Monday 27 September 2010

Nick Harris returns with "The Everlasting" EP



NRK main man Nick Harris has made quite an impression this year with just a handful of 12” releases on his legendary NRK imprint and his new outing ‘The Everlasting EP’ continues his run of form.

A DJ and A&R for longer than 15 years, it’s fair to say that the face of UK house music would be very different without Nick Harris. His stewardship of NRK and it’s now-defunct DJ agency introduced us to some of the finest house music and DJs the world has known, from DJ Sneak and Angel Moraes through to his current roster of young, impeccable talent. As one would expect with such a reputation, the jump to production was a cautious one but one that has resulted in fantastic support from DJs, press and crowds alike.

‘Rituals’ is the first of three cuts from the Bristol-based man and it’s a lazy, developing groove with some rich resonant bass and a warm, washed out topline which is drawn together with a classic sounding vocal sample. Cleverly put together and incredibly well balanced, this is a great late-night piece of house.

‘Sueno’ follows with a heavy, detailed drum track punctuated with light, breezy chords and a looping vocal excerpt. The upbeat vibe continues throughout which is a great counterpoint to the powerful drum/bass combination and with a brilliantly fluid arrangement, makes for a great piece of sun-soaked house.

The melodic old school vibes of ‘The Everlasting’ closes proceedings, and so memorably. With a massive Juno-esque bassline, classic keys and an 808 drum track it’s clearly a track influenced by times gone by but with modern production and Harris’ deft touch, is a suiting tribute drenched in real feeling. Another great outing for an imprint with a revered catalogue.

'The Everlasting' EP is released on vinyl on 11th October, and on Beatport from 25th October, with all other digital sites to release on 8th November.

Nick Harris - The Everlasting EP (NRK165 - clips) by nicknrk

Tuesday 21 September 2010

Nick Harris compiles & mixes "Deep Sensation 3"



The Classic NRK imprint delivers the third episode of its Deep Sensation mixes this October, with long-time A&R Nick Harris mixing up a selection of the labels singles output on one cd and a selection of unmixed highlights on another.

After a short break from releasing singles, label boss Harris revived the label’s 12” operations just over 12 months ago and has seen the label live up to it’s legendary history with tracks and mixes from the likes of Steve Bug, Kris Wadsworth, Spencer Parker, DJ Q and AlexKid – all featured here.

Harris himself has stepped out from behind the turntables and A&R desk in recent times, delivering a string of 12”s which have caught the imagination of a staggering list of DJs, from new blood like Seth Troxler through to veterans like Tedd Patterson. His tracks stand out from the crowd and this mix does the same, as good a sign as any that this music industry veteran is paradoxically one of the brightest new talents around.

Just as Carl Craig did with his epic RA Podcast earlier this year, Harris kicks off with Justin Drake’s remix of Amir’s ‘Narrativity’ and the mix takes hold immediately. Shifting through the bumping drums of Kruse & Nuernberg’s remix of Scope’s “This Rhythm” into the 3am trip that is Chris Lattner’s remix of Lewis Boardman, it’s evident from the off that groove rules but melody and texture more than ably assist.

From the darker edges of ultra-modern stripped house such as Amir’s “Anekdote” to the overtly old school sounds of DJ Q’s relentless ‘Superclique’ (allowed to stretch it’s legs for a full ten minutes, here), Deep Sensation III is a superbly executed snapshot of house music, culminating in the epic Paul Woolford remix of Shara Nelson and NuFrequencies “Go That Deep”.

Nick Harris, NRK and all of the artists showcased in Deep Sensation III are deserved of high praise, as no part of this label compilation falls short of excellent.

CD01
MIXED BY NICK HARRIS

01. Amir - Narrativity (Justin Drake Remix)
02. Scope - This Rhythm (feat. Sandra Lima) (Kruse & Nuernberg Remix)
03. Lewis Boardman – Mist (Chris Lattner Remix)
04. David Durango – Supernature (Matthew Styles Remix)
05. Nick Harris – Pony Trekkin
06. Spencer Parker – You Got Me
07. Amir – Anekdote
08. Alexkid & Rodriguez Jr. – Jeri Call
09. DJ Q – Superclique
10. Kruse & Nuernberg – Mirrorball
11. Scope – Frequencies (Steve Bug Flying Faders Remix)
12. Kris Wadsworth – Direct (David Alvarado Remix)
13. Ed Davenport – Overdub In Am
14. NUfrequency feat. Shara Nelson – Go That Deep (Paul Woolford Main Mix)

CD02
DJ FRIENDLY UNMIXED SELECTION

01. Nick Harris – Pony Trekkin
02. David Durango – Supernature (Matthew Styles Remix)
03. Scope – Frequencies (Steve Bug Flying Faders Remix)
04. Lewis Boardman – Mist (Chris Lattner Remix)
05. Scope - This Rhythm (feat. Sandra Lima) (Kruse & Nuernberg Remix)
06. Kris Wadsworth – Direct (David Alvarado Remix)
07. Kruse & Nuernberg – Mirrorball
08. Amir - Narrativity (Justin Drake Remix)
09. NUfrequency feat. Shara Nelson – Go That Deep (Paul Woolford Main Mix)
10. DJ Q – Superclique

Deep Sensation 3 is out on double CD and digital download as from October 25th

David Durango's "Supernature" EP out now



David Durango, the Swiss based DJ producer, responsible for some great deep and techy house on labels such as Poker Flat, Dessous, Viva and Resopal, follows up his “In The Last Orient EP” for NRK with a bumper package. The “Supernature EP” features two brand new tracks from David, with some added remix pressure from Matthew Styles and Daniel Kyo.

