By Rick Shithouse
Something that I grow more and more aware of with 80s inspired synth music is that it becomes ambiguous in origin for many producers. Pulling elements from the decade from seemingly random points and compiling them into an all new sound provides much excitement to my ears and manages to re-invent the wheel in seemingly countless ways. However, when a producer finds their passion crystallised into a very specific vintage of 80s sounds and dedicates their homage to it in very specific terms it can be a sublimely magical experience.
Fanateek One is one such devotee of 80s synthscapes. His unrequited passion for mid 80s funk has been something I've been ardently following for years and now we finally have his debut album to enjoy and revel in. The funkier genres of 80s sounds have always been of much fascination to me as in the 80s, here in Australia, funk music was barely ever in the charts and was a more niche genre that had a its own street cred and dance floor personality and discovering and experiencing many, many funk classics from the 80s over the last 15 years has been something I've vastly enjoyed.
Of all the genres of iconic 80s music, funk denominations have really been some of the most timeless and recognised in recent years. This is thanks in no small part to mainstays like Chromeo and the ever present future funk genres that crossover into a myriad of electronic music styles and redefine vintage sounds into an accessible modern relevance. On Fanateek One's new record though we find an experience that is deeply rooted in the 80s and modern nuances are kept to a bare minimum in order to get the funk flowing all the right ways and by bringing funkstress Rach B along for the ride makes for a supremely winning combination.
The authenticity of sound, melody, tone and atmosphere is what hits you instantly with Cool City Nights. The open, live soundscape is electrically charged with energy and feels spatial with the instruments yet intimate with the vocal delivery and huge bass and synth hooks. Cool City Nights sounds like cool city nights, which is the best way I can describe the atmosphere Fanateek One presents throughout the whole record. 'If You Want To Be' is the first song and it really welcomes you into Fanateek One's world with a smooth, panning bassline and suaveness in the groove you'll move to effortlessly. Rach B's vocals are a huge success on this record as they are the perfect combination of intimate, street, sweet and sassy when they need to be and channel many classic 80s chanteuses while building on her own personality throughout the album.
Fanateek One's been hard at it with his vocoder work too and provides a male partner for Rach B's feminine touch. The vocoder is implemented as a true feature more than a novelty, as should be the case with 80s funk, and there are some great passages of back and forth between Rach B and Fanateek One on tracks like 'Supernatural' which work together smooth as glass and displays a magical chemistry between the music and voices.
Once you get a few tracks into this album you begin to really appreciate the exquisite level of care given to the tracks. Each song feels like a perfected idea that has been put together and evolved over many, many hours of passionate toil. Not only is the songwriting professional but it is also hugely soulful. Funk has a huge link to soul and R&B sounds and often times modern age producers rely on elements that come off as cold and sterile, but Fanateek One's brand of funk is so warm and full of life you can feel its soul pulse with every beat. You just can't deny the magical feel that tracks like 'New York Boy' and 'Holdback' elicit as you're guided through the urban wonderland of sounds.
Fanateek One has been hugely judicious with his choices of instruments on this record, you can aurally feel the scrutinising given over every possible element in each track yet the end result comes across as being entirely smooth and effortless. 'Struck By Your Love' is one such song that is just so polished and engineered to perfection that you'll be enraptured by its funky brilliance from beginning to end. These songs demand multiple listens to appreciate the musicianship and marksmanship Fanateek One and Rach B rock out like seasoned veterans.
As I mentioned previously there are so many great variations funk music had in the 80s from the club classics, to the street funk boombox ammunition to the midnight romance and everything in between. Cool City Nights manages to capture many of these styles very eloquently and shifts betwixt their tones from track to track without taking the listener out of the atmosphere. On 'Boogaloo' Fanateek One extends his influence out to about 1987 and brings in some seriously contagious hooks that are then allowed to simmer and become even more flavoursome with Rach B's spicy vocals giving a luxuriously piquant zest.
For all the intricacies in the production some of the most incredible moments on Cool City Nights are the most simple and distilled. 'Maverick' has become an anthem for me, an absolute piece of refined perfection that is untouchably beautiful. The set up, the pay off, the groove and every single other part of this song is utterly kick arse to the max. Stupendously rockin. The pop funk sounds hit a new high point in the next track, 'Stranger', with its ridiculously catchy bassline and sublime narrative this would be the Top 10 pop chart smash of '85 from Fanateek One and Rach B.
Cool City Nights finishes the experience with the floor filler 'Just Wanna Dance'. Cutting a groove miles deep with an uncompromising energy the interplay between the guitars, synth, bass and drums is compelling and addictive. The only instrumental piece on the album this book ends the experience flawlessly with a high note that lingers long after the music finishes.
Fanateek One and Rach B present the Cool City Nights album on Bandcamp here in digital formats and also on irresistibly wondrous vinyl (limited to 500 copies!) on Fanteek One's site here. I must say, listening to this album on vinyl has been one of my favourite experiences in listening to 80s inspired synth music in 2015 and I highly advocate picking it up in its most befitting format. Cool City Nights is an album years in the making and it has been well worth the wait. The incredible refinement of the production and the excellence in the songwriting across all the tracks makes it an indubitable Synthetix Reference Experience that is a must-own album of 2015.
