Tue, 16 Apr 2013  /  Post a comment
Having already mixed one of the most standout albums in the series, and with his distinction in the global scene still remaining unmatched, it seem only fitting that 1605's head honcho be the first to return: blending a second round of blistering techno cuts it's 'Toolroom Knights Mixed By UMEK 2.0'.

Within 14 huge album exclusives there's 2 brand new original arrangements from UMEK himself; 'Love To Dance' offers a quirky, different funky groove, while 'Fluid Feel', an exclusive collaboration with fellow countryman Mike Vale, takes things down a techier route. Keeping the flair high throughout 2 DJ mixes, this is a hard rolling assault of an album that takes in all the different shades of UMEK's brand of electronic music.

Other highlights include new and exclusive material: from Ant Brooks' tough n rolling 'Blasted' to Koen Groeneveld's heavy and experimental 'Blue Stratos'; from the punchy tight beats of Siwell's 'Tech This Out', to the funky clean journey of 'Just Clipper' exclusively from Guille Placencia & George Privatti. Plus complementing the journey there's upfront grooves to underground rolling monsters courtesy of Uto Karem, DJ Anna, Simon Doty, Federico Scavo, DJ Chus and many more.

Mixed especially to give you the distinctive feeling only experienced at UMEK's live shows, this is a unique blend of inspired techno sounds. Featuring a whopping 42 tracks across 2 DJ mixes, 'Toolroom Knights Mixed By UMEK 2.0' is the perfect continuation to UMEK's outstanding contribution to the series.

Tracklist CD01:
01. Uto Karem - Taking Me
02. Fabio Ferro - Runnin'
03. Siwell - Tech This Out
04. Carlos Fauvrelle - 1999 (Ivan Pica Remix)
05. Mike Vale - Burning
06. Klelight - Don’t Stop (Jaceo Remix)
07. Julio (Italy), Markomas - Get Funky
08. DJ Fronter - Cntrl And Next
09. Mar-T - New Skool (Amnesia Terrace Mix)
10. UMEK - Kuzla Prevarantska
11. Chiqito - Oop Oop
12. UMEK - Love To Dance
13. Daniel Sanchez - Awakenings
14. DJ Anna - Keep Going
15. Angelo Ferreri - Get It
16. Guille Placencia & George Privatti - Just Clipper
17. Guille Placencia - Guns
18. Belocca - Way Of Thinking
19. Cole Johnson - Sneak Out
20. Grasso & Maxim - Monotone
21. Guille Placencia & George Privatti - Compi Bailongo

Tracklist CD02:
01. Diego Medina - El Anciano
02. Simon Doty & Eddie Santini - Intellectual Funk
03. George Privatti - Stop The Pain
04. Djose Elenko - Se Me Enamora El Alma
05. Unique (CRO) & Adoo - Tonight
06. Guille Placencia & George Privatti - Terakan
07. Ant Brooks - Blasted
08. Oscar L - Work
09. Fran LK - Octopussy
10. DJ Shifter - Alright
11. Gaga - Draw
12. David Amo, Julio Navas & Rober Gaez - This Is True House
13. Federico Scavo - Crazy Tool (Paride Saraceni & Dema Remix)
14. DJ Fronter - Cambumilla
15. Dema & Paride Saraceni - Crazy Circus
16. Sian - Canary In The Coalmine (Bart Skils Remix)
17. Secret Cinema Vs. Max D-Loved - Wow Cat
18. DJ Chus & Siwell - Circulando
19. Sinisa Tamamovic - Breathless
20. Koen Groeneveld - Blue Stratos
21. UMEK & Mike Vale - Fluid Feel

Release date: 15.04.13

More info @ toolroomrecords.co.uk

Buy compilation @ Beatport.com

Thu, 04 Apr 2013  /  Post a comment
Miami music week is over and what a week it was! After 20 years of being a professional DJ, interesting gigs still give me an energy boost and send chills down my spine. And after all those years I'm still surprised to see the creativity of the promoters when it comes to setting up a venue for a good party.

Last year we did a yacht cruise in burning sun and this year we decided to hit the roads of South Beach. We got a great team behind Mox.tv – an online TV that focuses on broadcasting *actual music* (remember MTV from ages ago?) – to get us a nice custom made bus. We boarded 30 friends, fans and journalists and did a 3-hour road trip, starting in front of W hotel and ending in front of Mokai for our label night. Pleasurekraft, Stefano Noferini, Mike Vale and myself warmed up the lucky 30 with short sets, while the Mox guys mixed free drinks for the passengers. It was like a school bus for grown ups hehehe.

Check the video Mox.tv made: http://mox.tv/video/moxbus-1605-miami13

Mon, 18 Mar 2013  /  Post a comment
I'm currently touring overseas on a 1-month tour, starting in South America, continuing in Canada and finishing in USA. Now here's the catch – the maximum allowed bag weight on Star Alliance members is 31 kg (70 lbs) and you have to fit in your wardrobe for practically all 4 seasons. Winter jacket for Toronto, a light jacket for El Paso, rain boots for New York and flip-flops and shorts for Miami. Now go ahead and try to fit all that into a regular-sized bag. And don't forget to leave some space for two laptops and a bunch of other DJ-jing equipment. Now imagine dragging all that stuff around the airports.

A situation the late George Carlin could say a word or two about:
http://youtu.be/MvgN5gCuLac

Logistic issues aside, I still love long tours. They are easier on the body and mind because I have enough time to compensate for the time difference and I get to experience a lot of different cultures and see how different crowds respond to my music.

