We are chuffed to see new entries within the scene, dealing with cool articles and features. When it's about a hard copy publication then our excitement gets doubled.
Introducing you Flipside. A printed, full-color fanzine dedicated to the Łódź rave scene, as I personally describe this city as the 'Nu-Rave capital'. The publication focuses both on its history and its current shape. A must-have for collectors and fans of rave culture.
"Why print? Because paper has a soul. Because a physical magazine doesn’t disappear overnight like a website forgotten after a decade. Because in 20 years, you’ll be able to take it out of the closet and, with a smile, dive back into the history of sounds that had a real impact on who we are." [Official statement from Flipside - Translated in English]
The very first issue of Flipside is available to buy now. It is a 36-page printed full-color fanzine dedicated to the Łódź rave scene. The publication focuses both on its history and its current shape. The first issue includes, among others, an interview with Base Club, as well as articles about Radicall, R.I.P Danger, Broken Mindz, and Unknown Past. It also features reports from iconic parties in Łódź and abroad, including London's 'Epidemic' 30th anniversary event. A must-have for collectors and fans of rave culture.
Everything there is in polish language, but it is all pure gold and deserves your attention and support.
Bourassa is back and serving us a scorching new summer hit. This time, label boss Smolny doesn't hold back, unleashing a powerful holiday anthem titled 'Need Love'.
If you're truly in dire need of some love, this track is definitely for you! It starts off slowly and nostalgically, seasoned with a distinct amen break. The growing tension sends shivers down your spine, while a beautiful trance chord intertwines with a long pad in the background. Adding to the flavor is a twisted female vocal that seductively flirts with your senses. It all culminates in a euphoric experience, gradually building up to release the accumulated energy. Finally, everything explodes as a strong and expressive bass line hits you like a ton of bricks. The following track 'Running' takes a more tranquil approach, transporting us to a dreamy realm. Broken drums keep propelling us forward, never allowing us to pause. The melodic chord gracefully emerges, creating a chill atmosphere and setting the mood. After the breakdown, grooving bongos complete the picture. The B-side features two fantastic remixes of the title track, 'Need Love'. The first one is a fierce breakbeat roller from Denham Audio. With its powerful bass and mesmerizing droplets cascading in the background, it creates a distinct hypnotic atmosphere. The change in bassline to the typical speed garage sound delivers an even more potent punch at the end. The second remix is crafted by SLG, who flawlessly captures the sound of the '97s, creating a track in the progressive trance style from that era. A brilliantly composed bass line constantly propels the track forward, building tension alongside the melodic line. A real dance floor killer!
Watch now the Lodz conspiracy causing the right breakbeat mayhem. Butcher the jungle drummer meets Nefti and the rest is history covered on this 18' short performance straight and direct from their studio in Poland.
The ultimate Nu-Rave king Nefti from Lodz in Poland is celebrating his 20 years on the decks this year, starting back then from 2001 Radio Lodz's "Nocny Trans" show and counting from that time countless of gigs and plenty of quality releases. Nefti is one of the most indispensable stalwarts of the Hardcore Breaks scene and is definetely a key player to our scene, moreover one of the best DJs out there.
On 28th August, he celebrates his 20th anniversary behind the decks and in front of the masses and calls every single party head and raver to join in. This event will take place in SODA Underground Stage in Lodz and Nefti will be accompanied by friends DJs, MCs and crews on a night that is expected to be unforgettable.
