stylistberlin: listened 2: DJ NIBC - "The Doorman" (TF-019)

The Swedish artist Fredrik Nyberg is running the label trunkfunk records, a label that worked with Axel Boman, Deniz Curtel, La Fleur, Oliver $, Mano Le Tough, Ian Pooley, Scott, Downtown, Moullinex, Wolf+Lamb, Jesse Rose so far, just to name a few.

The label introduces itself:

Trunkfunk moves with time... With roots in the house scene and a passion for strong vocals combined with peaktime trax and killer basslines. The label has moved in versatility between bumpy urban beats, house and electronica. Always with strong inhouse productions and remixes.

The Swedish label has been introducing diversity to Sweden's club society since 2000. The label, created by Fredrik "Dj Nibc" Nyberg has always had a strong connection to his legendary club nights in Sweden. Axwell even referred to one of them as "The Paradise Garage of Scandinavia".

Artist and remixers includes Stuffa, Tyken, The Touch, SLS, Dj Nibc, David Ekenbäck, Trevor Loveys(Speakerjunk), La Fleur, Mapei, Karime Kendra, John Dahlbäck, Style Of Eye, Dave Spoon, Dj Assault, Dj Tomcraft, Pig & Dan, Sinden, Dj Chernobyl(Bonde Do Role), Seymour Bits, Patrick L, Ben Macklin (Sucker DJs), Jaime Anderson(Idiotproof), Jesse Rose & Oliver $(Made To Play), Tony Senghore, Liquid People, Salax Peep Show, Dan M, Martin H, Don & Palm, Nils Grogg, 1990NOW, Krazy Fiesta, Brabe, Scottish Fold, Some Waves, Zombie Disco Squad and is constantly on the move finding new talent and sounds.
Releases always feature collector's item vinyl with artwork (covers, picturediscs etc) from amazing designers.

Trunkfunk's releases have been supported and loved by djs like Frankie Knuckles, Tony Humphries, Farley Jackmaster Funk, A-Trak, Dj Koze, Deetron, Slam, Dubfire, The Advent, Timo Maas, Etienne De Crecy, Alex Gopher, Axwell, Sebastian Ingrosso, Dubfire, Ian Pooley, Mousse T, Dj Mehdi, Deepgroove, Laurent Garnier, Groove Armada, Dave Angel, MSTRKRFT, Gregor Thresher, Fedde Le Grand, Deadmau5, Roger Sanchez, Laidback Luke and Annie Mac to mention a few.

About Nyberg aka DJ Nibc:

http://babelmalmo.se/wp-content/2010/05/nibc.jpg

Berlin-based, Gothenburg-born DJ, producer and Trunkfunk Records label owner Fredrik Nyberg has long been a key player in Sweden's music scene. Voted Sweden’s Best DJ of 2003, and ranking #7 in Scandanavia's 100 Best DJ's Poll in the same year, he found his start years earlier in Gothenburg’s hiphop scene, before discovering techno and rave parties.
From hosting the weekly deep house radio show Breeze, he began playing regularly at clubs throughout Gothenburg like Baby and RA, secured an ongoing residency with The Eye at Nefertiti club, and has been invited to DJ at festivals, radio stations and clubs around the world, like Tokyo’s infamous Womb Club.

In 2000 DJ Nibc established Trunkfunk Records, which quickly became one of Sweden’s most in-demand independent labels, with releases from Stuffa, The Touch, David Ekenbäck, Tyken and Trevor Loveys, plus remixes from influential artists like Jesse Rose, John Dahlbäck, Ramon Tapia & DJ Assault..

In 2001 DJ Nibc released his debut single Deliverance, which signaled his arrival as a new artist to be reckoned with, and shortly after he teamed up with Carl Rydén, as Tyken, delivering the popular Ministry of Sound release Every Word..

After the certified success of Every Word, DJ Nibc formed Stuffa, with Jonas Rathsman, to explore a new musical direction and sound, and their track “A Million Secrets” was selected by DJ T. for inclusion in his new mix for the famed Fabric series. Continuing his hot streak, DJ Nibc's 2010 solo release Hold On, was licensed to Ministy of Sound, followed by Stuffa's Proof EP, which features remixes from Wolf + Lamb, Scott and FCL, and assures that 2011 will be another landmark year for both DJ Nibc and Trunkfunk Records.

