» Tune of the week: Temple One - Our Destination
 » Classic of the week: Paul van Dyk - For An Angel
 » Album of the month: Chicane - Nevertheless
 ç¥´ personal  
 
Username:    Password:      Autologin    
   Not a registered user? Click >here< to register now. 
   It's free, you get access to all features and can win great prizes!
Search Search:       

© John AskewWhen it comes to no nonsense music there is no better than John Askew. It’s been five years in the making but his new artist album ‘A Room Full Of Pro’s And Con’s’ is now ready and it’s a banger…

Are we looking at the final artist album from John Askew?? It is after all his first since his ‘Z List Uber Star’, which is currently closing in on its 20th anniversary. Add to that the duality of A Room Full Of Pros & Cons’s title; the faintly Last Supper-ish lean of its cover, not to mention some flagrant nose-thumbing of LP conventions, and, well, the question could at least be asked.


As with so much in life though there’s more to that than meets the eye. Between John’s production schedule (breakneck), day to day roles in artist management, international touring (both as a DJ and live act), label management, event organising and his ‘open-all-hours’ industry rep, the man’s had his hands way full. Lesser wonder then that it’s taken him five years to close all the ‘P’s and curve all the ‘C’s on A Room Full Of Pros & Cons 


The title’s John’s summation of half a lifetime’s worth of observations and experiences, garnered at the business end of the electronic music industry. One that hopscotched him from England’s unchained free party scene to Ministry of Sound resident, and from being managed by the biggest agencies to, himself, managing legendary names. All the while mind you, refusing to compromise on absolutely anything … ever. That’s always going to leave a mark, all of which has been poured into this album.


John Askew


In ways big and small, subtle or big-print, A Room Full Of Pros & Conss track titles (‘Running In The Dark’, ‘Be Careful What You Wish For’, ‘Take A Breath’, ‘When Darkness Comes’, ‘I Want Your Soul’ and ‘Afterburner’ to mention a few) each speak to its theme. Many are fueled by John’s signature sound, one as dependably immediate, tenacious, and floorward-thinking as any DJ from his bloc. Key to their potency is the intuitively high-wire balancing act Askew strikes between darkness and light, the subtle and the visceral, always ensuring there’s nuance and alchemic colour (or shadow!) in every floor roar.  


Others tracks project their power through alternate studio methods. Be Careful What You Wish For (featuring singer Lyonheart) is a soul searing, breakbeat scattered affair, while ‘Grave Digger’ features a cavernous feel and apocalyptic polemic (voiced by Askew), straight from the darkest ‘Cons’ corner of the ‘Room’. Regarding that “flagrant convention nose-thumbing”, ’00.00’ sees John slide some doors with the album’s originally envisioned overture. Now track 5, it forms a brilliant palate-cleanse, ahead of the transcendental ‘Take A Breath’, (a collaboration with Sikh singer, songwriter and philanthropist, Manika Kaur) and the instantly infectious hook of ‘Running In The Dark’


Artists of John’s ilk don’t tend to have vocal muses, and it’s debatable whether Ohio-born/Nashville-based singer Shelby Merry fills that role. As you cross John’s Room’ though, vocally, lyrically and significantly she features three times, each track with its own individual tone and something-to-say tale.


John Askew - A Room Full Of Pros & Cons
 
So, if this does prove to be John’s last LP hurrah, what’s he leaving us with? Well at the very least, 15 brilliantly honed pieces of music, fused together to create a cohesive, journeying bravura, that’ll delight his diehards, while drawing others to the flame. Half industry cheer, half-cautionary tale
A Room Full Of Pros & Cons arrived on physical and digital formats Sept 27. Now … don’t say you weren’t warned!


Don't forget to check out the fantastic A Room Full Of Pros & Cons video podcast with John HERE


Tracklist: John Askew - A Room Full Of Pros & Cons

01. Grave Digger
02. Steady & Stronger (with Shelby Merry)
03. Push It
04. UFO
05. 00:00
06. Be Careful What You Wish For (with Lyonheart)
07. Take A Breath (with Manika Kaur)
08. Running in the Dark
09. These Dogs Trust No One (Red Dragon Edit)
10. Organism
11. When Darkness Comes (with Shelby Merry)
12. Aces Hi
13. I Want Your Soul (with Sinful Biz)
14. Afterburner
15. Wild Horse (with Shelby Merry)


Order now from the Magik Muzik shop

Related links Related Links
http://blackholerecordings.com
http://facebook.com/blackholerecordings
http://facebook.com/djjohnaskew
http://instagram.com/blackholerecordings
http://instagram.com/djjohnaskew
http://soundcloud.com/blackholerecordings
http://soundcloud.com/djjohnaskew
http://theviicrew.com
http://twitter.com/BlackHoleRec
http://twitter.com/djjohnaskew
Tell a friend Tell a friend
Share this article by clicking the button below.

