Kohib - Take One (Beatservice Records)

Kohib is back in Beatservice action, joining forces with vocalist Karoline Stensland on the delightfully deviant "Take One."

Since releasing last year's mesmerizing "Today's Tales Of Tomorrow," Øivind Sjøvoll took a short break from his Kohib project to deliver some heavy dancefloor textures under his Ransel alter ego. Fortunately, we didn't have to wait too long for Kohib's return, and he picked up where he left off with a typically refined slice of subterranean immersion.

Fans of Sjøvoll's back catalog will know to expect the unexpected with each evolving release, and, true to form, the producer, DJ, and party promoter keeps audiences on their collective toes with a distinctly floor-focused turn.

"Take One" sees crunching house drums power aberrant bass and detuned synth leads as brooding acid and tension-building strings add to the nocturnal mood. Karoline Stensland pitches in with a stirring vocal performance, flitting between snarling spoken word to searing soul as verse transitions into chorus.

Driving, elegantly sinister, and steeped in soul, this is certified dancefloor fire from Kohib.

Psycho-Jones (Kater Blau) – “Killer! Can’t wait to spin it.”
Al Mackenzie (Retroforward) – “Big fan of Kohib. This doesn’t disappoint.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “Ooh I’ll take one please!”
Jean Jérome (Kut ‘N’ Paste) – “Twisted! A great track.”
Black Mighty Wax (GRU Radio) – “It makes me move – that’s a good sign.”
Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “Love this. I can see two copies being worked.”

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

Ransel - Phoenix (Beatservice Records)

Beatservice Records presents the latest single from Øivind Sjøvoll's recently birthed Ransel moniker, the talented artist taking time out from his familiar Kohib project to craft the powerfully atmospheric brooder, "Phoenix."

Sjøvoll launched the Ransel project in 2022 as an outlet for his more club-focused productions, maintaining his immaculate production aesthetic while constructing subtly new sounds with a kinetic charge at their core. Having released a dazzling body of work on some of the underground's most revered labels as Kohib, he's long been a key feature in Beatervice Record's roundly compelling roster. His latest material is just as engaging as one comes to expect from this unique musical voice.

"Phoenix" launches with gorgeously evocative chords simmering over a percussive rhythm. Effortlessly building as the arrangement unfolds, haunting motifs and dubbed-out delays meander across the panorama, with sinister bass notes and grainy synth textures adding tension before the seductive groove resolves into a pulsating heads-down strut.

Deep, vivid, and gently poignant in tone, this is sublime work once again from Sjøvoll, his Ransel alter-ego demonstrating another string to his creative bow.

Jon Fugler (Fluke) – “Loving the effortlessly cool vibes here. A treat to drift away to.”
Chris Simmonds (Cross Section Music) – “Super chilled. Will support.”
Merlyn Martin (Baker Street Recordings) – “This is a very solid release.”
Jamie Topham (Summer Soulstice) – “Silky production and late night vibes.”
Sumsuch (Colour and Pitch) – “STUNNING! A must for the show this month. Love me some hangdrum.”
Simon Kirk (Proton Radio) – “A real treasure here. Beautiful chords and those delicate, thoughtful melodies fill me with joy.”

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

Ransel - Islands (Beatservice Records)

Beatservice Records is thrilled to announce the *Islands EP from Ransel – an intriguing new project birthed from the inspired mind of Øivind A Sjøvoll, better known as Kohib.

The Islands EP sees Sjøvoll adopt a floor-focused sound for the all-new moniker, serving two typically finessed compositions that each exude the distinguished quality of production we've come to expect from the skilled sonic craftsman. Having released scores of well-regarded titles on some of the world's most revered underground labels, his latest project is a perfect fit for his familiar Beatservice home.

Both tracks on the EP feature bewitching vocals performed by Charlotte Qamaniq and Kathleen Merrit, who spent time visiting his Tromsø hometown back in 2018. Embellishing the music with a delightfully mysterious charm, their traditional throat singing lends itself perfectly to Sjøvoll's profound sound signature. The opening track "Qimmiq" unfolds over a hypnotic midtempo rhythm, with the unforgettable vocals echoing over a bed of immaculately formed synth textures as thick waves of percussion add endless depth to the groove. Undulating over a deeply immersive arrangement, the music mesmerizes as it effortlessly builds. Nudging the tempo while delicately upping the energy levels, the propulsive strut of "Islands" is equally atmospheric. Rugged drums and infectious percussion provide the club-ready power before the almighty bass hook adds infinite weight to the groove. Purposefully ebbing and flowing over a full-bodied arrangement, saucer-eyed synths and loose-limbed congas swirl over the grainy vocal chants, combining to create a gloriously enigmatic moment of dance-focused abandon.

Striking, original, and overflowing with class, this is yet more impressive work from Sjøvoll, leaving us waiting with bated breath to hear more music crafted under his fascinating new Ransel alter-ego.

Peter Kruder (Kruder & Dorfmeister) – “Islands is great! Thank you.”
Flash Atkins (Paper Recordings) – “Pure heat from Kohib. Loving the murky, swampy Islands.”
Trent Banks / Citrus Age (Reflect) – “Wow! What a deep, visceral project. This will take people to other places.”
Sean Johnston (Hardway Bros) – “Both of these tracks are excellent.”
MGiK (Sofa Surfing) – “On air a must!”
Quincy Jointz (Ibiza Global Radio) – “I like ‘Qimmiq’. Also, I can imagin playing ‘Islands’ with it’s heavy percussion in my DJ sets at the right time.”

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

Kohib - So Good (Discomix) [Beatservice Records]

As a longtime member of the Tromsø electronic music scene, the multi-faceted Kohib has acted as a club organizer, DJ, and prolific producer. Since debuting on Beatservice’s Prima Norsk 3 compilation Kohib has released numerous singles and EPs as well as the album Make Fire and its remixed companion. In addition to club-focused tracks for Beatservice, Sprechen, Cibicaldi, and SpinSpin NYC, Kohib is also proficient in headier electronic styles. In that vein, his album track “Hear This” appeared on the Buddha Bar XIV compilation.

A highlight of 2012’s Solar Day EP was “So Good,” a fiery dance-floor stomper with Dagny on vocals — before she released her worldwide super-hit “Backbeat.” Kohib decided to test out a newly constructed studio set-up by revisiting “So Good” for one of his renowned Discomixes. It’s a shameless and irresistible dance version that’s twisted and funky, pulling in elements from disco, ‘80s synth pop, and modern house music sounds. Accompanying this stunner is a remix from Reggie Got Beats, the latest addition to the Beatservice roster. This ‘b-side’ mix complements Kohib’s version with extra funk and rhythm action, giving lucky DJs a tough choice for their sets. Might as well play both!

Vanilla Ace (Toolroom) – “Cool disco flava.”
DJ Sabo (Sol Selectas) – “The Reggie remix is funky.”
Mat.Joe (Mother Recordings) – “This is dope!”
Mr. V (Sole Channel Music) – “I Love this!”
K-Zan (Radio Galaxie FM) – “2 great versions. Full support!”
Cabaret Nocturne (MFR / Nein) – Italo Disco Power! I lke this revival.”
Belabouche (Midnight Riot) – “Reggie Got Beats Remix for me!”
SimonG (Volcano Radio) – “As the title says, so good … Nice, funky, and floor ready.”
Richard Hardcastle (Solid State) – “So good indeed! Reggie’s funkier take does it for me. Killer production and hooks on both.”
Bruce Tantum (XLR8R) – “Cute little tune. Digging both sides a LOT!”

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