Joel Armstrong – “Park Street (Damien Heck Clubaholic Satisfaction
Mix)”
“Its Damien Heck to the rescue though as
Damien turns the track into a hard hitting house cut with an electronic edge.
Damien adds a deep sub bassline and some heavy guitars to the mix, giving the
track a much tougher and more current feel, add that to Joel’s uplifting synths
and you have a definite winner!
Damien Heck has saved this track from being just another
progressive breaks cut and for that he should be commended, I predict big things
for both Babylon Records and Damien Heck in 2006”
- Resident
Advisor
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Damien Heck – “Alicante”
“Damien Heck is fast becoming a household name in the scene, and
certainly adds to the list of amazing talent we have seen coming from Canada as
of late. His work has consistently maintained a high standard, and we can certainly
see his musical upbringing shining through in his productions. His composition
and structure is always refined, and those who work with him often refer to him
as a perfectionist in what he does.
Thinking back to Audio Therapy's "Across Borders: Greece"
compilation, a consistent theme throughout was the influence and use of guitar
melodies. This trend seems to be picking up lately, and at the moment it is
still highly refreshing. Let us hope that it does not become cliché over time!
"Alicante" is amazingly powerful right from its onset, and certainly
makes its purpose known. The guitar is slowly layered in and becomes the major
focus in the composition. The strong percussion lines never overpower any other
elements, but never become dull either. An emotive breakdown allows the melody
to bask in all its glory, as a small breaks section bridges us back into the
peak of the track. An extremely coherent piece of work!
Argentinean Baunder provides the remix, which takes the elements
of the Original for an interesting spin, giving the track an entirely different
feel. The darkness has been lifted, and the foundation moves forward with
increased pace. The build up before bringing the guitar in has been increased
in length, helping create anticipation. Add to this a new bassline, and we have
quite an amazing take on an already amazing tune!
Definitely a track to get your hands on while you still can. It
looks as though Heck has secured quite a comfortable position within the scene,
and he is most certainly deserving of this place. Both versions provided are
excellent in their own right, and would be equally as successful if used in the
right environment. Make sure you keep an eye on Heck's future releases, we can
only expect more quality!”
- Progressive
Sounds 9/10
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“‘Alicante’ is
the sort of record that can rekindle any love lost for dance music and
highlights just how good a producer Damien Heck is. Heck began his career as a
drum and bass DJ but now as a producer has shifted to progressive, breaks and
tech-house. With ‘Alicante’ he has created a powerful, uplifting gem with a
majestic Spanish guitar melodic hook that is absolutely stunning and has the
same level of depth and multi-layered approach as BT from his 'Ima' days.”
- IDJ Magazine
5/5 & Tune of the Month!
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Threshold Productions & Sonify – “No More Silence (Damien
Heck’s Feroshi Gets Fierce Mix)”
“The highly talented Damien Heck steps up to provide his
"Feroshi Gets Fierce" mix. Picking up the pace, this mix is intended
for peak time. Introducing many of his own elements, the track takes on a whole
new form, whilst retaining the percussive feel of the original, which held it
together. Effects in the high ranges build on an already intense atmosphere,
and this is the kind of track which DJ's love, as it would easily fill up your
dancefloor in no time. “
- Progressive
Sounds
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Damien
Heck & Stephanie Vezina – “Aural Signature”
“Damien Heck
is one of the latest names to emerge from Canada, joining the ever growing list
of talent that seems to be developing in practically each of the country's
provinces. A musically minded youngster who's keen interest in live
instrumentation has always been a fundamental element of his musical
influences, including the guitar, at which he excels! Damien has since learned
to apply that to a more electronic sound and here signs his latest offering,
collaboration with Canadian singer & rising star Stephanie Vezina, to
Baroque Limited. ‘Aural Signature’ is an energetic rolling journey of musical
madness, starting with flowing rhythms and punchy beats leading their way
through layered synths & sweeping chords. Damien’s trademark guitar skills
reach their peak in this track as the tune drops to a solo guitar line that
tears the floor apart... Stephanie Vezina carries the tune with her powerful
vocal…. As you can see from the DJ support, this one is crossing all borders…
TUNE!
SUPPORT FROM… Paul van Dyk, Hernan Cattaneo, Dave Seaman, Nick Warren, Anthony
Pappa, Erik Morillo, Danny Tenaglia, Wally Lopez”
- Official
Press Release
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“More madness
comes from Canada's hottest producer of the year: Damien Heck, who this month
teams up with long time Sultan collaborator Stephanie Vezina with phenomenal
results.”
- Spin
Division Australia
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“Recycling to
perfection the Planet Funk/Deep Dish progressive-rock sound, Heck & Vezina
deliver a monster that’s got the potential to become one of the summer’s
Balearic biggies (fat synths, guitar riffs, acoustic arpeggios, loud fx and
above all a very decent song well structured and arranged).”
- Jerry
Bouthier (Five Dancing Men)
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“Latest Canadian producer to join the ranks of the highly regarded prog imprint
Baroque A really nice track here that comes with a vocal and a dub and is built
up around some heavily atmospheric synth waves and a lush guitar line”
- Watts Music
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Damien
Heck feat. Michelle Chivers – “Morning After”
“Damien Heck is one of the latest names to emerge from Canada, joining the ever
growing list of talent that seems to be developing in practically each of the
country's provinces. A musically minded youngster who's keen interest in live
instrumentation has always been a fundamental element of his musical
influences, Damien has since learned to apply that to a more electronic sound
and having gained the opportunity to collaborate with the excellent Michelle
Chivers, now presents his proper debut single 'Morning After' to the world.
The 'Vocal Mix' draws its influence from the classic Spanish house sound that
Damien is heavily inspired by, and he brings a new twist to this with some deep
and silky beats that weave their way through the soft, up tempo groove. The
vocal provided by Michelle Chivers brings an additional dynamic to the track,
the diverse range of her voice subtly blending into the track, and whilst the
overall track isn't going to set the dance floor alight, it's an interesting
and musically sound piece of work that could hold it's own on one of the many
summer house or Ibiza compilations that get released.
The 'Futurology Mix' ensures the track gets some dance floor recognition
though, as Heck takes things up a gear with an harder, bass-led interpretation.
Far and removed from it's original inspiration, this is a rolling epic that is
not afraid to stray from it's down tempo routes, with the lovely Miss Chivers
showing her versatility by providing un understated but extremely effective
hook that puts the finishing touch to this cool remix.
Unlike the majority of breakbeat labels that seem to appear every other week,
Electrofly always seem prepared to take that extra chance or place faith in
projects others may not. 'Morning After' may not be a peak time record that
jumps out at you, but by straying away from the obvious tricks, it's one that
has great depth and musicality for sure.”
- Progressive
Sounds
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