Addison Groove - Unknown

2011 has quite simply been a faultless year for Anthony Williams under his Addison Groove pseudonym. Three releases of real quality have surfaced in the space of a couple of months, providing material for a wide range of DJs whilst amassing superlatives from numerous music journalists and peers alike. From Swamp81 to Tectonic to 3024, Addison has always delivered excellence, perhaps the pinnacle of which is the sublime ‘Sexual’, a track that combines frenetic 808 rhythms with a sensual chord melody and hypnotic vocal sample. Addison’s sounds has continued to develop, becoming more refined whilst managing to explore further mutations, a progression ‘Make Um Bounce’ indicated on the Tectonic release.

The likelihood of Addison releases in the near future is unlikely after his prolific opening to the year. However, dubs seem to be surfacing, and will undoubtedly generate the same interest and excitement that predecessors ‘Sexual’ and ‘It’s Got Me’ sparked. The latest Addison track appeared at the end of the recent audio/visual collaboration between visual artist Pomp&Clout and Numbers head Jackmaster. The audio/visual mixtape itself is quite something, blending eclectic videos with outstanding mixing track selections from Jack Revill. Nonetheless, the highlight comes in the form of a new Addison Groove track that kicks in from 8:30 onwards.

This new track signals further experimentation, with Williams seemingly exploring sounds more indebted to house and techno, whilst retaining raw 808 patterns and quick fire vocal samples. A rolling 4x4 rhythm slowly transpires, with hi hats subtly filling the gaps in between. The 808 pattern gradually develops, patiently initiating bass heavy kicks and razor sharp toms. Delightful synth arrangements create a melody that harks back to Drexciya, forever keeping the cutting acid synths at bay. And the vocal sample completes the track, with the indelible female vocal reiterating “we like to fuck, yo ass up”. It may just be Addison's best work alongside 'Sexual'.

If that wasn't enough, Addison's remix of Martha and the Vandellas 1967 soul track 'Jimmy Mack' is quite simply something else. Williams' production under the Addison moniker is growing in strength if these tracks are a sign of things to come.

Addison Groove - 'This Is It/Make Um Bounce' (TEC049)

Addison Groove arrives on Pinch’s Tectonic imprint for his third release. ‘This Is It/Make Um Bounce’ represents both signature Addison production work as well as exploration of new sounds, which prove to be ever so effective on the indelible ‘Make Um Bounce’. Following the ‘Work It/Sexual’ 12” released on Swamp81 back in March, which marks his strongest work to date, his latest release goes someway to reproducing that sort of form. Addison is an extremely talented producer, and nobody can work an 808 like him, as evidenced on ‘This Is It/Make Um Bounce’.

‘This Is It’ is the heavy stepper on this two track affair. Opening with juke’s pounding 808 bass hits and flurry of alternating beep tones, the track shows closer ties to previous works such as ‘Footcrab’ and ‘Work It’, a trait further endowed by the repetitive female vocal sample stating “k y’all this is it, kk y’all”. The signature Addison break soon dawns, and it produces the real defining moment and turning point of the track. The frenzied opening is instantly turned on its head, with a mellow and introspective sound arising. A blissful synth chord melody plays alongside warm diva vocals, elements quickly adapted for the dancefloor by the pulsating 808 bass kicks.

The B-side entitled ‘Make Um Bounce’ is likely to be the track turning most heads on this release. It’s set at a tempo much slower than anything Addison has produced before (133bpm). The style is also different, with a sound that seems to combine elements of the electro and classic Chicago house. A rolling 808 pattern echoes Chi-town’s past, with energetic acid synths bubbling beneath the surface whilst the incessant resonance “y’all gonna make um bounce” hypnotises. The 808 rhythm continues to hammer away in a fashion comparable to the vocal sample, working up a formidable storm in the process.

As per usual a heavyweight release from Addison, going some way to confirming his status as one of the most talented producers around at the present. Give him his 808 and he will undoubtedly create sounds that delight. The 12” is out now, be sure to purchase. Also keep a keen eye out for his wonderful 12” forthcoming on Martyn’s 3024 imprint, due for release on May 2nd. Make Um Bounce.

Addison Groove - 'It's Got Me / Minutes Of Funk' (3024-012)

New Addison Groove material forthcoming on Martyn's 3024 recordings. A year between his first and second 12" releases, it seems as if Tony Williams has been refining the 'Addison Groove sound' over the past 12 months, and this is something which will be evidenced in a prolific run of releases over the next couple of weeks. 'Work It/Sexual' (Swamp009) asserted the development of the Chicago juke-infused UK bass sound that Addison has been slowly but surely perfecting, with frenetic drum programming, pounding 808 hits, constantly shifting synth tones, infectious vocal samples as well as beautiful introverted breakdowns that delight upon every listen. 'Sexual' demonstrated Addison's strongest work to date, but this may just be outdone by two forthcoming releases.

Addison's next release is for Pinch's Tectonic imprint, with the 12" due for release on the 18th April. Two tracks feature on this single, titled 'This Is It/Make Um Bounce'. Previews of the tracks are currently unavailable, although both tracks are filtering beneath the surface in select mixes. I've only had the opportunity to experience a brief clip of 'This Is It', and it undoubtedly rivals 'Sexual' in terms of quality, Addison providing a wonderful balance between blissful and the bastard.

Addison's following 12" will be released through 3024, with release date set for 2nd May. This will be another two track single, featuring 'It's Got Me/Minutes Of Funk', forming yet another killer release. These are two tracks which Addison has been sitting on for a good while now, with 'It's Got Me' featuring in his mix for Mary Anne Hobbs back in April 2010, and 'Minutes Of Funk' included in Jackmaster's URB mix in October.

The A-side ('It's Got Me') is the stepper, with intricate drum programming that forever builds and progresses, with each snare initiating varying synth chimes. A repetitive vocal soon accompanies, leading up to the brilliant breakdown, in which repetitive cowbells sit comfortably alongside a soft synth melody. These elements are soon joined by pounding 808s, handclaps and a hypnotic vocal that forces movement. The B-side is an equally brilliant effort, a smoother track more along the lines of 'Sexual'. 'Minutes Of Funk' situated around a rolling 808 rhythm, with flickered hi-hats filling the gaps in between. Looped vocals samples feature throughout, and resonate in the mind along with a lovely synth melody which emerges from beneath the breakdown. Listen the the track preview's in the bar below.

Undoubtedly two of the finest track's you'll hear this year, with Addison further cementing his reputation for creating what 3024 themselves have termed a 'one man genre'. 'It's Got Me/Minutes Of Funk' are evidence of Addison's strongest work yet, challenging the quality of his previous release which itself has made a huge impact. And this is without full exposure to his next release, 'This Is It/Make Um Bounce', which promises to please likewise. Three killer releases within the space of three months. 2011 is the year of Addison Groove.

3024-012 ADDISON GROOVE EP by 3024world

Press Release:

'3024's West Country themed takeover climaxes with the 2 previously unheard tracks from one man genre Addison Groove. Marrying hyper kinetic drum programming and dusty-crate dwelling loops to gauzy electronic textures and introspective breakdowns has marked the artist formerly known as Headhunter out as exactly the kind of resolutely unclassifiable Producer 3024 set out to support, and the below tracks are the strongest evidence yet of the increasing refinement of the Addison Groove sound.

Wrapped around the physical version is probably Erosie's most elaborate sleeve design yet, with the chromatic splicing a perfect partner for the contents it flamboyantly protects.'