- A power-packed compilation that highlights the Seoul club's global impact and attraction.
- Underground nightlife in South Korea's capital city has been mostly shut since last March. Hit by pandemic regulations, insufficient state support and social stigma related to reports of coronavirus cases in bars and clubs, Seoul's clubbing sector remains under extreme pressure. In response to this gloomy status quo, Seoul Community Radio recently announced a new web platform that aims to preserve the city's nightlife virtually. And despite all these challenges, Seoul nightclub Cakeshop is proudly celebrating its eighth anniversary this year.
In a recent email exchange with RA, Cakeshop cofounder Sameul Swanson expressed surprise at how the basement venue is still standing "without any compensation at all." Armed with a survivor's spirit and a loyal troupe of followers, the iconic club launched its in-house label, Carousel this month with a 16-track compilation, 8 Years Of Cakeshop. Featuring heavy-hitters from at home and abroad, the collection should instill deep nostalgia among club regulars of the venue's captivating nights—and its striking red lights—and highlights the worldwide appeal and impact that Cakeshop has made over the years.
It would have been easy for the album to concentrate on Asia-based producers given Cakeshop's long-standing commitment to regional talents, but instead the founders take a global focus. "The synthesis that has formed through our club nights shows that when a dialogue is formed between emerging cultures, a shift can occur," they explained. "We wish to capture that shift through our label."
Judging by the compilation, they're already living up to that mission. On the LP's first half, Mobilegirl gets the blood flowing with the ghettotech-tinged "Iknowalilfreak"—a cheeky record with metallic bleeps and a revved-up bounce. It makes a perfect transition into Jubilee's slower yet equally bodacious "Say Cheese," which samples camera clicks and what sound like snippets of snarky laughter. Monterrey-based Zutzut oozes dark sensuality on "Noche En Itaewon" with thudding bass, honeyed vocals and ice-cold synths, and DJ Lag makes another slam dunk with "Saka." In a detour from the South African artist's standard level of ferocity, this tune takes its time to build up before unleashing gqom's signature mesmerizing snares.
Asian producers get their shine on the second half. Kelvin T from Hong Kong label Absurd Trax delivers high-pitched effects and thundering beats on "Ice Sculpture," a track that would be ear-splitting if not for its moments of IDM relief. Meanwhile, "Nothing Left For Me," from LA grime producer Letta and Shanghai-based superstar YEHAIYAHAN (AKA ChaCha or Faded Ghost), is a refreshing cut of old-school garage that shows off the Chinese vocalist's range. That's followed by "Epicentre" from Seoul's JNS, where disjointed percussion and industrial frequencies crescendo into a cracker of a climax.
Carousel's debut release teems with character and fluidity. It's a tribute to independent club scenes but simultaneously highlights the complimentary energies between East and West—a joyous reminder of how dynamic cross-border collaborations are at during this unprecedented time of lockdown-fuelled isolation.
Tracklist01. Scratchclart - Scatty
02. Ase Manual - World Music Part 1 feat. Marvelito
03. Mobilegirl - I Know A Lil Freak
04. Jubilee - Say Cheese
05. Hitmakerchinx - Watermelon
06. DJ Python - Frogviolin
07. DJ Lag - Saka
08. Zutzut - Noche En Itaewon
09. Kelvin T- Ice Sculpture
10. Puzzy Stack - 將相和 General And Premier Make Up
11. Letta feat. YEHAIYAHAN - Nothing Left For Me
12. NET GALA - You'll Never See Me Lose It
13. 106 Mido - Ivory Kokiri
14. Y2k92 - The Magician
15. JNS - Epicentre
16. Wrack - Somack Cake