AUDIOFLY & PAUL HARRIS - MISCALATE
Download press release / Listen now
DJ Magazine - 11th April 2007
I'm a huge fan of Audiofly. Their productions just keep going from strength-to-strength. I recently heard that they are now managed by Mr Spencer Baldwin, who is a legend in my book and has been on the scene since the year dot. Spencer certainly knows his onions so expect the Audiofly boys to achieve even more success this year. 'Miscalate' is a rocking slice of electronic house, with cool synth sounds and a groovy bass with top class production on the percussion and the drums. This is going down a treat at cool clubs like 54 and Retox, in London. Partial Arts (Ewan Pearson and Al Usher) deliver an excellent floor filling package for Matt Edward's Rekids label. Wicked.
JL 4/5 Stars
One Week To Live - 26th March 2007
Rekids is one of those labels that's dropping tracks like clumsy farmhands drop eggs. Though, unlike the clumsy farmhand, every track that drops is regaled with a wave of awe as opposed to a sigh of annoyance. This little number is no different. The title track is some of that regular Audiofly nonsense, all super shuffly bottom end electro minimal house with deep house pads accompanied by rather aggressive techy synth lines. But you know, no matter how good this is, it's all about the Partial Arts remix on the flip. Ewan Pearson & Al Usher take it up a notch fusing old school jacking Chi-Town house with the staccato tech of Ost and Kjex. It sounds a bit like a misanthropic Jacob London. Very impressive.
5/7
TOBY TOBIAS - DAVE'S SEX BITS
Download press release / Listen now
iDJ - January 2007
I'm always the first in the queue to get my mitts on Toby's tracks, and this second Rekids release ain't no disappointment. There's a definite Balearic quality to 'Dave's Sex Bits' with its long, languid synth washes and blissed-out, unexpected FX that have no real need to be there but just sort of work. There's a touch of Roxy's 'The Main Thing' to the rhythm too, which is very now. Rekids main man Matt Edwards delivers a refix under his Quiet Village moniker, switching the tempo down to even more horizontal percussive levels. Both will melt your mind. 4/5 stars
One Week To Live - January 2007
Toby Tobias' last record was named after a Wallace & Gromit short, 'A Close Shave'. This track, needless to say, is not. The identity of Dave and, mercifully, his sex bits, remains a mystery, but there is nothing obscure about this straightforward disco-tinged house builder. 'Dave's Sex Bits' has a decidedly slow, spacey groove. It lulls you by rocking gently back and forth on washes of synths. There's a groovy little breakdown midway through where wheeling seagulls cry over the fuzzed-out bassline and romping beat. It's a track that hangs around and makes friends with you, rather than simply dashing up, bashing you over the head with a few big beats, and running off again. Things get even deeper and broader on the Quiet Village remix. Taking the slow, they unfurl a 10-minute epic of smouldering deep house that just keeps going, and going and going. Forget Wallace & Gromit, this is the Energizer Bunny of house records. It's a wee hours of the after-party track, for when everyone is busy getting horizontal (mentally, if not physically) and needs a musical spaceship to carry them away.
MATT O'BRIEN - SEROTONE
Download press release / Listen now
DMC Update - 17th January 2007
Feels like not a week's gone by this year without dealing with the latest sumptuous sonic sausage from Matt 'Radio Slave' Edwards, whether it be his multi-aliases, remixes or releases on his Rekids label. This monster is already large and now Rekids join forces with Off-Key Industries to reactivate and dropkick it into the stratosphere via epic new treatments from the two Matts. Mr O'Brien hoists acid growls, rave hoover bellend suction prints, twanging rulers and exclamation mark sci-fi riffs over a late 80s-style Chicago groove over the course of 12 minutes and comes out with a unique blend of avant garde rave-house. Then Mr Edwards puts on his Radio Slave trousers to dip low-slung and spacey while pouring a vat of acid petrol over it's upturned buttocks and setting it ablaze. Breathtaking panoramas of endless hallucino-groove heaven!
