Tech house classics mix

I delved deep into my collection from the 90s and compiled a new mix of tracks from 1998 that rocked a certain club I played at back then, The Box. It's a tech-house/techno classics mix called "Sweat" - the follow up to part 1 of the mix posted here.

This sort of music suited the space perfectly - it was a low-roofed dark basement which, when busy, sweat dripped from the roof. By today's air-conditioned standards that might sound a little low-brow but when The Box was in full flight there were few better clubbing experiences to be had anywhere. The sound system was beyond compare locally and records took on a new life when played there.

The mix contains music by Green Velvet, Stacey Pullen, DJ HMC, Danny Tenaglia, Christopher Just, Quakerman, G Flame and more.

If you dig this I regularly post more along these lines on my facebook.com/robwarnerdj feed.

Compilation release on Ready Mix Recs

Normally I'm on the music fan/reviewer side of the fence but just for today I am on the artist side. I have a new compilation out on Canadian label Ready Mix Records which has been home to some superb artists over the past decade including Tone Depth, Stan Kolev, Quicksound, Lemon Popsicle etc.

The mix is volume two in the Already Mixed series and covers the more New York/East Cost side of the label's sound. The artists mentioned above are included as are some special edits and co-productions I worked on which are exclusive to the mix.

The mix is available in mixed and unmixed versions at Beatport but you can check out a 20 minute teaser of the mix in the player below!

Various Artists - Already Mixed Vol.2 (Compiled & Mixed by Rob Warner) [192K Clip] by Ready Mix Records

Beatport for tunes and full mix: Already Mixed Vol 2, mixed by Rob Warner

Head on over to www.facebook.com/robwarnerdj for more info and music.

A chill out mix for a quiet Sunday afternoon

My latest mix for your listening pleasure.

It's the result of a rainy Sunday afternoon session and has music which is quirky, familiar, fresh, ancient and sometimes random - but all with the sole aim: to chill.

It follows from last year's 'The Way You Groove Me' - this time it's 'The Way You Chill Me'.

It spans artists from completely different backgrounds including: Octave One, Vanessa Daou, Nuyorican Soul, Neneh Cherry, Asad Rizvi, Bjork, Idjut Boys, Erykah Badhu, Dimitri From Paris and M-People (I know you secretly love them).

Link to listen or direct download: http://soundcloud.com/rob-w/rob-w-the-way-you-chill-me

Rob Warner - The Way You Chill Me (2011) by Rob W

Dance albums you really should own #1

I got a "list 10 albums you love" invite on Facebook recently and it made me think how many amazing albums and compilations I've loved over the years. I thought I'd share a couple with you every month.

Nuyorican Soul - Nuyorican Soul (1996)
The number of people into funky/vocal house who don't know this album is astounding considering it could make an argument to be in the top 10 electronic albums since 1990. Masters At Work aka 'Little' Louie Vega and Kenny Dope brought live elements on-board and some A-league contributors for this Nuyorican Soul album - Jocelyn Brown, India, Roy Ayers and George Benson. It is a masterpiece, one which MAW haven't been able to top since. 

Key moments: 'I Am The Black Gold Of The Sun', 'It's Alright, I Feel It' 

Youtube: It's Alright, I Feel It

Jeff Mills - Live At The Liquid Room, Tokyo (1996)

At the opposite end of the spectrum is this - one of the nastiest, grittiest mixes you'll ever hear. It represents exactly what Detroit techno legend Jeff Mills is like live - because it was recorded live. It may be a little sloppy by the perfect protools mix standards of today but the energy which comes out of this mix is beyond compare. Crowd noises are audible in the segues as Mills doubles-up on tracks, flanging and crossfading them to raise the tension about as high as it can go. Covering a massive 38 tracks in 67 minutes and for much of the time playing on three decks Mills' mix was the mix which introduced many people to the Detroit style of DJing. Features: The Advent, DJ Funk, Surgeon, Claude Young etc.

Put simply, this should be required listening for all DJs before they're allowed to set foot in a club booth. 

Key Moments: The whole thing.

Youtube: Live At The Liquid Room (Part 1)

A DJ Mix by Rob - March 2010

Here is a new mix by me. It's got a wide variety of music on it, from new to very old and a few never-to-be-released gems, with one theme in common: groove. If you like what you see elsewhere on this blog then that's pretty much the vibe.

Link: The Way You Groove Me (March 2010)

If you were hoping for the next 'massif in Ibiza' or Pete Tong sort of thing then this definitely wont bake your noodle. If you live for Robin S remixes then you should ask yourself how you even landed here. Maybe a friend who is way cooler than you is trying to do your a favour? Perhaps you Googled 'bitchin house music' thinking you'd find a link to that Lady Gaga remake you heard in the supermarket?

