Easily the most pleasant post i have done in a while - here is a collection of smooth grooves that shouldn't get your pulse racing, but should be enjoyed in the small morning hours, lock the doors, close the curtains, lie back, close your eyes and let the soothing music envelop you...

You know the feeling when you put your hand in your pocket and feel a note (and then you go through the inner prayer - please be £20, please please please) - i get the same feeling when i stumble across amazing old songs, this is one of those songs - with its rolling lounge beat, carefully placed piano melody and shimmering episodes of plucked guitar, 'The Real Deal' is mesmerizing. However, its the inclusion of stunning chanted vocals which really makes this track shine, transporting you across continents, and giving you a taste of Africa. The electronica duo Goldfish (the 'Fishies' to their fans) hail from SA and are just ludicrously talented, buy their latest album here

The Real Deal - Goldfish.mp3

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I love getting the excuse to post Kalkbrenner, so here we go, a really laid back remix released in 2009, the original 'Closed Eyes' - Chordian was a classic piece of Detroit Techno, Kalkbrenner has retained the soulful vibe of the original, but injected his own juice into the mix - with the integration of a really sharp synth and a fattened bassline, you would think this pumped up version would have you hitting the dancefloor, however the repetitive beat and muted piano makes it delightfully soporific - earning it a spot here

Closed Eyes (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix) - Chordian.mp3

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Hypnotic, dreamy, heavenly - all of the above, the drumbeat is so light its almost insubstantial and the strummed backing guitar is strangely uplifting amidst the melancholic instrumentals (a little ivory tinkling is also thrown in for good measure at the end) - all nicely wrapped up with Erlend Øye's soft, sombre vocals - a very pleasant track that i am sure is well known to most of you!

As an added bonus Röyksopp have released another track in 320 completely free and its very, very nice - 'Electric Counterpoint: III. Fast (RYXP True To Original Edit)' - Steve Reich.mp3

I Don't Know What I Can Save You From (Röyksopp Remix) - Kings of Convenience

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Ok, i don't really like Indie music, however i do like Au Revoir Simone and i really like Max Cooper (as i am sure you will have guessed from previous posts) - so i jumped on the release back in 2009, when it was posted for free in 192kbps here. However i have been in the process of updating my entire music collection into 320, so i was recently reacquainted with this fantastical remix - the familiar Cooper clicks and static hiss prickle throughout, a muted kick breaks through the cold whispering synth. Out of the depths slowly climb the tinkling piano chimes and the dampened vocals of the original... which eventually break into warm liquid sub bass, its awesome. Over 6 minutes of spiritual enlightenment...get it here

Take Me As I Am (Max Cooper Remix) - Au Revoir Simone.mp3

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First of thanks to BLeigh for persuading me to get my hands this one - talk about pleasant D&B, seriously deep, no known release date for this tingly bad boy, although it should be coming out on the highly anticiapted Commix album 'Recall To Mind,' - get your atmospheric fill-up here, ya beauty:

Japanese Electronics (Instra:mental Rework) - Commix.mp3


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Sweet variety collection of Techno to get hot and bothered about... these tracks have been keeping me warm as the long cold Chile nights roll in....                                                          

Slightly mixed thoughts on including this one in the post - some classify this as Techno, others as Electro House - however because it was included on an album called 'The Definitive Techno Compilation' - i am pretty sure its Techno.  Its a fantastic remix, the duo have spruced up the originals punchy bass and tweaked the echoing space-synth to roll over, imparting a much groovier feel - this remix inspired me to buy most of Olivier Giacomottos' productions

Gail In The O (John Acquaviva & Damon Jee Remix) - Olivier Giacomotto.mp3

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Marek receives honorary title of hypnotic funk daddy with this dreamy euphoric groove. Driving crystal strings, a wavering bass line and of course the crooning vocals delivered by Fabian Reichelt who manages to impart solemn soul into the fresh techno. I love the gentle break before the drop.
Its a delicious production from a producer i had great hopes for in 2009 (see my post here,) he has certainly stepped up to the mark. I can only hope 2010 brings more Hemmann! His Left/Right EP will be available to download on the 26th April here