KRIS NEEDS 5/5 dancing men
iDJ Magazine – February 2007
None other than Ricardo Villalobos is a big fan of this 12-minute epic. It’s not hard to see why he was struck by it’s combo of lolloping tech rhythms and mutant rave hoovers. Certainly different, memorable and successful. Try it or try Matt Radio Slave Edwards druggier, dubbier minimal FX work out.
4/5
Mixmag – February 2007
Evil hoovers get re-released. Exploding off a B-side on Matt O’Brien’s Offkey imprint, ‘Serotone’ took last summer by storm with its shuffling beats and evil early-rave bassline. For those of you who missed it first time round it’s getting a second outing on London label Rekids, complete with a re-working from Radioslave. He’s retained the hoover bassline but has pitched things down.
4/5
DJ Magazine – January 2007
O’Brien drops a 12-minute paean to Chicago, which jacks and bumps to the sound of niggling acid lines and climaxes just as it seems like the rave riffs can’t get any more intense.
M8 Magazine – February 2007
Rekids return with this stunning track, in collaboration with Off-Key Industries. The original is a mammoth 12 minutes long and twist and turns, using a massive rave type lead that has to be heard to feel the full force. Remix duties go to Mr Rekids himself, Radio Slave, who adds a few FX and a slightly more analogue feel. If you need any confirmation on how good this is, Damian Lazarus played this at the Arches in Glasgow and it blew the roof off.
M8/M8 (Derek Taylor)
LUKE SOLOMON - GHOULS
Download press release / Listen now
M8 - December 2006
After the phenomenal Spence Parker 'Beautiful Noise' release, Rekids go one step further with this spectacular track from Luke Solomon. 'Ghouls' can be described as a heads down, groovier crossing somewhere between the minimal and electro house sound. I said the original was spectacular, but wait till you hear Claude Vonstroke's mix. Dark, tribally and feckin amazing.
M8/M8 (Derek Taylor)
DJ - 8th November 2006
Luke Solomon's latest solo effort reminds me of an old Mr G record crossed with the work of Chicago's finest eccentric, Derrick Carter. The beats are bumping and the squelchy bass is pumping, but there is also some room for a wild frequency shifting riff to make itself heard. Claude Von Stroke's remix takes an understated approach that'll work early on, but when the warehouse starts to move it's obvious which version you'll reach for.
4/5
Mixmag - December 2006
Luke Solomon set up the Classic Recordings label with Derrick Carter and is also half of Freaks with Justin Harris. The original version is raw-sounding, schizophrenic tech-house that keeps it level throughout. I prefer Claude VonStroke's Beats From The Grave remix, which is much cleaner and has lots more haunted-house noises and weird laughing-monster vocal clips.
3/5
One Week to Live - 30th October 2006
Old house hand Luke Solomon crops up with a spooky tech house ditty just in time for Halloween. The production is as airtight as you would expect from a man whose work includes collaborations with Rob Mello and the massively successful long-term project Music For Freaks. It's a bit of a feather in Rekids' cap that they've nabbed this, and they have chosen wisely on the remix side, drafting in Claude Von Stroke to do a quirky, bleepy, tongue-in-cheek re-rub. Both it, and the original are sterling slabs of twisted house, clicking and chirruping over Hammer horror synth lines. The original is pacier, Von Stroke's version darker and more funked up. Take your pick.
4.5/7
SPENCER PARKER - BEAUTIFUL NOISE
Download press release / Listen now
Pete Tong - Pacha Chart - Number 6
The new sound of minimal starts here.
DJ - News - 25th October 2006
Radio Slave's Rekids imprint welcomes Spencer Parker to their family. 'Beautiful Noise' draws on Detroit influences as incessant chords and a cascade of synths and percussion envelope the grooves. Atmospheric and stunning....
DJ - 25th October 2006
A complete misnomer here - squealing mechanical melodies over crashing drums, while Ripperton's mix layers breakneck synths.
