Umek

[Tech_Head_Rob]

Hey there,

Because I don't want to study for microeconomics and i haven't had a good tech-nerd discussion in awhile... I thought i would start a thread about this guy.

There never seems to be much discussion of his work on here.. but in my mind he's definitely in my top 5 'techno jocks'. First of all, i love his production. I know a lot of people have beef with it (its not deep enough, he uses the same drum patterns blah blah) but the simple fact is he is responsible for some of techno's most party-going 'choons in the past few years. Like you didn't freak out the first time you heard the X ep... plus joints like Ornazol reveal that the man does have an ear for more interesting stuff.

But mainly its his dj skills. The man is simply phenomenal in my mind. His three deck mixes are some of the smoothest around, plus he can do some incredible cuts if he wants to (and often does, but he doesn't overdo it like some others). Away from a 'technical' aspect, his mixes are often creative and flow really well without sacrificing any 'energy' from the overall prodcut. Plus i think he spins wikkid tunes!

So yeah, do you enjoy the stylings of Slovenia's pride and joy? Or does he put you to sleep?

peace,
Rob

 

[Da grunj]

Rob,

I can't do "tech-nerd discussions" because I am not one and I just like to listen to the whole package and try really hard not to ananlyse music as deep as some. But your description of what Umek does behind the decks is bang on what I hear. Maybe you should start a techno analysis or review magazine or something, you seem pretrty good at it. Good bud?

Anywayz, in my opinion (in very limited in description of course) Umek is a sick assed Dj who I would travel VERY very far to go see. A few of his sets that I own have gotten more play in my car than any other techno Dj....hands down! Its great sitting in traffic on the 401 at 7:45am pounding out a Umek set while watching the look of horror on the faces of all the suits wondering if I am the devils child. Wonder if he'll ever make it to Cananda?!

GRj

 

[tommysmalls]

for me, i think umek's voices of africa take the cake as far as his productions go, especially #2!!

 

[Chaos]

Werd.

Ahhh...Umek.

From a technical (production) standpoint, I alas, am ignorant in the intracacies (sp?) of his work and such...Although, Zeta Reticula always grabs my attention when it pumps outta my stereo...
From a dj sets standpoint, my god...Along with Cristian Varela, Space DJ'z (not to mention Jamie or Ben solo....woohoo!) and Chris Liebing, is one of my favortie dj's to listen to and would pretty much do anything to seehim live...His sets vs. Ben Long @ Ambasada Gavioli is awesome...not to mention live @ Club Africa, Live on Monoid (@...what's the club...fuck...), @ I love techno (in the yellow room...), etc...

C.

P.S. Too all the Headz...When was the last time either Fumiya Tanaka or Takkyo Ishino was in town...I'd do anything to check them out.

 

[Tech_Head_Rob]

Glen: c'mon man, you know you're as big of a techno nerd as all of us

I haven't checked out Voices of Africa vol.2 ... but vol. 1 is damned good. If it wasn't for that annoying vocal sample I'd absolutely love it... but the sample gets tired fast.

 

[Adam Duke]

His electro work under Zeta Reticula is delicious - I snatch up very new one I see.

@m.

 

[oddmyth]

Re: Werd.

Originally posted by Chaos

P.S. Too all the Headz...When was the last time either Fumiya Tanaka or Takkyo Ishino was in town...I'd do anything to check them out.

Never and Never. I don't think Fumiya tours much at all.

Cheers
[odd]?[io]

 

[Da grunj]

Born in 1976 Lubljana, Slovenia, Uros Umek began DJing in 1993 while he pioneered large scale techno parties with some of his friends in his home country which quickly became the county's favourite. Through his hard work creating these parties, techno became the most popular form of music in Slovenia and made him a very popular individual. He is currently the biggest DJ in Slovenia, his nickname is "Votter", which means father..

He currently co-owns runs Consumer Recreation Records, as well as releasing on, amongst others, Tortured (as Mumps), Planet Rhythm, Audio, Missile, Communique. His current style is the combination of many different roots, which the more long term Umek fans may recognise. Starting with a rough, uncompromising edge he quickly built a reputation in the studio.

