Sunday, 12 July 2009

Clubland July

If you figure in Holger Zilske's release history as Smash TV, Mindlab and Acrid Gain then his debut solo album has been a long time in the incubation chamber. For the past two years Zilske's productions under his own name have focussed on the meeting points between subtle, deftly crafted techno and house. “Mes Yeux”, the first single from the album backed with”Metrodancer” appeared just two weeks before the LP and as a foreteller of what was to come was exciting news.

Thursday, 4 June 2009

Clubland June

They may not happen with the greatest frequency but one thing is assured upon tracking down a new Robag Wruhme release; you will be entertained. The veteran producer has a knack of injecting his tracks with a certain buoyancy and mirth that few others manage to conjure with each successive release. Abusus Adde, his latest on Vakant finds Mr. Schablitzki in top, maniacal form with three cuts that not only prove to be weighty peak time contenders but also remind you that this music is meant to be fun.

Wednesday, 6 May 2009

Yeah Yeah Yeah's


From their perfect thrashing entry into the world and the unchecked maelstrom of Fever To Tell, New York three piece Yeah Yeah Yeahs have constantly stayed ahead of the pack. Cue third album It's Blitz! and another sonic spanner is thrown into the works of expectation.

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

Clubland May



After the industrial strength artist album from Ben Klock on Ostgut Ton earlier in the year, which left some feeling a little too chilly the label have followed up with a decidedly warmer twelve from Berlin resident Nick Hoeppner. Makeover is nevertheless cloaked with a deep and brooding atmosphere, but there are touches of house licking around the edges of the clubby techno that immediately lightened the mood.

Friday, 1 May 2009

Kasabian



Possessed of an old school pomp that harks back to the days of rock royalty, Kasabian make no apologies for their unchecked egos and diamond swagger.

Wednesday, 1 April 2009

La Grande Dame


In the history of comedy and entertainment there has never been a character quite like her. There can be no imitators for she is truly unique; a cultural and comedic phenomenon. Armed with a crooked, wide-lipped smile, bejewelled gowns, an acid tongue and the most iconic pair of glasses in the world she has been dishing out her goodly brand of housewife wisdom for over fifty years to an adoring audience. She has been granted audience with some of the biggest stars in the world, cites herself as a friend and confidante to the Queen and now has her own line of make-up. And as this hapless journalist was about to find she can also inject a certain spookiness into a routine interview.


Thursday, 26 March 2009

Razor-lite



Million selling albums, celebrity girlfriends, debaucherous revelry, charity gigs. Razorlight seem to embody all that is required for rock canonisation so why do the press constantly paint lead singer Johnny Borrell as a twat? Real Groove goes in search of the real Johnny Borrell.

Clubland March


Maybe it's the recession, perhaps it's the planetary alignment or it could even be down to Kanye's fashion mantourage making everyone pick their game up a little but there seems to be a wealth of incredible releases out there at the moment.

Mark Broom has been a constant figure on the techno scene since the mid nineties and unlike some of his peers has seemed to be able to adapt and push his sound with the times. He's pushing a particularly prolific level of output at the moment with no fewer than six releases to his name this year already.

No End In Sight


I love surprises; they relieve you of life's constant drudge through mundaneness, a breath of fresh air into the stale lungs of reality. Though some surprises are best left as the tantalising, unrealised morsel of promise they promote. To that end I was recently invited to a special function to celebrate the release of U2's latest collection of important music. It was to be held at a prestigious London hotel and would be followed by a big surprise!

Tuesday, 24 February 2009

Clubland February


The word purist used to get bandied around a lot when talking about techno in the 1990's. It was often in deference to the work of the (largely) Detroit and Berlin artists of the time as their music was tarred by association with the crude, cheesy Eurodance shtick of groups like 2 Unlimited and Aqua. The word became synonymous with the likes of Jeff Mills, Robert Hood, Derrick May and Underground Resistance; it was also a phrase used by ardent fans to align themselves with techno from the right side of the tracks.