Showing posts with label Fanateek One. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fanateek One. Show all posts
Saturday, April 25, 2015
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Kasia's Secret Diary
It's time for another trip into the musical memories of Kasia and her secret diary of synthual recollections. Come and share in the the wonders that abound in Kasia's Secret Diary.
Thursday, 14th June, 2013
Perturbator featuring Le Cassette - Meet Jimmy
Big city lights, great buildings, clubs, shops and thousands people passing you by all the time
How ironic is it that you can be in a place like this and sometimes just feel so alone
Another empty life in the city?
No... not with you
Whenever I feel like this I think of you
First 50 seconds always take me to another place and time
I close my eyes and I am far away from here, lying on the beach
The only thing I hear is the water and you
The whole world disappears
I listen to your words
They are so true, so sad and so beautiful at the same time
And the way you talk
Your voice...
2:40
Flawless
I just can't get enough of you
It's good to know that I am not the only one who sometimes feels like this
Can't wait to meet you
Saturday, 11th January, 2014
Fanateek One - Choose Me
Music is one of the most important things in my life
The best thing about music is that it makes me feel free
It's a great escape when things don't really go my way
It's the best way to relax and to catch a breath after a long, hard day
It's something that keeps me moving forward
The best way to express my emotions... the reason to cry and laugh
It's also the best company when perfect things are happening in my life
It makes me remember great moments, feelings, people
I've chosen you because I can always count on you
You are always somewhere close
You accept my strengths and weaknesses and you never expect anything in return
Thanks for choosing me
Tuesday, 13th May, 2014
Pinemarten - Trapped
You're trapped inside the system and I am there with you
We're creating a world visible just to us
Just me, you and your music in our own space
No... you did not make a mistake, this system is perfect with you
As long as you are playing, I will never feel alone
And exactly like you're saying
This system brings me hope
I will never press delete
Because I want to be trapped inside the system with you forever!
Thursday, 14th June, 2013
Perturbator featuring Le Cassette - Meet Jimmy
Big city lights, great buildings, clubs, shops and thousands people passing you by all the time
How ironic is it that you can be in a place like this and sometimes just feel so alone
Another empty life in the city?
No... not with you
Whenever I feel like this I think of you
First 50 seconds always take me to another place and time
I close my eyes and I am far away from here, lying on the beach
The only thing I hear is the water and you
The whole world disappears
I listen to your words
They are so true, so sad and so beautiful at the same time
And the way you talk
Your voice...
2:40
Flawless
I just can't get enough of you
It's good to know that I am not the only one who sometimes feels like this
Can't wait to meet you
Saturday, 11th January, 2014
Fanateek One - Choose Me
Music is one of the most important things in my life
The best thing about music is that it makes me feel free
It's a great escape when things don't really go my way
It's the best way to relax and to catch a breath after a long, hard day
It's something that keeps me moving forward
The best way to express my emotions... the reason to cry and laugh
It's also the best company when perfect things are happening in my life
It makes me remember great moments, feelings, people
I've chosen you because I can always count on you
You are always somewhere close
You accept my strengths and weaknesses and you never expect anything in return
Thanks for choosing me
Tuesday, 13th May, 2014
Pinemarten - Trapped
You're trapped inside the system and I am there with you
We're creating a world visible just to us
Just me, you and your music in our own space
No... you did not make a mistake, this system is perfect with you
As long as you are playing, I will never feel alone
And exactly like you're saying
This system brings me hope
I will never press delete
Because I want to be trapped inside the system with you forever!
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Synthetix Weekend Update
The heavy weather has definitely set in. This week's downpour is full of life enriching musical elements that will provide you an inspiring listening experience full of 80s love to get you through these damp days and storm filled nights.
While the showers persist it's seems like the perfect time to get rockin with Lazerhawk's latest track Children of The Night. This is another work from the impending Skull and Shark comic he's collaborating on and it's one of the darkest pieces we've heard from Lazerhawk in many a moon. Definitely well in keeping with the mood of the visuals and if you've not had the pleasure yet please view the preview to Skull And Shark here.
Python Blue is expanding his horizons in each new release. His once dominant ambient soundtrack style has blossomed into pure OutRun gold in his just published track High Ways. This producer's understanding of what gives power and spatial depth to his arrangements is very well displayed in this piece.
A new rocker on the scene with a sound as intriguing as his name caught my attention this week. Right Knider's sounds have a bit of a skewed out-of-time bent to them but the soundscape is thoroughly engaging as melodies as cast like spells full of powerful elements. This is currently available for FREE download also.
The next track is a bit of an oddity, that I found as engaging as it is perplexing. Asian Ganja Crew's eclectic styles heard in their previous release seem to have found a home in the 80s funk dimension if their preview track on Bandcamp is anything to go by. Even as this short preview I can't help but br intrigued by this release. I'm yet to take the plunge on the full record, but I think it's a calculated risk I'll be taking over the next week. If the rest of the album is as rockin as Horn I'll be sure to give this record some love on Synthetix.FM in the near future.
Neon Flash Drive's made a stunning return to the scene after a near six month hiatus with superb new work, Caught Her Name At Recess. This is a pure and rich synth romance experience, full of emotion and deep like a first crush. Beautiful from beginning to end and also available as a FREE download.
