Review: Natasha Kitty Katt - Intergalatic Vampire (F*CLR Music)

Natasha Kitty Katt (aka Intergalatic Vampire) has created a track that envisages what a space boogie comic artist would take to the dancefloor - without any cheesy efx: Natasha is a serious Marvel/DC. 

Natasha Kitty Katt follows up the 'Synaptic Juice' (featuring Suki Soul) release (see review HERE) with the equally impressive (and seasonal) 'Intergalatic Vampire'. 

This track is taken from the forthcoming album  'Synaptic Juice' that's earmarked for vinyl and digital release Q1 of next year.

Natasha Kitty Katt continues to DJ internationally so keep an eye open for when she's near you; but watch ya neck!

Don't forget last years' 'Batt Dance' (see review HERE) featuring 'Lost Boy' Billy Wirth and there's a 𝕹𝖆𝖙𝖆𝖘𝖍𝖆 𝕶𝖎𝖙𝖙𝖞 𝕶𝖆𝖙𝖙  USA Oct Tour 24 (see dates below) with a Halloween Special in Miami!

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt
Title: Intergalatic Vampire
Release date: 1st November, 2024
Label: F*CLR Music
Cat. No: FCLR035
Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt - Synaptic Juice ft. Suki Soul (F*CLR Music)

Followers of Franko-Dracula dungeon house will have Natasha Kitty Katt's 'Synaptic Juice' on 24-hour syringe pumps from today as 'Synaptic Juice' featuring Suki Soul is released on F*CLR Music.

With both NKK and Suki drenched in disco/house/boogie, that juice is more than synapated on the dancefloor on both vocal and instrumental versions.

This week, "the Intergalactic Disco Vampire", herself was the featured Guestmix (#438) on SlothBoogie (see below) and this first since the 'Batt Danse EP' come out with Billy Wirth (see review HERE).

Natasha is more and more demand as a DJ too so expect more than just "beam me up, Scotty" reference when you see her out at Glitterbox, Ibiza etc [NB.‘Synaptic Juice’ is taken from an episode of ‘Star Trek – Voyager'] 

SlothBoogie · SlothBoogie Guestmix #438 - Natasha Kitty Katt

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt ft. Suki Soul

Title: Synaptic Juice  

Release date: 30th August, 2024

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLR034

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Joseph Malik - Only Fans ft. Digital Liquid (X-Press 2 Remixes) (F*CLR Music)

The Joseph Malik / Digital Liquid track 'Only Fans' gets a big remix treatment by the only fans that could, X-Press 2!

Well, Ashley Beedle might be on the cards but it's be a while since he, Darren House and Darren Rock were rockin' up at Top Of The Pops with David Byrne doing the chart hit 'Lazy'.

But since Ashley went off to do his own thing (and sometimes teaming up with Yam Who?), the two Darrens (aka Rocky and Diesel) really are X-Press 2 as the pair of them are they're anything but lazy these days having released a  brand new album last year, 'Thee' on Acid Jazz and remixing David Kitt's 'Till The End' (from the album on Warm, (see review HERE) and even more recently, having Jim's 'Phoenix - X-Press 2 On Fire remixes' release to heat up the dancefloor (did you see what they did there?).

And you always worry that a remix of a loved track might not be quite right.  Not with these guys as they clearly love 'Only Fans' as 5 versions get a near endless train of synth funk (in a good way).

A 'Front Room' original, radio edit, instrumental at over 20 minutes all together put you in a dancefloor daze but some of us DJ's don't get close to that front room and get intimate in the back room venues; and the 'Back Room' vocal and instrumental versions are perfect knob twiddle tracks - so much bass 'n' synth for those dark moments.

And did somebody say don't forget the backing vocals, original versions and the video? See review HERE.

Artist: Joseph Malik  

Title:  Only Fans ft. Digital Likquid (X-Press 2 Remixes) 

Release date: 5th July, 2024

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR033

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Joseph Malik: Lead vocals, BVs

Darren Morris: Keyboards, percussion
Daniel Walls: Bass, synth
Jo Wallace: BVs

Review: Joseph Malik - Only Fans ft. Digital Liquid (F*CLR Music)

OK, I know you expect some clever double entendre / entendres for this review with the title and the featured artist; but you ain't going to get it from me as this track (and instrumental) is for everyone.

 

The F*CLR massive have recently been on a dancefloor roll Miss N.K.K from her remix of Mr. Malik's 'With A Capital T' remix (see review HERE) and her own magnificent synthed out 'Galactic Love' (see review HERE).  For their latest hit, 'Only Fans', Joseph has jumped over the imaginery divide from Ramrock to F*CLR for his soul to be acided-up as inspired 70s ghetto funk groover in both vocal and instrumental options s.

'Only Fans' might get a few stray Google search hits but if you're looking for great dance music, this is the place to come... and don't forget the album, 'Proxima Ebony' (see review HERE).

And did somebody say X-Press 2 remix?

Artist: Joseph Malik ft. Digital Liquid

Title:  Only Fans 

Release date: 28th June, 2024

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR032

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt ft. His Bitter Truth - Galactic Love (F*CLR Music)

Bowie may well have been loving the alien but Natasha Kitty Katt and His Bitter Truth get tongue and groove action on the dancefloor with this 'Galactic Love' affair.

This is somewhat different to the last time we saw NKK with the 'Batt Danse' featuring Billly 'Lost Boy' Wirth (see review HERE) as Billy has been given the elbow and His Bitter Truth (aka Raff) has stepped up to the launch pad.

A atmospheric Hi-Energy track that's draws on  as much of Duran Duran's disco era as it does Tommy Soul's favourite Italian Funk and Disco dancefloor floorfillers on Lumberjacks In Hell.

If you love spacey Kraut-synth whirling, it's original and instrumental versions for you.  And again, so different to the fantastic previous release on the label, DJ Paul Funk and Quinten De Rozario Remix release of 'Hold Me Back' by Chip E ft Kid Enigma (see review HERE).

Expect to here Ms. Kitty Katt playing this out as she DJs internationally at all the best electric galaxy hot spots.

Artist: Natasha Kitty Katt ft. His Bitter Truth

Title:  Galactic Love 

Release date: 29th April, 2024

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR031

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Chip E ft. Kid Enigma - Hold Me Back - Remix EP (F*CLR Music)

F*CLR 30th release makes you want to be transported to Chicago house loft roots, so much so, you'll need to 'Hold Me Back'.

Kid Enigma's last couple of releases have been on Tech House label, Sink or Swim; 'Run It Back' and 'Out Of My Mind' but this new release is very him but back in the day with Chip E.

'Hold Me Back', in all it's five versions, is in ya face, no holds barred jackin' 'n' a-rockin' hip-house.  Any rap with the line, "smell the coffee, push that cup of tea aside" has my vote.

Long enough for a long a speedy turbo trainer workout (Ed. could do with 20 minute version?) but I really like the heavy organ on the original mix.

Chip E has been an influence for a very long time ago being at the start of house and jack with Joe Smooth and Frankie Knuckles; 5 years ago, his Xmas party was supporting Marshall Jefferson!  Kid Enigma has been a kid since he was DJing at 15 years old and his peace and love message on this track is infectious, especially as we've got remixes the team of DJ Paul Funk and Quinten De Rozario going above and beyond.  Love the DJ Paul Funk 'Dubstrumental' and  'Voacuda Mix' (I do hope that there's a full on instrumental take me to Rio batucada coming our way) and Quinten's mix is as bouncey as any old skool classic.

Hot on the heels of the label's Andrew Sant/Kameelah Waheed monster, 'Love Honor Respect' there's a huge positive vibe at F*CLR that we all need right now; so don't get on your bike, don't hole back, DANCE!

Artist: Chip E ft Kid Enigma 

Title:  Hold Me Back (DJ Paul Funk and Quinten De Rozario Remix) EP 

Release date: 17th November, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR030

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Andrew Sant - Love Honor Respect ft. Kameelah Waheed (F*CLR Music)

Acid meets Philly CRT poetry that champions, 'Love, Honor, Respect'; we say, choose this for the dancefloor.

We know that Kameelah Waheed is much sort after from appearances on Sumsuch & Will Brock's last release, 'Don't Know Where I'm Going' (with Gavin Boyce Remix - see review HERE) and cropping up and most surpristingly on Joseph Malik's massive album on Ramrock Records (see review HERE).  Even so, the Ramrock/F*CLR HR Department must have worked overtime to get Andrew Sant (Mancunian now living in Oz) and Kameelah together.

But here's a label that can spot a dancefloor anthem after Darren Price's 'The Real House Music EP' (see review HERE) or the drac-tech-house of Natasha Kitty Katt's 'Batt Danse EP' featuring Billy Wirth (that came out for Halloween - see review HERE) but you get an additional scary-synth edged "choose life" accapella and an equally squelchy instrumental version.

Don't forget, we saw Andrew on the 'High Power 2023 Rework' release (see review HERE) so we know he's got a thing for an acid knob twiddle (Ed. Haven't we all!)

