While you have been biting your nails waiting for the next post, I have been enjoying myself in the darker parts of London. Saturday saw me visiting Mulletover, an underground party that feeds the hype by keeping its locations secret and publishing it through viral channels only a couple of days before the event. The highlight there was Dixon, who unfortunately entertained the carnival-masked crowd only two hours until 2AM, which is when Sebo K took over. His set was quite a disappointment, simply because of the mostly dull music. He had a couple of moments though, to give him justice. Dixon played out a couple of records that are quite certainly going to be big once they get released, such as the new Laurent Garnier on Innervisions or the Henrik Schwarz remix of Bill Withers or a track from the new Loco Dice album.

The album altogether is brilliant and quite house-y. Which gives me confidence in saying that House is making a small comeback and conquering back territory from his skinny weird-hairstyle brother Minimal. Another indicator of that have been the recent Radio Slave records, which I have liked quite a lot. And I don’t recall a minimal record from the recent months that would have moved me very much.

But just go ahead and listen to the sweaty beat of “Tight Laces”. It’s really something, isn’t it?

Sian, born Graham Goodwin, is your not-so-average Irish guy. Google him and you will find he was „raised gypsy-style“ in Spain. My illiteracy on the subject says that this means he has probably travelled his share and knows a thing or two about flamenco. I tried to find other people on the Internet raised in the same way, but it sure looks like Sian is the only one raised in that particular style. And now, I have contributed to the collective non-knowledge by adding yet another reference to that weird piece of Sian’s history.

Today, Sian is the owner of Octopus Records – a modern label that seems to be partly MP3-oriented. He has produced for renowned labels like Poker Flat and Karmarouge. This particular track was released on Aus Music, belonging to Will Saul and Fink.

„Wear Your Scars Like Medals“ indeed is a macho track like you would imagine from the title. The thumping kick it starts with sets the mood. You get some Radio Slave style white noise and train sounds until the track breaks down to a crescendo of analogue synthesizers. Even in a Matt Edwards DJ set, this would be the peak time pick. On the flip side, German shooting star Roland Appel (of Truby Trio and Fauna Flash fame) kicks off with punctuated rhythm and breaks the track free of its monotonous single scale with an intense choir harmony and more melodic take on the hook. The techno-ish original gets a housier treatment.

It’s a very strong track from Sian and another great remix production from Roland Appel.

A: Wear Your Scars Like Medals
B: Wear Your Scars Like Medals (Roland Appel Remix)

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Let’s talk about Rekids. In my view, it’s been one of the most productive and successful labels this year, with virtually every release worth checking out. I also dig their artwork, with the exception of the dead ugly blistered feet on the Radio Slave No Sleep series that make me want to vomit every time I get the record out of my bag. Original, oh yes; but seriously unappealing, even though I get the subtle dance-to-this-record-till-your-feet-hurt implication.

Musically, they (or in fact, Matt Edwards, the guy behind the Radio Slave moniker and the Rekids label) have truly established their own sound, providing nice variety at the same time. The slightly irritating analogue hooks in tracks like the aptly titled “Beautiful Noise” by Spencer Parker or Radio Slave’s “My Bleep” (I loved the Roman Fluegel version) really eat their way into your brain.

This time, Radio Slave is bringing us “Bell Clap Dance”. What a title again, I must say. This one sounds like Jerome Sydenham on acid, with the cowbells and percussion. And it’s really a peak-time banger, which I bet will tear up every club. On the remix side, we have the much-admired German wonder Sebo K, going at it on a slightly deeper approach. This would be my choice for the start of the evening. Both tracks are really excellent, making me wonder how long Mr Edwards can keep all of this up. I, for one, am holding my fingers crossed for Rekids.

A: Bell Clap Dance (original mix)
B: Bell Clap Dance (Sebo K remix)

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