Keeping the love rockin all the right ways is the new one from Adeyhawke: Looker. Synths dodge and weave in an out of totally killer bassline and the experience feels naturally free-form as it builds. This is full of 80s magic and accented by some more modern arrangements with an end result that is bitchen to the max.
Moving to more dramatic times is the new track from Silenx. Dataflow's mechanised coldness and sparseness is orchestrated with drama being the dominant force. This track feels austere and methodical with a machine like precision that brings to mind a eerie bleakness. Totally spellbinding.
Britain's Saint Remy has been dabbling in many forms of electronic music in recent times but in his latest work he's definitely found his love and desire for 80s sounds blossoming. Nearly Lost Her is a slow burn full of emotionally charged melodies and arranged with an interesting flair. It's quite unlike anything else with it's repeated samples and clean piano details, but it's story is beautifully written from beginning to end.
Jupiter Gang, along with a handful of other artists are on my list called "Please release a goddamn album already". This producer is one of the most rockin in the scene doing 80s synth funk and his latest track, Under Arrest, adds some very interesting drama to the soundscape. It's got 80s cop action shakedown written all over it, which is supremely entertaining.
Keeping things funky, but a bit more fried is the new preview for Aminova's Research. The music has a very 16bit personality to it, but it's not what I'd call ChipTune music. The Aminova magic is ever present throughout and this producer's hallmark melodies are a joy to once again behold.
Droid Bishop keeps on rockin with his latest EP teaser Electric Love Interlude. This piece of synth romance is delightfully engineered with a heartfelt beauty that permeates through the synth melodies. It bodes very well for the full EP which I can only hope is going to be released soon.
Neon Workout's really kicking some major amounts of arse of late, his new preview/sketch of L.S.F.E goes great lengths to show his proficiency in creating super hot sounds. This has an infectious electro funk vibe that totally kills. Very promising, and hopeful a sign that a full EP or LP release will he happening soon.
Alpha Boy is going through a wonderfully diverse experimental period this last month or so and his latest foray is into an interesting library-esque style. His sounds work really well for this style, and the inclusion of new samples adds even more to the experience. Definitely something the Alpha Boy style works well with.
I'm not sure whether Run Vaylor's latest track is called New Beginning for it's name only or whether he's ushering in a new era in the Run Vaylor experience. Either way this composition is stunning to be behold as it remains wonderfully epic in scope, but intimates with emotional melodies wonderfully. This track is currently available for FREE download also.
For my tastes, Futurecop! had lost their ways in recent times. A lot of their sounds that I found absolutely stunning have been succeeded by far less engaging pieces to my ears. With their latest release, Superheroes, they've enlisted the always glowing Kristine and this has made for quite a special experience. That said, I wish there were less effects used on Kristine's voice as her 's is one of perfection and grace that has no need for extra processing. It's probably only me who has this issue with Superheroes and as a work of 80s crossover it works rather well.
Rockin back to some classic italo disco is the new Spacious Sweep piece Radiant. I love the Spacious Sweep italo sound and this is brought right up front in Radiant. Driving basslines, catch melodies and on point percussion make for a very authentic experience.
Fanateek One's brand of rocking 80s funk synth is once again lighting up the night skies with his mysteriously titled F One #13 Day 2 composition. Spaces are kept open and unconstrained and there's little to confuse the intentions as delectable melodies are coated in sweet candy gloss.
A new rocker from Norway who's taking the 80s deep into his heart is Transcend. His just released Years is bright and joyous with layers of synth romance working in total harmony. I hope this producer continues his 80s love affair in the future. This track is also available for FREE download.
Arc Neon are back with some sexy summer synth sounds in their instrumental version of Wet Dreams. The Arc Neon sound is developing it's own personality that is evenly balance with light and dark elements, making for a superb contrast in their music. This track epitomises this and totally rocks throughout. Also available currently for FREE download, so get on it as soon as you can.
Our final entry in this week's Weekend Update flood is a kick arse new synth pop odyssey from Who Ha called Out Running. This producer's really got a killer style and his vocals are totally rockin the right 80s personality. If that wasn't enough there's also an instrumental version available too. Very authentic, in both forms, and totally k-rad to the max.
That does us for yet another tsunami sized Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back soon with more good times and great rock'n'roll next week. 'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin!
While the showers persist it's seems like the perfect time to get rockin with Lazerhawk's latest track Children of The Night. This is another work from the impending Skull and Shark comic he's collaborating on and it's one of the darkest pieces we've heard from Lazerhawk in many a moon. Definitely well in keeping with the mood of the visuals and if you've not had the pleasure yet please view the preview to Skull And Shark here.
Python Blue is expanding his horizons in each new release. His once dominant ambient soundtrack style has blossomed into pure OutRun gold in his just published track High Ways. This producer's understanding of what gives power and spatial depth to his arrangements is very well displayed in this piece.
A new rocker on the scene with a sound as intriguing as his name caught my attention this week. Right Knider's sounds have a bit of a skewed out-of-time bent to them but the soundscape is thoroughly engaging as melodies as cast like spells full of powerful elements. This is currently available for FREE download also.
