Despite the world crumbling round our ears it keeps on turning, and thankfully people are still releasing music. Decabaret have took two healthy first steps with these 12”s. The sound is latched to Detroit, but isn’t afraid to stretch some of the boundaries.
Riots in Greece as new austerity measures take hold. Ever grim reports of unemployment and strife coming from my homeland of Ireland. The US facing the greatest deficit since records began. As soon as you open your eyes, or laptop, the stark results of the economic downturn are omnipresent. Yet, this global gloom doesn’t seem to have stopped record labels from releasing or discouraged new imprints from starting up. Such a neophite to the vinyl game is Dijon based Decabaret Records. Discogs boasts that this newcomer is “focusing on releasing music by infamous international artists that can be played in Detroit cabaret parties” so expect anything from “detroit techno to electro, ghetto tech, minimal … nothing but music.” A bold mission statement.
First up for Decaberat is Analogue Chronicles and their First Heading EP. The two tracker opens with “Groove Theater.” The track has a nice steady techno sound to it. Rising and falling in a classic Detroit manner. The opener has a sense of some more floor centric Kenny Larkin, with an early 2000’s waiting for the break feel. On the flip is “Number 1” which blows its predecessor out of the water. Around crisp and floor friendly snares rolls and dreaming melody that echoes some of Delsin’s early material. The track is again very club orientated by has more of an intellectual slant to it than “Groove Theater.”
For its second instalment Decabaret has doubled the output with a four tracker by Franki Juncaj, aka DJ 3000, entitled Waiting in the Dark. The record is more of a remix project and a chance to showcase some of the artists and influences Decabaret hold dear. The original is a floor filler 4/4 piece. Samples add a sinister undercurrent to the stabbing synth chords and sharp beats. DJ Stingray blitzes the original and feeds it through his minimal mangle. The track is parred back, stripped and left bare by the Detroit veteran. Parachuted in next are Aux 88 to turn their marbled fingers to the original,. The snare is sharpened up and a hard hitting electro gem ensues with just the right amount of acceleration being applied. Dark, sinister with a decent old skool feel. To finish things off is Tom Linder from Detroit Techno Militia offers up his remixing services for a full club throttle affair. The track is a lot less subtle than its predecessors, but a bit of fun nonetheless.
Despite the world crumbling round our ears it keeps on turning, and thankfully people are still releasing music. Decabaret have took two healthy first steps with these 12”s. The sound is latched to Detroit, but isn’t afraid to stretch some of the boundaries. With new artists and old hands under the belt it’ll be worth watching for where this French imprint steps next. Either way, a good start is always helpful and these guys have begun in fine fashion.
Both releases are out now on Decabaret Records.
First Heading Ep in 12″ on Decabaret Records by analog-chronicles