Anyway, you made it this far you may as well check it out. Next time you’re getting ready to go clubbing put it on and then text your mates letting them know you’ll be 71 minutes late.

Contains music by Quicksound, Abe Duque, Alex Santer, Milton Jackson, Itokim, Danell Dixon, Marco Solforetti, Renato Cohen, Masse Memoire, Vangellis and more.

Future House Top 10 Chart - Rob Warner, Oct 2009

The year is hotting up with tons of labels and artists saving their best till the home stretch. Milton Jackson's latest, 'Falling', is a great return to a more hypnotic sound for him, and U&K's 'Elastic Exit' is a mad, futuristic Detroit-inspired gem worth checking out. If you're after a warm, summery prog vibe the Q-Burns remix of Kicksy & Alif Groove 'Out Of Nowhere' is your ticket!

Derrick May's Transmat Records also relaunches in style with Greg Gow's 'The Bridge' which ought to be this years Blackwater/Jaguar - take your pick.

1. Milton Jackson - Falling (Deep Mix) (Dark Energy)

2. Greg Gow - The Bridge (Late Night Grand River Mix) (Transmat)

3. Tim Sheridan - Bionic Language (House Mix) (Veryverywrongindeed Recordings)

4. U&K - Elastic Exit (Redflux Cinnabar)

5. Mark O'Sullivan - Within You (Secret Groovers Remix) (Nice & Nasty)

6. Elef.ant - Mudma (Weplayminimal)

7. Gary Caos - Madre Terra (John Lagora Dub) (Frequenza)

8. Kicksy & Alif Groove - Out Of Nowhere (Q-Burns Abstract Message Remix) (Plastic Fantastic)

9. Nima Nas & Nikko - Poser (Original) (Slanted Black)

10. F-Sonik - Experiencia (Aenaria Tribal)

Rob Warner's Future Garage Top 10, Sept 09

A major month for great music with both Japan and the Netherlands pumping out Detroit-esque futuristic sounds courtesy of Itokim and Orlando Voorn, two of the most talented producers out there as of late. Tribal rhythms also have a foot in the door with Serial Smokers "Talk is Cheap" and Rissidium "Midnight to Twilight".

Future Garage Top Ten
1. Itokim - Colourless (Itinerant Records)
2. Orlando Voorn - Angles (Itokim Praise mix) (Nice & Nasty)
3. Ascion & D.Carbone - Bad Bass (Alexi Delano Remix) (Smallroom)
4. Daniel Kyo - Synecdoque (Edwin & Ferdy Remix) (Ready Mix)
5. Serial Smokers - Talk is Cheap (Jaimy Remix) (Fatal Music)

6. Rissidium - Midnight to Twilight (NightChild Records)
7. Jackie Misfit - Kundi La Mapendo (Nima Gorji remix) (Jesus Loved You)
8. Fer Ferrari - In the Way (DeepClass Records)
9. Sick Fuck - Where Is The Kitchen? (Twisted)
10. Duomek - Bahrat (original mix) (Mintgum)

Classic Pic: Gerd - Arkest's Blaze (Music Man)
A 1995 backwards beat intro techno monster. Made famous on Stacey Pullen's DJ Kicks mix. Gerd records as Literon and Amplified Orchestra these days.

Hey! A mix to enjoy, The Box 1998.

A mix from me with a twist on the usual. Specifically, music played at the Box nightclub, Auckland in 1998.

The Box opened in 1990 and was the most influential club in New Zealand clubland for well over a decade. As the new addition to Cause Celebre next door which opened in 1989, it quickly became the benchmark in clubbing (see the full history of the Box & Cause Celebre).

By global standards a club in NZ might seem like a blip on the radar, but the Box held itself to the highest standards in forward-thinking dance music - no mean feat over such a long period of time. A strength of the club was its focus on being a resident-based club with the DJs playing four-plus hour sets as standard, often longer. It allowed the freedom to span the deepest house through to the freakiest electronica of the era.

This year is the 20th anniversary of the venue first opening and the original operators have put together a party 'Take Me Back' on 27 June at Studio, Auckland with Nathan Haines, Rob Salmon, Greg Churchill, Greg Johnson and many more. Take Me Back info here

I was a resident at the Box for about 17 months along with Greg Churchill. I put this mix together based on 1998 at the Box. This is sort of part 1 with part 2 to follow.

Download 1998 at The Box at Soundcloud.

If you want to jazz it up, here's some artwork for it. Cover artwork

Enjoy!

