Movement Electronic Music Festival 2010

The initial Movement (aka DEMF) 2010 lineup has been announced and it looks impressive. As it should, the Detroit Electronic Music Festival will be celebrating a decade in existence this Memorial Day weekend, May 29th-31st, 2010. Headlining the festival will be classic Detroit pioneer’s such as Kevin Saunderson’s Inner City, the return of Richie Hawtin’s Pastikman (not seen in Detroit since 1994) and Juan Atkins‘ Model 500.

Rightfully so the festival is staying true to the rich techno heritage of Detroit with homegrown artists like Robert Hood, Kenny Larkin, Theo Parrish, Rick Wilhite, DJ Rolando and Anthony ‘Shake’ Shakir.

2010 will also see plenty of international electronic stars as well: A-Trak, Chris Liebing, Claude VonStroke, DJ Sneak, Joel Mull, Martyn, Simian Mobile Disco, Kid Sister, Rex Sepulveda and more.

I’m glad to see the return of many more “live” acts; something we’ve seen in the past at the festival, but I think has been missing the last few years. The full list is below… and still more to come.

A-Trak
Acid Didj
Agoria
Anthony “Shake” Shakir
Cassy
Chris Liebing
Claude VonStroke
Dan Bain
Derrick Carter
DJ Dick
DJ Godfather
DJ Hype
DJ Koze
DJ Pierre
DJ Sneak
Francesco Tristano – Live
Hudson Mohawke
Ida Engberg
Inner City
ItaloBoyz
Jamie Jones
Jennifer Xerri
Joel Mull
John Acquaviva
John Johr
Josh Wink
K-HAND
Kenny Larkin – Live
Kid Sister – Live
Kraak & Smaak
Kyle Hall
Larry Heard
Luke Hess – Live
Magda
Mark Ernestus (Rhythm & Sound)
Martin Buttrich – Live
Martinez Bros
Martyn
Matthew Hawtin
Michael Mayer
Minx
Model 500
Mr. Scruff
Onur Ozer
Paco Osuna
Phat Kat & Guilty Simpson w/ Will Sessions [Live]
Pretty Lights – Live
Punisher
Radio Slave
Recloose
Rex Sepulveda
Richie Hawtin presents Plastikman Live
Rick Wilhite
Rob Hood – Live
Rolando
Ryan Crosson
Scion – Live
Secrets – Live
Simian Mobile Disco
Stacey Pullen
Starski&Clutch
Theo Parrish
Woody Mcbride

The remaining six tracks from Peter Van Hoeson’s debut album, Entropic City are available to stream on the album’s microsite or via Peter’s soundcloud. Don’t forget, you can currently download the Variable_Parts_EP for free.

5. “Terminal” (5.55) Peter comes proper with this track. A nice low, driving bass line guiding the kicks. A much deeper addition then the “Terminal – Markov Layout” we were introduced to on the Variable_Parts_EP. At 2.32 Peter automates a higher pitch on the kick only to drop it to a sub-pounding level; an interesting break that leads to an impressive remainder. This one keeps the woofers warm and the crowd beggin for more. Nice.

6. “Testing A Simulacrum” (4.39) reverts back to the albums easy, going feel. It seems quite out of place nestled between these heavy hitters and is much better suited on the B side of an Orb release.

7. “Strip It, Boost It” (5.58) sees a much lighter tone then the Dub version on the Variable_Parts_EP. Though more dynamic, the quirky sounds and chirps fail to break through.

8. “Quartz#1″ (5.56) is the danger. A funky groove incorporating live bass guitar slaps that’s so mean you can’t help but bob your head. Nuff said.

9. “Colony/Return Of The Object” (6.11) moves into the dub techno arena with an icing of metallic glitch. White noise melts through the crevasse of broken beats to create a sticky, gooey mess so tasty Oscar Mulero’s mouth is watering.

10. “Defense Against The Self” (5.28) starts out pretty basic and parallels for the remainder of the track. It’s spaciness adds great depth and usefulness but the peaks fails to climb out of the clouds.

As suspected, Van Hoesen picked up the pace and lowered the bass for the majority of these last 6 tracks. Peter has assembled an extremely solid techno album: showcasing a variety of styles with confidence, adding to an already respectable roster of tracks. A clear purchase for any teched.

The first four tracks from Peter Van Hoeson’s debut album, Entropic City are available to stream on the album’s microsite or via Peter’s soundcloud. Don’t forget, you can currently download the Variable_Parts_EP for free.