Left - Marek Hemmann.mp3

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If you love deep & dubby Techno then check this out - 'Mekong Delta' was originally released in 2007  this massive production is a mix of dry drums, pulsing organ and frequent breaks. Its an essential piece of "big" techno, and one of my favorite rave anthems...was lucky enough to see this at Melt 2008 where it just tore the dance floor to shreds

Mekong Delta - Len Faki.mp3

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DJ Madskillz is one of the most respected DJs in the Netherlands he boasts a discography over 90 productions,  not to mention a huge list of remixes, i enjoy his work. With his 2010 remix 'Mr Bean Does an E' he audiolizes the fantastic title by bringing a huge amount of energy into this remix, jumping it up with a pumping beat…. this is a fantastic tech house track that bears little resemblance to the original... best thing to come from the commercial clubbing giant Ministry of Sound since, well...ever!

Mr. Bean Do An E (DJ Madskillz Remix) - Dan Curtin.mp3

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Some great whomping Techno, from my choice duo 'Moonbeam'  - rapid bright plucked strings, a cold spacey synth, shimmering bass lines and soaring breakdown, a really pleasant atmospheric Techno melody...get it here

Liveliness (Moonbeam Mix) -  Moonbeam & Jan Zyabovski.mp3

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At the conclusion of the poll experiment, Techno was the clear winner with 47% of the vote, Drum & Bass was the next favorite choice, with 29% of the vote, it's a winner-takes-all system on 1UPMANSHIP - so today's post is a couple of Techno goodies!

Released in 2008, 'A Thousand Nights' has long been one of my favorite Techno tracks - it's astonishingly repetitive but this only enhances the subtle nuances and serves to bring the track to an extremely satisfactory climax - Extrawelt has performed a superb job on the rework transforming the original into a minimal masterpiece...get it here

A Thousand Nights (Extrawelt Remix) - Gregor Tresher.mp3
 
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It's been eight long years since Umek's debut album 'Neuro,' but the wait is finally over with the recent release of 'Responding to Dynamic' its packed with hard hitting beats and up-tempo old skool vibes. 'Individual Breath'  is a raw build of fast pulse beats, that eventually wails into a thundering climax. This is a pumping techno track built for the energetic dancer... well worth the wait

Individual Breath (Original Mix) - Umek.mp3

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Taken off Max Coopers latest album is the tile track 'Chaostisch Serie' - it begins with an Aphex Twin style of freaky exhaled human noises, these slowly whirl into the mix as the track floats into familiar territory.  The whump whump synth so recognisable from Harmonisch & Stochastisch Serie floats in, complementing the dark, fast beat - before receiving the 'chaos' treatment as its swirled and mutated whilst it builds into the breakdown .... the serie trilogy is a must for any Techno fan!

Chaotisch Serie - Max Cooper.mp3

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Its 6 am techno - the sun has come up, so have all the ravers - the vibe is relaxed, the wannabees have left, its left to a core group of purists  to sway to the gentle rhythm cresting the noise-wave - mellow Tech-House to get your heads nodding and maintain the racing heartbeat - get it here

Furthermore (Marc Romboy Remix) - Martin Eyerer.mp3

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'Almost Nothing' is a deep melody, rammed with a complex mix of groovy processed drums, feathered synths and haunting vocals - the feeling from 1.01 onwards is modern Western - John Wayne would tear it up to this beat - released at the end of 2009 by Audiomatique Recordings you can buy it here

Almost Nothing - Adultnapper.mp3 

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Please vote on the new Poll to help me decide what i post next...(at the top of the Page)

If the words 'Kalkbrenner remixes Moby' don't get you excited - then you are probably on the wrong website. Yesterday i received a great little album through the post - 'Wait For Me' - Moby - The Remixes. It contains some great reworks by - Laidback Luke, Yousef, Zodiac Cartel and of course Paul Kalkbrenner

No question - Kalkbrenners' remix (available only here) is the best, however with its the heavy hand claps and thumping off-beat, i just can't help but feel its a slight ripoff from his earlier techno piece, the fierce jaw-dropping 'Gebrünn Gebrünn'. But... don't get me wrong, its still a great piece of music from a superb artist, i just want to know what you think!