3.5/5
iDJ - November 2006
Matt Edwards' Rekids label hasn't to my mind put one foot wrong in its short life but 'Beautiful Noise' isn't its finest moment to be honest. Sure, its shuffling tech beats, lolloping bassline and effects box frenzy do the job admirably and Ripperton's Mix is ruggedly urgent. It's just that next to the other Rekids releases, it's merely... all right.
3/5
RADIO SLAVE - SECRET BASE
Download press release / Listen now
M8 - Cotober 2006
The Long awaited follow up to the now classic 'My Bleep' is finally here. I'm not going to say that it's as good as 'My Bleep', but it's still an absolute belter. The original is again in the techy, minimal sound and builds through the track, with a superb electro style grinding bassline, that twists and distorts along the way. The best mix comes from a man that is on fire at the moment, Rob Mello. His 'No Ears Dub' adds more percussion but keeps things slightly deeper. Stunning.
M7/M8
DJ - October 2006
While he's been busy with his rekid album, Matt Edwards' similarly named label has produced some gems. But a new record from his own hand is more exciting, and with a rhythm that sits to the offbeat while Atari-FX go off in the foreground, this doesn't disappoint. Rob Mello's 'No Ears Dub' takes away some of the tension for a depper, bleepier feel, making another interesting release.
4/5
IDJ - October 2006
Five releases young and every one a class act. It's been a brilliant start for Matt Edwards' label. This from the man himself is more of the same. Both the original and Rob Mello's remix are minimal in rhythm and let the mutating, morphing, thoroughly loopy synths do the talking. If pushed go for the Mello No Ears Dub, which is rugged house at it's best.
4/5
Hot Press - 20th September 2006
Like most RS releases, this groaning electro-houser - with wild video game noises and oscillating, growling bass - makes most sense on the floor. Rob Mello's mix phreaks the original and blends it with spitting, 'Science Fiction' -era Carl Craig percussion, thius making a floor shaker.
8/10
Mixmag - October 2006
Latest release from rekids is by label boss Matt Edwards, aka Radio Slave. It's a clean and simple DJ tool, with Ying Yangs twins-style finger snaps and a huge trance riff that runs through the whole arrangement. It's the kind of thing that will appeal as much to Ferry Corsten as it would Sven. There's also a Rob Mello 'No Ears Dub' that uses that dive-bombing Stuka sound that Motor used last year. Rob's mix has a few more twists and turns, meaning I prefer it over the original version.
3/5
One Week To Live - 18th September 2006
Radio Slave (aka Matt Edwards) is a busy man. A RadioSlave compilation hits the shelves soon, and if you've been keeping an eye on the house/electro/techno scene you'll know he's as ubiquitous as Big Brother. Thankfully, he justifies his omnipresence by being consistently good, and occasionally brilliant. New single 'Secret Base' leans towards the merely good, but it's hardly throwaway. The original mix is taut, if unremarkable, electro-tech that has been scraped clean and hung out to dry in the sun. It's high-end squels are more irritating than inspiring, but it boasts a solid bass groove. Rob Mello's excellent remix is less conceptual and more dancefloor oriented - big tough, churning warehouse techno you can't help but love.
4.5/7
IDJ - October 2006
'Secret Base' is a brooding minimal-style track, but with a real pounding kick and a crescendo of a synth which builds up from nothing into a bleepy riff. Rob Mello's No Ears Dub strips the kick down and plays around with the riff a little, throwing in a few more sounds into the percussion and providing a deeper alternative.
3/5
MR G. - E.C.G.'ed
Download press release / Listen now
Mixmag - September 2006
Mr G. returns with some sinister beats. With three strong releases already from new label REKIDS (featuring the likes of Radio Slave and toby Tobias and remixes from Jesse Rose and Roman Flugel), the fourth comes from repsected London techno dude Mr G., aka Colin McBean. G. seems to have been pretty quiet for a while, but this is a solid and sinister return, with lots of intense house beats. There's also a sprawling, bleepier Rekid remix.
