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Majestic Apr 2002 Website
Cultivator EP (JENVR008) by SoundTank.
TECHNO SoundTank produce energetic funk-laden deep house and techno that recieves wide acclaim in the DJ/Producer field. This strong uptempo techno choon oozes with quality from start to finish & with backing from Laurent Garnier, Josh Wink, Andy Weatherall, Dave Angel & more its just a matter of time before people start to ask about "Jenetic" masterpieces of deep house & deep techno by Pete & Jon.
Future BPM Apr 2002 Website
Cultivator EP (JENVR008) by SoundTank.
THREE very strong techno cuts that range from more minimal, driving sounds to deeper rhythms. The title cut, "Cultivator", locks you in with a tight, snappy groove and hypnotic overtones. Flip it over and you have a deeper, almost Basic Channel sounding track, with crisp, clicking kicks, synth lines that swell and reach out and grab you and an overall slick feel. The last cut is a tech-house stormer with a pumping groove that will work any floor. Solid.
-Kered
Off Its Face Jan 2002 Website
Cultivator EP (JENVR008) by SoundTank.
Tech label Jenetic's mainstay SoundTank are back again, this time with a 3 track EP with a distinctly more techy feel than the previous couple of label releases.
The title track 'Cultivator' sets the scene - a slightly laid-back but nonetheless snappy, techy number which kicks off with a percussive intro building to add the slightly wavery main synth hook. Dropping down quite early to give the synth space, the tight percussion kicks back in and launches the track proper. Some funky, slightly dirty synth filtering and a couple of dancefloor-shifting rhythmic quirks label this track as being a well produced piece, although it somehow lacks the instant appeal of some of SoundTank's previous tracks such as 'Arse From Elbow'.
Flipping to the B side, we find a slightly more funky take on things, starting with 'Universal'. Somewhat dark but funky, this track layers a number of different synths, starting off with a finely cut guitar-style riff and later building to drop in some darker, deeper stabs which build as the track goes on.
Second on the B side is 'Challenj', an extremely funky track which is refreshing, bright, sharp and vibrant. Guaranteed to loosen any stiff joints, this uses a couple of guitar-style riffs to good effect, including one which is so short, sharp and high that it almost becomes part of the percussion. This is SoundTank sounding better - original, funky and slightly quirky.
Overall, a slick EP which lives up to the expected quality from SoundTank, but which somehow lacks the edge which would really make this a storming 12". Nevertheless, it's very playable and mixes well. 'Challenj' in particular is a quality track which lifts the whole EP and one can only wonder why it has been relegated to the far end of the B side.
reviewed by Tim Jackson
Ministry Mag Jan 2002
Side Red Funk. (BFACE002) by Blueface. With SoundTank Remix.
Ministry Mag (Jan 2002): John Askew said: "A great record. Four tracks that really push the boundaries of tech house. Side Red Funk is an atmospheric little number that encompasses rolling breaks, haunting synths, delayed stabs, and occasional oriental melodies in a few of the breaks. Techno fans should head straight for the original mix of reaction technology. 7/10"
Oliver Ho said: "I really like the Soundtank remix of Side Red Funk. Nice rhythm programming that’s intricate but subtle. Certainly one for my record box! 7/10"
'Tune of the Month' in Mixmag Jan 2002
Side Red Funk. (BFACE002) by Blueface. With SoundTank Remix.
A little slice of genius from an obscure London label. The title track is driving tech house, given an urgent turn from the clipped percussion and stabs and a weird warbling vocal sample. Soundtanks mix is all good stuff, keeping the feel of the track but running the stabs backwards and adding heavy filters. On the flip "Reaction Technology" has a sinewy funky feel, with spacious chunky tech funk beats and some warm swoops of synth, but head for the Live remix, built around Chris Lonregans's organic percussion - a "Pacific State" for the 21st century. 5/5
Future BPM Nov 2001
Website
Jenetic vs Blueface Mix CD. (JVBCD001)
IT may not be a label that's a household name, but definitely keep your eyes peeled and your ears open for this underground UK imprint. Taking releases from both the Jenetic and Blueface label, it's mixed by Jon SoundTank to showcase the tough underground techno sounds of techno and techno-house. Gaining support from DJs like Laurent Garnier, Richie Hawtin, Colin Dale, Mr. C, Sven Vath and many others, something is up. That something is a blazing techno label releasing quality cuts. Flawlessly mixed, it gives the listener an insight to the labels' catalogue, but an unmixed disc would have been just as good. Excellent.
