Album Review: '93' by Maceo Plex out on Lone Romantic

 

        FIRST and FOREMOST, let's highlight the artistry of Maceo Plex as he has been a favorite of B.B.'s for MANY years.  The amount of tracks and remixes that have become staples in DJ sets throughout electronic dance music primarily in subgenres of house, techno, tech house, and electro have been revered by the community as a whole. A personal favorite being the Maceo Plex remix of Gus Gus's track "Crossfade".  

    Now let's move on to the task at hand. The album review of '93' will entail a review by track just like previous reviews on this website. Here's the description of the album from Maceo Plex: 

"The wait is over. ‘93, my newest album, is finally out. It’s a fusion of diverse influences throughout my musical career—from techno to drum and bass, rap to pop, and beyond. Dive into it, I’m excited to hear your first impressions!"

1. "Wervik": A delightful introduction track filled with the feeling that the listener is about to go on a journey such as those by Maceo Plex DJ sets. 

2. "You Don't Have To Wait" featuring Cubicolor: A great collaboration of artists featuring a well written track and well executed vocals to set the mood. The story behind the lyrics is intriguing. 

3. "Revision" featuring Gio Santi: This track has made the rotation in many DJ sets, radio shows, and podcasts throughout 2023. A personal favorite featuring elements of music that you can't help but sing along and vibe. 

4. "Clickbait (This Ain't Hollywood) featuring AVNU (UK): An up-tempo track that begins just as the last one ends. Perhaps garnering your attention just like the "clickbait" of content on the internet.

5. "Nasty" featuring Tyler Hill: The vibes are fun now and the beats provided here are just as the track suggests, "nasty". Are you dancing yet? 

6. "Serpent Jazz" featuring AVNU (UK): Another collaboration by these artists on this album that showcases elements of Jazz fused with electro. The dancing continues. 

7. "Get Out of Here" featuring Perry Farrell: The nuance of the track titles continues as you dance to this fantastic collaboration. The story behind this collaboration based on mutual respect is also very intriguing. 

8. "Stop That": The delightful tracks continue almost as an interlude of albums throughout music history, but also reminding us to enjoy the music. 

9. "Hooligan Plex": More delightful yet weird vibes to enjoy as the dancing just keeps going.

10. "Just You And I": Without trying to sound repetitive, another delightful track to remain upright trying out the next dance move. 

11. "All Night (Garage Version)" featuring Oscar and the Wolf: Another staple in DJ sets, radio shows, podcasts in 2023 that will get a crowd going.  I challenge you to NOT sing along nor dance. It's IMPOSSIBLE. Might as well add it to the personal favorite list of the album.

12. "Moon Sky (House Version)" featuring Ishi: These intricate collaborations just keep the fantastic vibes going. 

13. "Go Back" featuring Desire & AVNU (UK): Never underestimate the power of collaboration within music and the inspiring input it can have on a track and an album. How are you enjoying this track? More dancing.

14. "You're My Desire" featuring Mystic Bill:  Another collaboration to get onboard the delightful vibes train of this album. ALL ABOARD! 

15. "Shine On & On (Orbital Tribute)" featuring Kirsty Hawkshaw: Choosing the FINAL track of the album must have been difficult, but this track was GREAT. The utilization of vocals mixed with the musical elements sends the listener on their way.

    The beauty of music as an artform is as every previous track on this album suggests, is to evoke emotion, and you guessed it, DELIGHTFUL vibes throughout your listener journey.  You could say that this review may be biased due to the respect of Maceo Plex already, however, full length albums present a risk of not living up to the hype. In this case, this album should be revered for years and another accomplishment for his legacy. 

PLEASE support this album wherever you support music! Here's a handy link as well as the Spotify version. Also check out the Album Video below. 

The Latest Releases from Drumcode Records

 

    Over the years in electronic dance music, there have been record labels that have distinct sounds that capture the masses.  Founded and Owned by DJ & Producer Adam Beyer, Drumcode Records has cemented itself has one of the premiere record labels in techno and electronic dance music.  Therefore, this highlight has been LONG overdue.  The infections melodies and beats ingrained throughout every track over the years have been and will continue to be celebrated.     

    Therefore, let's highlight some recent released tracks (in no particular order) that can be found on Beatport, Soundcloud, Spotify, Apple Music, and all other music streaming platforms available. Please enjoy all of these tracks and support them wherever you can! 

Fun Fact: This label has tied with Coldharbour Recordings for favorite labels by B.B. of BB Media Industries.

