(BB19) Sipp & Steamgoat - Valor

It's been a long time overdue for a record label to finally take the plunge and put out some music from the Montreal-based duo, Sipp & Steamgoat, and I'm not surprised that label is Broken Bubble, fast becoming a home for forward-thinking music that strives to stand out as unique.

"Unique" is not a word I find myself using rarely when listening to the music produced by these guys, and when you buy this release (which you will), you'll see why. It is, in my opinion obviously, the greatest showcase of their work that there is.

Opener "COUSCOUS" really sets the tone for the EP, and is so loosely held together you get the feeling it might break down at any moment in total collapse. It's nice to hear something recent that's so loose and laid back that doesn't feel like the latest take on L.A.-style "beats" music, and it flow's perfectly into the next track, "In Between", a piece that feels almost like it could fit into the "Modern Classical" bracket, until Sipp & Steamgoat up the intensity on the drums (I noticed that I was actually leaning in towards the computer during this tune) before taking it all away with a few seconds of calypso. Next up is the ethereal "Doorstep", which benefits from the vocals of Graciellita (who couldn't do anything that sounds like what anybody else is making if she tried). "Real Estate" highlights the amazing vocal work on this release. Where other producers might let the samples run on, Sipp & Steamgoat cut them frantically, stopping them short of delivering their full message. "Shelf Life", the most overtly "Night Tracks" tune on the release, calls an end to the original works, but don't be disheartened.

Broken Bubble have really pulled out a series of remixers on this one. Prof. Logik adds some bounce to "COUSCOUS", Kwala completely deconstructs "In Between", label-head Cogidubnus manages to summon a ghost of "Real Estate", while Mirror State puts some distance between you and "In Between", and Sina brings things to an epic finish with his take on "Real Estate".

Props have got to go to Cogi for putting out this piece. Every release from Broken Bubble makes me wonder how they're going to top the last, or keep putting out fresh, new sounds, but they haven't failed yet.

You can pre-order the release now, or just wait until tomorrow, June 25th for the full release.

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Interview with Cogidubnus & Night Tracks 039: Guest Mix

Today we've got the multi-talented Cogidubnus in to talk a little about how he turns his skills to DJing, producing and running a label that should be a perfect case example for anybody thinking of starting their own digital label. His label, Broken Bubble, was definitely one I looked to for inspiration, and Cogi was actually a really big help in getting Night Tracks as a label to where it is today. Read on to learn a little about the man behind the music...

NT: Hey man, can you give us an introduction?

C: I’ve been DJ’ing as Cogidubnus since early 2009 when I started the Sicknote night in Manchester and got into production soon afterwards.

NT: You seem to me to have quite eclectic tastes in music. How were these formed? What influence have they had on your productions and the label you run?

C: I was surrounded by all kinds of different music when I was a kid. My parents between them played piano, cello, violin and viola and played me a lot of classical music, whilst my elder siblings were playing all kinds of rock and metal – Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden and Queen were all bands I appreciated as a kid and I had a long metal and grunge phase before eventually getting more into electronic with my brother introducing me to the likes of Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk and then later The Orb and Future Sound of London. That led me to discover Warp and Ninja Tune artists and head on into the wider world of what I think people were calling “ambient techno” at the time.

Cogidubnus - The Future Boards Of Cheadle 

(BB16) Cogidubnus - Memorabilia

Fresh out of the Haus of Broken Bubble, it's label head honcho Cogidubnus with a new EP.

I knew it would be quite a release when I noticed that the opener was 'The Future Boards of Cheadle', a track that caught my ears on Soundcloud a couple of months ago, and it really sets the scene for an EP full of tracks that sound like they were unfortunate to be cut from a Selected Ambient Works of Aphex Twin release (although the name of the track alone more than hints at a homage to The Future Sounds Of London and Boards Of Canada).

In previous reviews of Broken Bubble stuff, I've mentioned that they manage to constantly release stuff unlike anything you've ever heard before, and it's like Cogidubnus took upon a challenge of reinforcing that as strongly as possible. Different though it may be, I can't help but feel like there's sounds I've heard before waiting to burst through, and I guess that just shows how strong the release is. Not many have forged sonic memories into something so futuristic as well as this. It's not easy to do. Cogidubnus himself says "Memorabilia is the past's re-imagning of the future" and he sure hasn't disappointed.

The EP finished with four remixes that could easily form a release capable of standing on it's own with tunes re-imagined by BB stalwarts Pogflipper and Hurtdeer and two outstanding pieces from soon-to-be BB favourites Steamgoat and Sipp, the former being a chilled (loathed as I am to use that term) yet emotional piece, and the latter being a futuristic slice of UKG that unexpectedly transforms into alien breaks just after the 3 minute mark.

Grab the EP from Broken Bubble's Bandcamp page from March 26th.

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A Recommendation: Ak0pian - Fields of Fortune EP (Broken Bubble)

I was lucky enough to receive a promo copy of one of my favourite label's (Broken Bubble) releases, and needless to say, they keep the quality high with this EP from the Italian producer Ak0pian.

This is an album that has a real mish-mash of styles, but never once do you think it's purely for the sake of being different. In 3 minutes, title track and opener "Fields Of Fortune" goes from being a reverb soaked, futuristic-synth shuffle to a laid-back jam without you ever noticing, while "Recognizing" goes almost into some broken-dubstep territory.

However, don't let the subtle-but-many variances fool you, this is an incredibly cohesive release that gets by without being too same-y. All the tracks are underlined with lush ambient soundscapes, that really come to the front on tracks like "Outside The Door".

After the 6 original tracks have finished, there's an added bonus in the form of a percussion-driven remix of the title track by Fedbymachines and an almost eerie slow house take on "Rest To Go" by label boss Cogidubnus.

Check out the previews...


(BB14) Ak0pian - Fields Of Fortune will be available from February 13th on the usual digital outlets, including the Broken Bubble bandcamp page, where you can pre-order it now.