Following up his heartful message to all Polish crew, as stated on his facebook page: "Zapraszam Was serdecznie do klubu Soda Underground Stage, gdzie 28.08. odbędzie się impreza z okazji mijających 20 lat odkąd mam możliwość dla Was grać. Przez te 20 lat mieliście okazję usłyszeć mnie w wielu miejscach w Polsce i na świecie, czy to jako support do zagranicznych gwiazd sceny rave / breakbeat / drum'n'bass, czy to czasem również w roli headlinera. Swoje pierwsze kroki na scenie miałem okazję stawiać dzięki załodze Preludium i przy ich ogromnym wsparciu jako 14 letni ówcześnie małolat. Za co w tym miejscu chciałbym im ogromnie podziękować. Sety grane na żywo w Nocnym Transie w Radio Łódź, czy możliwość zagrania na ciężarówce podczas parady oraz setek imprez klubowych były wtedy marzeniem, które się spełniło. Nie sposób też nie wspomnieć o Demoscenie Nocnego Transu, gdzie mogliście posłuchać oraz ocenić moje wczesne produkcje muzyczne. Konkurs Made In Poland był kolejnym i znaczącym krokiem naprzód, gdyż to tam tak naprawdę doceniliście moje produkcje za co dzięki Wam, słuchaczom i imprezowiczom, dostałem Nagrodę Publiczności! To tam poznałem osobiście jednych z najlepszych polskich producentów muzyki drum & bass Ukłony dla tych producentów, którzy w późniejszym czasie na forum oraz osobiście, dawali mi cenne wskazówki, co można zrobić lepiej i jak to zrobić ;) Wytężona praca nad osiągnięciem możliwie jak najwyższej jakości produkcji przyniosła efekty i moją pierwszą EP w Tornado Records, za co jestem wdzięczny Marcinowi, bo to w późniejszym czasie pozwoliło dotrzeć do szerszej rzeszy odbiorców z całego świata. W międzyczasie spędziłem chwilę współpracując z Fonoteką, który to skład też bardzo gorąco pozdrawiam. W 2009 powstało Intensive Recordings, gdzie oprócz swoich produkcji miałem i dalej mam zaszczyt wydawać dużo utworów pochodzących głównie (lecz nie tylko) od polskich producentów.
Ogromne podziękowania za zaufanie oraz za świetny materiał do wydawania należy się w tym miejscu wszystkim producentom ze stajni Intensive, ale jest ich zbyt wielu, żeby wszystkich tu wymienić i nikogo nie pominąć, także szacunek dla Was wszystkich. Pianoholix... cóż, od początku działaliśmy z wielką pompą w breakbeatach oraz ich różnych odmianach i tak było przez długi czas, za co też z mojej strony należą się podziękowania dla reszty składu, bo zagraliśmy wspólnie wiele bardzo udanych imprez i nie tylko! Od 2020 dołączyłem do mega pozytywnego składu kochających drum'n'bass wariatów, jakimi bez wątpienia są chłopaki z Bassement Crew!!! Dawno nie poznałem tak przesyconych pozytywną energią ludzi, którzy swoim zapałem teraz motywują mnie do dalszego działania! Jesteście Wielcy! Podsumowując... Ten czas dał mi dzięki Wam (słuchaczom, dj-om, producentom, artystom) wiele najlepszych w życiu wspomnień, ale też pozwolił się rozwinąć i zdobyć doświadczenie tak na scenie, jak i w studio czy też od strony technicznej. Na imprezie z racji ograniczonego czasu zagra jedynie skromny odsetek ludzi, których chciałem zaprosić, a z którymi przez lata miałem okazję w większym lub mniejszym stopniu współpracować. Chciałbym zaprosić wszystkich, ale trzeba by wtedy zrobić festiwal na 5 scen, a mamy tylko jedną tej nocy ;)
Dlatego też będzie mi niezmiernie miło, jeśli wspólnie ze mną i moimi gośćmi, zaszczycicie nas wszyscy tej nocy swoją obecnością! Do zobaczenia 28.08. w klubie SODA Pozdrawiam Was gorąco i zapraszam." - Nefti
Lodz Intensive well known collective returns with a supreme digital release of Nuskool Breaks! In other words, Nu-Rave king Nefti is back after returning from his first ever UK live set and @ Rejuvenation 6th Birthday event in Leeds.
