Test Pressing Podcast

I`ll let Mr Tusk explain: “I thought it would be nice to get some of the forthcoming releases together all in one place so that people can get a feel for where the label is heading. The sound I've been pushing has never been static, I like to keep things moving along, and this mix is a little snap shot of some future Tusk, Horn and Porn Waxes. There's also a remix I've done for Lampuka. There should be three more releases before the end of the year. I've been sitting on Porn Wax Two for a little while now. I like to let all the Tusk Wax regulars who get their records from me directly have a bit of an exclusive when ever possible. I've also got TW9 and HW4 almost ready. Then it`s a big break for Christmas and NYE (although there is some talk of Berlin again for NYE...which is my birthday!). I'm doing a party with the RSS guys (http://www.facebook.com/recessionsoundsystem?fref=ts) down in London on the 30th Nov. The line up is a killer with my pals Coyote headlining, I hear they're gonna bring all their old Acid House records down. I can't wait.” Recession Sound System Presents Tusk Wax (http://www.facebook.com/events/434714369923364/?fref=ts) RSS Residents Omar Daze & King Dom plus Coyote (Is It Balearic? / Tusk Wax) / Last Waltz (Future Boogie / Endless Flight / World Unknown / Tusk Wax) / Tusk (Tusk Wax / Horn Wax) / Scott Fraser (Birdscarer / Astrolab / World Unknown / Horn Wax) / Jamie Blanco (Cynic /Tusk Wax) / Friday 30th November / 2100 – Late / Hysteria / 578 Kingsland Road / Dalston (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/219-TUSK-WAX.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/219_Tusk_Wax_Forthcoming.mp3)

Bad Passion Project are DJs at the club of the same in East London. They throw parties in various spaces, have good people down to play good records, and have a young good looking crowd of people getting into heady disco and balearic dance. This Saturday sees them throwing their birthday party with Soft Rocks alongside the chaps - more info here (https://www.facebook.com/events/294088937358555/). (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/1.jpg) They've also just set up a website to host podcasts from friends and family, the first of which was by Felix Dickinson and the new one is by Soft Rocks with Nick the Record to follow. You can go have a listen and subscribe via this (https://www.badpassionproject.com) link. Finally they've also got a Soundcloud (http://soundcloud.com/bad-passion-project) where you can check out their productions. Andy of the Bad Passion Project has a project alongside Saul Richards and they have just had this (http://www.piccadillyrecords.com/products/MacheteSavane-ElysianFieldsInc.FelixDickinsonRemix-Redux-86915.html) released on Redux with a remix from Felix Dickinson. Check the mix below anyway to see what it's all about and if you're into it and from London head down as they are always good parties. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/218-BAD-PASSION.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/218_Bad_Passion_Project.mp3)

Leo Mas, a.k.a Leonardo Marras, was the DJ at Amnesia in Ibiza alongside Alfredo during the years of 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988 and 1990 (without Alfredo as he was at Pacha then). That "warm up" Amnesia sound resonates with us at Test Pressing, and in many ways alongside the playlists of Jose Padilla are the blocks that this site is built on, so we asked Leo to do us an exclusive mix of music that would have been played in the early hours as the club was starting to move. Leo is over for the Shoom anniversary party so you can catch him there alongside Alfredo. Proper. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/217-LEO-MAS.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/217_Amnesia_85_Early_Night_Music.mp3)

This mix from Timothy J. Fairplay (http://soundcloud.com/timothy-j-fairplay) is a nice illustration of my comments (http://testpressing.org/2012/11/reviews-promod-professor-genius-hassan-l-i-e-s/) about musics “heavily influenced by nearly four decades of House music, Krautrock freak-outs / love-ins, and cult horror film soundtracks”. All of those reference points can be heard here, in a mix which includes plenty of exclusives from the “Bird Scarer” studio and friends, and begins as a gentle analogue float, adrift on Larry Heard-isms, only to turn, midway through, into something, in Tim`s own words, quite "klarting”. You can catch Mr Fairplay alongside Scott Fraser every month at “Crimes Of The Future” at Transmission (http://berkeleysuite.com/content/transmission/5018), The Berkley Suite, Glasgow, and read his answers to the “20 Questions”, accompanied by some great musical selections, here ( http://testpressing.org/2012/10/20-questions-018-timothy-j-fairplay-bird-scarer-emotional-response-magic-feet/ ). (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/215-TIM-FAIRPLAY-RIGHT.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/215_Timothy_J_Fairplay_Test_Pressing_Mix.mp3)

