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CD
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WG 028CD
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Biesmans will mix the next volume of Watergate's prestigious mix series, following in the footsteps of Ellen Allien, Solomun, Jimi Jules, and WhoMadeWho. Going above and beyond the standard mix compilation brief, the Belgian artist has produced a work consisting entirely of his own original productions. The project also features collaborations with a diverse range of artists including Dusky, Mathew Jonson, Adana Twins, and Kasper Bjørke, alongside rising talent such as Shubostar and Mala Ika. Following Trains, Planes & Automobiles (WGA 003LP, 2021), his next impressive career stride is Watergate 28, a joyful neon dancefloor trip that takes in synthwave, indie dance, nu disco, and all manner of celestial tracks in the house spectrum. It's also the first Watergate compilation since dOP's in 2012 (WG 006CD) to take on the mammoth challenge of producing all original and exclusive material for the project. When he arrived back in Berlin in mid-February ready to begin studio time, he started completing a sketch on "Smooth Monday", the track that would go onto to be his luminescent collaboration with the Permanent Vacation-backed Zombies In Miami. Two weeks into his studio time, it was clear there was more than enough quality material to not only fulfill, but smash Watergate's original brief. What followed was no less than 17 original tracks and 13 collaborations -- arguably the most ambitious in Watergate's compilation history. Already in touch after releasing on their imprint 17 Steps in 2019, he sent three sketches to Dusky and the nostalgia-soaked "Back in the Daze" was the shimmering result. The vibes flowed like a dream when he linked with Kid Simius for the funky nu disco gem "Me Gusta Acid", even recording Kid's vocals in one take. A visit to his hero Mathew Jonson's studio for the day saw the birth of the pumping piano-laden houser "Quantum Computing", a project highlight. After bonding over their shared love of cosmic synths in Tulum this year, Biesmans invited South Korean artist Shubostar into his studio to create the wavy '80s inspired creation "Across the Universe". Biesmans likewise mined inspiration wherever he went, his track "March for Peace" was created off the back of attending a rally to support Ukraine. Biesmans pieced together each track like a jigsaw puzzle, building up sonic moods throughout. The resulting mix is an exhilarating technicolor journey. From the immense opener "Away" with one half of dOP's Vandesande, to the woozy arpeggiated bliss of "Holiday" with Kasper Bjørke and the synth-drenched breakbeat euphoria of the Biesmans solo cut "All Day Every Day", it's a highlight-heavy 78-minute ride. Also features Jacob Bellens, Alex Medina, Johannes Albert, TomTheBomb, and Joy Adegoke.
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2LP
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WGA 003LP
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What began as a challenge to fight creative stagnation, soon grew into a fully-fledged audio-visual project for Belgian DJ, producer, and live artist, Biesmans. Setting himself the goal of making three tracks per week for a month, he re-scored '80s pop culture moments -- including films, TV shows and games, resulting in a brilliant 12-track work encompassing new wave, indie, dark wave, electro and disco. Moving his modular-heavy studio to Berlin in 2014, the ensuring years saw Joris Biesmans drop heat on Correspondent, Disco Halal, AEON, 17 Steps and Future Disco. He's been a core member of Watergate family since his arrival in the capital, working as the club's sound technician. The Trains, Planes & Automobiles album took shape in April of 2020 as the lockdown was starting to take grip. Ensconced in the music of his childhood and '80s pop cultural fodder, he locked himself in his studio and set about creating, later digging through archival footage to match the music. Biesmans, who previously undertook work scoring films, was so absorbed by the process, he'd sometimes do it in reverse; allowing the vintage media be the guide. Throughout the period, the clips were shared each Monday, Wednesday and Friday on his Instagram, building up a firm following. And thus, the project found its wings, developing into an album. Throughout the dozen tracks, highlights are plentiful; from the neon ambience of the Kraftwerk-inspired "Cosmic Cruise", which later accompanied a smoky scene between Tom Cruise and Rebecca de Mornay in Risky Business; the sun-soaked, retro-pop title track, which became the album's first single, and was paired with a jubilant dance scene from the Breakfast Club; "Cold Void", the album's second single, which saw Biesmans link up with fellow Belgians Boi Wonder and Tom the Bomb for a dark wave creation built around a heavy guitar solo and set against a backdrop of Blade Runner clips; and the silky electro funk of "Another World" that soundtracks scenes from Miami Vice. Biesmans on Trains, Planes and Automobiles: "I started this as a lockdown challenge, in which I would make three tracks per week for a month, alongside providing videos where I re-scored footage of '80s pop culture moments. Inspired by the movie of the same name, I picked the title because it ties to the theme of 'mobility'. Our society is based upon being mobile and when Corona hit us, we could taste a bit of being immobile..." Black-and-yellow vinyl; gatefold sleeve; includes poster.
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12"
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WG 068EP
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A core member of the Oberbaumbrücke family delivers a sleek label debut. As the club's technician, Joris Biesmans (aka Biesmans) has been an invaluable fixture at Watergate for the last five years. A true audiophile, when he's not tuning WG's sound system to perfection, he's building modular synths and honing his studio craft. Having recently quit his technician job to focus on making music full time, he's a new addition to the WG agency roster and follows suit with an impressive debut EP on the label, after releases on Correspondent, AEON, and Adana Twins' TAU. The title track "Electric Love" is a chugging slice of electro, marked by lush key progressions and attitude-drenched vocals from newcomer Idorski. Marvin and Guy Amplifier are tapped for remix duties and inject the original with a celestial melody line primed for end-of-the-night moments. "Technician on a Mission" is driven by a polished bassline that modulates throughout, while '80s synths give it a retro-future stamp. "City Boy" is a modern day synth-wave gem, reinforcing the breadth of sound espoused by Watergate Records.
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