Zone Magazine Issue 036 - DJs From Mars

Vinyl + Digital
HOUSE & TECHNO
John Ricketts
TOP TUNE //
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Juliane Wolf – Love Conquers All EP [The Soundgarden]
German producer and DJ Juliane Wolf builds on her previous releases on labels such as Dear
Deer, YION, ASTIR Recordings and her own Wizarding Wolf imprint with this outstanding 3
track EP on Nick Warren’s The Soundgarden. The title track “Love Conquers All” blends a
chunky driving bass line, with delicate arpeggios, soaring synths and dreamy vocals. “Halo”
continues the theme with arps and bass combined with drums that shuffle along with just the
right amount of energy to keep things firmly focused on the dancefloor. Finally “Kira” closes
the EP with one of the most euphoric breakdowns of the past few years. Synths float in and
out whilst arpeggios are teased before the rolling bassline takes control. This is top quality
progressive house. More please.
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https://www.beatport.com/release/love-conquers-all/3941450
Ben Jones – Fizzy Water EP [Before Records]
Debut release from Before Records, with label boss Ben Jones, providing the goods. The title track
“Fizzy Water” showcases his distinctive musical style. With drums bouncing along and accompanied by
minimalist instrumentation. The Nolga remix of the title track strips things down even more. On the flip
side, “Grey Area” takes us into darker territory, with a dark synth-line droning throughout over the top of
more shuffling drums. Bobby O’Donnell gives his remix an upbeat acid feel, and ups the energy levels for
a more peak-time vibe. Great debut EP, look forward to more.
https://benjones6.bandcamp.com/album/bfr001-ben-jones-fizzy-water-ep
RECOMMENDED
Hess and Harrison – Epibenthoss Mbira EP [Echocord]
Detroit natives Luke Hess and Joshua Harrison team up, to continue Echocord’s series of coloured
vinyl releases. Giving us 4 tracks of deep techno and house. “Benthos” is a chord driven deep tech
number, with acid influences. “Hadal” continues the same theme, opening things up to more
progressive elements, with shuffling hi-hats and solid drums. “Nekton” continues with the
progressive influences, with delay effects used to create movement in the synths. Finally
“Upwelling” takes us into more minimalist territory, with deep subs and punchy drums.
https://echocord.bandcamp.com/album/epibenthos-mbira-ep
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Jos & Eli - Mayhem EP [Watergate]
For their second release on the world-renowned Watergate, the pair team up with vocalist Alex Clare. First up
though is the driving techno number “Inner Sky”, full of energy and movement, it’s destined for good things.
Stephan Jolk is on remix duties for the title track, and completely flips things around and bring us a melodic and
progressive sounding number, perfect for a sunset session. When Alex Clare steps up for the chunky, and
distinctly different-sounding “Mistakes” is where the EP peaks. It's a great track, and the combination of synths,
vocals and drums all sit perfectly with each other. Finally “Mayhem” closes things with more progressive sounds,
with arpeggio leads and rolling drums. Brilliant work.
https://www.beatport.com/release/mayhem-ep/3421925
GMJ & Matter – EXT 135 / Elemental / Time to Space [Meanwhile]
Meanwhile label head honchos GMJ and Matter take things into their own hands and finish the year off in
style with the labels 39th release. It’s a triple A-side, and kicks things off with “Ext 135”. It’s a laid back,
brooding progressive house number, with pads weaving in between each other, sitting on top of a solid
rolling bass line. “Elemental” continues the vibe, but raises the energy levels before “Time to Space” adds
an element of funk to round things off. Brilliant stuff and something for all good progressive and also
deep house djs in the right time and place.
https://www.beatport.com/release/ext-135-elemental-time-to-space/3944089