David’s unique sound is on showcase here with his three originals, always production with depth and a healthy soaking of reverb! On “Supernature”, a relaxed tempo picks up the pace with sprightly percussion and cymbals, layered vox and big chords, sweet deep house music at its finest. “Qubota” builds layer upon layer of swinging drum patterns, hypnotic organ stabs, trebly strings and FXd vocal snips; a well put together house track

On the remixes, Matthew Styles has been building a great profile over the years, with releases and mixes for Crosstown Rebels, BPitch Control, Rekids and Music For Freaks. His remix of “Supernature” is a muscular, shuffling house groove, tossing around the vocals from left to right, whilst keeping things strictly heads down.

And Daniel Kyo helps complete the package with his remix of “Qubota”. Kyo has been super busy the last couple of years, working his sound onto remixes and releases for Noir, Plastic City, lost My Dog and Milton Jackson’s Dark Energy label. His mammoth remix utilises simple 909 drums, building stabs and classic house bassline, breaking out into filtered piano riff that evokes shades of many a classic house record.

Selected DJ reactions;

Seth Troxler (Crosstown Rebels) – Love the remixes here!
Brett Johnson (Classic) – Nice deephouse here, the remixes are my fav
Funk D’Void (Soma) – Unbelievable! A shining diamond in an ocean of today’s musical tripe!
Rocky (X-Press 2) – Loving Qubota, and played on the MOS show twice
Davide Squillace (Ovum) – Good stuff on here
Spencer Parker (Rekids) – Styles remix is amazing. Panorama Bar vibes!!
Moodymanc (2020 Vision) – all nice tracks...liked the Orig of Supernature and Daniel Kyo's mix of Qubota in particular...
Dean Mushin (Bearweasel) – Matthew in fine form as always, just rock solid house.
Florian Kruse (Kruse & Nuernberg) – Very good EP!!!! Love it! Daniel with an amazing remix...
MANIK (Ovum/Fresh Meat) – Nice release guys...NRK doing it up. Durango is a fav of mine for years and these tracks are legit. Remixes are nice too.
Markus Liefke (Afrilounge) – good deepness here!!! like all tracks, especially the Matthew Styles RMX of "Supernature" will play!!
Ed Davenport (Liebe Detail) – Wicked stuff.Matt Styles remix is dope
Huxley (Ethyl & Huxley) – Kyo mix for me. Very old school house! very nice.
Nils Nuernberg (8-Bit/Diynamic) – Wow... quality release! can't wait to play these out! thx a bunch!
Timewriter (Plastic City) – Excellent EP here.Loving Supernature. Will play this for sure. Thanks
Anthony Collins (Freak n Chic) – Matthew remix is bomb
Robert Dietz (Cecille) – Matthew Styles remix is definitely the one for me...
Chris Lattner (Moon Harbour) – Qubota is very cool! will play it!

Supernature EP on Beatport
Supernature Ep 12" vinyl on Juno

Monday 13 September 2010

Ed Davenport "Curtain Call" EP out now



UK born, Berlin based producer, Ed Davenport, is the latest artist to debut on NRK Music, with an awesome two track release. "Curtain Call" and "Overdub In Am" showcase Davenport's smooth, deep tech-house sounds, heavy on the dub side!

Davenport has already enjoyed positive attention on his releases for esteemed labels such as Poker Flat, Liebe*Detail, Vidab and District Of Corruption. Recent remixes for Len Faki on Cocoon, and Guy J on Jon Digweed's Bedrock label, are also helping to bring his name to the forefront of the scene.

His debut NRK release features a remix by NRK's Nick Harris. "Curtain Call" is a heavyweight, tribal workout, with plenty of rolling percussion amongst it's nagging vocal clips and big, twisted pads. "Overdub..." is a dub-heavy houser, an extremely well produced, warm and hypnotizing, deep dancefloor track.

Selected DJ comments;

Paul Woolford (Space Ibiza) – Nick’s remix of “Curtain Call” and “Overdub In Am” sounding really good, will support
Yousef (Underwater) – “Curtain Call” is excellent
D’Julz (Ovum) – I like the moody vibe of Nick’s remix, nice one
Laurent Garnier (F Comm) – Full support on both tracks from me, this is a strong release
Tedd Patterson (Vibal) – I’m feeling “Overdub In Am”, nice
Stacey Pullen (Transmat) – “Overdub In Am” is the shizzy! Will support
Rocky (X-press 2) – Good stuff, feeling Nick’s remix and played on the MOS radio show
Jim Rivers (Global Underground) – Brilliant remix from Nick, one of his best I think, top stuff!
Pol_On (Freerange) – Solid release from NRK as always. Like the Nick Harris remix very much!
Tini (Desolat) – Nice EP, my favourite is “Overdub In Am”
Andrew Grant (DC10) – Original of “Curtain Call” and Nick’s remix for me
Alland Byallo (Liebe Detail) – Incredible, Ed’s the man, I can’t wait to play the hell out of these original mixes
Sasse (Mood Music) – Nick Harris remix rocks – old school baby! Ace EP
Rob Salmon (Yoshitoshi) – Fantastic late night trax. Will support
Alex Flitsch (Conaisseur Recs) – Strong release
Ric McClelland (Scope) – Nick’s remix is my pick, sick bassline!
Smokin Jo (Boys Own) – “Curtain Call” is wicked, love this tribal tech vibe
Franck Roger (Real Tone) – Original Mix and Nick Harris Remix both really work for me, in my sets for sure
Terry Francis (Fabric) – Nick’s remix is great
Anja Schneider (Mobilee) – I very much like the Original Mix of “Curtain Call”
Dan Drastic (Rekids) – “Curtain Call” is cool, thanks

Preview "Curtain Call" (Original Mix)
Preview "Curtain Call" (Nick Harris Mix)
Preview "Overdub In Am"

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