EDM News - 7th August 2013

1. EDM's shameful secret (via The Guardian)

2. Carl Craig examines Detroit through a series of photographs (via Beatport)

3. Traktor hooks up with Pete Tong for a techno-inspired cooking event in Ibiza (via DJ Mag)

4. Annie Mac announces latest in essential AMP compilation series                (via Mixmag)

5. SpiritOfHouse reviews wicked new house comp from King Street Sounds, compiled by DJ Spinna (via SpiritOfHouse)

Stop.Look.Listen. Interview - Scarper (Plexus Records)

It was a few months back that I was introduced to the new Plexus imprint with their fantastic inaugural release from Pause, as featured on the Stop.Look.Listen. Podcast. Since then, I've been lucky enough to begin working with the label directly and was hugely excited to receive their second release from Scarper with the Unfurl EP.

This latest package harks back to the acidic, ambient electronica of old with a contemporary twist on the Detroit techno sound. Lush, soaring arps, arpeggiated basslines and old skool atmospherics dominate this 6-tracker, offering the listener a truly modern dance classic.

I was intrigued to learn more about the man behind the release, so here we go with the next Stop.Look.Listen. Interview, this time in a somewhat shorter format, providing the artist with a bit more scope  for creative expression. I'm delighted to introduce you to London's Scarper.

BC: What has made you Stop lately?



SCARPER: Thanks to the ever-reliable BBC6 Music (best radio station in the UK), 'Norway' by 'Style of Eye'. One of those tracks that you know is going to be special from the first few bars. Utterly infectious & addictive.

BC: What has made you Look recently?

SCARPER: The view of London from Primrose Hill. Beautiful place to hang out in the summer.

BC: And what has made you Listen?



SCARPER: It's an old one, but I keep going back to Drexciya's 'Neptunes Lair'. Absolute classic which is much more than a Detroit techno record. It's a wide, sprawling album which has all the elements of what I love about electronic music. It's full of juxtapositions: hard, clinical, robotic beats with beautiful melodies & lush ambience. It's funky & thoughtful, simple but complex, basically all the things that initially excited me about electronic music is crammed in there! There's also a high element of mystery & myth surrounding Drexciya, which for a music geek like myself is hard not to get obsessive about.

Scarper's 'Unfurl EP' is out today (24th June) via Plexus Records | plexusrecords.co.uk | Grab your copy from bleep.com

soundcloud.com/scarper | facebook.com/Scarpermusic | twitter.com/Stevescarper

Jakobin & Domino - Come On Back EP (Large Music)

Austria's Jakobin & Domino return on Chicago's Large Music imprint with the thumping 'Come On Back EP'.

This new 3-tracker is rich in deep Detroit vibes, with silky vocal snippets weaving around melodic keys, driving basslines and super-tight drums. A must for the summer floors mos' def.

As yet, this track is so fresh (Jeff only sent it to me this morning!) there seems to be no footprint of the tracks anywhere on the web. This needs correcting ASAP, so I'll be sure to include it on a wee deep house mix I'm putting together this evening - watch this space. (I've been sent so much amazing deep house of late, I need to get it out there...)

That said, I did jump onto Jakobin & Domino's Soundcloud page, where I found one of their previous remixes of Mr Fingers for free download, as well as a Luv Shack remake of The Doors from their labelmates. Check them out below.

The 'Come On Back EP' is out on 10th June via Large Music. | largemusicglobal.com