While continuing in the spirit of "Dope Jams NYC Volume 1: 2005-2012", which compiled some of the shop’s most cherished tracks from its seven-year run in Brooklyn, here 10 years later we present the collection’s second addendum EP. It moves partially beyond the title’s timeframe – pulling together a couple of the store’s more recent favorites since its 2013 reopening upstate, along with two older gems from its Myrtle Ave days.
Kicking things off is a full-sided pressing of aptly titled techno stormer “Direct Contact.” Bursting forth with a no nonsense, party rockin’ swagger, Greek producer June’s blistering monster of a tune swiftly unleashes an arsenal of arpeggiated synths, jackin’ percussion and out-of-nowhere flourishes with the single-minded purpose of movin’ the crowd.
Gracing the B-side are a trio of selections that occupy far moodier terrains. “Imprints,” the lead-off track from T.E.A.L.’s debut LP "Cuttings", is a fine example of Dope Jams’ long-held but largely overlooked penchant for dark and dynamic ambient musics. Heavily textured with ripping distortion and space-enhancing tape delay, the piece offers up a brief yet haunting dispatch from a doomed and desolate mind-state.
In a more upbeat vein, “Music On My Mind” looks back almost 25 years to the creative apex of Garden State garage royalty Smack. Operating under their Mental Instrum alias, the low-profile production unit crafts an elegant blend of feather-light chords and bumpin’ kicks to firmly underscore guest collaborator Storm’s sincere vocals.
Fittingly capping the record is “Blast Knuckles,” the first completed – and hitherto unreleased – track by Dope Jams friends Beige. Rawly produced yet intricately layered, it sketches a fleeting picture of the unique style of lo-fi deep techno the duo developed over the course of their woefully brief partnership.
Kicking things off is a full-sided pressing of aptly titled techno stormer “Direct Contact.” Bursting forth with a no nonsense, party rockin’ swagger, Greek producer June’s blistering monster of a tune swiftly unleashes an arsenal of arpeggiated synths, jackin’ percussion and out-of-nowhere flourishes with the single-minded purpose of movin’ the crowd.
Gracing the B-side are a trio of selections that occupy far moodier terrains. “Imprints,” the lead-off track from T.E.A.L.’s debut LP "Cuttings", is a fine example of Dope Jams’ long-held but largely overlooked penchant for dark and dynamic ambient musics. Heavily textured with ripping distortion and space-enhancing tape delay, the piece offers up a brief yet haunting dispatch from a doomed and desolate mind-state.
In a more upbeat vein, “Music On My Mind” looks back almost 25 years to the creative apex of Garden State garage royalty Smack. Operating under their Mental Instrum alias, the low-profile production unit crafts an elegant blend of feather-light chords and bumpin’ kicks to firmly underscore guest collaborator Storm’s sincere vocals.
Fittingly capping the record is “Blast Knuckles,” the first completed – and hitherto unreleased – track by Dope Jams friends Beige. Rawly produced yet intricately layered, it sketches a fleeting picture of the unique style of lo-fi deep techno the duo developed over the course of their woefully brief partnership.
STAFF COMMENTS
Matt says: Huuuuge record from our good friends in NYC. That June track will decimate even the keenest rave goblins and sure to rattle even the hardiest soldiers of The White Hotel. Meanwhile on side B we get some cerebral respite from Beige, generative dreamworlds from TEAL and spiritual house from Mental Instrum. You wanna quwarrfee with dat?! (sorry, couldn't resist).TRACK LISTING
A1. June - Direct Contact
B1. T.E.A.L - Imprints
B2. Mental Instrum - Music On My Mind
B3. Beige - Blast Knuckles