A big hello to all those in NYC on this one. We like what Lee Douglas is about at Test Pressing, his music pushes all the buttons across the board in our book. From slow mo modern disco to house and beyond. We asked Lee for some words about himself and whats in the mix and below is what he wrote... Over to Lee. "Back in NYC about a month after being in Europe for the last 3 months, and still coming down off the buzz of my summer, feeling the coming of fall and the changes it brings to everything around (this was written pre-Sandy - Ed), I started to put this mix together hoping to re-live some of the great moments that were had. A lot of the tracks were on serious rotation, memorable high points, special edits, maybe some I wish I got to play more, some of my own productions and edits that just came out, promos, digs, and files swaps, but mostly I just wanted to have a way to remember and give thanks to all the friends old and new, promoters and people who where there for these great times and some who weren't but were... So here's goes, thanks for the good times and sweet memories! Alexis Le Tan, Vincent Vega Tajan, Sergey Orange, Johnny Hiller, Alex Voices, Katovl Menovsky, Paramida Sabay, Fin de Siecle crew, Jonny Wilkes, Keith Mckivor, Sub clubbers, Rasmus Skousen, Bogdan, Baris K, Mersenne, Minimuzikhol crew, Nevzat, Otto crew, JD, Pete Herbert, Calvi on the Rocks, crew, Phred Le Dame Noir, Dan Beaumont, Timofey,Toni, Magnus, Miko, Cosmo, Vidal, Julien, Gilbr, Ettienne, Sandrine, Joakim, Alexandra and Eduoard, Marie, Lucile, Sundae, Leatitia, Judith, Veronica, Piers, Hunee, Phil M, Dan, Sasa, Mans, Anton, Nicolas, Katerina, Christian D, Alister, Christian, Marta, Tucge, Coop n Hannah, Andrew T, Tobias, Vivan, Justin, Irinca, Illinca and your awesome mom… Kent and Chida sorry guys… and of course… Pia Ionescu, Justin V, Andrew Hogge, Ron Morelli, Caroline Smithson, Hugo n Tanya, Thomas B, Rosey, Alex and my sister Micheala and my new niece Valentine… Test pressing for hosting and anyone else who I forgot to mention... Thanks, see you soon!" (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/214-LEE-DOUGLAS.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/214_Suddenly_Last_Summer.mp3)

O.k this one is making my Sunday run through just perfectly. Invisible City Sound System is a group of music fanatics, designers, producers and DJs based in Toronto. They throw clandestine parties with some of their favorite DJs - Daphni, Metro Area, Optimo, Horse Meat Disco and Beppe Loda to name a few. They also run a label, Invisible City Editions, which recently re-released Beppe Loda's classic 'Elettronica Meccanica' cassettes. We hear that in early 2013, ICE plans to re-release Michael Boothman's rare island soul masterpiece "What You Won't Do For Love" and two little known Zambian boogie LPs. 

Possibility Of An Island Part Two is a mix by Brandon Hocura and Gary Abugan based on their recent callaloo filled trips to Trinidad. Like the island, the mix consists of many different styles, from afro-disco and dancefloor calypso to devotional electronic and deep island soul ballads. All the tracks included are pretty individual much like we imagine the island to be. Look out for the other part of the mix going out on Beats In Space on October the 30th. If you want to hear more from the chaps then head to their Facebook group here (http://www.facebook.com/groups/2515761094/). Levi John - S-O-C-A Friends - Mystery Music Elsworth James - Calypso Music Oluko Imo - Imo Brother Superior - Trini Groove Embryo - Wajang Woman Levi John - Let's Make Music Wild Fire - The Rebels Hamilton Brothers - Music Makes the World Go Round Oluko Imo - Praise Jah These Eyes - Soca Hustle Charlie's Roots - Pastime Paradise Mighty Shadow - Keep On Wailing I-Lan-Dan – Up Groove Embryo - Soca It's Soul Calypso Wilson Le Gendre - Soca Music Mantra - Crazy In The City Mother Hubbard - Marry The Sun Jackie Johnson & The Backbeats - How Tough It Was Nelta Wyatt - Step Right On To Love Bert Lynch - Black Skin and Kinky Hair ???? ???? ???? (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/213-INVISIBLE-CITY.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/213_Possibility_Of_An_Island_Right.mp3) Thanks to Phil South for the hook up.

