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viewing 1 To 11 of 11 items
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LP
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TEKLIFE 022LP
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Following up his magical singles "Rupees," Las-Vegas by way of Chicago underdog DJ Lucky presents his debut album Triple 7. Featuring fellow colleagues such as DJ Manny, Taso, and Weezy, this LP compiles work from a rather undocumented member of the Teklife family. These ten tracks are pure modern footwork tailor-made for the dancers, but with tons of rave-friendly sonics in-between. Opening things up with the ethereal DJ Manny collaboration War, Lucky sets the tone for the rest of the album with its thick, moody atmosphere. At times the vibe here is soulful, other times it's eerie, often it's all of the above. There's rolling jungle breaks with a hip-hop lean on tracks like "G.B.G.W.", and there's lots of sinister battle dramatics like those on "Hit Da Flo." The synth work is masterfully crafted throughout the album, with lots of trance-inducing arpeggios like those on "GAWD," and of course the drums are relentless, with huge swooshing snares bombarding your ears on "Lost Without U." It's a perfect soup pot of the emotions that make footwork great: dark and intimidating, yet full of passion. Triple 7 is a great introduction to a member of the footwork community that some fans might have slept on. Lucky grew up in the culture both making music and dancing, and this album proves how crucial his sound is to the art form. It's uncut floor burning music sure enough to cause lots of trouble in the circle and beyond.
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12"
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TEKLIFE 011EP
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Legendary Chicagoan General Juke aka Gant-Man returns with Distorted Sensory, his brand-new acid house adventure. A longtime veteran who's been behind the decks since before he was even a teen, he's been an essential part of Chicago dance music history since the Dance Mania days in the mid-90s, and a major pioneer in jumpstarting the juke movement that followed. This new single, and his debut solo release on the Teklife imprint explores the time-honored tradition of jacking, channeling the very essence of house music though a modern lens. Employing an enigmatic 303 bassline that mutates and breathes as if it were alive, Gant plays malicious melodies that run up and down octaves in a freaky, hallucinatory manner. Squelchy synth movements are met by eerie FM tones, reminiscent of Cajmere's classic Chicago staple the Percolator. A rugged 909 drum kit bangs the track along in true jacking fashion, making it the perfect tool for shaking the floors of dark, sweaty warehouses. In addition to the original, two of the UK's finest contribute remixes as well. Hyperdub boss Kode9 puts things into overdrive with his 160 BPM warped vision of Gant's acid, sliced up to appeal more to the footworkers and fans of psycho tempos. Dubstep pioneer Loefah strips back the original percussion and lets the 303s float over a cloud of deep sub bass, adorned with lovely splashes of rolling snares and micro percussion. With an array of stone-cold classics under his belt, from ghetto house anthem "Juke Dat Girl" to his brilliant collabs with the late DJ Rashad "Heaven Sent" and "Juke Dat Juke Dat", Gant-Man is a true renaissance man. For over 20 years, he's consistently shown the world the complexity that makes up his city's dance culture, never sticking to one area or tempo. Distorted Sensory is a beautiful celebration of Chicago house music, a return to its true raw design, and a reminder of just how timeless an art form it really is.
