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.

Review: White Kite - So In Love EP (Deep Edition Recordings)

Deep Edition are swiftly (and deservedly) gaining a reputation as one of the most consistent labels on the scene. Launched three years ago in Newcastle UK, the label has brought founder Martijn and artists Graham Laverty & Michael McLardy to the fore, both as emerging talents and as tastemakers in their own right. 'White Kite' is a brand new project from Graham Laverty & Nicky Mann, and judging by this debut, we can't wait to hear more from the duo.

Mournful vocals, offbeat bass, hypnotic percussion and warm pads are the order of the day on the standout title track 'So In Love', creating a deeply satisfying vibe. A second, more dancefloor-centric original track 'Get Back' plus remixes from Martijn and Michael McLardy complete the package in fine style. It's refreshing to see a young label based around a small group of key artists, all collaborating and co-operating to build something unique and special. Deep Edition really is a family affair, and not the kind of family you'll see on Jerry Springer any time soon either.

White Kite's 'So In Love' EP is out now, exclusively on Beatport

Album: Red Hot + Fela (Knitting Factory Records)

Fela Kuti lives on. AIDS awareness organization Red Hot has partnered with cross-genre collaborators representing rock, hip-hop, Americana, and classical for the release of Fela Kuti compositions on Red Hot + Fela. The album features classic Fela anthems like "Lady" recorded by tUnE-yArDs, Questlove, Angelique Kidjo, and Akua Naru, "ITT" by Superhuman Happiness, "No Buredi" reimagined as an electro-house track by Nneka, Sinkane, Amayo, and "Afrodisco Beat 2013" by Tony Allen, M1 + Baloji. It also includes cover versions by Spoek Mathambo, Brittany Howard (from Alabama Shakes), the Kronos Quartet along with TV On The Radios' Kyp Malone and Tunde Adembimpe, and many more.

Buy the LP

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Preview: pothOles - Hooni (Oh! Records Stockholm)

Fresh from his recent release on Roberto Rodriguez's 'Seranades' label, talented Finnish producer pothOles is back on Oh! Records with a pair of brand new tracks.

We've been fans of the mysterious Finn since day one, so it's fantastic to hear his sound developing in leaps and bounds. Title track 'Hooni' is a typically restrained, chilled slice of Suomi deep house, while 'Hatari' introduces a more insistent bassline and hypnotic groove.

With rumours of his own label launching soon, as well as tales of him recently being voted Helsinki's second sexiest man, one thing is for sure: watch out for pothOles!

The release is available now, exclusively on Beatport. Grab it HERE

Preview: Mesake feat. Indre Ju - Red (DeepWit Recordings)

We return from a long break between posts with a label who have had rather a long break between releases. Denmark's Deepwit Recordings are a favourite of ours here at You and The Music, so we are extremely excited to see them releasing new music again.

We're happy to report that their upcoming release by Lithuanian newcomer Mesake is completely and utterly true to form. Full of sublime atmospheric touches, sweet chords and delicate vocals from Indre Ju, the original version sounds like sunset on another planet...

Of the remixes, the ever reliable tONKPROJECT's version stands out a mile for us, jammed full of musical invention and emotion as per usual.

The release is out now on all major download stores- grab your copy here

Review: Sumsuch - Simpatico (Colour and Pitch)

In a post major world, labels are launched so often that there's probably a profitable business out there for anyone with the ability to think up arresting and attractive names for them. On the other hand you *could* always make your label stand out from the ever-growing crowd by releasing stunning and innovative music. 

And luckily for us, that's what producer/DJ and now (once again) label owner Sumsuch has chosen to do.

"Simpatico" the debut release on his Colour and Pitch label (great name btw) is a frankly brilliant collaboration with Philadelphia vocalist Will Brock that moves the soul as well as it moves the feet - and trust me, this one is going to be a dancefloor filling stalwart in the days and months to come.... I've only heard the original mix so far, but tbh I'd be as happy as a pig on one of Brighton's rubbish strewn streets if it was the only mix that existed. Not least because it would lift me out of the mire and into the sunlight. Uplifting deep house? You'd better believe it. And you'd better buy it too...

'Simpatico' is out now, exclusively on Beatport. Grab your copy HERE

Review: Monsieur Minimal - Candy Face Remixes (The Sound Of Everything)

Producer and musician Monsieur Minimal has been creating his unique brand of accessible indie dance for around five years now, but is still relatively unknown outside his native Greece.

Hopefully this is all about to change, with this fantastic selection of remixes of his emotive and haunting new single 'Candy Face'. The original version can be found on his 2012 LP titled 'Minimal To Maximal', which is also well worth a listen.

Containing a massive number of remixes (9 in total), there is truly something for everyone in this package, with many shades of electronica and house represented, as well as something called ‘chill-wave’ (I'm getting out of touch in my old age it seems)...

Highly recommended: the sublime, sunkissed version by E Major a.k.a. Elias Tzikas, as well as the more club-oriented, powerfully emotional rework by Dimi Phaze.

The package is out to buy now via Beatport and all major download stores.


Check out the original version (and stunning video) here:

Preview: Ludowick - Get It Off EP (22 Digit Records)

This stunning package features three chunky, moody, atmospheric house tracks from Barcelona stalwart, Ludowick. If, like us, you shudder at the very thought of a Marvin Gaye vocal in house music these days, you might be very pleasantly surprised by the title track 'Let's Get It Off'. Somehow Ludowick has managed to sample of one of Marvin's best known tracks, intelligently and with originality, without in any way cheapening the mood. Dark, brooding and intensely rhythmic, this is sure to work on the floor.

Manchester based production powerhouse Moodymanc supplies a remix so uplifting that it borders on the euphoric, whilst still managing to remain both credible and deep. As the label notes say: Moodymanc's music "makes you stick your hands in the air and carefully stroke your beard at the same time."

Of the other two original tracks, 'Signs From Heaven' is the clear standout. With clear influences from breakbeat and another cheeky vocal sample (this time from Seal), this is another brilliantly evocative track.

The EP is released on 20th May 2013. Until then, you can listen to a preview here: