- FORTHCOMING : MAKAM'S FULL-LENGTH -

Guy Blanken, plus connu sous le nom de Makam, est en train de préparer la sortie de son tout premier album qui sortira le 24 novembre prochain, intitulé How Long Is Now?

Né à La Haye aux Pays-Bas il réside actuellement à Amsterdam et s'est fait connaître du public grâce au titre 'The Hague Soul' au tout début de l'année 2009. Il a ensuite signé sur Soweso grâce à l'aide de Lauhaus et Kabale Und Liebe mais c'est sur Sushitech Purple que sa réputation grandit: en effet il y a signé trois maxis et un remix. C'est naturellement que Makam va sortir sur ce label, dirigé par Yossi Amoyal et Matt du Jardin, son album "How Long Is Now?". L'album offre beaucoup de nouveaux morceaux, excepté le fameux 'Things I Embody' sortit en août dernier. Sa touche house groovy et old school lui a valu de bonnes critiques sur ces deux années passées, et il est évident que cet album lui assurera une solide notoriété d'ici peu.

______


Guy Blanken, AKA Makam, is preparing for a November 24th release of his full-length, How Long Is Now?

Born in The Hague but currently residing in Amsterdam, Makam has amassed a healthy following for himself since the release of his debut 12-inch, The Hague Soul, in early 2009. That initial effort arrived through Lauhaus and Kabale Und Liebe's Soweso imprint, although his strongest label association has been with the UK-based Sushitech Purple, who have put out three Makam EPs and called on him for a remix. And the imprint run by Yossi Amoyal and Matt du Jardin will show further faith in him by releasing this full-length effort, How Long Is Now?. The album is comprised of almost entirely new material, with the exception being "Things I Embody" which was originally released back in August. Makam has shown a strong propensity for classic-rooted house grooves these past two years, which will no doubt carry over to this debut full-length.

Exception by Makam

- AMSTERDAM DANCE EVENT 2010 -

Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) : c'est le plus gros festival électronique et une des conférences musicales les plus marquantes de la sphère internationale. Créé en 1996 ADE était au départ une petite conférence avec pas moins d'une centaine de professionnels de la musique et un festival programmé sur trois clubs avec une trentaine de DJs.

Cette année ADE a grandi au point de devenir la plateforme la plus en vogue pour les partenaires commerciaux de la scène, en en soulignant le business international auprès des acteurs internationaux, et en mettant en avant de nouvelles personnalités, de nouveaux sons et de nouvelles tendances.

Site Officiel

______


The Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE) is the leading electronic music conference and the biggest club festival for electronic music. Founded fourteen years ago, ADE first came to light in 1996 as a small conference with a few hundred music professionals and a festival program in 3 clubs with 30 DJs.

Now in 2010, ADE has grown to become the ultimate platform to meet international business partners, introduce businesses to a worldwide audience and get in touch with new people, new music and new trends.

Official Website

- KARISMA PODCAST 015 : AKI BERGEN -

La mouvance électronique en Europe a encouragé Aki à s’intéresser davantage à la musique dès ses 14 ans. Avec son surnom Neuroxyde il commence donc à mixer dans des clubs et fait la rencontre d’Andrea Prezioso, son mentor, qui lui permit de sortir son premier morceau en 1997.

Dès lors Aki se consacre à la musique : d’abord centré en Italie, c’est finalement en 2002 que les choses se déclenchent. Avec le soutien de Valentina Dante, David Jones et Aqua Diva, ses plus proches collaborateurs, il arrive à se hisser dans les charts des meilleures ventes, et remporte en 2007 un disque d’argent en France avec plus de 100.000 singles vendus, près de 400.000 vendus dans le monde.

Du Vieux Continent jusqu’à la planète entière, Starlight Music arrive sur le marché et booste les notoriétés des artistes comme Shara Nelson de Massive Attack, Dubfire, D.O.N.S. Une étape est donc achevée.

Naît ensuite Neurotraxx, un label qui est aujourd’hui un des meilleurs en terme de deep house et tech house. Aki se forge alors une solide réputation, et est connu désormais comme un des artistes les plus en vogue du domaine deep house.

C’est sous le nom d’Aki Bergen qu’il est le plus connu, et il ne passe pas inaperçu puisqu’il a déjà été trois fois premier dans les ventes deep house sur Beatport, et surtout grâce au titre « Jazzy Stuff » créé avec Doomwork qui a été dans le top dix général du site de vente.

Son talent lui a permis de collaborer avec de très grands artistes comme 2000 and One, Madskillz, Milton Jackson, ou encore Pezzner. Ses remixes sont très appréciés, car il instille au sein des productions retouchées un groove nettement abordable.

______

Since the young age of 14 the passion and ardor for the techno movement in Europe, encourage him to explore the variety of the expression of tendency that was revolutioning the world music Club scene.

Like each young talented dj, Neuroxyde is searching the road for the access in his City Clubs and with the passing by of the time he becomes well-known to the public. His attraction for the electronic grooves, brings him to meet Andrea Prezioso, his “precious” mentor for a few years, and releasing his first production in 1997.

From this point on was for Neuroxyde clear on his mind, that this would be his destination, like a Train rail without stops. Till 2002, year which inaugurates his first professional studio, he switches music productions and gigs on the whole Italian territory. With his actual collaborators (Valentina Dante, David Jones and Aqua Diva) administrates different well know Italian labels of the last few years, moving from different styles and genres taking him to the top of the Top sales charts in Europe.

In 2007 he wins the silver disk in France with over 100.000 sold singles and more than 400.000 copies all over the globe. From the old continent to the whole Globe a short step: Starlight Music is born and in a short break of time it becomes one of the most researched and respected labels, boasting of collaborations with artists of worldwide fame like Shara Nelson of Massive Attack, Dubfire, D.O.N.S. to mention a few. The next step is take of granted: create a label made to fit with his passion and musical requirements.

Neurotraxx is born, a forge that materialize tracks that are played by the most influenced top dj’s of the world. His devotion of the world of Club is still today alive, and his competence and professionality are unquestionably appreciated.
In the last year with the name of Aki Bergen he found his leading way also in the world of deep house, producing some of the most played records of the last months.

We can find his name in the first position of the Deep House Beatport chart for three times, and in the 1st position of Beatport General chart together with Doomwork with the smashing hit “Jazzy Stuff”. His sudden fame provided him big collaborations with artists such as 2000 and One, Dj Madskillz, Milton Jackson, Pezzner, and his remixes are between the most requested and loved.

DOWNLOAD KARISMA PODCAST 015

Aki Bergen DJ SET October 2010 by Aki Bergen

- REVIEW : 'AS ONE' by TONY LIONNI -

Ces dernières années Tony Lionni a signé des morceaux qui sont très inspirés de la scène techno de Detroit, et d'autres plutôt deep house, sur les labels Versatile, Wave, Mule Musique et surtout Ostgut Ton. Ses remixes sur Moodmusic et International Deejay Gigolos tout comme ses licences sur les compilations Balance et Cocoon l'ont aidé à surgir parmi la scène. Afin de souligner son talent il est plébiscité sur Resident Advisor par son podcast et ses nombreuses soirées au Panorama Bar l'ont propulsé au rang de figure incontournable parmi les producteurs underground du moment. C'est lundi 11 octobre que son premier album "As One" est sorti sur Freerange Records, mélangeant house et techno sur une touche intemporelle, décimant les moindres doutes quand à son talent.

______


Tony Lionni has, over the last few years, been releasing track after glorious track of Detroit-tinged techno and deep house on mighty labels such as Versatile, Wave, Mule Musique and of course Ostgut Ton. Recent remixes on Moodmusic and International Deejay Gigolos as well as licenses to Balance (Will Saul) and Cocoon (Sven Vath) comps have all helped push Tony further into the limelight. His recent RA podcast and regular gigs at Panorama Bar have helped put him right up there in the higher echelons of todays best underground producers so we’re very proud to be presenting to you all with the Precious EP, the debut single from his highly accomplished forthcoming LP As One.