3/5
TOBY TOBIAS - A CLOSE SHAVE
Download press release / Listen now
One Week To Live - August 2006
Rekids is quickly becoming a byword for hot shit. the label and the artists involved, such as Radio Slave, are being name-dropped from London to Berlin and New York to Paris. Toby Tobias is another name steadily gaining momentum within the Rekids camp. 'A Close Shave' mashes the melting pot of disco, Italo, house and techno to keep the cool kids dancing. It manages to tread the very thin line where the music is interesting, but essentially making you want to dance. The track sounds vintage, but the vibe is undeniably now, how should I put this, it exudes a certain cool demeanour for a more contemplative dancefloor.
5/7
IDJ - July 2006
Former Raw Talent winner toby comes up trumps with a funked-up electronic beast on Metthew E's fresh new label. Lez: 'I like this! There's a really nice groove going off here, and the techy percussion works really well too. There's a great separation of sounds too, you can hear each one working really well and there's lots of interesting electronic stuff in general!'.
4/5
IDJ - July 2006
Raw Talent star Toby Tobias is swiftly becoming one of 2006's most exciting producers. Here he's delivered a beautifully layered slice of shufflesome electroid house; if you need something a little more laid back then head for the Prins Thomas remix.
IDJ - July 2006
While I like the original of this, the tempo never lifts and there's never a sign of sweat on your brow by the journey's end. It's really Prins Thomas' rub that gives it the necessary edge. While keeping the tune on the same tip - simple drums, throbbing sequencers - Thomas manages to inject a little more drive and direction into it, mainly by slowly building the percussion and adding some much-needed drama into the proceedings. Both are good tracks, but the latter is much more likely to get played in clubs.
4/5
IDJ- July 2006
This reviewer couldn't get enough of Rekid's last release from Matt Edwards and this one from former IDJ Raw Talent winner Toby Tobias is every bit as good. Deep electro drums, fluttering analogue synths and even the merest hint of melody mean that contrary to most of this Euro electro shit it's warm as opposed to ice-cool. Prins Thomas' remix is similar and equally class, adding a mournful Vangelis feel that's pure machine soul.
4/5
Hot Press - 12th July
Tobias's ambitious original can't decide if it's italo, techno or house and consequently is all over the gaff. Prins thomas sorts the shit out with his refix: a shade tougher than we've come to expect, it utilizes the catchy riff, dubs stuff out a bit, ups the b-line pressure and generally carries itself as a lady should. top.
7/10
REKID - NEXT STOP CHICAGO
Download press release / Listen now
Single Of The Week - DMC update - 14th June 2006
Matt Edwards aka Radio Slave aka Rekid has come up with another absolute stonker. 'Next Stop Chicago' rides on a totally irresistable lolloping house groove, with Moby-ish atmosphericcs and slight hoe down connotations, which give it an early 90's balaeirc feel. Bring it on for the loved up masses. But saying that, at teh same time 'Next Stop Chicago' is a much needed fresh and exciting approach, with peak time written all over it. If you haven't checked out Rekid's debut album 'Made In Menorca', then you ought to be kicking yourself. Rekid has moved the goalposts.
One Week To Live - 12th June 2006
It's another week, which means another hot release from Matt Edwards (aka Rekid and Radio Slave). I'm still reeling from the brilliance of Rekid's album 'Made In Menorca' and the Radio Slave single 'My Bleep', yet here he is again with offering me more when I'm already full up with his juicy sonic fruits. The original version isn't full of the intricate production detail found in 'Menorca' and owes more to the mid-paced loopy disco of Theo Parrish and Moodyman, the mournful string samples adding an air of menace. Meanwhile frontroom records boss, Jess Rose stops off in Chicago to deliver some 303 acid line and jackin' grooves: another quality rekid.
5/7
Hot Press - 28th June 2006
The original's enticing slooow house jam with vague nods to the Windy city: a confident bassline, wild pitch-ish hum, weird looped synth sample ans Switch-esque vocal chops. Jesse Rose strips things back and ups the boompty but it don't work.
