Shir Khan-Maximize

Release date: 17 September 2020

Format: Album
Genre: Electro/House/Funk
Our Rating: 3/5

By just looking at the layout and the diligently designed CD cover, I had an inkling this album would extend to bizarre BUT audible. So was I right? Hell yeah! If you are torn between punk, electro, new wave, techno, funk...why not have it all merged into one?…and so they did.

A complete mishmash of diverse sounds is how Berlin’s finest Shir Khan comes to fruition on this album. With exclusive tunes provided by the funky and fresh, Simian Mobile Disco, Sirius, Switch and Digitalism – your eardrums will become more receptive as the beats go on…

Priya, MyVillage

Press release:
Shir Khan is regarded as one of Berlin's premier DJs on the electro scene. ‘Maximize!’ is the first release on his new label Exploited. ‘Maximize!’ straddles the lines between electro, baile funk, new wave, techno and punk. It's a reflection of nightlife’s mess and mayhem packed into a double disc and features music by the who’s who of today’s exciting music scene including: Simian Mobile Disco, Sirius Mo, Adam Sky vs Mark Stewart, Munk vs Mocky, Justice vs Spektrum, Sergej Auto vs Edu K, Captain Comatose, Free Blood and a host of hot new talent including Niyi, Crookers and Duke Dumont.

Khan has been mashing up dancefloors all over Europe, including sharing the bill with the Ed Banger lot, Yuksek, Simian Mobile Disco, Tomboy, Bonde do Role, Munk, Radioclit, Snax, Khan, Mocky, Erlend Oye, Tinchy Strider, JME, Luke Vibert, Andrew Weatherall, Tiefschwarz, Coldcut&Hexstatic, Dj Food, Grandmaster Flash and many more…

Shir Khan’s a DJ that doesn’t pigeonhole himself; instead he uses his extended knowledge to rock the crowd at any given moment. Didn’t Laurent Garnier drop Led Zeppelin in a techno-set, or Tiefschwarz blend in Grandmaster Flash with house? Shir Khan is often compared to 2 Many Djs, Glimmers and Optimo. ‘Maximize!’ is about throwing different dance genres into one big melting pot in order to create a bizarre mishmash where cultures and musical boundaries disappear – and the joy that’s missing from so much of today’s pop is back. It’s all about the selection of a diverse DJ, making an individual statement.

The 49 track listing includes hot newcomers such as Roxy Cottontail (known for throwing parties with Spankrock and Hollertronix), Sirius Mo (who counts Zombie Nation and 2Many Djs as his fans), Duke Dumont (known for mixing Eurocrunk with Grime, Neu-rave and Gabba), Crookers (Fidgit-House kings of Milano), Niyi (representing everything that Neu- Rave is about), Shadowdancer (known for being the second Mr.Oizo) and Free Blood, as well as established artists such as Simian Mobile Disco, Justice or Adam Sky vs Mark Stewart (of the legendary Popgroup).

Exclusive tunes are provided by Simian Mobile Disco, Sirius Mo, Adam Sky vs Mark Stewart, Munk vs Mocky, Justice vs Spektrum, Sergej Auto vs Edu K, Captain Comatose and Free Blood, whilst remixes from the likes of Jesse Rose, Surkin, Switch and Digitalism are also included.

Recently included in 2007’s URB Next 100 List, Shir Khan is making waves far outside Germany with his style of unconventional, uncompromising blend of dance music. Fuelled by the Internet word of mouth Khan has become a key tastemaker DJ and is one of the busiest DJs in Berlin. To date his has done mixes for Ministry of Sound, Fabric (Members Bar), BBC Radio 1 and XFM. He is currently a remixer in demand for Brazilian Baile Funk-Trio Bonde do Role (Domino), New York’s New Young Pony Club support act Holy Hail (ACTH Recordings) and The Jai-Alai Savant (City Slang) of Major Taylor-Fame (the man that invented the Diplo / M.I.A Hollertronix-parties).

At a time when minimal DJs and fans are becoming more receptive to dubstep and bassline house, it’s evident that more music lovers are looking for a brand new sound. You only have to listen to Simian Mobile Disco, the Klaxons, Justice, Uffie & Feadz, Switch, Sinden, Herve, Lady Sovereign or TTC and you'll know what we’re talking about. London, Berlin and other places around the world are dancing to a new wave of eclecticism creating a dancefloor-power that keeps on spreading. Say hello to the signs of the times. Say hello to Shir Khan.

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MyVillage, 26th July