Veteran DJ/producer Timo Maas has rolled out a quality remix package of his ‘Lifer’ LP. ‘Lifer Concluded’ is out now on Rockets & Ponies.
Timo Maas is a name that brings back memories of the heyday of UK garage. His remix of Azzido da Bass’ 1999 iconic breaks track ‘Dooms Night’ is one of the most recognisable sounds from in and around the turn of the millennium. Timo Maas’ career stretches way back into the ’80s as an influential figure in the contemporary German Rave scene.
In 2013, Maas dropped Lifer – his first LP since 2005’s ‘Pictures’ two-parter – and held down a residency at DC10 Ibiza. His EP ‘Tantra’, featuring a notable remix from Tom Demac, received acclaim from the across the industry and was supported by luminaries like Seth Troxler, Maceo Plex and Luciano, making the year an all-round success.
So for a man who made his name with a remix comes a package of four re-imaginations of his own tracks from the Lifer release. 2014 kicks off for the German DJ/producer with a four-tracker featuring cuts from four top talents.
Having just unleashed his ‘Presents James Grieve’ LP on 50 Weapons, Addison Groove (AKA dubstep’s Headhunter) gets the Lifer Concluded ball rolling with his remix of ‘Grown Up’. His Addison Groove moniker is now synonymous with the fast-emerging sound of Chicago Juke in his sets and this production is at the forefront of that scene. Sparse yet busy drum machine beats get the feet moving, driven by ‘ghetto’ vocal licks and dreamy key samples.
The first of two remixes of ‘The Hunted’ is courtesy of Venezuelan pair Fur Coat. Their debut EP ‘Space Ballad’ took off with a little help in the shape of TEED’s edit and after being snapped up by Damian Lazarus for his Crosstown Rebels imprint have seen releases on Noir and Get Physical with offerings via Hot Creations and BPitch Control in the pipeline for 2014. Their version of The Hunted is a deep and pensive cruiser with filtered key stabs swelling in and out and distorted vocals, snares and guitar-like sounds contrasting the more organic sounding bass and drum.
The second refix of The Hunted comes by way of Romanian tech-house duo Livio & Roby who’ve seen releases on Cadenza, Desolat and ViVa Music. Their take on The Hunted is instantly distinct from that of Fur Coat. While it has the same heady vibe, the harder snare and thick, floating pads offer a more dynamic rhythm.
The darker side of Ellum Audio co-owner Maceo Plex – Maetrik – comes in with ‘Kick 1, Kick 3’. A man who needs no introduction steps up with a typically well-crafted narrative. The Francophonic vocals are a subplot to the sound-work lurking beneath. Big, roomy drums form the backbone while analog tones stab and sustain to build pressure early on in the journey. As we hit the eye of the storm, synths whizz and buzz around us then the beat drops abruptly, unexpectedly and motors on, stopping briefly to release some of the tangible pressure.
Timo has a fresh remix for Hackman on Halycon lined up and a busy international schedule that will see him drop sets in Berlin at Watergate, as well as flying to dates in Tokyo, Miami then back for a season in Ibiza.
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