Ransel - Taiga (Beatservice Records)

Ransel makes a stunning return to Beatservice Records, evoking exotic atmospherics via the heads-down rhythms of "Taiga." It's the latest sonic treat under the relatively fresh Ransel moniker by venerated artist Øivind A Sjøvoll. Perhaps best known for his work recorded under the Kohib alter-ego, Sjøvoll has made a habit of surprising with his impossible-to-predict musical output, expertly drifting through stylistic barriers with each carefully constructed release. True to form and in keeping with the Ransel catalog to date, "Taiga" is immaculately produced and primed to enliven esoteric floors.

"Tiaga" utilizes a deceptively slow tempo, throbbing rhythms, an undulating synth bass drive, and exotic melodies across a stripped panorama, with Eastern motifs bursting into focus as harmonic guitar rhythms meander in the distance. Nocturnally charged and brimming with mystery, the magnetic groove captivates throughout as the arrangement bubbles and builds.

This compelling Ransel release is another powerfully evocative work from Sjøvoll, an intriguing addition to the evolving Beatservice roster.

Bill Shephard (Push Music) – “Balearic bombshell.”
Steve ‘Griffo’ Griffiths (The Flow Mechanik) – “Sublime! Chilled to the gills.”
Black Mighty Wax (Irma Records) – “intriguing mood here.”
Spaceotter (Camp Conception) – “Great sneaky groover. Hits just in the right way.”
Brad Eller (Glass Slipper) – “Nice and cinematic.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “Sublime … right up my street and lovely for those more discerning terraces as summer approaches.”

Available Now From: Beatport, Bandcamp, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Sleight of Hands - Lipstick Shades (Green Gorilla Lounge)

The Green Gorilla Lounge crew have been big movers and shakers on the San Francisco underground scene since the mid-'90s and Sleight Of Hands is the label's flagship combo. This collaboration between collaboration between DJ M3 and Phil Collis is responsible for singles on Smoke N' Mirrors, remixes for Om Records, and consistently working crowds on the club and festival circuit. Now Sleight Of Hands come at dancefloors with a potent collection of tracks from their Lipstick series. Behold: Lipstick Shades!

This beauty batch of beats is 10 cuts strong and explores a range of influences, from jungles of Tulum to old school electro to synthwave for late night drives, The vintage-meets-the-new vibe of "Yucatech" is pure nightclub bliss, as are the sleazy midtempo handclap strut of "Arpwave" and the ecstatic Chicago House homage "Are You With Me." Sleight Of Hands are also ready to deliver more pensive sounds, such as the dreamy techno of "Lone Driver" and the dubbed-out Balearic House Remix of "Thankful." Championed around the scene, heard round the block, now's the time to grab some shade.

Tyler Stadius (Deepen) – “So good! Every track stands out. Can’t wait to get playing these.”
Magnus Asberg (On The House Records) – “Yes yes! Full support on this.”
Spaceotter (SCOHM) – “Hey Hey has extraordinary levels of vibe.”
Brian Busto (Serious Soul) – “For me, it’s one of the best releases of the year. Excellent work!”
Simon Kirk (Stag Beetle Show) – “Awesome selection here – I can see featuring all of these in my sets.”
Leri Ahel (Mutant Disco Radio Show) – “Some brilliant tracks here. Already played on my show!”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Boblebad - Kalde Vibber (Beatservice Records)

Punching in with the anticipated new episode of his singular jaunts into electronic music’s wild blue yonder is Beatservice habitué Ulf Moen Denneche, alias Boblebad. Following up to his previous release — the fun and bouncy Vill Falafel— the Norwegian producer dishes out the Kalde Vibber EP. Its four cuts continue in the same vein of Boblebad’s playful disco: cosmopolitan, unruly, and definitely nutty by nature. With other releases for Paper, Eskimo, and Full Papp, as well as a full album due early next year, Boblebad’s on the quick rise.

True to Boblebad's ever intricate engineering of floor-ready dynamics and off-piste bizarro, "Hundeliv" breaks the EP in to the sound of barking dogs, middle-Eastern strings and aloof-yet-fevered drumwork, slowly hatching into a full-fledged off-kilter club tune as bars go by. More of an Italo-infused oddity, "Mørketid" evokes damper, more nocturnal ambiences with its fluttering mix of cheap Casio synths and early ‘Prince of Persia’ harmonics either out an Ali Baba-themed Vegas casino or some dusty Commodore floppy disk.

As usual with Boblebad, the U-turns are pretty radical, and though it draws elements from a similar palette, track three "Paraplydrink" veers off onto more ambient-friendly territories of pre-trance electronica a la KLF, complete with the odd steel pan sequence to have the listener drifting far and wide into a Caribbean Eden of sorts. "Kalde Vibber" rounds it off on a further anthemic note with an irresistibly infectious mix of squelchy bass, deep synth vibrations, and intuitive organicity, sure to have the dancers zoning out in a flash. Jockeys take note, this one's got "perfect closing track / after-wrapper" written all over it.

Redstickman (The Ambient Mafia) – “Kalde Vibber definitely has "closing track" written all over it. I can imagine throwing this one down as the sunlight creeps in through the cracks in the blackened windows of whatever club I'm playing at. Brilliant!”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Some nice cosmic disco.”
Gabriel Ferreira (Items & Things) – “Love it! As usual.”
Crate Invader (Point Blank, London) – “Love this. synth pop tinged deep house, keeping it current but with a nod to the 80s. Sublime.”
Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “All lovely tracks. Paraplydrink though, is a thing of beauty.”
Sandro Bianchi (Ibiza Sonica) – “Amazing release, love it!”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel, Sydney) – “Have been playing Hundeliv and Paraplydrink regularly, love this sound. The other two are new to me but welcome additions, standout is Kalde Vibber.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, And Spotify.

Boblebad - Paraplydrink (Beatservice Records)

Punching in with the anticipated new episode of his singular jaunts into electronic music’s wild blue yonder is Beatservice habitué Ulf Moen Denneche, alias Boblebad. Following up to his previous release — the fun and bouncy Vill Falafel— the Norwegian producer dishes out the Kalde Vibber EP. Its four cuts continue in the same vein of Boblebad’s playful disco: cosmopolitan, unruly, and definitely nutty by nature. With other releases for Paper, Eskimo, and Full Papp, as well as a full album due early next year, Boblebad’s on the quick rise.

“Paraplydrink” — named after the sort of drink that comes with a mini-umbrella — is an early taste of the Kalde Vibber EP (fully released on December 10th). As expected from Boblebad, the U-turns are pretty radical. Though it draws from a similar palette as his other work, “Paraplydrink" veers off onto more ambient-friendly Balearic territories of pre-trance electronica a la KLF. It even features a sunny electronic steel pan sequence to send the listener drifting far and wide into a Caribbean Eden of sorts. A sonic delight.

Nick Warren (Global Underground) – “Bloody Lovely.”
Andreas Kinzl (Aromabar) – “Smooth & grooving summer flasher.”
Richard Hardcastle (Solid State) – “Real nice! Tropical AND Balearic … I like it.”
Piiit (So Watt) – “Deliciously trippy.”
Salah Sadeq (The Crate Radio Show) – “Nice! Will play on the radio show.”
Hober Mallow (Mighty Reel) – “Lovely, bouncy and fun. Reeks of summer! Will support.”
Jon Fugler (XLNT radio show) – “This is the kind of loveliness we need more of right now … lose yourself. 10/10.”

Available Now From: Bandcamp, Beatport, Apple Music, AND Spotify.