(http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/resize-WAG-CLUB-FLYER.jpg) Running from 1982 to 2001 at the renamed Whiskey-A-Go-Go on Wardour Street. Hosted by Chris Sullivan and Ollie O`Donnell, with the original DJs, Hector Heathcote and Paul Guntrip, supplying a club soundtrack very similar to Le Beat Route, its emphasis on the Funk, both old and new. Home from home for Mick Jagger and David Bowie (on pints of Mild & Bitter), and George Michael and Bananarama, The Wag might seem to have been a “spit & sawdust” version of the Camdan Palace`s elitism. Sullivan insists that this wasn`t the case, but admits that he did set out to create a place where his mates could party hassle free. While the door policy is open for debate (check the lyrics to Black Radical MKII`s ”Monsoon” (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml-o5VId9TY )), one thing for sure is that by opening its doors seven days a week, The Wag provided and base for a variety of disparate yet overlapping musical scenes, Camp, Exotica, Jazz, Rare Groove, and Hip Hop, and in doing so allowed them to develop. I have no memories of The Wag, no stories to share, until much later in the club`s history, since I spilt town, dancing and drinking instead at Ricky`s in Leeds. I didn`t set foot in The Wag until I returned to London in 1989, when Dave Dorrell was promoting “Love” (with the Jesus sweatshirts) there on Friday nights, by which point it was House House House and I`d have gone to a party in a coal bunker provided I could get sorted. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/LONDON-CLUB-PLAYLISTS-009B.png) All photographs copyright of Graham Smith. “We Can Be Heroes” is published by Unbound (http://www.unbound.co.uk/books/we-can-be-heroes) and contains some amazing examples of Graham`s work, text by Chris Sullivan and the full club playlists on which this series is based. Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/212_A_Night_At_The_Wag.mp3)

We like Tiago at Test Pressing towers. Fun, messy, party, can keep it straight when he wants, sort of ticks all the boxes really. This mix is done ahead of his appearance at the North East's Dada night, specifically their third birthday party, and was recorded live at Lux on one C60 tape (old school). Dada has at its helm residents Last Waltz (check their releases on World Unknown and Futureboogie) though along the way they have played host to I-F, Chris Duckenfield, The Backwoods, Chida and Felix Dickinson, amongst others. They try find interesting spaces to hold their parties in, often unused or derelict. Good attitude. Tickets are available here (http://notjustaticket.com/events/view/198/dada-present-the-3rd-birthday-party) for the party, which is happening on Saturday the 27th of October, and while you are at it take a minute to check Last Waltz's next release - a mix (http://soundcloud.com/justtusk/tusk-wax-eight) for Jose Manuel that's forthcoming on the great and good Tusk Wax. Back to Tiago... (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/210-TIAGO.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/210_Live_Mix_For_Dada.mp3)