1. “Intro Entropy” (7.54) – A slow pounding groove that follows a 1.15 soundscape resembling the realization of the repetitious blaring of a horn deep in the distance… as you’re coming off nitrous hit. The track slowly adds muted kicks for snares while echoed pads swirl from channel to channel and a delayed stab adds epic depth. The first impression reminds me of cleaned up version of “Prologue” leading into “Soulseek,” the eerily slow intro from Chris Liebing and Andre Walters’s 2003 album, Evolution.

2. “Republic” (6.03)  – Growling, rolling bass accented by stabs and a classic Beltram tech snare. 1.53 introduces a heavy, dark pad that leads the track drearily throughout the remainder. A decent start but this track needs more; failing to grasp my undivided enthusiasm.

3. “Closing The Distance / Toy Universe” (7.15)  – Van Hoeson picks up the pace here a bit as demonstrated in a majority of his previous single tracks and EPs. A single lead note accompanies the track throughout, changing key shortly during the break. Synthy techno peers out about 2.13, resembling a heavily pitched down history piece by the likes of Marco Corola or Gaetano Parisio. The track really starts to groove after the break: a nice early morning after party track to help wind down. Although while listening, through quality headphones on my laptop, I keep reaching for the invisible pitch fader to speed it up a bit; in preparation for a cliff-hanging mix with a proper Italian techno track.

4. “Dystopian Romance” (6.23) – A spacy track that gently fades back and forth whilst still pushing you forward with a driving kick. A healthy dose of quick stabs and samples keeps it interesting until 2.20 when the highs hit and make this a definite dance floor groove. This is by far the most dynamic track so far and leads my to believe the next set of streams will balance out the slow beginning of this record well.

Download Derek Plaslaiko, “The Unforeseen” This is Derek’s production debut after plenty of time behind the decks with international dj sets. Derek mentioned in a recent interview that production is his main focus right now and may have plans in the future of starting his own label.

Peter Van Hoesen has a lot going on right now. In about a couple months he will be releasing his debut album, Entropic City, (3/22) and start a residency at Fuse in Brussels. Till then, he’s giving away this latest release, Variable_Parts_EP, for free. The EP includes three retakes of tracks by Van Hoesen and one new track. But that’s not it, on February 8th, Time To Express will release a four track EP, Entropic Minus Six, including some of the album’s hardest tracks. That very day, streaming tracks from the album will start appearing on the Entropic City website. Two tracks will be added each week, until March 15 when you can stream the entire album.

Variable_Parts_EP starts with “Face of Smoke – Casual Reconstruction,” commencing with a deep kick and atmospheric undertones. The sample fades and is replaced with spaced out stabs and cuts and a looming pad; only to be submersed by various clacks and taps surrounded by echoing samples. The 9 minute track stays interesting with moderation, constantly fading samples in for a few then fading them back to the abyss. The EP’s most dynamic rivaling a deep techno cut from off Blueprint.

“Strip It Boost It – Entronic Dub” is the dubbed out follow up track with a strong snare that resonates with building samples, intriguing highs and plenty of sound effect stabs throughout. 1:25 into the track Peter drops a deeper kick with a keen wink, only to strip the track back to its celestial roots just over a minute later. The track turns out quite groovy.

“Terminal – Markov Layout” drives quickly into the night with acidic bass line and building highs. A much more straight forward track with short, muted break downs and an emerging second wave Detroit techno sound that could have been plucked from a T-1oo0 set in the mid to late 90’s.

The new work on the EP is “Second Law,” Van Hoesen’s other side. A creepy, cinimatic track worthy enough to stand next to recent soundscapes from Monolake. Complete ambient techno with voice recordings and cold mechanical air.

Listen or Download Peter Van Hoesen, Variable_Parts_EP

Snag this Surgeon mix for FACT Magazine before it’s gone, only available for a limited time. A true surgical techno pioneer.

FACT Mix 106 | Surgeon (Click to listen, Right click for download)

The new Beatport exclusive single, “X Ray Eyes” from Bomb the Bass is out. Vocals by Kelley Polar and additional remixes by John Tejada. X Ray Eyes is the second of four singles to be released once a month until the full length album. The new album, Back To Light, is a follow up to the phenomenal 2008 release Future Chaos.

The singles will be an exclusive for the first 4 weeks on Beatport. The first single “The Infinites” dropped on 12/22/09 which featured retakes, care of Extrawelt, Kwesachu, Jake One, Atom TM and Mark E…plus a special Bomb the Bass remix. The LP will feature ten new tracks, with contributions from Paul Conboy, Gui Boratto, Kelley Polar, Richard Davis, The Battle of Land and Sea, and Depeche Mode’s Martin Gore.

