@ Druffaloma XI

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Finn Johannsen – Live At Hypercolour And Friends, About Blank, Berlin, February 17th 2018

Playing some 2-Step and UKG at About Blank.

A guide to Wild Pitch

Chicago’s DJ Pierre already had the credentials to be responsible for a lasting sound revolution in club music when he, together with Earl “Spanky” Smith Jr., and Herbert “Herb J” Jackson as Phuture, tweaked the knobs of the Roland TB-303 and came up with the squelching sounds that defined acid house. But regular visits to the seminal Wild Pitch parties put on by Bobby Konders and Greg Day in early 90s New York City inspired him to reinvent himself once again, and again with lasting consequences. The Wild Pitch parties consisted of several rooms with different musical agendas between reggae, disco, hip hop, house and techno. Pierre’s idea was to gather the diverse styles played into one track, but by applying a structure that stepped away from the traditions of club music functionality. Over the course of tracks often hitting or passing the 10 minute mark, he opted for a gradual introduction of a track’s key elements. Starting with the kick drum, every further sound was slowly and patiently layered onto another on a rolling groove, heaping up the intensity step by step until a climactic release. This may not read as being revolutionary, but it was executed so skillfully that it shook up the foundations of house, introducing a level of upbuilding tension and a hypnotic quality that was yet unheard of. And it also led to Pierre becoming one the most in-demand remixers in the years to come. Here is a guide to some classics and overlooked gems that defined wild pitch.

Photon Inc. Feat. Paula Brion – Generate Power (Wild Pitch Mix) (Strictly Rhythm, 1991)

The ground zero of the genre, and all the key elements are already there: the waddling groove, the standing strings, the stab repetition, the signalling vocal samples. The upbuilding structure was not as refined yet, but the intensity level sure was. This track literally ran over house music in its release year, and Pierre obviously noticed that he was onto something.

DJ Pierre – Muzik (The Tribal Wild Pitch Mix) (Strictly Rhythm, 1992)

DJ Pierre often said in interviews that wild pitch was inspired by his own DJing preferences of sneaking in elements of other tracks in long blends. „Muzik“ is a perfect example for that. Just check how its elements fade in and out, are repeated, modulated, replaced, continued and layered. It is a master class in structure.

Joint Venture – Master Blaster (Turn It Up) (Strictly Rhythm, 1992)

Divided in four parts segued into another and add up to 15 breathtaking minutes, this track tore through dancefloors with a massive boom still seeking comparison. Yet it is actually clocking at 120 bpm, proving that pace does not equal heaviness. And it builds and builds. Someplace else, Chez Damier and Ron Trent were taking notes.

@ Hypercolour & Friends

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Finn Johannsen – Live At Hunchin All Night, Paloma, Berlin, February 8th 2018

Hunee was due to play all night but he missed a flight or something. I rammed some records in the bag and jumped in. Thankfully he arrived when I just had one record left to play.

Finn Johannsen – Live @ Immersion, iboat, Bordeaux, February 3rd 2018

I just love playing on that rusty old ship.

Finn Johannsen – Ensemble Podcast 9

Some Modern Soul/Disco faves mixed up for Ensemble podcast

Da Producers – Get Up

The Detroit Spinners – Love Is In Season

Tamiko Jones – I Want You

Goldie Alexander – Go Back

Billy Griffin – Hold Me Tighter In The Rain

Switch – Keeping Secrets

Howard Jones – Keepin’ Love New

Swing Out Sister – Notgonnachange (Classic Club Mix)

Richard Rogers – Can’t Stop Loving You

Frankie Knuckles – It’s Hard Sometime (D.M. Alternate Mix)

Shot – Main Thing

Garfield Fleming – Don’t Send Me Away

Janice McClain – Giving My Love

Michael Wycoff – Looking Up To You

Arnie’s Love – I’m Out Of Your Life

Arthur Miles – Helping Hand

Blue Moderne – Through The Night

Tafuri – What Am I Gonna Do?

Instant Funk – Can You See Where I`m Coming From

Curtis Anderson – The Hardest

William DeVaughn – Be Thankful

Lenny Williams – Gotta Lotta Luv

Oran Juice Jones – The Rain

Janice Bulluck – Do You Really Love Me

Luther Vandross – Never Too Much

Walter Jackson – Touching In The Dark

@ Immersion

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KUF – Universe

MACRO M55 – KUF – Universe

Finn Johannsen And Candy Pollard – Live B2B At Fettschmelze, Karlsruhe, January 20th 2018