s w e e t b e a t s
may.09.2002 - #919
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artist : Sumo
album : Workout
year : 2002
label : Seasons Recordings
genre : Lo-Fi
catalogue : SEACD-04
url : www.seasonsrecordings.com
quality : CD 192k HQ True Stereo
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01.Parkers Dream 07:15
02.Santiago Boys 06:50
03.Mango Madness 03:36
04.More Mango Madness 06:58
05.Good 2 Me 04:23
06.Raficado 05:54
07.Dark Black 04:11
08.S.U.M.O. Workout 06:07
09.My Brother 05:36
10.I Want it Black 05:04
11.Deepsteppers 06:10
11 tracks | 62:04 mins | 85,4 MB
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House music is a constantly evolving artform, ever dividing and
redefining itself. Garage, Vocal/Club, Acid, Chicago, HardHouse, Deep,
Jazzy, Funky House (to name a few) all have their own niche and culture.
These different subgenres are sometimes defined geographically. While
this is no more than a generalization, these geographical divides can
be seen most readily where underground producers are inspired by one
another; using common samples, grooves, and - most importantly - moods.
The West Coast of the US is as diverse an area as you could ever want.
The most notable underground sound coming out of California's landmark
scenes, however, is courtesy of a few flowering house labels like San
Francisco's Panhandle and OM. But in particular, Los Angeles imprint
Seasons Recordings has captured the essence of deep, funky, moving house
that has a worldwide following.
Based in Los Angeles, Seasons started out as Earthtones Recordings in
1998. They had many successful releases, the debut being the underground
classic Natural Rhythms EP. A number of releases from A.D.N.Y. - New
York's own Alexi Delano - Jesper Dahlback, and others kept the startup
rolling. Earthtones changed to Seasons in '99 due to a trademark issue.
What makes each release on this label so special is its pool of talented
producers and the careful selection of label founder Jamie Thinnes.
Producer-of-note Lance DeSardi (aka Lance Nuance) has put out a number
of productions on Thinnes' Seasons imprint, as well as on other nearby
labels such as Panhandle, and most recently on Roam. His two favorite
accomplices are JT Donaldson and Cpen.
Donaldson has had wild success with his 2nd Shift work on Seasons - a
project which features JT and Tim Schumacher pushing their musical
blend of house, light vocals, and beautiful instrumentation. The first
EP was selected by Mark Farina for an OM compilation, and quite recently
the second release - a full-length - spawned two single releases of
remixes. He is one of the more traveled producers in this gambit, with
productions on labels like: Soy Music, Esoteric, Seasons, Panhandle,
Naked Music and Afterhours.
Cpen has released a number of solid grooves on Seasons when working
solo. He has also co-produced on this LA label with DeSardi under the
moniker of Curb Feelers and shown his more tech-oriented side as Dr.
Sparkle. This year, Cpen produced a track for Panhandle's latest
compilation in which his signature '80's synth vibe could be felt, yet
the deep 'tech' feel was still present.
But I digress. Back to Lance DeSardi, this young DJ/Producer started
years ago as a DJ. I had the good fortune to catch his set at the
Seasons/Panhandle party at this years's WMC in Miami. Lance mixes
smoothly through funky, soulful, minimal house - a-la his own
productions - to jackin' tech-house grooves. An outstanding set, yet
it's his production style that truly amazes me. A marriage of funky and
soulful beats while maintaining a somewhat minimalistic approach is
difficult to achieve. DeSardi carries this out with the class and
integrity that would be afforded a more seasoned producer. (Pun not
intended.) Lance recently received the praise of famed techno innovator
Dan Bell and is rumored to be doing some production for his label.
Seasons does not suffer from the tunnel-vision that many smaller
imprints do, with the lack of a true A&R department. The label called
in renown Chicago remixer Derrick Carter to re-work the original 2nd
Shift EP last year. Freaks, a duo from the UK, have done some excellent
work for the labels. Fred Everything from Canada, Alexi Delano and Pete
Moss from the east coast, and Jesper Dahlback from Sweden are just a few
who have produced on Seasons or Earthtones. Nearby San Francisco label
Panhandle Recordings released an EP from the Belgian house duo Swirl
People last year. A short time later, Seasons did the same, proving
soundly that good house music in the Seasons/Panhandle style can be
found all over the globe, and that my earlier generalization regarding
geographical divides is a load of crap.
Looking toward the future, Seasons will be releasing a full clothing
line, which will debut in the fall. Also in the works will be more from
Seasons Limited records; bringing back old friend Alexi Delano, and
hooking up with Sumo from Sweden for a two-part EP. Finally, what has
this writer all worked-up is another instance of JT Donaldson and Lance
DeSardi teaming up - as Undercover Agency.
Seasons Records can be found at your local underground vinyl shop. Also
look for the Jamie Thinnes mix CD of various Seasons artists.
--takeoutmusic.com
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s w e e t b e a t s
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greetings to klangwerk, mgc, sour, dh, diss & sfe
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Files
Path
Size
[BMW]-[Lo-Fi-2002]-(85.4 MB in 11 files of 192kbps Stereo)-[bender@rec