The following are excerpts from the world’s first-ever non-interactive CD-ROM, “Funksta 2 Funksta: Tiga Unleashed” Here, he discusses his full-length album, “Ciao!”
Q: What do you think sets this new album apart from your past work?
A: Writing songs before I record them. It thought this would primarily entail aging sheet music with teabags, but I quickly learned otherwise. It’s ultimately a matter of trusting yourself, of having the courage to say, “These are the times, and these are the rhymes.”
Having now been through the process, I feel I have become exactly what Leonard Cohen would be if he owned a jetski with a detachable sidecar. Or a bicycle built for two where the riders face each other. I call it a Spicycle.
Q: You work largely within a group of friends who are all established, respected musicians. What are the most important things you contribute to these collaborations?
A: To Soulwax, I am The Ravenaïf Whose Eyes Will Not Stop Gleaming. To Jesper Dahlback, I bring vision and viscera to the Funky Picture Show. To Gonzales, I am The Man with the Toggle-Switch Eyebrows. To Jori Hulkonnen, I am Futureface. To James Murphy, I am the Off-the-Wall Montrealer.
I have always felt that playing instruments and touching equipment is beneath me, so I am forced to communicate all my ideas with my voice. Around the studio, they call me The Vibesayer. To my face.
Q: What is it to sing?
A: (Singing) “My friend, I never dreamed that / I would get to sing / Never knew the fun and passion / That my voice would bring.”
I have learned that the voice can lift what muscles mustn’t. I’m talking about the human spirit, jerk. Do you sing people over cliffs, or down from ledges?
Q: Are you happy with what you’ve been able to achieve?
A: Once you realize you have the power to rent a limo anytime you please, you know in your heart that you’re not like other men. To hear 10,000 people chant your name and then have them locked inside the venue until you have had a chance to learn all of theirs. My goal has always been to become the most famous man in the world by the time I am 50. Failing that, I will assume the identity of a respected physician. My album’s success will determine whether the world will ever come to know Dr. Timothy Tiga.
Turbo is happy to announce a new series of Ciao! remixes in the following months, starting with Sex O'Clock remixed by Playgroup, Matias Aguayo, and Jamie Lidell out Jan. 11th on Turbo / Pias!
Turbo is proud to bring you two end-of-the-night anthems:
Tiga's "1-2-3-4 Remix" of Triangle Walks is, in his words, "maybe my best remix ever." It's definitely a 9 on the hands-in-the-air index.
Seth Troxler confesses his remix of Seven was expressly designed "to make girls wet." He's the best vibe ever.
The world we live in, on a very fundamental level, is flawed.
On the eve of my tenth album release I'm still writing my own bio and wondering if I should refer to myself in third person, analyze the past 15 years and justify bad career moves as artistic integrity, and promote myself as the unsung hero of techno and house; a mere victim of poorly timed strokes of genius (numerous!) and being born in the wrong part of the world.
Well, sarcasm never really did become me, and irony works only if unnoticed. Double fail.
It's easy enough to google up some old Jori Hulkkonen bio with real biographical info, or check out my discography from my website so I'll spare you the boring details of my "career".
Ever since the late 80's when my obsession with all things music started to manifest itself with an increasingly verstaile record collection and eventually some synths and experiments in songwriting, it has been quite clear to me that I'm destined to create my life's work within the business. The problem is that as an idealist cynic with tight grip on realism I'm well aware that 'the biz' is a sinking ship more or less, and I'm already dancerously close to the waterline. But the good news is that I stopped caring.
Here's why:
Having released my first proper artist album in 1996 for the French label F communications (defunct now since 2008, with my album "Errare Machinale Est" as their final release -coincidence?), I've managed to do something I never thought would be possible, something that I'm the most proud of all things in my career: never becoming popular.