Artist: Andrew Sant

Title:  Love Honor Respect ft. Kameelah Waheed

Release date: 10th November, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : FCLR029

Format :  Digital / Bandcamp

Review: Natasha Kitty Katt - Batt Danse EP ft. Billy Wirth (F*CLR Music)

I'm far too cool to 'Monster Mash' in late October but I can certainly 'Batt Danse' with the devil; errr.. I mean Natasha Kitty Katt and Billy Wirth. 

It's one of those times of years that you either love or hate tricks or treats and it's clear that Ms. Natasha Kitty Katt (she of Joesph Malik's 'Trouble with a Capital T' remix - see review HERE) has gone full on DJ Hell/Rusty Egan 80s synth vs. Bauhaus's 'Bela Logoshi's Dead' with a touch of Mark Stewart on 'Batt Danse'.

Inspired by Halloween and the 36th Anniversary of the film, 'Lost Boys', there's a 'The Lost Boys Vocal Mix' (the one with Billy Wirth who played 'Dwayne' in the original film!) and the original instrumental version which'll keep your Goth spirits satisfied for more than a weekend.

As ever, there's a voice on one shoulder saying, "where's the dub version?" and the other, a voice is saying, "stay tuned for the video" - I'll keep you posted on all future happenings [Hectic laughs maniacally]

PS. If the video is as good as the cover artwork....! And see below link to this weeks' the 'making of' Jibber-Jabber postcast 

Artist:Natasha Kitty Katt ft. Billy Wirth 

Title: Batt Danse EP

Release date: 27th October, 2023

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLR028

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Darren Price - The Real House Music EP (F*CLR Music)

Darren Price may not be the biggest name in club music but he had a hand in one of the biggest tracks in 'Born Slippy', this time, with F*CLR Music, if looks as if he's more than just touching a huge house hit as it's 'The Real House Music EP'.

Four tracks, with their own flavour of 'The Real House Music' message, 'Main' (obviously the main room jazz fusion chant), 'Warehouse' (a bit less defined). 'Cliffhanger' (on the edge of your seat) and the mind messin' 'Disco'.

Close to half an hour of house that'll move dancefloors for the rest of time because it's "All about the music, the real House Music".  

We've heard this sort of  repetitive chant that spans ambient, spiritural jazz, funk, soul all the to The Fall's classic take on 'Repetition' because it works; where's Frankie Knuckles; did someone say Kevin Saunderson?

A bit late for this month's Colour & Pitch Sessions but we'll definitely be on this one in all its form and reinforces F*CLR's history of being ahead of the curve; and they're at it again once more.

PS. it's also a good idea to check out his Soundcloud page: Stream Darren Price music.

Artist: Darren Price

Title: The Real House Music EP 

Release date: 25th September, 2023

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLR027

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Joseph Malik - Trouble With A Capital T (Natasha Kitty Katt Remix) (F*CLR Music)

If you're lucky enough to find 'Trouble With A Capital T', in life, the chances are that you're likely to find double trouble with capital 'T's, "TT" you might say.  Well, the good folks at F*CLR Music have found their 'TT' in the form of a NKK.  

And it is in those Lothian streets you'll find a Natasha Kitty Katt remix. I didn't hear this at last week's We Out Here Festival (Ed. that was last week so please stop going on about that now) but if I had, I know that the tent/field would have erupted in post-The Communards NRG synth disco 80s pop boogie frenzy.

You may know Natasha by reputation from disco/house residencies at high profile gigs such as Glitterbox, Soul Heaven, Southport and more; so when you add that talent to some additional production work by the North Street West crew, we're talking some serious disco fun even with a longer 'club vocal' and 'club instrumental' versions plus "two left feet".

But don't forget the original version (see review HERE) and, talking of which, if you're still around Edinburgh after the Festival in September, check out the Voodoo Rooms as this is where Mr Malik's new album, 'Proxima Ebony'  is going to have a launch party (check the details HERE) along with the magnificent Jo Wallace (Ramrock in all its forms), Shuya Okino (Kyoto Jazz Massive and WeOutHere) plus Natasha Kitty Kat and no doubt members Ramrock's Scottish contingent of The Jennifer Ewan Band (see review HERE and HERE) will show up to have a great time.

Artist: Joseph Malik 

Title: Trouble with a Capital T - The Natasha Kitty Katt Remix Ep [Additional Productions by North Street West]

Release date: 25th August, 2023

Label: F*CLR Music

Cat. No: FCLR026

Format: Bandcamp / Digital

Review: Twelve Caesars - California Sleaze EP (F*CLR Music)

We've got the follow-up to Wearing Shoes' EP, 'Never Pretend' on F*CLR [pronounced F.Star.Clear] and it's shows that as a label have got their finger on more than one pulse with Twelves Caesars' 'California Sleaze'.