-Kered
Available: Out now!
Pitch Adjust Sept 2001
Website
Jenetic vs Blueface Mix CD. (JVBCD001)
Jenetic and Blueface Records are two London based labels that have joined forces and released this awesome album. Featured artist are Soundtank, Dr Flexible, Dj Evolution and Jake & the electric nudes. All tracks are nicely mixed together and keep the vibe high throughout the whole album. The quality of the album is very high and the style can best be described as a mixture of hard pumping techno, deep tech-house spiced up with some shuffled percussions and well placed analogue stabs.
Two of my personal favourites are “Purists are luddites”, which is a rather minimalistic track with a filtered vocal element in the background, a synth stab and a deep yet crispy bass backed up with a nice hard and funky beat, and “Occams Razor”, which is a deeper and more hypnotic track with nice percussions and a filtered saw pad, both produced by Soundtank.
The only downside I can think of is that its not even one hour long which makes it a bit too short. On the other hand the quality of the music is high and the concept is fresh so I don’t mind leaving it on repeat for a couple of hours.
Andreas Lundgren
World Techno Nation Sept 2001
Website
Jenetic vs Blueface Mix CD. (JVBCD001)
A solid mixed compilation of deep tech house from the UK based Jenetic and Blueface labels, courtesy of artists such as Soundtank, Jake and the Electric nudes and DJ evolution. Soundtank kick off the party with 'Arse from Elbow', (which I'm sure they can tell apart!) and a deep and drawn out synth line drenched over sharp kick drums. From then on the beat rarely stops through a set of hard beats and deep, lush melodies that is somewhere inbetween Jeff Mills and Terry Francis.
Personal favourites are 'Creeper', with its sinister and plucky effects over deep synth stabs and a pulsating bassline, and 'Species' which works an abstract vocal and a backwards dragged synth sound over a banging bassdrum. At times the album ventures close to a more hardcore vibe, but theres enough melody throughout to please most tech house hungry headbangers.
WTN
CDPool Series 4 Vol 9 Sept 2001
Website
Arse From Elbow. Jenetic Records
Techno monster again from this very trustworthy label who with cutting edge production skills and a very vivid imagination turn out their best track to date and it's already been sniffed out by a few majors, you know who you are!
CD Pool
IDJ, Sept 2001
Arse From Elbow EP. Jenetic Records
Fledgling UK label Jenetic keep up the pressure with another set of accessible club tracks. Theres some very good percussion going on here and all four tracks will drive a floor well, but they do tend towards the featureless - an indicator of how this label has yet to really define its identity or sound.
Tom Magic Feet
OffItsFace.com, Sept 2001
Website
Arse From Elbow EP. Jenetic Records
New from techno/tech-house label Jenetic is this EP featuring the opening track from their compilation CD collaboration with Blueface Records. 'Arse From Elbow', the tech-house track from which the EP also derives its name, sets the pace for this 12" with it's deep, funky vibes. The perfect way to start an evening, this track builds gently, staying close to its main chord riff. Two drops hold back the progression but towards the end the electronic percussion is complemented by a quirky off-beat. A great track sitting perfectly between deep house and laid-back techno. After this gentle introduction, the EP moves onto slightly tougher beats with 'Plan B', a more percussive floor-stomper with a trippy and driving beat. Interspersed with minimal screeches and deep, siney bass this track is set apart by its fairly long central section where it drops back to an eerie soundscape of what sound like tiny voice sample snippets and filtered splashes and builds back up gently as the beat kicks back in. Flipping to the B side, 'Knees Up Mother' is an altogether different affair, a dark, twisted, minimal slice of tech progression. With the heavy bass dropping in and out amongst tough beats and record pulls, this is a building mid-set track to pump up the energy and really drive the dancefloor. Full on and powerful, this is a strong track. Following a similar style but defying definition with it's more breaky, syncopated rhythm, the final track on this EP 'Ginger Ninga' is a little more obscure and more percussive than it's predecessors but certainly something different to try. Altogether, this is an EP demonstrating an involving variety of styles and so there ought to be something for everyone here. Pick it up and give it a listen, if nothing else for the excellent title track.