More recently he has developed a new funkier sound highlighted on his last double pack on Tortured under his Mumps guise, a real winner due to its funked up style - this was Carl Cox's number 1 record for 3 months. Recent productions included the hugely successful Recycled Loops (with close friend Valentino) and the first of Billy Nasty's new electro label (Electrix).

He has toured Australia and America already, and moves on to Japan and Singapore as well as scheduled dates for Brazil, Australia and America. He has been working on a follow-up from his massive Mumps tracks on Tortured and will be mixing the next of Billy Nasty's Torture Chamber CDs. Also, expect more from his electro alter-go Zeta Reticula.

Finally, from June 2001 onwards Umek will be playing on 4 decks, the fist time anyone has tried this on the scale that Umek is planning, be prepared.

 

[seeker]

i know it's a few years old, but 'soludeks' always makes me jump around like a fish outta water. i think i had a set on mp3 once, but IIRC, i was overloaded with techno and didn't really give it a fair chance. can anyone suggest a good umek set to seek out?

i've heard of his 4 deck experiments... now i'd just like to hear one!

 

[tekno princess]

hook a sister up!!

any of you guys interested in swapping sets?

i still don't have umek in my collection

(that's just scandalous for a techno junkie)

 

[seeker]

okay, after a quick search on audiogalaxy, i've come up with the following:

umek - live @ i love techno 2001 (yellow room) [57:48, 192 kbps]
aside from the german voice-overs, this set is great. i'm certain this is the set i had downloaded before. i'm also certain that i didn't really listen to it, but instead deleted it because it had so many tunes i had in other places.

if the above statement is correct, this was recorded on 4 decks. it definitely sounds like 3 most of the way through, so perhaps it was 4. my ear is not trained well enough

pounding grooves without losing the funk. intricate mixes that keep the rhythm progressing. me likey.

a couple of other sets that i've found:

dave clarke & umek - live @ convex, prague (downloading this one)
dj rush & umek - live @ convex, prague
umek vs ben long - live @ ambassada gavioli
dj rush, chris liebing, gayle san umek - live @ U60311
umek - live @ nature one 2001

any idea what some of these others might be like? suggestions? i have limited hard disk space, so i'm looking for direction.

 

[seeker]

Re: Werd.

Originally posted by Chaos
Ahhh...Umek.

From a dj sets standpoint, my god...Along with Cristian Varela, Space DJ'z (not to mention Jamie or Ben solo....woohoo!) and Chris Liebing, is one of my favortie dj's to listen to and would pretty much do anything to seehim live...His sets vs. Ben Long @ Ambasada Gavioli is awesome...not to mention live @ Club Africa, Live on Monoid (@...what's the club...fuck...), @ I love techno (in the yellow room...), etc...

C

gawddammit. why don't i read posts instead of skimming them?!?! thanks for the 411.

 

[Chaos]

re: Liebing, San and Umek

Seeker,

With regards to which Umek to choose outta that list...I would definetely stay away from that U60311, if it's the same one I think it is, it's got NINE PARTS to it...It's amazing, but huge.

Thanks for mentioning some of those other ones, I'd never heard of...It's been a while since i've downloaded anything...I binged for 2 years and end up with hundreds of hours of heavenly techno that I hadn't even listened too...Now, i've pretty much memorized most of em...Time to get back!!!

C.

P.S. If you can find the Club Africa one...GET IT!!! My copy is parsed into ind. tracks, so it might be harder to come by...maybe?

P.P.S Live On Monoid is short...and insane. Also check out S.L.S On Monoid...just as awesome.

 

[seeker]

thanks for the heads up.

checked out the dave clarke vs umek set (briefly; skimmed) -- nice blend of mainly electro with a bit of tech thrown in.

Umek & Dave Clarke - Live @ Convex, Prague [73:49, 128 kbps]

 

[Tech_Head_Rob]

the best set of his i've heard is (and mainly what i'm basing my above statements on) is his set called;
Umek live @ Club Propaganda

it fucking rocks... the man is a very creative mixer. I had heard about the 4 deck experiments before too... we'll see how it goes. It could be potentially devastating to a dancefloor!