He actually caught my attention quite a while ago through friends and the last made to play gig, not to mention seeing him walking around in Berlin-Mitte. While researching about some of the artists listed above, Trunkfunk records crossed my path several times, and I feel very happy and honoured that I got the chance to review the newest release by Trunkfunk Records:

TF-019: Dj Nibc feat Anthony Mills - 'The Doorman'

Featuring remixes by:

Casino Times, Kornel Kovacs, Maxim Lany, Shakarchi &Straneus, The Touch, AM Track

and Those Random Boys.

“If the doorman fronts like he don’t know you... tell him that you’re with the DJ”

Whether he is friend or foe, the night-maker or the night-breaker, the mythical nightclub doorman is a universal figure of influence for clubbing fans worldwide. DJ Nibc, the Berlin-based, Gothenburg-born DJ, producer and Trunkfunk Records label owner and vocalist Anthony Mills pay tongue-in-cheek tribute yet also take him to task with their energetic workout “The Doorman”.

Capturing the anticipation, anguish and unpredictability of conversations held on the threshold of clubland, a hapless and faceless figure is ready to rave, and is unleashed via a processed vocal over a tightly-wound acid tech beat. A buzzing two-note bassline and pummelling drums set the stomping peaktime scene. Chiming cymbals lead to the cheeky, fragmented and pitch-shifted proclamation - “punk let me in! my friends is up in there you saw ‘em” - before the track delves deep into serious dancefloor mode.

A hotbed of newcomers accompanies the original and instrumental, each with with their own unique encounter. [...] Casino Times slow it down to synth-driven nu disco, with their remix that builds layer upon layer of emotive chords to an epic and uplifting piano house loop. Kornel Kovacs brings peaktime rave synth stabs to the front and centre, twinning them with handclaps and bubbling melodies for fast-paced hands in the air mayhem. Maxim Lany builds in increments from from an atmospheric bed of ambience, towards a bassy house treatment with scraping and jerking percussive background sounds. [...]

This awesome piece of art includes four tracks (available on decks): duration of the tracks ranging from 5:37 to 7:13.

The Doorman - Review*
* Remember, the reviews are from a guest's point of view - the focus is on how danceable, playable the tracks are right now.

01. original mix
A track to dance to right away - the tech beat of "The Doorman" is getting you immediately. The rhythm combined with the voice looping, cymbals adding some spice to the bass-line now and then - someone did a real good job here. Very much looking forward to hear this one on the dancefloor!

02. kornel kovacs remix
Love the beginning, all in all this remix makes the track lighter, funkier. The melody loops and variations combined with the synth stabs work very well together.

03. casino times remix
Disco is hot, and this remix is definitely representing the new trend: keeping the pace of the track a bit slower, adding a touch of psychedelic moment to the original with the voice, transforming it into a nice beat - sexy, sexy, sexy!

04. maxim lany remix
Not a fan of long, quiet intros, I wasn't that sure about this one in the first place, also about the percussion features. The remix by Maxim Lany turns out to be pleasant, though, around 1:20 when the light bass is added and gets you moving to the groovy melody.

This is not all. Not on the vinyl but already finished and ready to be played are the following versions:

01. instrumental version
Nice one, I can't decide whether it's better with or without vocals - the track works as it is without any more lines on it, and is perfect to play on a Sunday morning at Panorama bar...

02. shakarchi & straneus remix
Light, fluffy: if you prefer to play the track at an afterhour-lounge, this remix by Shakarchi & Straneus is perfect. The filtered vocals are mingling old school + Chicago house elements mixed to a top quality track here.

03. the touch remix
Bam: Starting with percussion beats only, this remix goes into the direction of the favela-beats, that are strongly coming to the surface in the clubs right now. The exotic guitar lines around 1:40 were kinda irritating in the first time, but all in all the track works as a whole with the voice loops altered (3:20). Am curious how DJs will work that one on the dancefloor.

04. AM track remix
Fun: Absolute favourite remix so far - very light but danceable. The tech house beats made by "Latin percussions and ghostly steeldrums" featured by dialogue parts just create an upbeat track that makes you dance along just from the beginning.

05. those random boys remix
Playable & danceable: Love the upbeat rhythm, kind of hardcore tech house, reminding me of long, crazy Berghain nights... The bass is going to be massive through the speakers and when the drums begin, no foot will stand still.

st***y***listberlin says about "The Doorman": Dope track, awesome remixes, will recommend the AM Track remix along the original!

The Trunkfunk Label night is hosted this Saturday, for more infos, click here.

PS. If you want to get in touch with Trunkfunk Records: here are the data!

For bookings - please contact: