Doldrums Presents - Panorama Bar

On Saturday 21st May Doldrums will be presenting their third club night, descending upon Berlin to host Berghain's famous Panorama Bar. Peter O'Grady, Impey and Paddy O'Neill have really pulled the stops out for the label's third night, with arguably their strongest line-up to date. Although there won't be any heads from Detroit on this occassion, the night will include sets from none other than Floating Points, label head Joy Orbison, Pearson Sound, Ben UFO, as well as the prospect of a live set from the outstanding house master Kassem Mosse. Doldrums best yet.

It's quite simply unmissable if you find yourself in Berlin next Saturday. Will Bankhead delivers as per usual; quality work. Doors open at midnight, with no advance sale tickets.

Doldrums Presents:
Floating Points
Joy Orbison
Pearson Sound
Kassem Mosse (Live)
Ben UFO

Joy O Debut US Dates

Joy Orbison will be heading stateside this month for a handful of exclusive debut US shows. He kicks of the mini tour with two shows in New York, then proceeding to the West Coast for nights in San Francisco and finally Los Angeles (where he shall appear with Ramadanman/Pearson Sound). If you're in and around these cities whilst O'Grady is appearing, attendance is a must. He is distinct as a DJ as he is a producer, refining a number of different sounds within his sets. I last saw him at Crazylegs in Bristol 3 weeks ago, and his headline set unduly delivered. Sporting his usual blend of the blissful and the bastard, he progressed from deeper house and Detroit sounds through garage, house, and techno bits at 130-140bpm, alongside dubplates of the highest quality as per usual. 'Ellipsis', 'Sicko Cell' and further unknown Joy Orbison material are just a few reasons to attend. NYC, San Fransisco and LA; you have been warned.

Joy O US Dates:
09.04.11, New York, NY, Mister Saturday Night (with Eamon Harkin & Justin Carter), 341 Scholes
11.04.11, New York, NY, Deep Space (with Francois K), Cielo
15.04.11, San Francisco, CA 1015 Folsom (with Kode9)
17.04.11, Coachella, CA, Coachella Music Festival
19.04.11, Los Angeles, CA, Roxy (with Ramadanman)

Boddika & Joy O - 'Swims'

Boddika & Joy O - 'Swims'

As far as collaborations go, this may well be one of the most exciting I've come across. Boddika (aka Alex Green) is making his mark as with his solo material, flourishing under the guidance of Non+ Plus and Swamp81 with driving drum machine arrangements and crippling acid synths, a sound purely his own. As for Peter O'Grady (aka Joy Orbison), everything the man touches turns to gold. An impeccable back catalogue is met with numerous unreleased killers, and his recent turn to house infused production has proved particularly promising, with tracks 'Wade In' and 'Ellipsis' further cementing his growing reputation as one of the best producer's around. Work between the two can only provide good results.

Aired on Oneman and Loefah's Rinse FM cover show on Wednesday, 'Swims' is the product of Boddika and Joy O's collaboration. It is instantly recognisable as a sound that the two have refined. A driving 4x4 beat is firmly set, with hi-hats tentatively rising after every second pounding beat. The rhythm is soon accompanied by a wonderful acid chord arrangement that acts as Boddika's signature, with a quick fire vocal typical of both artists' sound, falling neatly alongside the dynamic beat and energetic chords. The result is a simply excellent collaboration, clearly evincing elements of Boddika and Joy O's more recognisable sounds.

Rumours are that a release on Swamp81 is almost certain. Considering each artists' connections to the brilliant Brixton based label, I wouldn't argue against it. With any luck we shall be seeing this on 12" soon, carefully provided in another impecablly produced sleeve by Ashes57. Don't sleep.

Joy Orbison - 'GR Etiquette' (Pearson Sound Symphonic Mix)

Joy Orbison - 'GR Etiquette/Pearson Sound Symphonic Mix'

24th September 2009 was the first time I heard Joy Orbison's 'Gr Etiquette', the second track in his guest mix for Mary Anne Hobbs. It has always since remained my favourite Joy O track; it even outdoes 'Ellipsis' for me. On the surface it is a seemingly simple track, but I think this is also the factor that lends such quality to its production. As in line with earlier material from O'Grady, a strong garage influence can be heard in 'GR Etiquette', with a smooth syncopated percussive pattern structuring the track. The two note organ melody and the beautiful Jamie Foxx vocal sample ("do you like I want to. Kiss you like I want to" - taken from 'Can I Take U Home') provide the heart of the track, and it's most certainly these elements which have resonated in my mind. It is simply excellent.

David Kennedy (aka Pearson Sound/Ramadanman) has refixed the track under his Pearson Sound moniker, with the track featuring on his forthcoming Fabriclive 56 Mix (released on Monday). Kennedy's impact on the track is well conceived, staying true to the track's original mix. The track's tempo is decreased, and the overall feel sound is understated, with the melodic organ arrangement gaining real prominence alongside Foxx's exquisite vocal samples. He strips back the tracks percussive elements, reducing it to the outlined skipping garage beat which progressively comes to the fore. Kennedy handles the remix duties superbly here, giving a new take on the track whilst retaining its key original markers.

Questions of a release will inevitably arise once again after the symphonic mix surfaces in Pearson's Fabriclive Mix. Whether or not we will see a 12" featuring both tracks is impossible to tell. All we can hope is that Doldrums may just be preparing this for their next limited 12" run.

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'