Preview: RiCHARD.GEAR - Strange Magick (bodytalk)

RiCHARD.GEAR steps up for the bodytalk label's second release with his new offering, "Strange Magick". Founder of the excellent Whiskey Pickle imprint, Mr Gear is a regular fixture on the after-dark scene in his native Austin, Texas.

The title track combines some classic house sounds with insistent, discordant vocal samples to create palpable tension. This is proper after-hours material, with the added bonus of a lovely bouncing groove.

George Horn (Acryl Music, DeepWit) smooths out proceedings with his laid back, rolling remix. A warm bassline joins up to some subtle stabs, keeping the energy levels just right throughout.

The second track, "Be Free," has a much more stripped-down approach, featuring slow-building chords and a life-affirming vocal sample. A M.I.J.A.S. remix completes the package, upping the intensity with classic 808 drums, plus filtered chords and bass.

Overall this is a great release, with a mix for (almost) all occasions. Check it out right here:

Preview: Liquid Light - Human Condition EP (Blue Bass Records)

Sotiris Rinou, the talent behind Liquid Light is back with his latest EP Human Condition, which is being released on May 15^th on his own label Blue Bass Records. With a discography that stretches back nearly a decade, he has caught attention from the likes of Laurent Garnier, Hernan Cattaneo, James Zabiela and Anthony Pappa. 

The first track on the EP “Rephlex” has a minimal feel, pulling together the sound of the piano, male vocal samples and off beats. The synths quickly help change the direction, giving a much more upbeat funkiness. Track two, named “Come Together” is heavier, with some subtle yet effective beat changes that lead you down a different path without you realising how you got there. 

The third track named “Shake that thing” is my personal favourite and has incredible energy, with techno undertones, and the unmistakable sound of the bongo, that leaves you under no illusion that summer is nearly here and you should be appreciating this track whilst dancing on a Barcelona roof terrace. 

Finally “Until we meet again” is beautifully Euphoric, and reminds me slightly of the “Streets” classic Blinded by the light, but with less talking and more soul. I am looking forward to hearing the full EP on its release date, and know that one or all of these tracks will be grabbing the attention of many DJ’s throughout the next few months.

"Liquid Light" is out on May 15th on all major download stores.

Preview: Warma - Bunny EP (KDB Records)

Out on May 19th, this EP comes from the "first post-Soviet vinyl label", KDB. With some of the quirkiest artwork we've seen this year (a figure skating Putin anyone?!), the title track is a fun slice of techy house from Ukranian producers Warma. There's also a remix from South African producer Philip Jo, part of Dubai's seminal Audiotonic crew.

The Seth Schwarz version is truly the star of the show here though, featuring no less than 30 layered violin parts, all played live by the Berlin producer.

If you like your dance music emotionally charged, epic and containing lyrics about rabbits, you'll want to snap this one up!

kdb-records.com

Preview: The Boogie Volume 4 (Tokyo Dawn Records)

Tokyo Dawn's incredible compilation series 'The Boogie' shows no signs of running out of steam with this, its 4th installment.

Somehow treading the fine line between nostalgic and futuristic, this lovingly chosen selection of tracks hangs together beautifully as an album. Highlights include an incredible opener featuring Omar and deftly remixed by in-demand producer Opolopo, as well as a truly modern soul ballad from Chacho Brodas.

"Connecting the dots between early electro, hip hop and house, this compilation redefines boogie based on neon synths, soul chords and a decent portion of robot funk."

 The LP is out on February 23rd on CD as well as digital. Until then, you can grab a preview right here:

The Boogie Volume 4 by Tokyo Dawn Records

Preview: Onur Ozman - Room To Dance EP (Onethirty Recordings)

The brilliant Onethirty Recordings are off to a flying start in this, their 10th year in existence, with a rather lovely release from Istanbul native Onur Özman.

As label boss Jevne puts it:

"Onur has been a sold player in Onethirty family since his first release "Not Enough" back in 2010, followed by "Hold On" in 2011 and "Broken Dreams" in 2012. His music has helped shape the Onethirty sound for years now! "Room To Dance" does not disappoint in staying true to both Onur's & Onethity's vibe! We are very excited to have this EP kick off the ten year anniversary, these are truly amazing tracks."

The package comprises three typically clean, bright slices of bouncy house music, plus a very pleasant moody remix of "Never Can Say Good Bye" from Fil Lavin.

The Room To Dance EP is out today exclusively on Beatport, and across all other stores on February 2nd.

Grab a preview here:

Preview: Gavin & Robbie Hardkiss - RetroactiveFuturisticPsychedelicFunkBump (Whiskey Pickle Records)

2013 was a bittersweet year for dance music lovers, scarred deeply by the tragic passing of Romanthony, as well as a true unsung hero of the scene by the name of Scott Hardkiss.

Not only was Scott an incredible producer in his own right, but back in 1997 he also created (in my opinion) the greatest Essential Mix of all time for Pete Tong's legendary Radio 1 show. The mix was a seminal moment for me as a teenager, acting as a beacon which drew me towards a lifelong love of the more spiritual side of dance music. You can listen to that mix and be transported (and transformed) right HERE.

Fast forward to 2014 and I'm delighted to hear that the remaining Hardkiss founders Gavin & Robbie have a new album in the pipeline. This is the second single from the forthcoming LP '1991', jammed full of retro flavours and fun(k).