After nine albums, dozens of pseudonym releases on superhot labels (like Rekids and Get Physical just to mention a couple from the past few years), close to a hundred remixes, my own radioshow on national radio for more than a decade (in Finland though, so it may not count), thousands of DJ gigs all over the world under my belt (OK I never actually counted but a quick calculation tells me it must be close to 2000 now), producing and writing songs for the likes of Tiga (whom I created in the first place), and having a reputation as a producer who can make an 808 kickdrum sound like a jazzy flute, you'd expect that there was a time when I was The Shit. But I never was!
Sure enough there's a lot people who never were "big", but are they still working? Releasing albums, singles, getting remix requests and DJing all over after 15 years? No. But I am. And this I see as my greatest achievement and there's a lesson to be learned everyone: If you never become trendy it's impossible for you to become untrendy.
Will all this change now though with my hotter than hot new album on Turbo, or the buzz around my Acid Symphony Orchestra (a piece I wrote for ten tb-303's and a 707, conducted by me)? Or the rumoured collaboration with Chris Lowe of the Pet Shop Boys?
It remains to be seen but I'm dedicated to give my best shot to not let it happen.
Man From Earth, my tenth studio album, is the first "Jori Hulkkonen" album not released on the now defunct F communications.
How will this change of label affect my sound? Is this the end of ballads, jazz and ambient? Of course not -not even for me - but the album is a deliberate (as in not forced) departure from the bedroom vibes with focus on jams for the dance crowds.
Recorded at my alppIVhouz studios, most of the tracks were intended for 12" singles so they are not album tracks as such, therefore the album is maybe not as coherent and subtle as some of my previous efforts. But what it may lack in atmospheric synthpads, "scandinavian mooddesign" and social commentary it makes up in catchy basslines, sizzling hihats and semi-danceable tracks.
Jori Hulkkonen
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - I Am Dead feat. Jerry Valuri
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - Boying In the Smokeroom
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - Dancerous
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - The Other Side Of Time
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - Re: Last Year feat. Villa Nah
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - Ridge Over Troubled Forrester
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - Musta Gunilla
DOWNLOAD: Jori Hulkkonen - Undercover feat. The Dove
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - I Dance To Your Bass My Friend
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - Bend Over Beethoven
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - My Brother Went To Space And All I Got Was This Lousy Vacuum
STREAM: Jori Hulkkonen - Man From Earth
NEW PROXY SHOE-BANGERS. WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT, HISTORY IS ON OUR SIDE. WE WILL BURY YOU.
Release Date: October 21st, 2009
DOWNLOAD: Proxy — Who Are You? (Bloody Beetroots Remix With Voices)
Beep Beep Beep. Remix Remix Remix!
On the A-side, the Loco Dice Dub is a perfect set-builder, one of his best remixes to date. Purist Loco fans might also be happy to hear that Tiga's vocal has been 99% extracted from this version, leaving behind only the echo of disco-pop in a solid, DJ-friendly groove.
Kaine's mix keeps things closer to the original, emphasizing the pop punch-lines with staccato beeps and a chunky beat. Positive vibes here from a bright young UK producer.
Finally, space-disco maestros Emperor Machine turn in another epic roller complete with a brilliant analog synth jam finale.
Great job!
BUT... the original is still the best.
Ciao!
STREAM: Tiga — Beep Beep Beep (Loco Dice Dub)
Two of Turbo's rising stars come together to make one of the biggest records of the year.
Peanuts Club has been arguably the hottest track of the summer for heavyweight DJs Erol Alkan, Tiga, and A-Trak. It's instantly catchy and massively effective, and we've seen it bring the best out of the crowd night after night, but you probably already know all about it.
The real coup here is that Cajou Club is another absolute bomb, maybe even better than Peanuts Club, and more disturbing evidence that France has produced yet another two major-league players in dance music.
Noob's really been hitting his stride lately, following on terrific remixes for Brodinski and D.I.M. and Tai's Lyposuct, his productions getting exponentially bigger with each release. As for Brodi, anyone that's seen him play knows he has all the makings of a star, and if he can keep putting out records this good, the sky's the limit!
