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.

Dettmann Remixed

Marcell Dettmann is rightfully following in the footsteps of his Ostgut Ton label mates and releasing a full length album. Preceding his self titled debut is Dettmann Remixed. Four tracks are handed to Norman Nodge and Wincent Kunth for remix treatments. Norman Nodge takes ‘Shift’ and ‘Unrest’, Wincent Kunth ‘Vertigo’ and ‘Wound Up’. Nodge keeps it straight forward with his remixes while Kunth pulls out a couple of impressively deep grooves.

The new live electronic performance from Richie Hawtin, Plastikman Live, will be appearing at this years Movement 2010 (Detroit Electronic Music Fest, aka DEMF). The performance in Detroit will be one of a handful of dates that will form the first Plastikman Live world tour. The tour, which plans to take Hawtin’s already technologically advanced performances to the next level with the combination of visual art and interaction, debuts at the Timewarp festival on March 27th, 2010. Hawtin plans to put his experience with experimentation to use by taking what he has learned from past audio-visual-interactive shows (Plastikman @ Mutek ‘04, Timewarp ‘05-07, Contakt ‘08) and combining them into a condensed one hour performance. The tour sets will be a reinterpretation of all Plastikman material from Sheetone to Closer in an attempt to recapture the essence of  the infamous early Plastikman parties in Detroit. An excellent addition to the 10 year anniversary of Movement, Detroit’s Electronic Music Festival.

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.

Another groovy band graces the “Sleeper” series. ST is transmitting from Paris, France, and its blazing. For fans of Daft Punk without any doubt. This group solidifies the atmospherics of an intergalactic escapade. Highly Enjoyable!

Katsumi_PF
Uploaded by Vincent_Toulouse. – Independent web videos.

Dave Matthews Band
Kings of Leon
Stevie Wonder
Jay-Z
Tenacious D
Weezer
The Flaming Lips with Stardeath and White Dwarfs perform “Dark Side of the Moon”
The Dead Weather
Damian Marley & Nas
Phoenix
Norah Jones
Michael Franti & Spearhead
John Fogerty
Regina Spektor
Jimmy Cliff
LCD Soundsystem
The Avett Brothers
Thievery Corporation
Rise Against
Tori Amos
The National
Zac Brown Band
Les Claypool
John Prine
The Black Keys
Steve Martin & the Steep Canyon Rangers
Jeff Beck
Dropkick Murphys
She & Him
Against Me!
The Disco Biscuits
Daryl Hall & Chromeo
Jamey Johnson
Clutch
Bassnectar
Kid Cudi
Baaba Maal
Kris Kristofferson
Medeski Martin & Wood
The xx
GWAR
Dan Deacon Ensemble
Tinariwen
Wale
Deadmau5
The Melvins
Gaslight Anthem
Miike Snow
Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
Dr. Dog
They Might Be Giants
Punch Brothers
Isis
Blitzen Trapper
Blues Traveler
Miranda Lambert
Calexico
OK Go
Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue
Martin Sexton
Lotus
Baroness
Dave Rawlings Machine
Mayer Hawthorne and the County
Japandroids
Jay Electronica
Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros
Ingrid Michaelson
The Dodos
Manchester Orchestra
The Temper Trap
Cross Canadian Ragweed
Big Sam’s Funky Nation
Carolina Chocolate Drops
Tokyo Police Club
The Entrance Band
Local Natives
Brandi Carlile
Mumford & Sons
Rebelution
Diane Birch
Monte Montgomery
Julia Nunes
The Postelles
Lucero
Here We Go Magic
Hot Rize
Neon Indian
B.O.B
Needtobreathe

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)

Richie Hawtin is resurrecting Plastikman for live performances in 2010. The only confirmed date so far is Coachella. Richie has hinted at further performances. Could this mean new material as well?