It's odd that we've just had the Flying Mojito Bros "Refrito" version of 'Tigers Roar' by James Alexander Bright (review HERE)  and other West Coast soft rock "finds" (with BBE's compilation by Paul Hillery,'Once Again, We Are The Children Of The Sun') (review HERE) which is where 'California Slease' sits in vocal and instrumental versions.

Hardly surprising as the duo that is Twelve Caesars (aka Andrew Pipe and Stephen Ennever) cruise along Pacific Coast highway taking inspiration from Mahalia Jackson’s ‘Take My Hand, Precious Lord’ and Blind Willie Johnson ‘Jesus Make Up My Dying Bed’ plus a bit of Robert F Kennedy.

Well, there's a bit of a Weatherallisation to this as add to a sunny CS&N just a bit of dobro (I think it's a dobro - with slide?), added organ which just falls short of Ms Smith's, "Jesus died for somebody's sins but not mine" ('Glora'). 

Great artwork (as was their last release, 'Swan Fendered Mercury') but this time we've got to wait for the North Street West remix versions (really looking forward to see if they can match the 'Swan Fendered Mercury' dub with 'California Sleaze' with that organ and some added horns; it'll be brilliant).  Even now, if Charlie Gillett/John Peel were around today this would be high in their charts so I say it should be on yours too!

In the review of 'Never Pretend' I said, "lets have more from F*CLR" and they haven't let us down as this follows George T's 'Automatic Self On Hold' featuring Joseph Malik (review HERE).

Artist: Twelve Caesars 

Title: California Sleaze EP

Release date: 31st March, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number : Digital / Bandcamp

Review: George T ft. Joseph Malik - Automatic Self On Hold (F*CLR Music)

We've been long time fans of Joseph Malik having made his name 20 years ago; even a record label took their name from his track  'Futuristica'!

More recently he's been working with Ramrock Records and they've been promising us something special from Joseph for some that.  Adding a Roy Hargrove-esque trumpet (by David Rosenthal) to Joseph's soulful vocals with deep space synths from old-skool Detroit/Chi-Town plus jazzy keys, this is as good as next gen house gets.

And it doesn't stop there as there's the instrumental and a dub that's even brillianter as it merges on Isaac Asimov meets King Tubby at the Peechy NYC Boy disco; but guys, surely it needs to be at least 12" length? 

George's background is as deep as Joseph's with numerous remix releases classic labels like Glasgow Underground, NRK, 2020 vision, Crosstown Rebels, Tirk, and more recently Greco-Roman and Toolroom so together they make a great team and folks will be flocking to Scotland to be as hip as they are on the back of this no doubt [well Rebecca Vasant (Tru-Thoughts) got a "Jazz Warrior" moving from the South Coast to Glasgow a couple of years ago so it's not that far fetched]. 

Releasing this a few days ahead of Twelve Caesars' 'California Sleaze EP', (review HERE), F*CLR have their futuristica heads on as I'm calling it now, 'Automatic Self On Hold' track of the year!

Artist: George T ft. Joseph Malik

Title: Automatic Self On Hold

Release date: 27th March, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number :FCLR020 Digital / Bandcamp

South Beach Recycling's ' Obsessive Compulsive Disco' (reveiw HERE) and is he calling for a "Doctor, Doctor" over that jazzy organ? I dunno, but it's got me the dancin' pain relief I need from wearing these shoes.

We were so excited to hear news of this EP by Wearing Shoes, I just had to play the title track 'Never Pretend' on the 'love' edition of Andy Garvey's Delectabeats radio show. 

Not only that, 'Never Pretend' is backed up with two more killer tracks,  'Over The World' is current favourite as it's odd as I'm hearing "Roy Ayers" but no vibes; is that possible?  And 'Daily Stuff' which has a little Theo Parrish (a bit like a smooth version of 

South Beach Recycling's ' Obsessive Compulsive Disco' (reveiw HERE) and is he calling for a "Doctor, Doctor" over that jazzy organ?  I dunno, but it's got me the dancin' pain relief I need from wearing these shoes.

You can tell that this guy loves the house of pioneers like Frankie Knuckles as he's also into it's the same soul-jazz-funk history, in additon to Roy Ayers, you've got Lonnie Liston Smith to TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia), .

When folks casually say, "walk a mile in my shoes", here's the place to start - and I for one say, lets have more from F*CLR [pronounced F.Star.Clear].

Artist: Wearing Shoes

Title: Never Pretend EP

Release date: 27th February, 2023

Label : F*CLR Music .

Catalog Number :FCLR019 / Digital / Bandcamp