- KARISMA PODCAST 014 : ADDEX -

Addex est un projet artistique venant de Roumanie, formé par un seul homme. Sa touche musicale est aisément reconnaissable par une house atmosphérique, voire stratosphérique, incluant des notes très ariennes et éthérées, de très longs pads et des percussions bongo groovy.

Baignant dans la musique dès l’âge de 10 ans, ses influences Florissant lors de son adolescence, c’est en 2005 qu’il decide de se lancer dans la production et dans la musique électronique, passant par tous les styles, et spécialement en lounge et downtempo. En 2007 il signe son premier maxi.

Addex est très influencé par des artistes tels que Depeche Mode, Royksopp, Faithless, The Timewriter, ou encore Toka Project ou Terry Lee Brown Junior, The Rurals également. Il en est arrivé au point d’avoir sa propre touche musicale, et il est très facile d’identifier ses productions tant il est le seul à créer cette ambiance unique et légère.

Il a remixé des morceaux d’Andrew Chibale, Terry Lee Brown Junior, Greg Parker, The Messenger, Da Funk, Jerome Robins, Jon Silva ou encore Hakan Libdo. Il signe ses productions sur les labels tels que Acryl Music, Soul Industries, Etoka Records, Solid Fabric Records, Manuscript, Lovezone ou Loco Records… délivrant sa vibe unique de qualité qui n’en finit pas de nous faire voyager très loin…

Le MySpace d'Addex ici

______


Addex is a solo project from Romania. His sound is atmospheric deep house with summer sounds, dubby chords, heavy pads and with grooving bongo percussion.

Began listening electronic music at age of 10, and with years, many various genres was capture his attention wich was an inspiration and a study case. In 2005 he decided to produce different styles of electronic music, including Lounge and Down-Tempo. In 2007 he signed for his first release. Influenced by big artists such as Depeche Mode, Röyksopp, Faithless, The Timewriter, Toka Project, Terry Lee Brown Jr., The Rurals etc., Addex created his own sound and is able to translate his thoughts and emotions into every production and remix.

Addex remixed for many artists like Andrew Chibale, Terry Lee Brown Jr., Greg Parker, The Messenger ,Da Funk, Jerome Robins, Jon Silva, Hakan Libdo, etc. He released his music on labels like Acryl Music, Soul Industries, Etoka Records, Solid Fabric Rec, Manuscript Rec, LoveZone Records, Loco Records. etc., delivering an unique vibe and quality for each release and remix.

Artist's MySpace here

DOWNLOAD KARISMA PODCAST 014

- INTERVIEW OF THE MONTH : ADDEX (ENGLISH VERSION) -

Hello Addex, nice to meet you. Could you first tell us what were the conditions to leading you making music?

Hello and nice to meet you too. My first connection to the electronic music was after my 10 years of life and since i was a child, i heard and grew up with a range of diverse genres mostly chillout, trance, house / tech-house, and of course techno, wich was the leading style back in the rave days. Since then, i heard so much house music and five years later i’ve been attracted to the more calm zone, deep house and lounge style. After that, the step for producing music was near.

Where comes from your inspiration, this sweetest way to vibrate on your tracks?

My inspiration comes from everywhere. Anything is an inspiration. Any move, feeling, sound, nature, journey, everything is connected. When you listening to so much music and interact with people, places, chapters in life, you express your vibration making music and deliver your perspective. Sometimes, you need to produce a type of style when you spend hours in a club, sometimes you feel to produce a calm track by relaxing in a quite place or sea, this are some examples, but it really depends on every artist. The travels are sending me lots of inspiration and the future of life also. I try to stay fair to the sound, so i want to keep that circle with my inspirations for music.

What do you think of the major industries those times?

One thing is for sure ,it’s evolving. The people really express their vision by writing another chapter in electronic music. The music is getting more rhythmatic and futuristic. There is like much more vibe from the beat to the body now. The sounds are crazy and there are artists who just want to produce their favorite style, enjoy and doing it with passion. Creating your world by making music is an amazing feeling and you are disconnected from the daily life. In other cases, you feel like music helps you and you want to give back that feeling. The industry is big and smoothly mixed styles, but it’s vey great for all hearing lots of releases, following more artists and labels to keep up with the news and finding always something fresh. The music has no limits for exploring and producing it so it will be very interesting to see it some years from now changing.