The next track is a bit of an oddity, that I found as engaging as it is perplexing. Asian Ganja Crew's eclectic styles heard in their previous release seem to have found a home in the 80s funk dimension if their preview track on Bandcamp is anything to go by. Even as this short preview I can't help but br intrigued by this release. I'm yet to take the plunge on the full record, but I think it's a calculated risk I'll be taking over the next week. If the rest of the album is as rockin as Horn I'll be sure to give this record some love on Synthetix.FM in the near future.
Neon Flash Drive's made a stunning return to the scene after a near six month hiatus with superb new work, Caught Her Name At Recess. This is a pure and rich synth romance experience, full of emotion and deep like a first crush. Beautiful from beginning to end and also available as a FREE download.
Keeping the love rockin all the right ways is the new one from Adeyhawke: Looker. Synths dodge and weave in an out of totally killer bassline and the experience feels naturally free-form as it builds. This is full of 80s magic and accented by some more modern arrangements with an end result that is bitchen to the max.
Moving to more dramatic times is the new track from Silenx. Dataflow's mechanised coldness and sparseness is orchestrated with drama being the dominant force. This track feels austere and methodical with a machine like precision that brings to mind a eerie bleakness. Totally spellbinding.
Britain's Saint Remy has been dabbling in many forms of electronic music in recent times but in his latest work he's definitely found his love and desire for 80s sounds blossoming. Nearly Lost Her is a slow burn full of emotionally charged melodies and arranged with an interesting flair. It's quite unlike anything else with it's repeated samples and clean piano details, but it's story is beautifully written from beginning to end.
Jupiter Gang, along with a handful of other artists are on my list called "Please release a goddamn album already". This producer is one of the most rockin in the scene doing 80s synth funk and his latest track, Under Arrest, adds some very interesting drama to the soundscape. It's got 80s cop action shakedown written all over it, which is supremely entertaining.
Keeping things funky, but a bit more fried is the new preview for Aminova's Research. The music has a very 16bit personality to it, but it's not what I'd call ChipTune music. The Aminova magic is ever present throughout and this producer's hallmark melodies are a joy to once again behold.
Droid Bishop keeps on rockin with his latest EP teaser Electric Love Interlude. This piece of synth romance is delightfully engineered with a heartfelt beauty that permeates through the synth melodies. It bodes very well for the full EP which I can only hope is going to be released soon.
Neon Workout's really kicking some major amounts of arse of late, his new preview/sketch of L.S.F.E goes great lengths to show his proficiency in creating super hot sounds. This has an infectious electro funk vibe that totally kills. Very promising, and hopeful a sign that a full EP or LP release will he happening soon.
Alpha Boy is going through a wonderfully diverse experimental period this last month or so and his latest foray is into an interesting library-esque style. His sounds work really well for this style, and the inclusion of new samples adds even more to the experience. Definitely something the Alpha Boy style works well with.
I'm not sure whether Run Vaylor's latest track is called New Beginning for it's name only or whether he's ushering in a new era in the Run Vaylor experience. Either way this composition is stunning to be behold as it remains wonderfully epic in scope, but intimates with emotional melodies wonderfully. This track is currently available for FREE download also.
For my tastes, Futurecop! had lost their ways in recent times. A lot of their sounds that I found absolutely stunning have been succeeded by far less engaging pieces to my ears. With their latest release, Superheroes, they've enlisted the always glowing Kristine and this has made for quite a special experience. That said, I wish there were less effects used on Kristine's voice as her 's is one of perfection and grace that has no need for extra processing. It's probably only me who has this issue with Superheroes and as a work of 80s crossover it works rather well.
Rockin back to some classic italo disco is the new Spacious Sweep piece Radiant. I love the Spacious Sweep italo sound and this is brought right up front in Radiant. Driving basslines, catch melodies and on point percussion make for a very authentic experience.
Fanateek One's brand of rocking 80s funk synth is once again lighting up the night skies with his mysteriously titled F One #13 Day 2 composition. Spaces are kept open and unconstrained and there's little to confuse the intentions as delectable melodies are coated in sweet candy gloss.
A new rocker from Norway who's taking the 80s deep into his heart is Transcend. His just released Years is bright and joyous with layers of synth romance working in total harmony. I hope this producer continues his 80s love affair in the future. This track is also available for FREE download.
Arc Neon are back with some sexy summer synth sounds in their instrumental version of Wet Dreams. The Arc Neon sound is developing it's own personality that is evenly balance with light and dark elements, making for a superb contrast in their music. This track epitomises this and totally rocks throughout. Also available currently for FREE download, so get on it as soon as you can.
Our final entry in this week's Weekend Update flood is a kick arse new synth pop odyssey from Who Ha called Out Running. This producer's really got a killer style and his vocals are totally rockin the right 80s personality. If that wasn't enough there's also an instrumental version available too. Very authentic, in both forms, and totally k-rad to the max.
That does us for yet another tsunami sized Weekend Update on Synthetix.FM. I'll be back soon with more good times and great rock'n'roll next week. 'Til then, stay 80s and keep on rockin!
Monday, October 8, 2012
20/80s with Fanateek One
Welcome to the first post of a new weekly feature I'll be doing on Synthetix. It's called 20/80s which is a set of twenty 80s related questions that I'll be getting the stars of the 80s synth scene to answer. I hope this will prove to be a nice little insight into the inspirational things from the 80s that drive their creativity. Look for another 20/80s every week on Synthetix!