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LP
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TEKLIFE 012LP
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Montreal-based producer and DJ Slick Shoota releases Function, his debut LP and first solo release on the Teklife imprint. A native of Norway known for his renowned Oslo club night Ball Em Up, he's been a member of the elite crew since 2015, contributing tracks to the label's compilations such as On Life Vol. 2 and VIP Trax. Using a unique palate that combines both traditional footwork drums and eclectic otherworld sonics, this album expands on the signature sound he's been brewing during the course of his career, celebrating his longtime love of the Chicago soundscape, with a healthy helping of UK rave, jungle, and vibes from other fast paced club realms. Slick starts the record off with "Hovercraft", a big burly mutant rap beat riding a glowing titanic wave of jungle subbass, with vicious hi-hats stabbing through the mix. "Desire Path" follows with hysterical horns cruising along a stampede of erratic Chicago percussion. A glitchy, malfunctioning computer meets drumline stomps on "See Me Flex", resulting in a psychotic, yet psychedelic sci-fi soundscape. Ultra-distorted hardcore kicks open up "Jellyneck", dropping straight into a dungeon of ghostly vocals and headlong toms. "Warehouse 2K" opens up the B-side with R&B chops and lasers floating on a charming cloud of pulsating pads. Mad doppler sirens loop around your head on "Delahaze", as distant clangs and crashes fight an impatient, throbbing bassline. Classic rave atmospheres are met with Slick's elegant sound design on "MTL Hardcore", his ode to his adoptive city. The album closes off with "Special Tek", channeling the signature quirky drum sounds of the late DJ Rashad over a pounding, fast paced house beat, a wonderful nod to the windy city and its influential sonic culture. Carving out his own sound from the legacies of Chicago, the UK, and other underground club hotspots, Slick Shoota has found his own recognizable voice within these realms of dance music, and this LP serves as documentation of that solidified voice. Years of studying the masters and immersing himself with their work has clearly paid off, and he's respectfully taking these sounds he loves in exciting new directions. Bridging gaps both historical and geographical, Function marks a pivotal point in his career, and is clear evidence that Slick Shoota is vital member of the legendary Teklife family.
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LP
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TEKLIFE 009LP
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Tekvision Volume 1 was a stone cold classic (TEKLIFE 006LP, 2017), with Rolling Stone charting it at #3 in their top 20 EDM records of 2017. Two years on, Cornelius "Traxman" Ferguson returns with the second instalment, featuring seven exceptional new footwork productions. Traxman is a bonafide OG, with a discography dating back to the halcyon era of ghetto house in the late '80s and early '90s. 30 years on, Traxman is a revered figure in Chicago's urban music scene, having presided over the evolution from ghetto house to juke and from juke to footwork culture. Originally released in 1989, "Work Dat Mutha Fucker" by Steven Poindexter is considered to be one of the most influential tracks from the early days of ghetto house. Traxman remixes it brilliantly on this release, reworking the stripped back, minimalist drum beat of the original into an upfront Footwork pattern. This sense of continuity is equally evident on "Let Me See You Naked" featuring DJ Juicy, and Traxman's remix of "To Da Hoooz" by DJ Deeon. These productions successfully capture the sexual energy and exuberance of ghetto house, turbo charged at 160BPM. Elsewhere on the record, Traxman explores different moods whilst always keeping the dance floor firmly in mind. The opening track "It's Lasting Bass" lays an infectious vocal harmony over complex drum patterns and a fearsome bassline. "Osaka" opens with mellow, sultry keys before introducing a wobbling synth and diced up orchestral samples. "4 Da Lyfe" is a soulful and slightly more meditative track, with a vocal loop expressing solidarity and self-affirmation. "Wildcard" featuring Jana Rush, stands alone as the only track without a vocal element, instead utilizing a piercing and insistent synth to create a powerful sonic intensity. Overall, this is a triumphant record, and a worthy successor to the original Tekvision release, proving once again that Traxman is an unrivalled exponent of MPC-driven footwork energy.
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LP
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TEKLIFE 008LP
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Heavee's eight-track album WFM features new collaborations with DJ Phil, Gantman, DJ Paypal, and Sirr Tmo, and a previously unreleased classic from 2013, co-written with DJ Rashad. The first thing that jumps out is Heavee's masterful use of synthesizers and sound design. You get the sense that these elements have been lovingly crafted during countless hours of sonic experimentation and invention in the studio. The primary focus on synths represents a departure from his usual creative process. Heavee has made a conscious decision to challenge himself, adopting a different approach to his past productions. In doing so, he moves away from the familiar sampling techniques which characterized his earlier work: "I am a child of the last days of ghetto house culture as it shifted into juke/footwork. My parents, aunties, and uncles played house and ghetto house music at family functions, BBQs, and house parties. That's my roots and where I came from. However, on this record, I chose to stray away from vocal samples, to give myself room to grow in different areas." Heavee finds his voice in emphatic fashion on "Cloud Ride" DJ Phil. His lyrical content and flow are on point as the track flips seamlessly from hip hop to footwork and back again. DJ Phil features on three tracks in total, a reflection of Heavee and Phil's close friendship and musical connection. "It's Wack" is a classic collaboration with DJ Rashad that still sounds fresh today. Heavee remembers how Rashad would always stay connected: "We'd get calls no matter where he was. We would talk about everything! He ALWAYS had new info; what new music was popping, scenes that were really accepting or supportive of what we were doing, blends that made the party go off, sites, adventures and just fuel us with support from him and give us living proof of the global support that was to come and the journey that was ahead of us." Although Heavee makes music with the dancefloor firmly in mind, the sheer quality of his music transcends that space. So sit back and enjoy the next chapter in the Teklife story.