Wait For Me (Paul Kalkbrenner Remix) - Moby.mp3

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Gebrünn Gebrünn - Paul Kalkbrenner.mp3

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It's starting to get quite difficult to put posts together, not because i don't have exciting tracks to showcase, but because i have no feedback on which to structure my posts! So can we please get some feedback going - you can either rate my posts, write me something in the 'Shoutbox,' get involved with polls or (ideally) write comments at the base of posts - it makes my life easier, and it will make the site much more rewarding for you, plus i would be very grateful!

Now to spread the love....

Fantastic Tech-House released in 2009 on Einmusiks' label 'Einmusika,' - a dreamy journey of undulating chords and sharp synth stabs -  its uber groove! Pick it up here

Atl Antis (Original Mix) - Einmusik.mp3

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The album 'The Night' was released in 2009 on the digital label 'Proton' - it came with a couple of sweet remixes - however the highlight for me is this cool little number. The 'Add2Basket Remix' retains the funk of the original, but i like the minimal feel more, distinctive synths, fantastic sine melody and a muted bass-line - really great!

The Night (Add2Basket Remix) - Eelke Kleijn.mp3

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'Fasano' is taken from the best album 2010 has seen thus far 'Standing on Top of Utopia'- Kasper Bjorke. I love the brooding, deep, throbbing synthesizer, its the perfect building tool for the start of a bass-bin smashing set- get it here

Fasano - Kasper Bjorke.mp3

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Michael Woods rips Deadmau5's 'Strobe' apart, plasters on some sparkly synths, sprinkles in some bigger drums and create this really tight piece of Techno... loved the original, really love this!

Strobe (Michael Woods Remix) - Deadmau5.mp3

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Its 'BPitch Control' so you know its good, i love the Oompa band vibe of this track - the Heartthrob Remix is six minutes of gently progressing experimental sounds interspersed with echoed chopped up vocals and brief bursts of softly spoken lyrics, top notch production chosen by Ellen Allien as one of the tracks for her (slightly disappointing) DJ Mix 'Watergate 05' - get the full track here

Connection (Heartthrob Remix) - AGF & Delay.mp3

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I have noticed that generally my mates music tastes are transitioning away from 'boring' Dubstep and into Techno...

There is no question...masses of Dubstep is terrible. The genre has become overrun by hyped-up fans and by hyped-up producers who are copying and repeating the already-set cliche's. It's disappointing that the majority of these fans can't recognize this because they are dosed up to the eyeballs with party drugs.

Particularly irritating are the talented producers who conform to the demands of the ignorant masses - which means yours truly has to wade through mountains of commercialized (sorry to use that word) awful 'Dubstep.' 


However, having heard some of the awesome 2010 releases, it is clear to me the genre still has so much love to give. Hopefully with my assistance, the part of you that enjoyed grubbing about in the dirt when you were small, will slowly grow - and the urge to get filthy will drive you back to my side :)

Rant over, now to satisfy a request for some Techno/Tech-House Bangers....

Boom, first off thanks to Josh for reacquainting me with this awesome track. 'Lost Thought - Part 1' is
taken from the EP My Toyz - released by Skryptom Records. It is a really great piece of whomping techno, grinding synths and a killer drop...worth a click - its available here

Lost Thought - Part 1 - Popof.mp3

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Pretty fresh release from the Dirtybird label, taken from the 'Bird Brain Remixes - Part 3' is Christian Martians' take on 'Monster Island' - Claude Von Stroke, Martian has taken the original and freaked it up a notch, its now considerably darker and much scarier - wait for the drop to hear siren wail and the monster roar!

Monster Island (Christian Martin Remix) - Claude Von Stroke.mp3

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Federleichts' Original was great...however i find this version a significant improvement, Kollektiv & Turmstrasse have stripped much of the original vocals, their buildup beat is very tribal and subtly enhances the sweeping strings overlay and its a real tease up to the breaking point... a full 4 minutes of excellent anticipation.