'My Love' is his new personal dish covered with anything you'd need, like pianos, hard bass and storming phat breakbeats along with quality remixes from his good local friends Greg Sin Key and Oneplayz.
Additionally he's back with rushing Rave Force suit delivering a pretty cool nu-ravey remix.
This is the new Intensive Recordings digital weapon, totally appropriate for your dj sets and your listening pleasure. This company knows how to score over the years and this new proof makes does it!
A hard working man, an established member of the almighty Polish Hardcore Skool keeping it for real from 90's till now, running his own label Tornado Records, and being faithful and devoted on what he loves mostly! And what's that? Oldskool Music, you can generally call it and our Captain, Marcin Kret better known as DJ TORNADO will do the rest! Old Skool Festival 2016 was the huge 2dayer festival happened throughout our community, our scene, our music! And it came to be higher than last year and a trademark of the present history of Hardcore! More details about our Captain are following on his answers... Hi Tornado! Firstly congratulations on a bigger, better and amazing Old Skool Festival! Lodz really is the Rave Capital! I see you're really passionate about this music genre, from your DJ sets with Leo, which are amazing every time, to the label and store promoting these artists and the genre, and even from small events to these huge festivals! All I can say is WOW! I am still suffering from the weekend, how long do you think you need to recharge?
Well I think it may take even a month as I was working hard for last 6 months and really need a long holiday. Everyone was complaining about my behaviour, family and friends. OSF2016 affected my private life so I need my life to get back to me. Do you have any plans for a forthcoming release with your label?
Not at this moment. Last vinyl was released in 2013 and it was very, very limited double picture disk, but since this time I have no new ideas and plans, today market is different. I'd wish to release something but only on vinyl. There are not too many vinyl collectors and DJs playing vinyl so that's why I don't have any vision. Another problem is a good vinyl press company. There was one excellent at Crickelwood but they shut down. Recently I was doing TOR011 in Czech and was a crap even after 3 different test press. It's better not to press vinyl rather then press low quality. If you are doing thousands records then you can afford for the best quality and expensive factories, but if you are doing 300-400 records then you need to search for affordable companies and usually the don't offer good quality.
I see you have pushed and promoted Polish artists.
Do you have any favourite Polish artists?
My favourite artists are Oneplayz, Nefti and Wonter.
And who are your favourite Old Skool artists?
Difficult to say as there are many, but if I could select one only it would be Acen.
Are there any artists you would love to get for the next Old Skool Festival?
A list is long. However organising this level of event involves really big money and huge amount of your time. Everything depends on sponsors, as two previous events I have financed from my own pocket, but it is really difficult to manage this kind of event. If I will not find someone serious and strategic then I will become retired rather than doing something small except free parties for friends up to 100 people in a garage or hired small pub.
Why is this music so alive in Lodz do you think? Because culture is still alive, people love it, DJs are doing events, also long tradition and legend 'New Alcatraz' makes it alive. Also, this music has a real power and energy!
OK, this is a tough one... Being so busy you don't catch everything going on in the night as you are needed everywhere at once, it is draining.
Whose performance were you most looking forward to for the event and out of who you caught. Who did you enjoy the most?
I was looking forward to see N-Joi and Rozalla and enjoyed both, bit definitely for me, the Queen of the Weekend was Rozalla.
One of the things that make your events stand out is the choice of the artists selected, the line ups are huge and full of the important artists behind this music and not the boring stale repeated line ups that appear in London for example, long may this continue.
This is what sets these events apart and higher than what's happening elsewhere. Seriously, where else are these line ups playing? Only in Lodz, hence the Rave Capital!
Amazing work! What do you have up your sleeve next? Some artists belong to permanent Tornado team, however I'm trying not to repeat too often them. I have few ideas and pre-agreed bookings, however as I said above - everything depends on sponsors.
I have played at most venues in Lodz, big and small, and I love the Bedroom venue, it is the perfect setup, Do you have any favourites, past or present?
