Test Pressing Podcast

Something for the weekend? That'll be Mark E bringing the good times. Mark E is one busy chap. There's an album released on Spectral Sound at the end of the month which sits somewhere near the sound of the 'Works' album which has analogue sounds by the bucket load and is sounding pretty great. Then he's got one up and coming under the Project E guise on Golf Channel (who seem to be hitting a nice seam right now) then lots of new things on his Merc label. There is 'E-Versions', a series of edits, re-fixes and remixes by Mark and Ed of Edwards Dead, followed by a release by Chicago Damn which goes from proper house to balearic beat. This mix showcases lots of that alongside some Yoav B, Tevo Howard, an amazing bit of Mark Seven, and a little bit of Tina Turner too. Good Friday. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/330-MARK-E.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/330_Test_Pressing_Mix.mp3)

Cosmic conscious Electro Soul. Earons vibes. The Beautiful Swimmers stumbling across Sweety G leaving Easy Street. Shelter rattling the dreams of Santa Anna. Dub like Gwen Guthrie with Sly and Steve Stanley. Seductive sleaze, juicy fruits and freaks. Ecstasy synthesized. Random finds at NY`s A1. New Wave Funk. Recommendations from Philly & Jus` Wax. Tips from Psychemagick and The Growing Bin. Clinton`s P flavour and Osibisa-releated Jazz. Disco metaphors. Bank-breaking private presses. Promises, promises, and a finale where Gilles P and Kenny Dope meet. When I asked Piers about the mix he said, “What I think I like about these records is that they're all basically Boogie / Soul but have a little spacey or poppy edge that make them a tad Balearic”. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/329-SOFT-ROCKS.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/329_Soft_Rocks_Kinfolk_Mix.mp3) (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/KINFOLK-london-POSTER.jpg) Soft Rocks move their Kinfolk party up from Brighton to Hackney`s London Fields next month (Saturday 8th March), where you`ll be able to catch the chaps DJing alongside Kalidasa from Tusk Wax. The party runs from 8 PM until 3 AM and admission is free. You can find more details here (http://www.residentadvisor.net/event.aspx?558226).

Atmospherics like Pink Floyd scoring Kubrick`s “2001”, setting the controls for the heart of Deep Space. Disco is dubbed and a Ponty-like violin cries. Love Pirate Rhythm guitar conflict and war from the lead. A quick burst of sunshine Soul courtesy of Harvey and Hugh, before heading back out to the universe for a lonely moment. Hanging on to a kalimba refrain to set a new orbit. Digidub rumble. Epic Post-Punk desolation. Mr Olsen giving Jose Gonzalez big love. Tornado Wallace`s self-help cloud goes floating by, only to have its drink heavily spiked and its head lost in smoke and strobes, taken to an alien hoedown thrown by Gatto Fritto, and treated to a dollar bin sleaze secret by Dr Dunks. Steel pan tropics. Göttsching / Mark McGuire Mantras.`80s pianos. Rave nostalgia. Studio 54 lounge lizards and supermodel sirens. Rock & Roll desire. Live in Portland, Oregon. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/328-GARTH.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/328_Garth_Portland_2013.mp3)

Final part of the ReviveHER trilogy sees Otologic arriving at these shores. These two look, and sound, like they have a good time whatever they do though here they are playing music and generally having good time at the birthday bash for the ReviveHER fourth birthday. As you can see below on the flyer it was a bit of a stellar line up. Not sure what we were doing that night but wish we'd gone now on listening to all of these mixes. If you want to check more of Otologic then head to their Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/otologic) where you can hear a load of their mixes and live sets. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/537056_646972805335690_1810681568_n.jpg) (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/327-OTOLOGIC.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/327_Otologic.mp3) If you want to find out more on ReviveHER head to their Facebook group here (https://www.facebook.com/ReviveHER).

Ok. If you were switched on and read the last mix post about Lovefingers then you know these two next mixes are going to come from Roland Tings and Otologic. First up is Roland Tings straight out of Australia and having fun at the ReviveHER fourth birthday with an out of tune synth (not that I noticed). It kicks. If you like what you are hearing you can find out more at his website (http://www.rolandtings.com/), Soundcloud (https://soundcloud.com/rolandtings) and Instagram (http://instagram.com/rolandtings). (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/537056_646972805335690_1810681568_n.jpg) (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/326-ROLAND-TINGS2.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/326_Roland_Tings.mp3) If you want to find out more on ReviveHER head to their Facebook group here (https://www.facebook.com/ReviveHER).