Tim Jackson
DJ Mag, Iss 80/Vol 2 16 Dec/12 Jan
Cranium EP. Jenetic Records
Jenetic Records have already been responsible for two excellent deep techno releases and this new four tracker from SoundTank covers a more diverse range of techno. Sure the deep, atmospheric techno that has become Jenetic's trademark sound is present and correct on 'Purists are Luddites' and the 2-Thou mix of "Cranium", but the title track goes for a darker spin on the sound, while 'Needafix' is a looped percussive track with a dirty squelching bassline. One of the most consistent new techno labels around. 4/5
Richard Brophy
International DJ, XMas 2000
Cranium EP. Jenetic Records
More good stuff from Tyne & Wear's premier (and, erm, possibly only) techno label. A side cuts Purists Are Luddites and Cranium (2-Thou Mix) are bouncy and mid-paced while Cranium and Needafix on the B are a touch harder and more metallic. Get your head around this.
Tom Magic Feet
Pitch Adjust Jan 2001 Website
Cranium EP. Jenetic Records
The third vinyl release from Jenetic Records is on it's way out to the stores January 17th. The artist is SoundTank and the 12" is entitled Cranium Ep. This is a stomping tech-house release containing 4 tracks - Purists are Luddites, Cranium 2-thou, Cranium and Needafix.
My pick from the record is "Purists are Luddites" which is a real tech stomper. Sound wise it reminds me of a mixture between Advent and those old Dave Clark Red releases. Track A-2, "Cranium 2-thou" can also slide into my set as it's a better tech-house take of the title track.
The release is well worth checking for tech-heads out there!!
Patrik Sjeren
Toast Mag Jan 2001 Website
Cranium EP. Jenetic Records
This package landed on my stoop one day, and after giving it a good and proper listening, I must confess....I like it. SoundTank's, erh....ah, sound, fits neatly into the wide open gap between cool dubby house and thermal rhythmic techno. First out, "Purists are Luddites" gives a spilt finger to the navel gazers and genre police. Thick electro bass roots down and punches you squarely in the unmentionables, followed by a swiftly delivered snare crack and whirly-swirly synths; "Purists.." is a deep floor damager. The EP's title tune comes in two forms, original and "Cranium (2-Thou Mix)" take your pick. The former's metallic tones pan quickly, almost imperceivably, back and forth, tunneling through the tune on top of a heavy warehouse bass drum thump a great bottoming out hypnotic tracker. The "2-Thou Mix" tightens matters up by forging the synth from a drone into a stab and adds a whiplash rhythm to boot. "Needafix" brings up the rear but should not be left untouched. Not your ordinary techno percussions, "Needafix" works a superbly used breakbeat into a frothing-at-the-mouth drum frenzy. My only complaint is that it should be longer, but the everlasting fade-out allows for some really great mixing mischief. Yeah, I think Jenetic's got something here.
MEK
Upfront Mag, iss #4 Sept/Oct 2000
Cathartic EP. Jenetic Records
Hypnotic grooves for midnight moves and early morning floaters for the sunshine voters. This is the second excursion of this new tech-house/techno label. Four tracks of solid grooves pushed along by low slung b-lines, sprinkled with crisp top end and bound together with tubular soundscapes.
Trippy
Overload 4.0 Oct 2000 Website
Cathartic EP. Jenetic Records
With the first SoundTank EP getting spin-time from the likes of Garnier and Weatherall, this second release from Newcastle's Jenetic crew offers further excursions into deep-house and techno terrain which should certainly gain duo Jon Howard and Pete Jones a wider audience. Standouts are 'The Gush' - sturdy tech house fodder with real pace, and 'Cathartic' - a classy bass-driven slab of up-tempo house muzak.` The tracks on the B-side aren't saying much to be honest, but for dedicated deep house junkies this is well worth buying for the title track alone.