Bedroom is really a good venue as it is ex-theatre, so it has large front stage, good infractructure. In the past a good venue was the Cube. This is problem in Lodz- lack of good venues with all infrastructure also managers if they don't like specific kind of music they will not hire venue. Conditions offered by venue managers are unacceptable for most event organisers.
Ok, what are your 3 favourite Old Skool tunes, and your 3 favourite Hardcore Breaks tunes?
haha, I love them all!, but...
01. The Prodigy - G-Force part.1 02. The House Crew - We Are Hardcore 03. Acen - Windows in the Sky part.3
HBC: 01. The Flashback Project - Another Dimension 02. Damage Inc - I Found You 03. The Flashback Project - Hands In The Air Something different now...
3 places visitors to Lodz should check out when in town?
01. Restaurant Izba Chlopska - excellent polish food 02. Manufaktura - Shopping Centre 03. Piotrkowska street - walk thru and see this famous Lodz's high street
Regarding Hardcore Breaks, what would you like to see happen next for it?
Promoting them in popular radio stations!
What do you think of an Hardcore Breaks event or event with a 2nd Hardcore Breaks room?
I was already thinking about it during OSF2016, but due to lack of rooms decided to leave main arena only. OSF edition 3 will not happen at Bedroom, but I already have plans, as there will be place for 3 stages.
Any messages for the readers out there?
Money are not everything! Make Love not hate. Family and friends first! This is very true, in a World obsessed with bling, money is not everything, time is the most valuable so let's make sure that time is great! OK, thank you Tornado, we shall leave you to it!
Dropping on the 6/3/2015 A brand new EP from 1 of the legends in the scene! Nefti has a new EP release in March - you know that's essential listening/mixing/skankin material! Nefti is like a Rave machine,he delivers the goods consistantly! The Polish producer/DJ has made his mark long ago and continues to show why he is one of the most important names in Rave Music. This is his new release 'The Game EP', the 18th release on Intensive! Let's check the tunes out!
The Game: Starting off with lush Trance vibes and a teasing filtered breakbeat you know Nefti's gonna deliver something special! Dropping into new territory for Nefti a dirty, Techy bassline leads the way showing a new direction for Nefti's work? Lots of little chops and Old Skool stabs subtly used in the background before the tune drops into the opening Trance flava again with that filtered break letting you know the bass is about to drop again! Simple? Yes, but the 3 important elements stand out, great breakbeats, big dirty bass and that nice Trance riff. This is one that is going to work on the dancefloors and on the radio shows, I for one will be playing this tune as I know it will go down a treat! 7/10
Love Me: Ok, now this sounds like more familiar Nefti style Rave music! Kicks off with Nefti's trademark Piano and Beats - somehow Nefti always seems to twist pianos and beats into something that instantly screams Nefti! Little vocal chops "If you wanna love me" give the track it's title, then, Pow! Nefti's new experiments into Bass music show he's already awesome Rave music maturing into new flavas and promise an incredible future for his music and forthcoming tracks! 7/10
Rave Force,Amigos Forever (Nefti Remix): Breakbeats start the ball rolling into an acid led bassline that drops into a piano and bleep break that uses the familiar 'Amigos Forever'riff, this drops straight into some dirty, twisting bass! Nefti promised he wanted to make his Rave music have some more Bass/Jungle elements and he's certainly delivering without losing his vocal/piano signature sound! Personally I think this is very important that he hasn't lost his trademark sound while moving and merging into new musical territory! 6/10
The Game (NeuroNative Remix): I dont know who NeuroNative is but could this be a tease of the future of this label and direction of this sound?! Very nicely produced,starts off very Trancey even with a 4/4 kick and bass sound before dropping into some nice little breaks! Very lush sounding with a vocal pad and risers building into what sounds like a twisted Reese basss is to come! 6/10
Overall,a solid and essential purchase! Stands out musically and quality wise! Intensive 18 Nefti - The Game EP 7/10
