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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 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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CD
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DNC 1205CD
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Traxman, the originating footwork DJ and producer, is now constantly touring Europe, Asia, and the States. Member of Teklife and mastermind of Tekk DJ'z, he is most famous for his classic Da Mind of Traxman series on Planet Mu, begun in 2012 -- not to mention the ghetto house tracks he's released since. In 2015, he released Birds Not Bitches on UK label Albion Records and 5000 on Berlin's Dizzy Tunes. With Slash Time, Traxman returns in full footwork battle glory with an extension -- or, better yet, an upgrade -- to the highly acclaimed EP of the same name released in 2014 on Duck N' Cover. This is not Da Mind of Traxman Vol 3; this is not not a follow-up to Teklife, his great album on Lit City; this is Traxman's most personal and intimate album to date. Each of his releases has made people turn their heads, surprised and stunned at the quality, soul, musicianship, and inspiration, and this one is no different. Taking on a rough edge, this is an accurate document of what it means to grow up, live, and DJ in the projects of Chicago. Beats and cuts sharp as a knife; snares and synths like gunfire. Five tracks feature fellow Tekk DJ'z member and good friend DJ Fred. CD includes six extra tracks.
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LP+CD
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DNC 1205LP
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LP version with CD. The vinyl features 8 tracks while the included CD contains the entire 14-track album. Traxman, the originating footwork DJ and producer, is now constantly touring Europe, Asia, and the States. Member of Teklife and mastermind of Tekk DJ'z, he is most famous for his classic Da Mind of Traxman series on Planet Mu, begun in 2012 -- not to mention the ghetto house tracks he's released since. In 2015, he released Birds Not Bitches on UK label Albion Records and 5000 on Berlin's Dizzy Tunes. With Slash Time, Traxman returns in full footwork battle glory with an extension -- or, better yet, an upgrade -- to the highly acclaimed EP of the same name released in 2014 on Duck N' Cover. This is not Da Mind of Traxman Vol 3; this is not not a follow-up to Teklife, his great album on Lit City; this is Traxman's most personal and intimate album to date. Each of his releases has made people turn their heads, surprised and stunned at the quality, soul, musicianship, and inspiration, and this one is no different. Taking on a rough edge, this is an accurate document of what it means to grow up, live, and DJ in the projects of Chicago. Beats and cuts sharp as a knife; snares and synths like gunfire. Five tracks feature fellow Tekk DJ'z member and good friend DJ Fred.
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