UMEK’s Behind the Iron Curtain radioshow has been a beacon of techno and tech house dominance since its inception 100 episodes ago. To celebrate the centennial broadcast, UMEK has enlisted the help of none other than the legendary Carl Cox, a man who needs no introduction. Clocking in at just under an hour, Cox crafts a trip worthy of carrying his name, leaving behind a haze of percussion and groove driven leads that will undoubtedly help you through that first awful hour of your Monday morning.
Slovenian heavyweight turned 1605 ring bearer Umek turns his refined tech house sensibilities to the handiwork of Austrian peer Parov Stelar for a fortified remix of ‘All Night.’ True to the swinging get-up of Stelar’s original, the labelhead’s take on proceedings emphasises the beat-heavy bond Umek has maintained during his long and prosperous reign on global club land. A sure-fire peak time offering that is certain to inspire some sun-kissed moments across the summer clubbing circuit, Europe’s lesser-flaunted regions make loud and proud noise once again with this edgy yet infectious remix. (more…)
From albums to globetrotting endeavors, tech house has never looked safer than in the capable hands of well-traveled Iron Curtain ambassador Umek. This month, his game is a second compilation for Toolroom Records, led by an early spoiler to set the tone for his welcome return to the label. In a spree of filtered digressions and sample work and his full-bodied grooves in full motion throughout, “Love To Dance” echoes the resilience that has seen the Slovenian heavyweight excel the more rhythmically refined shores of electronic music with consistent stamina.
Toolroom Knights Mixed by Umek 2.0 is out on iTunes.
Techno hero Umek has had a busy year so far with tracks like “Spank!,” “I Need You,” and the more recent collaboration with Uto Karem on “Eternity.” This time around, he joins forces with the acclaimed tech house duo Pleasurekraft, creating a colossal joint production “Korea.” The single, out now on Umek’s 1605 Music Therapy, kicks off with a set of stabbing chord sequences that unravels into a bouncy melody. The track is everything you’d expect it to be: a clash of the tech world titans that brings major peak-time heat to the ears.
Purchase: Beatport
Tech giants Umek and Uto Karem have combined their production abilities on their new track “Eternity.” With two decades of global touring and production prowess under Umek’s belt and a short but sweet career of hitmaking for Karem, the fusion of their aptitudes form a promising techno dream team. The track kicks off with a timid percussive lead before swirls of synths mount to a infectious breakdown. The stretched bassline lies behind a luminous chord progression and carries the backbone of the track. Try this tune on for size — it’s not everyday two titans of this caliber come together to create a showpiece of this degree.
Purchase: Beatport
Slovenian tech house maestro Umek returns to his own 1605 Music Therapy label with an infectious release titled “I Need You.” Just like his large arsenal of past releases, this song is beaming with energy and guaranteed to get even the mellowest of wallflowers to move his feet. Where as you’d usually see a more uptempo styling out of Umek, this track favors the deeper realm of classic house music — something we’re seeing become more and more popular. Click through for a stream and purchase link.
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Umek has turned up the intensity in the studio, serving us with top quality dance offerings of late. After blowing minds with his own “Kuzla Prevarantska” and a remix for Bontan’s ”The Revolution,” the tech maestro is back with “Spank.” The Slovenian born producer and DJ ups the ante on his latest offering, bringing more to the table than he has on previous tech house productions. “Spank!” is house in its purest form, dance music at its finest with a riveting balance of infectious loops and anticipating hooks.
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Purchase: Beatport
Hot off of Kraftek’s latest release is Umek’s remix of Bontan’s “The Revolution.” The track dropped this week as part of Bontan’s debut Hit It From The Back EP. While not much is known about the British producer, tech house is definitely his bag. His “The Revolution” has a driving, bouncing bassy house beat and a groovy vocal sample from Boogie Down Production’s “Exhibit F.” Umek’s remix takes the tech house a little deeper, throws in some drums and a bit more energy but still keeps the groove going. The track and the rest of Bontan’s EP are now available on Beatport.
Purchase: Beatport
Tech house and techno duo Filterheadz return to Umek’s 1605 label to out “The Game” — a true dance track filled with classic tribal elements and never-ending groove. Known for their stellar breakdowns and infectious lead play, Filterheadz uses a vocal kick around a steady build that seems to go into an endless abyss. With the addition of flawless percussion work and gentle piano synths throughout, this marvelously layered offering is something we’ve come to expect out of the Belgian duo.
Purchase: Beatport
The underground had a big year in the US in 2012 and we only felt it appropriate to highlight some of these amazing artists independently from potentially bigger or more commercial artists in the dance music world today. We considered the year these artists have had in terms of production, live sets, and overall influence. We also generally picked artists we love and admire; artists we feel are extremely important to pushing electronic music forward. This list of 25 names includes legends and young guns alike, but we can assure you that every single one of these artists is incredibly talented and is well worth a listen or a trip to a club for a live set. Today we’re going to share with you our picks for #25 through #16. (more…)