Wanting to go beyond double-megahit and attempt quad-bomb status, we commissioned two terrific remixes from Sound Pellegrino's Renaissance Man. Noob & Brodi are in love with them, plus they're the only Finns out there to have NOT produced a record for Turbo, so it was a perfect fit. The 'Ph 0' remix on the vinyl is, incredibly, an original take on acid, it's loopy and weird, but works like magic.
In digital-only flavor, we have their 'Ph 7' remix, a housier take with a great muted version of the infectious Peanuts hook. This one is a hit, we just left it off the vinyl to give Peanuts Club the 45 RPM treatment it deserves. Momma's Boy aka Mikix the Cat adds a pumping afro-jack version to complete the package, and there you have it... a crazy potent release, et en plus c'est numero soixante-neuf osti!! on niaise pas a'c la puck!! ENWOUEILLEEEEELA mon homme tu vas aimer ca ce recorr'la! pas des affaires de chochottes la, dla vra' musique...
Love from Quebec,
Thomas Von Party
DOWNLOAD: Noob & Brodinski — Peanuts Club
STREAM: Noob & Brodinski — Cajou Club
STREAM: Noob & Brodinski — Peanuts Club (Renaissance Man pH 0 Remix)
STREAM: Noob & Brodinski — Peanuts Club (Renaissance Man pH 7 Remix)
Hugg and Pepp return (again).
'Sweet Rosie' is one of the most original sounding vocal house tracks in ages. Tiga championed the first version we were sent, but he'd always mix out before the goofy guitar part, so Turbo commissioned a special edit that keeps its cool all the way to the finish line... that's why it's called the 'Turbo edit.' The Dahlbacks threw in a terrific disco dub, one thing led to another, and we figured we ought to go the distance and do a full remix package.
Veteran superproducer and perennial chart topper Sir Jori Hulkkonen does a Joriffic job, with both a vocal mix and dub; the dub being, incredibly, his 200th ever remix - another milestone for J-Z, and a perfectly timed teaser for his upcoming album on Turbo: Man From Earth, dropping October '09 in music stores and even sooner on annoying blogs near you.
Also on remix duty AND also at work on an album for Turbo is Glasgow's young prodigy Sei A. Continuing on a brilliant run starting with his album 'Editing Shadows', this is an absolutely incredible remix, and the deep dub keeps things interesting for all you vocal hating bitches.
PS It's not a girl singing, it's castrato Robert Manos.
Love from Montreal,
TVP
DOWNLOAD: Hugg & Pepp — Sweet Rosie (Sei A Remix)
STREAM: Hugg & Pepp — Sweet Rosie (Turbo Edit)
STREAM: Hugg & Pepp — Sweet Rosie (Disco Dub)
STREAM: Hugg & Pepp — Sweet Rosie (Sei A Dub)
STREAM: Hugg & Pepp — Sweet Rosie (Jori Hulkkonen Dub)
STREAM: Hugg & Pepp — Sweet Rosie (Jori Hulkkonen Remix)
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We love and admire Roman Flügel's solo work, as well as everything he's done with Alter Ego and his amazing Klang imprint, so it's an honor to release these tracks on Turbo.
Premium electronics and classy arpeggios – this is bleep disco from a true master. This also marks the dawn of a new era in one-sheet writing; one marked by unimaginitive prose and lacklustre command of language. Enjoy.
Feedback
Boys Noize
I LOVE THAT STRICHER!!!!
Tim Paris
One of my favorite tunes from Mr Flugel !!!
Brendon Moeller
Stricher and Discofiasco are superb! full support!
Peter Kruder
Stricher is great. Will play this for sure.
Optimo
I want to have mr. flugel's love child.
Falko Brocksieper
Highly psychoactive Disco smasher - Roman for president!!
Italoboyz
The track discofiasco is simply A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!
DOWNLOAD: Roman Flügel — Stricher
STREAM: Roman Flügel — Discofiasco
Phonogenic has put out great records on respected labels like Cocoon and 20:20 Vision. He's a dark horse producer whose Detroit & Chicago influenced sound would have blown up by now if he lived in Berlin. Too bad he's from Tampere!
