As well as helping develop and nurture unique parties over the years with Bruno, Remi and the rest of the team, the residents at Half Baked have put a lot of work into the brand’s label, which launched at the beginning of 2013.
Greg Brockmann and Odd Soul have been a crucial part of the growth of Half Baked, and the labels tenth release illustrates how well these two gel together as producers. The duo met 7 years ago at a Half Baked event where they where introduced through mutual friends. Since their initial meeting they have gone on to play many a party together, gracing dance floors with their signature sounds. After playing music together for a few years, Greg and David started making music in 2014, and went on to have a track on a VA for Sensibil.
When producing, they tend to take a couple of days out to knuckle down and get stuck into projects, using a trio of drum machines (Jomox 999 / Nord Drum / Electribe ER1) which pass through a Sherman Filter Bank, along side a Roland Juno keyboard which is used to create the groove and textures heard in their work.
A1:
The heavy drums in ‘Down To The Ground’ set a dark and slightly eerie vibe when coupled with the twisted vocal hits and various atmospheric pads used on the opening track. When speaking with the guys, Greg told me that they use a trio of drum machines (Jomox 999 / Nord Drum / Electribe ER1) which pass through a Sherman Filter Bank, and when listening to this track you can hear the use of these machines has been incorporated perfectly into the arrangement. The pads and textures in the track demonstrate track evolution really well and keep the mood groovy yet slightly uneasy.
A2:
My personal favourite on the EP is the second track ‘Neutron’. Although lighter in comparison to the opening track, this production is punchy and has solid and driving percussion layered on top of the dreamy pads. This is one that was certainly heard at Sonar in recent weeks, and is sure to be heard more and more in the summer season – taking party goers on a deep and hypnotic journey.
B1:
‘Discobobulated’ – the final track on the EP – meets somewhere in the middle of the tracks on the A-Side. Delivering sounds that travel between dark and light moods is not easily done, however the intelligence in this production really shows what Oddmann are capable of. The drums carry the track through varying atmospheres and landscapes of the track, helping bind together the keys that weave in and out of the rolling bassline.
This is an extremely solid solo EP from the London based duo. The tracks are varied yet fit really well together on one peace of wax. The intelligence mentioned above on this release really shines through, you can tell that things have been tweaked and programmed perfectly, ensuring all the sounds gel together well. Hearing these productions on a big system is definitely going to take people back.
This two man team are set for more releases this year on various labels, including an EP on Blindbox’s Basic Series – headed by Julien Sandre and Konstress – as well as having a track on Half Baked’s 8 Year Anniversary VA. Their joint project is also being taken to the next level before the end of the year with the launch of their very own label – Oddmann Recordings.
Oddmann: https://www.facebook.com/Oddmannrecordings/
HB010 – Oddmann ‘Dark Habits EP’: https://www.decks.de/t/oddmann-dark_habits_ep/ca6-v1
Half Baked: https://www.facebook.com/H.Baked.Events/
BBOXB002 – Blindbox Basic 002 – Oddmann: http://www.juno.co.uk/products/oddmann-blind-box-basic-002/650561-01/-