James who runs London's ReviveHER party got in touch with tapes in hand of their 4th Birthday party so obviously it would be rude not to put them up as the ones he wanted us to put up were Lovefingers, Otologic and Roland Tings. All people on a wave of good. It was one of the first birthdays they had managed to celebrate and they managed to pull a great line up together. First up is Lovefingers which is cool as his ESP label is totally on point for me right now. I don't think they are putting a foot wrong. Go seek if you've never heard. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/537056_646972805335690_1810681568_n.jpg) Back to ReviveHER. They have a warehouse space in Hackney they use exclusively for their parties which looks over the Olympic Park on one side and London's business district Canary Wharf on the other. It's basically that NYC loft vibe in full. Parties coming up this year for the chaps are three label showcases. On Friday March 28th they have Let’s Play House with Jacques Renault and Rub N Tug; Friday May 2nd: Rush Hour w/ Xosar - Live (UK Debut), San Proper and Antal and Friday May 30th: Local Talk Records w/ HNNY, Outboxx - Live, Mats & Tooli. Top line-ups. So back to this party - what you have hear is Lovefingers warming up the room from empty to good to go. Following days will see the two remaining sets we have from the Australia's Otologic and Roland Tings. Live people having live times. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/325-LOVEFINGERS.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/325_Lovefingers_3..mp3) If you want to find out more on ReviveHER head to their Facebook group here (https://www.facebook.com/ReviveHER).  

Alexis Le-Tan got in touch to tell us about a new project he is involved with called Full Circle. Full Circle is an edit based project in collaboration with Joakim and Ill-Studio. Alexis has been into the original Goa sound for a bit now (he came and played in this style at a party we did with a while back and the crowd loved it) and after making a mix tape of that early party sound, though played at 33 rpm, the logical step was to do some edits the way they did for the original parties. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Full-Circle-ok.jpg) They took the records, slowed them down, and that music started sounded like something you'd happily hear on a wonky leftfield dancefloor. Heavy kick, acid, noise and machines. So in order to kick Full Circle on Alex has done a new mix for us below to show where it is headed. We've also grabbed a track for our YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/ApientoUK?feature=watch) from the new release, which you can pick up here (http://www.phonicarecords.com/product/view/119414), called 'Wicked Time' (good title). (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/324-ALEXIS-LE-TAN2.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/324_My_Ideal_Party_Before_Disco_Valley.mp3)

Contemporary is what we try to be. One foot (at least) is firmly in the past, the history of this thing, but there is also always one toe (at least) testing for the future, and possibility. A forgotten soundtrack and seductive `80s Soul reinvented. A siren rescued. American Clave approach zero. Sakamoto & Hosono by way of Dam Funk. Henry Cow`s bassline. A modern day Sade. Bootlegged Czech Jazz (I thought I knew a secret). Borrowed scenery. Celluloid with strings. A French singer`s other song. Pop after the fall, and anticipated sketches. Something old, something new, and a couple of bits as yet unreleased. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/323-DR-ROB.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/323_Dr_Rob.mp3) Big “Thank you”`s to Artem at Krossfingers, Jason & Moonboots at Aficionado, Mark at International Feel, Stuart at the Emotional Rs, big Tim H, Ami at Catune, Jered at Good Timin` and Apiento, for the promos, tips and clues.

Ray Mang is Laj is Raj Gupta. One of the premier disco producers since way back when and still clocking forwards in a future fashion with no sign of letting up. You’ve got Dave Lee a.k.a Joey Negro who is, you could say, one of the first second wave disco producers from our shores with Raj coming in around the mid-90s. He has taken that wonky party sound and kept it moving on every since, working with Dan & Conrad Idjut shaping the Nuphonic end of things and much much more. He also runs the label Mangled and has released across too many labels to mention. He is prolific with the quality control on high. New music coming from Raj includes a downtempo soul infused album project as ‘Sound Captives’ with Pete Z featuring guest vocals from Jhelisa Anderson (one of our finest voices) and Mozez that is coming out via a Japanese release later this year through Ene. Ray Mang remixes also forthcoming for Daniel Grau with Los Amigos Invisibles, Bryan Ferry, U-ka, Rob Garza & Neighbour, Paqua, Rocca & Baldelli, Max Essa, Jhelisa and more. Told you he was busy. He also DJs and you can check him at The Queen Of Hoxton on Sat 18th of Jan @ Session with more dates across Europe upcoming. Party time in TP towers. Enjoy the Raj. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/322-RAY-MANG.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/In_The_Mix.mp3)

It was a very mellow holiday so I had sometime to look at a project I have been working on for sometime which is a book about Compass Point - the studio in Nassau, Bahamas. Part of this has been interviewing a number of the key players. I took some of these, cut them up over music and here you go. Interviewed in the sound documentary below are Wally Badarou (and his lovely wife), Chris Frantz (Talking Heads / Tom Tom Club), Lynn Goldsmith (Will Powers) and Kendall Stubbs (one of the engineers at Compass Point). It is by no way a definitive story of the studio, nor the music made there, but hopefully it will give you an impression of how amazing that studio was and an impression of Chris Blackwell - head of Island Records and the man that built and pulled the whole studio together whilst also producing and signing the artists. He had the vision and foresight to pull together the perfect framework of musicians and engineers and producers and I hope you are able to hear this in the enclosed. (Note: please excuse the quality of the sound on the interviews as they were recorded on either a dictaphone or via Skype, neither of which are conducive to clear sound). (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/CP-RADIO-DOC.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/COMPASS_POINT_A_TEST_PRESSING_SOUNDFILE.mp3)