Franklin J
M8 Magazine. September 2000
Cathartic EP. Jenetic Records
The Newcastle Jenetic lads are back with a no nonsense tech house four tracker. All are decent tunes, but head straight for Occam's Razor if you like dirty tech beats and well ordered dance floor arrangements. The other tracks sound like a pumped version of DiY, loads of jazzy chords and warm melodies. Going deep, deep down. M7/M8
Dan 'Yeti' Irwin
WAX August 2000
Cathartic EP. Jenetic Records.
More tech-house inspired grooviness, but with the added bonus of being loud and clear, which makes for an exhilarating experience played though a proper sound system. With this being only the second release for this label, the future's looking bright indeed.
Mark EG
7-Mag (Issue 63 August 2000)
Species EP Jenetic Records.
This has been around for a few weeks now but is really worth tracking down if you like soulful, well produced techno. Its the kind of record 'Fat-Cat' would have creamed themselves over; four tracks of interesting, seductive tech-house and elastic, alien-funk that oozes quality. Hailing from Newcastle, this could in fact have originated from deepest Detroit. Highly recommended. 5/5
Chris Liberator
International DJ (XFade). August 2000
Cathartic EP Review. Jenetic Records.
Second release from the promising Jenetic crew up there in Tyne & Wear. Four tracks, three of which marry smooth keyboard motifs
with punchy, pacy tech-house rhythms and could be pitched up or down to fit. The fourth, 'Occams' is a grittier, more metallic affair,
dark and threatening.
Tom Magic Feet
Jockey Slut July 2000
Species EP review. Jenetic Records.
The first release on Jenetic Records highlighting the underground scene of Newcastle. 'Species' takes its lead from Jay Denham's Black nation output with off-kiltre keys submerged in deep production. A promising introduction to our new friends in the North.
Nick Doherty.
Overload. July 2000 (issue 3.0) Website
Species EP review. Jenetic Records.
The debut release on this Tyneside pairing's 'Jenetic' label, and
one which holds much promise. Three of the tracks are variations
on the title piece, though each has something new to offer - from the
opener's chunky stomp, late-night melodic hook and keyboard
noodlings to the funkier and more restrained version on the
flip-side. The fourth track; 'Fobic', is an altogether darker beast, with
a deep clanging riff and driving hi-hats. Definitely worth keeping an
eye on these fellas.
Nick Craddock
IDJ Mag. July 2000 (formerly XFade)
Species EP review. Jenetic Records.
Another new UK label enters the fray with some strong uptempo techno cuts by Tyneside duo Jon H and Pete J. All four are based around simple repetitive keyboard riffs, but its the detail which makes this worth investigating for the tech-house heads. Think Circulation meets Dave Angel and you're about halfway there.
Tom Magic Feet
DJ Mag. June 2000 No.67 Vol 2.
Species EP review. Jenetic Records.
A very promising start from a new techno label. The title track is available in two versions,
the former is a funkier, jacking mix while the later is more upfront gated techno, similar to
some of Slater's Planetary Assault material. The variety continues on the flip with the robust,
robotic funk of 'Fobic' and 'Spoonfed Overdose' an ice cool tech-house number. 4/5.
Richard Brophy
The Crack June 2000
Species EP review.
Since 1995, SoundTank have been a presence in Newcastle's techno/deep house scene,
and will be flying the flag on dancefloors this summer with their latest offering on new
Newcastle label Jenetic Records. Launching right in with 'Species', a seductive deep house
groove, Pete J and Jon H glide us through the techno rollercoaster ride of 'Fobic' (featured in
American cult graffiti film 'GV3') and then ease us back down with the lighter house sounds
of 'Spoonfaced Overdose'. If the techno/deep house thing is your bag then check this one out.
Tommy (The Crack)
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