For our first, lets get down to all manner of 80s business with electrofunk raconteur Fanateek One.
For our first, lets get down to all manner of 80s business with electrofunk raconteur Fanateek One.
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Synthetix Weekend Update
A slightly early Weekend Update this week as I'm getting away for a few days down the coast chasing waterfalls during my vacation. Regularly scheduled programming on Synthetix will return on Thursday the 4th of October. Til then, keep on rockin hard and enjoy the cream of the crop from this week in the 80s inspired synth scene.
First up we have a new track from a new talent on the scene. Russian producer Ezavskih's track Night Of The Comet is a moody piece of dark synth with 80s personality out the ying yang. Style after the classic 80s movie this brings to mind lots of apocalyptic visions as the sirens scream the death knell for humanity. I'm looking forward to hearing more from Ezavskih in the post apocalyptic future!
Although verging the borders of ChipTune material the new two track EP from Arcade Metropolis is most definitely 80s through and through and the arrangements and orchestrations throughout both tracks are superb. Theres a dark edge to both pieces, but the energy as is a neon lit as it gets and both have a presence that is totally irrepressible.
.
Jaypeau's turning up the heat with his new composition of scifi themed drama: Fire In The Sky. This producer's upping the ante with each new track and is getting a lovely glossy polish to his sound. Theres a spatial nature to all of Jaypeau's tracks and this one is amping it up to epic proportions.
Fanateek One's unleashed more electrofunk 80s rockin with Night Drive. I really love this track, the bass line and percussion are absolutely stunning. Fanateek One is getting his sounds so perfectly refined and in the process finding his own musical voice. This is surely a sign of an impending EP or LP release in the near future with any luck.
In last week's Weekend Update I shared the Greetings Program remix of Warrior by Kimbra/A-Trak and Mark Foster. This week we have Silent Gloves reimagining of this song and again it brings forth much 80s love. It's a toss up for me which one I prefer, but I do prefer Greetings Program's work through the chorus to Silent Gloves. That said, this remix has extra dimensions through the break down.
You can't go wrong either way, so please vote for both!
A new untitled demo from Andy Fink really caught my attention this week. Although obviously still in a very early and formative stage I can't help but be hypnotised by the majestic percussion track. The effects on the drums compliment the bent keyboard melodies flawlessly. I can only dream about what this will evolve into!
One of the absolute highlights in album releases this year has been Pilotpriests Orginal Motion Picture Soundtrack (click here for the full Synthetix review of this wonderful album). Pilotpriest has unearthed another track intended for the album but it didn't make the cut. Nighthawks isn't what I'd call traditional 80s synth by any means, but the mix of early 90s sounds, modern sounds and lots of magic 80s synth-fluence make for a very interesting experience.
Our final track this week is from none other than LA Dreams. It's yet another beautiful piece of rapturous 80s synth love with his piece FutureEarth Contact. Using some classic NASA samples and and a thumping rhythm section brings an element of drama to the track, but it still keeps those velvet smooth LA Dreams synth melodies at the forefront. If you missed my interview with LA Dreams this week please click here to learn a bit more about this gifted producer of quality 80s experiences.
That does us for September 2012 on Synthetix, as I said I'll be back in action and rockin hard from Thursday the 4th of October. Until then thanks for spending some of your valuable weekend on Synthetix, stay true and stay 80s.
First up we have a new track from a new talent on the scene. Russian producer Ezavskih's track Night Of The Comet is a moody piece of dark synth with 80s personality out the ying yang. Style after the classic 80s movie this brings to mind lots of apocalyptic visions as the sirens scream the death knell for humanity. I'm looking forward to hearing more from Ezavskih in the post apocalyptic future!
Although verging the borders of ChipTune material the new two track EP from Arcade Metropolis is most definitely 80s through and through and the arrangements and orchestrations throughout both tracks are superb. Theres a dark edge to both pieces, but the energy as is a neon lit as it gets and both have a presence that is totally irrepressible.
.
Jaypeau's turning up the heat with his new composition of scifi themed drama: Fire In The Sky. This producer's upping the ante with each new track and is getting a lovely glossy polish to his sound. Theres a spatial nature to all of Jaypeau's tracks and this one is amping it up to epic proportions.
Fanateek One's unleashed more electrofunk 80s rockin with Night Drive. I really love this track, the bass line and percussion are absolutely stunning. Fanateek One is getting his sounds so perfectly refined and in the process finding his own musical voice. This is surely a sign of an impending EP or LP release in the near future with any luck.
In last week's Weekend Update I shared the Greetings Program remix of Warrior by Kimbra/A-Trak and Mark Foster. This week we have Silent Gloves reimagining of this song and again it brings forth much 80s love. It's a toss up for me which one I prefer, but I do prefer Greetings Program's work through the chorus to Silent Gloves. That said, this remix has extra dimensions through the break down.
You can't go wrong either way, so please vote for both!
A new untitled demo from Andy Fink really caught my attention this week. Although obviously still in a very early and formative stage I can't help but be hypnotised by the majestic percussion track. The effects on the drums compliment the bent keyboard melodies flawlessly. I can only dream about what this will evolve into!