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LP
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TEKLIFE 006LP
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A leading figure and respected elder in the Teklife family, Traxman has waited patiently while releases from young upstarts like Taso and DJ Earl have been enjoyed by footwork lovers all over the world. Now the time has come for Traxman to take center stage, presenting a collection of new material that demonstrates his mastery of the footwork sound. Tekvision arrives hot on the heels of Teklife 005: Greenlight by DJ Manny (TEKLIFE 005LP), bringing an interesting contrast of production methods and styles. A prodigious crate digger, Traxman has provided the sample sources for many of footwork's classic tracks over the years. So while DJ Manny recorded the majority of the vocals on Greenlight himself, Traxman uses his expert sample flipping techniques to add the human element to his productions. Traxman is a mainstay of the Chicago underground, with a discography stretching back to the golden era of Dance Mania Records in the 1990s. Ghetto house was an important precursor to footwork, and Traxman was a key figure during this transition. Echoes of the ghetto house sound resonate through Tekvision, with tracks like "Drop It Down" and "Twist The Party Out" paying homage to the origins of juke and footwork music. "Be Gagen", featuring DJ Earl, is a beautiful opening track, with a soulful, melancholic synth unfolding patiently over a half-speed beat. When the bass kicks in shortly after one-minute, it has a profoundly uplifting effect and the late arriving vocal rounds off the composition perfectly. Many of the tracks demonstrate brilliant and playful manipulation of vocal snippets, with "Let Me Get Up" and "Control Ya Bitchezzz" among the finest examples of this art. Finally, "Tone Deaf" and "Whop Line" show yet another side to Traxman's sound with an intoxicating and angular mix of bass and bleeps. RIYL: DJ Rashad, DJ Spinn, DJ Deeon, Jammin Gerald.
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LP
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TEKLIFE 005LP
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Greenlight by DJ Manny is the fifth release from Teklife. This ten-track LP is a masterclass in footwork production by one of Teklife's leading figures. Born and raised in Harvey on the south-side of Chicago, DJ Manny has been footworking since the age of ten. The footwork sound has developed in unison with the dance style that accompanies it, and Manny embodies this synergy. DJ Manny is without doubt one of the best dancers on the scene, harnessing control, grace, and power in every movement. So when he steps into the studio, he knows instinctively how to create tracks that make you want to move your feet. Instead of relying on chopped-up samples, DJ Manny is more inclined to pick up the microphone himself, and this gives Greenlight an original and individual personality. On the opening track titled "Way You Move", his flow is soulful and almost verging on melodic. His laid back drawl sounds equally great on club bangers like "Life In This Bitch" and "If U Want It". As a young man, DJ Manny was the protégé of the late great DJ Rashad, and Rashad's influence reverberates through classic-sounding footwork tracks like "Boop Me Down" and "I'll Hurt Ya Baby". Elsewhere on Greenlight, DJ Manny explores different moods to great effect. "Ghost Out" is atmospheric and menacing, with a sparse, minimal rhythm and fearsome low-ends pulsing through siren synths. "Life In This Bitch" is a defiant statement of self-affirmation, and "Zancrash" featuring DJ Taye is uplifting and dreamy, with complex rhythmic patterns evocative of vintage jungle records. DJ Taye makes a significant contribution to this record, collaborating with DJ Manny on five productions, including the title track. A fellow Teklife squad member, Taye is a highly accomplished producer in his own right. Greenlight also features guest appearances from DJ Chap, DJ Lucky, and Sucia.