Get the Beatport Exclusive “X Ray Eyes” Single

Get “The Infinites” Single

Pre Order Back to Light on CD (2/16)

Pre Order Back To Light on MP3 (3/2)

In 2007 Caribou released Andorra which was on many lists(including mine) for album of the year, and more recently top fifty of the last decade. Caribou has created a seamless bridge of psychedelic pop, gleaming with dance floor electronica.

Click the photo and be routed to enter your email address for a free download of the first single “Odessa.” Swim is out on Merge April 20th. I know I will be pre-ordering this record as soon as its available.

Odessa is funky with very crisp samples. There is a tech house feel, and a vocal that sounds similar to the pitch and delivery of Erlend Oye – for the record spinners without a doubt.

Finally, officially released in the US… Vitalic, Flashmob is out today (11/3) on Different.

If your heavy into  electro, disco, aggressive bass lines or dance pop this album is sure to please. Tracks such as “Poison Lips” will undoubtedly bring a new crowd to Vitalic’s fan base and convince ol’ school dance addicts to explore further into the album… while bringing dark, electro-heads into a euphoric dance club state. “Chicken Lady” combines grimy 8-bit video-gamish sounds, razor-sharp bass and comedic vocal samples for a silly but extremely danceable track. “Your Disco Song,” the albums single, borders on a club killer from Daft Punk that begs for peak play but doesn’t leave you feelin used and exploited. “One Above One” mirrors the likes of Ladytron as straightforward bass flows freely through delicate female vocals. “Still” gets more IDM and shows Vitalic’s keen sense of melody and charming vocal edits and effects. “Terminateur Benelux” pushes you forward with solid bass and far-out synths adding movements with edits and accurately place vocal stabs. The track is then chopped at the limbs in preperation of a funky breakdown… only to mold this beast back into a full fledged killer. The tantalizing subtle nature of “Allen Dellon” begs for peace as the synthy tones are plucked out of a scenic shot from a late ’80s sci-fi action flick.

Vitalic has blown me away with this album, a follow up to his much praised 2005 debut Ok Coyboy; an album that left my tastes in need of a pallet rinse.  Flashmob is a perfect blend interesting electro, fun dance tracks, crushed low-fi samples and production edits that keep you guessing. A must have.

Movement Torino kicks off today (VENUE: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino). Movement Torino is the European version of Movement in Detroit (the Detroit Electronic Music Festival aka DEMF), one of the largest, longstanding and most influential dance music festivals in the world. Movement, started on Memorial Day weekend back in 2000, then called the Detroit Electronic Music Festival or DEMF, a name still used by many. The event was free that first year in 2000; a weekend that can never be matched. It was the best weather I’ve ever witnessed in Detroit on Memorial Day. The music was hot and stayed true to tha D. The festival was pure and poetic: unpaved by company banner Ads, the scent of carny sweet and misfit freak-shows who dig out lonely Halloween costumes to give the Hart Plaza bums something to laugh at besides mental anguish. Back then it wasn’t a bottom line that drove the artists to the stage but the dark and gritty, once industrial giant city that demanded it. Whispering admiration echoed through the abandon streets until the oceans heard Detroit’s gift to the world load and clear. It was the largest free event in the world… and an important time in history for electronic music.

Although the music expanded the event grew worse. More commercialized and less organized. It had a few bad years, though still pulled impressive artists. Thankfully Paxahau took the event over and things have seemed to run smoothly ever since. They have since moved their expertise and success with Movement overseas. The first event of this kind was staged on December 15th, 2006 by Movement Europe srl together with Derrick May, Movement founder and world ambassador. The third edition of Movement – Torino’s Dance Music Event in 2008 attracted 13 thousand people and established itself as the World’s Best Halloween Indoor Music Event. Now being paired as Movement Torino and Movement Detroit – Paxahau have recently signed a strategic partnership aimed to strengthen the two events and the Movement name across language barriers and country borders.

VENUE: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino
—Palaisozaki, Corso Sebastopoli, 123, 10134 Torino, Piemonte

Friday:
Location: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino
Artists: Luciano, Derrick May, Phil Weeks, Chris Carrier, Hugo, DJ Torpez, Sten, Gambo
Live Bands: A Mountain Of One, Motel Connection

Saturday:
Location: Pala Olimpico Isozaki di Torino
Artist: Richie Hawtin, Ricardo Villalobos, Stacey Pullen, Mike Huckaby, Krakatoa, Michel Cleis, Didier Alline, Danny Fiddo, Vasta, Frola