One of the absolute highlights in album releases this year has been Pilotpriests Orginal Motion Picture Soundtrack (click here for the full Synthetix review of this wonderful album). Pilotpriest has unearthed another track intended for the album but it didn't make the cut. Nighthawks isn't what I'd call traditional 80s synth by any means, but the mix of early 90s sounds, modern sounds and lots of magic 80s synth-fluence make for a very interesting experience.
Our final track this week is from none other than LA Dreams. It's yet another beautiful piece of rapturous 80s synth love with his piece FutureEarth Contact. Using some classic NASA samples and and a thumping rhythm section brings an element of drama to the track, but it still keeps those velvet smooth LA Dreams synth melodies at the forefront. If you missed my interview with LA Dreams this week please click here to learn a bit more about this gifted producer of quality 80s experiences.
That does us for September 2012 on Synthetix, as I said I'll be back in action and rockin hard from Thursday the 4th of October. Until then thanks for spending some of your valuable weekend on Synthetix, stay true and stay 80s.
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Synthetix Weekend Update
Another week in the 80s inspired synth scene has produced some kick arse new tunes, let's catch up on some the special highlights and bring some neon 80s love into your weekend.
AKAHandsDown's most recent track called Morning Breeze is the perfect place to start. This lightly swaying piece of moody synth work is thoroughly beautiful. The sounds move in and out of visibility with gorgeous nuance, summoning feelings of a bright new day streaming with golden sunlight.
Shifting into high gear Stellar Dreams' new track Sunset Chaser is loaded with high energy action. The super busy perscussion tracks provided the perfect complement to the smoothly undulating synth melodies. The music powers along at gallop and the slow canter in one of it's later acts serves even more enriching.
Lost Years is getting his electro groove rockin hard in his latest preview The Electro Clash. Channeling some Paul Hardcastle and bringing in the trademark Lost Years synth melodies makes for the tantalising experience. Although on a short demo, it will no doubt evolve further in the coming weeks.
A great new track from the talented Fanateek One surface this week called September's Nights. This has got to have one of the funkiest bass lines I've heard recently. The accompanying video clip from The Wizard just makes it all work even harder in recreating that quality 80s experience.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Tommy's back in action this time with a remix of a song by Pasha. The Tommy magic is a perfect match for this vocal heavy euro pop, and it's subtlety and emotion sound very 80s indeed. Black Tears is supremely atmospheric and completely invigorating.
A new talent on the scene is Jaypeau, his new track Cobra is an action packed synthphony buzzing with energy and beautifully layered. The arrangements of this track are stunning, maximising the drama and ensuring the listener isn't sure just what's around the corner.
A new synth producer has come to my attention courtesy of Telefuture Records delightfully called Rolly Mingwald. This preview track to the seven track release due next week is superb, incorporating classic synth romance with a great distinctive sound. Expect a full review on Synthetix upon it's release.
I'd be completely remiss not to mention Slick Moranis' new song, Another Sleepless Night which was shared to soundcloud this week. This is a deeply emotional piece of 80s indie synth that has a magic all it's own. The haunting melodies and ghostlike vocals work together in a supremely wondrous manner. Be sure to check out the excellent Perturbator remix here for more sleepless nights love.
From AKAHandsDown's Morning Breeze to Stellar Dreams' Sunset Chaser to Fanateek One's September's Nights to Slick Moranis' Another Sleepless Night we've traversed a full day here on this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix. I hope your weekend is just as full of action and emotion and I look forward to sharing more music with you next week.
AKAHandsDown's most recent track called Morning Breeze is the perfect place to start. This lightly swaying piece of moody synth work is thoroughly beautiful. The sounds move in and out of visibility with gorgeous nuance, summoning feelings of a bright new day streaming with golden sunlight.
Shifting into high gear Stellar Dreams' new track Sunset Chaser is loaded with high energy action. The super busy perscussion tracks provided the perfect complement to the smoothly undulating synth melodies. The music powers along at gallop and the slow canter in one of it's later acts serves even more enriching.
Lost Years is getting his electro groove rockin hard in his latest preview The Electro Clash. Channeling some Paul Hardcastle and bringing in the trademark Lost Years synth melodies makes for the tantalising experience. Although on a short demo, it will no doubt evolve further in the coming weeks.
A great new track from the talented Fanateek One surface this week called September's Nights. This has got to have one of the funkiest bass lines I've heard recently. The accompanying video clip from The Wizard just makes it all work even harder in recreating that quality 80s experience.
Never one to rest on his laurels, Tommy's back in action this time with a remix of a song by Pasha. The Tommy magic is a perfect match for this vocal heavy euro pop, and it's subtlety and emotion sound very 80s indeed. Black Tears is supremely atmospheric and completely invigorating.
A new talent on the scene is Jaypeau, his new track Cobra is an action packed synthphony buzzing with energy and beautifully layered. The arrangements of this track are stunning, maximising the drama and ensuring the listener isn't sure just what's around the corner.
A new synth producer has come to my attention courtesy of Telefuture Records delightfully called Rolly Mingwald. This preview track to the seven track release due next week is superb, incorporating classic synth romance with a great distinctive sound. Expect a full review on Synthetix upon it's release.