The debut 42 Below Silent Disco in Asia

8 November saw the first 42 Below Silent Disco in Asia take place at the stylish Loof bar in Singapore.

DJing the whole night on the rooftop bar alongside local hip-hop DJ Andrew Teo (resident at Singapore's funky The Butter Factory), who was in fine form, while I was on the other 'channel' playing house, disco and a few classics. It was a great night in all with tons of people clearly getting carried away with the concept.

Special thanks to the ex-pat kiwis who showed up to party and to Made From New Zealand.

See the rest of the 42 Below Silent Disco Singapore photos at flashpixs.com.

Ready Mix Sessions iTunes podcast link

The Ready Mix Sessions show is now featured on iTunes as a free podcast. Ready Mix Sessions on iTunes

Direct link to Rob Warner on Ready Mix Session at iTunes.

Features tracks from: Stan Kolev, Milton Jackson, Louie Balo, Minimal Funk, Valentino Kanzyani, F-Sonic, Bobby Dowell, Mike Monday, Tomy Declerque, Planet Jazz, Elegia and more.

Ready Mix Sessions on Proton Radio

I thought it was time I got a mix online. As luck would have it the great crew at Ready Mix Records have included a mix I made for them in their Proton Radio show, the Ready Mix Sessions.

Link: Rob Warner - Ready Mix Sessions on Proton radio

Ready Mix Records are one of the more reliable labels in the house music business - especially if you're into deep, dubby, futuristic styles. They've had releases from artists such as Tone Depth, Stan Kolev, David Kassi, Quicksound, BiG Al and more - and are a bloody good bunch of people too!

Previous guest DJs on the Ready Mix Sessions include Asad Rizvi, Satoshi Tomiie, Saeed, Demi, DJ Chus, Tone Depth and more. These are also available on the Ready Mix Sessions page. Enjoy!

Rob Warner Top Ten Chart - August 08

Another month goes by and yet more sublime tunes surface. A mix of mostly techno and prog have caught my ear in the past weeks. Check out especially the Tr-One and Tomi Chair releases on Irish label Nice & Nasty. Also on the futuristic front Pako & Frederik's latest has a wicked remix from Andy Slate and Alexander Koning showing that prog and techno do mix! Malaysian prog leaders Pure Substance also return with Sancho & E-Lation's latest gem.. a mind-warping funky, percussive prog number. Enjoy!

1. Sancho & E-Lation - Western Canada (Original) (Pure Substance)
2. Pako & Frederik - The Alert (Andy Slate & Alexander Koning remix) (GU Music)
3. Tr-One - Mystery Train (Neil Maguire Remix) (Nice & Nasty)
4. TC Maniak - Nudity and Phlegm (Pako & Frederik Re-Edit) (Ready Mix)
5. Laid - Mercy (Shur I Kan Deep Mix) (Physical Graffiti)
6. Tomi Chair - Midnight Skywalker (Original mix) (Nice & Nasty)
7. Uone & Pavel Khvaleev - Make Me Wet (Continuum Remix) (Disoma)
8. Andreas Kremer - Peace In Our Life (Parallel 125 Records)
9. Jeff Bennett - Plumes (Basek Remix) (Kungfu Dub)
10. F Sonik - Plastic Time (Jesus Loved You)

Music Spiel Reviews with Rob Warner - January 08

Rob's Music Spiel - New reviews for Jan 2008

It's bombs away for 2008 as house maestro Milton Jackson returns with his latest Urbantorque release alongside Sei A, as does Valentino Kanzyani and Marko Nastic with a more minimal number on he new WOW! Records label. Tribal and progressive make a renewed showing with Keith Blackstone, R.O.R. Collective and Sancho & E-Lation. Read on...

Milton Jackson & Sei A – Jinzou (Urbantorque)
After a cracker year in 2007 Milton Jackson returns with Sei A with a more low-key track in that hazy in-between style Jackson is known for. It's full of mellow chords, blips and subtle transitions between deep house and tech-house – you could call it future garage – classic but futuristic. Scope add a twisted bass-heavy re-edit with raw Detroit influences as well as a full remix which is a heavier version for the floor. Manuel Tur adds the final mix which has a soulful house touch with an old-school piano line and epic break. Cracker record! myspace.com/miltonjackson06

Keith Blackstone- Enhancer/Yube (Fatal Music)
Fatal Music kick the walls down with their usual subtlety of tribal rhythms and big-room fx. The original of Enhancer is a dark and jacking pure NYC house track full of sinister synth stabs and pitched down, drugged-up vocals. Jaimy's remix is tribal to the bone with a breakdown to tweak out even the most sober person in the. 'Yube' is a more minimalistic number with a low sub bass to rumble the speakers overtop of the snappy groove and spoken vocals. A few small change-ups throughout the track and a funky old-school stabbing synth give this tune an infectious hook. myspace.com/keithblackstone

