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2LP
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DKMNTL 041LP
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Makam, aka Guy Blanken, returns to Dekmantel Records with his first full-length album for the Amsterdam based label. Blanken's ongoing search for fresh sounds, textures and rhythms has lead him to Than Sadet, a gorgeous piece of work that takes his sound into new directions. Than Sadet displays a refinement of Makam's sound. The music is highly tactile, with an emphasis on the surroundings of the environment in which it was created. Blanken on the records: "Than Sadet is a secluded beach on an island in Thailand. A mysterious atmosphere haunts it. It's windy and the weather is always a bit worse compared to the rest of the isle. There are many cliffs and you can't swim because the waves are too high. Four years ago, I visited Than Sadet for the first time and I've been coming back ever since. At one point I decided to bring my studio equipment. For a week, I dedicated my days to making music. Those sketches formed the basis of the album." The inspiration on Than Sadet is obvious: From billowing percussion through windswept strings, to passages of strange bird calls, across desolate tracts of calving synthesizers, to a climax with a finale of petrifying thunder drums. The levels of dramatic suspense are sky-high, and mostly downbeat and mid-tempo grooves operating beyond the dancefloor. Blanken explains further: "Each track is based on a particular Than Sadet aesthetic. For example, 'Mr. Singh' is a masseur on the beach who uses fire while doing his shiatsus. 'Buddha's Bridge' is a wooden bridge that leads to an impressive Buddha monument; 'Seven Kings' is an ode to a local waterfall. Tracks like 'Mai Pen Rai' and 'When Light Gives You Hope' are representative for Than Sadet. I tried to create an introspective album that does what the island did to me: it puts life into perspective."
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12"
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DKMNTL 037EP
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Makam presents Than Sadet Sampler EP on Dekmantel. Dekmantel says, "Guy Blanken's ongoing search for new sounds, textures and rhythms has lead him to Than Sadet, a stunning piece of work. This sampler is a sneak peek into what is about to be an absolute label highlight; a prelude to the new Makam sound. 'Riding High' is a lush, Isolee-esque lengthy house jam, and the blissful ambient ride backed up by tropical birds 'Than Sadet' gives more insight into the new territories Blanken has been digging into." Housed in a plastic outer sleeve with postcard insert.
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12"
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SWS 005EP
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Makam returns with a 3-tracker, each track with a special character all its own. "Hide You" is a big club banger -- a perfect example of simplicity and effectiveness. "Thank You" is a dirty and funky house affair that has proven to be the perfect last record of a great party. "Hide And Seek" is a signature Makam track with a strong filter groove and freaky effects. A timeless EP.
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