I'd be completely remiss not to mention Slick Moranis' new song, Another Sleepless Night which was shared to soundcloud this week. This is a deeply emotional piece of 80s indie synth that has a magic all it's own. The haunting melodies and ghostlike vocals work together in a supremely wondrous manner. Be sure to check out the excellent Perturbator remix here for more sleepless nights love.
From AKAHandsDown's Morning Breeze to Stellar Dreams' Sunset Chaser to Fanateek One's September's Nights to Slick Moranis' Another Sleepless Night we've traversed a full day here on this week's Weekend Update on Synthetix. I hope your weekend is just as full of action and emotion and I look forward to sharing more music with you next week.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Synthetix Weekend Update
It's Weekend Update time on Synthetix and once again there's been a slew of quality releases published this past week.
Where better place to start this week than with the atmospheric brilliance of Thomas Barrandon's new piece entitled 1111101. Punctuated by a live great live sounding drum track and glittering synths this is a very beautiful piece of music from start to finish. Thomas brings a lot of individuality to his music and obviously draws from many diverse influences. The results are always quality experiences.
Next up is bona fide coolrocker Fanateek One with his latest work in progress Extra Special. A saucy piece of smoothly distilled electro funk with a groove that's deep like a diamond mine. I can't wait to hear how this devlops further in the future as it's a very solid basis already.
I've covered Pilotpriest recently, but the culmination of his recent work has been released this past week. In preparation for larger post next week I wanted to include a track off his Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album in this Weekend Update. This album is hugely special, so please enjoy his Risky Business piece to whette your appetite.
Lost Years is continuing his intoxicated love affair with Italo Disco and his new track The Hunger (V1). Perfectly crafter Italo style melodies are laid on thick and fast and keep rockin hard. I for one think this adds a fantatic extra layer this talented artist's work and proves the ideal counterpoint to his more soundtrack oriented work.
Next up is a great little demo from Lambda with What Else Do You Wonder. This is a very cool piece of music that will hopefully evolve into something massive. Even at it's current two and a half minutes it is brimming with power and emotion. Good signs, indeed.
After releasing the absolutely stuning Break Point earlier this year Garth Knight has released his second composition entitled Silent Strike. This is another very strong track and is one of the most developed pieces I've heard from anyone in the scene. The music evolves and takes on a life of it's own with killer changes and luscious melodies throughout.
That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix, next week we'll be taking even more adventures into the 80s synthscapes of the future and I hope you'll be coming along for the ride.
Where better place to start this week than with the atmospheric brilliance of Thomas Barrandon's new piece entitled 1111101. Punctuated by a live great live sounding drum track and glittering synths this is a very beautiful piece of music from start to finish. Thomas brings a lot of individuality to his music and obviously draws from many diverse influences. The results are always quality experiences.
Next up is bona fide coolrocker Fanateek One with his latest work in progress Extra Special. A saucy piece of smoothly distilled electro funk with a groove that's deep like a diamond mine. I can't wait to hear how this devlops further in the future as it's a very solid basis already.
I've covered Pilotpriest recently, but the culmination of his recent work has been released this past week. In preparation for larger post next week I wanted to include a track off his Original Motion Picture Soundtrack album in this Weekend Update. This album is hugely special, so please enjoy his Risky Business piece to whette your appetite.
Lost Years is continuing his intoxicated love affair with Italo Disco and his new track The Hunger (V1). Perfectly crafter Italo style melodies are laid on thick and fast and keep rockin hard. I for one think this adds a fantatic extra layer this talented artist's work and proves the ideal counterpoint to his more soundtrack oriented work.
Next up is a great little demo from Lambda with What Else Do You Wonder. This is a very cool piece of music that will hopefully evolve into something massive. Even at it's current two and a half minutes it is brimming with power and emotion. Good signs, indeed.
After releasing the absolutely stuning Break Point earlier this year Garth Knight has released his second composition entitled Silent Strike. This is another very strong track and is one of the most developed pieces I've heard from anyone in the scene. The music evolves and takes on a life of it's own with killer changes and luscious melodies throughout.
That does it for another Weekend Update on Synthetix, next week we'll be taking even more adventures into the 80s synthscapes of the future and I hope you'll be coming along for the ride.
Saturday, April 21, 2012
Synthetix Weekend Update
This past week has seen a monstrous amount of great new releases in the scene that have made this weekend's update even more jam packed! I hope you enjoy this bumper crop of 80s inspired synth music from some of the world's most talented composers of the genre.
Let's kick off with a powerful new track from Starforce. Dreamfuse is the perfect title for this piece; the intro almost metaphysical in it's dreamlike haze. The music continues to build perfectly and eventually plateaus across the tops of the clouds into a bright, sundrenched sky. This is a very impressive next-level-step in Starforce's sound.
We land back on the city streets with Fanateek One's new electro funk masterpiece Weird 1986. I love the production on this due to it's completely smooth sounds. Thus music is like glass. Totally uncomplicated but still rivetting. Laid back, yet full of passion. Fanateek One's jammin on the one out the ying yang with this chart topper.