Drumcode · Charles D (USA) - Don't Stop - Drumcode - DC287

Drumcode · Mha Iri - The Unexpected - Drumcode - DC288

Drumcode · Space 92 - Time - Drumcode - DC289

Drumcode · Victor Ruiz & Modeā - Bloom - Drumcode - DC290

Drumcode · Marco Faraone - Emergency - Drumcode - DCX007

Drumcode · Adam Beyer - Desert Queen - Drumcode - DC291

The Re-Branding

 

    Thinking back to 2013 and 2014 when this "formally known as a blog" began as an outlet to showcase talent that may not otherwise be widely known through the passion of music, it was branded with a couple of logos that were simple for identification. For lack of better words, those logos just stuck around as the BB Media Industries umbrella grew with projects over the years.  The decision to keep creating content through the reviews, artist highlights, and other text that has garnered traffic over the years in 2023 needed to align with the overall Re-Branding of the media company. Therefore, please see the new logo/poster and banner presented here.

Album Review: 'The Rabbit Hole Circus' by Markus Schulz

    

    First let me address "the elephant in the room", it has been awhile since a new Album Review was published here, and after much deliberation about the content creation on The Love of Music Project under the BB Media Industries umbrella, it seems appropriate to continue.  

    If you are new or have not checked out a post on The Love of Music Project yet, WELCOME! As you may know, the music industry has been changing in certain ways for years, and the recent world pandemic has been adding to the suspense by artists and fans. Markus Schulz has been featured many times here over the years due to B.B.'s appreciation for his artistry and dedication to his craft. Therefore, as his NINTH album has been released today June 30, 2023, let's review all tracks of 'The Rabbit Hole Circus'.

1. "Death of a Star" featuring HALIENE: This isn't the first track these two have collaborated on and those previous tracks were much more anthemic in the electronic dance scene. However, this slower tempo track is great to begin the album as a warm up. It is refreshing to listen to HALIENE's vocals in a different way than before. 
2. "Stay Gold" featuring Melody Mane: Another slower tempo track to continue with the "warm up" of the album. Melody Mane's vocals mesh with the overall vibe of the track. 
3.  "Light On" featuring Sarah de Warren: A new turning point on the album with a longer introduction followed by a delightful mix of vocals and vibes. A testament to good songwriting as these vocal tracks continue. 
4. "Eternally" featuring Diandra Faye: The FIRST single off of this album that has been on playlists, live sets, and the Global DJ Broadcast in the anticipation of the entire album. This track provides upbeat vibes as you continue on the journey of the album. 
5. "Stolen" featuring Pretty Poison: A personal favorite track off of the album as the "old school" 1980's feeling provides a groovy vibe for any music aficionado to enjoy. 
6. "More Than This" featuring Dan Soleil: For those aware or unaware of the "dark, twisted, and wonderful" of the "Rabbit Hole" after hours of Markus's live DJ sets, then this track is perfection for the overall goal of this album. 
7. "Guide Me" featuring Shaun Jacobs: As the track title suggests, you can't help but marvel in the joyous ecstasy that it provides. This track provides a mix of trance and techno that has become a staple of Markus's music prowess. If you aren't dancing, why? 
8. "I Fly to You" featuring Radmila Lolly: Let's just keep that "dark, twisted, and wonderful" passion going shall we? For those constantly debating the semantic merit of "melodic techno vs. trance", does the label really matter once the operatic vocals kick in? This track is another personal favorite for it's sheer intricacies. 
9. "Voiceless":  A brilliant addition to that "Rabbit Hole" passion that has resonated throughout Markus's career in weaving techno and big room trance for us to revel in as we dance. 
10. "Till We Fade" featuring Emma Hewitt: Another FANTASTIC collaboration by these two that is perfect for the album. As of this review, a personal favorite collaboration of both of their careers. 
11. "Liquid Night": In keeping with the "Rabbit Hole" fun as described before, the track title makes complete sense as you listen. It's dark, twisted, and wonderful for your soul. 
12. "Waves of High" featuring Adina Butar: Another brilliant track collaboration by this couple to finish on a high note (pun intended). 

Overall, this album is a masterpiece by Markus and company, and in all honesty feels more true to Markus than the previous album released in 2020 'Escape'.  It encompasses the experience Markus brings when you attend an open to close solo set where ever possible in the world. Whatever your music streaming platform of choice, please save and add these tracks to your playlists!