MOST TALENTED TECH/MINIMAL PRODUCER - JUDGES COMMENTS:
Emeskay - Planet Party
http://soundcloud.com/emeskay_promo/emeskay-planet-party-preview
Emeskay really is on fire with this track and came a very close second here. It's already been released and it's available on Beatport. What we like here is the production quality - the sounds just 'work' together and you can imagine it sounding massive on a large sound system. There's actually not much to fault at all, with the track constantly evolving, changing and progressing. Great stuff. 9/10
Leo Teruz Addj - Could You Be Loved (Tech House remix)
http://soundcloud.com/audio-komplex-low-tek/leo-teruz-addj-could-you-be
A good idea but we feel it should have been entered into the house category instead. The side chain compression is too much on the vocal at the beginning - which lets the track down. However, once it comes in completely it's in the right sound space. There's a point at 2.19 where the volume rises too much but we like the slow down and it kicks back in as you'd expect. Very imaginative! Kick needs more sub though! 7/10
Emeskay – Morpheus
http://soundcloud.com/emeskay_promo/emeskay-morpheus-preview
Emeskay has shown true talent in this category! The track is well mastered, loud but not distorted. The ideas aren't as good as the previous track but it's perfectly playable and again, has already been released. Follow these excellent producers here: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Emeskay/163524287085089 8/10
Rejtek – Polylith
http://soundcloud.com/rejtek/polylith
What a great track! The kick and sub are in the perfect spots and the inclusion of the noticeable vocal is what has the potential to turn this into an anthem. A great surprise in the main break is when the acid line enters. Everything works in this track and proves what a talent this man is. Watch out! 9/10
Morgan Page - The Longest Road (Bassfactor Bootleg)
http://soundcloud.com/bassfactor-1/morgan-page-the-longest-road
This track surprisingly works - although we can't help feeling the kick is too trancy/hard for your average dark tech/minimal club (a little of the punch could have been knocked back). The vocal is placed in the perfect place and for what it is, this track has been produced well and could easily be released. 7/10
Syko - Virtuosity [This is an acid house track]
http://soundcloud.com/syko-2/svi
This is a prime example of a track which could be absolutely huge but needs a little more work on the production side. The ideas are amazing, the 80's/90's vibe is massively evident, but sometimes the acid can be a little harsh on the ears due to a few rogue resonant frequencies. We really would love to see this one worked on further! 7/10
Bassfactor - When The Cracks Start To Appear
http://soundcloud.com/bassfactor-1/bassfactor-when-the-cracks
TRACK NOT AVAILABLE ON SOUNDCLOUD ANYMORE, SO COULDNT COMMENT.
Benny Aims - The Creepy Guy
http://soundcloud.com/benny-aims/the-creepy-guy
For pure originality, this one has truly impressed us. There's not much out there like this and it's a breath of fresh air in the musicality department. The only issue (which stopped us giving a higher mark) was the separation in the sounds - with a few frequencies conflicting. Most notably the kick has too much in the 100-300hz region, which is giving the bassline less space to breath. 8/10
Mister Flic - Tanz Für Die Freiheit (Synthiago RMX)
http://soundcloud.com/mister-flic/mister-flic-tanz-f-r-die
Superb track! The ideas here are excellent, the drum programming is top notch and the musicality inside Mister Flic's head really shines through. The only issue we had was some of the sounds needed attention on the volumes. Claps could have been louder by a few db and the string began to get quite loud! We loved the delay on the break though. 8/10
WINNER!
Vid Marjanovic & Simon Roge – Cocaine
http://soundcloud.com/vid-marjanovic/vid-marjanovic-simon-roge-7
To be released on Drugstore Records, this polishes off this category perfect. The standard has been so high and this is a first class entry. We think this one will work best in the clubs out of all of them, especially as there's such a rolling groove to it all and just the right amount of 'attitude'. Fantastic stuff going on here and some beautiful effects work with the delays on the main sound. These guys have definitely studied their art! Apparently from Belgrade. We need to hear more! 9/10
MOST TALENTED TECH/MINIMAL DJ - JUDGES COMMENTS:
DJ D-Votion - Minimal Tech House
http://soundcloud.com/d-votion/d-votion-minimal-tech-house
This is a good solid 'party' sounding mix, although the sound quality could have been better so we could hear things properly! D-Votion can absolutely mix and his choice of tracks flow well into each other. It looses a little momentum at 38 minutes (which is a shame) but all in all not bad! 7/10
WINNER!
Trojan Beatz - Promo Mix (May 2012)
http://soundcloud.com/beatz2krecordings/trojan-beatz-promo-mix-may
A mixture of deep, tech and progressive house, the sound quality here is super-warm and inviting. In fact, the perfect levels throughout make the music sound so good! Each track has maximum character and identity. Trojan Beats also know how to blend the right track into the next, which is important if you're going to keep your crowd focused and interested. But the variety and quality of music here is key we feel. A great winner. 9/10
Demika
http://soundcloud.com/demika/new-demika-subterrania-22-07
Demika mixes well. The music style is deep and dark and the mixing is about seamless blending that really does work. This is the kind of mix you can put on and still be looping it over and over 3 hours later! The only thing that lets this one down is the part from 23-33 minutes, which would have gone better nearer the beginning, as the kicks in the rest of the mix are so much more powerful. 8/10
Technoist
http://soundcloud.com/esh_technoist/technoist-lead-balloon
A great mix is all about telling a story and this opens with a brilliant intro to set the scene. The Technoist has gone for deep, deep stuff here and we love it! You can't fault the track selection one bit and the mix maintains flow until the very end. Some of the mixes you just can't tell have happened! This is a very unique style - one that needs to be heard out more. Volume levels are consistent and there's not an ounce of distortion in site. A close second in this category! 9/10
Ryan Gee – Deep In House Vol 3
http://soundcloud.com/ryan-gee/ryan-gee-deep-in-house-vol-3
We loved the way this mix opened in true party style and kept on an exciting level for the first half. Mixing is tight and interesting, with tracks flowing nicely together. It lost a little bit of momentum half way though but apart from that Ryan Gee chooses some great tracks! Nice work! 8/10
Sairkarna
http://soundcloud.com/sairkarna/schranz-total-1
TRACK NOT AVAILABLE ON SOUNDCLOUD ANYMORE, SO COULDNT COMMENT.
FINAL WINNERS:
MOST TALENTED TECH/MINIMAL PRODUCER: VID MARJANOVIC & SIMON ROGE
MOST TALENTED TECH/MINIMAL DJ: TROJAN BEATZ