6/10
IDJ - July 2006
While Matt Edwards' original versin of 'Next Stop Chicago' is a solid set builder, it's Jesse Rose's B-side remix that'll do the damage on peaktime floors. Utilising only tiny snatches of Edwards' deep but bumpin' version, it's almost as if the Frontroom Records boss has stuck a rocket up the original's jacksy and stood back to watch the fireworks. The result is a heavyweight slab of wonky alien jack with more wobble than Jade Goody's knockers. Evil stuff.
4/5
DJ - June 2006
Seriously moody stuff from Matt 'RadioSlave' Edwards in his beatdown alias, but there's some Todd Edwards (not related) aping, sliced up blues vocal licks to stop this falling into a K-hole. Jess Rose's mix is outstanding though. It explodes from the atmosphere with a Switch-y three-dimensional riff, laying up odd synthetics into something rather like a clinical version of Goa trance made in a viagra laboratory. You'll be hard as it is.
4.5/5
RADIO SLAVE - MY BLEEP
Download press release / Listen now
Update - April 2006
Every now and again, a record comes along that captures everyone's imagination. They usually start on the underground, building to cult status, before they go on to be massive hits, leaving a trail of imitators in their wake. Radio Slave's 'My Bleep' is one such record, as clockwork cuckoo rhythms fuck about with the grey matter, while simple rave key riffs work their way into making you dance like an idiot. Roman Flugel supplies the remix, going for a traditional progressive house approach. Radio Slave's 'My Bleep' is at the level of being a big buzz track, gaining that cult those in the know status, but with Pete Tong, Erol Alkan & X-Press 2 all on it, it's not long before this baby hits the big time. This one's gonna run all summer, it's got Ibiza anthem written all over it.
5/5
DJ - 26th April 2006
If you want to get your hands on a large tune look no further. 'My Bleep' is already massive with everyone from Digweed to Slam, Pete Tong to Tiefschwarz, and this Roman Flugel mix will send it further into the stratosphere. Sounding like he's been in a heavy meeting with a bong, Roman takes a delightfully dreamy approach to the remix, adding a new feeling of space and warmth to the original. It's hypnotic and groovy, laidbakc and sexy, and it's every bit the ideal remix. The original, with it's heavier edge, more gnarly sounds and atmospheric charm is also included, making this a must buy release.
5/5
Radio Slave 'My Bleep' [REKIDS]
A clockwork groove and murky bassline give way to marauding, layered Italo-referencing synths that slowly do your head in. It sounds shit, but the devil's in the details.
7/10
One Week To Live - 1st May
I must be the only writer in dance music left slightly cold by Radio Slave's original version of 'My Bleep'. It's not a position I'm proud of and it's nothing personal towards the creator as I totally love the other release he has out as Rekid, '85 Space/Retroactive'. To me, 'My Bleep' sounds like Matt Edwards was so proud of the cool sounds that he created that he couldn't be bothered to arrange them into something really special. Roman Flugel of Alter Ego's mix does exactly this, moving Edward's parts around like a game of tetris to create a tower of colourful beauty. His version sounds like Age Of Love's 'Age Of Love' and early UK bleep-techno of Forgemasters. Bleeping marvellous!
6/7
Wire - June 2006
I've barely been able to tear myself away from rekid's excellent Made In Menorca (Soul Jazz), which I reviewed in last month's column, but this single from the same artist, Matt Edwards - under the alias for which he first earned acclaim - makes for worthy competition. He sweeps away the cobwebs that lend such an uneasy feel to the Rekids record; gone as well are the resonant Detroit touches. 'My Bleep' starts with a patch of overblown digital aliasing and shoots up to a sturdy, towerig structure. The tune catapults across the biggest rooms on the strength of it's arching alarum. Roman Flugel's mix is restrained, leaning back on chattering snares and hi-hats and slinking behind a curtain of delay, but it's no less entrancing.
DJ - April 2006
Radio Slave has started as he means to go on with his new label. Debut release 'My Bleep' has picked up a number of fans, including John Digweed, Pete Tong, Rob Da Bank, Justin Robertson, Erol Alkan and Paul Woolford.
John Digweed Top 7
1. Radio Slave: 'My Bleep' (Roman Flugel mix) [REKIDS]