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For those in the know, Brian Kage's chops as a producer and studio wizard are well established. The artist has released on Omar S' Fxhe, Carl Craigs' Planet-E, Steve Bug’s PokerFlat, Rob Modell’s Echospace, his own labels Beretta Music and Michigander, and other imprints, helped launch the careers of internationally respected DJs and producers like Seth Troxler, Ryan Crosson, and Luke Hess, and mix, mastered, and engineered for Ataxia, John F.M., OB Ignitt, Monty Luke, and more. Lauded for a sound that is rooted, yet forever forward in its approach, his most recent work, 909 Nights EP, is no exception. The title track reintroduces a winning team with Taho and Kage combining forces again. The release gets off the starting line with a booming kick, that signature drum sound of acid house's most infamous rhythm machine. Syncopated closed hats and cymbal crashes rush in before their crunchy snare and clap companions join in. Pitch bending open hats introduce track progressions like earth shattering orchestral stabs and rich, uplifting piano notes underwritten by deep chords and a fat bass line while short, squelchy, guitar-like licks dance below. As atmospheric as it is bumping, a synthetic flute playfully flutters into the mix, elevated by airy strings and a French filtered elastic brass solo lead. A touch of acid completes this journey through sound. Listeners would be forgiven for thinking they reopened Club Zanzibar in Detroit and this was its anthem. Shifting gears, "Warehouse Vibes" flares up next with phased effects and a filtered kick driving the track along a conveyor belt towards an all-enveloping dubby techno bliss. Pressure steadily builds up before being released in the form of steam flowing from creaky, rusted pipes. While the sonic palette delivers on its promise, this is no ordinary warehouse we've entered the gates into; it's breaking in through the shattered window of an abandoned industrial manufacturing facility territory instead. Perhaps a little fuzzy after the previous beatdown, "jax" is an intentionally full-body workout as the fist-pumping grip of the preceding cut gives way to hip-thrusting, put-your-back-in-it dancing action. Jacking drums lend the track a hefty bounce while the vocals really hammer the point home, in case there was somehow any confusion left as to what to do with this one. An impressing flex, partygoers are guaranteed to be going home seeing gains after each play. The Motor City may make less cars these days, but Brian Kage is an integral component of artists under the 313 emblem ensuring there's no shortage of newer model Detroit house and techno productions that are reliable and well worth the ride.

In the year 2000 the internet had not yet become the new messiah. I would often cross the Channel by ferry on my way to London where I would spend the weekend going out and hunting for records, especially those that were impossible to find in Belgium. As soon as I set foot in a record shop, then under the influence of labels like Rephlex, Warp and Planet Mu, I would rush like a gold digger, head down in the racks that mentioned these labels, to try and find the piece I was missing or the latest release not yet distributed in Belgium. The artists that obviously haunted me the most at the time were Aphex Twin and Squarepusher. During one of my visits to the record shop "Sister Ray", I was, as was often the case, deep in the Squarepusher rack. And there, I find a record that I do not yet know, an LP entitled Ceephax Acid Quakers 1000, on the fantastic label "Lo Recording" ! Without hesitation and without further investigation I rush to buy it, convinced that I am holding the new Holy Grail from Squarepusher. Back in Brussels, I listen to this mysterious LP straight away and I discover a completely different album from what I was expecting. More audacious than what Squarepusher had produced in the past and which was more in line with the sound I was looking for at the time. I had to look hard at the record sleeve to understand this new approach. "Produced by Andy Jenkinson... but no, it's Tom Jenkinson....there must be a mistake?" Knowing the record shops of Brussels well, here I was on my way with the record under my arm to get more info. A record shop owner in the city centre tells me that this "Andy" is Tom's little brother, and that if I'm interested, he just brought in another record by this artist who calls himself "Ceephax"... Of course I'm interested! Icing on the cake, it is on a Belgian label, and moreover, provided with a cassette. I had to meet the guys who were behind this impressive "First Cask" label. I don't know by what magic I managed to meet Ga?l, one of the two founders, but what is sure is that since that day he has become more than a friend and he arranged for me to get in touch not with Squarepusher but with Andy. Two historical albums united in a superb gatefold !

Oftentimes in this busy and chaotic world it’s challenging to draw a parallel between two congruent events. In this case drawing its inspiration from Detroit’s meteoric rise from the ruins of the past, BerettaMusic a label founded in Detroit in 2002 who took a several year hiatus is back in a big way, also rising from the ashes like it’s birth city has done. Ryan Sadorus who co-founded the label with Brian Kage delivers some next level quirky Detroit house jams. Already getting spins by local Detroit DJ’s and the verdict is in and the tracks are dance floor ready and sure to get people moving. The release also features vinyl artwork by renowned midwest artist Jon Griffin featured on full color vinyl jackets. First off is “Slippah”, a shuffling and quirky bass heavy stormer. The track builds through various levels dropping into syncopated and distorted vocal riffs, lifting its way into some pulsing synth stabs with perfectly timed filtering which lends itself to the overall energy rise through the track. With a huge breakdown and vocal stab sequence, it’s sure to have them moving! “Hit 'em with da slippah!” Expansive is a chugging deep house tune with atmospheric synth business to really set the mood anytime of the night. A deep bassline carries the tune along into a breakdown complete with a quote from the man himself, Carl Sagan. Brian Kage delivers a stunning remix of Expansive, imprinting his own defined style he’s known for as he keeps things level grounded with evolving Detroit-inspired soulful elements. Last but not least, “Flexxin” is ripping speaker work out of epic proportions. Another quirky, bass heavy jam that will definitely wake up the dance floor. Written and Produced by Ryan Sadorus, mixed by Brian Kage at The Bear Cave in Detroit Mastered by Dietrich Schoenemann Label art by Brian Kage & Juju / painted original portrait art by Jon Griffin Special thanks to: Juju, my parents and family, Brian Kage, Ronnie Perez, Sims Cabrera and the entire Guam crew, Norm Talley, Dietrich and to you for your support! - Ryan Sadorus

Detroit's D-RECORDS is back with the DETROIT BOUNCE EP VOL 2 with SANTONIO ECHOLS (/KMS/TRESOR) & Switzerland's LOT 6.SANTONIO features the tech house "DAWN OF THE DANCE," & "CHANGED" while LOT 6 provides the deep house joint "THE ROAD" with remix by the legendary DJ Mark Archer. Acid & Club vibes!

Detroit legend Omar S returns this week on his always different but always unmissable Fxhe label with the bouncy and neon-lit groove of 'Hard Times', which sees him collaborate once again with Megan Louise of Canadian outfit Desire (Italians Do It Better) on vocals. The original comes backed with a handy instrumental mix and a dreamy, plus an evocative rework by Idib chief Johnny Jewel over on the flip.

Promotional Item pressed in limited quantities specially for the Detroit Electronic Music Festival (demf). Lt 1 is a re-edit of Oliver Sain's “b-oo-g-ie”. Mustang 1 is a re-edit of Nightlife Unlimited's “Peaches & Prunes”. Ultra Limited