Here's a pretty special mellow one for the weekend. LN-CC (http://www.ln-cc.com/music/organic-music/icat/organicmusic/) have just collaborated with Chee Shimizu of Discosession on curating them a selection of 100 records for their store. As they say... "For over a decade now, Chee Shimizu has been pushing the boundaries of underground, Japanese dance music. Consistently ahead of the curve, Shimizu, through his Discossession and Sci-Fi parties, was one of the first DJs in Japan to introduce experimental disco, cosmic and leftfield sounds to the country's dancefloors. His role as an influential DJ is matched by his work as a producer for Kenji Takimi's label Crue-l Records, again under the Discossession moniker. In 2010, Shimizu launched his own online record store,'Organic Music'. The store is a meticulous curation of the hard to find, genre-spanning releases that Shimizu has been introducing to his various audiences over the years, both in Japan and further afield. As well as keeping a strong interest in European jazz and electronics, Shimizu continues to champion the music of his native Japan. This is reflected across his numerous mixes as well as in his Organic Music output. Discussions of Japanese vinyl often centre around rare groove and jazz records, of which there is a rich and storied tradition. In addition to these genres, Shimizu has always maintained his interest in the more experimental end of the musical spectrum. Amassed over a year of digging, Shimizu has hand-picked a selection of 100 records for LN-CC, dedicated to these often overlooked Japanese artists from the 1970s through to the nineties. From the hypnotic, tribal grooves of Yas-Kas, to the cleansing ambience of Toshifumi Hinata and the dub-laden sounds of Pecker, this comprehensive selection represents an unparalleled insight into an alternative history of experimental and left field Japanese music." You can go and view the records for sale here (http://www.ln-cc.com/music/organic-music/icat/organicmusic/). The artwork alone makes me want to buy them all. The tracks featured in our mix are below with there also being a different mix available on the LN-CC site (http://www.ln-cc.com/music/organic-music/icat/organicmusic/). 01. YOICHIRO YOSHIKAWA - THE MIRACLE PLANET LP 02. MKWAJU ENSEMBLE - MKWAJU LP 03. EITETSU HAYASHI - KAZE NO SHISHA LP 04. HARUOMI HOSONO - MURASAKI SHIKIBU THE TALE OF GENJI LP 05. AYUO TAKAHASHI - CARMINA LP 06. TAKASHI TOYODA - BIG BANG LP 07. AXIS - NATURAL HIGH LP 08. INOYAMA LAND - DAN ZIN DAN POJI DON LP 09. HIROSHI YOSHIMURA - GREEN LP 10. AXIS - NATURAL HIGH LP 11. TOSHIFUMI HINATA - SARAH'S CRIME LP 12. TAKASHI KOKUBO - GET AT THE WAVE LP 13. AYUO TAKAHASHI - SHIZUKANI OKITE GORAN 12" 14. MISHIO OGAWA - MISHIO OGAWA LP (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/209-CHEE.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/209_Passive.mp3)

Ron Morelli of Long Island Electrical Systems (http://soundcloud.com/l-i-e-s) was the guest on my radio show in the mountains of Japan last weekend, presenting a slightly different side of L.I.E.S. Figuring that the mix was deserving of a larger audience than the one that usually tunes in, we decided to post it here. I know nothing other than it travels from Clara Mondshine to Rufus & Chaka Khan taking in some great Dub and Afro on the way. If you`d like to read more about Ron and L.I.E.S., he was submitted to the ”20 Questions” (http://testpressing.org/2012/09/20-questions-015-ron-morelli-long-island-electrical-systems-l-i-e-s) earlier this month. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/208-RON-MORELI.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/208_I_Ride_The_Bullet.mp3)

This one kinda fell out when we were compiling the Francois Kevorkian CDs. “Groucho” having assisted Francois on remixes for Timezone, Black Uhuru, and Mick Jagger. A relationship that was initiated by The “Snakecharmer” project, a less obvious track from which is included here. “Snakecharmer” was put together, and Jah Wobble urinating on The Fallout Shelter`s mixing desk tolerated, primarily because Francios wanted to work with Smykle. Wobble, coincidently, has said that Groucho`s re-working of King Sunny Ade is one of his favourite modern Dub recordings. While Smykle`s Compass Point and Island work is extremely smooth, the “roots radical” only suggested at on the edges of something like his remix of Wally Badarou`s Chief Inspector, he seems to have been given free reign, allowed to push things a little more, when partnered with the Post-Punk, Semi-Industrial, Electro-influenced, early Sampladelic Funk of UK bands like Colourbox. Their drum machines transformed to mercury and sent spinning into orbit, producing abrasive, modern, urban psychedelia very similar to the music being made by Tony Thorpe and Andrew Beer. Big Audio Dynamite could almost be a “Pop” 400 Blows. A quick one then, but a sound close to Test Pressing`s heart. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/207-GROUCHO-FRONT.png) (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/207-GROUCHO-BACK.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/207_The_Producers_Series_20.mp3)

