the spaces left between the beats
Alex Smoke
VA022: Alex Smoke – F in F EP ∞
Glaswegian Alex Smoke aka Mr. Menzies, the man who helped kick start Vakant in those blissfully uncorrupted early days, returns with a fresh no-frills attack since his last Hanged Man EP, VA013, 1 ½ years ago.
No sabbatical here. Alex with his background in classical music has been busy entertaining his many musical interests such as hip hop projects on his own Hum+Haw imprint with Jim Hutchison, engineering for some of the brightest artists in the Glasgow music scene, and of course touring the world proselytizing stupefied audiences to his peerless flavor of techno.
A side’s ‘Whirrfless’ funky abrasiveness stomps heads in a way Alter Ego would if they were happier people and saw more sun. B1 ‘Fud’ paces along with sprightly spring in its step half cheeky, half robo-adventure reminiscent of the early days of Perlon. B2’s onomatopoetic ‘Flingclunk’ zealously jacks for itself.
It’s all glory minus the glam and trans-fats. Smoke, adding to the current relentless Vakant onslaught, makes every reveler feel as limber as 14 year old Russian gymnast.
VA013: Alex Smoke – Hanged Man EP ∞
Freak Funk? Cracker Krunk? Mini Dank House? While we don’t know what to call it, we know it´s damn good. Innit? Ok ok, while filed under “minimal techno” for facilitation of mass consumption, don’t assume you know what to expect from this newest installment from young Scotsman Alex Smoke, the first on Vakant since December 2005 under his O.G. moniker. Since slapping the minimal scene on the proverbial arse a few years ago with releases on Vakant and Soma, Alex has wowed both techno nerds and high heel handbag femmes the world over with his formidable mix of throw-me-your-expensive-bra-but-only-if-its-sweaty techno.
The “Hanged Man EP“ spans the current avant-garde of electronic dance freakishness. The A side attempts to contain “It’s a Carni Life“, a deep 10 minute motivator placed somewhere between “Space Odyssey” and “I need Lithium”. “Hanged Man“ on the flip presents a more straight forward digital funk ordeal hinting at, but dares not say, acid. Finally “Rotwang“, named after the mad scientist out of Fritz Lang´s “Metropolis”, makes you wonder if someone had transported you to your favorite summer festival at exactly the right moment without you noticing.
While one might not understand our favorite Glaswegian verbally, Smoke continues to leverage his classical roots and technical fluency to convey his bottomless ideas effortlessly.
VR02: Alex Smoke/Tolga Fidan ∞
On the second release from its remix imprint VR, Berlin’s Vakant label comes with the goods, turning out what might be its most far-out release to date – and at the same time, its most punishingly effective. Going head to head, Glasgow’s Alex Smoke and Paris’ Tolga Fidan tackle each other’s tracks, twisting up knotty rhythms and gauzy electro-acoustic sounds into a battered syntax that expresses one thing: move. This is the real freaky-deeky, and the season’s dancefloors will never again be the same.
A-side: Alex Smoke, “Neds (Tolga Fidan Remix)”
Relative newcomer Tolga Fidan outdoes himself in his rework of Alex Smoke’s “Neds,” expanding on the psychedlic sound design of his Now I´m Weak EP and demonstrating a rapidly developing structural and rhythmic sophistication. We’d be lying if we said we didn’t hear a little bit of Luciano in the way Fidan stretches out his slow builds and sudden drops, but this is no imitation. Creeping 8-bit drums and understated Latin percussion lay out unhinged rhythms that stretch towards the horizon, paving the way for oily, snake-charming synth pads, thunderclaps of bass and a mournful clarinet that pipes up only to disappear in a haze. Cycling staccato blasts reference the cell-based minimalism of Philip Glass, repetitive and hypnotic. The whole thing is a perpetual field of tension that grips you tight and refuses to let you go, propelling you towards the edge of the unknown.
B-side: Tolga Fidan, “Ilsa (Alex Smoke Remix)”
Fidan’s is a hard act to follow, but Alex Smoke – known for his releases on Soma and Vakant, where he also appears as Quixote – steps up with a remix of Fidan’s “Ilsa” that’s every bit as adventurous, and no less compromising a crowd-mover. Kicking off with dry, sandpapery percussion – woodblocks, shakers, hissing exhaust pipes – it’s quickly marched forward by a lone flute and high-tuned, whipcracking toms. High-plains drifting, the track takes you along on a cinematic journey that opens up onto exotic vistas and alien melodies – windstorms and whippoorwills, dust devils and dry riverbeds. But lest Smoke’s poetic inclinations get the best of him, he drops a squiggly acid bassline to keep the music grounded. By the time it’s all over, Smoke scales back everything but those brittle drums from the introduction; it feels like waking from a fever dream.