Bookmark and Share
comments powered by Disqus
 

Latest news
Cosmic Gate x Maxim Lany - The Drums
   (14:30 - November 8, 2024)
The Bedrock Futuro Remix Compilation
   (22:42 - November 6, 2024)
The Very Latest News Update From Moby
   (23:53 - October 27, 2024)
The Very Limited Edition Secret Vinyl Party @ Tidy HQ
   (21:43 - October 14, 2024)
New album from Dennis Sheperd - ´Release´
   (12:30 - October 9, 2024)
Mark Sherry & The Space Brothers featuring Talya - Angel
   (10:51 - October 3, 2024)
Mark Norman x Amber Revival - Lost Without You
   (10:51 - October 3, 2024)
The Brand New John Askew Artist Album ´A Room Full Of Pros & Cons´ Has Landed
   (23:52 - September 30, 2024)
In Search Of Sunrise 20 - Mixed by Markus Schulz, Solarstone, York, Airscape, ZOYA & Super8 & Tab
   (10:48 - September 25, 2024)
John O´Callaghan, Paul Skelton & Ren Faye - May The Road Rise
   (10:05 - September 25, 2024)
Latest reviews
Paul van Dyk & Phuture & DJ Pierre - Acid Traxxx EP [VANDIT Records]
   (22:40 - October 23, 2023)
Darren Tate - Ether [Mondo Recordings]
   (23:45 - July 26, 2022)
Paul van Dyk & Kolonie - Wishful Thinking [VANDIT Records]
   (01:22 - December 10, 2021)
Petr Vojacek - Feel Free [Alter Ego Recordings]
   (00:37 - March 4, 2020)
Paul van Dyk & Elated - Parallel Dimension [VANDIT Records]
   (21:39 - November 21, 2019)
O.B.M Notion - Marina [Interplay Records]
   (22:34 - June 10, 2019)
Paul van Dyk & Jordan Suckley - Accelerator [VANDIT Records]
   (00:59 - March 15, 2019)
David Forbes Presents. Hal Stucker - Celeste
   (19:05 - January 6, 2019)
John Askew - Midnight Oil [VII]
   (18:59 - December 5, 2018)
Paul van Dyk Featuring. Plumb - Music Rescues Me [VANDIT Records]
   (22:11 - September 12, 2018)
Latest interviews
i:Vibes Interviews Chris Metcalfe
   (19:08 - October 3, 2014)
i:Vibes Interviews Will Atkinson
   (23:35 - September 18, 2014)
i:Vibes Interviews Johan Ekman
   (21:35 - August 30, 2014)
i:Vibes Interview Photographer
   (22:56 - June 18, 2014)
i:Vibes Interviews RAM
   (14:12 - June 1, 2014)
i:Vibes Interviews Genix
   (21:45 - April 18, 2014)
i:Vibes Interviews Zaxx
   (21:01 - April 11, 2014)
i:Vibes Interviews ReOrder
   (17:10 - April 7, 2014)
i:Vibes Interviews Judge Jules
   (23:20 - September 24, 2013)
i:Vibes Interviews Sean Tyas
   (12:01 - August 16, 2013)
Latest party reports
Nature One Review
   (09:13 - August 26, 2009)
Ibiza 2007
   (23:06 - October 11, 2007)
South West Four Cardiff
   (21:37 - October 11, 2007)
Reporting from Marco V's Combi:Nations II Tour
   (16:33 - November 21, 2006)
Party Report: Marcel Woods presents Musical Madness
   (20:58 - November 8, 2006)
Latest tutorials
Extensive Tutorial On Copyright Laws
   (13:21 - December 2, 2003)
How do I set up my own label?
   (15:20 - July 10, 2003)
Music Production Tutorial In Reason [01 - FAQ]
   (13:22 - March 4, 2003)
Tutorial, Scratching Techniques
   (20:16 - April 23, 2002)
Learning To DJ [05] - Scratching
   (17:49 - September 27, 2001)
Latest what is...
An Album That Reminds You of Christmas Time
   (00:42 - December 19, 2023)
Tune, Classic & Album of the week Updated July 12
   (00:34 - June 24, 2004)
The Meaning of Music
   (16:00 - September 28, 2003)
Your predictions for best remixer in 2003, via our poll
   (13:22 - February 11, 2003)
The [i:Vibes] Visitors predictions for best DJ in 2003 ?
   (16:09 - January 21, 2003)