Jaz hails all the way from South Carolina, Charleston. He's had a few releases (http://www.discogs.com/artist/Jaz+%2812%29) out there that you might have seen - an edits CD with Mudd Murphy on one of the Claremont labels and released some of his edits through labels such as Beard Science, Messalina, and Libre Ambience. This mix is a collection of tracks that have that slightly "arabian" twist. Basically its loads of his current favourites with some fresh edits. If you want to hear more from Jaz head to his Soundcloud (http://soundcloud.com/j-a-z-1) page (and especially check his 'White Girls Can't Rap Mix'). Bless. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/206-JAZ.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/206_Arabian_Basses.mp3)

Hosted by Phil Gray and Rob Milton, Le Beat Route regulars, at various warehouses, basements, rehearsal studios and decommissioned power stations, weekly between 1982 and 1985, with one-offs well into the 90s. Rob also DJed at the parties, alongside Jay Strongman. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RESIZE-DIRT-BOX-PHIL-AND-ROB.jpg) I have to admit that I am not sure I can do this one justice. While I have a decent amount of Rock & Roll and early R&B 7s I have very few of the tracks on Jay Strongman`s “Dirt Box 25” list, nearly half of which is made up of said genres. To the Rockabilly and Jump Blues, Strongman added Funk, Hip Hop, Go-Go, Reggae, Electro and Disco. Rob would spin more of the same but also throw in electronic Pop, Motown, Northern Soul and 60s girl groups. Special mentions go to D Train and Hayzi Fantayzi who both blew my mind. D Train musically, lost in its yearning, and Hayzi when Jeremy Healy started doing Kate Garner from behind on Top Of The Pops. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/RESIZE-DIRT-BOX-MEMBERSHIP_0001.jpg) Such was the mix of music, and people, that maybe not many danced all-night, to everything that was played, but that wasn`t what was expected from a party back then. You`d dance to your favourites and look for other ways to amuse yourself in the interval, rather than march in unison on the dancefloor, raising your arms aloft and cheering as a second kick comes in seamlessly. A party back then felt more like a conspiracy than entertainment. So if anyone else wants to call me "the laziest DJ in Tokyo", for my sets of content over style, then take a listen and blame the Dirt Box. A melting pot for London`s tribes, laying the foundations for what was to come. To cement this, and in tribute, I am, once more, sporting a flat top. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/LONDON-CLUB-PLAYLISTS-008.png) All photographs copyright of Graham Smith. “We Can Be Heroes” is published by Unbound ( http://www.unbound.co.uk/books/we-can-be-heroes ) and contains some amazing examples of Graham`s work, text by Chris Sullivan and the full club playlists on which this series is based. Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/205_A_Night_At_Dirt_Box.mp3)

Michael Kucyk is Noise In My Head (http://www.noiseinmyhead.com.au/). One of those people from around the other side of the world that we feel an affinity with. Kind of nuts in a good way, a broad sense of the musical church, a love of art and a host of good guests to his quality radio show (check the archives here (http://www.noiseinmyhead.com.au/) but recent guests include Jolyon Green, Steele Bonus, Lee Douglas and er me). If you like the stuff we do then do go check. Anyways, he finally came through with a mix. Thanks Michael. (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/204-Noise-In-My-Head.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/204_Stormy_Love_Affair.mp3)

Alex Barck is one of the founders of Sonar Kollektiv, a gentleman, sea watcher, Jazzanova’s DJ, one half of Prommer & Barck and one of the people behind Derwin Records. This mix is pretty much inspired by Alex's stay on Reunion Island and being surrounded by the Indian Ocean. Everyday on the beach watching the surfers play with the waves and escaping from the sharks. It's also pretty much based on the misunderstanding of what balearic music can be. As he says, "I'm somehow obsessed with music that brings those pictures to my mind." (http://testpressing.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/203-Alex-Barck.png) Download (http://testpressing.org/audio/203_Pictures_of_the_sea_part2_La_Reunion.mp3)