On The Streets (Kollektiv Turmstrasse's Let Freedom Ring" Remix) - Federleicht.mp3

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Never heard of Glanta until i pickled up his Pan Adam EP...wasn't disappointed, it's a great release... i didn't think much on my first listen, so i put it to one side... however had another listen and decided that it is in fact epic... it would be a monotonous androgynous beat if it wasn't broken up by segments of high-pitched synth and shiny bleeps that, in my opinion, turn 'Pan Adam' into into a slightly spiritual experience!

Pan Adam (Original Mix) - Glanta.mp3

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'Pantograph Bouncing' Such a sick track, rolling percussion and distorted synths, it toys with you - almost every 30 seconds the steady rhythm of the track is interrupted by a brief whine that almost, nearly does...not lead to the main breakdown...its a glorious compilation of tinkling synths, chyme beats and heavy 'bouncing' bass... this is my choice techno track of 2009!

Pantograph Bouncing - Anna.mp3

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Dear Readers,

Let there be rejoicing in the streets - ONEUPMANSHIP is back - but with a brand new look, two fantastic new writers and one shiny new rule

From now on we will NOT be posting 320 kbps mp3's - the exception to the rule is if we have the express permission of the artist, if we do post a link, it will be YouTube quality

I am sorry for the ridiculously long down-time, i had plans for a .com collaboration with our old blogging friends APEWITHBARRELS, however the cost was too high, so for the time being .blogspot will have to do!

In the sites down-time i continued finding, expanding and refining my music collection - in doing so i unearthed a mountain of old school finery which i will be sprinkling throughout the blog over the coming year... i will continue to post whatever is in my current most played - the music that delights and inspires me - as usual i will try not to focus on any particular genre... and if i am struggling for inspiration i will be looking to the Shoutbox to provide me with ideas for posts.

So here we go (in no particular order)

As per usual Hospital records maintain their ridiculous signing standard by bringing Blokhe4d onto the scene, i have had their debut album 'Bad Taste' for a while - and it doesn't disappoint,  Frictions' review sums it up in a nutshell - 'Super dark, super dirty, what did you expect?' - suffice to say they are certainly good enough for this whole post to be devoted to their sterling efforts, instead i am giving you a taster of NHS162 release 'Full Circle' - its out on promo now (and i was lucky enough to bag a copy) - get yours direct from Hospital Records on March 22nd

Scratchy, thumping and oddly relaxing check it out here,


Next up a techno track from Spektre, this ridiculously exciting duo hail from Leeds, i have been watching their growth with interest since i stumbled upon their remix of Wake Turbulence by Koen Groeneveld - they are England's roundhouse kick to Berlin's Techno scene, and definitely ones to watch - here is a sample of their latest burnt offering 'Tesseract' from the Black Ice EP available here for digital download

Tesseract - Spektre.mp3
 

While Spektre seems to heading for greatness, this artist is already out the other side, a veritable Techno god... master of all he surveys - Sascha Funke is a veteran producer and firm member of the Kompakt and BPitch Control club,  i have always admired his work - and once again i was forced to pull my jaw off the floor after listening to his latest album 'Mango' - it is a masterpiece, this is one of my Desert Island Discs - and here is a taster - 3.05 in and you will be throwing money at the computer screen for the 320 (i guarantee it!)

Feather - Sascha Funke.mp3
 

I posted a Netsky remix of Miike Snow back near the birth of this blog - just like Calvin Harris, Miike Snow has a remarkable pull for remixes, his latest song 'Silvia' is literally drowning in them... to be honest this version can get a bit grating after the first few plays - however i am going to post it here cause it would definitely make a crowd jump - i must confess i know nothing about the artist responsible for the remix, but their juddering rework of the vocals is spot on and definitely lives up to their name

Silvia (Robotberget Remix) - Miike Snow.mp3
 

Last but not least a song that i have been searching for since Sonar 09 - Joker dropped it in his EPIC set at the Sonar Lab Stage (check it here,) there was a possibility that this song would never be released because of difficulties getting sample rights cleared - but i waited nearly a year and one month ago my prayers were finally answered by Black Box Recordings when the nicely wrapped vinyl dropped through the post - so here you go, one of the best dubstep tracks of the decade - the vocals are sublime and the drop is oh so heavy

Naked Mario Kart - RSD.mp3
 

ONEUPMANSHIP is back boys and girls - and it feels good :)

Enjoy!