Seems fitting to end the year at Test Pressing with a mix from one of our favourite producers in the last twelve months - Tornado Wallace. He's just quietly got on with it and put out some great music that I keep coming back to over and over and I look forward to hearing some new sounds next year. Mr Wallace is also behind the Animals Dancing parties in Oz with the one below looking like quite the place to be tonight if you are that side of the water. The party is hosted across three indoor and outdoor spaces at the Peoples Market’s West Melbourne warehouse.Too many good DJs in one place. Wish we were there. You can find out more information and buy tickets here (http://www.eventbrite.com.au/e/animals-dancing-nyd-tickets-8468356081). (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/1501750_10151769436576890_1505385125_n.jpg) So here is a mix from the man himself. As he says 'I kept it sunny for those in the Southern Hemisphere'. It's been a really great year on Test Pressing and its looking like an even better one in 2014. The music is getting better and better, younger people are getting into it, the originals are making waves and music is everywhere. Stay tuned for a rebuilt site (its looking kind of nice!) and some more stuff happening next year. Thanks for reading. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/320-TORNADO-WALLACE.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/320_Mix.mp3)

High on Nature. High on life. Gypsy longing. Miles` blue. Spanish fortresses stare out to sea. Still waters. Deep azure. If the sixties were the noughties. Cymbals shimmer like light on the tide. Horns call to shore. Piaf surrenders to amour. Moulton tames Miss Jones. Birds of prey circle on swells. Spirits in a cloudless sky. Folk music made by folks. Roots music. Music that reveals history. Brasil via Gilles and Dingwalls. Tastes from when London was open, when genres and pigeon-holes didn`t count for much, except to purists. When Soul boys & girls could dance to Yazoo, Run DMC, Jeff Perry, Tania Maria, and Andy Williams. A “Mexican” in Paris jumps the Doobies` train. A “Look De Ibiza” DJ Harvey revival. Herb Alpert`s bikini Boogie. That Spaghetti Western theme for Balearic heroes. Instrumental`s strings replay Dr Paterson`s classic. Laurel Canyon “Orleans” harmony. Franco And Jean-Luc both paint in the air. A mix made with big big love. A moment in Maui. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/319-NANCY-NOISE.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/319_Nancy_Noise_Made_With_Love_2.mp3)

So as the year in music on Test Pressing draws to an end its time for the last podcast of the year. Me and Phil, a fine bottle of red wine from our sponsor (its well Phoenix nights round here) and a load of records that aren't Christmas-y at all and are probably all the better for it. There is talk of us doing something monthly on NTS next year (a station in East London for those that don't know) so more info on that as and when. Anyway, enjoy this one. Lovely sounds all round and thanks as ever for listening. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/TP-RADIO5.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/Test_Pressing_5.mp3)

Ok so here is an early Christmas present - a mix from The Growing Bin's (http://thegrowingbin.blogspot.co.uk/) Basso. I was saying to Alex / Lexx on email today that Basso reminds me of him. It is that level of fastidious digging and attention to detail and knowledge. Basso has lovely records pure and simple. From across the world. Mellow synth music, odd disco records where their take on disco came out kind of different but just perfect in its own way and slow mo Soul. Basso recently issued Merge's Long Distance (see review here (http://testpressing.org/2013/11/merge-long-distance-growing-bin-records/) from our Dr Rob) and runs The Growing Bin's online record store (http://www.growingbinrecords.com/) which may drain your funds but it will bring you no end of happy. Dig Basso and what he does. You'll find things you like along the way. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/318-BASSO.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/318_Dezember.mp3)

We`ve been after this one for a while and thanks to the “Moments In Love” (http://testpressing.org/2013/12/ica-ibiza-moments-in-love-party) exhibition at the ICA, and Apiento bumping into Rocky there, we`ve finally got it. Barry White`s 40-piece orchestra and Africa Centre positivity. Something about Soul II Soul encapsulates the time. An Old Kent Road nursery rhyme and that O Jays bass-line. The Funk Express break and Steven Stanley island vibes. A push for humour. Balearic New Jack Swing and an Amnesia call to arms. Rocky & Diesel. House music champions. Big room DJs with a weekly two hour show on Ministry Of Sound Radio (http://www.ministryofsound.com/radio/dj/146/house-of-x-press-2), who went from producing their own very London take on Chicago`s Wild Pitch from a bag of samples, to collaborating with heroes like Dieter Meier and David Byrne, reaching #1 and Top Of The Pops. But before X-Press 2 there was Nicky Holloway`s Trip, where the two Darrens met Andrew (Weatherall) and Terry (Farley), and where they were quickly recruited to the Boy`s Own “team”; writing for the fanzine, and playing at events such as “Double, Egg, Bacon, Bubble and A Fried Slice”: A one-off thrown in some railway arches down Lambeth way in the Autumn of 1989. Rocky`s recreation of their set from this party presented here reflecting Rare Grooves and Dos At The Zoo`s hand over to Acid House. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/317-ROCKY-DIESEL.jpg) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/317_Rocky_And_Diesel_Double_Egg_Bacon_Bubble_And_A_Fried_Slice.mp3)