When We Dip | Premiere: Alex Niggemann is back on Aeon Audio

AEON Audio is nearing its 50th release. But before they reach that milestone, they share a fine record by the label boss himself, Alex Niggemann. The inspiration behind this release was found in experimenting with a vocoder. Alex explains: “society might have us all as robots if we don’t take care to be open minded – both musically and in general. That was the inspiration for the record and it was great fun to make”. A view that fits the current zeitgeist perfectly.

The futuristic theme is felt from the offset, as the sound of ‘Like A Robot’ gets underway. Reverberating beats blend into echoing machine-like vocal samples, before chiming keys give way to a stunning lead synth that feels both emotive and danceable in one. The vocoded vocals meeting a plea to replace the human race with robots, cause the track to have a rather dystopian notion.

The ‘Technology’ vibe is inspired by late 80ies breakbeat. Once the beat is in full range with the sparkling & upclimbing synths, pictures of vintage B-boys & girls, making their acrobatic dance moves, are projected in our minds. A slight twist brings the classic Juno 6 lead synth, characterizing the main part.

For the remix, AEON invited Fabrizio Mammarella, who’s known from his releases on DFA, Permanent Vacation and Correspondent as well as his collaborations with Lauer as Black Spuma. Mammarella’s version of ‘Technology’ transforms the break beats into a solid 4 to the floor groove, while the more electro bassline of the original is replaced with a classic Italo inspired synth sequencer that will undoubtedly please the crowd on the dancefloor.

The last original track of this EP is ‘Shepherds’, named after those who control. Poignant strings dive in and out, while the constant loopy groove could entice memories of musically inspired ‘Moroder’ nights at good old Studio 54.

You can now listen to the full premiere of Shepherds exclusively on When We Dip. Enjoy!