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LP
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TEKLIFE 003LP
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Once again, the spirit of collaboration is a key element: Teklife is a closely connected group of friends, working together harmoniously, and pushing each other to greater heights and depths through a shared love of footwork. "Smoke Dat Green", Taso's collaboration with DJ Earl, was featured on Open Your Eyes (TEKLIFE 002EP, 2016), and now, Taso himself takes center stage for the next installment, presenting unreleased classics alongside brand new footwork sounds on New Start. An accomplished DJ and MC, Taso frequently appears alongside DJ Spinn at Teklife showcases all over the world. A multi-instrumentalist with a degree in audio engineering, Taso fuses raw musical talent with technical expertise. Since January of 2016, he has released an impressive eight volumes of the Cold Heat EP series, bringing together a whole range of musical styles and moods through his MPC at 160 BPM. This versatility and willingness to draw inspiration from different sources is evident throughout the New Start LP. The title track is sultry and soulful, with Rashad and Spinn's masterful influence clearly present. "Don't Get Mad" provides a stark contrast - a dancefloor-orientated hype track featuring an on point vocal by Gant-Man. "Bussin", featuring DJ Manny and DJ Tre, sounds like a love letter from footwork to jungle music. The flip side starts off with "AM Track", another beautifully crafted classic, featuring DJ Rashad and DJ Spinn. "In The Green Room", featuring DJ Taye, is a muscular, speaker-rattling West Coast jam, and "Murda Bass" takes its cue from golden era UK dubstep. The heavily-filtered final notes of "De Capo Al Coda", featuring DJ Earl, round off a diverse but consistently high-quality outing from Taso and the Teklife family.
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12"
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TEKLIFE 002EP
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DJ Earl lays down expertly crafted footwork rhythms filled with wave-y synths and killer vocal hooks. Every track on Open Your Eyes is a collaboration, DJ Earl teams up with other Teklife members from his native Chicago and beyond. A leading figure in the footwork movement, and long-time collaborator with DJ Rashad, DJ Earl is a key member of the Teklife family. Open Your Eyes is a brutally strong EP filled with future classics. Features: MoonDoctor, OPN, Taso, DJ Manny, DJ Taye, and Suzi Analogue. Cover art by Shepard Fairey and Ashes57.
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2LP
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TEKLIFE 001LP
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2019 repress; Double LP version. Includes a bonus track by Microglobe x Machinedrum. Teklife presents Afterlife, the first release on the Teklife label. The album is a celebration of the life and music of the late, great DJ Rashad (1979-2014) and features 14 previously unreleased tracks, each a collaboration between DJ Rashad and friends from the Teklife crew and beyond. Afterlife is testament to an incredible breadth of influences and love of music with soul, hip-hop, house, techno, and many more all brought together at 160 BPM. Rashad's presence is felt throughout in the boundless energy and creativity that run through the album, while each collaborator brings a personal touch to the compositions. With such a prolific body of work as both a solo artist and in collaboration with other musicians, it would be impossible to present a definitive collection of DJ Rashad's music, and many, many classics will remain unreleased forever. Includes collaborations with DJ Spinn, Taso, Gant-Man, DJ Manny, DJ Phil, DJ Earl, DJ Taye, Tripletrain, Boylan, DJ Tre, Traxman, and DJ Paypal.
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CD
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TEKLIFE 001CD
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Teklife presents Afterlife, the first release on the Teklife label. The album is a celebration of the life and music of the late, great DJ Rashad (1979-2014) and features 14 previously unreleased tracks, each a collaboration between DJ Rashad and friends from the Teklife crew and beyond. Afterlife is testament to an incredible breadth of influences and love of music with soul, hip-hop, house, techno, and many more all brought together at 160 BPM. Rashad's presence is felt throughout in the boundless energy and creativity that run through the album, while each collaborator brings a personal touch to the compositions. With such a prolific body of work as both a solo artist and in collaboration with other musicians, it would be impossible to present a definitive collection of DJ Rashad's music, and many, many classics will remain unreleased forever. Includes collaborations with DJ Spinn, Taso, Gant-Man, DJ Manny, DJ Phil, DJ Earl, DJ Taye, Tripletrain, Boylan, DJ Tre, Traxman, and DJ Paypal.
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