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CD
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MHR 016CD
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Greece-born Kostas Tassopoulos aka Ekkohaus presents his debut album for Moon Harbour. Entitled Noschool, it is the culmination of a close relationship between the Berlin-based artist and the music label Moon Harbour Recordings from Leipzig. It dates back to 2008 and has seen Ekkohaus explore his trademark and very modern take on rich house over a number of regular releases at the sister label Cargo Edition. It was in the mid-'90s that Ekkohaus first started making music, but not until 2005 that he unleashed his debut release. Since then he has worked with labels like 2020Vision, Tsuba, and Mule and has taken his live show to lauded clubs like Fabric (London), Watergate (Berlin), Space (Ibiza), and many more. His debut album is a collection of new material from 2010 to 2012 and is titled as an anti-statement to the tiring old school/new school debates that rule the electronic community. Noschool is about bridging the space in between the two well-respected schools, he says. "For this project, I have used all possible means of production: analog drum machines alongside with VST plug-ins, modular synths with Audio Units, original recordings as well as sample libraries. From the bass lines to the sax lines, from the Rhodes phrases to the house beat, I hope there is something in there for everyone." The resulting 13 track album is one that explores the Greek's signature sound -- warm 4/4 beats, involving bass and cute sampling -- but also leans on a whole lifetime of influence from jazz to funk, hip-hop to dub to disco. Though offering plenty of dancefloor dynamite along the way, Noschool also stands up to home listening or Sunday driving sessions. The album features a number of exciting collaborations including Robert Würz on saxophone, Jon J-Lab playing bass on "Reparations" and Lady Blacktronika singing on "Chasing Brown." As well as this, field recordings from Barcelona, Athens and Istanbul add an organic and real world element to the album from start to finish. From the romantic jazz-house vibes of the opener "A Drive" to more propulsive but equally deep house cuts like "Reparations," each track tells a story. Cuts like "Keep Your Eyes on Me" are loose and freeform, vintage-sounding yet forward-facing, where "Buzzin Fly" works on both your head and heel with its contrasting textures and lush melodies.
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12"
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CARGO 016EP
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White Winter Lust is the third release by Ekkohaus on Cargo Edition. "Ace Body" is a positive house track that doesn't need any cheap tricks. For the remix, label mate Michael Melchner acts discreetly and strips the track down to a plain beat to which he adds a variety of effects. "Dirty Mind" is a driving house tool with a groove that still fascinates you after hours of listening. "Parafumadores" is more jazzy and laid-back with a relaxed chord element.
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12"
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MULE 069EP
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Ekkohaus aka Kostas Tassopoulos is a Greece-born and now Berlin-based producer, and his debut release on Mule Electronic contains two modern, deep-house sounds. "Almost Definately" with its vocal samples and piano loops sounds like a modern remake of "Mood II Swing." "Haunted House" is dirty Chicago house-influenced tech house. Both tracks are very playful if you like the sound of modern deep house or early '90s house.
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12"
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MORRIS 065EP
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"'The Healer' and 'Cry Baby,' licensed for the new Fabric mix CD by Claude von Stroke (Fabric 46)!: After his fab debut 12" on Morris Audio some month ago, up and coming Greek fella Ekkohaus is back with more tasty stuff! The A-side features two of his original cuts: both are funked up stripped down tech house groovers, ready to rock your club. Both tracks have already been licensed to the forthcoming Fabric mix CD by Claude von Stroke (Fabric 46)! The flipside offers a deep summerish remix from another Greek top shot, Kreon. He has made his name with dope releases on Céille Numbers, Robsoul and Resopal Red among others."
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12"
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CARGO 009EP
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"One year after his first EP on Cargo Edition, Kostas Tassopouls aka Ekkohaus delivers to the label another incredibly strong release. The native-born Greek, now living in Berlin, has developed into a skilled producer who rides the line between techno and house. The combination of reduced, hypnotic and impulsive arrangements with a subtle deepness are typical of Ekkohaus' sound, demonstrated perfectly in the two tracks of this EP. 'Unsound' is characterized by his smooth, almost elegant rhythm. A repetitive meandering vocal sample weaves through the track, sounding familiar yet haunting at the same time. The track is already played by many key DJs and is definitely to be heard more often within the next months to come. 'Moon Talking' focuses on a more standard vocal which gives the track some pop-appeal. At the same time, the introverted male vocal introduces a very catching harmony which will undoubtedly have a huge impact on the dancefloor. With this EP, Ekkohaus cements himself as one of the modern-house talents."
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12"
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MORRIS 062EP
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"Morris Audio 62 is a joint venture from two of the most outstanding Greek producers (em well, living both in Berlin now): Ekkohaus and GummiHZ! And they present what they do best: Ekkohaus (hot with his Cargo Edition release) gives us two great summer tunes, house stylee, with fat bouncing basslines. And GummiHZ (big with his releases on Mobilee) turns 'Our Thing' into a minimal dancefloor smasher -- reduced to the max, but adding highlights where necessary, this track will be in your box for a long time! And yes, we got a new design!"
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12"
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KICK 005EP
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"After a Finnish artist from Portugal, Cologne-based Kickboxer headquarters would like to welcome a Greek from England and strictly speaking, from London. Kostas Tassopoulos aka Ekkohaus is a colleague of Argy (Pokerflat, Raum Musik), who, of course, is also Greek and a newcomer. So far so good. As far as the music is concerned, this 12" release offers a vast, universal spectrum: from the rocking hit 'Down With the Boys' to the 303 acid rush 'Denz Musik,' over the solid techno stomper 'Killer Bees' to the chill-out track 'Liebe.' This does not only sound really varied, but it definitely is. We love it, and you will certainly like it, too. That's for sure. So we will give the highest score for this first maxi 12" release to our London-based Greek."
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