How do you work?

I have nothing wich i follow or a schedule. I like to create new sounds everytime i start something new and explore every beat. I like to work with pads and chordes, also instrumental parts creating percussions or loops.

Preparing an album, is it difficult?

It’s always fun, interesting and exciting. It’s not difficult when you are pacient with your project, have all togheter organize with an idea. I think it was a bit tough, but when i started Moments In Timeless Strings, i planned what would be like and how it should be heard mostly. Of course, months are passing by so you always have to re-write the concept, cause you have been created some songs and you need to keep that idea in the same direction. The album is the work of eight amazing months with help from great collaborations by The Messenger, Ocean Gaya, Eskadet and Christoph Kardek for four beaufiful tracks from the album. They helped me to create different tracks with different style for the album’s vision and i thank them for that. I am really satisfied with the results.

Why have you chosen Etoka?

They are a great label and a great team. Their releases are great and played by vast dj’s all over the world - it is a perfect combination for home listening and dancing. In November 2009 I release “Synthetic Life EP” with great remixes for the track and has received a great support. They are fast growing and always releases from Etoka are interesting, so having this collaboration for some time, we have planned releasing this album and the future work for it.

Something to tell us about the evolution of new technologies?

Oh my, the speed of light evolution is now like a walk. They’ve always been there to make the life more easier and to enjoy it. Everything will be much more connected to another dimension as the time past. I don’t think there’s something untold about the new technologies…most of things will be running by USB ports, processors will be with multiple core’s, OLED screens will take over, nanotechnologies and so on until liquid / artificial intelligence things. Interesting to see also the evolution of music because the systems are changing, the quality will be in another form and measures. The information will be improved vastly and so much knowledge is rising. We are living great times.

What are now your projects?

At the moment, my productions are getting slower. To much projects and not enough time to be concentrated for future work. I’ve got some remixes to do and working slowly and carefully on my second chillout album with my Openzone Bar alias. I want to work on every detail so the attention will be higher. We are planning to release a Moments In Timeless Strings [Remixed Album] with some amazing remixers. Also new project under development...

Are you listening other styles besides dance scene?

Sure, but nowdays music styles are so mixed up, hard to tell wich part isn’t from that genre and wich is. Pop-Rock i like to listen ,soft rock aswell. For groups, i will try to name some from Electronica styles with other influence genres : Depeche Mode, Röyksopp, The Chemical Brothers, Daft Punk, Underworld, Faithless. And for other areas i like music from Sade, BB King, John Lee Hooker, Texas or Coldplay, to name a few. I also listen some smooth jazz, bossa nova or nu-jazz.

Are you closed to other genres in electronic music?

Of course. It’s hard not to like producing also lounge and downtempo music for an electronica style producer, but i am always open to make a deep house track with elements from a different zone.

A piece of word in French?

Suivez votre intuition.

Many thanks for this, and thanks again to have taking time for this, best regards from France.

Thank you very much for this. Bye-bye.

October 2010

- REVIEW : ECLOSION PART II -

Lovezone Records, net label français axé deep house et ambient récidive avec la déclinaison du titre "Eclosion" signé Terry Lee Brown Jr & Greg Parker. En exclusivité sur la plateforme Beatport, nouvel EP : "Eclosion - The Remixes Part II", remixes par Ilias Katelanos, Addex, Ocean Gaya, De Fontaine et Roberto Rodriguez, quelques talentueux remixers du moment qui orientent cette sortie sur une tangente deep & groove.

______


Lovezone Records, a French netlabel dedicated to ambient and deep house, has released yesterday a brand-new release thanks to the wonderful track ‘Eclosion’ made by Terry Lee Brown Junior and Greg Parker. Available on Beatport, this opus called ‘Eclosion – The Remixes Part II’ hosted really nice remixers of the day from the likes of Ilias Katelanos, Addex, Ocean Gaya, De Fontaine and Roberto Rodriguez as well. They all brings this release into a deep and groovy direction, gathering their skill to highlight this brilliant EP on the already good-to-know frenchy label.


Le site du label ici.