Tsuba Records has been one of the most impressive labels last year and, in 2010, they seem to have started pretty well, with a release from the label owner Kevin Griffiths and two remixes, by Afrilounge and Julien Chaptal. The original track of the UK producer is a quite good one… it has a great pumpy rhythm and a deep strong bass line, it will easily be a monster one in night clubs. The 2nd one of this EP comes by Chaptal “hands”, delivering a version of “Oh Yeah” flavoured up to minimal standards, with fewer elements, more sampling and some jazzy keys to complete it. A quite good one indeed. Ending up the release, in the b side, comes Afrilounge remix in what might be, to our hears, the most accomplished track of the EP, a step by step growing and a deep beat build a very good track to be enjoyed in some after-hours environment. If you don’t know Afrilounge by now (shame on you) this is your chance to listen his typical work.
As Tsuba founder Kevin has steered the label to be one of the most respected and consistent UK imprints (the 2nd most charted UK label on RA following Rekids). Recent label events include Tsuba showcases at Fabric in London and Watergate in Berlin with more events planned throughout 2010. The recent collaboration with Okain has become one of the Four:Twenty label’s best sellers and a new project with Justin Drake is to be released over the coming months. Be Aware

a1 - Oh Yeah

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a2 - Oh Yeah (Julien Chaptal remix)

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b1 - Oh Yeah (Afrilounge remix)

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TSUBA#038
Release Date: 01.02.2010

In the 21st release of the aclamated 8bit – owned by Mr Nick Curly – a new producer appears in the scene… this Mannheim based artist “Veitengruber” 1st release is really an well acomplished one composed by two original tracks and two remixes propered by Afrilounge and Liapin. The Ep starts with “Bon Melange”, a quite seductive track with a clean 4by4 beat full of quality and good taste, a great percussion and a construction that suits well to 8bit (and Curly’s) style. Next is “Big Love” a deep turn on with one of those step by step constructions that drives the crowd insane. All the elements seem to fit perfectly in the track and i think you’ll really appreciate it. The melody is wicked, reminding me some Kreon & Lemos productions, very relaxed with warm chords bringing you into the right mood for summer. In the b side you will be able to listen an Afrilounge version of Bon Melange full of minimal inputs and deep lines… a strong deep pumping track properly made to night clubs and really good soundsystems . To end up this pack Liapin also shows up with a remix of the same track (digital version only)… he is part of Afrilounge trio and on this solo version he shows all his inherent potential with a neurotic procedure of minimal exquisite good taste. This is an EP that you must know about, 8Bit continues to deliver in quite good style with flawless productions.

a1 – Bon Melange

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a2 - Big Love

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b1 - Big Love (Afrilounge remix)

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Digital only - Bon Melange (Liapin remix)

8BIT#021
Release Date: 01.06.2008

Press:

“Dogmatik label returns in june with a brand new EP from one of the imprint’s leading lights, Maya Jane Coles. Coles’ previous releases ‘Sick Panda’ and the ‘Low Key EP’ have seen her garnering support from the likes of Thomas Schumacher, Audiofly, Ivan Smagghe and King Roc whilst her band ‘She is Danger’ is hotly tipped as one to watch.

First up we have title track ‘Monochrome’ a journey into deep, wonky territory, with skittering drum patterns, hypnotic vocals and a low bubbling bassline.
Next up is the excellent ‘She is Strange’ which takes the listener further down the dark and techy route with its pulsating electronic vibe and edgy melodic elements.
Following on we have Afrilounge’s take on the track ‘Colours’. The German trio, who have recorded for Connaisseur, Poker Flat and 8Bit, turn in a superb slice of tech house with a tight rhythm section and subtle building sonic layers. This is a mix that is sure to find favour across the dancefloors of Europe and beyond.
The penultimate piece is the original version of ‘Colours’, a wonderfully deep and engaging track that draws on simple sounds and rhythmic constructs to great effect. This is a warm and organic piece of house music that works a dancefloor.
Finally label boss Alex Arnout steps up to remix ‘She is Strange’ and delivers a great brooding piece of bass driven house with real depth and feeling, sterling stuff.”

Tracklisting

A – Maya Jane Coles – Monochrome

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A1 – Maya Jane Coles -She Is Strange

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B – Maya Jane Coles -Colours (Afrilounge Deep Space Remix)

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B1 – Maya Jane Coles -Colours

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B2 – Maya Jane Coles -She Is Strange (Alex Arnaut Remix)

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Minimaland thoughts:

Maya Janes Cole, “Monochrome Ep”, is one of those records that creates his own space in your musical sense everytime you ear it. Generally, its everything except monochromatic since it comes around soft, progressive into a 4/4 beat that smoothly is spiced up with details, making it worthy of almost any electronic dj case, since it’s tracks spectrum of frequency fit almost any progressive mood. Worth to mention the quality of the remixes, as a great add-on to the Maya Janes Cole release, providing new looks upon. Afrilounge remix and the original “She was strange” are, under our consideration, the best tracks in the Ep, and surely will rock a lot of parties around this summer. In a 10/10 scale, this release is a 7.o. Maya Jane Coles, a name to follow in the next times as well as dogmatik.

Maya Jane Coles’ ‘Monochrome EP’ is released on Dogmatik in June 2009

#DOG10