Hessle Audio Presents '116 & Rising'

Hessle Audio will be releasing a label compilation titled '116 & Rising' on the 16th May. The release will feature 2xCD, 3x12" and a digital release, representing past and unreleased materials surrounding the reputable label. Hessle, the imprint co-founded by Ben UFO, Pangaea, and Ramadanman/Pearson Sound, has consistently been one of the strongest on the scene over the couple of years, with the label's 18th release unveiled last week in the form of Peverelist's 'Dance Til The Police Come/Fundamentals'.

The compilation is purely within keeping with the Hessle family, with every producer to release on the label featuring alongside a couple of exclusive guests. The first CD is dedicated to new releases, with 9 coming from artists with previous releases on the imprint. New efforts from Elgato, Pearson Sound, Blawan, and Joe's exquisite 'Twice' excite, and indicate the quality that is behind '116 & Rising'. This is further supported by exclusive releases from Randomer and Addison Groove, the latter whose 'Fuk Tha 101' has been proving a killer in the sets of Loefah and Kennedy.

CD 2 is firmly focused on revisiting the label's previously released 12", exploring the high standards of their ever growing back catalogue. Selecting tracks to construct the CD would have been one hell of a task in itself, but it looks as though Hessle have been well represented here. Ramadanman's 'Don't Change For Me', Martyn's beautiful remix of TRG's 'Broken Heart', and Blawan's 'Fram' provide the strongest, although I could have selected almost every tack to feature on the second CD here. Pure class.

The 3x12" edition of the compilation will be formed of the new releases, presented in artwork created by the excellent Will Bankhead (Trilogy Tapes), who has regularly produced work of an identical quality for Honest Jons and Doldrums. With a tracklist so strong, and artwork so aesthetically pleasing, why wouldn't you purchase the release? 16.05.11. Buy on site material from Hessle as per usual.

'116 & Rising' Tracklist:

CD1
01. Elgato – Music (Bodymix)
02. Untold – Cool Story Bro
03. Blawan – Potchla Vee
04. Pearson Sound – Stifle
05. Joe – Twice
06. Randomer – Brunk
07. Pangaea – Run Out
08. Cosmin TRG – Bijoux
09. D1 – Subzero
10. Addison Groove – Fuk Tha 101
11. James Blake – Give A Man A Rod (Second Version)
12. Peverelist – Sun Dance

CD2
01. Pangaea – You & I
02. Untold – Test Signal
03. Blawan – Fram
04. James Blake – Buzzard & Kestrel
05. Untold – I Can’t Stop This Feeling
06. Joe – Rut
07. Ramadanman – Blimey
08. TRG – Put You Down
09. Joe – Level Crossing
10. Pangaea – Why
11. TRG – Broken Heart (Martyn’s DCM Remix)
12. Ramadanman – Don’t Change For Me

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)

Addison Groove - 'Work It/Sexual' (SWAMP009)

Addison Groove - 'Work It/Sexual'

If I could convey my sense of joy at receiving this 12" through the post last Friday morning I would, but I'm afraid words just wouldn't give the feeling justice. Originally due for release on the 28th February, the date was pushed back, but thankfully only two weeks. It's been 8 long months since I first heard and fell in love with the wonderful b-side 'Sexual', which surfaced at the end of Ramadanman's mix for Mary Anne Hobbs back in August. Ever since, endless repeats of a short two minute clip have been endured much to my dissatisfaction, however, such a prolonged wait has made ownership of the 12" all the more satisfying.

'Sexual' sounds beautiful in its full duration on wax. 808 beats drive the track along at 144bpm, with the sensuous subs, infectiously looped sample and Detroit house pads creating an effortlessly smooth rolling vibe. For me it's the track of 2011 so far. 'Work It' is another excellent production from Addison, more inclined to fusing elements of juke and straight electro, with pounding 808s, rousing acid basslines and a killer vox'd vocal sample. Two killers from Addison, and you'd expect no less. The quality of the 12" and the artwork is second to none also, a mark of Swamp81's work recently. Fine 180g vinyl delivered in the sleeves and artwork by the brilliant Ashes57. I couldn't ask for more.

Swamp81 and Addison provide the best to date in 2011.