MACEO PLEX: JUST GETTING STARTED

Maceo Plex holds a deeply cherished place in my heart and has been integral to my experiences in early NYC days, as well as a cornerstone of live performances for my NYC crew from 2013 to 2016. His latest album, "93," prompted me to delve back into my iTunes library, rediscovering his timeless tracks and fostering an even deeper admiration for this exceptional artist. While we primarily identify as a techno label, our appreciation for Maceo Plex's music transcends genres. It serves not only as the soundtrack to our lives but also encapsulates the essence of our collective musical journey—a journey enriched by his unmatched talent and boundless creativity.

Maceo Plex's latest release struck a chord with its blend of the familiar and the innovative, evoking both the nostalgia of his Maetrik days and the dynamism of his current Maceo Plex persona. This fusion of old and new elements captivated me, prompting an even deeper appreciation for his music. At Undermind, Maceo's catalog holds a special allure, transcending trends with its timeless quality and resonating deeply with our collective ethos. His strive for individuality and experimentation have become an integral part of our identity, leaving us pondering the journey that brought us here and why his sound holds such a profound place in our hearts.

For a quick background, Eric Estornel, born in Texas in 1978 and raised in Dallas, relocated to Miami during his teenage years. His DJ journey began in 1993, later transitioning to music production by the late '90s. Under aliases like Eric Entity and Tali Wackas, he released techno and electro tracks on Illmatic Records. Embracing the name Maetrik in 2001, he swiftly made waves in the tech-house scene with releases on labels such as Treibstoff and Iron Box Music.

In 2005, Estornel introduced his experimental alias, Mariel Ito, unveiling the album "My Cyborg Depths" on SCSI-AV and the "Indexed" EP on Modern Love. By late 2009, he collaborated on the digital EP "Clubs," attributed to Maetrik. Moving to Valencia, Spain in 2010, Estornel shifted focus to his Maceo Plex persona, exploring a more soulful house sound.

By 2011 Maceo Plex and Maetrik had taken over my college friend group in Boston. He released classics, we still regularly play today. These tracks are distinctive early Maceo sounds; ass shaking, vibey, and effected-lyrics with airy sounds that pump up the energy. Some notable tracks we loved during this time included Crush on Me, Can’t Leave You, Stay High, and Frisky. I do want to add, that in 2010 we totally missed an EP I now consider a classic called “Dawns Highway”. I can’t remember the date specifically, but between 2013-2015 we saw Maceo Plex perform an open air concert, for the now closed venue Verboten, alongside the legendary DJ Koze. He was the closing set and finished with an absolute banger we had never heard before, called “Snorkel”. If you haven’t listened, put it on, turn up the volume and enjoy. 

Fast forward to 2013 and Maceo had fully transitioned off of his Maetrik alias. There was no doubt he was a top DJ, with fame across the world, but on October 14th, 2013, Maceo Plex took over the electronic community by storm, and from there the rocket ship of his talents launched at full blast and never turned back. On this day, he released his epic boiler room set, which I still consider one of the greatest Boiler Room Sets of All time. And this is not only because of the impact it had, or how amazing the set was, but because visually, it was one of the funnier and more entertaining boiler room sets ever. Make outs, crazy sticker head guy flipping off the crowd and of course the one and only “ELLUM GUY”. Fast forward to today, and the set has amassed over 15M plays, the fourth most played video in channel history.

The set served as a testament to Maceo's unparalleled artistry, showcasing his unmistakable uniqueness to the world. For those who missed out, the experimental sounds and rhythms he explored in tracks like "Solidarity Dayz" and "Sordid Affair (Remix)" sent shockwaves through the industry, leaving an indelible mark. Maceo's ability to push boundaries and defy conventions, not only individualized his sound, but also solidified his legacy as a true genre-breaking artist. While this trend had been evident since the inception of his hit records, these songs introduced a new dimension of innovation that captivated even the most casual electronic music listeners, making his impact impossible to ignore.

Like many of you, I have a diverse taste in DJs, but there are only a select few whose tracks are instantly recognizable. DJ Stingray and Richie Hawtin are notable examples, but for me, Maceo Plex stands at the forefront of that list. Since 2013, Maceo has consistently delivered hit after hit, never resting on his laurels, but instead pushing the boundaries of his sound and exploring new genres while maintaining his unique vibe and rhythm. Tracks like "Wash Away My Tears" blend elements of techno, house, and electronica in a way that defies genre categorization, while others like "Conjure Infinity" from his Mutant Series infuse techno with irresistibly groovy house elements. Each year, Maceo continues to surprise and captivate listeners with his innovative sounds, leaving them eagerly asking, "What is this? I've never heard anything like it before, and I love it." With each release, there are standout tracks that define the musical landscape of that year. Here's my personal favorite from each year since 2010 that I believe opened our ears to completely new sounds and musical concepts:

(Please click song title for Spotify link)

• 2010 - Snorkel feat. Kule Runner
• 2011 - City Life - Maceo Plex Remix
• 2012 - Can’t Leave You & Love Somebody Else (Maceo Plex Bonus Tool)
• 2013 - Conjure Balearia
• 2014 - Conjure Infinity EP & Solitary Daze 
• 2015 - Solar Sampler EP & Sordid Affair (Mace Plex Remix)
• 2016 - The Replicant V1
• 2017 - Indigo ft. Jono McCleery, The Tesseract 
• 2018 - Blade Runner
• 2019 - When the lights are out 
• 2020 - Cinemax 
• 2021- Insomnia and Shadow (Maceo Plex Remix).....Maceo Dropped Shadow, before its release, on a covid stream-set that has a special place in my mind. He finished with an awesome interview. Thank you Maceo for those epic isolation sets. They made the pandemic way more bearable. 
• 2022 - All Night......I heard this track the first time in NYC, when Mace Plex did an outdoor set, djing well into 7am territory, following a set I believe by Stephan Bodzin. The track was not out yet, and in pure Maceo fashion, he transitioned from trap hi-hats, to techno and groovy house seamlessly without skipping a beat. When this came out I looked for months on youtube for it. Constantly checking shazam against my video recording to no avail. And when it finally released, it made perfect sense that it was none other than a Maceo Plex original. Unique, ground breaking, new, but familiar at the same time. 
• 2023 - 93 (Album)......So here we are, now, at the present moment, exploring what I believe to be not only one of the best electronic albums of that year, but one of the best albums across all genres in general in 2023. The latest album by Maceo Plex is a masterpiece of musical exploration, offering a rich and diverse sonic journey that seamlessly traverses through various styles and emotions. From moments of raw, heartfelt emotion to electrifying bursts of energy, the album captivates listeners with its dynamic range and depth.

One of the album's most intriguing qualities lies in its ability to weave together elements of the past with a fresh, contemporary sound and perspective. It's as if Maceo Plex has drawn inspiration from his own musical history, reinterpreting familiar motifs and melodies in an entirely new light. Each track feels like a meticulously crafted Mace/Maetrik history lesson, with layers of intricate detail and innovation waiting to be discovered.

What sets this album apart is its sheer creativity and ingenuity. Maceo Plex demonstrates a fearless approach to experimentation, pushing the boundaries of conventional music-making and creating something truly unique in the process. The result is an album that feels both timeless and forward-thinking, a testament to Maceo Plex's unmatched talent and vision as a producer.

Wow - that was a journey of an article for me. So many of his songs fire up distinct core memories in my mind. Almost every year he continues to find ways to create new sounds, vibes and melodies that sound so unique to him, yet completely original and new at the same time. We can’t wait to see what’s next. He’s just getting started.