R.O.R. Collective - Scarface (Slanted Black)
If percussive, syncopated rhythms are your thing then you can't go past the label which is fast becoming a tribal house institution. Scarface is a track with a tribal groove which gets more and more intense as the track goes on. In fitting with its namesake the track uses elements of the theme music from Scarface. You'd think this would make for another movie-sampling cheese-fest but you'd be wrong. R.O.R Collective weave it into the groove and arrangement subtly and without overdoing it one bit. Find yourself a dark room with a large sound system and this will shred. myspace.com/rorcollective

Sancho & E-Lation - I Want Your Soul (Pure Substance)
The original of 'I Want Your Soul' is straight up big-room synthy prog with a great energy and nice arrangement full of little drops and direction changes. Sancho does his own mix – a straight-up clubby version with a bouncing party groove and looped/cut up vocals. Aber's Soulhunter remix is more laid-back and melodic and has Nick Warren written all over it with subtle synths and deep rolling bass sitting underneath a stabbed melody. Starlab add an in-your-face mix in the form of a glitchy breakbeat remix full of distortion and endlessly edited segments to create a pretty intense mood. www.myspace.com/sanchoandelation

Valentino Kanzyani & Marko Nastic - Twisted Movement (WOW! Records)
Twisted Movement shows the more restrained side of Kanzyani and Umek with a simple, chipper groove using their usual flawless production skills. With little more than a percussion kit and some nicely tunes FX they produce a groove which most can only hope to achieve. Add some muted saxophone-esque sequences and the result is as twisted as the track's name implies. 'Unexpected Cure' is a more dance floor track with a house groove and solid, almost Kerri Chander style, keys and bass. Nicely delayed snippets and quirky steel drum rolls round this off as a useful tune to have in the crate. myspace.com/djmarkonastic

Rob Warner - Top Ten Chart January 2008

2008 kicks off with a bang and a roar. Hybrid tech/tribal/house is the name of the game...

Rob Warner - Top Ten Future Garage chart, January 2008

- house, techno, tribal, space disco -

1. F.Sonik & Tomy DeClerque - Pleasant Noise (CDR)
2. Valentino Kanzyani - Prizmas & Boomerangs (Jesus Loved You Ltd)

3. Nutownproject & Jeik - Petit Bruit (Immigrant Digital)

4. Vierro - Take My Time (Slanted Black)

5. Tech - Circulation (CDR)

6. Alejandro Roman - As Seen On TV (Bando remix) (Vezotonik Ltd)

7. Keith Blackstone - Yube (Instrumental Mix) (Fatal Music)

8. Ailo - Sunday Afternoon (Aenaria Chill)

9. Arno Cost & Norman Doray - Apocalypse (Cr2 Records)

10. Edin Chuturic - Soul Acoustics (original mix) (Astrodisco)

Enjoy!

FeralCode Records 2nd birthday radio show

Frisky Radio presents FeralCode Records' 2nd birthday show.

FeralCode Records turns two in November and to celebrate Frisky Radio is hosting a 23 hour show in honour. A one-hour mix by Rob Warner will feature on the show which airs 18 November (from 07am PST) and includes mixes from FeralCode artists and friends: Ariel Cybana, Clubbervision, Deviant, dPen, Francis Blaid, Fred Numf, Marrakech, Max Demand, Nicholas Van Orton, Pablo Roma, Rob Warner, Slok, and more. See www.friskyradio.com

My upcoming gigs for November.

• 10 November - Crowbar - Auckland, NZ
• 15 November - Bamboo9 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
• 16 November - Private "NZ Martini party" at Vault Bar @ Laris (Three On The Bund) - Shanghai, China
• 17 November - 42 Below Vodka presents "Park 97 DJ Bash" - Rob Warner, Dave '3D' Ward and Jasmine Li - Shanghai, China
• 22 November - Evisu Bar - Hong Kong
• 24 November - private function - Singapore

An introduction...

A quick intro for myself and what I'm all about. DJ and producer from Auckland, NZ. A fan of all sorts of forward-thinking dance music whether it is house, tribal, techno, disco or whatever. I play a mix of tunes I love, seamed together into what I like to call "future garage" - edgy, electronic music which still has a classic, soulful vibe to it.

Check out: www.myspace.com/djrobwarner and also www.myspace.com/tribalamerica - a tribute page to Tribal America Records, a classic house label if ever there was one.