Synthetix stalwart Lost Years is back in action with a new work entitled Escape. I've loved everything Lost Years has ever released to bits, but this lasted release is one of his all time best. Even in this short teaser the breadth of the sounds used and how totally dynamic it all works together is magnficent. The full length cut of this can't arrive soon enough.
Something I'm surprised doesn't happen more often in the 80s inspired synth scene is theming tracks based on movies and using dialogue samples from it to complement the music. NeonFlashDrive has done just this in his Colonial Marines compositon. A synth soundtrack channelling quite a bit of John Carpenter, but using a myriad of classic samples from the movie Aliens. This works together perfectly and I hope this kind of thing gets made more of in the future.
As we leave the confines of LV-426 lets hit some of the clubs in nearby galaxies on the way home. Sure to be playing is the new anthem Moonshine from Final DJ's. Tauted as their summer jam for 2012 I can't help but be carried away by the beautifully crafted melodies. Yet another great Final DJ's release that channels so many classic vintage sounds.
Keeping the energy up we'll next pay a visit to Patrick Baker. This producer 'gets' the 80s like he should and in a new demo enitled Slip Away he works a great vocal in to the perfect 80s synth pop sound. Lovingly made layers of of sounds complement eachother perfectly, reaching a vibrant climax with the shredding guitar solo towards the end. A text book example of how to do the 80s right in 2012. Totally rockin.
Lets wind down next with some new Dynatron. Jeppe has set a course for pure thrills and drama in his brand new Aurora Nights track. Over a glorious eight and half minutes the music is a space ride of cosmic synths and galactic melodies. The production works perfectly in creating the vastness of space and keep an infinite horizon directly in our line of sight. Stellar work in every respect.
Last, but certainly not least for the week's Weekend Update is a new album teaser from prolific French producer Perturbator. Not inclined to resting his laurels after his superb Night Driving Avenger EP (covered on Synthetix here) he's now released a sampler for his first full lenght album Terror 404. As expected these snippets tease a dark and action packed release of 80s inspired synth music. It's going to be a wild ride, I'm sure, and I can't wait to buckle up and get ready for lift off when this hits. Stay tuned to Synthetix for more details and dates about Terror 404 as they happen.
That does it for this week's Weekend Update. Next week I will be on vacation, so updates may be more sporadic, but posts will be back to normal come next weekend. Till then keep the 80s dream alive and keep on rockin!
Let's kick off with a powerful new track from Starforce. Dreamfuse is the perfect title for this piece; the intro almost metaphysical in it's dreamlike haze. The music continues to build perfectly and eventually plateaus across the tops of the clouds into a bright, sundrenched sky. This is a very impressive next-level-step in Starforce's sound.
We land back on the city streets with Fanateek One's new electro funk masterpiece Weird 1986. I love the production on this due to it's completely smooth sounds. Thus music is like glass. Totally uncomplicated but still rivetting. Laid back, yet full of passion. Fanateek One's jammin on the one out the ying yang with this chart topper.
Synthetix stalwart Lost Years is back in action with a new work entitled Escape. I've loved everything Lost Years has ever released to bits, but this lasted release is one of his all time best. Even in this short teaser the breadth of the sounds used and how totally dynamic it all works together is magnficent. The full length cut of this can't arrive soon enough.
Something I'm surprised doesn't happen more often in the 80s inspired synth scene is theming tracks based on movies and using dialogue samples from it to complement the music. NeonFlashDrive has done just this in his Colonial Marines compositon. A synth soundtrack channelling quite a bit of John Carpenter, but using a myriad of classic samples from the movie Aliens. This works together perfectly and I hope this kind of thing gets made more of in the future.
As we leave the confines of LV-426 lets hit some of the clubs in nearby galaxies on the way home. Sure to be playing is the new anthem Moonshine from Final DJ's. Tauted as their summer jam for 2012 I can't help but be carried away by the beautifully crafted melodies. Yet another great Final DJ's release that channels so many classic vintage sounds.
Keeping the energy up we'll next pay a visit to Patrick Baker. This producer 'gets' the 80s like he should and in a new demo enitled Slip Away he works a great vocal in to the perfect 80s synth pop sound. Lovingly made layers of of sounds complement eachother perfectly, reaching a vibrant climax with the shredding guitar solo towards the end. A text book example of how to do the 80s right in 2012. Totally rockin.
Lets wind down next with some new Dynatron. Jeppe has set a course for pure thrills and drama in his brand new Aurora Nights track. Over a glorious eight and half minutes the music is a space ride of cosmic synths and galactic melodies. The production works perfectly in creating the vastness of space and keep an infinite horizon directly in our line of sight. Stellar work in every respect.
Last, but certainly not least for the week's Weekend Update is a new album teaser from prolific French producer Perturbator. Not inclined to resting his laurels after his superb Night Driving Avenger EP (covered on Synthetix here) he's now released a sampler for his first full lenght album Terror 404. As expected these snippets tease a dark and action packed release of 80s inspired synth music. It's going to be a wild ride, I'm sure, and I can't wait to buckle up and get ready for lift off when this hits. Stay tuned to Synthetix for more details and dates about Terror 404 as they happen.
That does it for this week's Weekend Update. Next week I will be on vacation, so updates may be more sporadic, but posts will be back to normal come next weekend. Till then keep the 80s dream alive and keep on rockin!
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