking house, dubby techno and acid trips throughout, sounds which undoubtedly complement each other as evidenced here. The opening chord melody of Recondite's 'Yield' immediately draws you in, and new 12"s from Braille, John Spring, Instra:mental, Jon Convex, and of course SCB's recent effort 'Loss', retain your attention for the following hour. Three turntables and a mixer.

Tracklist:
01 Recondite "Yield" (Plangent)
02 Sven Wiesemann "Emphasized" (Mojuba)
03 Terence Fixmer "Comedy of Menace" (Electric Deluxe)
04 Braille "Leavin Without You" (Rush Hour)
05 Obsolete Music Technology "Relapse" (Machining Dreams)
06 Unknown "Untitled"
07 John Spring "Drummachines" (Airdrop)
08 Shifted "Untitled" (AVN)
09 Sigha "HF029B1" (Hotflush)
10 Deadbeat "Vampire" (Echochord)
11 SCB "Down Moment" (Ostgut Ton)
12 SCB "Loss" (Aus)
13 Instra:mental "Pyramid" (3024)
14 2 AM FM "Desolate Cities" (Mos Deep)
15 Ness "Ancient Crackle" (Sonata)
16 Patrice Scott "2000 Black" (Sistrum)
17 Mike Denhert "Unknown" (Fachwerk)
18 Jon Convex "Order into Chaos" (3024)
19 Rod "Malmok One" (Klockworks)
20 Sigha "Politics of Dying" (Our Circula Sound)
21 SCB "Overlay" (SCB)
22 Portable "Inside Your Mind" (Karat)

Download by clicking here.

Scuba - 'Feel It' (HFLP005)

Scuba - 'Feel It'

Paul Rose (aka Scuba/Scb) provides a killer jacking house number with 'Feel It'. The Hotflush compilation, 'Back and 4th', released earlier in the week contains some excellent previously unreleased material, but 'Feel It' undoubtedly proves to be the highlight of those 10 tracks. The jacking style of the track is something of a new sound for Rose, whose previous work has been much more connected to dubstep and techno, as evidenced in the brilliant 'Triangulation' LP, released a little over a year ago on Hotflush.

'Feel It' makes its intentions clear from the outset, with the track's pounding four to the floor beat and deep acid chord melody immediately making their impact alongside the contagious vocal sample, repeating "feel it" throughout. The track progresses impressively, with an added synth chord layered on top of the grumbling acid melody, as well claps and hi hats adding further structure to the tracks percussive arrangements. The break functions wonderfully, with a soft synth chord melody and vox'd vocal murmurs resonating. The jacking rhythm and acid chords soon tentatively work their way back, until the track's euphoric drop, where the elements coalesce. The lofty synth chord gains prominence, whilst the gritty acid chords and repetitive vocal sample hammer away beneath the surface. Quality control from Scuba.

Rose evidently explores a new avenue with 'Feel It', and it's one which he pursues with great success. If the track is an indication of what is to come from his work under the Scuba alias, then more excellent material in unquestionably on its way. It's an essential purchase, along with the brilliant 'Back and 4th' compilation celebrating Hotflush Recordings recent work. Fans of Joy O and Braiden, enjoy. Feel It. Feel It. Feel It.

Scb - 'Loss/Future Unknown' (AUS1132)

Scb - 'Loss/Future Unknown'

Paul Rose (aka Scuba/Scb) brings the heat with a new 12" for the Aus Music imprint. The Hotflush head honcho adopts his techno alias for this 12", which delves deeper into house/tech territory. Rose particularly explores a house sound which breaks the tech mold of his previous efforts, falling in line with recent works by the likes of Joy O, whom released his latest 12" on Rose's imprint last month.

The highlight here is undoubtedly 'Loss', the more house flexed track of the two. Rolling at 125bpm, the track is a smooth emotional house number which indicates another dimension to Rose's talent in production. A solid four to the floor beat drives, with alternating handclaps incorporated after the track's opening. After the 1 minute introduction, cut vocal samples rise beautifully in tandem with a repetitive low slung chord arrangement and uplifting synth melodies. It's pure bliss during the break, as wailing vocal samples and wonderful synth chords come to the fore. The structured rhythm soon grounds the track once again, returning to the track it's dance floor sensibilities alongside a deep chord melody. Emotional deep house.

'Future Unknown' is more aligned to Scb's past work, a steady tech/house track which steadily works its way to fruition. A fast tempo structured 4x4 beat hits away, whilst a repetitive dub-chord melody which acts as the heart of the track, central to all its development. The 7 minute track is a patient builder, one slowly progresses and alters its percussive arrangements. A very solid b-side to the excellent 'Loss', one which finds its beauty in soft synths towards the track's end. Quality 12" from Rose.

Joy O - 'Jels' (HF027)

Joy Joy Joy. It is only 2 weeks until the release of 'Wade In/Jels', and I'm struggling to contain my excitement. 'Wade In' is the most anticipated of the two, receiving wide play on the DJ circuit as well as radio time on Rinse FM and Benji B's radio show. 'Jels' on the other hand is little known, only being gaining radio play last week, whilst a one minute clip has been uploaded to soundcloud. First indications are that O'Grady once again keeps the quality control very high. Notably 'Jels' is quite a contrast in tone and atmosphere from 'Wade In, whilst retaining a similar classic house format and style.

'Jels' begins tentatively, with the shuffling rhythm creatd from Roland drums steadily setting the tempo, whilst acid basslines gradually surge in the background, gaining prominence as the introduction wears on. After 1 minute 40 the vocal sample, which seems to wail “turn”, indicates the introduction of a first piano chord melody, one which is uplifting in sharp contrast to the to the rolling acid basslines and structured house rhythms which take hold after this short interval. The beat swells, forcing you to move. As the track progresses further layers are built, most notably the final melodies on which the track climaxes. Whilst the track’s well formed rhythm continues to flourish, a wonderful repetitive chord melody slowly arises and takes dominance from the bleak basslines. This melody is beautifully arranged, bringing a sense of bliss and delight to the track, contrasting the former basslines. Unashamed excellence.

'Wade In/Jels' will be released on 12" on the 14th March, with a digital release coming on the 21st. Both are once again necessities, with Joy O providing arguably his strongest work to date, although that is an argument which could be put forth for any of his 4 releases to date. You can listen to 'Jels' by following the link below.

Joy O - 'Jels'