seven&storm - parov stelar (CD) release date: 11/2005 - available to download
Thumbs up!
This is Parov Stelar's second album and it's another jewel! The sound is almost the same, it's the trademark Parov Stelar sound, only this time he changed the balance of elements a bit. The album feels more raw and bare then Rough Cuts... and contrary to what some might think, this is a good move because the album sounds excellent. The only thing I'm wondering is what he has in the works now, I guess we'll have to wait and see.
rough cuts - parov stelar (CD) release date: 10/2004 - available to download
Noir indeed!
This album is, for me, a lovely introduction to Etage Noir and Parov Stelar. It sounds great, fresh... and noir. Sometimes the music is a bit fractured but Rough Cuts is a 5 star album nonetheless.
versions - thievery corporation (CD) release date: 5/2006 - sorry, we do not sell cd's or lp's any longer.
Flow, bass, hypnosis and dub! Masterpiece!
Versions is Thievery Corporation's newest album. This is not one of their originals but a remix album, like the much acclaimed "Abductions & Reconstructions". The original tracks include some high-profile names like Norah Jones, The Doors, Bebel Gilberto or Sarah McLachlan but like the name "Versions" suggests, these tracks are dub interpretations of the originals, not just simple remixes. And my God, they are brilliant! With all due respect to the artists on this disc, the "versions" are better than the originals. Some of the tracks, like Sultan Khan's "Tarana" simply transcend time and space, others are lighter but a common trait for all songs is a powerful hypnotic effect. Although different from many points of view, I'd put this album right up there with the legendary "K&D Sessions". Needless to say this is a masterpiece in the truest sense of the word, do yourself a favor and pick this one up as quickly as you can.
esl remixed-100th release - various (CD) release date: 11/2006 - sorry, we do not sell cd's or lp's any longer.
Celebrating a decade of music!
Wow, 100th release! This is a great achievement, specially if you consider the top quality of each release. So how does ESL Remixed feel? It feels like a recap of the label's first decade of life. It certainly doesn't brake new grounds and it isn't as mind-blowing as Thievery Corporation's last 2 albums ("The Cosmic Game" and "Versions") but this is top quality music. Not to be missed!
kunuaka - makossa & megablast (CD) release date: 3/2007 - available to download
Like a rocket!
M&M's style reminds a bit of the legendary Rockers Hi-Fi, but with faster tempo. I was astounded by the attention they paid to details: just listen to "The Matting Game" and feel the slow build-up, the solid beat and all the little sounds that appear and disappear the next second, it's catchy and spacey but never cold. Maybe the first impression will not be that spectacular but a closer listen will reveal more. Definitely the best release of 2007 so far.
the k&d sessions - kruder & dorfmeister (CD) release date: 9/1998 - sorry, we do not sell cd's or lp's any longer.
Number 1 in my collection...
...and I have a pretty big music collection that ranges across many genres. This album of remixes is absolutely mind-blowing. There's not much to say, the music pretty much speaks for itself. Also take into consideration that this is a double-disc album, in other words over two hours of high-quality music... you'll feel stoned after every listen. DO NOT MISS IT!
grand slam - richard dorfmeister / madrid de los austrias (CD) release date: 6/2006 - available to download
It makes winter feel like summer
Dr Richard and Madrid de los Austrias have teamed up to create this great album. The tracks have a disco feel to them, good for the dance floor. Great quality!
opera - tosca (CD) release date: 2/1997 - available to download
After 7 years it still sounds fresh!
Although I would take J.A.C or Dehli 9 over this anytime, Opera is simply a great album. It sounds very fresh (despite being almost 7 years old!) and has a few outstanding tracks: the classics Fu*k Dub and Chocolate Elvis but also the superb Ambient Emely. It's not as cohesive as Tosca's more recent work but I highly recommend this album. At first it might not sound that good but a careful listen might reveal quite a few things. Try it!
peng peng - voom voom (CD) release date: 10/2009 * reissue * - available to download
Very good album, very high quality!
I expected Voom:Voom to be something more Kruder & Dorfmeister style so I was surprised after hearing it for the first time. I wasn't looking for electro or deep house, I was looking for some down-tempo. But after a few songs I started liking it, by Logan I was already caught. It's a really good album and a nice surprise. There are many great songs on this album (Baby3, Keep the Drums Out, Logan, Vampir Song), very good for the dance-floor but also very soulful. I can only recommend this album, it's a sonic BOOM! Thanks a million Peter Kruder, Christian Prommer and Roland Appel!
dj kicks 7 - smith & mighty (CD) release date: 2/1998 - sorry, we do not sell cd's or lp's any longer.
Diversity is the name of the game.
The 7th installment of the famed DJ Kicks series bears the Smith & Mighty signature. This is a mind-blowing journey, with music ranging from dub to drum'n'bass mixed together with tons of skill. I'm not a big fan of drum'n'bass but my God, S&M have put so much soul into it. You connect so easy with the music (on an emotional level), it's something d'n'b never managed to do. There's so much music on this album (24 tracks), and so much diversity, you will not regret getting this excellent release. Some tracks really stand out as classics: More Rockers' Nightfall, Virginia's Rainbows and the last track, S&M's I Don't Know (feat Alice Perera). Smith and Mighty know tons of things about music, huge thanks to them, for sharing.