I met Tuomas Salmela last October on his home turf at the not-famous Musiikki & Media conference.
Jori Hulkkonen was asked to chose some of THE movers and shakers in the world of electronic dance, and he chose me, Tuomas Von Party... partly, I suspect, because he thought there was a slim chance I would actually come. As fate would have it, I needed a late rush of air miles to reach Star Alliance Gold status for 2008, so I figured it was as good a time as any to find out once and for all if Tampere could be any lamer than Turku.
The conference was dope. All emo's and metal bands... some of the worst music I've ever heard, but sweet Finns everywhere absolutely overjoyed to see foreigners.
Jori could only stay one day, so he introduced me to Phonogenic, who had a demo CD all prepared for me. The tracks were a bit jazzy and fairy... good, but not as good as the great one he did on Cocoon. So not good enough, you see...
I begged him to take me to a hockey game, to see the Tampere 'Ilves' (best team logo ever). Tuomas overcame not only his malaise with Finnish jocks, but also his inability to drive to be a great host... at which point I knew he had to be seriously interested in a record release... I ate blood sausage and cheered for the home team. It was amazing... the highest scoring player got to wear a GOLDEN HELMET! Dammit this should have been the 'Golden Helmet EP!!'
I was the only person in the stadium with dark or curly hair. Little blonde Finns were staring.
Anyways, we kept in touch since then and finally he sent me these two excellent tracks of bassy, ballsy, bigroom tech-house... a deal was made via video-sauna and all-of-a-sudden Turbo 066 be done... Enjoy! This onesheet is FINNISH!
DOWNLOAD: Phonogenic — Release The Dancer
STREAM: Phonogenic — Bass Were The Days
Zombielicious is one of the best dance albums of the DECADE. When I first heard it I badly wanted to license it for Turbo and we almost did. Zombie was even into the idea, but the timing was bad, so we decided to put together a Turbo-riffic remix pack instead. Bad idea compared to getting every incredible moment of that album... but luckily the result is amazing.
First of all, I LOVE and respect mr. Zombie, but mixed in with all that admiration is actually a touch of FEAR. Flo is so dope on every level... everything he's done, the videos for Kernkraft and Worth It, the vinyl packaging of his LP, his press shots, stickers... it's all awesome... and he does it all himself with his friend Wolfram in the über-city of Munich. It's all spot-on. Flo is intense. I've never seen him make a mistake, though I have seen him get shit-faced and play Beyoncé... but that just proves he's got huge balls and loves divas.
Basically I reeeally didn't want to disappoint him, but the trouble is that trying to get great remixes is like fishing for music... you never know if you're going to get a giant tuna or a little sardine. Luckily, we took the analogy to heart and busted out THE CAVIAR!!!
That's right... the world's favorite Russian is back with another total devastator... He kept the best of 'Shottieville' intact, adding only the hint of military-industrial might it needed to achieve complete dance-floor annihilation. Proxy is a poet for the ages, and this is probably the last remix you'll hear from him until his album drops in the fall.
Next up are Arveene & Misk, hot off their remix for Mr. Oizo and the production of Yo! Majesty, these Irish 'lads' are ones to watch and this remix of 'Worth It' is a big winner.
Milano is back with another dose of deep underground techno, a worthy follow-up to his excellent remix on Turbo 063.
Shadow Dancer, hot off his debut album release, turns in a smooth-yet-chunky acid groove.
Last but not least, Hey Today! (!) pull off a massive heavily-ZZT-influenced banger with their remix of 'Radio Controlled.'
5 great remixes that prove a whole lot of love for Zombie-man. Hope you enjoy!
X
T V P
DOWNLOAD: Zombie Nation — Shottieville (Proxy Remix)
STREAM: Zombie Nation — Worth It (Arveene & Misk Remix)
STREAM: Zombie Nation — The Fact (Milano Remix)
STREAM: Zombie Nation — Mystery Meat Affair (Shadow Dancer Remix)
STREAM: Zombie Nation — Radio Controlled (Hey Today! Remix)
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