Minimaland is back, sorry for the long delay but I’ve been traveling and time has become an issue over the last few weeks. So, today we are presenting you the debut of mr Justin Drake as a solo producer. His first Ep was released by Tsuba Records a few days ago and it’s a very good one to go with the Christimas Spirit, cause it’s full of harmony and deep environments. If you don’t know Justin Drake I can tell you that he has been in the business for over 10 years and is best known for his work alongside Clive Henry as Peace Division, one of underground house music’s truly seminal acts. His remix of Frederico Molinari earlier this year on Tsuba gave a taste of what to expect as a solo artist. You will listen two tracks, the first one is “Gotta Let Me Know”, a deep one to enjoy in the early hours of the night, and the second one is “We Are Many” reminding me some of Chicago old school house music in those kind of tracks that you rarely listen in this days, with a great bassline and an edgy underground rhythm that can be spread in any hour of every day! DJ Sneak steps up for the 3rd track creating a tremendous remix of “Gotta Let Me Know” in those kind of tracks that will lift up any bad mood that may exist in you. Perfect for after-hours sessions.
a1 - Gotta Let Me Know
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a2 – We Are Many
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b1 - Gotta Let Me Know (DJ Sneak Mix)
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The vinyl-focused, shrink-wrapped, limited-edition, coloured vinyl Tsuba offshoot Tsuba Colours returns after the triumphant debut of label-boss Kevin Griffiths’ “Cantona Kung Fu” earlier this year – this time, it’s Moodymanc with “Seedz”.
Otherwise known as Dubble D of 20:20 Soundsystem, Moodymanc aka Danny Ward is the real deal. A jazz drumming, house music obsessive he has toured live, DJ’d the world over and is now carving an impeccable reputation as Moodymanc. With releases scheduled for Third Ear, Dessous and Connaisseur to name but a few, his reputation looks unlikely to be shaken, too.
First though, his input for the Tsuba offshoot deserves our attention.”Seedz” combines tribal drums, delicate keys and subtle horns in fine style, referencing the best of New York house while remaining modern in feel. No loop-driven drum assault, “Seedz” is a carefully structured slice of deep house.
B-side cut “Thumbs Up” goes south with a latin/afrobeat house direction. Carnival drums, FM bass and an unrelenting drive do the work while low-in-the-mix filtered loops ebb and flow throughout, adding the sort of melody the lazy among us would characterise as summery.
For the digitally inclined there’s a bonus drum dub of “Seedz” which will please the tinkering-jocks out there so all in all this is another strong release for the fledgling offshoot which seeks to satiate lovers of house in all formats.
a1 – Seedz
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b1 - Thumbs Up
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Digital Only - Seedz (Drum Dub)
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Peace Division duo is taking separate ways for now and in minimaland we want to congratulate them for these magnificent 15 years under Peace Division acts and productions
“This is the final single from Peace Division duo Justin Drake and Clive Henry as they go their separate ways after almost 15 years together.
Since the mid nineties Peace Division have been regarded as one of the pillars of the UK house scene, recording for labels such as Junior, NRK, Crosstown Rebels, Low Pressings and of course Tsuba. Their musical innovation has kept them at the forefront as both DJ’s and producers, perpetually keeping ahead of the game in the perpetually shifting sands of dance music favour and flavour.
Now after a decade and a half Drake and Henry have decided to part company to focus on solo projects and other commitments. This may bring a tear to the eye of electronic music fans but it should be remembered that they leave behind them a musical history that will endure. The final piece in that puzzle, their swan song if you will is this stunning final release entitled ‘Eh Oh Um’. ‘Eh oh Um’ is pure old school Peace Division that stands up against the high points of their glittering catalogue. They have truly returned to their roots with a superb cut based around a subtle filtered loop, tight drums and a rollin’ bassline. The arrangement is simple and effective, holding onto the groove and building the atmosphere with a dubbed out middle drop. This is classic Peace Division and a perfect finale to their releases together.
The remix comes courtesy of Oslo and Raum artist Christian Burkhardt who turns out his production toolbox and rebuilds ‘Eh Oh Um’ into a chunky and jackin piece of house that does much credit to the original. He brings the vocal stabs to the fore and reigns in the bass whilst adding his own percussive layers, the outcome is a solid and extremely floor friendly version that is bound to please.
‘Eh Oh Um’ is a fitting final offering from the act that brought so much to dance music over the years. And whilst there may be no more from Peace division it is certain that their musical talents will find new avenues and that their joint musical legacy will live on in the memories of all those who were touch by their sound.”
Minimaland thoughts:
We don’t need to add anything else, who doesn’t know, should! We still cross our fingers desiring this is just a temporary situation and that this is maybe the last Ep of a new series ahead.. Sad if you realize these guys are almost intemporal and travelled trough lot’s of diferent hypes and trendy’s in the electronic scene always mantaining their identity and quality since we’ve first heared them. They marked a time and an era in electronic music.
We still expect their return someday… Congratulations Peace Division for all the vision and the moments we lived on your productions, really unforgettable.
Thanks.
A – Eh Oh Um
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AA – Eh Oh Um (Christian Burkhardt remix)
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Minimaland is back, sorry for the long delay but I’ve been traveling and time has become an issue over the last few weeks. So, today we are presenting you the debut of mr Justin Drake as a solo producer. His first Ep was released by Tsuba Records a few days ago and it’s a very good one to go with the Christimas Spirit, cause it’s full of harmony and deep environments. If you don’t know Justin Drake I can tell you that he has been in the business for over 10 years and is best known for his work alongside Clive Henry as Peace Division, one of underground house music’s truly seminal acts. His remix of Frederico Molinari earlier this year on Tsuba gave a taste of what to expect as a solo artist. You will listen two tracks, the first one is “Gotta Let Me Know”, a deep one to enjoy in the early hours of the night, and the second one is “We Are Many” reminding me some of Chicago old school house music in those kind of tracks that you rarely listen in this days, with a great bassline and an edgy underground rhythm that can be spread in any hour of every day! DJ Sneak steps up for the 3rd track creating a tremendous remix of “Gotta Let Me Know” in those kind of tracks that will lift up any bad mood that may exist in you. Perfect for after-hours sessions.