"A slick slab of electro-boogie rhythms, the single features vocoded vox and a nasty bass that'll take listeners on an interstellar voyage from Cybotron to Planet Rock."

Remixers James Curd & Q-Burns Abstract Message are both on incredible form here, delivering tour de force versions, filled with inventive touches and positive energy.

Gavin Hardkiss himself completes the package under his Hawke moniker, creating one of the most unusual and original remixes I've heard in a very long time.

Release Date: February 10, 2013

Grab a preview here:



Label and Artist Links:
www.whiskeypickle.com
www.soundcloud.com/gavin-hardkiss

Review: Vipul - Evolve (Wind Horse Records)

At the forefront of the emerging deep house scene in India, Wind Horse Records has consistently impressed from day one. This latest release features both Vipul & Hamza, the two producers who most represent the label's unique sound.

Vipul's title track 'Evolve' is a typically dreamy, spiritual slice of house music, full of emotional twists and turns.

Ross Couch's remix moves the track toward the dancefloor with a bouncey swagger, however the breakdown takes us into achingly beautiful, cinematic territory.

Label owner Hamza's version retains many elements from the original track, adding low slung beats, basslines and sublime piano chords.

Dutchie Music boss Juan Mejia takes control for the final remix, taking the original into even deeper waters, full of melodic fragments and dreamy arpeggios.

As the label notes say: "Overall, this evocative offering from Vipul shows his transformation isn’t merely ensuring survival as an artist, but rather gaining him higher ground with each new rung on the
hierarchical ladder. "

'Evolve' is available now on Beatport and all other major download stores.

Preview: Santiago Lopez - Red Sunset (Apollo)

Apollo is one of those labels which sticks to its aesthetic and artistic guns. While other imprints are frantically trying to switch their sound in a futile attempt to reflect whatever the cool kids are salivating over this week, Apollo is still floating serenely around in space without a care in the World...

In my book, this consistency of sound and vision, coupled with a seemingly constant supply of supremely talented artists who hardly anyone has heard of (yet), makes them one of the most important electronic labels around right now.

Their new release by San Francisco's Santiago Lopez is typically spacey, cinematic and evocative.

If you like moody music which gives you room to imagine and think- grab a hold of this one.

As the press release puts it: "Apollo is pleased to announce Santiago Lopez's three-track "Red Sunset" EP. Contemplative in nature, the triptych of tracks comprising "Red Sunset" are deep house gems that sparkle in their glowing surroundings."

The EP is out on December 12th exclusively on Beatport.

Review: Finest Wear - Distant Memories (Colour and Pitch)

The second release on Brighton-based label Colour & Pitch, "Distant Memories" makes it clear that the name of the label is more than just two words that look good alongside each other; this collection is full of vivid sonic colors and knows its musical pitches but doesn't take that as a point of pride.  The arrangements are well thought-out and interesting in a genre where that's not necessarily required anymore. In much house music these days a decent groove and a fat kick drum will usually suffice.

The term "intelligent dance music" was always silly-sounding, but the idea behind it was one worth aspiring to: tracks that still hold up as music when you're no longer in a dance environment. Finest Wear's work hits this target easily and without sacrificing any club "thump."

The opener, "The Storm" has the aforementioned elements and features spoken word describing the female vocalist's lover as the titular storm. This is followed by "For The Love" with dubbed-out vocal snippets reminiscent of a memory just beyond the point of clarity--yet definitely not forgotten.  "The Tribute" is up next and is probably the moodiest of all of the tracks with a full minute of strings and pads before any drum appears.  When the bass shows up in the arrangement almost 2 minutes into the track, the vibe is already pretty thick with pads and drums. Also at this point one may find involuntary bodily movement has commenced (also known as "grooving.") About halfway thru this number it begins to feel like a house party that has made that mysterious shift from beginning to "happening."

The closer is Sumsuch's refashion of the opening track, "The Storm."  Sumsuch moves the track in a jazzier direction--not any less rhythmic, just more complex harmonies and a bit more electric piano. There are also some subtle tech touches--just enough to sound slightly futuristic without going balls-out electro and balance out the jazz elements.

Folks looking to enjoy some butt-shaking and others looking for beautiful, yet bouncy electronic music have much to enjoy here.

'Distant Memories' is available now on Beatport , Traxsource , iTunes & Juno

Preview: Never Knows feat. Qzen - Untitled 26 (Untitled & After)

An absolute treat of a single here from little-known San Francisco imprint 'Untitled & After'. Industrial electronic sounds with tinges of techno are the order of the day here, coupled with a beautiful vocal courtesy of Qzen, a singer whose credits include collaborations with John Tejada, 40 Thieves and many others. As with all the best tracks, 'Untitled 26' defies any kind of genre tag except our favourite one: 'damn good music'.

Japanese producer 'Birdcage' supplies the remix here; and it really is stunner. Simple emotive chords, scratchy percussion & wonderful use of the vocal makes this version ooze quality with every twist and turn. This is the first I've heard of 'Birdcage', and it's immediately inspired me to hunt down more of his work.

As the label notes so eloquently say: "If this single is the soundtrack to never seeing the sun then lots of people could be easily persuaded into signing up for this suspended in time experiment."

'Untitled 26' is released on all major download stores on November 5th.