VA010: Quixote – Pap And Fickle EP ∞
Vakant returns with a new chapter of scuzzy techno from Alex Smoke under his new Quixote guise. Alex Smoke has had a phenomenal year so far with the release of his ´Paradolia´ album on Soma. For his vakant productions he has opted to record under the Quixote pseudynom as his output for the two labels has naturally developed in different directions. For vakant he has always explored the darker aspects of his sound and the Quixote productions will represent this.
His debut Quixote release sees Alex delve even deeper into thick minimal territory. The EP begins with ´Adoquin´, this is a stripped and evolving groove that harnesses the power of his production to devastating effect. This is a penetrating throb that pulses directly to the heart of the dancefloor.
Next is live set favourite ´Pelters´, this is a highly infectious, off-kilter cut of mutant melodies and wonky rhythms. ´Fank Funk´ concludes the EP with its drilling percussion and spannered bassline freak-out.
VA006.2: Alex Smoke – Shminimal EP ∞
The following release is the ‘Shminimal EP’. With this twelve alex really explores the parameters of his unique sound and delivers three club killers.
The EP begins with the anthemic ‘Titti’, here he builds a relentless, driving groove with a penetrating bassline and scuzzy melody. Next is ‘TV Is Pish’ a demented discoid cut-up that freaks irresistably. The pulsing ‘Slippers & Slappers’ growls this superb EP to its conclusion.
Alex Smoke continues to go from strenth to strength. Look out for his new album Spring 2006 on Soma.
VA006.1: Alex Smoke – Shwingnut EP ∞
The unstoppable Glaswegian Alex Smoke returns to Vakant with a double blow of mutant weird-groove minimalism. Alex has been wowing the clubs and festivals of europe this summer with his mindblowing live set and here showcases some of the prime cuts over two separate twelves.
First up is the ‘Shwingnut EP’, here Alex opts for advanced tricky rhythms to deliver three superior slices of reduced funk. ‘Serious Like Plague’ comes on like a schizoid Sleep Archive release, dense, moody and guaranteed to infect the dancefloor. Following on the flip is the sub-aquatic ‘What Can I Say’. This erratic mind-melt bubbles with a tripped out groove. Concluding the EP is the raw and discordant ‘Wingnut’ – a spangled classic from his live set.
VA003: Alex Smoke – Ring.Click.Tink. EP ∞
Glasgow’s minimal madman Alex Smoke returns to vakant with five brand new blasts of schizoid techno. He is building a reputation as one of the most innovative electronic producers around and his recent ‘Incommunicado’ album on Soma has been regarded as an outstanding debut across the board. His productions on vakant are more deranged and demented than his Soma output, and his ‘Simple Things’ EP kicked off the label in fine style last year.
For the ‘Ring.Click.Tink EP’ he has produced his darkest work so far. Kicking off with the venomous ‘You’re A Bit Rough’, a gnarling beast which will guzzle the dancefloor. Next, ‘Horizon’ is a crispy minimal killer with crunchy percussion and scuzzy melodies. ‘Gypo’ on the flip is another sleazy, mutant hunk of subterrainian filth and the EP is completed with the epic ‘Neds’ a compelling mind-fuck that twists and throbs throughout.
This is Alex Smoke at his most sinister and deadly.
Beatport.com only download ‘Degrade’ is a corrupt funk cauldron of whirrs and clicks with hypno-grooves squirting everywhere.
VA001: Alex Smoke – Simple Things EP ∞
Glasgow based producer Alex Smoke is about to erupt on the global electronic music scene. At only twenty four he has developed his own unique sound and is twisting it in all directions. For vakant he has conjured four incredible slices of minimal techno for the dancefloor.
He has recently signed to Soma and is working on his debut album which will be released next year. He initially came to prominence with his remixes of Funk D’Void’s ‘Way Up High’ – his minimal reconstructions won him an array of fans including Steve Bug, Rolando and Twitch. His forthcoming Soma single ‘Chica Wappa’ has been receiving amazing reactions from the limited number of test pressings sent out this summer and he has also transformed label mate Envoy’s ‘Move On’ into a sleazy electrocuted groove. Again reactions have been superb from those lucky enough to have been sent CDR.
Domenic from Glasgow’s famous Sub Club also released the killer ‘Always & Forever’ track on his 7th Sign label. Again this was in the boxes of all the right DJ’s.
‘Simple Things’ is deep and sinister with a bassline groove guaranteed to rock the floor. ‘Pingu’ is a clicky minimal workout that sounds like Akufen hiccuping funk from Aphex Twin. ‘Sortie’ is a killer, jacking techno track that would fit handsomely in your Kompakt collection. The EP is rounded of with the ultra minimal and infectious ‘Strange Attractor’.
Fantastic stuff from a talented young producer and label to look out for.
