Next in our series of post-WMC interviews is with the UK’s Tom Morgan. Having made a name for himself as A&R for Desyn Masiello’s Alternative Route label, Tom is now busy with his own label Discoteca Recordings and bookings across the globe.

FHM: Your personal favorite tune of the 2008 WMC?
TM: Hmmmm. I’m going to be totally shameless and go with Dana Bergquist & Peder G – Djakarta, forthcoming on Discoteca. I spent months pestering Dana to sign it with us so was really chuffed when he eventually did.

FHM: The overall biggest tune of the 2008 WMC?
TM: About half of Howells’ set, pick of the bunch was probably Stryke’s remix of Skylark – Who Cares, it’s an absolute beast. He’s another one who’s going to do something for us soon, remixing a track by Lemon.

FHM: Best party of the 2008 WMC?
TM: Tough one to call. The SOS boat party probably shades it but Dig Deeper at Set was special as well. From a personal point of view, I really enjoyed the Sexonwax thing at Shine. It’s always nice to play alongside people like Des, Omid and Luke and the atmosphere was definitely up there.

FHM: Who rocked it?

TM: Howells totally blew me away. Every time I’ve seen him he’s been on point but this year was up there with the best. It’s always a bit of a sobering experience catching his longer sets, just when you think you’re starting to get somewhere you realise how far ahead guys like him are.

I thought SOS raised their game as well, they were a lot more cohesive than when I’ve seen them in previous years and played some really nice stuff.

Overall I thought it was much better musically this year than last. Only minor gripe was getting a bit of a doing from the sun, need to remember and pack suntan lotion next time.

FHM: What are your plans for the rest of 2008? Read more

Artist: Wolfgang Gartner
Title: Sesso Buono / Front To Back
Label: Kindergarten
Format: Digital
Release Date: none
Audio Sample: Listen

If you have not heard of Wolfgang Gartner yet (the clubbier alias of Joey Youngman), you need to listen up. His production work is crisp, punchy, and sonically intricate, his arrangements and attention to detail is nothing short of masterful, and of course the music will be happily received by any unsuspecting dancefloor.

And as this release on his on digital imprint Kindergarten shows, Wolfgang Gartner has a good stylistic range. Sesso Buono is this reviewer’s personal favorite of the two – a deep yet punchy, groovy yet hard-edged work that is reminiscient of the Prydz vibe. Featuring an impressive electro bassline with just enough funk, this track slowly pulls you into it’s groove, with the help of a lush arp that slowly filters in… Read more

Ingrid Hakenson providing live vocals over Ken ECB’s set at the Amenti Music / Solid Tokyo / Lazy Days Showcase party at the Beach Plaza Hotel Gardens.
Watch on YouTube

Chris Bohn is easily becoming one of the most sought after producer / remixers in the industry. Originally starting his own label, atel:records, due to the fact no labels would sign his music because of his unconventional sound, he developed it into a well respected, established domestic power house. In that time he defined his signature huge peak hour sound which caught the attention of dance and major labels worldwide. Now, at 27 years old, he’s already played alongside a list of names that reads like a who’s who of world dj’ing. He has held down residencies all over the US, and its very easy to see why this guy commands so much respect, for what he can do to the dancefloor. With an array of critically acclaimed hits on the top of the charts for both sales and radio play, releases being charted by the worlds top dj’s and major labels chasing his remixes, it’s easy to see how he is now becoming a staple in electronic music.

FHM: Like many of today’s current crop of producers, you’re largely a self-made man. How has technology helped you establish a name, and what obstacles have you faced trying to break into the mainstream?

CB: I wouldn’t be anything if it weren’t for technology. I definitely think I have a sound thats my own. I’m not saying I’m the best or even good for that matter, I just sound like me for the most part. That’s all from the gear and programs I use.

FHM: Do you think the ‘barriers to entry’ will break down even further as technology continues to progress? If so, how?

CB: Yes, I guess you could say the barriers are breaking down. Everyone with internet access has a record label now and everyone’s a producer. We’re all connected through myspace and the web. Also, everyone has access to the same production gear. The problem is there’s a massive lack of quality control now. Things have kind of gotten out of control. Read more

Artist: Hatiras
Title: Poppin’ Beats
Label: Hatrax
Format: Digital
Release Date: 10/10/2007
Audio Sample: Listen

The brand new Hatrax label (Blow Media offshoot) has started with a serious bang with its initial two releases. “Rock The House” was a dope tune, but “Poppin’ Beats” is set to storm underground dancefloors with its tripped out baseline, and warped out vocals.

You want to talk about doing electro house properly. producers take note. we are dealing with one of the most forward-thinking projects on the dance music market right now. If only all electro house could be this good… Read more

Artist: The Young Punx
Title: Fire (Phonat Remix)
Label: MoFo Hi fi
Format: Digital
Release Date: 09/02/2007
Audio Sample: Listen

The dynamic duo from England is back with the support from their remix partner-in-crime, Phonat, to drill our ears with another installment of forward-thinking dance floor funk. The admirable aspect of this release is its versatility, showcasing an appeal for both underground & commercial dance floors alike.

Phonat reinterprets the original mix into a DJ-friendly, 4/4 breakbeat hybrid fueled by the concoction of an insane electro bassline, quality guitar licks, twisted synth lines, and a studder-stabbing vocal that’s as infectious as “falling in love” for the first time… Read more

Artist: UPZ
Title: Moment With You (Kiko Navarro Rmx)
Label: BubbleSoul
Format: Digital
Release Date: 7/30/07
Audio Sample: Listen

Hailing from Tel-Aviv is UPZ, a soul project combining R&B, Afro-Carib and funk elements on top of house & urban grooves. UPZ features a host of talented artists originating from all four corners of the globe and now based in Israel’.combine that with biblical landscapes & hot Mediterranean vibes and you get the perfect backdrop for UPZ’s musical concept.

“Moment With You” is an excellent example (with the help of remixer of the moment – Kiko Navarro) of what this outfit is capable of. One part funk, one part deep house, one part lush vocal, and finally one part of fuel-injected soul. and we have a wonderful addition to any house DJ’s vinyl/cd/mp3 collection… Read more

Artist: High Spies feat Latrice
Title: This Time (Remixes)
Label: Solmatic
Format: Digital
Release Date: 7/15/2007
Audio Sample: Listen

Solmatic is back in the game folks with a resurrected gem from the now defunct indie-label “Look & Feel” catalogue. For those of you with a quality memory, and an ear for quality dance music, may remember this title from a few years back.

Let’s take you back when Latrice Barnett wasn’t Jay J’s star vocalist and Defected Records wasn’t featuring her at their annual WMC events. Let’s take you back when High Spies hadn’t already signed tracks with such Dutch heavyweight funky house labels such as Olav Basoski’s Rootz records. Man. that’s going back a couple of minutes, right?.. Read more