This year is going to be special for another reason. My friend Stefano Noferini and I are nominated for best techno/minimal track award on IDMA with our »Goes on« collaboration. You can show your support here: http://bit.ly/13muUS3 I can't imagine a better finish of the tour than winning the award. Oh and for that occasion I had to pack an additional outfit...

North & South American tour dates:

28. February / 5Quinto / Brasilia / Brazil
1. March / Clash / Sao Paulo / Brazil
2. March / El Fortin / Camboriu / Brazil
8. March / 1605 Night at Sound Academy / Toronto / Canada
9. March / Webster Hall / New York City / United States
15. March / Tricky Falls / El Paso, TX / United States
16. March / Beyond Wonderland / San Bernardino, CA / United States
20. March / 1605 Night at Mokai / Miami, FL / United States
22. March / Ultra Music Festival / Miami, FL / United States

Tue, 05 Mar 2013  /  Post a comment
Another clash of the titans unravels as UMEK goes head to head with Pleasurekraft on this sly one-tracker. Led by huge chord stabs in a familiar progression, "Korea" is bound to be a household tune (no pun intended), also serving as an infectious ear worm. Don't let the melodic sensibilities confuse you, though. The stomping rhythm section blows everything to smithereens and trademarked vocal edits add the much-needed madness.

Tracklist:
1. UMEK & Pleasurekraft - Korea (Original Mix)

Release date:
18.02.13 @ Beatport.com

More info @ www.sixteenofive.com

Mon, 04 Mar 2013  /  Post a comment
We've got the two titans teaming up once again on "Eternity", and there is no letting up as the cyclic sensibilities and swirling pads engulf the unsuspecting listener, letting the crackling rhythm section lead the way to the intense breakdown, reminding us exactly of who we are listening to.
Subtle details add to the grandiosity of the whole affair, and yet another lesson in anthem-construction has been delivered by the two masters.

Tracklist:
1. UMEK & Uto Karem - Eternity (Original Mix)
2. UMEK & Uto Karem - Eternity (No Time Mix)

Release date:
04.02.13 @ Beatport.com

More info @ www.agilerec.net

Thu, 28 Feb 2013  /  Post a comment
Our leader unveils yet another facet of his production arsenal, this time turning a housey cheek, courtesy of sa ensual, yet chopped-to-bits vocal. The jacking rhythm section skips along in pure style, keeping the tight bassline in check while frantic edits help "I Need You" to fully unfold.

Tracklist:
1. UMEK - I Need You (Original Mix)

Release date:
28.01.13 @ Beatport.com

More info @ www.sixteenofive.com

Tue, 22 Jan 2013  /  1 Comment
The ever successful prince of house UMEK brings some incredible sounds to to the Spinnin' imprint. 'Spank!' has the drive to get the floor moving and jumping. Grooving to the beat was never this easy. What a record!

Tracklist:
1. UMEK - Spank! (Original Mix)

Release date:
21.01.13 @ Beatport.com

More info @ www.spinninrecords.com

Mon, 14 Jan 2013  /  Post a comment
For the inaugural release, Kraftek welcomes up and coming UK producer, Bontan into the unit with his debut EP, Hit it From The Back. Bontan, who supplied one of the standout remixes of Pleasurekraft feat. Green Velvets Skeleton Key, delivers two new and original productions alongside a remix from UMEK.Hit It From The Back is driven by a killer bassline, which locks the entire dancefloor into a hypnotic groove. Deft use of FX keep the energy levels up, perfectly lending itself to the club environment. The revolution is a deeper, more stripped back strut that builds with a melodic bassline of its own. Slovenias finest (and close Pleasurekraft friend) UMEK is on remix duty, turning in an energetic and rolling rework full of bounce with his interpretation of The Revolution.

Tracklist:
1. Bontan - Hit It From The Back (Original Mix)
2. Bontan - The Revolution (Original Mix)
3. Bontan - The Revolution (UMEK Remix)

Release date:
14.01.13 @ Beatport.com

More info @ www.facebook.com/a.kraftek.joint

Fri, 11 Jan 2013  /  Post a comment
There's been quite some demand for my sets with old hits from years ago. My classics like Gatex, Lanicor or Ricochet Effect are still popular nowadays according to YouTube video views count. That's why I decided to revive them in a limited series of Oldies Goldies gigs. I know it doesn't mean nothing in English, but you probably agree it goes well in the ear. Just like good music.

We'll start the series in my home country of Slovenia, in the legendary Ambasada Gavioli on 8th February. At the same time the party will celebrate my 20 years in the music industry, so it's going to be a blast. I know most of you can't come, but fans from nearby countries (and those who don't mind flying on 2-3 connections to our small country) are warmly welcome to attend.

So, which of my old hits do you like the most?

Wed, 09 Jan 2013  /  Post a comment
You know you're ready for something special when lord UMEK comes up with a one-tracker, and even the title on this one let's you know you're in for a manic ride. Sly bass sets the tone, under the tightly-wound rhythm section and flashy stabs make way for a cheeky vocal that takes the lead role. The busy drum edits keep the adrenaline levels high at all times and yet another page is written in production history, with UMEK's trademarked sound.

Tracklist:
1. UMEK - Kuzla Prevarantska (Original Mix)

Release date:
10.12.12 @ Beatport.com

More info @ www.sixteenofive.com